As this move is unprecedented in scale, it has quickly attracted attention at home and abroad. Science and Technology Daily reported that a Chinese expert who has been deeply involved in ITU-related affairs said the filings should be viewed in a rational manner:

中国幅员辽阔，是卫星技术应用大国，结合卫星技术应用实际和未来发展需求，在国际规则框架下，此次申报了多份卫星网络资料，其中有两份超过9万颗卫星。

China is vast in territory and a major country in the application of satellite technologies. In light of the realities of satellite applications and future development needs, and within the framework of international rules, China has, this time, filed multiple sets of satellite network projects, two of which involve more than 90,000 satellites.

截至目前，已有多个国家根据自身情况申报了卫星规模10万颗以上的卫星网络资料。受卫星频率轨道资源国际协调、系统建设、市场需求变化等多种因素影响，多数情况下，相关公司后续实际部署的卫星规模、技术参数等还会进行动态优化调整。

As of now, multiple countries have, based on their own circumstances, filed satellite network projects involving more than 100,000 satellites. Influenced by a range of factors such as international coordination of satellite frequency and orbital resources, system construction, and changes in market demand, in most cases the actual number of satellites ultimately deployed, as well as technical parameters and other aspects, will be dynamically optimized and adjusted in subsequent steps by the relevant companies.

该专家表示，卫星系统从卫星网络资料国际申报、国际协调到卫星发射、系统建设、提供服务、应用推广，一般需要较长时间。此次我国相关单位申报的卫星网络资料，属于履行ITU相关程序的例行操作，应予以理性看待。

The expert said that the entire process—from international filing of satellite network information and international coordination, to satellite launches, system construction, service provision, and application rollout—generally takes a relatively long time. The satellite network information filed by relevant Chinese entities this time constitutes routine work in fulfilling ITU-related procedures and should be viewed rationally.

Yang Feng, founder and CEO of commercial satellite company Spacety, based in Changsha, Hunan province, said the 203,000 satellite filings reflect long-term national strategy and space resource planning rather than immediate engineering capability, China Daily reported.

A short explainer video released by the WeChat account of China Central Television’s flagship evening news program Xinwen Lianbo also noted that the filings amount to “a ticket for strategic reserve” (”战略储备的一张门票”), adding that China has the world’s largest demand for 5G and 6G communications, intelligent connected vehicles, and the Internet of Things. China’s vast market, the video said, is large enough to absorb massive volumes of satellite data services, providing a sustained flow of capital and momentum for the entire industry.

The video likewise called for a rational view of the applications, pointing out that under ITU rules governing frequencies used for broadband satellite internet, applicants must launch 10 percent of the satellites within seven years, complete 50 percent within nine years, and finish full deployment within 14 years. The number of satellites launched can also be adjusted in light of future conditions, including reductions in the overall scale.

The video further analyzed the long-term significance of the filings, highlighting several potential impacts:

1. No more loss of mobile connectivity. In the future, in areas such as oceans, deep mountains, deserts, and other terrestrial signal blind spots, ordinary mobile phones could connect directly to satellites, enabling voice calls and internet access without restrictions.

2. Smarter intelligent vehicles. Direct satellite connectivity could provide autonomous driving systems with round-the-clock, high-precision positioning and communications support.

3. More reliable emergency communications. When natural disasters cause ground-based networks to collapse, satellite networks could serve as the last lifeline.

In addition, the video noted that some Chinese companies have already achieved batch, assembly-line production of satellites, and that China’s capabilities in reusable rockets are expected to continue improving. As satellite mass production advances and launch costs decline, service prices are also expected to become more affordable.

It is worth noting that of the 203,000 satellites covered by the filings, roughly 193,000 of the satellites were proposed by the Institute of Radio Spectrum Utilization and Technological Innovation (无线电创新院), a newly registered national research institute on radio spectrum innovation and commercialization based in Hebei, according to an article published on the WeChat blog of China.com (中华网), a Chinese-language news and information website under China International Broadcasting Network (CIBN).

China.com reported that the institute was jointly established by seven entities, including the State Radio Monitoring Center (国家无线电监测中心) and China Satellite Network Group (中国卫星网络集团), underscoring strong organizational coordination and national-level planning. At the same time, China Satellite Network Group and China Mobile also filed their own constellation plans, forming a structure characterized by “state-led coordination with participation from multiple actors” (“国家队主导、多主体协同”)

China.com also analyzed the scarcity of low Earth orbit (LEO) resources. Although space may appear vast, the low-altitude orbital regions suitable for deploying communications satellites are in fact limited. Industry estimates suggest that even under the most relaxed assumptions on safe spacing, LEO can accommodate fewer than 180,000 satellites in total.

