Recently, placing marriage announcements in newspapers is gaining popularity among young people in China, with numerous netizens sharing their own announcements. Many describe the new trend as evoking a sense of vintage romance.
According to a report by the People's Daily, newlyweds can customize their announcements by submitting text and photos to the newspaper, with fees ranging from 520 yuan ($71.5) to 9,999 yuan ($1,373) depending on the size of the chosen layout.
Couples have varied reasons for choosing to publish their marriage announcements in newspapers, said the report.
Some people said that publishing their marriage in a newspaper is a meaningful and romantic way to mark the occasion. A woman surnamed Yang from Shenyang, Northeast China's Liaoning Province, said that she noticed other couples sharing marriage announcements in newspapers and found it intriguing, prompting her to commemorate her own wedding using this method.
"My husband and I believe that once a publication is issued, it becomes a permanent and unchangeable record, which makes it deeply romantic," Yang said.
Others said that announcing their marriage in the newspaper symbolizes their love. A netizen surnamed Jin said that seeing marriage announcement in the newspaper feels like a declaration of their love to the world. "The printed words not only convey the joyful news of our marriage but also serve as a lasting token of our love," said Jin.
Another woman surnamed Yang opted to publish her marriage announcement on the day she received marriage certificate. "Publishing in the newspaper means inviting history and law to witness this special day," Yang said.
In addition to marriage announcements, sharing celebratory news has been a long-standing tradition for some newspapers. Several newspapers have reintroduced specialized announcement services, including marriage announcements, birthday wishes, and congratulatory for academic achievements. The fees vary depending on the size of the layout occupied by the different types of announcements.
Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Prime Minister of Grenada Dickon Mitchell in Beijing on Monday.
Mitchell extended sincere condolences to the Chinese government and people over the recent earthquake in Dingri County in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region.
Xi expressed his appreciation for that. Noting that this earthquake occurred in a high-altitude area, Xi said China has completed rescue and temporary resettlement work in the shortest possible time and will carry out reconstruction work as quickly as possible.
"The Chinese government is confident and capable of achieving victory in earthquake relief," Xi said.
Xi noted that in recent years, China-Grenada relations have developed steadily, with the two sides treating each other with mutual respect and equality, consolidating political mutual trust, achieving fruitful results in practical cooperation in various fields, and deepening the friendship between the two peoples.
China is willing to work with Grenada to enhance the synergy of development strategies and push for more outcomes of bilateral cooperation to better benefit the two peoples, Xi added.
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday called on China and Vietnam to step up connectivity, jointly build frontier platform for new quality productive forces cooperation, and build stable and smooth cross-border industrial and supply chains.
Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, made the remarks during his phone talks with General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee To Lam.
Xi said he is glad to hold phone talks with To Lam at the turn of the year and on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic ties, recalling that during To Lam's state visit to China last August, the two leaders had in-depth exchanges and reached broad consensus on deepening relations between the two parties and the two countries, as well as jointly promoting the development of socialist cause.
The year 2025 marks the conclusion of China's 14th Five-Year Plan period, and a key year for the preparation of 14th National Congress of the CPV, Xi said, noting it is a year of great significance for both countries that serves as both a point of continuity and a new starting point. The two sides should continue to rejuvenate and strengthen the two parties, deepen exchanges of socialist theory and practical experience, and promote the development of the socialist cause amid great changes unseen in a century, said Xi.
The two sides should carry out warm and down to earth people-to-people and cultural exchanges that connect people's hearts, and strengthen exchanges and cooperation in areas such as media, culture and tourism, as well as between the youths of the two nations and at the sub-national level, creating more projects that win the hearts of the people, Xi said.
