After a summit with US and Japanese leaders in Washington which is regarded as primarily targeted at China, Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr said his government has no plan to give US forces access to more military bases in the Philippines. Chinese analysts commented that faced with regional concerns and domestic opposition, Marcos is pretending his government is a "stabilizer" at least on the surface, rather than a "troublemaker," however, Manila's provocation is unlikely to stop at any time soon.
According to the AP, Marcos made the remarks during a forum with Manila-based foreign correspondents on Monday. He said his government "has no plans to create any more bases or give access to any more bases."
In February 2023, Marcos granted the US access to four new military bases," bringing to nine the number of military bases that US troops can rotate through, build facilities and store defense equipment and supplies under the "Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA). One of the bases is only 400 kilometers from China's Taiwan region, according to media reports.
Asked if he was concerned that allowing US military access to Philippine bases had provoked Chinese actions, Marcos said that giving the US military access to Philippine bases is "not aimed at provoking China" but is a reaction to "aggressive actions we had to deal with" in the South China Sea.
Marcos also mentioned the recent disputes in the South China Sea and smeared China, noting that it is crucial that the media continues to expose these actions that threaten the peace and stability of the region. It is worth mentioning that Manila has invited Western reporters board its vessels when Manila needs to spread its image as "a victim" in the face of China's "assertive actions."
Chen Xiangmiao, director of the World Navy Research Center at the National Institute for South China Sea Studies, told the Global Times on Tuesday that Marcos is attempting to sway other countries in the region that Manila is trying to calm down the situation.
He portrays himself as a nice guy that is trying to maintain regional stability in front of the media, Chen said.
Marcos remarks came after the first-ever US-Japan-Philippines summit hosted by US President Joe Biden on Thursday in Washington, DC, in which the three nations announced they will deepen military cooperation to counter "China's threats." Biden asked Congress for a further $128 million for infrastructure projects at the current base sites. Manila is also promoting a mutual military visit agreement with Tokyo.
After the summit, geopolitical competition and bloc confrontation in the Asia-Pacific is on the rise, and the risk of maritime friction is also increasing, said Ding Duo, deputy director of the Institute of Maritime Law and Policy at the China Institute for South China Sea Studies.
The Philippines, encouraged and supported by the US and Japan, will not stop its aggressive and provocative actions at sea in the short term, Ding said, noting that the Philippines may even make more infringements and provocative measures in public opinion, jurisprudence and on diplomatic occasions.
Both experts said that Marcos' remarks are also in response to pressure from domestic opposition and anti-war groups that are worried the Philippines will become further involved in a major power confrontation between the US and China.
In a recent interview with the Global Times, former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte said there are too many military bases for the US troops in Philippines, which he always objected to. He warned that the "US will not die for us."
Whether there will be more military bases in the Philippines depends on if the US puts new demands on the Philippines and whether the US meets some of the conditions Manila is asking for, as there were interests exchanges behind every single base, Chen said.
According to Ding, with the new bases still under construction, the demand for more military bases in the Philippines is not urgent. In addition, the procedure of adding a new base is complicated, not only in terms of the US and the Philippines themselves at home, but also due to technical issues between the two countries, which makes it less feasible in the short term.
For instance, building a new site needs a huge amount of funds and human resources, and it also need to be approved by Congress, Ding said.
Ding stressed that in response to the provocation of the Philippines and the intervention of countries outside the region, China has enough strength to safeguard territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, which is also the fundamental guarantee for peace and stability in the South China Sea.
Including the case of the two Canadian Michaels, 10 typical spy cases were disclosed in a special documentary film published by China's Ministry of State Security on Sunday to mark the ninth National Security Education Day that falls on April 15, through which various despicable methods of infiltration, theft and incitement by foreign spy and intelligence agencies are exposed, and awareness of anti-espionage is expected to be firmly established among the people.
As this year marks the 10th anniversary of the proposal of the holistic view of national security, the national security has been strengthened. However, beyond traditional areas, emerging fields related to national economy and people's livelihoods, future development, energy, food and meteorology have also become key targets for foreign spy agencies.
In response to the new situations and forms both internationally and domestically, comprehensive measures are needed in terms of raising awareness of safeguarding national security, implementing better legislation and the establishment of specialized institutions to address events that pose a threat to national security, according to analysts. They stressed the importance of lifelong education on national security among the public.
