Foreign

Skin color decides the destiny of Americans

Published

4 years ago

June 2, 2021

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.” Although 245 years have passed since these sentences were incorporated in the preamble of the U.S. Declaration of Independence, the “self-evident truths” are still not reality in the U.S.

A few weeks ago, the high-profile George Floyd case finally got a judgment. The judge presiding over the trial announced that former white U.S. police officer Derek Chauvin was found guilty on all counts of murder and manslaughter over the death of African American man George Floyd. The overdue judgment was waited by people longing for racial justice for nearly 11 months.

The death of George Floyd showed the world that systemic racism is a “stain on our nation’s soul”, U.S. President Joe Biden said in a televised address to the nation on the night of April 20 following Derek Chauvin’s guilty verdict.

Why is America’s original sin of racism so hard to eradicate? Why is the struggle of the ethnic minority groups in the U.S. for racial equality and justice always solitary and hopeless like a cry in a lonesome wilderness? The U.S. society needs to seek answers to these questions.

Ethnic minority groups in the U.S. have long lived in misery since the colonial period of the American history, which is mirrored in the well-known novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin. As Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote in the preface of her novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin, “The scenes of this story, as its title indicates, lie among a race hitherto ignored by the associations of polite and refined society; an exotic race, whose ancestors, born beneath a tropic sun, brought with them, and perpetuated to their descendants, a character so essentially unlike the hard and dominant Anglo-Saxon race, as for many years to have won from it only misunderstanding and contempt.”

Since the colonial period, White Anglo-Saxon Protestants, with their dominant position in such fields as politics and society, had systematically implemented racist policies based on white supremacy on the American soil, and conducted long-term slaughter, exploitation, persecution, discrimination, and attacks against Native Americans, African Americans, Asian Americans, and people of other ethnic minority groups.

It was after the mid-20th century that racial segregation against African descendants was gradually abolished. The Chinese Exclusion Act, which was passed in 1882 in the U.S. to prohibit all immigration of Chinese laborers, had not been abolished until November 1943. It was in 2012 that the U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution to formally apologize for the act.

Nevertheless, racism still lingers in the U.S. in the 21st century, and its existence has been increasingly proven comprehensive, systemic, and persistent.

Americans of color generally experience discrimination not just as the actions of individual whites in one social arena, but rather as the everyday, recurring actions of white actors across many of life’s arenas-actions backed by a multifaceted and powerful system of institutionalized white power and privilege, pointed out American scholar Joe R. Feagin.

“From prison rates to segregation to wealth disparities to educational inequality, the numbers show that (people of color) continue to suffer disproportionately across most social metrics,” with racism at the root, said a critique published on the U.S. News & World Report.

Former U.S. President Barack Obama said in a message sent in response to the tragic killing of George Floyd that “for millions of Americans, being treated differently on account of race is tragically, painfully, maddeningly ‘normal’.”

Over the past one year or so, the COVID-19 pandemic has revealed a stark racial divide that determines life and death created by racial inequality in the U.S.

According to official data from the U.S., since the outbreak of the COVID-19, African American adults have had a much higher unemployment rate than white Americans, and the mortality rate of African Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Native Americans among the COVID-19 patients in the U.S. has been nearly three times that of white Americans.

Moreover, the country has witnessed constantly escalating racial discrimination and hate crimes against Asian Americans because of stigmatizing tricks played by certain U.S. politicians.

Anti-Asian hate crime in 16 of America’s largest cities increased 149 percent in 2020 from 2019, and such crime reported to police in 15 of the country’s largest cities rose 169 percent in the first quarter of 2021 in comparison to the same period in 2020, according to analyses of official preliminary police data by the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University, San Bernardino.

The frequent relapses of the severe and lingering illness of racism in the U.S. run counter to the conscience of humanity as well as the international commitments the U.S. has made.

Last year, the U.S. was severely criticized by representatives of many countries for racial discrimination during the sessions of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC).

During this year’s regular sessions of the UNHRC, representatives of 116 countries and relevant international organizations called on the U.S. again to make solid efforts to solve its problems including racism and racial discrimination when discussing and assessing the country’ human rights issues and situation.

The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination of the United Nations (UN) issued a statement to urge the U.S. government to fully obey the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination approved by it in 1994.

The reality in the U.S. has already made people around the world disappointed with the governance capability of the U.S. government.

As pointed out by E. Tendayi Achiume, UN Special Rapporteur on Contemporary Forms of Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, for black people in the U.S., the domestic legal system has utterly failed to acknowledge and confront the racial injustice and discrimination that are so deeply entrenched in law enforcement.

“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.” It has been nearly 58 years since the well-known remarks of the famed African American civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr., and yet the American society is still like the old one as skin color determines people’s destiny and ethnic minority groups are trapped in the nightmare of racial discrimination.

Is American democracy capable of nothing but keeping Americans calling for racial justice generation after generation? If people are truly the owner of the country, why are their wishes always so hard to be carried out?

