Li Deren and Xue Qikun won the national top sci-tech award for the year 2023.
Accolades were also bestowed upon a selection of distinguished projects during Monday’s meeting.
Research on the computational prediction of topological electronic materials and 48 other achievements were honored with the State Natural Science Award. Dozens of projects were presented with the State Technological Invention Award. More than 100 projects were issued with the State Scientific and Technological Progress Award.
A total of 10 foreign experts won the International Science and Technology Cooperation Award.
Xi visited a residential community in the city of Yinchuan, the regional capital, to learn about how Party organizations at the primary level perform their duties.
He also learned about the community’s work in improving services for residents and facilitating exchanges and interactions among people of different ethnic groups.
During the inspection, Xi visited a middle school and a Tibetan Buddhist temple in Xining, capital city of Qinghai.
He learned about local efforts in advancing the education work through collaboration between the eastern and western regions and paired assistance, and in strengthening education on forging a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation.
Xi also learned about the efforts made by the Tibetan Buddhist circle in carrying forward the fine traditions of loving the country and the religion, and in promoting ethnic unity and progress.
“Empower China, Benefit the World — an Analysis of the Theoretical Contribution and Value Orientation of New Quality Productive Forces” (Chinese and English editions) was launched at the China-Europe Think Tank Forum, which was co-hosted by Xinhua News Agency and the Europe-Asia Center.
In a speech delivered at the meeting, Fu Hua, president of Xinhua News Agency and chairman of the academic committee of Xinhua Institute, said that the concept of “new quality productive forces” creatively put forward by Chinese President Xi Jinping was based on his insightful observation of the world’s sci-tech and economic trends.
Fu said that the concept contributes greatly to international economic theories, deepens understanding of the laws of productivity development, and further answers a series of major issues concerning the development of the Chinese economy in the new era.
Developing new quality productive forces will not only propel the great ship of the Chinese economy to ride the wind and waves, and sail far and wide, but will also promote sharing of development dividends between China and other countries in the world, and make win-win cooperation more fruitful, so as to help build a better world that features peaceful development and prosperity for all, Fu said.
The report is the latest achievement of Xinhua Institute’s research on this concept, Fu noted, adding that Xinhua News Agency will strengthen research and cooperation with think tanks from other countries and jointly provide suggestions and proposals on developing the world economy.
Fabrizio Hochschild, former under-secretary-general of the United Nations, said at the forum that the concept of new quality productive forces is beyond China’s border.
Noting that China is the world’s second-largest economy, the scale of its manufacturing industry ranks first in the world and it also leads in the green energy sector, he said that China developing new quality productive forces is critical not only to its economic development but also to promoting new round of sci-tech revolution and industrial revolution represented by artificial intelligence.
The report with five chapters focuses on Xi’s important discourses on developing new quality productive forces. Based on in-depth investigation and research, it systematically elaborates on rich connotation, essential elements, practice pathways and scientific methodologies of the new quality productive forces.
It presents ten cases from various fields, showcasing the live practices of new quality productive forces in China.
Over 100 representatives from political, think tank, media and business circles of China and Europe, as well as from international organizations, participated in the forum.
The AP is an important partner of Xinhua, and the two sides have maintained an amicable relationship for a long time, said Fu, who leads a delegation in the United States.
Fu expressed the hope that the two sides further extend cooperation in news and information services, strengthen exchanges on the application of new technologies in the media industry, and deepen cooperation under multilateral mechanisms.
The AP and Xinhua have a relationship going back over 50 years, and it has stood the test of time, said Veerasingham.
“We have seen many changes in the world, but I think the relationship that the two organizations have forged together for so long is a really important indicator for how we can strengthen our relationship in the years ahead,” said Veerasingham.
The two sides exchanged signed copy of their cooperation agreement on the distribution of photos, videos and press releases, and also discussed challenges and opportunities like the utilization of artificial intelligence and the coverage of Olympic Games.
Building upon bilateral cooperation in nearly 70 years, the two sides have seen frequent high-level exchanges and new developments in cooperation in recent years, said Fu, who heads a delegation in the United States.
Fu expressed his hope that the two organizations reinforce mutually beneficial cooperation on the utilization of emerging technologies, international news services, and others.
Bascobert said the two sides jointly built the World Media Summit, which became a very important conference for the media industry, and he looks forward to sharing the latest developments of artificial intelligence in the industry at the next World Media Summit.
Bascobert noted the importance of working together and helping to guide different cultures toward mutual understanding.
The two sides also exchanged ideas on artificial intelligence, video services, and opportunities in tourism promotion.
Through this second delegation to Burkina Faso, HWPL aimed to ignite a passion for peace in the hearts of government officials and to garner national support for the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW), a peace initiative of global significance.
