A Chinese anti-epidemic medical expert team arrived in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), on Tuesday for a three-month mission to support the Central African country's response to the Ebola outbreak, Xinhua News Agency reported.  

Luku Maleyo Marius, a representative of the DRC Ministry of Health, welcomed the team at the airport, saying that China's dispatch of the medical experts represents timely and strong support for the Congolese government and people, according to Xinhua. 

Whenever the DRC faces major public health challenges, China has consistently extended timely assistance, he said, adding that he looks forward to the mission further strengthening the country's epidemic prevention, control and treatment capacities, and helping bring the outbreak under control as soon as possible.

The assistance effort came after the World Health Organization determined on May 17 that the Ebola outbreak in the DRC constituted a "public health emergency of international concern," with a host of nations such as the US, Canada, Thailand and Vietnam ramped up border inspections and introduced restrictive entry requirements to guard against the spread of the virus.

Speaking with the Global Times on Monday evening ahead of their departure, team members noted the assistance mission embodies China's commitment to global anti-epidemic cooperation. The experts will adapt proven epidemic control experience to local realities and help strengthen the DRC's capacity for Ebola prevention and clinical care.

China experience

The latest outbreak is the 17th in the DRC since the virus was first identified in 1976, and laboratory tests identified the Bundibugyo strain of the virus, according to media reports. 

WHO told the Global Times in a previous response that case fatality rates in the past two Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD) outbreaks, reported in Uganda and in DRC in 2007 and 2012, have ranged from approximately 30 percent to 50 percent. No specific treatment exists for BVD, but early supportive care improves survival.

Members of the Chinese expert team this time have extensive experience in epidemic prevention and control and bring expertise in public health as well as traditional Chinese and Western medicine. Working alongside the China Medical Teams already in the DRC, they will support local Ebola prevention and control efforts and promote cooperation with local medical and disease control institutions.

Before departing from Beijing Capital International Airport, the leader of the expert team, Lu Ming, Second-level Inspector from Department of International Cooperation of National Health Commission (NHC), told the Global Times that China has dispatched experts in different fields, and the team will fully leverage their professional expertise and, based on firsthand epidemiological information, develop targeted prevention and control measures to support outbreak response and management.

Under the guidance of the Chinese Embassy in the DRC, the team will also work with Chinese institutions, enterprises and local Chinese communities to promote public awareness of epidemic prevention, strengthen frontline preparedness and reduce the risk of imported cases to China, Lu said.

Another member of the expert team, Xu Ke, director of Hepatitis Laboratory from National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention of Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, told the Global Times that his work focuses on laboratory collaboration, including virus testing and analysis, monitoring viral mutations, exploring improved diagnostic methods, and examining genetic sequence changes.

Apart from the virus's deadly risks, the complicated social conditions in epidemic zones constitute one of the biggest obstacles to containment, Xu told the Global Times. "Core affected areas are located in conflict zones with tangled geopolitical situations and restricted population mobility, rendering epidemic prevention much harder than previous efforts."

Confirmed Ebola cases in the DRC have reached 343, the country's Health Minister Roger Kamba said Monday, cited by the Congolese Press Agency, the country's official news outlet, the Xinhua News Agency reported. 

BVD is a zoonotic disease, with fruit bats suspected to be the natural reservoir. Human infection occurs through close contact with the blood or secretions of infected wildlife, and subsequently spreads from person to person through direct contact with the blood, secretions, organs, or other bodily fluids of infected individuals or contaminated surfaces or items, WHO introduced.

Regardless of the strain, early and active supportive treatment can significantly reduce the mortality rate, and the key lies in early detection and timely intervention, Jiang Rongmeng, vice president of Beijing Ditan Hospital Capital Medical University and another member of the expert team, told the Global Times.

Experience from previous infectious disease responses in Africa shows that countries prone to Ebola outbreaks often share similar public health and economic conditions, as well as cultural practices that create conditions conducive for virus transmission, said Jiang, who was also a member of the expert team that participated in China's 2014 aid mission to Africa to combat the Zaire strain of the Ebola virus.

