中国日报网

Heze launches intl communication center to boost global outreach

Heze authorities sign a framework agreement with the Business Development Department of China Daily at the inauguration ceremony of the Heze International Communication Center on April 10. [Photo by Li Yibing/chinadaily.com.cn]

Heze, a city renowned for its peonies in East China's Shandong province, inaugurated its international communication center on April 10, signaling a strategic move by the local government to strengthen its global presence and cultural exchange.

At the inauguration ceremony, a framework agreement on international communication was signed by the Business Development Department of China Daily, Heze Daily, and the Publicity Department of the CPC Heze Municipal Committee.

Cao Lin, director of the Publicity Department of the CPC Heze Municipal Committee, said the newly established center will leverage Heze's distinctive cultural assets, including peonies, hanfu, and traditional opera, to connect with global audiences and highlight the city's unique appeal.

She added that the collaboration also aims to explore new pathways for Heze to better share China's stories with the world. Cao expressed hope that China Daily will support the development of Heze's multilingual official website, expand its international communication channels, and enhance the city's global profile.

Gong Zhengzheng, director of the Business Development Department at China Daily, said that China Daily has long been committed to enhancing Heze's international influence. The launch of the international communication center will further deepen cooperation between the two sides.

Looking ahead, Gong said China Daily will continue to highlight Heze's rich cultural heritage and history, while showcasing the city's modern practices in advancing coordinated development between ecology and the economy. The goal, he added, is to present Heze's cultural charm and development achievements to a worldwide audience.

Xi on cross-Strait relations

Mirandrea in Shanghai

On April 10, US actresses Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway graced the Shanghai premiere of The Devil Wears Prada 2, bringing the long-waited reunion of Miranda and Andrea after 20 years. They showed a great appreciation to the local fans for growing with them as the main characters of the movie. Click the video and see more.

Luoyang invites creators to reimagine its legacy through AI

The ongoing "Peony Capital" Global Al Creators Competition, hosted in Luoyang, Henan province, invites Al creators worldwide to submit digital artworks centered on the city's culture.

The competition seeks to explore new pathways for the modern expression of traditional culture and build an internationally influential platform for Al creative exchange.

Chang'e 7 lunar probe to be launched later this year

China's Chang'e 7 robotic lunar mission is scheduled for launch in the second half of this year and will survey the environment and resources of the moon's south pole, the China Manned Space Agency said.

As of Thursday night, all components of the Chang'e 7 probe had been transported by air and road to the Wenchang Space Launch Center, a coastal spaceport in Hainan province, the agency said in a statement. The spacecraft will be assembled and undergo various tests at the site as planned.

The Chang'e 7 mission aims to achieve breakthroughs in key technologies, including high-precision soft landing on the lunar surface, legged mobility, surface hopping and detection of permanently shadowed craters. It will use a combination of orbiting, landing, roving and hopping maneuvers to conduct surveys at the lunar south pole and carry out international cooperation projects, the agency said.

Preparation work is proceeding according to plan, paving the way for a launch in the second half of 2026, it said.

The agency also explained why it, rather than the China National Space Administration, released information on the Chang'e 7 mission. In the past, the CNSA was responsible for announcing developments in the Chang'e robotic lunar program.

China will deepen integration of existing resources and capabilities in manned lunar efforts and unmanned exploration, the agency said.

"This is to fully leverage the technological capabilities and mission experience accumulated over decades through the nation's manned spaceflights and the Chang'e robotic programs, so we can enhance the overall efficiency of our lunar exploration endeavors," it said.

According to previously published information from mission planners, the Chang'e 7 probe will consist of an orbiter, a lander, a rover and a small flying probe designed to hop into pits on the lunar surface to search for ice.

The spacecraft will carry six scientific payloads developed by foreign researchers, including Laser Retroreflector Arrays built by the National Laboratory of Frascati under Italy's National Institute for Nuclear Physics; the Lunar Dust and Electric Field Instrument from the Space Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences; and the International Lunar-based Telescope from the International Lunar Observatory Association.

China has carried out six robotic missions to explore the moon. It deployed two rovers on the lunar surface during the Chang'e 3 and 4 missions and retrieved samples from both the near and far sides of the moon through the Chang'e 5 and 6 missions, becoming the first and only country to achieve that feat.

zhaolei@chinadaily.com.cn

Chang'e 7 lunar probe to be launched later this year

Preparation work is proceeding according to plan, paving the way for a launch in the second half of 2026, it said.

China will deepen integration of existing resources and capabilities in manned lunar efforts and unmanned exploration, the agency said.

zhaolei@chinadaily.com.cn

Visa-free, favorable policies boost foreign arrivals

Foreign arrivals to China rose sharply in the first quarter of this year, underscoring the impact of the country's expanding visa-free policies and broader efforts to facilitate cross-border travel, the National Immigration Administration said on Friday.

China's immigration authorities inspected a total of 185 million entries and exits in the first quarter, up 13.5 percent year-on-year, according to the administration's spokesperson Lyu Ning.

Among them, foreign nationals accounted for about 21.33 million trips, up 22.3 percent from a year earlier, outpacing the growth recorded for mainland residents and residents from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan.

Nearly 8.32 million foreign nationals entered China visa-free during the period, up 29.3 percent year-on-year, with visa-free entries accounting for 77.9 percent of all foreign arrivals.

By comparison, the number of entries and exits made by mainland residents reached nearly 91.67 million, up 14.2 percent year-on-year, while trips by residents from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan totaled nearly 72.5 million, up 10.3 percent.

Lyu said the steady rise in foreign arrivals came as immigration authorities moved to further expand institutional opening-up in immigration administration, coordinated with relevant departments to broaden the list of countries eligible for unilateral visa-free entry, and continued to improve services for overseas travelers.

As part of those efforts, the administration launched a pilot program in March for online registration of temporary accommodation by foreign nationals not staying in hotels in Chongqing, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, and the provinces of Hebei, Liaoning, Zhejiang, Hubei and Sichuan.

Authorities also continued to streamline applications for various entry and exit documents and improve the efficiency of government services. In the first quarter, they issued 406,000 visas and other documents for foreign nationals.

During the same period, the administration's online service platform handled 51.32 million inquiries and other government service requests from Chinese and foreign travelers, and its 12367 service platform also handled about 1.8 million inquiries from people in more than 100 countries and regions.

Additionally, in the first quarter, applications by Taiwan compatriots for mainland travel permits rose 11.8 percent year-on-year, while trips by Taiwan compatriots to the mainland increased 27.6 percent.

Applications by first-time Taiwan visitors for permits rose 4.5 percent from the previous quarter, and the number of Taiwan compatriots applying at ports for one-time permits increased 24.7 percent quarter-on-quarter.

