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  • Event marks 55th anniversary of ‘ping-pong diplomacy’

    Event marks 55th anniversary of ‘ping-pong diplomacy’

    Fifty-five years after a seemingly small sports exchange reshaped the trajectory of China-US relations, stakeholders from both nations gathered in Beijing’s Capital Indoor Stadium on Friday to honor the legacy of the groundbreaking “ping-pong diplomacy” that first opened the door to normalized engagement between the two countries.

    The historic gathering brought together a diverse group of attendees, including surviving firsthand witnesses who participated in the original 1971 cross-border table tennis exchange, rising young table tennis talents from China and the United States, and delegates from a wide range of public and private sectors across both nations. During the event, young athletes from the two countries posed for commemorative photos, symbolizing the continued people-to-people connection that the original diplomacy initiative first built.

    Beyond honoring the 55-year milestone, the ceremony also served as the official launch pad for a full calendar of bilateral youth sports exchange programs set to take place across 2026. Organizers and attendees alike emphasized that by carrying forward the spirit of “ping-pong friendship” forged half a century ago, the younger generation of Chinese and Americans is breathing new, dynamic energy into the civil society ties that underpin broader bilateral relations, even amid periods of political tension between the two governments.

    The original ping-pong diplomacy, which grew from an accidental encounter between a US table tennis team member and Chinese athletes during the 1971 World Table Tennis Championships in Japan, paved the way for then-US President Richard Nixon’s historic visit to China the following year, ending decades of estrangement and establishing the foundation for modern China-US relations.

  • Exclusive: What the Lebanese government wants from talks with Israel

    Exclusive: What the Lebanese government wants from talks with Israel

    Trapped between competing regional and global powers, Lebanon’s newly elected government is waging a quiet diplomatic battle to claim full sovereignty over its own future, pushing to position itself as an equal, independent negotiating party ahead of next week’s Washington talks with Israeli officials. The ongoing conflict that has shattered the country has put Beirut in an unenviable position: squeezed between Israeli military aggression, Iran’s regional power projection, and inconsistent diplomatic attention from Washington, leaving the small state scrambling to rewrite the rules of negotiation before its fate is decided by outside actors.

    The conflict traces back to a US-Israeli strike that killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, which triggered retaliatory cross-border rocket fire from the Iran-aligned militant group Hezbollah. Israel responded with a full-scale bombardment of Lebanon, acting on long-held plans to push Hezbollah back from the shared border that the movement has controlled for decades. When Washington and Tehran announced a two-week ceasefire mediated by Pakistan earlier this week, both Iran and Islamabad said the truce would include Lebanon. But Israel immediately rejected that inclusion, launching a devastating 10-minute air assault on Beirut and other Lebanese areas that killed more than 300 people, the majority civilians including dozens of children. Under mounting international pressure and threats of further Iranian retaliation, Israel eventually agreed to de-escalate its attacks and enter direct talks with the Lebanese government in Washington next week to discuss a permanent end to hostilities and the future of Hezbollah.

    For Lebanon’s leadership, which took office in early 2025 on a mandate to restore state authority after years of fragmentation and a previous devastating Israeli war sparked by the Gaza conflict, the upcoming talks represent far more than a chance to stop the bombing. Senior Lebanese officials have made clear that their core demand is non-negotiable: all future negotiations and decisions about Lebanon’s future must be channeled exclusively through official state institutions, led by President Joseph Aoun’s office. The government is intent on abandoning the old military-dominated negotiation frameworks that have governed Israeli-Lebanese border talks for years, and separating any Lebanese agreements from separate deals being struck between Iran and the United States. This position is as much about survival as it is about sovereignty: after decades of foreign interference and economic collapse that has left the state fragile, Lebanese leaders view formal control over negotiations as the only way to rebuild public trust in state institutions and avoid being reduced to a bargaining chip in a larger regional conflict.