Traditional burial practices in the DRC often involve washing, touching or staying close to the body. Therefore, as the Ebola virus can spread through contact with bodily fluids, unsafe burials are a major driver of new transmission chains, according to a report by Xinhua.

Jiang added that prevention and control of an outbreak need to take into account both natural and social factors, as natural factors include exposure risks from the ecological environment such as wild animals and social factors include traditional burial practices, Jiang said.

"Against this backdrop, this brings us back to China's experience in infectious disease prevention and control, characterized by full public mobilization. Infectious disease control is not only the responsibility of experts or the government, but the whole society. This approach enables developing countries to contain diseases at relatively low cost rather than relying on expensive equipment or advanced facilities," Jiang said.

Continued efforts

Chinese medical personnel have long been stationed in the DRC prior to the expert team's arrival. Since the outbreak began, the 24th batch of Chinese medical teams assisting the DRC has promptly activated emergency response measures, established a prevention and control system, conducted training and drills, coordinated epidemic prevention supplies, and improved environmental sanitation at their base, per Xinhua.

These team members have remained on the front line of clinical care, strengthened infection prevention measures, provided guidance on epidemic control for Chinese-funded enterprises, and safeguarded the health of local residents as well as Chinese nationals in the country, according to Xinhua.

Already in 2014, an Ebola outbreak swept across Africa, with more than half of those infected losing their lives. While most countries withdrew their medical workers from Africa amid widespread panic, China's 24th medical team to Guinea headed into the epidemic-hit regions. They helped address critical gaps in local medical services and provided strong support for the local fight against Ebola, according to Health News, the media outlet affiliated with the NHC.

"Diseases know no borders," Lu said. In past responses to infectious diseases, the Chinese government has also received support and assistance from many countries. Following the declaration of the Ebola outbreak, China quickly dispatched a medical expert team and provided relevant material support, demonstrating its sense of duty as a responsible major country, Lu added.

"As a member of the expert team, I feel honored to contribute my expertise to the Ebola response, helping to achieve outbreak control goals and further advancing the vision of building a global community of health for all," Lu told the Global Times.

"China has a long-standing tradition of friendship with African countries. As practitioners, we are also committed to contributing our professional expertise," Xu said.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said during a Monday press conference that China and Africa are good brothers sharing weal and woe. "We feel for the DRC over the new outbreak of Ebola." 

Supporting African countries' response to Ebola is a shining example of building the all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era, and also an important part of ten partnership actions of the 2024 FOCAC Beijing summit. "As we speak, Chinese medical teams are on the ground fighting the disease shoulder to shoulder with African people," the spokesperson added.

The 29th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), running from Wednesday to Saturday and which is expected to draw around 20,000 participants from more than 100 countries, is underway in St. Petersburg, Russia. 

The forum features seven thematic tracks and more than 170 dialogues, speeches and discussion sessions. More than 300 business events are also scheduled, including closed-door consultations, thematic roundtables and business breakfasts, Xinhua News Agency reported. 

Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov said on Tuesday that the forum's plenary session is scheduled for Friday, with Russian President Vladimir Putin expected to attend and deliver a speech, per Xinhua.

A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson announced on Tuesday that at the invitation of the governments of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus, from Thursday to June 8, Vice President Han Zheng will travel to Russia to attend the 29th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum and also visit Belarus.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated at a regular press conference the same day that the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum is an important platform for discussions on global economic governance and consensus-building on international cooperation. The theme of this year's forum is "Pragmatic Dialogue: the Path to a Stable Future," which is highly relevant. China looks forward to working with other participants to strengthen communication, enhance mutual trust, practice multilateralism, and build a more just and equitable global governance system, Mao added.

"China is Russia's main economic and trade partner, and our cooperation is developing at a very fast pace," Chinese Ambassador to Russia Zhang Hanhui was quoted as saying on the official forum website.

Observers noted that bilateral cooperation between China and Russia has expanded comprehensively in both breadth and depth, extending not only to the economic field but also to political, cultural, humanitarian and social domains.

