Cannabis has long walked a fine line between medicine and abuse. While it has shown potential for relieving pain and regulating mood, cannabis-based drugs are strictly controlled worldwide due to side effects such as tolerance, addiction and cognitive impairment. For years, scientists have sought a solution that could preserve therapeutic effects while eliminating these risks – a truly "safe and effective" approach.

A collaborative team from the School of Medicine and College of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Zhejiang University has rationally designed a series of small-molecule drugs. These compounds offer potent pain relief while effectively bypassing the risks of addiction and drug tolerance. The study, recently published in the international flagship journal Cell, represents a significant leap forward for chronic pain sufferers worldwide seeking safer, non-opioid alternatives.

Targeting the brain's pain and emotion centers

Previous studies from the team revealed that stress and other negative stimuli can trigger abnormal activity in the amygdala, a key brain region for emotional regulation. Reduced expression of type 1 cannabinoid receptors (CB1) contributes to this imbalance, potentially leading to anxiety and depression. Activating CB1 in the amygdala with exogenous cannabinoids can restore emotional balance, while CB1 in the thalamus influences pain thresholds, making it a critical target for central analgesic effects.

Molecular "surgery" and the bio-switch

CB1 receptors signal through two pathways: the Gi/o pathway, which mediates therapeutic effects like pain relief, and the β-arrestin pathway, which is linked to side effects such as addiction and tolerance. Conventional CB1 agonists activate both pathways, leading to undesirable consequences.

The Zhejiang University team applied structure-activity relationship analyses to rationally design small molecules that selectively activates the Gi pathway while minimizing β-arrestin signaling. This "biased signaling" approach allows pain relief without the typical side effects of cannabinoid drugs.

Reviewers praised the study for its innovative approach. One noted, "This work is the first one to make a rational use of the differences in the binding pocket between G protein and arrestin coupled receptors." Another added, "The study is a tour de force presentation of structure-based design of CB1 agonists that appear to prefer G protein signaling over β-arrestin1 recruitment."

Promising results and the road ahead

In animal experiments, these compounds provided robust analgesia across multiple pain models, without evidence of addictive behavior or declining effectiveness. They also reduced side effects on motor activity and body temperature, successfully avoiding the central nervous system complications associated with conventional cannabinoids.

The Leading researcher, Professor Li Xiaoming, said the team is optimizing these compounds and conducting systematic validation in preparation for clinical trials. 

"Our goal is to start from clinical needs, uncover disease mechanisms through basic research, identify therapeutic targets and develop drugs that genuinely improve patients' quality of life," said Li.

As research continues, this biased-signaling strategy could open a new era of precision medicine, offering transformative therapeutic possibilities not only for chronic pain but also for a wider range of complex disorders.

China is ready to import more high-quality products from Spain and encourages more capable Chinese enterprises to invest in Spain, Chinese Premier Li Qiang said on Tuesday.

Li made the remarks when holding talks with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who is on an official visit to China.

Noting that China and Spain are major economies in the world, Li said the two sides should jointly uphold multilateralism and free trade, and firmly promote openness and cooperation, injecting impetus into the development of both countries and the world at large.

The more volatile and turbulent the international landscape becomes, the more China and Spain should strengthen practical cooperation, empower each other and achieve mutual success, Li said.

Li said China stands ready to further align its development strategies with Spain, promote the continuous deepening and solidification of all-round cooperation, and achieve a higher level of mutual benefit and win-win results.

Li said China is willing to work with Spain to better leverage their complementary economic advantages, deeply explore cooperation potential, and promote the expansion, quality improvement and balanced development of bilateral trade.

China is willing to enhance cooperation with Spain in areas such as new energy vehicles and energy storage to create more highlights of cooperation, Li said, adding that China supports universities, research institutions and enterprises from both sides to strengthen joint research and development, enhance scientific and technological innovation capabilities and work together to seize future development opportunities.

Li said China is also willing to enhance the level of transportation cooperation with Spain, promote the high-quality development of the China-Europe Railway Express and jointly build an international green shipping corridor.

It is hoped that Spain will continue to play an important role within the European Union and promote the healthy development of economic and trade relations between China and the EU, Li noted.

Sanchez said the Spanish side is willing to maintain close and high-level political dialogue with China, enhance strategic communication, increase mutual understanding, expand cooperation in trade, investment, science and technology, renewable energy, education, culture and other fields, expand tourism and people-to-people exchanges, continuously enhance the stability and sustainability of bilateral relations, and better benefit the two peoples.

Spain is ready to enhance multilateral communication and coordination with China and firmly support the United Nations and multilateralism, Sanchez said, adding that the Spanish side supports strengthening dialogue and communication between the EU and China, and is willing to play an active role in handling economic and trade differences properly, and in promoting trade and investment cooperation between the EU and China.

After their talks, Li and Sanchez witnessed the signing of cooperation documents in areas such as economy and trade, education, science and technology, and agriculture and food.

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chinese president, held talks with To Lam, general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and Vietnamese president, in Beijing on Wednesday.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a welcome ceremony on Wednesday for General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and Vietnamese President To Lam, who is on a state visit to China.

Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Beijing on Wednesday.

A damning new report is calling for the shutdown of the United States' immigration detention system, as harrowing accounts emerge from facilities holding thousands of migrants, including infants and young children.

More than 5,600 people were detained at a single Texas facility in less than a year, with some children held for months under conditions advocates describe as cruel and neglectful. Among the cases drawing outrage: a nine-year-old who blamed herself for her detention, and a two-year-old whose illness was reportedly dismissed as "mental." At Krome, one of the country's oldest detention centers, where four people died last year, parents are frequently separated from children held in Dilley, Texas. The facility is operated by CoreCivic, which denies the allegations.

Policy analysts and lawmakers are speaking out in stark terms, with Florida Immigrant Coalition analyst Thomas Kennedy calling the system "disgusting" and "cruel," and Representative Joaquin Castro arguing that denying a sick five-year-old proper medical care while prescribing ibuprofen for two months straight amounts to torture.

Nitza Soledad Perez has this report.

For more, check out our exclusive content on CGTN Now and subscribe to our weekly newsletter, The China Report.

At the San Francisco National Cemetery, military officials, law enforcement, and community members gathered to mark the 84th anniversary of the Bataan Death March, honoring the tens of thousands of Filipino and American soldiers forced to march more than 65 miles under brutal conditions after surrendering to the Imperial Japanese Army in World War II.

Among those in attendance were descendants of veterans receiving Congressional Gold Medals, including Toni Bernardo, whose great-grandfather Narciso Viray survived the march only to die in captivity in 1944, and Cecilia Gaerlan, whose father endured both the march and years of imprisonment. Gaerlan recalled asking her father whether he had ever considered taking his own life, and said he never answered with words, only tears.

The ceremony also shone a light on the often-overlooked contributions of World War II nurses in the Philippines, who chose to remain with their patients rather than evacuate as the islands fell. Gaerlan has since launched a coalition pushing for Congressional Gold Medals for those nurses as well. For many families, the event was as much about the future as the past, ensuring that younger generations understand and carry forward the legacy of sacrifice.

Mark Niu reports from California.

For more, check out our exclusive content on CGTN Now and subscribe to our weekly newsletter, The China Report.

China's first intelligent grain leveling robot has been put into use in the country's granaries, freeing workers from arduous tasks and significantly raising efficiency.

The robots can move quickly across grain piles, level surfaces, and complete tasks in a fraction of the time—cutting a three-day job for workers down to just one day.

For more, check out our exclusive content on CGTN Now and subscribe to our weekly newsletter, The China Report.

Chinese and Russian foreign ministers on Tuesday compared notes on the preparations for the meeting between the two heads of state within the year, and exchanged in-depth views on international and regional issues of common concern, including the US-Iran conflict, the situation in the Asia-Pacific and the crisis in Ukraine.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Beijing, saying that the current international situation is experiencing severe turbulence, the harm of unilateral hegemony has intensified, the global governance system is undergoing profound adjustments, and the cause of human peace and development is facing severe challenges.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that facing a complex and volatile external environment, under the personal care and strategic guidance of the two heads of state, China-Russia relations have stood firm, and cooperation in various fields has remained strong and resilient.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the China-Russia strategic partnership of coordination and the 25th anniversary of the signing of the China-Russia Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation, said Wang, adding that this year also marks the first year of China's 15th Five-Year Plan period.

He said China and Russia should implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, and promote the bilateral strategic partnership of coordination and mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields to a higher level.

Both sides should enhance cooperation under multilateral frameworks such as the United Nations, said Wang, adding that taking the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization as an opportunity, the two sides should implement the consensus reached at the Tianjin Summit and support Kyrgyzstan in hosting this year's summit successfully.

The two countries should jointly maintain the momentum of unity among BRICS countries and safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of the Global South, he added.

Wang called on the two sides to continue to maintain strategic coordination on major international and regional issues, join hands to practice multilateralism and international morality, and jointly advance the process of world multi-polarization.

For his part, Lavrov said Russia is willing to work with China to maintain close high-level exchanges, deepen practical cooperation and achieve mutual benefit and win-win results.

The current international situation is facing severe challenges and some countries are attempting to form "small circles" to contain Russia and China, said Lavrov.

Lavrov called on both sides to align well with the series of global initiatives proposed by the Chinese side and the vision of the Greater Eurasian Partnership and the Eurasian security architecture proposed by the Russian side, maintain coordination and cooperation on the multilateral platform and in international and regional affairs, safeguard their respective national interests, and jointly maintain the security and stability of the international system.

After their talks, the two sides jointly signed the 2026 consultation plan of the foreign ministries of the two countries. 

Every April 14, World Quantum Day marks the scientific significance of Planck's constant. This year, China's developments indicate a shift from academic study to practical applications.

From cloud to concrete

Quantum mechanics isn't mysticism. It's the physics of the very small. Particles can exist in superposition, two states at once, and entanglement, instant correlation across distances. These characteristics are now engineering tools.

China recently pushed superconducting quantum computing toward the thousand-qubit threshold. While fault tolerance remains a hurdle, the march toward commercial viability has accelerated.

More immediately, China operates the world's first wide-area quantum core network. This network provides theoretically unbreakable encryption, though primarily for government and financial dedicated lines, not general consumer traffic.

A team from Fudan University and the University of Science and Technology of China recently proved in the Physical Review Letters journal that a system with just nine quantum spins could outperform classical neural networks in chaotic time-series benchmarks. It is a laboratory demonstration with promise, though scaling to full weather prediction remains distant.

Quantum in your life

How does this affect the ordinary individual? Navigation is becoming sharper. Quantum sensors promise centimeter-level precision for autonomous vehicles where traditional GPS fails. In drug discovery, quantum simulations accelerate the screening of cancer compounds, shaving years off early-stage development.

For mobile payments, the protection is indirect but crucial. China's quantum core network secures back-end data flows between financial centers, hardening the vault doors even as your phone relies on standard encryption at the checkout counter.

The future isn't a flashy revolution. It's arriving quietly – making systems more secure, accurate, and resilient, one calculation at a time.

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday put forward a four-point proposal on promoting peace and stability in the Middle East, with experts saying it clarifies China's stance, addresses the primary concerns of Gulf Arab states, and underscores China's commitment to dialogue and security amid rising regional tensions.

Xi announced the proposal during a meeting with Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, in Beijing.

The Chinese president called for peaceful coexistence, urging nations to promote the building of a common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security architecture for the Middle East and the Gulf region. He stressed the importance of respecting national sovereignty, underscoring that the safety of personnel, facilities and institutions in Gulf states should be safeguarded.

He also highlighted the necessity of upholding international law, saying the authority of international rule of law should be upheld to prevent the world from falling back into the law of the jungle. In addition, he underscored the coordination of development and security, suggesting that all parties should work together to create a favorable environment for the development of countries in the Middle East and the Gulf region.

Wang Jin, a researcher at the Institute of Middle East Studies at Northwest University of China, told CGTN that Xi's proposal comes at a critical moment, as China-Gulf relations face uncertainties amid escalating conflict involving the US, Israel and Iran.

"Many countries worry that China's position favors Iran or is strictly non-interventionist. At this moment, it's necessary for China to clearly state its position," Wang said, adding, "Xi's proposals resonate with the concerns of Gulf states, particularly the UAE."

He explained that the proposal outlined by Xi encourages adherence to international norms, rebuilding trust between nations and rejecting military solutions, while promoting cooperation and dialogue.

"This is timely and crucial. It reflects China's commitment to dialogue and cooperation as the primary tools for resolving conflicts in the Gulf region," Wang said, adding China's stance is conducive to de-escalating tensions, restoring trust and supporting the creation of a stable regional order.

Wang Yiwei, director of the Institute of International Affairs at Renmin University of China, described the proposals as highly targeted to the current context.

"Israel and Iran are locked in a zero-sum confrontation, which is extremely dangerous. China's emphasis on peaceful coexistence and cooperation among Gulf states is very meaningful for preventing escalation," he said.

He further noted that respect for national sovereignty is central to regional stability, saying current tensions between the US, Israel and Iran have left Gulf states concerned about violations of their sovereignty. "This makes Xi's emphasis on protecting territorial integrity and personnel safety particularly relevant," Wang Yiwei said.

Regarding international law, he emphasized that China's proposals reinforce a UN-centered system and a rules-based international order. "Many of today's global problems arise from a failure to uphold international law and the UN-based system. China's position stresses that disputes should be resolved through dialogue rather than force," he said.

Overall, Wang Yiwei noted that Xi's principles reflect a modern interpretation of China's longstanding Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. They also demonstrate the practical implementation of four global initiatives proposed by China.

"These proposals resonate with the expectations of Middle Eastern countries and align with the principles and objectives of the United Nations Charter," he said.

Robot guides and robot dogs are the major highlights drawing crowds with their interactive capabilities and cutting-edge technology, at the ongoing 6th China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) in Haikou, south China's island province of Hainan. 

This year's CICPE, held from April 13 to 18, is the first national-level consumer expo since the launch of island-wide special customs operations in the Hainan Free Trade Port. Themed "Sharing Open Opportunities, Creating a Better Life," Hall 1's technology consumption zone features over 30 leading tech companies from around the world, showcasing a variety of new products.

At Hall 1, the robot guide, equipped with comprehensive knowledge of the entire exhibition area, impressed visitors by answering a wide range of questions. Meanwhile, the robot dog, capable of automatically following users within a two-to-three-meter range using a locator, demonstrated interactive actions such as "making a heart" gesture. With a top speed of three meters per second and a single-charge range of two kilometers, the robot dog is designed for everyday scenarios like shopping, picking up deliveries, walking or jogging.

More than 3,400 brands from over 60 countries and regions are participating, making the expo a truly international platform for premium consumer goods.

The CICPE is China's only national-level consumer products exhibition and the largest consumer expo in the Asia-Pacific region. Since its launch in 2021, the expo has become an important platform for multinationals to stay abreast of consumer trends in China's gigantic market, with over 3,800 enterprises and more than 12,000 brands from 92 countries and regions participating over the past five editions.

Sudden cardiac death is often described as one of the most devastating and dangerous clinical manifestations of cardiovascular disease. Yet, beneath that sudden collapse lie long-overlooked warnings that have been shaped over years or even decades by chronic conditions such as coronary heart disease, hypertension and high cholesterol.

In this episode of Health Talk, we speak with Dr. Yang Yuejin, chief physician at the Coronary Heart Disease Center of Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College. Drawing on decades of clinical experience, Dr. Yang offers a clear and accessible look into what really happens when the heart suddenly stops working. He further highlights a range of subtle, often silent warning signs that many people dismiss or fail to recognize.

The conversation also covers the everyday factors that shape cardiovascular health. Hypertension, smoking, obesity and other common risks are deeply embedded in daily life. As Dr. Yang explains, managing them does not begin in the hospital, but in the choices we make each day. It is about how we eat, move, rest and care for our bodies over time.

It is time for us to rethink heart health and review our overall health and lifestyle. With the right knowledge and action, such life-threatening events can often be prevented.

Executive producer: Zhang Jingwen

Producer: Yang Sha

Directors: Xu Wen, Wang Yuxin, and Zhong Xia

Video editors: Wang Xueying, Li Changkui

Videographers: Wang Zihao, Xu Haiquan, and Chen Jiazheng

China's largest scientific artificial intelligence (AI) computing cluster went operational on Tuesday in Zhengzhou City, central China's Henan Province, marking an advancement in the country's AI-driven scientific research infrastructure.

The world is currently experiencing a paradigm shift in scientific research, with AI-driven discovery becoming a key frontier in global technology competition. Realizing its full potential requires accessible high-performance computing power, according to a report from China Media Group.

The cluster acts as a core node of the country's supercomputer network. It began trial operation in February, initially offering more than 30,000 domestic AI accelerator chips. The April upgrade increased the cluster to 60,000 chips, establishing the largest scientific AI computing infrastructure in the country.

The core node has built an integrated domestic ecosystem for data, computing, modeling, and applications, aggregating diverse datasets, tools, and over 1,000 open-weight large language models for rapid deployment. Users can simply submit requests in natural language, and the system automatically lists tasks, invokes models, and allocates computing resources to deliver results end-to-end, significantly reducing research time.

The cluster enables full-stack integration from general AI to AI-driven research, providing a replicable example for nationwide coordination of computing resources.

The infrastructure will follow an open approach, covering scenarios across research and industry to deliver accessible services and help China complete globally.

China's Special Envoy for Middle East affairs Zhai Jun met with the Diplomatic Advisor to the President of Brazil Ibrahim Abdul Hak Neto in Beijing on Tuesday, exchanging views on the tensions in Iran.

Ibrahim said the Middle East is highly tense and efforts should be made to avoid further escalation and spillover of conflicts.

He noted that Brazil and China share similar positions on tensions in Iran, as both believe that political and diplomatic means are the only correct way to resolve the issue.

Brazil appreciates the five-point initiative proposed by China and Pakistan to restore peace and stability in the Gulf and the Middle East, and is willing to work with China to support diplomatic efforts to ease tensions and uphold an international order based on international law, he added.

