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Uganda urges Britain to stop meddling in domestic affairs

This photo taken on March 31, 2024, shows a city view of Kampala, Uganda. (Xinhua/Li Yahui)

Uganda has asked Britain to stop meddling in the local politics of the East African country after London announced sanctions on three of Uganda’s senior officials over allegations of corruption.

The Ugandan parliament on late Tuesday urged Britain to respect the country’s sovereignty.

It is important that foreign partners, including Britain, respect the sovereignty of Uganda and avoid the temptation to meddle into our local politics, including arm-twisting decision-makers to align with their value system, especially homosexuality, the parliament said in a statement.

The British government on Tuesday announced that it had sanctioned Uganda’s Speaker of Parliament Anita Among and two lawmakers, Goretti Kitutu and Agnes Nandutu, over corruption allegations.

Kitutu and Nandutu, both former ministers, have been charged with corruption in Uganda’s Anti-Corruption Court for allegedly stealing iron sheets intended for the impoverished northeastern region of Karamoja. The parliament accused the British government of distorting facts to suit its political agenda.

“The iron sheets have been used as a ruse to conceal the real, unstated but clearly obvious reason for the sanctions — which is the Rt. Hon. Speaker’s stance on the recently enacted Anti-Homosexuality Act,” the statement said.

Last year, the Ugandan parliament passed a law prescribing life and death sentences for certain acts of homosexuality, a move strongly criticized by some Western countries, including Britain.

IMF forecasts Asia-Pacific growth at 4.5% in 2024

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Tuesday (Beijing Time) released the April 2024 Regional Economic Outlook for Asia and Pacific. Growth in the region is projected at 4.5 percent in 2024, and the region will contribute about 60 percent of the global economic growth this year, according to the report.

Exploring China-France culinary ties with a croissant hunt in Beijing

In honor of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and France, let’s set out on a delightful croissant hunt across the vibrant streets of Beijing. Join us as we embark on a culinary odyssey to discover the diverse flavors, tastes and costs of croissants, and learn how these iconic treats preserve traditional French flavors and add a playful twist, all within the heart of China’s capital.

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Our first stop on this savory adventure is Gontran Cherrier, a French-inspired bakery with roots in the cobblestone streets of Paris. Founded in 2010 on Caulaincourt Street in the Montmartre district, Gontran Cherrier quickly gained acclaim for its artisanal breads and pastries. Today, its Beijing outpost continues to uphold this tradition of excellence, transporting visitors to the heart of France with its charming decor and delectable offerings.

Among the array of tempting treats at Gontran Cherrier, the classic Almond Croissant stands out. Priced at 23 RMB, this buttery delight boasts layers of flaky pastry enveloping a rich almond filling, evoking the essence of traditional French baking.

Winner: Best Traditional Croissant

A selection of almond croissants at Gontran Cherrier, a French-inspired bakery in Beijing on April 25, 2024. /CGTN

As we delve deeper into Beijing’s vibrant bakery scene, we discover Weiduomei, or Wedome Bakery, a local favorite celebrated for its selection of traditional Chinese pastries. With multiple branches dotted across Beijing, Weiduomei offers a variety of croissants, including multigrain and caramel-glazed options. Priced at just 3 RMB each, these croissants are the perfect choice for a quick and budget-friendly snack on the go. Their affordability and widespread availability have cemented them as a favorite among locals, whether for a morning bite or a tasty treat throughout the day.

Winner: Best Budget-Friendly Croissant

A selection of multigrain and caramel-glazed croissants at Weiduomei, a local Chinese bakery in Beijing on April 25, 2024. /CGTN

Next up is Bingoo Bakery, a trendy bakery located near the iconic Bell and Drum Towers. Situated amidst the historical landmarks and bustling tourist attractions, Bingoo Bakery caters to both locals and travelers alike. Its proximity to these cultural landmarks makes it an ideal stop for tourists looking for a tasty snack or stylish pastry.

Here at Bingoo Bakery, the intersection of cultures is evident in every delectable bite. The Matcha Cocoa Croissant, infused with the vibrant flavors of green tea and cocoa, is a nod to both Chinese tea culture and French artisanal pastry. And a surprise encounter with a bow-shaped croissant filled with zesty lemon cream highlighted the bakery’s innovative approach to traditional pastry-making.

Winner: Best Trendy Croissant

A selection of traditional and trendy croissants at Bingoo Bakery in Beijing on April 26, 2024. /CGTN

As a bonus, a visit to Tous les Jours, a popular “French-Asian inspired” bakery, reveals a savory twist on the classic offering, the Sausage Croissant. This savory delight is a departure from the sweetness of traditional pastries, catering to diverse palates and preferences.

A selection of sausage croissants and other pastries at Tous les Jours, a popular French-Asian inspired bakery in Beijing on April 25, 2024. /CGTN

Reflecting on the culinary odyssey through Beijing’s croissant culture, both locals and travelers alike are captivated by the rich tapestry of flavors and influences woven into each buttery creation.

Whether savoring the timeless elegance of a French-inspired delicacies or embracing the innovative twists of local artisans, the croissant serves as a symbol of cultural exchange and culinary diplomacy.

Chinese man aims to bridge cultures through language and passion

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This year marks 60 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and France. As both sides work to strengthen relations, a French-speaking Chinese man in Shanghai aims to promote mutual cultural understanding in his own special way.

Meet Chinese breaking team head coach Mounir Biba

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From street corners to the world stage, breaking – better known as breakdance – is now an Olympic sport. In the breakdancing arena, few names shine as brightly as Mounir Biba. CGTN Europe went to Paris and talked to the French breakdancing legend, who played a key role in breaking’s Olympic inclusion.

Training journey of Chinese breakdancing team

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Last year, a Chinese team visited France to train for the World Breaking Championship in Belgium. This was in preparation for the Asian Games in Hangzhou later in 2023. Stuart Smith interviewed the athletes who were aiming to compete and win. He began by inquiring about their goals while in France and the sources of their inspiration.

Two giant pandas arrive in Madrid

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Two giant pandas, Jin Xi and Zhu Yu, arrived in Madrid, Spain on Monday, ready to start a 10-year stay in the European country.

A charter flight carrying the pandas from their home in Chengdu City, Sichuan Province in southwest China, landed on Monday at the Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas International Airport, the Madrid Zoo Aquarium said.

The zoo’s veterinary and conservation team, as well as several officials from Spain’s Nature Protection Service (SEPRONA), waited at the airport and escorted the pandas to the zoo upon their arrival.

A special dinner made of freshly-cut bamboo shoots was waiting for the new members of the zoo.

The bears will be quarantined for about a month and could meet the public in late May if everything goes well, the Madrid zoo said.

In order to create a more comfortable living environment for the giant pandas, the zoo has conducted safety inspections and upgraded all the facilities and equipment in the panda enclosure.

Chinese experts went to Madrid in advance to inspect the conditions of the pandas’ new home. They will stay for about three months, until the pandas fully adapt to their new environment.

“Both pandas were born in 2020, so they are nearly four years old. They are very healthy, well developed in body shape and all other aspects. That’s why we chose these two for Spain,” said Yang Kuixing, a Chinese giant panda breeding expert.

China and Spain signed an agreement in 2007 to promote international cooperation on giant panda protection and advance bilateral cooperation on the preservation of endangered species and biodiversity. During the cooperation period, six panda cubs were successfully bred and have grown up.

Giant pandas Bing Xing and Hua Zuiba, along with their offspring Chulina, Jiu Jiu and You You, returned to China from Spain this March. The giant pandas, as a symbol of friendship between the Chinese and Spanish people, were deeply loved by locals.

“We felt a little sad to say goodbye to the five giant pandas living in Madrid. We had been with them for a long time, so it was hard for us to say goodbye. But now we are very happy and looking forward to welcoming a new pair of giant pandas. We are about to start a new chapter,” said Maria Delclaux, who is in charge of the giant panda enclosure at the zoo.

(Cover image via video screenshot)

Shehuo performance showcases folk culture in Shanxi

Folk artists perform in Shehuo, a collection of traditional folk shows, in Qingxu county, Shanxi province, May 1, 2024. [Photo by Zhu Xingxin/chinadaily.com.cn]

‘Overcapacity’ accusation goes against economic principles, denies global division of labor

Over-protectionism. Illustration: Chen Xia/GT

Recently, the West has been unreasonably hyping up the false narrative of “overcapacity” in China. Even the IMF warned on Tuesday that China’s policies that boost supply would worsen overcapacity, reinforce deflationary pressures, and potentially provoke trade frictions.

While the IMF doesn’t explicitly mention any specific industry, it is probably referring to China’s new energy industries in light of recent US pressure on green Chinese products. Yet, whether or not China has excess capacity should be determined by economic rules and facts, not political agenda led by the US.

The current global distribution of production capacity is a result of the combined effects of industrialization and market-based economic activities over the past few decades. Cooperation based on comparative advantages is crucial for optimizing the resource allocation of global factors, also an important approach for improving productivity and well-being among countries.

From the perspective of economic principles, equating fluctuations in supply and demand with excess capacity goes against the normal rules of the market economy and actually works counter to the rationality of international division of labor and economic globalization. If a country with supply exceeding demand is recklessly considered to have excess capacity, then all export economies in the world, not only China but also the US, have overcapacity issues in terms of their exported products.

