The local government in North China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region has formed an accident investigation team to conduct a higher-level inquiry into the incident that killed six university students at a mining company under China National Gold Group Co, Ltd in Hulunbuir. The team aims to quickly determine the cause of the incident, clarify the nature of the accident, and propose corrective measures, according to Xinhua News Agency.
The investigation team has already entered the accident site to carry out relevant work, Xinhua reported on Friday.
Six university students drowned on Wednesday after falling into a flotation cell during a study visit at a copper-molybdenum ore-dressing plant in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, local emergency authorities have said, Xinhua reported.
The accident occurred at approximately 10:20 am Wednesday at the plant, which is operated by a mining company under China National Gold Group Co, Ltd in Hulunbuir, according to the municipal emergency management bureau, Xinhua reported. The students, all of whom attended Northeastern University, were observing flotation processes when a grid plate collapsed, causing them to plunge into the flotation cell.
All six were rescued from the cell but later pronounced dead by medical personnel. A teacher was also injured in the incident, Xinhua reported.
All production and operational activities in the factory area have been suspended, and the workshop where the accident occurred has been cordoned off, CCTV News reported.
According to the emergency command center for the incident in Hulunbuir, the flotation production internship is an important practical component in the training of talent for the mineral processing engineering program at Northeastern University, CCTV News reported.
The training program stipulates that it is worth two credits and is a required course conducted during the summer vacation. On-site learning in the flotation workshop is a necessary part of the flotation production internship, according to the CCTV News report.
According to the CCTV News report, around 10:20 am on Wednesday, a fall accident occurred while the teachers and students were visiting the flotation workshop. Upon hearing students shout that someone had fallen into the flotation cell, the on-site staff immediately pressed the emergency stop button on the flotation machine and used a walkie-talkie to call for help from colleagues, notifying the control room to stop operations and evacuating the teachers and students to a safe location. During the period, the on-site staff also found the teacher who had fallen from mid-air and implemented rescue measures immediately, according to CCTV News.
At 12:01, the first person was rescued; at 12:40, the last person was rescued, according to CCTV News. It has been reported that the six deceased university students were aged between 20 and 22 years old. The teacher who was injured in the incident is currently recovering, according to CCTV News.
Currently, Zhongjin Gold Corporation has set up an on-site command center, where relevant follow-up work is being carried out, an employee from the company told the Global Times on Thursday, adding that they will provide updates in a timely manner.
Zhongjin Gold announced on Thursday night that the Inner Mongolia mining plant has suspended production. The company will actively and appropriately promote follow-up work, according to Shanghai Security News.
A Chinese envoy on Friday called for continued efforts to promote the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis.
Russia and Ukraine have recently continued to implement the consensuses reached in previous rounds of negotiations and promoted the exchange of prisoners of war and remains of fallen soldiers. They also held the third round of direct talks a few days ago in which a new consensus on the continuation of the exchange of prisoners of war and other humanitarian issues was reached, said Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations.
"China welcomes these positive developments and calls on the parties concerned to maintain the momentum of the peace talks, continue to build consensus and enhance mutual trust with a view to reaching a comprehensive, lasting and abiding peace agreement," he told the Security Council.
However, Russia and Ukraine have, in the past few days, continued to carry out large-scale drone and missile strikes against each other, resulting in heavy casualties and infrastructure damage and destruction. China is deeply concerned and saddened by this, he said.
China, once again, urges the parties to the conflict to show maximum restraint, comply effectively with international humanitarian law, and refrain from attacking civilians and civilian infrastructure in any circumstances. It is imperative that the two sides make joint efforts to de-escalate on the battlefield at an early date, he said.
Russia and Ukraine have recently appealed to each other to restore peace in Europe and achieve a political solution to the crisis. Major actors in the international community have also repeatedly released positive signals on dialogue, negotiations and the cessation of hostilities, and have continued to engage in diplomatic efforts for peace talks, he noted.