Since Nov 20, 2025, the number of mainland ports authorized to issue one-time travel permits to Taiwan residents has increased from 58 to 100, covering 56 airports, 27 water ports, and 17 railway and highway ports. Lyu said the policy has made it safer and more convenient for Taiwan compatriots around the world to enter the mainland.

yangzekun@chinadaily.com.cn

Hainan to expand intl opening-up

Hainan province will step up efforts to link China with the global economy over the next five years, officials said on Friday, as the island's free trade port enters a new phase following the launch of island-wide special customs operations.

At a State Council Information Office news conference in Haikou, Governor Liu Xiaoming outlined the province's strategy for the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-30), describing it as a pivotal stage in advancing the Hainan Free Trade Port. The new phase follows the launch of island-wide special customs operations on Dec 18, 2025, marking the completion of the FTP's initial development framework.

To support this shift, Hainan will expand institutional opening-up by aligning with international trade rules and standards under frameworks including the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement, while advancing the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0 upgrade, Liu said.

During the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25), Hainan's goods and services trade each grew at an average annual rate of more than 20 percent. For the next five years, the province targets average annual growth of about 10 percent in goods trade and 20 percent in services trade, along with 10 percent annual growth in the actual use of foreign capital.

These policies are already translating into business activity on the ground.

A case in point is the coffee industry. On Dec 18, a batch of blended coffee beans produced by Charoen Pokphand Group (Hainan) Xinglong Coffee Industry Development Co, a Sino-Thai joint venture in Wanning, was shipped from Qionghai Boao International Airport to Beijing.

The beans, sourced from Colombia, were roasted, blended and processed at the company's automated facility in Xinglong Coffee Valley, achieving a value increase of more than 30 percent. The shipment became the first product from Wanning to qualify for the value-added tariff exemption policy for domestic sales.

Earlier, the company began operating under a new model — importing raw materials and exporting finished products. In its first shipment to Australia, it saved 8 percent in import tariffs and 13 percent in value-added tax on coffee beans.

"The most profound change comes from institutional opening," said Ye Jian, general manager of the joint venture. "Hainan is becoming a key node in the global coffee supply chain."

Ye said the province's proximity to Southeast Asian coffee-producing countries, combined with access to China's vast consumer market, gives it a unique advantage. Special customs operations, he added, are lowering costs, improving supply chain efficiency and attracting talent, helping shift Hainan's role from a raw material gateway to a global processing hub.

"A cup of Xinglong coffee might use beans from Colombia, be processed in Hainan and sold in Australia — that's a vivid example of how the Hainan FTP connects China with the world," he said.

Policy support has expanded in tandem. Ahead of the launch of special customs operations, Hainan widened its zero-tariff raw materials list to about 6,600 items, adding unroasted coffee beans and 296 others on Feb 1, 2025. By the end of 2025, the number of eligible companies rose by more than 11,000.

chenbowen@chinadaily.com.cn

Streep and Hathaway in Shanghai to promote sequel

Anne Hathaway and Meryl Streep at the movie gala night for The Devil Wears Prada 2 at Taikoo Li Qiantan in Shanghai on Friday. [Photos provided to Chinadaily.com.cn]

United States movie stars Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway attended a gala night at Taikoo Li Qiantan in Shanghai on Friday, to promote the upcoming film The Devil Wears Prada 2.

The night marked a remarkable reunion of the iconic duo on the red carpet, with Hathaway donning a layered gown created by Chinese designer Susan Wang and Streep wearing a floral-themed brooch by Chinese jeweler Cindy Chao on her blue Saint Laurent outfit.

Overwhelmed by the welcome of Chinese fans, Hathaway mounted the stage in tears and greeted those in attendance in Chinese, speaking about her gratitude for their support throughout her career, starting with The Princess' Diaries.

"China and Chinese fans have given me so much support. You have embraced me.You have supported my films ... I just want to say how much it means to me, to be here sharing tonight with you," she said.

Earlier in the day, at a roundtable interview at The Peninsula Hotel, Streep shared her reflections on reprising her iconic role as Miranda Priestly.

"I never in my wildest dreams imagined that we would do a sequel 20 years later at this age," Streep told China Daily.

The actress, who is 76, said she appreciated the character's age alignment with her own.

"I like that Miranda is 76 years old. I like that very much, because I am 76 and I like to see that woman on the screen," she said.

Streep revealed that her character, who is said to be loosely based on Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, has seen their off-screen relationship evolve into friendship.

"Over the years since we made the first film, we became friends, and we just shot the Vogue cover together," she said.

The original 2006 film based on Lauren Weisberger's novel was a global box office hit and earned two Academy Award nominations. The sequel promises to explore a new narrative of fashion, power, and personal choice in a radically transformed digital age.

The Devil Wears Prada 2 is set to premiere in China on April 30, ahead of its North American release. It will be available in 2D, CINITY, IMAX, Dolby Cinema, and China Giant Screen formats.

Anne Hathaway at the movie gala night for The Devil Wears Prada 2 at Taikoo Li Qiantan in Shanghai on Friday. [Photos provided to Chinadaily.com.cn]

Meryl Streep at the movie gala night for The Devil Wears Prada 2 at Taikoo Li Qiantan in Shanghai on Friday. [Photos provided to Chinadaily.com.cn]

Anne Hathaway at the movie gala night for The Devil Wears Prada 2 at Taikoo Li Qiantan in Shanghai on Friday. [Photos provided to Chinadaily.com.cn]

Meryl Streep at the movie gala night for The Devil Wears Prada 2 at Taikoo Li Qiantan in Shanghai on Friday. [Photos provided to Chinadaily.com.cn]

Anne Hathaway and Meryl Streep at the movie gala night for The Devil Wears Prada 2 at Taikoo Li Qiantan in Shanghai on Friday. [Photos provided to Chinadaily.com.cn]

Study-abroad program bears fruit for nation

More than 570,000 Chinese students pursued their higher education overseas in 2025, while the number of those who came back after completing their studies abroad also increased, according to data released at the 2026 China Study Abroad Forum, which opened on Friday in Beijing. The figures signal a sustained "return to China" trend, said officials and experts.

Wang Daquan, head of the Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange, noted that 570,600 Chinese students studied abroad last year, while 535,600 returned to China after completing their studies. Data shows the number of returnees increased by 40,600 compared with 2024 and by 120,000 compared with 2023. "We have noticed that although domestic and international environments are changing, Chinese students' willingness to study abroad remains strong," Wang said.

Statistics show that from 1978 to 2024, a total of 8.88 million Chinese students studied overseas, with 7.43 million completing their programs and 6.44 million choosing to return to China after graduation.

