In a groundbreaking initiative, over 70,000 primary and secondary school students in Altay prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, are set to enjoy their first official ‘snow break.’ This innovative holiday, spanning nine days from December 1 to 5, including adjacent weekends, aims to promote the region’s burgeoning ice-and-snow economy. During this period, students will have free access to local ski resorts and public transit within Altay city, facilitated by their identity certificates. Additionally, local cultural venues, libraries, and museums will host a series of ice and snow-themed events. The initiative seeks to connect students with nature, preserve cultural heritage, and enhance physical health. Altay’s cultural and tourism departments are collaborating with ski resorts, hotels, and cultural venues to offer discounts on skiing, food, accommodations, and transportation. This move is part of China’s broader strategy to develop its ice-and-snow economy, which has seen significant growth since the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. In the 2023-2024 snow season, Altay attracted approximately 4.89 million tourists, generating 5.1 billion yuan in revenue, contributing significantly to Xinjiang’s overall growth. The State Council’s guidelines aim to expand the ice-and-snow economy to 1.2 trillion yuan by 2027 and 1.5 trillion yuan by 2030.
作者： admin
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Macao SAR chief executive delivers policy address on reform, economic diversification
In a pivotal address to the Legislative Assembly on November 18, 2025, Sam Hou-fai, Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR), unveiled the government’s strategic priorities for 2026. Emphasizing administrative reform, economic diversification, and deeper integration into national development, Sam outlined a comprehensive roadmap for Macao’s future. The policy address highlighted the SAR’s commitment to addressing systemic inefficiencies, fostering economic resilience, and enhancing regional and international cooperation. Sam stressed the urgency of tackling interdepartmental communication gaps, improving coordination, and streamlining workflows to create a more collaborative and efficient government. Economic diversification was identified as a critical objective, with plans to bolster policy support, increase investment, and cultivate internationally competitive industries. Macao’s integration into the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and its role in the Belt and Road Initiative were also underscored as key priorities. Additionally, Sam pledged to accelerate the development of the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, aiming for seamless integration between Macao and Hengqin. The address reaffirmed Macao’s commitment to leveraging its unique position to drive sustainable growth and strengthen ties with mainland China and global partners.
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Chinese vice-premier calls for enhanced economic, trade exchanges on Eurasian continent
Chinese Vice-Premier Ding Xuexiang emphasized the importance of bolstering economic and trade exchanges across the Eurasian continent during his keynote address at the second China Railway Express Cooperation Forum in Xi’an, Shaanxi province. The event, held on November 18, 2025, brought together approximately 450 participants, including international experts, scholars, entrepreneurs, and government officials. Ding, who also serves on the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, highlighted the China Railway Express as a cornerstone of the Belt and Road Initiative, underscoring its role as a premier international logistics brand with significant influence. He outlined a four-point strategy to enhance the railway’s development, focusing on improved connectivity, technological innovation, risk management, and integrated growth to stabilize international supply chains and foster regional economic prosperity. The forum, themed ‘Connecting Asia and Europe for a Shared Future,’ also featured remarks from Tsoncho Ganev, Vice-President of the Bulgarian National Assembly, who discussed bilateral cooperation with China. This gathering underscores China’s commitment to fostering collaborative economic growth and mutual learning across Eurasia.
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Drone light show celebrating spirit of sports staged in Hong Kong
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Envoy: Japan ‘totally unqualified’ to seek permanent seat on UN Security Council
China’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Fu Cong, has strongly condemned recent remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi regarding Taiwan, labeling them as ‘extremely erroneous and dangerous.’ Speaking at a UN General Assembly plenary session on Tuesday, Fu asserted that a nation making such statements is ‘completely unfit’ to pursue a permanent seat on the UN Security Council. The comments come amid ongoing tensions between China and Japan over Taiwan, which China views as an inalienable part of its territory. Fu’s remarks underscore Beijing’s firm stance on safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity, while also challenging Japan’s aspirations for a more prominent role in global governance. The incident highlights the broader geopolitical rivalry between the two Asian powers and raises questions about Japan’s diplomatic credibility on the international stage.