They engaged with various organizations and signed MOA and MOU to achieve sustainable peace. During the initial dispatch in early April, HWPL conducted peace camps at three schools in Burkina Faso and hosted ceremonies for signing MOAs and MOUs with 14 schools.
According to Africanews, Burkina Faso’s Minister of State, Bassolma Bazié, spoke at the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly held last September.
“Every year, countless speeches with promises and pledges are given. The discrepancy between speeches and facts on matters of principles contained in the UN Charter, including justice, equality, dignity, integrity, the right to self-determination, the sovereignty of states, the inviolability of territory, and respect for international law, is what can be observed in Libya, in the Sahel (more precisely, Niger), and in the Russia-Ukraine crisis.”
HWPL is engaged in peace activities centered on the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW) with the aim of establishing a legal framework for sustainable peace.
On 14 March 2016, HWPL proclaimed the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW), which was drafted with the participation of international law experts from 15 countries.
This declaration, comprised of 10 articles and 38 clauses, aims to restore the spirit that served as the basis for the establishment of the United Nations and to achieve sustainable peace by promoting the universal values of the global community. The DPCW embodies the principles and measures for preventing and resolving conflicts and sustaining a peaceful global society.
On April 22nd, a meeting was held with Burkina Faso’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, S.E.M Karamoko Jean Marie TRAORE. He stated, “As long as there are industries producing weapons globally, there will always be war. HWPL’s efforts for peace are noble and admirable. HWPL’s activities should be equally accessible to those in conflict, those pursuing peace, and those inciting war.”
On April 24th, a meeting organized by the Ministries of Justice and Human Rights took place, attended by nine officials including the Minister of Justice. Minister of Justice Me Edasso Rodrigue Bayala, the President of the Temporary Legislative Assembly (ALT) Dr. Ousmane BOUGOUMA, and the President of the National Human Rights Commission (CNDH), Mme Gonta Alida Henriette DA, engaged in substantive discussions to support the DPCW.
During this period, meetings were also held with four media outlets. President of UNALFA (Union Nationale de l’Audiovisuel Libre du Faso), Sawadogo Ramousa Jean Baptiste, Kouanda Madi from Burkina Flash Info, journalist Traore Moumouni, François YOGO from Noor Info, and journalist LANKOANDE André from Burkina 24 all expressed willingness to cooperate with HWPL and positively received the idea of implementing HWPL journalism training.
All of them expressed hope for peace in Burkina Faso as they indicated their willingness to sign partnership MOAs and MOUs with HWPL.
HWPL plans to continue its activities for peace realization in Burkina Faso, including peace camps, peace education, the International Religious Peace Academy (IRPA), and support for the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW)
Dr. Thomas R. OUEDRAOGO, the Executive Director of the Center for Democratic Governance (CGD), remarked, “HWPL’s peace-building efforts seem very intriguing. I’ve come to realize that the DPCW is evolution, not revolution.”
The statement says, “The recent violent conflict between Iran and Israel is causing significant concerns in the international community. The two nations that do not share borders are mobilizing high-end weaponry to attack each other and kill human lives.”
The statement highlighted, “It is a clear indication that the greatest victims of war are innocent civilians. How could those lost lives ever be brought back? What could compensate for the outcry of children and the anguish of the youth in devastated dwellings?”
HWPL has urged the international community to take decisive measures to address the conflict, advocating for the establishment of comprehensive international laws to safeguard peace for future generations.
It has been reported that Iran and its militant partners on April 13 initiated a large-scale attack against Israel through launching several hundred ballistic missiles and drones. The international society expressed concerns over the possibility of war between the two states, since Tehran’s direct attack on Israel was unprecedented. Experts pointed out that this attack was Iran’s response to an airstrike on the Iranian embassy in Syria on April 1, which killed seven military advisers including three senior commanders.
On April 18th, the Permanent Representatives to the United Nations from 48 states including the United States, Australia, Austria, Croatia, France, Germany, Japan, Netherlands, Micronesia, Palau, Papua New Guinea, the Republic of Korea, Romania, and Ukraine issued a joint statement condemning Iran’s attack on Israel.
“HWPL remains steadfast in its commitment to fostering dialogue and reconciliation, offering hope for a peaceful resolution to the conflict between Israel and Iran,” an HWPL official said.
Xi made the remarks in a written speech upon his arrival for a state visit to France.
He said during the visit, he will have an in-depth exchange of views with French President Emmanuel Macron on growing China-France and China-Europe relations under the new circumstances as well as major international and regional issues in the world today.
“I hope this visit will help cement our long-standing friendship, enhance political trust, build strategic consensus and deepen exchanges and cooperation in various fields,” he said, adding that it is a great pleasure to begin his third state visit to the French Republic at the invitation of Macron.
