The latest storyline in the shooter game Helldivers 2 features an alien invasion of a virtual Earth, with seven major landmarks mirroring real-world cities such as Shanghai, New York, and Stockholm. As the campaign teetered on the brink of failure, players from around the world began coordinating across time zones, defending each other's cities while their allies rested. As Shanghai held out, the planet was saved, and what began as a game evolved into a rare moment of global emotional resonance among players, according to China News Service.

The girls flag football team from Lincoln High School in the US began a series of exchange activities in Shanghai on Thursday. They visited Shanghai Pinghe School, where they interacted with local students.

At the heart of an international handicraft exhibition at the 9th International Festival of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) that kicked off on Wednesday in Chengdu city, Southwest China's Sichuan Province, a striking installation co-created by weavers from 11 countries across Asia, Africa, Oceania and Europe wowed attendees.

Mint-green sofas, glistening crystal wall lamps, mosaic-tiled walls, and the rich aroma of spiced South Asian cuisine -- every detail of Imran Ali's restaurant exudes exotic charm, which has helped it become a hit on social media in Lanzhou, capital city of northwest China's Gansu Province.

The 4th Silk Road Friendship Ceremony, hosted by the China International Culture Exchange Center, was held in Kuqa County, Aksu Prefecture in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, on May 28, 2025.

The year 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) and the World Anti-Fascist War. Whether it is the translation and dissemination of Chinese wartime literature abroad, or the resonance sparked in China by foreign literary works on World War II, both reflect the shared aspiration for peace among people around the world. At the same time, they bear witness to the ongoing exchanges between Chinese and foreign literature. Let us explore the global journey of these classic works and rediscover their enduring literary charm and spiritual strength.

Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok, said on Wednesday it has removed abusive and insulting comments targeting Olympic diving gold medalist Chen Yuxi.

The 9th International Festival of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) kicked off on Wednesday in Chengdu, Southwest China's Sichuan Province, bringing together 400 cultural practitioners and 600 ICH projects from more than 60 countries and regions.

Steve Dainton, chief executive officer of International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), apologized to the public for the confusion and disruption surrounding the ITTF's Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Tuesday after doubts over the voting process, according to a report by the Beijing Youth Daily.

Archaeologists have uncovered 30 ancient rock paintings in the northern region of Sayram Lake in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, marking the first such discovery in the area.

Due to the concert dates coinciding with the national college entrance examination, the renowned Hong Kong singer Jacky Cheung's concert in South China's Dongguan has been postponed from June to August. The concert organizer apologized for the inconvenience brought to the audience coming from outside Dongguan and promised to provide compensation.

In recent years, China's cinema industry has faced a growing exodus of young movie-goers, while short-video platforms have surged in popularity.

In Shenzhen, a city known as a global technology and innovation hub in China, a talk, which focused on leveraging digital technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), to integrate the diverse cultures of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) and foster the development of a unified cultural community, was held on Tuesday at a forum on Building up China's Cultural Strength.

Desolate and foul-smelling, with few young people and many underdeveloped commercial facilities – these are the first impressions of the Moshikou block, in the Shijingshan district on the outskirts of Beijing, to Zhang Hao, manager of the planning and design department at the Moshikou renovation division.

The Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) unveiled seven major breakthroughs in technological archaeology and cultural heritage conservation in Beijing on Tuesday, highlighting how the integration of traditional techniques and modern science is advancing the preservation and understanding of China's ancient past.

The third edition of the "Imazsia Chinese film week," which opened here on Saturday evening, featured Chinese films ranging from contemporary hits to award-winning classics.

Towering Terracotta Warriors and ornate chariots showcase the grandeur of the ancient Chinese civilization, while mysterious artifacts from the Shimao ruins in northwest China offer a rare glimpse into a "super city" of around 4,000 years ago.

Commenting on the opening of the first Confucius Institute in Honduras, Honduran Ambassador to China Salvador Moncada told the Global Times on Tuesday that "we welcome this important step in connecting peoples through language."

A contestant demonstrates Chinese calligraphy during the "Chinese Bridge" Chinese proficiency competition at the Charles Darwin University in Darwin, Australia, May 24, 2025.

The oldest known bamboo slip dated from the Cao Wei state of the Three Kingdoms period (220-280) has been discovered during a study of 216 ­previously unreleased slips collected by the Gansu Provincial Archives and Gansu Jiandu Museum, offering rare insights into the administrative and military life along the ancient Silk Road more than 1,700 years ago, CCTV News reported on Monday.

