Tech billionaire Elon Musk is now seeking advice from his followers on social media X that "When & where should we hold the inaugural American Party congress? This will be super fun!" after his announcement on Saturday that "the America Party is formed to give you back your freedom."
"Independence Day is the perfect time to ask if you want independence from the two-party (some would say uniparty) system," Musk wrote in the post announcing a poll he launched earlier in the week that showed strong support for a new political force. More than 65 percent of the 1.2 million respondents backed the idea.
Responding to the results on Saturday, Musk wrote, "By a factor of 2 to 1, you want a new political party and you shall have it! When it comes to bankrupting our country with waste & graft, we live in a one-party system, not a democracy."
Musk also wrote on his X post that "One way to execute on this would be to laser-focus on just 2 or 3 Senate seats and 8 to 10 House districts."
The move follows the passage of President Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill, which cuts electric vehicle incentives and increases federal spending. These are measures that Musk, whose company Tesla benefits from EV subsidies, has opposed, Xinhua reported.
Lü Xiang, a research fellow at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Sunday that "Musk and President Trump have now split due to deeper conflicts over industrial interests, and the core clash lies in their policy differences. Musk vehemently opposes Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill, which prioritizes protecting the US' traditional fossil fuel industries, whereas Musk seeks to solidify his standing in the industrial sector by riding the wave of new energy.
If Musk chooses to get involved in any competitive congressional races in 2026, it could make a significant difference in a close contest, CNBC News reported.
There was no immediate comment from US President Donald Trump or the White House on Musk's announcement, according to multiple media reports.
From a legal standpoint, Musk is ineligible to run for president, but there are no barriers under US law to him forming a new political party, Lü noted. Given his financial resources, he could swiftly establish a national party. Musk's objective is clear - while he may not yet be eyeing the 2028 presidential election, the 2026 midterms are just around the corner. If his new party fully commits to the race, even securing just two Senate seats and 10 House seats could position it as a decisive minority capable of tipping the balance of power.
In the short term, his goal aims at weakening the influence of Republican Party in next year's midterms. His long-term ambition, however, aims at reshaping the US' two-party system, as he views the current political structure not only incapable of addressing national crises but also exacerbating social inequality and moral decline, Li Haidong, a professor at China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times.
"While US law poses no barriers to forming a new party, the real challenge lies in operationalizing it, and how to leverage political influence within the constraints of a two-party system and produce tangible impact," Li stressed.
It's unclear to what extent Musk has taken steps to legally form the party, which would be required to register with the Federal Election Commission. The most recent FEC filings showed no indication that has happened, according to CNN.
Expert noted that if Musk's plan gains traction, it would heighten the uncertainty of the 2026 midterms but it is unlikely to fundamentally disrupt the two-party system. After a century of development, both Republicans and Democrats maintain overwhelming advantages in public mobilization, organizational infrastructure and resource consolidation, Li noted.
Consequently, Musk's party is more likely to serve as a "balancer" by leveraging influence in closely contested races rather than replacing either establishment party, expert noted. For Americans who feel politically homeless in the current system, this new force may offer an alternative identity and choice. Yet it is crucial to recognize that politics remains an arena of hard-nosed calculations and entrenched systems cannot be uprooted by idealism alone, Li said.
When asked to provide specific examples of the Philippine's former senator Francis Tolentino's misconducts that led to Chinese sanctions, and further details as well as the reasons behind the sanctions, following an earlier announcement the same day by the Chinese Foreign Ministry that China had decided to impose sanctions on him, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated on Tuesday that the website of Chinese Foreign Ministry had already published the decision to impose sanctions as well as the relevant details, which you can refer to.
"I have nothing more to add. I want to stress that actions that harm China's interests will inevitably come at a cost," said Mao.
China's top diplomat Wang Yi on Wednesday met with European Council President António Costa. Wang called for enhancing understanding and mutual trust, adding that the more severe and complex the international situation becomes, the more China and Europe need to strengthen unity and coordination, firmly serving as stabilizing forces in a turbulent world.
