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.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang held a phone call with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Tuesday, CCTV News reported.
Li said that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the China-EU diplomatic ties. President Xi Jinping had a phone call with President of the European Council Antonio Costa at the beginning of the year, which set the tone and pointed out the direction for deepening China-EU relations. China is willing to enhance political mutual trust with the EU, expand practical cooperation, and resolve mutual concerns through dialogue and consultations, thereby driving China-EU relations forward, according to CCTV News.
China and the EU should strengthen communication and coordination, expand mutual openness, and safeguard a free and open trade and investment environment, injecting more stability and certainty into both sides and the global economy, Li told von der Leyen, per CCTV.
Li pointed out that the US recently imposed tariffs on all its trading partners, including China and the EU, under various pretexts. This is a typical act of unilateralism, protectionism, and economic bullying. China's firm countermeasures are not only aimed at safeguarding its own sovereignty, security, and development interests, but also at upholding international trade rules and fairness and justice in the global arena. Humanity shares the same global village—no country can thrive in isolation. Protectionism leads nowhere; openness and cooperation are the right path forward, Li said, Xinhua reported.
The Chinese premier said that this year, China's macroeconomic policies have fully taken into account various uncertainties, and the country has ample policy tools in reserve. China is fully capable of offsetting external negative impacts and is confident in sustaining sound and steady economic growth. China will continue to firmly expand its openness and strengthen cooperation with countries around the world, including the EU, to share development opportunities, Li said, according to Xinhua.
In the CCTV News report, von der Leyen emphasized that it is crucial for EU-China relations to maintain continuity and stability. The US tariff hikes have severely impacted international trade. Both the EU and China are committed to safeguarding the multilateral trading system, which aligns with the common interests of both sides and the world, the European Commission leader noted.
China will raise additional tariffs for imported goods originating in the US to 84 percent from 34 percent from April 10, the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council announced Wednesday.
On April 8, the US further increased the so-called "reciprocal tariffs" on Chinese products exported to the US to 84 percent from 34 percent. The US escalation of tariffs against China is a mistake on top of a mistake; it seriously infringes upon China's legitimate rights and interests and gravely undermines the rules‑based multilateral trading system, said the commission.
China urges the US to immediately correct its wrong practices, cancel all unilateral tariff measures against China, and properly resolve differences with China through equal dialogue on the basis of mutual respect.
As scientists are striving to develop AI products and solutions to enhance various industries and daily life, this booming technology is also serving as a "lab assistant," contributing to scientific progress in turn.
In China, AI has been increasingly integrated into diverse research fields, particularly in life sciences, drug discovery and environmental studies. It shows substantial potential to boost efficiency, transform approaches and expedite breakthroughs.
OFFERING EARLY DISEASE DETECTION
Researchers from Shanghai-based Fudan University have made a technological breakthrough in early disease detection. With the assistance of AI, this advancement enables doctors to diagnose and predict diseases simply through a blood test.
Targeted at Alzheimer's disease, the research team used big data and an AI algorithm to screen 1,500 plasma proteins and identified 11 that are capable of predicting dementia risks.
"Through blood tests, we identified that these proteins exhibited consistent changes. With the help of AI-based calculations for disease markers, we were able to detect Alzheimer's disease at least 15 years before diagnosis," lead researcher Yu Jintai said.
"These changes are not caused by genetic modifications but rather due to differences in protein expression," Yu explained. "Much like how a caterpillar transforms into a butterfly."
The study soon garnered attention within the global medical community after being featured in the journal Nature in late 2024. Rather than resting on their laurels, the research team continued their experimental efforts, endeavoring to uncover more relationships between diseases and proteins with the AI tool.
Following an analysis of over 50,000 blood samples and health data collected during a 14-year follow-up study, the team created the world's first atlas of plasma proteins in health and disease states, which can help forecast diabetes and heart disease risks a decade in advance.
Researchers are currently developing a low-cost detection kit, priced under 100 yuan (14 U.S. dollars) to make protein testing as routine as glucose checks.
SLASHING DRUG DEVELOPMENT TIMELINES
At Hangzhou-based Liangzhu Laboratory, a research team has invented an AI algorithm to reduce the development process of a drug for treating progeria, a rare pediatric disease.
The traditional large-scale screening method for small-molecule drug development takes 15 to 20 years, with a high failure rate. However, the AI algorithm can reduce the cycle to approximately 3 to 5 years, accelerating preclinical trials that previously consumed 90 percent of the research time, according to Shen Ning, a researcher in the lab and a member of the program.
Under Zhejiang University, the laboratory in 2021 established a multidisciplinary research team of experts in clinical medicine, bioscience, mathematics, computing and statistics. They have developed several advanced AI algorithms specifically designed for the precise diagnosis of genetic and rare diseases.
China's National Health Commission and other departments jointly issued the guidelines for 84 AI application scenarios in the health sector, including drug research and development.
For decades, the pharmaceutical industry has been confronted with a "double-10" challenge: it usually requires 10 years and an investment of 1 billion U.S. dollars to develop a new drug. Many people believe that AI will be the most promising solution to overcome the long-standing dilemma.
"AI has the potential to impact the entire chain of drug development," said Academician Chen Kaixian of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS).
While no AI-assisted drug development has reached markets yet, multiple candidates are advancing through clinical trials in China.
DECODING CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS
In March, CAS researchers and tech company Alibaba Cloud collaboratively unveiled "Luoshu," an AI model that can precisely trace water origins and predict runoff volumes in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, which is known as the Asian Water Tower, home to headwaters of over 10 major Asian rivers.
