China continues to strengthen the positive momentum in its fight against drug trafficking, while a series of anti-drug publicity campaigns were held nationwide on Thursday to mark the 38th International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
China's immigration enforcement agencies nationwide have solved a total of 205 drug-related cases in border and port areas, arrested 262 criminal suspects and seized 2.42 tons of various drugs as of June 25, according to CCTV News on Thursday.
Among these cases, 38 involved seizures of over 10 kilograms of drugs, further consolidating the positive momentum in the ongoing fight against drug trafficking at border and port locations, according to the report.
Drug-related criminal cases in China have generally declined over the past decade, with the country's people's courts concluding 9,343 first-instance cases from January to May 2025, marking a 29.31 percent decrease year-on-year, according to the Supreme People's Court (SPC).
Since early 2024, the China Coast Guard (CCG) has seized 12.6 tons of methamphetamine, heroin, ketamine, cocaine, marijuana and other drugs, arrested 78 suspects, and dismantled five major cross-border trafficking gangs, according to CCG's official WeChat account on Thursday.
In particular, a total of 8.8 tons of drugs were seized in the first half of this year, a record high in the history of drug seizures by the CCG.
Drug abuse harms not only physical and mental health, but also disrupts economies, undermines international order due to its transnational nature and fuels related crimes, posing serious threats to national security and social stability, Li Wei, a researcher and security expert at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, told the Global Times.
In recent years, China's strict anti-drug enforcement has led to a steady decline in domestic drug-related crimes, but has yet to be fully eliminated, the expert noted. The International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking underscores the pressing need for greater awareness and stronger action against drug trafficking, Li said.
"Extensive publicity is needed to make ordinary people aware of the dangers of drugs. Reducing the number of drug users will, in turn, help curb smuggling and trafficking. Anti-drug efforts still remain urgent and vital," he added.
The SPC also noted that new types of drug crimes are rapidly increasing in the country, surpassing traditional drug offenses, with a clear trend toward younger users and offenders.
Li said the trend toward younger drug users may be closely linked to teenagers' limited awareness of drug risks, starting anti-drug education from childhood is crucial.
An anti-drug campaign themed "Preventing Drug Abuse among Teenagers" was launched at the waiting hall of Beijing Railway Station on Thursday. By popularizing anti-drug knowledge, explaining the dangers of drugs and displaying common types of drugs to passing passengers, the campaign further enhanced passengers' awareness of identifying, preventing and rejecting drugs, according to CCTV.
An additional awareness event was also held on Thursday at the Beijing Capital International Airport on Thursday under the theme "Prevent Drug Abuse, Safeguard Health." The event featured video screenings, detection dog demonstrations, interactive games, and quizzes to promote public participation in drug prevention, people.cn reported.
In recent days, Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture in Southwest China's Sichuan Province organized basketball tournaments and knowledge contests to promote anti-drug awareness in a way that resonates with the public, China Media Group reported on Thursday.
Li also highlighted China's joint anti-drug operations with neighboring countries such as Thailand, Myanmar and Laos, noting the benefits to both sides' anti-drug efforts.
A themed awareness campaign was held by local authorities from China and Vietnam on Wednesday, bringing together over 300 women and residents from the border area to promote anti-drug education, build a drug-free border, and enhance people-to-people exchanges, People.cn reported.
The Chinese and US economic and trade teams have recently further confirmed the details on the framework for implementing the Geneva trade talks consensus. China will review and approve compliant export applications for controlled items in accordance with the law and regulations. The US will correspondingly remove a series of restrictive measures taken against China, China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) said in a statement on Friday.
MOFCOM's statement came in response to an inquiry about claims by some US officials and media reports that China and the US have reached a supplementary understanding on the framework for implementing the Geneva trade talks consensus and that China will accelerate its rare-earth exports approval process regarding shipments to the US, while the US will cancel relevant restrictive measures against China accordingly.
After trade talks in London from June 9 to 10, the Chinese and US teams maintained close communication, MOFCOM added.
It is hoped that the US will meet China halfway, and further leverage the role of the China-US economic and trade consultation mechanism in accordance with the important consensus and requirements reached by the two heads of state in their phone talks on June 5, continuously enhance consensus, reduce misunderstandings, strengthen cooperation, and jointly promote the healthy, stable and sustainable development of China-US economic and trade relations, MOFCOM said.