Sitting around a round table, a total of 34 Chinese actors, mainly fan-favorite young idols like Fan Chengcheng and Yang Chaoyue, recently attended a special training program - a tax law course. This may seem unrelated to their professions, but is actually vital to these stars' careers, since some public figures in the entertainment industry have become involved in negative tax-related issues, easily miring them in controversy and damaging their public image and audience appeal.

In the heart of the "Fashion Capital" of Milan, the ancient friendship between China and Italy continues to flourish. On the afternoon of May 25, the Chinese Brands Going Global - Worldwide Tour, themed "New Quality Leads, Brands Set Sail," was launched at the Palazzo Giureconsulti in Milan. Government officials, diplomats, business leaders and entrepreneurs from both countries gathered to discuss how to share the stories of Chinese brands, showcase China's innovative power, and strengthen cultural exchanges.

An additional 100 classic buildings have been included in the 10th batch of China's 20th Century Architectural Heritage Projects, an initiative started by the Chinese Society of Cultural Relics and the Architectural Society of China 10 years ago, in a bid to unearth the buildings' cultural and historical value and explore the promotion of high-quality urban renewal through architectural heritage protection.

At the just-concluded 2025 (42nd) China Sport Show on Sunday, Chinese track and field star Su Bingtian drew attention for his evolving roles. Now serving as the dean of the school of physical education at Jinan University, a veteran athlete preparing for the 15th National Games, and a mentor for China's next generation of sprinters, Su embodies the multiple pathways available to athletes after their competitive careers.

The annual "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency Competition for foreign students drew strong participation over the weekend, with enthusiastic performances from university, secondary, and primary school students across New Zealand.

For decades, as Chinese farmers toiled beneath the sun to scrape by, artistic expression was often deemed an unattainable luxury -- a privilege beyond their grasp. One reason, among many, lay in the scarcity of opportunities and the pervasive lack of confidence.

Chinese tennis ace Zheng Qinwen on Sunday beat Russian veteran Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova during her debut in the 2025 French Open, the second Grand Slam of the tennis season. The victory marked a good start for the 22-year-old at Roland-Garros, where she returned with the memories of her golden finish at Paris 2024 still fresh.

Thanks to a goal from forward Wang Shuang and more critically substitute goalkeeper Chen Chen, Chinese Women's Super League (CWSL) giants Wuhan Jiangda won the Asian Women's Champions League title by defeating Melbourne City 5-4 in a penalty shootout in extra time after a 1-1 draw on Saturday night.

On Sunday, Chinese table tennis player Wang Chuqin defeated Brazil's Hugo Calderano 4-1 at the ITTF World Table Tennis Championships ­Finals in Doha to claim his first career men's ­singles world title at the championships. Calderano, who defeated Chinese athlete Liang Jingkun in the semifinals, is the first-ever South American finalist at the World Table Tennis Championships.

Chinese director Bi Gan has won the Special Award in the main competition section of the 78th Cannes Film Festival for his epic feature film Resurrection, which marks the first time in a decade that a Chinese film has won an award in the Cannes main competition. The news sparked celebrations upon reaching China on Sunday, while some online comments noted that, following Ne Zha 2, another work has demonstrated the international influence of Chinese film.

In late-spring sunlight, the winding paths of Baligou scenic area in the southern Taihang Mountains in Central China's Henan Province is a vibrant mix of languages and laughter. Among the cliffs and valleys, 20 international students transform into apprentice herbalists on a quest for medicinal plants.

China Anti-Doping Agency (CHINADA) expressed firm opposition to the Enhanced Games and called on the global sports community to stand united in rejecting the event, according to a statement issued by the CHINADA on Friday.

The Embassy of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in China held a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing ceremony between the Scholarship Office at the UAE Presidential Court and a number of leading Chinese universities in Beijing on May 16. These agreements aim to deepen the collaboration between the UAE and China in developing young Emirati talents and equipping them to contribute meaningfully to the growth and progress of various sectors.

The Embassy of the Republic of Ecuador in China hosted a commemoration for the 203rd anniversary of the Battle of Pichincha in Beijing on May 21. The Ecuadorian ambassador stressed the country's cultural roots during the session.

The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in China hosted a soft launch of a sequel film Assalamualaikum Beijing 2: Lost in Ningxia at the Indonesian ambassador's residence in Beijing on May 18. The event aimed to strengthen Indonesia's cultural diplomacy through the transnational medium of film.

