Jia Mingxuan, a 14-year-old from Inner Mongolia, China, has captured global attention with his ingenious invention aimed at combating desertification. Using simple materials like steel tubes and recycled plastic bottles, Jia developed an automated planting tool that recently secured the gold medal at the 77th Nuremberg International Invention Exhibition (iENA) in Germany. The device, designed to help saplings survive harsh environmental conditions, stood out among over 540 sophisticated inventions from young innovators worldwide. The iENA, one of the world’s top three invention exhibitions, recognized Jia’s practical solution to a pressing environmental challenge. His invention leverages basic physical principles to collect condensation from the air, channeling it directly to the root zone of trees. This innovation emerged from Jia’s childhood experiences in Chifeng, a region heavily impacted by desertification and part of China’s Three-North Shelterbelt Forest Program. Inspired by a physics lesson and his observations of steam condensing in his kitchen, Jia’s invention has already garnered support from local communities and researchers. His achievement not only highlights the potential of grassroots innovation but also underscores China’s commitment to environmental sustainability and technological advancement. Jia’s story is a testament to the power of youthful ingenuity in addressing global challenges.
博客
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China releases white paper on arms control in new era
In a significant move to outline its stance on global security, China’s State Council Information Office released a white paper titled ‘China’s Arms Control, Disarmament, and Nonproliferation in the New Era’ on November 27, 2025. The document underscores China’s commitment to international peace and security, positioning the nation as a proactive contributor to global arms control efforts. The white paper highlights China’s role in upholding the United Nations-centered international arms control regime, emphasizing its constructive contributions in nuclear, biological, and chemical arms control. It also addresses emerging security challenges in outer space, cyberspace, and artificial intelligence, advocating for a collaborative global governance framework. China reaffirms its dedication to nonproliferation, enhancing domestic capacities, and fostering international cooperation in science and technology. The paper calls for a multipolar world and inclusive economic globalization, urging nations to unite in building a shared future for humanity.
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Biffy Clyro ‘angry’ as visa error delays US tour
Scottish rock band Biffy Clyro has been forced to delay their highly anticipated US tour, just days before its scheduled start, due to a critical error in their work visas. The tour, set to begin on December 2, was intended to promote their 10th studio album, ‘Futique,’ which topped the UK charts in September. However, a bureaucratic blunder has left the band unable to proceed as planned. In a candid Instagram video, lead singer Simon Neil revealed that the incorrect start date was entered on their visas, rendering them invalid for the tour’s duration. ‘Some [expletive] genius messed up the dates,’ Neil lamented, expressing frustration and anger over the situation. Despite efforts to rectify the issue through immigration lawyers and even Congress, the band found no immediate solution. Neil announced that the tour would be rescheduled for April or May 2026, with existing tickets remaining valid. However, he acknowledged the inconvenience caused to fans who had already made travel and accommodation arrangements, offering a heartfelt apology. ‘I completely understand if you want refunds and have lost faith in us,’ he said. ‘You can’t be any madder at us than I am.’ This setback is not the first for Biffy Clyro in the US; in 2022, they had to cancel the final date of their tour after Neil contracted Covid. Despite the disappointment, fans flooded the comments section with messages of support and encouragement. The postponement comes shortly after the band announced their largest career milestone: headlining London’s Finsbury Park in July 2026. Since their formation in the early 2000s, Biffy Clyro has become one of the UK’s most successful rock bands, with eight top-five albums and over a million sales. Their 2009 album ‘Only Revolutions’ marked their international breakthrough, earning a Mercury Prize nomination and producing hits like ‘Bubbles’ and ‘Many of Horror.’ ‘Futique,’ their latest release, has been praised as one of their most personal and definitive works to date, signaling a renewed sense of purpose for the trio.
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Beijing takes global lead in crop germplasm preservation
Beijing has solidified its position as the global frontrunner in the preservation of crop germplasm resources, as announced by the municipal government on Wednesday. The city boasts a germplasm bank housing an impressive 2.144 million accessions, encompassing the most diverse array of crop species worldwide. This achievement is bolstered by the presence of 29 seed enterprises designated as key national players, the highest number in China, and the annual registration of numerous new crop varieties. The Beijing Seed Ordinance, aimed at establishing the city as a ‘seed capital,’ underpins these accomplishments. Technological advancements have played a crucial role, with innovations such as AI-based plant protection models making their debut at the UN Food and Agriculture Organization. The agricultural technology contribution rate in Beijing has reached 75 percent, driven by breakthroughs in molecular breeding and other core technologies. Looking ahead, Beijing plans to intensify its efforts to enhance the seed industry over the next five years, focusing on technology-driven and reform-oriented development, according to a government official.