Back in 2014 and 2019, Xi paid two visits to France, both in spring, to celebrate the 50th and 55th anniversaries of diplomatic relations together with the people of France.
“As we celebrate the 60th anniversary of our diplomatic ties, I have a strong sense of deja vu when setting foot again on the soil of your beautiful country. On behalf of the Chinese government and people, I wish to take this opportunity to extend our warmest greetings and best wishes to the French government and people,” Xi said.
As important representatives of Eastern and Western civilizations, China and France have a long history of mutual appreciation and admiration, said Xi.
French Enlightenment thinkers turned to study Chinese culture centuries ago, and great French thinkers and writers such as Voltaire, Diderot, Hugo and Balzac have been household names in China, he added.
He also noted that 60 years ago, the two countries broke through Cold War blocs and established diplomatic relations at the ambassadorial level.
In the 60 years since, the bilateral relations have always stayed abreast of China’s relations with Western countries, setting a prime example for countries with different social systems to coexist in peace and pursue win-win cooperation, said Xi.
In recent years, the relationship between China and France has risen to new heights, and the two countries keep making new progress in cooperation on aviation, aerospace, nuclear energy, agrifood and green development, Xi said.
He said that the two countries enjoy close coordination and cooperation on climate response, biodiversity protection and global governance, adding that activities of the China-France Year of Culture and Tourism are unfolding across the board.
“A growing China-France relationship not only brings benefits to both peoples, but also provides stability and positive energy to the turbulent world,” Xi said.
The Chinese president was received by French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal at Paris Orly airport and warmly welcomed by overseas Chinese upon arrival.
Under the guidance of China’s State Council Information Office, the conference was co-hosted by Xinhua News Agency and Hungary’s ATV Media Group in Budapest.
Xinhua has always been committed to concentrating efforts and contributing to the joint building of the Belt and Road between the two countries, President of Xinhua News Agency Fu Hua said while addressing the event.
The conference aims to further implement the consensus reached by leaders of the two countries and promote pragmatic cooperation at various levels across the board so as to make new and greater contributions to the Belt and Road cooperation between the two countries with more innovative results, Fu said.
At the conference, the Belt and Road Economic Information Partnership (BREIP), which was initiated by Xinhua News Agency, inaugurated an Eastern European liaison office.
The China NGO Network for International Exchanges launched a non-governmental Belt and Road cooperation project with Hungary.
The official website of the BRI introduced a dedicated sector for industrial cooperation between China and Hungary.
A report on investment and cooperation between the two countries under the Belt and Road framework was also released.
About 200 people, including government officials, representatives from chambers of commerce and the business sector, as well as heads of major media outlets and think tanks from both countries joined the event.
Fu noted that Xinhua will continue to provide in-depth coverage of high-level interactions between the two countries and present major achievements of the two countries’ high-quality Belt and Road cooperation in an all-round and multi-perspective manner.
Stressing efforts to strengthen exchanges with Hungarian think tanks, Fu also urged making full use of platforms and mechanisms including the World Media Summit and the BREIP to roll out even more tangible results.
Fu also stressed the importance of providing services for China-Hungary cooperation in various areas and better promoting the in-depth integration of the BRI cooperation and Hungary’s “Opening to the East” policy.
Hungary and China have achieved fruitful results in Belt and Road cooperation, Hungarian Minister for National Economy Marton Nagy said at the conference, citing the Hungary-Serbia railway project as an example.
Hungary sees China’s economic development as an important opportunity, Nagy said, stressing that investment from Chinese companies including Bank of China, CATL and BYD has been driving the development of related industries.
Nagy said Hungary is willing to strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation with China in areas such as infrastructure and high-tech, and act as a link between China and Europe.
Liu Hongcai, deputy head of the Chinese Association for International Understanding, called for efforts from various sectors of the two countries to thoroughly implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries and further promote people-to-people exchanges and mutual learning between civilizations.
More momentum for future-oriented cooperation should be fostered and cooperation platforms at all levels should make full use of their advantages to respond to global challenges, Liu said.
Liu voiced his hope that people from all walks of life in the two countries will make active contributions to promoting bilateral relations.
During the past years, economic ties and trade between the two countries have flourished, said Tamas Kovacs, CEO of ATV.
Based on the extensive cooperation between ATV and Chinese media outlets, the audience is able to have a better understanding of the fruitful achievements of the two countries’ joint efforts, Kovacs said, adding that such cooperation will be carried on to help the two peoples to better understand each other’s culture and values.
Participating guests also visited a photo exhibition on the pragmatic BRI cooperation between China and Hungary.