As part of nationwide efforts to promote the national security education, China's Ministry of State Security released a special documentary film that is divided into two parts with the first part summarizing the 10 major anti-espionage cases uncovered by the state security organs in the past decade and the second part reviewing 10 typical citizen-whistleblowing cases during the same period.
The first part of the film was released on Sunday and the second part is set to be published on Monday, according to the ministry.
In the first part of the video that lasts about half an hour, the case of the two Canadians, Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig, engaging in spying activities in China, is revealed with some details. In December 2018, the state security organs detected two Canadians for overseas spying, illegally providing state secrets and reporting intelligence, which severely fought against the criminal acts of overseas spies endangering China's national security.
In recent years, with the continuous improvement of China's comprehensive national strength, some overseas spy and intelligence agencies have infiltrated China, trying to gather intelligence and steal China's state secrets, the Ministry of State Security noted.
In another case, in 2019, the state security organ uncovered the case of Lee Henley Huxiang's financing of criminal activities endangering national security. According to the video, Lee is willing to be a "traitor" - enjoying the national dividend, while sparing no effort to support anti-China activities, acting as the investor behind the anti-China activities, engaged in anti-China chaos and other activities, endangering national security.
Separately, according to the film, in 2017, the state security authorities deployed a special campaign against defectors, including Wang Pihong and Zhao Ruqin. Defection is one of the crimes of endangering national security, and this was the first case of endangering national security with the conviction of "defection" since 2012.
The Ministry of State Security also noted that core secret-related personnel in the Party, government and military organs, military enterprises, scientific research institutes as well as university teachers and students are the key targets for overseas spy and intelligence agencies to carry out intelligence collection and infiltration.
Through various means such as emotional solicitation, seduction and corruption, financial purchase, and offering help, overseas spies have tried every means to recruit and instigate Chinese officials, researchers and Chinese personnel working overseas, posing a serious threat to China's national security, the film said.
The state security organs have found that some personnel have a weak sense of national security and are used by people with ulterior motives, intentionally or inadvertently divulging state secrets and endangering national security.
The video also revealed cases of individual military fans illegally obtaining state secrets.
At present, there are some overseas institutions that have complex backgrounds. With the rapid development of information technology, in order to circumvent China's laws and regulations and the supervision of key sensitive industries, they disguise their overseas background through various methods. Then, they steal China's state secrets and intelligence in key fields with the help of domestic consulting companies and other industries, the film warned.
The video has sparked heated online discussion with many expressing admiration and respect for the anti-espionage work. Some netizens "liked" the various forms of popularizing the national security concept including videos, comic posts and other activities both online and offline, believing those publicity works can promote the public awareness of protecting national security.
Li Wei, an expert on national security at the China Institute of Contemporary International Relations, told the Global Times on Sunday that as China comprehensively promotes the rule of law, including in the field of counterespionage, relevant provisions of the Criminal Law and Counter-Espionage Law have been improved and enriched.
For example, the Counter-Espionage Law that was revised last year is more precise, clear-cut and transparent, which embodies progress in China's legal system.
However, relevant laws are not permanently perfected through one revision. If there are new trends and changes in espionage activities in the future, these laws will need further revisions and improvements, according to Li.
Li put forward a concept of lifelong education on national security among the public, stressing the significance of adopting more forms and methods to enhance the relevant awareness and make safeguarding national security a necessity for every citizen.
The National Healthcare Security Administration has dismissed recent hypes of a surge in Chinese residents abandoning basic medical insurance due to increasing fees. It stated that the current extent of the nation's medical insurance coverage remains largely consistent with that of the previous year.
Western media outlets have claimed over recent weeks that the number of participants in China's urban and rural residents' medical insurance has been continuously decreasing.
Many people cannot afford the personal payment standard which rose from 350 yuan ($48.36) in 2022 to 380 yuan in 2023, causing many to opt out of the insurance, resulting in a "dropout wave" in some rural areas, the media reports said.
Responding to such hypes, the administration on Thursday said at a press conference that per the latest data by the end of March 2024, China's medical insurance system has shown a stable landscape, and the vast majority of residents still have confidence in the country's basic medical insurance.
The total number of people covered by China's basic medical insurance reached 1.33 billion at the end of 2023, accounting for over 95 percent of the country's population.
The actual net increase in the number of insured individuals in 2023 stood at around 4 million, officials revealed at the conference. This figure considers the exclusion of nearly 40 million individuals with duplicate or invalid data within provincial-level regions, along with an additional 16 million individuals with duplicate insurance across provinces.
