Vice President Kamala Harris is now the proud owner of a TikTok account.
The presumptive Democratic nominee for president joined the app on Thursday, where Harris-themed memes about coconut trees and “Brat summer” have been viral for weeks. Within hours, her account amassed 1.3 million followers. “I heard that recently I’ve been on the For You page, so I thought I’d get on here myself,” Harris says in her first post, which has 1.9 million likes, more than 71,000 comments and upwards of 69,000 bookmarks.
Adoring content about Harris has dominated the platform since Sunday, when President Biden announced he would no longer be running for re-election and endorsed his vice president for the Democratic nomination.
Harris’ decision to join in on the fun reflects the importance Democrats place on reaching young voters: most TikTok users in the U.S. are under 30. While the vast majority of TikTok’s 170 million American users say they’re on the platform to be entertained, more than one third use the app to keep up with politics, according to Pew Research, a larger share than those on Facebook or Instagram.
The Biden White House has heavily courted social media influences to advocate for the president’s policies. Gen Z content creators have been invited to tour the White House and Biden campaign headquarters. In 2022, a group of 30 leading TikTok stars attended a news briefing on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. And the New York Times has reported extensively on Biden’s efforts to host TikTok creators with State of the Union watch parties and exclusive invitations to Democratic fundraisers, as well as access to party officials and a special room to film videos at the upcoming DNC convention.
Republicans have made similar efforts to increase their presence on social media. Nearly 100 conservative influencers were given credentials at the RNC convention in July to generate buzz about former President Trump’s re-election campaign. The convention’s digital team set up a Creator Hub for them and provided time to go to the convention floor to film videos and interviews, Axios reported.
Trump joined TikTok in June. His first post featured Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) President Dna White at a UFC title fight in New Jersey and garnered more than 2.3 million likes and 38 million views in just one day. Trump’s account now enjoys 9.2 million followers.
But even as both parties embrace TikTok for campaigning, there has been bipartisan agreement that the app from Chinese-owned parent company ByteDance has national security vulnerabilities. Policymakers are concerned about the Chinese government’s ability to access TikTok’s data on American users or leverage the platform to push propaganda and influence elections.
Trump, as president, issued an executive order to ban TikTok, but it was challenged in court. He has since reversed his position, arguing “there are a lot of people on TikTok that love it” and that if the app were banned, Facebook would benefit, which he calls “an enemy of the people.”
Congress renewed the effort with Biden’s support and together the U.S. enacted a law in April that gives ByteDance a 270-day deadline to sell TikTok to a U.S. company or be banned. ByteDance must now find a buyer, remove TikTok from U.S. app stores or challenge the law in court before a January deadline.
Congress renewed the effort with Biden’s support and together the U.S. enacted a law in April that gives ByteDance a 270-day deadline to sell TikTok to a U.S. company or be banned. ByteDance must now find a buyer, remove TikTok from U.S. app stores or challenge the law in court before a January deadline.
Last month, TikTok called for a federal court to strike down the law that requires ByteDance to divest the app. ByteDance argues that divesting TikTok’s U.S. assets is “not possible technologically, commercially, or legally.” (reposted from Fox Business)
The Authority of UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 Cannot Be Challenged
Article by H. E. YanXiusheng, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Barbados
The 79th United Nations General Assembly opened on September 10 in New York. At present, there are still a handful forces that have been deliberately distorting and challenging UNGA Resolution 2758 adopted in 1971, trumpeting the notion that Taiwan’s status is undetermined, and advocating support for Taiwan’s participation in UN meetings and activities, in an attempt to challenge the international community’s consensus on the one-China principle. I believe that such actions, which go against the tide of history, will undoubtedly end in failure.
On October 25, 1971, the 26th UN General Assembly adopted Resolution 2758 by an overwhelming majority, deciding to “restore all its rights to the People’s Republic of China and to recognize the representatives of its Government as the only legitimate representatives of China to the United Nations, and to expel forthwith the representatives of Chiang Kai-shek from the place which they unlawfully occupy at the United Nations and in all the organizations related to it”. The Resolution resolved once and for all politically, legally and procedurally the issue of the representation of the whole of China, including Taiwan, at the United Nations. The resolution also made clear that there can only be one seat representing China at the UN and precluded the possibility of “two Chinas” or “one China, one Taiwan.”
