US, Iran reach deal to extend ceasefire by 60 days, but need Trump's final approval: Axios

China's second domestically built large cruise ship, the Adora Flora City, returned to port in Shanghai on Wednesday after completing a 12-day maiden sea trial, marking a milestone in the country's push to mass-produce large cruise ships.

The Tiangong space station has welcomed its first astronaut from Hong Kong, which is not only another milestone in China's manned space program, but also a shared honor for all Hong Kong compatriots, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Wednesday when asked to comment on the inclusion of a specialist from Hong Kong in the Shenzhou-23 crewed mission for the first time.

The 11th Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) was held against the backdrop of serious damage to global strategic balance and stability, and the increasing politicization, bloc confrontation, and fragmentation of the multilateral arms control process, and the failure to reach consensus on an outcome document is regrettable, China's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning said on Monday, when asked to comment on the meeting's inability to adopt an outcome document reportedly due to disagreements between the US and Iran.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has made important instructions following a coal mine gas explosion on Friday in north China's Shanxi Province, urging all-out rescue of the missing and treatment of the injured.

China's opposition to US arms sales to China's Taiwan region is consistent and clear, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Thursday, in response to a question that the Financial Times cited sources as saying that China is holding up a proposed visit by the Pentagon's under-secretary of defense for policy, as China signals that it couldn't approve the visit before US President Donald Trump makes a decision on an arms sales package to Taiwan region.

Facing the inevitable trend of national reunification and the profound shifts in the international landscape, Lai Ching-te remains obsessed with the illusion of “seeking independence by relying on external support,” Jiang Bin, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense said in response to a media query about Lai's Wednesday speech claiming that maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits is Taiwan's “strategic goal,” while calling for the strengthening of asymmetric military capabilities and enhancing “sustainable national defense capabilities.”

Taiwan regional leader Lai Ching-te's speech on Wednesday marking his second year in office drew criticism from China's Foreign Ministry, the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council and China's Ministry of National Defense on the same day, with spokespersons saying the remarks are rife with lies and deception and exposed Lai's ugly true nature as a saboteur of cross-Straits peace.

In response to rhetoric by Taiwan regional leader Lai Ching-te expressing hope to obtain weapons from the US, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Wednesday that Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinese territory. It has never been a country, and will never be in the future. The Lai authorities' constant attempts to ride on hotspot issues and seek attention have become almost a conditioned reflex. Their true nature as “troublemakers” and “saboteur of peace” have been exposed time and again.

“We firmly oppose any form of official interaction between the US and Taiwan region of China, and firmly oppose US arms sales to Taiwan region of China. This position is consistent and clear,” Zhu Fenglian, a spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, said at a press briefing on Wednesday.

When asked how the Chinese mainland interprets the signals sent by the US after US President Donald Trump said in an interview following the China-US summit that he is “not looking to have somebody go independent” regarding the Taiwan question, and whether the Chinese mainland calls on the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities to resume dialogue on the basis of the 1992 Consensus, Zhu Fenglian, a spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, said on Wednesday that the US side understands China's position, attaches importance to China's concerns, and, just like the international community, does not stand for or accept Taiwan moving toward “independence.”

When asked to comment on Lai Ching-te's post about so-called “five-point statement” on Facebook on May 17, claiming that “Taiwan is the defender of the status quo of peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits and the region, while the Chinese mainland is the root cause of regional instability and changes to the status quo,” and once again promoting the claim that the two sides of the Straits “do not belong to each other,” Zhu Fenglian, a spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, said on Wednesday that Lai's claims are filled with lies and deception, hostility and confrontation, as well as bias and arrogance, disregarding the international community's opposition to “Taiwan independence.”

Since taking office two years ago, Lai Ching-te has stubbornly adhered to a “Taiwan independence” separatist stance, disregarded the well-being of residents on the island, single-mindedly pursued political self-interest, incited cross-Straits confrontation, undermined cross-Straits exchanges and cooperation, and unscrupulously “sold out Taiwan,” said Zhu Fenglian, a spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, at a press briefing on Wednesday. She made the remarks in response to a question regarding the vote on an impeachment motion against Lai on Monday.

China and Russia are preparing for another high-level diplomatic moment, with Russian President Vladimir Putin set to pay a state visit to China from Tuesday to Wednesday. Ahead of the visit, both sides signaled strong expectations - on Monday in Beijing, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said that China and Russia will continue deepening and elevating relations between China and Russia to inject more stability and positive energy to the world, while in Moscow, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia has "very serious expectations" for the trip.

On May 18, the General Committee and the Plenary Session of the 79th World Health Assembly (WHA) respectively decided to reject the so-called proposal of "inviting Taiwan to participate in the WHA as an observer" submitted by certain countries. This has been the 10th year in a row that the WHA has rejected the so-called proposal concerning Taiwan.

The 79th World Health Assembly (WHA) decided on Monday not to include in its agenda a proposal by certain countries on Taiwan's participation as an observer.

AFP Fact Check has debunked a video clip claiming that the Chinese government tore down a Tibetan temple in Southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, pointing out that the AI-generated video contains “visual and logical inconsistencies that are characteristic of synthetic content.”

Asked to comment on a question regarding reports that while US President Donald Trump was returning to the US, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi rushed to hold a phone call with him to reaffirm the importance of the US-Japan alliance and that Japan would also collect information on China-US interactions, including their possible impact on Japan, and making appropriate responses, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Monday that during President Trump's visit to China, the two heads of state conducted in-depth exchanges on regional issues of shared concern. More than 80 years ago, China, the US and other Allied countries fought side by side to defeat Japanese militarism and fascist forces, establishing the post-World War II international order and laying the foundation for peace and development in the Asia-Pacific region.

Beijing is fast emerging as the focal point of global diplomacy. China's Foreign Ministry has confirmed that Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit China from May 19 to 20—just days after US President Donald Trump wrapped up his own trip. The tightly sequenced visits have sparked widespread attention, with analysts noting that it is extremely rare in the post-Cold War era for a country to host the leaders of the US and Russia back-to-back within a week.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has stressed accelerating the building of a Chinese intellectual system in philosophy and social sciences.

Jimmy Lai was a major organizer and participant in anti-China and destabilizing activities in Hong Kong, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Tuesday in response to a question about whether China is considering releasing Jimmy Lai.

According to China Coast Guard (CCG) spokesperson Jiang Lue, on May 6, China's scientific research vessel Xiangyanghong 33 conducted routine ecological environment surveys in waters near China's Houteng Jiao. During the operation, a Philippine Coast Guard Islander aircraft deliberately approached and harassed the vessel.

The US' move is another case of long-arm jurisdiction without any basis in international law, and it won't change China's stance on firmly opposing such moves and strengthening measures to safeguard Chinese firms and individuals' legitimate rights and interests, a Chinese expert said on Saturday, while pointing to China's recent issuance of a blocking ban against similar US sanctions.

In the next stage, the two militaries will further strengthen strategic mutual trust and deepen practical cooperation in various fields.