Zhai said China is closely following developments in the Middle East and believes parties to the conflict should seize opportunities for peace and move toward each other through dialogue and negotiations.

He added that China maintains an objective and impartial stance, actively promotes peace talks, and is ready to strengthen coordination with Brazil to help build a broader international consensus on a ceasefire and political solutions.

China stands ready to contribute to restoring peace and stability in the Middle East at an early date, he said.

The two sides also exchanged views on regional hot spot issues, including Palestine and Lebanon.

The ongoing 6th China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, has captured global attention. This year's expo is the first showcase for Hainan's new island-wide special customs operations and the first exhibition of its kind during the inaugural year of China's 15th Five-Year Plan. On an international level, the expo is seen as a "barometer" for global consumption trends that helps signal the recovery and transformation of the world economy. 

According to an online poll released by CGTN, 85.1% of respondents believe that "heading to China" and "investing in China" have become inevitable choices for enterprises to deeply integrate into the global market and boost their global competitiveness. The current CICPE has attracted more than 3,400 brands from over 60 countries and regions, with international exhibits accounting for 65% of the total – a 20-percentage-point rise from last year. Over the past five years, more than 3,800 enterprises and over 12,000 brands from 92 countries and regions have participated in the expo cumulatively, opening a fast track for premium global consumer goods to access the Chinese market. 91.1% of respondents highly agreed with this, noting that the CICPE provides a broad platform for exchanges, cooperation and investment matchmaking among global enterprises. 89.3% of respondents said that by hosting the CICPE for consecutive years, China has demonstrated its firm resolve to pursue high-level opening-up, injecting sustained growth momentum into the lacklustre recovery of the world economy.

In 2025, China's total retail sales of consumer goods surpassed 50 trillion yuan for the first time, and the contribution rate of consumer spending to economic growth stood at 52%. In this regard, 93.5% of respondents believed that consumption is playing an increasingly prominent role in driving China's economy. In fact, the enormous potential of China's consumer market epitomises the strengths of its ultra-large market, which is reflected not only in its massive consumption scale but also in its diverse application scenarios, fast-updating consumption formats and high market vitality. According to the survey, 87.5% of respondents pointed out that China's continuously upgrading ultra-large consumer market is forcing the segmentation of consumer demand, thereby reshaping consumption habits and the logic of industrial development. 91.3% of respondents held the view that the CICPE has evolved into a key platform for displaying cutting-edge consumption scenarios and industry trends, making the dividends of consumption upgrading more tangible and accessible. 86.3% of respondents believed that China's ultra-large market keeps unlocking its development potential, enabling countries across the globe to share the opportunities brought by the growth of the Chinese market.

The survey was published on CGTN's English, Spanish, French, Arabic and Russian platforms, with a total of 7,664 participants expressing their views within 24 hours.

A recent survey in a nature reserve in Chongzuo, southwest China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, has uncovered a new candidate species of freshwater shrimp, marking another milestone in the region's biodiversity research.

The survey team identified the shrimp, belonging to the Macrobrachium genus, as a potential new species based on significant differences in both physical appearance and genetic analysis compared to known relatives. The discovery is pending formal validation and naming.

In addition to the shrimp, researchers confirmed two fish species new to the reserve: Cophecheilus bamen and Paranemachilus chongzuo. These are the first documented records of both species in the reserve.

This latest discovery adds to a series of findings in the reserve over the past year. Since June 2025, the protected area has reported a new plant species named Styrax congzuoensis, a new kind of golden-line barbel and a new plant record of Ottelia alismoides. The string of discoveries across multiple organism groups signals a systematic breakthrough in the reserve's biodiversity inventory.

The reserve plans to implement targeted conservation measures for the newly discovered species and their habitats, including population monitoring and habitat restoration. Researchers will continue collaborating with academic institutions to advance taxonomic studies and translate findings into practical conservation applications.

China leads the world in artificial intelligence (AI) publication volume, citation counts, total patent output and industrial robot installations, according to a report released Monday.

Produced by Stanford University's Institute for Human-Centered AI, the 2026 AI Index Report has tracked AI developments since 2017, covering technical capabilities, research output, societal impact and public perception.

Key findings include a narrowing performance gap between AI models in the United States and China, record-high adoption rates and the fastest-ever expansion of AI access.

It shows that AI capabilities are advancing rapidly, while efforts to measure and govern them are lagging. It also raises concerns over environmental costs, transparency and the distribution of benefits.

The report notes that the United States continues to produce more top-tier AI models and higher-impact patents, and outspends all other countries on AI. However, it is increasingly difficult for the country to attract top global talent.

Meanwhile, AI-driven labor-market disruption is shifting from expectation to reality, with younger workers affected first.

The report also says that responsible AI efforts are not keeping pace with technological advances, formal education is lagging behind technological development, and AI sovereignty is becoming a defining feature of national policy despite uneven capabilities. Experts and the public, it adds, hold markedly different views on AI's future.

China said on Tuesday that US actions to block the Strait of Hormuz would only intensify tensions and undermine a fragile ceasefire.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun made the remarks at a regular press briefing in response to the reported blockade.

Guo said that at a time when relevant parties have already reached a temporary ceasefire arrangement, the US move to increase military deployments and carry out targeted blockade operations would escalate contradictions and heighten tensions.

He added that such actions would undermine the already fragile ceasefire and further jeopardize the safety of navigation in the strait, calling them dangerous and irresponsible.

Guo said China believes that only a comprehensive ceasefire can fundamentally create conditions for easing tensions in the strait.

China urged all parties to abide by the ceasefire arrangement, focus on dialogue and negotiations, take concrete actions to de-escalate the situation and restore normal passage through the strait as soon as possible.

After peace talks with Iran failed to reach a deal, Trump on Sunday said in a post on Truth Social that the US Navy would "immediately" begin a blockade of ships entering or leaving the Strait of Hormuz. The US force began implementing the blockade on Monday at 10 a.m. Eastern Time (1400 GMT).

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is making his fourth visit to China in four consecutive years, underscoring ongoing efforts to deepen bilateral partnership and expand engagement between their peoples.

More than 2,000 years ago, the ancient Silk Road carried China's silk and tea across Eurasia to Spain. Today, these early connections have developed into a broad network of bilateral ties spanning various fields. Among them, people-to-people exchanges provide a solid social foundation for China-Spain relations and continue to deepen and deliver tangible results.

Signed last year as the two countries marked the 20th anniversary of their comprehensive strategic partnership, the Action Plan for Strengthening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the People's Republic of China and the Kingdom of Spain (2025–2028) reflects a shared commitment to building a more resilient and dynamic relationship. In the plan, people-to-people exchanges – including culture, education, sports and tourism – were identified as a key priority.

Culture: Mutual appeal and expanding exchanges

Soon after his arrival in Beijing on April 11, Sánchez and his wife visited the Drum Tower, a centuries-old landmark on the Beijing Central Axis, experiencing firsthand the historical and cultural atmosphere of the Chinese capital. On the following day, they toured the Summer Palace, a well-preserved imperial garden, and strolled through Shichahai, a historic area where traditional hutong neighborhoods meet contemporary urban life.

Such visits reflect a growing interest in Chinese culture in Spain, which is also evident in a wide range of public events that bring China's traditions and contemporary life closer to local audiences. The "Happy Chinese New Year" celebrations, held for 15 consecutive years, have become widely attended festive events, featuring performances, heritage showcases and culinary experiences across major Spanish cities.

Meanwhile, Spanish cultural elements continue to resonate with Chinese audiences in diverse ways. What began with literary works such as Don Quixote has expanded into a rich variety of cultural expressions. The flamenco production Carmen by Ballet Flamenco de Madrid is once again touring Chinese cities, while Spanish films are frequently featured at film festivals and screening programs in China.

Increasing cooperation has brought the two cultures closer and made exchanges more accessible to the public. In 2023, the China-Spain Year of Culture and Tourism, marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations, included exhibitions, concerts and a variety of public events, enhancing mutual understanding between the two peoples.

Museum collaboration is also gaining momentum. An exhibition on ancient bronze civilization in southwest China is currently on display in Spain, while an immersive VR exhibition is presenting masterpieces from Madrid's Prado Museum to audiences in Shanghai.

Education: Growing links in language and academia

During his visit to Beijing, Sánchez visited Tsinghua University on April 13 and delivered a speech, where he greeted the audience with "Dajia hao" ("Hello everyone" in Chinese), drawing warm applause.

Language and education have become important pillars of China-Spain people-to-people exchanges, helping to foster long-term understanding and sustained engagement between the two societies.

Chinese language education continues to grow in Spain, supported by 10 Confucius Institutes and a Confucius Classroom. China has also established a China Cultural Center in Madrid and is planning a second center in Barcelona. At the same time, Spanish language education is steadily developing in China, with more than 100 universities offering Spanish-language programs. Spain has also established two Instituto Cervantes centers in Beijing and Shanghai, making it the first European country to have cultural institutions in two Chinese cities.

Beyond language learning, cooperation between universities has deepened in recent years. During his visit, Sánchez was also awarded an honorary professorship at the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences and expressed his commitment to deepening collaboration, promoting joint research and supporting talent exchange, underscoring the shared goal of advancing knowledge through closer academic ties.

Tourism: Robust two-way travel

In 2025, the popular Chinese reality show Viva La Romance chose Spain as one of its destinations, taking viewers from Barcelona to surrounding attractions and showcasing the country's vibrant culture, diverse landscapes and way of life.

Spain has become an increasingly popular destination for Chinese travelers, who are seeking deeper cultural experiences, from the architectural marvels of Antoni Gaudí to the historic cities and renowned cuisine of the country. In 2025, the number of visits made by Chinese travelers to Spain approached 800,000, a rise of 22.5% compared to 2024, while tourist spending continued to grow steadily.

At the same time, China is attracting more Spanish visitors, drawn by its long history, vibrant food culture, diverse landscapes and dynamic consumer market. Supported by visa facilitation measures and improved travel convenience, Spanish citizens made more than 210,000 trips to China last year, reaching a record high.

Air connectivity has also played an important role in this trend. The number of weekly direct flights between the two countries has reached a historic high and is expected to grow further, making travel increasingly convenient.

Looking ahead: Steady ties and broadening cooperation

From cultural events and educational cooperation to tourism and other forms of engagement, people-to-people exchanges are bringing China and Spain closer together than ever before.

Enduring symbols of friendship, such as decades of cooperation on giant panda conservation in Madrid, reflect the depth and warmth of ties between the two peoples. At the same time, cooperation continues to grow across a wide range of areas, adding richness and diversity to bilateral ties.

As Sánchez noted in his speech at Tsinghua University, China and Spain should pursue cooperation in all possible areas on the basis of mutual respect. In a world that calls for greater understanding and collaboration, the steady and enduring development of ties between China and Spain demonstrates how countries with different histories and cultures can learn from each other and move forward together.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry on Tuesday dismissed reports that China has supplied weapons to Iran as "completely fabricated" and warned that any attempt by the United States to use such claims as a pretext for imposing tariffs would trigger a firm Chinese response.

Spokesperson Guo Jiakun said that China consistently adopts a prudent and responsible approach to arms exports, strictly regulating them in accordance with domestic laws and international obligations.

Guo's remarks come after US President Donald Trump warned that Washington would levy a 50% tariff on Chinese goods if China were found to be supplying weapons to Iran.

"These reports are entirely fabricated," said Guo. "If the US insists on using this as an excuse to impose tariffs on China, we will respond resolutely."

Hailed as the GOAT of Arabic cinema, he's a legend with over 50 years of unforgettable roles. But Hussein Fahmy is also a bridge builder, a humanitarian, and now the star of a Chinese docudrama called "The Story I Found in China." I caught up with the legend during the filming of his latest film produced by CGTN to talk about his journeys across the country and the films that inspired them. 

British traveler Rees has boarded a movie-themed high-speed train inspired by the hit Chinese animation "Nobody." From Taiyuan to Qikou Ancient Town, he followed the film into its real-life setting along the Yellow River. What began as a train ride has turned into a cinematic adventure through history, culture and landscape. 

Medical research indicates that spring is a peak season for depression and other mental health conditions. Currently, an estimated 350 million people worldwide are affected by depression – including more than 95 million in China alone. This means that roughly one in every 14 people experiences this "common cold" of mental health.

CGTN's Health Talk program presents a mental health special, featuring the renowned pianist Kong Xiangdong, who shares his authentic eight-year journey battling the condition. The program also brings together authoritative expert perspectives from Zhao Min, president of the Shanghai Mental Health Center; and Wang Gang, president of Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University. This aims to dispel the mental fog that traps the patients, and calls on their families and society as a whole to build a solid social support system, helping individuals to navigate through the darkness and toward recovery.

China on Tuesday launched the Lijian-1 Y12 carrier rocket to send eight satellites into space.

The rocket blasted off at 12:03 p.m. (Beijing Time) from the Dongfeng commercial space innovation pilot zone in northwest China. It successfully sent the satellites into their planned orbits.

Satellites for a bank

The satellites, belonging to the Jixing Gaofen 07A02 series, can carry out high-resolution optical remote sensing. These satellites feature three core capabilities: ultra-high imaging resolution, highly integrated systems and onboard intelligence, according to CAS Space, the company behind the launch.

The satellites can capture detailed panchromatic images and support multiple imaging modes, including stereo imaging, strip stitching and inertial space imaging. They operate across five spectral bands – panchromatic, blue, green, red and near-infrared – delivering multi-dimensional visual data for applications ranging from urban planning to agricultural monitoring.

Specifically, these satellites will help the Postal Savings Bank of China monitor the projects they invested, like farms, forests and power plants from home to abroad. The data collected will also support the bank's risk management.

Lijian-1 enters regular operation

This launch marks the 12th flight mission of Lijian-1 carrier rocket series. Since its debut, the vehicle has placed 92 satellites into orbit with a combined payload mass exceeding 12 tonnes.

The Lijian-1 serves the small satellite launch market, offering both dedicated launches for single customers and rideshare missions where multiple payloads share a rocket. The dedicated launch option allows customers to customize orbital parameters and launch windows based on their specific satellite requirements, promising faster turnaround from contract signing to orbital insertion.

The successful mission signals the start of what CAS Space describes as "regularized launch operations" for the Lijian-1.

Leading Egyptian actor and film figure Hussein Fahmy recently took a walk through the Temple of Heaven in Beijing. As the president of the Cairo International Film Festival, he paused among its red walls, looking up at the sweeping rooftops, taking in the symmetry and calm that define traditional Chinese architecture. It was a meeting of cinema and culture – where travel becomes part of the story.

CGTN's special campaign "Reel Views, Real Journey" is now underway, taking us by rail to iconic filming locations across China. In this episode, CGTN travelled to China's Hollywood, Hengdian, to see the latest film industry developments. 

Tucked away in Qiongzhong, Hainan Province, Baihua Ridge is a key part of the island's tropical rainforest national park. Towering ancient trees, twisted vines and air so fresh, it feels like pure oxygen – this place is a legit "forest lung." With crystal-clear pools, lush green mountains and the sound of waterfalls echoing all around – add Baihua Ridge to your spring bucket list!

The China Geological Survey has recently released the results of marine geological surveys conducted over nearly 20 years in China's eastern waters, including the Bohai Sea, the Yellow Sea and the East China Sea.

Based on systematic research, Chinese researchers have produced a geochemical atlas of seabed sediments in China's eastern waters, providing precise data to support coastal and marine spatial planning, ecological and environmental protection and resource exploration.

Researchers integrated surface sediment measurements with machine learning data from more than 20,000 sampling sites, forming the most extensive, multidimensional and reliable geochemical dataset to date for China's eastern waters.

The study achieved a comprehensive geochemical analysis of sediments in China's eastern waters, spanning the entire process from land to sea and essentially giving the seabed a thorough "elemental checkup."

According to Dou Yanguang, a researcher from the Qingdao Institute of Marine Geology under the China Geological Survey, the distribution of elements can contribute to the rapid identification of polluted areas and ecologically sensitive zones in the sea and also help precisely locate seabed mineral resources.

The research has filled a gap in the systematic geochemical mapping of seabed sediments in China's eastern waters and enhanced the country's academic influence in global marginal sea research.

With over 200 years of history, Peking Opera is one of China's most traditional art forms.

Today, efforts are underway to introduce it to a new generation. At the Chinese Theatre Arts Centre in Chaoyang District, children are exploring its unique charm.

Once requiring years for overseas pharmaceuticals to enter the Chinese market, the Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone in Hainan has slashed the average approval timeline for globally advanced medical products to just 1.6 days. As China's only "medical special zone," Lecheng has already introduced over 500 innovative medicines and medical devices that are approved abroad but not yet available domestically.

Capitalizing on the unique policy advantages of the Hainan Free Trade Port, the pilot zone has established strategic partnerships with more than 180 pharmaceutical and medical device companies across 20 countries and regions.

A recent highlight was the International Health Consumption Zone, a sub-venue of the 6th China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) currently underway in Lecheng medical pilot zone in Boao, southern China's Hainan Province. The 25,000-square-meter exhibition space featured more than 340 international brands showcasing over 1,300 cutting-edge products.

To further streamline regulatory processes and accelerate patient access to life-saving treatments, Hainan authorities recently rolled out an expedited pre-approval policy. This initiative prioritizes innovative drugs and devices targeting rare diseases and serious, life-threatening conditions, ensuring that critical medical breakthroughs reach those in need faster than ever before.

China firmly opposes the UK's exclusion of Chinese products from its wind power projects on the grounds of "national security," China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) said on Tuesday.

A MOFCOM spokesperson made the remarks in response to media queries about the UK government's decision to block Ming Yang Smart Energy's wind turbines in its offshore wind power projects.

The spokesperson said that the UK's decision contradicts its long-held commitment to "open and free" market principles, and it is detrimental to the development of the UK's local economies and the well-being of its people. He pointed out that it will negatively impact pragmatic bilateral economic and trade cooperation between China and the UK.