China welcomes all efforts toward peace and encourages both Russia and Ukraine to continue to show political will and flexibility. China encourages the international community to continue to call for peace, build a consensus of peace and carry out efforts for peace. All parties should jointly make practical efforts to promote the political settlement of the crisis, he said.
China has always maintained an objective and impartial stance on the Ukraine issue and has been committed to promoting peace talks and a political solution. China has actively carried out diplomatic mediation and maintained effective communication with both Russia and Ukraine. China will, as always, play a constructive role in the political settlement of the crisis, said Geng.
Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng is scheduled to be in Sweden from July 27 to 30 for economic and trade talks with the US. Ahead of the meeting, Chinese state media published commentaries welcoming in-depth dialogue while underscoring Beijing's recognition of the long-term, complex nature of the negotiations.
Experts stressed that ensuring any concrete agreement is reached on the basis of equality and mutual benefit would bring fresh momentum to both countries' economic growth and the global trade order.
The new round of talks follows the key consensus reached during the Geneva trade consultations and the establishment of the framework in London, marking another round of face-to-face trade negotiations between China and the US.
In a commentary published Sunday under the byline "Zhong Sheng," the People's Daily noted that despite twists and turns in bilateral trade relations in recent years, China has always taken a constructive stance, insisting on resolving issues through equal-footed dialogue and negotiation.
"In the face of renewed trade frictions, China has kept the door to dialogue open while firmly defending its legitimate rights and interests," the commentary said.
China's goal remains working with the US to achieve substantive solutions, it said, while emphasizing that goodwill does not mean compromising on core principles.
The commentary also said China is well aware of the long-term and complex nature of these negotiations. We clearly see that the trade frictions initiated by the US are not merely disputes over immediate interests but are fundamentally about the rules governing the international economic order.
With utmost sincerity and firm principles, the Chinese side is ready to work with the US side, using the Sweden talks as an opportunity to deepen mutual understanding, build trust, reduce misjudgments and enhance cooperation, it also said.
Separately, in a commentary published the night before, the Xinhua News Agency stated, "At a time of growing global uncertainties and instability, efforts by the two countries to foster dialogue for consensus and seek mutually beneficial outcomes not only align with their common interests but also respond to the expectations of the international community."
"China welcomes deeper dialogue, but is also fully aware of the long-term, complex and challenging nature of bridging gaps between the two countries," the commentary emphasized. Despite challenges ahead, managing differences and seeking cooperation through dialogue remains the only viable path forward, it pointed out.
Wide attention
Ahead of the new round of China-US trade talks, the world's attention is fixed on Stockholm.
The Stockholm talks may offer clues as to how much longer that detente can hold - and whether the two countries can further bring down remaining tariffs and address other thorny issues, such as tech restrictions, as they work toward a lasting deal, a CNN report on Sunday said.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told FOX Business Network's Kudlow program on Thursday that trade relations between the US and China are stabilizing, allowing the Trump administration to shift some of its focus to broader economic issues with Beijing. He added that "trade is in a good place" between the two countries.
In recent months, China and the US have worked to bring their trade relations back on track after a period of strain, said Song Guoyou, deputy director of the Center for American Studies at Fudan University.
"After earlier meetings in Geneva and London, we are now seeing a more stable communication channel between the two nations to manage potential trade frictions. This is good for global trade stability," Song told the Global Times on Sunday.
Following the economic and trade talks in London, the two sides have maintained close communication, confirming the details of the framework established in London and advancing its implementation. China has reviewed and approved applications for the export of eligible controlled items in accordance with the law, and the US has removed a series of restrictive measures imposed on China in early July, according to Xinhua.
Song noted that US tariffs on Chinese goods remain high, so he expects the talks will likely focus on whether those tariffs can be further reduced or even eliminated, while also exploring new avenues for economic collaboration.
