THE ongoing China-U.S. trade frictions have raised foreign investors’ concerns over China’s macroeconomic prospects, possible restrictions on U.S. companies, and a damper on its business climate. However, numbers speak louder than words. In 2018, foreign direct investment (FDI) in China went up against the global investment outlook, refuting the rhetoric that foreign companies are pulling out of the Chinese market as the U.S. slaps tariffs on Chinese goods.

IN 2020, the world community will meet in Beijing to discuss how to correct an almost irreversible problem – biodiversity loss at the Convention on Biological Diversity. Over the past half century, there has been a massive decrease in the size of species populations worldwide. At the Beijing conference, China could play a decisive role in securing the planet’s future.

THERE are historical moments that leave lasting imprints and blaze trails. October 1, 1949 is a watershed moment in China’s history. It was the moment the world witnessed the founding of the People’s Republic of China.

“The Chinese people have risen.” With these words Chairman Mao Zedong announced the victory of the Chinese revolution on October 1, 1949. Since then, this day has been celebrated as the anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) – marking the beginning of a new era for the country.

China is too big to contain, the relationship too complex to dismantle. We have spent decades together, both competing and cooperating while dealing with serious crises along the way. I think we will survive this time.

SINCE the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, the Chinese people have had their sense of gain, happiness, and security continue to rise. They have never enjoyed such a broad range of human rights as they do today. China, for many years, has been elected a member of the UN Human Rights Council with an overwhelming majority of votes, fully demonstrating the international community’s endorsement of China’s human rights cause.

ON June 25, 1945 the Charter of the United Nations was adopted at the United Nations Conference on International Organization. It articulated a commitment to uphold the human rights of citizens, outlined a broad set of principles relating to achieving “higher standards of living,” and expressed the determination to “employ international machinery for the promotion of the economic and social advancement of all peoples.” However in a time when the world had not quite recovered from the ravages of a world war, the prospect of a “good life” seemed like something far off in the distance for mankind.

This year, China’s diplomacy was highlighted at three major diplomatic events in April and May – The second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, Conference of Dialogues on Asian Civilizations, and the International Horticultural Exhibition 2019 Beijing. Then followed Chinese President Xi Jinping’s busy diplomatic month of June, which saw his four overseas trips: From June 5 to 7, Xi first paid a state visit to Russia and attended the 23rd St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) held in St. Petersburg; June 12-16 saw him in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan attending the 19th summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Bishkek and the fifth summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) in Dushanbe; from June 20 to 21 he headed to the DPRK for a state visit; and a week later, he flew to Osaka, Japan, for the 14th G20 Summit.

Globalization has noticeable and significant effect on development.

FOUR years ago, the publication of a book created a great sensation in Western media. The Silk Roads: A New History of the World written by the Oxford University professor of history Peter Frankopan quickly topped bestseller lists in the English world after its launching.

CHINA has been a big agricultural country since ancient times. The rise and fall of agriculture directly determined the country’s prosperity.

IN early 2019, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang both chose Europe as their first official visit destination of the year.

The Group of Twenty, or G20, is an international forum of the leaders of nations and international organizations that is now the epicentre of world governance.

In 2017, the global economy ushered in its first full recovery in 10 years.