A humanoid robot plays the drums during the opening ceremony of the World Humanoid Robot Games at the National Speed Skating Oval in Beijing on Thursday. The four-day event is the world's first multisport competition for humanoid robots. More than 500 humanoids from 16 countries are competing in 538 events, ranging from traditional sports such as track and field events, gymnastics and soccer to newly added events including martial arts performances, free fighting and group dancing. see story, page 5
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A humanoid robot plays the drums during the opening ceremony of the World Humanoid Robot Games at the National Speed Skating Oval in Beijing on Thursday. The four-day event is the world's first multisport competition for humanoid robots. More than 500 humanoids from 16 countries are competing in 538 events, ranging from traditional sports such as track and field events, gymnastics and soccer to newly added events including martial arts performances, free fighting and group dancing. see story, page 5
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{
"title": "001FRONT - China rolls out new visa type for young science talent",
"description": "
China announced on Thursday that it will introduce a new type of visa — a K visa — for young foreign talent in science and technology.
\n
The new visa type was unveiled after Premier Li Qiang signed a State Council decree to promulgate a decision amending the country's regulations on the administration of foreigners' entries and exits.
\n
The decision came as China puts a greater emphasis on building a more proactive, open and effective talent policy.
\n
The K visa is a new addition to the ordinary visa categories and the new rules will take effect on Oct 1, according to the decision, which was drafted by the Ministry of Justice, along with the Foreign Ministry, the Ministry of Public Security and the National Immigration Administration.
\n
Applicants for the K visa should be young international professionals in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics who have earned a bachelor's degree or higher from prestigious universities or research institutions.
\n
In addition, it will be available to individuals involved in educational or research activities at prestigious universities or research institutions, according to a joint statement released by the four departments on Thursday night.
\n
K visa holders are permitted to engage in activities in fields such as education, science and technology, and cultural exchanges, according to the joint statement.
\n
Before this addition, there were 12 visa types classified based on the purposes of visiting China, including the L visa for sightseeing and tourism, the D visa for permanent residence and the G visa for transit through the country.
\n
Compared with other visa types, the K visa will offer holders more convenience in terms of the number of entries, validity period and duration of stay. The eligibility criteria for the K visa are set based on applicants' age, educational background and work experience, without requiring them to have an employer or inviting organization within China, according to the statement.
\n
The application process for this visa is designed to be more convenient, streamlining the steps for eligible applicants, it added.
\n
The Foreign Ministry and the Ministry of Public Security, along with embassies and consulates abroad, will step up collaboration in management of the issuance, extension, renewal and replacement of K visas, as well as the residence and stay of K visa holders. They will provide appropriate assistance to applicants and holders of K visas in accordance with the law, the statement said.
To improve the systematic protection of the Yangtze River, the Supreme People's Court and 11 other State-level departments have jointly released a guideline aimed at enhancing coordination between law enforcement and judicial bodies, while addressing existing problems and drawing on successful local practices.
\n
The guideline calls for stronger interdepartmental communication and unified law enforcement and judicial standards, focusing on frequently occurring cases and key areas such as pollution prevention, the Yangtze River's 10-year fishing ban and river sand mining management.
\n
Regarding enforcement actions, a balanced approach that combines strict law-based case handling with governance improvements should be adopted, according to the guideline. It also supports joint operations across administrative boundaries in ecologically sensitive areas, as well as in regions known for frequent ecological and environmental violations within the Yangtze River Basin.
\n
According to a case released by the top court in May 2024, three people used a three-layer gill net to fish in a national nature reserve for rare and endemic fish species in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River. Their catch included one Yangtze sturgeon and two rock carp, both of which are nationally protected species.
\n
The Jiangjin district people's procuratorate in Chongqing filed criminal charges and an accompanying civil public interest lawsuit against the three defendants for endangering precious and endangered wild animals. The court found the trio guilty and sentenced each to 15 months in prison, with suspended sentences of 18 months, along with fines ranging from 5,000 to 9,000 yuan ($697 to $1,255).
\n
The guideline also emphasizes strengthening professional and technical support to develop a sound and standardized environmental assessment and appraisal system. This includes improving expertise in investigation and evidence collection, damage assessment and ecological restoration.
\n
It further calls for enhanced cross-departmental information sharing, including promoting big data collaboration in case handling and regular updates, and joint use of ecological and environmental law enforcement and judicial data across the Yangtze River Basin.
\n
Another case cited by the court took place in Fujian province, where a man surnamed Chen illegally logged over 21 cubic meters of timber in a State-owned forest. He was sentenced to 18 months in prison and fined 10,000 yuan after undertaking ecological restoration efforts and compensating for environmental losses.
\n
The court said that restorative justice was applied throughout the case, with close cooperation between courts and forestry authorities to implement a compensation mechanism and valuation methods for losses in forest ecosystem service function.
\n
The guideline also calls for promoting diversified dispute resolution by strengthening coordination between government departments and courts, and ensuring effective integration of environmental and resource-related litigation with non-litigation dispute resolution mechanisms.
\n
lishangyi@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
- "content": "
To improve the systematic protection of the Yangtze River, the Supreme People's Court and 11 other State-level departments have jointly released a guideline aimed at enhancing coordination between law enforcement and judicial bodies, while addressing existing problems and drawing on successful local practices.
\n
The guideline calls for stronger interdepartmental communication and unified law enforcement and judicial standards, focusing on frequently occurring cases and key areas such as pollution prevention, the Yangtze River's 10-year fishing ban and river sand mining management.
\n
Regarding enforcement actions, a balanced approach that combines strict law-based case handling with governance improvements should be adopted, according to the guideline. It also supports joint operations across administrative boundaries in ecologically sensitive areas, as well as in regions known for frequent ecological and environmental violations within the Yangtze River Basin.
\n
According to a case released by the top court in May 2024, three people used a three-layer gill net to fish in a national nature reserve for rare and endemic fish species in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River. Their catch included one Yangtze sturgeon and two rock carp, both of which are nationally protected species.
\n
The Jiangjin district people's procuratorate in Chongqing filed criminal charges and an accompanying civil public interest lawsuit against the three defendants for endangering precious and endangered wild animals. The court found the trio guilty and sentenced each to 15 months in prison, with suspended sentences of 18 months, along with fines ranging from 5,000 to 9,000 yuan ($697 to $1,255).
\n
The guideline also emphasizes strengthening professional and technical support to develop a sound and standardized environmental assessment and appraisal system. This includes improving expertise in investigation and evidence collection, damage assessment and ecological restoration.
\n
It further calls for enhanced cross-departmental information sharing, including promoting big data collaboration in case handling and regular updates, and joint use of ecological and environmental law enforcement and judicial data across the Yangtze River Basin.
\n
Another case cited by the court took place in Fujian province, where a man surnamed Chen illegally logged over 21 cubic meters of timber in a State-owned forest. He was sentenced to 18 months in prison and fined 10,000 yuan after undertaking ecological restoration efforts and compensating for environmental losses.
\n
The court said that restorative justice was applied throughout the case, with close cooperation between courts and forestry authorities to implement a compensation mechanism and valuation methods for losses in forest ecosystem service function.
\n
The guideline also calls for promoting diversified dispute resolution by strengthening coordination between government departments and courts, and ensuring effective integration of environmental and resource-related litigation with non-litigation dispute resolution mechanisms.
Visitors explore a memorial exhibition on the contribution of overseas Chinese in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and World Anti-Fascist War, themed "united across vast distances", at the Overseas Chinese History Museum of China in Beijing on Thursday.
The Shenzhou XX mission crew members aboard the Tiangong space station are scheduled to carry out their third spacewalk in the coming days, the China Manned Space Agency said on Thursday. The three orbital travelers — mission commander Senior Colonel Chen Dong and crew members Colonel Chen Zhongrui and Colonel Wang Jie — have been aboard the station for more than three months since their arrival on April 25. They have conducted a host of assignments, including examinations and maintenance work on instruments, installations of intravehicular devices, monitoring of inner environment, and unpacking and testing new spacewalk suits, the agency said in a media statement.
\n
Body of Beijing official lost in flood recovered
\n
The body of Yin Chunyan, Party secretary of Sunhugou village in Beijing's Huairou district, has been found following an intensive search, Beijing Radio and Television Station reported on Thursday. Rescuers discovered her remains on Wednesday afternoon near Baihewan in Baihebei village. Local authorities have set up a committee to handle the funeral arrangements, according to the report. Yin and her husband, Cai Yongzhang, were swept away by floodwaters on July 26 while helping villagers evacuate. Cai's body was recovered on Aug 4, about 300 to 400 meters downstream from where they were last seen.
\n
Death sentence for poisoning upheld
\n
The Hunan High People's Court rejected on Thursday a graduate student's appeal and upheld his death sentence after he poisoned his roommates' food, causing the death of one. The court said that after reviewing Zhou Liren's appeal of the first-instance verdict, it found the facts established at trial to be clear, the evidence conclusive and sufficient and the sentence appropriate. On April 7, the Xiangtan Intermediate People's Court sentenced Zhou to death for intentional homicide and deprived him of his political rights for life. The Xiangtan court determined that Zhou, motivated by personal vengeance, put a highly toxic substance into a can of oatmeal shared by two of his roommates. The Hunan High People's Court has submitted Zhou's death sentence to the Supreme People's Court for approval, as required by law.
\n",
- "content": "
Shenzhou XX crew to carry out spacewalk
\n
The Shenzhou XX mission crew members aboard the Tiangong space station are scheduled to carry out their third spacewalk in the coming days, the China Manned Space Agency said on Thursday. The three orbital travelers — mission commander Senior Colonel Chen Dong and crew members Colonel Chen Zhongrui and Colonel Wang Jie — have been aboard the station for more than three months since their arrival on April 25. They have conducted a host of assignments, including examinations and maintenance work on instruments, installations of intravehicular devices, monitoring of inner environment, and unpacking and testing new spacewalk suits, the agency said in a media statement.
\n
Body of Beijing official lost in flood recovered
\n
The body of Yin Chunyan, Party secretary of Sunhugou village in Beijing's Huairou district, has been found following an intensive search, Beijing Radio and Television Station reported on Thursday. Rescuers discovered her remains on Wednesday afternoon near Baihewan in Baihebei village. Local authorities have set up a committee to handle the funeral arrangements, according to the report. Yin and her husband, Cai Yongzhang, were swept away by floodwaters on July 26 while helping villagers evacuate. Cai's body was recovered on Aug 4, about 300 to 400 meters downstream from where they were last seen.
\n
Death sentence for poisoning upheld
\n
The Hunan High People's Court rejected on Thursday a graduate student's appeal and upheld his death sentence after he poisoned his roommates' food, causing the death of one. The court said that after reviewing Zhou Liren's appeal of the first-instance verdict, it found the facts established at trial to be clear, the evidence conclusive and sufficient and the sentence appropriate. On April 7, the Xiangtan Intermediate People's Court sentenced Zhou to death for intentional homicide and deprived him of his political rights for life. The Xiangtan court determined that Zhou, motivated by personal vengeance, put a highly toxic substance into a can of oatmeal shared by two of his roommates. The Hunan High People's Court has submitted Zhou's death sentence to the Supreme People's Court for approval, as required by law.
A performer showcases equestrian skills at the opening ceremony of the 16th Gesar Horse Racing Festival in Maqu county, Gannan Tibetan autonomous prefecture, Gansu province, on Wednesday.
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- {
- "title": "005CHINA - Human-machine symbiosis on full display at Beijing games",
- "description": "
The world's first humanoid robot games opened in Beijing on Thursday, offering a glimpse into what organizers describe as a "new era of human-machine symbiosis".
\n
The 2025 World Humanoid Robot Games began on Thursday evening at the National Speed Skating Oval, known locally as the Ice Ribbon, and will run until Sunday. About 280 teams from 16 countries and regions, bringing together more than 500 robots, are competing in 26 events across 538 matches.
\n
The opening ceremony featured a cultural performance combining Chinese opera, martial arts and robotics, with 60 robots dressed in traditional costumes moving in sync with acrobatic performers.
\n
Stefan Hensel, supervisor of Germany's Sweaty team, praised the Beijing event as "a nice and open community and an Olympic Games for the industry".
\n
"During the games if you have a problem, everybody is ready to help you, and thus the event is set to boost the industry's progress, in particular the software," said Hensel, whose team is a four-time runner-up at the international RoboCup humanoid soccer competition.
\n
Preliminary rounds began on Monday.
\n
Some viewers online said the humanoid soccer matches lacked excitement, as the robots moved stiffly and made clumsy decisions on the pitch.
\n
Lyu Ming, an after-sales manager at Booster Robotics, a Beijing-based company providing the robots for the soccer match during the event, explained that in robot sports, the aim was not entertainment but advancing control, perception and decision-making.
\n
"The awkward movements, algorithm optimization and lessons from failure are all incremental steps as humanoid robots evolve from the lab to commercial use," he said.
\n
Beijing officials said the capital is positioning itself as a national hub for robotics innovation. Jiang Guangzhi, head of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Economy and Information Technology, said the city has supported the development of 200 innovative robotic products across 12 categories. These innovative products have been tested and applied in 134 scenarios across 11 industries.
\n
"Through the implementation of a demonstration project featuring hundreds of application scenarios, we are leveraging Beijing's vast and diverse urban environment to enhance scenario innovation and strengthen the connection between supply and demand."
\n
He added that a robot-themed park is planned, featuring applications for ecological monitoring, disinfection, water cleaning and street sweeping.
\n
Industry leaders said continued investment and collaboration are vital if humanoid robotics is to progress beyond research prototypes.
\n
Wang Xingxing, CEO of Unitree Robotics, which is reported to hold an estimated 60 to 70 percent share of the global quadruped robot market, said that investment in the embodied robotics industry remained stable, but further breakthroughs were still needed.
\n
"Achieving humanlike capabilities in robots could take two to three years of technological advancements, or up to five at a slower pace," he said at the 2025 World Robot Conference, which was held in Beijing recently, adding that the robotics boom "is unlikely to last beyond a decade".
\n
About half of Unitree's revenue comes from overseas markets, and Wang said global collaboration was key to the company's strategy.
\n
yangcheng@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
- "content": "
The world's first humanoid robot games opened in Beijing on Thursday, offering a glimpse into what organizers describe as a "new era of human-machine symbiosis".
\n
The 2025 World Humanoid Robot Games began on Thursday evening at the National Speed Skating Oval, known locally as the Ice Ribbon, and will run until Sunday. About 280 teams from 16 countries and regions, bringing together more than 500 robots, are competing in 26 events across 538 matches.
\n
The opening ceremony featured a cultural performance combining Chinese opera, martial arts and robotics, with 60 robots dressed in traditional costumes moving in sync with acrobatic performers.
\n
Stefan Hensel, supervisor of Germany's Sweaty team, praised the Beijing event as "a nice and open community and an Olympic Games for the industry".
\n
"During the games if you have a problem, everybody is ready to help you, and thus the event is set to boost the industry's progress, in particular the software," said Hensel, whose team is a four-time runner-up at the international RoboCup humanoid soccer competition.
\n
Preliminary rounds began on Monday.
\n
Some viewers online said the humanoid soccer matches lacked excitement, as the robots moved stiffly and made clumsy decisions on the pitch.
\n
Lyu Ming, an after-sales manager at Booster Robotics, a Beijing-based company providing the robots for the soccer match during the event, explained that in robot sports, the aim was not entertainment but advancing control, perception and decision-making.
\n
"The awkward movements, algorithm optimization and lessons from failure are all incremental steps as humanoid robots evolve from the lab to commercial use," he said.
\n
Beijing officials said the capital is positioning itself as a national hub for robotics innovation. Jiang Guangzhi, head of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Economy and Information Technology, said the city has supported the development of 200 innovative robotic products across 12 categories. These innovative products have been tested and applied in 134 scenarios across 11 industries.
\n
"Through the implementation of a demonstration project featuring hundreds of application scenarios, we are leveraging Beijing's vast and diverse urban environment to enhance scenario innovation and strengthen the connection between supply and demand."
\n
He added that a robot-themed park is planned, featuring applications for ecological monitoring, disinfection, water cleaning and street sweeping.
\n
Industry leaders said continued investment and collaboration are vital if humanoid robotics is to progress beyond research prototypes.
\n
Wang Xingxing, CEO of Unitree Robotics, which is reported to hold an estimated 60 to 70 percent share of the global quadruped robot market, said that investment in the embodied robotics industry remained stable, but further breakthroughs were still needed.
\n
"Achieving humanlike capabilities in robots could take two to three years of technological advancements, or up to five at a slower pace," he said at the 2025 World Robot Conference, which was held in Beijing recently, adding that the robotics boom "is unlikely to last beyond a decade".
\n
About half of Unitree's revenue comes from overseas markets, and Wang said global collaboration was key to the company's strategy.
As the doors swing open at Beijing's new robot-themed restaurant, diners are greeted by humanoid workers who nod and speak in lifelike gestures, while robotic servers glide between tables delivering dishes and a robot band plays drums and guitars, turning a dining experience into a futuristic spectacle.
\n
"The restaurant gives me a fresh sense of technology. It's quite an amazing attempt," said Ding Wenjun, a tourist from Jiangxi province.
\n
Sun Ling, head of the Robot Restaurant, said, "It is not only an immersive dining place integrating cuisine, culture and technology, but also provides a scenario for robot application and data collection."
\n
The tech-savvy restaurant is participating in the E-Town Robot Consumption Festival, running from Aug 2 to Sunday. The event was organized by the administrative committee of the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area, also known as Beijing E-Town.
\n
Making its debut at the festival is the Robot Mall, a 4,000-square-meter "robot 4S" store. It features more than 50 products across medical, industrial and companion robotics.
\n
For example, the Galbot G1, a wheeled-chassis humanoid robot, can retrieve medications from shelves and deliver them directly to patients.
\n
"It can automatically dispense and distribute medications, alleviating the heavy workload of nurses and reducing the risk of human error," said Meng Yanpei, a manager at the mall. "In pharmacies, it serves emergency patients, especially at night, while also lowering operating costs by taking over repetitive tasks."
\n
Over 10 pharmacies in Beijing are now operating 24 hours a day with the use of a Galbot G1. The robot is priced at 680,000 yuan ($94,800), a 50,000 yuan discount, at the 4S store during the festival.
\n
As of Tuesday, more than 19,000 robots and related products have been sold during the festival, generating total sales of over 200 million yuan. Meanwhile, the distribution of consumption vouchers has boosted sales by over 60 million yuan, according to the administrative committee of Beijing E-Town.
\n
Meanwhile, shopping malls and e-commerce platform JD.com are hosting sales campaigns at the festival. Enterprises can enjoy subsidies of up to 250,000 yuan on robot purchases.
\n
Targeting online consumers, JD.com has showcased over 680 robots and related products, including quadruped, biped, exoskeleton, and educational and companion robots, offering a maximum subsidy of 600 yuan for a single product.
\n
"In the past, these robots were priced in the millions of yuan, but now they are becoming more affordable," said Xu Lei, head of the Intelligent Robot Business Department under the 3C Digital Business Group of JD.com. "We hope to leverage the advantages of online sales, brand support and supply chains to make robots accessible to more consumers."
\n
Zhang Hao, chief scientist of ALVA (Beijing) Technology Co, said that robots are still in their infancy and are often used mainly for display. "Even though they may stagger while walking, they captivate us because we can sense their intelligence gradually maturing."
\n
"Only when robots help customers make money will they buy and keep buying such machines," said Zhang, adding that such machines must be practical, affordable, versatile and of effective use for consumers.
\n
Zhang's perspective echoes that of Massimiliano Zecca, a professor of healthcare technology at Loughborough University in the United Kingdom.
\n
"Humanoid robots now require an engineering team to look after them," the professor said. "They need to bring real value to form a natural market."
\n
Despite the limitations of the robots, Zecca was clearly impressed by a humanoid coffee barista crafting intricate latte art at the 2025 World Robot Conference, which concluded on Tuesday.
\n
"I would pay for a cup of coffee with artistic flavor. The evolution of humanoid robots will surely provide more choices to meet personal preferences," Zecca said.
Industrial biotechnology researchers work in a laboratory affiliated with the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Tianjin in January last year.
\n
An artist's impression of DNA information storage technology.
\n
A recent breakthrough in synthetic biology in Tianjin could pave the way for new treatments for genetic diseases like sickle cell disease and congenital deafness.
\n
A study published in the science methodology journal Nature Methods on July 10 by a team of scientists from Tianjin University claimed to have synthesized a human genome fragment exceeding one million base pairs in length, and successfully transferred it into mice embryos to verify its function.
\n
According to those involved, this achievement marks a significant advancement in human genome synthesis and transfer technology.
\n
The human genome is closely linked to human life, health and disease. Since the completion of the Human Genome Project in 2003, scientists have been trying to synthesize the human genome, but have long struggled with technological bottlenecks.
\n
Over 50 percent of the human genome consists of complex repetitive sequences, posing a considerable challenge to precise synthesis.
\n
"It's like a jigsaw puzzle with millions of pieces, many of which look very similar, making the assembly extremely challenging," said Yuan Yingjin, who led the team.
\n
Yuan, who is also an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and director of the State Key Lab of Synthetic Biology, said that even if long genome fragments are synthesized, validating their genetic function is difficult without transferring them into an animal.
\n
Yuan's team has developed the SynNICE method to tackle this problem.
\n
"Using this method, we have for the first time completed the synthesis of high-repetition human DNA at the million-base-pair level and efficiently transferred this fragment intact into early mice embryos using a yeast nucleus as the transfer shuttle," Yuan said.
\n
Internationally, most research teams in human DNA synthesis are still working at the hundred-kilo-base-pair level and find it challenging to efficiently transfer DNA into mammalian embryos.
\n
This makes this latest development a significant leap forward.
\n
"For decades, scientists have enhanced their understanding of the human genome through sequencing and reading information. By adopting a bottom-up approach to synthesize genes from basic units, we can more directly reveal causal relationships among genome sequences, functions and diseases," Yuan said.
\n
"Scientists are no longer content merely to 'read' and 'edit' the book of life — they now have the ability to 'write' new chapters in it," he added.
\n
The team's research focused on a segment called AZFa on the human Y chromosome, chosen because its deletion is a cause of untreatable male infertility. Synthesizing this segment posed significant challenges, as over 69 percent of its sequence consists of repetitive elements, making it extremely prone to mismatches and recombination, which could lead to failure, Yuan explained.
\n
To overcome this challenge, the team devised a combined assembly strategy. Initially, they divided the sequence into over 200 smaller fragments, which were then assembled into 23 medium-sized components using Saccharomyces cerevisiae, also known as brewer's yeast. These components were further assembled into four larger structures, again utilizing the yeast.
\n
Finally, employing the gene-editing technique CRISPR-Cas9 and a yeast mating system, the team successfully assembled all fragments into a single, perfectly integrated artificial synthetic chromosome spanning 1.14 million base pairs.
\n
Brewer's yeast was used as it serves as a powerful biological tool equipped with a highly efficient homologous recombination system that automatically recognizes and seamlessly joins matching DNA sequences, said Yuan.
\n
The problem remained of how to safely transfer this large and fragile genome fragment into mice embryos. The team solved this by using yeast nuclei as natural, solid carriers.
\n
"If transferring DNA across species is like a moon landing mission on Earth, our use of yeast nuclei is akin to the spacecraft that safely transports astronauts between Earth and the moon, protecting and compressing the synthetic genome," said Yuan.
\n
This method involves isolating the entire yeast nucleus containing the synthetic DNA. This nucleus acts as a natural, sturdy transport capsule, providing perfect physical protection for the genetic material inside, said Liu Yue, a member of the research team.
\n
The research can shed new light on the treatment of diseases related to chromosomal anomalies. In the future, by synthesizing key gene fragments, scientists may be able to correct defects in the AZFa region causing infertility. Understanding the correlation between genomic variations and diseases can also guide treatments for conditions such as cancer.
\n
Tang Fuchou, a professor at Peking University, said the SynNICE method could potentially extend the functional lifespan of xenotransplantation with humanized pig donor organs in human bodies from two to three years to several decades, offering revolutionary hope for addressing the global organ shortage.
\n
Yuan said the substantial resources provided for basic research were crucial for the team to be able to tackle such "unclaimed territories" in science, such as repetitive sequence assembly and nuclear transfer.
\n
Interdisciplinary collaboration was essential, bringing together experts in synthetic biology, medicine, developmental biology and epigenetics, he said. Gene function validation in the research was carried out by teams from Tianjin University and Tsinghua University, with several hospitals providing real clinical cases for the study.
\n
"Humanity is still in the technology development stage for DNA synthesis. While advancing technological innovation, China remains highly attentive to biosecurity," he said.
\n
In 2017, Tianjin University led scientists from over 20 countries across four continents in drafting the "Tianjin Biosecurity Guidelines for Codes of Conduct for Scientists", which the World Health Organization has recognized as a global biosecurity ethical standard.
\n
Yuan said the ability to synthesize large genomes could spark a medical revolution, potentially curing currently incurable diseases and paving the way for new treatments.
\n
The study report was titled De novo Assembly and Delivery of Synthetic Megabase-Scale Human DNA into Mouse Early Embryos.
\n
yandongjie@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
- "content": "
Online Scan the code to watch the video.
\n
Yuan Yingjin
\n
Industrial biotechnology researchers work in a laboratory affiliated with the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Tianjin in January last year.
\n
An artist's impression of DNA information storage technology.
\n
A recent breakthrough in synthetic biology in Tianjin could pave the way for new treatments for genetic diseases like sickle cell disease and congenital deafness.
\n
A study published in the science methodology journal Nature Methods on July 10 by a team of scientists from Tianjin University claimed to have synthesized a human genome fragment exceeding one million base pairs in length, and successfully transferred it into mice embryos to verify its function.
\n
According to those involved, this achievement marks a significant advancement in human genome synthesis and transfer technology.
\n
The human genome is closely linked to human life, health and disease. Since the completion of the Human Genome Project in 2003, scientists have been trying to synthesize the human genome, but have long struggled with technological bottlenecks.
\n
Over 50 percent of the human genome consists of complex repetitive sequences, posing a considerable challenge to precise synthesis.
\n
"It's like a jigsaw puzzle with millions of pieces, many of which look very similar, making the assembly extremely challenging," said Yuan Yingjin, who led the team.
\n
Yuan, who is also an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and director of the State Key Lab of Synthetic Biology, said that even if long genome fragments are synthesized, validating their genetic function is difficult without transferring them into an animal.
\n
Yuan's team has developed the SynNICE method to tackle this problem.
\n
"Using this method, we have for the first time completed the synthesis of high-repetition human DNA at the million-base-pair level and efficiently transferred this fragment intact into early mice embryos using a yeast nucleus as the transfer shuttle," Yuan said.
\n
Internationally, most research teams in human DNA synthesis are still working at the hundred-kilo-base-pair level and find it challenging to efficiently transfer DNA into mammalian embryos.
\n
This makes this latest development a significant leap forward.
\n
"For decades, scientists have enhanced their understanding of the human genome through sequencing and reading information. By adopting a bottom-up approach to synthesize genes from basic units, we can more directly reveal causal relationships among genome sequences, functions and diseases," Yuan said.
\n
"Scientists are no longer content merely to 'read' and 'edit' the book of life — they now have the ability to 'write' new chapters in it," he added.
\n
The team's research focused on a segment called AZFa on the human Y chromosome, chosen because its deletion is a cause of untreatable male infertility. Synthesizing this segment posed significant challenges, as over 69 percent of its sequence consists of repetitive elements, making it extremely prone to mismatches and recombination, which could lead to failure, Yuan explained.
\n
To overcome this challenge, the team devised a combined assembly strategy. Initially, they divided the sequence into over 200 smaller fragments, which were then assembled into 23 medium-sized components using Saccharomyces cerevisiae, also known as brewer's yeast. These components were further assembled into four larger structures, again utilizing the yeast.
\n
Finally, employing the gene-editing technique CRISPR-Cas9 and a yeast mating system, the team successfully assembled all fragments into a single, perfectly integrated artificial synthetic chromosome spanning 1.14 million base pairs.
\n
Brewer's yeast was used as it serves as a powerful biological tool equipped with a highly efficient homologous recombination system that automatically recognizes and seamlessly joins matching DNA sequences, said Yuan.
\n
The problem remained of how to safely transfer this large and fragile genome fragment into mice embryos. The team solved this by using yeast nuclei as natural, solid carriers.
\n
"If transferring DNA across species is like a moon landing mission on Earth, our use of yeast nuclei is akin to the spacecraft that safely transports astronauts between Earth and the moon, protecting and compressing the synthetic genome," said Yuan.
\n
This method involves isolating the entire yeast nucleus containing the synthetic DNA. This nucleus acts as a natural, sturdy transport capsule, providing perfect physical protection for the genetic material inside, said Liu Yue, a member of the research team.
\n
The research can shed new light on the treatment of diseases related to chromosomal anomalies. In the future, by synthesizing key gene fragments, scientists may be able to correct defects in the AZFa region causing infertility. Understanding the correlation between genomic variations and diseases can also guide treatments for conditions such as cancer.
\n
Tang Fuchou, a professor at Peking University, said the SynNICE method could potentially extend the functional lifespan of xenotransplantation with humanized pig donor organs in human bodies from two to three years to several decades, offering revolutionary hope for addressing the global organ shortage.
\n
Yuan said the substantial resources provided for basic research were crucial for the team to be able to tackle such "unclaimed territories" in science, such as repetitive sequence assembly and nuclear transfer.
\n
Interdisciplinary collaboration was essential, bringing together experts in synthetic biology, medicine, developmental biology and epigenetics, he said. Gene function validation in the research was carried out by teams from Tianjin University and Tsinghua University, with several hospitals providing real clinical cases for the study.
\n
"Humanity is still in the technology development stage for DNA synthesis. While advancing technological innovation, China remains highly attentive to biosecurity," he said.
\n
In 2017, Tianjin University led scientists from over 20 countries across four continents in drafting the "Tianjin Biosecurity Guidelines for Codes of Conduct for Scientists", which the World Health Organization has recognized as a global biosecurity ethical standard.
\n
Yuan said the ability to synthesize large genomes could spark a medical revolution, potentially curing currently incurable diseases and paving the way for new treatments.
\n
The study report was titled De novo Assembly and Delivery of Synthetic Megabase-Scale Human DNA into Mouse Early Embryos.
A technician (right) checks the growth of seedlings through a monitor in a greenhouse at the Zhixin Digital Seedling Breeding Industrial Park in Raoyang county, Hebei province.
\n
In Raoyang county, Hebei province, a high-tech approach is overturning long-held beliefs that North China's sweltering summers are ill-suited for seedling cultivation.
\n
At the Zhixin Digital Seedling Breeding Industrial Park in Raoyang in Hengshui city, algorithms now replace gut instinct.
\n
The cutting-edge solutions are transforming challenging conditions of high temperatures, heavy rain and intense sunlight into precisely controlled parameters, enabling consistent and high-quality seedling production in the hot season.
\n
"In the past, we relied on experience. Now, we rely on algorithms," said Wei Fangcui, the park's director, while navigating the park's cloud-based management platform via a tablet.
\n
The system integrates over a dozen critical parameters, including micro-climate, soil conditions, and crop growth stages, using machines to autonomously optimize irrigation, nutrient delivery, light exposure and ventilation cycles.
\n
Stepping into the vast complex reveals a scene of quiet efficiency — automated rail-guided seedling beds glide smoothly, precision spray systems deliver moisture, and clusters of internet of things sensors display temperature and humidity data in real time.
\n
This highly integrated "breeding-cultivation-promotion" facility, a model of intelligent agriculture, now produces over 120 million robust seedlings annually, according to the park.
\n
"Problems are spotted instantly and solved with a click," said technician Xie Keju, using a mobile app to track seedlings' "body temperature" and "nutritional intake". Sensors in eight vast glass greenhouses — each nearly 10,000 square meters and housing up to one million plants — feed real time data into the system, triggering automatic adjustments to ensure every seedling receives balanced nourishment.
\n
"Crucially, the platform also provides early disease and pest warnings and tracks the growth history of individual plants," he said.
\n
The outcomes are compelling. According to Wei, the park achieves a five percent higher rate of strong, viable seedlings and reduces the overall cultivation cycle by five percent.
\n
"These tech-based seedlings are the 'chips' of modern agriculture," she said.
\n
Technology is also reshaping productivity. An artificial intelligence-powered precision seeder allows one worker to sow 45 trays in three minutes, work that once took four people almost an hour. Xie now manages 300,000 seedlings singlehandedly, with his monthly income rising from 3,000 to 8,000 yuan ($417 to 1,112).
\n
This transformation stems from Raoyang county's "Science Commissioner plus Local Expert" training program, which has delivered over 100 specialized trainings on smart equipment and pest management, grooming over 10,000 skilled fruit and vegetable technicians, according to local authorities.
\n
"Quality must be controlled from the very source," said Li Bingshun, deputy director of Raoyang county's agriculture and rural affairs bureau.
\n
This focus has attracted over 30 prominent breeding enterprises to establish operations in Raoyang. Together with 44 local seedling bases, they form an integrated breeding and promotion network, he said.
\n
The technological journey extends seamlessly from greenhouse to market. In the packaging facility, automated sorting lines place seedlings into custom boxes at a rate of three per second, each affixed with a QR code tracing its origin and journey.
\n
"These 500,000 tomato seedlings head to Beijing tomorrow via refrigerated transport, reaching fields within 48 hours," Wei Fangcui said in an interview in July, pointing to live national demand data.
\n
Since its February launch, the park has supplied over four million premium seedlings to multiple places, including the Ningxia Hui autonomous region, as well as provinces of Hebei and Henan, Wei said.
\n
The supplies cover over a dozen varieties of common and specialty fruit and vegetable seedlings, she added.
\n
"The return on our technology investment is increasing rapidly," Wei said.
\n
Their seedlings, prized for superior genetics and consistent quality, have driven tangible benefits — farmers report average yield increases of 15 to 20 percent per hectare alongside significantly improved produce quality, achieving market satisfaction rates exceeding 90 percent, according to Wei.
\n
This revolution not only supplies premium seedlings nationally but also catalyzes local industry transformation.
\n
Raoyang has established Hebei's first High-Quality Fruit and Vegetable Seed Industry Alliance, guiding breeding bases and planning 10,667-hectare demonstration zones. Additionally, it integrates data from the entire industry chain to create a regulatory platform.
\n
Currently, Raoyang has cultivated 28,667 hectares of fruits and vegetables, including 22,667 hectares of protected greenhouse crops, producing 2.4 million metric tons annually and supplying 2,000 tons daily to neighboring Beijing and Tianjin, according to local statistics.
\n
"We will amplify our leading role, aiming to bring 40 more bases into the digital fold within two years, creating scale and synergy for shared resources and technology," Wei said.
\n
She added that continuous research& development investment will refine their algorithms and deepen IoT integration, embedding technology into every facet of seedling cultivation.
\n
zhangyu1@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
@@ -6178,28 +5936,6 @@
"hash": "530b563fee5c117c4a82adb574c0934c",
"highlights": []
},
- {
- "title": "007CHINA - Adventure sports make Guizhou a top draw for visitors",
- "description": "
A tourist enjoys the Super Swing at the Hou'er Tiankeng scenic area in Kaiyang county, Guizhou province.
\n
GUIYANG — Karst landscapes, typical in Southwest China's Guizhou province, have emerged as a magnet for adventurers and outdoor sports enthusiasts this summer, drawing crowds with their unique geological wonders.
\n
"Come here, and you'll shoot a viral life highlight reel — guaranteed to go trending!" a travel blogger wrote on a short-video platform, describing a scenic area in Guizhou.
\n
The Hou'er Tiankeng scenic area in Kaiyang county, a typical karst collapse sinkhole with a diameter of 300 meters and a depth of 280 meters, has been transformed into an extreme sports park.
\n
The Super Swing, the world's first extreme swing installed inside a sinkhole at the tourist attraction, boasts a vertical drop of 92 meters and has drawn crowds of visitors eager to try it. "We release tickets in the early morning, and some people say they lose sleep over snatching them up," said general manager Wu Canhua. Due to its unique geographical environment, the area has a limited daily capacity and has implemented a reservation system since 2024.
\n
While visitors walk along the mountain path, vines hang from the sinkhole's cliffs, with winding streams below. The empty space in between is divided by ropes, resembling a spider's web strung inside the sinkhole.
\n
On the jumping platform, tourists, harnessed by two cables, took turns leaping into the sinkhole's depths. A first-person view drone followed tourists closely, while a smartphone and a 360-degree panoramic camera captured moments from multiple angles.
\n
Sinkhole highs
\n
Videos posted on social media by tourists have sparked widespread attention and discussion. On Douyin, China's version of TikTok, related topics about Hou'er Tiankeng have exceeded 2 billion views, with some videos garnering more than 3 million likes.
\n
"Long time no see, my brave and passionate self!" "Youth has no price tag — take the leap into the sinkhole." These are among the most popular comments on the trip after visitors challenged themselves.
\n
"It was so thrilling. I felt like I was flying!" said Zhou Muning, a tourist from Chengdu in Sichuan province. "I'd seen these extreme sports on short videos before, and I came specifically to try them this time. The experience is unforgettable."
\n
Wu said: "Among our visitors, Gen Z makes up the largest group. We've catered to current filming and aesthetic trends, satisfying their desire to express themselves. In the past, people traveled for a room or a view; now, they travel for an experience."
\n
Centering on visitors' experience, the scenic area continues to enrich its offerings. Beyond the Super Swing, it also provides options like via ferrata (iron path) climbing and cave exploration. "We're adopting a three-dimensional development approach, aiming to offer visitors a layered experience," said Wu. A newly developed high-altitude pipe track project has been completed and is undergoing third-party safety assessments.
\n
Shang Fajun, chief of the sports section in the county's culture and tourism bureau, said that the county fully leverages its mountain outdoor resources to promote deep integration of sports, culture and tourism.
\n
Data shows that from January to June this year, the site received 107,000 visitors, with total sales exceeding 67.97 million yuan ($9.47 million).
\n
Perfect for rafting
\n
In midsummer, the karst heartland of Southwest China resembles a naturally carved wonderland, where visitors drift with the waves, experiencing the wonder of excitement and tranquility.
\n
At Luobei River in Guiding county, under a blue sky and white clouds, visitors put on life jackets and helmets, grab oars and board rafts to embark on a summer adventure.
\n
Guizhou, with its magnificent karst landforms, dense water networks, and steep gorges, ranks among China's top rafting destinations.
\n
Luobei River, hailed by netizens as the Tongtian River in the ancient classic Journey to the West — renowned for its mythic perils and iconic episodes — boasts a perfect combination of karst gorges and dynamic hydrology. A rafting journey of over 10 kilometers allows visitors to savor the joy of mountains and waters in a "crack of the earth".
\n
The river, with a relatively wide channel, drops some 88 meters from start to finish. Its course includes seven major rapids — one with an 8-meter drop — making it perfect for rafting.
\n
Huang Runcheng, general manager of the raft operator, said that to ensure visitors' safety, the company has deployed 66 lifeguards along both sides of the river and equipped four inflatable rescue boats for rapid response to emergencies. All lifeguards have received training in rapid water and flood rescue and are stationed along the seven major rapids. In the heat of summer, the parking lot at the visitor service center is filled with cars from across the country. Huang noted that since the company reopened for rafting on June 20 this year, it has welcomed 35,000 visitors, a nearly 10-fold year-on-year increase.
\n
"The more activities we offer, the better the experience," Huang said. Since resuming rafting in 2023, the site has focused on a "sports+adventure+outdoor" model, using rafting as a pivot to expand diverse outdoor activities and experiences, developing new projects such as water swings, deep-water diving platforms and electric paddle boards.
\n
As rafts reached the endpoint, many visitors, soaked to the skin, still chose to dive into the water even amid light rain.
\n
Xiong Peng, from Liupanshui city, Guizhou, has been selling local snacks, waterproof bags, sun hats and other items at the rafting starting point since late June. He said that during the summer vacation, as long as the weather is fine, visitors pour in, with weekend sales reaching 3,000 to 4,000 yuan a day.
\n
Ma Yun, deputy director of the county's culture and tourism bureau, said that from a single rafting project to a composite experience of "rafting+folk customs" and "rafting+research", the county is continuously improving tourism quality to make every visitor's "wave-chasing journey" an unforgettable memory.
\n
With diverse and innovative activities ranging from sky-high adventures to underground explorations, the mountainous province's summer economy is brimming with vitality. From January to June 2025, the total number of tourists across the province increased by 8.2 percent year-on-year, and the total tourism spending grew by 10.6 percent year-on-year.
\n",
- "content": "
A tourist enjoys the Super Swing at the Hou'er Tiankeng scenic area in Kaiyang county, Guizhou province.
\n
GUIYANG — Karst landscapes, typical in Southwest China's Guizhou province, have emerged as a magnet for adventurers and outdoor sports enthusiasts this summer, drawing crowds with their unique geological wonders.
\n
"Come here, and you'll shoot a viral life highlight reel — guaranteed to go trending!" a travel blogger wrote on a short-video platform, describing a scenic area in Guizhou.
\n
The Hou'er Tiankeng scenic area in Kaiyang county, a typical karst collapse sinkhole with a diameter of 300 meters and a depth of 280 meters, has been transformed into an extreme sports park.
\n
The Super Swing, the world's first extreme swing installed inside a sinkhole at the tourist attraction, boasts a vertical drop of 92 meters and has drawn crowds of visitors eager to try it. "We release tickets in the early morning, and some people say they lose sleep over snatching them up," said general manager Wu Canhua. Due to its unique geographical environment, the area has a limited daily capacity and has implemented a reservation system since 2024.
\n
While visitors walk along the mountain path, vines hang from the sinkhole's cliffs, with winding streams below. The empty space in between is divided by ropes, resembling a spider's web strung inside the sinkhole.
\n
On the jumping platform, tourists, harnessed by two cables, took turns leaping into the sinkhole's depths. A first-person view drone followed tourists closely, while a smartphone and a 360-degree panoramic camera captured moments from multiple angles.
\n
Sinkhole highs
\n
Videos posted on social media by tourists have sparked widespread attention and discussion. On Douyin, China's version of TikTok, related topics about Hou'er Tiankeng have exceeded 2 billion views, with some videos garnering more than 3 million likes.
\n
"Long time no see, my brave and passionate self!" "Youth has no price tag — take the leap into the sinkhole." These are among the most popular comments on the trip after visitors challenged themselves.
\n
"It was so thrilling. I felt like I was flying!" said Zhou Muning, a tourist from Chengdu in Sichuan province. "I'd seen these extreme sports on short videos before, and I came specifically to try them this time. The experience is unforgettable."
\n
Wu said: "Among our visitors, Gen Z makes up the largest group. We've catered to current filming and aesthetic trends, satisfying their desire to express themselves. In the past, people traveled for a room or a view; now, they travel for an experience."
\n
Centering on visitors' experience, the scenic area continues to enrich its offerings. Beyond the Super Swing, it also provides options like via ferrata (iron path) climbing and cave exploration. "We're adopting a three-dimensional development approach, aiming to offer visitors a layered experience," said Wu. A newly developed high-altitude pipe track project has been completed and is undergoing third-party safety assessments.
\n
Shang Fajun, chief of the sports section in the county's culture and tourism bureau, said that the county fully leverages its mountain outdoor resources to promote deep integration of sports, culture and tourism.
\n
Data shows that from January to June this year, the site received 107,000 visitors, with total sales exceeding 67.97 million yuan ($9.47 million).
\n
Perfect for rafting
\n
In midsummer, the karst heartland of Southwest China resembles a naturally carved wonderland, where visitors drift with the waves, experiencing the wonder of excitement and tranquility.
\n
At Luobei River in Guiding county, under a blue sky and white clouds, visitors put on life jackets and helmets, grab oars and board rafts to embark on a summer adventure.
\n
Guizhou, with its magnificent karst landforms, dense water networks, and steep gorges, ranks among China's top rafting destinations.
\n
Luobei River, hailed by netizens as the Tongtian River in the ancient classic Journey to the West — renowned for its mythic perils and iconic episodes — boasts a perfect combination of karst gorges and dynamic hydrology. A rafting journey of over 10 kilometers allows visitors to savor the joy of mountains and waters in a "crack of the earth".
\n
The river, with a relatively wide channel, drops some 88 meters from start to finish. Its course includes seven major rapids — one with an 8-meter drop — making it perfect for rafting.
\n
Huang Runcheng, general manager of the raft operator, said that to ensure visitors' safety, the company has deployed 66 lifeguards along both sides of the river and equipped four inflatable rescue boats for rapid response to emergencies. All lifeguards have received training in rapid water and flood rescue and are stationed along the seven major rapids. In the heat of summer, the parking lot at the visitor service center is filled with cars from across the country. Huang noted that since the company reopened for rafting on June 20 this year, it has welcomed 35,000 visitors, a nearly 10-fold year-on-year increase.
\n
"The more activities we offer, the better the experience," Huang said. Since resuming rafting in 2023, the site has focused on a "sports+adventure+outdoor" model, using rafting as a pivot to expand diverse outdoor activities and experiences, developing new projects such as water swings, deep-water diving platforms and electric paddle boards.
\n
As rafts reached the endpoint, many visitors, soaked to the skin, still chose to dive into the water even amid light rain.
\n
Xiong Peng, from Liupanshui city, Guizhou, has been selling local snacks, waterproof bags, sun hats and other items at the rafting starting point since late June. He said that during the summer vacation, as long as the weather is fine, visitors pour in, with weekend sales reaching 3,000 to 4,000 yuan a day.
\n
Ma Yun, deputy director of the county's culture and tourism bureau, said that from a single rafting project to a composite experience of "rafting+folk customs" and "rafting+research", the county is continuously improving tourism quality to make every visitor's "wave-chasing journey" an unforgettable memory.
\n
With diverse and innovative activities ranging from sky-high adventures to underground explorations, the mountainous province's summer economy is brimming with vitality. From January to June 2025, the total number of tourists across the province increased by 8.2 percent year-on-year, and the total tourism spending grew by 10.6 percent year-on-year.
The USS Higgins, an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, "illegally entered China's territorial waters around Huangyan Island without the approval of the Chinese government" on Wednesday, and the People's Liberation Army Navy "tracked, monitored, and warned the vessel to leave", the PLA Southern Theater Command said in a statement that day.
\n
Sarah Merrill, a spokesperson for the US Seventh Fleet, based in Yokosuka, Japan, to which the USS Higgins belongs, said the warship was conducting a "freedom of navigation operation "in accordance with international law.
\n
But that's not the case. The only reason the US dispatched the vessel to those waters was to show its support for Manila to continue the hazardous game it is playing. A Philippine Coast Guard ship made some dangerous provocative maneuvers on Monday that posed a risk to the Chinese law enforcement ships patrolling in the waters. But US ambassador to the Philippines, MaryKay Carlson, on Tuesday ridiculously pointed the finger of blame at China for "the latest reckless action".
\n
The claim of Merrill that the USS Higgins was upholding the US' right to fly, sail and operate wherever international law allows only exposes the hypocrisy of the US. As the PLA statement said, the US warship "seriously" infringed on China's sovereignty, severely undermined peace and stability in the South China Sea, and violated international law and basic norms governing international relations.
\n
The US Navy spokesperson's dismissal of these remarks — "Nothing China says otherwise will deter us" — reveals the US' intention to constantly escalate tensions in the South China Sea, by emboldening the Philippines. The reason why the US sent the warship to the waters around Huangyan Island is because it realizes the consequences of the Philippines' provocations two days ago might make Manila jittery, waiting for China's response.
\n
Since it assumed office over three years ago, the Ferdinand Marcos Jr government has been fully aware of the dangerous position it is putting the Philippines in by acting as a US pawn against China in the South China Sea. It has practiced a brinkmanship policy to try and maximize its gains in the US-orchestrated geopolitical game — reaching for a yard after taking an inch and hiding low to weather the self-created storms.
\n
A review of what the Marcos government has done in playing its assigned role in the South China Sea clearly demonstrates that whenever it becomes hesitant and worried after playing with fire, the US will always show its support, usually by sending warships to the waters.
\n
Manila then has no choice but to continue playing its provocative game. Notably, its incursion into Chinese waters earlier this week came after Marcos' visit to the US late last month. Before that Marcos also made a series of irresponsible remarks on the Taiwan question and tried to drag India into the game it is playing with the US.
\n
During his visit to the Pentagon, the Philippine president was reassured by his hosts, who reaffirmed the US' commitment to the two countries' mutual defense treaty, which states that an attack on either the Philippines or the US is deemed to be an attack on the other. The treaty is the major source of the Marcos government's confidence that the US will not abandon the Philippines in the case of an emergency. The US is actually taking advantage of that mentality to use the Philippines as a tool in its "Indo-Pacific" strategy, squeezing the space for its autonomy and alienating it from the other countries in the region.
\n
But the US knows it has not yet dispelled Manila's fear of either being discarded by the US or reaping what it has sowed in advancing the US' agenda at its own cost. So whenever Manila thinks it has gone too far, the US has to reassure it. Yet the US' exploitative approach to other hotspot issues incessantly reminds Manila that the US will take its pound of flesh.
\n
Having been pressed to be increasingly provocative, the Marcos government has finally realized that it is not a case of asking what the US can do for the Philippines, but rather what the Philippines can do for the US.
\n
The Philippines will succeed Malaysia as chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations next year, which offers the Marcos government a chance to prove it can contribute to regional peace and stability. In an interview for his podcast on Friday, Marcos confirmed that Manila would "certainly try" to push for a legally binding code of conduct for the South China Sea to maintain stability in the region that regional countries have been negotiating.
\n
It is certainly to be hoped that this is the case.
\n",
@@ -6222,28 +5958,6 @@
"hash": "8b3369a4bf354fb052986316bbc4daf9",
"highlights": []
},
- {
- "title": "008COMMENT - '15 percent cut' is 'unique' only for its unrealistic confidence",
- "description": "
After Chinese authorities frowned upon security concerns over Nvidia's sales of downgraded H20 artificial intelligence semiconductors to China, the US administration has self-praised its approval of the sales as a "very unique solution" under certain conditions.
\n
Nvidia and AMD, another US tech company, have been permitted to resume the sales of downgraded AI chips to China on the condition that they share 15 percent of the revenue from sales with the US government.
\n
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the Nvidia and AMD deals could serve as a model for others. "I think we could see it in other industries over time," Bessent said in a television interview on Wednesday. "Right now, this is unique, but now that we have the model and the beta test, why not expand it?"
\n
Yet Bessent's optimism might prove conditional too. To begin with, that Nvidia and AMD accepted the arrangement does not mean other US companies dealing with China will follow suit.
\n
The haste with which the US Treasury chief tried to hail the genius of the move even before the two US companies have started making profit from the arrangement, stems from the US administration's acute need to counter the opposition's charge that its approval of AI chip sales to China will threaten the US' national security.
\n
The administration first highlighted that the chips had been suitably "tailored", leaving no room for security concerns. When that failed to have the desired effect, it threw light on the 15 percent cut, which Bessent emphasized "will go to pay down debt", suggesting it is for the public good.
\n
"If we could make a substantial debt" repayment, that would then allow for discussions about a program for sending money to taxpayers, he said.
\n
But China's cautious approach to the US chips has apparently caught those who were calling the sales a seamless deal unprepared. If Chinese companies don't buy the chips — and they have enough reasons not to do so — the "Nvidia deal" might only prove to be a pipe dream.
\n
When asked about China's wariness, Bessent said "sure, we can discuss that" with the Chinese. "But it also tells me that they are worried about the Nvidia chips becoming the standard in China."
\n
Which is actually not true. Chinese companies have already developed similar AI chips, though with a different structure, which Bessent admitted was what prompted the US administration to revoke the ban on sales of H20 chips to China in the first place.
\n
But Bessent should be reminded why the US' exploitative approach might not work. According to a Reuters report quoting "two people with direct knowledge of the previously unreported law enforcement tactic", US authorities have placed location-tracking devices in targeted shipments of advanced chips they feel have a high risk of being illegally diverted to China.
\n
The tracking devices, typically hidden in the packaging, will detect diversion to destinations that face US exports restrictions, the sources said.
\n
This shows the lengths to which the US is willing to go to enforce its chip exports restrictions on China, even as the US administration seeks to relax some curbs on Chinese access to advanced US semiconductors, as Reuters observed in the report.
\n
The trackers are intended to help build cases against people and companies who profit from violating US exports controls, according to the report.
\n
Location trackers are a decades-old investigative tool used by US law enforcement agencies to track products subject to exports restrictions, such as aircraft parts. They have been used to combat the illegal diversion of semiconductors in recent years, one source said.
\n
If that is true, the US chips' journey to China will certainly become bumpier.
\n",
- "content": "
After Chinese authorities frowned upon security concerns over Nvidia's sales of downgraded H20 artificial intelligence semiconductors to China, the US administration has self-praised its approval of the sales as a "very unique solution" under certain conditions.
\n
Nvidia and AMD, another US tech company, have been permitted to resume the sales of downgraded AI chips to China on the condition that they share 15 percent of the revenue from sales with the US government.
\n
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the Nvidia and AMD deals could serve as a model for others. "I think we could see it in other industries over time," Bessent said in a television interview on Wednesday. "Right now, this is unique, but now that we have the model and the beta test, why not expand it?"
\n
Yet Bessent's optimism might prove conditional too. To begin with, that Nvidia and AMD accepted the arrangement does not mean other US companies dealing with China will follow suit.
\n
The haste with which the US Treasury chief tried to hail the genius of the move even before the two US companies have started making profit from the arrangement, stems from the US administration's acute need to counter the opposition's charge that its approval of AI chip sales to China will threaten the US' national security.
\n
The administration first highlighted that the chips had been suitably "tailored", leaving no room for security concerns. When that failed to have the desired effect, it threw light on the 15 percent cut, which Bessent emphasized "will go to pay down debt", suggesting it is for the public good.
\n
"If we could make a substantial debt" repayment, that would then allow for discussions about a program for sending money to taxpayers, he said.
\n
But China's cautious approach to the US chips has apparently caught those who were calling the sales a seamless deal unprepared. If Chinese companies don't buy the chips — and they have enough reasons not to do so — the "Nvidia deal" might only prove to be a pipe dream.
\n
When asked about China's wariness, Bessent said "sure, we can discuss that" with the Chinese. "But it also tells me that they are worried about the Nvidia chips becoming the standard in China."
\n
Which is actually not true. Chinese companies have already developed similar AI chips, though with a different structure, which Bessent admitted was what prompted the US administration to revoke the ban on sales of H20 chips to China in the first place.
\n
But Bessent should be reminded why the US' exploitative approach might not work. According to a Reuters report quoting "two people with direct knowledge of the previously unreported law enforcement tactic", US authorities have placed location-tracking devices in targeted shipments of advanced chips they feel have a high risk of being illegally diverted to China.
\n
The tracking devices, typically hidden in the packaging, will detect diversion to destinations that face US exports restrictions, the sources said.
\n
This shows the lengths to which the US is willing to go to enforce its chip exports restrictions on China, even as the US administration seeks to relax some curbs on Chinese access to advanced US semiconductors, as Reuters observed in the report.
\n
The trackers are intended to help build cases against people and companies who profit from violating US exports controls, according to the report.
\n
Location trackers are a decades-old investigative tool used by US law enforcement agencies to track products subject to exports restrictions, such as aircraft parts. They have been used to combat the illegal diversion of semiconductors in recent years, one source said.
\n
If that is true, the US chips' journey to China will certainly become bumpier.
Editor's note: This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) and the World Anti-Fascist War. Japan should learn from its past and desist from rebuilding its military. In an interview with Li Huixian for Dialogues with Thinkers, China Daily's high-end interview program, Fang Ke, a Japanese affairs expert at the National Defense University of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, said Japan should face up to its history, and stressed that Japanese right-wing forces should not distort history and mislead ordinary Japanese people, especially the younger generation. Excerpts follow:
\n
Question: Aug 15 marks the 80th anniversary of Japan's unconditional surrender in World War II. How should Japan behave now?
\n
Answer: Japanese invaders in China and other Asian countries killed and wounded millions of people, leaving a trail of destruction across much of East and Southeast Asia. For Japan, adopting a right view of history is imperative. Only by facing up to history can Japan truly atone for its atrocities before and during World War II. Facing up to history is a litmus test of its political sincerity.
\n
Also, Japan must adhere, both in letter and spirit, to the four political documents it has signed with China. It is equally crucial for Japan to enhance communication with China to build strategic mutual trust and better understand each other's legitimate concerns.
\n
Amid growing economic turbulence fueled by the United States' tariff war, China and Japan, as the Asia-Pacific's leading economies, have every reason to deepen economic cooperation, because it would not only mitigate economic risks but also bolster regional stability. Effective crisis management is critical, too, for Japan to improve relations with China and other countries in the region. So it should respect Beijing's core interests. Rather than exacerbating tensions, it should adopt a constructive approach to fostering regional stability, particularly bilateral relations with China.
\n
Q: To what extent will the far-right forces in Japan continue to influence the country's policies?
\n
A: Ever since the Meiji Restoration, militarists and far-right forces have been influencing, to various degrees, Japan's policies, even dragging it into the abyss of war. After World War II, the international community's oversight and the US-engineered democratization reforms temporarily marginalized these elements, even stripped them of political power.
\n
However, the outbreak of the Korean War in 1950 prompted a US policy reversal. By remolding Japan into an anti-communist linchpin in East Asia, the US helped rehabilitate convicted war criminals and dismissed wartime officials, some of whom became part of Japan's power structure.
\n
Consequently, Japan has never truly atoned for its wartime crimes nor has it fully abandoned its militarist views. Although these elements' capacity to fundamentally alter Japan's domestic or foreign policy is constrained, they can still shape public views, especially influence young minds.
\n
Q: What sort of impact did the Chinese people's humanitarian act of adopting Japanese war orphans after the end of World War II have on the development of Sino-Japanese relations?
\n
A: The sort of treatment Japanese orphans got from kindhearted Chinese people has long been a testament to the friendship between China and Japan. After Japan's defeat in World War II, an estimated 4,000 to 5,000 war orphans were left behind in China. The older generation of Chinese leaders, including Chairman Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai, treated them with kindness, as did ordinary Chinese people in Northeast China.
\n
This shows that China distinguishes between Japan's militarist clique and the Japanese people. By launching the war, the militarists not only dragged all the Japanese people into World War II but also made them victims of the war.
\n
After returning to Japan, those orphans acted as a bridge between China and Japan. Many of them formed organizations, revisited their adoptive families in China, and fostered goodwill between the two countries. Their story shows that a genuine people-to-people bond rooted in compassion and mutual understanding is irreplaceable.
\n
Q: Will Japan's labeling of China as the \"greatest strategic challenge\" in its recent defense white papers harm bilateral relations?
\n
A: Postwar Japan has oscillated between pursuing strategic autonomy to enhance its defense capabilities and relying on the US for national security. Yet by calling China the "greatest strategic challenge", Japan is fabricating stories to justify its militarization and rally domestic public support for it. Japan plans to increase its defense spending beyond 2 percent of GDP by 2027.
\n
The Japanese government argues that its "low defense spending" is inadequate to sustain its status as a major power or counter what it calls "diversified threats", whether from China or other sources. To this end, it seeks to increase defense budgets, expand offensive weapons capabilities, and procure advanced military hardware — all of which require securing public support to ensure smooth approval in both houses of the Diet when these policies are formally proposed.
\n
On the other hand, with the US advancing its "Indo-Pacific" strategy, Japan is concerned about its diminishing role in the alliance due to the US' growing diversified partners. For decades, Tokyo has followed Washington's lead, but it has been working to exercise greater influence and autonomy within the alliance.
\n
By calling China as such a "threat", both countries gain justification to deepen alliance integration, enabling Tokyo to harness US strategic weight for expanded regional influence and leadership. Japan also believes this will make it an indispensable ally of the US in the Asia-Pacific. But Japan should realize that in today's world, national security cannot be safeguarded by hyping up nonexistent threats. And clinging to the beggar-thy-neighbor approach will not help Japan win the support of its neighbors or the wider international community either.
\n
Q: Is Japan's strategy of boosting security and the economy sustainable?
\n
A: At the end of 2024, Japan was China's fifth-largest trading partner, third largest among individual countries, while China was Japan's largest trading partner and primary source of imports. Sino-Japanese trade has been mutually beneficial for decades. It is the US that has been trying to destabilize the global economic order by launching the tariff war.
\n
It is essential for China, Japan and the Republic of Korea, as major economies in the Asia-Pacific, to deepen cooperation, especially in fields such as cutting-edge technologies and infrastructure development, to ensure the region's continued development.
\n
Japan's approach to China is inherently contradictory. Despite continuing to align with the US in matters of security and defense, Japan has been enjoying the economic gains from Sino-Japanese trade.
\n
Q: How should we respond to certain US and Japanese politicians' frequent hyping of the Taiwan question?
\n
A: This is a matter of serious concern. We should continue to make efforts to achieve the reunification of Taiwan with the motherland, and avoid making the mistake of "strategic overreach".
\n
Ineffective crisis management could turn a friction into conflict, potentially dragging other countries into it. To prevent this, China and Japan have established effective multi-tier, multi-channel crisis management mechanisms, including hotlines at the defense minister level.
\n
In recent years, through a series of military exercises and demonstrations of advanced weapons systems, China has showcased the modernization of its defense forces, as well as its resolve to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and achieve national reunification.
\n
It will again do so at an opportune moment and location to demonstrate its military capabilities to deter hostile forces, and prevent them from exploiting sensitive issues.
\n
The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.
\n",
@@ -6266,28 +5980,6 @@
"hash": "4e44db3a7017ecdb15f874dced4b163a",
"highlights": []
},
- {
- "title": "009VIEWS - Contrasting quality of services in China and EU show need for mutual learning",
- "description": "
Chen Weihua
\n\n
After being a foreign correspondent for China Daily for 16 years, I returned home a week ago and began adjusting to life in the fast-changing metropolis of Shanghai. Just a day after my arrival, I received a call from a delivery man asking me whether I would mind if he delivered a parcel a few minutes later than scheduled.
\n
"No problem," I said, soon realizing that he could be penalized by his company for being even slightly late.
\n
Delivery personnel whizzing past vehicles on their e-bikes, despite the scorching temperatures in summer, torrential rain during monsoon and freezing cold in winter, are a common sight in Shanghai and other Chinese cities. They exemplify the diligence of ordinary Chinese workers.
\n
But their working conditions should be improved, not least because they have made life convenient for nearly 25 million Shanghai residents. Meituan and Ele.me, two of the largest food delivery platforms, together boast more than 11 million employees, many of them part-time workers. That is like the entire population of Belgium.
\n
My experience with courier companies in Brussels, especially Amazon Germany and Amazon Belgium, was often nightmarish. I had no clue when exactly the deliveryman would arrive. Waiting at home for half a day for a parcel to arrive, at times I received a message or two, saying the "delivery attempt" failed because there was no one at home. Clearly, the courier companies are not held to account for their lousy service.
\n
In contrast, the courier service in China is efficient to the other extreme. I believe a balance should be found between the courier services in the European Union and China. Chinese delivery personnel should slow down a bit while those in the EU improve.
\n
The same is true for the healthcare system. I've been a beneficiary of the excellent Belgian medical system for seven years. Doctors and nurses were very professional and the cost was quite low thanks to the mutual medical insurance plan. But fixing an appointment with a doctor was sometimes not easy. Two weeks before my departure from Brussels, I was trying to get an ultrasound test done, as recommended by my doctor. Unfortunately, the next available date was late August in one place and September in another.
\n
So I had to wait for the ultrasound till I returned home. In Shanghai, I got it done within one hour of reaching a hospital on Monday, and that too without an appointment, but after seeing a doctor. All is well, thank God.
\n
There is no doubt that, overall, Belgians enjoy a far better healthcare system than the average Chinese given the huge gap between the medical services in big cities and smaller cities and the vast Chinese countryside.
\n
The next day, I got up early to undergo a thorough medical checkup in a local hospital. Chinese companies usually have provisions for annual medical checkup for their employees. But such one-stop service is hard to find in the United States or the EU, the two places where I served as China Daily's foreign correspondent for 16 years. Such preventive medical services are necessary for the early detection of a disease or potential health problem.
\n
My checklist after arriving in Shanghai is shrinking fast, with an important remaining task being exchanging my Belgian driver's license for a Chinese one. My Chinese driver's license expired years ago. According to a bilateral agreement between Belgium and China, I can exchange my Belgian driver's license for a Chinese driver's license without taking any test. That's how I got my Belgian driver's license years ago. But all online information suggests that I still have to write a test in Shanghai, which could take days to prepare for, because I need to score at least 90 percent to qualify for a driver's license.
\n
I hope the information available online applies to countries other than Belgium, which is one of the few EU countries to have bilateral agreements with China.
\n
The comparisons are not to criticize the EU or Belgium, but to learn from each other and make things better.
\n
chenweihua@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
- "content": "
Chen Weihua
\n\n
After being a foreign correspondent for China Daily for 16 years, I returned home a week ago and began adjusting to life in the fast-changing metropolis of Shanghai. Just a day after my arrival, I received a call from a delivery man asking me whether I would mind if he delivered a parcel a few minutes later than scheduled.
\n
"No problem," I said, soon realizing that he could be penalized by his company for being even slightly late.
\n
Delivery personnel whizzing past vehicles on their e-bikes, despite the scorching temperatures in summer, torrential rain during monsoon and freezing cold in winter, are a common sight in Shanghai and other Chinese cities. They exemplify the diligence of ordinary Chinese workers.
\n
But their working conditions should be improved, not least because they have made life convenient for nearly 25 million Shanghai residents. Meituan and Ele.me, two of the largest food delivery platforms, together boast more than 11 million employees, many of them part-time workers. That is like the entire population of Belgium.
\n
My experience with courier companies in Brussels, especially Amazon Germany and Amazon Belgium, was often nightmarish. I had no clue when exactly the deliveryman would arrive. Waiting at home for half a day for a parcel to arrive, at times I received a message or two, saying the "delivery attempt" failed because there was no one at home. Clearly, the courier companies are not held to account for their lousy service.
\n
In contrast, the courier service in China is efficient to the other extreme. I believe a balance should be found between the courier services in the European Union and China. Chinese delivery personnel should slow down a bit while those in the EU improve.
\n
The same is true for the healthcare system. I've been a beneficiary of the excellent Belgian medical system for seven years. Doctors and nurses were very professional and the cost was quite low thanks to the mutual medical insurance plan. But fixing an appointment with a doctor was sometimes not easy. Two weeks before my departure from Brussels, I was trying to get an ultrasound test done, as recommended by my doctor. Unfortunately, the next available date was late August in one place and September in another.
\n
So I had to wait for the ultrasound till I returned home. In Shanghai, I got it done within one hour of reaching a hospital on Monday, and that too without an appointment, but after seeing a doctor. All is well, thank God.
\n
There is no doubt that, overall, Belgians enjoy a far better healthcare system than the average Chinese given the huge gap between the medical services in big cities and smaller cities and the vast Chinese countryside.
\n
The next day, I got up early to undergo a thorough medical checkup in a local hospital. Chinese companies usually have provisions for annual medical checkup for their employees. But such one-stop service is hard to find in the United States or the EU, the two places where I served as China Daily's foreign correspondent for 16 years. Such preventive medical services are necessary for the early detection of a disease or potential health problem.
\n
My checklist after arriving in Shanghai is shrinking fast, with an important remaining task being exchanging my Belgian driver's license for a Chinese one. My Chinese driver's license expired years ago. According to a bilateral agreement between Belgium and China, I can exchange my Belgian driver's license for a Chinese driver's license without taking any test. That's how I got my Belgian driver's license years ago. But all online information suggests that I still have to write a test in Shanghai, which could take days to prepare for, because I need to score at least 90 percent to qualify for a driver's license.
\n
I hope the information available online applies to countries other than Belgium, which is one of the few EU countries to have bilateral agreements with China.
\n
The comparisons are not to criticize the EU or Belgium, but to learn from each other and make things better.
An employee handles semiconductor materials at a factory in Bang Pa-In, Ayutthaya Province, Thailand, on Wednesday. The United States has declared plans for a 100 percent tariff on semiconductor imports.
\n
Thai experts have called for a long-term strategy to offset the negative effects of US tariffs, saying Thailand should strengthen its competitiveness by investing more in innovation and technology while expanding its trade partners, including focusing more on China.
\n
The United States recently announced a new "reciprocal" tariff rate for Thailand at 19 percent, which is significantly lower than the previously proposed 36 percent. The new rate is almost on par with those on several other members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, but lower than the levy on Vietnam.
\n
"The reduced tariff attributed to the government's negotiation efforts is not over yet," said Wichai Kinchong Choi, a business development expert at Kasikorn Bank in Bangkok. "What's more important is to strengthen the country's own risk resistance capacity amid the future global challenges through building a robust economy."
\n
A cautiously optimistic attitude should be held as the US has not yet revealed its additional conditions, Wichai said. According to the agreement, for example, Thailand must fully open its domestic agricultural product market and exempt agricultural products imported from the US from tariffs.
\n
"The move will pose risks to Thailand's domestic fruit market," he said.
\n
In the long term, he said, Thailand should further expand into new markets to diversify risk and enhance its production processes to reduce costs while further strengthening its partnership with ASEAN countries and major trade partners such as China.
\n
"As the global trade will deepen, Thailand should urge its major sectors to accelerate reform by leveraging innovation and technology," Wichai said. "We need to adapt and enhance our own competition by investing more in industries such as clean energy, artificial intelligence and electric vehicles that contribute to the kingdom's industrial upgrading and sustainable development."
\n
After the announcement of the reduced tariff rate, Kasikorn Research Center in Bangkok released a report estimating that the Thai economy is expected to grow by 1.5 percent this year, an improvement from the prior projection of 1.4 percent.
\n
Pornchai Thiraveja, director-general of the Fiscal Policy Office at the Thai Finance Ministry, said in a recent interview with the Bangkok Post that the ministry plans to implement stimulus measures to spur domestic spending and investment to support the economy.
\n
Stimulus measures
\n
Measures may include accelerating the disbursement of public investment budgets for infrastructure projects, introducing tax policies to encourage consumption, and supporting the tourism and service sectors.
\n
In addition, the government has established a Competitiveness Enhancement Fund with a budget of 10 billion baht ($308 million), targeting vulnerable industries or those requiring urgent adaptation, which can also aid local businesses in adapting to changing trade conditions.
\n
Apart from solving the internal problems, experts said Thailand should join hands with Southeast Asian countries to open up further and improve market facilitation, as well as improve trade rules and regulations for deepening cooperation with more partners, including China.
\n
Piti Srisangnam, executive director of the ASEAN Foundation, said Thailand has so far joined several regional agreements, such as the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement, which are crucial for it to strengthen cooperation with more partners.
\n
He urged the Thai government to upgrade regulations and agreements with other trade partners and enlarge existing cooperation frameworks, such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.
\n
"Apart from that, we also need to access the larger market, such as BRICS Plus, which will provide Thailand with access to a larger market, facilitating trade and investment opportunities," Piti said. "Being part of BRICS can elevate Thailand's political status on the global stage, providing it with a platform to voice its interests and contribute to global economic and political discussions."
\n
The tariff policy initiated by the US can be a good chance for Thailand to reshape its industry and economy, said Suthiphand Chirathivat, a professor emeritus of economics and former director of the ASEAN Studies Center at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok.
\n
"Moreover, the trade war will very likely bring ASEAN and China even closer," Suthiphand said.
At least 34 people died and more than 200 were missing following sudden, heavy rain in India-controlled Kashmir, officials said on Thursday, the second such disaster in the Himalayas this month. The incident occurred in Chasoti town of Kishtwar district, a stopover point on a popular pilgrimage route. It comes a little over a week after heavy floods and mudslide engulfed an entire village in the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand. India's deputy minister for science and technology, Jitendra Singh, said the floods were triggered by a cloudburst and "could result in substantial casualties".
\n
DPRK
\n
Pyongyang says won't remove loudspeakers
\n
The Democratic People's Republic of Korea has never removed loudspeakers installed along the border with the Republic of Korea and is not willing to remove them, the Korean Central News Agency reported on Thursday, citing a statement from a senior official. Kim Yo-jong, vice-department director of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, in a statement, criticized the ROK for spreading misleading narratives that the DPRK has removed loudspeakers installed on the southern border area, and creating a public opinion that bilateral relations are being "restored".
\n",
- "content": "
SOUTH ASIA
\n
Floods kill 34 in India-controlled Kashmir
\n
At least 34 people died and more than 200 were missing following sudden, heavy rain in India-controlled Kashmir, officials said on Thursday, the second such disaster in the Himalayas this month. The incident occurred in Chasoti town of Kishtwar district, a stopover point on a popular pilgrimage route. It comes a little over a week after heavy floods and mudslide engulfed an entire village in the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand. India's deputy minister for science and technology, Jitendra Singh, said the floods were triggered by a cloudburst and "could result in substantial casualties".
\n
DPRK
\n
Pyongyang says won't remove loudspeakers
\n
The Democratic People's Republic of Korea has never removed loudspeakers installed along the border with the Republic of Korea and is not willing to remove them, the Korean Central News Agency reported on Thursday, citing a statement from a senior official. Kim Yo-jong, vice-department director of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, in a statement, criticized the ROK for spreading misleading narratives that the DPRK has removed loudspeakers installed on the southern border area, and creating a public opinion that bilateral relations are being "restored".
Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (second from right) and other government officials pose for a group photo during a signing ceremony to enact the Sovereign Brazil Plan, an aid program to support companies affected by the US tariffs, at the Planalto presidential palace in Brasilia, Brazil, on Wednesday.
\n
BRASILIA — Brazil's government unveiled on Wednesday a long-awaited aid package for companies hurt by steep US tariffs, centered on credit lines for exporters and government purchases of products that face greater hurdles in finding alternative markets.
\n
US President Donald Trump hiked duties on several goods from Brazil to 50 percent from 10 percent earlier this month. Although some sectors were exempted from the steeper levies, the move is still set to hurt industries such as coffee, beef, seafood, textiles, footwear and fruit.
\n
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva had already signaled his administration would not immediately retaliate against the tariff hike, instead prioritizing support for the most affected sectors.
\n
"We will insist on negotiating …but our sovereignty is untouchable," Lula told an event in Brasilia, saying he was open to talks on topics such as ethanol trade.
\n
"We are not announcing reciprocity measures. We don't want, at first, to do anything that could justify worsening our relations," the leader added.
\n
The centerpiece of the aid plan is a 30 billion-real ($5.55 billion) credit line via the existing Export Guarantee Fund, which is managed by state development bank BNDES, according to a statement.
\n
The government will also make additional contributions totaling 4.5 billion reais to strengthen some funds supporting aid for smaller companies, it added.
\n
The measures are part of an executive order signed by Lula, which takes effect immediately but must be approved by Congress within four months to remain in force.
\n
'Palliative but necessary'
\n
Ricardo Alban, the chairman of the Brazilian industry confederation, said he hopes "this plan is behind us as quickly as possible".He described it as "palliative, but necessary".
\n
"Nothing justifies us being on the lowest of tariffs to going to the highest of tariffs," Alban said.
\n
Brazil was among the nations hardest hit by Trump's tariffs.
\n
Washington exempted key goods such as aircraft, orange juice, oil and pulp from the higher rate, but products like coffee and beef, of which Brazil is a major US supplier, are now subject to the full rate, which took effect last week.
\n
Trump imposed the levies on US imports from Brazil largely in response to a Brazilian legal case he has accused of being a "witch hunt "against former president Jair Bolsonaro, who is on trial for allegedly plotting to overturn the 2022 election after his supporters overran government buildings.
\n
Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who is overseeing the case, said that he would continue to do his job and that Brazil's top court would not submit itself to foreign coercion and that it would guard the country's constitution.
\n
Brazil's new aid program also eases the tax burden on exporters to help them remain competitive in the US, a measure in place through the end of next year that the government estimated would cost 5 billion reais in foregone revenue.
\n
The plan extends the timeframe for using tax credits under the "drawback" regime, which reimburses import taxes on inputs used in the production of exported goods.
\n",
@@ -6354,28 +6024,6 @@
"hash": "6fd266806aaae5851790a1a71d9f4c4c",
"highlights": []
},
- {
- "title": "011WORLD - At least 27 dead as boats carrying migrants sink off Italy",
- "description": "
LAMPEDUSA, Italy — Rescue vessels resumed a desperate search on Thursday for migrants missing at sea after two crowded boats sank off the Italian island of Lampedusa, with 27 dead already confirmed.
\n
Sixty survivors were brought to shore on Wednesday, two of them taken by helicopter to Sicily for treatment and the others held in the reception centre on the island, according to the Red Cross.
\n
"Of the 58, 21 are minors. They spent a quiet night and are generally in good health," said Imad Dalil, the Red Cross official who runs the reception centre.
\n
The majority are Somali, with a few Egyptians, he added.
\n
Authorities have started efforts to identify the bodies found so far.
\n
Around 95 people were on the boats according to the UN, with the number of confirmed dead rising to 27 overnight, suggesting around eight people were missing.
\n
"At least 27 people have drowned in a tragic shipwreck near Lampedusa," said Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, in a social media statement.
\n
"Over 700 refugees and migrants have now died in 2025 in the Central Mediterranean," he said. "All responses — rescue at sea, safe pathways, helping transit countries and addressing root causes — must be strengthened."
\n
First port of call
\n
Lampedusa, just 145 kilometers off the coast of Tunisia, is often the first port of call for people trying to reach Europe in leaky or overcrowded boats.
\n
An Italian helicopter spotted a capsized boat and several bodies in the water on Wednesday, about 14 nautical miles off Lampedusa, the coastguard said.
\n
The boats had left Tripoli, Libya, earlier in the day, it said.
\n
According to survivors, one of the boats started taking on water, causing people to climb onto the other boat, which then capsized.
\n
A newborn baby was among the dead, according to Italian news reports.
\n
Five vessels searched for survivors, including one from the EU's Frontex border agency, alongside a helicopter and two aircraft.
\n
Despite the tragedy, the boats kept coming, with four others intercepted off Lampedusa overnight, according to the Red Cross.
\n
A total of 240 people are currently being held in the reception centre waiting for processing, Dalil said.
\n
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni offered her "deepest condolences "to the victims and vowed to step up efforts to tackle migrant traffickers.
\n
Her government took office in October 2022, vowing to cut the number of migrants crossing the Mediterranean to Europe.
\n
As part of this, it has cut deals with North African countries from which migrants embark, providing funding and training in exchange for help in stemming departures.
\n
Meloni said stepping up rescue efforts was not enough to tackle the scourge of trafficking, saying this could be done only by "preventing irregular departures and managing migration flows".
\n
More than 38,500 people have arrived on Italian shores so far this year, according to interior ministry figures.
\n
This is slightly up on last year, but significantly less than the 100,000 reported by the same time in 2023.
LAMPEDUSA, Italy — Rescue vessels resumed a desperate search on Thursday for migrants missing at sea after two crowded boats sank off the Italian island of Lampedusa, with 27 dead already confirmed.
\n
Sixty survivors were brought to shore on Wednesday, two of them taken by helicopter to Sicily for treatment and the others held in the reception centre on the island, according to the Red Cross.
\n
"Of the 58, 21 are minors. They spent a quiet night and are generally in good health," said Imad Dalil, the Red Cross official who runs the reception centre.
\n
The majority are Somali, with a few Egyptians, he added.
\n
Authorities have started efforts to identify the bodies found so far.
\n
Around 95 people were on the boats according to the UN, with the number of confirmed dead rising to 27 overnight, suggesting around eight people were missing.
\n
"At least 27 people have drowned in a tragic shipwreck near Lampedusa," said Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, in a social media statement.
\n
"Over 700 refugees and migrants have now died in 2025 in the Central Mediterranean," he said. "All responses — rescue at sea, safe pathways, helping transit countries and addressing root causes — must be strengthened."
\n
First port of call
\n
Lampedusa, just 145 kilometers off the coast of Tunisia, is often the first port of call for people trying to reach Europe in leaky or overcrowded boats.
\n
An Italian helicopter spotted a capsized boat and several bodies in the water on Wednesday, about 14 nautical miles off Lampedusa, the coastguard said.
\n
The boats had left Tripoli, Libya, earlier in the day, it said.
\n
According to survivors, one of the boats started taking on water, causing people to climb onto the other boat, which then capsized.
\n
A newborn baby was among the dead, according to Italian news reports.
\n
Five vessels searched for survivors, including one from the EU's Frontex border agency, alongside a helicopter and two aircraft.
\n
Despite the tragedy, the boats kept coming, with four others intercepted off Lampedusa overnight, according to the Red Cross.
\n
A total of 240 people are currently being held in the reception centre waiting for processing, Dalil said.
\n
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni offered her "deepest condolences "to the victims and vowed to step up efforts to tackle migrant traffickers.
\n
Her government took office in October 2022, vowing to cut the number of migrants crossing the Mediterranean to Europe.
\n
As part of this, it has cut deals with North African countries from which migrants embark, providing funding and training in exchange for help in stemming departures.
\n
Meloni said stepping up rescue efforts was not enough to tackle the scourge of trafficking, saying this could be done only by "preventing irregular departures and managing migration flows".
\n
More than 38,500 people have arrived on Italian shores so far this year, according to interior ministry figures.
\n
This is slightly up on last year, but significantly less than the 100,000 reported by the same time in 2023.
Visitors interact with an intelligent robot imitating Confucius at the 2025 World Robot Conference in Beijing on Aug 8.
\n
Since robots are a crucial driving force in developing new quality productive forces and shaping an intelligent lifestyle, Beijing has been leveraging its technological and talent strengths to accelerate the development of common technologies, expand application scenarios, build industry exchange platforms, and continuously enhance the supply of essential resources in this field.
\n
As a result, the city's robotics industry ranks among the top in China, Beijing Mayor Yin Yong said at the opening ceremony of the 2025 World Robot Conference.
\n
The event, held from Aug 8 to 12, was jointly hosted by the Chinese Institute of Electronics and the World Robot Cooperation Organization in the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area, also known as Beijing E-Town.
\n
It featured an exhibition area of approximately 50,000 square meters, comprising three main halls focused on innovation, application, and technology.
\n
Over 200 domestic and international robotics companies showcased more than 1,500 exhibits, with over 100 new products making their debut. Among the participants were 50 humanoid robot companies, the highest number among similar exhibitions worldwide.
\n
In the exhibition area of the Beijing Innovation Center of Humanoid Robotics, different models of heterogeneous robots carried out cross-scenario collaborative operations through the coordination of Huisi Kaiwu, the world's first general embodied intelligence platform.
\n
Experts noted that this breaks the traditional barrier of "one machine for one post", marking an evolution from individual intelligence to group intelligence.
\n
Jeff Burnstein, president of the Association for Advancing Automation in the United States, witnessed remarkable changes at this year's conference, one of the most noticeable being the significant increase in international participants. He added that since its inception, the conference has now grown into a truly global event.
\n
Today, the robotics industry is on the verge of large-scale industrialization. The guiding opinions on the innovative development of humanoid robots, released by China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, state that by 2027, the humanoid robot industry is expected to achieve larger-scale growth, with related products deeply integrated into the real economy and becoming an important engine for economic growth.
\n
In response, Beijing aims to build an internationally influential hub for robotics innovation. It will collaborate with Tianjin and Hebei to strategically position key components, promoting the gradual development of high-level, large-scale production capabilities for humanoid robots.
\n
It also plans to establish the first national-level testing and verification platform for humanoid robots, continuously enhance the brand influence of major events such as the World Robot Conference and the World Humanoid Robot Games, and take the lead in setting up specialized robot service institutions to become a global benchmark city for human-robot collaboration.
\n
As for the World Humanoid Robot Games, Beijing is hosting the event at the National Speed Skating Oval, known as the "Ice Ribbon". A total of 280 teams from 16 countries, featuring over 500 humanoid robots, will compete in 487 events, including running, basketball, dance, martial arts, and industrial material handling.
\n
The "Panda Eye" training base — the world's first professional venue for humanoid robot football — was recently officially unveiled. Guo Yonghao, executive deputy director of the Games' organizing committee, said its semi-transparent design allows precise control of temperature, humidity, and cleanliness.
\n
The base can create a laboratory-level stable competitive environment for robots while allowing natural sunlight, moonlight, and starlight to shine through, he added.
\n
Located on the southwestern side of the "Ice Ribbon", the ROBOLAND camp is expected to become a future hub for the humanoid robot industry. It is designed to promote domestic and international industrial cooperation and exchange, supporting the sustainable development of the robotics sector.
",
@@ -6398,28 +6046,6 @@
"hash": "2e988ea2eafc2b801b772bf4b16f3222",
"highlights": []
},
- {
- "title": "013BUSINESS - Space info sector hitting new orbits",
- "description": "
A view of the booth of Geovis Technology Co Ltd during an expo in Nanchang, Jiangxi province.
\n
China is accelerating investment in the new and fast-growing space information — or "space computing" — sector which it sees as a future trillion-yuan driver of economic growth, with leading firms joining forces to develop the futuristic technology, which aims to process massive volumes of satellite and aerial data while in orbit.
\n
Geovis Technology Co Ltd, a Chinese geospatial services provider, recently signed a framework agreement with supercomputer manufacturer Sugon to jointly build what they call an "open and inclusive space computing network". The planned network will connect users' devices to satellites, space-based infrastructure and ground platforms, forming a space-ground integrated intelligent computing architecture.
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Shao Zongyou, president of Geovis, said in a recent interview with China Daily that computing in space could soon move from concept to reality. "Once the space computing network is completed, it will enhance global internet access capacity and stability, supporting applications such as remote work, telemedicine, online education, emergency communications and rural digital development," Shao said.
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The ambition is driven in part by the rapid expansion of satellite constellations and the rising sophistication of payloads.
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"With tens of thousands of satellites planned in the coming years and ever-higher payload and resolution demands, massive data — and thus computing needs — will surge," Shao said.
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"Transmission methods like microwaves are slower than many home networks, while laser communication is too weather-dependent. The ideal is to compute in space, then send only the processed results back to earth," he added.
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The space information sector, which spans navigation, weather forecasting, urban planning and resource exploration, has been developing rapidly under policy support, alongside China's push into the low-altitude economy and commercial spaceflight.
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Over the past year, China has introduced a group of policies to stimulate low-altitude industries. These include regulations on unmanned aircraft flight management that took effect in January and a roadmap released in March for upgrading general aviation equipment through 2030.
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Wu Yirong, academic dean and researcher at the Aerospace Information Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said: "China's aerospace information industry is integrating into all aspects of social production and everyday life at an unprecedented speed and depth. It is creating enormous economic value and social benefits."
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For Geovis, the deal with Sugon marks a strategic shift from its established strengths in digital earth, AI, big data and cloud integration into the more technically demanding realm of space-based computation.
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The two companies plan to develop high-performance, low-power high-reliability core components, build a space computing network, and integrate with China's national computing platforms. They will also explore industry standards and work to coordinate an ecosystem of partners.
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Shao said the aim is to upgrade the current one-way satellite "data collection service" into a two-way "computing-as-a-service" model. This would allow for in-orbit intelligent processing linked to deep ground-based applications, potentially opening new commercial opportunities in areas such as real-time Earth observation, emergency disaster response and global broadband coverage.
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Yet the road ahead is challenging. Shao said that deploying the same computing power in space could cost up to 1,000 times more than on the ground. Moreover, "space weather", including high-energy particles, radiation and temperature extremes, can damage electronic components and degrade performance over time.
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Despite these difficulties, Geovis sees space computing as a strategic imperative with long-term returns. "Three to five years may yield no returns," Shao said. "But for national capability and the future of space industries, this must be done."
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Deng Maicun, former secretary-general of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said China's role in the field has transformed. "In recent years, China's aerospace information sector has made a remarkable leap from a follower to a front-runner, and in some areas even a leader, becoming a new engine for the development of the digital economy."
A view of the booth of Geovis Technology Co Ltd during an expo in Nanchang, Jiangxi province.
\n
China is accelerating investment in the new and fast-growing space information — or "space computing" — sector which it sees as a future trillion-yuan driver of economic growth, with leading firms joining forces to develop the futuristic technology, which aims to process massive volumes of satellite and aerial data while in orbit.
\n
Geovis Technology Co Ltd, a Chinese geospatial services provider, recently signed a framework agreement with supercomputer manufacturer Sugon to jointly build what they call an "open and inclusive space computing network". The planned network will connect users' devices to satellites, space-based infrastructure and ground platforms, forming a space-ground integrated intelligent computing architecture.
\n
Shao Zongyou, president of Geovis, said in a recent interview with China Daily that computing in space could soon move from concept to reality. "Once the space computing network is completed, it will enhance global internet access capacity and stability, supporting applications such as remote work, telemedicine, online education, emergency communications and rural digital development," Shao said.
\n
The ambition is driven in part by the rapid expansion of satellite constellations and the rising sophistication of payloads.
\n
"With tens of thousands of satellites planned in the coming years and ever-higher payload and resolution demands, massive data — and thus computing needs — will surge," Shao said.
\n
"Transmission methods like microwaves are slower than many home networks, while laser communication is too weather-dependent. The ideal is to compute in space, then send only the processed results back to earth," he added.
\n
The space information sector, which spans navigation, weather forecasting, urban planning and resource exploration, has been developing rapidly under policy support, alongside China's push into the low-altitude economy and commercial spaceflight.
\n
Over the past year, China has introduced a group of policies to stimulate low-altitude industries. These include regulations on unmanned aircraft flight management that took effect in January and a roadmap released in March for upgrading general aviation equipment through 2030.
\n
Wu Yirong, academic dean and researcher at the Aerospace Information Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said: "China's aerospace information industry is integrating into all aspects of social production and everyday life at an unprecedented speed and depth. It is creating enormous economic value and social benefits."
\n
For Geovis, the deal with Sugon marks a strategic shift from its established strengths in digital earth, AI, big data and cloud integration into the more technically demanding realm of space-based computation.
\n
The two companies plan to develop high-performance, low-power high-reliability core components, build a space computing network, and integrate with China's national computing platforms. They will also explore industry standards and work to coordinate an ecosystem of partners.
\n
Shao said the aim is to upgrade the current one-way satellite "data collection service" into a two-way "computing-as-a-service" model. This would allow for in-orbit intelligent processing linked to deep ground-based applications, potentially opening new commercial opportunities in areas such as real-time Earth observation, emergency disaster response and global broadband coverage.
\n
Yet the road ahead is challenging. Shao said that deploying the same computing power in space could cost up to 1,000 times more than on the ground. Moreover, "space weather", including high-energy particles, radiation and temperature extremes, can damage electronic components and degrade performance over time.
\n
Despite these difficulties, Geovis sees space computing as a strategic imperative with long-term returns. "Three to five years may yield no returns," Shao said. "But for national capability and the future of space industries, this must be done."
\n
Deng Maicun, former secretary-general of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said China's role in the field has transformed. "In recent years, China's aerospace information sector has made a remarkable leap from a follower to a front-runner, and in some areas even a leader, becoming a new engine for the development of the digital economy."
China is expected to regain its position as the top source country for Australia's inbound tourism in the near future, a senior executive at Tourism Australia said.
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The number of Chinese travelers arriving in Australia was nearly 950,000 between June 2024 and May 2025, a year-on-year increase of 21 percent, making China the fastest-growing international source market for Australia's inbound tourism, Phillipa Harrison, managing director of Tourism Australia, said in an exclusive interview.
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China is currently Australia's second-largest market for inbound tourist arrivals, she said.
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"The only market that has more visitors is New Zealand, our very close neighbor. So, China is a big market with huge potential, and we are confident to see it continuing to grow over the next period of time," Harrison said.
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China was the top provider of inbound foreign tourists for Australia in 2018 and 2019, with around 1.4 million travelers arriving annually. However, it decreased after the COVID-19 pandemic, she said. "Inbound travel from China hasn't returned to its full strength yet."
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The Australian tourism authority said it has noticed a trend among Chinese tourists recently — instead of simply sightseeing in the cities, they are now traveling all over the country.
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"Chinese travelers are now going outside of the cities. They hire cars and go into much more regional areas. That's the case even for first-time visitors," Harrison said.
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For example, Australia's Tasmania State reported that in 2023, the number of Chinese tourists increased by 38 percent compared to the previous year. The export volumes of local cherries and salmon have risen significantly driven by the influx of tourists.
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In the Northern Territory, Uluru reported that the number of Chinese tourists has continued to surge, with an expected reach of 30,000 visitors this year. A significant proportion of these tourists are families, even multi-generation ones, who prefer activities like camel rides and helicopter overviews.
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Data from online travel agency Trip.com showed that Australia was the top long-haul outbound destination for Chinese travelers during this year's Chinese New Year holiday, with self-driving orders increasing by nearly 22 percent month-on-month.
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With the number of travelers in their 20s increasing, the Australian tourism authority said younger individuals seek more adventure-based programs.
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"They go out to the mountains, go diving and go hiking, among other activities, which also makes their stay in the country slightly longer than before," Harrison said.
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Several travel agencies said that thrilling experiences, such as skydiving, helicopter tours at the Great Barrier Reef and rainforest zip-lining have become popular choices for Chinese tourists visiting Australia.
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Chen Ying, a product booking manager at travel portal Ly.com, said that Chinese tourists show a strong interest in skydiving as well as other "once-in-a-lifetime opportunities", and that there has been a notable increase in bookings for hiking, hot air ballooning and nature experiences as well.
Staff members from State Grid Taizhou operate a drone to inspect a solar power plant in Yuxi, Taizhou, Jiangsu province. The local power operator is bolstering investment in science and technology to steer power supply toward smarter and fully digital operations.
\n",
- "content": "
Staff members from State Grid Taizhou operate a drone to inspect a solar power plant in Yuxi, Taizhou, Jiangsu province. The local power operator is bolstering investment in science and technology to steer power supply toward smarter and fully digital operations.
The US government's reported practice of secretly placing location tracking devices in targeted shipments of advanced chips showcases that it is using all kinds of tactics to implement its export control measures, experts said.
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Such moves severely disrupt normal business cooperation and undermine trust in US technologies and products, they added.
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The comments came after Reuters quoted anonymous sources as saying that US authorities have secretly placed location tracking devices in targeted shipments of advanced chips they see as being at high risk of unauthorized diversion to China.
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Xiang Ligang, director-general of the Zhongguancun Modern Information Consumer Application Industry Technology Alliance, a telecom industry association, said such behavior only fuels Chinese companies' distrust toward US companies such as Nvidia.
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Reuters reported that five people actively involved in the AI server supply chain claim they are aware of the use of the trackers in shipments of servers from manufacturers such as Dell and Supermicro, which include chips from Nvidia and AMD.
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Xiang said users, not only companies in China, but also clients across the world, may abandon US products over fears of potential risks.
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In addition, in late July, the Cyberspace Administration of China summoned Nvidia over alleged security risks concerning its H20 AI chips sold to China.
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"The demand for H20 chips was lower than expected, according to the latest feedback of our customers," said a regional manager of a major Chinese information technology distributor, on condition of anonymity.
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The manager said that for chips like the H20, demand depends heavily on large corporations, which are reluctant to buy the products from Nvidia.
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An engineer at a Chinese internet company, also on condition of anonymity, said: "Cybersecurity is of crucial importance to us. We cannot tolerate any potential risks. Even if H20 chips are available now, we are not that eager to buy."
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Last year, the Cyber Security Association of China urged a comprehensive review of products from US tech company Intel, citing recurring cybersecurity vulnerabilities and high failure rates, so as to safeguard the country's national security and protect the rights of Chinese consumers.
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On July 26, 2023, the Wuhan Municipal Emergency Management Bureau published a statement that 360 Security Group detected a cyberattack from overseas organizations on its earthquake monitoring center. Some front-end station collection points of seismic reporting data had been implanted with back-door programs.
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Lu Chuanying, a professor at the School of Political Science and International Relations at Tongji University, said: "Digital space is a virtual domain where information travels at light speed, defying the conventional boundaries of time and space that govern human society. In doing so, it neutralizes the role of geography in shaping the digital geopolitical landscape.
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"China-US relations in the digital sphere have undergone a profound transformation over the years — evolving from initial technological collaboration to strategic decoupling, and escalating from random disputes to systemic geopolitical maneuvering."
\n
The Financial Times reported on Monday that Nvidia has agreed to pay the US government 15 percent of its revenue from H20 chip sales in China as part of a deal to secure export licenses to Beijing.
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In response to the report, Nvidia said in a statement to China Daily, "We follow rules the US government sets for our participation in worldwide markets."
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Charlie Dai, vice-president and principal analyst at market research company Forrester, said the 15 percent fee agreement starkly underscores how trade tensions drive up market access costs.
Visitors film a fireworks show enhanced by visual and lighting technologies in Liuyang, Hunan province, on July 12.
\n\n
BEIJING — At a bustling appliance store near Shanghai's Zhongshan Park, sales staff enthusiastically demonstrated product features and calculated discounts. The summer shopping season has been in full swing.
\n
A local resident surnamed Yao was looking for an energy-efficient air conditioner and was informed by sales staff that the latest models not only offer AI-powered energy savings, but also include convenient features such as smartphone remote control and an anti-direct-blow design.
\n
"I never realized how quickly home appliances were evolving until I visited the store," Yao said. After careful comparison, he chose a model originally priced at 5,999 yuan ($840), but thanks to government subsidies and store discounts, he paid only 3,599 yuan.
\n
Yao is among hundreds of millions of consumers across China whose spending habits have been reshaped by a rapidly evolving market and government-backed initiatives, as the world's second-largest economy seeks to stimulate consumption and strengthen domestic demand as a key growth driver.
\n
With efforts like the ongoing consumer goods trade-in program, which has spurred purchases of more than 109 million home appliances so far this year, China recorded a 5 percent growth in retail sales of consumer goods for the first half of 2025. The pace is 0.4 percentage point faster than the first quarter.
\n
During the first four years of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) period, final consumption contributed 56.2 percent of the GDP increase on average, an 8.6 percentage point increase over the previous planning period, official data showed.
\n
Amid this shift, new consumption trends have taken center stage, fueled by innovative business models, diverse service and experience offerings, and growing preference for sustainable and high-tech products.
\n
According to Commerce Minister Wang Wentao, the consumer goods trade-in program has been "more than a policy to stimulate spending".
\n
"More importantly, it has promoted a shift toward smart and green products, which in turn helps to upgrade people's quality of life," Wang told reporters last month while briefing on the country's developments in domestic consumption over the past four years.
\n
While government incentives can boost market demand and prompt manufacturers and service providers to increase supply, encouraging consumption in sectors like high-tech and new energy helps drive industrial upgrading and structural adjustments, said Bao Xiaohua, a chair professor at Shanghai University of Finance and Economics.
\n
Also notable is the rapid growth in services consumption, as Chinese consumers increasingly embrace spending on services and experiences. From 2020 to 2024, China's services consumption grew at an average annual rate of 9.6 percent.
\n
In the first half of 2025, data from the State Information Center indicated that the index measuring life services consumption increased 15.7 percent year-on-year, with sectors like entertainment, dining and accommodations showing robust growth.
\n
Driving the services consumption boom are new consumption scenarios such as sporting events, performances, cultural exhibitions and themed markets. The Su Super League, a provincial amateur football tournament in East China's Jiangsu province that gained huge popularity this year, has given a major boost to local tourism and hospitality industries.
\n
During the third round of matches, which coincided with the Dragon Boat Festival holiday in early June, Jiangsu welcomed 12.41 million visitors and earned 4.69 billion yuan in tourism revenue.
\n
Other pro-consumption efforts include further opening-up to attract more quality goods and services into the Chinese market. Over the past years, China has fostered international consumption center cities, established national demonstration zones for innovation and promotion of imports, and hosted major events such as the China International Import Expo and the China International Consumer Products Expo.
\n
"China's vast market has become a shared market for the world and will continue to serve as a key source of growth and vitality for the global economy," the commerce minister said.
\n
Looking ahead, as China approaches the final phase of its 14th Five-Year Plan, market observers believe consumer demand will sustain its strong momentum from the first half and help ensure the plan's successful completion.
\n
Policies like the consumer goods trade-in program are expected to remain effective, driving sales growth for related products. Meanwhile, with holidays like summer vacation and the upcoming National Day, services consumption is also set to enter its peak season, according to experts.
\n
Ma Hong, a senior researcher at the Guangkai Chief Industry Research Institute, said services spending will remain a key driver of consumption growth in the second half of the year. "Further opening-up of the sector, coupled with innovations in consumption scenarios, will boost service consumption in areas like telecommunications, healthcare and elderly care," Ma said.
\n
In one of the latest announcements, 69 billion yuan, in China's third batch of ultra-long special treasury bond funds, was allocated last month to support the consumer goods trade-in program, with the fourth batch scheduled for October.
\n
The country also introduced a nationwide child care subsidy program last week, which will offer families 3,600 yuan per year for each child under the age of three, as part of broader efforts to address livelihood problems and boost consumer confidence.
\n
"More funds and resources will be invested in people and used to meet their needs" to help create more jobs, increase people's incomes and reduce their burdens, and provide more incentives to stimulate consumption, this year's Government Work Report has pledged.
\n
For the next five years, Commerce Minister Wang said China will transform successful policies and effective practices from the 14th Five-Year Plan into long-term, regular measures, while staying ready to introduce new policies to navigate a complex international environment. "Our tool kit is well-stocked, and we will be fully prepared."
\n",
- "content": "
Visitors film a fireworks show enhanced by visual and lighting technologies in Liuyang, Hunan province, on July 12.
\n\n
BEIJING — At a bustling appliance store near Shanghai's Zhongshan Park, sales staff enthusiastically demonstrated product features and calculated discounts. The summer shopping season has been in full swing.
\n
A local resident surnamed Yao was looking for an energy-efficient air conditioner and was informed by sales staff that the latest models not only offer AI-powered energy savings, but also include convenient features such as smartphone remote control and an anti-direct-blow design.
\n
"I never realized how quickly home appliances were evolving until I visited the store," Yao said. After careful comparison, he chose a model originally priced at 5,999 yuan ($840), but thanks to government subsidies and store discounts, he paid only 3,599 yuan.
\n
Yao is among hundreds of millions of consumers across China whose spending habits have been reshaped by a rapidly evolving market and government-backed initiatives, as the world's second-largest economy seeks to stimulate consumption and strengthen domestic demand as a key growth driver.
\n
With efforts like the ongoing consumer goods trade-in program, which has spurred purchases of more than 109 million home appliances so far this year, China recorded a 5 percent growth in retail sales of consumer goods for the first half of 2025. The pace is 0.4 percentage point faster than the first quarter.
\n
During the first four years of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) period, final consumption contributed 56.2 percent of the GDP increase on average, an 8.6 percentage point increase over the previous planning period, official data showed.
\n
Amid this shift, new consumption trends have taken center stage, fueled by innovative business models, diverse service and experience offerings, and growing preference for sustainable and high-tech products.
\n
According to Commerce Minister Wang Wentao, the consumer goods trade-in program has been "more than a policy to stimulate spending".
\n
"More importantly, it has promoted a shift toward smart and green products, which in turn helps to upgrade people's quality of life," Wang told reporters last month while briefing on the country's developments in domestic consumption over the past four years.
\n
While government incentives can boost market demand and prompt manufacturers and service providers to increase supply, encouraging consumption in sectors like high-tech and new energy helps drive industrial upgrading and structural adjustments, said Bao Xiaohua, a chair professor at Shanghai University of Finance and Economics.
\n
Also notable is the rapid growth in services consumption, as Chinese consumers increasingly embrace spending on services and experiences. From 2020 to 2024, China's services consumption grew at an average annual rate of 9.6 percent.
\n
In the first half of 2025, data from the State Information Center indicated that the index measuring life services consumption increased 15.7 percent year-on-year, with sectors like entertainment, dining and accommodations showing robust growth.
\n
Driving the services consumption boom are new consumption scenarios such as sporting events, performances, cultural exhibitions and themed markets. The Su Super League, a provincial amateur football tournament in East China's Jiangsu province that gained huge popularity this year, has given a major boost to local tourism and hospitality industries.
\n
During the third round of matches, which coincided with the Dragon Boat Festival holiday in early June, Jiangsu welcomed 12.41 million visitors and earned 4.69 billion yuan in tourism revenue.
\n
Other pro-consumption efforts include further opening-up to attract more quality goods and services into the Chinese market. Over the past years, China has fostered international consumption center cities, established national demonstration zones for innovation and promotion of imports, and hosted major events such as the China International Import Expo and the China International Consumer Products Expo.
\n
"China's vast market has become a shared market for the world and will continue to serve as a key source of growth and vitality for the global economy," the commerce minister said.
\n
Looking ahead, as China approaches the final phase of its 14th Five-Year Plan, market observers believe consumer demand will sustain its strong momentum from the first half and help ensure the plan's successful completion.
\n
Policies like the consumer goods trade-in program are expected to remain effective, driving sales growth for related products. Meanwhile, with holidays like summer vacation and the upcoming National Day, services consumption is also set to enter its peak season, according to experts.
\n
Ma Hong, a senior researcher at the Guangkai Chief Industry Research Institute, said services spending will remain a key driver of consumption growth in the second half of the year. "Further opening-up of the sector, coupled with innovations in consumption scenarios, will boost service consumption in areas like telecommunications, healthcare and elderly care," Ma said.
\n
In one of the latest announcements, 69 billion yuan, in China's third batch of ultra-long special treasury bond funds, was allocated last month to support the consumer goods trade-in program, with the fourth batch scheduled for October.
\n
The country also introduced a nationwide child care subsidy program last week, which will offer families 3,600 yuan per year for each child under the age of three, as part of broader efforts to address livelihood problems and boost consumer confidence.
\n
"More funds and resources will be invested in people and used to meet their needs" to help create more jobs, increase people's incomes and reduce their burdens, and provide more incentives to stimulate consumption, this year's Government Work Report has pledged.
\n
For the next five years, Commerce Minister Wang said China will transform successful policies and effective practices from the 14th Five-Year Plan into long-term, regular measures, while staying ready to introduce new policies to navigate a complex international environment. "Our tool kit is well-stocked, and we will be fully prepared."
Robots boxing in a ring at the 2025 World Robot Conference in Beijing on Aug 8.
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Visitors watch robots play soccer at the 2025 World Robot Conference in Beijing on Aug 8.
\n
BEIJING — Robots that are not only able to run, dance and play soccer, but also sort parts on an assembly line, try their luck at a game of mahjong and even tickle the ivory were once fantasies confined to science fiction novels, but are now a reality that was unfolded at the recent World Robot Conference in Beijing.
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The WRC 2025 showcased rapidly advancing embodied intelligence technology, with humanoid robots as the highlight, demonstrating significant progress achieved globally and particularly in China, while the event also served to illuminate a wide range of future commercial application scenarios.
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Themed "Making Robots Smarter, Making Embodied Agents More Intelligent," the five-day conference that finished earlier this week featured forums, exhibitions, competitions and networking events — with over 200 robotics companies from around the world showcasing their latest innovations.
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Exhibitors at the WRC showed off their latest humanoid robots along with other varieties such as wheeled robots, collaborative robots and quadruped or hexapod robotic dogs, as well as newly developed embodied intelligence models.
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Unitree Robotics, based in East China's Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, brought its latest humanoid R1 and quadrupedal A2 automatons to the conference. A crowd favorite was a boxing match by two of the latest upgraded GI robots. The mechanical boxers punched and defended like real human fighters, while getting up to continue even after being knocked down.
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Marketing manager at Unitree, Liu Jinda, said the sparring demonstration wasn't just for show. "During boxing, multiple joints need to coordinate with extremely fast reaction times. When subjected to external forces, the robots must quickly regain stability and balance. This practice provides valuable experience for developers to improve robotic performance."
\n
In the exhibition area of Galaxea AI, visitors only needed to say "Please make the bed," and the company's new R1 Lite robot responded by completing the task in a randomly disordered bedroom all by itself.
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Galaxea AI chief scientist Zhao Hang said the key to embodied intelligence robots lies in their "brain" — represented by the sophistication of their algorithms. R1 Lite's Vision-Language-Action model uses a single end-to-end architecture to achieve precise control from visual perception to its sophisticated joints, enabling it to perform highly complex, long-sequence tasks like making a bed.
\n
At a conference forum, Ni Guangnan, an academician at the Chinese Academy of Engineering, emphasized that combining robots with AI requires elevating robotic intelligence through "brain-eye-action "coordinated systems — enabling automatons to see, understand and act in the real world.
\n
Unitree CEO Wang Xingxing said that while current robotic hardware is generally sufficient, their AI capabilities still fall far short of industry needs, and developing sufficient embodied intelligence models will be the most critical task for the industry in the future.
\n
China's innovations in embodied intelligence are powered by the robust development of its robotics industry. According to data released at the conference, the country's robotics industry generated nearly 240 billion yuan ($33.4 billion) in revenue in 2024.
\n
In the first half, industrial robot production in China reached 370,000 units while service robot output hit 8.82 million units, representing year-on-year growth of 35.6 percent and 25.5 percent, respectively. China has also been the world's largest industrial robot application market for 12 consecutive years, with its share of the world's newly installed robots increasing from 51 percent in 2023 to 54 percent in 2024.
\n
Rev Lebaredian, vice-president of Omniverse and simulation technology at Nvidia, said in a speech at a forum that China boasts the world's largest pool of top-tier graduates in computer science and AI, while holding a distinct advantage in physical-world tech development. This enables the country to produce robots that are both cost-effective and highly efficient — a capability unmatched by other countries.
\n
Moreover, China possesses not only manufacturing prowess, but also the unique ability to deploy robots at scale and iterate rapidly. By deploying robots in real-world applications and collecting operational data, Chinese developers can continuously optimize robotic systems. This closed-loop improvement capability has become an essential requirement for robotics advancement, and China already enjoys this competitive edge, Lebaredian said.
\n
The embodied intelligence sector, notably, is attracting not only AI innovators, but also traditional industrial robotics companies. At WRC 2025, established players like Siasun and Dobot, once focused on robotic arms and autonomous forklifts, deployed humanoid robots at their most visible displays. With decades of industrial application experience, they are injecting new momentum into the application of embodied intelligence technologies.
\n
At the opening ceremony of the conference, the Chinese Institute of Electronics unveiled 10 most promising application scenarios for humanoid robots, such as automotive manufacturing, petrochemical production inspection, emergency response operations, home services and agricultural tasks.
\n
The Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Center showcased the multi-agent and multitasking collaborative capabilities of embodied intelligent robots in industrial scenarios. Some of the robots are responsible for power inspection and others sort parts on assembly lines, while robotic arms in the inspection area automatically identify defective light bulbs.
\n
Several that showcased products at the expo have achieved initial commercialization in the medical and eldercare sectors. For example, a six-legged robotic dog developed by Shanghai Jiao Tong University will provide assistance to vision impaired individuals such as serving as seeing-eye dogs at the upcoming 15th National Games in November, jointly hosted by Guangdong province, Macao and Hong Kong.
\n
Longwood Valley MedTech, meanwhile, introduced its latest orthopedic surgical robot — which enables more precise, minimally invasive and safer surgical procedures, reducing surgery time from around three hours to just 30 minutes. It also minimizes blood loss, accelerates patient recovery, lowers the risk of postoperative complications and cuts medical costs.
\n
Beijing AI-robotics Technology exhibited various wearable exoskeleton robots that can not only help paraplegic individuals stand and walk, but also assist the elderly with stair climbing.
\n
Shuai Mei, the company's founder, said these robots detect both the user's walking intent and terrain conditions, and then use AI algorithms to adapt to the ground and gait in real time, thereby providing appropriate assistance. The company has sold around 1,000 units of its medical and eldercare products, which are now in use in over 300 hospitals nationwide.
\n
Wan Gang, president of the China Association for Science and Technology, said at the conference that China is intensifying its efforts in this cutting-edge and future-oriented industry to spur new consumption, cultivate emerging industries, create jobs, promote economic growth and improve people's lives.
\n",
@@ -6530,28 +6112,6 @@
"hash": "1e3a82dcb402856472e441dd5b3f10f8",
"highlights": []
},
- {
- "title": "016LIFE - A force to be reckoned with",
- "description": "
Visitors are deeply interested in a touring exhibition in Beijing that was hosted by the New Fourth Army Memorial Hall.
\n
Left: A view of the exterior of the New Fourth Army Memorial Hall. Right: A stone stele is among more than 18,000 artifacts in the hall, silently narrating the heroic deeds of this legendary revolutionary force.
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The site of the reconstructed military headquarters of the New Fourth Army in Yancheng, Jiangsu.
\n
At first glance, the white marble stele at the New Fourth Army Memorial Hall in Yancheng, East China's Jiangsu province, seems unremarkable.
\n
But a closer look at the nearly two-meter-tall monument reveals that it bears a moving tale.
\n
"The great embankment stretches approximately 80 li (40 kilometers), from Huacheng (a low-lying area near Binhai county of Yancheng) in the south to the Huaihe River in the north, with a base width of 21 meters and a crest of three and a half meters," the inscription reads.
\n
"To understand this story, we must first consider the geography of Yancheng, a historic revolutionary base," says Qiu Jinbiao, director of the memorial hall. "Located along the Yellow Sea, the region had long suffered devastating tidal surges and coastal flooding. In August 1939, disaster struck: a catastrophic tsunami pounded northern Yancheng, sweeping away thatched houses, submerging entire villages, and swallowing vast tracts of farmland. More than 13,000 people lost their lives in the waves.
\n
"It was at this desperate moment that the Communist Party of China and the New Fourth Army stepped forward, standing as a bulwark against the fury of the sea," he adds.
\n
After the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) broke out in full scale in 1937, the Communist Party of China and the Kuomintang formed their second united front to combat Japanese imperialism.
\n
As part of the agreement, the Red Army and guerrilla forces from eight southern provinces were reorganized into the New Fourth Army, with Ye Ting as its commander.
\n
In January 1938, as the war situation changed, the New Fourth Army's headquarters relocated from Wuhan of Hubei province to Sanyanjing, Nanchang of Jiangxi province. As more officers arrived, it established command, political, and logistics departments. In Nanchang, the New Fourth Army completed the organizational structure of its leadership and consolidated internal structures. At the same time, the army established a wartime service corps that rallied the public with street campaigns to resist the Japanese invasion.
\n
This initiative turned Nanchang into a hub of anti-Japanese activity in southeastern China.
\n
But the army's growing strength alarmed anti-Communist hard-liners within the KMT. In January 1941, the KMT faction launched the notorious Wan'nan Incident (Southern Anhui Incident) to crush the New Fourth Army, inflicting heavy losses.
\n
To counter KMT suppression and continue the fight against Japanese occupation, the CPC reestablished the New Fourth Army in Yancheng on Jan 25, 1941. It was reorganized into seven divisions and one independent brigade, totaling more than 90,000 troops.
\n
This marked the New Fourth Army's transition into an independent, self-sufficient force responsible for anti-Japanese operations behind enemy lines in Central China.
\n
Over the course of the war, it fought more than 24,600 battles, eliminating over 470,000 Japanese and puppet troops.
\n
From an initial 10,000 soldiers, the force grew to 210,000 regular troops, 97,000 local militiamen, and nearly a million civilian self-defense fighters. More than 80,000 soldiers died in the struggle.
\n
"It vividly illustrated the New Fourth Army's pivotal role," Qiu says.
\n
Amid relentless attacks from Japanese puppet forces and severe shortages, the New Fourth Army joined forces with Song Naide, head of Funing county anti-Japanese democratic government, to protect the coast. Mobilizing over 20,000 laborers, they built the seawall with their bare hands — a literal bulwark of flesh and blood against the raging tides.
\n
The people of Yancheng, grateful for this lifesaving project, carved their appreciation into the white marble stele now displayed in the memorial hall.
\n
"This stele stands today as an enduring physical proof of the CPC and New Fourth Army's unwavering commitment to serving the people," Qiu says.
\n
The stele is among more than 18,000 artifacts at the New Fourth Army Memorial Hall, each silently narrating the heroic deeds of this legendary revolutionary force.
\n
The memorial hall houses a special exhibit featuring a grayish-white silk cheongsam, along with a silver ring set with the portrait of a martyr. They once belonged to Wang Haiwen, a drama student, who joined the resistance under the influence of her patriotic family.
\n
In 1941, during a large-scale Japanese sweep, Wang and her classmates were ambushed while moving northwest toward Yancheng. Surrounded, they fought with unflinching courage until they fell. Wang was just 17.
\n
In 1986, her family donated the cheongsam that she had worn, along with a ring inlaid with her photograph, to the New Fourth Army Memorial Hall in tribute to her bravery and sacrifice.
\n
The cheongsam has been one of the most popular artifacts in the museum's collection, thanks to the subsequent restoration efforts, Qiu notes.
\n
"After extensive research on the fabric's structure and design, the restoration process involved numerous steps, including drawing, small-scale trials, medium-scale tests, and large-scale fabric production," he says.
\n
Under the meticulous craftsmanship of a renowned artisan, the precious artifact was revived, not only preserving its elegance but also reigniting the spirit of sacrifice and patriotism of the New Fourth Army's brave youth, he adds.
\n
Additionally, efforts have been made to scan and model Wang's cheongsam using 3D technology as part of an immersive theatrical experience that allows visitors to engage more deeply with the past.
\n
"All of it ensures that their legacy continues to shine brightly," Qiu says.
\n
The memorial hall aims to move from mere preservation to active use and transmission. This includes adopting creative protection methods, increasing the collection of significant historical artifacts, and establishing detailed cataloging systems, Qiu explains.
\n
In the last three years alone, the museum has expanded its collection by 1,069 artifacts, which include personal items, letters, and items from World War II, such as flags and weapons, each telling the story of sacrifice and resilience.
\n
Furthermore, the memorial hall has embraced digital innovation and established a red culture service platform, which provides online access to collections and promotes educational initiatives related to the New Fourth Army's legacy.
\n
Since its founding in 1986, the memorial hall has welcomed over 41 million visitors from home and abroad, Qiu says.
\n
The popularity of the New Fourth Army can be partly explained by the lyrics of the song Cabbage Heart etched on a wall of the memorial hall.
\n
"When eating vegetables, eat the cabbage heart; when joining the army, join the New Fourth Army …You die for the people, and the people live because of you. Everyone, come join the army," goes the song that quickly spread across the country when published in July 1943.
\n
Zhang Li, associate professor with the Yancheng New Fourth Army Cadre Academy, says that all units of the New Fourth Army responded to the Party's call by carrying out streamlined, efficient military governance, developing local economies, organizing production competitions, promoting the salt industry, improving water conservancy, and revitalizing education and cultural endeavors. These efforts deepened its ties with the people, he adds.
\n
According to the memorial hall's deputy director Zhu Zhuo, 128 towns and villages in Yancheng are named after martyrs, and there are a total of 248 revolutionary sites. Over 18,000 martyrs are buried in this region.
\n
To reach wider audiences, the memorial hall has organized major exhibitions across China.
\n
Last year, a traveling exhibition celebrating the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China toured Beijing, Hefei in Anhui province, and Nanchang, attracting nearly 100,000 visitors, Qiu says.
\n
The museum also collaborates with institutions at home and abroad to share the New Fourth Army's story on the global stage.
