China Highlights
China’s FAST telescope discovers the shortest-period, lowest-mass binary neutron star system.
China’s FAST telescope has discovered PSR J1856-0039, a double neutron star system with an exceptionally short orbital period and the lowest total mass currently known. This discovery provides a precise test of general relativity and an important new target for studying extreme astrophysics, the nature of gravity, and the origin of the elements in the universe. The findings were published in *Physical Review Letters* and prominently featured.
Vibrant China Research Tour | Restoring the old to its original character and upgrading its commercial offerings, Wuhan’s Tanhualin gets a makeover and goes viral
Wuhan’s Tanhualin district is committed to preserving its historic character while upgrading its commercial offerings, breathing new life into the old street. Today, it attracts more tourists and young people, becoming a new landmark showcasing the city’s cultural appeal and vitality.
【Cultural China in Action】Preserving Shaoxing’s Historic Neighborhoods: Keeping People, Preserving Heritage, and Sustaining Community Life
With a history spanning more than 2,500 years, Shaoxing in Zhejiang has spent over two decades exploring ways to preserve Cangqiao Straight Street, improving residents’ lives while retaining its historic character and traditional architecture. The 1.5-kilometer-long historic district has succeeded in keeping residents, preserving tangible heritage, and sustaining everyday life, offering valuable experience for the protection and development of historic cultural cities.
World first! Unlock the secret behind the Pinglu Canal’s extraordinary water efficiency.
The Pinglu Canal Project has innovatively built the world’s first three-tier superimposed water-saving reservoirs and the world’s largest inland waterway water-saving ship lock. Through water circulation and reuse, it has raised the water-saving rate to over 60%, saving more than 1 billion cubic meters of water annually. These advanced technologies balance navigation efficiency with ecological conservation, opening a new river-to-sea route for southwest China and demonstrating China’s independent innovation capabilities in infrastructure development.
(Rural Tour: Witnessing Revitalization) Jiuhé Town, Guangdong: 1,000 mu of honey pomelos herald a bumper harvest, paving the way to prosperity for villagers and revitalization of the village
The approximately 3,000 mu of honey pomelos in Jiuhe Town, Zijin County, Heyuan, Guangdong, are enjoying a bumper harvest, with plump, golden fruits hanging heavily from the branches. Villagers are busy picking, sorting, and loading them. The honey pomelo industry not only showcases the vitality of rural development but also increases villagers’ incomes and paves a firmer path toward rural revitalization.
(90th Anniversary of the Victory of the Long March) Once the starting point of the Long March, today a hub sending goods around the world
As the 90th anniversary of the victory of the Long March approaches, Ganzhou in Jiangxi, once the starting point of the Long March, is brimming with new vitality. Today, the local transportation and logistics sectors continue to develop, with goods reaching all corners of the country and beyond, showcasing the vigorous development of this former revolutionary base.
Ministry of Justice: Accelerate efforts to provide 24-hour “never-closed” public legal services
The Ministry of Justice stated that it will accelerate efforts to provide 24-hour public legal services without interruption. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, the three major platforms—physical service centers, hotlines, and online services—provided legal consultations more than 170 million times, with a public satisfaction rate exceeding 95%. They have provided strong support for enabling people to conveniently access high-quality legal services and promoting high-quality economic and social development.
Shaanxi giant pandas are more like cats!
An independent subspecies of giant panda, the Qinling panda, lives deep in the Qinling Mountains of Shaanxi. With rounded skulls, short muzzles, and full faces, they appear more “cat-like” and juvenile than Sichuan giant pandas, earning them the reputation of being “beauties among national treasures.” This unique population showcases the rich biodiversity of giant pandas and has also drawn greater attention and affection to the Qinling ecosystem.
Former Chinese women's basketball team captain Song Xiaobo participated in a charity golf tournament to spread love.
The 24th Beijing Bailu Gaodi Cup Golf Charity Invitational was held in Beijing, bringing together more than 100 charitable individuals at the golf course to enjoy the sport while contributing to public welfare. Song Xiaobo, former captain of China’s women’s basketball team, took part in the event, demonstrating the positive spirit of athletes giving back to society and spreading kindness.
“Talent Converges in the Blue Ocean, Innovation Creates the Future” Talent Matchmaking Event for the High-Quality Development of the Marine Economy Held
The Ministry of Natural Resources and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security held a talent-matching event for the high-quality development of the marine economy in Qingdao for the first time, bringing together more than 270 employers and over 7,000 marine professionals. The event announced nearly 4,000 job openings, further facilitating job searches for talent and recruitment by companies and injecting fresh vitality into the high-quality development of the marine economy.
Central Asian trainees study traditional Chinese medicine in Sichuan, experiencing the distinctive diagnostic and treatment techniques of Sichuan-style TCM.
