United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres praised President Xi Jinping's strategic foresight, highlighting China's early electric vehicle (EV) push and renewable energy milestones as examples of long-term vision shaping global impact.
Guterres described President Xi as a leader defined by strategic vision and the ability to deliver long-term goals ahead of schedule, during an exclusive interview with China Media Group (CMG) on August 31 in Tianjin, north China's port city.
"I think if I would have to choose one aspect that in my opinion characterizes President Xi Jinping is that he is a man with a clear strategic vision, able to look at the long term to define objectives for this long term and not only to reach them, but to reach them in anticipation," he said.
Guterres pointed to Xi's renewable energy strategy, recalling his pledge to reach 1.2 billion kilowatts of capacity by 2030, a target China has already met years ahead of schedule.
Turning to the auto sector, Guterres said China showed similar foresight by committing early to electric vehicles, and investing in technologies that now lead the global market, while others focused on refining diesel.
"When many were still thinking on how to make diesel cars more perfect, China made a decision to bet on electric cars, many years in advance. And so, they developed all the technologies that were necessary, and today we have electric Chinese electric cars dominating the market everywhere in the world and functioning extremely well. So in a world where so many things are decided and then change the next day, and policies enabled to the minimum of sustainability, I think this strategic vision is a very important characteristic and I believe that it corresponds exactly to President Xi Jinping," he said.
The UN chief was in Tianjin for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit, held from August 31 to September 1, where leaders from over 20 countries and heads of 10 international organizations convened for the largest SCO gathering to date.
UN chief praises Xi's long-term vision as China surpasses energy goals, leads EV market
A former television host from Taiwan, Zhai Xuan, has made a pivotal decision to leave mainstream broadcasting in order to create content that provides a better understanding of the Chinese mainland and cross-strait relations.
Zhai, a seasoned television host with over a decade of experience in Taiwan's media landscape, recently addressed an audience at an event in Beijing, where she revealed her complete transition into independent online media.
In her remarks, she articulated her aspiration to bridge what she perceives as a significant information gap between audiences on both sides of the Strait, highlighting her commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and connection through her new endeavors.
"I was really surprised by all the fake news. There were stories saying people on the mainland can't afford tea eggs or that they live in mud houses and in Taiwan, this was the main information many people received," said Zhai.
Zhai said she initially began producing online videos to challenge such perceptions while continuing her work as a television host.
In April 2025, she travelled to the mainland with her father to fulfill her late grandfather's wish to return to his hometown. The trip, which reunited family members separated since 1949, was recorded in a video series titled "Journey to Find Our Roots", drawing attention from viewers in both Taiwan and the mainland.
"Many people in Taiwan told me that after watching, they wanted to apply for a mainland travel permit immediately and go looking for their relatives. Some had long forgotten these things, but after seeing my story, they began thinking about their hometowns and family members they had never met and decided to search for their roots," Zhai shared her story at the event.
By mid-2025, Zhai said she began to feel increasing pressure amid rising political tensions and a tightening atmosphere around cross-Strait exchanges in Taiwan.
After more than 12 years in the industry, Zhai resigned from her position, believing it was the right thing to do.
"At that moment, I felt this was a major issue，not just for me, but for Chinese people on both sides of the Strait. If I backed down then, I wouldn’t be standing on the right side," said Zhai.
Since leaving television, Zhai has broadened her online programming to encompass a range of daily-life topics, including practical guidance on applying for a mainland travel permit and using commonly employed mobile applications, in addition to content that delves into historical memory and cultural connections across the Strait.
As the debate over cross-Strait relations continues in Taiwan, Zhai said she remains committed to her current path.
Former Taiwan TV host bridges cross-Strait divide via online media
