Editorial丨Secessionists common enemy of China and US

Lai Ching-te's tenure as the head of the Democratic Progressive Party authorities of China's Taiwan region has been marked by a series of missteps and failures that have not only strained cross-Strait relations but also undermined the island's development prospects.Contrary to his shameless claim in a speech on Wednesday marking the two-year anniversary of his tenure that he has maintained the status quo of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, the DPP authorities have stubbornly adhered to a "Taiwan independence" stance, peddled separatist fallacies and obstructed cross-Strait exchanges.That speech was a response, if not a desperate "don't desert me" plea, to US President Donald Trump's Friday interview, in which the US leader stated, "We're not looking to have somebody say, 'Let's go independent because the United States is backing us'." This remark dealt a heavy blow to Lai.In his speech — yet another litany of lies and deceit — Lai openly groveled to Washington, begging for an opportunity to tell the US leader that he wishes to continue purchasing US weapons, which he misleadingly labeled as essential to peace. Ironically, he tried to assure his audience that the island's future would not be determined by external forces just moments after trying to solicit US support.In an attempt to conceal his secessionist nature, Lai peddled a so-called "Taiwan subject mentality" in his speech, openly seeking to sever the island from the Chinese motherland.This "soft independence" is hidden and pernicious, no less harming than the DPP authorities' overt political separatist sloganeering.Evidently anxious over the US leader's remarks, Lai posted a so-called "five-point speech" on Facebook on Sunday, in which he called black white, barefacedly claiming that his authorities are the protectors of regional peace. Yet to his horror, that "carefully worded" message failed to elicit the hoped for response from Washington — explaining why Lai doubled down on his efforts to appeal to the US not to give up on him.If Lai truly intends to show the world that he is not a secessionist and that he is committed to peace and stability, he should simply pledge his support for the 1992 Consensus and stop fawning over the US.The true color of his secessionist feather is laid bare by the extraordinary lengths he has gone to in an attempt to conceal his separatist nature — and his fear of losing US support for his political agenda.The predicament Taiwan faces today stems from the DPP authorities' long-standing practice of placing ideological manipulation above reality, staking the island's security on the will of the US, and tying the future of Taiwan people to the dangerous path of seeking "Taiwan independence" through reliance on external forces. Once Washington shows even signs of shifting priorities, that layer of illusion surrounding the DPP authorities' reckless approach will be stripped away. In short, "Taiwan independence" is a dead end.Lai's latest remarks do not signal any abandonment of "Taiwan independence", but rather a repackaging of it in more carefully crafted rhetoric."Taiwan independence" is fundamentally incompatible with peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. The expansion of separatist forces advocating "Taiwan independence" will ultimately push Taiwan toward a dangerous abyss — a trajectory that runs counter not only to the interests of the Chinese nation, but also to the strategic interests of the US. In this sense, curbing "Taiwan independence" separatist activities and maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait serve the shared interests of both China and the US. Lai's remarks further underscore the reality that "Taiwan independence" has become a common challenge confronting both Beijing and Washington.There is but one China in the world and that Taiwan is part of China. No matter what Lai says or does, he will not stop the historical trend toward reunification, which is unstoppable, as a spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office said on Wednesday.Secessionist /sɪˈseʃənɪst/分裂主义者，脱离联邦者• Fallacy /ˈfæləsi/谬论，谬误• Litany /ˈlɪtəni/唠叨，一连串（枯燥的叙述或抱怨）• Grovel /ˈɡrɒvl/卑躬屈膝，摇尾乞怜• Solicit /səˈlɪsɪt/乞求，争取，征求• Pernicious /pəˈnɪʃəs/有害的，恶性的，流毒深远的• Barefacedly /ˈbeəfeɪsɪdli/厚颜无耻地，公然地• Fawn /fɔːn/阿谀奉承，巴结• Predicament /prɪˈdɪkəmənt/困境，窘境• Trajectory /trəˈdʒektəri/轨迹，弹道

Thirty-eight-year-old construction engineer Peng Pai sent a lighthearted message to Russian President Vladimir Putin ahead of an upcoming reunion, the plans for which were reported by Russia's TASS news agency. Putin arrived in Beijing on Tuesday night for a state visit.38岁的建筑工程师彭湃在即将与俄罗斯总统普京重逢前夕，向他发出了一条轻松幽默的问候，俄罗斯塔斯社此前报道了两人见面的安排。普京于5月19日晚间抵京，开始对中国进行国事访问。"Dear President Putin, you still look the same," Peng said in an interview with Russia Today. "But I have changed from a little boy into a middle-aged man with a bigger belly."彭湃在接受“今日俄罗斯”电视台采访时说：“尊敬的普京总统，您还是老样子。而我已经从一个小男孩变成了一个肚子有些发福的中年男人。”In the summer of 2000, Peng and his family visited the Chinese capital from Hunan province. On July 19, while sitting on the stone balustrades along the lake in Beihai Park, a "foreign uncle" approached him from the crowd, lifted him up, and kissed his forehead.2000年夏天，彭湃和家人从湖南来到北京旅游。7月19日，他正坐在北海公园湖边的石栏杆上，一位“外国叔叔”从人群中走来，将他抱起，亲吻了他的额头。It was Putin. During his first official visit to China as the Russian president, Putin made an unplanned trip to the park. After boating on the lake, he greeted the boy by the lakeside and took a picture with him.那个人正是普京。当时，普京首次以俄罗斯总统身份对中国进行正式访问期间，临时决定前往北海公园。泛舟湖上之后，他在岸边向这个小男孩打招呼，并与他合影留念。"It was a completely spontaneous moment," Peng recalled. "In my memory, he was just a kind, gentle uncle."“那完全是瞬间发生的事，”彭湃回忆道。“在我的记忆里，他就是一个和蔼可亲的叔叔。”At the age of 12, Peng didn't fully grasp the meaning of the encounter, but he never forgot it. "This special experience made me more curious about President Putin and his country," he said.12岁的彭湃当时并未完全理解这次相遇的意义，但他从未忘记。