The Chinese side of Mount Qomolangma received 13,764 foreign tourists in 2024 -- more than twice the number recorded in 2023 -- a notable sign of booming international tourism following China's relaxation of its visa policies.

According to the bureau of culture and tourism of Tingri County, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, where the northern base camp of the world's highest peak is located, these tourists are mainly from countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, Germany and France.

China has provided unilateral visa-free access to travelers from 38 countries -- allowing stays of up to 30 days. In terms of visa-free transit, the country has extended the permitted stay period for eligible foreign travelers from the previous either 72 hours or 144 hours to 240 hours, which is likely to attract more international tourists in the new year.

Dmitry Afonin, a tourist from Belarus, visited the Mount Qomolangma scenic area with his friends in late 2024. He said transportation and accommodation had both proven to be very convenient in Xizang.

"We spotted blue sheep along the way. The ecology here is well-protected," he added.

Xizang in 2023 lifted travel restrictions imposed during the pandemic period and reopened to international tourists. In the same year, the scenic area at Mount Qomolangma saw about 6,500 foreign tourists.

Tashi Dondrup, head of Tingri County, said thanks to the region's further opening up, it will be even more convenient for global tourists to visit Mount Qomolangma.

Located at the China-Nepal border, Mount Qomolangma reaches an altitude of more than 8,840 meters, with its northern section located in Xizang.  

As the clock ticked into 2025, several Chinese localities launched a new wave of major projects, with an emphasis on strategic emerging industries and technological innovation which underlines development of new quality productive forces.

Chinese analysts said that the rapid advancement of projects offers a strong start to this year's economic development. The swift progress of projects can quickly generate tangible output, effectively driving investment growth and providing robust support for stable economic growth. It also stands to boost confidence and expectations for the first quarter's economic performance.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang has called for efforts to ensure the effective implementation of policies and secure a good start for this year's economic development during his inspection tour in the city of Jinan in East China's Shandong Province, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

While conducting the tour on Thursday, Li also stressed the need for efforts to implement policies as early as possible, seek rapid progress with projects and ensure that the measures yield tangible results.

Launch of major projects in multiple regions

At the beginning of 2025, the Yangtze River Delta region in East China launched a new wave of projects, focusing on strategic emerging industries and accelerating innovation, according to Shanghai Securities News.

On Thursday, the first working day of 2025, East China's Anhui Province held a meeting to kick off its first batch of 622 major projects this year, with a total investment of 405.75 billion yuan ($55.44 billion). There are 344 projects related to emerging industries, accounting for 55.3 percent of the total, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

Jinhua, East China's Zhejiang Province initiated 40 projects at the beginning of 2025, the largest being a solar energy project with investment totaling 7.24 billion yuan. Other major projects include a 5.89 billion yuan electric-vehicle supply chain innovation park and a 5 billion yuan auto parts production base, China Media Group reported.

In Shanghai's Yangpu district, 100 major projects were scheduled for 2025, including industrial development and urban renewal, according to the official website of Yangpu district government.

Xiamen in East China's Fujian Province launched a significant project launch event on Thursday, featuring 77 major projects totaling 77.5 billion yuan, covering various sectors. A total of 41.9 billion yuan has been invested in projects such as new energy, new materials, biomedicine, machinery and equipment, and the marine economy, according to the official website of the Xiamen municipal government.

In Wenchang, South China's Hainan Province, 23 projects were initiated with a total investment of 5.15 billion yuan, including key developments to promote the rocket and satellite industry cluster in the city, according to the official website of Hainan provincial government.

The beginning of this year has seen a surge in major projects across various regions, characterized by rapid progress and substantial investment scales. This trend reflects the unwavering confidence and determination of local governments and enterprises to drive economic development, as they take proactive measures to foster high-quality growth, Wang Peng, an associate research fellow at the Beijing Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Friday.

"Among the newly launched projects, we are seeing a significant emphasis on technological innovation and strategic emerging industries, which underlines development for new quality productive forces. This shift toward forward-looking initiatives not only enhances the competitiveness and innovation capabilities of local industries but also creates new growth opportunities for sustainable economic development," Wang added.

Cong Yi, a professor at the Tianjin School of Administration, told the Global Times on Friday that these projects can generate a significant multiplier effect, effectively stimulate economic growth and foster the development of related industries.

