China Highlights
China’s women’s badminton team defeated Indonesia 3–0 to advance to the final.
In the women’s team badminton semifinal at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, China defeated Indonesia 3–0 to advance to the final. This victory showcased the team’s consistently excellent competitive form and laid a solid foundation for their bid to win the championship.
Zhu Fenglian sends Mid-Autumn Festival greetings in Minnan and Hakka dialects.
As the Mid-Autumn Festival approaches, Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, extended holiday greetings to compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait in Mandarin, Southern Min, and Hakka, wishing everyone peace, family reunions, and prosperity in all endeavors. She also welcomed people from Taiwan to the mainland to take part in a wide variety of Mid-Autumn fellowship activities, enjoy the moon together, savor fragrant tea, and share the bonds of kinship and best wishes between people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.
Chongqing’s Banan District Signs 23 Projects in Q3, with Total Contracted Investment of 4.8 Billion Yuan
Banan District of Chongqing recently held a signing ceremony for key investment projects for the third quarter of 2026. A total of 23 projects were signed and launched, with a combined contracted investment of RMB 4.8 billion. Covering fields such as biomedicine, high-end equipment manufacturing, new energy, and new energy storage, the projects will inject fresh momentum into local industrial upgrading and economic development.
The table tennis competition of the 2026 Yinchuan Workers’ Games got underway, as nationwide fitness events continue to gain momentum.
The table tennis competition of the 2026 Yinchuan Employees’ Sports Games began on September 22 at the Yinchuan Gymnasium, with 14 teams from municipal government agencies competing. The event has sparked enthusiasm for nationwide fitness, provided employees with a platform for exchange and competition, and showcased their positive and energetic spirit.
Hefei Deepens Scenario-Based Innovation, with More Than 1,300 Collaborative Projects Implemented to Date
To date, Hefei has released over 2,200 scenario opportunities, implemented more than 1,300 cooperation projects, and served over 4,300 technology companies. Scenario innovation continues to deepen, providing ample space for the commercialization of scientific and technological achievements and business growth, further invigorating the city’s innovation vitality.
Taiwan Affairs Office: More Taiwanese pomelos will reach households across the mainland during the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holidays
The Taiwan Affairs Office said that, with the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holidays approaching, Taiwanese pomelos have been put on sale in many parts of the mainland, and related tasting and promotional events have also been held in Shenzhen. More high-quality Taiwanese fruits will make their way into households across the mainland, bringing warmth and festive cheer as people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait celebrate the holidays together and deepen exchanges.
Ministry of Education: China’s population with higher education has reached 270 million
China’s population with a higher education has reached 270 million, and the country ranks among the world’s leaders in educational access and equity. China has established the world’s largest and high-quality education system, laying a solid foundation for building a strong country in education and expanding development opportunities for all.
Seven Thousand Persimmon Trees Bear Abundant Fruit, Drawing Visitors to Hangzhou’s Xixi Wetland to Admire the Fiery Persimmons of Autumn
On September 23, more than 7,000 persimmon trees at Hangzhou’s Xixi Wetland were laden with fruit. The Fire Persimmon-themed event attracted numerous visitors to pick persimmons and take photos, allowing them to experience the joy of the harvest in Jiangnan in autumn. The colorful persimmons complemented the distinctive floats and wetland scenery, providing visitors with a delightful experience while showcasing the vitality of rural特色 and ecotourism.
(Aichi–Nagoya Asian Games) Women’s 400m Individual Medley: Yu Zidi Wins Gold, Ke Wenxi Takes Silver
In the women’s 400-meter individual medley final at the Nagoya Asian Games, Yu Zidi won the gold medal, while Ke Wenxi claimed silver. Chinese athletes swept the gold and silver medals, demonstrating outstanding strength and bringing honor to the delegation.
Academician Fu Bojie of the Chinese Academy of Sciences Receives the 2026 Volvo Environment Prize
Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and researcher at the Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fu Bojie has been awarded the 2026 Volvo Environment Prize. The award recognizes his pioneering contributions to social-ecological systems and sustainability science, as well as his outstanding achievements in advancing local ecological restoration to serve global sustainable development, highlighting the international influence of ecological science research in China.
Southern and Northern Opera Genres Vie for Glory on One Stage as 14 Plum Blossom Award Luminaries Gather in Hefei
Fourteen renowned winners of China’s Plum Blossom Award for Chinese Drama gathered in Hefei, where performers of Qin opera, Peking Opera, Huangmei opera, Yue opera, Yu opera, and other theatrical traditions from across the country took the stage together, showcasing the vibrant charm of Chinese opera. The spectacular performances drew enthusiastic participation from local residents, who came to watch and take photos, promoting the inheritance and exchange of traditional culture while offering audiences a rich and unforgettable artistic experience.
Qianxi, Guizhou: Busy Harvesting During the Harvest Festival
On September 23, farmers in Hongshui Town, Qianxi City, Guizhou Province, operated harvesters to gather mature rice, creating a busy scene in the fields. Mechanized operations have improved harvesting efficiency, showcasing the encouraging progress of the local agricultural harvest and modernization.
(Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games) China wins the men's and women's 4x100m medley relay titles at the Asian Games
The Chinese team won the championship in the men’s and women’s 4×100-meter medley relay events at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. With outstanding ability and seamless teamwork, the swimmers claimed the gold medal, bringing honor to the Chinese delegation and showcasing the formidable strength of Chinese swimming.
More than 400 people from both sides of the Taiwan Strait gathered in Beijing to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival.
More than 400 compatriots from both sides of the Taiwan Strait gathered at Yanqi Lake in Huairou, Beijing, to take part in the “Full Moon over Beijing, Hearts Linked across the Strait” Mid-Autumn Festival gathering. The event provided compatriots from both sides with a platform for exchanges and interaction and for celebrating the festival together, further strengthening their bonds of friendship and solidarity.
Anyang, Henan: Flaky pastry mooncakes become popular as the Mid-Autumn Festival approaches
As the Mid-Autumn Festival approaches, traditional handmade flaky mooncakes in Shuiye Town, Yindu District, Anyang, Henan, are entering their peak sales season. The workshop adheres to traditional techniques, including selecting premium nuts, hand-frying the filling, kneading the dough and creating flaky layers, and baking. The resulting mooncakes are golden in color, crisp, fragrant, and delicious, making them highly popular in the market while also breathing new life into this traditional delicacy.
Global Good News
135,000 Shelter Pets Found Forever Homes in August Thanks to NBC’s Annual Adopt-a-thon
NBC and Universal’s annual Adopt-a-thon helped 135,000 shelter animals find loving forever homes during August, marking a banner year for the nationwide campaign. The fundraiser also raised $480,000 for more than 1,000 participating shelters, providing vital support for animals still awaiting adoption.
Couple Fosters 59 Dogs in Retirement: ‘We love to get them out of the kennels’
Retired British couple Nicole and Gary Wordsworth have fostered 59 dogs from Battersea Dogs Home over the past 15 years. Their ongoing commitment gives vulnerable dogs loving homes, helps them leave kennels, and offers them a better chance of finding permanent families.
In pictures: 10 years of the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards
The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards are celebrating their 10th anniversary with a new immersive experience in London this autumn. The exhibition will bring a decade of amusing and memorable wildlife images to life, offering visitors an uplifting way to enjoy photography and the natural world.
Prisoners Prove Unlikely Heroes to Monarch Butterflies Thanks to Wisconsin Correctional Program
A Wisconsin correctional program at Redgranite Correctional Institute gives inmates a meaningful way to contribute by raising monarch butterflies. Created for those unable to participate in sports, the initiative supports conservation while encouraging compassion, purpose, and community service behind prison walls.
Historic Philanthropic Gift Will Expand Veterinary Care Access to Millions of Americans and Their Pets
A philanthropic organization has committed $250 million over five years to expand nonprofit community veterinary care across the United States. This historic investment will help millions of pet owners afford critical treatment, improving health and well-being for pets and the families who love them.
165-Mile Bike Trail Through Minnesota Finally Completed After 30 years, One of the Longest in America
After more than 30 years of planning, construction, and fundraising, Minnesota’s 165-mile Mesabi Trail is officially complete. Stretching from the Mississippi River toward the Boundary Waters, the paved route offers cyclists a scenic way to experience the state’s natural beauty and ranks among America’s longest cycling trails.
New York City is Putting ‘The Park’ Back in Park Avenue – And Adding a Protected Bike Lane (LOOK)
New York City is revitalizing 11 blocks of Manhattan’s Park Avenue by restoring its historic park-like character. The plan adds trees, benches, and a protected bike lane, creating a greener, safer, and more welcoming space for pedestrians and cyclists.
How ‘housing first’ is helping people leave rough sleeping behind
The “Housing First” model provides people experiencing rough sleeping with a permanent home before asking them to address other challenges. Its striking results show that stable housing can help people move away from homelessness and build more secure, hopeful lives.
Long-Lost Gertrude Abercrombie Painting Bought by a Bargain Hunter for $30 Could Fetch $250,000
A bargain hunter who paid just $30 for a seashell painting at a Michigan estate sale discovered it was signed by acclaimed artist Gertrude Abercrombie and dated 1951. The long-lost work could now be worth as much as $250,000, turning an overlooked hallway decoration into an extraordinary art-world find.
Flagship Restoration Project in Brazil’s Cerrado Savannah Working to Restore 4.4 Million Acres
A flagship restoration program in Brazil’s Cerrado savanna is working to restore 4.4 million acres of this vital ecosystem. Recognized by the United Nations as one of the world’s three most ambitious and impactful restoration efforts, the project offers promising progress for biodiversity and environmental recovery.
Rural French Mayors Rally to Save Their Local Cafe-Bistro, and Help Reverse National Trend
Mayors and local councils in rural France are helping preserve community life by reopening Au Bon Accueil, a beloved café-bistro in Burgundy’s Saint-Martin-sur-Ouanne, after an eight-month closure. The effort protects a vital social and economic hub, offering hope that similar communities can reverse the national decline of local cafés.
Gallery: winning pictures from Bird Photographer of the Year
The winning images from this year’s Bird Photographer of the Year awards showcase the beauty, energy, and diversity of birdlife. A striking photograph of a gannet flying through the water is among the standout entries, celebrating both wildlife and photographic artistry.