Friends of Socialist China, Author at Friends of Socialist China

Xi extends condolences over death of former Vietnamese President Tran Duc Luong

Veteran Vietnamese revolutionary leader Tran Duc Luong, who served as State President from August 1997 to November 2007, passed away in Hanoi on May 20 at the age of 88.

Chinese President Xi Jinping extended condolences to General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee To Lam and Vietnamese President Luong Cuong, hailing Comrade Tran Duc Luong as an outstanding party and state leader of Vietnam who made important contributions to the country’s development and its cause of Doi Moi (reform). He added that, as an old friend of the Chinese people, he made unremitting efforts to promote the development of relations between the two parties and the two countries.

The Vietnamese newspaper Nhân Dân featured extensive coverage, including a special communique, brief biography, and details of condolence messages sent by leaders of Laos, China, Cambodia, Cuba and Russia.

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

BEIJING, May 24 (Xinhua) — Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday extended condolences to General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee To Lam and Vietnamese President Luong Cuong over the death of former Vietnamese President Tran Duc Luong.

In his message, Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, expressed profound condolences and extended sincere sympathies to Tran Duc Luong’s family on behalf of the CPC, the Chinese government and the Chinese people.

Xi hailed Comrade Tran Duc Luong as an outstanding party and state leader of Vietnam who made important contributions to the country’s development and its cause of Doi Moi (reform).

As an old friend of the Chinese people, Comrade Tran Duc Luong made unremitting efforts to promote the development of relations between the two parties and the two countries, Xi said.

Xi expressed his belief that under the strong leadership of the CPV Central Committee headed by Comrade To Lam, the party, government and people of Vietnam will surely turn their grief into strength and continue to achieve new accomplishments in the cause of socialist construction.

Wang Yi meets with foreign ministers of Pakistan and Afghanistan

Pakistan Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar and Afghanistan’s Acting Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi both visited China recently.

On May 20, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Dar, who also serves as his country’s Deputy Prime Minister.

Wang Yi said that as ironclad friends, China will, as always, firmly support Pakistan in safeguarding its national sovereignty and territorial integrity, exploring a development path suited to its national conditions, resolutely combating terrorism, and playing a greater role in international and regional affairs. Both sides should work together to create an upgraded version of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and promote cooperation in industry, agriculture, energy and minerals, human resource development, counter-terrorism and security, and other fields.

Mohammad Ishaq Dar said that Pakistan admires China’s new development achievements, especially in innovation and scientific and technological progress, and looks forward to strengthening all-round cooperation with China. He expressed the hope for continuous and strong support from China in overcoming current difficulties and promoting national development, security and stability.

Dar also briefed on the latest situation following the ceasefire reached between Pakistan and India, as well as Pakistan’s considerations in that regard. He thanked China for upholding justice and making unremitting efforts and significant contributions to promoting a ceasefire for peace, saying that Pakistan will resolutely safeguard its national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and is willing to maintain dialogue with India to ease the situation.

Wang Yi stated that China welcomes and supports Pakistan and India in properly handling their differences through dialogue, achieving a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire, and seeking fundamental solutions to the issues between them.

The next day, Wang Yi met with Acting Foreign Minister of Afghanistan Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi.

Wang Yi welcomed Muttaqi’s visit to China on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. He stated that China and Afghanistan are traditionally friendly neighbours, and both sides have always understood and supported each other and continuously advanced bilateral relations. China respects Afghanistan’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, the independent choices made by the Afghan people, as well as Afghanistan’s religious beliefs and ethnic culture. China has supported the Afghan people’s just struggle against aggression, never interfered in Afghanistan’s internal affairs, never sought selfish interests by instigating conflicts in Afghanistan, and never pursued so-called spheres of influence in Afghanistan. Since the establishment of the current Afghan government, China was the first to exchange new ambassadors with the country, demonstrating China’s friendship with the Afghan people. China will, as always, support the Afghan government in exercising governance in a moderate and prudent way, focusing on development, firmly combating terrorism, and pursuing good-neighbourliness and friendship, to achieve lasting peace and stability at an early date. China is ready to work with Afghanistan to expand cooperation in areas such as economy and trade, agriculture, energy and minerals, poverty reduction, disaster prevention and mitigation, talent cultivation, medical care and health, law enforcement, and security.

Ho Chi Minh’s vital contributions to the global socialist and anti-imperialist struggle

Marking the 135^th anniversary of the birth of the country’s revolutionary leader Ho Chi Minh, May 19, 2025, the Vietnamese press has carried numerous articles reflecting the worldwide respect felt by progressive people for their national hero.

In one such article, a Vietnam News Agency (VNA) correspondent in Beijing, interviewed Professor Pan Jin’e, a senior fellow at the Academy of Marxism under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

Pan described Ho Chi Minh as the founder of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, a great revolutionary, a brilliant strategist, and a moral exemplar. She also highlighted his role as a leader of anti-colonial movements across Asia, Africa, and Latin America in the 20th century, as well as his significant place in the history of the international communist movement.

She noted that President Ho Chi Minh remained steadfast in his internationalist ideals. He joined the French Communist Party, actively collaborated with leaders of other socialist countries, and maintained close ties with the Chinese revolution. Alongside leaders such as Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai, he helped build the traditional friendship between Vietnam and China – a relationship that remains cherished by both parties and peoples.

As a representative of the Communist International, Ho Chi Minh supported revolutionary movements worldwide, particularly in China, Laos, and Cambodia, playing an active role in anti-colonial struggles and proletarian revolutions.

Another article carried by Nhân Dân noted that: “With the friendship of ‘the proletariat in all four directions are brothers’, Ho Chi Minh harshly criticised some comrades in the Communist International for incorrectly assessing the colonial issue and confidently affirmed that the proletarian revolution was completely capable of breaking out first in the colonial countries, thereby creating conditions for workers and labourers in the mother countries to carry out the revolution to liberate the class and liberate society.”

The following article was originally published by Nhân Dân.

President Ho Chi Minh made significant contributions to Viet Nam and the international community, according to Professor Pan Jin’e, a senior fellow at the Academy of Marxism under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

In an interview with a Viet Nam News Agency (VNA) correspondent in Beijing on the occasion of the 135th birth anniversary of the late Vietnamese leader (May 19, 1890–2025), Pan described Ho Chi Minh as the founder of the Democratic Republic of Viet Nam, a great revolutionary, a brilliant strategist, and a moral exemplar. She also highlighted his role as a leader of anti-colonial movements across Asia, Africa, and Latin America in the 20th century, including his significance in the history of the international communist movement.

She emphasised that his contributions were reflected not only in Viet Nam’s national liberation and national building efforts but also in their profound impact on global struggles against colonialism and the international socialist movement.

Ho Chi Minh led the independence movement, founded the Communist Party of Viet Nam, and waged resistance wars against colonial and imperial forces, devoting his entire life to national reunification. He also guided the country’s socialist development in politics, economy and culture, spearheaded land reform, poverty alleviation, and national unity policies.

President Ho Chi Minh remained steadfast in his internationalist ideals. He joined the French Communist Party, actively collaborated with leaders of other socialist countries, and maintained close ties with the Chinese revolution. Alongside leaders such as Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai, he helped build the traditional friendship between Viet Nam and China—a relationship that remains cherished by both Parties and peoples.

According to the Chinese scholar, whether during Viet Nam’s socialist revolutionary era or its ongoing doi moi (renewal) cause, Ho Chi Minh’s status as a national hero and spiritual leader has never diminished. In 2019, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) honoured him as a “Hero of National Liberation and a Great Man of Culture,” acknowledging his historic contributions to humanity.

Reflecting on the spirit of unity embodied in Ho Chi Minh’s Thought, Pan underscored that under his leadership and that of the Communist Party of Viet Nam, the country achieved the historic victory of national reunification on April 30, 1975. This triumph is a powerful testament to his famous teachings: “Unity, unity, great unity. Success, success, great success!” National unity, she noted, remains the most vital force behind Viet Nam’s revolutionary success.

