Journalist
Lee Hugh
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Short Track’s Kim Gil-li Named South Korea Team MVP at Milan 2026; Korea Finishes With 10 Medals South Korean short track speed skater Kim Gil-li (Seongnam City Hall) was selected as the national team’s most valuable player at the 2026 Milan-Cortina d’Ampezzo Winter Olympics. The Korean Sport & Olympic Committee announced the honor at the team’s wrap-up ceremony held Feb. 22 (Korea time) at Korea House in Milan. Kim received more than 80% support in a vote by reporters covering the Games, beating snowboard halfpipe gold medalist Choi Ga-on (Sehwa Girls’ High School). Kim won gold in the women’s 3,000-meter relay and the 1,500 meters, and added bronze in the 1,000, finishing with three medals (two gold, one bronze). “I just tried my best in every race, and the results followed,” Kim said. “It still doesn’t feel real that it’s over, but I’ll set my next goal and keep growing as an athlete.” About 40 people attended the ceremony, including KSOC President Yoo Seung-min, head of delegation Lee Soo-kyung and Culture, Sports and Tourism Vice Minister Kim Dae-hyun. Yoo said the athletes’ focus and fighting spirit “moved us beyond the results.” National Training Center director Kim Taek-soo, in a performance report, cited maintaining South Korea’s strength in ice sports while making major progress in snow events. South Korea sent 71 athletes across six sports and finished with 10 medals: three gold, four silver and three bronze. The main delegation is scheduled to return to South Korea on Feb. 24 via Incheon International Airport. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-22 20:12:00 -
South Korea finishes 13th at 2026 Winter Olympics with 3 gold, 10 total medals South Korea’s delegation ended the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics outside its stated goal of a top-10 finish, closing a 17-day run with 3 gold, 4 silver and 3 bronze medals for 13th place overall. Short track, where the team had hoped for at least two gold medals, delivered 2 gold, 3 silver and 2 bronze. Snow events exceeded expectations with 1 gold, 1 silver and 1 bronze after the team had targeted at least one medal. South Korea improved on its 2022 Beijing results (2 gold, 5 silver, 2 bronze; 14th) but did not crack the top 10. The team was led largely by teenagers and athletes in their early 20s. In a breakthrough for Korean skiing and snowboarding, Choi Ga-on of Sehwa High School won the women’s snowboard halfpipe with 90.25 points, beating American Chloe Kim (88.00), who was seeking a third straight Olympic title. It was South Korea’s first gold medal of the Games and its first Olympic medal in a ski-snowboard event. Choi, 17 years and 3 months old, also lowered the event’s youngest Olympic gold-medalist mark set by Kim at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games (17 years, 10 months). Kim Sang-gyeom of High1 took silver in men’s snowboard alpine, and Yoo Seung-eun of Seongbok High School won bronze in women’s snowboard big air. It marked the first time South Korea’s ski and snowboard team won two or more medals at a single Olympics. The short track team rebounded after a shaky start. In the mixed 2,000-meter relay semifinal — the first medal event for the team — Kim Gil-li of Seongnam City Hall fell after being tripped by American Corinne Stoddard, and South Korea missed the podium. South Korea then turned momentum with a bronze by Lim Jong-eon of Goyang City Hall in the men’s 1,000 meters, a silver by Hwang Dae-heon of Gangwon Provincial Office in the men’s 1,500, and a bronze by Kim Gil-li in the women’s 1,000. The team later won gold in the women’s 3,000-meter relay after a dramatic comeback. On the final day of short track, South Korea won silver in the men’s 5,000-meter relay, and Kim Gil-li and Choi Min-jeong took gold and silver, respectively, in the women’s 1,500. Kim Gil-li, born in 2004, finished with two gold medals and one bronze, becoming the only South Korean athlete to win two golds at these Games. Choi, who had won three golds and two silvers across the previous two Olympics, added one gold and one silver to bring her career total to seven Olympic medals. That set a South Korean record across the Summer and Winter Games, surpassing Jin Jong-oh (shooting), Kim Soo-nyung (archery) and Lee Seung-hoon (speed skating), who each had six. Choi also tied short track skater Jeon I-kyung’s national record of four Winter Olympic gold medals. After the race, Choi announced her retirement from the Olympics. Speed skating, long a major medal source for South Korea after short track, ended the Games without a medal. In curling, the women’s team missed the semifinals by one spot, finishing fifth in the 10-team round-robin after losing to Canada in its final preliminary game.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-22 19:39:00 -