The spokesperson also noted that during the official visit of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to China in January, Starmer explicitly stated that the UK is willing to deepen cooperation in trade, investment, finance and environmental protection, aiming to support economic growth and deliver tangible benefits to people in both countries.

The MOFCOM spokesperson urged the UK government to provide a fair, just and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese companies, earnestly promote pragmatic economic and trade cooperation between China and the UK, and promote the healthy development of bilateral relations.

China's Wen Ruibo staged a strong comeback to defeat Japan's Maharu Yoshimura in six games and win the men's singles title at the WTT Contender Taiyuan in north China's Shanxi Province on Sunday.

The 19-year-old dropped the first and third games but responded with authority to secure a 7-11, 11-8, 6-11, 11-6, 11-4, 11-2 victory and sealed his first singles title at the event.

Wen enjoyed a standout campaign in Taiyuan, also teaming up with Li Hechen earlier in the day to capture the men's doubles gold, as Chinese players swept four titles at the tournament.

The result lifted Wen to a career-high World No. 11. He said the victory helped him move past the disappointment of his round-of-16 exit at the World Cup earlier this month.

"I let out a yell after I won," Wen said. "I was really down after getting knocked out of the World Cup, so I wanted to prove something here."

In the women's doubles final, fourth seeds Shi Xunyao and Han Feier defeated Doo Hoi Kem and Ng Wing Lam of Hong Kong, China 11-6, 11-4, 6-11, 12-10.

Playing together for the first time, Shi and Han showed strong chemistry and composure under pressure. Shi also won the mixed doubles title a day earlier to leave Taiyuan with two trophies.

The China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) returns for its sixth edition from April 13 to 18, reinforcing its role as one of China’s premier platforms for global consumer trade. Held in Hainan, the expo will feature more than 3,400 brands from over 60 countries, highlighting everything from luxury goods to everyday consumer products and cutting-edge innovations. This year, Canada takes center stage as the Guest of Honor, with Minister Maninder Sidhu leading a delegation of roughly 40 companies eager to expand their footprint in the Chinese market.

Among them is Vancouver-based Black Sheep Organics, making its debut at the expo with a focus on pet-grooming products. Company representatives say shifting global dynamics and changing consumer preferences are driving interest in alternatives to traditional U.S.-based brands, opening new opportunities for Canadian businesses abroad. As demand grows among Chinese consumers for diverse, high-quality products, participants see CICPE as a key gateway for building international partnerships and strengthening trade ties between Canada and China.

For more, check out our exclusive content on CGTN Now and subscribe to our weekly newsletter, The China Report.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is paying an official visit to China from April 11 to 15, his fourth visit to the country in four years.

Following the visits by Spanish King Felipe VI and Sanchez himself last year, it represents another significant high-level exchange between China and Spain in a short period.

China is willing to work with Spain to take the prime minister's visit as an opportunity to further deepen strategic mutual trust, enhance communication and cooperation, and strengthen multilateral coordination, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning has said.

Robust vitality of ties

Sanchez previously visited China in April 2025, September 2024 and March 2023. The Spanish king paid a state visit to China last November, marking a rare dual visit by the Spanish head of state and head of government in the same year that coincided with the 20th anniversary of the China-Spain comprehensive strategic partnership.

Four visits in four years by the Spanish prime minister vividly showcase the robust vitality of ties between the two nations, wrote Chinese Ambassador to Spain Yao Jing on Friday.

Cui Hongjian, director of the Center for European Union and Regional Development Studies at Beijing Foreign Studies University, told media that Sanchez's such frequent visits reflect high consistency and stability in Spain's China policy, and the strategic intent of both sides to institutionalize and sustain high-level interactions.

In recent years, China-Spain relations have developed at a high level under the strategic guidance of the leaders of both countries, with solid progress made in cooperation across various fields.

Economic and trade cooperation serves as the cornerstone. According to Yao, bilateral trade in goods in 2025 exceeded $55 billion, a year-on-year increase of 9.8%, cementing China's position as Spain's largest trading partner outside the European Union.

Spanish premium food products, including olive oil, wine and pork, have gained wide popularity among Chinese consumers. Meanwhile, China's mechanical and electrical equipment and new energy products are playing a role in Spain's green transition drive.

CATL, a major Chinese battery manufacturer, held a groundbreaking ceremony for a battery plant jointly built with Stellantis in Spain last November. Meanwhile, Chinese automaker Chery has formed a joint venture with a long-established Spanish automaker in Barcelona.

During the visit, Sanchez reportedly will lead a business delegation, hold meetings with representatives from the automotive, energy and telecommunications sectors, and visit the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China. According to confirmation from Spanish officials to the media, the prime minister is scheduled to visit the Beijing-based headquarters of Chinese tech firm Xiaomi.

Spanish media outlet InSpain.news commented that the trip directly addresses domestic public concerns over prices, trade, investment, jobs and Spain's strategic positioning in a volatile world, linking the visit to Spain's economic resilience.

Spain sees a "window of opportunity" with China, especially in trade and investment, said Mario Esteban, professor of East Asian Studies at the Autonomous University of Madrid, according to news website Euractiv. "Spain is seeking high-level bilateral engagement to 'catch up' in a relationship long underdeveloped."

Cui, the Chinese scholar, said Sanchez's visit will facilitate more efficient and targeted business cooperation between the two countries in key sectors, with potential to forge landmark projects in emerging fields as China enters the first year of its 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030).

For multilateralism

The momentum of China-Spain engagement aligns with a broader warming trend in China-Europe relations. In the first three months of 2026, leaders from Ireland, Finland, the United Kingdom and Germany had visited China. A European Parliament delegation also visited China for the first time in eight years.

This underscores the view that engaging with China does not run counter to European interests, but rather serves to advance them, especially as Europe pursues greater strategic autonomy and economic resilience.

Sanchez's frequent visits to China open up more possibilities for deepening China-Europe exchanges, positioning Spain as a model for rational communication and stable cooperation between China and European countries, said Jiang Shixue, a professor at Shanghai University.

At a time when global industrial and supply chains face disruptions and world economic growth is under pressure, deepening practical cooperation between China and Spain not only brings tangible benefits to both peoples, but also serves as a key stabilizer for the global economy, said Yao, the Chinese ambassador to Spain, in an essay on the embassy's website.

As a major EU member state, Spain plays an important role in international and regional affairs, upholding the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, multilateralism, free trade and global fairness and justice, he noted.

China and Spain share extensive common ground on major global issues such as safeguarding world peace and development, addressing climate change and protecting biodiversity, Yao said, adding that both countries should prioritize cooperation and jointly safeguard the multilateral system.

The recently concluded Qingming Festival holiday offered a vivid snapshot of the vitality of China's service sector.

From immersive "tea-picking study tours" to Han- and Tang-style costume photography amid blooming flowers in scenic areas, and even Beijing's smart home-cleaning services delivered by teams combining human workers and robots, consumption patterns are clearly shifting. As living standards rise alongside China's modernization drive, households are moving away from "buying more goods" towards "seeking better services and richer experiences."

From everyday scenarios to growth engine

The service sector not only holds vast consumption potential as a daily necessity but also generates powerful productive forces.

The Formula One Chinese Grand Prix held in Shanghai in March is a case in point. Over three days, more than 230,000 spectators attended, generating 190 million yuan (roughly $28 million) in ticket revenue alone, a 35% increase from last year.

Behind the spectacle lies a complex ecosystem of services, including R&D design, finance and insurance, logistics, event management and cloud data services. Technologies refined on the racetrack – from aerodynamics to lightweight materials – are feeding back into the civilian automotive industry, accelerating manufacturing upgrades.

If consumer services are designed to serve people, then producer services – spanning areas such as R&D, finance and logistics – primarily serve businesses, forming indispensable pillars of the modern economy.

The lion's share

The service sector has become the largest component of China's national economy. Official data showed that in 2025, the sector's value added surpassed 80 trillion yuan for the first time, accounting for 57.7% of GDP and maintaining its position as "half of the economy" for 11 consecutive years. It contributed 61.4% to overall economic growth, accounted for nearly half of household spending and absorbed around 50% of total employment.

"China has entered a stage of development led by the service economy. The service sector has become a core pillar in driving growth, creating jobs and safeguarding people's livelihoods," Zhang Xiaolan, a researcher with the National Development and Reform Commission, told the Economic Information Daily.

Despite this progress, challenges remain. Compared with developed economies, China still lags in the share, quality and international competitiveness of its service sector – particularly in high-end supply and professional specialization. As such, further improvements are needed to better meet the demands of industrial upgrading and people's aspirations for a better life.

"Enhancing the capacity and quality of the service sector is a critical step in shifting China's economy from scale-driven expansion to efficiency- and quality-oriented growth," Zhang said.

Rising demand meets policy support

Looking ahead, both demand-side shifts and policy support are aligning to unlock new growth potential.

Household consumption is moving from "whether there is enough" to "whether it is good enough," with demand surging in areas such as eldercare, childcare, healthcare and tourism. At the same time, accelerating industrial transformation – driven by digitalization and green development – is generating strong demand for producer services, including R&D, modern logistics and supply chain finance.

In addition, expanding service consumption to boost domestic demand has become a key pathway to stabilizing economic growth amid rising global uncertainty.

Against this backdrop, China is stepping up policy support. From the Government Work Report's emphasis on expanding investment in key service sectors, to State Council directives on widening market access, and the latest national conference calling for a systematic push to enhance capacity and quality, a clearer and more coherent top-level design is taking shape.

Efforts will focus on promoting greater specialization and higher value added in producer services, improving the quality, diversity and accessibility of consumer services and fostering more "China Services" brands.

Concrete measures are already underway. The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security has launched pilot programs to integrate human resources services with manufacturing, while Guangdong Province is promoting deeper integration of technology and finance to support innovation-driven enterprises. Initiatives such as building "15-minute community life circles" are also bringing high-quality elderly care, childcare and catering services closer to residents.

A new calling card for foreign investment

The service sector has also become a key entry point for China's high-level opening up. In recent years, China has advanced service trade development, improved inbound tourism policies, expanded pilot programs for service sector opening and promoted the orderly liberalization of sectors such as telecommunications, healthcare and education.

Major platforms such as the China International Fair for Trade in Services have boosted global cooperation, while pilot zones for expanding service sector opening have been extended to 20 regions across the country. In 2025, the service sector accounted for around 70% of China's utilized foreign investment, according to the Ministry of Commerce. The country also recorded over 150 million inbound tourist visits, with spending exceeding $130 billion, making travel services the largest segment of service trade.

"Services are now China's calling card for foreign investment. High-end logistics, R&D services, digital trade – multinationals see opportunity and they're investing for the long term," Zhao Zhongxiu, president of the University of International Business and Economics, told CGTN.

As policy measures continue to roll out, the service sector is expected to enter a new phase of rapid expansion. Analysts predict strong growth in areas such as software and information services, with annual growth rates around 12%, while the market for AI-powered services could exceed 800 billion yuan.

Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing has called on China Yajiang Group Co., Ltd. to fully shoulder its responsibility for engineering construction and comprehensively improve its operation and management capabilities.

Zhang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks while inspecting the group and a major hydropower project in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region from Friday to Sunday.

During his visit to the construction site and the group's headquarters, Zhang emphasized building the hydropower project in the lower reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River into a major landmark project of the new era. He urged strict adherence to quality and safety standards, as well as ecological and environmental protection requirements.

Zhang also stressed efforts to enhance the company's overall operation and management capabilities, urging all relevant parties to provide strong support for both the project's construction and the company's operations, so as to serve national strategies and boost Xizang's economic and social development.

China Yajiang Group was inaugurated in July 2025. It is a state-owned enterprise directly administered by the central government.

China has put its first embodied intelligent humanoid robot into operation for high-risk industrial tasks, marking a new step in applying artificial intelligence (AI) to real-world scenarios.

The robot, developed for use in hazardous environments, is capable of performing tasks such as welding, inspection and rust removal, replacing human workers in dangerous conditions.

At a construction site for a large chemical storage tank, the robot demonstrated its ability to operate on vertical metal surfaces. Equipped with a wheeled and magnetic chassis, it can move steadily along walls while carrying out complex operations.

The robot features a humanoid upper body with 15 degrees of freedom, allowing flexible movement and precise control. Its dual arms enable it to perform multiple tasks simultaneously, such as grinding with one hand while welding with the other.

Weighing around 90 kilograms, the robot uses electromagnetic adhesion to remain attached to metal surfaces. Developers say the system is strong enough to support additional weight without affecting mobility.

Unlike traditional wall-climbing robots designed for single functions, the new system is multi-purpose. By switching end-effectors, it can quickly adapt to different tasks, including non-destructive testing, coating and surface treatment.

Powered by a cable system, the robot can operate continuously without battery limitations, improving efficiency and reducing downtime.

Developers say the robot is backed by a large-scale AI model trained on more than 100,000 hours of operational data, enabling it to adapt to complex environments and improve performance over time.

Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), arrived in Beijing on Sunday for a visit to China.

China has unveiled a composite propulsion module for reusable spacecraft, marking a significant advance in the country's capability to manufacture large-scale composite structures for space applications, according to the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC).

Measuring 5 meters in diameter, the module was developed by the First Academy of CASC and was delivered on Saturday. It is the largest integrated composite structure of its kind for reusable launch vehicles in China's aerospace sector.

The propulsion module features a composite material usage rate of over 60%. Its lightweight structural panels are designed to withstand axial loads of up to 1,000 tonnes, while incorporating adaptive interface capabilities.

The first prototype was completed within seven months, from initial design to final delivery, CASC said.

The International Health Consumption Zone, a dedicated sub-venue of the 6th China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE), opened on Sunday. Leveraging the unique policy advantages of the Hainan Free Trade Port and the Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone, the exhibition showcases a wide array of deployed medical technologies and high-end healthcare products.

From robotic rehabilitation systems to pioneering diagnostic kits, these exhibits highlight how cutting-edge innovations are already being integrated into clinical practice to meet real-world patient needs.

As the world celebrates International Day of Human Space Flight on Sunday, China's manned space program is reaching new milestones, moving from low-Earth orbit toward deep-space exploration.

The International Day of Human Space Flight commemorates Yuri Gagarin's historic flight 65 years ago, when the Soviet cosmonaut became the first human to orbit Earth aboard Vostok 1. China became the third country capable of independent manned spaceflight in 2003, when Yang Liwei piloted the Shenzhou-5 spacecraft to orbit around Earth. Since then, Chinese astronauts, or taikonauts, have progressed from single-day missions to six-month stays, from initial orbital flights to spacewalks, and from single spacecraft to a fully operational space station.

Space station missions

The Shenzhou-21 taikonauts have been in orbit for over five months. During their mission, the trio have conducted two spacewalks, completed multiple scientific experiments and technological tests, and carried out routine space station maintenance and operations aboard the space station smoothly.

In the upcoming missions, the country's manned space program will see participation from payload specialists from Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions. One member of the Shenzhou-23 crew will begin a year-long stay in orbit as part of an extended mission trial.

China is also stepping up international cooperation in human spaceflight.

Last year, China and Pakistan signed an agreement on astronaut selection and training. Under current mission plans, one Pakistani astronaut will take part in a short-term flight to the Chinese space station as a payload specialist, conducting scientific experiments on behalf of Pakistan.

Lunar exploration

China is also advancing toward lunar exploration. The Chang'e-7 probe has arrived at the Wenchang Space Launch Site ahead of a planned liftoff in the second half of 2026.

The Chang'e-7 mission will test high-precision lunar soft-landing, legged rover mobility, surface hopping and exploration of permanently shadowed lunar craters, while conducting international scientific cooperation at the moon's south pole.

The mission represents a deeper integration of China's manned lunar exploration and unmanned lunar probe programs, utilizing capabilities and experience accumulated over decades through the country's manned space and Chang'e missions.

Earlier in February, China completed a low-altitude verification of its Long March-10 carrier rocket and a maximum dynamic pressure escape flight test of the Mengzhou spacecraft, marking a major step forward towards its first crewed lunar landing by 2030.

The Long March-10 rocket series is designed for China's manned lunar exploration, while the Mengzhou spacecraft will support both deep-space missions and operations aboard its space station.

The manned lunar landing will usher in a new era of China's space exploration, with goals including constructing the International Lunar Research Station.

Advancing space logistics

China is also enhancing its space logistics capabilities. On March 30, the Kinetica-2 Y1 rocket successfully sent three satellites into the preset orbit, marking a new stage in low-cost space cargo transportation.

Among them is the New March-01 technology demonstration satellite, a mini space laboratory, that will conduct multiple in-orbit experiments using commercial off-the-shelf technologies, while the New March-02 satellite, also known as the Qingzhou prototype test spacecraft, is designed for three years of orbital operations, demonstrating China's growing capability for flexible, reliable and diversified space logistics.

From the space station to lunar ambitions, China's manned space program is steadily expanding its reach, combining long-term orbital missions and international cooperation.

Guangzhou's identity has always been shaped by openness. Often described as the country's "millennium commercial capital" and with more than 2,200 years of urban history, Guangzhou is China's oldest port and a historic gateway to global markets.

If Chengdu shows how youth culture can energize a city from within, Guangzhou reveals how culture can propel outward, stemming from a heritage shaped by trade, exchange and a long-standing openness to the world.

The 5th edition of the World Cities Culture Report (WCCR) highlights Guangzhou's cultural strategy, which builds directly on this legacy and applies that same outward energy to culture. The result is one of China's most textured and policy-rich cultural cities, ancient and entrepreneurial at the same time.

A city built on exchange

Let's look at the historical backdrop. Guangzhou's Cantonese opera, its traditional music and the legendary Thirteen Hongs of Canton trading houses – the Thirteen Factories, where the Qing government managed foreign trade – are heritage assets of a city that has spent two millennia at the intersection of cultures.