“这段特殊的经历让我对普京总统和他的国家更加好奇，”他说。That curiosity eventually took him across continents. After finishing high school, Peng decided to learn more about Russia by applying to one of its universities. From 2007 to 2013, he studied bridge and tunnel engineering at the Moscow Automobile and Road Construction State Technical University, earning bachelor's and master's degrees.这份好奇心最终让他远渡重洋。高中毕业后，彭湃决定申请俄罗斯的大学，以便更深入地了解这个国家。2007年至2013年，他在莫斯科汽车公路国立技术大学学习桥梁与隧道工程，先后获得学士和硕士学位。"During the seven years in Moscow, I gained a deeper understanding of Russia's vast territory, its rich history, and culture," Peng said.“在莫斯科的七年里，我对俄罗斯广袤的国土、悠久的历史和丰富的文化有了更深的了解，”彭湃说。The Russian teachers and fellow students he met along the way left a lasting impression. "They were very kind to international students," he recalled.他所遇到的俄罗斯老师和同学都给他留下了深刻印象。“他们对外国留学生非常友善，”他回忆道。After graduation, Peng returned home and joined Hunan Construction Investment Group, a State-owned enterprise based in Changsha, with projects in more than 60 countries. Although he has not returned to Russia, he continues to follow China-Russia bilateral relations with interest.毕业后，彭湃回国进入总部位于长沙的国有企业湖南建设投资集团，该集团业务遍及60多个国家。尽管他未曾重返俄罗斯，但他始终饶有兴趣地关注着中俄双边关系。"High-level exchanges between the two sides have been frequent in recent years," he said, "and interactions are active in many fields, including at the grassroots and online levels."“近年来，双方高层往来频繁，基层及网络平台等各领域的互动也十分活跃，”他说。As a bridge engineer, he hopes to see more infrastructure cooperation between the two countries. "Both sides have strengths that can complement each other for mutual benefit."作为一名桥梁工程师，他希望看到两国在基础设施领域开展更多合作。“双方各有优势，可以实现优势互补、互利共赢。”Now a father of two young children, Peng hopes to take his family to Moscow one day to walk through his old university campus and share with his children everything he knows about the country and its people.如今，已是两个孩子父亲的彭湃，希望有朝一日带家人重返莫斯科，漫步母校校园，将自己对这个国家和人民的所知所感一一告诉孩子们。lighthearted /ˌlaɪtˈhɑːtɪd/轻松幽默的，愉快的vast territory /vɑːst ˈterɪtəri/广袤的领土bilateral relations /baɪˈlætərəl rɪˈleɪʃənz/双边关系grassroots /ˈɡrɑːsruːts/基层的，民间的complement each other /ˈkɒmplɪment iːtʃ ˈʌðə/优势互补

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Beijing on Tuesday night for a two-day state visit to China, marking his 25th trip to the country since assuming the presidential office in 2000.俄罗斯总统弗拉基米尔·普京于5月19日晚抵达北京，开始对中国进行为期两天的国事访问。这也是他自2000年就任总统以来第25次访问中国。Prior to his departure, Putin delivered a video address in which he said, "I'm delighted to be visiting Beijing once again at the invitation of my longtime good friend, the President of the People's Republic of China, Xi Jinping."在出发前，普京发表了视频致辞。他在致辞中表示：“我非常高兴应我的老朋友、中华人民共和国主席习近平的邀请，再次访问北京。”On Sunday, both Xi and Putin sent congratulatory letters to the 10th China-Russia Expo, which opened on the same day in Harbin, the capital of Northeast China's Heilongjiang province.5月17日，习近平主席与普京总统共同向当天在中国东北黑龙江省省会哈尔滨开幕的第十届中俄博览会致贺信。Russia's TASS news agency quoted Putin as saying in his video address that regular mutual visits and Russia-China top-level talks "are an important and integral part of our joint efforts to promote the entire range of relations between our two countries and unlock their truly limitless potential".据俄罗斯塔斯社报道，普京在视频致辞中表示，定期的互访和俄中高层会谈“是我们共同努力推动两国全方位关系发展、释放两国真正无限潜力的重要且不可分割的一部分”。Bilateral relations today "have reached a truly unprecedented level", Putin said.普京表示，当今的双边关系“已经达到了真正前所未有的高水平”。The special nature of the ties "is reflected in the atmosphere of mutual understanding and trust, in the commitment to pursuing win-win and equitable cooperation, in conducting respectful dialogue, and in supporting each other on matters affecting the core interests of both countries, including protection of sovereignty and state unity", he added.他补充说，两国关系的特殊性“体现在相互理解和信任的氛围中，体现在致力于追求共赢和公平合作的承诺中，体现在开展相互尊重的对话中，以及在涉及彼此核心利益的问题上相互支持，包括维护主权和国家统一”。Putin's visit comes as this year marks the 30th anniversary of the China-Russia strategic partnership of coordination and the 25th anniversary of the signing of the China-Russia Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation.普京总统此访正值中俄建立战略协作伙伴关系30周年、签署《中俄睦邻友好合作条约》25周年这一具有里程碑意义的年份。He said the treaty "laid a solid foundation for a genuinely strategic relationship and comprehensive partnership for the benefit of our countries and our peoples".他表示，该条约“为建立真正的战略关系和全面伙伴关系奠定了坚实基础，造福了两国和两国人民”。Addressing a regular news briefing on Tuesday in Beijing, Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said that China and Russia are comprehensive strategic partners of coordination for a new era, and China welcomes Putin's visit.外交部发言人郭嘉昆周二在北京举行的例行记者会上表示，中俄是新时代全面战略协作伙伴，中方对普京总统的访问表示热烈欢迎。During the state visit, the two presidents "will exchange views on bilateral relations, cooperation in various fields, and international and regional issues of mutual interest", Guo said.郭嘉昆介绍说，在国事访问期间，两国元首“将就双边关系、各领域合作以及共同关心的国际和地区问题交换意见”。A survey report on Sino-Russian youth friendship and cultural exchanges, which was released last week by Renmin University of China, showed that 87.5 percent of young people in Russia and 85.5 percent of young people in China view the two countries' relations as "friendly".中国人民大学上周发布的一项关于中俄青年友好与文化交流的调查报告显示，87.5%的俄罗斯青年和85.5%的中国青年认为两国关系“友好”。Guo said the survey is a "true barometer of public opinion" and its findings illustrate the high level of China-Russia ties.郭嘉昆表示，该项调查是“真正的民意晴雨表”，其结果充分印证了中俄关系的高水平。"Under the strategic guidance of President Xi and President Putin, the China-Russia everlasting friendship will enjoy even greater popular support, and the youth in both countries will join hands and inject fresh vitality into our comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era," he added.他补充说：“在习近平主席和普京总统的战略引领下，中俄世代友好将更加深入人心，两国青年将携手并进，为新时代中俄全面战略协作伙伴关系注入新的生机与活力。”According to the Foreign Ministry, the value of bilateral trade reached $227.9 billion in 2025, marking the third consecutive year of the figure exceeding the $200-billion mark.据外交部数据显示，2025年中俄双边贸易额达到2279亿美元，这也是该数字连续第三年突破2000亿美元大关。