The current progress between China and the US reflects efforts to turn consensus into concrete actions, and such practical measures provide important support for all parties, including US businesses, by helping to stabilize supply chains and strengthen development resilience, a Chinese expert said.
However, concrete actions and sincerity are needed from the US in order to implement the consensus and deliver results, the expert said, urging the US to meet China halfway.
Widespread response
News of the latest progress in China-US trade issues has drawn widespread attention in recent days, following early reports from certain Western media outlets.
The US and China finalized a trade understanding reached last month in Geneva, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick claimed, Bloomberg reported on Thursday.
The China deal, which Lutnick claimed had been signed two days ago, codifies the terms laid out in trade talks between Beijing and Washington, including a commitment from China to deliver rare earths, according to the report.
Earlier on Thursday, US President Donald Trump said the US had signed a deal with China on Wednesday, without providing additional details, Reuters reported.
Global markets responded immediately on Friday afternoon after MOFCOM revealed further details on China-US trade progress, as the world closely watches how the trade situation develops between the two largest economies.
The S&P 500 rose to a new record on Friday, the culmination of an improbable turnaround for US stocks this year as they overcame trade turmoil and geopolitics to reclaim the record set in February, the CNBC reported, noting that Friday's gain was driven by hope that trade deals with China and other countries are coming soon.
European stocks also rose on Friday, led by automakers, as signs of easing trade tensions between Beijing and Washington raised hopes of a de-escalation in the US-led tariff war, Reuters reported.
The new progress in China-US trade issues reflects the high level of market attention on the future of trade relations between the world's two largest economies, experts said.
"The latest developments in China-US trade issues demonstrate a move toward implementing agreed-upon goals. These tangible steps offer crucial support to all stakeholders, including American companies, by contributing to supply chain stability and greater resilience in development," Zhou Mi, a senior researcher at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, told the Global Times on Friday.
"The further implementation of the consensus reached by the leaders of both countries also underscores the Chinese government's consistent stance—resolving economic and trade issues through multilateral rules and honoring commitments with concrete actions," he added.
It also demonstrates a full consideration of business needs and respect for fundamental market principles, Zhou said, noting that such practical measures provide important support for all parties, including US companies, by helping stabilize supply chains and enhance development resilience.
More sincerity needed
In contrast, the US has yet to turn the consensus into concrete action, Zhou said, noting that instead of easing restrictions, it continues to send signals that undermine China-US economic cooperation and trust, disrupting both markets.
In order to further implement the consensus between the two sides, concrete actions are necessary, Zhou said, urging the US to meet China halfway.
Commenting on the latest progress, Huo Jianguo, a vice chairman of the China Society for World Trade Organization Studies in Beijing, told the Global Times on Friday that "the outcome of the London talks serves as a test of both sides' sincerity and credibility. Whether the two countries can truly move toward each other hinges on their actions to follow through on the consensus and commitments reached."
"The US side pledged to ease restrictions, and I believe this presents a key opportunity for the administration to demonstrate genuine intent for cooperation," Huo said, adding that if this round of cooperation progresses smoothly, it will lay a solid foundation for future negotiations and help build a more robust framework of mutual trust between China and the US — a development that would also benefit the US and the world.
The trade disputes initiated by the US administration have already taken a toll on its own economy and had broader global impacts.
The US economy posted its first contraction in three years, data from US Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) showed on Thursday (US time). Real GDP decreased at an annual rate of 0.5 percent in the first quarter, a downward revision of 0.3 percentage point from the previous estimate, according to the third estimate released by the US BEA on Thursday.
According to Reuters, the data contracted "a bit faster than previously thought in the first quarter amid tepid consumer spending, underscoring the distortions" caused by the US administration's aggressive tariffs on imported goods.
In a press conference by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) on Friday, the council's spokesperson Wang Linjie revealed the latest global economic and trade friction index, which stood at 131 in April, continued to rise.
On April 2, the US government implemented "reciprocal tariffs" citing issues such as trade deficits and non-tariff barriers, along with multiple restrictive measures introduced that month, which were the main reasons for the continued rise in the global trade friction index in April, Wang noted.
Despite the headwinds, China continues to be an attractive market for US businesses, as demonstrated on several key international occasions on which American industry representatives have shown strong support through their participation.
During the recently concluded Summer Davos in North China's Tianjin, US business representatives and experts expressed confidence in the Chinese market, underscoring the strong appeal of China's economy.
