Friends of Socialist China, Author at Friends of Socialist China

Iranian Foreign Minister visits Beijing

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi visited China on May 6 for talks with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi.

Araghchi briefed Wang on the latest developments in the Iran-US negotiations and Iran’s next steps, stating that facts have proven that political crises cannot be resolved through military means. Iran will resolutely safeguard its national sovereignty and national dignity while continuously building consensus through peaceful negotiations to seek a comprehensive and permanent solution. Currently, the issue of opening the Strait of Hormuz could be promptly addressed. Iran highly appreciates and agrees with the four propositions put forward by President Xi Jinping [during his recent meeting with the Crown Prince of the United Arab Emirates {UAE}] on safeguarding and promoting peace and stability in the region. Iran commends China for always standing on the right side of history and making unremitting efforts with a constructive attitude to prevent the situation from deteriorating and spilling over. Iran trusts China and looks forward to China continuing to play an active role in promoting peace and ending the conflict and supports the establishment of a new post-war regional framework that can coordinate development and security.

The Iranian Foreign Minister added that his country is willing to take the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries this year as an opportunity to strengthen exchanges at all levels, tap into cooperation potential, provide firm mutual support, and deepen all-round cooperation. Iran is also willing to strengthen communication and coordination with China in multilateral affairs and continuously deepen the Iran-China comprehensive strategic partnership.

Wang Yi reiterated China’s principled position on the situation in Iran, emphasising that China has been actively promoting peace and facilitating talks since the outbreak of hostilities. President Xi Jinping solemnly put forward four propositions on safeguarding and promoting peace and stability in the Middle East, which has received a positive response from the international community. The current regional situation is at a critical juncture between war and peace. China believes that a comprehensive ceasefire is of utmost urgency, that resuming hostilities is even less acceptable, and that adhering to negotiations is particularly important. China supports Iran in safeguarding its national sovereignty and security and appreciates Iran’s willingness to seek a political solution through diplomatic channels. Regarding the Strait of Hormuz, the international community shares a common concern about restoring normal and safe passage through the strait, and China hopes that the parties involved will promptly respond to the strong call from the international community. [In this regard it should be noted above that Araghchi said that this issue could be promptly addressed, whereas the same day, US President Donald Trump boasted that, “the blockade will remain in full force and effect.” Iran has consistently stressed that the Strait remains open to all but the US aggressors and their allies.]

Wu Yize makes snooker history for China

Wu Yize became the second Chinese player to win the World Snooker Championship following Zhao Xintong’s triumph last year, defeating England’s Shaun Murphy 18-17 at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre on May 4.

At 22 years of age, Wu also became the second-youngest Crucible winner after Stephen Hendry, who was 21 when he won the title in 1990.

Murphy and Wu embraced each other at the end of the hard-fought match and Murphy said:

“I’d like to be the first to congratulate Wu Yize and his family, and everyone around him for being a wonderful world champion. I hate being right – I said sometime earlier in the season when we had a great game out in China somewhere, I won that one, but I came out afterwards and said that he would be world champion one day. It’s just a real shame that it was today, but I couldn’t have given it anymore, I couldn’t have tried harder.”

With his parents by his side, Wu said: “My parents are the true champion. Since I made the decision to drop out of school, my dad has been by my side. My mum has also been going through a lot over the years. They are the source of my strength. I love them so much. I am so happy. I played for myself, my family, and China. I think other Chinese players can win this championship – the best is yet to come.”

The Telegraph appeared to forget its normal anti-China venom and general contempt for working class people and enthused:

“Wu is a prodigious talent who took the Crucible by storm, sealing the championship with the coolest of left-handed pots.

“Lanzhou-born Wu moved to Sheffield with his father when he was 16 to pursue his snooker dream in what must surely rank as one of the game’s most remarkable rags-to-riches tales. The duo shared a window-less flat and even a bed in Sheffield but, as Wu pumped his fist after conquering 43-year-old Murphy in this epic, all of that hardship was worth it.

“In the Steel City [as Sheffield is still known having been historically a centre of the industry], Wu’s nerves matched. He has developed into a cult figure with the Crucible faithful and his Wu Fan Clan were there until the very end, chanting his surname in the same vein as fans of Joe Root or Bruce Springsteen after a final for the ages.”

Asked about those popular “Wu” chants, the newly minted champion added: “At the beginning I had a misunderstanding. I thought people were booing me. Then the staff told me they were cheering me on, so I can’t thank you all enough.”

The Metro reported that Wu had earlier expressed his thanks to Ronnie O’Sullivan:

“‘We met a few times during the practice,’ Wu said of O’Sullivan. ‘We messaged each other occasionally to talk about matches. I really appreciate his support.’

Speaking in November, O’Sullivan said: ‘I was practicing quite a bit with Wu Yize in Hong Kong before the tournament [in Nanjing, China] that he won. I was just telling him certain areas of his game that I think he needs to improve on if he wants to be a winner.”

The seven-times world champion winner is a great friend of China.

The left-wing website Canary acclaimed Wu’s victory, writing:

“Wu Yize did not just win a world title; he arrived as a force the sport will have to reckon with for the next decade…

“Yize’s victory will resonate far beyond Sheffield. It will accelerate investment, inspire juniors, and reshape the competitive landscape. Crucially, he does not look like a one‑off. His temperament, scoring power and ability to absorb pressure are traits that translate to long‑term success…

“Wu Yize did not sneak through the back door, he walked through the front, past a former world champion who refused to go away and closed the match with the best break of his life. A new name is on the trophy, and my guess is it will not be the last time you see it there.”

China marks Youth Day

On May 3, Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a reply note to representatives of youth honour recipients, encouraging young Chinese to integrate their personal aspirations into the bigger picture of national development. Xi’s message came on the eve of China’s Youth Day on May 4, which commemorates the 1919 May Fourth Movement, which is widely seen as a turning point in the country’s modern history.

Giving various examples, an article carried by the Xinhua News Agency notes that around this time, Xi usually extends greetings to young people, underscoring the close link between youth empowerment and national progress.

In his message this year to representatives of recipients of the China Youth May Fourth Medal and New Era Youth Pioneer, Xi urged young Chinese to stay rooted in their roles, strive for new achievements and channel their youthful dynamism into advancing the nation’s new journey of development.