Tian Dewen, a research fellow at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences' Institute of Russian, Eastern European and Central Asian Studies, said that Putin's visit will help to further consolidate the foundation of bilateral relations, featuring long-term stability, a high degree of mutual trust and deeper cooperation.中国社会科学院俄罗斯东欧中亚研究所研究员田德文表示，普京总统此访将有助于进一步巩固具有长期稳定性、高度互信和深化合作特征的双边关系基础。The visit will also promote the continuous improvement and upgrading of practical bilateral cooperation in areas such as energy and trade, scientific and technological innovation, and global governance, Tian said.田德文指出，此次访问还将推动两国在能源与贸易、科技创新以及全球治理等领域的务实双边合作不断提质升级。Zhang Hanhui, China's ambassador to Russia, said that Xi and Putin are expected to hold an important meeting to chart the course for the development of Sino-Russian ties in the new era.中国驻俄罗斯大使张汉晖表示，预计习近平主席和普京总统的此次重要会晤将为新时代中俄关系的发展指明方向。Under the strategic guidance of the two leaders, the two countries "have built a new type of major-country relationship that transcends traditional military and political alliances", Zhang wrote in an article for the People's Daily newspaper, which was published on Tuesday.张汉晖在5月19日出版的《人民日报》署名文章中写道，在两国元首的战略引领下，两国“构建了超越传统军事和政治同盟的新型大国关系”。The two countries "have set an example of mutual respect, frankness and sincerity, harmonious coexistence, and mutual benefit between major countries and neighboring nations", he said.他表示，两国“树立了大国之间、邻国之间相互尊重、坦诚相待、和谐共处、互利共赢的典范”。Putin, in his video address, said that Russia and China are implementing major initiatives "in key areas of our cooperation", and "our warm and friendly ties enable us to chart the boldest plans for the future and bring them to life".普京在视频致辞中表示，俄中两国正在“关键合作领域”落实重大倡议，“这条温暖友好的纽带使我们能够为未来勾勒出最宏伟的蓝图并将其变为现实”。Also on Tuesday, Vice-Premier Ding Xuexiang met with Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov in Beijing, and the two sides pledged to further strengthen investment cooperation.5月19日，国务院副总理丁薛祥在北京会见了俄罗斯第一副总理丹尼斯·曼图罗夫，双方承诺进一步加强投资合作。Ding called on both countries to give full play to the coordinating role of the China-Russia Investment Cooperation Committee, steadily advance key projects, expand areas of cooperation, achieve more practical outcomes and continue to inject strong impetus into the development of bilateral relations.丁薛祥呼吁双方充分发挥中俄投资合作委员会的协调作用，扎实推进重点项目，扩大合作领域，取得更多务实成果，继续为双边关系发展注入强劲动力。Manturov said that Russia is ready to strengthen strategic alignment with China, enrich the substance of cooperation, actively address issues of mutual concern and continuously raise the level of investment cooperation between the two countries.曼图罗夫表示，俄方愿同中方加强战略对接，富集合作内涵，积极解决双方共同关心的具体问题，不断提高两国投资合作水平。 Equitables /ˈekwɪtəbl/公平合理的，公正的 Everlasting /ˌevəˈlɑːstɪŋ/永恒的，持久的 Barometer /bəˈrɒmɪtə/晴雨表，气压计

China Central Television (CCTV) has secured the broadcasting rights for the 2026 FIFA World Cup following months of tough negotiations, according to multiple media reports on Friday.据多家媒体5月15日报道，经过数月的艰难谈判，中国中央电视台最终拿下了2026年世界杯转播权。Multiple industry insiders confirmed on Friday that CCTV and FIFA have reached a formal agreement on rights acquisition with a reported total price of $110 million for the expanded edition of the FIFA marquee tournament, ending a lengthy standstill between the state broadcaster and the international governing body due to disputes on financial terms.多位业内人士5月15日证实，央视与国际足联已就版权收购达成正式协议。据称，本届世界杯版权总价约为1.1亿美元，这标志着这家中国国家级电视台与国际足联之间因财务条款分歧而陷入的长期谈判僵局终于结束。According to Chinese media reports, CCTV had turned down FIFA’s initial offer worth $250-300 million, a figure far exceeding CCTV’s budget and the network’s estimation of the tournament’s commercial value in a country, where its national team did not qualify for the 48-nation Cup finals.据国内媒体报道，国际足联最初报价高达2.5亿至3亿美元，远超央视预算及对中国市场商业价值的判断，毕竟中国男足并未晋级本届48支球队的世界杯决赛圈。FIFA sent a high-level delegation led by Secretary-general Mattias Grafstrom to Beijing this week to meet with Chinese Football Association officials and support local youth development programs. Although Grafstrom has never made any public response to the negotiation of the media rights, his visit was believed to have helped secured the deal with CCTV.本周，国际足联秘书长格拉夫斯特伦率高级别代表团访华，会晤中国足协官员并支持青少年足球项目。尽管他未就版权谈判作出公开回应，但外界认为，此访为央视与国际足联最终达成协议发挥了关键作用。The 2026 World Cup will kick off on June 11 with a total number of 104 matches to be jointly held in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The majority of the matches will be broadcast live on late night and early morning in China, making it an unfavorable scheduling for TV commercials.2026年世界杯将于6月11日揭幕，共104场比赛，由美国、加拿大和墨西哥联合举办。大部分比赛直播时间对应中国时区的深夜至凌晨，对电视广告来说并非理想的排期。As China’s flagship public service broadcaster, CCTV has long held exclusive free-to-air World Cup broadcast rights for the Chinese mainland. The latest deal, which is expected to be officially announced on Sunday, has eased off Chinese fans’ earlier concerns that they would miss the live coverage of the 2026 tournament at home.作为中国旗舰级公共广播机构，央视长期持有中国大陆世界杯独家免费转播权。这项预计于5月17日正式公布的最新协议，打消了中国球迷此前担心无法在家收看2026年世界杯实况的顾虑。Industry analysts said the hard-fought rights deal sets a vital precedent for sports media rights pricing in China. CCTV’s stance of rejecting an inflated staggering fee not only safeguards reasonable commercial interests for domestic broadcasters but also pushes FIFA to adopt more market-oriented and regionally-tailored pricing strategies for the world’s second-largest sports media market, according to insiders.行业分析人士指出，这场来之不易的版权协议为国内体育媒体版权定价提供了关键先例。央视拒付天价版权费的立场，既保护了国内转播机构的合理利益，也促使国际足联为全球第二大体育媒体市场采用更市场化、更区域化的定价策略。broadcasting rights /ˈbrɔːdkɑːstɪŋ raɪts/转播权rights acquisition /raɪts ˌækwɪˈzɪʃən/版权收购standstill /ˈstændstɪl/僵局，停滞状态kick off /kɪk ɒf/开赛，揭幕ease off /iːz ɒf/缓解，打消

