Author: Friends of Socialist China

China and Vietnam: Building on past achievements and making new advances in pursuit of shared goals

Republished below is President Xi Jinping’s signed article in Nhân Dân, the official newspaper of the Communist Party of Vietnam, published to coincide with his state visit to Vietnam – President Xi’s first overseas trip of 2025, and the first stop on a Southeast Asian tour that also includes Malaysia and Cambodia.

The trip will have been planned for some time, but, as a BBC article notes, “it has taken on heightened significance in the wake of a mounting trade war between the US and China”.

In his article, Xi reiterates the firm political and historical basis for China-Vietnam friendship:

China and Viet Nam are friendly socialist neighbors sharing the same ideals and extensive strategic interests. The profound friendship between the two parties and two peoples, forged decades ago, has grown stronger as we explore a socialist path suited to our respective national conditions and advance our respective modernization drive. Building the China-Viet Nam community with a shared future that carries strategic significance serves the common interests of our two countries and is conducive to peace, stability, development and prosperity of our region and beyond. It conforms with the trend of history. And it is the choice by our peoples.

Citing the famous poetic phrase of Chairman Ho Chi Minh that “the friendship between Viet Nam and China is so profound because we are both comrades and brothers”, Xi states that the bilateral friendship is “inherited from our distinctive revolutionary traditions”.

Pioneers of Chinese and Vietnamese revolutions together explored a path to national salvation and made important contribution to the world’s victory in the struggle against colonialism and imperialism.The historical site of the Vietnamese Revolutionary Youth League in Guangzhou and the site of the office of the League for Independence of Viet Nam in Jingxi, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region bear witness to the revolutionary friendship between China and Viet Nam. Chairman Ho Chi Minh joined and supported the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression in Yan’an, Guilin, Chongqing and Kunming . China sent military and political advisers in support of the Vietnamese people’s War Against French Occupation. The Communist Party of China and the Chinese government and people gave full support for Viet Nam’s just War Against U.S. Aggression to Save the Nation.

Reviewing the progress that has been made in economic cooperation between the two countries in recent decades, Xi notes that China has been Vietnam’s biggest trading partner for over 20 years in a row; that railway connectivity and the smart port development project are being steadily advanced; and that bilateral clean energy projects have boosted Vietnam’s electricity supply and its environmental goals. “Contributing to each other’s success and pursuing common development, China and Viet Nam have set an example of solidarity and cooperation in the Global South.” The article proposes further expansion of trade and in cooperation on railways, 5G, artificial intelligence and green development.

An article in China Daily by researchers at the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences observes that Chinese investments in Vietnam are “shifting toward high-tech industries such as industrial components, electronics, and automobiles”, thereby “presenting Vietnam with an opportunity to access modern technology and integrate more deeply into the global production chain.”

Xi’s article calls on China and Vietnam to deepen strategic mutual trust and advance the socialist cause; to “explore and enrich together socialist theory and practices, and promote the steady development of the two countries’ socialist cause”.

Addressing the global trade war recently launched by the US, Xi calls for China, Vietnam and the other countries of the region to enhance multilateral collaboration and promote Asia’s prosperity and revitalisation, as part of a fairer, more inclusive vision of globalisation.

China will ensure continuity and stability of its neighborhood diplomacy. We will stay committed to the principle of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness. We will continue to pursue the policy of forging friendship and partnership with our neighbors. And we will steadily deepen friendly cooperation with them to advance Asia’s modernization…

We should work together with the Global South to uphold the common interests of developing countries. Trade war and tariff war will produce no winner, and protectionism will lead nowhere. Our two countries should resolutely safeguard the multilateral trading system, stable global industrial and supply chains, and an open and cooperative international environment.

The article concludes: “Standing at this new starting point of history, China is ready to work with Viet Nam to build on past achievements, write a new chapter in building the China-Viet Nam community with a shared future, and contribute even more to building a community with a shared future for mankind.”

The article is reposted from Xinhua News Agency.

Late spring is full of vitality. As China and Vietnam celebrate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations, I will soon pay a state visit to Vietnam at the invitation of Comrade To Lam, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, and Vietnamese President Comrade Luong Cuong. This will be my fourth visit to this beautiful country since I became General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and President of the People’s Republic of China. I look forward to renewing friendship with Vietnamese leaders, discussing ways of boosting cooperation, and drawing up a new blueprint for the China-Vietnam community with a shared future in the new era.

China and Vietnam are friendly socialist neighbours sharing the same ideals and extensive strategic interests. The profound friendship between the two parties and two peoples, forged decades ago, has grown stronger as we explore a socialist path suited to our respective national conditions and advance our respective modernization drive. Building the China-Vietnam community with a shared future that carries strategic significance serves the common interests of our two countries and is conducive to peace, stability, development and prosperity in our region and beyond. It conforms with the trend of history. And it is the choice by our peoples.

The China-Vietnam community with a shared future is inherited from our distinctive revolutionary traditions. During modern times, pioneers of Chinese and Vietnamese revolutions together explored a path to national salvation and made important contribution to the Third World’s victory in the struggle against colonialism and imperialism. The historical site of the Vietnamese Revolutionary Youth League in Guangzhou and the site of the office of the League for Independence of Vietnam in Jingxi, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region bear witness to the revolutionary friendship between China and Vietnam. President Ho Chi Minh joined and supported the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression in Yan’an, Guilin, Chongqing and Kunming. China sent military and political advisers in support of the Vietnamese people’s War Against French Occupation. The Communist Party of China and the Chinese government and people gave full support for Vietnam’s just War Against U.S. Aggression to Save the Nation. The well-known line: “The friendship between Vietnam and China is so profound because we are both comrades and brothers,” is etched on our shared revolutionary memory.

The China-Vietnam community with a shared future is based on strong political mutual trust. In recent years, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, General Secretary To Lam and other Vietnamese leaders and I have visited each other many times, steering the course for building a China-Vietnam community with a shared future. Our two parties and two countries have kept close high-level engagement. Mechanisms such as the steering committee for bilateral cooperation, the party-to-party theoretical symposium, the border defence friendship exchange, and the conference on crime control between the two public security ministries are functioning smoothly. High-level mechanisms including the joint committee between the National People’s Congress of China and the National Assembly of Vietnam have been established. The “3+3” strategic dialogue on diplomacy, defence and public security between our two countries has been held successfully. China and Vietnam hold similar positions on many regional and international issues and have engaged in close coordination on them.

The China-Vietnam community with a shared future is rooted in our fruitful cooperation. China and Vietnam have pursued closer cooperation on industrial and supply chains amid a sluggish global economic recovery. China has been Vietnam’s biggest trading partner for over 20 years in a row, with total bilateral trade exceeding 260 billion USD in 2024. More and more quality Vietnamese agricultural products such as durian and coconut are available to Chinese consumers. Railway connectivity and the smart port development project are being steadily advanced. Solar panels, waste-to-energy plants and other bilateral clean energy projects have boosted electricity supply in Vietnam. The Cat Linh-Ha Dong metro line built by a Chinese company makes public transport in Hanoi more convenient. Contributing to each other’s success and pursuing common development, China and Vietnam have set an example of solidarity and cooperation in the Global South.

The China-Vietnam community with a shared future is advanced by close people-to-people exchanges. Over the years, we have seen ever more people-to-people exchanges that foster increasingly closer ties between Chinese and Vietnamese peoples. Chinese tourists made more than 3.7 million visits to Vietnam in 2024. With the official launch of the Detian-Ban Gioc Waterfall Cross-Border Tourism Cooperation Zone and the opening of several cross-border road trip routes, visiting two countries in a single day has become possible. Chinese film and television productions and video games are popular among young Vietnamese, and more people in Vietnam are learning Chinese. Many Vietnamese songs are now on hot search lists on social media in China, and many Chinese diners relish pho and other Vietnamese delicacies.

Today, global, epoch-making and historical changes are unfolding like never before, and the world has entered a new period of turbulent transformation. Despite the headwinds of mounting unilateralism and protectionism, the Chinese economy expanded by five percent in 2024, contributing around 30 percent to the global economy. It remains a key engine of the world economy. China’s new energy sector, artificial intelligence and animated films have come into global spotlight. China will continue to provide more opportunities to the world with its high-standard opening up, and will contribute to the development of all countries with its high-quality development.

Asia represents a new elevation in global cooperation and development. At a new starting point toward revitalisation of the whole region, Asia faces both unprecedented opportunities and challenges. China will ensure continuity and stability of its neighbourhood diplomacy. We will stay committed to the principle of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness. We will continue to pursue the policy of forging friendship and partnership with our neighbours. And we will steadily deepen friendly cooperation with them to advance Asia’s modernization.

China is going all out to build a great modern socialist country and achieve the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation by pursuing Chinese modernization. Vietnam will usher in a new epoch of national development toward the two goals set for the centenary of the party and the country respectively. China always gives Vietnam high priority in its neighbourhood diplomacy. Our two countries should strengthen our efforts on all fronts to build the China-Vietnam community with a shared future, and contribute more to peace, stability, development and prosperity in Asia and the world at large.

— We should deepen strategic mutual trust and advance the socialist cause. The two sides should act on the guidance of the leaders. The China-Vietnam steering committee for bilateral cooperation should coordinate our interactions more effectively to boost party, government, military, law enforcement and security cooperation; jointly tackle external risks and challenges; and uphold political security. China is ready to enhance exchanges of governance practices with Vietnam, explore and enrich together socialist theory and practices, and promote the steady development of the two countries’ socialist cause.

— We should continue win-win cooperation and deliver more benefit to our two peoples. We should create greater synergy between our development strategies, implement well the cooperation plan between the two governments on synergizing the Belt and Road Initiative and the Two Corridors and One Economic Circle strategy, and build more platforms for economic and technological cooperation. China stands ready to advance cooperation with Vietnam on the three standard-gauge railways in northern Vietnam and the smart port. China welcomes more quality Vietnamese products in the Chinese market and encourages more Chinese enterprises to invest and do business in Vietnam. Our two countries should step up cooperation on industrial and supply chains, and expand cooperation in emerging areas such as 5G, artificial intelligence and green development to create more benefits for the two peoples.

— We should strengthen people-to-people exchanges and forge a closer bond between our peoples. This year is the China-Vietnam Year of People-to-People Exchanges, and we should use this opportunity to promote people-to-people exchanges in diverse forms. China welcomes Vietnamese visitors to travel across China and encourages Chinese tourists to visit scenic sites in Vietnam. Our two countries should carry out more activities that will bring our two peoples together such as the friendly meeting between youth and festive events in border areas. We should further tap into our revolutionary resources and tell stories of friendship that resonate with our two peoples, so as to pass on the baton of China-Vietnam friendship from generation to generation.