It is believed that under the leadership of the Central Committee of the CPV headed by Comrade To Lam, the party, the state and the people of Vietnam will focus on ensuring the 14th National Congress a success, and firmly advance toward Vietnam's two centennial goals, Xi said
Li Haidong, a professor at the China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times on Wednesday that China and Vietnam "are not only neighbors but also comrades" that share common interests in many fields, and the two economies are also very complementary. It is therefore important for top leaders and senior officials of the two countries to maintain deep and frequent exchanges.
Xu Liping, director of the Center for Southeast Asian Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Wednesday that "China and Vietnam both celebrate Lunar New Year, so the phone call between top leaders of the two countries and the two parties ahead of the festival shows that the two countries share not only similar ideologies but also similar cultures. This makes the bilateral relations very unique for the both sides."
"The two countries will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations and the China-Vietnam Year of People-to-People Exchanges in 2025, and we can expect more, broader and deeper cooperation and exchanges between the two countries this year. In the field of people-to-people exchanges, the tourism and cultural industries of the two nations will benefit, and this will surely be welcomed by the people of the two countries," Xu noted.
Relations between the two ruling parties will guide the stable bilateral ties between the two countries that are able to withstand external impacts and overcome challenges, as the CPC and the CPV will continue to exchange experiences on governance and how to develop socialism and safeguard the socialist system in their countries, Li noted.
US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan on Monday met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday in New Delhi. Indian media noted that Sullivan's trip comes amid power transition in Washington.
Before the talks with Modi, Sullivan has met with Indian Minister of External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, as the two sides have discussed enhancing bilateral, regional and global cooperation, according to NDTV.
In meeting with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on Monday, Sullivan has deliberated on the implementation of the India-US Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET), billed as one of the very significant initiatives rolled out during Biden's presidency to expand India-US strategic ties, Indian media reported.
In a speech at the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Sullivan emphasized the growing strategic and economic partnership between the two nations. The Indian Today said Sullivan's speech painted an optimistic picture of the India-US partnership as a cornerstone of global stability and innovation.
"Seeing the recent improvement in China-India ties, the US is worried that it may weaken India's role in containing China; therefore, the US hopes to take this opportunity to strengthen its relationship with India, reaffirm the foundation of their cooperation, and exploit potential issues to drive a wedge between Beijing and New Delhi," Qian Feng, director of the research department at the National Strategy Institute at Tsinghua University, told the Global Times on Monday.
During the final phase of the Biden administration, Sullivan's visit is also aimed at consolidating Biden's diplomatic legacy, Qian said. Over the past four years, US-India relations have developed comprehensively across various fields, driven primarily by Washington's geopolitical considerations, especially in Biden's Indo-Pacific strategy, in which India has played an important role, the expert explained.
Li Haidong, a professor at China Foreign Affairs University, added that Sullivan's visit also aims to draw India closer, encouraging the South Asian country to promote its functionality in QUAD and maintain a confrontational stance in its China policy.
Meanwhile, by hyping the "China threat" narrative, Washington looks to highlight its "uniqueness" in regional affairs, Li told the Global Times on Monday. "This fear of stability reflects a distinct characteristic of the US approach to China-India relations, with the aim of creating regional turmoil to serve its own strategic interests," Li said.
With efforts from both sides, the relationship between China and India has been thawing. In the first time in five years, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping held their formal talks in October 2024 on the sidelines of the 16th BRICS Summit, a move that has strategic significance for the recovery of China-India ties after the border tensions.
In December 2024, the 23rd meeting of Special Representatives for China-India Boundary Question was held in Beijing where six points of consensus were reached. Both sides positively evaluated the resolution and reaffirmed the need to continue implementing the agreement.
In managing its relationship with the US and China, Qian believes India may seek a balance between the two powers. India hopes to break the deadlock with China on border issues; while also seeking to engage in more pragmatic economic cooperation with China to promote its own economic development.
Moreover, India's efforts to improve ties with China reflect its strategic considerations to hedge against the uncertainties with the upcoming new US administration, Qian said.
