At a regular press conference, He Yongqian, spokesperson for the ministry, made the remarks when asked to comment on the U.S. decision to raise tariffs on imported steel, aluminium and their derivative products from 25 percent to 50 percent.

He said that such U.S. moves not only harm others and itself, but also will severely disrupt the stability of global industrial and supply chains.

The United States should abandon the zero-sum mentality, address respective concerns through equal dialogue, and jointly maintain the stability of global industrial and supply chains, He said.

Source: Xinhua

A resident uses an umbrella to block the sun during the first high-temperature day of the year in Beijing, June 5, 2025. The Beijing Meteorological Observatory issued an orange heat alert at 6 p.m. on June 4. (China News Service/Chen Fangting)

A resident uses an umbrella to block the sun during the first high-temperature day of the year in Beijing, June 5, 2025. The Beijing Meteorological Observatory issued an orange heat alert at 6 p.m. on June 4. (China News Service/Chen Fangting)

People take sun protection measures during the first high-temperature day of the year in Beijing, June 5, 2025. The Beijing Meteorological Observatory issued an orange heat alert at 6 p.m. on June 4. (China News Service/Chen Fangting)

People take sun protection measures during the first high-temperature day of the year in Beijing, June 5, 2025. The Beijing Meteorological Observatory issued an orange heat alert at 6 p.m. on June 4. (China News Service/Chen Fangting)

A citizen shops for watermelons to cool off during the first high-temperature day of the year in Beijing, June 5, 2025. The Beijing Meteorological Observatory issued an orange heat alert at 6 p.m. on June 4. (China News Service/Chen Fangting)

Source: Ecns.cn

A boy is pictured with a sheep at a sheep market before the upcoming Eid al-Adha on the outskirts of Cairo, Egypt, on June 4, 2025. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

A rescuer moves relief supplies at Baicao Village of Eryuan County in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province, June 5, 2025.

A 5.0-magnitude earthquake struck Eryuan County at 4:31 a.m. Thursday (Beijing Time), according to the China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC).

The epicenter was monitored at 26.26 degrees north latitude and 100.03 degrees east longitude. The quake struck at a depth of 10 km, said a report issued by the CENC.

The quake was strongly felt in Eryuan County, Dali City and Heqing County, waking some residents. Local authorities in Eryuan County have promptly initiated an emergency response, with townships assessing the impact. (Photo by Luo Xincai/Xinhua)

An aerial drone photo taken on June 4, 2025 shows tourists visiting the Hukou Waterfall on the Yellow River on the border between north China's Shanxi Province and northwest China's Shaanxi Province. (Xinhua/Zhang Bowen)

Representatives vote on a draft resolution during a UN Security Council meeting at the UN headquarters in New York, on June 4, 2025.

The United States on Wednesday vetoed a Security Council draft resolution that would have demanded an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the immediate lifting of all restrictions on humanitarian aid. (Xinhua/Xie E)

A conference officer collects ballots during a UN General Assembly meeting to elect members of the UN Economic and Social Council at the UN headquarters in New York, on June 4, 2025.

Eighteen states, including China, were elected on Wednesday into the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), the coordinating body for the economic and social work of UN agencies and funds, for a three-year term. (Manuel Elias/UN Photo/Handout via Xinhua)

An aerial drone photo taken on June 4, 2025 shows a black-necked crane at Qinghai Longbao National Nature Reserve, Yushu City of Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Qinghai Province.

With lush water and pastures, Qinghai Longbao National Nature Reserve is a key station and breeding ground for migratory birds.

According to monitoring data of May this year, 37 species of birds including bar-headed geese and black necked cranes inhabited here. (Photo by Du Xiaowei/Xinhua)

Dong Yuhan (C) and Wu Mengjie (R) of China celebrate after winning the pool 3 match between China and Belgium at the Women's Volleyball Nations League (VNL) 2025 at the National Indoor Stadium in Beijing, China, June 4, 2025.

Host China kicked off its Volleyball Nations League (VNL) Beijing leg in style with a straight-set victory over Belgium on Wednesday, winning 25-18, 27-25, 25-13 at the National Indoor Stadium. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)

An aerial drone photo taken on June 4, 2025 shows primary school students painting during an environmental protection-themed event in Xinghua City, east China's Jiangsu Province.

Various events are held to raise people's awareness of environmental protection in China ahead of World Environment Day, which falls on June 5. (Photo by Zhou Shegen/Xinhua)

Lee Jae-myung takes the oath of office in the National Assembly building in Seoul, South Korea, June 4, 2025.

Lee Jae-myung was sworn in as South Korea's new president on Wednesday after formally beginning his single five-year term earlier in the day. (Xinhua)

Zheng Qinwen reacts during the women's singles quarterfinal between Zheng Qinwen of China and Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus at the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros, Paris, France, June 3, 2025.

China's tennis sensation Zheng Qinwen lost to world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus 7-6 (3), 6-3 in the French Open women's singles quarterfinals here on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)

A Palestinian woman mourns a victim killed in an Israeli airstrike, at Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, on June 4, 2025.

At least 54,510 people have been killed and 124,901 wounded in Gaza during the Israeli military campaign, according to health authorities in the territory. (Photo by Mahmoud Zaki/Xinhua)

Source: Xinhua

Source: Xinhua

Speaking on the latest episode of China Economic Roundtable, an all-media talk show hosted by Xinhua News Agency, Ding noted that despite a complex external environment, China's economy has remained resilient. Notably, key indicators like industrial production, the service sector, domestic demand and exports have shown robust growth.

Ding emphasized China's innovative dynamism, citing 10-percent growth in the high-tech manufacturing sector in April, nearly 4 percentage points higher than the country's overall industrial growth rate.

Ding also highlighted the accelerated development of industries such as drones, new energy vehicles, artificial intelligence and humanoid robots.

"In general, as pro-growth measures are swiftly implemented, their effects will continue to emerge, further promoting the country's high-quality economic development," Ding added.

China's GDP grew by 5.4 percent year on year in the first quarter of 2025.

Source: Xinhua

Technicians are debugging an ultra-large-diameter shield tunneling machine bound for export to Australia at the general assembly workshop of China Railway Engineering Equipment Group Co., Ltd. in Zhengzhou, central China's Henan province, April 2, 2025. (Photo by Qiu Xinsheng/People's Daily Online)

In Zhengzhou, central China's Henan province, a shield tunneling machine with a diameter of 15.7 meters rolled off the production line, bound for export to Australia. This milestone marks the largest-diameter shield tunneling machine China has ever exported, underscoring the country's growing strength in the field of tunnel boring technology.

Meanwhile, in Shanghai's Chongming district, a Chinese domestically developed "Linghang" shield tunneling machine burrowed its way underground and reached the middle of the Yangtze River, remotely controlled by engineers.

Shield tunneling machines, formally known as tunnel boring machines (TBMs), are hailed as the "king of construction machinery" due to their immense scale and complexity. Once limited to horizontal excavation, today's Chinese-developed TBMs can operate in multiple orientations - including vertical, inclined, and curved trajectories - earning the nickname "transformers" for their adaptability and precision.

In September last year, a TBM named "Yongning" became the world's first large-diameter machine capable of climbing steep gradients. It successfully excavated an inclined shaft at the Luoning Pumped Storage Power Station in Henan province. The shaft, nearly 873 meters long with a slope of 38.742 degrees, had posed a significant technical challenge. "Yongning" conquered the slope with ease, marking a major leap in tunneling capabilities and improving overall construction efficiency.

The "Yongning" TBM was developed by China Railway Engineering Equipment Group Co., Ltd. (CREG), which has established multiple R&D teams to support application-specific innovation. The teams have enhanced TBMs to dig in various cross-sectional shapes - including circular, square, horseshoe, and elliptical - allowing for broader use across sectors such as water conservancy, hydropower, mining, urban infrastructure, and underground parking structures.

In October 2024, China unveiled the "Jianghai" TBM with a record-breaking diameter exceeding 16.6 meters, the largest ever developed domestically.

The Chinese-made ultra-large-diameter shield tunneling machine "Jianghai" is commissioned for the construction of "Haitai Yangtze River Tunnel," the world's longest underwater highway TBM tunnel, in east China's Jiangsu province. (Photo by Xu Congjun/People's Daily Online)

What drives the trend toward increasingly larger TBMs?

According to Chen Jian, a TBM expert at China Railway 14th Bureau Group Co., Ltd., the answer lies in greater cost-efficiency. Ultra-large TBMs enable the construction of single super-sized tunnels that can replace two traditional parallel tunnels, conserving underground space. Moreover, tunnels over 15 meters in diameter can also accommodate multi-layered infrastructure, such as roadways, rail transit, and utility corridors, within a single excavation.

However, with greater size comes increased technical complexity.

"Once the diameter exceeds 15 meters, the risks associated with unstable geological conditions increase exponentially, demanding higher levels of structural integrity, precision control, and material fatigue resistance," said He Fei, deputy head of the CREG technology center.

Back in October 2017, China's first domestically developed 15-meter-class slurry balance TBM, "China Railway 306," successfully rolled off the line, breaking the longstanding foreign monopoly in this field.

Since then, China has successively rolled out the 15.8-meter "Chunfeng," the 16.07-meter "Jinghua," and now the 16.6-meter-plus "Jianghai," surpassing its own benchmarks and establishing a fully integrated domestic industrial chain for ultra-large TBM production.

Today, Chinese-manufactured TBMs account for nearly 70 percent of the global market. As innovation continues, Chinese engineers are striving to make them both smarter and more environmentally sustainable.

Inside the cabin of the "Linghang" TBM, a dashboard displays real-time data on the machine's operating status. Human intervention is minimal, as the machine runs autonomously, guided by an advanced visual recognition and intelligent control system.

"In the past, TBM excavation was akin to working blind - geological uncertainties posed serious safety risks," said Liao Zhaojin, chief designer of the "Linghang" TBM.

Equipped with a cutting-edge geological forecasting system, "Linghang" can accurately detect geological conditions 10 to 40 meters in front of the cutterhead. Its intelligent sensing system continuously analyzes real-time conditions, enhancing both safety and accuracy. The TBM's AI-driven control system enables it to make autonomous decisions with millimeter-level precision.

Environmental sustainability is also a major priority. On July 23, 2024, "the China Railway 1237," the world's first green TBM, was successfully launched.

"What defines a green TBM is its ability to optimize energy use," explained Cao Shulei, chief designer of the machine. "We've equipped the machine with an intelligent system that automatically manages the various subsystems during tunneling to optimize both efficiency and energy consumption, achieving energy savings and reduced emissions."

The machine has since been exported to Italy, where it is being used for high-speed rail tunnel construction in Sicily - a sign of international recognition for China's green TBM technology.

Source: People's Daily

(Screenshot from a video of the Beijing News We Video)

The Ganquanpu branch of the Urumqi Public Security Bureau, in conjunction with the criminal investigation team from the bureau, successfully cracked a case of cultural relic trafficking related to Xiaohe Cemetery in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. The investigation was triggered by the discovery of a suspected "shroud", according to the Xinjiang Fazhi Bao.

On May 22, after appraisal by cultural relic authorities and confirmed it to be that this "shroud" was actually four woolen textile relics from the Bronze Age, including three woolen cloaks and one segmented woolen belt, all of which are classified as nationally protected third-grade relics, according to the report.

The Xiaohe Cemetery is a nationally protected cultural heritage site. In April, the Ganquanpu branch of the Urumqi Public Security Bureau received a tip-off that someone was trafficking cultural relics unearthed from the Xiaohe Cemetery, suspected to be the "shroud." The police immediately assembled a special task force. Through extensive data comparison and tracking, on April 24, the police apprehended the suspect in a residential area of Urumqi, seizing well-preserved cultural relics, according to the report.

In 2005, the suspect's friend illegally entered the Xiaohe Cemetery to loot relics. While most were sold, the so-called "shroud" removed from the mummified corpse remained unsold and was handed over to the suspect, with instructions to find a buyer when possible, according to the report.

Surprisingly, this item remained untouched for 20 years. During the period, although the suspect attempted to sell it, the unique nature of the relic made it difficult to find a buyer. This year, faced with over 200,000 yuan ($27,834) in gambling debts, the suspect revisited the idea of selling the "shroud." After researching online, he learned of its considerable value and began searching for buyers. However, the police received information first and apprehended the suspect, according to the report. The Beijing News We Video also reported the news.

The suspect is currently under criminal coercive measures for suspected trafficking of cultural relics, and the police are actively pursuing his accomplice. The investigation is still ongoing, according to the Beijing News We Video.

Source: Global Times

The scene exemplifies a massive business opportunity unfolding across China, as the world's largest electric vehicle market is set to turn battery waste from a pollution challenge into a key asset in its green revolution.

Positioned at the forefront of the country's sustainable economy, this startup, Tianjin Battery Technology, is targeting this rapidly expanding sector.

The market segment is on the cusp of substantial growth, as China continues to lead the world in the production and sales of new energy vehicles. Additionally, the rising number of end-of-life power batteries is expanding demand for sustainable solutions.

By the end of 2024, China had 31.4 million new energy vehicles, representing about 9 percent of its automobile fleet. Following the government's launch of trade-in policies, consumer interest in upgrading vehicles surged, which in turn further expanded the recycling market.

China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology mandated that passenger vehicle manufacturers provide an 8-year or 120,000-kilometer warranty on core components such as batteries starting from 2016.

Market forecasts indicate that China's retired power batteries will hit 1.04 million tonnes in 2025 and may surge to 3.5 million tonnes by 2030.

UNLOCKING POTENTIALS

Ma Youwei, a 40-year-old equipment manager at the Tianjin firm, oversees the disassembly of battery packs and modules. As far as he is concerned, these seemingly "retired" batteries are treasure troves.

In his factory, some disassembled components are reused for second-hand vehicle repairs. Crushing batteries produces copper and aluminum, and the black powder is further refined into battery-grade lithium carbonate.

"In our words, we work to fully extract the value from the retired batteries and leave no potential untapped," said Ma, production material control manager of the factory's engineering equipment department.

With nearly 20 years of experience in digital electronics and battery manufacturing, he joined this role three years ago, driven by the industry's considerable potential.

Tianjin Battery Technology has reached an annual processing capacity of 10,000 tonnes, achieving a lithium recovery rate of over 90 percent.

"China heavily relies on imports for lithium, cobalt and nickel," said Ke Yanchun from China Resources Recycling Group Co., Ltd., a newly-established state-owned enterprise.

"Recycling retired power batteries effectively reduces the high dependency on imported resources in the upstream of China's new energy vehicle industry," said Ke.

TECH-DRIVEN

China's battery recycling sector is plagued by the presence of small, unregulated workshops. Industry leaders are leveraging technological innovation to boost efficiency and restructure the industry chain.

GEM, a Shenzhen-based publicly-listed company and a major Chinese battery recycler, employs a flexible intelligent dismantling system for accurate detection and sorting. Its recycling innovations include high- and low-temperature catalytic activation and ultra-precise lithium extraction, achieving over 90 percent lithium recovery.

The company also built a digital lifecycle management system to track batteries from recycling to utilization, supporting its dual-track business model.