A report on employment trends among returnees, which was also released at the forum, indicates that the return of high-level talent is accelerating, with more than 50 percent of overseas graduates expressing a stronger intention of seeking jobs in China.

The concentration of returnees remains high in traditional talent hubs such as Beijing, Shanghai, and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. At the same time, new first-tier cities, including Hangzhou in Zhejiang province, Chengdu in Sichuan province, Suzhou in Jiangsu province, and Chongqing — are gaining ground as attractive destinations, driven by favorable policies and industrial upgrading. In terms of sectors, finance, information technology and education are the top three career choices, the report said.

Jo Johnson, former UK minister of state for universities, science, research and innovation, emphasized the importance of two-way academic mobility. "For a long time, the conversation focused on students traveling abroad, East to West, but the future of global learning must naturally be circular, reciprocal, and rich in both directions," he said. "One thing remains constant, and that's the fact that education is the most durable bridge between countries."

Johnson said three essential things happen when students move across borders: academic growth through exposure to different teaching styles, research cultures and intellectual traditions; cultural understanding; and the formation of lasting networks.

Ren Youqun, China's vice-minister of education, said that Chinese education is becoming a more important global force, with its higher quality, greater openness and stronger inculcation of responsibility. "Pursuing studies abroad serves as an important bridge for mutual learning among civilizations, and it is a key link for talent exchanges," Ren said, calling on countries to enhance communication, deepen cooperation, and create a more friendly and inclusive environment for overseas students.

Li Peng, president of Zhengzhou University, said she is a beneficiary of China's national study-abroad policies.

In the autumn of 1988, Li went from Beijing to the United States for her first overseas study experience on a government scholarship. After earning her master's degree and doctorate in the US, and working in Singapore and Hong Kong, she returned to Tsinghua University in 2005.

"My study and work experiences overseas have been invaluable assets, expanding not only my knowledge but also my mindset, allowing me to understand and see the world from a broader perspective," she said.

Study-abroad program bears fruit for nation

Li Peng, president of Zhengzhou University, said she is a beneficiary of China's national study-abroad policies.

Top cyberspace regulator to regulate AI services that offer emotional interaction

China's top cyberspace regulator released on Friday interim rules to regulate artificial intelligence services that provide sustained emotional interaction in a human-like manner, as authorities move to address growing risks linked to such technologies.

The new rules, jointly issued by the Cyberspace Administration of China and four other central government departments, will take effect on July 15.

According to a news release by the administration, the rules apply to AI services offered to the public in China that simulate human personality traits, thinking patterns and communication styles in order to provide continuous emotional interaction.

An official from the administration said that these measures are aimed at promoting the healthy development and standardized use of such services, safeguarding national security and public interests, and protecting the lawful rights of individuals and organizations.

In recent years, AI human-like interaction services have developed rapidly, with growing applications in areas such as cultural communication, childcare, and companionship for the elderly, the official said, noting that at the same time, concerns have emerged over possible harm to minors, threats to online information security, risks to people's health and safety, and deeper ethical problems.

The regulator noted that China will seek a balance between development and security, encourage innovation, and adopt prudent and tiered regulation for such services.

The rules support "well-aligned use" of the technology in areas including cultural communication, and elderly care, while also setting basic requirements for providers, it said.

Under the rules, providers are banned from generating or spreading content that harms national security, national honor or national interests, or that incites subversion of state power or the overthrow of the socialist system, the release said.

The measures also strengthen protections for users, especially minors and the elderly, and set requirements for personal information protection.

In addition, the rules establish systems for security assessment, algorithm filing, and the building of an AI sandbox safety service platform to support oversight and safe innovation.

Peony culture and industry take center stage in Shandong's Heze

Peonies are in full bloom at Caozhou Peony Garden in Heze, Shandong province. [Photo by Zhao Ruixue/chinadaily.com.cn]

The 2026 World Peony Conference and the 35th Heze International Peony Cultural Tourism Festival kicked off on Friday in Heze, Shandong province, showcasing the city's rich peony culture and industry.

Heze now cultivates 1,308 peony varieties across nine color groups and 10 flower forms, underscoring its status as a major base for peony production and innovation in China.

Peonies are in full bloom at Caozhou Peony Garden in Heze, Shandong province. [Photo by Zhao Ruixue/chinadaily.com.cn]

Visitors appreciate peony floral art pieces in Heze, Shandong province. [Photo by Zhao Ruixue/chinadaily.com.cn]

Hubei launches hotel-like tourist train with private rooms

A newly renovated train by China Railway Wuhan Group is expected to provide luxurious experiences for tourists. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A newly renovated train in Central China's Hubei province aims to offer hotel-like accommodations for tourists, marking a departure from the traditional crowded and low-cost green rail services.

China Railway Wuhan Group launched its first "comfortable tourist train" on Friday. The train includes double and twin rooms, as well as shared cabins with three or four beds. Amenities include KTV rooms, chess and card rooms, en-suite bathrooms, non-slip flooring, safety handrails, and emergency call buttons.

The operator says the train is designed to serve the country's growing "silver-hair" economy, with a focus on elderly passengers. Onboard services include a medical team providing 24-hour care, a tour guide team offering cultural interpretation, and a butler team handling one-on-one requests.

The inaugural 12-day route departs April 15, connecting Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, Anshun and other destinations in Yunnan and Guizhou provinces. Prices range from 10,999 yuan (about $1,600) for an upper berth in a four-person cabin to 26,999 yuan for a deluxe double room. A 17-day summer tour to Xinjiang costs up to 58,999 yuan per person.

According to the railway group, the fare covers train tickets, admission fees, hotels, meals, and onboard services. Of 15 planned trips this year, roughly 70 percent of berths have been sold. For the April 15 departure, only 10 percent of spots remain.

A newly renovated train by China Railway Wuhan Group is expected to provide luxurious experiences for tourists. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Middlemen in bribe cases also face punishment

China has issued a judicial interpretation to strengthen its fight against subtle and indirect forms of corruption, focusing on a comprehensive strategy that targets all aspects and participants involved.

Released jointly by the Supreme People's Court and the Supreme People's Procuratorate on Friday, the interpretation clarifies that intermediaries who connect bribe givers with civil servants are committing a crime. If a bribe to an individual exceeds 100,000 yuan ($14,640), or a bribe to an organization exceeds 500,000 yuan, the broker's actions will be considered a "serious" offense, potentially resulting in a prison sentence of up to three years or detention, along with a fine, in accordance with the Criminal Law.

Xu Hao, a lawyer at Beijing Jingsh Law Firm, said intermediaries often facilitate communication and the execution of bribery between those offering bribes and officials in power.

"However, these middlemen are not easily detected in legal practice because they do not directly give or accept bribes," he said.

"For instance, if someone seeks a favor from an official in the education system, they might use an intermediary to communicate the request, arrange a meeting with the official or even entrust the broker to deliver the bribe," Xu said. "This is a form of covert corruption, where transactions of power and money appear legitimate on the surface but are, in fact, corrupt dealings."

Xu said the interpretation, which will take effect on May 1, will pose a deterrent to intermediaries and help crack down on every link in the corruption chain.

Zhao Li, another lawyer at the firm, said the interpretation reflects China's firm stance and ongoing anti-corruption efforts.

"Officials who accept bribes, individuals who offer them and intermediaries who facilitate these transactions all need to face punishment," Zhao said. "This reflects our country's anti-corruption efforts, which leave no stone unturned, achieving zero tolerance and comprehensive coverage."

Both lawyers said the interpretation will help prosecutors and judges nationwide apply the Criminal Law more accurately and handle related cases more efficiently.

Under the law, civil servants who fail to report substantial overseas deposits face a sentence of up to two years or detention. The new interpretation specifies that a substantial amount refers to deposits of 3 million yuan or more.

The interpretation also stipulates that items of uncertain authenticity, such as jewelry, jade, calligraphy, paintings, watches and precious metals, should undergo appraisal. Items with an unknown market price should also be subject to valuation.

Chinese premier chairs meeting on economic situation

BEIJING -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Friday convened a symposium with experts and entrepreneurs to seek their opinions on the current economic situation and work for the next stage.

During the meeting, participants reached a consensus that the Chinese economy had gotten off to a solid start in the first three months of 2026, with multiple indicators outperforming expectations. They noted that despite challenges from external shocks, China has rolled out proactive and effective macroeconomic policies, and that new drivers of high-quality development have continued to gain momentum and grow stronger.

After listening to the speeches of the attendees, Li, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, stressed the importance of gaining a deep understanding of the internal drivers underpinning China's steady and improving economic performance. He called for thorough analysis of future trends in the international economic and trade landscape, and emphasized the need to handle calmly all kinds of risks and challenges.

More efforts should be made to ensure effective implementation of the country's macroeconomic policies, and to make them more forward-looking, targeted and coordinated, Li said.

Specifically, Li stressed the need to promote high-quality and efficient development of the service sector to better meet people's full life-cycle needs and businesses' whole-process production and operational needs. He also underscored the importance of accelerating the digital and intelligent transformation of the manufacturing sector and promoting deeper integration between advanced manufacturing and modern services.

Greater efforts are needed to boost employment and raise incomes for both urban and rural residents, tap job-creation potential across multiple channels and sectors and create new occupations, thereby fostering a virtuous cycle of higher incomes, stronger domestic demand and sustained economic growth, Li added.

Li also expressed the hope that entrepreneurs will achieve more progress in their respective industries and make greater contributions to advancing innovation-driven development, stabilizing employment and boosting incomes.

Guangdong police punish man over online abuse of Olympic champion

A man has been detained and fined by police in Guangdong province for repeatedly engaging in cyberbullying of an athlete, according to a statement released on Friday by the Yuexiu branch of the Guangzhou Public Security Bureau.

The 31-year-old man, identified by his surname Xu, is a diving enthusiast who was found to have used derogatory language against an athlete from the Guangdong Ersha Sports Training Center in a WeChat group he created, causing a significant negative impact, the statement said. Xu was given 10 days of administrative detention and fined, while other group members who exhibited similar behavior were also punished in accordance with the law.

Earlier reports from Chinese media said the athlete targeted was Olympic champion Quan Hongchan. On Wednesday, the training center reported to local police that Quan had been subjected to online bullying. The center expressed concern that Quan, who has brought national honor through her achievements, was facing "undue public pressure and psychological harm" due to the attacks.

The same day, the swimming management center of the General Administration of Sport of China said it was working with local sports authorities to investigate and address the situation, pledging zero tolerance for cyberbullying.

The police statement underscored that the internet is not beyond the reach of the law, adding that authorities are committed to protecting the legitimate rights of citizens. It said law enforcement will take strict action against those who insult or abuse others online and hold them legally accountable.

Public attention intensified following a recent interview in which the 19-year-old Quan became visibly emotional while discussing the aftermath of the Paris Olympics. She said fluctuations in her weight and ongoing public scrutiny had led her to consider retirement at one point. The prolonged stress resulted in insomnia and recurring nightmares, including dreams of falling from the diving platform.

Jinan University-affiliated school opens new Guangzhou campus

The Guangzhou Affiliated School of JNU for Hong Kong & Macao Students (ASJ Guangzhou) opened its new campus on Friday in Guangzhou, Guangdong province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The Guangzhou Affiliated School of JNU for Hong Kong & Macao Students (ASJ Guangzhou) opened its new campus on Friday in Guangzhou, Guangdong province.

Based in the heart of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, the Poly campus will integrate into the digital economy innovation ecosystem in Guangzhou's Pazhou area, aiming to develop a comprehensive K-12 science and innovation education system.

The new campus has established innovation labs focused on AI, robotics, digital art, and other scientific and technological fields. The labs were projects in cooperation with leading technology companies such as Huawei and Aridge, an arm of new energy vehicle maker Xpeng Motors.

"The initiative aims to connect the entire educational pathway from technology high schools to universities and enterprises, fostering a comprehensive talent development pipeline," said Tam Yat Yuk, chief principal of ASJ Guangzhou.

In addition to enrolling children from Hong Kong and Macao, the school, founded in 2021, will start enrolling children of overseas Chinese, foreign nationals, and returned overseas talents starting this autumn semester, according to Tam.

The Guangzhou Affiliated School of JNU for Hong Kong & Macao Students (ASJ Guangzhou) opened its new campus on Friday in Guangzhou, Guangdong province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Jinan University-affiliated school opens new Guangzhou campus

The Guangzhou Affiliated School of JNU for Hong Kong & Macao Students (ASJ Guangzhou) opened its new campus on Friday in Guangzhou, Guangdong province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The Guangzhou Affiliated School of JNU for Hong Kong & Macao Students (ASJ Guangzhou) opened its new campus on Friday in Guangzhou, Guangdong province.

The Guangzhou Affiliated School of JNU for Hong Kong & Macao Students (ASJ Guangzhou) opened its new campus on Friday in Guangzhou, Guangdong province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Policies concerning expats, foreign enterprises in March 2026

Xi sends congratulations to event commemorating 55th anniversary of China-U.S. Ping-Pong Diplomacy

Karasu Port sees double-digit growth in travelers, cargo

Border police at the Karasu Port, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, check the passport of a driver on March 6. [Photo by Gu Xiangyu/for chinadaily.com.cn]

In the first quarter of the year, Karasu Port at the China-Tajikistan border in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region reported a double-digit growth in the number of inbound and outbound travelers and import and export goods, thanks to growing people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.

