Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang on Friday called for championing humanity's common values, and promoting an equal and orderly multipolar world as well as universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization.

Ding, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when delivering a speech titled "Championing Humanity's Common Values and Promoting a Multipolar World" at the plenary session of the 28th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.

Ding said that a decade ago, Chinese President Xi Jinping noted in his speech at the General Debate of the 70th Session of the UN General Assembly that peace, development, equity, justice, democracy and freedom are the common values of all mankind and the lofty goals of the United Nations.

The important proposition transcends differences among different countries, ethnic groups, social systems and ideologies, drawing a value-based concentric circle for building a community with a shared future for mankind, and has received extensive support and positive responses from the international community, he added.

At present, global changes unseen in a century are accelerating, multiple risks are intertwined, and humanity is confronted with many common challenges, said Ding, calling for reviewing President Xi's important speech to steer the world toward a bright future of peace, security, prosperity and progress.

The Chinese vice premier put forward a four-point proposal.

First, uphold the concept of global governance featuring extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits. Promote equal rights, opportunities, and rules for all nations, and safeguard UN authority and international fairness.

Second, jointly build an open and pluralistic world economy. Take concrete steps to safeguard the multilateral trading system and international economic order, expand and fairly share the "pie" of economic globalization, and create more opportunities for Global South countries.

Third, advocate exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations. Respect the diversity of human civilizations, support all nations in exploring their own paths to realizing values, and oppose any "new Cold War" or ideological confrontation.

Fourth, safeguard global peace and development by building trust, settling conflicts, and enhancing security through dialogue, passing the torch of peace to future generations for lasting stability and common prosperity.

Ding stated that China and Russia are true friends who share weal and woe, and good partners for mutual success. Last month, President Xi paid a state visit to Russia and attended the celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Soviet Union's Great Patriotic War, he said, adding that the two heads of state agreed to further consolidate political mutual trust, strengthen strategic coordination, and jointly deliver a resounding stance for upholding the outcomes of World War II and international fairness and justice.

China is willing to work with Russia to elevate the China-Russia relationship to greater heights, broaden its dimensions, and strengthen its resilience, expand high-quality mutually beneficial cooperation, so as to better benefit the two peoples, said Ding, urging the two countries to strengthen coordination and collaboration on multilateral platforms such as the United Nations, and make greater contributions to building a more just, equitable, and prosperous multipolar world.

Ding said that despite the increasing impact of external shocks, China's economy has continued to show a positive trend, demonstrating robust vitality and resilience to the world.

China will expeditiously implement more proactive and effective macro policies, focus on stabilizing employment, enterprises, markets and expectations, and use the certainty of high-quality development to counter the uncertainties of the rapidly changing external environment, he said.

No matter how the external environment changes, China's door to opening up will only swing wider open, said Ding, adding that enterprises from all countries are sincerely welcome to invest and start businesses in China, actively participate in the process of Chinese modernization, and share China's development opportunities.

In the interactive session after the address, Ding responded to questions from the plenary session moderator on major-country relations and China-Russia cooperation in education and technology.

On the sidelines of the forum, Ding met respectively with Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak, Russian oil company Rosneft's chief executive Igor Sechin, and Gazprom CEO Alexey Miller.

The two sides agreed to fully leverage the roles of the China-Russia Investment Cooperation Committee, the China-Russia Energy Cooperation Committee and the China-Russia Energy Business Forum, promote the high-quality development of investment and energy cooperation, and provide more impetus for the development of bilateral relations.

Ding also had brief and friendly conversations respectively with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, National Security Advisor of Bahrain Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, and South African Deputy President Paul Mashatile.

The draft revision to the Law on Penalties for Administration of Public Security is to undergo its third review by China’s top legislature with amendments targeting provisions related to minors, amid public outcry against cases in which some minors exploit their status as minors to repeatedly violate public security regulations as juvenile delinquency has surged in recent years. 

