NewzIntel.com

Category: China

  • MIL-Evening Report: A Chinese own goal? How war games in the Tasman Sea could push NZ closer to AUKUS

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alexander Gillespie, Professor of Law, University of Waikato

    The appearance of three Chinese naval vessels firing live rounds in the Tasman Sea has caused understandable alarm in New Zealand and Australia. But this has more to do with the geopolitical context than the actual event.

    In fact, the Chinese navy is allowed to conduct exercises in the Tasman and has wide freedoms on the high seas in general. So far, China appears to be acting in accordance with both the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea.

    While New Zealand would have preferred more notice of the Chinese navy’s intentions, there was no obligation to provide this.

    Nor is what is occurring in the Tasman similar to the more aggressive sabre-rattling the Chinese military has displayed around the South China Sea, most recently involving both the Australian and Philippine navies.

    And in September last year, just a few days after Australian and New Zealand vessels sailed through the Taiwan Strait, the Chinese test-fired a nuclear-capable intercontinental missile into the South Pacific.

    For China, of course, Taiwan and parts of the South China Sea are highly disputed territory. The Tasman Sea is not. But what is disputed is China’s role and influence in the Pacific – and this, rather than a minor naval exercise, is what is causing headaches in Canberra and Wellington.

    The Cook Islands factor

    The surprise agreement signed by the Cook Islands and China under a fortnight ago, aimed at “deepening blue economy cooperation”, is the immediate context for that concern.

    The deal avoids controversial areas such as security and policing. But it moves Chinese influence into infrastructure support for wharves, shipbuilding and repair, and ocean transportation.

    What really challenges New Zealand’s foreign policy is how this opens the South Pacific up to even greater Chinese influence and activity. Foreign Minister Winston Peters has signalled it is time to reset the relationship with the Cooks.

    For its part, China has asserted that its relationship with the Cook Islands “is not directed against any third party and should not be subject to or disrupted by any third party”.

    In other words, China has told New Zealand to butt out of a major development in the historically close diplomatic and political relationship with its Pacific neighbour.

    A Chinese own goal?

    All of this is happening within a rapidly shifting geopolitical sphere. US President Donald Trump is unilaterally attempting to upend the old US-led world order, and other major powers such as Russia and China are adapting.

    New Zealand’s relations with China were already difficult. The Security Intelligence Service and Government Communications Security Bureau have both identified state-sponsored Chinese interference in domestic affairs, breaches of the parliamentary network and other malicious cyber activity.

    The question now is whether China has scored an own goal with its recent actions. Because while it might prefer New Zealand to operate a more independent foreign policy – balancing its relations with east and west – the opposite may now be more likely.

    In times of international stress and uncertainty, New Zealand has always tended to move towards deepening relationships with traditional allies.

    Whether it is the fear of Russian invasion in the 19th century, or Japanese invasion in the 20th century – and whether or not those threats are real or imagined – New Zealand reverts to form.

    It has been this way for nearly 150 years and is likely to occur again. New Zealand is already grappling with how to respond to the Trump administration’s redrawn global system and will be looking for ways to deepen the friendship.

    At the same time, the government now seems committed to joining a new arms race and increasing defence spending as a proportion of GDP. And the supposed benefits of joining the second tier of the AUKUS security pact may now become that much easier to sell politically.

    Alexander Gillespie does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. A Chinese own goal? How war games in the Tasman Sea could push NZ closer to AUKUS – https://theconversation.com/a-chinese-own-goal-how-war-games-in-the-tasman-sea-could-push-nz-closer-to-aukus-250615

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI China: Big test as SAIC seeks to regain its crown

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    SAIC Motor is undergoing a profound transformation, as the once-unchallenged giant in China’s auto industry struggles to explore a future in the vehicle market.

    It has embraced Huawei in a partnership and is set to launch a new EV brand called Shangjie, with the first model expected to hit the market in late 2025, reported Yicai, a Shanghai-based business news outlet.

    This brand, with the first model priced between 150,000-250,000 yuan ($20,600-34,400), will focus on affordability while integrating Huawei’s smart driving systems, including its HarmonyOS cockpit and Qiankun intelligent driving technology.

    The partnership comes amid mounting pressure on SAIC in the market. The Chinese partner of Volkswagen and General Motors was toppled from its 18-year throne as China’s best-selling carmaker by BYD last year.

    Its once-profitable joint ventures are losing ground to Chinese carmakers including Geely and BYD, while its indigenous brands such as MG and Roewe have been struggling to get a foothold.

    It is the result of a combination of factors, which include the poor positioning of its brands and, more importantly, its early but inefficient shift to smart onboard features and advanced driving-assist functions.

    SAIC unveiled its goal in 2021 to become a technology company focused on smart and electric vehicles. It said it would earmark a budget of 300 billion yuan by 2025.

    Chen Hong, then chairman of SAIC, said that outsourcing intelligent driving systems to a third party like Huawei would render SAIC “a soulless body”.

    At the time, this statement encapsulated the attitude of an automaker that saw itself as impervious to external technological influence. It believed its established position, fortified by lucrative joint ventures and proprietary technology, would safeguard its future.

    However, SAIC has failed to come up with competitive models in a market which has seen an influx of smart models from both startups like Xpeng to established companies like Geely and Great Wall Motor.

    By 2024, its long-held position as China’s top-selling automaker was taken by BYD, which sold 4.27 million vehicles compared to SAIC’s declining numbers.

    Even more troubling, SAIC’s profits plummeted, with its own electric vehicle brands, IM Motors and Rising Auto, struggling to gain traction in the market.

    Under such circumstances, the “soul theory” is no longer a question for President Jia Jianxu, who took the helm of SAIC in July 2024.

    “SAIC ‘condescending’ to partner with Huawei has a lot to do with its falling sales, which affect its stock price,” said Zhang Xiang, a fellow at the Research Center of Automobile Industry Innovation of the North China University of Technology.

    Zhang said SAIC needs Huawei’s tech to regain consumer trust, as its subsidiary Z-One failed to come up with solutions in the smart EV sector.

    Also, the Huawei brand could provide a much-needed boost for Shangjie, positioning it to compete with well-established players like BYD.

    Huawei has proved its competitive edge in the smart driving and smart cabin sector, with partnerships at carmakers including Seres, said Zhang.

    The Shangjie brand marks Huawei’s fifth collaboration in its Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance, with the other four being codeveloped with private carmakers Seres and Chery as well as State-owned BAIC and JAC.

    Seres, a nobody in China’s car industry just years ago, shot to stardom following its partnership with Huawei to launch the Aito brand.

    Its Aito M9 SUV has been the bestselling premium vehicle priced above 500,000 yuan in China for 10 months in a row. Seres boasts a market value of around 180 billion yuan on China’s stock market, similar to SAIC.

    Shangjie represents SAIC’s latest bet to regain relevance in a market increasingly dominated by tech-savvy consumers and electric-focused competitors.

    It hopes that the brand’s affordability and smart technology integration place it against the likes of BYD, Geely and newer entrants such as Xiaomi’s SU7 sedan.

    However, key questions remain: Can Huawei’s technology overcome SAIC’s image as a laggard and will it help SAIC to stand out as there are already several partnerships with Huawei in the market?

    SAIC’s transformation mirrors the broader struggles facing traditional automakers in China and around the world.

    As electrification and smart technologies disrupt the automotive industry, even the largest manufacturers are realizing that size alone is no longer an advantage.

    Earlier this month, BYD announced that smart driving will become a standard feature on its vehicles, with the cheapest car priced 69,800 yuan.

    Analysts say SAIC’s move to partner with Huawei is a wake-up call for other traditional automakers, adding that the only way forward is cooperation and openness.

    SAIC’s partnership with Huawei comes in tandem with significant personnel adjustments within the company. A mid- and senior-level management reshuffle involving more than 60 positions was announced last week, aiming to boost its indigenous brands including Roewe, Rising Auto and MG.

    Jia oversees these brands now put under the umbrella of the big passenger car unit. The 47-year-old showed his resolve in a company speech in September 2024, saying: “One may have to kneel first before he gets the chance to stand up firmly on his feet”.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese car fleet in Russia surpasses 2.3M units

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    A drone photo shows passenger cars to be exported at a port in Lianyungang, east China’s Jiangsu Province, Feb. 21, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    As of Jan. 1 this year, nearly 2.36 million Chinese-brand passenger cars have been registered in Russia, said a recent report released by the analytical agency Autostat.

    Experts noted that Chinese-brand cars account for 5 percent of the country’s total registered passenger vehicles, meaning one in every twenty cars is from a Chinese automaker.

    The report shows that Chery leads among Chinese cars in Russia, accounting for over 20 percent of all registered Chinese vehicles with 528,200 units. Geely follows with 422,400 cars, while Haval ranks third with 404,300 units.