— We should enhance multilateral collaboration and promote Asia’s prosperity and revitalization. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War as well as the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. Our two countries should firmly uphold the UN-centered international system and the international order underpinned by international law. It is important that we pursue the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilisation Initiative. It is also important that we promote an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization. We should work together with the Global South to uphold the common interests of developing countries. Trade war and tariff war will produce no winner, and protectionism will lead nowhere. Our two countries should resolutely safeguard the multilateral trading system, stable global industrial and supply chains, and open and cooperative international environment. We should strengthen coordination in mechanisms such as East Asia cooperation and Lancang-Mekong cooperation so as to ensure more stability for a changing and turbulent world and inject more positive energy in it.

— We should properly manage differences and safeguard peace and stability in our region. The successful delimitation of our boundaries on land and in the Beibu Gulf demonstrates that with vision, we are fully capable of properly settling maritime issues through consultation and negotiation. The two sides should implement the common understanding reached between the leaders of the two parties and the two countries. We should make good use of the maritime negotiation mechanism so as to properly manage maritime differences, expand maritime cooperation, and build up conditions for the final resolution of the disputes. We should fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and actively advance the consultation on a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea. We should be impervious to all interference; bridge differences and expand common ground; and make the South China Sea a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation.

Standing at this new starting point of history, China is ready to work with Vietnam to build on past achievements, write a new chapter in building the China-Vietnam community with a shared future, and contribute even more to building a community with a shared future for mankind. 

China strengthens neighbourhood ties in response to US economic coercion

The following article by Dirk Nimmegeers, which originally appeared on the China Square website, seeks to understand the rationale for the Trump administration’s seemingly bizarre tariff war, noting that it is a component of the US’s long-term strategy of containing China.

The US is using assorted means – persuasive and coercive – to win other countries to its side in its campaign of aggression against China. China meanwhile is “is forming or strengthen coalitions with continents, countries, regions and international organisations”, particularly among its Asian neighbours. “Correct relations, the strengthening of mutual trust and regular contacts between China and those neighbours, and among those same countries, are conducive to peace and prosperity.”

The article provides valuable context for President Xi Jinping’s visit to Vietnam, Malaysia and Cambodia this week.

The article was translated into English from the original Dutch by the author.

Madness?

Most people believe President Trump’s erratic policies will harm the US’s economic interests and alienate its allies. However, it is conceivable that, as Polonius said of Hamlet, ‘though this be madness, yet there is method in’t’. In other words, that there exists a rationale for Trump’s behaviour beyond simple folly and deranged impulsiveness.

In Europe, for instance, the US president has already succeeded in getting his demands for increased financial contributions to NATO accepted by allies. His team has doubled down on distrust of China and has escalated tensions even further than team Biden. In Europe, many influential groups and individuals would rather strike a deal with Washington than cooperate with Beijing.

By means of a global import blackmail, and somewhat later granting a 90-day reprieve to all countries except China, Trump and his ministers and advisers are trying to hit the People’s Republic hard. They want to undermine China’s growth and force China to accept US trade terms. Further, their aim is to punish China for its success in building a modern economy and technology and for its refusal to bow to US rule.

Targeting China and its neighbours

Moreover, Trump and co plan to entice other countries to side with the US against China, and if that fails, to force them to do so. The US elite successfully fought the socialist countries of Europe through an ideological Cold War, imperialist warfare worldwide, fomenting divisions, and a major arms race. Today, in the renewed Cold War, Generation Trump is deploying different tactics against the world’s largest socialist country. In this, financial and economic tactics play an important role.

The Chinese government says it is not seeking a fight with the US, but is ready to take it “to the end” if Washington forces it to do so. This is not grandstanding. The People’s Republic of China has a political leadership that enjoys strong political support from the people and is proving that both with economic growth and technological innovation, it has firmly established its policies and the means to defend them. The Chinese government, under the leadership of the Communist Party, primarily represents the interests of the vast majority of Chinese citizens.

Two-track policy

In doing so, however, it also champions economic globalisation that may benefit all countries. China favours an international system monitored and protected by institutions such as the United Nations, the World Trade Organisation, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) or the World Health Organisation. China takes initiatives for groupings that offer the countries of the Global South in particular new development opportunities and help them to pursue an independent course. The combination of taking care of domestic interests on the one hand and concern ‘for a shared future for humanity’ on the other is reflected in an economic and a geopolitical programme. Economically, this is called a dual circulation strategy. Geopolitically, China makes the case for its sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as for multipolarity and peace policy. Driven by President Xi Jinping, Beijing is taking global initiatives such as the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilisation Initiative.

To maximise the chances of success, the People’s Republic is forming or strengthen coalitions with continents, countries, regions and international organisations. Preferential countries for this are its Asian neighbours. It is quite obvious why. First of all, there is the importance of their friendship for national defence, but also for the number of people and social strata in China that live and benefit from trade. China no longer depends on imports and exports to the extent that it did at the beginning of the century; nevertheless these sectors remain essential and have a strong input in the domestic debate.

Which neighbouring countries?

China has land borders with no less than 14 states: Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, Bhutan, Nepal, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Russia and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea). In addition, there are neighbouring countries in Asia from which the People’s Republic is only separated by maritime areas, such as the Philippines, the Republic of Korea (South Korea) and Japan. Some more distant countries such as Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei, East Timor also belong to the Southeast Asian neighbourhood region of China.

Correct relations, the strengthening of mutual trust and regular contacts between China and those neighbours, and among those same countries, are conducive to peace and prosperity. That’s why China has resolved most border issues with its neighbouring countries.  In the region, Beijing seeks peaceful agreements between countries with divergent interests in the South China and East China Seas. A roadmap towards peaceful reunification with China’s Taiwan province is also vital for China’s territorial integrity in that context.

Needless to say, peace and prosperity are further served by China’s excellent economic and political relations with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The same goes for the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), in which China plays a leading role as a co-founding member. Measured by GDP, RCEP is the largest free trade agreement in the world. It unites the 10 countries of ASEAN, as well as Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand, in addition to China itself. Cambodian expert Thong Mengdavid speaks of a “mega-trade pact, covering about 2.3 billion people, which has shown its ability to boost regional economic growth, promote trade liberalisation and foster deeper integration among members”. According to Thong, this is “proof of the power of economic integration. It proves that cooperation, not isolation, leads to prosperity.”

Two visions on international politics

Western views and approaches to global politics are based on ‘prosperity through self-interest and neo-colonialism’ and ‘peace through domination and conflict’. Trump’s Make America Great Again is currently the most extreme example of this. China refuses to submit to it and, within the framework of its socialist project, offers an attractive alternative to it.

Contradictions in neighbouring countries

Many of China’s neighbours experience contradictions between, on the one hand, supporters of closer relations with the People’s Republic and, on the other, supporters of submission to the US or a continued alliance with it. In addition, there is always a current that refuses to make a choice, but is often forced to do so by the course of history. In the Republic of Korea (South Korea), for example, the political world is torn between a Democratic Party that wants rapprochement with China and peace with North Korea, and a party of politicians who believe that the country’s interests are best served by continued obedience to the United States. In Japan, some politicians are more open to the alliance between Washington, Seoul and Tokyo, while others prefer a trilateral with Beijing.

Indian ministers and other policymakers aspire to become a rival to the People’s Republic as an Asian superpower, so they are offering the West their services, and participating in projects like the India – Middle East – Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). IMEC would like to be a rival to the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Hostility with Pakistan, a prominent participant in the BRI, is one of the reasons for this. These Indian nationalists hinder their political opponents who want to go forward on the logical path of peace and progress between two Asian giant civilisations. Vietnam has a political system and economic policies closely akin to China’s, and a history of socialist brotherly relations with the People’s Republic. But even there, there are apparently groups that, for various reasons, seem to advocate accommodation with the United States, the historical imperialist enemy.

To be continued

Understandably, then, Chinese President Xi Jinping wants to ‘strengthen strategic ties with neighbouring countries’. China plans to do this ‘by taking differences into account appropriately and strengthening supply chain ties’. These remarks were made at a central working conference on diplomacy with neighbouring countries held by the CPC in Beijing on Tuesday and Wednesday of last week.

With the following terms China’s foreign ministry announced Xi Jinping’s trip to important neighbouring countries this week. ‘At the invitation of General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam to Lam and President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Luong Cuong, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and President of China Xi Jinping will pay a state visit to Vietnam from 14 to 15 April. At the invitation of the King of Malaysia, His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, and King Norodom Sihamoni of Cambodia, President Xi Jinping will pay a state visit to Malaysia and Cambodia from 15 to 18 April.’

We look forward to learning what opportunities the negotiators agree on for countering MAGA man Trump.

Sources: Xinhua, Min. BuZa China, Friends of Socialist China, Pascalcoppens.com, China Daily, Global Times, Unachina.org, Clingendael.org, South China Morning Post, Asia Times, Morning Star, Geopolitical Economy Report

China Daily editorial: the US is not getting ripped off by anybody

We are pleased to republish below a brief editorial in China Daily about the US administration’s hysterical claims that China and other countries are “ripping off” the US via their trade policies. The editorial notes that such claims are being used to justify the US’s unilateral imposition of tariffs, which in turn “provides leverage for the US administration to extract concessions in terms of the real trade war it is waging against China and in reshaping the bilateral relations with the US’s other trade partners in favour of the US by extorting undue concessions”.

The author writes that the US’s trade deficit is not the result of unfair trade practices pursued by other countries, but rather the US’s own economic policies of several decades, pursued in the specific interests of the US capitalist class. What’s more, even if the unilateral tariffs result in more companies investing in manufacturing in the US, this will not create the vast wave of employment being touted by the White House. “The cost of labour in the US means it is more economically viable for machines to do the work than humans.”

In reality, “the US is not getting ripped off by anybody. The problem is the US has been living beyond its means for decades. It consumes more than it produces. It has outsourced its manufacturing and borrowed money in order to have a higher standard of living than it’s entitled to based on its productivity. Rather than being ‘cheated’, the US has been taking a free ride on the globalisation train.” These comments were sufficiently persuasive that they were reported more-or-less neutrally in the Guardian, which is notable given the paper’s usual anti-China stance.

The editorial concludes:

The US should stop whining about itself being a victim in global trade and put an end to its capricious and destructive behaviour. Instead, it should commit itself to working with its trading partners to establish a fair, free and WTO-centred multilateral trading system that is in line with the times.

The US administration has long accused foreign countries of taking advantage of the United States at the expense of domestic jobs and US industries. In US President Donald Trump’s view, the US has received less return value and resources for what it has given the world in terms of the amount of money, trade preferences and other resources. “They’re ripping us off” is his constant refrain.

It is this fabricated premise of a long-standing grievance that has been the launchpad for his administration’s sweeping “Liberation Day” tariffs targeting almost all foreign imports, and which have set up a global trade war and promise to upend the decades-old global trading order.