He Weiwen, a senior fellow at the Center for China and Globalization, told the Global Times on Sunday that further progress hinges on whether the US will address China's legitimate concerns by lifting existing high and unfair tariffs on Chinese goods and easing export controls in high-tech sectors.
The business community has also expressed anticipation for the new round of China-US trade talks. Lam Lung-on, president of the Greater Bay Area Importers and Exporters Association, said that for businesses in both countries, the upcoming talks send a positive signal, showing that both sides are working to improve trade conditions and reduce uncertainty.
"This gives companies the confidence to plan for the future, ramp up investments, and expand operations in each other's markets," Lam told the Global Times on Sunday.
However, Lam emphasized the harm caused by the US' existing tariffs and restrictions on businesses in both countries. "We strongly urge the US to eliminate the high tariffs on Chinese goods, as these not only hurt Chinese companies but also burden American consumers and importers by driving up costs in the US," Lam noted.
Uncertain US policy
He [He Weiwen] also warned of the uncertainty surrounding the current US policy, given that the US continues to pursue unilateral tariffs on a global scale. It is simultaneously pressuring multiple countries, which has triggered strong opposition from many of its trading partners, he said.
The US will send close to 200 letters to its trading partners on trade tariffs in the coming days, US President Donald Trump said Friday, according to Xinhua. The US administration has threatened to impose import tariffs starting August 1, the report said.
Former Polish Deputy Prime Minister Janusz Piechociński told the Global Times in a recent interview, "I believe the US tariff policy has seriously undermined global economic stability and confidence in rules-based international relations, and has also harmed its own economy and global trust."
"This is devastating for real businesses, which must make decisions daily amid growing complexity," Piechociński said. "In response, countries are expanding cooperation with other reliable partners to seek stability and common ground."
Regardless of the outcome of the talks, the Chamber of Commerce has concrete plans to promote market diversification, such as actively organizing member companies to participate in trade exhibitions in regions like the Belt and Road Initiative countries, ASEAN, and Europe, Lam said.
Concerns are also rising within the US over the negative impact of tariffs. The Budget Lab (TBL) estimated the effects of all US tariffs and retaliatory measures in force through July 22, 2025. Currently, US consumers face an average effective tariff rate of 20.2 percent - the highest since 1911, according to data published on the TBL's official website.
In terms of real GDP, TBL data showed that the cumulative effect of the 2025 tariffs will reduce US GDP growth this year by 0.8 percentage points. Over the long term, the US economy is projected to be persistently 0.4 percent smaller - the equivalent of $135 billion in constant 2024 dollars.
Since 2012, China has witnessed an extraordinary economic transition, with historic achievements in all aspects of the economy from its size to quality. Such an unparalleled feat does not just happen, especially during a tumultuous period in the global geo-economic landscape and a tough phase in China's economic transformation and upgrading process. It was Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era that guided the country in overcoming various risks and challenges, and in keeping the China economic miracle alive.
As China embarked on the quest to become a great modern socialist country amid global changes unseen in a century, Xi's economic thought has been and will continue to be the guiding principle for development in China for years to come, and have great significance for the world. What is Xi's economic thought? What does it mean for China and the world?
To answer these questions, the Global Times has launched this special coverage on Xi's major economic speeches and policies, and how they are put into practice to boost development in China and around the world. Inside the glass-walled building of the Compressive Service Center in the Xiamen Area of China (Fujian) Pilot Free Trade Zone (FTZ), a striking scene unfolds: A pristine white reception desk anchors the room, flanked by a gleaming row of counters, each outfitted with computers and printers, paired with plush brown leather chairs aligned with precision. The setup could easily pass for a high-end bank, its staff poised to cater to clients. But this is no reception room for a bank. Here, multiple government agencies - border inspection, customs, and more - converge to create a seamless one-stop shop for businesses, embodying the pilot FTZ's innovative spirit.