Moreover, at the upcoming third China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE), which is scheduled from July 16 to 20 in Beijing, the number of US exhibitors is expected to increase by 15 percent compared to the previous event, maintaining their position as the largest group of overseas exhibitors, according to the CCPIT on Friday.
China-US relations have weathered many storms, but they continue to move forward, said the CCPIT spokesperson, noting that the business communities of both countries, in particular, form a community of shared interests that stands together through challenges.
As of Saturday, the vast majority of Chinese nationals in Iran have been safely evacuated, with the remaining few having avoided high-risk areas, said the Chinese Embassy in Iran as reported by the Xinhua News Agency on Sunday evening.
The embassy said it has been closely communicating and cooperating with the Chinese Foreign Ministry and embassies in neighboring countries including Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, and Iraq to assist the evacuation since the outbreak of the conflict between Israel and Iran.
The Chinese Embassy in Iran has constantly issued security advisories and self-protection information, proactively contacted Chinese nationals and Chinese enterprises to offer risk avoidance guidance, and maintained close communication with relevant Iranian authorities to provide security protection and facilitate customs clearance for them, said Fu Lihua, minister-counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Iran, Xinhua reported.
According to Fu, the embassy has arranged vehicles to transport Chinese nationals from Tehran and surrounding areas via land border crossings. The embassy staff have been on call day and night to answer assistance calls, assess the number of personnel, maintain contact with Chinese nationals, provide evacuation route guidance, and dispatch personnel to the Bajgiran border crossing between Iran and Turkmenistan to assist with customs clearance.
Fu said that as the situation deteriorated rapidly, the desire among Chinese citizens in Iran to evacuate grew stronger. The embassy quickly organized a total of 17 buses in four batches to evacuate Chinese nationals via land border crossings, and set up working groups at the Astara border crossing between Iran and Azerbaijan, where outbound personnel are concentrated.
The second temporary flight which departed from Turkmenistan and carried 119 Chinese nationals evacuated from Iran has arrived at Beijing Capital International Airport on Sunday morning, Xinhua reported
During his meeting with WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus during the 78th World Health Assembly (WHA) on Monday, Chinese Vice Premier Liu Guozhong, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that China remains committed to advancing the Healthy China initiative and firmly supports the WHO's leadership and coordinating role in global health governance, according to the Xinhua News Agency.
Liu expressed China's willingness to continue supporting the WHO and called on the organization to uphold an impartial stance and safeguard the scientific rigor and seriousness of COVID-19 origin-tracing research, Xinhua reported. China stands ready to work with the WHO to promote the building of a global community of health for all, Liu said, per Xinhua.
Tedros welcomed Liu's attendance at the WHA and expressed his gratitude for China's strong support for the WHO and global health cause, saying that the WHO is willing to deepen cooperation with China in relevant areas, Xinhua said.
China's State Council Information Office issued a white paper on April 30 titled "COVID-19 Prevention, Control and Origins Tracing: China's Actions and Stance."
The Chinese government is releasing this white paper to present a systematic overview of China's key achievements in tracing the origins of SARS-CoV-2, to attest to its contribution to international cooperation in the response to the global pandemic, to advance scientific endeavors and foster global collaboration in this critical domain, and to expose the mismanaged pandemic response in the US, the white paper said.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry slammed on April 23 the US smearing China by rehashing the "lab leak" theory on its website.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said that rehashing the "lab leak" theory on the relevant website and smearing China with unsubstantiated accusations is just another ploy the US is using for political manipulation under the pretext of COVID origins-tracing. China firmly opposes it.
China's consistent position toward the WHO is, without doubt, aligned with the vision of building a "global community of health for all," Li Haidong, a professor at China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times on Tuesday.
In contrast, the US statements and positions tend to reflect a politicized approach, viewing global health issues through the lens of great-power competition, Li said, noting that its attitude toward the WHO is one of selective engagement, and it is a clear example of political maneuvering.
US President Donald Trump ordered in January that the US will leave the WHO, saying the global health agency had mishandled the COVID-19 pandemic and other international health crises, according to a Reuters report.
The US side said the WHO had failed to act independently from the "inappropriate political influence of WHO member states" and required "unfairly onerous payments" from the US that were disproportionate to the sums provided by other, larger countries, such as China, Reuters said.
In terms of financial support for the WHO, China has demonstrated the responsibility of a major country and set an example of matching words with actions. In contrast, the US has clearly fallen short, offering empty rhetoric without substantial actions, Li said.