Though the US leader hit a 90-day pause button on many of the tariffs after his radical power play resulted in US stocks volatility, bond yields surging and recession fears intensifying, his administration’s haughty demolition job on the global trade system is far from over, not least because there is still a 10 percent tariff on virtually all exports to the United States. This provides leverage for the US administration to extract concessions in terms of the real trade war it is waging against China and in reshaping the bilateral relations with the US’ other trade partners in favor of the US by extorting undue concessions.

One of the aims of the US administration is to use the tariffs to close, if not reverse, the trade deficits with nearly all of the US’ trade partners. The preoccupation with trade deficits stems from a warped idea that they are proof that the US has been exploited by other countries. This has also made the US president and his trade advisers wrongly claim that the current rules governing global trade have put the US at a distinct disadvantage.

This is contrary to the belief of mainstream economists that a trade deficit simply means a country is importing more goods and services from a given country than it is exporting to that market, and has nothing to do with the state of a country’s economic health.

While bemoaning surging deficits in the US’ trade of goods with other countries, the US administration has deliberately ignored the fact that the US sells far more services than it buys from other countries, which means the US’ service sector enjoys a trade surplus with almost every trading partner around the world, including those at the center of the ongoing trade war such as China and the European Union. The service sector includes retailers, software, internet and telecom providers, movie studios, as well as health care providers, law firms and accounting agencies. According to the US Commerce Department, the US’ trade surplus in services rose to $293 billion in 2024, up 5 percent from 2023, and 25 percent from 2022.

Trade in services, especially finance, legal, entertainment, and high-tech services, has become a major source of US economic strength. In 2023, US services exports were worth more than $1 trillion, accounting for 13 percent of the global total, and they expanded a further 8 percent last year, according to the World Trade Organization. “Global trade in services … is booming. And there is a clear winner on this front: the United States,” wrote Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, WTO director-general.

Moreover, Trump’s claim that foreign countries steal US manufacturing jobs through unfair trade practices, and that only sweeping tariffs will help the US reverse the decades-long decline in manufacturing and create related jobs is out of step with historical realities.

This is because service sector jobs have long driven the US economy — the sector employed 57 percent of private sector nonfarm workers in 1939, when the US Labor Department started tracking US employment, and today, service sector businesses account for 84 percent of those jobs.

The modern manufacturing reality suggests that, even if US companies do reshore, the cost of labor in the US means it is more economically viable for machines to do the work than humans.

The US is not getting ripped off by anybody. The problem is the US has been living beyond its means for decades. It consumes more than it produces. It has outsourced its manufacturing and borrowed money in order to have a higher standard of living than it’s entitled to based on its productivity. Rather than being “cheated”, the US has been taking a free ride on the globalization train.

The US should stop whining about itself being a victim in global trade and put an end to its capricious and destructive behavior. Instead, it should commit itself to working with its trading partners to establish a fair, free and WTO-centered multilateral trading system that is in line with the times.

Some aspects of China’s development model

The following article by Shiran Illanperuma, originally published in the Sri Lankan daily newspaper The Island, explores some of the key elements of China’s economic rise, in particular debunking the myth put forward by neoclassical economists that China is “the model par excellence of market liberalisation and the superiority of private sector driven growth”.

Shiran argues that the main competitive advantage of China’s labour force is not its low cost – after all, there are far cheaper labour markets in the world – but the fact that it is well-educated and healthy, and benefits from excellent transport and energy infrastructure. “This, combined with a domestic value chain, is China’s main strength and why economic growth has been combined with rising wages and standards of living.”

Foreign direct investment (FDI) has been leveraged very purposefully in China particularly from the 1990s onwards in order to develop the domestic economy, and to build up the country’s technological capabilities. Meanwhile, “state-owned enterprises (SOEs) are the elephant in the room when it comes to China’s development model”.

Broadly speaking, SOEs in China perform four ‘macroeconomic’ functions. First, they conduct the low-cost production of upstream inputs such as metals, chemicals, and rare earth minerals. Second, they manage essential commodity reserves and intervene in commodity markets to stabilise prices. Third, they engage in countercyclical spending on public works during economic downturns. Fourth, they are deployed to respond during emergencies and external shocks such as the 2008 Sichuan earthquake and the COVID-19 pandemic. The through line in these functions is to keep costs low and smoothen out business and commodity cycles. This is why China has not yet faced a recession comparable to many capitalist economies.

The leading role of the CPC in China’s economic strategy is also crucial:

The Communist Party of China, which has around 100 million members (almost five times the population of Sri Lanka!), has been key to the process of China’s development. The party remains committed to developing Marxist-Leninist philosophy and applying it to the country’s concrete conditions. It retains deep roots in all levels of Chinese society, engaging in consultation during the policymaking process.

As such, China’s remarkable rise cannot be separated from its system of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics.

Shiran Illanperuma is a researcher at Tricontinental: Institute for Social Research and a co-editor of Wenhua Zongheng: A Journal of Contemporary Chinese Thought

China’s rapid development over the last few decades has been the source of much debate among economists. Some claim China as the model par excellence of market liberalisation and the superiority of private sector driven growth. Others equally argue that China’s model is one of planning and state intervention.

On 28 March, I was invited by Nexus Research to deliver a presentation on China’s development model alongside former Ambassador to China Dr. Palitha Kohona. Unfortunately, the contents of this presentation have been misreported in an article in the Island published on 4 April (Dr Kohona: developing countries should covet China model). The article claimed that my presentation touched on “low-cost labour, foreign direct investments, and global trade agreements”. In fact, such simplistic tropes were precisely what I had intended to counter.

China’s development model challenges many of the axioms of neoclassical economics. If low-cost labour were the decisive factor for take-off, then investment should be pouring into much-cheaper labour markets in sub-Saharan Africa. On the contrary, rising wages in China have not led to the outflow of capital one would expect under such a model. This is because the advantage China offers is a healthy and skilled workforce (relative to price) and an infrastructural system that keeps non-wage operating costs (such as transport and energy) low. This, combined with a domestic value chain, is China’s main strength and why economic growth has been combined with rising wages and standards of living.

While foreign direct investment (FDI) has been a huge part of China’s success story, it is possible to overstate their importance. First, FDIs only really took off from the 1990s onwards, yet to begin there would be to ignore the decades of work done to develop the country’s agricultural self-sufficiency, basic industrial system, and institutional structure. Second, what has mattered for China is the quality of FDI, which is determined by government policy. By the standards of the OECD Foreign Direct Investment Regulatory Restrictiveness Index, China remains fairly selective on what FDI is allowed and encouraged. FDI is promoted not as an end in itself but as a means to acquire technology that should be transferred to national champions.

Role of Local Government

A significant portion of my presentation for Nexus Research was on the role of local governments economic policy – something that is often neglected (though there is a growing literature on the subject). China has a fairly decentralised system of governance, a product of its vast size and geography, as well as the institutional changes and experiments in direct democracy during the period of the Cultural Revolution.

Chinese economist Xiaohuan Lan, in his book How China Works (2024), has said that “In China, it is impossible to understand the economy without understanding the government.” While the central government in China formulates indicative plans and the overall goals and trajectory for development, implementation of these plans is delegated to local governments. Local governments have a broad remit to interpret these plans, experiment with implementation, and compete with each other for investment. This leads to a much more dynamic and decentralised development process that encourages grassroots participation.

A comparison between China and India on the share of public employment at different levels of government is very revealing. For China, over 60% of public employment is at the level of local government, with federal and state governments comprising less than 40% of employment. In contrast, less than 20% of Indian public employment is in local government. India, therefore, despite its much-touted linguistic federal system, is far more centralised than China. The weakness of Indian local governments remains a significant barrier for its development.

Continue reading Some aspects of China’s development model

Breaking the silence on Palestinian armed struggle: a call for legal clarity

The following article by Ramzy Baroud and Romana Rubeo, reposted from Palestine Chronicle, addresses the Palestinian people’s right to armed struggle against colonial occupation – recognised under international law but widely ignored by Israel and its supporters.

The authors highlight the significance of the February 2024 testimony at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) by Ma Xinmin, legal advisor to China’s Foreign Ministry, articulating the Chinese position on this conflictive issue, a topic that “even Palestine’s closest allies in the Middle East and Global South dare not touch”.

Palestinian people’s use of force to resist foreign oppression and complete the establishment of an independent state is an inalienable right… The struggle waged by peoples for their liberation, right to self-determination, including armed struggle against colonialism, occupation, aggression, domination against foreign forces should not be considered terror acts.

The article cites Professor Richard Falk, a leading scholar of international law and former UN special rapporteur for Palestine, strongly supporting this position. Addressing the events of 7 October 2023, Falk states: “To the extent that there is real evidence of atrocities accompanying the October 7 attack, those would constitute violations, but the attack itself is something that, in context, appears entirely justifiable and long overdue.”

These points are hugely important in that they affirm the legal and moral legitimacy of Palestinian resistance, and counter the relentless attempts to delegitimise the Palestinian struggle. As such, China’s clearly-stated position is a valuable contribution to the pursuit of Palestinian national rights.

On February 22, 2024, Ma Xinmin, China’s Representative at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), uttered the unexpected.

His testimony, like that of a number of others, was meant to help the International Court of Justice (ICJ) formulate a critical and long-overdue legal opinion on the legal consequences of Israel’s occupation of Palestine. 

Ma Xinmin articulated the Chinese position, which, unlike the American envoy’s testimony, was entirely aligned with international and humanitarian laws.

But he delved into a tabooed subject—one that even Palestine’s closest allies in the Middle East and Global South dared not touch: the right to use armed struggle.

 “Palestinian people’s use of force to resist foreign oppression and complete the establishment of an independent state is an inalienable right,” the Chinese Ambassador said, insisting that “the struggle waged by peoples for their liberation, right to self-determination, including armed struggle against colonialism, occupation, aggression, domination against foreign forces should not be considered terror acts”.

Continue reading Breaking the silence on Palestinian armed struggle: a call for legal clarity

Webinar: The Bandung spirit lives on! Unity against imperialism, and the struggle for a multipolar world

📆 Sunday 27 April 2025, 4pm Britain, 11am US Eastern, 8am US Pacific

Register on Eventbrite

Seventy years ago, the Bandung Conference brought together 29 Asian and African countries to discuss the common challenges facing the Third World. The conference was a milestone in the global struggle against colonialism and imperialism, and laid the foundations for the Non-Aligned Movement. This webinar will address the legacy of Bandung, and its relevance to the contemporary world. It will seek to find answers to questions such as:

  • Are the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, adopted at Bandung, still relevant today?
  • How can the Bandung spirit help us to build a global united front against imperialism?
  • What international organisations and movements are carrying forward the Bandung spirit?
  • Are the US and its allies still trying to divide the Global South, as they did during the Cold War?
  • How does China’s rise affect humanity’s trajectory towards multipolarity, sovereignty and socialism?