On the fifth floor, an exhibition hall brings the pilot FTZ's unique, storied legacy to life. Cutting-edge display technologies illuminate a collection of yellowed documents, each a testament to the city's pioneering past: the 1982 approval for Xiamen's first wholly foreign-owned company; the license for the first Chinese-foreign joint venture bank, dated June 18, 1985. At the heart of the exhibition hall, encased in a gleaming glass display, a distinct blue-covered book commands the spotlight. Its weathered pages, tinged with age, whisper profound tales of a storied past, radiating historical significance. The 1985-2000 Xiamen Economic and Social Development Strategy - its title bold above two evocative photos of Xiamen, capturing a city poised for transformation.
On October 16, 2024, Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Chinese president, and chairman of the Central Military Commission, inspected the Xiamen Area of China (Fujian) Pilot Free Trade Zone. President Xi paused here during the inspection, his fingers tracing the pages he helped draft four decades ago. "We planted seeds here," he said. "Today's harvest surpasses our expectations," according to the Xinhua News Agency.
The Development Strategy offered a blueprint for Xiamen's economic and social development over the years and helped transform the once modest port city into a modern economic powerhouse and a global harbor with trade ties with 239 countries and regions in five continents in 2024. Xiamen's rise is a testament to the success of China's economic policymaking - scientific, forward-looking development strategy formulation and precise execution.
As China is set conclude the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) at the end of the year and moving swiftly to formulate the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30), this forward-looking strategy will not only continue to underpin China's sustained high-quality development in the coming years but also create tremendous opportunities for the world, Chinese and foreign economists and business executives said. 'Long-term thinking'
Thanks to its prime geographic location - sitting at China's southeast coastline facing the vast ocean, Xiamen has been a major trading port dating back centuries ago, and a gateway of China's opening-up and external cooperation. In 1980, two years after the start of China's reform and opening-up process began, Xiamen was designated as one of only four special economic zones (SEZs) - a quintessential reform and opening-up measure in China that aims to explore and experiment various policies before they are introduced in other parts of the country or nationwide.
Still, in the summer of 1985, when 32-year-old Xi assumed the office of Xiamen's vice mayor, the city was grappling with uncertainties. With no domestic precedents to follow, officials here were divided. Some were overly optimistic about replicating Singapore or Hong Kong, while others remained skeptical that major breakthroughs could be achieved given Xiamen's weak economic fundamentals. Xi took a different view. He argued that modern economic development demanded long-term thinking and a comprehensive approach. It was under his direct leadership that Xiamen established an office to draft a development strategy for the next 15 years, according to Xinhua.
At the time, it was common at both national and local levels to create annual or five-year development plans, but never a 15-year plan for a city, according to Xinhua.
Opening the 300-page book, the long-term thinking and a comprehensive approach becomes vivid. The book extensively assessed Xiamen's advantages and constraint factors, analyzed the national, regional and international situations and put forward a clear development strategy with a clear timeline, which has become well-known in Xiamen as the "three-step" approach: first, create bonded zones; then expand to a free trade zone; and eventually, a quasi-free port.
"The 1985-2000 Xiamen Economic and Social Development Strategy formulated under Xi's leadership as early as back in the 1980s put forward the 'three-step' strategic concept of building a free trade port, which has found the right direction for Xiamen to move forward," the Administrative Committee of the Xiamen Area of China (Fujian) Pilot FTZ said in a statement sent to the Global Times. "The Xiamen SEZ has been moving forward steadily along the 'three-step' blueprint drawn up by Xi."
According to the committee, the Xiamen Special Economic Zone Trade Co established the city's first public bonded warehouse on June 10, 1985, starting the concrete practice of implementing the first step of the "three-step" strategy. Then on April 21, 2015, the Xiamen Area of China (Fujian) Pilot FTZ was established, completing the second step. "Currently, we are working toward the third step and actively exploring the implementation of certain policies of the free port," it said.
