Xi Visits Xiong’an - China's 6-Point Position on Mideast War - Europe Returning to 'Cognitive Rationality' on China - Zhong Sheng: Takaichi Binding Japan to 'Neo-Militarism'
Here are the key reports and articles from the People’s Daily’s edition on Tuesday, March 24, 2026.
Page 1: Xi Jinping’s visit to the Xiong’an New Area in Hebei on March 23 dominates the front page today. Li Qiang, Cai Qi and Ding Xuexiang accompanied Xi. Also present were Hebei Party Secretary Ni Yuefeng and Governor Wang Zhengpu, He Lifeng, Yin Li, Chen Min’er, and Wu Zhenglong. Finally, among the people who spoke at the symposium during the visit were Zheng Shanjie and Zhang Guohua.
Xi “stressed that it is necessary to firmly grasp Xiong’an New Area’s primary functional positioning as the concentrated hub for the relocation of Beijing’s non-capital functions; maintain strategic resolve and historical patience, further emancipate the mind, broaden thinking, strengthen coordination, and forge a collective synergy; leverage reform and innovation as guiding forces to enhance endogenous drivers of development; focus on the rational aggregation of factor resources to stimulate the vitality of the new area; and strive to build a new-era innovation highland and a model for promoting high-quality development.” 他强调，要牢牢把握雄安新区作为北京非首都功能疏解集中承载地的首要功能定位，保持战略定力和历史耐心，进一步解放思想、开拓思路、加强协调、凝聚合力，以改革创新为引领增强内生发展动力，以要素资源合理集聚为重点激发新区活力，努力建设新时代创新高地和推动高质量发展样板.
As per the English report: On Monday morning, Xi arrived in Xiong’an and traveled by vehicle to inspect construction progress in the start-up zone. He then visited China Huaneng Group Co., Ltd., which moved over 1,000 employees to Xiong’an in October 2025, and heard briefings on the company’s relocation, industrial layout and innovative development.
“He stressed that it is necessary to take the relocation into Xiong’an New Area as an opportunity to stimulate the enthusiasm and initiative among the company’s executives and employees for innovation and entrepreneurship, thereby making new contributions to accelerating the construction of a modern energy system and building China into a leading energy power.” 他强调，要以迁入雄安新区为契机，激发企业干部职工创新创业的积极性主动性，为加快建设新型能源体系、建设能源强国作出新贡献. He also “exchanged with representatives of cadres and staff from units that have either already settled in or are currently relocating to the Xiong’an New Area, inquired about everyone’s work and living conditions, affirmed the efforts everyone has made for the construction and development of the new area, and expressed the hope that they will take root in the fertile soil of the new area and actively contribute their wisdom and talents. He said that everyone should feel proud to be the residents of Xiong’an, forge ahead with their work and entrepreneurial endeavours, leading the way with vigour while maintaining a steady pace, to collectively create a bright future for Xiong’an. 在公司一层大厅，习近平同雄安新区入驻和在建疏解单位干部职工代表亲切交流，询问大家的工作生活情况，肯定大家为新区建设发展付出的努力，希望他们扎根新区沃土，积极奉献聪明才智。他说，大家要为做雄安人感到自豪，一马当先、蹄疾步稳地干事创业，共同创造雄安美好未来.
Later, Xi “visited the Xiong’an campus of Beijing No. 4 High School, where he conversed with teachers and students in the classroom to learn about the teaching situation there. In the school canteen, he examined the dining environment and the variety of dishes available.”
After this, he chaired a symposium on deeply advancing the high-quality construction and development of the Xiong’an New Area. Xi patted himself on the back for his vision for Xiong’an.
“He emphasised that, under the strong leadership of the Party Central Committee and through the joint efforts of all sides, the construction and development of Xiong’an New Area have achieved major phased results. Practice has fully demonstrated that the Party Central Committee’s decision to establish the Xiong’an New Area was entirely correct, and that the work undertaken in all aspects has been solid and effective.” 听取大家发言后，习近平发表重要讲话。他强调，在党中央坚强领导下，经过各方共同努力，雄安新区建设和发展取得重大阶段性成果。实践充分证明，党中央关于建设雄安新区的决策是完全正确的，各方面工作是扎实有效的.