It has established a circular economy industrial park in the Shenshan Special Cooperation Zone, which is just one kilometer from the production lines of BYD, the country's leading electric vehicle manufacturer.

Now, GEM has set up over 140 recycling sites nationwide and partnered with more than 750 vehicle and battery manufacturers and operators worldwide. In the first quarter of this year, it recycled 10,800 tonnes of power batteries, up 37 percent year on year.

In the Tianjin company, Ma and his colleagues have improved battery dismantling efficiency by 75 percent through modified tools. By using techniques like cutting and welding, they have transformed standard tools to meet the complex requirements of battery disassembly.

"This simple innovation has made a significant impact," Ma noted.

OVERSEAS EXPANSION

As China's share of the global electric vehicle market continues to grow, battery recycling companies are also expanding their international presence to meet local environmental regulations.

CATL, the world's largest battery manufacturer, plans to establish battery recycling operations in Europe, with the completion of its Hungarian re-manufacturing plant slated for 2026. This initiative is part of its efforts to address environmental concerns in battery production and disposal.

GEM has established seven power battery recycling centers including those in the Republic of Korea and Indonesia.

Gotion High-tech in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, and Envision Greenwise in Hong Kong have reached a strategic cooperation agreement, planning to jointly build 100 recycling and after-sales service centers globally.

Also, Huayou Recycling in Jiaxing, Zhejiang Province, has entered a strategic partnership with SUEZ Group, one of the largest European environmental services corporations, to explore the French battery recycling market.

Source: Xinhua

According to the "antivenom stock status table" released by Hainan Provincial Health Commission, 29 hospitals at different levels in the province have stockpiled between one and four types of antivenom: antivenom for pit viper, for five-paced viper, for cobra, and banded krait.

Several hospitals, including Hainan General Hospital, Hainan Second People's Hospital, Sanya Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Qionghai People's Hospital, and Ding'an People's Hospital have all four types of antivenom.

On Tuesday evening, the Sanya Health Commission released a report, confirming the death of a tourist and saying that it has formed an investigation team, sealed the medical records, and is working closely with experts to expedite the investigation.

The report stated that a tourist in Sanya was bitten by an unidentified creature and sought medical attention independently on Monday. Despite treatment at both Sanya Central Hospital and a certain military hospital, the efforts were unsuccessful, and the patient passed away.

The two hospitals mentioned in Sanya Health Commission's report were not among the "antivenom stock status table" released by the provincial health commission on Thursday.

The report reveals more details, saying the tourist surnamed Fu was bitten and bled by an unidentified creature on the way back to her hotel at around midnight on Monday. After a simple disinfection and wound treatment at the hotel, Fu arrived at Sanya Central Hospital at 1:05 am by taxi and said she sought medical treatment due to "nausea, vomiting, and numbness in the right lower limb one hour after being bitten by an unknown creature." She was later transferred to a military hospital, where she died despite resuscitation efforts.

Sanya Health Commission said they took the matter seriously and immediately established an investigation team, organizing representatives from Sanya Central Hospital, the military hospital, emergency services, public security, and tourism and culture departments to have face-to-face communication with the tourist's family at 2:26 am on Tuesday.

"Currently, the investigation team has sealed the medical records related to the two hospitals involved, and is working with a provincial-level expert group to conduct investigations and handle the aftermath for the deceased and providing consolation to the family members," the health authority stated.

According to the Beijing News, a family member surnamed Li of the victim said that his sister died from a snake bite while vacationing in Sanya. At the time, she was with her boyfriend near a flower bed when she was bitten. The hospital initially diagnosed it as an insect bite or an unidentified creature bite. Later, his sister developed complications, fainted, and had convulsions. After being transferred to another hospital, she passed away.

Liu Zelin, a member of Hainan Provincial Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, previously suggested accelerating the establishment of a province-wide standardized network for snakebite treatment to ensure residents' health, hinews.cn reported. Liu noted that there are 74 species of snakes in Hainan Province, including 27 venomous species, and snakebites occur throughout the year in Hainan.

Source: Global Times

Actress Ou Longjuan (front) takes basic training at the practice room of the Hunan Kunqu Opera Troupe in Beihu District of Chenzhou City in central China's Hunan Province, June 4, 2025.

The centuries-old Kunqu Opera has been listed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as an intangible cultural heritage. In recent years, the Hunan Kunqu Opera Troupe managed to cultivate a good number of outstanding young actors through professional training programs and community outreach campaigns, bringing this olden art into the attention and affection of a growing base of youngsters. (Xinhua/Chen Sihan)

Actresses take basic training at the practice room of the Hunan Kunqu Opera Troupe in Beihu District of Chenzhou City in central China's Hunan Province, June 4, 2025.

The centuries-old Kunqu Opera has been listed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as an intangible cultural heritage. In recent years, the Hunan Kunqu Opera Troupe managed to cultivate a good number of outstanding young actors through professional training programs and community outreach campaigns, bringing this olden art into the attention and affection of a growing base of youngsters. (Xinhua/Chen Sihan)

Actress Wang Limei (R, front) helps a young actress take basic training at the practice room of the Hunan Kunqu Opera Troupe in Beihu District of Chenzhou City in central China's Hunan Province, June 4, 2025.

The centuries-old Kunqu Opera has been listed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as an intangible cultural heritage. In recent years, the Hunan Kunqu Opera Troupe managed to cultivate a good number of outstanding young actors through professional training programs and community outreach campaigns, bringing this olden art into the attention and affection of a growing base of youngsters. (Xinhua/Chen Sihan)

Actresses take basic training at the practice room of the Hunan Kunqu Opera Troupe in Beihu District of Chenzhou City in central China's Hunan Province, June 4, 2025.

The centuries-old Kunqu Opera has been listed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as an intangible cultural heritage. In recent years, the Hunan Kunqu Opera Troupe managed to cultivate a good number of outstanding young actors through professional training programs and community outreach campaigns, bringing this olden art into the attention and affection of a growing base of youngsters. (Xinhua/Chen Sihan)

Actress Liu Jie (R) gets prepared before a performance at the dressing room of the Hunan Kunqu Opera Troupe in Beihu District of Chenzhou City in central China's Hunan Province, June 3, 2025.

The centuries-old Kunqu Opera has been listed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as an intangible cultural heritage. In recent years, the Hunan Kunqu Opera Troupe managed to cultivate a good number of outstanding young actors through professional training programs and community outreach campaigns, bringing this olden art into the attention and affection of a growing base of youngsters. (Xinhua/Chen Sihan)

Actress Lei Lili puts on makeup before a performance at the dressing room of the Hunan Kunqu Opera Troupe in Beihu District of Chenzhou City in central China's Hunan Province, June 4, 2025.

The centuries-old Kunqu Opera has been listed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as an intangible cultural heritage. In recent years, the Hunan Kunqu Opera Troupe managed to cultivate a good number of outstanding young actors through professional training programs and community outreach campaigns, bringing this olden art into the attention and affection of a growing base of youngsters. (Xinhua/Chen Sihan)

Actor Cai Junkai tidies up the costume at the practice room of the Hunan Kunqu Opera Troupe in Beihu District of Chenzhou City in central China's Hunan Province, June 4, 2025.

The centuries-old Kunqu Opera has been listed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as an intangible cultural heritage. In recent years, the Hunan Kunqu Opera Troupe managed to cultivate a good number of outstanding young actors through professional training programs and community outreach campaigns, bringing this olden art into the attention and affection of a growing base of youngsters. (Xinhua/Chen Sihan)

Actress Cao Jingxia practices long sleeve maneuver skill at a small theater of the Hunan Kunqu Opera Troupe in Beihu District of Chenzhou City in central China's Hunan Province, June 4, 2025.

The centuries-old Kunqu Opera has been listed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as an intangible cultural heritage. In recent years, the Hunan Kunqu Opera Troupe managed to cultivate a good number of outstanding young actors through professional training programs and community outreach campaigns, bringing this olden art into the attention and affection of a growing base of youngsters. (Xinhua/Chen Sihan)

Actresses from the Hunan Kunqu Opera Troupe lead the fans as they try themselves with Kunqu Opera performance at a community in Beihu District of Chenzhou City in central China's Hunan Province, June 4, 2025.

The centuries-old Kunqu Opera has been listed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as an intangible cultural heritage. In recent years, the Hunan Kunqu Opera Troupe managed to cultivate a good number of outstanding young actors through professional training programs and community outreach campaigns, bringing this olden art into the attention and affection of a growing base of youngsters. (Xinhua/Chen Sihan)

Actress Xu Ying practices balancing skill at a small theater of the Hunan Kunqu Opera Troupe in Beihu District of Chenzhou City in central China's Hunan Province, June 4, 2025.

The centuries-old Kunqu Opera has been listed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as an intangible cultural heritage. In recent years, the Hunan Kunqu Opera Troupe managed to cultivate a good number of outstanding young actors through professional training programs and community outreach campaigns, bringing this olden art into the attention and affection of a growing base of youngsters. (Xinhua/Chen Sihan)

Actress Liu Jie (L) instructs young actresses during a rehearsal at a small theater of the Hunan Kunqu Opera Troupe in Beihu District of Chenzhou City in central China's Hunan Province, June 3, 2025.

The centuries-old Kunqu Opera has been listed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as an intangible cultural heritage. In recent years, the Hunan Kunqu Opera Troupe managed to cultivate a good number of outstanding young actors through professional training programs and community outreach campaigns, bringing this olden art into the attention and affection of a growing base of youngsters. (Xinhua/Chen Sihan)

Actress Wang Limei (R, back) helps a young actress take basic training at the practice room of the Hunan Kunqu Opera Troupe in Beihu District of Chenzhou City in central China's Hunan Province, June 4, 2025.

The centuries-old Kunqu Opera has been listed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as an intangible cultural heritage. In recent years, the Hunan Kunqu Opera Troupe managed to cultivate a good number of outstanding young actors through professional training programs and community outreach campaigns, bringing this olden art into the attention and affection of a growing base of youngsters. (Xinhua/Chen Sihan)

Actors practice at the yard of Hunan Kunqu Opera Troupe in Beihu District of Chenzhou City in central China's Hunan Province, June 4, 2025.

The centuries-old Kunqu Opera has been listed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as an intangible cultural heritage. In recent years, the Hunan Kunqu Opera Troupe managed to cultivate a good number of outstanding young actors through professional training programs and community outreach campaigns, bringing this olden art into the attention and affection of a growing base of youngsters. (Xinhua/Chen Sihan)

Actor Liao Maoxin (front) takes basic training at the practice room of the Hunan Kunqu Opera Troupe in Beihu District of Chenzhou City in central China's Hunan Province, June 4, 2025.

The centuries-old Kunqu Opera has been listed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as an intangible cultural heritage. In recent years, the Hunan Kunqu Opera Troupe managed to cultivate a good number of outstanding young actors through professional training programs and community outreach campaigns, bringing this olden art into the attention and affection of a growing base of youngsters. (Xinhua/Chen Sihan)

Source: Xinhua

Luo Lixiang (1st R) introduces the wetland park to visitors at the exhibition hall of the Hainan Xinying Mangrove National Wetland Park in Danzhou, south China's Hainan Province, Jan. 20, 2025.

Luo Lixiang is a ranger of the Hainan Xinying Mangrove National Wetland Park in Danzhou, whose daily routine includes bird monitoring and patrolling of mangroves.

After the park was established in 2007, Luo became one of the first batch of rangers, who has witnessed the ecological changes here in the past years.

Before the establishment of the wetland park, the wetland here was destroyed seriously due to improper aquacultural development. In order to restore ecological system here, the local government launched an initiative of "returning ponds to forests". Luo actively participated in it and witnessed the former fish ponds gradually replaced by newly planted mangroves. Now the wetland park has become a paradise for birds.

In 2016, Luo detected the critically endangered bird species spoon-billed sandpiper here for the first time. Nowadays, both the species and number of birds in the wetland park have been increasing notably.

At present, Luo is not only a forest ranger, but also works as a docent to introduce the ecological value and significance of mangroves to visitors. A dear friend of the wetland and creatures living in it, Luo has earned himself a nickname as "Brother Lixiang". (Xinhua/Zhang Liyun)

Luo Lixiang introduces birds to visitors at the exhibition hall of the Hainan Xinying Mangrove National Wetland Park in Danzhou, south China's Hainan Province, May 30, 2025.

Luo Lixiang is a ranger of the Hainan Xinying Mangrove National Wetland Park in Danzhou, whose daily routine includes bird monitoring and patrolling of mangroves.

After the park was established in 2007, Luo became one of the first batch of rangers, who has witnessed the ecological changes here in the past years.

Before the establishment of the wetland park, the wetland here was destroyed seriously due to improper aquacultural development. In order to restore ecological system here, the local government launched an initiative of "returning ponds to forests". Luo actively participated in it and witnessed the former fish ponds gradually replaced by newly planted mangroves. Now the wetland park has become a paradise for birds.

In 2016, Luo detected the critically endangered bird species spoon-billed sandpiper here for the first time. Nowadays, both the species and number of birds in the wetland park have been increasing notably.

At present, Luo is not only a forest ranger, but also works as a docent to introduce the ecological value and significance of mangroves to visitors. A dear friend of the wetland and creatures living in it, Luo has earned himself a nickname as "Brother Lixiang". (Xinhua/Zhang Liyun)

An aerial drone photo taken on Jan. 18, 2025 shows black-faced spoonbills at the Hainan Xinying Mangrove National Wetland Park in Danzhou, south China's Hainan Province.

Luo Lixiang is a ranger of the Hainan Xinying Mangrove National Wetland Park in Danzhou, whose daily routine includes bird monitoring and patrolling of mangroves.

After the park was established in 2007, Luo became one of the first batch of rangers, who has witnessed the ecological changes here in the past years.

Before the establishment of the wetland park, the wetland here was destroyed seriously due to improper aquacultural development. In order to restore ecological system here, the local government launched an initiative of "returning ponds to forests". Luo actively participated in it and witnessed the former fish ponds gradually replaced by newly planted mangroves. Now the wetland park has become a paradise for birds.

In 2016, Luo detected the critically endangered bird species spoon-billed sandpiper here for the first time. Nowadays, both the species and number of birds in the wetland park have been increasing notably.

At present, Luo is not only a forest ranger, but also works as a docent to introduce the ecological value and significance of mangroves to visitors. A dear friend of the wetland and creatures living in it, Luo has earned himself a nickname as "Brother Lixiang". (Xinhua/Zhang Liyun)

Luo Lixiang patrols at the Hainan Xinying Mangrove National Wetland Park in Danzhou, south China's Hainan Province, May 30, 2025.

Luo Lixiang is a ranger of the Hainan Xinying Mangrove National Wetland Park in Danzhou, whose daily routine includes bird monitoring and patrolling of mangroves.

After the park was established in 2007, Luo became one of the first batch of rangers, who has witnessed the ecological changes here in the past years.

Before the establishment of the wetland park, the wetland here was destroyed seriously due to improper aquacultural development. In order to restore ecological system here, the local government launched an initiative of "returning ponds to forests". Luo actively participated in it and witnessed the former fish ponds gradually replaced by newly planted mangroves. Now the wetland park has become a paradise for birds.

