Foreign

The will of the people cannot be defied and those who play with fire will end up getting burnt

Published

4 years ago

August 11, 2022

By Zhong Sheng, People’s Daily

In response to U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to China’s Taiwan region, an egregious act of provocation against China, China decided to adopt sanctions on Pelosi and her immediate family members and take eight countermeasures against the U.S., China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Aug. 5.

Meanwhile, in order to sternly deter the U.S. and Taiwan from continuing to make negative moves to further their collusion, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has conducted live-fire joint combat exercises and training on an unprecedented scale in the waters and airspace off the Taiwan Island over the past few days.

These powerful actions have fully demonstrated that China has the determination, means, and capability to safeguard its national unity, national sovereignty, and territorial integrity.

The effective countermeasures taken by the Chinese government and the PLA’s proven ability to launch precision strikes and perform area-denial tasks have helped external forces attempting to interfere in China’s internal affairs and the “Taiwan independence” separatist forces better understand what did China mean by “The will of the people cannot be defied and those who play with fire will perish by it,” “Let’s see what happens if she actually goes,” and “What needs to be done will be done”.

When China said that it firmly opposes secession aimed at “Taiwan independence” and external interference, and never allows any room for “Taiwan independence” forces in whatever form, it meant what it said.

Attempting to use Taiwan to contain China, the U.S. made a malicious provocation first, and China has been compelled to act in self-defense. No one is qualified to make irresponsible remarks on China’s countermeasures.

During the past few days, people from all walks of life in Taiwan have staged protests against Pelosi’s visit to the island. They exposed Pelosi’s despicable trick to stir up tensions across the Taiwan Strait, fool the people in Taiwan and bring scourge to the island for her own political gains, and denounced the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities’ colluding with external forces, deliberately escalating cross-Strait confrontation, and constantly making provocations in pursuit of “Taiwan independence”.

Widely circulated remarks by protesters in Taiwan include “Pelosi has brought a time bomb to Taiwan” and “People in Taiwan cannot allow politicians to make a mess in Taiwan without cleaning it up”.

Such voices have reflected the shared opinions of people in Taiwan who reject manipulation by external forces and refuse to be held hostage by the DPP authorities.

China must be and will surely be reunified, which will not change regardless of the will of some die-hard anti-China forces from the U.S. side or the illusion of separatist forces seeking “Taiwan independence.”

The plot to incite separatist activities seeking “Taiwan independence” represents a total misjudgment and miscalculation of the situation. The U.S.-Taiwan collusion will only expedite the destruction of the “Taiwan independence” forces.

Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan constituted a gross violation of the one-China principle and a malicious infringement of China’s national sovereignty. It has not only triggered strong indignation among the Chinese people, but aroused widespread opposition from the international community.

So far, more than 160 countries have spoken up for justice, reiterating their commitment to the one-China principle and support for China’s efforts to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity, while pointing out that the provocative visit made by the U.S. side was a breach of its commitment to China and a violation of the basic norms governing international relations.

As Pelosi’s Taiwan visit has created tensions, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres affirmed the international organization’s commitment to the one-China principle at a recent press conference.

“Our position is very clear. We abide by General Assembly resolutions, by the one-China policy, and that is the orientation that we have in everything we do,” said Guterres.

The international community has seen clearly that by taking resolute countermeasures in response to the U.S.’ provocative acts of interfering in China’s internal affairs and undermining China’s national sovereignty, China is fighting against hegemonism, interference, and secession, and is taking justifiable actions to defend the purposes of the UN Charter and the basic norms governing international relations.

Attempting to build small circles to confuse right with wrong and challenge international law and justice, the U.S. stands in opposition not only to the 1.4 billion Chinese people, but also the overwhelming majority of countries in the world and all the peace-loving people in the world.

Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan has made it clearer that the root causes of the tensions across the Taiwan Strait, the serious difficulties confronting China-U.S. relations, as well as the major risks to the Asia-Pacific security all lie in the U.S.

Over the past few days, people from all walks of life in the Asia-Pacific region as well as farsighted people in the U.S. have pointed out that Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan would only undermine regional peace and stability and make the already turbulent international situation more volatile.

Former U.S. Ambassador to China Max Baucus called Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan a “provocation”. “We are playing with fire when we get pretty close to the line, and Pelosi is pushing us much, much closer to recognizing Taiwan as an independent country. And once we get there, we’re going to pay a price,” Baucus said.

During Pelosi’s visit to Singapore, Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong highlighted the importance of stable U.S.-China relations for regional peace and security when meeting with Pelosi.

The lukewarm welcome Pelosi got in South Korea has attracted wide attention and sparked extensive discussions.

It’s widely believed that Pelosi’s misdeeds in destabilizing regional situation have turned herself into a veritable hot potato.

The attitudes of countries in the Asia-Pacific region have fully proven that the U.S.’ attempt to add the Taiwan question to its regional strategy to escalate tensions and provoke confrontation goes against the trend of development of the region and runs counter to the expectations of people in the region.

The complete reunification of China is an aspiration shared by people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.