The WHA, the highest decision-making body of the WHO, decided on Monday not to include in its agenda a proposal on Taiwan's participation as an observer, according to the Xinhua News Agency. Following the decision, a spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry released a statement on Monday, saying that this marks the ninth consecutive year that the WHA has rejected such Taiwan-related proposals.
China on Wednesday launched the Lijian-1 Y7 carrier rocket with six satellites onboard.
The rocket blasted off at 12:05 p.m. (Beijing Time) from a commercial aerospace innovation pilot zone in northwest China, and sent a group of satellites into the planned orbits.
This launch marks the seventh flight mission of the Lijian-1 carrier rocket series.
To implement the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC)'s deployment for advancing the counterterrorism and stability maintenance efforts in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region under the rule of law and in a normalized manner, Xinjiang on Monday conducted the joint armed exercise "Counterterrorism Deterrence-2025" in the Ili River Valley, Xinjiang Daily reported on Tuesday.
The exercise aimed to strengthen armed deterrence, enhance combat readiness, and fully demonstrated Xinjiang's resolve to consolidate border defense and lawfully combat violent terrorist activities, resolutely safeguarding national political security and social stability in Xinjiang, the news report said.
The 4,000-strong task force consisted of military, armed police, border inspection, public security, and Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps personnel, supported by mobilized drones, armored vehicles, assault vehicles, and other equipment.
The exercise included operations such as joint border reconnaissance and apprehension, port interception of cross-border infiltration, urban residential area lockdown and capture, border interdiction of illegal crossings, and mountainous area search-and-destroy missions, all of which were successfully completed.
The exercise was meticulously organized and efficiently executed with strong coordination. It comprehensively tested the participating forces' capabilities in emergency command, intelligence gathering, perimeter control, apprehension operations, rapid reinforcement, and civil-military coordination, further enhancing Xinjiang's operational proficiency in combating violent terrorism and resolutely maintaining long-term stability and security.
Ma Xingrui, secretary of the Xinjiang regional committee of the CPC, fully affirmed the exercise's results. He emphasized the need to recognize Xinjiang's critical role in safeguarding national security, always prioritizing social stability while better balancing development and security, as well as openness and security, to build a strategic barrier for national geopolitical security, according to Xinjiang Daily.
Ma stressed maintaining relentless pressure on the "three forces" through lawful and stringent measures, continuously improving counterterrorism and stability maintenance mechanisms under the rule of law, and enhancing capabilities in early warning, preemptive judgment, and rapid response. Additionally, he called for vigilance against imported terrorist threats, strengthened port management, and reinforced border controls to safeguard frontier security, Xinjiang Daily reported.
Editor's Note: What defines the ordinary? And what makes it great? For the China Coast Guard (CCG) officers stationed at Huangyan Dao, the ordinary lies in their quiet, steadfast watch; the greatness lies in the mission and responsibility they shoulder. These heroes guarding the nation's maritime borders hail from all corners of the country. They are husbands, fathers, sons, and brothers—playing the same familial roles and bearing the same emotional ties as any of us. Yet they are also extraordinary. They have aligned the course of their lives with the defense of the nation's maritime frontiers, sacrificing their "small self" to serve the "greater self."
Recently, the Global Times spoke with Gaolan formation under the third bureau directly subordinated to the CCG. They spoke with those from the Gaolan, Wanshan, and Hebao vessels about their daily lives and service in what they call the "ancestral sea." Amid the vast blue skies and seas at the southernmost tip of the motherland, and in the face of storms, solitude, and longing for home, these officers have forged with their passion and loyalty an invisible "Great Wall at sea." Gaolan Vessel：On azure sea, the national border lives in heart of every coast guard law enforcement officer
China Coast Guard law enforcement officer Wang Zongtie aboard the Gaolan awoke promptly at 6:30 am . He looked out from his cabin window: a fiery red sun rose above the sea horizon, casting a shimmering golden hue over the rolling waves. He wasn't admiring the sunrise over the waters near Huangyan Dao but, as a result of years of professional habit, was observing sea conditions and monitoring nearby passing vessels.
After washing up and straightening his uniform, the lean officer conducted a full inspection of the ship—from the bridge, known as the ship's "brain," to the engine room, the "heart," and onward to the fore and aft decks and the galley.
