Just when you thought US–China relations couldn’t get touchier, recent trade negotiations in Sweden have ended with the barest of handshakes—an agreement to pause any new tariffs for another 90 days. That’s it. No actual progress, no headline-grabbing deals. And smack in the middle of this diplomatic limbo, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) decided it was the perfect moment to drop a bombshell—figuratively, thankfully—by revealing the video of a major intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test... from a whole year ago.
Photos of the ICBM’s ascent, released at the time.
A Missile Launch That Was Years in the Making
Click to Gallery
Photos of the ICBM’s ascent, released at the time.
Video shows the missile rolling out from its launch vehicle.
The crucial moment: the ICBM is fired from its launcher.
Rocket Force brigade soldier Zhao Jing.
A look inside the missile launch vehicle’s tech-filled interior.
On September 25, 2024, right at 8:44 a.m., the PLA Rocket Force fired off a training ICBM, sending it soaring over the Pacific and splashing down right on target in the ocean. Officials stressed that this was strictly routine annual training, nothing aimed at anyone in particular, and meticulously kept within international law.
Video shows the missile rolling out from its launch vehicle.
A year back, the PLA teased everyone with some pretty stunning high-def photos of the launch. But the latest reveal marks the first time in almost forty years that the PLA has gone public with footage of a new-generation ICBM in action. It’s no surprise the move sparked heated debate at home and abroad.
The crucial moment: the ICBM is fired from its launcher.
Inside the Rocket Force: “It’s an Honor—and a Pressure Cooker”
The newly released footage gives us a behind-the-scenes peek, and it’s riveting. Rocket Force brigade soldier Zhao Jing appears on screen—a man who’s waited over two decades just for this moment.
Rocket Force brigade soldier Zhao Jing.
“An attack order is a military order—we must overcome all obstacles to achieve victory. The farther and more accurately this missile flies at the moment it leaves the launch tube, the more secure our nation and our people become.”
He goes on to explain the extraordinary level of complexity this test involved. Unlike his previous three “backup readiness” launches, this was the real deal, the culmination of the Rocket Force’s honor and the national dignity.
“Our equipment is getting smarter, and our skills must keep up. If it’s entrusted to me, I’ve got to make sure everything is perfect.”
A look inside the missile launch vehicle’s tech-filled interior.
“National Treasures” and the Story Behind the Show
For more than forty years, China’s ICBM launches were strictly a domestic affair. You basically never saw these missiles leave the country. By all accounts, this was the first time since 1980—back when the legendary “580 Mission” sent a DF-5 missile breezing to the South Pacific—that China tested an ICBM over its full range into international waters.
So, as the world tries to puzzle out the meaning of these twin dramas—stalled trade talks and dazzling missile tests—you have to wonder: what’s Beijing’s next move? One thing’s for sure, this isn’t your everyday news cycle.
Mao Paishou
** The blog article is the sole responsibility of the author and does not represent the position of our company. **
Forget what you thought you knew—global opinion is swinging fast. The Economist’s latest survey lands like a jolt across Western capitals, with its blunt verdict: China’s cultural clout, economic horsepower, and diplomatic finesse are soaring. The United States, meanwhile, finds itself tripping over Trump-era policy stumbles. Suddenly, the world stage isn’t a one-man show. China is catching up—fast.
The Economist calls the spike in support for China “startling”. Global Times isn’t buying it. For years, Western media stuck to the storyline—China’s rise must trigger anxiety. But people aren’t buying fear-mongering anymore. The data tells a different story. Pragmatism wins. China’s steady growth and consistent, peaceful diplomacy are finding friends everywhere. It’s not magic; it’s momentum. The more China delivers—on trade, stability, real benefits—the more the world leans in.
China’s support explodes in global poll, leaving the US playing catch-up.
Breadth, Depth, and Changing Minds
Follow the numbers. In a massive poll by the Economist and GlobeScan—32,000 voices, 32 countries, July to September 2025—China’s support rockets 11 points to 33%. The United States slumps to 46%, shy of a majority anywhere. Nearly 40% call China’s global footprint “positive”—a jump from Trump’s first term. Just ask the next generation.
Gen Z isn’t sitting on the fence—they’re almost split. 41% support the United States, 39% champion China. That’s neck and neck. Flip to the over-65 crowd and the gap yawns wide—America still gets the nod by thirty points.
Look south—the warmth toward China spikes in developing nations. Young people everywhere are more open, more enthusiastic. Recent research covering 46 countries had sixty percent rating China “positive.” The global South and the global youth are jumping on the China train, and it’s not a coincidence—it’s payoff for years of tangible benefits.
Indonesia’s high-speed bullet—Jakarta–Bandung Rail powers new opportunities.
China Delivers Real Results
The startling swing may be “partly thanks to China’s Belt and Road Initiative”, which has, in the past 10 years, “seen tens of billions of dollars invested” in regions like Africa and the Middle East.
Infrastructure isn’t a talking point—it’s a revolution. Belt and Road, global initiatives, iconic mega-projects like the China-Laos Railway, Jakarta–Bandung High-Speed Rail, Budapest–Belgrade Railway, and the Port of Piraeus don’t just flash headlines. They deliver: 420,000 new jobs, nearly 40 million people escaping poverty. China is laying track and lifting economies—and the world is noticing.
Labubu: China’s soft power icon storms abroad, collecting fans everywhere.
The Youth Go "Cool China"
Young people crave what’s fresh—and China’s got cool factor now. Innovation, culture, and brands like Labubu, TikTok, and Black Myth: Wukong are racking up fans overseas. Foreigners aren’t just watching—they’re coming, eager to engage. This vibrant, two-way flow builds new bridges, solidifying China's reputation as a destination, not just a headline.
TikTok: The youth can’t get enough, and China leads the digital dance.
China’s style of governance, with results for all to see, has smashed the old myth that “to modernize means to Westernize.” Countries are waking up—there’s more than one road to prosperity, and China’s path offers a real alternative for developing nations craving independence.
Global Times pulls no punches: “Unlike the rise of some major powers in history that came with war and expansion, China has always adhered to the principle of peaceful development.” In messy times, China’s steady hand—UN peacekeeping, hot-spot negotiations, and regional dialogue—makes it the stabilizing force the world is looking for.
China rejects hegemonic power tactics and calls for win–win deals with everyone. Rich nations get calls for mutual respect; developing countries get partnership with no strings attached. Dignity and trust aren’t just wordplays—they’re laid down as the new rules. As the Global Times concluded: “This approach has allowed more nations to feel respected and treated as equals, and many, especially those in the Global South, see China as a trustworthy partner”.