Xi Jinping pointed out that to deeply advance the high-quality construction and development of the Xiong’an New Area, it is necessary to adhere to the functional positioning of the new area and promote the relocation and undertaking of Beijing’s non-capital functions in a more vigorous and orderly manner. We must actively and prudently advance the construction of relocation projects for central state-owned enterprises, universities, and hospitals in a phased approach; orderly facilitate the relocation of financial institutions, research institutes, and public service entities; and support these relocated units in achieving better development. We must strengthen policy guarantees and services for relocated projects and personnel, and guide and support these projects in radiating their influence to drive the development of the new area and its surrounding regions. 习近平指出，深入推进雄安新区高质量建设和发展，必须坚持新区功能定位，更加有力有序推进北京非首都功能疏解和承接。要积极稳妥分批推进央企、高校、医院疏解项目建设，有序推进金融机构、科研院所、事业单位疏解，支持疏解单位更好发展。要强化对疏解项目、人员的政策保障和服务，引导支持疏解项目辐射带动新区及周边区域发展.
Xi Jinping emphasised that, to continuously enhance the comprehensive carrying capacity of the Xiong’an New Area, it is essential to engage in systematic planning and simultaneously advance both high-quality construction and high-efficiency governance. It is necessary to scientifically grasp the rhythm and time-sequence, concentrate forces to advance the construction of the start-up zone, the initial zone, and others, and strive to create ‘Xiong’an quality’. It is necessary to uphold Party-building as the guiding force for the new area’s governance, refine its public service system, prioritise the safeguarding and improvement of public well-being, and actively explore forward-looking models for smart city management, thereby building a beautiful Xiong’an characterised by blue skies, lush greenery, and clear waters. 习近平强调，持续提升雄安新区综合承载能力，必须系统谋划，一体抓好高质量建设和高效能治理。要科学把握节奏和时序，集中力量推进启动区、起步区等建设，努力创造“雄安质量”。要坚持党建引领新区治理，完善公共服务体系，着力保障和改善民生，积极探索面向未来的智慧城市管理模式，建设天蓝、地绿、水清的美丽雄安.
Xi Jinping pointed out that Xiong’an New Area must take reform and innovation as the driving force, promote the deep integration of technological innovation and industrial innovation, develop new-quality productive forces in accordance with local conditions, and cultivate a modern industrial system suited to the realities of the new area. It is necessary to build the Xiong’an Zhongguancun Science Park at a high level, facilitating the translation of a greater number of scientific and technological achievements into practical applications. It is necessary to promote cluster-based development of emerging industries and future industries, actively develop producer services, and support the transformation and upgrading of traditional industries. It is necessary to boldly explore and take the lead in trials, promote the early implementation of innovative policies in areas such as science and technology and finance, and strive to create a market-oriented, law-based, and internationalized business environment. 习近平指出，雄安新区要以改革创新为动力，推动科技创新与产业创新深度融合，因地制宜发展新质生产力，培育符合新区实际的现代化产业体系。要高水平建设雄安中关村科技园，推动更多科创成果转化落地。推动新兴产业和未来产业集群式发展，积极发展生产性服务业，支持传统产业改造升级。要大胆探索、先行先试，推动科技、金融等领域创新政策率先落地，着力打造市场化法治化国际化营商环境.
Xi Jinping stressed that it is necessary to strengthen the Party’s leadership and Party building, firmly establish and deeply practice a correct view of political achievements, and foster a clean and upright political ecosystem. All relevant parties must enhance their sense of the overall situation and sense of responsibility, implement the decisions and deployments of the Party Central Committee through concrete actions, and support the high-quality construction and development of Xiong’an New Area. The broad ranks of cadres in Xiong’an New Area must be willing to take responsibility, immerse themselves in the work to ensure effective implementation, and strive to deliver a satisfactory performance report to the Party and the people. 习近平强调，要加强党的领导和党的建设，牢固树立、深入践行正确政绩观，营造风清气正的政治生态。各有关方面要增强大局意识、责任意识，以实际行动落实好党中央决策部署，支持雄安新区高质量建设和发展。雄安新区广大干部要勇于担当，扑下身子抓落实，努力向党和人民交出合格答卷.