    Not all stakeholders have aligned with this framework, however. Hezbollah, the powerful Iran-backed armed movement that holds significant political and military sway in Lebanon, has rejected the current timing of the talks, insisting that any negotiations can only begin after a full ceasefire, an Israeli withdrawal from occupied Lebanese territory, and the safe return of displaced civilians. The new approach also creates friction with both Israel and Iran, whose competing priorities directly undermine Beirut’s goals. Israel has made clear it intends to decouple the Lebanese file from wider talks with Iran, seeking to maintain military pressure on Hezbollah and keep Lebanon as a bargaining chip to prevent Iran from claiming a diplomatic victory by protecting its regional ally. For its part, Iran has resisted any separation of the two fronts, viewing the US initial attempt to exclude Lebanon from the Iran ceasefire as a outright betrayal. Iranian officials have repeatedly stated they will not move forward with any truce that leaves Lebanon exposed to continued Israeli attacks, a stance echoed by senior diplomatic sources in Egypt, which is leading Arab mediation efforts. Any public abandonment of Hezbollah would also carry severe political costs for Tehran both domestically and among its regional allied networks.

    International powers have been split in their approach to Lebanon’s demands. Pakistan, Turkey, and Egypt have all sought to reassure Beirut and urge patience as diplomacy moves forward, with Egypt actively pushing for Lebanon’s full inclusion in any regional ceasefire framework. Both France and the United Kingdom have also publicly called for any US-Iran truce to extend to Lebanon. But Lebanese officials report that Beirut also faces quiet external pressure: some global and regional actors do not want to see Lebanon positioned as a success for Iranian diplomacy, after earlier Arab mediation efforts failed to stop the war. For President Aoun, this creates a no-win dilemma: even as his weak government relies on Iranian pressure to secure a ceasefire, he cannot afford to be seen as a mere proxy for Tehran, which would undermine his mandate to restore sovereign state authority.

    The scale of the crisis facing Lebanon makes this diplomatic push all the more urgent. The latest conflict has displaced more than one million people – roughly one-fifth of the country’s entire population – and the International Monetary Fund warned earlier this year that Lebanon’s fragile post-collapse economic recovery will remain unstable without deep structural reforms. The current ad-hoc negotiation framework, which has been anchored in a US-chaired military truce committee and UN-backed monitoring since a 2024 ceasefire, was expanded to include civilian envoys in late 2025, but Aoun’s administration is pushing for a fully political channel centered on the presidency and cabinet, rather than the legacy military-focused machinery.

    Prime Minister Nawaf Salam is expected to travel to Washington and New York in the coming days to frame any diplomatic progress as a victory for the Lebanese state, rather than a concession to regional power brokers. But even if he succeeds in securing a ceasefire through state-led channels, core sticking points – including the future of Hezbollah’s arsenal and the status of southern Lebanon – will remain tied to the broader US-Iran regional standoff. In the end, Lebanon’s government is trying to secure three competing goals: an immediate ceasefire to end civilian suffering, full state control over all negotiations, and a political outcome that does not hand Iran a symbolic diplomatic victory – all while holding almost none of the decisive power needed to shape the final outcome.

  • Streep and Hathaway in Shanghai to promote sequel

    Streep and Hathaway in Shanghai to promote sequel

    Two decades after the cultural phenomenon that was *The Devil Wears Prada* first hit cinemas, Hollywood icons Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway have made a much-anticipated appearance in Shanghai to drum up excitement for their upcoming sequel, holding a star-studded promotional gala at Taikoo Li Qiantan on Friday.

    The red carpet event marked a landmark reunion for the beloved on-screen duo, who drew cheers from hundreds of waiting fans with their fashion-forward looks that highlighted emerging Chinese creative talent. Hathaway stepped out in an elegant layered gown crafted by Chinese designer Susan Wang, while 76-year-old Streep paired her tailored blue Saint Laurent ensemble with a delicate floral brooch from renowned Chinese jewelry artist Cindy Chao.