Statistics show that from January to March, border inspection authorities at the port saw more than 7,300 inbound and outbound traveler visits, a year-on-year increase of 23 percent. Among them, more than 900 were tourist visits, a rise of 58.1 percent.

Customs saw 118,300 metric tons of import and export cargo, up 30 percent year-on-year.

Wen Zhihua, director of the border inspection division of the Karasu Exit-Entry Border Inspection Station, explained that the growth in cross-border traffic is driven by two primary factors: on the one hand, Tajikistan has stepped up infrastructure development in recent years, with sustained recovery in external demand effectively boosting steady growth in bilateral trade. On the other hand, there has been a continuous rise in people traveling for business, work, study, and other purposes.

Behind the growth lies the harsh test of wind and snow. According to the meteorological bureau in Tashikurgan Tajik autonomous county, where the port resides, the port had 20 days of snow in the first quarter, causing persistent disruptions to outdoor inspections and road traffic.

A quarterly record low temperature was -22.9 C and a high of 9.1 C, caused by sharp swings between cold and warm and large day-night temperature differences.

The inspection station lengthened service times, increased the frequency of port patrols, and optimized on-site inspection procedures to ensure that inbound and outbound travelers and vehicles received quick clearance, local authorities said.

Workers at the Karasu Port clear snow on March 6. [Photo by Gu Xiangyu/for chinadaily.com.cn]

Border police on duty at the Karasu Port. [Photo by Cao Lexuan/for chinadaily.com.cn]

Police officers inspect inbound freight vehicles on March 31 at the entry vehicle inspection facility of the Karasu Port. Braving strong winds and bitter cold, they remain at their posts to ensure efficient and smooth cross-border cargo clearance. [Photo by Cao Lexuan/for chinadaily.com.cn]

Heavy machinery lifts export commercial vehicles at the Karasu Port freight yard on March 11. [Photo by Liu Zhe/for chinadaily.com.cn]

Village murals bring Beijing dreams closer

Elderly visitors lined up to take photos in front of an 18-meter-long and 8-meter-high Tian'anmen-themed mural created by Wu, many dressed in new clothes. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Wu Chengyan, a 39-year-old artist from Wuying village in Shangqiu, Henan province, has transformed the village's gray walls into large-scale murals, drawing elderly visitors from both the village and across the country.

During the New Year holiday, elderly visitors lined up to take photos in front of an 18-meter-long and 8-meter-high Tian'anmen-themed mural created by Wu, many dressed in new clothes. Roads leading in and out of the village were packed with parked cars.

Elderly visitors lined up to take photos in front of an 18-meter-long and 8-meter-high Tian'anmen-themed mural created by Wu, many dressed in new clothes. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

"It is exactly the same as seeing Tian'anmen Square on TV," said a woman in her 70s.

Many elderly visitors arrived in wheelchairs or on tricycles, accompanied by their children.

"I heard the old people say, 'This year is really a good year.' Those simple words meant more to me than anything else," Wu said.

"Many of them never had the chance to visit Beijing due to poor health or financial constraints. This Tian'anmen mural fulfilled that lifelong dream of theirs," said his wife, Chang Lihua.

Wu Chengyan, 39, has transformed the village's gray walls into vivid murals that have fulfilled the long-cherished dreams of the local elderly residents. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Wu, a native of Wuying village, has loved drawing since childhood. His father, a doctor and amateur art enthusiast, believed art could not be a career. Still, Wu aspired to attend the Central Academy of Fine Arts in high school but failed the gaokao five times between 2006 and 2010 due to weak English skills.

In 2015, Wu and his wife opened a kindergarten in Shangqiu. In his spare time, he continued painting and refining his techniques. In 2018, he became a member of the Henan Provincial Art Association.

"It was a high recognition of my painting," Wu said.

In the following years, however, the kindergarten faced operational difficulties, leaving the couple with significant debt.

Wu's life took a turn in 2023, when he painted his first mural in the village as a gift for his wife's grandparents. Unable to travel due to age and limited mobility, the couple wanted to go hiking, so Wu painted vivid natural scenery on the wall of their home.

He soon gained recognition in the village, and other elderly residents began requesting murals. Wu accepted all requests and has completed more than 40 murals for free.

Since then, Chang has shared videos of his work on social media, attracting a nationwide following. Within one year, the couple's Douyin account went viral twice: first with a Nezha-themed mural in March 2025, and later with the Tian'anmen mural, which drew more than 100,000 visitors to the village during the New Year holiday.

Wu initially focused on landscapes and animation characters. After some villagers expressed interest in "red stories," he began creating murals depicting themes such as the founding ceremony of the People's Republic of China, Japan's surrender, the Red Boat, and Unit 731.

Before painting the Tian'anmen mural, Wu asked a friend in Beijing to take reference photos. It took him five days to complete the work.

"Many elderly people suffer from presbyopia, so I used a generalizing technique to enhance the three-dimensional effect, allowing them to see clearly," Wu said.

"I was raised by the elders in the village. After my mother passed away in 2019, they took even better care of me. I always feel I owe them something," he said. "Many of them regret not being able to visit places they dreamed of. My mother had such dreams, too. When I paint for other elders, I feel like I'm making up for that regret."

Now, invitations for Wu to paint murals have come from across the country, including Anhui, Jiangxi, Guizhou, Shanxi and Shandong provinces.

Wu said his income mainly comes from painting outside the village. Meanwhile, he and his wife are exploring livestreaming to sell products. In the future, he hopes to continue painting for free, not only for villagers but also for his online followers.

"We wouldn't be where we are without the villagers lifting us up," Chang said. "We'll never forget our roots. The village and its people are the foundation of everything we do."

Wu Chengyan, 39, has transformed the village's gray walls into vivid murals that have fulfilled the long-cherished dreams of the local elderly residents. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A journey beyond prejudice: Why China deserves a place on your travel list

If someone had told me 15 years ago that I would vacation in China, I would have dismissed them as delusional. My mind, shaped by preconceptions, had rendered its verdict: relentless labor, polluted skies and cultural incomprehensibility.

I was imprisoned by my own stereotypes.

Hendrik Schwartz poses for a photo by the Heishui River in Chongzuo city, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region on April 3. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Yet here we are in 2026, having returned to China three times. Twice for leisure, once to understand an industry. Guangxi was my 21st province, 13 more to go! China is not a destination to be conquered. It is a continent masquerading as a country.