An 8.2-gigabyte cache of private papers belonging to William F. Webb, president of the International Military Tribunal for the Far East, uncovered by Chinese scholars, marks a major breakthrough in the Tokyo Trial research. During the admission of evidence on the Nanjing Massacre, Webb and his colleagues, facing defense lawyers well versed in Anglo-American procedure and seeking to exploit it, insisted on due process, an expert said.

Cheng Ruifang, who documented the Japanese atrocities in Nanjing in her diary between December 8, 1937 and March 1, 1938, later submitted a written testimony based on her experiences to the 1946 International Military Tribunal for the Far East. Her diary is also regarded as the diary of the “Chinese Anne Frank” for its firsthand account of suffering and survival during wartime.

A steady April drizzle lingered over Nanjing, deepening the solemnity inside the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders. It was here that a Global Times reporter met collector Zou Dehuai, who had traveled from afar to donate the archives of a US assistant prosecutor who took part in the Tokyo Trial, which he had acquired later.

The China Coast Guard (CCG) carried out maritime law enforcement and exercised territorial jurisdiction by landing on Tiexian Jiao in the South China Sea on Sunday. The operation came after five Philippine crew members illegally set foot on China's Tiexian Jiao of the Nansha Qundao the same day, the Global Times has learned from the CCG.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi started her visit to Australia on Sunday, and during a meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Monday, she promoted a “free and open Indo-Pacific” concept and pushed for deeper energy and critical minerals cooperation between the two countries.

At the invitation of Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi, Bangladeshi Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman will visit China from May 5 to 7, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson announced on Monday.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has encouraged young Chinese to integrate their personal aspirations into the bigger picture of national development.

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government on Friday strongly condemned attempts made by an anti-China organization and foreign media to sugarcoat the criminal acts of Jimmy Lai Chee-ying by releasing a so-called press freedom index and presenting him with a so-called "award."

The release of a complete Chinese translation of the Trial Records of the International Military Tribunal for the Far East delivers a powerful rebuttal to the denial of the Tokyo Trials by Japan's right-wing forces amid the latter's recent dangerous moves, experts told the Global Times Friday.

The naval and air units of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theater Command (STC) conducted readiness patrols in the territorial sea and airspace of China's Huangyan Dao and its surrounding areas on Thursday, the Theater Command said in statement on Thursday.

The complete Chinese translation of the Trial Records of the International Military Tribunal for the Far East was launched on Thursday at Zhejiang Yuexiu University in Shaoxing, East China's Zhejiang Province, filling a domestic archival gap. The release comes as the 80th anniversary of the start of the Tokyo Trials, which falls on May 3, approaches, Xinhua News Agency reported.

At the 11th Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, the Chinese delegation pointed out that over the past two days, the US delegation deliberately distorted China's positions and groundlessly misrepresented and smeared China's nuclear policy and defense development efforts. China firmly opposes this. The US-proposed “multilateral strategic stability and arms control” is more of a political show than a serious dialogue, the Chinese delegation stressed, noting that the US is the primary source of instability in nuclear arms control and strategic stability.

Chinese envoy denounced remarks by Japan's representative during a UN Security Council open debate on maritime security on Wednesday, rejecting the "groundless accusations" made by Japan against China over the East China Sea, South China Sea, China's defense policies and the situation across the Taiwan Straits, according to CCTV News.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has extended festive greetings and best wishes to the country's working people ahead of the International Workers' Day, which falls on May 1.

Naval and air units of the PLA Southern Theater Command (STC) on Thursday conducted readiness patrols in the territorial sea and airspace of China's Huangyan Dao and its surrounding areas. Huangyan Dao is an inherent part of China's territory. Since April, forces of the STC have enhanced readiness patrols in the territorial sea and airspace of Huangyan Dao and its surrounding areas, according to the STC's official WeChat account.

In response to a question from a foreign media outlet on whether the issue of detained former Myanmar state counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi was discussed during Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's meeting with Myanmar's President U Min Aung Hlaing over the weekend, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Thursday that China has already released information on Wang's visit to Myanmar.

The US war in Iran has cost $25 billion so far, Acting Pentagon Comptroller Jules Hurst said on Wednesday during a House Armed Services Committee hearing, according to Reuters. This is the first time the US military has disclosed the conflict's cost, most of which went toward munitions and roughly equals NASA's entire annual budget,Reuters reported. A Chinese expert said the strikes ultimately benefit US arms dealers and the military-industrial complex, while ordinary Americans bear the burden through higher fuel prices and rising inflation.

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday urged greater efforts and more concrete measures to strengthen basic research, enhance China's capacity for original innovation, and further solidify the foundation for building the country's strength in science and technology.

Chinese Vice President Han Zheng met with President of the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, Annalena Baerbock, on Wednesday in Beijing, according to the Xinhua News Agency.

Chinese compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Straits are all Chinese and one family. Matters concerning the two sides of the Straits are the internal affairs of the Chinese family, and of course should be discussed and handled through consultation among members of the family themselves, said Chen Binhua, spokesperson of State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, at a press conference on Wednesday.

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, has urged efforts to enhance the capacity to prevent and respond to natural disasters and effectively safeguard people's lives and property.

The DPP has only itself to blame and has brought this embarrassment upon itself, Chen Binhua, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said on Wednesday in response to a question about Taiwan regional leader Lai Ching-te being denied entry during a planned overseas trip.

Simply because mainland technologies and products are effective and popular among the people of Taiwan, the Taiwan authorities seek to ban or obstruct their use. This is an example of jittery with imaginary fear – absurd and ridiculous. Such move are unpopular and will not succeed, Chen Binhua, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said on Wednesday in response to a question about the mainland app Amap becoming popular on the Taiwan island while the DPP has raised so-called security concerns over it.

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday sent a congratulatory message to the Green and Sustainable Development Forum of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

The Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee held a meeting on Tuesday to analyze and study the current economic situation and economic work. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, presided over the meeting, the Xinhua News Agency reported on Tuesday.

China's state security authority on Tuesday exposed anti-China forces who have been fabricating narratives such as “class solidification” and that “hard work is useless,” laying bare overseas organization-backed anti-China forces of funding internet influencers and spreading “lying-flat” content to lure Chinese youth to “let it rot” and to erode their mindset.

The Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee held a meeting on Tuesday to analyze and study the current economic situation and economic work.

Raymond Greene, director of so-called “American Institute in Taiwan (AIT),” on Monday pressed Taiwan island's legislators to quickly approve a "comprehensive" defense budget in the region, claiming that integrated air and missile defence systems and drones are critically important and in high demand globally, according to media reports.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has urged efforts to further review the development experience of the city of Yiwu in east China's Zhejiang Province and put it to good use.

China's Foreign Ministry and the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council on Wednesday both expressed appreciation to relevant countries for upholding the one-China principle after they refused to grant flight clearance for Taiwan regional leader Lai Ching-te's so-called “transit visit” to Eswatini.