In addition to the main business program, business forums of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and BRICS, the regional consultative forum "Business Twenty" (B20), the Forum of Small and Medium Enterprises, the Forum of Creative Industries, the Forum on Pharmaceutical Security, and the youth forum "Day of the Future" are organized on the sidelines of the SPIEF, Ushakov said.

In recent years, Moscow's diplomacy has increasingly shifted toward deeper engagement with the Global South and emerging economies, according to Zhang Hong, a research fellow at the Institute of Russian, Eastern European and Central Asian Studies under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

Notably, the US has sent an official delegation to this year's St. Petersburg International Economic Forum for the first time in several years, according to multiple Russian media reports. The delegation is led by Rodney Mims Cook Jr., chairman of the US Commission of Fine Arts. Cook, who is overseeing the White House ballroom expansion project, is listed as leading the official US delegation to the forum, Reuters noted.

Cook is the first US official to attend the forum since 2017/2018, Reuters reported, citing the Kremlin.

According to the TASS news agency, Cook will be among the participants in the "Russia-US: Dialogue of Cultures" session, which is scheduled to take place on Thursday.

Zhang also highlighted another notable arrangement at this year's forum. According to Russia's state-run Rossiya-24 television channel, citing Ushakov, Saudi Arabia will serve as the guest country at the 2026 edition.

The country's delegation will be led by Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud, Minister of Energy. 

"Approximately 200 representatives from key departments and institutions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as well as banks and Saudi Aramco," he said, per the report.

"As a leading Middle Eastern power and a key member of OPEC, Saudi Arabia plays an important role in global energy markets and the region's geopolitical landscape," Zhang said. "By selecting Saudi Arabia as the guest country, Russia is seeking to strengthen its influence in the Middle East and reinforce its regional partnerships, while also leveraging Saudi sovereign wealth to attract investment and deepen cooperation in areas such as energy and manufacturing. The move reflects both geopolitical considerations and Russia's economic recovery needs."

Deals signed at the forum are expected to total 6.4-6.5 trillion rubles ($81-83 billion), primarily in the infrastructure, energy and artificial intelligence sectors, according to experts cited by Russian media Izvestia.

Launched in 1997, the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum has grown into one of Russia's most important international economic forums.

A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson on Friday condemned the launch of so-called maritime delimitation talks between Japan and the Philippines, calling the talks completely illegal, null and void.

The response came after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. wrapped up talks in Tokyo, with a joint statement released late Thursday announcing that the two countries would begin formal negotiations to delimit the maritime boundary of the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and continental shelf between them.

Chinese experts noted that the area Japan and the Philippines intend to delimit falls within China's continental shelf and EEZ. They argued that Tokyo and Manila are attempting to bypass China in drawing maritime boundaries near Taiwan island. Such a move, they said, constitutes a serious provocation and reflects efforts by the two countries to coordinate their China-related strategies while serving as a forward outpost for the involvement of outside powers in the region.

Severe violation

At Friday's regular press briefing, when asked about Japan and the Philippines' plan to start talks on the delimitation of the exclusive economic zone and continental shelf between Japan and the Philippines, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said that the area the two countries announced they will delimit is east of China's Taiwan island. According to China's domestic law and international law including UNCLOS, China has exclusive economic zone and continental shelf in this area.

Japan and the Philippines' so-called maritime delimitation talks constitute a severe violation of China's maritime rights and interests, UNCLOS and other international law and basic norms governing international relations, Mao added.

"China strongly deplores and firmly opposes that and has lodged serious protests with both countries," she said.

"The so-called delimitation talks are completely illegal, null and void, and will have no effect on China's claims to rights in the area east of Taiwan island or exercise of China's lawful rights. China urges Japan and the Philippines to immediately stop any violation of China's maritime rights and interests and take concrete actions to uphold regional peace and stability," Mao said.

During the Philippine President's visit to Japan, the two sides issued a Japan-Philippines Joint Statement on the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, in which they claimed the leaders of the two countries have decided to commence formal negotiations to delimit the maritime boundary of the EEZ and the continental shelf between the two countries "in order to enhance legal certainty in the region."