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Family of Indian man lynched over beef rumours vows to keep fighting for justice
The family of Mohammad Akhlaq, a Muslim man brutally lynched by a Hindu mob in Uttar Pradesh, India, in 2015, has vowed to continue their fight for justice. This comes after the state government, led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), recently moved to drop all charges against the accused. Akhlaq, then 50, was killed following rumors that he had stored and consumed beef—a claim his family vehemently denies. Cows are considered sacred in Hinduism, which dominates India’s population of 1.2 billion, and Uttar Pradesh is among 20 states with strict laws banning cow slaughter and beef consumption. The incident, which occurred in Dadri, 49km from Delhi, marked the first widely reported case of cow-related violence in India, sparking nationwide protests. Initially, 18 individuals were charged with offenses including murder and rioting, all of whom are currently out on bail. Last month, the public prosecutor filed an application citing ‘inconsistencies’ in witness testimonies, urging the court to close the case. The court is expected to decide on the application by December 12. Akhlaq’s family, who fled their village after the attack, expressed shock and fear over the government’s move, questioning whether it would embolden criminals. The incident unfolded on September 28, 2015, when a mob armed with sticks, swords, and pistols stormed Akhlaq’s home, accusing the family of slaughtering a cow. While Akhlaq died on the spot, his son Danish sustained severe injuries. The family maintains that the meat found in their fridge was mutton, not beef. The case has drawn widespread criticism, including accusations of delayed response from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP members allegedly defending the attackers. Despite the challenges, Akhlaq’s brother, Jaan Mohammad, remains hopeful, stating, ‘I still have faith in the court. I believe justice would be done one day.’
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Klimt painting second most expensive artwork sold at auction
A masterpiece by Austrian artist Gustav Klimt, the Portrait of Elisabeth Lederer, was auctioned for a staggering $236.4 million in New York on Tuesday, securing its place as the second most expensive artwork ever sold at auction. The intense 20-minute bidding war involved six participants, though the buyer’s identity remains undisclosed by Sotheby’s, the auction house overseeing the sale. Painted between 1914 and 1916, the portrait has a tumultuous history, having been looted by the Nazis during World War II and nearly destroyed in a fire. It was rescued in 1948 and returned to Erich Lederer, the brother of the subject and a friend of Klimt’s contemporary, Egon Schiele. The painting remained in the Lederer family until its sale in 1983. The artwork depicts Elisabeth Lederer, an heiress and daughter of one of Klimt’s patrons, adorned in a white robe against a backdrop of a blue tapestry adorned with Asian motifs. The Nazis, who annexed Austria in 1938, plundered the Lederer art collection but spared the family portraits. In 1985, Leonard A. Lauder, heir to the Estée Lauder fortune, acquired the painting, displaying it in his Fifth Avenue residence. The sale far exceeded pre-auction estimates of $150 million, surpassing the previous record for a Klimt artwork, Lady with a Fan, which sold for $108.8 million in 2023. The event also featured other Klimt works from Lauder’s collection, including Flowering Meadow and Forest Slope at Unterach am Attersee, each fetching between $60 million and $80 million. The most expensive artwork ever auctioned remains Leonardo da Vinci’s Salvator Mundi, which sold for $450.3 million in 2017. In a curious twist, a fully functional gold toilet sculpture by Maurizio Cattelan was sold for $12.1 million just an hour after the Klimt sale, with the buyer identified as a prominent American brand.
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Global soybean market reshaped by trade tensions
The global soybean market has undergone significant transformation this year, driven primarily by escalating trade tensions between the United States and China. Soybeans, one of the most widely cultivated crops globally, are predominantly used as livestock feed rather than for human consumption. China, the world’s largest soybean importer, relies heavily on these high-protein crops to sustain its massive hog population. However, recent trade conflicts initiated by the US have disrupted traditional trade flows, leading to a reshuffling of the market. China has increasingly turned to Latin American suppliers, particularly Brazil and Argentina, reducing its reliance on US exports. This shift has dealt a severe blow to US soybean farmers, who are already grappling with declining export values. Argentina’s decision to temporarily eliminate export taxes on soybeans in September further exacerbated the situation, making its products more price-competitive. Despite ongoing economic and trade talks between the US and China, including a recent agreement for China to purchase US soybeans through January, the long-term outlook remains uncertain. Analysts warn that US tariffs, intended to boost domestic production, may backfire, making domestic industries less competitive and prompting retaliatory measures from other nations. The reshaping of the soybean market has also impacted global prices, with South American suppliers driving prices down. As US farmers consider adjusting their crop acreage in response to these fluctuations, the future of the global soybean trade remains in flux.
