In response to a question about whether the recent change by the Chinese side in the official translation of the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's surname, using the characters 鲁 (lǔ) 比 (bǐ) 奥 (ào) instead of the earlier official translation using 卢 (lú) for the first syllable, indicates that he is no longer under sanction by China, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said that she had not noticed it but would look into it. She added that what was more important was his English name.
Regarding the sanction, she stated that her colleague had explained China's position the previous day.
"China's sanctions targeted actions and words that harmed China's legitimate rights and interests," Mao emphasized.
On Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun also responded to a question on whether China will consider dropping sanctions against Rubio. Guo stated that China will firmly defend its national interests. At the same time, it is necessary for high-level Chinese and American officials to maintain contact in an appropriate way.
On January 6, Canadian Prime Minister and Liberal Party leader Justin Trudeau delivered a speech outside his residence in Ottawa, vowing to step down once his party picks a successor. On January 15, Trudeau told the media that he would not run in the upcoming federal election and would instead be "entirely focused on doing the job that Canadians elected me to do in an extraordinarily pivotal time right now." Theoretically, Trudeau is still the Prime Minister of Canada and the leader of the Liberal Party, but with domestic support plummeting to 16 percent and raising discontent over his leadership among high-ranking party officials, the Prime Minister, who has been in office for 9 years, has no choice but to "take a bow and exit" early. Media outlets are widely speculating that Canada is about to enter the "post-Trudeau era." In this issue, the Global Times invited commentator Tao Duanfang, who has lived in Canada for nearly 20 years, to opine on how Canada has changed under Trudeau's leadership and the profound impact it has had on Canadians' lives, as part of our "Witness to history" series.
Fresh blood of 'natural governing party'
In 2005, I obtained my immigration status. After a brief stay in Canada, I returned to Africa for work and officially settled in Canada a year later. My wife arrived in Canada a year earlier.
The immigration interview for my wife and me took place in October 2003 at the Consulate General of Canada in Hong Kong. The immigration officer asked me, "How much do you know about Canadian politics? How many major federal parties are there in Canada?" I had prepared in advance and answered correctly: the Liberal Party, the Conservative Party, the New Democratic Party, and the Bloc Québécois - a total of four (the Green Party did not have any seats in the House of Commons at that time).
The immigration officer expressed satisfaction and specifically praised me for placing the Liberal Party first, as it is the "natural governing party."
The Liberal Party first came to power in 1873, and it is the party with the longest cumulative time in power in Canadian history. It is known for its center to center-left political stance, an emphasis on business, and commitment to moderate welfare policies. The party once enjoyed widespread support among the middle class, business people, and small business owners. The characteristics of Chinese immigrants often align with those of small business owners and the middle class. Therefore, when I first settled here, among the Chinese community members who were politically engaged, most I knew tended to support the Liberal Party.
In fact, as of 2006, when I settled in Canada, the Liberal Party had been in power for 13 consecutive years. However, in that year, the Conservative Party, which had not been in power since 1993 and had even changed its name, defeated the Liberal Party and gained control of the government. The politically engaged older generation of immigrants said that the infighting and backstabbing among the prominent figures within the Liberal Party provided an opportunity for the well-organized Conservative Party to benefit. Subsequently, Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper remained in power for nine consecutive years.
The Harper era was a mix of hope and fear for the Chinese community in Canada. The positive aspect was that, although Harper and the Conservative Party came to power with an "anti-China" undertone, their policies toward China gradually became more pragmatic after taking office. During this period, Canada became a popular destination for Chinese citizens traveling abroad.
The Canadian government, at that time, also made a historic acknowledgment of the wrongs of the past, such as the "Chinese Exclusion Act" and the "Chinese head tax." Harper offered a full apology to Chinese Canadians. Furthermore, many government officials at that time often attended Chinese community-organized events.
Coupled with stable prices and a stable Canadian dollar exchange rate, my family (both of my children were born during this period) was quite satisfied with these developments.
Harper is a politician rooted in Alberta, a major oil and gas province and one of the "Prairie Provinces" (Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta), which primarily rely on oil, agriculture, and other primary resources. So his long-standing governance is also directly linked to a decline in Canada's high-tech industries, manufacturing, and commercial sectors.