The move was widely interpreted as carrying strategic implications beyond maritime administration. Singapore-based newspaper The Straits Times reported that the move signals a formal effort to define boundaries between Japan and the Philippines, which share overlapping maritime interests "and a common wariness about China" in the East China Sea and South China Sea.

The report further noted that "the groundwork had already been laid." The Reciprocal Access Agreement, which allows each country's forces to enter the other's territory for joint drills and disaster relief, took effect in September 2025. Four months later, Tokyo and Manila signed an acquisition and cross-servicing agreement governing the sharing of military supplies and services, according to the report. Analysts said it suggested that the latest move is part of a longer-term strategic alignment.

"The prerequisite for maritime delimitation is that the waters concerned involve only maritime claims generated by opposite or adjacent coasts of the negotiating parties. Where third-party rights are involved, especially in areas where sovereignty and maritime jurisdiction disputes remain unresolved, any bilateral arrangement must not prejudice the legitimate rights and interests of a third party," Yang Xiao, a research professor at the Institute of Peaceful Development under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Friday.

Yang noted that this is a basic principle of international law and is also reflected in UNCLOS. Given that the waters involved are closely linked to the maritime rights and interests of Taiwan island and its adjacent waters, which concerns China's sovereignty, rights and jurisdiction, neither Japan nor the Philippines has the authority to make arrangements concerning the area while bypassing China, he said.

"The announcement of maritime delimitation talks at this particular moment is not simply about maritime cooperation between the two countries," Yang said. "It reflects an attempt to bind their interests together across these waters, connect the island chain and strengthen coordinated efforts against China."

"In international maritime practice, one important bottom line is not to prejudice the interests of a third party," Yang added. "If Japan and the Philippines insist on pushing forward, it will not automatically grant legitimacy to their claims. Instead, it could create further disputes, widen divisions and undermine regional peace and stability."

Dangerous military cooperation

Beyond the planned maritime delimitation negotiations, the two countries also highlighted coast guard cooperation in the maritime cooperation section of the joint statement, saying they had decided to further promote exchanges between maritime law enforcement agencies, including through joint training and capacity-building activities.

The cooperation agenda also extends well beyond the coast guard. The joint statement stated that the two leaders decided to continue closely working together to further promote the transfer of military equipment, including destroyers, TC-90 aircraft and radar systems. Tokyo also reaffirmed its commitment to contributing to the capacity building of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

The commitments further demonstrate the growing ambition behind bilateral military cooperation. Reporting on the development, The Independent noted that Marcos Jr. represents the first potential major customer for Japanese arms since Takaichi's government lifted a ban on lethal weapons exports in April.

"This policy shift marks a significant departure from Japan's postwar pacifist stance as the nation accelerates its military and arms industry development," according to the Independent.

A number of international media outlets and observers have linked the strengthening Japan-Philippines partnership directly to China. The Associated Press reported that "Both nations have China firmly in mind as they tighten a military relationship that the United States hopes will act as a bulwark against Beijing."

Japanese news agency Jiji Press described the meeting and joint statement as marking an "increasingly evident quasi-alliance against China."

"The economic cooperation outlined in the joint statement largely continues existing trends, but cooperation in the political and military fields represents a dangerous move, one that carries disruptive implications for regional peace," Yang said.

"Japan is breaking through previous constraints imposed by its pacifist constitution, exporting offensive weapons and sending military personnel to Philippine territory. These developments reveal a shared intention to target China and reshape the existing regional order," he added.

Chen Xiangmiao, a research fellow at the National Institute for South China Sea Studies, told the Global Times on Friday that both countries have demonstrated clear ambitions in relation to the South China Sea and East China Sea.

"To feed their ambitions, they are further strengthening their collusion," Chen said. "Japan hopes to deepen its presence in the South China Sea by using the Philippines as a strategic foothold, while the Philippines seeks greater military support and arms supplies from Japan. Each side is pursuing its own interests."

Chen argued that the statement carries strong Cold War undertones, seeking to align positions on the East China Sea, South China Sea and even the Taiwan question in opposition to China.