The 14th National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee will convene for its 16th session from June 24 to 27, during which the law will return for its third – and likely final – review, with targeted amendments concerning minors, Chinanews.com reported on Monday. 

In recent years, juvenile delinquency has risen sharply, particularly involving serious violent crimes committed by younger minors, sparking public outrage. Many juvenile delinquencies begin with minor unlawful acts. If punishment and intervention are not carried out in a timely manner, the unlawful acts can easily progress toward serious criminal offenses. 

It is neither appropriate to simply detain minors nor to release them without consequence when handling juvenile delinquency cases, Huang Haihua, a spokesperson for the Legislative Affairs Commission of the NPC Standing Committee, said at a press conference on Monday, noting that the amendments were made in response to cases where some minors deliberately exploit their status as minors to violate public security regulations and refuse to change their behaviors despite repeated warnings, or commit serious offenses. 

Huang stated that the revision adjusts the provisions on non-enforcement of detention and intensifies penalties in a targeted manner. 

The current Law on Penalties for Administration of Public Security stipulates that minors aged 14 to 16, as well as those aged 16 to 18 who violate public security regulations for the first time, are not subject to administrative detention. 

However, the proposed revision provides that minors aged 14 to 16 and 16 to 18 who commit their first public security violation but with serious circumstances and a notably negative impact, or minors aged 14 to 16 who violate public security regulations more than twice within one year, may be detained in accordance with the law, Huang said. 

In addition, the draft revision of law will ensure proper alignment with the Law on the Prevention of Juvenile Delinquency. Huang noted that the 2020 revision of that law introduced a range of corrective and educational measures for minors with seriously inappropriate behaviors, including reprimands, orders to undergo community correction, specialized education and targeted corrective measures education. 

The revision stipulates that if minors are exempt from penalties or detention due to being underage, public security authorities shall adopt corresponding corrective and educational measures in accordance with the provisions of the law, Huang said. 

Huang stated that the draft revision stipulates that in cases of student bullying involving physical assault, verbal abuse, or intimidation, public security authorities will be required to impose administrative sanctions in accordance with the law and adopt corresponding corrective and educational measures. 

The revision also states that if a school fails to report or handle serious incidents of student bullying as required, it will be ordered to make corrections, and relevant departments will be advised to discipline responsible personnel according to the law. This ensures both public security authorities and schools to play their roles effectively in the coordinated management of student bullying, Huang said. 

As for procedural improvements, Huang noted that the revision adds rules requiring that when questioning a minor who has violated public security regulations, if his legal guardian is unable to be present, other adults such as an adult relative or a representative from their school may be called to attend. Additionally, if a minor may be subject to detention, a hearing may be requested in order to better educate the offending minor and reinforce respect for the law. 

In addition, to better protect minors and ensure a healthier environment for their development, the revision will also address the growing issue of minors engaged in paid companionship activities such as drinking or singing with customers in bars, karaoke venues and similar establishments – practices that harm their physical and mental wellbeing. The draft revision includes organizing or coercing minors into such activities in inappropriate venues under the scope of public security penalties, according to Chinanews.com. 

Prior to International Workers' Day 2025, the Great Hall of the People in Beijing -- the heart of China's political life -- welcomed a proud assembly: over 2,000 exemplary representatives drawn from the country's vast workforce of hundreds of millions.

In a ceremony on Monday, President Xi Jinping joined technicians, judges, nurses, and farmers to recognize not only their vital contributions, but also the spirit of dedication and hard work that fuels a nation.

Hailing the honorees as exemplars of the people and pillars of the country, Xi called on citizens to draw inspiration from them -- staying grounded and working hard -- so that, step by step, they can turn the grand vision of national rejuvenation into reality.

Xi sent the message at the gathering marking the 100th anniversary of the All-China Federation of Trade Unions. It drives home a point he has long emphasized -- great dreams are not achieved by waiting or chanting slogans; they are earned through hard work and determination.