    Among individual models, the Haval Jolion crossover is the most popular, with 164,200 units registered. The Chery Tiggo 7 PRO MAX crossover also reached the 100,000 milestone, registering 104,000 units. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Inheritor of Wang’s Shadow Play in Sichuan

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    This photo taken on Feb. 18, 2025 shows a shadow play puppet displayed at a museum for Wang’s Shadow Play art in Langzhong City, southwest China’s Sichuan Province. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan)

    Shadow play, also known as shadow puppetry, is a traditional Chinese folk art inscribed in UNESCO’s list of intangible cultural heritage of humanity in 2011. Wang’s Shadow Play is a representative genre of Langzhong Shadow Play popular in northern Sichuan in southwest China, originated with artist Wang Yuansheng during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), and has been passed on between generations since then.

    Wang Biao, 60, a seventh-generation inheritor of Wang’s Shadow Play, takes preserving and promoting the art as his life-time course.

    Wang Biao started to learn the art from his grandfather in his early childhood, and he followed him to stage performances all over the country in the 1980s. He restarted his shadow play troupe in Chengdu despite a shrinking audience for this art in 2000, and started to give performances at local parks and schools.

    In 2004, he led his troupe back to the ancient town of Langzhong where he created more innovative plays favored among his audience. Moreover, his troupe also went to more than 30 countries and regions to popularize the art. Members of the troupe also worked closely with drama schools and colleges to offer lectures on shadow play art.

    In 2018, Wang made a further step to inaugurate a museum for the art, housing over 50,000 shadow play puppets and several hundred copies of ancient play scripts. The museum opens throughout the year, and has received tens of thousands of visitors. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China exerts efforts to build diversified food supply system

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    BEIJING, Feb. 23 — The wide variety of dishes served at gatherings during traditional Chinese festivals reflects the country’s commitment to establishing a diversified food supply system, Wang Jinchen, an official of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, said on the latest episode of the China Economic Roundtable, an all-media talk show hosted by Xinhua News Agency.

    This year’s “No. 1 central document,” released on Sunday, stresses that work must be done to build a diversified food supply system and adopt an all-encompassing approach to agriculture and food.

    It says that efforts will be made to expand food resources through multiple channels, such as by promoting the high-quality development of fisheries, increasing the supply of food from forests, and enhancing the development of the edible mushroom industry.

    Last September, China issued a document on accelerating the establishment of a diversified food supply system to guarantee grain security and build up the country’s strength in agriculture.

    To implement the directives of these documents, it is necessary to ensure and enhance national food security, Wang said, stressing that a diversified food supply system cannot be achieved without the support of all kinds of resource factors.

    Next, the ministry will work with other relevant authorities to enhance collaboration, facilitating the convergence of various food resources to work toward the development of a diversified food system, he said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s Shandong makes efforts to develop future-oriented industries

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    China’s Shandong makes efforts to develop future-oriented industries

    Updated: February 24, 2025 08:55 Xinhua
    Staff work in a wind power equipment production workshop of Sany Renewable Energy (Rizhao) Wind Power Equipment Manufacturing Co., Ltd. in Rizhao, east China’s Shandong Province, Feb. 22, 2025. In recent years, local authorities in Rizhao have made efforts to assist traditional advantageous industries in innovating and develop an array of emerging and future-oriented industries. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A staff member works in a wind power equipment production workshop of Sany Renewable Energy (Rizhao) Wind Power Equipment Manufacturing Co., Ltd. in Rizhao, east China’s Shandong Province, Feb. 22, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A staff member patrols near a production line of Asia Symbol (Shandong) Pulp and Paper Co., Ltd. in Rizhao, east China’s Shandong Province, Feb. 22, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Staff work in the crawler harvester production workshop of Rizhao Liying Machinery Manufacturing Co., Ltd in Rizhao, east China’s Shandong Province, Feb. 22, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Staff process the products in Shandong Xingchen Aluminum Technology Co., Ltd. in Rizhao, east China’s Shandong Province, Feb. 22, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A staff member works in a wind power equipment production workshop of Sany Renewable Energy (Rizhao) Wind Power Equipment Manufacturing Co., Ltd. in Rizhao, east China’s Shandong Province, Feb. 22, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A staff member works in a crawler harvester production workshop of Rizhao Liying Machinery Manufacturing Co., Ltd in Rizhao, east China’s Shandong Province, Feb. 22, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A staff member works at a production line of Asia Symbol (Shandong) Pulp and Paper Co., Ltd. in Rizhao, east China’s Shandong Province, Feb. 22, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A staff member assembles a tractor in Rizhao Liying Machinery Manufacturing Co., Ltd. in Rizhao, east China’s Shandong Province, Feb. 22, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A staff member calibrates an engraving machine in Rizhao Huiming Machinery Equipment Co., Ltd. in Rizhao, east China’s Shandong Province, Feb. 22, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: New air route links China’s ancient city with Malaysia

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    People walk at the departure hall of Terminal 5 of Xianyang International Airport in Xi’an, capital of northwest China’s Shaanxi Province, Feb. 20, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    A new air route connecting Xi’an, the capital of northwest China’s Shaanxi Province, with Kuala Lumpur of Malaysia officially opened on Sunday.

    At about 8:40 a.m., an Airbus A320 aircraft departed from the Xi’an Xianyang International Airport. China Eastern Airlines operates the daily round trip flight. During its outbound journey, it stops in Kunming, southwest China’s Yunnan Province, at 11:15 a.m. before arriving in Kuala Lumpur at 4:50 p.m. local time.

    The return flight leaves Kuala Lumpur at 5:50 p.m. local time, stops in Kumming four hours later, and lands in Xi’an at 1:35 a.m. the next day.

    Founded over 3,100 years ago, Xi’an is home to the famous Terracotta Warriors and numerous other historic sites. It was the capital of 13 dynasties in China. The new air route offers more convenient choices for tourists to Kuala Lumpur, Shaanxi, and picturesque Yunnan and serves as a bridge for economic and cultural exchanges.

    This is also the first international air route opened after Terminal 5 of the Xi’an Xianyang International Airport went into operation last Thursday.

    Since November 2023, China has continuously adjusted and optimized its visa-free transit policy to boost openness and people-to-people exchanges. Last year, over 20.1 million foreign visitors entered China under the visa exemption policy, marking a year-on-year increase of 113.5 percent in eligible transit visa-exemption travelers.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Policy to drive rebound of foreign equity investment

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Foreign equity investment in China may recover this year, as Chinese assets attract growing global interest and the country further opens up to foreign investors, experts and industry observers said.

    Their remarks follow the release of an action plan last week by the State Council, China’s Cabinet, aimed at stabilizing foreign investment this year.

    The plan outlines measures to encourage foreign investors’ strategic shareholding in Chinese listed companies, facilitate their participation in mergers and acquisitions, and accommodate the establishment of foreign investment companies while lifting restrictions on their use of domestic loans.

    Pan Yuanyuan, deputy director of the international investment department at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences’ Institute of World Economics and Politics, said, “These measures are well-rounded and timely, directly addressing pain points that foreign investors have encountered and indicating a strong commitment to deepening financial opening-up.”

    The policy efforts coincide with global investors’ ongoing reassessment of Chinese companies’ valuations, helping create new opportunities for foreign investors to capitalize on China’s fast-growing international competitiveness in various sectors, Pan said.

    These factors may work together in driving the recovery of foreign equity investment in China this year, possibly even exceeding expectations, Pan added.

    According to the action plan, foreign investment companies will be allowed to use domestic loans for equity investments in China.

    “This policy is a major boost for foreign investment firms in China, because it will expand their financing channels and reduce costs,” said Nancy Li, international tax and transaction services partner at EY China. Previously, such companies relied on offshore funding or reinvested local earnings, as domestic loans were limited for operational use or to designated items, Li noted.

    “Using domestic loans for equity investment will create a completed loop throughout investment life cycles, spanning from domestic borrowing to onshore investment and onshore exit, and lower the capital requirements for foreign investment companies,” Li added.

    The plan also arranges steps to encourage multinational corporations to establish investment companies in China, providing convenience in terms of foreign exchange management, cross-border data transfer and personnel movement.

    Dai Guanchun, a senior capital markets lawyer, said that facilitating the operation of foreign investment companies’ onshore legal entities will help enhance their investment efficiency in China, addressing the issue of some foreign funds lacking an onshore investment platform and being compelled to rely on partnerships with domestic funds to complete investments.

    Highlighting that the plan vows to put the revised rules on foreign investors’ strategic investment in Chinese listed companies well into place, Dai said this will ease the hurdles faced by foreign strategic investors such as strict eligibility criteria, long lock-in periods and limited investment tools, making it easier for foreign capital to participate deeply in China’s stock market.

    The revised rules on foreign investors’ strategic investment in listed companies, which were unveiled in November, allow strategic investment through tender offers and ease restrictions on cross-border share-for-share exchanges — both common in global transactions.

    The action plan also promises to optimize the provisions for foreign investors acquiring domestic companies, lowering the barriers for them to conduct cross-border share-for-share exchanges in mergers and acquisitions.