Marriage: Mass weddings held across regions to promote simple ceremonies多地举办集体婚礼倡导婚事简办Couples across China are rushing to tie the knot on Wednesday and Thursday — May 20 and May 21 — two dates that sound like "I love you" when said aloud in Mandarin, with marriage registration slots fully booked weeks in advance in several major cities.全国多地情侣争相在5月20日和5月21日登记结婚——这两个日期的中文谐音均为“我爱你”。多个大城市的婚姻登记预约名额早在数周前就已约满。In Chinese, "520" is pronounced similarly to the Mandarin equivalent of "I love you", making May 20 a sought-after day for registering marriages. The following day, May 21 — or "521" — carries a similar meaning, offering a popular and much-needed alternative.在中文里，“520”的发音与“我爱你”相近，因此5月20日成为情侣登记结婚的热门日子。紧随其后的5月21日（“521”）同样寓意美好，为那些错过首日的新人提供了一个同样受欢迎且急需的备选。All slots in the 15 marriage registration offices in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, were fully booked for May 20 by the first week of this month, as they were in Shen­zhen. In Nanjing, Jiangsu province, more than 1,400 couples had reserved May 20 as their chosen date by late April, with scenic registration sites such as the Confucius Temple already at capacity. Some locations were fully booked for May 21 as well.截至5月第一周，广东省广州市15个婚姻登记处5月20日的预约名额已全部约满，深圳的情况同样如此。在江苏省南京市，截至4月底已有超过1400对新人预约了5月20日登记，夫子庙等风景优美的登记点早已满额。部分登记点5月21日的名额也已约满。Wuxi, another city in Jiangsu, has no online slots left for May 20, though local authorities said that couples could still register as walk-ins.江苏省无锡市的5月20日线上预约名额也已告罄。不过当地民政部门表示，新人仍可现场直接办理登记。For one Beijing-based couple, securing a May 20 slot required a midnight digital scramble. Guo Xiangyu, 30, a doctoral student from Xi'an in Shaanxi province, and Yan Xin, 34, an internet worker from Baoji, also in Shaanxi, booked their appointment two weeks in advance. The couple and both sets of parents logged into the system at midnight across PCs and mobile devices, and Yan managed to secure a slot. "We expected it to be crowded, so we feel very lucky," she said.对北京的一对新人而言，抢到5月20日的登记名额需要一场午夜“数字鏖战”。30岁的郭翔宇（音译）是陕西西安人，目前是一名博士生；34岁的闫昕（音译）来自陕西宝鸡，从事互联网工作。两人提前两周就预约了登记。当天午夜，他们和双方父母分头用电脑和手机登录系统，最终闫昕成功抢到了名额。“我们早知道会很火爆，所以感觉特别幸运，”闫昕说。In preparation, the couple had completed free premarital medical checks at a Beijing hospital, taken registration photos at a commercial studio and hired a photographer to document their special day near the civil affairs bureau.为迎接这一天，两人事先在北京一家医院完成了免费婚检，在商业摄影机构拍好了登记照，还专门聘请了一位摄影师，计划在民政局附近记录下这个特殊的日子。The pair met via social media, bonding over photography and skiing, and dated for two-and-a-half years before deciding to marry. They chose May 20 partly because its homophone "520" is a declaration of love in Chinese and is often seen as a Valentine's Day equivalent. "We want to celebrate our anniversary and 520 together," Yan said.两人通过社交媒体相识，因摄影和滑雪结缘，恋爱两年半后决定携手步入婚姻。他们选择5月20日登记，部分原因在于“520”谐音“我爱你”，被视为中国的情人节。“我们想把结婚纪念日和520一起庆祝，”闫昕说。Both originally from Shaanxi but living in Beijing for work and study, the couple benefited from a revised marriage regulation introduced in May 2025. The rule ended a decades-old restriction that required people to register their marriage in a place where either spouse's household registration was recorded. Now, couples can marry anywhere in the country without presenting their household registration booklet. "It saved us time and travel costs, and made us feel more connected to Beijing," Guo said.两人籍贯均为陕西，但因工作和学习长期生活在北京。2025年5月出台的婚姻登记新规让他们受益良多。这项政策打破了延续数十年的限制——过去，新人必须在其中一方的户籍所在地才能办理结婚登记。如今，情侣可以在全国任意城市登记结婚，且无需出示户口本。“新规为我们节省了时间和路费，也让我们对北京更有归属感，”郭翔宇说。Thursday or May 21 is the choice of many this year as it coincides with xiao man, or Grain Buds, a traditional Chinese solar term. Song Jian, an engineer from Sichuan province, chose this date over May 20. "The solar term carries a beautiful saying — a modest half-full state is better than perfection," he said. "That fits our relationship well. You don't have to pursue perfection in life; being content with what you have is enough."今年，5月21日也成为许多新人的首选，因为这一天恰逢中国传统二十四节气中的“小满”。来自四川的工程师宋健（音译）便放弃了5月20日，选择了这一天。“小满这个节气有一句美好的说法——‘人生小满胜万全’，”他说，“这正好契合我们的感情。人生不必事事追求完美，知足常乐就够了。”Multiple provincial-level regions have also organized mass wedding ceremonies on and around the two dates to promote simple ceremonies.多个省份还在5月20日及前后组织了集体婚礼，倡导婚事简办的新风尚。In Hainan province, collective weddings will be held on Wednesday at coastal venues, including Coconut Dream Corridor in Sanya and the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site. Zhejiang province hosted a ceremony on Saturday featuring 520 couples, with a main venue in Hangzhou linked to dozens of sub-venues across the province. Guangdong organized military-civilian collective weddings in Guangzhou on Monday, Zhaoqing on Sunday, Foshan on Friday and Zhongshan on Saturday, involving more than 1,000 couples.海南省于5月20日在三亚椰梦长廊、文昌航天发射场等海滨场地举办了集体婚礼。浙江省于上周末举行了一场集体婚礼，共有520对新人参与，主会场设在杭州，与省内数十个分会场联动。广东省则分别在广州、肇庆、佛山、中山举办了军地共建集体婚礼，参与新人超过1000对。"This collective wedding is a celebration that's both sweet and green, without the complicated preparations," one groom, Zhong Zhiyuan, who was part of the Guangzhou weddings, was quoted by the local media as saying.据当地媒体报道，参与广州集体婚礼的一位新郎钟志远（音译）说：“这场集体婚礼既甜蜜又‘环保’，省去了繁杂的筹备。”But not everyone is keen on getting married on popular dates. Yang Xinran, a marketing professional from the Chinese mainland who now works in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, registered her marriage in Beijing last September and deliberately avoided peak days. "As working people, we have to prioritize our schedules," she said.不过，并非所有人都热衷在热门日子结婚。来自内地、现于香港特别行政区从事市场营销工作的杨欣然，去年9月在北京登记结婚时就特意避开了高峰期。“我们都是有工作的人，得优先考虑自己的时间安排，”她说。Yang and her husband picked several possible dates based on their work calendars, then let their parents make the final call. "Even booking a restaurant for an anniversary is hard enough on popular dates — no need to add to the trouble," she said.杨欣然（音译）和丈夫根据各自的工作日程，先圈定几个可能的日期，最后让父母拍板决定。“热门日子光是预约餐厅庆祝纪念日就已经够难了，没必要再给自己添麻烦，”她说。In the past year, authorities processed more than 682,000 interprovincial marriages, official data showed. China saw a significant surge in marriage registrations in 2025, with 6.763 million couples registering, a 10.76 percent year-on-year increase.官方数据显示，过去一年，全国共办理跨省婚姻登记超过68.2万对。2025年，全国结婚登记数量显著回升，共有676.3万对新人登记结婚，同比增长10.76%。slot /slɒt/名额，时段sought-after /ˈsɔːt ɑːftə/热门的，抢手premarital medical checks /priːˈmærɪtəl ˈmedɪkəl tʃeks/婚前医学检查，婚检civil affairs bureau /ˈsɪvəl əˈfeəz ˈbjʊərəʊ/民政局keen on /kiːn ɒn/热衷，喜爱prioritize /praɪˈɒrɪtaɪz/优先考虑

