上海后花园

China has recently taken a series of responsive actions, including a special maritime law enforcement operation on Saturday in waters east of Taiwan island, after Japan and the Philippines announced plans to start talks on maritime delimitation in the waters east of China's Taiwan island. A Chinese expert said the coordinated moves demonstrate China's sovereignty and jurisdiction, as well as its capability and resolve to safeguard its maritime rights and interests. 

China launched a special maritime law enforcement operation, led by China's Ministry of Transport and jointly undertaken by the Fujian Maritime Safety Administration, the Guangdong Maritime Safety Administration, the Eastern Navigation Service Center of the National Maritime Safety Administration, and the East China Sea rescue bureau, in the waters east of Taiwan island on Saturday. It is a necessary move in response to Japan and the Philippines' unilateral announcement of the "maritime delimitation talks" on the east of China's Taiwan island, which constitutes a serious violation of China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

The move came after Japan and the Philippines claimed last month that they would begin so-called formal talks on delimiting the maritime boundary of the so-called exclusive economic zone and the continental shelf between the two countries "in accordance with international law," according to a Reuters report.

Previously, a necessary responsive operation was carried out on June 1, as the China Coast Guard (CCG) task group conducted routine law-enforcement patrols in accordance with the law in the waters east of China's Taiwan island, CCG's spokesperson Jiang Lue said.

"We urge Japan and the Philippines to immediately cease all illegal acts that undermine China's sovereign rights and interests. The CCG will continue to strengthen control and management over relevant waters and take real actions to resolutely safeguard national sovereignty and maritime rights and interests," Jiang said, according to CCG.

No matter it is law enforcement operations of CCG or maritime safety administration, these operations affirm China's sovereignty and jurisdiction over waters east of the Taiwan island, showing the country's resolve, capability and maritime management strength to safeguard maritime rights and interests, Zhang Junshe, a Chinese military affairs expert, told the Global Times on Sunday.

Given the complex maritime conditions in the waters east of Taiwan island, which present a test for vessel performance and law enforcement operations, these operations demonstrate that CCG and maritime authorities are fully capable of conducting regular law enforcement patrols and maritime control in the area, Zhang said.

It further shows that China has set up a sound framework for protecting sovereignty, maritime rights and interests and managing waters around Taiwan island, according to Zhang.

The so-called unilateral delimitation talks between Japan and the Philippines are tantamount to attempting to "carve up" these waters, which seriously infringes upon China's maritime sovereignty and rights and interests, Zhang added.

According to China's domestic law and international law including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), China has exclusive economic zone and continental shelf in this area. Japan and the Philippines' so-called maritime delimitation talks constitute a severe violation of China's maritime rights and interests, UNCLOS and other international law and basic norms governing international relations, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stressed during a previous press conference on May 29 after the claim by Tokyo and Manila.

"The so-called delimitation talks are completely illegal, null and void, and will have no effect on China's claims to rights in the area east of the Taiwan island or exercise of China's lawful rights," Mao said, adding that China urges Japan and the Philippines to immediately stop any violation of China's maritime rights and interests and take concrete actions to uphold regional peace and stability.

In violation of the international law, Zhang said that Japan and the Philippines aim to jointly contain China and restrict its maritime operations as part of their coordination with the so-called Indo-Pacific strategy with the plan.

The expert added that Japan also seeks to provoke China alongside the Philippines in adjacent waters, hoping to ease the pressure from China's countermeasures over its actions concerning the Diaoyu Islands.

In response to the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities' echoing of the move by Japan and Philippines, Zhu Fenglian, a spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office said on June 3 that compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Straits belong to the Chinese nation, according to CCTV News.

"We should stand firm on our national stance, uphold national righteousness, and jointly safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity as well as the overall interests of the Chinese nation. If the DPP authorities dare to collude with external forces and betray national interests, they will surely be spurned by compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Straits and punished by history," Zhu added.

Faced with public opinion pressure, the DPP authorities still haven't voiced strong protests. Such a compromising stance essentially amounts to acts that harm national and ethnic interests, Zhang said. "Chinese people on both sides of the Taiwan Straits should work together to safeguard our country's sovereignty, maritime rights and interests as well as national interests," he added.

Regardless of how external forces behave, the steps taken by China's relevant departments make clear China's position, the expert said, and is a testament to China's resolve and capacity to secure national sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.

