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Editor's note: 

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Thailand and China. In an exclusive interview with the Global Times, Chinese Ambassador to Thailand Han Zhiqiang said that the two countries are emphasizing the alignment of development strategies, deepening cooperation in emerging economic and technological fields, and making preparations for the historic state visit of the Thailand's King to China in the second half of this year.

Recently, the telecom fraud along the Thai-Myanmar border has drawn much attention. As China, Myanmar and Thailand have stepped up their crackdown on telecom fraud compounds, those compounds in Myanmar have successively released about 7,000 people from more than 20 countries. 

Thai foreign ministry spokesperson Nikorndej Balankura told reporters that the government plans to repatriate 1,500 people per week, or 300 each weekday, with "regular repatriations of Chinese nationals every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday," according to the AFP.

Han said China appreciates Thailand's effort for taking strong measures to dismantle telecom fraud gangs and safeguard the lives and property of citizens of China and other countries. China will continue to deepen law enforcement cooperation with relevant countries, including Thailand, step up efforts to combat cross-border criminal activities such as telecom fraud, online gambling, and human trafficking, fully assist in the investigation, search, rescue and release of missing and trapped people, and effectively safeguard the lives, property and legitimate rights and interests of the people.

GT: In February this year, Prime Minister of Thailand Paetongtarn Shinawatra paid her first official visit to China after assuming office. What do you think is the significance of this visit? What are your expectations for the future of China-Thailand relations?

Han: From February 5th to 8th, the Thailand Prime Minister paid her first official visit to China and attended the opening ceremony of the 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin. The visit yielded fruitful results. This visit took place at the beginning of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Thailand and the "golden jubilee" of their friendship. The leaders of the two countries had in-depth exchanges of views on bilateral relations as well as regional and international issues, and reached important consensuses.

During Paetongtarn's visit, the leaders of the two countries reaffirmed their mutual support on issues concerning each other's core interests and major concerns. 

China supports Thailand in following a development path that suits its national conditions, and Thailand reaffirmed its firm commitment to the one-China principle and its non-support for "Taiwan independence." The two sides emphasized the need to strengthen the alignment of development strategies, deepen cooperation in emerging economic and technological fields, and prepare for the historic state visit of the Thailand's King to China in the second half of this year.

Thai PM's visit has further strengthened the political mutual trust between China and Thailand and further consolidated the foundation for the two countries to jointly build a community with a shared future.

Paetongtarn's visit has also injected strong impetus into practical cooperation. China has been Thailand's largest trading partner, its largest export market for agricultural products, and also its main source of foreign investment and foreign tourists for 12 consecutive years. 

Cooperation between the two countries has been booming. During the visit, the leaders of the two countries witnessed the signing of several cooperation documents, and discussed strengthening connectivity under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, deepening cooperation in the industrial and supply chain, enhancing law enforcement security and judicial cooperation, as well as expanding cooperation in emerging fields such as the digital economy and new energy vehicles. 

It has promoted a new upsurge in people-to-people and cultural exchanges. The Sacred Buddha Relic, a revered symbol of Buddhist devotion housed at Beijing's Lingguang Temple, was temporarily enshrined in Thailand from December 5, 2024, to February 14, 2025, which received a warm response from all sectors of Thai society. 

During the Spring Festival, Thailand's King Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana held a Spring Festival ancestor worship ceremony. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand attended the celebration activities in Bangkok's Chinatown, and Prime Minister Paetongtarn issued a Chinese New Year greeting message using AI. 

During Paetongtarn's visit, the two sides unanimously agreed to explore international cooperation on giant pandas, deepen and expand exchanges and cooperation in various fields such as culture, tourism, education, and sports, and continuously promote mutual understanding and friendship between the people of the two countries, so that the China-Thailand friendship can be passed down from generation to generation.

Against the backdrop of the accelerated evolution of the profound changes unseen in a century, the sluggish global economic recovery, and the rising trends of protectionism and unilateralism, the two countries are faced with common external challenges and share common interests and similar views on many international and regional issues. 

China and Thailand need to strengthen coordination in safeguarding international fairness and justice, upholding the multilateral trading system, and promoting the improvement of global economic governance. 