The article explains that: “About a decade ago, Xi guided the formulation of a national youth development plan that identified volunteer service as a priority. Through letters and in-person exchanges, he has repeatedly encouraged young volunteers to ‘serve where the country and the people need them most.’

“Xi’s own early experience has shaped his outlook. In his youth, he left Beijing to work in a rural village on the Loess Plateau, where he lived and laboured alongside farmers. Known for his diligence, he earned the trust of villagers and was elected local Party chief, where he led efforts to boost production and reduce poverty.

“Xi’s aspiration at that time was to ensure that all fellow villagers could have enough to eat. It was there that he forged the commitment to serving the country and the people.”

Also on May 3, it was announced that the Communist Youth League of China (CYLC) had about 78.34 million members by the end of 2025, with about 9.14 million new members joining last year.

On April 30, 2019, Xi Jinping delivered an important speech marking the centenary of the May 4 Movement. Xinhua’s report of that event explains that:

“The May Fourth Movement started with mass student protests on May 4, 1919, against the government’s response to the Treaty of Versailles that imposed unfair treaties on China and undermined the country’s sovereignty after World War I. It then triggered a national campaign to overthrow the old society and promote new ideas, including science, democracy and Marxism… Xi said the May Fourth Movement was a great patriotic and revolutionary campaign pioneered by advanced young intellectuals and joined by the people from all walks of life to resolutely fight imperialism and feudalism.”

“As long as the banner of patriotism is being held high, the Chinese people can unleash great powers in the endeavours to transform China and the world,” Xi said. The essence of patriotism is having unified love for the country, the Party and socialism, he added, urging young Chinese to follow the instructions and guidance of the Party, and remain dedicated to the country and the people. Young people are also urged to establish belief in Marxism, faith in socialism with Chinese characteristics, as well as confidence in the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation.

Xi said Chinese youth of the new era should bear their responsibilities of the times and carry on the spirit of arduous struggle. He also encouraged young people to not only care about their family and country but also have concerns for humanity.

China implements zero-tariff treatment for 53 African countries

On 1 May this year, with the Trump administration continuing to wield tariffs as a weapon of economic coercion against much of the world, China did something historic: it granted zero-tariff access to its market of 1.4 billion people for all 53 African countries with which it maintains diplomatic relations (which is all African countries with the exception of Eswatini), with no conditions, political strings, or demand for reciprocal action.

This is not a sudden gesture but the culmination of a relationship with deep roots. For 35 consecutive years, China’s Foreign Minister has made Africa the first destination of their overseas travel at the start of each year. China championed the African Union’s entry into the G20. African countries were pivotal in restoring China’s lawful seat at the United Nations more than 50 years ago. China-Africa trade reached a record $348 billion in 2025. Chinese agricultural teams are helping Gambia achieve historic rice yields. Chinese engineers built West Africa’s first light rail, in Lagos. A new Africa CDC headquarters, built by China, now anchors the continent’s
public health infrastructure.

Against this backdrop, Western accusations of Chinese “neo-colonialism” in Africa ring hollow – and African leaders themselves have said so. Namibia’s president,
confronted by a German politician fretting about Chinese workers in his country, replied simply: “We will handle our own country.”

The Global Times editorial below sets out the significance of the new zero-tariff policy and what it represents for the China-Africa relationship and for the future of equitable global trade.

China will implement zero-tariff treatment for 53 African countries that have diplomatic relations with it, starting May 1. This major policy initiative positions China as the first major economy in the world to grant unilateral and comprehensive zero-tariff treatment to all African countries that have diplomatic relations with China, as well as to all least developed countries that maintain diplomatic relations with China. This “unilateral and full-coverage” arrangement is not just a “subtraction” in tariffs, but also an “addition” for development, a “multiplication” for people’s livelihoods, and a “division” of arbitrary tariff impositions. From this, people can see China’s policy philosophy of sincerity, real results, amity, and good faith toward Africa, as well as its correct view of justice and interests.

Many years ago, at multilateral forums such as the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), China committed to gradually expanding tariff preferences for African countries to help them integrate into the global trading system. Starting in 2005 with zero-tariff treatment for certain products from the least developed countries in Africa, and granting zero-tariff treatment on 100 percent of tariff lines for least developed African countries by the end of 2024, as well as further extending the preference to all African countries with diplomatic relations with China by 2026, China has consistently fulfilled every commitment to Africa with steady and practical actions. Not once has it wavered due to global economic fluctuations. This commitment to “honoring its words with concrete actions” has not only solidified the foundation of mutual trust between China and Africa but also demonstrated the credibility of China as a responsible major country, setting an example for the international community in honoring promises and upholding integrity.

Pakistan president pays tribute to Chairman Mao on Hunan visit

Pakistan president Asif Ali Zardari visited China’s Hunan and Hainan provinces from April 25-May 1.

In the year in which the two countries are celebrating the 75^th anniversary of their diplomatic relations, a key focus of the visit was on a wide range of economic sectors along with other areas of practical cooperation. It was also notable that the Pakistan head of state chose to visit the home province of Chairman Mao, paying warm tribute to the leader of the Chinese revolution and founder of New China and referencing his own family’s special relationship with China over three generations.

An April 26 post on the official social media page of The President of Pakistan, datelined from Changsha, Hunan’s provincial capital, noted:

“President Asif Ali Zardari, currently visiting Changsha in Hunan province of China, held a meeting with Mr Shen Xiaoming, Party Secretary of Hunan Province, and attended a banquet hosted in his honour by Governor of Hunan Province, Mr Mao Weiming…

“During the meeting, the President invited Mr Shen Xiaoming to visit Pakistan in connection with the 75th anniversary celebrations of diplomatic relations between the two countries. He underscored that Pakistan-China ties remain a cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy and continue to enjoy broad-based support. He also referred to his long-standing personal connection with China, recalling that his family, including his late father-in-law Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and his late wife Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, had always attached special importance to relations with China. He said this tradition is now being carried forward by the next generation, including his son, former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and [daughter] First Lady Bibi Aseefa Bhutto Zardari…

“In his remarks, President Zardari said that Hunan holds a special place as the birthplace of Chairman Mao Zedong, whose legacy continues to resonate. He observed that the idea that power rests with the people remains deeply admired by the Pakistanis. Reflecting on his personal connection with China, he noted that he first visited the country in 1989 and that his affinity for China has grown stronger over time…

“Speaking at the banquet, the Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong remarked that the President’s decision to visit Hunan reflects his special regard for Chairman Mao. He noted that Pakistan and China are expanding collaboration in agriculture, industry and minerals, and expressed hope that the visit would further strengthen bilateral cooperation, bring the two peoples closer and add significance to the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations.”