The only other report (English report) on the page is about Xi’s congratulatory message to Thongloun Sisoulith on his re-election as president of Laos.
Page 2: There’s a report on Zhao Leji meeting with a delegation led by Nyam-Osor Uchral, chairman of the Mongolian People’s Party and chairman of Mongolia’s State Great Hural. As per Xinhua, Zhao “said that under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, the China-Mongolia comprehensive strategic partnership is steadily advancing toward building a community with a shared future featuring peaceful coexistence, mutual assistance and win-win cooperation. China is willing to work with Mongolia to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, enhance strategic mutual trust, continue to respect each other’s core interests and major concerns, strengthen exchanges between legislative bodies, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, promote friendship between the people, and enhance multilateral coordination, Zhao added. Zhao also introduced the practices of China’s whole-process people’s democracy during this meeting in Beijing.”
Another report on the page informs that the Beijing Municipal Market Supervision Administration, together with the Municipal Bureau of Commerce and the Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism, summoned 12 platform companies on the issue of involution-style competition. The officials reportedly shared the first batch of issues discovered since the comprehensive rectification of involution-style competition on platforms and proposed rectification requirements. The companies mentioned are:
携程 — Ctrip
去哪儿网 — Qunar
高德 — Amap
京东 — JD.com
淘宝闪购 — Taobao Flash Purchase
美团 — Meituan
飞猪旅行 — Fliggy Travel
同程旅行 — Tongcheng Travel
途家民宿 — Tujia Homestay
小猪民宿 — Xiaozhu Homestay
抖音 — Douyin
快手 — Kuaishou
23日，北京市市场监管局联合市商务局、市文化和旅游局，依法约谈和行政指导携程、去哪儿网、高德、京东、淘宝闪购、美团、飞猪旅行、同程旅行、途家民宿、小猪民宿、抖音、快手等12家平台企业，集中通报开展平台“内卷式”竞争综合整治以来发现的第一批问题，并提出整改要求.
Starting from October 2025, beginning with the accommodation and catering industries as the entry point, Beijing launched a comprehensive rectification of involution-style competition among platform companies; formulated and dynamically updated the ‘Platform Involution-Style Competition Behaviour Negative List, clarified 8 categories and 49 items of negative typical behaviours such as manipulating rules, controlling prices, and infringing on consumers’ lawful rights and interests; issued to platforms the Guidelines for Compliance Management Work in Preventing Involution-Style Competition; and guided platforms to establish and implement the ‘one organisation, one list, and one-mechanism’ management model, namely a compliance management organisation, a risk control list, and a quarterly self-inspection mechanism. Through linkage of platform self-inspection, covert visits and covert checks, surprise inspections, and experience-based investigations, involution-style competition risks are systematically being screened and governed. 自2025年10月起，北京市以住宿、餐饮行业为切口，开展平台“内卷式”竞争综合整治，制定并动态更新《平台“内卷式”竞争行为负面清单》，明确操纵规则、控制价格、侵害消费者合法权益等8类49项负面典型行为，向平台发布《防范“内卷式”竞争合规管理工作指南》，指导平台建立实施“一组织一清单一机制”管理模式，即合规管理组织、风险管控清单、季度自查机制。通过平台自查、暗访暗查、飞行检查、体验调查联动，系统排查治理“内卷式”竞争风险.
The first batch of problems is mainly manifested in four aspects:
First, infringing upon merchants’ right to autonomous operation. Some platforms, without merchants’ consent, by modifying backend settings, arbitrarily enrol merchants into promotional activities; through technical means monitor prices, require merchants to sell according to the lowest price on the entire network, and deprive merchants of pricing autonomy.
Second, setting unreasonable rules. Some platforms, utilising their dominant position, formulated unreasonable rules, and through punitive measures such as fines and traffic-limiting, increased the operational burden on merchants.
Third, false publicity behaviour. Through false publicity means, platforms induced consumers to purchase goods, infringing upon consumers’ lawful rights and interests.
Fourth, shortcomings exist in the compliance operation management systems of some platforms. Compliance management organizations exist in name only, personnel responsibility boundaries are unclear, and compliance operation mechanisms have not been able to play a real role.