"India possesses enough strategic wisdom not to be easily exploited by the US," added Li, referring to India's long-standing tradition of non-alignment and a strong sense of independence.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry on Tuesday urged the US to immediately correct its wrong practices and lift illegal unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction on Chinese companies, after several Chinese tech companies including Tencent and battery maker CATL were added to a list of firms allegedly working with China's military.
China stands firmly against the US's practice of overstretching the concept of national security, making discriminatory lists in various names and going after Chinese companies to contain China's high-quality development, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun at a routine press conference.
"The Chinese people's right to development is not to be deprived of or ignored," Guo said.
China will take all measures necessary to firmly defend the lawful rights and interests of Chinese companies and uphold its legitimate right to development, he added.
According to a document published by the US Department of Defense on Monday, it added several Chinese tech giants, such as Tencent Holdings, leading battery maker CATL, artificial intelligence software company SenseTime and CloudWalk Technology, as well as IoT solutions provider Quectel Wireless Solutions, among a number of other Chinese companies, to its Section 1260H list of firms allegedly linked to China's military.
Several Chinese companies being blacklisted refuted on Tuesday the inclusion on the list, with companies such as Tencent, CATL and Quectel Wireless Solutions stating that the move is "a mistake."
As the company is neither a Chinese military company nor a military-civil fusion contributor to the Chinese defense industrial base, it believes its inclusion in the "Chinese military companies" (CMC) list is a mistake, Tencent Holdings Ltd said in a filing to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on Tuesday.
CATL told the Global Times that the company has never engaged in any military-related business or activities, so this designation by the Department of Defense is a mistake.
"Being listed on the Section 1260H list is clearly a mistake," Quectel Wireless Solutions said via its WeChat account on Tuesday. The company emphasized that its business is focused on civilian applications and that it is neither a military enterprise nor a supplier to military enterprises.
Other companies such as SenseTime also refuted the claims. "This decision by the US Department of Defense has no factual basis, and we firmly disagree with it," SenseTime spokesperson told the Global Times on Tuesday.
We firmly deny the relevant accusations and express our strong dissatisfaction, CloudWalk Technology Co said on its WeChat account on Tuesday, adding that the list is based on groundless speculation rather than concrete evidence and has no substantial impact on our business.
Exaggerated 'China threat' narrative
The Section 1260H list is intended to create the impression that these companies pose a threat to US security, but it is rooted in the exaggerated "China threat" narrative, Zhou Mi, a senior research fellow at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, told the Global Times on Tuesday.
Addressing concern by some companies that the US government made the decision without sufficient communication and without necessary transparency and fair procedures, Zhou said the sudden and poorly researched measure undermines the credibility of the list, disrupts market order, and significantly impacts the normal operations of businesses and the broader market.
Under the pretext of safeguarding national security, US government agencies have created lists targeting Chinese companies they deem problematic, Gao Lingyun, an expert at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences in Beijing, told the Global Times on Tuesday, noting that the US is using security as a tool to discriminate against Chinese firms.
Gao criticized the move, stating that the lack of compelling evidence to support these accusations undermines the credibility of such actions, especially for a country that prides itself on the rule of law and evidence-based practices. "This inconsistency calls into question the legitimacy of the list," Gao said.
Potential impact
While the addition to the Defense Department's list of "Chinese military companies" does not involve immediate bans, it represents warning to US entities and firms about the risks of conducting business with them and entities blacklisted are restricted from serving as suppliers to the US Department of Defense.
Unlike other lists maintained by the US Government for sanctions or export control measures, inclusion in the CMC list relates only to US defense procurement, which does not affect the business of the Group, Tencent Holdings Ltd said.
It does not restrict CATL from conducting business with entities other than the US Department of Defense and it is expected to have no substantially adverse impact on our business. We will proactively engage with US Department of Defense to address the false designation, including legal action if necessary, to protect the interests of our company and shareholders as a whole, the company said.
