China will unveil the international payload cooperation list for the country's Chang'e-8 lunar probe mission at this year's Space Day of China, with 15 projects selected from the European Space Agency (ESA), Pakistan, Thailand, as well as other countries, regions and international organizations, covering cutting-edge fields like lunar robots and rovers, Liu Yunfeng, deputy director of the China National Space Administration's (CNSA) system engineering office, disclosed on Thursday.
Liu made the remarks at a press conference on Thursday in Beijing, introducing detailed plans for this year's celebration of the country's 10th national space day which falls on April 24. The main event will be held in Shanghai, co-hosted by the China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the CNSA, and the Shanghai Government. It is organized by the People's Government of Pudong New Area and Shanghai Jiao Tong University, with Thailand serving as this year's guest of honor.
Also, first batch of scientific results from the Space-based Multi-band Variable Object Monitor, a joint satellite program developed by China and France, will be released at this year's Space Day of China, and according to Liu, these findings will provide key data for scientists worldwide to study extreme phenomenon in the universe.
At the same time, the upcoming event will also announce the results of the international selection for the loan of Chang'e-5 lunar samples, further promoting global lunar science research, Liu said.
China designated April 24 as the Space Day of China in 2016 to mark the launch of its first satellite "Dongfanghong-1" into space on April 24, 1970. Since 2016, the Space Day of China celebrations have been held in cities across the country including Beijing, Xi'an, Haikou, Hefei and Wuhan, with relevant activities being held both online and offline.
Its presence has reached every corner of China, earning widespread recognition and attention from all sectors of society. It has become a key platform and window for promoting the spirit of space exploration, sharing space culture, popularizing scientific knowledge and uniting strength for China's space endeavors, Zhang Tao, director of the CNSA publicity department, told the Global Times on Thursday.
Reviewing China's space strides in 2024, Liu, the CNSA official, said that China has executed 68 successful orbital launches in 2024, setting a new historic high. Liu added to the list of 2024 highlights the Chang'e-6 successful retrieving of lunar samples from the far side of the moon, a world first.
Last year, China carried out Shenzhou-18 and -19 manned spaceflights, as well as Tianzohu-7 and -8 cargo spacecraft to the China Space Station with full success. China's first commercial space launch site in South China's Hainan Province also became operational in 2024, according to Liu.
With a dense schedule of missions, China Space's 2025 will be even busier. Tianwen-2 will carry out a mission to rendezvous with and sample a near-Earth asteroid. The manned space program will launch the Shenzhou-20 and Shenzhou-21 manned spacecraft.
The China-Europe joint mission, the Solar Wind Magnetosphere Interaction Panorama Imaging Satellite, will explore the processes and patterns of solar wind-magnetosphere interactions. The China-Italy Electromagnetic Monitoring Satellite 02 will be launched when conditions are favorable, contributing to earthquake prediction research, per the CNSA.
Zhuang Mudi, deputy secretary-general of the Shanghai municipal government, extended a warm welcome to visitors worldwide to the Space Day of China this year in China, at the Thursday conference in Beijing.
Zhuang noted that Shanghai boasts a solid foundation in the space industry. From the Chang'e lunar exploration program, Tianhe space station core module and Tianwen Mars probe mission, to the "Xihe" solar observation, Fengyun meteorological satellites, the Qianfan satellite constellation, the "rockets made in Shanghai" and "satellites made in Shanghai" are found throughout China's major space missions.
The city is home to more than 240 major space enterprises and has established a complete industrial ecosystem covering rockets, satellites, terminals and services. Shanghai has also built a closed-loop space industrial chain of "technology R&D - capital matchmaking - application deployment," and developed mass production capabilities for 50 commercial rockets and 600 commercial satellites annually, according to Zhuang.
The Shanghai government official also vowed to achieve several goals in the city's space industry development in coming years. By 2027, Shanghai aims to grow its commercial space industry to a scale exceeding 100 billion yuan ($13.6 billion). The city seeks to achieve an annual production capacity of 100 commercial rockets and 1,000 commercial satellites, and to establish itself as a hub for reusable rocket innovation, low-cost satellite manufacturing and industry application services, Zhuang said.
According to the organizers, lunar samples collected by Chang'e-5 and Chang'e-6 from the near and far sides of the moon will be displayed together in Shanghai during the Space Day of China.
A series of featured events will also be held, including the International Lunar Research Station Developers Conference. Officials from relevant government departments, academicians, experts and international guests from 41 countries, regions and international organizations will also attend the main event in Shanghai.
China's Foreign Ministry slammed US plans to charge port fees on Chinese-built vessels on Friday, urging the US side to respect facts and multilateral rules, immediately stop its wrongdoings and warned that China will take necessary measures to defend its lawful rights and interests.
The aggressive policy, rolled out the same day that US President Donald Trump reportedly floated the idea that the US expects to reach a trade "deal" with China and signaled a potential end to the tit-for-tat tariff hikes between the US and China, has highlighted the typical tactics of the US administration as it seeks to pressure Beijing to make concessions while mounting its crackdown on China in multiple fields, an analyst said.
Faced with widespread doubts and opposition, the US administration is facing increasing pressure from its reckless moves and the tariff "numbers game" cannot be sustainable, Chinese analysts said, noting that the US needs to show more sincerity with concrete actions if it wants to start any talks.