China and the European Union (EU) are due to hold their 13th Strategic Dialogue on Wednesday in Brussels, according to an EU press release and local media reports.
During his meeting with European Council President António Costa on Wednesday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that at the beginning of this year, President Xi Jinping had a phone call with Costa, marking the start of the celebrations for the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and EU.
Both sides agreed to uphold the partnership, pursue mutually beneficial cooperation, safeguard multilateralism and properly handle differences, setting the direction for China-EU relations, Wang said.
Wang said that China views Europe as a key pole in a multipolar world and maintains consistency and stability in its Europe policy. Regardless of Europe's circumstances, China firmly supports European integration and welcomes the EU's efforts to enhance strategic autonomy and play a greater role on the international stage.
China is ready to strengthen communication and coordination with the EU, prepare for the next leaders' meeting, and open up new prospects and inject new momentum into the comprehensive strategic partnership, Wang added.
Wang said that today's world is intertwined with changes and upheaval, with unilateralism and acts of bullying severely impacting the international order and rules. As two major powers and two major economies, China and Europe adhering to dialogue and cooperation prevents the formation of bloc confrontations; China and Europe choosing openness and mutual benefit ensures that the tide of economic globalization will not be reversed; China and Europe jointly practicing multilateralism keeps the world from descending into chaos.
The more severe and complex the international situation becomes, the more China and Europe need to strengthen unity and coordination, firmly serving as stabilizing forces in a turbulent world. It is essential to truly respect each other's core interests, enhance understanding and mutual trust, and achieve mutual success to bring light to the world, Wang noted.
Costa said that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between EU and China, providing an important opportunity for further development of their relationship. Both Europe and China support multilateralism, and in a world with increasing uncertainties, both sides bear the responsibility to jointly send clear and strong signals on critical issues, injecting stability, confidence, and positive expectations into the world.
While there are differences between Europe and China, the European side is willing to work with the Chinese side in a spirit of mutual respect, to transcend differences, enhance understanding, and join hands in addressing global challenges. Europe looks forward to concerted efforts from both sides to ensure the success of the next Europe-China leaders' summit. The EU will continue to firmly adhere to the One-China policy, Costa said.
Wang is touring Europe from June 30 to July 6. He will make stops in Brussels at the EU headquarters before heading to Germany and France. Prior to the engagement with the bloc, Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever met with Wang on Tuesday.
Marking the half a century of ties between China and the EU, Wang's visit, which includes not only the EU headquarters but also the bloc's two core member states, highlights that China-EU relations stand at a critical juncture. If both can properly manage existing issues, their relationship is poised to grow stronger and closer; failure to do so, however, risks triggering prolonged friction in areas such as trade and tariffs. At this pivotal moment, direct high-level engagement is particularly crucial, Zhao Junjie, senior research fellow at the Institute of European Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Wednesday.
The last high-level strategic dialogue between China and the EU took place in 2023. This meeting marks the first round of communication on strategic security issues and the macro-level framework of China-EU relations since the transition of the European Commission. It is expected that the Chinese side will adopt a more direct and candid approach to express its commitment to safeguarding shared interests, Dong Yifan, an associate research fellow at the Belt and Road Academy of Beijing Language and Culture University, told the Global Times.
Shifting global dynamics, particularly the Trump administration's "America First" policy, which has strategically sidelined Europe, have given the EU greater room to pursue strategic autonomy, Zhao said.
Yet, the future trajectory of China-EU relations remains fraught with uncertainties, the expert noted. On one hand, US influence is still disrupting Europe's policy choices. On the other, the rise of far-right forces within Europe could introduce new variables. Against this backdrop, the current high-level dialogue represents an opportunity to steer relations toward a more stable path, Zhao noted.
Ties between China and the EU are still facing a number of complexities, and over the past few months, the European Commission has been wavering on just how tough its stance on Beijing should be - a wobbly position that has left businesses scratching their heads, Euractiv reported.