"In this critical period of economic restructuring and transformation, these major projects often focus on emerging industries, and will play a vital role in promoting green development and facilitating economic transformation," Cong said, noting the progress is expected to enhance confidence and expectations for the economic growth in the first quarter this year.

In the first three quarters of 2024, China's fixed-asset investment rose 3.4 percent, spurred by vibrant capital influx into high-tech industries. Investment in the high-tech sector has seen rapid growth, while green industries, including electric vehicles, lithium-ion batteries and photovoltaic products, maintained double-digit increases, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

China will increase investment in major projects and expand the scope of trade-in programs in 2025, according to a press conference held by the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), China's top economic planner, on Friday.

The NDRC said that projects supported by the 700 billion yuan ultra-long special treasury bonds for 2024 have mostly commenced, while investments exceeding 1.2 trillion yuan have been completed. Additionally, the project list for approximately 100 billion yuan for 2025 has been issued ahead of schedule.

The NDRC said it will further focus on improving investment efficiency, and effectively leverage the key role of investment in 2025.

Among these efforts, China will increase the issuance scale of the ultra-long special treasury bonds, expand the scope to support the implementation of major national strategies and build up security capacity in key areas, and further increase the proportion of government bond funds allocated to projects, according to the NDRC.

Broaden trade-in programs

The NDRC also said that China will increase the issuance of ultra-long special treasury bonds to broaden coverage and raise subsidy levels for large-scale equipment upgrades and consumer goods trade-ins this year.

Subsidies will be implemented for the purchase of new digital products such as mobile phones, tablets, and smartwatches, offering financial incentives for individual purchases of these devices.

Furthermore, the incentive levels for replacing new-energy city buses and upgrading power batteries, the updating of agricultural machinery, and the replacement of household furnishings and decorations are set to rise.

Looking ahead to 2025, China's expansive consumer market advantages remain steadfast and the consumer market is projected to sustain steady growth, the NDRC said.

Yang Delong, chief economist at Shenzhen-based First Seafront Fund told the Global Times on Friday that it shows that the policies are continuously being strengthened, and once again sends a positive signal of China's commitment to boosting high-quality economic growth.

"It is expected that more policies supporting economic growth will be implemented by 2025," Yang said.

During the three-day visit of the Maldivian Foreign Minister, Abdulla Khaleel, to India, some Indian media outlets linked China-Maldives cooperation, which is unrelated to the visit, to Maldives-India relations. Experts say this is an outdated mindset of the Indian media to exert pressure on South Asian countries.

NDTV, an Indian media outlet, said that the ties between India and the Maldives came under severe strain after Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu took charge of the top office in November 2023.

India may not hold a dominant position globally, but in the South Asian region, India views itself as a leader, Long Xingchun, a professor from the School of International Relations at Sichuan International Studies University, told the Global Times on Friday.

The Tribune India publishing an article titled "Maldives minister in Delhi as FTA with China kicks in" on Friday.

Qian Feng, director of the research department at the National Strategy Institute at Tsinghua University, told the Global Times that the Indian media's tendency to conflate unrelated issues indicates their intent to pressure South Asian countries. They often engage in sensationalism in an attempt to coerce these nations into yielding to their pressure, thereby pursuing their own interests, Qian noted.

Indian media inherently view South Asia as their sphere of influence, seeking to exclude other major powers in the region, Qian said.

Long said the Indian media's concerns lack basis, noting that China refrains from pressuring South Asian countries to take sides and instead promotes regional collaboration among these neighboring nations, including India. Furthermore, China has proposed the philosophy of trilateral cooperation, demonstrating confidence, inclusivity, and a focus on practical partnerships, according to Long.

China will always support the Maldives' effort to protect its sovereignty and independence, territorial integrity and national dignity, and support the Maldives' search for a development path that suits the country's reality, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said during his meeting with Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu on September 23, 2024.

It is the wish of China to carry forward its traditional friendship with Maldives and march alongside Maldives at the forefront of the endeavor to build a community with a shared future for mankind, Wang added.

A deep sinkhole appeared in the kitchen of Hu Yuzhen, an elderly woman in Xiangping Village, Fuquan, Southwest China's Guizhou Province, recently. Sinkhole disasters in the village have severely disrupted residents' lives and caused significant property damage. Emergency relocation and post-disaster reconstruction efforts have been launched by local authorities, according to Hongxing News.

Since August 2022, the village has experienced frequent sinkhole disasters, with 32 sinkholes recorded so far, some as deep as three meters. According to geological experts from Guizhou Province, geological experts have attributed the sinkholes to the fragile karst topography in the region. 