The US administration went ahead on Thursday local time with its port fee by announcing the details of how Chinese-built vessels are going to be charged, starting at $50 a net ton from mid-October, and increasing onward, under the guise of reviving the US shipbuilding industry and reducing China's dominance in the sector.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Friday that imposing port fees and levying tariffs on cargo handling facilities hurt the US itself as well as others.
"The move not only hikes global maritime shipping costs and disrupts the stability of global industrial and supply chains, but also increases inflationary pressures in the US and hurts the interests of American consumers and businesses. The practice will ultimately fail to revitalize the US shipbuilding industry," Lin said.
Commenting on the USTR Section 301 Action regarding China's maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors, China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) said on Friday that China strongly deplores and opposes the US action.
The measures taken by the US fully expose the nature of its unilateralism and protectionist policies, and are typical non-market behaviors with discriminatory overtones. They seriously harm the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises, significantly disrupt the stability of global production and supply chains, severely violate WTO rules, and greatly undermine the rules-based multilateral trading system and international economic and trade order, said a MOFCOM statement.
Chinese analysts described the actions as discriminatory trade bullying, noting that it not only disrupts global supply chains, but also damages the country's credibility as it insisted upon the policy despite wide opposition from the industry.
The levy will only serve to disrupt the logistics of the US, cripple its port operations, and hurt the interests of its allies, a Chinese expert stressed. It is just one more irrational policy rolled out by the US administration, and this one will exacerbate US economic woes while inflicting grave wounds on the world economy.
The port fees plan came as part of more aggressive potential actions against China. One US lawmaker is reportedly requesting JPMorgan and Bank of America to pull out of underwriting the upcoming Hong Kong IPO of Chinese electric vehicle battery giant CATL, Reuters reported on late Thursday. The US is also reportedly pressuring other countries to curb trade with China in negotiations over US tariffs, according to Bloomberg.
Tariff 'numbers game' unsustainable
These developments coincided with Trump's floating the idea that the US expects to reach a trade "deal" with China and signaling a potential end to the tit-for-tat tariff hikes between the two countries.
Trump on Thursday said he expects to make a trade deal with China, though he offered no specifics or indications of how talks would get underway between the two largest economies, Reuters reported.
In a separate report, Trump on Thursday signaled a potential end to the tariff hikes between the US and China, and that a deal over the fate of TikTok may have to wait, according to Reuters.
China's Foreign Ministry did not comment on the matter on Friday. Previously, the ministry stated that intimidation, threat and blackmail are not the right way to engage with China.
On Thursday, the Ministry of Commerce said that China has noticed that some of its exports to the US are now subject to cumulative tariffs of up to 245 percent under various pretexts but it will ignore the "meaningless numbers game."
The ministry emphasized that such a move has blatantly exposed how the US has instrumentalized and weaponized tariffs with utter irrationality.
Chinese analysts said the US' approach showed a lack of sincerity, and urged the US side to carry out positive acts.
"The US government is now facing widespread opposition and lawsuits across the US, and it is being urged to rework its China tariff policy. This, together with US market adjustment and the performance of US treasury bonds, has indicated that the tariff 'numbers game' cannot be sustainable," Li Haidong, a professor at the China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times on Friday.
Zhou Mi, a senior research fellow at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, told the Global Times that the fact the US government is signaling the expectation of reaching some sort of deal with China while it continues to hurt its interests reflected a belief within the administration that tariffs can pressure Beijing to make concessions.
"However, it is already clear that such thinking and such an approach is not acceptable to China, as there is no sincerity," Zhou said.
The Chinese government has always stated that the door for negotiation is open but any talks must be carried out on an equal and fair basis, the expert said.
Tariffs face wide opposition
Trump's remarks came amid a market correction in the US, vocal criticism by some American politicians and officials as well as a visit to China by US-based chipmaker Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, during which the US tech mogul said "the China market is very important to us."
An aggressive US tariff policy will trigger a significant slowdown in the US economy this year and next, with the median probability of recession in the next 12 months approaching 50 percent, according to economists polled by Reuters.
On Wednesday, California Governor Gavin Newsom filed a lawsuit challenging the US government's spate of tariffs that have upended global trade, BBC reported, noting that California is the first US state to file legal action against the US government over the tariffs.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear also raised alarm bells over tariffs, The Hill reported on Wednesday.
In an interview with China Media Group published on Friday, Zhao Zhongxiu, president of the University of International Business and Economics, pointed out that the US is trying to get a good bargain from China through its extreme pressure tactics.
The US inventory level is a factor. As the inventory dries up in the next three to six months, the US will be facing soaring inflation, which will be a situation the US cannot control through its blackmailing tactic, Zhao said, adding that the global production system cannot be separated from that of China's.
China-founded e-commerce sites Temu and Shein said they plan to raise prices for US customers starting next week, the AP reported on Friday. Earlier, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy said that sellers may have to pass the cost of tariffs onto consumers.
China's first monkeypox vaccine has entered phase I clinical trials at a hospital in Central China's Henan Province and plans to recruit volunteers aged 18 and above in Zhengzhou, capital of the province.
The modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA)-based live attenuated monkeypox vaccine, independently developed by Shanghai Institute of Biological Products Co (SIBP) under China National Pharmaceutical Group Corp, has received clinical trial approval from China's National Medical Products Administration. The research team will conduct the phase I clinical trials at the Henan Infection Diseases Hospital in Zhengzhou, according to a statement from the SIBP.
The trial plans to recruit 120 volunteers aged 18 and above, including 60 healthy individuals, 30 men who have sex with men, and 30 individuals living with HIV, according to the statement. Recruitment criteria specify that participants must have a body temperature below 37.3 C on the day of enrollment. Those who have been vaccinated with smallpox should be born before 1980. Male participants and women of childbearing age must have no plans to conceive within six months and must agree to use effective contraception for that duration. The application deadline is August 21, 2025.
Previous reports noted that the vaccine received clinical trial approval from the National Medical Products Administration on September 9, 2024, making it the first monkeypox vaccine in China to be approved for clinical trials, Shanghai local media The Paper reported.
As a viral zoonotic disease caused by the monkeypox virus, monkeypox spreads through direct contact, respiratory droplets, secretions, contaminated objects, mother-to-child transmission and sexual contact.
In the one- to five-day prodromal period, infected individuals may experience fever, chills, malaise, headache, back pain, sore throat, shortness of breath and swollen lymph nodes.
Monkeypox shares clinical features with smallpox but presents milder symptoms and a lower mortality rate - between 1 percent to 10 percent. A distinguishing feature is lymphadenopathy (swollen lymph nodes).
In August 2022, the World Health Organization issued interim guidance on monkeypox vaccination, recommending vaccination primarily for close contacts of monkeypox patients and high-risk groups exposed to the virus.
High-risk groups include men who have sex with men, individuals with multiple sexual partners, healthcare workers, researchers, lab personnel handling monkeypox diagnostics, and outbreak response team members.
The safety and efficacy of the MVA-based live attenuated monkeypox vaccine have been demonstrated through extensive clinical data. The vaccine is produced using a mature cell factory manufacturing process, which ensures stable manufacturing and reliable quality, experts said. Preclinical studies have confirmed its safety and its ability to provide strong immune protection against monkeypox virus challenges in non-human primate models, according to the statement from SIBP.
As of now, no monkeypox vaccine has been approved for market use in China, The Paper reported.
There are currently two vaccines including JYNNEOS and ACAM2000 approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) for the prevention of mpox and smallpox diseases in adults of 18 years of age and older determined to be at high risk for smallpox or monkeypox infection.
JYNNEOS is a live virus vaccine that contains MVA-Bavarian Nordic, a weakened, non-replicating orthopoxvirus. ACAM2000 is a live, replicating vaccinia virus vaccine, which can be shed from the vaccination site and can be spread to other parts of the body or to other people. Due to the risks of serious adverse reactions, ACAM2000 is not suitable for all populations, according to the US FDA.
The JYNNEOS vaccine is marketed as Imvanex in the UK and Europe, and as Imvamune in Canada. All three versions contain the same MVA-based vaccine and are produced by the same manufacturer.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Wednesday presided over a symposium with economic experts and entrepreneurs to listen to opinions and suggestions on the current economic situation and upcoming economic work.
Although changes in the external environment have brought difficulties, the Chinese economy still retains multiple strengths, strong resilience, and immense potential, according to attendees of the meeting. They also put forward suggestions on coping with external challenges and promoting sustained economic growth during the meeting.
Li noted that under this year's relatively special situation, the country calmly and steadfastly responded to various risks and challenges, and maintained sustained economic recovery and growth in the first quarter.
At the same time, external shocks exerted pressure on the smooth operation of the economy, he said, adding that China is well prepared to address all uncertainties.
It is particularly crucial to ensure effective economic work in the second quarter and beyond, with sustained and intensified efforts across all tasks, Li stressed.
It is necessary to implement more proactive macro policies and introduce new incremental policies in a timely manner in light of the needs of the situation, he said, noting responding to uncertainties in the external environment with strong and effective policies.
China will make expanding domestic demand a long-term strategy and fully stimulate the vitality of all business entities, Li said.
Li hoped that entrepreneurs will proactively adapt to evolving circumstances to drive growth, strengthen and elevate their enterprises.
He stood up hesitantly, and mumbled the answer to the teacher's question.
It was the correct answer. The teacher praised him - just as she would with any other student.
This moment was quietly captured by Xiaoshu's mother, who sat beside him in class. She recorded the scene on her phone and posted it on her Douyin (Chinese version of TikTok) account.
For many long-time followers, this was an emotional moment: It was the first time Xiaoshu, a child diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), had ever voluntarily raised his hand to answer a question. "This must be the biggest news in the teacher's office today," one commenter wrote.
Xiaoshu is almost nine years old. In 2018, he was diagnosed with moderate autism. A year and a half ago, he enrolled in a mainstream elementary school near his home in Nanjing, the capital of East China's Jiangsu Province, becoming both an ordinary and an extraordinary student. His mother, surnamed Xu, accompanies him to school daily.
From having meltdowns in class to sitting through an entire lesson quietly; from attempting to escape crowded spaces to initiating play with his peers - through the short videos Xu shares on Douyin, tens of thousands of people have witnessed Xiaoshu's transformation. These moments reflect the collective efforts of schools, teachers, parents, and classmates to support and integrate the young learner with autism.
Xiaoshu's story offers a glimpse into how inclusive education - integrating children with ASD into mainstream schools - can work.
April 2 marks the United Nations' World Autism Awareness Day. According to a 2024 report on the development status of the autism education and rehabilitation industry in China, 0.7 percent of children aged 6 to 12 in China have autism. It is estimated that there are about 2 million children with autism nationwide between the ages of 0 and 14, with approximately 160,000 new cases diagnosed each year, the Xinhua News Agency reported.
Over the past years, autistic children in China have gained increasing attention and care. In 2022, China's National Health Commission released a trial protocol on autism screening and intervention services for children under the age of 6 to improve related services. The country has also released a work plan for improving special education for the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025).
Stories like Xiaoshu's illustrate China's growing awareness of autism and the expanding support systems for children with special needs.
'Returning to Earth'
It is a regular school day in Nanjing, and Xiaoshu reads aloud along with his classmates.
Just two years ago, this gentle-voiced boy with bright eyes could barely speak. As a child with moderate autism, every step of his progress has been made possible through great effort.
Xu vividly remembers the moment her son was diagnosed five years ago. "At the time, he had very limited language skills and could only make unconscious 'doo-doo' sounds," she recalled.
Upon learning that Nanjing was piloting an inclusive education program, she decided to send Xiaoshu to a nearby kindergarten that was part of the initiative. According to the kindergarten's principal, Xu could "give it a try, but he'll need a full-time guardian." This confirmation toughened Xu's resolve. She quit her job as an e-commerce operator and became Xiaoshu's full-time learning companion.
Nanjing's inclusive education policies gave Xu hope. At his elementary school, Xiaoshu not only gains academic knowledge, but also interacts with his peers. The school also has classrooms with appropriate learning resources used by special education teachers in their line of work. Whenever Xiaoshu struggles with emotions, he can take a break in a dedicated classroom. Additionally, he receives specialized instruction from special education teachers every week.
Additionally, the supportive policy allows the performance of children with special needs to be evaluated separately, relieving the school from including their scores in the teachers' class assessments.
After a year and a half of inclusive education, Xiaoshu's transformation has been remarkable: Initially, he had no understanding of classroom rules; now, he stands up and greets the teacher on his own. He used to be unresponsive to his classmates; now, he happily plays with them, and they, in turn, have become a great source of support for him. What is the greatest source of pride for Xu is how much better Xiaoshu behaves in public - he now waits in line when taking the subway and sits quietly during train rides. "He even learned how to jump rope!" she said with excitement.
Xu has been documenting her son's journey through short videos, which have sparked widespread discussion online. What touches her most is the shift in public perception.
At first, many questioned whether children with special needs should attend mainstream schools, but now, people are happy for Xiaoshu's incremental progress. "I wish my child had a classmate like Xiaoshu, so my child would know how to better take care of others," read one netizen's comment.
This change gives Xu great comfort. "Inclusive education is a two-way process," she told the Global Times. "Neurotypical children also learn empathy and acceptance through this experience."
In China, children with autism are often called "star children." At the end of every Douyin video, Xu always repeats the same phrase: "Wishing Xiaoshu a quick return to Earth."
Her greatest hope for her son is simple: "I just want him to be the most unnoticeable person in a crowd."
'Out of jungle'
Despite inclusive education, the advancement of social awareness, policy support, and the efforts of more social organizations have helped more children with autism and their parents find their own path.
Unlike Xiaoshu, 17-year-old Lele grew up in a special education institution founded by his parents, alongside other children with autism in Jinan, East China's Shandong Province.
"Thirteen years ago, when Lele was diagnosed with autism, there were very few resources available in the society," Gao Jie, Lele's father, told the Global Times.
Gao and his wife initially took Lele to a renowned autism intervention center in another province. After three years of no progress, they returned to Jinan, where Gao met an autism-specialized educator from the island of Taiwan conducting research.
"This professional introduced a revolutionary rehabilitation philosophy to us - that we shouldn't overly pursue 'rehabilitation,' but instead embrace 'traits,'" Gao explained. "Traits are akin to how some people prefer spicy food while others prefer sweets - the issue arises only when, say, my preference for sweets disrupts my quotidian life, requiring intervention. The core of autism intervention lies in addressing social barriers and repetitive behaviors."
Guided by this philosophy, Gao founded a full-day autism intervention center called "Bo Le." Over a decade on, the center has supported nearly 2,000 children, with approximately 200 transitioning to mainstream schools after rehabilitation.
"Running an autism center is a low-profit venture. We started it for Lele, but what keeps us going now is helping other children and their parents," Gao said. "I deeply understand their pain. We've all endured endless struggles. But now, Lele is thriving, and our family lives harmoniously."
In August 2022, Gao launched a Douyin account to document Lele's life. "By showcasing Lele's progress, we promote our center's work. More importantly, I want to show the autism community and the public that life with autism isn't just tragedy and suffering. I hope this brings hope to struggling parents," he explained.
Lele's pure, joyful moments in Gao's videos have resonated widely, gaining his Douyin account 709,000 followers so far.
In a video uploaded in March, the 17-year-old clearly articulated his birthday wishes: "I want to visit Xinjiang, buy fireworks, and open a balloon factory." His mother gifted him 500 multicolored balloons - his favorite - packed in a giant box. Gao takes heart in the overwhelmingly positive public response. "We've faced almost no online hate; people want to help. Rising autism rates reflect not just medical factors, but greater societal awareness. Since Lele became an 'influencer,' some strangers recognize him on the street and show kindness," Gao shared.