\n
The goal is to ensure sacrifices of the New Fourth Army and the broader wartime legacy remain an enduring part of China's national consciousness, Qiu says.
\n
Contact the writer at yangfeiyue@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
- "content": "
Visitors are deeply interested in a touring exhibition in Beijing that was hosted by the New Fourth Army Memorial Hall.
\n
Left: A view of the exterior of the New Fourth Army Memorial Hall. Right: A stone stele is among more than 18,000 artifacts in the hall, silently narrating the heroic deeds of this legendary revolutionary force.
\n
The site of the reconstructed military headquarters of the New Fourth Army in Yancheng, Jiangsu.
\n
At first glance, the white marble stele at the New Fourth Army Memorial Hall in Yancheng, East China's Jiangsu province, seems unremarkable.
\n
But a closer look at the nearly two-meter-tall monument reveals that it bears a moving tale.
\n
"The great embankment stretches approximately 80 li (40 kilometers), from Huacheng (a low-lying area near Binhai county of Yancheng) in the south to the Huaihe River in the north, with a base width of 21 meters and a crest of three and a half meters," the inscription reads.
\n
"To understand this story, we must first consider the geography of Yancheng, a historic revolutionary base," says Qiu Jinbiao, director of the memorial hall. "Located along the Yellow Sea, the region had long suffered devastating tidal surges and coastal flooding. In August 1939, disaster struck: a catastrophic tsunami pounded northern Yancheng, sweeping away thatched houses, submerging entire villages, and swallowing vast tracts of farmland. More than 13,000 people lost their lives in the waves.
\n
"It was at this desperate moment that the Communist Party of China and the New Fourth Army stepped forward, standing as a bulwark against the fury of the sea," he adds.
\n
After the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) broke out in full scale in 1937, the Communist Party of China and the Kuomintang formed their second united front to combat Japanese imperialism.
\n
As part of the agreement, the Red Army and guerrilla forces from eight southern provinces were reorganized into the New Fourth Army, with Ye Ting as its commander.
\n
In January 1938, as the war situation changed, the New Fourth Army's headquarters relocated from Wuhan of Hubei province to Sanyanjing, Nanchang of Jiangxi province. As more officers arrived, it established command, political, and logistics departments. In Nanchang, the New Fourth Army completed the organizational structure of its leadership and consolidated internal structures. At the same time, the army established a wartime service corps that rallied the public with street campaigns to resist the Japanese invasion.
\n
This initiative turned Nanchang into a hub of anti-Japanese activity in southeastern China.
\n
But the army's growing strength alarmed anti-Communist hard-liners within the KMT. In January 1941, the KMT faction launched the notorious Wan'nan Incident (Southern Anhui Incident) to crush the New Fourth Army, inflicting heavy losses.
\n
To counter KMT suppression and continue the fight against Japanese occupation, the CPC reestablished the New Fourth Army in Yancheng on Jan 25, 1941. It was reorganized into seven divisions and one independent brigade, totaling more than 90,000 troops.
\n
This marked the New Fourth Army's transition into an independent, self-sufficient force responsible for anti-Japanese operations behind enemy lines in Central China.
\n
Over the course of the war, it fought more than 24,600 battles, eliminating over 470,000 Japanese and puppet troops.
\n
From an initial 10,000 soldiers, the force grew to 210,000 regular troops, 97,000 local militiamen, and nearly a million civilian self-defense fighters. More than 80,000 soldiers died in the struggle.
\n
"It vividly illustrated the New Fourth Army's pivotal role," Qiu says.
\n
Amid relentless attacks from Japanese puppet forces and severe shortages, the New Fourth Army joined forces with Song Naide, head of Funing county anti-Japanese democratic government, to protect the coast. Mobilizing over 20,000 laborers, they built the seawall with their bare hands — a literal bulwark of flesh and blood against the raging tides.
\n
The people of Yancheng, grateful for this lifesaving project, carved their appreciation into the white marble stele now displayed in the memorial hall.
\n
"This stele stands today as an enduring physical proof of the CPC and New Fourth Army's unwavering commitment to serving the people," Qiu says.
\n
The stele is among more than 18,000 artifacts at the New Fourth Army Memorial Hall, each silently narrating the heroic deeds of this legendary revolutionary force.
\n
The memorial hall houses a special exhibit featuring a grayish-white silk cheongsam, along with a silver ring set with the portrait of a martyr. They once belonged to Wang Haiwen, a drama student, who joined the resistance under the influence of her patriotic family.
\n
In 1941, during a large-scale Japanese sweep, Wang and her classmates were ambushed while moving northwest toward Yancheng. Surrounded, they fought with unflinching courage until they fell. Wang was just 17.
\n
In 1986, her family donated the cheongsam that she had worn, along with a ring inlaid with her photograph, to the New Fourth Army Memorial Hall in tribute to her bravery and sacrifice.
\n
The cheongsam has been one of the most popular artifacts in the museum's collection, thanks to the subsequent restoration efforts, Qiu notes.
\n
"After extensive research on the fabric's structure and design, the restoration process involved numerous steps, including drawing, small-scale trials, medium-scale tests, and large-scale fabric production," he says.
\n
Under the meticulous craftsmanship of a renowned artisan, the precious artifact was revived, not only preserving its elegance but also reigniting the spirit of sacrifice and patriotism of the New Fourth Army's brave youth, he adds.
\n
Additionally, efforts have been made to scan and model Wang's cheongsam using 3D technology as part of an immersive theatrical experience that allows visitors to engage more deeply with the past.
\n
"All of it ensures that their legacy continues to shine brightly," Qiu says.
\n
The memorial hall aims to move from mere preservation to active use and transmission. This includes adopting creative protection methods, increasing the collection of significant historical artifacts, and establishing detailed cataloging systems, Qiu explains.
\n
In the last three years alone, the museum has expanded its collection by 1,069 artifacts, which include personal items, letters, and items from World War II, such as flags and weapons, each telling the story of sacrifice and resilience.
\n
Furthermore, the memorial hall has embraced digital innovation and established a red culture service platform, which provides online access to collections and promotes educational initiatives related to the New Fourth Army's legacy.
\n
Since its founding in 1986, the memorial hall has welcomed over 41 million visitors from home and abroad, Qiu says.
\n
The popularity of the New Fourth Army can be partly explained by the lyrics of the song Cabbage Heart etched on a wall of the memorial hall.
\n
"When eating vegetables, eat the cabbage heart; when joining the army, join the New Fourth Army …You die for the people, and the people live because of you. Everyone, come join the army," goes the song that quickly spread across the country when published in July 1943.
\n
Zhang Li, associate professor with the Yancheng New Fourth Army Cadre Academy, says that all units of the New Fourth Army responded to the Party's call by carrying out streamlined, efficient military governance, developing local economies, organizing production competitions, promoting the salt industry, improving water conservancy, and revitalizing education and cultural endeavors. These efforts deepened its ties with the people, he adds.
\n
According to the memorial hall's deputy director Zhu Zhuo, 128 towns and villages in Yancheng are named after martyrs, and there are a total of 248 revolutionary sites. Over 18,000 martyrs are buried in this region.
\n
To reach wider audiences, the memorial hall has organized major exhibitions across China.
\n
Last year, a traveling exhibition celebrating the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China toured Beijing, Hefei in Anhui province, and Nanchang, attracting nearly 100,000 visitors, Qiu says.
\n
The museum also collaborates with institutions at home and abroad to share the New Fourth Army's story on the global stage.
\n
The goal is to ensure sacrifices of the New Fourth Army and the broader wartime legacy remain an enduring part of China's national consciousness, Qiu says.
\n
Contact the writer at yangfeiyue@chinadaily.com.cn
Ling Cage, a popular sci-fi animated series, fictionalizes a postapocalyptic world where humans rely on cutting-edge technology to battle catastrophe.
\n
Marc, the protagonist of the franchise.
\n
A scene from the second season featuring Bai Yuekui, a powerful female character, wielding a weapon inspired by Chinese martial arts.
\n
An artistic rendering of a futuristic world.
\n
When Dong Xiangbo was in primary school, his father once caught him skipping homework to watch Dinosaur Corps Koseidon, a popular Japanese sci-fi series. The punishment was swift: a spanking that left the boy in tears. Yet, even as his father scolded him, Dong kept sneaking glances at the TV, where a superhero battled aliens.
\n
Decades later, that childhood moment feels almost prophetic. Today, the 38-year-old director is at the helm of Ling Cage, one of China's most ambitious sci-fi animated series.
\n
The latest, its second season, marks a return to the futuristic world after a six-year hiatus. Since its release, it has racked up over 320 million online views and earned a stellar 8.9 out of 10 on the popular review site Douban.
\n
Set in a postapocalyptic world, Ling Cage envisions humanity on the brink of extinction after a catastrophic geological disaster. The survivors take refuge in a floating fortress governed by draconian laws: emotional bonds are banned, reproduction is strictly controlled to ensure genetic superiority, and the weak are exiled.
\n
Marc, the series' protagonist, was once a commander tasked with retrieving vital supplies like food and medicine from the dangerous surface, overrun by monstrous predators. But after losing his beloved in a scheme engineered by the fortress ruler's son — once his friend and mentor — Marc transforms into one of the very creatures he hunted.
\n
The new season picks up where the first left off, introducing a seemingly utopian village, a stark contrast to the fortress. At first idyllic, with residents enjoying peaceful lives, the settlement is soon revealed to harbor sinister experiments and moral compromises. Marc, still clinging to his human consciousness, embarks on a new adventure to face even greater challenges.
\n
The second season, enhanced by advanced technologies like motion capture, features over 10,000 different shots.
\n
For producer Ruan Rui, also the founder of animation studio YHKT Entertainment, the village's design draws from ancient Chinese philosophy — particularly the belief that human perseverance can overcome even the harshest environments. While sci-fi has long thrived in the West, Ruan says he and his fellow creators have worked hard to develop sci-fi stories rooted in Chinese culture that reflect distinctly Chinese ideas.
\n
Such instances range from characters using martial arts to fight monsters to engaging in typical Chinese pastimes like playing mahjong, eating hotpot, and gathering elderly villagers for square dancing as a form of exercise.
\n
When the idea for the franchise emerged around 2015 or 2016, global tensions also shaped its themes. "We originally wanted to explore how people from different countries could unite and work together to confront a global crisis," Ruan explains.
\n
Director Dong, also the cofounder of Wuhan-based YHKT Entertainment, says it took them four years to produce the second season. It aims to delve deeper into thought-provoking sci-fi themes — such as the limits of human potential and whether social systems trap us in patterns that are hard to escape.
\n
A self-taught animator, Dong traces his passion back to a chance encounter in an internet cafe where he saw a middle-aged man creating animations on a computer. Fascinated, Dong bought nearly every animation book he could find and taught himself when he was in college.
\n
Fueled by his interest in sci-fi — from classics by British novelist Arthur C. Clarke to works by Asia's first Hugo Award winner Liu Cixin, as well as Hollywood blockbusters like Canadian director Denis Villeneuve's Arrival (2016) — Dong says he aims to blend universal sci-fi themes with Chinese cultural elements, even weaving acupuncture into the story.
\n
Now leading his team in writing the script for the third season, Dong says he visited several research institutions, including the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, consulting experts on incorporating cutting-edge ideas such as brain-computer interfaces to make the new season even more compelling.
\n
"We hope that, through more high-quality scifi animated projects like the Ling Cage franchise, Chinese animators can elevate the global recognition of domestic animation and earn a place alongside top players in countries like the United States and Japan," says Dong.
Zhang Jiaxuan (top) and Huang Yihang compete during the pairs skating competition Wednesday.
\n
From left: Zhang Ruiyang, Wang Shiyue and Liu Xinyu, and An Xiangyi in action during the national trials for the 2026 Winter Olympics figure skating qualifying tournament on Wednesday.
\n
As China's young figure skating national team struggles to make its way to Milano-Cortina 2026, the return of an Olympic champion pair is expected to help facilitate the program's rebuild with finesse, grit and a fresh dynamic.
\n
Less than six months out from the 2026 Winter Olympics, China's figure skating squad, once a proud contributor to the medal count of the country's winter sports delegation, is still fighting for tickets to the Olympic showpiece in Italy, having secured only one qualification berth in men's singles from the ISU world championships in March.
\n
The Olympic qualifying tournament, to be held in Beijing from Sept 17-21, will offer five more quota places in each of the men's and women's singles events, three more in pairs skating and four more in ice dance in what will be the final opportunity for Olympic aspirants to book their flight to Milan.
\n
Although the majority of international powerhouses, such as Japan and the United States, will skip the qualifying meet in Beijing, having filled up their quota places via the worlds, the competition for the remaining berths is guaranteed to be a fierce dogfight, and will be a tough challenge for China's current crop of fresh-faced skaters.
\n
The magnitude of the task in the jostle for qualification spots in women's singles, ice dance and pairs skating on home ice was laid bare at this week's national trials, where Chinese skaters' error-laden performances underscored their seemingly bleak prospects for the Beijing tournament.
\n
As the only women's singles skater with Olympic experience on the current team, Zhu Yi, who represented the host at the Beijing 2022 Winter Games, wrapped up her free skate at the trials on Wednesday with a costly fall on her final triple jump, allowing teen contender Zhang Ruiyang, who finished Tuesday's short program in 2nd behind Zhu, to leapfrog her senior teammate to top of the final standings.
\n
The 17-year-old Zhang will make her high-stakes international debut at the Beijing qualifying meet, carrying the weight of the nation's Olympic hopes on her young shoulders.
\n
"I got nervous during the free skate, made some mistakes here and there," said Zhang, a high-school student at Beijing No 10 Middle School.
\n
"If I can make it to the qualifying meet next month, I hope to show greater consistency and try to skate to the best of my ability. After all, it's almost impossible to significantly raise the difficulty level of my routines in such a short time."
\n
In pairs, young partners Zhang Jiaxuan and Huang Yihang, as the only team that met the trials' entry benchmark, put on an elegant, smooth, yet technically less competitive, performance to pass the test, and will represent the host at the Beijing meet in what is historically the most decorated event for Chinese figure skating.
\n
"I think we should just focus on producing our best performance, making sure we deliver our top form (at the Olympic qualifier) and let the result take care of itself," said 23-year-old Huang, who, last week, won the pairs title with his partner Zhang at the Asian Open Trophy in Manila.
\n
"As we mature into the senior ranks, we still need to improve our coordination, synchronization and quality of jumps," said Huang.
\n
Soon, they will have a perfect benchmark against which to measure their progress, with the confirmed return of reigning Olympic champion pair Han Cong and Sui Wenjing to spice things up entering the new season.
\n
Han and Sui, having both indefinitely retired from competitive skating since their home-ice heroics at Beijing 2022, have both announced their return to the rink, motivated by a sense of responsibility to help the national program pull off the tough transition between generations.
\n
Should their younger compatriots earn their country a ticket to Milan as expected next month, Han and Sui are expected to challenge Zhang and Huang at the upcoming domestic Olympic trials to earn a spot at their fourth Olympics.
\n
According to the official ISU program for its 2025-26 figure skating Grand Prix circuit, Han and Sui have signed up for the season's second leg, the Cup of China, in Chongqing in October, and the fourth stop, the NHK Trophy in Osaka in November, to test their form against international rivals old and new.
\n
"Brother Cong and sister Sui have been our idols. I cheered for them and watched them dance to the top of the Beijing 2022 podium from the stands," said Huang.
\n
"Their return is definitely good news for Chinese pairs skating. I believe they will lead by example and carry us all forward together."
\n
In ice dance, Beijing 2022's 12th-placed combo Wang Shiyue and Liu Xinyu finished top among four pairs at this week's trials, their second event since coming back from a yearlong injury layoff, to represent China at the Olympic qualifying meet.
\n",
- "content": "
Zhang Jiaxuan (top) and Huang Yihang compete during the pairs skating competition Wednesday.
\n
From left: Zhang Ruiyang, Wang Shiyue and Liu Xinyu, and An Xiangyi in action during the national trials for the 2026 Winter Olympics figure skating qualifying tournament on Wednesday.
\n
As China's young figure skating national team struggles to make its way to Milano-Cortina 2026, the return of an Olympic champion pair is expected to help facilitate the program's rebuild with finesse, grit and a fresh dynamic.
\n
Less than six months out from the 2026 Winter Olympics, China's figure skating squad, once a proud contributor to the medal count of the country's winter sports delegation, is still fighting for tickets to the Olympic showpiece in Italy, having secured only one qualification berth in men's singles from the ISU world championships in March.
\n
The Olympic qualifying tournament, to be held in Beijing from Sept 17-21, will offer five more quota places in each of the men's and women's singles events, three more in pairs skating and four more in ice dance in what will be the final opportunity for Olympic aspirants to book their flight to Milan.
\n
Although the majority of international powerhouses, such as Japan and the United States, will skip the qualifying meet in Beijing, having filled up their quota places via the worlds, the competition for the remaining berths is guaranteed to be a fierce dogfight, and will be a tough challenge for China's current crop of fresh-faced skaters.
\n
The magnitude of the task in the jostle for qualification spots in women's singles, ice dance and pairs skating on home ice was laid bare at this week's national trials, where Chinese skaters' error-laden performances underscored their seemingly bleak prospects for the Beijing tournament.
\n
As the only women's singles skater with Olympic experience on the current team, Zhu Yi, who represented the host at the Beijing 2022 Winter Games, wrapped up her free skate at the trials on Wednesday with a costly fall on her final triple jump, allowing teen contender Zhang Ruiyang, who finished Tuesday's short program in 2nd behind Zhu, to leapfrog her senior teammate to top of the final standings.
\n
The 17-year-old Zhang will make her high-stakes international debut at the Beijing qualifying meet, carrying the weight of the nation's Olympic hopes on her young shoulders.
\n
"I got nervous during the free skate, made some mistakes here and there," said Zhang, a high-school student at Beijing No 10 Middle School.
\n
"If I can make it to the qualifying meet next month, I hope to show greater consistency and try to skate to the best of my ability. After all, it's almost impossible to significantly raise the difficulty level of my routines in such a short time."
\n
In pairs, young partners Zhang Jiaxuan and Huang Yihang, as the only team that met the trials' entry benchmark, put on an elegant, smooth, yet technically less competitive, performance to pass the test, and will represent the host at the Beijing meet in what is historically the most decorated event for Chinese figure skating.
\n
"I think we should just focus on producing our best performance, making sure we deliver our top form (at the Olympic qualifier) and let the result take care of itself," said 23-year-old Huang, who, last week, won the pairs title with his partner Zhang at the Asian Open Trophy in Manila.
\n
"As we mature into the senior ranks, we still need to improve our coordination, synchronization and quality of jumps," said Huang.
\n
Soon, they will have a perfect benchmark against which to measure their progress, with the confirmed return of reigning Olympic champion pair Han Cong and Sui Wenjing to spice things up entering the new season.
\n
Han and Sui, having both indefinitely retired from competitive skating since their home-ice heroics at Beijing 2022, have both announced their return to the rink, motivated by a sense of responsibility to help the national program pull off the tough transition between generations.
\n
Should their younger compatriots earn their country a ticket to Milan as expected next month, Han and Sui are expected to challenge Zhang and Huang at the upcoming domestic Olympic trials to earn a spot at their fourth Olympics.
\n
According to the official ISU program for its 2025-26 figure skating Grand Prix circuit, Han and Sui have signed up for the season's second leg, the Cup of China, in Chongqing in October, and the fourth stop, the NHK Trophy in Osaka in November, to test their form against international rivals old and new.
\n
"Brother Cong and sister Sui have been our idols. I cheered for them and watched them dance to the top of the Beijing 2022 podium from the stands," said Huang.
\n
"Their return is definitely good news for Chinese pairs skating. I believe they will lead by example and carry us all forward together."
\n
In ice dance, Beijing 2022's 12th-placed combo Wang Shiyue and Liu Xinyu finished top among four pairs at this week's trials, their second event since coming back from a yearlong injury layoff, to represent China at the Olympic qualifying meet.
From left: Ukrainian dragon boaters celebrate victory in the eight-seat 500m final; France's Eloan Hitz in action during the men's freestyle parkour competition; Nursultan Duisenkulov from Kazakhstan (left) battles with Denmark's Lucas Andersen during the men's ju-jitsu 77kg fighting final.
\n
Switzerland's Kim Sprenger returns the ball during the women's fistball final between Brazil and Switzerland at Tianfu Park in Chengdu, Sichuan province, on Wednesday.
\n
Wang Xuanxuan of China on the attack against Germany during the group stage of the ultimate flying disc competition.
\n
Clockwise from above: Floorball, wushu, lacrosse and beach handball are among the many niche sports at the Chengdu World Games that have enjoyed greater exposure on the global stage. Many sports have put their hands up for Olympic inclusion, and lacrosse will be part of the program for the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.
\n
Diversity shines at the 2025 World Games, as regional, niche sports have found new fans, fresh talent and a high-profile stage in Chengdu.
\n
The world's largest international multisport gala to feature mainly non-Olympic events has shed new light on disciplines once on the periphery of the global sporting mainstream, bringing more exposure to trending urban exercises and some of the "newcomers" on the LA28 Olympic program.
\n
Flag football, a non-contact variant of American football, in which defenders stop plays by pulling a flag attached to their opponent's waist, turned heads in Chengdu on Thursday with an eight-nation women's tournament grabbing international attention ahead of its Olympic debut in Los Angeles.
\n
New Olympic sports such as lacrosse and squash have also made a strong impression. Five of the 12-athlete Chinese women's lacrosse squad hail from Chengdu University, drawing quite an enthusiastic fan following from the local community.
\n
After watching her sport contested against blue-glass walls employing low-cost, recyclable materials, World Squash Federation president Zena Wooldridge was left intrigued. "The venue is superb, with high-quality courts. Players are going home with wonderful memories of Chengdu," she said.
\n
Some sports with Chinese origin are also making their presence felt among the global audience. Modern dragon boat racing, now featuring lightweight craft and mixed-gender crews, drew strong competition.
\n
Despite China's strong heritage in the sport, Indonesia topped the podium, claiming three titles, while Ukraine and Thailand also struck gold, underscoring the sport's widening global reach.
\n
Martial arts reinforced its Olympic ambitions. "The level is incredibly close now — it's no longer one dominant force, but many flourishing together," noted International Wushu Federation secretary-general Zhang Yuping. With its inclusion in the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympics, wushu's international promotion marked a major milestone, while the Chengdu showcase certainly has given it a further push.
\n
The trend extends to water sports, where Chinese wake surfer Zhuang Tiancai's silver-medal finish in the men's skim final on Aug 10 highlighted the trending outdoor sport's booming popularity. His Guangdong surfing club, founded in 2022, now has more than 100 members.
\n
"Three years ago, there were hardly any surfing clubs in Guangdong," Zhuang said. "Now there are more than a dozen. My partners and I are planning to open another branch."
\n
Official figures show China now has more than 300 water-surfing clubs with hundreds of thousands of participants.
\n
International World Games Association president Jose Perurena Lopez stressed the Games' role as a gateway: "We represent sports recognized by the IOC, but not yet in the Olympics. Some may graduate to the Olympics program."
\n
"The mentality of younger people has changed. In my time, all the focus was on the Olympic disciplines; now, the new generation embraces diverse sports," he said.
Backed by numerous successful examples, President Xi Jinping's concept that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets "presents crucial solutions for the global community to balance economic growth and environmental conservation.
\n
In an exclusive interview with China Daily ahead of the concept's 20th anniversary, Yu Hai, deputy director of the Research Center for Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization, emphasized China's dedication to applying this concept in international cooperation to benefit the global community, especially developing nations.
\n
"Under the scientific guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization, China has achieved remarkable accomplishments in exploring pathways and models that help transform 'lucid waters and lush mountains' into 'invaluable assets'," Yu said.
\n
Xi, then secretary of the Communist Party of China Zhejiang Provincial Committee, first proposed the concept that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets "during an inspection in Anji county, Zhejiang province, on Aug 15, 2005.
\n
President Xi has actively promoted the concept on many international occasions, calling for building a common homeland of coordinated advancement of economy and the environment.
\n
"His advocacy provides intellectual enlightenment for the international community to explore the path of green development and guidance for the global sustainable development agenda," said Yu.
\n
As the world's largest developing country, China always maintains a global vision and demonstrates a strong sense of responsibility and mission as a major power, Yu emphasized.
\n
"Firmly adhering to the philosophy of 'teaching people how to fish rather than simply giving them fish', China has woven the concept into collaborative efforts such as the Belt and Road Initiative and South-South Cooperation, ensuring concrete benefits, particularly for developing nations," he said.
\n
Localized adoption
\n
Through the BRI, for instance, China has been implementing green projects such as solar, wind and hydroelectric power to share its approaches, technologies and experiences in practicing the concept, Yu added.
\n
He said that this effort promotes the concept's localized adoption, making significant contributions to enhancing the ecological and environmental governance capabilities of developing countries and jointly building a clean and beautiful world.
\n
The urgency to advance global environmental governance has grown, as the world rapidly advances the shift toward green and low-carbon initiatives. Against this backdrop, Yu said, the principle of "ecological and economic coordinated development", which is embedded in the concept, has become a widely accepted core tenet and central theme in the global drive for sustainable development.
\n
The late John Cobb, a renowned United States theologian and environmentalist known as the father of green GDP — an economic indicator that adjusts conventional GDP by factoring in the environmental costs and benefits associated with economic activities — argued, for example, that the concept proposed by Xi dissolves the dualism between economic development and environmental protection, demonstrating to the world that environmental conservation and economic development can go hand in hand.
\n
Yu said, "As we stand at the historical milestone of the 20th anniversary of this concept, we should strive to be active promoters and exemplary practitioners of the concept, actively participating in, contributing to and leading in the building of a global community with a shared future for humanity."
\n
Innovative models
\n
Yu also said that different government departments and regions in China have carried out extensive practices, exploring diverse pathways and innovative models, supported by a series of institutional arrangements implemented at the national level.
\n
For instance, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment has selected 240 practice innovation bases to promote the concept, according to Yu. He highlighted Dengkou county in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region as a model in implementing the concept.
\n
As the county progresses in desertification control, it is also actively pursuing economic benefits by promoting ecological industries that support this effort, such as traditional Chinese medicine and solar power development, Yu noted, adding that local authorities have also employed supportive policy tools to enhance enthusiasm for sand prevention and control.
\n
According to the Dengkou government, the forest and grass coverage in its sandy areas reached more than 37 percent as of 2023, compared with merely 0.04 percent in the 1950s.
\n
The annual output value of the county's ecological industries has surpassed 1 billion yuan ($139.4 million), directly increasing the income of more than 5,000 households in sandy areas.
\n
Yu said that the Dengkou case, among many others, vividly showcases China's advancements in promoting ecological civilization.
\n
He also highlighted the country's vision of making the concept not only a distinctive symbol of China's modernization, but also a contribution of Eastern wisdom to the development of a new form of human civilization.
\n
"By providing enhanced guidance for global ecological civilization and a stronger impetus for the world's economic recovery, we aim to collaborate with the international community to foster a harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature on our planet," Yu said.
\n
houliqiang@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
- "content": "
Backed by numerous successful examples, President Xi Jinping's concept that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets "presents crucial solutions for the global community to balance economic growth and environmental conservation.
\n
In an exclusive interview with China Daily ahead of the concept's 20th anniversary, Yu Hai, deputy director of the Research Center for Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization, emphasized China's dedication to applying this concept in international cooperation to benefit the global community, especially developing nations.
\n
"Under the scientific guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization, China has achieved remarkable accomplishments in exploring pathways and models that help transform 'lucid waters and lush mountains' into 'invaluable assets'," Yu said.
\n
Xi, then secretary of the Communist Party of China Zhejiang Provincial Committee, first proposed the concept that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets "during an inspection in Anji county, Zhejiang province, on Aug 15, 2005.
\n
President Xi has actively promoted the concept on many international occasions, calling for building a common homeland of coordinated advancement of economy and the environment.
\n
"His advocacy provides intellectual enlightenment for the international community to explore the path of green development and guidance for the global sustainable development agenda," said Yu.
\n
As the world's largest developing country, China always maintains a global vision and demonstrates a strong sense of responsibility and mission as a major power, Yu emphasized.
\n
"Firmly adhering to the philosophy of 'teaching people how to fish rather than simply giving them fish', China has woven the concept into collaborative efforts such as the Belt and Road Initiative and South-South Cooperation, ensuring concrete benefits, particularly for developing nations," he said.
\n
Localized adoption
\n
Through the BRI, for instance, China has been implementing green projects such as solar, wind and hydroelectric power to share its approaches, technologies and experiences in practicing the concept, Yu added.
\n
He said that this effort promotes the concept's localized adoption, making significant contributions to enhancing the ecological and environmental governance capabilities of developing countries and jointly building a clean and beautiful world.
\n
The urgency to advance global environmental governance has grown, as the world rapidly advances the shift toward green and low-carbon initiatives. Against this backdrop, Yu said, the principle of "ecological and economic coordinated development", which is embedded in the concept, has become a widely accepted core tenet and central theme in the global drive for sustainable development.
\n
The late John Cobb, a renowned United States theologian and environmentalist known as the father of green GDP — an economic indicator that adjusts conventional GDP by factoring in the environmental costs and benefits associated with economic activities — argued, for example, that the concept proposed by Xi dissolves the dualism between economic development and environmental protection, demonstrating to the world that environmental conservation and economic development can go hand in hand.
\n
Yu said, "As we stand at the historical milestone of the 20th anniversary of this concept, we should strive to be active promoters and exemplary practitioners of the concept, actively participating in, contributing to and leading in the building of a global community with a shared future for humanity."
\n
Innovative models
\n
Yu also said that different government departments and regions in China have carried out extensive practices, exploring diverse pathways and innovative models, supported by a series of institutional arrangements implemented at the national level.
\n
For instance, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment has selected 240 practice innovation bases to promote the concept, according to Yu. He highlighted Dengkou county in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region as a model in implementing the concept.
\n
As the county progresses in desertification control, it is also actively pursuing economic benefits by promoting ecological industries that support this effort, such as traditional Chinese medicine and solar power development, Yu noted, adding that local authorities have also employed supportive policy tools to enhance enthusiasm for sand prevention and control.
\n
According to the Dengkou government, the forest and grass coverage in its sandy areas reached more than 37 percent as of 2023, compared with merely 0.04 percent in the 1950s.
\n
The annual output value of the county's ecological industries has surpassed 1 billion yuan ($139.4 million), directly increasing the income of more than 5,000 households in sandy areas.
\n
Yu said that the Dengkou case, among many others, vividly showcases China's advancements in promoting ecological civilization.
\n
He also highlighted the country's vision of making the concept not only a distinctive symbol of China's modernization, but also a contribution of Eastern wisdom to the development of a new form of human civilization.
\n
"By providing enhanced guidance for global ecological civilization and a stronger impetus for the world's economic recovery, we aim to collaborate with the international community to foster a harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature on our planet," Yu said.
The signs of a bull run are slowly but steadily emerging in China's A-share market, underpinned by ongoing structural reforms and sustained long-term capital inflows. Experts said the developing rally is expected to gain further traction on the back of policy support and a gradually improving external environment.
\n
Their remarks came on Wednesday as the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index rose for an eighth straight session, climbing 0.48 percent to close at 3,683.46 — its highest level since December 2021.
\n
The Shenzhen Component Index gained 1.76 percent, while the tech-heavy ChiNext surged 3.62 percent. The total turnover on the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges topped 2.1 trillion yuan ($292.69 billion) — a 13.5 percent increase from the previous day.
\n
Investor enthusiasm is surging on both the institutional and retail fronts. July witnessed a record monthly number of new mutual fund launches, reflecting rising interest among households in equity assets as returns from traditional savings and wealth management products continue to decline. Total assets under management in public mutual funds have now exceeded 34 trillion yuan.
\n
Insurance companies are also ramping up their presence in the A-share market. The number of public disclosures triggered by insurers' equity holdings surpassing the 5 percent threshold has already exceeded last year's total. Analysts said insurers are increasingly focusing on companies from the emerging industries and advanced manufacturing sectors, supporting China's shift toward high-quality development.
\n
Yang Delong, chief economist at First Seafront Fund, said that insurance companies have played an increasingly stabilizing role in the A-share market by boosting their equity allocations. He noted that insurers have recently focused more of their research on companies engaged in new quality productive forces, a move that supports China's broader push to upgrade its real economy and enhance long-term investment value.
\n
Retail investor participation is also rising. Nearly 14.6 million individual trading accounts were opened in the first seven months of 2025, a 37 percent year-on-year increase, according to data provider Wind Info.
\n
Furthermore, foreign investors have been steadily increasing their exposure to Chinese equities, including A-shares and Hong Kong-listed stocks. Net foreign inflows totaled $2.7 billion in July, more than double the level in June, according to a recent report by Morgan Stanley.
\n
Analysts said the macro environment is becoming increasingly favorable for Chinese equities. Expectations of a weaker US dollar and potential interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve are improving the outlook for emerging markets. The narrowing interest rate differential between China and the United States could further accelerate foreign capital inflows.
\n
Hong Hao, chief investment officer at Lotus Asset Management, said the upward momentum of Chinese stocks will sustain for a long time if the US dollar's weakness proves to be a multiyear trend. Also, the Chinese market has been increasingly resilient in the face of negative tariff headlines.
\n
Given the current favorable liquidity conditions in the Chinese market and the fear-of-missing-out sentiment, any corrections in the A-share market are likely to be quickly absorbed by buyers, he added.
\n
Zhu Liang, chief investment officer at AllianceBernstein China, said that despite strong gains in recent weeks — with the Shanghai Composite Index up nearly 7 percent and the Shenzhen Component Index up more than 10 percent since July — valuations in the A-share market remain attractive.
\n
Sounding a word of caution, some experts said that risk appetite in the A-share market may be suppressed by factors such as changes in tariff talks between China and the US, as well as domestic challenges facing the Chinese economy.
\n
He Kang, chief strategy analyst at Huatai Securities, said that there are still challenges regarding China's economic recovery, as efforts by policymakers to create a fairer competition environment may take time to show effect, and this may affect the profitability outlook of A-share companies.
As Typhoon Podul is poised to make its second landfall along the coastal areas between Guangdong and Fujian provinces, transportation — particularly train services in the two provinces — was significantly affected on Wednesday.
\n
Podul, the 11th typhoon of the year and classified as a severe storm, made its initial landfall along the coast of Taitung, Taiwan, at around 1 pm on Wednesday, with maximum wind speeds near the center reaching 151.2 kilometers per hour, according to the National Meteorological Center.
\n
After entering the Taiwan Strait on Wednesday afternoon, the typhoon was expected to make a second landfall along the coast between Xiamen in Fujian and Shantou in Guangdong, between Wednesday evening and early Thursday morning, the NMC reported.
\n
In response to the severe weather, China Railway Guangzhou Group has assessed risks and adjusted transportation schedules on several routes. As of Wednesday, high-speed train services were suspended on routes connecting Zhejiang and Guangdong provinces, with train services on the affected railway lines expected to resume after Thursday, depending on weather conditions. Additionally, some trains on the Beijing-Guangzhou and Beijing-Kowloon (Hong Kong) railway lines were suspended on Wednesday.
\n
In Shantou, the Nan'ao Bridge, a major cross-sea project, was closed to traffic at 8 pm on Wednesday for safety reasons. Strong winds were detected at the bridge's automatic weather observation station on Wednesday morning, with their intensity increasing throughout the day, according to local meteorological authorities.
\n
In Chaozhou, which neighbors Shantou, all primary and secondary schools, kindergartens, day care centers and training institutions suspended classes on Wednesday.
\n
On the maritime front, all fishing boats in areas east of Shanwei, a seaside city in Guangdong, were required to return to port by 8 pm on Tuesday, and recreational boats were prohibited from going out to sea, according to the provincial headquarters for flood, drought and wind control.
\n
In Fujian, some passenger trains bound for Shaanxi province and Chongqing were suspended on Wednesday.
\n
In response to the impact of the typhoon and severe convective weather, the railway group upgraded the typhoon warning level for several lines running through Fujian from Level IV to Level III on Wednesday.
\n
With wind speeds of 90 to 118.8 km/h after its second landfall, Podul is expected to continue moving northwest into inland areas, passing through several provincial-level regions including Guangdong, Hunan, Guizhou and Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, bringing widespread heavy to torrential rain, according to the NMC.
\n
Due to Podul's asymmetrical structure with stronger convection on its southern side, southern Fujian and eastern Guangdong are expected to experience particularly significant heavy rainfall, according to NMC.
\n
Lyu Xinyan, chief forecaster at the NMC, highlighted the potential for compounding effects due to recent frequent rainfall in southern China.
\n
"We should pay particular attention to the cumulative effects of Podul's heavy rainfall and previous rainstorms, which could easily trigger mountain torrents, mudslides, flash floods in small and medium-sized rivers, and urban and rural flooding," she said.
\n
Contact the writer at qiuquanlin@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
- "content": "
As Typhoon Podul is poised to make its second landfall along the coastal areas between Guangdong and Fujian provinces, transportation — particularly train services in the two provinces — was significantly affected on Wednesday.
\n
Podul, the 11th typhoon of the year and classified as a severe storm, made its initial landfall along the coast of Taitung, Taiwan, at around 1 pm on Wednesday, with maximum wind speeds near the center reaching 151.2 kilometers per hour, according to the National Meteorological Center.
\n
After entering the Taiwan Strait on Wednesday afternoon, the typhoon was expected to make a second landfall along the coast between Xiamen in Fujian and Shantou in Guangdong, between Wednesday evening and early Thursday morning, the NMC reported.
\n
In response to the severe weather, China Railway Guangzhou Group has assessed risks and adjusted transportation schedules on several routes. As of Wednesday, high-speed train services were suspended on routes connecting Zhejiang and Guangdong provinces, with train services on the affected railway lines expected to resume after Thursday, depending on weather conditions. Additionally, some trains on the Beijing-Guangzhou and Beijing-Kowloon (Hong Kong) railway lines were suspended on Wednesday.
\n
In Shantou, the Nan'ao Bridge, a major cross-sea project, was closed to traffic at 8 pm on Wednesday for safety reasons. Strong winds were detected at the bridge's automatic weather observation station on Wednesday morning, with their intensity increasing throughout the day, according to local meteorological authorities.
\n
In Chaozhou, which neighbors Shantou, all primary and secondary schools, kindergartens, day care centers and training institutions suspended classes on Wednesday.
\n
On the maritime front, all fishing boats in areas east of Shanwei, a seaside city in Guangdong, were required to return to port by 8 pm on Tuesday, and recreational boats were prohibited from going out to sea, according to the provincial headquarters for flood, drought and wind control.
\n
In Fujian, some passenger trains bound for Shaanxi province and Chongqing were suspended on Wednesday.
\n
In response to the impact of the typhoon and severe convective weather, the railway group upgraded the typhoon warning level for several lines running through Fujian from Level IV to Level III on Wednesday.
\n
With wind speeds of 90 to 118.8 km/h after its second landfall, Podul is expected to continue moving northwest into inland areas, passing through several provincial-level regions including Guangdong, Hunan, Guizhou and Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, bringing widespread heavy to torrential rain, according to the NMC.
\n
Due to Podul's asymmetrical structure with stronger convection on its southern side, southern Fujian and eastern Guangdong are expected to experience particularly significant heavy rainfall, according to NMC.
\n
Lyu Xinyan, chief forecaster at the NMC, highlighted the potential for compounding effects due to recent frequent rainfall in southern China.
\n
"We should pay particular attention to the cumulative effects of Podul's heavy rainfall and previous rainstorms, which could easily trigger mountain torrents, mudslides, flash floods in small and medium-sized rivers, and urban and rural flooding," she said.
\n
Contact the writer at qiuquanlin@chinadaily.com.cn
Competitors from the Netherlands carry their robots onto the field for adjustments and training at Beijing's National Speed Skating Oval on Tuesday, ahead of the 2025 World Humanoid Robot Games. The event is being held from Thursday to Sunday, with over 500 humanoid robots competing in 26 events and 538 competitions.
The "Green Fleet", consisting of four all-electric tugboats, sets sail from the China State Shipbuilding Corporation Tianjin dock on Wednesday. Compared to traditional fuel-powered tugs, these electric ships produce zero emissions and little noise.
\n",
- "content": "
The "Green Fleet", consisting of four all-electric tugboats, sets sail from the China State Shipbuilding Corporation Tianjin dock on Wednesday. Compared to traditional fuel-powered tugs, these electric ships produce zero emissions and little noise.
A Chinese mainland spokeswoman on Wednesday criticized the Lai Ching-te administration in Taiwan for prioritizing political self-interest over public welfare, following recent polls showing Lai's approval ratings were the lowest they've been since he took office last year.
\n
The surveys, including one from Formosa Publishing and other "pro-independence" institutions in Taiwan, indicated a significant drop in satisfaction with Lai's performance, with dissatisfaction and distrust both exceeding 50 percent.
\n
This decline in approval comes as Taiwan society expresses dissatisfaction over the United States' recent announcement of a 20 percent tariff on most of Taiwan's exports. This rate is higher than the 15 percent export tariff imposed on Japan and South Korea, which are major competitors to Taiwan, posing a substantial challenge for Taiwan businesses.
\n
In response, the Lai administration of the island stated that the tariff rates are still negotiable and mentioned the possibility of increasing investments in the US by an additional $400 billion, sparking criticism in Taiwan.
\n
At the same time, the US reportedly planned to impose a 100 per-cent tariff on semiconductor imports while announcing that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, the island's pillar industry, will invest $300 billion in the US to build the world's largest wafer factory in Arizona.
\n
Zhu Fenglian, spokeswoman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, accused the Democratic Progressive Party-led administration of having "no bottom line" in selling out Taiwan and being obedient in its response to US demands. She noted that the proposed $400 billion investment equates to half of Taiwan's annual GDP.
\n
Zhu said that the DPP's willingness to hand over TSMC and allow the US to extract value from Taiwan's advantageous industries demonstrated a lack of commitment and capability to safeguard Taiwan's economic development and the welfare of its people.
\n
She said that Taiwan could have mitigated rising external risks and uncertainties by strengthening economic cooperation with the mainland. Instead, she accused the DPP of harboring a misguided desire for "independence" through reliance on external forces, ultimately harming Taiwan's development interests.
\n
Meanwhile, Hsiao Hsu-tsen, executive director of the Taiwan-based Ma Ying-jeou Culture and Education Foundation, criticized the Lai administration for its inadequate response to the southern Taiwan floods last month, noting that many residents remain without proper resettlement, leading to widespread public discontent.
\n
Hsiao accused the ineffective Lai administration of focusing on political ideology to divide the island facing the severe impact of the tariff increase on Taiwan's industries and people's livelihoods.
\n
"This kind of government is an 'internal hostile force' for the Taiwan people, and people should reject the DPP and Lai," he said.
\n
Zou Zhiqiang, deputy secretary-general of the US-based Alliance for China's Peaceful Reunification, said the recent rejection of Lai's planned "transit" through New York by the US indicated the country was unwilling to damage Sino-US relations over Taiwan, disproving the DPP's claim of a "rock-solid" relationship with the US.
\n
Zou said that Taiwan is not a core interest for the US and is seen merely as a pawn that could be discarded at any moment.
\n
zhangyi1@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
@@ -6750,28 +6222,6 @@
"hash": "221252a50569f6aa990c695a5a6b6d9e",
"highlights": []
},
- {
- "title": "005CHINA - Xizang prefecture sees development in various aspects over the past decade",
- "description": "
Herdsmen handle a flock of sheep in Ngari prefecture, Xizang autonomous region, on July 20. Centuries ago, local people used sheep and oxen to transport natural salt to distant places such as Nepal to exchange for local goods, creating the renowned "salt sheep ancient trail".
\n
Ngari prefecture in the Xizang autonomous region has made significant strides in infrastructure, education and living standards over the past decade, local officials announced on Wednesday.
\n
According to official figures, the prefecture's GDP reached 10.58 billion yuan ($1.5 billion) in 2024, which is 3.9 times the level of 2012, with an average annual growth rate of 8.6 percent. The per capita disposable income of urban residents rose to 58,900 yuan, 2.6 times that of 2012, while rural incomes increased to 20,256 yuan, a 3.7-fold rise over the same period.
\n
Zheng Yong, a senior official of the prefectural government, emphasized that Ngari has consistently prioritized development as the foundation and key to solving all problems by expanding effective investment. Since 2012, over 156 billion yuan has been invested in 2,388 major projects, including new roads, an airport in Burang county and preparatory work for the Xizang-Xinjiang railway.
\n
A "three-horizontal and three-vertical" road network, with a total mileage of 22,000 kilometers, now connects the remote region, providing every county with road access and improving links to townships and villages, Zheng noted.
\n
Residents have observed dramatic changes. Chosang, from Shide village in Burang, recalls when a road trip to Lhasa, Xizang's capital, took almost a week in a jolting truck.
\n
"Now the airport is right on our doorstep, it takes just three or four hours," he said. "It's hard to believe how quickly these obstacles have been turned into smooth, accessible roads."
\n
In addition, industrial projects featuring local livestock breeds such as white cashmere goats, high-altitude yaks and semi-fine-wool sheep have been expanded in Ngari, while the digital economy grew to 990 million yuan in 2024, according to Zheng.
\n
In 2024, the transfer payments for key ecological function zones reached 450 million yuan, a year-on-year increase of 113 percent, Zheng added. Environmental protection projects have targeted desert control, river-source conservation and biodiversity. The habitat of the golden wild yak has been enlarged by more than 8,000 hectares, with the population now above 300, while Tibetan antelopes number over 139,000.
\n
Niu Qun, deputy director of the prefecture's development and reform commission, highlighted significant developments in Ngari's education sector, which has established a 15-year publicly funded education system that covers preschool to high school.
\n
"During the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) period, more than 1.56 billion yuan has been spent on 169 infrastructure projects in the education sector, and 603 million yuan was allocated for the sanbao policy, which covers children's school meals, lodging, tuition and nutrition improvement funds, benefiting 77,400 students," Niu said.
\n
Chosang remembers when paying a few hundred yuan in school fees was a heavy burden.
\n
"In the past, only one or two children in a family could go to school. Now, not a single child is left behind; parents will send all their children to study and learn skills," he said.
\n
Border trade has been revitalized, with Burang Port upgraded and three trade points with Nepal reopened. The prefecture has also received long-term assistance from other provinces and State-owned enterprises, totaling 6.37 billion yuan over three decades, according to local authorities.
\n
Contact the writers at palden_nyima@chinadaily.com.cn
Herdsmen handle a flock of sheep in Ngari prefecture, Xizang autonomous region, on July 20. Centuries ago, local people used sheep and oxen to transport natural salt to distant places such as Nepal to exchange for local goods, creating the renowned "salt sheep ancient trail".
\n
Ngari prefecture in the Xizang autonomous region has made significant strides in infrastructure, education and living standards over the past decade, local officials announced on Wednesday.
\n
According to official figures, the prefecture's GDP reached 10.58 billion yuan ($1.5 billion) in 2024, which is 3.9 times the level of 2012, with an average annual growth rate of 8.6 percent. The per capita disposable income of urban residents rose to 58,900 yuan, 2.6 times that of 2012, while rural incomes increased to 20,256 yuan, a 3.7-fold rise over the same period.
\n
Zheng Yong, a senior official of the prefectural government, emphasized that Ngari has consistently prioritized development as the foundation and key to solving all problems by expanding effective investment. Since 2012, over 156 billion yuan has been invested in 2,388 major projects, including new roads, an airport in Burang county and preparatory work for the Xizang-Xinjiang railway.
\n
A "three-horizontal and three-vertical" road network, with a total mileage of 22,000 kilometers, now connects the remote region, providing every county with road access and improving links to townships and villages, Zheng noted.
\n
Residents have observed dramatic changes. Chosang, from Shide village in Burang, recalls when a road trip to Lhasa, Xizang's capital, took almost a week in a jolting truck.
\n
"Now the airport is right on our doorstep, it takes just three or four hours," he said. "It's hard to believe how quickly these obstacles have been turned into smooth, accessible roads."
\n
In addition, industrial projects featuring local livestock breeds such as white cashmere goats, high-altitude yaks and semi-fine-wool sheep have been expanded in Ngari, while the digital economy grew to 990 million yuan in 2024, according to Zheng.
\n
In 2024, the transfer payments for key ecological function zones reached 450 million yuan, a year-on-year increase of 113 percent, Zheng added. Environmental protection projects have targeted desert control, river-source conservation and biodiversity. The habitat of the golden wild yak has been enlarged by more than 8,000 hectares, with the population now above 300, while Tibetan antelopes number over 139,000.
\n
Niu Qun, deputy director of the prefecture's development and reform commission, highlighted significant developments in Ngari's education sector, which has established a 15-year publicly funded education system that covers preschool to high school.
\n
"During the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) period, more than 1.56 billion yuan has been spent on 169 infrastructure projects in the education sector, and 603 million yuan was allocated for the sanbao policy, which covers children's school meals, lodging, tuition and nutrition improvement funds, benefiting 77,400 students," Niu said.
\n
Chosang remembers when paying a few hundred yuan in school fees was a heavy burden.
\n
"In the past, only one or two children in a family could go to school. Now, not a single child is left behind; parents will send all their children to study and learn skills," he said.
\n
Border trade has been revitalized, with Burang Port upgraded and three trade points with Nepal reopened. The prefecture has also received long-term assistance from other provinces and State-owned enterprises, totaling 6.37 billion yuan over three decades, according to local authorities.
\n
Contact the writers at palden_nyima@chinadaily.com.cn
With the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau experiencing an increasingly warmer and wetter climate, soil carbon storage is expected to rise, according to a recent study. However, this increase is fragile and can be easily undermined by extreme events tied to global warming and human activities.
\n
"The total carbon sink of the ecosystem on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau now accounts for around 15 percent of the nation's," said Wang Tao, corresponding author of the study published in academic journal Nature Communications. Wang, a researcher at the Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, emphasized the significance of understanding the plateau's carbon storage potential to support China's dual carbon goals — peaking carbon emissions before 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality before 2060.
\n
The study revealed that the soil carbon pool on the plateau constitutes over 90 percent of its total ecosystem carbon pool, serving as the cornerstone that supports the plateau's ecological security barrier function.
\n
The research team conducted a systematic grid-based soil sampling campaign across the plateau, using multi-source observational data, including 4,170 soil profiles and long-term controlled incubation experiments, to develop an observation-constrained soil carbon cycle model. This model projects climate change impacts on the plateau's soil carbon stocks.
\n
"Previous studies often relied on field infrared warming experiments to simulate the impacts of climate warming on changes in soil carbon stocks, but these approaches have inherent limitations," Wang said.
\n
He noted that such experiments are costly and typically control only temperature as a single variable, neglecting interactions among multiple climate factors. In addition, regional sensitivity to warming varies significantly across the plateau, resulting in high uncertainty when extrapolating results to broader scales, Wang said.
\n
To address the challenges, the study analyzed 0-to-1-meter depth soil samples which were extracted from 2019 to 2022 — a layer storing over half of the plateau's total soil carbon — from diverse regions. By integrating experimental data into the model, the team revealed the plateau-wide response mechanism of soil carbon stocks to warming.
\n
The study found that as the climate gets warmer and wetter, it is expected to positively influence vegetation growth and enhance soil carbon accumulation. However, more than half the newly accumulated carbon will be in active or non-protected forms, making it highly sensitive to extreme global-warming events and grazing disturbances.
\n
"The permafrost regions of the plateau constitute one of its largest terrestrial carbon pools. However, accelerating permafrost thaw under climate change can trigger abrupt thermokarst collapse, rapidly releasing previously sequestered carbon. This vulnerability is particularly prominent in soils with non-protected forms," Wang said, warning that such releases could offset over half the carbon gains from climate mitigation efforts.
\n
The study also synthesized 296 field grazing experiments from across the plateau, finding that if previous overgrazing management practices continue, grazing-induced carbon losses will almost entirely offset climate-driven carbon gains. Wang stressed the importance of effective grazing management, suggesting rotational grazing systems or restoring traditional nomadic practices to enable grassland regeneration.
Members of a local troupe perform Tibetan Opera at a park in Namling county, Xizang autonomous region, on July 17.
\n
LHASA — As the drums rolled, performers wearing blue masks took to the stage, enthralling the audience with powerful vocals and bold dance moves.
\n
This vibrant scene unfolded at a park in Namling county, Southwest China's Xizang autonomous region, where classic Tibetan Opera performances drew large crowds of locals.
\n
Young actress Drolma Yangkyi delivered a great performance as a kind and brave man in a show, which was met with passionate applause from the audience.
\n
"My father performed this role before me, so I kept seeking his advice right until the curtain call," said the 17-year-old. Influenced by her father and grandfather, both Tibetan Opera performers, Drolma Yangkyi started learning the traditional art at the age of 6.
\n
Considered a living fossil of Tibetan culture, Tibetan Opera blends talking, singing, acting, dancing and literature. It was included in the first batch of China's national intangible cultural heritage list in 2006 and the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2009.
\n
With the government's support and the dedication of both young and old Tibetan Opera enthusiasts, along with the efforts of ICH inheritors, this traditional art form is gaining new momentum on the plateau.
\n
Namling is renowned for its Tibetan Opera school, which features blue masks and boasts a history spanning over 600 years. During the performances at the park, 76-year-old Tsering Dorje, a national-level inheritor of the art, was busy adjusting costumes for the young performers preparing to take the stage.
\n
Tsering Dorje grew up watching Tibetan Opera with his elders. The entertainment later became his passion, driving him to act for over 40 years.
\n
He recalled that in the early days, performers faced a lack of funding and opportunities to showcase their skills, and they had limited access to costumes and props.
\n
"Now, with the government and our troupe's efforts, we perform at big events and festivals like the Shoton Festival in the regional capital Lhasa and the Qomolangma Culture Festival in the city of Shigatse," said Tsering Dorje, adding that better conditions gave him the confidence to attract more young apprentices.
\n
He has trained multiple young Tibetan Opera performers, five of whom now lead their own apprentices. After transitioning from the stage to being an adviser, he now focuses on passing down the cultural essence of this ancient art.
\n
In recent years, Namling has set up a children's troupe with an average age of nine. By offering Tibetan Opera experience courses and various activities, the art form has been brought into campuses and rural areas. So far, the average age of Tibetan Opera inheritors has dropped to under 35, alleviating the aging issue of the performance crew.
\n
A white paper issued in March this year said that Xizang has named 153 part-time Tibetan Opera troupes.
\n
The protection of intangible cultural heritage in Xizang has steadily improved, with 473 million yuan ($66 million) from the central and regional governments earmarked from 2012 to 2024 for the protection of ICH items on the national representative list and other related fields, according to the white paper.
\n
Palden Wangchug, head of Xizang's regional Tibetan Opera troupe, said audience demand provides enduring momentum for the art form's preservation. "Where there's a market and spectators, Tibetan Opera thrives," he said.
\n
Drolma Yangkyi has been a member of the county's Tibetan Opera troupe since junior high school, accumulating rich stage experience, which includes performing in Lhasa. Now, she aspires to find a larger platform to showcase her talent.
\n
"I hope to further my Tibetan opera studies and someday showcase our culture beyond the plateau," she said.
Members of a local troupe perform Tibetan Opera at a park in Namling county, Xizang autonomous region, on July 17.
\n
LHASA — As the drums rolled, performers wearing blue masks took to the stage, enthralling the audience with powerful vocals and bold dance moves.
\n
This vibrant scene unfolded at a park in Namling county, Southwest China's Xizang autonomous region, where classic Tibetan Opera performances drew large crowds of locals.
\n
Young actress Drolma Yangkyi delivered a great performance as a kind and brave man in a show, which was met with passionate applause from the audience.
\n
"My father performed this role before me, so I kept seeking his advice right until the curtain call," said the 17-year-old. Influenced by her father and grandfather, both Tibetan Opera performers, Drolma Yangkyi started learning the traditional art at the age of 6.
\n
Considered a living fossil of Tibetan culture, Tibetan Opera blends talking, singing, acting, dancing and literature. It was included in the first batch of China's national intangible cultural heritage list in 2006 and the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2009.
\n
With the government's support and the dedication of both young and old Tibetan Opera enthusiasts, along with the efforts of ICH inheritors, this traditional art form is gaining new momentum on the plateau.
\n
Namling is renowned for its Tibetan Opera school, which features blue masks and boasts a history spanning over 600 years. During the performances at the park, 76-year-old Tsering Dorje, a national-level inheritor of the art, was busy adjusting costumes for the young performers preparing to take the stage.
\n
Tsering Dorje grew up watching Tibetan Opera with his elders. The entertainment later became his passion, driving him to act for over 40 years.
\n
He recalled that in the early days, performers faced a lack of funding and opportunities to showcase their skills, and they had limited access to costumes and props.
\n
"Now, with the government and our troupe's efforts, we perform at big events and festivals like the Shoton Festival in the regional capital Lhasa and the Qomolangma Culture Festival in the city of Shigatse," said Tsering Dorje, adding that better conditions gave him the confidence to attract more young apprentices.
\n
He has trained multiple young Tibetan Opera performers, five of whom now lead their own apprentices. After transitioning from the stage to being an adviser, he now focuses on passing down the cultural essence of this ancient art.
\n
In recent years, Namling has set up a children's troupe with an average age of nine. By offering Tibetan Opera experience courses and various activities, the art form has been brought into campuses and rural areas. So far, the average age of Tibetan Opera inheritors has dropped to under 35, alleviating the aging issue of the performance crew.
\n
A white paper issued in March this year said that Xizang has named 153 part-time Tibetan Opera troupes.
\n
The protection of intangible cultural heritage in Xizang has steadily improved, with 473 million yuan ($66 million) from the central and regional governments earmarked from 2012 to 2024 for the protection of ICH items on the national representative list and other related fields, according to the white paper.
\n
Palden Wangchug, head of Xizang's regional Tibetan Opera troupe, said audience demand provides enduring momentum for the art form's preservation. "Where there's a market and spectators, Tibetan Opera thrives," he said.
\n
Drolma Yangkyi has been a member of the county's Tibetan Opera troupe since junior high school, accumulating rich stage experience, which includes performing in Lhasa. Now, she aspires to find a larger platform to showcase her talent.
\n
"I hope to further my Tibetan opera studies and someday showcase our culture beyond the plateau," she said.
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{
"title": "008COMMENT - US annual human rights circus show exposes its hypocrisy and political bias",
"description": "
The US Department of State released its annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices on Tuesday, about three months later than usual. However, the additional time has not been spent improving the content to align with facts, but instead on reducing it to about one-third the length of last year's reports.
\n
The tremendous amount of reediting work that has been done is to ensure that the reports conform with the US administration's policies, even though the State Department has described it as an effort to make the reports more "streamlined", "more readable" and adhering more closely to what's required to be in them by law.
\n
For instance, the agency removed whole categories of violations not "explicitly required by statute", including gender-based violence and environmental justice. The deleted material includes issues widely regarded as fundamental rights under international law, such as the right to a fair public trial, as National Public Radio observed in a report.
\n
According to a State Department memo the US media obtained about the editing of the reports, editors were ordered to remove references to diversity, equity, and inclusion, sexual violence against children and violation of privacy.
\n
Even though the US administration insists it remains committed to defending human rights, the "minimalist rewrite", as some US lawmakers put it, fundamentally serves the US' domestic politics, and might not comply with domestic law, which requires a "full and complete" accounting of internationally recognized human rights.
\n
The United States has compiled these reports on every country in the world since the 1970s. The reports, which are invariably patchwork based on carefully selected "reported facts", constitute grave interference in other countries' internal affairs, and the practice is widely criticized by the international community.
\n
That Congress still relies on these assessments to shape decisions on foreign aid and weapons sales clearly demonstrates the reports' politicized nature. Human rights protection is only an excuse for the US to justify its interventionist foreign policies as well as weaponized sanctions that have no legitimate basis in international law.
\n
The irony is that human rights are essentially a privilege enjoyed only by a few in the US. Racial discrimination, inequality, and forced repatriations and deportations are just the tip of the iceberg.
\n
In February, the US president signed an executive order pulling the country out of the United Nations Human Rights Council again, unwarrantedly citing "political bias", particularly against Israel, and the agency's alleged "failure" to adequately address human rights abuses globally as due cause.
\n
But the reality is it is the US that applies "political bias" on human rights issues, and it is the US that is actually, overtly or covertly, behind many human rights abuses and humanitarian crises around the world, such as the one unfolding in Gaza.
\n
The US baselessly criticizes China over so-called human rights issues related to the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region in the reports. If the US administration truly cares about the human rights of Muslims, why does it turn a blind eye to the hell on earth in Gaza? Why does it turn a blind eye to the historical injustices suffered by the Palestinian people? These are questions the Chinese ambassador to the UN raised recently at a UN gathering, toward which his US counterpart was as mute as a fish.
\n
The US withdrew from the United Nations human rights body in 2018 — on similar grounds, in disregard of the fact that its cutting off funding to the agency will seriously affect many of its critical humanitarian aid projects in the least developed countries.
\n
No wonder the extent to which the US government can manipulate the concept of "human rights" to suit its own policy changes has even made many ardent supporters of the US' weaponization of human rights dumbstruck. Many so-called bedrock principles of human rights, such as those related to gender, the environment, race and judicial justice, that have been taken for granted by generations of human rights advocates as the foundation of the US beacon, have bitten the dust.
\n
As such, the reports are naturally devoid of credibility. Instead of showing the US as being principled, they only serve to expose its hypocrisy and double standards on the issue. Using human rights as a political tool undermines humanity's core values and basic principles. It also poses serious risks, such as its potential to escalate conflicts and jeopardize cooperation on pressing global issues. Exercising political bias on human rights, the US only exacerbates the global turbulence with its latest annual human rights circus show.
An African media delegation poses for a group photo in front of the stone monument that mentions the philosophy that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets" in Anji county, Zhejiang province, on May 15.
\n
On a wooden shelf in his three-story home in Anji county of Zhejiang province, Ge Yuande keeps a stone — smooth, pale and vaguely shaped like a miner wearing a helmet — as the most treasured piece in his collection.
\n
The 63-year-old picked it up more than 20 years ago from a quarry in Yucun, his native village in Anji, where he once made a living extracting and selling stone. Back then, the hills were stripped bare, the air was thick with dust, and streams ran gray with industrial runoff.
\n
"I used to sell stone to make a living," Ge said in his living room, now lined with shelves full of stone sculptures. "But back then, it polluted everything. Now I still sell stone — but as art and as culture."
\n
Yucun's transformation — from a dusty quarry village to a model of rural vitalization and green development — epitomizes China's heightened emphasis on sustainable growth over the past two decades.
\n
In 2005, the village was standing at a crossroads. Its last quarry had just been closed, a decision that left villagers anxious about their livelihoods. The village's collective income plummeted from 3 million yuan ($417,600) to just 300,000 yuan that year.
\n
At this pivotal moment, Xi Jinping, then secretary of the Communist Party of China Zhejiang Provincial Committee, visited the village on Aug 15, 2005, and offered residents a powerful message of reassurance.
\n
During a meeting with villagers, Xi said the closure was a "wise step" and introduced what would become a guiding principle of China's environmental policy: "Lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets."
\n
In a column published in Zhejiang Daily a week after the visit, Xi expanded on the idea: "By transforming ecological and environmental strengths into advantages in eco-agriculture, eco-industry and eco-tourism, lucid waters and lush mountains can truly become invaluable assets."
\n
In 2020, Xi — now Chinese president and general secretary of the CPC Central Committee — returned to the county. The phrase "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets" had by then become a national consensus and a core tenet of China's new development philosophy.
\n
"Experience has shown that economic growth cannot come at the expense of the environment," Xi told the villagers.
\n
Yu Xiaoping, deputy Party secretary of Yucun village, said the closure of quarries and continuous environmental improvements had opened up space for eco-tourism. Visitors now come for river rafting, fruit picking and rural guesthouse stays.
\n
Zhang Jianguo, executive vice-dean of the Institute for Sustainable Development at Huzhou University, noted that by prioritizing green, low-carbon development and preserving its environment, Anji has translated ecological assets into real economic and social gains.
\n
By giving top priority to environmental protection, the county has ensured that its air quality remains excellent on more than 90 percent of days. Surface water, drinking water and cross-boundary water all consistently meet national standards.
\n
Over the past 20 years, the average annual per capita disposable income of Anji's rural residents rose from 7,034 yuan to 48,879 yuan — a nearly sevenfold increase.
\n
"Anji's long-term, consistent approach to preserving its environment has produced a compelling case study in sustainable development — one with growing relevance not only in China but globally," Zhang said.
\n
Enhanced protection
\n
Today, more than 70 percent of Anji is covered in forest, much of it bamboo. Once-overlooked villages are now home to pocket parks, hiking trails, open-air teahouses, and even artisanal coffee shops.
\n
Zheng Xuli, a senior engineer at Lingfengsi Forest Farm, patrols 120 hectares of forest land. Once a logging supervisor, he now focuses on conservation — from monitoring of termite infestations to forest maintenance.
\n
"In the past, forestry was about cutting and planting," Zheng said. "Now it's about watching, caring and minimizing harm."
\n
The biggest shift, he said, has been philosophical: "We treat the forest as an asset that gains value over time — not something to consume."
\n
Technology is also reshaping how Anji protects its environment. AI-powered drones and autonomous boats are now used to monitor rivers for illegal dumping and construction.
\n
"Before, it took weeks to patrol all our waterways," said Ye Liang, director of the river chief office with Anji county's water resources bureau. "Now drones and AI can do it in a single day. Problems are caught early, before they escalate."
\n
In 2022, Anji launched the Global Partnership Initiative, aimed at attracting digital nomads, green startups and remote workers to settle in the county.
\n
To local officials' surprise, the initiative gained rapid momentum. By the end of 2024, more than 50,000 young people had come to Anji to start businesses or seek job opportunities.
\n
Xu Liang, a cyclist and entrepreneur, said Anji's location near Yangtze River Delta cities and its clean environment are major draws for young professionals.
\n
"For many young people, the countryside is more than a retreat," Xu said. "It's a place to explore new ideas, new directions and entrepreneurial opportunities beyond the city."
\n
Javier Ghaemi, a British expatriate, arrived in Anji in April with his girlfriend after a friend in Shanghai told them about a gym for rent. Within hours, they had made the decision to move from Malaysia to the county.
\n
They took over a dormant gym nestled in the hills and transformed it into a lifestyle hub offering yoga classes, wellness workshops and forest hikes.
\n
From his gym, perched above a bamboo grove, Ghaemi has found both peace and purpose.
\n
"For me, I want to help build Anji up," he said. "To promote it, and to show Westerners the reality of life here. I think the misconceptions are huge. Even if I can just show a few friends, have them visit, do a workout — they'll see that we're all the same. We all have the same dreams."
\n
Patrick Nijs, former Belgian ambassador to China, said that Xi demonstrated a clear vision when he proposed the philosophy that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets" in 2005.
\n
"Back then, most people were still debating what 'going green' even meant," Nijs said. "So he introduced this concept in a very clear and poetic way — something that resonates deeply with the Chinese mind."
\n
Nijs now considers Anji one of his homes. "I'm a big fan of Xi Jinping because I think he is a visionary," he said.
\n
What Anji offers, Nijs added, is a development model rooted in culture, continuity and care.
\n
He pointed out that this philosophy has also underpinned China's sweeping investments in renewable energy. "China has invested in all facets of green energy — hydropower, solar panels, biomass, wind power and nuclear power — and is now a global leader."
\n
Contact the writers at xuwei@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
- "content": "
Online See more by scanning the code.
\n
An African media delegation poses for a group photo in front of the stone monument that mentions the philosophy that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets" in Anji county, Zhejiang province, on May 15.
\n
On a wooden shelf in his three-story home in Anji county of Zhejiang province, Ge Yuande keeps a stone — smooth, pale and vaguely shaped like a miner wearing a helmet — as the most treasured piece in his collection.
\n
The 63-year-old picked it up more than 20 years ago from a quarry in Yucun, his native village in Anji, where he once made a living extracting and selling stone. Back then, the hills were stripped bare, the air was thick with dust, and streams ran gray with industrial runoff.
\n
"I used to sell stone to make a living," Ge said in his living room, now lined with shelves full of stone sculptures. "But back then, it polluted everything. Now I still sell stone — but as art and as culture."
\n
Yucun's transformation — from a dusty quarry village to a model of rural vitalization and green development — epitomizes China's heightened emphasis on sustainable growth over the past two decades.
\n
In 2005, the village was standing at a crossroads. Its last quarry had just been closed, a decision that left villagers anxious about their livelihoods. The village's collective income plummeted from 3 million yuan ($417,600) to just 300,000 yuan that year.
\n
At this pivotal moment, Xi Jinping, then secretary of the Communist Party of China Zhejiang Provincial Committee, visited the village on Aug 15, 2005, and offered residents a powerful message of reassurance.
\n
During a meeting with villagers, Xi said the closure was a "wise step" and introduced what would become a guiding principle of China's environmental policy: "Lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets."
\n
In a column published in Zhejiang Daily a week after the visit, Xi expanded on the idea: "By transforming ecological and environmental strengths into advantages in eco-agriculture, eco-industry and eco-tourism, lucid waters and lush mountains can truly become invaluable assets."
\n
In 2020, Xi — now Chinese president and general secretary of the CPC Central Committee — returned to the county. The phrase "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets" had by then become a national consensus and a core tenet of China's new development philosophy.
\n
"Experience has shown that economic growth cannot come at the expense of the environment," Xi told the villagers.
\n
Yu Xiaoping, deputy Party secretary of Yucun village, said the closure of quarries and continuous environmental improvements had opened up space for eco-tourism. Visitors now come for river rafting, fruit picking and rural guesthouse stays.
\n
Zhang Jianguo, executive vice-dean of the Institute for Sustainable Development at Huzhou University, noted that by prioritizing green, low-carbon development and preserving its environment, Anji has translated ecological assets into real economic and social gains.
\n
By giving top priority to environmental protection, the county has ensured that its air quality remains excellent on more than 90 percent of days. Surface water, drinking water and cross-boundary water all consistently meet national standards.
\n
Over the past 20 years, the average annual per capita disposable income of Anji's rural residents rose from 7,034 yuan to 48,879 yuan — a nearly sevenfold increase.
\n
"Anji's long-term, consistent approach to preserving its environment has produced a compelling case study in sustainable development — one with growing relevance not only in China but globally," Zhang said.
\n
Enhanced protection
\n
Today, more than 70 percent of Anji is covered in forest, much of it bamboo. Once-overlooked villages are now home to pocket parks, hiking trails, open-air teahouses, and even artisanal coffee shops.
\n
Zheng Xuli, a senior engineer at Lingfengsi Forest Farm, patrols 120 hectares of forest land. Once a logging supervisor, he now focuses on conservation — from monitoring of termite infestations to forest maintenance.
\n
"In the past, forestry was about cutting and planting," Zheng said. "Now it's about watching, caring and minimizing harm."
\n
The biggest shift, he said, has been philosophical: "We treat the forest as an asset that gains value over time — not something to consume."
\n
Technology is also reshaping how Anji protects its environment. AI-powered drones and autonomous boats are now used to monitor rivers for illegal dumping and construction.
\n
"Before, it took weeks to patrol all our waterways," said Ye Liang, director of the river chief office with Anji county's water resources bureau. "Now drones and AI can do it in a single day. Problems are caught early, before they escalate."
\n
In 2022, Anji launched the Global Partnership Initiative, aimed at attracting digital nomads, green startups and remote workers to settle in the county.
\n
To local officials' surprise, the initiative gained rapid momentum. By the end of 2024, more than 50,000 young people had come to Anji to start businesses or seek job opportunities.
\n
Xu Liang, a cyclist and entrepreneur, said Anji's location near Yangtze River Delta cities and its clean environment are major draws for young professionals.
\n
"For many young people, the countryside is more than a retreat," Xu said. "It's a place to explore new ideas, new directions and entrepreneurial opportunities beyond the city."
\n
Javier Ghaemi, a British expatriate, arrived in Anji in April with his girlfriend after a friend in Shanghai told them about a gym for rent. Within hours, they had made the decision to move from Malaysia to the county.
\n
They took over a dormant gym nestled in the hills and transformed it into a lifestyle hub offering yoga classes, wellness workshops and forest hikes.
\n
From his gym, perched above a bamboo grove, Ghaemi has found both peace and purpose.
\n
"For me, I want to help build Anji up," he said. "To promote it, and to show Westerners the reality of life here. I think the misconceptions are huge. Even if I can just show a few friends, have them visit, do a workout — they'll see that we're all the same. We all have the same dreams."
\n
Patrick Nijs, former Belgian ambassador to China, said that Xi demonstrated a clear vision when he proposed the philosophy that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets" in 2005.
\n
"Back then, most people were still debating what 'going green' even meant," Nijs said. "So he introduced this concept in a very clear and poetic way — something that resonates deeply with the Chinese mind."
\n
Nijs now considers Anji one of his homes. "I'm a big fan of Xi Jinping because I think he is a visionary," he said.
\n
What Anji offers, Nijs added, is a development model rooted in culture, continuity and care.
\n
He pointed out that this philosophy has also underpinned China's sweeping investments in renewable energy. "China has invested in all facets of green energy — hydropower, solar panels, biomass, wind power and nuclear power — and is now a global leader."
A humanoid robot plays the drums during the opening ceremony of the World Humanoid Robot Games at the National Speed Skating Oval in Beijing on Thursday. The four-day event is the world's first multisport competition for humanoid robots. More than 500 humanoids from 16 countries are competing in 538 events, ranging from traditional sports such as track and field events, gymnastics and soccer to newly added events including martial arts performances, free fighting and group dancing. see story, page 5
\n",
- "content": "
A humanoid robot plays the drums during the opening ceremony of the World Humanoid Robot Games at the National Speed Skating Oval in Beijing on Thursday. The four-day event is the world's first multisport competition for humanoid robots. More than 500 humanoids from 16 countries are competing in 538 events, ranging from traditional sports such as track and field events, gymnastics and soccer to newly added events including martial arts performances, free fighting and group dancing. see story, page 5
For Italian freediving para-athlete Gianluca Visconti, donning an exoskeleton robot made him feel he could fly.
\n
Visconti, 53, who is taking part in the ongoing 12th World Games in Chengdu, Sichuan province, tested the latest generation brain-controlled exoskeleton robot developed by Buffalo Robotics (Chengdu) Technology, describing the experience as "really impressive".
\n
Having suffered a severe neck injury after hitting the bottom of a swimming pool at the age of 17, Visconti still struggles with movement on his right side.
\n
After using the exoskeleton robot for just 10 minutes, the athlete said he could feel the improved coordination in his limbs. "It's really better," Visconti said. "It could be very useful for learning how to move my right leg again."
\n
As Visconti and fellow athletes push themselves to the limit at the Chengdu World Games, locally developed robots and intelligent devices are busy creating unique experiences for the competitors and officials from around the world.
\n
At a tech bazaar in the World Games Village, smart glasses capable of real-time translation in 40 languages are drawing crowds of athletes eager to try them out.
\n
The athletes are amazed that the augmented reality-powered device can project real-time bilingual subtitles onto the lenses, enabling seamless cross-lingual communication.
\n
They also burst into cheers as the Lingtong L3 quadruped robot dog performs backflips.
\n
Inside the games village, retail robots carrying up to 60 types of products accurately identify and approach potential customers, delivery robots handle indoor and cross-building transportation and patrol robots ensure security around the clock.
\n
At the standard events in dance-sport, a humanoid robot named Tangpa joined human performers in cheerleading dances and interacted with the audience through micro-expressions displayed on its face — a 48.3-centimeter screen.
\n
Inside the aquatic venues, a pool-cleaning robot goes about its job with ease, eliminating micron-level gravel, algae and other debris with powerful suction to ensure excellent water quality.
\n
More than 20 locally developed tech innovations are being used to assist with security, cheerleading, retail services, water supply, deliveries, cleaning and guest guidance throughout the games, organizers said.
\n
These technologies can streamline event operations, improve spectator engagement and promote the host city's image on the global stage, they added.
\n
Roland Hilfiker, honorary president and a member of International World Games Association, who has been involved in The World Games since 1995, said seeing so many robots at work during the games is a new experience for him.
\n
"The first few times they would kind of scare me when I came across one in the elevator. But then you get used to it," Hilfiker said.
\n
Ricardo Castro, a beach handball athlete from Portugal, said this was the first time he had seen a robot dog and humanoid robot, and of the two, the robot dog impressed him the most.
\n
"It's amazing technology. They can do so many tricks," he said, adding in jest that he was trying to take one home.
\n
Castro said he is interested in interacting with more robots during his stay.
\n
pengchao@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
- "content": "
For Italian freediving para-athlete Gianluca Visconti, donning an exoskeleton robot made him feel he could fly.
\n
Visconti, 53, who is taking part in the ongoing 12th World Games in Chengdu, Sichuan province, tested the latest generation brain-controlled exoskeleton robot developed by Buffalo Robotics (Chengdu) Technology, describing the experience as "really impressive".
\n
Having suffered a severe neck injury after hitting the bottom of a swimming pool at the age of 17, Visconti still struggles with movement on his right side.
\n
After using the exoskeleton robot for just 10 minutes, the athlete said he could feel the improved coordination in his limbs. "It's really better," Visconti said. "It could be very useful for learning how to move my right leg again."
\n
As Visconti and fellow athletes push themselves to the limit at the Chengdu World Games, locally developed robots and intelligent devices are busy creating unique experiences for the competitors and officials from around the world.
\n
At a tech bazaar in the World Games Village, smart glasses capable of real-time translation in 40 languages are drawing crowds of athletes eager to try them out.
\n
The athletes are amazed that the augmented reality-powered device can project real-time bilingual subtitles onto the lenses, enabling seamless cross-lingual communication.
\n
They also burst into cheers as the Lingtong L3 quadruped robot dog performs backflips.
\n
Inside the games village, retail robots carrying up to 60 types of products accurately identify and approach potential customers, delivery robots handle indoor and cross-building transportation and patrol robots ensure security around the clock.
\n
At the standard events in dance-sport, a humanoid robot named Tangpa joined human performers in cheerleading dances and interacted with the audience through micro-expressions displayed on its face — a 48.3-centimeter screen.
\n
Inside the aquatic venues, a pool-cleaning robot goes about its job with ease, eliminating micron-level gravel, algae and other debris with powerful suction to ensure excellent water quality.
\n
More than 20 locally developed tech innovations are being used to assist with security, cheerleading, retail services, water supply, deliveries, cleaning and guest guidance throughout the games, organizers said.
\n
These technologies can streamline event operations, improve spectator engagement and promote the host city's image on the global stage, they added.
\n
Roland Hilfiker, honorary president and a member of International World Games Association, who has been involved in The World Games since 1995, said seeing so many robots at work during the games is a new experience for him.
\n
"The first few times they would kind of scare me when I came across one in the elevator. But then you get used to it," Hilfiker said.
\n
Ricardo Castro, a beach handball athlete from Portugal, said this was the first time he had seen a robot dog and humanoid robot, and of the two, the robot dog impressed him the most.
\n
"It's amazing technology. They can do so many tricks," he said, adding in jest that he was trying to take one home.
\n
Castro said he is interested in interacting with more robots during his stay.
\n
pengchao@chinadaily.com.cn
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- "title": "001FRONT - China rolls out new visa type for young science talent",
- "description": "
China announced on Thursday that it will introduce a new type of visa — a K visa — for young foreign talent in science and technology.
\n
The new visa type was unveiled after Premier Li Qiang signed a State Council decree to promulgate a decision amending the country's regulations on the administration of foreigners' entries and exits.
\n
The decision came as China puts a greater emphasis on building a more proactive, open and effective talent policy.
\n
The K visa is a new addition to the ordinary visa categories and the new rules will take effect on Oct 1, according to the decision, which was drafted by the Ministry of Justice, along with the Foreign Ministry, the Ministry of Public Security and the National Immigration Administration.
\n
Applicants for the K visa should be young international professionals in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics who have earned a bachelor's degree or higher from prestigious universities or research institutions.
\n
In addition, it will be available to individuals involved in educational or research activities at prestigious universities or research institutions, according to a joint statement released by the four departments on Thursday night.
\n
K visa holders are permitted to engage in activities in fields such as education, science and technology, and cultural exchanges, according to the joint statement.
\n
Before this addition, there were 12 visa types classified based on the purposes of visiting China, including the L visa for sightseeing and tourism, the D visa for permanent residence and the G visa for transit through the country.
\n
Compared with other visa types, the K visa will offer holders more convenience in terms of the number of entries, validity period and duration of stay. The eligibility criteria for the K visa are set based on applicants' age, educational background and work experience, without requiring them to have an employer or inviting organization within China, according to the statement.
\n
The application process for this visa is designed to be more convenient, streamlining the steps for eligible applicants, it added.
\n
The Foreign Ministry and the Ministry of Public Security, along with embassies and consulates abroad, will step up collaboration in management of the issuance, extension, renewal and replacement of K visas, as well as the residence and stay of K visa holders. They will provide appropriate assistance to applicants and holders of K visas in accordance with the law, the statement said.
\n
jihaisheng@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
- "content": "
China announced on Thursday that it will introduce a new type of visa — a K visa — for young foreign talent in science and technology.
\n
The new visa type was unveiled after Premier Li Qiang signed a State Council decree to promulgate a decision amending the country's regulations on the administration of foreigners' entries and exits.
\n
The decision came as China puts a greater emphasis on building a more proactive, open and effective talent policy.
\n
The K visa is a new addition to the ordinary visa categories and the new rules will take effect on Oct 1, according to the decision, which was drafted by the Ministry of Justice, along with the Foreign Ministry, the Ministry of Public Security and the National Immigration Administration.
\n
Applicants for the K visa should be young international professionals in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics who have earned a bachelor's degree or higher from prestigious universities or research institutions.
\n
In addition, it will be available to individuals involved in educational or research activities at prestigious universities or research institutions, according to a joint statement released by the four departments on Thursday night.
\n
K visa holders are permitted to engage in activities in fields such as education, science and technology, and cultural exchanges, according to the joint statement.
\n
Before this addition, there were 12 visa types classified based on the purposes of visiting China, including the L visa for sightseeing and tourism, the D visa for permanent residence and the G visa for transit through the country.
\n
Compared with other visa types, the K visa will offer holders more convenience in terms of the number of entries, validity period and duration of stay. The eligibility criteria for the K visa are set based on applicants' age, educational background and work experience, without requiring them to have an employer or inviting organization within China, according to the statement.
\n
The application process for this visa is designed to be more convenient, streamlining the steps for eligible applicants, it added.
\n
The Foreign Ministry and the Ministry of Public Security, along with embassies and consulates abroad, will step up collaboration in management of the issuance, extension, renewal and replacement of K visas, as well as the residence and stay of K visa holders. They will provide appropriate assistance to applicants and holders of K visas in accordance with the law, the statement said.
The cast and crew of Dead to Rights interact with the audience after its roadshow in Shanghai on July 28.
\n
An audience member attends the film's premiere in Los Angeles, California, the United States, on Monday.
\n
Visitors take photos at Shanghai Film Park, the main filming site of the movie, on Aug 1.
\n
The roadshow of the film is held on July 28 in Shanghai.
\n
A pedestrian walks past a billboard of Dead to Rights at a cinema in Sydney on Aug 8, the day the film was released in Australia.
\n
While the film Dead to Rights, with the original Chinese title translated to Nanjing Photo Studio, smashes summer box office records, it is also reigniting national awareness of a dark chapter in China's history and the courage of unsung heroes who stood up to fascism and brutality.
\n
Set against the backdrop of the Nanjing Massacre perpetrated by Japanese troops in China during World War II, the film's takings surpassed 2.2 billion yuan ($308 million) on Sunday, according to movie-tracking data.
\n
The takings are a record for historical films screened during China's summer movie season, which runs from June to August.
\n
Marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45), the film tells the story of a group of Nanjing residents, who sought refuge in a photo studio after the city's occupation by Japanese invaders.
\n
Forced to develop film for a Japanese military photographer, they discover photographic evidence of atrocities and risk their lives to smuggle the negatives out. The film has ignited nationwide interest since its July 25 release, according to media reports.
\n
The narrative of the historical drama draws on real events. The Nanjing Massacre began when Japanese troops captured Nanjing, Jiangsu province, on Dec 13, 1937. Over six weeks, they slaughtered approximately 300,000 Chinese civilians and unarmed soldiers.
\n
An apprentice at a photo studio in Nanjing secretly compiled an album of 16 photos of the atrocity taken by Japanese soldiers. These images ultimately became key evidence during subsequent war crime trials.
\n
Guarding the evidence
\n
When Japanese troops captured Nanjing, 15-year-old Luo Jin was an apprentice at Huadong Photo Studio on Changjiang Road, public records show.
\n
One day in January 1938, a Japanese officer brought two film rolls for development. As negatives emerged in the developer, Luo was shocked to see images of Japanese troops killing, raping and brutalizing Chinese civilians.
\n
Outraged, he secretly made copies of over 30 photos, selecting 16 for an album to preserve the evidence of these crimes.
\n
In 1941, while hiding the album during a search by Japanese troops, Luo lost the album. Wu Xuan, who was attending a same training program with Luo at the time found it, but was unaware of the owner. The Chinese character for "shame" on its cover convinced Wu the owner shared his patriotic fury.
\n
Wu guarded it at great personal risk and surrendered it after Japan's defeat. The album ultimately became key evidence in the war crimes trial of Hisao Tani, a Class-B war criminal.
\n
In 1995, Luo and Wu reunited at the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders. It was their first meeting in over half a century.
\n
"Archives are vital vessels of historical memory," said Zhou Feng, curator of the memorial hall.
\n
"The 16 photos preserved by Luo and Wu, as key trial evidence, possess irreplaceable historical value. The Nanjing Massacre history brooks no distortion or denial," he said.
\n
After seeing the film, Evan Kail, an American who donated an album of historic photos to China in 2022, praised the film as a "10 out of 10" cinematic achievement that confronts the Nanjing Massacre.
\n
His donated album contains photos of China dating back to World War II, including ones that document atrocities committed by Japanese soldiers.
\n
Kail said that "the most powerful aspect of the film is its tearing open the veil of history, allowing me, an outsider, to viscerally empathize with the unimaginable suffering endured by the Chinese nation during that catastrophe".
\n
Respecting history
\n
Drawing on the true story of Luo, Wu and the photos, Dead To Rights centers on a group of Chinese civilians who take refuge in a photography studio during the Japanese occupation of Nanjing.
\n
In a desperate attempt to stay alive, they are forced to assist a Japanese military photographer in developing film only to discover the negatives contain evidence of atrocities committed by Japanese forces across the city. They secretly keep the negatives and risk their lives to deliver them to the outside world, in the hope of revealing the truth.
\n
When discussing his inspiration for the film, director Shen Ao said he was deeply influenced by the 1987 movie Massacre in Nanjing, which is also based on historical accounts.
\n
In 2023, after meeting screenwriter Zhang Ke, they decided to retell this part of history for contemporary audiences. The film's preparation took a full year, with the most critical task being the meticulous collection and restoration of historical details.
\n
Shen said much of the Japanese soldiers' dialogue was sourced directly from interviews after the war.
\n
"Our suffering was twisted into a trophy of militarism in their eyes," said Shen. "What's even more infuriating is how they staged 'goodwill photos' — smiling with children, pretending there was harmony — while committing atrocities. This hypocrisy must be exposed."
\n
During the film's Nanjing premiere on July 22, Shen juxtaposed authentic historical "goodwill photos" with scenes from the film. Nearly identical in their composition and angles, they exposed how invaders staged images to whitewash atrocities.
\n
"Beneath every war lies propaganda battles. I hope this film inspires audiences to uncover historical truths," he said.
\n
During its Beijing premiere on July 24, Shen said that as a graduate of the Beijing Film Academy he had a special bond with film reels.
\n
The opening sequence of Dead to Rights, for instance, links bullets being fired from a chamber and camera shutters clicking. "Shooting" applies to both guns and cameras, connecting violence with its documentation, he said.
\n
"A photo was a bullet on that battlefield. The click of a shutter echoed the crack of gun. The negatives pierced invaders''goodwill' lies," Shen said.
\n
He compared today's skyscraper-filled Nanjing with the war-torn city depicted in the film. "Everything has transformed, but no Chinese will forget the horrors Japanese troops inflicted here 88 years ago," he said.
\n
The production team did extensive research for the film — consulting publications, documentaries, photos, and material from the memorial hall.
\n
"We discovered something profoundly admirable in that generation: conviction surpassing life itself," Shen wrote in an article in People's Daily. "Countless unsung heroes left no names in history books. This film is focusing on their resistance."
\n
In his view, a film must have dramatic elements, be thrilling, and ensure that it never distorts history. It is paramount to balance drama and historical accuracy.
\n
"To educate through truth demands utmost responsibility," Shen stressed in describing the team's approach to content.
\n
Zhang Guosong, a researcher at the memorial hall, called the massacre "not only an unprecedented catastrophe for China but also humanity's darkest chapter", and a warning for all humankind that requires perpetual remembrance.
\n
The film counters historical nihilism and revisionism, Zhang said. By showcasing citizens risking lives to preserve evidence, it upholds truth while underscoring remembrance.
\n
"Only through truth can we correctly evaluate history," he said, noting that Japanese right-wing forces still deny the massacre and glorify aggression.
\n
In 1982, Japan's Ministry of Education altered textbook accounts of imperialist invasions, sparking protests across Asia.
\n
"War harms both the victims and the perpetrators. Only by remembering lessons and thorough perpetrator reflection can future tragedies be prevented," said Zhang.
\n
Emotional resonance
\n
One scene in the film shows a Japanese soldier removing a stone from Nanjing's ancient wall to be placed in a tower in Japan's Miyazaki Prefecture.
\n
Wu Xianbin, curator of a private museum commemorating the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, said Japan plundered over 370 stones for the tower. More than 200 came from China, including four from Nanjing.
\n
After Japan's 1945 defeat, Allied forces demanded the tower's demolition and repatriation of the stones.
\n
Japan has evaded this by "paying lip service but not taking actual action", Wu said. "This militarist symbol is now packaged as a 'peace tower'. Right-wing forces still poison Japanese youth with distorted history," Wu warned.
\n
China's Ambassador to the US Xie Feng attended the premiere of the film in Washington, D.C., on Aug 6. In his remarks, Xie said that since its release in China, Dead To Rights has achieved both critical acclaim and box office success.
\n
With its weighty historical truth and powerful artistic impact, it has evoked strong emotional resonance. The film transcends time and space, revealing the darkest corners of history while also shining a light on the best of the human conscience, the ambassador said.
\n
It constantly reminds us of the cruelty of war and the preciousness of peace, and urges us to learn from history and create a better future, he said.
\n
Xie pointed out that those who forget history are doomed to repeat it. The Chinese people nationwide united as one, fought heroically, and won the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression with tremendous sacrifices, making an indelible contribution to the victory in the World Anti-Fascist War.
\n
The 1.4 billion Chinese people will never tolerate any attempt to tamper with the history of WWII, and all the peace-loving people in the world will never accept any move to turn back the wheel of history, he said.
\n
The ambassador stressed that remembering history is to pave the way for a brighter future.
\n
Connecting eras
\n
With international releases underway, director Shen said he hopes the film "will make more people clearly realize that anti-fascism represents humanity's shared yearning for peace — a legacy requiring collective guardianship."
\n
Filming this history today, Shen said, connects the past and present. He said in our era, we are saturated with information, "But in that era of scarce information, photos from documented atrocities preserved history, and transmitted crucial truths."
\n
In Nanjing, the film has ignited a surge in interest in genealogy records.
\n
The Nanjing Municipal Archives reports soaring queries for 1946-48 household registration cards. A total of 1.54 million documents discovered in 2006 have been digitized for public access.
\n
"Daily queries averaged 10 previously. Since the film's release, they have peaked at 1,200 a day," said archivist Yin Yanbin. "Staff now work overtime to meet demand."
\n
The documents "reunite" Nanjing residents with their ancestors. "People arrive with familial longing. Many tear up upon finding photos or rush to show elderly relatives. It moves us deeply," said Yin.
\n
Social media is buzzing with "finding Republican-era family records in Nanjing Archives" stories.
\n
Netizens share discoveries such as: "Our grandparents lived in Sanyuan Alley. They might've known each other."; "Your great-grandmother studied with my grandmother." Some even recognized relatives' names on the memorial hall's victim list, exclaiming "History feels so close".
\n
Amid the 80th anniversary commemorations, films, plays, music, and art themed on remembering the war are emerging.
\n
Dead to Rights makes history tangible. Many viewers connect its imagery to reality, sensing truth's weight.
\n
Tang Yitao, 40, a Nanjing restaurateur, took his sixth-grade son to see the film. "As locals, we grew up knowing this history's importance," he said. "For children, this impacts them more than textbooks, revealing war's cruelty and Japanese brutality."
\n
He teaches his son to remember suffering and humiliation, but not hatred, and encourages him to make himself stronger.
\n
One person who saw the film reflected online that photos traverse war, films cross time and textbooks make them vivid. "Children learn ancestors' courage, cherish peace, and grasp the meaning of self-strengthening."
\n
Another viewer declared the film has a "bonus scene" as evidenced by today's China. "When you exit the theater, today's thriving China — mountains and rivers unharmed, myriad lights glowing — that's its greatest reveal," the reviewer said.
\n
Contact the writers at cangwei@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
- "content": "\n
The cast and crew of Dead to Rights interact with the audience after its roadshow in Shanghai on July 28.
\n
An audience member attends the film's premiere in Los Angeles, California, the United States, on Monday.
\n
Visitors take photos at Shanghai Film Park, the main filming site of the movie, on Aug 1.
\n
The roadshow of the film is held on July 28 in Shanghai.
\n
A pedestrian walks past a billboard of Dead to Rights at a cinema in Sydney on Aug 8, the day the film was released in Australia.
\n
While the film Dead to Rights, with the original Chinese title translated to Nanjing Photo Studio, smashes summer box office records, it is also reigniting national awareness of a dark chapter in China's history and the courage of unsung heroes who stood up to fascism and brutality.
\n
Set against the backdrop of the Nanjing Massacre perpetrated by Japanese troops in China during World War II, the film's takings surpassed 2.2 billion yuan ($308 million) on Sunday, according to movie-tracking data.
\n
The takings are a record for historical films screened during China's summer movie season, which runs from June to August.
\n
Marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45), the film tells the story of a group of Nanjing residents, who sought refuge in a photo studio after the city's occupation by Japanese invaders.
\n
Forced to develop film for a Japanese military photographer, they discover photographic evidence of atrocities and risk their lives to smuggle the negatives out. The film has ignited nationwide interest since its July 25 release, according to media reports.
\n
The narrative of the historical drama draws on real events. The Nanjing Massacre began when Japanese troops captured Nanjing, Jiangsu province, on Dec 13, 1937. Over six weeks, they slaughtered approximately 300,000 Chinese civilians and unarmed soldiers.
\n
An apprentice at a photo studio in Nanjing secretly compiled an album of 16 photos of the atrocity taken by Japanese soldiers. These images ultimately became key evidence during subsequent war crime trials.
\n
Guarding the evidence
\n
When Japanese troops captured Nanjing, 15-year-old Luo Jin was an apprentice at Huadong Photo Studio on Changjiang Road, public records show.
\n
One day in January 1938, a Japanese officer brought two film rolls for development. As negatives emerged in the developer, Luo was shocked to see images of Japanese troops killing, raping and brutalizing Chinese civilians.
\n
Outraged, he secretly made copies of over 30 photos, selecting 16 for an album to preserve the evidence of these crimes.
\n
In 1941, while hiding the album during a search by Japanese troops, Luo lost the album. Wu Xuan, who was attending a same training program with Luo at the time found it, but was unaware of the owner. The Chinese character for "shame" on its cover convinced Wu the owner shared his patriotic fury.
\n
Wu guarded it at great personal risk and surrendered it after Japan's defeat. The album ultimately became key evidence in the war crimes trial of Hisao Tani, a Class-B war criminal.
\n
In 1995, Luo and Wu reunited at the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders. It was their first meeting in over half a century.
\n
"Archives are vital vessels of historical memory," said Zhou Feng, curator of the memorial hall.
\n
"The 16 photos preserved by Luo and Wu, as key trial evidence, possess irreplaceable historical value. The Nanjing Massacre history brooks no distortion or denial," he said.
\n
After seeing the film, Evan Kail, an American who donated an album of historic photos to China in 2022, praised the film as a "10 out of 10" cinematic achievement that confronts the Nanjing Massacre.
\n
His donated album contains photos of China dating back to World War II, including ones that document atrocities committed by Japanese soldiers.
\n
Kail said that "the most powerful aspect of the film is its tearing open the veil of history, allowing me, an outsider, to viscerally empathize with the unimaginable suffering endured by the Chinese nation during that catastrophe".
\n
Respecting history
\n
Drawing on the true story of Luo, Wu and the photos, Dead To Rights centers on a group of Chinese civilians who take refuge in a photography studio during the Japanese occupation of Nanjing.
\n
In a desperate attempt to stay alive, they are forced to assist a Japanese military photographer in developing film only to discover the negatives contain evidence of atrocities committed by Japanese forces across the city. They secretly keep the negatives and risk their lives to deliver them to the outside world, in the hope of revealing the truth.
\n
When discussing his inspiration for the film, director Shen Ao said he was deeply influenced by the 1987 movie Massacre in Nanjing, which is also based on historical accounts.
\n
In 2023, after meeting screenwriter Zhang Ke, they decided to retell this part of history for contemporary audiences. The film's preparation took a full year, with the most critical task being the meticulous collection and restoration of historical details.
\n
Shen said much of the Japanese soldiers' dialogue was sourced directly from interviews after the war.
\n
"Our suffering was twisted into a trophy of militarism in their eyes," said Shen. "What's even more infuriating is how they staged 'goodwill photos' — smiling with children, pretending there was harmony — while committing atrocities. This hypocrisy must be exposed."
\n
During the film's Nanjing premiere on July 22, Shen juxtaposed authentic historical "goodwill photos" with scenes from the film. Nearly identical in their composition and angles, they exposed how invaders staged images to whitewash atrocities.
\n
"Beneath every war lies propaganda battles. I hope this film inspires audiences to uncover historical truths," he said.
\n
During its Beijing premiere on July 24, Shen said that as a graduate of the Beijing Film Academy he had a special bond with film reels.
\n
The opening sequence of Dead to Rights, for instance, links bullets being fired from a chamber and camera shutters clicking. "Shooting" applies to both guns and cameras, connecting violence with its documentation, he said.
\n
"A photo was a bullet on that battlefield. The click of a shutter echoed the crack of gun. The negatives pierced invaders''goodwill' lies," Shen said.
\n
He compared today's skyscraper-filled Nanjing with the war-torn city depicted in the film. "Everything has transformed, but no Chinese will forget the horrors Japanese troops inflicted here 88 years ago," he said.
\n
The production team did extensive research for the film — consulting publications, documentaries, photos, and material from the memorial hall.
\n
"We discovered something profoundly admirable in that generation: conviction surpassing life itself," Shen wrote in an article in People's Daily. "Countless unsung heroes left no names in history books. This film is focusing on their resistance."
\n
In his view, a film must have dramatic elements, be thrilling, and ensure that it never distorts history. It is paramount to balance drama and historical accuracy.
\n
"To educate through truth demands utmost responsibility," Shen stressed in describing the team's approach to content.
\n
Zhang Guosong, a researcher at the memorial hall, called the massacre "not only an unprecedented catastrophe for China but also humanity's darkest chapter", and a warning for all humankind that requires perpetual remembrance.
\n
The film counters historical nihilism and revisionism, Zhang said. By showcasing citizens risking lives to preserve evidence, it upholds truth while underscoring remembrance.
\n
"Only through truth can we correctly evaluate history," he said, noting that Japanese right-wing forces still deny the massacre and glorify aggression.
\n
In 1982, Japan's Ministry of Education altered textbook accounts of imperialist invasions, sparking protests across Asia.
\n
"War harms both the victims and the perpetrators. Only by remembering lessons and thorough perpetrator reflection can future tragedies be prevented," said Zhang.
\n
Emotional resonance
\n
One scene in the film shows a Japanese soldier removing a stone from Nanjing's ancient wall to be placed in a tower in Japan's Miyazaki Prefecture.
\n
Wu Xianbin, curator of a private museum commemorating the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, said Japan plundered over 370 stones for the tower. More than 200 came from China, including four from Nanjing.
\n
After Japan's 1945 defeat, Allied forces demanded the tower's demolition and repatriation of the stones.
\n
Japan has evaded this by "paying lip service but not taking actual action", Wu said. "This militarist symbol is now packaged as a 'peace tower'. Right-wing forces still poison Japanese youth with distorted history," Wu warned.
\n
China's Ambassador to the US Xie Feng attended the premiere of the film in Washington, D.C., on Aug 6. In his remarks, Xie said that since its release in China, Dead To Rights has achieved both critical acclaim and box office success.
\n
With its weighty historical truth and powerful artistic impact, it has evoked strong emotional resonance. The film transcends time and space, revealing the darkest corners of history while also shining a light on the best of the human conscience, the ambassador said.
\n
It constantly reminds us of the cruelty of war and the preciousness of peace, and urges us to learn from history and create a better future, he said.
\n
Xie pointed out that those who forget history are doomed to repeat it. The Chinese people nationwide united as one, fought heroically, and won the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression with tremendous sacrifices, making an indelible contribution to the victory in the World Anti-Fascist War.
\n
The 1.4 billion Chinese people will never tolerate any attempt to tamper with the history of WWII, and all the peace-loving people in the world will never accept any move to turn back the wheel of history, he said.
\n
The ambassador stressed that remembering history is to pave the way for a brighter future.
\n
Connecting eras
\n
With international releases underway, director Shen said he hopes the film "will make more people clearly realize that anti-fascism represents humanity's shared yearning for peace — a legacy requiring collective guardianship."
\n
Filming this history today, Shen said, connects the past and present. He said in our era, we are saturated with information, "But in that era of scarce information, photos from documented atrocities preserved history, and transmitted crucial truths."
\n
In Nanjing, the film has ignited a surge in interest in genealogy records.
\n
The Nanjing Municipal Archives reports soaring queries for 1946-48 household registration cards. A total of 1.54 million documents discovered in 2006 have been digitized for public access.
\n
"Daily queries averaged 10 previously. Since the film's release, they have peaked at 1,200 a day," said archivist Yin Yanbin. "Staff now work overtime to meet demand."
\n
The documents "reunite" Nanjing residents with their ancestors. "People arrive with familial longing. Many tear up upon finding photos or rush to show elderly relatives. It moves us deeply," said Yin.
\n
Social media is buzzing with "finding Republican-era family records in Nanjing Archives" stories.
\n
Netizens share discoveries such as: "Our grandparents lived in Sanyuan Alley. They might've known each other."; "Your great-grandmother studied with my grandmother." Some even recognized relatives' names on the memorial hall's victim list, exclaiming "History feels so close".
\n
Amid the 80th anniversary commemorations, films, plays, music, and art themed on remembering the war are emerging.
\n
Dead to Rights makes history tangible. Many viewers connect its imagery to reality, sensing truth's weight.
\n
Tang Yitao, 40, a Nanjing restaurateur, took his sixth-grade son to see the film. "As locals, we grew up knowing this history's importance," he said. "For children, this impacts them more than textbooks, revealing war's cruelty and Japanese brutality."
\n
He teaches his son to remember suffering and humiliation, but not hatred, and encourages him to make himself stronger.
\n
One person who saw the film reflected online that photos traverse war, films cross time and textbooks make them vivid. "Children learn ancestors' courage, cherish peace, and grasp the meaning of self-strengthening."
\n
Another viewer declared the film has a "bonus scene" as evidenced by today's China. "When you exit the theater, today's thriving China — mountains and rivers unharmed, myriad lights glowing — that's its greatest reveal," the reviewer said.
To improve the systematic protection of the Yangtze River, the Supreme People's Court and 11 other State-level departments have jointly released a guideline aimed at enhancing coordination between law enforcement and judicial bodies, while addressing existing problems and drawing on successful local practices.
\n
The guideline calls for stronger interdepartmental communication and unified law enforcement and judicial standards, focusing on frequently occurring cases and key areas such as pollution prevention, the Yangtze River's 10-year fishing ban and river sand mining management.
\n
Regarding enforcement actions, a balanced approach that combines strict law-based case handling with governance improvements should be adopted, according to the guideline. It also supports joint operations across administrative boundaries in ecologically sensitive areas, as well as in regions known for frequent ecological and environmental violations within the Yangtze River Basin.
\n
According to a case released by the top court in May 2024, three people used a three-layer gill net to fish in a national nature reserve for rare and endemic fish species in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River. Their catch included one Yangtze sturgeon and two rock carp, both of which are nationally protected species.
\n
The Jiangjin district people's procuratorate in Chongqing filed criminal charges and an accompanying civil public interest lawsuit against the three defendants for endangering precious and endangered wild animals. The court found the trio guilty and sentenced each to 15 months in prison, with suspended sentences of 18 months, along with fines ranging from 5,000 to 9,000 yuan ($697 to $1,255).
\n
The guideline also emphasizes strengthening professional and technical support to develop a sound and standardized environmental assessment and appraisal system. This includes improving expertise in investigation and evidence collection, damage assessment and ecological restoration.
\n
It further calls for enhanced cross-departmental information sharing, including promoting big data collaboration in case handling and regular updates, and joint use of ecological and environmental law enforcement and judicial data across the Yangtze River Basin.
\n
Another case cited by the court took place in Fujian province, where a man surnamed Chen illegally logged over 21 cubic meters of timber in a State-owned forest. He was sentenced to 18 months in prison and fined 10,000 yuan after undertaking ecological restoration efforts and compensating for environmental losses.
\n
The court said that restorative justice was applied throughout the case, with close cooperation between courts and forestry authorities to implement a compensation mechanism and valuation methods for losses in forest ecosystem service function.
\n
The guideline also calls for promoting diversified dispute resolution by strengthening coordination between government departments and courts, and ensuring effective integration of environmental and resource-related litigation with non-litigation dispute resolution mechanisms.
\n
lishangyi@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
- "content": "
To improve the systematic protection of the Yangtze River, the Supreme People's Court and 11 other State-level departments have jointly released a guideline aimed at enhancing coordination between law enforcement and judicial bodies, while addressing existing problems and drawing on successful local practices.
\n
The guideline calls for stronger interdepartmental communication and unified law enforcement and judicial standards, focusing on frequently occurring cases and key areas such as pollution prevention, the Yangtze River's 10-year fishing ban and river sand mining management.
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Regarding enforcement actions, a balanced approach that combines strict law-based case handling with governance improvements should be adopted, according to the guideline. It also supports joint operations across administrative boundaries in ecologically sensitive areas, as well as in regions known for frequent ecological and environmental violations within the Yangtze River Basin.
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According to a case released by the top court in May 2024, three people used a three-layer gill net to fish in a national nature reserve for rare and endemic fish species in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River. Their catch included one Yangtze sturgeon and two rock carp, both of which are nationally protected species.
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The Jiangjin district people's procuratorate in Chongqing filed criminal charges and an accompanying civil public interest lawsuit against the three defendants for endangering precious and endangered wild animals. The court found the trio guilty and sentenced each to 15 months in prison, with suspended sentences of 18 months, along with fines ranging from 5,000 to 9,000 yuan ($697 to $1,255).
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The guideline also emphasizes strengthening professional and technical support to develop a sound and standardized environmental assessment and appraisal system. This includes improving expertise in investigation and evidence collection, damage assessment and ecological restoration.
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It further calls for enhanced cross-departmental information sharing, including promoting big data collaboration in case handling and regular updates, and joint use of ecological and environmental law enforcement and judicial data across the Yangtze River Basin.
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Another case cited by the court took place in Fujian province, where a man surnamed Chen illegally logged over 21 cubic meters of timber in a State-owned forest. He was sentenced to 18 months in prison and fined 10,000 yuan after undertaking ecological restoration efforts and compensating for environmental losses.
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The court said that restorative justice was applied throughout the case, with close cooperation between courts and forestry authorities to implement a compensation mechanism and valuation methods for losses in forest ecosystem service function.
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The guideline also calls for promoting diversified dispute resolution by strengthening coordination between government departments and courts, and ensuring effective integration of environmental and resource-related litigation with non-litigation dispute resolution mechanisms.
Officials of an agricultural demonstration zone in Anhui province were penalized over a water pollution incident, according to an official statement released on Thursday.
\n
A blogger posted a video online on Wednesday showing that a river in Baishan township, Suixi county, had turned black, with a "suffocating smell similar to pesticides".
\n
In the video, local villagers mentioned that the wastewater was discharged from a nearby factory, rendering the river water unusable for irrigating farmland.
\n
Thursday's statement said that a joint investigation team comprised of officials from the departments of ecology and environment, agriculture and rural affairs, and water resources was formed to verify and address the situation on-site.
\n
The statement confirmed that the issues raised by the video blogger were true. After further review, officials responsible for overseeing the Baishan modern agricultural comprehensive development demonstration zone were suspended from their duties. The investigation is ongoing.
\n
The local government has implemented measures such as building embankments to intercept pollution, pumping back wastewater, clearing silt and implementing environmental restoration efforts while simultaneously intensifying water quality monitoring to minimize the impact.
\n
Based on the investigation results, the local authorities will take strict action against the people responsible for the event in accordance with regulations and laws, according to the statement.
\n
The authorities will also conduct a county-wide inspection to identify and address similar issues, it said.
Officials of an agricultural demonstration zone in Anhui province were penalized over a water pollution incident, according to an official statement released on Thursday.
\n
A blogger posted a video online on Wednesday showing that a river in Baishan township, Suixi county, had turned black, with a "suffocating smell similar to pesticides".
\n
In the video, local villagers mentioned that the wastewater was discharged from a nearby factory, rendering the river water unusable for irrigating farmland.
\n
Thursday's statement said that a joint investigation team comprised of officials from the departments of ecology and environment, agriculture and rural affairs, and water resources was formed to verify and address the situation on-site.
\n
The statement confirmed that the issues raised by the video blogger were true. After further review, officials responsible for overseeing the Baishan modern agricultural comprehensive development demonstration zone were suspended from their duties. The investigation is ongoing.
\n
The local government has implemented measures such as building embankments to intercept pollution, pumping back wastewater, clearing silt and implementing environmental restoration efforts while simultaneously intensifying water quality monitoring to minimize the impact.
\n
Based on the investigation results, the local authorities will take strict action against the people responsible for the event in accordance with regulations and laws, according to the statement.
\n
The authorities will also conduct a county-wide inspection to identify and address similar issues, it said.
Visitors explore a memorial exhibition on the contribution of overseas Chinese in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and World Anti-Fascist War, themed "united across vast distances", at the Overseas Chinese History Museum of China in Beijing on Thursday.
\n",
- "content": "
Visitors explore a memorial exhibition on the contribution of overseas Chinese in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and World Anti-Fascist War, themed "united across vast distances", at the Overseas Chinese History Museum of China in Beijing on Thursday.
NANNING — Mango-flavored ice pops keep rolling off a production line in the county of Tiandong, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region. The tropical sweet treat will later embark on a long journey to Russia.
\n
"To meet rising demand, output has skyrocketed from a few hundred (metric) tons last year to over 3,000 tons so far this year. We're on track to hit 5,000 tons for the entire year," said Lin De'en, chairman of Tiandong Yisheng Import and Export Trade Co.
\n
Nearly 60 percent of the company's mango ice pop exports are bound for Russia, while the rest will be sent to Kazakhstan, South Korea and Japan.
\n
Tiandong aims to make itself "China's mango capital". With the local mango industry shifting from fresh fruit exports to deep processing, products such as mango chips, purees and jam are gradually breaking into emerging overseas markets.
\n
"We also supply mango products as raw materials to bubble tea brands across Anhui, Shandong, Fujian and Guangdong provinces," said Zeng Chengrui, assistant to the company's general manager. "During each mango season, our combined output of pulp and puree tops 6,000 tons, yet we still can't keep up with demand."
\n
Lin echoed Zeng's sentiments.
\n
"Now, our biggest challenge is not sales channels, but production capacity," he said.
\n
As one of the country's leading mango hubs, Tiandong is now home to some 22,666 hectares of mango orchards.
\n
It is accelerating the promotion of integrated water and fertilizer irrigation, and eco-friendly pest and disease control, said Liu Dehuan, chief agronomist of the county's agriculture and rural affairs bureau.
\n
"In the past, farmers mainly relied on manual pesticide spraying. Now, drones equipped with high-precision sensors can accurately detect the growth of fruit trees and the distribution of pests and diseases, enabling precise pesticide application and intelligent pest control," he explained.
\n",
- "content": "
NANNING — Mango-flavored ice pops keep rolling off a production line in the county of Tiandong, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region. The tropical sweet treat will later embark on a long journey to Russia.
\n
"To meet rising demand, output has skyrocketed from a few hundred (metric) tons last year to over 3,000 tons so far this year. We're on track to hit 5,000 tons for the entire year," said Lin De'en, chairman of Tiandong Yisheng Import and Export Trade Co.
\n
Nearly 60 percent of the company's mango ice pop exports are bound for Russia, while the rest will be sent to Kazakhstan, South Korea and Japan.
\n
Tiandong aims to make itself "China's mango capital". With the local mango industry shifting from fresh fruit exports to deep processing, products such as mango chips, purees and jam are gradually breaking into emerging overseas markets.
\n
"We also supply mango products as raw materials to bubble tea brands across Anhui, Shandong, Fujian and Guangdong provinces," said Zeng Chengrui, assistant to the company's general manager. "During each mango season, our combined output of pulp and puree tops 6,000 tons, yet we still can't keep up with demand."
\n
Lin echoed Zeng's sentiments.
\n
"Now, our biggest challenge is not sales channels, but production capacity," he said.
\n
As one of the country's leading mango hubs, Tiandong is now home to some 22,666 hectares of mango orchards.
\n
It is accelerating the promotion of integrated water and fertilizer irrigation, and eco-friendly pest and disease control, said Liu Dehuan, chief agronomist of the county's agriculture and rural affairs bureau.
\n
"In the past, farmers mainly relied on manual pesticide spraying. Now, drones equipped with high-precision sensors can accurately detect the growth of fruit trees and the distribution of pests and diseases, enabling precise pesticide application and intelligent pest control," he explained.
The Shenzhou XX mission crew members aboard the Tiangong space station are scheduled to carry out their third spacewalk in the coming days, the China Manned Space Agency said on Thursday. The three orbital travelers — mission commander Senior Colonel Chen Dong and crew members Colonel Chen Zhongrui and Colonel Wang Jie — have been aboard the station for more than three months since their arrival on April 25. They have conducted a host of assignments, including examinations and maintenance work on instruments, installations of intravehicular devices, monitoring of inner environment, and unpacking and testing new spacewalk suits, the agency said in a media statement.
\n
Body of Beijing official lost in flood recovered
\n
The body of Yin Chunyan, Party secretary of Sunhugou village in Beijing's Huairou district, has been found following an intensive search, Beijing Radio and Television Station reported on Thursday. Rescuers discovered her remains on Wednesday afternoon near Baihewan in Baihebei village. Local authorities have set up a committee to handle the funeral arrangements, according to the report. Yin and her husband, Cai Yongzhang, were swept away by floodwaters on July 26 while helping villagers evacuate. Cai's body was recovered on Aug 4, about 300 to 400 meters downstream from where they were last seen.
\n
Death sentence for poisoning upheld
\n
The Hunan High People's Court rejected on Thursday a graduate student's appeal and upheld his death sentence after he poisoned his roommates' food, causing the death of one. The court said that after reviewing Zhou Liren's appeal of the first-instance verdict, it found the facts established at trial to be clear, the evidence conclusive and sufficient and the sentence appropriate. On April 7, the Xiangtan Intermediate People's Court sentenced Zhou to death for intentional homicide and deprived him of his political rights for life. The Xiangtan court determined that Zhou, motivated by personal vengeance, put a highly toxic substance into a can of oatmeal shared by two of his roommates. The Hunan High People's Court has submitted Zhou's death sentence to the Supreme People's Court for approval, as required by law.
\n",
- "content": "
Shenzhou XX crew to carry out spacewalk
\n
The Shenzhou XX mission crew members aboard the Tiangong space station are scheduled to carry out their third spacewalk in the coming days, the China Manned Space Agency said on Thursday. The three orbital travelers — mission commander Senior Colonel Chen Dong and crew members Colonel Chen Zhongrui and Colonel Wang Jie — have been aboard the station for more than three months since their arrival on April 25. They have conducted a host of assignments, including examinations and maintenance work on instruments, installations of intravehicular devices, monitoring of inner environment, and unpacking and testing new spacewalk suits, the agency said in a media statement.
\n
Body of Beijing official lost in flood recovered
\n
The body of Yin Chunyan, Party secretary of Sunhugou village in Beijing's Huairou district, has been found following an intensive search, Beijing Radio and Television Station reported on Thursday. Rescuers discovered her remains on Wednesday afternoon near Baihewan in Baihebei village. Local authorities have set up a committee to handle the funeral arrangements, according to the report. Yin and her husband, Cai Yongzhang, were swept away by floodwaters on July 26 while helping villagers evacuate. Cai's body was recovered on Aug 4, about 300 to 400 meters downstream from where they were last seen.
\n
Death sentence for poisoning upheld
\n
The Hunan High People's Court rejected on Thursday a graduate student's appeal and upheld his death sentence after he poisoned his roommates' food, causing the death of one. The court said that after reviewing Zhou Liren's appeal of the first-instance verdict, it found the facts established at trial to be clear, the evidence conclusive and sufficient and the sentence appropriate. On April 7, the Xiangtan Intermediate People's Court sentenced Zhou to death for intentional homicide and deprived him of his political rights for life. The Xiangtan court determined that Zhou, motivated by personal vengeance, put a highly toxic substance into a can of oatmeal shared by two of his roommates. The Hunan High People's Court has submitted Zhou's death sentence to the Supreme People's Court for approval, as required by law.
Chinese scientists have made breakthroughs in Chikungunya fever detection by developing a kit solution that accelerates the entire detection process to within half an hour, according to a laboratory based in Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong province.
\n
Based on rapid qPCR technology, the detection kit was developed by the Guangzhou Laboratory in collaboration with the Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou Eighth People's Hospital affiliated to Guangzhou Medical University and other biomedical companies.
\n
The qPCR, or quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction, is a laboratory technique used to amplify and simultaneously quantify a targeted DNA molecule.
\n
As an advanced form of PCR, it allows researchers to measure the amount of DNA in real time during the amplification process.
\n
The detection kit works in tandem with the nucleic acid extraction kit to establish a complete ultra-fast Chikungunya testing system, according to the laboratory.
\n
Under the detection system, serum sample extraction takes only 15 minutes, and nucleic acid amplification is reduced to 12 minutes, compressing the entire detection process to just half an hour and indicating a big leap from the traditional three to five hours for Chikungunya detection.
\n
Currently, there are several methods for detecting the Chikungunya virus, including nucleic acid tests and colloidal gold techniques.
