Foreign news
Xi in Sichuan: Chinese President visits farmers, cultural relics and college graduates
On Wednesday, Chinese President Xi Jinping paid a visit to southwest China’s Sichuan Province. The president met with local farmers, college students and toured a famous temple with deep roots in Chinese culture. The visit focused on learning local efforts in ensuring food security, cultural and environmental protection as well as the employment situation for college graduates. Xu XInchen has more.
“President Xi Jinping got off right here.”
Wang Yuanwei is a farmer from the village President Xi Jinping visited in Meishan, Sichuan Province. Wang is very proud that the Chinese President visited his farm.
WANG YUANWEI Farmer “It shows that the state is paying great attention to agriculture.”
Wang owns over 200 hectares of farmland. He uses one third as a test field to try out different types of crops.
In the past seven years, Wang’s harvest grew over 30 percent thanks to this method.
WANG YUANWEI Farmer “We test limited quantities of different seeds and crops to screen out those that are unsuitable. That gives us a collection of seeds that suit Meishan’s weather and soil.”
Wang’s village is called Yong Feng, which means “forever harvest.”
It has over 2,000 households, with an average disposable income of 4,100 dollars, ranking fourth in the province. Moreover, Yong Feng has fully achieved industrialized farming, and it is one of top high-standard farmlands in China, demonstrating a sustainable means for future agricultural development.
Inspecting local efforts in ensuring food security was one of many purposes of Xi’s visit.
The Chinese leader has said food security is a top priority for China and the country aims to build one billion Mu, that’s almost 70 million hectares of high-standard farmland.
To improve people’s quality of life through rural revitalization has been a key development strategy from Xi.
Meishan’s famous Sansu Temple also received a visit.
It is not a place to worship gods but the largest and best protected memorial hall for three scholars.
XU XINCHEN Sansu Temple, Meishan “Nearly 1,000 years ago, this was the residence of three notable literature scholars of the Song Dynasty, Su Shi, Su Zhe and Su Xun. These scholars showed great sympathy towards the poor. President Xi has also quoted Su Shi many times. For example, in governing a country, do not make trouble willfully, but do not fear trouble if there is any. Xi’s visit to Meishan not only bolstered confidence among the population but also revived enthusiasm in preserving Chinese historical and cultural heritage.”
Preserving cultural heritage and protecting the environment have been key elements in modern China’s pursuit of sustainability.
President Xi also visited Sanjiangkou, where the Jinsha and Minjiang Rivers converge into the Yangtze, to observe the ecological restoration and protection of the Yangtze River Basin.
“Clear waters and green mountains are as good as mountains of gold and silver.” A famous quote from the Chinese president has been widely passed on in China, showing increasing attention put on green development.
And fittingly at graduation season, Xi found time to speak with students from Yibin University.
In a country of 1.4 billion people, maintaining rapid economic development needs many more talented young people.
Something the Chinese leader definitely cares about.
XI JINPING Chinese President “I am happy to see all you young people taking bigger responsibilities. I think you should all have this sense of career, responsibility, achievement, and work hard for it.”
Xu Xinchen, CGTN, Sichuan Province.
Foreign news
Court of Arbitration Declares Indus Waters Treaty Fully Operational Rejects India’s ‘Abeyance’
Cyril Ogar
The Court of Arbitration has unanimously reaffirmed that the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) remains fully in force, ruling that India cannot unilaterally place the 1960 agreement in “abeyance” or suspend its obligations under the treaty.
The decision represents a significant legal development in the longstanding dispute between India and Pakistan over the management and use of the Indus river system.
The Court’s finding addresses a fundamental issue at the heart of the dispute: whether either party can unilaterally suspend the treaty outside the legal framework agreed by both countries.
In its unanimous determination, the Court made clear that the IWT continues to bind both India and Pakistan and that its obligations cannot be set aside through a unilateral political declaration.
The ruling means India remains subject to the treaty provisions governing the use of the Western Rivers, including requirements relating to the design and operation of hydroelectric projects, as well as the dispute-resolution mechanisms established under the agreement.
The Court has also ordered interim measures concerning the Ratle Hydroelectric Plant, restricting specified construction activities while the broader dispute remains under consideration.
The measures are aimed at preserving the effectiveness of the arbitration process and preventing developments that could prejudice the outcome of the proceedings.
For Pakistan, the decision represents significant legal validation of its longstanding position that the IWT is a binding international agreement and contains no provision allowing either party to unilaterally place it in abeyance.
Pakistan has consistently maintained that disagreements over the treaty should be addressed through the institutional mechanisms established by the agreement, rather than through unilateral action.
The IWT provides a structured framework for resolving disputes through mechanisms including the Permanent Indus Commission, Neutral Expert and Court of Arbitration processes.
The latest ruling therefore reinforces the principle that treaty obligations cannot simply be disregarded because of deteriorating political relations between signatories.
The significance of the decision extends beyond the India-Pakistan dispute. It underscores the broader international-law principle that agreements governing shared rivers and other transboundary resources must be respected and disputes resolved through established legal and institutional channels.
The Indus river system supports agriculture, livelihoods, food security and communities across the region, making the stability of the treaty particularly important.
The ruling also highlights the distinction between seeking to amend an international agreement through mutually agreed procedures and attempting to alter its obligations unilaterally.
The IWT has endured wars, prolonged diplomatic tensions and periods of limited bilateral engagement. Its continued operation demonstrates the importance of rules-based mechanisms in managing shared resources when relations between neighbouring states become strained.
For Pakistan, the outcome provides an opportunity to frame the decision not merely as a bilateral legal victory, but as an affirmation of international law, treaty compliance and peaceful dispute resolution.
The central message from the ruling is clear: the Indus Waters Treaty remains in force, its obligations continue to bind both parties, and disputes concerning shared waters must be addressed through the legal mechanisms agreed by India and Pakistan.
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