Confirmed speakers

  • Ben Norton (Founder and editor, Geopolitical Economy Report)
  • Mushahid Hussain (Pakistani senator, Chairman of the China-Pakistan Institute)
  • Tings Chak (Asia Coordinator, Tricontinental Institute)
  • Professor Isaac Saney (Cuba and Black studies specialist, Dalhousie University)
  • Dr Jenny Clegg (Author, China’s Global Strategy: Towards a Multipolar World)
  • Moderator: Professor Radhika Desai (Convenor, International Manifesto Group)

Organisers

This webinar is organised jointly by the International Manifesto Group and Friends of Socialist China.

Register on Eventbrite

Book review: People’s China at 75 – The Flag Stays Red

We are pleased to republish this short review of ‘People’s China at 75, the Flag Stays Red’, edited by our co-editors Keith Bennett and Carlos Martinez, which was originally published in the current (Spring 2025) edition of China Eye, the magazine of the Society for Anglo-Chinese Understanding (SACU).

In the editorial, editor Walter Fung also writes: “Keith Bennett and Carlos Martinez’s book, People’s China at 75, the Flag Stays Red, is extremely important as it presents facts from the Chinese point of view of China’s development since the 1949 revolution. Not all histories, even by eminent historians and well qualified scholars present accounts which are without some ‘Western’ bias.”

Further information about SACU, including PDF editions of China Eye, may be found here. The book can be purchased from the Praxis Press website in paperback or digital format.

People’s China at 75, the Flag Stays Red, Edited by Keith Bennett and Carlos Martinez. 152 pages. Praxis Press Glasgow, 2025. 

This is an important book for anybody who wants to understand the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the Communist Party of China (CPC). Written by several expert authors, the book relates the origins of the CPC and the formation of the PRC and discusses the current position in the world in a clear and concise way. Many references are given at the end of each chapter. The introductory chapter is ‘understanding socialism with Chinese characteristics’, written by the two editors of the book, both of whom are members of SACU.

The aims of Xi Jinping in his programme for a’ New Era;’ are listed and explained. They include: battling against corruption, eliminating extreme poverty and ensuring that those lifted out of poverty do not slip back into poverty, tackling pollution, protecting the environment, safeguarding diversity, being a leader in renewable energy and working against climate change, increasing medical care and insurance and also old age pensions.

Steps will be taken to strengthen the Party and ensuring that it serves the people. In addition, support will be given to support other socialist countries. A strategic goal will be building a world community of a shared future for humanity.  

Other chapters include; building socialism with Chinese characteristics, standing up and opposing hegemony and China’s socialist democracy. Jenny Clegg, a SACU Vice-President relates China’s transition to socialism during the years 1949-56. Despite many challengers and mistakes much was achieved in providing basic necessities of life such as food, clothing and rural medicine through the efforts of barefoot doctors. Advances were made in agricultural techniques and life expectancy was significantly increased.  

BRICS laying the groundwork for a more balanced global financial system

In the following article, which was originally published in China Daily, Endalkachew Sime, a former Minister of Planning and Development in Ethiopia, who is currently studying for his PhD at Peking University, provides a balanced overview of the trend towards de-dollarisation and the role played by the BRICS+ cooperation mechanism.

He notes that it has emerged as a pivotal actor in this regard, adding: “This strategic shift seeks to reduce dependence on the US dollar in international trade, investments and monetary reserves.” But “far from being an antagonistic move against the United States, it represents a pragmatic effort by the BRICS nations to assert financial autonomy and protect their economies from external shocks.” The New Development Bank, established by the BRICS nations in 2015, represents a concrete institutional response to dollar dominance and China’s trade with such major partners as Russia and South Africa have seen significant shifts away from the ‘greenback’.

BRICS nations have also developed alternative payment systems to bypass traditional US-dominated infrastructure. China’s Cross-Border Interbank Payment System and Russia’s System for Transfer of Financial Messages offer alternatives to SWIFT, while India’s rupee-based trade settlement mechanism challenges the US dollar’s dominance in regional trade. These systems enhance financial sovereignty by providing secure, independent channels for international transactions.

Moreover, by diversifying their foreign exchange reserves into alternative currencies and assets – such as the euro, yen and gold – BRICS countries aim to enhance financial stability. Gold reserves have seen particularly dramatic increases.

Sime notes that: “Developing economies face significant risks when their financial systems are closely tied to the US dollar. Changes in US interest rates, quantitative easing, or other monetary policies can trigger capital flows, currency volatility, and economic instability in dollar-dependent economies. By reducing dollar dependence, Global South nations can insulate themselves from these external shocks and maintain greater control over their domestic economic policies. US sanctions have become a powerful tool of economic coercion, particularly against countries such as Russia, Iran and Venezuela. De-dollarisation efforts provide a mechanism for these nations to conduct international trade and finance outside the reach of US sanctions.”

He adds that the current global financial architecture disproportionately benefits developed economies, particularly the US. By creating alternative financial institutions and mechanisms, BRICS nations contribute to a more multipolar system where multiple currencies and financial architectures coexist. This evolution could lead to greater fairness and representation for developing economies in global financial governance.

However, he goes on to warn: “Despite these advances, challenges remain in establishing a fully integrated BRICS financial architecture. The heterogeneity of economic structures, political priorities, and developmental stages among member countries complicates coordination. Furthermore, the US dollar retains its dominance in global finance, and transitioning to alternative systems requires significant investment and institutional development.”

Nevertheless, he concludes: “By creating alternative financial institutions and instruments, BRICS nations are laying the groundwork for a more balanced global financial system. This shift could potentially reduce the effectiveness of the US’ politically motivated unilateral sanctions, enhance financial sovereignty for developing economies, and promote greater stability in international monetary relations… De-dollarisation represents not a threat to the global economic system but an opportunity to create a more resilient and equitable architecture that respects the sovereign economic interests of all nations. For the Global South, this movement is fundamentally about protecting domestic economies from external shocks, asserting financial autonomy, and participating in a more multipolar world order.”

The “BRICS Plus” grouping — Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia, Iran, the United Arab Emirates and Indonesia — has emerged as a pivotal actor in the global movement toward de-dollarization. This strategic shift seeks to reduce dependence on the US dollar in international trade, investments and monetary reserves. Far from being an antagonistic move against the United States, it represents a pragmatic effort by the BRICS nations to assert financial autonomy and protect their economies from external shocks.

The US dollar accounted for about 58 percent of global foreign currency reserves and 88 percent of the daily foreign exchange market turnover as of 2023. However, this dominance creates vulnerabilities for countries whose economies are closely tied to its performance.

The New Development Bank, established in 2015 with an initial capital of $50 billion, represents a concrete institutional response to the dollar dominance. By 2023, the NDB had approved over $30 billion in funding for infrastructure and sustainable development projects across BRICS nations, with approximately 30 percent of these funds disbursed in nondollar currencies. Further, the Contingent Reserve Arrangement, a $100 billion financial safety net established in 2014, provides liquidity support in nondollar currencies during financial crises. This mechanism helps BRICS nations mitigate the risks associated with dollar volatility and potential capital flight.

Bilateral trade settlements have seen significant shifts away from the dollar. For instance, the share of the US dollar in Russia-China bilateral trade settlement plummeted from nearly 90 percent in 2015 to 46 percent in the first half of 2020, while the use of local currencies in India-Russia bilateral trade surged from 6 percent to 30 percent between 2014 and 2019. Similarly, the renminbi’s usage in South African trade grew by 65 percent in 2016 alone. These changes reflect a deliberate strategy to reduce exposure to dollar fluctuations and enhance trade stability.

Continue reading BRICS laying the groundwork for a more balanced global financial system

CODEPINK peace group subjected to McCarthyite lies

On 25 March 2025, at a US Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on global threats, CODEPINK activist Tighe Barry stood up and called on the US government to stop funding Israel’s genocide in Gaza. Fanatical China hawk Senator Tom Cotton responded by labelling Barry as a “CODEPINK lunatic that was funded by the Communist Party of China”. Retired Colonel Ann Wright stood up and shouted “I’m a retired Army Colonel and former diplomat. I work with CODEPINK and it is not funded by Communist China.”

Both activists were ejected from the room and arrested. Cotton meanwhile proceeded with his McCarthyite diatribe: “The fact that Communist China funds CODEPINK, which interrupts a hearing about Israel illustrates Director Gabbard’s point that China, Russia, Iran and North Korea are working together in greater concert than they ever had before.”

The purpose of this narrative is to portray any opposition to US hegemonism and imperialism as being funded and fomented by foreign powers – just as in the 1950s and 60s, working class, progressive and anti-war activists were portrayed as Soviet agents.

We republish below an article about the incident by Ann Wright from CovertAction magazine, and a petition by CODEPINK, Senator Cotton: Stop Lying about Peace Activists!, which we encourage people to sign.

Senate Intelligence Committee Hearing Turns Ugly with McCarthy-Style Lies About CODEPINK: Women for Peace

On March 25, at the U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on global threats with the five heads of intelligence agencies of the U.S. government, Senator Tom Cotton, accused on national TV a group I have worked with for over 20 years, CODEPINK: Women for Peace, of being funded by the Communist Party of China.

During the hearing CODEPINK activist Tighe Barry stood up following the presentation of the Director of National Security Tulsi Gabbard’s lengthy statement about global threats to U.S. national security and yelled “Stop Funding Israel.”

This was because neither Intelligence Committee Chair Tom Cotton and Vice Chair Mark Warner had mentioned Israel in their opening statement nor had Gabbard mentioned the Israeli genocide of Palestinians in Gaza in her statement either.

Continue reading CODEPINK peace group subjected to McCarthyite lies

China’s solar space station: A game-changer in renewable energy

We are pleased to republish below an article by James Wood, a British-Australian technologist and geopolitical analyst based in China, about exciting developments being made by Chinese scientists in the realm of space-based solar power (SBSP), supplementing the article we posted several weeks ago, Science fiction or science reality: China makes impressive progress towards space-based solar power, and providing an Australian perspective.

Describing the technology in easy-to-understand terms, James writes: “Imagine a kilometre-wide solar array orbiting Earth, harvesting limitless, uninterrupted solar energy and beaming it back home, day and night, without the interference of clouds or darkness… Unlike Earth-based solar farms, which suffer from weather conditions and night-time dips, a solar station in space captures continuous, unfiltered solar radiation, potentially more efficient than anything on the ground. The energy is then converted into microwaves and beamed down to terrestrial receiving stations, where it is transformed back into electricity and integrated into the grid.”

The author notes that China’s “state-driven, centralised approach allows for massive co-ordination and rapid development, unlike the fragmented, slow-moving private sector initiatives in the US”. Meanwhile Australia, “despite its vast potential, has been lagging in both space-based technology and terrestrial renewable energy advancements”. This is attributed to inadequate infrastructure and a lack of long-term strategic planning.