During Thai PM's visit, the Thailand side clearly expressed its support for China's initiatives, including jointly building the Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative. 

The two sides agreed to strengthen strategic communication under multilateral platforms such as the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the BRICS countries, and the Asian Cooperation Dialogue. The friendly cooperation between China and Thailand will help the two countries jointly address global risks and challenges, and make positive contributions to regional and world peace, stability and prosperity.  

Looking ahead, we are confident in the bright prospects of China and Thailand jointly building a community with a shared future. 

First, we will maintain close high-level exchanges and dialogues, deepen strategic communication, jointly address external risks and challenges, and continuously advance the building of a China-Thailand community with a shared future in a deeper and more practical manner. 

Second, we will implement the important consensuses reached by the leaders of the two countries, deepen cooperation in connectivity, economic and trade investment, green development, the digital economy, and other fields, boost the modernization process of our respective countries, promote people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and create a more substantial and significant next "golden jubilee" of China-Thailand friendship. 

Third, we will strengthen regional multilateral communication, deepen cooperation under the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation framework, China-ASEAN cooperation, and cooperation within the framework of the United Nations, contribute to maintaining regional peace and stability, promote the pooling of strength among countries in the "Global South," and work toward building a more just and reasonable global governance system.

GT: Thailand's cabinet recently approved the second phase of the high-speed rail project that will connect the Southeast Asian country with China through Laos, with completion expected in 2030. The China-Thailand Railway is an important cooperation project under the Belt and Road Initiative between the two countries. Could you share this project's latest progress? And what impact will this project have on the economies of the two countries?

Han: During Paetongtarn's visit, leaders of the two countries reached important consensuses on the proper implementation of flagship projects such as the China-Thailand Railway and on promoting the early achievement of more results in the concept of the connected development among China, Laos and Thailand. 

The Thai side stated that it will accelerate the construction of the first phase of the China-Thailand Railway and will launch the second phase within this year. China highly commended this and will provide assistance.

The China-Thailand Railway is not only a new efficient and safe land passage for the flow of people and goods between China and Thailand, but also an important part of the major transportation artery in the Indo-China Peninsula. 

In the future, the China-Thailand Railway will be further extended southward and connected with the railway networks of Malaysia and Singapore, which can further promote the connectivity between China and Southeast Asian countries. 

This "trans-Asian Railway" can also be connected to Europe via the China-Europe freight trains, and its prospects are indeed limitless. The China-Laos Railway has been operating smoothly for more than three years. And the completion of the China-Thailand Railway will contribute to the realization of the goal of connected development among China, Laos and Thailand, and bring benefits to the people of the three countries.

GT: Since the implementation of the visa-exemption agreement between China and Thailand on March 1, 2024, nearly a year has passed. How do you evaluate the role of the visa-exemption agreement in promoting personnel exchanges between the two sides? What potential do you think there is for further cooperation between the two countries in the cultural industry?

Han: Since the implementation of the visa exemption agreement between China and Thailand, the people of the two countries have been traveling to each other's countries, and the people-to-people and cultural exchanges between China and Thailand have reached a new high. 

In 2024, the number of Chinese tourists visiting Thailand reached 6.733 million, accounting for 19 percent of the total number of foreign tourists in Thailand and ranking first. The number of Thai tourists traveling to China has increased rapidly. In 2024, it exceeded 1.1 million, nearly three times higher than that in 2023, far exceeding the level before the pandemic, and China has become one of the most popular overseas travel destinations for Thai tourists. 

According to the forecasts of the tourism industry associations of China and Thailand, the number of Chinese tourists traveling to Thailand will further recover significantly in 2025, and the number of Thai tourists traveling to China will continue to rise.

In recent years, with the help of new carriers such as film and television dramas, games, online literature, and cultural and creative trendy play products, Chinese culture and development concepts have been attracting increasing attention and welcome from the Thai people, especially the younger generation, in a more fashionable, diverse, and open manner, thus becoming a new window for Thais to understand China. 