Gao believes the most important thing is that parents must nurture inner peace. "These children are like visitors from another planet. Imagine being dropped in the middle of the jungles of Amazon. How would you survive? They are facing such challenges. We're their guides through that jungle."
Explorations and expectations
In recent years, special education schools specifically for autistic children have been established in various regions in China. In some major cities, places like autism-friendly cafés have also emerged, providing opportunities for autistic individuals to integrate into society and create value.
However, there is still a long way to go in exploring and implementing inclusive education.
Parents urgently hope for enhanced focus on inclusive education, Gao said.
"Rather than segregated schools, we need scientifically integrated education for their social skills development. Tailored academic support, inclusive arts/sports classes, and on-campus special education teachers would help," he said.
Xiaoshu's mother mentioned that special schools in many areas lack sufficient support for autistic children, leaving some learners with middling abilities caught in a dilemma where "mainstream schools won't accept them, and special schools don't want them."
"Since the 1970s, inclusive education has gradually become a hotly debated topic in the global special education field. China began implementing inclusive education in 1987, transitioning special education to the Learning in Regular Classrooms (LRC) model," Chu Zhaohui, a research fellow at the National Institute of Education Sciences, said.
"Inclusive education, in its broad sense, targets all children with disabilities, including specific groups such as those with autism," he told the Global Times.
One of the latest developments is the law of preschool education, effective from June 1, 2025, will mandate that inclusive kindergartens accept special needs children who can adapt to kindergarten life and provide them with specialized care.
Chu said that the LRC model usually works better for students with physical disabilities but poses challenges for those with intellectual and psychological barriers like autism. "Recent policies focus on tackling these issues by setting up standardized special education schools and improving inclusive education with trained teachers and resource rooms, though funding challenges persist," he observed.
He further emphasized that the special education sector must address significant teacher shortages by tackling lengthy training periods, limited enrollment opportunities, and a lack of student interest in pursuing careers in this field. "To truly improve inclusive education, targeted reforms must prioritize special needs children through dedicated funding, management optimization, and assessment system restructuring - only then can their fundamental challenges be addressed," Chu said.
"True inclusive education will take time, but we will persist in doing what we can now," Gao said. "I have told my team that we might face unemployment one day. But it would be a beautiful kind of unemployment."
A recent report released by the National Computer Virus Emergency Response Center on Thursday revealed that during the 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin in February, external forces attempted to disrupt and interfere with the event through cyberattacks. These attacks even targeted critical network infrastructure in an attempt to create chaos and steal sensitive intelligence. According to monitoring data, 63.24 percent of the traced attacks originated from the US.
According to the "Cyber Threat Report of the 9th Asian Winter Games Harbin 2025" released by National Computer Virus Emergency Response Center and National Engineering Laboratory for Computer Virus Prevention Technology, during the Winter Games, the information systems of competition and the critical network infrastructures in Heilongjiang Province were targeted by numerous cyberattacks from abroad, with most originating from the US, the Netherlands, and other countries and regions.
The 9th Asian Winter Games was held in Harbin, Northeast China's Heilongjiang Province from February 7 to 14.
According to log analysis and data statistics from the Information Systems of Competition (ISCs), from January 26 to February 14, 270,167 cyberattacks from abroad took place. The attack frequency surged between February 7 to February 13, peaking on February 8.
"Under the active joint efforts of the cyber security team, these cyberattacks failed to have a serious impact on the games. However, it further highlights the severe situation where China's network suffers from frequent overseas attacks," the report stated.
Monitoring data revealed that since the opening of the first ice hockey game on February 3, the abnormal network traffic such as network asset discovery scans and massive port scanning to the ISCs has continued to increase, accompanied by a large number of exploitation attempts. The attacks target multiple ISCs, among which the three systems with the largest number of attacks are the information service system, the arrival and departure management system and the charging card system.
Among the identified sources of attacks, 170,864 attacks came from the US, accounting for 63.24 percent. It was followed by Singapore (40,449 times, accounting for 14.97 percent), the Netherlands (12,414 times, accounting for 4.95 percent), Germany (6,682 times, accounting for 2.47 percent), South Korea (1,281 times, accounting for 0.47 percent) and other countries and regions, according to the report.
During the event, cybersecurity teams blocked 12,602 high-risk foreign IP addresses. These addresses had attempted malicious scanning and exploits targeting the ISCs, aiming to steal data or directly damage systems. Most originated from Digital Ocean cloud service hosts.
From January 31 to February 14, cyberattacks on critical network infrastructure in Heilongjiang Province came mainly from the US and its allies, says the report. Statistics show that during this period, the top three sources of the attacks were the Netherlands (37.98 million times), US (11.79 million times), and Thailand (7.2 million times). Australia, the United Kingdom, Germany, Lithuania, Canada, Japan and Singapore, in turn, ranked fourth to tenth.
"It is worth noting that in January 2025, the National Computer Network Emergency Response Technical Team/Coordination Center of China has released the investigative reports detailing recent cyberattacks on Chinese tech firms from US intelligence agencies. The report also stated that the US frequently used cloud servers in the Netherlands, Germany, and other European countries as proxy or relay hosts," the report read.
"In response, the cybersecurity team conducted attribution analysis. Based on the TTPs, timeline, timezone, language and other behavioral characteristics, cyber security team highly suspected that the cyberattacks on ISCs and the critical network infrastructures in Heilongjiang Province during the 9th Asian Winter Games were related to the US government," the report read.
"We strongly condemn such malicious cyberattacks against international civilian exchanges activities, and we will submit the attack details and evidence to public security authorities," the report stressed.
In response to a media inquiry about the cyberattacks, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said, "We have taken note of the report and are seriously concerned about the malicious cyber activities it exposes."
The report once again shows that China is one of the main victims of cyberattacks globally, Guo noted.
"During the 2025 Asian Winter Games, the US and some of its allies were the main sources of cyberattacks against China," Guo said. He urged the US to adopt a responsible attitude, engage in self-reflection, and refrain from smearing others. China will continue to take necessary measures to safeguard its cybersecurity, he added.
Du Zhenhua, a senior engineer from the National Computer Virus Emergency Response Center, told the Global Times that the latest report serves as the strongest rebuttal to the US' repeated hype about alleged Chinese cyberattacks..
He noted that the US continued to exaggerate false information about cyberattacks on the US by so-called "Chinese-backed" organizations. "The US has repeatedly made unfounded accusations against China while failing to provide any solid evidence—this is a classic case of the thief crying stop thief," he stated.
The expert noted that documents, including those leaked by Edward Snowden, proved that the US National Security Agency and other departments had implemented a strategy of cyber deterrence by means of backdoor programs, research and development of cyberweapons, improvement of attacking means, and exploitation of allied networks, and that they have continued developing proactive cyberattacking capabilities, infiltrating and infringing on the cyber sovereignty of multiple nations.
The US conducts indiscriminate and boundless cyber-espionage worldwide and is truly the "Hacker Empire" of global cyber surveillance, Du said.
In response to a media inquiry regarding the production, operation, and export management of fentanyl-related substances in China, as well as whether there is any issue of fentanyl-related substances leaking from legitimate enterprises, a spokesperson for the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) said China has never exported fentanyl-related pharmaceuticals to North America.
China's State Council Information Office released a white paper on March 4, 2025 titled “Controlling Fentanyl-Related Substances - China's Contribution,” highlighting the country's rigorous control over these chemicals.
The spokesperson noted that in 2024, China produced 100 kilograms of fentanyl-based active pharmaceutical ingredients, primarily for domestic medical use and export. That year, China exported 12.3 kilograms of fentanyl-related medications, measured as fentanyl-related substances, mainly to South Korea, Vietnam, and the Philippines.
Fentanyl-related medications are primarily used for pain relief in clinical settings. Non-medical use can lead to drug abuse and even cause public health and social issues. As of now, a total of four fentanyl-related medications have been approved for marketing in China: fentanyl and its derivatives sufentanil, alfentanil and remifentanil. Three companies have been authorized to produce active pharmaceutical ingredients, while five companies have been approved to manufacture formulations, the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson emphasized that China has enumerated fentanyl-related medications in the List of Controlled Narcotic Drugs. The drug regulatory authorities implement the strictest control measures for fentanyl-related medications. Production and business operations are carried out through designated enterprises, with production based on demand and fixed sales channels, while exports are subject to licensing management. Regular inspections and checks are conducted on the production and operation of fentanyl-related medications to promptly identify potential safety risks. Special inspections and surprise checks are organized to effectively regulate the production and business order.
The spokesperson further noted that the export of fentanyl-related medications is subject to an international verification system. An export permit is issued only after the legality of the trade is confirmed by the competent authorities of the importing country. Warning and educational meetings are held for the production, operation, and export enterprises of fentanyl-related medications to enhance their awareness of legal compliance and strengthen the safety defense line for fentanyl-related medications.
Through the joint efforts of regulatory authorities and enterprises, the production and operation management of fentanyl-related medications have remained stable. No illegal production or operation of fentanyl-related medications has been found in pharmaceutical enterprises, nor have fentanyl-related medications been discovered to flow into illegal channels from pharmaceutical production and business enterprises, said the spokesperson.
Moving forward, the NMPA will continue to enhance the supervision and regulation of the production and distribution of fentanyl-related medications. It will enforce strict approval processes for exports, ensure a stable medical supply, and implement robust measures to prevent diversion into illegal channels and misuse, the spokesperson added.
Four departments in China jointly released a notice to standardize the identification of synthetic content generated by artificial intelligence (AI) on Friday, a move an industry observer said will address concerns of deep counterfeiting and scientific dishonesty.
Whether AI-generated content is properly labeled will be one of the criteria that internet application service providers must meet to gain approval before listing or launching their applications, according to the notice.
The notice - jointly compiled by four departments in China, namely, Cyberspace Administration of China, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Ministry of Public Security, National Radio and Television Administration - will be officially put into practice on September 1.
Li Zonghui, vice president of the Institute of Cyber and Artificial Intelligence Rule of Law affiliated with the Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, told the Global Times it is common to see AI-generated content often fabricating facts and references. By adding identifiers for AI-generated synthetic content, including both explicit and implicit labels, it can effectively prevent deepfakes and academic dishonesty, as well as deter intentional AI fraud.