In 2016, Luo detected the critically endangered bird species spoon-billed sandpiper here for the first time. Nowadays, both the species and number of birds in the wetland park have been increasing notably.

At present, Luo is not only a forest ranger, but also works as a docent to introduce the ecological value and significance of mangroves to visitors. A dear friend of the wetland and creatures living in it, Luo has earned himself a nickname as "Brother Lixiang". (Xinhua/Zhang Liyun)

A drone photo taken on Jan. 18, 2025 shows the Hainan Xinying Mangrove National Wetland Park in Danzhou, south China's Hainan Province.

Luo Lixiang is a ranger of the Hainan Xinying Mangrove National Wetland Park in Danzhou, whose daily routine includes bird monitoring and patrolling of mangroves.

After the park was established in 2007, Luo became one of the first batch of rangers, who has witnessed the ecological changes here in the past years.

Before the establishment of the wetland park, the wetland here was destroyed seriously due to improper aquacultural development. In order to restore ecological system here, the local government launched an initiative of "returning ponds to forests". Luo actively participated in it and witnessed the former fish ponds gradually replaced by newly planted mangroves. Now the wetland park has become a paradise for birds.

In 2016, Luo detected the critically endangered bird species spoon-billed sandpiper here for the first time. Nowadays, both the species and number of birds in the wetland park have been increasing notably.

At present, Luo is not only a forest ranger, but also works as a docent to introduce the ecological value and significance of mangroves to visitors. A dear friend of the wetland and creatures living in it, Luo has earned himself a nickname as "Brother Lixiang". (Xinhua/Zhang Liyun)

Luo Lixiang monitors birds activities at the Hainan Xinying Mangrove National Wetland Park in Danzhou, south China's Hainan Province, May 30, 2025.

Luo Lixiang is a ranger of the Hainan Xinying Mangrove National Wetland Park in Danzhou, whose daily routine includes bird monitoring and patrolling of mangroves.

After the park was established in 2007, Luo became one of the first batch of rangers, who has witnessed the ecological changes here in the past years.

Before the establishment of the wetland park, the wetland here was destroyed seriously due to improper aquacultural development. In order to restore ecological system here, the local government launched an initiative of "returning ponds to forests". Luo actively participated in it and witnessed the former fish ponds gradually replaced by newly planted mangroves. Now the wetland park has become a paradise for birds.

In 2016, Luo detected the critically endangered bird species spoon-billed sandpiper here for the first time. Nowadays, both the species and number of birds in the wetland park have been increasing notably.

At present, Luo is not only a forest ranger, but also works as a docent to introduce the ecological value and significance of mangroves to visitors. A dear friend of the wetland and creatures living in it, Luo has earned himself a nickname as "Brother Lixiang". (Xinhua/Zhang Liyun)

This photo taken on Jan. 18, 2025 shows lesser sand plovers at the Hainan Xinying Mangrove National Wetland Park in Danzhou, south China's Hainan Province.

Luo Lixiang is a ranger of the Hainan Xinying Mangrove National Wetland Park in Danzhou, whose daily routine includes bird monitoring and patrolling of mangroves.

After the park was established in 2007, Luo became one of the first batch of rangers, who has witnessed the ecological changes here in the past years.

Before the establishment of the wetland park, the wetland here was destroyed seriously due to improper aquacultural development. In order to restore ecological system here, the local government launched an initiative of "returning ponds to forests". Luo actively participated in it and witnessed the former fish ponds gradually replaced by newly planted mangroves. Now the wetland park has become a paradise for birds.

In 2016, Luo detected the critically endangered bird species spoon-billed sandpiper here for the first time. Nowadays, both the species and number of birds in the wetland park have been increasing notably.

At present, Luo is not only a forest ranger, but also works as a docent to introduce the ecological value and significance of mangroves to visitors. A dear friend of the wetland and creatures living in it, Luo has earned himself a nickname as "Brother Lixiang". (Xinhua/Zhang Liyun)

Luo Lixiang (L) and his colleague patrol at the Hainan Xinying Mangrove National Wetland Park in Danzhou, south China's Hainan Province, Jan. 18, 2025.

Luo Lixiang is a ranger of the Hainan Xinying Mangrove National Wetland Park in Danzhou, whose daily routine includes bird monitoring and patrolling of mangroves.

After the park was established in 2007, Luo became one of the first batch of rangers, who has witnessed the ecological changes here in the past years.

Before the establishment of the wetland park, the wetland here was destroyed seriously due to improper aquacultural development. In order to restore ecological system here, the local government launched an initiative of "returning ponds to forests". Luo actively participated in it and witnessed the former fish ponds gradually replaced by newly planted mangroves. Now the wetland park has become a paradise for birds.

In 2016, Luo detected the critically endangered bird species spoon-billed sandpiper here for the first time. Nowadays, both the species and number of birds in the wetland park have been increasing notably.

At present, Luo is not only a forest ranger, but also works as a docent to introduce the ecological value and significance of mangroves to visitors. A dear friend of the wetland and creatures living in it, Luo has earned himself a nickname as "Brother Lixiang". (Xinhua/Zhang Liyun)

This photo taken on Jan. 18, 2025 shows black-faced spoonbills at the Hainan Xinying Mangrove National Wetland Park in Danzhou, south China's Hainan Province.

Luo Lixiang is a ranger of the Hainan Xinying Mangrove National Wetland Park in Danzhou, whose daily routine includes bird monitoring and patrolling of mangroves.

After the park was established in 2007, Luo became one of the first batch of rangers, who has witnessed the ecological changes here in the past years.

Before the establishment of the wetland park, the wetland here was destroyed seriously due to improper aquacultural development. In order to restore ecological system here, the local government launched an initiative of "returning ponds to forests". Luo actively participated in it and witnessed the former fish ponds gradually replaced by newly planted mangroves. Now the wetland park has become a paradise for birds.

In 2016, Luo detected the critically endangered bird species spoon-billed sandpiper here for the first time. Nowadays, both the species and number of birds in the wetland park have been increasing notably.

At present, Luo is not only a forest ranger, but also works as a docent to introduce the ecological value and significance of mangroves to visitors. A dear friend of the wetland and creatures living in it, Luo has earned himself a nickname as "Brother Lixiang". (Xinhua/Zhang Liyun)

A drone photo taken on Jan. 18, 2025 shows black-faced spoonbills at the Hainan Xinying Mangrove National Wetland Park in Danzhou, south China's Hainan Province.

Luo Lixiang is a ranger of the Hainan Xinying Mangrove National Wetland Park in Danzhou, whose daily routine includes bird monitoring and patrolling of mangroves.

After the park was established in 2007, Luo became one of the first batch of rangers, who has witnessed the ecological changes here in the past years.

Before the establishment of the wetland park, the wetland here was destroyed seriously due to improper aquacultural development. In order to restore ecological system here, the local government launched an initiative of "returning ponds to forests". Luo actively participated in it and witnessed the former fish ponds gradually replaced by newly planted mangroves. Now the wetland park has become a paradise for birds.

In 2016, Luo detected the critically endangered bird species spoon-billed sandpiper here for the first time. Nowadays, both the species and number of birds in the wetland park have been increasing notably.

At present, Luo is not only a forest ranger, but also works as a docent to introduce the ecological value and significance of mangroves to visitors. A dear friend of the wetland and creatures living in it, Luo has earned himself a nickname as "Brother Lixiang". (Xinhua/Zhang Liyun)

Source: Xinhua

Crested ibises fly in the sky in Zhaigou Village, Ningshan County of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Oct. 10, 2022. In recent years, Ningshan County has made great efforts in ecological protection and green development, with the local forest coverage rate reaching 96.24 percent and the population of crested ibises, giant pandas, and golden snub-nosed monkeys growing. (Photo/Xinhua)

Sampling air to detect the presence of crested ibises represents a groundbreaking application of environmental DNA (eDNA) technology in monitoring this species in China. This innovation opens an unprecedented new perspective for studying their distribution and ecological status, China Central Television (CCTV) News reported on Sunday.

At the Weihe River estuary wetland in Xianyang, Northwest China's Shaanxi Province, monitoring personnel used an environmental air DNA sampler to collect air samples in search of crested ibis traces.

The device traps DNA from crested ibises present in the ambient air onto a membrane. This membrane is then taken back to the laboratory for extraction and analysis to confirm the bird's presence, according to the CCTV report.

To detect crested ibis DNA amid samples contaminated by human and other bird DNA, a local research team developed a targeted monitoring technology specifically for the species, according to CCTV News.

Using a real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) monitoring method, the device can detect even a single DNA molecule in the environment, said Luo Yining, deputy director of the ecological quality monitoring office at the Shaanxi Provincial Environmental Monitoring Center, CCTV News reported.

This technology enables monitoring animal presence without the need for capture, said Zhang Cuirong, deputy director of the analysis and testing center at Xianyang Environmental Monitoring Station.

As the technology is refined, it will support monitoring of crested ibis population and distribution, she said, adding that in the future, this technology can also be applied to monitor other rare species.

Since detection of crested ibis traces in air requires comparison against a database, establishing a genetic database for this species is critical, the report stated.

The research team has also compiled genomic data for crested ibises from more than three cities, covering birds of different ages, sexes, and geographical populations. This provides a precise standard for the comparison of environmental DNA in future studies.

Shaanxi Province is home to more than 7,700 crested ibises, accounting for 80 percent of China's total and over 71 percent of the global population, Science and Technology Daily reported.

Source: Global Times

People attend a ceremony to commemorate the September 18 Incident and the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression at the 9.18 Historical Museum in Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province, Sept. 18, 2022. (Xinhua/Yang Qing)

China's Ministry of Public Security (MPS) has taken legal action against two individuals for fabricating and spreading false information online that distorts the history of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, according to a Thursday post by the ministry's Cybersecurity Bureau on its official WeChat account.

The bureau disclosed two representative cases as part of ongoing efforts to maintain historical truth and protect national dignity. Authorities stated the penalties were issued in accordance with relevant Chinese laws and regulations.

One case involved a netizen surnamed Deng, who, on April 28, 2025, fabricated false data regarding the number of Japanese troops allegedly eliminated by Chinese forces led by the Communist Party of China (CPC) during the war. Deng's online posts were deemed to diminish and deny the CPC's central role as the backbone in the war effort, while also offending national and ethnic sentiment.

After being brought in by authorities, Deng confessed to the offense and was issued an administrative penalty by the local public security bureau in accordance with the law, the post stated.

In another case, a netizen surnamed Zhang was found to have deliberately fabricated claims on January 18, 2025, alleging that the CPC-led Red Army had supported the Japanese Kwantung Army. The MPS stated that Zhang's posts distorted historical facts, particularly regarding the CPC-led armed resistance in Northeast China, which was the first to raise the banner of national resistance against the Japanese invasion.

Zhang also admitted to the offense and received an administrative penalty in accordance with relevant laws and regulations.

The ministry emphasized that in 1945, following years of relentless struggle and sacrifice, the Chinese people achieved the nation's first full-scale victory against foreign aggression in modern times. This triumph not only marked a turning point for China but also made a significant contribution to the World Anti-Fascist War and laid the foundation for national rejuvenation.

"Any attempt to distort history or defame national heroes will be firmly punished by public security authorities," the post stated.

The ministry also called on the public to jointly uphold and disseminate the historical truth of the resistance war, carry forward its spirit, and promote global peace.

Source: Global Times

"Upon completion of the renewal, our equipment will achieve a leading standard within the domestic industry," said Chen Guichun, deputy general manager of the company located in east China's Jiangsu Province. "We expect this upgrade to boost our efficiency by over 5 percent and increase output per unit by around 20 percent."

The company's efforts are part of the China's large-scale equipment renewal and consumer goods trade-in program, which was launched in March 2024. The program entails various government departments utilizing ultra-long special treasury bonds to accelerate the implementation of related measures, with the aim of stimulating investment and consumption.

The People's Bank of China, China's central bank, announced last month an increase in its relending for technological innovation and technical transformation from 500 billion yuan (about 69.6 billion U.S. dollars) to 800 billion yuan. Additionally, it has lowered the relending rate from 1.75 percent to 1.5 percent.

This increase is part of the central bank's structural monetary tools aimed at expanding domestic demand, said Ding Zhijie, head of a research institute at the central bank. "It will provide unwavering support for the implementation of the equipment renewal and consumer goods trade-in program," Ding said during the latest episode of China Economic Roundtable, an all-media talk show hosted by Xinhua News Agency.

"It took only four months from application to receiving government support, which is highly efficient for us," said Xu Guoqiang, assistant manager of a power battery production subsidiary of Chilwee Group Co., Ltd., located in east China's Zhejiang Province.

According to Xu, the company invested a total of 60 million yuan in equipment renewal, with over 8 million yuan of the investment being government-funded.

Similarly, numerous companies across the country's key industrial sectors have undertaken equipment renewal and are reaping the benefits. In April, the added value of China's major high-tech manufacturing and digital product manufacturing sectors both saw a year-on-year increase of 10 percent, data from the National Bureau of Statistics showed.

Over a year since its launch, this national program has successfully tapped into the vast potential of China's domestic market. In the first four months of this year, investment in equipment and instruments surged by 18.2 percent compared to the previous year. This increase accounted for 64.5 percent of the overall investment growth during this period, according to the bureau.

Ding Lin, an official with the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), said at China Economic Roundtable that China, as the world's second-largest economy with a population exceeding 1.4 billion, has enormous potential to unlock in order to expand domestic demand.

To this end, the country should explore more approaches to increase people's income and boost consumer capacity, while further optimizing its pro-consumption policies, Ding said.

In addition to advancing equipment renewal nationwide, Ding said that the NDRC, China's top economic planner, will allocate 800 billion yuan of ultra-long special treasury bonds to support the country's major national strategies and bolster security capacity in key areas. Ding described the fund as a "proactive move" to stimulate effective investment.

"We will accelerate project construction and fund allocation to achieve tangible outcomes as soon as possible," Ding added.

Source: Xinhua

"I believe it's an honor for Guoan players to put on the jersey of China's national team. They definitely have the determination and motivation to show their best. The process of realizing dream is always unforgettable, and I hope they can cherish this opportunity," said the 66-year-old Spaniard.

China currently sits at the bottom of Group C with six points, level with Bahrain and three points behind fourth-placed Indonesia. To keep their playoff hopes alive, China must win against both Indonesia and Bahrain, with the latter match scheduled for June 10 in Chongqing, southwest China.

Setien was appointed head coach of Beijing Guoan in December 2024. The Chinese Super League (CSL) club, which has a history spanning more than three decades, remains unbeaten after 12 CSL matches this season, recording seven wins and five draws to sit third in the 16-team league.

"Our coaching staff prepared a lot for this season. The most ideal approach is to enable each player to show their strength and characteristics. Now, I know my players better, specifically what each player can bring to the team. We need to focus on the details," Setien said.

The veteran coach expressed satisfaction with the team's progress.

"Players can have a better understanding of my technical and tactical plans. I am delighted to see the overall progress of the team," he said.