This decision has no material impact on our global operations. We remain firmly committed to working collaboratively with the relevant stakeholders to address this matter, and to safeguarding the interests of the company and our shareholders, SenseTime said.
Quectel Wireless Solutions also said the company is taking the matter seriously and responding proactively, adding that the list has no impact on the company's business, and CloudWalk Technology said the list is based on groundless speculation rather than concrete evidence, and has no substantial impact on its business.
CloudWalk Technology also said that the US government made the decision without sufficient communication and without necessary transparency and fair procedures, which has created unnecessary uncertainty in the international business environment.
The US Department of Defense removed Chinese firm Advanced Micro-Fabrication Equipment Inc. China (AMEC) from its so-called CMC list, after the company sued the department over the designation, Bloomberg reported on December 18, 2024.
In January 2024, the US Department of Defense added the Chinese firm to its so-called CMC list, while, after "extensive efforts to engage with the US Department of Defense in order to clarify the facts and demonstrate that it does not meet any of the CMC criteria" failed to change the designation, AMEC announced on August 16 that it had formally filed a lawsuit against the US Department of Defense in the US District Court for the District of Columbia for "unlawfully" designating AMEC as a CMC, the company said in a statement at the time, the Global Times reported earlier.
China's human rights stories are unfolding in a new era of comprehensive deepening reform and historic changes. It is a key component of China's poverty alleviation and whole-process people's democracy, a thorough reformation in judicial, medical insurance, and other key sectors related to the national economy and people's livelihoods, as well as a combination of numerous impressive and inspiring individual stories.
To be nurtured in youth, educated, secure gainful employment, receive medical care when ill, cared for in old age, have a place to live, and supported when weak… these are the concrete embodiments of human rights, demonstrating that the greatest human right is the right to the happiness of the people.
For a long time, politicians and media outlets in a handful of countries have remained hostile and prejudicial toward China, leading to a lack of understanding among foreign audiences when it comes to the concepts and achievements of China's human rights development. But what is revealed in the daily lives of the Chinese people speaks to the most basic truth: Rights to survival and development are fundamental human rights.
The Global Times is launching a series of articles, telling vivid stories about upholding human rights in the new era. We expect the series to become a window through which more foreign readers will understand how Chinese people recognize human rights and what efforts they have made to fight for and fully enjoy human rights in their daily lives. "Finally, I am free!" Stepping out of the Wuhou District People's Court in Chengdu, Southwest China's Sichuan Province on May 31, 2024, Xie Moumei (pseudonym), 30, cannot help but cry.
After a 10-hour long trial, Xie, who had suffering 16 instances of brutal domestic violence during a marriage of two years (2021-2023), finally got divorced from her husband He Mouyang (pseudonym) and got custody of her daughter, according to Xie's post on Douyin, Chinese version of TikTok.
Seven months later, on December 27, 2024, Wuhou District People's Court sentenced He to 11 years in prison for crimes of intentional injury and abuse.
Eight years after China's first anti-domestic violence law took effect in 2016, Xie's case serves as a latest example of how more and more Chinese people suffering domestic violence are firmly employing legal weapons to protect themselves and seek justice.
About a month before the judgement on Xie's case was announced, the Supreme People's Court of China and the All-China Women's Federation jointly released five typical cases of domestic violence crimes (referring as Five Cases) on November 25, 2024, which marked the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, to raise awareness of domestic violence prevention and victim protection. These cases have garnered significant attention on Chinese social media platforms.
"These cases not only prompt deep reflection among the public regarding the issue of domestic violence - a hidden crime that many people regard as merely 'family disputes,' but also showcase China's efforts over the past eight years to improve its legal system for protecting victims of domestic violence," Zhang Yonghe, a professor at the Southwest University of Political Science and Law, told the Global Times. Raising public awareness
According to Wuhou District People's Court, He repeatedly committed acts of domestic violence, including verbal abuse and physical assault, against Xie during their marriage. Xie and He got married in May 2021.