The issue of rare earths has recently drawn widespread attention. The European side has complained that a decline in rare earth exports from China is affecting European businesses "very, very badly." During the G7 Summit in Canada, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen even brandished a rare earth magnet, accusing China of "weaponizing" rare earths and calling on "like-minded partners" to join forces to counter the so-called "China shock."
Yet in May, the EU leader said the bloc is "willing to deepen its partnership with China, strengthen exchanges and cooperation, uphold the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, jointly tackle common challenges and promote world peace, security, prosperity and sustainable development."
Dong noted that while Europe recognizes its need for China amid global turbulence, it fails to objectively understand China, attempting to leverage various tools to maximize its own economic benefits. It reflects the insufficient communication between the two sides, and the China-EU high-level strategic dialogue presents a crucial opportunity to strengthen mutual understanding and trust.
The "Global Times Overseas China Week and Global South Dialogue: Seminar on Relations between China and Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) countries, and the Mutual Perception of Public Opinion" were held in Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina, on Monday local time. Political, business, academic, think tank, and media circle representatives from China and Argentina gathered to engage in in-depth exchanges on deepening mutual understanding, strengthening the public support foundation, and promoting mutual learning among civilizations between China and LAC countries.
The Overseas China Week and Global South Dialogue series is an exchange platform for implementing Chinese President Xi Jinping's cultural thought and promoting dialogue among media establishments and think tanks from Global South countries. The hosting of the event in Latin America this time was a proactive effort to practice the Global Civilization Initiative and promote the construction of a China-LAC community with a shared future.
The diversity of civilizations is the natural state of the world. As key members of the Global South, China and LAC countries share broad common interests and vast cooperation potential across numerous fields. At the Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the China-CELAC Forum held in May, President Xi profoundly stated, "Facts have shown that China and LAC countries are advancing hand in hand as a community with a shared future." He emphasized that China stands ready to join hands with LAC partners to launch five programs of solidarity, development, civilization, peace, and people-to-people connectivity, charting the course for building a China-LAC community with a shared future in the new era. During the seminar, more than 10 participants engaged in in-depth discussions on the survey on the mutual perception of public opinion. The discussions focused on three key topics: Mutual perceptions and public sentiment between China and Latin America, diverse drivers of positive China-LAC relations, and the role of media in shaping mutual perceptions.
The seminar, which was co-organized by the Global Times, CLACSO, and the Center for Chinese and Latin American Studies (CECLA), aimed to use media exchanges and think tank cooperation as a starting point to foster consensus through candid communication, continuously enhance people-to-people ties between China and Latin America, and cultivate strong public support for building a China-LAC community with a shared future. Fan Zhengwei, President and Editor-in-Chief of the Global Times:
Today, China and Latin America have entered a "fast track" of multi-channel and multi-level exchanges and cooperation in the humanistic sphere. The Global Times is committed to serving as a messenger for civilizational dialogue and mutual learning. This collaboration, which includes conducting a survey on the mutual perception of public opinion between China and Latin America and hosting the seminar, is a practical effort to build a bridge for scholars, the media, and societal figures from both regions to enhance exchanges and dialogue, provide intellectual support for advancing China-Latin America cooperation, and contribute to the future development of Global South countries. Wang Wei, China's Ambassador to Argentina:
Mutual respect and trust align with public aspirations, with people on both sides increasingly viewing each other as good friends and partners who treat each other with respect and equality. Mutually beneficial cooperation resonates with public opinion, and the consensus on advancing together and achieving mutual success has become widely shared among the Chinese and Latin American public. Solidarity and collaboration meet public expectations, as the peoples of both regions jointly uphold world peace, stability, and a multilateral trading system, with a growing willingness to push for reforms in global governance. Pablo Vommaro, General Director-elect of the Latin American Council of Social Sciences (CLACSO):
We are convinced that the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) can mean new cooperation opportunities to strengthen ties and promote exchanges based on mutual learning. For LAC countries, we have much to learn from China's experiences, such as in development and poverty alleviation, but we also know that China can learn from the experiences and the cultural, social, and natural diversities of the LAC. Jorge Taiana, General Director of Centro Internacional de Estudios Políticos (CIEP):
In the international and multilateral arena, there exists a significant number of institutions facilitating cooperation between the LAC and China. Initiatives launched by China, such as the BRI in 2013, are crucial for understanding specific cooperation between China and LAC countries. These efforts, among many others aimed at enhancing development quality, have laid the groundwork that fosters deeper collaboration. Gabriel Merino, Coordinator of the working group "China and the map of world power" at the CLACSO:
The LAC region has a historic opportunity to emerge as an autonomous actor in this increasingly multipolar and transitioning world, moving beyond its former role as the "backyard."