Setien also acknowledged that he has spent recent months gaining a deeper understanding of Chinese football.

"Actually, the CSL is quite different from what I imagined when I was in Europe. The matches here are competitive. Every team has outstanding players, and we encountered strong opponents in many games."

"Young Chinese players coming through the youth system now have very strong basic skills," Setien stated. "Progress in Chinese football demands patience and development. We need to give these young players ample time and chances."

Source: Xinhua

An official guides Vietnamese tourists in filling out the entry application forms at a newly opened passage gate in Fangchenggang, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, on May 29. Zhai Liqiang/China News Service)

Ferri Limputra, CEO of Pura Mayungan — a Jakarta-based manufacturer of electrical components — regularly travels to China for both business and leisure.

This is why he welcomed the news that China has launched a five-year multiple-entry visa for business executives from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

"I am so happy with this new visa policy," Limputra said, noting that this will reduce paperwork and make it more convenient for him to travel to China.

China announced an "ASEAN visa" for business executives from the 10 ASEAN members and ASEAN observer Timor-Leste.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian told a news conference on Tuesday that the new program offers five-year multiple-entry visas to eligible applicants visiting China for business. It allows them, their spouses and their children a maximum stay of 180 days.

Lin said this will further facilitate cross-border travel in the region following the visa-free arrangements between China and Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia, plus China's "Lancang-Mekong visas" program for Mekong River nations.

In recent years, he said, China and ASEAN have advanced the building of a community with a shared future and made important progress in creating a peaceful, safe, secure, prosperous, beautiful and amicable home.

"Visits between the people of China and Southeast Asian countries have been frequent. There is a mutual hope to further ease travel between the two sides," Lin said.

China is ASEAN's largest trading partner and one of the region's biggest sources of investment and tourists. ASEAN business executives and trade officials often go to China to negotiate deals or procure supplies.

Wilson Lee Flores, a Manila-based entrepreneur and analyst, said the multiple-entry visa for ASEAN citizens is "a game changer for business expansion and innovation".

He said the ease of travel will enable real-time negotiations, faster decision-making and invaluable insights into Chinese market trends.

Lee Flores said the ASEAN visa will boost bilateral trade and investment as it will "empower businesspeople to engage in more frequent, efficient and meaningful exchanges".

Enabling Filipino entrepreneurs, investors and traders to visit China with "unprecedented ease" will allow them to pursue more trade opportunities, attract higher-value investments and acquire advanced technologies to enhance local industries, he explained.

"The ripple effects will be profound: job creation, skills transfer, technology cooperation and sustained economic growth — helping position the Philippines as a more competitive player in the ASEAN-China economic corridor," Lee Flores said.

John Paolo Rivera, a senior research fellow at the state-run think tank Philippine Institute for Development Studies, said China's ASEAN visa has "notable economic and geopolitical implications" for the broader Southeast Asian region.

Mobility streamlined

He said streamlining mobility for businesspeople and their families may deepen trade and investment ties between China and ASEAN economies.

Rivera said easing travel would also make it easier to establish joint ventures, integrate the supply chain and participate in trade platforms like the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and the Belt and Road Initiative.

"By offering this visa, China is positioning itself as a regional hub and connector, strengthening its soft power and diplomatic goodwill in Southeast Asia, and responding to growing Western protectionism by doubling down on regional integration in Asia," he said.

Laode Muhammad Syarif, senior lecturer at the Faculty of Law at Hasanuddin University in Indonesia, said the benefits of the ASEAN visa go beyond spurring business and trade opportunities.

"It may also improve people-to-people relationships between ASEAN and China," he said.

The number of visitors to Beijing from Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand in April grew around threefold as compared to April 2019, Xinhua reported. The number of visitors from Vietnam to the Chinese mainland reached 16,715, an estimated tenfold rise for the same period.

Oh Ei Sun, senior fellow at the Singapore Institute of International Affairs, said the ASEAN visa can facilitate people's movement and people-to-people interactions between China and ASEAN member states.

"In particular, it would lead to the growth of tourism on both sides. It would also make the life of legitimate businesspersons much easier as they need to cross borders to conduct business at a moment's notice," he said.

Leonardus Jegho is a freelance journalist for China Daily.

Source: China Daily

"Their aggressive manoeuvres around Taiwan are not just exercises. They are rehearsals," he said, referring to the Chinese mainland's justified and legitimate military exercises around the island, which is an inalienable part of China.

But as a spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in the US said on Monday, when it comes to the situation in the Taiwan Strait, there is nothing more unstable than the provocations of the "Taiwan independence" separatists and the interference of external forces.

China's military exercises near the island in recent years are intended to deter "separatist plots". If the US really cares about regional peace and stability, it should stop fanning the flames on the Taiwan question, as such behavior will only backfire.

Talking about the advancement of artificial intelligence, hypersonic weapons and additive manufacturing, the chief of the bridgehead command of the United States, specifically set up to counter China, called on the US military to adjust its related departments to accelerate innovation and capacity expansion in those fields so that, as he hinted, the US can better respond to the challenges of China during "the urgent transformation".

Paparo has been hyping up the "Chinese military threat" since taking office in May last year in an obvious bid to help the Pentagon press Congress to increase the military budget.

In an April congressional hearing on fiscal year 2026, he relentlessly played the "China card" to that end, as if it is an important responsibility of the head of the US "Indo-Pacific" Command to help the whole US military to win more funding, and the US military-industry complex to win more orders, channeling federal funds to the pockets of vested interest groups.

Paparo's Monday performance, along with US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth's speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore in which he urged the US' regional allies to increase their defense spending — so they can buy more arms from the US — should be seen as part of the hyping-up of the "China threat" theory that is an essential part of that lucrative "business model".

The "China threat" theory also serves to glue the US' allies and partners to its side amid the growing tensions triggered by the US on the economic and trade front as a result of the all-to-one tariff depredation the US administration has initiated to channel wealth to the US.

The Pentagon, as well as the US' pawns, particularly the Philippines, should realize the high cost of the US' "China card" tricks intended to benefit domestic vested interest groups, as they not only impact Sino-US relations, but also destabilize the Asia-Pacific and divide the world.

That's why some regional countries opposed the US trying to turn the Shangri-La Dialogue into an anti-China circus. It is sad that a platform that should have been used for all stakeholders to strengthen communications, deepen mutual understanding, and synergize regional efforts for common security and shared development was instead used as a platform for the US defense secretary to make a sales pitch on behalf of the US defense industry.

Engaging in group politics and camp confrontation is a Cold War game that goes against the trend of the times and is not welcomed by regional countries. It can neither solve the problems nor intimidate China.

China's determination and will to safeguard its sovereignty and maritime rights and interests are unwavering. The US and its allies should stop slandering China and distorting its justified acts to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity. They should also stop forming all kinds of exclusive small circles to provoke and pressure China, and stop interfering in China's internal affairs.

Source: China Daily

The sign indicates that the bag is made from nine recycled beverage bottles. Another bag, also adorned with antique patterns, features a graphic showing a reduction of 419 grams of CO2 emissions as its silky fabric is made from recycled plastic waste.

These items are part of a special collection of souvenirs available at an ongoing exhibition. Their exquisite designs contrast with their humble origins -- recycled PET bottles, disposable meal boxes, and other plastic waste.

World Environment Day 2025, which falls on Thursday, calls for collective action to tackle plastic pollution. In China, a number of recycling initiatives, such as those repurposing beverage bottles into crafted souvenirs, are helping to raise awareness about plastic pollution and the value of recycling.

"Environmental protection is not just about lecturing the public," said Liu Xuesong, founder of Beijing Bottloop Environmental Technology Co., Ltd. (BOTTLOOP), the start-up that designed and produced the sustainable souvenirs sold at the Palace Museum exhibition.

Liu believes in the power of creativity, with which everyday trash can be transformed into aesthetic and functional souvenirs. Liu hopes that young consumers will choose their products not just because it is a responsible option, but also because they are drawn to the elaborate designs and the eco-friendly stories behind them.

Since both PET and synthetic fibers are mainly derived from petroleum, PET bottles and other plastics can be transformed into fabric through a series of processes. Liu explained the science behind these waste-to-wonder practices: typically, recycled plastic products are cleaned and shredded into small flakes. These flakes are then melted and extruded into yarn, which is spun into thread, and finally woven into rolls of fabric.

BOTTLOOP, founded in 2019, has a parent company that handles the initial processes, while supply chain partners take care of the remaining steps, all adhering to a unified environmental standard.

Recycling the plastics is accredited with saving consumption of petroleum and exempting the waste from landfills and incineration, thereby reducing CO2 emissions.

According to an on-site investigation by the Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, the recycling rate for PET beverage packaging in China reached 96.48 percent.

However, the overall plastic waste recycling rate was less optimistic. In 2022, China generated 63 million tonnes of plastic waste, of which approximately 30 percent was recycled, according to the China National Resources Recycling Association.

BOTTLOOP is not alone in navigating the niche market for recycled souvenirs, especially as the recent surge in public interest in traditional Chinese culture has fostered a young generation of museum-goers and sparked a craze for stylish cultural and creative items.

According to a report by Zhiyan Consulting, the market size of China's cultural and creative products reached 16.38 billion U.S. dollars in 2023, a year-on-year increase of 13.09 percent. Recycling initiatives are capitalizing on this boom to attract a broader audience.

Shanghai-based GOOD CYCLE, founded in 2018, offers plastic recycling solutions to corporate clients. Both BOTTLOOP and GOOD CYCLE are participants in the Palace Museum's waste-free initiative.

Zhao Wenjing, the founder of GOOD CYCLE, believes that sustainable culture and creative products hold the potential to inspire the public to take eco-friendly action.

Zhao has witnessed rising business interest in recycling, as evidenced by increasing numbers of both domestic companies engaged in the waste recycling business and companies that seek cooperation with them.

"Moreover, our business partners now span a much wider range of industries, and they seek our expertise in providing office supplies and corporate gifts made from recycled materials."

She credits the transformation to supportive government policies, rising environmental awareness among the public, and a heightened sense of social responsibility among Chinese companies.

In recent years, the Chinese government has introduced a series of policies to reduce the use of single-use plastic products and encourage the adoption of environmentally friendly alternatives.

In 2021, the National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Ecology and Environment announced a plan aimed at effectively reducing plastic pollution by 2025, which mentioned "stepping up standardized recycling and use of plastic waste." In 2023, China initiated a three-year action plan to promote the use of bamboo as an alternative to plastic products to curb pollution.

According to the United Nations Environment Programme, 19 to 23 million tonnes of plastic waste leaks into aquatic ecosystems every year, polluting lakes, rivers and seas.

GOOD CYCLE's recycled bags and wristbands were made available during the just-concluded Dragon Boat Festival.

"It is a Chinese tradition to give gifts on special occasions," Zhao said. "We hope our products are seen not just as gifts for family and friends, but also as presents for Mother Earth."

Source: Xinhua

(Photo/Aero Engine Corporation of China website)

China's first fully independently-developed advanced civil turboshaft engine - the AES100 - has been awarded a production license and signed sales contracts. This marks its transition from the design and development phase to mass production, laying the foundation for its entry into the market and promoting the development of low-altitude equipment, the Xinhua News Agency reported on Thursday, citing the Aero Engine Corporation of China (AECC).

Aviation engines are the "heart" of an aircraft. The turboshaft engine is primarily used in a variety of helicopters. The AES100 engine is China's first fully independently-developed, advanced civil turboshaft engine that meets international standards and is mainly employed in civil helicopters, according to the report.

It can operate safely and stably under complex conditions such as icing, torrential rain, and a strong electromagnetic environment, featuring advantages of high reliability, low fuel consumption, convenient maintenance, and is suitable for a wide range of applications, per Xinhua.

The take-off power of the turboshaft engine AES100 is no less than 1000kW, and it can be installed on a 5-6 ton twin-engine helicopter or a 3-4 ton single-engine helicopter, or a tiltrotor aircraft, with tasks including transportation, sightseeing, patrol or rescue.

The AES100 turboshaft engine successfully completed rigorous ice tests and airplane engine testing in January 2024, and received its type certificate from the Civil Aviation Administration of China in August 2024.

Source: Global Times

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA), more than 17 million pieces of agricultural machinery will be deployed nationwide to ensure smooth harvesting, sowing and field management, including over 800,000 combine harvesters, with more than 200,000 working across regions.

A combine harvester is seen at wheat fields in Hehui village, Nanshahe town, Tengzhou city, east China's Shandong Province. (Xinhua/Li Zhijun)

The summer harvest season in China typically runs from mid-May to June, with most activity focused on reaping winter wheat, a staple crop.

Central China's Henan Province, which produces nearly a quarter of the nation's wheat, has more than 85 million mu (5.67 million hectares) of wheat ready for harvest. Across the province, farmers are racing against time to bring in the crop.

In Poyu village, Suiping county, Zhumadian city, combine harvesters are busy reaping wheat, with grain loaded directly onto trucks for transport.

"The wheat ripened early, about 10 days ahead of schedule," said Wang Fuping, a major grain grower who is overseeing operations on his 5,000-mu wheat farm.

Zhumadian has deployed 35,000 harvesters this season to work its nearly 12 million mu of wheat.

Data from the Henan provincial department of agriculture and rural affairs show that as of 5 p.m. on June 1, the province had harvested 57.46 million mu of wheat, accounting for about 67.5 percent of the total planted area.

In Anhui Province, another major wheat-producing region in eastern China, more than 43 million mu of wheat was planted this year, and the harvest is picking up pace.

In Huoqiu county, Lu'an city, officials plan to deploy 5,500 combine harvesters to complete the harvest of 1.7 million mu of wheat within 10 days.

Anhui expects to finish the wheat harvest by June 10, with a mechanization rate exceeding 98.5 percent.

A combine harvester loads wheat in Shuanglou village, Zhaoqiao township, Qiaocheng district, Bozhou city, east China's Anhui Province. (Photo/Liu Qinli)

According to the latest survey by the MARA, as of 5 p.m. on May 30, China had harvested 129 million mu of wheat, with progress surpassing 30 percent.

"The planting area of winter wheat remained stable at 350 million mu this year, showing modest growth," said Liu Luxiang, head of the wheat industry expert team at the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences.

Driving the accelerated wheat harvest is increased investment in smart agricultural machinery and the use of new technologies and equipment.

In Zhongxiang city, central China's Hubei Province, combine harvesters equipped with the BeiDou satellite navigation system have become the backbone of the harvest season.

"These intelligent harvesters can efficiently complete the entire process — from harvesting to threshing — with wheat directly loaded onto trucks and transported to agricultural service centers for drying," said Tian Jun, a local grain farmer.

Tian added that 500 mu of wheat were harvested in just a day and a half, improving operational efficiency by 30 percent.

This year, the winter wheat planting area in Hubei Province exceeded 15 million mu, with more than 60,000 BeiDou-enabled intelligent terminals installed on agricultural machinery — ranking among the top nationwide in application scale.

Thanks to smart agricultural machinery, Hubei completed its large-scale wheat harvest in just 17 days this year, a 19 percent reduction compared to 21 days in 2024.