The facts are very clear: There is no longer a so-called "ROC president" in the world. Anyone who swindles and deceives others by using such an identity is going against the tide of history and will only bring shame upon themselves, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said at a press conference on Wednesday.

Asked to comment on reports that Taiwan regional leader Lai Ching-te had originally planned to make a so-called "transit visit" to Eswatini, but canceled the trip after relevant countries refused to grant flight clearance to his chartered aircraft, Zhang Han, spokesperson of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said on Wednesday that "we appreciate the position and actions of the relevant countries in upholding the one-China principle."

China's Supreme People's Court (SPC) is accelerating work on a judicial guideline to improve the handling of disputes involving artificial intelligence (AI), as the country's judiciary steps up protection of intellectual property rights (IPR) in fast-growing high-tech sectors, CCTV News reported on Monday.

China's National Development and Reform Commission has released the second batch of major project lists for 2026 under the country's initiative for implementing major national strategies and building security capacity in key areas.

"A correct understanding of governance performance requires us to proceed from reality, respect objective laws, and through sound decision-making and hard work, create achievements that withstand the test of practice and history, truly benefit the people, and earn public recognition," President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, stressed at the opening of a study session for principal officials at the provincial and ministerial levels in January 2026.

The Eastern Theater Command of the People's Liberation Army of China dispatched naval and air forces to conduct joint combat readiness patrols in relevant sea and air domains of the East China Sea on Saturday. This is a routine arrangement within the annual plan, aimed at testing the joint combat capabilities of the troops, said Senior Colonel Xu Chenghua, spokesperson for the PLA Eastern Theater Command.

China National Space Administration (CNSA) on Friday outlined plans for this year's China Space Day celebrations while unveiling a series of major missions for 2026, including crewed Shenzhou spacecraft flights and flight tests for multiple reusable rockets. A Chinese expert said the agenda shows that both state-led and commercial space programs are advancing rapidly, with lunar exploration expected to become a key focus in the next stage of development.

On April 16, A fishing boat from China's Taiwan region caught fire at approximately 76 nautical miles northeast of Huangwei Yu. 7 crew members were aboard the boat at the time of the incident. China Coast Guard vessel on routine patrol duty immediately rushed to the affected waters to extinguish the fire and conduct search and rescue operations. As of now, 6 crew members have been rescued. Relevant rescue efforts are still ongoing. In accordance with the law, China Coast Guard will continue to protect the safety of life and property of Chinese fishermen , including those from the Taiwan region, and will effectively safeguard the normal navigation and operational order in the relevant waters.

A Pew Research Center survey released on Tuesday, shows that while most Americans still hold negative views of China, the share with a favorable view has ticked up, reflecting a modest softening of US views toward China on multiple fronts, with the shift driven largely by Democrats, Democratic-leaning independents and younger adults. A Chinese expert said the poll results may offer clues for future China-US people-to-people exchanges, noting more emphasis could be placed on young Americans, and efforts should continue to present a real, nuanced and authentic picture of China, helping create more space for a steadier and more practical bilateral relationship.

An article by Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, on promoting nationwide reading and building a book-loving society will be published on Thursday.

When asked to comment on the recent claim by Raymond Greene, Director of the Taipei Office of The American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), following Kuomintang Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun's recent mainland visit, that the US has consistently hoped for stable cross-Straits interactions and expects the mainland to maintain communication channels with all political parties in the island of Taiwan, especially the so-called “democratically-elected government,” while refraining from “threats or military pressure,” Chen Binhua, a spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said at a regular press conference on Wednesday that certain individuals in the US are stirring things up and repeatedly hyping the so-called “mainland threat or military pressure,” which completely distorts the facts and reflects ulterior motives.

As Wednesday (April 15) marks the National Security Education Day, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) held an event at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre where Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, warned via a video link that some individuals attempted to use the tragedy of the fierce blaze in Wang Fuk Court last November to destabilize the HKSAR and to politicize the incident. He stressed the need to remain vigilant against the risk of external interference.

In response to a question regarding the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities claimed that many of the mainland's 10 policies and measures to boost exchanges and cooperation across the Taiwan Straits amount to “instrumentalizing exchanges and weaponizing economic and trade ties as part of 'united front tactics,'" Chen Binhua, a spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, at a regular press conference on Wednesday, advised the DPP authorities to listen more to public opinion in the island.

Peace and war, dialogue and confrontation, cooperation and conflict are two fundamentally different paths, and "those who follow different paths cannot make plans together," by citing a well-known line from The Analects of Confucious, Chen Binhua, a spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, responded to a media inquiry on that according to Taiwan regional media, chairwoman of the Chinese Kuomintang (KMT) party Cheng Li-wun has publicly expressed willingness to meet and communicate with Taiwan regional leader Lai Ching-te before and after her visit to the mainland, and has sincerely awaited an invitation from him, but has received no response.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang has signed a decree of the State Council to publish a new set of rules on countering foreign states' unlawful extraterritorial jurisdiction measures.

As Hong Kong gears up for the upcoming National Security Education Day on April 15, a series of events have highlighted the pivotal role of coordinated development and security in sustaining the city's prosperity and stability, as well as the collective responsibility of all sectors in safeguarding national security.

Two hundred young representatives from Vietnam have joined a study camp from April 11 to 18 as part of the “Red Study Tours” project, with activities held in Beijing and Guangzhou in South China's Guangdong Province.

Authorities on the Chinese mainland have put forward a package of 10 policies and measures to boost exchanges and cooperation across the Taiwan Strait.

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, on Friday morning met with Cheng Li-wun, chairwoman of the Chinese Kuomintang (KMT) party, in Beijing, the Xinhua News Agency reported on Friday.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Friday that China is willing to work with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to jointly implement the important consensus reached by the top leaders of the two parties and two countries, and to promote practical cooperation, according to the Xinhua News Agency.

Negotiations between Iran and the US are set to take place from Saturday in Islamabad. They will be the first talks between both sides since the war began. Some media outlets shed light on the uncertainty and deep mistrust looming over the talks with unresolved differences over some key issues related to the conflict.

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday sent a congratulatory letter to an event commemorating the 55th anniversary of China-U.S. Ping-Pong Diplomacy.

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, on Friday morning met with Cheng Li-wun, chairwoman of the Chinese Kuomintang (KMT) party, in Beijing.

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday urged efforts to deepen political rectification in the military to maintain the purity and glory of the people's armed forces.

Cheng Li-wun, chairwoman of the Chinese Kuomintang (KMT), led a KMT delegation on Wednesday morning to pay homage to the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum in Nanjing, capital of East China's Jiangsu Province, according to the Xinhua News Agency.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for striving to break new ground in the high-quality development of China's service sector.

​The UN Security Council on Tuesday local time failed to adopt a draft resolution that "strongly encourages" states interested in the use of commercial maritime routes in the Strait of Hormuz to coordinate efforts of a defensive nature to contribute to ensuring the safety and security of navigation across the Strait of Hormuz, including through the escort of merchant and commercial vessels, according to the Xinhua News Agency.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, extended on Tuesday congratulations to To Lam on his election as president of Vietnam.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for focusing on the major strategic needs of the country and making new contributions to building China's strength in education, science and technology, and talent.