In his keynote speech at the 23rd Shangri-La Dialogue held in Singapore, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth did not mention Taiwan — a rare omission — and instead highly praised a series of outcomes achieved during US President Donald Trump's recent visit to China. In response, Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, said on Wednesday that the Taiwan question is China's internal affair and brooks no external interference. She said that maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits represents the greatest common interest shared by China and the US.

China Central Television (CCTV) is broadcasting a five-episode documentary series on confidentiality and information security awareness from Tuesday to Saturday, with Thursday's episode focusing on cyberattacks and the potential risks of information leaks hidden in everyday work and life.

Introducing the episode, CCTV News said in a report released on Friday that cyber warfare has intensified worldwide over the past 15 years, with cyber espionage aimed at stealing state secrets emerging as a primary objective behind many attacks.

To illustrate the scale and sophistication of such threats, CCTV News cited a case that unfolded in April 2022, when a Chinese university discovered an unusual Trojan program attempting to illegally obtain privileges within its email system. After the university reported the incident, the National Computer Virus Emergency Response Center, together with relevant authorities, quickly formed a joint technical team to investigate.

The findings, CCTV News said, far exceeded initial expectations. Investigators concluded that the cyberattack originated from a foreign government intelligence agency and was aimed at stealing critical technical data, including configurations of key network equipment, network management information and operational maintenance data.

According to the report, the intelligence agency deployed 41 specialized cyberattack tools in pursuit of objectives such as achieving a single-point breakthrough, gradually penetrating target systems and conducting long-term intelligence theft. Among them were 14 different versions of a backdoor tool known as " SlyHeretic," while the attack chain involved more than 1,100 separate intrusion pathways.

As the investigation progressed, authorities uncovered a highly targeted cyber campaign. The intelligence agency allegedly used a platform known as "FoxAcid" to conduct man-in-the-middle attacks against internal hosts and servers at the university, while a remote-control cyber weapon dubbed " NOPEN" was employed to seize control of multiple critical servers.

Further forensic analysis led investigators to identify another cyber espionage tool called "SecondDate." CCTV News said the software was designed to remain resident on network boundary devices such as gateways, edge routers and firewalls for extended periods, enabling malicious functions including traffic sniffing, session tracking, traffic redirection and data tampering.

The documentary noted that only one year after the exposure of the university case, another key Chinese institution became the target of a separate cyberattack launched by an overseas intelligence agency. The operation reportedly lasted nearly a year and involved the deployment of 42 specialized cyber weapons.

To conceal the source of the attack, the perpetrators allegedly employed high-strength encryption algorithms in an attempt to erase traces of their activities. However, CCTV News said the carefully planned and highly covert operation was detected in time, continuously monitored and ultimately disrupted after relevant organizations upgraded their cybersecurity defenses and severed the attack chain.

Beyond these cases, CCTV News cited several other cyber espionage incidents targeting China. In August 2024, an advanced materials design research institution was reportedly attacked, with more than 270 computers infected by control Trojans designed to steal sensitive information.

In June 2025, the National Computer Virus Emergency Response Center released an investigative report exposing several hacker groups affiliated with the DPP authorities' "Information, Communications and Electronic Force Command" for allegedly conducting cyber espionage activities against the mainland.

CCTV News quoted Du Ye, a professor at Beijing Jiaotong University, as saying that such intelligence-gathering operations primarily target Chinese government agencies, defense sector and scientific research institutions.

"These espionage activities are mainly aimed at important and sensitive sectors including government affairs, military industries and scientific research," Du said. "The targets include not only Party and government organs and the military, but also research institutes, universities, central state-owned enterprises and other state-owned companies."

He added that the primary objective of these operations is to obtain sensitive technological information, core data intelligence and national strategic planning information, with the ultimate goal of containing China's technological advancement and strategic development.

The documentary also highlighted several common cybersecurity risks that could lead to information leaks, including inserting USB drives from unknown sources into workplace computers, charging mobile phones infected with Trojan malware through office computers, installing internet-downloaded software on classified computers without authorization, and clicking on unknown emails or suspicious web links.

By examining both major cyber espionage cases and everyday security vulnerabilities, the documentary seeks to raise public awareness of information security risks and strengthen cybersecurity vigilance across society.