The perceptions and opinions of Chinese and Latin American people reflect a growing closeness despite obstacles, challenges, and external pressures, forming a solid foundation to deepen development cooperation, reduce inequalities, and jointly work toward a more just, democratic, and equitable new world order. Patricio Conejero Ortiz, Director of the Latin America-China Observatory (OLAC) at University of Buenos Aires:
Currently, young Argentine scholars show a higher interest in learning Chinese, with the main motivation stemming from positive expectations for future career development. Strengthening Chinese language training and optimizing the construction of academic exchange platforms between China and Latin America will be key measures to promote the continuous deepening of bilateral understanding and cooperation. Daniel Filmus, Director of the Ibero-American Center for Research in Science, Technology, and Innovation (CIICTI):
It is essential to review public and media discourses on current relations with China, overcoming the inherited stereotypes from the Eurocentric and North American perspectives that are still dominant in our region.
In the field of science and technology, we can contribute to generating new representations that align with the current consolidating bond and to energizing the understanding of Chinese culture from its central role in scientific and technological production. Alejandra Conconi, Executive Director of the Argentine-Chinese Chamber of Production, Industry and Commerce:
In a global learning process, thousands of executives and technicians leave China for the first time each year and arrive in Latin America, while thousands of Latin Americans begin to engage with a society that still feels distant to them.
In the business sphere, we work to build concrete bridges that improve communication and understanding, convinced that all forms of trade and cooperation are processes that lead to peace and friendship among nations. María del Carmen Alarcón, Coordinator of the Sovereign Foreign Policy Commission at the PATRIA Institute:
The BRI, launched by China, is a model project capable of promoting inclusive growth, especially for countries of the Global South. We have been going through turbulence, but we continue to work toward discussing and solidifying the construction of a multipolar, fair, and orderly world. China plays a very important role in this process, as it provides a factor of certainty amid the change.
Nicolas Schonfeld, Executive Director of Televisión América Latina (TAL):
Public media - beyond merely amplifying official narratives - are called upon to weave meaning, to link diverse perspectives that, while preserving their identity, can recognize each other through exchange. They are tasked with building new forms of empathy.What we propose is to create conditions for Chinese and Latin American narratives to meet, engage in dialogue, and mutually transform. Néstor Restivo, Founder and Journalistic Director of DangDai Magazine:
The world is undergoing a transition in the global power system. China and Latin America, as part of the Global South, are participating in the construction of what is to come. The democratization of communication - exposing those who feign press freedom to uphold an unjust and unequal order - will be an essential task, just as vital as laying new foundations for an information and communication system that serves the people, their liberation, and their happiness.
China and Ecuador signed a cooperation plan on promoting the Belt and Road Initiative in Beijing on Friday.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Ecuadorian counterpart Daniel Noboa witnessed the signing of the inter-governmental document after their meeting at the Great Hall of the People.
A Chinese envoy on Friday called for international efforts to promote talks to ease Israel-Iran tensions.
As the Israel-Iran military conflict enters its eighth day, it is distressing to see the conflict has resulted in a large number of civilian casualties and damage to facilities on both sides, said Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the United Nations.
If the conflict escalates further, not only will both sides suffer greater losses, but regional countries will also be severely affected, he warned.