A delegation of the Chinese Kuomintang (KMT) party, led by its chairwoman Cheng Li-wun, arrived in Shanghai at noon on Tuesday for a mainland visit that will run through Sunday, according to the Xinhua News Agency. The delegation is scheduled to visit Jiangsu Province, Shanghai and Beijing, marking the first time in a decade that a KMT chairperson has led a delegation to the Chinese mainland.

The China-Pakistan “Sea Guardian IV” joint naval exercise concluded on April 1, as the Chinese People's Liberation Army's (PLA) guided-missile frigate Daqing and Pakistani naval vessels parted ways in the northern Arabian Sea, marking the end of the drills, according to CCTV News.

The outline of a plan by the government of Sanae Takaichi to relax restrictions on Japan's defense equipment exports has been revealed, seeking to allow, in principle, the transfer of lethal weapons, which has sparked concerns and criticism within Japan that it could exacerbate conflicts or fuel an arms race, Kyodo News reported on Friday.

Chinese Embassy in Israel announced on Saturday it will organize another evacuation on April 7 via Egypt's Taba border crossing for Chinese citizens, including compatriots from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan island, given the highly volatile security situation in the Middle East and the significant risk of further escalation. The embassy in its security alert also urged Chinese nationals in the country to heighten safety precautions and avoid civil infrastructures, according to the notice.

The legitimate rights of the Palestinian people should be respected and protected. It is hoped that the relevant parties will stop actions that exacerbate tensions and intensify contradictions, China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Friday, in response to foreign media's inquiry on Israel passing a legislation widely known as the "death penalty for terrorists" law on Palestinians.

China and the US, in the spirit of equality, respect, and mutual benefit, have maintained communication and cooperation in areas such as counter-narcotics law enforcement and have achieved notable results, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Friday, in response to a media question regarding the US side repatriating and transferring to the Chinese side a Chinese national and criminal suspect surnamed Han, who is suspected of drug smuggling and trafficking.

French President Emmanuel Macron has sharply criticized the US for continuously casting doubt on NATO and making contradictory statements, saying, “We all need stability, calm, a return to peace – this isn't a show!”

Japan has moved to deepen cooperation with France on rare earths and critical minerals, a push that Chinese analysts say reflects an attempt by some countries to reshape supply chains based on geopolitical considerations rather than industrial logic, while ignoring that Tokyo's own disruptive actions are the root cause of the so-called "supply risks" and "sense of insecurity."

The Archives Collection of Tang Honglu Well Stele of the Tang Dynasty (618-907), jointly compiled by Shanghai University's Research Centre for China's Overseas Cultural Relics, and the 714 volunteer association of the Dalian Guoyun Culture Promotion Association, was recently released. This collection systematically organizes the historical materials, rubbings, and images of the Tang Honglu Well Stele—the "top lost national treasure" taken to Japan—forming a complete chain of evidence and establishing an academic foundation for the artifact's recovery.

Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing on Tuesday stressed the need to strengthen the country's regional emergency rescue centers and enhance emergency rescue operational capabilities to better safeguard people's lives and property.

Exchanges between legislative bodies are an important part of China-EU relations. To our knowledge, the delegation from the European Parliament's Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection begins its visit to China today at the invitation of the Legislative Affairs Commission of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Tuesday when asked to comment on the visit of a group of EU lawmakers to China from March 31 to April 2. It is the first such delegation to visit China in eight years.

An article by Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, on establishing and practicing a correct understanding of governance performance will be published on Wednesday.

China on Tuesday expressed deep regret over Iran's cultural relics and monuments that were damaged during the current US-Israel-Iran conflict.

The Chinese side has stressed on multiple occasions that a drawn-out conflict serves no one's interest, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Monday in response to question regarding US President Donald Trump's claim that a deal with Iran on ending the Middle East conflict could be reached soon, while at the same time not ruling out ground operations as well as more strikes, including ones targeting power stations.

Cheng Li-wun, chairperson of the Chinese Kuomintang (KMT) party, said on Monday that her upcoming mainland trip will highlight a shared hope for peace.

The Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, have invited Cheng Li-wun, chairperson of the Chinese Kuomintang (KMT) party, to visit the Chinese mainland from April 7 to 12, a CPC official announced on Monday, according to the Xinhua News Agency.

Cheng Li-wun, chairperson of the Chinese Kuomintang (KMT) party, on Monday expressed her thanks and accepted the invitation to visit the Chinese mainland in April.

The Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, have invited Cheng Li-wun, chairperson of the Chinese Kuomintang (KMT) party, to visit the Chinese mainland from April 7 to 12, a CPC official announced on Monday.

China's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030), which sets out goals and measures for further deepening economic cooperation and exchanges across the Taiwan Strait, has drawn support from Taiwan people working and living on the mainland.

The Commissioner's Office of the Chinese Foreign Ministry in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) lodged solemn representations with Consul General Julie Eadeh on Friday over US' interference in Hong Kong affairs, expressing strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition, the office announced on Saturday.

Senior Captain Zhai Shichen, spokesperson for the PLA Southern Theater Command stated, on March 25, PLANS 532 was conducting a routine patrol in the waters under China's jurisdiction near Zhubi Jiao of China's Nansha Qundao. Upon detecting a Philippine Navy ship, PLANS 532 initiated radio communications to remind the Philippine ship. Ignoring repeated radio reminders from the Chinese side, the Philippine ship 507, navigating on the port side of PLANS 532, adjusted its course to the starboard side before making a deliberate turn to the same direction, dangerously approaching PLANS 532 and disrupting its navigation. PLANS 532 then took professional and standardized moves, successfully avoiding an accident.

The Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee on Friday held a meeting to deliberate on regulations on the work of local Party committees.

In response to a media inquiry regarding the comment on the former Taiwan People's Party (TPP) chairman Ko Wen-je, who was sentenced in the first instance to 17 years in prison and six years of deprivation of civil rights on Thursday, Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said on Thursday that the Lai Ching-te administration, in pursuit of political self-interest, have been blatantly manipulating the judiciary to suppress political dissent, implementing what she described as “green terror” and practicing a “those who follow will prosper, those who oppose will perish” approach.

Full text: Keynote speech by China's top legislator Zhao Leji at plenary of Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2026

Former Taiwan People's Party (TPP) chairman Ko Wen-je was found guilty by a court in Taipei in a corruption case on Thursday and sentenced to 17 years in prison, the Xinhua News Agency reported on Thursday.

In response to foreign media reports claiming that Hong Kong police can now demand phone or computer passwords from people suspected of breaching the National Security Law (NSL) for Hong Kong, portraying the new rules as a “further crackdown on dissents,” a spokesperson from the Security Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) told the Global Times on Thursday that the reports are misleading, noting that law enforcement officers must apply to the court for a warrant and obtain judicial approval before searching electronic devices such as mobile phones.

