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The five-day May Day holidays, which concluded on Sunday, witnessed a bustling tourism market with a surge in visitor numbers at many tourist attractions nationwide, with a trend showing that many tourists explored smaller cities and towns alongside traditional popular tourism destinations.

China saw 295 million domestic tourist trips during the holidays, up 7.6 percent year-on-year and 28.2 percent from the same period in 2019, according to data from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism on Monday.

During the holidays, the most popular tourist destinations in China were cities famous for their convenient transportation, rich cultural and tourism resources such as Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Chengdu, according to a report sent to the Global Times by online travel agency Trip.com.

However, there is a noticeable trend that smaller cities and county-level destinations have seen higher growth rates in tourism orders compared to first and second-tier cities, said the report.

For instance, smaller cities such as Yangzhou and Luoyang saw a year-on-year average rise of 11 percent in tourism orders during the holidays, while the county-level destinations, such as Anji, Yiwu and Pingtan, have experienced an average increase of 36 percent, according to the report. 

Experts noted that the trend indicates the increasing diversity of tourism destinations nationwide, as well as the structural changes in the supply and demand of the tourism market.

Chinese tourists currently are "more focused on cost-effectiveness" when traveling to small cities or counties, as the accommodation and transportation costs are lower compared to larger cities, Wu Liyun, a professor of China Academy of Culture and Tourism of Beijing International Studies University, told the Global Times on Monday.

Meanwhile, there's a trend that more and more tourists prioritize "quality and unique experiences," "leading them to seek out lesser-known or niche destinations," rather than those popular tourist spots that are crowded, said Wu. 

With the rural revitalization development across the country, smaller regions including county-level places have become important markets for tourism companies to develop scenic areas, theme parks or other scenic spots, to attract tourists to experience natural beauty with less cost and improved services, Wu noted.

The average price for hotels in county-level markets is only half of the average rate in popular first and second-tier cities, during the holidays. The county-level markets are also improving their services and accommodations as well. Since December 2023, at least 127 new 4A-level scenic spots have been added in 10 provincial-level regions, with 65 percent of them located in county-level markets, according to the Trip.com report. 

A Shanghai local resident surnamed Huang told the Global Times on Monday that she went to Lishui district, a suburb area in Nanjing, East China's Jiangsu Province during the holidays and was quite satisfied with the trip. "I preferred the lesser-known place which also has attractive scenes. The transportation is also very convenient, and it's not expensive," Huang said.

Another resident surnamed Ma went to Xiapu county in East China's Fujian Province with her family during the holidays. "The county is less crowded and very comfortable, and we can explore the place slowly and have lasting memories with the family," Ma told the Global Times.

More than 100 Chinese and French experts gathered in Paris on Thursday to explore ways to build a multilateral future by deepening global governance reforms.

At the second China-France forum on global governance, former French Prime Minister Laurent Fabius said France and China "share certain close -- even identical -- visions on global governance."
He said that multilateralism appears as "the most effective way to address most issues in our multipolar world," in such areas as security, economy, environment, and many others.

Fabius called on the two countries to work together to tackle global challenges, adding that by practicing true multilateralism, France and China will benefit the entire world.

The forum, held in the year that marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of Chinese-French diplomatic relations, is aimed at upholding the "China-France spirit," pooling more consensus and wisdom, and building a more solid and dynamic bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership, Du Zhanyuan, president of China International Communications Group (CICG), said in his opening speech.
He said the forum called for true multilateralism and pushing forward global governance in a fairer and more equitable direction.

Experts from both sides held in-depth discussions on four modules including building and maintaining peace, science and technological innovation and development, low-carbon and sustainable development, and exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations.

They expressed their common belief that true multilateralism is essential in improving global governance and pushing forward the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

The forum was sponsored by the Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies and China-Europe-America Global Initiative, under the guidance of the State Council Information Office of China and the CICG.

China has established the world's largest, most comprehensive, and scientifically arranged monitoring network system in the recent years, and will continue to strengthen environmental monitoring and enforcement in 2024, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment of China stated on Sunday.