It was during this delicate moment that Trudeau emerged. Since 2012, Canadians have frequently seen this young and handsome politician on their television screens, known for his eloquence and quick wit. Trudeau's entry into politics quickly brought an end to the internal strife within the Liberal Party.
In the 2015 Canadian federal election, Trudeau, participating as the party leader for the first time, led the Liberal Party to a resounding victory.
Baffling policies
In the early days of the Trudeau administration, my family, friends, and colleagues were filled with optimism. Trudeau's commitment to increasing child benefits significantly alleviated our financial burden. I had two school-aged children at the time.
However, based on my observations, the generous Canada Child Benefit (CCB) has led some families to prefer having more children to maximize their benefits rather than seeking low-wage employment.
Additionally, since Trudeau took office, he has been actively advocating for an increase in the minimum wage. Before his administration, the minimum wage in most provinces was around 8 Canadian dollars ($5.6) per hour, but after nine years in office, it has risen to approximately 15 Canadian dollars.
While many of my friends initially supported this policy, the reality has been challenging. Small businesses, already struggling, have found it difficult to absorb the significant wage increases. Many small business owners have had to resort to layoffs or rely on family members to provide "volunteer labor." Meanwhile, rising prices have exacerbated the financial strain on low- and middle-income earners, making their lives even more difficult.
In 2018, cannabis was officially legalized in Canada. Interestingly, recent public opinion polls showed that the majority of Canadians support this policy. In my opinion, there are two main reasons behind this: First, those in favor of cannabis legalization tend to form vocal groups, while opponents remain the "silent majority," and Trudeau chose to cater to the "loud voices"; second, Trudeau and his advisors explained that legalization allows for more effective regulation, leading many people to push for cannabis legalization, mistakenly thinking they were voting for "regulatory support."
After the policy was implemented, a cannabis store opened within a kilometer of my home. During weekend parties, a strong smell of cannabis often wafts from the house next door, rented by students, leaving neighbors powerless, whereas, before legalization, authorities could directly intervene.
In my view, the policies during Trudeau's era have made the originally center or center-left Liberal Party appear more "left-wing" and "progressive."
Some of his policies are baffling, such as the "gender diversity" policy, which mandates that public schools not restrict students from using changing rooms and bathrooms based on their self-identified gender. Some politicians voiced objections but were sidelined within the Liberal Party. In some cases, parents transferred their children to religious schools because "at least there, one can openly say that boys are boys and girls are girls."
Many people in Canada have expressed dissatisfaction with Trudeau's approach of initially "flooding the gates" with immigrants, refugees, and international students, only to later "shut the gates." They believe this approach has significantly changed Canada's social structure. The period before the pandemic saw a rise in anti-Chinese and anti-Vietnamese hostility incidents, and post-pandemic, Indians have become the new target of similar exclusionary sentiments.
Key issues
Some analysts, following Trudeau's resignation announcement, pointed out that although Trudeau had many "flaws," he always presented himself as a "fighter" and refused to step down until late December 2024. His eventual resignation was due to his failure to resolve the "interlinked issues of the economy, employment, and people's livelihoods."
In the case of McDonald's, for example, the price of the classic Big Mac meal was 7.99 Canadian dollars at the beginning of Trudeau's term, but now it has nearly doubled to 14.99 Canadian dollars. Last Sunday, when I went to a warehouse-style supermarket, I found that, compared to nine years ago, the only product that had not seen a significant price increase was bananas, which have remained at 0.69 Canadian dollars per pound (approximately 0.45 kilograms), while almost everything else had increased by 80 percent to over 100 percent. Similarly, the price of haircuts at a cheap community barbershop has gone from 7.99 Canadian dollars to 15.99 Canadian dollars per person.
A provincial election candidate friend of mine said that they now avoid Chinese community activities for fear of being misunderstood. A longtime friend of mine once ran for a provincial legislative seat and was labeled "red" by his opponents simply because he hailed from the Chinese mainland. It must be said that the era of Trudeau after 2019 has truly been difficult to describe for many Chinese Canadians.
For Chinese Canadians with relatives in China, the most frustrating "byproduct" of the Trudeau era may be the slow rebound of direct flights between Canada and China. I sincerely hope that the "post-Trudeau era" will lead to a "warming" of Canada's policy toward China, bringing the country back on track as it was when I first arrived. Hopefully, this is not mere wishful thinking.
As Chinese Year of the Snake draws near, pet snakes are becoming the new trendy pets. More and more people are visiting pet stores to check out pet snakes, hoping that pet snakes can bring good luck to them, according to Chinanews.com.
As the Chinese saying goes, "touching a snake's head brings good fortune," everyone hopes to embrace good luck, said Chong Chong (pseudonym), the owner of a pet snake store in Xi'an, capital city of Northwest China's Shaanxi Province, highlighting the growing interest in her shop.
"I mainly sell snakes that are suitable for beginners, such as king snakes, corn snakes, and hognose snakes. The prices vary based on the snake's patterns and quality," said Chong. Her inventory primarily consists of medium to small-sized snakes, with prices ranging from a few hundred to over ten thousand yuan (ranging from $13.74 to $1,375), many of which are already reserved by customers.
"Buying red-colored snakes during the Chinese New Year will enhance the festive atmosphere. Pet snakes are also low-maintenance, visually appealing, and cost-effective, making them very suitable as pets,” said Chong.
Chong said that the currently popular pet snakes are compact in size and known for their gentle temperaments, making them safe pets. "If visitors are bitten by a pet snake, there's no need to panic, just rinse the wound with clean water," Chong said.
Whenever customers come to visit or purchase, Chong always provides information on pet snake care to discourage impulsive purchases that could result in abandonment.
As a snake-keeping enthusiast, Chong's wish is to see pet snakes accepted by more people. Before the Year of the Snake, the bustling activity in her store gives her confidence that this wish will come true.
Media and experts on the island of Taiwan have taken interest in a recent report by foreign news outlet Naval News claiming that the Chinese mainland is “suddenly building a fleet of special barges suitable for Taiwan landings.” The barges may enable the Chinese mainland to conduct landings at previously unsuitable sites and complicate the island’s defense strategies, Naval News speculated.
Naval News first reported on Friday that a number of specialized barges, at least three, but likely five or more, have been observed in Guangzhou Shipyard in southern China. These have unusually long road bridges extending from their bows.
Each barge has a very long road span which is extended out from the front. At over 120 meters this can be used to reach a coastal road or hard surface beyond a beach. At the aft end is an open platform which allows other ships to dock and unload, Naval News said.
The report noted that only a few beaches on Taiwan’s main island are suitable for amphibious landings, and these could be heavily defended. But these new barges change that, as they can land across rocky, or soft, beaches, allowing tanks to be delivered directly to firmer ground or coastal roads.
While Naval News mentioned the possibility that the barges could have a civilian role, it claimed they appear greatly over-spec for civilians uses.
The Chinese mainland has made no official announcements about the alleged barges as of press time.
Media on the island of Taiwan, including the Central News Agency and United Daily News, made coverages on the alleged barges late on Saturday. The title of the Central News Agency’s report focused on the barges’ capability to have tanks directly land on roads on the island of Taiwan, while United Daily News noted that the Naval News report was discussed by military experts on the island.
Lu Li-shih, a former captain of the Ching Chiang-class patrol corvette of the island of Taiwan, said that the new landing vessels can save the Chinese People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) time in clearing obstacles on the beaches set by Taiwan’s armed forces, United Daily News reported. The report also quoted an anonymous retired officer as saying that these barges are not useful, because they would need to sail across the Taiwan Straits under the targeting of the island of Taiwan’s missiles and drones.
Fu Qianshao, a Chinese mainland military expert, said the alleged barges, if turn out to be true, could be of civilian purposes. He told the Global Times on Sunday that such barges could be particularly useful in disaster relief missions, as they can quickly send supplies to land or quickly evacuate personnel.
If the barges indeed have military use, Fu pointed out that the Chinese mainland has an increasing variety of vessels for amphibious landing, with the PLA equipped with diverse options to address the Taiwan question when it comes to that.
“Resisting reunification by force” is a dead end, Fu said. The media hype has exposed a sense of anxiety regarding the PLA’s growing ability to address challenges in amphibious operations. Rather than speculating on the military purpose of these alleged barges, the focus should shift to making concrete efforts to promote a peaceful reunification, he said.
In response to a media inquiry on whether China is considering providing specific assistance to the people suffering from the recent wildfires in Los Angeles County, California, the US, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Tuesday that severe wildfires occurred recently in Los Angeles area of the US, we express our condolences to the victims and extend our sympathies to the injured and the families of those affected.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun on Wednesday called the US' so-called forced labor accusation "completely unfounded," and reiterated that China will take resolute measures to firmly safeguard Chinese companies' legitimate and lawful rights and interests after the US Department of Homeland Security announced on Tuesday it is adding 37 Chinese entities to its list of those banned from exporting to the US over so-called Xinjiang forced labor practices.
The US Department of Homeland Security announced in a release published on its website on Tuesday the addition of 37 entities to its so-called Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act Entity List over alleged "forced labor" practices in China's Xinjiang region, "marking the largest single expansion of the list to date."
Regarding the report, at a regular press conference on Wednesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said that the US chooses to enact and enforce the malicious legislation on Xinjiang and blacklist Chinese entities on the basis of false narratives. The move is designed to interfere in China's internal affairs, harm China's interests and hold back China's development.
"We will take resolute measures to firmly safeguard Chinese companies' legitimate and lawful rights and interests," Guo said.
The companies include Huafu Fashion Co, one of the world's largest textile manufacturers, and 25 of its subsidiaries, according to Reuters.
The newly listed companies also include Donghai JA Solar Technology Co, which develops solar-energy products with polysilicon made in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, and Hongyuan Green Energy Co, which sources polysilicon from the region, according to the department. Zijin Mining Group Co and three of its subsidiaries, which source and extract zinc, copper and other metals from the region, are among the mining companies.
The latest additions bring the total number of companies on the list to 144 since the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act was signed into law in December 2021, Reuters reported. The US restrictions on these industries only reflect its failure to make its own green energy transition, rather than posing a real threat to China, Lü Xiang, a research fellow at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences told the Global Times on Wednesday.
Such an approach will not only fail to stop China's development, but it will add more negative factors to China-US relations, Lü said.
South Korea's political turmoil continued to escalate on Monday, as South Korea's investigating authorities requested an extension of a warrant to arrest the country's impeached president, Yoon Suk-yeol.
Meanwhile, the presence of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Seoul further complicates the situation. Representing the outgoing Biden administration, Blinken's visit aims to gain a deeper understanding of South Korea's complex and delicate political landscape, and show support for the pro-US factions within the South Korean government, experts said.
The Corruption Investigation for High-Ranking Officials (CIO), South Korean anti-corruption body, has refiled the warrant at the Seoul Western District Court to extend the deadline for the warrant to detain Yoon, Yonhap News Agency reported Monday.
On Friday the CIO had failed again to serve an arrest warrant on Yoon over his declaration of martial law on December 3, 2024 after presidential security service guards formed a human chain to prevent access to him.
The arrest warrant, the first for a sitting president, was due to expire at midnight on Monday.
Earlier on Monday, Yonhap reported that South Korean state anti-corruption agency has asked the police to take over the execution of a warrant to detain Yoon.
"The CIO sent us an official letter requesting our cooperation without prior consultations," a police official told Yonhap News Agency. "We are internally carrying out a legal review."
Yonhap later on Monday said the state anti-corruption agency's letter asking police to execute a warrant to detain Yoon contains legal issues, police said Monday, effectively rejecting the request.
The Chinese Embassy in South Korea on Saturday advised Chinese nationals residing in South Korea and Chinese tourists visiting the country to enhance their legal awareness and self-protection, according to a statement released on the embassy's WeChat account on Saturday.
The embassy asked them to stay away from local political gatherings and crowded areas, refrain from making public political statements, keep informed about traffic control caused by gatherings, and prioritize personal safety and travel security.
Park Jong-joon, chief of South Korea's presidential security service, on Sunday vowed to keep blocking the attempt to arrest Yoon, the Xinhua News Agency reported.
Around 30 South Korean ruling party lawmakers gathered near the presidential residence to rally against investigators' efforts to detain Yoon on Monday, according to local media.
US weighing on ally
Also on Monday, South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met in Seoul for talks on their countries' bilateral alliance and other issues, officials said, Yonhap News Agency reported.