第一批问题主要表现在4个方面：一是侵害商家自主经营权。部分平台未经商家同意，通过修改商家后台设置，擅自为商家报名促销活动；通过技术手段监控价格，要求商家按照全网最低价销售，剥夺商家定价自主权。二是设置不合理规则。部分平台利用优势地位，制定不合理规则，通过罚款、限流等处罚措施，增加商家经营负担。三是虚假宣传行为。通过虚假宣传手段，诱导消费者购买商品，侵害消费者合法权益。四是部分平台合规经营管理体系存在短板。合规经营管理组织虚设，人员责任界定不清，合规经营机制未能发挥实际作用.
At this meeting on Monday, the market supervision department “served relevant platforms with an ‘Administrative Admonition Letter’, requiring strict implementation of principal responsibility, rectification of relevant problems within a set time limit; protection of the lawful rights and interests of operators and consumers within the platform, prohibition of forcing or covertly forcing operators within the platform to sell goods below cost according to their pricing rules, disrupting the market competition order. For problems suspected of violating the law, the relevant departments will conduct in-depth investigations and handle them according to law; those involving platform enterprises outside Beijing will be transferred according to law to the local market supervision departments for investigation.” 约谈会上，市场监管部门向相关平台送达《行政告诫书》，要求严格落实主体责任，限期整改相关问题；保护平台内经营者和消费者合法权益，禁止强制或变相强制平台内经营者按照其定价规则，以低于成本的价格销售商品，扰乱市场竞争秩序。对涉嫌违法问题，有关部门将深入调查、依法查处，涉及京外平台企业的，依法移送属地市场监管部门调查.
Page 3: There are two reports of Wang Yi’s interactions. First, Wang met with Jonathan Powell, British prime minister’s national security adviser, in Beijing on Monday. Xinhua reports:
Wang “introduced China’s objective and impartial position, stating that the spillover effects of the situation in Iran have expanded and the prolonged war will only bring more damage and serious aftereffects. What all parties should do now is not to add fuel to the fire but to address the root cause and jointly bring the issue back to the track of political settlement through dialogue and negotiation, Wang added. Noting that British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s successful and historic visit to China in January was positively received in both countries and by the international community, Wang said this fully demonstrates that developing a long-term, stable comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Britain is an inevitable trend and aligns with the aspirations of the people. It also shows that as long as both sides move toward each other and engage in constructive communication, they can properly address challenges and issues to achieve mutual benefit and win-win results, Wang added. Both sides should implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, carry out exchanges at all levels, deepen cooperation in various fields, effectively manage differences, and promote the consistent and forward development of China-Britain relations, Wang said.”
Next, Wang spoke at the reception commemorating the 10th anniversary of the first Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Leaders’ Meeting. The full English remarks are available here. Wang said:
“Right now, the world is entering a period of turbulence. Hegemonism and power politics are asserting themselves and dealing a heavy blow to the international order. Meanwhile, China just concluded the Two Sessions and officially launched the 15th Five-Year Plan, providing much-needed stability for our region. It is important that we better synergize our development strategies, jointly build an ‘LMC 2.0’, and demonstrate the relevance of the LMC for our times. This will contribute to long-term stability, security, development and prosperity of our region, and set an LMC example for global governance.
We should pursue unity and cooperation in the LMC. We should carry forward the Asian values of peace, cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, and accelerate the establishment of an LMC International Secretariat, so as to boost the building of a Lancang-Mekong community with a shared future.
We should pursue openness and win-win outcomes in the LMC. We should press ahead with infrastructure connectivity among our countries, further explore the Multi-Nation Multi Park cooperation, deepen cooperation along the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, and jointly build the LMC Economic Development Belt.
We should pursue green and innovation-drive development in the LMC. We should deepen the development of the Lancang-Mekong Innovation Corridor, advance cooperation in digital economy, artificial intelligence, sci-tech innovation and ecological governance, promote investment in new energy, build regional green value chains, and foster green industrial clusters in the region.
We should pursue mutual learning among civilizations in the LMC. We should speed up the development of the Lancang-Mekong Tourism Cities Cooperation Alliance, continue to deepen cooperation among the media outlets and think tanks, amplify the benefits delivered by the LMC Special Fund projects, and step up personnel and youth exchanges among our six countries, so that friendship will be passed on from generation to generation.