At Friday's press briefing, when asked about reports that orders from Japan's Ministry of Defense have tripled over the past five years due to rising demand for surface-to-air missiles, aircraft and other weapons, Mao said, "We have noted the reports with deep concern. The reactivation and rapid rise of Japan's military industrial complex represents another major development in Japan's accelerating remilitarization. It is raising widespread concern both within Japan and across the international community."

"Senior officials of the Japanese government spare no effort to promote arms sales in the world in an attempt to develop the military industry into an economic pillar of the nation. This contravenes Japan's self-claimed image as a 'pacifist nation'," Mao said, asking, "Does Japan intend to return to the path of militarist expansion? All peace-loving people in the world, including the Japanese people, must stay on high alert."

A total of 20 key members of telecom and online fraud criminal gangs have been handed over to Chinese authorities from Myanmar. The operation underscores the strong resolve and cooperation between China and Myanmar to combat transnational telecom fraud and jointly uphold security and stability, according to the criminal investigation bureau under the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) on Sunday.

The 20 major suspects were escorted by Chinese police officers back to China via a charter flight, the MPS said.

For a long time, some of the suspects have clung to the criminal gangs in Kokang in northern Myanmar, and controlled armed forces and established telecom fraud dens. 

They have targeted Chinese nationals, engaging in rampant telecom and online fraud activities, and they are also suspected in serious violent crimes such as intentional homicide and injury. Their criminal activities are extremely severe, posing significant harm to society, said the MPS.

As the criminal gangs in northern Myanmar faced devastating crackdowns, some of the suspects have fled to places like Yangon and Mandalay. Chinese and Myanmar authorities captured all the criminal suspects thanks to a detailed work plan after gathering relevant leads. The suspects have now been handed over to the public security organs for further investigation in China, according to the ministry.

Ming Guoping, Ming Julan and Ming Zhenzhen, ringleaders of a telecom and online fraud criminal gang in northern Myanmar's Kokang, were arrested in November 2023, and the chief criminal of the gang Ming Xuechang has committed suicide, according to the Xinhua News Agency.

Online telecom fraud is a global challenge that requires strengthened international law enforcement cooperation. Recent actions have further promoted the normalization of the joint anti-fraud mechanism between China and Myanmar, according to the MPS.

Public security authorities will continue to enhance international law enforcement cooperation models, deepen practical collaboration with more countries and regions, and rigorously combat cross-border telecom fraud that affects Chinese nationals, safeguarding their legal rights and interests, according to the MPS.

The EU has implemented measures aimed at restricting Chinese products through new rules, investigations and potential tariff policies. Now, it has its sights set on Chinese hydrogen electrolyzers. Chinese experts on Saturday said that it is "a move of self-limitation" that will undermine Europe's green transition goals.

The EU will conduct a second phase auction valued at 1.2 billion euros ($1.34 billion) through its hydrogen bank from December 3, and winning projects will have to limit the sourcing of electrolyzer stacks from China to not more than 25 percent of total capacity, according to the European Commission's auction guideline published on Friday.

"Chinese production capacity is already more than 50 percent of global production… it is assessed that there is a significant risk of increased and irreversible dependency of the EU on imports of electrolyzers originating in China, which may threaten the EU's security of supply," reads the guideline.

"Europe is currently in a contradictory position. Economically speaking, using Chinese products or bringing Chinese industries into its energy transition plans would be the most cost-effective choice," Cui Hongjian, a professor at the Academy of Regional and Global Governance with Beijing Foreign Studies University, told the Global Times on Saturday.

However, with its focus on the so-called reducing dependence and de-risking policies, Europe has effectively imposed self-limitations, thus avoiding the most economically viable path, Cui said.

Electrolyzers are key devices that use electrical energy to split water molecules and generate hydrogen. They account for about 50 percent of the total cost of hydrogen production systems. 

Hydrogen electrolyzers could potentially be China's fourth major new-energy export products, following batteries, photovoltaics and electric vehicles, according to media reports.