A total of 371 million people are covered by basic medical insurance for employees, while 963 million people are covered by basic medical insurance for residents, the administration said.
The number of employees covered by medical insurance increased by 9 million, accounting for 27.8 percent of all insured individuals, further optimizing the structure of insurance coverage.
In addition, medical insurance departments have provided assistance to nearly 80 million low-income individuals nationwide in 2023, alleviating their financial burden.
The rate of low-income individuals in rural areas covered by medical insurance has remained stable at over 99 percent, effectively safeguarding the interests of the vulnerable groups, the administration said.
In a separate development, it has become a trend for Hong Kong residents to seek medical treatment in the Chinese mainland, particularly in the neighboring city of Shenzhen in South China's Guangdong Province.
Many Hong Kong residents have shared tips for obtaining medical insurance in Shenzhen on social media platforms such as Xiaohongshu, also known as Little Red Book, while showing off the convenience and affordability of seeking medical care in the mainland.
According to Hong Kong media reports, in recent years, the tight medical resources and long waiting times in public healthcare institutes in Hong Kong have resulted in strong complaints, leading many Hong Kong residents opt for medical services in the mainland.
Apart from being affordable, easy to schedule, and with a comfortable environment, the short waiting times in Shenzhen have become a significant factor. Additionally, with an increasing number of insurance plans covering the Greater Bay Area medical network, seeking medical treatment in the mainland has become a better choice for Hong Kong residents facing healthcare challenges.
China's Supreme People's Court is soliciting opinions on the Marriage and Family section of the Civil Code, as Article 20 on divorce economic assistance sparks public debates.
According to the document, Article 20 states that if one party in a divorce cannot maintain the basic living standard with personal property obtained during the divorce, and requests appropriate assistance from the other party with the ability to bear the burden, the people's court should support the request according to the law.
That is to say, if one party is economically disadvantaged and has no housing after the divorce, the people's court may, upon request of the party, order the other party, being able to bear the burden, to provide assistance, which may include: a certain period of free use of the other party's house; a reasonable amount of house rent; establishing a certain period of residence right through judgment; and other practical ways.
Legal experts said that this clause specifically mentions that if one party has no housing after the divorce and cannot maintain the local basic living standard, the other party needs to provide living and housing subsidies. This can protect vulnerable groups to some extent and adhere to the principle of fairness, they stressed.
At the same time, many netizens believe that this clause is similar to the spousal support system in foreign countries, where one party needs to provide financial support to the other after divorce. Some netizens also believe that this clause may cause couples who have significant economic disparities to become reluctant to get married.
In response, legal experts stated that this clause only requires assistance to help the economically disadvantaged party to maintain the "local basic living standard," while the purpose of the spousal support system in foreign countries is to help the economically disadvantaged party maintain a "similar standard of living during marriage," which is significantly different. This clause emphasizes the protection of marital property and the interests of vulnerable groups, and will not create pressure for couples who want to get married, experts said.
During the divorce process, there are many ways to divide property, Zhu Wei, a vice director of the Communication Law Research Center at the China University of Political Science and Law, told the Global Times on Tuesday. For example, at the beginning, voluntary division of property is carried out, and if voluntary agreement cannot be reached, then the court will be involved in the division.
Generally, the principle followed is to benefit the party responsible for taking care of the children and the party without fault, he said. After the division, according to the relevant provisions of the Marriage Law, if one party is at fault, they may have to compensate the innocent party for damages, which is a compensatory division.
Assistance division is actually a method of division that has been mentioned in the Civil Code before, Zhu explained. After divorce, one party may not have a place to live and their standard of living may not meet the relevant standards of the city. If they are not provided with assistance, it may bring burden to society, other families and the children of the original family. "This also aligns with the traditional Chinese viewpoint, as even though the couple has separated, they should still fulfill their obligations to each other as they promised when they got married," he noted.
It is worth mentioning the way in which the court can now grant a certain period of residency rights, which is the first time it has been proposed, improving the previously controversial aspects, the expert noted.
The Southern Theater Command of the People's Liberation Army organized a joint maritime and aerial combat patrol on Sunday in the South China Sea. All military activities that disturb the stability of the South China Sea are under control.
A total of 1,422 immigration administration police officers were honored with medals on Tuesday in recognition of their outstanding contribution to safeguarding national security and maintaining border stability.