At the same time, China and Thailand are important markets for each other's cultural products going global and for soft power economic cooperation. The two countries can further strengthen the alignment of development strategies in the cultural and creative industries, and enhance exchanges in aspects such as policy exchanges, talent cultivation, digital technology empowerment, and the improvement of the international competitiveness of cultural products. 

The cooperation in the cultural industries between China and Thailand is not only an important force to promote people-to-people and cultural exchanges, but also a new economic growth point for both sides.

GT: Recently, the telecom fraud on the Thailand-Myanmar border has drawn close attention. How do you evaluate the recent measures cracking down on telecom fraud taken by Thailand? Could you introduce the latest progress of the cooperation between China and Thailand in combating telecom fraud and other transnational criminal activities?

Han: Recently, in response to the continuous occurrence of vicious online gambling and telecom fraud cases on the Thailand-Myanmar border, China, Thailand, and Myanmar have jointly launched a concentrated crackdown operation. 

Many telecom fraud compounds have been eradicated, and a large number of suspects have been arrested. More than 2,000 Chinese nationality criminal suspects have been repatriated to China. China has expressed its appreciation for the strong measures taken by Thailand to destroy the telecom fraud gangs and safeguard the lives and property of Chinese and other countries' citizens.

China will continue to deepen law enforcement cooperation with relevant countries, including Thailand, step up efforts to combat cross-border criminal activities such as telecom fraud, online gambling, and human trafficking. 

China will assist in the investigation, search, rescue and release of missing and trapped people, effectively safeguard the lives, property and legitimate rights and interests of the people, and jointly maintain regional peace. At the same time, we also require Chinese citizens overseas to strictly abide by local laws and regulations and refrain from engaging in criminal activities.

New Zealand media hyped that China plans to "construct its second base on the New Zealand side of Antarctica." A Chinese expert highlighted China's stance of being open to cooperation in advancing exploration and at the same time warned against voices politicizing scientific research.

China has now submitted a draft environmental evaluation to the Secretariat of the Antarctic Treaty for the construction and operation of a new summer research station at Marie Byrd Land, the New Zealand Herald reported on Friday. 

The submission was confirmed by New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, according to the report. 

According to the draft environmental evaluation dated February, Marie Byrd Land is located in West Antarctica, nestled between the Ross Sea and the Amundsen Sea, to the south of the Getz Ice Shelf.

The proposed new summer station is positioned as one of the key international platforms supporting multi-factor observation and research of the atmosphere, glaciers and ice shelves, and oceans in West Antarctica under the backdrop of global climate change, the elevation report says. 

It aims to provide more effective long-term scientific data support for studies on the stability of the West Antarctic ice sheet and its key influencing factors, according to the report.

The New Zealand Herald said in its Friday report that it acknowledged the Antarctic Treaty system allows countries to establish research facilities in Antarctica, but in recent years there has been growing concern that these facilities could have "dual use," the report said, citing a US Defence Department report from 2022.

Chen Hong, director of the Australian Studies Center of East China Normal University, told the Global Times that the US is attempting to politicize Antarctic scientific research, using non-existent "political motives" and "military motives" to smear China's legitimate activities. 

Regarding Antarctic research, China's stance has always been clear: it is willing to cooperate with international partners to advance the exploration, utilization, and protection of Antarctica. In contrast, the US has long viewed Antarctica as a strategic base and seeks to conduct research there that can be directly applied to military purposes, Chen said. 

China collaborates with many parties to the Antarctic Treaty, including Australia, Argentina, and Chile. New Zealand, as one of the gateways to Antarctica, engages in international cooperation with China under the Antarctic Treaty system, Chen said. He added that China has never linked its scientific activities in Antarctica to politics, as evidenced by the Qinling Station, which is solely dedicated to scientific research.

Previously, Chinese ambassador to Australia Xiao Qian told Australian media ABC that China wanted to contribute to global efforts to address climate change. "We are open, we are transparent, we are ready to cooperate with Australia and many other partners of the Antarctic Treaty to make further efforts in that direction," he said.

Cooperation surrounding Antarctica was one of the topics that was discussed when Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of New Zealand Winston Peters visited Beijing in February.