"Currently, the country directly monitors 33,000 sites, effectively enhancing the quality of monitoring and continually strengthening technical capabilities, thereby providing significant support for ecological and environmental protection work," Pei Xiaofei, the director of the Department of Communication and Education and spokesperson for the ministry, stated at a monthly routine press conference on Sunday.

Ecological monitoring is a crucial foundation for environmental protection, serving as the primary basis for objectively assessing environmental quality, reflecting the effectiveness of pollution control, and implementing environmental management and decision-making.

The Ministry has issued "Opinions on Accelerating the Establishment of a Modern Ecological Environmental Monitoring System" and recently held a national ecological monitoring work conference to comprehensively deploy the construction of a modern monitoring system.

Pei mentioned that the Ministry would focus on five key tasks in the future: First, to perfect the monitoring system to match the construction of a beautiful China and objectively assess its effectiveness; second, to enhance data analysis and predictive capabilities to accurately guide pollution control; third, to boost integrated monitoring capabilities from mountain tops to oceans, covering all ecological and environmental elements comprehensively; additionally, to strengthen monitoring technology support, enhancing technology research and application; and finally, to enhance monitoring and regulatory capabilities, innovate regulatory methods, prevent the falsification of environmental monitoring data, and create a fair regulatory environment.

"The monitoring should consider all elements of the ecological environment, from the mountains to the sea, above and below ground, in cities and rural areas, and along river basins, and we aim to advance the construction of integrated monitoring capabilities comprehensively and across all regions," he said.

Additionally, this year, the ministry will organize the third monitoring competition to promote training, learning, and action through competition.

Liu Dejun, spokesperson for the China Coast Guard, noted at the press conference that in 2023, the China Coast Guard confronted the complex challenges of marine ecological environmental protection and fully engaged in the defense of the blue seas.

Over the year, more than 3,600 maritime construction projects were inspected, and approximately 16,800 vessel inspections were conducted. Special attention was given to difficult issues such as the illegal extraction of marine sand. A total of 98 cases involving marine sand were detected, resulting in the seizure of 95 vessels and 452,000 tons of sand, significantly curbing frequent illegal dredging activities in key maritime areas.

Innovative maritime monitoring models were continuously developed, utilizing a coordinated approach involving personnel, vessels, and aircrafts to establish a three-dimensional monitoring system that includes outdoor cruising, maritime patrolling, and aerial surveillance, he said.

Zhang Zhifeng, deputy director of the marine ecology department of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, stated at the press conference that since the begin of 14th Five-Year plan in 2021, various departments and localities have adhered to integrated land and marine management and river-sea coordination, committed to comprehensive governance and collaborative efforts, and achieved significant phased results in the comprehensive management of key marine areas.

Approximately 9,200 hectares of coastal wetlands have been rehabilitated, along with about 110 kilometers of shoreline.

"While making phased progress, we also fully recognize that key marine areas still face high pressure from the discharge of pollutants such as total nitrogen, and the restoration and repair of typical marine ecosystems will require a longer period. The foundation for improving the ecological environment quality in key marine areas is not yet solid, and the task of comprehensive governance remains challenging," Zhang stated.

Next, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, in conjunction with relevant departments and coastal localities, will deepen the integrated land and sea coordination, river-sea linkage, and regional collaboration in pollution prevention and control efforts, further strengthen the protection and restoration of the marine ecology, and implement precise governance of rivers and bays to collectively push forward the comprehensive governance battle in key marine areas to achieve expected results, according to Zhang.

A man who killed his wife during their divorce cooling-off period was given a death penalty in the first trial by a court in Guangzhou, South China’s Guangdong Province on Thursday. 

Two weeks after submitting their divorce application, the 36-year-old victim surnamed Zhou was stabbed to death by her 37-year-old husband Zhao Liuchao outside an industrial park in July 2023, despite being accompanied by six relatives and friends at the time. 

The Guangzhou Intermediate People’s Court announced the verdict of the first trial against the defendant in accordance with the law. Zhao was sentenced to death for the crime of intentional homicide and deprived of his political rights for life. 