The Chinese scholar expressed her belief that the Vietnamese people will always remember President Ho Chi Minh’s final wishes, continue to uphold national solidarity, and write new chapters in the nation’s proud history. They will strive to build an independent, free, happy, prosperous, and civilised Viet Nam by 2050, fulfilling the late leader’s long-cherished dream of seeing Viet Nam stand shoulder to shoulder with the great powers of the five continents, she continued.

Liu Jianchao meets with a delegation of the Congress of Deputies of Spain

On May 12, Minister Liu Jianchao of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee (IDCPC), met in Beijing with a delegation of the Congress of Deputies of Spain led by Juan Carlos Ruiz Boix, Chairman of its Foreign Affairs Committee.

Liu said that China is ready to work with Spain to implement the important consensus reached by President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, well implement the Action Plan for Strengthening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, enhance the alignment of development strategies, promote practical cooperation in various fields, and facilitate exchanges in culture, sports and other areas to achieve greater progress in bilateral relations. The CPC is willing to enhance political dialogue with Spanish political parties, increase mutual understanding and trust, and further consolidate the foundation for the development of China-Spain relations.

Ruiz said that Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has visited China many times, and the most recent visit was very successful, reaching important consensus with Chinese leaders. Spain is willing to deepen cooperation with China in areas such as renewable energy, artificial intelligence, people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and tourism, and jointly address global challenges such as climate change. China has achieved great accomplishments in poverty alleviation and epidemic response and plays an important role in resolving global hot issues. Both Spain and China are committed to developing the economy and ensuring that all people share the fruits of development. There are many similar positions between the two sides. “We appreciate the major initiatives put forward by President Xi Jinping, such as the Global Civilisation Initiative.” Spanish political parties are willing to engage in candid and in-depth dialogue with the CPC to promote exchanges and cooperation in various fields between the two countries. The current international situation is turbulent, both Spain and China are committed to peaceful development and should join hands to keep the world away from war.

According to the IDCPC website, the delegation included members of the Congress of Deputies of Spain from the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party, Sumar, Republican Left of Catalonia, Together for Catalonia, Basque Solidarity and others.

Sumar is an electoral alliance of left and progressive parties. It presently has 24 members of whom the most significant are the Communist Party of Spain (PCE) and United Left (IU – Izquierda Unida.) Of the 135 seats in the Catalan Parliament, Republican Left presently holds 20 and supports the government of the Socialists’ Party of Catalonia. Together for Catalonia holds 35 seats and is the main opposition party. Both parties support Catalan independence. Basque Solidarity (EA – Eusko Alkartasuna), founded in 1986, is one of three member parties of EH Bildu (Euskal Herria Bildu – Basque Country Unite), which groups the pro-independence left. One significant point about this delegation is that it is likely the first time that the IDCPC notes exchanges with pro-independence parties from Catalonia and the Basque Country.

The following article was originally published on the website of the IDCPC.

Beijing, May 12 (IDCPC) — Liu Jianchao, Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, met here today with a delegation of the Congress of Deputies of Spain led by Juan Carlos Ruiz Boix, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Congress of Deputies of Spain.

China and Russia will always remember the just feats of the two peoples in maintaining world peace

During President Xi Jinping’s May 7-10 state visit to Russia, during which he participated in the celebrations of the 80^th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in the Great Patriotic War, besides concluding with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin the Joint Declaration on Further Strengthening Cooperation to Uphold the Authority of International Law and that on Global Strategic Stability, the two heads of state also signed a Joint Statement of the People’s Republic of China and the Russian Federation on Further Deepening the China-Russia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership of Coordination in the New Era on the Occasion of Commemorating the 80th Anniversary of the Victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, the Soviet Union’s Great Patriotic War and the Founding of the United Nations.

This 8,500-word statement not only details a wide range of issues connected to these anniversaries and surveys the broad spectrum of bilateral relations between China and Russia. It also sets out the two countries’ identity of views on a great number of contemporary regional and global issues. As with the other joint statements, it goes into granular detail, demonstrating the unprecedentedly high level not only of agreement but of active and practical coordination between Beijing and Moscow. It is therefore not hyperbole to observe that these documents are of considerable historical significance, contributing to and demonstrating President Xi’s oft stated observation that the world is currently experiencing changes unseen in a century. Therefore anyone with a serious interest in international relations should study them closely.

The statement begins by noting that, “This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, the World Anti-Fascist War, and the Soviet Union’s Great Patriotic War. The Second World War was an unprecedented catastrophe in human history. China and the Soviet Union, as the main battlefields in Asia and Europe respectively, stood at the forefront of resisting the attacks of Japanese militarism and Nazi Germany and its vassal states, and were the two backbone forces in the fight against militarism and fascism. The Chinese and Soviet peoples suffered great hardships brought by foreign aggression and the baptism of extremely harsh wars. They fought shoulder to shoulder in arduous struggles, gave each other selfless assistance, made great sacrifices, and achieved great victories, making great historical contributions to defending human dignity and rebuilding world peace.”

In today’s world, China and Russia shoulder the common responsibility and mission of maintaining a correct view of World War II history. China and Russia will always remember the just feats of the two peoples in maintaining world peace, cherish the memory of the tens of millions of heroes and innocent civilians who sacrificed their lives for the freedom and independence of future generations, and pay high tribute to the old soldiers and heroic rear-line workers who made combat exploits during the war years. Both sides will continue to attach importance to educating the younger generation to take the predecessors as role models, adhere to the indelible spirit of patriotism, cultivate the responsibility for the motherland and the people, and promote the fearless spirit of sacrifice for the realisation of national peace and prosperity.

Among many areas of bilateral relations, it states that: “The two sides reiterated that the close relationship between the Chinese and Russian militaries is of special significance, which will help the two countries to more effectively defend their sovereignty and national interests and effectively respond to traditional and non-traditional threats and challenges. The two sides will continue to strengthen military and military-technical cooperation to benefit the people of China and Russia and safeguard global and regional security. The two sides will further deepen military mutual trust and cooperation, expand the scale and scope of joint military exercises, regularly organise joint maritime and air patrols, strengthen exchanges and cooperation under bilateral and multilateral frameworks, and promote China-Russia military cooperation to a higher level.”

Other highlights of the statement include:

China condemns Israeli war crimes and expresses solidarity with the Palestinian people

China has twice recently used the platform of the United Nations to condemn Israeli war crimes, draw attention to the role played by the United States and to express solidarity with the struggle of the Palestinian people and with their national aspirations.

Speaking at a Nakba commemoration on May 15, Ambassador Geng Shuang said that: “Seventy-seven years ago, more than half of the Palestinian people were expelled or fled from their homes during the Arab-Israeli war, and they have since embarked on the arduous journey of striving for their legitimate rights and interests. Today, 77 years later, the historical injustice suffered by the Palestinian people has not only remained unaddressed but has even worsened.

“The war in Gaza has lasted for 19 months, claiming the lives of more than 53,000 Gazans and leaving the once beautiful cities and towns in ruins. Israel’s escalating siege on Gaza has led to an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe for two million people who face the threat of forced relocation. The continued expansion of settlements in the West Bank and the intensifying settler violence have relentlessly squeezed the space for the Palestinian people and eroded the basis of the two-State solution.”

He added that, “On the question of Palestine, China, upholding fairness and justice, remains steadfast in its support for the just cause of the Palestinian people to restore their legitimate national rights, for the early establishment of the fully sovereign and independent State of Palestine based on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, and for the early admission of the State of Palestine as a full member of the UN,” adding that China would continue to work tirelessly for, “a comprehensive, just, and lasting solution to the question of Palestine at an early date, so that the Nakba day will forever remain in the past.”