China will strive for the prospect of peaceful reunification with the utmost sincerity and efforts, but if external forces and the “Taiwan independence” separatist forces continue to provoke it, force its hand or even cross the red line, it will be compelled to take resolute measures.

When it comes to the great cause of national unification, the Chinese people have the gut not to be misled by fallacies or scared by evils, the ambition to never be intimidated or crushed, the determination to unite as one, and the ability to resolutely safeguard national sovereignty and national dignity.

Any person, any force, and any country that attempt to slow down China’s development and obstruct the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation by provoking China and stirring up trouble for China on the Taiwan question will find their efforts completely futile and end up getting themselves badly hurt.

(Zhong Sheng is a pen name often used by People’s Daily to express its views on foreign policy and international affairs.)

Foreign

Sanxingdui Museum transforms ancient relics into interactive experiences

Published

1 week ago

May 31, 2026

Our Reporter

By Song Haoxin, People’s Daily

What if museum visitors could truly interact with cultural relics rather than merely observe them through glass displays? At the Sanxingdui Museum in southwest China’s Sichuan province, a specially designed interactive hall is revolutionizing cultural engagement.

Within this 1,300-square-meter space, nearly every exhibit invites touch, operation, or participation. Visitors immerse themselves in installations inspired by the ancient Shu civilization, blending education with entertainment.

By trying on replicas of headwear on bronze statues discovered in Sanxingdui Ruins, for example, visitors can not only take photos of themselves but also learn about the symbolic meanings behind different headpieces.

Guests can don replicas of bronze statue headwear from the Sanxingdui Ruins, learning their symbolic meanings while capturing photos. Augmented reality allows dancing alongside virtual Sanxingdui figures for social media sharing. A creation zone even enables “time travel” to experience ancient bronze-casting and construction techniques.

These innovations transform traditional museum visits, offering deeper cultural understanding through hands-on interaction. “This hall emerged from extensive brainstorming,” explained Zhu Yarong, deputy director of the management committee of the Sanxingdui Ruins site.

“We’re transitioning from passive relic viewing to interactive engagement, bridging the gap between audiences and history.”

Previously, museum experiences were largely one-directional with limited engagement. Visitors viewed relics through display cases, usually stopping mainly to take photographs, with relatively limited forms of engagement. By liberating artifacts from display cases into interactive settings, Sanxingdui is pioneering a shift from didactic presentation to open cultural dialogue.

Traditional exhibition spaces remain popular, while digital innovations attract growing interest. A VR project employs digital twin technology to recreate 1:1 scale excavation sites — complete with protective shelters and cabins — placing visitors at the archaeological forefront.

Another project, Heaven and Earth Echoes — Sanxingdui Panoramic Sound and Vision Digital Art Theater, features an interactive panoramic LED dome with a diameter of 20 meters and a resolution approaching 16K. The massive dome creates a deeply immersive atmosphere. By waving digital torches in their hands, visitors can trigger sacred birds to circle above them across the dome, experiencing the ancient Shu civilization through an interplay of sound and imagery.

“The digital technology made me feel as if I were racing across the Mamu River. That sense of traveling through time was incredible,” said Hao Yong, a tourist from southwest China’s Chongqing municipality who came specifically to experience a virtual reality program.

From passive observation to active participation, Sanxingdui Museum continues introducing new interactive experiences that transform cultural relics into living carriers of dialogue and engagement, helping keep the sparks of Chinese civilization alive for new generations.

Foreign

A living testimony about MKA: The Aondoakaa that I know Written By Brahms Tor-Ikuan

Published

3 weeks ago

May 19, 2026

milcah

My people of Benue State,

I am not speaking to you today as a politician. I am speaking as a brother whose family was held up by Chief Mike Kaase Aondoakaa, MKA, when we had no one else to hold onto.

My elder brother, Verem Ukaa-Ikuan, was not just my blood. He was a very dear and close friend to Chief MKA. When my brother fell ill and was diagnosed with liver damage caused by poisoning, MKA didn’t treat it as someone else’s problem. He took it on as his own.

He worked closely with Verem during his time as Attorney General of the Federation, and when the sickness came, he moved immediately. Searches were conducted, and Apollo Hospital in India was earmarked for a liver transplant. Every travel arrangement was made personally by Chief MKA.

But we hit a wall. Verem was too weak to fly a long commercial flight. Only an air ambulance could get him to India alive. At that time, there was only one functional air ambulance in the entire country, owned by Julius Berger. It was completely out of reach for even the most high-profile citizens.

Chief MKA went all out. He did not give excuses. He did not delay. He used every connection and every ounce of influence he had to secure that air ambulance for my brother.

On the day it was secured, Barr. Terna Yaji, his Senior Special Assistant, called me a few minutes after 6pm. He told us to prepare Verem for departure and take him to Makurdi airport very early the following morning. I informed him, my brother passed on at exactly 6 o’clock a few minutes ago. I told Barr. Terna Yaji, and I saw a devastated MKA.