Asked to comment on reports that regarding South Korea's use of “China (Taiwan)” on its electronic entry card system, Taiwan regional authorities claimed that based on reciprocal principle, if South Korea does not provide a positive response to a request by March 31, they will change South Korea's designation on Taiwan region's arrival cards from “Republic of Korea” to “Korea (South),” Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, said that adhering to the one-China principle is both the right course of action and an inevitable trend.

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, on Monday urged efforts to build the Xiong'an New Area in North China's Hebei Province into an innovation hub in the new era and a model of promoting high-quality development, the Xinhua News Agency reported. Xi, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, inspected the Xiong'an New Area on Monday, when he also chaired a symposium on further advancing the high-quality construction and development of the area. During the inspection, Xi viewed construction progress in the start-up zone and visited China Huaneng Group Co., Ltd. and the Xiong'an campus of Beijing No. 4 High School to learn about the development of the Xiong'an New Area.

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, on Monday urged efforts to build the Xiong'an New Area in north China's Hebei Province into an innovation hub in the new era and a model of promoting high-quality development.

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, on Monday inspected the Xiong'an New Area in north China's Hebei Province.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang has stressed creating new market opportunities through openness and technological progress, and upholding global market order through healthy and fair competition.

China's Ministry of Water Resources announced on Sunday, marking the 34th World Water Day, that the country has established the world's largest and most comprehensive water infrastructure network, covering 80.3 percent of the country's land area and supporting water allocation, flood control and ecological protection, the Global Times learned from the ministry's website.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang attended the opening ceremony of the China Development Forum 2026 in Beijing on Sunday and delivered a keynote speech.

The US Congress on Friday hyped China's influence in Latin America at a hearing, claiming China's continued presence in the region will be constrained as Washington shifts its strategic focus to Latin America. Chinese analysts noted that such hype lays bare Washington's hegemonic nature to deprive Latin American countries of their independent choices, as well as its anxiety over its own weakness in competing with China for cooperation in the region.

The Legislative Assembly of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) held a plenary session on Thursday, during which it passed the bill for the Committee for Safeguarding National Security of the Macao SAR.

China on Wednesday issued a guideline outlining arrangements for pilot work to extend rural land contracts by an additional 30 years upon the expiration of the second-round contracts.

Responding to a media inquiry regarding a Reuters report that a major US arms package for the Taiwan region, which includes advanced interceptor missiles, is ready for approval by US President Donald Trump and could be signed following his trip to China this month, Chen Binhua, a spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, stressed on Wednesday that China firmly opposes arms sales by relevant countries to China's Taiwan region, and this position is consistent and clear, Chinanews.com reported.

Editor's Note: 2026 marks the opening year of China's 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-30). The outline of the Plan sets out the following development goals for the coming five years: significant achievements in high-quality development, substantial improvements in scientific and technological self-reliance and strength, fresh breakthroughs in further deepening reform comprehensively, notable cultural and ethical progress across society, further improvements in quality of life, major new strides in advancing the Beautiful China Initiative, and further advances in strengthening the national security shield.

The Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the State Council on Sunday sent a congratulatory message to the Chinese delegation for the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympics, commending the delegation for leading both the gold and overall medal tables.

An article by Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, on promoting the high-quality development of the marine economy will be published on Monday.

The following is the full text of the government work report delivered at the fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress of the People's Republic of China on March 5, and approved on March 12.

John Lee, chief executive of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), said on Thursday that Hong Kong will actively align with the outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan to contribute to further deepening reform and advancing Chinese modernization.

The 14th National People's Congress (NPC), China's national legislature, held the closing meeting of its fourth session on Thursday. Xi Jinping and other Party and state leaders attended the meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Xinhua News Agency reported. Chairman of the NPC Standing Committee Zhao Leji delivered a speech at the closing meeting.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has replied to a letter from teachers and students of the Chinese language class at an international school in France's Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur, extending his best wishes to them as well as all the teachers and students of the school.

Chinese lawmakers on Thursday voted to pass a resolution on the execution of the central and local budgets for 2025 and on the central and local budgets for 2026, and approved the central budget for 2026 at the closing meeting of the fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress.

Chinese lawmakers on Thursday voted to pass a resolution on the implementation of the 2025 plan for national economic and social development and on the 2026 plan for national economic and social development, and approved the 2026 plan at the closing meeting of the fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress.

Chinese lawmakers on Thursday voted to adopt the National Development Planning Law at the closing meeting of the fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress.

Chinese lawmakers on Thursday voted to adopt the Ethnic Unity and Progress Promotion Law at the closing meeting of the fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress.

Chinese lawmakers on Thursday voted to adopt the Ecological and Environmental Code at the closing meeting of the fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress.

Chinese lawmakers on Thursday approved the outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) for national economic and social development at the closing meeting of the fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress.

Chinese lawmakers on Thursday passed a resolution on the government work report at the closing meeting of the fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress.

The 14th National People's Congress, China's national legislature, held the closing meeting of its fourth session on Thursday.

Following the UN Security Council's Wednesday vote on a draft resolution concerning the situation in the Middle East, Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, said in explanatory remarks that the draft resolution proposed by Russia reaffirms the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, urges all parties to immediately cease military actions, condemns all attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure, and encourages all parties to return to the track of diplomatic negotiations. China welcomes and supports this, and was disappointed and regretful that the draft resolution was not adopted.

With a new development blueprint under review at the ongoing national legislative session, China is embracing a critical five-year period in an ambitious drive to basically modernize its vast population by 2035, on a scale unseen in human history.

The 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), China's top political advisory body, concluded its annual session on Wednesday morning, Xinhua News Agency reported.

China's top political advisor Wang Huning on Wednesday visited representatives of the press who covered the fourth session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).

The fourth session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, China's top political advisory body, started its closing meeting on Wednesday morning.

CPPCC members attend group interview ahead of closing meeting of annual session

Lawmakers on Tuesday gathered again in groups to review the work reports of the Supreme People's Court and the Supreme People's Procuratorate as well as law drafts during the ongoing "two sessions," bringing their first-hand observations from a grassroots perspective and ideas from their communications with the people into the process of legislation and governance.

China's national defense budget for 2026 has been set at 1.94 trillion yuan ($281 billion) under the country's general public budget, representing a 6.9 percent increase from last year's executed budget, with the central government accounting for 1.91 trillion yuan ($276 billion), a 7 percent rise, Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for the delegation of the People's Liberation Army and the People's Armed Police Force at the fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress, said on Tuesday.

During this year's "two sessions," Haji Akber Aisa, a deputy to the 14th National People's Congress and an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, told the Global Times that he hopes the country will assist Xinjiang with policies for attracting high-level talent.

Renowned Chinese cloud computing and AI scholar Wang Jian, interviewed by the Global Times during the ongoing "two sessions," discussed the US power grid in the AI era and the competition between China and the US on AI.

The remains of Song Ping, a former senior official of the Communist Party of China and the state, were cremated in Beijing on Tuesday.