    For Hathaway, the warm reception from Chinese fans moved her to tears as she took the stage. The actress, who first won over global audiences more than two decades ago in *The Princess Diaries*, greeted the crowd in Mandarin and opened up about the long-standing support she has received from Chinese moviegoers throughout her career. “China and Chinese fans have given me so much support. You have embraced me. You have supported my films … I just want to say how much it means to me, to be here sharing tonight with you,” she told the assembled audience.

    Earlier that same day, during an exclusive roundtable interview at Shanghai’s Peninsula Hotel, Streep opened up about what it meant to return to one of her most iconic roles: the sharp, intimidating fashion magazine editor Miranda Priestly, a character loosely inspired by *Vogue* editor-in-chief Anna Wintour.

    The Oscar-winning actress admitted that even in her most imaginative moments, she never expected to step back into Miranda’s shoes two decades after the original film’s release. “I never in my wildest dreams imagined that we would do a sequel 20 years later at this age,” she told China Daily. Streep added that she particularly appreciated the creative choice to align the character’s age with her own. “I like that Miranda is 76 years old. I like that very much, because I am 76 and I like to see that woman on the screen,” she explained.

    Streep also shared an unexpected update on her off-screen relationship with the real-life inspiration for her character: the pair have grown from casual acquaintances to close friends over the past 20 years, and even recently collaborated on a *Vogue* cover shoot together.

    The 2006 original *The Devil Wears Prada*, adapted from Lauren Weisberger’s bestselling 2003 novel, was a massive global box office success that earned two Academy Award nominations and remains a cultural touchstone for fashion and film fans around the world. The upcoming sequel recontextualizes the franchise for a dramatically changed media landscape, exploring fresh themes of fashion, industry power dynamics, and personal autonomy in the modern digital age.

    In a notable release schedule shift, *The Devil Wears Prada 2* will hold its global premiere in China on April 30, two weeks ahead of its North American theatrical launch. The film will be available to audiences across China in multiple premium formats including 2D, CINITY, IMAX, Dolby Cinema, and China Giant Screen.

  • Study-abroad program bears fruit for nation

    Study-abroad program bears fruit for nation

    The 2026 China Study Abroad Forum, which kicked off Friday in Beijing, has released fresh data outlining evolving trends in overseas education and talent mobility for Chinese students, revealing a consistent pattern of skilled graduates returning home to build their careers after completing international study programs.

    According to figures presented by Wang Daquan, director of the Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange, 570,600 Chinese students enrolled in overseas higher education programs during 2025, marking sustained strong interest in international academic experience despite shifting global geopolitical and economic conditions. Most notably, the number of graduates returning to China after finishing their studies overseas climbed to 535,600 last year — an increase of 40,600 compared to 2024, and a jump of 120,000 from 2023 levels.

    Cumulative data stretching back to the launch of China’s reform and opening-up policy in 1978 underscores the long-term scale of this mobility: between 1978 and 2024, a total of 8.88 million Chinese students pursued education overseas, 7.43 million completed their programs, and more than 6.44 million ultimately chose to return to China after graduation.

    A new employment trends report released alongside the official data confirms that the flow of high-skilled talent back to China is accelerating, with more than half of all current overseas graduates reporting increased intent to launch their careers in China. Geographically, traditional major talent hubs including Beijing, Shanghai, and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area continue to attract the majority of returning graduates. However, emerging new first-tier cities such as Hangzhou, Chengdu, Suzhou, and Chongqing have rapidly grown in popularity, fueled by targeted pro-talent policies and rapid local industrial upgrading that creates high-quality professional opportunities. When it comes to industry choice, the report identifies finance, information technology, and education as the three most popular sectors for returning Chinese graduates.

    International stakeholders emphasized the mutual value of cross-border academic exchange at the forum. Jo Johnson, former UK Minister of State for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation, highlighted that global education must evolve beyond the historic one-way flow of students moving from East to West, and instead embrace a circular, reciprocal model of mobility that benefits all nations. “One thing remains constant, and that’s the fact that education is the most durable bridge between countries,” Johnson said. He added that cross-border student mobility delivers three core, lasting benefits: it drives academic growth through exposure to diverse teaching methods, research cultures and intellectual traditions; it builds deeper intercultural understanding; and it fosters long-lasting professional and personal networks that span borders.