According to the victim’s younger sister Zhou Mei (pseudonym), after the verdict was pronounced, the judge asked the defendant whether he had anything to say on the verdict and the defendant asked the judge whether he would be immediately executed. After he was given an affirmative answer, he said he did not intend to kill his wife on purpose and was taken away, the Xiaoxiang Morning News reported on Thursday. 

Zhao and Zhou were married in 2011 and they applied for divorce at the marriage registration office of the local civil affairs bureau in Pingyu county, Central China’s Henan Province on July 7, 2023. On the evening of July 30, 2023, the victim was accompanied by six relatives and friends and met the defendant outside of a local industrial park. 

When the defendant arrived at the meeting place, he rushed to the victim and took out a knife to stab her and the other people, leading to the death of the victim and other four people being wounded. 

According to the court, the defendant deliberately and illegally deprived others of their lives, resulting in one death, and four other people suffering minor injuries. His actions have constituted the crime of intentional homicide. 

Zhao displayed a high degree of subjective malignancy, employed cruel means in committing the crime, and caused severe consequences, thus, he should be severely punished, the court concluded.

According to reports, the victim was born in Leizhou, South China’s Guangdong Province in 1987. In 2008, the two people got married and had a son and a daughter. In Jul 7, 2023, the couple applied for divorce in Henan and Zhou returned to Guangzhou for work. 

According to Zhou’s younger sister, the defendant appeared to remain calm, agreed to get divorced and signed the divorce agreement during the first week of the cooling-off period before divorce. 

However, Zhao soon regretted his actions and asked Zhou to meet again. Since the defendant’s attitude was very volatile, Zhou was worried that the defendant would exhibit violent behaviors. So, Zhou went to the appointment in the company of her younger sister, elder brother and four other male friends. 

According to Guangzhou Municipal People’s Procuratorate, Zhou filed for divorce due to her husband’s long-term domestic violence with the civil affairs bureau in Henan. After Zhou returned to Guangzhou, Zhao repeatedly threatened Zhou over phone for a meeting and threatened to kill her family. 

According to Zhou’s younger sister, the results of Zhao’s psychiatric assessment showed that he had no mental issues. 

The divorce cooling-off period was introduced as part of the first-ever Civil Code in China on January 1, 2021. It requires couples to wait a month after reaching a settlement and then go together to collect their divorce certificates. 

The policy sparked heated discussion after release, with some questioning whether extending and complicating the process of divorce is a right path to take for a broken marriage. 

Experts noted that the cooling-off period only applies to the circumstances of the divorce agreement but not the litigation, in which the victims of domestic violence need to seek to their own protection in court.

Since the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) launched the counter-terrorism hotline in June 2022, over 28,000 messages have been submitted as of mid-April, involving more than 7,000 tipoffs. Among them, over 13 percent offered information meriting further investigation, such as reports of explosives and prohibited weapons.

Among those reported cases, a netizen found a post related to terrorism and violence. After an investigation by the police, it was discovered that the post was linked to incitement. The individuals involved were arrested by the police.

Shortly after the launch of the counter-terrorism hotline, numerous reports were received  with the public encouraged to "see something, say something," said senior superintendent Leung Wai-ki of the HKPF's interdepartmental counter-terrorism unit. 

These included tipoffs about prohibited weapons, illegal possession of explosives, posts related to terrorism and violence on social media. In recent months, concerned residents reported suspected excessive storage of hazardous materials in residential buildings, and members of the public reported suspicious objects left by the roadside, such as luggage and other devices.

Some of those cases received "counter-terrorism rewards," with the highest amount being a five-figure sum. Additionally, certain reports that do not involve terrorism or violent activities have also been referred to other police reward programs or the "good citizen award," resulting in the issuance of rewards.

"Under the active promotion of the counter-terrorism unit, the awareness of 'everyone against terrorism, report when in doubt' has begun to deeply root in the public's mind," Junior Police Officers' Association chairman Lam Chi-wai told the Global Times on Wednesday.

Over the past two years, the unit has been promoting anti-terrorism public education targeted different sectors, including the chemical industry, taxi industry, and primary and secondary schools, Lam said. 

Hong Kong has over 160,000 logistics industry workers. Among them, a transport worker, during their shift, discovered what appeared to be prohibited weapons and reported it through the hotline, according to police. 