A report of the NPC Standing Committee on the work of the overhaul of laws and the proposed handling of certain laws and decisions was submitted for deliberation at the meeting. The work report summarized major achievements in 2025 while specified multiple key areas the Standing Committee will work on in 2026, which will provide crucial legislative guarantee for China's high-quality development amid fast-changing domestic and international environments, according to legal experts and lawmakers.

China's courts had concluded 9,326 cases involving crimes endangering cyber security over the past five years, an increase of 158.5 percent from the previous five-year period, according to a work report of the Supreme People's Court on Monday.

During the ongoing "two sessions", Ruan Xiangyan, a doctor and a deputy to the 14th National People's Congress, suggested building a notification system, especially at the grassroots level, to inform patients of any fertility risks before treatment.

In an interview with the Global Times on Monday regarding unleashing consumption potentials with the introduction of spring and autumn breaks for primary and secondary schools, Zhang Yi, a deputy to the National People's Congress and a member of the academic divisions of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, noted that only by combining "consumption capacity" with "time available for consumption" can domestic demand be more effectively stimulated.

China opposes interference in other countries' internal affairs under any pretext. Iran's sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity should be respected, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said, when asked to comment on Iran's new supreme leader and that the US President Donald Trump has threatened that the new Iranian supreme leader "would not last long."

China will strengthen research on legislation in artificial intelligence (AI) and other sectors, according to a report.

The fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress held its second plenary meeting on Monday.

The 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), China's top political advisory body, held the third plenary meeting of the ongoing annual session on Sunday.

At China's 2026 two sessions, high-quality integration of culture and tourism remains a hot topic among the deputies of the National People's Congress and members of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). In recent years, Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, boasting unique natural and cultural resources, has become a filming location for numerous film and television works.

The China Astronaut Research and Training Center is taking the lead in applying to establish a ground-based research facility for extraterrestrial survival to address the challenges of long-term human survival beyond Earth, Wang Yaping, a member of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and the first female taikonaut to enter China's space station, said on Saturday during a group discussion.

At the open group meeting of the Hainan delegation to the fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress, lawmaker Cai Qiang, who is also Secretary-General of South China's Hainan Provincial People's Government, described the development pace induced by the island-wide special customs operations in Hainan as "a rapid acceleration you feel when sitting in a moving car."

The third plenary meeting of the fourth session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 8, 2026.

The island of Taiwan has been Chinese territory since ancient times and is absolutely impossible to become any “country” in the past, present or future. We will never allow any individual or force to separate Taiwan from China, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said during the press conference on Sunday on the sidelines of the fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress.

At a Sunday press conference on Sunday on the sidelines of the fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi outlined China's consular efforts over the past year. These include handling more than 100 major emergencies involving Chinese citizens and institutions overseas, processing over 79,000 cases of consular protection and assistance, answering more than 600,000 calls to the 12308 consular hotline. He also noted that the ministry issued over 3,000 overseas safety alerts, and successfully rescued more than 50 of compatriots from kidnappings situations in Africa.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a press conference on Sunday on the sidelines of the fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress. At the press conference, Wang Yi briefed his take on how China views the current situation in Iran and the propositions for resolving the Iran issue as the US and Israel recently launched a military operation against Iran.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a press conference on Sunday on the sidelines of the fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress.

The following are the schedules for the fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) and the fourth session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) on Sunday.

Over one third of China's major development targets for the 2026-2030 period will focus on resolving the pressing difficulties and problems that concern the people most, an official told a press conference Saturday.

According to source, multiple Philippine aircraft recently illegally intruded into the territorial airspace over China's Huangyan Dao without the permission of the Chinese government. The Chinese People's Liberation Army organized naval and air forces to conduct tracking, monitoring, warning and expulsion in accordance with laws and regulations.

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday stressed fully leveraging the unique strengths of enhancing political loyalty in the military, and called for concerted efforts to advance the modernization of national defense and the armed forces in a steady and sustained manner.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, on Saturday attended a plenary meeting of the delegation of the People's Liberation Army and the People's Armed Police Force at the fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress, China's national legislature.

China's artificial intelligence (AI) technology can address the "essential demand" in key real-world scenarios, which constitutes the core competitiveness for us to expand globally. Looking ahead, we must also strive to take the lead in breakthroughs in foundational technological innovation, Liu Qingfeng, a deputy to 14th National People's Congress and chairman of Chinese tech firm iFLYTEK, told the Global Times on the sidelines of the ongoing "two sessions."

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will hold a press conference on Sunday on the sidelines of the fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress.

Senior Chinese leaders Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang and Li Xi on Friday attended deliberation at the fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) and group discussions at the fourth session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday stressed unswervingly following the path of health development with Chinese characteristics to ensure decisive progress in advancing the Healthy China Initiative during the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030).

China's GDP is expected to grow by over 6 trillion yuan ($869.6 billion) in 2026, equivalent to the total annual GDP volume of a developed economy, Zheng Shanjie, head of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), the country's top economic planner, told a press conference on the sidelines of the fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress in Beijing on Friday.

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday extended festive greetings and best wishes to the country's women of all ethnic groups and from all walks of life ahead of International Women's Day, which falls on March 8.

President Xi Jinping on Friday visited national political advisors attending a joint group meeting at the fourth session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday urged major provincial economies to redouble efforts to gain experience in analyzing new situations and solving new problems.

Certain Taiwan media outlets on Thursday reported and touted a bill on space cooperation between the Taiwan region and the US that had passed the US Senate Commerce Committee.

Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said on Wednesday in an exclusive interview with China News Service that Hong Kong will explore drafting its first five-year plan to better align with national development strategies, China News Service reported on Thursday. Lee came to Beijing to attend the opening meeting of the fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC).

"With what kind of feeling am I attending? Full of hope!" Kenneth Fok Kai-kong, a deputy from Hong Kong to the 14th National People's Congress (NPC), told the Global Times on Thursday, noting that seeing the country continue to develop gives him hope for identifying new pathways for the future development for Hong Kong.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, on Thursday took part in a deliberation with his fellow deputies from the delegation of Jiangsu Province at the fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress, China's national legislature.

During the first group interview in the "Deputies' Passage" of the fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Thursday morning, Wang Wenyi, an NPC deputy who is also a J-16 pilot from an aviation brigade of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force, shared his experiences from frontline training.

The 14th National People's Congress, China's top legislature, opened its fourth session on Thursday morning at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Ahead of the opening of the fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress on Thursday, Qi Xiangdong, a member of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and chairman of Chinese cybersecurity firm Qi An Xin Technology Group, said in an interview with the Global Times that it is not surprising that the US used the artificial intelligence (AI) technology in its strike against Iran.

China will open wider to the outside world, according to a government work report submitted Thursday to the country's top legislature for deliberation.

China on Thursday unveiled major development targets for the 2026-2030 period as a government work report was submitted to the country's top legislature for deliberation.