In this sense, the narrative of “overcapacity” and criticisms of industrial subsidies are merely rhetoric fabricated by the US to hinder China’s competitiveness.

China’s economic advantage in its “new three” products – new energy vehicles, lithium-ion batteries, and photovoltaic products – stem from its competencies and are shaped through full market competition, rather than subsidies from the government. While the US accuses China’s industrial policy of violating international regulations and worsening overcapacity, the scale of American subsidies to new energy industries is far greater than in other countries, as the CHIPS and Science Act and the Inflation Reduction Act have showed. For example, the detailed rules of the Inflation Reduction Act stipulate that only electric vehicles assembled in North America are eligible for a maximum subsidy of $7,500 through federal tax deductions, which is a blatantly discriminatory subsidy law.

By comparison, China’s industrial policy adheres to the principles of market economy and fair competition. For instance, in a statement published on its WeChat account on Wednesday, the National Development and Reform Commission said that China plans to introduce additional measures to support the development of the new energy vehicles. These measures include fostering industrial innovation through scientific and technological advancements, encouraging enterprises to increase investment in research and development, and facilitating the optimization and restructuring of the new energy vehicle industry. Moreover, China will remove all restrictions on foreign investment in manufacturing, inviting global auto companies to participate in the Chinese market and industrial chain to benefit from the advancements in new energy vehicle technology.

In fact, China’s competitive new energy products have created huge opportunities and support for the global industries and markets. Its technological innovation in new energy vehicle sector presents significant development opportunities for global auto industry. Also, China is the only country in the world that has all the industrial categories listed in the United Nations industrial classification system, including 41 industrial categories, 191 medium categories and 525 subcategories. And its efficient industrial system has played a crucial role in maintaining stability of the global auto supply chain.

Furthermore, China is a major driving force behind the world’s rapid expansion of renewable power generation capacity. China’s installed capacity of renewable energy exceeded 1.45 billion kilowatts in 2023, accounting for more than 50 percent of the country’s total installed power generation capacity, according to data released by the National Energy Administration. Power generated from renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power now accounts for more than 15 percent of China’s total electricity consumption.

China has always been committed to promoting high-level opening-up and offering opportunities for market access to other countries, with the aim of achieving mutually beneficial results. And it is hoped that all parties could be engaged in rational discussions based on facts and economic principles when it comes to green development, rather than resorting to baseless accusations and attacks.

The article was compiled based on an interview with Jin Ruiting, researcher at the Academy of Macroeconomic Research of the National Development and Reform Commission. [email protected]

Unveiling Emir Kusturica’s cinematic universe at BJIFF

A photo shows Serbian film director Emir Kusturica. /BJIFF

Over the just concluded 14th Beijing International Film Festival (BJIFF), Serbian film director Emir Kusturica chaired the jury for the Tiantan Award competition section. As a tribute to this longstanding friend of the Chinese people, eight of Kusturica’s works – “The Time of the Gypsies,” “Arizona Dream,” “Underground,” “Black Cat, White Cat,” “Life is a Miracle,” “Promise Me This,” “Maradona,” and “On the Milky Road” – were screened for film enthusiasts.

A poster shows the eight films by Serbian director Emir Kusturica screened during the 14th Beijing International Film Festival. /BJIFF

Born in Sarajevo in 1955, Emir Kusturica enrolled in the Film and TV School of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague in 1973. In 1981, he released his debut feature film, “Do You Remember Dolly Bell?” which not only competed at the 38th Venice International Film Festival but also garnered accolades such as the Best First Feature Award and the FIPRESCI Prize, marking the beginning of Kusturica’s journey as a master filmmaker.

In 1985 and 1995, Kusturica won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival for his films “When Father Was Away on Business” and “Underground,” respectively.

Kusturica’s films are renowned for their distinct style, marked by a blend of chaos, whimsy, and surrealism. Drawing inspiration from the fantastical imagery of Marc Chagall’s paintings and paying homage to classic works of cinema, Kusturica creates a unique cinematic universe that fuses elements of French elegance and Russian passion.

A still from Kusturica’s documentary “Maradona.” /BJIFF

Kusturica maintains a close relationship with the Beijing International Film Festival, having participated in related activities during the 2017 edition. This retrospective exhibition of Kusturica’s works will comprehensively showcase his creative career, including his iconic narrative feature films and documentaries featuring soccer legend Maradona and the band The No Smoking Orchestra. Through these eight classic films, audiences will have the opportunity to gain a profound appreciation for the charm of Kusturica’s work and a deeper understanding of this globally acclaimed cinematic master.