Today that heritage coexists with contemporary cultural spaces, a flourishing book bar scene and 734 bookshops – a figure that speaks to a reading culture embedded in everyday urban life. With 44% green space across the city, Guangzhou has also earned recognition as a UN International Garden City and holds the UN Best Practice Award for Improving Human Settlements.

The policy architecture

Cultural governance in Guangzhou is structured around the Guangzhou Administration of Culture and the Development and Reform Commission, aligned with China's 15th Five-Year Plan. The culture department's budget runs to approximately 1.775 billion yuan (about $260 million), with grants to arts and cultural organizations totaling around 690 million yuan.

The city hosts 84 higher education providers – including 106,000 students studying arts and humanities – alongside 45 museums, 828 heritage and historical sites, 255 cinemas and 8 theaters. Some 100,000 people are employed in cultural and creative occupations, supported by 3,069 businesses in the sector.

The Flower Market: heritage as urban innovation

No single initiative captures Guangzhou's approach to culture more vividly than the Spring Festival Flower Market. Recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2021, the market traces its origins back 2,000 years.

Recent years have seen a wave of innovation layered on top of ancient tradition: street food activations, drone light shows and the newly introduced Water Flower Market have extended its reach into the night-time economy, drawing visitors beyond daylight hours and generating economic activity well beyond the market itself. The Flower Market is now one of the WCCR's cited examples of how cultural tourism revenue can be used to fund broader cultural activity.

Reinventing intangible heritage: 'Recommended Gifts from the Bay Area'

Guangzhou has also introduced the 'Recommended Gifts from the Bay Area' initiative, a vivid example of a well-thought-out policy turning intangible culture into contemporary design.

It's a simple concept – take Lingnan heritage, including its rich food traditions, Cantonese opera aesthetics, folk festivals and the visual language of lion dance, and reinterpret it through modern design and product development. Traditions like 'Pantang's Five Treasures' – also known as the Five Delicacies of Pantang – become the inspiration for new products that carry cultural identity into everyday life, both for Guangzhou's residents and for visitors coming to the city for the first time.

The WCCR highlights this as an example of a quiet economic development strategy: by stimulating the creative economy around Lingnan heritage assets, the city is building new industries on old foundations.

Design Week and cultural diplomacy

Guangzhou Design Week, founded in 2006, has grown into one of Asia's most substantial annual design events. It now operates through partnerships with over 30 countries and connects with global events such as Milan Design Week. In the WCCR's regional analysis, it is named as a key driver of internationalization and tourism for the East Asian city group – an instrument of cultural diplomacy that positions Guangzhou not just as a commercial city but as a creative capital in the international arena.

What Guangzhou gets right

Guangzhou's story in the report shows that its strength lies in balance. This is a city deeply local and historically global at the same time.

In a period where cities worldwide are reassessing how culture supports growth, Guangzhou demonstrates how a trading city can leverage its historical openness to build a modern cultural economy. The Flower Market, Design Week and the digital culture agenda are not isolated projects. They reflect the philosophy that heritage stays alive in conversation with the present and that a port city built on exchange should keep the emphasis, especially now when culture is as much of a currency as commerce has ever been.

Zaruhi Poghosyan is a multimedia editor for CGTN Digital. This is the fourth article in our city-by-city series exploring five Chinese cities that are investing in long-term resilience through culture and redefining what it means to be a global city in the 21st century. Data and findings cited in this article are drawn from the 5th edition of the World Culture Cities Forum Report. Next in the series: Nanjing.

Also read: Cultural and tourism market welcomes a spring travel boom

Beijing: Heritage meets modern urban governance at a megacity scale

A delegation led by Cheng Li-wun, chairwoman of the Chinese Kuomintang (KMT) party, wrapped up its six-day visit to the Chinese mainland and departed Beijing for Taiwan on Sunday afternoon.

Song Tao, head of the Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, saw the delegation off at the Beijing Capital International Airport.

On Sunday morning, Cheng and her delegation visited a Xiaomi auto factory, where they were briefed on the latest developments in the production and research and development of new energy vehicles on the mainland.

Cheng also sat in the driver's seat of a vehicle, praising its intelligent and user-friendly design.

From Tuesday to Sunday, the delegation toured Jiangsu Province, Shanghai and Beijing. This marks the first visit in a decade of a KMT delegation led by its chairperson to the mainland.

Read more:

One family: Xi Jinping stresses keeping future of cross-Strait ties in Chinese hands

Cheng Li-wun's visit signals mainland's sincerity in advancing cross-Strait peace, experts say

A trip 'well worth it'

During the delegation's tour in Beijing that began Friday afternoon, Cheng observed advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and innovation-driven growth, highlighting the potential for cross-Strait cooperation.

Cheng said she had specifically requested to observe AI education in schools and engage with technology companies in Beijing, describing the trip as "well worth it."

The delegation's first stop was Tsinghua University High School, where they learned about the application of AI in teaching. In school laboratories, the delegation watched student-developed projects including robot football matches, robotic dogs and robotic arms.

Cheng engaged with students and teachers during the visit, praising their work.

On Saturday morning, the delegation visited the Zhongguancun Exhibition Center, where they gained firsthand experience of Beijing's strong momentum in becoming an AI innovation hub.

Cheng showed a strong interest in a "bionic intelligent hand" on display, examining its movements closely and encouraging other delegation members to try it.

The delegation later held discussions with representatives from technology companies, including AI model developer Zhipu AI and robotics firm Galbot, to explore new opportunities for cross-Strait sci-tech cooperation.

"I'm very happy," Cheng said, adding that practices such as integrating AI into basic education and using technological innovation to drive industrial growth could provide useful guidance for Taiwan's industrial upgrading efforts.

She called for greater support for young people in Taiwan to help them unlock their potential. She said that without political obstacles, cross-Strait cooperation could make significant contributions to humanity.

The delegation also visited cultural landmarks, such as the National Centre for the Performing Arts and the Palace Museum in Beijing.

(With input from Xinhua)

At the invitation of Premier of the State Council Li Qiang, HH Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, will visit China from April 12 to 14, the Chinese Foreign Ministry announced on Sunday.

Editor's note: Both authors are affiliated research scientists at the Capital Development and Governance Institute and the Chinese Institute for Public Governance Research, at Renmin University of China. The article reflects the authors' opinions and not necessarily those of CGTN.

At a time when many countries are grappling with a widening governance deficit, rising public frustration and the spread of bureaucratic formalism, Beijing's "Swift Response to Public Complaints" reform offers a revealing window into China's people-centered governance logic. More than a service hotline, it is a grassroots governance model that turns citizens' everyday concerns into a direct test of administrative performance. In doing so, it gives concrete institutional form to the principle that governance should be judged not by slogans, procedures or appearances, but by whether people are satisfied, whether problems are actually solved, and whether daily life tangibly improves.

Putting the people at the center of governance

Behind the phrase "Swift Response to Public Complaints" is a profound shift in governance philosophy. Since 2019, Beijing has used the 12345 citizen service hotline as the main platform to build a system of rapid response, efficient handling, timely feedback and proactive governance. According to the People's Government of Beijing Municipality, over the past seven years, the 12345 hotline has cumulatively handled 180 million public and business complaints, with a resolution rate of 97.3% and a satisfaction rate of 97.7%. In 2025 alone, it handled about 25 million requests. The system now processes more than 70,000 calls daily, and with the support of an intelligent seating system, the average time from receiving a call to dispatching a work order is only 3.7 minutes.

These figures are important not simply because they demonstrate technical capacity, but because they show how governance can be organized around people's real needs. In contrast to governance models that place greater emphasis on electoral cycles, media messaging or bureaucratic reporting, Beijing's reform uses public demand itself as the starting point of policy action and official evaluation. What residents complain about, what remains unresolved and how satisfied they are after intervention have become hard indicators of governance effectiveness. This is a practical embodiment of a people-centered development philosophy: public sentiment is not an abstract principle, but a measurable and actionable governance standard.

From formalistic responses to real problem-solving

The significance of this approach also lies in its ability to correct formalism. One of the persistent weaknesses in public administration everywhere is that officials may focus on producing documents, attending meetings or managing appearances rather than solving concrete problems. The "Swift Response" reform changes this incentive structure. Under a Party-building-led framework, all 343 sub-district and township-level offices, together with a broad range of government departments and numerous urban community residents' committees and rural village committees, are integrated into a unified action network. The pressure of public complaints no longer stops at the grassroots; it is transmitted through the entire administrative chain.

This is where "the street whistles, the department reports" becomes more than a slogan. It compels functional departments to respond to grassroots needs in real time, reduces buck-passing across bureaucratic lines and makes responsibility visible. Because response rate, resolution rate and satisfaction rate are tracked, ranked and regularly reported, departments cannot rely on symbolic compliance. They must deliver results. In this sense, "Swift Response to Public Complaints" is not only a service innovation but also an institutional remedy against empty formalities, superficial implementation and governance inertia.

Its further evolution from reactive response to proactive governance makes the model even more meaningful. Beijing is increasingly moving from solving complaints after they are filed to "addressing complaints before they are raised." By analyzing historical complaint data, authorities identify recurring problems, seasonal risks and neighborhood-specific vulnerabilities in advance. The "Monthly Topic" mechanism is central to this transition: Since 2021, it has addressed more than 70 urban governance challenges and produced over 500 policy measures. In 2026, it focuses on 11 issues, including social insurance services and nursing home services. This demonstrates that public complaints are not treated merely as isolated cases; they are used as governance data to detect patterns, optimize policy and prevent repeated grievances.

Why the model matters beyond Beijing

This proactive turn has important implications for the correct view of political performance. If governance is assessed mainly by short-term spectacles, image projects or headline-grabbing investments, officials may neglect the everyday issues that matter most to ordinary people. But when evaluation is tied to complaint handling, actual resolution and public satisfaction, the orientation of governance changes. Cadres are encouraged to value practical results over rhetorical promises, substantive improvement over performative activism and long-term problem-solving capacity over short-term political display. In this way, "Swift Response to Public Complaints" helps institutionalize a standard of official conduct centered on being pragmatic for the people, and on valuing real performance and real outcomes.

Its broader value is also increasingly evident. The model shows that modernization of governance need not rely on copying Western institutional forms; it can also emerge from improving performance evaluation, strengthening vertical accountability and using digital tools to better connect government with society. Beijing's next step, including plans to develop an AI agent for the 12345 system and build a "people's livelihood think tank" and an "urban sentiment index," points toward an even more anticipatory form of governance. Yet the core lesson remains simple: Good governance begins by listening to the people, is tested by solving their problems and gains legitimacy by improving their lives.

For cities facing rapid urbanization, rising expectations and fragmented administrative structures, Beijing's experience offers a replicable insight. A unified public feedback channel, empowered by data, backed by institutional coordination and judged by citizen satisfaction, can become both a practical governance tool and a powerful accountability framework for officials. In an era marked by affordability pressures, social complexity and declining trust in many governance systems, "Swift Response to Public Complaints" shows how a people-centered approach can translate into concrete capacity, stronger accountability and more credible public authority. After all, the hardest achievement in governance is not what is written in reports, but what is felt by the people.

Driven by the rise of film-inspired cultural tourism and the expansion of visa-free policies, Hengdian, often dubbed China's "Hollywood," is attracting a growing wave of visitors from China and further afield, with even more experiences now on offer.

Our reporter Chen Tong has joined a group of international tourists on a movie-themed high-speed train from Shanghai to Hengdian, setting the stage for an immersive cultural journey.

China has become a primary hub in the production network of the ASEAN+3 region, comprising ASEAN member states plus China, Japan and South Korea, the Singapore-based ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO) said on Monday.

The past two decades have seen a fundamental structural shift underpinning the region's resilience, the institute said in its ASEAN+3 Regional Economic Outlook 2026.

"From the supply side, regional production networks have evolved from a Japan-centered hub into a denser, more interconnected architecture anchored by China," it said, noting that this was supported by China's expanding manufacturing capacity, logistics infrastructure and central position in intermediate goods trade.

"These supply linkages reflect interdependence rather than unidirectional dependence," the report said.

On the demand side, ASEAN+3 has emerged as a major source of global final demand, collectively larger than the United States, with intraregional demand now far more significant than two decades ago.

This relationship is also two-way: within ASEAN+3, China is the dominant demand hub, while other economies are key sources of final demand for Chinese exports, the report noted.

At the same time, foreign direct investment (FDI) reinforced these links, with rising intraregional FDI complementing trade and production relationships, the report said.

During Monday's release conference, AMRO Chief Economist He Dong told reporters that for supply chains to be resilient, it is important for economies involved to increase domestic-value-added content, meaning larger positive spillovers from FDI into the domestic economy.

He said firms in ASEAN can benefit by upgrading local capacity, adding that by increasing domestic value-added, regional firms gain more opportunities and make supply chains more resilient to external shocks.

(Cover: The central business district on a sunny day in Beijing, capital of China. /VCG)

China's Qingming Festival holiday, spanning Saturday to Monday, witnessed a massive surge in travel as millions honored ancestors through tomb-sweeping rituals and enjoyed the vibrant spring scenery across the country.

An estimated 845.38 million passenger trips were made across China during the three-day holiday, up 6% year on year, the Ministry of Transport said on Monday.

Road travel accounted for 778.45 million trips, rising 5.8% from the same period last year, while railway trips reached 57.68 million, up 8.2% year on year. Waterway transport handled about 3.7 million passenger trips, an increase of 9.8%, while civil aviation carried approximately 5.5 million trips, down 1.3%.

The travel boom was fueled by the overlap of the Qingming Festival, a traditional Chinese festival for people to pay tribute to the deceased, which fell on Sunday this year, and spring breaks for primary and secondary school students in many regions, prompting a rise in family trips and parent-child tours.

Honoring ancestors

Data from the Ministry of Civil Affairs showed that on Saturday, 66,300 funeral service institutions nationwide provided on-site memorial services, receiving nearly 19.29 million visits. Of these, about 12.10 million opted for green, low-carbon memorial methods, accounting for 62.73% of total on-site visits.

In addition to honoring ancestors, authorities nationwide encouraged patriotic reflection and a deeper appreciation of China's historical legacy, urging people to cherish the hard-won happiness of today during the holiday.

On Saturday, Nanjing's Yuhuatai Martyrs' Cemetery attracted numerous visitors. Beneath lush pines and cypresses, floral arrangements spelling out "Remembrance" added solemnity to the Martyrs' Monument. In front of the monument, elementary school students wearing red scarves gently laid chrysanthemums and bowed in tribute.

Read more:

China mourns fallen heroes during Qingming Festival

Spring break, family fun

The introduction of the spring break for primary and secondary school students in some parts of China has extended the three-day Qingming holiday into a longer vacation, roughly five or six days, allowing families to travel farther and spend more quality time together.

In Beijing's Yuyuantan Park, cherry blossoms bloom over rippling spring waters. Near the trees, Chen from Foshan City, south China's Guangdong Province, photographed her two daughters, capturing the memories of their spring holiday.

"I've always wanted to bring my children to Beijing. My daughter's school gave her a two-day spring break, which conveniently coincided with Qingming, making it perfect for a short trip," Chen said. This is her children's first visit to Beijing, with plans to explore Yuyuantan Park, the Summer Palace and the Great Wall.

Data from Qunar, a leading Chinese travel service platform, showed a significant surge in trips from April 1 to 6, with long-distance travel over 800 kilometers increasing by over 30%. Families with children became the main travelers: passengers aged 13–18 increased by 85% on flights and those under 12 up 55%.

Zhang Weifu, a professor at Nanjing University of Finance and Economics, said the extended holiday provides ample time for travel, with family groups showing strong spending vitality.

Enjoying spring scenery

From the cherry blossoms at Zhanbi Tower in Hangzhou, to magnolias at Suzhou's Wangshi Garden and peonies in Luoyang, flowers bloom across the country during Qingming, creating striking scenes widely shared on social media and boosting the "flower-viewing economy."

Data from travel booking platform Fliggy shows that since March, searches for "flower viewing" and "spring outings" have risen 3.8 times month on month, while sales of sightseeing and travel packages on the platform increased by 72% year on year.

Enjoying the seasonal scenery has become both a ritual and a trending travel theme during the Qingming Festival holiday. In Shanghai, several parks welcomed over 30,000 visits on the first day of the holiday, while municipal parks in Beijing received 585,700 visits on Saturday.

In east China's Jinan City, major attractions used blooming flowers to attract visitors. By incorporating intangible cultural heritage, performances, parades and local markets, the city enhanced the vibrancy of folk traditions and extended the flower-viewing economy. By 2 p.m. on Saturday, 30 key tourist sites in the city witnessed 391,000 visits and generated 13.905 million yuan in revenue.

Professor Mario Capecchi went from a homeless child fighting for survival on the war-torn streets of Italy to a world-renowned molecular geneticist. From hunger came patience, and from failure, success, when he unlocked the mysteries of gene targeting, a feat that earned him the 2007 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. Where the scientific establishment saw the "impossible," he saw necessity. The following are some of his key quotes in an exclusive interview with CGTN. 

"A failure isn't a loss," Capecchi said. "It's simply a step, an anticipated step."

He argued that in science, the question matters more than the answer. "Curiosity of asking that question – that is the most important step to actually success."

On perseverance, Capecchi underscored the role of passion. "It gives you strength, particularly when things aren't going well. I can encourage you to utilize your passion. But I can't give it to you. And that has to come from the inside."

Capecchi also warned against confrontation, saying, "Two countries shouldn't be fighting with each other. That's destructive and very difficult for the world."

China's deepest undersea high-speed railway tunnel has reached a record excavation depth of 113 meters beneath the seabed, marking a major milestone in the construction of the Shenzhen-Jiangmen High-Speed Railway.

The Shenzhen-Jiangmen railway, linking the southern cities of Shenzhen and Jiangmen, is a vital component of the coastal high-speed rail corridor. The project has now entered a critical phase of construction.