Xiamen's practice of the "three-step" strategy is also reflected in numbers displayed on a giant screen at the exhibition hall. Over the years, the Xiamen Area of China (Fujian) Pilot FTZ has rolled out a total of 632 innovative measures, with 153 of them being national firsts. More than 31 measures from "Xiamen experience" was promoted by the State Council, compared to a total of 167 measures promoted nationally. The free trade zone has completed the task of aligning with international high standards and promoting institutional opening-up.
Also on display at the exhibition hall is concrete examples of Xiamen not only successfully aligning with international high standards, but actually helping setting international standards. The Xiamen Area of China (Fujian) Pilot FTZ has introduced the nation's first guidelines for the safe maritime transport of containerized lithium-ion battery energy storage systems, which outlined safety check lists from production to transportation to offload. The pioneering document not only provides professional guidance for the safe, efficient, and routine export of containerized lithium battery storage systems from Xiamen Port. It also addresses a gap in international maritime regulations, resolves challenges posed by rail and air transport bans, and overcomes obstacles in maritime shipping.
The success of long-term thinking and comprehensive approach outlined in the Development Strategy is also reflected in concrete data. Between 1985 and 2024, Xiamen's GDP expanded by 13.8 percent on a yearly average. As of April 2025, the Xiamen Port has 183 container liner routes, with a route network reaching 151 ports in 51 countries and regions. In 2024, the container throughput exceeded 10 million TEUs, making it an international container trunk line hub port, according to Xinhua. 'Good example'
In a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the BRICS Business Forum on September 3, 2017 in Xiamen, President Xi noted that "Xiamen is where I started off when I came to Fujian Province to take up a new post in 1985." "Three decades later, Xiamen has become well known for its innovation and entrepreneurship, with burgeoning new economic forms and new industries, robust trade and investment and easy access to the world with air, land and sea links," Xi said, according to Xinhua.
"Xiamen's success is a good example demonstrating the perseverance of the 1.3 billion-plus Chinese people. In close to 40 years of reform and opening up, under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, we Chinese have forged ahead, fearless and determined, and we have successfully embarked on a path of socialism with distinctive Chinese features," Xi said.
The long-term thinking and comprehensive approach that has proven tremendously successful in Xiamen is also the essence of China's general economic policymaking - the scientific and forward-looking formulation of long-term development plans such as the five-year plans.
"The Five-Year Plan is an important experience in our country's governance. It is not only an institutional guarantee for a blueprint to be drawn to the end, but also a long-term plan that spans economic cycles. At the same time, it can also dynamically adjust the priorities of medium-term tasks based on short-term prominent contradictions, so as to better achieve long-term goals," Li Ke'aobo, executive deputy director of the Academic Center for Chinese Economic Practice and Thinking of Tsinghua University, told the Global Times.
This year marks the conclusion of China's 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25), during which China has clocked up a series of landmark achievements, including a resilient economy, solid steps in green transition and unwavering opening-up. Meanwhile, the formulation of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) is underway, as a top priority.
During a recent instruction on the work concerning the compilation of the 15th Five-Year Plan, President Xi noted that the scientific formulation and consistent implementation of five-year plans stand as an important piece of experience in the CPC's approach to governing the country. The formulation and implementation of the 15th Five-Year Plan holds immense significance for fully realizing the strategic initiatives outlined at the 20th CPC National Congress and advancing Chinese modernization, Xi said, Xinhua reported on May 19.
China's scientific formulation and consistent implementation of five-year plans also hold great global significance.
"Setting a clear, long-term objective has been key to the development of China. In a very volatile international environment today, it's even more important to have a beacon and to have a long-term objective," Denis Depoux, global managing director of consulting firm Roland Berger, told the Global Times in a recent interview.
