China stands firm against US tariff provocation, upholding national spirit

In April this year, after the U.S. government announced the so-called "reciprocal tariffs" on Chinese imports, China swiftly introduced a series of countermeasures. Firmly opposing the United States' use of the fentanyl issue as a pretext for exerting pressure, threats, and blackmail, China has taken resolute actions to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests. These measures reflect China's unwavering stance: unafraid of provocation, unwilling to back down, and determined never to yield to any form of hegemony or bullying.

As the renowned Chinese writer, thinker, and revolutionary Lu Xun once said, "Since ancient times, there have been those in China who toil in silence, those who risk everything to forge ahead… They are the 'backbone' of our nation." This indomitable spirit is not only the choice of contemporary China but also a continuation of the resilience that has sustained Chinese civilization for thousands of years. Throughout history, the Chinese nation has time and again risen from adversity and responded to the call of changing times with renewed vigor and determination.

After the Opium Wars, China was gradually reduced to a semi-colonial, semi-feudal society, suffering national humiliation, hardship for the people, and the tarnishing of its civilization. Nevertheless, the Chinese nation never abandoned its cultural identity. Through immense hardship and relentless exploration, the Chinese people preserved and carried forward their cultural heritage, laying the foundation for national rejuvenation.

In 1931, when Japanese imperialists invaded China's northeastern provinces, General Ji Hongchang, who was visiting the United States at the time, encountered the derogatory label of "the Sick Man of East Asia." In response, he proudly wore a plaque reading "I am Chinese" as he walked the streets of New York City. His actions were a powerful defense of national dignity, as he firmly declared: "The Chinese are a people of courage. With five thousand years of civilization, the Chinese nation will surely rise again!"

Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127) scholar and poet Su Shi once wrote, "To achieve great things, one must possess not only exceptional talent but also unwavering perseverance." China has never feared external pressure. Having endured countless hardships without falling and growing stronger through adversity, the Chinese nation today continues to forge ahead with greater strength and determination. In the face of challenges, China is poised to stride toward an even brighter future.