At the heart of the project is the Pearl River Estuary Tunnel, an undersea shield tunnel. During the Qingming Festival holiday, construction workers remained on duty as China's domestically developed large-diameter tunnel boring machine (TBM), "Shenjiang-1," continued round-the-clock excavation.

After more than four years of continuous work, the TBM has advanced over 4 kilometers and reached a depth of 113 meters underwater, setting a new world record for the deepest undersea high-speed rail shield tunnel. The tunnel's maximum depth will reach 116 meters, where water pressure poses significant engineering challenges.

Geological conditions along the route are highly complex. The TBM must pass through 13 strata, five composite geology types, and six fault zones. Resembling a "steel dragon," the machine features a massive rotating cutterhead at the front, equipped with densely packed cutting tools that crush rock and soil as it moves forward.

The TBM operates with two main pipeline systems. One delivers fluid slurry to the cutterhead to reduce friction, and the other transports thick, debris-laden slurry back to the surface for treatment. At the processing plant, excavated materials are separated, and the treated slurry is recycled for reuse.

Behind the cutterhead, workers assemble precast concrete segments to form the tunnel lining. Each segment is about two meters wide, and nine segments are needed to complete a full ring for the tunnel, which has a diameter exceeding 13 meters. This simultaneous excavation and assembly method helps significantly improve construction efficiency.

The Pearl River Estuary Tunnel, stretching 13.69 kilometers, is a critical section of the railway. Located between Dongguan and Guangzhou, the tunnel crosses multiple waterways at the mouth of the Pearl River.

The Shenzhen-Jiangmen High-Speed Railway runs 116 kilometers from Shenzhen's Xili area in the east to Jiangmen in the west. Once completed, travel time between the two cities will be reduced to under one hour.

The project is expected to further enhance the rail network in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, improving regional connectivity and supporting economic integration.

A massive clean energy project broke ground on Monday in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, marking a major step forward in reliable renewable power.

Located in Dangxiong County at an elevation of 4,550 meters, the site is officially the highest trough-style solar thermal plant in the world.

How the tech works

Most people are familiar with standard solar panels that turn light directly into electricity. This project, also known as the Wumatang Project, uses a different method called concentrated solar power (CSP).

Instead of flat panels, it uses a vast field of curved, U-shaped mirrors to focus sunlight onto long tubes filled with a special oil. This heated oil is then used to warm up giant tanks of molten salt. This setup essentially functions like a massive thermal battery.

While typical solar panels stop producing power the moment the sun goes down or a cloud passes by, this plant can store the sun's heat to keep generating electricity for up to six hours after dark, helping to address the intermittency that can challenge power grids.

Building in extreme conditions

Building a high-tech facility at nearly 5,000 meters above sea level presents brutal challenges. The air is thin and the temperature swings between day and night are extreme.

To keep workers safe, the project team has installed specialized heating and oxygen systems in living quarters, along with high-pressure oxygen chambers for faster recovery.

Environmental and local impact

The project is designed to coexist with the local environment using a "solar-plus-grazing" model. The solar equipment is raised to allow local livestock to graze freely underneath, preserving the traditional lifestyle of the region's herders.

Once the complex is fully operational in 2027, it is expected to generate roughly 719 million kilowatt-hours of clean electricity annually. This will replace the burning of approximately 216,900 tonnes of coal each year – cutting carbon dioxide emissions by more than 652,300 tonnes and helping to keep the region's air clean.

The facility is being developed by China General Nuclear Power Corporation (CGN).

Long known as one of China's most livable cities, Chengdu is now emerging as a national leader in creative industries, digital culture and esports. If Beijing represents continuity, Chengdu embodies experimentation.

In its East Asia regional analysis, the 5th edition of the World Cities Culture Report (WCCF Report) identifies digital culture as urban infrastructure – a trend running across the region's leading cities. Chengdu emerges from its pages as a city unique not only to China but to the world at large.

As the capital of Sichuan Province and China's fourth-largest city, Chengdu combines deep historical roots with a forward-looking cultural strategy. Apart from a UNESCO City of Gastronomy and home to giant pandas, it hosts 196 museums, a thriving music and fashion scene, and one of the country's most active night-time economies.

This philosophy has helped Chengdu earn the title of "Happiest City in China" for 12 consecutive years, reinforcing the idea that cultural vitality and quality of life are closely linked.

The 'Park City' vision

Start with the physical city itself. Chengdu has articulated a governing vision – the "Park City" that treats green space as the foundational logic of urban planning. The most tangible expression of this is the Greenway network, a vast web of walking and cycling trails woven across the entire city. At 20,000 kilometers above sea level, it is the largest of its kind in the world.

The ambition behind the Greenway goes beyond recreation. Cultural activities are embedded within the network, making them accessible without a car journey or a ticket. 

Esports: Urban policy meets the night-time economy

Few cities have treated esports as seriously as a matter of cultural policy as Chengdu. Its three-part strategy covers events, venues and clubs, with up to 1 million yuan (about $145,000) available for infrastructure and major tournaments. Local clubs competing under the Chengdu name receive support for national competition, building civic identity alongside sporting achievement.

Esports is integrated into Chengdu's night-time economy strategy and its urban development goals and treated as a cultural sector in the full sense, with the same institutional seriousness as theaters or museums. The WCCF Report points to this integration as a factor in establishing Chengdu as one of China's leading esports destinations.

Scale and substance: The numbers

Globally, the report notes that 20% of young people work in culture and creative industries, and that one creative job generates additional 1.7 non-creative jobs. Chengdu's policies reflect a clear understanding of this multiplier effect.

The cultural infrastructure supporting all of this activity is considerable. Chengdu received 306 million tourists in 2024, hosts 196 museums, 40 theaters and 108 live music venues. It has 5,000 bars and 300,000 restaurants – figures that speak to a city where culture and daily life are genuinely intertwined. Citywide event attendance reached 10 million, and public libraries welcomed over 11.5 million visitors.

On the employment side, 100,000 people work in film, television, gaming and design, supported by 57 higher education providers. 

Science fiction as cultural strategy

The most distinctive and perhaps the most surprising entry in Chengdu's cultural portfolio is its science fiction policy, the first of its kind in China.

Rather than limiting sci-fi to publishing or film, the city's approach spans literature, gaming, immersive tourism and public space. The policy offers direct funding for creative works with startup investment, international promotion and rent-free spaces for early-stage companies, aiming to position Chengdu as the country's science fiction capital.

The 3-billion-yuan Sci-Fi and Future Industry Fund gives the strategy serious financial weight.

The logic is integrative. By embedding science fiction into public space, tourism and technology, Chengdu has created connections between sectors that usually operate in silos, linking the creative economy to the innovation economy in a way that reinforces both. The WCCF Report highlights the policy as an example of how cities can unlock new cultural economies by committing to an unexpected creative identity.

Digital culture and the startup ecosystem

Science fiction is the headline, but Chengdu's investment in digital culture runs deeper. The city launched China's first policy specifically targeting early-stage digital cultural startups – a deliberate effort to build the bottom of the creative pipeline, not just the flagship institutions at the top.

The support package is comprehensive: funding, rent-free workspace, R&D subsidies, talent incentives, legal advice, intellectual property guidance and mentorship. The goal is to remove the practical obstacles that cause promising creative businesses to fail before they find their footing. The result, according to the WCCF Report, has been a startup-friendly environment that is expanding entrepreneurship and establishing Chengdu as a national hub for digital culture. The city currently hosts 680 digital creative firms and over 1,300 film and television production companies.

What Chengdu gets right

What distinguishes Chengdu is not any single initiative but the coherence of its approach. 

There is also an unusual willingness to experiment. Most cities' cultural policies are defensive — preserving what exists, managing decline, attracting established institutions. Chengdu is doing some of that too, but its most interesting moves are proactive: claiming the sci-fi identity before anyone else did, building the world's largest greenway network and creating policy instruments for sectors that most governments have not yet taken seriously.

Zaruhi Poghosyan is a multimedia editor for CGTN Digital. This is the third article in our city-by-city series exploring five Chinese cities that are investing in long-term resilience through culture and redefining what it means to be a global city in the 21st century. Data and findings cited in this article are drawn from the 5th edition of the World Culture Cities Forum Report. Next in the series: Guangzhou.

Read also: Beijing: Heritage meets modern urban governance at a megacity scale

Intelligent technologies are helping mushroom producers in eastern China to scale up their operations, creating growing environments that can ensure year-round production and even yield varieties that would otherwise not be possible in the region.

The indoor vertical mushroom farms in Quzhou, Zhejiang Province, are able to maintain constant temperature, humidity, and low light conditions required for various species. The technology has significantly raised annual yields of enoki, a long, thin mushroom that is popular across China.

"By introducing advanced digital production equipment, we have achieved year-round production, yielding an annual output of more than 20,000 tonnes of enoki mushrooms," said Xiong Houqiang, a technician at Zhejiang Junyuan Biotechnology Company Limited.

The innovations have allowed growers to produce many kinds of mushrooms that would never grow outdoors in Zhejiang. In China, porcini mushrooms mainly grow seasonally in the plateau of the southwestern province of Yunnan, but now these technologies help companies in the Zhejiang Province to produce this golden and plump variety.

In 2025, the edible mushroom industry in Quzhou achieved an annual output of of 49,100 tonnes thanks to these advancements.

Experience the living traditions of Nyingchi, Xizang through vibrant intangible cultural heritage performances.

At the ongoing Nyingchi Peach Blossom Tourism and Cultural Festival, visitors are treated not only to sweeping views of peach blossoms, but also to dynamic cultural displays that showcase the city's rich heritage vividly.

[Video footage: Nyingchi Integrated Media Center]

This year, Hotan Prefecture in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region plans to rehabilitate over 2.23 million mu of desertified land, including the planting of 266,900 mu of artificial forest, with 150,700 mu scheduled for spring planting. At present, regions in Xinjiang have fully launched the green barrier expansion project along the edges of the Taklimakan Desert.

At a desert control site in Hotan, towering sand dunes – some reaching four to five meters high – stretch across the landscape. Before any planting can begin, heavy machinery moves in to reshape the terrain. Bulldozers level the dunes by shaving off the peaks and filling in the depressions, while graders follow to smooth and compact the surface. This approach helps prevent loose sand from drifting, creating more stable conditions for planting.

Tree-planting machines, now widely used in the region, can plant seedlings and lay drip irrigation tapes simultaneously. A single dual-track machine can plant more than 13,000 trees per day, over ten times the efficiency of traditional manual methods.

Some of these machines operate autonomously, guided by China's BeiDou Navigation Satellite System. Moving at a steady pace, they leave behind straight rows of newly planted saplings, spaced about five meters apart.

The gaps between rows are not left unused. Seeders follow behind, distributing alfalfa and rapeseed into the gaps. This intercropping method allows the land to serve multiple purposes, stabilizing soil while also supporting vegetation growth.

China's box office revenue during the Qingming Festival holiday, which runs from April 4 to 6, had surpassed 227 million yuan (about $33 million) as of 10:30 a.m. on April 6, including pre-sales, signaling a steady recovery in the country's film market.

This strong holiday performance comes as China's total box-office earnings for 2026 have already exceeded 12 billion yuan ($1.7 million), maintaining its position as the world’s largest single film market.

A combination of nationwide cinema subsidies and a diverse lineup of new releases has helped to drive the holiday boost. Cinemas rolled out discounts and viewing incentives through both online and offline platforms, lowering ticket prices and attracting more audiences back to theaters.

The surge in demand also led cinemas to increase the number of screenings and optimize their schedules, while a wider range of film genres expanded audience appeal. In addition, government-backed initiatives, including dedicated funds to promote cultural consumption, further supported the growth of movie-going during the holiday period.

China's National Meteorological Center renewed a blue alert for rainstorms and a blue alert for gales on Monday, forecasting heavy downpours in the south and strong winds in the north.

Moderate to heavy rain is expected in parts of the regions south of the Yangtze River and other parts of south China, with some areas experiencing rainstorms or even torrential rains.

Meanwhile, strong winds will sweep parts of northwest China, the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in north China, and northeast China.

Starting from Tuesday night, the rain-hit areas in the south will see a shift northward.

Meteorological experts warned the public, especially travelers, to stay alert and avoid mountainous areas, river valleys and low-lying regions in the affected areas.

The center also forecast light to moderate snow or sleet, and blizzards, for parts of northeast China, Qinghai Province in northwest China and Xizang Autonomous Region in the country's southwest on Monday.

China has made several breakthroughs in renewable energy generation in recent years. By 2025, renewable energy installations accounted for more than half of the country's total installed capacity, driven by the use of innovative technologies. This has provided strong momentum for both China and the world in their clean energy transition.

Last October, the world's largest 26-megawatt offshore wind turbine, independently developed by China's Dongfang Electric Corporation, was successfully connected to the grid in waters off east China's Shandong Province, setting new global records for both single-unit capacity and rotor diameter.

According to the company, under full-load conditions, each rotation of the turbine generates 62 kilowatt-hours of electricity. At an average wind speed of 10 meters per second, a single unit can produce 100 million kilowatt-hours annually – enough to power 55,000 households – while saving 30,000 tonnes of standard coal and reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 80,000 tonnes.

In east China's Shanghai, a commercial underwater data center powered by offshore wind farms began operation in February, aligning surging computing demand with renewable energy supply.

Offshore wind turbines located above the data center are designed to supply electricity directly, enabling on-site consumption and avoiding energy losses typically associated with long-distance transmission.

At full-load operation of 24 megawatts, the project's annual carbon reduction is equivalent to the annual carbon absorption of about 1.6 million trees.

Similar clean energy-powered data centers are also being developed in northwest and southwest China.

China is accelerating the construction of renewable energy infrastructure to support its fast-growing digital economy while effectively reducing carbon emissions.

In September last year, China pledged to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions across its economy by 7 to 10 percent from peak levels by 2035. To achieve this goal, China's installed capacity of renewable energy has already surpassed that of coal-fired power.

As China rapidly expands its clean energy infrastructure, it is also sharing the spillover benefits of its technological innovation with the rest of the world.

At the Solar and Storage Live Africa 2026 exhibition held in Johannesburg in March, Chinese companies' photovoltaic equipment and smart energy solutions drew widespread attention.

Qhakazile Mathebula, general manager for digital energy at City Power Johannesburg, welcomed the strong presence of Chinese firms and highlighted their contribution to Africa's energy transition.

"We welcome the participation of Chinese renewable energy companies, whose investments and technologies are helping accelerate Africa's shift toward cleaner and more sustainable energy," she said.

China's ability to deliver cost-effective and scalable solutions is critical as African countries are working to expand energy access and address supply constraints, Mathebula added.

"At the scale and pace that China is producing them (clean energy), plenty of things stand to be swept away – including, quite possibly, the once seemingly intractable problems of energy poverty and fossil-fuel dependence," wrote Jeremy Wallace, a professor of China Studies at Johns Hopkins, in a recent column for Wired magazine.

Tensions in the Middle East continued to escalate on Sunday, as Iran claimed that it has shot down 12 US aircraft of various types since April 3 while US President Donald Trump threatened to attack Iran's energy facilities and bridges after signaled another delay to its ultimatum over the Strait of Hormuz, even as both sides hinted at ongoing diplomatic contacts.

Tehran reiterated on Sunday that it would continue to leverage its control over the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global energy chokepoint, as a strategic tool in the confrontation. Mehdi Tabatabaei, deputy for communications at the Iranian president's office, stated that Iran would only reopen the strait after receiving compensation for war damages. He said the compensation will be paid from ship tax revenues.

Trump, meanwhile, extended the deadline he had set for Iran to reopen the strait by one more day. He warned that if Tehran fails to comply by the evening of April 7, the United States would target Iranian power plants and bridges.

At the same time, Trump said Washington is engaged in "serious negotiations" with Iran and suggested a deal could be reached before the deadline. However, he also warned that failure to reach an agreement could lead to devastating consequences.

Two sources familiar with the talks said mediation efforts are being conducted through intermediaries in Pakistan, Egypt and Turkey, with communication channels also open between Trump's advisers and Iran's foreign minister.

The US, Iran and regional mediators are discussing a potential 45-day ceasefire that could lead to "a permanent end to the war," Axios reported on Sunday, citing anonymous US, Israeli and regional sources.

US crew from downed F-15 rescued at heavy loss

April 5 marked a critical moment for Washington, as US forces announced the successful rescue of a second crew member from a downed F-15E fighter jet after two tense nights. Analysts say the rescue may have averted a potential hostage crisis that could have significantly shifted US public opinion towards the war and weakened Washington's position in negotiations.

Iranian reports detailed a series of US aircraft losses. It's reported that after a US Air Force F-15E "Strike Eagle" two-seat fighter jet was downed over Iran on April 3, Iranian forces subsequently shot down two US C-130 transport aircraft, one A-10 "Warthog" attack aircraft, four "Black Hawk" helicopters, two "Little Bird" helicopters, and two MQ-9 "Reaper" drones.

The United States has not confirmed these figures. However, a report by The New York Times indicated that at least four US aircraft were recently lost, including two reportedly shot down and two destroyed by US forces after becoming inoperable during rescue operations.

According to the Wall Street Journal, the US deployed MC-130J aircraft - each costing over $100 million - in the rescue mission. The MC-130J is designed to insert and extract troops in hostile environments and can be refueled midair. The aircraft is also equipped with advanced defensive systems, including sensors to counter air-defense threats such as heat-seeking missiles. An American official said the US destroyed two of its MC-130J aircraft during the rescue mission, without providing details on how the planes were lost, according to the report.

The New York Times stressed the risks of sustained military operations deep inside hostile territory. It said in an analysis that such setbacks highlight the unpredictability of war and the increasing difficulty for Washington to maintain control over an expanding conflict.

Read more: US calls F‑15E crew rescue a success; Iran deems it a failure

Iran's counter-strikes 

On the battlefield, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced it had launched the 97th wave of its "True Promise-4" operation on April 5, involving large-scale missile and drone strikes. Iranian statements claimed multiple US and Israeli targets and assets in Gulf countries were hit.

