Brief look at Guangdong Province as Xi goes on inspection tour

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday embarked on an inspection tour of Guangdong Province, a major economic powerhouse in southern China which is actively advancing development in numerous fields and aiming to take the lead in the Chinese modernization drive.

The province covers a total land area of 179,800 square kilometers and spans a sea area of 419,000 square kilometers, boasting the longest coastline in the country.

Guangdong is also the most populous provincial-level region in China, with its permanent resident population reaching 128 million last year, with an urbanization rate of 75.91 percent.

The province's economic output accounts for approximately one-tenth of the national total, maintaining its position as the top economic performer in China for 36 consecutive years.

Guangdong is recognized as a pioneer and experimental zone for reform and opening up, having established the earliest and largest number of economic special zones in the country. The province is committed to deepening comprehensive reforms and functioning as a hub for high-level opening up.

The province has also ranked first in national innovation capacity for several years, accelerating its journey towards greater self-reliance and strength in science and technology, and cultivating new quality productive forces through scientific and technological innovation.

Guangdong has been building a manufacturing-based economy and establishing a modern industrial system, while advancing the construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area to serve as a model for high-quality development.

The province is also focused on promoting new urbanization and comprehensive rural revitalization, driving coordinated urban-rural development through quality growth in counties, towns, and villages.

Furthermore, Guangdong has been enhancing its status as a strong sports province, with athletes from Guangdong contributing to the highest number of gold and total medals won by China at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. The province is collaborating with the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions as they prepare to host the upcoming 15th National Games, alongside the National Games for Persons with Disabilities and the National Special Olympic Games, aiming to deliver a spectacular sporting event.

Brief look at Guangdong Province as Xi goes on inspection tour

Dozens of protesters in Japan's Shizuoka Prefecture rallied in front of Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force's Camp Fuji on Tuesday to condemn the government's deployment of new missiles at the base.

Japan's Defense Ministry said on Tuesday that a Hyper Velocity Gliding Projectile (HVGP) for island defense had been deployed at Camp Fuji, and Camp Kengun in Kumamoto Prefecture had been equipped with a ground-launched version of the upgraded Type 12 land-to-ship guided missile.

This marks the first time that long-range missiles with counterstrike capabilities have been brought into service in Japan and marks a significant shift from the country's long-standing exclusively defense-oriented policy under its war-renouncing Constitution.

Protesters have expressed concern that the deployment could turn the area into a potential military target and have repeatedly called on the defense ministry to hold public briefings, which have yet to take place.

"As local residents, we cannot remain silent. We must speak out to reassure our residents and ensure their safety. This time, they are deploying a Hyper Velocity Gliding Projectile, but this will continue. After Camp Kengun and Camp Fuji, they will deploy more throughout the country. We cannot ignore this. We must voice our opposition," said Hiroyuki Takahata, a protester.

"As mentioned in the latest appeal, the government disregards the Constitution in this missile deployment. It should focus on its primary duty of protecting people's lives and well-being," said another protester.

The local civic group Stop Missiles at Fuji Association has also submitted a petition to the Japanese military, demanding that the Japanese government stop deploying missiles at Camp Fuji and re-examine its security policies.

"Missiles have been transported to Kumamoto and also deployed here, without any explanation. This is tantamount to deceiving us. We are extremely angry," said Hiromi Yamazaki, a representative of the organization.

"Since Sanae Takaichi took office, we have seen that Japan is heading toward a situation where it could start a war, so we must speak out. We don't want the younger generation to bear that kind of future. This is our wish," said Michiko Takahata, another protester.

Japanese rally against government's missile deployment