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.

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.”

If you want, I can also make this more hard-hitting in a breaking news format for faster reading while keeping the emotional punch. That would make it sharper for headlines and news feeds. Would you like me to do that?

By Liu Botong, People’s Daily

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of southwest China’s Xizang autonomous region. Wang Junzheng, secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Xizang Autonomous Regional Committee, and Gama Cedain, deputy secretary of the CPC Xizang Autonomous Regional Committee and chairman of the People’s Government of the region, introduced the region’s remarkable economic and social development achievements at a press conference held by the State Council Information Office on Aug. 5.

In 2024, the region’s gross domestic product (GDP) reached 276.5 billion yuan ($38.52 billion), 155 times that of 1965 in constant prices. While it took the region 50 years to achieve its first 100 billion yuan in GDP, the second 100 billion yuan milestone was reached in just six years, Wang said.

Since 2021, sustained efforts have further expanded Xizang’s economy while improving the quality and efficiency of growth. Modern industries, including clean energy, cultural tourism and plateau light industry, are laying the foundation for a modern industrial system. The region’s key economic indicators have ranked among the highest growth rates in the country for several consecutive years, with its regional GDP projected to surpass 300 billion yuan this year, reaching the third 100 billion yuan milestone.

Xizang’s infrastructure has also significantly improved. By the end of 2024, the total operational road length and the railway length in the region had reached 124,900 kilometers and 1,359 kilometers, respectively, and its domestic and international air routes reached 183. Four major power grids had been put into use, with the main grid now covering all counties, districts, and cities in the region.

These developments have substantially resolved historical infrastructure constraints, providing significant momentum for high-quality regional development, Wang noted.

Xizang boasts a long history and a splendid culture, alongside unique natural landscapes and rich cultural resources. It is an important center for preserving the distinctive culture of the Chinese nation and a major global tourism destination, enjoying exceptional advantages in developing the cultural tourism industry, which has experienced robust growth in recent years.

In 2024, the total output value of Xizang’s cultural industry increased by 23.8 percent, according to Gama Cedain. The region received 63.89 million domestic and international visitors, marking a 15.8 percent year-on-year increase. Notably, the number of inbound tourists skyrocketed by 188.2 percent. In the first half of this year, Xizang welcomed over 32.18 million visitors, representing an 11.7 percent increase year on year.

Meanwhile, living standards have improved dramatically. In 2024, the per capita disposable income of urban residents in Xizang reached 55,444 yuan, 121 times that of 1965. The per capita disposable income of rural residents hit 21,578 yuan, 199 times that of 1965.

Xizang has achieved a comprehensive victory over poverty and eliminated absolute poverty. Education has been made a top priority, with the region leading the nation in providing a 15-year publicly funded education program from kindergarten to senior high school.

A comprehensive public healthcare system offers free health checkups for all farmers and herders, contributing to a regional life expectancy of 72.5 years. Accelerated urbanization has transformed settlements into modern towns.

Over the 60 years since the establishment of the autonomous region – particularly in the past five years – Xizang has vigorously advanced various livelihood projects and programs. People of all ethnic groups have witnessed transformative changes in their daily lives, such as shifting from carrying water in buckets to enjoying running water, from oil lamps to electric lighting, from dirt roads to paved highways, and from yurts to modern housing, according to Gama Cedain.

During the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), the state and the autonomous region plan to allocate 24.65 billion yuan to support 28 categories of regional social development projects. As of now, 23.678 billion yuan has already been invested in these projects.

A wide range of livelihood initiatives have been effectively implemented, including centralized heating and oxygen supply in high-altitude areas, the resolution of seasonal water shortages in agricultural and pastoral zones, enhanced reliability of power supply, and comprehensive coverage of fiber-optic broadband and 4G networks.

Located on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, known as the “roof of the world” and “Asia’s water tower,” Xizang serves as a vital ecological security barrier for China. How can the region safeguard the plateau’s unique ecological environment while preserving its biodiversity and natural wonders?

Xizang has adopted the strictest ecological protection system in accordance with law. It has firmly upheld a policy of rejecting the approval or introduction of projects and enterprises that are high in energy consumption and emissions but low in efficiency, strictly prohibiting any pollution-prone projects on the plateau. The region has actively promoted national park construction and advanced the afforestation project in the northern and southern mountains of Lhasa, the regional capital. Ecological conservation red line zones have been drawn for more than 50 percent of the region’s land area, with protected areas of all types and levels now accounting for 37.95 percent of its land area.

Low-carbon development has also been vigorously pursued. In 2024, over 99 percent of electricity in Xizang was generated from clean energy, the highest of all regions in China. Non-fossil energy consumption in the region exceeded 55 percent of total energy use, placing it among the top in the country in green energy.

Today, Xizang’s natural environment is among the best preserved in the world. “We will firmly uphold the principle that ‘lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets and so are ice and snow,’ persistently serving as guardians to make the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau an ecological treasure shared by mankind and contributing more to building a shared future for all life on Earth,” Wang said.