    Sun Xuegong, director of the department of policy study and consultation at the Chinese Academy of Macroeconomic Research, said that encouraging foreign participation in China’s merger and acquisition market will facilitate industry consolidation in various sectors, which is a source of productivity enhancement.

    “This is not only for attracting foreign investment, but also for improving productivity and efficiency of the existing capacity,” Sun said.

    The action plan comes as China’s foreign equity investment landscape reflects both challenges and resilience. In January, the country utilized 97.6 billion yuan ($13.5 billion) in foreign capital, marking a 13.4 percent year-on-year decline but a 27.5 percent month-on-month rebound, the Ministry of Commerce said.

    Rani Jarkas, chairman of Cedrus Group, a Swiss international financial group with investments in China, said the company sees firsthand that Swiss and other global companies have significant interest in investing and expanding in the Chinese market.

    “This is driven by supportive policies, a capable workforce, world-class infrastructure and a large, addressable market,” Jarkas said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Israel bolsters military readiness near Gaza

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Israel has stepped up military readiness near Gaza, the military said on Sunday, after Hamas accused it of attempting to evade its obligations under a ceasefire agreement.

    The decision was made “following a situational assessment,” an Israeli military spokesperson said, adding that the forces were enhancing “military readiness and operational preparedness” in the Gaza border area.

    There were no changes to home front guidelines.

    Earlier on Sunday, Israel announced a delay in the release of 620 Palestinian detainees who were set to be freed under the truce agreement. Their release was part of the final phase of a hostage-prisoner exchange agreement after Hamas freed six Israeli hostages on Saturday.

    Hamas Political Bureau member Izzat al-Rishq accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of “deliberately obstructing the agreement” and violating its terms, saying the move underscored Israel’s “unreliability in fulfilling its commitments.” He called on mediators and the international community to pressure Israel to release the prisoners without delay.

    The fragile three-phase ceasefire agreement took effect on Jan. 19, pausing 15 months of fighting between Hamas and Israel that has devastated Gaza.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Conservative CDU/CSU leads German federal election

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Germany’s conservative bloc, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the Christian Social Union (CSU), has taken the lead in the country’s 2025 federal election, according to preliminary results released by German public broadcaster ARD on Sunday evening.

    According to ARD’s latest vote counts, CDU/CSU secured 28.5 percent of the vote, followed by the Alternative for Germany (AfD) with 20.6 percent and the Social Democratic Party (SPD) with 16.5 percent.

    The Greens came in fourth with 11.8 percent, ahead of Die Linke with 8.7 percent. The Free Democratic Party (FDP) and Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) are projected to receive 4.4 percent and 4.9 percent, respectively.

    The election will determine the composition of the next Bundestag, Germany’s lower house of parliament. A party must receive at least 5 percent of the national vote to gain representation in the Bundestag.

    According to ARD, voter turnout during this election reached 84 percent, the highest level since 1990. The newly elected parliament will select Germany’s next chancellor following coalition negotiations among parties.

    Friedrich Merz, chancellor candidate of the CDU/CSU, vowed to move swiftly to form a new government. “Tonight we will celebrate and from tomorrow we start working,” Merz said after the vote. “The world out there is not waiting for us.”

    German Chancellor Olaf Scholz acknowledged the SPD’s historic defeat and stated that he would remain in office until a new coalition government is formed.

    “This is a bitter election result for the Social Democratic Party, it is also an electoral defeat,” Scholz said. “I have the responsibility for the election result.”

    Christian Lindner, who has served as FDP chairman for over 11 years, announced on social media that he will retire from politics after the election.

    The FDP withdrew from the ruling coalition last year following disagreements with Scholz’s SPD.

    The AfD, on the other hand, has approximately doubled its results from the 2021 election. Alice Weidel, co-leader of the AfD, said that her party is now firmly rooted in mainstream society, calling the election the “historically strongest result.”

    The AfD has expressed its willingness to cooperate with the CDU/CSU in the upcoming coalition negotiations. However, Merz has ruled out the possibility of forming a coalition with the AfD.

    Cooperation with the AfD has long been considered taboo by Germany’s major political parties.

    While acknowledging the challenges of forming a government under current circumstances, Merz said he would strive for the goal of having a government in place by Easter.

    On matters of diplomatic policy, he emphasized the need to strengthen Europe step by step, with the goal of achieving independence from the United States. During an appearance on ARD and ZDF’s TV program “Berliner Runde,” Merz noted that the Trump administration has been “largely indifferent” to the fate of Europe.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese FM calls for fair global governance, stronger multilateralism

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    China calls for establishing a fair and equitable global governance system and promoting the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Saturday.

    Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks while briefing Chinese media on his visits to Britain and Ireland, attending the 61st Munich Security Conference (MSC) in Germany, chairing the UN Security Council’s high-level meeting in New York, and participating in the Group of 20 (G20) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in South Africa.

    China will take the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations as an opportunity to work with all parties to draw wisdom from history, usher in a new era of multilateralism, build a fair and equitable global governance system, and promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, Wang said.

    As the current international landscape undergoes transformation and turbulence, with growing deficits in peace, development and governance, global governance has reached a historical crossroads, he said.

    The international community has high expectations for how to strengthen the role of the UN and jointly address global challenges and regional hotspots, he added.

    He said that as the rotating president of the UN Security Council for February, China chaired the Security Council’s high-level meeting on “Practicing Multilateralism, Reforming and Improving Global Governance” to reaffirm the original aspiration of the United Nations, build consensus on multilateralism and inject new momentum into strengthening global governance.

    During the discussion, all parties agreed that the role of the UN is indispensable, the trend toward multilateralism is irreversible, and reforming and improving global governance cannot be delayed, Wang said.

    Regarding this year’s MSC focus on multipolarity, Wang said that despite the complex challenges facing the world, peace, development and win-win cooperation remain unstoppable trends of the times.

    The historical shift toward multipolarity and economic globalization is irreversible, he added.

    A multipolar world is not only a historical inevitability but is also becoming a reality, Wang said, stressing that China will be a factor of certainty in this multipolar system and strive to be a steadfast constructive force in a changing world.

    Noting that the G20 Summit will be held on the African continent for the first time this November, he said it is an “African moment” for both the G20 and global governance, demonstrating historic changes in the international political and economic landscape and carrying great significance.

    Wang also said that during the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Johannesburg, China proposed listening to Africa’s voice, taking its concerns seriously, supporting its actions, and empowering Africa’s development through G20 cooperation to achieve common prosperity and progress, a proposal widely recognized by participants.

    China will play an active and constructive role in G20 cooperation, firmly support South Africa’s presidency, and encourage all parties to focus on the theme of “Unity, Equality and Sustainability” to meet the common expectations of the Global South, Wang added.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Tourists enjoy plum blossoms at Lingfeng Mountain in Hangzhou

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    Tourists enjoy plum blossoms at Lingfeng Mountain in Hangzhou

    Updated: February 24, 2025 07:15 Xinhua
    Tourists take photos of plum blossoms at the foot of the Lingfeng Mountain in Hangzhou, east China’s Zhejiang Province, Feb. 23, 2025. February tends to be the best season for viewing plum blossoms at Lingfeng Mountain, a popular destination for flower-viewing tours in Hangzhou, east China’s Zhejiang Province. It has risen to fame since Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Currently there are about 5,000 plum trees covering more than 100 varieties. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Tourists enjoy plum blossoms at Lingfeng Mountain scenic area in Hangzhou, east China’s Zhejiang Province, Feb. 23, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A tourist takes photos of plum blossoms at the foot of the Lingfeng Mountain in Hangzhou, east China’s Zhejiang Province, Feb. 23, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Tourists enjoy plum blossoms at Lingfeng Mountain scenic area in Hangzhou, east China’s Zhejiang Province, Feb. 23, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Tourists enjoy plum blossoms at Lingfeng Mountain scenic area in Hangzhou, east China’s Zhejiang Province, Feb. 23, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: NZ Foreign Affairs – Foreign policy group voices alarm at New Zealand’s role in militarising the Pacific

    Source: Te Kuaka

    24 February 2025 – Amongst an intense reaction to China’s naval exercises in the Tasman sea and recent agreements with Cook Islands, a foreign policy group has criticised the New Zealand government’s signalled increase of defence spending towards 2% of GDP, calling it “loud but not smart” and a “classic case of empty vessels making the most noise”.

    This comes as declassified documents from the latest ANZMIN Australia and New Zealand foreign and defence ministerial meeting describe deterrence as “an increasingly important element of New Zealand’s national security and defence policy settings”, suggesting the increased budget will be spent on warfighting capabilities.

    “China’s intentions in the region are unknown and a maritime presence may be uncomfortable for the government, but it cannot be met militarily”, says Dylan Asafo, a senior lecturer at the University of Auckland. “If the government was serious about regional security and New Zealand’s influence in the Pacific, they would invest in development and diplomacy. Pacific nations are clear that climate change is the principal security threat, and yet Winston Peters is talking tough and reassessing the aid budget, weakening New Zealand’s relationships in the process.”    