\n
The mainstream clinical method is nucleic acid testing, which relies on real-time fluorescence PCR technology to accurately determine whether a sample contains the virus.
\n
Free nucleic acid screening for the Chikungunya fever was launched throughout Lecong township in Shunde district of Foshan in late July, as the township had been hard hit by the mosquito-borne viral disease.
\n
The Guangzhou-based laboratory's kit solution has undergone validation with nearly 1,000 samples at several authoritative institutions and hospitals in Guangdong, according to the laboratory.
\n
It has been compared with third-party reagents and has demonstrated excellent performance, it said.
\n
The system is now ready for promotion and application, providing strong support for control and prevention of the Chikungunya fever outbreak across the province.
\n
According to health authorities in Foshan, the hardest-hit area, the Chikungunya outbreak has showed a significant downward trend, with daily new cases dropping below 150 for six consecutive days.
\n
The number of newly reported cases per day has been on a steady decline since Aug 6. On Wednesday alone, only 96 new cases were reported in Foshan, according to local authorities.
\n
Additionally, the number of affected villages and communities has also steadily decreased, indicating significant progress in the prevention and control efforts.
\n
Although the current epidemic situation is gradually stabilizing and preventive measures have made positive progress, residents are still urged to remain vigilant against the disease, authorities said.
\n
qiuquanlin@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
- "content": "\n
Chinese scientists have made breakthroughs in Chikungunya fever detection by developing a kit solution that accelerates the entire detection process to within half an hour, according to a laboratory based in Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong province.
\n
Based on rapid qPCR technology, the detection kit was developed by the Guangzhou Laboratory in collaboration with the Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou Eighth People's Hospital affiliated to Guangzhou Medical University and other biomedical companies.
\n
The qPCR, or quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction, is a laboratory technique used to amplify and simultaneously quantify a targeted DNA molecule.
\n
As an advanced form of PCR, it allows researchers to measure the amount of DNA in real time during the amplification process.
\n
The detection kit works in tandem with the nucleic acid extraction kit to establish a complete ultra-fast Chikungunya testing system, according to the laboratory.
\n
Under the detection system, serum sample extraction takes only 15 minutes, and nucleic acid amplification is reduced to 12 minutes, compressing the entire detection process to just half an hour and indicating a big leap from the traditional three to five hours for Chikungunya detection.
\n
Currently, there are several methods for detecting the Chikungunya virus, including nucleic acid tests and colloidal gold techniques.
\n
The mainstream clinical method is nucleic acid testing, which relies on real-time fluorescence PCR technology to accurately determine whether a sample contains the virus.
\n
Free nucleic acid screening for the Chikungunya fever was launched throughout Lecong township in Shunde district of Foshan in late July, as the township had been hard hit by the mosquito-borne viral disease.
\n
The Guangzhou-based laboratory's kit solution has undergone validation with nearly 1,000 samples at several authoritative institutions and hospitals in Guangdong, according to the laboratory.
\n
It has been compared with third-party reagents and has demonstrated excellent performance, it said.
\n
The system is now ready for promotion and application, providing strong support for control and prevention of the Chikungunya fever outbreak across the province.
\n
According to health authorities in Foshan, the hardest-hit area, the Chikungunya outbreak has showed a significant downward trend, with daily new cases dropping below 150 for six consecutive days.
\n
The number of newly reported cases per day has been on a steady decline since Aug 6. On Wednesday alone, only 96 new cases were reported in Foshan, according to local authorities.
\n
Additionally, the number of affected villages and communities has also steadily decreased, indicating significant progress in the prevention and control efforts.
\n
Although the current epidemic situation is gradually stabilizing and preventive measures have made positive progress, residents are still urged to remain vigilant against the disease, authorities said.
A performer showcases equestrian skills at the opening ceremony of the 16th Gesar Horse Racing Festival in Maqu county, Gannan Tibetan autonomous prefecture, Gansu province, on Wednesday.
\n",
- "content": "
A performer showcases equestrian skills at the opening ceremony of the 16th Gesar Horse Racing Festival in Maqu county, Gannan Tibetan autonomous prefecture, Gansu province, on Wednesday.
A rescue team that had searched extensively for an 8-year-old boy who went missing found him dead on Wednesday, according to a notice released by Dali city, part of the Dali Bai autonomous prefecture in Yunnan province.
\n
The boy was found in a mountain stream north of Qingbi Creek in the city's Dali town at around 5 pm on Wednesday.
\n
Following an on-site examination and thorough investigation, authorities ruled out death by external injury, and found no evidence that the death was the result of a crime, the notice said.
\n
"We are deeply saddened by the loss of the child and extend our heartfelt condolences to the family," the team said in the notice. "We also express our gratitude to all sectors of society for their attention and support during the search and rescue efforts. Further related work is currently underway."
\n
On Saturday, Dali city's public security bureau received a report that the boy had gone missing. In response, the city mobilized a coordinated search and rescue operation involving local police, fire rescue teams, forest firefighters, emergency services, the forestry and grassland administration, and volunteer groups of local civilian rescue teams, the team said in an earlier notice.
\n
By Sunday afternoon, more than 300 personnel, two search dogs, four unmanned drones, and five thermal imaging devices had been deployed to locate the child in the area, which features rugged terrain and dense vegetation.
\n
A resident surnamed Zhang from Dali city, who offered to help with the rescue, told China Daily on Monday that over 380 residents from Dali had created a WeChat group to aid in the rescue, and at least 200 of them had participated in the effort by joining the search on the mountain or organizing supplies.
\n
Contact the writers at lihongyang@chinadaily.com.cn
A rescue team that had searched extensively for an 8-year-old boy who went missing found him dead on Wednesday, according to a notice released by Dali city, part of the Dali Bai autonomous prefecture in Yunnan province.
\n
The boy was found in a mountain stream north of Qingbi Creek in the city's Dali town at around 5 pm on Wednesday.
\n
Following an on-site examination and thorough investigation, authorities ruled out death by external injury, and found no evidence that the death was the result of a crime, the notice said.
\n
"We are deeply saddened by the loss of the child and extend our heartfelt condolences to the family," the team said in the notice. "We also express our gratitude to all sectors of society for their attention and support during the search and rescue efforts. Further related work is currently underway."
\n
On Saturday, Dali city's public security bureau received a report that the boy had gone missing. In response, the city mobilized a coordinated search and rescue operation involving local police, fire rescue teams, forest firefighters, emergency services, the forestry and grassland administration, and volunteer groups of local civilian rescue teams, the team said in an earlier notice.
\n
By Sunday afternoon, more than 300 personnel, two search dogs, four unmanned drones, and five thermal imaging devices had been deployed to locate the child in the area, which features rugged terrain and dense vegetation.
\n
A resident surnamed Zhang from Dali city, who offered to help with the rescue, told China Daily on Monday that over 380 residents from Dali had created a WeChat group to aid in the rescue, and at least 200 of them had participated in the effort by joining the search on the mountain or organizing supplies.
\n
Contact the writers at lihongyang@chinadaily.com.cn
The world's first humanoid robot games opened in Beijing on Thursday, offering a glimpse into what organizers describe as a "new era of human-machine symbiosis".
\n
The 2025 World Humanoid Robot Games began on Thursday evening at the National Speed Skating Oval, known locally as the Ice Ribbon, and will run until Sunday. About 280 teams from 16 countries and regions, bringing together more than 500 robots, are competing in 26 events across 538 matches.
\n
The opening ceremony featured a cultural performance combining Chinese opera, martial arts and robotics, with 60 robots dressed in traditional costumes moving in sync with acrobatic performers.
\n
Stefan Hensel, supervisor of Germany's Sweaty team, praised the Beijing event as "a nice and open community and an Olympic Games for the industry".
\n
"During the games if you have a problem, everybody is ready to help you, and thus the event is set to boost the industry's progress, in particular the software," said Hensel, whose team is a four-time runner-up at the international RoboCup humanoid soccer competition.
\n
Preliminary rounds began on Monday.
\n
Some viewers online said the humanoid soccer matches lacked excitement, as the robots moved stiffly and made clumsy decisions on the pitch.
\n
Lyu Ming, an after-sales manager at Booster Robotics, a Beijing-based company providing the robots for the soccer match during the event, explained that in robot sports, the aim was not entertainment but advancing control, perception and decision-making.
\n
"The awkward movements, algorithm optimization and lessons from failure are all incremental steps as humanoid robots evolve from the lab to commercial use," he said.
\n
Beijing officials said the capital is positioning itself as a national hub for robotics innovation. Jiang Guangzhi, head of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Economy and Information Technology, said the city has supported the development of 200 innovative robotic products across 12 categories. These innovative products have been tested and applied in 134 scenarios across 11 industries.
\n
"Through the implementation of a demonstration project featuring hundreds of application scenarios, we are leveraging Beijing's vast and diverse urban environment to enhance scenario innovation and strengthen the connection between supply and demand."
\n
He added that a robot-themed park is planned, featuring applications for ecological monitoring, disinfection, water cleaning and street sweeping.
\n
Industry leaders said continued investment and collaboration are vital if humanoid robotics is to progress beyond research prototypes.
\n
Wang Xingxing, CEO of Unitree Robotics, which is reported to hold an estimated 60 to 70 percent share of the global quadruped robot market, said that investment in the embodied robotics industry remained stable, but further breakthroughs were still needed.
\n
"Achieving humanlike capabilities in robots could take two to three years of technological advancements, or up to five at a slower pace," he said at the 2025 World Robot Conference, which was held in Beijing recently, adding that the robotics boom "is unlikely to last beyond a decade".
\n
About half of Unitree's revenue comes from overseas markets, and Wang said global collaboration was key to the company's strategy.
\n
yangcheng@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
- "content": "
The world's first humanoid robot games opened in Beijing on Thursday, offering a glimpse into what organizers describe as a "new era of human-machine symbiosis".
\n
The 2025 World Humanoid Robot Games began on Thursday evening at the National Speed Skating Oval, known locally as the Ice Ribbon, and will run until Sunday. About 280 teams from 16 countries and regions, bringing together more than 500 robots, are competing in 26 events across 538 matches.
\n
The opening ceremony featured a cultural performance combining Chinese opera, martial arts and robotics, with 60 robots dressed in traditional costumes moving in sync with acrobatic performers.
\n
Stefan Hensel, supervisor of Germany's Sweaty team, praised the Beijing event as "a nice and open community and an Olympic Games for the industry".
\n
"During the games if you have a problem, everybody is ready to help you, and thus the event is set to boost the industry's progress, in particular the software," said Hensel, whose team is a four-time runner-up at the international RoboCup humanoid soccer competition.
\n
Preliminary rounds began on Monday.
\n
Some viewers online said the humanoid soccer matches lacked excitement, as the robots moved stiffly and made clumsy decisions on the pitch.
\n
Lyu Ming, an after-sales manager at Booster Robotics, a Beijing-based company providing the robots for the soccer match during the event, explained that in robot sports, the aim was not entertainment but advancing control, perception and decision-making.
\n
"The awkward movements, algorithm optimization and lessons from failure are all incremental steps as humanoid robots evolve from the lab to commercial use," he said.
\n
Beijing officials said the capital is positioning itself as a national hub for robotics innovation. Jiang Guangzhi, head of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Economy and Information Technology, said the city has supported the development of 200 innovative robotic products across 12 categories. These innovative products have been tested and applied in 134 scenarios across 11 industries.
\n
"Through the implementation of a demonstration project featuring hundreds of application scenarios, we are leveraging Beijing's vast and diverse urban environment to enhance scenario innovation and strengthen the connection between supply and demand."
\n
He added that a robot-themed park is planned, featuring applications for ecological monitoring, disinfection, water cleaning and street sweeping.
\n
Industry leaders said continued investment and collaboration are vital if humanoid robotics is to progress beyond research prototypes.
\n
Wang Xingxing, CEO of Unitree Robotics, which is reported to hold an estimated 60 to 70 percent share of the global quadruped robot market, said that investment in the embodied robotics industry remained stable, but further breakthroughs were still needed.
\n
"Achieving humanlike capabilities in robots could take two to three years of technological advancements, or up to five at a slower pace," he said at the 2025 World Robot Conference, which was held in Beijing recently, adding that the robotics boom "is unlikely to last beyond a decade".
\n
About half of Unitree's revenue comes from overseas markets, and Wang said global collaboration was key to the company's strategy.
Senior students and their parents pose for a photo during a ceremony at a high school in Pingliang, Gansu province, on Wednesday to celebrate the beginning of the students' adulthood. During the ceremony, typically held for high school seniors when they turn 18, a total of 1,200 students marked their transition by wearing special "adulthood caps", taking a group oath and crossing an "adulthood gate" in the presence of their teachers and parents.
\n",
- "content": "
Senior students and their parents pose for a photo during a ceremony at a high school in Pingliang, Gansu province, on Wednesday to celebrate the beginning of the students' adulthood. During the ceremony, typically held for high school seniors when they turn 18, a total of 1,200 students marked their transition by wearing special "adulthood caps", taking a group oath and crossing an "adulthood gate" in the presence of their teachers and parents.
As the doors swing open at Beijing's new robot-themed restaurant, diners are greeted by humanoid workers who nod and speak in lifelike gestures, while robotic servers glide between tables delivering dishes and a robot band plays drums and guitars, turning a dining experience into a futuristic spectacle.
\n
"The restaurant gives me a fresh sense of technology. It's quite an amazing attempt," said Ding Wenjun, a tourist from Jiangxi province.
\n
Sun Ling, head of the Robot Restaurant, said, "It is not only an immersive dining place integrating cuisine, culture and technology, but also provides a scenario for robot application and data collection."
\n
The tech-savvy restaurant is participating in the E-Town Robot Consumption Festival, running from Aug 2 to Sunday. The event was organized by the administrative committee of the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area, also known as Beijing E-Town.
\n
Making its debut at the festival is the Robot Mall, a 4,000-square-meter "robot 4S" store. It features more than 50 products across medical, industrial and companion robotics.
\n
For example, the Galbot G1, a wheeled-chassis humanoid robot, can retrieve medications from shelves and deliver them directly to patients.
\n
"It can automatically dispense and distribute medications, alleviating the heavy workload of nurses and reducing the risk of human error," said Meng Yanpei, a manager at the mall. "In pharmacies, it serves emergency patients, especially at night, while also lowering operating costs by taking over repetitive tasks."
\n
Over 10 pharmacies in Beijing are now operating 24 hours a day with the use of a Galbot G1. The robot is priced at 680,000 yuan ($94,800), a 50,000 yuan discount, at the 4S store during the festival.
\n
As of Tuesday, more than 19,000 robots and related products have been sold during the festival, generating total sales of over 200 million yuan. Meanwhile, the distribution of consumption vouchers has boosted sales by over 60 million yuan, according to the administrative committee of Beijing E-Town.
\n
Meanwhile, shopping malls and e-commerce platform JD.com are hosting sales campaigns at the festival. Enterprises can enjoy subsidies of up to 250,000 yuan on robot purchases.
\n
Targeting online consumers, JD.com has showcased over 680 robots and related products, including quadruped, biped, exoskeleton, and educational and companion robots, offering a maximum subsidy of 600 yuan for a single product.
\n
"In the past, these robots were priced in the millions of yuan, but now they are becoming more affordable," said Xu Lei, head of the Intelligent Robot Business Department under the 3C Digital Business Group of JD.com. "We hope to leverage the advantages of online sales, brand support and supply chains to make robots accessible to more consumers."
\n
Zhang Hao, chief scientist of ALVA (Beijing) Technology Co, said that robots are still in their infancy and are often used mainly for display. "Even though they may stagger while walking, they captivate us because we can sense their intelligence gradually maturing."
\n
"Only when robots help customers make money will they buy and keep buying such machines," said Zhang, adding that such machines must be practical, affordable, versatile and of effective use for consumers.
\n
Zhang's perspective echoes that of Massimiliano Zecca, a professor of healthcare technology at Loughborough University in the United Kingdom.
\n
"Humanoid robots now require an engineering team to look after them," the professor said. "They need to bring real value to form a natural market."
\n
Despite the limitations of the robots, Zecca was clearly impressed by a humanoid coffee barista crafting intricate latte art at the 2025 World Robot Conference, which concluded on Tuesday.
\n
"I would pay for a cup of coffee with artistic flavor. The evolution of humanoid robots will surely provide more choices to meet personal preferences," Zecca said.
\n",
- "content": "\n
As the doors swing open at Beijing's new robot-themed restaurant, diners are greeted by humanoid workers who nod and speak in lifelike gestures, while robotic servers glide between tables delivering dishes and a robot band plays drums and guitars, turning a dining experience into a futuristic spectacle.
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"The restaurant gives me a fresh sense of technology. It's quite an amazing attempt," said Ding Wenjun, a tourist from Jiangxi province.
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Sun Ling, head of the Robot Restaurant, said, "It is not only an immersive dining place integrating cuisine, culture and technology, but also provides a scenario for robot application and data collection."
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The tech-savvy restaurant is participating in the E-Town Robot Consumption Festival, running from Aug 2 to Sunday. The event was organized by the administrative committee of the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area, also known as Beijing E-Town.
\n
Making its debut at the festival is the Robot Mall, a 4,000-square-meter "robot 4S" store. It features more than 50 products across medical, industrial and companion robotics.
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For example, the Galbot G1, a wheeled-chassis humanoid robot, can retrieve medications from shelves and deliver them directly to patients.
\n
"It can automatically dispense and distribute medications, alleviating the heavy workload of nurses and reducing the risk of human error," said Meng Yanpei, a manager at the mall. "In pharmacies, it serves emergency patients, especially at night, while also lowering operating costs by taking over repetitive tasks."
\n
Over 10 pharmacies in Beijing are now operating 24 hours a day with the use of a Galbot G1. The robot is priced at 680,000 yuan ($94,800), a 50,000 yuan discount, at the 4S store during the festival.
\n
As of Tuesday, more than 19,000 robots and related products have been sold during the festival, generating total sales of over 200 million yuan. Meanwhile, the distribution of consumption vouchers has boosted sales by over 60 million yuan, according to the administrative committee of Beijing E-Town.
\n
Meanwhile, shopping malls and e-commerce platform JD.com are hosting sales campaigns at the festival. Enterprises can enjoy subsidies of up to 250,000 yuan on robot purchases.
\n
Targeting online consumers, JD.com has showcased over 680 robots and related products, including quadruped, biped, exoskeleton, and educational and companion robots, offering a maximum subsidy of 600 yuan for a single product.
\n
"In the past, these robots were priced in the millions of yuan, but now they are becoming more affordable," said Xu Lei, head of the Intelligent Robot Business Department under the 3C Digital Business Group of JD.com. "We hope to leverage the advantages of online sales, brand support and supply chains to make robots accessible to more consumers."
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Zhang Hao, chief scientist of ALVA (Beijing) Technology Co, said that robots are still in their infancy and are often used mainly for display. "Even though they may stagger while walking, they captivate us because we can sense their intelligence gradually maturing."
\n
"Only when robots help customers make money will they buy and keep buying such machines," said Zhang, adding that such machines must be practical, affordable, versatile and of effective use for consumers.
\n
Zhang's perspective echoes that of Massimiliano Zecca, a professor of healthcare technology at Loughborough University in the United Kingdom.
\n
"Humanoid robots now require an engineering team to look after them," the professor said. "They need to bring real value to form a natural market."
\n
Despite the limitations of the robots, Zecca was clearly impressed by a humanoid coffee barista crafting intricate latte art at the 2025 World Robot Conference, which concluded on Tuesday.
\n
"I would pay for a cup of coffee with artistic flavor. The evolution of humanoid robots will surely provide more choices to meet personal preferences," Zecca said.
Tourists experience the unique charm of historical and modern elements on Rua do Cunha in Macao on April 14.
\n
Deeper collaboration among iconic commercial streets in Hong Kong, Macao and Guangdong province's Shenzhen signifies a transition from business rivalry to joint development, a crucial step in developing the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area into a more appealing global tourism destination, experts said.
\n
Looking ahead, the experts aspire to witness creatively fused activities that authentically blend the unique characteristics of the three cities, more digitalized and intelligent business blocks, and a broader, more coordinated alliance among the cluster's major commercial streets.
\n
The Dongmen Chamber of Commerce in Shenzhen and Macao's Industry and Commerce Federation of Islands signed a cooperation agreement on Aug 8, linking two of the regions' best-known heritage shopping streets — the former's Dongmen Old Street and the latter's Rua do Cunha.
\n
Both streets are key cultural and commercial landmarks. Nestled in Shenzhen's Luohu district, Dongmen, which is among Shenzhen's earliest and largest commercial hubs, has witnessed the city's transformation from a fishing village into a modern metropolis. Meanwhile, Rua do Cunha, formed in the late 19th century, is a pedestrian strip in Macao lined with shops and restaurants that blend Chinese and Portuguese culinary and cultural influences.
\n
The two sides will establish a regular communication mechanism to engage in deep collaboration in areas such as tourism promotion, cultural creativity, brand development, youth entrepreneurship and smart commerce.
\n
This is not the first such initiative. Last July, a similar agreement was struck between Dongmen and Hong Kong's Temple Street, which has since spawned joint food festivals, group tours and sports events, as well as a livestreaming talent program for young people from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan.
\n
In September, all three streets will jointly host a mid-autumn food and culture carnival, with synchronized events in Shenzhen, Hong Kong and Macao.
\n
During this year's National Day Golden Week, travel agencies will also roll out a special itinerary linking the three sites, enabling visitors to experience their unique cultures.
\n
According to Shenzhen's Dongmen Chamber of Commerce, such collaborations facilitate the sharing of brand resources and product diversification among commercial streets. The deeper ties also help facilitate the organization of large scale festive events to stimulate consumption and promote tourism through cross-regional travel products.
\n
It attributes the emergence of this new type of collaborative model to the increasing demand for cross-border consumption; the complementary resource advantages among commercial streets; Luohu district's supportive policies for boosting consumption; and the convenient transportation options within the Greater Bay Area.
\n
Iun Ioc-va, chairman of the Industry and Commerce Federation of Islands of Macao, said the effort not only greatly enriches the experience of diverse activities and cultures for travelers all in one single trip, but also boosts consumption in the hotel, dining, retail and other sectors.
\n
He also noted the joint promotion allows for resource integration, creating a stronger market presence that attracts more international visitors, making the Greater Bay Area a more compelling global tourism destination.
\n
Song Ding, director of the research institute of China Urban Experts Network and a researcher of the China Development Institute, pointed out that all three cities have realized that relying solely on individual development is no longer sufficient to support the growth of commercial streets, generating the need to band together for mutual support.
\n
Unlike traditional pure government-led business collaborations, this new model is based on cooperation between commercial districts, with the government providing essential behind-the-scenes support.
\n
Hailing it as a great breakthrough, Song noted that the history of Hong Kong and Macao as free ports and Shenzhen's leadership in free market reforms create a unique foundation for this partnership.
\n
From the chambers' perspectives, they are more attuned to market demands, with greater flexibility in operational decisions, while governments can assist by streamlining administrative procedures such as customs clearance and logistics.
\n
Timothy Chui, executive director of the Hong Kong Tourism Association, described this "pairing" between the three regions as a "two-way pursuit". He noted that the collaboration will not only promote the exchange of goods, people and services, but also allow each region to retain its unique cultural traditions and commercial characteristics.
\n
He added that the upcoming 15th National Games, which will be jointly hosted by Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao in November, is a key opportunity to further these exchanges.
\n
To improve the effectiveness of the collaboration, Iun said he is looking forward to the launch of brand crossover pop-up stores that bring local specialties to other cities; youth maker markets that showcase innovative products made by young people; and a culinary festival that invites chefs to develop fusion dishes.
\n
He also called for developing a mobile app to integrate merchant information, coupons, event calendars and transportation guides from the three regions, providing tourists with one-stop convenient services.
\n
In the long run, he envisioned forming an alliance to attract more influential commercial streets in the region. Featuring broader coverage and stronger interconnection, he said it will jointly enhance the overall competitiveness of the Greater Bay Area's cultural and tourism industry.
\n
The Dongmen Chamber of Commerce in Shenzhen advocates for enhancing the integration and sharing of distinctive products, cultural heritages and folk activities to bolster business cooperation and tourism route development.
\n
The chamber proposes standardizing logo design and promotional slogans to fortify brand construction and promotion. Additionally, improving customs clearance efficiency and enhancing transportation connections near the border will also help enhance visitors' experiences.
\n
Furthermore, the chamber encourages businesses to participate in cross-border livestreaming events to broaden their sales channels, and looks forward to partnerships among shops for joint operations and brand collaborations.
\n
It emphasized that the key to effectively blending the streets' features is finding the "connecting points" within differences. For instance, the three cities can leverage the cultural commonalities in the region and launch activities centered around Greater Bay Area residents' life memories or folk art expressions.
\n
Echoing the chambers, Song emphasized the need to deeply explore and appropriately present the cultural connotations of different commercial streets. For example, Dongmen Old Street can highlight Shenzhen's citizen culture and reform spirit.
\n
For the commercial streets' long-term development, Song called for upgrading existing facilities, enhancing the blocks' digitalization and intelligence, and making the bustling downtown areas more internationally appealing.
\n
bingcun@chinadailyhk.com
\n",
- "content": "
Tourists experience the unique charm of historical and modern elements on Rua do Cunha in Macao on April 14.
\n
Deeper collaboration among iconic commercial streets in Hong Kong, Macao and Guangdong province's Shenzhen signifies a transition from business rivalry to joint development, a crucial step in developing the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area into a more appealing global tourism destination, experts said.
\n
Looking ahead, the experts aspire to witness creatively fused activities that authentically blend the unique characteristics of the three cities, more digitalized and intelligent business blocks, and a broader, more coordinated alliance among the cluster's major commercial streets.
\n
The Dongmen Chamber of Commerce in Shenzhen and Macao's Industry and Commerce Federation of Islands signed a cooperation agreement on Aug 8, linking two of the regions' best-known heritage shopping streets — the former's Dongmen Old Street and the latter's Rua do Cunha.
\n
Both streets are key cultural and commercial landmarks. Nestled in Shenzhen's Luohu district, Dongmen, which is among Shenzhen's earliest and largest commercial hubs, has witnessed the city's transformation from a fishing village into a modern metropolis. Meanwhile, Rua do Cunha, formed in the late 19th century, is a pedestrian strip in Macao lined with shops and restaurants that blend Chinese and Portuguese culinary and cultural influences.
\n
The two sides will establish a regular communication mechanism to engage in deep collaboration in areas such as tourism promotion, cultural creativity, brand development, youth entrepreneurship and smart commerce.
\n
This is not the first such initiative. Last July, a similar agreement was struck between Dongmen and Hong Kong's Temple Street, which has since spawned joint food festivals, group tours and sports events, as well as a livestreaming talent program for young people from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan.
\n
In September, all three streets will jointly host a mid-autumn food and culture carnival, with synchronized events in Shenzhen, Hong Kong and Macao.
\n
During this year's National Day Golden Week, travel agencies will also roll out a special itinerary linking the three sites, enabling visitors to experience their unique cultures.
\n
According to Shenzhen's Dongmen Chamber of Commerce, such collaborations facilitate the sharing of brand resources and product diversification among commercial streets. The deeper ties also help facilitate the organization of large scale festive events to stimulate consumption and promote tourism through cross-regional travel products.
\n
It attributes the emergence of this new type of collaborative model to the increasing demand for cross-border consumption; the complementary resource advantages among commercial streets; Luohu district's supportive policies for boosting consumption; and the convenient transportation options within the Greater Bay Area.
\n
Iun Ioc-va, chairman of the Industry and Commerce Federation of Islands of Macao, said the effort not only greatly enriches the experience of diverse activities and cultures for travelers all in one single trip, but also boosts consumption in the hotel, dining, retail and other sectors.
\n
He also noted the joint promotion allows for resource integration, creating a stronger market presence that attracts more international visitors, making the Greater Bay Area a more compelling global tourism destination.
\n
Song Ding, director of the research institute of China Urban Experts Network and a researcher of the China Development Institute, pointed out that all three cities have realized that relying solely on individual development is no longer sufficient to support the growth of commercial streets, generating the need to band together for mutual support.
\n
Unlike traditional pure government-led business collaborations, this new model is based on cooperation between commercial districts, with the government providing essential behind-the-scenes support.
\n
Hailing it as a great breakthrough, Song noted that the history of Hong Kong and Macao as free ports and Shenzhen's leadership in free market reforms create a unique foundation for this partnership.
\n
From the chambers' perspectives, they are more attuned to market demands, with greater flexibility in operational decisions, while governments can assist by streamlining administrative procedures such as customs clearance and logistics.
\n
Timothy Chui, executive director of the Hong Kong Tourism Association, described this "pairing" between the three regions as a "two-way pursuit". He noted that the collaboration will not only promote the exchange of goods, people and services, but also allow each region to retain its unique cultural traditions and commercial characteristics.
\n
He added that the upcoming 15th National Games, which will be jointly hosted by Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao in November, is a key opportunity to further these exchanges.
\n
To improve the effectiveness of the collaboration, Iun said he is looking forward to the launch of brand crossover pop-up stores that bring local specialties to other cities; youth maker markets that showcase innovative products made by young people; and a culinary festival that invites chefs to develop fusion dishes.
\n
He also called for developing a mobile app to integrate merchant information, coupons, event calendars and transportation guides from the three regions, providing tourists with one-stop convenient services.
\n
In the long run, he envisioned forming an alliance to attract more influential commercial streets in the region. Featuring broader coverage and stronger interconnection, he said it will jointly enhance the overall competitiveness of the Greater Bay Area's cultural and tourism industry.
\n
The Dongmen Chamber of Commerce in Shenzhen advocates for enhancing the integration and sharing of distinctive products, cultural heritages and folk activities to bolster business cooperation and tourism route development.
\n
The chamber proposes standardizing logo design and promotional slogans to fortify brand construction and promotion. Additionally, improving customs clearance efficiency and enhancing transportation connections near the border will also help enhance visitors' experiences.
\n
Furthermore, the chamber encourages businesses to participate in cross-border livestreaming events to broaden their sales channels, and looks forward to partnerships among shops for joint operations and brand collaborations.
\n
It emphasized that the key to effectively blending the streets' features is finding the "connecting points" within differences. For instance, the three cities can leverage the cultural commonalities in the region and launch activities centered around Greater Bay Area residents' life memories or folk art expressions.
\n
Echoing the chambers, Song emphasized the need to deeply explore and appropriately present the cultural connotations of different commercial streets. For example, Dongmen Old Street can highlight Shenzhen's citizen culture and reform spirit.
\n
For the commercial streets' long-term development, Song called for upgrading existing facilities, enhancing the blocks' digitalization and intelligence, and making the bustling downtown areas more internationally appealing.
Industrial biotechnology researchers work in a laboratory affiliated with the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Tianjin in January last year.
\n
An artist's impression of DNA information storage technology.
\n
A recent breakthrough in synthetic biology in Tianjin could pave the way for new treatments for genetic diseases like sickle cell disease and congenital deafness.
\n
A study published in the science methodology journal Nature Methods on July 10 by a team of scientists from Tianjin University claimed to have synthesized a human genome fragment exceeding one million base pairs in length, and successfully transferred it into mice embryos to verify its function.
\n
According to those involved, this achievement marks a significant advancement in human genome synthesis and transfer technology.
\n
The human genome is closely linked to human life, health and disease. Since the completion of the Human Genome Project in 2003, scientists have been trying to synthesize the human genome, but have long struggled with technological bottlenecks.
\n
Over 50 percent of the human genome consists of complex repetitive sequences, posing a considerable challenge to precise synthesis.
\n
"It's like a jigsaw puzzle with millions of pieces, many of which look very similar, making the assembly extremely challenging," said Yuan Yingjin, who led the team.
\n
Yuan, who is also an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and director of the State Key Lab of Synthetic Biology, said that even if long genome fragments are synthesized, validating their genetic function is difficult without transferring them into an animal.
\n
Yuan's team has developed the SynNICE method to tackle this problem.
\n
"Using this method, we have for the first time completed the synthesis of high-repetition human DNA at the million-base-pair level and efficiently transferred this fragment intact into early mice embryos using a yeast nucleus as the transfer shuttle," Yuan said.
\n
Internationally, most research teams in human DNA synthesis are still working at the hundred-kilo-base-pair level and find it challenging to efficiently transfer DNA into mammalian embryos.
\n
This makes this latest development a significant leap forward.
\n
"For decades, scientists have enhanced their understanding of the human genome through sequencing and reading information. By adopting a bottom-up approach to synthesize genes from basic units, we can more directly reveal causal relationships among genome sequences, functions and diseases," Yuan said.
\n
"Scientists are no longer content merely to 'read' and 'edit' the book of life — they now have the ability to 'write' new chapters in it," he added.
\n
The team's research focused on a segment called AZFa on the human Y chromosome, chosen because its deletion is a cause of untreatable male infertility. Synthesizing this segment posed significant challenges, as over 69 percent of its sequence consists of repetitive elements, making it extremely prone to mismatches and recombination, which could lead to failure, Yuan explained.
\n
To overcome this challenge, the team devised a combined assembly strategy. Initially, they divided the sequence into over 200 smaller fragments, which were then assembled into 23 medium-sized components using Saccharomyces cerevisiae, also known as brewer's yeast. These components were further assembled into four larger structures, again utilizing the yeast.
\n
Finally, employing the gene-editing technique CRISPR-Cas9 and a yeast mating system, the team successfully assembled all fragments into a single, perfectly integrated artificial synthetic chromosome spanning 1.14 million base pairs.
\n
Brewer's yeast was used as it serves as a powerful biological tool equipped with a highly efficient homologous recombination system that automatically recognizes and seamlessly joins matching DNA sequences, said Yuan.
\n
The problem remained of how to safely transfer this large and fragile genome fragment into mice embryos. The team solved this by using yeast nuclei as natural, solid carriers.
\n
"If transferring DNA across species is like a moon landing mission on Earth, our use of yeast nuclei is akin to the spacecraft that safely transports astronauts between Earth and the moon, protecting and compressing the synthetic genome," said Yuan.
\n
This method involves isolating the entire yeast nucleus containing the synthetic DNA. This nucleus acts as a natural, sturdy transport capsule, providing perfect physical protection for the genetic material inside, said Liu Yue, a member of the research team.
\n
The research can shed new light on the treatment of diseases related to chromosomal anomalies. In the future, by synthesizing key gene fragments, scientists may be able to correct defects in the AZFa region causing infertility. Understanding the correlation between genomic variations and diseases can also guide treatments for conditions such as cancer.
\n
Tang Fuchou, a professor at Peking University, said the SynNICE method could potentially extend the functional lifespan of xenotransplantation with humanized pig donor organs in human bodies from two to three years to several decades, offering revolutionary hope for addressing the global organ shortage.
\n
Yuan said the substantial resources provided for basic research were crucial for the team to be able to tackle such "unclaimed territories" in science, such as repetitive sequence assembly and nuclear transfer.
\n
Interdisciplinary collaboration was essential, bringing together experts in synthetic biology, medicine, developmental biology and epigenetics, he said. Gene function validation in the research was carried out by teams from Tianjin University and Tsinghua University, with several hospitals providing real clinical cases for the study.
\n
"Humanity is still in the technology development stage for DNA synthesis. While advancing technological innovation, China remains highly attentive to biosecurity," he said.
\n
In 2017, Tianjin University led scientists from over 20 countries across four continents in drafting the "Tianjin Biosecurity Guidelines for Codes of Conduct for Scientists", which the World Health Organization has recognized as a global biosecurity ethical standard.
\n
Yuan said the ability to synthesize large genomes could spark a medical revolution, potentially curing currently incurable diseases and paving the way for new treatments.
\n
The study report was titled De novo Assembly and Delivery of Synthetic Megabase-Scale Human DNA into Mouse Early Embryos.
\n
yandongjie@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
- "content": "
Online Scan the code to watch the video.
\n
Yuan Yingjin
\n
Industrial biotechnology researchers work in a laboratory affiliated with the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Tianjin in January last year.
\n
An artist's impression of DNA information storage technology.
\n
A recent breakthrough in synthetic biology in Tianjin could pave the way for new treatments for genetic diseases like sickle cell disease and congenital deafness.
\n
A study published in the science methodology journal Nature Methods on July 10 by a team of scientists from Tianjin University claimed to have synthesized a human genome fragment exceeding one million base pairs in length, and successfully transferred it into mice embryos to verify its function.
\n
According to those involved, this achievement marks a significant advancement in human genome synthesis and transfer technology.
\n
The human genome is closely linked to human life, health and disease. Since the completion of the Human Genome Project in 2003, scientists have been trying to synthesize the human genome, but have long struggled with technological bottlenecks.
\n
Over 50 percent of the human genome consists of complex repetitive sequences, posing a considerable challenge to precise synthesis.
\n
"It's like a jigsaw puzzle with millions of pieces, many of which look very similar, making the assembly extremely challenging," said Yuan Yingjin, who led the team.
\n
Yuan, who is also an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and director of the State Key Lab of Synthetic Biology, said that even if long genome fragments are synthesized, validating their genetic function is difficult without transferring them into an animal.
\n
Yuan's team has developed the SynNICE method to tackle this problem.
\n
"Using this method, we have for the first time completed the synthesis of high-repetition human DNA at the million-base-pair level and efficiently transferred this fragment intact into early mice embryos using a yeast nucleus as the transfer shuttle," Yuan said.
\n
Internationally, most research teams in human DNA synthesis are still working at the hundred-kilo-base-pair level and find it challenging to efficiently transfer DNA into mammalian embryos.
\n
This makes this latest development a significant leap forward.
\n
"For decades, scientists have enhanced their understanding of the human genome through sequencing and reading information. By adopting a bottom-up approach to synthesize genes from basic units, we can more directly reveal causal relationships among genome sequences, functions and diseases," Yuan said.
\n
"Scientists are no longer content merely to 'read' and 'edit' the book of life — they now have the ability to 'write' new chapters in it," he added.
\n
The team's research focused on a segment called AZFa on the human Y chromosome, chosen because its deletion is a cause of untreatable male infertility. Synthesizing this segment posed significant challenges, as over 69 percent of its sequence consists of repetitive elements, making it extremely prone to mismatches and recombination, which could lead to failure, Yuan explained.
\n
To overcome this challenge, the team devised a combined assembly strategy. Initially, they divided the sequence into over 200 smaller fragments, which were then assembled into 23 medium-sized components using Saccharomyces cerevisiae, also known as brewer's yeast. These components were further assembled into four larger structures, again utilizing the yeast.
\n
Finally, employing the gene-editing technique CRISPR-Cas9 and a yeast mating system, the team successfully assembled all fragments into a single, perfectly integrated artificial synthetic chromosome spanning 1.14 million base pairs.
\n
Brewer's yeast was used as it serves as a powerful biological tool equipped with a highly efficient homologous recombination system that automatically recognizes and seamlessly joins matching DNA sequences, said Yuan.
\n
The problem remained of how to safely transfer this large and fragile genome fragment into mice embryos. The team solved this by using yeast nuclei as natural, solid carriers.
\n
"If transferring DNA across species is like a moon landing mission on Earth, our use of yeast nuclei is akin to the spacecraft that safely transports astronauts between Earth and the moon, protecting and compressing the synthetic genome," said Yuan.
\n
This method involves isolating the entire yeast nucleus containing the synthetic DNA. This nucleus acts as a natural, sturdy transport capsule, providing perfect physical protection for the genetic material inside, said Liu Yue, a member of the research team.
\n
The research can shed new light on the treatment of diseases related to chromosomal anomalies. In the future, by synthesizing key gene fragments, scientists may be able to correct defects in the AZFa region causing infertility. Understanding the correlation between genomic variations and diseases can also guide treatments for conditions such as cancer.
\n
Tang Fuchou, a professor at Peking University, said the SynNICE method could potentially extend the functional lifespan of xenotransplantation with humanized pig donor organs in human bodies from two to three years to several decades, offering revolutionary hope for addressing the global organ shortage.
\n
Yuan said the substantial resources provided for basic research were crucial for the team to be able to tackle such "unclaimed territories" in science, such as repetitive sequence assembly and nuclear transfer.
\n
Interdisciplinary collaboration was essential, bringing together experts in synthetic biology, medicine, developmental biology and epigenetics, he said. Gene function validation in the research was carried out by teams from Tianjin University and Tsinghua University, with several hospitals providing real clinical cases for the study.
\n
"Humanity is still in the technology development stage for DNA synthesis. While advancing technological innovation, China remains highly attentive to biosecurity," he said.
\n
In 2017, Tianjin University led scientists from over 20 countries across four continents in drafting the "Tianjin Biosecurity Guidelines for Codes of Conduct for Scientists", which the World Health Organization has recognized as a global biosecurity ethical standard.
\n
Yuan said the ability to synthesize large genomes could spark a medical revolution, potentially curing currently incurable diseases and paving the way for new treatments.
\n
The study report was titled De novo Assembly and Delivery of Synthetic Megabase-Scale Human DNA into Mouse Early Embryos.
Using mixed reality, a researcher demonstrates the spatial relationship between a micrometer-level brain-computer interface and a lab rat's brain in Beijing in March.
\n
China's first undergraduate students with a specialization in brain-computer interface conduct in-class experiments at Tianjin University in Tianjin in November last year.
\n
China has achieved a series of milestones in the field of brain-computer interface technology this year, notably in the clinical translation of invasive techniques, bringing new hope to patients with neurological disorders.
\n
These developments signify that China is among the forerunners of this cutting-edge field, scientists said.
\n
BCI technology is considered a revolutionary approach to addressing neurological function deficits. It works by decoding electrical signals in the brain and simulating the transmission of instructions, bypassing or bridging damaged neural pathways, according to the Institute of Automation at the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
\n
"This technology is expected to be widely applied to severe motor or communication dysfunctions caused by conditions like ALS, paraplegia and spinal cord injuries, helping patients regain some level of daily functionality," said Cao Shenghao, a doctoral student at the institute.
\n
For patients who have undergone amputations but still retain normal brain function, BCIs can transmit brain-generated motion commands to external devices such as computer cursors or robotic arms.
\n
For those with spinal cord injuries, the technology aims to establish "information bridges" above and below the nerve breakpoints to restore command transmission.
\n
Last month, a research team from Nankai University in Tianjin led the world's first interventional BCI trial to assist with the restoration of motor function in patients' affected limbs. It enabled a patient who had been paralyzed on the left side for six months due to a stroke to regain the capabilities of movement and take medication after the procedure.
\n
Significant breakthroughs have also been made in interventions for speech disabilities. A project led by the Beijing Institute for Brain Research achieved the first clinical application of a wireless implanted Chinese language BCI system in the country.
\n
In the trial, a patient who lost the ability to speak because of ALS was able to successfully express complete sentences like "I want a drink of water" and "I want to take a walk with my family" by having their brain signals decoded into language intentions.
\n
Last month, the Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology at the CAS announced that a man who lost all four limbs due to a high-voltage electricity accident had demonstrated proficiency in controlling chess pieces and racing games with his thoughts alone, just 2 to 3 weeks after a BCI device was implanted in March.
\n
His operational speed was close to that of normal people using a computer touch pad. This achievement made China only the second country in the world to successfully enter the clinical trial phase with invasive BCIs.
\n
BCI technology pathways are diverse, comprising invasive, semi-invasive and noninvasive types. "Among them, invasive BCIs, which involve implanting electrodes directly into the cerebral cortex, can capture higher resolution and more stable neural signals," Cao said.
\n
"They hold significant potential in neurorehabilitation but also face surgical risks and ethical challenges, representing the highest technical difficulty and regulatory requirements," he said.
\n
Obtaining high-quality signals requires deep brain access, but the surgery itself can cause damage, he said.
\n
"The goal of scientists in this field is to minimize such damage, and the most direct method is to reduce the size of the implantation window."
\n
Cui Yue, an associate researcher at the Institute of Automation at the CAS, said rigid electrodes cannot accommodate the slight movements of brain tissue during physiological activities and can easily cause nerve drag and damage. In contrast, flexible electrodes, which are made of soft, adaptive materials, can move naturally with brain tissue, reducing damage and scarring, making them more suitable for long-term stable implantation.
\n
Cui's team has reduced the implantation damage to 300 microns and replaced traditional rigid electrodes with flexible electrodes.
\n
However, the extreme softness of flexible electrodes brings implantation challenges. To address this, the Institute of Automation has developed the "CyberSense" flexible micro-electrode implantation robot, pioneering a "sewing machine-style" automatic implantation technology.
\n
"Just like threading a needle, we thread the flexible electrode wire into a fine needle and use the needle tip to precisely deliver the electrode to the designated brain area, then withdraw the needle, leaving only the electrode in place," Cui said.
\n
The efficiency of reading brain signals is critical, directly impacting the accuracy and complexity of BCI tools.
\n
Doctoral student Cao said that many factors affect the reading efficiency, including electrode materials and the number of collection channels.
\n
These are key areas of focus for BCI scientists. Increasing the number of signal collection channels within the same volume of implant devices allows for more complete brain activity information to be restored, laying the foundation for subsequent functional implementation, Cao said.
\n
"Breakthroughs in artificial intelligence technology have contributed greatly to the current development of BCIs," he said. "Even when dealing with the same segment of brain signals, AI now enables us to decode richer neural information than before."
\n
BCIs not only serve clinical medical purposes but also have the potential to expand into everyday life applications in the future, according to Cao, such as providing sleep regulation, emotional monitoring and attention enhancement.
\n
"The current development stage of BCIs is still in its infancy, like a child just learning to walk, but it holds tremendous potential for breakthrough development in the future," he said.
\n",
- "content": "
Online Scan the code to watch the video.
\n
Using mixed reality, a researcher demonstrates the spatial relationship between a micrometer-level brain-computer interface and a lab rat's brain in Beijing in March.
\n
China's first undergraduate students with a specialization in brain-computer interface conduct in-class experiments at Tianjin University in Tianjin in November last year.
\n
China has achieved a series of milestones in the field of brain-computer interface technology this year, notably in the clinical translation of invasive techniques, bringing new hope to patients with neurological disorders.
\n
These developments signify that China is among the forerunners of this cutting-edge field, scientists said.
\n
BCI technology is considered a revolutionary approach to addressing neurological function deficits. It works by decoding electrical signals in the brain and simulating the transmission of instructions, bypassing or bridging damaged neural pathways, according to the Institute of Automation at the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
\n
"This technology is expected to be widely applied to severe motor or communication dysfunctions caused by conditions like ALS, paraplegia and spinal cord injuries, helping patients regain some level of daily functionality," said Cao Shenghao, a doctoral student at the institute.
\n
For patients who have undergone amputations but still retain normal brain function, BCIs can transmit brain-generated motion commands to external devices such as computer cursors or robotic arms.
\n
For those with spinal cord injuries, the technology aims to establish "information bridges" above and below the nerve breakpoints to restore command transmission.
\n
Last month, a research team from Nankai University in Tianjin led the world's first interventional BCI trial to assist with the restoration of motor function in patients' affected limbs. It enabled a patient who had been paralyzed on the left side for six months due to a stroke to regain the capabilities of movement and take medication after the procedure.
\n
Significant breakthroughs have also been made in interventions for speech disabilities. A project led by the Beijing Institute for Brain Research achieved the first clinical application of a wireless implanted Chinese language BCI system in the country.
\n
In the trial, a patient who lost the ability to speak because of ALS was able to successfully express complete sentences like "I want a drink of water" and "I want to take a walk with my family" by having their brain signals decoded into language intentions.
\n
Last month, the Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology at the CAS announced that a man who lost all four limbs due to a high-voltage electricity accident had demonstrated proficiency in controlling chess pieces and racing games with his thoughts alone, just 2 to 3 weeks after a BCI device was implanted in March.
\n
His operational speed was close to that of normal people using a computer touch pad. This achievement made China only the second country in the world to successfully enter the clinical trial phase with invasive BCIs.
\n
BCI technology pathways are diverse, comprising invasive, semi-invasive and noninvasive types. "Among them, invasive BCIs, which involve implanting electrodes directly into the cerebral cortex, can capture higher resolution and more stable neural signals," Cao said.
\n
"They hold significant potential in neurorehabilitation but also face surgical risks and ethical challenges, representing the highest technical difficulty and regulatory requirements," he said.
\n
Obtaining high-quality signals requires deep brain access, but the surgery itself can cause damage, he said.
\n
"The goal of scientists in this field is to minimize such damage, and the most direct method is to reduce the size of the implantation window."
\n
Cui Yue, an associate researcher at the Institute of Automation at the CAS, said rigid electrodes cannot accommodate the slight movements of brain tissue during physiological activities and can easily cause nerve drag and damage. In contrast, flexible electrodes, which are made of soft, adaptive materials, can move naturally with brain tissue, reducing damage and scarring, making them more suitable for long-term stable implantation.
\n
Cui's team has reduced the implantation damage to 300 microns and replaced traditional rigid electrodes with flexible electrodes.
\n
However, the extreme softness of flexible electrodes brings implantation challenges. To address this, the Institute of Automation has developed the "CyberSense" flexible micro-electrode implantation robot, pioneering a "sewing machine-style" automatic implantation technology.
\n
"Just like threading a needle, we thread the flexible electrode wire into a fine needle and use the needle tip to precisely deliver the electrode to the designated brain area, then withdraw the needle, leaving only the electrode in place," Cui said.
\n
The efficiency of reading brain signals is critical, directly impacting the accuracy and complexity of BCI tools.
\n
Doctoral student Cao said that many factors affect the reading efficiency, including electrode materials and the number of collection channels.
\n
These are key areas of focus for BCI scientists. Increasing the number of signal collection channels within the same volume of implant devices allows for more complete brain activity information to be restored, laying the foundation for subsequent functional implementation, Cao said.
\n
"Breakthroughs in artificial intelligence technology have contributed greatly to the current development of BCIs," he said. "Even when dealing with the same segment of brain signals, AI now enables us to decode richer neural information than before."
\n
BCIs not only serve clinical medical purposes but also have the potential to expand into everyday life applications in the future, according to Cao, such as providing sleep regulation, emotional monitoring and attention enhancement.
\n
"The current development stage of BCIs is still in its infancy, like a child just learning to walk, but it holds tremendous potential for breakthrough development in the future," he said.
A technician (right) checks the growth of seedlings through a monitor in a greenhouse at the Zhixin Digital Seedling Breeding Industrial Park in Raoyang county, Hebei province.
\n
In Raoyang county, Hebei province, a high-tech approach is overturning long-held beliefs that North China's sweltering summers are ill-suited for seedling cultivation.
\n
At the Zhixin Digital Seedling Breeding Industrial Park in Raoyang in Hengshui city, algorithms now replace gut instinct.
\n
The cutting-edge solutions are transforming challenging conditions of high temperatures, heavy rain and intense sunlight into precisely controlled parameters, enabling consistent and high-quality seedling production in the hot season.
\n
"In the past, we relied on experience. Now, we rely on algorithms," said Wei Fangcui, the park's director, while navigating the park's cloud-based management platform via a tablet.
\n
The system integrates over a dozen critical parameters, including micro-climate, soil conditions, and crop growth stages, using machines to autonomously optimize irrigation, nutrient delivery, light exposure and ventilation cycles.
\n
Stepping into the vast complex reveals a scene of quiet efficiency — automated rail-guided seedling beds glide smoothly, precision spray systems deliver moisture, and clusters of internet of things sensors display temperature and humidity data in real time.
\n
This highly integrated "breeding-cultivation-promotion" facility, a model of intelligent agriculture, now produces over 120 million robust seedlings annually, according to the park.
\n
"Problems are spotted instantly and solved with a click," said technician Xie Keju, using a mobile app to track seedlings' "body temperature" and "nutritional intake". Sensors in eight vast glass greenhouses — each nearly 10,000 square meters and housing up to one million plants — feed real time data into the system, triggering automatic adjustments to ensure every seedling receives balanced nourishment.
\n
"Crucially, the platform also provides early disease and pest warnings and tracks the growth history of individual plants," he said.
\n
The outcomes are compelling. According to Wei, the park achieves a five percent higher rate of strong, viable seedlings and reduces the overall cultivation cycle by five percent.
\n
"These tech-based seedlings are the 'chips' of modern agriculture," she said.
\n
Technology is also reshaping productivity. An artificial intelligence-powered precision seeder allows one worker to sow 45 trays in three minutes, work that once took four people almost an hour. Xie now manages 300,000 seedlings singlehandedly, with his monthly income rising from 3,000 to 8,000 yuan ($417 to 1,112).
\n
This transformation stems from Raoyang county's "Science Commissioner plus Local Expert" training program, which has delivered over 100 specialized trainings on smart equipment and pest management, grooming over 10,000 skilled fruit and vegetable technicians, according to local authorities.
\n
"Quality must be controlled from the very source," said Li Bingshun, deputy director of Raoyang county's agriculture and rural affairs bureau.
\n
This focus has attracted over 30 prominent breeding enterprises to establish operations in Raoyang. Together with 44 local seedling bases, they form an integrated breeding and promotion network, he said.
\n
The technological journey extends seamlessly from greenhouse to market. In the packaging facility, automated sorting lines place seedlings into custom boxes at a rate of three per second, each affixed with a QR code tracing its origin and journey.
\n
"These 500,000 tomato seedlings head to Beijing tomorrow via refrigerated transport, reaching fields within 48 hours," Wei Fangcui said in an interview in July, pointing to live national demand data.
\n
Since its February launch, the park has supplied over four million premium seedlings to multiple places, including the Ningxia Hui autonomous region, as well as provinces of Hebei and Henan, Wei said.
\n
The supplies cover over a dozen varieties of common and specialty fruit and vegetable seedlings, she added.
\n
"The return on our technology investment is increasing rapidly," Wei said.
\n
Their seedlings, prized for superior genetics and consistent quality, have driven tangible benefits — farmers report average yield increases of 15 to 20 percent per hectare alongside significantly improved produce quality, achieving market satisfaction rates exceeding 90 percent, according to Wei.
\n
This revolution not only supplies premium seedlings nationally but also catalyzes local industry transformation.
\n
Raoyang has established Hebei's first High-Quality Fruit and Vegetable Seed Industry Alliance, guiding breeding bases and planning 10,667-hectare demonstration zones. Additionally, it integrates data from the entire industry chain to create a regulatory platform.
\n
Currently, Raoyang has cultivated 28,667 hectares of fruits and vegetables, including 22,667 hectares of protected greenhouse crops, producing 2.4 million metric tons annually and supplying 2,000 tons daily to neighboring Beijing and Tianjin, according to local statistics.
\n
"We will amplify our leading role, aiming to bring 40 more bases into the digital fold within two years, creating scale and synergy for shared resources and technology," Wei said.
\n
She added that continuous research& development investment will refine their algorithms and deepen IoT integration, embedding technology into every facet of seedling cultivation.
\n
zhangyu1@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
- "content": "
A technician (right) checks the growth of seedlings through a monitor in a greenhouse at the Zhixin Digital Seedling Breeding Industrial Park in Raoyang county, Hebei province.
\n
In Raoyang county, Hebei province, a high-tech approach is overturning long-held beliefs that North China's sweltering summers are ill-suited for seedling cultivation.
\n
At the Zhixin Digital Seedling Breeding Industrial Park in Raoyang in Hengshui city, algorithms now replace gut instinct.
\n
The cutting-edge solutions are transforming challenging conditions of high temperatures, heavy rain and intense sunlight into precisely controlled parameters, enabling consistent and high-quality seedling production in the hot season.
\n
"In the past, we relied on experience. Now, we rely on algorithms," said Wei Fangcui, the park's director, while navigating the park's cloud-based management platform via a tablet.
\n
The system integrates over a dozen critical parameters, including micro-climate, soil conditions, and crop growth stages, using machines to autonomously optimize irrigation, nutrient delivery, light exposure and ventilation cycles.
\n
Stepping into the vast complex reveals a scene of quiet efficiency — automated rail-guided seedling beds glide smoothly, precision spray systems deliver moisture, and clusters of internet of things sensors display temperature and humidity data in real time.
\n
This highly integrated "breeding-cultivation-promotion" facility, a model of intelligent agriculture, now produces over 120 million robust seedlings annually, according to the park.
\n
"Problems are spotted instantly and solved with a click," said technician Xie Keju, using a mobile app to track seedlings' "body temperature" and "nutritional intake". Sensors in eight vast glass greenhouses — each nearly 10,000 square meters and housing up to one million plants — feed real time data into the system, triggering automatic adjustments to ensure every seedling receives balanced nourishment.
\n
"Crucially, the platform also provides early disease and pest warnings and tracks the growth history of individual plants," he said.
\n
The outcomes are compelling. According to Wei, the park achieves a five percent higher rate of strong, viable seedlings and reduces the overall cultivation cycle by five percent.
\n
"These tech-based seedlings are the 'chips' of modern agriculture," she said.
\n
Technology is also reshaping productivity. An artificial intelligence-powered precision seeder allows one worker to sow 45 trays in three minutes, work that once took four people almost an hour. Xie now manages 300,000 seedlings singlehandedly, with his monthly income rising from 3,000 to 8,000 yuan ($417 to 1,112).
\n
This transformation stems from Raoyang county's "Science Commissioner plus Local Expert" training program, which has delivered over 100 specialized trainings on smart equipment and pest management, grooming over 10,000 skilled fruit and vegetable technicians, according to local authorities.
\n
"Quality must be controlled from the very source," said Li Bingshun, deputy director of Raoyang county's agriculture and rural affairs bureau.
\n
This focus has attracted over 30 prominent breeding enterprises to establish operations in Raoyang. Together with 44 local seedling bases, they form an integrated breeding and promotion network, he said.
\n
The technological journey extends seamlessly from greenhouse to market. In the packaging facility, automated sorting lines place seedlings into custom boxes at a rate of three per second, each affixed with a QR code tracing its origin and journey.
\n
"These 500,000 tomato seedlings head to Beijing tomorrow via refrigerated transport, reaching fields within 48 hours," Wei Fangcui said in an interview in July, pointing to live national demand data.
\n
Since its February launch, the park has supplied over four million premium seedlings to multiple places, including the Ningxia Hui autonomous region, as well as provinces of Hebei and Henan, Wei said.
\n
The supplies cover over a dozen varieties of common and specialty fruit and vegetable seedlings, she added.
\n
"The return on our technology investment is increasing rapidly," Wei said.
\n
Their seedlings, prized for superior genetics and consistent quality, have driven tangible benefits — farmers report average yield increases of 15 to 20 percent per hectare alongside significantly improved produce quality, achieving market satisfaction rates exceeding 90 percent, according to Wei.
\n
This revolution not only supplies premium seedlings nationally but also catalyzes local industry transformation.
\n
Raoyang has established Hebei's first High-Quality Fruit and Vegetable Seed Industry Alliance, guiding breeding bases and planning 10,667-hectare demonstration zones. Additionally, it integrates data from the entire industry chain to create a regulatory platform.
\n
Currently, Raoyang has cultivated 28,667 hectares of fruits and vegetables, including 22,667 hectares of protected greenhouse crops, producing 2.4 million metric tons annually and supplying 2,000 tons daily to neighboring Beijing and Tianjin, according to local statistics.
\n
"We will amplify our leading role, aiming to bring 40 more bases into the digital fold within two years, creating scale and synergy for shared resources and technology," Wei said.
\n
She added that continuous research& development investment will refine their algorithms and deepen IoT integration, embedding technology into every facet of seedling cultivation.
A guide introduces the exhibition to visitors at the Shanxi-Suiyuan Border Region Revolutionary Memorial Hall in Xingxian county, Shanxi province.
\n
In the Shanxi-Suiyuan Border Region Revolutionary Memorial Hall in Caijiaya village in Xingxian county, Shanxi province, a special exhibition titled International Friends in the Shanxi-Suiyuan Resistance Against Japanese Aggression has been attracting many visitors.
\n
Over 80 years ago, Caijiaya was the capital of the Shanxi-Suiyuan revolutionary base led by the Communist Party of China. As the political, military and cultural center of the Shanxi-Suiyuan Border Region (part of today's Shanxi and Inner Mongolia autonomous region), it was one of the earliest revolutionary bases in China.
\n
"When the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) was in full swing, many friends, fueled by their belief in justice, broke through blockades to support the revolutionary bases behind enemy lines," said Shi Huaiyong, director of the museum. "In the Shanxi-Suiyuan Border Region, friends from countries such as Canada, Korea, the Soviet Union and the United States left behind many heroic stories."
\n
Among them were foreign medical workers who saved lives, logistical personnel who transported supplies, and soldiers who actively engaged in combat, supporting the Chinese resistance against Japanese aggression in various ways.
\n
The story of the internationalist warrior Norman Bethune is particularly moving. This Canadian doctor established "mobile hospitals" in China amid relentless artillery fire, once performing surgeries for 115 wounded soldiers continuously for 69 hours. He disregarded his own safety until his last breath on the operating table.
\n
Similarly, the tale of British scholar Michael Lindsay is equally poignant: in the spring of 1944, he overcame numerous obstacles to reach the border region, reconfigured the command post's radio equipment in just three weeks, trained a group of technical experts and established a crucial communication network before heading to Yan'an in Shaanxi province a month later.
\n
Shi said, "During that time, numerous foreign journalists ventured to the front lines, using their pens and lenses to document the realities of the war and convey the spirit of resistance of the Chinese people to the world."
\n
Kang Yanhong, head of the museum's education department, said, "These stories are not just cold words on paper; they are memories filled with warmth and life."
\n
Engaged in guiding visitors for over 20 years, she delved into extensive research, interviewed descendants of revolutionaries, and verified details repeatedly to narrate the stories behind the exhibits effectively. "The war against Japanese aggression was a national war that marked the complete victory of the Chinese nation in defending against foreign aggression in modern times," she explained to the visitors. "Our resistance efforts received not only the support of the entire nation but also assistance from international friends."
\n
Today, various exhibitions and events are being held across the country to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the war and the World Anti-Fascist War victory.
\n
"I hope that more and more audiences, especially the youth, can step into these historical exhibition halls, understand this period of history, remember it, and cherish peace," Kang said.
\n
In recent years, the memorial hall has leveraged technologies such as big data, cloud computing and artificial intelligence to aggregate and display red cultural resources efficiently, receiving over 300,000 visitors annually.
\n
Zeng Hongxiang, 68, from Guangzhou, Guangdong province, and a veteran Party member, said, "Visiting the memorial hall for the first time holds great significance to me and I'm deeply moved."
\n
Shi said that through this exhibition, they aim to showcase a significant number of international friends who traveled great distances to China, their touching deeds, and noble spirits through precious historical materials and real stories. The special exhibition will remain open for visitors to Caijiaya village.
\n
Contact the writers at zhuxingxin@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
- "content": "
A guide introduces the exhibition to visitors at the Shanxi-Suiyuan Border Region Revolutionary Memorial Hall in Xingxian county, Shanxi province.
\n
In the Shanxi-Suiyuan Border Region Revolutionary Memorial Hall in Caijiaya village in Xingxian county, Shanxi province, a special exhibition titled International Friends in the Shanxi-Suiyuan Resistance Against Japanese Aggression has been attracting many visitors.
\n
Over 80 years ago, Caijiaya was the capital of the Shanxi-Suiyuan revolutionary base led by the Communist Party of China. As the political, military and cultural center of the Shanxi-Suiyuan Border Region (part of today's Shanxi and Inner Mongolia autonomous region), it was one of the earliest revolutionary bases in China.
\n
"When the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) was in full swing, many friends, fueled by their belief in justice, broke through blockades to support the revolutionary bases behind enemy lines," said Shi Huaiyong, director of the museum. "In the Shanxi-Suiyuan Border Region, friends from countries such as Canada, Korea, the Soviet Union and the United States left behind many heroic stories."
\n
Among them were foreign medical workers who saved lives, logistical personnel who transported supplies, and soldiers who actively engaged in combat, supporting the Chinese resistance against Japanese aggression in various ways.
\n
The story of the internationalist warrior Norman Bethune is particularly moving. This Canadian doctor established "mobile hospitals" in China amid relentless artillery fire, once performing surgeries for 115 wounded soldiers continuously for 69 hours. He disregarded his own safety until his last breath on the operating table.
\n
Similarly, the tale of British scholar Michael Lindsay is equally poignant: in the spring of 1944, he overcame numerous obstacles to reach the border region, reconfigured the command post's radio equipment in just three weeks, trained a group of technical experts and established a crucial communication network before heading to Yan'an in Shaanxi province a month later.
\n
Shi said, "During that time, numerous foreign journalists ventured to the front lines, using their pens and lenses to document the realities of the war and convey the spirit of resistance of the Chinese people to the world."
\n
Kang Yanhong, head of the museum's education department, said, "These stories are not just cold words on paper; they are memories filled with warmth and life."
\n
Engaged in guiding visitors for over 20 years, she delved into extensive research, interviewed descendants of revolutionaries, and verified details repeatedly to narrate the stories behind the exhibits effectively. "The war against Japanese aggression was a national war that marked the complete victory of the Chinese nation in defending against foreign aggression in modern times," she explained to the visitors. "Our resistance efforts received not only the support of the entire nation but also assistance from international friends."
\n
Today, various exhibitions and events are being held across the country to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the war and the World Anti-Fascist War victory.
\n
"I hope that more and more audiences, especially the youth, can step into these historical exhibition halls, understand this period of history, remember it, and cherish peace," Kang said.
\n
In recent years, the memorial hall has leveraged technologies such as big data, cloud computing and artificial intelligence to aggregate and display red cultural resources efficiently, receiving over 300,000 visitors annually.
\n
Zeng Hongxiang, 68, from Guangzhou, Guangdong province, and a veteran Party member, said, "Visiting the memorial hall for the first time holds great significance to me and I'm deeply moved."
\n
Shi said that through this exhibition, they aim to showcase a significant number of international friends who traveled great distances to China, their touching deeds, and noble spirits through precious historical materials and real stories. The special exhibition will remain open for visitors to Caijiaya village.
\n
Contact the writers at zhuxingxin@chinadaily.com.cn
A tourist enjoys the Super Swing at the Hou'er Tiankeng scenic area in Kaiyang county, Guizhou province.
\n
GUIYANG — Karst landscapes, typical in Southwest China's Guizhou province, have emerged as a magnet for adventurers and outdoor sports enthusiasts this summer, drawing crowds with their unique geological wonders.
\n
"Come here, and you'll shoot a viral life highlight reel — guaranteed to go trending!" a travel blogger wrote on a short-video platform, describing a scenic area in Guizhou.
\n
The Hou'er Tiankeng scenic area in Kaiyang county, a typical karst collapse sinkhole with a diameter of 300 meters and a depth of 280 meters, has been transformed into an extreme sports park.
\n
The Super Swing, the world's first extreme swing installed inside a sinkhole at the tourist attraction, boasts a vertical drop of 92 meters and has drawn crowds of visitors eager to try it. "We release tickets in the early morning, and some people say they lose sleep over snatching them up," said general manager Wu Canhua. Due to its unique geographical environment, the area has a limited daily capacity and has implemented a reservation system since 2024.
\n
While visitors walk along the mountain path, vines hang from the sinkhole's cliffs, with winding streams below. The empty space in between is divided by ropes, resembling a spider's web strung inside the sinkhole.
\n
On the jumping platform, tourists, harnessed by two cables, took turns leaping into the sinkhole's depths. A first-person view drone followed tourists closely, while a smartphone and a 360-degree panoramic camera captured moments from multiple angles.
\n
Sinkhole highs
\n
Videos posted on social media by tourists have sparked widespread attention and discussion. On Douyin, China's version of TikTok, related topics about Hou'er Tiankeng have exceeded 2 billion views, with some videos garnering more than 3 million likes.
\n
"Long time no see, my brave and passionate self!" "Youth has no price tag — take the leap into the sinkhole." These are among the most popular comments on the trip after visitors challenged themselves.
\n
"It was so thrilling. I felt like I was flying!" said Zhou Muning, a tourist from Chengdu in Sichuan province. "I'd seen these extreme sports on short videos before, and I came specifically to try them this time. The experience is unforgettable."
\n
Wu said: "Among our visitors, Gen Z makes up the largest group. We've catered to current filming and aesthetic trends, satisfying their desire to express themselves. In the past, people traveled for a room or a view; now, they travel for an experience."
\n
Centering on visitors' experience, the scenic area continues to enrich its offerings. Beyond the Super Swing, it also provides options like via ferrata (iron path) climbing and cave exploration. "We're adopting a three-dimensional development approach, aiming to offer visitors a layered experience," said Wu. A newly developed high-altitude pipe track project has been completed and is undergoing third-party safety assessments.
\n
Shang Fajun, chief of the sports section in the county's culture and tourism bureau, said that the county fully leverages its mountain outdoor resources to promote deep integration of sports, culture and tourism.
\n
Data shows that from January to June this year, the site received 107,000 visitors, with total sales exceeding 67.97 million yuan ($9.47 million).
\n
Perfect for rafting
\n
In midsummer, the karst heartland of Southwest China resembles a naturally carved wonderland, where visitors drift with the waves, experiencing the wonder of excitement and tranquility.
\n
At Luobei River in Guiding county, under a blue sky and white clouds, visitors put on life jackets and helmets, grab oars and board rafts to embark on a summer adventure.
\n
Guizhou, with its magnificent karst landforms, dense water networks, and steep gorges, ranks among China's top rafting destinations.
\n
Luobei River, hailed by netizens as the Tongtian River in the ancient classic Journey to the West — renowned for its mythic perils and iconic episodes — boasts a perfect combination of karst gorges and dynamic hydrology. A rafting journey of over 10 kilometers allows visitors to savor the joy of mountains and waters in a "crack of the earth".
\n
The river, with a relatively wide channel, drops some 88 meters from start to finish. Its course includes seven major rapids — one with an 8-meter drop — making it perfect for rafting.
\n
Huang Runcheng, general manager of the raft operator, said that to ensure visitors' safety, the company has deployed 66 lifeguards along both sides of the river and equipped four inflatable rescue boats for rapid response to emergencies. All lifeguards have received training in rapid water and flood rescue and are stationed along the seven major rapids. In the heat of summer, the parking lot at the visitor service center is filled with cars from across the country. Huang noted that since the company reopened for rafting on June 20 this year, it has welcomed 35,000 visitors, a nearly 10-fold year-on-year increase.
\n
"The more activities we offer, the better the experience," Huang said. Since resuming rafting in 2023, the site has focused on a "sports+adventure+outdoor" model, using rafting as a pivot to expand diverse outdoor activities and experiences, developing new projects such as water swings, deep-water diving platforms and electric paddle boards.
\n
As rafts reached the endpoint, many visitors, soaked to the skin, still chose to dive into the water even amid light rain.
\n
Xiong Peng, from Liupanshui city, Guizhou, has been selling local snacks, waterproof bags, sun hats and other items at the rafting starting point since late June. He said that during the summer vacation, as long as the weather is fine, visitors pour in, with weekend sales reaching 3,000 to 4,000 yuan a day.
\n
Ma Yun, deputy director of the county's culture and tourism bureau, said that from a single rafting project to a composite experience of "rafting+folk customs" and "rafting+research", the county is continuously improving tourism quality to make every visitor's "wave-chasing journey" an unforgettable memory.
\n
With diverse and innovative activities ranging from sky-high adventures to underground explorations, the mountainous province's summer economy is brimming with vitality. From January to June 2025, the total number of tourists across the province increased by 8.2 percent year-on-year, and the total tourism spending grew by 10.6 percent year-on-year.
\n",
- "content": "
A tourist enjoys the Super Swing at the Hou'er Tiankeng scenic area in Kaiyang county, Guizhou province.
\n
GUIYANG — Karst landscapes, typical in Southwest China's Guizhou province, have emerged as a magnet for adventurers and outdoor sports enthusiasts this summer, drawing crowds with their unique geological wonders.
\n
"Come here, and you'll shoot a viral life highlight reel — guaranteed to go trending!" a travel blogger wrote on a short-video platform, describing a scenic area in Guizhou.
\n
The Hou'er Tiankeng scenic area in Kaiyang county, a typical karst collapse sinkhole with a diameter of 300 meters and a depth of 280 meters, has been transformed into an extreme sports park.
\n
The Super Swing, the world's first extreme swing installed inside a sinkhole at the tourist attraction, boasts a vertical drop of 92 meters and has drawn crowds of visitors eager to try it. "We release tickets in the early morning, and some people say they lose sleep over snatching them up," said general manager Wu Canhua. Due to its unique geographical environment, the area has a limited daily capacity and has implemented a reservation system since 2024.
\n
While visitors walk along the mountain path, vines hang from the sinkhole's cliffs, with winding streams below. The empty space in between is divided by ropes, resembling a spider's web strung inside the sinkhole.
\n
On the jumping platform, tourists, harnessed by two cables, took turns leaping into the sinkhole's depths. A first-person view drone followed tourists closely, while a smartphone and a 360-degree panoramic camera captured moments from multiple angles.
\n
Sinkhole highs
\n
Videos posted on social media by tourists have sparked widespread attention and discussion. On Douyin, China's version of TikTok, related topics about Hou'er Tiankeng have exceeded 2 billion views, with some videos garnering more than 3 million likes.
\n
"Long time no see, my brave and passionate self!" "Youth has no price tag — take the leap into the sinkhole." These are among the most popular comments on the trip after visitors challenged themselves.
\n
"It was so thrilling. I felt like I was flying!" said Zhou Muning, a tourist from Chengdu in Sichuan province. "I'd seen these extreme sports on short videos before, and I came specifically to try them this time. The experience is unforgettable."
\n
Wu said: "Among our visitors, Gen Z makes up the largest group. We've catered to current filming and aesthetic trends, satisfying their desire to express themselves. In the past, people traveled for a room or a view; now, they travel for an experience."
\n
Centering on visitors' experience, the scenic area continues to enrich its offerings. Beyond the Super Swing, it also provides options like via ferrata (iron path) climbing and cave exploration. "We're adopting a three-dimensional development approach, aiming to offer visitors a layered experience," said Wu. A newly developed high-altitude pipe track project has been completed and is undergoing third-party safety assessments.
\n
Shang Fajun, chief of the sports section in the county's culture and tourism bureau, said that the county fully leverages its mountain outdoor resources to promote deep integration of sports, culture and tourism.
\n
Data shows that from January to June this year, the site received 107,000 visitors, with total sales exceeding 67.97 million yuan ($9.47 million).
\n
Perfect for rafting
\n
In midsummer, the karst heartland of Southwest China resembles a naturally carved wonderland, where visitors drift with the waves, experiencing the wonder of excitement and tranquility.
\n
At Luobei River in Guiding county, under a blue sky and white clouds, visitors put on life jackets and helmets, grab oars and board rafts to embark on a summer adventure.
\n
Guizhou, with its magnificent karst landforms, dense water networks, and steep gorges, ranks among China's top rafting destinations.
\n
Luobei River, hailed by netizens as the Tongtian River in the ancient classic Journey to the West — renowned for its mythic perils and iconic episodes — boasts a perfect combination of karst gorges and dynamic hydrology. A rafting journey of over 10 kilometers allows visitors to savor the joy of mountains and waters in a "crack of the earth".
\n
The river, with a relatively wide channel, drops some 88 meters from start to finish. Its course includes seven major rapids — one with an 8-meter drop — making it perfect for rafting.
\n
Huang Runcheng, general manager of the raft operator, said that to ensure visitors' safety, the company has deployed 66 lifeguards along both sides of the river and equipped four inflatable rescue boats for rapid response to emergencies. All lifeguards have received training in rapid water and flood rescue and are stationed along the seven major rapids. In the heat of summer, the parking lot at the visitor service center is filled with cars from across the country. Huang noted that since the company reopened for rafting on June 20 this year, it has welcomed 35,000 visitors, a nearly 10-fold year-on-year increase.
\n
"The more activities we offer, the better the experience," Huang said. Since resuming rafting in 2023, the site has focused on a "sports+adventure+outdoor" model, using rafting as a pivot to expand diverse outdoor activities and experiences, developing new projects such as water swings, deep-water diving platforms and electric paddle boards.
\n
As rafts reached the endpoint, many visitors, soaked to the skin, still chose to dive into the water even amid light rain.
\n
Xiong Peng, from Liupanshui city, Guizhou, has been selling local snacks, waterproof bags, sun hats and other items at the rafting starting point since late June. He said that during the summer vacation, as long as the weather is fine, visitors pour in, with weekend sales reaching 3,000 to 4,000 yuan a day.
\n
Ma Yun, deputy director of the county's culture and tourism bureau, said that from a single rafting project to a composite experience of "rafting+folk customs" and "rafting+research", the county is continuously improving tourism quality to make every visitor's "wave-chasing journey" an unforgettable memory.
\n
With diverse and innovative activities ranging from sky-high adventures to underground explorations, the mountainous province's summer economy is brimming with vitality. From January to June 2025, the total number of tourists across the province increased by 8.2 percent year-on-year, and the total tourism spending grew by 10.6 percent year-on-year.
It is the right actions based on the right answers to the right questions that determine whether progress can be achieved or not.
\n
This is exactly the case when it comes to the development of China's environmental protection and ecological conservation.
\n
Twenty years ago on Aug 15, 2005, President Xi Jinping, then secretary of the Communist Party of China provincial committee of Zhejiang, made the now well-known remark that lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets when answering the question of how development can be ecologically and environmentally friendly. This was subsequently developed into one of his guiding theories for China's sustainable development.
\n
The recognition that economic growth can not be achieved at the expense of the natural environment is the cornerstone of Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization, which is firmly grounded in the traditional Chinese philosophy of harmony between humanity and nature. Under the guidance of this framework, a host of creative, forward-looking and important initiatives have been taken with the aim of building a Beautiful China that satisfies the ancient ideal. As a result, the country's ecological and environmental protection efforts have produced sweeping, historic and transformative changes.
\n
What makes this guiding theory particularly noteworthy is the fact that it points the way toward integrating ecological protection and economic development, creating a virtuous cycle.
\n
The output value of China's forest and grass industry increased from 726.9 billion yuan ($101.37 billion) in 2005 to 10.17 trillion yuan in 2024. At the same time, the forest coverage has expanded from 18.21 percent of the country's total territory in 2006 to more than 25 percent now. In the past two decades, of the increased green area worldwide, China has contributed 25 percent, the highest of all countries.
\n
Under the guidance of this theory, China's fight against desertification has made notable achievements. The desertification control rate in Kubuqi Desert in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region has increased from 7 percent, early this century, to 40 percent today. The endeavors various localities have made in environmental protection and ecological conservation have resulted in the considerable improvement of air and water quality.
\n
Likewise, President Xi's insistence on ecological conservation has changed people's mentality about the relationship between environmental protection and economic development.
\n
Under the guidance of Xi's vision of an ecological civilization, the country has applied a system of ecological conservation red lines, established a protected areas system with national parks as the mainstay, carried out major biodiversity protection projects, and conducted stringent enforcement and supervision. A large number of rare and endangered species have been placed under effective protection, and the diversity, stability and sustainability of the ecosystem have kept improving.
\n
That quite a number of villages in various provinces and autonomous regions have shaken off poverty and become prosperous by leveraging their natural resources for eco-tourism has verified the truth that clear waters and lush mountains can produce development dividends if the right approach is adopted.
\n
Behind China's announcement of its dual carbon goals — carbon peaking before the year 2030 and carbon neutrality before the year 2060 — is the shift in mentality and awareness of the need to realize an ecological civilization. As a result, what the country has achieved in its environmental protection and ecological conservation as well as the technological breakthroughs it has made in this regard has become a reference for the world.
\n
More countries are drawing on China's experience in ecological civilization, from eco-cultural villages in South Africa to solar-powered land restoration in Uzbekistan and marine protection in Peru. Guided by the vision that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets", China is advancing its own green transition while cooperating with over 100 countries on clean energy, supplying the majority of the world's photovoltaic modules and wind power equipment.
\n
This approach shows that economic growth and ecological protection can progress together, and China will continue working with the world to ensure a clean, beautiful planet for future generations.
\n",
- "content": "
It is the right actions based on the right answers to the right questions that determine whether progress can be achieved or not.
\n
This is exactly the case when it comes to the development of China's environmental protection and ecological conservation.
\n
Twenty years ago on Aug 15, 2005, President Xi Jinping, then secretary of the Communist Party of China provincial committee of Zhejiang, made the now well-known remark that lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets when answering the question of how development can be ecologically and environmentally friendly. This was subsequently developed into one of his guiding theories for China's sustainable development.
\n
The recognition that economic growth can not be achieved at the expense of the natural environment is the cornerstone of Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization, which is firmly grounded in the traditional Chinese philosophy of harmony between humanity and nature. Under the guidance of this framework, a host of creative, forward-looking and important initiatives have been taken with the aim of building a Beautiful China that satisfies the ancient ideal. As a result, the country's ecological and environmental protection efforts have produced sweeping, historic and transformative changes.
\n
What makes this guiding theory particularly noteworthy is the fact that it points the way toward integrating ecological protection and economic development, creating a virtuous cycle.
\n
The output value of China's forest and grass industry increased from 726.9 billion yuan ($101.37 billion) in 2005 to 10.17 trillion yuan in 2024. At the same time, the forest coverage has expanded from 18.21 percent of the country's total territory in 2006 to more than 25 percent now. In the past two decades, of the increased green area worldwide, China has contributed 25 percent, the highest of all countries.
\n
Under the guidance of this theory, China's fight against desertification has made notable achievements. The desertification control rate in Kubuqi Desert in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region has increased from 7 percent, early this century, to 40 percent today. The endeavors various localities have made in environmental protection and ecological conservation have resulted in the considerable improvement of air and water quality.
\n
Likewise, President Xi's insistence on ecological conservation has changed people's mentality about the relationship between environmental protection and economic development.
\n
Under the guidance of Xi's vision of an ecological civilization, the country has applied a system of ecological conservation red lines, established a protected areas system with national parks as the mainstay, carried out major biodiversity protection projects, and conducted stringent enforcement and supervision. A large number of rare and endangered species have been placed under effective protection, and the diversity, stability and sustainability of the ecosystem have kept improving.
\n
That quite a number of villages in various provinces and autonomous regions have shaken off poverty and become prosperous by leveraging their natural resources for eco-tourism has verified the truth that clear waters and lush mountains can produce development dividends if the right approach is adopted.
\n
Behind China's announcement of its dual carbon goals — carbon peaking before the year 2030 and carbon neutrality before the year 2060 — is the shift in mentality and awareness of the need to realize an ecological civilization. As a result, what the country has achieved in its environmental protection and ecological conservation as well as the technological breakthroughs it has made in this regard has become a reference for the world.
\n
More countries are drawing on China's experience in ecological civilization, from eco-cultural villages in South Africa to solar-powered land restoration in Uzbekistan and marine protection in Peru. Guided by the vision that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets", China is advancing its own green transition while cooperating with over 100 countries on clean energy, supplying the majority of the world's photovoltaic modules and wind power equipment.
\n
This approach shows that economic growth and ecological protection can progress together, and China will continue working with the world to ensure a clean, beautiful planet for future generations.
The USS Higgins, an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, "illegally entered China's territorial waters around Huangyan Island without the approval of the Chinese government" on Wednesday, and the People's Liberation Army Navy "tracked, monitored, and warned the vessel to leave", the PLA Southern Theater Command said in a statement that day.
\n
Sarah Merrill, a spokesperson for the US Seventh Fleet, based in Yokosuka, Japan, to which the USS Higgins belongs, said the warship was conducting a "freedom of navigation operation "in accordance with international law.
\n
But that's not the case. The only reason the US dispatched the vessel to those waters was to show its support for Manila to continue the hazardous game it is playing. A Philippine Coast Guard ship made some dangerous provocative maneuvers on Monday that posed a risk to the Chinese law enforcement ships patrolling in the waters. But US ambassador to the Philippines, MaryKay Carlson, on Tuesday ridiculously pointed the finger of blame at China for "the latest reckless action".
\n
The claim of Merrill that the USS Higgins was upholding the US' right to fly, sail and operate wherever international law allows only exposes the hypocrisy of the US. As the PLA statement said, the US warship "seriously" infringed on China's sovereignty, severely undermined peace and stability in the South China Sea, and violated international law and basic norms governing international relations.
\n
The US Navy spokesperson's dismissal of these remarks — "Nothing China says otherwise will deter us" — reveals the US' intention to constantly escalate tensions in the South China Sea, by emboldening the Philippines. The reason why the US sent the warship to the waters around Huangyan Island is because it realizes the consequences of the Philippines' provocations two days ago might make Manila jittery, waiting for China's response.
\n
Since it assumed office over three years ago, the Ferdinand Marcos Jr government has been fully aware of the dangerous position it is putting the Philippines in by acting as a US pawn against China in the South China Sea. It has practiced a brinkmanship policy to try and maximize its gains in the US-orchestrated geopolitical game — reaching for a yard after taking an inch and hiding low to weather the self-created storms.
\n
A review of what the Marcos government has done in playing its assigned role in the South China Sea clearly demonstrates that whenever it becomes hesitant and worried after playing with fire, the US will always show its support, usually by sending warships to the waters.
\n
Manila then has no choice but to continue playing its provocative game. Notably, its incursion into Chinese waters earlier this week came after Marcos' visit to the US late last month. Before that Marcos also made a series of irresponsible remarks on the Taiwan question and tried to drag India into the game it is playing with the US.
\n
During his visit to the Pentagon, the Philippine president was reassured by his hosts, who reaffirmed the US' commitment to the two countries' mutual defense treaty, which states that an attack on either the Philippines or the US is deemed to be an attack on the other. The treaty is the major source of the Marcos government's confidence that the US will not abandon the Philippines in the case of an emergency. The US is actually taking advantage of that mentality to use the Philippines as a tool in its "Indo-Pacific" strategy, squeezing the space for its autonomy and alienating it from the other countries in the region.
\n
But the US knows it has not yet dispelled Manila's fear of either being discarded by the US or reaping what it has sowed in advancing the US' agenda at its own cost. So whenever Manila thinks it has gone too far, the US has to reassure it. Yet the US' exploitative approach to other hotspot issues incessantly reminds Manila that the US will take its pound of flesh.
\n
Having been pressed to be increasingly provocative, the Marcos government has finally realized that it is not a case of asking what the US can do for the Philippines, but rather what the Philippines can do for the US.
\n
The Philippines will succeed Malaysia as chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations next year, which offers the Marcos government a chance to prove it can contribute to regional peace and stability. In an interview for his podcast on Friday, Marcos confirmed that Manila would "certainly try" to push for a legally binding code of conduct for the South China Sea to maintain stability in the region that regional countries have been negotiating.
\n
It is certainly to be hoped that this is the case.
\n",
- "content": "
The USS Higgins, an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, "illegally entered China's territorial waters around Huangyan Island without the approval of the Chinese government" on Wednesday, and the People's Liberation Army Navy "tracked, monitored, and warned the vessel to leave", the PLA Southern Theater Command said in a statement that day.
\n
Sarah Merrill, a spokesperson for the US Seventh Fleet, based in Yokosuka, Japan, to which the USS Higgins belongs, said the warship was conducting a "freedom of navigation operation "in accordance with international law.
\n
But that's not the case. The only reason the US dispatched the vessel to those waters was to show its support for Manila to continue the hazardous game it is playing. A Philippine Coast Guard ship made some dangerous provocative maneuvers on Monday that posed a risk to the Chinese law enforcement ships patrolling in the waters. But US ambassador to the Philippines, MaryKay Carlson, on Tuesday ridiculously pointed the finger of blame at China for "the latest reckless action".
\n
The claim of Merrill that the USS Higgins was upholding the US' right to fly, sail and operate wherever international law allows only exposes the hypocrisy of the US. As the PLA statement said, the US warship "seriously" infringed on China's sovereignty, severely undermined peace and stability in the South China Sea, and violated international law and basic norms governing international relations.
\n
The US Navy spokesperson's dismissal of these remarks — "Nothing China says otherwise will deter us" — reveals the US' intention to constantly escalate tensions in the South China Sea, by emboldening the Philippines. The reason why the US sent the warship to the waters around Huangyan Island is because it realizes the consequences of the Philippines' provocations two days ago might make Manila jittery, waiting for China's response.
\n
Since it assumed office over three years ago, the Ferdinand Marcos Jr government has been fully aware of the dangerous position it is putting the Philippines in by acting as a US pawn against China in the South China Sea. It has practiced a brinkmanship policy to try and maximize its gains in the US-orchestrated geopolitical game — reaching for a yard after taking an inch and hiding low to weather the self-created storms.
\n
A review of what the Marcos government has done in playing its assigned role in the South China Sea clearly demonstrates that whenever it becomes hesitant and worried after playing with fire, the US will always show its support, usually by sending warships to the waters.
\n
Manila then has no choice but to continue playing its provocative game. Notably, its incursion into Chinese waters earlier this week came after Marcos' visit to the US late last month. Before that Marcos also made a series of irresponsible remarks on the Taiwan question and tried to drag India into the game it is playing with the US.
\n
During his visit to the Pentagon, the Philippine president was reassured by his hosts, who reaffirmed the US' commitment to the two countries' mutual defense treaty, which states that an attack on either the Philippines or the US is deemed to be an attack on the other. The treaty is the major source of the Marcos government's confidence that the US will not abandon the Philippines in the case of an emergency. The US is actually taking advantage of that mentality to use the Philippines as a tool in its "Indo-Pacific" strategy, squeezing the space for its autonomy and alienating it from the other countries in the region.
\n
But the US knows it has not yet dispelled Manila's fear of either being discarded by the US or reaping what it has sowed in advancing the US' agenda at its own cost. So whenever Manila thinks it has gone too far, the US has to reassure it. Yet the US' exploitative approach to other hotspot issues incessantly reminds Manila that the US will take its pound of flesh.
\n
Having been pressed to be increasingly provocative, the Marcos government has finally realized that it is not a case of asking what the US can do for the Philippines, but rather what the Philippines can do for the US.
\n
The Philippines will succeed Malaysia as chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations next year, which offers the Marcos government a chance to prove it can contribute to regional peace and stability. In an interview for his podcast on Friday, Marcos confirmed that Manila would "certainly try" to push for a legally binding code of conduct for the South China Sea to maintain stability in the region that regional countries have been negotiating.
\n
It is certainly to be hoped that this is the case.
After Chinese authorities frowned upon security concerns over Nvidia's sales of downgraded H20 artificial intelligence semiconductors to China, the US administration has self-praised its approval of the sales as a "very unique solution" under certain conditions.
\n
Nvidia and AMD, another US tech company, have been permitted to resume the sales of downgraded AI chips to China on the condition that they share 15 percent of the revenue from sales with the US government.
\n
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the Nvidia and AMD deals could serve as a model for others. "I think we could see it in other industries over time," Bessent said in a television interview on Wednesday. "Right now, this is unique, but now that we have the model and the beta test, why not expand it?"
\n
Yet Bessent's optimism might prove conditional too. To begin with, that Nvidia and AMD accepted the arrangement does not mean other US companies dealing with China will follow suit.
\n
The haste with which the US Treasury chief tried to hail the genius of the move even before the two US companies have started making profit from the arrangement, stems from the US administration's acute need to counter the opposition's charge that its approval of AI chip sales to China will threaten the US' national security.
\n
The administration first highlighted that the chips had been suitably "tailored", leaving no room for security concerns. When that failed to have the desired effect, it threw light on the 15 percent cut, which Bessent emphasized "will go to pay down debt", suggesting it is for the public good.
\n
"If we could make a substantial debt" repayment, that would then allow for discussions about a program for sending money to taxpayers, he said.
\n
But China's cautious approach to the US chips has apparently caught those who were calling the sales a seamless deal unprepared. If Chinese companies don't buy the chips — and they have enough reasons not to do so — the "Nvidia deal" might only prove to be a pipe dream.
\n
When asked about China's wariness, Bessent said "sure, we can discuss that" with the Chinese. "But it also tells me that they are worried about the Nvidia chips becoming the standard in China."
\n
Which is actually not true. Chinese companies have already developed similar AI chips, though with a different structure, which Bessent admitted was what prompted the US administration to revoke the ban on sales of H20 chips to China in the first place.
\n
But Bessent should be reminded why the US' exploitative approach might not work. According to a Reuters report quoting "two people with direct knowledge of the previously unreported law enforcement tactic", US authorities have placed location-tracking devices in targeted shipments of advanced chips they feel have a high risk of being illegally diverted to China.
\n
The tracking devices, typically hidden in the packaging, will detect diversion to destinations that face US exports restrictions, the sources said.
\n
This shows the lengths to which the US is willing to go to enforce its chip exports restrictions on China, even as the US administration seeks to relax some curbs on Chinese access to advanced US semiconductors, as Reuters observed in the report.
\n
The trackers are intended to help build cases against people and companies who profit from violating US exports controls, according to the report.
\n
Location trackers are a decades-old investigative tool used by US law enforcement agencies to track products subject to exports restrictions, such as aircraft parts. They have been used to combat the illegal diversion of semiconductors in recent years, one source said.
\n
If that is true, the US chips' journey to China will certainly become bumpier.
\n",
- "content": "
After Chinese authorities frowned upon security concerns over Nvidia's sales of downgraded H20 artificial intelligence semiconductors to China, the US administration has self-praised its approval of the sales as a "very unique solution" under certain conditions.
\n
Nvidia and AMD, another US tech company, have been permitted to resume the sales of downgraded AI chips to China on the condition that they share 15 percent of the revenue from sales with the US government.
\n
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the Nvidia and AMD deals could serve as a model for others. "I think we could see it in other industries over time," Bessent said in a television interview on Wednesday. "Right now, this is unique, but now that we have the model and the beta test, why not expand it?"
\n
Yet Bessent's optimism might prove conditional too. To begin with, that Nvidia and AMD accepted the arrangement does not mean other US companies dealing with China will follow suit.
\n
The haste with which the US Treasury chief tried to hail the genius of the move even before the two US companies have started making profit from the arrangement, stems from the US administration's acute need to counter the opposition's charge that its approval of AI chip sales to China will threaten the US' national security.
\n
The administration first highlighted that the chips had been suitably "tailored", leaving no room for security concerns. When that failed to have the desired effect, it threw light on the 15 percent cut, which Bessent emphasized "will go to pay down debt", suggesting it is for the public good.
\n
"If we could make a substantial debt" repayment, that would then allow for discussions about a program for sending money to taxpayers, he said.
\n
But China's cautious approach to the US chips has apparently caught those who were calling the sales a seamless deal unprepared. If Chinese companies don't buy the chips — and they have enough reasons not to do so — the "Nvidia deal" might only prove to be a pipe dream.
\n
When asked about China's wariness, Bessent said "sure, we can discuss that" with the Chinese. "But it also tells me that they are worried about the Nvidia chips becoming the standard in China."
\n
Which is actually not true. Chinese companies have already developed similar AI chips, though with a different structure, which Bessent admitted was what prompted the US administration to revoke the ban on sales of H20 chips to China in the first place.
\n
But Bessent should be reminded why the US' exploitative approach might not work. According to a Reuters report quoting "two people with direct knowledge of the previously unreported law enforcement tactic", US authorities have placed location-tracking devices in targeted shipments of advanced chips they feel have a high risk of being illegally diverted to China.
\n
The tracking devices, typically hidden in the packaging, will detect diversion to destinations that face US exports restrictions, the sources said.
\n
This shows the lengths to which the US is willing to go to enforce its chip exports restrictions on China, even as the US administration seeks to relax some curbs on Chinese access to advanced US semiconductors, as Reuters observed in the report.
\n
The trackers are intended to help build cases against people and companies who profit from violating US exports controls, according to the report.
\n
Location trackers are a decades-old investigative tool used by US law enforcement agencies to track products subject to exports restrictions, such as aircraft parts. They have been used to combat the illegal diversion of semiconductors in recent years, one source said.
\n
If that is true, the US chips' journey to China will certainly become bumpier.
Editor's Note: The recent Central Urban Work Conference held in Beijing proposed the building of networked modern city clusters and metropolitan areas. The goal is to enhance cities' capacity to accommodate population and address urban problems. Yin Zhi, executive vice-dean of the Institute for China Sustainable Urbanization at Tsinghua University, spoke about the proposal to Hong Kong-based newspaper Wen Wei Po and offered some suggestions. Below are excerpts from the interview. The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.
\n
The era of large-scale expansion is ending. China is in a transition period in which improving the quality of urban areas and promoting connotative development have become increasingly important. In the past, urban development placed emphasis on planning and construction. But now, greater importance should be on governance, a people-centric approach, efficient growth and the development of innovation-driven businesses. Efforts should be made to build comprehensive and livable cities.
\n
Some regions in China are not yet ready for coordinated development of entire urban agglomerations. It is necessary to first promote coordinated development at a smaller scale in metropolitan areas, and then gradually expand toward larger urban agglomerations.
\n
Large-scale urban agglomerations in the Yangtze River Delta and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area have relatively mature systems. In contrast, many cities in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei urban agglomeration are still smaller third-tier cities.
\n
Beijing has introduced development plans for some areas which will promote deeper coordination within the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei urban agglomeration, channel the development momentum of the megacity into more areas, and gradually form an interconnected agglomeration with multiple growth poles.
\n
At present, some megacities in China are experiencing functional spillover. It is therefore necessary to reduce the population of central urban districts and streamline certain functions to prevent severe urban problems. But in doing so, their development momentum should not be unduly suppressed.
\n
Economic growth should be guided toward newly developed cities on the plains, enabling the release of new momentum. Meanwhile, efforts should be made to strengthen the second- and third-tier cities in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei urban agglomeration, making the urban system more complete and resilient.
\n
With the decline in population, the era of housing shortages has passed. It is estimated that from now until 2050, the remaining population that will move from rural to urban areas will account for less than 10 percent of the increase seen during the period of rising urbanization. Against this backdrop, prioritizing the improvement and efficiency of existing resources has become the focus of urban development efforts.
\n
The more a city's overall carrying capacity, the higher is its population-carrying efficiency and economic value per unit of resources, and the greater the efficiency of production and wealth accumulation. The key to improving this capacity lies in raising the output per unit of land, reducing per capita resource consumption through efficiency and guaranteeing ecological and food security.
\n
Enhancing the overall carrying capacity makes up for urban shortcomings but requires a significant improvement in the standards of urban infrastructure. Increased investment in infrastructure in turn creates favorable conditions for raising the output per unit of land.
\n
China's population distribution and social structure have already transformed from "rural China" to "urban China". It is now time to move toward "integrated urban-rural China", in which urban and rural areas prosper together.
\n",
- "content": "
Editor's Note: The recent Central Urban Work Conference held in Beijing proposed the building of networked modern city clusters and metropolitan areas. The goal is to enhance cities' capacity to accommodate population and address urban problems. Yin Zhi, executive vice-dean of the Institute for China Sustainable Urbanization at Tsinghua University, spoke about the proposal to Hong Kong-based newspaper Wen Wei Po and offered some suggestions. Below are excerpts from the interview. The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.
\n
The era of large-scale expansion is ending. China is in a transition period in which improving the quality of urban areas and promoting connotative development have become increasingly important. In the past, urban development placed emphasis on planning and construction. But now, greater importance should be on governance, a people-centric approach, efficient growth and the development of innovation-driven businesses. Efforts should be made to build comprehensive and livable cities.
\n
Some regions in China are not yet ready for coordinated development of entire urban agglomerations. It is necessary to first promote coordinated development at a smaller scale in metropolitan areas, and then gradually expand toward larger urban agglomerations.
\n
Large-scale urban agglomerations in the Yangtze River Delta and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area have relatively mature systems. In contrast, many cities in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei urban agglomeration are still smaller third-tier cities.
\n
Beijing has introduced development plans for some areas which will promote deeper coordination within the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei urban agglomeration, channel the development momentum of the megacity into more areas, and gradually form an interconnected agglomeration with multiple growth poles.
\n
At present, some megacities in China are experiencing functional spillover. It is therefore necessary to reduce the population of central urban districts and streamline certain functions to prevent severe urban problems. But in doing so, their development momentum should not be unduly suppressed.
\n
Economic growth should be guided toward newly developed cities on the plains, enabling the release of new momentum. Meanwhile, efforts should be made to strengthen the second- and third-tier cities in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei urban agglomeration, making the urban system more complete and resilient.
\n
With the decline in population, the era of housing shortages has passed. It is estimated that from now until 2050, the remaining population that will move from rural to urban areas will account for less than 10 percent of the increase seen during the period of rising urbanization. Against this backdrop, prioritizing the improvement and efficiency of existing resources has become the focus of urban development efforts.
\n
The more a city's overall carrying capacity, the higher is its population-carrying efficiency and economic value per unit of resources, and the greater the efficiency of production and wealth accumulation. The key to improving this capacity lies in raising the output per unit of land, reducing per capita resource consumption through efficiency and guaranteeing ecological and food security.
\n
Enhancing the overall carrying capacity makes up for urban shortcomings but requires a significant improvement in the standards of urban infrastructure. Increased investment in infrastructure in turn creates favorable conditions for raising the output per unit of land.
\n
China's population distribution and social structure have already transformed from "rural China" to "urban China". It is now time to move toward "integrated urban-rural China", in which urban and rural areas prosper together.
Editor's note: This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) and the World Anti-Fascist War. Japan should learn from its past and desist from rebuilding its military. In an interview with Li Huixian for Dialogues with Thinkers, China Daily's high-end interview program, Fang Ke, a Japanese affairs expert at the National Defense University of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, said Japan should face up to its history, and stressed that Japanese right-wing forces should not distort history and mislead ordinary Japanese people, especially the younger generation. Excerpts follow:
\n
Question: Aug 15 marks the 80th anniversary of Japan's unconditional surrender in World War II. How should Japan behave now?
\n
Answer: Japanese invaders in China and other Asian countries killed and wounded millions of people, leaving a trail of destruction across much of East and Southeast Asia. For Japan, adopting a right view of history is imperative. Only by facing up to history can Japan truly atone for its atrocities before and during World War II. Facing up to history is a litmus test of its political sincerity.
\n
Also, Japan must adhere, both in letter and spirit, to the four political documents it has signed with China. It is equally crucial for Japan to enhance communication with China to build strategic mutual trust and better understand each other's legitimate concerns.
\n
Amid growing economic turbulence fueled by the United States' tariff war, China and Japan, as the Asia-Pacific's leading economies, have every reason to deepen economic cooperation, because it would not only mitigate economic risks but also bolster regional stability. Effective crisis management is critical, too, for Japan to improve relations with China and other countries in the region. So it should respect Beijing's core interests. Rather than exacerbating tensions, it should adopt a constructive approach to fostering regional stability, particularly bilateral relations with China.
\n
Q: To what extent will the far-right forces in Japan continue to influence the country's policies?
\n
A: Ever since the Meiji Restoration, militarists and far-right forces have been influencing, to various degrees, Japan's policies, even dragging it into the abyss of war. After World War II, the international community's oversight and the US-engineered democratization reforms temporarily marginalized these elements, even stripped them of political power.
\n
However, the outbreak of the Korean War in 1950 prompted a US policy reversal. By remolding Japan into an anti-communist linchpin in East Asia, the US helped rehabilitate convicted war criminals and dismissed wartime officials, some of whom became part of Japan's power structure.
\n
Consequently, Japan has never truly atoned for its wartime crimes nor has it fully abandoned its militarist views. Although these elements' capacity to fundamentally alter Japan's domestic or foreign policy is constrained, they can still shape public views, especially influence young minds.
\n
Q: What sort of impact did the Chinese people's humanitarian act of adopting Japanese war orphans after the end of World War II have on the development of Sino-Japanese relations?
\n
A: The sort of treatment Japanese orphans got from kindhearted Chinese people has long been a testament to the friendship between China and Japan. After Japan's defeat in World War II, an estimated 4,000 to 5,000 war orphans were left behind in China. The older generation of Chinese leaders, including Chairman Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai, treated them with kindness, as did ordinary Chinese people in Northeast China.
\n
This shows that China distinguishes between Japan's militarist clique and the Japanese people. By launching the war, the militarists not only dragged all the Japanese people into World War II but also made them victims of the war.
\n
After returning to Japan, those orphans acted as a bridge between China and Japan. Many of them formed organizations, revisited their adoptive families in China, and fostered goodwill between the two countries. Their story shows that a genuine people-to-people bond rooted in compassion and mutual understanding is irreplaceable.
\n
Q: Will Japan's labeling of China as the \"greatest strategic challenge\" in its recent defense white papers harm bilateral relations?
\n
A: Postwar Japan has oscillated between pursuing strategic autonomy to enhance its defense capabilities and relying on the US for national security. Yet by calling China the "greatest strategic challenge", Japan is fabricating stories to justify its militarization and rally domestic public support for it. Japan plans to increase its defense spending beyond 2 percent of GDP by 2027.
\n
The Japanese government argues that its "low defense spending" is inadequate to sustain its status as a major power or counter what it calls "diversified threats", whether from China or other sources. To this end, it seeks to increase defense budgets, expand offensive weapons capabilities, and procure advanced military hardware — all of which require securing public support to ensure smooth approval in both houses of the Diet when these policies are formally proposed.
\n
On the other hand, with the US advancing its "Indo-Pacific" strategy, Japan is concerned about its diminishing role in the alliance due to the US' growing diversified partners. For decades, Tokyo has followed Washington's lead, but it has been working to exercise greater influence and autonomy within the alliance.
\n
By calling China as such a "threat", both countries gain justification to deepen alliance integration, enabling Tokyo to harness US strategic weight for expanded regional influence and leadership. Japan also believes this will make it an indispensable ally of the US in the Asia-Pacific. But Japan should realize that in today's world, national security cannot be safeguarded by hyping up nonexistent threats. And clinging to the beggar-thy-neighbor approach will not help Japan win the support of its neighbors or the wider international community either.
\n
Q: Is Japan's strategy of boosting security and the economy sustainable?
\n
A: At the end of 2024, Japan was China's fifth-largest trading partner, third largest among individual countries, while China was Japan's largest trading partner and primary source of imports. Sino-Japanese trade has been mutually beneficial for decades. It is the US that has been trying to destabilize the global economic order by launching the tariff war.
\n
It is essential for China, Japan and the Republic of Korea, as major economies in the Asia-Pacific, to deepen cooperation, especially in fields such as cutting-edge technologies and infrastructure development, to ensure the region's continued development.
\n
Japan's approach to China is inherently contradictory. Despite continuing to align with the US in matters of security and defense, Japan has been enjoying the economic gains from Sino-Japanese trade.
\n
Q: How should we respond to certain US and Japanese politicians' frequent hyping of the Taiwan question?
\n
A: This is a matter of serious concern. We should continue to make efforts to achieve the reunification of Taiwan with the motherland, and avoid making the mistake of "strategic overreach".
\n
Ineffective crisis management could turn a friction into conflict, potentially dragging other countries into it. To prevent this, China and Japan have established effective multi-tier, multi-channel crisis management mechanisms, including hotlines at the defense minister level.
\n
In recent years, through a series of military exercises and demonstrations of advanced weapons systems, China has showcased the modernization of its defense forces, as well as its resolve to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and achieve national reunification.
\n
It will again do so at an opportune moment and location to demonstrate its military capabilities to deter hostile forces, and prevent them from exploiting sensitive issues.
\n
The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.
\n",
- "content": "\n
Editor's note: This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) and the World Anti-Fascist War. Japan should learn from its past and desist from rebuilding its military. In an interview with Li Huixian for Dialogues with Thinkers, China Daily's high-end interview program, Fang Ke, a Japanese affairs expert at the National Defense University of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, said Japan should face up to its history, and stressed that Japanese right-wing forces should not distort history and mislead ordinary Japanese people, especially the younger generation. Excerpts follow:
\n
Question: Aug 15 marks the 80th anniversary of Japan's unconditional surrender in World War II. How should Japan behave now?
\n
Answer: Japanese invaders in China and other Asian countries killed and wounded millions of people, leaving a trail of destruction across much of East and Southeast Asia. For Japan, adopting a right view of history is imperative. Only by facing up to history can Japan truly atone for its atrocities before and during World War II. Facing up to history is a litmus test of its political sincerity.
\n
Also, Japan must adhere, both in letter and spirit, to the four political documents it has signed with China. It is equally crucial for Japan to enhance communication with China to build strategic mutual trust and better understand each other's legitimate concerns.
\n
Amid growing economic turbulence fueled by the United States' tariff war, China and Japan, as the Asia-Pacific's leading economies, have every reason to deepen economic cooperation, because it would not only mitigate economic risks but also bolster regional stability. Effective crisis management is critical, too, for Japan to improve relations with China and other countries in the region. So it should respect Beijing's core interests. Rather than exacerbating tensions, it should adopt a constructive approach to fostering regional stability, particularly bilateral relations with China.
\n
Q: To what extent will the far-right forces in Japan continue to influence the country's policies?
\n
A: Ever since the Meiji Restoration, militarists and far-right forces have been influencing, to various degrees, Japan's policies, even dragging it into the abyss of war. After World War II, the international community's oversight and the US-engineered democratization reforms temporarily marginalized these elements, even stripped them of political power.
\n
However, the outbreak of the Korean War in 1950 prompted a US policy reversal. By remolding Japan into an anti-communist linchpin in East Asia, the US helped rehabilitate convicted war criminals and dismissed wartime officials, some of whom became part of Japan's power structure.
\n
Consequently, Japan has never truly atoned for its wartime crimes nor has it fully abandoned its militarist views. Although these elements' capacity to fundamentally alter Japan's domestic or foreign policy is constrained, they can still shape public views, especially influence young minds.
\n
Q: What sort of impact did the Chinese people's humanitarian act of adopting Japanese war orphans after the end of World War II have on the development of Sino-Japanese relations?
\n
A: The sort of treatment Japanese orphans got from kindhearted Chinese people has long been a testament to the friendship between China and Japan. After Japan's defeat in World War II, an estimated 4,000 to 5,000 war orphans were left behind in China. The older generation of Chinese leaders, including Chairman Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai, treated them with kindness, as did ordinary Chinese people in Northeast China.
\n
This shows that China distinguishes between Japan's militarist clique and the Japanese people. By launching the war, the militarists not only dragged all the Japanese people into World War II but also made them victims of the war.
\n
After returning to Japan, those orphans acted as a bridge between China and Japan. Many of them formed organizations, revisited their adoptive families in China, and fostered goodwill between the two countries. Their story shows that a genuine people-to-people bond rooted in compassion and mutual understanding is irreplaceable.
\n
Q: Will Japan's labeling of China as the \"greatest strategic challenge\" in its recent defense white papers harm bilateral relations?
\n
A: Postwar Japan has oscillated between pursuing strategic autonomy to enhance its defense capabilities and relying on the US for national security. Yet by calling China the "greatest strategic challenge", Japan is fabricating stories to justify its militarization and rally domestic public support for it. Japan plans to increase its defense spending beyond 2 percent of GDP by 2027.
\n
The Japanese government argues that its "low defense spending" is inadequate to sustain its status as a major power or counter what it calls "diversified threats", whether from China or other sources. To this end, it seeks to increase defense budgets, expand offensive weapons capabilities, and procure advanced military hardware — all of which require securing public support to ensure smooth approval in both houses of the Diet when these policies are formally proposed.
\n
On the other hand, with the US advancing its "Indo-Pacific" strategy, Japan is concerned about its diminishing role in the alliance due to the US' growing diversified partners. For decades, Tokyo has followed Washington's lead, but it has been working to exercise greater influence and autonomy within the alliance.
\n
By calling China as such a "threat", both countries gain justification to deepen alliance integration, enabling Tokyo to harness US strategic weight for expanded regional influence and leadership. Japan also believes this will make it an indispensable ally of the US in the Asia-Pacific. But Japan should realize that in today's world, national security cannot be safeguarded by hyping up nonexistent threats. And clinging to the beggar-thy-neighbor approach will not help Japan win the support of its neighbors or the wider international community either.
\n
Q: Is Japan's strategy of boosting security and the economy sustainable?
\n
A: At the end of 2024, Japan was China's fifth-largest trading partner, third largest among individual countries, while China was Japan's largest trading partner and primary source of imports. Sino-Japanese trade has been mutually beneficial for decades. It is the US that has been trying to destabilize the global economic order by launching the tariff war.
\n
It is essential for China, Japan and the Republic of Korea, as major economies in the Asia-Pacific, to deepen cooperation, especially in fields such as cutting-edge technologies and infrastructure development, to ensure the region's continued development.
\n
Japan's approach to China is inherently contradictory. Despite continuing to align with the US in matters of security and defense, Japan has been enjoying the economic gains from Sino-Japanese trade.
\n
Q: How should we respond to certain US and Japanese politicians' frequent hyping of the Taiwan question?
\n
A: This is a matter of serious concern. We should continue to make efforts to achieve the reunification of Taiwan with the motherland, and avoid making the mistake of "strategic overreach".
\n
Ineffective crisis management could turn a friction into conflict, potentially dragging other countries into it. To prevent this, China and Japan have established effective multi-tier, multi-channel crisis management mechanisms, including hotlines at the defense minister level.
\n
In recent years, through a series of military exercises and demonstrations of advanced weapons systems, China has showcased the modernization of its defense forces, as well as its resolve to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and achieve national reunification.
\n
It will again do so at an opportune moment and location to demonstrate its military capabilities to deter hostile forces, and prevent them from exploiting sensitive issues.
\n
The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.
While China's economic miracle is well-known, what is less recognized is its remarkable advance in many scientific and technological fields, especially in renewable energy, since 2000.
\n
A pivotal point came in 2003, when the Chinese government realized the country's growing dependency on imported oil and gas. Since then China's investment in clean energy has continued to be significant.
\n
Because of such a remarkable policy environment, by 2023, more than 95 percent of new utility-scale solar PV panel installations and onshore wind turbines had lower electricity generation costs than new coal and gas plants. Current trends indicate the cost of innovation in the energy sector will continue in the coming decades, further consolidating China's premier global position.
\n
Apart from the reduction in the cost of energy transition, there have been two beneficial side effects. First, China's energy security has significantly strengthened. And second, air pollution levels in Chinese cities have steadily decreased over the past decade. For instance, Beijing witnessed 290 blue sky days in 2024, which was unthinkable a decade ago.
\n
When China started investing heavily in clean energy R&D in 2003, climate change was a matter of concern, but it was not as serious an issue as it is today. Due to rising carbon emissions, global climatic patterns are changing much faster than the forecasts made even five years ago. The world has been trying to reduce emissions so that the increase in global temperatures can be kept below 1.5 degrees Celsius of the preindustrial levels, with many countries committing to achieve carbon neutrality between 2050 and 2060.
\n
But the breakneck speed with which China has built its solar, wind, hydro and nuclear power infrastructure, and mastered the technologies of EVs and high-speed trains suggests the country could peak its emissions around 2026, four years ahead of the target it announced only five years ago.
\n
China's installed solar PV capacity now exceeds 1,000 GW, equivalent to half of the world's total. And between January and May 2025, China added 198 GW of solar and 46 GW of wind energy, equivalent to the total of Indonesia or Turkiye.
\n
As noted earlier, in 2000, China generated a little more than 1,300 TWh of electricity, much less than the US(3,800 TWh) at that time. Since then, China has added more than 8,700 TWh, whereas the US has added only 500 TWh. China is now, by far, the largest producer of electricity in the world, generating 2.32 times that of the US, becoming the world's first "electrostate".
\n
China has redefined the future of global energy thanks to its remarkable advances in the generation and use of all forms of clean energy. Importantly, Chinese companies are building EV plants in Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, Hungary, Spain, Turkiye, Russia and Brazil, while manufacturing solar PV panels in Malaysia, Vietnam, Portugal and South Africa. In addition, they have become the preferred choice of many developing countries as dam builders.
\n
The availability of proper financing for timely transition to renewable energy is now a serious global challenge. Accordingly, China has granted energy-related funds worth $48 billion each to the China Development Bank and the Export-Import Bank of China, for "small yet smart" and "small yet beautiful" projects. Also, at the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, China committed to providing $51 billion for African countries over the next three years to build, among other things, 30 clean energy facilities.
\n
In contrast, Washington has not only withdrawn from the Paris Agreement but also stopped funding US Agency for International Development (USAID), and the United Kingdom has drastically reduced its aid budget.
\n
But despite China's recent financial support, developing countries need much more funds to ensure global energy transition. China is making serious efforts within multilateral frameworks such as Shanghai Cooperation Organization to promote modernization in developing countries and help maintain regional peace, as well as facilitate South-South knowledge and technology transfer, including renewable energy technology transfer.
\n
As global energy dynamics and leadership change, SCO member states are providing a viable platform for shaping new paradigms of energy cooperation and transition. Amid the continuing uncertainties due to climate change, and widespread technological disruptions and geopolitical tensions, SCO member states are engaging in energy collaboration with developing countries and helping them achieve energy transition. Central to these developments is China's continuing leadership in clean energy technologies, and its support to other countries.
\n
The views don't necessarily reflect those of China Daily.
\n",
- "content": "\n
While China's economic miracle is well-known, what is less recognized is its remarkable advance in many scientific and technological fields, especially in renewable energy, since 2000.
\n
A pivotal point came in 2003, when the Chinese government realized the country's growing dependency on imported oil and gas. Since then China's investment in clean energy has continued to be significant.
\n
Because of such a remarkable policy environment, by 2023, more than 95 percent of new utility-scale solar PV panel installations and onshore wind turbines had lower electricity generation costs than new coal and gas plants. Current trends indicate the cost of innovation in the energy sector will continue in the coming decades, further consolidating China's premier global position.
\n
Apart from the reduction in the cost of energy transition, there have been two beneficial side effects. First, China's energy security has significantly strengthened. And second, air pollution levels in Chinese cities have steadily decreased over the past decade. For instance, Beijing witnessed 290 blue sky days in 2024, which was unthinkable a decade ago.
\n
When China started investing heavily in clean energy R&D in 2003, climate change was a matter of concern, but it was not as serious an issue as it is today. Due to rising carbon emissions, global climatic patterns are changing much faster than the forecasts made even five years ago. The world has been trying to reduce emissions so that the increase in global temperatures can be kept below 1.5 degrees Celsius of the preindustrial levels, with many countries committing to achieve carbon neutrality between 2050 and 2060.
\n
But the breakneck speed with which China has built its solar, wind, hydro and nuclear power infrastructure, and mastered the technologies of EVs and high-speed trains suggests the country could peak its emissions around 2026, four years ahead of the target it announced only five years ago.
\n
China's installed solar PV capacity now exceeds 1,000 GW, equivalent to half of the world's total. And between January and May 2025, China added 198 GW of solar and 46 GW of wind energy, equivalent to the total of Indonesia or Turkiye.
\n
As noted earlier, in 2000, China generated a little more than 1,300 TWh of electricity, much less than the US(3,800 TWh) at that time. Since then, China has added more than 8,700 TWh, whereas the US has added only 500 TWh. China is now, by far, the largest producer of electricity in the world, generating 2.32 times that of the US, becoming the world's first "electrostate".
\n
China has redefined the future of global energy thanks to its remarkable advances in the generation and use of all forms of clean energy. Importantly, Chinese companies are building EV plants in Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, Hungary, Spain, Turkiye, Russia and Brazil, while manufacturing solar PV panels in Malaysia, Vietnam, Portugal and South Africa. In addition, they have become the preferred choice of many developing countries as dam builders.