UNGA Resolution 2758 is based on historical facts and has a legal basis. Taiwan has been part of China since ancient times. Before the adoption of Resolution 2758, it was already a historical fact and an international consensus that Taiwan is part of China. This was a significant political precondition for the UN General Assembly to adopt Resolution 2758. The 1943 Cairo Declaration and the 1945 Potsdam Proclamation clearly stipulated that Taiwan, a Chinese territory stolen by Japan, shall be restored to China. These documents with international legal effect formed an integral part of the post-WWII international order and also established the legal foundation of Taiwan’s status as China’s inalienable territory.
The one-China principle adopted by UNGA Resolution 2758 is a widely accepted international consensus. For over half a century since the resolution’s adoption, the UN system has always observed Resolution 2758 and upheld the one-China principle in dealing with Taiwan-related issues. UN Secretary-General António Guterres has repeatedly reaffirmed that the UN’s position is very clear, which is to observe the Resolution and uphold the one-China principle, and that all UN actions are based on this. To date, 183 countries, representing over 93% of UN member states, have established diplomatic relations with China on the basis of the one-China principle. These facts fully demonstrate that the one-China principle reflects the will of the people and represents the trend of the times and the course of history.
Barbados is one of the earliest countries in the eastern Caribbean to establish diplomatic relations with China, and is also a good friend and partner of China in the region. Over the past 47 years, the bilateral relations have steadily advanced based on the one-China principle, mutual respect, and mutual benefit. China highly appreciates Barbados’ firm adherence to the one-China principle and is willing to work with Barbados to continue implementing the important consensus reached by the leaders of our two countries, deepen political mutual trust, strengthen cooperation in various fields, continue to understand and support each other on issues concerning our core interests and major concerns, constantly expand and enrich the friendly relations between our two countries, and build a closer China-Barbados community with a shared future.
Joining Hands to Advance Modernization and Build a Community with a Shared Future
Keynote Address by H.E. Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China, at the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation
Your Excellency President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, Your Excellency President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, Chairperson of the African Union (AU), Your Excellencies Heads of State and Government and Heads of Delegation, Your Excellency Mr. António Guterres, Secretary General of the United Nations, Your Excellency Mr. Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the AU Commission,
President Xi Jinping
Friends and Distinguished Guests,
Blossoms in spring turn into fruits in autumn, and a bumper harvest is the reward of hard work. In this season of harvest, I am delighted to gather together with so many old and new friends in Beijing to discuss grand plans for China-Africa friendship and cooperation in the new era. On behalf of the Chinese government and people, I extend a warm welcome to you all!
The friendship between China and Africa transcends time and space, surmounts mountains and oceans, and passes down through generations. The founding of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in 2000 was a milestone in the history of China-Africa relations. Over the past 24 years, especially in the new era, China has advanced forward hand in hand with our African brothers and sisters in the spirit of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith. We stand shoulder to shoulder with each other to firmly defend our legitimate rights and interests as once-in-a-century changes sweep across the world. We get stronger and more resilient together by riding the tide of economic globalization, delivering tangible benefits to billions of ordinary Chinese and Africans. We share weal and woe in fighting natural disasters and epidemics together, creating touching stories of China-Africa friendship. We always empathize with and support each other, setting a stellar example of a new type of international relations.
Thanks to nearly 70 years of tireless efforts from both sides, the China-Africa relationship is now at its best in history. With its future growth in mind, I propose that bilateral relations between China and all African countries having diplomatic ties with China be elevated to the level of strategic relations, and that the overall characterization of China-Africa relations be elevated to an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era.
President Xi Jinping with Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye
Friends and Distinguished Guests,
Modernization is an inalienable right of all countries. But the Western approach to it has inflicted immense sufferings on developing countries. Since the end of World War II, Third World nations, represented by China and African countries, have achieved independence and development one after another, and have been endeavoring to redress the historical injustices of the modernization process. As we are about to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China, we are going all out to build a great modern socialist country in all respects and pursue national rejuvenation through a Chinese path to modernization. Africa is also awakening again, and the continent is marching in solid strides toward the modernization goals set forth in the AU’s Agenda 2063. China and Africa’s joint pursuit of modernization will set off a wave of modernization in the Global South, and open a new chapter in our drive for a community with a shared future for mankind.
—We should jointly advance modernization that is just and equitable. In promoting modernization, we should not only follow the general rules, but also act in light of our national realities. China is ready to increase exchanges of governance experience with Africa, support all countries in exploring modernization paths befitting their national conditions, and help ensure equal rights and equal opportunities for all countries.
—We should jointly advance modernization that is open and win-win. Mutually beneficial cooperation is the sunny road to the betterment of long-term and fundamental interests of all countries. China is ready to deepen cooperation with Africa in industry, agriculture, infrastructure, trade and investment, promote exemplary, high-quality Belt and Road cooperation projects, and build together a model for the delivery of the Global Development Initiative.