Twelve years have passed, yet Liu Yuanfeng still dreams of that night - a night when a grassroots team, the Dockers, formed less than two years earlier and composed mostly of social players from Southwest China's Chongqing, unexpectedly rose to claim the championship at the inaugural AFLC (Amateur Football League of China) national final. Now, their story has been immortalized in the 2025 documentary film Clash, which was just released on May 17.

"Black-pepper chicken breast, brown rice, quinoa with bell peppers and a low-fat yogurt.” At lunchtime, long queues form in front of a healthy meal station on the third floor of Beijing Language and Culture University's Qingyan Building, where many students have developed a routine for ordering their personal “standard set.”

How many people, while reading Chinese writer Sanmao's Stories of the Sahara and coming across the part where she and José registered their marriage in the Sahara Desert with the blessings of the local residents, have imagined the excitement of becoming a lawful partner to their loved one in a similar romantic setting? Now, what was once just imagination can become reality.

Forest ranger Liu Batu patrols the wild habitat of Amur Cork-trees, a second-class protected plant in China, at Baimaogou Forest Farm in Zhalantun City, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, May 20, 2025.

The Yellow River, which began to form 1.25 million years ago, gave birth to the roots and soul of the Chinese nation. As it meanders through nine provinces and autonomous regions, the river not only shapes breathtaking natural landscapes but also nurtures the core wisdom and cultural richness of the nation. The intangible cultural heritages that have developed along the Yellow River - ranging from the Weifang kite-making techniques of Shandong Province to the martial arts pearl of Shaolin kung fu in Henan Province - serve as compelling evidence. In this series, the Global Times culture desk will guide readers through China's most celebrated traditions that have flourished alongside the river, offering a glimpse into the pure essence of Chinese culture and how it continues nourishing contemporary life.

The embassy of Switzerland presented a booth at the Beijing Dangdai Art Fair opened at the China National Agriculture Exhibition Center in Beijing on May 22. Part of activities to celebrate the 75th anniversary of bilateral ties between China and Switzerland, this is the first time the Embassy of Switzerland in China is participating with a special art project.

Chinese architect Ma Yansong decodes the traditional wisdom of Chinese design at the Venice Biennale: “Future smart technologies should serve human emotional and spiritual needs.” The wisdom of “Co-Exist” blends tradition and tech for sustainable architecture, offering Chinese solutions to the challenges faced by human society.

The Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in China hosted a concert - a program of the creative evening "Alkissa" - dedicated to celebrating the centenary of composer, conductor, and People's Artist of Kazakhstan Nurgisa Tlendiyev in Beijing on May 21.

For the first time, a giant alatoconchid bivalve fossil has been discovered by researchers in Central China's Hubei Province, offering crucial new evidence for understanding one of Earth's major marine mass extinction events, as reported by the China News Service.

Local communities benefiting from conservation efforts is a crucial criterion for recognition as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS) site, Min Qingwen, director of the GIAHS Experts Committee of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, told the Global Times on Tuesday, stressing the harmony between people and agricultural heritage.

Undeterred by the recent controversy surrounding table tennis player Wang Chuqin's damaged racket, the Chinese team continued their journey across multiple events including men's doubles, mixed doubles, and both men's and women's singles at the ongoing ITTF World Table Tennis Championships Finals in Doha, Qatar.

To everyone's shock, in the morning of Wednesday, sad news came that Zhu Yuanyuan, a Chinese actress who was loved by audience of different age groups, passed away at the age of 51 following a fight against cancer that lasted for half a decade. The news was shared by her husband, fellow actor Xin Baiqing, via an obituary.

Former assistant of Singaporean actress Eleanor Lee (Li Kaixin) apologized to the actress for fabricating an audio recording, during which Lee was allegedly heard making disparaging remarks about Chinese people, according to a statement issued by the assistant on China's X-like platform Weibo on Wednesday.

The overwhelming number of visitors flocking to the newly opened Suzhou Archaeological Museum came as a surprise to the curator Cheng Yi.

The National Theatre of China issued an obituary on Wednesday for renowned actress Zhu Yuanyuan, who passed away after a five-year battle with cancer.

On Wednesday, Chinese actor Xin Baiqing announced via obituary that his wife, actress Zhu Yuanyuan, passed away at 11:39 am on May 17. "During her nearly five-year battle with cancer, she had never been pessimistic or depressed. Instead, she had faced difficulties with firm resolve and confidence, and conveyed her love for life to everyone around her through laughter and warmth,” reads the obituary.