During the burial, Chief MKA was out of the country on national assignment. He was pained that he could not be there physically. His entire team, led by the late Onov Tyuulugh, represented him fully. And his message to us at the burial has never left me:

“If death were law, as the Attorney General, a law would have been made no matter what to ensure Verem will just not die but live forever.”

That is who Mike Kaase Aondoakaa is when nobody is watching. He does not abandon his people. He does not forget. He stood with our family then, and he has stood with us till date.

Now he is asking for the chance to govern Benue State.

Benue needs a governor with a heart like that. A governor who fights for you even when there’s no political gain. A governor who sees you as family, not as a vote.

I am standing with Chief Mike Kaase Aondoakaa for Governor of Benue State.
For compassion that moves to action.
For loyalty that does not fade.
For leadership that proves itself in the darkest hour.

Join me. Let us give Benue a leader who has already shown what he will do for us.

God bless Chief Mike Kaase Aondoakaa.
God bless Benue State.

Brahms Tor-Ikuan, a beneficiary of MKA’s benevolence writes from Makurdi

Foreign

China-U.S. relations cannot return to past, but can move toward better future

Published

3 weeks ago

May 16, 2026

Our Reporter

By Guo Jiping

At the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, U.S. President Donald Trump will pay a state visit to China from May 13 to 15.

After many twists and turns, China-U.S. relations have arrived at a new historical juncture. The year 2026 carries special significance for both countries. China is embarking on its 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030), while the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary.

Amidst increasing global uncertainty and volatility, the international community looks to Beijing, hopeful that this high-level engagement will offer clarity and stability for the future trajectory of China-U.S. relations.

Observers note that over the past decade, the relationship has weathered two significant periods of strain. The first began in 2018 with the U.S. initiation of trade tariffs against China. Stabilization was achieved only after extensive dialogue and complex interactions spanning several years. The second period of tension occurred more recently in 2025. Remarkably, the cycle from rising friction to renewed stability unfolded within just a few months this time.

The progression from years-long to months-long stabilization cycles, and from repetitive friction-dialogue patterns towards clearer strategic direction and consensus-building, reflects China’s consistent approach: readiness to negotiate combined with firm adherence to principles and clear boundaries. China’s demonstrated resilience has garnered international respect and created conditions conducive to resolving differences through dialogue.

Today, China-U.S. dialogue occurs on a more equitable basis. Communication is increasingly pragmatic, with clearer articulation of respective bottom lines. This resilience suggests the potential for a new, more stable chapter in the relationship.

Head-of-state diplomacy plays an irreplaceable strategic guiding role. Last year, when a wave of tariff tensions rattled the world, the two presidents steered China-U.S. economic and trade ties back on course.

Under the guidance of the consensus reached by the two presidents, the teams from both sides have so far held six rounds of consultations and are currently engaged in a new round of talks.

Since the meeting between the two heads of state in Busan last October, China-U.S. relations have generally maintained a stable and improving momentum — a trend widely welcomed by both peoples and the international community.

The strategic guidance provided by the two heads of state helps identify “dangerous reefs” ahead in China-U.S. relations. The Taiwan question is the most important and most sensitive issue at the very core of China-U.S. relations, and it concerns the political foundation of bilateral ties.

Xi has repeatedly elaborated China’s principled position on the Taiwan question to Trump, emphasizing that Taiwan is China’s territory, and China must safeguard its own sovereignty and territorial integrity, and will never allow Taiwan to be separated. Clearly defining principles and bottom lines is precisely the responsible approach needed to prevent serious risks in China-U.S. relations.

The aspiration of the Chinese and American business communities to deepen ties and cooperation has never changed. At present, more than 7,000 Chinese-funded enterprises operate in the United States, while about 80,000 American-invested enterprises are active in China.

These firm choices made at the forefront of the market clearly and powerfully demonstrate the true nature of China-U.S. economic and trade relations: mutual benefit and win-win cooperation.

As China enters the 15th Five-Year Plan period, its commitment to high-quality development and high-standard opening up will create broader incremental space for China-U.S. cooperation.

The will of the people stands as a profound and enduring force shaping the trajectory of China-U.S. relations. Whether at those pivotal moments when China and the United States seized every moment to break the ice, or when bilateral relations slid to a low ebb, the sincere aspiration of the two peoples for mutual understanding and friendship has never changed.

As exchanges deepen and produce tangible results, perceptions are improving positively. More Americans are actively participating in fostering people-to-people friendship, contributing greater rationality and constructive perspectives to the relationship.

In the face of profound changes unseen in a century, China and the United States, as permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and the world’s two largest economies, shoulder even greater responsibilities. Promoting global development, safeguarding peace and security, and improving global governance all require cooperation between the two countries.

This year, China will host the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting and the U.S. will host the G20 Summit. Whether the two sides can demonstrate the vision and responsibility expected of major countries, and deliver more tangible benefits to the world, bears directly on the well-being of both peoples and the future of humanity.

China-U.S. relations cannot return to the past, but they can move toward a better future. Both sides should proceed from a sense of responsibility to history, to the people, and to the world, and explore ways to build a strategic, constructive, and stable China-U.S. relationship featuring mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation.