F.M. Vanin, T. Lucas, G. Trystram,Crust formation and its role during bread baking, Trends in Food Science & Technology, Volume 20, Issue 8,2009, Pages 333-343,ISSN 0924-2244.
F.M. Vanin, T. Lucas, G. Trystram,Crust formation and its role during bread baking, Trends in Food Science & Technology, Volume 20, Issue 8,2009, Pages 333-343,ISSN 0924-2244.
Archaeologists work at the Montu Temple site in Luxor, Egypt, on April 8, 2024, as part of a China-Egypt joint archaeological project.
\n
Online See more by scanning the code.
\n
As visitors from across the world marvel at the colossal temples at the Karnak Temple Complex in Luxor, Egypt, astounded by the ingenious architectural talent of the ancient Egyptians, a team of archaeologists from China and Egypt are quietly working at a more remote area in the north of the 4,000-year-old complex on the excavation of another important temple — the Temple of Montu.
\n
Excavations began about a century ago, but were later abandoned. The site of the Temple of Montu, which was dedicated to worship of the god of war — one of the most important gods in ancient Egypt — remained deserted for decades, until the arrival of Chinese archaeologists in late 2018.
\n
Over the past seven years, the sustained efforts of the Egyptian-Chinese joint mission for archaeological excavation in the Temple of Montu have resulted in a number of discoveries, including the excavation of several new shrines and a site of human settlement. The team also found a huge enclosure wall built with mud bricks with the stamp of Amenhotep III, which proved that the temple was built during the reign of the pharaoh, dating back to around the 14th century BC.
\n
In addition, a unique underground facility was discovered earlier this year, and the archaeological team is trying to determine whether it was used as a water source to purify offerings during religious ceremonies in the temple.
\n
The archaeologists believe that parts of Egyptian history and ancient civilization may need to be reassessed, as their continued exploration is expected to result in new discoveries over the coming years.
\n
Saada Bakhid, a member of the joint mission and an archaeology official in Luxor, said that some significant discoveries have already been made at the temple over the past few years.
\n
After the completion of the excavation of the enclosed Temple of Montu site, archaeological excavation will extend to surrounding areas, including neighboring villages, which belonged to the temple in ancient times, to get more information about the history of these areas, he said.
\n
"We are interested to know everything. We expect to get the whole information about the buildings, the people living here, and priests working inside the temple, and the community around the temple, and how the ancient Egyptian people lived their lives," he said.
\n
Luxor, known as Thebes in ancient Egypt, is dubbed the "world's greatest open-air museum", and has one of the world's oldest civilizations with cultural heritage such as the Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple, both UNESCO World Heritage sites, dating back more than 3,000 years.
\n
While visiting Luxor in January 2016, President Xi Jinping said that its cultural heritage is the embodiment of ancient Egyptian civilization, and he called for intensified exchanges and mutual learning between the two great civilizations of China and Egypt.
\n
On Jan 21, 2016, President Xi and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi attended the opening ceremony of the 2016 Chinese-Egyptian Culture Year at the square of the Luxor Temple.
\n
Xi visited the temple and said that as two ancient countries with rich civilizations, China and Egypt should intensify people-to-people exchanges and deepen friendship between the two peoples for common development and prosperity.
\n
On different occasions, Xi has emphasized the important role of archaeology in promoting people-to-people exchanges and cooperation between different countries. In March 2023, President Xi proposed the Global Civilization Initiative, which entails respecting the diversity of civilizations and promoting exchanges and mutual learning between civilizations.
\n
Following the visit, in October 2018, a cooperation agreement was signed between the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and Egypt's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities to jointly excavate the Temple of Montu site in Luxor. This was the first time that Chinese archaeologists have participated in an archaeological excavation in Egypt, according to Jia Xiaobing, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and head of the Chinese team in the joint mission.
\n
The joint archaeological team chose the Karnak Temple Complex as the site for excavation because it was one of the most important religious centers in ancient Egypt, and archaeological excavation at the Temple of Montu, a core area of the complex, can help people have a better understanding of Egyptian civilization and history, Jia said.
\n
"Both China and Egypt have long histories of over 5,000 years, and the two countries have great potential for cooperation in archaeology to explore the origins of human civilization and the protection of cultural relics," he said.
\n
"Human civilization is not singular; it is a garden with diverse flowers," he said. "Through such joint missions, we not only get a better idea of other civilizations but also contribute to improved understanding of our own civilization."
\n
Discoveries by the joint mission over the past seven years at the site have enriched the understanding of ancient Egyptian civilization, Jia said.
\n
Gao Wei, a member of the joint team and an archaeologist from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said that Chinese technology and equipment have contributed to the success of the joint excavation.
\n
For instance, using special equipment, the team was able to survey the whole area of the excavation site accurately and rebuild the Temple of Montu digitally to lay the basis for further research and improved protection of the temple.
\n
Khaled Helmy, supervisor of the Karnak antiquities area, applauded the Chinese team's contribution to the excavation of the Temple of Montu.
\n
"Finally we have the Chinese working with us," he said, adding that previously most of the archaeologists working in Egypt were from European countries such as France and Spain. "It is interesting, because in my entire life I had never seen a Chinese archaeologist working here in Egypt until the arrival of this team.
\n
"I think this is very beautiful work here. The Chinese are good at technology and they share with us their experience, and the nice combination makes the joint team a very powerful team."
\n
Gao said the biggest impression for him while working in the team is that the joint mission has greatly improved mutual understanding between archaeologists from the two countries.
\n
"Working here, it is amazing to see the two countries, thousands of miles apart, had created equally marvelous civilizations in ancient times," he said.
\n
"Archaeologists not only restore ancient civilizations, they are also like a bridge to promote understanding and appreciation between different civilizations."
\n
Following the joint archaeology team, more Chinese organizations have expressed interest in cooperation with Egypt in archaeology, said Abdelghaffar Wagdy, director-general of Luxor's Antiquities.
\n
Some organizations, such as the Shanghai Museum, have approached him and they may start various cooperation projects such as joint excavation and documentation and restoration of monuments in Luxor and other parts of Egypt, he said.
\n
In a milestone move in cultural exchanges between China and Egypt, more than 780 artifacts sourced from seven renowned Egyptian museums made their debut in July last year at the Shanghai Museum. Hailed as the largest exhibition of ancient Egyptian artifacts ever held outside their native country, more than 95 percent of these artifacts were being displayed in Asia for the first time.
\n
In addition to Egypt, Chinese archaeologists have been more actively engaged in recent years with various cooperation projects in some other countries, such as India, Pakistan, Romania and Uzbekistan, said Jia, head of the Chinese team, and he expects intensified cooperation in archaeology between China and other countries.
\n
"With the improving strength of archaeology in China, we will make further steps in international cooperation in the future, so Chinese scholars will make a bigger contribution to the research and interpretation of civilizations of the whole world."
\n
wangxiaodong@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
Archaeologists work at the Montu Temple site in Luxor, Egypt, on April 8, 2024, as part of a China-Egypt joint archaeological project.
\n
Online See more by scanning the code.
\n
As visitors from across the world marvel at the colossal temples at the Karnak Temple Complex in Luxor, Egypt, astounded by the ingenious architectural talent of the ancient Egyptians, a team of archaeologists from China and Egypt are quietly working at a more remote area in the north of the 4,000-year-old complex on the excavation of another important temple — the Temple of Montu.
\n
Excavations began about a century ago, but were later abandoned. The site of the Temple of Montu, which was dedicated to worship of the god of war — one of the most important gods in ancient Egypt — remained deserted for decades, until the arrival of Chinese archaeologists in late 2018.
\n
Over the past seven years, the sustained efforts of the Egyptian-Chinese joint mission for archaeological excavation in the Temple of Montu have resulted in a number of discoveries, including the excavation of several new shrines and a site of human settlement. The team also found a huge enclosure wall built with mud bricks with the stamp of Amenhotep III, which proved that the temple was built during the reign of the pharaoh, dating back to around the 14th century BC.
\n
In addition, a unique underground facility was discovered earlier this year, and the archaeological team is trying to determine whether it was used as a water source to purify offerings during religious ceremonies in the temple.
\n
The archaeologists believe that parts of Egyptian history and ancient civilization may need to be reassessed, as their continued exploration is expected to result in new discoveries over the coming years.
\n
Saada Bakhid, a member of the joint mission and an archaeology official in Luxor, said that some significant discoveries have already been made at the temple over the past few years.
\n
After the completion of the excavation of the enclosed Temple of Montu site, archaeological excavation will extend to surrounding areas, including neighboring villages, which belonged to the temple in ancient times, to get more information about the history of these areas, he said.
\n
"We are interested to know everything. We expect to get the whole information about the buildings, the people living here, and priests working inside the temple, and the community around the temple, and how the ancient Egyptian people lived their lives," he said.
\n
Luxor, known as Thebes in ancient Egypt, is dubbed the "world's greatest open-air museum", and has one of the world's oldest civilizations with cultural heritage such as the Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple, both UNESCO World Heritage sites, dating back more than 3,000 years.
\n
While visiting Luxor in January 2016, President Xi Jinping said that its cultural heritage is the embodiment of ancient Egyptian civilization, and he called for intensified exchanges and mutual learning between the two great civilizations of China and Egypt.
\n
On Jan 21, 2016, President Xi and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi attended the opening ceremony of the 2016 Chinese-Egyptian Culture Year at the square of the Luxor Temple.
\n
Xi visited the temple and said that as two ancient countries with rich civilizations, China and Egypt should intensify people-to-people exchanges and deepen friendship between the two peoples for common development and prosperity.
\n
On different occasions, Xi has emphasized the important role of archaeology in promoting people-to-people exchanges and cooperation between different countries. In March 2023, President Xi proposed the Global Civilization Initiative, which entails respecting the diversity of civilizations and promoting exchanges and mutual learning between civilizations.
\n
Following the visit, in October 2018, a cooperation agreement was signed between the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and Egypt's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities to jointly excavate the Temple of Montu site in Luxor. This was the first time that Chinese archaeologists have participated in an archaeological excavation in Egypt, according to Jia Xiaobing, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and head of the Chinese team in the joint mission.
\n
The joint archaeological team chose the Karnak Temple Complex as the site for excavation because it was one of the most important religious centers in ancient Egypt, and archaeological excavation at the Temple of Montu, a core area of the complex, can help people have a better understanding of Egyptian civilization and history, Jia said.
\n
"Both China and Egypt have long histories of over 5,000 years, and the two countries have great potential for cooperation in archaeology to explore the origins of human civilization and the protection of cultural relics," he said.
\n
"Human civilization is not singular; it is a garden with diverse flowers," he said. "Through such joint missions, we not only get a better idea of other civilizations but also contribute to improved understanding of our own civilization."
\n
Discoveries by the joint mission over the past seven years at the site have enriched the understanding of ancient Egyptian civilization, Jia said.
\n
Gao Wei, a member of the joint team and an archaeologist from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said that Chinese technology and equipment have contributed to the success of the joint excavation.
\n
For instance, using special equipment, the team was able to survey the whole area of the excavation site accurately and rebuild the Temple of Montu digitally to lay the basis for further research and improved protection of the temple.
\n
Khaled Helmy, supervisor of the Karnak antiquities area, applauded the Chinese team's contribution to the excavation of the Temple of Montu.
\n
"Finally we have the Chinese working with us," he said, adding that previously most of the archaeologists working in Egypt were from European countries such as France and Spain. "It is interesting, because in my entire life I had never seen a Chinese archaeologist working here in Egypt until the arrival of this team.
\n
"I think this is very beautiful work here. The Chinese are good at technology and they share with us their experience, and the nice combination makes the joint team a very powerful team."
\n
Gao said the biggest impression for him while working in the team is that the joint mission has greatly improved mutual understanding between archaeologists from the two countries.
\n
"Working here, it is amazing to see the two countries, thousands of miles apart, had created equally marvelous civilizations in ancient times," he said.
\n
"Archaeologists not only restore ancient civilizations, they are also like a bridge to promote understanding and appreciation between different civilizations."
\n
Following the joint archaeology team, more Chinese organizations have expressed interest in cooperation with Egypt in archaeology, said Abdelghaffar Wagdy, director-general of Luxor's Antiquities.
\n
Some organizations, such as the Shanghai Museum, have approached him and they may start various cooperation projects such as joint excavation and documentation and restoration of monuments in Luxor and other parts of Egypt, he said.
\n
In a milestone move in cultural exchanges between China and Egypt, more than 780 artifacts sourced from seven renowned Egyptian museums made their debut in July last year at the Shanghai Museum. Hailed as the largest exhibition of ancient Egyptian artifacts ever held outside their native country, more than 95 percent of these artifacts were being displayed in Asia for the first time.
\n
In addition to Egypt, Chinese archaeologists have been more actively engaged in recent years with various cooperation projects in some other countries, such as India, Pakistan, Romania and Uzbekistan, said Jia, head of the Chinese team, and he expects intensified cooperation in archaeology between China and other countries.
\n
"With the improving strength of archaeology in China, we will make further steps in international cooperation in the future, so Chinese scholars will make a bigger contribution to the research and interpretation of civilizations of the whole world."
Hu Yun's journey from the corridors of Beijing Jiaotong University to the rail yards of Guiyang South Railway Station in Guizhou province captures a rising trend of more and more graduates answering the country's call to contribute their youth and talent to the development of the vast and underdeveloped western region.
\n
The 25-year-old, who has a master's degree in transportation planning and management, ignored opportunities and his family's wish that he work in a big city and chose to operate trains in his native Guizhou instead — a decision shaped by witnessing closely the changes brought about by the transportation revolution.
\n
"As a native of Zunyi, I've seen firsthand how the development of transportation has transformed my hometown," Hu said.
\n
The Chongqing-Guiyang High-speed Railway has reduced a six-hour journey to 90 minutes, while China-Europe freight trains carry prickly pears, pepper and tea from Guizhou overseas and bring back European timber and lubricants, he said.
\n
"Returning to contribute to Guizhou's railway development is not just a career choice — it's a fulfillment of my university's motto, 'Knowledge and Action', and a way to honor my roots," Hu explained. "When personal growth synchronizes with national strategy, the youth shines brightest."
\n
President Xi Jinping has on many occasions called on the young people to closely link their personal endeavors with the undertakings of the Party and the country.
\n
In a reply letter to a group of volunteer teachers working at a remote border school in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region ahead of this year's Youth Day on May 4, Xi noted that more young people have chosen to serve as volunteers in the country's western region and rural areas over the years, demonstrating their spirit of dedication and sense of responsibility.
\n
He urged young people to stand firm in their ideals and convictions, cultivate patriotism, develop outstanding skills and work hard to contribute to Chinese modernization.
\n
Hu's choice aligns with the findings of a recent China Youth Daily survey, involving 1,251 students. It showed that over 97 percent of the respondents viewed the country's western region as a prime ground for career growth, while 95 percent believed they can realize their career goals there.
\n
About 16 percent expressed strong willingness to work in western China, with another 38 percent actively considering it. Personal ideals drove nearly 65 percent of the respondents, while 65 percent credited national policy support. Other motivators included university career guidance (41 percent), the region's development potential (36 percent) and reduced job competition (31 percent).
\n
According to Guangming Daily, seeking employment in the west of the country has become a growing trend among college graduates. Over the last few years, over 300 graduates from Tongji University in Shanghai have chosen to seek employment in the western region annually.
\n
Since 2019, a total of 1,559 graduates from China University of Political Science and Law in Beijing have landed jobs in the western region, while more than 60 percent of graduates from Southwest University of Political Science and Law in Chongqing have chosen to work at the grassroots levels in the region over the past three years.
\n
According to the Communist Youth League of China Central Committee, so far this year, more than 48,000 college graduates have participated in a national program to work at the grassroots level in the western region. Launched in 2003, the program has sent over 590,000 college graduates to work in more than 2,000 counties in the region, contributing to rural vitalization, grassroots governance, livelihood improvement and border security.
\n
Youth passion
\n
Hu's choice also follows national strategies. The Guiyang South Railway Station is a critical hub in the Western Land-Sea New Corridor, a key regional development initiative. "Working here means standing at the forefront of China's efforts to bridge regional disparities," Hu said. "The west of the country is a land of rapid development, where we can tackle real challenges with innovation and breakthroughs and grow alongside the region."
\n
Hu faced hurdles along the way. Like many graduates, he faced pressure from family to stay in big cities, where salaries are higher and opportunities more abundant. He had even secured job offers in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou in Guangdong province. But when the chance to work in Guizhou arose, he knew what he would choose. "I want to dedicate my youth to building this land."
\n
Du Xinyuan, a 22-year-old English graduate of Beijing International Studies University, has started working in Kunyu, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region.
\n
"I'm driven to experience grassroots governance and understand its pain points," Du said.
\n
As the county is located on the southern edge of the Taklimakan Desert and has an average annual precipitation of only 34 millimeters, the Beijing native said he is prepared for the harsh environment, while brushing off sandstorm concerns. "Repeated exposure will ease adaptation," he said.
\n
Du has deferred his master's in Marxist philosophy for a year to work in the western region, and considers the mission as embodying national unity ideals.
\n
China is a country with vast territories and there are development gaps among different regions, and as a young man, he said he hopes to answer the country's call and do the right thing to work in the western region.
\n
While both eager for and worried about his new life and challenges ahead, Du said he is physically and mentally prepared for his future work.
\n
As an English major student, he believes he can help promote the region to other countries and hopefully attract foreign investments.
\n
zoushuo@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
Hu Yun's journey from the corridors of Beijing Jiaotong University to the rail yards of Guiyang South Railway Station in Guizhou province captures a rising trend of more and more graduates answering the country's call to contribute their youth and talent to the development of the vast and underdeveloped western region.
\n
The 25-year-old, who has a master's degree in transportation planning and management, ignored opportunities and his family's wish that he work in a big city and chose to operate trains in his native Guizhou instead — a decision shaped by witnessing closely the changes brought about by the transportation revolution.
\n
"As a native of Zunyi, I've seen firsthand how the development of transportation has transformed my hometown," Hu said.
\n
The Chongqing-Guiyang High-speed Railway has reduced a six-hour journey to 90 minutes, while China-Europe freight trains carry prickly pears, pepper and tea from Guizhou overseas and bring back European timber and lubricants, he said.
\n
"Returning to contribute to Guizhou's railway development is not just a career choice — it's a fulfillment of my university's motto, 'Knowledge and Action', and a way to honor my roots," Hu explained. "When personal growth synchronizes with national strategy, the youth shines brightest."
\n
President Xi Jinping has on many occasions called on the young people to closely link their personal endeavors with the undertakings of the Party and the country.
\n
In a reply letter to a group of volunteer teachers working at a remote border school in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region ahead of this year's Youth Day on May 4, Xi noted that more young people have chosen to serve as volunteers in the country's western region and rural areas over the years, demonstrating their spirit of dedication and sense of responsibility.
\n
He urged young people to stand firm in their ideals and convictions, cultivate patriotism, develop outstanding skills and work hard to contribute to Chinese modernization.
\n
Hu's choice aligns with the findings of a recent China Youth Daily survey, involving 1,251 students. It showed that over 97 percent of the respondents viewed the country's western region as a prime ground for career growth, while 95 percent believed they can realize their career goals there.
\n
About 16 percent expressed strong willingness to work in western China, with another 38 percent actively considering it. Personal ideals drove nearly 65 percent of the respondents, while 65 percent credited national policy support. Other motivators included university career guidance (41 percent), the region's development potential (36 percent) and reduced job competition (31 percent).
\n
According to Guangming Daily, seeking employment in the west of the country has become a growing trend among college graduates. Over the last few years, over 300 graduates from Tongji University in Shanghai have chosen to seek employment in the western region annually.
\n
Since 2019, a total of 1,559 graduates from China University of Political Science and Law in Beijing have landed jobs in the western region, while more than 60 percent of graduates from Southwest University of Political Science and Law in Chongqing have chosen to work at the grassroots levels in the region over the past three years.
\n
According to the Communist Youth League of China Central Committee, so far this year, more than 48,000 college graduates have participated in a national program to work at the grassroots level in the western region. Launched in 2003, the program has sent over 590,000 college graduates to work in more than 2,000 counties in the region, contributing to rural vitalization, grassroots governance, livelihood improvement and border security.
\n
Youth passion
\n
Hu's choice also follows national strategies. The Guiyang South Railway Station is a critical hub in the Western Land-Sea New Corridor, a key regional development initiative. "Working here means standing at the forefront of China's efforts to bridge regional disparities," Hu said. "The west of the country is a land of rapid development, where we can tackle real challenges with innovation and breakthroughs and grow alongside the region."
\n
Hu faced hurdles along the way. Like many graduates, he faced pressure from family to stay in big cities, where salaries are higher and opportunities more abundant. He had even secured job offers in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou in Guangdong province. But when the chance to work in Guizhou arose, he knew what he would choose. "I want to dedicate my youth to building this land."
\n
Du Xinyuan, a 22-year-old English graduate of Beijing International Studies University, has started working in Kunyu, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region.
\n
"I'm driven to experience grassroots governance and understand its pain points," Du said.
\n
As the county is located on the southern edge of the Taklimakan Desert and has an average annual precipitation of only 34 millimeters, the Beijing native said he is prepared for the harsh environment, while brushing off sandstorm concerns. "Repeated exposure will ease adaptation," he said.
\n
Du has deferred his master's in Marxist philosophy for a year to work in the western region, and considers the mission as embodying national unity ideals.
\n
China is a country with vast territories and there are development gaps among different regions, and as a young man, he said he hopes to answer the country's call and do the right thing to work in the western region.
\n
While both eager for and worried about his new life and challenges ahead, Du said he is physically and mentally prepared for his future work.
\n
As an English major student, he believes he can help promote the region to other countries and hopefully attract foreign investments.
People visit the sales office of a commercial housing complex outside Beijing's Fifth Ring Road on Saturday.
\n
Recent policy adjustments in major Chinese cities are fueling expectations that more policy fine-tuning and easing measures are likely in the coming months to support the real estate sector's steady recovery, experts said on Monday.
\n
Beijing on Friday announced a relaxation of housing purchase restrictions in areas outside the Fifth Ring Road, allowing more residents to qualify as first-home buyers and access favorable mortgage terms. The policy aims to boost suburban demand while maintaining market stability, analysts said.
\n
Experts said that while China's real estate sector is undergoing structural transformation, there are policy tools available to manage the transition. The central government has emphasized the importance of meeting housing demand and preventing systemic risks — a dual focus that is likely to shape upcoming policy moves across major cities.
\n
They added that the latest development may point to a trend of calibrated policy easing, especially in top-tier cities, and demonstrate stronger policy objective to stabilize the country's property market.
\n
Cao Jingjing, general manager of research at the China Index Academy, said Beijing's fine-tuning measures signal that optimizing home purchase policies can boost market expectations and unleash demand.
\n
"The optimization has eased restrictions on the number of apartments outside the Fifth Ring Road, allowing eligible families to enter the market. In addition, it has kept housing policies stable within the Fifth Ring Road," said Cao.
\n
Data from the China Index Academy showed that from January to July, over 80 percent of Beijing's new-home sales and more than half of secondhand transactions occurred outside the Fifth Ring Road, making it the market's key area.
\n
Shanghai's housing market also showed signs of recovery. Newly-built home prices averaged 71,353 yuan ($9,931) per square meter in July, up 7.2 percent year-on-year, albeit with a soft decline month-on-month, according to property consultancy Centaline Shanghai.
\n
Shaun Brodie, head of research content in China at Cushman &Wakefield, a global real estate services company, said, "It is possible that Shanghai, Shenzhen and Guangzhou may also adjust measures to sustain market activity."
\n
Lu Wenxi, market analyst at Centaline Shanghai, said the slight dip in Shanghai aligns with July's typical low season for home sales. Stronger activity is expected in September and October, Lu said.
\n
According to Brodie, major cities will need a mix of strategies to further optimize real estate markets. Expanding affordable housing through public rental programs and incentives for mixed-income developments will be crucial.
\n
Luo Zhiheng, chief economist at Yuekai Securities, said, "The central government could put in place a real estate stabilization fund with an initial size of around 2 trillion yuan, dedicated to completing unfinished projects, acquiring existing housing inventory and purchasing real estate developers' idle land."
\n
Luo noted that policymakers could also guide the over-five-year loan prime rate further downward — which will result in lower mortgage rates for homebuyers — reduce taxes and fees associated with home purchases and alleviate the financial burden on homeowners.
\n
Experts said the nation's four first-tier cities — Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen — will lead the market stabilization and bottoming-out process.
\n
Yao Yao, head of research for JLL China, said that in the first half of 2025, new home sales in the four first-tier cities totaled 11.4 million square meters, up 13.8 percent year-on-year. The recovery has been uneven, with high-quality projects in prime locations seeing stronger demand, contrasting with sluggish sales in those outside the outer ring.
\n
"First-tier cities' residential markets are likely to move toward further stability. While broader market challenges persist, current measures and demand fundamentals suggest a gradual, steady growth momentum trajectory," Brodie of Cushman& Wakefield said.
\n
Contact the writers at wang_ying@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
People visit the sales office of a commercial housing complex outside Beijing's Fifth Ring Road on Saturday.
\n
Recent policy adjustments in major Chinese cities are fueling expectations that more policy fine-tuning and easing measures are likely in the coming months to support the real estate sector's steady recovery, experts said on Monday.
\n
Beijing on Friday announced a relaxation of housing purchase restrictions in areas outside the Fifth Ring Road, allowing more residents to qualify as first-home buyers and access favorable mortgage terms. The policy aims to boost suburban demand while maintaining market stability, analysts said.
\n
Experts said that while China's real estate sector is undergoing structural transformation, there are policy tools available to manage the transition. The central government has emphasized the importance of meeting housing demand and preventing systemic risks — a dual focus that is likely to shape upcoming policy moves across major cities.
\n
They added that the latest development may point to a trend of calibrated policy easing, especially in top-tier cities, and demonstrate stronger policy objective to stabilize the country's property market.
\n
Cao Jingjing, general manager of research at the China Index Academy, said Beijing's fine-tuning measures signal that optimizing home purchase policies can boost market expectations and unleash demand.
\n
"The optimization has eased restrictions on the number of apartments outside the Fifth Ring Road, allowing eligible families to enter the market. In addition, it has kept housing policies stable within the Fifth Ring Road," said Cao.
\n
Data from the China Index Academy showed that from January to July, over 80 percent of Beijing's new-home sales and more than half of secondhand transactions occurred outside the Fifth Ring Road, making it the market's key area.
\n
Shanghai's housing market also showed signs of recovery. Newly-built home prices averaged 71,353 yuan ($9,931) per square meter in July, up 7.2 percent year-on-year, albeit with a soft decline month-on-month, according to property consultancy Centaline Shanghai.
\n
Shaun Brodie, head of research content in China at Cushman &Wakefield, a global real estate services company, said, "It is possible that Shanghai, Shenzhen and Guangzhou may also adjust measures to sustain market activity."
\n
Lu Wenxi, market analyst at Centaline Shanghai, said the slight dip in Shanghai aligns with July's typical low season for home sales. Stronger activity is expected in September and October, Lu said.
\n
According to Brodie, major cities will need a mix of strategies to further optimize real estate markets. Expanding affordable housing through public rental programs and incentives for mixed-income developments will be crucial.
\n
Luo Zhiheng, chief economist at Yuekai Securities, said, "The central government could put in place a real estate stabilization fund with an initial size of around 2 trillion yuan, dedicated to completing unfinished projects, acquiring existing housing inventory and purchasing real estate developers' idle land."
\n
Luo noted that policymakers could also guide the over-five-year loan prime rate further downward — which will result in lower mortgage rates for homebuyers — reduce taxes and fees associated with home purchases and alleviate the financial burden on homeowners.
\n
Experts said the nation's four first-tier cities — Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen — will lead the market stabilization and bottoming-out process.
\n
Yao Yao, head of research for JLL China, said that in the first half of 2025, new home sales in the four first-tier cities totaled 11.4 million square meters, up 13.8 percent year-on-year. The recovery has been uneven, with high-quality projects in prime locations seeing stronger demand, contrasting with sluggish sales in those outside the outer ring.
\n
"First-tier cities' residential markets are likely to move toward further stability. While broader market challenges persist, current measures and demand fundamentals suggest a gradual, steady growth momentum trajectory," Brodie of Cushman& Wakefield said.
\n
Contact the writers at wang_ying@chinadaily.com.cn
A humanoid robot puts on an exhibition during an aerospace sci-fi show at the China Science and Technology Museum in Beijing on June 28.
\n
A humanoid robot plays tai chi in Beijing on March 27.
\n
A shop owner arranges figurines of characters from the animated film Ne Zha 2 in Chengdu, Sichuan province.
\n
A cosplayer imitates the main character of the game Black Myth: Wukong in Beijing.
\n
Children interact with soccer robots at a science museum in Jinhua, Zhejiang province, on July 6.
\n
Visitors browse "China-chic" cultural and creative products in Beijing on June 1.
\n
From TikTok dance trends to flying taxis and myth-based blockbuster video games, China is no longer just manufacturing the future, it's influencing global imagination.
\n
A decade ago, the country's profile was tightly linked to economic growth and exports. Now, its global image is increasingly defined by innovation, creativity and cultural relevance, particularly among Gen Z worldwide.
\n
"There is staying power in the Chinese cool factor; it's not a flash in the pan, it's not a passing fad," said Professor Lawrence Loh, a strategy and policy expert at the National University of Singapore.
\n
"We are seeing an evolution from J-pop to K-drama to now a more holistic 'C-cool' trend."
\n
The fusion of technology and storytelling has elevated Chinese pop culture to new heights. Video games such as Black Myth: Wukong, based on the classic novel Journey to the West, are drawing global praise for both their cinematic visuals and mythological depth. "It's a holistic shift, where tech meets culture, design, and daily life, and this wave is just starting", according to Ashley Dudarenok, founder of China-focused digital marketing company Alarice.
\n
Platforms like TikTok and Xiaohongshu (RedNote) are at the center of this movement. TikTok, developed by ByteDance, is not only a global leader in short-form video but also ranked by Brand Finance as the world's seventh most valuable brand, ahead of Instagram and Facebook.
\n
"Chinese tech brands like Huawei, BYD, Xiaomi, and TikTok are redefining global consumer expectations," said David Haigh, chairman and CEO of Brand Finance, a London-based brand valuation consultancy. "China is no longer just the 'factory of the world', it is transforming into a global innovation leader."
\n
Labubu, viral success
\n
China's creative industries are no longer just reacting to Western trends; they are generating them. The viral success of the character Labubu, a quirky forest elf popularized through social media and collaborations with the Louvre and Uniqlo, is one telling example.
\n
"The most notable example recently was the popularity of Labubu, with shoppers fighting each other to get one," said Tom Harper, a China expert at the University of East London.
\n
Meanwhile, bite-sized Chinese micro-dramas on platforms like ReelShort and FlexTV are captivating millions of international viewers with high-drama narratives tailored for short attention spans.
\n
Dudarenok attributes this rise to China's multi-pronged strategy: massive R&D investment, tax incentives for global co-productions, and a creative wave led by Gen Z content makers. In 2024 alone, China invested 3.6 trillion yuan ($502 billion) in research and development, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.
\n
Amrita Banta, managing director of Agility Research & Strategy, highlighted another reason for this appeal: "Chinese pop culture is gaining traction among younger audiences because of its ability to blend traditional narratives with the latest trends and unique storytelling techniques."
\n
She added that these innovations, combined with Gen Z's appetite for authenticity and global perspectives, position Chinese pop culture as both distinctive and accessible to international youth.
\n
"The appeal of Chinese popular culture is largely due to how it offers something different to mainstream popular culture," Harper explained. "In some ways, that makes it similar to Hallyu, also known as the Korean Wave, and the popularity of Japanese popular culture in the 1990s and early 2000s.
\n
Advancements in artificial intelligence, robotics, and smart mobility are reshaping perceptions of China's role in global innovation. In cities like Guangdong province's Guangzhou and Shenzhen, flying taxis have become a reality, while AI companies such as DeepSeek are emerging as serious competitors to ChatGPT based in the United States.
\n
"The tech prowess of Chinese companies is across a broad spectrum, from the internet and social media to autonomous tech and AI," Loh said. "The emergence of agentic AI may spawn even greater 'coolness' products."
\n
Banta said: "The launch of flying taxis in Guangzhou and Shenzhen demonstrates China's leadership in urban innovation and mobility infrastructure. These cities are becoming living laboratories for future-forward technologies."
\n
Harper added in the case of Deep-Seek, this is due to how it appears less controlled by Western companies than OpenAI is. "It gives China an edge in perception, an independent tech path," he said.
\n
Youth-driven perception
\n
Younger generations, particularly Gen Z and Millennials, are engaging with China in more nuanced ways. According to Brand Finance's 2025 Soft Power Index, perceptions of China among digitally connected young people have improved significantly since 2020.
\n
"Gen Z appreciates the blend of heritage and hyper-modernity," said Dudarenok. "Black Myth: Wukong isn't just a game, it's a cultural ambassador that shifts how people view Chinese creativity."
\n
Haigh added: "Since 2020, Gen Z and Millennials perceive China more positively than older generations. The biggest gains come from areas like international relations, economic strength, and cultural heritage."
\n
This narrative transformation reflects a structural shift. "China becoming cool can be seen as a result of long-term development," said Harper. "As China becomes more developed economically, its soft power naturally strengthens."
\n
In recent months, China's soft power strategy has gained momentum through policy as well. Visa-free entry for citizens from 75 countries and the participation of global media, such as the BBC's Race Across the World filming across China, are helping open new windows into Chinese life and culture.
\n
"The visa-free entry and exposure through global media will definitely generate more interest in China from people overseas," Loh said. "China's cool factor will contribute immensely to its soft power internationally."
\n
Challenges, next steps
\n
Despite the momentum, challenges remain. Some cultural exports still face difficulty resonating abroad due to localized storytelling or dense cultural references.
\n
"Many Chinese pop culture exports focus on fusing ancient stories with modern values, which can sometimes limit global reach," said Dudarenok. She pointed to Ne Zha 2, which became the highest-grossing animated film of all time, yet earned 99 percent of its revenue on the Chinese mainland.
\n
"While the world is fascinated by companies like DeepSeek and Unitree, it will take time for people to fully embrace these innovations," she said. "As interactions with China increase, initial apprehension will give way to excitement and appreciation."
\n
Harper observed that global perceptions may also shift as political dynamics evolve. "The credibility, and hence influence, of the US has taken a hit lately. This will inevitably lead to a shift from US to Chinese products, or even more broadly, to Chinese culture," he said.
\n
He pointed to the automotive sector as an example, highlighting how BYD had surpassed Tesla in electric vehicle sales across Europe. "This mirrors how consumers see the US and China, most notably in how (Tesla CEO Elon) Musk's antics are a factor in why people are opting for BYD," Harper said. "Equally, this is due to how 'made in China' is associated with quality as opposed to its previous image of cheap poor quality goods, which echoes Japan's rise. In this sense, China has a better image now than it did before."
\n
What's clear is that China's new image has not been built overnight. It's the product of years of effort across tech, culture, and policy. "This is a self-sustaining cultural flywheel, tech enables storytelling, stories drive exports, exports fund R&D," said Dudarenok.
\n
As China continues to integrate innovation with cultural expression, it is not only reshaping global perceptions, but also becoming a trendsetter in the process.
\n
wangmingjie@mail.chinadailyuk.com
\n",
+ "content": "
A humanoid robot puts on an exhibition during an aerospace sci-fi show at the China Science and Technology Museum in Beijing on June 28.
\n
A humanoid robot plays tai chi in Beijing on March 27.
\n
A shop owner arranges figurines of characters from the animated film Ne Zha 2 in Chengdu, Sichuan province.
\n
A cosplayer imitates the main character of the game Black Myth: Wukong in Beijing.
\n
Children interact with soccer robots at a science museum in Jinhua, Zhejiang province, on July 6.
\n
Visitors browse "China-chic" cultural and creative products in Beijing on June 1.
\n
From TikTok dance trends to flying taxis and myth-based blockbuster video games, China is no longer just manufacturing the future, it's influencing global imagination.
\n
A decade ago, the country's profile was tightly linked to economic growth and exports. Now, its global image is increasingly defined by innovation, creativity and cultural relevance, particularly among Gen Z worldwide.
\n
"There is staying power in the Chinese cool factor; it's not a flash in the pan, it's not a passing fad," said Professor Lawrence Loh, a strategy and policy expert at the National University of Singapore.
\n
"We are seeing an evolution from J-pop to K-drama to now a more holistic 'C-cool' trend."
\n
The fusion of technology and storytelling has elevated Chinese pop culture to new heights. Video games such as Black Myth: Wukong, based on the classic novel Journey to the West, are drawing global praise for both their cinematic visuals and mythological depth. "It's a holistic shift, where tech meets culture, design, and daily life, and this wave is just starting", according to Ashley Dudarenok, founder of China-focused digital marketing company Alarice.
\n
Platforms like TikTok and Xiaohongshu (RedNote) are at the center of this movement. TikTok, developed by ByteDance, is not only a global leader in short-form video but also ranked by Brand Finance as the world's seventh most valuable brand, ahead of Instagram and Facebook.
\n
"Chinese tech brands like Huawei, BYD, Xiaomi, and TikTok are redefining global consumer expectations," said David Haigh, chairman and CEO of Brand Finance, a London-based brand valuation consultancy. "China is no longer just the 'factory of the world', it is transforming into a global innovation leader."
\n
Labubu, viral success
\n
China's creative industries are no longer just reacting to Western trends; they are generating them. The viral success of the character Labubu, a quirky forest elf popularized through social media and collaborations with the Louvre and Uniqlo, is one telling example.
\n
"The most notable example recently was the popularity of Labubu, with shoppers fighting each other to get one," said Tom Harper, a China expert at the University of East London.
\n
Meanwhile, bite-sized Chinese micro-dramas on platforms like ReelShort and FlexTV are captivating millions of international viewers with high-drama narratives tailored for short attention spans.
\n
Dudarenok attributes this rise to China's multi-pronged strategy: massive R&D investment, tax incentives for global co-productions, and a creative wave led by Gen Z content makers. In 2024 alone, China invested 3.6 trillion yuan ($502 billion) in research and development, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.
\n
Amrita Banta, managing director of Agility Research & Strategy, highlighted another reason for this appeal: "Chinese pop culture is gaining traction among younger audiences because of its ability to blend traditional narratives with the latest trends and unique storytelling techniques."
\n
She added that these innovations, combined with Gen Z's appetite for authenticity and global perspectives, position Chinese pop culture as both distinctive and accessible to international youth.
\n
"The appeal of Chinese popular culture is largely due to how it offers something different to mainstream popular culture," Harper explained. "In some ways, that makes it similar to Hallyu, also known as the Korean Wave, and the popularity of Japanese popular culture in the 1990s and early 2000s.
\n
Advancements in artificial intelligence, robotics, and smart mobility are reshaping perceptions of China's role in global innovation. In cities like Guangdong province's Guangzhou and Shenzhen, flying taxis have become a reality, while AI companies such as DeepSeek are emerging as serious competitors to ChatGPT based in the United States.
\n
"The tech prowess of Chinese companies is across a broad spectrum, from the internet and social media to autonomous tech and AI," Loh said. "The emergence of agentic AI may spawn even greater 'coolness' products."
\n
Banta said: "The launch of flying taxis in Guangzhou and Shenzhen demonstrates China's leadership in urban innovation and mobility infrastructure. These cities are becoming living laboratories for future-forward technologies."
\n
Harper added in the case of Deep-Seek, this is due to how it appears less controlled by Western companies than OpenAI is. "It gives China an edge in perception, an independent tech path," he said.
\n
Youth-driven perception
\n
Younger generations, particularly Gen Z and Millennials, are engaging with China in more nuanced ways. According to Brand Finance's 2025 Soft Power Index, perceptions of China among digitally connected young people have improved significantly since 2020.
\n
"Gen Z appreciates the blend of heritage and hyper-modernity," said Dudarenok. "Black Myth: Wukong isn't just a game, it's a cultural ambassador that shifts how people view Chinese creativity."
\n
Haigh added: "Since 2020, Gen Z and Millennials perceive China more positively than older generations. The biggest gains come from areas like international relations, economic strength, and cultural heritage."
\n
This narrative transformation reflects a structural shift. "China becoming cool can be seen as a result of long-term development," said Harper. "As China becomes more developed economically, its soft power naturally strengthens."
\n
In recent months, China's soft power strategy has gained momentum through policy as well. Visa-free entry for citizens from 75 countries and the participation of global media, such as the BBC's Race Across the World filming across China, are helping open new windows into Chinese life and culture.
\n
"The visa-free entry and exposure through global media will definitely generate more interest in China from people overseas," Loh said. "China's cool factor will contribute immensely to its soft power internationally."
\n
Challenges, next steps
\n
Despite the momentum, challenges remain. Some cultural exports still face difficulty resonating abroad due to localized storytelling or dense cultural references.
\n
"Many Chinese pop culture exports focus on fusing ancient stories with modern values, which can sometimes limit global reach," said Dudarenok. She pointed to Ne Zha 2, which became the highest-grossing animated film of all time, yet earned 99 percent of its revenue on the Chinese mainland.
\n
"While the world is fascinated by companies like DeepSeek and Unitree, it will take time for people to fully embrace these innovations," she said. "As interactions with China increase, initial apprehension will give way to excitement and appreciation."
\n
Harper observed that global perceptions may also shift as political dynamics evolve. "The credibility, and hence influence, of the US has taken a hit lately. This will inevitably lead to a shift from US to Chinese products, or even more broadly, to Chinese culture," he said.
\n
He pointed to the automotive sector as an example, highlighting how BYD had surpassed Tesla in electric vehicle sales across Europe. "This mirrors how consumers see the US and China, most notably in how (Tesla CEO Elon) Musk's antics are a factor in why people are opting for BYD," Harper said. "Equally, this is due to how 'made in China' is associated with quality as opposed to its previous image of cheap poor quality goods, which echoes Japan's rise. In this sense, China has a better image now than it did before."
\n
What's clear is that China's new image has not been built overnight. It's the product of years of effort across tech, culture, and policy. "This is a self-sustaining cultural flywheel, tech enables storytelling, stories drive exports, exports fund R&D," said Dudarenok.
\n
As China continues to integrate innovation with cultural expression, it is not only reshaping global perceptions, but also becoming a trendsetter in the process.
From late August to early September, precipitation will be higher in northern China and lower in the south, according to forecasters from the National Climate Center. Meanwhile, temperatures across most regions of the country are expected to be near or above average, with parts of central and eastern China experiencing intermittent heat waves.
\n
The summer monsoon continues to deliver moisture and heat to northern and central China, leading to the accumulation of warm and moist air and creating an atmosphere ripe for heavy rain.
\n
The above-normal precipitation and above-average temperatures during this year's flood season are largely due to the position of the Western Pacific subtropical high, which has resulted in the formation of two distinct rain belts — one in the north and one in the south — said Zhi Rong, a chief forecaster at the National Climate Center.
\n
Data from the center shows that this year's rainy season in North China began on July 5, the earliest since records began in 1961. The national average temperature from July 5 to Aug 5 was also 1.5 C higher than the same period in previous years, making it the highest on record since 1961.
\n
Zhi said the ridge of the high-pressure system was at its northernmost position on record.
\n
The warm, moist air flowing along its northern edge combined with cold air pushing south, leading to an abnormal amount of rain in northern China. Meanwhile, a southern rain belt formed along the southern and eastern coasts, where the high-pressure system led to increased typhoon activity and heavy rain.
\n
Regions caught between these two belts, including the Jianghuai and Huanghuai plains and parts of Southwest China, have experienced high temperatures and drought conditions due to the stable high-pressure system.
\n
Last weekend, heavy downpours battered parts of Chongqing and the provinces of Sichuan, Hubei, Anhui and Jiangsu. The rainfall is the latest in a series of intense events that have plagued the region, according to the National Meteorological Center.
\n
The forecast for the next three days predicts the rain belt will persist, stretching from the Sichuan Basin to the Jianghan and Jianghuai plains. The public needs to be vigilant about flash floods and mudslides that could be triggered by the continuous rainfall or localized heavy downpours, weather experts warned.
\n
This year's extreme weather events have resulted in floods in the north and south, as well as drought in the central regions, posing a risk to autumn grain production, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs said.
\n
In response, the ministry recently released a plan outlining 34 tailored disaster prevention and relief measures aimed at securing a bountiful autumn harvest and overall grain production.
\n
Moreover, the Ministry of Finance, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and the Ministry of Water Resources, has allocated 1.015 billion yuan ($141 million) from the central budget for agricultural disaster relief.
\n
zhaoyimeng@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
From late August to early September, precipitation will be higher in northern China and lower in the south, according to forecasters from the National Climate Center. Meanwhile, temperatures across most regions of the country are expected to be near or above average, with parts of central and eastern China experiencing intermittent heat waves.
\n
The summer monsoon continues to deliver moisture and heat to northern and central China, leading to the accumulation of warm and moist air and creating an atmosphere ripe for heavy rain.
\n
The above-normal precipitation and above-average temperatures during this year's flood season are largely due to the position of the Western Pacific subtropical high, which has resulted in the formation of two distinct rain belts — one in the north and one in the south — said Zhi Rong, a chief forecaster at the National Climate Center.
\n
Data from the center shows that this year's rainy season in North China began on July 5, the earliest since records began in 1961. The national average temperature from July 5 to Aug 5 was also 1.5 C higher than the same period in previous years, making it the highest on record since 1961.
\n
Zhi said the ridge of the high-pressure system was at its northernmost position on record.
\n
The warm, moist air flowing along its northern edge combined with cold air pushing south, leading to an abnormal amount of rain in northern China. Meanwhile, a southern rain belt formed along the southern and eastern coasts, where the high-pressure system led to increased typhoon activity and heavy rain.
\n
Regions caught between these two belts, including the Jianghuai and Huanghuai plains and parts of Southwest China, have experienced high temperatures and drought conditions due to the stable high-pressure system.
\n
Last weekend, heavy downpours battered parts of Chongqing and the provinces of Sichuan, Hubei, Anhui and Jiangsu. The rainfall is the latest in a series of intense events that have plagued the region, according to the National Meteorological Center.
\n
The forecast for the next three days predicts the rain belt will persist, stretching from the Sichuan Basin to the Jianghan and Jianghuai plains. The public needs to be vigilant about flash floods and mudslides that could be triggered by the continuous rainfall or localized heavy downpours, weather experts warned.
\n
This year's extreme weather events have resulted in floods in the north and south, as well as drought in the central regions, posing a risk to autumn grain production, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs said.
\n
In response, the ministry recently released a plan outlining 34 tailored disaster prevention and relief measures aimed at securing a bountiful autumn harvest and overall grain production.
\n
Moreover, the Ministry of Finance, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and the Ministry of Water Resources, has allocated 1.015 billion yuan ($141 million) from the central budget for agricultural disaster relief.
Volunteers clear mud on Xinglong Avenue in Yuzhong county, Gansu province, on Monday after continuous heavy rain triggered flash floods in the region. The floods have resulted in 15 deaths, with 28 people unaccounted for.
\n",
+ "content": "
Volunteers clear mud on Xinglong Avenue in Yuzhong county, Gansu province, on Monday after continuous heavy rain triggered flash floods in the region. The floods have resulted in 15 deaths, with 28 people unaccounted for.
Witnessed by thousands of on-site spectators and millions of online fans, the "Animation" team from Longqiao town, Haikou city, triumphs over the "Coffee" team from Jinjiang town, Chengmai county, in the finals of the Hainan (Wenchang) Township Volleyball League at a local park in Wenchang, Hainan province, on Sunday evening. The competition is also known as the Hainan "Village VA".
Witnessed by thousands of on-site spectators and millions of online fans, the "Animation" team from Longqiao town, Haikou city, triumphs over the "Coffee" team from Jinjiang town, Chengmai county, in the finals of the Hainan (Wenchang) Township Volleyball League at a local park in Wenchang, Hainan province, on Sunday evening. The competition is also known as the Hainan "Village VA".
Authorities in Dali city, part of the Dali Bai autonomous prefecture in Yunnan province, have launched an extensive search and rescue operation to find an 8-year-old boy who went missing on Saturday near a tea factory in the city's Dali town, according to a notice released by the city's publicity department on Sunday.
\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, the notice said.
\n
The number of personnel involved in the search continues to grow, and the search area is being expanded. Besides the location where the boy was last seen, efforts are also being concentrated in six key zones around it, with all available resources being deployed to locate him, it added.
\n
The search and rescue operation is ongoing, local authorities said.
\n
On Saturday at 1:43 pm, 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, as well as volunteer groups of local civilian rescue teams. In an updated notice issued by the city government also on Sunday, residents have been encouraged to provide any information that could assist in locating the missing child.
\n
The boy is about 1.2 meters tall with a slim build. At the time of his disappearance, he was wearing a blue and white striped shirt, dark jeans and carrying an orange backpack. He also has identification tags with his family's contact information. Anyone with potential information is encouraged to call the police. A reward will be offered for verified information, the notice said.
\n
A resident surnamed Zhang from Dali city, who offered to help with the rescue, told China Daily on Monday: "Over 380 residents from Dali have created a WeChat group to organize civilian efforts for the rescue. At least 200 of them have participated in the rescue activities, either going up the mountain to look for the boy or organizing supplies needed on the mountain.
\n
"As of around 4:30 pm on Monday, the volunteers have collectively walked over 600 kilometers. Everyone is very anxious, hoping to find the boy soon," he said.
\n
Contact the writers at lihongyang@chinadaily.com.cn
Authorities in Dali city, part of the Dali Bai autonomous prefecture in Yunnan province, have launched an extensive search and rescue operation to find an 8-year-old boy who went missing on Saturday near a tea factory in the city's Dali town, according to a notice released by the city's publicity department on Sunday.
\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, the notice said.
\n
The number of personnel involved in the search continues to grow, and the search area is being expanded. Besides the location where the boy was last seen, efforts are also being concentrated in six key zones around it, with all available resources being deployed to locate him, it added.
\n
The search and rescue operation is ongoing, local authorities said.
\n
On Saturday at 1:43 pm, 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, as well as volunteer groups of local civilian rescue teams. In an updated notice issued by the city government also on Sunday, residents have been encouraged to provide any information that could assist in locating the missing child.
\n
The boy is about 1.2 meters tall with a slim build. At the time of his disappearance, he was wearing a blue and white striped shirt, dark jeans and carrying an orange backpack. He also has identification tags with his family's contact information. Anyone with potential information is encouraged to call the police. A reward will be offered for verified information, the notice said.
\n
A resident surnamed Zhang from Dali city, who offered to help with the rescue, told China Daily on Monday: "Over 380 residents from Dali have created a WeChat group to organize civilian efforts for the rescue. At least 200 of them have participated in the rescue activities, either going up the mountain to look for the boy or organizing supplies needed on the mountain.
\n
"As of around 4:30 pm on Monday, the volunteers have collectively walked over 600 kilometers. Everyone is very anxious, hoping to find the boy soon," he said.
\n
Contact the writers at lihongyang@chinadaily.com.cn
Chinese universities are using creative methods to send prospective students admission letters, and nothing seems to be off the table. Higher education institutions are transforming the traditional item into everything from edible delicacies to Antarctic keepsakes, sparking an online frenzy and even a black market for the novel items.
\n
The 2025 university admission season has ignited social media as students nationwide showcase their creatively packaged acceptance letters. A student's post on Douyin, China's version of TikTok, claims Jilin Agricultural University sent them an edible admission letter made from new mushroom paper developed by its fungi research team led by Li Yu, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering.
\n
The student used edible parts of the letter as an ingredient to make the famous dish "chicken stewed with mushrooms", a video that has since circulated on social media.
\n
University officials said recently that while the main body of the letter is conventional, it does include a detachable sheet made of mushroom mycelium developed by the university's own fungi science team.
\n
This special "mushroom paper", crafted by students at the university's College of Mycology, is made from mushroom fibers without using traditional polluting processes such as bleaching. The paper is touted as low-carbon, eco-friendly and unique.
\n
The university developed the special admission letter to encourage new students to "be like mushrooms: emerge bravely from the earth with composure as your cap and confidence as your stem," it said.
\n
Meanwhile, the Ocean University of China in Qingdao, Shandong province, captured imaginations with what netizens dubbed the "most romantic" admission letter. Its admission package includes a pendant containing seawater retrieved directly from Antarctica by the university's research team.
\n
Each droplet-shaped pendant bears the university's English abbreviation "OUC" and an authentication certificate. The package also includes tea from Lyuchun county, a university-supported region in Yunnan province.
\n
The university said the gesture was made with the hope that every new student will draw wisdom from water's resilience, measure the world by the ocean's vastness and become graduates who can contribute to building China into a strong maritime nation. However, the unique move has fueled a secondary market, with the Antarctic seawater pendants or entire packages appearing on resale platforms for prices ranging from 1,800 to 5,000 yuan ($250-$696). Some buyers offered 300 to 3,000 yuan, according to Xiaoxiang Morning News, a news outlet in Hunan province.
\n
The university confirmed the pendants are officially distributed only to admitted students and warned against potential counterfeits, advising against high-priced purchases.
\n
Perhaps the most unexpectedly sturdy admission letter was from the Beijing University of Chemical Technology. A recent video posted on Douyin showed its carbon fiber admission letter — a mere 0.2 mm thick and developed by the university's advanced composite materials center — effortlessly slicing through a watermelon without damage.
\n
This high-performance composite, the university noted, is already widely used in rockets, satellites, space stations, aircraft and large vessels. It began sending letters made with the materials last year.
\n
Students have already let their imaginations run wild to test its durability, with videos showing the admission letter remaining completely unscathed despite being crumpled, bent, and even splashed with hot water.
\n
Technological marvels also took center stage. The Harbin Institute of Technology in Heilongjiang province presented its "Dream" gift box themed around space exploration.
\n
The admission letter itself is engraved on material identical to the heat shield used on China's Mengzhou manned spacecraft, the Tianwen 2 probe and return capsules. Developed by the university's research team in collaboration with a satellite manufacturer in Beijing, this ultra-high-temperature lightweight ablative composite material embodies the cutting-edge aerospace technology of the university.
\n
The Southern University of Science and Technology in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, delivered literal excitement: a "mysterious black box" bearing a torch image. When a special region at the lower part of the box is ignited, the upper part reveals the university motto "Virtue, Truth, Advance". Scanning the enclosed torch with a phone produces a blazing augmented reality effect.
\n
While the creative admission letters have been met with praise from netizens who view this as demonstrations of warmth, experts argue these innovations risk "prioritizing form over substance" or being "superficial gimmicks".
\n
Chu Zhaohui, a researcher at the China National Academy of Educational Sciences, is among the experts who share the view that universities have limited resources, requiring more rational allocation to maximize utilization. According to experts, whether the value truly justifies the cost when excessive time and resources are invested in designing admission letters remains questionable.
\n
zoushuo@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
Chinese universities are using creative methods to send prospective students admission letters, and nothing seems to be off the table. Higher education institutions are transforming the traditional item into everything from edible delicacies to Antarctic keepsakes, sparking an online frenzy and even a black market for the novel items.
\n
The 2025 university admission season has ignited social media as students nationwide showcase their creatively packaged acceptance letters. A student's post on Douyin, China's version of TikTok, claims Jilin Agricultural University sent them an edible admission letter made from new mushroom paper developed by its fungi research team led by Li Yu, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering.
\n
The student used edible parts of the letter as an ingredient to make the famous dish "chicken stewed with mushrooms", a video that has since circulated on social media.
\n
University officials said recently that while the main body of the letter is conventional, it does include a detachable sheet made of mushroom mycelium developed by the university's own fungi science team.
\n
This special "mushroom paper", crafted by students at the university's College of Mycology, is made from mushroom fibers without using traditional polluting processes such as bleaching. The paper is touted as low-carbon, eco-friendly and unique.
\n
The university developed the special admission letter to encourage new students to "be like mushrooms: emerge bravely from the earth with composure as your cap and confidence as your stem," it said.
\n
Meanwhile, the Ocean University of China in Qingdao, Shandong province, captured imaginations with what netizens dubbed the "most romantic" admission letter. Its admission package includes a pendant containing seawater retrieved directly from Antarctica by the university's research team.
\n
Each droplet-shaped pendant bears the university's English abbreviation "OUC" and an authentication certificate. The package also includes tea from Lyuchun county, a university-supported region in Yunnan province.
\n
The university said the gesture was made with the hope that every new student will draw wisdom from water's resilience, measure the world by the ocean's vastness and become graduates who can contribute to building China into a strong maritime nation. However, the unique move has fueled a secondary market, with the Antarctic seawater pendants or entire packages appearing on resale platforms for prices ranging from 1,800 to 5,000 yuan ($250-$696). Some buyers offered 300 to 3,000 yuan, according to Xiaoxiang Morning News, a news outlet in Hunan province.
\n
The university confirmed the pendants are officially distributed only to admitted students and warned against potential counterfeits, advising against high-priced purchases.
\n
Perhaps the most unexpectedly sturdy admission letter was from the Beijing University of Chemical Technology. A recent video posted on Douyin showed its carbon fiber admission letter — a mere 0.2 mm thick and developed by the university's advanced composite materials center — effortlessly slicing through a watermelon without damage.
\n
This high-performance composite, the university noted, is already widely used in rockets, satellites, space stations, aircraft and large vessels. It began sending letters made with the materials last year.
\n
Students have already let their imaginations run wild to test its durability, with videos showing the admission letter remaining completely unscathed despite being crumpled, bent, and even splashed with hot water.
\n
Technological marvels also took center stage. The Harbin Institute of Technology in Heilongjiang province presented its "Dream" gift box themed around space exploration.
\n
The admission letter itself is engraved on material identical to the heat shield used on China's Mengzhou manned spacecraft, the Tianwen 2 probe and return capsules. Developed by the university's research team in collaboration with a satellite manufacturer in Beijing, this ultra-high-temperature lightweight ablative composite material embodies the cutting-edge aerospace technology of the university.
\n
The Southern University of Science and Technology in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, delivered literal excitement: a "mysterious black box" bearing a torch image. When a special region at the lower part of the box is ignited, the upper part reveals the university motto "Virtue, Truth, Advance". Scanning the enclosed torch with a phone produces a blazing augmented reality effect.
\n
While the creative admission letters have been met with praise from netizens who view this as demonstrations of warmth, experts argue these innovations risk "prioritizing form over substance" or being "superficial gimmicks".
\n
Chu Zhaohui, a researcher at the China National Academy of Educational Sciences, is among the experts who share the view that universities have limited resources, requiring more rational allocation to maximize utilization. According to experts, whether the value truly justifies the cost when excessive time and resources are invested in designing admission letters remains questionable.
Robots, once seen mainly as symbols of industrial strength and efficiency, are showcasing their potential and capability as "health guardians" for humans, as demonstrated at the ongoing 2025 World Robot Conference in Beijing.
\n
In the bustling exhibition area, visitors are seen confidently navigating the space with their eyes shut, guided by a six-legged robotic "dog" and holding a white cane connected to its back.
\n
"We developed this hexapod robot to help visually impaired people walk safely and comfortably," said Fang Ling, CEO of Shanghai Jizhi Robotics.
\n
He explained that this 1-meter-long robot, weighing 20 kilograms, maintains stability by keeping three legs on the ground as it moves. It can effectively avoid obstacles and navigate steps, sidewalks and other complex terrains, operating for up to three hours on a single charge.
\n
"Our robotic 'dog' is not only strong, but also smart," Fang said, noting that by using lidar, it navigates autonomously and recognizes traffic lights, while sensors equipped with AI models detect users' walking status and intentions through force and voice, enabling gentle guidance and stopping. He added that these robots are already in use at airports in Beijing and Shanghai.
\n
During the opening ceremony of the conference on Friday, themed "Making Robots Smarter, Making Embodied Agents More Intelligent", Qiao Hong, president of the World Robot Cooperation Organization, highlighted cognition, decision-making and safety as key future development trends for embodied intelligent robots.
\n
In the medical field, this vision is progressing alongside the application of AI-embodied robots in surgery and rehabilitation.
\n
For instance, in May, a 66-year-old patient with destructive right knee osteoarthritis and deformity underwent joint replacement surgery in about 30 minutes with the assistance of a robotic orthopedic precision assistant, or ROPA. The patient was able to walk the same day and has recovered well.
\n
"Before a surgery, an AI-embodied ROPA calculates parameters and forms a personalized plan by constructing a 3D model of a patient's bones from X-rays and CT scans," said Zhang Yiling, founder of Longwood Valley MedTech, developer of the robot. He added that during a surgery, sub-millimeter-level precise optical positioning and a stable robotic arm ensured accurate execution of the preoperative plan.
\n
Chen Guoqiang from Beijing Shijitan Hospital, who performed the surgery on the patient, said operations assisted by smart robots can reduce repetitive bone-cutting tasks, shorten surgical time and minimize blood loss.
\n
"For doctors, learning to use surgical robots is a trend," he said.
\n
Currently, AI-driven innovative medical products made by Longwood Valley MedTech have been deployed in over 1,000 top-tier hospitals across more than 30 provincial-level regions in China, serving over 100,000 patients.
\n
In 2024, the surgical robot market size in China exceeded 10 billion yuan ($1.4 billion), with domestic equipment accounting for 48.9 percent, an increase of 30 percentage points compared with 2020, according to a report by Zhongyan Puhua Industry Research Institute.
\n
In the field of rehabilitation, Shenzhen DeyeeMed Technology Co has integrated AI into its physiotherapy robots, which feature real-time body scanning, acupoint recognition and personalized therapy plan generation. Their mechanical arms also simulate traditional Chinese massage techniques such as pushing, grasping and kneading.
\n
Beijing AI-robotics Technology Co, an exoskeleton robot producer and therapy service provider, uses AI to offer rehabilitation training for people with lower-limb motor impairments. The company's exoskeleton robots mimic a bionic gait while adjusting pace through a self-adaptation system.
\n
Xu Guanghua, a professor at the School of Mechanical Engineering at Xi'an Jiaotong University, said that while robots are making progress in surgery and rehabilitation, their overall application in the medical field remains nascent.
\n
"Robots are poised to play a bigger role in medical visits and family healthcare, with an enormous market ahead," Xu said.
Robots, once seen mainly as symbols of industrial strength and efficiency, are showcasing their potential and capability as "health guardians" for humans, as demonstrated at the ongoing 2025 World Robot Conference in Beijing.
\n
In the bustling exhibition area, visitors are seen confidently navigating the space with their eyes shut, guided by a six-legged robotic "dog" and holding a white cane connected to its back.
\n
"We developed this hexapod robot to help visually impaired people walk safely and comfortably," said Fang Ling, CEO of Shanghai Jizhi Robotics.
\n
He explained that this 1-meter-long robot, weighing 20 kilograms, maintains stability by keeping three legs on the ground as it moves. It can effectively avoid obstacles and navigate steps, sidewalks and other complex terrains, operating for up to three hours on a single charge.
\n
"Our robotic 'dog' is not only strong, but also smart," Fang said, noting that by using lidar, it navigates autonomously and recognizes traffic lights, while sensors equipped with AI models detect users' walking status and intentions through force and voice, enabling gentle guidance and stopping. He added that these robots are already in use at airports in Beijing and Shanghai.
\n
During the opening ceremony of the conference on Friday, themed "Making Robots Smarter, Making Embodied Agents More Intelligent", Qiao Hong, president of the World Robot Cooperation Organization, highlighted cognition, decision-making and safety as key future development trends for embodied intelligent robots.
\n
In the medical field, this vision is progressing alongside the application of AI-embodied robots in surgery and rehabilitation.
\n
For instance, in May, a 66-year-old patient with destructive right knee osteoarthritis and deformity underwent joint replacement surgery in about 30 minutes with the assistance of a robotic orthopedic precision assistant, or ROPA. The patient was able to walk the same day and has recovered well.
\n
"Before a surgery, an AI-embodied ROPA calculates parameters and forms a personalized plan by constructing a 3D model of a patient's bones from X-rays and CT scans," said Zhang Yiling, founder of Longwood Valley MedTech, developer of the robot. He added that during a surgery, sub-millimeter-level precise optical positioning and a stable robotic arm ensured accurate execution of the preoperative plan.
\n
Chen Guoqiang from Beijing Shijitan Hospital, who performed the surgery on the patient, said operations assisted by smart robots can reduce repetitive bone-cutting tasks, shorten surgical time and minimize blood loss.
\n
"For doctors, learning to use surgical robots is a trend," he said.
\n
Currently, AI-driven innovative medical products made by Longwood Valley MedTech have been deployed in over 1,000 top-tier hospitals across more than 30 provincial-level regions in China, serving over 100,000 patients.
\n
In 2024, the surgical robot market size in China exceeded 10 billion yuan ($1.4 billion), with domestic equipment accounting for 48.9 percent, an increase of 30 percentage points compared with 2020, according to a report by Zhongyan Puhua Industry Research Institute.
\n
In the field of rehabilitation, Shenzhen DeyeeMed Technology Co has integrated AI into its physiotherapy robots, which feature real-time body scanning, acupoint recognition and personalized therapy plan generation. Their mechanical arms also simulate traditional Chinese massage techniques such as pushing, grasping and kneading.
\n
Beijing AI-robotics Technology Co, an exoskeleton robot producer and therapy service provider, uses AI to offer rehabilitation training for people with lower-limb motor impairments. The company's exoskeleton robots mimic a bionic gait while adjusting pace through a self-adaptation system.
\n
Xu Guanghua, a professor at the School of Mechanical Engineering at Xi'an Jiaotong University, said that while robots are making progress in surgery and rehabilitation, their overall application in the medical field remains nascent.
\n
"Robots are poised to play a bigger role in medical visits and family healthcare, with an enormous market ahead," Xu said.
The Ministry of Natural Resources announced the outcome of the unified and confirmed registration of natural resources for the country's first batch of national parks on Monday. This step clarifies issues around ownership, management responsibilities and ecological boundaries to serve the protection and supervision of natural resources.
\n
China declared the establishment of its first batch of national parks — the National Park of Hainan Tropical Rainforest, Wuyishan National Park, Giant Panda National Park, Northeast China Tiger and Leopard National Park, and Three-River-Source National Park — in 2021, with the aim of protecting the integrity of their ecosystems while making use of their valuable natural resources scientifically and rationally.
\n
"The Civil Code mandates that the State Council (China's Cabinet) represents the State in exercising ownership of all publicly owned natural resource assets. However, for a long time, it was unclear which entities are responsible for managing the resources, how such management is carried out and what their rights entail," said Hu Shanshun, director of the ministry's natural resource rights confirmation and registration bureau.
\n
This ambiguity has now been resolved through the unified and confirmed registration of natural resource rights. By upholding public ownership, strengthening property rights protection, and clearly outlining the roles of owners and regulators, such registration provides a robust legal foundation for national park management, Hu added.
\n
"This approach not only solidifies the property rights foundation for ecological civilization construction, but also ensures the practical implementation of the concept that 'lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets', also known as the 'Two Mountains theory'," he said.
\n
The National Park of Hainan Tropical Rainforest took the lead in completing its natural resource rights confirmation and registration process in late 2022. Covering 4,268.54 square kilometers, with nearly 90 percent State-owned, the national park is abundant in forest resources, which account for more than 97 percent of its natural area.
\n
Authorized by the State Council, the ministry has delegated the exercise of ownership responsibilities for all publicly owned natural resource assets within the national park to the Hainan provincial government.
\n
On July 4, Three-River-Source National Park completed its confirmation and registration work, marking the completion of registration for all national parks. Covering 190,700 sq km, the national park is rich in grassland resources, with the exercise of ownership responsibilities delegated to the Qinghai provincial government.
\n
"The confirmation and registration of natural resource rights has established a robust property rights framework essential for unlocking the ecological product value within national parks. It also provides a basis for the allocation of rights and responsibilities regarding the disposal, allocation, paid use and revenue management of natural resource assets owned by the public in the national parks," Hu said.
\n
Hu added that the confirmation process resolved disputes over natural resource property rights by outlining ownership boundaries — be they governments at different levels, collective owners and the public.
\n
He cited the Giant Panda National Park spanning Sichuan, Shaanxi and Gansu provinces as an example. The registration work has delineated the boundaries for State-owned and collectively-owned resources, assigning the national park's management bureau the responsibility for the ecological restoration of public natural resources. Meanwhile, the collectively-owned natural resources are utilized through a model involving village collectives and cooperatives for a forest-based economy, enabling the maintenance of the ecological redline for forests while allowing villagers to benefit from the protection.
\n
From the pilot exploration of five national parks to full-scale implementation, the unified and confirmed registration of natural resources covered 1,057 key areas nationwide, totaling 320,000 sq km as of the end of July, he said.
\n
"We will continue to enhance the legalization, standardization, normalization and informatization of the unified and confirmed registration of natural resource rights," Hu said.
\n
"During the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30), we will systematically advance the registration of natural resource rights, including newly established national parks, internationally and nationally important wetlands, major rivers, mineral resources with proven reserves and uninhabited islands, striving to achieve a registered area of 1 million sq km," he added.
The Ministry of Natural Resources announced the outcome of the unified and confirmed registration of natural resources for the country's first batch of national parks on Monday. This step clarifies issues around ownership, management responsibilities and ecological boundaries to serve the protection and supervision of natural resources.
\n
China declared the establishment of its first batch of national parks — the National Park of Hainan Tropical Rainforest, Wuyishan National Park, Giant Panda National Park, Northeast China Tiger and Leopard National Park, and Three-River-Source National Park — in 2021, with the aim of protecting the integrity of their ecosystems while making use of their valuable natural resources scientifically and rationally.
\n
"The Civil Code mandates that the State Council (China's Cabinet) represents the State in exercising ownership of all publicly owned natural resource assets. However, for a long time, it was unclear which entities are responsible for managing the resources, how such management is carried out and what their rights entail," said Hu Shanshun, director of the ministry's natural resource rights confirmation and registration bureau.
\n
This ambiguity has now been resolved through the unified and confirmed registration of natural resource rights. By upholding public ownership, strengthening property rights protection, and clearly outlining the roles of owners and regulators, such registration provides a robust legal foundation for national park management, Hu added.
\n
"This approach not only solidifies the property rights foundation for ecological civilization construction, but also ensures the practical implementation of the concept that 'lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets', also known as the 'Two Mountains theory'," he said.
\n
The National Park of Hainan Tropical Rainforest took the lead in completing its natural resource rights confirmation and registration process in late 2022. Covering 4,268.54 square kilometers, with nearly 90 percent State-owned, the national park is abundant in forest resources, which account for more than 97 percent of its natural area.
\n
Authorized by the State Council, the ministry has delegated the exercise of ownership responsibilities for all publicly owned natural resource assets within the national park to the Hainan provincial government.
\n
On July 4, Three-River-Source National Park completed its confirmation and registration work, marking the completion of registration for all national parks. Covering 190,700 sq km, the national park is rich in grassland resources, with the exercise of ownership responsibilities delegated to the Qinghai provincial government.
\n
"The confirmation and registration of natural resource rights has established a robust property rights framework essential for unlocking the ecological product value within national parks. It also provides a basis for the allocation of rights and responsibilities regarding the disposal, allocation, paid use and revenue management of natural resource assets owned by the public in the national parks," Hu said.
\n
Hu added that the confirmation process resolved disputes over natural resource property rights by outlining ownership boundaries — be they governments at different levels, collective owners and the public.
\n
He cited the Giant Panda National Park spanning Sichuan, Shaanxi and Gansu provinces as an example. The registration work has delineated the boundaries for State-owned and collectively-owned resources, assigning the national park's management bureau the responsibility for the ecological restoration of public natural resources. Meanwhile, the collectively-owned natural resources are utilized through a model involving village collectives and cooperatives for a forest-based economy, enabling the maintenance of the ecological redline for forests while allowing villagers to benefit from the protection.
\n
From the pilot exploration of five national parks to full-scale implementation, the unified and confirmed registration of natural resources covered 1,057 key areas nationwide, totaling 320,000 sq km as of the end of July, he said.
\n
"We will continue to enhance the legalization, standardization, normalization and informatization of the unified and confirmed registration of natural resource rights," Hu said.
\n
"During the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30), we will systematically advance the registration of natural resource rights, including newly established national parks, internationally and nationally important wetlands, major rivers, mineral resources with proven reserves and uninhabited islands, striving to achieve a registered area of 1 million sq km," he added.
Children interact with a fighter jet model at an aerospace and defense education and technology exhibition in Wuhan, Hubei province, on Sunday. The monthlong exhibition offers visitors an immersive experience into the world of advanced national defense technology.
\n",
+ "content": "
Children interact with a fighter jet model at an aerospace and defense education and technology exhibition in Wuhan, Hubei province, on Sunday. The monthlong exhibition offers visitors an immersive experience into the world of advanced national defense technology.
Aydina Yasen plays a konghou in Beijing on Jan 23, 2024.
\n
URUMQI — This summer, 18-year-old Uygur girl Aydina Yasen was overjoyed to receive her admission letter to the konghou program at a conservatory in Northeast China, offering her the chance to further study the ancient Chinese musical instrument she has loved since childhood.
\n
The konghou, also known as the Chinese harp, is believed to have been introduced to the Chinese hinterland through what is now the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region during the prime usage period of the ancient Silk Road. This instrument flourished during the Tang Dynasty (618-907), frequently appearing in poetry, murals and imperial court performances.
\n
Aydina Yasen grew up in Qiemo county, located deep in the Taklimakan Desert, the largest in China. Known as the "hometown of konghou", the county was once a key stop along the southern route of the ancient Silk Road and has unearthed the oldest known relics of the instrument — dating back 2,700 years.
\n
Aydina Yasen began learning to play the konghou at age 10.
\n
"The first time I heard its sound, I was deeply captivated," she said. "Now, every time I play it, it feels like I am touching an ancient soul."
\n
There was a time when the konghou had almost disappeared. However, efforts to replicate the instrument began in the 1930s, and it made a return to the stage by the 1980s, according to Liang Pu, a konghou instructor in Qiemo.
\n
In 2016, Xinjiang's first public-interest konghou training base was established in Qiemo, drawing both music teachers and students. As of this year, more than 200 children, affectionately known as "konghou kids", have been trained in the county. In addition, all primary and secondary schools in Qiemo now boast clubs where students can learn to play the instrument.
\n
Since 2019, five konghou-themed competitions have been held in Qiemo, while a series of concerts featuring the harp have also been staged to enhance its popularity.
\n
Among the many attracted to this instrument in Qiemo, Aydina Yasen is the only one to gain admission to a college-level program in recent years, securing a spot at the Shenyang Conservatory of Music in Liaoning province.
\n
"There are only a handful of conservatories offering konghou as a major, and each admits very few students annually," Liang said. "Pursuing this path requires immense dedication."
\n
Aydina Yasen's mother, a music teacher, has strongly supported her daughter's dreams.
\n
"I hope my daughter can pass on traditional konghou techniques and share its culture with the world," she said.
\n
Aydina Yasen said, "Learning konghou was never easy, but it took me from the desert to big cities and opened up a much bigger world." She added that she hopes to share the rich konghou culture of her hometown with wider audiences.
Aydina Yasen plays a konghou in Beijing on Jan 23, 2024.
\n
URUMQI — This summer, 18-year-old Uygur girl Aydina Yasen was overjoyed to receive her admission letter to the konghou program at a conservatory in Northeast China, offering her the chance to further study the ancient Chinese musical instrument she has loved since childhood.
\n
The konghou, also known as the Chinese harp, is believed to have been introduced to the Chinese hinterland through what is now the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region during the prime usage period of the ancient Silk Road. This instrument flourished during the Tang Dynasty (618-907), frequently appearing in poetry, murals and imperial court performances.
\n
Aydina Yasen grew up in Qiemo county, located deep in the Taklimakan Desert, the largest in China. Known as the "hometown of konghou", the county was once a key stop along the southern route of the ancient Silk Road and has unearthed the oldest known relics of the instrument — dating back 2,700 years.
\n
Aydina Yasen began learning to play the konghou at age 10.
\n
"The first time I heard its sound, I was deeply captivated," she said. "Now, every time I play it, it feels like I am touching an ancient soul."
\n
There was a time when the konghou had almost disappeared. However, efforts to replicate the instrument began in the 1930s, and it made a return to the stage by the 1980s, according to Liang Pu, a konghou instructor in Qiemo.
\n
In 2016, Xinjiang's first public-interest konghou training base was established in Qiemo, drawing both music teachers and students. As of this year, more than 200 children, affectionately known as "konghou kids", have been trained in the county. In addition, all primary and secondary schools in Qiemo now boast clubs where students can learn to play the instrument.
\n
Since 2019, five konghou-themed competitions have been held in Qiemo, while a series of concerts featuring the harp have also been staged to enhance its popularity.
\n
Among the many attracted to this instrument in Qiemo, Aydina Yasen is the only one to gain admission to a college-level program in recent years, securing a spot at the Shenyang Conservatory of Music in Liaoning province.
\n
"There are only a handful of conservatories offering konghou as a major, and each admits very few students annually," Liang said. "Pursuing this path requires immense dedication."
\n
Aydina Yasen's mother, a music teacher, has strongly supported her daughter's dreams.
\n
"I hope my daughter can pass on traditional konghou techniques and share its culture with the world," she said.
\n
Aydina Yasen said, "Learning konghou was never easy, but it took me from the desert to big cities and opened up a much bigger world." She added that she hopes to share the rich konghou culture of her hometown with wider audiences.
A post by a Shenzhen resident claiming she was denied new child care subsidies because she was unmarried has sparked a wave of debate across Chinese social media, drawing thousands of comments and reigniting discussions on whether benefits should extend to single parents.
\n
In the widely shared post, the resident said local health authorities had informed her via text message that her child's birth did not meet the legal criteria for receiving the subsidy, as the parents had not registered their marriage.
\n
The subsidies are part of a national cash subsidy program announced in late July for parents of young children, marking a significant step in the country's efforts to reverse its declining birthrate.
\n
The program will offer annual cash payments of 3,600 yuan ($502) for each legitimate child under age 3, and applies retroactively from Jan 1, 2025.
\n
Although the application was rejected on the basis of marital status, the resident noted that the child's birth had been lawfully registered.
\n
Citing Guangdong's population and family planning regulations, as well as its birth registration management measures, the resident expressed confusion over the decision, arguing that births out of wedlock can still be officially registered.
\n
"My child is registered according to the law," the resident wrote, adding that she had used maternity insurance for childbirth and received maternity benefits. "It means the childbirth is fully recognized."
\n
In response, a staff member from the health commission of Shenzhen said the current policy defines "legally compliant childbirth" as requiring a marital relationship. They added, however, that the final rules for the subsidies will depend on guidance from Guangdong's provincial health authorities.
\n
The official said the current interpretation is based on existing regulations, but whether a marriage certificate will ultimately be required will be determined by the forthcoming province-wide child care subsidy application system, which is scheduled to be launched by the end of August.
\n
At a news conference on July 30, Wang Haidong, director of the Department of Population Surveillance and Family Development at the National Health Commission, said applicants would only need to submit essential documents proving the child's identity and the parent-child relationship such as the birth medical certificate and household registration booklet to claim the subsidies.
\n
The national and local governments have completed the construction of the child care subsidy information management system and are currently conducting full-process testing. According to the work plan, application channels for the subsidy will gradually open across regions in late August, with full access expected nationwide by Aug 31, Wang said.
\n
The post has sparked widespread discussion among netizens, with most arguing that the child care subsidies should be given to parents without marriage certificates.
\n
"The subsidy is for childbirth, not marriage. Why can't it be claimed?" said a netizen, citing the number of single parents raising children has increased significantly in recent years.
\n
"If the policy is aimed at boosting the birth rate, the subsidy should be given to the child, not tied to marriage," the netizen added.
\n
qiuquanlin@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
A post by a Shenzhen resident claiming she was denied new child care subsidies because she was unmarried has sparked a wave of debate across Chinese social media, drawing thousands of comments and reigniting discussions on whether benefits should extend to single parents.
\n
In the widely shared post, the resident said local health authorities had informed her via text message that her child's birth did not meet the legal criteria for receiving the subsidy, as the parents had not registered their marriage.
\n
The subsidies are part of a national cash subsidy program announced in late July for parents of young children, marking a significant step in the country's efforts to reverse its declining birthrate.
\n
The program will offer annual cash payments of 3,600 yuan ($502) for each legitimate child under age 3, and applies retroactively from Jan 1, 2025.
\n
Although the application was rejected on the basis of marital status, the resident noted that the child's birth had been lawfully registered.
\n
Citing Guangdong's population and family planning regulations, as well as its birth registration management measures, the resident expressed confusion over the decision, arguing that births out of wedlock can still be officially registered.
\n
"My child is registered according to the law," the resident wrote, adding that she had used maternity insurance for childbirth and received maternity benefits. "It means the childbirth is fully recognized."
\n
In response, a staff member from the health commission of Shenzhen said the current policy defines "legally compliant childbirth" as requiring a marital relationship. They added, however, that the final rules for the subsidies will depend on guidance from Guangdong's provincial health authorities.
\n
The official said the current interpretation is based on existing regulations, but whether a marriage certificate will ultimately be required will be determined by the forthcoming province-wide child care subsidy application system, which is scheduled to be launched by the end of August.
\n
At a news conference on July 30, Wang Haidong, director of the Department of Population Surveillance and Family Development at the National Health Commission, said applicants would only need to submit essential documents proving the child's identity and the parent-child relationship such as the birth medical certificate and household registration booklet to claim the subsidies.
\n
The national and local governments have completed the construction of the child care subsidy information management system and are currently conducting full-process testing. According to the work plan, application channels for the subsidy will gradually open across regions in late August, with full access expected nationwide by Aug 31, Wang said.
\n
The post has sparked widespread discussion among netizens, with most arguing that the child care subsidies should be given to parents without marriage certificates.
\n
"The subsidy is for childbirth, not marriage. Why can't it be claimed?" said a netizen, citing the number of single parents raising children has increased significantly in recent years.
\n
"If the policy is aimed at boosting the birth rate, the subsidy should be given to the child, not tied to marriage," the netizen added.
Ethnic Chinese youths participating in a Chinese cultural experience camp learn how to make fish lanterns in Huangshan, Anhui province, on Monday. Thirty-two students from 12 countries are taking part in the 10-day event.
\n",
+ "content": "
Ethnic Chinese youths participating in a Chinese cultural experience camp learn how to make fish lanterns in Huangshan, Anhui province, on Monday. Thirty-two students from 12 countries are taking part in the 10-day event.
The Shenzhou XX mission crew members on board China's orbiting Tiangong space station have completed several tasks in recent days, including unpacking and testing two new spacewalk suits, according to the China Manned Space Agency.
\n
The agency said that the crew — mission commander Senior Colonel Chen Dong and crew members Colonel Chen Zhongrui and Colonel Wang Jie — moved the suits, which were transported to Tiangong by the Tianzhou 9 robotic cargo ship, into the spacewalk preparations quarters and performed functional checks on them.
\n
The suits will replace the current ones, which have been used on 21 Chinese spacewalks.
\n
Compared with the first generation of extravehicular suits that have been retired, the second generation features a longer service span and a higher level of safety and reliability, and is easier to operate and maintain, according to designers.
\n
In addition to work related to the suits, Chen Dong and his teammates conducted multiple experiments.
\n
They initiated a scientific study using organ-on-a-chip technology to investigate how the space environment affects the human blood-brain barrier and brain function at cellular, tissue and organ levels. The research aims to predict health risks and develop countermeasures for long-duration space missions.
\n
The astronauts also conducted research on bone metabolism and flora-nutrition metabolism, with commander Chen Dong using a Raman spectrometer to detect urinary metabolites.
\n
They also collected throat swabs from each other to study how respiratory microbes in the space station environment impact respiratory health. These samples were frozen for later return and analysis.
\n
For spacecraft technology, they tested cabin microbial control by checking bacteria levels before and after disinfection, installed equipment for an advanced material-energy conversion system to verify microbial fuel cell-based wastewater purification, and replaced burners in combustion science experiments.
\n
Besides the science and technology tasks, the crew initiated a trial run of an in-orbit mixed reality training device and installed and tested a special refrigerator in the Wentian lab module.
\n
The three orbital travelers have been aboard the station for over three months since their arrival on April 25.
\n
zhaolei@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
The Shenzhou XX mission crew members on board China's orbiting Tiangong space station have completed several tasks in recent days, including unpacking and testing two new spacewalk suits, according to the China Manned Space Agency.
\n
The agency said that the crew — mission commander Senior Colonel Chen Dong and crew members Colonel Chen Zhongrui and Colonel Wang Jie — moved the suits, which were transported to Tiangong by the Tianzhou 9 robotic cargo ship, into the spacewalk preparations quarters and performed functional checks on them.
\n
The suits will replace the current ones, which have been used on 21 Chinese spacewalks.
\n
Compared with the first generation of extravehicular suits that have been retired, the second generation features a longer service span and a higher level of safety and reliability, and is easier to operate and maintain, according to designers.
\n
In addition to work related to the suits, Chen Dong and his teammates conducted multiple experiments.
\n
They initiated a scientific study using organ-on-a-chip technology to investigate how the space environment affects the human blood-brain barrier and brain function at cellular, tissue and organ levels. The research aims to predict health risks and develop countermeasures for long-duration space missions.
\n
The astronauts also conducted research on bone metabolism and flora-nutrition metabolism, with commander Chen Dong using a Raman spectrometer to detect urinary metabolites.
\n
They also collected throat swabs from each other to study how respiratory microbes in the space station environment impact respiratory health. These samples were frozen for later return and analysis.
\n
For spacecraft technology, they tested cabin microbial control by checking bacteria levels before and after disinfection, installed equipment for an advanced material-energy conversion system to verify microbial fuel cell-based wastewater purification, and replaced burners in combustion science experiments.
\n
Besides the science and technology tasks, the crew initiated a trial run of an in-orbit mixed reality training device and installed and tested a special refrigerator in the Wentian lab module.
\n
The three orbital travelers have been aboard the station for over three months since their arrival on April 25.
A crew member from the Shengchang 777 cargo ship submits streamlined paperwork to the Hainan International Ship Registration Authority in Yangpu, Hainan province, in April.
\n
Lv Yuan Er Hao, the largest ferry specializing in the transport of new energy vehicles across the Qiongzhou Strait, arrives in Haikou, Hainan province, on its maiden service voyage on Jan 8.
\n
Maritime workers direct foreign ships crossing the Qiongzhou Strait from a monitoring center.
\n
Cars board ferries at Xinhai Port in Haikou, Hainan province, to cross the Qiongzhou Strait in February last year.
\n
Scenic night cruises on the Pearl River attract many tourists to Guangzhou, Guangdong province.
\n
China's maritime industry is embracing digitalization in order to improve efficiency in shipping logistics, and is achieving some important firsts along the way.
\n
Backed by recent policy reforms, a push to expand digitalization, the country's greater environmental goals and more international cooperation, on June 23, the container ship Yuanhai Zeda became the first vessel in China to complete its registration using a ship technical parameter certificate instead of the traditional bulky paper inspection documents.
\n
What's more, the process of registering the 15,000-metric-ton vessel, which would have previously taken days, took less than a day to complete.
\n
The swift registration is an example of reforms driven by the Hainan International Ship Registration Authority, which has embraced digitalization and innovative policy changes.
\n
By slashing required paperwork from 32 documents down to 15 and fully digitizing the approval process, registration efficiency has soared by over 60 percent, said Li Fangcao, a staff member in the registration service department.
\n
"It's like using an electronic ID instead of paper documents," Li said, adding that the entire application can be submitted online, which saves companies significant time and costs.
\n
On April 9, another vessel, Shengchang 777, submitted its paperwork in the morning and had received 18 certificates by the afternoon. Thanks to cross-department collaboration and the streamlined system, foreign ship re-registrations that once took 30 days now require just a single day.
\n
Cai Yinghong, director of the Hainan International Ship Registration Authority, said, "Our goal is to build an internationally aligned ship registration service system."
\n
Cai noted Hainan has pioneered several nationwide firsts, including a unified ship registration system covering the entire island, a two-level review process for international ship registrations, and a temporary ship ownership registration system.
\n
These innovations have increased the efficiency of ship registration by over 90 percent, he said. The implementation of a "non-stop certification" service has allowed vessels to complete certification without interrupting their voyages, resulting in annual savings exceeding one million yuan ($139,000) per ship.
\n
Safety first
\n
At Ningbo Zhoushan Port, one of the world's busiest cargo hubs in Zhejiang province, China is demonstrating its commitment to maritime safety and environmental protection through robust Port State Control.
\n
According to Jin Tianqi, deputy director of the Security Inspection Center at the Ningbo Maritime Safety Administration, the Ningbo Maritime Bureau has intensified PSC enforcement efforts, conducting approximately 400 inspections annually within its jurisdiction.
\n
"Through scientific scheduling and random checks, a dynamic supervision mechanism focused on high-risk vessels has been established. This approach has significantly improved the overall technical condition of incoming ships and effectively reduced the risk of major maritime accidents," Jin said.
\n
These efforts have effectively reduced maritime accidents and cultivated a market environment rewarding well-managed ships.
\n
Digital technologies are rapidly being integrated into PSC practices. Some ports across China have begun deploying drones to inspect ship hulls and using smart terminals to collect on-site data, boosting enforcement efficiency and transparency. These innovations point to the future direction of PSC systems worldwide.
\n
Swift passage
\n
The Haikou Maritime Safety Administration, which manages the Qiongzhou Strait, a critical shipping channel linking the South China Sea to domestic markets, has introduced an electronic approval system allowing foreign vessels to pass without submitting physical paperwork.
\n
Foreign ships can upload their application documents via the Strait Transit Management Information System, where they are routed to the appropriate approval channels.
\n
Relying on this digital platform, maritime officials can provide uninterrupted, year-round service.
\n
This "online submission, online approval" model has drastically shortened the approval period, from what once took several working days to just a matter of hours.
\n
As a result, the turnaround time for vessels has significantly improved, reducing both time and operational costs for international shipping companies, and ensuring the efficient operation of the Qiongzhou Strait as a major transportation artery.
\n
Once a foreign vessel's transit application is approved, Haikou Maritime activates a "one-stop" safety information notification mechanism. A letter addressed to the ship's captain consolidates key navigational data for the Qiongzhou Strait. This includes not only the mandatory traffic separation scheme and general maritime traffic regulations, but also detailed, practical information such as shallow areas and tidal patterns within the strait.
\n
For vessels with deep drafts, Haikou Maritime provides additional services, including real-time depth monitoring data for critical shallow zones and tailored routing recommendations. These resources enable vessels to plan safe routes in advance based on their specific draft conditions.
\n
With access to this precise information, ship operators can optimize voyage planning, assign crew shifts accordingly, and conduct checks on emergency equipment in advance.
\n
This mechanism has proved highly effective, ensuring the safe passage of 22,600 foreign vessels through the Qiongzhou Strait over the past three years, while significantly mitigating the risks of grounding or stranding, according to the administration.
\n
Green cruises
\n
China's maritime cruise sector is also spearheading green transformation, with Guangzhou's Pearl River night cruise industry standing out. As of July, over 1.7 million visitor trips have been made on the river's battery-powered, zero-emission vessels, making Guangzhou a global leader in eco-friendly urban water tourism.
\n
The Pearl River East Channel — a historic waterway famed for its scenic night cruises — is being transformed into a zero-emission demonstration zone, highlighting how environmental upgrades can go hand in hand with urban tourism.
\n
According to Zhang Ruijie, deputy captain of a maritime patrol team of the Guangzhou Inland Port Maritime Office, the river section has been designated a key emission control zone.
\n
"We've continued to strengthen air pollution prevention for night cruise vessels," he said. "After our interventions, fuel sampling tests on all Pearl River cruise vessels reached a 100 percent compliance rate last year."
\n
He added that the use of high-quality fuel has significantly reduced shipborne air pollution.
\n
To further lower emissions, shore power is being promoted. "We encourage vessels to use shore power while docked to reduce pollution from onboard generators," Zhang said.
\n
Local authorities have also mandated onboard wastewater storage tanks for all cruise vessels, sealed discharge valves and upgraded reception facilities at terminals. Crews can report wastewater disposal needs through a mobile app, allowing terminals to schedule and process waste for onshore treatment. These measures have enabled the Pearl River East Channel to achieve major reductions in both water and air pollution.
\n
In tandem with infrastructure upgrades, Guangzhou is embracing new energy vessels. Battery-powered ships with zero emissions, low noise and lower operating costs, account for a quarter of all cruise vessels in the Pearl River East Channel. That proportion is expected to rise to one-third by the end of the year, as four new electric cruise ships enter service.
\n
As many as 1.1 million tourists will board cruises in Guangzhou this summer, according to the maritime office, with operators planning to build around 30 additional green vessels in the coming years.
\n
Vision for the future
\n
"Shipping is the lifeline of foreign trade," said Yang Huaxiong, director of the Water Transport Bureau at the Ministry of Transport, at a news conference in June. "As the world's largest trading nation, a strong maritime sector is vital to building China into a maritime, shipping and trading power."
\n
China's maritime achievements are already impressive: it operates the world's largest ocean fleet, hosts the most extensive network of world-class ports and handles nearly one-third of global maritime cargo. As these milestones grow, China's maritime economy is set to remain a vital engine of global trade and sustainable development for years to come.
\n
Yang outlined a five-point roadmap: building a world-class oceangoing fleet, upgrading port infrastructure, improving service quality, promoting green and smart maritime transformation, and enhancing international cooperation.
\n
"We must accelerate new energy vessel adoption, develop clean shipping corridors, and integrate AI, big data, and blockchain into maritime operations," he said, emphasizing the importance of global collaboration on green initiatives and governance.
\n
As China steers its maritime sector toward a greener, smarter future, it's also charting a course for sustainable growth that balances economic progress with environmental care and human well-being.
\n
luowangshu@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
A crew member from the Shengchang 777 cargo ship submits streamlined paperwork to the Hainan International Ship Registration Authority in Yangpu, Hainan province, in April.
\n
Lv Yuan Er Hao, the largest ferry specializing in the transport of new energy vehicles across the Qiongzhou Strait, arrives in Haikou, Hainan province, on its maiden service voyage on Jan 8.
\n
Maritime workers direct foreign ships crossing the Qiongzhou Strait from a monitoring center.
\n
Cars board ferries at Xinhai Port in Haikou, Hainan province, to cross the Qiongzhou Strait in February last year.
\n
Scenic night cruises on the Pearl River attract many tourists to Guangzhou, Guangdong province.
\n
China's maritime industry is embracing digitalization in order to improve efficiency in shipping logistics, and is achieving some important firsts along the way.
\n
Backed by recent policy reforms, a push to expand digitalization, the country's greater environmental goals and more international cooperation, on June 23, the container ship Yuanhai Zeda became the first vessel in China to complete its registration using a ship technical parameter certificate instead of the traditional bulky paper inspection documents.
\n
What's more, the process of registering the 15,000-metric-ton vessel, which would have previously taken days, took less than a day to complete.
\n
The swift registration is an example of reforms driven by the Hainan International Ship Registration Authority, which has embraced digitalization and innovative policy changes.
\n
By slashing required paperwork from 32 documents down to 15 and fully digitizing the approval process, registration efficiency has soared by over 60 percent, said Li Fangcao, a staff member in the registration service department.
\n
"It's like using an electronic ID instead of paper documents," Li said, adding that the entire application can be submitted online, which saves companies significant time and costs.
\n
On April 9, another vessel, Shengchang 777, submitted its paperwork in the morning and had received 18 certificates by the afternoon. Thanks to cross-department collaboration and the streamlined system, foreign ship re-registrations that once took 30 days now require just a single day.
\n
Cai Yinghong, director of the Hainan International Ship Registration Authority, said, "Our goal is to build an internationally aligned ship registration service system."
\n
Cai noted Hainan has pioneered several nationwide firsts, including a unified ship registration system covering the entire island, a two-level review process for international ship registrations, and a temporary ship ownership registration system.
\n
These innovations have increased the efficiency of ship registration by over 90 percent, he said. The implementation of a "non-stop certification" service has allowed vessels to complete certification without interrupting their voyages, resulting in annual savings exceeding one million yuan ($139,000) per ship.
\n
Safety first
\n
At Ningbo Zhoushan Port, one of the world's busiest cargo hubs in Zhejiang province, China is demonstrating its commitment to maritime safety and environmental protection through robust Port State Control.
\n
According to Jin Tianqi, deputy director of the Security Inspection Center at the Ningbo Maritime Safety Administration, the Ningbo Maritime Bureau has intensified PSC enforcement efforts, conducting approximately 400 inspections annually within its jurisdiction.
\n
"Through scientific scheduling and random checks, a dynamic supervision mechanism focused on high-risk vessels has been established. This approach has significantly improved the overall technical condition of incoming ships and effectively reduced the risk of major maritime accidents," Jin said.
\n
These efforts have effectively reduced maritime accidents and cultivated a market environment rewarding well-managed ships.
\n
Digital technologies are rapidly being integrated into PSC practices. Some ports across China have begun deploying drones to inspect ship hulls and using smart terminals to collect on-site data, boosting enforcement efficiency and transparency. These innovations point to the future direction of PSC systems worldwide.
\n
Swift passage
\n
The Haikou Maritime Safety Administration, which manages the Qiongzhou Strait, a critical shipping channel linking the South China Sea to domestic markets, has introduced an electronic approval system allowing foreign vessels to pass without submitting physical paperwork.
\n
Foreign ships can upload their application documents via the Strait Transit Management Information System, where they are routed to the appropriate approval channels.
\n
Relying on this digital platform, maritime officials can provide uninterrupted, year-round service.
\n
This "online submission, online approval" model has drastically shortened the approval period, from what once took several working days to just a matter of hours.
\n
As a result, the turnaround time for vessels has significantly improved, reducing both time and operational costs for international shipping companies, and ensuring the efficient operation of the Qiongzhou Strait as a major transportation artery.
\n
Once a foreign vessel's transit application is approved, Haikou Maritime activates a "one-stop" safety information notification mechanism. A letter addressed to the ship's captain consolidates key navigational data for the Qiongzhou Strait. This includes not only the mandatory traffic separation scheme and general maritime traffic regulations, but also detailed, practical information such as shallow areas and tidal patterns within the strait.
\n
For vessels with deep drafts, Haikou Maritime provides additional services, including real-time depth monitoring data for critical shallow zones and tailored routing recommendations. These resources enable vessels to plan safe routes in advance based on their specific draft conditions.
\n
With access to this precise information, ship operators can optimize voyage planning, assign crew shifts accordingly, and conduct checks on emergency equipment in advance.
\n
This mechanism has proved highly effective, ensuring the safe passage of 22,600 foreign vessels through the Qiongzhou Strait over the past three years, while significantly mitigating the risks of grounding or stranding, according to the administration.
\n
Green cruises
\n
China's maritime cruise sector is also spearheading green transformation, with Guangzhou's Pearl River night cruise industry standing out. As of July, over 1.7 million visitor trips have been made on the river's battery-powered, zero-emission vessels, making Guangzhou a global leader in eco-friendly urban water tourism.
\n
The Pearl River East Channel — a historic waterway famed for its scenic night cruises — is being transformed into a zero-emission demonstration zone, highlighting how environmental upgrades can go hand in hand with urban tourism.
\n
According to Zhang Ruijie, deputy captain of a maritime patrol team of the Guangzhou Inland Port Maritime Office, the river section has been designated a key emission control zone.
\n
"We've continued to strengthen air pollution prevention for night cruise vessels," he said. "After our interventions, fuel sampling tests on all Pearl River cruise vessels reached a 100 percent compliance rate last year."
\n
He added that the use of high-quality fuel has significantly reduced shipborne air pollution.
\n
To further lower emissions, shore power is being promoted. "We encourage vessels to use shore power while docked to reduce pollution from onboard generators," Zhang said.
\n
Local authorities have also mandated onboard wastewater storage tanks for all cruise vessels, sealed discharge valves and upgraded reception facilities at terminals. Crews can report wastewater disposal needs through a mobile app, allowing terminals to schedule and process waste for onshore treatment. These measures have enabled the Pearl River East Channel to achieve major reductions in both water and air pollution.
\n
In tandem with infrastructure upgrades, Guangzhou is embracing new energy vessels. Battery-powered ships with zero emissions, low noise and lower operating costs, account for a quarter of all cruise vessels in the Pearl River East Channel. That proportion is expected to rise to one-third by the end of the year, as four new electric cruise ships enter service.
\n
As many as 1.1 million tourists will board cruises in Guangzhou this summer, according to the maritime office, with operators planning to build around 30 additional green vessels in the coming years.
\n
Vision for the future
\n
"Shipping is the lifeline of foreign trade," said Yang Huaxiong, director of the Water Transport Bureau at the Ministry of Transport, at a news conference in June. "As the world's largest trading nation, a strong maritime sector is vital to building China into a maritime, shipping and trading power."
\n
China's maritime achievements are already impressive: it operates the world's largest ocean fleet, hosts the most extensive network of world-class ports and handles nearly one-third of global maritime cargo. As these milestones grow, China's maritime economy is set to remain a vital engine of global trade and sustainable development for years to come.
\n
Yang outlined a five-point roadmap: building a world-class oceangoing fleet, upgrading port infrastructure, improving service quality, promoting green and smart maritime transformation, and enhancing international cooperation.
\n
"We must accelerate new energy vessel adoption, develop clean shipping corridors, and integrate AI, big data, and blockchain into maritime operations," he said, emphasizing the importance of global collaboration on green initiatives and governance.
\n
As China steers its maritime sector toward a greener, smarter future, it's also charting a course for sustainable growth that balances economic progress with environmental care and human well-being.
China is broadening international job opportunities for its more than 2 million seafarers through expanded cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, officials said.
\n
The country has signed mutual recognition agreements for seafarer certificates with 30 countries, including Thailand, Italy, Serbia, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait, according to Guangdong maritime authorities.
\n
These agreements allow Chinese crew members to work more easily on foreign-flagged vessels and mark growing international acceptance of China's maritime workforce.
\n
"Mutual recognition of seafarer certificates may sound simple, but it is key to removing the barriers that limit cross-border employment for crew members," said Jin Lei, an official with the Guangdong Maritime Safety Administration.
\n
"It's like opening a locked door — mutual recognition is the key that allows Chinese seafarers to access the global market. That's why we've actively engaged countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative and within 'South-South' cooperation, pushing forward talks and technical evaluations to reach agreements with more than 10 nations," he said.
\n
China is the world's largest maritime nation and has one of the biggest seafarer populations. As of the end of last year, the country had about 2.04 million registered seafarers, according to the 2024 China Seafarer Development Report, released by the Maritime Safety Administration of the Ministry of Transport in June.
\n
The recognition agreements, along with increased demand for trained crew, have helped boost overseas job placements. The number of Chinese seafarers employed abroad rose by about 15.5 percent in 2024 compared with the previous year, maritime data shows.
\n
Many of these crew members are working in countries and regions involved in the BRI, which focuses on trade and infrastructure cooperation across Asia, Africa and Europe.
\n
"These seafarers are more than just workers — they're playing an important role in connecting economies and supporting global shipping," Jin said.
\n
"China has built the world's largest merchant fleet and port cluster," said Liu Wei, the transport minister, at a conference in July.
\n
"We now handle roughly one-third of global seaborne trade. The rise of the maritime economy continues to inject momentum into global commerce," he said.
\n
China is in talks to expand mutual recognition with more countries, including Saudi Arabia and Egypt. Officials said the move will help Chinese seafarers compete in a broader international labor market and support the global maritime industry's recovery and growth.
\n",
+ "content": "
China is broadening international job opportunities for its more than 2 million seafarers through expanded cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, officials said.
\n
The country has signed mutual recognition agreements for seafarer certificates with 30 countries, including Thailand, Italy, Serbia, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait, according to Guangdong maritime authorities.
\n
These agreements allow Chinese crew members to work more easily on foreign-flagged vessels and mark growing international acceptance of China's maritime workforce.
\n
"Mutual recognition of seafarer certificates may sound simple, but it is key to removing the barriers that limit cross-border employment for crew members," said Jin Lei, an official with the Guangdong Maritime Safety Administration.
\n
"It's like opening a locked door — mutual recognition is the key that allows Chinese seafarers to access the global market. That's why we've actively engaged countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative and within 'South-South' cooperation, pushing forward talks and technical evaluations to reach agreements with more than 10 nations," he said.
\n
China is the world's largest maritime nation and has one of the biggest seafarer populations. As of the end of last year, the country had about 2.04 million registered seafarers, according to the 2024 China Seafarer Development Report, released by the Maritime Safety Administration of the Ministry of Transport in June.
\n
The recognition agreements, along with increased demand for trained crew, have helped boost overseas job placements. The number of Chinese seafarers employed abroad rose by about 15.5 percent in 2024 compared with the previous year, maritime data shows.
\n
Many of these crew members are working in countries and regions involved in the BRI, which focuses on trade and infrastructure cooperation across Asia, Africa and Europe.
\n
"These seafarers are more than just workers — they're playing an important role in connecting economies and supporting global shipping," Jin said.
\n
"China has built the world's largest merchant fleet and port cluster," said Liu Wei, the transport minister, at a conference in July.
\n
"We now handle roughly one-third of global seaborne trade. The rise of the maritime economy continues to inject momentum into global commerce," he said.
\n
China is in talks to expand mutual recognition with more countries, including Saudi Arabia and Egypt. Officials said the move will help Chinese seafarers compete in a broader international labor market and support the global maritime industry's recovery and growth.
Young people participate in a matchmaking event organized by the Yuanlai Workshop in Houma, Shanxi province.
\n
At 24, locomotive electrician Tang Zixiang and his girlfriend Sun Jiachen tied the knot this March, embarking on a new chapter in their lives. The young man, originally from Wuwei city in Gansu province, finally found a place to call home in Houma, Shanxi province.
\n
Their connection began at the Yuanlai (destiny) Workshop established in June 2023 at the Houma North Locomotive Depot of China State Railway Group's Taiyuan Railway Bureau. The name holds a double meaning: not only does it signify "Fate has brought us together", but also "This is where we can settle down".
\n
"The Qixi Festival is approaching, and I want to surprise her. I've been practicing cooking in the kitchen after work recently, and I've prepared red wine and candles," Tang said.
\n
The Qixi Festival, known as the Chinese Valentine's Day, is a traditional festival centered around the theme of love and will be observed on Aug 29 this year.
\n
"Front-line railway positions are busy, and most young workers just want to rest after work. Their social circle is narrower than the railway tracks," said Qiao Linhu, an employee of the workshop, highlighting the dilemma faced by many young railway workers today.
\n
He said that over half of the workers were unmarried youths, and the issue of love and marriage was hindering their willingness to "settle down".
\n
"To ensure that young people can work with peace of mind at the Houma North Locomotive Depot, it's not only about retaining them through salaries but also helping them start families and careers, and to settle down in the area," said Yu Yang, director of the depot. "That's why we have established the dating workshop."
\n
As a critical channel for national energy supply, the Houma depot shoulders the heavy responsibility of freight transportation on the Houyue Railway and the Wari Railway. The proportion of young workers at this depot is as high as 77.08 percent, with over half of the nearly 2,000 workers coming from other regions, such as Hebei, Henan and Heilongjiang provinces.
\n
Over the past two years, the Yuanlai Workshop has identified the needs of young people in love and marriage through surveys and face-to-face communications, creating a "database of single young people".
\n
Meanwhile, the depot has established regular connections with over 20 government agencies, enterprises and institutions in Houma and its surrounding areas, organizing matchmaking events, weekend parties, and "friendship+" activities during occasions such as the Qixi Festival to provide young people with more opportunities for both online and offline interactions.
\n
"At first, we thought coordinating with various institutions would be challenging," said workshop worker Zhang Yin, who is known as the workshop's "top matchmaker". "But our railway workers are actually quite popular."
\n
He has visited schools, hospitals, and enterprises in Houma over the past two years to build up connections. In his view, the reliability and steadfastness of railway workers have long been their "hallmark", and cross-unit cooperation has expanded the social circle of young people. To date, 108 pairs of young people have successfully married through this platform.
\n
One of these pairs is 29-year-old driver Yang Yang and locomotive electrician Huang Chujing. To celebrate the Qixi, Yang secretly booked tickets to fly to Lijiang, Yunnan, with his beloved. "I want to take my love to the shores of Erhai Lake to listen to the waves and taste some flower cakes," he said with a smile.
\n
While artificial intelligence matchmaking based on big data is becoming a trend, the workshop persists in its "technology plus human touch" model: using algorithms to accurately match young people with similar interests and relying on matchmakers to visit and communicate intimately.
\n
Of late, Zhang has been busy preparing for the singles' social event on the eve of Qixi. It has become a tradition for the workshop.
\n
Contact the writers at zhuxingxin@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
Young people participate in a matchmaking event organized by the Yuanlai Workshop in Houma, Shanxi province.
\n
At 24, locomotive electrician Tang Zixiang and his girlfriend Sun Jiachen tied the knot this March, embarking on a new chapter in their lives. The young man, originally from Wuwei city in Gansu province, finally found a place to call home in Houma, Shanxi province.
\n
Their connection began at the Yuanlai (destiny) Workshop established in June 2023 at the Houma North Locomotive Depot of China State Railway Group's Taiyuan Railway Bureau. The name holds a double meaning: not only does it signify "Fate has brought us together", but also "This is where we can settle down".
\n
"The Qixi Festival is approaching, and I want to surprise her. I've been practicing cooking in the kitchen after work recently, and I've prepared red wine and candles," Tang said.
\n
The Qixi Festival, known as the Chinese Valentine's Day, is a traditional festival centered around the theme of love and will be observed on Aug 29 this year.
\n
"Front-line railway positions are busy, and most young workers just want to rest after work. Their social circle is narrower than the railway tracks," said Qiao Linhu, an employee of the workshop, highlighting the dilemma faced by many young railway workers today.
\n
He said that over half of the workers were unmarried youths, and the issue of love and marriage was hindering their willingness to "settle down".
\n
"To ensure that young people can work with peace of mind at the Houma North Locomotive Depot, it's not only about retaining them through salaries but also helping them start families and careers, and to settle down in the area," said Yu Yang, director of the depot. "That's why we have established the dating workshop."
\n
As a critical channel for national energy supply, the Houma depot shoulders the heavy responsibility of freight transportation on the Houyue Railway and the Wari Railway. The proportion of young workers at this depot is as high as 77.08 percent, with over half of the nearly 2,000 workers coming from other regions, such as Hebei, Henan and Heilongjiang provinces.
\n
Over the past two years, the Yuanlai Workshop has identified the needs of young people in love and marriage through surveys and face-to-face communications, creating a "database of single young people".
\n
Meanwhile, the depot has established regular connections with over 20 government agencies, enterprises and institutions in Houma and its surrounding areas, organizing matchmaking events, weekend parties, and "friendship+" activities during occasions such as the Qixi Festival to provide young people with more opportunities for both online and offline interactions.
\n
"At first, we thought coordinating with various institutions would be challenging," said workshop worker Zhang Yin, who is known as the workshop's "top matchmaker". "But our railway workers are actually quite popular."
\n
He has visited schools, hospitals, and enterprises in Houma over the past two years to build up connections. In his view, the reliability and steadfastness of railway workers have long been their "hallmark", and cross-unit cooperation has expanded the social circle of young people. To date, 108 pairs of young people have successfully married through this platform.
\n
One of these pairs is 29-year-old driver Yang Yang and locomotive electrician Huang Chujing. To celebrate the Qixi, Yang secretly booked tickets to fly to Lijiang, Yunnan, with his beloved. "I want to take my love to the shores of Erhai Lake to listen to the waves and taste some flower cakes," he said with a smile.
\n
While artificial intelligence matchmaking based on big data is becoming a trend, the workshop persists in its "technology plus human touch" model: using algorithms to accurately match young people with similar interests and relying on matchmakers to visit and communicate intimately.
\n
Of late, Zhang has been busy preparing for the singles' social event on the eve of Qixi. It has become a tradition for the workshop.
\n
Contact the writers at zhuxingxin@chinadaily.com.cn
A drone patrols the shipping lanes of the Yangtze River in Wuhan, Hubei province.
\n
Three drones took off simultaneously at night from three locations in Wuhan, Hubei province, to fly above the Yangtze River and patrol the shipping lanes. On the ground, the high-definition pictures taken by the drones were transmitted to a computer and analyzed by artificial intelligence so technicians could know the real time condition.
\n
About 20 minutes later, the drones came back. Previously, it took three hours for traditional ships to do a similar patrol.
\n
Since late June, the 43.3-kilometer-long main waterway of the Wuhan section on the Yangtze has been brought under unmanned inspection, a breakthrough in the intelligent and modern inland navigation management model.
\n
Four cross-river bridges, 63 navigation marks and the surrounding environment on the waterway will be patrolled and inspected by drones regularly.
\n
"The drones feature 4K ultra high-definition capability and fly at a speed of 54 km per hour, which significantly improve the patrol's efficiency and effectiveness, sparing workers from extensive labor," said Guo Yao, deputy director of the navigation aids office of the Changjiang Wuhan Waterway Bureau.
\n
Each photo taken by the drones is capable of capturing every detail of bridge opening marks, bridge pillar lights, as well as boats and navigational aids simultaneously against complex lighting backgrounds, according to Guo.
\n
This resolves the issues encountered during human boat patrols, such as low shooting angles requiring multiple shots from various perspectives and the inconsistent imaging quality caused by using diverse photography equipment.
\n
Previously, the patrol drones have discovered several instances of vessels anchoring outside designated zones and exposed shoals outside the waterway to maritime authorities. This has effectively ensured unimpeded waterway navigation and maintained orderly anchorage operations, Guo said.
\n
However, they faced multiple challenges concerning regulation, flight safety, and data security in developing unmanned patrol.
\n
The bureau first applied for a certificate from the air traffic management authorities. To ensure safe bridge passage, they designated the lowest points of bridge cables and the areas along both river banks as the operational flight zone. Before crossing a bridge, the drone will be guided using pre-set waypoints to fly over the structure, avoiding collisions with bridges and high-rise buildings, according to Guo.
\n
Besides, they ensure all data remains within an internal network to maintain data security.
\n
"Unmanned patrol inspection is the future trend. The ultimate goal should always be to enhance the quality of management and public services," said Guo.
\n
The drones are part of the whole smart waterway system of the Wuhan section that also includes AI video polling and unmanned ship measurement. The unmanned ship, for example, has been used in a nearshore survey of Hanyang district. It provided critical data for analyzing bed changes in the Wuqiao waterway, supporting three navigational span adjustments at Wuhan Yangtze River Bridge.
\n
In November 2023, the Ministry of Transport issued guidelines on accelerating the development of smart ports and smart waterways, setting the goal of "achieving comprehensive digitalization of port and waterway infrastructure, intelligent production and operation management, and smart public services by 2027".
\n
Contact the writers at chenmeiling@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
A drone patrols the shipping lanes of the Yangtze River in Wuhan, Hubei province.
\n
Three drones took off simultaneously at night from three locations in Wuhan, Hubei province, to fly above the Yangtze River and patrol the shipping lanes. On the ground, the high-definition pictures taken by the drones were transmitted to a computer and analyzed by artificial intelligence so technicians could know the real time condition.
\n
About 20 minutes later, the drones came back. Previously, it took three hours for traditional ships to do a similar patrol.
\n
Since late June, the 43.3-kilometer-long main waterway of the Wuhan section on the Yangtze has been brought under unmanned inspection, a breakthrough in the intelligent and modern inland navigation management model.
\n
Four cross-river bridges, 63 navigation marks and the surrounding environment on the waterway will be patrolled and inspected by drones regularly.
\n
"The drones feature 4K ultra high-definition capability and fly at a speed of 54 km per hour, which significantly improve the patrol's efficiency and effectiveness, sparing workers from extensive labor," said Guo Yao, deputy director of the navigation aids office of the Changjiang Wuhan Waterway Bureau.
\n
Each photo taken by the drones is capable of capturing every detail of bridge opening marks, bridge pillar lights, as well as boats and navigational aids simultaneously against complex lighting backgrounds, according to Guo.
\n
This resolves the issues encountered during human boat patrols, such as low shooting angles requiring multiple shots from various perspectives and the inconsistent imaging quality caused by using diverse photography equipment.
\n
Previously, the patrol drones have discovered several instances of vessels anchoring outside designated zones and exposed shoals outside the waterway to maritime authorities. This has effectively ensured unimpeded waterway navigation and maintained orderly anchorage operations, Guo said.
\n
However, they faced multiple challenges concerning regulation, flight safety, and data security in developing unmanned patrol.
\n
The bureau first applied for a certificate from the air traffic management authorities. To ensure safe bridge passage, they designated the lowest points of bridge cables and the areas along both river banks as the operational flight zone. Before crossing a bridge, the drone will be guided using pre-set waypoints to fly over the structure, avoiding collisions with bridges and high-rise buildings, according to Guo.
\n
Besides, they ensure all data remains within an internal network to maintain data security.
\n
"Unmanned patrol inspection is the future trend. The ultimate goal should always be to enhance the quality of management and public services," said Guo.
\n
The drones are part of the whole smart waterway system of the Wuhan section that also includes AI video polling and unmanned ship measurement. The unmanned ship, for example, has been used in a nearshore survey of Hanyang district. It provided critical data for analyzing bed changes in the Wuqiao waterway, supporting three navigational span adjustments at Wuhan Yangtze River Bridge.
\n
In November 2023, the Ministry of Transport issued guidelines on accelerating the development of smart ports and smart waterways, setting the goal of "achieving comprehensive digitalization of port and waterway infrastructure, intelligent production and operation management, and smart public services by 2027".
\n
Contact the writers at chenmeiling@chinadaily.com.cn
LANZHOU — Chinese scientists have recently uncovered the distribution pattern of dryland biocrusts, often described as the "skin" of the soil or a "carpet" that stabilizes sand, according to the Northwest Institute of Eco-environment and Resources (NIEER), the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
\n
This study offers new insights into dryland biocrusts, paving the way for their application in desertification control and ecological restoration efforts, said Li Xinrong, a researcher from NIEER who led the study.
\n
The study was jointly conducted by researchers from the NIEER and the Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, also under the CAS.
\n
Biocrusts are composed of nonvascular plants and photoautotrophs, such as lichens, mosses and cyanobacteria, as well as various heterotrophic microorganisms. They constitute the main soil surface cover in drylands and play an important role in ecological, hydrological and soil processes and biogeochemical cycles in the global drylands.
\n
"Notably, they can also make it difficult for invasive alien species, reducing their chances of settlement and effectively protecting original dryland and desert ecosystems," Li explained.
\n
"Biocrusts have different morphology and life history as compared to vascular plant communities. Our study theoretically explains the distribution pattern of biocrusts in drylands," he said.
\n
The team of scientists adopted a research method that combines computational modeling with field investigation. They employed a probabilistic cellular automaton model, which simulated the dynamic changes of lichen and moss patches.
\n
The researchers carried out the field observations of biocrusts across successional stages at the Shapotou Desert Research and Experiment Station in Northwest China's Ningxia Hui autonomous region.
\n
They recorded the coverage, composition and patch size distribution of biocrusts by setting up line transects in artificial sand-fixing vegetation zones at different successional stages.
\n
"Our results provide empirical evidence that biocrusts act as ecosystem engineers, forming self-organized spatial patterns," Li said.
\n
The results demonstrate the capability of the biocrust communities to self-organize themselves to form distinct spatial patterns, holding implications for ecosystem functions and the resilience of dryland ecosystems.
\n
"The study provides a new perspective for understanding the ecological roles of biocrusts at different stages of succession," Li added.
\n
Based on their continuous study on dryland biocrusts, Li and his team are exploring other measures, such as cultivating artificial biocrusts, to prevent and control sand movement. Combining artificial biocrusts with mechanical sand barriers, such as grass grids, can create stable, effective sand-fixing layers.
\n
"This new method offers greater stability, higher sand-fixing efficiency and easier implementation. Looking ahead, we will continue to deepen our research on dryland biocrusts and provide more practical solutions for the global fight against desertification," Li said.
\n",
+ "content": "
LANZHOU — Chinese scientists have recently uncovered the distribution pattern of dryland biocrusts, often described as the "skin" of the soil or a "carpet" that stabilizes sand, according to the Northwest Institute of Eco-environment and Resources (NIEER), the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
\n
This study offers new insights into dryland biocrusts, paving the way for their application in desertification control and ecological restoration efforts, said Li Xinrong, a researcher from NIEER who led the study.
\n
The study was jointly conducted by researchers from the NIEER and the Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, also under the CAS.
\n
Biocrusts are composed of nonvascular plants and photoautotrophs, such as lichens, mosses and cyanobacteria, as well as various heterotrophic microorganisms. They constitute the main soil surface cover in drylands and play an important role in ecological, hydrological and soil processes and biogeochemical cycles in the global drylands.
\n
"Notably, they can also make it difficult for invasive alien species, reducing their chances of settlement and effectively protecting original dryland and desert ecosystems," Li explained.
\n
"Biocrusts have different morphology and life history as compared to vascular plant communities. Our study theoretically explains the distribution pattern of biocrusts in drylands," he said.
\n
The team of scientists adopted a research method that combines computational modeling with field investigation. They employed a probabilistic cellular automaton model, which simulated the dynamic changes of lichen and moss patches.
\n
The researchers carried out the field observations of biocrusts across successional stages at the Shapotou Desert Research and Experiment Station in Northwest China's Ningxia Hui autonomous region.
\n
They recorded the coverage, composition and patch size distribution of biocrusts by setting up line transects in artificial sand-fixing vegetation zones at different successional stages.
\n
"Our results provide empirical evidence that biocrusts act as ecosystem engineers, forming self-organized spatial patterns," Li said.
\n
The results demonstrate the capability of the biocrust communities to self-organize themselves to form distinct spatial patterns, holding implications for ecosystem functions and the resilience of dryland ecosystems.
\n
"The study provides a new perspective for understanding the ecological roles of biocrusts at different stages of succession," Li added.
\n
Based on their continuous study on dryland biocrusts, Li and his team are exploring other measures, such as cultivating artificial biocrusts, to prevent and control sand movement. Combining artificial biocrusts with mechanical sand barriers, such as grass grids, can create stable, effective sand-fixing layers.
\n
"This new method offers greater stability, higher sand-fixing efficiency and easier implementation. Looking ahead, we will continue to deepen our research on dryland biocrusts and provide more practical solutions for the global fight against desertification," Li said.
JINAN — In Chengkou, a coastal town in the Bohai Gulf where prosperity was once tied to shrimp harvests, seawater desalinated into fresh water now powers a thriving web of businesses including brewing beer, producing salt, and even heating homes.
\n
This town in Wudi county, East China's Shandong province, stretches along 27 kilometers of coastline and 33,333 hectares of tidal flats, yet receives so little rain that its per capita water resources are less than one-tenth of China's average.
\n
The water scarcity turned into a blessing in disguise in 2021, when China's five-year plan for large-scale seawater desalination opened new doors.
\n
That same year, the Beijing OriginWater Technology Company teamed up with local chemical heavyweight Lubei Group to develop a membrane-based desalination plant in the parched Lubei High-Tech Industrial Park in the county.
\n
The facility can desalinate seawater at a remarkably low cost of 6 yuan ($0.84) per metric ton, thanks to an ingenious circular economy model.
\n
Membrane desalination requires seawater to reach a certain temperature. If the water is too cold, the equipment's efficiency drops or even fails to function. Since Chengkou has low seawater temperatures in winter, companies usually need to purchase steam to heat the seawater.
\n
"The seawater from the cooling tower of the nearby Datang Power Plant remains above 20 C when piped here, making it a viable substitute for steam heating," said Xu Kai, general manager of Shandong Lubei OriginWater Desalination Company.
\n
This approach has helped cut the significant costs of purchasing heat sources.
\n
Overall, the desalination cost for Lubei OriginWater is more than 20 percent lower than the industry average, bringing down water expenses for nearby businesses by over 30 percent, according to Xu.
\n
At a workshop in the industrial park, everything — from salt used for washing fruits and vegetables to industrial salt, drinking water and even beer — originates from the same source: plain seawater.
\n
The brine left after desalination is piped straight to nearby sea salt producers, where it first yields bromine before crystallizing into high-purity salt, and this process reduces both cost and processing time compared to traditional seawater evaporation, said Liu Deting, head of Shandong Chewangcheng Salinization Company.
\n
With Shandong's strong brewing tradition and lively beer festivals, breweries have launched a pilot batch of beer crafted entirely from desalinated seawater, according to Li Xinliang, a local official of Chengkou.
\n
Besides, the heat generated during freshwater production is captured and redirected through community heating pipes, warming several residential blocks in Chengkou each winter.
\n
For the town's long-standing shrimp farming industry, warm seawater processed through the Datang Power Plant's cooling system keeps the ponds above 20 C throughout winter, ensuring a steady harvest, Li said.
\n
The tides still rise and fall, but in Chengkou, they fuel a transformative value chain, driving diverse industries.
\n
Chengkou has attracted investment, accelerating the construction of a series of green and circular marine economy projects here.
\n
Materials firm Longshun uses fly ash, aluminum powder and furnace slag from enterprises in Lubei High-Tech Industrial Park to produce building materials now sold across the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region.
\n
Relying on the ocean resources and relevant industries, Chengkou is striving to become a standout example of a marine circular economy, according to Ding Nan, Party secretary of Chengkou township.
\n",
+ "content": "
JINAN — In Chengkou, a coastal town in the Bohai Gulf where prosperity was once tied to shrimp harvests, seawater desalinated into fresh water now powers a thriving web of businesses including brewing beer, producing salt, and even heating homes.
\n
This town in Wudi county, East China's Shandong province, stretches along 27 kilometers of coastline and 33,333 hectares of tidal flats, yet receives so little rain that its per capita water resources are less than one-tenth of China's average.
\n
The water scarcity turned into a blessing in disguise in 2021, when China's five-year plan for large-scale seawater desalination opened new doors.
\n
That same year, the Beijing OriginWater Technology Company teamed up with local chemical heavyweight Lubei Group to develop a membrane-based desalination plant in the parched Lubei High-Tech Industrial Park in the county.
\n
The facility can desalinate seawater at a remarkably low cost of 6 yuan ($0.84) per metric ton, thanks to an ingenious circular economy model.
\n
Membrane desalination requires seawater to reach a certain temperature. If the water is too cold, the equipment's efficiency drops or even fails to function. Since Chengkou has low seawater temperatures in winter, companies usually need to purchase steam to heat the seawater.
\n
"The seawater from the cooling tower of the nearby Datang Power Plant remains above 20 C when piped here, making it a viable substitute for steam heating," said Xu Kai, general manager of Shandong Lubei OriginWater Desalination Company.
\n
This approach has helped cut the significant costs of purchasing heat sources.
\n
Overall, the desalination cost for Lubei OriginWater is more than 20 percent lower than the industry average, bringing down water expenses for nearby businesses by over 30 percent, according to Xu.
\n
At a workshop in the industrial park, everything — from salt used for washing fruits and vegetables to industrial salt, drinking water and even beer — originates from the same source: plain seawater.
\n
The brine left after desalination is piped straight to nearby sea salt producers, where it first yields bromine before crystallizing into high-purity salt, and this process reduces both cost and processing time compared to traditional seawater evaporation, said Liu Deting, head of Shandong Chewangcheng Salinization Company.
\n
With Shandong's strong brewing tradition and lively beer festivals, breweries have launched a pilot batch of beer crafted entirely from desalinated seawater, according to Li Xinliang, a local official of Chengkou.
\n
Besides, the heat generated during freshwater production is captured and redirected through community heating pipes, warming several residential blocks in Chengkou each winter.
\n
For the town's long-standing shrimp farming industry, warm seawater processed through the Datang Power Plant's cooling system keeps the ponds above 20 C throughout winter, ensuring a steady harvest, Li said.
\n
The tides still rise and fall, but in Chengkou, they fuel a transformative value chain, driving diverse industries.
\n
Chengkou has attracted investment, accelerating the construction of a series of green and circular marine economy projects here.
\n
Materials firm Longshun uses fly ash, aluminum powder and furnace slag from enterprises in Lubei High-Tech Industrial Park to produce building materials now sold across the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region.
\n
Relying on the ocean resources and relevant industries, Chengkou is striving to become a standout example of a marine circular economy, according to Ding Nan, Party secretary of Chengkou township.
The only way to stop the immense human suffering in the Gaza Strip is for Israel to immediately cease military operations and fully comply with international law, especially international humanitarian law. It must fully restore humanitarian access and support humanitarian agencies, such as those of the United Nations, in delivering aid.
\n
There needs to be an immediate and permanent ceasefire, the release of all hostages, as well as rapid, safe, unimpeded and large-scale delivery of humanitarian aid to the Palestinian enclave.
\n
Instead, Tel Aviv has indicated it will proceed with what it calls the "liberation" of the region from a "terror regime". In a plan, approved by the Israeli Security Cabinet on Thursday, its focus is on taking full control of Gaza City, relocating its estimated 1 million residents further south, and taking control of the refugee camps in central Gaza and areas where hostages are thought to be held.
\n
Given the track record of Israel, which has occupied the Golan Heights of Syria and large areas of the Palestinian territories since the Six-Day War of 1967, this is anything but "liberation".
\n
The Israeli delegate to the United Nations denied Tel Aviv's intention is to permanently occupy Gaza at a UN Security Council meeting on the takeover plan on Sunday, but few parties really buy that claim.
\n
European Council President Antonio Costa strongly urged the Israeli government to reconsider the plan, stating that the takeover, along with large-scale destruction in Gaza, continued settlement expansion in the West Bank, the blockade on aid, and the weaponizing of hunger undermine fundamental principles of international law and universal values.
\n
The Benjamin Netanyahu government's plan was adopted by the country's security Cabinet despite the fierce objection and grave warnings of some in Israel's military that the action could both deepen the humanitarian crisis and endanger the remaining hostages in Gaza.
\n
Reports indicate that the Israel Defense Forces would surround Gaza for three months. This would then reportedly be followed by an additional two months to seize control of Gaza City and the central refugee camps and clear the entire area of Palestinian armed groups.
\n
The thousands of protesters that gathered in Tel Aviv and cities across Israel on the weekend to call for a ceasefire and the implementation of the hostage release deal clearly show the hypocrisy of the Israeli government's "liberation" claims as well as the Israeli people's awareness that it is part of the Israeli prime minister's domestic political maneuvering.
\n
But although UN officials have warned Israel that it will be "igniting another horrific chapter" in the conflict if it presses ahead with its decision to take over the whole of Gaza, Tel Aviv has shown no signs that it will drop its plan.
\n
More than 61,000 people have been killed in Gaza, including over 18,000 children, and 151,000 have been injured, according to Gaza's Ministry of Health, while dozens of hostages are believed to remain in Gaza. Were it not for the grave humanitarian crisis Israel has caused in the Palestinian enclave over the past months, it is unlikely there would have been so many voices condemning Israel's latest plan and calling for the implementation of the "two-state solution".
\n
"The suffering endured by Palestinians and Israelis over the past 22 months has been nothing short of soul-searing," said Ramesh Rajasingham, head and representative of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Geneva.
\n
To end the cycle of violence, it is necessary to fully implement the "two-state solution" and establish an independent state of Palestine based on the 1967 borders.
\n
The international community should redouble its efforts to advance the political process for the "two-state solution" and jointly counter any unilateral move that sabotages its foundation.
\n
There will be no sustainable solution to the crisis without an end to Israel's unlawful occupation of Palestinian territories and the realization of the "two-state solution". Gaza is, and must remain, an integral part of a Palestinian State.
\n
As Chinese Ambassador to the UN Fu Cong reiterated at the UN Security Council meeting on the weekend, China stands ready to work alongside the international community to advance an end to the war in Gaza, alleviate the humanitarian catastrophe, and implement the "two-state solution", ultimately achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting solution of the Palestine question.
\n",
+ "content": "
The only way to stop the immense human suffering in the Gaza Strip is for Israel to immediately cease military operations and fully comply with international law, especially international humanitarian law. It must fully restore humanitarian access and support humanitarian agencies, such as those of the United Nations, in delivering aid.
\n
There needs to be an immediate and permanent ceasefire, the release of all hostages, as well as rapid, safe, unimpeded and large-scale delivery of humanitarian aid to the Palestinian enclave.
\n
Instead, Tel Aviv has indicated it will proceed with what it calls the "liberation" of the region from a "terror regime". In a plan, approved by the Israeli Security Cabinet on Thursday, its focus is on taking full control of Gaza City, relocating its estimated 1 million residents further south, and taking control of the refugee camps in central Gaza and areas where hostages are thought to be held.
\n
Given the track record of Israel, which has occupied the Golan Heights of Syria and large areas of the Palestinian territories since the Six-Day War of 1967, this is anything but "liberation".
\n
The Israeli delegate to the United Nations denied Tel Aviv's intention is to permanently occupy Gaza at a UN Security Council meeting on the takeover plan on Sunday, but few parties really buy that claim.
\n
European Council President Antonio Costa strongly urged the Israeli government to reconsider the plan, stating that the takeover, along with large-scale destruction in Gaza, continued settlement expansion in the West Bank, the blockade on aid, and the weaponizing of hunger undermine fundamental principles of international law and universal values.
\n
The Benjamin Netanyahu government's plan was adopted by the country's security Cabinet despite the fierce objection and grave warnings of some in Israel's military that the action could both deepen the humanitarian crisis and endanger the remaining hostages in Gaza.
\n
Reports indicate that the Israel Defense Forces would surround Gaza for three months. This would then reportedly be followed by an additional two months to seize control of Gaza City and the central refugee camps and clear the entire area of Palestinian armed groups.
\n
The thousands of protesters that gathered in Tel Aviv and cities across Israel on the weekend to call for a ceasefire and the implementation of the hostage release deal clearly show the hypocrisy of the Israeli government's "liberation" claims as well as the Israeli people's awareness that it is part of the Israeli prime minister's domestic political maneuvering.
\n
But although UN officials have warned Israel that it will be "igniting another horrific chapter" in the conflict if it presses ahead with its decision to take over the whole of Gaza, Tel Aviv has shown no signs that it will drop its plan.
\n
More than 61,000 people have been killed in Gaza, including over 18,000 children, and 151,000 have been injured, according to Gaza's Ministry of Health, while dozens of hostages are believed to remain in Gaza. Were it not for the grave humanitarian crisis Israel has caused in the Palestinian enclave over the past months, it is unlikely there would have been so many voices condemning Israel's latest plan and calling for the implementation of the "two-state solution".
\n
"The suffering endured by Palestinians and Israelis over the past 22 months has been nothing short of soul-searing," said Ramesh Rajasingham, head and representative of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Geneva.
\n
To end the cycle of violence, it is necessary to fully implement the "two-state solution" and establish an independent state of Palestine based on the 1967 borders.
\n
The international community should redouble its efforts to advance the political process for the "two-state solution" and jointly counter any unilateral move that sabotages its foundation.
\n
There will be no sustainable solution to the crisis without an end to Israel's unlawful occupation of Palestinian territories and the realization of the "two-state solution". Gaza is, and must remain, an integral part of a Palestinian State.
\n
As Chinese Ambassador to the UN Fu Cong reiterated at the UN Security Council meeting on the weekend, China stands ready to work alongside the international community to advance an end to the war in Gaza, alleviate the humanitarian catastrophe, and implement the "two-state solution", ultimately achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting solution of the Palestine question.
Australia's ABC News claimed on Sunday that the United States administration's funding cuts to science programs in Antarctica "could create a void for China and Russia to fill", which should be a cause of concern for Canberra.
\n
To interpret China's normal scientific activities in Antarctica as a "threat" to Australia's national interest reflects a misguided and narrow mindset that ignores international law. It also brings to light the political bias and selfishness harbored by some in Australia who regard Antarctica as their country's own backyard.
\n
In contrast to China's growing scientific footprint in Antarctica, the US, the traditional leader in Antarctic diplomacy and research, has significantly reduced funding for both Antarctica's largest research and logistics station, McMurdo, and the National Science Foundation which funds US research in Antarctica.
\n
China now has five research stations on the continent, with the latest outpost, Qinling, officially opened and put into operation in February last year. The country has also, for the first time, overtaken the US in the number of research papers on Antarctica published in the past year.
\n
China's increasing presence and contributions in the region, consistent with its status as a consultative party to the Antarctic Treaty, are conducted strictly in accordance with the Antarctic Treaty System and should be recognized as being an important international public good. These efforts enhance humanity's scientific understanding of the remote southernmost continent and promote peaceful cooperation on and sustainable development of Antarctica.
\n
The country's upgraded infrastructure construction on the continent is not only a practical necessity for conducting research in one of the world's harshest environments, but also "provides a platform for China's cooperation with other countries in scientific exploration, promoting peace and sustainable development in Antarctica", as a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on the opening of Qinling.
\n
To understand how absurd the Antarctica-related anti-China rhetoric is, it is essential to have a look at the framework governing Antarctica, namely the Antarctic Treaty. The treaty was established in 1959 and entered into force in 1961. It designates the continent as a zone of peace and science while prohibiting military activity, mineral mining and nuclear tests. It emphasizes scientific research and international cooperation, a common-good spirit that has largely been upheld by all its signatories.
\n
The Antarctic Treaty sets out the governance mechanism for Antarctica and provides a system framework for the protection of the continent. The robust governance structure ensures that any nation's activities, including China's, are subject to international scrutiny and regulation.
\n
Yet despite that, efforts at denigrating China and describing it as a "threat" to the region have never ceased. The Centre for Strategic and International Studies, a US think tank, falsely warned during Qinling's construction that the facility, with a satellite ground station, will have inherent dual-use capabilities, a worry that ABC News raised again in its latest report. What they intentionally ignored is that the US already exercised its right of inspection under the treaty to examine Qinling in 2020, and its inspectors found no evidence of militarization.
\n
The intentional portrayal of China as a unilateral actor in Antarctica overlooks the collaborative nature of scientific research on the continent. Chinese scientists frequently participate in joint research projects with scientists from other countries, including Australia. This cooperation is facilitated by groups such as the Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs, which promotes international scientific collaboration and data sharing. Over the past 40 years, China has become a key driving force in Antarctic scientific exploration.
\n
The notion of a "Chinese threat" in Antarctica is ill-conceived and ill-intentioned. It not only distorts facts, but distracts public attention from more pressing global issues such as climate change, which poses a genuine threat to the continent's fragile ecosystem and our planet as a whole.
\n
All countries involved must keep vigilance against moves that seek to turn Antarctica into another front of bloc confrontation based on ideology. The international community should work to ensure that Antarctica remains a continent of peace and science, benefiting all of humanity. China is willing to work with all parties to compose a new chapter of Antarctic research and protection.
Australia's ABC News claimed on Sunday that the United States administration's funding cuts to science programs in Antarctica "could create a void for China and Russia to fill", which should be a cause of concern for Canberra.
\n
To interpret China's normal scientific activities in Antarctica as a "threat" to Australia's national interest reflects a misguided and narrow mindset that ignores international law. It also brings to light the political bias and selfishness harbored by some in Australia who regard Antarctica as their country's own backyard.
\n
In contrast to China's growing scientific footprint in Antarctica, the US, the traditional leader in Antarctic diplomacy and research, has significantly reduced funding for both Antarctica's largest research and logistics station, McMurdo, and the National Science Foundation which funds US research in Antarctica.
\n
China now has five research stations on the continent, with the latest outpost, Qinling, officially opened and put into operation in February last year. The country has also, for the first time, overtaken the US in the number of research papers on Antarctica published in the past year.
\n
China's increasing presence and contributions in the region, consistent with its status as a consultative party to the Antarctic Treaty, are conducted strictly in accordance with the Antarctic Treaty System and should be recognized as being an important international public good. These efforts enhance humanity's scientific understanding of the remote southernmost continent and promote peaceful cooperation on and sustainable development of Antarctica.
\n
The country's upgraded infrastructure construction on the continent is not only a practical necessity for conducting research in one of the world's harshest environments, but also "provides a platform for China's cooperation with other countries in scientific exploration, promoting peace and sustainable development in Antarctica", as a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on the opening of Qinling.
\n
To understand how absurd the Antarctica-related anti-China rhetoric is, it is essential to have a look at the framework governing Antarctica, namely the Antarctic Treaty. The treaty was established in 1959 and entered into force in 1961. It designates the continent as a zone of peace and science while prohibiting military activity, mineral mining and nuclear tests. It emphasizes scientific research and international cooperation, a common-good spirit that has largely been upheld by all its signatories.
\n
The Antarctic Treaty sets out the governance mechanism for Antarctica and provides a system framework for the protection of the continent. The robust governance structure ensures that any nation's activities, including China's, are subject to international scrutiny and regulation.
\n
Yet despite that, efforts at denigrating China and describing it as a "threat" to the region have never ceased. The Centre for Strategic and International Studies, a US think tank, falsely warned during Qinling's construction that the facility, with a satellite ground station, will have inherent dual-use capabilities, a worry that ABC News raised again in its latest report. What they intentionally ignored is that the US already exercised its right of inspection under the treaty to examine Qinling in 2020, and its inspectors found no evidence of militarization.
\n
The intentional portrayal of China as a unilateral actor in Antarctica overlooks the collaborative nature of scientific research on the continent. Chinese scientists frequently participate in joint research projects with scientists from other countries, including Australia. This cooperation is facilitated by groups such as the Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs, which promotes international scientific collaboration and data sharing. Over the past 40 years, China has become a key driving force in Antarctic scientific exploration.
\n
The notion of a "Chinese threat" in Antarctica is ill-conceived and ill-intentioned. It not only distorts facts, but distracts public attention from more pressing global issues such as climate change, which poses a genuine threat to the continent's fragile ecosystem and our planet as a whole.
\n
All countries involved must keep vigilance against moves that seek to turn Antarctica into another front of bloc confrontation based on ideology. The international community should work to ensure that Antarctica remains a continent of peace and science, benefiting all of humanity. China is willing to work with all parties to compose a new chapter of Antarctic research and protection.
Amid growing concerns that neither the European Union nor Ukraine will be represented in the talks that Washington and Moscow are holding in Alaska on Friday, the EU has intensified diplomatic efforts to avoid such a scenario.
\n
But the EU should know that even if it and Ukraine are invited, they lack the necessary means to steer the negotiations in the direction they seek — that the integrity of Ukraine's sovereignty and territory must not be compromised for peace.
\n
This is not the first time the EU seems worried it will be kept out of negotiations to end the conflict in Europe in which it has provided tremendous support to one of the two conflicting parties.
\n
The EU had been largely kept in the dark while Ukraine was pressed to sign a mineral resource agreement with the US in April. The arrangement grants the US access to the East European country's vast mineral resources; in return Washington has promised Kyiv that the US will not scale back its military support.
\n
Although the EU has paid for a hefty share of the US' military aid to Ukraine, the US side apparently regards it as the bloc's obligation for its own security. Even though the US admits the Ukraine crisis is Europe's business, it doesn't agree with the EU that its huge input in Ukraine naturally entitles it to a seat at the negotiation table — something the EU takes for granted.
\n
The reason why the planned talks in Alaska between the US and Russian leaders has caught wide attention is because the international community, including the EU and Ukraine, is well aware that how the Ukraine crisis evolves will not depend on Brussels or Kyiv, but on Washington and Moscow.
\n
All this happens after most EU members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization agreed to raise their defense spending from 2 percent of their GDP to 5 percent so that they can set aside more funds to buy weapons from the US for their own security.
\n
Although Europe overtook the US as the biggest supplier of aid to Ukraine in June, with about €72 billion ($83.95 billion) in military aid compared with the US' €65 billion, according to the Kiel Institute's Ukraine Support Tracker, it is the US that has supplied the most sophisticated and lethal equipment, and much of Europe's aid finances the purchase of US-made weapons, underscoring its dependence on the country.
\n
In an interview with US media, aired on Friday, US Vice-President JD Vance said that Americans are sick of continuing to spend their money, their tax dollars, on the Ukraine conflict "but if the Europeans want to step up and actually buy the weapons from American producers we're OK with that, but we're not going to fund it ourselves anymore".
\n
Vance and UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy hosted a meeting of security officials near London on Saturday to discuss the Ukraine crisis. The talks are said to have been called at the request of the US. Senior Ukrainian officials attended the talks along with officials representing the EU, France, Germany, Italy, Finland and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
\n
It is clear the US administration took advantage of this meeting to link invitations to the Alaska talks to other commitments from relevant parties, particularly those from the EU.
\n
That also explains why the EU's top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, said following the Vance-Lammy meeting that she planned to convene an extraordinary meeting of EU foreign ministers on Monday, presumably to discuss Vance's latest offer.
\n
As The Times commented in a report on Vance urging Europe to "step up" in Ukraine, European diplomatic efforts are significant but risk being merely symbolic without military backing, and the ability to uphold Ukraine's territorial integrity ultimately depends on sustained US commitment to weapons, troops and political will.
\n",
+ "content": "
Amid growing concerns that neither the European Union nor Ukraine will be represented in the talks that Washington and Moscow are holding in Alaska on Friday, the EU has intensified diplomatic efforts to avoid such a scenario.
\n
But the EU should know that even if it and Ukraine are invited, they lack the necessary means to steer the negotiations in the direction they seek — that the integrity of Ukraine's sovereignty and territory must not be compromised for peace.
\n
This is not the first time the EU seems worried it will be kept out of negotiations to end the conflict in Europe in which it has provided tremendous support to one of the two conflicting parties.
\n
The EU had been largely kept in the dark while Ukraine was pressed to sign a mineral resource agreement with the US in April. The arrangement grants the US access to the East European country's vast mineral resources; in return Washington has promised Kyiv that the US will not scale back its military support.
\n
Although the EU has paid for a hefty share of the US' military aid to Ukraine, the US side apparently regards it as the bloc's obligation for its own security. Even though the US admits the Ukraine crisis is Europe's business, it doesn't agree with the EU that its huge input in Ukraine naturally entitles it to a seat at the negotiation table — something the EU takes for granted.
\n
The reason why the planned talks in Alaska between the US and Russian leaders has caught wide attention is because the international community, including the EU and Ukraine, is well aware that how the Ukraine crisis evolves will not depend on Brussels or Kyiv, but on Washington and Moscow.
\n
All this happens after most EU members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization agreed to raise their defense spending from 2 percent of their GDP to 5 percent so that they can set aside more funds to buy weapons from the US for their own security.
\n
Although Europe overtook the US as the biggest supplier of aid to Ukraine in June, with about €72 billion ($83.95 billion) in military aid compared with the US' €65 billion, according to the Kiel Institute's Ukraine Support Tracker, it is the US that has supplied the most sophisticated and lethal equipment, and much of Europe's aid finances the purchase of US-made weapons, underscoring its dependence on the country.
\n
In an interview with US media, aired on Friday, US Vice-President JD Vance said that Americans are sick of continuing to spend their money, their tax dollars, on the Ukraine conflict "but if the Europeans want to step up and actually buy the weapons from American producers we're OK with that, but we're not going to fund it ourselves anymore".
\n
Vance and UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy hosted a meeting of security officials near London on Saturday to discuss the Ukraine crisis. The talks are said to have been called at the request of the US. Senior Ukrainian officials attended the talks along with officials representing the EU, France, Germany, Italy, Finland and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
\n
It is clear the US administration took advantage of this meeting to link invitations to the Alaska talks to other commitments from relevant parties, particularly those from the EU.
\n
That also explains why the EU's top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, said following the Vance-Lammy meeting that she planned to convene an extraordinary meeting of EU foreign ministers on Monday, presumably to discuss Vance's latest offer.
\n
As The Times commented in a report on Vance urging Europe to "step up" in Ukraine, European diplomatic efforts are significant but risk being merely symbolic without military backing, and the ability to uphold Ukraine's territorial integrity ultimately depends on sustained US commitment to weapons, troops and political will.
Editor's Note: Foreign trade and investment play a vital role in stabilizing growth and employment, as well as building a new development paradigm. In an interview with Economic Daily, Zhao Zhongxiu, president of the University of International Business and Economics, explained the current state of China's foreign trade and investment and what needs to be done to develop it further. Below are excerpts from the interview. The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.
\n
China's foreign trade grew by 2.9 percent year-on-year to 21.79 trillion yuan ($3.04 trillion) in the first half of 2025. To ensure the stable development of foreign trade, the government can focus on the following measures.
\n
First, it is very important to reduce the reliance on a single market. China needs to deepen cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Africa, Latin America and countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative to tap into these emerging markets for growth.
\n
Also, efforts should be made to build an efficient policy coordination system and promote digital services through the "single window" platform to make customs clearance more efficient, implement export tax rebates and provide targeted assistance to affected enterprises.
\n
Meanwhile, banks should implement a financing coordination mechanism that covers all foreign trade enterprises, with a focus on supporting risk management for small and micro-sized businesses. Tailored services should be provided to support innovative entities, and cross-border financial services should be strengthened for emerging sectors such as cross-border e-commerce.
\n
To this end, enterprises should be encouraged to participate in trade fairs to expand market channels and the functions of overseas economic and trade cooperation zones should be enhanced.
\n
The establishment of a unified national market promises to reduce domestic costs through increased fiscal investment, credit support and lower fees. Retail e-commerce and supply chain companies should be encouraged to open green channels to align with domestic market demand.
\n
The export of high-tech products needs to be promoted. Leveraging the strengths of the manufacturing sector will help stabilize industry and supply chains. China should align with high-standard international economic and trade rules, foster the development of digital services and unlock new potential in foreign trade.
\n
Cross-border e-commerce plays a vital role in ensuring the stability, security and autonomy of industry and supply chains. A more robust policy support system needs to be developed, including setting up smart logistics platforms overseas and streamlining customs clearance, taxation and financial services related to cross-border e-commerce. Additionally, centers for enabling industrial digital transformation and regional trade platforms should be established to actively foster new forms of trade.
\n
Of late, some developed countries have started promoting reshoring, nearshoring or friendshoring, measures that are driven by political disruptions. As a result, enterprises have to factor these noneconomic variables into their cost calculations and some segments of global supply chains are readjusting to align with the changes. Although enterprises in China and the United States are ready to cooperate and pursue common goals despite the challenges, the deglobalization sentiment needs to be acknowledged.
\n
However, a complete "decoupling" between major powers is neither realistic nor sustainable. While some countries may advocate so-called de-risking strategies to reduce imports from China, the basic objective of all businesses remains unchanged: maximize profits through global production and sales networks.
\n
This very logic is the foundation of the global value chain system. From this perspective, economic globalization is the long-term trend, while deglobalization is a short-term phenomenon. The right direction is cooperation and working toward mutual benefit.
Editor's Note: Foreign trade and investment play a vital role in stabilizing growth and employment, as well as building a new development paradigm. In an interview with Economic Daily, Zhao Zhongxiu, president of the University of International Business and Economics, explained the current state of China's foreign trade and investment and what needs to be done to develop it further. Below are excerpts from the interview. The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.
\n
China's foreign trade grew by 2.9 percent year-on-year to 21.79 trillion yuan ($3.04 trillion) in the first half of 2025. To ensure the stable development of foreign trade, the government can focus on the following measures.
\n
First, it is very important to reduce the reliance on a single market. China needs to deepen cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Africa, Latin America and countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative to tap into these emerging markets for growth.
\n
Also, efforts should be made to build an efficient policy coordination system and promote digital services through the "single window" platform to make customs clearance more efficient, implement export tax rebates and provide targeted assistance to affected enterprises.
\n
Meanwhile, banks should implement a financing coordination mechanism that covers all foreign trade enterprises, with a focus on supporting risk management for small and micro-sized businesses. Tailored services should be provided to support innovative entities, and cross-border financial services should be strengthened for emerging sectors such as cross-border e-commerce.
\n
To this end, enterprises should be encouraged to participate in trade fairs to expand market channels and the functions of overseas economic and trade cooperation zones should be enhanced.
\n
The establishment of a unified national market promises to reduce domestic costs through increased fiscal investment, credit support and lower fees. Retail e-commerce and supply chain companies should be encouraged to open green channels to align with domestic market demand.
\n
The export of high-tech products needs to be promoted. Leveraging the strengths of the manufacturing sector will help stabilize industry and supply chains. China should align with high-standard international economic and trade rules, foster the development of digital services and unlock new potential in foreign trade.
\n
Cross-border e-commerce plays a vital role in ensuring the stability, security and autonomy of industry and supply chains. A more robust policy support system needs to be developed, including setting up smart logistics platforms overseas and streamlining customs clearance, taxation and financial services related to cross-border e-commerce. Additionally, centers for enabling industrial digital transformation and regional trade platforms should be established to actively foster new forms of trade.
\n
Of late, some developed countries have started promoting reshoring, nearshoring or friendshoring, measures that are driven by political disruptions. As a result, enterprises have to factor these noneconomic variables into their cost calculations and some segments of global supply chains are readjusting to align with the changes. Although enterprises in China and the United States are ready to cooperate and pursue common goals despite the challenges, the deglobalization sentiment needs to be acknowledged.
\n
However, a complete "decoupling" between major powers is neither realistic nor sustainable. While some countries may advocate so-called de-risking strategies to reduce imports from China, the basic objective of all businesses remains unchanged: maximize profits through global production and sales networks.
\n
This very logic is the foundation of the global value chain system. From this perspective, economic globalization is the long-term trend, while deglobalization is a short-term phenomenon. The right direction is cooperation and working toward mutual benefit.
With its misguided tariff wars, the United States administration is not only fragmenting seven decades of globalization. It is also contributing to a geopolitical climate reminiscent of the tensions that preceded the rise of fascism in the 1930s.
\n
Times are different today, as globalization is no longer at a crossroad. It is unraveling. And yet the White House has chosen an ominous path with a dark historical precedent.
\n
After the "Roaring Twenties", the US economy drifted into the Great Depression. Presumably to protect American jobs and farmers, two Republicans, Reed Smoot and Willis C. Hawley, pushed for a major tariff increase. This led to the enactment of the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act despite opposition by more than 1,000 leading US economists.
\n
The ensuing tariffs were the second highest in US history. But instead of protecting American jobs and boosting the US economy, the effect of the act turned out to be precisely the opposite. Following the retaliatory tariffs of the US' major trading partners, it reduced US exports and imports by more than half during the Great Depression. On the other hand, in Germany, international friction paved the way for the rise of the Nazi party.
\n
The US economy recovered only with the war efforts serving as a huge fiscal stimulus.
\n
The Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act of 1930 was a grossly misguided response to the economic crash. What it gained in the short term, it lost in the long term. It resulted in neither the US' stability nor prosperity. Instead, it contributed to instability and worsened the economic malaise.
\n
In short, the act worsened the Great Depression, compounding the chaotic global status quo that prolonged the lingering economic contraction, thus setting the stage for World War II.
\n
The first round of tariffs of the incumbent US administration, built on traditional trade wars, focused mainly on Canada, Mexico and China. The tariffs will affect $1.4 trillion worth of goods, that is, about 3.5 times that of the goods affected during the 2017-18 tariffs.
\n
The second round began with the White House's "reciprocal tariffs". It is an odd, Orwellian term for tariffs which are not multilateral. Conceptually, the US administration's tariffs are rather unilateral, flawed and wrongly calculated, that is, coercive, illicit and miscalculated.
\n
Subsequently, the White House claimed that "every country in the world wants to make a deal with America". But that did not happen. Instead, the reciprocal tariffs were followed by a series of retaliations, which heralded the ongoing third round of tariff wars.
\n
Nonetheless, under the US' tariff attacks, many economies have been compelled to make deals with Washington. In the short term, they may contribute tens of billions of dollars to the US economy. But in the long run, such intimidation tactics will cost the US economy hundreds of billions of dollars, fragment globalization, and erode the rules-based international trading regime.
\n
Global economic prospects have been fragile since 2008. A decade later, in 2018, the then US administration's tariffs and deglobalization measures undermined a promising global economic recovery, with the US imposing punitive tariffs on nearly $400 billion worth of Chinese goods, which affected more than 90 percent of bilateral trade.
\n
Instead of building a multilateral front against trade protectionism, Western powers sought to appease the first Donald Trump term, which emboldened US trade czars and contributed to the Joe Biden administration's fatal decision not to reverse his predecessor's decisions on tariffs.
\n
Devoid of any meaningful economic rationale, the tariffs are set to erode what is left of the New Deal and the dream of "Great Society" of former US presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt and Lyndon B. Johnson respectively. Perversely, the new focus is on massive rearmament, a new Cold War, and destructive geopolitics, including US complicity in the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.
\n
Once the tariffs' full impact is felt, global economic prospects will suffer more shocks. Worse, the White House is doing its best to obfuscate the destructive impact of its tariff strategy by firing federal economists dedicated to monitoring economic data, in order to replace them with ultra-conservative ideologues and data manipulators.
\n
The result is a darkening economic picture which could lead to a "big correction" in the US market, as America's big investment banks are now warning their clients of.
\n
Globalization fosters the flows of trade, investment and people. From 1950 to 2008, it promoted integration among economies, thanks to technological progress, reduced transport costs and off-shoring of value activities across countries. Also, it facilitated the rise of two Asian economic powers, China and India, and more broadly the Global South.
\n
Conversely, deglobalization disrupts, if not altogether stopping, such flows between countries, leading to de-integration and fragmentation. During its first term, the Trump administration made serious deglobalization efforts to overcome the longstanding secular stagnation in the West, compounded by the US' tariff wars.
\n
During Trump's second term, geoeconomic fragmentation efforts have intensified due to "a policy-driven reversal of global economic integration", as the International Monetary Fund put it. It is neither automatic nor inevitable, but a US policy choice, with horrible economic and human consequences. With the resulting trade war contributing to the weakest global growth prospects in decades, deglobalization is feeding into another Cold War, which the world cannot afford.
\n
In the late 2010s, deglobalization translated to slowing growth in the Global South. Today, deglobalization-induced global economic fragmentation is curbing the rise of emerging and developing economies.
\n
The views don't necessarily reflect those of China Daily.
\n",
+ "content": "\n
With its misguided tariff wars, the United States administration is not only fragmenting seven decades of globalization. It is also contributing to a geopolitical climate reminiscent of the tensions that preceded the rise of fascism in the 1930s.
\n
Times are different today, as globalization is no longer at a crossroad. It is unraveling. And yet the White House has chosen an ominous path with a dark historical precedent.
\n
After the "Roaring Twenties", the US economy drifted into the Great Depression. Presumably to protect American jobs and farmers, two Republicans, Reed Smoot and Willis C. Hawley, pushed for a major tariff increase. This led to the enactment of the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act despite opposition by more than 1,000 leading US economists.
\n
The ensuing tariffs were the second highest in US history. But instead of protecting American jobs and boosting the US economy, the effect of the act turned out to be precisely the opposite. Following the retaliatory tariffs of the US' major trading partners, it reduced US exports and imports by more than half during the Great Depression. On the other hand, in Germany, international friction paved the way for the rise of the Nazi party.
\n
The US economy recovered only with the war efforts serving as a huge fiscal stimulus.
\n
The Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act of 1930 was a grossly misguided response to the economic crash. What it gained in the short term, it lost in the long term. It resulted in neither the US' stability nor prosperity. Instead, it contributed to instability and worsened the economic malaise.
\n
In short, the act worsened the Great Depression, compounding the chaotic global status quo that prolonged the lingering economic contraction, thus setting the stage for World War II.
\n
The first round of tariffs of the incumbent US administration, built on traditional trade wars, focused mainly on Canada, Mexico and China. The tariffs will affect $1.4 trillion worth of goods, that is, about 3.5 times that of the goods affected during the 2017-18 tariffs.
\n
The second round began with the White House's "reciprocal tariffs". It is an odd, Orwellian term for tariffs which are not multilateral. Conceptually, the US administration's tariffs are rather unilateral, flawed and wrongly calculated, that is, coercive, illicit and miscalculated.
\n
Subsequently, the White House claimed that "every country in the world wants to make a deal with America". But that did not happen. Instead, the reciprocal tariffs were followed by a series of retaliations, which heralded the ongoing third round of tariff wars.
\n
Nonetheless, under the US' tariff attacks, many economies have been compelled to make deals with Washington. In the short term, they may contribute tens of billions of dollars to the US economy. But in the long run, such intimidation tactics will cost the US economy hundreds of billions of dollars, fragment globalization, and erode the rules-based international trading regime.
\n
Global economic prospects have been fragile since 2008. A decade later, in 2018, the then US administration's tariffs and deglobalization measures undermined a promising global economic recovery, with the US imposing punitive tariffs on nearly $400 billion worth of Chinese goods, which affected more than 90 percent of bilateral trade.
\n
Instead of building a multilateral front against trade protectionism, Western powers sought to appease the first Donald Trump term, which emboldened US trade czars and contributed to the Joe Biden administration's fatal decision not to reverse his predecessor's decisions on tariffs.
\n
Devoid of any meaningful economic rationale, the tariffs are set to erode what is left of the New Deal and the dream of "Great Society" of former US presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt and Lyndon B. Johnson respectively. Perversely, the new focus is on massive rearmament, a new Cold War, and destructive geopolitics, including US complicity in the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.
\n
Once the tariffs' full impact is felt, global economic prospects will suffer more shocks. Worse, the White House is doing its best to obfuscate the destructive impact of its tariff strategy by firing federal economists dedicated to monitoring economic data, in order to replace them with ultra-conservative ideologues and data manipulators.
\n
The result is a darkening economic picture which could lead to a "big correction" in the US market, as America's big investment banks are now warning their clients of.
\n
Globalization fosters the flows of trade, investment and people. From 1950 to 2008, it promoted integration among economies, thanks to technological progress, reduced transport costs and off-shoring of value activities across countries. Also, it facilitated the rise of two Asian economic powers, China and India, and more broadly the Global South.
\n
Conversely, deglobalization disrupts, if not altogether stopping, such flows between countries, leading to de-integration and fragmentation. During its first term, the Trump administration made serious deglobalization efforts to overcome the longstanding secular stagnation in the West, compounded by the US' tariff wars.
\n
During Trump's second term, geoeconomic fragmentation efforts have intensified due to "a policy-driven reversal of global economic integration", as the International Monetary Fund put it. It is neither automatic nor inevitable, but a US policy choice, with horrible economic and human consequences. With the resulting trade war contributing to the weakest global growth prospects in decades, deglobalization is feeding into another Cold War, which the world cannot afford.
\n
In the late 2010s, deglobalization translated to slowing growth in the Global South. Today, deglobalization-induced global economic fragmentation is curbing the rise of emerging and developing economies.
\n
The views don't necessarily reflect those of China Daily.
At the World Artificial Intelligence Conference, held in Shanghai from July 26 to 28, Premier Li Qiang proposed that an international body, tentatively named "World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization", be established to guide and regulate the global development and application of artificial intelligence. This shows China is committed to ensuring AI is regulated globally to not only ensure fair competition, but also to reshape AI's development trajectory in a way that serves humankind.
\n
Li criticized the fragmented global AI regime and warned against the risk of a few countries or companies monopolizing AI's development and benefits. By hosting the conference in Shanghai and inviting more than 40 countries and international organizations, China has shown what multilateral AI governance leadership should be like.
\n
Importantly, China has packaged its proposal with a 13-point action plan and a commitment to open-source cooperation, infrastructure-building and inclusive access — especially tailored to BRICS and Global South countries, which were excluded from global rule-setting in the past.
\n
China is moving from being an AI actor to an AI architect, aiming to realize its AI governance vision "through consultation, co-construction, and shared benefits" and turn it into a universal public good.
\n
China's achievements in AI, led by companies such as DeepSeek, have increased dramatically. With the R1 model and open-source frameworks, Chinese firms have shown they have the capability to compete with US companies in specific domains, particularly in cost efficiency and regional influence.
\n
The US has recently tightened export restrictions on AI chips and hardware. China has responded by, among other things, forming domestic partnerships between chip-makers and model developers to build a self-sufficient ecosystem, which may look like a defensive posture but, in reality, is a statement of strength.
\n
With Washington pivoting toward "freedom-driven" AI and deregulation under the framework of "Winning the Race: America's AI Action Plan", China offers an alternative governance vision, a vision rooted in multilateral norms, government-led coordination and inclusion of all, including marginalized countries.
\n
This initiative aligns with earlier Chinese initiatives, such as the Global Civilization Initiative and the Global Development Initiative. China's proposal at the WAIC is a counterweight to the US' framework for AI development. Instead of Washington and high-tech giants setting the norms, China proposed that an international body shoulder the responsibility of guiding and regulating AI development.
\n
If China's open-source, inclusive AI development model wins wider endorsement, the US may have to rethink its tech-first, deregulation-driven posture on AI, and US policymakers and firms could be compelled to engage in more inclusive and multilateral endeavors to stay influential.
\n
A global AI governance body will set the technical standards, certification regimes, safety frameworks and norms that companies in the US and other Western countries will need to adhere to. If participation becomes a de facto requirement for accessing the market, the US could find itself playing defensive in standard- and norm-setting.
\n
This shift could turn the AI race from one about technological leadership to a contest of visions and values: whether AI should be regulated by multiple government-led mechanisms or by a decentralized, market-centric US-led coalition. The outcome may define which governance model global actors, including the European Union and India, prefer.
\n
China's proposal shows AI governance at present is fragmented because different governments have set different rules for AI, and AI companies are following their own rules. A global body could harmonize the rules, resolve the conflicts over data flow, safety testing, ethics, transparency and equitable access — fields for which no unified set of rules exists.
\n
By including developing countries in its AI governance plan, China is trying to meet an important unmet demand. Many governments lack the capability of ensuring complete AI safely. A global body could help them do so.
\n
Whether the China-proposed multilateral AI governing body and the US-led Western organization such as the Paris AI Action Summit's initiative early this year, converge or will compete with each other will decide whether their AI governance models will align or remain fragmented. China's proposal includes AI safety mechanisms in a 13-point plan (including dialogue on technology under the United Nations' framework). This could help set up internationally accepted guardrails to eliminate misinformation and bias, remove risks, and ensure autonomy, all overdue measures in global AI governance.
\n
The true strength of China's proposal lies in its effective implementation. Will China's proposal help set meaningful standards, and strengthen enforcement and capacity-building, or will it remain primarily symbolic?
\n
The announcement of a global AI governance body, backed by action plans and open-source commitment, marks a pivotal moment — not just in technological competition but also in institutional competition — which will determine how the AI era is governed. For China, the proposal signals its readiness to help shape global AI governance and anchor its leadership in multilateral diplomacy. For the US, it is both a challenge and an opportunity to change its approach beyond competition, re-engage in global governance, and offer an alternative model rooted in openness and shared values.
\n
Ultimately the future of AI governance may rest less on whose CPUs or GPUs are fastest and more on whose values and institutions shape the rules of the machine.
\n
The views don't necessarily reflect those of China Daily.
\n",
+ "content": "\n
At the World Artificial Intelligence Conference, held in Shanghai from July 26 to 28, Premier Li Qiang proposed that an international body, tentatively named "World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization", be established to guide and regulate the global development and application of artificial intelligence. This shows China is committed to ensuring AI is regulated globally to not only ensure fair competition, but also to reshape AI's development trajectory in a way that serves humankind.
\n
Li criticized the fragmented global AI regime and warned against the risk of a few countries or companies monopolizing AI's development and benefits. By hosting the conference in Shanghai and inviting more than 40 countries and international organizations, China has shown what multilateral AI governance leadership should be like.
\n
Importantly, China has packaged its proposal with a 13-point action plan and a commitment to open-source cooperation, infrastructure-building and inclusive access — especially tailored to BRICS and Global South countries, which were excluded from global rule-setting in the past.
\n
China is moving from being an AI actor to an AI architect, aiming to realize its AI governance vision "through consultation, co-construction, and shared benefits" and turn it into a universal public good.
\n
China's achievements in AI, led by companies such as DeepSeek, have increased dramatically. With the R1 model and open-source frameworks, Chinese firms have shown they have the capability to compete with US companies in specific domains, particularly in cost efficiency and regional influence.
\n
The US has recently tightened export restrictions on AI chips and hardware. China has responded by, among other things, forming domestic partnerships between chip-makers and model developers to build a self-sufficient ecosystem, which may look like a defensive posture but, in reality, is a statement of strength.
\n
With Washington pivoting toward "freedom-driven" AI and deregulation under the framework of "Winning the Race: America's AI Action Plan", China offers an alternative governance vision, a vision rooted in multilateral norms, government-led coordination and inclusion of all, including marginalized countries.
\n
This initiative aligns with earlier Chinese initiatives, such as the Global Civilization Initiative and the Global Development Initiative. China's proposal at the WAIC is a counterweight to the US' framework for AI development. Instead of Washington and high-tech giants setting the norms, China proposed that an international body shoulder the responsibility of guiding and regulating AI development.
\n
If China's open-source, inclusive AI development model wins wider endorsement, the US may have to rethink its tech-first, deregulation-driven posture on AI, and US policymakers and firms could be compelled to engage in more inclusive and multilateral endeavors to stay influential.
\n
A global AI governance body will set the technical standards, certification regimes, safety frameworks and norms that companies in the US and other Western countries will need to adhere to. If participation becomes a de facto requirement for accessing the market, the US could find itself playing defensive in standard- and norm-setting.
\n
This shift could turn the AI race from one about technological leadership to a contest of visions and values: whether AI should be regulated by multiple government-led mechanisms or by a decentralized, market-centric US-led coalition. The outcome may define which governance model global actors, including the European Union and India, prefer.
\n
China's proposal shows AI governance at present is fragmented because different governments have set different rules for AI, and AI companies are following their own rules. A global body could harmonize the rules, resolve the conflicts over data flow, safety testing, ethics, transparency and equitable access — fields for which no unified set of rules exists.
\n
By including developing countries in its AI governance plan, China is trying to meet an important unmet demand. Many governments lack the capability of ensuring complete AI safely. A global body could help them do so.
\n
Whether the China-proposed multilateral AI governing body and the US-led Western organization such as the Paris AI Action Summit's initiative early this year, converge or will compete with each other will decide whether their AI governance models will align or remain fragmented. China's proposal includes AI safety mechanisms in a 13-point plan (including dialogue on technology under the United Nations' framework). This could help set up internationally accepted guardrails to eliminate misinformation and bias, remove risks, and ensure autonomy, all overdue measures in global AI governance.
\n
The true strength of China's proposal lies in its effective implementation. Will China's proposal help set meaningful standards, and strengthen enforcement and capacity-building, or will it remain primarily symbolic?
\n
The announcement of a global AI governance body, backed by action plans and open-source commitment, marks a pivotal moment — not just in technological competition but also in institutional competition — which will determine how the AI era is governed. For China, the proposal signals its readiness to help shape global AI governance and anchor its leadership in multilateral diplomacy. For the US, it is both a challenge and an opportunity to change its approach beyond competition, re-engage in global governance, and offer an alternative model rooted in openness and shared values.
\n
Ultimately the future of AI governance may rest less on whose CPUs or GPUs are fastest and more on whose values and institutions shape the rules of the machine.
\n
The views don't necessarily reflect those of China Daily.
The sound of music broke the quietness in the village one evening, prompting my wife and me to walk to the community square to find the source of the soulful music. A big van was parked just before the village square, around which a dozen or so people were getting ready for a show. On both sides of the van were printed some Chinese characters, which in English roughly mean: "Spreading culture to rural areas".
\n
Following one of the hosts' brief introduction, the show began on a platform against the backdrop of the setting sun. The performances included dancing, singing, a model show, rap, and playing musical instruments. With villagers gradually joining, the audience at its peak included about 100 villagers.
\n
"We've been organizing such cultural events for many years, and every year we visit villages to entertain villagers," said Liu Wei, deputy director of the mass culture center of Fuyuan, a border city in Heilongjiang province. The city of Fuyuan is about 50 kilometers away from our fishing village called Zhuaji, which, being China's easternmost village in Heilongjiang, is cool in summer. My wife and I have been living in the village to escape the heat and noise of the capital.
\n
The event was part of the country's efforts to better meet rural people's cultural, scientific and technological, and healthcare needs. Since 1996, the central authorities have been dispatching performers, university students and doctors to rural areas to promote rural development, which has earned the event the name sansong, or sending culture, science and health to the rural areas.
\n
Rural residents enjoy the high-standard performances in the village, or read in village libraries stocked with donated books and computers. Students and their teachers visit the villages during their vacation, bringing with them scientific and technological know-how, and doctors frequently travel to villages to provide free on-the-spot diagnosis or medical checkups.
\n
The number of people and volunteers involved in such activities is hard to calculate, though we know that every province, city and county government is obligated to send performers to rural areas several times a year. In fact, one university alone could organize a few thousand students to help farmers.
\n
Governments at different levels support the sansong program by providing transportation and some equipment for the volunteers. According to Liu Wei, the performers "don't care about money. They feel honored to get the chance to entertain villagers. It's their enthusiasm that has kept us going".
\n
Despite the performers' enthusiasm, the fact that most of them are "retired" amateur artists means their performances are not up to the expectations of rural residents. When the first groups of performers were dispatched to villages nearly 30 years ago, they were much better received by the villagers, because TV was not yet popular among rural households and people were thirsty for entertainment. But things have changed because of not only TV channels but also smartphones and social media.
\n
In some less-developed areas, the lack of financial support has either led to complete abandonment of the sansong program or drastically reduced the number of activities. To keep the program going, some troupes are now selling advertisements and luring audiences to buy what they promote on the stage, which goes against the original intention of the sansong program.
\n
Nearly three decades after it started, the sansong program's achievements and failures should be thoroughly analyzed, and loopholes plugged.
\n
Perhaps, it's time to redesign cultural activities both in form and content to meet the rising requirements of villagers. Emphasis should be laid on the message a performance sends, not on formalism. Also, enough funds should be allocated to make the sansong program more attractive and thought-provoking. Commercial and industrial enterprises' sponsorship should be allowed, but only after due analysis. The idea should be to ensure sufficient financial support but on condition that the sponsors do not meddle with the performances or the message they convey.
\n
It was completely dark when the performers in Zhuaji village loaded their lights and acoustic equipment on their van. As they began to drive into the darkness, my wife and I joined the villagers to bid farewell to them, by saying "welcome back again".
\n
kangbing@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
Kang Bing
\n\n
The sound of music broke the quietness in the village one evening, prompting my wife and me to walk to the community square to find the source of the soulful music. A big van was parked just before the village square, around which a dozen or so people were getting ready for a show. On both sides of the van were printed some Chinese characters, which in English roughly mean: "Spreading culture to rural areas".
\n
Following one of the hosts' brief introduction, the show began on a platform against the backdrop of the setting sun. The performances included dancing, singing, a model show, rap, and playing musical instruments. With villagers gradually joining, the audience at its peak included about 100 villagers.
\n
"We've been organizing such cultural events for many years, and every year we visit villages to entertain villagers," said Liu Wei, deputy director of the mass culture center of Fuyuan, a border city in Heilongjiang province. The city of Fuyuan is about 50 kilometers away from our fishing village called Zhuaji, which, being China's easternmost village in Heilongjiang, is cool in summer. My wife and I have been living in the village to escape the heat and noise of the capital.
\n
The event was part of the country's efforts to better meet rural people's cultural, scientific and technological, and healthcare needs. Since 1996, the central authorities have been dispatching performers, university students and doctors to rural areas to promote rural development, which has earned the event the name sansong, or sending culture, science and health to the rural areas.
\n
Rural residents enjoy the high-standard performances in the village, or read in village libraries stocked with donated books and computers. Students and their teachers visit the villages during their vacation, bringing with them scientific and technological know-how, and doctors frequently travel to villages to provide free on-the-spot diagnosis or medical checkups.
\n
The number of people and volunteers involved in such activities is hard to calculate, though we know that every province, city and county government is obligated to send performers to rural areas several times a year. In fact, one university alone could organize a few thousand students to help farmers.
\n
Governments at different levels support the sansong program by providing transportation and some equipment for the volunteers. According to Liu Wei, the performers "don't care about money. They feel honored to get the chance to entertain villagers. It's their enthusiasm that has kept us going".
\n
Despite the performers' enthusiasm, the fact that most of them are "retired" amateur artists means their performances are not up to the expectations of rural residents. When the first groups of performers were dispatched to villages nearly 30 years ago, they were much better received by the villagers, because TV was not yet popular among rural households and people were thirsty for entertainment. But things have changed because of not only TV channels but also smartphones and social media.
\n
In some less-developed areas, the lack of financial support has either led to complete abandonment of the sansong program or drastically reduced the number of activities. To keep the program going, some troupes are now selling advertisements and luring audiences to buy what they promote on the stage, which goes against the original intention of the sansong program.
\n
Nearly three decades after it started, the sansong program's achievements and failures should be thoroughly analyzed, and loopholes plugged.
\n
Perhaps, it's time to redesign cultural activities both in form and content to meet the rising requirements of villagers. Emphasis should be laid on the message a performance sends, not on formalism. Also, enough funds should be allocated to make the sansong program more attractive and thought-provoking. Commercial and industrial enterprises' sponsorship should be allowed, but only after due analysis. The idea should be to ensure sufficient financial support but on condition that the sponsors do not meddle with the performances or the message they convey.
\n
It was completely dark when the performers in Zhuaji village loaded their lights and acoustic equipment on their van. As they began to drive into the darkness, my wife and I joined the villagers to bid farewell to them, by saying "welcome back again".
The Middle East has borne the brunt of US foreign policy as the administration's capricious decision-making diplomacy has further destabilized the region, undermined peace prospects, and reinforced Washington's hegemonic grip, experts say.
\n
During the election campaign, United States President Donald Trump emphasized the need to end the conflict in Gaza. And in his inauguration speech, he highlighted his intention to bring lasting peace to the region.
\n
However, within hours of taking office, the Trump administration signed an executive order imposing a 90-day halt on all foreign development aid, with exceptions only for emergency food relief and military assistance to Israel and Egypt.
\n
In February, the US government proposed to "take over" the Gaza Strip, relocate the Palestinian population, and transform it into the "Riviera of the Middle East", which was widely condemned as a plan for "mass expulsion".
\n
Earlier this month, an expansion of the US — and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation was unveiled to quadruple food distribution sites across the enclave. However, funding remained unclear and the initiative drew sharp humanitarian and safety critiques, The Washington Post reported.
\n
On Aug 8, Israel's security cabinet approved a plan to seize Gaza City, following Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's call to take control of the entire Palestinian territory. When asked about supporting the occupation, Trump gave no clear answer, signaling reluctance to use US influence to limit Israeli military moves, experts said.
\n
Beyond Gaza, the Trump administration's policies have fueled wider regional instability.
\n
Since April, the US has held a series of nuclear negotiations with Iran, aiming to address Tehran's uranium enrichment activities. These talks, spanning about 60 days, went nowhere.
\n
Meanwhile, Israel carried out a series of airstrikes on Iran's nuclear sites starting from June 13, which were strongly retaliated against by the Iranian side. The US had been providing defensive support to Israel, such as intercepting Iranian missiles and drones.
\n
Later on June 22, amid heightened Israel-Iran tensions, the US bombed three Iranian nuclear sites, which was widely denounced as a violation of the United Nations Charter and international law.
\n
This escalation has strained US relations with Iran, leading to Iran's suspension of cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency and complicating efforts to revive nuclear negotiations.
\n
Hindering cooperation
\n
Such military escalations and erratic policy shifts have deepened regional instability and strained the fragile fabric of international cooperation, underscoring the US failure to play a constructive mediating role in the Middle East, experts said.
\n
Ross Harrison, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute in Washington and the author of Decoding Iran's Foreign Policy, said shifting demands from the Trump administration often complicate the situation.
\n
During 60 days of Iran-US nuclear talks, the administration's mixed signals — shifting from asking Iran to own "no nuclear weapon" to "no enrichment at all" — became a red line for Tehran and stalled progress, Harrison said.
\n
"The mixed messaging, combined with the president's impatience, complicated negotiations."
\n
He described the Trump administration's military actions as "surgical strikes", noting the lack of a long-term Middle East policy.
\n
"The US should avoid 'forever wars', because such interventions neither benefit the region nor serve its own interests," he said.
\n
Ding Jun, director of the Middle East Studies Institute at Shanghai International Studies University, said the US administration's actions reveal the absence of a coherent strategy for the Middle East.
\n
"It highlights the Trump administration's shortcomings in diplomacy, notably the lack of a long-term vision, while reinforcing a hegemonic mindset," Ding said.
\n
No clear results
\n
In a recent report published by the Middle East Institute, senior fellow Brian Katulis said Trump's erratic and unpredictable leadership style has failed to deliver clear results across the broader Middle East.
\n
The administration's three-phase plan to maintain a Gaza ceasefire collapsed, while its direct talks with Hamas yielded little. Trump's stance on Israel's possible occupation of Gaza "underscored his passivity" in ending the conflict, the report said.
\n
Harrison said the US has largely lost the ability and credibility to mediate the conflict, adding that he sees neither the willingness nor the capacity in the current administration to take on the role.
\n
Meanwhile, he emphasized that Trump possesses leverage over Israel. "If he doesn't use it to promote peace, halt settlement expansion or curb Israeli military actions in the West Bank, global perceptions will likely view US policy as merely aligning with Israel's every move," he said.
\n
Nevertheless, it is still early to tell whether Trump will leverage his support for Israel's military campaign to gain concessions, he said.
\n
Yan Wei, deputy director of the Institute of Middle Eastern Studies at China's Northwest University, said US influence in the Middle East is waning. Yet, Israel remains "a cornerstone of its hard-line strategy" that Washington "cannot afford to lose".
\n
Trump has long been a staunch supporter of Netanyahu's military campaign in Gaza, emphasizing Israel's "right to defend itself" while condemning Hamas as a "terrorist organization", Yan said.
\n
When Israel was seeking to drive Gaza residents from their homes by worsening the humanitarian crisis, the US has taken little tangible action to intervene, which showed the Trump administration's indifference to such disasters, he said.
\n
"Although some voices in his administration have privately criticized Netanyahu, the alliance is still expected to remain strong."
\n
Ding from Shanghai said, "For Trump, balancing the competing priorities of 'America first' and 'Israel first' poses a complex challenge."
\n
The US administration is unlikely to take meaningful steps to advance peace and stability in the Middle East, Ding said, as it insists on pursuing power politics and hegemony in the region.
\n
"History and reality have shown that lasting solutions to flashpoints such as the Iranian nuclear issue require abandoning hegemonic thinking and embracing political dialogue grounded in mutual respect, not the reflexive use or threat of force," he said.
\n
Katulis said that the US and Israeli leadership should look beyond the management of the current crisis to define and pursue a clearer, more positive outcome through diplomacy, rather than more conflicts and wars.
\n
Agencies contributed to this story.
\n
liujianqiao@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "\n
Online See more by scanning the code.
\n
The Middle East has borne the brunt of US foreign policy as the administration's capricious decision-making diplomacy has further destabilized the region, undermined peace prospects, and reinforced Washington's hegemonic grip, experts say.
\n
During the election campaign, United States President Donald Trump emphasized the need to end the conflict in Gaza. And in his inauguration speech, he highlighted his intention to bring lasting peace to the region.
\n
However, within hours of taking office, the Trump administration signed an executive order imposing a 90-day halt on all foreign development aid, with exceptions only for emergency food relief and military assistance to Israel and Egypt.
\n
In February, the US government proposed to "take over" the Gaza Strip, relocate the Palestinian population, and transform it into the "Riviera of the Middle East", which was widely condemned as a plan for "mass expulsion".
\n
Earlier this month, an expansion of the US — and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation was unveiled to quadruple food distribution sites across the enclave. However, funding remained unclear and the initiative drew sharp humanitarian and safety critiques, The Washington Post reported.
\n
On Aug 8, Israel's security cabinet approved a plan to seize Gaza City, following Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's call to take control of the entire Palestinian territory. When asked about supporting the occupation, Trump gave no clear answer, signaling reluctance to use US influence to limit Israeli military moves, experts said.
\n
Beyond Gaza, the Trump administration's policies have fueled wider regional instability.
\n
Since April, the US has held a series of nuclear negotiations with Iran, aiming to address Tehran's uranium enrichment activities. These talks, spanning about 60 days, went nowhere.
\n
Meanwhile, Israel carried out a series of airstrikes on Iran's nuclear sites starting from June 13, which were strongly retaliated against by the Iranian side. The US had been providing defensive support to Israel, such as intercepting Iranian missiles and drones.
\n
Later on June 22, amid heightened Israel-Iran tensions, the US bombed three Iranian nuclear sites, which was widely denounced as a violation of the United Nations Charter and international law.
\n
This escalation has strained US relations with Iran, leading to Iran's suspension of cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency and complicating efforts to revive nuclear negotiations.
\n
Hindering cooperation
\n
Such military escalations and erratic policy shifts have deepened regional instability and strained the fragile fabric of international cooperation, underscoring the US failure to play a constructive mediating role in the Middle East, experts said.
\n
Ross Harrison, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute in Washington and the author of Decoding Iran's Foreign Policy, said shifting demands from the Trump administration often complicate the situation.
\n
During 60 days of Iran-US nuclear talks, the administration's mixed signals — shifting from asking Iran to own "no nuclear weapon" to "no enrichment at all" — became a red line for Tehran and stalled progress, Harrison said.
\n
"The mixed messaging, combined with the president's impatience, complicated negotiations."
\n
He described the Trump administration's military actions as "surgical strikes", noting the lack of a long-term Middle East policy.
\n
"The US should avoid 'forever wars', because such interventions neither benefit the region nor serve its own interests," he said.
\n
Ding Jun, director of the Middle East Studies Institute at Shanghai International Studies University, said the US administration's actions reveal the absence of a coherent strategy for the Middle East.
\n
"It highlights the Trump administration's shortcomings in diplomacy, notably the lack of a long-term vision, while reinforcing a hegemonic mindset," Ding said.
\n
No clear results
\n
In a recent report published by the Middle East Institute, senior fellow Brian Katulis said Trump's erratic and unpredictable leadership style has failed to deliver clear results across the broader Middle East.
\n
The administration's three-phase plan to maintain a Gaza ceasefire collapsed, while its direct talks with Hamas yielded little. Trump's stance on Israel's possible occupation of Gaza "underscored his passivity" in ending the conflict, the report said.
\n
Harrison said the US has largely lost the ability and credibility to mediate the conflict, adding that he sees neither the willingness nor the capacity in the current administration to take on the role.
\n
Meanwhile, he emphasized that Trump possesses leverage over Israel. "If he doesn't use it to promote peace, halt settlement expansion or curb Israeli military actions in the West Bank, global perceptions will likely view US policy as merely aligning with Israel's every move," he said.
\n
Nevertheless, it is still early to tell whether Trump will leverage his support for Israel's military campaign to gain concessions, he said.
\n
Yan Wei, deputy director of the Institute of Middle Eastern Studies at China's Northwest University, said US influence in the Middle East is waning. Yet, Israel remains "a cornerstone of its hard-line strategy" that Washington "cannot afford to lose".
\n
Trump has long been a staunch supporter of Netanyahu's military campaign in Gaza, emphasizing Israel's "right to defend itself" while condemning Hamas as a "terrorist organization", Yan said.
\n
When Israel was seeking to drive Gaza residents from their homes by worsening the humanitarian crisis, the US has taken little tangible action to intervene, which showed the Trump administration's indifference to such disasters, he said.
\n
"Although some voices in his administration have privately criticized Netanyahu, the alliance is still expected to remain strong."
\n
Ding from Shanghai said, "For Trump, balancing the competing priorities of 'America first' and 'Israel first' poses a complex challenge."
\n
The US administration is unlikely to take meaningful steps to advance peace and stability in the Middle East, Ding said, as it insists on pursuing power politics and hegemony in the region.
\n
"History and reality have shown that lasting solutions to flashpoints such as the Iranian nuclear issue require abandoning hegemonic thinking and embracing political dialogue grounded in mutual respect, not the reflexive use or threat of force," he said.
\n
Katulis said that the US and Israeli leadership should look beyond the management of the current crisis to define and pursue a clearer, more positive outcome through diplomacy, rather than more conflicts and wars.
Rescuers search through the rubble for survivors after a magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck the Sindirgi District of Balikesir, Turkiye, on Sunday, killing at least one person and injuring 29. The quake toppled 16 buildings in Sindirgi and nearby areas, four of which were inhabited, according to the interior minister.
Rescuers search through the rubble for survivors after a magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck the Sindirgi District of Balikesir, Turkiye, on Sunday, killing at least one person and injuring 29. The quake toppled 16 buildings in Sindirgi and nearby areas, four of which were inhabited, according to the interior minister.
The United Kingdom has launched a major crackdown on people working illegally in the country.
\n
The initiative, which also focused on disreputable companies employing people illegally, led to hundreds of arrests.
\n
The Home Office, which is the UK's interior ministry, said enforcement officers spoke to 1,780 people, many of them delivery drivers, during the initial weeklong crackdown between July 20 and 27.
\n
The office said 280 of them were subsequently arrested, with many having been identified as asylum-seekers who had claimed refugee status in the UK and who were, therefore, supported by the government and not allowed to work.
\n
It said 89 people from among those who were arrested during the operation carried out in parts of London and Birmingham in England, and in Dumfries, Scotland, were detained pending removal from the UK. Additionally, 53 people have had their status reviewed and may be removed as a result.
\n
Police officers also seized 71 vehicles during the crackdown, including 58 e-bikes.
\n
Minister of State for Border Security and Asylum Angela Eagle said: "Illegal working undermines our border security and we're cracking down hard on it. That's why we have intensified our enforcement activity right across the UK, to crack down on those who think they can evade immigration and employment laws in the UK."
\n
The crackdown was centered on industries that are well-known for employing people illegally, which include those in the so-called gig economy, in which people are hooked up with short-term jobs via online platforms, and delivery drivers.
\n
Fifty-one businesses, including several car washes and restaurants, were given penalty notices and could now be fined for illegally employing people who were not entitled to work in the UK. The fines could be as much as 60,000 pounds ($80,830) for each illegal worker they hired.
\n
Eagle and Justin Madders, the parliamentary undersecretary of state for employment rights, competition and markets, also sat down with representatives from delivery companies, including Deliveroo, Uber Eats and Just Eat, to talk about how illegal working could be discouraged within the sector.
\n
Asylum-seekers are usually not allowed to work in the UK while their claims are being processed. If they are subsequently granted refugee status, they are usually then given permission to work.
\n
The UK government has said it believes the ease with which people have been able to work illegally has been among the pull factors that have encouraged people to illegally enter the country on small boats to claim refugee status. It said mitigating that pull factor was one of the reasons it launched the crackdown.
\n
By the end of last month, more than 25,000 people had entered the UK illegally on small boats this year to claim asylum.
\n
earle@mail.chinadailyuk.com
\n",
+ "content": "
The United Kingdom has launched a major crackdown on people working illegally in the country.
\n
The initiative, which also focused on disreputable companies employing people illegally, led to hundreds of arrests.
\n
The Home Office, which is the UK's interior ministry, said enforcement officers spoke to 1,780 people, many of them delivery drivers, during the initial weeklong crackdown between July 20 and 27.
\n
The office said 280 of them were subsequently arrested, with many having been identified as asylum-seekers who had claimed refugee status in the UK and who were, therefore, supported by the government and not allowed to work.
\n
It said 89 people from among those who were arrested during the operation carried out in parts of London and Birmingham in England, and in Dumfries, Scotland, were detained pending removal from the UK. Additionally, 53 people have had their status reviewed and may be removed as a result.
\n
Police officers also seized 71 vehicles during the crackdown, including 58 e-bikes.
\n
Minister of State for Border Security and Asylum Angela Eagle said: "Illegal working undermines our border security and we're cracking down hard on it. That's why we have intensified our enforcement activity right across the UK, to crack down on those who think they can evade immigration and employment laws in the UK."
\n
The crackdown was centered on industries that are well-known for employing people illegally, which include those in the so-called gig economy, in which people are hooked up with short-term jobs via online platforms, and delivery drivers.
\n
Fifty-one businesses, including several car washes and restaurants, were given penalty notices and could now be fined for illegally employing people who were not entitled to work in the UK. The fines could be as much as 60,000 pounds ($80,830) for each illegal worker they hired.
\n
Eagle and Justin Madders, the parliamentary undersecretary of state for employment rights, competition and markets, also sat down with representatives from delivery companies, including Deliveroo, Uber Eats and Just Eat, to talk about how illegal working could be discouraged within the sector.
\n
Asylum-seekers are usually not allowed to work in the UK while their claims are being processed. If they are subsequently granted refugee status, they are usually then given permission to work.
\n
The UK government has said it believes the ease with which people have been able to work illegally has been among the pull factors that have encouraged people to illegally enter the country on small boats to claim refugee status. It said mitigating that pull factor was one of the reasons it launched the crackdown.
\n
By the end of last month, more than 25,000 people had entered the UK illegally on small boats this year to claim asylum.
A man cools his son with water at their home south of Hillah, Iraq, on Sunday, as the country grapples with soaring summer temperatures, water shortages and power cuts.
\n",
+ "content": "
A man cools his son with water at their home south of Hillah, Iraq, on Sunday, as the country grapples with soaring summer temperatures, water shortages and power cuts.
Colombia's President Gustavo Petro on Sunday urged Latin American countries to safeguard regional sovereignty against possible United States military action targeting drug cartels. "Any military operation that is not approved by our sister countries is an attack on Latin America and the Caribbean," Petro wrote on X. His warning followed a New York Times report that US President Donald Trump had signed an executive order authorizing the Pentagon to conduct operations against drug cartels in the region. Petro said he had ordered the military to defend the country from foreign incursions and voiced support for Venezuela to do the same.
\n
DPRK
\n
Upcoming US-ROK drill denounced
\n
The Democratic People's Republic of Korea's defense chief, No Kwangchol, has condemned a large-scale joint military exercise between the United States and the Republic of Korea set for Aug 18, calling it a serious challenge to security on the Korean Peninsula, the Korean Central News Agency reported on Monday. In a statement, No said the Ulchi Freedom Shield drill, staged under simulated nuclear war conditions, amounts to a direct provocation and heightens instability in the region. He accused Washington and Seoul of pursuing military confrontation and warned of "negative consequences".
\n",
+ "content": "
COLOMBIA
\n
Petro warns against Trump move in region
\n
Colombia's President Gustavo Petro on Sunday urged Latin American countries to safeguard regional sovereignty against possible United States military action targeting drug cartels. "Any military operation that is not approved by our sister countries is an attack on Latin America and the Caribbean," Petro wrote on X. His warning followed a New York Times report that US President Donald Trump had signed an executive order authorizing the Pentagon to conduct operations against drug cartels in the region. Petro said he had ordered the military to defend the country from foreign incursions and voiced support for Venezuela to do the same.
\n
DPRK
\n
Upcoming US-ROK drill denounced
\n
The Democratic People's Republic of Korea's defense chief, No Kwangchol, has condemned a large-scale joint military exercise between the United States and the Republic of Korea set for Aug 18, calling it a serious challenge to security on the Korean Peninsula, the Korean Central News Agency reported on Monday. In a statement, No said the Ulchi Freedom Shield drill, staged under simulated nuclear war conditions, amounts to a direct provocation and heightens instability in the region. He accused Washington and Seoul of pursuing military confrontation and warned of "negative consequences".
People hold a placard reading "No to the Bridge" as they protest against the Strait of Messina Bridge project in Messina, Italy, on Saturday.
\n
Large-scale demonstrations have erupted in Sicily after the Italian government approved plans for what would be the world's longest single-span bridge, connecting the island to the mainland.
\n
The project has been discussed for decades and won backing last week from a government committee, with Transport Minister Matteo Salvini hailing it as "the biggest infrastructure project in the West", which is hoped to provide a major economic boost and thousands of new jobs for Italy's impoverished south.
\n
On Saturday, as many as 10,000 people marched in Messina to register their opposition to the 13.5 billion euro ($15.7 billion) project. Construction of the 3-kilometer Strait of Messina Bridge is scheduled to commence next spring and take seven years — fully funded with public money — for completion.
\n
Salvini said the bridge would cut travel across the strait from a ferry journey of up to 100 minutes to a 10-minute drive, surpassing Turkiye's Canakkale Bridge as the world's longest suspension bridge by 1,277 meters — a route he dubbed "a metro over the strait".
\n
However, there is opposition on several grounds, including the environmental effect, forced evictions for construction — which local residents have vowed to resist — the fear of corruption around the awarding of contracts, and the seismic risk in the region.
\n
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni described the bridge project as "not easy work, but it is an investment in Italy's present and future, a difficult but sensible challenge", adding that it was "a strategic infrastructure for the development of Southern Italy and the entire country".
\n
The project could end up being classified as a piece of defense infrastructure, allowing for quicker deployment of troops to southern areas of NATO — which would help Italy enhance its contribution toward defense expenditure, as is expected of all NATO members. But the fact that this could potentially make it a high-risk security target gives opponents of the bridge another reason to reject it.
\n
"They could offer me three times the value of my house, but that doesn't matter to me," 75-year-old Mariolina De Francesco, whose house stands near the site of one of the bridge's proposed land towers, told The Associated Press.
\n
"What matters is the landscape. They must not touch the Strait of Messina … our lawyers will take action, and we will stop them. That's guaranteed."
\n
julian@mail.chinadailyuk.com
\n",
+ "content": "
People hold a placard reading "No to the Bridge" as they protest against the Strait of Messina Bridge project in Messina, Italy, on Saturday.
\n
Large-scale demonstrations have erupted in Sicily after the Italian government approved plans for what would be the world's longest single-span bridge, connecting the island to the mainland.
\n
The project has been discussed for decades and won backing last week from a government committee, with Transport Minister Matteo Salvini hailing it as "the biggest infrastructure project in the West", which is hoped to provide a major economic boost and thousands of new jobs for Italy's impoverished south.
\n
On Saturday, as many as 10,000 people marched in Messina to register their opposition to the 13.5 billion euro ($15.7 billion) project. Construction of the 3-kilometer Strait of Messina Bridge is scheduled to commence next spring and take seven years — fully funded with public money — for completion.
\n
Salvini said the bridge would cut travel across the strait from a ferry journey of up to 100 minutes to a 10-minute drive, surpassing Turkiye's Canakkale Bridge as the world's longest suspension bridge by 1,277 meters — a route he dubbed "a metro over the strait".
\n
However, there is opposition on several grounds, including the environmental effect, forced evictions for construction — which local residents have vowed to resist — the fear of corruption around the awarding of contracts, and the seismic risk in the region.
\n
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni described the bridge project as "not easy work, but it is an investment in Italy's present and future, a difficult but sensible challenge", adding that it was "a strategic infrastructure for the development of Southern Italy and the entire country".
\n
The project could end up being classified as a piece of defense infrastructure, allowing for quicker deployment of troops to southern areas of NATO — which would help Italy enhance its contribution toward defense expenditure, as is expected of all NATO members. But the fact that this could potentially make it a high-risk security target gives opponents of the bridge another reason to reject it.
\n
"They could offer me three times the value of my house, but that doesn't matter to me," 75-year-old Mariolina De Francesco, whose house stands near the site of one of the bridge's proposed land towers, told The Associated Press.
\n
"What matters is the landscape. They must not touch the Strait of Messina … our lawyers will take action, and we will stop them. That's guaranteed."
Ukrainian soldiers fire at Russian strike drones in Dnipropetrovsk region, Ukraine, on Sunday.
\n
WASHINGTON/BRUSSELS — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky won diplomatic backing from Europe and the NATO alliance on Sunday ahead of a Russia-US summit this week, where Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump are due to discuss a possible ceasefire for a conflict now in its fourth year.
\n
Trump, who for weeks had been threatening new sanctions against Russia for failing to halt the fighting, announced instead that he would meet Putin in Alaska.
\n
A White House official has said Trump is open to Zelensky attending but preparations are underway for only a bilateral meeting.
\n
The Kremlin leader last week ruled out meeting Zelensky, saying conditions for such an encounter were "unfortunately still far" from being met.
\n
US Vice-President JD Vance said on Sunday that Washington was working to "schedule" a meeting between Trump and his Russian and Ukrainian counterparts.
\n
"One of the most important logjams is that Vladimir Putin said that he would never sit down with Zelensky, the head of Ukraine, and the president has now got that to change," Vance said during an interview on Fox News program Sunday Morning Futures.
\n
"We're at a point now where we're trying to figure out, frankly, scheduling and things like that around when these three leaders could sit down and discuss an end to this conflict," Vance said when asked about his expectations for the summit.
\n
The vice-president said the United States was going to "try to find some negotiated settlement that the Ukrainians and Russians can live with".
\n
Vance added: "It's not going to make anybody super happy, both the Russians and the Ukrainians probably at the end of the day are going to be unhappy with it."
\n
Over the weekend, the leaders of Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Finland and the European Commission said any diplomatic solution must protect the security interests of Ukraine and Europe.
\n
"Any deal between the US and Russia must have Ukraine and the EU included, for it is a matter of Ukraine's and the whole of Europe's security," EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on Sunday.
\n
EU foreign ministers were due to meet on Monday to discuss next steps, she said.
\n
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte told US network ABC News that Friday's summit "will be, of course, about security guarantees, but also about the absolute need to acknowledge that Ukraine decides on its own future".
\n
Zelensky said on Sunday: "The end of the war must be fair, and I am grateful to everyone who stands with Ukraine and our people today."
\n
Counterproposal made
\n
A European official said Europe had come up with a counterproposal to Trump's, but declined to provide details. Russian officials accused Europe of trying to thwart Trump's efforts to end the fighting.
\n
Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev said on social media that European leaders were obstructing US attempts to mediate in the Ukraine conflict.
\n
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova also criticized Ukraine-EU relations in a sharply worded statement.
\n
Ukraine and its European allies have been haunted for months by the fear that Trump, keen to claim credit for making peace, could cut a deal that would be deeply disadvantageous to Kyiv.
\n
Ukrainian political analyst Volodymyr Fesenko said on Sunday that Kyiv's partnership with its European allies was critical to counter any attempts to keep it away from the table.
\n
On the front lines, Russian air defense systems downed seven Ukrainian drones en route to Russia's capital overnight and on Monday morning, Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin said on his Telegram channel.
\n
Three people were killed in Ukrainian overnight drone attacks targeting the Tula and Nizhny Novgorod regions, as well as Moscow, Russia's regional official and the defense ministry said on Monday.
\n",
+ "content": "
Ukrainian soldiers fire at Russian strike drones in Dnipropetrovsk region, Ukraine, on Sunday.
\n
WASHINGTON/BRUSSELS — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky won diplomatic backing from Europe and the NATO alliance on Sunday ahead of a Russia-US summit this week, where Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump are due to discuss a possible ceasefire for a conflict now in its fourth year.
\n
Trump, who for weeks had been threatening new sanctions against Russia for failing to halt the fighting, announced instead that he would meet Putin in Alaska.
\n
A White House official has said Trump is open to Zelensky attending but preparations are underway for only a bilateral meeting.
\n
The Kremlin leader last week ruled out meeting Zelensky, saying conditions for such an encounter were "unfortunately still far" from being met.
\n
US Vice-President JD Vance said on Sunday that Washington was working to "schedule" a meeting between Trump and his Russian and Ukrainian counterparts.
\n
"One of the most important logjams is that Vladimir Putin said that he would never sit down with Zelensky, the head of Ukraine, and the president has now got that to change," Vance said during an interview on Fox News program Sunday Morning Futures.
\n
"We're at a point now where we're trying to figure out, frankly, scheduling and things like that around when these three leaders could sit down and discuss an end to this conflict," Vance said when asked about his expectations for the summit.
\n
The vice-president said the United States was going to "try to find some negotiated settlement that the Ukrainians and Russians can live with".
\n
Vance added: "It's not going to make anybody super happy, both the Russians and the Ukrainians probably at the end of the day are going to be unhappy with it."
\n
Over the weekend, the leaders of Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Finland and the European Commission said any diplomatic solution must protect the security interests of Ukraine and Europe.
\n
"Any deal between the US and Russia must have Ukraine and the EU included, for it is a matter of Ukraine's and the whole of Europe's security," EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on Sunday.
\n
EU foreign ministers were due to meet on Monday to discuss next steps, she said.
\n
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte told US network ABC News that Friday's summit "will be, of course, about security guarantees, but also about the absolute need to acknowledge that Ukraine decides on its own future".
\n
Zelensky said on Sunday: "The end of the war must be fair, and I am grateful to everyone who stands with Ukraine and our people today."
\n
Counterproposal made
\n
A European official said Europe had come up with a counterproposal to Trump's, but declined to provide details. Russian officials accused Europe of trying to thwart Trump's efforts to end the fighting.
\n
Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev said on social media that European leaders were obstructing US attempts to mediate in the Ukraine conflict.
\n
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova also criticized Ukraine-EU relations in a sharply worded statement.
\n
Ukraine and its European allies have been haunted for months by the fear that Trump, keen to claim credit for making peace, could cut a deal that would be deeply disadvantageous to Kyiv.
\n
Ukrainian political analyst Volodymyr Fesenko said on Sunday that Kyiv's partnership with its European allies was critical to counter any attempts to keep it away from the table.
\n
On the front lines, Russian air defense systems downed seven Ukrainian drones en route to Russia's capital overnight and on Monday morning, Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin said on his Telegram channel.
\n
Three people were killed in Ukrainian overnight drone attacks targeting the Tula and Nizhny Novgorod regions, as well as Moscow, Russia's regional official and the defense ministry said on Monday.
Visitors look at Volkswagen cars at the 21st Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition in Shanghai on May 1.
\n
BERLIN — Since April, a sharp hike in US tariffs on EU-made vehicles has dealt a heavy blow to Europe's auto industry, causing steep declines in the profits of Germany's biggest carmakers and prompting them to seek opportunities in Asia.
\n
A recent deal between the EU and the United States lowered the tariff rate from 25 percent to 15 percent, easing immediate tensions. But experts warn the reprieve may be short-lived, as high export costs and lingering policy uncertainty continue to weigh on Germany's manufacturing sector and erode industry confidence.
\n
BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen — Germany's three largest automakers — all reported steep declines in profits in the first half of 2025, citing US tariffs as a major drag on earnings.
\n
BMW said group revenue fell 8.2 percent year-on-year, while net profit dropped 29 percent. The company pointed to elevated tariffs as a key factor behind weaker margins in its core auto business. Mercedes-Benz saw net income plunge from around 6.1 billion euros ($7.08 billion) a year ago to roughly 2.7 billion euros.
\n
Volkswagen Group reported a marginal 0.3 percent decline in sales revenue. Its premium brand, Porsche, was hit especially hard, incurring around 400 million euros in additional tariff-related costs in the first half alone.
\n
Despite the latest tariff cut, sentiment across the industry remains subdued. Several firms have already revised down their 2025 outlooks. Hildegard Mueller, president of the German Association of the Automotive Industry, or VDA, said the lower rate still leaves carmakers with billions of euros in added costs each year, a heavy burden as they navigate a pivotal transition toward electrification.
\n
According to the VDA, Germany exported around 450,000 vehicles to the United States in 2024. Over the same period, German carmakers produced more than 840,000 vehicles at US facilities, roughly half of which were exported globally. This cross-border production model is especially vulnerable to abrupt policy shifts.
\n
Since early 2024, several automakers and suppliers, including Ford, Stellantis, Volkswagen, ZF and Bosch, have announced layoffs or plant closures in Germany and other European countries.
\n
At the same time, German carmakers continue to trail their US and Chinese rivals in the race to electrification.
\n
Amid growing uncertainty and shifting trade policies in transatlantic markets, a growing number of German companies are pivoting to China, drawn by its regulatory stability and clearer growth outlook. Through local production, technology partnerships and targeted investment, automakers are seeking to strengthen their position in Asia and accelerate structural transformation.
\n
Arno Antlitz, Volkswagen's chief finance officer and chief operating officer, recently voiced strong confidence in expanding local platforms and battery partnerships in the Chinese market.
\n
BMW also announced a collaboration with Chinese tech firm Momenta to co-develop next-generation driver assistance systems tailored for local consumers.
\n
Joint innovation
\n
"This powerhouse collaboration, with China's wisdom, underpins BMW's strategy of 'In China, for China and co-creation at China speed', taking it to new heights," said Sean Green, president and CEO of BMW Group Region China, while stressing the importance of using complementary strengths and joint innovation to achieve breakthrough progress.
\n
"The future of the auto industry is in China," said Ferdinand Dudenhoeffer, a renowned German automotive expert. He urged expanding cooperation between German and Chinese players across the vehicle and supply chain landscape.
\n
BMW and Porsche offer performance advantages, while Mercedes-Benz leads in design and comfort, and all three are increasingly relying on China's edge in battery technology and scaled production to stay competitive, said Dudenhoeffer.
\n
As the recent US-EU tariff deal creates deep uncertainty for businesses, Michael Schumann, chairman of the German Federal Association for Economic Development and Foreign Trade, warned that the global trading system is under rising strain, with trade increasingly used as a geopolitical tool.
\n
In a fragmented global landscape, China may represent one of the pillars of regulatory stability for international firms, he said.
\n",
+ "content": "
Visitors look at Volkswagen cars at the 21st Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition in Shanghai on May 1.
\n
BERLIN — Since April, a sharp hike in US tariffs on EU-made vehicles has dealt a heavy blow to Europe's auto industry, causing steep declines in the profits of Germany's biggest carmakers and prompting them to seek opportunities in Asia.
\n
A recent deal between the EU and the United States lowered the tariff rate from 25 percent to 15 percent, easing immediate tensions. But experts warn the reprieve may be short-lived, as high export costs and lingering policy uncertainty continue to weigh on Germany's manufacturing sector and erode industry confidence.
\n
BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen — Germany's three largest automakers — all reported steep declines in profits in the first half of 2025, citing US tariffs as a major drag on earnings.
\n
BMW said group revenue fell 8.2 percent year-on-year, while net profit dropped 29 percent. The company pointed to elevated tariffs as a key factor behind weaker margins in its core auto business. Mercedes-Benz saw net income plunge from around 6.1 billion euros ($7.08 billion) a year ago to roughly 2.7 billion euros.
\n
Volkswagen Group reported a marginal 0.3 percent decline in sales revenue. Its premium brand, Porsche, was hit especially hard, incurring around 400 million euros in additional tariff-related costs in the first half alone.
\n
Despite the latest tariff cut, sentiment across the industry remains subdued. Several firms have already revised down their 2025 outlooks. Hildegard Mueller, president of the German Association of the Automotive Industry, or VDA, said the lower rate still leaves carmakers with billions of euros in added costs each year, a heavy burden as they navigate a pivotal transition toward electrification.
\n
According to the VDA, Germany exported around 450,000 vehicles to the United States in 2024. Over the same period, German carmakers produced more than 840,000 vehicles at US facilities, roughly half of which were exported globally. This cross-border production model is especially vulnerable to abrupt policy shifts.
\n
Since early 2024, several automakers and suppliers, including Ford, Stellantis, Volkswagen, ZF and Bosch, have announced layoffs or plant closures in Germany and other European countries.
\n
At the same time, German carmakers continue to trail their US and Chinese rivals in the race to electrification.
\n
Amid growing uncertainty and shifting trade policies in transatlantic markets, a growing number of German companies are pivoting to China, drawn by its regulatory stability and clearer growth outlook. Through local production, technology partnerships and targeted investment, automakers are seeking to strengthen their position in Asia and accelerate structural transformation.
\n
Arno Antlitz, Volkswagen's chief finance officer and chief operating officer, recently voiced strong confidence in expanding local platforms and battery partnerships in the Chinese market.
\n
BMW also announced a collaboration with Chinese tech firm Momenta to co-develop next-generation driver assistance systems tailored for local consumers.
\n
Joint innovation
\n
"This powerhouse collaboration, with China's wisdom, underpins BMW's strategy of 'In China, for China and co-creation at China speed', taking it to new heights," said Sean Green, president and CEO of BMW Group Region China, while stressing the importance of using complementary strengths and joint innovation to achieve breakthrough progress.
\n
"The future of the auto industry is in China," said Ferdinand Dudenhoeffer, a renowned German automotive expert. He urged expanding cooperation between German and Chinese players across the vehicle and supply chain landscape.
\n
BMW and Porsche offer performance advantages, while Mercedes-Benz leads in design and comfort, and all three are increasingly relying on China's edge in battery technology and scaled production to stay competitive, said Dudenhoeffer.
\n
As the recent US-EU tariff deal creates deep uncertainty for businesses, Michael Schumann, chairman of the German Federal Association for Economic Development and Foreign Trade, warned that the global trading system is under rising strain, with trade increasingly used as a geopolitical tool.
\n
In a fragmented global landscape, China may represent one of the pillars of regulatory stability for international firms, he said.
An unhoused person looks through belongings in Freedom Plaza, Washington, DC, on July 25.
\n
WASHINGTON — US President Donald Trump pledged on Sunday to evict homeless people from the nation's capital and jail criminals, despite Washington's mayor arguing there is no current spike in crime.
\n
While details of the plan were unclear, the administration is preparing to deploy hundreds of National Guard troops to Washington, a US official told Reuters, a controversial tactic Trump used recently in Los Angeles to tackle immigration protests despite objections from local officials.
\n
Trump has not made a final decision, the official said, adding that the number of troops and their role are still being determined.
\n
Unlike in California and every other state, where the governor typically decides when to activate National Guard troops, the president directly controls the National Guard in Washington, DC.
\n
Past instances of the Guard's deployment in the city include the response to the Jan 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol by a mob of Trump supporters.
\n
"The Homeless have to move out, IMMEDIATELY," Trump posted on his Truth Social platform. "We will give you places to stay, but FAR from the Capital. The Criminals, you don't have to move out. We're going to put you in jail where you belong."
\n
The White House declined to explain what legal authority Trump would use to evict people from Washington. The Republican president controls only federal land and buildings in the city.
\n
Washington is ranked 15th on a list of major US cities by homeless population, according to government statistics from last year.
\n
There are 3,782 single persons experiencing homelessness on any given night in the city of about 700,000, says the Community Partnership, an organization working to reduce homelessness in DC.
\n
Most such individuals are in emergency shelters or transitional housing, rather than on the street, it says.
\n
A White House official said on Friday that more federal law enforcement officers were being deployed in the city following a violent attack on a young administration staffer that angered the president.
\n
Alleged crimes investigated by federal agents on Friday night included "multiple persons carrying a pistol without license", motorists driving on suspended licenses and dirt bike riding, a White House official said on Sunday.
\n
The official said 450 federal law enforcement officers were deployed across the city on Saturday.
\n
The city's police department said violent crime was down 26 percent in DC in the first seven months of 2025, compared with last year, while overall crime was down about 7 percent.
\n
'No crime spike'
\n
The Democratic mayor of Washington, DC, Muriel Bowser, said on Sunday the capital was "not experiencing a crime spike".
\n
"It is true that we had a terrible spike in crime in 2023, but this is not 2023," Bowser said on MSNBC's The Weekend. "We have spent over the last two years driving down violent crime in this city, driving it down to a 30-year low."
\n
Bowser said Trump was "very aware" of the city's work with federal law enforcement after meeting him several weeks ago at the Oval Office.
\n
The US Congress has control of DC's budget after the district was established in 1790 with land from neighboring Virginia and Maryland, but resident voters elect the mayor and city council.
\n
For Trump to take over the city, it is likely that Congress would have to pass a law revoking the law that established local elected leadership.
An unhoused person looks through belongings in Freedom Plaza, Washington, DC, on July 25.
\n
WASHINGTON — US President Donald Trump pledged on Sunday to evict homeless people from the nation's capital and jail criminals, despite Washington's mayor arguing there is no current spike in crime.
\n
While details of the plan were unclear, the administration is preparing to deploy hundreds of National Guard troops to Washington, a US official told Reuters, a controversial tactic Trump used recently in Los Angeles to tackle immigration protests despite objections from local officials.
\n
Trump has not made a final decision, the official said, adding that the number of troops and their role are still being determined.
\n
Unlike in California and every other state, where the governor typically decides when to activate National Guard troops, the president directly controls the National Guard in Washington, DC.
\n
Past instances of the Guard's deployment in the city include the response to the Jan 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol by a mob of Trump supporters.
\n
"The Homeless have to move out, IMMEDIATELY," Trump posted on his Truth Social platform. "We will give you places to stay, but FAR from the Capital. The Criminals, you don't have to move out. We're going to put you in jail where you belong."
\n
The White House declined to explain what legal authority Trump would use to evict people from Washington. The Republican president controls only federal land and buildings in the city.
\n
Washington is ranked 15th on a list of major US cities by homeless population, according to government statistics from last year.
\n
There are 3,782 single persons experiencing homelessness on any given night in the city of about 700,000, says the Community Partnership, an organization working to reduce homelessness in DC.
\n
Most such individuals are in emergency shelters or transitional housing, rather than on the street, it says.
\n
A White House official said on Friday that more federal law enforcement officers were being deployed in the city following a violent attack on a young administration staffer that angered the president.
\n
Alleged crimes investigated by federal agents on Friday night included "multiple persons carrying a pistol without license", motorists driving on suspended licenses and dirt bike riding, a White House official said on Sunday.
\n
The official said 450 federal law enforcement officers were deployed across the city on Saturday.
\n
The city's police department said violent crime was down 26 percent in DC in the first seven months of 2025, compared with last year, while overall crime was down about 7 percent.
\n
'No crime spike'
\n
The Democratic mayor of Washington, DC, Muriel Bowser, said on Sunday the capital was "not experiencing a crime spike".
\n
"It is true that we had a terrible spike in crime in 2023, but this is not 2023," Bowser said on MSNBC's The Weekend. "We have spent over the last two years driving down violent crime in this city, driving it down to a 30-year low."
\n
Bowser said Trump was "very aware" of the city's work with federal law enforcement after meeting him several weeks ago at the Oval Office.
\n
The US Congress has control of DC's budget after the district was established in 1790 with land from neighboring Virginia and Maryland, but resident voters elect the mayor and city council.
\n
For Trump to take over the city, it is likely that Congress would have to pass a law revoking the law that established local elected leadership.
Canada and Mexico have pledged closer cooperation after high-level talks, aiming to present a united front to Washington on trade disputes.
\n
Canada and Mexico could gain leverage with Washington by working more closely, but their heavy reliance on the US market will limit the impact, said Julian Castro-Rea, a professor of political science at the University of Alberta.
\n
"There's no doubt about it," Castro-Rea said. "Mexico and Canada are formal trade partners within the CUSMA (the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement). Both countries have an advantage in teaming up to strengthen their bargaining positions vis-a-vis the US."
\n
Mexico and Canada ended two days of high-level diplomatic and trade talks on Wednesday in Mexico City.
\n
Both sides said the meetings were an effort to shore up bilateral relations between the two North American trade partners. The talks followed intense negotiations over trade, especially efforts to avoid further tariffs from the Trump administration.
\n
Canada, however, has yet to secure any exemptions from the 35 percent tariffs Washington imposed starting Aug 1, while Mexico negotiated a 90-day reprieve after direct engagement between Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and US President Donald Trump.
\n
"Mexico, specifically the Mexican president, has been more successful in bargaining and taming President Donald Trump's destructive instincts," said Castro-Rea.
\n
He cited a lengthy phone call in which Sheinbaum "made him (Trump) realize the important efforts Mexico is deploying for curbing drug smuggling to the United States, and overall how important Mexico is for the US economy".
\n
In contrast, Castro-Rea said, Canada became "embroiled in a complex, multilevel negotiation" and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's decision to impose retaliatory tariffs and signal recognition of a Palestinian state "certainly didn't help his bargaining position".
\n
"The official reason offered by the US government to impose extra tariffs of 35 percent on Canada was the lack of progress in stopping fentanyl traffic to the US.
\n
"But that is certainly just an excuse given the small amounts of that drug smuggled into the US from Canada," he said.
\n
Trade between Canada and Mexico is modest compared with their exchanges with the United States, he said. "This is understandable given the size of the US economy, which offers an attractive market."
\n
Still, there is some momentum. Mexico's exports to Canada reached $18.61 billion in 2024, while Canada's exports to Mexico were $6.33 billion, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade.
\n
On whether stronger bilateral trade could offset US tariffs, Castro-Rea said: "In theory, yes. That is one of the goals of the Canadian ministerial visit to Mexico.
\n
"However, unfortunately, both the Mexican and Canadian economies are extremely dependent on the US market, so creating an alternative to it would take years of consistent effort," he said.
\n
Sheinbaum on Wednesday ruled out a bilateral trade agreement with Canada when asked about the possibility.
\n
"We have the treaty, obviously, but we also want Canadian companies to continue investing … to expand direct trade between Canada and Mexico," Sheinbaum said.
\n
"It is unlikely that either Mexican or Canadian exporters will engage in that effort, because they are obsessed with the immediate profits that the low-hanging fruit of the US market offers," Castro-Rea said.
\n
He identified several sectors where bilateral cooperation has potential, including joint manufacturing of train and subway wagons, mining partnerships, and technologies for oil and gas processing.
\n
However, Castro-Rea cautioned that "cooperation in the areas of clean energy and critical minerals is constrained by Mexico's current policies of managing strategic economic sectors without the interference of foreign investors".
\n
gaoyang@chinadailyusa.com
\n",
+ "content": "
Canada and Mexico have pledged closer cooperation after high-level talks, aiming to present a united front to Washington on trade disputes.
\n
Canada and Mexico could gain leverage with Washington by working more closely, but their heavy reliance on the US market will limit the impact, said Julian Castro-Rea, a professor of political science at the University of Alberta.
\n
"There's no doubt about it," Castro-Rea said. "Mexico and Canada are formal trade partners within the CUSMA (the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement). Both countries have an advantage in teaming up to strengthen their bargaining positions vis-a-vis the US."
\n
Mexico and Canada ended two days of high-level diplomatic and trade talks on Wednesday in Mexico City.
\n
Both sides said the meetings were an effort to shore up bilateral relations between the two North American trade partners. The talks followed intense negotiations over trade, especially efforts to avoid further tariffs from the Trump administration.
\n
Canada, however, has yet to secure any exemptions from the 35 percent tariffs Washington imposed starting Aug 1, while Mexico negotiated a 90-day reprieve after direct engagement between Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and US President Donald Trump.
\n
"Mexico, specifically the Mexican president, has been more successful in bargaining and taming President Donald Trump's destructive instincts," said Castro-Rea.
\n
He cited a lengthy phone call in which Sheinbaum "made him (Trump) realize the important efforts Mexico is deploying for curbing drug smuggling to the United States, and overall how important Mexico is for the US economy".
\n
In contrast, Castro-Rea said, Canada became "embroiled in a complex, multilevel negotiation" and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's decision to impose retaliatory tariffs and signal recognition of a Palestinian state "certainly didn't help his bargaining position".
\n
"The official reason offered by the US government to impose extra tariffs of 35 percent on Canada was the lack of progress in stopping fentanyl traffic to the US.
\n
"But that is certainly just an excuse given the small amounts of that drug smuggled into the US from Canada," he said.
\n
Trade between Canada and Mexico is modest compared with their exchanges with the United States, he said. "This is understandable given the size of the US economy, which offers an attractive market."
\n
Still, there is some momentum. Mexico's exports to Canada reached $18.61 billion in 2024, while Canada's exports to Mexico were $6.33 billion, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade.
\n
On whether stronger bilateral trade could offset US tariffs, Castro-Rea said: "In theory, yes. That is one of the goals of the Canadian ministerial visit to Mexico.
\n
"However, unfortunately, both the Mexican and Canadian economies are extremely dependent on the US market, so creating an alternative to it would take years of consistent effort," he said.
\n
Sheinbaum on Wednesday ruled out a bilateral trade agreement with Canada when asked about the possibility.
\n
"We have the treaty, obviously, but we also want Canadian companies to continue investing … to expand direct trade between Canada and Mexico," Sheinbaum said.
\n
"It is unlikely that either Mexican or Canadian exporters will engage in that effort, because they are obsessed with the immediate profits that the low-hanging fruit of the US market offers," Castro-Rea said.
\n
He identified several sectors where bilateral cooperation has potential, including joint manufacturing of train and subway wagons, mining partnerships, and technologies for oil and gas processing.
\n
However, Castro-Rea cautioned that "cooperation in the areas of clean energy and critical minerals is constrained by Mexico's current policies of managing strategic economic sectors without the interference of foreign investors".
The recently released draft rules for the administration of customer due diligence for financial institutions complements China's newly amended Anti-Money Laundering Law by introducing more targeted requirements for high-risk customers, while easing obligations for low-risk ones. Experts said financial institutions will need to strike a better balance between meeting AML due diligence obligations and safeguarding customer experience and privacy.
\n
China's central bank and financial regulators have released the new draft rules for the administration of customer due diligence and preservation of client identity materials and transaction records by financial institutions for public feedback.
\n
Dong Ximiao, chief researcher at Merchants Union Consumer Finance and deputy director of the Shanghai Institution for Finance& Development, said the new measures adopt a "differentiated approach" — simplifying checks for low-risk clients and strengthening scrutiny for high-risk cases.
\n
Customer due diligence is the process by which financial institutions collect and assess information on customers or potential clients. Dong describes it as a continuous, dynamic exercise that extends beyond basic identification to a full understanding of a client's activities, intentions and risk profile.
\n
He said CDD is vital to enforcing the Anti-Money Laundering Law, preventing and combating financial crimes, safeguarding financial stability and meeting international AML standards. It also plays a key role in protecting client funds and mitigating financial risks.
\n
"With telecom and online fraud still rampant, improving identity verification is both important and urgent. Once customer information is more complete, financial institutions can offer more tailored products and services, improving service quality and capability," he said.
\n
Unlike the measures in effect since March 1, 2022, the current draft does not require banks to inquire about and record the source and purpose of funds for cash deposits or withdrawals over 50,000 yuan ($6,962) by individuals. Dong urged financial institutions to conduct CDD in a "reasonable and appropriate "manner, avoiding "one-size-fits-all" procedures that could disrupt normal business and infringe on legitimate rights.
\n
Zeng Shengjun, senior researcher at the Greater Bay Area Institute of Finance Research of Bank of China's Shenzhen branch, said removing the source-of-funds registration requirement for deposits and withdrawals over 50,000 yuan is intended to improve capital flows and encourage consumption.
\n
He recommended banks streamline procedures for low-risk customers, strengthen checks for high-risk ones, expand use of digital tools for document verification, strictly limit personal data collection to what is strictly necessary, and choose methods that minimize impact on individual rights.
\n
The draft also mandates that financial institutions retain customer identity and transaction records for at least 10 years after a business relationship or transaction ends, moving toward full electronic storage with safeguards against leaks and ensuring all transactions can be traced.
\n
While industry insiders expect higher short-term compliance costs from system upgrades, staffing and data purchases, they say greater standardization and automation will reduce human errors, mitigate compliance risks and stabilize costs over the long run.
\n
jiangxueqing@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
The recently released draft rules for the administration of customer due diligence for financial institutions complements China's newly amended Anti-Money Laundering Law by introducing more targeted requirements for high-risk customers, while easing obligations for low-risk ones. Experts said financial institutions will need to strike a better balance between meeting AML due diligence obligations and safeguarding customer experience and privacy.
\n
China's central bank and financial regulators have released the new draft rules for the administration of customer due diligence and preservation of client identity materials and transaction records by financial institutions for public feedback.
\n
Dong Ximiao, chief researcher at Merchants Union Consumer Finance and deputy director of the Shanghai Institution for Finance& Development, said the new measures adopt a "differentiated approach" — simplifying checks for low-risk clients and strengthening scrutiny for high-risk cases.
\n
Customer due diligence is the process by which financial institutions collect and assess information on customers or potential clients. Dong describes it as a continuous, dynamic exercise that extends beyond basic identification to a full understanding of a client's activities, intentions and risk profile.
\n
He said CDD is vital to enforcing the Anti-Money Laundering Law, preventing and combating financial crimes, safeguarding financial stability and meeting international AML standards. It also plays a key role in protecting client funds and mitigating financial risks.
\n
"With telecom and online fraud still rampant, improving identity verification is both important and urgent. Once customer information is more complete, financial institutions can offer more tailored products and services, improving service quality and capability," he said.
\n
Unlike the measures in effect since March 1, 2022, the current draft does not require banks to inquire about and record the source and purpose of funds for cash deposits or withdrawals over 50,000 yuan ($6,962) by individuals. Dong urged financial institutions to conduct CDD in a "reasonable and appropriate "manner, avoiding "one-size-fits-all" procedures that could disrupt normal business and infringe on legitimate rights.
\n
Zeng Shengjun, senior researcher at the Greater Bay Area Institute of Finance Research of Bank of China's Shenzhen branch, said removing the source-of-funds registration requirement for deposits and withdrawals over 50,000 yuan is intended to improve capital flows and encourage consumption.
\n
He recommended banks streamline procedures for low-risk customers, strengthen checks for high-risk ones, expand use of digital tools for document verification, strictly limit personal data collection to what is strictly necessary, and choose methods that minimize impact on individual rights.
\n
The draft also mandates that financial institutions retain customer identity and transaction records for at least 10 years after a business relationship or transaction ends, moving toward full electronic storage with safeguards against leaks and ensuring all transactions can be traced.
\n
While industry insiders expect higher short-term compliance costs from system upgrades, staffing and data purchases, they say greater standardization and automation will reduce human errors, mitigate compliance risks and stabilize costs over the long run.
In a brightly lit lab in Beijing's Zhongguancun, also known as China's Silicon Valley, a humanoid robot stands amid rows of shelves stocked with a variety of goods, its sleek, metallic frame moving with smooth precision as it navigates the aisles.
\n
Bending slightly at the knees, the robot reaches for a bag of crisps from a mid-level shelf with its dexterous, multi-jointed hands, its grippers adjusting their pressure to avoid crushing the package. The robot then places the item into a cart before heading toward the next section.
\n
Developed by Beijing Galbot Co Ltd, the robot made a splash with its flexibility at the recently concluded 2025 World Artificial Intelligence Conference. It is evidence of the strides China has made in its humanoid robotics sector thanks to the joint efforts of the government, industry and academia.
\n
The Chinese government has shown its commitment to supporting the robotics industry through multiple initiatives and a range of local government incentives.
\n
According to a set of guidelines released by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the country plans to launch various robotics innovation programs and encourages investment in the development of software and key components for humanoid robotics. It is also working to promote cooperation between humanoid robotics companies and universities and research institutes.
\n
In Shenzhen, Guangdong province, a dedicated "robotics valley" clusters dozens of top universities, research institutes and tech firms, creating a hub where ideas flow freely from labs to factories.
\n
According to the Chinese Institute of Electronics, the nation's humanoid robot market is projected to reach 870 billion yuan ($121.9 billion) by 2030.