Editor's Note: From the emergence of ChatGPT to the global shock caused by DeepSeek, artificial intelligence (AI) has evolved from a highly specialized field into a popular topic of discussion. From governments to academia and the general public, AI is profoundly influencing all sectors of society, regardless of individual perspectives or positions. Chen Pingyuan, a professor in the Department of Chinese Language and Literature at ­Peking University, has been reflecting on the impact of AI on literary education and explores how scholars of the humanities can adapt to this new era. He has set a personal goal: to contribute actively to the monumental task of "rebuilding the dignity of the humanities."

A newly renovated museum at the Dabaotai Tomb site in Beijing officially opened to the public on Tuesday, offering a rare glimpse into the burial practices and cultural landscape of the Western Han Dynasty (206BC-AD25).

The Badminton World Federation (BWF) recently signed a cooperation agreement with the Qingdao city government in East China's Shandong Province to build the BWF Qingdao International Exchange Center and BWF Museum in the coastal city, aiming to promote global badminton development and cultural exchange.

China has been elected chair of the Eighth Meeting of States Parties to the 1970 UNESCO Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property, marking the first time the country has assumed the role, the Xinhua News Agency reported. The two-day meeting concluded Tuesday in Paris.

In a modest yet vibrant martial arts club in Akpro-Misserete, a town some 40 kilometers northeast of Benin's economic capital Cotonou, the rhythmic thud of feet striking the ground echoes in sync with the sharp, thunderous cry of "Hay-Hah!"

The pursuit of beauty has been a timeless thread weaving throughout human history. The distinct beauty of Chinese aesthetics is not only embodied in every aspect of Chinese life, but also increasingly bringing spiritual enjoyment to people of all cultural backgrounds in the form of artistic expression. The vibrant neo-Chinese aesthetics is taking hold, blending the rich Chinese heritage with contemporary creativity, offering a unique aesthetic experience, and enriching people's spiritual world. In this series of neo-Chinese aesthetics, the Global Times is presenting articles to decode the spiritual beauty reflected in various art forms.

New discoveries at the Mawangdui, an ancient Chinese #tomb complex from the Western Han Dynasty (206BC-AD25), have revealed that a “pillow cover” was China's earliest silk seat cushion. Plus, high-tech scans found modifications on the iconic T-shaped silk painting, showing ancient people's evolving styles. History really is a never-ending mystery!

The plane carrying China's earliest known silk texts, the Zidanku silk manuscript volumes II and III, touched down at Beijing Capital International Airport at 3:55 am, Sunday, ending their 79-year sojourn in the US.

Thanks to International Museum Day, two major exhibitions spotlighting ancient Chinese and Syri-an civilizations are opening this month in Beijing, Ganzhou and Huzhou. Featuring hundreds of rare relics, the exhibitions give visitors the chance to witness the long and complex journey of these civilizations.

Including the release of the National Museum Development Report (2024), a diverse range of events were held at The Grand Canal Museum of Beijing on Sunday to celebrate the 2025 International Museum Day. The Grand Canal Museum of Beijing is also this year's main venue in China to mark the global museum day that falls annually on May 18 worldwide.

The Global Times (GT) reporters Xu Liuliu, Zhang Ni and Liu Yating spoke with Wu Weishan (Wu), about how to better promote Chinese culture to go global from an international perspective and with a deep understanding of Chinese culture.

The 2025 World Table Tennis Championships are underway in Doha, Qatar, from Saturday to May 25, with the Chinese national team fielding its strongest lineup. Over the first two days of the competition, many members of the Chinese team have advanced smoothly to the next rounds.

Chinese swimmers are competing at the national swimming champions races in Shenzhen, South China's Guangdong Province, over the weekend, with sprint swimmer Pan Zhanle stepping onto the top of the podium in the men's 400 meters freestyle with distance swimmer Sun Yang in third place.

Fossilized footprints discovered in Australia's Victoria have revealed that reptiles may have walked the Earth up to 40 million years earlier than previously thought, Flinders University said on Thursday.

Marking the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Singapore, the Consulate General of the Republic of Singapore in Xiamen supported the Nyonya Fashion Show staged in Xiamen, East China's Fujian Province on May 10. Hosted by the Xiamen Nanyang University, the event attracted almost 200 delegates. Leveraging fashion as the medium, experts and delegates enjoyed the Nyonya culture - a treasure of the fusion of maritime civilizations.

The Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan in China hosted a promotion session titled "Presentation of the Tourism, Culinary and Culture of Uzbekistan" in Beijing on May 14. At the event, it was announced that the 30-day visa-free policy between Uzbekistan and China will start on June 1.