On April 28, the president’s social media updated from Chairman Mao’s birthplace, Shaoshan:

Communist parties of Spain and China meet

Liu Haixing, Minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee (IDCPC), met with a delegation led by Manu Pineda, Secretary of International Relations of the Communist Party of Spain (PCE), on April 23.

Liu said, President Xi Jinping and visiting Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez recently held a successful meeting, charting the course for the future development of China-Spain relations. The PCE plays an important role in Spain’s current centre-left coalition government and has actively contributed to the development of China-Spain relations. The CPC is ready to work with the PCE to implement the important consensus reached by the two countries’ leaders, strengthen exchanges and dialogue, deepen mutual learning of experience in party building and state governance, promote cooperation in economy, trade and local areas, and promote greater development of China-Spain comprehensive strategic partnership.

The following article was originally published on the IDCPC website.

Shenzhen, April 23rd—Liu Haixing, Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee (IDCPC), met here today with a delegation led by Manu Pineda, Secretary of International Relations of the Communist Party of Spain (PCE).

Liu said, President Xi Jinping and visiting Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez recently held a successful meeting, charting the course for the future development of China-Spain relations. The PCE plays an important role in the center-left coalition government and has actively contributed to the development of China-Spain relations. Both the CPC and the PCE are century-old Parties. The CPC is ready to work with the PCE to implement the important consensus reached by the two countries’ leaders, strengthen exchanges and dialogue, deepen mutual learning of experience in party building and state governance, promote cooperation in economy, trade and local areas, and promote greater development of China-Spain comprehensive strategic partnership.

Pineda said, the PCE and the CPC share a deep friendship. Relations between the two Parties have been continuously strengthened in recent years. The PCE appreciates the CPC’s positive role in leading China to safeguard world peace and stability, and supports the Belt and Road Initiative and other major international initiatives proposed by General Secretary Xi Jinping. The PCE is willing to continue to conduct in-depth research on and actively disseminate the CPC’s innovative theories and China’s foreign policies in various ways, so as to help the world better understand China and the CPC.

Jin Xin, Vice-minister of the IDCPC, was present.

CPC and Frelimo reaffirm friendship

Coinciding with Mozambican President Daniel Chapo’s state visit to China, his first since assuming office, on April 22, Liu Haixing, Minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee (IDCPC), met in Beijing with Chakil Aboobacar, Secretary-General of the Mozambique Liberation Front (Frelimo).

Liu said that the CPC is ready to work with Frelimo, guided by the important consensus reached by the top leaders of the two Parties and countries, to implement the memorandum of understanding on exchanges and cooperation between the two Parties, strengthen strategic communication and high-level exchanges, deepen exchanges of experience in state governance and administration and cooperation in cadre training, promote pragmatic cooperation in various fields through inter-party channels, and further advance the development of China-Mozambique and China-Africa relations.

Frelimo led the national liberation struggle against Portuguese colonial rule and has led the country since independence in June 1975. The deep ties between the CPC and Frelimo date to the earliest days of the liberation struggle. The founding leader of Frelimo Eduardo Mondlane visited China in 1963.

The following article was originally published on the IDCPC website.

Beijing, April 22nd—Liu Haixing, Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee (IDCPC), met here today with Chakil Aboobacar, Secretary-General of the Mozambique Liberation Front (Frelimo).

Liu said, President Xi Jinping met with President Daniel Chapo in a cordial and friendly atmosphere yesterday, and the two sides agreed to elevate bilateral relations to a China-Mozambique community with a shared future in the new era. The CPC is ready to work with Frelimo, guided by the important consensus reached by the top leaders of the two Parties and countries, to implement the memorandum of understanding on exchanges and cooperation between the two Parties, strengthen strategic communication and high-level exchanges, deepen exchanges of experience in state governance and administration and cooperation in cadre training, promote pragmatic cooperation in various fields through inter-party channels, and further advance the development of China-Mozambique and China-Africa relations. This year marks the start of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan, and China is willing to strengthen the alignment of development strategies with Mozambique, foster new growth drivers for cooperation, and support Mozambique’s national development. Liu also briefed on China’s efforts in advancing full and rigorous Party self-governance, as well as the CPC’s education campaign to help officials gain a correct understanding of what it means to perform well and act accordingly.

Aboobacar said, China has always been Mozambique’s true friend standing together through weal and woe and a reliable development partner. He expressed gratitude for China’s long-term selfless support for Mozambique’s economic and social development. Mozambique firmly adheres to the one-China principle and will continue to stand firmly with China on issues concerning China’s core interests. Mozambique is ready to work with China to implement the important consensus of the two heads of state, deepen cooperation in economy, trade, resources and other areas, and pursue modernization hand in hand. Frelimo regards the CPC as its priority strategic partner. Seizing the opportunity of the signing of the memorandum between the two Parties, Frelimo is willing to work with the CPC to further conduct exchanges and mutual learning on experience in state governance and administration, and carry out in-depth cooperation in areas including party school development and cadre training, to enhance the governing capacity and level of Frelimo.

The Great Qin show in Xi’an: Experiencing Chinese history and its lessons for today

In the following article Bhabani Shankar Nayak reviews a spectacular show he attended in Xi’an during a recent visit to China. Bringing to life the forging of a united China by first emperor Qin Shi Huang but also presenting it from the perspectives of ordinary people, he explains that it “brings audiences together to reflect on the idea of national unification in China in a way that remains inclusive and respectful of both domestic and global perspectives” and that it “conveys to the world that patriotism and nationalism can be inclusive, and need not be grounded in supremacist ideas or practices that undermine others or create divisions in the process of nation-building.”

Bhabani is Professor of Business Management at London Metropolitan University and writes extensively on socialism and anti-imperialism.