Many agricultural machinery operators involved in cross-regional mechanized harvesting have adopted AI-powered apps that analyze wheat planting data, growth conditions and maturity levels. These apps predict optimal harvest times using historical and real-time data, providing guidance for efficient cross-regional harvesting.

In east China's Shandong Province, the second-largest wheat-producing province, efforts are underway to harvest over 60 million mu of wheat while simultaneously advancing corn and soybean sowing.

"As soon as the wheat is harvested, planters are deployed immediately to seize the optimal time for seeding," said Xu Baizhen, deputy Party chief of Kangzhuang town in Linqing city, Shandong Province.

In recent years, the town has actively promoted soybean-corn strip intercropping. This year, it continues to prioritize large-scale farming, working closely with major growers, family farms, farming cooperatives and other agricultural entities to improve productivity.

As one of China's key summer corn production areas, Shandong has prioritized soybean capacity enhancement in its agricultural development strategy in recent years, according to a provincial official.

Shandong will stabilize planting areas, enhance soybean output, and strengthen support in agricultural supplies, water access, equipment, and meteorological services, laying a solid foundation for a strong autumn grain harvest, according to a local official.

To support national efforts in crop pest and disease control, the Ministry of Finance and the MARA recently allocated 1.4 billion yuan ($194.33 million) in central government funds for disaster prevention and relief to boost agricultural production.

Source: People's Daily Online

An aerial drone photo shows a view of the Qinglong Mountain resort in Hetaoyuan Town of Juye County, east China's Shandong Province, June 4, 2025.

In 2015, authorities of Juye County initiated serial efforts shutting down mines and rehabilitating abandoned mining zones. Years of dedicated reforestation have since transformed wastelands and slopes into thriving ecosystems. (Xinhua/Guo Xulei)

An aerial drone photo shows photovoltaic panels at the Qinglong Mountain resort in Hetaoyuan Town of Juye County, east China's Shandong Province, June 4, 2025.

In 2015, authorities of Juye County initiated serial efforts shutting down mines and rehabilitating abandoned mining zones. Years of dedicated reforestation have since transformed wastelands and slopes into thriving ecosystems. (Xinhua/Guo Xulei)

An aerial drone photo shows a view of Tianchi Lake scenic spot at Baihu Mountain in Hetaoyuan Town of Juye County, east China's Shandong Province, June 4, 2025.

In 2015, authorities of Juye County initiated serial efforts shutting down mines and rehabilitating abandoned mining zones. Years of dedicated reforestation have since transformed wastelands and slopes into thriving ecosystems. (Xinhua/Guo Xulei)

An aerial drone photo shows a view of Tianchi Lake scenic spot at Baihu Mountain in Hetaoyuan Town of Juye County, east China's Shandong Province, June 4, 2025.

In 2015, authorities of Juye County initiated serial efforts shutting down mines and rehabilitating abandoned mining zones. Years of dedicated reforestation have since transformed wastelands and slopes into thriving ecosystems. (Xinhua/Guo Xulei)

An aerial drone photo shows a view of Tianchi Lake scenic spot at Baihu Mountain in Hetaoyuan Town of Juye County, east China's Shandong Province, June 4, 2025.

In 2015, authorities of Juye County initiated serial efforts shutting down mines and rehabilitating abandoned mining zones. Years of dedicated reforestation have since transformed wastelands and slopes into thriving ecosystems. (Xinhua/Guo Xulei)

An aerial drone photo shows a view of the Qinglong Mountain resort in Hetaoyuan Town of Juye County, east China's Shandong Province, June 4, 2025.

In 2015, authorities of Juye County initiated serial efforts shutting down mines and rehabilitating abandoned mining zones. Years of dedicated reforestation have since transformed wastelands and slopes into thriving ecosystems. (Xinhua/Guo Xulei)

An aerial drone photo shows a view of the Qinglong Mountain resort in Hetaoyuan Town of Juye County, east China's Shandong Province, June 4, 2025.

In 2015, authorities of Juye County initiated serial efforts shutting down mines and rehabilitating abandoned mining zones. Years of dedicated reforestation have since transformed wastelands and slopes into thriving ecosystems. (Xinhua/Guo Xulei)

An aerial drone photo shows a view of the Qinglong Mountain resort in Hetaoyuan Town of Juye County, east China's Shandong Province, June 4, 2025.

In 2015, authorities of Juye County initiated serial efforts shutting down mines and rehabilitating abandoned mining zones. Years of dedicated reforestation have since transformed wastelands and slopes into thriving ecosystems. (Xinhua/Guo Xulei)

An aerial drone photo shows a view of the Qinglong Mountain resort in Hetaoyuan Town of Juye County, east China's Shandong Province, June 4, 2025.

In 2015, authorities of Juye County initiated serial efforts shutting down mines and rehabilitating abandoned mining zones. Years of dedicated reforestation have since transformed wastelands and slopes into thriving ecosystems. (Xinhua/Guo Xulei)

An aerial drone photo shows a view of the Qinglong Mountain resort in Hetaoyuan Town of Juye County, east China's Shandong Province, June 4, 2025.

In 2015, authorities of Juye County initiated serial efforts shutting down mines and rehabilitating abandoned mining zones. Years of dedicated reforestation have since transformed wastelands and slopes into thriving ecosystems. (Xinhua/Guo Xulei)

An aerial drone photo shows a view of the Qinglong Mountain resort in Hetaoyuan Town of Juye County, east China's Shandong Province, June 4, 2025.

In 2015, authorities of Juye County initiated serial efforts shutting down mines and rehabilitating abandoned mining zones. Years of dedicated reforestation have since transformed wastelands and slopes into thriving ecosystems. (Xinhua/Guo Xulei)

An aerial drone photo shows a view of the Qinglong Mountain resort in Hetaoyuan Town of Juye County, east China's Shandong Province, June 4, 2025.

In 2015, authorities of Juye County initiated serial efforts shutting down mines and rehabilitating abandoned mining zones. Years of dedicated reforestation have since transformed wastelands and slopes into thriving ecosystems. (Xinhua/Guo Xulei)

Source: Xinhua

These emerald rice fields stretched across Mahitsy, a town about 35 km northwest of Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar. At the town's heart lies the China Hybrid Rice High-Yield Demonstration Base, where rows of lush stalks swayed in the breeze, forming a vibrant patchwork across the countryside.

Hu, hailing from China's rice-rich Hunan Province, arrived in Madagascar in 2007, when China launched its hybrid rice demonstration center project on this island. He has since spent 18 years cultivating what he calls "rice-growing life."

Together with fellow Chinese agricultural experts, Hu devotes himself to introducing high-yield hybrid varieties, promoting modern farming techniques, and training local farmers.

Their efforts have contributed significantly to Madagascar's pursuit of food security. To date, hybrid rice cultivation in Madagascar has expanded to a cumulative 90,000 hectares.

CULTIVATING SEEDS

"To promote the hybrid rice here, we first had to find seeds that suited Madagascar's climate," Hu recalled.

The island's diverse terrain -- from rainforests and swamps to semi-arid zones and volcanic soils -- posed a daunting challenge, even for a veteran expert like Hu. Armed with dozens of seed samples, Hu and his team embarked on a journey across nearly all major rice-growing regions.

"After years of trials, we bred five high-yielding varieties suited to local conditions -- resistant to drought, floods and lodging," he said. "But the harder task was to convince farmers of these 'foreign' seeds."

To prove the benefits, they planted side-by-side demonstration plots -- one with local rice, the other with hybrid. With the same cultivation methods, the yield of hybrid rice is two to three times that of local varieties. Impressed by the results, farmers affectionately dubbed it "Tsarabe" -- the best thing in Malagasy.

Progress was hard-won. Hu recalled living in leaky thatched huts, collecting rainwater to drink, and trekking miles for firewood. "Once, while transforming a swampland, a tree branch pierced my foot. It was the villagers who carried me out," he said.

The efforts paid off. "Before, our land barely produced enough to feed us. Now, with hybrid rice, we not only eat our fill, but sell the surplus and even save to buy more land," said 30-year-old farmer Femosoa Rakatondratsara, beaming beside his blossoming field.

To date, hybrid rice cultivation in Madagascar has reached a cumulative 90,000 hectares, with average yields of 7.5 tons per hectare -- two to three times that of local varieties, making it Africa's largest hybrid rice producer by area.

SPREADING KNOW-HOW

"Good seeds aren't enough. Farmers must know how to grow them," Hu said.

From sowing and transplanting to pest control, he demonstrated every step of the rice production process to farmers. "When farmers face problems nearby, I ride over on my motorbike. If they're far, I help them over the phone," he said.

Over the years, he has trained so many farmers that he lost count, but the calls of "Teacher Hu" echoing from the fields remain his most cherished memory.

Years of fieldwork have left Hu deeply tanned, making his face under a straw hat indistinguishable from the locals. Determined to better communicate with farmers, he has been learning Malagasy for three years.

Beyond practical teaching, Hu and his colleagues also offer regular sessions at the Center for Professional Training in Agriculture in Mahitsy, training local technicians who share their knowledge with more farmers.

So far, Chinese experts have conducted hundreds of training sessions, directly reaching over 2,000 people and indirectly benefiting tens of thousands more. "We're working to build a national training platform to spread hybrid rice technologies even further," Hu said.

"We express our gratitude to the Chinese government for this cooperation in hybrid rice, through the sending of experts who share a wealth of knowledge with us," Michel Anondraka, director general of agriculture and livestock at Madagascar's Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock. "Hybrid rice is a high-yield variety and increasing its production will ensure Madagascar's rice self-sufficiency."

LIFELONG COMMITMENT

"Hybrid rice is my lifelong commitment," Hu said, his steady gaze fixed on the lush, green paddies that stretched before him.

"There were times I thought of going home. It's not easy spending years in a foreign land, working tirelessly," he said. Many colleagues came and left, but Hu stayed. "Once I decide on something, I stick with it."

For Hu, his mission has been clear: to breed successful local hybrids, establish a high-yield demonstration base, and localize seed production. With the first two milestones achieved, his focus now shifts to the third, collaborating with the Chinese firm Yuan's Madagascar Agricultural Development.

Hu attributes his persistence to two profound beliefs: ensuring that farmers never go hungry and realizing the vision of Yuan Longping, the late "Father of Hybrid Rice," who dreamed of spreading hybrid rice worldwide. "He told me to make this succeed in Madagascar," Hu said.

However, such unwavering dedication has come at a personal cost. His annual trip home is his sole chance to reunite with family. He has missed out on moments both somber and joyous, including a final farewell to his mother and the birth of his grandson. Despite the sacrifices, Hu remains resolute.

He hopes to return home for good in two or three years, "but only when my two apprentices can carry on," he said. "By then, I'll be nearly 70. But I believe the fragrance of these rice fields will be passed on, generation after generation."

Source: Xinhua

Total revenue in China's performance sector reached 79.63 billion yuan ($11.05 billion) in 2024, up 7.6 percent from a year earlier, according to the China Association of Performing Arts. Box office revenue alone rose 15.4 percent to 57.95 billion yuan.

The growth of the performance market has significantly boosted cultural and tourism spending.

Photo shows audience members at the Strawberry Music Festival in Beijing, May 2, 2025. (Xinhua/Xiao Xiao)

Content in the performance market is also becoming more diverse. In addition to popular concerts and music festivals, new forms of live entertainment are emerging as sources of inspiration for young audiences.

Huang Zitian, a 21-year-old musical theater enthusiast, visits theaters at least once or twice a month. She recalled her experience watching a musical on New Year's Eve.

"During the performance, I felt as if I was running through maze-like scenes alongside the actors. That immersive experience is something I simply can't get from watching videos online. When everyone shouted 'Happy New Year' together at midnight, the sense of ritual was truly unforgettable," she said.

Stand-up comedy has become a new favorite among young audiences seeking stress relief. Data from the China Association of Performing Arts shows that in 2024, stand-up comedy recorded the largest increases in both the number of performances and box office revenue at small theaters and new venues, rising by 53 percent and 48 percent, respectively.

Performance venues are expanding beyond first-tier cities, with second- and third-tier cities emerging as new hotspots. According to data from Beacon Pro, second-tier cities accounted for more than 60 percent of both box office revenue and performance numbers for large-scale concerts in 2024.

Third- and fourth-tier cities represented 29.1 percent of music festival box office revenue, up 3.8 percentage points year on year, and their share of performance numbers reached 34.9 percent, an increase of 2.7 percentage points from the previous year.

Audience members watch a drama on a street in north China's Tianjin Municipality. (Xinhua/Li Ran)

Young consumers are increasingly willing to travel across cities to attend performances, driven by a mix of personalization, emotional value and a desire for social connection.

Media surveys show that relaxation and entertainment, the participation of favorite idols or artists, interest in performance content and immersive experiences are among the top factors young people consider when choosing live events. Additionally, 79.4 percent of respondents believe that performances provide emotional value and help calm the mind.

Tan Xiaoya, a student at Huazhong University of Science and Technology in Hubei Province, has made it a habit to go to the theater after each exam period.

"In the theater, I can momentarily empty my mind and immerse myself in another world. Watching performances is my way of relieving stress," she said.

Paying for emotional value has become a consumption trend among young people, according to Wu Liyun, a professor at the China Academy of Culture and Tourism at Beijing International Studies University.

"Whether traveling to attend performances or purchasing related merchandise and cultural products during trips, these behaviors reflect young consumers' growing emphasis on the emotional satisfaction that consumption brings. They are increasingly willing to pay for products and services that provide emotional value," Wu said.

Offline performances are also becoming a social connector for young people.

During the May Day holiday this year, the Cactus Music Festival in Wuhan, Hubei Province, attracted nearly 60,000 music fans from across the country. Among them were Shan Wenjie from Guangdong Province in the south and Wu Nan from the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in the north — graduate school classmates who had not seen each other for two years since graduation. They used the music festival as an opportunity to reunite, enjoy the festival atmosphere and explore Wuhan together.

Performers play music in front of a cafe at the National Centre for the Performing Arts. (Xinhua/Luo Xiaoguang)

On social media, sharing ticket stubs for performances has become a form of "social currency" among young people. After attending events, many write ticket-buying guides, share their experiences and post photos of ticket stubs and related merchandise as part of their personal "rituals" for watching performances.

Short video clips and widespread discussions on social media have attracted more young people to live events, further boosting offline performance consumption.

He Zhiwu, a professor at the School of Journalism and Information Communication at Huazhong University of Science and Technology, said that online performance clips and social media spark curiosity among young audiences.

New consumption trends among young people are influencing and reshaping the offline performance market. Continuous innovation in performance content and new formats are offering consumers a richer cultural experience.

According to He, as young people become the main driving force in the offline performance market, their preferences and ideas are set to spur further changes in the industry.

More shows now reflect the interests of today's youth, blending traditional classics with modern styles and creativity. Immersive experiences and audience participation have also become common features of live performances.

"Performance venues will become more diverse, with events integrating esports, dining and other business formats. Cross-sector and cross-venue performances will become increasingly common," He said.

He added that new technology and immersive stage effects will make performances more engaging, allowing young people to find emotional connection and personal satisfaction in their experiences.