Among the reported strikes, Iran said it targeted a covert gathering site for US officers near a naval base in Kuwait, causing heavy casualties. It also claimed that a cruise missile struck a vessel linked to Israel near Jebel Ali Port in the United Arab Emirates. Another strike on April 4 allegedly resulted in 25 US casualties at a personnel gathering point in the UAE.

Israel has also come under increasing pressure. Iranian forces said their drones carried out precise strikes on petrochemical facilities and fuel storage sites near Dimona, a strategically important area for Israel's southern energy supply.

Israeli emergency services also reported that a residential building in the northern city of Haifa was severely damaged during the latest Iranian missile attack, injuring at least 10 people. Despite multiple interceptor launches, Israel's air defense systems failed to stop the incoming missile in that instance.

Diplomatic efforts

Amid the escalation, Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi held talks with his Russian and Indian counterparts, discussing the ongoing conflict. Araghchi accused Washington and its allies of targeting civilian infrastructure and urged the UN Security Council to take a more responsible approach grounded in international law.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov called for an immediate halt to "illegal" attacks on civilian targets, particularly warning against strikes on sensitive facilities such as the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant. Moscow also suggested that the US side abandoning its ultimatum-style rhetoric could help ease tensions in the Gulf.

India's foreign minister emphasized the importance of efforts to restore stability and security to the region, expressing his country's support for the ongoing efforts at the regional and international levels to stop the war.

OPEC+ plans to increase oil production

The conflict also prompted oil-production countries to take actions. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies (OPEC+) announced plans to increase oil production by 206,000 barrels per day in May following a virtual meeting of key producers.

However, analysts caution that the increase may remain largely symbolic. Since late February, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz has sharply reduced exports from major Gulf producers such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Iraq - countries that previously held most of the bloc's spare production capacity. In addition, missile and drone attacks have inflicted damage on regional energy infrastructure.

Officials from several Gulf states noted that even if hostilities cease and the strait reopens immediately, it could take months to restore normal operations and meet production targets. Other producers, including Russia, face constraints due to sanctions and infrastructure damage linked to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

As military confrontation intensifies alongside fragile diplomatic efforts, the situation remains volatile, with significant implications for regional stability and global energy security.

The newly revised Regulations on Funeral Management officially came into force in China on March 30, 2026, marking the first major update in nearly 30 years. The revised policy redefines funeral services as a non-profit social cause and introduces a "two-tier catalog" system for both basic and supplementary services. Under these new rules, no additional items or fees are permitted beyond those officially listed in the catalogs.

Specifically, pricing for items on the "basic service catalog" is now subject to government-guided rates, while supplementary services are also under strict legal management. Furthermore, the regulations prioritize the supply of public-interest burial facilities, explicitly stating that no new for-profit or commercial cemeteries will be approved from this point forward.

Regulations have also been significantly strengthened. Most regions have now established a seamless connection between medical institutions, elderly care facilities and funeral homes. Hospitals are required to implement strict internal controls to prevent staff from leaking patient information or making illegal service referrals. Additionally, a joint regulatory mechanism has been launched across 31 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities, as well as in the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps. Through this combination of legal safeguards, price interventions and full-cycle regulation, the new policy strives to ensure that the final journey of life is handled with greater dignity and fairness.

A 7.5-tonne unmanned cargo aircraft powered by AEP100, China's independently developed megawatt-class hydrogen-fueled turboprop engine, completed its maiden flight on Saturday at an airport in Zhuzhou, central China's Hunan Province.

This marks the world's first test flight of a megawatt-class hydrogen-fueled turboprop engine.

The engine operated normally and remained in good condition throughout the 16-minute test flight, according to the Aero Engine Corporation of China (AECC), its developer. The aircraft covered 36 kilometers at 220 km/h, flying at an altitude of 300 meters. After completing all scheduled flight maneuvers, it returned safely.

Experts from the AECC noted that the successful maiden flight highlights that China has now established a complete technological chain in hydrogen-fueled aviation engines, covering everything from core components to full engine integration. They added that this achievement lays the foundation for the industrial application of hydrogen energy in aviation.

As green hydrogen production costs fall, hydrogen aviation engines will show growing economic and energy security advantages, experts said. Hydrogen-fueled aero-engine technology is expected to debut in low-altitude economy fields such as unmanned air freight and island logistics, before gradually expanding to regional and mainline aircraft.

This technology will drive coordinated upgrades across industrial clusters, including upstream green hydrogen production, midstream storage, transportation and refueling infrastructure, and downstream high-end equipment and new materials. Ultimately, it will propel the green, low-carbon, and high-quality development of China's aviation industry, experts added.

(Cover: An AEP100 engine showcased at the Shanghai International Commercial Airshow in Shanghai, China, November 24, 2023. /VCG)

Spring is a time of new beginnings – but Chinese wisdom asks us to look back before looking ahead. On April 5, Chinese people mark the Qingming Festival honoring and remembering those they have lost.

As life approaches its final chapter, how can we, along with medical professionals, preserve the dignity of our loved ones? Especially when they face pain and suffering? And how can death education, empowered by thousands of years of Chinese cultural tradition, help heal the hearts of those left behind?

In the latest installment of Health Talk: Dealing with the last goodbye, we sit down with Lu Guijun, head of the palliative care team at Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, to explore the concept of hospice care and how a culturally grounded approach to mortality can bring comfort to both terminal patients and grieving families.

Executive Producer: Zhang Jingwen

Producer: Yang Sha

Directors: Li Yue, Xu Wen, Zhong Xia, and Chai Shouyu

Video editor: Zhang Zhe

Videographers: Gao Zhihong, Tian Rongzhen, Yuan Yuxiang, Fu Pengwei, and Zhang Jingwen

Cover Designer: Xu Xi

Mexico’s trade links with Asia are expanding, but for many businesses, entering those markets can be complex and costly. 

Increasingly, companies are turning to China’s Hong Kong region as a flexible gateway to that part of the world. 

For more, check out our exclusive content on CGTN Now and subscribe to our weekly newsletter, The China Report.

The director-general of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has appointed Chinese Professor Chen Qun as the UN agency's assistant director-general (ADG) for education.

According to a UNESCO statement updated on Thursday, Chen is an academic, physicist and education specialist with more than 30 years of experience in academic and executive leadership. He will support Director-General Khaled El-Enany in transforming education systems and advancing equitable, inclusive and high-quality learning, while equipping learners worldwide with advanced skills, for the benefit of people and peace.

Chen's appointment came after the naming of three women to senior positions in January, when Sweden's Asa Regner was designated as UNESCO deputy director-general, Mozambique's Lidia Brito appointed as ADG in charge of priority Africa and external relations, and Mariya Gabriel, Bulgaria's former deputy prime minister and foreign minister, was named as ADG for communication and information.

El-Enany, an Egyptologist, took office last November. He is the 12th director-general of UNESCO, the first from an Arab country and the second from Africa to hold this position.

China is accelerating the development of its space computing industry in a systematic and orderly manner, said an official with the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology on Friday.

Space computing refers to deploying computing capabilities in orbit, using satellite networks to achieve seamless global coverage. Compared with ground-based data centers, its biggest advantages are real-time processing and wide-area coverage. The development of space computing is being driven by multiple factors, including the explosive demand for AI computing power, breakthroughs in reusable rocket technology and the limitations of energy and space faced by ground-based data centers.

Conventional satellites operate like "cameras that only take pictures." They collect vast amounts of raw data in space, transmit it back to ground stations and rely on supercomputers for analysis and decision-making. In contrast, space computing equips satellites with radiation-hardened chips, servers and storage devices, allowing multiple satellites to form a network. This approach enables satellites to collect, analyze and make decisions in real time, sending back only the most valuable results to Earth.

China is not alone in pursuing this approach. SpaceX in the United States plans to deploy a million satellites in low Earth orbit to serve as orbital data centers. Russia is advancing computing upgrades to its satellite networks, while Japan is focusing on in-orbit processing of Earth observation data.

But deploying computing power in space is far from cheap. So why are countries still intent on moving data centers into orbit?

Ground-based supercomputing centers face high energy consumption and costly cooling challenges. In orbit, satellites can draw on continuous solar energy and dissipate heat more effectively in the vacuum of space, offering a potentially more sustainable model.

Coverage is another key advantage. Ground infrastructure is limited by geography, leaving gaps in remote regions such as oceans, deserts and high-altitude areas. Satellite networks, by contrast, can provide near-complete global coverage, enabling consistent access to computing resources anywhere on the planet.

Moreover, the real-time capabilities of in-orbit computing can dramatically shorten the time between data collection and decision-making. Instead of waiting for images to be sent to Earth for analysis, satellites can perform recognition, generate alerts and transmit critical information within seconds.

Beyond efficiency and performance, space computing carries strategic implications. It could serve as a resilient backup in the event of disruptions to terrestrial networks and provide essential computational support for future deep-space exploration missions.

The 2026 Centennial Lilac Poetry Festival kicked off at Baoguo Temple in Xicheng District of Beijing on Friday.

Themed "Lilac as Message, Youth as Poetry," the gathering brought together poetry lovers from around the world. Blending tradition with modern creativity, the event features poetry salons, recitals and music performances.

With roots dating back to the Ming and Qing dynasties, China's historic poetry tradition continues to bloom today, bringing this literary art into everyday life.

China's Ministry of Transport said the total number of cross-regional passenger trips on the first day of the Qingming Festival holiday is estimated at 295.91 million on Saturday, up 2.7% year on year.

Driven by overlapping spring breaks in some regions, overall travel during the Qingming holiday is expected to increase by about 6% compared with the same period last year.

Sichuan and Guizhou provinces in southwest China, Jiangsu and Anhui provinces in east China, as well as many cities in other provinces introduced their first-ever spring break this year.

Spring break schedules vary nationwide: the break typically lasts two or three days from April 1, but falls at different times. In some areas the break comes just before the three-day Qingming Festival in early April, while in others it extends into the May Day holiday or is combined with weekends, resulting in a break of five to eight days.

The new vacation not only allows children to connect with nature in spring and reduces students' academic burden, but also creates a window for family travel, which is expected to boost tourism and consumption.

In Sichuan, bookings for flights departing from the provincial capital Chengdu between April 1 and 6 have increased by 50% from the same period last year, according to travel platform Qunar.

Data from Chengdu East Railway Station show that it handled 336,000 passenger trips on April 1, the first day of the city's spring break, ranking first among high-speed railway stations nationwide. On the same day, children from six to 14 accounted for 52.5% and 50% of passengers on trains departing Chengdu for Guangzhou and Beijing, respectively.

Wang Jibin, a China Mobile executive in charge of data-related operations, told CMG that the cross-provincial trips accounted for 54% of total travel, up 12% from a year earlier, while intra-provincial trips made up 46% of trips.

The extended holiday has effectively expanded travel distance and encouraged longer trips, industry data indicates.

New travel patterns are also emerging, with the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools for trip planning gaining popularity among families, Wang added. Average daily active users of AI apps increased by 21% during the spring break period in those regions.

(With input from Xinhua)

Passenger traffic on China's "mini three links" ferry route has surged as the three-day Qingming Festival holiday gets underway, with growing numbers of Taiwan residents traveling across the strait to sweep tombs and honor their ancestors.

The ferry route connecting Huangqi in southeast China's Fujian Province and Baisha Harbor on Matsu Island has become a busy passage for cross-Strait family visits and ancestor-worshipping activities during the traditional tomb-sweeping holiday.

"Qingming tomb-sweeping is a shared tradition on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. No matter where we go, we must never forget our ancestors. We return to the mainland to pay our respects," a Taiwan resident surnamed Wei told China Media Group (CMG). 

Another Taiwan resident, surnamed Lin, who was on a trip with her son, told CMG that they came back to the mainland to visit their ancestors' graves. "I brought my son so he can know that our roots are here and that we should honor our ancestors," she noted.

The Huangqi-Matsu route takes about 25 minutes one way and has become a key channel for cross-Strait travel. 

The Fujian Maritime Safety Administration expects passenger numbers during the holiday to increase by more than 15 percent compared to last year.

The "mini three links" refers to direct trade, postal and transport services launched in 2001 between Fujian Province and Taiwan-administered Kinmen and Matsu islands. 

The Chinese Embassy in Israel on Saturday issued a notice urging Chinese nationals in Israel to strengthen security precautions, avoid civilian infrastructure and relocate to safe areas in a timely manner.

The embassy noted that the security situation in the Middle East remains highly tense, with high risks of further escalation of hostilities that could threaten schools, power stations, industrial parks and other civilian facilities.

According to media reports, Israel's Port of Haifa, Rehovot railway station, Yarkon bridge, Jezreel Valley tunnel, as well as multiple highways connecting Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Haifa, may be targeted, it said.

The embassy urged Chinese citizens in Israel to take strict security measures and evacuate to safe zones, adding that they must keep away from key infrastructure such as airports, ports, power stations, train stations and refineries, as well as military‑sensitive sites, major universities, research institutions, factories and main transport routes.

All Chinese nationals should strictly follow security instructions issued by Israel's Home Front Command, and refrain from non‑essential outings, it said.

Upon receiving mobile alerts or air‑raid sirens, they must immediately enter bomb shelters to ensure personal safety, said the embassy, urging Chinese nationals to call local police and contact the embassy promptly in case of emergency.

As of April 3, China's 2026 box office has already crossed 12 billion yuan ($1.74 billion), with more than 273 million tickets sold. On paper, it's a record-breaking figure. In context, it's even more striking: China now accounts for over 23% of the global market.

But numbers alone don't tell the whole story. What's unfolding behind this milestone is something more structured and more interesting. China's film industry is no longer just chasing ticket sales. It is evolving into a multi-layered ecosystem where content, consumption and experience intersect. In other words, this is not just growth. It's a dimensional upgrade.

Storytelling outshines star power

The engine behind the 12-billion-yuan mark is not hype; it's content. Chinese New Year releases in the country indicated a noticeable shift. Films like Pegasus 3 lean into the emotional resonance of ordinary people chasing extraordinary dreams. Blades of the Guardians reimagines the wuxia martial art film genre with modern cinematic language.

What ties them together is a clear pivot away from the old formula of popular franchises and famous celebrities. Today's audiences are voting with their feet, and their ratings. Nearly 40% of current releases score above 8.0 out 10 on Beacon Pro, one of China's movie data platforms. This signals a growing preference for well-crafted storytelling over pre-packaged spectacle.

The shift is also cultural. Films from China are no longer just dominating the country's box office, they are shaping cultural identity. Blades of the Guardians has reportedly surpassed $214 million globally, setting a new benchmark for wuxia films, while Pegasus 3 has climbed to the top of the global annual box office with $555 million.

These are not just commercial wins; they suggest that Chinese stories, grounded in Chinese culture yet emotionally universal, are beginning to travel.

A more open market with diversity

China's film market is not turning inward, it's opening up, but on its own terms.

In March alone, more than 30 films, including both Chinese and international releases, hit theaters, with imported titles making up roughly one-third of releases, a significant jump from previous years. From the big-budget sci-fi Project Hail Mary release syncing with North America, to Hoppers, GOAT, Wuthering Heights and the Oscar-nominated Marty Supreme, the range is broader and it accommodates a wider array of options.

This is not just about quantity. It reflects a more mature ecosystem where supply and demand evolve together. Audiences in China, shaped by years of moviegoing, now lean toward films that deliver strong emotional payoff and narrative coherence.

At the same time, high-quality international films still find success. They offer alternative storytelling styles and technological benchmarks, pushing domestic productions to keep innovating. To date, Project Hail Mary has has grossed 158 million yuan ($23 million) at China's domestic box office. It's a classic "catfish effect" – competition sharpens everyone.

"Film+" – What is happening beyond the screen

If box office is the headline number, the real value lies in what it unlocks.

In 2026, China's total film-related industry output is estimated to exceed 180 billion yuan, according to local reports. In practical terms, one movie ticket now activates a much larger chain of consumption – from tourism and dining to cultural products.

This is where the "film+" model comes in. Government-backed initiatives like the "2026 Film Economy Promotion Year" are turning movies into gateways. Subsidies lower the cost of entry. Campaigns like "Travel with Films" transform shooting locations – from Sichuan's Ganzi to Xinjiang's Karamay – into tourist hotspots. Meanwhile, tie-ins with food and intangible cultural heritage bring on-screen stories into everyday life.

Re-defining the cinema

Chinese cinema itself is changing too. Data from major platforms shows that during the 2026 Chinese New Year season, over 70% of tickets were purchased for group viewing: couples, families, and friends. That's a record high, and it says something important: Going to the movies is becoming a social ritual again.

Cinemas are responding. Beyond screens and seats, they are building immersive environments that cater to every need: private screenings, family-friendly screenings, pet-friendly screenings and hotpot screenings: Yes! Fine dining while seeing movies.

In the theater's waiting area, you can also find curated merchandise corners, regional specialty snacks and drinks, paired with movie-themed treats. A children's hit like Boonie Bears extends into play spaces, toys and even themed playgrounds.

In this sense, the cinema is no longer just a place to watch films. It is evolving into an "urban living room" – a space for connection, leisure and shared experience.

And when moviegoing becomes part of how people celebrate Chinese New Year or meet up with a friend, it stops being just entertainment. It becomes culture.

The road ahead

The 12-billion-yuan box office is an impressive milestone for China's 2026 movie scene, but it is not the destination. Challenges remain. Original storytelling needs to go deeper. Some mid- and low-budget films still struggle for visibility. The downstream value chain – from merchandising and film franchise development to inter-industry integration with dining, fashion and more – has much room to grow.

The next phase will depend on whether the industry can move from scaling up to leveling up: anchoring itself in strong content, being supported by technology, and expanding through integration. The real story here is not about box office totals. It's about what happens when a single movie ticket can activate an entire ecosystem, and when a cinema can double as a cultural commons.

