By Zou Song, People’s Daily

April 20 marked United Nations Chinese Language Day. At the University of Venda in South Africa, the Green Technology Confucius Institute — the world’s only Confucius Institute themed on green technology — offers a vivid glimpse into the growing appeal of the Chinese language.

“Can learning Chinese help us take part in these scientific projects?” 

“What links South Africa’s astronomy programs with China’s Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope?”

At the university’s Chinese Language Day event, questions like these poured out from young students. Behind them was not only a strong admiration for China’s scientific and technological progress, but also a firm belief in the value of learning Chinese.

In classrooms, terms such as “environmental protection” and “green development” appear frequently, as Chinese learning and scientific knowledge are absorbed side by side. On the bookshelves, Chinese-language science and technology books are neatly arranged, becoming an important window through which local students can better understand China. In the university’s experimental fields, BeiDou satellite receivers precisely regulate agricultural irrigation, while mobile signal vehicles for smart transportation are preparing to go into service.

These real-world applications make one thing clear to local students: Chinese is far more than a communication tool — it is a practical asset for pursuing opportunities and shaping the future.

This trend is not limited to one campus. Across Africa, 17 countries have incorporated Chinese into their national education systems. The results of Chinese-language education are becoming increasingly evident: at China-Africa cooperation project sites, Chinese and African researchers communicate smoothly and collaborate efficiently in Chinese; in recruitment advertisements from African companies, the phrase “Chinese language skills preferred” is becoming more and more prominent.

A shared understanding is spreading among the young Africans: learning Chinese can open doors to the future. So why is Chinese gaining this reputation?

First, it reflects confidence in China’s development.

Some say that the influence of a language is essentially the influence of a country. As China continues to make breakthroughs and lead globally in fields such as electric vehicles, artificial intelligence, clean energy, and e-commerce, and as it stands as the world’s second-largest economy and a major force in global scientific and technological innovation, Chinese has become an  indispensable key for those who want to learn advanced technologies and share development opportunities.

“Learn Chinese, and you can get on board China’s fast train of development” — this has become a common aspiration among African youth. 

Eric Maruta, the foreign dean of the institute, put it plainly: “Chinese has opened a window for the Venda region. It allows us to achieve development through Chinese technology and strengthens South Africa-China cooperation.”

Second, it is driven by China’s openness to the world.

With the Belt and Road Initiative expanding across Africa, cooperation now spans not just infrastructure, but also science and technology, education, and culture.

In project after project, local builders who understand both Chinese and technical expertise have become vital connectors in these projects. 

As China opens its doors ever wider and the momentum of China-Africa cooperation grows stronger, the scope for using Chinese also continues to expand. Its future value speaks for itself.

Third, it draws on the the enduring appeal of Chinese civilization.

Chinese continues to attract the world not only because it is useful, but also because behind it stands a civilization that has lasted for thousands of years without interruption. Learning Chinese is, in essence, mastering a new way of understanding the world.

Chinese wisdom such as “harmony without uniformity” and “harmonious coexistence” is contributing solutions to global governance that are rooted in Chinese logic. Chinese is an important carrier for conveying this wisdom.

Chinese is a gift that travels across time and space. The closer one gets to China, and the deeper one engages with Chinese culture, the more one can feel its strength and warmth.

That Chinese is becoming “the language of the future” reflects not only China’s development and the resonance of civilizations, but also the world’s shared pursuit of openness, cooperation, and shared progress.

By Liu Shiyao, People’s Daily

China’s commercial space sector is accelerating its transition from technology verification to large-scale commercial operations, driven by both policy support and growing market demand. This shift supports the nation’s strategy to establish a sustainable space economy.

This year has already seen a series of major milestones: the triumphant maiden launch of the Lijian-2 Y1 carrier rocket, the successful suborbital flight test of the maiden Lihong-1 Y1 spacecraft, and continued progress in satellite internet construction, with multiple groups of low-Earth-orbit satellites sent into space.

One major focus is reusable rocket technology.

The Gravity-2 carrier rocket is scheduled to make its maiden flight in the second half of this year, alongside critical trials of reusable launch technology. Meanwhile, the Lanyan 220-ton liquid oxygen-methane full-flow staged combustion engine has passed a full-system long-duration test, accelerating efforts to build an efficient and reusable heavy-lift propulsion system.

Besides, Chinese leading provider of satellite Internet solutions and satellite manufacturer GalaxySpace has sent the world’s first satellite with a large-scale flexible solar wing into the orbit.

Across rockets, satellites, manufacturing, and applications, Chinese aerospace firms are driving cost reduction and scalability through independent innovation.

Among them, reusable rocket technology has become a major industry focus, driven by sustained large-scale launch demand and the still-high cost of expendable rockets. Experts estimated that once reusable technology is fully achieved, total launch costs could be reduced by 40 to 60 percent.

Aerospace equipment is more and more becoming industrial products.

Strong manufacturing capacity is the foundation for high-frequency commercial launches. Mass-producing rockets and satellites the way cars and smartphones are manufactured is becoming a shared goal across the industry.

Take the Lijian-2 rocket as an example: its core stage and two boosters are designed to look almost identical.

Lian Jie, deputy chief designer of Lijian-2, explained that this design is known as a “common booster core” configuration. Its major components can standardized for mass production and modular assembly, greatly simplifying manufacturing workflows.

Because key parts share standardized dimensions, if a problem is discovered before launch, the faulty component can be quickly replaced and reassembled onto the rocket. This makes it easier to build a high-frequency launch capability.

A super factory for the large liquid-fuel Lijian-2 rocket is about to be fully completed and put into operation, providing strong support for large-scale production and scheduled, airline-style launch services.

