China Highlights
Zuoquan, Shanxi: Robots Learn a National-Level Intangible Cultural Heritage Craft, Giving Ancient Traditions a High-Tech Makeover
During the National Day holiday, humanoid robots at Tongyu 1941 Town in Zuoquan, Shanxi, dressed in traditional opera costumes, danced alongside Zuoquan Xiaohua Opera performers, vividly recreating signature movements from a nationally recognized intangible cultural heritage. Artificial intelligence is breathing new life into age-old folk traditions, bringing traditional culture closer to visitors in fresh and engaging ways and renewing its appeal.
Nanning, Guangxi: Nighttime festivities continue at Folk Song Lake as residents admire lanterns and listen to folk songs by the lake.
Nighttime activities at Folk Song Lake in Nanning, Guangxi, are in full swing. Performances including folk songs on the water, a fish-lantern parade, and Vietnam’s “Southern Yue Hat Dance” have drawn crowds to stop and watch. The diverse program gives residents and visitors a chance to admire lanterns, enjoy folk songs, and experience different cultures, adding energy and fun to the nightlife.
Mutianyu Great Wall Welcomes Over One Million International Visitors This Year as Beijing’s Huairou District Ramps Up Efforts to Become a Global Tourism Destination
So far in 2026, the Mutianyu Great Wall has welcomed more than one million inbound visitors, making it one of the most popular sections of the Great Wall among overseas tourists. During the National Day holiday, it once again attracted large numbers of international visitors, showcasing the global appeal of tourism in Huairou, Beijing.
New Social Strata · New Economy | Duan Lili, Chairperson of Haiyan Blog: Harnessing the Power of Communities to Energize the New Economy Among Young People
Haiyan Blog has grown from an online blogging community into a public-service platform. It has incubated 20 affiliated groups, holds more than 800 events a year, and has built strong connections with hundreds of thousands of young people. Through community-building, Chairperson Duan Lili brings together members of emerging social groups and serves young people, helping energize the new economy and create social value.
Chinese researchers successfully map a spatiotemporal cellular atlas of rice across its entire life cycle.
Chinese researchers have successfully mapped a spatiotemporal cellular atlas across the entire rice life cycle, revealing how cells are distributed and work together as rice develops from germination to heading. The findings will help deepen understanding of rice growth and development and provide a new basis for improving varieties and boosting food production.
Lu Zuofu-themed cultural tours boost tourism in Hechuan, Chongqing; musical *Forty Days* to premiere in the mountain city.
During the National Day holiday, Hechuan, Chongqing, launched themed tours centered on sites associated with Lu Zuofu. The “Tracing Lu Zuofu” route has become a new attraction, giving a boost to local cultural tourism. The musical *Forty Days* will also take the stage in the Mountain City, adding a new highlight to Chongqing’s cultural offerings.
The inaugural Northeast Super League concludes, using football to energize the integration of culture, sports, tourism and commerce.
The inaugural Northeast Super League has come to a successful close, with football injecting fresh energy into exchanges among northeastern cities and the integration of culture, sports, tourism, and commerce. Many fans used their match ticket stubs to visit the Shenyang Imperial Palace and traveled to places such as Anshan and Benxi, boosting intercity tourism and consumer spending.
Results of Hong Kong’s 2026 Ten Outstanding Young Persons Selection Announced; Horse Racing Industry Honored for the First Time
The results of the “Hong Kong Ten Outstanding Young Persons Selection 2026” were announced on October 6, with nine young people from fields including sports, education, scientific research, healthcare and youth services receiving the honor. For the first time, someone from the horse-racing industry was selected, highlighting the outstanding contributions and vibrant energy of Hong Kong’s youth across a diverse range of fields.
A New Breakthrough in Quantum Precision Measurement: Chinese Research Team Develops a “Nuclear Optical Clock”
Tsinghua University, in collaboration with several research teams across China, has pioneered the development of a “nuclear optical clock,” advancing quantum precision measurement from electronic transitions to nuclear transitions. Published in *Nature*, the achievement opens new pathways toward higher-performance time and frequency standards, deep-space exploration, and fundamental physics research.
Four straight wins at the China Open! Zheng Qinwen advances to the quarterfinals.
Zheng Qinwen battled through three sets to defeat “dark horse” Charaeva 2–1 in the fourth round of the women’s singles at the 2026 China Open, notching her fourth straight win. She advanced to the quarterfinals with a display of grit and strength, leaving fans eager to see what she does next.