Hyundai to invest over $90 bn through 2030 to build robotics ecosystem in Korea SEOUL, February 22 (AJP) -Hyundai Motor Group said Sunday it will invest a record 125.2 trillion won ($93 billion) in South Korea from 2026 to 2030 under a more aggressive and detailed robotics and physical artificial intelligence roadmap unveiled last month after the high-profile debut of its industrial and humanoid robot lineup at a major global technology exhibition. The five-year domestic investment plan marks the largest in the group’s history and reflects Hyundai’s ambition to position itself as a global hub for next-generation manufacturing and intelligent mobility. Of the total, 71.1 percent — about 89 trillion won — will be allocated to future industries and research and development, including robotics, AI, electric vehicles, hydrogen and software-defined vehicles (SDVs). Hyundai said these technologies form an integrated growth platform centered on physical AI, which combines robotics hardware, real-world data and advanced software. Rather than limiting its focus to robot manufacturing, Hyundai aims to establish a comprehensive value chain spanning contract production, subscription services, training hubs, AI learning systems and real-time control platforms. Group officials said competitiveness in robotics will hinge less on raw performance and more on how effectively robots are deployed and improved through continuous field data. Hyundai plans to leverage massive datasets generated across its affiliates — from automobiles and steelmaking to parts, logistics, defense and rail — to accelerate AI learning and commercialization. “Without real-world operational data, even advanced robots cannot evolve into competitive products,” the group said. By 2028, Hyundai aims to build annual production capacity for 30,000 robots, securing an early foothold in the fast-growing global market. To support large-scale deployment, Hyundai is reviewing plans to establish a dedicated Robot Metaplant Application Center near Savannah, Georgia, close to its U.S. electric vehicle plant, the Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America. The facility would serve as a large-scale training and validation base for humanoid and industrial robots. At the same time, the group is considering building AI data centers along Korea’s southwestern coast, including South Jeolla and North Jeolla provinces, where renewable energy can support high-intensity computing and data storage. Hyundai is pursuing a dual-track strategy that combines in-house hardware development with external software partnerships. Through its U.S. robotics subsidiary Boston Dynamics, the group produces advanced robots such as the humanoid Atlas and quadruped Spot. Hyundai Mobis supplies core actuators and modules, Hyundai AutoEver operates robot control systems, and Hyundai Glovis manages logistics and distribution. Under the roadmap, Hyundai recently invested several million dollars in U.S.-based startup Field AI, which develops foundation models enabling robots to navigate unfamiliar environments without prebuilt maps. Field AI’s technology has already been tested on Spot robots at construction sites and is expected to be applied to next-generation Atlas models, potentially strengthening Hyundai’s plan to deploy humanoids at its U.S. plant from 2028. Hyundai has also secured 50,000 of the latest Blackwell processors from Nvidia to reinforce its AI computing infrastructure. The long-term robotics drive comes as Hyundai Motor Company has begun accelerating spending under its five-year capital framework. The automaker said last month it will invest 17.8 trillion won in 2026 alone — more than it earned in 2025 — focusing on robotics, autonomous driving and hydrogen technology. The amount accounts for about 23 percent of its previously announced 77.3 trillion won investment plan for 2026–2030. “We plan to concentrate investment in 2026 and 2027,” said Lee Seung-jo, chief financial officer of Hyundai Motor, during an earnings call. “Spending will peak during this period, though the overall investment envelope remains unchanged,” he said. Analysts say the front-loaded strategy reflects Hyundai’s determination to secure early leadership in physical AI and humanoid robotics, as global rivals move rapidly toward commercialization. Hyundai’s robotics push is closely tied to autonomous driving and SDVs, as both rely on similar algorithms for perception, route planning and real-time decision-making. Park Min Woo, head of the group’s Advanced Vehicle Platform division and CEO of 42dot, is expected to play a central role in integrating robotics and vehicle software. A former executive at Tesla and Nvidia, Park is tasked with accelerating Hyundai’s transition toward a unified mobility ecosystem. Hyundai said South Korea is well-positioned to emerge as a global robotics hub under its “DESIGN” framework — demand, experience, supply chain, infrastructure, government and network. The group cited demographic pressures, estimating that Korea will need 1.22 million additional workers by 2034 due to low birth rates and rapid aging, creating structural demand for automation. Korea’s manufacturing robot density — 1,012 units per 10,000 workers in 2023 — far exceeds second-place Singapore, reflecting strong operational experience. Dense supplier networks, high-speed communications and cloud infrastructure further support large-scale AI learning and robot control, Hyundai said. "The target is to complete an intelligent factory where robots can operate autonomously in dynamic environments,” the official said. 2026-02-22 18:45:57 -