Workers carve a big snowman in a public square in Harbin, capital of Northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, on December 15, 2024. Their work attracted numerous tourists, many of whom stopped to watch and take pictures. Photo: VCG

China's National Immigration Administration (NIA) announced on Tuesday that the permitted stay for foreign nationals entering China under the visa-free transit policy for purposes such as tourism, business, visits, and family reunions has been extended from the original 72 hours and 144 hours to 240 hours or 10 days, as part of the latest measures to further relax and optimize the visa-free transit policy. The policy takes effect immediately.

At the same time, the NIA announced that the number of ports eligible for the visa-free transit policy will be increased from the original 39 to 60, including Chengdu Tianfu International Airport Port in Chengdu, Southwest China's Sichuan Province and Sanya Phoenix International Airport Port in South China's Hainan Province.

Also, as part of the latest policy announced on Tuesday, the permitted activity areas for visa-free foreign nationals will be expanded to 24 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities including Shanxi, Anhui, Jiangxi, Hainan and Guizhou provinces from the original 19.

During their staying in China, foreigners who travel in transit without a visa can engage in activities such as tourism, business, visits, and family visits. However, those who want to work, study, or conduct news interviews and other activities that require prior approval still need to obtain a visa before coming to China, per the NIA.

So far, there are 54 countries that are eligible for the 240-hour transit visa exemption policy.

The latest data released by the NIA on Tuesday shows that from January to November 2024, there were 29.218 million foreign entries into China through various ports, an 86.2 percent year-on-year increase. Of these, 17.446 million entries were made visa-free, a year-on-year growth of 123.3 percent.

The US insisted on arranging Lai's "transit" to offer platform for "Taiwan independence" separatist activities, seriously violating the one-China principle and the three China-US Joint Communiqués, undermining China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and sending a seriously wrong signal to the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces. China strongly protests this and has lodged a stern representation with the US, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said at a press conference on Friday.

Taiwan regional Leader Lai Ching-te is reportedly completing "transiting" through Hawaii and Guam and is scheduled to return to the island on Friday.

Lin said the Taiwan question is the primary, non-negotiable red line in China-US relations. The actions of "Taiwan independence" are incompatible with peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits.

China urges the US to adhere to the one-China principle and the three China-US Joint Communiqués, honor US leaders' commitments not to support "Taiwan independence," cease official exchanges between the US and the island of Taiwan, stop hollowing out or undermining the one-China principle, and cease any form of support or tolerance for "Taiwan independence" separatist forces and their activities and take concrete actions to stabilize China-US relations and maintain peace in the Taiwan Straits, said the spokesperson.

Any attempt to rely on the US for "independence" will hit a wall, and any efforts to use Taiwan island to contain China are bound to fail, Lin said.

In response to another inquiry on whether the mainland is planning to conduct more military exercises surrounding Taiwan island as Taiwan regional leader Lai Ching-te has completed "transiting" through Hawaii and Guam, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said the Taiwan question is at the core of China's core interests and the foremost, non-negotiable red line in China-US relations. China's determination to defend its national sovereignty and territorial integrity is unwavering.

Previously some Taiwan local media claimed that the mainland military is poised to "encircle Taiwan proper in military exercise 'Joint Sword-2024C,'" as Lai returns from his visit to "diplomatic allies" in the Pacific via "transit" through Hawaii and Guam.

Meanwhile, speaking to reporters in Palau on Friday, Lai claimed that the two sides of the Taiwan Straits are "not subordinate to each other," which Lin also refuted on Friday, saying that the separatist activities of the "Taiwan independence" forces and the connivance and support from external forces are the greatest threats to peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits.

Lai and the DPP authorities have consistently used various pretexts to promote "Taiwan independence" separatism. Regardless of what they say or do, they cannot change the fact that Taiwan is a part of China, nor can they stop the historical trend that China will be and must be reunified. The attempt to rely on external forces for independence is doomed to fail, Lin said.

Also on Friday, Lai claimed that he is confident in deepening cooperation with the next Trump administration in the US. The day before, he had a phone call with US House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson.

In response, Lin said that China has repeatedly stated its firm position on this matter. We urge the US to recognize the "Taiwan independence" separatist nature of Lai Ching-te and the DPP authorities, and the serious harm that "Taiwan independence" separatist actions pose to peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits.

The US should adhere to the one-China principle and the three China-US Joint Communiqués, stop interfering in Taiwan affairs, stop meddling in China's internal affairs, and cease supporting or conniving "Taiwan independence" separatist forces, said Lin.