    “Through increasing involvement in military pacts–such as NATO’s Indo-Pacific Four, Operation Olympic Defender, the Partnership for Indo-Pacific Industrial Resilience (PIPIR) and potentially AUKUS Pillar Two–our government is taking sides in a superpower rivalry that is militarising the Pacific and exacerbating regional crises,” says Marco de Jong, a lecturer at Auckland University of Technology. “But Trump is showing that the United States is unreliable. An independent foreign policy is more important now than ever.”    

    “This is wasteful spending that will only benefit the military industrial complex and doubles as a threat to our largest trading partner”, says de Jong. “We should be buying ferries not frigates. Our budget priorities must reflect urgent national issues, foremost of which is the cost of living crisis.”

    “New Zealand has an opportunity here to deescalate regional tensions, prioritise our existing relationships in the Pacific, and reestablish multilateral commitments that make small nations safe,” says Asafo. “We must recentre the environment, human rights, and global peace and stability in our foreign policy, rather than fighting other people’s wars.”

    About Te Kuaka

    Te Kuaka NZA is an independent organisation promoting a progressive role for Aotearoa in the world. Te Kuaka NZA was established by a group of New Zealanders with a commitment to an independent, values-driven foreign policy for our South Pacific nation – a New Zealand alternative. The organisation works creatively and inclusively to discuss and shape an active international role for Aotearoa that honours Te Tiriti o Waitangi, challenges structures of power and inequality and promotes environmental and social justice.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Trump’s tariff and land grab threats signal U.S. expansionist ambitions

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Ilan Kapoor, Professor, Critical Development Studies, York University, Canada

    When U.S. President Donald Trump first suggested Canada should become the 51st American state, the federal government dismissed it as just a joke. Finance Minister Dominic Leblanc insisted it was “in no way a serious comment.”

    Similar skepticism was expressed by political leaders across the world when Trump talked about seizing Greenland and the Panama Canal in early January, by military force if necessary, to buttress U.S. national security. He also floated the idea of taking over Gaza to transform it into the “Riviera of the Middle East.”

    Now that Trump has carried through on his aggressive economic threats — launching a trade war with China and raising the possibility of similar conflicts with Canada, Mexico and the European Union — his imperialist expansionism is in plain sight.

    Canadian leaders have come to realize that Trump’s actions may not be a temporary or minor irritant, but rather an attack on Canadian sovereignty itself.

    The failure to take Trump’s words seriously is reminiscent of British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain’s skepticism in 1938 that Hitler would actually risk world war despite the latter’s aggressive rhetoric, annexation of Austria and threats to Czechoslovakia and Poland.

    What, then, have been the signs of Trump’s expansionist tendencies? American economic and military might, albeit declining relative to emerging powers like China and India, still provides a solid basis for the projection of U.S. supremacy. But there are also two new key elements at play.

    A billionaire-corporate administration

    The Trump administration appears to operate with a distinctly corporate mindset, treating the nation like a business empire. Trump has stacked his administration with private sector leaders and corporate billionaires such as Elon Musk, Doug Burgum and Howard Lutnick.

    Like other billionaires, their immense business success has been founded not on mainstay competitive market practices like productivity or cost-cutting, but on predatory and cannibalistic ones.

    These include controlling resources like oil, gold, diamonds and coltan to secure production inputs; buying out competitors to monopolize markets and patents; and deliberately breaking up and destroying companies through mergers and acquisitions with little regard for the resulting job losses.

    It is within this framework that Trump’s allegations about buying Greenland and Gaza, annexing Canada through “economic force” and capturing the Panama Canal need to be seen.



    Read more:
    Billionaires and loyalists will provide Trump with muscle during his second term

    Under the guise of national security, the idea is not simply to safeguard borders, but to engage in economic expansionism and real estate development, aided by the U.S. military when needed. Taking control of land, waterways and mineral wealth is critical to building “America’s Golden Age” of corporate capitalism.

    This approach seems to be a mainly business one, with little concern for the social costs (recession, unemployment, violence) produced by such imperialistic ventures. In line with his infamous book, The Art of the Deal, Trump appears to view foreign nations and domestic opponents alike as obstacles to be callously bullied, degraded, manipulated, exploited and finally vanquished.

    American nationalist populism

    The Trump administration’s imperial ambitions lie in the nationalist populism that propelled Trump and his allies into power for the second time.

    Trump’s populism has successfully tapped into widespread anxieties among Americans — job insecurity, food prices, the housing crisis — by promising to soothe their worries through the “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) agenda.



    Read more:
    Trump’s view of the world is becoming clear: America’s allies come second to its own interests

    Like other right-wing populist movements around the globe — Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s in Turkey, Viktor Orbán’s in Hungary and the Brexit campaign in the U.K. — the MAGA movement has sought to unify the U.S. by identifying and targeting perceived national enemies. These include so-called “illegal” migrants, transgender people and the country’s largest trading rivals: Mexico, Canada and China.

    By blaming these groups, especially those seen as contributing to America’s economic decline, MAGA whips up nationalist sentiment in the form of suspicion, aggression and vengeance. The result is a deeply polarized nationalist discourse in which one is either a loyal supporter or an enemy; a believer or a “woke” liberal.

    A lethal imperial set-up

    The combination of U.S. global power, nationalist populism and the Trump administration’s corporate-driven, predatory approach makes for a dangerous dynamic.

    This mix is fuelling a form of economic expansionism that is now beginning to manifest itself. The impending trade wars, potential dismantling of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement (which Trump initiated in 2018 to avoid unilateral trade moves by its signatories) and the brazen disregard for the socioeconomic consequences of foreign territorial control, such as the forced displacement of Palestinians, are all signs of this.

    While many assumed Trump’s administration would be protectionist and isolationist, a more troubling and nefarious reality is emerging. His administration appears to be intent on securing America’s industrial dominance through trade wars while expanding it through hawkish economic imperialism.

    There is a clear ruthlessness to this approach, with a willingness to pressure not only America’s perceived enemies but also its allies. “America First” is starting to looks like “America Above All Others” as Trump attempts to bully U.S. rivals into subordination, with disturbing echoes of past authoritarians.

    Unravelling American imperial designs

    Many obstacles could prevent Trump’s aggressive expansionism from fully taking shape. While the key ingredients may already be there, and some have begun to be deployed, that doesn’t mean they will come to fruition.

    The Trump administration’s policymaking process is often chaotic and theatrical, prioritizing short-term political gains over long-term strategy. This instability undermines any consistent efforts at expansion.

    There is also the risk that Trump’s trade wars will backfire. They could end up causing hardship to U.S. companies and consumers through higher food and energy prices, job losses in key industries like agriculture and auto manufacturing, and increased stock market instability. Such consequences could negatively affect Trump’s corporate allies.

    Meanwhile, Trump’s economic and military rivals could forge new alliances to challenge his attempts at global supremacy. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, for instance, recently met with the head of NATO and other European allies to strengthen trade and security ties.

    The first step to any countermoves by Trump’s foreign adversaries will be seeing his regime’s designs for what they are: chaotic, perhaps, but serious expansionist ones.

    Ilan Kapoor does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Trump’s tariff and land grab threats signal U.S. expansionist ambitions – https://theconversation.com/trumps-tariff-and-land-grab-threats-signal-u-s-expansionist-ambitions-249924

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: While the U.S. threatens tariffs and builds walls around its economy, China opens up

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Shaun Narine, Professor of International Relations and Political Science, St. Thomas University (Canada)

    The United States is threatening to impose tariffs on its major trading partners. In the meantime, China is consolidating its position as the world’s manufacturing and technological innovation hub by increasing trade with the Global South.

    If the American role in globalization has been to consume the world’s products and resources by building on a foundation of ever-increasing debt, China’s has been to make tangible goods for the international market.

    China is opening up its economy, especially to the nations of the Global South.

    Effective December 2024, China eliminated all tariffs on goods from the least developed countries. Chinese Premier Li Quang has also described China as an economic opportunity for global investment.

    The centre of Asian trade

    China’s trade surplus with the rest of the world is almost US$1 trillion dollars. Its share of global exports was 14 per cent in 2023, compared to 8.5 per cent for the U.S.

    China is working with regional states to make itself the centre of Asian trade. China’s Belt and Road Initiative is funding infrastructure in about 150 countries as Chinese companies invest internationally, both to avoid American tariffs and diversify their markets.

    At the moment, China accounts for 35 per cent of the world’s manufacturing. By 2030, the United Nations projects this will rise to 45 per cent.

    China has achieved this status by building efficient, high-quality infrastructure.

    It’s also fostered highly competitive and innovative technological and commercial ecosystems. The recent emergence of DeepSeek, a Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) startup that is dramatically disrupting the sector, illustrates this reality.

    China also controls global industrial supply chains in a host of critical areas.

    The Chinese powerhouse

    Despite its ongoing economic slowdown, China’s economy grew by almost five per cent in 2024 and has potential to grow further as it transitions to a high-tech economy.