We should pursue peace and tranquility in the LMC. We should strengthen cooperation on whole-basin governance, share upstream and downstream hydrological information, step up efforts to combat cross-border crimes such as online gambling and telecom fraud, and ensure the success of the Safe Lancang-Mekong Operation and the Mekong River Joint Patrol and Law Enforcement Operation. By doing so, we will create a safe environment for building a community with a shared future.”
Also on the page is a 和音 commentary talking about how Western public opinion on China appears to be changing. It cites a recent Politico and Public First poll to say “among four traditional US allies—Canada, Germany, France, and the United Kingdom—a considerable portion of the public believes that China is more reliable than the United States and that the 21st century is more likely to belong to China. A poll conducted not long ago by the European think tank ECFR in 21 countries also shows that US allies, especially European allies, feel increasingly distant from the United States, and that most Europeans no longer regard the United States as a reliable ally.” 近日，一项由美国“政治新闻网”与英国民调机构“公共第一”联合开展的最新民调结果显示，在加拿大、德国、法国和英国这4个美国传统盟友中，相当一部分民众认为中国比美国更可靠，21世纪更可能属于中国。欧洲智库欧洲对外关系委员会不久前在21个国家开展的民调也显示，美国的盟友尤其是欧洲盟友，感到与美国的距离越来越远，大多数欧洲人已不再将美国视为可靠盟友.
The public sentiment within America’s traditional allies is undergoing a shift. Analysts in Europe point out that this change stems largely from US policies themselves. Over the past year or so, these traditional allies have experienced frequent friction with the United States across the security, economic, and political spheres. The widening rift with the US—coupled with a growing emphasis on China—reflects, at a deeper level, a return to cognitive rationality. ‘Reducing dependence on China is extremely difficult’, and ‘China is rapidly growing into an increasingly influential major power’ … within these Western developed countries, public understanding of China is gradually breaking away from the influence of political narratives such as the so-called ‘decoupling theory’ and ‘systemic rival theory,’ revealing a deep shift toward discarding entrenched biases and returning to rational judgment. 美国传统盟友的社会心态正在发生变化。欧洲有分析人士指出，这很大程度上源于美自身政策。过去一年多来，传统盟友与美国在安全、经济、政治上摩擦频频。与美国的罅隙加大，对中国的重视上升，背后反映的是一种认知理性的回归。“减少对中国的依赖十分困难”“中国正在迅速成长为更具影响力的大国”……在这些西方发达国家内部，民众对中国的认识，正逐步摆脱所谓“脱钩论”“系统性竞争对手论”等政治论调的影响，显现摒弃固有偏见、回归理性判断的深层转向.
The commentary argues that there are three reasons for this.
First, there is a renewed appreciation for China’s stability. Through the recently concluded Two Sessions, many international observers have remarked that China is, and will remain, a rare ‘oasis of certainty’ in a turbulent world. In this current era of global upheaval and transformation, one of China’s most distinctive developmental characteristics is the continuity of its policies and the certainty of its progress. Whether it is driving high-quality economic development, or expanding high-level opening-up to the outside world, once the direction is clear, China will continuously advance. This kind of ‘long-termism’ provides a stable anchor point for multinational enterprises, international capital, and even the governments of various countries, meaning a clearer path of cooperation. 首先，是对中国稳定性的再认识。透过不久前落幕的中国全国两会，许多国际舆论感叹，中国已经是、也将仍然是动荡世界中稀缺的“确定性绿洲”。在全球动荡变革的当下，中国最鲜明的发展特征之一就是政策的连续性和进步的确定性。无论是推动经济高质量发展，还是扩大高水平对外开放，一旦方向明确，中国就会持续推进。这种“长期主义”，为跨国企业、国际资本乃至各国政府提供了稳定锚点，意味着更清晰的合作路径.