—We should jointly advance modernization that puts the people first. The ultimate goal of modernization is the free and full development of human beings. China will work vigorously with Africa to promote personnel training, poverty reduction and employment, enhance the sense of gain, happiness and security of the people in the course of modernization, and ensure that all will benefit from the process.
—We should jointly advance modernization featuring diversity and inclusiveness. Well-balanced material and spiritual advancement is a lofty objective of modernization. China will enhance people-to-people and cultural exchanges with Africa, champion mutual respect, inclusiveness and coexistence of different civilizations on our way to modernization, and strive together for more fruitful outcomes under the Global Civilization Initiative.
—We should jointly advance modernization that is eco-friendly. Green development is a hallmark of modernization in the new era. China is ready to help Africa build “green growth engines,” narrow the gap in energy accessibility, adhere to the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, and jointly push for the global transition to green and low-carbon development.
—We should jointly advance modernization underpinned by peace and security. Modernization would not be possible without a peaceful and stable environment for development. China is ready to help Africa improve its capacity in safeguarding peace and stability independently, prioritize Africa in implementing the Global Security Initiative (GSI), promote mutual reinforcement of high-quality development and greater security, and work together with Africa to uphold world peace and stability.
Friends and Distinguished Guests,
China and Africa account for one-third of the world population. Without our modernization, there will be no global modernization. In the next three years, China will work with Africa to take the following ten partnership actions for modernization to deepen China-Africa cooperation and spearhead the Global South modernization.
First, the Partnership Action for Mutual Learning among Civilizations. China is ready to work with Africa to build a platform for governance experience sharing, a China-Africa knowledge network for development, and 25 centers on China and Africa studies. We will make better use of Africa’s leadership academies to cultivate talents for governance, and invite 1,000 members of African political parties to China to deepen exchanges of experience in party and state governance.
Second, the Partnership Action for Trade Prosperity. China will voluntarily and unilaterally open its market wider. We have decided to give all LDCs having diplomatic relations with China, including 33 countries in Africa, zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent tariff lines. This has made China the first major developing country and the first major economy to take such a step. It will help turn China’s big market into Africa’s big opportunity. China will expand market access for African agricultural products, deepen cooperation with Africa in e-commerce and other areas, and launch a “China-Africa quality enhancement program.” We are prepared to enter into framework agreements on economic partnership for shared development with African countries to provide long-term, stable and predictable institutional guarantee for trade and investment between the two sides.
Third, the Partnership Action for Industrial Chain Cooperation. China will foster industry cooperation growth clusters with Africa, push forward the Pilot Zone for In-depth China-Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation, and launch an “African SMEs empowerment program.” We will build with Africa a digital technology cooperation center and initiate 20 digital demonstration projects so as to embrace together the latest round of technological revolution and industrial transformation.
Fourth, the Partnership Action for Connectivity. China is prepared to carry out 30 infrastructure connectivity projects in Africa, promote together high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and put in place a China-Africa network featuring land-sea links and coordinated development. We are ready to assist in the development of the African Continental Free Trade Area, and deepen logistics and financial cooperation for the benefit of trans-regional development in Africa.
Fifth, the Partnership Action for Development Cooperation. China is ready to release the Joint Statement on Deepening Cooperation within the Framework of the Global Development Initiative with Africa, and implement 1,000 “small and beautiful” livelihood projects. We will replenish the China-World Bank Group Partnership Facility to boost Africa’s development. We support Africa in hosting the 2026 Youth Olympic Games and the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. We will work together with Africa to deliver more fruits of development to the two peoples.
Sixth, the Partnership Action for Health. China is ready to establish with Africa a hospitals alliance and joint medical centers. We will send 2,000 medical personnel to Africa, and launch 20 programs of health facilities and malaria treatment. We will encourage Chinese companies to invest in Africa’s pharmaceutical production, and continue to do what we can to help Africa with epidemic response. We support the development of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to strengthen public health capacity in all African countries.
Seventh, the Partnership Action for Agriculture and Livelihoods. China will provide Africa with RMB1 billion yuan in emergency food assistance, build 100,000 mu (about 6,670 hectares) of standardized agriculture demonstration areas in Africa, send 500 agricultural experts, and establish a China-Africa agricultural science and technology innovation alliance. We will implement 500 programs in Africa to promote community welfare. We will also encourage two-way investment for new business operations by Chinese and African companies, enable Africa to retain added value, and create at least one million jobs for Africa.