At present, U.S. company SpaceX has already deployed around 10,000 satellites for its Starlink constellation and plans to expand the network to as many as 42,000. Other countries, including Rwanda, have also submitted applications — often through third-party intermediaries — for hundreds of thousands of satellites, seeking to gain an early advantage.

From a broader perspective, China.com said that competition over orbital and frequency resources also reflects a struggle for influence in global space governance. For a long time, rules governing orbital slots and spectrum allocation have been dominated by Western countries. China’s active participation in this competition through compliant and rule-based channels represents not only adherence to international norms, but also a necessary step in securing fair development space for itself.

If you’re interested in the links between China’s latest filings and capital markets, you may want to read a related newsletter by Amber Zhang published on Baiguan, which explores this angle in greater detail.

Baiguan - China Insights, Data, Context

Space Race 2.0? 2026 is China’s "SpaceX Moment"

In the final days of 2025, China quietly filed a bombshell with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). China submitted plans for two “super-constellations,” CTC-1 and CTC-2, totaling over 193,428 satellites …

Read more

4 months ago · 7 likes · Amber Zhang

As I explained in the previous piece, the publication of two official “tutorials” after major Communist Party of China (CPC) meetings or the release of major documents has become routine in recent years. These tutorial-style books contain signed articles by senior officials on national development, as well as detailed Q&As on key strategic issues. They offer substantial information and nuance not found in the Recommendations themselves, making them essential reading for anyone who wants to understand China’s development trajectory.

Today’s theme is technology.

Given the global environment, I had expected that technology would be the topic mainstream international media jump on first—and that prediction was quickly confirmed. Reuters’ earliest headline on the Recommendations was “China’s five-year plan emphasizes tech self-reliance amid U.S. rivalry.”

Combined with the heightened interest in Chinese tech — from Silicon Valley to other global innovation hubs —it feels timely to dedicate one full issue of this newsletter to the technology-related content in the Recommendations. What follows are the key passages from the two tutorial books that I believe deserve highlighting, along with my comments. As with last time, I’ll cite the source and page number for each excerpt. I have yet to obtain the Chinese e-versions of these books, and they will not be published in English, based on past practice. However, a few of the included articles have been published by People’s Daily; where relevant, I will attach links for your reference.

Please note that while most of the essays in these two books are signed articles written by senior officials, the 108 questions and answers in the Q&A Guidebook are not attributed to individual authors. They can be viewed as the collective intelligence of the compilation team — essentially the group with the deepest involvement in, and the most comprehensive understanding of, the formulation of China’s five-year plans.

Let’s dive in.

1. “Major-power competition is a contest of productive forces.”

从现实逻辑看，发展新质生产力是推动高质量发展、赢得大国博弈战略主动的内在要求 ...... 大国博弈说到底是生产力的竞争，焦点是发展新质生产力。我们必须时不我待、主动作为，加快形成更多标志性、原创性、颠覆性科技和产业创新成果，在大国博弈中赢得战略主动。

From a practical standpoint, developing new quality productive forces is an intrinsic requirement for driving high-quality development and gaining strategic initiative in major-power competition. … Ultimately, major-power competition is a contest of productive forces, with the focus on developing new quality productive forces. We must seize the moment and act proactively, accelerating the creation of more iconic, original, and disruptive scientific and industrial breakthroughs to gain the strategic upper hand.

(Source: Tutorial on the Recommendations…, p.80, Article “Developing New Quality Productive Forces According to Local Conditions,” by He Lifeng, Chinese vice premier and a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee)

The phrase “major-power competition” (“大国博弈”) appears only once in the Recommendations. But in the tutorials, Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng — who has led China’s economic and trade talks with the U.S. across multiple locations this year — further underscores the centrality of technological development in this broader strategic context.

2. Technology and the race for “first-mover advantage”

要增强抢占发展先机的紧迫感，强化未来产业布局的前瞻性。纵观近现代历史，科技革命是产业变革的先导，每一次科技革命都会孕育出一批重塑全球竞争格局的新产业，引发大国兴衰。

We must heighten our sense of urgency in seizing development opportunities and strengthen forward-looking planning for future industries. Throughout modern history, scientific revolutions have preceded industrial transformations. Each technological revolution has birthed new industries that reshape global competition and trigger the rise and fall of major powers.

…

科技革命和产业变革没有到“临界点”并不意味着各国都“处在同一条起跑线上”，早做多做积累才能占领先机、赢得优势。

The fact that the current technological revolution has not yet reached a “tipping point” does not mean all countries are standing at the same starting line. Early and sustained accumulation is the only way to gain the advantage.