\n
The availability of proper financing for timely transition to renewable energy is now a serious global challenge. Accordingly, China has granted energy-related funds worth $48 billion each to the China Development Bank and the Export-Import Bank of China, for "small yet smart" and "small yet beautiful" projects. Also, at the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, China committed to providing $51 billion for African countries over the next three years to build, among other things, 30 clean energy facilities.
\n
In contrast, Washington has not only withdrawn from the Paris Agreement but also stopped funding US Agency for International Development (USAID), and the United Kingdom has drastically reduced its aid budget.
\n
But despite China's recent financial support, developing countries need much more funds to ensure global energy transition. China is making serious efforts within multilateral frameworks such as Shanghai Cooperation Organization to promote modernization in developing countries and help maintain regional peace, as well as facilitate South-South knowledge and technology transfer, including renewable energy technology transfer.
\n
As global energy dynamics and leadership change, SCO member states are providing a viable platform for shaping new paradigms of energy cooperation and transition. Amid the continuing uncertainties due to climate change, and widespread technological disruptions and geopolitical tensions, SCO member states are engaging in energy collaboration with developing countries and helping them achieve energy transition. Central to these developments is China's continuing leadership in clean energy technologies, and its support to other countries.
\n
The views don't necessarily reflect those of China Daily.
\n",
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- {
- "title": "009VIEWS - Contrasting quality of services in China and EU show need for mutual learning",
- "description": "
Chen Weihua
\n\n
After being a foreign correspondent for China Daily for 16 years, I returned home a week ago and began adjusting to life in the fast-changing metropolis of Shanghai. Just a day after my arrival, I received a call from a delivery man asking me whether I would mind if he delivered a parcel a few minutes later than scheduled.
\n
"No problem," I said, soon realizing that he could be penalized by his company for being even slightly late.
\n
Delivery personnel whizzing past vehicles on their e-bikes, despite the scorching temperatures in summer, torrential rain during monsoon and freezing cold in winter, are a common sight in Shanghai and other Chinese cities. They exemplify the diligence of ordinary Chinese workers.
\n
But their working conditions should be improved, not least because they have made life convenient for nearly 25 million Shanghai residents. Meituan and Ele.me, two of the largest food delivery platforms, together boast more than 11 million employees, many of them part-time workers. That is like the entire population of Belgium.
\n
My experience with courier companies in Brussels, especially Amazon Germany and Amazon Belgium, was often nightmarish. I had no clue when exactly the deliveryman would arrive. Waiting at home for half a day for a parcel to arrive, at times I received a message or two, saying the "delivery attempt" failed because there was no one at home. Clearly, the courier companies are not held to account for their lousy service.
\n
In contrast, the courier service in China is efficient to the other extreme. I believe a balance should be found between the courier services in the European Union and China. Chinese delivery personnel should slow down a bit while those in the EU improve.
\n
The same is true for the healthcare system. I've been a beneficiary of the excellent Belgian medical system for seven years. Doctors and nurses were very professional and the cost was quite low thanks to the mutual medical insurance plan. But fixing an appointment with a doctor was sometimes not easy. Two weeks before my departure from Brussels, I was trying to get an ultrasound test done, as recommended by my doctor. Unfortunately, the next available date was late August in one place and September in another.
\n
So I had to wait for the ultrasound till I returned home. In Shanghai, I got it done within one hour of reaching a hospital on Monday, and that too without an appointment, but after seeing a doctor. All is well, thank God.
\n
There is no doubt that, overall, Belgians enjoy a far better healthcare system than the average Chinese given the huge gap between the medical services in big cities and smaller cities and the vast Chinese countryside.
\n
The next day, I got up early to undergo a thorough medical checkup in a local hospital. Chinese companies usually have provisions for annual medical checkup for their employees. But such one-stop service is hard to find in the United States or the EU, the two places where I served as China Daily's foreign correspondent for 16 years. Such preventive medical services are necessary for the early detection of a disease or potential health problem.
\n
My checklist after arriving in Shanghai is shrinking fast, with an important remaining task being exchanging my Belgian driver's license for a Chinese one. My Chinese driver's license expired years ago. According to a bilateral agreement between Belgium and China, I can exchange my Belgian driver's license for a Chinese driver's license without taking any test. That's how I got my Belgian driver's license years ago. But all online information suggests that I still have to write a test in Shanghai, which could take days to prepare for, because I need to score at least 90 percent to qualify for a driver's license.
\n
I hope the information available online applies to countries other than Belgium, which is one of the few EU countries to have bilateral agreements with China.
\n
The comparisons are not to criticize the EU or Belgium, but to learn from each other and make things better.
\n
chenweihua@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
- "content": "
Chen Weihua
\n\n
After being a foreign correspondent for China Daily for 16 years, I returned home a week ago and began adjusting to life in the fast-changing metropolis of Shanghai. Just a day after my arrival, I received a call from a delivery man asking me whether I would mind if he delivered a parcel a few minutes later than scheduled.
\n
"No problem," I said, soon realizing that he could be penalized by his company for being even slightly late.
\n
Delivery personnel whizzing past vehicles on their e-bikes, despite the scorching temperatures in summer, torrential rain during monsoon and freezing cold in winter, are a common sight in Shanghai and other Chinese cities. They exemplify the diligence of ordinary Chinese workers.
\n
But their working conditions should be improved, not least because they have made life convenient for nearly 25 million Shanghai residents. Meituan and Ele.me, two of the largest food delivery platforms, together boast more than 11 million employees, many of them part-time workers. That is like the entire population of Belgium.
\n
My experience with courier companies in Brussels, especially Amazon Germany and Amazon Belgium, was often nightmarish. I had no clue when exactly the deliveryman would arrive. Waiting at home for half a day for a parcel to arrive, at times I received a message or two, saying the "delivery attempt" failed because there was no one at home. Clearly, the courier companies are not held to account for their lousy service.
\n
In contrast, the courier service in China is efficient to the other extreme. I believe a balance should be found between the courier services in the European Union and China. Chinese delivery personnel should slow down a bit while those in the EU improve.
\n
The same is true for the healthcare system. I've been a beneficiary of the excellent Belgian medical system for seven years. Doctors and nurses were very professional and the cost was quite low thanks to the mutual medical insurance plan. But fixing an appointment with a doctor was sometimes not easy. Two weeks before my departure from Brussels, I was trying to get an ultrasound test done, as recommended by my doctor. Unfortunately, the next available date was late August in one place and September in another.
\n
So I had to wait for the ultrasound till I returned home. In Shanghai, I got it done within one hour of reaching a hospital on Monday, and that too without an appointment, but after seeing a doctor. All is well, thank God.
\n
There is no doubt that, overall, Belgians enjoy a far better healthcare system than the average Chinese given the huge gap between the medical services in big cities and smaller cities and the vast Chinese countryside.
\n
The next day, I got up early to undergo a thorough medical checkup in a local hospital. Chinese companies usually have provisions for annual medical checkup for their employees. But such one-stop service is hard to find in the United States or the EU, the two places where I served as China Daily's foreign correspondent for 16 years. Such preventive medical services are necessary for the early detection of a disease or potential health problem.
\n
My checklist after arriving in Shanghai is shrinking fast, with an important remaining task being exchanging my Belgian driver's license for a Chinese one. My Chinese driver's license expired years ago. According to a bilateral agreement between Belgium and China, I can exchange my Belgian driver's license for a Chinese driver's license without taking any test. That's how I got my Belgian driver's license years ago. But all online information suggests that I still have to write a test in Shanghai, which could take days to prepare for, because I need to score at least 90 percent to qualify for a driver's license.
\n
I hope the information available online applies to countries other than Belgium, which is one of the few EU countries to have bilateral agreements with China.
\n
The comparisons are not to criticize the EU or Belgium, but to learn from each other and make things better.
A car burns on a street after a reported Ukrainian drone attack in Belgorod, Russia, on Thursday.
\n
ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Pressure mounted ahead of a summit in Alaska between the United States and Russia, as Donald Trump warned that Vladimir Putin had only one chance but Moscow pressed ahead with major battlefield gains in Ukraine.
\n
Putin and Trump will meet on Friday at an air base in the far-northern US state, marking the Russian leader's first trip to a Western country since the special military operation that began in February 2022.
\n
With such high stakes, all sides were pushing hard in the hours before the meeting.
\n
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who has refused to cede territory to Russia, spoke by telephone on Wednesday with Trump, as did European leaders who voiced confidence afterward that the US leader would seek a ceasefire rather than concessions by Kyiv.
\n
Trump himself sent mixed messages, saying he could quickly organize a three-way summit afterward with both Zelensky and Putin but also warning of his impatience with the latter.
\n
"There may be no second meeting because, if I feel that it's not appropriate to have it because I didn't get the answers that we have to have, then we are not going to have a second meeting," Trump told reporters.
\n
Russia, he said, would face "severe consequences" if it does not halt its offensive.
\n
However, Trump added that "if the first one goes okay, we'll have a quick second one" involving both Putin and Zelensky.
\n
Putin pitched the meeting after Trump threatened sanctions on Russia. The US president has already ramped up tariffs on India, which has become a key buyer of Russian energy.
\n
Zelensky, after being berated by Trump at a February meeting in the White House, has publicly supported US diplomacy but made clear his deep skepticism.
\n
"I have told my colleagues — the US president and our European friends — that Putin definitely does not want peace," Zelensky said.
\n
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who welcomed Zelensky in Berlin, said Ukraine is ready to negotiate "on territorial issues" but emphasized that the legal recognition of Russia-claimed territories "would not be up for debate".
\n
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said, "The ball is now in Putin's court."
\n
Settling the conflict
\n
The Kremlin said on Thursday that Putin and Trump are expected to discuss ways to settle the Ukraine conflict during their Alaska talks.
\n
"It is probably obvious to everyone that the central topic will be the resolution of the Ukraine crisis," Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov told reporters.
\n
The talks are scheduled to start at 11:30 am (1930 GMT), with both leaders giving a joint news conference following their meeting, Ushakov said.
\n
The summit will be held at Elmendorf Air Force Base, a major US military hub in Alaska's most populous city of Anchorage that played a key role in monitoring the Soviet Union during the Cold War.
\n
Off the base, on the rainy streets of Anchorage, there were few signs that the world's eyes would soon be on the city, other than an influx of media who have booked up virtually all rooms.
\n
The US Treasury Department announced that it would temporarily ease sanctions on the visiting senior Russian officials, who normally would struggle to carry out simple transactions, such as withdrawing cash in Western countries.
\n
The most visible sign of the impending summit was in Ukraine itself.
\n
According to an AFP analysis of battlefield data from the US-based Institute for the Study of War, Russian forces made their biggest 24-hour advance into Ukraine in more than a year on Tuesday.
\n
Ukrainian soldiers in Kramatorsk, an eastern city about 20 kilometers from the front, said they had low expectations for Trump's meeting with Putin.
\n
Artem, a 30-year-old serviceman, said the conflict would likely continue for "a long time".
\n",
- "content": "
A car burns on a street after a reported Ukrainian drone attack in Belgorod, Russia, on Thursday.
\n
ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Pressure mounted ahead of a summit in Alaska between the United States and Russia, as Donald Trump warned that Vladimir Putin had only one chance but Moscow pressed ahead with major battlefield gains in Ukraine.
\n
Putin and Trump will meet on Friday at an air base in the far-northern US state, marking the Russian leader's first trip to a Western country since the special military operation that began in February 2022.
\n
With such high stakes, all sides were pushing hard in the hours before the meeting.
\n
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who has refused to cede territory to Russia, spoke by telephone on Wednesday with Trump, as did European leaders who voiced confidence afterward that the US leader would seek a ceasefire rather than concessions by Kyiv.
\n
Trump himself sent mixed messages, saying he could quickly organize a three-way summit afterward with both Zelensky and Putin but also warning of his impatience with the latter.
\n
"There may be no second meeting because, if I feel that it's not appropriate to have it because I didn't get the answers that we have to have, then we are not going to have a second meeting," Trump told reporters.
\n
Russia, he said, would face "severe consequences" if it does not halt its offensive.
\n
However, Trump added that "if the first one goes okay, we'll have a quick second one" involving both Putin and Zelensky.
\n
Putin pitched the meeting after Trump threatened sanctions on Russia. The US president has already ramped up tariffs on India, which has become a key buyer of Russian energy.
\n
Zelensky, after being berated by Trump at a February meeting in the White House, has publicly supported US diplomacy but made clear his deep skepticism.
\n
"I have told my colleagues — the US president and our European friends — that Putin definitely does not want peace," Zelensky said.
\n
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who welcomed Zelensky in Berlin, said Ukraine is ready to negotiate "on territorial issues" but emphasized that the legal recognition of Russia-claimed territories "would not be up for debate".
\n
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said, "The ball is now in Putin's court."
\n
Settling the conflict
\n
The Kremlin said on Thursday that Putin and Trump are expected to discuss ways to settle the Ukraine conflict during their Alaska talks.
\n
"It is probably obvious to everyone that the central topic will be the resolution of the Ukraine crisis," Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov told reporters.
\n
The talks are scheduled to start at 11:30 am (1930 GMT), with both leaders giving a joint news conference following their meeting, Ushakov said.
\n
The summit will be held at Elmendorf Air Force Base, a major US military hub in Alaska's most populous city of Anchorage that played a key role in monitoring the Soviet Union during the Cold War.
\n
Off the base, on the rainy streets of Anchorage, there were few signs that the world's eyes would soon be on the city, other than an influx of media who have booked up virtually all rooms.
\n
The US Treasury Department announced that it would temporarily ease sanctions on the visiting senior Russian officials, who normally would struggle to carry out simple transactions, such as withdrawing cash in Western countries.
\n
The most visible sign of the impending summit was in Ukraine itself.
\n
According to an AFP analysis of battlefield data from the US-based Institute for the Study of War, Russian forces made their biggest 24-hour advance into Ukraine in more than a year on Tuesday.
\n
Ukrainian soldiers in Kramatorsk, an eastern city about 20 kilometers from the front, said they had low expectations for Trump's meeting with Putin.
\n
Artem, a 30-year-old serviceman, said the conflict would likely continue for "a long time".
An employee handles semiconductor materials at a factory in Bang Pa-In, Ayutthaya Province, Thailand, on Wednesday. The United States has declared plans for a 100 percent tariff on semiconductor imports.
\n
Thai experts have called for a long-term strategy to offset the negative effects of US tariffs, saying Thailand should strengthen its competitiveness by investing more in innovation and technology while expanding its trade partners, including focusing more on China.
\n
The United States recently announced a new "reciprocal" tariff rate for Thailand at 19 percent, which is significantly lower than the previously proposed 36 percent. The new rate is almost on par with those on several other members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, but lower than the levy on Vietnam.
\n
"The reduced tariff attributed to the government's negotiation efforts is not over yet," said Wichai Kinchong Choi, a business development expert at Kasikorn Bank in Bangkok. "What's more important is to strengthen the country's own risk resistance capacity amid the future global challenges through building a robust economy."
\n
A cautiously optimistic attitude should be held as the US has not yet revealed its additional conditions, Wichai said. According to the agreement, for example, Thailand must fully open its domestic agricultural product market and exempt agricultural products imported from the US from tariffs.
\n
"The move will pose risks to Thailand's domestic fruit market," he said.
\n
In the long term, he said, Thailand should further expand into new markets to diversify risk and enhance its production processes to reduce costs while further strengthening its partnership with ASEAN countries and major trade partners such as China.
\n
"As the global trade will deepen, Thailand should urge its major sectors to accelerate reform by leveraging innovation and technology," Wichai said. "We need to adapt and enhance our own competition by investing more in industries such as clean energy, artificial intelligence and electric vehicles that contribute to the kingdom's industrial upgrading and sustainable development."
\n
After the announcement of the reduced tariff rate, Kasikorn Research Center in Bangkok released a report estimating that the Thai economy is expected to grow by 1.5 percent this year, an improvement from the prior projection of 1.4 percent.
\n
Pornchai Thiraveja, director-general of the Fiscal Policy Office at the Thai Finance Ministry, said in a recent interview with the Bangkok Post that the ministry plans to implement stimulus measures to spur domestic spending and investment to support the economy.
\n
Stimulus measures
\n
Measures may include accelerating the disbursement of public investment budgets for infrastructure projects, introducing tax policies to encourage consumption, and supporting the tourism and service sectors.
\n
In addition, the government has established a Competitiveness Enhancement Fund with a budget of 10 billion baht ($308 million), targeting vulnerable industries or those requiring urgent adaptation, which can also aid local businesses in adapting to changing trade conditions.
\n
Apart from solving the internal problems, experts said Thailand should join hands with Southeast Asian countries to open up further and improve market facilitation, as well as improve trade rules and regulations for deepening cooperation with more partners, including China.
\n
Piti Srisangnam, executive director of the ASEAN Foundation, said Thailand has so far joined several regional agreements, such as the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement, which are crucial for it to strengthen cooperation with more partners.
\n
He urged the Thai government to upgrade regulations and agreements with other trade partners and enlarge existing cooperation frameworks, such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.
\n
"Apart from that, we also need to access the larger market, such as BRICS Plus, which will provide Thailand with access to a larger market, facilitating trade and investment opportunities," Piti said. "Being part of BRICS can elevate Thailand's political status on the global stage, providing it with a platform to voice its interests and contribute to global economic and political discussions."
\n
The tariff policy initiated by the US can be a good chance for Thailand to reshape its industry and economy, said Suthiphand Chirathivat, a professor emeritus of economics and former director of the ASEAN Studies Center at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok.
\n
"Moreover, the trade war will very likely bring ASEAN and China even closer," Suthiphand said.
An employee handles semiconductor materials at a factory in Bang Pa-In, Ayutthaya Province, Thailand, on Wednesday. The United States has declared plans for a 100 percent tariff on semiconductor imports.
\n
Thai experts have called for a long-term strategy to offset the negative effects of US tariffs, saying Thailand should strengthen its competitiveness by investing more in innovation and technology while expanding its trade partners, including focusing more on China.
\n
The United States recently announced a new "reciprocal" tariff rate for Thailand at 19 percent, which is significantly lower than the previously proposed 36 percent. The new rate is almost on par with those on several other members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, but lower than the levy on Vietnam.
\n
"The reduced tariff attributed to the government's negotiation efforts is not over yet," said Wichai Kinchong Choi, a business development expert at Kasikorn Bank in Bangkok. "What's more important is to strengthen the country's own risk resistance capacity amid the future global challenges through building a robust economy."
\n
A cautiously optimistic attitude should be held as the US has not yet revealed its additional conditions, Wichai said. According to the agreement, for example, Thailand must fully open its domestic agricultural product market and exempt agricultural products imported from the US from tariffs.
\n
"The move will pose risks to Thailand's domestic fruit market," he said.
\n
In the long term, he said, Thailand should further expand into new markets to diversify risk and enhance its production processes to reduce costs while further strengthening its partnership with ASEAN countries and major trade partners such as China.
\n
"As the global trade will deepen, Thailand should urge its major sectors to accelerate reform by leveraging innovation and technology," Wichai said. "We need to adapt and enhance our own competition by investing more in industries such as clean energy, artificial intelligence and electric vehicles that contribute to the kingdom's industrial upgrading and sustainable development."
\n
After the announcement of the reduced tariff rate, Kasikorn Research Center in Bangkok released a report estimating that the Thai economy is expected to grow by 1.5 percent this year, an improvement from the prior projection of 1.4 percent.
\n
Pornchai Thiraveja, director-general of the Fiscal Policy Office at the Thai Finance Ministry, said in a recent interview with the Bangkok Post that the ministry plans to implement stimulus measures to spur domestic spending and investment to support the economy.
\n
Stimulus measures
\n
Measures may include accelerating the disbursement of public investment budgets for infrastructure projects, introducing tax policies to encourage consumption, and supporting the tourism and service sectors.
\n
In addition, the government has established a Competitiveness Enhancement Fund with a budget of 10 billion baht ($308 million), targeting vulnerable industries or those requiring urgent adaptation, which can also aid local businesses in adapting to changing trade conditions.
\n
Apart from solving the internal problems, experts said Thailand should join hands with Southeast Asian countries to open up further and improve market facilitation, as well as improve trade rules and regulations for deepening cooperation with more partners, including China.
\n
Piti Srisangnam, executive director of the ASEAN Foundation, said Thailand has so far joined several regional agreements, such as the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement, which are crucial for it to strengthen cooperation with more partners.
\n
He urged the Thai government to upgrade regulations and agreements with other trade partners and enlarge existing cooperation frameworks, such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.
\n
"Apart from that, we also need to access the larger market, such as BRICS Plus, which will provide Thailand with access to a larger market, facilitating trade and investment opportunities," Piti said. "Being part of BRICS can elevate Thailand's political status on the global stage, providing it with a platform to voice its interests and contribute to global economic and political discussions."
\n
The tariff policy initiated by the US can be a good chance for Thailand to reshape its industry and economy, said Suthiphand Chirathivat, a professor emeritus of economics and former director of the ASEAN Studies Center at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok.
\n
"Moreover, the trade war will very likely bring ASEAN and China even closer," Suthiphand said.
The first time I stepped into the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, England, I found myself among more than 400 statues, sculptures and slabs, commemorating soldiers and civilian communities who died in service during the two world wars.
\n
"Each one has a story behind it," a volunteer at the site told me. "Which one are you looking for?"
\n
"Lisbon Maru," I replied.
\n
As the volunteer gave me directions, I couldn't help but recall my very first reporting assignment after arriving in London three years ago — a screening of a documentary about the Lisbon Maru.
\n
What is it? I had wondered. Lisbon — the capital of Portugal, and maru seems to be a Japanese word. The juxtaposition puzzled me.
\n
After some research, I uncovered just the tip of the story — a vast, complicated, tragic yet heroic chapter of World War II, long buried in time and scattered across seas.
\n
Lisbon Maru was the name of a cargo ship requisitioned by the Japanese army during the war. Like many civilian freighters that transported Allied prisoners of war as forced labor, its conditions were inhumane. Hundreds of prisoners were crammed into the holds, denied proper food, water or ventilation.
\n
And the voyage was perilous. These ships were rarely marked as noncombatant, making them targets for fire from Allied forces. More than a dozen were sunk — including the Lisbon Maru. Thus, they were also known as "hell ships".
\n
In the darkest moments, the best of humanity — compassion, courage, resilience — comes to light. That's what I learned covering commemorations of the Lisbon Maru incident in the past three years.
\n
At the documentary screening event, I met Denise Wynnedaughter of the late Dennis Morley, the last survivor among the 1,816 prisoners of war, mostly British, aboard the Lisbon Maru, which was torpedoed by a United States submarine off the coast of East China's Zhejiang province on Oct 1, 1942.
\n
A musician of the second battalion of the Royal Scottish Regiment, Morley was 22 when he broke out from the locked hold and leapt into the sea, dodging bullets from Japanese guards.
\n
It so happened that when the Japanese soldiers were given the order to shoot those who escaped from the sinking ship, Chinese fishers in nearby villages of Dongji Island came on small boats to rescue the drowning men.
\n
"It was Chinese fishermen who changed everything," Morley said in a 2019 interview. "When they came out, the Japanese saw them, and they stopped shooting. That was when they started picking us up."
\n
Wu Buwei, grandson of the late fisherman Wu Qisheng, who was one of the main organizers of the rescue efforts, recounted the rescue, "Men and women, the old and the young, everyone in the village was mobilized." With only around 60 small boats, the fishers pulled as many drowning soldiers as they could and ferried back British soldiers ashore.
\n
The fishers saved 384 from the water, though 828 lives were lost.
\n
"And the fishermen fed soldiers with whatever they had — fish, sweet potatoes," Wu said.
\n
Wynne told me one of her father's final wishes was to see a memorial not only for the fallen soldiers, but also for the fishers who risked everything to save them.
\n
There was already a memorial erected at the National Memorial Arboretum, she said, adding that it would be comforting to her father that a twin memorial would be built on Dongji Island.
\n
Since then, I have covered many other stories, but the Lisbon Maru never left me. I kept returning to it.
\n
I interviewed Fang Li, the Chinese director of The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru, who spent eight years making the documentary. The rough cut of the film was screened for the survivors' families in 2023, a year before it was released.
\n
"It's an untold history," said Fang. "We see the bravery of our Chinese fishermen, we hear heartbreaking stories of individual British families one after another, and we are angered by Japan's attempt to cover up the brutal crime."
\n
I met Brian Finch, a retired major who has spent years collecting documents on the Lisbon Maru and helping reunite survivors' families.
\n
"Everyone who knows the story remembers it," he said. "But too many in the UK still don't know. We need to tell it — here and internationally."
\n
At the annual reunions hosted by the Chinese embassy in London, I met many other relatives. They brought their spouses, children and grandchildren — each carrying a unique thread of this shared history.
\n
I spoke to historian Tony Banham, one of the earliest researchers of the incident. He interviewed many survivors in the 1990s and published a book in 2006.
\n
"So many documentaries about war talk about the glamor of war, the aircraft, the tanks, the colorful explosions," he said. "But if there's one lesson we can teach people that might make them think twice, it is understanding that wars don't end when the last bullet is fired. It ends when the last survivor dies. War lasts a lifetime."
\n
In May, I read about the unveiling of the memorial to the Dongji fishers in Zhejiang. Wynne was there, along with other families of the Lisbon Maru prisoners of war.
\n
"Establishing this memorial was my father's wish, shared by all the surviving British POWs," she told reporters. "Now our descendants are accessible to visit and remember ancestors' sacrifices and the rescuers' bravery, and take pride in this legacy."
\n
That was when I knew it was time to visit the twin memorial in England. This time, I brought my own family, and told them about the Lisbon Maru.
\n
When war ends, we shall remember. And as a reporter, I know the best way to remember is to tell a story — so it is not only carved in stone, but also etched in the heart.
\n
Contact the writer at xingyi@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
- "content": "
Xing Yi
\n\n
The first time I stepped into the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, England, I found myself among more than 400 statues, sculptures and slabs, commemorating soldiers and civilian communities who died in service during the two world wars.
\n
"Each one has a story behind it," a volunteer at the site told me. "Which one are you looking for?"
\n
"Lisbon Maru," I replied.
\n
As the volunteer gave me directions, I couldn't help but recall my very first reporting assignment after arriving in London three years ago — a screening of a documentary about the Lisbon Maru.
\n
What is it? I had wondered. Lisbon — the capital of Portugal, and maru seems to be a Japanese word. The juxtaposition puzzled me.
\n
After some research, I uncovered just the tip of the story — a vast, complicated, tragic yet heroic chapter of World War II, long buried in time and scattered across seas.
\n
Lisbon Maru was the name of a cargo ship requisitioned by the Japanese army during the war. Like many civilian freighters that transported Allied prisoners of war as forced labor, its conditions were inhumane. Hundreds of prisoners were crammed into the holds, denied proper food, water or ventilation.
\n
And the voyage was perilous. These ships were rarely marked as noncombatant, making them targets for fire from Allied forces. More than a dozen were sunk — including the Lisbon Maru. Thus, they were also known as "hell ships".
\n
In the darkest moments, the best of humanity — compassion, courage, resilience — comes to light. That's what I learned covering commemorations of the Lisbon Maru incident in the past three years.
\n
At the documentary screening event, I met Denise Wynnedaughter of the late Dennis Morley, the last survivor among the 1,816 prisoners of war, mostly British, aboard the Lisbon Maru, which was torpedoed by a United States submarine off the coast of East China's Zhejiang province on Oct 1, 1942.
\n
A musician of the second battalion of the Royal Scottish Regiment, Morley was 22 when he broke out from the locked hold and leapt into the sea, dodging bullets from Japanese guards.
\n
It so happened that when the Japanese soldiers were given the order to shoot those who escaped from the sinking ship, Chinese fishers in nearby villages of Dongji Island came on small boats to rescue the drowning men.
\n
"It was Chinese fishermen who changed everything," Morley said in a 2019 interview. "When they came out, the Japanese saw them, and they stopped shooting. That was when they started picking us up."
\n
Wu Buwei, grandson of the late fisherman Wu Qisheng, who was one of the main organizers of the rescue efforts, recounted the rescue, "Men and women, the old and the young, everyone in the village was mobilized." With only around 60 small boats, the fishers pulled as many drowning soldiers as they could and ferried back British soldiers ashore.
\n
The fishers saved 384 from the water, though 828 lives were lost.
\n
"And the fishermen fed soldiers with whatever they had — fish, sweet potatoes," Wu said.
\n
Wynne told me one of her father's final wishes was to see a memorial not only for the fallen soldiers, but also for the fishers who risked everything to save them.
\n
There was already a memorial erected at the National Memorial Arboretum, she said, adding that it would be comforting to her father that a twin memorial would be built on Dongji Island.
\n
Since then, I have covered many other stories, but the Lisbon Maru never left me. I kept returning to it.
\n
I interviewed Fang Li, the Chinese director of The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru, who spent eight years making the documentary. The rough cut of the film was screened for the survivors' families in 2023, a year before it was released.
\n
"It's an untold history," said Fang. "We see the bravery of our Chinese fishermen, we hear heartbreaking stories of individual British families one after another, and we are angered by Japan's attempt to cover up the brutal crime."
\n
I met Brian Finch, a retired major who has spent years collecting documents on the Lisbon Maru and helping reunite survivors' families.
\n
"Everyone who knows the story remembers it," he said. "But too many in the UK still don't know. We need to tell it — here and internationally."
\n
At the annual reunions hosted by the Chinese embassy in London, I met many other relatives. They brought their spouses, children and grandchildren — each carrying a unique thread of this shared history.
\n
I spoke to historian Tony Banham, one of the earliest researchers of the incident. He interviewed many survivors in the 1990s and published a book in 2006.
\n
"So many documentaries about war talk about the glamor of war, the aircraft, the tanks, the colorful explosions," he said. "But if there's one lesson we can teach people that might make them think twice, it is understanding that wars don't end when the last bullet is fired. It ends when the last survivor dies. War lasts a lifetime."
\n
In May, I read about the unveiling of the memorial to the Dongji fishers in Zhejiang. Wynne was there, along with other families of the Lisbon Maru prisoners of war.
\n
"Establishing this memorial was my father's wish, shared by all the surviving British POWs," she told reporters. "Now our descendants are accessible to visit and remember ancestors' sacrifices and the rescuers' bravery, and take pride in this legacy."
\n
That was when I knew it was time to visit the twin memorial in England. This time, I brought my own family, and told them about the Lisbon Maru.
\n
When war ends, we shall remember. And as a reporter, I know the best way to remember is to tell a story — so it is not only carved in stone, but also etched in the heart.
At least 34 people died and more than 200 were missing following sudden, heavy rain in India-controlled Kashmir, officials said on Thursday, the second such disaster in the Himalayas this month. The incident occurred in Chasoti town of Kishtwar district, a stopover point on a popular pilgrimage route. It comes a little over a week after heavy floods and mudslide engulfed an entire village in the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand. India's deputy minister for science and technology, Jitendra Singh, said the floods were triggered by a cloudburst and "could result in substantial casualties".
\n
DPRK
\n
Pyongyang says won't remove loudspeakers
\n
The Democratic People's Republic of Korea has never removed loudspeakers installed along the border with the Republic of Korea and is not willing to remove them, the Korean Central News Agency reported on Thursday, citing a statement from a senior official. Kim Yo-jong, vice-department director of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, in a statement, criticized the ROK for spreading misleading narratives that the DPRK has removed loudspeakers installed on the southern border area, and creating a public opinion that bilateral relations are being "restored".
\n",
- "content": "
SOUTH ASIA
\n
Floods kill 34 in India-controlled Kashmir
\n
At least 34 people died and more than 200 were missing following sudden, heavy rain in India-controlled Kashmir, officials said on Thursday, the second such disaster in the Himalayas this month. The incident occurred in Chasoti town of Kishtwar district, a stopover point on a popular pilgrimage route. It comes a little over a week after heavy floods and mudslide engulfed an entire village in the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand. India's deputy minister for science and technology, Jitendra Singh, said the floods were triggered by a cloudburst and "could result in substantial casualties".
\n
DPRK
\n
Pyongyang says won't remove loudspeakers
\n
The Democratic People's Republic of Korea has never removed loudspeakers installed along the border with the Republic of Korea and is not willing to remove them, the Korean Central News Agency reported on Thursday, citing a statement from a senior official. Kim Yo-jong, vice-department director of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, in a statement, criticized the ROK for spreading misleading narratives that the DPRK has removed loudspeakers installed on the southern border area, and creating a public opinion that bilateral relations are being "restored".
Customers shop at a supermarket in New York City, on Tuesday.
\n
US companies such as Walmart, Nike, Ford, Macy's, Black & Decker, Procter & Gamble, and Adidas, as well as fast fashion stores Shein and Temu have announced price increases due to tariffs, forcing US consumers to pay more for goods.
\n
The companies said that the US' imposition of tariffs had raised their operating costs, forcing them to find ways to offset the levies, such as raising prices.
\n
Macy's slashed its 2025 profit outlook this year. CEO Tony Spring told investors on a first-quarter earnings call that it would raise prices because of tariffs. The retailer plans to close 150 underperforming stores nationwide by 2027.
\n
The July Consumer Price Index released on Tuesday by the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed that prices rose by a mild 2.7 percent on a 12-month basis.
\n
The key measure of underlying inflation rose in July as businesses navigated the levies. Although overall the increase was not as much as expected, economists said the impact is substantial.
\n
"A substantial portion, but not all, of the higher costs will be paid by US consumers," Tom Fullerton, an economist and professor at the University of Texas at El Paso, told China Daily. "Chinese companies and US importers will also see reduced profit margins, because not all of the tariffs will be completely passed on in the form of higher prices."
\n
Analysts also warned that the full impact of tariff increases on consumer prices is yet to unfold.
\n
Consumers absorbed 22 percent of tariff costs through June, Goldman Sachs economists said, while businesses bore nearly two-thirds of the tariffs. By October, the amount absorbed by consumers is expected to rise to 67 percent, the bank said.
\n
The latest data shows that core CPI rose 0.3 percent month-on-month, or 3.1 percent year-on-year. This is the highest level in six months. The costs of household goods, furniture and appliances, apparel and footwear were most affected by the tariffs.
\n
On Aug 7, the US administration rolled out its global tariffs on trade partners with rates ranging from 10 to 50 percent.
\n
The levies are on food, cars, clothes, electronics and more — much of which is imported, and this could mean that the average family will pay an extra $2,400 per year, the Budget Lab at Yale estimated.
\n
At least 90 percent of US citizens admitted to feeling "stressed" about the rising cost of groceries, an Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll found. Groceries got more expensive in every category from June 2024 to June 2025, BLS data shows.
\n
Pricier coffee
\n
Even caffeine lovers have been forced to wake up and smell the coffee after prices rose 2.2 percent month-over-month, CPI data showed. The US administration has placed a 50 percent tariff on imports from Brazil, a major source of coffee imports for the US.
\n
David A. Gantz, an economist at the Baker Institute at Rice University, told China Daily: "The tariffs will… be passed on to the consumers purchasing coffee in the supermarket and coffee shops."
\n
The impact of tariffs has also spread to retailers and automakers.
\n
Ford, for example, is set to make pricing adjustments in the near future, according to Bloomberg.
\n
So too is German carmaker Volkswagen, which reported a $1.5 billion loss in the first half of the year, after the tariffs were launched, ABC News reported. Sales in North America plunged 16 percent due to tariffs.
\n
Some shoppers at Walmart have reported on social media seeing price tags ripped off most garments as the retail giant quietly adjusted its prices, though it displays them more readily on its app. Walmart CEO Doug McMillon said in May that the company could not "absorb all the pressure given the reality of narrow retail margins".
\n
At least 75 percent of all toys, or $13.4 billion worth, were imported from China in 2024, according to the US Commerce Department. Toymakers Hasbro and Mattel warned that higher prices were on the way due to rising tariff costs.
\n
Nike said in a June earnings call that it would need to raise prices to offset a possible $1 billion in extra tariff costs in the 2026 fiscal year. Black & Decker, and Procter &Gamble are also raising prices. Retailer Target said in March that it would raise prices on groceries due to tariffs on Mexico and Canada, which ship in a lot of food items.
\n
belindarobinson@chinadailyusa.com
\n",
- "content": "
Customers shop at a supermarket in New York City, on Tuesday.
\n
US companies such as Walmart, Nike, Ford, Macy's, Black & Decker, Procter & Gamble, and Adidas, as well as fast fashion stores Shein and Temu have announced price increases due to tariffs, forcing US consumers to pay more for goods.
\n
The companies said that the US' imposition of tariffs had raised their operating costs, forcing them to find ways to offset the levies, such as raising prices.
\n
Macy's slashed its 2025 profit outlook this year. CEO Tony Spring told investors on a first-quarter earnings call that it would raise prices because of tariffs. The retailer plans to close 150 underperforming stores nationwide by 2027.
\n
The July Consumer Price Index released on Tuesday by the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed that prices rose by a mild 2.7 percent on a 12-month basis.
\n
The key measure of underlying inflation rose in July as businesses navigated the levies. Although overall the increase was not as much as expected, economists said the impact is substantial.
\n
"A substantial portion, but not all, of the higher costs will be paid by US consumers," Tom Fullerton, an economist and professor at the University of Texas at El Paso, told China Daily. "Chinese companies and US importers will also see reduced profit margins, because not all of the tariffs will be completely passed on in the form of higher prices."
\n
Analysts also warned that the full impact of tariff increases on consumer prices is yet to unfold.
\n
Consumers absorbed 22 percent of tariff costs through June, Goldman Sachs economists said, while businesses bore nearly two-thirds of the tariffs. By October, the amount absorbed by consumers is expected to rise to 67 percent, the bank said.
\n
The latest data shows that core CPI rose 0.3 percent month-on-month, or 3.1 percent year-on-year. This is the highest level in six months. The costs of household goods, furniture and appliances, apparel and footwear were most affected by the tariffs.
\n
On Aug 7, the US administration rolled out its global tariffs on trade partners with rates ranging from 10 to 50 percent.
\n
The levies are on food, cars, clothes, electronics and more — much of which is imported, and this could mean that the average family will pay an extra $2,400 per year, the Budget Lab at Yale estimated.
\n
At least 90 percent of US citizens admitted to feeling "stressed" about the rising cost of groceries, an Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll found. Groceries got more expensive in every category from June 2024 to June 2025, BLS data shows.
\n
Pricier coffee
\n
Even caffeine lovers have been forced to wake up and smell the coffee after prices rose 2.2 percent month-over-month, CPI data showed. The US administration has placed a 50 percent tariff on imports from Brazil, a major source of coffee imports for the US.
\n
David A. Gantz, an economist at the Baker Institute at Rice University, told China Daily: "The tariffs will… be passed on to the consumers purchasing coffee in the supermarket and coffee shops."
\n
The impact of tariffs has also spread to retailers and automakers.
\n
Ford, for example, is set to make pricing adjustments in the near future, according to Bloomberg.
\n
So too is German carmaker Volkswagen, which reported a $1.5 billion loss in the first half of the year, after the tariffs were launched, ABC News reported. Sales in North America plunged 16 percent due to tariffs.
\n
Some shoppers at Walmart have reported on social media seeing price tags ripped off most garments as the retail giant quietly adjusted its prices, though it displays them more readily on its app. Walmart CEO Doug McMillon said in May that the company could not "absorb all the pressure given the reality of narrow retail margins".
\n
At least 75 percent of all toys, or $13.4 billion worth, were imported from China in 2024, according to the US Commerce Department. Toymakers Hasbro and Mattel warned that higher prices were on the way due to rising tariff costs.
\n
Nike said in a June earnings call that it would need to raise prices to offset a possible $1 billion in extra tariff costs in the 2026 fiscal year. Black & Decker, and Procter &Gamble are also raising prices. Retailer Target said in March that it would raise prices on groceries due to tariffs on Mexico and Canada, which ship in a lot of food items.
Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (second from right) and other government officials pose for a group photo during a signing ceremony to enact the Sovereign Brazil Plan, an aid program to support companies affected by the US tariffs, at the Planalto presidential palace in Brasilia, Brazil, on Wednesday.
\n
BRASILIA — Brazil's government unveiled on Wednesday a long-awaited aid package for companies hurt by steep US tariffs, centered on credit lines for exporters and government purchases of products that face greater hurdles in finding alternative markets.
\n
US President Donald Trump hiked duties on several goods from Brazil to 50 percent from 10 percent earlier this month. Although some sectors were exempted from the steeper levies, the move is still set to hurt industries such as coffee, beef, seafood, textiles, footwear and fruit.
\n
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva had already signaled his administration would not immediately retaliate against the tariff hike, instead prioritizing support for the most affected sectors.
\n
"We will insist on negotiating …but our sovereignty is untouchable," Lula told an event in Brasilia, saying he was open to talks on topics such as ethanol trade.
\n
"We are not announcing reciprocity measures. We don't want, at first, to do anything that could justify worsening our relations," the leader added.
\n
The centerpiece of the aid plan is a 30 billion-real ($5.55 billion) credit line via the existing Export Guarantee Fund, which is managed by state development bank BNDES, according to a statement.
\n
The government will also make additional contributions totaling 4.5 billion reais to strengthen some funds supporting aid for smaller companies, it added.
\n
The measures are part of an executive order signed by Lula, which takes effect immediately but must be approved by Congress within four months to remain in force.
\n
'Palliative but necessary'
\n
Ricardo Alban, the chairman of the Brazilian industry confederation, said he hopes "this plan is behind us as quickly as possible".He described it as "palliative, but necessary".
\n
"Nothing justifies us being on the lowest of tariffs to going to the highest of tariffs," Alban said.
\n
Brazil was among the nations hardest hit by Trump's tariffs.
\n
Washington exempted key goods such as aircraft, orange juice, oil and pulp from the higher rate, but products like coffee and beef, of which Brazil is a major US supplier, are now subject to the full rate, which took effect last week.
\n
Trump imposed the levies on US imports from Brazil largely in response to a Brazilian legal case he has accused of being a "witch hunt "against former president Jair Bolsonaro, who is on trial for allegedly plotting to overturn the 2022 election after his supporters overran government buildings.
\n
Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who is overseeing the case, said that he would continue to do his job and that Brazil's top court would not submit itself to foreign coercion and that it would guard the country's constitution.
\n
Brazil's new aid program also eases the tax burden on exporters to help them remain competitive in the US, a measure in place through the end of next year that the government estimated would cost 5 billion reais in foregone revenue.
\n
The plan extends the timeframe for using tax credits under the "drawback" regime, which reimburses import taxes on inputs used in the production of exported goods.
\n",
- "content": "
Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (second from right) and other government officials pose for a group photo during a signing ceremony to enact the Sovereign Brazil Plan, an aid program to support companies affected by the US tariffs, at the Planalto presidential palace in Brasilia, Brazil, on Wednesday.
\n
BRASILIA — Brazil's government unveiled on Wednesday a long-awaited aid package for companies hurt by steep US tariffs, centered on credit lines for exporters and government purchases of products that face greater hurdles in finding alternative markets.
\n
US President Donald Trump hiked duties on several goods from Brazil to 50 percent from 10 percent earlier this month. Although some sectors were exempted from the steeper levies, the move is still set to hurt industries such as coffee, beef, seafood, textiles, footwear and fruit.
\n
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva had already signaled his administration would not immediately retaliate against the tariff hike, instead prioritizing support for the most affected sectors.
\n
"We will insist on negotiating …but our sovereignty is untouchable," Lula told an event in Brasilia, saying he was open to talks on topics such as ethanol trade.
\n
"We are not announcing reciprocity measures. We don't want, at first, to do anything that could justify worsening our relations," the leader added.
\n
The centerpiece of the aid plan is a 30 billion-real ($5.55 billion) credit line via the existing Export Guarantee Fund, which is managed by state development bank BNDES, according to a statement.
\n
The government will also make additional contributions totaling 4.5 billion reais to strengthen some funds supporting aid for smaller companies, it added.
\n
The measures are part of an executive order signed by Lula, which takes effect immediately but must be approved by Congress within four months to remain in force.
\n
'Palliative but necessary'
\n
Ricardo Alban, the chairman of the Brazilian industry confederation, said he hopes "this plan is behind us as quickly as possible".He described it as "palliative, but necessary".
\n
"Nothing justifies us being on the lowest of tariffs to going to the highest of tariffs," Alban said.
\n
Brazil was among the nations hardest hit by Trump's tariffs.
\n
Washington exempted key goods such as aircraft, orange juice, oil and pulp from the higher rate, but products like coffee and beef, of which Brazil is a major US supplier, are now subject to the full rate, which took effect last week.
\n
Trump imposed the levies on US imports from Brazil largely in response to a Brazilian legal case he has accused of being a "witch hunt "against former president Jair Bolsonaro, who is on trial for allegedly plotting to overturn the 2022 election after his supporters overran government buildings.
\n
Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who is overseeing the case, said that he would continue to do his job and that Brazil's top court would not submit itself to foreign coercion and that it would guard the country's constitution.
\n
Brazil's new aid program also eases the tax burden on exporters to help them remain competitive in the US, a measure in place through the end of next year that the government estimated would cost 5 billion reais in foregone revenue.
\n
The plan extends the timeframe for using tax credits under the "drawback" regime, which reimburses import taxes on inputs used in the production of exported goods.
Zeng Jixin (left), head of China's office to the State of Palestine, shakes hands with Karim Amer, director of partnerships with the UNRWA Department of External Relations, after signing a contribution agreement in Amman, Jordan, on Wednesday.
\n
The Arab League and the Gulf Cooperation Council have rejected Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's "Greater Israel "remarks, denouncing the rhetoric as stemming from an "extremist mindset steeped in colonial delusions and a dangerous expansionist approach".
\n
They also said such rhetoric constitutes a violation of the sovereignty of Arab states and an attempt to undermine security and stability in the region.
\n
Secretary-General of the GCC Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi stressed that such dangerous statements and plans "clearly reveal the dangerous approach pursued by the occupation authorities", as he underlined the categorical rejection of the GCC countries of any attempts to prejudice the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of Arab countries.
\n
Netanyahu's remarks were made in response to an interview with i24News, which aired on Tuesday, after he was asked if he "feels a connection" to a "vision" of "Greater Israel" and to which he responded "very much", the Times of Israel reported.
\n
His comments also come as farright Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced that he plans to approve tenders to build more than 3,000 homes that would connect Jerusalem and the existing Israeli settlement of Maale Adumim, located several kilometers to the east that would "bury the Palestinian state".
\n
Palestine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates condemned Israel's issuance of tenders for the construction of thousands of new colonial units.
\n
In a statement on Thursday, the ministry said the tenders are part of Israel's plan "to undermine the possibility of establishing a Palestinian state, undermine its geographic and demographic unity, and perpetuate the division of the West Bank into isolated areas, submerged in a colonial environment to facilitate its eventual annexation".
\n
The ministry appealed to the international community to intervene and impose sanctions "to force the occupation to halt its plans, comply with the international consensus on resolving the Palestinian issue, halt genocide, displacement, and annexation, and enable the Palestinians to achieve their right to self-determination".
\n
Ayman Yousef, a professor of international relations at the Arab American University in Jenin, West Bank, told China Daily that Netanyahu's public statements on expanding the "project of Greater Israel", though nothing new, at this stage "give different lessons".
\n
One could be to the Israeli public opinion that Netanyahu is an inspirational leader. The other even may be to the US administration, that there is an alliance of Israeli rightists and their US supporters, said Yousef.
\n
The third message is "to the Israeli army, to be ready for new adventures. Maybe in Syria and Lebanon and even Jordan", he added.
\n
The latest moves and policies by senior Israeli officials have narrowed the room for diplomacy as they all happen just weeks before a major United Nations conference on recognizing Palestinian statehood is set to take place in New York next month and as negotiations for reaching a Gaza truce continue in Cairo and Doha this week.
\n
However, Israeli killings are continuing in Gaza, with Al Jazeera reporting at least 23 Palestinians have died in Israeli attacks in the besieged enclave since dawn on Thursday. Among the victims were 10 people who were seeking aid.
\n
Crisis for aid groups
\n
International aid organizations are also not pushing back on their claims that lifesaving supplies being allowed by Israel are just a drop in the ocean, ignoring Israeli claims that say otherwise.
\n
More than 100 aid groups — including Oxfam, Caritas Internationalis, and Doctors Without Borders — issued a joint statement on Thursday, calling on Israel to "end the weaponization of aid", including through bureaucratic obstruction, and for the immediate and unconditional opening of all land crossings for the delivery of lifesaving aid.
\n
On Wednesday, China signed an agreement to contribute to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, or UNRWA, and called for continued international support for the body, which says it faces an "existential crisis" from the war in Gaza and a severe funding gap.
\n
The contribution agreement, part of Beijing's annual donation, was signed in the Jordanian capital by Zeng Jixin, head of China's office to the State of Palestine, and Karim Amer, UNRWA's director of partnerships.
\n
Zeng said China has increased its annual donation and provided medical supplies and other aid since the Gaza conflict erupted.
\n
Xinhua contributed to this story.
\n
jan@chinadailyapac.com
\n",
- "content": "
Zeng Jixin (left), head of China's office to the State of Palestine, shakes hands with Karim Amer, director of partnerships with the UNRWA Department of External Relations, after signing a contribution agreement in Amman, Jordan, on Wednesday.
\n
The Arab League and the Gulf Cooperation Council have rejected Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's "Greater Israel "remarks, denouncing the rhetoric as stemming from an "extremist mindset steeped in colonial delusions and a dangerous expansionist approach".
\n
They also said such rhetoric constitutes a violation of the sovereignty of Arab states and an attempt to undermine security and stability in the region.
\n
Secretary-General of the GCC Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi stressed that such dangerous statements and plans "clearly reveal the dangerous approach pursued by the occupation authorities", as he underlined the categorical rejection of the GCC countries of any attempts to prejudice the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of Arab countries.
\n
Netanyahu's remarks were made in response to an interview with i24News, which aired on Tuesday, after he was asked if he "feels a connection" to a "vision" of "Greater Israel" and to which he responded "very much", the Times of Israel reported.
\n
His comments also come as farright Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced that he plans to approve tenders to build more than 3,000 homes that would connect Jerusalem and the existing Israeli settlement of Maale Adumim, located several kilometers to the east that would "bury the Palestinian state".
\n
Palestine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates condemned Israel's issuance of tenders for the construction of thousands of new colonial units.
\n
In a statement on Thursday, the ministry said the tenders are part of Israel's plan "to undermine the possibility of establishing a Palestinian state, undermine its geographic and demographic unity, and perpetuate the division of the West Bank into isolated areas, submerged in a colonial environment to facilitate its eventual annexation".
\n
The ministry appealed to the international community to intervene and impose sanctions "to force the occupation to halt its plans, comply with the international consensus on resolving the Palestinian issue, halt genocide, displacement, and annexation, and enable the Palestinians to achieve their right to self-determination".
\n
Ayman Yousef, a professor of international relations at the Arab American University in Jenin, West Bank, told China Daily that Netanyahu's public statements on expanding the "project of Greater Israel", though nothing new, at this stage "give different lessons".
\n
One could be to the Israeli public opinion that Netanyahu is an inspirational leader. The other even may be to the US administration, that there is an alliance of Israeli rightists and their US supporters, said Yousef.
\n
The third message is "to the Israeli army, to be ready for new adventures. Maybe in Syria and Lebanon and even Jordan", he added.
\n
The latest moves and policies by senior Israeli officials have narrowed the room for diplomacy as they all happen just weeks before a major United Nations conference on recognizing Palestinian statehood is set to take place in New York next month and as negotiations for reaching a Gaza truce continue in Cairo and Doha this week.
\n
However, Israeli killings are continuing in Gaza, with Al Jazeera reporting at least 23 Palestinians have died in Israeli attacks in the besieged enclave since dawn on Thursday. Among the victims were 10 people who were seeking aid.
\n
Crisis for aid groups
\n
International aid organizations are also not pushing back on their claims that lifesaving supplies being allowed by Israel are just a drop in the ocean, ignoring Israeli claims that say otherwise.
\n
More than 100 aid groups — including Oxfam, Caritas Internationalis, and Doctors Without Borders — issued a joint statement on Thursday, calling on Israel to "end the weaponization of aid", including through bureaucratic obstruction, and for the immediate and unconditional opening of all land crossings for the delivery of lifesaving aid.
\n
On Wednesday, China signed an agreement to contribute to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, or UNRWA, and called for continued international support for the body, which says it faces an "existential crisis" from the war in Gaza and a severe funding gap.
\n
The contribution agreement, part of Beijing's annual donation, was signed in the Jordanian capital by Zeng Jixin, head of China's office to the State of Palestine, and Karim Amer, UNRWA's director of partnerships.
\n
Zeng said China has increased its annual donation and provided medical supplies and other aid since the Gaza conflict erupted.
LAMPEDUSA, Italy — Rescue vessels resumed a desperate search on Thursday for migrants missing at sea after two crowded boats sank off the Italian island of Lampedusa, with 27 dead already confirmed.
\n
Sixty survivors were brought to shore on Wednesday, two of them taken by helicopter to Sicily for treatment and the others held in the reception centre on the island, according to the Red Cross.
\n
"Of the 58, 21 are minors. They spent a quiet night and are generally in good health," said Imad Dalil, the Red Cross official who runs the reception centre.
\n
The majority are Somali, with a few Egyptians, he added.
\n
Authorities have started efforts to identify the bodies found so far.
\n
Around 95 people were on the boats according to the UN, with the number of confirmed dead rising to 27 overnight, suggesting around eight people were missing.
\n
"At least 27 people have drowned in a tragic shipwreck near Lampedusa," said Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, in a social media statement.
\n
"Over 700 refugees and migrants have now died in 2025 in the Central Mediterranean," he said. "All responses — rescue at sea, safe pathways, helping transit countries and addressing root causes — must be strengthened."
\n
First port of call
\n
Lampedusa, just 145 kilometers off the coast of Tunisia, is often the first port of call for people trying to reach Europe in leaky or overcrowded boats.
\n
An Italian helicopter spotted a capsized boat and several bodies in the water on Wednesday, about 14 nautical miles off Lampedusa, the coastguard said.
\n
The boats had left Tripoli, Libya, earlier in the day, it said.
\n
According to survivors, one of the boats started taking on water, causing people to climb onto the other boat, which then capsized.
\n
A newborn baby was among the dead, according to Italian news reports.
\n
Five vessels searched for survivors, including one from the EU's Frontex border agency, alongside a helicopter and two aircraft.
\n
Despite the tragedy, the boats kept coming, with four others intercepted off Lampedusa overnight, according to the Red Cross.
\n
A total of 240 people are currently being held in the reception centre waiting for processing, Dalil said.
\n
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni offered her "deepest condolences "to the victims and vowed to step up efforts to tackle migrant traffickers.
\n
Her government took office in October 2022, vowing to cut the number of migrants crossing the Mediterranean to Europe.
\n
As part of this, it has cut deals with North African countries from which migrants embark, providing funding and training in exchange for help in stemming departures.
\n
Meloni said stepping up rescue efforts was not enough to tackle the scourge of trafficking, saying this could be done only by "preventing irregular departures and managing migration flows".
\n
More than 38,500 people have arrived on Italian shores so far this year, according to interior ministry figures.
\n
This is slightly up on last year, but significantly less than the 100,000 reported by the same time in 2023.
LAMPEDUSA, Italy — Rescue vessels resumed a desperate search on Thursday for migrants missing at sea after two crowded boats sank off the Italian island of Lampedusa, with 27 dead already confirmed.
\n
Sixty survivors were brought to shore on Wednesday, two of them taken by helicopter to Sicily for treatment and the others held in the reception centre on the island, according to the Red Cross.
\n
"Of the 58, 21 are minors. They spent a quiet night and are generally in good health," said Imad Dalil, the Red Cross official who runs the reception centre.
\n
The majority are Somali, with a few Egyptians, he added.
\n
Authorities have started efforts to identify the bodies found so far.
\n
Around 95 people were on the boats according to the UN, with the number of confirmed dead rising to 27 overnight, suggesting around eight people were missing.
\n
"At least 27 people have drowned in a tragic shipwreck near Lampedusa," said Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, in a social media statement.
\n
"Over 700 refugees and migrants have now died in 2025 in the Central Mediterranean," he said. "All responses — rescue at sea, safe pathways, helping transit countries and addressing root causes — must be strengthened."
\n
First port of call
\n
Lampedusa, just 145 kilometers off the coast of Tunisia, is often the first port of call for people trying to reach Europe in leaky or overcrowded boats.
\n
An Italian helicopter spotted a capsized boat and several bodies in the water on Wednesday, about 14 nautical miles off Lampedusa, the coastguard said.
\n
The boats had left Tripoli, Libya, earlier in the day, it said.
\n
According to survivors, one of the boats started taking on water, causing people to climb onto the other boat, which then capsized.
\n
A newborn baby was among the dead, according to Italian news reports.
\n
Five vessels searched for survivors, including one from the EU's Frontex border agency, alongside a helicopter and two aircraft.
\n
Despite the tragedy, the boats kept coming, with four others intercepted off Lampedusa overnight, according to the Red Cross.
\n
A total of 240 people are currently being held in the reception centre waiting for processing, Dalil said.
\n
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni offered her "deepest condolences "to the victims and vowed to step up efforts to tackle migrant traffickers.
\n
Her government took office in October 2022, vowing to cut the number of migrants crossing the Mediterranean to Europe.
\n
As part of this, it has cut deals with North African countries from which migrants embark, providing funding and training in exchange for help in stemming departures.
\n
Meloni said stepping up rescue efforts was not enough to tackle the scourge of trafficking, saying this could be done only by "preventing irregular departures and managing migration flows".
\n
More than 38,500 people have arrived on Italian shores so far this year, according to interior ministry figures.
\n
This is slightly up on last year, but significantly less than the 100,000 reported by the same time in 2023.
Medical robots at the world's first embodied intelligent robot 4S store which opened in Beijing on Aug 8.
\n
A bus fills up with hydrogen in Beijing's Daxing International Hydrogen Energy Demonstration Zone.
\n
Beijing will advance 110 key tasks across six frontiers — information, health, manufacturing, energy, materials and space, propelling the city's future industries into an accelerated phase this year.
\n
Gu Jinxu, deputy director of the Beijing Bureau of Economy and Information Technology, made the remarks at a recent news conference.
\n
Within the future information segment, for example, the city will push forward the development of an original innovation hub for artificial intelligence. It aims to achieve breakthroughs in multimodal AI, embodied intelligence and world models, while mapping out disruptive technological pathways such as brain-inspired computing and optoelectronic computing.
\n
AI will also be integrated into multiple scenarios to empower new industrialization. The city will press ahead with building a national AI pilot zone and foster the Haidian cluster for advanced AI manufacturing.
\n
As early as September 2023, Beijing released an implementation plan for the innovative development of future industries, outlining specific directions and execution routes.
\n
Over the past year or so, with joint efforts from municipal departments and district governments, the industrial landscape has become clearer, and a steady stream of new technologies, products, and application scenarios has emerged.
\n
A policy system targeting the segmented fields of future industries has been established. Based on one overarching plan, the city has rolled out 38 targeted policy measures in 15 domains, including 6G, brain-computer interfaces and novel energy storage. It is also exploring new ground in atomic-level manufacturing and other emerging sectors.
\n
"Following the full trajectory from conception to growth, and from basic research to industrialization, Beijing has set up 31 innovation platforms across 17 fields," Gu said. Since 2024, the city has established the Beijing Hydrogen General Aviation Innovation Research Institute, which has deployed major facilities in hydrogen energy and synthetic biology; upgraded its humanoid robot innovation center into a joint ministry-municipal initiative; and built 10 future-industry incubation bases in AI, optoelectronics, and related areas.
\n
Distinctive future industrial clusters are now taking shape in Beijing. Haidian district is home to more than 1,300 core AI enterprises, serving as China's major engine for AI technological breakthroughs and application deployment.
\n
The Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area has built the city's High-Level Autonomous Driving Demonstration Zone, while the main structure of Beijing Rocket Street — the nation's first commercial aerospace research and production complex — has been fully capped.
\n
Additionally, Shijingshan district hosts the nation's first metaverse digital experience complex, which has welcomed about 1 million visits. Daxing district's International Hydrogen Energy Demonstration Zone covers the entire industry chain from production, storage and transportation to refueling and utilization. Meanwhile, Fangshan district is developing a new energy storage demonstration zone, and Changping district has attracted more than 70 energy technology giants.
\n
Tang Chao, deputy director of the Zhongguancun Science Park Administrative Commission and vice-mayor of Haidian, explained that Haidian is active across all six future-industry frontiers, spanning general AI, embodied intelligence, commercial aerospace and quantum information.
\n
In commercial aerospace, for instance, nearly 100 satellites currently in orbit — close to one-third of the national total — are from Haidian. In quantum information, the district has built the country's first quantum incubator and Beijing's first quantum industrial park.
\n
Furthermore, Beijing has forged a full-cycle capital system integrating government guidance funds, specialized funds and diversified financial services. As of mid-March, eight newly established municipal government guidance funds have supported 84 future industry projects, accounting for 56 percent of all invested initiatives.
\n
On Aug 1, Beijing released fresh measures to establish an investment mechanism for future industries, pledging to leverage the city's strengths in education, science and talent to coordinate resource inputs and boost productivity.
\n
The city will tap into its megacity-scale scenario incubation capacity, rolling out demonstration projects in urban transport, medical care, green energy and public services. It will also focus on planning new scenarios in general AI, humanoid robots, 6G and quantum information.
\n
Beijing will refine its engineering-oriented technology transfer system, encouraging universities and research institutes to collaborate with enterprises on laboratory technology verification and process optimization.
\n
Enterprises will be encouraged to partner with end-users for trials of their yet-to-be-finalized innovations, promoting product iteration and maturation. Innovations first put into use nationwide will receive subsidies.
\n
Looking ahead, Beijing will benchmark global advanced standards to achieve breakthroughs in the architecture and algorithms of large AI models and make landmark progress in key sectors. It will accelerate the design and research of optical chips, devices and modules, said Li Zhilei, an official at the Beijing Municipal Science and Technology Commission and the Administrative Commission of Zhongguancun Science Park.
\n
Meanwhile, the city will conduct forward-looking research on AI-enabled fusion technology and speed up the industrialization of major achievements such as high-temperature superconducting magnets and iron-based superconducting materials.
\n
haonan@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
- "content": "
Medical robots at the world's first embodied intelligent robot 4S store which opened in Beijing on Aug 8.
\n
A bus fills up with hydrogen in Beijing's Daxing International Hydrogen Energy Demonstration Zone.
\n
Beijing will advance 110 key tasks across six frontiers — information, health, manufacturing, energy, materials and space, propelling the city's future industries into an accelerated phase this year.
\n
Gu Jinxu, deputy director of the Beijing Bureau of Economy and Information Technology, made the remarks at a recent news conference.
\n
Within the future information segment, for example, the city will push forward the development of an original innovation hub for artificial intelligence. It aims to achieve breakthroughs in multimodal AI, embodied intelligence and world models, while mapping out disruptive technological pathways such as brain-inspired computing and optoelectronic computing.
\n
AI will also be integrated into multiple scenarios to empower new industrialization. The city will press ahead with building a national AI pilot zone and foster the Haidian cluster for advanced AI manufacturing.
\n
As early as September 2023, Beijing released an implementation plan for the innovative development of future industries, outlining specific directions and execution routes.
\n
Over the past year or so, with joint efforts from municipal departments and district governments, the industrial landscape has become clearer, and a steady stream of new technologies, products, and application scenarios has emerged.
\n
A policy system targeting the segmented fields of future industries has been established. Based on one overarching plan, the city has rolled out 38 targeted policy measures in 15 domains, including 6G, brain-computer interfaces and novel energy storage. It is also exploring new ground in atomic-level manufacturing and other emerging sectors.
\n
"Following the full trajectory from conception to growth, and from basic research to industrialization, Beijing has set up 31 innovation platforms across 17 fields," Gu said. Since 2024, the city has established the Beijing Hydrogen General Aviation Innovation Research Institute, which has deployed major facilities in hydrogen energy and synthetic biology; upgraded its humanoid robot innovation center into a joint ministry-municipal initiative; and built 10 future-industry incubation bases in AI, optoelectronics, and related areas.
\n
Distinctive future industrial clusters are now taking shape in Beijing. Haidian district is home to more than 1,300 core AI enterprises, serving as China's major engine for AI technological breakthroughs and application deployment.
\n
The Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area has built the city's High-Level Autonomous Driving Demonstration Zone, while the main structure of Beijing Rocket Street — the nation's first commercial aerospace research and production complex — has been fully capped.
\n
Additionally, Shijingshan district hosts the nation's first metaverse digital experience complex, which has welcomed about 1 million visits. Daxing district's International Hydrogen Energy Demonstration Zone covers the entire industry chain from production, storage and transportation to refueling and utilization. Meanwhile, Fangshan district is developing a new energy storage demonstration zone, and Changping district has attracted more than 70 energy technology giants.
\n
Tang Chao, deputy director of the Zhongguancun Science Park Administrative Commission and vice-mayor of Haidian, explained that Haidian is active across all six future-industry frontiers, spanning general AI, embodied intelligence, commercial aerospace and quantum information.
\n
In commercial aerospace, for instance, nearly 100 satellites currently in orbit — close to one-third of the national total — are from Haidian. In quantum information, the district has built the country's first quantum incubator and Beijing's first quantum industrial park.
\n
Furthermore, Beijing has forged a full-cycle capital system integrating government guidance funds, specialized funds and diversified financial services. As of mid-March, eight newly established municipal government guidance funds have supported 84 future industry projects, accounting for 56 percent of all invested initiatives.
\n
On Aug 1, Beijing released fresh measures to establish an investment mechanism for future industries, pledging to leverage the city's strengths in education, science and talent to coordinate resource inputs and boost productivity.
\n
The city will tap into its megacity-scale scenario incubation capacity, rolling out demonstration projects in urban transport, medical care, green energy and public services. It will also focus on planning new scenarios in general AI, humanoid robots, 6G and quantum information.
\n
Beijing will refine its engineering-oriented technology transfer system, encouraging universities and research institutes to collaborate with enterprises on laboratory technology verification and process optimization.
\n
Enterprises will be encouraged to partner with end-users for trials of their yet-to-be-finalized innovations, promoting product iteration and maturation. Innovations first put into use nationwide will receive subsidies.
\n
Looking ahead, Beijing will benchmark global advanced standards to achieve breakthroughs in the architecture and algorithms of large AI models and make landmark progress in key sectors. It will accelerate the design and research of optical chips, devices and modules, said Li Zhilei, an official at the Beijing Municipal Science and Technology Commission and the Administrative Commission of Zhongguancun Science Park.
\n
Meanwhile, the city will conduct forward-looking research on AI-enabled fusion technology and speed up the industrialization of major achievements such as high-temperature superconducting magnets and iron-based superconducting materials.
Visitors interact with an intelligent robot imitating Confucius at the 2025 World Robot Conference in Beijing on Aug 8.
\n
Since robots are a crucial driving force in developing new quality productive forces and shaping an intelligent lifestyle, Beijing has been leveraging its technological and talent strengths to accelerate the development of common technologies, expand application scenarios, build industry exchange platforms, and continuously enhance the supply of essential resources in this field.
\n
As a result, the city's robotics industry ranks among the top in China, Beijing Mayor Yin Yong said at the opening ceremony of the 2025 World Robot Conference.
\n
The event, held from Aug 8 to 12, was jointly hosted by the Chinese Institute of Electronics and the World Robot Cooperation Organization in the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area, also known as Beijing E-Town.
\n
It featured an exhibition area of approximately 50,000 square meters, comprising three main halls focused on innovation, application, and technology.
\n
Over 200 domestic and international robotics companies showcased more than 1,500 exhibits, with over 100 new products making their debut. Among the participants were 50 humanoid robot companies, the highest number among similar exhibitions worldwide.
\n
In the exhibition area of the Beijing Innovation Center of Humanoid Robotics, different models of heterogeneous robots carried out cross-scenario collaborative operations through the coordination of Huisi Kaiwu, the world's first general embodied intelligence platform.
\n
Experts noted that this breaks the traditional barrier of "one machine for one post", marking an evolution from individual intelligence to group intelligence.
\n
Jeff Burnstein, president of the Association for Advancing Automation in the United States, witnessed remarkable changes at this year's conference, one of the most noticeable being the significant increase in international participants. He added that since its inception, the conference has now grown into a truly global event.
\n
Today, the robotics industry is on the verge of large-scale industrialization. The guiding opinions on the innovative development of humanoid robots, released by China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, state that by 2027, the humanoid robot industry is expected to achieve larger-scale growth, with related products deeply integrated into the real economy and becoming an important engine for economic growth.
\n
In response, Beijing aims to build an internationally influential hub for robotics innovation. It will collaborate with Tianjin and Hebei to strategically position key components, promoting the gradual development of high-level, large-scale production capabilities for humanoid robots.
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It also plans to establish the first national-level testing and verification platform for humanoid robots, continuously enhance the brand influence of major events such as the World Robot Conference and the World Humanoid Robot Games, and take the lead in setting up specialized robot service institutions to become a global benchmark city for human-robot collaboration.
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As for the World Humanoid Robot Games, Beijing is hosting the event at the National Speed Skating Oval, known as the "Ice Ribbon". A total of 280 teams from 16 countries, featuring over 500 humanoid robots, will compete in 487 events, including running, basketball, dance, martial arts, and industrial material handling.
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The "Panda Eye" training base — the world's first professional venue for humanoid robot football — was recently officially unveiled. Guo Yonghao, executive deputy director of the Games' organizing committee, said its semi-transparent design allows precise control of temperature, humidity, and cleanliness.
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The base can create a laboratory-level stable competitive environment for robots while allowing natural sunlight, moonlight, and starlight to shine through, he added.
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Located on the southwestern side of the "Ice Ribbon", the ROBOLAND camp is expected to become a future hub for the humanoid robot industry. It is designed to promote domestic and international industrial cooperation and exchange, supporting the sustainable development of the robotics sector.
Visitors interact with an intelligent robot imitating Confucius at the 2025 World Robot Conference in Beijing on Aug 8.
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Since robots are a crucial driving force in developing new quality productive forces and shaping an intelligent lifestyle, Beijing has been leveraging its technological and talent strengths to accelerate the development of common technologies, expand application scenarios, build industry exchange platforms, and continuously enhance the supply of essential resources in this field.
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As a result, the city's robotics industry ranks among the top in China, Beijing Mayor Yin Yong said at the opening ceremony of the 2025 World Robot Conference.
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The event, held from Aug 8 to 12, was jointly hosted by the Chinese Institute of Electronics and the World Robot Cooperation Organization in the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area, also known as Beijing E-Town.
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It featured an exhibition area of approximately 50,000 square meters, comprising three main halls focused on innovation, application, and technology.
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Over 200 domestic and international robotics companies showcased more than 1,500 exhibits, with over 100 new products making their debut. Among the participants were 50 humanoid robot companies, the highest number among similar exhibitions worldwide.
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In the exhibition area of the Beijing Innovation Center of Humanoid Robotics, different models of heterogeneous robots carried out cross-scenario collaborative operations through the coordination of Huisi Kaiwu, the world's first general embodied intelligence platform.
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Experts noted that this breaks the traditional barrier of "one machine for one post", marking an evolution from individual intelligence to group intelligence.
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Jeff Burnstein, president of the Association for Advancing Automation in the United States, witnessed remarkable changes at this year's conference, one of the most noticeable being the significant increase in international participants. He added that since its inception, the conference has now grown into a truly global event.
\n
Today, the robotics industry is on the verge of large-scale industrialization. The guiding opinions on the innovative development of humanoid robots, released by China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, state that by 2027, the humanoid robot industry is expected to achieve larger-scale growth, with related products deeply integrated into the real economy and becoming an important engine for economic growth.
\n
In response, Beijing aims to build an internationally influential hub for robotics innovation. It will collaborate with Tianjin and Hebei to strategically position key components, promoting the gradual development of high-level, large-scale production capabilities for humanoid robots.
\n
It also plans to establish the first national-level testing and verification platform for humanoid robots, continuously enhance the brand influence of major events such as the World Robot Conference and the World Humanoid Robot Games, and take the lead in setting up specialized robot service institutions to become a global benchmark city for human-robot collaboration.
\n
As for the World Humanoid Robot Games, Beijing is hosting the event at the National Speed Skating Oval, known as the "Ice Ribbon". A total of 280 teams from 16 countries, featuring over 500 humanoid robots, will compete in 487 events, including running, basketball, dance, martial arts, and industrial material handling.
\n
The "Panda Eye" training base — the world's first professional venue for humanoid robot football — was recently officially unveiled. Guo Yonghao, executive deputy director of the Games' organizing committee, said its semi-transparent design allows precise control of temperature, humidity, and cleanliness.
\n
The base can create a laboratory-level stable competitive environment for robots while allowing natural sunlight, moonlight, and starlight to shine through, he added.
\n
Located on the southwestern side of the "Ice Ribbon", the ROBOLAND camp is expected to become a future hub for the humanoid robot industry. It is designed to promote domestic and international industrial cooperation and exchange, supporting the sustainable development of the robotics sector.
An autonomous car drives through the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area.
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Beijing is taking the lead in advancing autonomous driving technology in China. The city's High-Level Autonomous Driving Demonstration Zone has expanded from just two roads to 60 square kilometers in the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area, also known as Beijing E-Town, and 600 sq km across three districts. This expansion has significantly increased the number of test vehicles, total safe driving mileage, and diversity of scenarios.
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In E-Town, driverless minibuses are in operation. On a typical 5-km route, they can identify traffic lights and give way to pedestrians without human control. They can also anticipate and respond to sudden stops by other vehicles and seamlessly interact with various unmanned vehicles, such as passenger cars, delivery vehicles, and patrol cars.
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In September 2020, Beijing launched the construction of China's first high-level autopilot zone, providing an urban-level testing platform for this emerging technology. So far, the demonstration zone has implemented eight driving scenarios and attracted 35 autonomous driving enterprises, with cumulative mileage exceeding 38 million km.
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Beijing Daxing International Airport and Beijing South Railway Station have also introduced regular autonomous shuttle services, offering travelers a smart, efficient option for catching flights and high-speed trains.
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"Following the demonstration zone, Beijing has accelerated the establishment of the country's first intelligent connected vehicle policy pilot zone, accelerating the testing of new technologies, scenarios, products and models," said a spokesperson from the city's autonomous driving office.
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As part of Beijing's broader initiative to enhance artificial intelligence capabilities, local autonomous vehicle enterprises are expanding overseas. For instance, Uisee, a leading company in the sector, has deployed driverless buses in six countries and regions, achieving a cumulative driverless mileage of 5.8 million km. The company's buses now operate in over 20 airports worldwide, including Hamad International Airport in Qatar and Changi Airport in Singapore.
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Autonomous driving is just one facet of Beijing's ambition to become a leading AI city. At the Beijing Academy of Artificial Intelligence, researchers are pushing the boundaries of multimodal world models.
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"The key for AI to truly evolve to the next stage is transitioning from the digital world to the physical world. We are trying to answer a more cutting-edge and grand proposition: how to make AI truly perceive, understand, and influence the physical world," said Wang Zhongyuan, dean of the academy.
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Han Jian, director of the information technology department at the Zhongguancun Science Park Administrative Commission, said the city is committed to fostering original innovation; exploring frontier fields such as embodied intelligence and AI-powered healthcare; and strengthening the technological reserves needed for future industries.
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By 2024, the capital was home to more than 2,400 AI enterprises, with a core industrial scale nearing 350 billion yuan ($48.7 billion), accounting for over half of the national total.
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In the future, Beijing aims to become a globally influential hub for AI innovation and a new growth engine for the industry, delivering advances that benefit people worldwide, according to local officials.
\n",
- "content": "
An autonomous car drives through the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area.
\n
Beijing is taking the lead in advancing autonomous driving technology in China. The city's High-Level Autonomous Driving Demonstration Zone has expanded from just two roads to 60 square kilometers in the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area, also known as Beijing E-Town, and 600 sq km across three districts. This expansion has significantly increased the number of test vehicles, total safe driving mileage, and diversity of scenarios.
\n
In E-Town, driverless minibuses are in operation. On a typical 5-km route, they can identify traffic lights and give way to pedestrians without human control. They can also anticipate and respond to sudden stops by other vehicles and seamlessly interact with various unmanned vehicles, such as passenger cars, delivery vehicles, and patrol cars.
\n
In September 2020, Beijing launched the construction of China's first high-level autopilot zone, providing an urban-level testing platform for this emerging technology. So far, the demonstration zone has implemented eight driving scenarios and attracted 35 autonomous driving enterprises, with cumulative mileage exceeding 38 million km.
\n
Beijing Daxing International Airport and Beijing South Railway Station have also introduced regular autonomous shuttle services, offering travelers a smart, efficient option for catching flights and high-speed trains.
\n
"Following the demonstration zone, Beijing has accelerated the establishment of the country's first intelligent connected vehicle policy pilot zone, accelerating the testing of new technologies, scenarios, products and models," said a spokesperson from the city's autonomous driving office.
\n
As part of Beijing's broader initiative to enhance artificial intelligence capabilities, local autonomous vehicle enterprises are expanding overseas. For instance, Uisee, a leading company in the sector, has deployed driverless buses in six countries and regions, achieving a cumulative driverless mileage of 5.8 million km. The company's buses now operate in over 20 airports worldwide, including Hamad International Airport in Qatar and Changi Airport in Singapore.
\n
Autonomous driving is just one facet of Beijing's ambition to become a leading AI city. At the Beijing Academy of Artificial Intelligence, researchers are pushing the boundaries of multimodal world models.
\n
"The key for AI to truly evolve to the next stage is transitioning from the digital world to the physical world. We are trying to answer a more cutting-edge and grand proposition: how to make AI truly perceive, understand, and influence the physical world," said Wang Zhongyuan, dean of the academy.
\n
Han Jian, director of the information technology department at the Zhongguancun Science Park Administrative Commission, said the city is committed to fostering original innovation; exploring frontier fields such as embodied intelligence and AI-powered healthcare; and strengthening the technological reserves needed for future industries.
\n
By 2024, the capital was home to more than 2,400 AI enterprises, with a core industrial scale nearing 350 billion yuan ($48.7 billion), accounting for over half of the national total.
\n
In the future, Beijing aims to become a globally influential hub for AI innovation and a new growth engine for the industry, delivering advances that benefit people worldwide, according to local officials.
A view of the booth of Geovis Technology Co Ltd during an expo in Nanchang, Jiangxi province.
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China is accelerating investment in the new and fast-growing space information — or "space computing" — sector which it sees as a future trillion-yuan driver of economic growth, with leading firms joining forces to develop the futuristic technology, which aims to process massive volumes of satellite and aerial data while in orbit.
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Geovis Technology Co Ltd, a Chinese geospatial services provider, recently signed a framework agreement with supercomputer manufacturer Sugon to jointly build what they call an "open and inclusive space computing network". The planned network will connect users' devices to satellites, space-based infrastructure and ground platforms, forming a space-ground integrated intelligent computing architecture.
\n
Shao Zongyou, president of Geovis, said in a recent interview with China Daily that computing in space could soon move from concept to reality. "Once the space computing network is completed, it will enhance global internet access capacity and stability, supporting applications such as remote work, telemedicine, online education, emergency communications and rural digital development," Shao said.
\n
The ambition is driven in part by the rapid expansion of satellite constellations and the rising sophistication of payloads.
\n
"With tens of thousands of satellites planned in the coming years and ever-higher payload and resolution demands, massive data — and thus computing needs — will surge," Shao said.
\n
"Transmission methods like microwaves are slower than many home networks, while laser communication is too weather-dependent. The ideal is to compute in space, then send only the processed results back to earth," he added.
\n
The space information sector, which spans navigation, weather forecasting, urban planning and resource exploration, has been developing rapidly under policy support, alongside China's push into the low-altitude economy and commercial spaceflight.
\n
Over the past year, China has introduced a group of policies to stimulate low-altitude industries. These include regulations on unmanned aircraft flight management that took effect in January and a roadmap released in March for upgrading general aviation equipment through 2030.
\n
Wu Yirong, academic dean and researcher at the Aerospace Information Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said: "China's aerospace information industry is integrating into all aspects of social production and everyday life at an unprecedented speed and depth. It is creating enormous economic value and social benefits."
\n
For Geovis, the deal with Sugon marks a strategic shift from its established strengths in digital earth, AI, big data and cloud integration into the more technically demanding realm of space-based computation.
\n
The two companies plan to develop high-performance, low-power high-reliability core components, build a space computing network, and integrate with China's national computing platforms. They will also explore industry standards and work to coordinate an ecosystem of partners.
\n
Shao said the aim is to upgrade the current one-way satellite "data collection service" into a two-way "computing-as-a-service" model. This would allow for in-orbit intelligent processing linked to deep ground-based applications, potentially opening new commercial opportunities in areas such as real-time Earth observation, emergency disaster response and global broadband coverage.
\n
Yet the road ahead is challenging. Shao said that deploying the same computing power in space could cost up to 1,000 times more than on the ground. Moreover, "space weather", including high-energy particles, radiation and temperature extremes, can damage electronic components and degrade performance over time.
\n
Despite these difficulties, Geovis sees space computing as a strategic imperative with long-term returns. "Three to five years may yield no returns," Shao said. "But for national capability and the future of space industries, this must be done."
\n
Deng Maicun, former secretary-general of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said China's role in the field has transformed. "In recent years, China's aerospace information sector has made a remarkable leap from a follower to a front-runner, and in some areas even a leader, becoming a new engine for the development of the digital economy."
A view of the booth of Geovis Technology Co Ltd during an expo in Nanchang, Jiangxi province.
\n
China is accelerating investment in the new and fast-growing space information — or "space computing" — sector which it sees as a future trillion-yuan driver of economic growth, with leading firms joining forces to develop the futuristic technology, which aims to process massive volumes of satellite and aerial data while in orbit.
\n
Geovis Technology Co Ltd, a Chinese geospatial services provider, recently signed a framework agreement with supercomputer manufacturer Sugon to jointly build what they call an "open and inclusive space computing network". The planned network will connect users' devices to satellites, space-based infrastructure and ground platforms, forming a space-ground integrated intelligent computing architecture.
\n
Shao Zongyou, president of Geovis, said in a recent interview with China Daily that computing in space could soon move from concept to reality. "Once the space computing network is completed, it will enhance global internet access capacity and stability, supporting applications such as remote work, telemedicine, online education, emergency communications and rural digital development," Shao said.
\n
The ambition is driven in part by the rapid expansion of satellite constellations and the rising sophistication of payloads.
\n
"With tens of thousands of satellites planned in the coming years and ever-higher payload and resolution demands, massive data — and thus computing needs — will surge," Shao said.
\n
"Transmission methods like microwaves are slower than many home networks, while laser communication is too weather-dependent. The ideal is to compute in space, then send only the processed results back to earth," he added.
\n
The space information sector, which spans navigation, weather forecasting, urban planning and resource exploration, has been developing rapidly under policy support, alongside China's push into the low-altitude economy and commercial spaceflight.
\n
Over the past year, China has introduced a group of policies to stimulate low-altitude industries. These include regulations on unmanned aircraft flight management that took effect in January and a roadmap released in March for upgrading general aviation equipment through 2030.
\n
Wu Yirong, academic dean and researcher at the Aerospace Information Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said: "China's aerospace information industry is integrating into all aspects of social production and everyday life at an unprecedented speed and depth. It is creating enormous economic value and social benefits."
\n
For Geovis, the deal with Sugon marks a strategic shift from its established strengths in digital earth, AI, big data and cloud integration into the more technically demanding realm of space-based computation.
\n
The two companies plan to develop high-performance, low-power high-reliability core components, build a space computing network, and integrate with China's national computing platforms. They will also explore industry standards and work to coordinate an ecosystem of partners.
\n
Shao said the aim is to upgrade the current one-way satellite "data collection service" into a two-way "computing-as-a-service" model. This would allow for in-orbit intelligent processing linked to deep ground-based applications, potentially opening new commercial opportunities in areas such as real-time Earth observation, emergency disaster response and global broadband coverage.
\n
Yet the road ahead is challenging. Shao said that deploying the same computing power in space could cost up to 1,000 times more than on the ground. Moreover, "space weather", including high-energy particles, radiation and temperature extremes, can damage electronic components and degrade performance over time.
\n
Despite these difficulties, Geovis sees space computing as a strategic imperative with long-term returns. "Three to five years may yield no returns," Shao said. "But for national capability and the future of space industries, this must be done."
\n
Deng Maicun, former secretary-general of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said China's role in the field has transformed. "In recent years, China's aerospace information sector has made a remarkable leap from a follower to a front-runner, and in some areas even a leader, becoming a new engine for the development of the digital economy."
WUHAN — At 3 am, the only sound Ding Yuankai can hear is the gentle splash of oars slicing through a pond in Qianjiang, a city in Central China's Hubei province.
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With a flashlight strapped to his wrist and clad in waterproof overalls, Ding sets off in his small boat to begin his daily routine. One by one, he hauls up cages wriggling with red, armored crustaceans destined for dinner tables across the country.
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By the time he finishes checking all 60 mu (4 hectares) of his ponds, the sky begins to pale. On the shore, seafood buyers are already waiting.
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"When it gets hot, crayfish burrow into the mud to avoid the sun, so the catch drops," Ding said. "But it doesn't matter. Whatever I catch sells out. Qianjiang crayfish have a name. There's never a shortage of demand."
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This year marks his ninth season in the business. Last year, his profits topped 5,000 yuan ($701) per mu. And with feed costs down and yields rising, he expects this year will be even better.
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In Qianjiang, this optimism runs deep. Every summer, the little crustaceans become a big business and a way of life.
\n
Much of Ding's morning haul will end up at the China Crayfish Trading Center on the city's outskirts. By 5 am, the facility is abuzz. Workers sort, weigh and pack live crayfish for same-day shipment to restaurants and markets nationwide.
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Seafood vendor Wei Xiaotao monitors real-time prices on his phone through a digital platform that tracks supply and demand across over 30 production bases and major consumer cities.
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"Farmers and traders can adjust their harvesting times and volumes based on price trends," Wei said. "It helps us better manage risks."
\n
Some of Qianjiang's crayfish skip the fresh market and head straight for processing. At local factories, they're peeled, fried, seasoned and packaged, destined for shelves in Europe and the United States. Others are refined into high-value ingredients such as chitosan and chitin, which are used in pharmaceuticals, food and cosmetics, extending the value chain further.
\n
Qianjiang is now home to 48 crayfish processing enterprises, with a combined annual handling capacity of 800,000 metric tons.
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Qianjiang is located on the Jianghan Plain, a major producer of rice, cotton, fish and shrimp. With fertile land and a large network of rivers and lakes, the plain is an ideal habitat for crayfish.
\n
The species is native to North America and was introduced to East China's Jiangsu province by a Japanese merchant, appearing in the plain in the 1980s. Locals found the shellfish tasty and soon turned them into big business.
\n
In 2024, the city sold more than 200,000 tons of live crayfish. In the first half of 2025, it recorded a trade of 177,000 tons, and the full-year volume is expected to reach a record high.
\n
To sustain growth, Qianjiang is pushing for technological innovation and year-round supply. In 2023, the Hubei provincial government launched a 10-point action plan to promote the high-quality development of the crayfish sector. Measures include those related to improving breeding systems, forming expert panels and developing new varieties.
\n",
- "content": "
WUHAN — At 3 am, the only sound Ding Yuankai can hear is the gentle splash of oars slicing through a pond in Qianjiang, a city in Central China's Hubei province.
\n
With a flashlight strapped to his wrist and clad in waterproof overalls, Ding sets off in his small boat to begin his daily routine. One by one, he hauls up cages wriggling with red, armored crustaceans destined for dinner tables across the country.
\n
By the time he finishes checking all 60 mu (4 hectares) of his ponds, the sky begins to pale. On the shore, seafood buyers are already waiting.
\n
"When it gets hot, crayfish burrow into the mud to avoid the sun, so the catch drops," Ding said. "But it doesn't matter. Whatever I catch sells out. Qianjiang crayfish have a name. There's never a shortage of demand."
\n
This year marks his ninth season in the business. Last year, his profits topped 5,000 yuan ($701) per mu. And with feed costs down and yields rising, he expects this year will be even better.
\n
In Qianjiang, this optimism runs deep. Every summer, the little crustaceans become a big business and a way of life.
\n
Much of Ding's morning haul will end up at the China Crayfish Trading Center on the city's outskirts. By 5 am, the facility is abuzz. Workers sort, weigh and pack live crayfish for same-day shipment to restaurants and markets nationwide.
\n
Seafood vendor Wei Xiaotao monitors real-time prices on his phone through a digital platform that tracks supply and demand across over 30 production bases and major consumer cities.
\n
"Farmers and traders can adjust their harvesting times and volumes based on price trends," Wei said. "It helps us better manage risks."
\n
Some of Qianjiang's crayfish skip the fresh market and head straight for processing. At local factories, they're peeled, fried, seasoned and packaged, destined for shelves in Europe and the United States. Others are refined into high-value ingredients such as chitosan and chitin, which are used in pharmaceuticals, food and cosmetics, extending the value chain further.
\n
Qianjiang is now home to 48 crayfish processing enterprises, with a combined annual handling capacity of 800,000 metric tons.
\n
Qianjiang is located on the Jianghan Plain, a major producer of rice, cotton, fish and shrimp. With fertile land and a large network of rivers and lakes, the plain is an ideal habitat for crayfish.
\n
The species is native to North America and was introduced to East China's Jiangsu province by a Japanese merchant, appearing in the plain in the 1980s. Locals found the shellfish tasty and soon turned them into big business.
\n
In 2024, the city sold more than 200,000 tons of live crayfish. In the first half of 2025, it recorded a trade of 177,000 tons, and the full-year volume is expected to reach a record high.
\n
To sustain growth, Qianjiang is pushing for technological innovation and year-round supply. In 2023, the Hubei provincial government launched a 10-point action plan to promote the high-quality development of the crayfish sector. Measures include those related to improving breeding systems, forming expert panels and developing new varieties.
China is expected to regain its position as the top source country for Australia's inbound tourism in the near future, a senior executive at Tourism Australia said.
\n
The number of Chinese travelers arriving in Australia was nearly 950,000 between June 2024 and May 2025, a year-on-year increase of 21 percent, making China the fastest-growing international source market for Australia's inbound tourism, Phillipa Harrison, managing director of Tourism Australia, said in an exclusive interview.
\n
China is currently Australia's second-largest market for inbound tourist arrivals, she said.
\n
"The only market that has more visitors is New Zealand, our very close neighbor. So, China is a big market with huge potential, and we are confident to see it continuing to grow over the next period of time," Harrison said.
\n
China was the top provider of inbound foreign tourists for Australia in 2018 and 2019, with around 1.4 million travelers arriving annually. However, it decreased after the COVID-19 pandemic, she said. "Inbound travel from China hasn't returned to its full strength yet."
\n
The Australian tourism authority said it has noticed a trend among Chinese tourists recently — instead of simply sightseeing in the cities, they are now traveling all over the country.
\n
"Chinese travelers are now going outside of the cities. They hire cars and go into much more regional areas. That's the case even for first-time visitors," Harrison said.
\n
For example, Australia's Tasmania State reported that in 2023, the number of Chinese tourists increased by 38 percent compared to the previous year. The export volumes of local cherries and salmon have risen significantly driven by the influx of tourists.
\n
In the Northern Territory, Uluru reported that the number of Chinese tourists has continued to surge, with an expected reach of 30,000 visitors this year. A significant proportion of these tourists are families, even multi-generation ones, who prefer activities like camel rides and helicopter overviews.
\n
Data from online travel agency Trip.com showed that Australia was the top long-haul outbound destination for Chinese travelers during this year's Chinese New Year holiday, with self-driving orders increasing by nearly 22 percent month-on-month.
\n
With the number of travelers in their 20s increasing, the Australian tourism authority said younger individuals seek more adventure-based programs.
\n
"They go out to the mountains, go diving and go hiking, among other activities, which also makes their stay in the country slightly longer than before," Harrison said.
\n
Several travel agencies said that thrilling experiences, such as skydiving, helicopter tours at the Great Barrier Reef and rainforest zip-lining have become popular choices for Chinese tourists visiting Australia.
\n
Chen Ying, a product booking manager at travel portal Ly.com, said that Chinese tourists show a strong interest in skydiving as well as other "once-in-a-lifetime opportunities", and that there has been a notable increase in bookings for hiking, hot air ballooning and nature experiences as well.
\n
zhouwenting@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
- "content": "
China is expected to regain its position as the top source country for Australia's inbound tourism in the near future, a senior executive at Tourism Australia said.
\n
The number of Chinese travelers arriving in Australia was nearly 950,000 between June 2024 and May 2025, a year-on-year increase of 21 percent, making China the fastest-growing international source market for Australia's inbound tourism, Phillipa Harrison, managing director of Tourism Australia, said in an exclusive interview.
\n
China is currently Australia's second-largest market for inbound tourist arrivals, she said.
\n
"The only market that has more visitors is New Zealand, our very close neighbor. So, China is a big market with huge potential, and we are confident to see it continuing to grow over the next period of time," Harrison said.
\n
China was the top provider of inbound foreign tourists for Australia in 2018 and 2019, with around 1.4 million travelers arriving annually. However, it decreased after the COVID-19 pandemic, she said. "Inbound travel from China hasn't returned to its full strength yet."
\n
The Australian tourism authority said it has noticed a trend among Chinese tourists recently — instead of simply sightseeing in the cities, they are now traveling all over the country.
\n
"Chinese travelers are now going outside of the cities. They hire cars and go into much more regional areas. That's the case even for first-time visitors," Harrison said.
\n
For example, Australia's Tasmania State reported that in 2023, the number of Chinese tourists increased by 38 percent compared to the previous year. The export volumes of local cherries and salmon have risen significantly driven by the influx of tourists.
\n
In the Northern Territory, Uluru reported that the number of Chinese tourists has continued to surge, with an expected reach of 30,000 visitors this year. A significant proportion of these tourists are families, even multi-generation ones, who prefer activities like camel rides and helicopter overviews.
\n
Data from online travel agency Trip.com showed that Australia was the top long-haul outbound destination for Chinese travelers during this year's Chinese New Year holiday, with self-driving orders increasing by nearly 22 percent month-on-month.
\n
With the number of travelers in their 20s increasing, the Australian tourism authority said younger individuals seek more adventure-based programs.
\n
"They go out to the mountains, go diving and go hiking, among other activities, which also makes their stay in the country slightly longer than before," Harrison said.
\n
Several travel agencies said that thrilling experiences, such as skydiving, helicopter tours at the Great Barrier Reef and rainforest zip-lining have become popular choices for Chinese tourists visiting Australia.
\n
Chen Ying, a product booking manager at travel portal Ly.com, said that Chinese tourists show a strong interest in skydiving as well as other "once-in-a-lifetime opportunities", and that there has been a notable increase in bookings for hiking, hot air ballooning and nature experiences as well.
With Yunnan-Guizhou-Sichuan bistros gaining increasing popularity, the question is whether these restaurants can achieve long-term development and success.
\n
In recent years, there have been a growing number of such restaurants — named after three provinces — and their inner and outer decor is decidedly rustic and forestlike. Signs are earthen-colored or dark green, and interior designs are often a combination of natural wood and ethnic characteristics.
\n
Even if the eatery is smack dab in the midst of a sprawling shopping mall, camping chairs are often placed at the entrance, paired with haystacks and green plants, allowing diners to feel they're deep in the mountains even if they're still in a major city's central business district.
\n
Dishes are also special. Seasonings are not added behind kitchen doors, but done directly, often with a whole piece of wood ginger freshly chopped for customers right at the table. Most people have never heard of fish mint (houttuynia cordata). But at these eateries, it is a common condiment, served with milk tea.
\n
In Beijing, there are dozens of Yunnan-Guizhou-Sichuan bistros, with per-meal unit prices ranging from 100 yuan ($13.9) to several hundred or even thousands.
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At these prices, why is Yunnan-Guizhou-Sichuan cuisine such a hit?
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Bistro originally referred to a common French homestyle restaurant on the streets of Paris, with affordable prices and authentic flavors.
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However, when the dining concept was introduced to China and other markets, it went beyond its original definition and is used to describe a laid-back and relaxing restaurant atmosphere.
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Accordingly, bistros are decorated elegantly, with dim, warm lighting, offering small portions and pricey wine.
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With this evolution, bistros can be paired with various cuisines. With Yunnan-Guizhou-Sichuan cuisine gaining popularity in recent years, foodie entrepreneurs then developed the Yunnan-Guizhou-Sichuan bistro concept on a national scale.
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Although the three geographic regions mentioned in the name tend to be lumped together in conversations, in fact, Yunnan cuisine, Sichuan cuisine and Guizhou cuisine not only differ greatly from each other, but also have completely different timing for when they became popular.
\n
Sichuan culinary delights represent a major regional cuisine and also one of the earliest to spread nationwide. Since the 1980s, amid rapid urbanization and population mobility, the populous province of Sichuan has exported a massive amount of labor to the eastern coastal areas, along with Sichuan's cuisine. Yunnan cuisine gained popularity at a relatively later stage, and Guizhou cuisine only became well-known in 2023.
\n
However, there may be some challenges ahead for the popular eatery concept.
\n
Wang Peng, an associate research fellow at the Beijing Academy of Social Sciences, said: "There are significant differences in the cuisine styles of Yunnan, Guizhou and Sichuan, and it is difficult to create a unified style and stable quality of dishes when integrating them. There is a lack of core characteristics, which makes it difficult for consumers to form a deep and lasting impression, and it is difficult to attract repeat customers with the charm of the dishes."
\n
Wang said that for restaurants, the most important draw is the taste of the dishes themselves, service quality, customer experience and marketing. Only when they pay attention to these aspects, rather than overplaying the concept of "Yunnan-Guizhou-Sichuan", can such restaurants achieve long-term development.
\n
zhengyiran@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
- "content": "
With Yunnan-Guizhou-Sichuan bistros gaining increasing popularity, the question is whether these restaurants can achieve long-term development and success.
\n
In recent years, there have been a growing number of such restaurants — named after three provinces — and their inner and outer decor is decidedly rustic and forestlike. Signs are earthen-colored or dark green, and interior designs are often a combination of natural wood and ethnic characteristics.
\n
Even if the eatery is smack dab in the midst of a sprawling shopping mall, camping chairs are often placed at the entrance, paired with haystacks and green plants, allowing diners to feel they're deep in the mountains even if they're still in a major city's central business district.
\n
Dishes are also special. Seasonings are not added behind kitchen doors, but done directly, often with a whole piece of wood ginger freshly chopped for customers right at the table. Most people have never heard of fish mint (houttuynia cordata). But at these eateries, it is a common condiment, served with milk tea.
\n
In Beijing, there are dozens of Yunnan-Guizhou-Sichuan bistros, with per-meal unit prices ranging from 100 yuan ($13.9) to several hundred or even thousands.
\n
At these prices, why is Yunnan-Guizhou-Sichuan cuisine such a hit?
\n
Bistro originally referred to a common French homestyle restaurant on the streets of Paris, with affordable prices and authentic flavors.
\n
However, when the dining concept was introduced to China and other markets, it went beyond its original definition and is used to describe a laid-back and relaxing restaurant atmosphere.
\n
Accordingly, bistros are decorated elegantly, with dim, warm lighting, offering small portions and pricey wine.
\n
With this evolution, bistros can be paired with various cuisines. With Yunnan-Guizhou-Sichuan cuisine gaining popularity in recent years, foodie entrepreneurs then developed the Yunnan-Guizhou-Sichuan bistro concept on a national scale.
\n
Although the three geographic regions mentioned in the name tend to be lumped together in conversations, in fact, Yunnan cuisine, Sichuan cuisine and Guizhou cuisine not only differ greatly from each other, but also have completely different timing for when they became popular.
\n
Sichuan culinary delights represent a major regional cuisine and also one of the earliest to spread nationwide. Since the 1980s, amid rapid urbanization and population mobility, the populous province of Sichuan has exported a massive amount of labor to the eastern coastal areas, along with Sichuan's cuisine. Yunnan cuisine gained popularity at a relatively later stage, and Guizhou cuisine only became well-known in 2023.
\n
However, there may be some challenges ahead for the popular eatery concept.
\n
Wang Peng, an associate research fellow at the Beijing Academy of Social Sciences, said: "There are significant differences in the cuisine styles of Yunnan, Guizhou and Sichuan, and it is difficult to create a unified style and stable quality of dishes when integrating them. There is a lack of core characteristics, which makes it difficult for consumers to form a deep and lasting impression, and it is difficult to attract repeat customers with the charm of the dishes."
\n
Wang said that for restaurants, the most important draw is the taste of the dishes themselves, service quality, customer experience and marketing. Only when they pay attention to these aspects, rather than overplaying the concept of "Yunnan-Guizhou-Sichuan", can such restaurants achieve long-term development.
Staff members from State Grid Taizhou operate a drone to inspect a solar power plant in Yuxi, Taizhou, Jiangsu province. The local power operator is bolstering investment in science and technology to steer power supply toward smarter and fully digital operations.
\n",
- "content": "
Staff members from State Grid Taizhou operate a drone to inspect a solar power plant in Yuxi, Taizhou, Jiangsu province. The local power operator is bolstering investment in science and technology to steer power supply toward smarter and fully digital operations.
The nation's high-speed railway service in southwestern regions is expecting progress down the line as builders working on the Xi'an-Chongqing High-speed Railway broke ground on another major sub-project. China Railway 24th Bureau Group Corp, a State-owned builder, said recently in a progress report concerning the HSR construction that it has begun building the Xuanhan South Railway Station, in Dazhou, Sichuan province, along the Ankang-Chongqing section of the HSR. The 7,999-square-meter station will serve as a critical node on the 478-kilometer line connecting provincial-level regions of Shaanxi, Sichuan and Chongqing, cutting travel times across western inland regions while boosting rural economies.
\n
Intercity distribution link energized
\n
Power workers are bolstering efforts to build a cross-regional power-sharing system for better electricity supply. A link project between the 10 kilovolt Axu line in Xinyi under Xuzhou, Jiangsu province, and the 10 kV Gounan line in Donghai county under Lianyungang has been completed in the province. Construction began in March, adding a new line extending 800 meters and having three smart switches. Historically, each line belonged to a different utility zone and operated independently. When equipment failed or scheduled maintenance was required, power consumers had to wait, with outages regularly lasting over four hours — disrupting daily life, agricultural irrigation and small-scale manufacturing.
\n",
- "content": "
High-speed railway service sees progress
\n
The nation's high-speed railway service in southwestern regions is expecting progress down the line as builders working on the Xi'an-Chongqing High-speed Railway broke ground on another major sub-project. China Railway 24th Bureau Group Corp, a State-owned builder, said recently in a progress report concerning the HSR construction that it has begun building the Xuanhan South Railway Station, in Dazhou, Sichuan province, along the Ankang-Chongqing section of the HSR. The 7,999-square-meter station will serve as a critical node on the 478-kilometer line connecting provincial-level regions of Shaanxi, Sichuan and Chongqing, cutting travel times across western inland regions while boosting rural economies.
\n
Intercity distribution link energized
\n
Power workers are bolstering efforts to build a cross-regional power-sharing system for better electricity supply. A link project between the 10 kilovolt Axu line in Xinyi under Xuzhou, Jiangsu province, and the 10 kV Gounan line in Donghai county under Lianyungang has been completed in the province. Construction began in March, adding a new line extending 800 meters and having three smart switches. Historically, each line belonged to a different utility zone and operated independently. When equipment failed or scheduled maintenance was required, power consumers had to wait, with outages regularly lasting over four hours — disrupting daily life, agricultural irrigation and small-scale manufacturing.
The US government's reported practice of secretly placing location tracking devices in targeted shipments of advanced chips showcases that it is using all kinds of tactics to implement its export control measures, experts said.
\n
Such moves severely disrupt normal business cooperation and undermine trust in US technologies and products, they added.
\n
The comments came after Reuters quoted anonymous sources as saying that US authorities have secretly placed location tracking devices in targeted shipments of advanced chips they see as being at high risk of unauthorized diversion to China.
\n
Xiang Ligang, director-general of the Zhongguancun Modern Information Consumer Application Industry Technology Alliance, a telecom industry association, said such behavior only fuels Chinese companies' distrust toward US companies such as Nvidia.
\n
Reuters reported that five people actively involved in the AI server supply chain claim they are aware of the use of the trackers in shipments of servers from manufacturers such as Dell and Supermicro, which include chips from Nvidia and AMD.
\n
Xiang said users, not only companies in China, but also clients across the world, may abandon US products over fears of potential risks.
\n
In addition, in late July, the Cyberspace Administration of China summoned Nvidia over alleged security risks concerning its H20 AI chips sold to China.
\n
"The demand for H20 chips was lower than expected, according to the latest feedback of our customers," said a regional manager of a major Chinese information technology distributor, on condition of anonymity.
\n
The manager said that for chips like the H20, demand depends heavily on large corporations, which are reluctant to buy the products from Nvidia.
\n
An engineer at a Chinese internet company, also on condition of anonymity, said: "Cybersecurity is of crucial importance to us. We cannot tolerate any potential risks. Even if H20 chips are available now, we are not that eager to buy."
\n
Last year, the Cyber Security Association of China urged a comprehensive review of products from US tech company Intel, citing recurring cybersecurity vulnerabilities and high failure rates, so as to safeguard the country's national security and protect the rights of Chinese consumers.
\n
On July 26, 2023, the Wuhan Municipal Emergency Management Bureau published a statement that 360 Security Group detected a cyberattack from overseas organizations on its earthquake monitoring center. Some front-end station collection points of seismic reporting data had been implanted with back-door programs.
\n
Lu Chuanying, a professor at the School of Political Science and International Relations at Tongji University, said: "Digital space is a virtual domain where information travels at light speed, defying the conventional boundaries of time and space that govern human society. In doing so, it neutralizes the role of geography in shaping the digital geopolitical landscape.
\n
"China-US relations in the digital sphere have undergone a profound transformation over the years — evolving from initial technological collaboration to strategic decoupling, and escalating from random disputes to systemic geopolitical maneuvering."
\n
The Financial Times reported on Monday that Nvidia has agreed to pay the US government 15 percent of its revenue from H20 chip sales in China as part of a deal to secure export licenses to Beijing.
\n
In response to the report, Nvidia said in a statement to China Daily, "We follow rules the US government sets for our participation in worldwide markets."
\n
Charlie Dai, vice-president and principal analyst at market research company Forrester, said the 15 percent fee agreement starkly underscores how trade tensions drive up market access costs.
\n
masi@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
- "content": "\n
The US government's reported practice of secretly placing location tracking devices in targeted shipments of advanced chips showcases that it is using all kinds of tactics to implement its export control measures, experts said.
\n
Such moves severely disrupt normal business cooperation and undermine trust in US technologies and products, they added.
\n
The comments came after Reuters quoted anonymous sources as saying that US authorities have secretly placed location tracking devices in targeted shipments of advanced chips they see as being at high risk of unauthorized diversion to China.
\n
Xiang Ligang, director-general of the Zhongguancun Modern Information Consumer Application Industry Technology Alliance, a telecom industry association, said such behavior only fuels Chinese companies' distrust toward US companies such as Nvidia.
\n
Reuters reported that five people actively involved in the AI server supply chain claim they are aware of the use of the trackers in shipments of servers from manufacturers such as Dell and Supermicro, which include chips from Nvidia and AMD.
\n
Xiang said users, not only companies in China, but also clients across the world, may abandon US products over fears of potential risks.
\n
In addition, in late July, the Cyberspace Administration of China summoned Nvidia over alleged security risks concerning its H20 AI chips sold to China.
\n
"The demand for H20 chips was lower than expected, according to the latest feedback of our customers," said a regional manager of a major Chinese information technology distributor, on condition of anonymity.
\n
The manager said that for chips like the H20, demand depends heavily on large corporations, which are reluctant to buy the products from Nvidia.
\n
An engineer at a Chinese internet company, also on condition of anonymity, said: "Cybersecurity is of crucial importance to us. We cannot tolerate any potential risks. Even if H20 chips are available now, we are not that eager to buy."
\n
Last year, the Cyber Security Association of China urged a comprehensive review of products from US tech company Intel, citing recurring cybersecurity vulnerabilities and high failure rates, so as to safeguard the country's national security and protect the rights of Chinese consumers.
\n
On July 26, 2023, the Wuhan Municipal Emergency Management Bureau published a statement that 360 Security Group detected a cyberattack from overseas organizations on its earthquake monitoring center. Some front-end station collection points of seismic reporting data had been implanted with back-door programs.
\n
Lu Chuanying, a professor at the School of Political Science and International Relations at Tongji University, said: "Digital space is a virtual domain where information travels at light speed, defying the conventional boundaries of time and space that govern human society. In doing so, it neutralizes the role of geography in shaping the digital geopolitical landscape.
\n
"China-US relations in the digital sphere have undergone a profound transformation over the years — evolving from initial technological collaboration to strategic decoupling, and escalating from random disputes to systemic geopolitical maneuvering."
\n
The Financial Times reported on Monday that Nvidia has agreed to pay the US government 15 percent of its revenue from H20 chip sales in China as part of a deal to secure export licenses to Beijing.
\n
In response to the report, Nvidia said in a statement to China Daily, "We follow rules the US government sets for our participation in worldwide markets."
\n
Charlie Dai, vice-president and principal analyst at market research company Forrester, said the 15 percent fee agreement starkly underscores how trade tensions drive up market access costs.
Employees at toymaker Seeupanda meticulously craft a lifelike panda figurine on Tuesday in Chengdu, Sichuan province. The company combines traditional Chinese pelt craftsmanship, plush interior sculpting and 3D modeling to recreate the texture, appearance and even sound of pandas. Its products are sold in over 50 countries and regions, with annual output exceeding 20 million yuan ($2.79 million) in 2024.
\n",
- "content": "
Employees at toymaker Seeupanda meticulously craft a lifelike panda figurine on Tuesday in Chengdu, Sichuan province. The company combines traditional Chinese pelt craftsmanship, plush interior sculpting and 3D modeling to recreate the texture, appearance and even sound of pandas. Its products are sold in over 50 countries and regions, with annual output exceeding 20 million yuan ($2.79 million) in 2024.
Visitors film a fireworks show enhanced by visual and lighting technologies in Liuyang, Hunan province, on July 12.
\n\n
BEIJING — At a bustling appliance store near Shanghai's Zhongshan Park, sales staff enthusiastically demonstrated product features and calculated discounts. The summer shopping season has been in full swing.
\n
A local resident surnamed Yao was looking for an energy-efficient air conditioner and was informed by sales staff that the latest models not only offer AI-powered energy savings, but also include convenient features such as smartphone remote control and an anti-direct-blow design.
\n
"I never realized how quickly home appliances were evolving until I visited the store," Yao said. After careful comparison, he chose a model originally priced at 5,999 yuan ($840), but thanks to government subsidies and store discounts, he paid only 3,599 yuan.
\n
Yao is among hundreds of millions of consumers across China whose spending habits have been reshaped by a rapidly evolving market and government-backed initiatives, as the world's second-largest economy seeks to stimulate consumption and strengthen domestic demand as a key growth driver.
\n
With efforts like the ongoing consumer goods trade-in program, which has spurred purchases of more than 109 million home appliances so far this year, China recorded a 5 percent growth in retail sales of consumer goods for the first half of 2025. The pace is 0.4 percentage point faster than the first quarter.
\n
During the first four years of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) period, final consumption contributed 56.2 percent of the GDP increase on average, an 8.6 percentage point increase over the previous planning period, official data showed.
\n
Amid this shift, new consumption trends have taken center stage, fueled by innovative business models, diverse service and experience offerings, and growing preference for sustainable and high-tech products.
\n
According to Commerce Minister Wang Wentao, the consumer goods trade-in program has been "more than a policy to stimulate spending".
\n
"More importantly, it has promoted a shift toward smart and green products, which in turn helps to upgrade people's quality of life," Wang told reporters last month while briefing on the country's developments in domestic consumption over the past four years.
\n
While government incentives can boost market demand and prompt manufacturers and service providers to increase supply, encouraging consumption in sectors like high-tech and new energy helps drive industrial upgrading and structural adjustments, said Bao Xiaohua, a chair professor at Shanghai University of Finance and Economics.
\n
Also notable is the rapid growth in services consumption, as Chinese consumers increasingly embrace spending on services and experiences. From 2020 to 2024, China's services consumption grew at an average annual rate of 9.6 percent.
\n
In the first half of 2025, data from the State Information Center indicated that the index measuring life services consumption increased 15.7 percent year-on-year, with sectors like entertainment, dining and accommodations showing robust growth.
\n
Driving the services consumption boom are new consumption scenarios such as sporting events, performances, cultural exhibitions and themed markets. The Su Super League, a provincial amateur football tournament in East China's Jiangsu province that gained huge popularity this year, has given a major boost to local tourism and hospitality industries.
\n
During the third round of matches, which coincided with the Dragon Boat Festival holiday in early June, Jiangsu welcomed 12.41 million visitors and earned 4.69 billion yuan in tourism revenue.
\n
Other pro-consumption efforts include further opening-up to attract more quality goods and services into the Chinese market. Over the past years, China has fostered international consumption center cities, established national demonstration zones for innovation and promotion of imports, and hosted major events such as the China International Import Expo and the China International Consumer Products Expo.
\n
"China's vast market has become a shared market for the world and will continue to serve as a key source of growth and vitality for the global economy," the commerce minister said.
\n
Looking ahead, as China approaches the final phase of its 14th Five-Year Plan, market observers believe consumer demand will sustain its strong momentum from the first half and help ensure the plan's successful completion.
\n
Policies like the consumer goods trade-in program are expected to remain effective, driving sales growth for related products. Meanwhile, with holidays like summer vacation and the upcoming National Day, services consumption is also set to enter its peak season, according to experts.
\n
Ma Hong, a senior researcher at the Guangkai Chief Industry Research Institute, said services spending will remain a key driver of consumption growth in the second half of the year. "Further opening-up of the sector, coupled with innovations in consumption scenarios, will boost service consumption in areas like telecommunications, healthcare and elderly care," Ma said.
\n
In one of the latest announcements, 69 billion yuan, in China's third batch of ultra-long special treasury bond funds, was allocated last month to support the consumer goods trade-in program, with the fourth batch scheduled for October.
\n
The country also introduced a nationwide child care subsidy program last week, which will offer families 3,600 yuan per year for each child under the age of three, as part of broader efforts to address livelihood problems and boost consumer confidence.
\n
"More funds and resources will be invested in people and used to meet their needs" to help create more jobs, increase people's incomes and reduce their burdens, and provide more incentives to stimulate consumption, this year's Government Work Report has pledged.
\n
For the next five years, Commerce Minister Wang said China will transform successful policies and effective practices from the 14th Five-Year Plan into long-term, regular measures, while staying ready to introduce new policies to navigate a complex international environment. "Our tool kit is well-stocked, and we will be fully prepared."
\n",
- "content": "
Visitors film a fireworks show enhanced by visual and lighting technologies in Liuyang, Hunan province, on July 12.
\n\n
BEIJING — At a bustling appliance store near Shanghai's Zhongshan Park, sales staff enthusiastically demonstrated product features and calculated discounts. The summer shopping season has been in full swing.
\n
A local resident surnamed Yao was looking for an energy-efficient air conditioner and was informed by sales staff that the latest models not only offer AI-powered energy savings, but also include convenient features such as smartphone remote control and an anti-direct-blow design.
\n
"I never realized how quickly home appliances were evolving until I visited the store," Yao said. After careful comparison, he chose a model originally priced at 5,999 yuan ($840), but thanks to government subsidies and store discounts, he paid only 3,599 yuan.
\n
Yao is among hundreds of millions of consumers across China whose spending habits have been reshaped by a rapidly evolving market and government-backed initiatives, as the world's second-largest economy seeks to stimulate consumption and strengthen domestic demand as a key growth driver.
\n
With efforts like the ongoing consumer goods trade-in program, which has spurred purchases of more than 109 million home appliances so far this year, China recorded a 5 percent growth in retail sales of consumer goods for the first half of 2025. The pace is 0.4 percentage point faster than the first quarter.
\n
During the first four years of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) period, final consumption contributed 56.2 percent of the GDP increase on average, an 8.6 percentage point increase over the previous planning period, official data showed.
\n
Amid this shift, new consumption trends have taken center stage, fueled by innovative business models, diverse service and experience offerings, and growing preference for sustainable and high-tech products.
\n
According to Commerce Minister Wang Wentao, the consumer goods trade-in program has been "more than a policy to stimulate spending".
\n
"More importantly, it has promoted a shift toward smart and green products, which in turn helps to upgrade people's quality of life," Wang told reporters last month while briefing on the country's developments in domestic consumption over the past four years.
\n
While government incentives can boost market demand and prompt manufacturers and service providers to increase supply, encouraging consumption in sectors like high-tech and new energy helps drive industrial upgrading and structural adjustments, said Bao Xiaohua, a chair professor at Shanghai University of Finance and Economics.
\n
Also notable is the rapid growth in services consumption, as Chinese consumers increasingly embrace spending on services and experiences. From 2020 to 2024, China's services consumption grew at an average annual rate of 9.6 percent.
\n
In the first half of 2025, data from the State Information Center indicated that the index measuring life services consumption increased 15.7 percent year-on-year, with sectors like entertainment, dining and accommodations showing robust growth.
\n
Driving the services consumption boom are new consumption scenarios such as sporting events, performances, cultural exhibitions and themed markets. The Su Super League, a provincial amateur football tournament in East China's Jiangsu province that gained huge popularity this year, has given a major boost to local tourism and hospitality industries.
\n
During the third round of matches, which coincided with the Dragon Boat Festival holiday in early June, Jiangsu welcomed 12.41 million visitors and earned 4.69 billion yuan in tourism revenue.
\n
Other pro-consumption efforts include further opening-up to attract more quality goods and services into the Chinese market. Over the past years, China has fostered international consumption center cities, established national demonstration zones for innovation and promotion of imports, and hosted major events such as the China International Import Expo and the China International Consumer Products Expo.
\n
"China's vast market has become a shared market for the world and will continue to serve as a key source of growth and vitality for the global economy," the commerce minister said.
\n
Looking ahead, as China approaches the final phase of its 14th Five-Year Plan, market observers believe consumer demand will sustain its strong momentum from the first half and help ensure the plan's successful completion.
\n
Policies like the consumer goods trade-in program are expected to remain effective, driving sales growth for related products. Meanwhile, with holidays like summer vacation and the upcoming National Day, services consumption is also set to enter its peak season, according to experts.
\n
Ma Hong, a senior researcher at the Guangkai Chief Industry Research Institute, said services spending will remain a key driver of consumption growth in the second half of the year. "Further opening-up of the sector, coupled with innovations in consumption scenarios, will boost service consumption in areas like telecommunications, healthcare and elderly care," Ma said.
\n
In one of the latest announcements, 69 billion yuan, in China's third batch of ultra-long special treasury bond funds, was allocated last month to support the consumer goods trade-in program, with the fourth batch scheduled for October.
\n
The country also introduced a nationwide child care subsidy program last week, which will offer families 3,600 yuan per year for each child under the age of three, as part of broader efforts to address livelihood problems and boost consumer confidence.