Second, there is the cognitive change of ‘removing the filter’. A joint British-American poll shows that respondents aged 18 to 24 support strengthening relations with China more than older groups. ECFR policy researcher Alicja Bachulska analyses that many young people increasingly feel that, on the one hand, the United States has long portrayed China as a threat to democracy, while on the other hand its own democratic system continues to expose problems. This contrast prompts Western youth to re-examine existing narratives. As the former ‘information cocoon’ is broken, more and more Western youth directly observe China’s economic development, technological applications, and social life through social media and other means. The implementation of a series of visa-free entry measures has also allowed more foreign tourists coming to China to personally experience China’s safety, convenience, development vitality, and cultural charm, and their understanding has accordingly become more real, three-dimensional, and objective. From ‘seeing China’ online to ‘entering China’ offline, the shift in cognition continues to accumulate. The trend of ‘becoming Chinese’ emerging among young people in Europe and the US is precisely a microcosm of this cognitive change. 其次，是“去滤镜”的认知变化。英美联合民调显示，18岁至24岁的受访者比年长群体更支持加强与中国的关系。欧洲对外关系委员会政策研究员阿莉恰·巴丘尔斯卡分析称，许多年轻人越来越觉得，美国一方面长期将中国描绘为民主威胁，另一方面自身的民主制度却不断暴露问题。这种反差促使西方年轻人重新审视既有叙事。当曾经的“信息茧房”被打破，越来越多西方年轻人通过社交媒体等直接观察中国的经济发展、科技应用和社会生活。一系列入境免签举措的实施，也让更多来华外国游客亲身感受到中国的安全便利、发展活力与文化魅力，认知也随之更加真实立体客观。从线上“看见中国”到线下“走进中国”，认知转变不断累积。“成为中国人”热潮在欧美年轻人中兴起，正是这种认知转变的一个缩影.
Third, there is the tangible appeal unleashed by cooperation. Since last year, the total volume of China–Europe trade has exceeded $1 trillion, and more than 2 million European tourists have come to China visa-free; at the beginning of this year, leaders of Canada and multiple European countries visited one after another, reaching a batch of new cooperation agreements. From economic and trade exchanges to industrial coordination, from green transformation to cultural exchange, in an international environment full of uncertainty, ‘reliability’ is no longer just an abstract judgment, but the development dividends brought by pragmatic cooperation. This year is the opening year of China’s 15th FYP. Looking ahead to the next five years and even longer, as China moves toward the ‘new’, it will continuously shape new development advantages, stimulate new growth drivers, and expand new spaces for cooperation, and will continue to provide all countries with a ‘list of opportunities’. ‘A trustworthy and stable partner,’ ‘China is the best choice’, ‘a predictable partner’...more and more people of insight in the West recognise that China is not a competitor but a partner; a China with more dynamic development momentum will continue to provide an important engine for global economic growth. 再次，是合作释放的现实吸引力。去年以来，中欧贸易总额超过1万亿美元，200多万欧洲游客免签来华；今年伊始，加拿大及欧洲多国领导人接踵来访，达成一批新合作协议。从经贸往来到产业协同，从绿色转型到文化交流，在充满不确定性的国际环境中，“可靠”不再只是抽象判断，而是务实合作带来的发展红利。今年是中国“十五五”开局之年。展望未来5年乃至更长时期，中国在向“新”而行中不断塑造发展新优势、激发增长新动能、拓展合作新空间，还将持续为各国提供“机遇清单”。“值得信赖的稳定合作伙伴”“中国是最佳选择”“可预测的伙伴”，越来越多西方有识之士认同，中国不是竞争对手而是合作伙伴，发展动能更富活力的中国，将持续为全球经济增长提供重要引擎.
“China is not anyone’s substitute, nor does it need to prove itself through comparison. The shift in some Western public perceptions of China fundamentally stems from the fact that, as a responsible major country, China has maintained strategic resolve amid turbulent situations and has contributed positive forces to global openness and cooperation to the best of its ability. Establishing a correct understanding of China is the key to steady and successful engagement with China. Of course, changes in cognition will be a long-term process. In a more pluralistic world, it is normal for differences and divergences to exist between countries. As long as mutual respect, mutual appreciation, and mutual learning are upheld, it is possible to achieve joint development and mutual accomplishment, and together illuminate the world.” 中国不是谁的替代选项，也不需要在比较中证明自身。一些西方国家民众对华认知出现转向，根本上是因为中国作为负责任大国，在动荡局势下保持战略定力，尽己所能为世界开放合作贡献正向力量。树立正确对华认知，是对华交往走得稳、走得好的关键。当然，认知的变化将是一个长期过程。在一个更加多元的世界中，国家之间存在差异分歧是正常的，只要坚持相互尊重、相互欣赏、相互借鉴，就能实现携手发展、彼此成就，共同照亮世界.