Blinken on Monday said South Korea-US relations are "bigger than any one leader, any one government." And Cho said South Korea and US reaffirmed no vacuum in their bilateral alliance, said South Korean Foreign Minister Cho, per Yonhap.
Blinken's visit marked the first trip by a top US official since Yoon's impeachment. Blinken arrived in South Korea late Sunday, Yonhap said.
Yoon's surprise martial law imposition sparked concerns it could undermine the alliance with Washington, especially ahead of the launch of the second Donald Trump administration, Yonhap said.
Blinken is on a three-nation tour this week, with planned stops in Japan and France. The trip is widely expected to be his final overseas visit as the top US diplomat under the Biden administration.
Blinken on Monday reaffirmed the US' complete confidence in the strength of South Korea's democracy and the leadership of acting President Choi Sang-mok, according to South Korean finance ministry.
In response, Choi expressed gratitude for Washington's steadfast support and trust in South Korea's democracy and alliance. He further noted that Blinken's visit itself is a testament to the unwavering strength of the South Korea-US alliance.
Blinken's visit to South Korea and Japan during the US political transition period is aimed at consolidating what the Biden administration sees as one of its most commendable political legacies - the strengthening of the US-Japan-South Korea trilateral alliance to counter and contain China, according to Lü Chao, an expert on the East Asian studies at the Liaoning Academy of Social Sciences.
Amid domestic unrest in South Korea, Blinken's visit seeks to encourage political stability within the country. At the same time, as Japan's new leadership shows a relatively more friendly and pragmatic attitude toward China, maintaining such trilateral alliance becomes crucial. Through this visit, Blinken aims to reassure both South Korea and Japan, preventing their complex historical and diplomatic issues from undermining the trilateral alliance, thereby ensuring the stability of the alliance strategy, Lü said.
Also, by being physically present in Seoul at the moment, Blinken's visit, although he carefully avoided mentioning or explicitly endorsing the impeached president, provided support to the extreme pro-US factions within South Korea, Lü told the Global Times on Monday.
In South Korea, which is in the midst of political turmoil following the impeachment of Yoon Suk Yeol, and Japan, Blinken intends to highlight the expansion of US cooperation with both nations as part of the Biden administration's "Indo-Pacific strategy," AP reported on Saturday.
Blinken is not scheduled to meet Yoon. Blinken is expected to steer clear of taking partisan sides in the deeply divided country but instead will focus on policy continuity, the AFP reported Sunday.
The turmoil and lack of a clear leader in Asia's fourth-largest economy comes just as the US is in the midst of its own political transition. While Biden has focused on nurturing US alliances, President-elect Donald Trump, who takes over on January 20, has been dismissive of what he sees as unfair commitments by the US, the AFP said.
Trump said during his latest presidential run that if he were in power he would have strong-armed South Korea into paying $10 billion a year for the presence of US troops, nearly 10 times what it contributes now.
Blinken's visit aims to assess the situation and conduct field research to gain a deeper understanding of South Korea's complex and delicate political landscape, and to accurately gauge the key issues at play, Li Haidong, a professor at China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times.
Blinken seeks to demonstrate support for the pro-US factions within the South Korean government. He also seeks to influence forces in South Korea that strive for diplomatic balance, so as to prevent drastic swings in South Korea's current policies, Li noted.
As a representative of the Biden administration, Blinken hoped that South Korea and Japan could closely coordinate to serve the US need for strategic competition with China. However, the reality is that the legacy of strengthening South Korea-Japan cooperation left by the Biden administration may gradually unravel with the return of Trump administration, he said.
Some politicians in South Korea's conservative ruling party are reportedly hyping Chinese involvement in political activities. While political turmoil is set to prolong in South Korea, dragging China into its domestic battles is viewed as an unwise move, said a Chinese analyst, noting that the move is to shift attention away from President Yoon Suk-yeol's impeachment.
South Korea's ruling party is "facing allegations of stoking anti-Chinese sentiment in an effort to shield impeached President Yoon" from punishment and two lawmakers from Yoon's conservative People Power Party (PPP) "sparked controversy" by claiming that Chinese residents in South Korea were openly supporting rallies calling for Yoon's impeachment, South China Morning Post reported on Tuesday.