Two days previously, on May 13, Ambassador Fu Cong addressed a UN Security Council Briefing on the Humanitarian Situation in Gaza and said:

“Gaza has become a living hell. Israel’s continuous bombing and raids are causing civilian casualties every day. On May 7 alone, there were more than 100 lives lost. Over the two-month-plus blockade, Gaza’s survival supplies were depleted. Hunger and disease are spreading rapidly. According to the IPC [Integrated Food Security Phase Classification] report, the population in Gaza are suffering from severe food shortages, with nearly half a million people in a state of catastrophic hunger.

China-Latin American/Caribbean cooperation has broad prospects

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a number of meetings with his counterparts immediately before and after the Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the China-CELAC [Community of Latin American and Caribbean States] Forum.

On May 12, he met with his counterparts from Caribbean countries having diplomatic relations with China, and from Cuba, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Brazil, Colombia, Guyana and Peru.

During a group meeting with the foreign ministers and representatives of the Caribbean countries having diplomatic relations with China, including Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago, Wang Yi said that this year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the China-CELAC Forum, which is of great significance in building on past achievements and opening up new prospects. Over the past decade, the China-Caribbean comprehensive cooperative partnership has entered a fast track, yielding remarkable outcomes across various fields. Leaders of all Caribbean countries having diplomatic relations with China have made visits to China, and eight Caribbean nations have joined the big family of the Belt and Road Initiative. A large number of key cooperation projects between China and the Caribbean have been put into use or are well underway. Six Caribbean countries have signed comprehensive mutual visa exemption agreements with China. People-to-people and cultural exchanges between both sides have grown increasingly active. All Caribbean countries having diplomatic relations with China have established Confucius Institutes or Confucius Classrooms, and the number of sister-city partnerships continues to grow. During the pandemic, the two sides stood together through thick and thin, writing a new chapter in China-Caribbean friendship.

He stated that Caribbean countries are an indispensable part of the China-CELAC Forum, and China-Caribbean cooperation has broad prospects. Looking ahead, both sides should work together to deepen and strengthen the China-Caribbean comprehensive cooperative partnership. It is important to deepen political mutual trust and continue mutual support on issues concerning each other’s core interests. Both sides should step up practical cooperation and advance high-quality Belt and Road cooperation to help Caribbean countries accelerate self-driven development. The two sides should enhance people-to-people and cultural exchanges, strengthen cooperation in education, culture, news, sports and other fields, and bring people’s hearts closer. China will offer more government scholarships and training opportunities. China will also continue to assist Caribbean countries in addressing climate change and support Caribbean countries in seeking strength through unity and playing a greater role in international affairs.

Foreign ministers and representatives of Caribbean countries expressed the view that the Caribbean nations and China show mutual trust and mutual respect. They expressed gratitude to China for its long-standing and strong support in key areas such as infrastructure, green development, post-disaster reconstruction, agriculture, healthcare, and education in Caribbean countries. This has helped Caribbean countries improve people’s well-being, enhance economic resilience and accelerate sustainable development, and set an example for South-South cooperation. The one-China principle remains the cornerstone of relations between the Caribbean and China, and Caribbean countries will continue to firmly uphold it.

Xi Jinping meets with presidents of Colombia and Chile

Chinese President Xi Jinping met separately with Colombian President Gustavo Petro and Chilean President Gabriel Boric on the morning of May 14. Both leaders were in China to attend the Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the China-CELAC [Community of Latin American and Caribbean States] Forum.

During his visit President Petro announced that Colombia would formally join the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). In their meeting, President Xi said that this year marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Colombia. Standing at a new historical starting point, China is ready to work with Colombia to promote greater development of the strategic partnership between the two countries and bring more benefits to the people of both countries. The two sides should take Colombia officially joining the big family of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation as an opportunity to promote the quality improvement and upgrade of cooperation between the two countries. China is ready to import more high-quality products from Colombia, support Chinese enterprises in investing and doing business in Colombia, and participate in infrastructure development. The two sides can further expand cooperation in emerging fields such as wind energy, new energy vehicles, the digital economy and artificial intelligence, and jointly achieve green and low-carbon transformation.

The Chinese leader stressed that China-LAC [Latin America and the Caribbean] cooperation is an important part of South-South cooperation. It conforms to the general trend of world development and historical trends and is in line with the common interests of China and LAC countries. The Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the China-CELAC Forum sent a positive signal to the world of seeking common development and revitalisation. As the rotating president CELAC, Colombia has made significant contributions to the successful holding of the meeting.

Gustavo Petro said, the friendly relations between Colombia and China have a long history. The two sides should deepen political mutual trust, enhance mutual support, advance Belt and Road cooperation, expand cooperation in areas such as trade, infrastructure, new energy and artificial intelligence, and improve people’s livelihood. Amid the current complex and volatile international landscape, the self-serving practices of certain countries are not beneficial to the world. All countries should unite to respond. Colombia is willing to cooperate closely with China to safeguard international fairness and justice and protect the common interests of developing countries.

Petro also met with Wang Huning, Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).

Meeting Chilean President Boric, Xi Jinping pointed out that this year marks the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Chile. Fifty-five years ago, the visionary elder leaders of both countries broke through the shadow of the Cold War and pioneered the establishment of diplomatic relations between the People’s Republic of China and South American countries. [Xi Jinping refers here to Salvador Allende, Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai. Chile established diplomatic relations with China on December 15, 1970, the first country on the South American mainland to do so, just over three months after Allende led his Popular Unity coalition to victory and assumed office.]

China and Brazil work together to uphold multipolarity and oppose hegemony

In addition to attending the opening ceremony of the Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the China-CELAC [Community of Latin American and Caribbean States], Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva paid a state visit to China. On the afternoon of May 13, he held talks with President Xi Jinping and other senior Chinese leaders.

Xi Jinping noted that on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Brazil last year, the two sides jointly announced the elevation of their bilateral relationship to a China-Brazil community with a shared future for a more just world and a more sustainable planet. This strategic decision has drawn a grand blueprint for the next “golden 50 years” of China-Brazil relations. Amid the changing and turbulent international landscape, China and Brazil should remain committed to the original aspiration of contributing to human progress and global development, deepen the building of a China-Brazil community with a shared future, continuously seek greater synergy between development strategies, and work together to promote greater solidarity and coordination among Global South countries.

The two sides should deepen the effective synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative and Brazil’s development strategies, give full play to the role of various cooperation mechanisms between the two countries, strengthen cooperation in traditional areas such as infrastructure, agriculture and energy, and expand new frontiers of cooperation in energy transition, aerospace, the digital economy and artificial intelligence, so as to create more highlights in practical cooperation between the two countries.

Taking the opportunity of the China-Brazil Years of Culture to be held next year, the two sides should enhance cooperation in culture, education, tourism, media, and at the sub-national level, and provide more convenience for people-to-people exchanges between the two countries. And they should maintain multilateral cooperation to enrich the China-Brazil community with a shared future. As two major developing countries in the eastern and western hemispheres, China and Brazil should enhance coordination and collaboration within multilateral mechanisms such as the United Nations, BRICS, and the China-CELAC Forum, jointly uphold multilateralism, improve global governance, and safeguard the international economic and trade order. The two sides should take a clear-cut stand against unilateralism, protectionism, and bullying acts.