当今世界，新一轮科技革命和产业变革加速突破，正催生出一批事关战略全局和长远发展的未来产业，它们可能就是“明天”的战略性新兴产业、“后天”的支柱产业。我们必须更加注重前瞻规划布局未来产业发展，走在产业体系现代化的前列，掌握全球创新版图重构、经济结构重塑的主动权。

Today, a new round of scientific and industrial transformation is accelerating. A range of future industries with strategic, long-term significance is emerging — industries that may become tomorrow’s strategic emerging sectors and the day after tomorrow’s pillar industries. We must strengthen forward-looking planning, stay at the forefront of industrial modernization, and seize the initiative in the restructuring of global innovation and economic systems.

(Source: Q&A Guidebook on the Recommendations…, p.21, Q10: “How should we understand forward-looking planning for future industries?”)

Again, the urgency China feels around technology development is clear.

3. AI and global competition: China’s self-assessment

尽管我国人工智能发展处在全国第一方阵，但在基础理论、关键核心技术等方面还存在短板弱项。

Although China’s AI development is among the leading group globally, we still have shortcomings in basic theories and key core technologies.

...

许多国家纷纷出台人工智能发展战略，加强人工智能产业布局，催生出无人驾驶、人形机器人、自主飞行无人接、脑机接口、智能手机、智能电视、智能电脑、智能穿戴设备等新领域新赛道，这些都可能成长为改变未来商业格局、重塑全球经济的“竞技场”。在激烈国际竞争面前，谁在人工智能技术产品化、产业化上先行一步，谁就在市场开拓上占有先机。

Countries around the world are releasing AI strategies and expanding industrial layouts, giving rise to new arenas such as autonomous driving, humanoid robots, autonomous drones, brain–computer interfaces, smart phones, smart TVs, smart computers, and wearable intelligent devices. These emerging sectors may become the competitive battlegrounds that reshape global commerce and the world economy. In the face of intense international competition, whoever achieves earlier breakthroughs in AI productization and industrialization will gain the first-mover advantage in the marketplace.

(Source: Q&A Guidebook on the Recommendations…, p.41, Q20: “Why does China fully implement the ‘AI+’ initiative?”)

The first sentence is perhaps the most concise — and clearest — official statement of how China judges its current global position in AI. The second paragraph underscores China’s close tracking of global AI developments and its view of AI as a transformative economic arena.

4. Basic research as China’s key bottleneck

人工智能、量子科技、生物技术等领域深入发展，我国迎来换道超车的历史机遇。新一轮科技革命和产业变革抓住了就是机遇，抓不主就是挑战。

With advances in AI, quantum technology, and biotechnology, China faces a historic opportunity for leapfrogging. The new round of scientific and industrial transformation is an opportunity if seized, and a challenge if missed.

作为科学探索的源头，基础研究不仅是技术突破的基石，更是产业变革的底层驱动力；它既为技术突破提供理论支撑，又为产业升级注入持续动力。

As the source of scientific discovery, basic research is the cornerstone of technological breakthroughs and the underlying driver of industrial transformation. It provides the theoretical foundation for innovation and continuous momentum for industrial upgrading.

(Source: Q&A Guidebook on the Recommendations…, p.29, Q14: “Why strengthen original innovation in scientific research and technology development?”)

This emphasis on basic research echoes a recent Qiushi Journal article (Issue No. 22, 2025) by Shanghai official Xiao Guiyu. Qiushi Journal is the CPC Central Committee’s flagship magazine. Citing comparative data, Xiao notes:

• China’s basic research expenditure in 2024 accounted for 6.9% of total R&D, versus

  • 18% in the U.S.

  • 13% in Japan

  • 19% in EU member states

• Less than 10% of Chinese university patents were commercialized in 2024

  • compared with over 50% in the U.S. and Germany

Much scientific output in China, he argues, remains stuck in papers, labs, and technical reports rather than being translated into productivity.

The Q&A Guidebook make this link even more explicit when discussing “tech bottlenecks.”

“卡脖子”技术问题的根子是基础理论研究跟不上，源头和底层的东西没有搞清楚

The root cause of “bottleneck” technological problems is that our basic theoretical research has not kept pace— we have not fully understood the foundational and underlying principles.

...

关键核心技术攻关要防止简单的模仿性创新，陷入“追赶——落后——再追赶”模式，必须注重加强原始创新和颠覆性创新，从根本上解决原理性、基础性问题，在新一轮科技革命和产业变革的时代浪潮中抢占科技制高点、掌握发展主动权，构筑新动能新优势。

In tackling key core technologies, we must avoid imitative innovation and the pattern of “catch up — fall behind — catch up again.” Instead, we must strengthen original and disruptive innovation, solve fundamental theoretical problems, seize the commanding heights of technology in the new wave of global scientific and industrial transformation, and secure strategic initiative.”