    Ren Youqun, Vice-Minister of Education of China, noted that China’s education sector has grown into an increasingly influential global player, characterized by rising academic quality, greater openness to international collaboration, and a strong focus on cultivating social responsibility in students. He described overseas study as a critical infrastructure for cross-civilizational mutual learning and a core pillar of global talent exchange, calling on all nations to strengthen communication, deepen collaborative partnerships, and build more welcoming, inclusive environments for international students worldwide.

    Li Peng, president of Zhengzhou University and a longstanding beneficiary of China’s national study abroad policy, shared her personal experience to illustrate the transformative impact of international education. In autumn 1988, Li traveled from Beijing to the United States to pursue her first overseas academic program on a Chinese government scholarship. After completing her master’s degree and doctorate in the U.S., and gaining additional work experience in Singapore and Hong Kong, Li returned to take up a position at Tsinghua University in 2005. “My study and work experiences overseas have been invaluable assets, expanding not only my knowledge but also my mindset, allowing me to understand and see the world from a broader perspective,” she said.

  • Peony culture and industry take center stage in Shandong’s Heze

    Peony culture and industry take center stage in Shandong’s Heze

    One of China’s most anticipated annual celebrations of floral heritage and agricultural innovation, the 2026 World Peony Conference alongside the 35th Heze International Peony Cultural Tourism Festival, officially launched on Friday in Heze, a northeastern Chinese city in Shandong province long known as China’s peony capital.

    As spring settles over the region, hectares of peony plants are bursting into full bloom across the city, drawing flocks of tourists, botanists, and industry stakeholders to iconic sites such as Caozhou Peony Garden, where vivid carpets of pink, white, crimson, yellow and gold blossoms have become a global draw for nature and culture lovers.

    Decades of dedicated cultivation and research have positioned Heze as an unrivaled national hub for peony development. Today, the city grows an extraordinary 1,308 distinct peony varieties, spanning nine official color groups and 10 unique flower forms. This extensive collection not only reflects the region’s deep historical roots in peony cultivation dating back more than 1,400 years, but also cements its reputation as China’s leading center for peony production, genetic innovation, and cultural preservation.

    The dual event is designed to shine a global spotlight on Heze’s unique peony heritage, while creating new opportunities for cross-border cultural exchange, agricultural trade, and tourism growth. Organizers note that the conference and festival will showcase how Heze has transformed its traditional floral heritage into a thriving, multi-billion-dollar industry that spans cut flower production, seed oil extraction, traditional Chinese medicine, cosmetics, and cultural tourism, supporting livelihoods for hundreds of thousands of local residents.

    Visitors attending the event can explore sprawling garden displays, attend academic seminars on peony breeding and sustainable cultivation, experience local folk arts centered on peony culture, and sample regional cuisines that feature peony as a core ingredient. For industry leaders, the event offers a platform to forge new partnerships, showcase cutting-edge products, and map out future directions for global peony industry development.

  • UK doctor suspended for sending Islamophobic messages about Gaza to colleague

    UK doctor suspended for sending Islamophobic messages about Gaza to colleague

    A UK doctor has been handed a four-month suspension from medical practice after a medical tribunal found her guilty of serious professional misconduct for making explicitly Islamophobic comments toward a Muslim colleague who criticized the British government’s pro-Israel stance, a case that has reignited debate over political speech and regulatory bias within the UK’s national healthcare system.

    The incident dates back to the days immediately following the October 7, 2023 attacks led by Hamas in Israel. Roghieh Dehghan, a Muslim doctor, shared a petition in a private WhatsApp group for medical colleagues, asking peers to consider opposing the UK Department of Health and Social Care’s decision to display the Israeli flag in government health facilities in solidarity with Israel.

    Cinderella Nonoo-Cohen, a London-based locum general practitioner who also holds a seat in the European Jewish Parliament, launched a hostile verbal attack against Dehghan in response to the shared petition. “Typical of you Muslims to gaslight,” Nonoo-Cohen wrote, adding that Dehghan should not bring political discussion to the professional group and that she was “disappointed” in Dehghan as a physician.