    By 2030, the country will have what’s known as a consuming class of 1.1 billion people, making it the world’s largest consumer market.

    Only 7.8 per cent of the population has the equivalent of a bachelor’s degree, but China produces about 65 per cent of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) graduates globally on an annual basis.

    China is also leading the world in most new technologies and industries, but there is room for infrastructure investment in smaller cities and rural areas. Because China is a global leader in using automation and AI, it will also need to lead in managing these technologies’ social and economic effects.

    China has economies of scale that no other country — except India — can match. Its manufacturing dominance is the logical outcome of introducing an increasingly technologically sophisticated country with a vast population to the modern global system.

    The first Donald Trump administration used tariffs to try to draw investment into the U.S. and stimulate domestic industry. He believed tariffs would create more manufacturing jobs, shrink the federal deficit and lower food prices.

    The second Trump administration has returned to tariffs, again with the goal of pulling jobs and investment from other countries into the U.S.

    Trump has threatened to slap tariffs on Canada, Mexico and the European Union.

    He’s already put 25 per cent tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports into the U.S. and imposed additional 10 per cent tariffs on all Chinese goods. He’s also threatening tariffs on Taiwan, attempting to strip it of its semiconductor industry.

    Trump is basically demanding that other countries address trade imbalances by buying more expensive American exports in exchange for unimpeded access to the U.S. market.

    He’s trying to recreate an American industrial dominance that existed only under unique circumstances after the Second World War. Similarly, the historical circumstances that led to China’s decline in the 19th and 20th centuries are long past.

    To compete with China’s advantages, the U.S. needs a competent and effective government capable of long-term planning. Under Trump, the U.S. is losing this already-weak capacity every day.

    American debt

    The U.S. is the world’s largest consumer economy because both the government and Americans go into extraordinary debt to finance their consumption.

    Currently, the American national debt is more than $36 trillion while consumer debt was $17.5 trillion in 2024.

    The U.S. can accumulate enormous debt because of the American dollar’s status as the world reserve currency. But the U.S. has weaponized the dollar by freezing the dollar assets of sovereign states and using the dollar’s reserve status to apply American laws and sanctions beyond its borders.

    This has created a major push — led by the BRICS countries of Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Russia, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates — to replace the U.S. dollar with other financial instruments.

    In response, Trump has threatened 100 per cent tariffs on any countries that try to drop the U.S. dollar.

    The American economy has grown through pumping up asset bubbles, but there’s been a decline in most measures of social well-being in the U.S. This aligns with increasing American social, political and economic instability.

    Chinese products dominate

    China’s exports to the Global South exceed its exports to the western world. Chinese companies and products are dominant in Asia, Africa and Latin America.

    To the Global South, there are clear benefits to accessing affordable, high-quality technology and industrial products from China. The industrialized world can also benefit significantly from Chinese manufacturers, but possibly at the cost of its own established industrial capacity.

    While some states may block Chinese imports to protect their industries, China’s increasing manufacturing dominance means that every country will need at least some Chinese products to develop or to sustain industry. It would be next to impossible for most countries to definitively cut all trade with China.

    The world is entering a new era of globalization. For many states, that means trying to keep from being economically undermined by the U.S. while deciding how to manage the economic and political costs and benefits of engaging with China’s massive industrial capabilities.

    Shaun Narine does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. While the U.S. threatens tariffs and builds walls around its economy, China opens up – https://theconversation.com/while-the-u-s-threatens-tariffs-and-builds-walls-around-its-economy-china-opens-up-245012

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI China: High-speed railway linking Shanghai, Nanjing and Hefei under construction

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    High-speed railway linking Shanghai, Nanjing and Hefei under construction

    Updated: February 23, 2025 21:02 Xinhua
    An aerial drone photo taken on Feb. 23, 2025 shows the installation site of box girders of a high-speed railway linking Shanghai, Nanjing of Jiangsu Province and Hefei of Anhui Province in east China. The railway is part of China’s high-speed rail network that centers around eight main vertical lines linking the north and south and eight horizontal lines connecting the east and west. [Photo/Xinhua]
    An aerial drone photo taken on Feb. 23, 2025 shows the installation site of box girders of a high-speed railway linking Shanghai, Nanjing of Jiangsu Province and Hefei of Anhui Province in east China. [Photo/Xinhua]
    An aerial drone photo taken on Feb. 23, 2025 shows the installation site of box girders of a high-speed railway linking Shanghai, Nanjing of Jiangsu Province and Hefei of Anhui Province in east China. [Photo/Xinhua]
    An aerial drone photo taken on Feb. 23, 2025 shows the installation site of box girders of a high-speed railway linking Shanghai, Nanjing of Jiangsu Province and Hefei of Anhui Province in east China. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Farming activities in full swing in China’s Hainan in early spring

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    Farming activities in full swing in China’s Hainan in early spring

    Updated: February 23, 2025 21:11 Xinhua
    Farmers work at a field in Yacha Town of Baisha Li Autonomous County, south China’s Hainan Province, Feb. 20, 2025. Farming activities are in full swing in south China’s Hainan Province in early spring. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A farmer picks strawberries at Pingdi Village of Dongcheng Town in Danzhou City, south China’s Hainan Province, Feb. 23, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A farmer picks strawberries at Pingdi Village of Dongcheng Town in Danzhou City, south China’s Hainan Province, Feb. 23, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Farmers transplant rice seedlings in Yacha Town of Baisha Li Autonomous County, south China’s Hainan Province, Feb. 20, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    A farmer carries seedlings in Yacha Town of Baisha Li Autonomous County, south China’s Hainan Province, Feb. 20, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Beijing-Tangshan intercity railway under construction

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    Beijing-Tangshan intercity railway under construction

    Updated: February 23, 2025 20:22 Xinhua
    Workers are busy laying tracks at the construction site of the Beijing Sub-center Station along the Beijing-Tangshan intercity railway in Tongzhou District, sub-center of Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 22, 2025. With a designed speed of 350 km per hour, the 148.7-km-long Beijing-Tangshan intercity railway will link Beijing sub-center comprehensive transportation hub in Beijing and Tangshan City in Hebei Province after completion of the Beijing section of the route. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Workers are busy laying tracks at the construction site of the Beijing Sub-center Station along the Beijing-Tangshan intercity railway in Tongzhou District, sub-center of Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 22, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Workers are busy laying tracks at the construction site of the Beijing Sub-center Station along the Beijing-Tangshan intercity railway in Tongzhou District, sub-center of Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 22, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Workers are busy laying tracks at the construction site of the Beijing Sub-center Station along the Beijing-Tangshan intercity railway in Tongzhou District, sub-center of Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 22, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Workers are busy laying tracks at the construction site of the Beijing Sub-center Station along the Beijing-Tangshan intercity railway in Tongzhou District, sub-center of Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 22, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese medical team provides free medical services in Senegal

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    Chinese medical team provides free medical services in Senegal

    Updated: February 23, 2025 17:11 Xinhua

    From Monday to Thursday, members of the 20th Chinese medical team provided free medical services to people in three localities of northern and central Senegal.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: From Wukong to Ne Zha, powerhouse IPs make waves in China’s consumer market

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    Amid the immense popularity of “Ne Zha 2,” fans of the Chinese blockbuster are facing a race against time to purchase blind boxes featuring the film’s main character, as stocks quickly deplete both online and at retail locations.

    “Ne Zha-themed products sell out quickly as soon as they are put on the shelf. Recently, we’ve seen dozens of people signing up for pre-sales every day,” said a staff member at Pop Mart, China’s popular toy maker, in Beijing.

    Like “Black Myth: Wukong,” the country’s first 3A video game taking the world by storm in 2024, “Ne Zha 2” has become another cherished domestic creation rooted in traditional Chinese culture. Both cultural phenomena have successfully turned fan enthusiasm for their intellectual properties (IPs) into lasting profits.

    As of Saturday, the sequel to the Chinese mythical franchise “Ne Zha” has seen its box office revenue worldwide, including presales, surpass 13 billion yuan (about 1.8 billion U.S. dollars), securing the eighth spot on the list of highest-grossing films of all time worldwide, according to ticketing platforms.

    Beyond the silver screen, the animation is also making waves in other areas of the consumer market. Sales of its merchandise on Taobao, a leading e-commerce platform in China, surpassed 50 million yuan earlier this month.

    Noticing the surge in demand for “Ne Zha 2” merchandise, an authorized manufacturer in Dongguan, located in south China’s Guangdong Province, quickly ramped up production after the film’s Chinese New Year release, aiming to seize the significant market opportunity created by the rise of Chinese IP.

    “We have received orders for nearly 1.4 million sets of peripheral products. While operating overtime every day to produce the products, our factory is also developing new items based on the film,” said Chen Qi, general manager of the company, noting that the company hopes to cooperate with more domestic brands to develop IP derivatives in the future.

    This growing interest in domestic IPs is reflected across factories in China, where companies are shifting their focus from exports to tapping into the expanding opportunities within the domestic market.