"We hope that the vast number of Taiwan compatriots clearly understand that 'Taiwan independence' is a dead end, external forces are unreliable, the process of reunification is unstoppable, and the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities' attempt to seek independence by relying on external forces is doomed to fail," said Zeng Liqun, a deputy from the Taiwan delegation to the 14th National People's Congress and executive director of the national federation of Taiwan compatriots, in an interview with the Global Times on Wednesday during the national "two sessions" - the annual meetings of China's top legislature and top political advisory body.

Since the security situation in Iran became tense, China has repeatedly made representations to relevant parties, urging all sides to ensure the safety of Chinese citizens in Iran and neighboring countries, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Wednesday's press briefing while responds to measures that the Chinese government has taken to protect Chinese citizens in Iran and neighboring countries.

When asked to comment on a reporter's question that the US and Israel have recently launched military operations against Iran, resulting in the deaths of its leaders, and that not long ago in Venezuela, the world witnessed the arrest of the president of a sovereign country, and that the US has long declared its intention to annex Greenland, a Danish territory in the Arctic Ocean. As unilateralism and the use of force in international relations grow increasingly rampant, the international community is deeply concerned about the collapse of the global governance system and the weakening role of the United Nations, Lou said that the Chinese side is highly concerned about the situation in Iran. Iran's national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity should be respected.

The Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee, China's top political advisory body, opened its annual session on Wednesday in Beijing.

The National People's Congress (NPC), China's national legislature, held a press conference on Wednesday at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, one day ahead of the opening of its annual session. Lou Qinjian, spokesperson for the fourth session of the 14th NPC, briefed the press on the session.

The National People's Congress (NPC), China's national legislature, held a press conference on Wednesday at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, one day ahead of the opening of its annual session. Lou Qinjian, spokesperson for the fourth session of the 14th NPC, briefed the press on the session.

Chinese lawmakers are set to formulate a law on childcare services this year aiming to channel more resources into people's livelihood sectors and boost consumption, a spokesperson said on Wednesday.

China, US should respect each other, pursue peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation: spokesperson

The preparatory meeting of the fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) on Wednesday adopted the following agenda of the session:

The National People's Congress (NPC), China's national legislature, will hold its annual session from March 5 to 12 in Beijing, a spokesperson for the session said on Wednesday.

The National People's Congress (NPC), China's national legislature, held a press conference on Wednesday, one day ahead of the opening of its annual session.

Traders work near a screen showing the Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) and the foreign exchange rate at the foreign exchange dealing room of the Hana Bank headquarters in Seoul, South Korea on March 3, 2026. South Korean equities suffered their steepest ever one-day points decline on Tuesday, the Korean Economic Daily reported, as Middle East tensions stoked concern over the impact of rising energy costs. Photo: VCG

China adheres to promoting high-quality development and expanding high-level opening-up to the outside world. By developing itself while also benefiting the world, China remains the most stable, most reliable, and most positive force in a turbulent world, said Liu Jieyi, spokesperson for the fourth session of the 14th Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee.

China's top political advisory body, the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), will hold its annual session from March 4 to 11 in Beijing, a spokesperson for the session said on Tuesday.

The US has once again launched attacks against Iran during the negotiation process, which violates international law and the basic norms of international relations, leading to a sudden escalation of the situation in the Middle East, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said in response to a question asking China's take on the Iranian nuclear issue, on which the Director General of the IAEA Rafael Grossi stated that the IAEA has not seen a systematic nuclear weapons program in Iran, and that other countries may have their own political considerations.

Check out our special coverage to explore more news of the Two Sessions 2026.

The Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee, China's top political advisory body, held a press conference on Tuesday, one day before its annual session.

When China's annual "two sessions" convene in Beijing each spring, the discussions of national lawmakers and political advisors extend well beyond macroeconomic targets and national blueprints.

As the annual national "two sessions" approach, China is expected to send strong and fresh signals on pushing high-quality development, leveraging greater policy and reform support to ensure steady economic growth and social progress.

Tensions following military actions launched by US and Israel against Iran have prompted the Chinese embassies in Israel and Iran to open evacuation registration to Chinese nationals including compatriots in Hong Kong, Macao special administrative regions, and the island of Taiwan. The move has drawn attention from media and triggered discussion among netizens on the island.

China's annual “two sessions” of its top legislature and political advisory body are gearing up to convene this week. Some provincial deputies to the14th National People's Congress (NPC) and members of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) gathered in their provincial capitals on Monday to prepare for departure to Beijing.

A book about how the Communist Party of China (CPC) secured victory in China's fight against poverty under the leadership of Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, has been published.

The National People's Congress (NPC), China's national legislature, will hold a press conference on Wednesday, one day ahead of the opening of its annual session, according to an official statement on Monday.

The main agenda proposed for the upcoming fourth session of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), China's top political advisory body, was unveiled on Sunday.

A total of 26,000 individuals turned themselves in to China's discipline inspection and supervision agencies in 2025, according to a work report from the country's top anti-graft body.

The Global Times learned from Tan Kai, president of the Iran Federation of Chinese Organizations, that Chinese nationals in Iran began evacuating on Saturday local time. So far, about 100 people have registered for evacuation. They are scattered across different parts of Iran and are expected to leave in an orderly manner via land border crossings that remain open.

The US and Israel launched attacks on Iran, with explosions rocking Tehran. Missiles hit University Street and the Jomhouri district, Fars News Agency reported, as smoke billowed across parts of the capital, according to Al Jazeera. Some Chinese nationals in the city told the Global Times that the blast site was just a four- to five-minute drive away from them and that communications were temporarily disrupted.

The Chinese Embassy in Israel on Saturday reminded Chinese nationals in the country to closely monitor developments and changes in the situation, remain highly vigilant, familiarize themselves in advance with nearby shelters and evacuation routes, and keep communication channels open at all times.

The US administration has delayed announcing a package of arms sales to the island of Taiwan worth billions of dollars ahead of US President Donald Trump's reported trip to China in early April, the New York Times reported on Friday, citing US officials, and confirmed previous media reports that the arms sale was in limbo.

A Chinese mainland spokesperson on Friday said authorities are investigating the issue following reports that a relative of a "Taiwan independence" separatist allegedly profited from business activities on the mainland and provided political funding to the separatist.

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, on Friday chaired a meeting of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee to discuss a draft outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan for economic and social development and a draft government work report to be submitted by the State Council to the upcoming annual session of the national legislature for review.

China is closely following the development of the situation in Iran. China consistently advocates for resolving issues through political and diplomatic means, and opposes the use or threat of force in international relations, said Chinese FM spokesperson Mao Ning at Thursday's press briefing, in response to a question that if the US launches an attack on Iran, will China support Iran alongside Russia?

Jimmy Lai, founder of Next Digital, has had his fraud conviction in a Hong Kong Science Park-related case overturned on appeal. Lai is serving 20-year sentence in a separate national security case, according to local media reports on Thursday.

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, asked senior Party officials to ensure a good start to the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030).

Unease is reportedly spreading among Japanese companies after China on Tuesday placed 40 Japanese entities, including Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Shipbuilding Co and Subaru Corp., on two restrictive lists in light of a growing trend of Japanese militarization, with major Japanese media outlets warning the move could deal a blow to affected firms.