\n
"More funds and resources will be invested in people and used to meet their needs" to help create more jobs, increase people's incomes and reduce their burdens, and provide more incentives to stimulate consumption, this year's Government Work Report has pledged.
\n
For the next five years, Commerce Minister Wang said China will transform successful policies and effective practices from the 14th Five-Year Plan into long-term, regular measures, while staying ready to introduce new policies to navigate a complex international environment. "Our tool kit is well-stocked, and we will be fully prepared."
Eyeing retirees' rich experience, better time flexibility and lower hiring costs in China, companies such as McDonald's and Universal Beijing Resort are showing stronger interest in hiring people in this demographic group, a practice long in place but recently under the spotlight again.
\n
McDonald's China's old recruitment poster for retired staff recently circulated online, causing heated online discussions and wide media coverage.
\n
The poster lists three shifts per week and age requirements for applicants — 50 for women and 60 or older for men — as requirements. Benefits included triple pay on national holidays, free Saturday meals, staff discounts and commercial insurance.
\n
McDonald's China confirmed the graphic was several years old, saying retiree hiring has long been standard practice.
\n
In 2022, domestic media reported that the fast-food chain had posted on a seniors' job board seeking women over 50 and men over 60 for flexible work schedules — four to five days a week, four to eight hours a day — with monthly wages of 1,800 ($251) to 3,500 yuan.
\n
In its reply to China Daily, McDonald's China said that it "strictly complies with all national labor laws and government guidelines "and provides full social-insurance coverage for full-time employees, while also operating a "flexible and diverse employment model" that includes rehiring retirees.
\n
The company said such workers receive compliant pay, commercial insurance and other benefits, adding that it aims to deliver "secure, well-rewarded and future-focused "compensation in a "safe, respectful and inclusive" workplace.
\n
The recent rising public attention to companies' hiring retirees came as China's top court, the Supreme People's Court, issued a judicial interpretation on Aug 1, clarifying that any contractual agreement excluding social insurance contributions is invalid and emphasizing that paying social insurance is a legal obligation for both employers and employees.
\n
Some employers cite retirees' work experience, quick adaptation, job loyalty and sense of responsibility. In addition, it will also lower the labor cost.
\n
Jin Weigang, deputy director of the China Association of Social Security, said the interpretation is not a new regulation, noting that the requirement to pay social insurance has long existed. He said some media had over-interpreted the move, drawing attention to companies such as McDonald's.
\n
Jin said some enterprises hire retired workers to reduce labor costs and diversify their workforce — practices that may, in certain cases, crowd out younger job seekers. "It is important to further improve labor laws concerning employers' practices and safeguard the lawful rights and interests of employees," Jin added.
\n
Yet, the model of hiring retirees is spreading. Universal Beijing Resort has advertised for retirees with a junior-high education who can work four- to eight-hour shifts and stand for long periods, offering 30 yuan an hour.
\n
The trend comes as China faces rapid population aging. National Bureau of Statistics data show 310.31 million people aged 60 and above — 22 percent of the population — with a large proportion aged 60-64, a demographic offering a strategic window to deepen eldercare reform and advance policies to address aging.
\n
wangzhuoqiong@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
- "content": "\n
Eyeing retirees' rich experience, better time flexibility and lower hiring costs in China, companies such as McDonald's and Universal Beijing Resort are showing stronger interest in hiring people in this demographic group, a practice long in place but recently under the spotlight again.
\n
McDonald's China's old recruitment poster for retired staff recently circulated online, causing heated online discussions and wide media coverage.
\n
The poster lists three shifts per week and age requirements for applicants — 50 for women and 60 or older for men — as requirements. Benefits included triple pay on national holidays, free Saturday meals, staff discounts and commercial insurance.
\n
McDonald's China confirmed the graphic was several years old, saying retiree hiring has long been standard practice.
\n
In 2022, domestic media reported that the fast-food chain had posted on a seniors' job board seeking women over 50 and men over 60 for flexible work schedules — four to five days a week, four to eight hours a day — with monthly wages of 1,800 ($251) to 3,500 yuan.
\n
In its reply to China Daily, McDonald's China said that it "strictly complies with all national labor laws and government guidelines "and provides full social-insurance coverage for full-time employees, while also operating a "flexible and diverse employment model" that includes rehiring retirees.
\n
The company said such workers receive compliant pay, commercial insurance and other benefits, adding that it aims to deliver "secure, well-rewarded and future-focused "compensation in a "safe, respectful and inclusive" workplace.
\n
The recent rising public attention to companies' hiring retirees came as China's top court, the Supreme People's Court, issued a judicial interpretation on Aug 1, clarifying that any contractual agreement excluding social insurance contributions is invalid and emphasizing that paying social insurance is a legal obligation for both employers and employees.
\n
Some employers cite retirees' work experience, quick adaptation, job loyalty and sense of responsibility. In addition, it will also lower the labor cost.
\n
Jin Weigang, deputy director of the China Association of Social Security, said the interpretation is not a new regulation, noting that the requirement to pay social insurance has long existed. He said some media had over-interpreted the move, drawing attention to companies such as McDonald's.
\n
Jin said some enterprises hire retired workers to reduce labor costs and diversify their workforce — practices that may, in certain cases, crowd out younger job seekers. "It is important to further improve labor laws concerning employers' practices and safeguard the lawful rights and interests of employees," Jin added.
\n
Yet, the model of hiring retirees is spreading. Universal Beijing Resort has advertised for retirees with a junior-high education who can work four- to eight-hour shifts and stand for long periods, offering 30 yuan an hour.
\n
The trend comes as China faces rapid population aging. National Bureau of Statistics data show 310.31 million people aged 60 and above — 22 percent of the population — with a large proportion aged 60-64, a demographic offering a strategic window to deepen eldercare reform and advance policies to address aging.
Robots boxing in a ring at the 2025 World Robot Conference in Beijing on Aug 8.
\n
Visitors watch robots play soccer at the 2025 World Robot Conference in Beijing on Aug 8.
\n
BEIJING — Robots that are not only able to run, dance and play soccer, but also sort parts on an assembly line, try their luck at a game of mahjong and even tickle the ivory were once fantasies confined to science fiction novels, but are now a reality that was unfolded at the recent World Robot Conference in Beijing.
\n
The WRC 2025 showcased rapidly advancing embodied intelligence technology, with humanoid robots as the highlight, demonstrating significant progress achieved globally and particularly in China, while the event also served to illuminate a wide range of future commercial application scenarios.
\n
Themed "Making Robots Smarter, Making Embodied Agents More Intelligent," the five-day conference that finished earlier this week featured forums, exhibitions, competitions and networking events — with over 200 robotics companies from around the world showcasing their latest innovations.
\n
Exhibitors at the WRC showed off their latest humanoid robots along with other varieties such as wheeled robots, collaborative robots and quadruped or hexapod robotic dogs, as well as newly developed embodied intelligence models.
\n
Unitree Robotics, based in East China's Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, brought its latest humanoid R1 and quadrupedal A2 automatons to the conference. A crowd favorite was a boxing match by two of the latest upgraded GI robots. The mechanical boxers punched and defended like real human fighters, while getting up to continue even after being knocked down.
\n
Marketing manager at Unitree, Liu Jinda, said the sparring demonstration wasn't just for show. "During boxing, multiple joints need to coordinate with extremely fast reaction times. When subjected to external forces, the robots must quickly regain stability and balance. This practice provides valuable experience for developers to improve robotic performance."
\n
In the exhibition area of Galaxea AI, visitors only needed to say "Please make the bed," and the company's new R1 Lite robot responded by completing the task in a randomly disordered bedroom all by itself.
\n
Galaxea AI chief scientist Zhao Hang said the key to embodied intelligence robots lies in their "brain" — represented by the sophistication of their algorithms. R1 Lite's Vision-Language-Action model uses a single end-to-end architecture to achieve precise control from visual perception to its sophisticated joints, enabling it to perform highly complex, long-sequence tasks like making a bed.
\n
At a conference forum, Ni Guangnan, an academician at the Chinese Academy of Engineering, emphasized that combining robots with AI requires elevating robotic intelligence through "brain-eye-action "coordinated systems — enabling automatons to see, understand and act in the real world.
\n
Unitree CEO Wang Xingxing said that while current robotic hardware is generally sufficient, their AI capabilities still fall far short of industry needs, and developing sufficient embodied intelligence models will be the most critical task for the industry in the future.
\n
China's innovations in embodied intelligence are powered by the robust development of its robotics industry. According to data released at the conference, the country's robotics industry generated nearly 240 billion yuan ($33.4 billion) in revenue in 2024.
\n
In the first half, industrial robot production in China reached 370,000 units while service robot output hit 8.82 million units, representing year-on-year growth of 35.6 percent and 25.5 percent, respectively. China has also been the world's largest industrial robot application market for 12 consecutive years, with its share of the world's newly installed robots increasing from 51 percent in 2023 to 54 percent in 2024.
\n
Rev Lebaredian, vice-president of Omniverse and simulation technology at Nvidia, said in a speech at a forum that China boasts the world's largest pool of top-tier graduates in computer science and AI, while holding a distinct advantage in physical-world tech development. This enables the country to produce robots that are both cost-effective and highly efficient — a capability unmatched by other countries.
\n
Moreover, China possesses not only manufacturing prowess, but also the unique ability to deploy robots at scale and iterate rapidly. By deploying robots in real-world applications and collecting operational data, Chinese developers can continuously optimize robotic systems. This closed-loop improvement capability has become an essential requirement for robotics advancement, and China already enjoys this competitive edge, Lebaredian said.
\n
The embodied intelligence sector, notably, is attracting not only AI innovators, but also traditional industrial robotics companies. At WRC 2025, established players like Siasun and Dobot, once focused on robotic arms and autonomous forklifts, deployed humanoid robots at their most visible displays. With decades of industrial application experience, they are injecting new momentum into the application of embodied intelligence technologies.
\n
At the opening ceremony of the conference, the Chinese Institute of Electronics unveiled 10 most promising application scenarios for humanoid robots, such as automotive manufacturing, petrochemical production inspection, emergency response operations, home services and agricultural tasks.
\n
The Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Center showcased the multi-agent and multitasking collaborative capabilities of embodied intelligent robots in industrial scenarios. Some of the robots are responsible for power inspection and others sort parts on assembly lines, while robotic arms in the inspection area automatically identify defective light bulbs.
\n
Several that showcased products at the expo have achieved initial commercialization in the medical and eldercare sectors. For example, a six-legged robotic dog developed by Shanghai Jiao Tong University will provide assistance to vision impaired individuals such as serving as seeing-eye dogs at the upcoming 15th National Games in November, jointly hosted by Guangdong province, Macao and Hong Kong.
\n
Longwood Valley MedTech, meanwhile, introduced its latest orthopedic surgical robot — which enables more precise, minimally invasive and safer surgical procedures, reducing surgery time from around three hours to just 30 minutes. It also minimizes blood loss, accelerates patient recovery, lowers the risk of postoperative complications and cuts medical costs.
\n
Beijing AI-robotics Technology exhibited various wearable exoskeleton robots that can not only help paraplegic individuals stand and walk, but also assist the elderly with stair climbing.
\n
Shuai Mei, the company's founder, said these robots detect both the user's walking intent and terrain conditions, and then use AI algorithms to adapt to the ground and gait in real time, thereby providing appropriate assistance. The company has sold around 1,000 units of its medical and eldercare products, which are now in use in over 300 hospitals nationwide.
\n
Wan Gang, president of the China Association for Science and Technology, said at the conference that China is intensifying its efforts in this cutting-edge and future-oriented industry to spur new consumption, cultivate emerging industries, create jobs, promote economic growth and improve people's lives.
\n",
- "content": "
Robots boxing in a ring at the 2025 World Robot Conference in Beijing on Aug 8.
\n
Visitors watch robots play soccer at the 2025 World Robot Conference in Beijing on Aug 8.
\n
BEIJING — Robots that are not only able to run, dance and play soccer, but also sort parts on an assembly line, try their luck at a game of mahjong and even tickle the ivory were once fantasies confined to science fiction novels, but are now a reality that was unfolded at the recent World Robot Conference in Beijing.
\n
The WRC 2025 showcased rapidly advancing embodied intelligence technology, with humanoid robots as the highlight, demonstrating significant progress achieved globally and particularly in China, while the event also served to illuminate a wide range of future commercial application scenarios.
\n
Themed "Making Robots Smarter, Making Embodied Agents More Intelligent," the five-day conference that finished earlier this week featured forums, exhibitions, competitions and networking events — with over 200 robotics companies from around the world showcasing their latest innovations.
\n
Exhibitors at the WRC showed off their latest humanoid robots along with other varieties such as wheeled robots, collaborative robots and quadruped or hexapod robotic dogs, as well as newly developed embodied intelligence models.
\n
Unitree Robotics, based in East China's Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, brought its latest humanoid R1 and quadrupedal A2 automatons to the conference. A crowd favorite was a boxing match by two of the latest upgraded GI robots. The mechanical boxers punched and defended like real human fighters, while getting up to continue even after being knocked down.
\n
Marketing manager at Unitree, Liu Jinda, said the sparring demonstration wasn't just for show. "During boxing, multiple joints need to coordinate with extremely fast reaction times. When subjected to external forces, the robots must quickly regain stability and balance. This practice provides valuable experience for developers to improve robotic performance."
\n
In the exhibition area of Galaxea AI, visitors only needed to say "Please make the bed," and the company's new R1 Lite robot responded by completing the task in a randomly disordered bedroom all by itself.
\n
Galaxea AI chief scientist Zhao Hang said the key to embodied intelligence robots lies in their "brain" — represented by the sophistication of their algorithms. R1 Lite's Vision-Language-Action model uses a single end-to-end architecture to achieve precise control from visual perception to its sophisticated joints, enabling it to perform highly complex, long-sequence tasks like making a bed.
\n
At a conference forum, Ni Guangnan, an academician at the Chinese Academy of Engineering, emphasized that combining robots with AI requires elevating robotic intelligence through "brain-eye-action "coordinated systems — enabling automatons to see, understand and act in the real world.
\n
Unitree CEO Wang Xingxing said that while current robotic hardware is generally sufficient, their AI capabilities still fall far short of industry needs, and developing sufficient embodied intelligence models will be the most critical task for the industry in the future.
\n
China's innovations in embodied intelligence are powered by the robust development of its robotics industry. According to data released at the conference, the country's robotics industry generated nearly 240 billion yuan ($33.4 billion) in revenue in 2024.
\n
In the first half, industrial robot production in China reached 370,000 units while service robot output hit 8.82 million units, representing year-on-year growth of 35.6 percent and 25.5 percent, respectively. China has also been the world's largest industrial robot application market for 12 consecutive years, with its share of the world's newly installed robots increasing from 51 percent in 2023 to 54 percent in 2024.
\n
Rev Lebaredian, vice-president of Omniverse and simulation technology at Nvidia, said in a speech at a forum that China boasts the world's largest pool of top-tier graduates in computer science and AI, while holding a distinct advantage in physical-world tech development. This enables the country to produce robots that are both cost-effective and highly efficient — a capability unmatched by other countries.
\n
Moreover, China possesses not only manufacturing prowess, but also the unique ability to deploy robots at scale and iterate rapidly. By deploying robots in real-world applications and collecting operational data, Chinese developers can continuously optimize robotic systems. This closed-loop improvement capability has become an essential requirement for robotics advancement, and China already enjoys this competitive edge, Lebaredian said.
\n
The embodied intelligence sector, notably, is attracting not only AI innovators, but also traditional industrial robotics companies. At WRC 2025, established players like Siasun and Dobot, once focused on robotic arms and autonomous forklifts, deployed humanoid robots at their most visible displays. With decades of industrial application experience, they are injecting new momentum into the application of embodied intelligence technologies.
\n
At the opening ceremony of the conference, the Chinese Institute of Electronics unveiled 10 most promising application scenarios for humanoid robots, such as automotive manufacturing, petrochemical production inspection, emergency response operations, home services and agricultural tasks.
\n
The Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Center showcased the multi-agent and multitasking collaborative capabilities of embodied intelligent robots in industrial scenarios. Some of the robots are responsible for power inspection and others sort parts on assembly lines, while robotic arms in the inspection area automatically identify defective light bulbs.
\n
Several that showcased products at the expo have achieved initial commercialization in the medical and eldercare sectors. For example, a six-legged robotic dog developed by Shanghai Jiao Tong University will provide assistance to vision impaired individuals such as serving as seeing-eye dogs at the upcoming 15th National Games in November, jointly hosted by Guangdong province, Macao and Hong Kong.
\n
Longwood Valley MedTech, meanwhile, introduced its latest orthopedic surgical robot — which enables more precise, minimally invasive and safer surgical procedures, reducing surgery time from around three hours to just 30 minutes. It also minimizes blood loss, accelerates patient recovery, lowers the risk of postoperative complications and cuts medical costs.
\n
Beijing AI-robotics Technology exhibited various wearable exoskeleton robots that can not only help paraplegic individuals stand and walk, but also assist the elderly with stair climbing.
\n
Shuai Mei, the company's founder, said these robots detect both the user's walking intent and terrain conditions, and then use AI algorithms to adapt to the ground and gait in real time, thereby providing appropriate assistance. The company has sold around 1,000 units of its medical and eldercare products, which are now in use in over 300 hospitals nationwide.
\n
Wan Gang, president of the China Association for Science and Technology, said at the conference that China is intensifying its efforts in this cutting-edge and future-oriented industry to spur new consumption, cultivate emerging industries, create jobs, promote economic growth and improve people's lives.
Visitors watch a robot working at a popcorn stand at the 2025 World AI Conference in Shanghai in July.
\n
BEIJING — With two taps on a screen, soft music plays, and a robotic arm begins to massage. "So comfortable," a guest smiles. "I could lie here all day."
\n
This is no ordinary machine. Developed by Chinese firm Aubo (Beijing) Robotics Technology Co Ltd, it's a collaborative robot, or cobot, capable of sensing, adapting and responding to its surroundings. It represents a new frontier in automation: embodied intelligence, involving machines that don't just think, but also feel.
\n
"Welcome to the new face of Chinese manufacturing — not man versus machine, but man with machine," said Tian Hua, senior manager of Aubo's marketing department.
\n
Once confined to factory floors, cobots are now spilling into healthcare and hospitality. As China transitions toward high-quality, innovation-driven growth, companies like Aubo are positioning cobots not as job-takers, but as partners — unlocking new potential for small businesses, skilled workers and daily life.
\n
For decades, automation was equated with job loss. But the rise of cobots suggests a new narrative — collaboration over competition.
\n
As Tian points to a robot barista, a latte is expertly topped with a flourish of foam art. "It takes 90 seconds to recreate a master's pour," said Tian. "We've deployed these in libraries and Instagrammable spots in Beijing, and they've become instant crowd favorites."
\n
It can consistently produce 300 cups of high-quality latte art coffee a day, the equivalent of a human barista working nonstop for 15 hours and still struggling to maintain the same level of quality.
\n
"These robots aren't here to replace people," Tian added. "They support human staff by handling repetitive, physically demanding tasks, freeing them up for more valuable, human-focused work."
\n
For many small and medium-sized enterprises in China, the pressure is mounting. As labor shortages grow — particularly with Gen Z steering clear of repetitive factory jobs — automation has shifted from a luxury to a lifeline.
\n
Aubo's cobots, built for easy setup and priced within reach, are helping to bridge that gap. Their best-selling palletizing model, for example, can stack up to nine boxes per minute, doing the work of three to four human laborers.
\n
Sales to small manufacturers now make up more than 40 percent of the company's domestic orders, and the share is growing. "We've sold over 35,000 units cumulatively, making us the first in China to surpass 30,000 units, ranking first nationwide and second globally, just behind Universal Robots," Song Zhongkang, director of the Aubo Research Institute, told Xinhua News Agency in an interview. "At our peak, annual profits doubled. Growth is now holding steady at around 30-50 percent."
\n
But it's not just about efficiency. Aubo's cobots are helping SMEs — the backbone of China's economy, responsible for over 60 percent of GDP and 80 percent of urban employment — compete on a global stage, from textile workshops in East China's Zhejiang province to electronics factories in South China's Guangdong province.
\n
"Beyond SMEs, we also supply top-quality products to leading players in the automotive, 3C and home appliance sectors," Tian added.
\n
In a country still reliant on a vast blue-collar workforce, Aubo is also investing in education.
\n
"Some tasks like welding, industrial painting or marathon surgeries, are too harsh for humans," Tian said. "Cobots don't replace workers; they enhance safety and dignity."
\n
To bridge the skills gap, Aubo has rolled out over 1,000 training programs in Chinese technical colleges. Thousands of workers, many with no prior coding or automation experience, have transformed into skilled cobot operators, steering machines with a joystick and gaining new purpose in an evolving economy.
\n
Aubo's cobots — lightweight, human-safe and easy to master — are transforming China's workforce. "No degree needed. Some of our top operators were once packers or cleaners," Tian said.
\n
"I thought automation would take my job," said Liu Wei, a former assembly worker and now a certified technician. "Instead, it gave me a better one with more pay and more control."
\n
By relieving workers from repetitive, high-intensity, and hazardous tasks like welding or heavy lifting, Aubo is cultivating a more adaptable, resilient and future-ready labor force.
\n
Aubo's cobots embody a bold vision — technological independence. Unlike many Chinese firms with foreign ties, Aubo is wholly homegrown, with 100 percent local R&D and manufacturing, driven by a team that includes 10 PhDs and 60 master's degree holders among its 500 global employees. Founder Wei Hongxing, once an aerospace researcher, started the company in a modest 10-person lab under China's "863 Program" for cutting-edge technology.
\n
Now boasting over 270 patents, Aubo invests nearly 100 million yuan ($13.8 million) annually in research — about one-sixth of its revenue. "Not a single foreign chip powers our core systems," Wei said. "True security and scalability come from building your own tools."
\n
Aubo Robotics' unwavering commitment to full-stack independence — from chips to algorithms — has positioned it as a formidable rival to global robotics giants like ABB, Kuka and Universal Robots. This year, Aubo has achieved a 95 percent domestic production rate, a landmark in China's quest for technological self-reliance.
\n
Yet its ambitions extend far beyond home.
\n
With over 2,000 partners across 50 countries, the company exports to North America, Europe, Southeast Asia, South America and advanced markets like Japan, where robotics adoption is among the highest globally. Its products, certified by CE and NRTL standards, command higher profit margins abroad.
\n
Overseas markets are experiencing increasing demand. By 2030, the global cobot market is projected to reach $11.6 billion, with Chinese firms, led by Aubo, targeting a 30 percent share, according to a Grand View Research report.
\n
"Overseas clients value our adaptability," Tian said. "Our cobots can switch formations and handle diverse orders, deploying in under two hours without needing a full technical crew."
\n
Looking forward, Aubo is investing in cloud-connected cobots, AI-powered adaptive controls and remote surgical robotics. As machines grow smarter, the scope of human collaboration is expanding.
\n
Whether on a factory floor or in a cafe, Aubo's vision endures. Humans no longer toil like machines because machines now work alongside them.
\n",
- "content": "
Visitors watch a robot working at a popcorn stand at the 2025 World AI Conference in Shanghai in July.
\n
BEIJING — With two taps on a screen, soft music plays, and a robotic arm begins to massage. "So comfortable," a guest smiles. "I could lie here all day."
\n
This is no ordinary machine. Developed by Chinese firm Aubo (Beijing) Robotics Technology Co Ltd, it's a collaborative robot, or cobot, capable of sensing, adapting and responding to its surroundings. It represents a new frontier in automation: embodied intelligence, involving machines that don't just think, but also feel.
\n
"Welcome to the new face of Chinese manufacturing — not man versus machine, but man with machine," said Tian Hua, senior manager of Aubo's marketing department.
\n
Once confined to factory floors, cobots are now spilling into healthcare and hospitality. As China transitions toward high-quality, innovation-driven growth, companies like Aubo are positioning cobots not as job-takers, but as partners — unlocking new potential for small businesses, skilled workers and daily life.
\n
For decades, automation was equated with job loss. But the rise of cobots suggests a new narrative — collaboration over competition.
\n
As Tian points to a robot barista, a latte is expertly topped with a flourish of foam art. "It takes 90 seconds to recreate a master's pour," said Tian. "We've deployed these in libraries and Instagrammable spots in Beijing, and they've become instant crowd favorites."
\n
It can consistently produce 300 cups of high-quality latte art coffee a day, the equivalent of a human barista working nonstop for 15 hours and still struggling to maintain the same level of quality.
\n
"These robots aren't here to replace people," Tian added. "They support human staff by handling repetitive, physically demanding tasks, freeing them up for more valuable, human-focused work."
\n
For many small and medium-sized enterprises in China, the pressure is mounting. As labor shortages grow — particularly with Gen Z steering clear of repetitive factory jobs — automation has shifted from a luxury to a lifeline.
\n
Aubo's cobots, built for easy setup and priced within reach, are helping to bridge that gap. Their best-selling palletizing model, for example, can stack up to nine boxes per minute, doing the work of three to four human laborers.
\n
Sales to small manufacturers now make up more than 40 percent of the company's domestic orders, and the share is growing. "We've sold over 35,000 units cumulatively, making us the first in China to surpass 30,000 units, ranking first nationwide and second globally, just behind Universal Robots," Song Zhongkang, director of the Aubo Research Institute, told Xinhua News Agency in an interview. "At our peak, annual profits doubled. Growth is now holding steady at around 30-50 percent."
\n
But it's not just about efficiency. Aubo's cobots are helping SMEs — the backbone of China's economy, responsible for over 60 percent of GDP and 80 percent of urban employment — compete on a global stage, from textile workshops in East China's Zhejiang province to electronics factories in South China's Guangdong province.
\n
"Beyond SMEs, we also supply top-quality products to leading players in the automotive, 3C and home appliance sectors," Tian added.
\n
In a country still reliant on a vast blue-collar workforce, Aubo is also investing in education.
\n
"Some tasks like welding, industrial painting or marathon surgeries, are too harsh for humans," Tian said. "Cobots don't replace workers; they enhance safety and dignity."
\n
To bridge the skills gap, Aubo has rolled out over 1,000 training programs in Chinese technical colleges. Thousands of workers, many with no prior coding or automation experience, have transformed into skilled cobot operators, steering machines with a joystick and gaining new purpose in an evolving economy.
\n
Aubo's cobots — lightweight, human-safe and easy to master — are transforming China's workforce. "No degree needed. Some of our top operators were once packers or cleaners," Tian said.
\n
"I thought automation would take my job," said Liu Wei, a former assembly worker and now a certified technician. "Instead, it gave me a better one with more pay and more control."
\n
By relieving workers from repetitive, high-intensity, and hazardous tasks like welding or heavy lifting, Aubo is cultivating a more adaptable, resilient and future-ready labor force.
\n
Aubo's cobots embody a bold vision — technological independence. Unlike many Chinese firms with foreign ties, Aubo is wholly homegrown, with 100 percent local R&D and manufacturing, driven by a team that includes 10 PhDs and 60 master's degree holders among its 500 global employees. Founder Wei Hongxing, once an aerospace researcher, started the company in a modest 10-person lab under China's "863 Program" for cutting-edge technology.
\n
Now boasting over 270 patents, Aubo invests nearly 100 million yuan ($13.8 million) annually in research — about one-sixth of its revenue. "Not a single foreign chip powers our core systems," Wei said. "True security and scalability come from building your own tools."
\n
Aubo Robotics' unwavering commitment to full-stack independence — from chips to algorithms — has positioned it as a formidable rival to global robotics giants like ABB, Kuka and Universal Robots. This year, Aubo has achieved a 95 percent domestic production rate, a landmark in China's quest for technological self-reliance.
\n
Yet its ambitions extend far beyond home.
\n
With over 2,000 partners across 50 countries, the company exports to North America, Europe, Southeast Asia, South America and advanced markets like Japan, where robotics adoption is among the highest globally. Its products, certified by CE and NRTL standards, command higher profit margins abroad.
\n
Overseas markets are experiencing increasing demand. By 2030, the global cobot market is projected to reach $11.6 billion, with Chinese firms, led by Aubo, targeting a 30 percent share, according to a Grand View Research report.
\n
"Overseas clients value our adaptability," Tian said. "Our cobots can switch formations and handle diverse orders, deploying in under two hours without needing a full technical crew."
\n
Looking forward, Aubo is investing in cloud-connected cobots, AI-powered adaptive controls and remote surgical robotics. As machines grow smarter, the scope of human collaboration is expanding.
\n
Whether on a factory floor or in a cafe, Aubo's vision endures. Humans no longer toil like machines because machines now work alongside them.
Visitors are deeply interested in a touring exhibition in Beijing that was hosted by the New Fourth Army Memorial Hall.
\n
Left: A view of the exterior of the New Fourth Army Memorial Hall. Right: A stone stele is among more than 18,000 artifacts in the hall, silently narrating the heroic deeds of this legendary revolutionary force.
\n
The site of the reconstructed military headquarters of the New Fourth Army in Yancheng, Jiangsu.
\n
At first glance, the white marble stele at the New Fourth Army Memorial Hall in Yancheng, East China's Jiangsu province, seems unremarkable.
\n
But a closer look at the nearly two-meter-tall monument reveals that it bears a moving tale.
\n
"The great embankment stretches approximately 80 li (40 kilometers), from Huacheng (a low-lying area near Binhai county of Yancheng) in the south to the Huaihe River in the north, with a base width of 21 meters and a crest of three and a half meters," the inscription reads.
\n
"To understand this story, we must first consider the geography of Yancheng, a historic revolutionary base," says Qiu Jinbiao, director of the memorial hall. "Located along the Yellow Sea, the region had long suffered devastating tidal surges and coastal flooding. In August 1939, disaster struck: a catastrophic tsunami pounded northern Yancheng, sweeping away thatched houses, submerging entire villages, and swallowing vast tracts of farmland. More than 13,000 people lost their lives in the waves.
\n
"It was at this desperate moment that the Communist Party of China and the New Fourth Army stepped forward, standing as a bulwark against the fury of the sea," he adds.
\n
After the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) broke out in full scale in 1937, the Communist Party of China and the Kuomintang formed their second united front to combat Japanese imperialism.
\n
As part of the agreement, the Red Army and guerrilla forces from eight southern provinces were reorganized into the New Fourth Army, with Ye Ting as its commander.
\n
In January 1938, as the war situation changed, the New Fourth Army's headquarters relocated from Wuhan of Hubei province to Sanyanjing, Nanchang of Jiangxi province. As more officers arrived, it established command, political, and logistics departments. In Nanchang, the New Fourth Army completed the organizational structure of its leadership and consolidated internal structures. At the same time, the army established a wartime service corps that rallied the public with street campaigns to resist the Japanese invasion.
\n
This initiative turned Nanchang into a hub of anti-Japanese activity in southeastern China.
\n
But the army's growing strength alarmed anti-Communist hard-liners within the KMT. In January 1941, the KMT faction launched the notorious Wan'nan Incident (Southern Anhui Incident) to crush the New Fourth Army, inflicting heavy losses.
\n
To counter KMT suppression and continue the fight against Japanese occupation, the CPC reestablished the New Fourth Army in Yancheng on Jan 25, 1941. It was reorganized into seven divisions and one independent brigade, totaling more than 90,000 troops.
\n
This marked the New Fourth Army's transition into an independent, self-sufficient force responsible for anti-Japanese operations behind enemy lines in Central China.
\n
Over the course of the war, it fought more than 24,600 battles, eliminating over 470,000 Japanese and puppet troops.
\n
From an initial 10,000 soldiers, the force grew to 210,000 regular troops, 97,000 local militiamen, and nearly a million civilian self-defense fighters. More than 80,000 soldiers died in the struggle.
\n
"It vividly illustrated the New Fourth Army's pivotal role," Qiu says.
\n
Amid relentless attacks from Japanese puppet forces and severe shortages, the New Fourth Army joined forces with Song Naide, head of Funing county anti-Japanese democratic government, to protect the coast. Mobilizing over 20,000 laborers, they built the seawall with their bare hands — a literal bulwark of flesh and blood against the raging tides.
\n
The people of Yancheng, grateful for this lifesaving project, carved their appreciation into the white marble stele now displayed in the memorial hall.
\n
"This stele stands today as an enduring physical proof of the CPC and New Fourth Army's unwavering commitment to serving the people," Qiu says.
\n
The stele is among more than 18,000 artifacts at the New Fourth Army Memorial Hall, each silently narrating the heroic deeds of this legendary revolutionary force.
\n
The memorial hall houses a special exhibit featuring a grayish-white silk cheongsam, along with a silver ring set with the portrait of a martyr. They once belonged to Wang Haiwen, a drama student, who joined the resistance under the influence of her patriotic family.
\n
In 1941, during a large-scale Japanese sweep, Wang and her classmates were ambushed while moving northwest toward Yancheng. Surrounded, they fought with unflinching courage until they fell. Wang was just 17.
\n
In 1986, her family donated the cheongsam that she had worn, along with a ring inlaid with her photograph, to the New Fourth Army Memorial Hall in tribute to her bravery and sacrifice.
\n
The cheongsam has been one of the most popular artifacts in the museum's collection, thanks to the subsequent restoration efforts, Qiu notes.
\n
"After extensive research on the fabric's structure and design, the restoration process involved numerous steps, including drawing, small-scale trials, medium-scale tests, and large-scale fabric production," he says.
\n
Under the meticulous craftsmanship of a renowned artisan, the precious artifact was revived, not only preserving its elegance but also reigniting the spirit of sacrifice and patriotism of the New Fourth Army's brave youth, he adds.
\n
Additionally, efforts have been made to scan and model Wang's cheongsam using 3D technology as part of an immersive theatrical experience that allows visitors to engage more deeply with the past.
\n
"All of it ensures that their legacy continues to shine brightly," Qiu says.
\n
The memorial hall aims to move from mere preservation to active use and transmission. This includes adopting creative protection methods, increasing the collection of significant historical artifacts, and establishing detailed cataloging systems, Qiu explains.
\n
In the last three years alone, the museum has expanded its collection by 1,069 artifacts, which include personal items, letters, and items from World War II, such as flags and weapons, each telling the story of sacrifice and resilience.
\n
Furthermore, the memorial hall has embraced digital innovation and established a red culture service platform, which provides online access to collections and promotes educational initiatives related to the New Fourth Army's legacy.
\n
Since its founding in 1986, the memorial hall has welcomed over 41 million visitors from home and abroad, Qiu says.
\n
The popularity of the New Fourth Army can be partly explained by the lyrics of the song Cabbage Heart etched on a wall of the memorial hall.
\n
"When eating vegetables, eat the cabbage heart; when joining the army, join the New Fourth Army …You die for the people, and the people live because of you. Everyone, come join the army," goes the song that quickly spread across the country when published in July 1943.
\n
Zhang Li, associate professor with the Yancheng New Fourth Army Cadre Academy, says that all units of the New Fourth Army responded to the Party's call by carrying out streamlined, efficient military governance, developing local economies, organizing production competitions, promoting the salt industry, improving water conservancy, and revitalizing education and cultural endeavors. These efforts deepened its ties with the people, he adds.
\n
According to the memorial hall's deputy director Zhu Zhuo, 128 towns and villages in Yancheng are named after martyrs, and there are a total of 248 revolutionary sites. Over 18,000 martyrs are buried in this region.
\n
To reach wider audiences, the memorial hall has organized major exhibitions across China.
\n
Last year, a traveling exhibition celebrating the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China toured Beijing, Hefei in Anhui province, and Nanchang, attracting nearly 100,000 visitors, Qiu says.
\n
The museum also collaborates with institutions at home and abroad to share the New Fourth Army's story on the global stage.
\n
The goal is to ensure sacrifices of the New Fourth Army and the broader wartime legacy remain an enduring part of China's national consciousness, Qiu says.
\n
Contact the writer at yangfeiyue@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
- "content": "
Visitors are deeply interested in a touring exhibition in Beijing that was hosted by the New Fourth Army Memorial Hall.
\n
Left: A view of the exterior of the New Fourth Army Memorial Hall. Right: A stone stele is among more than 18,000 artifacts in the hall, silently narrating the heroic deeds of this legendary revolutionary force.
\n
The site of the reconstructed military headquarters of the New Fourth Army in Yancheng, Jiangsu.
\n
At first glance, the white marble stele at the New Fourth Army Memorial Hall in Yancheng, East China's Jiangsu province, seems unremarkable.
\n
But a closer look at the nearly two-meter-tall monument reveals that it bears a moving tale.
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"The great embankment stretches approximately 80 li (40 kilometers), from Huacheng (a low-lying area near Binhai county of Yancheng) in the south to the Huaihe River in the north, with a base width of 21 meters and a crest of three and a half meters," the inscription reads.
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"To understand this story, we must first consider the geography of Yancheng, a historic revolutionary base," says Qiu Jinbiao, director of the memorial hall. "Located along the Yellow Sea, the region had long suffered devastating tidal surges and coastal flooding. In August 1939, disaster struck: a catastrophic tsunami pounded northern Yancheng, sweeping away thatched houses, submerging entire villages, and swallowing vast tracts of farmland. More than 13,000 people lost their lives in the waves.
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"It was at this desperate moment that the Communist Party of China and the New Fourth Army stepped forward, standing as a bulwark against the fury of the sea," he adds.
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After the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) broke out in full scale in 1937, the Communist Party of China and the Kuomintang formed their second united front to combat Japanese imperialism.
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As part of the agreement, the Red Army and guerrilla forces from eight southern provinces were reorganized into the New Fourth Army, with Ye Ting as its commander.
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In January 1938, as the war situation changed, the New Fourth Army's headquarters relocated from Wuhan of Hubei province to Sanyanjing, Nanchang of Jiangxi province. As more officers arrived, it established command, political, and logistics departments. In Nanchang, the New Fourth Army completed the organizational structure of its leadership and consolidated internal structures. At the same time, the army established a wartime service corps that rallied the public with street campaigns to resist the Japanese invasion.
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This initiative turned Nanchang into a hub of anti-Japanese activity in southeastern China.
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But the army's growing strength alarmed anti-Communist hard-liners within the KMT. In January 1941, the KMT faction launched the notorious Wan'nan Incident (Southern Anhui Incident) to crush the New Fourth Army, inflicting heavy losses.
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To counter KMT suppression and continue the fight against Japanese occupation, the CPC reestablished the New Fourth Army in Yancheng on Jan 25, 1941. It was reorganized into seven divisions and one independent brigade, totaling more than 90,000 troops.
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This marked the New Fourth Army's transition into an independent, self-sufficient force responsible for anti-Japanese operations behind enemy lines in Central China.
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Over the course of the war, it fought more than 24,600 battles, eliminating over 470,000 Japanese and puppet troops.
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From an initial 10,000 soldiers, the force grew to 210,000 regular troops, 97,000 local militiamen, and nearly a million civilian self-defense fighters. More than 80,000 soldiers died in the struggle.
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"It vividly illustrated the New Fourth Army's pivotal role," Qiu says.
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Amid relentless attacks from Japanese puppet forces and severe shortages, the New Fourth Army joined forces with Song Naide, head of Funing county anti-Japanese democratic government, to protect the coast. Mobilizing over 20,000 laborers, they built the seawall with their bare hands — a literal bulwark of flesh and blood against the raging tides.
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The people of Yancheng, grateful for this lifesaving project, carved their appreciation into the white marble stele now displayed in the memorial hall.
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"This stele stands today as an enduring physical proof of the CPC and New Fourth Army's unwavering commitment to serving the people," Qiu says.
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The stele is among more than 18,000 artifacts at the New Fourth Army Memorial Hall, each silently narrating the heroic deeds of this legendary revolutionary force.
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The memorial hall houses a special exhibit featuring a grayish-white silk cheongsam, along with a silver ring set with the portrait of a martyr. They once belonged to Wang Haiwen, a drama student, who joined the resistance under the influence of her patriotic family.
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In 1941, during a large-scale Japanese sweep, Wang and her classmates were ambushed while moving northwest toward Yancheng. Surrounded, they fought with unflinching courage until they fell. Wang was just 17.
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In 1986, her family donated the cheongsam that she had worn, along with a ring inlaid with her photograph, to the New Fourth Army Memorial Hall in tribute to her bravery and sacrifice.
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The cheongsam has been one of the most popular artifacts in the museum's collection, thanks to the subsequent restoration efforts, Qiu notes.
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"After extensive research on the fabric's structure and design, the restoration process involved numerous steps, including drawing, small-scale trials, medium-scale tests, and large-scale fabric production," he says.
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Under the meticulous craftsmanship of a renowned artisan, the precious artifact was revived, not only preserving its elegance but also reigniting the spirit of sacrifice and patriotism of the New Fourth Army's brave youth, he adds.
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Additionally, efforts have been made to scan and model Wang's cheongsam using 3D technology as part of an immersive theatrical experience that allows visitors to engage more deeply with the past.
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"All of it ensures that their legacy continues to shine brightly," Qiu says.
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The memorial hall aims to move from mere preservation to active use and transmission. This includes adopting creative protection methods, increasing the collection of significant historical artifacts, and establishing detailed cataloging systems, Qiu explains.
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In the last three years alone, the museum has expanded its collection by 1,069 artifacts, which include personal items, letters, and items from World War II, such as flags and weapons, each telling the story of sacrifice and resilience.
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Furthermore, the memorial hall has embraced digital innovation and established a red culture service platform, which provides online access to collections and promotes educational initiatives related to the New Fourth Army's legacy.
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Since its founding in 1986, the memorial hall has welcomed over 41 million visitors from home and abroad, Qiu says.
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The popularity of the New Fourth Army can be partly explained by the lyrics of the song Cabbage Heart etched on a wall of the memorial hall.
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"When eating vegetables, eat the cabbage heart; when joining the army, join the New Fourth Army …You die for the people, and the people live because of you. Everyone, come join the army," goes the song that quickly spread across the country when published in July 1943.
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Zhang Li, associate professor with the Yancheng New Fourth Army Cadre Academy, says that all units of the New Fourth Army responded to the Party's call by carrying out streamlined, efficient military governance, developing local economies, organizing production competitions, promoting the salt industry, improving water conservancy, and revitalizing education and cultural endeavors. These efforts deepened its ties with the people, he adds.
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According to the memorial hall's deputy director Zhu Zhuo, 128 towns and villages in Yancheng are named after martyrs, and there are a total of 248 revolutionary sites. Over 18,000 martyrs are buried in this region.
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To reach wider audiences, the memorial hall has organized major exhibitions across China.
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Last year, a traveling exhibition celebrating the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China toured Beijing, Hefei in Anhui province, and Nanchang, attracting nearly 100,000 visitors, Qiu says.
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The museum also collaborates with institutions at home and abroad to share the New Fourth Army's story on the global stage.
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The goal is to ensure sacrifices of the New Fourth Army and the broader wartime legacy remain an enduring part of China's national consciousness, Qiu says.
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Contact the writer at yangfeiyue@chinadaily.com.cn
The sanfu days — China's dog days — are three 10-day stretches marking the year's hottest, most humid period, usually spanning July and August. Oil painter Dai Shihe has borrowed the term as the title of his ongoing Shanghai exhibition, not only because it features his 1997 oil work of the same name — a painting of a freshly sliced, glistening watermelon — but also to stir thoughts of the coming autumn. The show, now underway at Liu Haisu Art Museum, charts the career of Dai, a professor of Central Academy of Fine Arts, spanning several decades in which he has always sought innovative methods to make art cool and experimental. His paintings burst with saturated colors and energetic, almost explosive brushwork, delivering a dramatic punch. Rooted in everyday life, they offer portraits of people's state of mind and subtle emotional shifts. The exhibition runs through Aug 31.
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9 am-5 pm, closed on Mondays.1609 Yan'an Xi Lu, Changning district, Shanghai. 021-6270-1018.
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Northwest vision
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The 1980s and '90s saw an eruption of artworks depicting the landscapes and social lives of Northwest China with Duan Zhengqu as one of its pioneers. Rejecting conventional figurative brushwork, he explored an experimental style to praise the majestic Loess Plateau and the resilient, optimistic people who endure its harshness.
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Duan's ongoing exhibition at Tsinghua University Art Museum until Oct 15, Stories of the Northwest, shows how he has been digging deep in this motif, now a hallmark of his art, over four decades. Raised in rural Henan province, Duan is no stranger to the vast countryside and village life in the Northwest. As his experiences and vision grew, his portrayals found more perspectives to depict the area, more exaggerated, even surreal.
When Zhong Han enrolled at the Central Academy of Fine Arts in 1955, he was 26, a late start for someone to learn oil art. But he had talent, and was lucky to study under several good artists and teachers, such as Ai Zhongxin, Wei Qimei and Dong Xiwen. He devoted his career to portraying his homeland and its people, using bold colors and expansive compositions to secure his place in late 20th-century Chinese art.
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Perfecting for Sixty Years, now at Guangdong Museum of Art in Guangzhou, retraces Zhong's artistic journey to document the breadth and depth of social changes in China. Zhong died in 2023 at age 94. The exhibition runs through Sept 21.
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9 am-5 pm, closed on Mondays. 19 Bai'etan Nan Lu, Liwan district, Guangzhou, Guangdong province. 020-8890-2999.
\n",
- "content": "\n\n\n
Art for cool days
\n
The sanfu days — China's dog days — are three 10-day stretches marking the year's hottest, most humid period, usually spanning July and August. Oil painter Dai Shihe has borrowed the term as the title of his ongoing Shanghai exhibition, not only because it features his 1997 oil work of the same name — a painting of a freshly sliced, glistening watermelon — but also to stir thoughts of the coming autumn. The show, now underway at Liu Haisu Art Museum, charts the career of Dai, a professor of Central Academy of Fine Arts, spanning several decades in which he has always sought innovative methods to make art cool and experimental. His paintings burst with saturated colors and energetic, almost explosive brushwork, delivering a dramatic punch. Rooted in everyday life, they offer portraits of people's state of mind and subtle emotional shifts. The exhibition runs through Aug 31.
\n
9 am-5 pm, closed on Mondays.1609 Yan'an Xi Lu, Changning district, Shanghai. 021-6270-1018.
\n
Northwest vision
\n
The 1980s and '90s saw an eruption of artworks depicting the landscapes and social lives of Northwest China with Duan Zhengqu as one of its pioneers. Rejecting conventional figurative brushwork, he explored an experimental style to praise the majestic Loess Plateau and the resilient, optimistic people who endure its harshness.
\n
Duan's ongoing exhibition at Tsinghua University Art Museum until Oct 15, Stories of the Northwest, shows how he has been digging deep in this motif, now a hallmark of his art, over four decades. Raised in rural Henan province, Duan is no stranger to the vast countryside and village life in the Northwest. As his experiences and vision grew, his portrayals found more perspectives to depict the area, more exaggerated, even surreal.
When Zhong Han enrolled at the Central Academy of Fine Arts in 1955, he was 26, a late start for someone to learn oil art. But he had talent, and was lucky to study under several good artists and teachers, such as Ai Zhongxin, Wei Qimei and Dong Xiwen. He devoted his career to portraying his homeland and its people, using bold colors and expansive compositions to secure his place in late 20th-century Chinese art.
\n
Perfecting for Sixty Years, now at Guangdong Museum of Art in Guangzhou, retraces Zhong's artistic journey to document the breadth and depth of social changes in China. Zhong died in 2023 at age 94. The exhibition runs through Sept 21.
\n
9 am-5 pm, closed on Mondays. 19 Bai'etan Nan Lu, Liwan district, Guangzhou, Guangdong province. 020-8890-2999.
Ling Cage, a popular sci-fi animated series, fictionalizes a postapocalyptic world where humans rely on cutting-edge technology to battle catastrophe.
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Marc, the protagonist of the franchise.
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A scene from the second season featuring Bai Yuekui, a powerful female character, wielding a weapon inspired by Chinese martial arts.
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An artistic rendering of a futuristic world.
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When Dong Xiangbo was in primary school, his father once caught him skipping homework to watch Dinosaur Corps Koseidon, a popular Japanese sci-fi series. The punishment was swift: a spanking that left the boy in tears. Yet, even as his father scolded him, Dong kept sneaking glances at the TV, where a superhero battled aliens.
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Decades later, that childhood moment feels almost prophetic. Today, the 38-year-old director is at the helm of Ling Cage, one of China's most ambitious sci-fi animated series.
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The latest, its second season, marks a return to the futuristic world after a six-year hiatus. Since its release, it has racked up over 320 million online views and earned a stellar 8.9 out of 10 on the popular review site Douban.
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Set in a postapocalyptic world, Ling Cage envisions humanity on the brink of extinction after a catastrophic geological disaster. The survivors take refuge in a floating fortress governed by draconian laws: emotional bonds are banned, reproduction is strictly controlled to ensure genetic superiority, and the weak are exiled.
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Marc, the series' protagonist, was once a commander tasked with retrieving vital supplies like food and medicine from the dangerous surface, overrun by monstrous predators. But after losing his beloved in a scheme engineered by the fortress ruler's son — once his friend and mentor — Marc transforms into one of the very creatures he hunted.
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The new season picks up where the first left off, introducing a seemingly utopian village, a stark contrast to the fortress. At first idyllic, with residents enjoying peaceful lives, the settlement is soon revealed to harbor sinister experiments and moral compromises. Marc, still clinging to his human consciousness, embarks on a new adventure to face even greater challenges.
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The second season, enhanced by advanced technologies like motion capture, features over 10,000 different shots.
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For producer Ruan Rui, also the founder of animation studio YHKT Entertainment, the village's design draws from ancient Chinese philosophy — particularly the belief that human perseverance can overcome even the harshest environments. While sci-fi has long thrived in the West, Ruan says he and his fellow creators have worked hard to develop sci-fi stories rooted in Chinese culture that reflect distinctly Chinese ideas.
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Such instances range from characters using martial arts to fight monsters to engaging in typical Chinese pastimes like playing mahjong, eating hotpot, and gathering elderly villagers for square dancing as a form of exercise.
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When the idea for the franchise emerged around 2015 or 2016, global tensions also shaped its themes. "We originally wanted to explore how people from different countries could unite and work together to confront a global crisis," Ruan explains.
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Director Dong, also the cofounder of Wuhan-based YHKT Entertainment, says it took them four years to produce the second season. It aims to delve deeper into thought-provoking sci-fi themes — such as the limits of human potential and whether social systems trap us in patterns that are hard to escape.
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A self-taught animator, Dong traces his passion back to a chance encounter in an internet cafe where he saw a middle-aged man creating animations on a computer. Fascinated, Dong bought nearly every animation book he could find and taught himself when he was in college.
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Fueled by his interest in sci-fi — from classics by British novelist Arthur C. Clarke to works by Asia's first Hugo Award winner Liu Cixin, as well as Hollywood blockbusters like Canadian director Denis Villeneuve's Arrival (2016) — Dong says he aims to blend universal sci-fi themes with Chinese cultural elements, even weaving acupuncture into the story.
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Now leading his team in writing the script for the third season, Dong says he visited several research institutions, including the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, consulting experts on incorporating cutting-edge ideas such as brain-computer interfaces to make the new season even more compelling.
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"We hope that, through more high-quality scifi animated projects like the Ling Cage franchise, Chinese animators can elevate the global recognition of domestic animation and earn a place alongside top players in countries like the United States and Japan," says Dong.
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Contact the writer at xufan@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
- "content": "
Ling Cage, a popular sci-fi animated series, fictionalizes a postapocalyptic world where humans rely on cutting-edge technology to battle catastrophe.
\n
Marc, the protagonist of the franchise.
\n
A scene from the second season featuring Bai Yuekui, a powerful female character, wielding a weapon inspired by Chinese martial arts.
\n
An artistic rendering of a futuristic world.
\n
When Dong Xiangbo was in primary school, his father once caught him skipping homework to watch Dinosaur Corps Koseidon, a popular Japanese sci-fi series. The punishment was swift: a spanking that left the boy in tears. Yet, even as his father scolded him, Dong kept sneaking glances at the TV, where a superhero battled aliens.
\n
Decades later, that childhood moment feels almost prophetic. Today, the 38-year-old director is at the helm of Ling Cage, one of China's most ambitious sci-fi animated series.
\n
The latest, its second season, marks a return to the futuristic world after a six-year hiatus. Since its release, it has racked up over 320 million online views and earned a stellar 8.9 out of 10 on the popular review site Douban.
\n
Set in a postapocalyptic world, Ling Cage envisions humanity on the brink of extinction after a catastrophic geological disaster. The survivors take refuge in a floating fortress governed by draconian laws: emotional bonds are banned, reproduction is strictly controlled to ensure genetic superiority, and the weak are exiled.
\n
Marc, the series' protagonist, was once a commander tasked with retrieving vital supplies like food and medicine from the dangerous surface, overrun by monstrous predators. But after losing his beloved in a scheme engineered by the fortress ruler's son — once his friend and mentor — Marc transforms into one of the very creatures he hunted.
\n
The new season picks up where the first left off, introducing a seemingly utopian village, a stark contrast to the fortress. At first idyllic, with residents enjoying peaceful lives, the settlement is soon revealed to harbor sinister experiments and moral compromises. Marc, still clinging to his human consciousness, embarks on a new adventure to face even greater challenges.
\n
The second season, enhanced by advanced technologies like motion capture, features over 10,000 different shots.
\n
For producer Ruan Rui, also the founder of animation studio YHKT Entertainment, the village's design draws from ancient Chinese philosophy — particularly the belief that human perseverance can overcome even the harshest environments. While sci-fi has long thrived in the West, Ruan says he and his fellow creators have worked hard to develop sci-fi stories rooted in Chinese culture that reflect distinctly Chinese ideas.
\n
Such instances range from characters using martial arts to fight monsters to engaging in typical Chinese pastimes like playing mahjong, eating hotpot, and gathering elderly villagers for square dancing as a form of exercise.
\n
When the idea for the franchise emerged around 2015 or 2016, global tensions also shaped its themes. "We originally wanted to explore how people from different countries could unite and work together to confront a global crisis," Ruan explains.
\n
Director Dong, also the cofounder of Wuhan-based YHKT Entertainment, says it took them four years to produce the second season. It aims to delve deeper into thought-provoking sci-fi themes — such as the limits of human potential and whether social systems trap us in patterns that are hard to escape.
\n
A self-taught animator, Dong traces his passion back to a chance encounter in an internet cafe where he saw a middle-aged man creating animations on a computer. Fascinated, Dong bought nearly every animation book he could find and taught himself when he was in college.
\n
Fueled by his interest in sci-fi — from classics by British novelist Arthur C. Clarke to works by Asia's first Hugo Award winner Liu Cixin, as well as Hollywood blockbusters like Canadian director Denis Villeneuve's Arrival (2016) — Dong says he aims to blend universal sci-fi themes with Chinese cultural elements, even weaving acupuncture into the story.
\n
Now leading his team in writing the script for the third season, Dong says he visited several research institutions, including the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, consulting experts on incorporating cutting-edge ideas such as brain-computer interfaces to make the new season even more compelling.
\n
"We hope that, through more high-quality scifi animated projects like the Ling Cage franchise, Chinese animators can elevate the global recognition of domestic animation and earn a place alongside top players in countries like the United States and Japan," says Dong.
Work ended early one Friday evening. I was wondering where to go when an Eritrean friend texted me to ask if I would care to visit a restaurant in Sanlitun where I could sample food from northern, southern, western and eastern Africa. She added, for good measure, that "there will be injera", a famous flatbread from Ethiopia and Eritrea, where I had lived as a child.
\n
Although I had already eaten dinner by 6:30 pm, "over capacity "wasn't on my mind as I looked at the poster my friend had sent. It listed, among other things: samosa, goat pepper soup, white fufu with okra, jollof with grilled chicken, lamb with yellow rice, coleslaw, cassava with kale, and an Afro mojito.
\n
The poster screamed that it was "all free". I didn't think twice before, rather shamelessly, asking some of my friends to join me.
\n
A European friend wondered if it was really free. "Maybe if I come, it's not free anymore," he laughed. A Chinese friend said it's too late, but realizing she was close to the place, decided to drop in. Another African friend said she would spend extra time on the treadmill before coming.
\n
My Chinese friend arrived first and sent me photos of the food. It looked delicious, but didn't match the menu on the poster. I assumed those might be starters, but when I reached the venue, I realized she had gone to the wrong place. After she joined me, the waiter handed us the regular menu. It didn't list injera, so I asked him about it. He said if it is not on the menu, then they possibly don't have it. We decided to be modest and ordered just one dish each. When the waiter brought over a handheld payment device, I asked, hesitatingly, "Isn't this supposed to be free?"
\n
"Oh, you have come for that, I see. Then please wait a while. The food is still on its way."
\n
Soon, I saw them setting up a buffet table. My Chinese friend suddenly looked embarrassed. She thought it was OK for my Eritrean friend to invite me, but she, being a stranger, should not have rushed in for a "free" meal. My Eritrean friend arrived just then to put her at ease. Even the restaurant manager came to our table to ensure we were enjoying ourselves and requested we take some food home, too.
\n
My Eritrean friend told me they had organized food for an event, but somehow a lot of food was left over. Not wanting to throw it away, they asked patrons to ask all their friends to come and enjoy it, for free.
\n
My European friend was particularly happy, and said it was his first savory meal after gorging on cakes all day.
\n
In the end, there was so much food, we took long pauses and talked after every bite to honor the message the country had sent a few years ago by launching an "empty your plate" campaign. I particularly appreciated seeing the hosts collect some leftover injera from our plates to keep aside for the guests they were still expecting. Because the bread was torn, those recipients would clearly know they were being served leftovers of leftovers.
\n
Thinking of the many who are dying of starvation in Gaza and others who might be equally inconvenienced in other conflict zones, I felt it was a novel initiative undertaken by whoever thought of it and should be replicated by more restaurants and individuals.
\n
Contact the writer at tareq@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
- "content": "
Tareq Zahir
\n
A plate of food from different regions in Africa.
\n
Work ended early one Friday evening. I was wondering where to go when an Eritrean friend texted me to ask if I would care to visit a restaurant in Sanlitun where I could sample food from northern, southern, western and eastern Africa. She added, for good measure, that "there will be injera", a famous flatbread from Ethiopia and Eritrea, where I had lived as a child.
\n
Although I had already eaten dinner by 6:30 pm, "over capacity "wasn't on my mind as I looked at the poster my friend had sent. It listed, among other things: samosa, goat pepper soup, white fufu with okra, jollof with grilled chicken, lamb with yellow rice, coleslaw, cassava with kale, and an Afro mojito.
\n
The poster screamed that it was "all free". I didn't think twice before, rather shamelessly, asking some of my friends to join me.
\n
A European friend wondered if it was really free. "Maybe if I come, it's not free anymore," he laughed. A Chinese friend said it's too late, but realizing she was close to the place, decided to drop in. Another African friend said she would spend extra time on the treadmill before coming.
\n
My Chinese friend arrived first and sent me photos of the food. It looked delicious, but didn't match the menu on the poster. I assumed those might be starters, but when I reached the venue, I realized she had gone to the wrong place. After she joined me, the waiter handed us the regular menu. It didn't list injera, so I asked him about it. He said if it is not on the menu, then they possibly don't have it. We decided to be modest and ordered just one dish each. When the waiter brought over a handheld payment device, I asked, hesitatingly, "Isn't this supposed to be free?"
\n
"Oh, you have come for that, I see. Then please wait a while. The food is still on its way."
\n
Soon, I saw them setting up a buffet table. My Chinese friend suddenly looked embarrassed. She thought it was OK for my Eritrean friend to invite me, but she, being a stranger, should not have rushed in for a "free" meal. My Eritrean friend arrived just then to put her at ease. Even the restaurant manager came to our table to ensure we were enjoying ourselves and requested we take some food home, too.
\n
My Eritrean friend told me they had organized food for an event, but somehow a lot of food was left over. Not wanting to throw it away, they asked patrons to ask all their friends to come and enjoy it, for free.
\n
My European friend was particularly happy, and said it was his first savory meal after gorging on cakes all day.
\n
In the end, there was so much food, we took long pauses and talked after every bite to honor the message the country had sent a few years ago by launching an "empty your plate" campaign. I particularly appreciated seeing the hosts collect some leftover injera from our plates to keep aside for the guests they were still expecting. Because the bread was torn, those recipients would clearly know they were being served leftovers of leftovers.
\n
Thinking of the many who are dying of starvation in Gaza and others who might be equally inconvenienced in other conflict zones, I felt it was a novel initiative undertaken by whoever thought of it and should be replicated by more restaurants and individuals.
Zhang Jiaxuan (top) and Huang Yihang compete during the pairs skating competition Wednesday.
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From left: Zhang Ruiyang, Wang Shiyue and Liu Xinyu, and An Xiangyi in action during the national trials for the 2026 Winter Olympics figure skating qualifying tournament on Wednesday.
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As China's young figure skating national team struggles to make its way to Milano-Cortina 2026, the return of an Olympic champion pair is expected to help facilitate the program's rebuild with finesse, grit and a fresh dynamic.
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Less than six months out from the 2026 Winter Olympics, China's figure skating squad, once a proud contributor to the medal count of the country's winter sports delegation, is still fighting for tickets to the Olympic showpiece in Italy, having secured only one qualification berth in men's singles from the ISU world championships in March.
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The Olympic qualifying tournament, to be held in Beijing from Sept 17-21, will offer five more quota places in each of the men's and women's singles events, three more in pairs skating and four more in ice dance in what will be the final opportunity for Olympic aspirants to book their flight to Milan.
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Although the majority of international powerhouses, such as Japan and the United States, will skip the qualifying meet in Beijing, having filled up their quota places via the worlds, the competition for the remaining berths is guaranteed to be a fierce dogfight, and will be a tough challenge for China's current crop of fresh-faced skaters.
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The magnitude of the task in the jostle for qualification spots in women's singles, ice dance and pairs skating on home ice was laid bare at this week's national trials, where Chinese skaters' error-laden performances underscored their seemingly bleak prospects for the Beijing tournament.
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As the only women's singles skater with Olympic experience on the current team, Zhu Yi, who represented the host at the Beijing 2022 Winter Games, wrapped up her free skate at the trials on Wednesday with a costly fall on her final triple jump, allowing teen contender Zhang Ruiyang, who finished Tuesday's short program in 2nd behind Zhu, to leapfrog her senior teammate to top of the final standings.
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The 17-year-old Zhang will make her high-stakes international debut at the Beijing qualifying meet, carrying the weight of the nation's Olympic hopes on her young shoulders.
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"I got nervous during the free skate, made some mistakes here and there," said Zhang, a high-school student at Beijing No 10 Middle School.
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"If I can make it to the qualifying meet next month, I hope to show greater consistency and try to skate to the best of my ability. After all, it's almost impossible to significantly raise the difficulty level of my routines in such a short time."
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In pairs, young partners Zhang Jiaxuan and Huang Yihang, as the only team that met the trials' entry benchmark, put on an elegant, smooth, yet technically less competitive, performance to pass the test, and will represent the host at the Beijing meet in what is historically the most decorated event for Chinese figure skating.
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"I think we should just focus on producing our best performance, making sure we deliver our top form (at the Olympic qualifier) and let the result take care of itself," said 23-year-old Huang, who, last week, won the pairs title with his partner Zhang at the Asian Open Trophy in Manila.
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"As we mature into the senior ranks, we still need to improve our coordination, synchronization and quality of jumps," said Huang.
\n
Soon, they will have a perfect benchmark against which to measure their progress, with the confirmed return of reigning Olympic champion pair Han Cong and Sui Wenjing to spice things up entering the new season.
\n
Han and Sui, having both indefinitely retired from competitive skating since their home-ice heroics at Beijing 2022, have both announced their return to the rink, motivated by a sense of responsibility to help the national program pull off the tough transition between generations.
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Should their younger compatriots earn their country a ticket to Milan as expected next month, Han and Sui are expected to challenge Zhang and Huang at the upcoming domestic Olympic trials to earn a spot at their fourth Olympics.
\n
According to the official ISU program for its 2025-26 figure skating Grand Prix circuit, Han and Sui have signed up for the season's second leg, the Cup of China, in Chongqing in October, and the fourth stop, the NHK Trophy in Osaka in November, to test their form against international rivals old and new.
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"Brother Cong and sister Sui have been our idols. I cheered for them and watched them dance to the top of the Beijing 2022 podium from the stands," said Huang.
\n
"Their return is definitely good news for Chinese pairs skating. I believe they will lead by example and carry us all forward together."
\n
In ice dance, Beijing 2022's 12th-placed combo Wang Shiyue and Liu Xinyu finished top among four pairs at this week's trials, their second event since coming back from a yearlong injury layoff, to represent China at the Olympic qualifying meet.
\n",
- "content": "
Zhang Jiaxuan (top) and Huang Yihang compete during the pairs skating competition Wednesday.
\n
From left: Zhang Ruiyang, Wang Shiyue and Liu Xinyu, and An Xiangyi in action during the national trials for the 2026 Winter Olympics figure skating qualifying tournament on Wednesday.
\n
As China's young figure skating national team struggles to make its way to Milano-Cortina 2026, the return of an Olympic champion pair is expected to help facilitate the program's rebuild with finesse, grit and a fresh dynamic.
\n
Less than six months out from the 2026 Winter Olympics, China's figure skating squad, once a proud contributor to the medal count of the country's winter sports delegation, is still fighting for tickets to the Olympic showpiece in Italy, having secured only one qualification berth in men's singles from the ISU world championships in March.
\n
The Olympic qualifying tournament, to be held in Beijing from Sept 17-21, will offer five more quota places in each of the men's and women's singles events, three more in pairs skating and four more in ice dance in what will be the final opportunity for Olympic aspirants to book their flight to Milan.
\n
Although the majority of international powerhouses, such as Japan and the United States, will skip the qualifying meet in Beijing, having filled up their quota places via the worlds, the competition for the remaining berths is guaranteed to be a fierce dogfight, and will be a tough challenge for China's current crop of fresh-faced skaters.
\n
The magnitude of the task in the jostle for qualification spots in women's singles, ice dance and pairs skating on home ice was laid bare at this week's national trials, where Chinese skaters' error-laden performances underscored their seemingly bleak prospects for the Beijing tournament.
\n
As the only women's singles skater with Olympic experience on the current team, Zhu Yi, who represented the host at the Beijing 2022 Winter Games, wrapped up her free skate at the trials on Wednesday with a costly fall on her final triple jump, allowing teen contender Zhang Ruiyang, who finished Tuesday's short program in 2nd behind Zhu, to leapfrog her senior teammate to top of the final standings.
\n
The 17-year-old Zhang will make her high-stakes international debut at the Beijing qualifying meet, carrying the weight of the nation's Olympic hopes on her young shoulders.
\n
"I got nervous during the free skate, made some mistakes here and there," said Zhang, a high-school student at Beijing No 10 Middle School.
\n
"If I can make it to the qualifying meet next month, I hope to show greater consistency and try to skate to the best of my ability. After all, it's almost impossible to significantly raise the difficulty level of my routines in such a short time."
\n
In pairs, young partners Zhang Jiaxuan and Huang Yihang, as the only team that met the trials' entry benchmark, put on an elegant, smooth, yet technically less competitive, performance to pass the test, and will represent the host at the Beijing meet in what is historically the most decorated event for Chinese figure skating.
\n
"I think we should just focus on producing our best performance, making sure we deliver our top form (at the Olympic qualifier) and let the result take care of itself," said 23-year-old Huang, who, last week, won the pairs title with his partner Zhang at the Asian Open Trophy in Manila.
\n
"As we mature into the senior ranks, we still need to improve our coordination, synchronization and quality of jumps," said Huang.
\n
Soon, they will have a perfect benchmark against which to measure their progress, with the confirmed return of reigning Olympic champion pair Han Cong and Sui Wenjing to spice things up entering the new season.
\n
Han and Sui, having both indefinitely retired from competitive skating since their home-ice heroics at Beijing 2022, have both announced their return to the rink, motivated by a sense of responsibility to help the national program pull off the tough transition between generations.
\n
Should their younger compatriots earn their country a ticket to Milan as expected next month, Han and Sui are expected to challenge Zhang and Huang at the upcoming domestic Olympic trials to earn a spot at their fourth Olympics.
\n
According to the official ISU program for its 2025-26 figure skating Grand Prix circuit, Han and Sui have signed up for the season's second leg, the Cup of China, in Chongqing in October, and the fourth stop, the NHK Trophy in Osaka in November, to test their form against international rivals old and new.
\n
"Brother Cong and sister Sui have been our idols. I cheered for them and watched them dance to the top of the Beijing 2022 podium from the stands," said Huang.
\n
"Their return is definitely good news for Chinese pairs skating. I believe they will lead by example and carry us all forward together."
\n
In ice dance, Beijing 2022's 12th-placed combo Wang Shiyue and Liu Xinyu finished top among four pairs at this week's trials, their second event since coming back from a yearlong injury layoff, to represent China at the Olympic qualifying meet.
Paris Saint-Germain's head coach Luis Enrique celebrates with the trophy after winning the UEFA Super Cup final against Tottenham Hotspur at the Stadio Friuli, in Udine, Italy on Wednesday.
\n
UDINE, Italy — European champion Paris Saint-Germain began the new season by lifting more silverware on Wednesday, as it beat Tottenham Hotspur 4-3 on penalties in the UEFA Super Cup after producing a late comeback to draw the match 2-2.
\n
Spurs looked set to get their hands on the trophy in their first competitive match under new coach Thomas Frank, leading 2-0 just after halftime at the Stadio Friuli in Udine, Italy.
\n
Micky van de Ven gave last season's Europa League winner the lead on 39 minutes and Cristian Romero got the second goal three minutes into the second half.
\n
However, PSG was rescued by two substitutes, as Lee Kang-in pulled a goal back in the 85th minute and Goncalo Ramos headed in the equalizer four minutes into injury time.
\n
That meant a penalty shootout, which started badly for PSG when Vitinha put the first kick wide.
\n
New Paris goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier then saved an effort from Van de Ven, and Mathys Tel missed the target, allowing Nuno Mendes to convert the winning penalty for PSG.
\n
Dominic Solanke, Rodrigo Bentancur and Pedro Porro all scored from the spot for Spurs, albeit in vain. Ramos, Ousmane Dembele and Lee converted for PSG before Mendes stepped up.
\n
It is the first time PSG, or indeed any French club, has lifted the Super Cup, and it takes its tally of trophies won in 2025 to five.
\n
"I am proud. We haven't had much preparation, but you could see that football is not only about the physical aspect — it is also about the mental aspect, being in the right place, having the right tactics," PSG captain Marquinhos told broadcaster Canal Plus.
\n
"They sat back a lot after going 2-0 up, and it is dangerous to invite PSG to come at you like that."
\n
It is the perfect start to the new campaign for Luis Enrique's team, which had a shortened off-season break having lost the FIFA Club World Cup final to Chelsea exactly a month ago.
\n
It only began preseason training a week ago and played no friendly matches before this game.
\n
PSG now begins the new Ligue 1 campaign on Sunday away to Nantes, while Spurs will turn their attention to the start of the Premier League season, which they kick off at home against Burnley on Saturday.
\n
"I think we played a very good game against one of the best teams in the world — maybe the best at this moment in time," Frank told TNT Sports.
\n
"I think we had them exactly where we wanted them for 80-something minutes, until the 2-1 goal. Then, of course, that shifted a little bit of the momentum, but there were so many positives.
\n
"I am so proud of the team, the players, the club, the fans. I think there is a lot to be happy with. It is a flip of a coin when you go into a penalty shootout."
\n
As well as Frank making his debut on the bench, new signings Mohammed Kudus and Joao Palhinha both started for Spurs.
\n
Chevalier made his debut in goal for PSG following his arrival from Lille, a move which has sidelined Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma from Enrique's team.
\n
"We relied on Lucas ... he just arrived, but it was time for him to show off. We're very happy because he made it," Enrique said.
\n
"This is PSG, you have to know how to handle the pressure, Lucas is a top-class goalkeeper, he's capable of it. He did his job, and was welcomed with a trophy."
\n
Enrique admitted that the publicity surrounding Donnarumma was far from ideal for the club. "Everyone was talking about the situation; his (Lucas' position) wasn't easy, but he showed great character," Enrique added.
\n
"It's a bit of a script: he comes in and saves a penalty. It's a good start for him, we're happy," teammate Dembele said.
\n
The 23-year-old stopper was called into action to tip over a Richarlison shot midway through the first half, but couldn't prevent Van de Ven giving Spurs the lead as the interval approached.
\n
Chevalier tipped Palhinha's shot onto the bar after Spurs sent a ball into the Paris area, but there was nothing he could do to stop Dutch defender Van de Ven scoring with the follow-up.
\n",
- "content": "
Paris Saint-Germain's head coach Luis Enrique celebrates with the trophy after winning the UEFA Super Cup final against Tottenham Hotspur at the Stadio Friuli, in Udine, Italy on Wednesday.
\n
UDINE, Italy — European champion Paris Saint-Germain began the new season by lifting more silverware on Wednesday, as it beat Tottenham Hotspur 4-3 on penalties in the UEFA Super Cup after producing a late comeback to draw the match 2-2.
\n
Spurs looked set to get their hands on the trophy in their first competitive match under new coach Thomas Frank, leading 2-0 just after halftime at the Stadio Friuli in Udine, Italy.
\n
Micky van de Ven gave last season's Europa League winner the lead on 39 minutes and Cristian Romero got the second goal three minutes into the second half.
\n
However, PSG was rescued by two substitutes, as Lee Kang-in pulled a goal back in the 85th minute and Goncalo Ramos headed in the equalizer four minutes into injury time.
\n
That meant a penalty shootout, which started badly for PSG when Vitinha put the first kick wide.
\n
New Paris goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier then saved an effort from Van de Ven, and Mathys Tel missed the target, allowing Nuno Mendes to convert the winning penalty for PSG.
\n
Dominic Solanke, Rodrigo Bentancur and Pedro Porro all scored from the spot for Spurs, albeit in vain. Ramos, Ousmane Dembele and Lee converted for PSG before Mendes stepped up.
\n
It is the first time PSG, or indeed any French club, has lifted the Super Cup, and it takes its tally of trophies won in 2025 to five.
\n
"I am proud. We haven't had much preparation, but you could see that football is not only about the physical aspect — it is also about the mental aspect, being in the right place, having the right tactics," PSG captain Marquinhos told broadcaster Canal Plus.
\n
"They sat back a lot after going 2-0 up, and it is dangerous to invite PSG to come at you like that."
\n
It is the perfect start to the new campaign for Luis Enrique's team, which had a shortened off-season break having lost the FIFA Club World Cup final to Chelsea exactly a month ago.
\n
It only began preseason training a week ago and played no friendly matches before this game.
\n
PSG now begins the new Ligue 1 campaign on Sunday away to Nantes, while Spurs will turn their attention to the start of the Premier League season, which they kick off at home against Burnley on Saturday.
\n
"I think we played a very good game against one of the best teams in the world — maybe the best at this moment in time," Frank told TNT Sports.
\n
"I think we had them exactly where we wanted them for 80-something minutes, until the 2-1 goal. Then, of course, that shifted a little bit of the momentum, but there were so many positives.
\n
"I am so proud of the team, the players, the club, the fans. I think there is a lot to be happy with. It is a flip of a coin when you go into a penalty shootout."
\n
As well as Frank making his debut on the bench, new signings Mohammed Kudus and Joao Palhinha both started for Spurs.
\n
Chevalier made his debut in goal for PSG following his arrival from Lille, a move which has sidelined Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma from Enrique's team.
\n
"We relied on Lucas ... he just arrived, but it was time for him to show off. We're very happy because he made it," Enrique said.
\n
"This is PSG, you have to know how to handle the pressure, Lucas is a top-class goalkeeper, he's capable of it. He did his job, and was welcomed with a trophy."
\n
Enrique admitted that the publicity surrounding Donnarumma was far from ideal for the club. "Everyone was talking about the situation; his (Lucas' position) wasn't easy, but he showed great character," Enrique added.
\n
"It's a bit of a script: he comes in and saves a penalty. It's a good start for him, we're happy," teammate Dembele said.
\n
The 23-year-old stopper was called into action to tip over a Richarlison shot midway through the first half, but couldn't prevent Van de Ven giving Spurs the lead as the interval approached.
\n
Chevalier tipped Palhinha's shot onto the bar after Spurs sent a ball into the Paris area, but there was nothing he could do to stop Dutch defender Van de Ven scoring with the follow-up.
From left: Ukrainian dragon boaters celebrate victory in the eight-seat 500m final; France's Eloan Hitz in action during the men's freestyle parkour competition; Nursultan Duisenkulov from Kazakhstan (left) battles with Denmark's Lucas Andersen during the men's ju-jitsu 77kg fighting final.
\n
Switzerland's Kim Sprenger returns the ball during the women's fistball final between Brazil and Switzerland at Tianfu Park in Chengdu, Sichuan province, on Wednesday.
\n
Wang Xuanxuan of China on the attack against Germany during the group stage of the ultimate flying disc competition.
\n
Clockwise from above: Floorball, wushu, lacrosse and beach handball are among the many niche sports at the Chengdu World Games that have enjoyed greater exposure on the global stage. Many sports have put their hands up for Olympic inclusion, and lacrosse will be part of the program for the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.
\n
Diversity shines at the 2025 World Games, as regional, niche sports have found new fans, fresh talent and a high-profile stage in Chengdu.
\n
The world's largest international multisport gala to feature mainly non-Olympic events has shed new light on disciplines once on the periphery of the global sporting mainstream, bringing more exposure to trending urban exercises and some of the "newcomers" on the LA28 Olympic program.
\n
Flag football, a non-contact variant of American football, in which defenders stop plays by pulling a flag attached to their opponent's waist, turned heads in Chengdu on Thursday with an eight-nation women's tournament grabbing international attention ahead of its Olympic debut in Los Angeles.
\n
New Olympic sports such as lacrosse and squash have also made a strong impression. Five of the 12-athlete Chinese women's lacrosse squad hail from Chengdu University, drawing quite an enthusiastic fan following from the local community.
\n
After watching her sport contested against blue-glass walls employing low-cost, recyclable materials, World Squash Federation president Zena Wooldridge was left intrigued. "The venue is superb, with high-quality courts. Players are going home with wonderful memories of Chengdu," she said.
\n
Some sports with Chinese origin are also making their presence felt among the global audience. Modern dragon boat racing, now featuring lightweight craft and mixed-gender crews, drew strong competition.
\n
Despite China's strong heritage in the sport, Indonesia topped the podium, claiming three titles, while Ukraine and Thailand also struck gold, underscoring the sport's widening global reach.
\n
Martial arts reinforced its Olympic ambitions. "The level is incredibly close now — it's no longer one dominant force, but many flourishing together," noted International Wushu Federation secretary-general Zhang Yuping. With its inclusion in the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympics, wushu's international promotion marked a major milestone, while the Chengdu showcase certainly has given it a further push.
\n
The trend extends to water sports, where Chinese wake surfer Zhuang Tiancai's silver-medal finish in the men's skim final on Aug 10 highlighted the trending outdoor sport's booming popularity. His Guangdong surfing club, founded in 2022, now has more than 100 members.
\n
"Three years ago, there were hardly any surfing clubs in Guangdong," Zhuang said. "Now there are more than a dozen. My partners and I are planning to open another branch."
\n
Official figures show China now has more than 300 water-surfing clubs with hundreds of thousands of participants.
\n
International World Games Association president Jose Perurena Lopez stressed the Games' role as a gateway: "We represent sports recognized by the IOC, but not yet in the Olympics. Some may graduate to the Olympics program."
\n
"The mentality of younger people has changed. In my time, all the focus was on the Olympic disciplines; now, the new generation embraces diverse sports," he said.
\n",
- "content": "
From left: Ukrainian dragon boaters celebrate victory in the eight-seat 500m final; France's Eloan Hitz in action during the men's freestyle parkour competition; Nursultan Duisenkulov from Kazakhstan (left) battles with Denmark's Lucas Andersen during the men's ju-jitsu 77kg fighting final.
\n
Switzerland's Kim Sprenger returns the ball during the women's fistball final between Brazil and Switzerland at Tianfu Park in Chengdu, Sichuan province, on Wednesday.
\n
Wang Xuanxuan of China on the attack against Germany during the group stage of the ultimate flying disc competition.
\n
Clockwise from above: Floorball, wushu, lacrosse and beach handball are among the many niche sports at the Chengdu World Games that have enjoyed greater exposure on the global stage. Many sports have put their hands up for Olympic inclusion, and lacrosse will be part of the program for the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.
\n
Diversity shines at the 2025 World Games, as regional, niche sports have found new fans, fresh talent and a high-profile stage in Chengdu.
\n
The world's largest international multisport gala to feature mainly non-Olympic events has shed new light on disciplines once on the periphery of the global sporting mainstream, bringing more exposure to trending urban exercises and some of the "newcomers" on the LA28 Olympic program.
\n
Flag football, a non-contact variant of American football, in which defenders stop plays by pulling a flag attached to their opponent's waist, turned heads in Chengdu on Thursday with an eight-nation women's tournament grabbing international attention ahead of its Olympic debut in Los Angeles.
\n
New Olympic sports such as lacrosse and squash have also made a strong impression. Five of the 12-athlete Chinese women's lacrosse squad hail from Chengdu University, drawing quite an enthusiastic fan following from the local community.
\n
After watching her sport contested against blue-glass walls employing low-cost, recyclable materials, World Squash Federation president Zena Wooldridge was left intrigued. "The venue is superb, with high-quality courts. Players are going home with wonderful memories of Chengdu," she said.
\n
Some sports with Chinese origin are also making their presence felt among the global audience. Modern dragon boat racing, now featuring lightweight craft and mixed-gender crews, drew strong competition.
\n
Despite China's strong heritage in the sport, Indonesia topped the podium, claiming three titles, while Ukraine and Thailand also struck gold, underscoring the sport's widening global reach.
\n
Martial arts reinforced its Olympic ambitions. "The level is incredibly close now — it's no longer one dominant force, but many flourishing together," noted International Wushu Federation secretary-general Zhang Yuping. With its inclusion in the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympics, wushu's international promotion marked a major milestone, while the Chengdu showcase certainly has given it a further push.
\n
The trend extends to water sports, where Chinese wake surfer Zhuang Tiancai's silver-medal finish in the men's skim final on Aug 10 highlighted the trending outdoor sport's booming popularity. His Guangdong surfing club, founded in 2022, now has more than 100 members.
\n
"Three years ago, there were hardly any surfing clubs in Guangdong," Zhuang said. "Now there are more than a dozen. My partners and I are planning to open another branch."
\n
Official figures show China now has more than 300 water-surfing clubs with hundreds of thousands of participants.
\n
International World Games Association president Jose Perurena Lopez stressed the Games' role as a gateway: "We represent sports recognized by the IOC, but not yet in the Olympics. Some may graduate to the Olympics program."
\n
"The mentality of younger people has changed. In my time, all the focus was on the Olympic disciplines; now, the new generation embraces diverse sports," he said.
Fijian students try their hands at Chinese calligraphy on April 15 during an event celebrating the United Nations Chinese Language Day, which falls on April 20, in Suva, the capital of the Pacific island country.
\n
This summer, Basi Sammuel, a 15-year-old boy from the Solomon Islands, completed a journey that stretched across the Pacific Ocean — and straight into the operating room of the Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University in Guiyang, Guizhou province.
\n
There, he underwent lifesaving open-heart surgery that gave him not just a healed heart, but also a renewed future.
\n
Five months ago, Basi began experiencing persistent tightness in the chest and shortness of breath. After a detailed examination by the Chinese medical team sent to the Pacific island country, Basi was diagnosed with an atrial septal defect, and immediate surgery was recommended.
\n
But such a high-risk heart operation was beyond the capacity of local hospitals.
\n
Thanks to the coordination between Chinese medical teams in China and the Solomon Islands — and the dedication of doctors, nurses and volunteers along the way — Basi is now smiling, walking and breathing freely once again after undergoing a three-hour surgery in June.
\n
On the day of his discharge, Basi's father said that it was the Chinese government, the Chinese medical team in the Solomon Islands, and the hospital that gave his child a second chance.
\n
"We will never forget this kindness," he said.
\n
Basi's journey was more than a medical success. The transpacific rescue mission has become a living example of China's commitment to building a global community of health for all and also of the friendship between the peoples of China and Pacific island countries.
\n
Healthcare is only one of the many areas in which China and Pacific island countries have agreed to further strengthen exchanges and cooperation. Over the past decades, China and the Pacific island countries have achieved remarkable results in terms of political mutual trust, economic cooperation and people-to-people exchanges, since Fiji became the first Pacific island country to establish diplomatic relations with China in 1975.
\n
At the third China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers' Meeting, held in May in Xiamen, Fujian province, Foreign Minister Wang Yi announced that China will allocate $2 million for the further expansion of cooperation with island countries in areas such as clean energy, agriculture, fisheries, ocean, low-carbon infrastructure, low-carbon tourism, and disaster prevention and mitigation.
\n
"The Pacific island region is one of the regions most severely affected by climate change. As an important partner of Pacific island countries, China is all along committed to helping and supporting the region in addressing climate change under the framework of South-South cooperation as much as its capabilities permit," Wang told the meeting's participants.
\n
Tonga's Crown Prince and Minister for Foreign Affairs Tupouto'a'Ulukalala said he had a very good experience of visiting the China-Pacific Island Countries Climate Action Cooperation Center in Liaocheng, Shandong province, ahead of the foreign ministers' meeting.
\n
Established in 2022, the center is China's first multilateral cooperation platform in the field of climate change.
\n
Tupouto'a 'Ulukalala said that addressing climate change is a priority for Pacific island countries and he knows that there have been Chinese scholars and professors who have gone to Tonga for cooperation in this field.
\n
"It's important to be on the ground to be familiar with the communities and know the challenges that they go through, so that we know what the vulnerabilities are and how they can become more resilient," he said.
\n
Besides the climate action cooperation center, another six platforms and frameworks have been established for China-Pacific island countries cooperation on reserves of emergency supplies, poverty alleviation and development, disaster prevention and mitigation, Juncao (mushroom and grass) technology, agriculture and police training.
\n
In Samoa, China has assisted in the construction of more than 20 infrastructure projects and implemented six phases of agricultural technology assistance projects, training over 10,000 farmers.
\n
In the Solomon Islands, the Chinese medical team has diagnosed and treated more than 30,000 patients, reaching out to nine provinces and cities to deliver medical services.
\n
In Papua New Guinea, Chinese experts in Juncao and dryland rice technologies have been working in the Eastern Highlands Province for over 20 years, teaching local people mushroom cultivation and livestock farming and promoting dryland rice cultivation.
\n
Officials and experts said that China's cooperation with Pacific island countries over the past years has shown full respect to those countries' own development aspirations and enabled the outcomes to benefit local people, thereby helping the island countries enhance their capacity for independent development.
\n
Valuable support
\n
Dalton Tagelagi, Niue's premier and foreign minister, said that for Niue, an undeveloped small island country, China's support has been very valuable for his country's modernization.
\n
"Our partnership for the last 18 years has been grown in a sense of understanding each other. China plays a critical part in supporting the areas that we think that we share the same values," he said.
\n
Zhao Shaofeng, a professor at Liaocheng University in Shandong province, who has frequently visited the Pacific island countries in recent years, said one of his profound impressions is that the people of those nations are very sincere.
\n
"They struggle with having resources but lacking the ability to develop them. Therefore, they are particularly eager to look northward, toward the Asia-Pacific region, especially China, to board the express train of China's development," Zhao said.
\n
Zhao added that the list of measures China has prepared to implement the consensus of the third China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers' Meeting is very detailed, as it covers a total of 12 areas urgently needed by the island countries, including free trade agreement negotiations, police and law enforcement cooperation, and scholarship and human resource training.
\n
"These are areas where China and the Pacific island countries have already carried out cooperation and achieved positive results," he said.
\n
Enhanced partnership
\n
Zhao noted that the guidance of head-of-state diplomacy has been a major reason behind the development of China-Pacific island countries cooperation.
\n
When President Xi Jinping and leaders of Pacific island countries having diplomatic relations with China met in Papua New Guinea in 2018, they agreed to elevate the China-Pacific island countries relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership of mutual respect and common development.
\n
"Since the president of China visited Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, we've seen a continual, strong relationship going forward. We have seen many areas of development that have really enhanced the living of our people in education, health and infrastructure development," said Justin Tkatchenko, the foreign minister of Papua New Guinea.
\n
Deli Sharon Oso, from Solomon Star News, said that ever since the Solomon Islands established relations with China in 2019, the Solomon Islanders have seen much transformation in the country, from infrastructure development to medical services.
\n
"In my opinion, this relationship will grow from strength to strength, and nothing will ever stop this relationship from going forward. Because our leaders have seen the benefits of this relationship," she added.
\n
mojingxi@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
- "content": "
Fijian students try their hands at Chinese calligraphy on April 15 during an event celebrating the United Nations Chinese Language Day, which falls on April 20, in Suva, the capital of the Pacific island country.
\n
This summer, Basi Sammuel, a 15-year-old boy from the Solomon Islands, completed a journey that stretched across the Pacific Ocean — and straight into the operating room of the Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University in Guiyang, Guizhou province.
\n
There, he underwent lifesaving open-heart surgery that gave him not just a healed heart, but also a renewed future.
\n
Five months ago, Basi began experiencing persistent tightness in the chest and shortness of breath. After a detailed examination by the Chinese medical team sent to the Pacific island country, Basi was diagnosed with an atrial septal defect, and immediate surgery was recommended.
\n
But such a high-risk heart operation was beyond the capacity of local hospitals.
\n
Thanks to the coordination between Chinese medical teams in China and the Solomon Islands — and the dedication of doctors, nurses and volunteers along the way — Basi is now smiling, walking and breathing freely once again after undergoing a three-hour surgery in June.
\n
On the day of his discharge, Basi's father said that it was the Chinese government, the Chinese medical team in the Solomon Islands, and the hospital that gave his child a second chance.
\n
"We will never forget this kindness," he said.
\n
Basi's journey was more than a medical success. The transpacific rescue mission has become a living example of China's commitment to building a global community of health for all and also of the friendship between the peoples of China and Pacific island countries.
\n
Healthcare is only one of the many areas in which China and Pacific island countries have agreed to further strengthen exchanges and cooperation. Over the past decades, China and the Pacific island countries have achieved remarkable results in terms of political mutual trust, economic cooperation and people-to-people exchanges, since Fiji became the first Pacific island country to establish diplomatic relations with China in 1975.
\n
At the third China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers' Meeting, held in May in Xiamen, Fujian province, Foreign Minister Wang Yi announced that China will allocate $2 million for the further expansion of cooperation with island countries in areas such as clean energy, agriculture, fisheries, ocean, low-carbon infrastructure, low-carbon tourism, and disaster prevention and mitigation.
\n
"The Pacific island region is one of the regions most severely affected by climate change. As an important partner of Pacific island countries, China is all along committed to helping and supporting the region in addressing climate change under the framework of South-South cooperation as much as its capabilities permit," Wang told the meeting's participants.
\n
Tonga's Crown Prince and Minister for Foreign Affairs Tupouto'a'Ulukalala said he had a very good experience of visiting the China-Pacific Island Countries Climate Action Cooperation Center in Liaocheng, Shandong province, ahead of the foreign ministers' meeting.
\n
Established in 2022, the center is China's first multilateral cooperation platform in the field of climate change.
\n
Tupouto'a 'Ulukalala said that addressing climate change is a priority for Pacific island countries and he knows that there have been Chinese scholars and professors who have gone to Tonga for cooperation in this field.
\n
"It's important to be on the ground to be familiar with the communities and know the challenges that they go through, so that we know what the vulnerabilities are and how they can become more resilient," he said.
\n
Besides the climate action cooperation center, another six platforms and frameworks have been established for China-Pacific island countries cooperation on reserves of emergency supplies, poverty alleviation and development, disaster prevention and mitigation, Juncao (mushroom and grass) technology, agriculture and police training.
\n
In Samoa, China has assisted in the construction of more than 20 infrastructure projects and implemented six phases of agricultural technology assistance projects, training over 10,000 farmers.
\n
In the Solomon Islands, the Chinese medical team has diagnosed and treated more than 30,000 patients, reaching out to nine provinces and cities to deliver medical services.
\n
In Papua New Guinea, Chinese experts in Juncao and dryland rice technologies have been working in the Eastern Highlands Province for over 20 years, teaching local people mushroom cultivation and livestock farming and promoting dryland rice cultivation.
\n
Officials and experts said that China's cooperation with Pacific island countries over the past years has shown full respect to those countries' own development aspirations and enabled the outcomes to benefit local people, thereby helping the island countries enhance their capacity for independent development.
\n
Valuable support
\n
Dalton Tagelagi, Niue's premier and foreign minister, said that for Niue, an undeveloped small island country, China's support has been very valuable for his country's modernization.
\n
"Our partnership for the last 18 years has been grown in a sense of understanding each other. China plays a critical part in supporting the areas that we think that we share the same values," he said.
\n
Zhao Shaofeng, a professor at Liaocheng University in Shandong province, who has frequently visited the Pacific island countries in recent years, said one of his profound impressions is that the people of those nations are very sincere.
\n
"They struggle with having resources but lacking the ability to develop them. Therefore, they are particularly eager to look northward, toward the Asia-Pacific region, especially China, to board the express train of China's development," Zhao said.
\n
Zhao added that the list of measures China has prepared to implement the consensus of the third China-Pacific Island Countries Foreign Ministers' Meeting is very detailed, as it covers a total of 12 areas urgently needed by the island countries, including free trade agreement negotiations, police and law enforcement cooperation, and scholarship and human resource training.
\n
"These are areas where China and the Pacific island countries have already carried out cooperation and achieved positive results," he said.
\n
Enhanced partnership
\n
Zhao noted that the guidance of head-of-state diplomacy has been a major reason behind the development of China-Pacific island countries cooperation.
\n
When President Xi Jinping and leaders of Pacific island countries having diplomatic relations with China met in Papua New Guinea in 2018, they agreed to elevate the China-Pacific island countries relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership of mutual respect and common development.
\n
"Since the president of China visited Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, we've seen a continual, strong relationship going forward. We have seen many areas of development that have really enhanced the living of our people in education, health and infrastructure development," said Justin Tkatchenko, the foreign minister of Papua New Guinea.
\n
Deli Sharon Oso, from Solomon Star News, said that ever since the Solomon Islands established relations with China in 2019, the Solomon Islanders have seen much transformation in the country, from infrastructure development to medical services.
\n
"In my opinion, this relationship will grow from strength to strength, and nothing will ever stop this relationship from going forward. Because our leaders have seen the benefits of this relationship," she added.
Backed by numerous successful examples, President Xi Jinping's concept that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets "presents crucial solutions for the global community to balance economic growth and environmental conservation.
\n
In an exclusive interview with China Daily ahead of the concept's 20th anniversary, Yu Hai, deputy director of the Research Center for Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization, emphasized China's dedication to applying this concept in international cooperation to benefit the global community, especially developing nations.
\n
"Under the scientific guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization, China has achieved remarkable accomplishments in exploring pathways and models that help transform 'lucid waters and lush mountains' into 'invaluable assets'," Yu said.
\n
Xi, then secretary of the Communist Party of China Zhejiang Provincial Committee, first proposed the concept that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets "during an inspection in Anji county, Zhejiang province, on Aug 15, 2005.
\n
President Xi has actively promoted the concept on many international occasions, calling for building a common homeland of coordinated advancement of economy and the environment.
\n
"His advocacy provides intellectual enlightenment for the international community to explore the path of green development and guidance for the global sustainable development agenda," said Yu.
\n
As the world's largest developing country, China always maintains a global vision and demonstrates a strong sense of responsibility and mission as a major power, Yu emphasized.
\n
"Firmly adhering to the philosophy of 'teaching people how to fish rather than simply giving them fish', China has woven the concept into collaborative efforts such as the Belt and Road Initiative and South-South Cooperation, ensuring concrete benefits, particularly for developing nations," he said.
\n
Localized adoption
\n
Through the BRI, for instance, China has been implementing green projects such as solar, wind and hydroelectric power to share its approaches, technologies and experiences in practicing the concept, Yu added.
\n
He said that this effort promotes the concept's localized adoption, making significant contributions to enhancing the ecological and environmental governance capabilities of developing countries and jointly building a clean and beautiful world.
\n
The urgency to advance global environmental governance has grown, as the world rapidly advances the shift toward green and low-carbon initiatives. Against this backdrop, Yu said, the principle of "ecological and economic coordinated development", which is embedded in the concept, has become a widely accepted core tenet and central theme in the global drive for sustainable development.
\n
The late John Cobb, a renowned United States theologian and environmentalist known as the father of green GDP — an economic indicator that adjusts conventional GDP by factoring in the environmental costs and benefits associated with economic activities — argued, for example, that the concept proposed by Xi dissolves the dualism between economic development and environmental protection, demonstrating to the world that environmental conservation and economic development can go hand in hand.
\n
Yu said, "As we stand at the historical milestone of the 20th anniversary of this concept, we should strive to be active promoters and exemplary practitioners of the concept, actively participating in, contributing to and leading in the building of a global community with a shared future for humanity."
\n
Innovative models
\n
Yu also said that different government departments and regions in China have carried out extensive practices, exploring diverse pathways and innovative models, supported by a series of institutional arrangements implemented at the national level.
\n
For instance, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment has selected 240 practice innovation bases to promote the concept, according to Yu. He highlighted Dengkou county in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region as a model in implementing the concept.
\n
As the county progresses in desertification control, it is also actively pursuing economic benefits by promoting ecological industries that support this effort, such as traditional Chinese medicine and solar power development, Yu noted, adding that local authorities have also employed supportive policy tools to enhance enthusiasm for sand prevention and control.
\n
According to the Dengkou government, the forest and grass coverage in its sandy areas reached more than 37 percent as of 2023, compared with merely 0.04 percent in the 1950s.
\n
The annual output value of the county's ecological industries has surpassed 1 billion yuan ($139.4 million), directly increasing the income of more than 5,000 households in sandy areas.
\n
Yu said that the Dengkou case, among many others, vividly showcases China's advancements in promoting ecological civilization.
\n
He also highlighted the country's vision of making the concept not only a distinctive symbol of China's modernization, but also a contribution of Eastern wisdom to the development of a new form of human civilization.
\n
"By providing enhanced guidance for global ecological civilization and a stronger impetus for the world's economic recovery, we aim to collaborate with the international community to foster a harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature on our planet," Yu said.
\n
houliqiang@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
- "content": "
Backed by numerous successful examples, President Xi Jinping's concept that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets "presents crucial solutions for the global community to balance economic growth and environmental conservation.
\n
In an exclusive interview with China Daily ahead of the concept's 20th anniversary, Yu Hai, deputy director of the Research Center for Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization, emphasized China's dedication to applying this concept in international cooperation to benefit the global community, especially developing nations.
\n
"Under the scientific guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization, China has achieved remarkable accomplishments in exploring pathways and models that help transform 'lucid waters and lush mountains' into 'invaluable assets'," Yu said.
\n
Xi, then secretary of the Communist Party of China Zhejiang Provincial Committee, first proposed the concept that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets "during an inspection in Anji county, Zhejiang province, on Aug 15, 2005.
\n
President Xi has actively promoted the concept on many international occasions, calling for building a common homeland of coordinated advancement of economy and the environment.
\n
"His advocacy provides intellectual enlightenment for the international community to explore the path of green development and guidance for the global sustainable development agenda," said Yu.
\n
As the world's largest developing country, China always maintains a global vision and demonstrates a strong sense of responsibility and mission as a major power, Yu emphasized.
\n
"Firmly adhering to the philosophy of 'teaching people how to fish rather than simply giving them fish', China has woven the concept into collaborative efforts such as the Belt and Road Initiative and South-South Cooperation, ensuring concrete benefits, particularly for developing nations," he said.
\n
Localized adoption
\n
Through the BRI, for instance, China has been implementing green projects such as solar, wind and hydroelectric power to share its approaches, technologies and experiences in practicing the concept, Yu added.
\n
He said that this effort promotes the concept's localized adoption, making significant contributions to enhancing the ecological and environmental governance capabilities of developing countries and jointly building a clean and beautiful world.
\n
The urgency to advance global environmental governance has grown, as the world rapidly advances the shift toward green and low-carbon initiatives. Against this backdrop, Yu said, the principle of "ecological and economic coordinated development", which is embedded in the concept, has become a widely accepted core tenet and central theme in the global drive for sustainable development.
\n
The late John Cobb, a renowned United States theologian and environmentalist known as the father of green GDP — an economic indicator that adjusts conventional GDP by factoring in the environmental costs and benefits associated with economic activities — argued, for example, that the concept proposed by Xi dissolves the dualism between economic development and environmental protection, demonstrating to the world that environmental conservation and economic development can go hand in hand.
\n
Yu said, "As we stand at the historical milestone of the 20th anniversary of this concept, we should strive to be active promoters and exemplary practitioners of the concept, actively participating in, contributing to and leading in the building of a global community with a shared future for humanity."
\n
Innovative models
\n
Yu also said that different government departments and regions in China have carried out extensive practices, exploring diverse pathways and innovative models, supported by a series of institutional arrangements implemented at the national level.
\n
For instance, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment has selected 240 practice innovation bases to promote the concept, according to Yu. He highlighted Dengkou county in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region as a model in implementing the concept.
\n
As the county progresses in desertification control, it is also actively pursuing economic benefits by promoting ecological industries that support this effort, such as traditional Chinese medicine and solar power development, Yu noted, adding that local authorities have also employed supportive policy tools to enhance enthusiasm for sand prevention and control.
\n
According to the Dengkou government, the forest and grass coverage in its sandy areas reached more than 37 percent as of 2023, compared with merely 0.04 percent in the 1950s.
\n
The annual output value of the county's ecological industries has surpassed 1 billion yuan ($139.4 million), directly increasing the income of more than 5,000 households in sandy areas.
\n
Yu said that the Dengkou case, among many others, vividly showcases China's advancements in promoting ecological civilization.
\n
He also highlighted the country's vision of making the concept not only a distinctive symbol of China's modernization, but also a contribution of Eastern wisdom to the development of a new form of human civilization.
\n
"By providing enhanced guidance for global ecological civilization and a stronger impetus for the world's economic recovery, we aim to collaborate with the international community to foster a harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature on our planet," Yu said.
Huge waves generated by Typhoon Podul lash the seafront in Taitung, China's Taiwan region, on Wednesday. The typhoon is expected to make a second landfall between Xiamen in Fujian province and Shantou in Guangdong province by early Thursday morning.
\n
Fishing boats moor at a port to shelter from the approaching Typhoon Podul in Xiamen on Tuesday. See story, page 4
\n",
- "content": "
Huge waves generated by Typhoon Podul lash the seafront in Taitung, China's Taiwan region, on Wednesday. The typhoon is expected to make a second landfall between Xiamen in Fujian province and Shantou in Guangdong province by early Thursday morning.
\n
Fishing boats moor at a port to shelter from the approaching Typhoon Podul in Xiamen on Tuesday. See story, page 4
The signs of a bull run are slowly but steadily emerging in China's A-share market, underpinned by ongoing structural reforms and sustained long-term capital inflows. Experts said the developing rally is expected to gain further traction on the back of policy support and a gradually improving external environment.
\n
Their remarks came on Wednesday as the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index rose for an eighth straight session, climbing 0.48 percent to close at 3,683.46 — its highest level since December 2021.
\n
The Shenzhen Component Index gained 1.76 percent, while the tech-heavy ChiNext surged 3.62 percent. The total turnover on the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges topped 2.1 trillion yuan ($292.69 billion) — a 13.5 percent increase from the previous day.
\n
Investor enthusiasm is surging on both the institutional and retail fronts. July witnessed a record monthly number of new mutual fund launches, reflecting rising interest among households in equity assets as returns from traditional savings and wealth management products continue to decline. Total assets under management in public mutual funds have now exceeded 34 trillion yuan.
\n
Insurance companies are also ramping up their presence in the A-share market. The number of public disclosures triggered by insurers' equity holdings surpassing the 5 percent threshold has already exceeded last year's total. Analysts said insurers are increasingly focusing on companies from the emerging industries and advanced manufacturing sectors, supporting China's shift toward high-quality development.
\n
Yang Delong, chief economist at First Seafront Fund, said that insurance companies have played an increasingly stabilizing role in the A-share market by boosting their equity allocations. He noted that insurers have recently focused more of their research on companies engaged in new quality productive forces, a move that supports China's broader push to upgrade its real economy and enhance long-term investment value.
\n
Retail investor participation is also rising. Nearly 14.6 million individual trading accounts were opened in the first seven months of 2025, a 37 percent year-on-year increase, according to data provider Wind Info.
\n
Furthermore, foreign investors have been steadily increasing their exposure to Chinese equities, including A-shares and Hong Kong-listed stocks. Net foreign inflows totaled $2.7 billion in July, more than double the level in June, according to a recent report by Morgan Stanley.
\n
Analysts said the macro environment is becoming increasingly favorable for Chinese equities. Expectations of a weaker US dollar and potential interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve are improving the outlook for emerging markets. The narrowing interest rate differential between China and the United States could further accelerate foreign capital inflows.
\n
Hong Hao, chief investment officer at Lotus Asset Management, said the upward momentum of Chinese stocks will sustain for a long time if the US dollar's weakness proves to be a multiyear trend. Also, the Chinese market has been increasingly resilient in the face of negative tariff headlines.
\n
Given the current favorable liquidity conditions in the Chinese market and the fear-of-missing-out sentiment, any corrections in the A-share market are likely to be quickly absorbed by buyers, he added.
\n
Zhu Liang, chief investment officer at AllianceBernstein China, said that despite strong gains in recent weeks — with the Shanghai Composite Index up nearly 7 percent and the Shenzhen Component Index up more than 10 percent since July — valuations in the A-share market remain attractive.
\n
Sounding a word of caution, some experts said that risk appetite in the A-share market may be suppressed by factors such as changes in tariff talks between China and the US, as well as domestic challenges facing the Chinese economy.
\n
He Kang, chief strategy analyst at Huatai Securities, said that there are still challenges regarding China's economic recovery, as efforts by policymakers to create a fairer competition environment may take time to show effect, and this may affect the profitability outlook of A-share companies.
\n
shijing@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
- "content": "
The signs of a bull run are slowly but steadily emerging in China's A-share market, underpinned by ongoing structural reforms and sustained long-term capital inflows. Experts said the developing rally is expected to gain further traction on the back of policy support and a gradually improving external environment.
\n
Their remarks came on Wednesday as the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index rose for an eighth straight session, climbing 0.48 percent to close at 3,683.46 — its highest level since December 2021.
\n
The Shenzhen Component Index gained 1.76 percent, while the tech-heavy ChiNext surged 3.62 percent. The total turnover on the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges topped 2.1 trillion yuan ($292.69 billion) — a 13.5 percent increase from the previous day.
\n
Investor enthusiasm is surging on both the institutional and retail fronts. July witnessed a record monthly number of new mutual fund launches, reflecting rising interest among households in equity assets as returns from traditional savings and wealth management products continue to decline. Total assets under management in public mutual funds have now exceeded 34 trillion yuan.
\n
Insurance companies are also ramping up their presence in the A-share market. The number of public disclosures triggered by insurers' equity holdings surpassing the 5 percent threshold has already exceeded last year's total. Analysts said insurers are increasingly focusing on companies from the emerging industries and advanced manufacturing sectors, supporting China's shift toward high-quality development.
\n
Yang Delong, chief economist at First Seafront Fund, said that insurance companies have played an increasingly stabilizing role in the A-share market by boosting their equity allocations. He noted that insurers have recently focused more of their research on companies engaged in new quality productive forces, a move that supports China's broader push to upgrade its real economy and enhance long-term investment value.
\n
Retail investor participation is also rising. Nearly 14.6 million individual trading accounts were opened in the first seven months of 2025, a 37 percent year-on-year increase, according to data provider Wind Info.
\n
Furthermore, foreign investors have been steadily increasing their exposure to Chinese equities, including A-shares and Hong Kong-listed stocks. Net foreign inflows totaled $2.7 billion in July, more than double the level in June, according to a recent report by Morgan Stanley.
\n
Analysts said the macro environment is becoming increasingly favorable for Chinese equities. Expectations of a weaker US dollar and potential interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve are improving the outlook for emerging markets. The narrowing interest rate differential between China and the United States could further accelerate foreign capital inflows.
\n
Hong Hao, chief investment officer at Lotus Asset Management, said the upward momentum of Chinese stocks will sustain for a long time if the US dollar's weakness proves to be a multiyear trend. Also, the Chinese market has been increasingly resilient in the face of negative tariff headlines.
\n
Given the current favorable liquidity conditions in the Chinese market and the fear-of-missing-out sentiment, any corrections in the A-share market are likely to be quickly absorbed by buyers, he added.
\n
Zhu Liang, chief investment officer at AllianceBernstein China, said that despite strong gains in recent weeks — with the Shanghai Composite Index up nearly 7 percent and the Shenzhen Component Index up more than 10 percent since July — valuations in the A-share market remain attractive.
\n
Sounding a word of caution, some experts said that risk appetite in the A-share market may be suppressed by factors such as changes in tariff talks between China and the US, as well as domestic challenges facing the Chinese economy.
\n
He Kang, chief strategy analyst at Huatai Securities, said that there are still challenges regarding China's economic recovery, as efforts by policymakers to create a fairer competition environment may take time to show effect, and this may affect the profitability outlook of A-share companies.
A member of a mosquito eradication team sprays insecticide on a potential breeding site at a community in Foshan, Guangdong province, on July 28.
\n
A drone is deployed to exterminate mosquitoes in Liwan district, Guangzhou, Guangdong province, on Aug 1.
\n
Members of a mosquito eradication team increase sanitation levels in Foshan.
\n
Local authorities continue mosquito eradication efforts to control the chikungunya outbreak in Huangpu district, Guangzhou.
\n
A nurse secures a mosquito net for a chikungunya patient in Foshan on July 29.
\n
A medical worker conducts tests at a hospital in Shunde, Foshan, on July 25.
\n\n
Guangdong province has brought the mosquito-borne chikungunya outbreak under control after a weekslong battle, but health experts have warned that vigilance needs to be maintained in the face of wet weather patterns in South China.
\n
Over 8,000 people in the province have been infected with chikungunya, suffering symptoms such as fever, rashes and joint pain. No serious illnesses or deaths have been reported.
\n
Foshan, a manufacturing city of about 9.7 million people, has been the core battlefield against the outbreak. Authorities implemented mass mosquito control measures, including lighting mosquito coils, installing nets and removing stagnant water. Disinfection crews and drones to eliminate breeding grounds were also deployed.
\n
During a visit to the city earlier this month, Shen Hongbing, director of the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration, emphasized maintaining "a sharp focus" on mosquito vector control and implementing multichannel monitoring and early warnings to stem the virus's spread.
\n
"It is crucial to conduct regular and scientific mosquito elimination and disinfection efforts, strengthen guidance for grassroots disease control workers, and encourage households to overturn containers and remove stagnant water to create a clean, fresh and tidy living environment," Shen said.
\n
Since the end of last month, the control efforts have resulted in the epidemic declining.
\n
In Foshan, the daily number of new cases dropped under 200 for five consecutive days and fell to 148 on Friday, compared with a peak of 674 reported on July 19, local authorities said on Saturday.
\n
Kang Min, director of the Institute of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control at the Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, pointed out positive developments, including declining new infections in the hard-hit Shunde district of Foshan and reduced mosquito vector density.
\n
"However, the epidemic will likely rebound as frequent typhoons and heavy rainfall are complicating disinfection and water container cleanup efforts," he said. "The situation remains severe, and resurgence risks persist if mosquito vector density is not continuously controlled."
\n
Sporadic cases of chikungunya fever have also been reported in other parts of the country, including Beijing and the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions, health authorities said. Preemptive steps have included health surveillance of people returning from Foshan.
\n
Global surge
\n
Chikungunya fever, common in tropical and subtropical regions, was relatively unknown in China until the recent outbreak in South China.
\n
The nation first identified imported infections in 2008 and registered four incidents of the virus's local spread from 2010 to 2019, with two outbreaks developing into infection clusters in Guangdong and Yunnan provinces.
\n
"China is not an endemic region for chikungunya fever, so the general population lacks immunity, making them susceptible to contracting the disease," the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention said in a recent statement.
\n
Liu Qiyong, chief vector control expert at the China CDC, said during a recent interview with China Central Television that rising global infections have driven the surge of cases in China this year.
\n
"The virus's global circulation has led to its importation into China, where Aedes mosquitoes — the primary vector — are present. This has facilitated local transmission, resulting in the current domestic outbreak," he said.
\n
According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 5.6 billion people across 119 countries are at risk of the virus, prompting the organization to issue a call for urgent action to curb its spread. The surge in chikungunya cases began in early 2025, with major outbreaks in Indian Ocean islands including La Reunion, Mayotte and Mauritius. The virus is now spreading to countries such as Madagascar, Somalia and Kenya, and has shown epidemic transmission in Southeast Asia, and India, the WHO said.
\n
"The surge in chikungunya cases is likely due to favorable climatic conditions that allow blooms of the Aedes mosquito population. These are aggressive, day-biting mosquitoes that thrive in warm, wet conditions," said Robert Jones, assistant professor at the London School of Hygiene &Tropical Medicine.
\n
This year's weather is particularly conducive to boosting mosquito breeding. "Multiple factors have amplified this outbreak, driving its scale to surpass that of infection clusters in the past," Liu said.
\n
However, experts and authorities have stressed that chikungunya fever is preventable, treatable and controllable.
\n
Duan Leilei, a researcher at the China CDC, said during a recent news conference that the disease spreads primarily through mosquito bites, with no evidence of human-to-human transmission.
\n
According to the latest diagnosis and treatment guideline for the disease issued by the National Health Commission on July 31, there is no vaccine or specific treatment for the disease available in China, but severe cases, and related deaths are rare and infected individuals can develop long-lasting immunity against the disease.
\n
Timely detection and treatment also help curb further spread of the infection, said Yan Haiming, a senior doctor in the infectious disease department at the First People's Hospital of Foshan. Muscle pain, fatigue and nausea are more common in people over age 65, and most patients' symptoms subside within about a week, he added.
\n
Personal safety
\n
Duan urged affected regions to accelerate mosquito elimination efforts and advised individuals to take protective measures, such as using insect repellents, installing window nets and utilizing other anti-mosquito products.
\n
A villager in Foshan's Xincun village, surnamed Deng, said that he had stocked up on mosquito coils and mosquito-killing spray. He was recently discharged from the hospital after contracting the virus last month, probably when fishing outdoors, he said.
\n
"I now prioritize mosquito prevention at home — my drawers are full of anti-mosquito products, and I ensure there is no stagnant water," he said.
\n
Another villager surnamed Tao said that he places mosquito coils in every room of his home to protect his family members. Electric mosquito swatters and mosquito-repellent sprays are also among his everyday weapons.
\n
A local supermarket reported that sales of mosquito-control products have more than doubled in recent weeks.
\n
Across Guangdong, the online search volume for mosquito repellents during the week starting July 18 surged by 160 percent compared with the previous week, with sales rising by 33 percent, according to data from the online shopping and delivery platform Meituan.
\n
Huang Hanxian, Party secretary of Xincun village, said authorities now regularly distribute mosquito repellents to residents.
\n
"The best times to light coils are mornings and evenings when mosquitoes are most active," he said. "For instance, at 6 pm each evening, households are called on to light coils while a disinfection team comprising about 30 members will be carrying out work outdoors simultaneously."
\n
Liu, from China CDC, applauded the approach.
\n
"When outdoor mosquito control operations are carried out, mosquitoes that have not been killed may escape into houses," he said. "So coordinating the use of mosquito coils indoors and implementing outdoor disinfection can enhance the effectiveness of mosquito control."
\n
He Chunyun, an urban management official in Foshan, stressed paying close attention to detail during cleanups of hot spots prone to mosquito breeding.
\n
"It is important to carry out a thorough removal of garbage and debris, and pay close attention to overlooked items like bottles, flowerpot trays and discarded tires," he said.
\n
In the provincial capital, Guangzhou, unmanned aerial vehicles have been deployed to monitor mosquito breeding grounds, disinfect public spaces and repel mosquitoes. The city has reported dozens of infections since early July.
\n
At the city's Tianlu Lake forest park, complex terrain, dense vegetation and hordes of visitors drawn to its hiking routes and entertainment facilities have made it difficult to undertake manual disinfection.
\n
"A single drone can cover 15 to 20 times the daily operational area of manual disinfection and it is also capable of reaching difficult-to-access areas," said the drone operators. "Our intelligent path planning also minimizes chemical exposure, ensuring visitor safety."
\n
Smart monitoring
\n
Technology is also being looked at by Chinese scientists to prevent mosquito-borne diseases.
\n
A breakthrough has been made in the development of an intelligent vector mosquito surveillance system that offers scientific guidance for disease control, Xinhua News Agency reported. The monitoring technology, developed by a team led by Chen Xiaoguang, a professor at Southern Medical University, has been deployed across multiple communities in Guangdong.
\n
Chen said traditional mosquito-monitoring methods have limitations. "Mosquito traps and mosquito nets only monitor nonblood-fed mosquitoes, while mosquito oviposition traps target blood-fed egg-laying mosquitoes," he said.
\n
"Our innovation employs coordinated dual-device operation for real-time, high-efficiency monitoring."
\n
The automated monitors use attractants that mimic humans to capture non-bloodfed mosquitoes, while smart oviposition buckets utilize container-type miniature water pools to monitor blood-fed gravid Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, achieving four times the efficiency of conventional oviposition traps, he added.
\n
Field tests have demonstrated remarkable effectiveness. During its first week of operation the system issued timely alerts for abnormal mosquito density surges across multiple zones and generated targeted intervention protocols.
\n
"Manual mosquito trapping caused data delays. Now, real-time cloud-based alerts have substantially accelerated grassroots disinfection responses," Chen said. After deployment, surveillance showed an almost 40 percent decrease in adult mosquito captures within key areas.
\n
In addition to stamping out the disease's spread, top health authorities have attached significance to delivering standardized treatment to patients to prevent severe cases and deaths, according to a national-level teleconference on tackling the epidemic held in late July.
\n
Authorities in Foshan said on Saturday that no seriously ill patients or deaths had been reported and more than 90 percent of patients had recovered.
\n
Yan from the Foshan First People's Hospital said the majority of patients only exhibit mild symptoms that usually subside within a week.
\n
"No severe lingering effects have been observed, but recovered individuals should avoid joint strain — such as weightlifting, hiking, or long-distance running — for three months," he said. "Some patients who feel uncomfortable for prolonged periods are advised to seek rehabilitation services."
\n
Contact the writers at wangxiaoyu@chinadaily.com.cn
A member of a mosquito eradication team sprays insecticide on a potential breeding site at a community in Foshan, Guangdong province, on July 28.
\n
A drone is deployed to exterminate mosquitoes in Liwan district, Guangzhou, Guangdong province, on Aug 1.
\n
Members of a mosquito eradication team increase sanitation levels in Foshan.
\n
Local authorities continue mosquito eradication efforts to control the chikungunya outbreak in Huangpu district, Guangzhou.