Over a Decade Traveling Across the Taiwan Strait, a Taiwanese in Their 60s Uses Baseball and Softball to Build Bonds
For more than a decade, a Taiwanese person in their sixties has traveled between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait, using baseball and softball to foster friendship and promote exchanges. Sport has built a bridge for communication, bringing greater warmth to people-to-people interactions across the Strait.
A feast of performances in Fujian over the National Day holiday, as historic neighborhoods become stages.
During the National Day holiday, performances are taking place across Fujian, with historic neighborhoods and traditional homes serving as distinctive stages. In Fuzhou’s Sanfang Qixiang, excerpts from the Min opera classic *Lychees for Crimson Peaches* are being performed, giving visitors an up-close experience of the distinctive charm and cultural appeal of traditional opera.
South Korea’s Nuri launch vehicle successfully completes its fifth launch.
South Korea’s domestically developed Nuri launch vehicle successfully completed its fifth launch, and all five Earth-observation satellites aboard have made initial contact with ground stations. The mission proceeded smoothly, demonstrating advances in South Korea’s space technology and opening up new opportunities for satellite-observation applications.
The 2026 Nobel Prize in Chemistry has been announced.
The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences announced on October 7 local time that the 2026 Nobel Prize in Chemistry had been awarded to two scientists. This international honor draws attention to chemical research and inspires the scientific community.
Global Good News
Orphaned, Rescued, and Rewilded, Female Gorilla Becomes a Mother in Historic Conservation Success
An orphaned female eastern lowland gorilla, among the first of her kind to be successfully returned to the wild, gave birth in Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Her baby marks a hopeful milestone for conservation, showing that rescued gorillas can thrive and reproduce in their natural habitat.
Finalists Win Big Laughs in The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards – LOOK
The Nikon-sponsored 2026 Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards has revealed 40 finalists, celebrating spontaneous snapshots of animals at their funniest. The feel-good images offer a joyful reminder of nature’s playful side.
Oldest Man in Oregon Credits Clean Diet and “Good Mind” for Reaching 108-years Young
Oregon’s oldest man recently celebrated his 108th birthday with cake and a cheerful outlook, saying he enjoys life past 100. He credits a clean diet and a “good mind” for helping him reach this remarkable milestone.
Nonprofit Brings Free Music Education to More Than 20,000 Miami Students in 131 Schools
Young Musicians Unite provides free music classes to about 21,000 students across 131 Miami-Dade County schools. The program helps students engage with school and their communities while expanding access to music education.
Rare 1-in-100M ‘Ghost Lobster’ Goes to School to Help Scientists Crack Genetic Mystery–in Time for Halloween
A rare white “ghost lobster,” estimated to occur only once in 100 million, has found a new home at the University of New England’s Marine Science Center after being donated by the Maine State Aquarium. There, it will help scientists investigate the genetics behind its unusual coloring while inspiring students and visitors.
Gallery: winning pictures from Bird Photographer of the Year
A striking image of a gannet flying through water is among the winners of this year’s Bird Photographer of the Year award. The gallery celebrates the beauty of birds through remarkable photography.
The women putting community at the heart of elephant conservation
Across Africa, women are challenging traditional assumptions about who can lead conservation, putting local communities at the heart of efforts to protect elephants. Their leadership is helping make conservation more inclusive and community-focused.
‘You’re Walking!’ – Dad Surprises Children Having Recovered Ability to Walk After Serious Brain Injury
After three years of recovery from a serious brain injury caused by a car accident, a father surprised his children by walking independently again. Their delighted reaction made the milestone especially meaningful, celebrating his perseverance and the progress he has made.
The Spark: The ‘Community Lighthouses’ Where Neighbors Help Neighbors
The Spark celebrates “Community Lighthouses,” where neighbors support one another and create positive change through everyday acts of help. These community-led efforts show how small, local steps can make a meaningful difference.
What went right this week: a brighter future for Kosovo, plus more
Kosovo has been cleared of landmines, making communities safer and opening the way for a brighter future. Germany has set a date to quit oil, while the discovery of a new species offers another uplifting reminder of progress and wonder.
Saudi Solar Park Proves Brilliant Breeding Ground for Threatened Sand Gazelles
A large solar farm in a Saudi nature reserve is providing a safe breeding haven for vulnerable Arabian sand gazelles. The project shows how renewable energy sites can also support wildlife conservation, benefiting both clean power and native species.