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Former official to quit public roles over Epstein emails
Larry Summers, former US Treasury Secretary and Harvard University professor, announced his decision to withdraw from public engagements following the release of emails linking him to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. In a statement, Summers expressed deep remorse, acknowledging the harm caused by his continued communication with Epstein from 2013 to 2019. Both Democratic and Republican lawmakers have called for organizations to sever ties with Summers in light of the revelations. The House Oversight Committee recently disclosed Epstein-related documents, prompting bipartisan scrutiny. Meanwhile, the House of Representatives is poised to pass a motion compelling the Department of Justice to release its Epstein investigation records. President Donald Trump, who initially opposed the release, reversed his stance, claiming transparency would dispel Democratic allegations. Epstein, who died in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, remains a focal point of conspiracy theories. His associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, is serving a 20-year sentence for similar charges. The Epstein Files Transparency Act mandates the release of unclassified documents within 30 days, excluding sensitive information that could endanger victims or ongoing investigations.
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Xi Focus: Leading China’s drive to enhance law-based governance
China has achieved a significant milestone in its commitment to law-based governance with the enactment of a new law on November 1, 2025, aimed at enhancing public awareness of the rule of law. This legislation, which emphasizes lifelong legal education for citizens, seeks to solidify the social foundation for advancing comprehensive law-based governance and elevate the construction of a socialist country under the rule of law. For the first time, ‘Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law’ has been integrated into national legal texts, marking a pivotal step in strengthening the legal framework.
Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), President Xi Jinping has introduced a series of innovative concepts and strategies that have shaped China’s approach to law-based governance. His thought provides critical answers to why and how law-based governance should be pursued in the new era, offering fundamental guidance for the steady progression of this initiative.
Xi’s leadership has been instrumental in driving the rule of law forward, laying a robust foundation for sustaining rapid economic growth and long-term social stability. His extensive experience in local governance, from Hebei to Shanghai, has consistently demonstrated his commitment to upholding the rule of law. In March 2018, Xi became the first Chinese president to take the oath of office in front of the Constitution, symbolizing his dedication to governing the country in accordance with the law.
Under Xi’s guidance, China has implemented a series of national plans, including the 2020-25 plan to build the rule of law and guidelines for constructing a law-based government and society. These initiatives provide a comprehensive blueprint for advancing law-based governance. The fourth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee in October 2025 further emphasized the role of the rule of law in China’s modernization and national rejuvenation, calling for stronger mechanisms for resolving administrative disputes and accelerating the development of foreign-related legal systems.
Xi views the rule of law as essential for sustaining high-quality development. Recent efforts have yielded visible impacts across various sectors, including the private sector, where a landmark case under the private sector promotion law resulted in a government department compensating a private enterprise over 8 million yuan. This ruling was widely welcomed as a sign of stronger legal protection.
In the face of global changes, Xi has stressed the importance of leveraging the rule of law to consolidate foundations, stabilize expectations, and serve long-term development. His emphasis on legal safeguards in economic affairs has led to the introduction and revision of laws supporting rural revitalization, fair competition, and emerging industries. Xi has also underscored the need to define government power boundaries through law, standardize administrative procedures, and protect the rights of all market entities equally.
Reform and the rule of law have synergized to lead comprehensive reform and promote law-based governance. Xi’s personal involvement in the establishment of the Hainan Free Trade Port, set for island-wide special customs operations on December 18, 2025, exemplifies this synergy. The port’s development process, from foundational legislation to the implementation of streamlined approval and foreign investment regulations, reflects the practice of the rule of law.
China’s foreign-related legal work has advanced in tandem with its opening-up, with the formulation and revision of key laws such as the Foreign Investment Law, Law on Arbitration, and Maritime Law. By the end of 2024, Chinese law firms had established 207 overseas branches in 37 countries and regions, and Chinese courts were handling tens of thousands of maritime cases annually, with increasing numbers of foreign parties choosing to litigate in China.
Xi’s commitment to sound governance is evident in his engagement with citizens during a 2019 visit to a legislative outreach office in Shanghai, where he emphasized the importance of whole-process democracy. As of August 2025, the Legislative Affairs Commission of the NPC Standing Committee had established 54 such outreach offices nationwide, with over 7,800 offices at provincial or municipal levels.
China’s legal system continues to expand and mature, with 310 laws, over 600 administrative regulations, and more than 14,000 local regulations currently in force. The improvement of China’s governance system is closely tied to progress in the legal field, as seen in the drafting of China’s first-ever environmental code in April 2025. The judiciary plays a crucial role in safeguarding fairness and social stability, combating crimes such as gang-related offenses, and expanding public legal services to ensure accessibility in both urban and rural areas.