\n
A nurse secures a mosquito net for a chikungunya patient in Foshan on July 29.
\n
A medical worker conducts tests at a hospital in Shunde, Foshan, on July 25.
\n\n
Guangdong province has brought the mosquito-borne chikungunya outbreak under control after a weekslong battle, but health experts have warned that vigilance needs to be maintained in the face of wet weather patterns in South China.
\n
Over 8,000 people in the province have been infected with chikungunya, suffering symptoms such as fever, rashes and joint pain. No serious illnesses or deaths have been reported.
\n
Foshan, a manufacturing city of about 9.7 million people, has been the core battlefield against the outbreak. Authorities implemented mass mosquito control measures, including lighting mosquito coils, installing nets and removing stagnant water. Disinfection crews and drones to eliminate breeding grounds were also deployed.
\n
During a visit to the city earlier this month, Shen Hongbing, director of the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration, emphasized maintaining "a sharp focus" on mosquito vector control and implementing multichannel monitoring and early warnings to stem the virus's spread.
\n
"It is crucial to conduct regular and scientific mosquito elimination and disinfection efforts, strengthen guidance for grassroots disease control workers, and encourage households to overturn containers and remove stagnant water to create a clean, fresh and tidy living environment," Shen said.
\n
Since the end of last month, the control efforts have resulted in the epidemic declining.
\n
In Foshan, the daily number of new cases dropped under 200 for five consecutive days and fell to 148 on Friday, compared with a peak of 674 reported on July 19, local authorities said on Saturday.
\n
Kang Min, director of the Institute of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control at the Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, pointed out positive developments, including declining new infections in the hard-hit Shunde district of Foshan and reduced mosquito vector density.
\n
"However, the epidemic will likely rebound as frequent typhoons and heavy rainfall are complicating disinfection and water container cleanup efforts," he said. "The situation remains severe, and resurgence risks persist if mosquito vector density is not continuously controlled."
\n
Sporadic cases of chikungunya fever have also been reported in other parts of the country, including Beijing and the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions, health authorities said. Preemptive steps have included health surveillance of people returning from Foshan.
\n
Global surge
\n
Chikungunya fever, common in tropical and subtropical regions, was relatively unknown in China until the recent outbreak in South China.
\n
The nation first identified imported infections in 2008 and registered four incidents of the virus's local spread from 2010 to 2019, with two outbreaks developing into infection clusters in Guangdong and Yunnan provinces.
\n
"China is not an endemic region for chikungunya fever, so the general population lacks immunity, making them susceptible to contracting the disease," the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention said in a recent statement.
\n
Liu Qiyong, chief vector control expert at the China CDC, said during a recent interview with China Central Television that rising global infections have driven the surge of cases in China this year.
\n
"The virus's global circulation has led to its importation into China, where Aedes mosquitoes — the primary vector — are present. This has facilitated local transmission, resulting in the current domestic outbreak," he said.
\n
According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 5.6 billion people across 119 countries are at risk of the virus, prompting the organization to issue a call for urgent action to curb its spread. The surge in chikungunya cases began in early 2025, with major outbreaks in Indian Ocean islands including La Reunion, Mayotte and Mauritius. The virus is now spreading to countries such as Madagascar, Somalia and Kenya, and has shown epidemic transmission in Southeast Asia, and India, the WHO said.
\n
"The surge in chikungunya cases is likely due to favorable climatic conditions that allow blooms of the Aedes mosquito population. These are aggressive, day-biting mosquitoes that thrive in warm, wet conditions," said Robert Jones, assistant professor at the London School of Hygiene &Tropical Medicine.
\n
This year's weather is particularly conducive to boosting mosquito breeding. "Multiple factors have amplified this outbreak, driving its scale to surpass that of infection clusters in the past," Liu said.
\n
However, experts and authorities have stressed that chikungunya fever is preventable, treatable and controllable.
\n
Duan Leilei, a researcher at the China CDC, said during a recent news conference that the disease spreads primarily through mosquito bites, with no evidence of human-to-human transmission.
\n
According to the latest diagnosis and treatment guideline for the disease issued by the National Health Commission on July 31, there is no vaccine or specific treatment for the disease available in China, but severe cases, and related deaths are rare and infected individuals can develop long-lasting immunity against the disease.
\n
Timely detection and treatment also help curb further spread of the infection, said Yan Haiming, a senior doctor in the infectious disease department at the First People's Hospital of Foshan. Muscle pain, fatigue and nausea are more common in people over age 65, and most patients' symptoms subside within about a week, he added.
\n
Personal safety
\n
Duan urged affected regions to accelerate mosquito elimination efforts and advised individuals to take protective measures, such as using insect repellents, installing window nets and utilizing other anti-mosquito products.
\n
A villager in Foshan's Xincun village, surnamed Deng, said that he had stocked up on mosquito coils and mosquito-killing spray. He was recently discharged from the hospital after contracting the virus last month, probably when fishing outdoors, he said.
\n
"I now prioritize mosquito prevention at home — my drawers are full of anti-mosquito products, and I ensure there is no stagnant water," he said.
\n
Another villager surnamed Tao said that he places mosquito coils in every room of his home to protect his family members. Electric mosquito swatters and mosquito-repellent sprays are also among his everyday weapons.
\n
A local supermarket reported that sales of mosquito-control products have more than doubled in recent weeks.
\n
Across Guangdong, the online search volume for mosquito repellents during the week starting July 18 surged by 160 percent compared with the previous week, with sales rising by 33 percent, according to data from the online shopping and delivery platform Meituan.
\n
Huang Hanxian, Party secretary of Xincun village, said authorities now regularly distribute mosquito repellents to residents.
\n
"The best times to light coils are mornings and evenings when mosquitoes are most active," he said. "For instance, at 6 pm each evening, households are called on to light coils while a disinfection team comprising about 30 members will be carrying out work outdoors simultaneously."
\n
Liu, from China CDC, applauded the approach.
\n
"When outdoor mosquito control operations are carried out, mosquitoes that have not been killed may escape into houses," he said. "So coordinating the use of mosquito coils indoors and implementing outdoor disinfection can enhance the effectiveness of mosquito control."
\n
He Chunyun, an urban management official in Foshan, stressed paying close attention to detail during cleanups of hot spots prone to mosquito breeding.
\n
"It is important to carry out a thorough removal of garbage and debris, and pay close attention to overlooked items like bottles, flowerpot trays and discarded tires," he said.
\n
In the provincial capital, Guangzhou, unmanned aerial vehicles have been deployed to monitor mosquito breeding grounds, disinfect public spaces and repel mosquitoes. The city has reported dozens of infections since early July.
\n
At the city's Tianlu Lake forest park, complex terrain, dense vegetation and hordes of visitors drawn to its hiking routes and entertainment facilities have made it difficult to undertake manual disinfection.
\n
"A single drone can cover 15 to 20 times the daily operational area of manual disinfection and it is also capable of reaching difficult-to-access areas," said the drone operators. "Our intelligent path planning also minimizes chemical exposure, ensuring visitor safety."
\n
Smart monitoring
\n
Technology is also being looked at by Chinese scientists to prevent mosquito-borne diseases.
\n
A breakthrough has been made in the development of an intelligent vector mosquito surveillance system that offers scientific guidance for disease control, Xinhua News Agency reported. The monitoring technology, developed by a team led by Chen Xiaoguang, a professor at Southern Medical University, has been deployed across multiple communities in Guangdong.
\n
Chen said traditional mosquito-monitoring methods have limitations. "Mosquito traps and mosquito nets only monitor nonblood-fed mosquitoes, while mosquito oviposition traps target blood-fed egg-laying mosquitoes," he said.
\n
"Our innovation employs coordinated dual-device operation for real-time, high-efficiency monitoring."
\n
The automated monitors use attractants that mimic humans to capture non-bloodfed mosquitoes, while smart oviposition buckets utilize container-type miniature water pools to monitor blood-fed gravid Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, achieving four times the efficiency of conventional oviposition traps, he added.
\n
Field tests have demonstrated remarkable effectiveness. During its first week of operation the system issued timely alerts for abnormal mosquito density surges across multiple zones and generated targeted intervention protocols.
\n
"Manual mosquito trapping caused data delays. Now, real-time cloud-based alerts have substantially accelerated grassroots disinfection responses," Chen said. After deployment, surveillance showed an almost 40 percent decrease in adult mosquito captures within key areas.
\n
In addition to stamping out the disease's spread, top health authorities have attached significance to delivering standardized treatment to patients to prevent severe cases and deaths, according to a national-level teleconference on tackling the epidemic held in late July.
\n
Authorities in Foshan said on Saturday that no seriously ill patients or deaths had been reported and more than 90 percent of patients had recovered.
\n
Yan from the Foshan First People's Hospital said the majority of patients only exhibit mild symptoms that usually subside within a week.
\n
"No severe lingering effects have been observed, but recovered individuals should avoid joint strain — such as weightlifting, hiking, or long-distance running — for three months," he said. "Some patients who feel uncomfortable for prolonged periods are advised to seek rehabilitation services."
\n
Contact the writers at wangxiaoyu@chinadaily.com.cn
As Typhoon Podul is poised to make its second landfall along the coastal areas between Guangdong and Fujian provinces, transportation — particularly train services in the two provinces — was significantly affected on Wednesday.
\n
Podul, the 11th typhoon of the year and classified as a severe storm, made its initial landfall along the coast of Taitung, Taiwan, at around 1 pm on Wednesday, with maximum wind speeds near the center reaching 151.2 kilometers per hour, according to the National Meteorological Center.
\n
After entering the Taiwan Strait on Wednesday afternoon, the typhoon was expected to make a second landfall along the coast between Xiamen in Fujian and Shantou in Guangdong, between Wednesday evening and early Thursday morning, the NMC reported.
\n
In response to the severe weather, China Railway Guangzhou Group has assessed risks and adjusted transportation schedules on several routes. As of Wednesday, high-speed train services were suspended on routes connecting Zhejiang and Guangdong provinces, with train services on the affected railway lines expected to resume after Thursday, depending on weather conditions. Additionally, some trains on the Beijing-Guangzhou and Beijing-Kowloon (Hong Kong) railway lines were suspended on Wednesday.
\n
In Shantou, the Nan'ao Bridge, a major cross-sea project, was closed to traffic at 8 pm on Wednesday for safety reasons. Strong winds were detected at the bridge's automatic weather observation station on Wednesday morning, with their intensity increasing throughout the day, according to local meteorological authorities.
\n
In Chaozhou, which neighbors Shantou, all primary and secondary schools, kindergartens, day care centers and training institutions suspended classes on Wednesday.
\n
On the maritime front, all fishing boats in areas east of Shanwei, a seaside city in Guangdong, were required to return to port by 8 pm on Tuesday, and recreational boats were prohibited from going out to sea, according to the provincial headquarters for flood, drought and wind control.
\n
In Fujian, some passenger trains bound for Shaanxi province and Chongqing were suspended on Wednesday.
\n
In response to the impact of the typhoon and severe convective weather, the railway group upgraded the typhoon warning level for several lines running through Fujian from Level IV to Level III on Wednesday.
\n
With wind speeds of 90 to 118.8 km/h after its second landfall, Podul is expected to continue moving northwest into inland areas, passing through several provincial-level regions including Guangdong, Hunan, Guizhou and Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, bringing widespread heavy to torrential rain, according to the NMC.
\n
Due to Podul's asymmetrical structure with stronger convection on its southern side, southern Fujian and eastern Guangdong are expected to experience particularly significant heavy rainfall, according to NMC.
\n
Lyu Xinyan, chief forecaster at the NMC, highlighted the potential for compounding effects due to recent frequent rainfall in southern China.
\n
"We should pay particular attention to the cumulative effects of Podul's heavy rainfall and previous rainstorms, which could easily trigger mountain torrents, mudslides, flash floods in small and medium-sized rivers, and urban and rural flooding," she said.
\n
Contact the writer at qiuquanlin@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
- "content": "
As Typhoon Podul is poised to make its second landfall along the coastal areas between Guangdong and Fujian provinces, transportation — particularly train services in the two provinces — was significantly affected on Wednesday.
\n
Podul, the 11th typhoon of the year and classified as a severe storm, made its initial landfall along the coast of Taitung, Taiwan, at around 1 pm on Wednesday, with maximum wind speeds near the center reaching 151.2 kilometers per hour, according to the National Meteorological Center.
\n
After entering the Taiwan Strait on Wednesday afternoon, the typhoon was expected to make a second landfall along the coast between Xiamen in Fujian and Shantou in Guangdong, between Wednesday evening and early Thursday morning, the NMC reported.
\n
In response to the severe weather, China Railway Guangzhou Group has assessed risks and adjusted transportation schedules on several routes. As of Wednesday, high-speed train services were suspended on routes connecting Zhejiang and Guangdong provinces, with train services on the affected railway lines expected to resume after Thursday, depending on weather conditions. Additionally, some trains on the Beijing-Guangzhou and Beijing-Kowloon (Hong Kong) railway lines were suspended on Wednesday.
\n
In Shantou, the Nan'ao Bridge, a major cross-sea project, was closed to traffic at 8 pm on Wednesday for safety reasons. Strong winds were detected at the bridge's automatic weather observation station on Wednesday morning, with their intensity increasing throughout the day, according to local meteorological authorities.
\n
In Chaozhou, which neighbors Shantou, all primary and secondary schools, kindergartens, day care centers and training institutions suspended classes on Wednesday.
\n
On the maritime front, all fishing boats in areas east of Shanwei, a seaside city in Guangdong, were required to return to port by 8 pm on Tuesday, and recreational boats were prohibited from going out to sea, according to the provincial headquarters for flood, drought and wind control.
\n
In Fujian, some passenger trains bound for Shaanxi province and Chongqing were suspended on Wednesday.
\n
In response to the impact of the typhoon and severe convective weather, the railway group upgraded the typhoon warning level for several lines running through Fujian from Level IV to Level III on Wednesday.
\n
With wind speeds of 90 to 118.8 km/h after its second landfall, Podul is expected to continue moving northwest into inland areas, passing through several provincial-level regions including Guangdong, Hunan, Guizhou and Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, bringing widespread heavy to torrential rain, according to the NMC.
\n
Due to Podul's asymmetrical structure with stronger convection on its southern side, southern Fujian and eastern Guangdong are expected to experience particularly significant heavy rainfall, according to NMC.
\n
Lyu Xinyan, chief forecaster at the NMC, highlighted the potential for compounding effects due to recent frequent rainfall in southern China.
\n
"We should pay particular attention to the cumulative effects of Podul's heavy rainfall and previous rainstorms, which could easily trigger mountain torrents, mudslides, flash floods in small and medium-sized rivers, and urban and rural flooding," she said.
\n
Contact the writer at qiuquanlin@chinadaily.com.cn
Local authorities in Puyang, Henan province, have launched an investigation into a company accused of using fake agricultural experts on social media platforms to promote and sell substandard agricultural inputs, including pesticides and fertilizers. The move comes after a media report exposed the deceptive practices of a local agricultural company and its network of online marketing.
\n
According to a recent report by China Central Television's business channel, a local company called "Xianghe Agriculture" created hundreds of online accounts featuring people posing as agricultural experts, professors and recent agricultural university graduates, aiming to mislead farmers and sell products made by the company that claimed to boost agricultural production.
\n
These fake experts, who wore shirts bearing the company's logo in their videos, offered advice on farming techniques and promoted products sold through the company's online store. However, farmers who purchased the products reported that they were ineffective and did not live up to the advertised claims.
\n
The "experts" also shared "life hacks" for farming in the short videos, including using household ingredients such as salt, vinegar and beer as pesticides and fertilizers. While originally presented as innovative solutions, the videos often followed a similar script: promoting the cheap "life hacks" only to discredit them later and push the company's own products instead.
\n
Following the report, the local agriculture and rural affairs bureau, the market regulation bureau and public security departments established a joint investigation team, China Media Group reported on Tuesday.
\n
Initial findings led to the investigation of the "Nongduole Agricultural Supply Store", which was associated with "Xianghe Agriculture" in Fanxian county, Puyang. Authorities have seized 1,260 items, shut down one online livestreaming site with five studios and closed 112 irregular accounts. Three people suspected of involvement in the matter have been taken into custody.
\n
The media report revealed that many of the so-called experts had little formal agricultural education or experience. One person identified as Teacher Shi, who presented himself as an expert from an agricultural research institute, was found to be an event host trainer and one of the founders of "Xianghe Agriculture".
\n
Shi admitted that his online persona was entirely fabricated. "It's all fake, all performance," he told CCTV.
\n
A team manager at the livestreaming base of the company said the company prioritized profit over agricultural knowledge and would happily switch to selling other products if agricultural supplies became less lucrative.
\n
The case has sparked controversy about the proliferation of misinformation and deceptive marketing in the agricultural sector, as well as the responsibility of social media platforms to regulate such content.
\n
"Some sellers of products that claimed to be able to boost agricultural production are actually squeezing farmers' profits under the guise of supporting farmers," a netizen commented on Sina Weibo.
\n
"The short video platforms are responsible for supervising these broadcasters who are selling their products," another said.
\n
The Puyang government said in a statement that it would conduct a comprehensive investigation of the agricultural supplies market across the city and strengthen the supervision of the entire supply chain.
\n
zhaoyimeng@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
- "content": "
Local authorities in Puyang, Henan province, have launched an investigation into a company accused of using fake agricultural experts on social media platforms to promote and sell substandard agricultural inputs, including pesticides and fertilizers. The move comes after a media report exposed the deceptive practices of a local agricultural company and its network of online marketing.
\n
According to a recent report by China Central Television's business channel, a local company called "Xianghe Agriculture" created hundreds of online accounts featuring people posing as agricultural experts, professors and recent agricultural university graduates, aiming to mislead farmers and sell products made by the company that claimed to boost agricultural production.
\n
These fake experts, who wore shirts bearing the company's logo in their videos, offered advice on farming techniques and promoted products sold through the company's online store. However, farmers who purchased the products reported that they were ineffective and did not live up to the advertised claims.
\n
The "experts" also shared "life hacks" for farming in the short videos, including using household ingredients such as salt, vinegar and beer as pesticides and fertilizers. While originally presented as innovative solutions, the videos often followed a similar script: promoting the cheap "life hacks" only to discredit them later and push the company's own products instead.
\n
Following the report, the local agriculture and rural affairs bureau, the market regulation bureau and public security departments established a joint investigation team, China Media Group reported on Tuesday.
\n
Initial findings led to the investigation of the "Nongduole Agricultural Supply Store", which was associated with "Xianghe Agriculture" in Fanxian county, Puyang. Authorities have seized 1,260 items, shut down one online livestreaming site with five studios and closed 112 irregular accounts. Three people suspected of involvement in the matter have been taken into custody.
\n
The media report revealed that many of the so-called experts had little formal agricultural education or experience. One person identified as Teacher Shi, who presented himself as an expert from an agricultural research institute, was found to be an event host trainer and one of the founders of "Xianghe Agriculture".
\n
Shi admitted that his online persona was entirely fabricated. "It's all fake, all performance," he told CCTV.
\n
A team manager at the livestreaming base of the company said the company prioritized profit over agricultural knowledge and would happily switch to selling other products if agricultural supplies became less lucrative.
\n
The case has sparked controversy about the proliferation of misinformation and deceptive marketing in the agricultural sector, as well as the responsibility of social media platforms to regulate such content.
\n
"Some sellers of products that claimed to be able to boost agricultural production are actually squeezing farmers' profits under the guise of supporting farmers," a netizen commented on Sina Weibo.
\n
"The short video platforms are responsible for supervising these broadcasters who are selling their products," another said.
\n
The Puyang government said in a statement that it would conduct a comprehensive investigation of the agricultural supplies market across the city and strengthen the supervision of the entire supply chain.
Competitors from the Netherlands carry their robots onto the field for adjustments and training at Beijing's National Speed Skating Oval on Tuesday, ahead of the 2025 World Humanoid Robot Games. The event is being held from Thursday to Sunday, with over 500 humanoid robots competing in 26 events and 538 competitions.
\n",
- "content": "
Competitors from the Netherlands carry their robots onto the field for adjustments and training at Beijing's National Speed Skating Oval on Tuesday, ahead of the 2025 World Humanoid Robot Games. The event is being held from Thursday to Sunday, with over 500 humanoid robots competing in 26 events and 538 competitions.
Bent over a luminous vase of pink peonies, a young craftsman guided his enameling tool in patient, practiced circles at a factory in central Beijing, breathing new life into China's cloisonne tradition.
\n
At the Beijing Enamel Factory, cloisonne, which was more broadly used in jewelry and metalware in ancient royal courts, is now quietly created by the hands of young craftsmen.
\n
"Cloisonne has always been about adaptation," said Zhong Liansheng, chief craft artist at the factory. Born in 1962, Zhong has watched this transformation unfold before his eyes.
\n
Cloisonne stands out as a vivid fusion of timeless artistry and contemporary appeal, according to the master.
\n
With ingenious designs, superb craftsmanship and auspicious symbolism, cloisonne artworks bridge tradition and modern aesthetics, gaining popularity among consumers both at home and abroad.
\n
This growing appeal also reflects a broader revival of traditional crafts across China, backed by government support and a new generation eager to embrace their cultural heritage.
\n
Modern craftsmanship
\n
"At the core of cloisonne's mystique is its exquisite delicacy, achieved through countless steps that demand absolute precision at every turn," Zhong said, adding that each object — be it a gleaming dome or a small jewelry box — undergoes multiple laborious steps.
\n
"This work is truly the perfect embodiment of craftsmanship," Zhong said. Yet for him, honoring the past is not enough.
\n
"Don't just copy the old styles," he said, adding that these ancient arts will only endure if they find a place in people's everyday lives.
\n
In recent years, the Beijing Enamel Factory has applied cloisonne techniques to architectural decor, from upscale interior design elements to public art installations.
\n
"We have to create masterpieces that carry our era's aesthetics," Zhong said, highlighting the importance of keeping cloisonne alive as a dynamic art form rather than a static artifact.
\n
His philosophy resonates with a broader shift, as across China, inheritors of intangible cultural heritage are blending tradition with modernity. One notable example is cloisonne artisan Xiong Songtao in Beijing, whose glistening enamel pieces earned his workshop a global partnership with the Spanish fashion brand LOEWE.
\n
Similar partnerships have emerged in other crafts. The Italian brand Fendi collaborated with artisans from China's Yi ethnic group to create a baguette bag featuring traditional Yi embroidery and silverwork.
\n
Among the driving forces of the revival of traditional crafts are young Chinese consumers. Generation Z in particular has developed a proud appetite for homegrown designs, fueling the guochao, or "China-chic" wave that values authenticity and heritage.
\n
The surging sales of cultural-heritage-themed products reflect this trend. According to data from China's leading e-commerce platforms, Taobao and Tmall, the annual transaction volume of intangible cultural heritage-related products reached 107.32 billion yuan ($15 billion) in 2023, a year-on-year increase of 37.7 percent.
\n
Policy-driven preservation
\n
Behind cloisonne's comeback is not only the passion of masters like Zhong, but a concerted push by the Chinese government to preserve and revitalize traditional crafts.
\n
Cloisonne, widely produced during the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties, was listed as a national intangible heritage in 2006.
\n
In 2017, the central government issued a set of guidelines on advancing the inheritance and development of fine traditional Chinese culture, emphasizing efforts to preserve cultural heritage, nourish artistic creation, integrate traditional culture into daily life and industry, and promote mutual learning between Chinese and foreign civilizations.
\n
The impact of such policies is tangible. Across the country, over 11,000 intangible cultural heritage workshops have been established, preserving traditional crafts while also creating jobs in local communities. As of March this year, the number of national-level intangible cultural heritage inheritors had grown to nearly 4,000.
\n
Zhong noted that each year, various government agencies channel resources into keeping cloisonne alive.
\n
"The Beijing government supports us in R&D projects, including developing new enamel glazes," Zhong explained, adding that the Beijing Municipal Science and Technology Commission has sponsored the company's research into lead-free enamel, a greener alternative to traditional leaded glass glaze.
\n
Education plays an equally vital role. The Beijing Enamel Factory has introduced cloisonne-making courses in several primary and middle schools as an extracurricular program to spark interest among youth.
\n
"Of course, not everyone will become a cloisonne artisan," Zhong said with a smile. "But whatever they do in life, they can help pass on the flame."
\n",
- "content": "
Bent over a luminous vase of pink peonies, a young craftsman guided his enameling tool in patient, practiced circles at a factory in central Beijing, breathing new life into China's cloisonne tradition.
\n
At the Beijing Enamel Factory, cloisonne, which was more broadly used in jewelry and metalware in ancient royal courts, is now quietly created by the hands of young craftsmen.
\n
"Cloisonne has always been about adaptation," said Zhong Liansheng, chief craft artist at the factory. Born in 1962, Zhong has watched this transformation unfold before his eyes.
\n
Cloisonne stands out as a vivid fusion of timeless artistry and contemporary appeal, according to the master.
\n
With ingenious designs, superb craftsmanship and auspicious symbolism, cloisonne artworks bridge tradition and modern aesthetics, gaining popularity among consumers both at home and abroad.
\n
This growing appeal also reflects a broader revival of traditional crafts across China, backed by government support and a new generation eager to embrace their cultural heritage.
\n
Modern craftsmanship
\n
"At the core of cloisonne's mystique is its exquisite delicacy, achieved through countless steps that demand absolute precision at every turn," Zhong said, adding that each object — be it a gleaming dome or a small jewelry box — undergoes multiple laborious steps.
\n
"This work is truly the perfect embodiment of craftsmanship," Zhong said. Yet for him, honoring the past is not enough.
\n
"Don't just copy the old styles," he said, adding that these ancient arts will only endure if they find a place in people's everyday lives.
\n
In recent years, the Beijing Enamel Factory has applied cloisonne techniques to architectural decor, from upscale interior design elements to public art installations.
\n
"We have to create masterpieces that carry our era's aesthetics," Zhong said, highlighting the importance of keeping cloisonne alive as a dynamic art form rather than a static artifact.
\n
His philosophy resonates with a broader shift, as across China, inheritors of intangible cultural heritage are blending tradition with modernity. One notable example is cloisonne artisan Xiong Songtao in Beijing, whose glistening enamel pieces earned his workshop a global partnership with the Spanish fashion brand LOEWE.
\n
Similar partnerships have emerged in other crafts. The Italian brand Fendi collaborated with artisans from China's Yi ethnic group to create a baguette bag featuring traditional Yi embroidery and silverwork.
\n
Among the driving forces of the revival of traditional crafts are young Chinese consumers. Generation Z in particular has developed a proud appetite for homegrown designs, fueling the guochao, or "China-chic" wave that values authenticity and heritage.
\n
The surging sales of cultural-heritage-themed products reflect this trend. According to data from China's leading e-commerce platforms, Taobao and Tmall, the annual transaction volume of intangible cultural heritage-related products reached 107.32 billion yuan ($15 billion) in 2023, a year-on-year increase of 37.7 percent.
\n
Policy-driven preservation
\n
Behind cloisonne's comeback is not only the passion of masters like Zhong, but a concerted push by the Chinese government to preserve and revitalize traditional crafts.
\n
Cloisonne, widely produced during the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties, was listed as a national intangible heritage in 2006.
\n
In 2017, the central government issued a set of guidelines on advancing the inheritance and development of fine traditional Chinese culture, emphasizing efforts to preserve cultural heritage, nourish artistic creation, integrate traditional culture into daily life and industry, and promote mutual learning between Chinese and foreign civilizations.
\n
The impact of such policies is tangible. Across the country, over 11,000 intangible cultural heritage workshops have been established, preserving traditional crafts while also creating jobs in local communities. As of March this year, the number of national-level intangible cultural heritage inheritors had grown to nearly 4,000.
\n
Zhong noted that each year, various government agencies channel resources into keeping cloisonne alive.
\n
"The Beijing government supports us in R&D projects, including developing new enamel glazes," Zhong explained, adding that the Beijing Municipal Science and Technology Commission has sponsored the company's research into lead-free enamel, a greener alternative to traditional leaded glass glaze.
\n
Education plays an equally vital role. The Beijing Enamel Factory has introduced cloisonne-making courses in several primary and middle schools as an extracurricular program to spark interest among youth.
\n
"Of course, not everyone will become a cloisonne artisan," Zhong said with a smile. "But whatever they do in life, they can help pass on the flame."
The "Green Fleet", consisting of four all-electric tugboats, sets sail from the China State Shipbuilding Corporation Tianjin dock on Wednesday. Compared to traditional fuel-powered tugs, these electric ships produce zero emissions and little noise.
\n",
- "content": "
The "Green Fleet", consisting of four all-electric tugboats, sets sail from the China State Shipbuilding Corporation Tianjin dock on Wednesday. Compared to traditional fuel-powered tugs, these electric ships produce zero emissions and little noise.
A new scam is exploiting a recently announced national program offering cash subsidies for children under age 3, China Central Television reported.
\n
The program, unveiled on July 28, provides annual cash payments of 3,600 yuan ($501) for each legitimate child under 3, retroactive to Jan 1. According to a work plan, provinces and regions will begin opening applications for the subsidies in late August, with full access to applications available nationwide by Aug 31.
\n
However, fraudsters have been impersonating officials from the National Health Commission and the Ministry of Finance, sending fake notifications with phishing links via text message and social media to deceive individuals, CCTV reported.
\n
In one case, a father eligible for the program, surnamed Wang from Zhaotong, Yunnan province, received a message in his WeChat work group claiming he could apply for the subsidy. The message included a link that, when clicked on, instructed him to enter personal information, including his name, ID number, bank details and password.
\n
The link also requested his bank account balance and verification code. Initially trusting the message due to its appearance in a work context, Wang became suspicious when he was notified that his account had been linked to Cloud QuickPass, the mobile payment service of Union-Pay, on someone else's device.
\n
He contacted the police, who identified the link as a scam. Wang reported his bank card as lost and warned colleagues about the fraudulent link to prevent further potential victims.
\n
Li Wenjuan, a police officer from a local criminal investigation team, advised eligible applicants to verify information sources.
\n
"This type of fraud mainly exploits loopholes during the policy transition period. Online application channels for the subsidy are not yet open nationwide. Any mention of limited-time offers or expiration is a scam," she told CCTV.
\n
"Official information is announced through government platforms. Verify the domain; government websites typically have a gov.cn suffix. Never provide personal details such as names, ID numbers, bank account information, passwords or verification codes. Avoid enabling screen sharing or facial recognition," she was quoted as saying.
\n
Victims should immediately freeze bank accounts, retain evidence and report incidents to the police or the anti-fraud hotline"96110", CCTV said.
A new scam is exploiting a recently announced national program offering cash subsidies for children under age 3, China Central Television reported.
\n
The program, unveiled on July 28, provides annual cash payments of 3,600 yuan ($501) for each legitimate child under 3, retroactive to Jan 1. According to a work plan, provinces and regions will begin opening applications for the subsidies in late August, with full access to applications available nationwide by Aug 31.
\n
However, fraudsters have been impersonating officials from the National Health Commission and the Ministry of Finance, sending fake notifications with phishing links via text message and social media to deceive individuals, CCTV reported.
\n
In one case, a father eligible for the program, surnamed Wang from Zhaotong, Yunnan province, received a message in his WeChat work group claiming he could apply for the subsidy. The message included a link that, when clicked on, instructed him to enter personal information, including his name, ID number, bank details and password.
\n
The link also requested his bank account balance and verification code. Initially trusting the message due to its appearance in a work context, Wang became suspicious when he was notified that his account had been linked to Cloud QuickPass, the mobile payment service of Union-Pay, on someone else's device.
\n
He contacted the police, who identified the link as a scam. Wang reported his bank card as lost and warned colleagues about the fraudulent link to prevent further potential victims.
\n
Li Wenjuan, a police officer from a local criminal investigation team, advised eligible applicants to verify information sources.
\n
"This type of fraud mainly exploits loopholes during the policy transition period. Online application channels for the subsidy are not yet open nationwide. Any mention of limited-time offers or expiration is a scam," she told CCTV.
\n
"Official information is announced through government platforms. Verify the domain; government websites typically have a gov.cn suffix. Never provide personal details such as names, ID numbers, bank account information, passwords or verification codes. Avoid enabling screen sharing or facial recognition," she was quoted as saying.
\n
Victims should immediately freeze bank accounts, retain evidence and report incidents to the police or the anti-fraud hotline"96110", CCTV said.
A Chinese mainland spokeswoman on Wednesday criticized the Lai Ching-te administration in Taiwan for prioritizing political self-interest over public welfare, following recent polls showing Lai's approval ratings were the lowest they've been since he took office last year.
\n
The surveys, including one from Formosa Publishing and other "pro-independence" institutions in Taiwan, indicated a significant drop in satisfaction with Lai's performance, with dissatisfaction and distrust both exceeding 50 percent.
\n
This decline in approval comes as Taiwan society expresses dissatisfaction over the United States' recent announcement of a 20 percent tariff on most of Taiwan's exports. This rate is higher than the 15 percent export tariff imposed on Japan and South Korea, which are major competitors to Taiwan, posing a substantial challenge for Taiwan businesses.
\n
In response, the Lai administration of the island stated that the tariff rates are still negotiable and mentioned the possibility of increasing investments in the US by an additional $400 billion, sparking criticism in Taiwan.
\n
At the same time, the US reportedly planned to impose a 100 per-cent tariff on semiconductor imports while announcing that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, the island's pillar industry, will invest $300 billion in the US to build the world's largest wafer factory in Arizona.
\n
Zhu Fenglian, spokeswoman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, accused the Democratic Progressive Party-led administration of having "no bottom line" in selling out Taiwan and being obedient in its response to US demands. She noted that the proposed $400 billion investment equates to half of Taiwan's annual GDP.
\n
Zhu said that the DPP's willingness to hand over TSMC and allow the US to extract value from Taiwan's advantageous industries demonstrated a lack of commitment and capability to safeguard Taiwan's economic development and the welfare of its people.
\n
She said that Taiwan could have mitigated rising external risks and uncertainties by strengthening economic cooperation with the mainland. Instead, she accused the DPP of harboring a misguided desire for "independence" through reliance on external forces, ultimately harming Taiwan's development interests.
\n
Meanwhile, Hsiao Hsu-tsen, executive director of the Taiwan-based Ma Ying-jeou Culture and Education Foundation, criticized the Lai administration for its inadequate response to the southern Taiwan floods last month, noting that many residents remain without proper resettlement, leading to widespread public discontent.
\n
Hsiao accused the ineffective Lai administration of focusing on political ideology to divide the island facing the severe impact of the tariff increase on Taiwan's industries and people's livelihoods.
\n
"This kind of government is an 'internal hostile force' for the Taiwan people, and people should reject the DPP and Lai," he said.
\n
Zou Zhiqiang, deputy secretary-general of the US-based Alliance for China's Peaceful Reunification, said the recent rejection of Lai's planned "transit" through New York by the US indicated the country was unwilling to damage Sino-US relations over Taiwan, disproving the DPP's claim of a "rock-solid" relationship with the US.
\n
Zou said that Taiwan is not a core interest for the US and is seen merely as a pawn that could be discarded at any moment.
\n
zhangyi1@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
- "content": "
A Chinese mainland spokeswoman on Wednesday criticized the Lai Ching-te administration in Taiwan for prioritizing political self-interest over public welfare, following recent polls showing Lai's approval ratings were the lowest they've been since he took office last year.
\n
The surveys, including one from Formosa Publishing and other "pro-independence" institutions in Taiwan, indicated a significant drop in satisfaction with Lai's performance, with dissatisfaction and distrust both exceeding 50 percent.
\n
This decline in approval comes as Taiwan society expresses dissatisfaction over the United States' recent announcement of a 20 percent tariff on most of Taiwan's exports. This rate is higher than the 15 percent export tariff imposed on Japan and South Korea, which are major competitors to Taiwan, posing a substantial challenge for Taiwan businesses.
\n
In response, the Lai administration of the island stated that the tariff rates are still negotiable and mentioned the possibility of increasing investments in the US by an additional $400 billion, sparking criticism in Taiwan.
\n
At the same time, the US reportedly planned to impose a 100 per-cent tariff on semiconductor imports while announcing that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, the island's pillar industry, will invest $300 billion in the US to build the world's largest wafer factory in Arizona.
\n
Zhu Fenglian, spokeswoman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, accused the Democratic Progressive Party-led administration of having "no bottom line" in selling out Taiwan and being obedient in its response to US demands. She noted that the proposed $400 billion investment equates to half of Taiwan's annual GDP.
\n
Zhu said that the DPP's willingness to hand over TSMC and allow the US to extract value from Taiwan's advantageous industries demonstrated a lack of commitment and capability to safeguard Taiwan's economic development and the welfare of its people.
\n
She said that Taiwan could have mitigated rising external risks and uncertainties by strengthening economic cooperation with the mainland. Instead, she accused the DPP of harboring a misguided desire for "independence" through reliance on external forces, ultimately harming Taiwan's development interests.
\n
Meanwhile, Hsiao Hsu-tsen, executive director of the Taiwan-based Ma Ying-jeou Culture and Education Foundation, criticized the Lai administration for its inadequate response to the southern Taiwan floods last month, noting that many residents remain without proper resettlement, leading to widespread public discontent.
\n
Hsiao accused the ineffective Lai administration of focusing on political ideology to divide the island facing the severe impact of the tariff increase on Taiwan's industries and people's livelihoods.
\n
"This kind of government is an 'internal hostile force' for the Taiwan people, and people should reject the DPP and Lai," he said.
\n
Zou Zhiqiang, deputy secretary-general of the US-based Alliance for China's Peaceful Reunification, said the recent rejection of Lai's planned "transit" through New York by the US indicated the country was unwilling to damage Sino-US relations over Taiwan, disproving the DPP's claim of a "rock-solid" relationship with the US.
\n
Zou said that Taiwan is not a core interest for the US and is seen merely as a pawn that could be discarded at any moment.
This year, the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, the outrageous treatment of one particular group of innocent victims continues to sear the sensibilities of decent people everywhere.
\n
At age 72 and now battling lung cancer, Zhang Shuangbing has not stopped working to secure justice for the so-called "comfort women" — young girls and women who were forced to provide degrading sexual services to the men of the Imperial Japanese Army during the war.
\n
"I have been holding on," Zhang said. "Until justice is served, I will never be at peace."
\n
By justice, he means an apology and monetary compensation from the Japanese government for those who were turned into sex slaves during the war. It's a cause he has championed for more than four decades.
\n
Some 400,000 victims were kidnapped in a dozen or so Asian countries by the Japanese army. About half were Chinese, according to the Research Center for Comfort Women at Shanghai Normal University.
\n
Zhang, a native of Yuxian county in Shanxi province, was a rural primary school teacher before his retirement. Motivated by reports of "comfort women" seeking reparations, Zhang began visiting survivors, recording their stories and submitting legal complaints against Japan.
\n
His journey began in 1982, inspired by Hou Dong'e, a survivor who was forced into sexual slavery twice by Japanese soldiers. She suffered many hardships, including being socially ostracized in her own village.
\n
Hou was the first of the women from the Chinese mainland to publicly accuse Japanese soldiers. Zhang visited her multiple times until her death in 1994, before the 1995 court proceedings in Tokyo, during which victims first sought justice.
\n
Survivors from Yuxian county formally filed a lawsuit seeking an official apology and compensation from the Japanese government.
\n
Japan admitted to the historical facts, but by 2007 Japanese courts had repeatedly refused to make public apologies and financial reparations. They simply dismissed the survivors' claims.
\n
Because of financial and logistical constraints, Zhang gave up pursuing lawsuits in Japan and the International Court of Justice. Instead, he has partnered with like-minded South Koreans to pursue lawsuits within China.
\n
"Since 1982, I have taken this task upon myself," he said. "The lack of satisfactory court outcomes has unsettled me. I have tried many different approaches, but I can no longer pursue legal action in Japan or the ICJ because of costs and distance. A few years ago, I teamed up with my South Korean counterparts to pursue cases in our respective countries."
\n
A significant breakthrough came in 2021, when the Seoul Central District Court ordered compensation for South Korean "comfort women". The ruling was seen by Zhang and legal advocates as a responsible and just outcome.
\n
Inspired by this development, the children of 18 Chinese victims last year filed the first lawsuit against Japan in a Chinese court — the Shanxi High People's Court — and asked for an apology and compensation.
\n
"I lost my mother at a young age," said Yang Xiulian, the daughter of Nan Erpu, who was born in Shanxi and was a victim of sexual slavery during the war.
\n
"Japan invaded China and harmed her, leaving a debt of blood. I seek justice for my mother. I demand a formal apology from Japan and compensation for our losses."
\n
In 1942, Nan was abducted and subjected to long-term sexual trauma, resulting in lifelong infertility and severe physical and psychological damage.
\n
"My mother was unable to bear children because of the abuse. She adopted me in 1964. In June 1967, unable to endure the pain, she took her own life. I was only 4 when I lost my mother," Yang said.
\n
Jia Fangyi, the lawyer representing the families in the case, said the South Korean court's ruling "encourages and informs our efforts".
\n
"After conducting research, the human rights lawyers and I agree that the ruling in Seoul is right," he said. "Japan's rejection of Chinese victims' lawsuits, along with its refusal to apologize or provide compensation, is despicable."
\n
Time waits for no one. Since the first court hearing in Japan in 1995, 30 years have passed and many of the sexual abuse victims have died. But Zhang remains resolute despite his declining health.
\n
"I have to keep fighting so that Japan will acknowledge the wrongs it has committed and learn from history," he said.
\n
With this year marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, Zhang hopes to obtain a fair judgment and a satisfactory outcome as soon as possible.
\n
"My great hope is that victims across Asia will come together to demand an apology and compensation from the Japanese government," he said.
\n
Contact the writers at zhaoruinan@chinadaily.com.cn
This year, the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, the outrageous treatment of one particular group of innocent victims continues to sear the sensibilities of decent people everywhere.
\n
At age 72 and now battling lung cancer, Zhang Shuangbing has not stopped working to secure justice for the so-called "comfort women" — young girls and women who were forced to provide degrading sexual services to the men of the Imperial Japanese Army during the war.
\n
"I have been holding on," Zhang said. "Until justice is served, I will never be at peace."
\n
By justice, he means an apology and monetary compensation from the Japanese government for those who were turned into sex slaves during the war. It's a cause he has championed for more than four decades.
\n
Some 400,000 victims were kidnapped in a dozen or so Asian countries by the Japanese army. About half were Chinese, according to the Research Center for Comfort Women at Shanghai Normal University.
\n
Zhang, a native of Yuxian county in Shanxi province, was a rural primary school teacher before his retirement. Motivated by reports of "comfort women" seeking reparations, Zhang began visiting survivors, recording their stories and submitting legal complaints against Japan.
\n
His journey began in 1982, inspired by Hou Dong'e, a survivor who was forced into sexual slavery twice by Japanese soldiers. She suffered many hardships, including being socially ostracized in her own village.
\n
Hou was the first of the women from the Chinese mainland to publicly accuse Japanese soldiers. Zhang visited her multiple times until her death in 1994, before the 1995 court proceedings in Tokyo, during which victims first sought justice.
\n
Survivors from Yuxian county formally filed a lawsuit seeking an official apology and compensation from the Japanese government.
\n
Japan admitted to the historical facts, but by 2007 Japanese courts had repeatedly refused to make public apologies and financial reparations. They simply dismissed the survivors' claims.
\n
Because of financial and logistical constraints, Zhang gave up pursuing lawsuits in Japan and the International Court of Justice. Instead, he has partnered with like-minded South Koreans to pursue lawsuits within China.
\n
"Since 1982, I have taken this task upon myself," he said. "The lack of satisfactory court outcomes has unsettled me. I have tried many different approaches, but I can no longer pursue legal action in Japan or the ICJ because of costs and distance. A few years ago, I teamed up with my South Korean counterparts to pursue cases in our respective countries."
\n
A significant breakthrough came in 2021, when the Seoul Central District Court ordered compensation for South Korean "comfort women". The ruling was seen by Zhang and legal advocates as a responsible and just outcome.
\n
Inspired by this development, the children of 18 Chinese victims last year filed the first lawsuit against Japan in a Chinese court — the Shanxi High People's Court — and asked for an apology and compensation.
\n
"I lost my mother at a young age," said Yang Xiulian, the daughter of Nan Erpu, who was born in Shanxi and was a victim of sexual slavery during the war.
\n
"Japan invaded China and harmed her, leaving a debt of blood. I seek justice for my mother. I demand a formal apology from Japan and compensation for our losses."
\n
In 1942, Nan was abducted and subjected to long-term sexual trauma, resulting in lifelong infertility and severe physical and psychological damage.
\n
"My mother was unable to bear children because of the abuse. She adopted me in 1964. In June 1967, unable to endure the pain, she took her own life. I was only 4 when I lost my mother," Yang said.
\n
Jia Fangyi, the lawyer representing the families in the case, said the South Korean court's ruling "encourages and informs our efforts".
\n
"After conducting research, the human rights lawyers and I agree that the ruling in Seoul is right," he said. "Japan's rejection of Chinese victims' lawsuits, along with its refusal to apologize or provide compensation, is despicable."
\n
Time waits for no one. Since the first court hearing in Japan in 1995, 30 years have passed and many of the sexual abuse victims have died. But Zhang remains resolute despite his declining health.
\n
"I have to keep fighting so that Japan will acknowledge the wrongs it has committed and learn from history," he said.
\n
With this year marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, Zhang hopes to obtain a fair judgment and a satisfactory outcome as soon as possible.
\n
"My great hope is that victims across Asia will come together to demand an apology and compensation from the Japanese government," he said.
\n
Contact the writers at zhaoruinan@chinadaily.com.cn
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- "title": "005CHINA - Xizang prefecture sees development in various aspects over the past decade",
- "description": "
Herdsmen handle a flock of sheep in Ngari prefecture, Xizang autonomous region, on July 20. Centuries ago, local people used sheep and oxen to transport natural salt to distant places such as Nepal to exchange for local goods, creating the renowned "salt sheep ancient trail".
\n
Ngari prefecture in the Xizang autonomous region has made significant strides in infrastructure, education and living standards over the past decade, local officials announced on Wednesday.
\n
According to official figures, the prefecture's GDP reached 10.58 billion yuan ($1.5 billion) in 2024, which is 3.9 times the level of 2012, with an average annual growth rate of 8.6 percent. The per capita disposable income of urban residents rose to 58,900 yuan, 2.6 times that of 2012, while rural incomes increased to 20,256 yuan, a 3.7-fold rise over the same period.
\n
Zheng Yong, a senior official of the prefectural government, emphasized that Ngari has consistently prioritized development as the foundation and key to solving all problems by expanding effective investment. Since 2012, over 156 billion yuan has been invested in 2,388 major projects, including new roads, an airport in Burang county and preparatory work for the Xizang-Xinjiang railway.
\n
A "three-horizontal and three-vertical" road network, with a total mileage of 22,000 kilometers, now connects the remote region, providing every county with road access and improving links to townships and villages, Zheng noted.
\n
Residents have observed dramatic changes. Chosang, from Shide village in Burang, recalls when a road trip to Lhasa, Xizang's capital, took almost a week in a jolting truck.
\n
"Now the airport is right on our doorstep, it takes just three or four hours," he said. "It's hard to believe how quickly these obstacles have been turned into smooth, accessible roads."
\n
In addition, industrial projects featuring local livestock breeds such as white cashmere goats, high-altitude yaks and semi-fine-wool sheep have been expanded in Ngari, while the digital economy grew to 990 million yuan in 2024, according to Zheng.
\n
In 2024, the transfer payments for key ecological function zones reached 450 million yuan, a year-on-year increase of 113 percent, Zheng added. Environmental protection projects have targeted desert control, river-source conservation and biodiversity. The habitat of the golden wild yak has been enlarged by more than 8,000 hectares, with the population now above 300, while Tibetan antelopes number over 139,000.
\n
Niu Qun, deputy director of the prefecture's development and reform commission, highlighted significant developments in Ngari's education sector, which has established a 15-year publicly funded education system that covers preschool to high school.
\n
"During the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) period, more than 1.56 billion yuan has been spent on 169 infrastructure projects in the education sector, and 603 million yuan was allocated for the sanbao policy, which covers children's school meals, lodging, tuition and nutrition improvement funds, benefiting 77,400 students," Niu said.
\n
Chosang remembers when paying a few hundred yuan in school fees was a heavy burden.
\n
"In the past, only one or two children in a family could go to school. Now, not a single child is left behind; parents will send all their children to study and learn skills," he said.
\n
Border trade has been revitalized, with Burang Port upgraded and three trade points with Nepal reopened. The prefecture has also received long-term assistance from other provinces and State-owned enterprises, totaling 6.37 billion yuan over three decades, according to local authorities.
\n
Contact the writers at palden_nyima@chinadaily.com.cn
Herdsmen handle a flock of sheep in Ngari prefecture, Xizang autonomous region, on July 20. Centuries ago, local people used sheep and oxen to transport natural salt to distant places such as Nepal to exchange for local goods, creating the renowned "salt sheep ancient trail".
\n
Ngari prefecture in the Xizang autonomous region has made significant strides in infrastructure, education and living standards over the past decade, local officials announced on Wednesday.
\n
According to official figures, the prefecture's GDP reached 10.58 billion yuan ($1.5 billion) in 2024, which is 3.9 times the level of 2012, with an average annual growth rate of 8.6 percent. The per capita disposable income of urban residents rose to 58,900 yuan, 2.6 times that of 2012, while rural incomes increased to 20,256 yuan, a 3.7-fold rise over the same period.
\n
Zheng Yong, a senior official of the prefectural government, emphasized that Ngari has consistently prioritized development as the foundation and key to solving all problems by expanding effective investment. Since 2012, over 156 billion yuan has been invested in 2,388 major projects, including new roads, an airport in Burang county and preparatory work for the Xizang-Xinjiang railway.
\n
A "three-horizontal and three-vertical" road network, with a total mileage of 22,000 kilometers, now connects the remote region, providing every county with road access and improving links to townships and villages, Zheng noted.
\n
Residents have observed dramatic changes. Chosang, from Shide village in Burang, recalls when a road trip to Lhasa, Xizang's capital, took almost a week in a jolting truck.
\n
"Now the airport is right on our doorstep, it takes just three or four hours," he said. "It's hard to believe how quickly these obstacles have been turned into smooth, accessible roads."
\n
In addition, industrial projects featuring local livestock breeds such as white cashmere goats, high-altitude yaks and semi-fine-wool sheep have been expanded in Ngari, while the digital economy grew to 990 million yuan in 2024, according to Zheng.
\n
In 2024, the transfer payments for key ecological function zones reached 450 million yuan, a year-on-year increase of 113 percent, Zheng added. Environmental protection projects have targeted desert control, river-source conservation and biodiversity. The habitat of the golden wild yak has been enlarged by more than 8,000 hectares, with the population now above 300, while Tibetan antelopes number over 139,000.
\n
Niu Qun, deputy director of the prefecture's development and reform commission, highlighted significant developments in Ngari's education sector, which has established a 15-year publicly funded education system that covers preschool to high school.
\n
"During the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) period, more than 1.56 billion yuan has been spent on 169 infrastructure projects in the education sector, and 603 million yuan was allocated for the sanbao policy, which covers children's school meals, lodging, tuition and nutrition improvement funds, benefiting 77,400 students," Niu said.
\n
Chosang remembers when paying a few hundred yuan in school fees was a heavy burden.
\n
"In the past, only one or two children in a family could go to school. Now, not a single child is left behind; parents will send all their children to study and learn skills," he said.
\n
Border trade has been revitalized, with Burang Port upgraded and three trade points with Nepal reopened. The prefecture has also received long-term assistance from other provinces and State-owned enterprises, totaling 6.37 billion yuan over three decades, according to local authorities.
\n
Contact the writers at palden_nyima@chinadaily.com.cn
Readers browse books at the 2025 Shanghai Book Fair in Shanghai on Wednesday. The seven-day event opened on Wednesday and will run until Tuesday. For the first time, the book fair has established dual main venues at the Shanghai Exhibition Centre and the Shanghai Book Mall on Fuzhou Road.
\n",
- "content": "
Readers browse books at the 2025 Shanghai Book Fair in Shanghai on Wednesday. The seven-day event opened on Wednesday and will run until Tuesday. For the first time, the book fair has established dual main venues at the Shanghai Exhibition Centre and the Shanghai Book Mall on Fuzhou Road.
With the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau experiencing an increasingly warmer and wetter climate, soil carbon storage is expected to rise, according to a recent study. However, this increase is fragile and can be easily undermined by extreme events tied to global warming and human activities.
\n
"The total carbon sink of the ecosystem on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau now accounts for around 15 percent of the nation's," said Wang Tao, corresponding author of the study published in academic journal Nature Communications. Wang, a researcher at the Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, emphasized the significance of understanding the plateau's carbon storage potential to support China's dual carbon goals — peaking carbon emissions before 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality before 2060.
\n
The study revealed that the soil carbon pool on the plateau constitutes over 90 percent of its total ecosystem carbon pool, serving as the cornerstone that supports the plateau's ecological security barrier function.
\n
The research team conducted a systematic grid-based soil sampling campaign across the plateau, using multi-source observational data, including 4,170 soil profiles and long-term controlled incubation experiments, to develop an observation-constrained soil carbon cycle model. This model projects climate change impacts on the plateau's soil carbon stocks.
\n
"Previous studies often relied on field infrared warming experiments to simulate the impacts of climate warming on changes in soil carbon stocks, but these approaches have inherent limitations," Wang said.
\n
He noted that such experiments are costly and typically control only temperature as a single variable, neglecting interactions among multiple climate factors. In addition, regional sensitivity to warming varies significantly across the plateau, resulting in high uncertainty when extrapolating results to broader scales, Wang said.
\n
To address the challenges, the study analyzed 0-to-1-meter depth soil samples which were extracted from 2019 to 2022 — a layer storing over half of the plateau's total soil carbon — from diverse regions. By integrating experimental data into the model, the team revealed the plateau-wide response mechanism of soil carbon stocks to warming.
\n
The study found that as the climate gets warmer and wetter, it is expected to positively influence vegetation growth and enhance soil carbon accumulation. However, more than half the newly accumulated carbon will be in active or non-protected forms, making it highly sensitive to extreme global-warming events and grazing disturbances.
\n
"The permafrost regions of the plateau constitute one of its largest terrestrial carbon pools. However, accelerating permafrost thaw under climate change can trigger abrupt thermokarst collapse, rapidly releasing previously sequestered carbon. This vulnerability is particularly prominent in soils with non-protected forms," Wang said, warning that such releases could offset over half the carbon gains from climate mitigation efforts.
\n
The study also synthesized 296 field grazing experiments from across the plateau, finding that if previous overgrazing management practices continue, grazing-induced carbon losses will almost entirely offset climate-driven carbon gains. Wang stressed the importance of effective grazing management, suggesting rotational grazing systems or restoring traditional nomadic practices to enable grassland regeneration.
\n
limenghan@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
- "content": "
With the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau experiencing an increasingly warmer and wetter climate, soil carbon storage is expected to rise, according to a recent study. However, this increase is fragile and can be easily undermined by extreme events tied to global warming and human activities.
\n
"The total carbon sink of the ecosystem on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau now accounts for around 15 percent of the nation's," said Wang Tao, corresponding author of the study published in academic journal Nature Communications. Wang, a researcher at the Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, emphasized the significance of understanding the plateau's carbon storage potential to support China's dual carbon goals — peaking carbon emissions before 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality before 2060.
\n
The study revealed that the soil carbon pool on the plateau constitutes over 90 percent of its total ecosystem carbon pool, serving as the cornerstone that supports the plateau's ecological security barrier function.
\n
The research team conducted a systematic grid-based soil sampling campaign across the plateau, using multi-source observational data, including 4,170 soil profiles and long-term controlled incubation experiments, to develop an observation-constrained soil carbon cycle model. This model projects climate change impacts on the plateau's soil carbon stocks.
\n
"Previous studies often relied on field infrared warming experiments to simulate the impacts of climate warming on changes in soil carbon stocks, but these approaches have inherent limitations," Wang said.
\n
He noted that such experiments are costly and typically control only temperature as a single variable, neglecting interactions among multiple climate factors. In addition, regional sensitivity to warming varies significantly across the plateau, resulting in high uncertainty when extrapolating results to broader scales, Wang said.
\n
To address the challenges, the study analyzed 0-to-1-meter depth soil samples which were extracted from 2019 to 2022 — a layer storing over half of the plateau's total soil carbon — from diverse regions. By integrating experimental data into the model, the team revealed the plateau-wide response mechanism of soil carbon stocks to warming.
\n
The study found that as the climate gets warmer and wetter, it is expected to positively influence vegetation growth and enhance soil carbon accumulation. However, more than half the newly accumulated carbon will be in active or non-protected forms, making it highly sensitive to extreme global-warming events and grazing disturbances.
\n
"The permafrost regions of the plateau constitute one of its largest terrestrial carbon pools. However, accelerating permafrost thaw under climate change can trigger abrupt thermokarst collapse, rapidly releasing previously sequestered carbon. This vulnerability is particularly prominent in soils with non-protected forms," Wang said, warning that such releases could offset over half the carbon gains from climate mitigation efforts.
\n
The study also synthesized 296 field grazing experiments from across the plateau, finding that if previous overgrazing management practices continue, grazing-induced carbon losses will almost entirely offset climate-driven carbon gains. Wang stressed the importance of effective grazing management, suggesting rotational grazing systems or restoring traditional nomadic practices to enable grassland regeneration.
A traditional roofed bridge spans a river in Fuan county, Fujian province.
\n
Tea farmers process Tanyang Gongfu tea, a renowned variety of Chinese black tea, in Tanyang village in Fuan.
\n
A rich, malty aroma of black tea wafts from a milk tea shop at the entrance of Tanyang village in Fuan, a county-level city in East China's Fujian province. Inside, young customers raise their cups, snap photos and toast with friends, enjoying a modern take on tea.
\n
"That scent is the hallmark of Tanyang Gongfu tea," said Chen Xiangxue, owner of the milk tea shop, Meet Tanyang.
\n
Chen and her husband, Wu Hanxi, jointly launched the shop in April 2023. With years of experience in the beverage industry, the couple decided to promote Tanyang Gongfu tea, making it better known and appreciated by more people. The shop has developed over 20 types of modern tea-based products, including milk tea, tea-flavored pastries, tea-infused beer and black tea ice cream. "As demand for novel tea-drinking experiences continues to grow, our products have been well received by visitors, which motivates us to keep innovating," Chen said.
\n
One of Chen's most distinctive creations is the tea-infused beer, made using three types of Tanyang Gongfu tea, each crafted with different techniques. This unique brewing process combines the aroma of tea with the flavor of beer, resulting in a novel non-alcoholic beverage. In 2024, the sales volume of the tea-infused beer reached 150,000 cans.
\n
In addition to the milk tea shop in the village, there are two other stores in Fuan, each generating an annual turnover of more than 2 million yuan ($278,500).
\n
Meet Tanyang is just one of many emerging tea-related businesses in the village, ranging from tea-themed cafes and tea workshops to tea culture experience centers.
\n
Modern twist
\n
Tanyang village, famous for its Tanyang Gongfu black tea originating during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), historically benefited from climate conditions and fertile soil. By the late 19th century, Tanyang Gongfu tea had become one of China's earliest teas exported to Europe. It gained international recognition, winning awards at global expos and earning a reputation as one of the finest Chinese black teas.
\n
At its peak, the village thrived with over a hundred tea merchants, and its products were shipped to destinations worldwide.
\n
Zhang Juxiang, owner of a teahouse in the village, explained that Tanyang Gongfu tea comes in two main types: traditional and innovative. The traditional varieties use local tea leaves and adhere to time-honored processing methods, resulting in a mellow, rich brew with a strong aftertaste that appeals to seasoned tea drinkers.
\n
In contrast, the innovative versions are crafted from improved cultivars and refined techniques, yielding a naturally sweet tea with a distinctive floral aroma. "Many firsttime visitors are surprised," she said. "They often say, 'This doesn't even taste like tea; it smells like perfume'."
\n
According to Li Qingqing, Party secretary of Tanyang, the village has faced challenges in the past years, including low value-added tea production and youth out-migration. However, new businesses are breathing new life into this time-honored tea village, blending tradition and modernity to give the centuries-old black tea fresh cultural significance and consumer appeal.
\n
"Tanyang has leveraged the industry to lift itself out of poverty and achieve growth," Li said. "We are improving planting and processing techniques, developing new-style tea beverages and encouraging young people to return and start businesses — so that tea can generate even greater value."
\n
Shared prosperity
\n
Moreover, Tanyang's transformation is also fueled by collaboration between the village and local enterprises. Li said Tanyang adopts a business model with the village handling facilities and enterprises managing operations. This approach consolidates scattered resources under professional management, creating a win-win outcome for the village, residents and businesses.
\n
In recent years, Tanyang has focused on integrating tea culture with tourism while piloting an operation model that involves the entire village, as over 70 percent of its residents work in the tea industry. Currently, the village is home to 35 tea factories and workshops, as well as 18 tea shops and teahouses.
\n
In 2024, the total output value of tea in Tanyang reached 110 million yuan, and the villagers' collective revenue amounted to 2.13 million yuan while the villager's per capita disposable income was 36,126 yuan.
\n
To leverage greater synergies, the local government initiated the "Greater Tanyang" zone, a rural vitalization initiative that connects Tanyang with six nearby villages, bringing benefits to 2,886 households and 9,363 people. These villages share geographic, cultural and industrial ties, which offer strong complementarities, enhancing the overall development and integration of the region.
\n
jihaisheng@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
- "content": "
A traditional roofed bridge spans a river in Fuan county, Fujian province.
\n
Tea farmers process Tanyang Gongfu tea, a renowned variety of Chinese black tea, in Tanyang village in Fuan.
\n
A rich, malty aroma of black tea wafts from a milk tea shop at the entrance of Tanyang village in Fuan, a county-level city in East China's Fujian province. Inside, young customers raise their cups, snap photos and toast with friends, enjoying a modern take on tea.
\n
"That scent is the hallmark of Tanyang Gongfu tea," said Chen Xiangxue, owner of the milk tea shop, Meet Tanyang.
\n
Chen and her husband, Wu Hanxi, jointly launched the shop in April 2023. With years of experience in the beverage industry, the couple decided to promote Tanyang Gongfu tea, making it better known and appreciated by more people. The shop has developed over 20 types of modern tea-based products, including milk tea, tea-flavored pastries, tea-infused beer and black tea ice cream. "As demand for novel tea-drinking experiences continues to grow, our products have been well received by visitors, which motivates us to keep innovating," Chen said.
\n
One of Chen's most distinctive creations is the tea-infused beer, made using three types of Tanyang Gongfu tea, each crafted with different techniques. This unique brewing process combines the aroma of tea with the flavor of beer, resulting in a novel non-alcoholic beverage. In 2024, the sales volume of the tea-infused beer reached 150,000 cans.
\n
In addition to the milk tea shop in the village, there are two other stores in Fuan, each generating an annual turnover of more than 2 million yuan ($278,500).
\n
Meet Tanyang is just one of many emerging tea-related businesses in the village, ranging from tea-themed cafes and tea workshops to tea culture experience centers.
\n
Modern twist
\n
Tanyang village, famous for its Tanyang Gongfu black tea originating during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), historically benefited from climate conditions and fertile soil. By the late 19th century, Tanyang Gongfu tea had become one of China's earliest teas exported to Europe. It gained international recognition, winning awards at global expos and earning a reputation as one of the finest Chinese black teas.
\n
At its peak, the village thrived with over a hundred tea merchants, and its products were shipped to destinations worldwide.
\n
Zhang Juxiang, owner of a teahouse in the village, explained that Tanyang Gongfu tea comes in two main types: traditional and innovative. The traditional varieties use local tea leaves and adhere to time-honored processing methods, resulting in a mellow, rich brew with a strong aftertaste that appeals to seasoned tea drinkers.
\n
In contrast, the innovative versions are crafted from improved cultivars and refined techniques, yielding a naturally sweet tea with a distinctive floral aroma. "Many firsttime visitors are surprised," she said. "They often say, 'This doesn't even taste like tea; it smells like perfume'."
\n
According to Li Qingqing, Party secretary of Tanyang, the village has faced challenges in the past years, including low value-added tea production and youth out-migration. However, new businesses are breathing new life into this time-honored tea village, blending tradition and modernity to give the centuries-old black tea fresh cultural significance and consumer appeal.
\n
"Tanyang has leveraged the industry to lift itself out of poverty and achieve growth," Li said. "We are improving planting and processing techniques, developing new-style tea beverages and encouraging young people to return and start businesses — so that tea can generate even greater value."
\n
Shared prosperity
\n
Moreover, Tanyang's transformation is also fueled by collaboration between the village and local enterprises. Li said Tanyang adopts a business model with the village handling facilities and enterprises managing operations. This approach consolidates scattered resources under professional management, creating a win-win outcome for the village, residents and businesses.
\n
In recent years, Tanyang has focused on integrating tea culture with tourism while piloting an operation model that involves the entire village, as over 70 percent of its residents work in the tea industry. Currently, the village is home to 35 tea factories and workshops, as well as 18 tea shops and teahouses.
\n
In 2024, the total output value of tea in Tanyang reached 110 million yuan, and the villagers' collective revenue amounted to 2.13 million yuan while the villager's per capita disposable income was 36,126 yuan.
\n
To leverage greater synergies, the local government initiated the "Greater Tanyang" zone, a rural vitalization initiative that connects Tanyang with six nearby villages, bringing benefits to 2,886 households and 9,363 people. These villages share geographic, cultural and industrial ties, which offer strong complementarities, enhancing the overall development and integration of the region.
Members of a local troupe perform Tibetan Opera at a park in Namling county, Xizang autonomous region, on July 17.
\n
LHASA — As the drums rolled, performers wearing blue masks took to the stage, enthralling the audience with powerful vocals and bold dance moves.
\n
This vibrant scene unfolded at a park in Namling county, Southwest China's Xizang autonomous region, where classic Tibetan Opera performances drew large crowds of locals.
\n
Young actress Drolma Yangkyi delivered a great performance as a kind and brave man in a show, which was met with passionate applause from the audience.
\n
"My father performed this role before me, so I kept seeking his advice right until the curtain call," said the 17-year-old. Influenced by her father and grandfather, both Tibetan Opera performers, Drolma Yangkyi started learning the traditional art at the age of 6.
\n
Considered a living fossil of Tibetan culture, Tibetan Opera blends talking, singing, acting, dancing and literature. It was included in the first batch of China's national intangible cultural heritage list in 2006 and the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2009.
\n
With the government's support and the dedication of both young and old Tibetan Opera enthusiasts, along with the efforts of ICH inheritors, this traditional art form is gaining new momentum on the plateau.
\n
Namling is renowned for its Tibetan Opera school, which features blue masks and boasts a history spanning over 600 years. During the performances at the park, 76-year-old Tsering Dorje, a national-level inheritor of the art, was busy adjusting costumes for the young performers preparing to take the stage.
\n
Tsering Dorje grew up watching Tibetan Opera with his elders. The entertainment later became his passion, driving him to act for over 40 years.
\n
He recalled that in the early days, performers faced a lack of funding and opportunities to showcase their skills, and they had limited access to costumes and props.
\n
"Now, with the government and our troupe's efforts, we perform at big events and festivals like the Shoton Festival in the regional capital Lhasa and the Qomolangma Culture Festival in the city of Shigatse," said Tsering Dorje, adding that better conditions gave him the confidence to attract more young apprentices.
\n
He has trained multiple young Tibetan Opera performers, five of whom now lead their own apprentices. After transitioning from the stage to being an adviser, he now focuses on passing down the cultural essence of this ancient art.
\n
In recent years, Namling has set up a children's troupe with an average age of nine. By offering Tibetan Opera experience courses and various activities, the art form has been brought into campuses and rural areas. So far, the average age of Tibetan Opera inheritors has dropped to under 35, alleviating the aging issue of the performance crew.
\n
A white paper issued in March this year said that Xizang has named 153 part-time Tibetan Opera troupes.
\n
The protection of intangible cultural heritage in Xizang has steadily improved, with 473 million yuan ($66 million) from the central and regional governments earmarked from 2012 to 2024 for the protection of ICH items on the national representative list and other related fields, according to the white paper.
\n
Palden Wangchug, head of Xizang's regional Tibetan Opera troupe, said audience demand provides enduring momentum for the art form's preservation. "Where there's a market and spectators, Tibetan Opera thrives," he said.
\n
Drolma Yangkyi has been a member of the county's Tibetan Opera troupe since junior high school, accumulating rich stage experience, which includes performing in Lhasa. Now, she aspires to find a larger platform to showcase her talent.
\n
"I hope to further my Tibetan opera studies and someday showcase our culture beyond the plateau," she said.
Members of a local troupe perform Tibetan Opera at a park in Namling county, Xizang autonomous region, on July 17.
\n
LHASA — As the drums rolled, performers wearing blue masks took to the stage, enthralling the audience with powerful vocals and bold dance moves.
\n
This vibrant scene unfolded at a park in Namling county, Southwest China's Xizang autonomous region, where classic Tibetan Opera performances drew large crowds of locals.
\n
Young actress Drolma Yangkyi delivered a great performance as a kind and brave man in a show, which was met with passionate applause from the audience.
\n
"My father performed this role before me, so I kept seeking his advice right until the curtain call," said the 17-year-old. Influenced by her father and grandfather, both Tibetan Opera performers, Drolma Yangkyi started learning the traditional art at the age of 6.
\n
Considered a living fossil of Tibetan culture, Tibetan Opera blends talking, singing, acting, dancing and literature. It was included in the first batch of China's national intangible cultural heritage list in 2006 and the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2009.
\n
With the government's support and the dedication of both young and old Tibetan Opera enthusiasts, along with the efforts of ICH inheritors, this traditional art form is gaining new momentum on the plateau.
\n
Namling is renowned for its Tibetan Opera school, which features blue masks and boasts a history spanning over 600 years. During the performances at the park, 76-year-old Tsering Dorje, a national-level inheritor of the art, was busy adjusting costumes for the young performers preparing to take the stage.
\n
Tsering Dorje grew up watching Tibetan Opera with his elders. The entertainment later became his passion, driving him to act for over 40 years.
\n
He recalled that in the early days, performers faced a lack of funding and opportunities to showcase their skills, and they had limited access to costumes and props.
\n
"Now, with the government and our troupe's efforts, we perform at big events and festivals like the Shoton Festival in the regional capital Lhasa and the Qomolangma Culture Festival in the city of Shigatse," said Tsering Dorje, adding that better conditions gave him the confidence to attract more young apprentices.
\n
He has trained multiple young Tibetan Opera performers, five of whom now lead their own apprentices. After transitioning from the stage to being an adviser, he now focuses on passing down the cultural essence of this ancient art.
\n
In recent years, Namling has set up a children's troupe with an average age of nine. By offering Tibetan Opera experience courses and various activities, the art form has been brought into campuses and rural areas. So far, the average age of Tibetan Opera inheritors has dropped to under 35, alleviating the aging issue of the performance crew.
\n
A white paper issued in March this year said that Xizang has named 153 part-time Tibetan Opera troupes.
\n
The protection of intangible cultural heritage in Xizang has steadily improved, with 473 million yuan ($66 million) from the central and regional governments earmarked from 2012 to 2024 for the protection of ICH items on the national representative list and other related fields, according to the white paper.
\n
Palden Wangchug, head of Xizang's regional Tibetan Opera troupe, said audience demand provides enduring momentum for the art form's preservation. "Where there's a market and spectators, Tibetan Opera thrives," he said.
\n
Drolma Yangkyi has been a member of the county's Tibetan Opera troupe since junior high school, accumulating rich stage experience, which includes performing in Lhasa. Now, she aspires to find a larger platform to showcase her talent.
\n
"I hope to further my Tibetan opera studies and someday showcase our culture beyond the plateau," she said.
Visitors admire cloisonne artworks on display at the showroom of Beijing Enamel Factory on June 28.
\n
Visitors watch an artist making a cloisonne vase in a workshop at the factory on June 28.
\n
Bent over a luminous vase of pink peonies, a young craftsman guided his enameling tool in patient, practiced circles at a factory in central Beijing, breathing new life into China's cloisonne tradition.
\n
At Beijing Enamel Factory, cloisonne, which was more broadly used in jewelry and metalware in the ancient royal court, now quietly evolves through the hands of young craftsmen.
\n
"Cloisonne has always been about adaptation," said Zhong Liansheng, chief craft artist at the factory. Born in 1962, Zhong has watched this transformation unfold before his eyes.
\n
Cloisonne stands out as a vivid fusion of timeless artistry and contemporary appeal, according to the master.
\n
With ingenious designs, superb craftsmanship and auspicious symbolism, cloisonne artworks bridge traditional and modern aesthetics, gaining popularity among consumers both at home and abroad. In recent years, cloisonne pieces have often been presented by China as national gifts at major diplomatic events.
\n
This growing appeal also reflects a broader revival of traditional crafts across China, backed by government support and a new generation eager to embrace their cultural heritage.
\n
"At the core of cloisonne's mystique is its exquisite delicacy, achieved through countless steps that demand absolute precision at every turn," Zhong said, adding that each object — be it a gleaming dome or a small jewelry box — undergoes multiple laborious steps.
\n
Cloisonne begins with shaping a copper body, then bending fine wires into intricate patterns affixed to the surface. The piece is fired to fuse the filigree, then filled with enamel made from mineral powders. After repeated firing, polishing and gilding, the result is a luminous work of precision and color. "This work is truly the perfect embodiment of craftsmanship," Zhong said. Yet for him, honoring the past is not enough.
\n
"Don't just copy the old styles," he said, adding that these ancient arts will only endure if they find a place in people's everyday lives.
\n
In recent years, Beijing Enamel Factory has applied cloisonne techniques to architectural decor, from upscale interior design elements to public art installations. "We have to create masterpieces that carry our era's aesthetics," Zhong said, highlighting the importance of keeping cloisonne alive as a dynamic art form rather than a static relic.
\n
Revival of tradition
\n
His philosophy resonates with a broader shift, as across China, inheritors of intangible cultural heritage are blending tradition with modernity. One notable example is cloisonne artisan Xiong Songtao in Beijing, whose glistening enamel pieces earned his workshop a global partnership with the Spanish fashion brand Loewe.
\n
Similar partnerships have emerged in other crafts. The Italian brand Fendi collaborated with artisans from China's Yi ethnic group to create a baguette bag featuring traditional Yi embroidery and silverwork. French luxury brand Dior incorporated "Ronghua", a velvet flower-making craft that has been practiced since the Tang Dynasty (618-907), into its men's couture knitwear.
\n
Among the driving forces of the revival of traditional crafts are young Chinese consumers. Gen Z, in particular, has developed a proud appetite for native designs and motifs, fueling the "Guochao" or "China-chic" wave that values authenticity and heritage.
\n
The surging sales of cultural heritage-themed products reflect this trend. According to data from China's leading e-commerce platforms, Taobao and Tmall, the annual transaction volume of ICH-related products surpassed the 100 billion yuan mark in 2023, reaching 107.32 billion yuan ($15 billion), a year-on-year increase of 37.7 percent.
\n
Policy-driven preservation
\n
Behind cloisonne's comeback is not only the passion of masters like Zhong, but a concerted push by the Chinese government to preserve and revitalize traditional crafts.
\n
Cloisonne, widely produced during the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties, was listed as a national intangible heritage in 2006.
\n
In 2017, the central government issued a set of guidelines on advancing the inheritance and development of fine traditional Chinese culture, emphasizing efforts to preserve cultural heritage, nourish artistic creation, integrate traditional culture into daily life and industry, and promote mutual learning between Chinese and foreign civilizations.
\n
The impact of such policies is tangible. Across the country, over 11,000 ICH workshops have been established, preserving traditional crafts while also creating jobs in local communities. As of March this year, the number of national-level ICH inheritors had grown to nearly 4,000.
\n
Zhong noted that each year, various government agencies channel resources into keeping cloisonne alive. "The Beijing government supports us in R&D projects, including developing new enamel glazes," Zhong explained, adding that the Beijing Municipal Science and Technology Commission has sponsored the company's research into lead-free enamel, a greener alternative to traditional leaded glass glaze.
\n
Education plays an equally vital role. Beijing Enamel Factory has introduced cloisonne-making courses in several primary and middle schools as an extracurricular program to spark interest among youth. "Of course, not everyone will become a cloisonne artisan," Zhong said with a smile. "But whatever they do in life, they can help pass on the flame."
\n",
- "content": "
Visitors admire cloisonne artworks on display at the showroom of Beijing Enamel Factory on June 28.
\n
Visitors watch an artist making a cloisonne vase in a workshop at the factory on June 28.
\n
Bent over a luminous vase of pink peonies, a young craftsman guided his enameling tool in patient, practiced circles at a factory in central Beijing, breathing new life into China's cloisonne tradition.
\n
At Beijing Enamel Factory, cloisonne, which was more broadly used in jewelry and metalware in the ancient royal court, now quietly evolves through the hands of young craftsmen.
\n
"Cloisonne has always been about adaptation," said Zhong Liansheng, chief craft artist at the factory. Born in 1962, Zhong has watched this transformation unfold before his eyes.
\n
Cloisonne stands out as a vivid fusion of timeless artistry and contemporary appeal, according to the master.
\n
With ingenious designs, superb craftsmanship and auspicious symbolism, cloisonne artworks bridge traditional and modern aesthetics, gaining popularity among consumers both at home and abroad. In recent years, cloisonne pieces have often been presented by China as national gifts at major diplomatic events.
\n
This growing appeal also reflects a broader revival of traditional crafts across China, backed by government support and a new generation eager to embrace their cultural heritage.
\n
"At the core of cloisonne's mystique is its exquisite delicacy, achieved through countless steps that demand absolute precision at every turn," Zhong said, adding that each object — be it a gleaming dome or a small jewelry box — undergoes multiple laborious steps.
\n
Cloisonne begins with shaping a copper body, then bending fine wires into intricate patterns affixed to the surface. The piece is fired to fuse the filigree, then filled with enamel made from mineral powders. After repeated firing, polishing and gilding, the result is a luminous work of precision and color. "This work is truly the perfect embodiment of craftsmanship," Zhong said. Yet for him, honoring the past is not enough.
\n
"Don't just copy the old styles," he said, adding that these ancient arts will only endure if they find a place in people's everyday lives.
\n
In recent years, Beijing Enamel Factory has applied cloisonne techniques to architectural decor, from upscale interior design elements to public art installations. "We have to create masterpieces that carry our era's aesthetics," Zhong said, highlighting the importance of keeping cloisonne alive as a dynamic art form rather than a static relic.
\n
Revival of tradition
\n
His philosophy resonates with a broader shift, as across China, inheritors of intangible cultural heritage are blending tradition with modernity. One notable example is cloisonne artisan Xiong Songtao in Beijing, whose glistening enamel pieces earned his workshop a global partnership with the Spanish fashion brand Loewe.
\n
Similar partnerships have emerged in other crafts. The Italian brand Fendi collaborated with artisans from China's Yi ethnic group to create a baguette bag featuring traditional Yi embroidery and silverwork. French luxury brand Dior incorporated "Ronghua", a velvet flower-making craft that has been practiced since the Tang Dynasty (618-907), into its men's couture knitwear.
\n
Among the driving forces of the revival of traditional crafts are young Chinese consumers. Gen Z, in particular, has developed a proud appetite for native designs and motifs, fueling the "Guochao" or "China-chic" wave that values authenticity and heritage.
\n
The surging sales of cultural heritage-themed products reflect this trend. According to data from China's leading e-commerce platforms, Taobao and Tmall, the annual transaction volume of ICH-related products surpassed the 100 billion yuan mark in 2023, reaching 107.32 billion yuan ($15 billion), a year-on-year increase of 37.7 percent.
\n
Policy-driven preservation
\n
Behind cloisonne's comeback is not only the passion of masters like Zhong, but a concerted push by the Chinese government to preserve and revitalize traditional crafts.
\n
Cloisonne, widely produced during the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties, was listed as a national intangible heritage in 2006.
\n
In 2017, the central government issued a set of guidelines on advancing the inheritance and development of fine traditional Chinese culture, emphasizing efforts to preserve cultural heritage, nourish artistic creation, integrate traditional culture into daily life and industry, and promote mutual learning between Chinese and foreign civilizations.
\n
The impact of such policies is tangible. Across the country, over 11,000 ICH workshops have been established, preserving traditional crafts while also creating jobs in local communities. As of March this year, the number of national-level ICH inheritors had grown to nearly 4,000.
\n
Zhong noted that each year, various government agencies channel resources into keeping cloisonne alive. "The Beijing government supports us in R&D projects, including developing new enamel glazes," Zhong explained, adding that the Beijing Municipal Science and Technology Commission has sponsored the company's research into lead-free enamel, a greener alternative to traditional leaded glass glaze.
\n
Education plays an equally vital role. Beijing Enamel Factory has introduced cloisonne-making courses in several primary and middle schools as an extracurricular program to spark interest among youth. "Of course, not everyone will become a cloisonne artisan," Zhong said with a smile. "But whatever they do in life, they can help pass on the flame."
\n",
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- {
- "title": "008COMMENT - US annual human rights circus show exposes its hypocrisy and political bias",
- "description": "
The US Department of State released its annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices on Tuesday, about three months later than usual. However, the additional time has not been spent improving the content to align with facts, but instead on reducing it to about one-third the length of last year's reports.
\n
The tremendous amount of reediting work that has been done is to ensure that the reports conform with the US administration's policies, even though the State Department has described it as an effort to make the reports more "streamlined", "more readable" and adhering more closely to what's required to be in them by law.
\n
For instance, the agency removed whole categories of violations not "explicitly required by statute", including gender-based violence and environmental justice. The deleted material includes issues widely regarded as fundamental rights under international law, such as the right to a fair public trial, as National Public Radio observed in a report.
\n
According to a State Department memo the US media obtained about the editing of the reports, editors were ordered to remove references to diversity, equity, and inclusion, sexual violence against children and violation of privacy.
\n
Even though the US administration insists it remains committed to defending human rights, the "minimalist rewrite", as some US lawmakers put it, fundamentally serves the US' domestic politics, and might not comply with domestic law, which requires a "full and complete" accounting of internationally recognized human rights.
\n
The United States has compiled these reports on every country in the world since the 1970s. The reports, which are invariably patchwork based on carefully selected "reported facts", constitute grave interference in other countries' internal affairs, and the practice is widely criticized by the international community.
\n
That Congress still relies on these assessments to shape decisions on foreign aid and weapons sales clearly demonstrates the reports' politicized nature. Human rights protection is only an excuse for the US to justify its interventionist foreign policies as well as weaponized sanctions that have no legitimate basis in international law.
\n
The irony is that human rights are essentially a privilege enjoyed only by a few in the US. Racial discrimination, inequality, and forced repatriations and deportations are just the tip of the iceberg.
\n
In February, the US president signed an executive order pulling the country out of the United Nations Human Rights Council again, unwarrantedly citing "political bias", particularly against Israel, and the agency's alleged "failure" to adequately address human rights abuses globally as due cause.
\n
But the reality is it is the US that applies "political bias" on human rights issues, and it is the US that is actually, overtly or covertly, behind many human rights abuses and humanitarian crises around the world, such as the one unfolding in Gaza.
\n
The US baselessly criticizes China over so-called human rights issues related to the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region in the reports. If the US administration truly cares about the human rights of Muslims, why does it turn a blind eye to the hell on earth in Gaza? Why does it turn a blind eye to the historical injustices suffered by the Palestinian people? These are questions the Chinese ambassador to the UN raised recently at a UN gathering, toward which his US counterpart was as mute as a fish.
\n
The US withdrew from the United Nations human rights body in 2018 — on similar grounds, in disregard of the fact that its cutting off funding to the agency will seriously affect many of its critical humanitarian aid projects in the least developed countries.
\n
No wonder the extent to which the US government can manipulate the concept of "human rights" to suit its own policy changes has even made many ardent supporters of the US' weaponization of human rights dumbstruck. Many so-called bedrock principles of human rights, such as those related to gender, the environment, race and judicial justice, that have been taken for granted by generations of human rights advocates as the foundation of the US beacon, have bitten the dust.
\n
As such, the reports are naturally devoid of credibility. Instead of showing the US as being principled, they only serve to expose its hypocrisy and double standards on the issue. Using human rights as a political tool undermines humanity's core values and basic principles. It also poses serious risks, such as its potential to escalate conflicts and jeopardize cooperation on pressing global issues. Exercising political bias on human rights, the US only exacerbates the global turbulence with its latest annual human rights circus show.
\n",
- "content": "
The US Department of State released its annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices on Tuesday, about three months later than usual. However, the additional time has not been spent improving the content to align with facts, but instead on reducing it to about one-third the length of last year's reports.
\n
The tremendous amount of reediting work that has been done is to ensure that the reports conform with the US administration's policies, even though the State Department has described it as an effort to make the reports more "streamlined", "more readable" and adhering more closely to what's required to be in them by law.
\n
For instance, the agency removed whole categories of violations not "explicitly required by statute", including gender-based violence and environmental justice. The deleted material includes issues widely regarded as fundamental rights under international law, such as the right to a fair public trial, as National Public Radio observed in a report.
\n
According to a State Department memo the US media obtained about the editing of the reports, editors were ordered to remove references to diversity, equity, and inclusion, sexual violence against children and violation of privacy.
\n
Even though the US administration insists it remains committed to defending human rights, the "minimalist rewrite", as some US lawmakers put it, fundamentally serves the US' domestic politics, and might not comply with domestic law, which requires a "full and complete" accounting of internationally recognized human rights.
\n
The United States has compiled these reports on every country in the world since the 1970s. The reports, which are invariably patchwork based on carefully selected "reported facts", constitute grave interference in other countries' internal affairs, and the practice is widely criticized by the international community.
\n
That Congress still relies on these assessments to shape decisions on foreign aid and weapons sales clearly demonstrates the reports' politicized nature. Human rights protection is only an excuse for the US to justify its interventionist foreign policies as well as weaponized sanctions that have no legitimate basis in international law.
\n
The irony is that human rights are essentially a privilege enjoyed only by a few in the US. Racial discrimination, inequality, and forced repatriations and deportations are just the tip of the iceberg.
\n
In February, the US president signed an executive order pulling the country out of the United Nations Human Rights Council again, unwarrantedly citing "political bias", particularly against Israel, and the agency's alleged "failure" to adequately address human rights abuses globally as due cause.
\n
But the reality is it is the US that applies "political bias" on human rights issues, and it is the US that is actually, overtly or covertly, behind many human rights abuses and humanitarian crises around the world, such as the one unfolding in Gaza.
\n
The US baselessly criticizes China over so-called human rights issues related to the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region in the reports. If the US administration truly cares about the human rights of Muslims, why does it turn a blind eye to the hell on earth in Gaza? Why does it turn a blind eye to the historical injustices suffered by the Palestinian people? These are questions the Chinese ambassador to the UN raised recently at a UN gathering, toward which his US counterpart was as mute as a fish.
\n
The US withdrew from the United Nations human rights body in 2018 — on similar grounds, in disregard of the fact that its cutting off funding to the agency will seriously affect many of its critical humanitarian aid projects in the least developed countries.
\n
No wonder the extent to which the US government can manipulate the concept of "human rights" to suit its own policy changes has even made many ardent supporters of the US' weaponization of human rights dumbstruck. Many so-called bedrock principles of human rights, such as those related to gender, the environment, race and judicial justice, that have been taken for granted by generations of human rights advocates as the foundation of the US beacon, have bitten the dust.
\n
As such, the reports are naturally devoid of credibility. Instead of showing the US as being principled, they only serve to expose its hypocrisy and double standards on the issue. Using human rights as a political tool undermines humanity's core values and basic principles. It also poses serious risks, such as its potential to escalate conflicts and jeopardize cooperation on pressing global issues. Exercising political bias on human rights, the US only exacerbates the global turbulence with its latest annual human rights circus show.
\n \n \n A video of rabbits bouncing on a trampoline has gone viral on social media, garnering millions of views and shares over platforms. It started on July 27 when a TikTok user posted a video with the caption, \"Just checked the home security cam and… I think we've got guest performers out back!\"\n \n \n
\n \n \n First, as the video starts, pay close attention to two bunnies on the left-hand side of the trampoline. What initially looks like two grey rabbits sitting side-by-side, unnaturally warps into a single bunny, which bounds away.\n \n \n
\n \n \n A similar transformation occurs with two other rabbits around the five-second mark.\n \n \n
\n
\n \n \n \n
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\n \n \n To spot the subtle flaw, focus on the leftmost rabbit as it starts to run across the trampoline. The rabbit jumps up and obscures another rabbit sitting on the back edge, which has vanished by the time the first rabbit lands.\n \n \n
\n \n \n \n A fact-checking platform Snopes stated that\n \n \n \n \n the account that posted the video previously shared at least one video (archived) generated by Google's artificial video generator \"\n \n \n \n \n \n Veo\n \n \n \n \n \", as evidenced by a watermark on the footage.\n \n \n
\n \n \n Despite the subtle hints and the account's unusual behaviour, many people still found themselves falling for the clip.\n \n \n
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\n \n \n \n
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\n \n \n Some commenters even joked that they had thought only their parents would fall for fake AI content. One wrote: \"A few years ago I was laughing at my mother for believing AI.\" Another joked: \"I'm getting scammed when I'm older.\"\n \n \n
\n \n \n Experts say there are many reasons why this was so believable\n \n \n \n \n , such as surveillance footage providing a sense of authenticity. Before AI became popular, security footage was viewed as a reliable record, according to CBS News Confirmed.\n \n \n
\n \n \n \n \n \n \n 图源：新浪微博@七三一官方微博截图\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Chinese historical drama titled\n \n \n \"731,\"\n \n \n which revisits the horrific World War II-era human experiments conducted by Japan's notorious germ warfare unit 731, is set to premiere on Sept 18, sources associated with the film have said.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n
\n \n \n 二战期间，侵华日军第七三一部队在哈尔滨市平房区以“给水防疫”为名，秘密研制细菌武器，抓捕平民、抗日志士等进行活体实验，成为日本军国主义实施细菌战的铁证。\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Unit 731, a top-secret biological and chemical warfare research base, was established in Harbin, capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang province, and served as the nerve center for Japanese biological warfare in China and Southeast Asia during WWII.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 图源：\n \n \n \n \n \n 新浪微博@七三一官方微博截图\n \n \n \n \n \n \n 据新华社报道，主创团队介绍，影片讲述了当地小贩王永章等人被强行抓入“特设监狱”，侵华日军以“配合健康检查与防疫研究即可换取自由”的虚伪承诺，欺骗他们遭受冻伤实验、毒气实验、活体解剖等极端折磨的故事。\n \n \n
\n \n \n According to the film's director Zhao Linshan, it tells the story of Wang Yongzhang, a local vendor, and others who were imprisoned and lured by false promises of freedom in exchange for cooperation with health checks and disease prevention research.\n \n \n
\n
\n \n \n Instead, they became victims of brutal medical experiments carried out by the occupying Japanese forces -- including frostbite testing, gas exposure and vivisection.\n \n \n
\n \n \n “日本侵略者给中国人民带来了沉重灾难，这是不容忘却的历史。”侵华日军第七三一部队罪证陈列馆馆长金成民说，\n \n 影片展现绝境下中国人不屈的反抗精神，警醒世人铭记历史、捍卫和平。\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \"This is a history that must never be forgotten,\" said Jin Chengmin, a historical adviser for the film and head of the Exhibition Hall of Evidences of Crime Committed by Unit 731 of the Japanese Imperial Army.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \"The film reveals the inhumane atrocities committed by the invading Japanese army through the eyes of ordinary civilians, while highlighting the unyielding resistance spirit of the Chinese people in the face of despair,\" Jin said. \"It serves as a powerful reminder to safeguard peace.\"\n \n \n \n \n \n 定档消息发出后\n \n \n \n \n 相关话题引发关注\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 网友：真相不能忘！\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n
\n \n \n \n Dead to Rights\n \n \n \n \n \n ,\n \n \n a film set during the Nanjing Massacre,\n \n \n \n \n \n opened in domestic theaters on July 25\n \n \n \n \n \n .\n \n \n \n \n Marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45), the film revisits one of the most barbaric episodes of World War II through the perspective of a group of unsung heroes.\n \n \n
\n \n \n Set against the Nanjing Massacre, the film follows a group of civilians sheltering in a photo studio.\n \n \n
\n
\n \n \n \n
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\n \n \n Forced to develop a Japanese military photographer's film to survive, they accidentally uncover photographic proof of the atrocities. Initially focused on mere survival, they ultimately risk everything to preserve the evidence and expose the war crimes.\n \n \n
\n \n \n The most powerful core of this film lies in its tearing open the veil of history, allowing me an outsider to viscerally empathize wth the unimaginable suffering endured by the Chinese nation during the catastraphe. It doesn't shy away from the darkness, nor does it gloss over the pain. It confronts the nation's scars with immense artistic courage.\n \n \n
\n \n \n China's 2025 summer box office, including presales, exceeded 5 billion yuan on Sunday. Daily box office takings have remained above 100 million yuan for 10 consecutive days. On Saturday alone, ticket sales hit 293 million yuan, setting a new single-day high for this year's summer movie season.\n \n \n
\n \n \n Leading the charts is Universal's \"Jurassic World Rebirth,\" with 541 million yuan in ticket sales, followed by Chinese comedy \"The Lychee Road,\" which has grossed 468 million yuan. Other top performers include Japanese animated movie \"Detective Conan: One-eyed Flashback,\" Peter Chan's crime drama \"She's Got No Name\" and the sports film \"F1 The Movie\" starring Brad Pitt.\n \n \n
\n \n \n Health authorities said all affected children received treatment, with nearly all now discharged after their blood lead levels dropped by around 40 percent on average. The government is covering medical costs and has set up a monitoring program to track the children's recovery.\n \n \n
\n \n \n Seventeen officials have been placed under disciplinary investigation, and 10 others, including senior health and education officials in Tianshui city and its Maiji district, Gansu province, face formal accountability procedures, according to a report released on Sunday.\n \n \n
\n
\n \n \n Authorities said the kindergarten was operating without a license and that local education and market supervision departments failed to carry out oversight. Some officials are suspected of accepting bribes and favors from the kindergarten's investor. Disciplinary and criminal investigations have been launched against officials, including the head of the provincial health commission and the mayor of Tianshui.\n \n \n
\n \n \n Authorities found that the kindergarten's management had instructed staff to add brightly colored but inedible industrial pigments to foods such as corn rolls and jujube cakes (steamed buns), to make them look more appealing to children and parents.\n \n \n
\n
\n \n \n Two samples from Peixin — a tricolor red date sponge cake served at breakfast and a corn roll with sausage served at dinner — failed to meet food safety standards. The samples contained lead levels of 1,052 milligrams per kilogram and 1,340 milligrams per kilogram, respectively, far above the national limit of 0.5 milligram per kilogram.\n \n \n
\n
\n \n \n On Sunday, officials revealed in a report that six had been arrested on suspicion of producing toxic and harmful food.\n \n \n
\n \n This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) and the World Anti-Fascist War.\n \n \n \n \n
\n
\n \n Today, July 7, is etched in history with the Lugou Bridge Incident (1937) in Beijing, when Japanese troops attacked Lugou Bridge (Marco Polo Bridge) and the defending Chinese troops rose to fight the enemy. The event triggered China's full-scale war of resistance against Japanese aggression, also a main Eastern theater of the World Anti-Fascist War.\n \n
\n \n \n Japan has never fully reflected on its aggressive acts and war crimes before and during World War II. Right-wing forces have repeatedly downplayed or glorified this history, promoting revisionist narratives that blur public understanding of World War II.\n \n \n
A humanoid robot plays the drums during the opening ceremony of the World Humanoid Robot Games at the National Speed Skating Oval in Beijing on Thursday. The four-day event is the world's first multisport competition for humanoid robots. More than 500 humanoids from 16 countries are competing in 538 events, ranging from traditional sports such as track and field events, gymnastics and soccer to newly added events including martial arts performances, free fighting and group dancing. see story, page 5
\n",
+ "content": "
A humanoid robot plays the drums during the opening ceremony of the World Humanoid Robot Games at the National Speed Skating Oval in Beijing on Thursday. The four-day event is the world's first multisport competition for humanoid robots. More than 500 humanoids from 16 countries are competing in 538 events, ranging from traditional sports such as track and field events, gymnastics and soccer to newly added events including martial arts performances, free fighting and group dancing. see story, page 5
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+ {
+ "title": "001FRONT - China rolls out new visa type for young science talent",
+ "description": "
China announced on Thursday that it will introduce a new type of visa — a K visa — for young foreign talent in science and technology.
\n
The new visa type was unveiled after Premier Li Qiang signed a State Council decree to promulgate a decision amending the country's regulations on the administration of foreigners' entries and exits.
\n
The decision came as China puts a greater emphasis on building a more proactive, open and effective talent policy.
\n
The K visa is a new addition to the ordinary visa categories and the new rules will take effect on Oct 1, according to the decision, which was drafted by the Ministry of Justice, along with the Foreign Ministry, the Ministry of Public Security and the National Immigration Administration.
\n
Applicants for the K visa should be young international professionals in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics who have earned a bachelor's degree or higher from prestigious universities or research institutions.
\n
In addition, it will be available to individuals involved in educational or research activities at prestigious universities or research institutions, according to a joint statement released by the four departments on Thursday night.
\n
K visa holders are permitted to engage in activities in fields such as education, science and technology, and cultural exchanges, according to the joint statement.
\n
Before this addition, there were 12 visa types classified based on the purposes of visiting China, including the L visa for sightseeing and tourism, the D visa for permanent residence and the G visa for transit through the country.
\n
Compared with other visa types, the K visa will offer holders more convenience in terms of the number of entries, validity period and duration of stay. The eligibility criteria for the K visa are set based on applicants' age, educational background and work experience, without requiring them to have an employer or inviting organization within China, according to the statement.
\n
The application process for this visa is designed to be more convenient, streamlining the steps for eligible applicants, it added.
\n
The Foreign Ministry and the Ministry of Public Security, along with embassies and consulates abroad, will step up collaboration in management of the issuance, extension, renewal and replacement of K visas, as well as the residence and stay of K visa holders. They will provide appropriate assistance to applicants and holders of K visas in accordance with the law, the statement said.
\n
jihaisheng@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
China announced on Thursday that it will introduce a new type of visa — a K visa — for young foreign talent in science and technology.
\n
The new visa type was unveiled after Premier Li Qiang signed a State Council decree to promulgate a decision amending the country's regulations on the administration of foreigners' entries and exits.
\n
The decision came as China puts a greater emphasis on building a more proactive, open and effective talent policy.
\n
The K visa is a new addition to the ordinary visa categories and the new rules will take effect on Oct 1, according to the decision, which was drafted by the Ministry of Justice, along with the Foreign Ministry, the Ministry of Public Security and the National Immigration Administration.
\n
Applicants for the K visa should be young international professionals in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics who have earned a bachelor's degree or higher from prestigious universities or research institutions.
\n
In addition, it will be available to individuals involved in educational or research activities at prestigious universities or research institutions, according to a joint statement released by the four departments on Thursday night.
\n
K visa holders are permitted to engage in activities in fields such as education, science and technology, and cultural exchanges, according to the joint statement.
\n
Before this addition, there were 12 visa types classified based on the purposes of visiting China, including the L visa for sightseeing and tourism, the D visa for permanent residence and the G visa for transit through the country.
\n
Compared with other visa types, the K visa will offer holders more convenience in terms of the number of entries, validity period and duration of stay. The eligibility criteria for the K visa are set based on applicants' age, educational background and work experience, without requiring them to have an employer or inviting organization within China, according to the statement.
\n
The application process for this visa is designed to be more convenient, streamlining the steps for eligible applicants, it added.
\n
The Foreign Ministry and the Ministry of Public Security, along with embassies and consulates abroad, will step up collaboration in management of the issuance, extension, renewal and replacement of K visas, as well as the residence and stay of K visa holders. They will provide appropriate assistance to applicants and holders of K visas in accordance with the law, the statement said.
To improve the systematic protection of the Yangtze River, the Supreme People's Court and 11 other State-level departments have jointly released a guideline aimed at enhancing coordination between law enforcement and judicial bodies, while addressing existing problems and drawing on successful local practices.
\n
The guideline calls for stronger interdepartmental communication and unified law enforcement and judicial standards, focusing on frequently occurring cases and key areas such as pollution prevention, the Yangtze River's 10-year fishing ban and river sand mining management.
\n
Regarding enforcement actions, a balanced approach that combines strict law-based case handling with governance improvements should be adopted, according to the guideline. It also supports joint operations across administrative boundaries in ecologically sensitive areas, as well as in regions known for frequent ecological and environmental violations within the Yangtze River Basin.
\n
According to a case released by the top court in May 2024, three people used a three-layer gill net to fish in a national nature reserve for rare and endemic fish species in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River. Their catch included one Yangtze sturgeon and two rock carp, both of which are nationally protected species.
\n
The Jiangjin district people's procuratorate in Chongqing filed criminal charges and an accompanying civil public interest lawsuit against the three defendants for endangering precious and endangered wild animals. The court found the trio guilty and sentenced each to 15 months in prison, with suspended sentences of 18 months, along with fines ranging from 5,000 to 9,000 yuan ($697 to $1,255).
\n
The guideline also emphasizes strengthening professional and technical support to develop a sound and standardized environmental assessment and appraisal system. This includes improving expertise in investigation and evidence collection, damage assessment and ecological restoration.
\n
It further calls for enhanced cross-departmental information sharing, including promoting big data collaboration in case handling and regular updates, and joint use of ecological and environmental law enforcement and judicial data across the Yangtze River Basin.
\n
Another case cited by the court took place in Fujian province, where a man surnamed Chen illegally logged over 21 cubic meters of timber in a State-owned forest. He was sentenced to 18 months in prison and fined 10,000 yuan after undertaking ecological restoration efforts and compensating for environmental losses.
\n
The court said that restorative justice was applied throughout the case, with close cooperation between courts and forestry authorities to implement a compensation mechanism and valuation methods for losses in forest ecosystem service function.
\n
The guideline also calls for promoting diversified dispute resolution by strengthening coordination between government departments and courts, and ensuring effective integration of environmental and resource-related litigation with non-litigation dispute resolution mechanisms.
\n
lishangyi@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
To improve the systematic protection of the Yangtze River, the Supreme People's Court and 11 other State-level departments have jointly released a guideline aimed at enhancing coordination between law enforcement and judicial bodies, while addressing existing problems and drawing on successful local practices.
\n
The guideline calls for stronger interdepartmental communication and unified law enforcement and judicial standards, focusing on frequently occurring cases and key areas such as pollution prevention, the Yangtze River's 10-year fishing ban and river sand mining management.
\n
Regarding enforcement actions, a balanced approach that combines strict law-based case handling with governance improvements should be adopted, according to the guideline. It also supports joint operations across administrative boundaries in ecologically sensitive areas, as well as in regions known for frequent ecological and environmental violations within the Yangtze River Basin.
\n
According to a case released by the top court in May 2024, three people used a three-layer gill net to fish in a national nature reserve for rare and endemic fish species in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River. Their catch included one Yangtze sturgeon and two rock carp, both of which are nationally protected species.
\n
The Jiangjin district people's procuratorate in Chongqing filed criminal charges and an accompanying civil public interest lawsuit against the three defendants for endangering precious and endangered wild animals. The court found the trio guilty and sentenced each to 15 months in prison, with suspended sentences of 18 months, along with fines ranging from 5,000 to 9,000 yuan ($697 to $1,255).
\n
The guideline also emphasizes strengthening professional and technical support to develop a sound and standardized environmental assessment and appraisal system. This includes improving expertise in investigation and evidence collection, damage assessment and ecological restoration.
\n
It further calls for enhanced cross-departmental information sharing, including promoting big data collaboration in case handling and regular updates, and joint use of ecological and environmental law enforcement and judicial data across the Yangtze River Basin.
\n
Another case cited by the court took place in Fujian province, where a man surnamed Chen illegally logged over 21 cubic meters of timber in a State-owned forest. He was sentenced to 18 months in prison and fined 10,000 yuan after undertaking ecological restoration efforts and compensating for environmental losses.
\n
The court said that restorative justice was applied throughout the case, with close cooperation between courts and forestry authorities to implement a compensation mechanism and valuation methods for losses in forest ecosystem service function.
\n
The guideline also calls for promoting diversified dispute resolution by strengthening coordination between government departments and courts, and ensuring effective integration of environmental and resource-related litigation with non-litigation dispute resolution mechanisms.
Visitors explore a memorial exhibition on the contribution of overseas Chinese in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and World Anti-Fascist War, themed "united across vast distances", at the Overseas Chinese History Museum of China in Beijing on Thursday.
\n",
+ "content": "
Visitors explore a memorial exhibition on the contribution of overseas Chinese in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and World Anti-Fascist War, themed "united across vast distances", at the Overseas Chinese History Museum of China in Beijing on Thursday.
The Shenzhou XX mission crew members aboard the Tiangong space station are scheduled to carry out their third spacewalk in the coming days, the China Manned Space Agency said on Thursday. The three orbital travelers — mission commander Senior Colonel Chen Dong and crew members Colonel Chen Zhongrui and Colonel Wang Jie — have been aboard the station for more than three months since their arrival on April 25. They have conducted a host of assignments, including examinations and maintenance work on instruments, installations of intravehicular devices, monitoring of inner environment, and unpacking and testing new spacewalk suits, the agency said in a media statement.
\n
Body of Beijing official lost in flood recovered
\n
The body of Yin Chunyan, Party secretary of Sunhugou village in Beijing's Huairou district, has been found following an intensive search, Beijing Radio and Television Station reported on Thursday. Rescuers discovered her remains on Wednesday afternoon near Baihewan in Baihebei village. Local authorities have set up a committee to handle the funeral arrangements, according to the report. Yin and her husband, Cai Yongzhang, were swept away by floodwaters on July 26 while helping villagers evacuate. Cai's body was recovered on Aug 4, about 300 to 400 meters downstream from where they were last seen.
\n
Death sentence for poisoning upheld
\n
The Hunan High People's Court rejected on Thursday a graduate student's appeal and upheld his death sentence after he poisoned his roommates' food, causing the death of one. The court said that after reviewing Zhou Liren's appeal of the first-instance verdict, it found the facts established at trial to be clear, the evidence conclusive and sufficient and the sentence appropriate. On April 7, the Xiangtan Intermediate People's Court sentenced Zhou to death for intentional homicide and deprived him of his political rights for life. The Xiangtan court determined that Zhou, motivated by personal vengeance, put a highly toxic substance into a can of oatmeal shared by two of his roommates. The Hunan High People's Court has submitted Zhou's death sentence to the Supreme People's Court for approval, as required by law.
\n",
+ "content": "
Shenzhou XX crew to carry out spacewalk
\n
The Shenzhou XX mission crew members aboard the Tiangong space station are scheduled to carry out their third spacewalk in the coming days, the China Manned Space Agency said on Thursday. The three orbital travelers — mission commander Senior Colonel Chen Dong and crew members Colonel Chen Zhongrui and Colonel Wang Jie — have been aboard the station for more than three months since their arrival on April 25. They have conducted a host of assignments, including examinations and maintenance work on instruments, installations of intravehicular devices, monitoring of inner environment, and unpacking and testing new spacewalk suits, the agency said in a media statement.
\n
Body of Beijing official lost in flood recovered
\n
The body of Yin Chunyan, Party secretary of Sunhugou village in Beijing's Huairou district, has been found following an intensive search, Beijing Radio and Television Station reported on Thursday. Rescuers discovered her remains on Wednesday afternoon near Baihewan in Baihebei village. Local authorities have set up a committee to handle the funeral arrangements, according to the report. Yin and her husband, Cai Yongzhang, were swept away by floodwaters on July 26 while helping villagers evacuate. Cai's body was recovered on Aug 4, about 300 to 400 meters downstream from where they were last seen.
\n
Death sentence for poisoning upheld
\n
The Hunan High People's Court rejected on Thursday a graduate student's appeal and upheld his death sentence after he poisoned his roommates' food, causing the death of one. The court said that after reviewing Zhou Liren's appeal of the first-instance verdict, it found the facts established at trial to be clear, the evidence conclusive and sufficient and the sentence appropriate. On April 7, the Xiangtan Intermediate People's Court sentenced Zhou to death for intentional homicide and deprived him of his political rights for life. The Xiangtan court determined that Zhou, motivated by personal vengeance, put a highly toxic substance into a can of oatmeal shared by two of his roommates. The Hunan High People's Court has submitted Zhou's death sentence to the Supreme People's Court for approval, as required by law.
A performer showcases equestrian skills at the opening ceremony of the 16th Gesar Horse Racing Festival in Maqu county, Gannan Tibetan autonomous prefecture, Gansu province, on Wednesday.
\n",
+ "content": "
A performer showcases equestrian skills at the opening ceremony of the 16th Gesar Horse Racing Festival in Maqu county, Gannan Tibetan autonomous prefecture, Gansu province, on Wednesday.
The world's first humanoid robot games opened in Beijing on Thursday, offering a glimpse into what organizers describe as a "new era of human-machine symbiosis".
\n
The 2025 World Humanoid Robot Games began on Thursday evening at the National Speed Skating Oval, known locally as the Ice Ribbon, and will run until Sunday. About 280 teams from 16 countries and regions, bringing together more than 500 robots, are competing in 26 events across 538 matches.
\n
The opening ceremony featured a cultural performance combining Chinese opera, martial arts and robotics, with 60 robots dressed in traditional costumes moving in sync with acrobatic performers.
\n
Stefan Hensel, supervisor of Germany's Sweaty team, praised the Beijing event as "a nice and open community and an Olympic Games for the industry".
\n
"During the games if you have a problem, everybody is ready to help you, and thus the event is set to boost the industry's progress, in particular the software," said Hensel, whose team is a four-time runner-up at the international RoboCup humanoid soccer competition.
\n
Preliminary rounds began on Monday.
\n
Some viewers online said the humanoid soccer matches lacked excitement, as the robots moved stiffly and made clumsy decisions on the pitch.
\n
Lyu Ming, an after-sales manager at Booster Robotics, a Beijing-based company providing the robots for the soccer match during the event, explained that in robot sports, the aim was not entertainment but advancing control, perception and decision-making.
\n
"The awkward movements, algorithm optimization and lessons from failure are all incremental steps as humanoid robots evolve from the lab to commercial use," he said.
\n
Beijing officials said the capital is positioning itself as a national hub for robotics innovation. Jiang Guangzhi, head of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Economy and Information Technology, said the city has supported the development of 200 innovative robotic products across 12 categories. These innovative products have been tested and applied in 134 scenarios across 11 industries.
\n
"Through the implementation of a demonstration project featuring hundreds of application scenarios, we are leveraging Beijing's vast and diverse urban environment to enhance scenario innovation and strengthen the connection between supply and demand."
\n
He added that a robot-themed park is planned, featuring applications for ecological monitoring, disinfection, water cleaning and street sweeping.
\n
Industry leaders said continued investment and collaboration are vital if humanoid robotics is to progress beyond research prototypes.
\n
Wang Xingxing, CEO of Unitree Robotics, which is reported to hold an estimated 60 to 70 percent share of the global quadruped robot market, said that investment in the embodied robotics industry remained stable, but further breakthroughs were still needed.
\n
"Achieving humanlike capabilities in robots could take two to three years of technological advancements, or up to five at a slower pace," he said at the 2025 World Robot Conference, which was held in Beijing recently, adding that the robotics boom "is unlikely to last beyond a decade".
\n
About half of Unitree's revenue comes from overseas markets, and Wang said global collaboration was key to the company's strategy.
\n
yangcheng@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
The world's first humanoid robot games opened in Beijing on Thursday, offering a glimpse into what organizers describe as a "new era of human-machine symbiosis".
\n
The 2025 World Humanoid Robot Games began on Thursday evening at the National Speed Skating Oval, known locally as the Ice Ribbon, and will run until Sunday. About 280 teams from 16 countries and regions, bringing together more than 500 robots, are competing in 26 events across 538 matches.
\n
The opening ceremony featured a cultural performance combining Chinese opera, martial arts and robotics, with 60 robots dressed in traditional costumes moving in sync with acrobatic performers.
\n
Stefan Hensel, supervisor of Germany's Sweaty team, praised the Beijing event as "a nice and open community and an Olympic Games for the industry".
\n
"During the games if you have a problem, everybody is ready to help you, and thus the event is set to boost the industry's progress, in particular the software," said Hensel, whose team is a four-time runner-up at the international RoboCup humanoid soccer competition.
\n
Preliminary rounds began on Monday.
\n
Some viewers online said the humanoid soccer matches lacked excitement, as the robots moved stiffly and made clumsy decisions on the pitch.
\n
Lyu Ming, an after-sales manager at Booster Robotics, a Beijing-based company providing the robots for the soccer match during the event, explained that in robot sports, the aim was not entertainment but advancing control, perception and decision-making.
\n
"The awkward movements, algorithm optimization and lessons from failure are all incremental steps as humanoid robots evolve from the lab to commercial use," he said.
\n
Beijing officials said the capital is positioning itself as a national hub for robotics innovation. Jiang Guangzhi, head of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Economy and Information Technology, said the city has supported the development of 200 innovative robotic products across 12 categories. These innovative products have been tested and applied in 134 scenarios across 11 industries.
\n
"Through the implementation of a demonstration project featuring hundreds of application scenarios, we are leveraging Beijing's vast and diverse urban environment to enhance scenario innovation and strengthen the connection between supply and demand."
\n
He added that a robot-themed park is planned, featuring applications for ecological monitoring, disinfection, water cleaning and street sweeping.
\n
Industry leaders said continued investment and collaboration are vital if humanoid robotics is to progress beyond research prototypes.
\n
Wang Xingxing, CEO of Unitree Robotics, which is reported to hold an estimated 60 to 70 percent share of the global quadruped robot market, said that investment in the embodied robotics industry remained stable, but further breakthroughs were still needed.
\n
"Achieving humanlike capabilities in robots could take two to three years of technological advancements, or up to five at a slower pace," he said at the 2025 World Robot Conference, which was held in Beijing recently, adding that the robotics boom "is unlikely to last beyond a decade".
\n
About half of Unitree's revenue comes from overseas markets, and Wang said global collaboration was key to the company's strategy.
As the doors swing open at Beijing's new robot-themed restaurant, diners are greeted by humanoid workers who nod and speak in lifelike gestures, while robotic servers glide between tables delivering dishes and a robot band plays drums and guitars, turning a dining experience into a futuristic spectacle.
\n
"The restaurant gives me a fresh sense of technology. It's quite an amazing attempt," said Ding Wenjun, a tourist from Jiangxi province.
\n
Sun Ling, head of the Robot Restaurant, said, "It is not only an immersive dining place integrating cuisine, culture and technology, but also provides a scenario for robot application and data collection."
\n
The tech-savvy restaurant is participating in the E-Town Robot Consumption Festival, running from Aug 2 to Sunday. The event was organized by the administrative committee of the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area, also known as Beijing E-Town.
\n
Making its debut at the festival is the Robot Mall, a 4,000-square-meter "robot 4S" store. It features more than 50 products across medical, industrial and companion robotics.
\n
For example, the Galbot G1, a wheeled-chassis humanoid robot, can retrieve medications from shelves and deliver them directly to patients.
\n
"It can automatically dispense and distribute medications, alleviating the heavy workload of nurses and reducing the risk of human error," said Meng Yanpei, a manager at the mall. "In pharmacies, it serves emergency patients, especially at night, while also lowering operating costs by taking over repetitive tasks."
\n
Over 10 pharmacies in Beijing are now operating 24 hours a day with the use of a Galbot G1. The robot is priced at 680,000 yuan ($94,800), a 50,000 yuan discount, at the 4S store during the festival.
\n
As of Tuesday, more than 19,000 robots and related products have been sold during the festival, generating total sales of over 200 million yuan. Meanwhile, the distribution of consumption vouchers has boosted sales by over 60 million yuan, according to the administrative committee of Beijing E-Town.
\n
Meanwhile, shopping malls and e-commerce platform JD.com are hosting sales campaigns at the festival. Enterprises can enjoy subsidies of up to 250,000 yuan on robot purchases.
\n
Targeting online consumers, JD.com has showcased over 680 robots and related products, including quadruped, biped, exoskeleton, and educational and companion robots, offering a maximum subsidy of 600 yuan for a single product.
\n
"In the past, these robots were priced in the millions of yuan, but now they are becoming more affordable," said Xu Lei, head of the Intelligent Robot Business Department under the 3C Digital Business Group of JD.com. "We hope to leverage the advantages of online sales, brand support and supply chains to make robots accessible to more consumers."
\n
Zhang Hao, chief scientist of ALVA (Beijing) Technology Co, said that robots are still in their infancy and are often used mainly for display. "Even though they may stagger while walking, they captivate us because we can sense their intelligence gradually maturing."
\n
"Only when robots help customers make money will they buy and keep buying such machines," said Zhang, adding that such machines must be practical, affordable, versatile and of effective use for consumers.
\n
Zhang's perspective echoes that of Massimiliano Zecca, a professor of healthcare technology at Loughborough University in the United Kingdom.
\n
"Humanoid robots now require an engineering team to look after them," the professor said. "They need to bring real value to form a natural market."
\n
Despite the limitations of the robots, Zecca was clearly impressed by a humanoid coffee barista crafting intricate latte art at the 2025 World Robot Conference, which concluded on Tuesday.
\n
"I would pay for a cup of coffee with artistic flavor. The evolution of humanoid robots will surely provide more choices to meet personal preferences," Zecca said.
\n",
+ "content": "\n
As the doors swing open at Beijing's new robot-themed restaurant, diners are greeted by humanoid workers who nod and speak in lifelike gestures, while robotic servers glide between tables delivering dishes and a robot band plays drums and guitars, turning a dining experience into a futuristic spectacle.
\n
"The restaurant gives me a fresh sense of technology. It's quite an amazing attempt," said Ding Wenjun, a tourist from Jiangxi province.
\n
Sun Ling, head of the Robot Restaurant, said, "It is not only an immersive dining place integrating cuisine, culture and technology, but also provides a scenario for robot application and data collection."
\n
The tech-savvy restaurant is participating in the E-Town Robot Consumption Festival, running from Aug 2 to Sunday. The event was organized by the administrative committee of the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area, also known as Beijing E-Town.
\n
Making its debut at the festival is the Robot Mall, a 4,000-square-meter "robot 4S" store. It features more than 50 products across medical, industrial and companion robotics.
\n
For example, the Galbot G1, a wheeled-chassis humanoid robot, can retrieve medications from shelves and deliver them directly to patients.
\n
"It can automatically dispense and distribute medications, alleviating the heavy workload of nurses and reducing the risk of human error," said Meng Yanpei, a manager at the mall. "In pharmacies, it serves emergency patients, especially at night, while also lowering operating costs by taking over repetitive tasks."
\n
Over 10 pharmacies in Beijing are now operating 24 hours a day with the use of a Galbot G1. The robot is priced at 680,000 yuan ($94,800), a 50,000 yuan discount, at the 4S store during the festival.