Source: People's Daily Online

On Monday in Lishui, Zhejiang Province, a remarkable rescue unfolded as rising floodwaters left a fisherman stranded in the middle of a river due to heavy rain. After the fisherman called for help, a nearby certified drone pilot sprang into action. Utilizing his skills, he successfully lifted the fisherman to safety, showcasing the power of community spirit and technology!

Source: People's Daily App

Two acrobats showcase their skills to retrieve a drone stuck in a tree at a park in Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, on May 31. Check out the video to see how they achieve it.

Source: People's Daily App

"The moderately loose monetary policy adopted by the People's Bank of China (PBOC) helps expand funding available to the real economy, lower financing costs for businesses, especially the SMEs, and enhance their operational stability," said Ding Zhijie, head of the Research Institute at the PBOC, at the latest episode of China Economic Roundtable, an all-media talk show hosted by Xinhua News Agency.

Ding said the PBOC has taken steps to bolster the smaller businesses by providing stronger credit support and easing their interest burdens.

By the end of April, the outstanding inclusive loans issued to micro and small enterprises reached 34.3 trillion yuan (about 4.77 trillion U.S. dollars), up 11.9 percent year on year, outpacing the growth of overall lending.

The cost of financing for businesses has also declined. In April, the weighted average interest rate on newly issued corporate loans stood at 3.2 percent, down 50 basis points from a year earlier.

In a further move, the PBOC has decided to add 300 billion yuan to its relending quota, aimed at supporting the agricultural sector and small businesses.

Ding also emphasized the role of the entrepreneurship guarantee loan, a policy tool introduced in 2016 to spur job creation and entrepreneurship. He said the central bank would continue urging banks at all levels to implement the policy more effectively to expand financial assistance in stabilizing employment.

Source: Xinhua

Mist and rainbow appear over Cangshan Mountain after rain. (Photo/Wang Changzong)

On the morning of June 2, after steady rain swept through Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture in southwest China's Yunnan Province, a breathtaking scene unfolded over Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake. Viewed from above, thick mist shrouded the mountain while the lake lay smooth as glass. Lush green landscapes traced the water's edge, and a rainbow arched over the mountain, creating a striking view that captured the region's enchanting natural beauty.

Cangshan Mountain is shrouded in mist after rain. (Photo/Wang Changzong)

Photo shows Erhai Lake after rain. (Photo/Wang Changzong)

Photo shows Erhai Lake after rain. (Photo/Wang Changzong)

Countryside stretches along the shore of Erhai Lake after rain. (Photo/Wang Changzong)

Photo shows the Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple at the foot of Cangshan Mountain after rain. (Photo/Wang Changzong)

Intern Geng Yujie contributed to this story.

Source: People's Daily Online

The AES100 engine represents China's first independently-developed 1,000 kW-class advanced civil turboshaft engine, achieving full compliance with international airworthiness standards.

Source: Xinhua

According to a release by the White House, the proclamation will fully ban the entry of nationals from 12 countries, namely Afghanistan, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Myanmar, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.

These countries were found "to be deficient with regards to screening and vetting and determined to pose a very high risk to the United States," the release read.

Meanwhile, the proclamation will partially restrict the entry of nationals from seven countries -- Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela.

The travel ban is scheduled to take effect at 12:01 a.m. next Monday.

"The restrictions and limitations imposed by the Proclamation are necessary to garner cooperation from foreign governments, enforce our immigration laws, and advance other important foreign policy, national security, and counterterrorism objectives," the White House said.

Exceptions to the ban include lawful permanent residents, existing visa holders, certain visa categories, and individuals whose entry serves U.S. national interests.

During his first term, Trump announced a ban on travelers from seven countries, a policy that went through several iterations before it was upheld by the Supreme Court in 2018. Former President Joe Biden reversed the ban in 2021.

Source: Xinhua

Cartoon by Tan Xiguang

The U.S. government has stepped up its campaign against Harvard University. On May 28, U.S. media reported that the State Department is reviewing all Harvard-affiliated visa holders, not just foreign students.

This follows an earlier move to revoke Harvard's certification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program, blocking it from enrolling international students. Federal funding cuts have also been announced.

These actions are a clear case of politicizing education under the guise of national security, reflecting deepening polarization in America.

Education should not be a political tool. Such moves only highlight the gap between U.S. rhetoric on freedom and its actions.

Source: People's Daily Online

The United States started to raise tariffs on imported steel and aluminum from 25 percent to 50 percent starting from Wednesday, according to an executive order signed by U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday.

The European Commission criticized the new U.S. tariff measures, warning that the move could prompt swift European retaliation.

"The EU is prepared to impose countermeasures, including in response to the latest U.S. tariff increase," the commission's spokesperson said in an emailed statement.

The U.S. action undermines the EU's ongoing efforts to reach a negotiated agreement with the United States, according to the statement.

As the largest supplier of U.S. steel, Canada has called the additional levies "unlawful and unjustified," and vowed to fight.

"Canada's new government is engaged in intensive and live negotiations to have these and other tariffs removed as part of a new economic and security partnership with the United States," the Prime Minister's office said in a statement Tuesday.

"We are in intensive negotiations with the Americans, and, in parallel, preparing reprisals if those negotiations do not succeed," said Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Wednesday.

Unifor, a Canadian general trade union, called on Carney to retaliate immediately and urged Canada to pause exports of critical minerals to the United States.

Hundreds of Canadian steelworkers have lost their jobs since initial tariffs took effect, said Unifor, warning that layoffs in the auto and aerospace industries could also occur.

"This isn't trade policy, it's a direct attack on Canadian industries and workers," said Marty Warren, United Steelworkers National Director for Canada, in a statement.

Thousands of Canadian jobs are on the line, and Canada needs to respond immediately and decisively to defend workers, added Warren.

Calling the impact of the initial 25 percent tariffs "devastating," after it resulted in job losses and a drop in shipments to the United States, Catherine Cobden, CEO of the Canadian Steel Producers Association, said a 50 percent tariff will lead to a "dramatic acceleration" of those trends.

"At a 50 percent tariff, we basically consider the U.S. market closed -- completely closed, door slammed shut, if you will -- to Canadian steel," she said. "We can't ship at 50 percent. Perhaps we can stockpile for a few days, but obviously we can't keep producing if one of our major markets is shuttered."

Gary Clyde Hufbauer, a non-resident senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, said: "With the 50 percent tariff, not only is American steel going to be less internationally competitive but so are the multitude of American industries that depend on steel as a necessary input."

The new rate on imported steel will almost certainly enlarge the profits of domestic steel companies while U.S. manufacturers and American households will pay dearly for the bonanza to steel barons, wrote Hufbauer in an opinion piece on Monday.

The tariffs make it more expensive for domestic auto manufacturers to produce here, and "it's an economically inconsistent, illiterate policy that seems to be hiding under the national security justifications," said Wayne Winegarden, a senior fellow at the Pacific Research Institute.

"They've never given any justification why 25 percent is the right number, let alone why 50 percent is," Winegarden was quoted by a report on time.com.

According to Felix Tintelnot, a professor of economics at Duke University, no business leader should make massive upfront investments in heavy industry if they don't believe that the same policy will last for a few years.

Jeremy Flack, CEO of Flack Global Metals, a U.S.-based steel trader and manufacturer, said the tariffs have led to a pause of orders and reduced demand for steel.

"We are not getting any orders. Volumes starting from February have begun to decline," Flack said.

Source: Xinhua

Xie Yuancai, head of Fuzhou Licai Edible Fungi Co., Ltd., leads visitors along muddy paths to showcase new varieties of wood ear mushrooms cultivated at the site.

Photo shows wood ear mushrooms cultivated at Xujiang Forest Farm in Guangchang county, Fuzhou city, east China's Jiangxi Province. (People's Daily Online/Shi Yu)

"This is a new mushroom variety we've developed," Xie says proudly.

Aerial photo shows Xujiang Forest Farm and a reservoir in Guangchang county, Fuzhou city, east China's Jiangxi Province. (Photo/Yuan Yi)

Located on the western slope of Mount Wuyi, Guangchang has 1.84 million mu (1,227 square kilometers) of forest, with a forest coverage rate of nearly 72 percent, providing ample space for "underforest" industries — businesses that cultivate mushrooms, herbs and other crops beneath the forest canopy.

To turn this natural wealth into economic value, the county has established demonstration sites, leveraging the forest farm's resources through a model that integrates companies, the forest farm, demonstration sites and farmers.

"We manage 4,200 mu of land dedicated to understory cultivation here," says Xie.

Xie Yuancai, head of Fuzhou Licai Edible Fungi Co., Ltd., picks stout camphor fungi at Xujiang Forest Farm in Guangchang county, Fuzhou city, east China's Jiangxi Province. (People's Daily Online/Shi Yu)

The planting sites have created jobs for more than 2,000 local farming households, raising their average annual income by over 6,000 yuan ($835) per household.

Photo shows irrigation facilities at Xujiang Forest Farm in Guangchang county, Fuzhou city, east China's Jiangxi Province. (People's Daily Online/Shi Yu)

Farmers work at Xujiang Forest Farm in Guangchang county, Fuzhou city, east China's Jiangxi Province. (Photo/Xie Changjian)

Local farmer You Quanzhong has invested all 135 mu of his mountain land in a program where farmers become shareholders and receive dividends. According to the agreement, once the rough-leaved holly trees planted on his land begin yielding profits, he will receive a 23 percent annual dividend for 15 years.

Jiangxi aims to grow its forest-based economy to 300 billion yuan by 2027, accelerating the development of a modern forestry sector centered on oil-tea camellia, moso bamboo and the cultivation of crops beneath the forest canopy.

The province's forestry sector is thriving, with 53 leading enterprises at the national level and 371 at the provincial level. Total forestry output in Jiangxi has exceeded 680 billion yuan.

Source: People's Daily Online

The police have offered a reward of 10,000 yuan (about 1,390 U.S. dollars) for information leading to each suspect's arrest, according to a notice issued by the public security bureau of Guangzhou's Tianhe District.

The notice also provided details of cyber attacks carried out by Taiwan's "Information, Communications and Electronic Force Command (ICEFCOM)."

The ICEFCOM commanded and conducted the illegal cyber attacks and is suspected of multiple criminal offenses, according to the police.

Separately, a research report jointly released by three cyber security entities led by the National Computer Virus Emergency Response Center exposed the history, organizational structure, personnel, workplaces, tasks and typical cyber attacks of the organization.

The ICEFCOM was set up with the support of the U.S. military after Tsai Ing-wen came to power as Taiwan's leader. Its tasks include launching cyber attacks and infiltration operations against targets in the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Macao to steal sensitive data and key information.

The organization was found to have worked with anti-China forces in the United States to conduct public opinion warfare and cognitive warfare, and secretly plot "color revolutions" in attempts to disturb social order, create ethnic tension, amplify social conflicts and obstruct national reunification.

Police investigations show that the organization posed as different hacker groups in recent years to initiate thousands of large-scale cyber attacks against the network systems of key institutions in key sectors in the mainland, Hong Kong and Macao, including those of defense industry, aviation, aerospace, energy, transportation, maritime affairs, and sci-tech research sectors. Both government departments and enterprises were targeted.

When they failed to infiltrate target systems or steal useful information, the hackers would maliciously cause damage to the target systems and disrupt the normal production and business operations of enterprises.

The ICEFCOM's cyber attacks have exposed substantial source information, presenting little challenges for tracing efforts, thereby facilitating the rapid identification of attackers, said technical experts.

Source: Xinhua

Copper is heavy, so why ship it overseas? When ancient lost wax casting methods meet China's latest trends and IP collaborations, traditional intangible heritage finds a modern voice through the finest copper details. At the 89th International Handicrafts Expo in Florence, Italy, copper masters from Jiande city, Zhejiang Province, showcased tiny yet intricate filigree lucky gourds, the majestic Monkey King Wukong, and the charming Kung Fu Panda—each piece capturing the attention of countless international visitors. Here, China's intangible "old craft" transforms into "new fashion," walking into the lives of people around the world.

(Compiled by Zhang Chi)

Source: People's Daily App

A high-speed train passes through tea plantations in Ya'an, Sichuan Province, along the Sichuan-Xizang Railway in a video filmed in May. The train moves through mist-covered hills and cultivated fields in a scene reminiscent of traditional Chinese ink-wash paintings. Sichuan is one of China's oldest tea-producing regions. Mengding Mountain, located in Ya'an, is especially well known for its long history of tea cultivation.

Source: People's Daily App

Zhu Fenglian, a spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, announced the punishment on Sicuens International Co., Ltd., a company led by Shen's father, noting that the mainland will also take other necessary measures against the company.

According to Zhu, the company engages in trade and business cooperation with certain mainland enterprises in pursuit of economic benefits.

"The mainland side will never allow enterprises related to die-hard 'Taiwan independence' supporters to seek profits in the mainland," said the spokesperson.

In October last year, the office announced punishments on Shen and the Kuma Academy, an institution led by him.

The office said that Shen had been actively and systematically organizing activities promoting "Taiwan independence." He has also deliberately promoted "Taiwan independence" and "anti-China" ideologies, particularly targeting the young people in Taiwan.

Meanwhile, the Kuma Academy has openly fostered violent "Taiwan independence" individuals under the guise of training and outdoor activities.

Source: Xinhua

On Wednesday, China Southern Airlines flight CZ3383, operated by China's domestically produced C919 aircraft, departs from Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, South China's Guangdong Province, and lands at Nanyang Jiangying Airport in Central China's Henan Province at 23:57 the same day. (Photo/Courtesy of China Southern Airlines)

China Southern Airlines on Wednesday operated its first commercial flight using the domestically-made C919 aircraft on the route from Guangzhou in South China's Guangdong Province to Nanyang in Central China's Henan Province. This marks the jet's commercial debut at a Chinese regional airport, the Global Times learned from the air carrier on Thursday.

Flight CZ3383, carrying 139 passengers, landed at Nanyang's Jiangying Airport at 11:57 pm on Wednesday. It was the airline's first time deploying C919 on the Guangzhou-Nanyang route, expanding the jet's commercial operations, according to a statement provided to the Global Times.

The home-grown C919 plane has made a key advancement in accelerating the development of China's modern aviation system, enhancing connectivity between major and regional routes for a fully integrated network, a China Media Group report said on Thursday.

The C919 aircraft used for this latest flight was a standard-range model, configured in a three-class layout with 164 seats, per the statement. Following its debut, Nanyang Jiangying Airport will regularly support China Southern's C919 operations, including flight training, technical validations, and occasional commercial flights.

According to the schedule, the C919 plane will undergo intensive local flight training at Nanyang Jiangying Airport on June 5 and 6. China Southern Airlines will deploy a team of highly qualified and experienced captain instructors to lead pilots in completing rigorous training exercises, including takeoffs, landings, and go-arounds.

By collecting operational big data, the airline aims to thoroughly evaluate the aircraft's performance and the airport's ground support coordination while advancing the development of the flight crew for the C919.

Moving forward, China Southern Airlines will expand its route network as more C919 planes are delivered, supporting the continued growth of the aviation and tourism sectors in Central China, the carrier said.