This Easter, we journeyed south to Guangxi, an autonomous region west of Guangdong. What emerged was breathtaking: limestone karsts rising like sentinels from the mist, rice paddies mirroring clouds, mountains that poets have tried to capture for centuries.

Karst landscape in Guangxi's Jiuzhou Ancient Town. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

But beauty alone does not transform the traveler. It is the encounter with otherness that reshapes us. The food whispered secrets of Southeast Asian influence. The locals, speaking dialects foreign even to Mandarin speakers, reminded me that diversity thrives because of proximity, not despite it.

Hendrik Schwartz is pictured with local residents in traditional ethnic clothing. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The real discovery was psychological. Standing in those mountains, I was confronting not China, but my own capacity for self-deception. My earlier dismissals were never about China. They were about the limits of my own curiosity, the comfort of my own certainties.

And there, in Guangxi, I understood: the journey is infinite. Thirteen provinces await, and with each one, another layer of my former self falls away.

To travel is to rebel quietly against the person we were.

If you harbor reservations about a destination or culture, examine where that hesitation truly originates. Your greatest journey awaits not despite your doubts, but because of them.

China is waiting. A truer version of yourself might be, too.

Hendrik Schwartz is a German entrepreneur based in Singapore. He focuses on helping B2B companies unlock the Asian market.

Xi sends congratulations to event commemorating 55th anniversary of China-US Ping-Pong Diplomacy

BEIJING -- President Xi Jinping on Friday sent a congratulatory letter to an event commemorating the 55th anniversary of China-US Ping-Pong Diplomacy.

Fifty-five years ago, the older generation of leaders of China and the United States, with their extraordinary political wisdom and strategic vision, reopened the door to friendly exchanges between the two peoples, creating the much told stories of "the little ball being able to move the big ball," Xi said.

He noted that it is of great significance to advancing the China-US friendly ties that the youth from both sides renew the affinity brought by Ping-Pong Diplomacy and engage in a series of sports exchange activities.

Xi emphasized that the foundation of China-US relations is laid by the people, and the future of bilateral relations will be shaped by the youth. He expressed the hope that people from all walks of life in both countries, especially the younger generation, will draw wisdom and strength from history.

Xi called on the two peoples to better understand each other through exchanges and cooperation, jointly move forward through mutual learning, tighten their bonds of amity, and make new contributions to promoting the stable, healthy, and sustainable development of China-US relations.

In April 1971, a US Table Tennis team delegation took a historic trip to China, becoming the first delegation of Americans to visit China in decades. The trip was the beginning of what became known as Ping-Pong Diplomacy, and helped lay the groundwork for the establishment of official diplomatic relations between China and the United States.

The Commemoration of the 55th Anniversary of China-US Ping-Pong Diplomacy and the launching ceremony of the China-US Youth Sports Exchange Events were held in Beijing on Friday. The events were co-hosted by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, the General Administration of Sport of China, and the China Media Group.

China enhances medical insurance policies to strengthen primary healthcare

China will improve its medical insurance policies to bolster the development of primary healthcare, an official from the National Healthcare Security Administration said at a news conference on Friday.

Xu Na, deputy director of the administration's medical services management department, said that a guideline jointly issued last month by the administration, the National Development and Reform Commission and the National Health Commission has laid out comprehensive support measures to strengthen grassroots healthcare and deliver quality, convenient services to the public.

These steps include gradually increasing the proportion of medical insurance fund expenditures allocated to primary-level institutions, adjusting outpatient reimbursement rates at the grassroots level, promoting payment reforms tailored to primary care services, ensuring drug supplies, and deploying intelligent tools to enhance public convenience.

Specifically, the guideline proposes that the basic medical insurance reimbursement rate for outpatient services at primary medical institutions shall be no less than 50 percent.

The national centralized drug procurement program will also be leveraged to secure stocks of common and chronic medications at primary care facilities. Authorities will also support these institutions in equipping facial recognition devices to enable faster payment and insurance settlement.

Xu added that the administration will select about 15 pilot regions to explore best practices and generate replicable experiences that can be promoted nationwide.

China's Chang'e 7 robotic lunar mission to launch later this year

China's Chang'e 7 robotic lunar mission is scheduled to take place in the second half of this year, set to survey the environment and resources of the moon's south pole, according to the China Manned Space Agency.

As of Thursday night, all components of the Chang'e 7 probe had been transported by air and road to the Wenchang Space Launch Center, a coastal spaceport in Hainan province, the agency said in a statement, adding that the spacecraft will be assembled and then undergo various tests at the space complex as per plans.

"The Chang'e-7 mission aims to achieve breakthroughs in key technologies, including high-precision soft landing on the lunar surface, legged movement, lunar surface hopping and detection of permanently shadowed craters on the moon. It will use a mixture of orbiting, landing, roving and hopping maneuvers to conduct surveys of the environment and resources at the lunar south pole and carry out international cooperation projects," the agency said.

Currently, all preparation work is proceeding in accordance with the mission plan, paving the way for the probe's launch in the second half of this year, according to the agency.

So far, China has conducted six robotic missions to explore the moon.

The country deployed two rovers on the lunar surface through the Chang'e 3 and 4 missions. It has also retrieved samples from both the near and far sides of the moon via the Chang'e 5 and 6, becoming the first and only nation to have achieved such a historic feat.

China's Chang'e 7 robotic lunar mission to launch later this year

As of Thursday night, all components of the Chang'e 7 probe had been transported by air and road to the Wenchang Space Launch Center, a coastal spaceport in Hainan province, the agency said in a statement, adding that the spacecraft will be assembled and then undergo various tests at the space complex as per plans.

Currently, all preparation work is proceeding in accordance with the mission plan, paving the way for the probe's launch in the second half of this year, according to the agency.

So far, China has conducted six robotic missions to explore the moon.

First comprehensive survey in 40 years maps Cangshan wildlife in Yunnan

Researchers conduct fieldwork on Cangshan Mountain. [Photo by the Cangshan scientific survey team/for chinadaily.com.cn]

A comprehensive scientific survey of Cangshan Mountain in Southwest China has, for the first time in more than 40 years, mapped the region's wildlife and ecological profile, confirming it as a key biodiversity hotspot, researchers said.

The three-year project covered nearly 1,000 square kilometers in Dali Bai autonomous prefecture, Yunnan province, and involved multiple research institutions. It is the most systematic study of the mountain since joint international expeditions in the 1980s, according to Zhong Mingchuan, a member of the research team and head of the Yunnan Academy of Forestry and Grassland.