\n
As of Tuesday, more than 19,000 robots and related products have been sold during the festival, generating total sales of over 200 million yuan. Meanwhile, the distribution of consumption vouchers has boosted sales by over 60 million yuan, according to the administrative committee of Beijing E-Town.
\n
Meanwhile, shopping malls and e-commerce platform JD.com are hosting sales campaigns at the festival. Enterprises can enjoy subsidies of up to 250,000 yuan on robot purchases.
\n
Targeting online consumers, JD.com has showcased over 680 robots and related products, including quadruped, biped, exoskeleton, and educational and companion robots, offering a maximum subsidy of 600 yuan for a single product.
\n
"In the past, these robots were priced in the millions of yuan, but now they are becoming more affordable," said Xu Lei, head of the Intelligent Robot Business Department under the 3C Digital Business Group of JD.com. "We hope to leverage the advantages of online sales, brand support and supply chains to make robots accessible to more consumers."
\n
Zhang Hao, chief scientist of ALVA (Beijing) Technology Co, said that robots are still in their infancy and are often used mainly for display. "Even though they may stagger while walking, they captivate us because we can sense their intelligence gradually maturing."
\n
"Only when robots help customers make money will they buy and keep buying such machines," said Zhang, adding that such machines must be practical, affordable, versatile and of effective use for consumers.
\n
Zhang's perspective echoes that of Massimiliano Zecca, a professor of healthcare technology at Loughborough University in the United Kingdom.
\n
"Humanoid robots now require an engineering team to look after them," the professor said. "They need to bring real value to form a natural market."
\n
Despite the limitations of the robots, Zecca was clearly impressed by a humanoid coffee barista crafting intricate latte art at the 2025 World Robot Conference, which concluded on Tuesday.
\n
"I would pay for a cup of coffee with artistic flavor. The evolution of humanoid robots will surely provide more choices to meet personal preferences," Zecca said.
Industrial biotechnology researchers work in a laboratory affiliated with the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Tianjin in January last year.
\n
An artist's impression of DNA information storage technology.
\n
A recent breakthrough in synthetic biology in Tianjin could pave the way for new treatments for genetic diseases like sickle cell disease and congenital deafness.
\n
A study published in the science methodology journal Nature Methods on July 10 by a team of scientists from Tianjin University claimed to have synthesized a human genome fragment exceeding one million base pairs in length, and successfully transferred it into mice embryos to verify its function.
\n
According to those involved, this achievement marks a significant advancement in human genome synthesis and transfer technology.
\n
The human genome is closely linked to human life, health and disease. Since the completion of the Human Genome Project in 2003, scientists have been trying to synthesize the human genome, but have long struggled with technological bottlenecks.
\n
Over 50 percent of the human genome consists of complex repetitive sequences, posing a considerable challenge to precise synthesis.
\n
"It's like a jigsaw puzzle with millions of pieces, many of which look very similar, making the assembly extremely challenging," said Yuan Yingjin, who led the team.
\n
Yuan, who is also an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and director of the State Key Lab of Synthetic Biology, said that even if long genome fragments are synthesized, validating their genetic function is difficult without transferring them into an animal.
\n
Yuan's team has developed the SynNICE method to tackle this problem.
\n
"Using this method, we have for the first time completed the synthesis of high-repetition human DNA at the million-base-pair level and efficiently transferred this fragment intact into early mice embryos using a yeast nucleus as the transfer shuttle," Yuan said.
\n
Internationally, most research teams in human DNA synthesis are still working at the hundred-kilo-base-pair level and find it challenging to efficiently transfer DNA into mammalian embryos.
\n
This makes this latest development a significant leap forward.
\n
"For decades, scientists have enhanced their understanding of the human genome through sequencing and reading information. By adopting a bottom-up approach to synthesize genes from basic units, we can more directly reveal causal relationships among genome sequences, functions and diseases," Yuan said.
\n
"Scientists are no longer content merely to 'read' and 'edit' the book of life — they now have the ability to 'write' new chapters in it," he added.
\n
The team's research focused on a segment called AZFa on the human Y chromosome, chosen because its deletion is a cause of untreatable male infertility. Synthesizing this segment posed significant challenges, as over 69 percent of its sequence consists of repetitive elements, making it extremely prone to mismatches and recombination, which could lead to failure, Yuan explained.
\n
To overcome this challenge, the team devised a combined assembly strategy. Initially, they divided the sequence into over 200 smaller fragments, which were then assembled into 23 medium-sized components using Saccharomyces cerevisiae, also known as brewer's yeast. These components were further assembled into four larger structures, again utilizing the yeast.
\n
Finally, employing the gene-editing technique CRISPR-Cas9 and a yeast mating system, the team successfully assembled all fragments into a single, perfectly integrated artificial synthetic chromosome spanning 1.14 million base pairs.
\n
Brewer's yeast was used as it serves as a powerful biological tool equipped with a highly efficient homologous recombination system that automatically recognizes and seamlessly joins matching DNA sequences, said Yuan.
\n
The problem remained of how to safely transfer this large and fragile genome fragment into mice embryos. The team solved this by using yeast nuclei as natural, solid carriers.
\n
"If transferring DNA across species is like a moon landing mission on Earth, our use of yeast nuclei is akin to the spacecraft that safely transports astronauts between Earth and the moon, protecting and compressing the synthetic genome," said Yuan.
\n
This method involves isolating the entire yeast nucleus containing the synthetic DNA. This nucleus acts as a natural, sturdy transport capsule, providing perfect physical protection for the genetic material inside, said Liu Yue, a member of the research team.
\n
The research can shed new light on the treatment of diseases related to chromosomal anomalies. In the future, by synthesizing key gene fragments, scientists may be able to correct defects in the AZFa region causing infertility. Understanding the correlation between genomic variations and diseases can also guide treatments for conditions such as cancer.
\n
Tang Fuchou, a professor at Peking University, said the SynNICE method could potentially extend the functional lifespan of xenotransplantation with humanized pig donor organs in human bodies from two to three years to several decades, offering revolutionary hope for addressing the global organ shortage.
\n
Yuan said the substantial resources provided for basic research were crucial for the team to be able to tackle such "unclaimed territories" in science, such as repetitive sequence assembly and nuclear transfer.
\n
Interdisciplinary collaboration was essential, bringing together experts in synthetic biology, medicine, developmental biology and epigenetics, he said. Gene function validation in the research was carried out by teams from Tianjin University and Tsinghua University, with several hospitals providing real clinical cases for the study.
\n
"Humanity is still in the technology development stage for DNA synthesis. While advancing technological innovation, China remains highly attentive to biosecurity," he said.
\n
In 2017, Tianjin University led scientists from over 20 countries across four continents in drafting the "Tianjin Biosecurity Guidelines for Codes of Conduct for Scientists", which the World Health Organization has recognized as a global biosecurity ethical standard.
\n
Yuan said the ability to synthesize large genomes could spark a medical revolution, potentially curing currently incurable diseases and paving the way for new treatments.
\n
The study report was titled De novo Assembly and Delivery of Synthetic Megabase-Scale Human DNA into Mouse Early Embryos.
\n
yandongjie@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
Online Scan the code to watch the video.
\n
Yuan Yingjin
\n
Industrial biotechnology researchers work in a laboratory affiliated with the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Tianjin in January last year.
\n
An artist's impression of DNA information storage technology.
\n
A recent breakthrough in synthetic biology in Tianjin could pave the way for new treatments for genetic diseases like sickle cell disease and congenital deafness.
\n
A study published in the science methodology journal Nature Methods on July 10 by a team of scientists from Tianjin University claimed to have synthesized a human genome fragment exceeding one million base pairs in length, and successfully transferred it into mice embryos to verify its function.
\n
According to those involved, this achievement marks a significant advancement in human genome synthesis and transfer technology.
\n
The human genome is closely linked to human life, health and disease. Since the completion of the Human Genome Project in 2003, scientists have been trying to synthesize the human genome, but have long struggled with technological bottlenecks.
\n
Over 50 percent of the human genome consists of complex repetitive sequences, posing a considerable challenge to precise synthesis.
\n
"It's like a jigsaw puzzle with millions of pieces, many of which look very similar, making the assembly extremely challenging," said Yuan Yingjin, who led the team.
\n
Yuan, who is also an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and director of the State Key Lab of Synthetic Biology, said that even if long genome fragments are synthesized, validating their genetic function is difficult without transferring them into an animal.
\n
Yuan's team has developed the SynNICE method to tackle this problem.
\n
"Using this method, we have for the first time completed the synthesis of high-repetition human DNA at the million-base-pair level and efficiently transferred this fragment intact into early mice embryos using a yeast nucleus as the transfer shuttle," Yuan said.
\n
Internationally, most research teams in human DNA synthesis are still working at the hundred-kilo-base-pair level and find it challenging to efficiently transfer DNA into mammalian embryos.
\n
This makes this latest development a significant leap forward.
\n
"For decades, scientists have enhanced their understanding of the human genome through sequencing and reading information. By adopting a bottom-up approach to synthesize genes from basic units, we can more directly reveal causal relationships among genome sequences, functions and diseases," Yuan said.
\n
"Scientists are no longer content merely to 'read' and 'edit' the book of life — they now have the ability to 'write' new chapters in it," he added.
\n
The team's research focused on a segment called AZFa on the human Y chromosome, chosen because its deletion is a cause of untreatable male infertility. Synthesizing this segment posed significant challenges, as over 69 percent of its sequence consists of repetitive elements, making it extremely prone to mismatches and recombination, which could lead to failure, Yuan explained.
\n
To overcome this challenge, the team devised a combined assembly strategy. Initially, they divided the sequence into over 200 smaller fragments, which were then assembled into 23 medium-sized components using Saccharomyces cerevisiae, also known as brewer's yeast. These components were further assembled into four larger structures, again utilizing the yeast.
\n
Finally, employing the gene-editing technique CRISPR-Cas9 and a yeast mating system, the team successfully assembled all fragments into a single, perfectly integrated artificial synthetic chromosome spanning 1.14 million base pairs.
\n
Brewer's yeast was used as it serves as a powerful biological tool equipped with a highly efficient homologous recombination system that automatically recognizes and seamlessly joins matching DNA sequences, said Yuan.
\n
The problem remained of how to safely transfer this large and fragile genome fragment into mice embryos. The team solved this by using yeast nuclei as natural, solid carriers.
\n
"If transferring DNA across species is like a moon landing mission on Earth, our use of yeast nuclei is akin to the spacecraft that safely transports astronauts between Earth and the moon, protecting and compressing the synthetic genome," said Yuan.
\n
This method involves isolating the entire yeast nucleus containing the synthetic DNA. This nucleus acts as a natural, sturdy transport capsule, providing perfect physical protection for the genetic material inside, said Liu Yue, a member of the research team.
\n
The research can shed new light on the treatment of diseases related to chromosomal anomalies. In the future, by synthesizing key gene fragments, scientists may be able to correct defects in the AZFa region causing infertility. Understanding the correlation between genomic variations and diseases can also guide treatments for conditions such as cancer.
\n
Tang Fuchou, a professor at Peking University, said the SynNICE method could potentially extend the functional lifespan of xenotransplantation with humanized pig donor organs in human bodies from two to three years to several decades, offering revolutionary hope for addressing the global organ shortage.
\n
Yuan said the substantial resources provided for basic research were crucial for the team to be able to tackle such "unclaimed territories" in science, such as repetitive sequence assembly and nuclear transfer.
\n
Interdisciplinary collaboration was essential, bringing together experts in synthetic biology, medicine, developmental biology and epigenetics, he said. Gene function validation in the research was carried out by teams from Tianjin University and Tsinghua University, with several hospitals providing real clinical cases for the study.
\n
"Humanity is still in the technology development stage for DNA synthesis. While advancing technological innovation, China remains highly attentive to biosecurity," he said.
\n
In 2017, Tianjin University led scientists from over 20 countries across four continents in drafting the "Tianjin Biosecurity Guidelines for Codes of Conduct for Scientists", which the World Health Organization has recognized as a global biosecurity ethical standard.
\n
Yuan said the ability to synthesize large genomes could spark a medical revolution, potentially curing currently incurable diseases and paving the way for new treatments.
\n
The study report was titled De novo Assembly and Delivery of Synthetic Megabase-Scale Human DNA into Mouse Early Embryos.
A technician (right) checks the growth of seedlings through a monitor in a greenhouse at the Zhixin Digital Seedling Breeding Industrial Park in Raoyang county, Hebei province.
\n
In Raoyang county, Hebei province, a high-tech approach is overturning long-held beliefs that North China's sweltering summers are ill-suited for seedling cultivation.
\n
At the Zhixin Digital Seedling Breeding Industrial Park in Raoyang in Hengshui city, algorithms now replace gut instinct.
\n
The cutting-edge solutions are transforming challenging conditions of high temperatures, heavy rain and intense sunlight into precisely controlled parameters, enabling consistent and high-quality seedling production in the hot season.
\n
"In the past, we relied on experience. Now, we rely on algorithms," said Wei Fangcui, the park's director, while navigating the park's cloud-based management platform via a tablet.
\n
The system integrates over a dozen critical parameters, including micro-climate, soil conditions, and crop growth stages, using machines to autonomously optimize irrigation, nutrient delivery, light exposure and ventilation cycles.
\n
Stepping into the vast complex reveals a scene of quiet efficiency — automated rail-guided seedling beds glide smoothly, precision spray systems deliver moisture, and clusters of internet of things sensors display temperature and humidity data in real time.
\n
This highly integrated "breeding-cultivation-promotion" facility, a model of intelligent agriculture, now produces over 120 million robust seedlings annually, according to the park.
\n
"Problems are spotted instantly and solved with a click," said technician Xie Keju, using a mobile app to track seedlings' "body temperature" and "nutritional intake". Sensors in eight vast glass greenhouses — each nearly 10,000 square meters and housing up to one million plants — feed real time data into the system, triggering automatic adjustments to ensure every seedling receives balanced nourishment.
\n
"Crucially, the platform also provides early disease and pest warnings and tracks the growth history of individual plants," he said.
\n
The outcomes are compelling. According to Wei, the park achieves a five percent higher rate of strong, viable seedlings and reduces the overall cultivation cycle by five percent.
\n
"These tech-based seedlings are the 'chips' of modern agriculture," she said.
\n
Technology is also reshaping productivity. An artificial intelligence-powered precision seeder allows one worker to sow 45 trays in three minutes, work that once took four people almost an hour. Xie now manages 300,000 seedlings singlehandedly, with his monthly income rising from 3,000 to 8,000 yuan ($417 to 1,112).
\n
This transformation stems from Raoyang county's "Science Commissioner plus Local Expert" training program, which has delivered over 100 specialized trainings on smart equipment and pest management, grooming over 10,000 skilled fruit and vegetable technicians, according to local authorities.
\n
"Quality must be controlled from the very source," said Li Bingshun, deputy director of Raoyang county's agriculture and rural affairs bureau.
\n
This focus has attracted over 30 prominent breeding enterprises to establish operations in Raoyang. Together with 44 local seedling bases, they form an integrated breeding and promotion network, he said.
\n
The technological journey extends seamlessly from greenhouse to market. In the packaging facility, automated sorting lines place seedlings into custom boxes at a rate of three per second, each affixed with a QR code tracing its origin and journey.
\n
"These 500,000 tomato seedlings head to Beijing tomorrow via refrigerated transport, reaching fields within 48 hours," Wei Fangcui said in an interview in July, pointing to live national demand data.
\n
Since its February launch, the park has supplied over four million premium seedlings to multiple places, including the Ningxia Hui autonomous region, as well as provinces of Hebei and Henan, Wei said.
\n
The supplies cover over a dozen varieties of common and specialty fruit and vegetable seedlings, she added.
\n
"The return on our technology investment is increasing rapidly," Wei said.
\n
Their seedlings, prized for superior genetics and consistent quality, have driven tangible benefits — farmers report average yield increases of 15 to 20 percent per hectare alongside significantly improved produce quality, achieving market satisfaction rates exceeding 90 percent, according to Wei.
\n
This revolution not only supplies premium seedlings nationally but also catalyzes local industry transformation.
\n
Raoyang has established Hebei's first High-Quality Fruit and Vegetable Seed Industry Alliance, guiding breeding bases and planning 10,667-hectare demonstration zones. Additionally, it integrates data from the entire industry chain to create a regulatory platform.
\n
Currently, Raoyang has cultivated 28,667 hectares of fruits and vegetables, including 22,667 hectares of protected greenhouse crops, producing 2.4 million metric tons annually and supplying 2,000 tons daily to neighboring Beijing and Tianjin, according to local statistics.
\n
"We will amplify our leading role, aiming to bring 40 more bases into the digital fold within two years, creating scale and synergy for shared resources and technology," Wei said.
\n
She added that continuous research& development investment will refine their algorithms and deepen IoT integration, embedding technology into every facet of seedling cultivation.
\n
zhangyu1@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
A technician (right) checks the growth of seedlings through a monitor in a greenhouse at the Zhixin Digital Seedling Breeding Industrial Park in Raoyang county, Hebei province.
\n
In Raoyang county, Hebei province, a high-tech approach is overturning long-held beliefs that North China's sweltering summers are ill-suited for seedling cultivation.
\n
At the Zhixin Digital Seedling Breeding Industrial Park in Raoyang in Hengshui city, algorithms now replace gut instinct.
\n
The cutting-edge solutions are transforming challenging conditions of high temperatures, heavy rain and intense sunlight into precisely controlled parameters, enabling consistent and high-quality seedling production in the hot season.
\n
"In the past, we relied on experience. Now, we rely on algorithms," said Wei Fangcui, the park's director, while navigating the park's cloud-based management platform via a tablet.
\n
The system integrates over a dozen critical parameters, including micro-climate, soil conditions, and crop growth stages, using machines to autonomously optimize irrigation, nutrient delivery, light exposure and ventilation cycles.
\n
Stepping into the vast complex reveals a scene of quiet efficiency — automated rail-guided seedling beds glide smoothly, precision spray systems deliver moisture, and clusters of internet of things sensors display temperature and humidity data in real time.
\n
This highly integrated "breeding-cultivation-promotion" facility, a model of intelligent agriculture, now produces over 120 million robust seedlings annually, according to the park.
\n
"Problems are spotted instantly and solved with a click," said technician Xie Keju, using a mobile app to track seedlings' "body temperature" and "nutritional intake". Sensors in eight vast glass greenhouses — each nearly 10,000 square meters and housing up to one million plants — feed real time data into the system, triggering automatic adjustments to ensure every seedling receives balanced nourishment.
\n
"Crucially, the platform also provides early disease and pest warnings and tracks the growth history of individual plants," he said.
\n
The outcomes are compelling. According to Wei, the park achieves a five percent higher rate of strong, viable seedlings and reduces the overall cultivation cycle by five percent.
\n
"These tech-based seedlings are the 'chips' of modern agriculture," she said.
\n
Technology is also reshaping productivity. An artificial intelligence-powered precision seeder allows one worker to sow 45 trays in three minutes, work that once took four people almost an hour. Xie now manages 300,000 seedlings singlehandedly, with his monthly income rising from 3,000 to 8,000 yuan ($417 to 1,112).
\n
This transformation stems from Raoyang county's "Science Commissioner plus Local Expert" training program, which has delivered over 100 specialized trainings on smart equipment and pest management, grooming over 10,000 skilled fruit and vegetable technicians, according to local authorities.
\n
"Quality must be controlled from the very source," said Li Bingshun, deputy director of Raoyang county's agriculture and rural affairs bureau.
\n
This focus has attracted over 30 prominent breeding enterprises to establish operations in Raoyang. Together with 44 local seedling bases, they form an integrated breeding and promotion network, he said.
\n
The technological journey extends seamlessly from greenhouse to market. In the packaging facility, automated sorting lines place seedlings into custom boxes at a rate of three per second, each affixed with a QR code tracing its origin and journey.
\n
"These 500,000 tomato seedlings head to Beijing tomorrow via refrigerated transport, reaching fields within 48 hours," Wei Fangcui said in an interview in July, pointing to live national demand data.
\n
Since its February launch, the park has supplied over four million premium seedlings to multiple places, including the Ningxia Hui autonomous region, as well as provinces of Hebei and Henan, Wei said.
\n
The supplies cover over a dozen varieties of common and specialty fruit and vegetable seedlings, she added.
\n
"The return on our technology investment is increasing rapidly," Wei said.
\n
Their seedlings, prized for superior genetics and consistent quality, have driven tangible benefits — farmers report average yield increases of 15 to 20 percent per hectare alongside significantly improved produce quality, achieving market satisfaction rates exceeding 90 percent, according to Wei.
\n
This revolution not only supplies premium seedlings nationally but also catalyzes local industry transformation.
\n
Raoyang has established Hebei's first High-Quality Fruit and Vegetable Seed Industry Alliance, guiding breeding bases and planning 10,667-hectare demonstration zones. Additionally, it integrates data from the entire industry chain to create a regulatory platform.
\n
Currently, Raoyang has cultivated 28,667 hectares of fruits and vegetables, including 22,667 hectares of protected greenhouse crops, producing 2.4 million metric tons annually and supplying 2,000 tons daily to neighboring Beijing and Tianjin, according to local statistics.
\n
"We will amplify our leading role, aiming to bring 40 more bases into the digital fold within two years, creating scale and synergy for shared resources and technology," Wei said.
\n
She added that continuous research& development investment will refine their algorithms and deepen IoT integration, embedding technology into every facet of seedling cultivation.
A tourist enjoys the Super Swing at the Hou'er Tiankeng scenic area in Kaiyang county, Guizhou province.
\n
GUIYANG — Karst landscapes, typical in Southwest China's Guizhou province, have emerged as a magnet for adventurers and outdoor sports enthusiasts this summer, drawing crowds with their unique geological wonders.
\n
"Come here, and you'll shoot a viral life highlight reel — guaranteed to go trending!" a travel blogger wrote on a short-video platform, describing a scenic area in Guizhou.
\n
The Hou'er Tiankeng scenic area in Kaiyang county, a typical karst collapse sinkhole with a diameter of 300 meters and a depth of 280 meters, has been transformed into an extreme sports park.
\n
The Super Swing, the world's first extreme swing installed inside a sinkhole at the tourist attraction, boasts a vertical drop of 92 meters and has drawn crowds of visitors eager to try it. "We release tickets in the early morning, and some people say they lose sleep over snatching them up," said general manager Wu Canhua. Due to its unique geographical environment, the area has a limited daily capacity and has implemented a reservation system since 2024.
\n
While visitors walk along the mountain path, vines hang from the sinkhole's cliffs, with winding streams below. The empty space in between is divided by ropes, resembling a spider's web strung inside the sinkhole.
\n
On the jumping platform, tourists, harnessed by two cables, took turns leaping into the sinkhole's depths. A first-person view drone followed tourists closely, while a smartphone and a 360-degree panoramic camera captured moments from multiple angles.
\n
Sinkhole highs
\n
Videos posted on social media by tourists have sparked widespread attention and discussion. On Douyin, China's version of TikTok, related topics about Hou'er Tiankeng have exceeded 2 billion views, with some videos garnering more than 3 million likes.
\n
"Long time no see, my brave and passionate self!" "Youth has no price tag — take the leap into the sinkhole." These are among the most popular comments on the trip after visitors challenged themselves.
\n
"It was so thrilling. I felt like I was flying!" said Zhou Muning, a tourist from Chengdu in Sichuan province. "I'd seen these extreme sports on short videos before, and I came specifically to try them this time. The experience is unforgettable."
\n
Wu said: "Among our visitors, Gen Z makes up the largest group. We've catered to current filming and aesthetic trends, satisfying their desire to express themselves. In the past, people traveled for a room or a view; now, they travel for an experience."
\n
Centering on visitors' experience, the scenic area continues to enrich its offerings. Beyond the Super Swing, it also provides options like via ferrata (iron path) climbing and cave exploration. "We're adopting a three-dimensional development approach, aiming to offer visitors a layered experience," said Wu. A newly developed high-altitude pipe track project has been completed and is undergoing third-party safety assessments.
\n
Shang Fajun, chief of the sports section in the county's culture and tourism bureau, said that the county fully leverages its mountain outdoor resources to promote deep integration of sports, culture and tourism.
\n
Data shows that from January to June this year, the site received 107,000 visitors, with total sales exceeding 67.97 million yuan ($9.47 million).
\n
Perfect for rafting
\n
In midsummer, the karst heartland of Southwest China resembles a naturally carved wonderland, where visitors drift with the waves, experiencing the wonder of excitement and tranquility.
\n
At Luobei River in Guiding county, under a blue sky and white clouds, visitors put on life jackets and helmets, grab oars and board rafts to embark on a summer adventure.
\n
Guizhou, with its magnificent karst landforms, dense water networks, and steep gorges, ranks among China's top rafting destinations.
\n
Luobei River, hailed by netizens as the Tongtian River in the ancient classic Journey to the West — renowned for its mythic perils and iconic episodes — boasts a perfect combination of karst gorges and dynamic hydrology. A rafting journey of over 10 kilometers allows visitors to savor the joy of mountains and waters in a "crack of the earth".
\n
The river, with a relatively wide channel, drops some 88 meters from start to finish. Its course includes seven major rapids — one with an 8-meter drop — making it perfect for rafting.
\n
Huang Runcheng, general manager of the raft operator, said that to ensure visitors' safety, the company has deployed 66 lifeguards along both sides of the river and equipped four inflatable rescue boats for rapid response to emergencies. All lifeguards have received training in rapid water and flood rescue and are stationed along the seven major rapids. In the heat of summer, the parking lot at the visitor service center is filled with cars from across the country. Huang noted that since the company reopened for rafting on June 20 this year, it has welcomed 35,000 visitors, a nearly 10-fold year-on-year increase.
\n
"The more activities we offer, the better the experience," Huang said. Since resuming rafting in 2023, the site has focused on a "sports+adventure+outdoor" model, using rafting as a pivot to expand diverse outdoor activities and experiences, developing new projects such as water swings, deep-water diving platforms and electric paddle boards.
\n
As rafts reached the endpoint, many visitors, soaked to the skin, still chose to dive into the water even amid light rain.
\n
Xiong Peng, from Liupanshui city, Guizhou, has been selling local snacks, waterproof bags, sun hats and other items at the rafting starting point since late June. He said that during the summer vacation, as long as the weather is fine, visitors pour in, with weekend sales reaching 3,000 to 4,000 yuan a day.
\n
Ma Yun, deputy director of the county's culture and tourism bureau, said that from a single rafting project to a composite experience of "rafting+folk customs" and "rafting+research", the county is continuously improving tourism quality to make every visitor's "wave-chasing journey" an unforgettable memory.
\n
With diverse and innovative activities ranging from sky-high adventures to underground explorations, the mountainous province's summer economy is brimming with vitality. From January to June 2025, the total number of tourists across the province increased by 8.2 percent year-on-year, and the total tourism spending grew by 10.6 percent year-on-year.
\n",
+ "content": "
A tourist enjoys the Super Swing at the Hou'er Tiankeng scenic area in Kaiyang county, Guizhou province.
\n
GUIYANG — Karst landscapes, typical in Southwest China's Guizhou province, have emerged as a magnet for adventurers and outdoor sports enthusiasts this summer, drawing crowds with their unique geological wonders.
\n
"Come here, and you'll shoot a viral life highlight reel — guaranteed to go trending!" a travel blogger wrote on a short-video platform, describing a scenic area in Guizhou.
\n
The Hou'er Tiankeng scenic area in Kaiyang county, a typical karst collapse sinkhole with a diameter of 300 meters and a depth of 280 meters, has been transformed into an extreme sports park.
\n
The Super Swing, the world's first extreme swing installed inside a sinkhole at the tourist attraction, boasts a vertical drop of 92 meters and has drawn crowds of visitors eager to try it. "We release tickets in the early morning, and some people say they lose sleep over snatching them up," said general manager Wu Canhua. Due to its unique geographical environment, the area has a limited daily capacity and has implemented a reservation system since 2024.
\n
While visitors walk along the mountain path, vines hang from the sinkhole's cliffs, with winding streams below. The empty space in between is divided by ropes, resembling a spider's web strung inside the sinkhole.
\n
On the jumping platform, tourists, harnessed by two cables, took turns leaping into the sinkhole's depths. A first-person view drone followed tourists closely, while a smartphone and a 360-degree panoramic camera captured moments from multiple angles.
\n
Sinkhole highs
\n
Videos posted on social media by tourists have sparked widespread attention and discussion. On Douyin, China's version of TikTok, related topics about Hou'er Tiankeng have exceeded 2 billion views, with some videos garnering more than 3 million likes.
\n
"Long time no see, my brave and passionate self!" "Youth has no price tag — take the leap into the sinkhole." These are among the most popular comments on the trip after visitors challenged themselves.
\n
"It was so thrilling. I felt like I was flying!" said Zhou Muning, a tourist from Chengdu in Sichuan province. "I'd seen these extreme sports on short videos before, and I came specifically to try them this time. The experience is unforgettable."
\n
Wu said: "Among our visitors, Gen Z makes up the largest group. We've catered to current filming and aesthetic trends, satisfying their desire to express themselves. In the past, people traveled for a room or a view; now, they travel for an experience."
\n
Centering on visitors' experience, the scenic area continues to enrich its offerings. Beyond the Super Swing, it also provides options like via ferrata (iron path) climbing and cave exploration. "We're adopting a three-dimensional development approach, aiming to offer visitors a layered experience," said Wu. A newly developed high-altitude pipe track project has been completed and is undergoing third-party safety assessments.
\n
Shang Fajun, chief of the sports section in the county's culture and tourism bureau, said that the county fully leverages its mountain outdoor resources to promote deep integration of sports, culture and tourism.
\n
Data shows that from January to June this year, the site received 107,000 visitors, with total sales exceeding 67.97 million yuan ($9.47 million).
\n
Perfect for rafting
\n
In midsummer, the karst heartland of Southwest China resembles a naturally carved wonderland, where visitors drift with the waves, experiencing the wonder of excitement and tranquility.
\n
At Luobei River in Guiding county, under a blue sky and white clouds, visitors put on life jackets and helmets, grab oars and board rafts to embark on a summer adventure.
\n
Guizhou, with its magnificent karst landforms, dense water networks, and steep gorges, ranks among China's top rafting destinations.
\n
Luobei River, hailed by netizens as the Tongtian River in the ancient classic Journey to the West — renowned for its mythic perils and iconic episodes — boasts a perfect combination of karst gorges and dynamic hydrology. A rafting journey of over 10 kilometers allows visitors to savor the joy of mountains and waters in a "crack of the earth".
\n
The river, with a relatively wide channel, drops some 88 meters from start to finish. Its course includes seven major rapids — one with an 8-meter drop — making it perfect for rafting.
\n
Huang Runcheng, general manager of the raft operator, said that to ensure visitors' safety, the company has deployed 66 lifeguards along both sides of the river and equipped four inflatable rescue boats for rapid response to emergencies. All lifeguards have received training in rapid water and flood rescue and are stationed along the seven major rapids. In the heat of summer, the parking lot at the visitor service center is filled with cars from across the country. Huang noted that since the company reopened for rafting on June 20 this year, it has welcomed 35,000 visitors, a nearly 10-fold year-on-year increase.
\n
"The more activities we offer, the better the experience," Huang said. Since resuming rafting in 2023, the site has focused on a "sports+adventure+outdoor" model, using rafting as a pivot to expand diverse outdoor activities and experiences, developing new projects such as water swings, deep-water diving platforms and electric paddle boards.
\n
As rafts reached the endpoint, many visitors, soaked to the skin, still chose to dive into the water even amid light rain.
\n
Xiong Peng, from Liupanshui city, Guizhou, has been selling local snacks, waterproof bags, sun hats and other items at the rafting starting point since late June. He said that during the summer vacation, as long as the weather is fine, visitors pour in, with weekend sales reaching 3,000 to 4,000 yuan a day.
\n
Ma Yun, deputy director of the county's culture and tourism bureau, said that from a single rafting project to a composite experience of "rafting+folk customs" and "rafting+research", the county is continuously improving tourism quality to make every visitor's "wave-chasing journey" an unforgettable memory.
\n
With diverse and innovative activities ranging from sky-high adventures to underground explorations, the mountainous province's summer economy is brimming with vitality. From January to June 2025, the total number of tourists across the province increased by 8.2 percent year-on-year, and the total tourism spending grew by 10.6 percent year-on-year.
The USS Higgins, an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, "illegally entered China's territorial waters around Huangyan Island without the approval of the Chinese government" on Wednesday, and the People's Liberation Army Navy "tracked, monitored, and warned the vessel to leave", the PLA Southern Theater Command said in a statement that day.
\n
Sarah Merrill, a spokesperson for the US Seventh Fleet, based in Yokosuka, Japan, to which the USS Higgins belongs, said the warship was conducting a "freedom of navigation operation "in accordance with international law.
\n
But that's not the case. The only reason the US dispatched the vessel to those waters was to show its support for Manila to continue the hazardous game it is playing. A Philippine Coast Guard ship made some dangerous provocative maneuvers on Monday that posed a risk to the Chinese law enforcement ships patrolling in the waters. But US ambassador to the Philippines, MaryKay Carlson, on Tuesday ridiculously pointed the finger of blame at China for "the latest reckless action".
\n
The claim of Merrill that the USS Higgins was upholding the US' right to fly, sail and operate wherever international law allows only exposes the hypocrisy of the US. As the PLA statement said, the US warship "seriously" infringed on China's sovereignty, severely undermined peace and stability in the South China Sea, and violated international law and basic norms governing international relations.
\n
The US Navy spokesperson's dismissal of these remarks — "Nothing China says otherwise will deter us" — reveals the US' intention to constantly escalate tensions in the South China Sea, by emboldening the Philippines. The reason why the US sent the warship to the waters around Huangyan Island is because it realizes the consequences of the Philippines' provocations two days ago might make Manila jittery, waiting for China's response.
\n
Since it assumed office over three years ago, the Ferdinand Marcos Jr government has been fully aware of the dangerous position it is putting the Philippines in by acting as a US pawn against China in the South China Sea. It has practiced a brinkmanship policy to try and maximize its gains in the US-orchestrated geopolitical game — reaching for a yard after taking an inch and hiding low to weather the self-created storms.
\n
A review of what the Marcos government has done in playing its assigned role in the South China Sea clearly demonstrates that whenever it becomes hesitant and worried after playing with fire, the US will always show its support, usually by sending warships to the waters.
\n
Manila then has no choice but to continue playing its provocative game. Notably, its incursion into Chinese waters earlier this week came after Marcos' visit to the US late last month. Before that Marcos also made a series of irresponsible remarks on the Taiwan question and tried to drag India into the game it is playing with the US.
\n
During his visit to the Pentagon, the Philippine president was reassured by his hosts, who reaffirmed the US' commitment to the two countries' mutual defense treaty, which states that an attack on either the Philippines or the US is deemed to be an attack on the other. The treaty is the major source of the Marcos government's confidence that the US will not abandon the Philippines in the case of an emergency. The US is actually taking advantage of that mentality to use the Philippines as a tool in its "Indo-Pacific" strategy, squeezing the space for its autonomy and alienating it from the other countries in the region.
\n
But the US knows it has not yet dispelled Manila's fear of either being discarded by the US or reaping what it has sowed in advancing the US' agenda at its own cost. So whenever Manila thinks it has gone too far, the US has to reassure it. Yet the US' exploitative approach to other hotspot issues incessantly reminds Manila that the US will take its pound of flesh.
\n
Having been pressed to be increasingly provocative, the Marcos government has finally realized that it is not a case of asking what the US can do for the Philippines, but rather what the Philippines can do for the US.
\n
The Philippines will succeed Malaysia as chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations next year, which offers the Marcos government a chance to prove it can contribute to regional peace and stability. In an interview for his podcast on Friday, Marcos confirmed that Manila would "certainly try" to push for a legally binding code of conduct for the South China Sea to maintain stability in the region that regional countries have been negotiating.
\n
It is certainly to be hoped that this is the case.
\n",
+ "content": "
The USS Higgins, an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, "illegally entered China's territorial waters around Huangyan Island without the approval of the Chinese government" on Wednesday, and the People's Liberation Army Navy "tracked, monitored, and warned the vessel to leave", the PLA Southern Theater Command said in a statement that day.
\n
Sarah Merrill, a spokesperson for the US Seventh Fleet, based in Yokosuka, Japan, to which the USS Higgins belongs, said the warship was conducting a "freedom of navigation operation "in accordance with international law.
\n
But that's not the case. The only reason the US dispatched the vessel to those waters was to show its support for Manila to continue the hazardous game it is playing. A Philippine Coast Guard ship made some dangerous provocative maneuvers on Monday that posed a risk to the Chinese law enforcement ships patrolling in the waters. But US ambassador to the Philippines, MaryKay Carlson, on Tuesday ridiculously pointed the finger of blame at China for "the latest reckless action".
\n
The claim of Merrill that the USS Higgins was upholding the US' right to fly, sail and operate wherever international law allows only exposes the hypocrisy of the US. As the PLA statement said, the US warship "seriously" infringed on China's sovereignty, severely undermined peace and stability in the South China Sea, and violated international law and basic norms governing international relations.
\n
The US Navy spokesperson's dismissal of these remarks — "Nothing China says otherwise will deter us" — reveals the US' intention to constantly escalate tensions in the South China Sea, by emboldening the Philippines. The reason why the US sent the warship to the waters around Huangyan Island is because it realizes the consequences of the Philippines' provocations two days ago might make Manila jittery, waiting for China's response.
\n
Since it assumed office over three years ago, the Ferdinand Marcos Jr government has been fully aware of the dangerous position it is putting the Philippines in by acting as a US pawn against China in the South China Sea. It has practiced a brinkmanship policy to try and maximize its gains in the US-orchestrated geopolitical game — reaching for a yard after taking an inch and hiding low to weather the self-created storms.
\n
A review of what the Marcos government has done in playing its assigned role in the South China Sea clearly demonstrates that whenever it becomes hesitant and worried after playing with fire, the US will always show its support, usually by sending warships to the waters.
\n
Manila then has no choice but to continue playing its provocative game. Notably, its incursion into Chinese waters earlier this week came after Marcos' visit to the US late last month. Before that Marcos also made a series of irresponsible remarks on the Taiwan question and tried to drag India into the game it is playing with the US.
\n
During his visit to the Pentagon, the Philippine president was reassured by his hosts, who reaffirmed the US' commitment to the two countries' mutual defense treaty, which states that an attack on either the Philippines or the US is deemed to be an attack on the other. The treaty is the major source of the Marcos government's confidence that the US will not abandon the Philippines in the case of an emergency. The US is actually taking advantage of that mentality to use the Philippines as a tool in its "Indo-Pacific" strategy, squeezing the space for its autonomy and alienating it from the other countries in the region.
\n
But the US knows it has not yet dispelled Manila's fear of either being discarded by the US or reaping what it has sowed in advancing the US' agenda at its own cost. So whenever Manila thinks it has gone too far, the US has to reassure it. Yet the US' exploitative approach to other hotspot issues incessantly reminds Manila that the US will take its pound of flesh.
\n
Having been pressed to be increasingly provocative, the Marcos government has finally realized that it is not a case of asking what the US can do for the Philippines, but rather what the Philippines can do for the US.
\n
The Philippines will succeed Malaysia as chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations next year, which offers the Marcos government a chance to prove it can contribute to regional peace and stability. In an interview for his podcast on Friday, Marcos confirmed that Manila would "certainly try" to push for a legally binding code of conduct for the South China Sea to maintain stability in the region that regional countries have been negotiating.
\n
It is certainly to be hoped that this is the case.
After Chinese authorities frowned upon security concerns over Nvidia's sales of downgraded H20 artificial intelligence semiconductors to China, the US administration has self-praised its approval of the sales as a "very unique solution" under certain conditions.
\n
Nvidia and AMD, another US tech company, have been permitted to resume the sales of downgraded AI chips to China on the condition that they share 15 percent of the revenue from sales with the US government.
\n
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the Nvidia and AMD deals could serve as a model for others. "I think we could see it in other industries over time," Bessent said in a television interview on Wednesday. "Right now, this is unique, but now that we have the model and the beta test, why not expand it?"
\n
Yet Bessent's optimism might prove conditional too. To begin with, that Nvidia and AMD accepted the arrangement does not mean other US companies dealing with China will follow suit.
\n
The haste with which the US Treasury chief tried to hail the genius of the move even before the two US companies have started making profit from the arrangement, stems from the US administration's acute need to counter the opposition's charge that its approval of AI chip sales to China will threaten the US' national security.
\n
The administration first highlighted that the chips had been suitably "tailored", leaving no room for security concerns. When that failed to have the desired effect, it threw light on the 15 percent cut, which Bessent emphasized "will go to pay down debt", suggesting it is for the public good.
\n
"If we could make a substantial debt" repayment, that would then allow for discussions about a program for sending money to taxpayers, he said.
\n
But China's cautious approach to the US chips has apparently caught those who were calling the sales a seamless deal unprepared. If Chinese companies don't buy the chips — and they have enough reasons not to do so — the "Nvidia deal" might only prove to be a pipe dream.
\n
When asked about China's wariness, Bessent said "sure, we can discuss that" with the Chinese. "But it also tells me that they are worried about the Nvidia chips becoming the standard in China."
\n
Which is actually not true. Chinese companies have already developed similar AI chips, though with a different structure, which Bessent admitted was what prompted the US administration to revoke the ban on sales of H20 chips to China in the first place.
\n
But Bessent should be reminded why the US' exploitative approach might not work. According to a Reuters report quoting "two people with direct knowledge of the previously unreported law enforcement tactic", US authorities have placed location-tracking devices in targeted shipments of advanced chips they feel have a high risk of being illegally diverted to China.
\n
The tracking devices, typically hidden in the packaging, will detect diversion to destinations that face US exports restrictions, the sources said.
\n
This shows the lengths to which the US is willing to go to enforce its chip exports restrictions on China, even as the US administration seeks to relax some curbs on Chinese access to advanced US semiconductors, as Reuters observed in the report.
\n
The trackers are intended to help build cases against people and companies who profit from violating US exports controls, according to the report.
\n
Location trackers are a decades-old investigative tool used by US law enforcement agencies to track products subject to exports restrictions, such as aircraft parts. They have been used to combat the illegal diversion of semiconductors in recent years, one source said.
\n
If that is true, the US chips' journey to China will certainly become bumpier.
\n",
+ "content": "
After Chinese authorities frowned upon security concerns over Nvidia's sales of downgraded H20 artificial intelligence semiconductors to China, the US administration has self-praised its approval of the sales as a "very unique solution" under certain conditions.
\n
Nvidia and AMD, another US tech company, have been permitted to resume the sales of downgraded AI chips to China on the condition that they share 15 percent of the revenue from sales with the US government.
\n
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the Nvidia and AMD deals could serve as a model for others. "I think we could see it in other industries over time," Bessent said in a television interview on Wednesday. "Right now, this is unique, but now that we have the model and the beta test, why not expand it?"
\n
Yet Bessent's optimism might prove conditional too. To begin with, that Nvidia and AMD accepted the arrangement does not mean other US companies dealing with China will follow suit.
\n
The haste with which the US Treasury chief tried to hail the genius of the move even before the two US companies have started making profit from the arrangement, stems from the US administration's acute need to counter the opposition's charge that its approval of AI chip sales to China will threaten the US' national security.
\n
The administration first highlighted that the chips had been suitably "tailored", leaving no room for security concerns. When that failed to have the desired effect, it threw light on the 15 percent cut, which Bessent emphasized "will go to pay down debt", suggesting it is for the public good.
\n
"If we could make a substantial debt" repayment, that would then allow for discussions about a program for sending money to taxpayers, he said.
\n
But China's cautious approach to the US chips has apparently caught those who were calling the sales a seamless deal unprepared. If Chinese companies don't buy the chips — and they have enough reasons not to do so — the "Nvidia deal" might only prove to be a pipe dream.
\n
When asked about China's wariness, Bessent said "sure, we can discuss that" with the Chinese. "But it also tells me that they are worried about the Nvidia chips becoming the standard in China."
\n
Which is actually not true. Chinese companies have already developed similar AI chips, though with a different structure, which Bessent admitted was what prompted the US administration to revoke the ban on sales of H20 chips to China in the first place.
\n
But Bessent should be reminded why the US' exploitative approach might not work. According to a Reuters report quoting "two people with direct knowledge of the previously unreported law enforcement tactic", US authorities have placed location-tracking devices in targeted shipments of advanced chips they feel have a high risk of being illegally diverted to China.
\n
The tracking devices, typically hidden in the packaging, will detect diversion to destinations that face US exports restrictions, the sources said.
\n
This shows the lengths to which the US is willing to go to enforce its chip exports restrictions on China, even as the US administration seeks to relax some curbs on Chinese access to advanced US semiconductors, as Reuters observed in the report.
\n
The trackers are intended to help build cases against people and companies who profit from violating US exports controls, according to the report.
\n
Location trackers are a decades-old investigative tool used by US law enforcement agencies to track products subject to exports restrictions, such as aircraft parts. They have been used to combat the illegal diversion of semiconductors in recent years, one source said.
\n
If that is true, the US chips' journey to China will certainly become bumpier.
Editor's note: This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) and the World Anti-Fascist War. Japan should learn from its past and desist from rebuilding its military. In an interview with Li Huixian for Dialogues with Thinkers, China Daily's high-end interview program, Fang Ke, a Japanese affairs expert at the National Defense University of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, said Japan should face up to its history, and stressed that Japanese right-wing forces should not distort history and mislead ordinary Japanese people, especially the younger generation. Excerpts follow:
\n
Question: Aug 15 marks the 80th anniversary of Japan's unconditional surrender in World War II. How should Japan behave now?
\n
Answer: Japanese invaders in China and other Asian countries killed and wounded millions of people, leaving a trail of destruction across much of East and Southeast Asia. For Japan, adopting a right view of history is imperative. Only by facing up to history can Japan truly atone for its atrocities before and during World War II. Facing up to history is a litmus test of its political sincerity.
\n
Also, Japan must adhere, both in letter and spirit, to the four political documents it has signed with China. It is equally crucial for Japan to enhance communication with China to build strategic mutual trust and better understand each other's legitimate concerns.
\n
Amid growing economic turbulence fueled by the United States' tariff war, China and Japan, as the Asia-Pacific's leading economies, have every reason to deepen economic cooperation, because it would not only mitigate economic risks but also bolster regional stability. Effective crisis management is critical, too, for Japan to improve relations with China and other countries in the region. So it should respect Beijing's core interests. Rather than exacerbating tensions, it should adopt a constructive approach to fostering regional stability, particularly bilateral relations with China.
\n
Q: To what extent will the far-right forces in Japan continue to influence the country's policies?
\n
A: Ever since the Meiji Restoration, militarists and far-right forces have been influencing, to various degrees, Japan's policies, even dragging it into the abyss of war. After World War II, the international community's oversight and the US-engineered democratization reforms temporarily marginalized these elements, even stripped them of political power.
\n
However, the outbreak of the Korean War in 1950 prompted a US policy reversal. By remolding Japan into an anti-communist linchpin in East Asia, the US helped rehabilitate convicted war criminals and dismissed wartime officials, some of whom became part of Japan's power structure.
\n
Consequently, Japan has never truly atoned for its wartime crimes nor has it fully abandoned its militarist views. Although these elements' capacity to fundamentally alter Japan's domestic or foreign policy is constrained, they can still shape public views, especially influence young minds.
\n
Q: What sort of impact did the Chinese people's humanitarian act of adopting Japanese war orphans after the end of World War II have on the development of Sino-Japanese relations?
\n
A: The sort of treatment Japanese orphans got from kindhearted Chinese people has long been a testament to the friendship between China and Japan. After Japan's defeat in World War II, an estimated 4,000 to 5,000 war orphans were left behind in China. The older generation of Chinese leaders, including Chairman Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai, treated them with kindness, as did ordinary Chinese people in Northeast China.
\n
This shows that China distinguishes between Japan's militarist clique and the Japanese people. By launching the war, the militarists not only dragged all the Japanese people into World War II but also made them victims of the war.
\n
After returning to Japan, those orphans acted as a bridge between China and Japan. Many of them formed organizations, revisited their adoptive families in China, and fostered goodwill between the two countries. Their story shows that a genuine people-to-people bond rooted in compassion and mutual understanding is irreplaceable.
\n
Q: Will Japan's labeling of China as the \"greatest strategic challenge\" in its recent defense white papers harm bilateral relations?
\n
A: Postwar Japan has oscillated between pursuing strategic autonomy to enhance its defense capabilities and relying on the US for national security. Yet by calling China the "greatest strategic challenge", Japan is fabricating stories to justify its militarization and rally domestic public support for it. Japan plans to increase its defense spending beyond 2 percent of GDP by 2027.
\n
The Japanese government argues that its "low defense spending" is inadequate to sustain its status as a major power or counter what it calls "diversified threats", whether from China or other sources. To this end, it seeks to increase defense budgets, expand offensive weapons capabilities, and procure advanced military hardware — all of which require securing public support to ensure smooth approval in both houses of the Diet when these policies are formally proposed.
\n
On the other hand, with the US advancing its "Indo-Pacific" strategy, Japan is concerned about its diminishing role in the alliance due to the US' growing diversified partners. For decades, Tokyo has followed Washington's lead, but it has been working to exercise greater influence and autonomy within the alliance.
\n
By calling China as such a "threat", both countries gain justification to deepen alliance integration, enabling Tokyo to harness US strategic weight for expanded regional influence and leadership. Japan also believes this will make it an indispensable ally of the US in the Asia-Pacific. But Japan should realize that in today's world, national security cannot be safeguarded by hyping up nonexistent threats. And clinging to the beggar-thy-neighbor approach will not help Japan win the support of its neighbors or the wider international community either.
\n
Q: Is Japan's strategy of boosting security and the economy sustainable?
\n
A: At the end of 2024, Japan was China's fifth-largest trading partner, third largest among individual countries, while China was Japan's largest trading partner and primary source of imports. Sino-Japanese trade has been mutually beneficial for decades. It is the US that has been trying to destabilize the global economic order by launching the tariff war.
\n
It is essential for China, Japan and the Republic of Korea, as major economies in the Asia-Pacific, to deepen cooperation, especially in fields such as cutting-edge technologies and infrastructure development, to ensure the region's continued development.
\n
Japan's approach to China is inherently contradictory. Despite continuing to align with the US in matters of security and defense, Japan has been enjoying the economic gains from Sino-Japanese trade.
\n
Q: How should we respond to certain US and Japanese politicians' frequent hyping of the Taiwan question?
\n
A: This is a matter of serious concern. We should continue to make efforts to achieve the reunification of Taiwan with the motherland, and avoid making the mistake of "strategic overreach".
\n
Ineffective crisis management could turn a friction into conflict, potentially dragging other countries into it. To prevent this, China and Japan have established effective multi-tier, multi-channel crisis management mechanisms, including hotlines at the defense minister level.
\n
In recent years, through a series of military exercises and demonstrations of advanced weapons systems, China has showcased the modernization of its defense forces, as well as its resolve to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and achieve national reunification.
\n
It will again do so at an opportune moment and location to demonstrate its military capabilities to deter hostile forces, and prevent them from exploiting sensitive issues.
\n
The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.
\n",
+ "content": "\n
Editor's note: This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) and the World Anti-Fascist War. Japan should learn from its past and desist from rebuilding its military. In an interview with Li Huixian for Dialogues with Thinkers, China Daily's high-end interview program, Fang Ke, a Japanese affairs expert at the National Defense University of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, said Japan should face up to its history, and stressed that Japanese right-wing forces should not distort history and mislead ordinary Japanese people, especially the younger generation. Excerpts follow:
\n
Question: Aug 15 marks the 80th anniversary of Japan's unconditional surrender in World War II. How should Japan behave now?
\n
Answer: Japanese invaders in China and other Asian countries killed and wounded millions of people, leaving a trail of destruction across much of East and Southeast Asia. For Japan, adopting a right view of history is imperative. Only by facing up to history can Japan truly atone for its atrocities before and during World War II. Facing up to history is a litmus test of its political sincerity.
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Also, Japan must adhere, both in letter and spirit, to the four political documents it has signed with China. It is equally crucial for Japan to enhance communication with China to build strategic mutual trust and better understand each other's legitimate concerns.
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Amid growing economic turbulence fueled by the United States' tariff war, China and Japan, as the Asia-Pacific's leading economies, have every reason to deepen economic cooperation, because it would not only mitigate economic risks but also bolster regional stability. Effective crisis management is critical, too, for Japan to improve relations with China and other countries in the region. So it should respect Beijing's core interests. Rather than exacerbating tensions, it should adopt a constructive approach to fostering regional stability, particularly bilateral relations with China.
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Q: To what extent will the far-right forces in Japan continue to influence the country's policies?
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A: Ever since the Meiji Restoration, militarists and far-right forces have been influencing, to various degrees, Japan's policies, even dragging it into the abyss of war. After World War II, the international community's oversight and the US-engineered democratization reforms temporarily marginalized these elements, even stripped them of political power.
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However, the outbreak of the Korean War in 1950 prompted a US policy reversal. By remolding Japan into an anti-communist linchpin in East Asia, the US helped rehabilitate convicted war criminals and dismissed wartime officials, some of whom became part of Japan's power structure.
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Consequently, Japan has never truly atoned for its wartime crimes nor has it fully abandoned its militarist views. Although these elements' capacity to fundamentally alter Japan's domestic or foreign policy is constrained, they can still shape public views, especially influence young minds.
\n
Q: What sort of impact did the Chinese people's humanitarian act of adopting Japanese war orphans after the end of World War II have on the development of Sino-Japanese relations?
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A: The sort of treatment Japanese orphans got from kindhearted Chinese people has long been a testament to the friendship between China and Japan. After Japan's defeat in World War II, an estimated 4,000 to 5,000 war orphans were left behind in China. The older generation of Chinese leaders, including Chairman Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai, treated them with kindness, as did ordinary Chinese people in Northeast China.
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This shows that China distinguishes between Japan's militarist clique and the Japanese people. By launching the war, the militarists not only dragged all the Japanese people into World War II but also made them victims of the war.
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After returning to Japan, those orphans acted as a bridge between China and Japan. Many of them formed organizations, revisited their adoptive families in China, and fostered goodwill between the two countries. Their story shows that a genuine people-to-people bond rooted in compassion and mutual understanding is irreplaceable.
\n
Q: Will Japan's labeling of China as the \"greatest strategic challenge\" in its recent defense white papers harm bilateral relations?
\n
A: Postwar Japan has oscillated between pursuing strategic autonomy to enhance its defense capabilities and relying on the US for national security. Yet by calling China the "greatest strategic challenge", Japan is fabricating stories to justify its militarization and rally domestic public support for it. Japan plans to increase its defense spending beyond 2 percent of GDP by 2027.
\n
The Japanese government argues that its "low defense spending" is inadequate to sustain its status as a major power or counter what it calls "diversified threats", whether from China or other sources. To this end, it seeks to increase defense budgets, expand offensive weapons capabilities, and procure advanced military hardware — all of which require securing public support to ensure smooth approval in both houses of the Diet when these policies are formally proposed.
\n
On the other hand, with the US advancing its "Indo-Pacific" strategy, Japan is concerned about its diminishing role in the alliance due to the US' growing diversified partners. For decades, Tokyo has followed Washington's lead, but it has been working to exercise greater influence and autonomy within the alliance.
\n
By calling China as such a "threat", both countries gain justification to deepen alliance integration, enabling Tokyo to harness US strategic weight for expanded regional influence and leadership. Japan also believes this will make it an indispensable ally of the US in the Asia-Pacific. But Japan should realize that in today's world, national security cannot be safeguarded by hyping up nonexistent threats. And clinging to the beggar-thy-neighbor approach will not help Japan win the support of its neighbors or the wider international community either.
\n
Q: Is Japan's strategy of boosting security and the economy sustainable?
\n
A: At the end of 2024, Japan was China's fifth-largest trading partner, third largest among individual countries, while China was Japan's largest trading partner and primary source of imports. Sino-Japanese trade has been mutually beneficial for decades. It is the US that has been trying to destabilize the global economic order by launching the tariff war.
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It is essential for China, Japan and the Republic of Korea, as major economies in the Asia-Pacific, to deepen cooperation, especially in fields such as cutting-edge technologies and infrastructure development, to ensure the region's continued development.
\n
Japan's approach to China is inherently contradictory. Despite continuing to align with the US in matters of security and defense, Japan has been enjoying the economic gains from Sino-Japanese trade.
\n
Q: How should we respond to certain US and Japanese politicians' frequent hyping of the Taiwan question?
\n
A: This is a matter of serious concern. We should continue to make efforts to achieve the reunification of Taiwan with the motherland, and avoid making the mistake of "strategic overreach".
\n
Ineffective crisis management could turn a friction into conflict, potentially dragging other countries into it. To prevent this, China and Japan have established effective multi-tier, multi-channel crisis management mechanisms, including hotlines at the defense minister level.
\n
In recent years, through a series of military exercises and demonstrations of advanced weapons systems, China has showcased the modernization of its defense forces, as well as its resolve to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and achieve national reunification.
\n
It will again do so at an opportune moment and location to demonstrate its military capabilities to deter hostile forces, and prevent them from exploiting sensitive issues.
\n
The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.
\n",
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+ "title": "009VIEWS - Contrasting quality of services in China and EU show need for mutual learning",
+ "description": "
Chen Weihua
\n\n
After being a foreign correspondent for China Daily for 16 years, I returned home a week ago and began adjusting to life in the fast-changing metropolis of Shanghai. Just a day after my arrival, I received a call from a delivery man asking me whether I would mind if he delivered a parcel a few minutes later than scheduled.
\n
"No problem," I said, soon realizing that he could be penalized by his company for being even slightly late.
\n
Delivery personnel whizzing past vehicles on their e-bikes, despite the scorching temperatures in summer, torrential rain during monsoon and freezing cold in winter, are a common sight in Shanghai and other Chinese cities. They exemplify the diligence of ordinary Chinese workers.
\n
But their working conditions should be improved, not least because they have made life convenient for nearly 25 million Shanghai residents. Meituan and Ele.me, two of the largest food delivery platforms, together boast more than 11 million employees, many of them part-time workers. That is like the entire population of Belgium.
\n
My experience with courier companies in Brussels, especially Amazon Germany and Amazon Belgium, was often nightmarish. I had no clue when exactly the deliveryman would arrive. Waiting at home for half a day for a parcel to arrive, at times I received a message or two, saying the "delivery attempt" failed because there was no one at home. Clearly, the courier companies are not held to account for their lousy service.
\n
In contrast, the courier service in China is efficient to the other extreme. I believe a balance should be found between the courier services in the European Union and China. Chinese delivery personnel should slow down a bit while those in the EU improve.
\n
The same is true for the healthcare system. I've been a beneficiary of the excellent Belgian medical system for seven years. Doctors and nurses were very professional and the cost was quite low thanks to the mutual medical insurance plan. But fixing an appointment with a doctor was sometimes not easy. Two weeks before my departure from Brussels, I was trying to get an ultrasound test done, as recommended by my doctor. Unfortunately, the next available date was late August in one place and September in another.
\n
So I had to wait for the ultrasound till I returned home. In Shanghai, I got it done within one hour of reaching a hospital on Monday, and that too without an appointment, but after seeing a doctor. All is well, thank God.
\n
There is no doubt that, overall, Belgians enjoy a far better healthcare system than the average Chinese given the huge gap between the medical services in big cities and smaller cities and the vast Chinese countryside.
\n
The next day, I got up early to undergo a thorough medical checkup in a local hospital. Chinese companies usually have provisions for annual medical checkup for their employees. But such one-stop service is hard to find in the United States or the EU, the two places where I served as China Daily's foreign correspondent for 16 years. Such preventive medical services are necessary for the early detection of a disease or potential health problem.
\n
My checklist after arriving in Shanghai is shrinking fast, with an important remaining task being exchanging my Belgian driver's license for a Chinese one. My Chinese driver's license expired years ago. According to a bilateral agreement between Belgium and China, I can exchange my Belgian driver's license for a Chinese driver's license without taking any test. That's how I got my Belgian driver's license years ago. But all online information suggests that I still have to write a test in Shanghai, which could take days to prepare for, because I need to score at least 90 percent to qualify for a driver's license.
\n
I hope the information available online applies to countries other than Belgium, which is one of the few EU countries to have bilateral agreements with China.
\n
The comparisons are not to criticize the EU or Belgium, but to learn from each other and make things better.
\n
chenweihua@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
Chen Weihua
\n\n
After being a foreign correspondent for China Daily for 16 years, I returned home a week ago and began adjusting to life in the fast-changing metropolis of Shanghai. Just a day after my arrival, I received a call from a delivery man asking me whether I would mind if he delivered a parcel a few minutes later than scheduled.
\n
"No problem," I said, soon realizing that he could be penalized by his company for being even slightly late.
\n
Delivery personnel whizzing past vehicles on their e-bikes, despite the scorching temperatures in summer, torrential rain during monsoon and freezing cold in winter, are a common sight in Shanghai and other Chinese cities. They exemplify the diligence of ordinary Chinese workers.
\n
But their working conditions should be improved, not least because they have made life convenient for nearly 25 million Shanghai residents. Meituan and Ele.me, two of the largest food delivery platforms, together boast more than 11 million employees, many of them part-time workers. That is like the entire population of Belgium.
\n
My experience with courier companies in Brussels, especially Amazon Germany and Amazon Belgium, was often nightmarish. I had no clue when exactly the deliveryman would arrive. Waiting at home for half a day for a parcel to arrive, at times I received a message or two, saying the "delivery attempt" failed because there was no one at home. Clearly, the courier companies are not held to account for their lousy service.
\n
In contrast, the courier service in China is efficient to the other extreme. I believe a balance should be found between the courier services in the European Union and China. Chinese delivery personnel should slow down a bit while those in the EU improve.
\n
The same is true for the healthcare system. I've been a beneficiary of the excellent Belgian medical system for seven years. Doctors and nurses were very professional and the cost was quite low thanks to the mutual medical insurance plan. But fixing an appointment with a doctor was sometimes not easy. Two weeks before my departure from Brussels, I was trying to get an ultrasound test done, as recommended by my doctor. Unfortunately, the next available date was late August in one place and September in another.
\n
So I had to wait for the ultrasound till I returned home. In Shanghai, I got it done within one hour of reaching a hospital on Monday, and that too without an appointment, but after seeing a doctor. All is well, thank God.
\n
There is no doubt that, overall, Belgians enjoy a far better healthcare system than the average Chinese given the huge gap between the medical services in big cities and smaller cities and the vast Chinese countryside.
\n
The next day, I got up early to undergo a thorough medical checkup in a local hospital. Chinese companies usually have provisions for annual medical checkup for their employees. But such one-stop service is hard to find in the United States or the EU, the two places where I served as China Daily's foreign correspondent for 16 years. Such preventive medical services are necessary for the early detection of a disease or potential health problem.
\n
My checklist after arriving in Shanghai is shrinking fast, with an important remaining task being exchanging my Belgian driver's license for a Chinese one. My Chinese driver's license expired years ago. According to a bilateral agreement between Belgium and China, I can exchange my Belgian driver's license for a Chinese driver's license without taking any test. That's how I got my Belgian driver's license years ago. But all online information suggests that I still have to write a test in Shanghai, which could take days to prepare for, because I need to score at least 90 percent to qualify for a driver's license.
\n
I hope the information available online applies to countries other than Belgium, which is one of the few EU countries to have bilateral agreements with China.
\n
The comparisons are not to criticize the EU or Belgium, but to learn from each other and make things better.
An employee handles semiconductor materials at a factory in Bang Pa-In, Ayutthaya Province, Thailand, on Wednesday. The United States has declared plans for a 100 percent tariff on semiconductor imports.
\n
Thai experts have called for a long-term strategy to offset the negative effects of US tariffs, saying Thailand should strengthen its competitiveness by investing more in innovation and technology while expanding its trade partners, including focusing more on China.
\n
The United States recently announced a new "reciprocal" tariff rate for Thailand at 19 percent, which is significantly lower than the previously proposed 36 percent. The new rate is almost on par with those on several other members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, but lower than the levy on Vietnam.
\n
"The reduced tariff attributed to the government's negotiation efforts is not over yet," said Wichai Kinchong Choi, a business development expert at Kasikorn Bank in Bangkok. "What's more important is to strengthen the country's own risk resistance capacity amid the future global challenges through building a robust economy."
\n
A cautiously optimistic attitude should be held as the US has not yet revealed its additional conditions, Wichai said. According to the agreement, for example, Thailand must fully open its domestic agricultural product market and exempt agricultural products imported from the US from tariffs.
\n
"The move will pose risks to Thailand's domestic fruit market," he said.
\n
In the long term, he said, Thailand should further expand into new markets to diversify risk and enhance its production processes to reduce costs while further strengthening its partnership with ASEAN countries and major trade partners such as China.
\n
"As the global trade will deepen, Thailand should urge its major sectors to accelerate reform by leveraging innovation and technology," Wichai said. "We need to adapt and enhance our own competition by investing more in industries such as clean energy, artificial intelligence and electric vehicles that contribute to the kingdom's industrial upgrading and sustainable development."
\n
After the announcement of the reduced tariff rate, Kasikorn Research Center in Bangkok released a report estimating that the Thai economy is expected to grow by 1.5 percent this year, an improvement from the prior projection of 1.4 percent.
\n
Pornchai Thiraveja, director-general of the Fiscal Policy Office at the Thai Finance Ministry, said in a recent interview with the Bangkok Post that the ministry plans to implement stimulus measures to spur domestic spending and investment to support the economy.
\n
Stimulus measures
\n
Measures may include accelerating the disbursement of public investment budgets for infrastructure projects, introducing tax policies to encourage consumption, and supporting the tourism and service sectors.
\n
In addition, the government has established a Competitiveness Enhancement Fund with a budget of 10 billion baht ($308 million), targeting vulnerable industries or those requiring urgent adaptation, which can also aid local businesses in adapting to changing trade conditions.
\n
Apart from solving the internal problems, experts said Thailand should join hands with Southeast Asian countries to open up further and improve market facilitation, as well as improve trade rules and regulations for deepening cooperation with more partners, including China.
\n
Piti Srisangnam, executive director of the ASEAN Foundation, said Thailand has so far joined several regional agreements, such as the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement, which are crucial for it to strengthen cooperation with more partners.
\n
He urged the Thai government to upgrade regulations and agreements with other trade partners and enlarge existing cooperation frameworks, such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.
\n
"Apart from that, we also need to access the larger market, such as BRICS Plus, which will provide Thailand with access to a larger market, facilitating trade and investment opportunities," Piti said. "Being part of BRICS can elevate Thailand's political status on the global stage, providing it with a platform to voice its interests and contribute to global economic and political discussions."
\n
The tariff policy initiated by the US can be a good chance for Thailand to reshape its industry and economy, said Suthiphand Chirathivat, a professor emeritus of economics and former director of the ASEAN Studies Center at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok.
\n
"Moreover, the trade war will very likely bring ASEAN and China even closer," Suthiphand said.
An employee handles semiconductor materials at a factory in Bang Pa-In, Ayutthaya Province, Thailand, on Wednesday. The United States has declared plans for a 100 percent tariff on semiconductor imports.
\n
Thai experts have called for a long-term strategy to offset the negative effects of US tariffs, saying Thailand should strengthen its competitiveness by investing more in innovation and technology while expanding its trade partners, including focusing more on China.
\n
The United States recently announced a new "reciprocal" tariff rate for Thailand at 19 percent, which is significantly lower than the previously proposed 36 percent. The new rate is almost on par with those on several other members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, but lower than the levy on Vietnam.
\n
"The reduced tariff attributed to the government's negotiation efforts is not over yet," said Wichai Kinchong Choi, a business development expert at Kasikorn Bank in Bangkok. "What's more important is to strengthen the country's own risk resistance capacity amid the future global challenges through building a robust economy."
\n
A cautiously optimistic attitude should be held as the US has not yet revealed its additional conditions, Wichai said. According to the agreement, for example, Thailand must fully open its domestic agricultural product market and exempt agricultural products imported from the US from tariffs.
\n
"The move will pose risks to Thailand's domestic fruit market," he said.
\n
In the long term, he said, Thailand should further expand into new markets to diversify risk and enhance its production processes to reduce costs while further strengthening its partnership with ASEAN countries and major trade partners such as China.
\n
"As the global trade will deepen, Thailand should urge its major sectors to accelerate reform by leveraging innovation and technology," Wichai said. "We need to adapt and enhance our own competition by investing more in industries such as clean energy, artificial intelligence and electric vehicles that contribute to the kingdom's industrial upgrading and sustainable development."
\n
After the announcement of the reduced tariff rate, Kasikorn Research Center in Bangkok released a report estimating that the Thai economy is expected to grow by 1.5 percent this year, an improvement from the prior projection of 1.4 percent.
\n
Pornchai Thiraveja, director-general of the Fiscal Policy Office at the Thai Finance Ministry, said in a recent interview with the Bangkok Post that the ministry plans to implement stimulus measures to spur domestic spending and investment to support the economy.
\n
Stimulus measures
\n
Measures may include accelerating the disbursement of public investment budgets for infrastructure projects, introducing tax policies to encourage consumption, and supporting the tourism and service sectors.
\n
In addition, the government has established a Competitiveness Enhancement Fund with a budget of 10 billion baht ($308 million), targeting vulnerable industries or those requiring urgent adaptation, which can also aid local businesses in adapting to changing trade conditions.
\n
Apart from solving the internal problems, experts said Thailand should join hands with Southeast Asian countries to open up further and improve market facilitation, as well as improve trade rules and regulations for deepening cooperation with more partners, including China.
\n
Piti Srisangnam, executive director of the ASEAN Foundation, said Thailand has so far joined several regional agreements, such as the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement, which are crucial for it to strengthen cooperation with more partners.
\n
He urged the Thai government to upgrade regulations and agreements with other trade partners and enlarge existing cooperation frameworks, such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.
\n
"Apart from that, we also need to access the larger market, such as BRICS Plus, which will provide Thailand with access to a larger market, facilitating trade and investment opportunities," Piti said. "Being part of BRICS can elevate Thailand's political status on the global stage, providing it with a platform to voice its interests and contribute to global economic and political discussions."
\n
The tariff policy initiated by the US can be a good chance for Thailand to reshape its industry and economy, said Suthiphand Chirathivat, a professor emeritus of economics and former director of the ASEAN Studies Center at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok.
\n
"Moreover, the trade war will very likely bring ASEAN and China even closer," Suthiphand said.
At least 34 people died and more than 200 were missing following sudden, heavy rain in India-controlled Kashmir, officials said on Thursday, the second such disaster in the Himalayas this month. The incident occurred in Chasoti town of Kishtwar district, a stopover point on a popular pilgrimage route. It comes a little over a week after heavy floods and mudslide engulfed an entire village in the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand. India's deputy minister for science and technology, Jitendra Singh, said the floods were triggered by a cloudburst and "could result in substantial casualties".
\n
DPRK
\n
Pyongyang says won't remove loudspeakers
\n
The Democratic People's Republic of Korea has never removed loudspeakers installed along the border with the Republic of Korea and is not willing to remove them, the Korean Central News Agency reported on Thursday, citing a statement from a senior official. Kim Yo-jong, vice-department director of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, in a statement, criticized the ROK for spreading misleading narratives that the DPRK has removed loudspeakers installed on the southern border area, and creating a public opinion that bilateral relations are being "restored".
\n",
+ "content": "
SOUTH ASIA
\n
Floods kill 34 in India-controlled Kashmir
\n
At least 34 people died and more than 200 were missing following sudden, heavy rain in India-controlled Kashmir, officials said on Thursday, the second such disaster in the Himalayas this month. The incident occurred in Chasoti town of Kishtwar district, a stopover point on a popular pilgrimage route. It comes a little over a week after heavy floods and mudslide engulfed an entire village in the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand. India's deputy minister for science and technology, Jitendra Singh, said the floods were triggered by a cloudburst and "could result in substantial casualties".
\n
DPRK
\n
Pyongyang says won't remove loudspeakers
\n
The Democratic People's Republic of Korea has never removed loudspeakers installed along the border with the Republic of Korea and is not willing to remove them, the Korean Central News Agency reported on Thursday, citing a statement from a senior official. Kim Yo-jong, vice-department director of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, in a statement, criticized the ROK for spreading misleading narratives that the DPRK has removed loudspeakers installed on the southern border area, and creating a public opinion that bilateral relations are being "restored".
Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (second from right) and other government officials pose for a group photo during a signing ceremony to enact the Sovereign Brazil Plan, an aid program to support companies affected by the US tariffs, at the Planalto presidential palace in Brasilia, Brazil, on Wednesday.
\n
BRASILIA — Brazil's government unveiled on Wednesday a long-awaited aid package for companies hurt by steep US tariffs, centered on credit lines for exporters and government purchases of products that face greater hurdles in finding alternative markets.
\n
US President Donald Trump hiked duties on several goods from Brazil to 50 percent from 10 percent earlier this month. Although some sectors were exempted from the steeper levies, the move is still set to hurt industries such as coffee, beef, seafood, textiles, footwear and fruit.
\n
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva had already signaled his administration would not immediately retaliate against the tariff hike, instead prioritizing support for the most affected sectors.
\n
"We will insist on negotiating …but our sovereignty is untouchable," Lula told an event in Brasilia, saying he was open to talks on topics such as ethanol trade.
\n
"We are not announcing reciprocity measures. We don't want, at first, to do anything that could justify worsening our relations," the leader added.
\n
The centerpiece of the aid plan is a 30 billion-real ($5.55 billion) credit line via the existing Export Guarantee Fund, which is managed by state development bank BNDES, according to a statement.
\n
The government will also make additional contributions totaling 4.5 billion reais to strengthen some funds supporting aid for smaller companies, it added.
\n
The measures are part of an executive order signed by Lula, which takes effect immediately but must be approved by Congress within four months to remain in force.
\n
'Palliative but necessary'
\n
Ricardo Alban, the chairman of the Brazilian industry confederation, said he hopes "this plan is behind us as quickly as possible".He described it as "palliative, but necessary".
\n
"Nothing justifies us being on the lowest of tariffs to going to the highest of tariffs," Alban said.
\n
Brazil was among the nations hardest hit by Trump's tariffs.
\n
Washington exempted key goods such as aircraft, orange juice, oil and pulp from the higher rate, but products like coffee and beef, of which Brazil is a major US supplier, are now subject to the full rate, which took effect last week.
\n
Trump imposed the levies on US imports from Brazil largely in response to a Brazilian legal case he has accused of being a "witch hunt "against former president Jair Bolsonaro, who is on trial for allegedly plotting to overturn the 2022 election after his supporters overran government buildings.
\n
Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who is overseeing the case, said that he would continue to do his job and that Brazil's top court would not submit itself to foreign coercion and that it would guard the country's constitution.
\n
Brazil's new aid program also eases the tax burden on exporters to help them remain competitive in the US, a measure in place through the end of next year that the government estimated would cost 5 billion reais in foregone revenue.
\n
The plan extends the timeframe for using tax credits under the "drawback" regime, which reimburses import taxes on inputs used in the production of exported goods.
\n",
+ "content": "
Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (second from right) and other government officials pose for a group photo during a signing ceremony to enact the Sovereign Brazil Plan, an aid program to support companies affected by the US tariffs, at the Planalto presidential palace in Brasilia, Brazil, on Wednesday.
\n
BRASILIA — Brazil's government unveiled on Wednesday a long-awaited aid package for companies hurt by steep US tariffs, centered on credit lines for exporters and government purchases of products that face greater hurdles in finding alternative markets.
\n
US President Donald Trump hiked duties on several goods from Brazil to 50 percent from 10 percent earlier this month. Although some sectors were exempted from the steeper levies, the move is still set to hurt industries such as coffee, beef, seafood, textiles, footwear and fruit.
\n
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva had already signaled his administration would not immediately retaliate against the tariff hike, instead prioritizing support for the most affected sectors.
\n
"We will insist on negotiating …but our sovereignty is untouchable," Lula told an event in Brasilia, saying he was open to talks on topics such as ethanol trade.
\n
"We are not announcing reciprocity measures. We don't want, at first, to do anything that could justify worsening our relations," the leader added.
\n
The centerpiece of the aid plan is a 30 billion-real ($5.55 billion) credit line via the existing Export Guarantee Fund, which is managed by state development bank BNDES, according to a statement.
\n
The government will also make additional contributions totaling 4.5 billion reais to strengthen some funds supporting aid for smaller companies, it added.
\n
The measures are part of an executive order signed by Lula, which takes effect immediately but must be approved by Congress within four months to remain in force.
\n
'Palliative but necessary'
\n
Ricardo Alban, the chairman of the Brazilian industry confederation, said he hopes "this plan is behind us as quickly as possible".He described it as "palliative, but necessary".
\n
"Nothing justifies us being on the lowest of tariffs to going to the highest of tariffs," Alban said.
\n
Brazil was among the nations hardest hit by Trump's tariffs.
\n
Washington exempted key goods such as aircraft, orange juice, oil and pulp from the higher rate, but products like coffee and beef, of which Brazil is a major US supplier, are now subject to the full rate, which took effect last week.
\n
Trump imposed the levies on US imports from Brazil largely in response to a Brazilian legal case he has accused of being a "witch hunt "against former president Jair Bolsonaro, who is on trial for allegedly plotting to overturn the 2022 election after his supporters overran government buildings.
\n
Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who is overseeing the case, said that he would continue to do his job and that Brazil's top court would not submit itself to foreign coercion and that it would guard the country's constitution.
\n
Brazil's new aid program also eases the tax burden on exporters to help them remain competitive in the US, a measure in place through the end of next year that the government estimated would cost 5 billion reais in foregone revenue.
\n
The plan extends the timeframe for using tax credits under the "drawback" regime, which reimburses import taxes on inputs used in the production of exported goods.
LAMPEDUSA, Italy — Rescue vessels resumed a desperate search on Thursday for migrants missing at sea after two crowded boats sank off the Italian island of Lampedusa, with 27 dead already confirmed.
\n
Sixty survivors were brought to shore on Wednesday, two of them taken by helicopter to Sicily for treatment and the others held in the reception centre on the island, according to the Red Cross.
\n
"Of the 58, 21 are minors. They spent a quiet night and are generally in good health," said Imad Dalil, the Red Cross official who runs the reception centre.
\n
The majority are Somali, with a few Egyptians, he added.
\n
Authorities have started efforts to identify the bodies found so far.
\n
Around 95 people were on the boats according to the UN, with the number of confirmed dead rising to 27 overnight, suggesting around eight people were missing.
\n
"At least 27 people have drowned in a tragic shipwreck near Lampedusa," said Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, in a social media statement.
\n
"Over 700 refugees and migrants have now died in 2025 in the Central Mediterranean," he said. "All responses — rescue at sea, safe pathways, helping transit countries and addressing root causes — must be strengthened."
\n
First port of call
\n
Lampedusa, just 145 kilometers off the coast of Tunisia, is often the first port of call for people trying to reach Europe in leaky or overcrowded boats.
\n
An Italian helicopter spotted a capsized boat and several bodies in the water on Wednesday, about 14 nautical miles off Lampedusa, the coastguard said.
\n
The boats had left Tripoli, Libya, earlier in the day, it said.
\n
According to survivors, one of the boats started taking on water, causing people to climb onto the other boat, which then capsized.
\n
A newborn baby was among the dead, according to Italian news reports.
\n
Five vessels searched for survivors, including one from the EU's Frontex border agency, alongside a helicopter and two aircraft.
\n
Despite the tragedy, the boats kept coming, with four others intercepted off Lampedusa overnight, according to the Red Cross.
\n
A total of 240 people are currently being held in the reception centre waiting for processing, Dalil said.
\n
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni offered her "deepest condolences "to the victims and vowed to step up efforts to tackle migrant traffickers.
\n
Her government took office in October 2022, vowing to cut the number of migrants crossing the Mediterranean to Europe.
\n
As part of this, it has cut deals with North African countries from which migrants embark, providing funding and training in exchange for help in stemming departures.
\n
Meloni said stepping up rescue efforts was not enough to tackle the scourge of trafficking, saying this could be done only by "preventing irregular departures and managing migration flows".
\n
More than 38,500 people have arrived on Italian shores so far this year, according to interior ministry figures.
\n
This is slightly up on last year, but significantly less than the 100,000 reported by the same time in 2023.
LAMPEDUSA, Italy — Rescue vessels resumed a desperate search on Thursday for migrants missing at sea after two crowded boats sank off the Italian island of Lampedusa, with 27 dead already confirmed.
\n
Sixty survivors were brought to shore on Wednesday, two of them taken by helicopter to Sicily for treatment and the others held in the reception centre on the island, according to the Red Cross.
\n
"Of the 58, 21 are minors. They spent a quiet night and are generally in good health," said Imad Dalil, the Red Cross official who runs the reception centre.
\n
The majority are Somali, with a few Egyptians, he added.
\n
Authorities have started efforts to identify the bodies found so far.
\n
Around 95 people were on the boats according to the UN, with the number of confirmed dead rising to 27 overnight, suggesting around eight people were missing.
\n
"At least 27 people have drowned in a tragic shipwreck near Lampedusa," said Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, in a social media statement.
\n
"Over 700 refugees and migrants have now died in 2025 in the Central Mediterranean," he said. "All responses — rescue at sea, safe pathways, helping transit countries and addressing root causes — must be strengthened."
\n
First port of call
\n
Lampedusa, just 145 kilometers off the coast of Tunisia, is often the first port of call for people trying to reach Europe in leaky or overcrowded boats.
\n
An Italian helicopter spotted a capsized boat and several bodies in the water on Wednesday, about 14 nautical miles off Lampedusa, the coastguard said.
\n
The boats had left Tripoli, Libya, earlier in the day, it said.
\n
According to survivors, one of the boats started taking on water, causing people to climb onto the other boat, which then capsized.
\n
A newborn baby was among the dead, according to Italian news reports.
\n
Five vessels searched for survivors, including one from the EU's Frontex border agency, alongside a helicopter and two aircraft.
\n
Despite the tragedy, the boats kept coming, with four others intercepted off Lampedusa overnight, according to the Red Cross.
\n
A total of 240 people are currently being held in the reception centre waiting for processing, Dalil said.
\n
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni offered her "deepest condolences "to the victims and vowed to step up efforts to tackle migrant traffickers.
\n
Her government took office in October 2022, vowing to cut the number of migrants crossing the Mediterranean to Europe.
\n
As part of this, it has cut deals with North African countries from which migrants embark, providing funding and training in exchange for help in stemming departures.
\n
Meloni said stepping up rescue efforts was not enough to tackle the scourge of trafficking, saying this could be done only by "preventing irregular departures and managing migration flows".
\n
More than 38,500 people have arrived on Italian shores so far this year, according to interior ministry figures.
\n
This is slightly up on last year, but significantly less than the 100,000 reported by the same time in 2023.
Visitors interact with an intelligent robot imitating Confucius at the 2025 World Robot Conference in Beijing on Aug 8.
\n
Since robots are a crucial driving force in developing new quality productive forces and shaping an intelligent lifestyle, Beijing has been leveraging its technological and talent strengths to accelerate the development of common technologies, expand application scenarios, build industry exchange platforms, and continuously enhance the supply of essential resources in this field.
\n
As a result, the city's robotics industry ranks among the top in China, Beijing Mayor Yin Yong said at the opening ceremony of the 2025 World Robot Conference.
\n
The event, held from Aug 8 to 12, was jointly hosted by the Chinese Institute of Electronics and the World Robot Cooperation Organization in the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area, also known as Beijing E-Town.
\n
It featured an exhibition area of approximately 50,000 square meters, comprising three main halls focused on innovation, application, and technology.
\n
Over 200 domestic and international robotics companies showcased more than 1,500 exhibits, with over 100 new products making their debut. Among the participants were 50 humanoid robot companies, the highest number among similar exhibitions worldwide.
\n
In the exhibition area of the Beijing Innovation Center of Humanoid Robotics, different models of heterogeneous robots carried out cross-scenario collaborative operations through the coordination of Huisi Kaiwu, the world's first general embodied intelligence platform.
\n
Experts noted that this breaks the traditional barrier of "one machine for one post", marking an evolution from individual intelligence to group intelligence.
\n
Jeff Burnstein, president of the Association for Advancing Automation in the United States, witnessed remarkable changes at this year's conference, one of the most noticeable being the significant increase in international participants. He added that since its inception, the conference has now grown into a truly global event.
\n
Today, the robotics industry is on the verge of large-scale industrialization. The guiding opinions on the innovative development of humanoid robots, released by China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, state that by 2027, the humanoid robot industry is expected to achieve larger-scale growth, with related products deeply integrated into the real economy and becoming an important engine for economic growth.
\n
In response, Beijing aims to build an internationally influential hub for robotics innovation. It will collaborate with Tianjin and Hebei to strategically position key components, promoting the gradual development of high-level, large-scale production capabilities for humanoid robots.
\n
It also plans to establish the first national-level testing and verification platform for humanoid robots, continuously enhance the brand influence of major events such as the World Robot Conference and the World Humanoid Robot Games, and take the lead in setting up specialized robot service institutions to become a global benchmark city for human-robot collaboration.
\n
As for the World Humanoid Robot Games, Beijing is hosting the event at the National Speed Skating Oval, known as the "Ice Ribbon". A total of 280 teams from 16 countries, featuring over 500 humanoid robots, will compete in 487 events, including running, basketball, dance, martial arts, and industrial material handling.
\n
The "Panda Eye" training base — the world's first professional venue for humanoid robot football — was recently officially unveiled. Guo Yonghao, executive deputy director of the Games' organizing committee, said its semi-transparent design allows precise control of temperature, humidity, and cleanliness.
\n
The base can create a laboratory-level stable competitive environment for robots while allowing natural sunlight, moonlight, and starlight to shine through, he added.
\n
Located on the southwestern side of the "Ice Ribbon", the ROBOLAND camp is expected to become a future hub for the humanoid robot industry. It is designed to promote domestic and international industrial cooperation and exchange, supporting the sustainable development of the robotics sector.
Visitors interact with an intelligent robot imitating Confucius at the 2025 World Robot Conference in Beijing on Aug 8.
\n
Since robots are a crucial driving force in developing new quality productive forces and shaping an intelligent lifestyle, Beijing has been leveraging its technological and talent strengths to accelerate the development of common technologies, expand application scenarios, build industry exchange platforms, and continuously enhance the supply of essential resources in this field.
\n
As a result, the city's robotics industry ranks among the top in China, Beijing Mayor Yin Yong said at the opening ceremony of the 2025 World Robot Conference.
\n
The event, held from Aug 8 to 12, was jointly hosted by the Chinese Institute of Electronics and the World Robot Cooperation Organization in the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area, also known as Beijing E-Town.
\n
It featured an exhibition area of approximately 50,000 square meters, comprising three main halls focused on innovation, application, and technology.
\n
Over 200 domestic and international robotics companies showcased more than 1,500 exhibits, with over 100 new products making their debut. Among the participants were 50 humanoid robot companies, the highest number among similar exhibitions worldwide.
\n
In the exhibition area of the Beijing Innovation Center of Humanoid Robotics, different models of heterogeneous robots carried out cross-scenario collaborative operations through the coordination of Huisi Kaiwu, the world's first general embodied intelligence platform.
\n
Experts noted that this breaks the traditional barrier of "one machine for one post", marking an evolution from individual intelligence to group intelligence.
\n
Jeff Burnstein, president of the Association for Advancing Automation in the United States, witnessed remarkable changes at this year's conference, one of the most noticeable being the significant increase in international participants. He added that since its inception, the conference has now grown into a truly global event.
\n
Today, the robotics industry is on the verge of large-scale industrialization. The guiding opinions on the innovative development of humanoid robots, released by China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, state that by 2027, the humanoid robot industry is expected to achieve larger-scale growth, with related products deeply integrated into the real economy and becoming an important engine for economic growth.
\n
In response, Beijing aims to build an internationally influential hub for robotics innovation. It will collaborate with Tianjin and Hebei to strategically position key components, promoting the gradual development of high-level, large-scale production capabilities for humanoid robots.
\n
It also plans to establish the first national-level testing and verification platform for humanoid robots, continuously enhance the brand influence of major events such as the World Robot Conference and the World Humanoid Robot Games, and take the lead in setting up specialized robot service institutions to become a global benchmark city for human-robot collaboration.
\n
As for the World Humanoid Robot Games, Beijing is hosting the event at the National Speed Skating Oval, known as the "Ice Ribbon". A total of 280 teams from 16 countries, featuring over 500 humanoid robots, will compete in 487 events, including running, basketball, dance, martial arts, and industrial material handling.
\n
The "Panda Eye" training base — the world's first professional venue for humanoid robot football — was recently officially unveiled. Guo Yonghao, executive deputy director of the Games' organizing committee, said its semi-transparent design allows precise control of temperature, humidity, and cleanliness.
\n
The base can create a laboratory-level stable competitive environment for robots while allowing natural sunlight, moonlight, and starlight to shine through, he added.
\n
Located on the southwestern side of the "Ice Ribbon", the ROBOLAND camp is expected to become a future hub for the humanoid robot industry. It is designed to promote domestic and international industrial cooperation and exchange, supporting the sustainable development of the robotics sector.
A view of the booth of Geovis Technology Co Ltd during an expo in Nanchang, Jiangxi province.
\n
China is accelerating investment in the new and fast-growing space information — or "space computing" — sector which it sees as a future trillion-yuan driver of economic growth, with leading firms joining forces to develop the futuristic technology, which aims to process massive volumes of satellite and aerial data while in orbit.
\n
Geovis Technology Co Ltd, a Chinese geospatial services provider, recently signed a framework agreement with supercomputer manufacturer Sugon to jointly build what they call an "open and inclusive space computing network". The planned network will connect users' devices to satellites, space-based infrastructure and ground platforms, forming a space-ground integrated intelligent computing architecture.
\n
Shao Zongyou, president of Geovis, said in a recent interview with China Daily that computing in space could soon move from concept to reality. "Once the space computing network is completed, it will enhance global internet access capacity and stability, supporting applications such as remote work, telemedicine, online education, emergency communications and rural digital development," Shao said.
\n
The ambition is driven in part by the rapid expansion of satellite constellations and the rising sophistication of payloads.
\n
"With tens of thousands of satellites planned in the coming years and ever-higher payload and resolution demands, massive data — and thus computing needs — will surge," Shao said.
\n
"Transmission methods like microwaves are slower than many home networks, while laser communication is too weather-dependent. The ideal is to compute in space, then send only the processed results back to earth," he added.
\n
The space information sector, which spans navigation, weather forecasting, urban planning and resource exploration, has been developing rapidly under policy support, alongside China's push into the low-altitude economy and commercial spaceflight.
\n
Over the past year, China has introduced a group of policies to stimulate low-altitude industries. These include regulations on unmanned aircraft flight management that took effect in January and a roadmap released in March for upgrading general aviation equipment through 2030.
\n
Wu Yirong, academic dean and researcher at the Aerospace Information Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said: "China's aerospace information industry is integrating into all aspects of social production and everyday life at an unprecedented speed and depth. It is creating enormous economic value and social benefits."
\n
For Geovis, the deal with Sugon marks a strategic shift from its established strengths in digital earth, AI, big data and cloud integration into the more technically demanding realm of space-based computation.
\n
The two companies plan to develop high-performance, low-power high-reliability core components, build a space computing network, and integrate with China's national computing platforms. They will also explore industry standards and work to coordinate an ecosystem of partners.
\n
Shao said the aim is to upgrade the current one-way satellite "data collection service" into a two-way "computing-as-a-service" model. This would allow for in-orbit intelligent processing linked to deep ground-based applications, potentially opening new commercial opportunities in areas such as real-time Earth observation, emergency disaster response and global broadband coverage.
\n
Yet the road ahead is challenging. Shao said that deploying the same computing power in space could cost up to 1,000 times more than on the ground. Moreover, "space weather", including high-energy particles, radiation and temperature extremes, can damage electronic components and degrade performance over time.
\n
Despite these difficulties, Geovis sees space computing as a strategic imperative with long-term returns. "Three to five years may yield no returns," Shao said. "But for national capability and the future of space industries, this must be done."
\n
Deng Maicun, former secretary-general of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said China's role in the field has transformed. "In recent years, China's aerospace information sector has made a remarkable leap from a follower to a front-runner, and in some areas even a leader, becoming a new engine for the development of the digital economy."
A view of the booth of Geovis Technology Co Ltd during an expo in Nanchang, Jiangxi province.
\n
China is accelerating investment in the new and fast-growing space information — or "space computing" — sector which it sees as a future trillion-yuan driver of economic growth, with leading firms joining forces to develop the futuristic technology, which aims to process massive volumes of satellite and aerial data while in orbit.
\n
Geovis Technology Co Ltd, a Chinese geospatial services provider, recently signed a framework agreement with supercomputer manufacturer Sugon to jointly build what they call an "open and inclusive space computing network". The planned network will connect users' devices to satellites, space-based infrastructure and ground platforms, forming a space-ground integrated intelligent computing architecture.
\n
Shao Zongyou, president of Geovis, said in a recent interview with China Daily that computing in space could soon move from concept to reality. "Once the space computing network is completed, it will enhance global internet access capacity and stability, supporting applications such as remote work, telemedicine, online education, emergency communications and rural digital development," Shao said.
\n
The ambition is driven in part by the rapid expansion of satellite constellations and the rising sophistication of payloads.
\n
"With tens of thousands of satellites planned in the coming years and ever-higher payload and resolution demands, massive data — and thus computing needs — will surge," Shao said.
\n
"Transmission methods like microwaves are slower than many home networks, while laser communication is too weather-dependent. The ideal is to compute in space, then send only the processed results back to earth," he added.
\n
The space information sector, which spans navigation, weather forecasting, urban planning and resource exploration, has been developing rapidly under policy support, alongside China's push into the low-altitude economy and commercial spaceflight.
\n
Over the past year, China has introduced a group of policies to stimulate low-altitude industries. These include regulations on unmanned aircraft flight management that took effect in January and a roadmap released in March for upgrading general aviation equipment through 2030.
\n
Wu Yirong, academic dean and researcher at the Aerospace Information Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said: "China's aerospace information industry is integrating into all aspects of social production and everyday life at an unprecedented speed and depth. It is creating enormous economic value and social benefits."
\n
For Geovis, the deal with Sugon marks a strategic shift from its established strengths in digital earth, AI, big data and cloud integration into the more technically demanding realm of space-based computation.
\n
The two companies plan to develop high-performance, low-power high-reliability core components, build a space computing network, and integrate with China's national computing platforms. They will also explore industry standards and work to coordinate an ecosystem of partners.
\n
Shao said the aim is to upgrade the current one-way satellite "data collection service" into a two-way "computing-as-a-service" model. This would allow for in-orbit intelligent processing linked to deep ground-based applications, potentially opening new commercial opportunities in areas such as real-time Earth observation, emergency disaster response and global broadband coverage.
\n
Yet the road ahead is challenging. Shao said that deploying the same computing power in space could cost up to 1,000 times more than on the ground. Moreover, "space weather", including high-energy particles, radiation and temperature extremes, can damage electronic components and degrade performance over time.
\n
Despite these difficulties, Geovis sees space computing as a strategic imperative with long-term returns. "Three to five years may yield no returns," Shao said. "But for national capability and the future of space industries, this must be done."
\n
Deng Maicun, former secretary-general of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said China's role in the field has transformed. "In recent years, China's aerospace information sector has made a remarkable leap from a follower to a front-runner, and in some areas even a leader, becoming a new engine for the development of the digital economy."
China is expected to regain its position as the top source country for Australia's inbound tourism in the near future, a senior executive at Tourism Australia said.
\n
The number of Chinese travelers arriving in Australia was nearly 950,000 between June 2024 and May 2025, a year-on-year increase of 21 percent, making China the fastest-growing international source market for Australia's inbound tourism, Phillipa Harrison, managing director of Tourism Australia, said in an exclusive interview.
\n
China is currently Australia's second-largest market for inbound tourist arrivals, she said.
\n
"The only market that has more visitors is New Zealand, our very close neighbor. So, China is a big market with huge potential, and we are confident to see it continuing to grow over the next period of time," Harrison said.
\n
China was the top provider of inbound foreign tourists for Australia in 2018 and 2019, with around 1.4 million travelers arriving annually. However, it decreased after the COVID-19 pandemic, she said. "Inbound travel from China hasn't returned to its full strength yet."
\n
The Australian tourism authority said it has noticed a trend among Chinese tourists recently — instead of simply sightseeing in the cities, they are now traveling all over the country.
\n
"Chinese travelers are now going outside of the cities. They hire cars and go into much more regional areas. That's the case even for first-time visitors," Harrison said.
\n
For example, Australia's Tasmania State reported that in 2023, the number of Chinese tourists increased by 38 percent compared to the previous year. The export volumes of local cherries and salmon have risen significantly driven by the influx of tourists.
\n
In the Northern Territory, Uluru reported that the number of Chinese tourists has continued to surge, with an expected reach of 30,000 visitors this year. A significant proportion of these tourists are families, even multi-generation ones, who prefer activities like camel rides and helicopter overviews.
\n
Data from online travel agency Trip.com showed that Australia was the top long-haul outbound destination for Chinese travelers during this year's Chinese New Year holiday, with self-driving orders increasing by nearly 22 percent month-on-month.
\n
With the number of travelers in their 20s increasing, the Australian tourism authority said younger individuals seek more adventure-based programs.
\n
"They go out to the mountains, go diving and go hiking, among other activities, which also makes their stay in the country slightly longer than before," Harrison said.
\n
Several travel agencies said that thrilling experiences, such as skydiving, helicopter tours at the Great Barrier Reef and rainforest zip-lining have become popular choices for Chinese tourists visiting Australia.
\n
Chen Ying, a product booking manager at travel portal Ly.com, said that Chinese tourists show a strong interest in skydiving as well as other "once-in-a-lifetime opportunities", and that there has been a notable increase in bookings for hiking, hot air ballooning and nature experiences as well.
\n
zhouwenting@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
China is expected to regain its position as the top source country for Australia's inbound tourism in the near future, a senior executive at Tourism Australia said.
\n
The number of Chinese travelers arriving in Australia was nearly 950,000 between June 2024 and May 2025, a year-on-year increase of 21 percent, making China the fastest-growing international source market for Australia's inbound tourism, Phillipa Harrison, managing director of Tourism Australia, said in an exclusive interview.
\n
China is currently Australia's second-largest market for inbound tourist arrivals, she said.
\n
"The only market that has more visitors is New Zealand, our very close neighbor. So, China is a big market with huge potential, and we are confident to see it continuing to grow over the next period of time," Harrison said.
\n
China was the top provider of inbound foreign tourists for Australia in 2018 and 2019, with around 1.4 million travelers arriving annually. However, it decreased after the COVID-19 pandemic, she said. "Inbound travel from China hasn't returned to its full strength yet."
\n
The Australian tourism authority said it has noticed a trend among Chinese tourists recently — instead of simply sightseeing in the cities, they are now traveling all over the country.
\n
"Chinese travelers are now going outside of the cities. They hire cars and go into much more regional areas. That's the case even for first-time visitors," Harrison said.
\n
For example, Australia's Tasmania State reported that in 2023, the number of Chinese tourists increased by 38 percent compared to the previous year. The export volumes of local cherries and salmon have risen significantly driven by the influx of tourists.
\n
In the Northern Territory, Uluru reported that the number of Chinese tourists has continued to surge, with an expected reach of 30,000 visitors this year. A significant proportion of these tourists are families, even multi-generation ones, who prefer activities like camel rides and helicopter overviews.
\n
Data from online travel agency Trip.com showed that Australia was the top long-haul outbound destination for Chinese travelers during this year's Chinese New Year holiday, with self-driving orders increasing by nearly 22 percent month-on-month.
\n
With the number of travelers in their 20s increasing, the Australian tourism authority said younger individuals seek more adventure-based programs.
\n
"They go out to the mountains, go diving and go hiking, among other activities, which also makes their stay in the country slightly longer than before," Harrison said.
\n
Several travel agencies said that thrilling experiences, such as skydiving, helicopter tours at the Great Barrier Reef and rainforest zip-lining have become popular choices for Chinese tourists visiting Australia.
\n
Chen Ying, a product booking manager at travel portal Ly.com, said that Chinese tourists show a strong interest in skydiving as well as other "once-in-a-lifetime opportunities", and that there has been a notable increase in bookings for hiking, hot air ballooning and nature experiences as well.
Staff members from State Grid Taizhou operate a drone to inspect a solar power plant in Yuxi, Taizhou, Jiangsu province. The local power operator is bolstering investment in science and technology to steer power supply toward smarter and fully digital operations.
\n",
+ "content": "
Staff members from State Grid Taizhou operate a drone to inspect a solar power plant in Yuxi, Taizhou, Jiangsu province. The local power operator is bolstering investment in science and technology to steer power supply toward smarter and fully digital operations.
The US government's reported practice of secretly placing location tracking devices in targeted shipments of advanced chips showcases that it is using all kinds of tactics to implement its export control measures, experts said.
\n
Such moves severely disrupt normal business cooperation and undermine trust in US technologies and products, they added.
\n
The comments came after Reuters quoted anonymous sources as saying that US authorities have secretly placed location tracking devices in targeted shipments of advanced chips they see as being at high risk of unauthorized diversion to China.
\n
Xiang Ligang, director-general of the Zhongguancun Modern Information Consumer Application Industry Technology Alliance, a telecom industry association, said such behavior only fuels Chinese companies' distrust toward US companies such as Nvidia.
\n
Reuters reported that five people actively involved in the AI server supply chain claim they are aware of the use of the trackers in shipments of servers from manufacturers such as Dell and Supermicro, which include chips from Nvidia and AMD.
\n
Xiang said users, not only companies in China, but also clients across the world, may abandon US products over fears of potential risks.
\n
In addition, in late July, the Cyberspace Administration of China summoned Nvidia over alleged security risks concerning its H20 AI chips sold to China.
\n
"The demand for H20 chips was lower than expected, according to the latest feedback of our customers," said a regional manager of a major Chinese information technology distributor, on condition of anonymity.
\n
The manager said that for chips like the H20, demand depends heavily on large corporations, which are reluctant to buy the products from Nvidia.
\n
An engineer at a Chinese internet company, also on condition of anonymity, said: "Cybersecurity is of crucial importance to us. We cannot tolerate any potential risks. Even if H20 chips are available now, we are not that eager to buy."
\n
Last year, the Cyber Security Association of China urged a comprehensive review of products from US tech company Intel, citing recurring cybersecurity vulnerabilities and high failure rates, so as to safeguard the country's national security and protect the rights of Chinese consumers.
\n
On July 26, 2023, the Wuhan Municipal Emergency Management Bureau published a statement that 360 Security Group detected a cyberattack from overseas organizations on its earthquake monitoring center. Some front-end station collection points of seismic reporting data had been implanted with back-door programs.
\n
Lu Chuanying, a professor at the School of Political Science and International Relations at Tongji University, said: "Digital space is a virtual domain where information travels at light speed, defying the conventional boundaries of time and space that govern human society. In doing so, it neutralizes the role of geography in shaping the digital geopolitical landscape.
\n
"China-US relations in the digital sphere have undergone a profound transformation over the years — evolving from initial technological collaboration to strategic decoupling, and escalating from random disputes to systemic geopolitical maneuvering."
\n
The Financial Times reported on Monday that Nvidia has agreed to pay the US government 15 percent of its revenue from H20 chip sales in China as part of a deal to secure export licenses to Beijing.
\n
In response to the report, Nvidia said in a statement to China Daily, "We follow rules the US government sets for our participation in worldwide markets."
\n
Charlie Dai, vice-president and principal analyst at market research company Forrester, said the 15 percent fee agreement starkly underscores how trade tensions drive up market access costs.
\n
masi@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "\n
The US government's reported practice of secretly placing location tracking devices in targeted shipments of advanced chips showcases that it is using all kinds of tactics to implement its export control measures, experts said.
\n
Such moves severely disrupt normal business cooperation and undermine trust in US technologies and products, they added.
\n
The comments came after Reuters quoted anonymous sources as saying that US authorities have secretly placed location tracking devices in targeted shipments of advanced chips they see as being at high risk of unauthorized diversion to China.
\n
Xiang Ligang, director-general of the Zhongguancun Modern Information Consumer Application Industry Technology Alliance, a telecom industry association, said such behavior only fuels Chinese companies' distrust toward US companies such as Nvidia.
\n
Reuters reported that five people actively involved in the AI server supply chain claim they are aware of the use of the trackers in shipments of servers from manufacturers such as Dell and Supermicro, which include chips from Nvidia and AMD.
\n
Xiang said users, not only companies in China, but also clients across the world, may abandon US products over fears of potential risks.
\n
In addition, in late July, the Cyberspace Administration of China summoned Nvidia over alleged security risks concerning its H20 AI chips sold to China.
\n
"The demand for H20 chips was lower than expected, according to the latest feedback of our customers," said a regional manager of a major Chinese information technology distributor, on condition of anonymity.
\n
The manager said that for chips like the H20, demand depends heavily on large corporations, which are reluctant to buy the products from Nvidia.
\n
An engineer at a Chinese internet company, also on condition of anonymity, said: "Cybersecurity is of crucial importance to us. We cannot tolerate any potential risks. Even if H20 chips are available now, we are not that eager to buy."
\n
Last year, the Cyber Security Association of China urged a comprehensive review of products from US tech company Intel, citing recurring cybersecurity vulnerabilities and high failure rates, so as to safeguard the country's national security and protect the rights of Chinese consumers.
\n
On July 26, 2023, the Wuhan Municipal Emergency Management Bureau published a statement that 360 Security Group detected a cyberattack from overseas organizations on its earthquake monitoring center. Some front-end station collection points of seismic reporting data had been implanted with back-door programs.
\n
Lu Chuanying, a professor at the School of Political Science and International Relations at Tongji University, said: "Digital space is a virtual domain where information travels at light speed, defying the conventional boundaries of time and space that govern human society. In doing so, it neutralizes the role of geography in shaping the digital geopolitical landscape.
\n
"China-US relations in the digital sphere have undergone a profound transformation over the years — evolving from initial technological collaboration to strategic decoupling, and escalating from random disputes to systemic geopolitical maneuvering."
\n
The Financial Times reported on Monday that Nvidia has agreed to pay the US government 15 percent of its revenue from H20 chip sales in China as part of a deal to secure export licenses to Beijing.
\n
In response to the report, Nvidia said in a statement to China Daily, "We follow rules the US government sets for our participation in worldwide markets."
\n
Charlie Dai, vice-president and principal analyst at market research company Forrester, said the 15 percent fee agreement starkly underscores how trade tensions drive up market access costs.
Visitors film a fireworks show enhanced by visual and lighting technologies in Liuyang, Hunan province, on July 12.
\n\n
BEIJING — At a bustling appliance store near Shanghai's Zhongshan Park, sales staff enthusiastically demonstrated product features and calculated discounts. The summer shopping season has been in full swing.
\n
A local resident surnamed Yao was looking for an energy-efficient air conditioner and was informed by sales staff that the latest models not only offer AI-powered energy savings, but also include convenient features such as smartphone remote control and an anti-direct-blow design.
\n
"I never realized how quickly home appliances were evolving until I visited the store," Yao said. After careful comparison, he chose a model originally priced at 5,999 yuan ($840), but thanks to government subsidies and store discounts, he paid only 3,599 yuan.
\n
Yao is among hundreds of millions of consumers across China whose spending habits have been reshaped by a rapidly evolving market and government-backed initiatives, as the world's second-largest economy seeks to stimulate consumption and strengthen domestic demand as a key growth driver.
\n
With efforts like the ongoing consumer goods trade-in program, which has spurred purchases of more than 109 million home appliances so far this year, China recorded a 5 percent growth in retail sales of consumer goods for the first half of 2025. The pace is 0.4 percentage point faster than the first quarter.
\n
During the first four years of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) period, final consumption contributed 56.2 percent of the GDP increase on average, an 8.6 percentage point increase over the previous planning period, official data showed.
\n
Amid this shift, new consumption trends have taken center stage, fueled by innovative business models, diverse service and experience offerings, and growing preference for sustainable and high-tech products.
\n
According to Commerce Minister Wang Wentao, the consumer goods trade-in program has been "more than a policy to stimulate spending".
\n
"More importantly, it has promoted a shift toward smart and green products, which in turn helps to upgrade people's quality of life," Wang told reporters last month while briefing on the country's developments in domestic consumption over the past four years.
\n
While government incentives can boost market demand and prompt manufacturers and service providers to increase supply, encouraging consumption in sectors like high-tech and new energy helps drive industrial upgrading and structural adjustments, said Bao Xiaohua, a chair professor at Shanghai University of Finance and Economics.
\n
Also notable is the rapid growth in services consumption, as Chinese consumers increasingly embrace spending on services and experiences. From 2020 to 2024, China's services consumption grew at an average annual rate of 9.6 percent.
\n
In the first half of 2025, data from the State Information Center indicated that the index measuring life services consumption increased 15.7 percent year-on-year, with sectors like entertainment, dining and accommodations showing robust growth.
\n
Driving the services consumption boom are new consumption scenarios such as sporting events, performances, cultural exhibitions and themed markets. The Su Super League, a provincial amateur football tournament in East China's Jiangsu province that gained huge popularity this year, has given a major boost to local tourism and hospitality industries.
\n
During the third round of matches, which coincided with the Dragon Boat Festival holiday in early June, Jiangsu welcomed 12.41 million visitors and earned 4.69 billion yuan in tourism revenue.
\n
Other pro-consumption efforts include further opening-up to attract more quality goods and services into the Chinese market. Over the past years, China has fostered international consumption center cities, established national demonstration zones for innovation and promotion of imports, and hosted major events such as the China International Import Expo and the China International Consumer Products Expo.
\n
"China's vast market has become a shared market for the world and will continue to serve as a key source of growth and vitality for the global economy," the commerce minister said.
\n
Looking ahead, as China approaches the final phase of its 14th Five-Year Plan, market observers believe consumer demand will sustain its strong momentum from the first half and help ensure the plan's successful completion.
\n
Policies like the consumer goods trade-in program are expected to remain effective, driving sales growth for related products. Meanwhile, with holidays like summer vacation and the upcoming National Day, services consumption is also set to enter its peak season, according to experts.
\n
Ma Hong, a senior researcher at the Guangkai Chief Industry Research Institute, said services spending will remain a key driver of consumption growth in the second half of the year. "Further opening-up of the sector, coupled with innovations in consumption scenarios, will boost service consumption in areas like telecommunications, healthcare and elderly care," Ma said.
\n
In one of the latest announcements, 69 billion yuan, in China's third batch of ultra-long special treasury bond funds, was allocated last month to support the consumer goods trade-in program, with the fourth batch scheduled for October.
\n
The country also introduced a nationwide child care subsidy program last week, which will offer families 3,600 yuan per year for each child under the age of three, as part of broader efforts to address livelihood problems and boost consumer confidence.
\n
"More funds and resources will be invested in people and used to meet their needs" to help create more jobs, increase people's incomes and reduce their burdens, and provide more incentives to stimulate consumption, this year's Government Work Report has pledged.
\n
For the next five years, Commerce Minister Wang said China will transform successful policies and effective practices from the 14th Five-Year Plan into long-term, regular measures, while staying ready to introduce new policies to navigate a complex international environment. "Our tool kit is well-stocked, and we will be fully prepared."
\n",
+ "content": "
Visitors film a fireworks show enhanced by visual and lighting technologies in Liuyang, Hunan province, on July 12.
\n\n
BEIJING — At a bustling appliance store near Shanghai's Zhongshan Park, sales staff enthusiastically demonstrated product features and calculated discounts. The summer shopping season has been in full swing.
\n
A local resident surnamed Yao was looking for an energy-efficient air conditioner and was informed by sales staff that the latest models not only offer AI-powered energy savings, but also include convenient features such as smartphone remote control and an anti-direct-blow design.
\n
"I never realized how quickly home appliances were evolving until I visited the store," Yao said. After careful comparison, he chose a model originally priced at 5,999 yuan ($840), but thanks to government subsidies and store discounts, he paid only 3,599 yuan.
\n
Yao is among hundreds of millions of consumers across China whose spending habits have been reshaped by a rapidly evolving market and government-backed initiatives, as the world's second-largest economy seeks to stimulate consumption and strengthen domestic demand as a key growth driver.
\n
With efforts like the ongoing consumer goods trade-in program, which has spurred purchases of more than 109 million home appliances so far this year, China recorded a 5 percent growth in retail sales of consumer goods for the first half of 2025. The pace is 0.4 percentage point faster than the first quarter.
\n
During the first four years of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) period, final consumption contributed 56.2 percent of the GDP increase on average, an 8.6 percentage point increase over the previous planning period, official data showed.
\n
Amid this shift, new consumption trends have taken center stage, fueled by innovative business models, diverse service and experience offerings, and growing preference for sustainable and high-tech products.
\n
According to Commerce Minister Wang Wentao, the consumer goods trade-in program has been "more than a policy to stimulate spending".
\n
"More importantly, it has promoted a shift toward smart and green products, which in turn helps to upgrade people's quality of life," Wang told reporters last month while briefing on the country's developments in domestic consumption over the past four years.
\n
While government incentives can boost market demand and prompt manufacturers and service providers to increase supply, encouraging consumption in sectors like high-tech and new energy helps drive industrial upgrading and structural adjustments, said Bao Xiaohua, a chair professor at Shanghai University of Finance and Economics.
\n
Also notable is the rapid growth in services consumption, as Chinese consumers increasingly embrace spending on services and experiences. From 2020 to 2024, China's services consumption grew at an average annual rate of 9.6 percent.
\n
In the first half of 2025, data from the State Information Center indicated that the index measuring life services consumption increased 15.7 percent year-on-year, with sectors like entertainment, dining and accommodations showing robust growth.
\n
Driving the services consumption boom are new consumption scenarios such as sporting events, performances, cultural exhibitions and themed markets. The Su Super League, a provincial amateur football tournament in East China's Jiangsu province that gained huge popularity this year, has given a major boost to local tourism and hospitality industries.
\n
During the third round of matches, which coincided with the Dragon Boat Festival holiday in early June, Jiangsu welcomed 12.41 million visitors and earned 4.69 billion yuan in tourism revenue.
\n
Other pro-consumption efforts include further opening-up to attract more quality goods and services into the Chinese market. Over the past years, China has fostered international consumption center cities, established national demonstration zones for innovation and promotion of imports, and hosted major events such as the China International Import Expo and the China International Consumer Products Expo.
\n
"China's vast market has become a shared market for the world and will continue to serve as a key source of growth and vitality for the global economy," the commerce minister said.
\n
Looking ahead, as China approaches the final phase of its 14th Five-Year Plan, market observers believe consumer demand will sustain its strong momentum from the first half and help ensure the plan's successful completion.
\n
Policies like the consumer goods trade-in program are expected to remain effective, driving sales growth for related products. Meanwhile, with holidays like summer vacation and the upcoming National Day, services consumption is also set to enter its peak season, according to experts.
\n
Ma Hong, a senior researcher at the Guangkai Chief Industry Research Institute, said services spending will remain a key driver of consumption growth in the second half of the year. "Further opening-up of the sector, coupled with innovations in consumption scenarios, will boost service consumption in areas like telecommunications, healthcare and elderly care," Ma said.
\n
In one of the latest announcements, 69 billion yuan, in China's third batch of ultra-long special treasury bond funds, was allocated last month to support the consumer goods trade-in program, with the fourth batch scheduled for October.
\n
The country also introduced a nationwide child care subsidy program last week, which will offer families 3,600 yuan per year for each child under the age of three, as part of broader efforts to address livelihood problems and boost consumer confidence.
\n
"More funds and resources will be invested in people and used to meet their needs" to help create more jobs, increase people's incomes and reduce their burdens, and provide more incentives to stimulate consumption, this year's Government Work Report has pledged.
\n
For the next five years, Commerce Minister Wang said China will transform successful policies and effective practices from the 14th Five-Year Plan into long-term, regular measures, while staying ready to introduce new policies to navigate a complex international environment. "Our tool kit is well-stocked, and we will be fully prepared."
Robots boxing in a ring at the 2025 World Robot Conference in Beijing on Aug 8.
\n
Visitors watch robots play soccer at the 2025 World Robot Conference in Beijing on Aug 8.
\n
BEIJING — Robots that are not only able to run, dance and play soccer, but also sort parts on an assembly line, try their luck at a game of mahjong and even tickle the ivory were once fantasies confined to science fiction novels, but are now a reality that was unfolded at the recent World Robot Conference in Beijing.
\n
The WRC 2025 showcased rapidly advancing embodied intelligence technology, with humanoid robots as the highlight, demonstrating significant progress achieved globally and particularly in China, while the event also served to illuminate a wide range of future commercial application scenarios.
\n
Themed "Making Robots Smarter, Making Embodied Agents More Intelligent," the five-day conference that finished earlier this week featured forums, exhibitions, competitions and networking events — with over 200 robotics companies from around the world showcasing their latest innovations.
\n
Exhibitors at the WRC showed off their latest humanoid robots along with other varieties such as wheeled robots, collaborative robots and quadruped or hexapod robotic dogs, as well as newly developed embodied intelligence models.
\n
Unitree Robotics, based in East China's Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, brought its latest humanoid R1 and quadrupedal A2 automatons to the conference. A crowd favorite was a boxing match by two of the latest upgraded GI robots. The mechanical boxers punched and defended like real human fighters, while getting up to continue even after being knocked down.
\n
Marketing manager at Unitree, Liu Jinda, said the sparring demonstration wasn't just for show. "During boxing, multiple joints need to coordinate with extremely fast reaction times. When subjected to external forces, the robots must quickly regain stability and balance. This practice provides valuable experience for developers to improve robotic performance."
\n
In the exhibition area of Galaxea AI, visitors only needed to say "Please make the bed," and the company's new R1 Lite robot responded by completing the task in a randomly disordered bedroom all by itself.
\n
Galaxea AI chief scientist Zhao Hang said the key to embodied intelligence robots lies in their "brain" — represented by the sophistication of their algorithms. R1 Lite's Vision-Language-Action model uses a single end-to-end architecture to achieve precise control from visual perception to its sophisticated joints, enabling it to perform highly complex, long-sequence tasks like making a bed.
\n
At a conference forum, Ni Guangnan, an academician at the Chinese Academy of Engineering, emphasized that combining robots with AI requires elevating robotic intelligence through "brain-eye-action "coordinated systems — enabling automatons to see, understand and act in the real world.
\n
Unitree CEO Wang Xingxing said that while current robotic hardware is generally sufficient, their AI capabilities still fall far short of industry needs, and developing sufficient embodied intelligence models will be the most critical task for the industry in the future.
\n
China's innovations in embodied intelligence are powered by the robust development of its robotics industry. According to data released at the conference, the country's robotics industry generated nearly 240 billion yuan ($33.4 billion) in revenue in 2024.
\n
In the first half, industrial robot production in China reached 370,000 units while service robot output hit 8.82 million units, representing year-on-year growth of 35.6 percent and 25.5 percent, respectively. China has also been the world's largest industrial robot application market for 12 consecutive years, with its share of the world's newly installed robots increasing from 51 percent in 2023 to 54 percent in 2024.