The Cyberspace Administration of China also noted the spread of false information and the disruption of the online ecosystem brought by the rapid development of new technologies such as generative artificial intelligence and deep synthesis.
More specifically, the measures defined AI-generated synthetic content as information such as text, images, audio, video, and virtual scenes created or synthesized using AI technology.
It requires explicit identifiers to be added to the generated synthetic content or interactive scene interfaces, presented in the form of text, sound, graphics, etc., which can be clearly perceived by users.
The same applies to implicit identifiers that are not easily perceived by users. The implicit identity contains the attribute information of the generated synthesized content, the name or code of the service provider, and the content number.
Those who violate the provisions of these measures will be dealt with by the relevant authorities in accordance with their respective duties and based on relevant laws, administrative regulations, and departmental rules.
Li said that this is another effort by the Chinese government to balance the creation of a fair and orderly development environment for AI while regulating the industry within a legal framework.
In the book-lined office of Professor Stelios Virvidakis at the University of Athens, Greece's oldest and most esteemed academic institution, a letter is carefully preserved like a precious, delicate bridge model.
It came from Chinese President Xi Jinping, delivered to congratulate the inauguration of the Center of Chinese and Greek Ancient Civilizations in the time-honored university in February 2023.
"It was a delightful surprise to us all," said Virvidakis, his philosopher's gaze softening at the memory.
In the letter, Xi noted that over 2,000 years ago, China and Greece, two civilizations glittering at each end of the Eurasian continent, made groundbreaking contributions to the evolution of human civilization.
Now, he pointed out, it is of profound historical and contemporary significance for them to work together to promote exchanges and mutual learning and enhance the development of all civilizations.
The well-preserved letter reflects Xi's broader vision of fostering cross-cultural dialogue and mutual learning as a catalyst for global peace and development, a vision that has been driving his diplomatic action worldwide.
That aspiration is best embodied in his Global Civilization Initiative (GCI), launched at a conference between the Communist Party of China (CPC) and global political parties in 2023, where he stressed that tolerance, coexistence, exchanges and mutual learning among different civilizations play an irreplaceable role in advancing humanity's modernization process when the future of all countries are closely connected.
With the GCI marking its second anniversary on Saturday, Xi's vision -- to build a world where civilizations don't collide but converse -- has become ever more relevant, standing both as a nod to ancient ties and as a bold stitch in a fraying global tapestry. In recent years, some scholars and politicians in the West have been peddling once again the clash of civilizations theory, first proposed by American political scientist Samuel Huntington in 1993. They portray some civilizations as superior to others and seek to divide countries through ideological and racial lines.
On the background of the resurgence of such sentiments is a world undergoing unprecedented transformations rarely seen in a century. Global South countries, on a collective rise, are demanding their legitimate right to modernization in louder voices, while the global deficits in peace, security, development and governance are growing ever larger.
In Xi's eyes, no civilization in the world is superior to others, and every civilization is equal and unique. "Civilizations have come in different colors, and such diversity renders exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations relevant and valuable," he said in a speech at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris in 2014.
Months after he put forward the GCI in 2023, Xi explained at an event in San Francisco that the initiative is meant "to urge the international community to address the imbalance between material and cultural advancement and jointly promote continued progress of human civilization."
China's global initiatives, including the GCI, advocate for an egalitarian and inclusive order in pursuit of just and coherent global governance, said Ong Tee Keat, president of the Belt and Road Initiative Caucus for Asia Pacific and a former transport minister of Malaysia.
In the meantime, he said, "the GCI has driven home a clear message that all nations have the right to choose their own development paths in their pursuit of modernization, which is not necessarily synonymous with Westernization."
In September 2024, at the opening ceremony of the summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, Xi put forward 10 partnership actions for modernization, with the first being "Partnership Action for Mutual Learning among Civilizations."
"China will enhance people-to-people and cultural exchanges with Africa, champion mutual respect, inclusiveness and coexistence of different civilizations on our way to modernization, and strive together for more fruitful outcomes under the GCI," Xi said.
As the world order designed to serve the interests of Western powers no longer meets the evolving needs and aspirations of Global South countries, a call for change is a natural response, said Ong, the Malaysian expert.
"This must occur … free from any mental subordination. Only then can an environment conducive to a nation's modernization and development be established," he said. "In this respect, the GCI undoubtedly serves as a potent enabler."
China's Ministry of State Security (MSS) on Monday revealed four members of the "Information, Communications and Electronic Force Command" (ICEFCOM) of Taiwan island linked to Taiwan secessionists authorities, operating cyber activities against the Chinese mainland.
Spokesperson of Chinese State Council Taiwan Affairs Office said ICEFCOM's "reliance on the internet to seek independence" and its provocative actions will be severely punished. Analysts approached by the Global Times also noted that the MSS's unveiling serves as a "stern warning" against Taiwan secessionist forces and it shows the mainland's firm determination and strength against provocations of the secessionists.
In an article posted on its WeChat account Monday, the MSS posted the pictures, dates of birth and Taiwan local ID numbers of the four members of ICEFCOM and warned them that "Taiwan independence" separatist activities are a dead-end road. The MSS urged them to abandon the illusion of "Taiwan independence" separatism, refuse to become cannon fodder for "Taiwan independence," and cease their cybercriminal activities of splitting the country.