(Source: Q&A Guidebook on the Recommendations…, p.28, Q13: “Why pursue decisive breakthroughs across the full chain of key core technologies?”)

Taken together, these passages show a clear strategic objective: to escape the cycle of perpetual catch-up and instead position China at the front of emerging fields through deep investment in basic research.

5. Reforming China’s talent evaluation system (“the hats problem”)

...... 统一规范教育科技人才评价的原则、标准。切断人才“帽子”与各类创新资源的关联，不把人才“帽子”作为承担国家科技计划项目、获得科技奖励、职称评定、岗位聘用、薪酬待遇确定的限制性条件，使人才称号回归学术性、荣誉性本质。

... We must unify and standardize principles and criteria for evaluating education, science, and talent. The link between talent “hats” and innovation resources must be severed. Titles must no longer serve as restrictive conditions for undertaking national science projects, receiving awards, gaining professional titles or positions, or determining compensation. Talent designations should return to their academic and honorary nature.

(Source: Q&A Guidebook on the Recommendations…, p.35, Q17: “How to promote positive interaction between scientific innovation and talent cultivation?”)

“The hats problem” (“帽子问题”) is a term used to describe the heavy reliance on honorary titles, talent labels, and designated status categories as gateways to resources in China. These “hats” are not merely academic honors — they are tied to research funding, project eligibility, institutional support, and career advancement. As a result, they have become highly competitive, quasi-credentialized markers of prestige and access within China’s scientific system.

An August report in Guangzhou Daily illustrates the pressures created by this system:

The article notes that researchers today face not only the widely discussed “45-and-under” eligibility limit for major talent programs, but also a proliferation of newer thresholds—“35-and-under,” “38-and-under,” “40-and-under.” Each of these age caps corresponds to a different category of national or local talent sponsorship. For scientists whose careers should ideally allow long periods of deep thinking, experimentation, and failure, these rigid cutoffs create what the paper calls a “breathless climb up the staircase,” forcing young scholars into a race against time.

Instead of focusing on long-term research questions, many feel compelled to maximize the number of papers published and the volume of grants secured to build a résumé strong enough to win a coveted “hat.” In practice, a “hat” can signify not only academic recognition but also privileged access to state-funded laboratories, major research platforms, and high-value projects. Guangzhou Daily describes these hats as having become “universal ration coupons” — highly sought-after tokens that determine access to scarce scientific resources.

In other words, the overemphasis on titles has gradually distorted incentives, pushing young scientists away from their original motivations for pursuing research and toward short-term metrics that are easier to quantify but less conducive to scientific breakthroughs.

This is essentially a debate about resource allocation and incentives in China’s scientific ecosystem.

6. AI and the future of warfare

To close, here are passages from the tutorials on AI and military development:

人工智能在军事领域的广泛应用，给军队武器装备和组织形态带来重大影响，引发军事领域链式突破，催生军事发展模式和战争制胜机理发生重大变化，推动战争形态加速演进。

The widespread application of artificial intelligence in the military has had a profound impact on weapons, equipment, and force structures, triggering chain reactions of breakthroughs across the military domain. It has led to major changes in models of military development and mechanisms for winning wars, and is accelerating the evolution of the very forms of warfare.

在近期发生的几场局部战争和武装冲突中，无人智能装备大量运用，智能化支援保障彰显威力，人工智能系统在辅助作战筹划、支撑指挥通信、加持认知对抗等方面大放异彩，智能化作战方式不断涌现，展现出军事智能改写战争规则的前景，现代战争智能化特征日益显现。

In several recent regional wars and armed conflicts, unmanned intelligent equipment has been deployed on a large scale, and intelligent support systems have demonstrated significant effectiveness. AI systems have excelled in assisting operational planning, supporting command and communications, and enhancing cognitive confrontation. New forms of intelligent combat are continually emerging, revealing the potential of military intelligence to rewrite the rules of warfare and making the intelligent characteristics of modern war increasingly evident.

世界主要国家纷纷加大军事智能化投入和布局，出台相关战略和规划，加快军事智能力量建设和运用，围绕智能化加紧推进军事转型，抢占军事战略制高点。

Major countries are increasing investment in military intelligence, releasing strategies and plans, accelerating the development and application of intelligent military forces, pushing forward military transformation, and competing to seize strategic heights.

适应技术发展和军事变革潮流，我们应当抓住军事智能化发展的历史机遇，融入国家加快发展新一代人工智能的战略布局，构建具有我军特色的智能化军事体系，推动军事实力加速提升。

To adapt to technological and military trends, we must seize this historic opportunity in military intelligence, integrate with the national strategy for accelerating next-generation AI development, build an intelligent military system with Chinese characteristics, and accelerate the enhancement of military capabilities.