"Chinese people are at the forefront everywhere, supporting impeachment," PPP lawmaker Kim Min-jeon said at a pro-Yoon rally near the president's residence last week. Another PPP lawmaker, Yoo Sang-bum, wrote on Facebook that Chinese nationals were "heavily participating" in pro-impeachment rallies, according to South China Morning Post.
South Korean media Hankyoreh also reported Kim's remarks on the rally on Monday.
The Chinese Embassy in South Korea on Saturday released a notice, reminding Chinese nationals residing in South Korea and Chinese tourists visiting the country to stay away from local political gatherings and crowded areas, refrain from making public political statements, keep informed about traffic control caused by gatherings, and prioritize personal safety and travel security, according to a statement released on the embassy's WeChat account.
Some politicians from the ruling party are inflating Chinese involvement to deflect domestic attention and pressure from President Yoon's impeachment, a tactic that is not surprising given that some PPP conservative politicians have historically aligned with the US and Western countries in promoting negative narratives about China, Xiang Haoyu, a research fellow at the China Institute of International Studies, told the Global Times.
Xiang noted that the Chinese community in South Korea is sizable, and the protest culture in South Korea sometimes looks more cultural rather than confrontational. Some Chinese nationals may participate in such events out of curiosity. The Chinese Embassy in South Korea has reminded Chinese nationals, reflecting the clear stance on the issue.
Xiang said political turmoil in South Korea is likely to prolong, with no resolution in sight in short term. While ongoing conflicts between political factions will continue, creating instability and uncertainty, dragging China into domestic political battles at this time is not a wise move.
The impeached President Yoon made a televised address in December, in which he mentioned cases involving Chinese nationals in South Korea and also claimed that "Chinese solar power facilities will destroy forests nationwide." In response, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said that China absolutely opposes the South Korean associating its domestic affairs with Chinese elements, calling the comment deeply upsetting.
After Chinese actor Wang Xing went missing and was later rescued in an area near the Thailand-Myanmar border, Thai officials and media have expressed concern about the possible impact on the country's tourism industry.
A member of staff from the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) told the Global Times on Wednesday that they have attached importance to the incident related to Wang and are closely monitoring news developments and discussions on Chinese social media platforms, while assessing whether it may affect tourists' travel passion, especially during the Chinese New Year period which falls from January 28 to February 4.
The employee emphasized that TAT will, as always, maintain close collaboration with the Tourist Police and other departments to do its utmost to ensure the safety of tourists traveling in Thailand.
Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said on Tuesday that she welcomed the news of the Chinese actor's safe return, and the government was handling the issue carefully to prevent any negative impact on tourism, according to the Bangkok Post.
In response to concerns about insecurity in Thailand on social media, Shinawatra said the situation must be managed effectively and tasked the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society to monitor and manage online narratives surrounding the incident, reported Thai media outlet Khaosod.
Bangkok Post reported that Pattaraanong Na Chiangmai, TAT deputy governor for international marketing in Asia and South Pacific, said the TAT assigned its five offices in China to track news and discussions happening on Chinese social media.
Khaosod reported that the incident has become a crucial test of Thailand's ability to balance its tourism ambitions with the increasing security challenges along its borders.
On Sunday evening, a netizen named Jia Jia, who claims to be Wang's girlfriend, posted on Sina Weibo that Wang had been invited to Thailand for an audition, but contact was lost with him at the Thailand-Myanmar border on Friday.
The post sparked widespread discussion online on Monday and subsequently drew the attention of Chinese and Thai authorities.
On Tuesday evening, the Chinese Embassy in Thailand said on its official WeChat account that according to notifications from the Thai side, Wang was successfully rescued on Tuesday afternoon local time.
The Chinese Consulate General in Chiang Mai told the Global Times on Tuesday evening that Tak Immigration had met with Wang.
Wang was recognized as a victim of human trafficking after an initial inquiry, said Pol Gen Thatchai Pitaneelaboot, an inspector-general with the Royal Thai Police, on Wednesday, reported the Bangkok Post.