Israel's actions violate international law and the norms of international relations, jeopardize the sovereignty and security of Iran, and undermine regional peace and stability. China unequivocally condemns this, he told an emergency meeting of the Security Council.
At this critical juncture, the international community should further forge consensus and make every effort to promote talks to ease tensions, he said.
Fu said there must be an immediate ceasefire and an end to the fighting. The use of force is not the right way to resolve international disputes. It will only exacerbate hatred and conflict. The sooner a ceasefire is in place, the less damage will be done. The situation in the region cannot be allowed to slide into an unknown abyss, he said.
"The parties to the conflict, Israel in particular, should cease fire as soon as possible to prevent the situation from escalating and to avoid any spillover of the fighting."
He stressed that the safety of civilians must be ensured.
The red line for civilian protection in armed conflict must not be crossed at any time, and the indiscriminate use of force is unacceptable. The parties to the conflict must strictly abide by international law, resolutely avoid harming innocent civilians, refrain from attacking civilian facilities, and facilitate the evacuation of third-country nationals, he said.
The current conflict has interrupted the negotiation process on the Iranian nuclear issue. The attacks on multiple Iranian nuclear facilities set a dangerous precedent and could have catastrophic consequences, said Fu. "We must not waver in the general direction of a political settlement of the Iranian nuclear issue, and we must persist in returning the Iranian nuclear issue to the track of a political solution through dialogue and negotiation." China welcomes the talks in Geneva between the Iranian foreign minister and his counterparts from Britain, France, Germany, as well as the EU foreign and security policy chief, said Fu.
The Israel-Iran conflict has led to a sudden escalation of tensions in the Middle East, and has had a serious impact on global security. Recently, the foreign ministers of 21 Arab and Islamic countries issued a joint statement, calling for a ceasefire, resuming talks on the Iranian nuclear issue, and maintaining lasting peace in the region. China fully supports the statement, he said.
The international community, especially major countries with special influence on the parties to the conflict, should make efforts to cool down the situation, rather than doing the opposite, said Fu.
The Security Council, as the primary body responsible for maintaining international peace and security, should play a greater role in this regard. China supports the council in taking necessary actions in a timely fashion, he said.
China stands ready to continue to strengthen communication and coordination with all relevant parties, build synergies, uphold justice, and play a constructive role in restoring peace in the Middle East, said the Chinese ambassador.
When asked about Iran's parliament reportedly endorsing closing the Strait of Hormuz and about China's comments and whether China has held talks with Iran regarding the issue, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Monday that the Persian Gulf and its surrounding waters are vital channels for international goods and energy trade.
Safeguarding security and stability in the region serves the common interests of the international community, the spokesperson said. China calls on the international community to intensify efforts to de-escalate tensions and prevent regional instability from having a greater impact on global economic development, Guo said.
When asked whether China has raised or plans to raise the issue with Iran, and how China intends to play a role in mediation after Reuters reported that US Secretary of State Macro Rubio on Sunday called on China to encourage Iran to not shut down the Strait of Hormuz, Guo said on Monday that he has answered the question about the Strait of Hormuz earlier and that China has maintained communication with Iran on the current situation.
A few days ago, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a phone call with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, and China is willing to strengthen communication with Iran and other relevant parties to continue to play a constructive role in promoting de-escalation of the situation, the spokesperson said.
Seven Chinese departments, including the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), Ministry of Public Security, have jointly issued a new regulation governing terminal devices that connect directly to satellite services, aiming to further promote and regulate the healthy development of direct satellite connection services for terminal devices, safeguard national security and the public interest.
Direct satellite connectivity for terminal devices has become an emerging trend in the global mobile communication field, with products and services rapidly gaining popularity and attracting widespread attention, the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) said on Wednesday.
The regulation provides guidelines for terminal devices connecting directly to satellite, covering equipment, service and management, supervision, and legal responsibilities, the Administration noted.
The regulation will come into effect on June 1, 2025.