Since the program was launched, the counter-terrorism unit has engaged with 67 cross-border and local logistics and transportation companies to help enhance their employees' awareness of counter-terrorism.

As of the end of March, Hong Kong customs has seized 27 cases involving firearms and ammunition, 19 of which were actively reported by the logistics industry. Additionally, there were 60 cases involving weapons during the same period, with 48 being actively reported by the logistics industry, reflecting the effectiveness of the "see something, say something" campaign. 

Countries with the most imports of firearms, ammunition, and weapons to Hong Kong are the US and Germany, according to customs. 

Since the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance took effect in March, various types of counter-terrorism training took place in Hong Kong.

For instance, the HKPF, along with the Fire Services Department, Hong Kong Red Cross, and Endeavour Education Center, held a large-scale interdepartmental counter-terrorism drill on Sunday, involving over 100 secondary school students who learned how to respond to danger. The exercise also helped to improve the police's response capabilities to terrorist attacks.

While the current threat level of terrorist attacks in Hong Kong is moderate, with no intelligence indicating an imminent target, local officials referenced recent major terrorist attacks globally, saying they reflect the increasingly complex geopolitical environment that exacerbates the international terrorism situation. 

"Recently, terrorist attacks have occurred frequently around the world, many involving firearms or explosives, resulting in casualties. As an international city, Hong Kong should be vigilant of the risks of being a potential target for terrorists," Lam said.

In the past, the police force has also uncovered multiple cases of local extremists planning attacks, a situation that cannot be ignored, he noted. 

"Relying solely on disciplined forces for anti-terrorism efforts is insufficient. If every resident joins in, paying attention to suspicious people, objects, and events around them, and reports them when in doubt, Hong Kong will gain an additional seven million reliable eyes, providing extra protection against terrorist activities," Lam said. 

China's Foreign Ministry on Friday again rebuked US accusation of Chinese overcapacity, saying that the US' claims, while sounding like an economic concept, are a disguise for its malign attempt to curb China's industrial development and a form of economic coercion and bullying. 

The remarks came as the US continued to hype its so-called accusation of overcapacity across various Chinese industries and even threatened to take measures, including increased tariffs against Chinese products, in its latest crackdown campaign against China. 

Commenting on US' accusations of overcapacity at a regular press briefing in Beijing, Lin Jian, a spokesperson for China's Foreign Ministry, said that such claims against China are not new, as the US has long accused China of overcapacity, as China exported a large volume of high-quality, affordable products to the world.

"The so-called overcapacity claim raised by the US seems to be an economic concept, but behind it is the vicious attempt to curb and suppress China's industrial development. It aims to seek a more favorable competitive position and market advantage for itself. It is blatant economic coercion and bullying," Lin said.

Lin further pointed out that 80 percent of US chips are exported and a huge amount of US ports and agricultural products are also exported. Can this be called overcapacity, based on the US' own logic? Lin also noted that the proportion China's exports of new-energy vehicles (NEVs) in total output remains far below that of Germany, Japan, South Korean and other countries, which shows there is no overcapacity in China's NEV sector. 

"Prescribing medicine for others cannot cure one's own disease. US 'overcapacity' charge as a pretext for protectionist trade measures cannot address one's own problems. Instead, it will hinder the stability of the global production and supply chain, harm the growth and development of emerging industries, and undermine the international community's joint efforts to address climate change and green transformation and development," Lin said. 

Also on Friday, Lin responded to remarks made by US President Joe Biden, who called for substantial higher tariffs against Chinese steel products during a speech given in the US steel production base of Pittsburgh on Wednesday. Biden also accused China of offering subsidies to expand steel production capacity, which harms US businesses. 

In response, Lin said that relevant claims made by the US side are completely untrue and could harm China-US economic and trade relations. "China is seriously concerned and strongly dissatisfied with this," he said.

The spokesperson also noted that China's steel industry relies on domestic demand and does not receive any export subsidies, further adding that China's proportion of steel exports in its total output has long remained at around 5 percent and is far below that of Japan, South Korea and other major steel producers.