The medals were presented by the National Immigration Administration (NIA) and its subsidiary immigration administration departments, and were established after being approved by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council.
According to the NIA, the police officers from China's immigration administration departments have faithfully fulfilled the responsibilities and missions, making a significant contribution to safeguarding national political security and border stability. Police officers from Xinjiang, Xizang, and Yunnan were awarded the medals, the NIA said via its official WeChat account.
"In the 20 years that I have spent guarding the border, I have always felt a strong sense of responsibility. This commemorative medal is not just an honor, but also a commitment. I see it as a new beginning, a chance to continue upholding and promoting the values of loyalty and dedication," said a police officer Liu Can from Southwest China's Yunnan Province.
The medals contain major elements including five stars, Great Wall passes, shields, olive branches and snowdrops. As per regulations, the medals will be awarded annually to immigration administration police officers who have served in remote and harsh areas of border regions. Officers who have given 10, 20 and 30 years of service will be awarded bronze, silver and gold medals respectively.
This marks the second time the country presented the medal, an honorary award for immigration administration workers. In April 2023, the national immigration authorities awarded medals to the first batch of 8,487 police officers in commemoration of their exemplary work and efforts in guarding China's border regions.
The situation in the South China Sea has further intensified due to the provocative actions of the US and its allies, Chinese analysts said over reports that Japan is slated to send its Maritime Self-Defense Force to conduct its first joint naval patrols with the US and the Philippines in the region later this year.
Chinese analysts warned that the trilateral exercises in the South China Sea, evidently designed and pushed by the US, only serve to incite greater crisis and conflicts in the western Pacific to help the US compete with China, secure the US leadership among its allies, and profit from the chaos just as it did in the Europe.
Citing US officials and other sources familiar with the matter, US news portal Politico reported on Friday that the US, Japan and the Philippines are slated to launch joint naval patrols in the South China Sea, while suggesting that the leaders of the three countries are expected to reach an agreement on the joint patrols at a trilateral summit in Washington on April 11.
Politico called the potential three-country maneuver "the most robust assertion" of the Biden administration's so-called Indo-Pacific Strategy hinged to rallying allies and partners to offset China's growing economic, diplomatic and military footprint in the region, while warning that such move would likely elicit a strong response from Beijing.
"Japan's decision to join the maneuver is a typical example of the US attempting to recruit more allies in a highly sensitive and conflict-prone area, in order to consume allies' resources and weaken China," Li Haidong, a professor at the China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times on Sunday.
Li also warned that US allies and partners including Japan and the Philippines should be aware that the US never heeds the demands of its allies, but rather to exploit the frictions between its allies and China to achieve a result where the US benefits. In the strategic view of the US, whether it's the Philippines or Japan, they are all pawns for the US to benefit from."
Ding Duo, deputy director of the Institute of Maritime Law and Policy at the China Institute for South China Sea Studies, told the Global Times on Sunday that the joint patrols conducted by the three countries in the South China Sea, as well as their political collusion, undoubtedly lead to the deterioration of the regional security situation.
They are clear destabilizing factors that pose a certain degree of threat to China's security, Ding said. "The provocative behavior of the US, Japan, and the Philippines in the vicinity of the South China Sea demonstrates the characteristic of 'originating from the US, with Japan's cooperation, and the Philippines' eager compliance'."
Japan's involvement also reflects the Kishida government's moves to make Tokyo a bigger player in regional security alongside the US that began with his announcement in 2022 of a doubling of the country's defense budget within five years, Politico reported.
The Financial Times also reported on March 25 that the US and Japan, with an eye on China, are planning the biggest upgrade to their security alliance in 60 years. According to the report, the plan, which will see the restructuring of the US military command in Japan, will be announced during Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's visit to the US in April. Tokyo's top government spokesperson said on Monday that the two are "discussing ways to strengthen cooperation in command and control in order to enhance interoperability and readiness."
Chinese experts have criticized the US-Japan alliance is evolving into an axis of evil that will pose more direct uncertainty and instability to the region and even bring destruction to the current peace in Asia.
Analysts also predicted that detailed plans of the joint patrols may be unveiled at the April 11 trilateral summit in Washington. However, they pointed out that these joint patrols can hardly unite the strengths of the participating countries, as once there is an intense conflict with China, the US is all too happy to let its allies make the biggest sacrifices.