    After Dehghan reported the comments to group administrators and labeled them Islamophobic, Nonoo-Cohen escalated her attack. She accused Dehghan of being antisemitic, claimed the Muslim doctor supported “barbaric acts of beheading, murdering, and burning of civilians” in Israel, and repeated the false conspiracy theory that Hamas intentionally bombed Gaza’s al-Ahli hospital to frame Israel – despite widespread confirmation that an Israeli strike on the facility killed hundreds of Palestinian civilians in October 2023.

    The case was referred to the General Medical Council (GMC), the UK’s national medical regulator, and ultimately heard by the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS). The tribunal ruled that Nonoo-Cohen’s messages were “objectively Islamophobic” and described the remarks as “seriously offensive.” It further found that her false claims painting Dehghan as an antisemite and Hamas sympathizer significantly compounded the severity of her professional misconduct. The panel also separately reviewed another social media post Nonoo-Cohen shared on X (formerly Twitter) claiming that “minorities had precedence over the Whites,” finding the remark demonstrated racial hostility, though it did not rule it was driven by explicit racial or religious prejudice.

    During cross-examination, Nonoo-Cohen claimed her use of the collective term “Muslims” was an accidental mistake, and argued her comments were sent in the early morning hours, when she was acting defensively out of emotional distress. While the tribunal acknowledged that Nonoo-Cohen had issued an apology and completed diversity training, and found she posed a low risk of repeating the behavior, it ruled she had failed to demonstrate full insight into how her harmful remarks impacted her colleague and the wider medical community. The panel ultimately handed down a four-month suspension from medical practice.

    The British Islamic Medical Association (BIMA) has welcomed the tribunal’s ruling holding Nonoo-Cohen accountable, but raised sharp criticism over both the investigation process and the broader regulatory landscape for doctors in the UK. In a statement following the decision, BIMA noted that healthcare workers around the world have openly condemned what multiple UN experts, leading human rights organizations and genocide scholars have classified as genocide in Gaza. “Speaking out in that context, calling for a ceasefire, or attending a demonstration, is not provocation, but a human act of conscience,” the organization added.

    The case comes amid controversial sweeping changes to UK medical regulation that many critics warn will target doctors who express pro-Palestine views. Last month, UK Health Secretary Wesstreeting backed the largest overhaul of medical regulation in 40 years, granting top regulators extraordinary new powers to suspend doctors more quickly. The proposed legislative changes would allow the GMC and the Professional Standards Authority, the body that oversees medical regulators, to override independent decisions made by MPTS panels – which previously served as a check against overreach by regulatory bodies.

  • Hubei launches hotel-like tourist train with private rooms

    Hubei launches hotel-like tourist train with private rooms

    As China’s domestic tourism market continues to diversify and mature, Central China’s Hubei province has introduced a groundbreaking new travel product that reimagines the traditional rail travel experience. China Railway Wuhan Group has launched the region’s first fully upgraded “comfortable tourist train”, a renovated service that trades the cramped, budget-focused layout of conventional green passenger trains for high-end, hotel-like private and shared accommodations tailored to modern travelers.

    Beyond the core sleeping arrangements that include deluxe double rooms, twin private cabins, and shared three- or four-bed berths, the custom train is packed with resort-style amenities designed for multi-day leisure trips. Passengers have access to dedicated entertainment spaces including KTV lounges and game rooms for chess and card activities, alongside private en-suite bathrooms in all accommodation units. Safety and accessibility have also been prioritized, with non-slip flooring throughout the carriages, reinforced safety handrails, and direct emergency call buttons installed in every room to support travelers with mobility needs.

    A key design focus of the new service is catering to the fast-growing “silver-hair economy” — the large and expanding market of senior travelers seeking comfortable, guided leisure experiences. To meet the specific needs of elderly passengers, the operator has assembled three specialized on-board teams: a full-time medical group that provides 24/7 emergency and routine care, a professional tour guide team that delivers in-depth cultural interpretation at each stop, and a dedicated butler team that handles one-on-one personalized requests from passengers throughout the journey.