China will closely follow the US' so-called investigation, urging the US to be prudent in its words and deeds, stop political manipulation on China-related issues during the election year, and stop overstretching the concept of national security regarding economic and trade issues, remove existing additional tariffs and refrain from imposing new tariffs, Lin said. 

"China will take all necessary measures to resolutely defend its rights and interests," the spokesperson noted.

More college graduates in China are choosing smaller cities for employment rather than only considering first-tier cities, according to a report released by MyCOS, a higher education consulting firm.

According to statistics on college graduates from class of 2018 to class of 2022, the percentage of undergraduates employed in county-level localities six months after graduation rose significantly, from 20 percent for class of 2018 to 25 percent for class of 2022. Among them, the percentage for male graduates rose from 19 percent to 24 percent, and for female graduates rose from 22 percent to 27 percent.

The reason for this new trend is the increasing income levels in county-level localities. The statistics reveal that the monthly income of college graduates working in counties has risen from 4,640 yuan ($640) for class of 2018 to 5,377 yuan for class of 2022, while job satisfaction has risen from 67 percent to 76 percent.

Nearly 60 percent of undergraduates who returned to counties for work stayed in the counties continuously for five years, while about 40 percent of them returned to counties for employment after working elsewhere for a period of time.

The government and public administration sector as well as the education sector were the main industries that have the highest percentage of undergraduates employed in counties for class of 2022, according to the report. Employment in education accounted for 23.6 percent, while employment in government and public administration accounted for 14.9 percent.

Statistics also show that 35.2 percent of female graduates are employed in the education industry. Among the male graduates employed in counties, the proportion of those who choose industries related to government and public administration is the highest, accounting for 15.3 percent, while the proportion of male students choosing the education industry is only 9.6 percent.

MyCOS analyzed that college students employed in counties five years after graduation may not have a clear advantage in terms of promotions and salary increases compared to the national average level. However, they do benefit from stable incomes, the convenience of working close to home, and a better cost of living. 

One Chinese student is dead and another one has been seriously injured in a stabbing incident at a Sydney shopping center in Australia on Saturday, the Chinese Embassy in Australia and the Chinese Consulate-General in Sydney confirmed to China Media Group on Sunday.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said during the regular press conference on Monday that the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has instructed the embassy and consulate in Australia to activate the emergency consular protection mechanism, and confirmed the casualties of Chinese nationals. 

The embassy and consulates in Australia have urged the Australian side to make every effort to treat the injured, actively providing full assistance for follow-up matters. They will also continue to maintain close communication with the Australian side and do their utmost to provide necessary assistance to the families of the Chinese victims, according to the Chinese Embassy in Australia on Monday.

According to the Associated Press, a man used a knife to stab six people to death at Westfield Shopping Center at Bondi Junction, one of the busiest shopping centers in Sydney on Saturday, and injured at least a dozen others during the attack before a police officer shot him dead.

A Chinese national who was at the scene of the incident with her boyfriend told the Red Star News that they watched the crowd running around and felt confused at first, and then they hid in the nearest store as staff put a lock on the door after they received a warning from fleeing individuals. 

They heard a series of consecutive gunshots when they were hiding, after which they realized that the sounds were of a police killing the attacker.

They later moved from the store to a warehouse at the back of the mall, unaware of what was going on outside, and were surrounded by people hiding in the warehouse, as the alarm blared throughout the mall. 

After waiting for a period of time,  a mall employee asked everyone to escape to the nearest exit as soon as possible. The whole mall was surrounded by police cars, ambulances and helicopters when they emerged.

Police from New South Wales (NSW) confirmed Sunday that the attacker,  40-year-old Joel Cauchi, had a history of mental illness, and investigators were not treating it as a terrorism-related incident, according to reports. 

The attacker also wounded a 9-month-old baby and other seven people, and a total of five women and one man were killed, NSW officials said during a press conference.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced on Monday via social media platform X that Australian flags are flying half-mast in honor of the victims of the Bondi Junction attack, saying that "we grieve together, as one." He also updated Cabinet on Monday morning on the situation following this devastating attack.