\n
The industry's potential to reshape various sectors ranging from manufacturing to healthcare services, coupled with government support, has incentivized many market players to turn tech visions into daily realities.
\n
Wang He founded Galbot in May 2023, seeking to develop generalized, embodied, multimodal large-model AI robots. The company unveiled its first-generation robot, Galbot, within just one year of its establishment. The robot features wheels, dual arms and a foldable body. It can reach upward to 2.4 meters and bend down to reach objects on the ground.
\n
At present, the robots are attracting orders and are scheduled for nationwide promotion by the end of the year. They are already on duty around the clock in nearly 10 pharmacies in Beijing, handling over 5,000 types of medicine every day.
\n",
+ "content": "
In a brightly lit lab in Beijing's Zhongguancun, also known as China's Silicon Valley, a humanoid robot stands amid rows of shelves stocked with a variety of goods, its sleek, metallic frame moving with smooth precision as it navigates the aisles.
\n
Bending slightly at the knees, the robot reaches for a bag of crisps from a mid-level shelf with its dexterous, multi-jointed hands, its grippers adjusting their pressure to avoid crushing the package. The robot then places the item into a cart before heading toward the next section.
\n
Developed by Beijing Galbot Co Ltd, the robot made a splash with its flexibility at the recently concluded 2025 World Artificial Intelligence Conference. It is evidence of the strides China has made in its humanoid robotics sector thanks to the joint efforts of the government, industry and academia.
\n
The Chinese government has shown its commitment to supporting the robotics industry through multiple initiatives and a range of local government incentives.
\n
According to a set of guidelines released by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the country plans to launch various robotics innovation programs and encourages investment in the development of software and key components for humanoid robotics. It is also working to promote cooperation between humanoid robotics companies and universities and research institutes.
\n
In Shenzhen, Guangdong province, a dedicated "robotics valley" clusters dozens of top universities, research institutes and tech firms, creating a hub where ideas flow freely from labs to factories.
\n
According to the Chinese Institute of Electronics, the nation's humanoid robot market is projected to reach 870 billion yuan ($121.9 billion) by 2030.
\n
The industry's potential to reshape various sectors ranging from manufacturing to healthcare services, coupled with government support, has incentivized many market players to turn tech visions into daily realities.
\n
Wang He founded Galbot in May 2023, seeking to develop generalized, embodied, multimodal large-model AI robots. The company unveiled its first-generation robot, Galbot, within just one year of its establishment. The robot features wheels, dual arms and a foldable body. It can reach upward to 2.4 meters and bend down to reach objects on the ground.
\n
At present, the robots are attracting orders and are scheduled for nationwide promotion by the end of the year. They are already on duty around the clock in nearly 10 pharmacies in Beijing, handling over 5,000 types of medicine every day.
Unitree humanoid robots take to the ring at the World Robot Conference in Beijing.
\n
China's Unitree Robotics is cutting prices of its latest humanoid robot models as it pushes toward commercialization, with founder and CEO Wang Xingxing predicting that one day the government could tax robots the way they tax human workers.
\n
In an exclusive interview with China Daily at the World Robot Conference in Beijing, Wang said the next few years will see Chinese robots become "undoubtedly cheaper", as Unitree has already cut prices of its R1 humanoid robot to 39,900 yuan ($5,555).
\n
"The move is not a simple discounting tactic but a deliberate push to lower the entry barrier for buyers, stimulate demand and accelerate the creation of a broader commercial ecosystem," Wang said.
\n
The ultimate goal, Wang said, is that robots can work "as efficiently as humans", where humanoids are accessible through leasing programs for factories, farms or households, and where a vibrant developer community constantly builds new applications to augment the machines.
\n
"We could see such obvious progress in two to three years," he said, adding that full realization would take no more than a decade.
\n
In an intriguing aside, Wang floated the idea of taxing robots at the point of production once they are capable of doing "a large share of human work". If a robot is deployed to plough new farmland, a portion of its output could be remitted directly to the government, just as a human's income is taxed, he said.
\n
As for Unitree's IPO plans, Wang said the process is "by the book "and that the listing will be a milestone in governance. "It's like taking the gaokao," he said, referring to China's national college entrance exam. "It's a stage-by-stage thing — a summary of nine years of work, and an answer sheet for our shareholders."
\n
According to an industry report published in April, China will produce more than 10,000 humanoid robots by the end of this year and will dominate more than half of the global humanoid robot market this year.
\n
With costs falling and ecosystems maturing, the humanoid robot industry is poised to leap from pilot projects to large-scale commercialization. It is a path "reminiscent of China's rapid rise in electric vehicles" and it could give the country a fresh economic growth engine, said the report.
\n
Wang said half of Unitree's revenue already comes from overseas, thanks to an early export push in 2018, long before humanoid robots became fashionable.
\n
"Global humanoid shipments are expected to double annually, and if breakthroughs come sooner, the sector will hit hundreds of thousands of units in two to three years," he predicts.
\n
He said that the global humanoid robot race was intensifying amid a surge of investment and attention driven by artificial intelligence. But the fundamentals have not changed.
\n
"Better products, better prices, better functions, better after-sales service — that's the foundation to compete at home and abroad."
\n
Strategic planning must stay ahead of the curve, he said, with early bets in AI, hardware, manufacturing and global expansion.
\n
While hardware still needs to be cheaper, be larger-scale and more reliable, Wang said the biggest obstacle to mass deployment is the embodied-intelligence AI model, which unlike language models, has yet to hit a breakthrough "ChatGPT moment".
\n
"If one day every humanoid robot in a hall can just walk around, take verbal instructions and actually help you, that's the tipping point," Wang said.
\n
The difficulty is "data alignment" — bridging the gap between virtual training data and the performance of real-world machines. Unitree is targeting models that require little data, have high success rates and generalize well, he added.
\n
Wang Tianmiao, a professor of robotics at Beihang University, said in a separate interview that humanoid robots are being positioned to meet human needs and drive business efficiency.
\n
"China is vying for a lead in next-gen tech, including AI and robotics, which are right at the heart of that race," the professor said.
\n
chengyu@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
Unitree humanoid robots take to the ring at the World Robot Conference in Beijing.
\n
China's Unitree Robotics is cutting prices of its latest humanoid robot models as it pushes toward commercialization, with founder and CEO Wang Xingxing predicting that one day the government could tax robots the way they tax human workers.
\n
In an exclusive interview with China Daily at the World Robot Conference in Beijing, Wang said the next few years will see Chinese robots become "undoubtedly cheaper", as Unitree has already cut prices of its R1 humanoid robot to 39,900 yuan ($5,555).
\n
"The move is not a simple discounting tactic but a deliberate push to lower the entry barrier for buyers, stimulate demand and accelerate the creation of a broader commercial ecosystem," Wang said.
\n
The ultimate goal, Wang said, is that robots can work "as efficiently as humans", where humanoids are accessible through leasing programs for factories, farms or households, and where a vibrant developer community constantly builds new applications to augment the machines.
\n
"We could see such obvious progress in two to three years," he said, adding that full realization would take no more than a decade.
\n
In an intriguing aside, Wang floated the idea of taxing robots at the point of production once they are capable of doing "a large share of human work". If a robot is deployed to plough new farmland, a portion of its output could be remitted directly to the government, just as a human's income is taxed, he said.
\n
As for Unitree's IPO plans, Wang said the process is "by the book "and that the listing will be a milestone in governance. "It's like taking the gaokao," he said, referring to China's national college entrance exam. "It's a stage-by-stage thing — a summary of nine years of work, and an answer sheet for our shareholders."
\n
According to an industry report published in April, China will produce more than 10,000 humanoid robots by the end of this year and will dominate more than half of the global humanoid robot market this year.
\n
With costs falling and ecosystems maturing, the humanoid robot industry is poised to leap from pilot projects to large-scale commercialization. It is a path "reminiscent of China's rapid rise in electric vehicles" and it could give the country a fresh economic growth engine, said the report.
\n
Wang said half of Unitree's revenue already comes from overseas, thanks to an early export push in 2018, long before humanoid robots became fashionable.
\n
"Global humanoid shipments are expected to double annually, and if breakthroughs come sooner, the sector will hit hundreds of thousands of units in two to three years," he predicts.
\n
He said that the global humanoid robot race was intensifying amid a surge of investment and attention driven by artificial intelligence. But the fundamentals have not changed.
\n
"Better products, better prices, better functions, better after-sales service — that's the foundation to compete at home and abroad."
\n
Strategic planning must stay ahead of the curve, he said, with early bets in AI, hardware, manufacturing and global expansion.
\n
While hardware still needs to be cheaper, be larger-scale and more reliable, Wang said the biggest obstacle to mass deployment is the embodied-intelligence AI model, which unlike language models, has yet to hit a breakthrough "ChatGPT moment".
\n
"If one day every humanoid robot in a hall can just walk around, take verbal instructions and actually help you, that's the tipping point," Wang said.
\n
The difficulty is "data alignment" — bridging the gap between virtual training data and the performance of real-world machines. Unitree is targeting models that require little data, have high success rates and generalize well, he added.
\n
Wang Tianmiao, a professor of robotics at Beihang University, said in a separate interview that humanoid robots are being positioned to meet human needs and drive business efficiency.
\n
"China is vying for a lead in next-gen tech, including AI and robotics, which are right at the heart of that race," the professor said.
An employee from Daxin Railway Station in Shanxi province works amid scorching heat in the area, with freight car surface temperatures soaring to over 50 C. The station's crew members need to uncouple and re-marshal many carriages each day to safeguard the smooth rail transport of coal to regions outside Shanxi.
\n",
+ "content": "
An employee from Daxin Railway Station in Shanxi province works amid scorching heat in the area, with freight car surface temperatures soaring to over 50 C. The station's crew members need to uncouple and re-marshal many carriages each day to safeguard the smooth rail transport of coal to regions outside Shanxi.
The central parity rate of the Chinese currency renminbi, or the yuan, weakened 23 pips to 7.1405 against the US dollar on Monday, according to the China Foreign Exchange Trade System. In China's spot foreign exchange market, the yuan is allowed to rise or fall by 2 percent from the central parity rate each trading day. The central parity rate of the yuan against the US dollar is based on a weighted average of prices offered by market makers before the opening of the interbank market each business day.
\n
Commercial vehicle sector sees growth
\n
China's commercial vehicle sector registered solid year-on-year growth in both output and sales in July. Commercial vehicle output last month totaled 298,000 units, marking a 16.3 percent increase from a year earlier, while sales climbed 14.1 percent to 306,000 units, data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers showed. Sales of natural gas-powered vehicles, however, declined 5.9 percent year-on-year to 16,000 units in July.
The central parity rate of the Chinese currency renminbi, or the yuan, weakened 23 pips to 7.1405 against the US dollar on Monday, according to the China Foreign Exchange Trade System. In China's spot foreign exchange market, the yuan is allowed to rise or fall by 2 percent from the central parity rate each trading day. The central parity rate of the yuan against the US dollar is based on a weighted average of prices offered by market makers before the opening of the interbank market each business day.
\n
Commercial vehicle sector sees growth
\n
China's commercial vehicle sector registered solid year-on-year growth in both output and sales in July. Commercial vehicle output last month totaled 298,000 units, marking a 16.3 percent increase from a year earlier, while sales climbed 14.1 percent to 306,000 units, data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers showed. Sales of natural gas-powered vehicles, however, declined 5.9 percent year-on-year to 16,000 units in July.
The A-share market's recent upswing, which has been propelled by rising market liquidity and investor sentiment, is likely to continue in the following months on long-term capital inflow and improved fundamentals, said experts.
\n
Their comments came after the market rally persisted, with the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index gaining 0.34 percent to close at 3647.55 points on Monday, the highest level so far this year. This has been its sixth consecutive trading day of gains in August. The combined trading value at the Shanghai and Shenzhen bourses approached 1.83 trillion yuan ($250 billion), up 6.8 percent from the previous trading day.
\n
According to Chen Gang, chief strategist at Soochow Securities, a slow bull is taking shape in the A-share market thanks to incremental capital inflow mainly contributed by exchange-traded funds, individual investors and other long-term capital.
\n
Data from market tracker Wind Info showed that the total value of ETFs in the Chinese onshore market exceed 4.3 trillion yuan in the first half, up 16.2 percent on a yearly basis. More than 70 percent of these funds reported gains as of end-June.
\n
Latest data disclosed by the Shanghai Stock Exchange showed that more than 1.96 million individuals opened A-share accounts in July, up 71 percent year-on-year and 19 percent higher from a month earlier.
\n
The strong performance of the A-share market has boosted investor mood.
\n
The Shanghai Composite Index gained 3.74 percent in July while the Shenzhen Component Index added 5.2 percent. Technology-focused ChiNext in Shenzhen jumped 8.14 percent over the past month.
\n
According to Chen, Chinese regulators have been actively encouraging long-term capital, such as social security funds and pension funds, to step up their investment in the equity market. The Chinese central bank has introduced new types of monetary tools to build channels for the inflow of medium to long-term capital.
\n
As deposit interest rates and the yield of wealth management products have been contracting due to lower benchmark interest rates, Chinese households' savings, which have been rising since the second half of 2021, are likely to head for equity assets, bringing in more market liquidity, he said.
\n
He Kang, chief strategy analyst of Huatai Securities, said that the number of new stock-focused mutual fund products applying for regulators' approval has bottomed out since mid-July. These products are a major channel via which Chinese household savings are directed to the stock market.
\n
Long-term capital will serve as another piece of the puzzle for incremental capital into the A-share market. Foreign investors are expected to return in the following months while more insurance capital is likely to flow into the market steadily, he said.
\n
Major economic indicators have been showing signs of further recovery. The Consumer Price Index has risen in July, beating market expectations. Although flat in the past month, the Producer Price Index has seen its fall narrowed and it is expected to pick up in the following months, said He.
\n
China's "anti-involution" efforts to create a fair competition environment have shown positive results. Industrial companies with a minimum annual sales revenue of 20 million yuan have seen their profitability improve in June. Key industries such as wind power, automobiles, logistics and animal husbandry have shown increased progress, he added.
\n
Zou Jiangyu, a portfolio manager at BlackRock China, said that China's economic growth is expected to further recover in the second half of this year, supported by more economic stabilization policies, especially for technology innovation and industrial upgrading.
\n
BlackRock holds a positive outlook on Chinese assets related to artificial intelligence, especially regarding computing and application. Investment opportunities can also be found among high-end manufacturing, equipment and materials, as well as Chinese companies' internationalization and exports of quality products, he added.
\n
shijing@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
The A-share market's recent upswing, which has been propelled by rising market liquidity and investor sentiment, is likely to continue in the following months on long-term capital inflow and improved fundamentals, said experts.
\n
Their comments came after the market rally persisted, with the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index gaining 0.34 percent to close at 3647.55 points on Monday, the highest level so far this year. This has been its sixth consecutive trading day of gains in August. The combined trading value at the Shanghai and Shenzhen bourses approached 1.83 trillion yuan ($250 billion), up 6.8 percent from the previous trading day.
\n
According to Chen Gang, chief strategist at Soochow Securities, a slow bull is taking shape in the A-share market thanks to incremental capital inflow mainly contributed by exchange-traded funds, individual investors and other long-term capital.
\n
Data from market tracker Wind Info showed that the total value of ETFs in the Chinese onshore market exceed 4.3 trillion yuan in the first half, up 16.2 percent on a yearly basis. More than 70 percent of these funds reported gains as of end-June.
\n
Latest data disclosed by the Shanghai Stock Exchange showed that more than 1.96 million individuals opened A-share accounts in July, up 71 percent year-on-year and 19 percent higher from a month earlier.
\n
The strong performance of the A-share market has boosted investor mood.
\n
The Shanghai Composite Index gained 3.74 percent in July while the Shenzhen Component Index added 5.2 percent. Technology-focused ChiNext in Shenzhen jumped 8.14 percent over the past month.
\n
According to Chen, Chinese regulators have been actively encouraging long-term capital, such as social security funds and pension funds, to step up their investment in the equity market. The Chinese central bank has introduced new types of monetary tools to build channels for the inflow of medium to long-term capital.
\n
As deposit interest rates and the yield of wealth management products have been contracting due to lower benchmark interest rates, Chinese households' savings, which have been rising since the second half of 2021, are likely to head for equity assets, bringing in more market liquidity, he said.
\n
He Kang, chief strategy analyst of Huatai Securities, said that the number of new stock-focused mutual fund products applying for regulators' approval has bottomed out since mid-July. These products are a major channel via which Chinese household savings are directed to the stock market.
\n
Long-term capital will serve as another piece of the puzzle for incremental capital into the A-share market. Foreign investors are expected to return in the following months while more insurance capital is likely to flow into the market steadily, he said.
\n
Major economic indicators have been showing signs of further recovery. The Consumer Price Index has risen in July, beating market expectations. Although flat in the past month, the Producer Price Index has seen its fall narrowed and it is expected to pick up in the following months, said He.
\n
China's "anti-involution" efforts to create a fair competition environment have shown positive results. Industrial companies with a minimum annual sales revenue of 20 million yuan have seen their profitability improve in June. Key industries such as wind power, automobiles, logistics and animal husbandry have shown increased progress, he added.
\n
Zou Jiangyu, a portfolio manager at BlackRock China, said that China's economic growth is expected to further recover in the second half of this year, supported by more economic stabilization policies, especially for technology innovation and industrial upgrading.
\n
BlackRock holds a positive outlook on Chinese assets related to artificial intelligence, especially regarding computing and application. Investment opportunities can also be found among high-end manufacturing, equipment and materials, as well as Chinese companies' internationalization and exports of quality products, he added.
Construction of the No 1 reactor at the Jinqimen nuclear power plant in Ningbo, Zhejiang province, began on Sunday with the pouring of concrete for the nuclear island, marking a significant step forward for China's Hualong One nuclear technology, said its operator China National Nuclear Corp.
\n
The Jinqimen No 1 reactor, designed for a 60-year operational lifespan, is part of a larger project planned to include six 1 million-kilowatt nuclear reactors, it said.
\n
Once fully completed, the plant is expected to generate 55 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, equivalent to half of Ningbo's total electricity consumption in 2024.This output is expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 45 million metric tons per year.
\n
Hualong One is China's third-generation nuclear power technology with full proprietary intellectual property rights. It is also one of the most widely accepted series of third-generation nuclear power reactors in the world.
\n
According to CNNC, to date, there are 41 Hualong One reactors either under construction or in operation globally, making it the most numerous third-generation nuclear technology in terms of approved projects worldwide.
\n
Industry experts believe the Jinqimen project underscores China's unwavering commitment to nuclear power as a key component of its energy mix and decarbonization strategy.
\n
This new unit further solidifies China's position as a global leader in nuclear technology deployment, said Lin Boqiang, head of the China Institute for Studies in Energy Policy at Xiamen University.
\n
"The continued rollout of Hualong One reactors demonstrates the technology's maturity and reliability. This is crucial not only for meeting China's growing energy demands, but also for its potential export to other countries seeking clean and secure energy sources," Lin said.
\n
As of the end of last year, China had 102 nuclear reactors in operation, under construction or approved for construction, with a combined installed capacity of 113 million kW, according to the China Nuclear Energy Association.
\n
Domestic nuclear power construction saw unprecedented investment in 2024, hitting 146.9 billion yuan ($20.5 billion), which is roughly 52 billion yuan more than the investment made the previous year, the association said.
\n
By 2024, China had completely localized the production of essential nuclear power equipment and secured independent control over critical component technologies, said the association.
\n
Ongoing advancements in the country's independent research and development efforts within the nuclear sector were behind the success, it added.
Construction of the No 1 reactor at the Jinqimen nuclear power plant in Ningbo, Zhejiang province, began on Sunday with the pouring of concrete for the nuclear island, marking a significant step forward for China's Hualong One nuclear technology, said its operator China National Nuclear Corp.
\n
The Jinqimen No 1 reactor, designed for a 60-year operational lifespan, is part of a larger project planned to include six 1 million-kilowatt nuclear reactors, it said.
\n
Once fully completed, the plant is expected to generate 55 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, equivalent to half of Ningbo's total electricity consumption in 2024.This output is expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 45 million metric tons per year.
\n
Hualong One is China's third-generation nuclear power technology with full proprietary intellectual property rights. It is also one of the most widely accepted series of third-generation nuclear power reactors in the world.
\n
According to CNNC, to date, there are 41 Hualong One reactors either under construction or in operation globally, making it the most numerous third-generation nuclear technology in terms of approved projects worldwide.
\n
Industry experts believe the Jinqimen project underscores China's unwavering commitment to nuclear power as a key component of its energy mix and decarbonization strategy.
\n
This new unit further solidifies China's position as a global leader in nuclear technology deployment, said Lin Boqiang, head of the China Institute for Studies in Energy Policy at Xiamen University.
\n
"The continued rollout of Hualong One reactors demonstrates the technology's maturity and reliability. This is crucial not only for meeting China's growing energy demands, but also for its potential export to other countries seeking clean and secure energy sources," Lin said.
\n
As of the end of last year, China had 102 nuclear reactors in operation, under construction or approved for construction, with a combined installed capacity of 113 million kW, according to the China Nuclear Energy Association.
\n
Domestic nuclear power construction saw unprecedented investment in 2024, hitting 146.9 billion yuan ($20.5 billion), which is roughly 52 billion yuan more than the investment made the previous year, the association said.
\n
By 2024, China had completely localized the production of essential nuclear power equipment and secured independent control over critical component technologies, said the association.
\n
Ongoing advancements in the country's independent research and development efforts within the nuclear sector were behind the success, it added.
Consumers check out toys at a Pop Mart store in Shanghai on July 24.
\n\n
Driven by emotional resonance and the pursuit of personal interests, China's "emotional economy "is fast evolving from an emerging consumer trend into a powerful engine for growth, said industry experts.
\n
As the 22nd China Digital Entertainment Expo and Conference, also known as ChinaJoy, wrapped up in Shanghai last week, the gaming extravaganza was widely hailed as a catalyst for boosting related local industries.
\n
The four-day event drew about 410,300 visitors, with around 61 percent coming from outside the city. The influx of ChinaJoy attendees generated roughly 661 million yuan ($92.02 million) in spending on dining, retail, accommodation, transportation and other services, according to the organizer.
\n
One of the main draws for young visitors is the chance to "eat guzi" — a term that may sound niche but is moving steadily into mainstream consumption.
\n
"I came to Shanghai with my best friend mainly to pick up my favorite guzi," said a visitor surnamed Lin. "I even brought an empty suitcase just for the show — hoping to leave with it full."
\n
At anime and gaming exhibitions, "guzi" refers to merchandise derived from popular cultural IP, such as anime, comics, games and novels. These derivative products can include posters, badges, cards, keychains, figurines and plush toys, while "eating guzi", or chigu, describes the act of purchasing them.
\n
Data from marketing consultancy iiMedia Research showed that the guzi economy in China reached a market size of 168.9 billion yuan in 2024, up 40.63 percent from 2023, and is expected to surpass 300 billion yuan by 2029.
\n
Young consumers remain the main force in consuming guzi. According to goods trading platform Xianyu's report, more than 70 percent of transactions for guzi on the platform were made by users born after 1995.
\n
"Generation Z (those born from the mid-1990s to the early 2010s) consumers tend to seek products that align with their personal values and aesthetics," said Sun Jiashan, an associate researcher at the Central Academy of Culture and Tourism Administration. "The core driving force of this kind of 'emotional economy' is the younger generation's strong desire for self-pleasing and interest-driven spending."
\n
A report by Future Marketing noted that since 2013, emotional-consumption related industries have seen an average compound annual growth rate of 12 percent and the Chinese market is expected to exceed 2 trillion yuan by the end of 2025. The rise of the internet and social media, along with innovative marketing strategies, has fueled the growth of the sector, it said.
\n
"Today's consumers care more about consumption scenarios and experiences, which calls for the market to encourage more integrated and innovative product formats," said Wei Pengju, head of the institute of cultural economics at the Central University of Finance and Economics.
\n
"When sectors such as film, performances, anime, tourism and dining join forces, the combined appeal and driving force can far exceed that of any single industry."
\n
An emerging example of the combination is the traditional commercial complexes embracing the guzi economy to bring in fresh streams of visitors.
\n
A slew of established malls, such as Bailian ZX in Shanghai, Intime Department Store in Xi'an, Shaanxi province, and Aqua City in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, have seen a surge in foot traffic after being revamped into guzi-themed shopping venues.
\n
Take Bailian ZX for example, in 2024, it hosted nearly 700 events, with sales climbing 70 percent year-on-year to 510 million yuan and visitor numbers rising 40 percent to 13.3 million.
\n
From a business perspective, capitalizing on the emotional economy requires sharp observations of consumer trends. According to Zhu Keli, founding director of the China Institute of New Economy, the first step is to deeply understand consumers' emotional needs, identifying how different groups respond in different scenarios, which lays the foundation for developing targeted products.
\n
"Given the rapid shifts in emotional consumption trends, companies must remain agile and adjust strategies promptly to stay ahead of the market," Zhu said.
\n
lijiaying@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
Consumers check out toys at a Pop Mart store in Shanghai on July 24.
\n\n
Driven by emotional resonance and the pursuit of personal interests, China's "emotional economy "is fast evolving from an emerging consumer trend into a powerful engine for growth, said industry experts.
\n
As the 22nd China Digital Entertainment Expo and Conference, also known as ChinaJoy, wrapped up in Shanghai last week, the gaming extravaganza was widely hailed as a catalyst for boosting related local industries.
\n
The four-day event drew about 410,300 visitors, with around 61 percent coming from outside the city. The influx of ChinaJoy attendees generated roughly 661 million yuan ($92.02 million) in spending on dining, retail, accommodation, transportation and other services, according to the organizer.
\n
One of the main draws for young visitors is the chance to "eat guzi" — a term that may sound niche but is moving steadily into mainstream consumption.
\n
"I came to Shanghai with my best friend mainly to pick up my favorite guzi," said a visitor surnamed Lin. "I even brought an empty suitcase just for the show — hoping to leave with it full."
\n
At anime and gaming exhibitions, "guzi" refers to merchandise derived from popular cultural IP, such as anime, comics, games and novels. These derivative products can include posters, badges, cards, keychains, figurines and plush toys, while "eating guzi", or chigu, describes the act of purchasing them.
\n
Data from marketing consultancy iiMedia Research showed that the guzi economy in China reached a market size of 168.9 billion yuan in 2024, up 40.63 percent from 2023, and is expected to surpass 300 billion yuan by 2029.
\n
Young consumers remain the main force in consuming guzi. According to goods trading platform Xianyu's report, more than 70 percent of transactions for guzi on the platform were made by users born after 1995.
\n
"Generation Z (those born from the mid-1990s to the early 2010s) consumers tend to seek products that align with their personal values and aesthetics," said Sun Jiashan, an associate researcher at the Central Academy of Culture and Tourism Administration. "The core driving force of this kind of 'emotional economy' is the younger generation's strong desire for self-pleasing and interest-driven spending."
\n
A report by Future Marketing noted that since 2013, emotional-consumption related industries have seen an average compound annual growth rate of 12 percent and the Chinese market is expected to exceed 2 trillion yuan by the end of 2025. The rise of the internet and social media, along with innovative marketing strategies, has fueled the growth of the sector, it said.
\n
"Today's consumers care more about consumption scenarios and experiences, which calls for the market to encourage more integrated and innovative product formats," said Wei Pengju, head of the institute of cultural economics at the Central University of Finance and Economics.
\n
"When sectors such as film, performances, anime, tourism and dining join forces, the combined appeal and driving force can far exceed that of any single industry."
\n
An emerging example of the combination is the traditional commercial complexes embracing the guzi economy to bring in fresh streams of visitors.
\n
A slew of established malls, such as Bailian ZX in Shanghai, Intime Department Store in Xi'an, Shaanxi province, and Aqua City in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, have seen a surge in foot traffic after being revamped into guzi-themed shopping venues.
\n
Take Bailian ZX for example, in 2024, it hosted nearly 700 events, with sales climbing 70 percent year-on-year to 510 million yuan and visitor numbers rising 40 percent to 13.3 million.
\n
From a business perspective, capitalizing on the emotional economy requires sharp observations of consumer trends. According to Zhu Keli, founding director of the China Institute of New Economy, the first step is to deeply understand consumers' emotional needs, identifying how different groups respond in different scenarios, which lays the foundation for developing targeted products.
\n
"Given the rapid shifts in emotional consumption trends, companies must remain agile and adjust strategies promptly to stay ahead of the market," Zhu said.
HONG KONG — Hong Kong's wealth management sector is receiving a particular boost in 2025 on top of years of steady growth owing to a brisk stock market and new investment options for an expanding high-net worth clientele in Asia.
\n
According to the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, total assets under management of major private banks in Hong Kong grew by 14 percent in the first half of this year compared to the end of 2024.
\n
Standard Chartered said the number of affluent clients in Hong Kong grew 8 percent in the first half of the year with net new money from such clients up 35 percent. HSBC's wealth management business added 600,000 clients.
\n
The surge in asset and wealth management is driven both by growing wealth in the Asia-Pacific region and Hong Kong's inherent strengths including a mature financial market and a robust banking system, said HKMA Chief Executive Eddie Yue.
\n
Private wealth in the Asia-Pacific is among the fastest-growing worldwide. The number of individuals with a net worth of over $10 million in Asia surpassed 850,000 in 2024, up 5 percent year-on-year. Among them, over 470,000 are from the Chinese mainland, accounting for 20 percent of the global total, according to the Wealth Report 2025 published by real estate consultancy Knight Frank.
\n
"Hong Kong offers mainland high-net-worth individuals access to global assets. Foreign investors, increasingly heartened by China's economic prospects, can find here Chinese assets to keep in their portfolios," said Pau Ka-Yan, tax partner of Deloitte China.
\n
The Hong Kong bourse has recorded a brisk amount of trading so far this year as global investors continued to increase their holdings in awe of the economic vitality of the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong, market observers noted.
\n
By the end of July, total market capitalization of Hong Kong's securities market rose 44 percent year-on-year. By mid-July, the 52 initial public offerings raised HK$124 billion ($15.8 billion) in total, nearly seven times the value recorded in the same period last year.
\n
To bolster the wealth management sector, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's government has introduced tax incentives for family offices and enhanced financial services. Now it is tapping the potential of digital assets.
\n
Total transaction value of digital asset-related products and tokenized assets in banks surged 233 percent to HK$26.1 billion in the first half of the year, local data showed. The licensing process for fiat-referenced stablecoin issuers began after the Stablecoins Ordinance took effect on Aug 1.
\n
"The availability of digital asset-related products has given Hong Kong a unique edge in the eyes of high-net-worth clients, who are developing an appetite for new asset types," said Pau.
\n
Analysts expect the wealth management business to sustain growth in the coming years as market connectivity strengthens between the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong. The SAR government is working to launch a renminbi counter for stock connect schemes so that mainland investors can buy Hong Kong stocks with greater ease.
\n
Global banks have announced plans to expand their wealth management businesses in Hong Kong.
\n
David Liao, co-chief executive of Asia and Middle East of HSBC, said the company will boost its private banking team this year and upgrade services through wealth centers across Hong Kong.
\n",
+ "content": "
HONG KONG — Hong Kong's wealth management sector is receiving a particular boost in 2025 on top of years of steady growth owing to a brisk stock market and new investment options for an expanding high-net worth clientele in Asia.
\n
According to the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, total assets under management of major private banks in Hong Kong grew by 14 percent in the first half of this year compared to the end of 2024.
\n
Standard Chartered said the number of affluent clients in Hong Kong grew 8 percent in the first half of the year with net new money from such clients up 35 percent. HSBC's wealth management business added 600,000 clients.
\n
The surge in asset and wealth management is driven both by growing wealth in the Asia-Pacific region and Hong Kong's inherent strengths including a mature financial market and a robust banking system, said HKMA Chief Executive Eddie Yue.
\n
Private wealth in the Asia-Pacific is among the fastest-growing worldwide. The number of individuals with a net worth of over $10 million in Asia surpassed 850,000 in 2024, up 5 percent year-on-year. Among them, over 470,000 are from the Chinese mainland, accounting for 20 percent of the global total, according to the Wealth Report 2025 published by real estate consultancy Knight Frank.
\n
"Hong Kong offers mainland high-net-worth individuals access to global assets. Foreign investors, increasingly heartened by China's economic prospects, can find here Chinese assets to keep in their portfolios," said Pau Ka-Yan, tax partner of Deloitte China.
\n
The Hong Kong bourse has recorded a brisk amount of trading so far this year as global investors continued to increase their holdings in awe of the economic vitality of the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong, market observers noted.
\n
By the end of July, total market capitalization of Hong Kong's securities market rose 44 percent year-on-year. By mid-July, the 52 initial public offerings raised HK$124 billion ($15.8 billion) in total, nearly seven times the value recorded in the same period last year.
\n
To bolster the wealth management sector, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's government has introduced tax incentives for family offices and enhanced financial services. Now it is tapping the potential of digital assets.
\n
Total transaction value of digital asset-related products and tokenized assets in banks surged 233 percent to HK$26.1 billion in the first half of the year, local data showed. The licensing process for fiat-referenced stablecoin issuers began after the Stablecoins Ordinance took effect on Aug 1.
\n
"The availability of digital asset-related products has given Hong Kong a unique edge in the eyes of high-net-worth clients, who are developing an appetite for new asset types," said Pau.
\n
Analysts expect the wealth management business to sustain growth in the coming years as market connectivity strengthens between the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong. The SAR government is working to launch a renminbi counter for stock connect schemes so that mainland investors can buy Hong Kong stocks with greater ease.
\n
Global banks have announced plans to expand their wealth management businesses in Hong Kong.
\n
David Liao, co-chief executive of Asia and Middle East of HSBC, said the company will boost its private banking team this year and upgrade services through wealth centers across Hong Kong.
Consumers check out products at an Aldi supermarket in Suzhou, Jiangsu province, on July 14.
\n
Customers select goods at one of the first six Wumart X Super Value stores that opened simultaneously in Beijing on July 25.
\n
Beijing-based retailer Wumart Group recently unveiled its new hard discount supermarket format — Wumart X Super Value — with six stores opening simultaneously across the capital, aiming to attract consumers seeking low prices and high-frequency essentials amid a broader shift toward value-driven retail.
\n
The new stores — located in five districts — mark Wumart's first foray into the discount sector and the first such chain in the Beijing market. The format emphasizes limited products, private-label dominance, direct sourcing and lean operations.
\n
"The discount model of Wumart X Super Value is not only an innovation in retail formats, but also a pioneering breakthrough in the Beijing retail market," said Xu Lina, Wumart Group spokesperson. Hard discount stores offer products at more affordable prices by cutting down on marketing, merchandising and other operational costs, such as packaging, sales assistants, store space and air conditioning.
\n
Each location offers fewer than 1,300 stock keeping units across six high-turnover categories — fresh produce, meat and seafood, baked goods, ready-to-eat meals, and daily-use goods. More than 60 percent of the assortment consists of Wumart private-label products, priced aggressively to undercut traditional supermarkets and bigbox chains.
\n
In order to provide affordable prices to consumers, Wumart X Super Value follows a low-cost structure through full-chain efficiency. Products are sourced directly from manufacturers, packaged in "factory-to-shelf" formats and stocked without secondary handling. The stores run entirely on self-service systems, eliminating service counters and trimming labor costs.
\n
"We conduct category-wide reviews four to six times a year and benchmark prices weekly across platforms," Xu said. "There are no promotions — our pricing is low every day by design."
\n
The bakery department highlights this model in practice, said the retailer. Using exclusive recipes and imported ingredients, the stores sell small-batch, freshly-baked items throughout the day. A butter croissant made with 22 percent European fermented butter retails at 5.9 yuan ($0.82), while a maple walnut pastry made with North American walnuts and Canadian syrup sells for 7.9 yuan.
\n
Regarding beverages, Wumart offers a 1-liter non-genetically modified organisms soy milk at 5.9 yuan and 100 percent grape juice from Spanish grapes at 9.5 yuan. Imported salmon fillets are priced at 19.9 yuan per pack.
\n
The format aims to serve cost-conscious, time-pressed urban consumers. All six locations are in high-density neighborhoods and are designed to support one-stop shopping for daily needs, said the company.
\n
Wumart is entering the discount sector at a time when Chinese shoppers are increasingly price-sensitive. The company's new format is seen as both a defensive move against mounting pressure on margins and a bid to stake out leadership in the discount segment.
\n
"Over the past two years, leading discount-format retailers have continued to capture market share through format upgrades and supply chain optimization," said Jason Yu, general manager of CTR Market Research. "Traditional supermarkets have also accelerated their entry into this space."
\n
Yu said that the strongest growth in recent years has come from snack-focused discount chains. While most specialize in vertical categories, more general merchandise players are now attempting to replicate their success.
\n
"Aldi's success in Shanghai has validated the discount model in China. They localize effectively and prove that even demanding consumers are willing to shift if value and quality align," Yu said.
\n
Aldi expanded beyond Shanghai for the first time in April, opening stores in Suzhou and Wuxi in Jiangsu province. Sales in Shanghai rose 56.2 percent year-on-year in the first quarter, and penetration reached 20 percent of households, according to Kantar Worldpanel China. A new warehouse in Jiangsu supports regional logistics and fresh product distribution.
\n
HotMaxx, one of the most prominent discount players, reported more than 25 percent year-on-year growth in the January-March period. Penetration in upper-tier cities increased by 1 percentage point. The company recently diversified into discount apparel and anime merchandise to draw in younger consumer segments.
\n
Snack-discount stores overall reached 18 percent national penetration in the first quarter, with the fastest growth seen in town-level and lower-tier markets, according to Kantar Worldpanel China. Regionally, the south region remained a crucial area for discount snack store development.
\n
"Discount retail demands efficiency across the entire chain — SKU control, private-label research and development, and supply chain optimization. Without those capabilities, it's difficult to sustain the model," Yu said.
\n
Wumart's new format arrives as traditional supermarket formats see eroding foot traffic and rising costs. Retailers across China are under pressure to revamp operations and offer price-based differentiation amid slowing consumption growth.
\n
"The move is a defensive echo to the current consumption demand for value for money," said Yu. "The key to success lies in finding balance between pricing and quality, and building a sustainable profit model through supply chain alignment and omni-channel capacity building."
\n
Other than Wumart, Fujian province-based Guanpark Supermarket has grown its discount business with a strict SKU-reduction and cost-control strategy. Chairman Lin Yongqiang said during a recent industry conference that the company's "keep it simple" approach is key, which involves limited product selection, social media-driven merchandising and complete pricing control.
\n
Guanpark avoids traditional supplier dependency and tracks e-commerce bestsellers and local supermarket data to inform purchasing. Its opportunistic sourcing and flexible cooperation with suppliers have allowed it to maintain price competitiveness in multiple regions. "Some peers buy products at prices higher than our retail prices," Lin said at a recent industry event. "They must rethink their product architecture to survive."
\n
Contact the writers at wangzhuoqiong@chinadaily.com.cn
Consumers check out products at an Aldi supermarket in Suzhou, Jiangsu province, on July 14.
\n
Customers select goods at one of the first six Wumart X Super Value stores that opened simultaneously in Beijing on July 25.
\n
Beijing-based retailer Wumart Group recently unveiled its new hard discount supermarket format — Wumart X Super Value — with six stores opening simultaneously across the capital, aiming to attract consumers seeking low prices and high-frequency essentials amid a broader shift toward value-driven retail.
\n
The new stores — located in five districts — mark Wumart's first foray into the discount sector and the first such chain in the Beijing market. The format emphasizes limited products, private-label dominance, direct sourcing and lean operations.
\n
"The discount model of Wumart X Super Value is not only an innovation in retail formats, but also a pioneering breakthrough in the Beijing retail market," said Xu Lina, Wumart Group spokesperson. Hard discount stores offer products at more affordable prices by cutting down on marketing, merchandising and other operational costs, such as packaging, sales assistants, store space and air conditioning.
\n
Each location offers fewer than 1,300 stock keeping units across six high-turnover categories — fresh produce, meat and seafood, baked goods, ready-to-eat meals, and daily-use goods. More than 60 percent of the assortment consists of Wumart private-label products, priced aggressively to undercut traditional supermarkets and bigbox chains.
\n
In order to provide affordable prices to consumers, Wumart X Super Value follows a low-cost structure through full-chain efficiency. Products are sourced directly from manufacturers, packaged in "factory-to-shelf" formats and stocked without secondary handling. The stores run entirely on self-service systems, eliminating service counters and trimming labor costs.
\n
"We conduct category-wide reviews four to six times a year and benchmark prices weekly across platforms," Xu said. "There are no promotions — our pricing is low every day by design."
\n
The bakery department highlights this model in practice, said the retailer. Using exclusive recipes and imported ingredients, the stores sell small-batch, freshly-baked items throughout the day. A butter croissant made with 22 percent European fermented butter retails at 5.9 yuan ($0.82), while a maple walnut pastry made with North American walnuts and Canadian syrup sells for 7.9 yuan.
\n
Regarding beverages, Wumart offers a 1-liter non-genetically modified organisms soy milk at 5.9 yuan and 100 percent grape juice from Spanish grapes at 9.5 yuan. Imported salmon fillets are priced at 19.9 yuan per pack.
\n
The format aims to serve cost-conscious, time-pressed urban consumers. All six locations are in high-density neighborhoods and are designed to support one-stop shopping for daily needs, said the company.
\n
Wumart is entering the discount sector at a time when Chinese shoppers are increasingly price-sensitive. The company's new format is seen as both a defensive move against mounting pressure on margins and a bid to stake out leadership in the discount segment.
\n
"Over the past two years, leading discount-format retailers have continued to capture market share through format upgrades and supply chain optimization," said Jason Yu, general manager of CTR Market Research. "Traditional supermarkets have also accelerated their entry into this space."
\n
Yu said that the strongest growth in recent years has come from snack-focused discount chains. While most specialize in vertical categories, more general merchandise players are now attempting to replicate their success.
\n
"Aldi's success in Shanghai has validated the discount model in China. They localize effectively and prove that even demanding consumers are willing to shift if value and quality align," Yu said.
\n
Aldi expanded beyond Shanghai for the first time in April, opening stores in Suzhou and Wuxi in Jiangsu province. Sales in Shanghai rose 56.2 percent year-on-year in the first quarter, and penetration reached 20 percent of households, according to Kantar Worldpanel China. A new warehouse in Jiangsu supports regional logistics and fresh product distribution.
\n
HotMaxx, one of the most prominent discount players, reported more than 25 percent year-on-year growth in the January-March period. Penetration in upper-tier cities increased by 1 percentage point. The company recently diversified into discount apparel and anime merchandise to draw in younger consumer segments.
\n
Snack-discount stores overall reached 18 percent national penetration in the first quarter, with the fastest growth seen in town-level and lower-tier markets, according to Kantar Worldpanel China. Regionally, the south region remained a crucial area for discount snack store development.
\n
"Discount retail demands efficiency across the entire chain — SKU control, private-label research and development, and supply chain optimization. Without those capabilities, it's difficult to sustain the model," Yu said.
\n
Wumart's new format arrives as traditional supermarket formats see eroding foot traffic and rising costs. Retailers across China are under pressure to revamp operations and offer price-based differentiation amid slowing consumption growth.
\n
"The move is a defensive echo to the current consumption demand for value for money," said Yu. "The key to success lies in finding balance between pricing and quality, and building a sustainable profit model through supply chain alignment and omni-channel capacity building."
\n
Other than Wumart, Fujian province-based Guanpark Supermarket has grown its discount business with a strict SKU-reduction and cost-control strategy. Chairman Lin Yongqiang said during a recent industry conference that the company's "keep it simple" approach is key, which involves limited product selection, social media-driven merchandising and complete pricing control.
\n
Guanpark avoids traditional supplier dependency and tracks e-commerce bestsellers and local supermarket data to inform purchasing. Its opportunistic sourcing and flexible cooperation with suppliers have allowed it to maintain price competitiveness in multiple regions. "Some peers buy products at prices higher than our retail prices," Lin said at a recent industry event. "They must rethink their product architecture to survive."
\n
Contact the writers at wangzhuoqiong@chinadaily.com.cn
Consumers wait for coffee at a Luckin Coffee store in Shanghai on May 31.
\n
Starbucks Corp posted solid third-quarter results in China, with revenue and same-store sales rising year-on-year and operating margin recording quarterly improvement, even as local rival Luckin Coffee Inc continues to expand at a breakneck speed.
\n
Starbucks' revenue in China grew 8 percent year-on-year to $790 million in the quarter ended June 30, marking the third consecutive quarter of year-on-year growth, according to the company's July 30 earnings report. Comparable store sales rose 2 percent, supported by a 6 percent improvement in comparable transactions.
\n
"China continues to grow and improve profitability," Cathy Smith, executive vice-president and CFO of Starbucks, said during the earnings call.
\n
"The market's comp growth was driven by successful product innovation, including the new zero sugar full flavor platform, a strong integrated marketing campaign and outsized delivery growth."
\n
Starbucks ended the quarter with 7,828 stores in China, after opening 70 net new stores and entering 17 new county-level markets. The company said new stores have maintained strong profitability metrics, with locations opened in the past two years continuing to outperform averages on same-store sales. Profit margins expanded sequentially, remaining in double digits.
\n
"In the third quarter of fiscal 2025, we achieved robust growth as our business continued to gather positive momentum, with outstanding financial performance and healthy growth in key business metrics," said Molly Liu, CEO of Starbucks China. "We have continuously innovated with agility to enhance brand value and reinvigorate the customer experience."
\n
Brian Niccol, chairman and CEO of Starbucks, also confirmed that the company is exploring strategic partnership opportunities to accelerate its China growth while retaining a meaningful stake.
\n
"We've received significant interest from more than 20 parties," Niccol said. "The intense interest in partnering with us is a testament to the great team, strong brand and long-term opportunity for Starbucks in China. It really is a vote of confidence."
\n
Starbucks' performance comes as domestic competitor Luckin Coffee continues its aggressive expansion, intensifying competition in China's $15 billion coffee market.
\n
Luckin reported a 47.1 percent surge in second-quarter revenue to 12.36 billion yuan ($1.72 billion), driven by rapid store expansion and strong gains in same-store sales. The company opened 2,109 net new stores in the quarter — including 2,085 in China — bringing its total footprint to 26,206 locations globally. Store unit growth was 8.8 percent compared with the previous quarter.