(Source: Q&A Guidebook on the Recommendations…,p.196, Q93: “How should we understand building an intelligent military system?”)

I am not a military expert, so I offer no further technical commentary. But given global interest in how recent regional conflicts have deployed drones and AI-enabled systems, this section may be of particular interest.

A recent news report by the New York Times indicated that Chinese hackers targeted data from phones used by former President Donald J. Trump and his running mate, Senator JD Vance of Ohio, without disclosing any details about the “actors affiliated with the People’s Republic of China.”

Those familiar with U.S. elections are no strangers to the tactic of hyping up China-related issues ahead of the vote; it has become almost routine. However, this report also reminded me of an incident mentioned in a report two years ago, where the U.S. security system was alleged to have infiltrated Chinese university networks and telecommunications operators.

In September 2022, China's National Computer Virus Emergency Response Center (CVERC) and cybersecurity company 360 respectively released investigation reports on the attacks on China's Northwestern Polytechnical University (NPU) from the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA), which showed that the NSA-affiliated Office of Tailored Access Operation (TAO) had mounted hundreds of thousands malicious cyber-attacks targeting Chinese objectives.

The investigation reports, available on the CVERC website, revealed that the United States used 41 specialized cyber weapons to launch cyber theft operations for over 1,000 times against the NPU, a prominent national defense science and technology research institute, and stole core technical data.

The reports also revealed crucial information about several attacks, including the specific ways that TAO's attacks were carried out, the targets of the cyber theft operations, reasons why the attacks were attributed to the TAO and a list of IP addresses for the weapon platforms employed by the TAO.

It is worth noting that the TAO gained access to the university's network and obtained employee credentials, which allowed the agency to further infiltrate the systems. It exploited stolen credentials to access the network of a Chinese infrastructure operator under a "legitimate" guise, controlling its service quality monitoring system to pilfer "多名身份敏感人员的用户信息 the information of several individuals with sensitive identities."

The report does not specify the exact identities of these individuals with sensitive backgrounds, which is perhaps understandable. Are they connected to Chinese leaders? It remains unknown. What is certain is that the TAO has engaged in cyber intrusions into Chinese networks.

(III) Infiltration and Control of Core Network of Chinese Infrastructure

The NSA-affiliated TAO has exploited stolen credentials to access the network of a Chinese infrastructure operator under a "legitimate" guise, controlling its service quality monitoring system to pilfer user private data.

1. Theft of Chinese Users' Private Data

At 22:53 on March 7, 20XX (Beijing Time), TAO utilized an attack proxy located in Mexico (IP 148.208.XX.XX) to target the business server of a Chinese infrastructure operator (IP 211.136.XX.XX). After executing two lateral movements within the network (IPs 10.223.140.XX and 10.223.14.XX), the agency gained control of the user database server and illegally queried the information of several individuals with sensitive identities.

At 15:02 the same day, TAO saved the queried user data in the directory /var/tmp/.2e434fd8aeae73e1/erf/out/f/ on the compromised server. The agency then packaged this data and transmitted it back through its attack relay. The penetration tools and user data uploaded during the covert operation, along with other traces of the attack, were quickly erased by specialized tools. [Beijing Scroll Note: The "15:02" here should refer to U.S. local time, otherwise it wouldn't align with the "22:53" mentioned earlier in chronological order. I’ve already emailed VERC to confirm this information, and I’ll provide an update here as soon as I receive a response.]

Using the same tactics, TAO controlled additional servers of another Chinese infrastructure operator at the following times in 20XX: January 10 at 23:22; January 29 at 8:41; March 28 at 22:00; and June 6 at 23:58 (all Beijing Time). They conducted multiple illegal queries, exports, and thefts of sensitive personal information.

2. Infiltration and Control of Global Telecommunication Infrastructure

According to analyses, the TAO employed the same methods and combination of cyber weapons to "legitimately" gain control of telecommunications infrastructure networks in at least 80 countries worldwide. The Chinese technical team has collaborated with partners in Europe and Southeast Asia to successfully extract and secure samples of these cyber tools, completing thorough technical analyses. Plans are underway to publicly disclose this information in due course to assist the global community in resisting and protecting against NSA cyber penetration attacks.

The report emphasized that the U.S. agency had controlled telecommunications infrastructure networks in at least 80 countries worldwide using the same methods and tools described. The findings were published to aid global efforts in resisting and preventing cyber infiltration attacks by the TAO, as highlighted in the report.

A CNBC report which was published later noted “Beijing has for years accused Washington of carrying out cyberattacks, but rarely discloses details of specific incidents. This new report is a change in approach from China."