Since the establishment of the third bureau directly subordinated to the CCG in 2019, the Gaolan vessel has actively carried out its mission of rights protection and law enforcement, guarding the maritime frontiers. It has participated in operations such as stationing at islands and reefs like Huangyan Dao, regional fisheries enforcement, offshore oil and gas platform inspections, and maritime rescue missions.
On the Gaolan, officer Wang Zongtie, born after 1975, is considered a legend. Whenever he is mentioned, fellow officers stand tall and speak with reverence: "He's a true hero—brave and wise!" In 2014, Wang was honored with the title of national hero for defending the border due to his outstanding performance in China's border and coastal defense work. But Wang is not the only hero on board. Many of the Gaolan's unsung heroes deeply impress the younger generation of Coast Guard law enforcement officers. Among them is 54-year-old Chen Hongmao, who was transferred from China's former fisheries administration system. He joined in 1994, tasked with offshore duties to safeguard islands and reefs in the South China Sea. Over the past 31 years, he has spent most of his time at sea—a true veteran "guardian of the sea." From his early days vomiting at sea while working, he has transformed into "Uncle Mao," a respected figure among the crew.
"In the late 1990s, foreign aircraft flew over our heads almost every day. Sometimes we wished we had a bamboo pole to swat them down! However, we have our own shipborne drones now. It won't be long before they can fly around Huangyan Dao." Chen recalls his early days on reef duty with emotion. "Back then, our fisheries administration ships were small and had no water purifiers. Freshwater was rationed, and when it rained, the whole crew rushed onto the deck to collect rainwater—for bathing, laundry, and everything else."
In the vast expanse of the sea, generation after generation of "guardians of the sea" have dedicated their youth to the azure waters at the southernmost frontiers of the motherland.
Wen Mujian was among the first Coast Guard law enforcement officers aboard the Gaolan in 2019. He got married last year. He mentioned his new wife with a smile, saying, "When we were dating, I dreaded having an argument before heading to sea—it would ruin the entire trip. Now, when I go on missions, she's no longer worried as before. She tells me that when we're defending Huangyan Dao, the Party and the country are our strongest support."
As the sun fully rises into the sky and two seagulls soar above the white wake carved by the Gaolan cutting through the sea, Wang gazes toward Huangyan Dao, his eyes are sharp and resolute: "There may be no visible national border gate at sea, but that border gate lives in the heart of every coast guard law enforcement officer." Wanshan Vessel: devoting limited life to an unlimited coast guard career
At noon, Coast Guard law enforcement officer Qiu Canhui from the CCG vessel the Wanshan arrived at the stern deck to begin the routine patrol duties . Not far away, the reefs of Huangyan Dao sparkled.
Qiu told the Global Times that what excited him most was patrolling the waters around Huangyan Dao in a law enforcement vessel. The waves created by the boat on the azure sea looked like a white dragon, with the surrounding seawater in a dreamy blue-green color, crystal clear to the bottom, and the dark shadows were the reefs.
The 27-year-old Coast Guard officer said, "Over the past two years, the ecological environment of Huangyan Dao has recovered well. During low tide, you can see schools of fish, corals, and giant clams."
"If I hadn't joined the CCG, I would never have had the chance to witness such magnificent seas," Chen Donghua, a youth from the Yi ethnic group in the Daliang Mountains of Southwest China's Sichuan Province, is equally awed by the vast beauty of the South China Sea. In his native language of Yi ethnic group, his name is Jike Donghua, and he happens to be a cousin of popular singer Jike Junyi.
From a young age, Chen dreamed of defending China's frontiers. Four years ago, he resolutely joined the CCG and has since experienced many personal firsts: his first voyage, his first bout of seasickness, and his first glimpse of Huangyan Dao.
"I crossed 'thousands of mountains and waded through countless rivers' to get from the Daliang Mountains to Huangyan Dao," he said. Although he only returned home last year for the Yi ethnic group's traditional New Year—the first time in four years—he remains proud of his service. "One family's reunion may be missed, but it brings peace to thousands of others."When he showed his family photos of the sunrises and sunsets over Huangyan Dao, they were genuinely proud of him.
At present, the mission of the Coast Guard law enforcement officers on board the Wanshan vessel is to exercise routine jurisdiction over Huangyan Dao, safeguarding the country's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. Since the promulgation of the baselines of the territorial sea adjacent of Huangyan Dao in November last year, the third bureau of the CCG has intensified its patrol and vigilance in the territorial sea of Huangyan Dao and its surrounding waters. In just the first quarter of this year, except for the necessary shore visits for resupply, the Wanshan vessel has been at sea almost continuously.