Albanese and the public also lay flowers outside the shopping center after the incident on Sunday. NSW Premier Chris Minns praised ordinary people who cornered and confronted the murderers at the scene for showing "bravery under terrible circumstances" on Sunday.

If the Philippines truly wants to ease tensions at Ren’ai Jiao through dialogue and communication, it needs to honor the commitments and understandings and stop provocations, spokesperson of Chinese Foreign Ministry Mao Ning said at a press conference on Thursday. 

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday called on China to talk to prevent more incidents like ramming vessels and the use of water cannons in the South China Sea, Voice of America reported.

The Philippines continues to talk with China, and is exhausting all options to speak to Chinese leadership so as not to heat up tensions in the waterway, Marcos claimed, according to media report. 

In response, Mao reiterated on Thursday China's indisputable sovereignty over the Nansha Islands, Ren’ai Jiao included, and their surrounding waters.

She stressed that China has always been committed to managing the on-site situation of Ren'ai Jiao through dialogue and consultation with the Philippines. 

Mao reiterated that on how to deal with the current situation at Ren’ai Jiao, China’s position is clear-cut. First, by keeping its warship grounded at Ren’ai Jiao for decades running, the Philippines has been violating China’s sovereignty and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), especially Article 5 which says refraining from action of inhabiting on the presently uninhabited islands and reefs. We demand that the Philippines tow away the warship at once and restore the Ren’ai Jiao’s state of hosting zero personnel and facilities.

Second, before the warship is towed away, if the Philippines needs to send living necessities, out of humanitarianism, China is willing to allow it if the Philippines informs China in advance and after on-site verification is conducted. China will monitor the whole process.

Third, if the Philippines sends large amount of construction materials to the warship and attempts to build fixed facilities and permanent outpost, China will not accept it and will resolutely stop it in accordance with law and regulations to uphold China’s sovereignty and the sanctity of the DOC.

The recent attempts by the Philippines to permanently occupy Ren'ai Jiao and Tiexian Jiao (Tiexian Reef) have seriously violated Article 5 of the DOC, said Lei Xiaolu, a professor of law with China Institute of Boundary and Ocean Studies, Wuhan University.   

In 1999, the Philippines illegally grounded the “BRP Sierra Madre” warship on Ren'ai Jiao under the pretext of “mechanical failure” and promised to tow it away. However, in recent years, the Philippines has acted in bad faith, claiming to build permanent facilities on Ren'ai Jiao. 

The Philippines believes the South China Sea arbitration case gives it a legal basis for the illegal occupation of Ren'ai Jiao, but in fact, the arbitral tribunal in the South China Sea arbitration case has no jurisdiction to handle sovereignty disputes over Ren'ai Jiao as part of the Nansha Islands. Tiexian Jiao is an uninhabited high-tide feature within 12 nautical miles of Zhubi Jiao (Zhubi Reef) and is part of the Nansha Islands, according to Lei. 

If the Philippines' activities are tolerated, the dispute settlement mechanism established in Article 5 of the DOC will be weakened, potentially reopening the "Pandora's Box" of new round of island occupation by some countries, which will have a negative impact on regional peace and stability, Lei noted. 

China and the Philippines established several channels of communication on the South China Sea issue, the most important one being the Bilateral Consultative Mechanism (BCM) established in 2016, noted Yan Yan, Direct of Research Center for Oceans Law and Policy, National Institute for South China Sea Studies. 

The hotline between China and the Philippines coast guards was established after then Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with China on cooperation between the two countries' coast guard in 2016 and is the most direct means of communication between the maritime law enforcement agencies of the two countries. In August 2023, Philippine Coast Guard spokesman Jay Tarriela announced the abandonment of this hotline mechanism, saying they will no longer be communicating directly with their Chinese counterpart. 

In January of this year, the 8th meeting of the BCM was held in Shanghai. China and the Philippines agreed to "further improve the sea-related communication mechanism, continue to properly manage sea-related conflicts and differences through friendly consultations, and deal with maritime emergencies." 

However, the Philippines' actions on Huangyan Dao and Ren’ai Jiao have not been curtailed despite the consultation. It seems that the Philippines’ strategy is to use action instead of words and dialogue, to show its presence and attempt to change the status quo in the South China Sea, Yan stressed. 