This has been exacerbated by prolonged groundwater extraction by nearby coal mines, causing a significant drop in the water table, which destabilized the surface layer and triggered the formation of sinkholes.

The villagers' lives have been significantly disrupted. Local springs have dried up, making traditional rice farming nearly impossible, and many families have experienced severe damage to their farmland and homes.

In May, the Fuquan Natural Resources Bureau designated Xiangping village as a high-risk geological disaster zone, affecting 85 households and causing economic losses estimated at 15 million yuan ($2.05 million). Experts identified both natural and human-induced factors as contributors.

Hu and other affected villagers were temporarily relocated to a previously abandoned school. Evacuation routes and warning signs have been installed in certain areas for safety.

Representatives of the relevant coal mines committed to supporting recovery efforts and considering the engagement of third-party investigators to examine the disaster's causes further. 

To ensure the safety and livelihood of the villagers, the government proposed three resettlement options, including local reconstruction, guaranteed housing, or financial compensation. The construction of new houses is being expedited.

On June 26, the 55MW/110MWh energy storage power station of China Resources Power successfully achieved full-capacity grid connection in one attempt, marking the first grid-side new-type energy storage project operated by China Resources Power Holdings Company Limited in Taizhou and also the first new-type energy storage power station put into operation in the Taizhou region.

The construction of grid-side new-type energy storage projects is a key task for ensuring power supply during peak summer demand in Jiangsu Province in 2024. It is of great significance in supporting the province's new energy consumption, promoting green transformation, facilitating high-quality development of the energy industry, and achieving carbon peaking and neutrality goals.

Located in the Science and Technology Park in Dainan township, this new-type energy storage power station covers a total area of approximately 41.346 acres with a total installed capacity of 55MW/110MWh. The project has installed 17 sets of 3.35MW/6.7MWh energy storage subsystems, which are aggregated and boosted to 110kV. A new 110kV line is constructed and T-connected to the 110kV Jixun-Guzhuang line, and then connected to the grid at the 220kV Guzhuang substation.

This energy storage power station is expected to have an average annual discharge capacity of approximately 36,000MWh and undergo 365 charging and discharging cycles annually, effectively enhancing the safety, economy, reliability, and flexibility of the regional power grid. Upon completion, the project will contribute to forming a 55MW new-type energy storage emergency peaking capacity in Taizhou before this year's peak summer demand period.

On Tuesday, the General Administration of Sport of China and the Ministry of Public Security held a joint news conference in Dalian, Northeast China's Liaoning Province, about their crackdown on match-fixing, betting, and biased refereeing in professional football leagues. The conference reported on the strict legal actions taken by public security authorities against illegal activities in the football sector, including betting and match-fixing, as well as the disciplinary measures imposed by the Chinese Football Association (CFA) on 61 individuals involved in these cases. Among them, 43 individuals have been banned for life from football-related activities. This marks the first batch of "life bans" issued by the CFA. The General Administration of Sport of China and the CFA will continue to announce relevant penalties based on the lists provided by the Ministry of Public Security's public security administration bureau.

This significant industry penalty has attracted widespread attention both domestically and internationally. One reason for this is that the Chinese men's national soccer team recently suffered a 0-7 defeat to the Japanese team in a World Cup qualifier on Thursday, setting three "shameful records": the largest margin of defeat to Japan, the most goals conceded in a single World Cup qualifier match, and the largest margin of defeat in World Cup qualifiers. The team's performance in this match, which was widely deemed "completely lacking in fighting spirit," has sparked immense anger among the Chinese public and prompted reflection on the long-standing, deep-rooted issues plaguing Chinese football once again.

The public's anger and disappointment with the Chinese men's soccer team for "not living up to expectations" is entirely understandable. As the most popular and widely participated sport in the world, soccer has a unique ability to evoke collective emotions. It is inherently tied to sportsmanship, national pride, and identity. The national team jerseys worn by the players carry the hopes and expectations of countless citizens who long for them to fight for the country and for glory. On Thursday evening, in the stands of Saitama Stadium in Japan, Chinese fans displayed a banner that read: "With my sincere heart, may you find your fighting spirit!" In a sense, soccer matches are not just about winning or losing; they are about whether the team can stand tall and give their all, demonstrating the resilience and fighting spirit that is expected of them in the face of tough opponents and pressure.