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Russia convicts and hands life sentences to 8 people over attack on a key bridge to Crimea
A Russian court has handed down life sentences to eight individuals convicted of terrorism charges related to the October 2022 attack on the Kerch Strait Bridge, a critical supply route connecting Russia to the annexed Crimean Peninsula. The attack, which involved a truck bomb, destroyed two sections of the bridge, killed five people, and required extensive repairs. Moscow condemned the act as terrorism and retaliated with strikes on Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure. The Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) claimed responsibility for the attack, which targeted a symbol of Russia’s control over Crimea. The defendants, including Russian, Ukrainian, and Armenian citizens, were charged with carrying out a terrorist attack and illegal arms trafficking. Five others, including Ukrainians and Georgians, were charged in absentia. The accused denied the charges, claiming ignorance of the explosives in the truck. Oleg Antipov, a logistics entrepreneur whose company handled the shipment, voluntarily approached Russian authorities after the blast but was later arrested. In a courtroom statement, Antipov maintained his innocence, citing polygraph tests and lack of incriminating evidence. The Kerch Strait Bridge, completed in 2018, is a strategic and symbolic asset for Russia, facilitating military and civilian supplies to Crimea. Ukraine has targeted the bridge twice, underscoring its significance in the ongoing conflict. The attack has further strained relations between Russia and Ukraine, with Moscow using the incident to justify its military actions.
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US-Russian crew of 3 blasts off to the International Space Station in a Russian Soyuz spacecraft
In a significant milestone for international space collaboration, a U.S.-Russian crew of three successfully launched to the International Space Station (ISS) on Thursday. The Soyuz MS-28 spacecraft, propelled by a Soyuz booster rocket, took off precisely as planned from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, a facility leased by Russia. Onboard were NASA astronaut Chris Williams, alongside Russian cosmonauts Sergei Mikaev and Sergei Kud-Sverchkov. The crew is expected to dock at the ISS approximately three hours after liftoff, marking the beginning of an eight-month mission aboard the orbiting laboratory. This mission holds particular significance as it marks the inaugural spaceflight for Williams, a physicist, and Mikaev, a military pilot, while Kud-Sverchkov embarks on his second journey into space. Upon arrival, the trio will join an international team already stationed at the ISS, including NASA astronauts Mike Fincke, Zena Cardman, and Jonny Kim, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s Kimiya Yui, and Russian cosmonauts Sergei Ryzhikov, Alexei Zubritsky, and Oleg Platonov. During their stay, Williams will spearhead scientific research and technology demonstrations aimed at advancing human space exploration and improving life on Earth, according to NASA. This mission underscores the enduring partnership between the U.S. and Russia in space exploration, despite geopolitical tensions on the ground.
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Chinese audit chief attends UN review meeting in NY
At the United Nations Headquarters in New York, significant financial governance discussions unfolded during the 55th Special Session of the UN Board of Auditors and the 65th Session of the UN Panel of External Auditors held from November 24-25, 2025. The meetings brought together top auditing officials from member states to address critical financial oversight matters within the UN system.
Hou Kai, China’s Auditor General and representative on both UN auditing bodies, participated actively in the proceedings. The special session featured comprehensive reviews of audit activities conducted during the second half of 2025, while participants also formulated the strategic audit plan for 2026 and addressed specific matters referred by UN legislative bodies.
In his address, Hou acknowledged the substantial achievements made by the Board throughout the year, emphasizing their contribution to ongoing UN reform initiatives, management optimization, and governance enhancement. With his six-year term concluding in mid-2026, Hou expressed confidence that China’s audit team would maintain its commitment to independence and professional excellence in executing the UN General Assembly’s mandate, ensuring both continuity and quality in audit outcomes.
The parallel session of the Panel of External Auditors facilitated substantive exchanges between Hou, fellow panel members, and UN officials. Discussions centered on several priority areas including the UN80 Initiative’s implementation framework, financial and administrative challenges, digital transformation efforts, and standardized audit practices across the UN system.