Eighth, the Partnership Action for People-to-People Exchanges. China will implement with Africa more solidly the Future of Africa—Vocational Education Cooperation Plan, establish together an engineering technology academy, and build ten Luban Workshops. We will provide 60,000 training opportunities to Africa, mainly for women and youths. We will launch with Africa a Cultural Silk Road program as well as an initiative of cooperation on innovation in radio, TV and audio and visual programs. The two sides have agreed to designate 2026 as the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges.
Ninth, the Partnership Action for Green Development. China is ready to launch 30 clean energy projects in Africa, put in place meteorological early warning systems, and carry out cooperation in disaster prevention, mitigation and relief as well as biodiversity conservation. We will create a China-Africa forum on peaceful use of nuclear technology, establish together 30 joint laboratories, and collaborate on satellite remote sensing and lunar and deep-space exploration. All this is designed to help with green development in Africa.
Tenth, the Partnership Action for Common Security. China is ready to build with Africa a partnership for implementing the GSI, and make it a fine example of GSI cooperation. We will give Africa RMB1 billion yuan of grants in military assistance, provide training for 6,000 military personnel and 1,000 police and law enforcement officers from Africa, and invite 500 young African military officers to visit China. The two sides will conduct joint military exercises, training and patrol, carry out an “action for a mine-free Africa,” and jointly ensure the safety of personnel and projects.
To implement the ten partnership actions, the Chinese government will provide RMB360 billion yuan of financial support through the next three years. This breaks down into RMB210 billion yuan of credit line, RMB80 billion yuan of assistance in various forms, and at least RMB70 billion yuan of investment in Africa by Chinese companies. In addition, China will encourage and support Africa in issuing panda bonds in China to enhance our results-oriented cooperation in all areas.
Friends and Distinguished Guests,
The Communist Party of China held in July the successful Third Plenary Session of its 20th Central Committee, laying out systematic plans for further deepening reform comprehensively to advance Chinese modernization. This will profoundly further transform China. It will also provide new opportunities and new driving forces for African countries and for our joint pursuit of modernization.
As an African proverb goes, a friend is someone you share the path with. On the path to modernization, no one, and no country, should be left behind. Let us rally the more than 2.8 billion Chinese and African people into a powerful force on our shared path toward modernization, promote modernization of the Global South with China-Africa modernization, and write a new magnificent chapter of development in human history. Let us join hands to bring about a bright future of peace, security, prosperity and progress for our world.
China has world’s largest number of top 100 science, technology clusters
For the second consecutive year, China has the largest number of the world’s top 100 science and technology clusters, according to an early release from the 2024 edition of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)’s Global Innovation Index (GII) on Tuesday.
The figures reflect the nation’s technology innovations on the global stage, despite the ongoing crackdown by the US.
China has 26 of the world’s top 100 science and technology innovation clusters, up from 24 last year, the report said. The US follows with 20, Germany with eight, and India and South Korea with four each.
China and the US are home to the world’s largest science and technology clusters, with shifts among the top 100 showing especially fast growth of innovative activity in certain emerging economies, the report said.
Tokyo and Yokohama in Japan lead as the largest global science and technology cluster, followed by Shenzhen and Guangzhou, South China’s Guangdong Province, and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shared second place. They were followed by Beijing in third place, and Shanghai and Suzhou, East China’s Jiangsu Province, which shared fifth place.
The GII list of science and technology clusters identifies local concentrations of world-leading science and technology activity around the globe, according to the WIPO.
The report once again highlights China’s strong position in global technological innovation, experts said. “It showcased the outstanding achievements of the second-largest economy in driving technological innovation and advancing the development of technology clusters,” Wang Peng, an associate research fellow at the Beijing Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Wednesday.
Technology innovation clusters, as a crucial foundation of the national innovation ecosystem, play a significant role in driving economic development and enhancing national competitiveness, the expert said. He said that the development of China’s science and technology also shows that despite the suppression of Chinese technology firm and products by certain countries such as the US, China’s achievements in the field of innovation are still remarkable.
China should continue to increase investment in technological innovation, optimize the innovation environment, and promote the formation and development of more technology innovation clusters, the expert said. (Article from the Global Times)
Caption: Robot Tianyi, white, stands with silver black Tiangong 1.2 MAX robots at the five-day World Robot Conference 2024 in Beijing on August 22, 2024. Tianyi is 163 centimeters tall, and as a service robot it can identify emotions and interact with people. Tiangong 1.2 MAX, 173 centimeters tall, can carry heavier items, walk faster and longer compared with its previous version 1.1 PRO.