On 15 December 2025, after a hectic day of academic exchanges and talks in the morning, followed by sightseeing in the afternoon, my body was exhausted and it was difficult to keep my eyes open. My mind, however, was immersed in the cultural geography of Xi’an and the history of Shaanxi – the birthplace of Chinese civilisation. Then came an eighty-minute epic fantasy performance produced by the Shaanxi Cultural Investment Group at the Great Qin Performance Theatre located in a magnificent building on the east side of the Epang Palace in Fengdong New Town, Xixian New Area in Xi’an. This surreal production, led by a blend of acrobatics, dance, drama, technology, and music, made me forget my physical fatigue and drew me completely into the original archaeological setting of the Qin Dynasty. A 500-ton, 37-metre track platform expanded to 95 meters, accompanied by vibrating seats, transporting the audience back to the battlefields, palaces, mountains, oceans, rivers, agricultural fields, love stories, music, dance and the social and economic lives of ordinary Chinese people in 221 BCE. It was a visual marvel of Chinese history, unfolding the story of the Qin Dynasty through its main character, Hei Fu, a soldier.

The performance began in a realistic workshop setting, where Chinese archaeologists were shown working at an excavation site, restoring the ruins and remains of the Qin Dynasty. As the performance progressed, the story of China’s unification unfolded, following the journey of a Qin Dynasty soldier, Hei Fu, as its central narrative thread. Through his experiences, the performance used the fate of an ordinary individual to depict the broader historical process of Qin’s unification of the six states – Han, Chu, Yan, Zhao, Wei, and Qi. The immersive performance by Chinese theatre artists brought the past vividly to life through technologically led moving track platforms, where the stage transformed seamlessly to suit six different scenes. With 360° panoramic visuals and dynamic stage design, it recreated the military, architectural, cultural, and social landscape of the Qin Dynasty.

Directors Zhou Liya and Han Zhen, through The Great Qin, not only give life to Heifu – a figure inspired by the Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum of Qin Shi Huang – but also connect his sacrifices to the making of China as a nation. The performance further revives the character of Dajiang Yi, a dedicated craftsman emerging from the ruins of the Epang Palace. Similarly, it portrays Guan Zhixi, an official who offers a legal perspective on the Qin Dynasty. History often reveals that heroes and villains are merely two sides of the same coin. So, the assassins depicted in The Great Qin are not merely threats to Emperor Qin Shihuang; they also serve as powerful reminders of loyalty, betrayal, and commitment in Chinese history.

The Great Qin performance is not merely an immersive theatrical show; it is also a powerful reflection on Chinese history, highlighting how ordinary people and soldiers like Heifu sacrificed their lives in the making of what would eventually become modern China. The story concludes with Heifu’s death, while his beloved continues to wait for him, embodying a quiet yet enduring form of devotion. The performance serves as a poignant reminder of the often-unseen sacrifices made by women in the making of families and nations – while men rule and die in wars, women endure loss and carry forward the continuity of life. In this respect, China is no different from the rest of the world.

There is no doubt that The Great Qin is a political show which portrays Chinese nationalism without undermining any other culture, ethnicity or nation. It brings audiences together to reflect on the idea of national unification in China in a way that remains inclusive and respectful of both domestic and global perspectives. The performance also serves as a reminder to younger generations to uphold the unity and integrity of China, emphasising that these are the results of profound historical sacrifices. The Eurocentric monolithic lens depicts China in its narrow and mono-ethnic outlook underming the diversities in China. The Great Qin show restores Chinese diversity and rejects dominant North American and European narratives on China.

The Great Qin is not merely an entertaining show; it is also an integral part of contemporary Chinese popular culture. Through the lens of The Great Qin, China once again conveys to the world that patriotism and nationalism can be inclusive, and need not be grounded in supremacist ideas or practices that undermine others or create divisions in the process of nation-building.

China marks May Day with tangible gains for working people

On the eve of May Day, Chinese President Xi Jinping extended festive greetings and best wishes to the country’s working people. He called on workers across the country to work hard, deliver solid results, and play a leading role in driving high-quality economic and social development. Party committees and governments at all levels, he added, should safeguard workers’ lawful rights and interests, address their most pressing concerns, and encourage them to strive unremittingly for the country’s grand goals.

A feature article published by the Xinhua News Agency explored these themes in greater depth.

Noting that Xi Jinping has said that “model workers and exemplary individuals are the moral exemplars of the people and the pillars of the nation,” it added that in the week leading up to May Day, 3,024 individuals and organisations were honoured for their contributions to major national strategies, projects and priority industries. Recipients ranged from engineers, technicians, teachers and doctors, to delivery workers.

The article added: “Xi has built a reputation for hard work since his early years as a village official in a poor rural area of northwest China more than half a century ago. As the country’s top leader, he has called on the society as a whole to respect model workers and promote the spirit they embody and has backed the commitment with a range of policy and institutional measures.

“He has called for building a large, highly skilled industrial workforce with strong ideals, technical expertise, a capacity for innovation, and a sense of responsibility and dedication, while also emphasising workers’ welfare and protections.

“In recent years, China has continued to expand legal protections and social security coverage for workers, with growing attention to those in new forms of employment such as food delivery couriers and ride-hailing drivers, as well as older workers beyond the standard retirement age…

“Beyond policy measures, Xi has also conducted on-site inspections to ensure their needs are being met. In 2023, he went to a migrant worker housing complex in Shanghai, entering homes, inspecting shared facilities such as communal kitchens and laundries, and speaking with residents about their daily lives.

China sets out position on Palestine and Strait of Hormuz at UN

Chinese Ambassador to the UN Fu Cong has reiterated China’s clear positions on the rights of the Palestinian people and on the present situation in the Strait of Hormuz at open debates in the Security Council held on consecutive days.

Speaking on April 28, Fu Cong said:

“The Palestinian question has always been at the heart of the Middle East issue and must not be marginalised under any circumstances. For decades, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict has revolved in cycles. Its fundamental crux is that the two-State solution is only half-realised. The State of Israel was established long ago, while the State of Palestine remains out of reach. Although intense clashes have come to a halt, the Palestinian people are still forced to keep company with death and suffering, the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories continues to worsen, and the foundation of the two-State solution risks being completely hollowed out. Turmoil and war are not the fate of the Palestinian people. The international community must summon the greatest sense of urgency to reverse this negative trajectory and rectify the historic injustice endured by Palestine.”