The US has been encouraging the Philippines to incite chaos in the South China Sea. In the latest example, the US Indo-Pacific Command chief John Aquilino said at a US House committee briefing last week that the Philippines can invoke the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty if a sailor or a member of its military is killed as China continues "to execute belligerent, dangerous and aggressive" actions against Filipino troops and fishermen in the West Philippine Sea, according to media reports on Thursday.
"And that would put our policy decision makers in a place that would require really tough choices," he told the US lawmakers.
Li pointed out that the US has an interesting characteristic when it comes to its allies, which is to deceive them.
"It often appears to urge its allies to brave dangers, but in reality, it sacrifices them to meet its own selfish strategic demands. This is similar to the situation in Ukraine, where the US consumes Ukraine's resources, leaving Ukraine to fend for itself while weakening Russia, all while the US benefits," he noted.
The intentions of the US are clear, but in the implementation process, it lacks legitimate reasons and its own capabilities cannot meet its ambitions. "Therefore, the US uses its so-called allies and partners to generalize territorial sovereignty and maritime boundary disputes into regional security issues, disguising them as legitimate reasons to rally allies and partners to form small multilateral security organizations to exert pressure, interfere, and restrain China, thereby reducing its own pressure," Ding said. High alert
Facing malicious challenges brought by external forces in the South China Sea, Chinese analysts have proposed that the complex situation necessitates a comprehensive approach, combining both diplomatic and military efforts.
Targeting a number of objects at sea and in the air such as armed enemy fishing boat and enemy jet, a Chinese navy flotilla of the Southern Theater Command of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) formed by warships including the Xueshan and Lushan carried out high-intensity and multi-course real combat training in South China Sea, according to the Command on Sunday morning.
The cross-day-and-night exercises, according to the Command, are designed to test the contingency response capabilities of officers and soldiers, their ability to actually use weapons and their command coordination in complex battlefield environments.
Training modules include dealing with complex and changeable enemy situations at sea and in the air - such as suspicious targets, armed enemy fishing boats, weapons threats, and other hostile elements.
The footage of the exercises that the Command released on Saturday shows that the enemy target was sunk after the PLA flotilla's powerful strikes.
"It is difficult to rule out the possibility that some regional and external forces adopt petty tricks to provoke China in the South China Sea, such as installing light weapons onto the fishing boats in order to achieve a surprise attack against Chinese vessels, so we have to be ready for that," Wei Dongxu, a military expert and TV commentator, told the Global Times on Sunday.
Ding interpreted the PLA drills as a clear signal that regardless of whether the US, Japan, and the Philippines conduct joint patrols or other forms of actions, the PLA will be on high alert. Some analysts believe that the signal sent by the PLA Southern Theater Command suggests that "armed fishing boat" includes Philippine coast guard vessels if they violate China's sovereignty.
"No matter in which area of sea or at what time, the PLA will always maintain a high level of vigilance, take strong countermeasures, and we do not rule out taking some proactive actions to deter malicious forces," Ding said.
Apart from resolutely safeguarding China's territorial sovereignty and integrity, it is necessary to establish closer coordination and cooperation with more countries in the Asia-Pacific region to recognize the dangerous intentions of the US that is to promote division, confrontation, and conflict in the region, Chinese analysts said.
The Fujian Maritime Safety Administration, the Eastern Navigation Service Center of the National Maritime Safety Administration and the Shanghai Maritime Safety Administration conducted a joint patrol activity in the waters west of the Taiwan Straits on Wednesday to further maintain the maritime navigation environment and order in the area, ensuring safety and the stability of water traffic.
According to Tu Tiekun, director of the command center at Xiamen Maritime Safety Administration, the Taiwan Straits and the coast of Fujian are areas where customary shipping routes overlap with traditional fishing grounds in the East China Sea. Combined with recent severe weather conditions such as strong winds and fog, the risk of collision between commercial and fishing vessels has increased.
This patrol aims to urge relevant vessels to take necessary risk prevention measures in adverse weather conditions, and to ensure that relevant companies strictly observe their responsibilities, and maintain the stability of water traffic safety, Tu said.
During the joint patrol activity, the Fujian Maritime Safety Administration's enforcement vessel Haixun 0802, the Eastern Navigation Service Center's vessel Haixun 16301, and the Shanghai Maritime Safety Administration's vessel Haixun 01 formed a joint patrol fleet in the waters near the Jiuzhe Jiao, or Jiuzhe Reef, in Xiamen Port's main channel.