In a video released by The Beijing News, on the airplane to Bangkok after he was rescued, Wang revealed that some armed men pushed him into a car after he was taken across the border into Myanmar. He was then housed in a building where there were at least 50 other people, and was not allowed to leave, and there was another building with a lot of people from different countries. His head was forced to be shaved, as everyone else there, he added.
Pitaneelaboot said in accordance with relevant procedures, Thai staff from multiple departments will protect and take care of Wang, coordinate with the Chinese Embassy in Thailand to send Wang back to China when he and his relatives are ready. It is expected to take no more than one to two days, according to CCTV News.
Despite Wang's rescue, many Chinese netizens have expressed concern about the safety of traveling to Thailand. Thai tourist authorities announced they have a target of at least 8 million Chinese tourists this year after welcoming 6.73 million in 2024, according to the Bangkok Post.
Chen Hong, executive director of Asia Pacific Studies Centre at East China Normal University, told the Global Times on Wednesday that it is understandable that the government is worried about the tourism market, but at the same time it should consider how to make more efforts to protect the safety of Chinese tourists.
"Thailand and other Southeast Asian regions have always attracted many Chinese tourists with their beautiful scenery and culture. However, in recent years, increasing number of reports about scams and extortion on Chinese nationals who travel to Southeast Asian countries have had an impact on the region's image," Chen said.
"For some scam traps that exist, Thai tourism authorities can prompt tourists to be more vigilant by sending safety alerts to their phones," said Zhang Lingyun, a professor and executive editor-in-chief of Tourism Tribune, a tourism and hospitality academic journal in China.
"Thailand and other Southeast Asian countries need to attach great importance to police cooperation with China to jointly fight crime and ensure the safety of tourists. At the same time, Southeast Asian countries need to jointly take large-scale, long-term action to maintain regional security and stability and create a favorable tourism environment," Chen said.
Chinese actress Zhao Lusi on Wednesday revealed that she has been suffering from depression. On the same day, the agency representing Zhao expressed its support for Zhao in facing challenges but stressed it will not tolerate slander.
“We fully accept feedback and suggestions, and we sincerely reflect on our shortcomings and apologize for them,” the company, YinheKuyu Media, wrote on its Sina Weibo account. The company said that they sincerely hope that everyone will provide Zhao time and space, and await her return.
The company said that they are aligned with Zhao in planning her work schedule, and are striving to arrange and coordinate related work based on a full agreement.
But “we will not tolerate any baseless and malicious slander, and we sincerely apologize to those friends who have been unjustly harmed,” the company noted.
Some netizens commented under the agency’s Weibo account that the company should bear some responsibility for Zhao’s condition, triggering more discussions over the issue.
The 26-year-old young star’s physical conditions has triggered public concerns over the past few days with videos clips circulating online showing her walking unsteadily and failing to hold a spoon. Social media speculations have been circulating about her being hospitalized for aphasia, a disorder that affects a person’s ability to understand and use a language.
In response, Zhao apologized for her appropriation of the public resources and revealed that she began experiencing feelings of depression in 2019 but she neglected them.
In the post on Wednesday, she reviewed the development of her illness.
In 2021, her psychological condition further developed into physical conditions including skin allergy. Despite of treatment, the symptoms didn’t go away, and she started to consult a psychologist to relieve the emotional stress.
In 2023, pneumonia, emphysema, pityriasis rosea, urticaria, night sweats, being startled awake, and sensorineural hearing loss occurred one after another, she revealed in the post. In addition, she was stricken by a slew of unfortunate events of her relatives, which resulted in her continuing neglecting her health conditions.
In 2024, she suffered noticeable physical symptoms such as frequent retching, dizziness, joint pains, neck pains, and worsening allergies. However, she still thought it was due to normal side effects caused by taking targeted allergy medication.
She said she did not want her illness to become a “publicity stunt.”
Depression is a disease and “it’s no longer something that can be resolved simply by ‘cheering up’ or ‘speaking out,’” she wrote on Sina Weibo, China’s X-like platform.
She reminded the public to understand mental illness and value psychological treatment.
In her post, she also disclosed her sufferings of slanders and the experience of being beaten by a teacher and later a company staffer.
Zhao is known for her roles in The Romance of Tiger and Rose, Dating in the Kitchen, The Long Ballad, and The Story of Pearl Girl.