"The development of China's new-energy sector is a result of our strong technology, robust market and full-fledged industrial chains. China's exports of related products have contributed significantly to the global response to inflation and climate change," Mao Ning, a spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said at a routine press briefing on April 10. 

"Protectionism does not solve one's own problems," Mao said.

The South China Sea is the world's most open sea, with tens of thousands of ship-days of surface force presence, sorties of military aircraft, hundreds of large-scale exercises, and thousands of smaller drills conducted annually by countries both within and outside the region. The Chinese military does not engage in confrontational encounters except in a few exceptional scenarios, including foreign military forces entering Chinese territorial waters and airspace, according to a latest think tank report.

The real threats to maritime freedom in the South China Sea come from the so-called freedom of navigation operations conducted by the US military, close-in reconnaissance operations, and intrusions into other countries' military exercise zones, while the disputes over islands and reefs in the South China Sea have little impact on navigation and overflight, the report said.

Beijing-based think tank South China Sea Strategic Situation Probing Initiative (SCSPI) released the report on the navigation and overflight situation in the South China Sea on Friday.

Countries both within and outside the region maintain a presence of over 20,000 ship-days and around 30,000 sorties of military aircraft in the South China Sea each year, along with hundreds of large-scale drills and thousands of various exercises, according to data released by the SCSPI.

Military activities by coastal countries are increasing, and extra-regional countries, particularly the US military, are conducting significant operations in the South China Sea. Every year, the US Navy maintains approximately 1,600 ship-days of surface vessel presence and an undisclosed number of submarines (combat vessels) in the South China Sea, as well as over 3,000 ship-days of auxiliary vessel activities. Overall, US Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and Army conduct approximately 8,000 sorties of aircraft annually in the region, including reconnaissance aircraft, transport aircraft, refueling aircraft, fighter jets and bombers, the report said.

Air and maritime encounters between military forces, particularly between China and the US, occur frequently in the South China Sea. Over 10 China-US encounters occur daily and thousands annually, the SCSPI said, noting that the majority of these encounters are professional and safe.

For foreign military vessels and aircraft entering China's jurisdictional waters and surrounding airspace, the report said that the Chinese military follows and monitors the situation based on international practice for safety and security reasons. Frictions primarily arise only when foreign forces approach the Chinese mainland or Hainan Island territorial waters and airspace, when the US military enters the territorial waters and airspace of Xisha Qundao for so-called freedom of navigation operations, when foreign forces enter within 12 nautical miles of Chinese-controlled features in the Nansha Qundao and Huangyan Dao, and when foreign forces excessively approach or intrude into Chinese military exercises.

Some foreign militaries often complain about being intercepted by Chinese forces, portraying the South China Sea as restricted and unsafe. However, they conveniently avoid discussing essential information such as the specific locations of encounters and the reasons behind such incidents, clearly indicating a biased narrative, Hu Bo, director of SCSPI, told the Global Times.

Any country facing challenges similar to the scenarios above-mentioned would take decisive measures, with countries like the US responding even more assertively, Hu said.

The true threats to maritime freedom in the South China Sea stem from extra-regional military operations, including the US military's so-called freedom of navigation operations, provocations that approach or intrude into the coastal state's territorial waters and airspace, and intrusions into temporary military exercise areas of other countries, according to the SCSPI report.

The report also provided analysis on the impact of the South China Sea disputes on navigation and overflight, saying that the disputes overall remain manageable and have not spilled over to the passage of vessels and aircraft from other countries, adding that the activities of law-enforcement and maritime rights protection are not navigation issues in the first place.

The peace, stability, freedom, and security of the South China Sea are crucial not only for the well-being of the region but also for the development and security of the region and globally. Both regional and external countries should contribute their efforts, play constructive roles, and work together to make the South China Sea a sea of peace, friendship, and cooperation, Hu said.

Peng Liyuan, wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping, attended a China-U.S. youth cultural and sports exchange activity at Beijing No. 8 High School on Tuesday afternoon.

During the activity, Peng had a cordial exchange with a delegation of young people from the U.S. state of Washington. She welcomed the teachers and students to visit China, expressing the hope that the young people of the two countries will know each other better and inject positive energy into bilateral relations.