He went on to make three points:

Gaza is not a permanent battlefield, and the suffering of its civilians must cease immediately. While efforts by the international community to broker a ceasefire in Gaza are welcome, the most pressing task remains cementing the ceasefire and scaling up aid. Since October last year, Israel has relentlessly mounted attacks and fortified its military presence, resulting in over 800 fatalities and more than 2,000 wounded. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza remains dire, characterised by scarcity of essential supplies, deplorable sanitary conditions, and a medical system teetering on the precipice of total collapse. Israel must fulfill its international humanitarian law obligations, dismantle all barriers to humanitarian access, and guarantee that UNRWA [the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East] and other humanitarian agencies can carry out their aid work.

Settlement activities are unacceptable, and tensions in the West Bank must be deescalated. Israel is currently accelerating the expansion of settlements, having recently approved the construction of 34 additional settlements and initiating the rebuilding of the Sanur settlement, which had been shuttered for many years. The escalating violence in the West Bank is equally concerning. Settler violence is intensifying, and the occupying power frequently conducts searches, arrests, and raids, even promulgating death penalty legislation specifically targeting Palestinians. Israel must heed the strong appeals of the international community, immediately halt illegal settlement activities, effectively curb settler violence, and ensure robust accountability for all attacks.

The two-State solution is non-negotiable, and the independent statehood of Palestine must be supported. It is deeply concerning that voices opposing the two-State solution continue to come from Israel, with some even threatening to strangle the idea of a Palestinian state. The international community must increase support for Palestine to advance the early establishment of a fully sovereign and independent state of Palestine based on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The previous day, Fu Cong made remarks on the Safety and Protection of Waterways in the Maritime Domain in which he said:

China and Laos mark 65 years of relations

On April 25, Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chinese president, exchanged congratulations with Thongloun Sisoulith, general secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee and Lao president, on the 65th anniversary of China-Laos diplomatic relations.

Xi said that as socialist neighbours in a community with a shared future, China and Laos are united by shared ideals and beliefs, identical social systems and similar development paths and that their “comradely and brotherly” bond, personally forged by the older generation of leaders of both parties and countries, has grown ever stronger over time.

The Chinese leader voiced willingness to work with Thongloun to take the 65th anniversary of China-Laos diplomatic relations and the Year of China-Laos Friendship as an opportunity to enhance strategic mutual trust, carry forward the traditional friendship, and push for more outcomes in practical cooperation across various fields, so as to deliver more benefits to the two peoples.

For his part, Thongloun said that over the 65 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the friendly ties between the two parties, the two countries and the two peoples — marked by solidarity in times of difficulty — have been lifted to higher levels, with fruitful outcomes in building the Laos-China community with a shared future. He expressed gratitude for the long-standing valuable support and assistance provided by the CPC, the Chinese government and people.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone also exchanged congratulations on the same day.

A guest column contributed to the Xinhua News Agency by Liu Ting noted:

“Sharing weal and woe for the past 65 years, China and Laos enjoy a friendship that is rooted in the geographical proximity connected by mountains and rivers, tempered by the joint struggle for independence and liberation, and enriched by mutual support in their respective socialist causes.”

He added that: “The 2024-2028 action plan on building a China-Laos community with a shared future signed in October 2023 has drawn up a clear blueprint for all-round cooperation. Connectivity paves the way for win-win cooperation, and the China-Laos Railway stands as a landmark of friendship. As a landmark project of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, the railway has continued to unleash the efficiency of a ‘golden corridor’ since its opening.”

It takes two to tango: Will Ukraine meet China halfway?

In the following article, Kemran Mamedov, a staff member of the Confucius Institute at the Free University of Tbilisi in Georgia, assesses the prospects for China-Ukraine relations, noting that the allegations made against China by powerful forces in Ukrainian society, from President Zelensky downwards, are generally “devoid of substantive content and carry a politically biased undertone.” In contrast, China has consistently sent signals of readiness for constructive dialogue with Ukraine, but Kyiv “rejects the proposed path of finding common ground in relations with Beijing.” In fact, a “careful analysis of Ukraine’s media landscape leads to the conclusion that the country’s leadership is launching a large-scale information campaign to discredit China’s policy.”

On March 2, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky once again made a loud accusation against China, stating that Beijing is “not involved” in the process of peaceful resolution of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. “It is very important for us to involve China not in the war, but specifically in ending the war… For us, China’s participation would certainly be valuable, but so far we do not see its involvement,” said the Ukrainian leader.

The Ukrainian president’s attacks on China are traditionally devoid of substantive content and carry a politically biased undertone, which immerses the Ukrainian audience in an atmosphere of fictitious explanations for Ukraine’s military and economic failures as the result of cooperation between Beijing and Moscow.

Meanwhile, China is consistently pursuing a policy of seeking a diplomatic solution to the deep and systemic contradictions between Russia and Ukraine. During a briefing at the United Nations Security Council on February 17, dedicated to Ukraine, China’s Permanent Representative, Fu Cong, stated that Beijing holds an open and clear position on the Ukrainian issue, namely its unconditional willingness to assist in a peaceful dialogue. He emphasised that China is neither the creator of the Ukrainian crisis nor a participant in it. Earlier, during negotiations with Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha on the sidelines of the 62nd Munich Security Conference, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stated that China and Ukraine should adhere to the “right course and support the stable and healthy development of bilateral relations,” highlighting Beijing’s commitment to the principles of mutual respect, equality, and mutually beneficial cooperation.

Chinese lawyers condemn US and Israel

The Chinese Society of International Law has issued a powerful statement on April 25 opposing the illegal use of force by the United States and Israel, citing the examples of Venezuela and Iran.

The statement notes that Article 2(4) of the United Nations Charter establishes the fundamental principle under international law of the prohibition of the use of force: “All Members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations.”

It further notes that on January 3 this year, the United States “blatantly launched a military strike against Venezuela, forcibly seized Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, and removed them to the United States. There is no lawful justification for this US military operation… It has brutally trampled on international law and the basic norms of international relations and must be rectified as soon as possible.”

Turning to Iran, it says: “The joint airstrikes by the United States and Israel have targeted multiple cities and regions including the capital Tehran. These actions constitute the use of force prohibited by international law, amount to an armed attack against and invasion of Iran and violate the rule under international law regarding the personal inviolability of heads of State. The use of force by the United States and Israel against Iran finds no basis in international law; it is a serious illegal act and must cease immediately.”