    The train’s maiden 12-day voyage is scheduled to depart on April 15, winding through some of southwest China’s most popular scenic destinations, including Kunming, Dali, Lijiang in Yunnan province and Anshun in Guizhou province. Fares are all-inclusive, covering all train travel, destination attraction entry fees, off-train accommodation, all meals, and full on-board services. Pricing ranges from 10,999 yuan (approximately $1,600) for an upper berth in a four-person shared cabin to 26,999 yuan for a private deluxe double room on the inaugural route. For travelers seeking a longer adventure, a 17-day summer tour to the far western region of Xinjiang is also available, with top-tier pricing reaching 58,999 yuan per person.

    Early market demand has far exceeded initial expectations, reflecting strong consumer appetite for this niche luxury travel product. Of the 15 planned itineraries scheduled for 2026, around 70 percent of all available berths have already been sold. For the much-anticipated April 15 debut trip, only 10 percent of passenger spots remain available as of the launch date, indicating strong market traction for this innovative combination of rail travel and leisure hospitality.

  • Guangdong police punish man over online abuse of Olympic champion

    Guangdong police punish man over online abuse of Olympic champion

    In a high-profile case highlighting China’s crackdown on online harassment targeting elite athletes, Guangdong provincial police have penalized a 31-year-old man for sustained cyber abuse against Olympic gold medal-winning diver Quan Hongchan, authorities announced Friday.

    According to an official statement from the Yuexiu District Branch of the Guangzhou Public Security Bureau, the suspect, surnamed Xu, is a diving enthusiast who repeatedly posted derogatory, defamatory remarks targeting Quan in a WeChat chat group that he founded. The abusive content generated widespread negative repercussions for the athlete, prompting law enforcement action. Following a formal investigation, Xu was sentenced to 10 days of administrative detention and issued a financial fine. Additional group members who engaged in similar harassing behavior also received legal penalties proportional to their actions, the statement confirmed.

    The case emerged earlier this week after Quan’s training facility, the Guangdong Ersha Sports Training Center, filed an official police complaint on Wednesday. The center emphasized that Quan, who has earned significant national honor through her international athletic achievements, had been subjected to “unwarranted public pressure and severe psychological harm” as a result of the ongoing online attacks.

    Hours after the complaint was filed, the Swimming Management Center under China’s General Administration of Sport announced it was collaborating with local sports and law enforcement authorities to fully investigate the incident, issuing a clear pledge of zero tolerance for all forms of cyberbullying targeting athletes.

    Friday’s police statement reinforced a core message: the internet is not a lawless space, and Chinese authorities are committed to upholding the legal rights and personal well-being of all citizens, including public-facing athletes. Law enforcement will continue to take strict, decisive action against individuals who engage in online insult or harassment, holding all violators accountable under the law, the statement added.

    Public concern over Quan’s well-being surged in recent weeks following a candid media interview, where the 19-year-old Paris Olympic champion opened up about the intense mental toll of persistent public scrutiny. Quan revealed that fluctuations in her competitive weight and ongoing invasive public commentary pushed her to consider retiring from the sport prematurely. The prolonged stress of the harassment triggered chronic insomnia and recurring nightmares, including frequent dreams of falling from the diving platform, she shared.

  • Jinan University-affiliated school opens new Guangzhou campus

    Jinan University-affiliated school opens new Guangzhou campus

    On Friday, the Guangzhou Affiliated School of Jinan University (JNU) for Hong Kong & Macao Students (ASJ Guangzhou) officially launched its purpose-built new Poly campus in Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong province, marking a key milestone in expanding science, technology and innovation-focused education across the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA).

    Nestled in Guangzhou’s rapidly developing Pazhou area, a major national hub for digital economy innovation, the new campus is strategically positioned to tap into the region’s thriving tech ecosystem. It is designed to build a fully integrated K-12 science and innovation education framework that bridges secondary education, higher learning and industry practice.