During his New York visit, Hou additionally inspected Chinese audit operations at the UN Secretariat, engaging with on-site auditors. He emphasized the importance of adhering to international auditing standards while maximizing China’s expertise in economic oversight. Hou encouraged the team to maintain focus on their core responsibilities and contribute meaningfully to developing a more efficient, transparent, and sustainable United Nations.
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Trump sends envoys to see Putin, Ukrainians
In a significant diplomatic move, US President Donald Trump has dispatched high-level envoys to engage with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian officials in a bid to finalize a peace plan to end the nearly four-year conflict in Ukraine. Envoy Steve Witkoff is set to meet with Putin, while Army Secretary Dan Driscoll will hold discussions with Ukrainian representatives. Trump expressed cautious optimism about the potential for a breakthrough, stating that he would only meet with Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky once the deal is in its final stages. The talks follow a series of negotiations in Abu Dhabi, where Russian and Ukrainian officials discussed sensitive issues, including prisoner exchanges. Despite ongoing military strikes in Kyiv and southern Russia, Trump remains hopeful that his administration’s efforts will yield a sustainable agreement. Meanwhile, the Kremlin has emphasized the need for ‘serious analysis’ of the US peace proposal, which has yet to be discussed in detail. Ukrainian officials, including Zelensky, have indicated that the plan could evolve into deeper agreements, with security guarantees being a critical component. European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, are also working to coordinate security and financial support for Ukraine, underscoring the international stakes in the negotiations.
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Inspired strokes
The 2025 Community of Shared Future for Humanity International Comic and Illustration Exhibition, a groundbreaking online event, recently concluded, highlighting the transformative role of technology in daily life and fostering cross-cultural connections. Organized collaboratively by China Daily and the Bank of China in Beijing, the exhibition attracted artists from 58 countries and regions, who submitted nearly 3,100 pieces, with over 1,200 entries originating from outside China. The multilingual platform ensured inclusivity and encouraged global dialogue, showcasing the boundless creativity and insight of humanity. This year, the exhibition introduced the Youth Excellence Award, which received over 600 submissions from young artists. Their works, brimming with imagination and innocence, demonstrated remarkable creativity and hope, even if their techniques were less refined compared to adult participants. The event underscored the power of art to transcend boundaries and unite diverse cultures. A selection of award-winning works is featured in this report, offering a glimpse into the vibrant and thought-provoking contributions of global artists.
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Visa waiver policies drive inbound travel surge
China’s strategic implementation of visa waiver policies has catalyzed a remarkable upswing in international travel, fostering deeper global connections and cultural exchanges. As of November 2025, Beijing’s ports have processed 19.35 million inbound and outbound travelers, reflecting an 18% year-on-year increase. Notably, foreign nationals accounted for 5.78 million of these movements, a staggering 35% rise, with 60% benefiting from visa exemption or temporary entry permits. This trend is mirrored across the nation. In Xiamen, Fujian province, passenger numbers exceeded 5.4 million, including a record-breaking 960,000 foreign nationals. Inland cities like Datong, Shanxi province, have also seen unprecedented growth, with annual passenger volumes surpassing 50,000, supported by new international air routes to Moscow and Seoul. Shen Wenjuan, head of the Gaoqi frontier inspection station, highlighted the role of innovative travel models such as ‘visa-free + cruise’ packages in driving this growth. Additionally, the introduction of an online arrival card system on November 20 has streamlined the entry process, allowing travelers to complete formalities before departure and present a QR code for swift clearance. Marcia Raquel, a Portuguese traveler at Beijing Daxing International Airport, praised the system’s efficiency. Since December 2023, China has progressively expanded its unilateral visa-free entry trials, initially for six countries, to now include 48 nations and establish mutual visa exemption agreements with 29 countries. Furthermore, the addition of 10 airports to the 24-hour direct transit ports list since November 5 has enhanced international connectivity, with 65 entry ports now offering 240-hour visa-free transit. These measures have significantly reshaped China’s global interactions, as evidenced by the National Immigration Administration’s report of 178 million inbound and outbound passenger trips in the third quarter of 2025, with Chinese mainland residents accounting for 89.37 million. This vibrant two-way flow underscores the success of China’s visa facilitation initiatives.