The first instance of violence occurred just two months after they got married, and at that time, Xie was pregnant. He violently squeezed Xie's throat. The last and most severe instance of violence happened in April 2023, after He discovered that Xie was collecting evidence of his domestic violence in order to file for divorce. At that time, Xie was living in a friend's home, but He found her, knocked her unconscious, and took her to a hotel room, where he abused her for a night, Xie stated on her Douyin account.
Videos went viral on Chinese social media platforms in April, 2023, showing Xie laying on a hospital bed, with a 30-centimeter-long scar stretching from her chest to her belly and a colostomy bag attached to her body, along with other injuries. Many netizens encouraged Xie to remain brave and continue to defend herself with available legal weapons.
Yao Kefeng, chief lawyer at Beijing Guo Biao Law Firm and Xie's attorney, still remembers how shocked he was when he first met her in July, 2023. He told the Global Times that Xie's case was "one of the most shocking."
On December 25, 2024, a trial for He's criminal offenses opened at the Wuhou District People's Court. Two days later, the court announced the sentence of 11 years in prison for He for the crimes of intentional injury and abuse.
One of the Five Cases released to the public is also a typical example where the victim actively reported the crime to the police and sought help from them and the local women's federation, using legal means.
In the case, the victim, surnamed Ding, and her husband, surnamed Liang, were married for many years and had two sons together. On February 3, 2023, at around 9 pm, Liang returned home after drinking and got into an argument with Ding over trivial matters. Liang knocked Ding to the ground and kicked her in the chest and abdomen, resulting in six fractured ribs. Ding reported the incident to the police. Later, Liang turned himself in to the public security authorities and confessed to the crime.
It is hoped that this case will serve as "a demonstration, encouraging more victims to bravely say 'no' to domestic violence," read the joint announcement of the Supreme People Court and the All-China Women's Federation.
According to Zhang, despite efforts in legal education, some people still hold strong opinions advocating that "domestic violence is a family dispute" and that "domestic shame should not be publicized."
"Publicizing and generating widespread social attention on typical cases, such as Xie's case and the Five Cases, will help more people understand that domestic violence is a crime rather than a simple family issue. In the long run, this will contribute to creating a social atmosphere of zero tolerance for domestic violence," he noted. Strengthening protections for victims
China's anti-domestic violence law offers a legal basis for anti-domestic violence work in China, marking a milestone in the country's battle against domestic violence. Two effective weapons authorized under the law are admonition notices and personal protection orders, according to Yao.
Yao explained the different purposes of the admonition notices and personal protection orders. The former is issued by the police to warn the perpetrators that if they perpetrate violence again, they will be detained; the latter is a judicial document issued by the court, and violating it can constitute the crime of refusing to comply with a court ruling.
In one of the Five Cases, a defendant, surnamed Wang, refused to comply with a personal protection order issued to his ex-wife, continuing to assault, curse, and threaten her after divorce. Wang was sentenced to eight months' imprisonment for the crime of refusing to follow a ruling.
"This case sends a strong message to society that personal safety protection orders are not mere formalities, and that ignoring such prohibitions will lead to severe punishment," said the joint announcement.
Yao pointed out that it is important to make the issuance of admonition notices easier, and harsher punishments should be given to perpetrators.
During the two years of her marriage, Xie suffered domestic violence and reported the incidents to the police six times. In response, the police issued admonition notices to He twice.
"However, the admonition letter does not restrict the perpetrator's personal freedom, which means there is no substantial punishment for the perpetrator," Yao said. He believes that if the perpetrator is not punished, they may escalate their violence in the future.
He suggests that related departments and organizations, such as the police, the women's federation, and neighborhood committees, should establish a collaborative mechanism to ensure they inform each other when they know someone has a history of domestic violence. After an admonition notice has been issued, they should follow up with the complainant, monitor offenders, and protect victims of domestic violence who have nowhere to go.