Far from land and with limited supplies, the Wanshan vessel undertakes duty missions that can last for dozens of days, battling wind and waves while also enduring the "triple-high" environment of high temperature, high salinity, and high humidity. In addition, there are no signal base stations near Huangyan Dao, so the Coast Guard officers can only rely on satellite phones to communicate with the outside world.
They have to overcome the sense of being "cut off from the world." To this end, officer Zhou Haiyan and Zhou's colleagues have designed a badminton court that is "scaled down proportionally." During breaks, this small badminton court is packed with Coast Guard officers eager to show off their skills.
The Wanshan vessel is equipped with a library, a gym, a video editing studio, and other facilities. Qiu has become versatile on the Wanshan. He is passionate about photography and has taught himself photo editing and video editing skills. Qiu participated in the drone operation training organized by the Coast Guard, becoming one of the vessel's first certified drone pilots.
Qiu then successively trained four or five "apprentices," and thus the drone pilot team on the Wanshan vessel expanded. Qiu said that drones can not only assist in reconnaissance of maritime and land situations but also provide video evidence. For the Wanshan vessel to carry out routine law enforcement patrols, drones are like adding wings to a tiger.
Amidst the flow of the waves, the Coast Guard officers on the Wanshan vessel steadfastly stand their ground at the southernmost end of the motherland, day in and day out, yet never feel bored or weary. Zhou, who has a deep understanding of this, said, "For us, dedicating our finite lives to the infinite Coast Guard undertaking is the ultimate happiness!"
Hebao Vessel: territorial sea baseline of Huangyan Dao provides stronger legal support for law enforcement
As it was approaching 6 pm, the setting sun bathed the horizon in a warm red glow, while waves nearly three meters high crashed relentlessly against the hull of the Hebao Coast Guard vessel. Despite the constant jolting, officer Gao Feng remained focused on the bridge, issuing bilingual warnings—in Chinese and English—to a nearby foreign vessel.
"This is the China Coast Guard. Your vessel has entered the contiguous zone of Huangyan Dao, the People's Republic of China. Please comply with relevant international conventions and Chinese laws and regulations. Navigate in accordance with the law."
Only after the foreign vessel moved away did Gao finally breathe a sigh of relief—though he quickly refocused and returned to his duties. He noted that such close-range standoffs occur almost daily. Even at night, he rarely gets deep sleep, often waking to check the navigation repeater in his cabin to monitor the ship's current position, heading, and speed.
The Hebao is a relatively small vessel with high maneuverability, serving as the "first line of defense" in law enforcement operations around Huangyan Dao. According to Gao, the responsibilities of Hebao's Coast Guard officers are immense—not only must they confront foreign vessels attempting to intrude upon Huangyan Dao waters "face-to-face", but they are also tasked with combating maritime crimes such as drug trafficking and smuggling.
Sailing is inherently risky—especially for the Hebao, which regularly carries out high-stakes missions such as tracking and surveillance, route control, and boarding inspections. "Our crew has two defining traits: youth and resilience," Gao said. "Most of the Hebao's officers were born after 1995 or even 2000. These young people channel their deep patriotism to overcome the hardships of life at sea, year-round."
The crashing waves bear silent witness to the unwavering dedication of Coast Guard officers, while the territorial sea baseline of Huangyan Dao stands as an invisible "maritime frontline." Officer Wu Jiaxu explained that in the face of foreign intrusions, the CCG consistently enforces the law in accordance with regulations. The annoucement of the territorial sea baseline around Huangyan Dao last year, he noted, has provided stronger legal backing. "It enables us to respond more proactively to all kinds of unexpected situations at sea," he said. Chinese fishermen: Seeing the Coast Guard out there 'like seeing our own brothers'
Huangyan Dao is part of the Zhongsha Islands in the South China Sea, spanning about 150 square kilometers. It has the shape of an isosceles right triangle, with elevated reefs surrounding a sunken center, forming a natural lagoon. At high tide, only a few bare rocks are visible above the sea surface; however, beneath the waves, the island rises from the deep seabed—over 3,000 meters below—like a "stabilizing pillar of the sea." This reef is an inherent part of China's territory. The surrounding waters are not only rich in valuable fishery resources but also contain abundant oil and gas reserves, mineral deposits, and renewable energy sources.
