US urged to honor words after Blinken's visit to China
China to welcome FMs from Argentina, Bolivia and Peru | China will launch Chang'e-6 lunar probe in early May to collect samples from far side of the moon
Hello from Shanghai, China. Here’s our pick for today’s news:
US urged to honor words after Blinken's visit to China
China to welcome FMs from Argentina, Bolivia and Peru
China will launch Chang'e-6 lunar probe in early May to collect samples from far side of the moon
1. US urged to honor words after Blinken's visit to China
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's three-day visit to China, during which he had extensive exchanges with Chinese officials, was deemed by Chinese experts as "generally positive and playing a role in stabilizing relations between China and the US," but observers also believed such a visit by itself cannot fundamentally change the current trend of China-US ties.
Experts have noted that the five-point consensus reached by the two countries during Blinken's visit suggested that China has pushed back against US pressure, and helped push both countries to work toward improving relations in line with the consensus made by the top leaders of the two countries in San Francisco.
The key challenge in China-US ties lies in the US still holding the wrong perception of viewing China as a rival or enemy, rather than a partner. The US is currently struggling to break free from its preconceived notions about China, leading to difficulties in setting the right tone for Washington's policies toward Beijing and managing the US-China relationship effectively. As a result, Chinese experts urged the US to show the courage to accurately identify and correct its misconceptions about China.
2. China to welcome FMs from Argentina, Bolivia and Peru
Argentina's Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade, and Worship, Diana Mondino, is set to visit China from Saturday to May 1 amid expectations of advancing currency swap line negotiations and fostering cooperation in various sectors, including new energy. Analysts noted that although China-Argentina bilateral relations entered "a running-in" period of adjustment after Javier Milei assumed the Argentine presidency late last year, Argentina's perception of China has become more pragmatic, recognizing the crucial importance of the relationship with China for its economic recovery.
In addition, at the invitation of Member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bolivia Celinda Sosa Lunda and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Peru Javier González-Olaechea Franco will also visit China from April 28 to 30.
Observers said that in light of this year marking the 10th anniversary of the Forum of China and Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (China-CELAC Forum), China and countries in South America are expected to increase interactions, fostering deeper cooperation and providing momentum for regional and global development.
During the visits of the foreign ministers from Argentina, Bolivia and Peru in China, Wang Yi will hold talks with them respectively on bilateral relations and international and regional issues of mutual interest.
3. China will launch Chang'e-6 lunar probe in early May to collect samples from far side of the moon
The Chang'e-6 lunar probe and the Long March-5 Y8 carrier rocket combination has been vertically transported to the Wenchang Space Launch Site in South China's Hainan Province. The launch is scheduled to take place in early May.
After arriving at the launch site in January and March respectively, the Chang'e-6 lunar probe and the Long March-5 Y8 carrier rocket have successively completed assembly, testing, and other preparatory work.
Subsequently, various functional checks, joint tests, propellant loading, and other tasks will be carried out according to the plan.
The mission will be the world's first ever attempt to collect material from the dark side of the moon and return it to Earth for further study.