China's position on the Ukraine issue has been open, clear and consistent — calling for a ceasefire, an end to hostilities, and the promotion of peace talks and dialogue, Chinese envoy to the UN said at a conference on Tuesday marking the fourth anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The envoy also criticized the US for smearing China's role in the conflict in an attempt to provoke bloc confrontation and create division and antagonism.

A compilation of excerpts from discourses by Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, on establishing and practicing a correct understanding of what it means to perform well has been published by the Central Party Literature Press.

The Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the State Council on Monday sent a congratulatory message to the Chinese delegation for the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games, commending the delegation for achieving its best-ever results in overseas Winter Olympic Games.

Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR)'s Court of Appeal on Monday morning dismissed the appeals by 12 defendants prosecuted in the high-profile case of conspiracy to subvert state power who sought to overturn their convictions or have their sentences reduced, multiple Hong Kong media outlets reported.

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday extended Spring Festival greetings at a reception in Beijing to usher in the Chinese New Year -- the Year of the Horse.

President Xi Jinping and other Chinese leaders have visited or entrusted others to visit retired senior officials to extend greetings ahead of the Spring Festival, which falls on Feb. 17 this year.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for strengthening the strategic, forward-looking, and systematic layout of basic research and supporting scientists and researchers in delivering more original innovations.

The recent U.S. accusation of Chinese nuclear explosive tests is completely groundless, said Li Song, permanent representative of China to the United Nations and other international organizations in Vienna, in an interview on Wednesday.

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, extended festive greetings on Wednesday to people from non-CPC political parties and the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, personages without party affiliation, and other members of the united front ahead of the Spring Festival, or the Chinese New Year.

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday reviewed the armed forces' combat readiness and ongoing operations and extended Spring Festival greetings to all service members of the country via video link in Beijing.

French President Emmanuel Macron has called on the EU to embark on an "economic revolution" and reduce dependence on the US and China, according to media reports. Chinese experts said that the remarks reflect the EU's anxiety amid a slew of challenges, but protectionist actions will not help address these woes.

The US House of Representatives has passed a new Taiwan-related bill directing the US administration to exclude the Chinese mainland from certain international financial institutions if its actions are deemed to "threaten security" of the island. The bill has been mocked by many netizens on the island as another attempt to extract more "protection fees" from Taiwan island. A mainland expert said on Wednesday that any attempt to exclude the Chinese mainland from international organizations and financial institutions are largely wishful thinking.

A Chinese mainland spokesperson on Wednesday slammed the Lai Ching-te authorities for their shameless act of groveling flattery toward Japan, criticizing them for disregarding the heinous crimes committed by Japan during its colonial rule over Taiwan and seizing the opportunity to spread pro-Japan fallacies.

A spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office on Wednesday urged the US to exercise prudence on the Taiwan question, in response to claims reportedly made by the US State Department regarding the region's so-called special defense budget.

There is only one China in the world and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China, said Zhu Fenglian, a spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, at a press conference on Wednesday.

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, visited primary-level officials and residents in Beijing on Tuesday morning, prior to the Spring Festival.

​Certain countries and institutions used a judicial case in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) to maliciously smear Hong Kong, denigrate the rule of law there, and interfere in China's internal affairs. China firmly opposes this and has lodged solemn representations with the relevant countries and institutions, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Tuesday in response to statements issued by the US, the UK, Australia, the EU and others concerning the 20-year-imprisonment sentencing on anti-China riots instigator Jimmy Lai Chee-ying.

Premiered on China Central Television (CCTV) at the start of 2026, the historical drama Swords into Plowshares (Taiping nian), which centers on the turbulent Five Dynasties and Ten States (907-979), captures audiences in the Chinese mainland and across the Taiwan Straits.The Storm Media Group, among other Taiwan island media outlets, has reported on the drama. According to a commentator for the group, the series' release timing underscores that “peaceful reunification” remains the mainland's mainstream narrative for cross-Straits relations. The commentator described the drama as using the historical tale of “peaceful submission to the Song Dynasty” to convey a cultural and historical appeal for peaceful reunification today.

China's State Council Information Office on Tuesday released a white paper titled "Hong Kong: Safeguarding China's National Security Under the Framework of One Country, Two Systems." Please see the attachment for the document.

China's State Council Information Office on Tuesday released a white paper titled "Hong Kong: Safeguarding China's National Security Under the Framework of One Country, Two Systems,” according to the Xinhua News Agency.

China's State Council Information Office on Tuesday released a white paper titled "Hong Kong: Safeguarding China's National Security Under the Framework of One Country, Two Systems."

Both the Chinese Embassy in the UK and the Mission of China to the EU rejected the latest claims made by the British side and the EU External Action on the sentencing of anti-China riots instigator Jimmy Lai on Monday, urging the British and the European sides to stop interfering in China's internal affairs.

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, on Monday stressed self-reliance in science and technology, hailing it as the "key" in building China into a great modern socialist country.

Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and minister of foreign affairs, will attend and address the opening session of the First APEC 2026 Senior Officials' Meeting in Guangzhou on Feb. 10, a foreign ministry spokesperson announced here on Monday.

“I would first like to point out that Jimmy Lai is a Chinese citizen,” said Lin Jian, spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, on Monday in response to a question about the latest sentencing in Lai's case, as well as the mention of Lai as a British national by the British prime minister during his visit to China, and the call by US President Donald Trump for China to release Lai.

In response to a question that following the announcement of Japan's election results, some posts on Chinese social media have expressed concerns about Japan's rightward shift, what's Chinese government's comment on this, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said that in the past, Japanese militarists led Japan into wars of aggression, committing heinous crimes against Asian neighbors and the world, and bringing profound disaster to the Japanese people as well. The lessons of history are profound.

Multiple central government's authorities in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) expressed firm support on Monday for the HKSAR in fulfilling its constitutional responsibility to safeguard national security and in lawfully handing down a sentence decision in the Jimmy Lai case after the High Court of the HKSAR on Monday morning sentenced Lai, an instigator of anti-China riots in Hong Kong, to 20 years in prison.

"Jimmy Lai is a Chinese national," said Lin Jian, spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, on Monday. Lai was the principal mastermind and perpetrator behind the series of riots that shook Hong Kong. His moves seriously breached the principles and bottom line of One Country, Two Systems, endanger national security and hurt Hong Kong's prosperity and stability and Hong Kong residents' wellbeing. There is every reason to bring him to justice, Lin said.

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, visited an information technology (IT) innovation park in Beijing on Monday morning.

The High Court of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on Monday morning sentenced Jimmy Lai, an instigator of anti-China riots in Hong Kong, to 20 years in prison.

After the Financial Times (FT) reported on Friday that the US is compiling a large arms sale of Patriot missiles and other weapons for the island of Taiwan, various opposition parties on the island publicly criticized the regional leader, Lai Ching-te, questioning how much more financial burden he intends to impose on the residents of Taiwan.