Warming at twice the global average over the past 50 years, the plateau is experiencing an imbalance in its water systems among glaciers, lakes and rivers. This imbalance is expected to exacerbate uncertainties in water supply, energy supply and demand, as well as food production, according to Xia Cuihui, a participant and an associate researcher at the CAS's Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research.
Hydropower generation capacity in glacier regions has declined globally in recent years. Although the reasons remain unclear, it is most likely associated with climate change, the researcher told Xinhua.
The new AI model can help predict water flow for hydropower plants by tracking where the water comes from -- like rain, melting glaciers, or underground water. "If something unusual happens, such as glaciers melting too fast or a bad drought, it will automatically update the water supply predictions," Xia explained.
Compared with conventional approaches, the AI model enhances prediction accuracy by 20 percent and can monitor real-time source contributions. It can alert power grids to prepare for short-term emergencies while providing scientific support for long-term decision-making in clean energy generation.
"Luoshu" is one of the numerous AI models recently launched by the CAS. Several institutes within the country's highest natural sciences academic organization have launched AI tools based on Alibaba's reasoning model, covering applications from astronomical observation to coral species identification.
For researchers like Xia, who holds a Ph.D. in geography, AI has already become an essential tool in the lab, but it is not just about efficiency.
"It unlocks research once deemed impossible," the female scientist added, noting that many research ideas previously limited by traditional methods can now be realized with AI support, promoting greater innovation.
As a close neighbor and important partner, China is willing to work with South Korea to deepen bilateral cooperation and strengthen the strategic cooperative partnership, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun at a press conference on Wednesday.
When responding to questions about the potential impact of the upcoming ruling by South Korea's constitutional court on the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol on bilateral relations, as well as the informal APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting scheduled for this autumn amid South Korea's ongoing domestic political turbulence, Guo said, "We have taken note of relevant reports. As we have emphasized repeatedly, China adheres to the principle of non-interference in internal affairs and does not comment on the domestic affairs of other countries. We believe the South Korean people have the wisdom and capability to properly address their domestic issues."
Given the South Korea's constitutional court is scheduled to announce its ruling on the impeachment case of President Yoon on Friday, large-scale political rallies and protests will be held across the country during and after the ruling. There is also a possibility of extreme incidents occurring,said the Chinese Embassy in South Korea in its official WeChat account on Tuesday.
The embassy reminds Chinese citizens in South Korea and Chinese tourists visiting South Korea to closely monitor the local situation and security conditions, and to effectively enhance their risk awareness. They should maintain a distance from local political gatherings, refrain from participating, lingering, or observing, and avoid publicly expressing or sharing political opinions, said the embassy, adding that it is also advisable to minimize verbal or physical conflicts with local residents.
Additionally, the embassy said that Chinese citizens and tourists should pay attention to police announcements regarding security alerts and traffic control information, plan their travel itineraries reasonably, and avoid going to or approaching sensitive areas and crowded places.
A compilation of discourses on improving Party conduct by Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, has been published by the Central Party Literature Press.
Compiled by the Institute of Party History and Literature of the CPC Central Committee, the book features nine themes, bringing together 299 excerpts extracted from over 130 of Xi's important speeches and written works from November 2012 to February 2025. Some of these works have been made public for the first time.
Since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, the CPC Central Committee with Xi Jinping at its core formulated and has been implementing the eight-point decision on improving conduct, leading to significant improvements in Party conduct, social morality and individual virtues.
Xi's discourses in this regard are of great significance for consistently and sustainably improving Party conduct, exercising Party self-governance with the spirit of reform and strict standards, and ensuring that the Party remains the strong leadership core in building socialism with Chinese characteristics.
A total of 25,320 sci-tech volunteers have registered at the Beijing Science and Technology Popularization Volunteer Service Team, collectively contributing over 310,000 service hours, as revealed during a volunteer launch event on March 3.
The Beijing Science and Technology Popularization Volunteer Service Team, founded in 2012, saw its 220 sub-teams release nearly 300 science popularization projects, with over 10,000 volunteers involved in more than 100,000 service hours in 2024.
The 2025 Beijing Sci-Tech Popularization Volunteer Service Week kicked off ahead of the "Lei Feng Day," an annual event commemorated on March 5 aimed at celebrating the life and spirit of the young soldier who devoted his spare time and money to helping the needy. Science "Lei Fengs" will carry out a series of sci-tech popularization activities to make science more accessible and relatable.
The event also saw the launching of a "Smiling Beijing" volunteer service brand. The brand will feature six key application scenarios, including the professional science popularization service, science museum service, science popularization events, targeted service for key groups, and grassroots social governance supporting.
Five individual volunteers, five organizations, five projects, and three community service hubs were honored as 2024's standout contributors. One of the highlights was the award-winning team project "Touching the Sci-Tech Frontiers, Experiencing the Innovation" led by volunteer Zheng Tianlong. This young team, averaging 29 years old, leverages Beijing's key industrial plans like new energy, AI and bio-medicine to transform advanced technologies into accessible knowledge, benefiting over 300,000 people and creating a replicable model.
"Through a series of diverse and innovative science outreach initiatives, we aim to nurture a passion for science in more people and ensure the benefits of technological progress reach every household," emphasized an official from the Beijing Association of Science and Technology (BAST). He added that BAST will further leverage the roles of scientific workers and science popularization volunteers to innovate science popularization concepts, enrich the content and forms of science popularization, and strengthen public science popularization infrastructure construction throughout the city. They will play an irreplaceable role in advancing the construction of Beijing as a science and technology innovation center and achieving the goal of a strong technological nation.