President Lula said, Brazil and China uphold mutual respect and share a common future. The bilateral relationship remains solid and unbreakable and brooks no disruption or undermining by any external factors. Unlike other major countries, China has consistently offered sincere support and assistance to Latin American countries, including Brazil, in their pursuit of economic and social development. Brazil is willing to deepen strategic cooperation with China, advance the building of a Brazil-China community with a shared future, work together to build a more just, peaceful and prosperous world, and set an example for other countries. Brazil is ready to synergise its development strategies with the Belt and Road Initiative and deepen cooperation with China in such areas as economy and trade, infrastructure, aerospace, and finance. Brazil seeks to expand youth and cultural exchanges to enhance interactions and friendship between the two peoples. China’s achievements in poverty alleviation are admirable, and Brazil is willing to learn from China’s experience to lift more people out of poverty and hunger. Under the current circumstances, it is essential to firmly defend multilateralism. Protectionism and the abuse of tariffs will not bring development and prosperity but only lead to chaos. China’s firm stance in addressing global challenges gives strength and confidence to all countries. Brazil is willing to strengthen strategic coordination with China in international affairs, jointly safeguard the common interests of the Global South, and uphold international fairness and justice.

The two heads of state also had an exchange of views on the Ukraine crisis, agreeing that as peace-loving forces for progress, China and Brazil should strengthen communication and coordination, give play to the role of the Group of Friends for Peace, support Russia and Ukraine in initiating direct dialogue, and work with other Global South countries to continue playing a constructive role in resolving the crisis.

After the talks, the two heads of state jointly witnessed the signing of 20 cooperation documents covering areas such as the synergy of development strategies, science and technology, agriculture, the digital economy, finance, inspection and quarantine, and media.

The two sides issued the Joint Statement between the People’s Republic of China and the Federative Republic of Brazil on Strengthening the Building of a China-Brazil Community with a Shared Future for a More Just World and a More Sustainable Planet and on Jointly Upholding Multilateralism, as well as the China-Brazil Joint Statement on the Ukraine Crisis.

In their meeting, Chinese Premier Li Qiang stated that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Brazil over 50 years ago, the two countries have always respected and supported each other, becoming good friends and partners who share weal and woe and pursue common development. Currently, under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, China-Brazil relations have entered a golden period of growth. China is ready to work with Brazil to maintain high-level exchanges, deepen political mutual trust, constantly expand the strategic dimension of bilateral relations, comprehensively intensify mutually beneficial cooperation between the two sides, and move forward side by side and achieve mutual success on the path to modernisation.

Clean energy just put China’s CO2 emissions into reverse for first time

The analysis below by Lauri Myllyvirta, originally published on Carbon Brief, demonstrates that, “for the first time, the growth in China’s clean power generation has caused the nation’s carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions to fall despite rapid power demand growth”. This indicates that China has almost certainly achieved its target of peaking emissions before 2030.

The article reports that China’s emissions were down 1.6 percent year-on-year in the first quarter of 2025, and notes that the country’s decline in fossil fuel usage resulted not from a slowdown in the economy or reduced energy demand, but from a rapid increase in the share of clean energy – solar, wind, nuclear and hydroelectric – in the power mix. “If this pattern is sustained, then it would herald a peak and sustained decline in China’s power-sector emissions.”

While noting that the possibility of a rebound in emissions later in the coming years cannot be ruled out should the government’s energy strategy significantly shift, Myllyvirta writes: “All of this suggests that there is potential for China’s emissions to continue to fall and for the country to achieve substantial absolute emissions reductions over the next five years”.

This progress is world-historic, because China’s emissions are reducing in spite of the fact that its overall energy demand continues to rise, and it continues to be a major industrial power. Thus its emissions reduction is the result not of de-industrialisation but of systematic investment and innovation in renewable energy. As such it is a model of sustainable development with important implications for other developing countries.

Lauri Myllyvirta is lead analyst at the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air and senior fellow at Asia Society Policy Institute.

For the first time, the growth in China’s clean power generation has caused the nation’s carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions to fall despite rapid power demand growth.

The new analysis for Carbon Brief shows that China’s emissions were down 1.6% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2025 and by 1% in the latest 12 months.

Electricity supply from new wind, solar and nuclear capacity was enough to cut coal-power output even as demand surged, whereas previous falls were due to weak growth.

The analysis, based on official figures and commercial data, shows that China’s CO2 emissions have now been stable, or falling, for more than a year.

However, they remain only 1% below the latest peak, implying that any short-term jump could cause China’s CO2 emissions to rise to a new record.

Other key findings include:

Growth in clean power generation has now overtaken the current and long-term average growth in electricity demand, pushing down fossil fuel use.
Power-sector emissions fell 2% year-on-year in the 12 months to March 2025.
If this pattern is sustained, then it would herald a peak and sustained decline in China’s power-sector emissions.
The trade “war” initiated by US president Donald Trump has prompted renewed efforts to shift China’s economy towards domestic consumption, rather than exports.
A new pricing policy for renewables has caused a rush to install before it takes effect.
There is a growing gap that would need to be bridged if China is to meet the 2030 emissions targets it pledged under the Paris Agreement.

If sustained, the drop in power-sector CO2 as a result of clean-energy growth could presage the sort of structural decline in emissions anticipated in previous analysis for Carbon Brief.

The trend of falling power-sector emissions is likely to continue in 2025.

Lula: Latin America, the Caribbean and China show it is possible to fight climate change without sacrificing growth and justice

The Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the China-CELAC [Community of Latin American and Caribbean States] Forum, which was held in Beijing on May 13, 2025, saw Chinese President Xi Jinping joined by Colombian President and current CELAC president Gustavo Petro, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Chilean President Gabriel Boric, and President of the New Development Bank and former Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff in addressing the opening ceremony.

In his speech, President Lula da Silva said: “Over the past decade, ties between Latin America and the Caribbean and China have grown stronger. China is now CELAC’s second-largest trading partner and one of the region’s most important sources of foreign direct investment. Funds from Chinese financial institutions surpass the loans offered by the World Bank or the Inter-American Development Bank. Partnership with China has become a dynamic force in the regional economy.”

He added: “Chinese demand was one of the driving forces behind the growth we experienced at the beginning of the century. We made significant advances in reducing poverty and inequality. It was during this time that we finally looked around us and united to create UNASUR [Union of South American Nations] and CELAC.

“During the COVID-19 pandemic, Chinese vaccines and medical supplies helped us protect our populations. Only through greater coordination among ourselves can we fully harness the potential of Sino–Latin American and Caribbean cooperation.

“This is especially evident in infrastructure. Chinese support is decisive for moving forward with highways, railways, ports, and transmission lines. But the economic viability of these projects depends on our ability to coordinate as a region and give these initiatives regional scale.”

He noted that, “For centuries, resources extracted from Latin America and the Caribbean enriched other parts of the world. We now have a chance to do things differently”, and particularly emphasised: “Latin America, the Caribbean, and China can show the world that it is possible to fight climate change without sacrificing economic growth and social justice. COP30, to be held in Belém, in the state of Pará, at the heart of the Amazon, aspires to be a turning point in the implementation of climate commitments and in building trust in collective solutions.”

In concluding, he said that he wanted to, “issue a call to all comrades of Latin America: There is no way out for any country on its own. We have 500 years of history that prove this. Either we unite among ourselves and seek partners willing to build a shared world with us, or Latin America will remain a region synonymous with poverty in today’s world.”

In his address, Colombian President Gustavo Petro called for a rethinking of humanity’s path through a new international cooperation paradigm that transcends the nation-state model and embraces a “dialogue of civilisations” as a political, historical and anthropological foundation for the global future.

He noted that: “A dialogue among civilisations cannot be imposed. It is a guiding principle for the relationship between CELAC and China. It is a possibility that China wants, and we want as well.” Challenging the ‘Clash of Civilisations’ theory propounded by the late US political scientist Samuel Huntington, the Colombian president instead advocated for an integrative vision as promoted by China – one in which cultural differences are not sources of conflict, but of collective human development as a political subject.

“How could there be fruitful dialogue if we don’t talk about clean energy, for example? If we don’t talk about decarbonisation? If we don’t speak as equals about how to achieve, through support for decarbonisation in North America, the possibility of prosperity in the South, and therefore, the possibility of mutual cooperation?