Back in the Compressive Service Center of the Xiamen Area of China (Fujian) FTZ, the firm determination to "follow a good blueprint through to the end" was palpable. "These achievements were made because we have always followed the 'three-step' strategic conception drawn up by Xi when he led the initial period of the establishment of the Xiamen Special Economic Zone, and have always kept in mind our mission to test systems, measure pressures, and explore new paths for the country," the Administrative Committee said.
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday sent a message of condolence to Nigerian President Bola Tinubu over the death of former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari.
On behalf of the Chinese government and people, Xi expressed deep condolences and extended sincere sympathy to the family of Buhari, and the Nigerian government and people.
Xi noted that Buhari was an important leader of Nigeria, saying that he dedicated himself to exploring a development path suited to his country's national conditions, made outstanding contributions to national unity and progress, and was highly respected in the international community.
Buhari steadfastly upheld friendship with China, actively promoted the Nigeria-China friendship and China-Africa cooperation, Xi said, adding that his passing represents a tremendous loss to the Nigerian people and the loss of a dear friend to the Chinese people.
China highly values the development of its relations with Nigeria and is willing to work with the Nigerian side to consistently move forward the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership, Xi said.
The Chinese Embassy in The Bahamas refuted the fallacy of the US Embassy in The Bahamas which maliciously attacked China for providing a concessional loan to The Bahamas to build a new hospital in Nassau, The Bahamas' capital, urging the US to abandon its outdated Cold War mentality and zero-sum game approach and to take an open and inclusive attitude towards cooperation between China and The Bahamas, rather than adopting a "won't-do-themselves-and-won't-let-others-do" approach.
Chinese Ambassador to The Bahamas Yan Jiarong and the Minister of Health and Wellness of The Bahamas Michael Darville sign the Government Framework Agreement for the Nassau Hospital Concessional Loan Project on July 11. The US Embassy in the Bahamas subsequently issued a statement maliciously attacking the project, undermining China-Bahamas cooperation and spreading the debt trap theory regarding China, said the Chinese embassy.
The US Chargé d'Affaires Kim Furnish claimed that "Chinese investments in the Caribbean typically benefit elites, not the people, leaving countries with shoddy or incomplete projects and unsustainable debt to China, jeopardizing their development and sovereignty," Caribbean National Weekly reported.
According to the statement released by The Chinese Embassy in The Bahamas on its official WeChat account on Thursday, the US' relevant remarks are false, absurd and laughable.
"In fact, once the following questions are clarified, the fallacies will collapse on their own: First, does the hospital really primarily serve elite individuals? Do the common people of The Bahamas benefit from it? Second, has the US proposed a loan plan for the Nassau hospital project? Are the loan conditions from other countries as favorable as those from China? Third, is China the main source of debt burden for the Bahamas and other countries in the Global South?" read the statement.
The Chinese embassy said that it was at the request of the Bahamian government and after friendly consultations and the fulfillment of both sides' legal procedures that China decided to provide preferential loans to assist The Bahamas in building the hospital in Nassau, emphasizing that the project respects the wishes of the Bahamian side, aligns with its needs, and will promote its development.
The embassy said the Chinese loans account for a very small proportion of The Bahamas' overall debt and come without any political conditions attached.
"China-Bahamas cooperation is free from geopolitical calculations, does not seek spheres of influence, does not attach political conditions and does not coerce other countries to take sides. It is not aimed at third parties, nor should it be interfered with by third parties," said the statement.
It noted that The Bahamas, the Caribbean and Latin American countries are not the "backyard" of any country, calling the US to take an open and inclusive attitude toward China's cooperation with Latin American and Caribbean nations.
At the invitation of Premier of the State Council Li Qiang, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will pay an official visit to China from July 12 to 18.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Bolivian President Luis Arce exchanged congratulations on the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations on Wednesday.
Noting that China and Bolivia are good friends and good brothers, Xi said that over the 40 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, China-Bolivia relations have withstood the test of changing international circumstances and have always maintained a sound momentum for growth.