Seoul "sternly" protests to Japan's 'Takeshima Day' and unjust claim over Dokdo SEOUL, February 22 (AJP) -South Korea on Sunday lodged a formal protest against Japan over a government-backed event asserting sovereignty over a cluster of disputed islets in the East Sea, calling the move an “unjust” repetition of territorial claims over Korean territory. In a statement, Seoul’s foreign ministry said it “strongly protests” the annual “Takeshima Day” ceremony hosted by Japan’s Shimane Prefecture and the attendance of a senior Japanese government official, urging Tokyo to immediately abolish the event. The rocky outcrops — known as Dokdo in South Korea and Takeshima in Japan — have long been a flashpoint between the two neighbors. Seoul maintains effective control over the islets, which lie in rich fishing grounds and are believed to sit atop potentially valuable natural gas hydrate reserves. “Dokdo is clearly South Korea’s sovereign territory historically, geographically and under international law,” the ministry said, calling on Japan to halt what it described as groundless claims and to “face history with humility.” The ministry summoned Hirotaka Matsuo, deputy chief of mission at the Japanese Embassy in Seoul, to formally deliver its protest. According to Japanese media reports, Tokyo dispatched Naoki Furukawa, a Cabinet Office parliamentary vice minister, to the ceremony in Matsue, the capital of Shimane Prefecture. Furukawa said the islets are “clearly inherent Japanese territory” based on historical facts and international law, describing South Korea’s control as “an illegal occupation without any basis” that “cannot be tolerated.” He added that Japan would continue to press its position persistently. Japan has sent a parliamentary vice minister to the annual event since 2013. There had been speculation that a cabinet minister might attend following the inauguration of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, known for her conservative stance. However, Tokyo kept representation at the same level as in previous years, in what observers see as a sign of caution amid improving bilateral ties. Shimane Gov. Tatsuya Maruyama also reiterated Japan’s claim, while conservative newspaper Sankei Shimbun argued in an editorial that Tokyo should take a firmer stance, drawing parallels with high-level attendance at Japan’s “Northern Territories Day” events concerning disputed islands with Russia. Seoul has repeatedly objected to Japan’s claims, including a separate protest issued Friday after Japan’s foreign minister reaffirmed Tokyo’s sovereignty over the islets in a parliamentary address. Despite the annual flare-ups, analysts say the dispute is unlikely to escalate into a full-scale diplomatic crisis. Relations between Seoul and Tokyo have improved in recent years, driven in part by shared security concerns over North Korea’s advancing nuclear program and the need for closer trilateral coordination with the United States. A diplomatic source said Seoul intends to maintain a “two-track” approach — responding firmly on sovereignty while separating the Dokdo issue from broader cooperation in security and economic areas. “Strengthening effective control and continuing to inform the international community of Dokdo’s status is more important than reacting to each repeated claim,” the source said. Still, the recurring ceremony underscores how historical grievances rooted in Japan’s 1910–45 colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula continue to shape regional diplomacy, even as strategic realities push both sides toward pragmatic cooperation. 2026-02-22 17:36:59 -
AFP Highlights Six Standout Athletes of the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics With the 2026 Milan-Cortina d’Ampezzo Winter Olympics set to close on the 23rd (Korean time), AFP on the 22nd named six athletes who drew attention during the Games. Leading the list was Swiss alpine skier Franjo von Allmen, who won the first gold medal of the Games and finished as a three-time champion in alpine skiing. AFP noted his path to the top: after his father died when he was 17 and his family faced hardship, he worked as a carpenter at construction sites for four years while pursuing his skiing career. Norway’s Johannes Klaebo, who swept six gold medals in cross-country skiing, was also selected. After winning five golds across the previous two Olympics, Klaebo added six more in Milan-Cortina, becoming the first athlete to win six golds at a single Winter Games and setting a new record for most career Winter Olympic gold medals with 11. U.S. figure skaters Alysa Liu and Ilia Malinin