The report also said that the attackers used American English, the devices associated with the hackers had an English-language operating system and they used an American keyboard for input.

In August of this year, The Washington Post reported that Former X employees, experts doubt Musk claim of cyberattack on Trump talk. Must claimed that a 40-minute delay in his audio conversation with Donald Trump was caused by a distributed denial of service, or DDoS, attack.

Following Musk's claim, XLab, part of 奇安信 Qi An Xin (QAX), one of the largest cybersecurity companies in China, confirmed in its Chinese-language blogpost on WeChat that it detected the DDoS attack. The XLab threat perception system identified the attack on the X platform in real time as it unfolded. Zichen Wang covered this in his Pekingnology newsletter.

Pekingnology

Chinese cybersecurity firm backs Elon Musk's account on DDOS attack in Trump conversation, identifies operator

The Washington Post just now (Wednesday, August 14) reported that Former X employees, experts doubt Musk claim of cyberattack on Trump talk…

Read more

2 years ago · 12 likes · Zichen Wang

In an English-language post entitled Behind the Scenes: A Brief Overview of the DDoS Attack on the Trump-Musk Livestream, XLab provided more technical details.

"Monitoring shows that the four botnet controllers launched at least 34 waves of DDoS attacks. The four control servers were mainly located in the UK (two), Germany (one), and Canada (one). The attacks lasted from 8:37 AM to 9:28 AM Beijing time, spanning 50 minutes, which closely matches the delay observed during the broadcast." the post read.

One noteworthy aspect of the summit was the consensus reached on addressing the opportunities and challenges that artificial intelligence presents to the media, which is outlined as follows:

The consensus highlighted that participants, focusing on "Artificial Intelligence and Media Transformation," engaged in extensive and deep discussions on five key topics. They analyzed the opportunities and challenges brought about by the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) technology to the global media industry, explored the role and responsibilities of media in the new round of technological and industrial revolutions, and deliberated on how to better narrate the stories of modernization around the world, promoting global development collaboratively.

One of the most striking observations from the summit was that some mainstream news agencies are gradually using artificial intelligence as an auxiliary tool in various aspects of reporting, without directly employing generative AI to write news articles. This approach, in my view, is a clear trend that not only boosts efficiency but also frees up journalists to devote more energy to creating higher-level content.

Delegates noted the swift progress of AI technology globally, which profoundly impacts socio-economic development and the advancement of human civilization. Simultaneously, the technology also poses various unforeseen risks and challenges.

The participants recognized that AI governance is crucial for the fate of humanity, representing a common challenge faced by all nations. There is an urgent need to delve into this issue, build consensus, seize opportunities, and tackle challenges together. Global media should act as a bridge for the international community to understand and address the opportunities and challenges presented by AI development.

Actually, it's quite an achievement to have gathered so many media outlets together. Having the opportunity to discuss face-to-face the opportunities and challenges posed by artificial intelligence has given me a certain confidence in the future.

Furthermore, they believed that global media should wisely employ new AI technologies to innovate news gathering and dissemination, accelerate intelligent and digital transformation, narrate stories of AI enabling sustainable development, and enhance AI's role in serving global development and improving human welfare, thus paving the way for a brighter, AI-enabled future for all nations.

Facing the rapid development of AI technology, global media must always uphold journalistic ethics and professional standards, providing audiences with accurate, objective, comprehensive, and fair news. They should resist the production of fake news and the spread of rumors using AI technology, thereby maintaining the authority and credibility of the media.

"Fake news" was perhaps the term most frequently mentioned by the media at the summit in relation to the negative effects of artificial intelligence. Indeed, generative AI can now create highly realistic images that blur the line between truth and falsehood. It is time for global media to collaborate in addressing the challenges posed by this kind of fake news.

The delegates expressed confidence that this summit would foster broad consensus and deepen cooperation among global media, propelling countries to share in the fruits of AI development, pursue high-quality development together, and contribute powerfully to the construction of a shared future for humanity and a better world.

This year's summit is jointly organized by Xinhua and the Xinjiang regional government. As the global media community gathered for the summit to discuss safeguarding the core values of journalism -- objectivity and truth -- they were offered a valuable opportunity to gain firsthand insights into Xinjiang.

Below are some pictures I took with other media during this trip in Xinjiang :

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The four news agencies established a high-level dialogue and cooperation mechanism in December 2023, when their leaders met for the first such dialogue.

"The rapid development of AI technology is profoundly impacting global economic and social development and the progress of human civilization," said Fu Hua, president of Xinhua, adding that AI is reshaping the landscape of news production and dissemination.