By the end of May, the C919 marked its second anniversary of commercial operations. To date, 18 C919 aircraft have been delivered to China Eastern Airlines, Air China, and China Southern Airlines, operating on 24 routes across 16 cities and carrying over 2 million passengers, Xinhua News Agency reported earlier.

As of May 27, China Eastern Airlines' C919 fleet had logged over 28,000 safe flight hours, completed more than 11,400 commercial flights, and transported over 1.57 million passengers, according to another statement from the carrier to the Global Times earlier.

The C919 is a narrow-body passenger aircraft with a maximum capacity of 192 seats. It is China's first self-developed trunk jetliner, built in accordance with international airworthiness standards and featuring independently registered intellectual property rights.

Source: Global Times

China is deeply disappointed by the result of Wednesday's vote, said Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the United Nations. The draft resolution reflects the most pressing demands of the people in Gaza and the overwhelming voice of the international community, he added.

"The United States has once again abused its veto power, extinguishing the glimmer of hope for the people in Gaza and ruthlessly continuing to leave over 2 million people in darkness. It must face the questioning from the international community," he said.

As the primary body for the maintenance of international peace and security, the Security Council has been striving to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza, and has long reached an overwhelming consensus. Wednesday's vote result once again exposes that the root cause of the council's inability to quell the conflict in Gaza is the repeated obstruction by the United States, said Fu in an explanation of the vote.

Washington has vetoed the Security Council's request for a Gaza ceasefire multiple times. And because of its shielding of Israel, several resolutions adopted by the council on Gaza have yet to be effectively implemented, he noted.

The U.S. claim that Security Council action at the moment would interfere with diplomatic efforts is completely untenable, he said. "As long as diplomatic efforts are genuinely aimed for peace, the council's action will only provide strong support."

The international community will never cease its efforts to pursue fairness and justice, uphold the international rule of law, and safeguard the authority of the Security Council. A veto by a single permanent member cannot stop the march toward peace, he said. "We urge the United States to face up to its responsibilities as a permanent member of the Security Council, abandon its political calculations, and adopt a just and responsible attitude in supporting the council to take all necessary actions."

Since the outbreak of the conflict, the world has witnessed the weaponization of humanitarian aid, the targeting of civilian infrastructure, and the ruthless killing of journalists and humanitarian workers. Israel's actions have crossed every red line of international humanitarian law and seriously violated Security Council and General Assembly resolutions, as well as the provisional measures ordered by the International Court of Justice, said Fu.

Yet due to the shielding by one certain country, these violations have not been stopped or held accountable, he noted.

Observing international humanitarian law is an obligation. Any double standards or selective application will only erode the foundation of the international rule of law and must be firmly rejected, he warned.

China stands ready to work with the international community to help end the conflict in Gaza, alleviate the humanitarian disaster, implement the two-state solution, and ultimately achieve a comprehensive, just, and lasting solution to the Palestinian question, said Fu.

Source: Xinhua

The issuance included 3.5 billion yuan of two-year bonds, 3 billion yuan of three-year bonds, 3 billion yuan of five-year bonds, and 3 billion yuan of 10-year bonds, according to the ministry. These bonds have respective interest rates of 1.49 percent, 1.52 percent, 1.6 percent, and 1.75 percent.

This latest issuance has been well-received among investors, with the total bid amount coming in at 3.96 times the amount in circulation, the ministry said.

Last month, it announced that it would issue six batches of yuan-denominated treasury bonds in the HKSAR this year, with all six batches totaling 68 billion yuan.

Source: Xinhua

Zhang Min (pseudonym), once a child raised within these walls, moved gracefully among decorations for an upcoming party, accompanied by tender voices and piano melodies, serving as a living testament to love's enduring cycle.

In 2004, a grieving 10-year-old Zhang arrived at the welfare home after her grandmother's passing. "I already understood loss at that time, and this unfamiliar world terrified me," she recalled. Hiding in dormitory corners, she found solace through caregivers who guided her to draw on hallway blackboards. "They were warm beacons showing me this was my new beginning."

Zhang's journey unfolded within the context of China's strengthening safety net for vulnerable minors. Notably, the country's welfare system for disadvantaged children has evolved from simple survival assistance in its early stages to a comprehensive and inclusive framework, with policy focus shifting from meeting basic needs to promoting holistic development.

Last month, the central government issued a set of guidelines on bolstering welfare support for children experiencing hardship, establishing comprehensive protection spanning living standards, healthcare, education, mental health and legal guardianship. China has raised basic living allowances for orphans for several consecutive years, with this commitment mirrored in Harbin where the 2025 standard is up to 2,993 yuan (about 416 U.S. dollars) monthly per institutionalized child.

At Harbin Children's Home, "education" revealed itself in unexpected ways, such as lullabies sung by night caregivers and sweets shared by kitchen staff. These moments crystallized when Zhang decided to choose early childhood education as her field of study. "I knew I'd return," she said, pointing to her Harbin Preschool Teachers College graduation photo. "They warmed my childhood, and I'll pass that warmth forward."

Today, Zhang teaches eight children with Down syndrome in rehabilitation classes -- navigating communication barriers with extraordinary patience. At lunch, she knelt beside 12-year-old Wang Liang, gently holding his hand to adjust a spoon. "Three months ago, he couldn't eat by himself. Now he can spoon up softened cookies independently." Zhang's face lit up with pride and satisfaction as she spoke of the children's improvement.

The institution itself has transformed dramatically since Zhang first arrived there 21 years ago. "We've grown from a 200-capacity department under the city's social welfare institute into a specialized facility," said Cai Lingling, the institution's office director.

With additional beds, improved facilities including personalized study spaces and smart rehabilitation equipment, and psychological support services, the upgraded welfare home can house 500 residents, and has shifted from basic care to holistic development -- encompassing a healthy diet, education, rehabilitation and medical treatment, Cai said. Harbin, capital city of Heilongjiang, has raised basic living allowance standards for orphans for four successive years since 2021, benefiting 2,070 orphans and de facto unattended children.

Educating children with special needs demands not only patience but also innovative approaches. Zhang crafts creative interventions, such as animal flashcards for cognitive training and rhythmic hand-taps during music sessions.

Rewards come unexpectedly. "Sometimes it was a candy pressed into my palm, or a sudden hug," Zhang said. "The children here understand loss early but treasure gains profoundly. A warm meal, words of encouragement or a patient moment can ignite hope."

This year, Zhang is embracing motherhood while teaching. "I've learned that equal respect and patient companionship matter as much as boundless love," she said. For the upcoming party, her students will attend as audience members. "They may not follow the program," Zhang said. "But their smiles when hearing music or reaching for balloons mean a lot."

Zhang's legacy resonates with youths like Lin Qiuyue, 12 years her junior. "She's been our warm guardian since I can remember, and she truly understands us," Lin said. When Zhang returned as a teacher, their bond deepened. Inspired by Zhang, Lin now envisions her own future at the institution.

"I want to pay forward that empathy, just like her," Lin said.

Source: Xinhua

The vaccine, Cecolin 9, has been included on a list of approved medical products that was made public by the National Medical Products Administration on Wednesday.

"The approval of Cecolin 9 not only offers more vaccination options for eligible women in China, but is also expected to improve vaccine accessibility and coverage, reducing the risk of cervical cancer further," said Zhang Jun, dean of the School of Public Health at Xiamen University and a leading member of the vaccine development team.

HPV vaccines are commonly used to prevent cervical cancer in women, as well as genital cancers and warts in both men and women.

Cecolin 9, which targets nine HPV strains, was developed by Xiamen University, the Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory and Xiamen Innovax Biotech Co., Ltd., marking a breakthrough in China's ability to produce high-valency HPV vaccines independently.

China is now the second country -- after the United States -- capable of supplying 9-valent HPV vaccines.

Compared to bivalent HPV vaccines, which are effective against two high-risk genotypes (HPV 16 and 18), 9-valent HPV vaccines protect against an additional five high-risk genotypes (HPV 31, 33, 45, 52 and 58) and two low-risk genotypes (HPV 6 and 11), and provide better protection against cervical cancer.

Over 18 years of research, scientists overcame major technical challenges in producing virus-like particles (VLPs) from multiple HPV types using an E. coli platform, and completed crucial clinical trial validation processes.

Five related clinical trials have been conducted across China since 2019, and the vaccine has demonstrated a favorable safety profile and a strong immune response, comparable to those of similar international products.

Statistics show that globally, approximately 700,000 cancer cases each year are associated with HPV, including an estimated 530,000 cases of cervical cancer. Vaccination is up to 94 percent effective in preventing HPV infection.

In 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched a global strategy to accelerate the elimination of cervical cancer, aiming for 90 percent of girls to be fully vaccinated against HPV by the age of 15 by 2030.

In alignment with the WHO strategy, China's National Health Commission launched a cervical cancer elimination action plan for the 2022-2030 period, urging the expansion of HPV vaccination coverage nationwide.

Source: Xinhua

Goalkeepers Yan Junling (L) and Wang Dalei of China attend a training session in Jakarta, Indonesia, June 4, 2025, one day ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers Group C match between China and Indonesia. (Xinhua/Cen Yunpeng)

BEIJING, June 4 (Xinhua) -- The 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian qualifiers resume Thursday as China faces Indonesia in a crucial away match at Jakarta's Gelora Bung Karno Stadium.

According to tournament rules, the top two in each six-team group advance directly to the World Cup, while the third- and fourth-placed teams enter the playoffs. With two matches remaining, Indonesia sits fourth in Group C with nine points, while China is level with Bahrain at the bottom on six points.

Indonesia holds a three-point lead over China and a seven-goal edge in goal difference. A home win would all but guarantee Indonesia a top-four finish. For China, there is only one way to keep their World Cup hopes alive: win on Indonesian soil.

So far, only Japan has managed a win in Jakarta during this qualifying campaign. Indonesia, fueled by passionate home support from around 80,000 fans, has turned its capital into a fortress - beating Saudi Arabia 2-0, edging Bahrain 1-0, and holding Australia to a 0-0 draw.

The pressure awaiting China is immense - on a humid Jakarta night, in front of a raucous crowd, against an energetic Indonesian side bolstered by naturalized talent. Still, China has no choice but to rise to the occasion.

"The first step to reaching the playoffs is winning this match. This demands that we play attacking football, with every player giving their all in running and effort," said head coach Branko Ivankovic, who expressed confidence that his players could transform pressure into motivation.

Ivankovic will have to contend with key absences - striker Wu Lei is sidelined with injury, while attacking midfielders Lin Liangming and Xie Wenneng are suspended. As a result, Zhang Yuning and Wei Shihao will bear much of the attacking burden.

Fans are also eager to see 18-year-old Wang Yudong, who has impressed in the Chinese Super League, potentially earn his first national team start. His energy and pace could inject much-needed dynamism. The midfield performances of naturalized players Serginho and Yang Mingyang will also be vital.

"This is a battle for survival. Victory is the only option. There's no room for retreat," Zhang emphasized. He added that, as the away side, China must turn pressure into momentum and showcase the results of training and unity as a team.

"We focused on key techniques like offense, defense, and set-pieces. We've performed well, but in matches, we must be able to adapt flexibly to on-the-spot situations," Zhang added.

Though the task is daunting, it is not beyond reach. In their previous meeting in Group C, China - then mired in a three-match losing streak - came out aggressively, scoring twice in the first half before holding on for a 2-1 win.

Now, amid another three-match skid, the rematch offers a new chance to turn the tide. With the right tactics and unwavering determination, China remains capable of securing a vital win.

With expectations and pressure at their peak, China's coaches and players know they must leave nothing on the pitch. Only by giving their all can they keep their World Cup dream alive - for the team, for themselves, and for the millions of fans watching back home.

Goalkeeper Wang Dalei of China attends a training session in Jakarta, Indonesia, June 4, 2025, one day ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers Group C match between China and Indonesia. (Xinhua/Cen Yunpeng)

Huang Zhengyu, Wei Shihao, Xie Wenneng and Hu Hetao (L to R) of China attend a training session in Jakarta, Indonesia, June 4, 2025, one day ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers Group C match between China and Indonesia. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng)

Player of Indonesia Rafael Struick (L) attends a training session in Jakarta, Indonesia, June 4, 2025, one day ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers Group C match between China and Indonesia. (Xinhua/Agung Kuncahya B.)

Players of Indonesia attend a training session in Jakarta, Indonesia, June 4, 2025, one day ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers Group C match between China and Indonesia. (Xinhua/Agung Kuncahya B.)

Players of Indonesia attend a training session in Jakarta, Indonesia, June 4, 2025, one day ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers Group C match between China and Indonesia. (Xinhua/Agung Kuncahya B.)

Player of Indonesia Nathan Tjoe-A-On (2nd L) attends a training session in Jakarta, Indonesia, June 4, 2025, one day ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers Group C match between China and Indonesia. (Xinhua/Agung Kuncahya B.)

Player of Indonesia Jay Idzes (2nd L) attends a training session in Jakarta, Indonesia, June 4, 2025, one day ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers Group C match between China and Indonesia. (Xinhua/Agung Kuncahya B.)

Indonesia's head coach Patrick Kluivert (L) and player Emil Audero pose for photos after a press conference in Jakarta, Indonesia, June 4, 2025, one day ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers Group C match between China and Indonesia. (Xinhua/Agung Kuncahya B.)

Indonesia's head coach Patrick Kluivert (Front) speaks during a press conference in Jakarta, Indonesia, June 4, 2025, one day ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers Group C match between China and Indonesia. (Xinhua/Agung Kuncahya B.)

Indonesia's head coach Patrick Kluivert (Front) speaks during a press conference in Jakarta, Indonesia, June 4, 2025, one day ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers Group C match between China and Indonesia. (Xinhua/Agung Kuncahya B.)

Indonesia's Emil Audero speaks during a press conference in Jakarta, Indonesia, June 4, 2025, one day ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers Group C match between China and Indonesia. (Xinhua/Agung Kuncahya B.)

Source: Xinhua

China's first domestically developed nine-valent human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, Cecolin 9 (Photo/CCTV)

China's first domestically developed nine-valent human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine has been approved for marketing by the National Medical Products Administration, breaking the more than decade-long market dominance held by foreign products, CCTV News reported on Wednesday.

The vaccine, Cecolin 9, was jointly developed by the Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, Xiamen University, and Wantai BioPharm. Its approval makes China the second country in the world, only after the US, with the capability to independently supply high-valency HPV vaccines, according to the Xinhua News Agency.

Since 2019, the vaccine has been tested in five clinical trials nationwide that have enrolled more than 11,000 volunteers aged 9 to 45, obtaining solid research data, the Xiamen Daily reported.

The research team also developed China's first domestically made two-valent HPV vaccine in 2019. In 2021, the two-valent HPV vaccine received prequalification approval from the World Health Organization (WHO) and has since entered the markets of 21 countries, Xinhua reported.

HPV vaccines are commonly used to prevent cervical cancer in women and genital cancers and warts in both men and women, the CCTV report said.