Terminal equipment [covered in this regulation] refers to civil handheld terminals, portable terminals, fixed terminals, and terminals mounted on vehicles such as aircraft, ships, and vehicles that can connect to satellite communication systems for voice, text, or data transmission, according to the CAC.
Direct satellite service for terminal equipment refers to using such devices to connect directly to communication satellites via wireless signals, without intermediary devices, for voice, text, or data transmission, the related official from the CAC said.
The official further explained that the purpose of the regulation is to promote and standardize the healthy development of terminal devices connecting directly to satellite services.
It highlights "the dual emphasis of both development and security, combining innovation with governance in accordance with law," the official added.
The regulation also specifies support measures for the research and development of direct satellite connection technology for terminal devices, infrastructure construction, integrated innovation, application ecosystem, standard formulation, and talent cultivation.
The regulation supports research on terminal devices direct satellite connection technology, promote the integrated development of satellite communication and ground mobile communication, explore new applications and business models for technological integration, and build a comprehensive industrial ecosystem.
The regulation encourages the use of direct satellite connection services via terminal devices to expand China's network coverage and promote applications in disaster prevention and relief, workplace safety, field operations, and search and rescue.
The regulation also support the lawful development and utilization of relevant data and encourage equal, mutually beneficial international cooperation.
Additionally, the regulation emphasizes that providing direct satellite connection services for terminal devices within China must obtain proper permits and approvals, and comply with obligations related to network security, data protection, and illegal content management.
Service providers must obtain licenses and approvals under applicable laws and administrative regulations, and only connect to satellite communication systems that operate legally within China, according to the official.
Regarding international communications, the service must be conducted through international communication entry and exit points approved by the State Council's telecommunications authority, the official added.
As dusk falls over Timor-Leste's capital Dili, Yang Huchen's car winds through the country's rugged terrain, his eyes tracing the golden constellations of light that now dot the hillsides. Each glowing window tells a story - a child studying after sunset, a vendor keeping a stall open late, and a family gathered beneath a steady bulb.
For Yang, a Chinese engineer who has spent 13 years constructing national power grid across this island nation, the view stirs something deeper than scenery. "It's not just electricity," he told the Global Times. "It's about ordinary people's lives."
When Yang first arrived in 2011 as part of the pioneering team at the China Nuclear Industry 22nd Construction Co, Ltd (CNI22), darkness defined evening life here. Families had to rely on candles if they needed to work at night. But today, over 90 percent of Timorese households hum with reliable power - a milestone forged by Yang and his colleagues at the CNI22, who turned a national grid project into a lifeline for a nation.
"Before, the night felt endless. It used to be difficult for me to study due to lack of electricity at night and we had to work through tasks during daytime," recalled 26-year-old Anna Isabel De Jesus, who lives in a small village near Dili.
According to Anna, her two sons were born after the national grid system was completed, therefore, they can either study or enjoy leisure time with the family at night, a privilege that their mother was unable to enjoy when she was little.
The national power grid of Timor-Leste, constructed and operated by the CNI22, is the largest power infrastructure project in the country to date. The project includes one national dispatch center, nine substations, 1,407 transmission towers, 603 kilometers of high-voltage transmission lines, and 120 kilometers of medium-voltage distribution lines. Since the commissioning of the first substation in November 2011, the national power grid of Timor-Leste has transmitted a total of 5.82 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity, introduced Dai Linfeng, who is in charge of the CNI22 Timor-Leste branch.
The project has fundamentally changed the history of electricity shortages in Timor-Leste, improved the living standards of its people, and provided strong momentum for the country's economic and social development. Furthermore, it has had a profound and positive impact on enhancing the friendship between the two countries, Dai said. A tough, rewarding journey
Yang, a seasoned engineer at the CNI22, arrives in August 2011 and has experienced firsthand the challenges and transformative progress in Timor-Leste's power sector over the past decade.
Recalling his early working experience, Yang said, "Every outing became an adventure, particularly during the rainy season." When heavy rains turned routine inspections into grueling treks, Yang and his colleagues would find themselves navigating through wild terrain where flash floods and even snakes were a constant threat.