China and LAC countries bound by a shared commitment to justice and a common pursuit of modernisation

On May 13, 2025, the Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the China-CELAC [Community of Latin American and Caribbean States] Forum was held in Beijing, presided over by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and attended by foreign ministers and representatives of CELAC member states as well as heads of regional organisations.

President Xi Jinping attended the opening ceremony and delivered a keynote address.

In the subsequent ministerial meeting, Wang Yi said that this year marks the tenth anniversary of the official launch of the China-CELAC Forum. Ten years ago, President Xi Jinping and Leaders of Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries jointly announced the establishment of the China-CELAC Forum and advocated for building a China-LAC community with a shared future. After a decade of dedicated efforts, the Forum has developed into a mature mechanism and an important platform for equal dialogue and mutually beneficial cooperation between China and LAC countries, adding new dimensions to the China-LAC comprehensive cooperative partnership and injecting fresh momentum into the building of a China-LAC community with a shared future.

He added that China and LAC countries are separated by a vast ocean. What binds the two sides together? Not a geopolitical chessboard, nor a game of big power rivalry, but a shared commitment to fairness and justice and a common pursuit of modernisation. China-LAC cooperation rejects bloc confrontation and advocates for openness and win-win results. It has set a new example for building a new type of international relations and injected new impetus into cooperation among the Global South. History and reality have shown that in the face of unilateralism and hegemony, compromise and appeasement offer no way out, and only by standing united can respect be earned. As developing countries and members of the Global South, China and LAC countries should work together to safeguard their legitimate rights and interests.

The meeting adopted the Beijing Declaration of the Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the China-CELAC Forum and the China-CELAC Joint Action Plan for Cooperation in Key Areas (2025-2027).

Just prior to the meeting, Wang Yi released an article, entitled ‘Planning Together for Development and Revitalisation, Building Together a China-LAC Community with a Shared Future’.

He wrote that in the 10 years since the forum was established, Panama, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Honduras established or resumed diplomatic relations with China. The one-China principle has increasingly become the consensus of regional countries. To date, China has established different types of partnerships with 16 countries in the region, including the China-Cuba community with a shared future and the China-Brazil community with a shared future for a more just world and a more sustainable planet.

The Global Development Initiative has gained wide support of regional countries, and more than 20 countries have synergised development strategies with China under the Belt and Road cooperation framework. The trade volume between China and LAC countries doubled in the past decade, reaching a historic milestone of US$518.4 billion in 2024.

More than 200 infrastructure projects and multiple industrial capacity cooperation projects built by China have generated more than one million jobs for local people.

China has so far provided LAC countries with 17,000 government scholarships and around 13,000 training opportunities in China, signed 26 cooperation documents on education with 19 regional countries, and opened 68 Confucius Institutes or Classrooms in 26 regional countries.

China-LAC cooperation is a natural choice in line with the prevailing trend of the world. The collective rise of the Global South is a distinctive hallmark of the great transformation in the world. China and LAC countries are important members of the Global South. Increased cooperation between the two sides sends a strong message of the Global South seeking strength through unity and aligns with the dominant trend toward a multipolar world. This not only injects new substance into China-LAC relations but also makes new contributions to a more fair and equitable international order.

China-LAC cooperation is a natural choice to pursue a shared future. China and LAC countries have supported each other in their respective struggles against imperialism and colonialism and in our fight for national liberation. They have also supported each other in exploring development paths befitting their respective national conditions. Deeper cooperation between them has created growth drivers for both sides. During the COVID-19 pandemic, China and LAC countries went all-out supporting each other. History and reality have consistently demonstrated that building a China-LAC community with a shared future is a common endeavour of the willing that is underpinned by concrete actions.

China expresses deep condolences over former Uruguayan president Jose Mujica’s passing

China has expressed deep condolences on the death of former Uruguayan President José “Pepe” Mujica, who died on May 13, at the age of 89. He had earlier been diagnosed with oesophageal cancer.

Chinese President Xi Jinping personally extended his condolences to Uruguayan President Yamandu Orsi, noting that Mujica dedicated his entire life to the well-being of the Uruguayan people and was deeply loved by them. Xi wrote that the Chinese people have lost an old and good friend, observing that Mujica had long been committed to the development of China-Uruguay relations and made positive contributions to the cause of friendship between China and Uruguay.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian described Mujica as a prominent leader of Uruguay, deeply respected and loved by the Uruguayan people, adding that he was also an old and good friend of the Chinese people.

President Yamandú Orsi, to whom Mujica was a political mentor, wrote on the social media platform X: “Thank you for everything you gave us and for your deep love for your people.”

In the 1960s, Mujica helped found the National Liberation Movement-Tupamaros (MLN-T), more commonly known simply as the Tupamaros, a Marxist-Leninist group which, influenced by the Cuban revolution, took the road of armed struggle.

During this period, Mujica was captured four times. On one such occasion, in 1970, he was shot six times and nearly died. He escaped from prison twice, on one occasion through a tunnel with 105 other Tupamaro prisoners.

During the more than 14 years he spent in prison during the 1970s and 1980s, he was tortured and spent most of that time in harsh conditions and solitary confinement, until he was freed in 1985 when the military dictatorship ended.

Along with other former Tupamaros he was instrumental in the 1989 founding of the Movement of Popular Participation (MPP), which became and remains the largest party in Uruguay’s Frente Amplio (Broad Front) left-wing coalition.

He was elected as a parliamentary deputy in 1994 and as a senator in 1999. He served as President of Uruguay, 2010-2015, during which time he pursued an anti-imperialist foreign policy, strengthened the trade unions, significantly increased workers’ wages, and implemented many progressive social and economic reforms.

Following his presidency, he continued to serve as a senator, until retiring from public office in 2020.

Throughout, he was known for his extremely simple and humble lifestyle. In 2022, he told Al Jazeera: “I believe that politicians should live like the majority of their people, not like how the privileged minority lives.”

The following articles were originally published by Xinhua and Global Times.

Xi extends condolences over death of Uruguay’s former president

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday extended condolences to Uruguayan President Yamandu Orsi over the death of former Uruguayan President Jose Mujica.

In his message, Xi expressed deep condolences on behalf of the Chinese government and people, and extended sincere sympathies to Mujica’s family and the people of Uruguay.

As a renowned leader of Uruguay, Mujica dedicated his entire life to the well-being of the Uruguayan people and was deeply loved by them, enjoying a high reputation in the international community, Xi said in the message.

Mujica had long been committed to the development of China-Uruguay relations and made positive contributions to the cause of friendship between China and Uruguay, Xi said, adding that the Chinese people have lost an old and good friend.

Xi said he attaches great significance to developing China-Uruguay relations and looks to work with President Orsi to continue promoting the China-Uruguay comprehensive strategic partnership.

China expresses deep condolences over former Uruguayan president Jose Mujica’s passing: FM

In response to a question from Spanish news agency Agencia EFE regarding the passing of former Uruguayan president Jose “Pepe” Mujica on Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated on Wednesday that Mujica was a prominent leader of Uruguay, deeply respected and loved by the Uruguayan people. He was also an old and good friend of the Chinese people and made positive contributions to the development of China-Uruguay relations and mutually beneficial cooperation.

We express our deep condolences over his unfortunate passing and extend our sincere sympathies to his family and the people of Uruguay, said Lin.

Xi Jinping: Writing a new chapter in building a China-LAC Community with a Shared Future

The Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the China-CELAC [Community of Latin American and Caribbean States] Forum was held in Beijing on May 13, 2025.

Of the 33 member states of CELAC, 28 attended, along with six regional organisations. Besides the 26 countries in the region with diplomatic relations with China, two of those still maintaining so-called ‘diplomatic relations’ with the Taiwan authorities, namely Saint Lucia and Haiti, also attended.

Reporting on the message of greetings sent by President Xi Jinping to the ninth summit meeting of CELAC Heads of State and Government, held in the Honduran capital Tegucigalpa on April 9, we drew attention to the significance of his clear statement that all member states would be welcome to attend the Beijing meeting.