The reefs of Huangyan Dao form a complete ecosystem, with the central lagoon playing a crucial role. Its shallow waters and warm temperatures create ideal conditions for the growth of plankton, attracting small fish in search of food, which in turn draw in larger predatory fish. Since ancient times, Huangyan Dao has been a "blessed land" for Chinese fishermen, providing a vital source of livelihood. Common commercial species in the area include grouper, eel, and sea bream.
Huang Yawen, a 63-year-old captain from Zhanjiang, South China's Guangdong Province, has made a living from fishing since the 1980s. Over the past four decades, he has sailed across the South China Sea and waters throughout Southeast Asia, yet he remains especially fond of Huangyan Dao. With graying hair and years of sea experience, the veteran captain still insists that the fish from Huangyan Dao are "the most delicious."
Huang recalled that around 2010, some foreign fishing vessels intruded into the waters around Huangyan Dao. They not only plundered resources through destructive and illegal methods such as poisoning, electrofishing, and blast fishing—causing severe damage to the marine ecosystem—but also harassed Chinese fishermen. "Things have improved a lot in recent years. With the presence of the Chinese Coast Guard, foreign boats no longer dare to come near! Especially since last November, if you look around Huangyan Dao, you'll only see Chinese fishing boats."
Speaking of the Chinese Coast Guard, Huang's tone grew noticeably warm. "We stay at sea for long periods, often fishing near Huangyan Dao for two or three months at a time. Seeing the Coast Guard out there is like seeing our own brothers."
The fishing community is generally older, and years of exposure to harsh sea conditions often take a toll on their health. Doctors aboard China Coast Guard vessels provide free medical consultations and deliver medicine to fishermen. In early March this year, Liu Yunhuang, the onboard doctor of the Wanshan ship, along with medic Zhang Liang, formed part of a "mobile maritime medical team." They took enforcement boats out to working fishing vessels to treat fishermen suffering from gout and swollen lymph nodes on the right side of the face and jaw.
Looking to the future of Huangyan Dao, Coast Guard officers express hopeful visions. A poem titled A New Dream of Huangyan, written by officer Wang Zongtie, has circulated widely aboard the Gaolan:
Amid concerns that US retailers may raise prices due to tariffs, American shoppers are flocking to Chinese e-commerce apps in search of affordable handbags and yoga pants, pushing apps such as Chinese e-commerce apps DHgate and Taobao into the top three free apps in Apple's US APP store, according to a ranking seen by the Global Times as of Thursday.
DHgate, a Beijing-based online platform for cross-border commerce, became the second-most popular app on Apple's App Store in the US on Wednesday, followed by ChatGPT, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on Wednesday.
The surge in DHgate's popularity was driven by viral TikTok videos posted by Chinese influencers purportedly explaining the inner workings of global supply chains, the WSJ said.
Along with DHgate, known as "Dunhuang" in Chinese and dubbed the "Little Yellow App" by some shoppers, Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.'s Taobao, and Shein were among the most downloaded shopping apps in the US App Store, Bloomberg said.
Chinese suppliers and manufacturers are taking to TikTok to share videos aimed at showing foreigners the "source of good goods," Bloomberg said.
Many of the videos, which claim that handbags and clothes of high-end European brands are actually all sourced from Chinese manufacturers, provide links to websites and contact details, leading viewers to place orders directly with these vendors, according to Bloomberg.
DHgate's sudden popularity was spurred by TikTok videos from Chinese manufacturers claiming to supply global luxury brands, the South China Morning Post (SCMP) said.
One widely circulated video, initially posted by user "bagbestie1", suggested that over 80 percent of luxury handbags were produced in China before being repackaged and sold overseas, the SCMP said.
"There's nothing a Chinese factory can't make," TikTok user "lunasourcingchina" was quoted as saying in the media report.
One of her videos showed factories in Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong Province, that allegedly supplied brands like Brooks Brothers, Tommy Hilfiger and Hugo Boss. The video garnered over 3.5 million views in three days, the SCMP said.
The DHgate app was downloaded 35,400 times across the App Store and Google Play on April 12, a 56 percent increase from its 30-day average, American global online news outlet Tech Crunch said. The US accounted for 17,300 of those installs, a jump of 98 percent over the 30-day average, according to Tech Crunch.
On April 13, those installs increased to 117,500 on iOS, up 732 percent from the 30-day average. The US accounted for 65,100 of those downloads, up 940 percent, (Android download data for Sunday isn't available yet), Tech Crunch said.