\n
Rev Lebaredian, vice-president of Omniverse and simulation technology at Nvidia, said in a speech at a forum that China boasts the world's largest pool of top-tier graduates in computer science and AI, while holding a distinct advantage in physical-world tech development. This enables the country to produce robots that are both cost-effective and highly efficient — a capability unmatched by other countries.
\n
Moreover, China possesses not only manufacturing prowess, but also the unique ability to deploy robots at scale and iterate rapidly. By deploying robots in real-world applications and collecting operational data, Chinese developers can continuously optimize robotic systems. This closed-loop improvement capability has become an essential requirement for robotics advancement, and China already enjoys this competitive edge, Lebaredian said.
\n
The embodied intelligence sector, notably, is attracting not only AI innovators, but also traditional industrial robotics companies. At WRC 2025, established players like Siasun and Dobot, once focused on robotic arms and autonomous forklifts, deployed humanoid robots at their most visible displays. With decades of industrial application experience, they are injecting new momentum into the application of embodied intelligence technologies.
\n
At the opening ceremony of the conference, the Chinese Institute of Electronics unveiled 10 most promising application scenarios for humanoid robots, such as automotive manufacturing, petrochemical production inspection, emergency response operations, home services and agricultural tasks.
\n
The Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Center showcased the multi-agent and multitasking collaborative capabilities of embodied intelligent robots in industrial scenarios. Some of the robots are responsible for power inspection and others sort parts on assembly lines, while robotic arms in the inspection area automatically identify defective light bulbs.
\n
Several that showcased products at the expo have achieved initial commercialization in the medical and eldercare sectors. For example, a six-legged robotic dog developed by Shanghai Jiao Tong University will provide assistance to vision impaired individuals such as serving as seeing-eye dogs at the upcoming 15th National Games in November, jointly hosted by Guangdong province, Macao and Hong Kong.
\n
Longwood Valley MedTech, meanwhile, introduced its latest orthopedic surgical robot — which enables more precise, minimally invasive and safer surgical procedures, reducing surgery time from around three hours to just 30 minutes. It also minimizes blood loss, accelerates patient recovery, lowers the risk of postoperative complications and cuts medical costs.
\n
Beijing AI-robotics Technology exhibited various wearable exoskeleton robots that can not only help paraplegic individuals stand and walk, but also assist the elderly with stair climbing.
\n
Shuai Mei, the company's founder, said these robots detect both the user's walking intent and terrain conditions, and then use AI algorithms to adapt to the ground and gait in real time, thereby providing appropriate assistance. The company has sold around 1,000 units of its medical and eldercare products, which are now in use in over 300 hospitals nationwide.
\n
Wan Gang, president of the China Association for Science and Technology, said at the conference that China is intensifying its efforts in this cutting-edge and future-oriented industry to spur new consumption, cultivate emerging industries, create jobs, promote economic growth and improve people's lives.
\n",
+ "content": "
Robots boxing in a ring at the 2025 World Robot Conference in Beijing on Aug 8.
\n
Visitors watch robots play soccer at the 2025 World Robot Conference in Beijing on Aug 8.
\n
BEIJING — Robots that are not only able to run, dance and play soccer, but also sort parts on an assembly line, try their luck at a game of mahjong and even tickle the ivory were once fantasies confined to science fiction novels, but are now a reality that was unfolded at the recent World Robot Conference in Beijing.
\n
The WRC 2025 showcased rapidly advancing embodied intelligence technology, with humanoid robots as the highlight, demonstrating significant progress achieved globally and particularly in China, while the event also served to illuminate a wide range of future commercial application scenarios.
\n
Themed "Making Robots Smarter, Making Embodied Agents More Intelligent," the five-day conference that finished earlier this week featured forums, exhibitions, competitions and networking events — with over 200 robotics companies from around the world showcasing their latest innovations.
\n
Exhibitors at the WRC showed off their latest humanoid robots along with other varieties such as wheeled robots, collaborative robots and quadruped or hexapod robotic dogs, as well as newly developed embodied intelligence models.
\n
Unitree Robotics, based in East China's Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, brought its latest humanoid R1 and quadrupedal A2 automatons to the conference. A crowd favorite was a boxing match by two of the latest upgraded GI robots. The mechanical boxers punched and defended like real human fighters, while getting up to continue even after being knocked down.
\n
Marketing manager at Unitree, Liu Jinda, said the sparring demonstration wasn't just for show. "During boxing, multiple joints need to coordinate with extremely fast reaction times. When subjected to external forces, the robots must quickly regain stability and balance. This practice provides valuable experience for developers to improve robotic performance."
\n
In the exhibition area of Galaxea AI, visitors only needed to say "Please make the bed," and the company's new R1 Lite robot responded by completing the task in a randomly disordered bedroom all by itself.
\n
Galaxea AI chief scientist Zhao Hang said the key to embodied intelligence robots lies in their "brain" — represented by the sophistication of their algorithms. R1 Lite's Vision-Language-Action model uses a single end-to-end architecture to achieve precise control from visual perception to its sophisticated joints, enabling it to perform highly complex, long-sequence tasks like making a bed.
\n
At a conference forum, Ni Guangnan, an academician at the Chinese Academy of Engineering, emphasized that combining robots with AI requires elevating robotic intelligence through "brain-eye-action "coordinated systems — enabling automatons to see, understand and act in the real world.
\n
Unitree CEO Wang Xingxing said that while current robotic hardware is generally sufficient, their AI capabilities still fall far short of industry needs, and developing sufficient embodied intelligence models will be the most critical task for the industry in the future.
\n
China's innovations in embodied intelligence are powered by the robust development of its robotics industry. According to data released at the conference, the country's robotics industry generated nearly 240 billion yuan ($33.4 billion) in revenue in 2024.
\n
In the first half, industrial robot production in China reached 370,000 units while service robot output hit 8.82 million units, representing year-on-year growth of 35.6 percent and 25.5 percent, respectively. China has also been the world's largest industrial robot application market for 12 consecutive years, with its share of the world's newly installed robots increasing from 51 percent in 2023 to 54 percent in 2024.
\n
Rev Lebaredian, vice-president of Omniverse and simulation technology at Nvidia, said in a speech at a forum that China boasts the world's largest pool of top-tier graduates in computer science and AI, while holding a distinct advantage in physical-world tech development. This enables the country to produce robots that are both cost-effective and highly efficient — a capability unmatched by other countries.
\n
Moreover, China possesses not only manufacturing prowess, but also the unique ability to deploy robots at scale and iterate rapidly. By deploying robots in real-world applications and collecting operational data, Chinese developers can continuously optimize robotic systems. This closed-loop improvement capability has become an essential requirement for robotics advancement, and China already enjoys this competitive edge, Lebaredian said.
\n
The embodied intelligence sector, notably, is attracting not only AI innovators, but also traditional industrial robotics companies. At WRC 2025, established players like Siasun and Dobot, once focused on robotic arms and autonomous forklifts, deployed humanoid robots at their most visible displays. With decades of industrial application experience, they are injecting new momentum into the application of embodied intelligence technologies.
\n
At the opening ceremony of the conference, the Chinese Institute of Electronics unveiled 10 most promising application scenarios for humanoid robots, such as automotive manufacturing, petrochemical production inspection, emergency response operations, home services and agricultural tasks.
\n
The Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Center showcased the multi-agent and multitasking collaborative capabilities of embodied intelligent robots in industrial scenarios. Some of the robots are responsible for power inspection and others sort parts on assembly lines, while robotic arms in the inspection area automatically identify defective light bulbs.
\n
Several that showcased products at the expo have achieved initial commercialization in the medical and eldercare sectors. For example, a six-legged robotic dog developed by Shanghai Jiao Tong University will provide assistance to vision impaired individuals such as serving as seeing-eye dogs at the upcoming 15th National Games in November, jointly hosted by Guangdong province, Macao and Hong Kong.
\n
Longwood Valley MedTech, meanwhile, introduced its latest orthopedic surgical robot — which enables more precise, minimally invasive and safer surgical procedures, reducing surgery time from around three hours to just 30 minutes. It also minimizes blood loss, accelerates patient recovery, lowers the risk of postoperative complications and cuts medical costs.
\n
Beijing AI-robotics Technology exhibited various wearable exoskeleton robots that can not only help paraplegic individuals stand and walk, but also assist the elderly with stair climbing.
\n
Shuai Mei, the company's founder, said these robots detect both the user's walking intent and terrain conditions, and then use AI algorithms to adapt to the ground and gait in real time, thereby providing appropriate assistance. The company has sold around 1,000 units of its medical and eldercare products, which are now in use in over 300 hospitals nationwide.
\n
Wan Gang, president of the China Association for Science and Technology, said at the conference that China is intensifying its efforts in this cutting-edge and future-oriented industry to spur new consumption, cultivate emerging industries, create jobs, promote economic growth and improve people's lives.
Visitors are deeply interested in a touring exhibition in Beijing that was hosted by the New Fourth Army Memorial Hall.
\n
Left: A view of the exterior of the New Fourth Army Memorial Hall. Right: A stone stele is among more than 18,000 artifacts in the hall, silently narrating the heroic deeds of this legendary revolutionary force.
\n
The site of the reconstructed military headquarters of the New Fourth Army in Yancheng, Jiangsu.
\n
At first glance, the white marble stele at the New Fourth Army Memorial Hall in Yancheng, East China's Jiangsu province, seems unremarkable.
\n
But a closer look at the nearly two-meter-tall monument reveals that it bears a moving tale.
\n
"The great embankment stretches approximately 80 li (40 kilometers), from Huacheng (a low-lying area near Binhai county of Yancheng) in the south to the Huaihe River in the north, with a base width of 21 meters and a crest of three and a half meters," the inscription reads.
\n
"To understand this story, we must first consider the geography of Yancheng, a historic revolutionary base," says Qiu Jinbiao, director of the memorial hall. "Located along the Yellow Sea, the region had long suffered devastating tidal surges and coastal flooding. In August 1939, disaster struck: a catastrophic tsunami pounded northern Yancheng, sweeping away thatched houses, submerging entire villages, and swallowing vast tracts of farmland. More than 13,000 people lost their lives in the waves.
\n
"It was at this desperate moment that the Communist Party of China and the New Fourth Army stepped forward, standing as a bulwark against the fury of the sea," he adds.
\n
After the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) broke out in full scale in 1937, the Communist Party of China and the Kuomintang formed their second united front to combat Japanese imperialism.
\n
As part of the agreement, the Red Army and guerrilla forces from eight southern provinces were reorganized into the New Fourth Army, with Ye Ting as its commander.
\n
In January 1938, as the war situation changed, the New Fourth Army's headquarters relocated from Wuhan of Hubei province to Sanyanjing, Nanchang of Jiangxi province. As more officers arrived, it established command, political, and logistics departments. In Nanchang, the New Fourth Army completed the organizational structure of its leadership and consolidated internal structures. At the same time, the army established a wartime service corps that rallied the public with street campaigns to resist the Japanese invasion.
\n
This initiative turned Nanchang into a hub of anti-Japanese activity in southeastern China.
\n
But the army's growing strength alarmed anti-Communist hard-liners within the KMT. In January 1941, the KMT faction launched the notorious Wan'nan Incident (Southern Anhui Incident) to crush the New Fourth Army, inflicting heavy losses.
\n
To counter KMT suppression and continue the fight against Japanese occupation, the CPC reestablished the New Fourth Army in Yancheng on Jan 25, 1941. It was reorganized into seven divisions and one independent brigade, totaling more than 90,000 troops.
\n
This marked the New Fourth Army's transition into an independent, self-sufficient force responsible for anti-Japanese operations behind enemy lines in Central China.
\n
Over the course of the war, it fought more than 24,600 battles, eliminating over 470,000 Japanese and puppet troops.
\n
From an initial 10,000 soldiers, the force grew to 210,000 regular troops, 97,000 local militiamen, and nearly a million civilian self-defense fighters. More than 80,000 soldiers died in the struggle.
\n
"It vividly illustrated the New Fourth Army's pivotal role," Qiu says.
\n
Amid relentless attacks from Japanese puppet forces and severe shortages, the New Fourth Army joined forces with Song Naide, head of Funing county anti-Japanese democratic government, to protect the coast. Mobilizing over 20,000 laborers, they built the seawall with their bare hands — a literal bulwark of flesh and blood against the raging tides.
\n
The people of Yancheng, grateful for this lifesaving project, carved their appreciation into the white marble stele now displayed in the memorial hall.
\n
"This stele stands today as an enduring physical proof of the CPC and New Fourth Army's unwavering commitment to serving the people," Qiu says.
\n
The stele is among more than 18,000 artifacts at the New Fourth Army Memorial Hall, each silently narrating the heroic deeds of this legendary revolutionary force.
\n
The memorial hall houses a special exhibit featuring a grayish-white silk cheongsam, along with a silver ring set with the portrait of a martyr. They once belonged to Wang Haiwen, a drama student, who joined the resistance under the influence of her patriotic family.
\n
In 1941, during a large-scale Japanese sweep, Wang and her classmates were ambushed while moving northwest toward Yancheng. Surrounded, they fought with unflinching courage until they fell. Wang was just 17.
\n
In 1986, her family donated the cheongsam that she had worn, along with a ring inlaid with her photograph, to the New Fourth Army Memorial Hall in tribute to her bravery and sacrifice.
\n
The cheongsam has been one of the most popular artifacts in the museum's collection, thanks to the subsequent restoration efforts, Qiu notes.
\n
"After extensive research on the fabric's structure and design, the restoration process involved numerous steps, including drawing, small-scale trials, medium-scale tests, and large-scale fabric production," he says.
\n
Under the meticulous craftsmanship of a renowned artisan, the precious artifact was revived, not only preserving its elegance but also reigniting the spirit of sacrifice and patriotism of the New Fourth Army's brave youth, he adds.
\n
Additionally, efforts have been made to scan and model Wang's cheongsam using 3D technology as part of an immersive theatrical experience that allows visitors to engage more deeply with the past.
\n
"All of it ensures that their legacy continues to shine brightly," Qiu says.
\n
The memorial hall aims to move from mere preservation to active use and transmission. This includes adopting creative protection methods, increasing the collection of significant historical artifacts, and establishing detailed cataloging systems, Qiu explains.
\n
In the last three years alone, the museum has expanded its collection by 1,069 artifacts, which include personal items, letters, and items from World War II, such as flags and weapons, each telling the story of sacrifice and resilience.
\n
Furthermore, the memorial hall has embraced digital innovation and established a red culture service platform, which provides online access to collections and promotes educational initiatives related to the New Fourth Army's legacy.
\n
Since its founding in 1986, the memorial hall has welcomed over 41 million visitors from home and abroad, Qiu says.
\n
The popularity of the New Fourth Army can be partly explained by the lyrics of the song Cabbage Heart etched on a wall of the memorial hall.
\n
"When eating vegetables, eat the cabbage heart; when joining the army, join the New Fourth Army …You die for the people, and the people live because of you. Everyone, come join the army," goes the song that quickly spread across the country when published in July 1943.
\n
Zhang Li, associate professor with the Yancheng New Fourth Army Cadre Academy, says that all units of the New Fourth Army responded to the Party's call by carrying out streamlined, efficient military governance, developing local economies, organizing production competitions, promoting the salt industry, improving water conservancy, and revitalizing education and cultural endeavors. These efforts deepened its ties with the people, he adds.
\n
According to the memorial hall's deputy director Zhu Zhuo, 128 towns and villages in Yancheng are named after martyrs, and there are a total of 248 revolutionary sites. Over 18,000 martyrs are buried in this region.
\n
To reach wider audiences, the memorial hall has organized major exhibitions across China.
\n
Last year, a traveling exhibition celebrating the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China toured Beijing, Hefei in Anhui province, and Nanchang, attracting nearly 100,000 visitors, Qiu says.
\n
The museum also collaborates with institutions at home and abroad to share the New Fourth Army's story on the global stage.
\n
The goal is to ensure sacrifices of the New Fourth Army and the broader wartime legacy remain an enduring part of China's national consciousness, Qiu says.
\n
Contact the writer at yangfeiyue@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
Visitors are deeply interested in a touring exhibition in Beijing that was hosted by the New Fourth Army Memorial Hall.
\n
Left: A view of the exterior of the New Fourth Army Memorial Hall. Right: A stone stele is among more than 18,000 artifacts in the hall, silently narrating the heroic deeds of this legendary revolutionary force.
\n
The site of the reconstructed military headquarters of the New Fourth Army in Yancheng, Jiangsu.
\n
At first glance, the white marble stele at the New Fourth Army Memorial Hall in Yancheng, East China's Jiangsu province, seems unremarkable.
\n
But a closer look at the nearly two-meter-tall monument reveals that it bears a moving tale.
\n
"The great embankment stretches approximately 80 li (40 kilometers), from Huacheng (a low-lying area near Binhai county of Yancheng) in the south to the Huaihe River in the north, with a base width of 21 meters and a crest of three and a half meters," the inscription reads.
\n
"To understand this story, we must first consider the geography of Yancheng, a historic revolutionary base," says Qiu Jinbiao, director of the memorial hall. "Located along the Yellow Sea, the region had long suffered devastating tidal surges and coastal flooding. In August 1939, disaster struck: a catastrophic tsunami pounded northern Yancheng, sweeping away thatched houses, submerging entire villages, and swallowing vast tracts of farmland. More than 13,000 people lost their lives in the waves.
\n
"It was at this desperate moment that the Communist Party of China and the New Fourth Army stepped forward, standing as a bulwark against the fury of the sea," he adds.
\n
After the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) broke out in full scale in 1937, the Communist Party of China and the Kuomintang formed their second united front to combat Japanese imperialism.
\n
As part of the agreement, the Red Army and guerrilla forces from eight southern provinces were reorganized into the New Fourth Army, with Ye Ting as its commander.
\n
In January 1938, as the war situation changed, the New Fourth Army's headquarters relocated from Wuhan of Hubei province to Sanyanjing, Nanchang of Jiangxi province. As more officers arrived, it established command, political, and logistics departments. In Nanchang, the New Fourth Army completed the organizational structure of its leadership and consolidated internal structures. At the same time, the army established a wartime service corps that rallied the public with street campaigns to resist the Japanese invasion.
\n
This initiative turned Nanchang into a hub of anti-Japanese activity in southeastern China.
\n
But the army's growing strength alarmed anti-Communist hard-liners within the KMT. In January 1941, the KMT faction launched the notorious Wan'nan Incident (Southern Anhui Incident) to crush the New Fourth Army, inflicting heavy losses.
\n
To counter KMT suppression and continue the fight against Japanese occupation, the CPC reestablished the New Fourth Army in Yancheng on Jan 25, 1941. It was reorganized into seven divisions and one independent brigade, totaling more than 90,000 troops.
\n
This marked the New Fourth Army's transition into an independent, self-sufficient force responsible for anti-Japanese operations behind enemy lines in Central China.
\n
Over the course of the war, it fought more than 24,600 battles, eliminating over 470,000 Japanese and puppet troops.
\n
From an initial 10,000 soldiers, the force grew to 210,000 regular troops, 97,000 local militiamen, and nearly a million civilian self-defense fighters. More than 80,000 soldiers died in the struggle.
\n
"It vividly illustrated the New Fourth Army's pivotal role," Qiu says.
\n
Amid relentless attacks from Japanese puppet forces and severe shortages, the New Fourth Army joined forces with Song Naide, head of Funing county anti-Japanese democratic government, to protect the coast. Mobilizing over 20,000 laborers, they built the seawall with their bare hands — a literal bulwark of flesh and blood against the raging tides.
\n
The people of Yancheng, grateful for this lifesaving project, carved their appreciation into the white marble stele now displayed in the memorial hall.
\n
"This stele stands today as an enduring physical proof of the CPC and New Fourth Army's unwavering commitment to serving the people," Qiu says.
\n
The stele is among more than 18,000 artifacts at the New Fourth Army Memorial Hall, each silently narrating the heroic deeds of this legendary revolutionary force.
\n
The memorial hall houses a special exhibit featuring a grayish-white silk cheongsam, along with a silver ring set with the portrait of a martyr. They once belonged to Wang Haiwen, a drama student, who joined the resistance under the influence of her patriotic family.
\n
In 1941, during a large-scale Japanese sweep, Wang and her classmates were ambushed while moving northwest toward Yancheng. Surrounded, they fought with unflinching courage until they fell. Wang was just 17.
\n
In 1986, her family donated the cheongsam that she had worn, along with a ring inlaid with her photograph, to the New Fourth Army Memorial Hall in tribute to her bravery and sacrifice.
\n
The cheongsam has been one of the most popular artifacts in the museum's collection, thanks to the subsequent restoration efforts, Qiu notes.
\n
"After extensive research on the fabric's structure and design, the restoration process involved numerous steps, including drawing, small-scale trials, medium-scale tests, and large-scale fabric production," he says.
\n
Under the meticulous craftsmanship of a renowned artisan, the precious artifact was revived, not only preserving its elegance but also reigniting the spirit of sacrifice and patriotism of the New Fourth Army's brave youth, he adds.
\n
Additionally, efforts have been made to scan and model Wang's cheongsam using 3D technology as part of an immersive theatrical experience that allows visitors to engage more deeply with the past.
\n
"All of it ensures that their legacy continues to shine brightly," Qiu says.
\n
The memorial hall aims to move from mere preservation to active use and transmission. This includes adopting creative protection methods, increasing the collection of significant historical artifacts, and establishing detailed cataloging systems, Qiu explains.
\n
In the last three years alone, the museum has expanded its collection by 1,069 artifacts, which include personal items, letters, and items from World War II, such as flags and weapons, each telling the story of sacrifice and resilience.
\n
Furthermore, the memorial hall has embraced digital innovation and established a red culture service platform, which provides online access to collections and promotes educational initiatives related to the New Fourth Army's legacy.
\n
Since its founding in 1986, the memorial hall has welcomed over 41 million visitors from home and abroad, Qiu says.
\n
The popularity of the New Fourth Army can be partly explained by the lyrics of the song Cabbage Heart etched on a wall of the memorial hall.
\n
"When eating vegetables, eat the cabbage heart; when joining the army, join the New Fourth Army …You die for the people, and the people live because of you. Everyone, come join the army," goes the song that quickly spread across the country when published in July 1943.
\n
Zhang Li, associate professor with the Yancheng New Fourth Army Cadre Academy, says that all units of the New Fourth Army responded to the Party's call by carrying out streamlined, efficient military governance, developing local economies, organizing production competitions, promoting the salt industry, improving water conservancy, and revitalizing education and cultural endeavors. These efforts deepened its ties with the people, he adds.
\n
According to the memorial hall's deputy director Zhu Zhuo, 128 towns and villages in Yancheng are named after martyrs, and there are a total of 248 revolutionary sites. Over 18,000 martyrs are buried in this region.
\n
To reach wider audiences, the memorial hall has organized major exhibitions across China.
\n
Last year, a traveling exhibition celebrating the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China toured Beijing, Hefei in Anhui province, and Nanchang, attracting nearly 100,000 visitors, Qiu says.
\n
The museum also collaborates with institutions at home and abroad to share the New Fourth Army's story on the global stage.
\n
The goal is to ensure sacrifices of the New Fourth Army and the broader wartime legacy remain an enduring part of China's national consciousness, Qiu says.
\n
Contact the writer at yangfeiyue@chinadaily.com.cn
Ling Cage, a popular sci-fi animated series, fictionalizes a postapocalyptic world where humans rely on cutting-edge technology to battle catastrophe.
\n
Marc, the protagonist of the franchise.
\n
A scene from the second season featuring Bai Yuekui, a powerful female character, wielding a weapon inspired by Chinese martial arts.
\n
An artistic rendering of a futuristic world.
\n
When Dong Xiangbo was in primary school, his father once caught him skipping homework to watch Dinosaur Corps Koseidon, a popular Japanese sci-fi series. The punishment was swift: a spanking that left the boy in tears. Yet, even as his father scolded him, Dong kept sneaking glances at the TV, where a superhero battled aliens.
\n
Decades later, that childhood moment feels almost prophetic. Today, the 38-year-old director is at the helm of Ling Cage, one of China's most ambitious sci-fi animated series.
\n
The latest, its second season, marks a return to the futuristic world after a six-year hiatus. Since its release, it has racked up over 320 million online views and earned a stellar 8.9 out of 10 on the popular review site Douban.
\n
Set in a postapocalyptic world, Ling Cage envisions humanity on the brink of extinction after a catastrophic geological disaster. The survivors take refuge in a floating fortress governed by draconian laws: emotional bonds are banned, reproduction is strictly controlled to ensure genetic superiority, and the weak are exiled.
\n
Marc, the series' protagonist, was once a commander tasked with retrieving vital supplies like food and medicine from the dangerous surface, overrun by monstrous predators. But after losing his beloved in a scheme engineered by the fortress ruler's son — once his friend and mentor — Marc transforms into one of the very creatures he hunted.
\n
The new season picks up where the first left off, introducing a seemingly utopian village, a stark contrast to the fortress. At first idyllic, with residents enjoying peaceful lives, the settlement is soon revealed to harbor sinister experiments and moral compromises. Marc, still clinging to his human consciousness, embarks on a new adventure to face even greater challenges.
\n
The second season, enhanced by advanced technologies like motion capture, features over 10,000 different shots.
\n
For producer Ruan Rui, also the founder of animation studio YHKT Entertainment, the village's design draws from ancient Chinese philosophy — particularly the belief that human perseverance can overcome even the harshest environments. While sci-fi has long thrived in the West, Ruan says he and his fellow creators have worked hard to develop sci-fi stories rooted in Chinese culture that reflect distinctly Chinese ideas.
\n
Such instances range from characters using martial arts to fight monsters to engaging in typical Chinese pastimes like playing mahjong, eating hotpot, and gathering elderly villagers for square dancing as a form of exercise.
\n
When the idea for the franchise emerged around 2015 or 2016, global tensions also shaped its themes. "We originally wanted to explore how people from different countries could unite and work together to confront a global crisis," Ruan explains.
\n
Director Dong, also the cofounder of Wuhan-based YHKT Entertainment, says it took them four years to produce the second season. It aims to delve deeper into thought-provoking sci-fi themes — such as the limits of human potential and whether social systems trap us in patterns that are hard to escape.
\n
A self-taught animator, Dong traces his passion back to a chance encounter in an internet cafe where he saw a middle-aged man creating animations on a computer. Fascinated, Dong bought nearly every animation book he could find and taught himself when he was in college.
\n
Fueled by his interest in sci-fi — from classics by British novelist Arthur C. Clarke to works by Asia's first Hugo Award winner Liu Cixin, as well as Hollywood blockbusters like Canadian director Denis Villeneuve's Arrival (2016) — Dong says he aims to blend universal sci-fi themes with Chinese cultural elements, even weaving acupuncture into the story.
\n
Now leading his team in writing the script for the third season, Dong says he visited several research institutions, including the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, consulting experts on incorporating cutting-edge ideas such as brain-computer interfaces to make the new season even more compelling.
\n
"We hope that, through more high-quality scifi animated projects like the Ling Cage franchise, Chinese animators can elevate the global recognition of domestic animation and earn a place alongside top players in countries like the United States and Japan," says Dong.
\n
Contact the writer at xufan@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
Ling Cage, a popular sci-fi animated series, fictionalizes a postapocalyptic world where humans rely on cutting-edge technology to battle catastrophe.
\n
Marc, the protagonist of the franchise.
\n
A scene from the second season featuring Bai Yuekui, a powerful female character, wielding a weapon inspired by Chinese martial arts.
\n
An artistic rendering of a futuristic world.
\n
When Dong Xiangbo was in primary school, his father once caught him skipping homework to watch Dinosaur Corps Koseidon, a popular Japanese sci-fi series. The punishment was swift: a spanking that left the boy in tears. Yet, even as his father scolded him, Dong kept sneaking glances at the TV, where a superhero battled aliens.
\n
Decades later, that childhood moment feels almost prophetic. Today, the 38-year-old director is at the helm of Ling Cage, one of China's most ambitious sci-fi animated series.
\n
The latest, its second season, marks a return to the futuristic world after a six-year hiatus. Since its release, it has racked up over 320 million online views and earned a stellar 8.9 out of 10 on the popular review site Douban.
\n
Set in a postapocalyptic world, Ling Cage envisions humanity on the brink of extinction after a catastrophic geological disaster. The survivors take refuge in a floating fortress governed by draconian laws: emotional bonds are banned, reproduction is strictly controlled to ensure genetic superiority, and the weak are exiled.
\n
Marc, the series' protagonist, was once a commander tasked with retrieving vital supplies like food and medicine from the dangerous surface, overrun by monstrous predators. But after losing his beloved in a scheme engineered by the fortress ruler's son — once his friend and mentor — Marc transforms into one of the very creatures he hunted.
\n
The new season picks up where the first left off, introducing a seemingly utopian village, a stark contrast to the fortress. At first idyllic, with residents enjoying peaceful lives, the settlement is soon revealed to harbor sinister experiments and moral compromises. Marc, still clinging to his human consciousness, embarks on a new adventure to face even greater challenges.
\n
The second season, enhanced by advanced technologies like motion capture, features over 10,000 different shots.
\n
For producer Ruan Rui, also the founder of animation studio YHKT Entertainment, the village's design draws from ancient Chinese philosophy — particularly the belief that human perseverance can overcome even the harshest environments. While sci-fi has long thrived in the West, Ruan says he and his fellow creators have worked hard to develop sci-fi stories rooted in Chinese culture that reflect distinctly Chinese ideas.
\n
Such instances range from characters using martial arts to fight monsters to engaging in typical Chinese pastimes like playing mahjong, eating hotpot, and gathering elderly villagers for square dancing as a form of exercise.
\n
When the idea for the franchise emerged around 2015 or 2016, global tensions also shaped its themes. "We originally wanted to explore how people from different countries could unite and work together to confront a global crisis," Ruan explains.
\n
Director Dong, also the cofounder of Wuhan-based YHKT Entertainment, says it took them four years to produce the second season. It aims to delve deeper into thought-provoking sci-fi themes — such as the limits of human potential and whether social systems trap us in patterns that are hard to escape.
\n
A self-taught animator, Dong traces his passion back to a chance encounter in an internet cafe where he saw a middle-aged man creating animations on a computer. Fascinated, Dong bought nearly every animation book he could find and taught himself when he was in college.
\n
Fueled by his interest in sci-fi — from classics by British novelist Arthur C. Clarke to works by Asia's first Hugo Award winner Liu Cixin, as well as Hollywood blockbusters like Canadian director Denis Villeneuve's Arrival (2016) — Dong says he aims to blend universal sci-fi themes with Chinese cultural elements, even weaving acupuncture into the story.
\n
Now leading his team in writing the script for the third season, Dong says he visited several research institutions, including the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, consulting experts on incorporating cutting-edge ideas such as brain-computer interfaces to make the new season even more compelling.
\n
"We hope that, through more high-quality scifi animated projects like the Ling Cage franchise, Chinese animators can elevate the global recognition of domestic animation and earn a place alongside top players in countries like the United States and Japan," says Dong.
Zhang Jiaxuan (top) and Huang Yihang compete during the pairs skating competition Wednesday.
\n
From left: Zhang Ruiyang, Wang Shiyue and Liu Xinyu, and An Xiangyi in action during the national trials for the 2026 Winter Olympics figure skating qualifying tournament on Wednesday.
\n
As China's young figure skating national team struggles to make its way to Milano-Cortina 2026, the return of an Olympic champion pair is expected to help facilitate the program's rebuild with finesse, grit and a fresh dynamic.
\n
Less than six months out from the 2026 Winter Olympics, China's figure skating squad, once a proud contributor to the medal count of the country's winter sports delegation, is still fighting for tickets to the Olympic showpiece in Italy, having secured only one qualification berth in men's singles from the ISU world championships in March.
\n
The Olympic qualifying tournament, to be held in Beijing from Sept 17-21, will offer five more quota places in each of the men's and women's singles events, three more in pairs skating and four more in ice dance in what will be the final opportunity for Olympic aspirants to book their flight to Milan.
\n
Although the majority of international powerhouses, such as Japan and the United States, will skip the qualifying meet in Beijing, having filled up their quota places via the worlds, the competition for the remaining berths is guaranteed to be a fierce dogfight, and will be a tough challenge for China's current crop of fresh-faced skaters.
\n
The magnitude of the task in the jostle for qualification spots in women's singles, ice dance and pairs skating on home ice was laid bare at this week's national trials, where Chinese skaters' error-laden performances underscored their seemingly bleak prospects for the Beijing tournament.
\n
As the only women's singles skater with Olympic experience on the current team, Zhu Yi, who represented the host at the Beijing 2022 Winter Games, wrapped up her free skate at the trials on Wednesday with a costly fall on her final triple jump, allowing teen contender Zhang Ruiyang, who finished Tuesday's short program in 2nd behind Zhu, to leapfrog her senior teammate to top of the final standings.
\n
The 17-year-old Zhang will make her high-stakes international debut at the Beijing qualifying meet, carrying the weight of the nation's Olympic hopes on her young shoulders.
\n
"I got nervous during the free skate, made some mistakes here and there," said Zhang, a high-school student at Beijing No 10 Middle School.
\n
"If I can make it to the qualifying meet next month, I hope to show greater consistency and try to skate to the best of my ability. After all, it's almost impossible to significantly raise the difficulty level of my routines in such a short time."
\n
In pairs, young partners Zhang Jiaxuan and Huang Yihang, as the only team that met the trials' entry benchmark, put on an elegant, smooth, yet technically less competitive, performance to pass the test, and will represent the host at the Beijing meet in what is historically the most decorated event for Chinese figure skating.
\n
"I think we should just focus on producing our best performance, making sure we deliver our top form (at the Olympic qualifier) and let the result take care of itself," said 23-year-old Huang, who, last week, won the pairs title with his partner Zhang at the Asian Open Trophy in Manila.
\n
"As we mature into the senior ranks, we still need to improve our coordination, synchronization and quality of jumps," said Huang.
\n
Soon, they will have a perfect benchmark against which to measure their progress, with the confirmed return of reigning Olympic champion pair Han Cong and Sui Wenjing to spice things up entering the new season.
\n
Han and Sui, having both indefinitely retired from competitive skating since their home-ice heroics at Beijing 2022, have both announced their return to the rink, motivated by a sense of responsibility to help the national program pull off the tough transition between generations.
\n
Should their younger compatriots earn their country a ticket to Milan as expected next month, Han and Sui are expected to challenge Zhang and Huang at the upcoming domestic Olympic trials to earn a spot at their fourth Olympics.
\n
According to the official ISU program for its 2025-26 figure skating Grand Prix circuit, Han and Sui have signed up for the season's second leg, the Cup of China, in Chongqing in October, and the fourth stop, the NHK Trophy in Osaka in November, to test their form against international rivals old and new.
\n
"Brother Cong and sister Sui have been our idols. I cheered for them and watched them dance to the top of the Beijing 2022 podium from the stands," said Huang.
\n
"Their return is definitely good news for Chinese pairs skating. I believe they will lead by example and carry us all forward together."
\n
In ice dance, Beijing 2022's 12th-placed combo Wang Shiyue and Liu Xinyu finished top among four pairs at this week's trials, their second event since coming back from a yearlong injury layoff, to represent China at the Olympic qualifying meet.
\n",
+ "content": "
Zhang Jiaxuan (top) and Huang Yihang compete during the pairs skating competition Wednesday.
\n
From left: Zhang Ruiyang, Wang Shiyue and Liu Xinyu, and An Xiangyi in action during the national trials for the 2026 Winter Olympics figure skating qualifying tournament on Wednesday.
\n
As China's young figure skating national team struggles to make its way to Milano-Cortina 2026, the return of an Olympic champion pair is expected to help facilitate the program's rebuild with finesse, grit and a fresh dynamic.
\n
Less than six months out from the 2026 Winter Olympics, China's figure skating squad, once a proud contributor to the medal count of the country's winter sports delegation, is still fighting for tickets to the Olympic showpiece in Italy, having secured only one qualification berth in men's singles from the ISU world championships in March.
\n
The Olympic qualifying tournament, to be held in Beijing from Sept 17-21, will offer five more quota places in each of the men's and women's singles events, three more in pairs skating and four more in ice dance in what will be the final opportunity for Olympic aspirants to book their flight to Milan.
\n
Although the majority of international powerhouses, such as Japan and the United States, will skip the qualifying meet in Beijing, having filled up their quota places via the worlds, the competition for the remaining berths is guaranteed to be a fierce dogfight, and will be a tough challenge for China's current crop of fresh-faced skaters.
\n
The magnitude of the task in the jostle for qualification spots in women's singles, ice dance and pairs skating on home ice was laid bare at this week's national trials, where Chinese skaters' error-laden performances underscored their seemingly bleak prospects for the Beijing tournament.
\n
As the only women's singles skater with Olympic experience on the current team, Zhu Yi, who represented the host at the Beijing 2022 Winter Games, wrapped up her free skate at the trials on Wednesday with a costly fall on her final triple jump, allowing teen contender Zhang Ruiyang, who finished Tuesday's short program in 2nd behind Zhu, to leapfrog her senior teammate to top of the final standings.
\n
The 17-year-old Zhang will make her high-stakes international debut at the Beijing qualifying meet, carrying the weight of the nation's Olympic hopes on her young shoulders.
\n
"I got nervous during the free skate, made some mistakes here and there," said Zhang, a high-school student at Beijing No 10 Middle School.
\n
"If I can make it to the qualifying meet next month, I hope to show greater consistency and try to skate to the best of my ability. After all, it's almost impossible to significantly raise the difficulty level of my routines in such a short time."
\n
In pairs, young partners Zhang Jiaxuan and Huang Yihang, as the only team that met the trials' entry benchmark, put on an elegant, smooth, yet technically less competitive, performance to pass the test, and will represent the host at the Beijing meet in what is historically the most decorated event for Chinese figure skating.
\n
"I think we should just focus on producing our best performance, making sure we deliver our top form (at the Olympic qualifier) and let the result take care of itself," said 23-year-old Huang, who, last week, won the pairs title with his partner Zhang at the Asian Open Trophy in Manila.
\n
"As we mature into the senior ranks, we still need to improve our coordination, synchronization and quality of jumps," said Huang.
\n
Soon, they will have a perfect benchmark against which to measure their progress, with the confirmed return of reigning Olympic champion pair Han Cong and Sui Wenjing to spice things up entering the new season.
\n
Han and Sui, having both indefinitely retired from competitive skating since their home-ice heroics at Beijing 2022, have both announced their return to the rink, motivated by a sense of responsibility to help the national program pull off the tough transition between generations.
\n
Should their younger compatriots earn their country a ticket to Milan as expected next month, Han and Sui are expected to challenge Zhang and Huang at the upcoming domestic Olympic trials to earn a spot at their fourth Olympics.
\n
According to the official ISU program for its 2025-26 figure skating Grand Prix circuit, Han and Sui have signed up for the season's second leg, the Cup of China, in Chongqing in October, and the fourth stop, the NHK Trophy in Osaka in November, to test their form against international rivals old and new.
\n
"Brother Cong and sister Sui have been our idols. I cheered for them and watched them dance to the top of the Beijing 2022 podium from the stands," said Huang.
\n
"Their return is definitely good news for Chinese pairs skating. I believe they will lead by example and carry us all forward together."
\n
In ice dance, Beijing 2022's 12th-placed combo Wang Shiyue and Liu Xinyu finished top among four pairs at this week's trials, their second event since coming back from a yearlong injury layoff, to represent China at the Olympic qualifying meet.
From left: Ukrainian dragon boaters celebrate victory in the eight-seat 500m final; France's Eloan Hitz in action during the men's freestyle parkour competition; Nursultan Duisenkulov from Kazakhstan (left) battles with Denmark's Lucas Andersen during the men's ju-jitsu 77kg fighting final.
\n
Switzerland's Kim Sprenger returns the ball during the women's fistball final between Brazil and Switzerland at Tianfu Park in Chengdu, Sichuan province, on Wednesday.
\n
Wang Xuanxuan of China on the attack against Germany during the group stage of the ultimate flying disc competition.
\n
Clockwise from above: Floorball, wushu, lacrosse and beach handball are among the many niche sports at the Chengdu World Games that have enjoyed greater exposure on the global stage. Many sports have put their hands up for Olympic inclusion, and lacrosse will be part of the program for the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.
\n
Diversity shines at the 2025 World Games, as regional, niche sports have found new fans, fresh talent and a high-profile stage in Chengdu.
\n
The world's largest international multisport gala to feature mainly non-Olympic events has shed new light on disciplines once on the periphery of the global sporting mainstream, bringing more exposure to trending urban exercises and some of the "newcomers" on the LA28 Olympic program.
\n
Flag football, a non-contact variant of American football, in which defenders stop plays by pulling a flag attached to their opponent's waist, turned heads in Chengdu on Thursday with an eight-nation women's tournament grabbing international attention ahead of its Olympic debut in Los Angeles.
\n
New Olympic sports such as lacrosse and squash have also made a strong impression. Five of the 12-athlete Chinese women's lacrosse squad hail from Chengdu University, drawing quite an enthusiastic fan following from the local community.
\n
After watching her sport contested against blue-glass walls employing low-cost, recyclable materials, World Squash Federation president Zena Wooldridge was left intrigued. "The venue is superb, with high-quality courts. Players are going home with wonderful memories of Chengdu," she said.
\n
Some sports with Chinese origin are also making their presence felt among the global audience. Modern dragon boat racing, now featuring lightweight craft and mixed-gender crews, drew strong competition.
\n
Despite China's strong heritage in the sport, Indonesia topped the podium, claiming three titles, while Ukraine and Thailand also struck gold, underscoring the sport's widening global reach.
\n
Martial arts reinforced its Olympic ambitions. "The level is incredibly close now — it's no longer one dominant force, but many flourishing together," noted International Wushu Federation secretary-general Zhang Yuping. With its inclusion in the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympics, wushu's international promotion marked a major milestone, while the Chengdu showcase certainly has given it a further push.
\n
The trend extends to water sports, where Chinese wake surfer Zhuang Tiancai's silver-medal finish in the men's skim final on Aug 10 highlighted the trending outdoor sport's booming popularity. His Guangdong surfing club, founded in 2022, now has more than 100 members.
\n
"Three years ago, there were hardly any surfing clubs in Guangdong," Zhuang said. "Now there are more than a dozen. My partners and I are planning to open another branch."
\n
Official figures show China now has more than 300 water-surfing clubs with hundreds of thousands of participants.
\n
International World Games Association president Jose Perurena Lopez stressed the Games' role as a gateway: "We represent sports recognized by the IOC, but not yet in the Olympics. Some may graduate to the Olympics program."
\n
"The mentality of younger people has changed. In my time, all the focus was on the Olympic disciplines; now, the new generation embraces diverse sports," he said.
\n",
+ "content": "
From left: Ukrainian dragon boaters celebrate victory in the eight-seat 500m final; France's Eloan Hitz in action during the men's freestyle parkour competition; Nursultan Duisenkulov from Kazakhstan (left) battles with Denmark's Lucas Andersen during the men's ju-jitsu 77kg fighting final.
\n
Switzerland's Kim Sprenger returns the ball during the women's fistball final between Brazil and Switzerland at Tianfu Park in Chengdu, Sichuan province, on Wednesday.
\n
Wang Xuanxuan of China on the attack against Germany during the group stage of the ultimate flying disc competition.
\n
Clockwise from above: Floorball, wushu, lacrosse and beach handball are among the many niche sports at the Chengdu World Games that have enjoyed greater exposure on the global stage. Many sports have put their hands up for Olympic inclusion, and lacrosse will be part of the program for the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.
\n
Diversity shines at the 2025 World Games, as regional, niche sports have found new fans, fresh talent and a high-profile stage in Chengdu.
\n
The world's largest international multisport gala to feature mainly non-Olympic events has shed new light on disciplines once on the periphery of the global sporting mainstream, bringing more exposure to trending urban exercises and some of the "newcomers" on the LA28 Olympic program.
\n
Flag football, a non-contact variant of American football, in which defenders stop plays by pulling a flag attached to their opponent's waist, turned heads in Chengdu on Thursday with an eight-nation women's tournament grabbing international attention ahead of its Olympic debut in Los Angeles.
\n
New Olympic sports such as lacrosse and squash have also made a strong impression. Five of the 12-athlete Chinese women's lacrosse squad hail from Chengdu University, drawing quite an enthusiastic fan following from the local community.
\n
After watching her sport contested against blue-glass walls employing low-cost, recyclable materials, World Squash Federation president Zena Wooldridge was left intrigued. "The venue is superb, with high-quality courts. Players are going home with wonderful memories of Chengdu," she said.
\n
Some sports with Chinese origin are also making their presence felt among the global audience. Modern dragon boat racing, now featuring lightweight craft and mixed-gender crews, drew strong competition.
\n
Despite China's strong heritage in the sport, Indonesia topped the podium, claiming three titles, while Ukraine and Thailand also struck gold, underscoring the sport's widening global reach.
\n
Martial arts reinforced its Olympic ambitions. "The level is incredibly close now — it's no longer one dominant force, but many flourishing together," noted International Wushu Federation secretary-general Zhang Yuping. With its inclusion in the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympics, wushu's international promotion marked a major milestone, while the Chengdu showcase certainly has given it a further push.
\n
The trend extends to water sports, where Chinese wake surfer Zhuang Tiancai's silver-medal finish in the men's skim final on Aug 10 highlighted the trending outdoor sport's booming popularity. His Guangdong surfing club, founded in 2022, now has more than 100 members.
\n
"Three years ago, there were hardly any surfing clubs in Guangdong," Zhuang said. "Now there are more than a dozen. My partners and I are planning to open another branch."
\n
Official figures show China now has more than 300 water-surfing clubs with hundreds of thousands of participants.
\n
International World Games Association president Jose Perurena Lopez stressed the Games' role as a gateway: "We represent sports recognized by the IOC, but not yet in the Olympics. Some may graduate to the Olympics program."
\n
"The mentality of younger people has changed. In my time, all the focus was on the Olympic disciplines; now, the new generation embraces diverse sports," he said.
Backed by numerous successful examples, President Xi Jinping's concept that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets "presents crucial solutions for the global community to balance economic growth and environmental conservation.
\n
In an exclusive interview with China Daily ahead of the concept's 20th anniversary, Yu Hai, deputy director of the Research Center for Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization, emphasized China's dedication to applying this concept in international cooperation to benefit the global community, especially developing nations.
\n
"Under the scientific guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization, China has achieved remarkable accomplishments in exploring pathways and models that help transform 'lucid waters and lush mountains' into 'invaluable assets'," Yu said.
\n
Xi, then secretary of the Communist Party of China Zhejiang Provincial Committee, first proposed the concept that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets "during an inspection in Anji county, Zhejiang province, on Aug 15, 2005.
\n
President Xi has actively promoted the concept on many international occasions, calling for building a common homeland of coordinated advancement of economy and the environment.
\n
"His advocacy provides intellectual enlightenment for the international community to explore the path of green development and guidance for the global sustainable development agenda," said Yu.
\n
As the world's largest developing country, China always maintains a global vision and demonstrates a strong sense of responsibility and mission as a major power, Yu emphasized.
\n
"Firmly adhering to the philosophy of 'teaching people how to fish rather than simply giving them fish', China has woven the concept into collaborative efforts such as the Belt and Road Initiative and South-South Cooperation, ensuring concrete benefits, particularly for developing nations," he said.
\n
Localized adoption
\n
Through the BRI, for instance, China has been implementing green projects such as solar, wind and hydroelectric power to share its approaches, technologies and experiences in practicing the concept, Yu added.
\n
He said that this effort promotes the concept's localized adoption, making significant contributions to enhancing the ecological and environmental governance capabilities of developing countries and jointly building a clean and beautiful world.
\n
The urgency to advance global environmental governance has grown, as the world rapidly advances the shift toward green and low-carbon initiatives. Against this backdrop, Yu said, the principle of "ecological and economic coordinated development", which is embedded in the concept, has become a widely accepted core tenet and central theme in the global drive for sustainable development.
\n
The late John Cobb, a renowned United States theologian and environmentalist known as the father of green GDP — an economic indicator that adjusts conventional GDP by factoring in the environmental costs and benefits associated with economic activities — argued, for example, that the concept proposed by Xi dissolves the dualism between economic development and environmental protection, demonstrating to the world that environmental conservation and economic development can go hand in hand.
\n
Yu said, "As we stand at the historical milestone of the 20th anniversary of this concept, we should strive to be active promoters and exemplary practitioners of the concept, actively participating in, contributing to and leading in the building of a global community with a shared future for humanity."
\n
Innovative models
\n
Yu also said that different government departments and regions in China have carried out extensive practices, exploring diverse pathways and innovative models, supported by a series of institutional arrangements implemented at the national level.
\n
For instance, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment has selected 240 practice innovation bases to promote the concept, according to Yu. He highlighted Dengkou county in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region as a model in implementing the concept.
\n
As the county progresses in desertification control, it is also actively pursuing economic benefits by promoting ecological industries that support this effort, such as traditional Chinese medicine and solar power development, Yu noted, adding that local authorities have also employed supportive policy tools to enhance enthusiasm for sand prevention and control.
\n
According to the Dengkou government, the forest and grass coverage in its sandy areas reached more than 37 percent as of 2023, compared with merely 0.04 percent in the 1950s.
\n
The annual output value of the county's ecological industries has surpassed 1 billion yuan ($139.4 million), directly increasing the income of more than 5,000 households in sandy areas.
\n
Yu said that the Dengkou case, among many others, vividly showcases China's advancements in promoting ecological civilization.
\n
He also highlighted the country's vision of making the concept not only a distinctive symbol of China's modernization, but also a contribution of Eastern wisdom to the development of a new form of human civilization.
\n
"By providing enhanced guidance for global ecological civilization and a stronger impetus for the world's economic recovery, we aim to collaborate with the international community to foster a harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature on our planet," Yu said.
\n
houliqiang@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
Backed by numerous successful examples, President Xi Jinping's concept that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets "presents crucial solutions for the global community to balance economic growth and environmental conservation.
\n
In an exclusive interview with China Daily ahead of the concept's 20th anniversary, Yu Hai, deputy director of the Research Center for Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization, emphasized China's dedication to applying this concept in international cooperation to benefit the global community, especially developing nations.
\n
"Under the scientific guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization, China has achieved remarkable accomplishments in exploring pathways and models that help transform 'lucid waters and lush mountains' into 'invaluable assets'," Yu said.
\n
Xi, then secretary of the Communist Party of China Zhejiang Provincial Committee, first proposed the concept that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets "during an inspection in Anji county, Zhejiang province, on Aug 15, 2005.
\n
President Xi has actively promoted the concept on many international occasions, calling for building a common homeland of coordinated advancement of economy and the environment.
\n
"His advocacy provides intellectual enlightenment for the international community to explore the path of green development and guidance for the global sustainable development agenda," said Yu.
\n
As the world's largest developing country, China always maintains a global vision and demonstrates a strong sense of responsibility and mission as a major power, Yu emphasized.
\n
"Firmly adhering to the philosophy of 'teaching people how to fish rather than simply giving them fish', China has woven the concept into collaborative efforts such as the Belt and Road Initiative and South-South Cooperation, ensuring concrete benefits, particularly for developing nations," he said.
\n
Localized adoption
\n
Through the BRI, for instance, China has been implementing green projects such as solar, wind and hydroelectric power to share its approaches, technologies and experiences in practicing the concept, Yu added.
\n
He said that this effort promotes the concept's localized adoption, making significant contributions to enhancing the ecological and environmental governance capabilities of developing countries and jointly building a clean and beautiful world.
\n
The urgency to advance global environmental governance has grown, as the world rapidly advances the shift toward green and low-carbon initiatives. Against this backdrop, Yu said, the principle of "ecological and economic coordinated development", which is embedded in the concept, has become a widely accepted core tenet and central theme in the global drive for sustainable development.
\n
The late John Cobb, a renowned United States theologian and environmentalist known as the father of green GDP — an economic indicator that adjusts conventional GDP by factoring in the environmental costs and benefits associated with economic activities — argued, for example, that the concept proposed by Xi dissolves the dualism between economic development and environmental protection, demonstrating to the world that environmental conservation and economic development can go hand in hand.
\n
Yu said, "As we stand at the historical milestone of the 20th anniversary of this concept, we should strive to be active promoters and exemplary practitioners of the concept, actively participating in, contributing to and leading in the building of a global community with a shared future for humanity."
\n
Innovative models
\n
Yu also said that different government departments and regions in China have carried out extensive practices, exploring diverse pathways and innovative models, supported by a series of institutional arrangements implemented at the national level.
\n
For instance, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment has selected 240 practice innovation bases to promote the concept, according to Yu. He highlighted Dengkou county in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region as a model in implementing the concept.
\n
As the county progresses in desertification control, it is also actively pursuing economic benefits by promoting ecological industries that support this effort, such as traditional Chinese medicine and solar power development, Yu noted, adding that local authorities have also employed supportive policy tools to enhance enthusiasm for sand prevention and control.
\n
According to the Dengkou government, the forest and grass coverage in its sandy areas reached more than 37 percent as of 2023, compared with merely 0.04 percent in the 1950s.
\n
The annual output value of the county's ecological industries has surpassed 1 billion yuan ($139.4 million), directly increasing the income of more than 5,000 households in sandy areas.
\n
Yu said that the Dengkou case, among many others, vividly showcases China's advancements in promoting ecological civilization.
\n
He also highlighted the country's vision of making the concept not only a distinctive symbol of China's modernization, but also a contribution of Eastern wisdom to the development of a new form of human civilization.
\n
"By providing enhanced guidance for global ecological civilization and a stronger impetus for the world's economic recovery, we aim to collaborate with the international community to foster a harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature on our planet," Yu said.
The signs of a bull run are slowly but steadily emerging in China's A-share market, underpinned by ongoing structural reforms and sustained long-term capital inflows. Experts said the developing rally is expected to gain further traction on the back of policy support and a gradually improving external environment.
\n
Their remarks came on Wednesday as the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index rose for an eighth straight session, climbing 0.48 percent to close at 3,683.46 — its highest level since December 2021.
\n
The Shenzhen Component Index gained 1.76 percent, while the tech-heavy ChiNext surged 3.62 percent. The total turnover on the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges topped 2.1 trillion yuan ($292.69 billion) — a 13.5 percent increase from the previous day.
\n
Investor enthusiasm is surging on both the institutional and retail fronts. July witnessed a record monthly number of new mutual fund launches, reflecting rising interest among households in equity assets as returns from traditional savings and wealth management products continue to decline. Total assets under management in public mutual funds have now exceeded 34 trillion yuan.
\n
Insurance companies are also ramping up their presence in the A-share market. The number of public disclosures triggered by insurers' equity holdings surpassing the 5 percent threshold has already exceeded last year's total. Analysts said insurers are increasingly focusing on companies from the emerging industries and advanced manufacturing sectors, supporting China's shift toward high-quality development.
\n
Yang Delong, chief economist at First Seafront Fund, said that insurance companies have played an increasingly stabilizing role in the A-share market by boosting their equity allocations. He noted that insurers have recently focused more of their research on companies engaged in new quality productive forces, a move that supports China's broader push to upgrade its real economy and enhance long-term investment value.
\n
Retail investor participation is also rising. Nearly 14.6 million individual trading accounts were opened in the first seven months of 2025, a 37 percent year-on-year increase, according to data provider Wind Info.
\n
Furthermore, foreign investors have been steadily increasing their exposure to Chinese equities, including A-shares and Hong Kong-listed stocks. Net foreign inflows totaled $2.7 billion in July, more than double the level in June, according to a recent report by Morgan Stanley.
\n
Analysts said the macro environment is becoming increasingly favorable for Chinese equities. Expectations of a weaker US dollar and potential interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve are improving the outlook for emerging markets. The narrowing interest rate differential between China and the United States could further accelerate foreign capital inflows.
\n
Hong Hao, chief investment officer at Lotus Asset Management, said the upward momentum of Chinese stocks will sustain for a long time if the US dollar's weakness proves to be a multiyear trend. Also, the Chinese market has been increasingly resilient in the face of negative tariff headlines.
\n
Given the current favorable liquidity conditions in the Chinese market and the fear-of-missing-out sentiment, any corrections in the A-share market are likely to be quickly absorbed by buyers, he added.
\n
Zhu Liang, chief investment officer at AllianceBernstein China, said that despite strong gains in recent weeks — with the Shanghai Composite Index up nearly 7 percent and the Shenzhen Component Index up more than 10 percent since July — valuations in the A-share market remain attractive.
\n
Sounding a word of caution, some experts said that risk appetite in the A-share market may be suppressed by factors such as changes in tariff talks between China and the US, as well as domestic challenges facing the Chinese economy.
\n
He Kang, chief strategy analyst at Huatai Securities, said that there are still challenges regarding China's economic recovery, as efforts by policymakers to create a fairer competition environment may take time to show effect, and this may affect the profitability outlook of A-share companies.
\n
shijing@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
The signs of a bull run are slowly but steadily emerging in China's A-share market, underpinned by ongoing structural reforms and sustained long-term capital inflows. Experts said the developing rally is expected to gain further traction on the back of policy support and a gradually improving external environment.
\n
Their remarks came on Wednesday as the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index rose for an eighth straight session, climbing 0.48 percent to close at 3,683.46 — its highest level since December 2021.
\n
The Shenzhen Component Index gained 1.76 percent, while the tech-heavy ChiNext surged 3.62 percent. The total turnover on the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges topped 2.1 trillion yuan ($292.69 billion) — a 13.5 percent increase from the previous day.
\n
Investor enthusiasm is surging on both the institutional and retail fronts. July witnessed a record monthly number of new mutual fund launches, reflecting rising interest among households in equity assets as returns from traditional savings and wealth management products continue to decline. Total assets under management in public mutual funds have now exceeded 34 trillion yuan.
\n
Insurance companies are also ramping up their presence in the A-share market. The number of public disclosures triggered by insurers' equity holdings surpassing the 5 percent threshold has already exceeded last year's total. Analysts said insurers are increasingly focusing on companies from the emerging industries and advanced manufacturing sectors, supporting China's shift toward high-quality development.
\n
Yang Delong, chief economist at First Seafront Fund, said that insurance companies have played an increasingly stabilizing role in the A-share market by boosting their equity allocations. He noted that insurers have recently focused more of their research on companies engaged in new quality productive forces, a move that supports China's broader push to upgrade its real economy and enhance long-term investment value.
\n
Retail investor participation is also rising. Nearly 14.6 million individual trading accounts were opened in the first seven months of 2025, a 37 percent year-on-year increase, according to data provider Wind Info.
\n
Furthermore, foreign investors have been steadily increasing their exposure to Chinese equities, including A-shares and Hong Kong-listed stocks. Net foreign inflows totaled $2.7 billion in July, more than double the level in June, according to a recent report by Morgan Stanley.
\n
Analysts said the macro environment is becoming increasingly favorable for Chinese equities. Expectations of a weaker US dollar and potential interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve are improving the outlook for emerging markets. The narrowing interest rate differential between China and the United States could further accelerate foreign capital inflows.
\n
Hong Hao, chief investment officer at Lotus Asset Management, said the upward momentum of Chinese stocks will sustain for a long time if the US dollar's weakness proves to be a multiyear trend. Also, the Chinese market has been increasingly resilient in the face of negative tariff headlines.
\n
Given the current favorable liquidity conditions in the Chinese market and the fear-of-missing-out sentiment, any corrections in the A-share market are likely to be quickly absorbed by buyers, he added.
\n
Zhu Liang, chief investment officer at AllianceBernstein China, said that despite strong gains in recent weeks — with the Shanghai Composite Index up nearly 7 percent and the Shenzhen Component Index up more than 10 percent since July — valuations in the A-share market remain attractive.
\n
Sounding a word of caution, some experts said that risk appetite in the A-share market may be suppressed by factors such as changes in tariff talks between China and the US, as well as domestic challenges facing the Chinese economy.
\n
He Kang, chief strategy analyst at Huatai Securities, said that there are still challenges regarding China's economic recovery, as efforts by policymakers to create a fairer competition environment may take time to show effect, and this may affect the profitability outlook of A-share companies.
As Typhoon Podul is poised to make its second landfall along the coastal areas between Guangdong and Fujian provinces, transportation — particularly train services in the two provinces — was significantly affected on Wednesday.
\n
Podul, the 11th typhoon of the year and classified as a severe storm, made its initial landfall along the coast of Taitung, Taiwan, at around 1 pm on Wednesday, with maximum wind speeds near the center reaching 151.2 kilometers per hour, according to the National Meteorological Center.
\n
After entering the Taiwan Strait on Wednesday afternoon, the typhoon was expected to make a second landfall along the coast between Xiamen in Fujian and Shantou in Guangdong, between Wednesday evening and early Thursday morning, the NMC reported.
\n
In response to the severe weather, China Railway Guangzhou Group has assessed risks and adjusted transportation schedules on several routes. As of Wednesday, high-speed train services were suspended on routes connecting Zhejiang and Guangdong provinces, with train services on the affected railway lines expected to resume after Thursday, depending on weather conditions. Additionally, some trains on the Beijing-Guangzhou and Beijing-Kowloon (Hong Kong) railway lines were suspended on Wednesday.
\n
In Shantou, the Nan'ao Bridge, a major cross-sea project, was closed to traffic at 8 pm on Wednesday for safety reasons. Strong winds were detected at the bridge's automatic weather observation station on Wednesday morning, with their intensity increasing throughout the day, according to local meteorological authorities.
\n
In Chaozhou, which neighbors Shantou, all primary and secondary schools, kindergartens, day care centers and training institutions suspended classes on Wednesday.
\n
On the maritime front, all fishing boats in areas east of Shanwei, a seaside city in Guangdong, were required to return to port by 8 pm on Tuesday, and recreational boats were prohibited from going out to sea, according to the provincial headquarters for flood, drought and wind control.
\n
In Fujian, some passenger trains bound for Shaanxi province and Chongqing were suspended on Wednesday.
\n
In response to the impact of the typhoon and severe convective weather, the railway group upgraded the typhoon warning level for several lines running through Fujian from Level IV to Level III on Wednesday.
\n
With wind speeds of 90 to 118.8 km/h after its second landfall, Podul is expected to continue moving northwest into inland areas, passing through several provincial-level regions including Guangdong, Hunan, Guizhou and Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, bringing widespread heavy to torrential rain, according to the NMC.
\n
Due to Podul's asymmetrical structure with stronger convection on its southern side, southern Fujian and eastern Guangdong are expected to experience particularly significant heavy rainfall, according to NMC.
\n
Lyu Xinyan, chief forecaster at the NMC, highlighted the potential for compounding effects due to recent frequent rainfall in southern China.
\n
"We should pay particular attention to the cumulative effects of Podul's heavy rainfall and previous rainstorms, which could easily trigger mountain torrents, mudslides, flash floods in small and medium-sized rivers, and urban and rural flooding," she said.
\n
Contact the writer at qiuquanlin@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
As Typhoon Podul is poised to make its second landfall along the coastal areas between Guangdong and Fujian provinces, transportation — particularly train services in the two provinces — was significantly affected on Wednesday.
\n
Podul, the 11th typhoon of the year and classified as a severe storm, made its initial landfall along the coast of Taitung, Taiwan, at around 1 pm on Wednesday, with maximum wind speeds near the center reaching 151.2 kilometers per hour, according to the National Meteorological Center.
\n
After entering the Taiwan Strait on Wednesday afternoon, the typhoon was expected to make a second landfall along the coast between Xiamen in Fujian and Shantou in Guangdong, between Wednesday evening and early Thursday morning, the NMC reported.
\n
In response to the severe weather, China Railway Guangzhou Group has assessed risks and adjusted transportation schedules on several routes. As of Wednesday, high-speed train services were suspended on routes connecting Zhejiang and Guangdong provinces, with train services on the affected railway lines expected to resume after Thursday, depending on weather conditions. Additionally, some trains on the Beijing-Guangzhou and Beijing-Kowloon (Hong Kong) railway lines were suspended on Wednesday.
\n
In Shantou, the Nan'ao Bridge, a major cross-sea project, was closed to traffic at 8 pm on Wednesday for safety reasons. Strong winds were detected at the bridge's automatic weather observation station on Wednesday morning, with their intensity increasing throughout the day, according to local meteorological authorities.
\n
In Chaozhou, which neighbors Shantou, all primary and secondary schools, kindergartens, day care centers and training institutions suspended classes on Wednesday.
\n
On the maritime front, all fishing boats in areas east of Shanwei, a seaside city in Guangdong, were required to return to port by 8 pm on Tuesday, and recreational boats were prohibited from going out to sea, according to the provincial headquarters for flood, drought and wind control.
\n
In Fujian, some passenger trains bound for Shaanxi province and Chongqing were suspended on Wednesday.
\n
In response to the impact of the typhoon and severe convective weather, the railway group upgraded the typhoon warning level for several lines running through Fujian from Level IV to Level III on Wednesday.
\n
With wind speeds of 90 to 118.8 km/h after its second landfall, Podul is expected to continue moving northwest into inland areas, passing through several provincial-level regions including Guangdong, Hunan, Guizhou and Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, bringing widespread heavy to torrential rain, according to the NMC.
\n
Due to Podul's asymmetrical structure with stronger convection on its southern side, southern Fujian and eastern Guangdong are expected to experience particularly significant heavy rainfall, according to NMC.
\n
Lyu Xinyan, chief forecaster at the NMC, highlighted the potential for compounding effects due to recent frequent rainfall in southern China.
\n
"We should pay particular attention to the cumulative effects of Podul's heavy rainfall and previous rainstorms, which could easily trigger mountain torrents, mudslides, flash floods in small and medium-sized rivers, and urban and rural flooding," she said.
\n
Contact the writer at qiuquanlin@chinadaily.com.cn
Competitors from the Netherlands carry their robots onto the field for adjustments and training at Beijing's National Speed Skating Oval on Tuesday, ahead of the 2025 World Humanoid Robot Games. The event is being held from Thursday to Sunday, with over 500 humanoid robots competing in 26 events and 538 competitions.
\n",
+ "content": "
Competitors from the Netherlands carry their robots onto the field for adjustments and training at Beijing's National Speed Skating Oval on Tuesday, ahead of the 2025 World Humanoid Robot Games. The event is being held from Thursday to Sunday, with over 500 humanoid robots competing in 26 events and 538 competitions.
The "Green Fleet", consisting of four all-electric tugboats, sets sail from the China State Shipbuilding Corporation Tianjin dock on Wednesday. Compared to traditional fuel-powered tugs, these electric ships produce zero emissions and little noise.
\n",
+ "content": "
The "Green Fleet", consisting of four all-electric tugboats, sets sail from the China State Shipbuilding Corporation Tianjin dock on Wednesday. Compared to traditional fuel-powered tugs, these electric ships produce zero emissions and little noise.
A Chinese mainland spokeswoman on Wednesday criticized the Lai Ching-te administration in Taiwan for prioritizing political self-interest over public welfare, following recent polls showing Lai's approval ratings were the lowest they've been since he took office last year.
\n
The surveys, including one from Formosa Publishing and other "pro-independence" institutions in Taiwan, indicated a significant drop in satisfaction with Lai's performance, with dissatisfaction and distrust both exceeding 50 percent.
\n
This decline in approval comes as Taiwan society expresses dissatisfaction over the United States' recent announcement of a 20 percent tariff on most of Taiwan's exports. This rate is higher than the 15 percent export tariff imposed on Japan and South Korea, which are major competitors to Taiwan, posing a substantial challenge for Taiwan businesses.
\n
In response, the Lai administration of the island stated that the tariff rates are still negotiable and mentioned the possibility of increasing investments in the US by an additional $400 billion, sparking criticism in Taiwan.
\n
At the same time, the US reportedly planned to impose a 100 per-cent tariff on semiconductor imports while announcing that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, the island's pillar industry, will invest $300 billion in the US to build the world's largest wafer factory in Arizona.
\n
Zhu Fenglian, spokeswoman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, accused the Democratic Progressive Party-led administration of having "no bottom line" in selling out Taiwan and being obedient in its response to US demands. She noted that the proposed $400 billion investment equates to half of Taiwan's annual GDP.
\n
Zhu said that the DPP's willingness to hand over TSMC and allow the US to extract value from Taiwan's advantageous industries demonstrated a lack of commitment and capability to safeguard Taiwan's economic development and the welfare of its people.
\n
She said that Taiwan could have mitigated rising external risks and uncertainties by strengthening economic cooperation with the mainland. Instead, she accused the DPP of harboring a misguided desire for "independence" through reliance on external forces, ultimately harming Taiwan's development interests.
\n
Meanwhile, Hsiao Hsu-tsen, executive director of the Taiwan-based Ma Ying-jeou Culture and Education Foundation, criticized the Lai administration for its inadequate response to the southern Taiwan floods last month, noting that many residents remain without proper resettlement, leading to widespread public discontent.
\n
Hsiao accused the ineffective Lai administration of focusing on political ideology to divide the island facing the severe impact of the tariff increase on Taiwan's industries and people's livelihoods.
\n
"This kind of government is an 'internal hostile force' for the Taiwan people, and people should reject the DPP and Lai," he said.
\n
Zou Zhiqiang, deputy secretary-general of the US-based Alliance for China's Peaceful Reunification, said the recent rejection of Lai's planned "transit" through New York by the US indicated the country was unwilling to damage Sino-US relations over Taiwan, disproving the DPP's claim of a "rock-solid" relationship with the US.
\n
Zou said that Taiwan is not a core interest for the US and is seen merely as a pawn that could be discarded at any moment.
\n
zhangyi1@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
A Chinese mainland spokeswoman on Wednesday criticized the Lai Ching-te administration in Taiwan for prioritizing political self-interest over public welfare, following recent polls showing Lai's approval ratings were the lowest they've been since he took office last year.
\n
The surveys, including one from Formosa Publishing and other "pro-independence" institutions in Taiwan, indicated a significant drop in satisfaction with Lai's performance, with dissatisfaction and distrust both exceeding 50 percent.
\n
This decline in approval comes as Taiwan society expresses dissatisfaction over the United States' recent announcement of a 20 percent tariff on most of Taiwan's exports. This rate is higher than the 15 percent export tariff imposed on Japan and South Korea, which are major competitors to Taiwan, posing a substantial challenge for Taiwan businesses.
\n
In response, the Lai administration of the island stated that the tariff rates are still negotiable and mentioned the possibility of increasing investments in the US by an additional $400 billion, sparking criticism in Taiwan.
\n
At the same time, the US reportedly planned to impose a 100 per-cent tariff on semiconductor imports while announcing that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, the island's pillar industry, will invest $300 billion in the US to build the world's largest wafer factory in Arizona.
\n
Zhu Fenglian, spokeswoman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, accused the Democratic Progressive Party-led administration of having "no bottom line" in selling out Taiwan and being obedient in its response to US demands. She noted that the proposed $400 billion investment equates to half of Taiwan's annual GDP.
\n
Zhu said that the DPP's willingness to hand over TSMC and allow the US to extract value from Taiwan's advantageous industries demonstrated a lack of commitment and capability to safeguard Taiwan's economic development and the welfare of its people.
\n
She said that Taiwan could have mitigated rising external risks and uncertainties by strengthening economic cooperation with the mainland. Instead, she accused the DPP of harboring a misguided desire for "independence" through reliance on external forces, ultimately harming Taiwan's development interests.
\n
Meanwhile, Hsiao Hsu-tsen, executive director of the Taiwan-based Ma Ying-jeou Culture and Education Foundation, criticized the Lai administration for its inadequate response to the southern Taiwan floods last month, noting that many residents remain without proper resettlement, leading to widespread public discontent.
\n
Hsiao accused the ineffective Lai administration of focusing on political ideology to divide the island facing the severe impact of the tariff increase on Taiwan's industries and people's livelihoods.
\n
"This kind of government is an 'internal hostile force' for the Taiwan people, and people should reject the DPP and Lai," he said.
\n
Zou Zhiqiang, deputy secretary-general of the US-based Alliance for China's Peaceful Reunification, said the recent rejection of Lai's planned "transit" through New York by the US indicated the country was unwilling to damage Sino-US relations over Taiwan, disproving the DPP's claim of a "rock-solid" relationship with the US.
\n
Zou said that Taiwan is not a core interest for the US and is seen merely as a pawn that could be discarded at any moment.
\n
zhangyi1@chinadaily.com.cn
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+ "title": "005CHINA - Xizang prefecture sees development in various aspects over the past decade",
+ "description": "
Herdsmen handle a flock of sheep in Ngari prefecture, Xizang autonomous region, on July 20. Centuries ago, local people used sheep and oxen to transport natural salt to distant places such as Nepal to exchange for local goods, creating the renowned "salt sheep ancient trail".
\n
Ngari prefecture in the Xizang autonomous region has made significant strides in infrastructure, education and living standards over the past decade, local officials announced on Wednesday.
\n
According to official figures, the prefecture's GDP reached 10.58 billion yuan ($1.5 billion) in 2024, which is 3.9 times the level of 2012, with an average annual growth rate of 8.6 percent. The per capita disposable income of urban residents rose to 58,900 yuan, 2.6 times that of 2012, while rural incomes increased to 20,256 yuan, a 3.7-fold rise over the same period.
\n
Zheng Yong, a senior official of the prefectural government, emphasized that Ngari has consistently prioritized development as the foundation and key to solving all problems by expanding effective investment. Since 2012, over 156 billion yuan has been invested in 2,388 major projects, including new roads, an airport in Burang county and preparatory work for the Xizang-Xinjiang railway.
\n
A "three-horizontal and three-vertical" road network, with a total mileage of 22,000 kilometers, now connects the remote region, providing every county with road access and improving links to townships and villages, Zheng noted.
\n
Residents have observed dramatic changes. Chosang, from Shide village in Burang, recalls when a road trip to Lhasa, Xizang's capital, took almost a week in a jolting truck.
\n
"Now the airport is right on our doorstep, it takes just three or four hours," he said. "It's hard to believe how quickly these obstacles have been turned into smooth, accessible roads."
\n
In addition, industrial projects featuring local livestock breeds such as white cashmere goats, high-altitude yaks and semi-fine-wool sheep have been expanded in Ngari, while the digital economy grew to 990 million yuan in 2024, according to Zheng.
\n
In 2024, the transfer payments for key ecological function zones reached 450 million yuan, a year-on-year increase of 113 percent, Zheng added. Environmental protection projects have targeted desert control, river-source conservation and biodiversity. The habitat of the golden wild yak has been enlarged by more than 8,000 hectares, with the population now above 300, while Tibetan antelopes number over 139,000.
\n
Niu Qun, deputy director of the prefecture's development and reform commission, highlighted significant developments in Ngari's education sector, which has established a 15-year publicly funded education system that covers preschool to high school.
\n
"During the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) period, more than 1.56 billion yuan has been spent on 169 infrastructure projects in the education sector, and 603 million yuan was allocated for the sanbao policy, which covers children's school meals, lodging, tuition and nutrition improvement funds, benefiting 77,400 students," Niu said.
\n
Chosang remembers when paying a few hundred yuan in school fees was a heavy burden.
\n
"In the past, only one or two children in a family could go to school. Now, not a single child is left behind; parents will send all their children to study and learn skills," he said.
\n
Border trade has been revitalized, with Burang Port upgraded and three trade points with Nepal reopened. The prefecture has also received long-term assistance from other provinces and State-owned enterprises, totaling 6.37 billion yuan over three decades, according to local authorities.
\n
Contact the writers at palden_nyima@chinadaily.com.cn
Herdsmen handle a flock of sheep in Ngari prefecture, Xizang autonomous region, on July 20. Centuries ago, local people used sheep and oxen to transport natural salt to distant places such as Nepal to exchange for local goods, creating the renowned "salt sheep ancient trail".
\n
Ngari prefecture in the Xizang autonomous region has made significant strides in infrastructure, education and living standards over the past decade, local officials announced on Wednesday.
\n
According to official figures, the prefecture's GDP reached 10.58 billion yuan ($1.5 billion) in 2024, which is 3.9 times the level of 2012, with an average annual growth rate of 8.6 percent. The per capita disposable income of urban residents rose to 58,900 yuan, 2.6 times that of 2012, while rural incomes increased to 20,256 yuan, a 3.7-fold rise over the same period.
\n
Zheng Yong, a senior official of the prefectural government, emphasized that Ngari has consistently prioritized development as the foundation and key to solving all problems by expanding effective investment. Since 2012, over 156 billion yuan has been invested in 2,388 major projects, including new roads, an airport in Burang county and preparatory work for the Xizang-Xinjiang railway.
\n
A "three-horizontal and three-vertical" road network, with a total mileage of 22,000 kilometers, now connects the remote region, providing every county with road access and improving links to townships and villages, Zheng noted.
\n
Residents have observed dramatic changes. Chosang, from Shide village in Burang, recalls when a road trip to Lhasa, Xizang's capital, took almost a week in a jolting truck.
\n
"Now the airport is right on our doorstep, it takes just three or four hours," he said. "It's hard to believe how quickly these obstacles have been turned into smooth, accessible roads."
\n
In addition, industrial projects featuring local livestock breeds such as white cashmere goats, high-altitude yaks and semi-fine-wool sheep have been expanded in Ngari, while the digital economy grew to 990 million yuan in 2024, according to Zheng.
\n
In 2024, the transfer payments for key ecological function zones reached 450 million yuan, a year-on-year increase of 113 percent, Zheng added. Environmental protection projects have targeted desert control, river-source conservation and biodiversity. The habitat of the golden wild yak has been enlarged by more than 8,000 hectares, with the population now above 300, while Tibetan antelopes number over 139,000.
\n
Niu Qun, deputy director of the prefecture's development and reform commission, highlighted significant developments in Ngari's education sector, which has established a 15-year publicly funded education system that covers preschool to high school.
\n
"During the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) period, more than 1.56 billion yuan has been spent on 169 infrastructure projects in the education sector, and 603 million yuan was allocated for the sanbao policy, which covers children's school meals, lodging, tuition and nutrition improvement funds, benefiting 77,400 students," Niu said.
\n
Chosang remembers when paying a few hundred yuan in school fees was a heavy burden.
\n
"In the past, only one or two children in a family could go to school. Now, not a single child is left behind; parents will send all their children to study and learn skills," he said.
\n
Border trade has been revitalized, with Burang Port upgraded and three trade points with Nepal reopened. The prefecture has also received long-term assistance from other provinces and State-owned enterprises, totaling 6.37 billion yuan over three decades, according to local authorities.
\n
Contact the writers at palden_nyima@chinadaily.com.cn
With the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau experiencing an increasingly warmer and wetter climate, soil carbon storage is expected to rise, according to a recent study. However, this increase is fragile and can be easily undermined by extreme events tied to global warming and human activities.
\n
"The total carbon sink of the ecosystem on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau now accounts for around 15 percent of the nation's," said Wang Tao, corresponding author of the study published in academic journal Nature Communications. Wang, a researcher at the Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, emphasized the significance of understanding the plateau's carbon storage potential to support China's dual carbon goals — peaking carbon emissions before 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality before 2060.
\n
The study revealed that the soil carbon pool on the plateau constitutes over 90 percent of its total ecosystem carbon pool, serving as the cornerstone that supports the plateau's ecological security barrier function.
\n
The research team conducted a systematic grid-based soil sampling campaign across the plateau, using multi-source observational data, including 4,170 soil profiles and long-term controlled incubation experiments, to develop an observation-constrained soil carbon cycle model. This model projects climate change impacts on the plateau's soil carbon stocks.
\n
"Previous studies often relied on field infrared warming experiments to simulate the impacts of climate warming on changes in soil carbon stocks, but these approaches have inherent limitations," Wang said.
\n
He noted that such experiments are costly and typically control only temperature as a single variable, neglecting interactions among multiple climate factors. In addition, regional sensitivity to warming varies significantly across the plateau, resulting in high uncertainty when extrapolating results to broader scales, Wang said.
\n
To address the challenges, the study analyzed 0-to-1-meter depth soil samples which were extracted from 2019 to 2022 — a layer storing over half of the plateau's total soil carbon — from diverse regions. By integrating experimental data into the model, the team revealed the plateau-wide response mechanism of soil carbon stocks to warming.
\n
The study found that as the climate gets warmer and wetter, it is expected to positively influence vegetation growth and enhance soil carbon accumulation. However, more than half the newly accumulated carbon will be in active or non-protected forms, making it highly sensitive to extreme global-warming events and grazing disturbances.
\n
"The permafrost regions of the plateau constitute one of its largest terrestrial carbon pools. However, accelerating permafrost thaw under climate change can trigger abrupt thermokarst collapse, rapidly releasing previously sequestered carbon. This vulnerability is particularly prominent in soils with non-protected forms," Wang said, warning that such releases could offset over half the carbon gains from climate mitigation efforts.
\n
The study also synthesized 296 field grazing experiments from across the plateau, finding that if previous overgrazing management practices continue, grazing-induced carbon losses will almost entirely offset climate-driven carbon gains. Wang stressed the importance of effective grazing management, suggesting rotational grazing systems or restoring traditional nomadic practices to enable grassland regeneration.
\n
limenghan@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
With the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau experiencing an increasingly warmer and wetter climate, soil carbon storage is expected to rise, according to a recent study. However, this increase is fragile and can be easily undermined by extreme events tied to global warming and human activities.
\n
"The total carbon sink of the ecosystem on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau now accounts for around 15 percent of the nation's," said Wang Tao, corresponding author of the study published in academic journal Nature Communications. Wang, a researcher at the Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, emphasized the significance of understanding the plateau's carbon storage potential to support China's dual carbon goals — peaking carbon emissions before 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality before 2060.
\n
The study revealed that the soil carbon pool on the plateau constitutes over 90 percent of its total ecosystem carbon pool, serving as the cornerstone that supports the plateau's ecological security barrier function.
\n
The research team conducted a systematic grid-based soil sampling campaign across the plateau, using multi-source observational data, including 4,170 soil profiles and long-term controlled incubation experiments, to develop an observation-constrained soil carbon cycle model. This model projects climate change impacts on the plateau's soil carbon stocks.
\n
"Previous studies often relied on field infrared warming experiments to simulate the impacts of climate warming on changes in soil carbon stocks, but these approaches have inherent limitations," Wang said.
\n
He noted that such experiments are costly and typically control only temperature as a single variable, neglecting interactions among multiple climate factors. In addition, regional sensitivity to warming varies significantly across the plateau, resulting in high uncertainty when extrapolating results to broader scales, Wang said.
\n
To address the challenges, the study analyzed 0-to-1-meter depth soil samples which were extracted from 2019 to 2022 — a layer storing over half of the plateau's total soil carbon — from diverse regions. By integrating experimental data into the model, the team revealed the plateau-wide response mechanism of soil carbon stocks to warming.
\n
The study found that as the climate gets warmer and wetter, it is expected to positively influence vegetation growth and enhance soil carbon accumulation. However, more than half the newly accumulated carbon will be in active or non-protected forms, making it highly sensitive to extreme global-warming events and grazing disturbances.
\n
"The permafrost regions of the plateau constitute one of its largest terrestrial carbon pools. However, accelerating permafrost thaw under climate change can trigger abrupt thermokarst collapse, rapidly releasing previously sequestered carbon. This vulnerability is particularly prominent in soils with non-protected forms," Wang said, warning that such releases could offset over half the carbon gains from climate mitigation efforts.
\n
The study also synthesized 296 field grazing experiments from across the plateau, finding that if previous overgrazing management practices continue, grazing-induced carbon losses will almost entirely offset climate-driven carbon gains. Wang stressed the importance of effective grazing management, suggesting rotational grazing systems or restoring traditional nomadic practices to enable grassland regeneration.
Members of a local troupe perform Tibetan Opera at a park in Namling county, Xizang autonomous region, on July 17.
\n
LHASA — As the drums rolled, performers wearing blue masks took to the stage, enthralling the audience with powerful vocals and bold dance moves.
\n
This vibrant scene unfolded at a park in Namling county, Southwest China's Xizang autonomous region, where classic Tibetan Opera performances drew large crowds of locals.
\n
Young actress Drolma Yangkyi delivered a great performance as a kind and brave man in a show, which was met with passionate applause from the audience.
\n
"My father performed this role before me, so I kept seeking his advice right until the curtain call," said the 17-year-old. Influenced by her father and grandfather, both Tibetan Opera performers, Drolma Yangkyi started learning the traditional art at the age of 6.
\n
Considered a living fossil of Tibetan culture, Tibetan Opera blends talking, singing, acting, dancing and literature. It was included in the first batch of China's national intangible cultural heritage list in 2006 and the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2009.
\n
With the government's support and the dedication of both young and old Tibetan Opera enthusiasts, along with the efforts of ICH inheritors, this traditional art form is gaining new momentum on the plateau.
\n
Namling is renowned for its Tibetan Opera school, which features blue masks and boasts a history spanning over 600 years. During the performances at the park, 76-year-old Tsering Dorje, a national-level inheritor of the art, was busy adjusting costumes for the young performers preparing to take the stage.
\n
Tsering Dorje grew up watching Tibetan Opera with his elders. The entertainment later became his passion, driving him to act for over 40 years.
\n
He recalled that in the early days, performers faced a lack of funding and opportunities to showcase their skills, and they had limited access to costumes and props.
\n
"Now, with the government and our troupe's efforts, we perform at big events and festivals like the Shoton Festival in the regional capital Lhasa and the Qomolangma Culture Festival in the city of Shigatse," said Tsering Dorje, adding that better conditions gave him the confidence to attract more young apprentices.
\n
He has trained multiple young Tibetan Opera performers, five of whom now lead their own apprentices. After transitioning from the stage to being an adviser, he now focuses on passing down the cultural essence of this ancient art.
\n
In recent years, Namling has set up a children's troupe with an average age of nine. By offering Tibetan Opera experience courses and various activities, the art form has been brought into campuses and rural areas. So far, the average age of Tibetan Opera inheritors has dropped to under 35, alleviating the aging issue of the performance crew.
\n
A white paper issued in March this year said that Xizang has named 153 part-time Tibetan Opera troupes.
\n
The protection of intangible cultural heritage in Xizang has steadily improved, with 473 million yuan ($66 million) from the central and regional governments earmarked from 2012 to 2024 for the protection of ICH items on the national representative list and other related fields, according to the white paper.
\n
Palden Wangchug, head of Xizang's regional Tibetan Opera troupe, said audience demand provides enduring momentum for the art form's preservation. "Where there's a market and spectators, Tibetan Opera thrives," he said.
\n
Drolma Yangkyi has been a member of the county's Tibetan Opera troupe since junior high school, accumulating rich stage experience, which includes performing in Lhasa. Now, she aspires to find a larger platform to showcase her talent.
\n
"I hope to further my Tibetan opera studies and someday showcase our culture beyond the plateau," she said.
Members of a local troupe perform Tibetan Opera at a park in Namling county, Xizang autonomous region, on July 17.
\n
LHASA — As the drums rolled, performers wearing blue masks took to the stage, enthralling the audience with powerful vocals and bold dance moves.
\n
This vibrant scene unfolded at a park in Namling county, Southwest China's Xizang autonomous region, where classic Tibetan Opera performances drew large crowds of locals.
\n
Young actress Drolma Yangkyi delivered a great performance as a kind and brave man in a show, which was met with passionate applause from the audience.
\n
"My father performed this role before me, so I kept seeking his advice right until the curtain call," said the 17-year-old. Influenced by her father and grandfather, both Tibetan Opera performers, Drolma Yangkyi started learning the traditional art at the age of 6.
\n
Considered a living fossil of Tibetan culture, Tibetan Opera blends talking, singing, acting, dancing and literature. It was included in the first batch of China's national intangible cultural heritage list in 2006 and the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2009.
\n
With the government's support and the dedication of both young and old Tibetan Opera enthusiasts, along with the efforts of ICH inheritors, this traditional art form is gaining new momentum on the plateau.
\n
Namling is renowned for its Tibetan Opera school, which features blue masks and boasts a history spanning over 600 years. During the performances at the park, 76-year-old Tsering Dorje, a national-level inheritor of the art, was busy adjusting costumes for the young performers preparing to take the stage.
\n
Tsering Dorje grew up watching Tibetan Opera with his elders. The entertainment later became his passion, driving him to act for over 40 years.
\n
He recalled that in the early days, performers faced a lack of funding and opportunities to showcase their skills, and they had limited access to costumes and props.
\n
"Now, with the government and our troupe's efforts, we perform at big events and festivals like the Shoton Festival in the regional capital Lhasa and the Qomolangma Culture Festival in the city of Shigatse," said Tsering Dorje, adding that better conditions gave him the confidence to attract more young apprentices.
\n
He has trained multiple young Tibetan Opera performers, five of whom now lead their own apprentices. After transitioning from the stage to being an adviser, he now focuses on passing down the cultural essence of this ancient art.
\n
In recent years, Namling has set up a children's troupe with an average age of nine. By offering Tibetan Opera experience courses and various activities, the art form has been brought into campuses and rural areas. So far, the average age of Tibetan Opera inheritors has dropped to under 35, alleviating the aging issue of the performance crew.
\n
A white paper issued in March this year said that Xizang has named 153 part-time Tibetan Opera troupes.
\n
The protection of intangible cultural heritage in Xizang has steadily improved, with 473 million yuan ($66 million) from the central and regional governments earmarked from 2012 to 2024 for the protection of ICH items on the national representative list and other related fields, according to the white paper.
\n
Palden Wangchug, head of Xizang's regional Tibetan Opera troupe, said audience demand provides enduring momentum for the art form's preservation. "Where there's a market and spectators, Tibetan Opera thrives," he said.
\n
Drolma Yangkyi has been a member of the county's Tibetan Opera troupe since junior high school, accumulating rich stage experience, which includes performing in Lhasa. Now, she aspires to find a larger platform to showcase her talent.
\n
"I hope to further my Tibetan opera studies and someday showcase our culture beyond the plateau," she said.
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+ {
+ "title": "008COMMENT - US annual human rights circus show exposes its hypocrisy and political bias",
+ "description": "
The US Department of State released its annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices on Tuesday, about three months later than usual. However, the additional time has not been spent improving the content to align with facts, but instead on reducing it to about one-third the length of last year's reports.
\n
The tremendous amount of reediting work that has been done is to ensure that the reports conform with the US administration's policies, even though the State Department has described it as an effort to make the reports more "streamlined", "more readable" and adhering more closely to what's required to be in them by law.
\n
For instance, the agency removed whole categories of violations not "explicitly required by statute", including gender-based violence and environmental justice. The deleted material includes issues widely regarded as fundamental rights under international law, such as the right to a fair public trial, as National Public Radio observed in a report.
\n
According to a State Department memo the US media obtained about the editing of the reports, editors were ordered to remove references to diversity, equity, and inclusion, sexual violence against children and violation of privacy.
\n
Even though the US administration insists it remains committed to defending human rights, the "minimalist rewrite", as some US lawmakers put it, fundamentally serves the US' domestic politics, and might not comply with domestic law, which requires a "full and complete" accounting of internationally recognized human rights.
\n
The United States has compiled these reports on every country in the world since the 1970s. The reports, which are invariably patchwork based on carefully selected "reported facts", constitute grave interference in other countries' internal affairs, and the practice is widely criticized by the international community.
\n
That Congress still relies on these assessments to shape decisions on foreign aid and weapons sales clearly demonstrates the reports' politicized nature. Human rights protection is only an excuse for the US to justify its interventionist foreign policies as well as weaponized sanctions that have no legitimate basis in international law.
\n
The irony is that human rights are essentially a privilege enjoyed only by a few in the US. Racial discrimination, inequality, and forced repatriations and deportations are just the tip of the iceberg.
\n
In February, the US president signed an executive order pulling the country out of the United Nations Human Rights Council again, unwarrantedly citing "political bias", particularly against Israel, and the agency's alleged "failure" to adequately address human rights abuses globally as due cause.
\n
But the reality is it is the US that applies "political bias" on human rights issues, and it is the US that is actually, overtly or covertly, behind many human rights abuses and humanitarian crises around the world, such as the one unfolding in Gaza.
\n
The US baselessly criticizes China over so-called human rights issues related to the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region in the reports. If the US administration truly cares about the human rights of Muslims, why does it turn a blind eye to the hell on earth in Gaza? Why does it turn a blind eye to the historical injustices suffered by the Palestinian people? These are questions the Chinese ambassador to the UN raised recently at a UN gathering, toward which his US counterpart was as mute as a fish.
\n
The US withdrew from the United Nations human rights body in 2018 — on similar grounds, in disregard of the fact that its cutting off funding to the agency will seriously affect many of its critical humanitarian aid projects in the least developed countries.
\n
No wonder the extent to which the US government can manipulate the concept of "human rights" to suit its own policy changes has even made many ardent supporters of the US' weaponization of human rights dumbstruck. Many so-called bedrock principles of human rights, such as those related to gender, the environment, race and judicial justice, that have been taken for granted by generations of human rights advocates as the foundation of the US beacon, have bitten the dust.
\n
As such, the reports are naturally devoid of credibility. Instead of showing the US as being principled, they only serve to expose its hypocrisy and double standards on the issue. Using human rights as a political tool undermines humanity's core values and basic principles. It also poses serious risks, such as its potential to escalate conflicts and jeopardize cooperation on pressing global issues. Exercising political bias on human rights, the US only exacerbates the global turbulence with its latest annual human rights circus show.
\n",
+ "content": "
The US Department of State released its annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices on Tuesday, about three months later than usual. However, the additional time has not been spent improving the content to align with facts, but instead on reducing it to about one-third the length of last year's reports.
\n
The tremendous amount of reediting work that has been done is to ensure that the reports conform with the US administration's policies, even though the State Department has described it as an effort to make the reports more "streamlined", "more readable" and adhering more closely to what's required to be in them by law.
\n
For instance, the agency removed whole categories of violations not "explicitly required by statute", including gender-based violence and environmental justice. The deleted material includes issues widely regarded as fundamental rights under international law, such as the right to a fair public trial, as National Public Radio observed in a report.
\n
According to a State Department memo the US media obtained about the editing of the reports, editors were ordered to remove references to diversity, equity, and inclusion, sexual violence against children and violation of privacy.
\n
Even though the US administration insists it remains committed to defending human rights, the "minimalist rewrite", as some US lawmakers put it, fundamentally serves the US' domestic politics, and might not comply with domestic law, which requires a "full and complete" accounting of internationally recognized human rights.
\n
The United States has compiled these reports on every country in the world since the 1970s. The reports, which are invariably patchwork based on carefully selected "reported facts", constitute grave interference in other countries' internal affairs, and the practice is widely criticized by the international community.
\n
That Congress still relies on these assessments to shape decisions on foreign aid and weapons sales clearly demonstrates the reports' politicized nature. Human rights protection is only an excuse for the US to justify its interventionist foreign policies as well as weaponized sanctions that have no legitimate basis in international law.
\n
The irony is that human rights are essentially a privilege enjoyed only by a few in the US. Racial discrimination, inequality, and forced repatriations and deportations are just the tip of the iceberg.
\n
In February, the US president signed an executive order pulling the country out of the United Nations Human Rights Council again, unwarrantedly citing "political bias", particularly against Israel, and the agency's alleged "failure" to adequately address human rights abuses globally as due cause.
\n
But the reality is it is the US that applies "political bias" on human rights issues, and it is the US that is actually, overtly or covertly, behind many human rights abuses and humanitarian crises around the world, such as the one unfolding in Gaza.
\n
The US baselessly criticizes China over so-called human rights issues related to the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region in the reports. If the US administration truly cares about the human rights of Muslims, why does it turn a blind eye to the hell on earth in Gaza? Why does it turn a blind eye to the historical injustices suffered by the Palestinian people? These are questions the Chinese ambassador to the UN raised recently at a UN gathering, toward which his US counterpart was as mute as a fish.
\n
The US withdrew from the United Nations human rights body in 2018 — on similar grounds, in disregard of the fact that its cutting off funding to the agency will seriously affect many of its critical humanitarian aid projects in the least developed countries.
\n
No wonder the extent to which the US government can manipulate the concept of "human rights" to suit its own policy changes has even made many ardent supporters of the US' weaponization of human rights dumbstruck. Many so-called bedrock principles of human rights, such as those related to gender, the environment, race and judicial justice, that have been taken for granted by generations of human rights advocates as the foundation of the US beacon, have bitten the dust.
\n
As such, the reports are naturally devoid of credibility. Instead of showing the US as being principled, they only serve to expose its hypocrisy and double standards on the issue. Using human rights as a political tool undermines humanity's core values and basic principles. It also poses serious risks, such as its potential to escalate conflicts and jeopardize cooperation on pressing global issues. Exercising political bias on human rights, the US only exacerbates the global turbulence with its latest annual human rights circus show.
\n \n \n \n \n \n \n 图源：新浪微博@七三一官方微博截图\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Chinese historical drama titled\n \n \n \"731,\"\n \n \n which revisits the horrific World War II-era human experiments conducted by Japan's notorious germ warfare unit 731, is set to premiere on Sept 18, sources associated with the film have said.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n
\n \n \n 二战期间，侵华日军第七三一部队在哈尔滨市平房区以“给水防疫”为名，秘密研制细菌武器，抓捕平民、抗日志士等进行活体实验，成为日本军国主义实施细菌战的铁证。\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Unit 731, a top-secret biological and chemical warfare research base, was established in Harbin, capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang province, and served as the nerve center for Japanese biological warfare in China and Southeast Asia during WWII.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 图源：\n \n \n \n \n \n 新浪微博@七三一官方微博截图\n \n \n \n \n \n \n 据新华社报道，主创团队介绍，影片讲述了当地小贩王永章等人被强行抓入“特设监狱”，侵华日军以“配合健康检查与防疫研究即可换取自由”的虚伪承诺，欺骗他们遭受冻伤实验、毒气实验、活体解剖等极端折磨的故事。\n \n \n
\n \n \n According to the film's director Zhao Linshan, it tells the story of Wang Yongzhang, a local vendor, and others who were imprisoned and lured by false promises of freedom in exchange for cooperation with health checks and disease prevention research.\n \n \n
\n
\n \n \n Instead, they became victims of brutal medical experiments carried out by the occupying Japanese forces -- including frostbite testing, gas exposure and vivisection.\n \n \n
\n \n \n “日本侵略者给中国人民带来了沉重灾难，这是不容忘却的历史。”侵华日军第七三一部队罪证陈列馆馆长金成民说，\n \n 影片展现绝境下中国人不屈的反抗精神，警醒世人铭记历史、捍卫和平。\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \"This is a history that must never be forgotten,\" said Jin Chengmin, a historical adviser for the film and head of the Exhibition Hall of Evidences of Crime Committed by Unit 731 of the Japanese Imperial Army.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \"The film reveals the inhumane atrocities committed by the invading Japanese army through the eyes of ordinary civilians, while highlighting the unyielding resistance spirit of the Chinese people in the face of despair,\" Jin said. \"It serves as a powerful reminder to safeguard peace.\"\n \n \n \n \n \n 定档消息发出后\n \n \n \n \n 相关话题引发关注\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 网友：真相不能忘！\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n
\n \n \n Health authorities said all affected children received treatment, with nearly all now discharged after their blood lead levels dropped by around 40 percent on average. The government is covering medical costs and has set up a monitoring program to track the children's recovery.\n \n \n
\n \n \n Seventeen officials have been placed under disciplinary investigation, and 10 others, including senior health and education officials in Tianshui city and its Maiji district, Gansu province, face formal accountability procedures, according to a report released on Sunday.\n \n \n
\n
\n \n \n Authorities said the kindergarten was operating without a license and that local education and market supervision departments failed to carry out oversight. Some officials are suspected of accepting bribes and favors from the kindergarten's investor. Disciplinary and criminal investigations have been launched against officials, including the head of the provincial health commission and the mayor of Tianshui.\n \n \n
\n \n \n Authorities found that the kindergarten's management had instructed staff to add brightly colored but inedible industrial pigments to foods such as corn rolls and jujube cakes (steamed buns), to make them look more appealing to children and parents.\n \n \n
\n
\n \n \n Two samples from Peixin — a tricolor red date sponge cake served at breakfast and a corn roll with sausage served at dinner — failed to meet food safety standards. The samples contained lead levels of 1,052 milligrams per kilogram and 1,340 milligrams per kilogram, respectively, far above the national limit of 0.5 milligram per kilogram.\n \n \n
\n
\n \n \n On Sunday, officials revealed in a report that six had been arrested on suspicion of producing toxic and harmful food.\n \n \n
\n \n This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) and the World Anti-Fascist War.\n \n \n \n \n
\n
\n \n Today, July 7, is etched in history with the Lugou Bridge Incident (1937) in Beijing, when Japanese troops attacked Lugou Bridge (Marco Polo Bridge) and the defending Chinese troops rose to fight the enemy. The event triggered China's full-scale war of resistance against Japanese aggression, also a main Eastern theater of the World Anti-Fascist War.\n \n
\n \n \n Japan has never fully reflected on its aggressive acts and war crimes before and during World War II. Right-wing forces have repeatedly downplayed or glorified this history, promoting revisionist narratives that blur public understanding of World War II.\n \n \n
An African media delegation poses for a group photo in front of the stone monument that mentions the philosophy that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets" in Anji county, Zhejiang province, on May 15.
\n
On a wooden shelf in his three-story home in Anji county of Zhejiang province, Ge Yuande keeps a stone — smooth, pale and vaguely shaped like a miner wearing a helmet — as the most treasured piece in his collection.
\n
The 63-year-old picked it up more than 20 years ago from a quarry in Yucun, his native village in Anji, where he once made a living extracting and selling stone. Back then, the hills were stripped bare, the air was thick with dust, and streams ran gray with industrial runoff.
\n
"I used to sell stone to make a living," Ge said in his living room, now lined with shelves full of stone sculptures. "But back then, it polluted everything. Now I still sell stone — but as art and as culture."
\n
Yucun's transformation — from a dusty quarry village to a model of rural vitalization and green development — epitomizes China's heightened emphasis on sustainable growth over the past two decades.
\n
In 2005, the village was standing at a crossroads. Its last quarry had just been closed, a decision that left villagers anxious about their livelihoods. The village's collective income plummeted from 3 million yuan ($417,600) to just 300,000 yuan that year.
\n
At this pivotal moment, Xi Jinping, then secretary of the Communist Party of China Zhejiang Provincial Committee, visited the village on Aug 15, 2005, and offered residents a powerful message of reassurance.
\n
During a meeting with villagers, Xi said the closure was a "wise step" and introduced what would become a guiding principle of China's environmental policy: "Lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets."
\n
In a column published in Zhejiang Daily a week after the visit, Xi expanded on the idea: "By transforming ecological and environmental strengths into advantages in eco-agriculture, eco-industry and eco-tourism, lucid waters and lush mountains can truly become invaluable assets."
\n
In 2020, Xi — now Chinese president and general secretary of the CPC Central Committee — returned to the county. The phrase "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets" had by then become a national consensus and a core tenet of China's new development philosophy.
\n
"Experience has shown that economic growth cannot come at the expense of the environment," Xi told the villagers.
\n
Yu Xiaoping, deputy Party secretary of Yucun village, said the closure of quarries and continuous environmental improvements had opened up space for eco-tourism. Visitors now come for river rafting, fruit picking and rural guesthouse stays.
\n
Zhang Jianguo, executive vice-dean of the Institute for Sustainable Development at Huzhou University, noted that by prioritizing green, low-carbon development and preserving its environment, Anji has translated ecological assets into real economic and social gains.
\n
By giving top priority to environmental protection, the county has ensured that its air quality remains excellent on more than 90 percent of days. Surface water, drinking water and cross-boundary water all consistently meet national standards.
\n
Over the past 20 years, the average annual per capita disposable income of Anji's rural residents rose from 7,034 yuan to 48,879 yuan — a nearly sevenfold increase.
\n
"Anji's long-term, consistent approach to preserving its environment has produced a compelling case study in sustainable development — one with growing relevance not only in China but globally," Zhang said.
\n
Enhanced protection
\n
Today, more than 70 percent of Anji is covered in forest, much of it bamboo. Once-overlooked villages are now home to pocket parks, hiking trails, open-air teahouses, and even artisanal coffee shops.
\n
Zheng Xuli, a senior engineer at Lingfengsi Forest Farm, patrols 120 hectares of forest land. Once a logging supervisor, he now focuses on conservation — from monitoring of termite infestations to forest maintenance.
\n
"In the past, forestry was about cutting and planting," Zheng said. "Now it's about watching, caring and minimizing harm."
\n
The biggest shift, he said, has been philosophical: "We treat the forest as an asset that gains value over time — not something to consume."
\n
Technology is also reshaping how Anji protects its environment. AI-powered drones and autonomous boats are now used to monitor rivers for illegal dumping and construction.
\n
"Before, it took weeks to patrol all our waterways," said Ye Liang, director of the river chief office with Anji county's water resources bureau. "Now drones and AI can do it in a single day. Problems are caught early, before they escalate."
\n
In 2022, Anji launched the Global Partnership Initiative, aimed at attracting digital nomads, green startups and remote workers to settle in the county.
\n
To local officials' surprise, the initiative gained rapid momentum. By the end of 2024, more than 50,000 young people had come to Anji to start businesses or seek job opportunities.
\n
Xu Liang, a cyclist and entrepreneur, said Anji's location near Yangtze River Delta cities and its clean environment are major draws for young professionals.
\n
"For many young people, the countryside is more than a retreat," Xu said. "It's a place to explore new ideas, new directions and entrepreneurial opportunities beyond the city."
\n
Javier Ghaemi, a British expatriate, arrived in Anji in April with his girlfriend after a friend in Shanghai told them about a gym for rent. Within hours, they had made the decision to move from Malaysia to the county.
\n
They took over a dormant gym nestled in the hills and transformed it into a lifestyle hub offering yoga classes, wellness workshops and forest hikes.
\n
From his gym, perched above a bamboo grove, Ghaemi has found both peace and purpose.
\n
"For me, I want to help build Anji up," he said. "To promote it, and to show Westerners the reality of life here. I think the misconceptions are huge. Even if I can just show a few friends, have them visit, do a workout — they'll see that we're all the same. We all have the same dreams."
\n
Patrick Nijs, former Belgian ambassador to China, said that Xi demonstrated a clear vision when he proposed the philosophy that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets" in 2005.
\n
"Back then, most people were still debating what 'going green' even meant," Nijs said. "So he introduced this concept in a very clear and poetic way — something that resonates deeply with the Chinese mind."
\n
Nijs now considers Anji one of his homes. "I'm a big fan of Xi Jinping because I think he is a visionary," he said.
\n
What Anji offers, Nijs added, is a development model rooted in culture, continuity and care.
\n
He pointed out that this philosophy has also underpinned China's sweeping investments in renewable energy. "China has invested in all facets of green energy — hydropower, solar panels, biomass, wind power and nuclear power — and is now a global leader."
The four-day 2025 World Humanoid Robot Games — the world's first comprehensive event featuring humanoid robots as the main participants — starts in Beijing on Thursday under the slogan "racing towards a shared intelligent future". More than 500 humanoids from 16 countries will compete in 538 events, which include not only track and field events, gymnastics and soccer, but also individual and group dances and scenario-based activities featuring material handling and sorting, as well as cleaning service skills. The Games, which showcase the highest level of human technological prowess in robotics, aim to help accelerate the integration of humanoid robots into human life.
\n
The event takes place just two days after the conclusion of the 2025 World Robot Conference in the Chinese capital, which already showcased the extraordinary advancements in robotics achieved in China and other countries. The hosting of such high-profile robot-related events underscores the country's position as a global front-runner in robotics.
\n
China has been the world's largest industrial robot application market for 12 consecutive years — with its share of the world's newly installed robots increasing from 51 percent in 2023 to 54 percent in 2024. In the first half of this year, industrial robot production in China reached 370,000 units while service robot output hit 8.82 million units, representing a year-on-year increase of 35.6 percent and 25.5 percent, respectively.
\n
The remarkable progress China has made in the sector can be attributed to many factors such as supportive government policies and its robust manufacturing infrastructure and complete supply chains that provide a strong foundation for the rapid production and deployment of robots. Moreover, China boasts the world's largest pool of graduates in computer science and artificial intelligence, and its large domestic market enables developers to conduct extensive real-world testing and iteration, resulting in the continuous improvement of robotic technologies and economies of scale in this transformative industry.
\n
There is great potential for robots to integrate into various sectors and revolutionize how we live and work, from healthcare and elderly care to industrial applications, to farming and disaster relief. For example, Hangzhou-based Unitree Robotics has solved a world-class problem in robotics — the grasping of flexible objects. Based on the technology, tasks such as hair cutting, massages, serving tea, and close-contact interactions such as feeding become possible. Once this technology is widely applied, the massive service robot market worth trillions of yuan is essentially unlocked.
\n
Yet as nations look toward a future shaped by robotic innovation, they also face many challenges in robotics development. For example, the lack of standardized regulations complicates international collaboration and market access, and there are worries about automation threatening jobs in labor-intensive sectors. Additionally, ethical concerns arise with AI integration, especially regarding privacy and surveillance. All this requires international collaboration, so that nations can work jointly to harness the transformative technologies and make sure that the deployment of robots aligns with shared values and benefits the whole of humanity.
\n
The leading position that China holds in robotics presents an opportunity for the country to spearhead global efforts aimed at addressing some of the most pressing issues the world is facing, such as aging populations and labor shortages. By positioning robots as cooperative partners, China can demonstrate how technology can enhance human capabilities and improve people's quality of life. The country's experience in deploying robots at scale and iterating rapidly through real-world applications provides valuable insights that can benefit other nations.
\n
The future of robotics is bright, with the potential to reshape industries and improve lives worldwide. As China continues to lead in this sector, the spirit of collaboration and shared progress must guide the way forward. By working together, nations can unlock the full potential of robotics, creating a future where technology serves as a force for good, driving economic growth and fostering a more connected world.
\n \n ACBL每年授予青年选手的“King of Bridge”奖项，这次落户一位华人青年牌手龚致远（Nathan Gong）。这一奖项是奖励在青少年桥牌活动中做出杰出贡献的青少年牌手，从比赛成绩、推广桥牌等维度进行评选。龚致远曾经代表美国青年队参加世青赛并且获得了好成绩，同时他也在桥牌社区做了很多有意义的工作。上次获得与此类似的“Queen of Bridge”奖项的也是华人，林安然（Amber Lin）。\n \n
An African media delegation poses for a group photo in front of the stone monument that mentions the philosophy that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets" in Anji county, Zhejiang province, on May 15.
\n
On a wooden shelf in his three-story home in Anji county of Zhejiang province, Ge Yuande keeps a stone — smooth, pale and vaguely shaped like a miner wearing a helmet — as the most treasured piece in his collection.
\n
The 63-year-old picked it up more than 20 years ago from a quarry in Yucun, his native village in Anji, where he once made a living extracting and selling stone. Back then, the hills were stripped bare, the air was thick with dust, and streams ran gray with industrial runoff.
\n
"I used to sell stone to make a living," Ge said in his living room, now lined with shelves full of stone sculptures. "But back then, it polluted everything. Now I still sell stone — but as art and as culture."
\n
Yucun's transformation — from a dusty quarry village to a model of rural vitalization and green development — epitomizes China's heightened emphasis on sustainable growth over the past two decades.
\n
In 2005, the village was standing at a crossroads. Its last quarry had just been closed, a decision that left villagers anxious about their livelihoods. The village's collective income plummeted from 3 million yuan ($417,600) to just 300,000 yuan that year.
\n
At this pivotal moment, Xi Jinping, then secretary of the Communist Party of China Zhejiang Provincial Committee, visited the village on Aug 15, 2005, and offered residents a powerful message of reassurance.
\n
During a meeting with villagers, Xi said the closure was a "wise step" and introduced what would become a guiding principle of China's environmental policy: "Lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets."
\n
In a column published in Zhejiang Daily a week after the visit, Xi expanded on the idea: "By transforming ecological and environmental strengths into advantages in eco-agriculture, eco-industry and eco-tourism, lucid waters and lush mountains can truly become invaluable assets."
\n
In 2020, Xi — now Chinese president and general secretary of the CPC Central Committee — returned to the county. The phrase "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets" had by then become a national consensus and a core tenet of China's new development philosophy.
\n
"Experience has shown that economic growth cannot come at the expense of the environment," Xi told the villagers.
\n
Yu Xiaoping, deputy Party secretary of Yucun village, said the closure of quarries and continuous environmental improvements had opened up space for eco-tourism. Visitors now come for river rafting, fruit picking and rural guesthouse stays.
\n
Zhang Jianguo, executive vice-dean of the Institute for Sustainable Development at Huzhou University, noted that by prioritizing green, low-carbon development and preserving its environment, Anji has translated ecological assets into real economic and social gains.
\n
By giving top priority to environmental protection, the county has ensured that its air quality remains excellent on more than 90 percent of days. Surface water, drinking water and cross-boundary water all consistently meet national standards.
\n
Over the past 20 years, the average annual per capita disposable income of Anji's rural residents rose from 7,034 yuan to 48,879 yuan — a nearly sevenfold increase.
\n
"Anji's long-term, consistent approach to preserving its environment has produced a compelling case study in sustainable development — one with growing relevance not only in China but globally," Zhang said.
\n
Enhanced protection
\n
Today, more than 70 percent of Anji is covered in forest, much of it bamboo. Once-overlooked villages are now home to pocket parks, hiking trails, open-air teahouses, and even artisanal coffee shops.
\n
Zheng Xuli, a senior engineer at Lingfengsi Forest Farm, patrols 120 hectares of forest land. Once a logging supervisor, he now focuses on conservation — from monitoring of termite infestations to forest maintenance.
\n
"In the past, forestry was about cutting and planting," Zheng said. "Now it's about watching, caring and minimizing harm."
\n
The biggest shift, he said, has been philosophical: "We treat the forest as an asset that gains value over time — not something to consume."
\n
Technology is also reshaping how Anji protects its environment. AI-powered drones and autonomous boats are now used to monitor rivers for illegal dumping and construction.
\n
"Before, it took weeks to patrol all our waterways," said Ye Liang, director of the river chief office with Anji county's water resources bureau. "Now drones and AI can do it in a single day. Problems are caught early, before they escalate."
\n
In 2022, Anji launched the Global Partnership Initiative, aimed at attracting digital nomads, green startups and remote workers to settle in the county.
\n
To local officials' surprise, the initiative gained rapid momentum. By the end of 2024, more than 50,000 young people had come to Anji to start businesses or seek job opportunities.
\n
Xu Liang, a cyclist and entrepreneur, said Anji's location near Yangtze River Delta cities and its clean environment are major draws for young professionals.
\n
"For many young people, the countryside is more than a retreat," Xu said. "It's a place to explore new ideas, new directions and entrepreneurial opportunities beyond the city."
\n
Javier Ghaemi, a British expatriate, arrived in Anji in April with his girlfriend after a friend in Shanghai told them about a gym for rent. Within hours, they had made the decision to move from Malaysia to the county.
\n
They took over a dormant gym nestled in the hills and transformed it into a lifestyle hub offering yoga classes, wellness workshops and forest hikes.
\n
From his gym, perched above a bamboo grove, Ghaemi has found both peace and purpose.
\n
"For me, I want to help build Anji up," he said. "To promote it, and to show Westerners the reality of life here. I think the misconceptions are huge. Even if I can just show a few friends, have them visit, do a workout — they'll see that we're all the same. We all have the same dreams."
\n
Patrick Nijs, former Belgian ambassador to China, said that Xi demonstrated a clear vision when he proposed the philosophy that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets" in 2005.
\n
"Back then, most people were still debating what 'going green' even meant," Nijs said. "So he introduced this concept in a very clear and poetic way — something that resonates deeply with the Chinese mind."
\n
Nijs now considers Anji one of his homes. "I'm a big fan of Xi Jinping because I think he is a visionary," he said.
\n
What Anji offers, Nijs added, is a development model rooted in culture, continuity and care.
\n
He pointed out that this philosophy has also underpinned China's sweeping investments in renewable energy. "China has invested in all facets of green energy — hydropower, solar panels, biomass, wind power and nuclear power — and is now a global leader."
The four-day 2025 World Humanoid Robot Games — the world's first comprehensive event featuring humanoid robots as the main participants — starts in Beijing on Thursday under the slogan "racing towards a shared intelligent future". More than 500 humanoids from 16 countries will compete in 538 events, which include not only track and field events, gymnastics and soccer, but also individual and group dances and scenario-based activities featuring material handling and sorting, as well as cleaning service skills. The Games, which showcase the highest level of human technological prowess in robotics, aim to help accelerate the integration of humanoid robots into human life.
\n
The event takes place just two days after the conclusion of the 2025 World Robot Conference in the Chinese capital, which already showcased the extraordinary advancements in robotics achieved in China and other countries. The hosting of such high-profile robot-related events underscores the country's position as a global front-runner in robotics.
\n
China has been the world's largest industrial robot application market for 12 consecutive years — with its share of the world's newly installed robots increasing from 51 percent in 2023 to 54 percent in 2024. In the first half of this year, industrial robot production in China reached 370,000 units while service robot output hit 8.82 million units, representing a year-on-year increase of 35.6 percent and 25.5 percent, respectively.
\n
The remarkable progress China has made in the sector can be attributed to many factors such as supportive government policies and its robust manufacturing infrastructure and complete supply chains that provide a strong foundation for the rapid production and deployment of robots. Moreover, China boasts the world's largest pool of graduates in computer science and artificial intelligence, and its large domestic market enables developers to conduct extensive real-world testing and iteration, resulting in the continuous improvement of robotic technologies and economies of scale in this transformative industry.
\n
There is great potential for robots to integrate into various sectors and revolutionize how we live and work, from healthcare and elderly care to industrial applications, to farming and disaster relief. For example, Hangzhou-based Unitree Robotics has solved a world-class problem in robotics — the grasping of flexible objects. Based on the technology, tasks such as hair cutting, massages, serving tea, and close-contact interactions such as feeding become possible. Once this technology is widely applied, the massive service robot market worth trillions of yuan is essentially unlocked.
\n
Yet as nations look toward a future shaped by robotic innovation, they also face many challenges in robotics development. For example, the lack of standardized regulations complicates international collaboration and market access, and there are worries about automation threatening jobs in labor-intensive sectors. Additionally, ethical concerns arise with AI integration, especially regarding privacy and surveillance. All this requires international collaboration, so that nations can work jointly to harness the transformative technologies and make sure that the deployment of robots aligns with shared values and benefits the whole of humanity.
\n
The leading position that China holds in robotics presents an opportunity for the country to spearhead global efforts aimed at addressing some of the most pressing issues the world is facing, such as aging populations and labor shortages. By positioning robots as cooperative partners, China can demonstrate how technology can enhance human capabilities and improve people's quality of life. The country's experience in deploying robots at scale and iterating rapidly through real-world applications provides valuable insights that can benefit other nations.
\n
The future of robotics is bright, with the potential to reshape industries and improve lives worldwide. As China continues to lead in this sector, the spirit of collaboration and shared progress must guide the way forward. By working together, nations can unlock the full potential of robotics, creating a future where technology serves as a force for good, driving economic growth and fostering a more connected world.
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