\n
Same-store sales at Luckin's self-operated stores jumped 13.4 percent, up from 8.1 percent in the prior quarter and a stark turnaround from the 20.9 percent decline a year earlier. Monthly transacting customers hit a record 91.7 million, a 31.6 percent year-on-year increase.
\n
Revenue from self-operated stores rose 45.6 percent to 9.14 billion yuan, while operating profit from those stores grew 42.3 percent to 1.92 billion yuan. Store-level operating margin remained strong at 21 percent. Luckin also grew its partnership store revenue by 55 percent to 2.87 billion yuan.
\n
Luckin's strong domestic momentum is allowing the brand to cautiously explore international markets. In the second quarter, the company opened six stores in Singapore, 16 in Malaysia and two in the United States.
\n
"The US is a highly developed coffee market, and we remain in the early stages of exploration," said Guo Jinyi, Luckin's co-founder and CEO. "Through this early phase, we aim to establish Luckin's unique value propositions and customer experience in the US market, while building localized operational capabilities to support future scaled expansion."
\n
According to market research institute Mintel Group China, both Starbucks and Luckin have reported strong growth in the Chinese market, driven by innovation and diversified beverage strategies.
\n
What is worth noting is that amid intensifying competition and shifting consumer preferences, players in China's on-premises coffee segment are increasingly turning to non-coffee beverages and product innovation to fuel future growth, said Mintel China.
\n
Roolee Lu, director of food &drink and food services at Mintel China, said the performance of Starbucks' iced shaken teas has more than doubled, and tea lattes continue to register solid gains. In June, Starbucks China reduced prices on dozens of non-coffee beverages as part of its "all-day beverage" strategy aimed at positioning coffee as a morning choice and tea-based drinks as afternoon staples.
\n
"We're seeing that investment in non-coffee scenarios is beginning to pay off," Lu said.
\n
Mintel research highlighted generational and gender-based differences in behavior. Consumers aged 18 to 24 are still in the early stages of exploring coffee, meaning what they order at coffee shops is often not coffee. Meanwhile, women aged 25 to 29 display a stronger-than-average willingness to try new products.
\n
"After trying different products, consumers may gradually form preferences and consumption habits," Lu said. "This is why it's critical for brands to take a long-term view — accompanying consumers through their taste development journey and guiding them with diversified offerings."
\n
The focus of the on-premises coffee industry has shifted to repurchase rates as a key operating metric, according to Mintel China.
\n
"More than half of respondents say they're more likely to repurchase from brands whose values align with theirs," said Lu. "This value alignment ranks above even space and service."
\n
New coffee channels are also emerging. "More food-service brands — from street beverage shops to quick-service restaurants — are adjusting their menu mixes to include more coffee," said Lu. "This not only drives up their own revenues, but also lifts the overall coffee market, especially by offsetting declines in average transaction value."
\n
Looking ahead, the consumption potential in China's smaller cities is drawing increased attention.
\n
"High-quality urbanization and narrowing income gaps are becoming more relevant," Lu said. "There's significant headroom for coffee house players to expand in lower-tier markets, including county-level and township areas."
\n",
+ "content": "
Consumers wait for coffee at a Luckin Coffee store in Shanghai on May 31.
\n
Starbucks Corp posted solid third-quarter results in China, with revenue and same-store sales rising year-on-year and operating margin recording quarterly improvement, even as local rival Luckin Coffee Inc continues to expand at a breakneck speed.
\n
Starbucks' revenue in China grew 8 percent year-on-year to $790 million in the quarter ended June 30, marking the third consecutive quarter of year-on-year growth, according to the company's July 30 earnings report. Comparable store sales rose 2 percent, supported by a 6 percent improvement in comparable transactions.
\n
"China continues to grow and improve profitability," Cathy Smith, executive vice-president and CFO of Starbucks, said during the earnings call.
\n
"The market's comp growth was driven by successful product innovation, including the new zero sugar full flavor platform, a strong integrated marketing campaign and outsized delivery growth."
\n
Starbucks ended the quarter with 7,828 stores in China, after opening 70 net new stores and entering 17 new county-level markets. The company said new stores have maintained strong profitability metrics, with locations opened in the past two years continuing to outperform averages on same-store sales. Profit margins expanded sequentially, remaining in double digits.
\n
"In the third quarter of fiscal 2025, we achieved robust growth as our business continued to gather positive momentum, with outstanding financial performance and healthy growth in key business metrics," said Molly Liu, CEO of Starbucks China. "We have continuously innovated with agility to enhance brand value and reinvigorate the customer experience."
\n
Brian Niccol, chairman and CEO of Starbucks, also confirmed that the company is exploring strategic partnership opportunities to accelerate its China growth while retaining a meaningful stake.
\n
"We've received significant interest from more than 20 parties," Niccol said. "The intense interest in partnering with us is a testament to the great team, strong brand and long-term opportunity for Starbucks in China. It really is a vote of confidence."
\n
Starbucks' performance comes as domestic competitor Luckin Coffee continues its aggressive expansion, intensifying competition in China's $15 billion coffee market.
\n
Luckin reported a 47.1 percent surge in second-quarter revenue to 12.36 billion yuan ($1.72 billion), driven by rapid store expansion and strong gains in same-store sales. The company opened 2,109 net new stores in the quarter — including 2,085 in China — bringing its total footprint to 26,206 locations globally. Store unit growth was 8.8 percent compared with the previous quarter.
\n
Same-store sales at Luckin's self-operated stores jumped 13.4 percent, up from 8.1 percent in the prior quarter and a stark turnaround from the 20.9 percent decline a year earlier. Monthly transacting customers hit a record 91.7 million, a 31.6 percent year-on-year increase.
\n
Revenue from self-operated stores rose 45.6 percent to 9.14 billion yuan, while operating profit from those stores grew 42.3 percent to 1.92 billion yuan. Store-level operating margin remained strong at 21 percent. Luckin also grew its partnership store revenue by 55 percent to 2.87 billion yuan.
\n
Luckin's strong domestic momentum is allowing the brand to cautiously explore international markets. In the second quarter, the company opened six stores in Singapore, 16 in Malaysia and two in the United States.
\n
"The US is a highly developed coffee market, and we remain in the early stages of exploration," said Guo Jinyi, Luckin's co-founder and CEO. "Through this early phase, we aim to establish Luckin's unique value propositions and customer experience in the US market, while building localized operational capabilities to support future scaled expansion."
\n
According to market research institute Mintel Group China, both Starbucks and Luckin have reported strong growth in the Chinese market, driven by innovation and diversified beverage strategies.
\n
What is worth noting is that amid intensifying competition and shifting consumer preferences, players in China's on-premises coffee segment are increasingly turning to non-coffee beverages and product innovation to fuel future growth, said Mintel China.
\n
Roolee Lu, director of food &drink and food services at Mintel China, said the performance of Starbucks' iced shaken teas has more than doubled, and tea lattes continue to register solid gains. In June, Starbucks China reduced prices on dozens of non-coffee beverages as part of its "all-day beverage" strategy aimed at positioning coffee as a morning choice and tea-based drinks as afternoon staples.
\n
"We're seeing that investment in non-coffee scenarios is beginning to pay off," Lu said.
\n
Mintel research highlighted generational and gender-based differences in behavior. Consumers aged 18 to 24 are still in the early stages of exploring coffee, meaning what they order at coffee shops is often not coffee. Meanwhile, women aged 25 to 29 display a stronger-than-average willingness to try new products.
\n
"After trying different products, consumers may gradually form preferences and consumption habits," Lu said. "This is why it's critical for brands to take a long-term view — accompanying consumers through their taste development journey and guiding them with diversified offerings."
\n
The focus of the on-premises coffee industry has shifted to repurchase rates as a key operating metric, according to Mintel China.
\n
"More than half of respondents say they're more likely to repurchase from brands whose values align with theirs," said Lu. "This value alignment ranks above even space and service."
\n
New coffee channels are also emerging. "More food-service brands — from street beverage shops to quick-service restaurants — are adjusting their menu mixes to include more coffee," said Lu. "This not only drives up their own revenues, but also lifts the overall coffee market, especially by offsetting declines in average transaction value."
\n
Looking ahead, the consumption potential in China's smaller cities is drawing increased attention.
\n
"High-quality urbanization and narrowing income gaps are becoming more relevant," Lu said. "There's significant headroom for coffee house players to expand in lower-tier markets, including county-level and township areas."
The mini-program Essentiality of Beauty guided tour features a pottery drum-beating storyteller (left) of the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220); Siyang Fangzun (middle), the four-goat square zun (wine vessel) dating to the Shang Dynasty (c.16th century-11th century BC); and a bronze rhino-shaped zun inlaid with gold and silver cloud designs (right), of the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 24).
\n
The Essentiality of Beauty tour features the Houmuwu square cauldron of the Shang Dynasty (c.16th century-11th century BC).
\n
On July 19, Luo Li, a schoolteacher from Chengdu, Sichuan province, was pulled from a long queue at the National Museum of China in Beijing while waiting to buy one of the museum's most popular collectibles — an empress coronet magnet.
\n
Surrounded by museum staff and media, Luo was told that the one she purchased was the two millionth coronet magnet sold since the product was first released exactly a year earlier. The magnets, available in both wood and metal versions, have become a sensation. She received the magnet from Li Yafei, a visitor from Shandong province who, in March, had purchased the one millionth magnet.
\n
The unexpected craze has also drawn more visitors to see the original — a Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) gold coronet worn by Empress Xiaoduan, lavishly decorated with pearls and precious stones.
\n
The coronet is part of the long-term exhibition, Ancient China, at the museum, where a special queuing area has been set up since the magnet went viral late last year.
\n
While a quick glance may suffice for a photo, it hardly reveals the rich history behind the ornate headpiece.
\n
To give visitors a deeper experience, the National Museum recently launched a WeChat mini-program called Essentiality of Beauty. Whether on-site or online, it allows users access to a selection of collected antiquities at the museum, featuring images and texts with audio narrations.
\n
The program would take people on a guided tour, combining virtual and real experiences, of 32 artifacts which are from different periods of time and on display at the museum's current long-term shows, including the Ming empress coronet.
\n
"These objects reflect people's pursuit of beauty. They have been treasured and passed down through the centuries because they are outstanding examples of artistic excellence," says Zhu Xiaoyun, curator and director of international relations at the museum.
\n
She says the tour takes people through different exhibition halls, introducing artifacts that showcase a range of craftsmanship and art forms, helping them understand the evolution of Chinese cultural and aesthetic traditions.
\n
Some of the objects, she says, appreciate the beauty of nature, and underline the "dao fa zi ran" principle in classic Chinese philosophy, that is, learning from nature and following its principles. Others celebrate the pinnacle of ancient craftsmanship, such as a seventh-century gold necklace inlaid with pearls and red and blue gemstones.
\n
The necklace has a poignant backstory. In 608, 9-year-old Li Jingxun, a young aristocrat and granddaughter of Yang Lihua, a daughter of Yang Jian, the founding emperor of the Sui Dynasty (581-618), was buried in an extraordinary ceremony. Archaeologists excavating her tomb more than 1,300 years later were astonished by the richness of the burial, which included the necklace now displayed in the exhibition Ancient China.
\n
Other artifacts reflect the grandeur of social rituals, such as intricately patterned bronzes from the Shang Dynasty (c. 16th century-11th century BC), used in major ceremonies.
\n
Still others convey romance and freedom, such as a Tang Dynasty (618-907) mural of a woman in a flowing red dress performing the "scarf dance", in which the dancer wove long scarves through the air.
\n
The fresco is also on show at Ancient China. Zhu says they sought advice from veteran scholars such as Peng Feng, dean of the School of Arts, Peking University, and rewrote the scripts for each artifact in the mini-program, different from the texts in the showrooms.
\n
For the mural, the program's script draws connections between dance and calligraphy, noting that the famed Tang calligrapher Zhang Xu was said to have developed his bold kuangcao (wild cursive) style after being inspired by watching dancers perform.
\n
Some of the narrations are voiced by celebrities — actress and model Zhong Chuxi for the Tang dancer mural, and actor Zhang Linghe for Li Jingxun's necklace.
\n
The project is a collaboration between the National Museum and L'Oreal China. The partnership began last year when L'Oreal sponsored the Notre-Dame de Paris: The Augmented Exhibition at the museum.
\n
It was sponsored by the cosmetic brand, working with the public institution in charge of the conservation and the restoration of the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. It, meanwhile, opened up cooperation with the group and the National Museum.
\n
Lan Zhenzhen, president of public affairs for L'Oreal North Asia and China, says no effort is spared when pursuing beauty, and the program invites more people to explore the essence of beauty and the Eastern philosophies behind it.
\n
Curator Zhu says the artifacts featured in the mini-program will be updated in line with changes in the museum's exhibitions. She emphasizes that the selection is not meant to represent all of Chinese aesthetics, but to serve as starting points for visitors to explore how ancient Chinese understood and created beauty — and how that legacy can be preserved today.
\n
Contact the writer at linqi@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
The mini-program Essentiality of Beauty guided tour features a pottery drum-beating storyteller (left) of the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220); Siyang Fangzun (middle), the four-goat square zun (wine vessel) dating to the Shang Dynasty (c.16th century-11th century BC); and a bronze rhino-shaped zun inlaid with gold and silver cloud designs (right), of the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 24).
\n
The Essentiality of Beauty tour features the Houmuwu square cauldron of the Shang Dynasty (c.16th century-11th century BC).
\n
On July 19, Luo Li, a schoolteacher from Chengdu, Sichuan province, was pulled from a long queue at the National Museum of China in Beijing while waiting to buy one of the museum's most popular collectibles — an empress coronet magnet.
\n
Surrounded by museum staff and media, Luo was told that the one she purchased was the two millionth coronet magnet sold since the product was first released exactly a year earlier. The magnets, available in both wood and metal versions, have become a sensation. She received the magnet from Li Yafei, a visitor from Shandong province who, in March, had purchased the one millionth magnet.
\n
The unexpected craze has also drawn more visitors to see the original — a Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) gold coronet worn by Empress Xiaoduan, lavishly decorated with pearls and precious stones.
\n
The coronet is part of the long-term exhibition, Ancient China, at the museum, where a special queuing area has been set up since the magnet went viral late last year.
\n
While a quick glance may suffice for a photo, it hardly reveals the rich history behind the ornate headpiece.
\n
To give visitors a deeper experience, the National Museum recently launched a WeChat mini-program called Essentiality of Beauty. Whether on-site or online, it allows users access to a selection of collected antiquities at the museum, featuring images and texts with audio narrations.
\n
The program would take people on a guided tour, combining virtual and real experiences, of 32 artifacts which are from different periods of time and on display at the museum's current long-term shows, including the Ming empress coronet.
\n
"These objects reflect people's pursuit of beauty. They have been treasured and passed down through the centuries because they are outstanding examples of artistic excellence," says Zhu Xiaoyun, curator and director of international relations at the museum.
\n
She says the tour takes people through different exhibition halls, introducing artifacts that showcase a range of craftsmanship and art forms, helping them understand the evolution of Chinese cultural and aesthetic traditions.
\n
Some of the objects, she says, appreciate the beauty of nature, and underline the "dao fa zi ran" principle in classic Chinese philosophy, that is, learning from nature and following its principles. Others celebrate the pinnacle of ancient craftsmanship, such as a seventh-century gold necklace inlaid with pearls and red and blue gemstones.
\n
The necklace has a poignant backstory. In 608, 9-year-old Li Jingxun, a young aristocrat and granddaughter of Yang Lihua, a daughter of Yang Jian, the founding emperor of the Sui Dynasty (581-618), was buried in an extraordinary ceremony. Archaeologists excavating her tomb more than 1,300 years later were astonished by the richness of the burial, which included the necklace now displayed in the exhibition Ancient China.
\n
Other artifacts reflect the grandeur of social rituals, such as intricately patterned bronzes from the Shang Dynasty (c. 16th century-11th century BC), used in major ceremonies.
\n
Still others convey romance and freedom, such as a Tang Dynasty (618-907) mural of a woman in a flowing red dress performing the "scarf dance", in which the dancer wove long scarves through the air.
\n
The fresco is also on show at Ancient China. Zhu says they sought advice from veteran scholars such as Peng Feng, dean of the School of Arts, Peking University, and rewrote the scripts for each artifact in the mini-program, different from the texts in the showrooms.
\n
For the mural, the program's script draws connections between dance and calligraphy, noting that the famed Tang calligrapher Zhang Xu was said to have developed his bold kuangcao (wild cursive) style after being inspired by watching dancers perform.
\n
Some of the narrations are voiced by celebrities — actress and model Zhong Chuxi for the Tang dancer mural, and actor Zhang Linghe for Li Jingxun's necklace.
\n
The project is a collaboration between the National Museum and L'Oreal China. The partnership began last year when L'Oreal sponsored the Notre-Dame de Paris: The Augmented Exhibition at the museum.
\n
It was sponsored by the cosmetic brand, working with the public institution in charge of the conservation and the restoration of the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. It, meanwhile, opened up cooperation with the group and the National Museum.
\n
Lan Zhenzhen, president of public affairs for L'Oreal North Asia and China, says no effort is spared when pursuing beauty, and the program invites more people to explore the essence of beauty and the Eastern philosophies behind it.
\n
Curator Zhu says the artifacts featured in the mini-program will be updated in line with changes in the museum's exhibitions. She emphasizes that the selection is not meant to represent all of Chinese aesthetics, but to serve as starting points for visitors to explore how ancient Chinese understood and created beauty — and how that legacy can be preserved today.
Residents of Mudanjiang, Heilongjiang province, are attracted to TCM night market, to seek advice or to get treatment, including massage (left) from professionals from more than 30 medical organizations.
\n
LANZHOU — Amid the cool night breeze of Baiyin, a city nestled in Northwest China's Gansu province, the scent of astragalus, angelica, and other herbs permeates the air as crowds gather beneath glowing lights surrounding cupping stations and pulse-reading booths.
\n
These organic scenes unfold at the Traditional Chinese Medicine Night Market in Wansheng Park, where millennia-old healing wisdom comes alive, becoming a trendy evening ritual among China's Generation Z (those born between the mid-1990s and the early 2010s).
\n
"The heat leaves me drained and sleepy," says 21-year-old Yu Huiyan as she extends her wrist for a pulse diagnosis. After experiencing positive results from previous TCM treatments, she began searching the night market for herbal remedies.
\n
After a tongue examination and diligent pulse reading, the doctor noted her weak pulse and signs of fatigue, then prescribed a blend of TCM herbs to boost energy, dispel dampness, and aid in digestion.
\n
Yu says she and many of her peers have been drawn to TCM in recent years. Having taken TCM electives in college, her interest deepened after the start of her career. "I'd love to use traditional remedies and appropriate techniques to help take care of myself and those around me."
\n
At the TCM night market, traditional therapies, such as acupuncture, cupping, foot baths, massage, and ear seeds, have become increasingly popular among young people.
\n
Han Long, a TCM physician with over a decade of experience at Baiyin First People's Hospital, highlights classic texts, such as Huangdi Neijing (Inner Canon of the Yellow Emperor), Treatise on Febrile and Miscellaneous Diseases, and Compendium of Materia Medica, as keys to understanding the body's mysteries. "I hope more young people embrace TCM to enhance their own health and that of their families," Han says.
\n
Since opening in early July, Wansheng Park has transformed into a wellness hub, where medical staff from over 30 local institutions offer free consultations, answer health questions, share TCM wellness tips, and provide personalized advice, says Zhu Dongmei, head of the district health bureau in Baiyin and organizer of the TCM night market.
\n
"Over 2,000 people come here daily, mostly young people lining up for everything from pulse diagnoses to fragrant sachets and herbal tea," Zhu adds.
\n
Across China, Gansu's vibrant TCM night market is just one example of a growing trend, with similar markets attracting large crowds nationwide.
\n
In Shenyang, the capital of northeast Liaoning province, the TCM night market offers more than free consultations. It features zones for TCM-inspired cultural products, hands-on technique demonstrations, and youth activities, blending tradition with modern flair through crafts, games, and interactive learning.
\n
In the eastern Chinese city of Nanchang, Jiangxi province, technology plays a key role at the TCM night market as robots provide heat-sensitive moxibustion, digital pulse diagnosis, and 3D foot scans.
\n
The growing trend of TCM night markets is also helping a new generation of practitioners like Han step into the spotlight, widening TCM's reach beyond traditional circles and ensuring that its legacy endures.
\n
"TCM is a national treasure with expanding global influence," says Da Chunhe, director of the Baiyin Municipal Health Commission. "As more young people experience and study it, they'll understand TCM and benefit from it."
\n",
+ "content": "
Residents of Mudanjiang, Heilongjiang province, are attracted to TCM night market, to seek advice or to get treatment, including massage (left) from professionals from more than 30 medical organizations.
\n
LANZHOU — Amid the cool night breeze of Baiyin, a city nestled in Northwest China's Gansu province, the scent of astragalus, angelica, and other herbs permeates the air as crowds gather beneath glowing lights surrounding cupping stations and pulse-reading booths.
\n
These organic scenes unfold at the Traditional Chinese Medicine Night Market in Wansheng Park, where millennia-old healing wisdom comes alive, becoming a trendy evening ritual among China's Generation Z (those born between the mid-1990s and the early 2010s).
\n
"The heat leaves me drained and sleepy," says 21-year-old Yu Huiyan as she extends her wrist for a pulse diagnosis. After experiencing positive results from previous TCM treatments, she began searching the night market for herbal remedies.
\n
After a tongue examination and diligent pulse reading, the doctor noted her weak pulse and signs of fatigue, then prescribed a blend of TCM herbs to boost energy, dispel dampness, and aid in digestion.
\n
Yu says she and many of her peers have been drawn to TCM in recent years. Having taken TCM electives in college, her interest deepened after the start of her career. "I'd love to use traditional remedies and appropriate techniques to help take care of myself and those around me."
\n
At the TCM night market, traditional therapies, such as acupuncture, cupping, foot baths, massage, and ear seeds, have become increasingly popular among young people.
\n
Han Long, a TCM physician with over a decade of experience at Baiyin First People's Hospital, highlights classic texts, such as Huangdi Neijing (Inner Canon of the Yellow Emperor), Treatise on Febrile and Miscellaneous Diseases, and Compendium of Materia Medica, as keys to understanding the body's mysteries. "I hope more young people embrace TCM to enhance their own health and that of their families," Han says.
\n
Since opening in early July, Wansheng Park has transformed into a wellness hub, where medical staff from over 30 local institutions offer free consultations, answer health questions, share TCM wellness tips, and provide personalized advice, says Zhu Dongmei, head of the district health bureau in Baiyin and organizer of the TCM night market.
\n
"Over 2,000 people come here daily, mostly young people lining up for everything from pulse diagnoses to fragrant sachets and herbal tea," Zhu adds.
\n
Across China, Gansu's vibrant TCM night market is just one example of a growing trend, with similar markets attracting large crowds nationwide.
\n
In Shenyang, the capital of northeast Liaoning province, the TCM night market offers more than free consultations. It features zones for TCM-inspired cultural products, hands-on technique demonstrations, and youth activities, blending tradition with modern flair through crafts, games, and interactive learning.
\n
In the eastern Chinese city of Nanchang, Jiangxi province, technology plays a key role at the TCM night market as robots provide heat-sensitive moxibustion, digital pulse diagnosis, and 3D foot scans.
\n
The growing trend of TCM night markets is also helping a new generation of practitioners like Han step into the spotlight, widening TCM's reach beyond traditional circles and ensuring that its legacy endures.
\n
"TCM is a national treasure with expanding global influence," says Da Chunhe, director of the Baiyin Municipal Health Commission. "As more young people experience and study it, they'll understand TCM and benefit from it."
Former POWs of the Mukden Camp and their families return to the site in May 2007.
\n
At the Shenyang WWII Allied Prisoners Camp Site Museum, a young volunteer guide addresses visitors. In the background is a model depicting a brutal punishment method, in which POWs were confined in tiny spaces without food or water.
\n
"That the present situation i.e. the war is over between July the first and the 30th September 1943, the party of the first part M.T.presents the party of the second part with two bottles of Haig's whisky."
\n
These words come from a handwritten agreement dated March 3,1943, penned by Ronald Joy, who entered into the pact as "the party of the second part" with fellow prisoner of war M. Thompson ("the party of the first part") while both were imprisoned in a Japanese World War II camp located in present-day Shenyang, Liaoning province, in Northeast China, then occupied by invading Japanese forces.
\n
Known as the Mukden POW Camp — "Mukden" being the former name of Shenyang, or alternatively the Hoten Camp — the facility housed over 2,000 Allied prisoners, primarily Americans, British, and Australians, including the two men named above.
\n
"When they made this agreement, they had been in the camp for less than four months and still held hope," says Li Zhuoran, deputy director of the Shenyang WWII Allied Prisoners Camp Site Museum, which stands on the original site of the former Mukden Camp.
\n
Yet, that hope wore thin, smoldered, and came perilously close to being extinguished by the prolonged war and the men's drawn-out captivity, which lasted until August 1945. "Their time in the camp was marked by relentless physical, mental, and emotional trials," Li continues, "as they endured every form of hardship — including the brutal winters of Northeast China, which claimed nearly 200 POW lives in the few months between late 1942 and early 1943, just before that agreement was made."
\n
Many of those who perished that bitter winter had already survived a gauntlet of horrors: the initial bombing of the Philippines — launched mere hours after Japan's surprise attack on Pearl Harbor; the notorious Bataan Death March, where surrendering American and Filipino soldiers were forced to trudge over 100 kilometers through jungle heat and brutality, collapsing one by one along the way; and the harrowing journey aboard a Japanese "Hell Ship" — in this case, the Tottori Maru — so squalid and inhumane it earned the grim title of a "floating tomb" before delivering its emaciated captives to Busan, Korea, from where they boarded a train to Shenyang. (The British and Australian POWs of the camp mainly came from Singapore and Hong Kong.)
\n
"As solid as a battleship's armor" — that was how Jonathan Wainwright, Commander of Allied forces in the Philippines during World War II, described the frozen earth of Northeast China. It was so impenetrable that the digging of burial pits for deceased POWs had to be delayed until late spring. In the meantime, bodies were stacked in a wooden storage shed, their blankets stripped away by fellow prisoners struggling to survive the relentless cold.
\n
In Allied Prisoners of War in China (2018), Chinese historian Yang Jing records former POW Robert Rosendahl's account of the gruesome aftermath of winter: As corpses thawed, they began to emit a stench that attracted wild dogs — animals the starving prisoners killed and ate without hesitation.
\n
The Mukden Camp, as it came to be known, did not officially open until July 1943. Before that, prisoners were temporarily housed in disused army barracks. Spanning nearly 50,000 square meters and holding over 2,000 Allied prisoners, the Mukden Camp was the largest of Japan's 115 POW camps across Asia during WWII. It also had two sub-camps located in Jilin province further north, where General Jonathan Wainwright and other high-ranking Allied officers were confined.
\n
Today, the camp's outer walls — once topped with barbed wire and watched over by guard towers — are long gone. Yet, a water tower and a tall chimney, once linked to the camp's boiler room, still stand. In their shadow, a new building has been erected to display a miscellany of artifacts — mementos from days the POWs had desperately hoped would soon come to an end. These included personal effects like tin lunch boxes, cigarette holders and cases, and rather surprisingly, a gold tooth that once belonged to a POW.
\n
Condemned to forced labor in factories that supported Japan's military-industrial effort, some POWs secretly carved tobacco pipes from large chunks of wood as a subtle form of sabotage. Others engaged in riskier acts: According to former Mukden Camp prisoner Ralph Griffith, those assigned to the blueprint office deliberately inserted small errors into technical drawings, while others simply threw tools into the area to have concrete poured.
\n
On display at the museum are the work badges some of the POWs had worn, with their assigned numbers. These were the numbers by which they were remembered — called out by the Japanese during roll call, stripped of name and identity. Griffith was simply No 552.
\n
Life in the camp, marked by debilitating winter cold, chronic starvation, constant beatings, and unrelenting disease, took a devastating toll. Edmund Jemison — prisoner No 253 — nearly lost his sight due to severe malnutrition and required extensive treatment after the war.
\n
Keeping that in mind, it's particularly heart-wrenching for a museum visitor to read the letter written by William Burrola to his father, telling the old man that he and his elder brother Joseph — both imprisoned at Mukden — "are being well taken care of". "It was sure good to see snow gain," wrote Burrola, noting that "it is another Christmas".
\n
Some attempted to escape. On June 23, 1943, three American POWs escaped from Mukden Camp but were recaptured and executed on July 31. The youngest, Ferdinand Meringolo, was just 20 years old. Their escape was aided by Gao Dechun, a 19-year-old Chinese laborer at the factory where they worked, who risked his life to obtain a map of Northeast China. For his bravery, Gao was severely beaten and sentenced to 10 years in prison — a term terminated by Japan's surrender on Aug 15, 1945.
\n
On Sept 2, 1945, aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay, General MacArthur signed Japan's Instrument of Surrender, before passing the pen to General Wainwright, honoring him with a deeply symbolic gesture.
\n
In a later interview, Griffith recalled his "first free day", when a little Chinese girl at the camp gate took his hand and motioned for him to follow. She led him to a nearby home, where he was welcomed with rice wine and a hot meal.
\n
"When I signed up for the army at 17, I had my choice between Hawaii, Alaska, Panama and the Philippine Islands. I asked the recruiting officer which was the farthest away and told him that's what I wanted," he recalled.
\n
In May 2007, Griffith — who passed away in 2020 at the age of 96 — returned to Shenyang for the first time since his release in 1945. Today, a wax figure of him as an elderly man sits alone on the lower bunk of a bed inside the sole surviving two-story brick barrack once used by POWs — a quiet tribute to his visit.
\n
"Grin and bear" — that was Griffith's way of enduring. Others, like Joy, who had wagered on when the war would end, sought escape through sleep, described by one POW as their opiate.
\n
On the reverse side of the agreement, Joy had scrawled a tender poem to his young wife:
\n
"I'm getting tired so I can sleep,
\n
And sleep well enough to dream,
\n
And dream of you, my dear, the whole night through …"
\n
Contact the writers at zhaoxu@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
The Mukden POW Camp around 1943.
\n
Former POWs of the Mukden Camp and their families return to the site in May 2007.
\n
At the Shenyang WWII Allied Prisoners Camp Site Museum, a young volunteer guide addresses visitors. In the background is a model depicting a brutal punishment method, in which POWs were confined in tiny spaces without food or water.
\n
"That the present situation i.e. the war is over between July the first and the 30th September 1943, the party of the first part M.T.presents the party of the second part with two bottles of Haig's whisky."
\n
These words come from a handwritten agreement dated March 3,1943, penned by Ronald Joy, who entered into the pact as "the party of the second part" with fellow prisoner of war M. Thompson ("the party of the first part") while both were imprisoned in a Japanese World War II camp located in present-day Shenyang, Liaoning province, in Northeast China, then occupied by invading Japanese forces.
\n
Known as the Mukden POW Camp — "Mukden" being the former name of Shenyang, or alternatively the Hoten Camp — the facility housed over 2,000 Allied prisoners, primarily Americans, British, and Australians, including the two men named above.
\n
"When they made this agreement, they had been in the camp for less than four months and still held hope," says Li Zhuoran, deputy director of the Shenyang WWII Allied Prisoners Camp Site Museum, which stands on the original site of the former Mukden Camp.
\n
Yet, that hope wore thin, smoldered, and came perilously close to being extinguished by the prolonged war and the men's drawn-out captivity, which lasted until August 1945. "Their time in the camp was marked by relentless physical, mental, and emotional trials," Li continues, "as they endured every form of hardship — including the brutal winters of Northeast China, which claimed nearly 200 POW lives in the few months between late 1942 and early 1943, just before that agreement was made."
\n
Many of those who perished that bitter winter had already survived a gauntlet of horrors: the initial bombing of the Philippines — launched mere hours after Japan's surprise attack on Pearl Harbor; the notorious Bataan Death March, where surrendering American and Filipino soldiers were forced to trudge over 100 kilometers through jungle heat and brutality, collapsing one by one along the way; and the harrowing journey aboard a Japanese "Hell Ship" — in this case, the Tottori Maru — so squalid and inhumane it earned the grim title of a "floating tomb" before delivering its emaciated captives to Busan, Korea, from where they boarded a train to Shenyang. (The British and Australian POWs of the camp mainly came from Singapore and Hong Kong.)
\n
"As solid as a battleship's armor" — that was how Jonathan Wainwright, Commander of Allied forces in the Philippines during World War II, described the frozen earth of Northeast China. It was so impenetrable that the digging of burial pits for deceased POWs had to be delayed until late spring. In the meantime, bodies were stacked in a wooden storage shed, their blankets stripped away by fellow prisoners struggling to survive the relentless cold.
\n
In Allied Prisoners of War in China (2018), Chinese historian Yang Jing records former POW Robert Rosendahl's account of the gruesome aftermath of winter: As corpses thawed, they began to emit a stench that attracted wild dogs — animals the starving prisoners killed and ate without hesitation.
\n
The Mukden Camp, as it came to be known, did not officially open until July 1943. Before that, prisoners were temporarily housed in disused army barracks. Spanning nearly 50,000 square meters and holding over 2,000 Allied prisoners, the Mukden Camp was the largest of Japan's 115 POW camps across Asia during WWII. It also had two sub-camps located in Jilin province further north, where General Jonathan Wainwright and other high-ranking Allied officers were confined.
\n
Today, the camp's outer walls — once topped with barbed wire and watched over by guard towers — are long gone. Yet, a water tower and a tall chimney, once linked to the camp's boiler room, still stand. In their shadow, a new building has been erected to display a miscellany of artifacts — mementos from days the POWs had desperately hoped would soon come to an end. These included personal effects like tin lunch boxes, cigarette holders and cases, and rather surprisingly, a gold tooth that once belonged to a POW.
\n
Condemned to forced labor in factories that supported Japan's military-industrial effort, some POWs secretly carved tobacco pipes from large chunks of wood as a subtle form of sabotage. Others engaged in riskier acts: According to former Mukden Camp prisoner Ralph Griffith, those assigned to the blueprint office deliberately inserted small errors into technical drawings, while others simply threw tools into the area to have concrete poured.
\n
On display at the museum are the work badges some of the POWs had worn, with their assigned numbers. These were the numbers by which they were remembered — called out by the Japanese during roll call, stripped of name and identity. Griffith was simply No 552.
\n
Life in the camp, marked by debilitating winter cold, chronic starvation, constant beatings, and unrelenting disease, took a devastating toll. Edmund Jemison — prisoner No 253 — nearly lost his sight due to severe malnutrition and required extensive treatment after the war.
\n
Keeping that in mind, it's particularly heart-wrenching for a museum visitor to read the letter written by William Burrola to his father, telling the old man that he and his elder brother Joseph — both imprisoned at Mukden — "are being well taken care of". "It was sure good to see snow gain," wrote Burrola, noting that "it is another Christmas".
\n
Some attempted to escape. On June 23, 1943, three American POWs escaped from Mukden Camp but were recaptured and executed on July 31. The youngest, Ferdinand Meringolo, was just 20 years old. Their escape was aided by Gao Dechun, a 19-year-old Chinese laborer at the factory where they worked, who risked his life to obtain a map of Northeast China. For his bravery, Gao was severely beaten and sentenced to 10 years in prison — a term terminated by Japan's surrender on Aug 15, 1945.
\n
On Sept 2, 1945, aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay, General MacArthur signed Japan's Instrument of Surrender, before passing the pen to General Wainwright, honoring him with a deeply symbolic gesture.
\n
In a later interview, Griffith recalled his "first free day", when a little Chinese girl at the camp gate took his hand and motioned for him to follow. She led him to a nearby home, where he was welcomed with rice wine and a hot meal.
\n
"When I signed up for the army at 17, I had my choice between Hawaii, Alaska, Panama and the Philippine Islands. I asked the recruiting officer which was the farthest away and told him that's what I wanted," he recalled.
\n
In May 2007, Griffith — who passed away in 2020 at the age of 96 — returned to Shenyang for the first time since his release in 1945. Today, a wax figure of him as an elderly man sits alone on the lower bunk of a bed inside the sole surviving two-story brick barrack once used by POWs — a quiet tribute to his visit.
\n
"Grin and bear" — that was Griffith's way of enduring. Others, like Joy, who had wagered on when the war would end, sought escape through sleep, described by one POW as their opiate.
\n
On the reverse side of the agreement, Joy had scrawled a tender poem to his young wife:
\n
"I'm getting tired so I can sleep,
\n
And sleep well enough to dream,
\n
And dream of you, my dear, the whole night through …"
\n
Contact the writers at zhaoxu@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "category": "",
+ "link": "https://mobile.chinadaily.com.cn/cn/html5/2025-08/12/content_018_689a505aed50ccabe151759b.htm#018LIFE",
+ "creator": "",
+ "pubDate": "Tue, 12 Aug 2025 00:21:04 +0000",
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+ "id": "",
+ "language": "",
+ "folder": "双语",
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+ },
+ {
+ "title": "018LIFE - A place where simple art was a courageous act of resistance",
+ "description": "
A caricature by William Wuttke depicts POWs — all naked — with Japanese doctors "believed to be from Unit 731".
\n
"He always believed he could make it just one more day," wrote Lillian Wuttke DeGiacomo in Just One More Day, a posthumous tribute to her husband, William C Wuttke — author of nearly 100 cartoons capturing the brutal realities he and his fellow POWs endured at Mukden Camp, a Japanese prison camp in Shenyang, Liaoning province in Northeast China, during World War II.
\n
Today, reproductions of Wuttke's original works hang on the walls of the Shenyang WWII Allied Prisoners Camp Site Museum, which opened in 2013 — 10 years after former inmates first returned to visit the site in 2003.
\n
Wuttke never made it back — cancer claimed him in 1977. Yet, his work, laced with wit, detail, and piercing insight, endures as a quiet monument to the human spirit: resilience in hardship, dignity in degradation, and artistry under duress.
\n
"His works are as much historical testimony as they are personal expression," says Li Zhuoran, the museum's deputy director. "In the absence of photographs, with the Japanese intent on concealing the truth and many surviving POWs unwilling to relive the pain, much of what happened here might have been lost — were it not for Wuttke and his two fellow covert camp artists."
\n
Li was referring to Barton Franklin Pinson and Malcolm Vaughn Fortier, who also documented camp life through drawings. While Wuttke and Pinson were held in Mukden Camp and forced to work in the drafting office of a nearby Japanese-run labor factory known as MKK, Fortier, an army colonel, was imprisoned in a sub-camp about 200 kilometers to the northwest.
\n
"Wuttke and Pinson had access to drawing tools and materials as draftsmen. But what truly made these caricatures possible was their resolve to defy camp life through creativity," says Li.
\n
In Just One More Day, cowritten by Wuttke's wife Lillian and son Peter, he is described as smuggling drawings from the factory to his barracks "by plastering them to his body" to evade the guards' daily patdowns — a routine he duly captured in one of his caricatures.
\n
Hunger, cold, and squalid conditions are recurring themes in Wuttke's drawings. One sketch shows POWs "trying to improve their protein intake" by setting a trap for a bird; another depicts them "enjoying a feast of native dog". In a third, a prisoner "acts nonchalant while filching a carrot-like vegetable from the garden".
\n
"If caught, a severe beating would be the least of his worries," Wuttke noted — rarely missing the chance to pair each illustration with a biting caption.
\n
Here, humor was more than an artistic device — it was a means of finding levity in suffering, of preserving sanity by pushing back against the physical and psychological toll of captivity. In one sketch, a POW "warns the rest of the boys that the bedbugs were arriving by parachutes". In reality, lice, fleas, and bedbugs were so rampant in the barracks that they caused countless sleepless nights and had to be pinched to death, often found hiding in the seams of clothing.
\n
Yet, "even the fleas had to stand at kiotsuke (attention) and count off," Wuttke quipped beneath a sketch of fleas standing rigidly in line — a satirical jab at the Japanese guards' brutal practice of forcing POWs to count off in the freezing cold, sometimes for up to an hour.
\n
As for the cold itself, perhaps the most vivid depiction came from Fortier, who drew POWs desperately hacking through ice to restore flow to the camp's frozen water pipes. In another darkly humorous sketch of his, a prisoner enters a latrine on stilts, balancing above an overflowing, frozen mass of diarrhea — labeled "a menace to health".
\n
The harsh conditions fueled the spread of disease both infectious and environmental, top of them dysentery, malaria, pneumonia, typhoid, and beriberi. For the latter, some sufferers even packed their boots with snow or soaked their feet in icy water to ease the pain.
\n
Japanese doctors were brought in, but their motives were highly suspicious — especially given that Mukden Camp was under the control of the Kwantung Army, which not only ruled much of occupied Northeastern China but also oversaw Unit 731, the infamous biological warfare unit of the Imperial Japanese Army.
\n
Included in Wuttke's portfolio is a drawing of POWs — all naked — undergoing various measurements by Japanese doctors "believed to be from Unit 731" as noted by the author.
\n
In her book Guests of the Emperor: The Secret History of Japan's Mukden POW Camp, Linda Goetz Holmes (1933-2020), the first Pacific War historian appointed to advise the US government Interagency Working Group declassifying documents on World War II crimes, asserts that Japanese medical personnel from Unit 731 visited Mukden Camp in early 1943 and conducted human experimentation on Allied prisoners, including Americans.
\n
Wuttke observed that once a POW lost the will to eat, "it was almost over". Recognizing the importance of staying hopeful, one prisoner managed to gather enough scraps of wood and old boxes to build a fullsize bass fiddle — an act captured in one of Wuttke's caricatures. Remarkably, the bass reappears in a group photo taken after the camp's liberation by Soviet troops on Aug 20, 1945, standing as a powerful symbol of the unconquered human spirit.
\n
Equally striking is a black-and-white photograph showing former Japanese guards harvesting potatoes — this time under the watchful eyes of newly liberated Allied POWs. "The role reversal is the ultimate satire, the kind that the camp artists would have truly savored," says Li.
\n
After the war, Fortier published his surviving works in a book dedicated to General Jonathan Wainwright, commander of Allied forces in the Philippines, and "all other POWs, living and dead". To prepare the collection, he painstakingly retraced every line in heavy black pencil — an arduous, monthslong effort that let him relive those harrowing years not merely as a victim, but as a witness compelled to chronicle them, despite having no formal art training.
\n
For his part, Wuttke contributed to acts of sabotage by regularly inserting small errors into technical blueprints. Yet, his most enduring contribution was to memory itself — a memory Robert Rosendahl, one former POW who returned to the site in 2003, admitted having "spent 59 years trying to forget", but ultimately could not ignore.
\n
"Between suffering and survival, some men had found art," says Li.
\n",
+ "content": "
A caricature by William Wuttke depicts POWs — all naked — with Japanese doctors "believed to be from Unit 731".
\n
"He always believed he could make it just one more day," wrote Lillian Wuttke DeGiacomo in Just One More Day, a posthumous tribute to her husband, William C Wuttke — author of nearly 100 cartoons capturing the brutal realities he and his fellow POWs endured at Mukden Camp, a Japanese prison camp in Shenyang, Liaoning province in Northeast China, during World War II.
\n
Today, reproductions of Wuttke's original works hang on the walls of the Shenyang WWII Allied Prisoners Camp Site Museum, which opened in 2013 — 10 years after former inmates first returned to visit the site in 2003.
\n
Wuttke never made it back — cancer claimed him in 1977. Yet, his work, laced with wit, detail, and piercing insight, endures as a quiet monument to the human spirit: resilience in hardship, dignity in degradation, and artistry under duress.
\n
"His works are as much historical testimony as they are personal expression," says Li Zhuoran, the museum's deputy director. "In the absence of photographs, with the Japanese intent on concealing the truth and many surviving POWs unwilling to relive the pain, much of what happened here might have been lost — were it not for Wuttke and his two fellow covert camp artists."
\n
Li was referring to Barton Franklin Pinson and Malcolm Vaughn Fortier, who also documented camp life through drawings. While Wuttke and Pinson were held in Mukden Camp and forced to work in the drafting office of a nearby Japanese-run labor factory known as MKK, Fortier, an army colonel, was imprisoned in a sub-camp about 200 kilometers to the northwest.
\n
"Wuttke and Pinson had access to drawing tools and materials as draftsmen. But what truly made these caricatures possible was their resolve to defy camp life through creativity," says Li.
\n
In Just One More Day, cowritten by Wuttke's wife Lillian and son Peter, he is described as smuggling drawings from the factory to his barracks "by plastering them to his body" to evade the guards' daily patdowns — a routine he duly captured in one of his caricatures.
\n
Hunger, cold, and squalid conditions are recurring themes in Wuttke's drawings. One sketch shows POWs "trying to improve their protein intake" by setting a trap for a bird; another depicts them "enjoying a feast of native dog". In a third, a prisoner "acts nonchalant while filching a carrot-like vegetable from the garden".
\n
"If caught, a severe beating would be the least of his worries," Wuttke noted — rarely missing the chance to pair each illustration with a biting caption.
\n
Here, humor was more than an artistic device — it was a means of finding levity in suffering, of preserving sanity by pushing back against the physical and psychological toll of captivity. In one sketch, a POW "warns the rest of the boys that the bedbugs were arriving by parachutes". In reality, lice, fleas, and bedbugs were so rampant in the barracks that they caused countless sleepless nights and had to be pinched to death, often found hiding in the seams of clothing.
\n
Yet, "even the fleas had to stand at kiotsuke (attention) and count off," Wuttke quipped beneath a sketch of fleas standing rigidly in line — a satirical jab at the Japanese guards' brutal practice of forcing POWs to count off in the freezing cold, sometimes for up to an hour.
\n
As for the cold itself, perhaps the most vivid depiction came from Fortier, who drew POWs desperately hacking through ice to restore flow to the camp's frozen water pipes. In another darkly humorous sketch of his, a prisoner enters a latrine on stilts, balancing above an overflowing, frozen mass of diarrhea — labeled "a menace to health".
\n
The harsh conditions fueled the spread of disease both infectious and environmental, top of them dysentery, malaria, pneumonia, typhoid, and beriberi. For the latter, some sufferers even packed their boots with snow or soaked their feet in icy water to ease the pain.