By Zhong Sheng

Foreign

Understanding the history of World War II to build a peaceful future

Published

5 hours ago

August 11, 2025

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By Zhu Chengshan

“Dead To Rights,” a film about the Nanjing Massacre during World War II, recently premiered in China to significant acclaim, sparking a surge of interest in domestically-produced war films this summer.

Historical truth transcends time, possessing both revelatory power and enduring impact. The film portrays 15-year-old Luo Jin, an apprentice at Nanjing’s Huadong Photo Studio, who uncovered harrowing evidence while developing photographs for Japanese officers during the city’s occupation. The images captured scenes of mass killings, rape, and other atrocities committed against Chinese civilians by Japanese aggressors.

At great personal risk, Luo secretly duplicated dozens of the images and compiled them into an album. These materials were later safeguarded by Wu Xuan, a patriotic student, ultimately serving as pivotal evidence at the trial of Hisao Tani, the principal perpetrator of the Nanjing Massacre.

The true history cannot be erased. No matter how relentlessly Japanese right-wing forces or historical revisionists attempt to rewrite the past, their efforts are ultimately futile.

Does that painful chapter of history still carry meaning in our time? The answer is unquestionably yes. Patriotic education remains a lasting theme.

Chinese President Xi Jinping pointed out that the responsibility for war crimes lies with a few militarists, but not the people. However, people cannot at any time forget the severe crimes committed by aggressors. The Nanjing Massacre, committed by Japanese aggressors, was an atrocious anti-human crime and a dark page in the history of humanity.

This blood-soaked memory serves as a solemn reminder: when a nation is poor and weak, its people become vulnerable to the gravest violations of fundamental rights. We must never forget these historical lessons nor allow such tragedies to recur.

History serves both as the best textbook and dose of sobriety. The Nanjing Massacre remains one of the darkest and most harrowing chapters in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. This is a historical truth universally acknowledged by the international community.

Throughout the war, more than 35 million Chinese soldiers and civilians were killed or wounded. China suffered direct economic losses of over $100 billion and indirect losses exceeding $500 billion, calculated in terms of 1937 levels.

As China commemorates the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, we recognize this conflict as modern China’s longest and largest struggle against foreign aggression..Despite paying the heaviest national price, it culminated in the Chinese people’s first complete victory in their fight for liberation – a triumph that belonged not only to China but to all peace-loving people worldwide.

A truthful understanding of World War II history is fundamental to building lasting peace for the present and the future. China’s prolonged resistance tied down vast numbers of Japanese troops, shattering the scheme of Japan joining forces with fascist Germany and Italy to launch a two-front assault and dominate the world.

As the main Eastern battlefield of the anti-fascist war, China’s war of resistance made a critical contribution to its worldwide victory and the cause of justice and freedom for humanity. Franklin D. Roosevelt, then U.S. President, once commented that without China, or if China had been defeated, many more Japanese divisions would have been deployed to other areas.

Today’s world is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century, and these changes are accelerating. Hegemonism, power politics and Cold War mentalities alongside growing economic coercion is on the rise. In the face of these challenges, the Chinese people feel more deeply than ever the importance of patriotism, unity, and self-strengthening.

This makes it all the more vital to confidently share the great significance of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, and to highlight the decisive role of the main Eastern battlefield in the global fight against fascism.

To promote enduring peace and stability across the world, we must engage with history in a spirit of sincerity and humility – drawing wisdom from its experiences, and learning from its lessons, so that the true history can guide the way forward for all humanity.

(Zhu Chengshan is a Professor at Changzhou University, former vice president of the Chinese Society for the History of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, and former curator of the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders)

Foreign

Chinese products bring coolness to European consumers

Published

6 hours ago

August 11, 2025

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By Li Gang, People’s Daily

With heat waves sweeping across Europe this summer, demand for Chinese-made air conditioners (AC) is rising, signaling a shift in the region which is long accustomed to getting through the season without cooling systems.

Customs data reveals China’s air conditioner exports to EU countries reached $3.76 billion during the first half of 2025, representing a 43.2% year-on-year increase and setting a new record for the period. This growth continues the robust export momentum established in 2024.

Air conditioning is not as widely used in Europe as in many other parts of the world, due to high rental rates, deeply rooted awareness of environmental protection, and the high cost of installation and operation. Drilling into walls is often banned in historic buildings, and landlords generally won’t approve outdoor AC units. Installation must be carried out by certified professionals, often costing several hundred euros, with regular maintenance required.

To cope with the situation, Chinese air conditioner brand Midea has rolled out a portable split-type air conditioner for the European market. Portable, quiet, and comfortable, the product meets the needs of local consumers and is popular in Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, and beyond.

“This model has indoor and outdoor units, but unlike traditional split-type AC units, it’s easy to install and can be moved around. Its cooling performance is excellent,” said Zhu Zhou, sales director of Midea Residential Air Conditioners in Europe.