The following article was originally published by the Xinhua News Agency.

The Chinese Society of International Law on Saturday issued a statement on upholding international law and opposing the illegal use of force.

The statement said that in recent months, there have been grave instances of illegal use of force in Latin America and the Middle East. It solemnly condemns the illegal acts of the United States and Israel, and believes that it is necessary to reaffirm the imperative of observing the Charter of the United Nations (the Charter) and international law in order to effectively safeguard international peace and security.

The statement added that the Charter constitutes the legal cornerstone of the post-World War II international order. Article 2(4) of the Charter establishes the fundamental principle under international law of the prohibition of the use of force: “All Members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations.” “Territorial integrity” means “the inviolability of territory.” The Charter expressly provides for only two exceptions to this prohibition of the use of force: actions authorized by the United Nations Security Council under Chapter VII of the Charter and the exercise of the inherent right of self-defense of States referred to in Article 51 of the Charter.

The statement said that on Jan. 3 this year, the United States blatantly launched a military strike against Venezuela, forcibly seized Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, and removed them to the United States. There is no lawful justification for this U.S. military operation. It seriously violates the principle prohibiting the use of force, severely infringes on Venezuela’s territorial sovereignty, and grossly breaches the rule under international law regarding the personal inviolability and immunity of heads of State. It has brutally trampled on international law and the basic norms of international relations and must be rectified as soon as possible.

The statement further stressed that on Feb. 28 this year, the United States and Israel initiated large-scale military strikes against Iran. The armed conflict in the Middle East has continued to this date. The joint airstrikes by the United States and Israel have targeted multiple cities and regions including the capital Tehran. These actions constitute the use of force prohibited by international law, amount to an armed attack against and invasion of Iran, and violate the rule under international law regarding the personal inviolability of heads of State. The use of force by the United States and Israel against Iran finds no basis in international law; it is a serious illegal act and must cease immediately. Furthermore, the attacks on Iranian civilians and civilian objects, including schools, hospitals and energy facilities, also seriously violate international humanitarian law.

The statement called on all States, especially major States with special responsibilities and influence in international affairs, to abide by international law, practice international rule of law, and settle international disputes peacefully. It called on all States to resolutely oppose the illegal use of force in international relations, maintain international peace and security, and promote the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.

China’s aid to Cuba: Solidarity against the US embargo in the time of Trump 2.0

The following article by Lee Siu Hin, originally published in Workers World, documents the scale and substance of China’s support for Cuba under the intensified pressure of Trump’s second term.

While the Trump regime tightens the screws on Cuba, China has been demonstrating its solidarity with the Cuban people in myriad ways, including sending food aid, restoring buses to the streets of Havana, and building solar power infrastructure designed to free Cuba from the energy stranglehold that forms the sharpest edge of the US blockade.

Since Trump returned to the White House last year, the embargo on Cuba has reached its most punishing levels. The US invasion of Venezuela in January, which severed Cuba’s oil supply lifeline, has compounded the crisis. Cuba faces food shortages, an energy emergency, and the continued denial of basic medical supplies – not through political or economic mismanagement (as the Western media would have you believe) but as a deliberate policy of economic warfare conducted by the US empire.

China’s response has been concrete and strategic. Ninety thousand tons of rice; emergency financial assistance of $80 million; medical equipment that Cuba cannot source elsewhere due to the embargo. The solar energy program being developed by the two countries is designed not merely to plug gaps but to structurally transform Cuba’s energy system so that it can enjoy energy sovereignty.

The economic aid provided by China constitutes a comprehensive, multi-pronged strategy, encompassing not only firm and robust political backing but also extensive, substantive assistance across vital sectors such as energy, food security and public welfare.

This is what solidarity looks like when it is not a gesture. Siu Hin concludes:

Everyone has a vital role to play in international solidarity. Western activists can also learn a great deal from the positive experience of the Global South, notably from China.

China has supported Cuba since its revolution in 1959. Shortly after, Che Guevara visited China in 1960 to secure comprehensive support for the newly born socialist island nation.

China played a critical role as a true friend in times of U.S. threat

For the past year, since Donald Trump returned to the White House in 2025, he has continued the imperialist policy of all-out blockade against Cuba — first during his initial term (2017–2021) and then under Biden (2021–2025). In response, China has offered timely and critical assistance to Cuba when it was needed most. The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson declared on Jan. 27 that China “calls for immediate lifting of blockade and sanctions on Cuba. We will continue to support and assist Cuba.” (Spokesperson of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China on X)

The KMT-CPC Meeting: Architecture of peace and global stability in a changing world

In April 2026, against the backdrop of a global crisis – most notably a criminal war waged by the United States and Israel against Iran that has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz and sent energy prices soaring to levels not seen in a generation – something highly significant took place in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing: President Xi Jinping met with Cheng Li-wun, Chairwoman of the Kuomintang (KMT), reopening a high-level cross-strait dialogue that had been frozen for nearly a decade (as reported on this website on 13 April).

The following article – submitted by Douglas de Castro, Professor of International Law at Lanzhou University – examines that meeting through the lens of international law, arguing that the CPC-KMT dialogue is a demonstration of what the UN Charter’s core principles – peaceful resolution of disputes, non-interference, sovereign equality – actually look like in practice.

Professor de Castro’s analysis unpacks the legal architecture of the meeting – from UNGA Resolution 2758 and the 1992 Consensus to China’s Anti-Secession Law and the Global Governance Initiative – and shows why the lessons of Cheng Li-wun’s visit extend well beyond the Taiwan Strait.

The meeting in April 2026 between President Xi Jinping, the General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, and Cheng Li-wun, the Chairwoman of the Kuomintang (KMT), was a historic moment in modern diplomacy. It took place during one of the most turbulent times in recent international relations history. This dialogue took place in the East Hall of the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

As a scholar of international law, I found that the meeting not only reopened high-level communication channels between parties that had been closed for almost ten years but also demonstrated how the principle of non-interference and the peaceful resolution of conflicts, when applied in practice, can ease tensions in regions important to the international system. It upholds and reaffirms the importance of Articles 2(3) and 2(4) of the UN Charter, which require that disputes be settled peacefully and that no State threaten or use force against the territorial integrity of another State or region.