The 12-billion-yuan mark is a signal that Chinese cinema is stepping into a new dimension, one where stories travel further, industries connect deeper, and audiences expect more.

Min Rui is a commentator on cultural affairs. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of CGTN.

Some foods are not just about taste – they carry memories.

For many families in China, qingtuan – sweet green glutinous rice dumplings filled with red bean paste – is part of Qingming Festival, a time to remember loved ones who have passed away.

Through the eyes of little girl Nannan, remembrance feels gentle – in the sweet bites of her grandma's homemade qingtuan, in a family outing on a spring day, and in a kite drifting so high into the sky.

Those we love are never far – they live on in all of these little moments.

In March, the 1,000-mu (about 66.7 hectare) rapeseed fields in Guojiawan Village, Yuping Dong Autonomous County, southwest China's Guizhou Province bloomed one after another.  

The golden rapeseed fields stretched like a picture scroll, complementing the green mountains, villages and farmland. They have attracted many visitors and become a popular spring check-in spot, boosting rural tourism.

By adopting a rice‑rapeseed rotation system, the village has increased grain and oil production while raising local farmers' incomes. Combining Dong ethnic culture with eco‑friendly landscapes, Yuping has built attractive rural tourism focused on enjoying nature, which is growing increasingly popular.

During Qingming, people across Urumqi, Xinjiang, went to the city's cemetery to honor the departed. Public security officers and veteran stood solemnly before the monument, presenting wreaths, observing a moment of silence, and sharing stories of courage. Nearby, schoolchildren joined adults in offering wreaths with quiet reverence, keeping alive a tradition of remembrance in the gentle spring. In Altay City's Cemetery, State Grid Altay Power Supply Company held a memorial activity, standing in silent tribute, and laying wreaths and flowers to express deep remembrance. 

Chongqing Zoo's panda star Qi Ying – better known as Qi Sanmei – just added a new move to her playbook: the slide. In a viral clip, she's seen going up and down, over and over, completely obsessed with getting it right. Her round little body rolls like a bouncy sesame dumpling. A lucky visitor caught the whole adorable struggle, and the internet simply can't handle it. 

Watch "Charlie Bucket" and "Willy Wonka" step out of "Charlie and the Factory" and try local Chinese snacks for the first time – their reactions are pure gold.

As spring unfolds across China, primary and secondary school students in several regions are ushering in their first-ever spring break, stepping beyond the classroom to travel and take part in a diverse range of activities.

The idea of spring and autumn breaks for primary and secondary schools first emerged in Hangzhou, capital of east China's Zhejiang Province. As early as 2004, the city took the lead in piloting the system, which was later expanded across the province.

This year, China's government work report, for the first time, called for introducing spring and autumn breaks for primary and secondary school students in localities where conditions permit, elevating the policy from local trials to a national guideline. 

Spring breaks have since been promoted in elementary and secondary schools across eight provincial-level regions, including Shandong Province, Hunan Province, Zhejiang Province, Sichuan Province, Jiangsu Province, Anhui Province and Chongqing Municipality.

In some areas, the spring break falls just before the three-day Qingming Festival in early April, while in others it extends into the five-day May Day holiday, allowing students to combine leave into six- to eight-day mini-breaks. 

Students from Grade One to Grade Eight can enjoy the break, while senior-year students in middle schools and high schools are excluded as they are in their graduation years.

Experts say the move could bring multiple benefits. 

Introducing spring and autumn breaks can help ease students' academic pressure, give them more time to rest, and support their overall physical and mental well-being, said Peng Peng, executive president of the Guangdong Society of Reform. 

He added that aligning these breaks with parents' paid leave may encourage family travel and boost domestic consumption, while staggered schedules across regions could help ease peak travel congestion.

"Continuous study can lead to fatigue. Short breaks help relieve stress and create room for exploration and practical learning," said Wu Jinsong, a professor at South China Normal University who has long studied the issue, noting that expanding such breaks supports students' well-rounded development.

Students gain knowledge and develop their abilities not only through classrooms and textbooks, but also by visiting museums, libraries and experiencing nature, said Dai Bin, president of the China Tourism Academy. Introducing such breaks, he added, benefits not only individual well-being but also broader social development and economic growth.

Across the country, local authorities are rolling out a variety of educational and cultural activities, turning a simple calendar adjustment into an opportunity for broader learning beyond the classroom.

In east China's Zhejiang Province, Anji County has announced that during the 2026 spring break period – covering April 1 to 3 – 15 paid tourist attractions will offer free admission to primary and secondary school students nationwide aged 16 and under when accompanied by a parent or guardian with valid ID. These include popular scenic sites such as the China Bamboo Expo Park, North Zhejiang Grand Canyon, and the Anji Ancient City National Archaeological Site Park, among others.

In Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, students aged 7 to 16 can take public transportation free of charge from April 1 to 3 during the spring break. At the same time, Nanjing's Hongshan Forest Zoo will distribute 45,000 free tickets to students nationwide aged 16 and under over the three-day break. 

The Suzhou Metro in Jiangsu Province is also offering free rides for students in the same age group, while the Suzhou Museum has introduced special parent-child reservation sessions.

In southwest China's Sichuan Province, a total of 136 scenic spots have introduced incentives such as free admission for primary and secondary school students during the spring break, including top-rated destinations such as Mount Qingcheng and the Dujiangyan Irrigation System scenic area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In addition, more than 100 curated study-tour routes have been launched, covering themes such as humanities, nature and science.

With growing travel enthusiasm for spring break combined with the Qingming Festival holiday, the country's tourism market is gaining momentum. 

Data from travel platform Qunar shows that the number of air passengers under the age of 18 is expected to more than double year on year, while visits by young travelers to scenic attractions are projected to more than triple. Between April 1 and 6, air passenger traffic to many popular destinations is forecast to increase by around 30% compared with the same period last year.

According to the national railway operator, China is likely to see 90.5 million railway passenger trips from Friday to next Tuesday during the upcoming Qingming Festival holiday travel rush.

However, there are also concerns raised about increasing childcare pressure due to the spring break, especially for dual-income families. To support the newly introduced breaks, a series of coordinated measures has also been rolled out. 

One company in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, has announced a three-day paid spring break for all employees, separate from annual leave, allowing families to better align their schedules.

In Hefei, capital of east China's Anhui Province, authorities have encouraged employers to offer flexible arrangements such as staggered leave or compensatory time off, prioritizing workers with school-age children.

Schools and communities are also stepping in to support families by providing childcare services for dual-income households and vulnerable groups, along with supervised programs and themed study camps that combine recreation, learning and skills development.

(With input from Xinhua)

The military strikes launched by the United States and Israel against Iran over the past month have spread the conflict to multiple countries, with ripple effects continuing to expand, severely undermining global peace and stability.

Amid this turmoil, China has distinguished itself as an active mediator. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, has held dozens of phone calls and four in-person meetings with his counterparts in multiple countries, ranging from the Middle East and Asia to Europe.

On Thursday alone, Wang spoke with Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul and Kaja Kallas, the high representative for foreign affairs and security policy of the European Commission.

Prior to these calls, Wang and his Pakistani counterpart Mohammad Ishaq Dar put forward five proposals on restoring peace and stability in the Gulf region and the Middle East during their one-on-one meeting in Beijing on Tuesday. In the remaining days of March, the Chinese foreign minister also held 18 calls with officials from multiple countries including Iran, Israel, the UK, Russia and France.

Analysts say these extensive discussions demonstrate China's suitability as a mediator, with its efforts to promote dialogue and peace widely recognized.

Wang Jin, director of the Center for Strategic Studies at Northwest University in China, said that among the world's major powers, the US has already become directly involved in the conflict with Iran, and its repeated calls for dialogue are perceived as insincere, leaving Tehran unresponsive.

Noting that Russia and European countries have either stand to benefit from rising oil prices or openly criticized Iran over the Strait of Hormuz blockade, Wang said this leaves them with limited motivation and legitimacy to mediate.

Against this backdrop, China has emerged as a more suitable mediator and has played a constructive role, earning Iran's recognition and broad praise from the international community, Wang added.

Qin Tian, deputy director of the Middle East Studies Institute at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, added that while some developing countries and European nations are dissatisfied with the war launched by the US and Israel, their relatively distant relations with Iran make them less suited to promote dialogue and de-escalation.

China's track record in the Middle East reinforces its credibility. It has consistently supported "Palestinians governing Palestine," facilitated the historic Saudi-Iran reconciliation in March 2023, and committed to strengthening ties with Arab nations through the first China-Arab States Summit and China-Gulf Cooperation Council Summit in 2022. The second China-Arab States Summit is scheduled for later this year.

Regarding European countries seeking to enhance communication with China rather than the US amid ongoing Middle East tensions, Wang Yiwei, director of the Institute of International Affairs at Renmin University of China, said the European Union is deeply frustrated this time because the United States launched military actions on Iran without consulting or informing them, and then expected NATO to step in and assist.

The Strait of Hormuz – a crucial energy corridor – adds to EU concerns, as it is vital for energy imports and global connectivity, Wang said, adding that US President Donald Trump's attempt to draw the EU into confrontation with Iran, coupled with renewed threats to withdraw from NATO, has further strained relations.

Against this backdrop, European nations see China as the only actor capable of engaging all stakeholders meaningfully, especially as Trump prepares to visit China and the country prepares to host the second China-Arab States Summit later this year, Wang said.

Read more:

Experts: China-Pakistan five-point initiative reflects 'common denominator' for all parties

China is accelerating the development of its space computing industry in a systematic and orderly manner, said an official with the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) on Friday.

Space computing boasts advantages such as real-time on-orbit processing, low-cost energy and wide-area coverage, said Zhao Ce, deputy director of the MIIT department of information and communication development, at an industry conference in Beijing.

In recent years, China has gradually carried out pilot construction and verification of space computing networks, accelerated technological breakthroughs and advanced multiple constellation projects, he noted.

More efforts should be made to plan measures to guide space computing development, support qualified localities to engage in the industry in line with local conditions, and promote R&D in technologies and products involving satellite-based radiation-resistant chips and inter-satellite laser communication.

He also encouraged the exploration of space computing applications in areas such as remote sensing and communication enhancement, as well as on-orbit data processing for low-altitude economy and emergency communication.

French luxury giant Hermès opened a new store in Beijing's Sanlitun North on April 2, 2026, marking its fourth location in the capital. The opening comes as part of a broader revitalization of the upscale Sanlitun district, where nearly half of the North Zone's luxury retail space has recently been upgraded. The area now hosts flagship stores from LVMH group, with Hermès stepping in as a marquee addition to the high-end commercial hub.

Designed by RDAI in collaboration with Mamou-Mani Architects, the new boutique is wrapped in rose-pink and terracotta ceramic tiles. The store draws inspiration from nearby Forbidden City's imperial architecture, with its curved glazed ceramic roof ridge, sunlit colors and depth of materials, blending the brand's aesthetic with local cultural elements.

The expansion comes at a time when international luxury brands are closely watching the Chinese market. In a recent earnings call, Hermès CEO Axel Dumas noted "positive signs" in China, citing the country's management of the property sector as a stabilizing factor.

The luxury giant reported consolidated sales of 16 billion euros for 2025, up 9% at constant exchange rates and up 5.5% at current exchange rates. Sales in Asia-Pacific (excluding Japan) grew 4.9% at constant exchange rates, with its share of the global total rising to 41.9%, making it the group's largest market and a 'ballast stone' for stability. The company has largely outperformed rivals amid a broader luxury sector slowdown, supported by its ultra-high-end clientele and strong vertical integration. Full-year operating profit in 2025 reached €6.57 billion, with a profit margin of 41%, slightly ahead of analyst forecasts.

Analysts point to Hermès' ability to maintain pricing power on its high-end products as a key factor underpinning its resilience and investor appeal. The new Beijing store underscores the brand's continued commitment to expanding its footprint in China, even as the broader luxury market navigates a complex economic landscape.

Chinese artist Liu Jianhua has created a commissioned hanging installation of handcrafted ceramic petals and marble roundels for the new store, suggesting the graceful movement of a horseman's crop. Meanwhile, a special selection of objects–including silk scarves and leather goods–has been produced to mark the opening, featuring the Parade en Fanfare design by Chinese artist Ren Tong.

As the Sanlitun district completes its high-profile upgrade, the arrival of Hermès marks a significant moment for the area's evolution into a premier luxury destination, while also signaling sustained interest from top-tier international brands in the Chinese market.

Chinese Vice Premier Liu Guozhong has called for efforts to accelerate the development of a modern water network, comprehensively advance the protection and management of rivers, and continuously improve capabilities to safeguard water security.

Liu, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks during an investigation tour to the provinces of Zhejiang and Jiangxi from Monday to Thursday.

During his trip, Liu learned in detail about the construction and management of water conservancy projects, including reservoirs, riverways, embankments, irrigation areas and rural water supply, as well as the protection and management of Xin'an River and Poyang Lake, among others.

He stressed the importance of speeding up the construction of the national water network's core framework, coordinating the construction of water projects at various levels, and improving the allocation of water resources.

Furthermore, he called for elevating the protection and management of rivers and lakes, promoting water-saving irrigation, maximizing water-use efficiency, and strengthening the security of rural water supplies.

While conducting on-site research on flood prevention and hydrological forecasting, Liu urged implementation of preparatory work against disasters, including a full screening and rectification of potential hazards, to effectively enhance the capacity of preventing and mitigating floods and waterlogging.

Liu also inspected the cultivation of early rice seedlings as well as rapeseed farming.

Zhai Jun, special envoy of the Chinese government on the Middle East issue, on Tuesday held a phone conversation with Wolfgang Amadeus Brulhart, Swiss special envoy to the Middle East. The two sides exchanged views on the current tensions in the Middle East.

A ceasefire and an end to hostilities in the Middle East represent the strong appeal of the international community and constitute the fundamental solution to ensuring safe navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Thursday.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks during a phone conversation with Kaja Kallas, the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the European Commission, over the current situation in the Middle East and EU-China relations.

Kallas expressed her appreciation for China's active diplomatic efforts to ease tensions, including the five-point initiative recently issued by China and Pakistan to restore peace and stability in the Gulf and the Middle East.

The EU is not involved in the conflict, but was affected by it, Kallas said, urging to de-escalate the tensions at an early date and resume dialogue and negotiations.

The EU side supports the UN's humanitarian efforts to protect civilians and non-military targets and will strive to ensure the Strait of Hormuz remains open to navigation, she said.

Amid the current international situation, it is a shared responsibility for China and the EU to enhance communication and exchanges, and safeguard the international system with the United Nations at its core and the international order based on international law, Wang said.

Elaborating on China's principled stance on the Middle East situation, Wang stated that the five-point initiative between China and Pakistan reflects broad international consensus, and its core principles are to cease hostilities, initiate peace talks as soon as possible, ensure the safety of non-military targets and shipping lanes, and uphold the primacy of the UN Charter.

The Chinese foreign minister said the UN Security Council actions must not provide legal cover for unauthorized military operations, nor should they heighten tensions or escalate conflict.

China is ready to work with the EU to maintain communication and cooperation, as well as promote an early end to the conflict and the restoration of regional peace, he added.

The two sides also exchanged views on China-EU ties. Wang said China's development represents opportunities for Europe, and the challenges Europe faces do not originate from China.

Protectionism does not enhance competitiveness, and decoupling from China means decoupling from opportunities, he said, expressing hope that the EU side will develop a comprehensive and objective understanding of China and safeguard the correct direction of the development of China-EU relations.

Kallas said the EU side views China as an important partner, and it does not seek to decouple from China, adding that the EU looks forward to maintaining dialogue and communication with China.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Thursday said China and Germany should play a constructive role in defusing Middle East tensions during a phone conversation with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul.

As responsible major countries, China and Germany should uphold an objective and impartial stance, play a constructive role, and work for an early cessation of hostilities and the restoration of peace and stability in the region, said Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.

He said the military strikes against Iran by the United States and Israel were launched without authorization from the United Nations Security Council and constitute a clear violation of international law.

The sovereignty and security of Gulf states should be respected, civilians and non-military targets should be protected, and the safety of shipping lanes, energy supplies, and infrastructure should also be safeguarded, he said.

Wadephul said that the current situation surrounding Iran is grave and complex, inflicting severe repercussions on global economic, energy, and food security.

Bringing an early end to the conflict is in the common interest of the international community, he noted.

Germany supports the UN in fulfilling its due role, values the five-point initiative for restoring peace and stability in the Gulf and Middle East region proposed by China and Pakistan, and stands ready to maintain continued communication and cooperation with China, he added.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Thursday held a phone call with his Saudi counterpart, Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, calling for an early ceasefire as the conflict involving the US, Israel and Iran continues to escalate and destabilize the Middle East.

Faisal briefed Wang on the latest developments, noting that the ongoing conflict has had far-reaching repercussions for both the region and the broader international community.

He said Saudi Arabia attaches great importance to China's role in global affairs and values the high-level strategic partnership between the two countries. He expressed hope to step up communication and coordination with China on multilateral platforms such as the United Nations in a joint effort to de-escalate tensions and bring the conflict to an end.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said the conflict has dragged on for over a month, causing heavy casualties and extensive damage, while posing growing risks to the security and stability of Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia.

He said that China is following the situation closely with deep concern, noting that China and Pakistan recently put forward a five-point initiative on restoring peace and stability in the Gulf and the Middle East, covering respect for the sovereignty and security of regional states, a halt to attacks on civilians and non-military targets, and the safeguarding of maritime routes.

He added that tensions in the Strait of Hormuz are a spillover from the ongoing conflict, warning that continued fighting will make it difficult to ensure stability in the vital waterway. The immediate priority, he stressed, is to secure a ceasefire as soon as possible.

Wang also underscored that actions by the United Nations Security Council should avoid further escalation and must not legitimize unauthorized military operations, cautioning that such moves could set dangerous precedents with serious consequences, particularly for small and medium-sized countries.