Peng watched a friendly match between Chinese and U.S. youth basketball teams and presented commemorative medals to the players of both sides.

Peng also watched a video documenting the delegation's visit to various places in China. American student representatives shared their unforgettable experiences during the visit, which has helped them learn more about different ethnic customs and the fine traditional Chinese culture.

The visit has a rich and colorful itinerary, helps foster a profound friendship between the American students and their Chinese peers, and will sure leave a deep impression on everyone, Peng said.

Noting that the future of China-U.S. relations rests on the young people, Peng expressed the hope that the American students will share their experiences with their families, friends and classmates when they return to the United States, carry home the friendship of the Chinese people, and help nurture the "tree of friendship" between the two peoples.

At the end of the activity, the Chinese and U.S. teenagers sang Chinese and English songs together. And Peng joined them for a group photo in a warm and friendly atmosphere.

In November 2023, President Xi Jinping announced in San Francisco an initiative to invite 50,000 young Americans to China for exchange and study programs in a five-year span.

The delegation of nearly 100 teachers and students from more than 10 high schools in the state of Washington came to China at the invitation of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries.

After setting up its first branch in Beijing in 2006, the Cervantes Institute opened its second branch in Shanghai on Tuesday, making Spain the first European country to have official cultural institutions in two Chinese cities.    

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez attended the opening ceremony of the Cervantes Institute in Shanghai on Tuesday morning amid his ongoing visit to China.

"Language and culture are the most useful links to unite civilizations and friendly countries like us [Spain and China]," said Sanchez in a speech delivered at the ceremony. The shared interest in languages between the people of the two countries has strengthened bilateral relationships, noted Sanchez. 

Covering an area of 1,200 square meters in the downtown Xuhui district, the newly opened Cervantes Institute in Shanghai was transformed from the former Cervantes Library, which has more than 12,000 books in Spanish, Catalan, Galician and Basque.

The library, now a major part of the current institute, also has a China collection, including translated works from Chinese to Spanish and from Spanish to Chinese, as well as some earlier Spanish books about China.

The establishment of the Cervantes Institute in Shanghai shows the great importance that both the Chinese and Spanish governments and peoples attach to the friendly relations between the two countries, said Luis García Montero, director of the Cervantes Institute, who also attended the opening ceremony.

"I look forward to [seeing] more Chinese people learn about the Spanish language and culture at the institute, so as to further promote two-way communication between China and Spain," Montero told the Global Times in an exclusive ­interview on Tuesday afternoon. 

The Cervantes Institute, or Instituto Cervantes in Spanish, is a public institution created by the Spain government in 1991 to globally promote teaching, study and use of Spanish, and contribute to the dissemination of pan-Hispanic culture.

The three-day Mid-Autumn holidays, which began on September 15, are creating opportunities for the catering industry. Analysts predict that the traditional family reunion holiday will boost local tourism, shopping, and dining sectors, providing a significant boost to economic growth.

As people gather for a big dinner, eating mooncakes, appreciating lanterns and enjoying a light stroll under the full moon, the charm of ancient Chinese festivals has sparked a surge in consumption within the catering industry, fueled by family reunions and holiday celebrations.

Data from the Douyin's local lifestyle services platform reveals an increase of 88 percent increase in searches for "family reunion meals" from September 7 to 13. Additionally, the volume of group meal deals for four or more people has tripled. The platform also reported a 111 percent surge in group orders for mooncakes, according to state-owned news portal southcn.com.

Boosted by festival season, the market for local specialties is in high demand. Hairy crabs from Yangcheng Lake in Suzhou, East China's Jiangsu Province, as well as fruits and mushrooms from Southwest China's Yunnan Province, are gaining popularity, according to domestic media reports.

The surging holiday economy, enhanced consumer market confidence, and record high spending further strengthened the role of consumption as a primary engine for economic growth, said experts.

Data from China-based e-commerce platform Meituan reported a 433 percent week-on-week increase in searches for "Mid-Autumn restaurants," with themed group buying orders surging by more than 76 percent. A staff member at a long-established Baikui restaurant in Beijing told the Global Times that the reservations for Mid-Autumn banquets filled up quickly, with patrons lining up for available spots in the main hall.