"Is it not a joy to have friends come from afar?" Confucius once said.The ancient Chinese saying offers a fitting note as China welcomes Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday for his 14th visit to the country since 2013.Putin used the same phrase when recalling his first meeting with Xi Jinping, then Chinese vice-president, in Moscow in March 2010. The meeting, he wrote in a signed article published in People's Daily in 2023, was held in a "business-like and at the same time sincere and friendly" atmosphere — a style of communication that he said he personally liked.Three years following the early encounter, Xi chose Russia as the destination of his first overseas trip after taking office as Chinese president in 2013, underscoring the special weight of China-Russia relations in China's foreign policy.During that visit, President Xi said that a high-level and strong China-Russia relationship serves not only the interests of both countries, but also the international strategic balance as well as world peace and stability.More than a decade later, the two leaders are meeting again at another important moment.Putin's two-day state visit, at the invitation of Xi, comes in a landmark year marking the 30th anniversary of the China-Russia strategic partnership of coordination and the 25th anniversary of the signing of the China-Russia Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation."China-Russia relations are standing at a new historical starting point. The two sides are entering a golden period of opportunity marked by stronger political trust, deeper economic integration, closer people-to-people ties and greater global influence," said Li Yonghui, a research fellow of Russian studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.She said that Putin's visit is not only a review of decades of neighborly friendship and strategic coordination, but also an opportunity for the two sides to plan the next stage of cooperation under the guidance of the two heads of state.Andrey Denisov, first deputy chair of the Russian Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs and former Russian ambassador to China, said that Putin's upcoming visit will once again demonstrate the high level and stability of Russia-China relations.He said Russia-China relations are not an alliance in the traditional sense, but the two sides maintain a high degree of mutual trust and close coordination on major international issues, which he described as the essence of the relationship.The momentum of China-Russia ties has been shaped by more than a decade of frequent head-of-state diplomacy. Since 2013, Xi has visited Russia 11 times, while Putin has traveled to China 13 times for state visits or major events. Last year, the two leaders paid state visits to each other's countries, underscoring the intensity and continuity of top-level exchanges.In a signed article published in Russian media in 2023, Xi said that high-level interactions have played an important strategic guiding role in China-Russia relations.Xi noted that he and Putin had maintained close working contact and met 40 times on bilateral and international occasions, drawing blueprints for bilateral ties and cooperation in various fields, and maintaining timely coordination on major international and regional issues of common concern.In his New Year greetings exchanged with Putin on Dec 31, 2025, Xi said he was ready to maintain close contact with Putin and jointly lead China-Russia relations in the new era toward new achievements.During a virtual meeting on Feb 4 this year, Xi noted that the day coincided with the Beginning of Spring on the Chinese calendar, which represents a new start, and expressed his readiness to work with Putin to chart a new blueprint for bilateral ties.Xi also called on the two sides to increase high-level exchanges and strengthen pragmatic cooperation in various fields.Li, from the CASS, said the frequent interactions between the two presidents have helped the two sides build consensus, set the direction of the relationship and maintain strategic steadiness despite fluctuations in the international situation."Each meeting helps reaffirm mutual support on issues concerning sovereignty, security, territorial integrity and independent development paths," she said, adding that such political mutual trust serves as a key anchor for the steady and long-term development of China-Russia relations.The close communication between the two heads of state has also helped translate political trust into practical cooperation, Li added.One notable example is trade, where top-level consensus has been translated into measurable progress. China-Russia trade exceeded $240 billion in 2024, meeting ahead of schedule the $200 billion target set by the two heads of state.People-to-people tiesThe two sides have also continued to expand cooperation in areas such as energy, agriculture, connectivity, education and people-to-people exchanges. The China-Russia Years of Education, to be launched this year, are expected to provide another platform for closer exchanges between young people from both countries.Denisov, the Russian diplomat, noted that China and Russia once set a goal of increasing two-way student exchanges to 100,000. "At the time, it seemed almost out of reach, but today it has become a reality," he said.Youth exchanges carry special significance for the long-term development of bilateral relations, he said, adding that he hopes that more young people from the two countries will participate in educational and cultural cooperation, and deepen mutual understanding and friendship through such exchanges.Andrey Kortunov, former director-general of the Russian International Affairs Council, wrote in a recent CGTN commentary that trust defines what is possible in relations among major powers.In the case of China-Russia relations, he said that strong personal relations between the two top leaders add to the stability and predictability of bilateral ties.Li, the CASS researcher, said that at a time of geopolitical conflicts and global uncertainty, the steady development of China-Russia relations serves as an important pillar for global strategic balance.Close communication between the two heads of state allows the two sides to exchange views in a timely manner, coordinate positions, manage differences and safeguard their core interests, she said. It also helps translate top-level consensus into cooperation across various fields."Such high-level engagement uses the certainty of head-of-state diplomacy to offset the uncertainty of the international environment," Li said, adding that it helps consolidate the foundation for regional and global peace and development.