At present, China has established five research stations in the Antarctic, namely the Great Wall Station, Zhongshan Station, Kunlun Station, Taishan Station and Qinling Station.

China is conducting its 41st Antarctic expedition, which set sail from the southern Chinese port city of Guangzhou on November 1, 2024. The mission is set to last nearly seven months, with a return scheduled for May 2025.

A group of US House Republicans have put forward legislation seeking to prevent Chinese students from studying in American schools, citing so-called national security concerns, according to AP News. The move has then elicited criticism from some international education organizations and Democrats, with a Chinese expert noting that the motivation behind the legislation appears to be political posturing, an attempt to serve one's own political agenda.

US Congressman Riley Moore introduced legislation to halt the issuance of student visas to Chinese nationals, and five House lawmakers joined Moore in co-sponsoring the legislation, according to a press release published on Friday.

Moore claimed in a statement that the US "invited" China to spy on the US' military, steal intellectual property, and threaten national security of the country. He added, "It's time we turn off the spigot and immediately ban all student visas going to Chinese nationals." 

While the measure being unlikely to pass, the AP noted, the proposed legislation has drawn a backlash from educational organizations. In response to the bill, the Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF) said in a post on X that such a move would harm the talent pipeline of Asian American scientists, scholars and researchers, undermining US leadership in science and innovation.

"No policy should target individuals solely on the basis of their national origin," said Fanta Aw, executive director and CEO of NAFSA, an association of international educators, according to a statement cited by the AP.

Aw added that making international students — the most vetted and tracked nonimmigrants in the US — a scapegoat for xenophobic and anti-Chinese sentiment is misguided and antithetical to the US national interest, according to AP.

Unlike most previous restrictions on Chinese students, Moore's proposal applies to all Chinese students, regardless of their field or level of study, the South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported. It targets the three main types of US study visas - F, J and M visas - which are used, respectively, for studying at US universities and English language institutes; exchanges at the high school and university level; and non-academic and vocational training or study.

Some Democrats also questioned the bill, according to SCMP. Democratic Representative Grace Meng of New York, who chairs the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, said that "cultural exchange through university program has made our economy stronger and more competitive on the global stage."

A PhD student from China at the University of Oklahoma, Chen Li (alias), told the Global Times on Sunday that many Chinese students that she knows are concerned that such legislation could lead to more stringent visa policies, adversely affecting their academic pursuits and daily lives.

Chen also highlighted apprehensions that the proposal could exacerbate biases against Chinese students, potentially hindering academic exchanges between China and the US. She added that some students may consider alternative study destinations or revalue their career plans if the legislation passes.

Liu Wei (alias), a Beijing-based applicant for US graduate programs who is currently awaiting admission offers, voiced concerns about potential changes in US policies that could affect Chinese students' entry and visa status. However, she noted that she believes the legislation is unlikely to pass. She added that she is also considering offers from other countries as alternatives.

The primary motivation behind the legislation appears to be political posturing, or rather, an attempt to serve one's own political agenda, Yang Xiyu, a senior research fellow at the China Institute of International Studies, told the Global Times.

The matter itself reflects that, despite the difficulty of enacting the legislation, the act of using the legislative process to advance US political interests is essentially adding fuel to the fire and further politicizing the legislative process to serve as way to smear China, Yang added.

Citing a series of US visa restrictions, Yang pointed out that the US' increasingly closed-off attitude towards China reflects its growing lack of confidence, marking a shift from overconfidence to strategic anxiety as China's development narrows the gap in national strengths.

The following are the schedules for the third session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) and the third session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) on Thursday.

In the morning, NPC deputies will deliberate the government work report in groups.

In the afternoon, they will examine reports and drafts on budgets and economic and social development plans.

In the morning, CPPCC National Committee members will discuss the government work report and deliberate the work report of their standing committee in groups.

In the afternoon, they will continue to discuss the government work report and deliberate the work report of their standing committee, and discuss reports on budgets and economic and social development plans, as well as a draft amendment to the Law on Deputies to the National People's Congress and to the Local People's Congresses at Various Levels.