    This year, China’s IP derivatives market is expected to exceed 500 billion yuan, CITIC Securities said in a research report.

    More than 49,000 enterprises in China are involved in the trendy toy economy, with approximately 13,000 of them having registered in 2024, according to Tianyancha, a corporate information provider.

    The rapid growth of China’s trendy toy market highlights the country’s strengths in IP, supply chain capabilities and consumer potential, said Li Yongjian, a researcher at the National Academy of Economic Strategy of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

    “Ne Zha 2” isn’t the first IP to spark a surge in merchandise consumption in China. In 2023, another domestic hit, “The Wandering Earth 2,” raised over 140 million yuan through crowdfunding for its merchandise.

    Moreover, in January, Chinese retailer MINISO launched a store themed around “Black Myth: Wukong” in Beijing, attracting considerable attention as fans eagerly queued to purchase limited-edition items.

    As the IP economy continues to grow, retailers like MINISO are capitalizing on the cultural and emotional appeal of beloved franchises.

    Ye Guofu, founder of MINISO, said that Chinese consumers, especially younger generations, are increasingly prioritizing the emotional value attached to products, and this shift is expected to further drive the demand for IP-based merchandise.

    These IPs not only showcase the depth of China’s cultural heritage but also demonstrate how modern technology and creativity can breathe new life into ancient stories, making them relevant and appealing to today’s generation. This synergy between tradition and innovation has laid a solid foundation for the booming IP derivatives market.

    “Traditional culture needs to be revitalized with a modern touch,” said “Ne Zha 2” director Yang Yu, also known as Jiaozi, adding that literary classics are the most valuable source of cultural IPs for animated films.

    Zhao Xinli, dean of the Advertising School at the Communication University of China, noted that with the vast potential of the domestic consumer market, a well-established animation production system and the rich heritage of China’s traditional culture, the country’s cultural industry is set for an even brighter future. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s blockbuster ‘Ne Zha 2’ hits Fiji screens

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    Chinese animated film “Ne Zha 2” has been a hit with audiences in Fiji since its release on Thursday in the island nation.

    The blockbuster has seen its box office revenue worldwide, including presales, surpass around 1.8 billion U.S. dollars. It has dethroned Disney’s 2024 picture “Inside Out 2” to become the highest-grossing animated movie of all time globally.

    “It was really awesome. So far it would be the best, I would say, it’s on a par with the Hollywood blockbusters,” said Anesh Chand, a Fijian doctor who watched the animation at Damodar Cinema in Suva, capital of Fiji, on Saturday night.

    Chand told Xinhua that he once studied medicine in China for five years, so he was particularly aware of the Chinese herbs in the film, as well as traditional Chinese medicine philosophies, such as Yin and Yang, water and fire.

    Cliff Prasad, group marketing manager of Damodar Cinemas, told Xinhua that “Ne Zha 2” performed very well at the box office in Fiji and the occupancy rates exceeded expectations.

    The cinema had been supposed to schedule only two screenings on the premiere day, but due to hot online pre-sales, the cinema temporarily arranged three additional screenings, Prasad said.

    The manager said the film was very popular, with a large part of the audience made up of local students.

    “I really love the special effects, world-class! It was one of the best, I’d say, animations I’ve seen in a long time,” said Fijian girl Katriena.

    Fiji’s Minister for Housing and Local Government Maciu Nalumisa also watched the Chinese animated film on Saturday.

    “I came with my nephew and my son. They really like the movie,” Nalumisa told Xinhua. “It’s any of the best movies in terms of animation I’ve come across.”

    Mr. Sang, a Chinese audience who had watched “Ne Zha 2” four times, said the film is full of creativity in special effects and cultural expression.

    “Every time you watch the movie, you will have a new feeling,” he said. “The world is not black or white.”

    A sequel to the 2019 hit “Ne Zha 1,” “Ne Zha 2” continued to build on the beloved Chinese mythology surrounding the character and has been celebrated as a milestone for Chinese animation.

    Set after the events of the first film, it follows Nezha and Aobing as their souls are saved but their physical forms face dissolution. With the help of the immortal Taiyi Zhenren, who uses the Seven-Colored Lotus to reconstruct their bodies, the two heroes must face numerous challenges.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: ‘Ne Zha 2’ dominates Australian cinemas 2 weeks on

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    The Hoyts Sunnybank cinema in Brisbane, Australia’s third largest city, presented 14 sessions of the Chinese animated film “Ne Zha 2” on Sunday, significantly more than other popular films including “Captain America: Brave New World” which was shown in eight sessions.

    This photo taken on Feb. 13, 2025 shows a projected poster for the Chinese fantasy feature “Ne Zha 2” at a shopping mall in Sydney, Australia. (Xinhua/Ma Ping)

    While Sunnybank has a concentrated Chinese diaspora population, another Brisbane cinema Event Garden City Mt Gravatt showed “Ne Zha 2” in 11 sessions, the same as “Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy.”

    About two weeks after the release and pre-screening of the Chinese animation blockbuster, mainstream Australian cinemas have greatly increased their screening schedules of “Ne Zha 2” across the country due to strong demand from local audiences, with a majority of the seats taken in most sessions.

    “Ne Zha 2” entered the top three at Australia’s weekend box office in its debut last week in 91 cinemas, following “Captain America” and “Bridget Jones” last weekend, according to box office reporting company Numero on Monday.

    Where was the marketing

    Peter Koevari, director of GP2 Entertainment, a Brisbane-based independent film production company, attended the opening screening of “Ne Zha 2” and was shocked by how little promotion this film received, although “the cinema was absolutely packed out and the film was excellent.”

    “Fantastic sound, fantastic imagery and characterization … but … where was the marketing?” said Koevari who is also director at Queensland-based FilmLab Academy. His voice-acting students recently tried their hand at dubbing a trailer for “Ne Zha 2.”

    Following the tale of an iconic boy god from Chinese mythology, “Ne Zha 2,” the highest-grossing animated movie of all time globally, has seen its box office revenue worldwide, including presales, surpass 13 billion yuan (about 1.8 billion U.S. dollars), according to ticketing platforms on Saturday.

    “The film is breaking records worldwide at exceeding levels, but it hasn’t really been marketed at all in the West — there wasn’t even a poster up and the trailers cannot be seen anywhere. The only people that know about this are those in the Chinese community or those who know people in the Chinese community… Just imagine how this film would be doing if it was marketed properly,” Koevari said.

    Ancient philosophies

    “Ne Zha 2,” the sequel to the 2019 Chinese blockbuster “Ne Zha,” is more than a high-octane, action-packed and visually stunning animated spectacle, full of hilarious moments and thrilling fight scenes. Beneath all that, it’s something much deeper: a bold re-imagining of Chinese traditional mythology, cultural history and philosophies, said Hong Yanyan, PhD candidate in communication and media studies at the University of Adelaide.

    “Ne Zha 2” carries the weight of Eastern cultural essence — Daoist balance, Confucian ethics, Mohist resistance, Legalist reform and the strategic wisdom of “The Art of War,” Hong said.

    In Daoist philosophy, evil and good, often known as Yin and Yang, are not absolute, but are rather shifting, interconnected forces, which is embodied in Ne Zha’s character in the film, she said, adding the film proves that even the smallest, most underestimated individual can change the world.

    Maryam, a viewer from Adelaide, said, “The movie really made me think about how good people are not always good, and bad people are not always bad, which made me really even look into human nature more deeply.”

    “Ren” (benevolence), a core Confucian virtue, is reflected in the film’s emotional climax when Ne Zha is struck by the “heart-piercing curse,” a brutal spell that covers his body in ten thousand thorns, causing unbearable pain and keeping him under control by targeting his heart. Ne Zha’s human mother, Lady Yin, clings to him as his thorns pierce her skin — yet she refuses to let go.

    “It’s a moment of heartbreak, parental love and inner awakening. As his mother takes her final breath, in Ne Zha’s grief, his body shatters into a million pieces. And then, he is reborn,” Hong said.

    She also highlighted the most profound transformation which comes from the dragon prince Ao Bing, whose once-imposing father Dragon King releases his grip: “Your path is yours to forge.” The weight of tradition gives way to something new, reflecting a changing China where younger generations are defining their own paths, she added.

    Beyond Daoist and Confucian ideals, “Ne Zha 2” also weaves in Legalist reform and Mohist resistance, she said, adding these philosophies challenge rigid hierarchies, or in Ne Zha’s case, “divine order,” and advocate for collective justice. The celestial-demon war itself plays out like a lesson in Sun Tzu’s Art of War.

    Penetrating cultural barriers

    “‘Ne Zha 2’ is undoubtedly another success story. People love the imaginative and legendary old story, and the high-tech special effects give the movie a new charm,” Associate Professor Gong Qian at the School of Education of Curtin University told Xinhua.

    Despite the expansion of the Chinese community in Australia, young people’s enthusiasm for Chinese culture is still some way off compared to their affinity for Japanese and Korean culture, she said.

    While lion and dragon dances, kung fu, dragon boats and Chinese festivals, often with fixed ritual times, are not easily integrated into the daily lives of Australians, Chinese vlogger Li Ziqi’s short videos, the video game “Black Myth: Wukong,” the TV series Three-Body, and TikTok are popular among Australian young people because they are more modern forms of art and entertainment, Gong added.

    “Ne Zha 2” has a “coolness” that easily penetrates cultural barriers and enters the hearts and minds of Australians, Gong said, adding there are still countless intellectual properties (IPs) in Chinese culture that need to be developed. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Spokesperson slams Australia for slandering China’s lawful military exercises

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    A spokesperson for China’s Ministry of National Defense on Sunday condemned Australia’s unfounded claims regarding China’s lawful military exercises in waters near Australia.

    Spokesperson Wu Qian made the remarks in response to a media query about Australia’s accusation of three Chinese warships’ recent activities and live-fire drills on the high seas near Australia.

    “Australia’s claims are completely unfounded,” Wu said, stating that the Chinese naval exercise took place in high seas far from Australia’s coastline.

    Wu added that China’s live-fire training was conducted with repeated safety notices that had been issued in advance.

    The spokesperson emphasized that China’s actions were entirely in accordance with international law and established practices and would not impact aviation safety.

    “Despite being fully aware of the fact, Australia has unjustly criticized China and deliberately exaggerated the issue, and we are astonished and strongly dissatisfied with this,” Wu said.

    China hopes Australia will approach the relations between the two countries and their militaries with an objective and rational attitude, show more sincerity and professionalism, and make genuine efforts to contribute to the stable development of these ties, he added. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: US urged to stop proposed restrictions on China’s maritime, logistics, shipbuilding sectors

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    China on Sunday urged the United States to stop its wrongdoing in proposing to impose restrictive measures on China’s maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors as part of its Section 301 investigation.

    The proposed measures, including the imposition of port fees, are self-damaging, said a spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Commerce. “The U.S. measures will not only fail to revitalize its shipbuilding industry but will also raise shipping costs on related routes, exacerbate its domestic inflation, reduce the global competitiveness of U.S. goods, and hurt the interests of its port operators and dockworkers,” the spokesperson said.

    The spokesperson added that these measures have aroused significant opposition within the United States, and relevant countries and organizations have also expressed their opposition to and dissatisfaction with the U.S. move.

    Earlier, the World Trade Organization (WTO) has ruled that the Section 301 tariffs violate WTO rules. Driven by domestic political needs, the United States further undermined the multilateral trading system by abusing the Section 301 investigation mechanism, the spokesperson noted.

    Since March 2024, China and the United States have communicated multiple times regarding the U.S. investigation into China’s maritime, logistics and shipbuilding sectors.

    The spokesperson said China has repeatedly reaffirmed its views on the Section 301 investigation and presented the non-paper on its position, urging the United States to adopt a rational and objective stance and stop blaming China for its domestic industrial problems.

    However, it is regrettable that the United States remains obstinate and is going further down the wrong path, the spokesperson added.

    China urged the United States to respect the facts and multilateral rules and stop its wrongdoing, the spokesperson said, noting that China will closely monitor U.S. actions and take necessary measures to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests.

    The Office of the United States Trade Representative announced on Feb. 21 that it is seeking public comment on proposed actions in the Section 301 investigation into China’s maritime, logistics and shipbuilding sectors.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Sci-fi writer Zhu Yuqing crafts epic novel

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    Sci-fi writer Zhu Yuqing’s new novel delves into interstellar civilizations, power struggles, and redefines death for humans and biological intelligences.

    The cover of “Wuhuan Xingyi.” [Image courtesy of The Writers Publishing House]

    As a part-time writer, Zhu dedicated two to three hours daily to writing whenever he found time outside his busy schedule. His new book, “Wuhuan Xingyi,” which translates as “Times Change and Stars Shift,” was published by The Writers Publishing House, and is his latest work following his popular novel “Welkin Journey” in 2022.

    The ambitious interstellar epic is set in a vast galactic civilization spanning the Earth and millions of planets. The story follows two “dead” protagonists who survive a planet-destroying catastrophe, only to discover they are a hybrid third species — created through a secret alliance between machine and biological intelligences. Rejected by the biological world, they grapple with their identity and existence, redefining life and death in a universe where they no longer belong.

    “As warriors forged in the crucible of brutal interstellar wars, the protagonists understand the overwhelming power of galactic organizations and the insignificance of individuals,” Zhu told China.org.cn. “They are pawns in a grand, secretive game, unable to control their bodies, lives or even their deaths. Yet, they cling to their inner resolve, finding purpose in fighting for the public. Despite their lack of autonomy, they believe in the spark of hope within every individual — a flame that, when ignited, can shine as brightly as the stars.”

    In the novel, the author delves into a variety of aspects as planetary civilization transitions into the realm of interstellar civilization. These include the alienation and greater uncertainties of survival rules under the vast, highly advanced cosmic civilization ecological chain; the redefinition of death for humans and biological intelligence; the escalating spiral of competition among different intelligent species; unimaginable methods of warfare after higher civilizations surpass cosmic laws; and the dynamics in the era of interstellar civilization, where power-ruling institutions are unprecedentedly strong, and the social governance structure is increasingly complex. 

    “Individuals face a profound crisis, feeling stripped of value and self-control, with the infinite starry sky reduced to insubstantial dust. For those wielding immense power, only endless territories matter,” the author explained. He mentioned that as power expands from tribes to stars in his story, the power structure and the rules of competition governing society undergo earth-shattering changes.

    He also noted that technology, while transformative, is not inherently benevolent. “It becomes a weapon for those seeking power, each vying to dominate the cosmos,” he said. “Yet, technological breakthroughs are unpredictable, and even the most powerful tools can become obsolete in an instant. In the infinite starry sky, countless forces exist, and no one can control all variables. As intelligence unravels the mysteries of ‘natural forces,’ there unfolds a high-dimensional competition of super civilizations beyond imagination.”

    Author Zhu Yuqing. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

    Zhu Yuqing first developed a strong interest in astronomy and physics around the age of 5 or 6. Even today, his desk is stacked with dozens of books on astronomy and physics, including “A Brief History of Time” and “The Universe in a Nutshell” by Stephen Hawking. He said that he continues to study the theories and research of physicists like Albert Einstein, James Clerk Maxwell and Chen Ning Yang.

    The author is an expert with the China National Committee for Terminology in Science and Technology and a specially appointed researcher at the Beijing Yuanyu Science Fiction and Future Technology Research Institute. He has served as a top executive at several major media organizations, dedicated to the practice of industrial informatization and internet communication. He has also served as the chief editor, editor and translator for multiple books.

    Although the Earth and beyond are filled with the slaughter and conspiracy of civilization’s power holders in “Wuhuan Xingyi,” love remains the most wondrous presence in the universe.

    However, falling in love is one destiny, and staying in love is another, Zhu pointed out. “Given the vastness of the starry sky, love is often unattainable. That very meteor, fleeting in the passionate gaze of life, resides eternally in the indifferent universe,” he said. “To contemplate the myriad dynamics of the world, to ask how many times has the world changed under the shifting stars; the universe is unpredictable, beyond expression.”

    Zhu Yuqing, whose favorite sci-fi novel is “Galactic Empire” by Isaac Asimov, believes science fiction encompasses grand worldviews, facilitating the exploration of profound topics such as human destiny. “Chinese science fiction also needs to develop more of its own grand cosmic worldviews, so I aim to create a cosmic worldview of our own,” he said.

    The new novel has received support and praise from such Chinese sci-fi luminaries as Wang Jinkang and Liu Cixin. Liu noted that the work has “a grand cosmic worldview of the type found in ‘The Three-Body Problem.’” Zhang Yali, chief editor of The Writers Publishing House, also stressed, “In the science fiction world, where the future fate of humanity is at stake, Chinese sci-fi stories and heroes cannot be absent.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Trump says to impose retaliatory tariffs on digital taxes

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday that he will impose retaliatory tariffs on countries that levy digital taxes on U.S. tech companies.

    When asked whether he would sign an order regarding digital taxes, Trump gave an affirmative answer.

    “We are going to be doing that, digital. What they’re doing to us in other countries is terrible with digital, so we’re going to be announcing that,” he said.

    “Though America has no such thing, and only America should be allowed to tax American firms, trading partners hand American companies a bill for something called a digital service tax,” read a fact sheet released earlier this month by the White House.

    “Canada and France use these taxes to each collect over 500 million (U.S.) dollars per year from American companies,” the White House said. “Overall, these non-reciprocal taxes cost America’s firms over 2 billion dollars per year.”

    In recent years, several European countries have actively pushed for digital taxes on the operations of large tech companies like Google, Amazon, Apple and Meta in their countries, which has been strongly opposed by the United States.

    During Trump’s first term, he initiated a “301 investigation” into the digital services taxes of several trade partners, accusing these tax measures of unfairly affecting American businesses.