They conducted on-site patrols and inspections in key areas such as the waters west of the Taiwan Straits, Xiamen Port's main channel, anchorages, ship convergence areas, dangerous goods anchorage areas, important passenger ferry routes, and bridge areas. They focused on inspecting illegal aquaculture activities that obstruct navigation, illegal fishing operations, unauthorized occupation of waterways, navigation outside designated areas, dumping of waste and pollution at sea, and disruption of maritime communication. They also inspected maritime navigation aids, conducted comprehensive checks for navigation safety hazards, and promoted joint governance between commercial and fishing vessels to maintain safe and smooth navigation routes.
During the patrol, the Fujian and the Shanghai maritime safety administrations conducted exchanges on navigation and law enforcement in the middle to far seas and the Taiwan Straits, strengthening information sharing and coordinated response to enhance regulatory models and law enforcement mechanisms.
The Haixun 01 vessel, which undertook the joint patrol task, is the first large-scale patrol and rescue ship in the Chinese mainland with both maritime supervision and rescue functions.
Zhang Wensheng, deputy dean of the Taiwan Research Institute at Xiamen University, believes that strengthened patrols are related to the fatal boat incident near Kinmen on February 14, when Taiwan authorities chased a Chinese mainland fishing boat, leading to its capsize in waters near Kinmen Island, just a few kilometers off Xiamen city, Fujian Province, resulting in the deaths of two mainland fishermen.
Also, considering that the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) recently announced that live-fire drills will be conducted in April in locations including Kinmen and Lieyu, Zhang told the Global Times on Thursday that the mainland's strengthening of coastal fishing protection to maintain maritime security and order can be seen as a form of statement.
On Thursday, Senior Colonel Wu Qian, a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of National Defense (MOD) made comments on a regular patrol on February 19 when mainland coast guard personnel boarded a Kinmen tourist boat in the Xiamen-Kinmen waters for the first time to conduct an inspection.
Wu stated that Taiwan belongs to China, and there is no such thing as "prohibited or restricted waters" in the Xiamen-Kinmen waters.
The mainland coast guard departments carry out regular law enforcement patrol operations, which is conducive to maintaining normal order in relevant waters and protecting the life and property of fishermen on both sides of the Straits.
In the collision incident near Kinmen, the DPP authorities trampled on human life and evaded responsibility, which has aroused the public anger of compatriots on both sides of the Straits, and they must give everyone a clear explanation, Wu stressed.
He noted that the PLA pays close attention to the maritime situation, makes full preparations to deal with emergencies, and resolutely maintains peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits.
Japan's relentless pursuit of breakthroughs in military development has sparked strong concerns from its neighboring countries and the international community, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Tuesday, after Japan's cabinet greenlighted the export of new fighter jets it is developing with the UK and Italy.
The evident departure from Japan's postwar pacifist principles will pose a serious threat to the security situation not only in East Asia but also the whole world, experts warned.
The latest move will allow Japan to export, for the first time, lethal weapons it co-manufactures to other countries. According to AP, the contentious decision is "part of a move to build up the Japanese arms industry and bolster its role in global security."
The change comes as Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is planning a state visit to the US in April, where he is anticipated to stress Japan's readiness to take on a greater role in military and defense industry partnerships, the AP report said.
The new resolution opens the door for the direct export of advanced military equipment such as Japanese warships and submarines to third countries in the future, experts noted.
Lü Yaodong, deputy director of the Institute of Japanese Studies, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Tuesday that Tokyo's decision has broken through the restraints of Japan's prohibition on exporting lethal weapons that has lasted for more than 70 years after World War II.
"Now, Japan is taking small steps, like salami slicing, to gradually break free from its own constraints, with the fundamental goal of shattering the postwar international arrangements and ultimately amending Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution to allow the Self-Defense Forces to engage in warfare," Lü noted.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian expressed grave concern over the decision at Tuesday's routine press briefing, noting that given Japan's not-too-distant history of militarist aggression, Japan's military and security moves are closely watched by its Asian neighbors and the international community.
In recent years, Japan has been drastically readjusting its security policy, increasing defense spending year after year, relaxing restrictions on arms export and seeking military breakthroughs. These moves trigger serious concerns among Japan's neighboring countries and the international community.