In the past, China has lacked world-class coaches, good training environments and facilities in many sports, but it has never lacked spirit and determination. The Chinese men's national soccer team has also given us many memorable moments. For example, during the 2017 World Cup qualifiers, Chinese team defeated South Korean team, turning Changsha into a sea of joy that night. Many Chinese fans sang the national anthem with tears in their eyes and marched through the streets waving national flags late into the night. In the 2022 East Asian Football Championship game, Chinese team drew 0-0 with Japan. Despite being at a disadvantage, the team showed fighting spirit and determination, earning widespread praise at home. And who could forget the qualifiers of 2002 World Cup, co-hosted by South Korea and Japan, when the Chinese men's team overcame many challenges to finally make it to the World Cup finals? The memories of the country celebrating its qualification are still vivid for many.

It is precisely because of these memories that, in the face of one "surrendered" match after another, people repeatedly ask: Where has the fighting spirit of the Chinese men's soccer team gone? Systemic corruption in the industry is widely considered one of the main reasons. The revelations at the press conference on September 10 were shocking: 120 matches involving match-fixing and betting have been confirmed, encompassing the Chinese Super League, China League One, China League Two, the Chinese FA Cup, and China Women's Super League. A total of 41 clubs across these leagues were involved. The government could thoroughly investigate the match-fixing, betting, and biased refereeing in soccer, leaving no stone unturned - this is the inevitable demand from the Chinese public, whose blame stems from a deep love for soccer.

Revitalizing Chinese football requires not only rectification and adjustment but also systematic reform at the foundational level. The Overall Plan for China's Football Reform and Development emphasizes that football development should combine a long-term vision with a solid foundation, highlighting the need to strengthen the population base, infrastructure, management, and cultural foundation of football, while persistently exerting effort for long-term success. This is not something that can be resolved overnight; however, as long as the direction is correct, we need not fear the distance. This simple truth is equally applicable to Chinese football.

On Tuesday evening, the Chinese team hosted Saudi Arabia, currently ranked fourth in Asia, in Dalian, for a 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian Football Confederation qualifier game. Although the national soccer team ultimately lost 1-2 to the Saudi Arabian team, there were noticeable changes compared to their previous match against the Japanese team. However, this game further exposed the objective gap in technical abilities between the Chinese team and other teams. This serves as an opportunity for the national team to reassess themselves and start anew. Tuesday evening should be a starting point for the national team to recognize shame and inspire bravery. They need to accept and confront the current situation, follow the developmental laws of football, and establish a solid foundation for the sport. Additionally, they should exercise ample patience. As football reforms continue to deepen, the Chinese team should strive to play with skill, determination, and dignity on a clean pitch, and the public eagerly anticipates the arrival of that day.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has urged efforts to make solid progress toward the strategic goal of building China into a leading country in education.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks at a national meeting on education held in Beijing from Monday to Tuesday.

Tuesday marks the 40th Teachers' Day in China. On behalf of the CPC Central Committee, Xi sent greetings to teachers and others working in the education sector across the country.

Following the Super Typhoon Yagi which hit South China's Hainan Province over the weekend, schools and transportation services in Hainan - including high-speed rail, flights, shuttle services - are gradually returning to normal as of Monday.

Three airports in Hainan, affected by the typhoon, gradually resumed operation on Sunday, according to the China News Service (CNS). Qionghai Boao Airport and Sanya Phoenix International Airport have resumed flights on Saturday. Haikou Meilan International Airport, which was severely affected by the disaster, resumed flights from Sunday.

Seaports on the island are set to resume shipping, with a priority on cargo transport on Sunday. As of Sunday afternoon, 122 out of the 152 bus routes in Haikou have been restored, while the remaining 30 routes are likely to resume soon. A number of scenic spots in Hainan have also reopened and resumed operations.

A resident from the provincial capital Haikou told the Global Times on Monday that water and electricity have been almost completely restored to Haikou's urban areas. However, another local resident said that fallen trees can still be seen blocking the road sometimes while driving, and calling ride-hailing services may take longer, as many drivers are struggling to find charging stations for their vehicles following the storm.

Primary, secondary and vocational schools in the city will resume classes in batches from Monday to Wednesday, according to the Education Department of Haikou. Kindergartens across the city will resume on Thursday.

All schools should also conduct a comprehensive inspection of campus safety hazards and carry out cleaning and disinfection. Key areas to check include school buildings, walls, electrical wiring, educational facilities, and drinking water safety, according to the department.