Commercial aerospace is redefining how space manufacturing is understood — from pure-customized products to assembly-line production, and from scarce items to industrial products.

GalaxySpace’s smart satellite factory has already established a complete manufacturing chain for satellites weighing between 100 and 2,000 kilograms. Its annual production capacity for medium-sized satellites remains stable at 100 to 150 units, while satellite development cycles have been shortened by 80 percent compared with traditional production models.

Launch sites are also improving efficiency. To meet the launch demand of the Long March 8 carrier rocket, the Launch Pad 1 at the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site in south China’s Hainan province, has achieved a rapid operational cycle: seven days for launch preparation and another seven days for post-launch recovery.

Commercial aerospace industrial clusters are taking shape.

Many regions across China are speeding up efforts to develop commercial aerospace and create a more complete industrial ecosystem. 

In Beijing, a satellite town planned is under construction, featuring dedicated zones for satellite research and development, satellite operations, and applications. Supporting facilities such as a satellite exhibition center, exchange hub, and incubation center will also be built.

Not far from there, a “rocket street” is home to a cluster of commercial rocket enterprises, fostering a tightly integrated industrial ecosystem where upstream and downstream industries gather within close proximity.

In Haiyang, east China’s Shandong province, the Oriental Maritime Space Port is building a full-chain commercial aerospace system.

There, an “aerospace avenue” closely connects rocket assembly and testing workshops, a satellite industrial park, a data application center, and the launch terminal. After a rocket is completed in the assembly plant, it takes only a little more than 10 minutes by road to reach its dedicated dock, where it can be smoothly transferred onto a launch vessel.

In recent years, China has introduced a series of favorable policies to support the development of commercial aerospace. As satellite data becomes more deeply integrated with sectors such as the digital economy and smart cities, commercial application scenarios continue to expand. With a more open and orderly market environment taking shape, China’s commercial aerospace industry is expected to inject stronger new momentum into the country’s economic and social progress.

By Michael Oduro

A significant announcement recently captured attention across African social media: China has granted zero-tariff treatment to all 53 African countries with which it has diplomatic relations.

This move comes at a critical time, as global protectionism rises and the international trade environment faces unprecedented challenges. China’s move has created a significant opportunity for Africa to expand exports and accelerate industrialization. 

As an African journalist living and working in China, I have gained intimate, firsthand insights into the potential impact of this policy. 

In recent years, I have noticed how African products are gradually becoming more visible in Chinese daily life. Ethiopian coffee, Ghanaian shea butter, Kenyan tea — products that once felt distant are now available on major e-commerce platforms and increasingly appearing in supermarkets and specialty stores across China. Crucially, they are finding a warm reception among Chinese consumers.

It is no exaggeration to say this zero-tariff policy is reshaping the structure of China-Africa trade, opening new commercial pathways, and fostering a deeper appreciation among Chinese consumers for the quality of African goods. By lowering trade costs and expanding market access, China is effectively opening its doors — the world’s largest consumer market — to African farmers, businesses, and entrepreneurs more directly than ever before. Rooted in the principle of shared prosperity, this initiative fully demonstrates China’s commitment to supporting Africa’s economic development and its deeper integration into the global trading system.

Africans understand profoundly the historical difficulties African products have faced in penetrating global markets. For years, Africa’s foreign trade has been constrained by structural bottlenecks that severely undermined its international competitiveness. 

High tariffs, complicated customs procedures and weak cross-border logistics have often squeezed profit margins long before products even left the continent. 

Simultaneously, protectionist policies and additional tariffs imposed by some developed economies further compounded Africa’s trade challenges.

Given this context, China’s announcement of zero-tariff treatment for these 53 nations struck me as a powerful potential accelerator for development. It offers African goods unprecedented efficiency and reach into the vast Chinese market.

My coverage of last year’s 8th China International Import Expo left a lasting impression, particularly the debut of a dedicated exhibition zone for products from least developed countries. Seeing African specialties showcased there was deeply moving. Many African entrepreneurs told me the expo provided unmatched exposure for their products, and they eagerly anticipated the opportunities the zero-tariff policy would bring. Today, that anticipation is translating into tangible purchase orders and genuine benefits for African producers.

Of course, policy dividends do not automatically guarantee development. African countries must act proactively and seize the opportunity. Key steps include improving cross-border logistics, aligning products with Chinese market quality standards, and developing distinctive goods tailored to Chinese consumer preferences to transform policy advantages into concrete economic gains.

From my vantage point in China, I’ve witnessed African entrepreneurs tackling market challenges with impressive resolve. They are strategically positioning themselves within the Chinese market, adapting to consumer demands, and scaling up production. A growing number of African business leaders are blending entrepreneurial drive with strategic clarity, striving to convert potential into tangible improvements in livelihoods across the continent.

Through years of study and work in China, and participation in various Sino-African economic, trade, and cultural exchange activities, I’ve also felt a strong mutual desire for respect and cooperation. This embodies the true value of the China-Africa partnership — one built on solidarity and shared development.

The year 2026 marks the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and African countries. The zero-tariff policy vividly demonstrates China’s efforts to practice the principles of the country’s Africa policy — sincerity, real results, amity and good faith, and to pursue the greater good and shared interests. It reflects China’s openness, sense of responsibility, and belief in shared prosperity.

The “zero-tariff express” has started running. The challenge now is for African countries to seize this historic opportunity by strengthening their industrial foundations, improving logistics infrastructure, ensuring product quality, and building competitive brands that resonate with the Chinese consumers. 

With the strong foundation of China-Africa friendship and mature cooperation mechanisms already in place, African countries are fully capable of turning the advantages of zero tariffs into tangible economic and social benefits.

The future has already arrived. And Africa, without question, is beginning to pick up speed.