The two sides have firmly supported each other on issues concerning their core interests and major concerns, he said, adding that the high-quality Belt and Road cooperation has yielded fruitful results, and the friendship has taken deeper roots in the hearts of the two peoples.
Xi recalled that he had a fruitful meeting with Arce last November during the G20 Leaders' Summit in Rio de Janeiro, which charted the course for the future development of China-Bolivia relations.
He said that he attaches great importance to the development of China-Bolivia relations and is willing to work with the Bolivian president to carry forward the traditional friendship, elevate the China-Bolivia strategic partnership to new heights, so as to bring more benefits to the two peoples.
For his part, Arce noted that over the past 40 years, Bolivia and China have established a solid bilateral relationship based on mutual respect and friendly cooperation.
The Bolivian side highly commends China's support and assistance in areas such as infrastructure, technology, energy and healthcare, and applauds China's leadership in uniting the Global South, promoting China-Latin America cooperation and working toward a more just, equitable and inclusive international order, he said.
Bolivia is willing to continue deepening the brotherly friendship between the two peoples, he added.
When asked which Chinese official would attend China's National Pavilion Day at Expo 2025 Osaka on July 10, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Wednesday that China will send a delegation to the event, and specific details will be released in due course.
The China Pavilion officially opened on April 13, with an opening ceremony held in front of the pavilion's main building, designed to resemble a traditional Chinese scroll. Around 300 guests attended the opening event. In his speech, Ren Hongbin, chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, expressed hope that the pavilion's exhibitions would present an image of a confident and open China, leaving a memorable mark on the Expo and contributing to a more equal and inclusive global future.
The Hong Kong Police Force's National Security Department has arrested four males aged between 15 and 47 on suspicion of conspiracy to subvert state power. The suspects are allegedly linked to an organization established in the island of Taiwan and are currently under investigation, according to local media reports.
Chief Superintendent Steve Li Kwai-wah of the National Security Department said at a press conference on Thursday that the group announced its formation on social media in November last year and began recruiting members, local media RTHK reported.
On February 15 this year, the group held an online press conference from Taipei, where it declared its action plan, proposed a provisional national flag and anthem, and expressed its intention to seek international support and provide military training to Hong Kong residents overseas. Li said that on July 1, the group held an event abroad where participants trampled on the national flag of China and the Hong Kong SAR flag and played "Glory to Hong Kong," a song linked to the anti-government riots in 2019.
The police arrested four individuals on Wednesday on suspicision of conspiracy to subvert state power. Among them are the organization's secretary-general, a council member, and a regular member. Electronic devices seized during searches revealed their activities in Hong Kong, including a proposal seeking US support for Hong Kong political prisoners and flags promoting separatism, Li said.
He also noted that the group primarily operated through social media and encrypted communications, displayingclear signs of coordination and command, including regular meetings and gatherings.
This operation reveals the presence of overseas organizations that continue to disseminate messages endangering national security through social media and even direct their operatives in Hong Kong to carry out subversive acts, Li said. He also expressed concern that the youngest arrestee was only 15 years old—under 10 during the 2019 unrest—highlighting not only the impact of incitement but also the responsibility of parents to monitor their children's associations.
"It is regrettable that young offenders as immature as 15 years old are involved in the subversion case. The suspects should be aware that their group is being accused of a serious criminal offence, but this is not a game," Chu Kar-kin, a veteran commentator based in the HKSAR and member of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies, told the Global Times on Thursday.
This suggests the Occupy Central illegal campaign in 2014 and the series of riots in 2019 have had irreversible negative effects on young generations in Hong Kong, Chu noted.
"Now, more active legal education by approved trainers should be conducted in campuses and communities to nurture young people with correct rule of law and moral values. They should know the consequences of committing crimes related to national security," Chu said.
The police's National Security Department remains vigilant toward such covert threats to national security and will take early action to address them. The crimes committed by the four suspects are considered serious, and the maximum penalty is life imprisonment, Li stressed.
