China, Sao Tome and Principe elevate ties to strategic partnership

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Sao Tome and Principe's Prime Minister Patrice Trovoada announced the elevation of their bilateral relations to a strategic partnership on Thursday during their meeting in Beijing on Thursday.

Trovoada is in Beijing for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) that runs from Wednesday to Friday, and an official visit.

Xi noted in the meeting that the China-Sao Tome and Principe relations have maintained a good momentum of growth with fruitful practical cooperation in various sectors in recent years.

Facts have proved that Sao Tome and Principe's return to the China-Africa big family of friendly cooperation is fully in line with the common interests of the people of the two countries, he said.

China will, as always, support Sao Tome and Principe in its efforts to push forward national development and economic progress, Xi said, adding that China stands ready to work with Sao Tome and Principe to actively implement the outcomes of the FOCAC summit, and promote the strategic partnership between the two countries to better benefit their people.

Xi called on the two sides to grasp the general direction of friendship, increase exchanges of governance experience, consolidate and enhance strategic mutual trust, and firmly support each other on issues involving their respective core interests and major concerns.

The two sides should explore cooperation in tourism, agriculture, fisheries, infrastructure and other fields, so that Sao Tome and Principe could benefit more from the outcomes of the summit, he said.

China is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with Sao Tome and Principe on international and regional issues, to safeguard the common interests of the two countries and developing countries, Xi said.

Trovoada thanked China for its invaluable help for Sao Tome and Principe's economic development, especially the new measures that President Xi announced at the opening ceremony of the summit on Thursday morning which will greatly boost the development of Sao Tome and Principe and Africa.

Sao Tome and Principe highly appreciates the major visions and initiatives that President Xi has proposed, such as the vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind, he said.

Noting that Sao Tome and Principe is firmly committed to the one-China principle, Trovoada expressed the hope that the political mutual trust between the two countries could be further consolidated with their partnership now much closer, so as to provide a strong guarantee for the realization of long-term economic development in Sao Tome and Principe.

The two sides issued the Joint Statement of the People's Republic of China and Sao Tome and Principe on Establishing a Strategic Partnership.

China, Sao Tome and Principe elevate ties to strategic partnership

China, Sao Tome and Principe elevate ties to strategic partnership

China, Sao Tome and Principe elevate ties to strategic partnership

China, Sao Tome and Principe elevate ties to strategic partnership

China, Sao Tome and Principe elevate ties to strategic partnership

The 2024 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) entered its fourth day on Sunday, captivating visitors with groundbreaking technologies, stunning digital art, and notable medical advancements on its first public open day.

Over the past four days, the fair has hosted nearly 200 forums and introduced more than 100 groundbreaking achievements. The public open day saw heightened interest in these technological and artistic advancements.

Highlights included a shield machine used in the world's longest underwater high-speed rail tunnel, showcasing cutting-edge construction technology, and an intelligent unmanned tower crane designed to reduce costs by more than one-third. Additionally, wall-climbing robots for elastic wave inspection were on display.

The high-speed rail exhibit drew significant attention, particularly for its autopilot system capable of precise parking and smooth vehicle control, attracting numerous domestic and international visitors eager to experience it firsthand.

"I have tried the China's high-speed railway train many times. It's comfortable, clean. You can see the scenery while you're traveling. And also today, I have the opportunity to experience the pilot job. So it's very good. I knew that the speed is 350 kilometers per hour. And the very important thing I knew today is autopilot. All the trains are autopilot," said a Danish visitor.

Another highlight was an unmanned aircraft cockpit, operated entirely via a screen with no manual controls, offering a novel low-altitude flight experience. This vertical takeoff and landing aircraft is designed for short-distance transportation, tourism, logistics, and emergency medical services.

The fair's integration of technology and art offered a visual feast, featuring exhibits such as the 'Most Beautiful Great Wall,' displayed in 4K on a large 3D screen, and 'Time Condensation Treasures,' a digital art installation inspired by the Palace Museum’s bronze-gilded water clock. These works were created by Blackbow Creative Design Institution, renowned for its visual effects work at the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics.

"We have always aimed to tell China's story effectively through the fusion of art and technology, showcasing China's originality in digital technology to audience worldwide," said Wang Zhiou, founder of Blackbow Creative Design Institution.

The health sector also showcased notable advancements at the fair. Emergency drills conducted by Peking University People’s Hospital and the Beijing Red Cross Society’s air medical rescue team demonstrated their coordination and rapid response capabilities to representatives from the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

"We foster collaboration in emergency medicine and promote the sharing of information. In the event of a public health crisis, we provide mutual support," said Wang Tianbing, vice president of Peking University People's Hospital and deputy director of the National Trauma Medicine Center.

Additionally, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, in collaboration with pharmaceutical research institutions, announced the establishment of a joint laboratory for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and neurorepair technology transfer. This lab will focus on tackling neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS, stroke, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's.

The fair also unveiled the first 'Traditional Chinese Medicine Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) Common Technology Center' in Beijing, established to support pharmaceutical companies throughout the drug development and manufacturing process.

"We have developed a comprehensive, one-stop service that offers research and production technology support to our research entities," said Li Dejuan, deputy director of the Beijing Municipal Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Visitors can continue exploring the major exhibition areas at the China National Convention Center and Shougang Park, with free entry available until Monday.

Tech, digital art, and medical advances impress public at CIFTIS