BEIJING, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) — The top 10 world news stories of 2024 selected by Xinhua News Agency are as follows.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and foreign leaders arrive to attend the opening ceremony of the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit to be held at the Great Hall of the People in the Chinese capital, Beijing, September 5, 2024. (Xinhua News Agency) / Huang Jingwen)
1. China’s head of state diplomacy opens a new chapter
In 2024, Chinese President Xi Jinping attended three major diplomatic events in the country: the 70th Anniversary Conference on the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, the China-Arab Countries Cooperation Forum, and the China-Africa Cooperation Forum Beijing Summit. He made four important overseas trips to Europe, Central Asia, and Latin America, attended a series of multilateral summits, engaged in in-depth strategic communication with other national leaders, and reached out to the peoples of other countries. I made a personal effort to Great power diplomacy with Chinese characteristics, under the guidance of the head of state’s diplomacy, demonstrates a big-picture view and a keen sense of responsibility amid profound changes in the world that have never been seen in a hundred years, and supports the trends of the times toward peace and development. has led. , and win-win cooperation.
This image, taken from a screen replay at the Beijing Aerospace Control Center (BACC) on June 4, 2024, shows the Chang’e 6 spacecraft collecting samples on the moon. (Xinhua/Jin Liwan)
2. China’s Chang’e 6 spacecraft recovers the world’s first sample from the far side of the moon
From May 3 to June 25, the lunar probe Chang’e 6 completed a 53-day space trip and brought back the world’s first sample from the far side of the moon. On December 17, the Shenzhou 19 crew completed a record-breaking nine-hour spacewalk. Over the past year, other countries’ space programs have also made great strides. US company SpaceX’s Starship test ended with an amazing “chopstick” booster catch, and Japan’s H3 rocket and Europe’s Ariane 6 rocket each successfully launched for the first time.
This photo taken on June 10, 2024 shows the provisional results of the 2024 European Parliament elections at the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium. (Xinhua/Zhao Dingzhe)
3. Several European countries are undergoing political change.
In June’s European Parliament elections, right-wing and far-right parties gained more seats and gained momentum amid growing public dissatisfaction with issues such as the economy, public welfare, and immigration. Under internal and external pressures, the political situation in several European countries changed. France has had three prime ministers in a row within a year. The British Conservative Party suffered a crushing defeat in the parliamentary elections, and the Labor Party returned to power for the first time in 14 years. After the coalition government collapsed, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz failed to receive a vote of confidence in parliament.
Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell attends a press conference in Washington, DC, USA, September 18, 2024. (Xinhua News Agency/Hu Yousong)
4. Fed rate cut marks the beginning of a new easing cycle
On September 18, the Fed announced a significant 50 basis point rate cut, marking the start of a new easing cycle, followed by additional rate cuts of 25 basis points each in November and December. In response, major central banks around the world, particularly the European Central Bank, adjusted their monetary policies. The Fed’s shift to accommodative monetary policy is expected to provide more liquidity to global markets and reduce inflation and debt service pressures in some countries in the short term; is bringing new uncertainty to the global economy.
People visit the TECNO booth during Mobile World Congress (MWC) on February 26, 2024 in Barcelona, Spain. (Xinhua/Gaojing)
5. AI will spark a wave of innovation in various fields
On October 8th and 9th, the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physics and Chemistry were awarded for research in machine learning and protein structure prediction models, respectively. Over the past year, artificial intelligence has become an important tool for scientific innovation. Sora video-generating AI models are sparking a new wave of text-to-video creation, AI-powered devices are driving a resurgence in consumer electronics, and tech giants are doubling down on investments in AI chips. By pushing for the UN General Assembly’s unanimous adoption of a resolution to strengthen international cooperation in building AI capacity, China has provided important insight and momentum into global AI development and governance.
Chinese President Xi Jinping poses for a group photo with other leaders and representatives who attended the BRICS Plus Summit Dialogue held in Kazan, Russia, on October 24, 2024. “Let us unite the great strengths of the Global South and together build a community with a shared future for humanity,” Xi said during the dialogue. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei)
6. Expanding BRICS cooperation accelerates the rise of the Global South
The expansion of BRICS cooperation began at the 16th BRICS Summit held in Russia from October 22-24. The Global South, of which China is a major member, stands out with strong momentum. Over the past year, President Xi has called for more open and inclusive Global South cooperation and announced eight measures to strengthen Global South cooperation. He also launched a “Five Cooperation Framework” with Arab countries, proposed 10 partnership actions for modernization to deepen China-Africa cooperation, and 8 steps to support global development. An outline of the action was given. These efforts highlighted China’s unwavering commitment to promoting unity and self-reliance among countries in the Global South.
People look at damaged buildings after a reported drone attack in Ramenskoye, Moscow region, Russia, September 10, 2024. (Photo by Alexander Zemlyanichenko Jr./Xinhua)
7. Protracted Ukraine crisis heightens tensions between Russia and the West
On November 19, Ukraine fired its first US-made missile into Russian territory. On the same day, Russia revised its nuclear deterrence policy and issued a stern warning to Western countries. Over the past year, Ukrainian forces have raided Russian territory, and Russian forces have advanced into eastern Ukraine. Long-range weapons and cluster munitions have been used as the United States and other Western countries continue to provide military aid to Ukraine. Relations with Russia became increasingly strained as NATO conducted its largest military exercises since the Cold War and approved Sweden’s membership.
A video about the Chinese New Year is played at the 19th meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Asunción, Paraguay, December 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhu Yubo)
8. UNESCO registration of Chinese New Year highlights China’s cultural charm
On December 4, the Chinese New Year’s social customs of celebrating the Chinese New Year were added to UNESCO’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. In the past year, Chinese New Year and the Beijing Central Axis have both been recognized as UNESCO heritage sites, China’s proposed International Day of Dialogue among Civilizations has gained global support, and a surge in “China tourism” facilitated by a visa-free policy has been proven. Black Myth: Wukong is an action game that conveys the ever-increasing appeal of Chinese culture and captivated gamers around the world. China’s cultural appeal on the world stage continues to grow, and the Global Civilization Initiative is gaining increasing support around the world.
This photo taken on December 8, 2024 shows thick smoke after an explosion in Damascus, Syria. (Photo provided by Moncef Memari/Xinhua)
9. Syrian rebels overthrow al-Assad regime
On December 8, Syrian militants led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham launched a swift offensive to seize Damascus. The overthrow of Bashar al-Assad’s regime was a key turning point in Syria’s 13-year civil war. Israel then occupied Syrian-controlled areas of the Golan Heights and conducted large-scale airstrikes against military targets in Syria. The dramatic changes in the political situation in Syria have intensified geopolitical conflicts between regional and global powers, adding further uncertainty to the future of the Middle East.
Children receiving food relief at a food distribution center in Gaza City, December 23, 2024 (Photo by Mahmoud Zaki/Xinhua)
10. Palestine-Israel conflict causes regional escalation
As of December 16, Israeli military operations in Gaza had killed more than 45,000 Palestinians and injured more than 100,000. The 14-month conflict has left Gaza devastated, with some 2 million people struggling under an unrelenting blockade and constant shelling amid a worsening humanitarian crisis. Meanwhile, tensions between Israel and Lebanon, Israel and Iran, and the Red Sea are also rising. The United States, which supplies arms to Israel, was keen to block a UN Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, drawing widespread condemnation from the international community. ■