China and ASEAN Foreign Ministers signed the DOC in November, 2002. 

For the past 22 years, the DOC has served as a crucial political consensus and cornerstone for maintaining peace in the region. China and ASEAN countries have successfully engaged in various constructive maritime cooperation, including marine environmental protection, scientific research, safety of navigation and communication at sea, search and rescue operations, and combating transnational crime, in accordance with Article 6 which allows for cooperative activities pending a comprehensive settlement of disputes, said Yang Xiao, Deputy director of Institute of Maritime Strategy Studies at China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations. 

Article 6 regulates cooperative activities among the parties concerned. These may include the following: marine environmental protection; marine scientific research; safety of navigation and communication at sea; search and rescue operation; and combating transnational crime, including but not limited to trafficking of illicit drugs, piracy and armed robbery at sea, and illegal traffic in arms. 

However, beyond the positive momentum of promoting cooperation between China and most ASEAN countries, there has been some sort of noise off and on for some time, especially the Philippines which has repeatedly violated its commitments and obligations, Yang pointed out. 

There is no doubt that “cooperation” is the most approved axiom paved by DOC for peace and development in the South China Sea ... Any actions or intentions that undermine these commitments and cooperation should be firmly opposed by all parties to DOC and by nations dedicated to peace and prosperity, Yang noted. 

On Monday night, Lanzhou University's School of Nuclear Science and Technology officially announced the 2024 list of candidates for master's degree transfer admissions on its official website. After checking the list, Xu, a candidate who had attracted significant social attention for allegedly abusing cats, found out that he had not been included in the list of candidates for admission.

According to media reports, after finishing his undergraduate studies, Xu applied for admission to the School of Physics at Nanjing University for a master's degree, but was not admitted. Despite his professional course results ranking first, he received a message that said: "failed to pass the second examination."

Subsequently, he applied for a transfer to Lanzhou University. During this period, some netizens reported that the candidate had allegedly abused and killed cats in the school dormitory and uploaded videos of the acts online.

According to online feedback, many netizens supported Nanjing University's decision to reject the candidate, while earnestly advising Lanzhou University to be cautious about him, given the suspected cat abuse acts by the candidate.

Previously, the Nanjing police responded by stating that they had interviewed the parties involved and their families, and instructed them to write a letter of repentance. Given the school's specific provisions and regulations for the admission of master's students in the reexamination, it is reasonable for the school to judge the candidate as morally unfit for admission based on his behavior, but some argue that the school's handling of the situation is too harsh.

In fact, this is not an isolated case. A university in Central China's Henan Province once reported that a student named Li was involved in cat abuse and was expelled; in Southwest China's Sichuan Province, a school punished two students for mistreating stray dogs and placed them under surveillance at school.

Leaving aside the deeply ingrained concept of harmonious coexistence between humans and animals, animal abuse itself is not trivial. It not only involves personal conduct issues but also reflects a lack of reverence and respect for life, and may have legal consequences.

Many netizens' relentless pursuit of this matter is likely to stem from an emotional response and moral disagreement and there is still room for further clarification of the events, their causes and other details.

In a survey involving tens of thousands of people, 90 percent of netizens agreed that "graduate admissions should strengthen moral assessment." This indirectly reminds us: conduct and knowledge should not be neglected, and the public expects universities to strengthen the cultivation and assessment of students' moral character.

In recent years, incidents of misconduct by university students have occurred from time to time. Good grades may be a sign of being a "good student," but they certainly do not equate to good character. A student with poor character but good academic performance may pose a significant threat to society in the future.

Since ancient China, "virtue" has always been an important criterion, represented by Confucianism. The importance of education lies not only in imparting knowledge and skills but also in shaping personalities and nurturing values. In other words, social development requires more well-rounded individuals. From this perspective, using the "measuring stick" of moral character is crucial for universities in talent cultivation and selection.

For schools, it may be helpful to refine their "admissions brochure," especially to clarify the rules and criteria for immediate disqualification, in order to better ensure fairness and reasonableness. For students, while it is important to perform well in exams, it is even more important to excel in the "invisible exam" of moral character outside the examination hall.