While AI technology enhances the quality, efficiency, productivity, and capability of news production, it also increases the risk of spreading false information through AI-generated images and videos, posing challenges to the development of media, he said.

Fu suggested that the four wire services embrace technological change, adhere to journalistic values and combat misinformation, while strengthening communication and cooperation to promote joint development.

"Major global wire services should jointly shoulder the responsibility of upholding journalistic ethics, ensuring that their reporting is accurate, fair, authoritative, and credible," he said.

Senior officials of Reuters, the AP and AFP said news agencies should actively harness AI to empower journalism, while building guardrails to mitigate risks. Media should adhere to journalistic standards and commit to providing audiences with credible, accurate, and objective news.

All four major global wire services agreed to continue strengthening communication and sharing experience on related topics. 

Presiding over the session, Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, stressed that it is the solemn historical responsibility of today's Chinese Communists to open up new frontiers in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times.

Some highlights first:

• The session was presided over by Xi Jinping, the General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, who underlined the historical responsibility of the present-day Chinese Communists to open up new frontiers in this adaptation. Xi emphasized the importance of "two integrates" and "six musts", fundamental guides for further theoretical innovation derived from the 20th CPC National Congress.

• A lecture on this topic was given by Li Wentang, Vice President of the Party School of the CPC Central Committee (National Academy of Governance). Members of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee attended the lecture, which was followed by a discussion.

• Xi gave a significant speech highlighting the importance of Marxism and its adaptation for China's past and future successes. He emphasized the need for continuous innovation and theoretical breakthroughs to maintain the vitality of Marxism in China, as demonstrated by major theoretical achievements like Mao Zedong Thought and the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.

• The discussion stressed that adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and current needs should not abandon the soul of Marxism or the roots of traditional Chinese culture. Achieving theoretical innovation requires a different discourse, but the essence of Marxism and Chinese culture should be preserved.

• Xi underlined the necessity of seeking timely, scientific answers to new questions posed by the era. This process should be grounded in practical experience, eschewing ivory tower abstractions in favor of truth discovered and validated through practice.

• It was highlighted that the questions posed by China, the world, the people, and the times are more complex and demanding than ever before. Thus, providing solutions by combining theory and practice is more urgent than ever.

• A broader view of history is required to grasp the trajectory and direction of world development. There's a need to comprehend the major logic and trends of China's social development and humanity's development, and understand the practical requirements of Chinese modernization.

• Xi emphasized that making theories systematic and academic is a critical path for theoretical innovation. Continuous strengthening of theoretical research and interpretation is required to better educate and guide the Party and the country.

• It was noted that the wisdom for theoretical innovation should be drawn from the creations of the people. The people's creative practices are seen as the inexhaustible source of theoretical innovations in Marxism. To continuously advance the Party's theoretical innovation, it is essential to follow the mass line, respect the pioneering spirit of the people, and summarize their creative experiences to make new theoretical achievements.

The OFFICIAL READOUT

The Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee on Friday held a group study session on opening up new frontiers in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times. Presiding over the session, Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, stressed that it is the solemn historical responsibility of today's Chinese Communists to open up new frontiers in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times. The report to the 20th CPC National Congress, while summarizing historical experience, put forward and expounded scientific methods such as "two integrates" and "six musts" that have promoted theoretical innovation, providing fundamental guides for the Party to further theoretical innovation. We should adhere to the guides and put them to good use, he said.

Li Wentang, vice president of the Party School of the CPC Central Committee (National Academy of Governance) gave a lecture on this topic and proposed suggestions. Members of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee listened to the lecture carefully and had a discussion thereafter.

Xi made an important speech after listening to the lecture and the discussion. He noted that the CPC's history of struggle over the past century shows that a good command of the scientific theory of Marxism has fundamentally explained why the CPC has been able to make great achievements in revolution, construction and reforms, and to lead the Chinese people in accomplishing arduous tasks that no other political forces in China could accomplish. It is also because the CPC has been able to constantly innovate its theories in light of new realities, thus making major theoretical achievements as Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory, the Theory of Three Represents, the Scientific Outlook on Development and the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. It is also because the CPC has kept emancipating the mind, seeking truth from facts, keeping up with the times and being realistic and pragmatic, injecting vitality into Marxism in China and thus equipping itself with strong power of truth. We owe the success of our Party and socialism with Chinese characteristics, at the fundamental level, to the fact the Marxism works, particularly when it is adapted to the Chinese context and the needs of the times. This is a conclusion that has stood the test of time. We must continuously further our understanding of the Party's theoretical innovation, and make greater achievements in this regard on the new journey in the new era.