Keynote Speech by H.E. Wang Yi

At the 61st Munich Security Conference

Conversation with China

Munich, February 14, 2025

Your Excellency Chairman Christoph Heusgen,
Dear Friends,
Colleagues,

The world we live in is an increasing mix of turbulence and transformation. Many people are asking the same question: Where is it headed? If I may borrow the theme of this year's Munich Security Report, it is headed toward multipolarization. When the United Nations was founded 80 years ago, it had only 51 member states; today, 193 countries ride in the same big boat. A multipolar world is not only a historical inevitability; it is also becoming a reality.

Will multipolarity bring chaos, conflict and confrontation? Does it mean domination by major countries and the strong bullying the weak? China's answer is, we should work for an equal and orderly multipolar world. This is another major proposition put forward by President Xi Jinping, and it represents our sincere expectation for a multipolar world. China will surely be a factor of certainty in this multipolar system, and strive to be a steadfast constructive force in a changing world.

Here, I want to make four points. 

First, it is important to advocate equal treatment. Rivalry between big powers had brought disaster to humanity, as evidenced by the lessons of the two world wars in the not-so-distant past. Whether it is the colonial system or the core-periphery structure, unequal orders are bound to meet their demise. Independence and autonomy is sought across the world, and greater democracy in international relations is unstoppable. Equal rights, equal opportunities and equal rules should become the basic principles of a multipolar world.

It is in this principle that China advocates equality among all countries regardless of size, and calls for increasing the representation and say of developing countries in the international system. This will not lead to "Westlessness," but will deliver more positive-sum results to the world. The Munich Security Conference has invited more participants from Global South countries in recent years. This is a wise thing to do. Every country should have their voice heard. Every country should be able to find their place and play their role in a multipolar paradigm.

Second, it is important to respect international rule of law. As an old Chinese saying goes, circles and squares cannot be drawn without compasses and rulers, which means nothing can be accomplished without following norms and standards. The purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter provide fundamental guidance for handling international relations. They are also an important cornerstone of a multipolar world. The world today is witnessing incessant chaos and confusion, and one important reason is that some countries believe might makes right and have opened a Pandora's box marked the law of the jungle. In reality, all countries, regardless of size or strength, are stakeholders in international rule of law. The multipolar paradigm must not be a state of disarray. Without norms and standards, one may be at the table yesterday but end up on the menu tomorrow. Major countries must take the lead in honoring their words and upholding rule of law, and must not say one thing but do another, or engage in zero-sum game.

It is based on the above points of view that China resolutely upholds the authority of international rule of law, and actively fulfills its international responsibilities and obligations. It is a member of almost all universal intergovernmental organizations and a party to over 600 international conventions. It never practices exceptionalism, still less cherrypicking. It is providing the greatest certainty in this uncertain world. I wish to emphasize that there should be no double standards in observing international law. Respect for all countries' sovereignty and territorial integrity should mean support for China's complete reunification.

Third, it is important to practice multilateralism. In the face of emerging global challenges, no country can stay unaffected, and the "we first" approach in international relations only leads to a lose-lose result. The U.N. is at the core of practicing multilateralism and advancing global governance. This edifice has shielded all countries from wind and rain for nearly 80 years, and is all the more needed in the multipolar world of the future. We should cement its foundation, rather than destroy its pillars. We should take up our responsibilities on governing global issues, rather than seek self-interests only. We should tackle common challenges in solidarity, rather than resort to bloc confrontation.

It is from this understanding that China upholds true multilateralism and advocates the vision on global governance featuring extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit. We have firmly upheld the authority and stature of the U.N., and contributed to more than 20 percent of the U.N. regular budget. We have acted earnestly on the Paris Agreement on climate change, and built the world's largest clean power generation system. We have also proposed and delivered on the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, providing public goods for improving global governance. 

Fourth, it is important to pursue openness and mutual benefit. Development holds the key to addressing various problems. The multipolar world should be one where all countries develop together. Protectionism offers no way out, and arbitrary tariffs produce no winners. Decoupling deprives one of opportunities, and a "small yard with high fences" only ends up constraining oneself. It is important to pursue open cooperation, and support an equal and orderly multipolar world with a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization.