In Northern Europe, buying and installing an AC can cost around 3,000 euros. It’s a bit cheaper in Western and Southern Europe. The portable split-type AC is priced at 1,199 euros, users can save a lot by installing it themselves, Zhu said.

The spike in demand has ramped up production. At Midea’s smart factory in Nansha district of Guangzhou, south China’s Guangdong province, assembly of the portable split-type AC units is running in an orderly manner.

“We’ve shipped over 80,000 units so far, with another 20,000 scheduled for production,” said Sun Qi, head of production planning at the factory.

Midea has established dedicated production lines to ensure quality and output. The AC products are shipped to Europe via sea and the China-Europe freight trains. The sea freight route begins at Nansha Port in Guangzhou, passes through the Strait of Malacca, rounds South Africa, and arrives at the Port of Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

The rail freight route begins in Guangzhou, exits China via Horgos Port, and travels through Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus, Poland and other countries before arriving in Germany. In the first half of the year, Midea’s AC sales in Europe rose 35 percent.

Multiple Chinese brands are gaining traction. The portable AC products of TCL DeLonghi, a joint venture between home appliances groups TCL and DeLonghi, are also selling well in Europe.

“Our sales are up 25 percent this year in the European market,” said Du Quanbin, head of market management at the overseas marketing center of TCL DeLonghi Home Appliances (Zhongshan) Co., Ltd., located in Nantou town of Zhongshan, Guangdong.

Production lines at the company’s production workshop are running at full capacity. According to Du, orders for Europe have already been shipped, and the products being made will be sent to countries such as Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and Argentina, stocking up in advance for summer in the Southern Hemisphere.

Beyond air conditioners, Chinese-made cooling products are becoming common in German homes. German consumers report these offerings combine affordability with innovative features.

Stephen, a Berlin plumber who frequently works in uncooled environments, recently purchased a Chinese-made cooling uniform from a department store. The garment features breathable, heat-resistant fabric with UV protection and specialized cooling technology that maintains body temperatures up to 15°C below ambient conditions – a practical solution for extreme heat.

Shenzhen-based appliance supplier Weikenxiong observed a March surge in European orders for compact electric fans, now selling approximately 200,000 units monthly at over 100 euros each.

“This product was once a hit across Southeast Asia,” said Yu Yuewu, head of Yuecheng Plastic Products Factory in Longdu town, Chenghai district, Shantou of Guangdong. Holding one of the fans, Yu explained that it features an energy-efficient motor for powerful airflow, semiconductor cooling, and a built-in power bank, providing a steady stream of cool air.

The European market places strict demands on energy efficiency and environmental sustainability. “To maintain long-term market growth, the industry chain must push technological boundaries by adhering to high standards,” Yu added, expressing optimism about future prospects.

Foreign

Trump Condemns Killings of Christians in Nigeria, Promises Strong Response

Published

11 hours ago

August 11, 2025

Our Reporter

By: Fabian Apechihin

The United States has issued a strong condemnation of recent massacres targeting Christians in Nigeria and across sub-Saharan Africa, describing the violence as “horrific” and pledging coordinated action with international partners.

The statement follows a series of deadly incidents, including the slaughter of 27 Christians in Bindi Ta-hoss, Nigeria, by suspected Islamist Fulani militants. Witnesses said many victims—women and children among them—were burned alive while sheltering in a church.

“I lost my wife and second daughter in the attack,” survivor Solomon Sunday told reporters. “They were burned alive.”

Just days earlier, on July 27, 49 Christians were hacked to death with machetes during prayers in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Authorities blamed the ISIS-linked Allied Democratic Forces. Across the region, groups such as Boko Haram and ISIS West Africa are accused of killing, displacing, and seizing land from Christian communities.

“The Trump administration condemns in the strongest terms this horrific violence against Christians,” the White House said, stressing that defending religious freedom is both a moral obligation and a U.S. foreign policy priority.

Human rights organisations have labelled the attacks a campaign of “ethno-religious cleansing.” John Eibner, president of Christian Solidarity International, noted that over 165 Christians have been killed in Nigeria’s Plateau State alone in the past four months. “People are being killed like chickens, and nothing is being done,” added local youth leader D’Young Mangut.

According to Open Doors, more Christians are killed for their faith in Nigeria than in the rest of the world combined. Over the past decade, jihadist violence in sub-Saharan Africa has claimed about 150,000 lives and displaced more than 16 million Christians. In Plateau State, more than 64 communities have reportedly been seized by armed Fulani militants.

Religious leaders warn the violence is systematic. Bishop Wilfred Anagbe, who lost 20 parishioners in a recent attack, accused militants of seeking to transform parts of Nigeria into an Islamic State. Families of victims say they are “tired of condolences” and demand tangible protection.

Henrietta Blyth, CEO of Open Doors UK and Ireland, called for urgent global attention: “For too long, nobody has been talking about the horrific wholesale slaughter of Christians. The Western world needs to wake up and be outraged.”

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