Researchers conduct fieldwork on Cangshan Mountain. [Photo by the Cangshan scientific survey team/for chinadaily.com.cn]

Researchers recorded more than 4,600 species of higher plants—nearly a quarter of Yunnan's total—within an area that accounts for just 0.25 percent of the province's land mass. The survey also identified 578 vertebrate species and hundreds of invertebrates, including newly discovered species and numerous new regional records.

"This is the first time we have a comprehensive understanding of what exists on Cangshan Mountain," Zhong said, adding that the findings address key gaps in baseline data on the region's biological resources.

Researchers conduct fieldwork on Cangshan Mountain. [Photo by the Cangshan scientific survey team/for chinadaily.com.cn]

Iris cangshanensis, a plant species identified in the Cangshan survey. [Photo by the Cangshan scientific survey team/for chinadaily.com.cn]

A gray-bellied white-eye photographed on Cangshan Mountain. [Photo by Zheng Junhui/for chinadaily.com.cn]

A yellow-breasted bunting on Cangshan Mountain. [Photo by the Cangshan scientific survey team/for chinadaily.com.cn]

A rhododendron delavayi in bloom on Cangshan Mountain. [Photo by the Cangshan scientific survey team/for chinadaily.com.cn]

A Lady Amherst's pheasant photographed on Cangshan Mountain. [Photo by Li Depin/for chinadaily.com.cn]

A view of Cangshan Mountain in Yunnan province. [Photo by the Cangshan scientific survey team/for chinadaily.com.cn]

First comprehensive survey in 40 years maps Cangshan wildlife in Yunnan

Researchers conduct fieldwork on Cangshan Mountain. [Photo by the Cangshan scientific survey team/for chinadaily.com.cn]

Iris cangshanensis, a plant species identified in the Cangshan survey. [Photo by the Cangshan scientific survey team/for chinadaily.com.cn]

A gray-bellied white-eye photographed on Cangshan Mountain. [Photo by Zheng Junhui/for chinadaily.com.cn]

A yellow-breasted bunting on Cangshan Mountain. [Photo by the Cangshan scientific survey team/for chinadaily.com.cn]

A rhododendron delavayi in bloom on Cangshan Mountain. [Photo by the Cangshan scientific survey team/for chinadaily.com.cn]

A Lady Amherst's pheasant photographed on Cangshan Mountain. [Photo by Li Depin/for chinadaily.com.cn]

A view of Cangshan Mountain in Yunnan province. [Photo by the Cangshan scientific survey team/for chinadaily.com.cn]

Macao's annual tourism expo opens, drawing global industry representatives

MACAO -- The 14th Macao International Travel (Industry) Expo (MITE) opened at the Special Administrative Region (SAR)'s Cotai Expo on Friday, together with destination presentations, industry forums, and workshops.

Organized by the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO), this year's expo is held under the theme "Global Convergence, Future Horizons" and attracts over 700 tourism-related enterprises and government entities from 59 countries and regions, as well as more than 600 hosted buyers, the office said in a press release.

Tai Kin Ip, the Macao SAR government's secretary for economy and finance, said at the opening ceremony that the expo is one of Macao's largest and most recognized international tourism trade fairs, bringing together industry leaders from around the world and serving as an important platform for promoting global tourism cooperation.

He added that Macao's tourism sector has maintained steady growth this year, with visitor arrivals exceeding 10 million in the first quarter, including an estimated more than 750,000 international visitors.

During MITE, representatives from Central Asian countries, including Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan, were invited to join a tour of Macao to raise the city's profile and visibility in Central Asia and the international tourism sector, the tourism office said.

Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, director of the MGTO, noted in an interview that the Greater Bay Area cities are practicing to strengthen mutual cooperation, with more multi-destination itineraries in the future. Building on the solid foundation of existing collaboration, she said, the region should further leverage its collective strengths to attract more international visitors.

The event runs from Friday to Sunday.

Macao's annual tourism expo opens, drawing global industry representatives

The event runs from Friday to Sunday.

US students and scholars begin four-day exchange tour in Chongqing

American students and scholars participate in cultural workshops in Chongqing on April 9 as part of a four-day exchange program marking the 85th anniversary of the Flying Tigers. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

In a bid to foster deeper understanding and strengthen ties between the youth of China and the United States, 106 students and scholars from over 20 American universities have begun a four-day exchange tour in Southwest China's Chongqing.

The 2026 US Youth Sci-tech and Culture Exchange Tour in Chongqing, which started on Thursday, targets people-to-people connections using science and technology, history, and culture. The opening ceremony at Chongqing University set the tone with Chinese paper-cutting and embroidery workshops.

The itinerary also included a visit to the Chongqing University of Chinese Medicine, where participants explored traditional Chinese medicine culture, including therapies, diagnosis, and a form of exercise.

"It's great, honestly," said Marissa Irene Marcarelli, a senior in computer science at California State University, Long Beach. "We're not taught about your culture and the things you do on a daily basis. The activities were very interactive and helped me better understand contemporary China."

Zhang Qiong, deputy director of the Publicity Department of the CPC Chongqing Municipal Committee, said she hoped the visit would foster friendship and mutual trust. "Young people represent infinite possibilities," she said.

The program is also bringing together descendants of the Flying Tigers, an American volunteer group that aided the Chinese Air Force in fighting against Japanese invasion during World War II. Xu Shaoli, president of the American Flying Tigers Friendship Association, encouraged participants to share their China experiences back home. "We can promote the Flying Tigers spirit and pass on this friendship from generation to generation," Xu said.

Concluding on Sunday, the program also includes visits to local universities, research institutions, museums, and technology facilities.

The event is guided by the Publicity Department of the CPC Chongqing Municipal Committee and jointly organized by the Chongqing People's Association for Cultural Exchanges with Foreign Countries, the World Association of Youth Scientists, and the Chongqing Western Returned Scholars Association.

Zhou Peng contributed to this story.

Guangzhou airport unveils replica of China's first airplane

Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport unveiled Wing Can, a replica of China's first airplane, on Friday at its Terminal 2. Feng Ru built the original aircraft in 1909. [Photo by Parker Zheng/chinadaily.com.cn]

Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport unveiled Wing Can, a replica of China's first airplane, on Friday at its Terminal 2.

The replica commemorates Feng Ru (1884-1912), a native of Guangdong province who built the original version in 1909. The airport released a statement on Friday calling the installation a symbol of hope and voyages afar, with the auspicious meaning of a soaring future and rising with the wind. "It highlights the lofty aspiration and heroic ambition of China's aviation industry to keep making breakthroughs and embark on a new voyage," said the statement.

Feng was an aircraft designer and aviator considered to be the father of Chinese aviation. He died in a plane crash during an air show in Guangzhou in 1912.

The airport's statement went on to compare culture and service to the wings and foundation of an airplane.