Now, every time Xie receives private messages on her Douyin account from people who say they have also decided to seek legal support against domestic violence, she always advises them to report the incidents of domestic violence to the police as soon as they occur and to preserve evidence.
Improvements are underway. On December 6, 204, China's Ministry of Public Security, the Supreme People's Court, Ministry of Justice, and All-China Women's Federation published a set of guidelines on strengthening the implementation of the domestic violence warning system.
The guidelines outline the responsibilities of eight sectors in combating domestic violence, including courts, education authorities, civil affairs departments, hospitals and women's organizations. In particular, they highlight the implementation of a mandatory reporting system. For instance, staff at schools, kindergartens, medical institutions, community centers and social service organizations have been asked to report cases of domestic violence to the police upon discovering them, Xinhua reported.
More support available
In the guidelines released on December 6, 2024, the conditions under which police can establish the facts of domestic violence, an area that often sparks controversy in real-life situations, are further clarified.
The guidelines also list eight types of supplementary evidence, including digital materials such as audio-visual recordings and telephone recordings documenting the domestic violence incident. These eight types of supplementary evidence aim to provide clearer operational standards for the police when issuing admonition notices. For the general public, it is now more explicit what evidence needs to be collected in order to request the issuance of a warning letter.
More measures are also accessible for domestic violence victims to receive timely and effective support.
According to a report on national efforts to combat domestic violence presented at the fifth session of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) on August 28, 2023, the China's Ministry of Civil Affairs is collaborating with over 1,500 civil affairs rescue management institutions to offer temporary shelter and assistance services for victims whose personal safety is at risk due to domestic violence, homelessness, or other temporary living challenges. These services encompass food and accommodation, placement assistance, legal aid, psychological counseling, mediation for marriage and family disputes, and support in applying for personal safety protection orders.
Legal aid agencies nationwide have established more than 4,700 legal aid workstations in partnership with women's federations and youth league organizations, along with over 260,000 legal aid contact points based in village and community committees. This network enables victims of domestic violence to access legal aid services quickly and conveniently. In 2022, national legal aid agencies addressed over 8,900 cases related to abuse, abandonment, and domestic violence, providing legal consultations to more than 2.06 million women and children, according to the report.
As a whole, the proportion of women who have experienced physical and psychological violence from their spouse during marriage was 8.6 percent in 2021 in China, a decrease of 5.2 percentage points compared to 2010, read the report.
Anti-domestic violence has become a consensus across China. Domestic violence is a crime, and the victims of domestic violence suffer tragically. Ending domestic violence is a dual rescue for individuals and families, as well as a fundamental obligation to safeguard human rights, according to Zhang.
"The level of civilization in a society is primarily measured by its attitude toward the weak and whether the weak in that society are protected. Although the path to ending domestic violence is difficult and winding, any country that bears the welfare of its people will not reject the demand to protect the weak, nor will it overlook the compassion that exists outside the law for the vulnerable," Zhang stressed.
China's first distributed electric-driven flying car - Southeast University Kunpeng No.1 - was developed and unveiled by a research team at Southeast University in East China's Jiangsu Province. It features full steering and all-wheel drive capabilities, according to a press release sent to the Global Times by Southeast University on Thursday.
The vehicle features a configuration with four coaxial rotors. Yin Guodong, the project leader, also a professor from School of Mechanical Engineering of Southeast University noted that the research aims to pioneer new modes of transportation for the future and contribute more efforts to the low-altitude economy.
Unlike traditional electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft, the Southeast University Kunpeng No.1 is designed as an integrated land-air vehicle, which combines the ground mobility as well as the movement capabilities of aerial vehicles, according to the university.
"This is China's first flying car based on distributed electric drive technology, using a car as its primary carrier, rather than relying on drone technology, enabling smooth transitions between driving on the ground and flying in the air," said Yin.