"It would be both "short-sighted" and "unwise" to write off China," the world's second-largest economy despite challenges at home and abroad, Senior Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong said when addressing a forum in Suzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province on Monday.

"China's development is an enterprise that will take 100 years. It has shown that it can take a strategic perspective to maintain consistent policies and direction over the long term, riding through transient ups and downs in its development journey," Lee said, Singapore-based CNA reported.

The Senior Minister Lee made the remark while delivering the keynote address at the China-Singapore Suzhou Industrial Park High-Quality Development Forum, marking the park's 30th anniversary.

At the invitation of the Chinese side, Lee is visiting China from November 24 to 29.

The Chinese economy retains "considerable capacity" to grow, considering the untapped potential in its workforce and higher productivity from an increasingly urbanized population, he added, the CNA report said.

"We must never underestimate the Chinese people's determination for their nation to succeed and stand tall in the world. This is a driving ambition. Its impact cannot be captured in economic statistics, but it will make all the difference."

Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng met with Senior Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong on Monday in Suzhou.

He, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said the two sides should focus on the new positioning of bilateral relations, make full use of cooperation platforms such as the Suzhou Industrial Park, and work together to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, Xinhua News Agency reported.

They agreed the two countries should give better play to the pioneering role of the park, deepen institutional reform, and work together to build a world-class science and technology park that is open and innovative. They also witnessed the signing of cooperation documents, the Xinhua report said.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has sent congratulations to a UN meeting held on Tuesday to commemorate the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.

Noting that the question of Palestine is at the heart of the Middle East issue and concerns international fairness and justice, Xi said the pressing task is to comprehensively and effectively implement the relevant UN Security Council resolutions to end the war as soon as possible and ease the regional situation.

In 1977, the General Assembly called for the annual observance of 29 November as International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. On that day in 1947, the Assembly adopted the resolution on the partition of Palestine, according to the UN website.

Xi has sent congratulatory messages to the UN meeting in observance of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People for 12 consecutive years.

The fundamental way out is to implement the two-State solution and promote the political settlement of the question of Palestine, establish an independent Palestinian state enjoying full sovereignty on the basis of the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, and ensure the right of the Palestinian people to statehood, their right to existence and their right of return, Xi said.

Xi stressed that China has always been a staunch supporter of the just cause of the Palestinian people to restore their legitimate national rights, and has always supported all Palestinian factions in strengthening unity and implementing the Beijing Declaration on Ending Division and Strengthening Palestinian National Unity to realize internal reconciliation.

China firmly supports Palestine in becoming a full UN member and supports the convening of a more broad-based, more authoritative and more effective international peace conference, Xi added.

Xi said that China will continue to work with the international community to end the war and stop the killing, support the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East in continuing to provide humanitarian assistance to the Gaza people, and bring the question of Palestine back to the right track of the two-State solution to achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting settlement at an early date.

Wang Jin, an associate professor at the Institute of Middle Eastern Studies at Northwest University in Xi'an, told the Global Times on Tuesday that this demonstrates China's firm and consistent support for the Palestinian people's just cause and also shows China's responsibility to uphold justice and fairness in international hot spot issues.

"Chinese people have always been good friends and good partners of the Palestinian people, and our consistent stance on justice has widely won praise and support from the Arab world and the whole international community," Wang said

"The Middle East is still mired in conflict and bloodshed, so the voice from China, a permanent member of the UN Security Council and a country with international influence, will greatly contribute to international efforts to mediate the conflict and call for a ceasefire. It will boost the confidence of the international community to attain a two-State solution to the Palestine-Israel issue," Wang noted.

According to the Xinhua News Agency, Office of the People's Republic of China to the State of Palestine, through the Palestinian Mahmoud Abbas Foundation, organized a ceremony on Monday to distribute winter supplies to children in two refugee camps in Tulkarm, in the West Bank.

More efforts needed

According to AP, Israel and Lebanon-based Hezbollah militants began a ceasefire Wednesday in a major step toward ending nearly 14 months of fighting as a region on edge wondered whether it will hold. The ceasefire began at 4 am Wednesday, a day after Israel carried out its most intense wave of strikes in Beirut since the start of the conflict. At least 42 people were killed in strikes across the country, according to local authorities.

In response to the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire agreement, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said that China is closely following the current situation between Lebanon and Israel, and has always been calling on all parties to earnestly abide by UN Security Council Resolution 1701. We support all efforts conducive to deescalating the tensions and realizing peace, and welcome the ceasefire agreement reached by relevant sides.