Lin urged Japan to earnestly respect the security concerns of neighboring countries, deeply reflect on its history of aggression, commit itself to the path of peaceful development and earn the trust of its Asian neighbors and the international community through concrete actions.
The Japanese government claimed that it is limiting exports of lethal weapons to the jet for now, which will not be sold to those engaging in active wars. Potential buyers will be limited to the 15 countries that Japan has signed defense partnership and equipment transfer deals with, according to media reports.
"Although Japan has 'promised' not to sell fighter jets to countries at war, how can it be sure that it will not flow to those countries? A fighter jet with offensive capabilities, no matter how restricted, is always prepared for war and conflict," Lü said.
A violent incident at a concert venue on the outskirts of Moscow resulted in the death of at least 137 individuals and left over 100 injured. The assailants used automatic firearms during the incident and utilized an inflammable substance to start a blaze.
Analysts have noted that this is one of the most severe terrorist attacks Russia has faced in over a decade.
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the capture of all four assailants responsible for the onslaught, stating that everyone involved in the act, from those who carried it out to those who organized and funded it, will face consequences.
More than 30 hours after the tragic event, those who experienced the ordeal are still deeply shaken. Several Chinese residents in Russia have shared their close encounters and emotions regarding the terror attack with the Global Times.
This story is part of the Global Times' series "Witness to history," which features first-hand accounts from witnesses who were at the forefront of historic moments. From scholars, politicians, and diplomats to ordinary citizens, their authentic reflections on the impact of historic moments help reveal a sound future for humanity through the solid steps forward taken in the past and the present. Moscow's streets on Friday night were bustling with traffic and crowded with people preparing for the upcoming weekend.
For Chinese student Chen Yiming, this was supposed to be a good opportunity to unwind in the Russian capital.
Chen is a student at Saint Petersburg State University. On that Friday, he returned from a short trip to Armenia and arrived in Moscow, ready to transfer back to Saint Petersburg.
He visited Crocus City Hall, a spectacular complex stretching 1.2 kilometers with four floors housing restaurants, entertainment, and shopping, bustling with activity in Krasnogorsk, in the northwest of Moscow. Chen intended to enjoy a meal at a restaurant on the fourth floor, unaware that the wheels of fate were already turning.
As he browsed the menu, pondering his meal choice, a deafening explosion shattered the peace, too loud to ignore, unsettling everyone around.
Chen sensed it might be a drone attack. With Ukraine's repeated drone strikes on Moscow, this thought was not unfounded.
However, the continuous sound of gunfire soon made him realize it was not a drone but actual shooting. Panic spread, and the crowd in the mall began to scatter in chaos, with no one knowing what exactly was happening or where to flee.
Following the crowd, Chen rushed outside, filled with fear and uncertainty, witnessing people falling, screaming, and some lying on the ground. He followed the crowd toward a nearby bridge, thinking it might be safer.
"The gunfire lasted about 10 minutes," he recalled.
About ten minutes later, through social media, Chen knew the truth - the mall's concert hall had been attacked.
After the initial shock, the gravity of the situation finally donned on him, as such terror attacks are extremely rare in Russia, only seen in movies.
Police quickly arrived at the scene, about 10 to 20 minutes after the incident. The sound of helicopters added to the tense atmosphere.
Chen took the opportunity to leave, fortunately catching a free taxi ride.
Chen was not the only Chinese person close to the attack.
A Chinese person surnamed He from North China's Hebei Province, was also right in the concert hall and witnessed the attack.
He, a pianist who won international competitions for China, had been invited to perform at the concert. He was sitting at the back, listening to the performance, when armed attackers disrupted the venue, causing chaos.
He immediately hid under his seat, trying to stay silent amid the turmoil and screams. He saw the attackers' entry through the gaps in the seats, hearing live gunfire for the first time in his life, according to a report published by Chongqing News.
After a period of chaos and tension, police took control, and he was then safely escorted back to his school.
Tragically, his Russian friend, a girl, was not so fortunate. It is reported that the girl left the concert hall to go to the restroom midway through the event, where she unfortunately encountered the armed assailant and tragically lost her life.
Other survivors also recounted their escape experiences through various means.
One survivor said that the security staff directed people into a boiler room where water tanks or fire hose boxes were stored, with about 50 people hiding there, The Beijing News reported.
The survivor said that they used water from the fire hydrants to wet their clothes to cover their faces, sat on the floor to remain as low as possible. He recalled that subsequently, rescuers broke into the boiler room, the survivors inside responded, and they all fled together.