• Underscore /ˌʌndəˈskɔː/强调，在...之下画线• Strategic partnership of coordination /strəˈtiːdʒɪk ˈpɑːtnəʃɪp əv kəʊˌɔːdɪˈneɪʃn/战略协作伙伴关系• Pragmatic /præɡˈmætɪk/务实的，实际的• Fluctuation /ˌflʌktʃuˈeɪʃn/波动，起伏• Connectivity /ˌkɒnekˈtɪvəti/互联互通

The first shipment of 24,500 Chinese-made electric vehicles has been cleared for import in Canadian ports recently. The anticipation, excitement and positive feedback from Canadian car dealers, consumers and auto market analysts make it clear that Chinese EVs are by no means the "threat" to industry or security some Western politicians have portrayed them to be. On the contrary, they are a boon to the market.近期，首批2.45万辆中国产电动汽车获准通关进入加拿大港口。加拿大汽车经销商、消费者及市场分析人士对此满怀期待，热情高涨，反馈积极。这一切清晰地表明，中国电动汽车绝非某些西方政客所描绘的所谓产业或安全“威胁”，相反，它们是市场的福音。The decision by the Mark Carney government of Canada to slash tariffs on Chinese EVs and introduce an import quota system is a departure from the protectionist policies adopted by its predecessor. In October 2024, the then Justin Trudeau government imposed a 100 percent tariff on Chinese EVs, effectively shutting Chinese manufacturers out of the Canadian market. This move followed the lead of the then US administration.加拿大总理马克·卡尼政府大幅降低中国电动汽车关税并推出进口配额制度，此举明显有别于前任政府的保护主义路线。2024年10月，贾斯廷·特鲁多政府曾对中国电动汽车加征100%的关税，将中国汽车厂商实际排除在加拿大市场之外，这一措施是在步当时美国政府的后尘。However, with the new policy announced during Carney's visit to China in January, Canada has opened its market to 49,000 Chinese EVs annually, with a reduced most-favored-nation tariff rate of 6.1 percent. This shift not only reflects a pragmatic approach to trade but also signals a willingness to engage with China on mutually beneficial terms.不过，卡尼今年1月访华期间宣布的新政策，标志着加拿大每年向4.9万辆中国电动汽车敞开大门，并适用6.1%的最惠国关税。这一转变不仅体现出加拿大当局务实的贸易态度，更传递出加拿大愿与中国在互利共赢的基础上开展合作的意图。The import of Chinese EVs comes at a juncture for Canada, which is striving to meet its climate goals. Ottawa has set ambitious targets to phase out internal combustion engines and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. Chinese EVs, with their technology, competitive pricing and proven performance, can play a big role in helping accelerate Canada's transition to green mobility.中国电动汽车进入加拿大市场，正值该国为实现气候目标而冲刺的关键节点。加拿大政府已制定了宏伟目标，计划逐步淘汰内燃机汽车，力争到2050年实现净零排放。中国电动汽车凭借先进的技术、极具竞争力的价格和久经考验的性能，有望成为推动加拿大绿色出行转型的一支重要力量。Canadian Minister of Industry Melanie Joly has emphasized the potential of joint-venture partnerships with Chinese EV companies to help boost domestic manufacturing and competitiveness. "The idea is to be able, in North America, to adopt new technology," Joly told the media on the sidelines of the Public Policy Forum's 2026 Canada Growth Summit in Toronto early this month. "If other countries don't necessarily want to adopt them right now, we can adopt them first."加拿大工业部长梅拉妮·乔利强调，与中国电动汽车企业建立合资伙伴关系，有望助力提升本国制造业和竞争力。本月初，乔利在多伦多举行的公共政策论坛2026年加拿大增长峰会间隙对媒体表示：“我们的想法是能够在北美采纳新技术。如果其他国家现在不一定想采用，我们可以先试先行。”As some observers say, Canada can gain access to cutting-edge technologies, improve its industrial competitiveness, and create jobs in the clean energy sector by collaborating with Chinese EV companies. The partnership is not a one-way street; it offers opportunities for Canadian companies to integrate into global supply chains and benefit from China's vast market.观察人士指出，与中国电动汽车企业合作，加拿大可获得前沿技术、提升产业竞争力，并为清洁能源领域创造就业机会。这种合作关系并非单向受益，它让加拿大企业得以融入全球供应链，并分享中国广阔市场带来的红利。The import of Chinese EVs can help address the affordability gap in Canada's EV market. Chinese EVs, known for their affordability without compromising on quality, can make EVs more accessible to a broader segment of the population.进口中国电动汽车有助于缩小加拿大电动汽车市场的价格鸿沟。中国电动汽车物美价廉，能让更广泛的人群负担得起电动汽车。Canada's practical approach is in stark contrast to the shortsightedness of some developed economies that still impose hefty tariffs on Chinese EVs under the excuse of safeguarding "security" and protecting local enterprises. Protectionism only harms consumers by raising prices and stifles the technological progress of domestic industries by removing the incentive to be competitive.加拿大的务实态度，与一些仍以维护“安全”、保护本土产业为借口、对中国电动汽车征收高额关税的发达经济体形成了鲜明对比。保护主义只会推高价格，最终由消费者买单；同时，由于削弱了竞争动力，它还会扼杀本土产业的技术进步。That explains why the European Union — under growing pressure from its enterprises and consumers to open the market to Chinese EVs — has chosen to resolve its self-created problem with them through negotiations with China. The energy shortage triggered by the Middle East crisis has further driven consumers worldwide toward EVs.这也解释了为何欧盟在企业和消费者要求向中国电动汽车开放市场的压力日益增大的情况下，选择通过与中国谈判来解决这个由其自身制造的问题。中东危机引发的能源短缺，更是进一步促使全球消费者转向电动汽车。Protecting inefficient industries only breeds stagnation; while embracing competition breeds innovation. The policymakers of the EU should heed the experience of Canada and view China's EV sector with objectivity.保护低效产业，只会助长停滞；拥抱公平竞争，方能催生创新。欧盟的政策制定者不妨听听加拿大经验，客观看待中国电动汽车产业。The competitiveness of Chinese EVs stems from market dynamics. The technological edge of Chinese EVs lies in the country's complete industry chain, innovation and fierce market competition. The ability to source almost all the battery components within a single city cluster allows manufacturers to produce high-quality vehicles at lower costs.中国电动汽车的竞争力，源自其充满活力的市场生态。其技术优势，得益于中国完备的产业链、持续不断的创新以及激烈的市场竞争。在单一城市集群内即可采购几乎全部电池组件，这让制造商得以用更低的成本生产出高品质的汽车。Chinese EVs lower the barrier to green mobility for consumers worldwide, and support global climate goals. By embracing this, the Canadian government has made a rational choice to join many other economies in the world and opt for a path of shared prosperity and sustainable development.中国电动汽车降低了全球消费者践行绿色出行的门槛，并对实现全球气候目标形成支撑。加拿大政府对此欣然接纳，作出了明智选择，与全球众多经济体携手，走上了共享繁荣与可持续发展的道路。cleared for import获准进口anticipation /ænˌtɪsɪˈpeɪʃən/期待juncture /ˈdʒʌŋktʃə/关键时刻，关头stark contrast /stɑːkˈkɒntrɑːst/鲜明对比city cluster /ˈsɪtiˈklʌstə/城市集群