Also on the page is a Zhong Sheng commentary, focussed on the Japanese PM’s visit to the US, attacking her for building a “defense bubble” while fumbling the economy. It says:
Recently, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi visited the US. This diplomatic show of currying favour with the US side was widely criticised by Japanese public opinion. Persons of insight in Japan pointed out that the Takaichi administration, disregarding the economy and people’s livelihood, has continuously pushed constitutional revision, increased defense spending, and expanded weapons exports. Furthermore, its ‘sycophantic pandering to the US’, which is being undertaken for the sake of so-called ‘strengthened deterrence’, represents a ‘completely erroneous path’. Attempting to mask domestic economic woes by hyping up external geopolitical risks is nothing more than a political sleight of hand. It further exposes the Japanese government’s utter helplessness in the realm of macroeconomic governance. 近日，日本首相高市早苗访美，这场卖力迎合美方的外交秀，遭到日本舆论普遍批评。日本有识之士指出，高市政权罔顾经济民生，不断推动修宪、增加防卫费以及扩大武器出口，并为了所谓“强化威慑”而“献媚美国”，这是“完全错误的道路”。用炒作外部地缘风险掩盖国内经济困境，不过是一场政治障眼法，更暴露出日本政府在宏观经济治理上的束手无策.
The crux of the article is captured in these three paragraphs:
“After taking office, Takaichi advanced the goal of defense spending reaching 2% of GDP to be achieved within fiscal year 2025. In the budget for fiscal year 2026 approved by the Japanese government at the end of 2025, defense spending exceeded 9 trillion yen, achieving 14 consecutive increases. By continuously expanding the defense budget, the binding of interests between the bureaucratic system and the defense industry has been further solidified. The Takaichi administration also plans to loosen restrictions on weapons exports, attempting to allow Japan to profit through arms exports. For a long time, constrained by the ‘peace constitution’, the defense business of large Japanese enterprises could only rely on domestic orders. To this end, the Takaichi administration is actively seeking to remove restrictions on the export of lethal weapons, planning to fully lift the ban on defense equipment exports, vainly attempting to make the military industry a ‘money tree’ for Japan’s economy, thereby breaking through the constraints of the post-war system. Once such external exports are opened, Japan’s military-industrial system will become more expansionary, creating conditions for right-wing forces to subsequently push for constitutional revision and seek involvement in international conflicts and other radical policy adjustments. 高市早苗上台后，将防卫开支占GDP2%的目标提前至2025财年内达成。2025年底，日本政府批准的2026财年预算案中，防卫费超过9万亿日元，实现14连增。通过不断扩大防卫预算，官僚体系与防务产业之间的利益绑定进一步固化。高市政权还计划松绑武器出口，试图让日本通过武器出口获利。长期以来，受“和平宪法”限制，日本大型企业的防卫业务只能依赖国内订单。为此，高市政权积极谋求取消对杀伤性武器的出口限制，计划全面解禁防卫装备出口，妄图让军工产业成为日本经济的“摇钱树”，以此突破战后体制的束缚。上述对外出口一旦放开，日本军工体系将变得更加具有扩张性，为右翼势力后续推动修宪、谋求介入国际冲突等激进政策调整创造条件.