Xi Jinping attended the opening ceremony of the Beijing meeting and delivered a keynote address.

He noted that: “Although China and the LAC [Latin America and Caribbean] region are geographically distant, the bonds of our friendship stretch back through centuries… From the 1960s onward, as New China established diplomatic ties with some LAC countries, exchanges and cooperation between the two sides became closer and closer. Since the turn of the century and in particular in recent years, China and LAC countries have ushered in a historic era of building a shared future.”

He went on to say that: “We stand shoulder to shoulder and support each other… In the 1960s, mass rallies and demonstrations took place across China in support of the Panamanian people’s rightful claim to sovereignty over the Panama Canal. In the 1970s, during the Latin American campaign for 200-nautical-mile maritime rights, China voiced its resolute and unequivocal support for the legitimate demands of developing countries. For 32 consecutive times since 1992, China has consistently voted for the United Nations General Assembly resolutions calling for an end to the US embargo against Cuba.

“We unite in tough times to conquer challenges through mutual support. China and LAC countries have collaborated on disaster prevention, mitigation and relief and on joint response to hurricanes, earthquakes and other natural disasters. Since 1993, China has dispatched 38 medical teams to the Caribbean. When the pandemic of the century struck, China was among the first to offer assistance to LAC countries, providing over 300 million doses of vaccines and nearly 40 million units of medical supplies and equipment, and sending multiple teams of medical experts. All this helped protect the lives of hundreds of millions across the region.

“We uphold solidarity and coordination and rise to global challenges with resolve. Together, China and LAC countries champion true multilateralism, uphold international fairness and justice, advance global governance reform, and promote multipolarisation of the world and greater democracy in international relations. We have worked together to address global challenges like climate change, and advance progress in global biodiversity governance. China and Brazil jointly issued a six-point common understanding on the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis, which has been endorsed by more than 110 countries, contributing our wisdom and strength to resolving international hotspot issues.”

Regarding the current situation, Xi said: “The century-defining transformation is accelerating across the globe, with multiple risks compounding one another. Such developments make unity and cooperation among nations indispensable for safeguarding global peace and stability and for promoting global development and prosperity. There are no winners in tariff wars or trade wars. Bullying or hegemonism only leads to self-isolation. China and LAC countries are important members of the Global South. Independence and autonomy are our glorious tradition. Development and revitalisation are our inherent right. And fairness and justice are our common pursuit. In the face of seething undercurrents of geopolitical and bloc confrontation and the surging tide of unilateralism and protectionism, China stands ready to join hands with our LAC partners to launch five programs that advance our shared development and revitalisation and contribute to a China-LAC community with a shared future.”

US war on China, a long time coming

The following article by W. T. Whitney Jr, originally published in People’s World, connects the Trump administration’s hostility towards China back to the US-led campaign of containment and encirclement starting in 1949 with the proclamation of the People’s Republic.

While the current state of relations between the two countries is often described as a New Cold War, Whitney points out that it has a significant military component, with 400 US bases surrounding China with ships, missiles and troops. Furthermore, “US allies in the Western Pacific—Japan and South Korea in the North, Australia and Indonesia in the South, and The Philippines and various islands in between—have long hosted U.S. military installations and/or troop deployments. Nuclear-capable planes and vessels are at the ready. US Navy and Air Force units regularly carry out joint training exercises with the militaries of other nations.”

Vast investment is being ploughed into weapons development in the US, and Trump-supporting producers of advanced modern weaponry (such as Peter Thiel) “exert sufficient influence over government decision-making to ensure happy times for the new breed of weapon producers”.

The article concludes with a call for the anti-war movement in the West to step up in its opposition to war on China, and its efforts to build stronger people-to-people links between the West and China:

Will resistance to war against China end up stronger and more effective than earlier anti-war mobilizations in the post-Vietnam War era? A first step toward resisting would be to build awareness of the reality that war with China may come soon. General knowledge of relevant history should be broadened, with emphasis on how U.S. imperialism works and on its capitalist origins. Anyone standing up for peace and no war ought to be reaching out in solidarity with socialist China.

Despite all the hype about a possible “breakthrough” in the U.S.’ trade war with China due to Trump’s tariff retreats, the reality is that the movement toward an actual war with China accelerates.

The public, focused on troubles currently upending U.S. politics, does not pay much attention to a war that has actually been on the way for decades.

The watershed moment of course came all the way back in 1949 with the victory of China’s socialist revolution. Amid resurgent anti-communism in the United States, accusations flourished of “who ‘lost’ China.”

Loss in U.S. eyes happened in China with the dawning of national independence and promise of social change. In 1946, a year after the Japanese war ended, U.S. Marines, allied with Chinese Nationalist forces, the Kuomintang, were fighting the People’s Liberation Army in Northeast China.

The U.S. government that year was delaying the return home of troops who fought against Japan. Soldier Erwin Marquit, participant in “mutinies” opposing the delay, explained that the U.S. wanted to “keep open the option of intervention by U.S. troops … [to support] the determination of imperialist powers to hold on to their colonies and neocolonies,” China being one of these.

Keith Bennett: WW2 victory is inseparable from the heroic struggle of the Soviet and Chinese peoples

The Workers Party of Britain (WPB) packed London’s Bolivar Hall, the cultural premises of the Venezuelan Embassy, on Saturday May 10 for its celebration of the 80^th anniversary of the victory over fascism in the European theatre of World War II.

The meeting was attended by Dzmitry Kozlovsky, Chargé d’ Affaires, and Andrei Miskevich , Counsellor, of the Embassy of the Republic of Belarus; Alexander Gusarov, Minister Counsellor and Deputy Head of Mission, and Timofey Kunitskiy, First Secretary, of the Embassy of the Russian Federation; Minister Zhao Fei and Zhen Sitong from the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China; and Wilfredo Hernández Maya, Counsellor of the Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

The meeting heard a message of greetings from Workers Party leader George Galloway, filmed in Moscow’s Red Square, where he was attending the celebrations.

Chaired and introduced by WPB General Secretary Paul Cannon, the meeting was addressed by the diplomatic representatives of Belarus, Russia and Venezuela; Mick Stott from the WPB’s Veterans Group and the No 2 NATO Campaign; Louise Scrivens from the No Conscription League; Jesse Williams from the British Preparatory Committee for the World Festival of Youth; Shanaz Saddique, WPB National Organiser; and Keith Bennett of Friends of Socialist China, who spoke on the war in Asia.

Keith began by congratulating the WPB on organising the meeting and thanking them for the invitation. Extending our greetings to the diplomats present, Keith recalled that FOSC had held its own celebration of the 75^th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China in this same hall in September last year. Expressing his thanks once again, he noted that both events showed how the comrades of the revolutionary government of Venezuela, despite the outrageous pressures, aggression, sanctions and threats to which their country has been and is still subjected, can always be relied on for their support, collaboration and friendship in the best traditions of internationalism.

The following is the text of the main body of Keith’s speech.

Today’s meeting is a timely initiative – 80 years on, the struggle against fascism, against imperialist war and genocide, for the rights of nations, and for a people’s peace and a better life for working people have lost none of their poignancy or urgency.

It is right that we remember this anniversary. And that we remember it from the standpoint of the working class rather than just that of the ruling circles. The war touched the lives of every family in this country just as it did those of every family in all the countries that were swept into its maelstrom. And the victory was the result of the broadest possible unity of democratic forces worldwide.

But whilst the people of every country, including the progressive and democratic forces in the axis powers themselves, played their part, above all, this victory was inseparable from the heroic exploits, struggle and sacrifice of the great Soviet people of all nationalities and the great Chinese people.

Today, we celebrate the victorious end of the war in Europe, but the war in East Asia and the Pacific still had more than three months to run and whilst it was clear that Japanese militarism would be defeated, nobody could be sure how long that would take and how many lives it would still claim. That was the sobering reality to which people awoke after the greatly deserved revelry of the first VE Day.