The Russian Cultural Centre in Beijing hosted a celebration for the 15th anniversary of its establishment in Beijing on May 15. Meanwhile, the center also marked the 100th anniversary of people-to-people diplomacy between the Russian and Chinese people, inaugurating an art exhibition of Chinese calligraphy and painting.

The Chinese men's table tennis team faces a formidable challenge at the 2025 World Table Tennis Championships Finals in Doha, Qatar, which kicks off on Saturday and is set to run till May 25.

In the early summer sunshine by the shores of Taihu Lake, China's third-largest freshwater lake, a group of furry little “tourists” were on a dedicated bus with their human companions, setting off for a day of adventure. The bus they boarded was among the country's first batch of pet-friendly bus routes, which was recently launched in Wuxi, East China's Jiangsu Province and allowed owners to bring their pets along for customized scenic rides and suburban getaways.

Travelling through North China's Shanxi Province feels like stepping into a living history book where ancient temples and exquisite artworks whisper tales of bygone times.

With the support of the Embassy of the Hellenic Republic, the Center for Chinese and Greek Civilization held the 1st Graduate Students' Forum on Chinese and Greek Civilizations at Southwest University in Chongqing on May 10. The Ambassador of Greece to China Evgenios Kalpyris gave a keynote speech at the forum, highlighting the importance of the joint study of the two civilizations and the key role reserved by the Greek and the Chinese languages in it.

As the International Museum Day is just around the corner, the Shanghai Museum announced a challenge to set a world record - launching a "Sleepless Night" mode for On Top of the Pyramid: The Civilization of Ancient Egypt exhibition. The museum invited visitors to participate in a "7×24-hour non-stop" viewing experience, aiming to create a world record for a museum being open continuously for 168 hours.

The Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union organized a public event celebrating Europe Day, which was open to the civil society, with the participation of most consulates general of EU member states in Guangzhou, South China's Guangdong Province on May 9.

The Nanhuohe relics site has been confirmed as the first Paleolithic open-air site discovered in South China's Hainan Province. The site provides important archaeological evidence for studying human interactions and cultural exchanges in southern China and Southeast Asia, the head of the site's excavation team told the Global Times on Thursday.

A new study led by researchers from China and the United States has unveiled a well-preserved specimen of Archaeopteryx -- widely accepted as the most primitive bird. The study discovered new details about the bones, soft tissues and feathers of the species.

China's tennis ace Zheng Qinwen defeated top seed Aryna Sabalenka in straight sets on Thursday (Beijing Time) to reach the semifinals of the WTA 1000 Italian Open for the third time in her career. This victory also marked Zheng's first-ever win over Sabalenka, who had won all six of their previous encounters.

The 24th edition of the 'Chinese Bridge' Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign College Students in Jordan selected the country's champion on Wednesday to represent the country at the global finals, to be held in Beijing later this year..

The Chinese men's basketball team's campaign for a spot at the FIBA World Cup 2027 main draw will begin in Group B of the Asian and Oceania qualifiers alongside Japan, South Korea and Chinese ­Taipei, according to the draw held on Tuesday in Qatar.

The Chinese Football Association (CFA) announced Tuesday its plan to host three international teams for friendlies in early September in China during FIFA's international match window, drawing mix reactions.

At dusk, the dazzling lights began to turn on, and the Badaling Great Wall in Beijing stretches like a grand golden dragon. Exhibitions of Hanfu culture, performances of traditional instruments such as guzheng, and dance shows attracted many visitors to gather and watch.

As China gears up for China Tourism Day on Monday, a sweeping array of travel incentives and cultural initiatives across the country is set to ignite domestic tourism, attracting more tourists from both China and abroad to explore the nation's scenic wonders.

A delegation from the Luoyang Institute of Archaeology will depart for Uzbekistan on Thursday to carry out a roughly 50-day joint teaching and archaeological mission at the invitation of Fergana State University. The initiative aims to further advance bilateral cooperation in archaeological technology exchanges, heritage site preservation and the training of young talent.

Recently, on China's social media platforms, "peel-apart" photos taken by internet celebrities have drawn widespread attention. This vintage photography style has quickly become a new favorite in the photography scene, embraced by many young people and frequently trending online.

The Westminster Conservatory of Music in Princeton, New Jersey, hosted a stunning concert on Saturday to celebrate the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, which falls in the month of May.