It is for this goal that China stays committed to sharing development opportunities with all countries. An Australian scholar called China an "enabler," which I find very fitting. With a five-percent GDP growth last year, China contributed to nearly 30 percent of the world economic growth. It has served as an important engine for global economic growth, and shared with the world the benefit of its supersized market. China is willing to synergize high-quality Belt and Road cooperation with the European Union's Global Gateway strategy, so as to empower each other and empower the entire world.

Friends,

China has always seen in Europe an important pole in the multipolar world. The two sides are partners, not rivals. This year marks the 50th anniversary of China-EU diplomatic relations. Taking this opportunity, China is willing to work with the European side to deepen strategic communication and mutually beneficial cooperation, and steer the world to a bright future of peace, security, prosperity and progress.

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, on Monday attended a symposium on private enterprises.

Xi, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivered an important speech after listening to representatives of private entrepreneurs.

Li Qiang and Ding Xuexiang also attended the symposium, which was presided over by Wang Huning.

In response to media inquiries on report that American officials are suggesting non-European countries such as Brazil or China send their servicemen to peacekeeping force in Ukraine after the conflict ends and whether China is considering sending peacekeeping troops to Ukraine, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said, "We do not comment on hypothetical questions." China's position on the Ukraine crisis has always been fair, and has reiterated this position on multiple occasions, he added.

One of the important tasks of agricultural work in 2025 will be the continued increase of grain and oil crop yields in large areas, Pan Wenbo, chief agronomist and an official with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MOA), said on Monday at a press conference. 

"Over the past two years, China's grain production has been able to achieve stable and increased yields, largely thanks to per unit yield improvements," Pan said.

Pan noted that efforts to increase the per unit yield will be put into realizing yield improvement in larger areas. There is a greater emphasis on the integration of good fields, good seeds, good machinery, and good methods, all of which work together to increase per unit yield.

In 2024, the MOA initiated and implemented a project to increase the per unit yield of grain and oil crops, which achieved preliminary success. The annual per unit yield of grain increased by 5.1 kilograms compared with the previous year, with the improvement in per unit yield contributing to more than 80 percent of the increase in production, said Pan.

During the Central Rural Work Conference held in Beijing from December 17 to 18, 2024, it was noted that efforts should be concentrated on increasing per unit yields of grain and oil crops on a large scale, and other aspects, according to the Xinhua News Agency.

The year 2025 is the end of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) and the last year of a five-year transition period to consolidate and expand the achievements of poverty alleviation and effectively link rural revitalization. The MOA will put efforts into optimizing the efficiency of assistance, strengthening the quality of industrial employment and deepening support in key regions' development, Zhang Xingwang, vice minister of agriculture and rural affairs, also said at the Monday press conference.

The focuses of agricultural work in 2025 mentioned in the Monday conference are in line with that of the annual Central Rural Work Conference, Wang Gangyi, a professor at Northeast Agricultural University, told the Global Times on Monday.

"In terms of guaranteeing production output, the conference mapped out specific measures to stabilize areas sown with grain, increase the per unit yield of grain and oil crops, strengthen the protection and quality of cultivated land, and promote agricultural science and technology," said Wang.

"Stabilizing yield per unit mainly relies on developing new quality productive forces, namely applying digital technology to agriculture. However, the main focus, I believe, will be on promoting large-scale high-density planting," Li Guoxiang, a research fellow at the Rural Development Institute of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Monday.

The level of agricultural modernization in China continued to improve in 2024. The comprehensive mechanization rate of crop cultivation, harvesting, and planting is expected to have exceeded 75 percent, said Zhang.

As a result, grain production overcame the impact of natural disasters such as high temperatures and droughts, extreme floods, and super typhoons, achieving another bumper harvest in 2024, according to Zhang.

Zhang noted that for the first time, the grain output exceeded 1.4 trillion jin (700 billion tons), reaching 1.413 trillion jin in 2024, an increase of 22.18 billion jin over 2023. 