With a maximum take-off weight of 500 kilograms, the vehicle has a flight endurance of at least 20 minutes and reaches a maximum flying height of more than 300 meters. In ground mode, it can achieve a top speed of 60 kilometers per hour, according to the university.
Currently, it relies on a high-capacity power battery. The research team is also working on more research, expected to extend flight durations to over two hours in the next-generation flying cars, according to the university.
The flying car represents a multidisciplinary integration and innovation, spanning mechanical, vehicle, electrical, and control sciences, among other disciplines.
The Shenzhou-19 crew has made smooth progress in the space life sciences and human research project focused on the space hypomagnetic effects on drosophila and their molecular mechanisms. The "fruit fly family" is thriving, with the potential to become the first species to reproduce for three generations aboard China's space station, according to the China Central Television on Sunday.
Last week, the crew successfully completed tasks such as fruit fly collection, clearing of cultivation boxes, and sample organization. Earlier, with the successful launch of the Long March-7 Y9 carrier rocket, China sent fruit flies to the space station for the first time to conduct scientific experiments.
According to the Xinhua News Agency, the fruit fly is one of the model species frequently used in genetic experiments. It is small, measuring only 3 to 4 millimeter in length, and has a short life cycle with fast reproduction capabilities, enabling it to produce a large number of offspring within a short period, according to Zhang Wei, a researcher involved in the selection of in-orbit scientific experiments, at the Technology and Engineering Center for Space Utilization under the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
"The genes of fruit flies share many similarities with those of humans, so the study can help with understanding human genetic diseases and provide insights into how humans adapt to space environments," Zhang said in a recent interview.
On the space station, fruit flies from the Institute of Biophysics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) were divided into two groups. One group lives in the microgravity environment of space, while the other is placed in a magnetic shielding device, simultaneously subjected to the combined effects of microgravity and a hypomagnetic field, China Science Daily reported on December 16.
Upon arrival in space, the fruit flies went through a fascinating adaptation period. In the microgravity environment, a simple flap of their wings would send them shooting forward like bullets. When they stopped flapping, they would drift uncontrollably, attempting to kick their legs to change direction.
Fortunately, these small creatures quickly adapted to their new environment. Researchers at CAS, led by Professor Li Yan, jokingly referred to these terrestrial flying experts as having learned to "swim like frogs" in space, according to the China Science Daily report.
A video transmitted from space on November 19 showed a tiny fruit fly emerging from its pupa and curiously observing its unfamiliar surroundings. This fruit fly, affectionately called the "first baby fruit fly born in space" by the research team, marks China's first successful fruit fly reproduction in space.
On Earth, fruit flies can reproduce a new generation in 12 to 15 days. With an expected on-orbit experiment duration of 36 days, they are likely to become the first species to achieve "three generations under one roof" aboard China's space station.
After the fruit flies return to Earth, Li's team will further analyze their behavior and gene expression during their time in space. The goal is to uncover the effects of microgravity and hypomagnetic fields on animal behavior and the underlying neural and molecular mechanisms, said in the China Science Daily report.
Li told the China Science Daily that one could imagine future generations establishing bases or even permanent homes on the Moon, where gravity is only one-sixth that of Earth and the magnetic field is extremely weak. She wondered whether animals would be able to reproduce across generations on the Moon, noting that fruit flies are pioneers in humanity's exploration of space.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi on Saturday in Beijing, during which Wang said that enhancing coordination and cooperation between China and Iran not only benefits the peoples of both countries, but will also contribute to promoting regional and global peace, stability, and development, according to a statement released by China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday.
Araghchi began a two-day visit to China from Friday at the invitation of the Chinese side, the Chinese Foreign Ministry announced on Friday.
During the meeting, Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that China and Iran established a comprehensive strategic partnership and are important members of the Global South. The relationship between the two countries has a long history, rooted in the strong and deep traditional friendship between their peoples, mutual trust and support since the establishment of diplomatic relations more than half a century ago, and their shared pursuit of independence, self-improvement, and national rejuvenation, which has withstood the tests of changing international circumstances.
