Group 1 - The initial World Fortune 500 list in 1995 featured 151 American companies and 149 Japanese companies, while China had only three companies: Bank of China, COFCO, and Sinopec [3][12] - The early Chinese companies listed were primarily in traditional sectors such as energy and finance, lacking technological advantages [12] - By 2011, the number of Chinese companies on the list increased to 69, surpassing Japan for the first time [14] Group 2 - In 2024, China had 133 companies on the list, with significant representation from technology manufacturers like Huawei and BYD, marking a shift from state-owned enterprises to include private companies [16][21] - Huawei ranked among the top 50 globally with annual revenue of 980 billion yuan, leading in 5G patents and market share [17] - BYD became the largest electric vehicle manufacturer globally, surpassing Tesla with sales exceeding 3 million units in 2023 [18] Group 3 - Alibaba reported revenue of 600 billion yuan, with its cloud computing division ranking third globally [19] - The proportion of private companies in the 2024 list reached 40%, indicating a diversification of the Chinese corporate landscape [21] - The United States had 139 companies in 2024, with tech giants like Apple, Microsoft, and Google dominating the list, while Japan's representation fell to 40 companies [21][23] Group 4 - Japan's decline is evident as its former leading company, Mitsubishi Corporation, dropped from the top position to 35th, with significant losses in market share for electronics firms like Sony and Panasonic [25] - The shift in global economic power is highlighted by China's rapid growth in emerging sectors, contrasting with Japan's struggles in traditional industries [25]

Group 1 - The core value of gold remains unchanged despite fluctuations in price due to international market and geopolitical influences, serving as a universal currency and a measure of a country's economic strength [1] - China's gold reserves total 2,264.33 tons, which is lower than those of the US and Russia, influenced by historical and developmental factors [3][6] - The majority of gold in China is held by the public, with significant amounts in the form of jewelry and auspicious ornaments, contributing to a unique national context for gold reserves [3] Group 2 - The US holds the largest gold reserves globally at 8,133 tons, which underpins the value of the US dollar despite economic challenges [8][10] - Gold serves as a crucial backing for the US dollar, maintaining confidence in its value even amidst inflation and debt issues [10] - Russia ranks among the top five countries in gold reserves, currently holding 2,350 tons, and has been increasing its gold storage since 2000 [12][14] Group 3 - Russia's gold reserves have diversified alongside foreign exchange reserves, enhancing its economic resilience against risks [14] - The collaboration with China in energy and the use of the yuan for settlements have bolstered Russia's confidence in its economic strategies despite Western sanctions [14]