were chosen as well. Liu retired after the 2022 Beijing Olympics after being diagnosed with burnout, then returned after about two years away and delivered the United States its first Olympic women’s singles gold in 24 years, finishing with two titles including the team event. Malinin, the only skater expected to land a quadruple Axel, helped the U.S. win the team event but placed eighth in the individual competition after mistakes. AFP also highlighted athletes who made headlines beyond medals. Lindsey Vonn, competing at the Olympics for the first time in eight years, was flown out by helicopter after hitting a gate early in the women’s downhill. She underwent five surgeries for a fractured left knee — four in Italy and one in the United States — and wrote on social media, “I look forward to the moment I stand on the top of the mountain again,” signaling her intent to return. The final selection was Ukrainian sled athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych, who was disqualified for violating International Olympic Committee rules after trying to wear a “tribute helmet” bearing photos of Ukrainian soldiers killed in Russia’s invasion. After the disqualification, he received a Freedom Order from the Ukrainian government and also received a $200,000 donation (about 290 million won) from a businessman.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-22 17:06:19 -
South Korea watchdog to add consumer-protection teams to bank inspections South Korea’s Financial Supervisory Service, which has said it will create separate consumer-protection teams during regular examinations, is set to inspect KB Kookmin Bank, Jeonbuk Bank and K Bank this year. Banks are watching closely for changes, including a revamp of the consumer-protection assessment system. According to the financial industry on Saturday, the FSS will begin regular bank inspections in the first half of this year, starting with Jeonbuk Bank. Regular examinations of KB Kookmin Bank and K Bank are also expected to begin within the year, the industry said. The FSS is expected to focus this year’s regular inspections on how well financial firms protect consumers. FSS Gov. Lee Chan-jin told bank CEOs at a meeting on Feb. 12 that the watchdog would shift to a preventive consumer-protection system and form a separate consumer-protection inspection team during regular examinations. He said the FSS would “closely review every step — product design, screening and sales — from the perspective of consumer protection.” Industry officials said a dedicated consumer-protection team could lead to tougher checks of banks’ consumer-protection systems. Expectations of stricter oversight have also grown after the FSS created a consumer-protection unit that reports directly to the governor as part of an organizational overhaul. Scrutiny is also expected to extend to sales procedures and the adequacy of internal controls, as sales of high-risk, complex investment products — which shrank after the Hong Kong H-index equity-linked securities (ELS) controversy — could rise again. Banks remain cautious about selling such products, but sales could increase once the ELS issue is considered settled. Early last year, financial authorities announced consumer-protection measures that included sales through designated hub branches, strengthening suitability and appropriateness assessments, and improving reports on inappropriate determinations. With the FSS also signaling changes to its consumer-protection assessment framework, banks facing regular inspections are expected to step up internal reviews of whether their consumer-protection systems are working properly under relevant laws, including the Financial Consumer Protection Act and the Personal Debtor Protection Act. Beyond consumer protection, corporate governance is expected to be another major theme in this year’s inspections, as financial authorities have pledged to prepare a plan to advance governance at financial companies by next month. If regular inspections take place after that plan is announced, the FSS could intensively check whether the measures are being implemented in practice. Attention is also focused on whether KB Financial Group Chairman Yang Jong-hee, whose term ends in November, will seek another term. If a regular inspection of KB Kookmin Bank takes place while KB Financial’s management succession process is underway, the holding company is likely to be affected directly or indirectly. KB Financial plans to begin its succession process no later than the end of August. 2026-02-22 16:03:00 -