Enhancing coordination and cooperation between China and Iran benefits both nations and contributes to regional and global peace, stability, and development, said Wang.
Wang emphasized that both countries should continue to support each other on issues related to their core interests, steadily advance practical cooperation, and enhance multilateral collaboration. Both sides should closely coordinate within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), jointly promote the Shanghai Spirit, facilitate more cooperative projects, and build closer SCO community with shared future.
Both sides should work together to enhance greater BRICS cooperation, cultivate new areas of cooperation, further strengthen BRICS, and better safeguard the common interests of the Global South, Wang said.
Wang also emphasized that, in the face of today's world of instability and uncertainty, we must remain resolute, firmly believe that the historical trend of world multipolarity, economic globalization, and cultural diversity is unstoppable, and that unilateral hegemony will ultimately lose support.
We must steadfastly focus on our own development, steadily advance national development strategies, and inject greater stability into the world. We must strengthen unity and cooperation, oppose hegemonic and bullying actions, and jointly advocate and practice true multilateralism, working to build a more just and reasonable global governance system, said Wang.
Araghchi stressed that developing and strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership between Iran and China is a priority in Iran's foreign policy. Iran adheres to the one-China principle and firmly supports China’s legitimate positions on core issues, including Xinjiang, Xizang, and human rights.
Iran looks forward to closer high-level exchanges with China, deepening mutually beneficial cooperation, and strengthening communication and collaboration within multilateral frameworks like the United Nations, SCO, and BRICS to safeguard shared interests, said Araghchi.
The two sides agreed to further advance the implementation of the China-Iran comprehensive cooperation plan, strengthening exchanges of governance experience in political diplomacy, legislative institutions, law enforcement, judicial matters, and economic and trade fields. They will also enhance cooperation and exchanges in areas such as youth, education, sports, technology, culture, tourism, environmental protection, public health, and media, as well as deepen interactions at the civil, local, and sister-city levels to make unremitting efforts to promote the development of China-Iran relations, according to the foreign ministry’s statement.
The two sides also had an in-depth exchange of views on the current situation in the Middle East. Both agreed that the Middle East belongs to the people of the Middle East; it should not be a battleground for great power rivalry, nor a victim of geopolitical struggles and conflicts by external powers.
The fate of Middle East countries should be in the hands of their own people. The international community should genuinely respect the sovereignty, security, stability, unity, and territorial integrity of Middle East countries, respect their legitimate concerns, respect the choice independently made by Middle East people, and respect their historical and cultural traditions. The international community should play a constructive role in promoting peace and stability in the Middle East, according to the statement.
The path to peace and stability in the Middle East lies in adhering to political solutions without external interference and in compliance with international law. Both sides support the continued reconciliation momentum between Iran and Saudi Arabia after the restoration of diplomatic ties and encourage regional countries to maintain dialogue and consultations, said the statement.
The two sides agreed that resolving the Palestinian issue requires respecting and restoring the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people and ending the occupation. The immediate priority is to implement a ceasefire, withdraw military forces, and provide urgent humanitarian assistance. They called for the effective and full implementation of the ceasefire deal and emphasized respect for Syria's sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, urging an integrated approach to Syria's counter-terrorism, reconciliation, and humanitarian processes.
The two sides also exchanged views on the Iranian nuclear issue.
Wang emphasized that China has always advocated for addressing the Iranian nuclear issue through political dialogue and upholding the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. All relevant parties should play a constructive role in restoring dialogue and negotiations. China opposes the frequent use of sanctions and pressure and firmly supports Iran in safeguarding its legitimate rights and interests.
Araghchi appreciated China’s important role in facilitating and maintaining the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action and expressed Iran's willingness to maintain close communication with China.