The achievements in expanding the cultivation of soybeans and oil crops have been effectively consolidated, with soybean production reaching 20.65 million tons, further increasing the self-sufficiency rate of edible vegetable oils. The stable supply of cotton, sugar, and rubber has been maintained, and the production of pork, beef, mutton, and poultry meat has reached 96.63 million tons, an increase of 0.2 percent year-on-year, said Zhang.

The supply of meat, eggs, milk, fruits, vegetables, tea, and aquatic products is sufficient, with an increase in the supply of green and high-quality agricultural products, making the dining tables of the people richer and their diets more nutritious and healthy, Zhang introduced.

The importance of ensuring food security is always a priority in China's agricultural work, Wang noted.

A batch of independently developed large civil unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) rolled off the production line on Monday in China.

Three of these large UAVs were delivered to customers for use in various fields such as agricultural and forestry protection and aerial logistics transportation.

The UAV model, named HY100, developed by Ursa Aeronautical, is a fixed-wing large UAV with a maximum takeoff weight of 5.25 tonnes and a maximum payload capacity of 1.9 tonnes. It boasts a maximum range of 1,800 kilometers, an endurance of up to 10.6 hours, and is capable of maintaining stable long-endurance flight at altitudes of 4 meters.

Compared to other types of drones, large UAVs have a greater payload capacity, a wider operational range, and more flexible flight altitudes, enabling them to complement other low-altitude aircraft, such as small drones.

"For instance, when deployed for pesticide spraying, the HY100, with a wingspan exceeding 18 meters, can cover up to 240,000 mu (approximately 16,000 hectares) in a single day," said Yu Yang, general manager of Ursa Aeronautical.

A large UAV is an unmanned aircraft with a maximum takeoff weight exceeding 150 kilograms. It has a wide range of applications, including agricultural and forestry protection, logistics transportation, aerial delivery, emergency rescue, and airborne communication relay.

The joint efforts of Bangladesh and China in enhancing bilateral trade, investment, and commercial activities will add positive value to the both countries, Touhid Hossain, Adviser for Foreign Affairs of the Interim Government of Bangladesh, said at a seminar in Shanghai on Thursday, as part of his ongoing visit to China.

Hossain expressed his gratitude for China’s positive role in the world economy and politics, as well as for its multifaceted support to Bangladesh. China and Bangladesh’s engagement has evolved into a dynamic partnership, and China’s commitment to Bangladesh’s development has been instrumental in exploring Bangladesh’s journey toward prosperity, he said in delivering a speech at the seminar.

The two friendly nations of Bangladesh and China “have fostered a relationship of comprehensive strategy partnership built on trust, mutual respect and a shared vision of a better future,” Hossain stated.

Under the theme of “our shared vision for peace, stability and prosperity,” the seminar was held at Shanghai Institutes for International Studies (SIIS) on Thursday, as part of the commemorative series marking the 50th anniversary of China-Bangladesh diplomatic relations in 2025.

China and Bangladesh are close neighbors and important members of regional cooperation. Echoing to Hossain’s remarks, Yang Jiemian, Chairman of SIIS Academic Advisory Council, said that the two countries should and could become a vital force in promoting economic cooperation in South Asia, Southeast Asia and East Asia.

“Regarding international environments, the world has entered into a period of turbulence and transformations, both China and Bangladesh, as important members of the Global South, are joining our efforts to build a better global environment of world peace and stability,” Yang said at the seminar.

Some Chinese and Bangladeshi government officials and scholars shared opinions in the fields of further collaborations between the two countries at the seminar.

China and Bangladesh share numerous development opportunities across various sectors, said Liu Zongyi, director of the SIIS Center for South Asia Studies, who also attended the seminar. “In fields such as agriculture, urbanization, environmental protection, and sustainable development, China’s wealth of experience offers valuable lessons for Bangladesh,” Liu told the Global Times.

At the invitation of Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi, Hossain is scheduled to visit China from January 20 to 24, a spokesperson from the Chinese Foreign Ministry announced on January 17.

The visit has delivered clear and encouraging signals, such as that the further development of China-Bangladesh relations will remain unaffected by domestic political changes in Bangladesh, as well as Bangladesh’s commitment to deepening economic cooperation with China, said Liu.