A LEADER FORGED THROUGH HARD WORK

Xi's respect for hard work is built on his own past.

In 1969, just shy of 16, Xi arrived at Liangjiahe, a rugged village on the arid Loess Plateau in northwest China, to work the fields alongside the farmers who called the rural community home.

He took on nearly every kind of task, but spent an especially large number of hours on one in particular: building the dams by compacting the earth layer by layer with heavy stone pounders.

Xi threw himself into the labor. Day one left his hands blistered; day two saw them bleeding. Still, he kept working without complaint.

"What a fine lad," remarked the locals.

The hard work did not end when Xi was elected Party chief of Liangjiahe in 1974. He rolled up his sleeves and led villagers in digging wells, building terraced fields, and installing biogas pits -- gradually transforming the community.

Living and working alongside the farmers for seven years, Xi grew from a slightly bewildered teenager into a man determined to serve the people.

"Most importantly," he later said, "I learned from my fellow farmers the values of respecting facts and working hard with perseverance."

Those formative years left an indelible mark on Xi, shaping the strong work ethic that has been his character either as village Party chief or general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.

He works tirelessly, juggling domestic meetings, inspections and overseas visits -- his schedule always packed to the brim.

In a rare reflective moment during a foreign media interview, Xi was asked about life as China's leader. His candid reply laid bare his sacrifice. "My personal time? It's all consumed by work," he said. "Entrusted by the people ... I must put them first, serving with unwavering diligence."

MODEL WORKERS AS STARS

"What a galaxy of stars," Xi said at a conference room ahead of International Workers' Day in 2013.

By a "galaxy of stars," he was referring to the 65 role models before him, those honored for their hard work in their industries over the past decades.

Liang Jun, one of the earliest model workers, recounted how she helped turn northeast China's barren land into a national granary.

After listening to Liang's story, Xi told the then 84-year-old lady, "Your deeds are well known to our generation. As the first female tractor driver in China, you are truly remarkable."

As a leader who emerged from the ranks of the working people, Xi not only respects them but is also committed to ensuring that their needs are met.

Since Xi took the helm of China in 2012, the country has introduced more measures, laws and regulations to safeguard workers' rights and interests.

Moreover, Xi often visits workers during domestic inspection tours to personally assess their working and living conditions.

In 2023, he inspected a residential community in Shanghai built to house workers such as construction laborers, delivery drivers and sanitation staff.

He stepped into their homes and shared facilities -- public kitchens, laundries -- and spoke with them to understand their living conditions firsthand.

"Migrant workers, who come to contribute to Shanghai, are equally the city's masters," he stressed. "It is our responsibility to ensure they can arrive, settle down, live comfortably, and thrive here."

INVESTMENT IN SKILLS FOR THE FUTURE

At Monday's celebration ceremony, Xi underscored the importance of adapting to the new wave of technological and industrial transformation and enhancing the workforce's capabilities.

"High-quality development cannot be achieved without high-quality work and innovation," he said.

This resonates with his consistent emphasis on the crucial role of skilled talent in advancing the manufacturing sector.

Over the years, Xi's passion for craftsmanship has taken him to factory floors across the country, where he encouraged engineers, technicians and workers to hone their skills and push boundaries.

"Times may change and missions may shift, but the spirit of hard work, unity, and unyielding effort should never change," he said at Monday's ceremony.

As a supporter of free trade, a defender of the interests of developing countries, and a leader in regional cooperation, China is a stable, long-term partner that regional countries can trust and rely on, a Chinese diplomat said on Tuesday. 

Liang Jianjun, Deputy Director General of the Department of Asian Affairs under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, made the remarks at a press briefing on Tuesday in Beijing, during which he summarized the outcomes of President Xi Jinping's visits to three Southeast Asian countries in April while elaborating on China's neighborhood diplomacy.

According to Liang, Xi's recent visit to Southeast Asian countries underscored three key aspects: the neighborhood diplomacy remains China's top priority in foreign affairs; China focuses on building a community with a shared future for its neighboring countries; and the visits inject more stability and certainty into the world amid growing turbulence.