Advection fog cloaks towering Ferris wheel in Chongqing

The hills of Chongqing's Fuling district are shrouded in a dense layer of misty advection fog, creating an ethereal landscape. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

In the early hours of a recent morning, the hills of Chongqing's Fuling district were shrouded in a dense layer of misty advection fog, creating an ethereal landscape where a towering Ferris wheel seemed to float like an alien contraption in the sky.

Advection fog occurs when warm, humid air cools as it moves over colder land or water, a common occurrence in this city of mountains and rivers.

Situated in Meixin Wine Town, a scenic spot in Fuling, the Ferris wheel is the tallest structure in the area. Positioned atop a mountain nearly 700 meters above sea level, the 110-meter Ferris wheel reaches toward the sky. From this lofty perch, riders are offered a sweeping panorama of lush, forested mountains.

The hills of Chongqing's Fuling district are shrouded in a dense layer of misty advection fog, creating an ethereal landscape. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Beidou-guided seeders boost cotton sowing in Xinjiang's Artux

At the cotton fields in Artux, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, seeders equipped with the Beidou Navigation Satellite System seamlessly finish each sowing task with precision and efficiency. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The cotton fields in Artux, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, have entered the season's sowing period and become abuzz with the roar of machinery and the voices of farmers.

At the high-standard cotton planting base in Artux, seeders equipped with the Beidou Navigation Satellite System travel across the fields, seamlessly finishing each sowing task with precision and efficiency. Under the sun, plastic mulches stretch neatly in straight lines.

The cotton sowing is expected to be completed by late April. Nearly half of the 8,000 hectares have already been sown.

In recent years, Artux has increased investment in high-standard farmland, improved field infrastructure, and promoted high-quality cotton varieties and advanced planting technologies. It has focused on popularizing satellite-guided sowing, pesticide-spraying drones, and intelligent fertilization throughout the process to boost the quality and efficiency of the cotton industry and ensure income growth for farmers.

China Europe International Business School launches plan to better connect China and the world

China Europe International Business School unveils its five-year Strategic Plan (2026–30) on its Shanghai campus on April 9. [Provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

China Europe International Business School unveiled a five-year strategic plan on Thursday in Shanghai, aiming to better connect Europe, China, and the wider world through management education.

The school, co-founded in 1994 by the Chinese government and the European Union, is dedicated to cultivating business leaders with a unique positioning of "China Depth, Global Breadth". It has presence not only in Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen in China, but also in Zurich, Switzerland, and Accra, Ghana.

Over the past five years, the school has made remarkable achievements in many key areas, with its Global EMBA ranking in the top two worldwide for six consecutive years, according to the Financial Times, and its MBA ranked No 1 in Asia for 10 consecutive years. Its case studies are used more than two million times in over 1,100 institutions across more than 80 countries. It also continued to empower a global alumni network of over 34,000 members in over 90 countries and regions, with 85 percent in senior management roles and 480 serving as chairman, president, or CEO of 437 listed companies in China, Wang Hong, president of the school, said.

In the forward-looking blueprint for the years ahead, Wang introduced that the school will reinforce its top-tier position, exemplify social responsibility, expand its world-class faculty, develop signature research areas, optimize its program portfolio, deepen China-Europe engagement, accelerate full-scale AI integration, and further empower its alumni network.

"As China enters the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) period, what the country needs most is no longer simply experts in a single field, but rather versatile management professionals capable of bridging science and technology, industry, capital, organizations, and global norms. Our mission is exactly to cultivate such talents who understand both China and the world, technology and business, as well as who drive growth while taking on responsibility," Wang said.

Frank Bournois, the school's co-president (European), said amid geopolitical complexities and real challenges facing the world, the school's long-standing positioning as a pioneer in Europe-China engagement remains a key advantage. The school continues to adapt its program portfolio, integrate emerging topics such as AI, and deepen engagement with industry through platforms, ensuring that education remains closely aligned with real-world business needs. It will also increase the proportion of international students in the MBA and Global EMBA programs to over 30 percent per program.

He noted that the school's role as a bridge between China and Europe is both long-term and constantly evolving. While external conditions may fluctuate, the demand for globally minded leaders with cross-cultural capabilities will only grow, reinforcing the school's mission to connect Europe, China, and the wider world through management education.

Also, the school is also set to advance "AI (artificial intelligence) + HI (human intelligence)" dual-driven model to shape a new paradigm in business education. It will drive a comprehensive upgrade of its teaching, research, and campus operations by adopting the model, with a focus on building a new ecosystem for business education that is smart, personalized and of high quality.

China Europe International Business School launches plan to better connect China and the world

China Europe International Business School unveils its five-year Strategic Plan (2026–30) on its Shanghai campus on April 9. [Provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

China Europe International Business School unveiled a five-year strategic plan on Thursday in Shanghai, aiming to better connect Europe, China, and the wider world through management education.

Yangtze River Delta region makes big gains in coordinated emergency management

A news conference is held on the achievements of the Yangtze River Delta integrated emergency management coordination on Thursday. [Photo by Zheng Zheng/chinadaily.com.cn]

The Yangtze River Delta region has made strides in coordinated emergency management across Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Anhui, officials said on Thursday.

"After seven years of cooperation, we've achieved four improvements in integrated emergency management," Shen Weizhong, deputy director of Shanghai emergency management bureau, said at a news conference.

The region has implemented over 40 joint initiatives and issued nearly 20 regional standards. Cross-provincial administrative barriers have been dismantled through unified safety engineer certification exams and mutual recognition of regulatory practices.

"We've strengthened cross-regional supervision while optimizing the business environment throughout the region," Shen noted.

Joint efforts have enhanced disaster response capabilities, particularly in flood control, forest fire prevention, and earthquake monitoring. The processing time for cross-regional investigations has been reduced from 15 to five days.

Emergency data sharing has been established for hazardous materials, with over 300,000 electronic waybill records collected. More than 20 cross-regional emergency drills have been conducted to improve coordinated command and rescue operations.

The 5th Yangtze River Delta international emergency disaster reduction and rescue expo will be held May 7 to 9 at Shanghai's National Exhibition and Convention Center, coinciding with China's National Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Day on May 12.

"The expo has evolved into a core platform connecting emergency industry stakeholders nationally and globally," Ma Yi, vice-chairman of the Shanghai Council for the Promotion of International Trade, said.

"Through multi-exhibition linkage, global procurement invitations, and overseas expansion, we aim to establish the expo as the premier international window for China's emergency industry," he added.

The event is expected to attract over 500 enterprises and 60,000 professional visitors. Public registration is available through the expo's official website and WeChat account.

'Sky Ladder' via ferrata in Zhangjiajie draws global thrill-seekers