Trainees from Central Asia are studying traditional Chinese medicine and pharmacy in Chengdu, Sichuan, gaining an in-depth understanding of the distinctive diagnostic and treatment techniques of Sichuan-style traditional Chinese medicine. Uzbek doctor Guliamova was deeply impressed by the intangible cultural heritage therapy known as pestle acupuncture and plans to purchase the tools and take them back home for further study, promoting cultural and technical exchanges in traditional Chinese medicine.
China’s four government departments: The agricultural insurance system is expected to reach an internationally advanced level overall by 2030.
China’s Ministry of Finance and three other government departments recently jointly issued a plan outlining the goal of basically establishing a multi-tiered agricultural insurance system by 2030, making it better aligned with farmers’ risk protection needs and the requirements of modern agricultural development. The system will be jointly managed by the central and local governments, reach an internationally advanced level overall, and provide stronger protection for agricultural production and increases in farmers’ incomes.
The Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Primary and Secondary School Study and Practice Showcase and Exchange Event was held in Jizhou, Tianjin.
The Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Primary and Secondary School Study and Practice Showcase and Exchange Event was held at the Huangyaguan section of the Great Wall in Jizhou, Tianjin, under the joint guidance of the education authorities of the three areas. The event aimed to promote the sharing of educational resources for study and practice, leverage complementary strengths, and foster collaborative education, providing students across the region with richer opportunities for experiential learning and advancing high-quality educational development.
The 2026 China-ASEAN Environmental Cooperation Forum was held in Nanning.
The 2026 China–ASEAN Environmental Cooperation Forum was held in Nanning, Guangxi, where the China–ASEAN Environmental Cooperation Strategy and Action Framework for 2026–2030 was released. The framework will provide clear guidance for both sides to deepen green development, strengthen ecological and environmental governance, and advance regional sustainable cooperation, helping to build a better ecological home.
Global Good News
She ‘Asked for a Sign’ and Suddenly a Kingfisher Darts Up and Sits in Her Hand for 10 Minutes
After asking for a sign, 24-year-old Laura O’Brien in England was amazed when a Eurasian kingfisher suddenly flew over and perched on her hand for ten minutes. The extraordinary, peaceful encounter gave her a memorable moment of wonder and reassurance.
Christian Bale Opens Long-Dreamed of Foster Care Village Aimed at Keeping Siblings Together
Christian Bale has opened Together California, a new foster care village in Palmdale, California, fulfilling a long-held dream. The facility aims to improve the state’s foster system by helping siblings remain together, offering children greater stability, connection, and support.
$1,000 Bonus for Every Year of Work: Casino Employees Shocked at Company’s 50th Anniversary
Station Casinos surprised its 10,000 employees during its 50th-anniversary celebration with a generous profit-sharing bonus. Employees received $1,000 for every year they have worked at the company, recognizing their dedication and sharing the milestone’s success with the entire team.
In pictures: 10 years of the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards
The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards celebrate their 10th anniversary with a new immersive experience in London this autumn. The exhibition will bring a decade of joyful, funny wildlife images to life, offering visitors an uplifting way to appreciate animals and photography.
Athens Is Turning its Old Airport into One of Europe’s Largest Parks
Athens is transforming its former airport into Ellinikon Park, one of Europe’s largest urban parks, spanning more than 400 acres. The ambitious project will create a major new attraction and provide shaded green space and relief for residents of Europe’s hottest city, bringing environmental and community benefits to the birthplace of democracy.
Following Timor-Leste’s Triumph, All of Southeast Asia Has Eliminated Trachoma
The WHO has certified Timor-Leste as having eliminated trachoma as a public health problem, making Southeast Asia the first WHO region entirely free of the disease. This landmark achievement protects more than 2 billion people from the leading infectious cause of blindness and highlights the power of sustained public health efforts.
Former Industrial Ground Goes from Dump to Diversity and Hosts 64% of UK’s Black-Necked Grebes
A former dumping ground for canal-dredging material has been transformed into a thriving nesting habitat by a UK conservation charity. The restored site now hosts 64% of the country’s black-necked grebes, demonstrating how damaged industrial land can become a vital haven for wildlife.
With Adapted Sailing, the Sea Is for Everyone
Adapted sailing is helping make the sea accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities. César Maquieira’s lifelong connection to the Atlantic highlights how inclusive water activities can open new opportunities for adventure, independence, and joy.
Mexico Reintroduced Bison into Precious Desert Ecosystem After Century-Long Absence
Mexico has reintroduced bison to the Chihuahua Desert after a 200-year absence, restoring a species that has long served as an ecological anchor for the region’s vegetation. Their return to the vital biosphere reserve is a hopeful step toward strengthening and protecting its fragile arid grasslands.
What We’re Reading: 20,000 Salmon Return to the Klamath River
Around 20,000 chinook salmon have migrated up the Klamath River through southern Oregon and northern California. Their return is an encouraging sign of renewed river health and thriving wildlife, offering hope for the ecosystem and the communities connected to it.