The rejection by the 79th World Health Assembly, or WHA, of a proposal concerning Taiwan for the 10th consecutive year demonstrated that adherence to the one-China principle is a universal consensus within the international community, a Chinese mainland spokesman said on Monday.国务院台办发言人5月18日表示，第79届世界卫生大会连续第十年拒绝涉台提案。这充分说明，坚持一个中国原则是国际社会的普遍共识。Chen Binhua, spokesman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, said that the decision of the WHA, at its meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, to reject the so-called proposal of "inviting Taiwan to participate in the WHA as an observer" once again highlights the international community's firm commitment to the one-China principle.国务院台湾事务办公室发言人陈斌华表示，世界卫生大会在瑞士日内瓦的会议作出决定，拒绝所谓“邀请台湾以观察员身份参加世界卫生大会”的提案，这再次凸显了国际社会对一个中国原则的承诺坚定不渝。Chen said that the authorities of the Democratic Progressive Party, or DPP, in Taiwan will ultimately fail, as they stubbornly stick to a "Taiwan independence" separatist stance and refuse to recognize the 1992 Consensus, which embodies the one-China principle. He accused the authorities of attempting to use what he described as "underhanded" means to seek a so-called "breakthrough" in the Taiwan region's participation in the WHA.陈斌华表示，台湾民进党当局顽固坚持“台独”分裂立场，拒不承认体现一个中国原则的“九二共识”，其图谋终将失败。他谴责民进党当局企图通过所谓“卑劣”手段，在台湾地区参与世卫大会问题上谋求所谓“突破”。He also criticized the DPP authorities for colluding with external forces to stir up issues surrounding Taiwan's participation in the WHA, deliberately distorting and challenging the fundamental principles established by United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 and WHA Resolution 25.1.并批评民进党当局勾连外部势力炒作台湾参与世界卫生大会问题，故意歪曲并挑战联合国大会第2758号决议和世卫大会第25.1号决议所确立的根本原则。"This is not only an act of political manipulation aimed at seeking 'independence' under the guise of healthcare and challenging China's sovereignty and territorial integrity," Chen said. He added that it also challenges the post-World War II international order, international justice and the prevailing global consensus.陈斌华说：“这不仅是打着卫生健康的幌子谋求‘独立’、挑战中国主权和领土完整的政治操弄行径，同时也是对二战后国际秩序、国际正义以及国际社会普遍共识的挑战。”He warned the DPP authorities that no matter what tactics they employ, they will deceive no one, achieve nothing and are doomed to fail. "Nor can they hold back the historical trend toward China's ultimate and inevitable reunification," he added.他警告民进党当局，无论耍什么花招，都骗不了人、成不了事，终将以失败告终。他补充道，“他们也阻挡不了祖国终将统一、也必将统一的历史大势。”According to Chen, the Chinese mainland has made appropriate arrangements for Taiwan's involvement in global health affairs on the basis of the one-China principle, despite Taiwan not participating in the WHA.据陈斌华介绍，尽管台湾没有参加世界卫生大会，但大陆方面在一个中国原则的基础上，对台湾参与全球卫生事务作出了妥善安排。Over the past year, the central government has approved applications from 18 medical and health experts in the Taiwan region to participate in technical activities of the World Health Organization, or WHO. Under the framework of the International Health Regulations, the Taiwan region can both access WHO notifications on public health emergencies in a timely manner and report relevant information to the organization promptly.过去一年，中央政府已批准台湾地区18名医疗卫生专家参加世界卫生组织技术活动的申请。在《国际卫生条例》框架下，台湾地区既能及时获取世卫组织发布的突发公共卫生事件信息，也能及时向世卫组织通报有关情况。The two sides of the Taiwan Strait also maintain a smooth mechanism for sharing information on infectious disease outbreaks and have held exchanges such as the hospital presidents' forum, Chen said.陈斌华表示，海峡两岸还保持着畅通的传染病疫情信息共享机制，并开展了诸如海峡两岸院长论坛等交流活动。"This fully demonstrates that we take seriously the health and medical concerns of Taiwan compatriots," he added.他补充说：“这充分表明，我们高度重视台湾同胞的健康和医疗关切。”Taiwan attended the WHA as an observer under the name "Chinese Taipei" from 2009 to 2016, based on adherence to the one-China principle and the 1992 Consensus.基于对一个中国原则和“九二共识”的坚持，台湾曾于2009年至2016年以“中华台北”名义、观察员身份参加世界卫生大会。• Adherence /ədˈhɪərəns/坚持，遵循• Underhanded /ˌʌndəˈhændɪd/卑劣的，秘密的，不光彩的• Collude /kəˈluːd/勾结，串通• Guise /ɡaɪz/伪装，幌子• Prevailing /prɪˈveɪlɪŋ/盛行的，普遍的• Compatriot /kəmˈpætriət/同胞

China's value-added industrial output, a key economic indicator, increased 5.6 percent year-on-year in the first four months, the National Bureau of Statistics said on Monday.国家统计局周一发布数据显示，作为一项重要经济指标，我国前四个月规模以上工业增加值同比增长 5.6%。In April alone, industrial output grew 4.1 percent year-on-year, and rose 0.05 percent compared to the previous month, according to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics.国家统计局数据显示，仅 4 月当月，工业增加值同比增长 4.1%，环比增长 0.05%。The industrial output is used to measure the activity of large enterprises each with an annual main business turnover of at least 20 million yuan (about $2.92 million).工业增加值用于衡量年主营业务收入不低于 2000 万元人民币（约合 292 万美元）的大型企业生产经营活动。In terms of sectors, the value added output of the mining sector increased by 5.5 percent year-on-year in the first four months of the year, while that of the manufacturing sector grew by 5.8 percent. The value-added output of the electricity, heat, gas and water production and supply sectors went up by 4.5 percent, the data showed.数据显示，分行业看，今年前四个月采矿业增加值同比增长 5.5%，制造业增加值增长 5.8%，电力、热力、燃气及水生产和供应业增加值增长 4.5%。China's retail sales of consumer goods, a major indicator of the country's consumption strength, expanded 1.9 percent year-on-year in the first four months of 2026, official data showed Monday.官方数据周一显示，作为衡量我国消费活力的重要指标，2026 年前四个月我国社会消费品零售总额同比增长 1.9%。During the January-April period, the total retail sales of consumer goods reached about 16.49 trillion yuan. Excluding automobiles, retail sales grew by 3.1 percent to 15.2 trillion yuan, according to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics.国家统计局数据显示，1—4 月，社会消费品零售总额约达 16.49 万亿元；剔除汽车品类后，零售额增长 3.1%，达 15.2 万亿元。Urban retail sales totaled 14.29 trillion yuan in the January-April period, up 1.8 percent year-on-year, while rural retail sales posted faster growth of 2.8 percent, reaching 2.2 trillion yuan.1—4 月，城镇消费品零售额达 14.29 万亿元，同比增长 1.8%；乡村消费品零售额增速更快，同比增长 2.8%，达 2.2 万亿元。Retail sales of services grew by 5.6 percent year-on-year in the first four months, accelerating by 0.1 percentage points from the first quarter. Fast growth was recorded in telecommunications and information services, tourism and rental services, cultural and recreational services, and transportation and travel services, the data showed.数据显示，前四个月服务类零售额同比增长 5.6%，较一季度加快 0.1 个百分点，通信信息服务、旅游租赁服务、文化娱乐服务、交通出行服务均实现较快增长。From January to April, total online retail sales of goods and services reached 6.53 trillion yuan, up 6.6 percent year-on-year. Online goods sales rose 5.7 percent to nearly 4.12 trillion yuan, accounting for 25 percent of total retail sales of consumer goods. Online services sales grew at an 8.3 percent rate, reaching 2.41 trillion yuan, according to the data.数据显示，1—4 月，实物商品和服务网上零售额总额达 6.53 万亿元，同比增长 6.6%。其中实物商品网上零售额增长 5.7%，近 4.12 万亿元，占社会消费品零售总额的 25%；服务类网上零售额增长 8.3%，达 2.41 万亿元。In April alone, total retail sales edged up 0.2 percent year-on-year. On a monthly basis, the volume went down 0.48 percent from March.4 月当月，社会消费品零售总额同比微增 0.2%，环比 3 月下降 0.48%。indicator /ˈɪndɪkeɪtə(r)/n. 指标；标志turnover /ˈtɜːnəʊvə(r)/n. 营业额；成交量retail /ˈriːteɪl/n. 零售 v. 零售accelerate /əkˈseləreɪt/v. 加速；加快

The exchanges between the Chinese and US leaders on Thursday and Friday have provided much-needed strategic guidance for the future of China-US relations.The two sides agreed to build a "constructive China-US relationship of strategic stability". The "constructive strategic stability" means positive stability with cooperation as the mainstay, healthy stability with competition within proper limits, constant stability with manageable differences and lasting stability with expectable peace.The new vision for relations between the world's two largest economies indicates that both sides recognize the need to prevent confrontation and manage differences prudently. The Taiwan question remains the most important one among all the issues affecting bilateral ties. If it is handled properly, the Sino-US relationship will enjoy overall stability. Otherwise, China and the United States will have clashes and even conflicts, putting the entire relationship in great jeopardy.Yet certain forces in Washington continue to treat the Taiwan question as a "card" they can play to maximize US gains while claiming they value peace and stability in the region. Moves such as arms sales, political collusion and military signaling send the wrong message to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces on the Chinese island. "Taiwan independence" and cross-Strait peace are as irreconcilable as fire and water. The more external forces embolden separatist elements, the greater the risks to regional stability.The recent remarks made by the secessionist-minded leader of Taiwan, Lai Ching-te, via virtual link, at a so-called "democracy summit" in Copenhagen, once again exposed the separatist nature of the Democratic Progressive Party authorities. By attempting to portray his authorities as fighting for the "values" of the West, Lai sought external support for his separatist agenda while deliberately provoking cross-Strait tensions.The timing of Lai's remarks was particularly telling. They were delivered shortly before the US president's visit to Beijing.However, US President Donald Trump, in an interview with Fox News aired on Friday, warned the Taiwan authorities against pursuing "independence" under the illusion of unconditional US backing."They have somebody there now that wants to go independent," he said. "They want to get into a war" because "they figure they have the US behind them".Trump poured cold water on that, saying he is not looking to fight a war thousands of miles away.Yet the US leader also described Taiwan in the interview as "a very good negotiating chip" in dealing with Beijing — a remark that reflects a transactional and exploitative approach to the Taiwan question.For China-US relations to achieve steady, sound and sustainable development, the stumbling block of "Taiwan independence" must be decisively removed. The US should recognize the true nature of "Taiwan independence" forces — as alterers of the status quo in the Taiwan Strait, disruptors of cross-Strait peace, and troublemakers in regional affairs.Policymakers in Washington need to realize that the historical trend of the national reunification of China is irresistible. They should demonstrate genuine respect for China's core interests and major concerns. Beijing has made it clear that the Taiwan question is a red line in China-US ties that cannot be crossed.The outcomes achieved during the latest China-US economic and trade consultations, held in the Republic of Korea on Wednesday, demonstrate once again that despite differences and competition, China and the US still share extensive common interests and broad space for cooperation.No one should underestimate the complexity of managing China-US relations. Competition will continue to exist. Differences will not disappear overnight. But what matters most is whether both sides can manage these differences rationally, avoid strategic miscalculation and uphold the broader interests of peace and development.China and the US have more common interests than differences. The US has much to gain from a healthy Sino-US relationship and much to lose from playing unilateral tricks, zero-sum games or the "Taiwan card".Only when both sides address each other's core concerns, and especially when the US handles the Taiwan question with due prudence, can they jointly turn the agreed vision for bilateral ties into reality.