So, in being asked to speak about the war in the east on this occasion, I’ll try to draw out the essential relationship between what were the two key fronts of a single united struggle. Fronts that were mutually reinforcing and inseparable. And at the heart of this single struggle was the combat alliance, the friendship forged in blood, between the peoples of China, Russia and the other constituent republics of the USSR.

The anti-fascist war in China started earliest and lasted the longest. Japanese imperialism, which had first embarked on the road of aggression against China in the nineteenth century, occupied China’s three northeastern provinces in 1931, creating the puppet state of Manchukuo. In 1937, Japan began an all-out war of aggression against China. In the course of 14 years, China suffered over 35 million casualties. As Xi Jinping put it in his speech marking the 70^th anniversary of victory:

“The victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression is the first complete victory won by China in its resistance against foreign aggression in modern times. This great triumph crushed the plot of the Japanese militarists to colonise and enslave China and put an end to China’s national humiliation of suffering successive defeats at the hands of foreign aggressors in modern times.”

He added: “During the war, with huge national sacrifice, the Chinese people held their ground in the main theatre in the East of the World Anti-Fascist War, thus making a major contribution to its victory.”

And as then Chinese leader Hu Jintao put it 10 years previously:

“The War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression constitutes a glorious page in the history of the World Anti-Fascist War, for it broke out much earlier and lasted the longest. For a long time, we Chinese contained and pinned down the main forces of Japanese militarism in the China theatre and annihilated more than 1.5 million Japanese troops. This played a decisive role in the total defeat of the Japanese aggressors. The war of resistance lent a strategic support to battles of China’s allies, assisted the strategic operations in the Europe and Pacific theatres, and restrained and disrupted the attempt of Japanese, German and Italian fascists to coordinate their strategic operations… The victory of the war in China sets a shining example of the weak vanquishing the strong for the people all over the world and boosted the confidence and morale of the oppressed and victimised nations to carry on their liberation wars.”

In a word, by their heroic struggle the Chinese people not only rose up to save their nation and civilisation. By pinning down huge numbers of aggressor troops, they prevented Japan from attacking the Soviet Union, thereby ensuring that the Red Army never had to fight on two fronts simultaneously, something that was absolutely crucial to expediting both a victorious conclusion to the war in Europe but also to an overall and decisive victory over the axis powers as a whole.

In 1931, Soviet leader JV Stalin uttered these prophetic words: ““We are 50-100 years behind the advanced countries. We have to close that gap in 10 years. Either we do it or we will be wiped out.”

In putting matters in this way, Stalin was mindful of threats to both the USSR’s East and West.

Since the emergence of Japan as a capitalist nation after the bourgeois revolution of the late 1860s known as the Meiji Restoration, the ruling class of Japan, a country lacking in most raw materials, had cast covetous eyes at the Far East of Russia and at Siberia, with its vast area, small population, but almost limitless mineral and natural wealth.

In 1904, Japan launched a war against Russia, winning a stunning victory the next year. This served notice to the whole world of the emergence of Japan as a major imperialist power, whilst the shock of Russia’s defeat was a major contributory factor to the Russian Revolution of 1905.

Following the October Revolution, Japan joined all the imperialist powers in the war of intervention against the infant Soviet state. In 1918, Japan occupied Russia’s far eastern provinces, including the port of Vladivostok, and parts of Siberia. The Red Army forced their withdrawal in 1922.

There is growing need in the West to learn from successes of China’s Five-Year Plans

This article by Keith Lamb, originally published in Global Times, explains the role of Five-Year Plans in China’s economic development. These plans “function as comprehensive blueprints for national social and economic development. They outline goals, strategies, and priorities to address evolving historical challenges. In doing so, they align society toward the common good, chart a course for a better future and function as instruments for strengthening China’s democracy.”

Westerners are primed to think of socialist planning as being a highly bureaucratic and top-down affair. In reality, however, “Chinese citizens are invited to share their suggestions, concerns, and aspirations”, and “experts from a wide range of fields are consulted to ensure the plan’s feasibility”.

Keith explains how, for large-scale and long-term projects, directed toward meeting the needs of the population, state-led planning works far better than laissez-faire neoliberal economics. “Recognising China’s long-term planning as a key instrument in building a democratic reality and a sustainable future, it comes as no surprise that China now leads the world in green technology, electric vehicles, high-speed rail, and desert reclamation. Such achievements would not have been possible if capital, driven by short-term profit cycles, dominated the state at the cost of democracy and environmental well-being.”

The article notes that the current (14th) Five-Year Plan, which draws to a close this year, “has propelled China to the forefront of numerous technologies, particularly in green innovation. Consumer choice has expanded dramatically, and the countryside now boasts modern infrastructure, a thriving tourism sector, and advanced agricultural practices.”

As more Westerners begin to see beyond the corporate media narratives that demonize China, there is a growing need to learn from its successes – or risk continued decline. By prioritizing the common good, China’s Five-Year Plans are democratic, delivering material, social, and increasingly cultural improvements for the majority, not just a select elite.

As China’s 14th Five-Year Plan nears completion, the country is already setting its sights on the next plan, which Chinese President Xi Jinping has stated “must focus on the goal of basically realizing socialist modernization, with a view to building a great country and advancing national rejuvenation” at a Wednesday symposium on China’s economic and social development in the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030).

China’s Five-Year Plans function as comprehensive blueprints for national social and economic development. They outline goals, strategies, and priorities to address evolving historical challenges. In doing so, they align society toward the common good, chart a course for a better future and function as instruments for strengthening China’s democracy.

Xi Jinping meets with leaders of Cuba, Venezuela, Slovakia, Serbia, Myanmar and Vietnam in Moscow

On May 9, during his state visit to Russia and participation in the commemoration of the 80^th anniversary of the victory of the Soviet Union in the Great Patriotic War, Chinese President Xi Jinping held bilateral meetings with a number of his counterparts.

Meeting with President of Cuba Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, Xi Jinping pointed out that in recent years, he has held multiple meetings with Comrade President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez and jointly led China-Cuba relations into a new stage featuring deeper political mutual trust, closer strategic coordination and stronger public support. This year marks the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Cuba. China is ready to work with Cuba to further strengthen their ironclad friendship, build a closer China-Cuba community with a shared future, and set an example of solidarity and cooperation between socialist countries and sincere interaction between developing countries. China firmly supports Cuba in upholding its national sovereignty, opposing external interference and blockade, and advancing its economic and social development. As important members of the Global South, the two sides should strengthen coordination and cooperation within such frameworks as BRICS and the China-CELAC [Community of Caribbean and Latin American States] Forum, jointly oppose power politics, unilateralism and bullying, and uphold international fairness and justice.

Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez said that Cuba and China are close friends and brothers. Cuba appreciates China’s long-standing and strong support for Cuba’s economic and social development. Cuba firmly adheres to the one-China principle and is willing to strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation with China, enhance people-to-people friendly exchanges, strengthen coordination and collaboration in international and regional affairs, and advance the building of a community with a shared future, so as to promote greater development of bilateral relations.

Meeting with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro Moros, Xi Jinping said, China and Venezuela are good partners of mutual trust and common development. The two sides have forged an ironclad friendship amid the evolving international landscape. Since the two countries elevated bilateral relations to an all-weather strategic partnership in 2023, exchanges across various fields and at all levels have been vigorous, with continuous growth in bilateral trade and new progress in investment cooperation and people-to-people exchanges. The China-Venezuela friendship has become more deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. China has always viewed and developed relations with Venezuela from a strategic and long-term perspective. It will, as always, firmly support Venezuela in safeguarding state sovereignty, national dignity and social stability. China is ready to work with Venezuela to enhance the exchange of governance experiences, continue to deepen practical cooperation in various areas and take bilateral relations to new heights, so as to deliver more benefits to the two peoples.