In the meanwhile, China believes that the protracted fighting in Gaza is the root cause of this round of turmoil in the Middle East, and all parties need to work together to realize a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire in Gaza at an early date, Mao said.

The current situation in the Middle East remains concerning as conflicts have already escalated from the Gaza Strip to the Lebanon-Israel border, as well as other parts of the region, and hopes of a ceasefire are still fragile and uncertain, observers noted

"Last Wednesday, because of the single use of veto by the US, the Council's efforts for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza suffered another setback," Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the UN, said at the UN Security Council Briefing on the situation in the Middle East on Monday.

"The Gaza conflict is the biggest stress test the United Nations has ever faced in the Middle East. In our view, this stress test is first and foremost a test for Council members. It tests our ability to save lives and maintain peace. It tests our determination to uphold international rule of law and fairness and justice. It tests our willingness to safeguard the authority of the Council's mechanisms and resolutions," Fu said.

Calling for more actions, Fu added: "So far, due to the negative attitude of some country, the Council's past performance did not pass the test. We call on the individual country to face up squarely to its responsibilities and support the Council in using all options in its toolbox to take further actions to achieve an immediate ceasefire and restore peace." 

The 11th batch of remains of Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs who died during the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea returned to China on Thursday, as China paid the highest respect to these heroes upon their return. 

Escorted by two J-20 fighter jets, a Y-20 PLA Air Force aircraft, also known as Kunpeng, carrying the remains of the 43 CPV martyrs, landed at Shenyang Taoxian International Airport on Thursday.

Since 2014, Shenyang has welcomed the return of remains of CPV martyrs for 11 consecutive years. The latest batch brought the total number of returned CPV martyrs' remains to 981, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

Highest honors of the nation

As the remains flew back home aboard the Y-20 transport aircraft, two J-20 fighter jets escorted the flight, creating a three-plane formation which is the PLA Air Force's unique gesture of paying homage. 

In a video released by Xinhua, a J-20 pilot said to the Y-20, "Welcome home, martyrs of the CPV! In this prosperous era, as you wished, we stand guard over this beautiful land and salute the fallen heroes." In response, the Y-20 captain said, "We thank the J-20 formation for escorting us, allowing us to carry the dreams of our predecessors toward new victories!"

This particular Y-20 aircraft, with the number 20048, is the one that was on display at the Airshow China 2024 in Zhuhai, South China's Guangdong Province, earlier this month. 

"The Y-20 aircraft that participated in the airshow returned with great honor. It then went to South Korea to bring back the remains of the CPV martyrs, which itself is a highly respectful gesture," Song Zhongping, a Chinese military expert, told the Global Times. 

On the other hand, as China's J-20 fighter jets have now entered mass production, these advanced weapons escorting the heroes highlighted the significant advancements in the PLA's military capabilities, Song said. "This offers great reassurance for the martyrs. Seeing their motherland becoming strong is what they cared about most, and is the greatest comfort to them," Song said. 

Shortly after landing, the aircraft was greeted with a water cannon salute, the highest honor in aviation industry. The water arch, formed as the plane carrying the martyrs' remains passed through, symbolized profound respect for the fallen heroes and served as a gesture of welcome, honoring their return and washing away the dust of their long journey.

Following the water cannon salute, soldiers solemnly carried the caskets of the fallen heroes off the aircraft and a reception ceremony was held at the airport. After the ceremony, the caskets were transported by military trucks to the CPV martyrs' cemetery in Shenyang, Northeast China's Liaoning Province.

"Please believe that your sacrifices and devotion will never be forgotten. And please believe, that we are willing to become your eyes, to help you see the rivers and mountains of this beautiful land," Wu Qian, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, said at a press briefing on Thursday.

Another tearful moment was "a gaze that transcends time and space" at the Shenyang People's Square. To welcome the heroes home, a national flag that once traveled to space with the Shenzhou-18 manned spacecraft was raised there. "This is the only spot where the procession carrying the martyrs' slowed down, just to allow the heroes a final, lingering gaze at this national flag," reported China Central Television.

To welcome the heroes back home, Shenyang has prepared extensively for the martyrs' return, including illuminating outdoor screens along their route to honor the martyrs. The city experienced its first snowfall of the winter on Tuesday, but the large screens on skyscrapers displaying the slogan "Mountains and Rivers Welcome Heroes Home" prominently against a red backdrop added a touch of warmth to the atmosphere. 