Victory for Swazi people as Taiwan separatist leader forced to abandon plan to celebrate their oppression

The planned visit by Taiwan’s separatist leader to Eswatini (Swaziland), where he was due to “celebrate” 40 years of rule by Africa’s last absolute monarch, was aborted after three African nations, Mauritius, Seychelles and Madagascar, took the principled stand of refusing to let his aircraft transit their air space.

The Taiwan Affairs Office of China’s State Council “appreciated the position and actions of the relevant countries in upholding the one-China principle”. Eswatini is the only African country to maintain so-called “diplomatic relations” with Taiwan.

Separatist leader Lai Ching-te complained on X that, “China’s coercive actions undermine the status quo, once again exposing the risks authoritarian regimes pose to the international order.”

But writing in People’s Dispatch, Pavan Kulkarni responded that: “While characterising China’s government as an ‘authoritarian regime’, Lai whined about not being able to travel to Swaziland to join the celebration to mark 40 years of rule by Africa’s last absolute monarch, King Mswati III, whom he referred to as a ‘like-minded partner’.

“Crowned on April 25, 1986, Mswati inherited the throne from his father, King Sobhuza II, who seized all power in 1973 by a royal decree that suspended the 1968 constitution and banned all political parties, which remain illegal to date.

“‘This milestone’ on April 25, 2026, marking 40 years of Mswati’s absolute monarchical rule, ‘is not a cause for celebration but rather a reminder of the ongoing struggles for democratic governance and human rights,’ said the Communist Party of Swaziland (CPS)…

“Mswati… has taken 16 wives, and owns palaces, private jets, and a fleet of Rolls-Royce cars, while nearly 60% of his subjects live in abject poverty, eking out a survival on less than two dollars a day. But the monarchy’s status quo is becoming increasingly untenable as its domestic unpopularity reached a fever pitch in mid-2021, when a violent crackdown on the country-wide, pro-democracy protests sparked a mass uprising against the monarchy. Amid attacks on his properties and businesses, Mswati fled the country, returning only after his army suppressed the uprising, killing scores and wounding hundreds.”

The article adds that: “‘Helicopters, weapons, and ammunition supplied by Taiwan were used by the Swaziland army to kill protesters. It is widely known that Taiwan supplies arms and also provides training for the army,’ CPS head of publicity, Sandile Xaba, told Peoples Dispatch.

“‘The Taiwanese separatist regime plays a dangerous role in sustaining the absolute monarchy in Swaziland,’ the party maintains. Taiwan, in turn, extracts massive surpluses from cheap Swazi labour, especially women, labouring in the textile sector in which it is heavily invested.

Pakistani astronaut to join China’s space station

Two Pakistani candidates have been selected as the first foreign astronauts for China’s space mission training, the China Manned Space Agency announced on April 22, calling it a landmark achievement in international cooperation on the Chinese space station.

The statement added that Muhammad Zeeshan Ali and Khurram Daud will come to China soon as reserve astronauts for training. After completing all training and evaluations, one of them will participate in a space mission as a payload specialist, becoming the first foreign astronaut onboard the Tiangong space station. This selection and training of astronauts for Pakistan, it noted, is also a milestone in China’s space program and another successful example of the China-Pakistan all-weather strategic cooperative partnership in the space sector, adding that the peaceful use of outer space for the benefit of all humanity has always been the original aspiration and mission of China’s space program development.

The following day, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met the astronauts and described their participation in space research as a landmark achievement for the country and a matter of national pride. The successful candidate will conduct several scientific experiments in microgravity, which span areas including material science, fluid physics, life and bio science, and biotechnology.

“I am confident that you are going to write a new chapter in Pakistan’s history,” the prime minister told the astronauts, appreciating their dedication and hard work that enabled them to reach this important stage.

The astronauts expressed gratitude for the opportunity and termed their participation in space research a “unique honour and a source of pride for Pakistan”. They reaffirmed their resolve to meet the nation’s expectations through dedication and hard work.

On April 24, the Xinhua News Agency reported that the two astronauts had arrived in China and been admitted to the Astronaut Centre of China in Beijing.

The next day, Xinhua further reported that China had launched a Pakistani satellite from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Centre in north China’s Shanxi Province. The satellite, named PRSC-EO3, was lifted off at 8:15 p.m. by a Long March-6 carrier rocket and successfully entered its planned orbit. This launch marked the 640th flight mission of the Long March carrier rocket series.

On the evening of April 25, our co-editor Keith Bennett was an invited speaker at the annual dinner of Third World Solidarity, in which many prominent members of Britain’s Pakistani community participated. In the course of his speech, Keith said:

“And there is something else to take pride in this week. Thanks to Pakistan’s friendship with China, on Wednesday it was announced that two Pakistani candidates have been selected for training as the first foreign astronauts to participate in China’s space program. Muhammad Zeeshan Ali and Khurram Daud arrived in China today and later this year one of them will be chosen to participate in a space mission as a payload specialist, becoming the first foreign astronaut onboard the Tiangong space station.

“It is often said that China-Pakistan friendship is higher than the Himalayas. Well, now it is literally true. And just as the smiling face and engaging personality of Yuri Gagarin, the first man in space, won hearts around the world, I’m sure that Pakistan’s astronauts, or taikonauts as they are termed in China, will win hearts not just in Pakistan, but throughout the Ummah [the global Muslim community] and indeed beyond.”

The following articles were originally published by the Xinhua News Agency and by the Pakistani newspaper Express Tribune.

Two Pakistani astronauts selected for China’s space mission training

BEIJING, April 22 (Xinhua) — Two Pakistani candidates have been selected as the first foreign astronauts for China’s space mission training, the China Manned Space Agency announced on Wednesday afternoon, calling it a landmark achievement in international cooperation on the Chinese space station.

The agency said in a statement that Muhammad Zeeshan Ali and Khurram Daud will come to China soon as reserve astronauts for training. After completing all training and evaluations, one of them will participate in a space mission as a payload specialist, becoming the first foreign astronaut onboard the Tiangong space station.

In February 2025, China and Pakistan signed a cooperation agreement on the spaceflight of a Pakistani astronaut to the Chinese space station in Islamabad, officially launching the selection process for Pakistani astronauts. After three rounds of rigorous screening, two Pakistani reserve astronauts were ultimately chosen.

Why has China blocked Meta’s purchase of Manus AI?