Cervical cancer was the fourth most common cancer among women worldwide in 2022, according to the WHO. China made free HPV vaccination accessible to approximately 40 percent of girls aged 13-14 in 2024 as part of its ongoing work to tackle cervical cancer, according to the National Health Commission.

Source: Global Times

During the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on defending the common core interests of the two countries, items of mutual cooperation in different fields as well as the regional and international situation, said the report, adding that the discussions confirmed the same stance of the two sides.

The DPRK will "unconditionally support the stand of Russia and its foreign policies in all the crucial international political issues including the Ukrainian issue, and responsibly observe the articles of the treaty between the DPRK and Russia," Kim was quoted by the KCNA as saying.

Sergei conveyed special thanks of the Russian leadership to the DPRK's soldiers who participated in the operations in Russia's Kursk region.

The host and the guest also expressed the will of the two countries' leaderships to continue to dynamically expand and develop the bilateral relations into a powerful and comprehensive strategic partnership, said the report.

Source: Xinhua

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks during a press briefing at the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States, on June 3, 2025. The U.S. administration has pressed its trading partners via letters to submit their best offers by Wednesday, the White House confirmed Tuesday. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the letters sent from the United States Trade Representative were "just to give them a friendly reminder that the deadline is coming up." (Xinhua/Hu Yousong)

WASHINGTON, June 3 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. administration has pressed its trading partners via letters to submit their best offers by Wednesday, the White House confirmed Tuesday.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the letters sent from the United States Trade Representative were "just to give them a friendly reminder that the deadline is coming up."

Leavitt added that the Trump administration officials are still in talks with trade partners to strike deals during the 90-day pause.

Local media revealed that the letters asked trade partners to list their best proposals by Wednesday in several key areas, including tariff and quota offers for the purchase of U.S. industrial and agricultural products as well as plans to remedy any non-tariff barriers.

The 90-day negotiation window from April 9 to July 8 was established after market volatility forced the White House to pause its "Liberation Day" tariffs imposed on April 2.

The White House did not disclose which economies received the letters.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt takes questions during a press briefing at the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States, on June 3, 2025. The U.S. administration has pressed its trading partners via letters to submit their best offers by Wednesday, the White House confirmed Tuesday.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the letters sent from the United States Trade Representative were "just to give them a friendly reminder that the deadline is coming up." (Xinhua/Hu Yousong)

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks during a press briefing at the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States, on June 3, 2025. The U.S. administration has pressed its trading partners via letters to submit their best offers by Wednesday, the White House confirmed Tuesday.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the letters sent from the United States Trade Representative were "just to give them a friendly reminder that the deadline is coming up." (Xinhua/Hu Yousong)

Source: Xinhua

Staff members cut hair for clients at an elderly care center in Shenyang City, northeast China's Liaoning Province, March 5, 2025.(Xinhua/Bai Yongquan)

SHENYANG, June 4 (Xinhua) -- Almost every morning in Panjin, a city in northeast China's Liaoning Province, 68-year-old Yang Yonghua walks to a neighborhood elderly care center accompanied by his son, a local barbecue restaurant owner. At this care center, he socializes, crafts things, shares meals and receives therapy with friends.

This is China's burgeoning model of daytime elderly care, a hybrid solution bridging home care and full-time nursing homes.

Dubbed "elderly kindergarten," these centers offer a structured schedule -- breakfast, activities, lunch, naps, afternoon therapy, dinner and evening freshening up, all before families return for pickup.

"It's more interesting than home," Yang said, reflecting the sentiment of many seniors finding unexpected joy in this new routine. His son, grappling with late-night shifts at the diner, found immediate relief after the center started operation in the summer of 2023.

This shift in terms of elderly care is being propelled by both an urgent need and national policy. China's population aged 60 and over had surpassed 310 million as of the end of 2024, accounting for 22 percent of its citizens, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. Recognizing that many seniors have deep ties to their communities and families, authorities are promoting neighborhood-based solutions.

The Ministry of Civil Affairs mandated community-level daytime centers offering daily care, meals, hygiene aid, emergency response and companionship. Local governments have tailored these mandates into concrete services -- bathing assistance, medical escort and housekeeping.

In the Seni District of Nagqu in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, seniors pay just 20 yuan (around 2.78 U.S. dollars) daily for lunch and dinner and more than a dozen services ranging from mahjong to therapy, while northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region is aiming for 90-percent coverage of such facilities this year.

The city of Hengshui in Hebei Province in north China has integrated businesses and community resources in launching 22 model hubs combining long-term stays, daycare, entertainment and dining for the elderly.

The impact of such initiatives resonates deeply for families like that of Li Shihua, 88, who has dementia. Attending a daycare center which specializes in cognitive care in northeast China's Dalian, her health has steadily improved, according to her family. Structured monitoring and medication management bring order and vitality to residents at this facility, significantly easing caregiver and family strain.

Notably, innovations continue to unfold. Cities like Beijing and south China's Guangzhou are piloting "co-care" spaces merging childcare and eldercare, supported by free public venues and subsidized utilities.

Underpinning this expansion is a push for the establishment of standards. Authorities have released 51 national or industry benchmarks covering safety, quality and facility ratings -- alongside over a hundred local standards.

Experts believe that for people navigating work and filial duty, these daytime havens are more than a convenience. Instead, they're becoming indispensable threads in the fabric of family life, offering community and care where it matters most -- close to home.

Source: Xinhua

An aerial drone photo taken on June 4, 2025 shows the Xin'an River grand bridge in Jiande, east China's Zhejiang Province, June 4, 2025. As part of the Jinhua-Jiande High Speed Railway in Zhejiang, the Xin'an River grand bridge finished its closure on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)

An aerial drone photo taken on June 4, 2025 shows the Xin'an River grand bridge in Jiande, east China's Zhejiang Province, June 4, 2025. As part of the Jinhua-Jiande High Speed Railway in Zhejiang, the Xin'an River grand bridge finished its closure on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)

An aerial drone photo taken on June 4, 2025 shows the Xin'an River grand bridge in Jiande, east China's Zhejiang Province, June 4, 2025. As part of the Jinhua-Jiande High Speed Railway in Zhejiang, the Xin'an River grand bridge finished its closure on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)

An aerial drone photo taken on June 4, 2025 shows the construction site of the closure of the Xin'an River grand bridge in Jiande, east China's Zhejiang Province, June 4, 2025. As part of the Jinhua-Jiande High Speed Railway in Zhejiang, the Xin'an River grand bridge finished its closure on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)

An aerial drone photo taken on June 4, 2025 shows the construction site of the closure of the Xin'an River grand bridge in Jiande, east China's Zhejiang Province, June 4, 2025. As part of the Jinhua-Jiande High Speed Railway in Zhejiang, the Xin'an River grand bridge finished its closure on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)

Source: Xinhua

An aerial drone photo taken on June 4, 2025 shows a grebe at Qinghai Longbao National Nature Reserve, Yushu City of Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Qinghai Province.

With lush water and pastures, Qinghai Longbao National Nature Reserve is a key station and breeding ground for migratory birds.

According to monitoring data of May this year, 37 species of birds including bar-headed geese and black necked cranes inhabited here. (Photo by Du Xiaowei/Xinhua)

An aerial drone photo taken on June 4, 2025 shows bar-headed geese at Qinghai Longbao National Nature Reserve, Yushu City of Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Qinghai Province.

With lush water and pastures, Qinghai Longbao National Nature Reserve is a key station and breeding ground for migratory birds.

According to monitoring data of May this year, 37 species of birds including bar-headed geese and black necked cranes inhabited here. (Photo by Du Xiaowei/Xinhua)

An aerial drone photo taken on June 4, 2025 shows a view of Qinghai Longbao National Nature Reserve, Yushu City of Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Qinghai Province.

With lush water and pastures, Qinghai Longbao National Nature Reserve is a key station and breeding ground for migratory birds.

According to monitoring data of May this year, 37 species of birds including bar-headed geese and black necked cranes inhabited here. (Photo by Du Xiaowei/Xinhua)

An aerial drone photo taken on June 4, 2025 shows bar-headed geese at Qinghai Longbao National Nature Reserve, Yushu City of Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Qinghai Province.

With lush water and pastures, Qinghai Longbao National Nature Reserve is a key station and breeding ground for migratory birds.

According to monitoring data of May this year, 37 species of birds including bar-headed geese and black necked cranes inhabited here. (Photo by Du Xiaowei/Xinhua)

An aerial drone photo taken on June 4, 2025 shows a black-necked crane at Qinghai Longbao National Nature Reserve, Yushu City of Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Qinghai Province.

With lush water and pastures, Qinghai Longbao National Nature Reserve is a key station and breeding ground for migratory birds.

According to monitoring data of May this year, 37 species of birds including bar-headed geese and black necked cranes inhabited here. (Photo by Du Xiaowei/Xinhua)

An aerial drone photo taken on June 4, 2025 shows a black-necked crane at Qinghai Longbao National Nature Reserve, Yushu City of Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Qinghai Province.

With lush water and pastures, Qinghai Longbao National Nature Reserve is a key station and breeding ground for migratory birds.

According to monitoring data of May this year, 37 species of birds including bar-headed geese and black necked cranes inhabited here. (Photo by Du Xiaowei/Xinhua)

An aerial drone photo taken on June 4, 2025 shows a view of Qinghai Longbao National Nature Reserve, Yushu City of Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Qinghai Province.

With lush water and pastures, Qinghai Longbao National Nature Reserve is a key station and breeding ground for migratory birds.

According to monitoring data of May this year, 37 species of birds including bar-headed geese and black necked cranes inhabited here. (Photo by Du Xiaowei/Xinhua)

Source: Xinhua

Firefighters check houses damaged during an earthquake in Eryuan County, Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province on June 5, 2025. A 5.0-magnitude earthquake struck Eryuan County in Bai Autonomous Prefecture of Dali, southwest China's Yunnan Province at 4:31 a.m. Thursday (Beijing Time), according to the China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC). The epicenter was monitored at 26.26 degrees north latitude and 100.03 degrees east longitude. The quake struck at a depth of 10 km, said a report issued by the CENC. The quake was strongly felt in Eryuan County, Dali City and Heqing County, waking some residents. Local authorities in Eryuan County have promptly initiated an emergency response, with townships assessing the impact. (Xinhua)

BEIJING, June 5 (Xinhua) -- A 5.0-magnitude earthquake struck Eryuan County in Bai Autonomous Prefecture of Dali, southwest China's Yunnan Province at 4:31 a.m. Thursday (Beijing Time), according to the China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC).

The epicenter was monitored at 26.26 degrees north latitude and 100.03 degrees east longitude. The quake struck at a depth of 10 km, said a report issued by the CENC.

The quake was strongly felt in Eryuan County, Dali City and Heqing County, waking some residents. Local authorities in Eryuan County have promptly initiated an emergency response, with townships assessing the impact.

Firefighters are ready to set out for rescue operation, in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province on June 5, 2025.

A 5.0-magnitude earthquake struck Eryuan County in Bai Autonomous Prefecture of Dali, southwest China's Yunnan Province at 4:31 a.m. Thursday (Beijing Time), according to the China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC).

The epicenter was monitored at 26.26 degrees north latitude and 100.03 degrees east longitude. The quake struck at a depth of 10 km, said a report issued by the CENC.

The quake was strongly felt in Eryuan County, Dali City and Heqing County, waking some residents. Local authorities in Eryuan County have promptly initiated an emergency response, with townships assessing the impact. (Xinhua)

Source: Xinhua

A truck loaded with steel products is seen at a steel supplier's facility in Delta, British Columbia, Canada, June 3, 2025. The United States started to raise tariffs on imported steel and aluminum from 25 percent to 50 percent starting from Wednesday, according to an executive order signed by U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday. (Photo by Liang Sen/Xinhua)

NEW YORK, June 4 (Xinhua) -- The United States started to raise tariffs on imported steel and aluminum from 25 percent to 50 percent starting from Wednesday, according to an executive order signed by U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday.

Trump announced the decision last Friday during a visit to a U.S. Steel plant in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania.

Trump justified the action by claiming that higher tariffs on imported steel and aluminum would address national security threats and improve the competitiveness of domestic industries.

The new tariffs will remain in effect unless such actions are expressly reduced, modified, or terminated, according to the order.

Trump invoked section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962; the International Emergency Economic Powers Act; section 301 of title 3 of the United States Code; as well as section 604 of the Trade Act of 1974 in the order.

For now, steel and aluminum imports from the United Kingdom will continue to be subject to a 25 percent tariff, given the economic deal reached between the United States and the United Kingdom on May 8.

However, on or after July 9, the U.S. secretary of commerce may adjust the applicable rates of duty and construct import quotas for steel and aluminum consistent with the U.S.-UK deal, or the secretary may increase the applicable rates of duty to 50 percent if the United Kingdom is found not to be complying with the deal, according to the order.

"With the 50 percent tariff, not only is American steel going to be less internationally competitive but so are the multitude of American industries that depend on steel as a necessary input," said Gary Clyde Hufbauer, a non-resident senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics.

The new rate on imported steel will almost certainly enlarge the profits of domestic steel companies while U.S. manufacturers and American households will pay dearly for the bonanza to steel barons, wrote Hufbauer in an opinion piece on Monday.

The tariffs make it more expensive for domestic auto manufacturers to produce here, and "it's an economically inconsistent, illiterate policy that seems to be hiding under the national security justifications," said Wayne Winegarden, a senior fellow at the Pacific Research Institute.

"They've never given any justification why 25 percent is the right number, let alone why 50 percent is," Winegarden was quoted by a report on time.com.

No business leader should make massive upfront investments in heavy industry if they don't believe that the same policy will last for a few years, according to Felix Tintelnot, professor of economics at Duke University.

The European Commission criticized the new U.S. tariff measures, warning that the move could prompt swift European retaliation.

"The EU is prepared to impose countermeasures, including in response to the latest U.S. tariff increase," the commission's spokesperson said in an emailed statement.

The U.S. action undermines the EU's ongoing efforts to reach a negotiated agreement with the United States, according to the statement.

"This isn't trade policy, it's a direct attack on Canadian industries and workers," said Marty Warren, United Steelworkers National Director for Canada, in a recent statement.

Thousands of Canadian jobs are on the line, and Canada needs to respond immediately and decisively to defend workers, added Warren.

Steel pipes are seen at a steel supplier's facility in Delta, British Columbia, Canada, June 3, 2025. The United States started to raise tariffs on imported steel and aluminum from 25 percent to 50 percent starting from Wednesday, according to an executive order signed by U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday. (Photo by Liang Sen/Xinhua)

Steel pipes and beams are seen at a steel supplier's facility in Delta, British Columbia, Canada, June 3, 2025. The United States started to raise tariffs on imported steel and aluminum from 25 percent to 50 percent starting from Wednesday, according to an executive order signed by U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday. (Photo by Liang Sen/Xinhua)

A worker secures steel products loaded on a truck at a steel supplier's facility in Delta, British Columbia, Canada, June 3, 2025. The United States started to raise tariffs on imported steel and aluminum from 25 percent to 50 percent starting from Wednesday, according to an executive order signed by U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday. (Photo by Liang Sen/Xinhua)

Source: Xinhua