The China Meteorological Administration identified Super Typhoon Yagi as the strongest autumn typhoon to make landfall in the Chinese mainland since 1949. It moved into northern Vietnam on Saturday, causing widespread destruction and power outages. As of Monday, 64 people have died in Vietnam, with 49 victims lost to landslides and flash floods, media reported.

China's central authorities sent a congratulatory message to the country's Paralympic delegation on Sunday for their accomplishments and sportsmanship at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games.

"You have won glory for our country and people, and we extend warm congratulations and heartfelt compliments to you," read a message jointly sent by the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the State Council, China's cabinet.

China claimed 94 gold, 76 silver and 50 bronze medals at the Paris Paralympics, topping the medal table for the sixth consecutive time.

"You have marked the new heights of our country's para-sports with your high-spirited morale, unyielding spirit and excellent performances, and demonstrated the new development achievements of our country's cause of persons with disabilities in the new era," read the message.

"You have vigorously promoted the Chinese sports spirit and the Paralympic spirit, challenging the limits, striving for excellence, and showcasing your self-confidence, optimism, openness and friendliness. In doing so, you have demonstrated China's spirit and image to the world," added the message.

The CPC Central Committee and the State Council called on the athletes to continue to carry forward the glorious tradition of para-sports to strive for athletic excellence, encourage persons with disabilities to exercise to achieve their dreams, and inspire all aspects of society to pursue a happy and fulfilling life.

China and the US, the world's two biggest economies, are set to hold a high-level meeting on Saturday in China to exchange views on China-US economic and trade relations as well as issues of common concern, maintaining the positive momentum on high-level engagement between the two sides as senior Chinese and US officials are holding or scheduled to hold meetings in multiple fields including climate and military.

However, ahead of the talks, the US announced a flurry of actions, including new export curbs on critical technologies including quantum computing and semiconductor goods, widely seen as primarily targeting China. Analysts called on the US to handle relations with China from the perspective of a responsible major country and join hands with China to maintain normal global trade order and reasonable market competition, which will benefit the whole world.

The vice-ministerial meeting of the China-US commercial and trade working group, the second of its kinds,  will be co-chaired by China International Trade Representative and Vice Minister of Commerce Wang Shouwen and the US Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Marisa Lago. The two sides will exchange views on a wide range of issues, including their respective concerns about economic and trade policies, appeals from businesses and pragmatic cooperation, according to the Chinese Commerce Ministry.

Enhancing bilateral dialogues is necessary in addressing certain issues of concern to both sides and helps stabilize bilateral ties, especially in the economic and trade fields, said He Weiwen, senior fellow from the Center for China and Globalization. 

The upcoming meeting of the China-US commercial and trade working group continued the momentum of recent increased interactions between Chinese and US officials. 

Following US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's China trip in late August, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with US Senior Advisor to the President for International Climate Policy John Podesta on Friday. The US is reportedly planning to send a deputy assistant secretary of defense to 11th Beijing Xiangshan Forum this month. 

Given the US' foreign policy of "decoupling" from and cracking down on China is fundamentally unchanged, it is expected the Chinese side will likely raise concerns over a series of unilateral policies from the US, for example, plans to impose hefty additional tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles and export restrictions of tech products targeting China at the upcoming commercial and trade talks, He said. 

The Biden administration plans to impose export controls on critical technologies including quantum computing and semiconductor goods, seeking to align the US with allies working to thwart advancements in China and other adversarial nations, media reported.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Friday that China is opposed to the US turning trade and tech issues into political issues and weapons. Obstructing normal cooperation on tech and trade and economic exchange violates the principle of market economy, destabilizes global industrial and supply chains and serves no one's interest.

It is a familiar gimmick made by the US to leverage unilateral measures as a bargaining chip ahead of talks with China. This also indicates the challenges of the upcoming trade talks between the two countries, Bao Jianyun, director of the Center for International Political Economy Studies at Renmin University of China, told the Global Times.

However, despite the US' political maneuvers, China has showed sincerity and is trying to boost bilateral relations back to normal track, Bao said. "In combination, the output of the Chinese and US economies accounted for over 40 percent of the global total in 2023, and thus it bears monumental significance for the two countries to maintaining global economic stability," he said.

US should view its relations with Beijing from the perspective of a responsible major country and join hands with China to maintain normal global trade order and reasonable market competition, which will not only benefit the two countries but the whole world, Bao said.