When China’s National Development and Reform Commission ordered Meta to unwind its $2 billion acquisition of AI startup Manus on 27 April, Western media reached predictably for its standard toolkit: “authoritarian overreach”, “arbitrary intervention”, an assault on the “democratisation of technology.” What this framing systematically obscures is the substantive legal, strategic and political logic behind the decision.

The two pieces collected here provide that missing context. Sara Vivacqua’s investigation, published by the progressive Brazilian outlet Diário do Centro do Mundo and translated into English by the author, dissects both the legal architecture of China’s decision and the character of the company it rejected. Manus is not simply a commercial product; it is an autonomous AI agent – capable of operating inside authenticated platforms, accessing local sessions and executing complex multi-step tasks – built by Chinese engineers in China, with Chinese state support, before a hasty relocation to Singapore (presumably for purposes of regulatory evasion). The NDRC’s ruling establishes a clear and consequential precedent: jurisdictional control follows where technology is built and who builds it, not where a holding company is incorporated.

But Sara goes further, placing the ruling in the context of what Meta actually is. The company’s integration into US military AI development, its Llama models deployed across federal agencies and Five Eyes intelligence partners, its partnership with defence contractor Anduril, and its documented history of global electoral interference through the Cambridge Analytica scandal – all of this reframes the acquisition not as a business deal but as a potential intelligence operation. The question the Western press refuses to ask is the obvious one: why would any sovereign state hand strategic AI infrastructure to a company that functions as an arm of the US national security apparatus?

Below Sara Vivacqua’s article, we reproduce a Global Times editorial making the complementary case from a Chinese regulatory perspective: that the decision is legally grounded, internationally consistent, and entirely compatible with China’s continued openness to foreign investment in non-sensitive sectors. The EU, the US and Japan all operate comparable review mechanisms; the difference is that when China uses them, it is treated in the Western media as evidence of authoritarianism rather than ordinary statecraft.

Together, these two pieces offer what the mainstream coverage has failed to provide: a clear-eyed account of a decision that is legally sound and strategically coherent.

How China Blocked Zuckerberg’s Espionage Project with Manus AI

Meta, owned by Mark Zuckerberg and the parent company of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, found itself frustrated this Monday (27^th April) in its attempt to appropriate Chinese artificial intelligence technology.

China strengthens ties with southeast Asian neighbours

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi paid visits to Cambodia, Thailand and Myanmar, three of China’s southeast Asian neighbours, between April 22-25.

The first meeting of the China-Cambodia “2+2” strategic dialogue mechanism between foreign and defence ministers was held in the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh on April 22.

Wang Yi and Minister of National Defence Dong Jun co-chaired the meeting with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn and Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Tea Seiha. The two sides exchanged in-depth views on bilateral relations, political and defence security cooperation and international and regional issues and reached a broad consensus.

Wang Yi stated that the current international situation is undergoing turbulent changes and intertwined disruptions, weighing on the stability and development of regional countries. In the face of a complex and grim external environment, China and Cambodia have maintained strategic clarity, stood side by side and supported each other, which has further cemented bilateral mutual trust and steadily boosted strategic resilience. President Xi Jinping’s historic visit to Cambodia last April and in-depth strategic communication with Cambodian leaders opened a new chapter for building an all-weather China-Cambodia community with a shared future in the new era. The leaders of both countries agreed on establishing the “2+2” strategic dialogue mechanism between foreign ministers and defence ministers of the two countries to inject new impetus into fostering stronger strategic mutual trust and strategic coordination.

The Chinese Foreign Minister noted that amid accelerated major changes unseen in a century, China and Cambodia need to need to forge closer solidarity than ever before. Both sides should deepen political and security cooperation, strengthen the exchange of governance experience, enhance their respective governance capabilities, and firmly keep the initiative in national development and security in their own hands. China is ready to provide platforms for more comprehensive and effective communication between Cambodia and Thailand (following their recent border conflict). China will continue to support Cambodia in accelerating development and revitalisation, and its efforts to improve people’s livelihoods. China will also continue providing humanitarian support for the resettlement of Cambodian border residents and other needs, and advance cooperation on poverty alleviation demonstration projects.

He added that the international community is currently undergoing the most profound turbulence and transformation since the end of the Cold War. China appreciates Cambodia’s active support for the four major global initiatives proposed by President Xi Jinping, and stands ready to deepen cooperation with Cambodia within the framework of the initiatives, build an Asian security model featuring common security, seeking common ground while reserving differences, and dialogue and consultation, and steer the global governance system toward greater fairness and equity.

Xi Jinping says that China and Laos should take a strategic perspective on the future and destiny of socialism

Special envoy of General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith, Saleumxay Kommasith, recently visited China. The visit took place within the context of the close comradely relations between the two neighbouring socialist countries, and in particular to further brief China’s leaders on the key outcomes of the 12th National Congress of the LPRP, which took place in early January, and also as part of the Year of China-Laos Friendship, with 2026 marking the 65^th anniversary of their diplomatic relations.

Chinese President and General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Xi Jinping met with Saleumxay Kommasith on April 21.

Xi pointed out that the mutual dispatch of special envoys by the CPC and the LPRP to brief each other on major political agendas demonstrates the profound traditional friendship and high-level political mutual trust between the two sides. He expressed his belief that that under the leadership of the Central Committee of the LPRP headed by General Secretary Thongloun, the Lao Party, state and people will surely overcome all difficulties, successfully complete all goals and tasks, steadily follow the socialist path, and achieve the centenary goal of the Party.

Xi emphasised that, at this new historical starting point, China and Laos should follow the policy of long-term stability, forward thinking, good neighbourliness and comprehensive cooperation, and the spirit of being good neighbours, good friends, good comrades and good partners. The two sides should take a strategic perspective on the future and destiny of socialism to maintain close coordination and cooperation, deepen strategic alignment, expand practical cooperation, jointly address common challenges, and advance the building of a China-Laos community with a shared future toward high standards, high quality and high levels.

Saleumxay, who is a member of the Political Bureau of the LPRP Central Committee and deputy prime minister of Laos, conveyed a letter from Thongloun to Xi and briefed him on the 12th National Congress of the LPRP. He noted that China has maintained a safe and stable domestic political and social environment for a long time and created a miracle of sustained and rapid economic growth, and its role and influence on the international stage have been continuously enhanced.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, met with Saleumxay on the same day.