    A core highlight of the new campus is a suite of specialized innovation labs dedicated to cutting-edge technological fields, including artificial intelligence, robotics, and digital art. These hands-on learning spaces were developed in partnership with two of China’s leading technology firms: global telecommunications and tech giant Huawei, and Aridge, the innovation arm of leading Chinese new energy vehicle manufacturer Xpeng Motors. These collaborations allow students to gain access to industry-grade equipment, up-to-date technical knowledge and real-world project experience that cannot be delivered through traditional classroom curricula.

    In an interview following the campus opening ceremony, ASJ Guangzhou Chief Principal Tam Yat Yuk explained the core mission driving the new campus development. “This initiative aims to connect the entire educational pathway from technology-focused high schools to universities and leading enterprises, fostering a comprehensive, end-to-end talent development pipeline,” Tam said. The integrated model is designed to nurture young talent with strong foundational technical skills and practical problem-solving abilities tailored to the GBA’s growing demand for skilled innovation workforce.

    Founded in 2021, ASJ Guangzhou originally focused on serving the educational needs of children from Hong Kong and Macao. According to Tam, starting from the 2026 autumn semester, the school will expand its enrollment eligibility to include children of overseas Chinese, foreign nationals, and returned overseas Chinese talents, expanding its role as an inclusive educational hub connecting China with the global Chinese diaspora and international communities.

    Located at the core of the GBA, one of China’s most economically dynamic and innovation-driven regions, the new campus is expected to strengthen educational connectivity between the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, Macao and global communities, while supporting the GBA’s long-term goal of building a global innovation and technology hub.

  • Karasu Port sees double-digit growth in travelers, cargo

    Karasu Port sees double-digit growth in travelers, cargo

    Nestled along the mountainous China-Tajikistan border in China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Karasu Port, a key land gateway for bilateral trade and people-to-people connections, has delivered robust double-digit growth in both cross-border traveler volumes and cargo throughput in the first quarter of 2026, new official data shows. The strong expansion comes as bilateral exchanges between China and Tajikistan continue to deepen, overcoming challenging winter weather conditions that tested operational capacity at the high-altitude border checkpoint.

    Official statistics from local border inspection and customs authorities reveal that between January and March, the port recorded more than 7,300 inbound and outbound traveler visits, marking a 23% year-on-year increase. Of this total, tourist visits alone surged by 58.1% to over 900, reflecting a sharp rebound in cross-border tourism demand after years of restricted movement. For trade activity, customs data puts total import and export cargo volume at 118,300 metric tons for the quarter, a 30% jump compared to the same period last year.

    Wen Zhihua, director of the border inspection division at the Karasu Exit-Entry Border Inspection Station, outlined the two core drivers fueling this sustained growth. First, Tajikistan has ramped up large-scale infrastructure development in recent years, while a steady recovery in external demand has created strong momentum for bilateral trade expansion. Second, cross-border travel for non-trade purposes, including business trips, work engagements, and academic exchanges, has continued to climb steadily as connectivity between the two neighboring countries improves.

    What makes this growth even more notable is that it was achieved against the backdrop of severe winter weather that created persistent operational challenges. Located in Tashikurgan Tajik Autonomous County, the port experienced 20 days of snowfall across the first quarter, bringing repeated disruptions to outdoor inspection work and overland access routes. The region also recorded extreme temperature swings, with a quarterly record low of -22.9°C and a high of just 9.1°C, alongside large day-night temperature differences that further complicated daily operations.

    To mitigate the impact of adverse weather and keep clearance moving efficiently, local border authorities adjusted their operational framework proactively. The inspection station extended daily service hours, increased the frequency of safety patrols across port areas, and streamlined on-site inspection procedures to cut waiting times. These adjustments ensured that all inbound and outbound travelers and commercial vehicles could complete clearance processes quickly and without unnecessary delays, laying a solid foundation for the strong growth performance recorded in the first quarter.