The Chinese leader paid state visits to Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia from April 14 to 18. It was the first overseas trip of the year by China's head of state, and also served as the inaugural visit to neighboring countries following the Central Conference on Work Related to Neighboring Countries.

During the visit, Chinese leaders attended over 30 diplomatic events, reached broad consensus with the leaders of the visited countries, elevated the bilateral community with a shared future, and signed more than 108 documents, according to Liang. 

The diplomat stated that China, with its vast territory, long borders, and numerous of neighboring countries, always prioritizes neighborhood diplomacy. 

Many of China's diplomatic concepts, including a community with a shared future for mankind, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative — were first implemented in neighboring countries, Liang noted. 

To date, China has reached a common understanding on building a community with a shared future with 17 neighboring countries, forming "two clusters" in the Indo-China Peninsula and Central Asia respectively. In the region, China has signed Belt and Road cooperation agreements with 25 countries, and remains the largest trading partner with 18 countries.

The growing closeness between China and its neighbors is a two-way process, reflecting shared destinies, intertwined interests, and mutual support through challenges, Liang said. 

There is a broad consensus among neighboring countries that engaging with China brings both respect and tangible benefits, said the diplomat. He added that President Xi's visits to the three countries were met with the warmest welcomes, demonstrating deep respect for the leader of a major country, strong affection for the Chinese people, and high importance placed on relations with China.

Amid a global tariff war launched by a certain country, there was a strong expectation for China to demonstrate leadership when regional countries were yearning for stability, Liang said. 

Liang added that all three neighboring countries all expressed support for President Xi's vision of a community with a shared future for mankind, as well as the three initiatives. They endorsed upholding the UN-centered international system and an international order based on international law, while firmly promoting an equitable and orderly multipolar world and inclusive economic globalization that benefits all.

China's commitments to strengthening supply chain cooperation and an its emphasis that tariff wars have no winners starkly contrasted to US economic hegemony, said Liang.  

The visit further solidified China's image as a supporter of free trade, a defender of developing countries' interests, and a leader in regional cooperation. It reinforced China's role as a stable, long-term partner that the region can trust, sending a message of reliability and stability amid uncertainty.

China offers markets and opportunities across the globe and is willing to open its arms to share development opportunities with countries worldwide, including its neighbors, to achieve mutual benefit and win-win outcomes, the diplomat remarked. 

After outlining the key concepts and achievements of China's recent neighborhood diplomacy, Liang invited questions from journalists from China and several Asian countries. He addressed inquiries on topics such as Belt and Road cooperation, regional collaboration, global governance, and people-to-people exchanges.

Liang stated that China has consistently adhered to the principles of consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits, actively promoting Belt and Road cooperation agreements with neighboring countries to enhance regional connectivity. He cited examples such as the China-Laos Railway, the recovery of air routes between China and neighboring countries in the post-pandemic era, and progress in cooperation with Southeast Asian nations in advanced manufacturing, green development, and technological innovation.

He said that positive developments in the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0 negotiations are expected soon.

Liang also emphasized that while firmly safeguarding its core interests of national sovereignty and territorial integrity, China remains committed to peaceful development, respects the sovereignty and independence of other countries, and acknowledges their legitimate concerns. He added that China seeks to conduct international cooperation based on equality and mutual benefit.

According to the diplomat, the collective rise of the Global South is profoundly reshaping the geopolitical landscape. China calls for practicing multilateralism, upholding international fairness and justice, and amplifying the voice of Global South countries. This approach not only safeguards China's own interests but also supports the shared interests of developing nations.

Regarding people-to-people exchanges, Liang highlighted China's active efforts to promote youth exchanges with neighboring countries, with plans to further expand their scale in the future. Additionally, he said China supports mutual learning and exchange among civilizations and firmly opposes notions of civilizational supremacy or superiority.