Xi stressed that the important subject of adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times decides that we shall never abandon the soul of Marxism and the root of fine traditional Chinese culture. Upholding such soul and root is the basis and prerequisite for theoretical innovation. To achieve theoretical innovation, we will definitely have different discourse. But we should never cease to draw on our fine traditional culture. Disowning Marxism and our own traditional culture means cutting off the soul and root, which will lead to the catastrophic mistake of losing both. We must adhere to Marxism, on which the development and prosperity of our Party and our country are based. We must continuously develop Marxism on the basis of our own rich culture that has evolved in our long history. We should have greater confidence in our history and culture, and stick to the principle of making the past serve the present and putting forth new ideas. We must follow the guidance of Marxism to comprehensively explore the rich Chinese civilization that has a history of more than 5,000 years, and use Marxism to activate the good factors of great vitality in China's fine traditional culture and imbue them with new life. We should inject the great spirit and profound wisdom of the Chinese nation into Marxism, and effectively combine the quintessence of Marxism with that of fine traditional Chinese culture to develop new theoretical strength, so as to scale new heights in thought. We need to broaden our visions in development of theories, be open-minded and learn and draw inspiration from all outstanding achievements of human civilizations. We should absorb the good theories and cultural resources from "the whole human knowledge" to innovate and develop the Party's theories, so as to create an atmosphere in which we can draw strengths from all cultures.

Xi noted that it is important to seek answers for new issues of the times in a timely and scientific way. The era is the mother of thought, and practice the fount of theory. All epoch-making theories are the results of the needs of the times. The theory for observing, understanding, and steering the trends of the times must represent the voice of the times, and should not be detached from the reality of its times. We must draw on past experience to generate the theoretical essence of the times. Xi stressed that advancing theoretical innovation must be based on practical experience but never daydream in an ivory tower. We must discover and develop truth in practice, and realize truth and test truth in practice.

   In an era when the overall strategy for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and the momentous changes unseen in a century are progressing rapidly and interacting with each other, humanity faces many urgent and common problems that need to be solved. Various fronts in China, such as reform, development, stability, domestic and foreign affairs, national defense, and governance of the Party, the country and the military, are also facing a raft of new major issues. The questions posed by China, the world, the people, and the times are more complex and difficult than in the past. It is urgent for us to provide answers by combining theory and practice.

It is important to have a broad view of history and grasp the trajectory and correct direction of world development with a broader perspective and a more far-sighted vision. It is imperative to understand the major logic and trends of China's social development and humanity's development, and grasp the historical evolution and practical requirements of Chinese modernization. We should deepen our understanding of promoting high-quality development and building a new development paradigm in the context of a new round of technological revolution, the global economic development landscape, and the stage-specific characteristics of China's development. We also need to deepen our understanding of the strategic thinking of the Party's self-reform, based on comparison with the fates of Marxist political parties in the world and on the practical tests facing our Party in its long-term governance. We need to put forward sound concepts and effective solutions in a comprehensive and systematic manner to solve practical problems, so as to let Marxism of contemporary China and of the 21st century showcase stronger and more persuasive power of truth.

Xi stressed that making theories systematic and academic is an intrinsic requirement and an important avenue for theoretical innovation. The reason why Marxism has a profound influence is that it reveals the truths of the development of human society with profound rationale and verifies its theories with complete systems. The development of the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era is a process featuring constant enrichment, expansion, systematization and rationalization. The project to study and develop Marxist theory should keep strengthening theoretical research and interpretation, with a focus on the original theoretical achievements from the new concepts and judgments put forward by the CPC, and grasp their inner relationship, so as to educate and guide the whole Party and the whole country to better study and understand the theoretical system of the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.

Xi noted that importance must be attached to drawing wisdom for theoretical innovation from what has been created by the people. Marxism is a theory that creates ideas for the people and speaks on behalf of the people. It is meant to change people's destiny. It has been enriched and developed in the practice of people's struggle for liberation. The people's creative practices are the inexhaustible source of theoretical innovations in Marxism. People, as creators of history, are not only creators of material wealth but also creators of spiritual wealth. The achievements in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of our times encapsulate the practical experience and collective wisdom of our Party and the people. Whether it is Mao Zedong Thought, the theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics, or the Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, they all come from the wisdom of the people, the explorations by the people, and the creation of the people. To continuously advance the Party's theoretical innovation, we must firmly follow the mass line and avoid working behind closed doors, and must act, not just talk or indulge in daydreaming. It is imperative to respect the pioneering spirit of the people, attach importance to summarizing fresh experience from their creative practices, transform it into rational knowledge, make new theoretical achievements, and strive to make the Party's innovative theories thoroughly understood by hundreds of millions of people. By doing so, these theories can correspond to people's desire, gather the wisdom of the people, meet people's will and win the support of the people.  Enditem

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