In this as in many other fields, China’s socialist system is proving its superiority over capitalism in terms of moving human understanding and capacity forward.

This article originally appeared on Pearls and Irritations.

China is making the once sci-fi dream of space-based solar power a reality and leaving the West scrambling to keep up. Imagine a kilometre-wide solar array orbiting Earth, harvesting limitless, uninterrupted solar energy and beaming it back home, day and night, without the interference of clouds or darkness. The China Academy of Space Technology is spearheading this geostationary solar power station and with a 2028-2050 roadmap, Beijing is set to redefine the global energy game.

In 2028, China plans to launch a low Earth orbit test satellite generating 10 kilowatts (kW) to trial microwave power transmission. By 2030, a 1-megawatt (MW) station is expected to be deployed in geostationary orbit at 36,000 km, where it will be assembled in space before beaming power back to Earth. By 2035, the system aims to scale up to 10 MW, proving its potential for mass energy production. By 2050, the goal is to have a commercially operated solar power plant in space generating two gigawatts (GW) of electricity with an approximately one-kilometre-wide antenna and complex solar cell array assembled in space.

Unlike Earth-based solar farms, which suffer from weather conditions and night-time dips, a solar station in space captures continuous, unfiltered solar radiation, potentially more efficient than anything on the ground. The energy is then converted into microwaves and beamed down to terrestrial receiving stations, where it is transformed back into electricity and integrated into the grid. The Bishan testing facility in Chongqing, backed by $15 million in funding, is already fine-tuning the radio wave transmission technology needed to transmit solar energy from orbit to Earth.

Continue reading China’s solar space station: A game-changer in renewable energy

Chris Hazzard MP leads cultural exchange visit to China

Chris Hazzard, the Sinn Féin Member of Parliament for South Down in the north of Ireland, led a delegation from two local Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) clubs in his constituency to visit China in March.

Local newspaper The Down Recorder said it was “a cultural exchange visit which has been described as ‘an experience they will cherish forever’”, adding: “Members of Drumaness GAC and St John’s GAC are now back home following a very special St Patrick’s [Day] cultural exchange visit to the Far East.”

The delegation included 30 players, coaches and officials from the two clubs and Hazzard, who is also a Drumaness GAC member, “said it was a ‘fantastic privilege’ to lead a delegation of Down Gaels to showcase the very best of what the GAA has to offer across China.

“He said from Huangshi and Wuhan in the… province of Hubei, and finishing off in the megacity of Beijing, the delegation visited schools, universities, Chinese civic society organisations and various cultural and sporting clubs.

“‘The delegation also visited some of China’s national sporting facilities, including the iconic ‘bird’s nest stadium’ in Beijing and the National Ping Pong Training Centre where we were put through our paces by the next generation of Olympic champions.’”

He thanked all the individuals and organisations who helped make the delegation possible, including the Confucius Institute at Ulster University, Down GAA County Board, Beijing GAA, the AJC Group, JJ Donnelly Menswear and the Breedon Construction Group.

Drumaness GAC chairperson Damien McEvoy said: “We were completely blown away by the hospitality, kindness and generosity of the Chinese students, teachers and organisations we met throughout China during our visit. It was truly a once in a lifetime opportunity and I’m especially delighted a great group of young people from Co Down were able to have such an extraordinary experience.”

St John’s GAC chairperson Mary Boyle described the trip as a “fantastic opportunity” for club members to profile everything that is good about the GAA and “our community, games and culture to inquisitive minds more than 5,000 miles away in China. From putting on GAA training for school pupils in Hubei, playing Beijing GAC under the lights in China’s capital, to climbing the Great Wall with new friends from Drumaness GAC, this was truly an amazing experience that we will cherish forever.”

The following article was originally published in the Down Recorder. You can also follow the delegation’s progress around China on the Facebook pages of Chris Hazzard MP, St Johns GAA and Naomh Cholmaín Droím an Easa Drumaness GAC.

A delegation from two local GAA clubs travelled to China recently for a cultural exchange visit which has been described as “an experience they will cherish forever”.

Members of Drumaness GAC and St John’s GAC are now back home following a very special St Patrick’s cultural exchange visit to the Far East.

The delegation was led by Drumaness GAC member and South Down MP Chris Hazzard and included 30 players, coaches and officials from the two local clubs. 

Mr Hazzard said it was a “fantastic privilege” to lead a delegation of Down gaels to showcase the very best of what the GAA has to offer across China. 

He said from Huangshi and Wuhan in the rural province of Hubei, and finishing off in the megacity of Beijing, the delegation visited schools, universities, Chinese civic society organisations and various cultural and sporting clubs. 

“The delegation also visited some of China’s national sporting facilities, including the iconic ‘bird’s nest stadium’ in Beijing and the National Ping Pong Training Centre where we were put through our paces by the next generation of Olympic champions,” he said.

“In their meticulous planning and delivery of GAA training sessions, the delegates from Drumaness and St John’s were a real credit to their clubs, county and country.”

The MP has thanked all the individuals and organisations who helped make the delegation possible, including the Confucius Institute at Ulster University, Down GAA County Board, Beijing GAA, the AJC Group, JJ Donnelly Menswear and the Breedon Construction Group.

Drumaness GAC chairperson Damien McEvoy said it was “such a privilege” to travel to China to promote the skills, ethos and values of the GAA “and share what it means to our community here in Ireland”.

He continued: “We were completely blown away by the hospitality, kindness and generosity of the Chinese students, teachers and organisations we met throughout China during our visit.

“It was truly a once in a lifetime opportunity and I’m especially delighted a great group of young people from Co Down were able to have such an extraordinary experience.

“I have no doubt it will help broaden their horizons as they continue on with their studies and plot out their careers in the years ahead.”

Damien added: “A huge thank you to everybody who made this unforgettable trip possible from everybody at Drumaness GAC.” 

St John’s GAC chairperson Mary Boyle described the trip as a “fantastic opportunity” for club members to profile everything that is good about the GAA and “our community, games and culture to inquisitive minds more than 5,000 miles away in China”.

She continued: “Crucially, the visit also gave our members the opportunity to experience Chinese culture and traditions. It was a truly unique exchange that will stay with us forever. 

“From putting on GAA training for school pupils in Hubei, playing Beijing GAC under the lights in China’s capital, to climbing the Great Wall with new friends from Drumaness GAC, this was truly an amazing experience that we will cherish forever.”

Mary added: “We are extremely grateful to the Confucius Institute at Ulster University and local MP Chris Hazzard for extending an invite to our members to participate in this truly unforgettable delegation.”

Tariff blackmail cannot intimidate China

On Saturday 5 April, the Chinese government set out its position opposing the US’s unilateral imposition of tariffs on all its trading partners, including China. The statement correctly noted that these tariffs are in clear breach of World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules, and threaten to seriously disrupt the global economy. “Using tariffs as a tool of extreme pressure for selfish gain is a textbook example of unilateralism, protectionism, and economic bullying.”

It’s clear that China is the main target of the US’s tariff blackmail, which is being used to undermine China’s growth, to force China to accept the US’s terms of trade, to bully other countries into siding with the US against China, and to punish China for its success in building a modern economy and its refusal to bow down to US hegemony.

It’s equally clear that China will not back down in the face of this bullying. “We don’t make trouble, but we have no fear of trouble”, the statement said. Announcing its countermeasures on 8 April, China’s Commerce Ministry stated that “China will fight to the end if the US side is bent on going down the wrong path”.

A recent Bloomberg article describes how “China has already trade-war-proofed its economy”, observing that Chinese “companies and consumers will feel the pain from tariffs much less than Americans”. Similarly, an article in the Guardian notes that “since Trump’s first trade war with China in 2018, China has ramped up trade with other countries, making it less dependent on the US. Between 2018 and 2020, Brazil’s soya bean exports to China increased by more than 45% compared to the 2015-2017 average, while US exports declined 38% over the same period”.

While China can weather the storm, workers and business in the US will suffer. As Michael Roberts has observed: “Tariffs will substantially increase prices – US consumers will bear the brunt on a wide variety of basic foods and essential goods that physically cannot be produced domestically, with the poorest households being hit the hardest. American industry will struggle with higher costs for key intermediate supplies, machinery, and equipment, dwarfing any marginal benefits from reduced foreign competition.”

The US is exposing itself as a bully and a violator of international law and norms of behaviour. Meanwhile the global economy increasingly needs China more than it does the US. The likely effect of the Trump regime’s tariff war will be to isolate the US, not China.

We republish below articles from Global Times and Xinhua.

Tariff blackmail cannot intimidate China: Global Times editorial

April 8 (Global Times) — The US government, under the guise of “reciprocity,” has announced tariff hikes on all its trade partners, including China, provoking widespread outrage in the international community. The Chinese government’s position on opposing the US abuse of tariffs emphasizes that the US has used tariffs as a tool for extreme pressure and to pursue selfish interests. Previously, China announced a series of countermeasures, and the international community has clearly seen China’s firm determination and will to defend its sovereignty, security, development, and to uphold international fairness and justice. Tariff blackmail will not intimidate China, nor will it undermine justice. China does not provoke trouble, nor is it intimidated by trouble. Pressuring and threatening are not the right way in dealing with China.

China’s firm stance on striking countermeasures stems from the fact that the US’ reason for tariff hikes is utterly unfounded. Under the guise of addressing “unfair foreign trade practices,” the US has slapped high tariffs on its global trade partners. In reality, this is nothing more than protectionism and unilateral bullying – political blackmail wrapped in the cloak of economic means. Such actions blatantly violate the core rules of the World Trade Organization and trample on China’s legitimate rights in global trade, as well as its long-standing efforts to open up. The so-called “reciprocal tariffs” have caused enormous damage to the world trade system and global supply chains, and they will pose a serious drag on global economic growth.

Continue reading Tariff blackmail cannot intimidate China

Greenlandic politicians express wish to develop greater cooperation with China

With the eyes of the world focused on Greenland as the Trump administration continues with its aggressive and bullying campaign – including such high-profile stunts as the recent visit by Vice President Vance to a US base on the island after local people made it quite clear that his wife was not welcome at a traditional dog sled race – aimed at replacing Danish rule with US annexation, overriding the people’s desire for independence, leading Greenlandic politicians have expressed their wish to develop greater cooperation with China.

Reporting from the capital Nuuk on March 28, the Xinhua News Agency said that they expressed interest in deepening cooperation with China in areas such as trade, fisheries, and sustainable development while highlighting the potential for a free trade agreement between the two sides.

Vivian Motzfeldt, the incoming foreign minister of Greenland’s new autonomous government, told Xinhua that strengthening ties with China will be one of her priorities. “My trip to China in 2023 was memorable,” she said, noting that China is one of Greenland’s largest seafood markets. “China is very important to us, and we are eager to strengthen our cooperation.”

