Editor's note:

In examining China's yearbook for 2024, one may draw various impressions. From the question of "city or not city" to the phrase "from Chancay to Shanghai," this is a country that continues to extend its reach in an increasingly isolated and conflict-ridden world. It is also a country that is working to unite Global South nations and expand its circle of friends to enhance cooperation.

When asked to identify one of the most popular phenomena in China during 2024, many would point to a monkey. The release of "Black Myth: Wukong'' has not only captivated global audiences with the allure of a China-made AAA game but has also introduced them to the rich tapestry of ancient Chinese mythology. 

Moreover, China embodies a blend of the old and the new. The country is committed to preserving its traditions, as evidenced by the inclusion of the Beijing Central Axis and the Spring Festival on the list of cultural heritage sites. At the same time, it is making significant strides in various fields, including the Olympics and aerospace in 2024.

The Global Times has identified ten keywords in five sections that encapsulate China's 2024. These terms not only reflect the country's achievements, but also convey a message of how to embrace 2025.

This story is written by Zhao Yusha.

Photo: VCG

CONNECTIVITY

City bu city. The term "city bu city" - literally meaning "city or not city" - has gained popularity on the Chinese internet after a foreign blogger filmed videos when he traveled around China, where he posed the question, "city bu city?" 

With the introduction of visa-free policies, an increasing number of foreign tourists are sharing their experiences of traveling in China on social media, and travel videos tagged with "China Travel" have garnered enormous attention. Many have expressed amazement at the country's rapid development and the stark contrast between the real China and the portrayal of the country in some Western media.

"In North America there is a lot of negative press around China," Mcleod, the 33-year-old Canadian travel vlogger, told the Global Times. But now after exploring the country in person this year, she said China is quite modern and beautiful. 

"I was very impressed with how much technology and infrastructure they have built in the last few decades, and what a wide range there is of things to see and do in the country," she said. 

China recorded nearly 29.22 million inbound foreign visits between January and November 2024, up 86.2 percent year on year. Of these, 17.45 million entered the country visa-free, marking a significant 123.3 percent year-on-year growth, the National Immigration Administration announced on December 17.

On the same day, China also announced a significant relaxation of its visa-free transit policy, extending the permitted stay for eligible foreign travelers from the original 72 and 144 hours to 240 hours, or 10 days. 

Groups of foreign tourists walk outside Beijing's Palace Museum on July 9, 2024. Photo: cnsphoto

From Chancay to Shanghai. Blueberry, avocado and some other fruits were getting more popular among China's burgeoning middle-class, yet the relatively higher price of those fruit still keep some at bay. After the opening of Chancay Port in Peru, things may change.

The "Xin Shanghai," a vessel operated by China COSCO Shipping Corporation Limited, arrived in Shanghai's Yangshan Port on December after a 23-day journey from Chancay Port, becoming the first vessel to arrive in Shanghai from Chancay after the Peruvian port officially opened in November.

The launch of the new route is expected to enhance the entry of Peru's fresh fruits and other products into the Chinese and Asia-Pacific markets.

On November 14, 2024 local time, President Xi Jinping and Peruvian President Dina Boluarte attended the inauguration ceremony of Chancay Port by video link at the Presidential Palace in Lima.

Xi said the Chancay Port is not only a deep-water port, but also South America's first smart, green port. It is set to bring substantial gains and many job opportunities to Peru, and strengthen Peru as a land-sea gateway connecting Asia and Latin America.

The "Xin Shanghai," a vessel operated by China COSCO Shipping Corporation Limited, is berthed at Yangshan Port, east China's Shanghai, Dec. 18, 2024.  (Xinhua/Fang Zhe)

COOPERATION

Global South. The term "Global South" has been frequently referenced in news reports regarding China's diplomatic efforts this year. In addition to serving as a stabilizing force, China has collaborated with countries from the Global South to advocate for a fairer and more just international order.

For example, China and Brazil jointly issued a six-point consensus on their common understanding of the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis in May. Moreover, China has successfully held 10th Ministerial Conference of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum in May and 2024 summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in September this year, further elevated China's ties with those countries.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on December 17 that China's diplomacy in 2024 had created a sound external environment for China's high-quality development and injected valuable stability into a volatile world. Wang shared five highlights of China's diplomacy over the past year, which include that China has set a new example in cooperation with other developing countries and built on the trend of unity in the Global South.

Expanded "friend circle." In January, the Republic of Nauru announced to recognize the one-China principle and sever "diplomatic relations" with island of Taiwan.

Shortly after the Nauru government said it will cut "diplomatic relations" with the Taiwan region, noting that it's "in the best interests" of the Pacific island nation and its people to seek resumption of diplomatic relations with China, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said China was ready to work with Nauru to open new chapters of bilateral relations on the basis of one-China principle.

Moreover, China's visa-free "circle of friends" also expanded this year. As of end of November, China has achieved comprehensive visa-free access with 25 countries and has implemented or is about to implement unilateral visa-free policies for 38 countries, including France and Germany, according to media reports.