"Sometimes, we had to decide whether to wait for the water to subside or risk trekking through dangerous, isolated paths," Yang said.
Due to the remote location of various substations and transmission towers, field teams were often required to traverse long distances on foot. In areas where vehicles could not reach, the inspectors faced the dual challenges of lengthy hikes and the imminent dangers of heavy rainfall and sudden floods.
"We needed to travel with self-heating meals and dry provisions to sustain us when embarking on a journey to remote areas during rainy seasons," he recalled to the Global Times. No matter how hard the journey would get, the CNI22 team in Timor-Leste would always demonstrate their resolve to ensure the operation of the electrical networks.
In addition to bringing Chinese expertise and high standards, the company highly prioritized training local experts. Since the start of the electricity program, the CNI22 provided lectures to train local personnel to operate and maintain the power infrastructure.
The company collaborated with the government to select and train promising candidates and the selected personnel would receive intensive training programs teaching both theoretical principles and hands-on technical skills. The training was comprehensive, encompassing detailed classroom sessions, live demonstrations, and on-site mentorship.
"It was vital that we build a self-sufficient team here. Our goal was to not only transfer technical know-how, but also instill a disciplined work ethic that would transform the operational culture," Dai told the Global Times.
Bridge of hearts
Hilario, a local employee who has the Chinese name Lan Tian, which literally means Blue Sky, told the Global Times that it is great to get the opportunity to work and be a part of the CNI22 in Timor-Leste.
Hilario was one of the first Timorese workers at the company and working there, he said, offered a stable income and a sense of pride from being involved in a project of significance that improves people's lives.
"Before we only had electricity from 7 am to 11 pm and the lack of electricity also led to a lack of water. Now with reliable electricity, our country will definitely develop better," he said. Hilario's wife delivered their fourth child this year, and as for their families, they share Hilario's deep fondness for China.
For many locals, especially college graduates, landing a job at the CNI22 means a good career path ahead. Several Timorese employees interviewed by the Global Times pointed out that the competition to secure a job is quite intense, and this is in direct proportion to the satisfactory results they received from the job.
In the CNI22 Timor-Leste branch, more than half of its employees are Timorese nationals.
"In our long journey, the transformation was as much about technology as it was about trust and cultural exchange," Dai emphasized, highlighting the mutual respect and teamwork that have become the cornerstones of the operation.
This mutual trust and care have extended from the workplace to their daily lives. For the family members and even neighbors of the local employees, the CNI22 is their first experience with a Chinese company and China.
Anna is the neighbor of a Timorese employee at the CNI22. She told the Global Times that the company brought them the prospect of a new life, a life that she has not dreamed of before, but her two sons can now enjoy.
As the Chinese proverb goes, "Give a man a fish, you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish, you feed him for a lifetime," Dai and his team members worked to lay the groundwork for a future in which the local workforce can independently manage their electrical infrastructure by consistently applying stringent technical standards and prioritizing safety.
"It's not just about keeping the lights on - it's about lighting the way for future progress," Dai told the Global Times.
The Global Times learned that Timor-Leste Branch of CNI22 has an evaluation system assessing Timorese employees' technical competency, management aptitude, and cross-cultural communication skills, linking performance to career progression. Those with good evaluation results will get promoted.
After years of development, the CNI22 has not only helped address once chronic electricity shortages, but their projects have also been diversified to include agriculture, road construction, and sanitation equipment. 'Ink and water'
China was the first country to establish diplomatic relations with Timor-Leste in 2002. In September 2023, both sides announced the elevation of their bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership. In recent years, both countries have demonstrated deepened political mutual trust and achieved fruitful results in practical cooperation in a range of fields under the framework of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, the Xinhua News Agency reported.
In Dai's eyes, their work in Timor-Leste is similar to "blending ink and water," and now "there is part of me in you and part of you in me." For Timor-Leste, where the CNI22 helped build critical infrastructure after the nation gained independence in 2002, the partnership carries deeper symbolism.