Japan’s economic recovery requires structural reform. However, in order to avoid the political costs that structural reform may bring, the Takaichi administration has placed the policy focus on defense and economic security fields, simplifying economic structural reform into ‘crisis management investment’, targeting areas such as defense, thereby achieving short-term public opinion mobilization and economic stimulus. To coordinate this visit to the US, the Takaichi administration forcefully pushed budget deliberations domestically; this budget plan, whose total amount and defense spending both hit record highs, had the shortest deliberation time in the House of Representatives since the beginning of this century. Japanese media criticized Takaichi for taking a reckless, all-or-nothing approach, pushing the ruling party to ‘forcibly break through’ in the House of Representatives. 日本经济复苏需要进行结构性改革。然而，高市政权为回避结构性改革可能带来的政治代价，将政策重心放在防卫和经济安保领域，把经济结构改革简化为针对防务等领域的“危机管理投资”，借此实现短期的民意动员与经济刺激。为配合此次访美行程，高市政权在国内强推预算审议，这一总额和防卫预算均创历史新高的预算案，在众议院的审议时间却是本世纪以来最短的。日本媒体批评高市孤注一掷，推动执政党在众议院“强行突破”.
This whole set of operations by Takaichi, although it may in the short term give rise to a ‘national defense bubble’, in essence is increasingly binding Japan’s economy onto the war chariot of ‘neo-militarism’, with the ultimate cost borne by the Japanese people. In the face of US-directed military purchases in recent years reaching as high as 3.55 trillion yen, Japan’s Tokyo Shimbun questioned: ‘Why does Japan continue to invest large amounts of taxpayers’ hard-earned money in purchasing American weapons? Should this kind of “explosive buying” continue?’ In order to fill the continuously expanding defense budget, the Japanese government plans to implement defense-related tax increases involving tobacco tax, corporate tax, and personal income tax, directly increasing the tax burden on domestic enterprises and households.” 高市这一套操作，虽然短期内能催生出“国防泡沫”，但实质上是将日本经济日益绑上“新型军国主义”的战车，最终代价由日本国民承担。面对近年来高达3.55万亿日元的对美军购，日本《东京新闻》质问：“日本为何持续投入大量纳税人的血汗钱购买美国武器？是否应继续这种‘爆买’？”为填补不断膨胀的防卫预算，日本政府计划实施涉及烟草税、法人税和个人所得税的防卫增税措施，直接加重了本国企业和家庭税负.
Page 18: There’s a report with remarks from China’s special envoy for the Middle East Zhai Jun outlining the Chinese position on the current tensions. Xinhua reports:
“First, this is a war that should not have happened. While the people of Middle East countries aspire to peace and stability and the latest round of Iran-U.S. talks were going on, the United States and Israel abruptly started a war, undoing all the diplomatic efforts. This is deeply regrettable and disappointing to everyone committed to peace.
Second, the ins and outs of the crisis are clear. The U.S. and Israel attacked Iran without the authorization of the U.N. Security Council. This is a blatant breach of the purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter and international law, China firmly opposes and condemns such acts. Any discussion on how to solve this crisis must be based on an understanding of the root cause and full picture of the conflict.
Third, efforts must be made to prevent the spread and escalation of hostilities. The war seriously undermines security and stability in the Middle East, deals a heavy blow to the security of the global economy, energy and shipping lanes, and threatens the well-being of all countries. The Arab states, in particular the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, are suffering a disaster not of their own making. Under no circumstances should the red line of protecting civilians in military conflict be crossed; nor nonmilitary targets such as energy, economic and livelihood facilities be attacked; nor the security of the Strait of Hormuz and other international shipping lanes be undermined. China condemns all indiscriminate attacks on civilians and nonmilitary targets.
Fourth, the priority is to realize a ceasefire. The scale, intensity and duration of this war have exceeded that of the 12-Day War last year. The Middle East has seen more than enough turmoil. The countries and peoples in the region hope for nothing more than peace and tranquility. The relevant parties should immediately stop military actions and prevent the situation from further escalation and spiraling out of control.
Fifth, dialogue and negotiation offers the fundamental solution. Both the past and present tell us that dialogue and negotiation provides the only solution to disagreements and disputes, military means cannot solve fundamental issues, and the use of force should never be a first choice. China calls on the international community to uphold its commitment to peace, actively promote peace talks, and push for a return to diplomatic means in resolving disputes.
Sixth, unilateralism must be firmly resisted. Might does not make right. A major country should not use its military strength to attack other countries at will. The international community should together say no to any act that violates international law, and oppose attempts to reduce the world to the law of the jungle. The U.N. should function as the main channel for mediation, and help build trust, bridge differences, and restart negotiation among the relevant parties.”