Following a general election on March 11, taking into account the critical situation facing their country, four of the five political parties that secured seats agreed to form a unity government on March 28. Together, Demokraatit, Siumut, Inuit Ataqatigiit (IA), and Atassut hold 23 out of 31 seats in the Inatsisartut, Greenland’s parliament.

The above-mentioned report is one of a number that Xinhua has recently carried from Nuuk. On March 24, under the headline, ‘Feature: “We don’t want to be Americans” – Greenlanders’, Xinhua reported:

“‘That day, the entire city of Nuuk stood united!’ said Gustav Petersen, a member of Naleraq, the second-largest party in Greenland’s parliament, referring to the anti-US protest held on March 15. [Naleraq won the second largest number of seats in the election but was the only party that has declined to join the new government.]

“According to local media, more than 1,000 people participated in the protest – an impressive turnout for Nuuk, a city with a population of just 15,000. Carrying banners reading ‘We are not for sale,’ ‘Greenland for Greenlanders,’ and ‘Make America Go Away,’ demonstrators marched from the city centre to the US Consulate in Nuuk, sending a clear message of opposition to Washington’s ambitions.

“Petersen said although Greenlanders had varying political preferences during the March 11 parliamentary elections, there was one point of unanimous agreement: ‘We don’t want to be Americans! The United States cannot treat Greenland as a commodity to be bought at will.’

“The US Consulate in Nuuk… remained shuttered when Xinhua reporters visited. ‘On the day of our protest, it was the same – completely deserted,’ Petersen said.

“Standing outside the consulate, Nuuk resident Nikolaj Davidson, who works at a slaughterhouse, voiced his opposition to Trump’s proposal. ‘I don’t want to be American, and neither do my family nor friends,’ he said. ‘Almost everyone in my family disagrees with Trump. From what I know, the vast majority of Greenlanders do not want Greenland to become part of the United States. The American healthcare and welfare systems are not appealing to us.’

“Davidson said that Trump’s main motivation is Greenland’s rich natural resources. ‘Just like the US government has done before, Trump might look for various pretexts to legitimise the takeover of Greenland,’ he warned.”

The following article was originally published by the Xinhua News Agency. We also embed the video of a speech on the current situation regarding Greenland by Lotte Rørtoft Madsen, the President of Denmark’s Communist Party (KP – Kommunistisk Partis). Lotte was speaking in a March 30 webinar entitled ‘Trump’s Aggression in the Americas – the return of the Monroe Doctrine?’ organised by the International Manifesto Group. You can watch the entire discussion at https://youtube.com/live/cKdBHeyBtZU.

Greenlandic political leaders looks to enhance cooperation with China

NUUK, Greenland, March 28 (Xinhua) — Greenland’s political leaders on Friday expressed interest in deepening cooperation with China in areas such as trade, fisheries, and sustainable development while highlighting the potential for a free trade agreement between the two sides.

Vivian Motzfeldt, the incoming foreign minister of Greenland’s new autonomous government, told Xinhua that strengthening ties with China will be one of her priorities.

“My trip to China in 2023 was memorable,” she said, noting that China is one of Greenland’s largest seafood markets. “China is very important to us, and we are eager to strengthen our cooperation.”

Motzfeldt said her tasks include boosting exports, enhancing cooperation in the fisheries sector, and pursuing a free trade agreement with China.

Aqqalu Jerimiassen, chairman of the Atassut party and a member of the Greenlandic Parliament, shared similar views based on his visit to China in 2018.

“I’ve been to Beijing, Guangzhou and several other cities,” he told Xinhua. “I was very impressed during my visit to China. I was particularly interested in how we can build good cooperation with Chinese enterprises and authorities.”

On Friday, Greenland announced the formation of a new autonomous government in Nuuk, the capital. At a ceremony held at the Katuaq Cultural Center, four political parties, representing 23 of the 31 seats in Greenland’s parliament, signed a coalition agreement to establish the new autonomous government.

Greenland was a Danish colony until 1953 when it became an integral part of the Kingdom of Denmark. In 1979, it gained home rule, expanding its autonomy, while Denmark retained control over foreign affairs and defense policy.

On Qingming Festival, China honours its internationalist heroes

The Chinese people celebrated the traditional Qingming Festival this year on April 5. A day to remember and honour ancestors, its origins date back to the Zhou Dynasty (1046–256 BCE). However, it became an official festival during the Tang Dynasty (618–907 CE) when Emperor Xuanzong decreed that people should formally honour their ancestors during this period. One of the most important customs of the Qingming Festival is tomb sweeping. Families visit cemeteries to clean the graves of their ancestors, remove weeds, and offer food, tea, wine, and incense as a sign of respect.

Particularly poignant this year were those ceremonies performed in foreign lands where Chinese fighters and workers laid down their lives while fulfilling their internationalist duties.

On March 30, Chinese Ambassador to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) Wang Yajun led all staff members and other members of the local Chinese community to pay tribute to the Yang Gensi Martyrs Monument in Chongjin County.

The Chinese Embassy’s website noted that, “The heroic deeds of the martyr Yang Gensi, who detonated the explosive pack and died together with the enemy in the battle of Xiaogaoling in Xiajieyu Village, Chongjin Lake, and was the first special meritorious service and special combat hero of New China, a Hero of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, [and holder of] the First Class National Flag Medal and the Gold Star Medal, are well known to everyone.”

It reported that the DPRK monument administrator introduced the history, repair and management of the Yang Gensi Martyrs Monument to Ambassador Wang and his delegation and said that the deeds of Martyr Yang Gensi are well known in his country. The DPRK people will always remember the great sacrifices and great achievements made by the Chinese People’s Volunteers and will come here to pay tribute and mourn on every important anniversary.

Ambassador Wang thanked the DPRK Party and Government for their long-term meticulous maintenance and management of the memorial facilities for the Chinese People’s Volunteers in Korea and said that this year marks the 75th anniversary of the Chinese People’s Volunteers’ participation in the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea. 75 years ago, the Chinese People’s Volunteers, represented by Yang Gensi, composed of outstanding Chinese sons and daughters, crossed the Yalu River, and withstood the severe cold, the difficulties of transport lines being cut off by enemy planes, insufficient supplies, and lack of heavy weapons. They, together with the DPRK soldiers and civilians, won the victory of the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea with their flesh and blood. Today, we comfort the spirits of the martyrs of the Volunteer Army with the brilliant achievements made in the construction of New China and the fruitful results of the sustained development of China-DPRK relations. In the new era and new situation, we must inherit and carry forward the great spirit of resisting US aggression and aiding Korea, eliminate all interference, unswervingly deepen the traditional friendship between China and the DPRK cemented with blood, work together to advance the socialist cause of the two countries, and create a happier and better life for the people of the two countries.

Recent Chinese feature films have vividly recorded much of this history.

In an article published by China Military on October 16, 2020 (marking the 70th anniversary of the Chinese People’s Volunteer Army entering Korea), the newspaper of China’s Ministry of National Defence noted:

“Yang Gensi, the Special-Class Combat Hero of the Chinese People’s Volunteers (CPV), was born in 1922 in Taixing, Jiangsu Province. Joining the New Fourth Army in 1944, Yang used to serve as commander of the squad, platoon and company and had the reputation of ‘Master of explosives’.

“Yang Gensi and his platoon, in the heroic spirit of guarding the position regardless of life or death, repelled eight waves of US offensives. Seeing that more than 40 American soldiers had climbed up to the hilltop when only he and two injured soldiers were still holding the position, Yang grabbed the last blasting charge, pulled the fuse and plunged into the enemies, dying a heroic death along with them.

Continue reading On Qingming Festival, China honours its internationalist heroes

Jean-Claude Gakosso: China is a sincere friend and partner of the Republic of the Congo and all other African countries

On March 28, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Foreign Minister of the Republic of the Congo Jean-Claude Gakosso in Beijing.

The Republic of the Congo (also widely known as Congo Brazzaville) is one of China’s oldest and closest friends in Africa. At last September’s summit meeting in Beijing of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), Congo assumed the rotating position of its African co-chair and Gakosso’s visit was focused on the forum’s work for 2025.

Wang Yi said China and the Republic of the Congo have always understood, trusted and supported each other, and bilateral relations have become a model of China-Africa solidarity and cooperation. Under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and President Denis Sassou Nguesso, bilateral relations have maintained a momentum of vigorous development, which has brought tangible benefits to the two peoples and played an important role in the development and prosperity of Africa.

With the support of African countries, the Republic of the Congo assumed the role of the African co-chair of the FOCAC last year. China is ready to work with the Republic of the Congo to actively implement the outcomes of the FOCAC Beijing Summit, particularly the ten partnership actions, and jointly prepare for the coordinators’ meeting on the implementation of the follow-up actions of the ministerial conference of FOCAC to promote the high-quality development of China-Africa cooperation and send more positive signals to the world.

Jean-Claude Gakosso said that China is a great country and a sincere friend and partner of the Republic of the Congo and all other African countries. The Republic of the Congo attaches great importance to the responsibilities of the co-chairmanship of the FOCAC and is willing to work closely with China to make good preparations for the coordinators’ meeting on the implementation of the follow-up actions of the ministerial conference of FOCAC and the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo, so as to achieve more results in Africa-China cooperation.

The following article was originally published on the website of the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

On March 28, 2025, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Foreign Minister of the Republic of the Congo Jean-Claude Gakosso in Beijing.

Wang Yi said China and the Republic of the Congo have always understood, trusted and supported each other, and bilateral relations have become a model of China-Africa solidarity and cooperation. Under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and President Denis Sassou Nguesso, bilateral relations have maintained a momentum of vigorous development, which has brought tangible benefits to the two peoples and played an important role in the development and prosperity of Africa. The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) is the most important platform for China and Africa to achieve common development through solidarity and mutual assistance. With the support of African countries, the Republic of the Congo assumed the role of the African co-chair of the FOCAC last year. China is ready to work with the Republic of the Congo to actively implement the outcomes of the FOCAC Beijing Summit, particularly the ten partnership actions, and jointly prepare for the coordinators’ meeting on the implementation of the follow-up actions of the ministerial conference of FOCAC to promote the high-quality development of China-Africa cooperation and send more positive signals to the world. Faced with an international situation full of changes and turmoil, China and African countries need to unite and cooperate more closely to safeguard the common interests of developing countries and promote world peace, stability and development.

Jean-Claude Gakosso said that China is a great country and a sincere friend and partner of the Republic of the Congo and all other African countries. The Republic of the Congo attaches great importance to the responsibilities of the co-chairmanship of the FOCAC and is willing to work closely with China to make good preparations for the coordinators’ meeting on the implementation of the follow-up actions of the ministerial conference of FOCAC and China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo, so as to achieve more results in Africa-China cooperation. The international situation is undergoing rapid changes. He expressed the belief that China, as an ancient civilization, has the wisdom to find solutions to the problems facing the world and play a more significant role in peace and stability in Africa.