\n
Japanese doctors were brought in, but their motives were highly suspicious — especially given that Mukden Camp was under the control of the Kwantung Army, which not only ruled much of occupied Northeastern China but also oversaw Unit 731, the infamous biological warfare unit of the Imperial Japanese Army.
\n
Included in Wuttke's portfolio is a drawing of POWs — all naked — undergoing various measurements by Japanese doctors "believed to be from Unit 731" as noted by the author.
\n
In her book Guests of the Emperor: The Secret History of Japan's Mukden POW Camp, Linda Goetz Holmes (1933-2020), the first Pacific War historian appointed to advise the US government Interagency Working Group declassifying documents on World War II crimes, asserts that Japanese medical personnel from Unit 731 visited Mukden Camp in early 1943 and conducted human experimentation on Allied prisoners, including Americans.
\n
Wuttke observed that once a POW lost the will to eat, "it was almost over". Recognizing the importance of staying hopeful, one prisoner managed to gather enough scraps of wood and old boxes to build a fullsize bass fiddle — an act captured in one of Wuttke's caricatures. Remarkably, the bass reappears in a group photo taken after the camp's liberation by Soviet troops on Aug 20, 1945, standing as a powerful symbol of the unconquered human spirit.
\n
Equally striking is a black-and-white photograph showing former Japanese guards harvesting potatoes — this time under the watchful eyes of newly liberated Allied POWs. "The role reversal is the ultimate satire, the kind that the camp artists would have truly savored," says Li.
\n
After the war, Fortier published his surviving works in a book dedicated to General Jonathan Wainwright, commander of Allied forces in the Philippines, and "all other POWs, living and dead". To prepare the collection, he painstakingly retraced every line in heavy black pencil — an arduous, monthslong effort that let him relive those harrowing years not merely as a victim, but as a witness compelled to chronicle them, despite having no formal art training.
\n
For his part, Wuttke contributed to acts of sabotage by regularly inserting small errors into technical blueprints. Yet, his most enduring contribution was to memory itself — a memory Robert Rosendahl, one former POW who returned to the site in 2003, admitted having "spent 59 years trying to forget", but ultimately could not ignore.
\n
"Between suffering and survival, some men had found art," says Li.
Crystal Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson saves a penalty kick from Liverpool's Harvey Elliott during a shootout to decide the winner of the FA Community Shield at Wembley Stadium in London on Sunday.
\n
LONDON — Crystal Palace pulled off another Wembley upset by beating Premier League champion Liverpool to lift the Community Shield on Sunday.
\n
After stunning Manchester City in the FA Cup final in May, Palace defied the odds again — winning a penalty shootout 3-2 after the game ended in a 2-2 draw.
\n
"It's incredible. We turned up today — they're the favorites, they've got unbelievable players, they're a great team," Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson said. "Two trophies in three months. That's incredible. Let's find the next bit of history."
\n
Henderson saved two penalties in the shootout.
\n
"I love the big moments. I love that pressure moment," he said.
\n
Mohamed Salah also fired over with Liverpool's first spotkick and Palace substitute Justin Devenny converted the winning penalty by blasting high into the corner to spark huge celebrations.
\n
Victory in the FA Cup had seen Palace win a first major trophy in its history, and it has quickly followed that up with the Community Shield in the curtain-raiser for the new English Premier League season.
\n
'A big performance'
\n
Oliver Glasner's team twice had to come from behind, after goals from new Liverpool signings Hugo Ekitike and Jeremie Frimpong. Jean-Philippe Mateta and Ismaila Sarr struck for Palace.
\n
"It was a big performance. We were almost the same level as Liverpool. I'm really proud of the team and how they played," said Palace coach Glasner.
\n
Ekitike — a $93.5 million signing from Eintracht Frankfurt — made a quick impression, with his first goal for Liverpool coming after just four minutes.
\n
The France forward showed a deft touch before turning on the edge of the box and sweeping a low shot into the far corner.
\n
Palace got back on level terms with a 17th minute penalty.
\n
Sarr was fouled by Virgil van Dijk, and Mateta sent Liverpool keeper Alisson Becker the wrong way with his spotkick.
\n
Frimpong restored Liverpool's lead courtesy of a seemingly freak goal in the 21st minute.
\n
Carrying the ball on the right, the defender looked to lift a cross to the far post and watched as the ball spun wildly over the head of Henderson and over the line.
\n
Sarr leveled the game again in the 77th with a powerful finish from close range that beat Alisson via the inside of the post.
\n
It was his fourth goal in seven games against Liverpool.
\n
Straight to spotkicks
\n
With no extra time, the game went straight to penalties and Salah got Liverpool off to the worst start by lifting his effort high over the bar. Henderson then saved further spotkicks from Alexis Mac Allister and Harvey Elliott.
\n
Mateta and Sarr struck for Palace but, with Eberechi Eze having his shot saved, and Borna Sosa hitting the bar, the shootout came down to the final penalty, which Devenny crashed home, sending Palace and its fans into rapturous celebration.
\n
Last season's FA Cup celebrations turned into a court battle for Palace, after it was demoted from the second-tier Europa League to the third-tier UEFA Conference League. European soccer's governing body found Palace in breach of multi-club ownership regulations because of its ties to French club Lyon through American businessman John Textor.
\n
Palace lodged an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport and a verdict is expected on Monday.
\n
Big spenders
\n
Fresh from winning a record-equaling 20th English league title last season, Liverpool has been active in the transfer market, spending $342 million on new signings Florian Wirtz, Ekitike, Frimpong and Milos Kerkez. All four started at Wembley, as Liverpool manager Arne Slot unveiled his new-look team.
\n
Ekitike and Frimpong made scoring starts. Wirtz provided an assist, but wasted a good chance in the second half, firing over the bar.
\n
"Because we are Liverpool, the pressure is always on. Even if we bring no players in, or we bring 10 players in, if you wear the Liverpool shirt, there is always pressure," Slot said.
\n
Jota tribute disrupted
\n
A tribute to Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva, who died in a car accident last month, was marred by some fans, as players stood for a moment's silence before kickoff.
\n
Loud voices could be heard in the crowd, which prompted some boos, before referee Chris Kavanagh blew his whistle to signal the end of the tribute.
\n
Liverpool has retired Jota's No 20 jersey as a mark of respect, and fans applauded him as the clock struck 20 minutes during the game.
\n",
+ "content": "
Crystal Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson saves a penalty kick from Liverpool's Harvey Elliott during a shootout to decide the winner of the FA Community Shield at Wembley Stadium in London on Sunday.
\n
LONDON — Crystal Palace pulled off another Wembley upset by beating Premier League champion Liverpool to lift the Community Shield on Sunday.
\n
After stunning Manchester City in the FA Cup final in May, Palace defied the odds again — winning a penalty shootout 3-2 after the game ended in a 2-2 draw.
\n
"It's incredible. We turned up today — they're the favorites, they've got unbelievable players, they're a great team," Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson said. "Two trophies in three months. That's incredible. Let's find the next bit of history."
\n
Henderson saved two penalties in the shootout.
\n
"I love the big moments. I love that pressure moment," he said.
\n
Mohamed Salah also fired over with Liverpool's first spotkick and Palace substitute Justin Devenny converted the winning penalty by blasting high into the corner to spark huge celebrations.
\n
Victory in the FA Cup had seen Palace win a first major trophy in its history, and it has quickly followed that up with the Community Shield in the curtain-raiser for the new English Premier League season.
\n
'A big performance'
\n
Oliver Glasner's team twice had to come from behind, after goals from new Liverpool signings Hugo Ekitike and Jeremie Frimpong. Jean-Philippe Mateta and Ismaila Sarr struck for Palace.
\n
"It was a big performance. We were almost the same level as Liverpool. I'm really proud of the team and how they played," said Palace coach Glasner.
\n
Ekitike — a $93.5 million signing from Eintracht Frankfurt — made a quick impression, with his first goal for Liverpool coming after just four minutes.
\n
The France forward showed a deft touch before turning on the edge of the box and sweeping a low shot into the far corner.
\n
Palace got back on level terms with a 17th minute penalty.
\n
Sarr was fouled by Virgil van Dijk, and Mateta sent Liverpool keeper Alisson Becker the wrong way with his spotkick.
\n
Frimpong restored Liverpool's lead courtesy of a seemingly freak goal in the 21st minute.
\n
Carrying the ball on the right, the defender looked to lift a cross to the far post and watched as the ball spun wildly over the head of Henderson and over the line.
\n
Sarr leveled the game again in the 77th with a powerful finish from close range that beat Alisson via the inside of the post.
\n
It was his fourth goal in seven games against Liverpool.
\n
Straight to spotkicks
\n
With no extra time, the game went straight to penalties and Salah got Liverpool off to the worst start by lifting his effort high over the bar. Henderson then saved further spotkicks from Alexis Mac Allister and Harvey Elliott.
\n
Mateta and Sarr struck for Palace but, with Eberechi Eze having his shot saved, and Borna Sosa hitting the bar, the shootout came down to the final penalty, which Devenny crashed home, sending Palace and its fans into rapturous celebration.
\n
Last season's FA Cup celebrations turned into a court battle for Palace, after it was demoted from the second-tier Europa League to the third-tier UEFA Conference League. European soccer's governing body found Palace in breach of multi-club ownership regulations because of its ties to French club Lyon through American businessman John Textor.
\n
Palace lodged an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport and a verdict is expected on Monday.
\n
Big spenders
\n
Fresh from winning a record-equaling 20th English league title last season, Liverpool has been active in the transfer market, spending $342 million on new signings Florian Wirtz, Ekitike, Frimpong and Milos Kerkez. All four started at Wembley, as Liverpool manager Arne Slot unveiled his new-look team.
\n
Ekitike and Frimpong made scoring starts. Wirtz provided an assist, but wasted a good chance in the second half, firing over the bar.
\n
"Because we are Liverpool, the pressure is always on. Even if we bring no players in, or we bring 10 players in, if you wear the Liverpool shirt, there is always pressure," Slot said.
\n
Jota tribute disrupted
\n
A tribute to Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva, who died in a car accident last month, was marred by some fans, as players stood for a moment's silence before kickoff.
\n
Loud voices could be heard in the crowd, which prompted some boos, before referee Chris Kavanagh blew his whistle to signal the end of the tribute.
\n
Liverpool has retired Jota's No 20 jersey as a mark of respect, and fans applauded him as the clock struck 20 minutes during the game.
Wrexham was denied a Hollywood-style return to English soccer's second tier on Saturday, when relegated Premier League team Southampton struck twice in the final minutes to grab a 2-1 win.
\n
Josh Windass' penalty kick in the 22nd minute looked as if it would be enough to secure the Welsh side a first win in its first game back in the division after 43 years.
\n
But, Ireland defender Ryan Manning equalized in the 90th with a brilliant freekick over the wall finishing inside the right post, and then sent Jack Stephens sliding in at the far post to poke the winning goal into the roof of the net in the 96th at St. Mary's Stadium.
\n
"I think, when we reflect, it's a very proud day for the club to be playing at this level, and there were a lot of positives for us," said Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson.
\n
"The new lads came in and have done really well, but the existing players, as well, I thought were really good.
\n
"That gives us great heart for the season ahead."
\n
Wrexham missed numerous chances to build on its lead. Ryan Hardie might have sealed the win in the 87th minute, but goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu tipped the Scottish forward's left-footed shot just wide.
\n
"It hurts because the lads have given us a lot today," Parkinson told Sky Sports. "We had a chance to kill the game off. To be fair to Ryan, the keeper has made a brilliant save."
\n
Southampton went closest before the break, when Jay Robinson struck the post. Conor Coady cleared Adam Armstrong's effort from the rebound off the line. Wrexham signed Coady from Leicester — he arrived with 198 games of Premier League experience.
\n
Wrexham has enjoyed a spectacular rise under celebrity co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. Just three years ago, Wrexham was playing non-league soccer in England's fifth tier.
\n
After three straight promotions, Wrexham is in the Championship. It's one tier below the Premier League and renowned as one of the toughest divisions in soccer. Something Wrexham is now painfully aware of.
\n
Parkinson noted that Southampton, which won just two games in the Premier League last season, has "a multi-million-pound bench to throw on" as substitutes.
\n
"I was very proud today, stood out there watching the team run out in front of our supporters," he added. "Because of where we've come from, and, for me, to be stood here and be really disappointed we haven't got something out of the game says a lot for the squad."
\n",
+ "content": "
Wrexham was denied a Hollywood-style return to English soccer's second tier on Saturday, when relegated Premier League team Southampton struck twice in the final minutes to grab a 2-1 win.
\n
Josh Windass' penalty kick in the 22nd minute looked as if it would be enough to secure the Welsh side a first win in its first game back in the division after 43 years.
\n
But, Ireland defender Ryan Manning equalized in the 90th with a brilliant freekick over the wall finishing inside the right post, and then sent Jack Stephens sliding in at the far post to poke the winning goal into the roof of the net in the 96th at St. Mary's Stadium.
\n
"I think, when we reflect, it's a very proud day for the club to be playing at this level, and there were a lot of positives for us," said Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson.
\n
"The new lads came in and have done really well, but the existing players, as well, I thought were really good.
\n
"That gives us great heart for the season ahead."
\n
Wrexham missed numerous chances to build on its lead. Ryan Hardie might have sealed the win in the 87th minute, but goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu tipped the Scottish forward's left-footed shot just wide.
\n
"It hurts because the lads have given us a lot today," Parkinson told Sky Sports. "We had a chance to kill the game off. To be fair to Ryan, the keeper has made a brilliant save."
\n
Southampton went closest before the break, when Jay Robinson struck the post. Conor Coady cleared Adam Armstrong's effort from the rebound off the line. Wrexham signed Coady from Leicester — he arrived with 198 games of Premier League experience.
\n
Wrexham has enjoyed a spectacular rise under celebrity co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. Just three years ago, Wrexham was playing non-league soccer in England's fifth tier.
\n
After three straight promotions, Wrexham is in the Championship. It's one tier below the Premier League and renowned as one of the toughest divisions in soccer. Something Wrexham is now painfully aware of.
\n
Parkinson noted that Southampton, which won just two games in the Premier League last season, has "a multi-million-pound bench to throw on" as substitutes.
\n
"I was very proud today, stood out there watching the team run out in front of our supporters," he added. "Because of where we've come from, and, for me, to be stood here and be really disappointed we haven't got something out of the game says a lot for the squad."
Son Heung-min said he had never experienced such a welcoming atmosphere at an away game after making his Major League Soccer debut for Los Angeles FC against Chicago Fire, where he was greeted by a packed crowd at SeatGeek Stadium in Illinois.
\n
Son joined LAFC for a record-breaking MLS transfer fee on Wednesday after a 10-year spell at Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur. At Tottenham, he bagged 173 goals and 101 assists in 454 appearances and led the team to its first trophy in 17 years by winning the Europa League title in May.
\n
The 33-year-old South Korea skipper made a lively debut in black and gold late on Saturday, drawing a penalty to rescue a 2-2 draw with Chicago.
\n
"This was an exciting time, for a whole week, joining LAFC; it was huge," Son told reporters. "There was only one thing I wanted to do, and today, being on the pitch, I think it was fantastic.
\n
"With the result, it's a little bit disappointing, because I think we should have got three points, but, generally, I think I'm very, very happy and excited.
\n
"I really enjoyed it. I've never had this at away games. I used to play in the Premier League. When I played at away grounds they were always booing me and always booing the players, but it was nice to see people were celebrating, people were enjoying the football."
\n
Son's move is expected to resonate with Los Angeles' sizeable Korean community. The team's stadium is just south of Koreatown.
\n
"I want to do well for MLS, because I came here to make this league big," Son said.
\n
Son will not make his home debut until Aug 31, when Western Conference leader San Diego will visit LA.
\n
But, around the Fire's SeatGeek Stadium there were a lot of fans wearing his jerseys, waving South Korean flags and holding up signs welcoming Son to MLS.
\n
Cheers greeted his entry in place of David Martinez in the 61st minute with the teams level at 1-1.
\n
"It was a decent 30 minutes in my legs, so, yeah, getting ready for next week," Son said.
\n
"We'll see how I progress with the training sessions and with the players, and we'll see (if), next week, I can start and make a big impact."
\n
LAFC will play New England Revolution in Massachusetts on Aug 16.
\n",
+ "content": "
Son Heung-min
\n
Son Heung-min said he had never experienced such a welcoming atmosphere at an away game after making his Major League Soccer debut for Los Angeles FC against Chicago Fire, where he was greeted by a packed crowd at SeatGeek Stadium in Illinois.
\n
Son joined LAFC for a record-breaking MLS transfer fee on Wednesday after a 10-year spell at Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur. At Tottenham, he bagged 173 goals and 101 assists in 454 appearances and led the team to its first trophy in 17 years by winning the Europa League title in May.
\n
The 33-year-old South Korea skipper made a lively debut in black and gold late on Saturday, drawing a penalty to rescue a 2-2 draw with Chicago.
\n
"This was an exciting time, for a whole week, joining LAFC; it was huge," Son told reporters. "There was only one thing I wanted to do, and today, being on the pitch, I think it was fantastic.
\n
"With the result, it's a little bit disappointing, because I think we should have got three points, but, generally, I think I'm very, very happy and excited.
\n
"I really enjoyed it. I've never had this at away games. I used to play in the Premier League. When I played at away grounds they were always booing me and always booing the players, but it was nice to see people were celebrating, people were enjoying the football."
\n
Son's move is expected to resonate with Los Angeles' sizeable Korean community. The team's stadium is just south of Koreatown.
\n
"I want to do well for MLS, because I came here to make this league big," Son said.
\n
Son will not make his home debut until Aug 31, when Western Conference leader San Diego will visit LA.
\n
But, around the Fire's SeatGeek Stadium there were a lot of fans wearing his jerseys, waving South Korean flags and holding up signs welcoming Son to MLS.
\n
Cheers greeted his entry in place of David Martinez in the 61st minute with the teams level at 1-1.
\n
"It was a decent 30 minutes in my legs, so, yeah, getting ready for next week," Son said.
\n
"We'll see how I progress with the training sessions and with the players, and we'll see (if), next week, I can start and make a big impact."
\n
LAFC will play New England Revolution in Massachusetts on Aug 16.
Second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr crosses home plate for the New York Yankees' only run in a crushing 7-1 loss to the Houston Astros at Yankee Stadium in New York on Sunday.
\n
For what it's worth, I'm a long-suffering baseball fan.
\n
Like my underperforming soccer team and my national rugby team, my baseball team, the New York Yankees, more often than not, seems to enjoy making me suffer, but I continue to watch with unwavering loyalty and false hope, as teams I despise do better and win stuff.
\n
The Yankees, for those unfamiliar with the sport, are to baseball what Manchester United is to Premier League soccer. They are arguably the game's most marketable club, as well as its most successful. They once enjoyed decades of unprecedented and unmatched success before, well, they didn't anymore.
\n
They are roundly disliked by almost everyone who isn't a dyed-in-the-wool fan, and people love to see them lose. Recently, the team has been only happy to oblige.
\n
The Bronx Bombers' summer performance has made a mockery of that moniker, and I sit there every morning, choking down my eggs and coffee as I watch the Yanks' offense fail to fire and its defense plumb new depths of ineptitude.
\n
As I see each batter who steps to the plate swing and miss, or worse, get struck-out looking, and trudge back to the dugout, I shout at the screen: "Good grief! How hard can be to hit the damned ball?"
\n
Pretty bloody hard, as it turns out.
\n
As the Beijing blast furnace that passes for summer ever-so-slightly abated last weekend, and the air was so clear you could see all the way to the western hills, I decided to put my money where my mouth is and finally have a crack at swinging a bat in anger.
\n
Fortunately, one of the city's biggest, prettiest and most well-heeled parks is also home to Jinfei Baseball and Softball Club, where, for the sum of around $10, a very nice and knowledgeable man will feed 100 yellow balls into a machine and point it at you from the far end of a long, narrow, sun-dappled cage.
\n
Now, I am relatively new to the sport, only really discovering its charm while living in the United States about 10 years ago. I was fortunate enough to be swept up in the romance of the Chicago Cubs' 108-year-drought-ending World Series win, while personally witnessing the arrival of future Hall of Famer, and the world's current best player by almost every metric, Aaron Judge, to "The Show".
\n
As such, I was very much a curious spectator, learning the rules as I went along, falling in love with the sport from the nosebleed seats high above Yankee Stadium's home plate, or hanging out with the big league scouts on random weekday afternoons at triple-A Round Rock Express near Austin, Texas. I wasn't brought up with the game, so I never learned to pitch, catch or, more importantly, hit.
\n
This would be a first time, and it would come in the baseball backwater of Beijing. And it was a reckoning.
\n
Before he let fly, my patient instructor schooled me in stance and grip with a light plastic bat, before giving me a much bigger, considerably heavier metal one and dispatching me to the plate.
\n
He continued to bark instructions through a hole in the net as the first few balls flew past me and I flailed around trying to swat them, looking for all the world like a ballerina having a seizure. I was already working up a sweat, and discovering new muscles down my right flank.
\n
After the first 20-or-so balls, I started to find my swing, slashing away as the pitches came thick and fast — I managed to foul most away, popping them up so vertically that I almost wore them as a hat as they came back down, or occasionally raked a few off the ground. Not one could I call a hit.
\n
By ball 60, I was finally putting the meat of the bat on a few nasty line drives, even a few potential homers (at least a healthy extra base hit or two), but my thumbs, palms, wrists and triceps were on fire.
\n
The amount of grip strength and muscle control required to get a decent swing, let alone even hit the damned ball, was the real lesson.
\n
By the time I'd ripped through my 150 balls and stood back, exhausted, to watch my better half have a go, I was certainly seeing things from a far more enlightened perspective.
\n
I was in the beginner cage, facing big, softball-sized missiles, being lobbed at no more than 70 km/h. What the pro ballers would call "meatballs". And I was still struggling to hit them.
\n
Judge and Giancarlo Stanton, et al, are facing smaller, harder balls, being slung in various nefarious ways at upwards of 150 km/h. And they hit more than 20 out of every 150 pitches they face, doing so with less time to react than the blink of an eye.
\n
They also endure the scrutiny of tens of thousands of people every time they swing. I only had the missus, the instructor and a small old man with a dog watching me.
\n
With my arm's newly activated muscles twitching like an electrocuted frog, and somewhat humbled, I ended up leaving Chaoyang Park with a newfound respect for the art of hitting. As such, I offer the whole experience a solid thumbs-up.
\n
Mainly as that is the only hand gesture my seized-up appendages can currently muster.
\n
mccarthy@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
Second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr crosses home plate for the New York Yankees' only run in a crushing 7-1 loss to the Houston Astros at Yankee Stadium in New York on Sunday.
\n
For what it's worth, I'm a long-suffering baseball fan.
\n
Like my underperforming soccer team and my national rugby team, my baseball team, the New York Yankees, more often than not, seems to enjoy making me suffer, but I continue to watch with unwavering loyalty and false hope, as teams I despise do better and win stuff.
\n
The Yankees, for those unfamiliar with the sport, are to baseball what Manchester United is to Premier League soccer. They are arguably the game's most marketable club, as well as its most successful. They once enjoyed decades of unprecedented and unmatched success before, well, they didn't anymore.
\n
They are roundly disliked by almost everyone who isn't a dyed-in-the-wool fan, and people love to see them lose. Recently, the team has been only happy to oblige.
\n
The Bronx Bombers' summer performance has made a mockery of that moniker, and I sit there every morning, choking down my eggs and coffee as I watch the Yanks' offense fail to fire and its defense plumb new depths of ineptitude.
\n
As I see each batter who steps to the plate swing and miss, or worse, get struck-out looking, and trudge back to the dugout, I shout at the screen: "Good grief! How hard can be to hit the damned ball?"
\n
Pretty bloody hard, as it turns out.
\n
As the Beijing blast furnace that passes for summer ever-so-slightly abated last weekend, and the air was so clear you could see all the way to the western hills, I decided to put my money where my mouth is and finally have a crack at swinging a bat in anger.
\n
Fortunately, one of the city's biggest, prettiest and most well-heeled parks is also home to Jinfei Baseball and Softball Club, where, for the sum of around $10, a very nice and knowledgeable man will feed 100 yellow balls into a machine and point it at you from the far end of a long, narrow, sun-dappled cage.
\n
Now, I am relatively new to the sport, only really discovering its charm while living in the United States about 10 years ago. I was fortunate enough to be swept up in the romance of the Chicago Cubs' 108-year-drought-ending World Series win, while personally witnessing the arrival of future Hall of Famer, and the world's current best player by almost every metric, Aaron Judge, to "The Show".
\n
As such, I was very much a curious spectator, learning the rules as I went along, falling in love with the sport from the nosebleed seats high above Yankee Stadium's home plate, or hanging out with the big league scouts on random weekday afternoons at triple-A Round Rock Express near Austin, Texas. I wasn't brought up with the game, so I never learned to pitch, catch or, more importantly, hit.
\n
This would be a first time, and it would come in the baseball backwater of Beijing. And it was a reckoning.
\n
Before he let fly, my patient instructor schooled me in stance and grip with a light plastic bat, before giving me a much bigger, considerably heavier metal one and dispatching me to the plate.
\n
He continued to bark instructions through a hole in the net as the first few balls flew past me and I flailed around trying to swat them, looking for all the world like a ballerina having a seizure. I was already working up a sweat, and discovering new muscles down my right flank.
\n
After the first 20-or-so balls, I started to find my swing, slashing away as the pitches came thick and fast — I managed to foul most away, popping them up so vertically that I almost wore them as a hat as they came back down, or occasionally raked a few off the ground. Not one could I call a hit.
\n
By ball 60, I was finally putting the meat of the bat on a few nasty line drives, even a few potential homers (at least a healthy extra base hit or two), but my thumbs, palms, wrists and triceps were on fire.
\n
The amount of grip strength and muscle control required to get a decent swing, let alone even hit the damned ball, was the real lesson.
\n
By the time I'd ripped through my 150 balls and stood back, exhausted, to watch my better half have a go, I was certainly seeing things from a far more enlightened perspective.
\n
I was in the beginner cage, facing big, softball-sized missiles, being lobbed at no more than 70 km/h. What the pro ballers would call "meatballs". And I was still struggling to hit them.
\n
Judge and Giancarlo Stanton, et al, are facing smaller, harder balls, being slung in various nefarious ways at upwards of 150 km/h. And they hit more than 20 out of every 150 pitches they face, doing so with less time to react than the blink of an eye.
\n
They also endure the scrutiny of tens of thousands of people every time they swing. I only had the missus, the instructor and a small old man with a dog watching me.
\n
With my arm's newly activated muscles twitching like an electrocuted frog, and somewhat humbled, I ended up leaving Chaoyang Park with a newfound respect for the art of hitting. As such, I offer the whole experience a solid thumbs-up.
\n
Mainly as that is the only hand gesture my seized-up appendages can currently muster.
Oliver Orban from Hungary competes in the cable wakeboard semifinals during the 2025 World Games in Chengdu on Saturday.
\n
Left: Xiong Yinyin competes in the wakeboarding freestyle qualifications on Friday. Right: Bailey Rush of Canada shows off her tricks during the wake surf skim semifinals on Saturday.
\n\n
Athletes in swimwear, their chiseled physiques on full display, lounge in camping chairs atop a blue floating dock beneath a shaded canopy. Cheers erupt as each rider launches behind a speedboat, carving across the water's surface on their wakeboard.
\n
On the nearby grassy shore, team officials chat idly while keeping an eye on their athletes executing tricks across the lake.
\n
It's a scene that's effortlessly chill — pure beachside vibes — unfolding during the freestyle wakeboard event at the Chengdu World Games, held at the Sancha Lake International Aquatics Center.
\n
There, Chinese water skier Zhang Wei, sporting a deep tan and a broad chest, flashes his bright white teeth with every takeoff, radiating pure joy without a trace of competitive pressure.
\n
The 37-year-old, who first picked up water skiing as a primary school student in 1999, was once a professional athlete.
\n
"Every time I land a trick successfully, I immediately want to challenge myself with a new one — it feels like leveling up in a video game," said Zhang, whose peak technique included mastering 900-degree spins on the wakeboard.
\n
Wakeboard is a water sport where the rider stands on a short, buoyant board and is towed across the water's surface by a motorboat or a cable system at a wake park.
\n
It blends techniques from water skiing, snowboarding and surfing, incorporating jumps, flips and tricks.
\n
In freestyle, athletes are pulled by a motorboat, using the boat's wake to perform aerial maneuvers and stylish tricks.
\n
In competition, riders are judged based on difficulty, execution and creativity.
\n
In 2009, Zhang competed at the eighth World Games in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
\n
However, the intense pressure of being a professional water sport athlete combined with a number of knee injuries eventually overwhelmed him, temporarily dimming his passion for the sport and later leading to his retirement.
\n
Now, returning to the World Games stage as an amateur — his day job being an urban management officer in Shanghai — Zhang approaches the sport with a renewed perspective.
\n
He maintains his skills through home workouts on weekdays and weekend visits to a water sports club in Shanghai's Fengxian district for wakeboard and wake surf sessions, often joined by his 13-year-old son.
\n
"This sport brings me genuine joy now, it's become the anchor of my healthy lifestyle," he explained.
\n
"Wakeboarding in China has been developing quickly in recent years, and there is a lot of talent," Zhang said. "The future is theirs."
\n
One such talent is China's 14-year-old Xiong Yinyin, who participated in both the women's cable wakeboard and freestyle events, for her, the most important thing about the games is to showcase her skills.
\n
Initially training as a platform and springboard diver, Xiong switched to wakeboard at the age of nine.
\n
"When I stood on a board for the first time, I felt so thrilled — my adrenaline was pumping," she recalled.
\n
The main reason why the fresh-faced teen fell in love with the water sport is very simple: "It's just so cool!"
\n
Apart from Xiong and 21-year-old Xu Lu, who clinched gold in the women's wakeboard freestyle finals on Sunday, the other five Chinese water sports athletes at the games are all amateurs. Among them is 32-year-old Yue Han, who holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California.
\n
Rather than pursuing a legal career upon returning to China, he chose instead to team up with his friend to teach at a water sports club in Zhejiang province's Qiandaohu, where he now works to grow the popularity of the still-niche sport.
\n
He also serves as a PE teacher at an international school in Tianjin, where he has introduced wakeboarding programs, exposing over 100 students to the discipline.
\n
During his eight years of legal studies, Yue cultivated diverse hobbies, including playing the erhu, a Chinese two-stringed fiddle, street dancing, skateboarding, rollerskating, skiing and surfing.
\n
"You'll never be lonely if you're good at a sport," he said. "Each discipline has shaped my thinking in different ways."
\n
His wakeboarding journey began during his studies in the United States.
\n
"This sport is pure sunshine — gliding across the lake with friends, music in the air, cold drinks in hand; it's the perfect mix of relaxation and thrills," said Yue, who was determined to bring this vibrant culture back to China.
\n
"I want more people to experience this kind of happiness," he said.
\n
To prepare for the Chengdu World Games, he attended a training session conducted by his Korean friend's coach.
\n
The event was like a big party — he reunited with old friends from around the world, exchanging tips and sharing their passion.
\n
He believes that, after the games, wakeboarding will gain even more attention, especially since the games' cauldron was lit by wakeboarders skimming across the surface of Qinhuang Lake during its opening ceremony.
\n
"It's a milestone for our sport. We were absolutely thrilled at that moment," said Yue.
\n
xingwen@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
Oliver Orban from Hungary competes in the cable wakeboard semifinals during the 2025 World Games in Chengdu on Saturday.
\n
Left: Xiong Yinyin competes in the wakeboarding freestyle qualifications on Friday. Right: Bailey Rush of Canada shows off her tricks during the wake surf skim semifinals on Saturday.
\n\n
Athletes in swimwear, their chiseled physiques on full display, lounge in camping chairs atop a blue floating dock beneath a shaded canopy. Cheers erupt as each rider launches behind a speedboat, carving across the water's surface on their wakeboard.
\n
On the nearby grassy shore, team officials chat idly while keeping an eye on their athletes executing tricks across the lake.
\n
It's a scene that's effortlessly chill — pure beachside vibes — unfolding during the freestyle wakeboard event at the Chengdu World Games, held at the Sancha Lake International Aquatics Center.
\n
There, Chinese water skier Zhang Wei, sporting a deep tan and a broad chest, flashes his bright white teeth with every takeoff, radiating pure joy without a trace of competitive pressure.
\n
The 37-year-old, who first picked up water skiing as a primary school student in 1999, was once a professional athlete.
\n
"Every time I land a trick successfully, I immediately want to challenge myself with a new one — it feels like leveling up in a video game," said Zhang, whose peak technique included mastering 900-degree spins on the wakeboard.
\n
Wakeboard is a water sport where the rider stands on a short, buoyant board and is towed across the water's surface by a motorboat or a cable system at a wake park.
\n
It blends techniques from water skiing, snowboarding and surfing, incorporating jumps, flips and tricks.
\n
In freestyle, athletes are pulled by a motorboat, using the boat's wake to perform aerial maneuvers and stylish tricks.
\n
In competition, riders are judged based on difficulty, execution and creativity.
\n
In 2009, Zhang competed at the eighth World Games in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
\n
However, the intense pressure of being a professional water sport athlete combined with a number of knee injuries eventually overwhelmed him, temporarily dimming his passion for the sport and later leading to his retirement.
\n
Now, returning to the World Games stage as an amateur — his day job being an urban management officer in Shanghai — Zhang approaches the sport with a renewed perspective.
\n
He maintains his skills through home workouts on weekdays and weekend visits to a water sports club in Shanghai's Fengxian district for wakeboard and wake surf sessions, often joined by his 13-year-old son.
\n
"This sport brings me genuine joy now, it's become the anchor of my healthy lifestyle," he explained.
\n
"Wakeboarding in China has been developing quickly in recent years, and there is a lot of talent," Zhang said. "The future is theirs."
\n
One such talent is China's 14-year-old Xiong Yinyin, who participated in both the women's cable wakeboard and freestyle events, for her, the most important thing about the games is to showcase her skills.
\n
Initially training as a platform and springboard diver, Xiong switched to wakeboard at the age of nine.
\n
"When I stood on a board for the first time, I felt so thrilled — my adrenaline was pumping," she recalled.
\n
The main reason why the fresh-faced teen fell in love with the water sport is very simple: "It's just so cool!"
\n
Apart from Xiong and 21-year-old Xu Lu, who clinched gold in the women's wakeboard freestyle finals on Sunday, the other five Chinese water sports athletes at the games are all amateurs. Among them is 32-year-old Yue Han, who holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California.
\n
Rather than pursuing a legal career upon returning to China, he chose instead to team up with his friend to teach at a water sports club in Zhejiang province's Qiandaohu, where he now works to grow the popularity of the still-niche sport.
\n
He also serves as a PE teacher at an international school in Tianjin, where he has introduced wakeboarding programs, exposing over 100 students to the discipline.
\n
During his eight years of legal studies, Yue cultivated diverse hobbies, including playing the erhu, a Chinese two-stringed fiddle, street dancing, skateboarding, rollerskating, skiing and surfing.
\n
"You'll never be lonely if you're good at a sport," he said. "Each discipline has shaped my thinking in different ways."
\n
His wakeboarding journey began during his studies in the United States.
\n
"This sport is pure sunshine — gliding across the lake with friends, music in the air, cold drinks in hand; it's the perfect mix of relaxation and thrills," said Yue, who was determined to bring this vibrant culture back to China.
\n
"I want more people to experience this kind of happiness," he said.
\n
To prepare for the Chengdu World Games, he attended a training session conducted by his Korean friend's coach.
\n
The event was like a big party — he reunited with old friends from around the world, exchanging tips and sharing their passion.
\n
He believes that, after the games, wakeboarding will gain even more attention, especially since the games' cauldron was lit by wakeboarders skimming across the surface of Qinhuang Lake during its opening ceremony.
\n
"It's a milestone for our sport. We were absolutely thrilled at that moment," said Yue.
China's wakeboarder Xu Lu soars to victory in the women's freestyle event at the 2025 Chengdu World Games on Sunday.
\n
The road from being an aerobic gymnast to a wakeboard champion is already pretty challenging, but even more so when you don't know how to swim.
\n
But, China's Xu Lu did it.
\n
The nation's star wakeboarder soared to victory in the women's freestyle event at the 2025 Chengdu World Games on Sunday, securing gold at the Sancha Lake International Aquatics Center.
\n
"I didn't expect to win, but I gave it my all today," said the 21-year-old, who credited the ideal conditions — cool weather and calm waters — for her smooth performance.
\n
Despite an earlier setback in the cable wakeboard event, where she missed out on a podium finish, Xu's freestyle triumph marked a career highlight.
\n
Just days earlier, during the preliminaries on Friday, Xu had been starstruck after snapping a photo with Argentina's Eugenia De Armas, admitting she loved the 26-year-old's riding style. But, when it came to the finals, Xu outperformed her idol, with Italy's Alice Virag taking silver and De Armas settling for bronze.
\n
As a child, Xu trained in aerobic gymnastics before being introduced to wakeboarding — a sudden transition that proved challenging for the 11-year-old at that time.
\n
"I was afraid of the water at first, so my first lesson was simply learning to swim," she recalled.
\n
"Gradually, I found the feeling of riding the board and flipping in the air incredibly freeing. Every time I successfully land a new trick, it gives me a huge sense of achievement," she said, adding that she truly fell in love with the niche water sport in 2019.
\n
Her daily training includes not only practice on the water, but also strength exercises, such as weightlifting, coordination drills and endurance training on land.
\n
"The sport also keeps me in good shape," she added, proudly flexing her arm muscles.
\n
As a Sichuan native, competing in Chengdu held special significance for Xu.
\n
After missing the Birmingham World Games in 2022 due to injury, she finally had her moment in the spotlight — and she made it count.
\n
"This medal means a lot to me. Winning a gold medal in my hometown fills me with incredible pride," said Xu.
\n
Yet, the golden moment was just one highlight of her whole Chengdu experience.
\n
Days before, she had earned the honor of being a final torchbearer for the opening ceremony — where she and teammate Alu Xiaobo stole the show with a daring aquatic spectacle. Skimming across the water in a motorboat's churning wake, they raced toward the Games' first-ever cauldron and set the flames roaring to life.
\n
"I was really excited and nervous at that moment," she recalled.
\n
"The World Games truly serve as a wonderful stage to help more people discover wakeboarding," she said, adding that she looks forward to more events being held in China in the future.
\n
Xu also highlighted the Sancha Lake International Aquatics Center as an ideal competition venue, praising its unique combination of mountain scenery and expansive open water competition area.
\n",
+ "content": "
China's wakeboarder Xu Lu soars to victory in the women's freestyle event at the 2025 Chengdu World Games on Sunday.
\n
The road from being an aerobic gymnast to a wakeboard champion is already pretty challenging, but even more so when you don't know how to swim.
\n
But, China's Xu Lu did it.
\n
The nation's star wakeboarder soared to victory in the women's freestyle event at the 2025 Chengdu World Games on Sunday, securing gold at the Sancha Lake International Aquatics Center.
\n
"I didn't expect to win, but I gave it my all today," said the 21-year-old, who credited the ideal conditions — cool weather and calm waters — for her smooth performance.
\n
Despite an earlier setback in the cable wakeboard event, where she missed out on a podium finish, Xu's freestyle triumph marked a career highlight.
\n
Just days earlier, during the preliminaries on Friday, Xu had been starstruck after snapping a photo with Argentina's Eugenia De Armas, admitting she loved the 26-year-old's riding style. But, when it came to the finals, Xu outperformed her idol, with Italy's Alice Virag taking silver and De Armas settling for bronze.
\n
As a child, Xu trained in aerobic gymnastics before being introduced to wakeboarding — a sudden transition that proved challenging for the 11-year-old at that time.
\n
"I was afraid of the water at first, so my first lesson was simply learning to swim," she recalled.
\n
"Gradually, I found the feeling of riding the board and flipping in the air incredibly freeing. Every time I successfully land a new trick, it gives me a huge sense of achievement," she said, adding that she truly fell in love with the niche water sport in 2019.
\n
Her daily training includes not only practice on the water, but also strength exercises, such as weightlifting, coordination drills and endurance training on land.
\n
"The sport also keeps me in good shape," she added, proudly flexing her arm muscles.
\n
As a Sichuan native, competing in Chengdu held special significance for Xu.
\n
After missing the Birmingham World Games in 2022 due to injury, she finally had her moment in the spotlight — and she made it count.
\n
"This medal means a lot to me. Winning a gold medal in my hometown fills me with incredible pride," said Xu.
\n
Yet, the golden moment was just one highlight of her whole Chengdu experience.
\n
Days before, she had earned the honor of being a final torchbearer for the opening ceremony — where she and teammate Alu Xiaobo stole the show with a daring aquatic spectacle. Skimming across the water in a motorboat's churning wake, they raced toward the Games' first-ever cauldron and set the flames roaring to life.
\n
"I was really excited and nervous at that moment," she recalled.
\n
"The World Games truly serve as a wonderful stage to help more people discover wakeboarding," she said, adding that she looks forward to more events being held in China in the future.
\n
Xu also highlighted the Sancha Lake International Aquatics Center as an ideal competition venue, praising its unique combination of mountain scenery and expansive open water competition area.
China's domestic consumption market is poised to continue its growth momentum in the second half of the year, fueled by continuous implementation of stimulus policies and residents' rising demand for high-end consumer goods, industry experts said.
\n
Consumption's key role as a driver of economic growth has long been a key focus of China's top leadership. In the Government Work Report delivered in March, boosting consumption was listed as a top priority among this year's major tasks.
\n
Consumer spending has played an increasingly pivotal role in China's economy. During a meeting of the Central Commission for Financial and Economic Affairs in February last year that was presided over by President Xi Jinping, he stressed that efforts should be made to encourage and guide a new round of large-scale equipment upgrading and consumer goods trade-in.
\n
Last year, final consumption contributed 44.5 percent to China's economic growth, surpassing investment and exports, and it drove GDP up by 2.2 percentage points, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.
\n
Cai Jiming, a professor at Tsinghua University's Institute of Economics, said: "Consumption is the fundamental driving force of economic growth.
\n
"Improving consumption capacity, optimizing the consumption environment and promoting consumption upgrading can help drive the coordinated development of production and circulation, forming a virtuous cycle of economic growth. The shift toward a consumption-driven economic growth model has become inevitable."
\n
To support this pivotal transition, stronger supportive measures have been introduced, including the issuing of ultra-long-term special treasury bonds worth 300 billion yuan ($41.8 billion) to back the consumer goods trade-in program, doubling the scale from last year. In October, the fourth and final group of fund, amounting to 69 billion yuan, will be allocated as planned, said the National Development and Reform Commission, China's top economic regulator.
\n
The trade-in program has led to sales exceeding 1.6 trillion yuan in the first six months, driving strong growth in the retail sales of cars, home appliances and electronic products, the NDRC said.
\n
Over the same period, total retail sales, a gauge of consumption, reached 24.5 trillion yuan, up 5 percent year-on-year. Specifically, the retail sales of goods reached 21.8 trillion yuan, growing 5.1 percent year-on-year, said the NBS.
\n
"Facing downward pressure in the global economy and profound uncertainties this year, China's economy showed its resilience. The country's population of 1.4 billion constitutes a super large-scale market, which serves as a key driving force for China's economic growth and provides good business opportunities for global companies," said Fu Yifu, a special researcher at Su Merchants Bank based in Nanjing, Jiangsu province.
\n
"The consumption market is expected to continue its growth trend in the second half. To further boost consumer demand, it's also crucial to lift consumer confidence by raising incomes and creating more jobs," Fu said.
\n
On July 30, in a meeting of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee that was chaired by Xi, the need to effectively unleash potential in domestic demand, encourage goods consumption and foster new growth drivers of service consumption was reiterated.
\n
Fu added that for new growth points of service consumption, elderly care is expected to be a sunrise sector, fueled by an increasingly aging society.
\n
In addition, long-range medical treatment, high-end physical examinations, housekeeping services, the cultural tourism sector and advancements in technological innovation such as artificial intelligence are set to open up new market frontiers.
\n
The Ministry of Commerce, together with five other departments, launched the "Shopping in China" campaign in April, and various events and promotions have been held across the country, attracting domestic and international consumers and generating fresh sales growth.
\n
China unveiled a set of measures in April to further optimize its departure tax refund policy for eligible overseas visitors. In the first six months, sales revenue driven by tax refund shopping jumped 94.6 percent year-on-year, according to the State Taxation Administration.
\n
At domestic drone manufacturer DJI's store in Beijing's Guomao area, sales were further boosted after it introduced the tax refund policy last year, and the store's order conversion rate was lifted to around 80 percent, from the previous 20 to 30 percent.
\n
Guo Shaogang, store manager of DJI in Guomao, said: "Foreign visitors are used to getting tax refunds when they travel abroad. Many travelers coming from countries such as the United States, Russia, Germany and Saudi Arabia are interested in buying drones and handheld products."
\n
A traveler from the Netherlands who wanted to be identified only as Marco recently shopped in the Guomao area and received an instant tax refund for the products he bought. He said that being able to buy tax-free goods is always good, just like in many other countries.
\n
Macloud Kadam'manja, an official from Malawi who went to Changsha, the capital of Central China's Hunan province, earlier this summer, said he enjoyed shopping for Chinese products at a local market.
\n
"I came to this shop because the prices of most items are reasonable, and I will get some tax refunds, so this is the place that I would buy things each time I come to Changsha," Kadam'manja said.
\n
Andrea Yue, partner of indirect tax services at professional services provider EY, said that implementation of the instant tax refund policy has become an accelerator to help stimulate spending.
\n
"Foreign visitors' trend of shopping in China is further heating up, thanks to the country's continuous optimization of the business environment and consumption experiences, and the supply of more high-quality products," Yue said.
\n
With more such policy fine-tuning and the upcoming peak time for travel as well as festival-incentivized spending, China's domestic consumption is expected to contribute more to the nation's overall economic growth this year, observers said.
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\n![](\"https://mobile.chinadaily.com.cn/cn/resfile/2025-08-12/005/20250812_005_01_113370.png\")
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\n![](\"https://mobile.chinadaily.com.cn/cn/resfile/2025-08-12/009/20250812_009_01_18.png\")
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\n![](\"https://mobile.chinadaily.com.cn/cn/resfile/2025-08-12/015/20250812_015_01_22612.png\")
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