The launch event of the 2024 edition of the cadre handbook on the Taiwan question, which is compiled by Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, was held in Beijing on Tuesday.
The latest edition of the handbook introduces the basic situation of Taiwan region, systematically reviews the central government's policies on Taiwan island, and summarizes the historical evolution of cross-Strait relations. This update, the second revision since the handbook's initial publication in 1998, dedicated a chapter for the first time to elaborate on the Party's overall strategy for addressing the Taiwan question in the new era.
It also features newly added content that traces the development of cross-Strait relations since 2014 and outlines major events and important policy initiatives related to Taiwan affairs.
At the launch event, Song Tao, head of both the Taiwan Work Office of the CPC Central Committee and the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, stressed that China's determination to resolve the Taiwan question and realize national reunification is rock-firm and unshakable.
He stated that no individual or force would be allowed to separate Taiwan from China. If Taiwan separatist forces dare to cross the red line, decisive measures will have to be taken. He affirmed that the great cause of national reunification must and will be accomplished.
China releases new edition of cadre handbook on Taiwan question
China's National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) reviewed a record number of new drug registration applications in 2024, marking a year-on-year increase of 16.2 percent, with antineoplastic drugs accounting for the largest share, according to the administration.
In 2024, the NMPA evaluated a total of 18,259 drug registration applications, a figure that reflects the vitality of China's innovation in drug research and development.
"The record number of reviewed drug applications is a clear sign of China's rapidly growing biopharmaceutical industry. The approval of high-quality new drugs not only gives Chinese patients more and better treatment options, but also shows China's increasing role in the global pharmaceutical market, offering more Chinese solutions to patients around the world," said Yuan Lijia, a staff member at the Center for Drug Evaluation under the NMPA.
Notably, in 2024, applications for clinical trial and market approval of new anti-tumor drugs ranked first among all chemical drugs and biologics, accounting for even half of the total.
"In 2024, anti-tumor drugs made up the largest share of approved clinical trial applications, with over 41 percent being chemical drugs and more than 55 percent being biologics. Throughout the year, anti-tumor drugs also led in the number of innovative drugs approved, with both chemical drugs and biologics surpassing 36 percent," said Geng Ying, an official with the center.
In 2024, China approved the market entry of 48 innovative drugs and 65 innovative medical devices. Its number of drugs in development ranked second globally, and several domestically developed drugs gained approval for global markets.
China's new drug registration applications hit record high in 2024