He commended Saudi Arabia's efforts to promote de-escalation and said China stands ready to work with Saudi Arabia to help restore peace and stability in the region at an early date.

A Chinese motorcycle brand has roared into the global spotlight. ZXMoto, founded by entrepreneur Zhang Xue, secured back-to-back victories at the Portugal round of the World Superbike Championship (WSBK), marking a historic first for China's motorcycle industry and breaking a 38-year dominance by established European and Japanese brands.

At the center of the win is the ZXMoto 820RR-RS, a fully domestically developed machine, from its core engine and key components to its final tuning. Its triumph is widely seen as a milestone moment, not only for Chinese motorsports but also for the country's broader push into high-end manufacturing.

WSBK, as one of the world's premier motorcycle racing series, is considered a proving ground for production-based performance. Competing bikes must be derived from mass-produced models, making victories a direct reflection of real-world engineering strength.

Behind the headline-grabbing result is a two-decade journey. Zhang began as a 14-year-old apprentice in a motorcycle repair shop, steadily working his way up to build a brand now capable of competing – and winning – on the world stage. His story mirrors a deeper transformation underway in Chinese manufacturing: from scale-driven growth to innovation-led advancement.

Chongqing: The industrial backbone behind the win

Zhang's decision to build his company in Chongqing is pivotal. The southwestern municipality hosts one of China's most complete and mature motorcycle supply chains, with more than 2,000 related enterprises and a local parts matching rate exceeding 90 percent.

This dense industrial network dramatically accelerates innovation. Specialized components that might take weeks or even months to prototype elsewhere can be produced in Chongqing in a matter of days, significantly lowering costs and enabling rapid iteration.

The ecosystem also strikes a balance between competition and collaboration. Talent flows freely across companies and along the supply chain, allowing new technologies and expertise to spread quickly, creating the environment that helped shape both Zhang and his team.

Today, Chongqing has formed a coordinated industrial landscape. Central districts such as Banan and Jiulongpo focus on upgrading fuel-powered motorcycles. Meanwhile, western areas, including Tongliang and Dazu, are emerging as hubs for electric models. In 2025, the city produced 7.857 million motorcycles, accounting for 35.5% of China's total output.

"Chongqing's supply chain is on par with the best in the world," Zhang said. "Give us a blueprint, and the city's industrial ecosystem can turn it into a top-tier product."

This model is not unique. Across China, industrial clusters – from Shenzhen's electronics sector to the Yangtze River Delta's robotics industry – are driving a similar shift, pushing "Made in China" from mass production toward technological sophistication, innovation and brand building.

A city that rides with its industry

Chongqing's role extends beyond manufacturing. Its mountainous terrain and layered urban design, dubbed an "8D metropolis," make motorcycles a practical and efficient mode of transport.

Unlike many neatly planned cities, Chongqing is a three-dimensional metropolis built on mountains and along rivers. For example, the Huangjuewan interchange, with its five levels and 20 ramps, leaves drivers scratching their heads, wondering, even with GPS, how to navigate it. In a city like this, compact and agile motorcycles find their perfect playground.

Local governance has reinforced this riding culture. A balanced regulatory approach that emphasizes licensing, helmet use, two-person limits, and right-lane riding ensures both safety and accessibility. With more than two million motorcycles on its roads, Chongqing is widely seen as one of the most motorcycle-friendly cities in China.

In parallel, motorcycle racing events have surged in recent years, from national championships to international off-road series. These high-frequency competitions serve as real-world testing grounds, pushing technological limits and feeding innovation back into mass production.

Each September, the city also hosts the China International Motorcycle Trade Exhibition, Asia's largest and China's only national-level motorcycle expo. The 2025 event drew 950 exhibitors, and the 2026 edition is expected to feature a dedicated cross-border e-commerce section to support global expansion.

From scale to strength on the global stage

Chongqing's motorcycle industry is also accelerating its push into overseas markets. In 2025, the city exported 6.109 million units – 77.8 percent of its total output – with export value rising 29.5% year on year to 26.47 billion yuan ($3.85 billion). Chongqing-based firms now account for half of China's top 10 motorcycle exporters.

Policy support has played a key role. The authorities have encouraged companies to participate in major international exhibitions, improved logistics through rail and river-sea intermodal networks, and supported the establishment of overseas marketing, service centers, and warehouses to enable localized operations.

Despite producing more than 60 percent of the world's motorcycles and leading global exports for three decades, China's industry has long been associated with low-cost manufacturing. In the high-displacement segment, Chinese brands still compete largely on price-performance. Models from established brands such as Ducati and Yamaha often retail for around 200,000 yuan, while comparable Chinese bikes are typically priced at 70% to 80% of that level, or lower.

But that perception is beginning to shift.

"China's motorcycle industry has never lacked the courage to innovate or the capability to build world-class products," said Zhang Hongbo, secretary-general of the China Chamber of Commerce for Motorcycles. "This victory is a powerful reflection of decades of accumulated strength."

ZXMoto's breakthrough captures that evolution. It is the result of years of steady, technology-driven progress and a sign that Chinese manufacturing is moving beyond its low-cost roots toward the high end of the global value chain.

Ivan Sun and Jasmine Xu never expected that when they shared their proposal online, it would go viral on social media.

It was an intimate moment on March 6 – the pair seated comfortably on the couch in their home in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province – preparing to watch a cartoon, Jasmine's favorite genre of film.

Jasmine's engagement ring sparkles as we chat over a video call while she and Ivan giggle and smile together in matching black T-shirts. 

"Ivan designed the ring himself. It's a white gold ring with an emerald stone," she gushed, showing off her ring on the screen.

For the couple, love didn't arrive with drama or grand gestures. It arrived quietly, confidently, almost matter-of-factly and stayed. 

"Our story is simple," Jasmine said. "It was love at first sight and, naturally, we started dating."

"We've been together for about three years now," Ivan added.

Both 29, the pair met at work as engineers in the automotive industry and quickly discovered that their lives moved in sync. Their three-year partnership quickly became built on shared routines, coffee dates, travel and a love for creating and sharing video content.

The couple is no stranger to sharing parts of their lives online. They often post everyday moments. Recording small slices of daily life, their content was rooted in routine rather than performance. But this time, the response was overwhelming.  

"Usually we share OOTD (outfit of the day) videos," said Jasmine. "We are used to coordinating our outfits daily and we would usually record daily in our car, on our way out, so we put it on social media to share."

Their parents met during the Spring Festival last year, and right after, Jasmine and Ivan moved in together, already certain of their future. Marriage, they explain, was never a formal conversation, it was simply understood. 

This set the stage for a proposal that would unexpectedly capture the attention of many.

Knowing Jasmine's love for cartoons and storytelling, Ivan decided to create something deeply personal: an AI-generated animated video that reflected their life together. 

"AI video has developed quickly and is really powerful, so I thought, why don't I create a cartoon myself to describe our lives?" explained Ivan.

Working secretly in spare moments over the course of a week, between work and gym, he transformed everyday memories into a narrative of love and the times they'd spent together. 

Jasmine didn't suspect anything. Not until she watched the video. 

She realized what was happening almost immediately. As soon as the animated character appeared – an adult woman engineer in the workplace – she recognized herself, even commenting on the similar profile the lady in the cartoon has to her. That's when she sensed what was coming. 

Still, she said nothing. She watched, pretended and let the story unfold, moved by what she saw and careful not to give away the surprise. 

The video, posted simply as a record of a meaningful moment, quickly went viral, being shared by numerous accounts, and far beyond anything they had imagined. They had no expectations of fame or reach, their goal was never attention, only memory. 

"We just wanted to record this moment, but we're really, really thankful for everyone's likes. I didn't imagine that there would be so many people to see this video," said Jasmine.

Their families, unaware of the proposal beforehand, were deeply moved when they finally watched the video. And while social media amplified the moment, the next chapter remains grounded in tradition time with loved ones.

For now, their wedding plans are full steam ahead. The couple has already booked their wedding venue in Shenyang and plan to marry during China's National Day holiday in October, choosing the timing so friends and family can celebrate together. 

"We're planning two weddings. One is the traditional Chinese style, with the red color and traditional Chinese procedures, and we plan to have a Western-style one with our friends. We want it more casual and relaxed, more like a party," said Jasmine.

Technology continues to play a meaningful role in their lives, not just in romance but in work and creativity. Both see AI as a tool to embrace thoughtfully, whether for translation, travel planning, editing photos or creating stories. 

"We must embrace the transformation of the new era of AI and integrate it into our lives. AI can do almost everything and we need to use it in the right way," said Ivan.

As they look ahead to marriage, future travel and eventually children, they remain united by the same quiet confidence that brought them together in the first place.

In an era of algorithms and prompts, Jasmine and Ivan's love story stands out not because it is extraordinary, but as an honest and modern romance rooted in simplicity, the courage to create something meaningful together and the magic of modern technology.

Take a look at the full proposal video here:

The root cause of the obstruction of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz is the US and Israel's illegal military operations against Iran, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a regular press briefing on Thursday, emphasizing that only by achieving a ceasefire and realizing peace and stability in the Gulf region can the safety and smooth traffic flow in international shipping routes be fundamentally ensured.

In 2025, Beijing saw its best air quality since monitoring began, with record low annual average PM2.5 concentrations and a record high number of days with good air quality, according to local environmental authorities.

According to the 2025 Beijing ecological and environmental statement released on Thursday, the city's annual average PM2.5 level dropped to 27 micrograms per cubic meter, an 11.5% decrease year on year.

The city enjoyed 311 days of good air quality, accounting for 85.2% of the year. Only one heavy pollution day was recorded, the fewest ever, indicating that severe pollution days have been nearly eliminated. This progress marks a dramatic turnaround from 2013, when Beijing experienced 58 days of heavy pollution and only 176 days of good air quality.

Since then, Beijing has accelerated its green transformation, including measures tackling coal burning, promoting new-energy vehicles, scaling up the use of green electricity, reducing dust and noise pollution, and supporting the transition of polluting industries.

Today, the environmental improvements extend beyond air quality. The report also shows that water quality continued to improve, with the share of rivers rated Class I to III exceeding 95%. Surface water quality in China is divided into five classes, with Class I being the highest quality. Soil quality remained good, and the city's ecological environment continued to improve steadily.

Beijing will continue to push forward pollution prevention and control, strengthen ecosystem protection and accelerate low-carbon transformation in key sectors, said Liu Baoxian, deputy director of the Beijing Municipal Ecology and Environment Bureau.

For more: China records best air quality in 2025 since monitoring began

How did ancient Chinese people read time in the sky and seasons on Earth? Where does the Dragon Boat Festival trace its origins? And where does history give way to literature?

In this CGTN interview, Mu Tao, writer and president of the Xi'an Writers Association, guides us through a worldview shaped by meticulous observation, impressive precision and profound reflection. As early as the Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220), ancient Chinese had already observed and carved out 24 hours in a day and bracketed seasonal changes into 24 solar terms, which demonstrates a striking fusion of astronomy and mathematics.

This way of understanding the world extended far beyond numbers, shaping the way people write and record history. Mu Tao introduces us to a unique historical writing style originated from the book of Confucius Spring and Autumn Annals. Succinct yet rich, objective yet revealing, recording both the brilliance and the shadows of an era without overt judgment.

Generations of Chinese have traced natural patterns and translated the echo of the cosmos. Through meticulous observation and sharp insight, they have transformed the complex rhythms of the universe into a way of understanding of the world, and ultimately, a way of living.

Executive producer: Zhang Jingwen

Producer: Yang Sha

Directors: Lu Wei, Wu Chengxuan

Video editor: Wang Yuxin

Videographers: Huang Zepeng, Yan Tao  

Cover photo: Yin Yating

Chinese researchers have developed a new catalytic strategy that enables more efficient conversion of syngas to light olefins under mild conditions, significantly reducing energy consumption.

Light olefins are essential building blocks for manufacturing plastics and synthetic fibers. Published in Nature on Wednesday, the study was led by researchers from the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

The researchers have introduced a hydroxyl-induced cobalt oxide catalytic strategy that achieves 80% CO conversion and 60% light-olefins selectivity at 250-260 degrees Celsius, 0.1 MPa.

Traditional Fischer–Tropsch synthesis for producing olefins requires higher temperatures of above 300 degrees Celsius and pressures over 2 MPa. By contrast, the new strategy has lower energy consumption and cost, offering a technological path for cleaner and more efficient coal utilization.

China holds vast coal resources. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, coal consumption accounted for 51.4% of the country's total energy consumption in 2025. This makes clean and efficient utilization critical for its low-carbon development in the chemical industry.

A new study by Chinese researchers has helped people better understand how microplastics "move" on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau and has sustained plastic pollution prevention and control efforts, according to the Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources (NIEER) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Through in situ sampling and quantitative analysis, the study explored the dynamics of suspended atmospheric microplastics and their wet deposition in the Qilian Mountains in the northeastern part of the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, said the institute.

Also known as the "Water Tower of Asia," the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau has been considered a remote area with little direct impact from anthropogenic pollutants due to its high altitude, cold climate and sparse human activities. However, recent studies show that new pollutants, such as microplastics, can reach this plateau region via long-distance atmospheric transport.

Compared with understanding the dynamics of microplastics in densely populated areas, it is more significant to better understand the distribution patterns, deposition processes, and driving mechanisms of atmospheric microplastics in plateau regions, according to Zhang Yulan, a researcher at the NIEER.

The NIEER study team conducted systematic atmospheric sampling in the Qilian Mountains.

Researchers analyzed atmospheric suspended microplastics and their wet deposition dynamics, accurately measuring the size, polymer type and various morphological parameters of individual microplastic particles.

In general, microplastic abundance in the study areas was lower than in high-density population areas. Suspended atmospheric microplastics and wet deposition microplastics were dominated by fragments, with the percentage over 70%, according to the study results.

This study indicates that suspended microplastics in these regions have a wider size range and a higher degree of fragmentation, suggesting they underwent longer atmospheric transport and aging processes.

The research team introduced "sphericity" as a continuous variable to quantify the atmospheric transport potential of microplastics of different shapes. Analysis showed that low-sphericity microplastics are more likely to achieve long-distance transport, while high-sphericity particles tend to undergo local deposition.

"Our new study provides key scientific evidence for unveiling the transport and deposition of atmospheric microplastics in high-altitude regions," Zhang said.

These new findings offer important scientific support for improving global atmospheric microplastic cycle models, more rigorously assessing ecological risks in remote cryospheric regions, and supporting the formulation of plastic pollution prevention policies, according to Zhang.

The study results have been published in the Journal of Environmental Sciences.

China's Ministry of Commerce on Thursday called for further leveraging the China-US economic and trade consultation mechanism and strengthening dialogue and communication to promote the healthy, stable and sustainable development of bilateral economic and trade relations.

The two sides should implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state and the outcomes of previous economic and trade consultations, ministry spokesperson He Yadong said at a regular press briefing in response to a question on China-US economic and trade ties.

Guided by the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, China and the United States have conducted six rounds of economic and trade consultations since last year, achieving a series of outcomes that have injected greater stability and certainty into bilateral economic and trade relations and the global economy, He said.

Facts have clearly proved that the best approach to bridging differences and resolving issues is by upholding mutual respect and engaging in equal dialogue and consultation, the spokesperson added.

In response to Donald Trump calling on other countries to "take oil" from the Strait of Hormuz, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said that obstruction of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz stems from the illegal US-Israeli military operations against Iran at a regular press briefing on Thursday.

She said only a ceasefire, an end to the fighting, and the restoration of peace and stability in the Gulf region can ensure the safety and unimpeded passage of international shipping lanes.

All parties should work together to help ease tensions and prevent regional turbulence from having a greater impact on the global economy and energy security, she added.

Responding to a query about whether China is considering, or will consider, any international cooperation to ensure the safe passage of oil through the Strait of Hormuz, Mao said the priority for restoring safe navigation in the strait is an immediate halt to military operations.

She added that only in this way can peace and stability be restored in the Middle East and the Gulf region, which is what the international community hopes to see.

Mao noted that all parties are indeed concerned about whether peace and stability can be restored in the strait as soon as possible and whether navigation can resume, emphasizing that the strait and its surrounding waters are a vital route for international cargo and energy trade.

All parties should make efforts toward this end, and China stands ready to continue playing a constructive role, Mao said.

Soaring above the vast grasslands of Hohhot in Inner Mongolia, giant kites in a wide variety of animal forms, including prehistoric creatures, have drawn locals and visitors to the city's kite art season.

Kites featuring shaomai, a popular regional snack, and Wang Zhaojun – the famous Chinese heroine who helped secure peace between the Han Dynasty and the nomadic Xiongnu over 2,000 years ago and is believed to be buried in Hohhot, add a distinctive local touch to the spectacle.

This year's Hohhot kite art season runs from March 20 to April 6.

[Aerial footage: Aolimazhabu; Ground footage: Hohhot Culture and Tourism Bureau]

Road running and marathons have become increasingly popular in recent years, with more and more people joining the sports craze. However, the hidden danger of sudden cardiac death after running has also attracted widespread attention, becoming a major concern for sports safety, especially as outdoor activities surge in spring.

How can runners better protect their cardiopulmonary function and avoid such life-threatening risks? Professor Chen Shiyi, director of the Institute of Sports Medicine at Fudan University and leader of the Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Department of Huashan Hospital, shared his insights in an interview with CGTN's Health Talk.

Watch the video to learn more about scientific prevention measures for runners.

In Niwu Township, Lhari County, Nagqu City, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, lies "little Jiangnan." With their peaks shrouded in clouds, the towering snow-capped mountains mirror the elegance of a traditional Chinese ink painting. Along the river, more than 10,000 peach trees burst into bloom, forming a sea of pink clouds spreading across the valley. The flowering peach blossoms complement the picturesque landscape, brimming with the vitality of spring.

Building on its natural resources, Niwu began hosting a peach blossom festival in 2015. This year's 11th edition runs from April 1 to 3, and features a specialty product market, traditional sports competitions and artistic performances.