Nicolás Maduro Moros said, China is a great friend of Venezuela, expressing his gratitude for China’s longstanding and selfless support in safeguarding Venezuela’s national sovereignty and advancing its economic and social development. Venezuela is looking forward to strengthening its all-weather strategic partnership with China and deepening cooperation in trade, energy, agriculture, science and technology, education and other fields for more tangible results, so as to deliver more benefits to the two peoples.

Meeting with Prime Minister of Slovakia Robert Fico, Xi Jinping noted that promoting the all-round, in-depth, and high-level development of China-Slovakia relations serves the fundamental interests of both peoples and accords with the historical trend of openness, cooperation, and mutual benefit. Xi Jinping said that the important common understandings they reached during Robert Fico’s visit to China last November are being actively implemented, and the China-Slovakia strategic partnership has moved into a “fast lane”. Both sides should continue to deepen traditional friendship, expand exchanges and cooperation in various fields, pursue high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and promote the steady and sustained development of China-Slovakia relations and China-Europe relations. China welcomes Slovakia’s participation as the guest of honor at the 4th China-CEEC [Central and East European Countries] Expo, which will help boost exports of high-quality Slovak products to China.

Robert Fico said that deepening the Slovakia-China strategic partnership is among the top priorities of Slovakia’s foreign policy. Noting that a sound and stable EU-China relationship serves the common interests of both sides, he added that Slovakia is committed to promoting the development of EU-China relations. Slovakia supports major initiatives proposed by China, such as building a community with a shared future for mankind and appreciates China’s positions on and constructive role in issues related to Ukraine and the Middle East. The Slovak side is willing to join hands with China to uphold multilateralism, safeguard free trade rules, and maintain the stability of global industrial and supply chains.

Meeting with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, Xi Jinping pointed out that over the past year, the building of a China-Serbia community with a shared future in the new era has got off to a good start with notable achievements. As profound changes unseen in a century unfold at an accelerated pace across the world amid multiple overlapping risks and challenges, China and Serbia should maintain strategic resolve, concentrate on managing their own affairs well, carry forward the ironclad friendship, deepen and expand mutually beneficial cooperation, and promote the building of a China-Serbia community with a shared future with high quality.

Xi Jinping stressed that 80 years ago, the peoples of China and Serbia made important contributions to the victory on the Asian and European battlefields in the World Anti-Fascist War, respectively. China is ready to work with all countries in the world, including Serbia, to unite and cooperate to meet challenges, jointly safeguard world peace and international fairness and justice, safeguard the achievements of economic globalisation, and promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

Xi attends Russia’s Victory Day celebrations

Following an intensive program of talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on May 8, Chinese President Xi Jinping attended the grand parade marking the 80^th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory in the Great Patriotic War against Nazi Germany on May 9 in Red Square as the chief guest of honour.

Joining the Chinese and Russian presidents were the national leaders of 26 other countries, as follows:

Abkhazia
Armenia
Belarus
Republika Srpska in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Brazil
Burkina Faso
Republic of Congo
Cuba
Egypt
Equatorial Guinea
Ethiopia
Guinea Bissau
Kazakhstan
Kyrgyzstan
Mongolia
Myanmar
Palestine
Serbia
Slovakia
South Ossetia
Tajikistan
Turkmenistan
Uzbekistan
Venezuela
Vietnam
Zimbabwe

Additionally, high level representatives came from a number of other countries, including India, Indonesia, Nicaragua, and South Africa, as well as from international organisations.

The leader of Laos had to cancel his planned visit after succumbing to a serious COVID infection.

Military units from a number of countries also took part in the parade namely:

Members of the Commonwealth of Independent States who participated in the Great Patriotic War as constituent republics of the Soviet Union:

Azerbaijan
Belarus
Kazakhstan
Kyrgyzstan
Tajikistan
Turkmenistan
Uzbekistan

Friendly Countries:

China
Vietnam
Laos
Mongolia
Myanmar
Egypt

The largest contingent of troops was sent by China.

Additionally, following the parade, Vladimir Putin met with a group of military officers from the Democratic Republic of Korea (DPRK) who had taken part in the recent battles to liberate Kursk from Ukrainian aggression.

In his speech at the parade, President Putin said:

“Today, we are all united by the feelings of joy and grief, pride and gratitude, and admiration for the generation that crushed Nazism and won freedom and peace for all humanity at the cost of millions of lives.

“We remember the lessons of World War II and will never agree with the distortion of those events or attempts to justify the murderers and slander the true victors.

“Our duty is to defend the honour of the Red Army soldiers and commanders, and the heroism of fighters of different ethnic backgrounds who will forever remain Russian soldiers in world history.

Putin: It is Russia’s strategic choice to unswervingly advance relations with China

Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Russia from May 7-10 to pay a state visit as well as to attend the celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War of the Soviet Union at the invitation of his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.

On arriving at Vnukovo International Airport in Moscow on the evening of the 7^th, Xi delivered a written statement in which he noted that China and Russia are good neighbours always being there for each other, true friends sharing weal and woe, and good partners helping each other succeed. The independent, mature and resilient China-Russia relationship not only brings great benefits to the people of the two countries but also makes important contributions to maintaining global strategic stability and promoting an equal and orderly multipolar world. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War and the founding of the United Nations. As major countries in the world and permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, China and Russia will join hands to defend the outcomes of the victory of World War II, resolutely oppose hegemonism and power politics, practice true multilateralism, and work for a more just and equitable global governance system.

President Xi Jinping added that he looks forward to having in-depth communication with President Vladimir Putin on bilateral relations, practical cooperation and international and regional issues of common interest and concern, which will inject strong impetus into promoting the development of the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for the new era. He also looks forward to joining the leaders of many countries and the Russian people in cherishing the memory of those who dedicated their lives to the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War and jointly sending a strong message of safeguarding international fairness and justice.

On the morning of May 8, the two Presidents held talks in the Kremlin.

President Xi stressed that 80 years ago, the Chinese and Russian peoples made immense sacrifice and secured a great victory. Their pivotal contribution to world peace and human progress is a shining chapter in the annals of history. Today, in the face of unilateralist countercurrents, bullying and acts of power politics, China is working with Russia to shoulder the special responsibilities of major countries and permanent members of the UN Security Council with courage and conviction, uphold the correct historical perspective on WWII, safeguard the authority and standing of the UN, firmly defend the victorious outcome of WWII, resolutely defend the rights and interests of China, Russia and all other developing countries, and jointly promote an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalisation.

He added that China and Russia should keep to the overall direction of cooperation, steer clear of external interference, and provide a more solid foundation and more robust momentum for cooperation. The two sides should leverage their complementary resource endowments and industrial systems to expand high-quality, mutually beneficial cooperation in areas such as trade, energy, agriculture, aviation and aerospace, and artificial intelligence. They should build a high-standard framework for connectivity by synergising Belt and Road cooperation and the Eurasian Economic Union. The potential of the China-Russia Years of Culture should be fully unleashed, with greater cooperation in education, film, tourism, sports, and subnational exchanges to foster closer people-to-people bonds. China and Russia should engage in closer coordination and cooperation on multilateral platforms such as the UN, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), and BRICS to maintain Global South solidarity, uphold true multilateralism, and spearhead global governance reforms in the right direction.

President Putin expressed a warm welcome to President Xi for his state visit to Russia and participation in the celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Soviet Union’s Great Patriotic War. This visit is of great significance, as it will not only inject strong momentum into the development of Russia-China relations but also help safeguard the victorious outcome of WWII.

Putin went on to say that the Russia-China relationship is built on equality and mutual respect. It is neither directed against any third party nor swayed by any transient matters. It is Russia’s strategic choice to unswervingly advance relations and expand mutually beneficial cooperation with China.