Report: Nearly 80% of Biologics Losing EU Patents by 2032 Have No Biosimilar in Development Europe is expected to see patents expire on about 100 biologic drugs over the next six years, but 79% of them have no biosimilar versions currently in development, a report found. The Korea Bio Medicine Association said in a report released on the 22nd, citing IQVIA and other sources, that exclusive rights for about 100 biologics in Europe will end by 2032. Even so, 79% have no biosimilars in development. Biosimilar pipelines slated for Europe accounted for just 10%, while 11% had unclear prospects for local launch. The report said limited development for lower-revenue products and rare-disease treatments has created a structural “biosimilar development gap.” That gap could translate into an estimated $143 billion (about 207 trillion won) in missed opportunities in Europe, the report said — equal to 55% of total sales for biologics nearing patent expiration. It added that even high-selling biologics do not have enough biosimilar development underway. The report urged South Korean companies to keep focusing on blockbuster products with annual sales in the trillions of won while also moving early to secure biosimilar markets in new therapeutic areas such as ophthalmology and dermatology. It also recommended improving development efficiency through differentiated formulations and by taking advantage of simplified global regulations. As of 2024, South Korean companies including Celltrion, Samsung Bioepis and Prestige Biopharma accounted for 12 of the 28 biosimilars that received a recommendation for approval from the European Medicines Agency, the report said, the most of any country. Of the 41 products recommended last year, one was from Celltrion. “Building a preemptive response system through cooperation among industry, academia, research institutes and government in areas where development gaps are expected will contribute to the sustainability of the domestic biosimilar industry and strengthen global competitiveness,” the report said.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-22 15:33:00 -
BLACKPINK receives Red Diamond for first artist YouTube subscription of 100 mln SEOUL, February 22 (AJP) -BLACKPINK has become the first musical artist in the world to surpass 100 million subscribers on YouTube, setting a new benchmark for global fandom in the digital era. The channel exceeded the 100 million mark at 7:31 p.m. Friday, YG Entertainment said in a press release Saturday, nine years and eight months after it was launched on June 28, 2016. YouTube on Friday presented the group with its Red Diamond Creator Award to commemorate the milestone. The distinction is reserved for channels that exceed 100 million subscribers, placing BLACKPINK in a rare tier of global creators. Launched in June 2016, the group’s official channel reached the mark in about nine years and eight months. It has uploaded more than 50 videos with at least 100 million views each, while cumulative views stand at 41.1 billion. Guinness World Records has also listed the quartet as the “most viewed band on YouTube.” Lyor Cohen, global head of music at YouTube and Google, described the achievement as “historic,” calling it the first time any artist worldwide has reached the 100 million-subscriber threshold. He said the figure reflects the depth of BLACKPINK’s bond with fans and underscores how artists can use digital platforms to build borderless fandoms. The Red Diamond Creator Award, featuring a dark red crystal play icon, is one of YouTube’s rarest honors. Previous recipients include major global creators, but BLACKPINK is the first official artist channel to claim the distinction. Debuting on Aug. 8, 2016, under YG Entertainment, the four-member act — Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé and Lisa — rose quickly with early hits “Whistle” and “Boombayah.” Their 2018 single “DDU-DU DDU-DU” became a global breakthrough, expanding their international footprint and reinforcing their dominance on YouTube. Subsequent releases, including full-length albums “THE ALBUM” and “BORN PINK,” cemented their standing as one of K-pop’s leading acts. The group has also mounted sold-out world tours and performed at major international festivals, further broadening its global reach. Each member has pursued solo projects alongside group promotions, yet BLACKPINK’s collective brand has remained a formidable force. The group recently wrapped up its “DEADLINE” world tour and is set to release its third mini album, “Deadline,” at 2 p.m. on Feb. 27 (Korea time). The upcoming album will feature five tracks: title song “Go,” along with pre-releases “Dwieo,” “Me and My,” “Champion” and “Fxxxboi.” YG Entertainment said the record will capture “the best moments that cannot be undone” and showcase “BLACKPINK at their brightest right now.” 2026-02-22 14:36:09 -