    After Joe Biden took office, the United States reached a compromise with Austria, Britain, France, Italy and Spain regarding the digital services tax dispute in October 2021, and agreed to resolve the issue under the framework of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)’s global tax deal.

    But on his first day back in office on Jan. 20, Trump signed a presidential memorandum that the global corporate minimum tax deal reached under the OECD framework had “no force or effect” in the United States, effectively withdrawing from the agreement that the Biden administration had negotiated with nearly 140 countries. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: US tariff policies threaten global economy, expert warns

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Washington’s escalating protectionist policies, grounded in the “zero-sum” logic, risk destabilizing the global economic order and deepening recessionary pressures, an expert has said.

    The Trump administration’s tariff-driven agenda, which prioritizes short-term domestic gains, threatens to fracture international supply chains and undermine multilateral institutions, said Vlade Simovic, a professor of the Faculty of Political Science at the University of Banja Luka in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

    In an interview with Xinhua, he depicted the Trump administration’s move to revive high tariffs as a return to mercantilist principles.

    While Washington seeks to reshore manufacturing and reduce reliance on imports, this approach ignores the realities of globalization, said Simovic.

    Though tariffs may be politically appealing to Washington, the expert warned, they may trigger retaliatory cycles.

    “Modern economies thrive on interdependence. Disrupting this balance risks inflation, supply chain chaos and a collapse of multilateral frameworks,” he said.

    U.S. unilateralism is eroding the World Trade Organization (WTO), with Washington prioritizing bilateral deals over multilateral rules, said Simovic. “The WTO is increasingly irrelevant to the U.S. that writes its own playbook.”

    Historical parallels are alarming — protectionism in the 1930s worsened the Great Depression, he added.

    Simovic said that the European Union, as a key U.S. trade partner, faces acute vulnerabilities under U.S. tariff threats on steel, aluminum and automobiles, which pose risks to Europe’s social stability and economic growth.

    The international community must prioritize inclusive reforms to avert a preventable crisis — one where short-term political wins pave the path to long-term collective loss, he said. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: 2025 GDC offers platform for AI industry exchange

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    People interact with a robot dog at the 2025 Global Developer Conference held in Shanghai, east China, Feb. 21, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Haoming)

    Open-source large model technologies and products have taken center stage at the ongoing 2025 Global Developer Conference  (GDC) , which is being held in Shanghai from Friday to Sunday.

    The event has brought together top domestic and international artificial intelligence (AI) companies to showcase their latest technologies and solutions, attracting developers, scientists, and investors from around the world.

    At the conference, a humanoid robot developed by Chinese firm Unitree Robotics — famous for its dancing robots featured on China’s nationally televised Spring Festival gala — walked the company’s robot dog, drawing a cheering crowd of onlookers.

    “With the support of a broad base of developers, artificial intelligence is developing rapidly, particularly as recent breakthroughs in open-source large model technologies and products create new opportunities and space for the development of China’s artificial intelligence industry,” said Xiong Jijun, vice minister of industry and information technology in a speech at the conference, on Saturday.

    Xiong noted that China’s AI industry is thriving, particularly with the widespread acceptance of open-source principles. Currently, the country ranks second in the world in terms of the number of open-source contributors.

    Yang Haijun, chief engineer of the Shanghai municipal cyberspace administration, told the conference that China is among the first countries to introduce regulations for the management of generative AI services.

    Data from iResearch, an industry research and consulting institute, indicates that China’s AI industry is projected to reach 811 billion yuan (about 111.8 billion U.S. dollars) by 2028, with emerging sectors such as AI and robotics poised to unlock significant market potential and development opportunities.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Award-winning US photographers bring China stories to life on American campus

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    In a lecture hall at the California State University, Long Beach (CSULB), a series of striking photographs transported the audience across the Pacific — into the bustling markets of south China’s Guangdong Province, the serene villages of the Yao ethnic minority, and the rhythmic movements of the traditional Yingge folk dance.

    The images were part of a special exhibition capturing the essence of China through the creative lens of four award-winning American photographers.

    Last November, the photographers embarked on an 11-day journey across Guangdong, exploring its rich history, diverse communities, and evolving modern identity. From daily life to traditional celebrations, they documented the province’s vibrancy, culture, and rapid development.

    At a storytelling event at CSULB on Thursday, the photographers shared their experiences with students, scholars, and faculty, offering a firsthand account of their journey.

    Fresh perspectives on China

    “One thing that really impressed me about China, particularly in Guangdong Province, is the widespread use of electric vehicles — not just cars, but also motor scooters and other transportation,” said Michael Nelson, a recipient of the U.S. National Press Photographers Association’s Best of Photojournalism award.

    “In downtown areas of these massive cities with populations exceeding 20 million, it’s surprisingly quiet. You don’t smell exhaust fumes, and the air feels clean. It’s a healthier environment,” Nelson added, recalling his time in China.

    He told Xinhua he was struck by China’s technological advancements, openness, and commitment to environmental sustainability.

    From intricate face painting and traditional folk dances to enduring Kung Fu practices and local delicacies, the photographers sought to document not only China’s landscapes and traditions, but also the spirit of its people and the dynamic transformation of modern Chinese society.

    “We were free to take pictures, and the people we met were very friendly,” said Irfan Khan, a Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer recognized for his team’s breaking news coverage of the 2015 San Bernardino terrorist attack.

    “Chinese people enjoy their lives. They are hardworking, disciplined, and very well-organized,” Khan noted, calling the culture “vibrant” and “colorful.”

    He was particularly impressed by China’s advanced digital payment systems. “Even in the smallest villages, at tiny kiosks selling candies and other goods, you can use Alipay or scan a QR code to pay instead of using cash,” Khan said.

    Nelson echoed this sentiment: “From rural areas to major cities, technology is making life more convenient and improving efficiency for people everywhere.”

    Bridging cultures through photography

    For the four photographers, the trip left a lasting impact, deepening their understanding of China’s culture and way of life.

    For many in the audience, the exhibition and storytelling session provided a rare, unfiltered view of China beyond the headlines. Some were particularly drawn to the depictions of daily life — children playing in village courtyards, artisans crafting intricate works, and elders practicing Tai Chi in local parks.

    “It’s amazing to experience cultural differences through their photography,” Mariana Barrios, a staff member of the International Training Program at CSULB, told Xinhua.

    “You see a little bit of everything — choreographed performances, food, people’s daily activities, stunning architecture, and the unique atmospheres they captured,” she noted.

    “The expressions on people’s faces in these photos really convey their emotions. Whether it’s a group gathering around a table or someone quietly enjoying a cup of tea, these images help us better understand how Chinese people live their daily lives,” Barrios added.

    CSULB President Jane Close Conoley underscored the importance of fostering cultural understanding in today’s world.

    “This is a time when we should be doubling down on building person-to-person and culture-to-culture understanding,” she said.

    She reaffirmed the university’s commitment to organizing more events like this to facilitate cultural connections and deepen mutual understanding between different communities. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Crowds cheer as record-breaking ‘Ne Zha 2’ hits HK screens

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    Chinese animated blockbuster “Ne Zha 2” hit Hong Kong screens on Saturday in a much-anticipated general release, after smashing box office records on the Chinese mainland and becoming the highest-grossing animated movie of all time globally.

    “It’s a blessing to be able to watch this blockbuster ‘national animation’ screening right at our doorstep,” a local resident surnamed Hui told Xinhua, eager to feel the spiritual strength of Chinese mythology through advanced animation techniques.

    On the opening day in Hong Kong, the film was screened more than 500 times, with around 200 screenings boasting over 50 percent occupancy, and some showings reported full houses, drawing large crowds and frequent cheers.

    Of major cinema chains, Emperor Cinemas and Broadway Circuit featured the film in nine and 12 theaters, respectively, with strong pre-sale performance.

    At Cine-Art House in Causeway Bay, one of the city’s biggest shopping hubs, viewers were queuing to check their tickets, some of whom were coming to watch for the second time after a sneak peek in neighboring Shenzhen in the Chinese mainland.

    “The film has achieved a new pinnacle in Chinese animation, thanks to its impressive special effects, engaging plot, and rich cultural expressions,” a film buff surnamed Chan told Xinhua.

    Some said they resonated most with the rebellious protagonist, Ne Zha, as he rediscovered his identity on a treacherous journey, while others said they were moved by Ne Zha’s heart-wrenching departure from his mother.

    Ma Fung-kwok, a member of the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and chairman of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles Hong Kong Member Association, attributed the success of the “Ne Zha” series to the rapid advancement of film production in the Chinese mainland, calling for closer cooperation with mainland filmmakers to tell good stories about China.

    A sequel to the 2019 hit “Ne Zha 1,” “Ne Zha 2” continued to build on the beloved Chinese mythology surrounding the character and has been celebrated as a milestone for Chinese animation.

    Ticket platform tallies indicated that as of Feb. 22, the film has grossed over 13 billion yuan (about 1.8 billion U.S. dollars) at the box office, ranking the eighth in global box office history. 

    MIL OSI China News –