Poetry should bear witness to both the beauty and the concerns of the current world and serve as a bridge for cross-cultural understanding and emotional connection, said Chinese poet Jidi Majia when attending the Daliang Mountain Poetry Festival held in Xichang, Southwest China's Sichuan Province in early May.

With the concept that "cultural heritage is the shared wealth of all humanity and belongs to all people" increasingly spreading and taking root in China, the country's laws and regulations on cultural heritage protection are increasing their focus on ensuring people' cultural rights and encouraging public participation as a fundamental principle. Currently, the involvement of social forces in the protection of cultural relics has made definite progress. This article reviews the various participating entities, objects of participation, and levels of involvement. Through the introduction of cases from Shanxi Province, Beijing and other regions, it summarizes the current pathways of social forces' involvement in cultural heritage protection and the lessons learned from such efforts.

A cliffside Buddhist carving dating back to the Northern Qi (550-577) to Sui Dynasty (581-618) was recently discovered in Taiyuan, North China's Shanxi Province, during a field investigation by the Buddhist archaeology team from the School of Archaeology and Museology at Shanxi University, according to CCTV News.

China's tennis ace Zheng Qinwen defeated former US Open champion Bianca Andreescu 7-5, 6-1, reaching the tournament's quarterfinals for the third consecutive year of the WTA Italian Open in Rome on Monday. She will next face world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus, which will mark their first meeting on clay.

Cambodian archaeologists have completed the restoration of the western drainage structure at Neak Poan (the entwined serpents) Temple in the famed Angkor Archaeological Park, the APSARA National Authority (ANA) said in a news release on Monday.

A woman walks past huge posters of the Cannes International Film Festival in Cannes, southern France, May 12, 2025. The 78th Cannes International Film Festival runs from May 13 to 24.

China has completed its largest seismic monitoring network dedicated to the protection of ancient rock-cut structures at the Maijishan Grottoes in Tianshui, Northwest China's Gansu Province, providing an advanced early warning and risk assessment system for this vulnerable heritage site, the Global Times learned from Gansu Earthquake Agency on Monday.

Chinese online literature is now being celebrated as a space for shared imagination and collaborative creation. Rather than simply reaching global audiences, it is drawing them in to participate.

At 4pm, the first cinema in the Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County in Kashi Prefecture, Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region opened at the appointed time. The cleaner had already swept both screening rooms, and the ticket seller - hired by the manager He Xinyu due to the ability to speak both Tajik and Putonghua - was prepared to welcome local filmgoers from various ethnic groups.

China is gearing up to host celebrations for 2025 International Museum Day at the Grand Canal Museum of Beijing, also called the Capital Museum East Branch, from May 17 to 19, with multiple cultural events, including a blockbuster exhibition on Chinese culture from the Shang Dynasty (c.1600BC-1046BC), according to a press release China's National Cultural Heritage Administration (NCHA) issued on Monday.

China's men's 4x400m relay team stormed to a national-record time of 3:01.87 at the World Athletics Relays on Saturday, securing direct qualification for the World Championships.

In South China's Guangdong Province lies an ancient Hakka village called "China's First Village of Writers," also known as the Writers' Village. It is the place that gave the renowned Chinese writer Xue Mo endless creative inspiration over the past decade. After settling down in the village in 2010, Xue kept exploring new frontiers in literary creation with his works going to the globe.

While his club Zhejiang FC suffered a 4-2 defeat to Shandong Taishan on Saturday, striker Wang Yudong earned credits for scoring twice in the game, which propelled him to the top of the scoring list in the Chinese Super League with eight goals across 11 appearances. Tying with Alberto Quiles of Tianjin Jinmen Tigers and Fábio Abreu of Beijing Guoan for first place, Wang's performance, with all his goals coming from open play, signals fresh hopes for Chinese strikers.

Two stage versions of the Mao Dun Literature Prize-winning novel The Protagonist - a dance drama in Beijing and a theatrical play in Shanghai - have been well-received by audiences. The dance version in Beijing captures the most dramatic turning points in the fate of the protagonist Yi Qin'e, who transforms from a shepherdess to a renowned Qinqiang Opera performer in the original 780,000-character epic.

The Venice Architecture Biennale 2025's China Pavilion officially opened on Saturday under the theme "Co-Exist." Curated by renowned Chinese architect Ma Yansong, the exhibition brings to-gether 12 multidisciplinary participants presenting 10 works that explore how traditional Eastern philosophy, particularly the concept of harmony between humanity and nature, can coexist and evolve with modern technological development in the transition from industrial civilization to the intelligent age, an exhibiting architect told the Global Times on Sunday.