The two sides also had an exchange of views on the current situation in Africa.

China and India mark 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations

China and India marked the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic relations on April 1, with President Xi Jinping exchanging congratulatory messages with Indian President Droupadi Murmu.

Xi Jinping noted that China and India, both ancient civilisations, major developing countries and important members of the Global South, are both at a critical stage of their respective modernisation efforts. The development of China-India relations demonstrates that it is the right choice for the two countries to be partners of mutual achievement and realise the “Dragon-Elephant Tango”, which fully serves the fundamental interests of both countries and their peoples. Both sides should view and handle China-India relations from a strategic height and long-term perspective, seek a way for neighbouring major countries to get along with each other, which features peaceful coexistence, mutual trust, mutual benefit and common development, and jointly promote a multipolar world and greater democracy in international relations.

Droupadi Murmu said that India and China are two neighbouring major countries that are home to one-third of the world’s population. A stable, predictable and friendly bilateral relationship will benefit both countries and the world. She proposed to take the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and China as an opportunity to jointly promote the sound and steady development of India-China relations.

On the same day, Chinese Premier Li Qiang exchanged congratulatory messages with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Li Qiang said that China is ready to work with India to take the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries as an opportunity to continuously enhance strategic mutual trust, promote exchanges and cooperation in various fields, properly handle the boundary question, steer bilateral relations forward along a sound and stable track, and bring more benefits to the two peoples.

Narendra Modi said that India and China, as two ancient civilisations, have played an important role in shaping the course of human history, and now shoulder the heavy responsibility of promoting peace and development. The development of India-China relations is not only conducive to the prosperity and stability of the world but also contributes to the realisation of a multipolar world.

China’s Ambassador to India, Xu Feihong hosted a major reception to celebrate the anniversary that day.

In his speech, Ambassador Xu said: “Looking back at the extraordinary journey of China-India relations, there are four inspirations embedded therein that are particularly worth drawing upon.

“First, strategic guidance of our leaders serves as the ‘anchor’ for China-India relations. Over the past 75 years, the leaders of the two countries have consistently steered the relationship at critical historical junctures. In 1950, Chairman Mao Zedong and Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru made the historic decision of establishing diplomatic ties, and India became the first non-socialist country to have diplomatic relations with China. In 1988, Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi visited China, and the two sides agreed to ‘look forward’, initiating the normalisation process of bilateral relations. Since 2013, President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi carried out ‘hometown diplomacy’ and two informal meetings, which propelled the bilateral relations into a period of rapid development. Last October, the leaders of our two countries met in Kazan, and opened a new chapter for China-India relations.

“Second, friendly exchanges and cooperation form the ‘foundational fabric’ of China-India relations.  Our two peoples have sympathised with and supported each other in our respective struggle for national independence and liberation. Rabindranath Tagore and Dr. Kotnis have become timeless emblems of China-India friendship.

“Third, bridging differences through dialogue stands as the ‘one and only key’ of China-India relations. As close neighbours, our peoples may sometimes have differences. As Prime Minister Modi said, when two neighbouring countries exist, occasional disagreements are bound to happen. Even within a family, not everything is always perfect. But our focus is to ensure that these differences don’t turn into disputes. As two ancient civilisations, China and India both have the tradition and characteristics of cherishing peace and goodwill, as well as the wisdom and capacity to resolve differences through dialogue.

“Fourth, working for the future of the world is the ‘important mission’ of China-India relations. President Xi Jinping once said, if China and India speak with one voice, the whole world will listen; and if we join hands, the whole world will pay attention. Historically, the two great civilisations of China and India have enriched each other, and the total economic volume of the two countries has long accounted for half of global GDP, making momentous contributions to human progress. After the establishment of diplomatic relations, China and India jointly advocated the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, attended the Bandung Conference together, and promoted the independence and unity of Asian and African countries and the peaceful development of the world.”

Continue reading China and India mark 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations

Wang Yi: China and Russia are “forever friends, never enemies”

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited Moscow at the beginning of April, with his main agenda being the preparation of President Xi Jinping’s upcoming visit in May for the 80th anniversary celebrations of the Soviet Union’s victory in the Great Patriotic War against Nazi Germany.

Meeting with Wang on April 1, Russian President Vladimir Putin called on Russia and China to consistently enhance their strategic cooperation amid global turbulence. Marking the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory in the Great Patriotic War, Putin extended an invitation for Chinese representatives to attend commemorative events in Russia. He emphasised the shared historical significance of celebrating victories over Nazi fascism and Japanese militarism, stating that Russia is fully making preparations for the occasion and added that this milestone should propel Russia-China comprehensive strategic partnership to new heights and strengthen multilateral collaboration within frameworks such as the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, and the BRICS + mechanism.

Responding, Wang Yi recalled that over 80 years ago, the peoples of China and the Soviet Union fought tenaciously on the Asian and European fronts, sacrificing immensely to defeat Japanese militarism and Nazi fascism, thereby contributing decisively to global peace. Today, as pivotal stabilising forces in a turbulent world, China and Russia must jointly uphold the outcomes of World War II, defend the post-war international order, and reinforce the United Nations’ central role in the global system. Both countries, he added, are committed to advancing multilateralism and democratising international relations.

He further said that the two countries have aligned their plans to support each other’s 80th-anniversary commemorative events, expressing confidence that the leaders’ engagements this year will further promote bilateral ties.

The official website of the Russian President published extracts from the two men’s opening remarks.

President Putin said: “I am aware that you have an extensive and busy programme for your visit. First of all, it is connected with preparations for the visit of the President of the People’s Republic of China to Russia. We will prepare a good and fulfilling programme. I hope it will involve not only participation in solemn events but will also be a separate visit. The President of the People’s Republic of China will be our main guest, and we will have an opportunity to discuss the current state of bilateral relations and our interaction on international venues, primarily the UN – the UN Security Council – as well as the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, BRICS and a number of other platforms where we work together with great success.” [A number of analysts have suggested that Putin’s reference to Xi as being the “main guest” means either that the speculation that US President Donald Trump might also visit Moscow at this time is without foundation or that the US President would be accorded a lower protocol status than his Chinese counterpart.]

Wang Yi responded: “You have accurately noted that this year marks the 80th anniversary of Great Victory in the war against Nazism and the 80th anniversary of the founding of the UN. Eighty years ago, the Chinese and Soviet people fought bravely in Europe and Asia, on the main front, suffered heavy national losses, and defeated militaristic Japan and Nazi Germany, thus making a major contribution to peace for humanity. Eighty years later, today we must unite to uphold the outcomes of World War II, the post-war world order, and the UN-centric international system, and join our efforts to promote multipolarity and democratisation of international relations.

“Mr President, you accurately noted that preparations for President Xi Jinping’s visit and his participation in the celebrations to be held in early May are the main purpose of my current visit. Before this meeting with you now, Minister Lavrov and I have met to align every item on our agenda that concerns preparations for this visit.”

In the above-mentioned meeting with Sergey Lavrov, the Russian Foreign Minister said that his country highly appreciates the global initiatives that China proposed, fully supports China’s position on the Taiwan question, and is willing to jointly uphold the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and safeguard a just and equitable international order.

Discussing Ukraine, Wang reiterated China’s consistent position and expressed support for all peace efforts, noting that China is willing to continue to build more international consensus through the Group of Friends for Peace and play a constructive role in promoting a political settlement of the crisis.

During his visit, Wang Yi also gave an extensive and exclusive interview to the Russia Today media group.

On the overall state of bilateral relations, he said:

“Under the strategic leadership of President Xi Jinping and President Putin, the partnership and strategic interaction between China and Russia has been continuously deepened, which not only fully meets the logic of history, but also proves the powerful self-sufficiency of bilateral ties. This allows us to live in peace, harmony and common prosperity, and furthermore contributes to the formation of a multipolar world and the democratisation of international relations.

“Today’s Sino-Russian relations have three characteristics: First, ‘Forever friends, never enemies.’ Our relations have matured on the basis of continuously summing up historical experience and learning from past lessons. The leaders of the two countries, with their inherent political foresight, made a historic decision to ‘close the past and open the future.’

“Second, equality and mutually beneficial cooperation. Chinese-Russian relations have acquired a qualitatively new content and scope. Cooperation is not only high-level, but also accessible to ordinary people, brings real tangible benefits to our peoples and provides enormous benefits to other countries of the world. 

“Third, non-alignment, non-confrontation and non-targeting of third parties. Sino-Russian relations do not pose any threat to others, much less are they subject to outside interference or disruption and are not only a modern example of a new type of relationship between major powers, but also an important stabilising factor in a turbulent world.”

Continue reading Wang Yi: China and Russia are “forever friends, never enemies”

An improving China-India relationship serves the common interests of both countries and the region

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPIM), India’s largest communist party, opened its 24th Congress on April 2, 2025, in the historic Tamil Nadu city of Madurai.

The party’s English language weekly newspaper People’s Democracy carried the text of the messages of greetings from the ruling communist parties in the socialist countries of China, Cuba, Vietnam, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) and Laos. The party’s website also carried the congratulatory messages received from more than 30 fraternal parties throughout the world.

In its greetings, the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (IDCPC) said that: “As an important Left force in India with a century-long history, the CPI(M) has long been committed to advancing economic and social progress of India.  We believe that the Congress will serve as an opportunity for the CPI(M) to achieve new development and make contributions to promoting regional prosperity and progress.

“An improving China-India relationship serves the common interests of both countries and the region. The CPC and the CPI(M) have long maintained friendly exchanges, which has played a significant role for facilitating mutual understanding and practical cooperation between our two sides. Under the new circumstances, the CPC stands ready to strengthen exchanges and strategic communication as well as experience sharing of party and state governance with the CPI(M) and other Indian political parties.”

The opening session of the Congress was also addressed by the leaders of the Communist Party of India, the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation, the All-India Forward Bloc and the Revolutionary Socialist Party.

MK Stalin, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and leader of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party addressed a special seminar at the Congress.  Earlier, he had announced the installation of a statue of Karl Marx in the state capital Chennai, in a show of solidarity with the Left. “Half of the DMK flag is red! You are part of us,” he said. “The bond between the Dravidian movement and the communist movement is an ideological friendship. I have come to this conference as a symbol of that bond.”

Stalin recalled how his father and former chief minister M. Karunanidhi identified himself as a communist:

“The relationship between the Dravidian and communist movements began, when Thanthai Periyar translated the Communist Manifesto into Tamil and published it… I, named Stalin, announced in the assembly that a statue of world-renowned genius Karl Marx will be erected in Chennai.”

The following article was originally published in People’s Democracy.