MISSIONS

Confront your destiny. A black money has added up the heat of China's summer in 2024. In August, Long-awaited Chinese game Black Myth: Wukong, inspired by the story of Monkey King, topped PC gaming platform Steam's chart and triggered widespread discussions on its cultural implications.

With beautiful graphics and a new narrative based on the Chinese classic novel Journey to the West, the game Black Myth: Wukong has not only attracted core players, but also intrigued the public in China and around the world. 

According to Journey to the West, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature, Tang Monk and his disciples successfully obtained Buddhist scriptures, Monkey King (Sun Wukong) was named Fighting Buddha and gradually vanished without a trace. The player, known as the Destined One, embarked on an epic journey to uncover the truth behind the legendary tale.

That is how "Confront your destiny" became popular along with the game.

But maybe it is more like what Feng Ji, producer of the game said, "embarking on the journey is more important than arriving at the destination."

Our Motherland is China. For some missions, simply embarking on the journey is of vital importance, while for others, the outcome is a matter of life and death.

The situation in the Middle East has gripped the world's attention but still kept escalating. Since October, 2023, Hezbollah and the Israeli army have been exchanging fire across the Lebanese-Israeli border amid fears of a broader conflict as the war between Hamas and Israel continues in the Gaza Strip. 

Soon after the situation escalated, the Chinese government evacuated more than 200 Chinese citizens from Lebanon in October.

The first batch comprised 69 Chinese citizens and 11 foreign family members who arrived in Cyprus, while the second batch consisted of 146 Chinese citizens and 5 foreign family members, who arrived in Beijing on a chartered flight.

On October 1, the day of China's National Day, a batch of Chinese nationals and their families who were evacuated from Lebanon arrived in Cyprus. 

"Today is the National Day, and for us, it is an even more special day. This experience has made us feel even more strongly that the strength of our motherland is our support, and the care of our country is our confidence," a couple told the Xinhua News Agency. 

Sword Unsheathed. There are also missions that are of vital importance to the country's national sovereignty and territorial integrity. 

The Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) successfully completed the "Joint Sword-2024A" drills in May and "Joint Sword-2024B" drills in October.

Li Xi, spokesperson for the command, said the integrated joint operation capabilities of the troops were fully tested during the drills. Always on high alert, troops of the command will continue strengthening combat readiness with arduous training and resolutely foil "Taiwan independence" separatist attempts, Li added.

The PLA also made major progress in equipment - aircraft carrier Fujian has begun its sea trials, stealth fighter jet J-35A made official debut at Airshow China, and world's first electromagnetic catapult-equipped amphibious assault ship Type 076 was launched. 

A J-35A, China's latest stealth fighter jet, makes its debut at the 15th Airshow China in Zhuhai, South China's Guangdong Province, on November 12, 2024. Photo: Cui Meng/GT

BREAKTHROUGH

Paris Olympics. The Chinese sports delegation achieved a record-breaking performance at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games this summer, winning 40 gold, 27 silver, and 24 bronze medals across 11 major events and 14 sub-events, totaling 91 medals. This brought China level with Team USA in the gold medal table with 40 golds.

Meeting China's Olympic delegation for Paris 2024 at the Great Hall of the People in August after Olympics, President Xi urged the Olympians to make further efforts to build China into a sports powerhouse.

Xi noted that the Chinese delegation's excellent performance has fully demonstrated the country's strength in the new era.

The fundamental reason why China has joined the ranks of the world's leading sports nations and become a major Olympic player is the country's growing national strength, he said.

"We aim for the galaxy and the stars." In 2024, the phrase "We aim for the galaxy and the stars" gained popularity on social media, reflecting the Chinese public's enthusiasm for the country's frequent achievements in aerospace. 

In June this year, the returner of the Chang'e-6 lunar probe brought back samples collected from the moon's far side for the first time in human history, marking another milestone in China's space exploration endeavors. In November, the Lunar Exploration and Space Engineering Center under the China National Space Administration said that those samples are accessible to domestic applicants through an official data and sample release system, where they can submit their research proposals.  

This image taken from video animation at Beijing Aerospace Control Center on June 2, 2024 shows the lander-ascender combination of Chang'e 6 probe touches down on the far side of the moon. Photo: VCG

 
INHERITANCE

Beijing Central Axis, Spring Festival listed as cultural heritage. In July 2024, The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) announced the inclusion of the Beijing Central Axis: A Building Ensemble Exhibiting the Ideal Order of the Chinese Capital, into its world heritage list. 

On December 4, 2024, UNESCO added "Spring Festival, social practices of the Chinese people in celebration of the traditional New Year" to the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. 

The successful inscription of the Spring Festival is not only another important milestone of the world's embrace of Chinese civilization, but also provides a new starting point for exchanges and mutual understanding among different civilizations.

As shown in these keywords, the year 2024 has been marked by conflicts and hopes, challenges and advancement. As a staunch defender of multilateralism, China's approach in 2024 may offer the solutions the world is looking for: fostering better global connectivity, expanding cooperation across all fronts, taking on the responsibility to fulfill its missions, remembering the past but also having the courage and determination to achieve breakthroughs. 

In a world often marked by uncertainty and complexity, these principles may help illuminating the path toward a brighter 2025.