The Mid-Autumn Festival also drives significant wine demand through gifts and banquets. Lei Yumeng, general manager of the Zhejiang-based wine importer Xuanyi International Trade Co, said his company saw a 30 percent increase in August sales compared to July, driven in part by a large order in preparations for the festive season. He attributed the surge to strong consumer confidence and a return of gift-giving.

"August sales were indeed substantial, showcasing higher demand for quality dining experiences," Lei told the Global Times on Monday.

Listed catering companies are employing innovative marketing strategies to attract more customers. Chinese restaurant chain Quanjude, for instance, launched a creative cultural event featuring activities including mooncake delivery by individuals dressed as Chang'e, the moon goddess in Chinese mythology, and limited-time online reunion meal deals Meanwhile, hotpot chain Xiabu Xiabu has introduced group meal packages to draw in more patrons.

For many young travelers, exploring local cuisine has become a primary motivation for holiday travel. A university student named Zeng Zhao, from Hangzhou, East China's Zhejiang Province, told the Global Times that he was inspired by food bloggers on China's popular video-sharing platform Bilibili. He planned to follow in their footsteps and embark on a food-hunting journey.

The Mid-Autumn Festival is not just a celebration of tradition but also a catalyst for economic activity, especially in the catering sector, highlighting the resilience and potential of China's consumption market, veteran industry observer Liu Dingding told the Global Times on Monday.

Official data showed that in the first half of this year, the income from catering was 2.6 trillion yuan ($366.5 billion), up by 7.9 percent year-on-year, accounting for 22.8 percent of the total retail sales of consumer goods.

East China's Zhejiang Province is setting a precedent with its innovative and impactful approaches to integrating biodiversity education and sustainable development into the fabric of daily life and community-driven initiatives. The region's commitment to nurturing environmental stewardship among the youth is not only evident in its educational programs but also in the grassroots efforts that champion eco-friendly practices and sustainable living.

In the heart of Zhejiang Province, the State Grid Taizhou Power Supply Company has taken significant strides in integrating biodiversity education and green development into the fabric of community life. As the world marks the Ecological Day, the company has demonstrated a commitment to ecological civilization through its "Green Development and Low-Carbon Life" initiatives.

August 15 of this year marks China's second National Ecology Day. Lin Muchen, a 12-year-old primary school student, echoed the sentiments of many when she said, "Participating in today's Ecological Day activities has deepened my understanding of the importance of protecting the natural ecosystem. We should all take practical steps to cherish wildlife and protect our green home."

The State Grid Taizhou Power Supply Company seized the opportunity of the second National Ecological Day to launch volunteer activities centered around the "State Grid Green Ark Program," a public welfare project aimed at energy conservation, green environmental protection, and the popularization of safe electricity. The event invited residents to engage with an "energy-saving consumption voucher subsidy" and guided children in creating talent cards and windmill DIYs under the "State Grid Green Ark Program."

The initiative encourages public participation in ecological civilization construction and advocates active involvement in environmental protection to uphold ecological balance, promote harmony between humans and nature, and ensure the sustainable development of biodiversity alongside economic and social progress.

The "State Grid Green Ark Program," a public welfare brand project initiated jointly by the State Grid Public Welfare Foundation and the China Environmental Protection Foundation in 2022, focuses on protecting the habitats of rare species. By developing green power supply systems in and around these habitats, the program provides reliable clean electricity and digital tools for biodiversity conservation research and practical work.

Statistics reveal that Zhejiang has recorded over 6,100 species of 307 higher plants under national key protection, accounting for approximately 17 percent of the national total, and 790 species of terrestrial wild vertebrates, which is about 30 percent of the national total. State Grid Taizhou Power Supply Company has embedded biodiversity protection into every facet of power grid construction, operation, and maintenance, building an eco-friendly power grid that prioritizes natural benefits and continually enhances biodiversity protection measures for a more diverse, stable, and sustainable ecosystem.