BLACKPINK Becomes First Artist Channel to Reach 100 Million YouTube Subscribers BLACKPINK has reached 100 million subscribers on YouTube, the first time in the platform’s history that an official artist channel has hit the mark. YouTube said on the 21st that it presented BLACKPINK with a “Red Diamond Creator Award” made to commemorate the milestone. The group’s YouTube channel was launched in June 2016, reaching the record in about 9 years and 8 months. The channel has produced 50 videos with more than 100 million views each, and its cumulative views total 41.1 billion. Guinness World Records has officially listed the group as the “band with the most views on YouTube.” Lyor Cohen, Google and YouTube’s global head of music, called the achievement “truly historic,” saying it is “the first record of its kind among artists worldwide.” “It proves how deep the bond is between BLACKPINK and their fans, and how unmatched their influence is on the global stage,” Cohen said. He added that the group is “a perfect example” of how artists can use YouTube to build a borderless mega-fandom, and congratulated BLACKPINK on the “monumental moment.” BLACKPINK will release its third mini-album, “Deadline,” at 2 p.m. KST on the 27th. The album includes five tracks: the title song “Go,” along with the pre-release songs “Run,” “Me and My,” “Champion” and “Fxxx Boy.” YG said the album, like its title, will be filled with “the best moments that can’t be undone” and “BLACKPINK’s present at its brightest.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-02-22 13:54:14
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INTERVIEW: Formosa Chairman Sandy Wang emphasizes long-term research partnership with KAIST SEOUL, February 22 (AJP) - Wang Ruey-yu, known by her English name Sandy Wang, described the establishment of the KAIST-Formosa Biomedical Research Center as a foundational step in a rare cross-border collaboration between Taiwanese industry and South Korean academia. Speaking in an interview with AJP on February 22, Wang, an executive member of the Formosa Group and chairperson of Formosa Bio, characterized the partnership as a "first seed" for future cooperation. "This first button is the establishment of the KAIST-Formosa Biomedical Research Center," Sandy Wang said. "Since we have fastened the first button, should we not continue with the second and third?" The collaboration marks the first time the Taiwan-based conglomerate has entered into such a support and research agreement with a South Korean university. While Formosa Group operates across diverse industrial sectors, Sandy Wang noted that the initial focus on life sciences was driven by a shared mission to solve critical health challenges. She explained that her decision to support KAIST was finalized after meeting with Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences Head Kim Dae-soo and Professor Choi Min-yi. "When I asked what they could do best, I heard the answer, 'I can save people,'" Sandy Wang said. "I was able to make a decision easily at the word that I could save people suffering from diseases. I felt there could be no more important plan for social contribution than this." Sandy Wang identified the leadership of KAIST President Lee Kwang-hyung and the university's research infrastructure as decisive factors in selecting the institution as a strategic partner. She noted that the partnership combines the research capabilities of KAIST with the clinical experience of Formosa’s 12,000-bed Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine. "The cooperation with KAIST and the support for KAIST were considered significant just by the fact that one more research center was added that could give hope to people suffering from incurable or intractable diseases," Sandy Wang stated. The partnership is structured as an open research platform designed to link laboratory discoveries with industrial commercialization. To facilitate this, researchers participating in the joint center have been appointed as specially appointed professors at Chang Gung University and Ming Chi University of Technology in Taiwan. Sandy Wang emphasized a patient approach to results, stating that she does not intend to be "impatient" about producing immediate research outcomes. "I plan to provide support calmly without being impatient about producing research results," Wang said. "How to realize that value can be considered after the groundwork is laid." Beyond biotechnology, the collaboration is expected to expand into other industrial fields, including energy transition and resource circulation. Chief executives from Formosa Group affiliates have already visited KAIST to identify potential cooperation areas. Sandy Wang expressed confidence that these exchanges will assist Formosa Group in its strategic shift toward carbon-neutral industries. "I am confident that if industry-academic cooperation with KAIST is achieved and exchanges are expanded, it will be of great help in finding new paths for the Formosa Group to move forward," Sandy Wang said. The executive also reflected on the broader implications of the partnership for South Korea and Taiwan, noting that it is very rare for a Taiwanese company to engage in industry-academic cooperation with a South Korean university. Wang reiterated her commitment to her father’s philosophy that a company must return its profits to the society where it took root. "They say a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, and you cannot be full with the first spoonful," Wang said. "We have already made an important start together, and I will do my best to cooperate and support this start so it can produce good results." 2026-02-22 13:28:40