Many residents took out their phones to take photos in front of the large screens, as they paid tribute to the heroes and eagerly awaited their return.

In addition, welcoming slogans are also displayed on buses, taxis, and at bus stops. The slogans and images, such as "Remember the martyrs, welcome the heroes home," can be seen all across the city, creating a heartwarming and unified tribute.

Shenyang has also lined the main roads with over 3,000 new national flags to honor the heroes. These meticulous arrangements highlight the city's deep respect and admiration for the martyrs.

'Momentous event'

The participation of the CPV Army in the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea holds both a national and international significance. "It carried the significance of defending the homeland and supporting North Korea, as well as safeguarding world peace. It also demonstrated a great spirit of internationalism," Lü Chao, an expert on the Korean Peninsula issue at the Liaoning Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times. 

Since an agreement to retrieve the remains of the fallen heroes was reached between China and South Korea, the event has been ongoing for a decade without any breaks. Even during difficult times, such as the THAAD issue and the global pandemic, this process has remained uninterrupted. 

"This shows the South Korean government and its people's great respect to this event and the high importance they have placed on the event, which demonstrates the friendship between the two sides," Lü noted.

The event has also become a crucial part of patriotic education. Upon the martyrs' return, many local residents spontaneously waited along the roads where the fleet of the trucks carrying the remains passed through, Lü, who lives in Shenyang, told the Global Times on Thursday as he observed the touching scene.

"Large crowds flooded the streets today," Lü recalled, noting that it's "a momentous event" for the entire city. The atmosphere was solemn but filled with pride, especially considering that on Friday there will be the ceremony for placing the martyrs' remains in the cemetery, he noted. "Each year, this event is one of the most significant patriotic education activities for Shenyang. The fact that the entire city would voluntarily and consciously participate in such an activity every year is something quite precious," Lü said. 

The activity has also prompted heated discussions on Chinese social media platforms. A netizen commented on China's X-like platform Sina Weibo that "whenever I see this scene [of the return of the martyrs,] I always burst into tears, because I feel they are my family." 

Another netizen said that "Heroes of the people and the dearest ones of the motherland, you can finally come home … You are the pride and glory of our country and its people!"

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said he would promote mutually beneficial Japan-China relations and communication at every level to build "constructive and stable ties" on Friday. Ishiba's remarks are welcomed, and if the words can be translated into actions, there is hope for a recovery in China-Japan relations, a Chinese expert told the Global Times on Saturday. 

Ishiba delivered a policy speech in the Lower House on Friday that underscored his leadership of a minority government, and emphasized his intent to communicate with China at all levels, including leaders' summits, to promote a "mutually beneficial strategic relationship," according to Japanese media Asahi Shimbun.

Lü Chao, an expert on the East Asian studies at the Liaoning Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Saturday that Ishiba's remarks are welcomed, and if he can actually do what he said, there is hope for a recovery in China-Japan relations.

"A thawing China-Japan relationship will not only benefit the two countries and but also greatly benefit the peace, stability and development of the Northeast Asia, especially to the development of China-Japan-South Korea cooperation mechanism," Lü noted.  

"But we also noticed that there are still many hostile voices among Japanese politicians that call for closely following the US to contain and confront China, so when we look at Ishiba's latest remarks on his view to develop Japan-China ties, we should focus more on what concrete actions he will take," Lü said.

The Japanese prime minister expressed willingness to hold frank discussions with US President-elect Donald Trump in the policy speech. Ishiba said he wants to raise the Japan-US alliance to a higher level, according to NHK.

In his speech, Ishiba did not mention his pet projects of revising the Japan-US Status of Forces Agreement or creating an Asian version of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), said the Asahi Shimbun.

Li Haidong, a professor at China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times on Saturday that Ishiba's remarks have reflected Japan's traditional stance of seeking economic benefits from China while standing close with the US for security. 

"Japan's ties with China are deeply affected by the US policy toward China, and to what extent Ishiba can do to promote the bilateral relationship with China depends to how he could withstand and manage pressure and interruption from outside," Li noted.

How Washington will handle the US ties with China and Japan is key for us to observe to what extent Ishiba could do to promote Japan's ties with China, Li said, stressing that if Japan can stay away from interfering in China's domestic affairs and avid challenging China's national interests, especially core interests like the Taiwan question, the two countries will be able to build stable and constructive ties.