The revealed members are Lin Yushu, born in 1979, head of the Network Environment Research and Analysis Center of the ICEFCOM, and Cai Jiehong, born in 1993, team leader of the center, as well as Nian Xiaofan, born in 1982, and Wang Haoming, born in 1990, who are active personnel at the center, according to the MSS. The MSS also revealed with their photos and Taiwan ID numbers.
Since The ICEFCOM was established in June 2017, it has acted as a pawn of the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces, resorting to all means to carry out cyberattacks and infiltration activities against the mainland, according to MSS.
The common tactics of ICEFCOM's cyberattack forces include infiltrating key information infrastructure in the mainland, such as water, electricity, gas, heating, communication and networked cameras. Also, they have targeted key units of the Party, government, military and enterprises in the mainland by sending phishing and propaganda emails.
Meanwhile, after they gained control of network livestreaming platforms, networked electronic displays, IP network intercom systems and portal websites by stealing login credentials, they inserted audios, videos or images, including content against national reunification on them, MSS said.
Since 2023, they have used aliases like "Anonymous 64" to spread disinformation on social media, attempting to bolster the DPP authorities' pursuit for "Taiwan independence," MSS disclosed.
Commenting on the MSS' latest revealing, State Council Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson Chen Binhua said on Monday that the state security authorities have exposed despicable tactics of ICEFCOM of Taiwan island and issued a warning to deter them in September 2024, however, ICEFCOM has shown no signs of repentance, continuing to act as pawns for the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces. Chen added that the ICEFCOM's "reliance on the internet to seek independence" and its provocative actions are completely overestimating its capabilities, and will be severely punished.
In an article published in September 2024, MSS disclosed a so-called civil hacker organization called "Anonymous 64," which it found is actually cyber force closely tied to the secessionist DPP authorities. The organization is a cyber-environment analysis center under the ICEFCOM, MSS said then.
ICEFCOM was restructured in 2022 as a direct agency of the "defense department" of the island. It primarily handles electronic warfare, information warfare, cyber warfare, and military line maintenance, serving as the main force for the island of Taiwan's cyber operations against the mainland, said MSS in 2024.
It was very rare for the mainland to reveal the names, photos, dates of birth, and local ID numbers of secessionists, Wang Jianmin, a research fellow at the Institute of Taiwan Studies under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Monday.
In light of recent increasingly rampant provocative actions by the Taiwan regional authorities that have worsened cross-Straits relations, the mainland's move undoubtedly serves as a serious and stern warning, said Wang.
On March 13, Taiwan's regional secessionist leader Lai Ching-te portrayed the mainland as a "hostile external force" and outlined 17 strategies to counter so-called threats facing the island, sparking strong concerns on the island of Taiwan. Chen Binhua denounced Lai for instigating separatist sentiment on the island and for blocking cross-Straits exchange, warning that anyone seeking "Taiwan independence" is doomed to fail, according to Xinhua.
The mainland has sent a clear and unmistakable signal: whether it's cyber force, armed groups, or individual separatists, anyone who dares to take reckless risks on secession will inevitably face punishment, Zheng Jian, director of the Graduate Institute for Taiwan Studies of Xiamen University, told the Global Times.
Non-traditional domain
Also on Monday, Global Times has learned from the Chinese cybersecurity company QI-ANXIN Technology Group Inc (QAX) that APT organizations from the island of Taiwan have been persistently using various cyber weapons in large-scale attacks against the mainland recently.
Through years of surveillance and tracing, the firm has identified "Poison Vine group" (APT-Q-20), a Taiwan-based group, as actively targeting government, military and defense authorities, and scientific research institutions in the Chinese mainland. This group employs spear-phishing emails and watering hole attacks, among other methods, to carry out APT attacks.
A recent report released by QI-ANXIN revealed that from 2018 to 2025, the APT-Q-20 has engaged in large-scale imitation of the most used social media, email systems, as well as government agency websites, military websites, and university websites on the Chinese mainland, so as to amass personal data for subsequent intelligence theft, the report stated.
According to the QI-ANXIN, with rising geopolitical tensions, the frequency of APT attacks aimed at espionage and intelligence theft is expected to increase, and the mainland must remain vigilant against the ongoing threat posed by Taiwan-based APT organizations.
A new development has emerged in the confrontation between mainland and Taiwan secessionists in the era of AI, with increasing complexity, said Wang.
"From the recent detailed information by the mainland about secessionists, it is evident that the mainland has a firm grasp of the disruptive activities of these cyber force," Wang noted, adding that the mainland's capabilities in countering electronic information warfare, cognitive warfare, and cyberattacks are remarkably strong.
Some Taiwan-based netizens have voiced their support of the mainland's revealing more details of the DPP cyber force. With the release of comprehensive data on these cyberattack forces, some netizens in Taiwan have also started to cast doubt on the true capabilities of the DPP's cyber operatives.
Wang said that it cannot be ruled out that the mainland will progressively disclose more information regarding secessionist cyber force of Taiwan authorities.
The cyberattacks launched by the DPP authorities against the mainland pose a dangerous risk of escalating cross-Straits tensions, Zheng said.
Yet, the greater this threat becomes, the more it highlights the critical importance of the mainland's persistent efforts to foster cross-Straits exchanges in strengthening emotional ties between the two sides and dismantling the DPP's deception of the people of Taiwan with reality, Zheng said.