Messages of greetings from fraternal parties

COMMUNIST PARTY OF CHINA (CPC)

18 March 2025, Beijing

Dear Comrades,

Delighted to learn that the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)) will convene its 24th Party Congress, the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) wishes to extend our warmest congratulations to you and wishes the Congress a complete success.

As an important Left force in India with a century-long history, the CPI(M) has long been committed to advancing economic and social progress of India.  We believe that the Congress will serve as an opportunity for the CPI(M) to achieve new development and make contributions to promoting regional prosperity and progress.

The international landscape and world order are now in a new round of transformation.  An improving China-India relationship serves the common interests of both countries and the region. The CPC and the CPI(M) have long maintained friendly exchanges, which has played a significant role for facilitating mutual understanding and practical cooperation between our two sides. Under the new circumstances, the CPC stands ready to strengthen exchanges and strategic communication as well as experience sharing of party and state governance with the CPI(M) and other Indian political parties, so as to promote  continued progress of China-India relations as well as peace and stability of the region. 

International Department

Central Committee

Communist Party of China

Message of Greeting from Communist Party of Cuba

Havana, March 31, 2025

ON behalf of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba, I extend my warmest congratulations to the Communist Party of India (Marxist) on the occasion of its 24th Congress.

We wish you success at this important Party event and are convinced that the elected leadership will continue the legacy of our beloved Comrade Sitaram Yechury, a dear friend of the Cuban Revolution and staunch defender of just causes.

The Communist Party of Cuba appreciates the ongoing support that the CPI(M) has provided to the struggle against the economic, commercial, and financial blockade imposed by the United States government and against the inclusion of our country on the unilateral list of states that allegedly sponsor terrorism.

At the same time, we reaffirm our firm commitment to continue strengthening the bonds of friendship and cooperation between both Party organisations.

Please accept my highest consideration and esteem.

Emilio Lozada García

Head of the International Relations Department

COMMUNIST PARTY OF VIET NAM (CPV)

Dear comrades,

On the occasion of the 24th Congress of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) convening from April 2 to 6, 2025, the Communist Party of Viet Nam would like to convey warmest congratulations. 

Over the past years, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has always championed for strengthening the solidarity of the Left movement, making many important contributions to the struggle to protect the people’s livelihood, democracy and legitimate rights of the working people and minority communities.

We believe that the important resolutions adopted at the 24th  Congress of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) would envision concrete directions and goals to help enhance your Party’s position and influence in the Indian politics, and make positive and significant contributions to the cause of building a peaceful, unified, democratic and prosperous India. 

May the 24th Congress of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) be a resounding success.

May the traditional friendship and excellent cooperation between our two Parties, the peoples of Viet Nam and India as well as between the State of Kerala and provinces of Viet Nam be further consolidated and flourish.

With best regards,

The Central Committee

The Communist Party of Viet Nam

WORKERS’ PARTY OF KOREA (DPRK)

Pyongyang, April 2, 2025

24th Congress of the Communist Party of India (Marxist)

Madurai.

The Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea extends its hearty congratulations to the 24th Congress of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and through the Congress, also sends its warm and comradely greetings to the entire members of your Party.

We believe the 24th Congress of your Party will be an important occasion setting the new milestone in strengthening the Party’s organisational base and mass foundation.

Expressing our conviction that the long-standing friendship and cooperation between our two Parties would further develop in the future, we sincerely wish your Party Congress great success.

Central Committee Workers’ Party of Korea

LAO PEOPLE’S REVOLUTIONARY PARTY

12 March 2025

Dear Comrades,

On the occasion of the 24th Congress of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), on behalf of Lao People’s Revolutionary Party Central Committee, party members and Lao people, we would like to express our warm congratulations and best wishes to the delegates of Congress and through the delegates to party members and the entire Indian people. 

The Congress of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) will be held amidst the regional and international situation continuing to be more chaotic and complicated.  This Congress is an important political event for the Communist Party of India (Marxist), to usher its unstoppable growth.  We are confident that the resolution of the Congress and various important documents adopted by the Congress will give a direction for the Party in the coming years to contribute to the mission of building and developing India and bringing prosperity to the Indian people as well as to continuously raising the role and influence of the party in the political arena in India.

May the 24th Congress of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) gloriously succeed.

May the friendly relations between the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) be further enhanced for the benefit of Lao and Indian peoples as well as for the mission of building peace, friendship and cooperation for development in the region and the world at large.

Lao People’s Revolutionary Party Central Committee

New Red Scare: House reps lead attack on Chinese students

The following article by Tasfia Jahangir and Miles Wetherington, originally published in Liberation News, describes the rising McCarthyism in the US, in particular the red-scare narrative around Chinese students and scientists.

The authors note that John Moolenaar, a Michigan Republican who chairs the House Select Committee on the CPC, has sent letters to six US universities, including Stanford, demanding that they provide detailed information about their entire Chinese student populations, saying that the student visa system has become a “Trojan horse” and implying that “any Chinese national studying in a STEM field — especially those working in key research areas like AI, semiconductors, or aerospace — is potentially a spy”. At the same time, lawmakers have introduced a “Stop Chinese Communist Visas Act”, seeking to block visas for Chinese students studying in the US, on supposed national security grounds.

Hostility towards Chinese students and scientists is bipartisan, and has been trending upwards for years, under both the Trump and Biden administrations. The authors note that this escalation “also fits into a broader pattern of repression targeting international students. Indian students — the largest international group — have been told to ‘self-deport’ for campus activism, while students like Mahmoud Khalil, Rumeysa Ozturk and Momodou Taal have faced repression for opposing the genocide in Palestine.”

The focus on Chinese academics in particular is “part of the US strategy of containment, encirclement and suppression on China”. The US ruling class seeks to win public support for the New Cold War, painting China as a threat to the US and the world. Such a portrayal is becoming increasing untenable:

US officials try to demonise China as if it is on the warpath, but it is the United States that poses the greatest threat to world peace. In the last 30 years alone, the United States has launched 251 military interventions across the globe. In stark contrast, China has eradicated extreme poverty for more than 850 million people, and managed to overcome the legacy of colonialism and underdevelopment by reaching a level of moderate prosperity all while upholding the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence.

Ultimately this revival of reds-under-the-bed hysteria will only serve to fuel racism and xenophobia, and to further poison US-China relations. What’s more, it “actively sabotages the kind of international cooperation needed to confront global crises”. Ironically, it will also provide a boost for China’s domestic innovation, as top Chinese students will opt to study at home rather than face an increasingly hostile and dangerous environment in the US.

The authors conclude:

Collaboration between the US and China — two of the largest research and innovation hubs in the world — could offer humanity an opportunity to solve the pressing crises of our time: pandemics, climate change, AI ethics and more. But to those in power, shared progress is a threat. It undermines the need for endless militarisation, sanctions and rivalry. It challenges the US ruling class’ worldview based on zero-sum competition and global hegemony.

On March 19, U.S. Representative John Moolenaar, Chairman of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, sent a letter to six American universities demanding that they provide detailed personal, academic, and financial information about Chinese international students in STEM fields. Disguised as a routine inquiry into national security, the letter levies sweeping accusations. It claims that Chinese students “jeopardize” U.S. technological leadership, and labels the American student visa system as a “Trojan horse” for these students to steal intellectual property on behalf of the Chinese government. On top of this, the House also recently introduced the STOP CCP VISAs Act, a bill that, if passed, would ban student visas for all Chinese national students.

We must oppose this vilification of Chinese students and recognize it for what it is — an attack on global science.

The war on Chinese students is a war on global science

The Select Committee on the CCP letter and STOP CCP VISAs Act are part of a decade-long bipartisan campaign to surveil, vilify and push out Chinese researchers and students from American institutions. Under both Trump and Biden administrations, we’ve witnessed countless attacks on Chinese scholars and scientists based solely on their national origin — federal investigations with no evidence, layoffs, cancelled visas, and partnerships dismantled under political pressure. 

Moolenaar’s letter escalates this campaign by implying that any Chinese national studying in a STEM field — especially those working in key research areas like AI, semiconductors, or aerospace — is potentially a spy. It makes absurd and xenophobic claims, such as the idea that the mere act of returning to China after graduation should be treated with suspicion. This logic dehumanizes thousands of students as geopolitical pawns rather than what they are: workers, researchers and colleagues striving to build a better future.

Continue reading New Red Scare: House reps lead attack on Chinese students

Vietnam preparing for grand celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the Great Spring Victory

The Socialist Republic of Vietnam is currently preparing for grand celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the Great Spring Victory of April 30. On this day in 1975, Vietnamese revolutionary forces liberated Saigon, now Ho Chi Minh City. This epochal event was a stunning victory over US imperialism after long years of revolutionary war, struggle, suffering and sacrifice. It marked the liberation of the whole country, and the national reunification longed for by late President Ho Chi Minh. The entire Vietnamese nation was now able to embark on the long road of building socialism. This victory was also an immense contribution to the global struggle for peace, national liberation and socialism.

As part of its preparations to celebrate the great victory, on April 1, Vietnam’s Ministry of National Defence announced that it would soon send official invitations to leaders of its Chinese, Lao and Cambodian counterparts to attend a ceremony celebrating the 50th anniversary and to send their military personnel to join the commemorative military and civilian parade.

Meeting the defence attachés of the three nations, Deputy Minister of National Defence Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien said that Vietnam is ramping up preparations for this important political event. The country always remembers the support for its revolutionary cause from international friends, particularly China, Laos, and Cambodia, he affirmed.

The Deputy Minister noted that the Vietnamese defence ministry is looking forward to the participation of the three counterparts, which would contribute to the celebration’s overall success and demonstrate solidarity and friendship between Vietnam and its three neighbouring countries.

The following article was originally published by the Vietnamese newspaper Nhân Dân.

The Ministry of National Defence is set to soon send official invitations to leaders of its Chinese, Lao and Cambodian counterparts to attend a ceremony celebrating the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the South and national reunification (April 30, 1975 – 2025) and to send their military personnel to join commemorative military and civilian parade.

Deputy Minister of National Defence Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien unveiled the information while receiving defence attachés of the three countries in Hanoi on April 1 morning.

He told the officers that Vietnam is ramping up preparations for this important political event. The country always remembers support for its revolutionary cause from international friends, particularly China, Laos, and Cambodia, Chien affirmed.

The Deputy Minister noted that the Vietnamese defence ministry is looking forward to the participation of the three counterparts, which would contribute to the celebration’s overall success and demonstrate solidarity and friendship between Vietnam and its three neighbouring countries.

In recent years, Vietnam has increasingly promoted defence cooperation with the three nations across fields, notably in delegation exchanges, military training and collaboration, and border defence friendship exchange.

The defence attachés said that they will promptly report to their respective authorities and provide relevant recommendations to advance the initiatives outlined by the deputy minister.