Another survivor mentioned that she was injured and fell to the ground, managing to survive by playing dead. She waited until the terrorists left before crawling out of the concert hall.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Saturday all four gunmen in the Moscow terrorist attack were arrested. Putin, addressing the nation, said that all those responsible for the deadly attack would be punished. He also ordered that March 24 be a nationwide day of mourning. Bonding of community
In the southwest part of Moscow, Xu Wenteng was live-streaming on TikTok as usual, sharing daily activities as a Chinese Volunteer Union in Russia.
However, that night turned out to be so different.
During the live stream, Xu, the president of the association, received a message about a terrorist attack in western Moscow. The sudden news disrupted the live stream's flow and Xu's peace of mind.
His live stream quickly turned from routine to a hub of urgent news update. With the help of the Chinese community in Moscow and Russian friends, he began to report the latest developments of the incident to his audience.
That night, his live stream became an information center, with the Chinese residents in Russia and netizens sharing information, helping each other understand the situation.
Despite the attack happening far from his residence in the southwest district, he immediately worried about his niece and family, and fortunately was relieved to learn of their safety.
The familiarity of the attack location deeply affected Xu. "It was a gathering of young people," he told the Global Times.
Nevertheless, during the live stream, he used his two-decade experience in Moscow to advise calmness, especially when the situation was unclear, recalling past incidents and emphasizing staying informed through official news sources.
Even though the intense discussion temporarily choked his live stream, Xu continued to communicate with the Chinese community in Russia through various channels, sharing real-time information and offering assistance.
After the attack, he saw increased security in Moscow, with more police at important sites like Red Square, but he remained vigilant, believing that the act was organized and deliberate.
Xu knew that such events could shock recent Chinese arrivals and those new to Moscow. He specially conveyed reassurance to anxious parents in China, urging them to avoid spreading panic and unfounded rumors, and to not spread anxiety to their children in Russia.
China strongly condemns terrorist attacks, and firmly supports Russia in safeguarding its national security and stability, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Saturday.
The spokesperson said China opposes all forms of terrorism, strongly condemns terrorist attacks, and firmly supports Russia in safeguarding its national security and stability.
Preciousness of national stability
Chen spent the following Saturday indoors in central Moscow, only going out to eat. He is still feeling tense but not seeking embassy assistance, considering his situation manageable.
For safety, his university in Saint Petersburg decided to suspend classes for the next week.
The attack also caused flight prices to spike. The prices of direct flights from Moscow back to China surged over the weekend. The direct flight tickets from Moscow to Beijing on March 24 were all priced at more than 10,000 yuan ($1,383), with only a small number of tickets available. Air China's Moscow-Beijing flight had only first-class tickets priced at over 50,000 yuan left, media said.
However, Chen had no immediate plans to return home. Despite the foreign environment and the sudden panic and chaos, he felt a growing inner calmness, choosing to stay in Russia to continue his studies and life.
Survivor He who escaped the concert hall has also resumed his studies at school, taking Russian language courses online. He, too, expressed his intention to stay in Russia to continue his education and to prepare for his dream of participating in the Chopin Piano Competition.
Moscow's streets, once lively, were shrouded in a thin layer of gloom. Following the attack, the city center, including the Red Square, was closed on Saturday, but tour groups still visited nearby, and some tourists took photos from behind the fences.
In a video clip Xu sent to the Global Times, a group of middle-aged and elderly tourists shouted together in front of the Saint Basil's Cathedral on Red Square, "Today is March 23rd, Moscow is very safe."
While going out, Chen noticed a significant reduction in traffic and pedestrians compared to the previous day's hustle and bustle, with increased police patrols. Some public places were closed, while some others are still open.
He remembered the scenes of helplessness, fear, and desperate attempts to escape during the attack, haunting his thoughts. However, as time passed, his fear was gradually replaced by rationality.
On Sina Weibo, he wrote, "The explosion last night is still fresh on my mind, reminding me of life's unpredictability and the preciousness of national stability and unity. I hope everyone stays healthy and safe."
Many netizens also expressed their concerns for his safety and wished him an early return home.
On Sunday morning, in a WeChat group of the Russian Chinese community, an elderly Chinese resident in Moscow posted a warning about the possible still-at-large terrorists, advising caution and reduced outings.
This message brought some reassurance to the community, knowing they were not alone and unsupported.