Meanwhile, in the UAE, the company's housing projects cater to the growing demand for eco-conscious urban living, a niche that aligns with the country's sustainable development goals.
From constructing high-end housing complexes to undertaking energy infrastructure projects in the sunbaked landscapes of the UAE, the CNI22's operations also epitomize Chinese companies' evolving approach to overseas infrastructure development; one that prioritizes localized adaptation over a one-size-fits-all model. As of March 2024, the company employed over 3,200 foreign staff across the Middle East, which constituting about 95 percent of its UAE workforce, according to the CNI22.
The energy sectors demand precision, and the CNI22's fusion of Chinese technical standards with localized expertise has become a blueprint. At every construction site, Chinese and foreign employees together uphold high standards. Every safety training session and cross-cultural workshop is a two-way exchange.
The philosophy of precision and integration also resonates with employees like Ahmad Ali Ahmad Aldrobi, an engineer from Jordan who even developed a love for Chinese culture. He learned some basic Chinese and can write Chinese characters neatly and stylishly.
As dusk settles over Dubai's skyline, the CNI22's office hums with a mix of Chinese, Arabic, and English. Here, the "ink and water" metaphor takes tangible form: A Jordanian engineer masters Chinese project management software, while Chinese engineers study English and Arabic to better liaise with their colleagues.
For Aldrobi, the bond transcends his profession, and is more about knowing about more family members. In his eyes, the future they are building is not just buildings and power station, but connections that outlive steel and concrete.
"I love China and Chinese culture. And I will let my children know about this love and take them to see China," he told the Global Times.
Multiple Chinese cities, including Chengdu, Southwest China’s Sichuan Province and Changchun, Northeast China’s Jilin Province, have recently introduced policies to enhance fertility and childcare support, such as issuing draft plans for birth subsidies.
Chengdu will enhance fertility and childcare support by measures including improving and implementing proactive fertility support policies, and establishing a comprehensive system of related policy measures, according to an implementation plan for the special action to boost consumption in the city by 2025 posted on the website of the Chengdu Municipal Development and Reform Commission on Wednesday.
The city aims to have all secondary and tertiary public hospitals to provide pediatric services. It will improve the inclusive childcare service system, expand the supply of inclusive childcare and increase the proportion of inclusive childcare slots in registered childcare institutions to over 60 percent, according to the plan.
The city of Changchun on Tuesday released an implementation draft plan for special actions to boost consumption for public opinions. According to the plan, the city will implement national childcare subsidies and provincial incentives for second and third children.
The city plans to support inclusive childcare services by providing differential subsidies to public childcare institutions. In urban areas of Changchun, the subsidy is 2,400 yuan ($333) per year per child, while in other regions it is 1,800 yuan per year per child. For certain self-financed institutions, the subsidy is 3,600 yuan per child annually in urban areas and 2,400 yuan in other regions, according to the draft plan.
On Tuesday, local authorities in Shenmu, Northwest China’s Shaanxi Province released a trial implementation plan for birth and child-rearing subsidies. Families having a second child will receive a one-time subsidy of 5,000 yuan, while families having a third child will receive a one-time childbirth subsidy of 10,000 yuan, according to the plan released by Shenmu local authorities.
For families having a second child, an annual childcare subsidy of 3,000 yuan will be provided until the child turns 2, while families with a third child will receive 10,000 yuan annually until the child turns 3.
Jiang Quanbao, a professor at the Institute for Population and Development Studies at Xi’an Jiaotong University, told the Global Times that childbirth subsidy systems in various regions have adopted a comprehensive, “whole-chain” approach, covering areas such as housing, marriage, financial support and childcare. He also noted that future policies may further strengthen these efforts.
“The implementation of childbirth subsidy policies is accelerating and sending positive signals. These city-level initiatives reflect a broader shift from policy vision to concrete action across regions,” Jiang said.
In recent years, China has been making efforts to build a more childbirth-friendly society, including providing cash rewards and improving childcare services.
