- Tuesday, 26 August 2025
Xinhua
China invites overseas payload proposals for Mars sample return mission
China is seeking payload proposals for its Mars sample return mission and inviting overseas researchers to participate. The China National Space Administration (CNSA) has called on overseas research institutions, including those in Hong Kong and Macao, to submit proposals for developing payloads for the Tianwen-3 mission.
Chinese scientists discover heat-resistant rice gene
Chinese researchers have identified a key gene that enhances rice's heat tolerance while maintaining grain quality and yield, which addresses growing threats to rice production under extreme heat. The discovery, made by a team from Huazhong Agricultural University in Wuhan, capital of central China's Hubei Province, was published on the website of the journal Cell on Wednesday.
Shenzhou-19 return capsule touches down on Earth
The return capsule of the Shenzhou-19 crewed spaceship, carrying astronauts Cai Xuzhe, Song Lingdong and Wang Haoze, touched down at the Dongfeng landing site in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region on Wednesday.
China expects 27% rise in cross-border travel during May Day holiday
China is expected to see an average of 2.15 million daily border crossings during the five-day May Day holiday, representing a 27 per cent increase from last year, according to the National Immigration Administration (NIA) on Monday. The peak of cross-border travel is anticipated on May 1 and May 5. Traffic at China's major international airports is set to grow steadily, with Shanghai Pudong expected to lead with 101,000 daily crossings, followed by Guangzhou Baiyun at 50,000 and Beijing Capital at 45,000, the administration said.
China unveils 2025 plan to boost digital literacy, skills
In a bid to bolster its digital workforce and economy, China has jointly issued a new plan outlining priorities for boosting national digital literacy and skills by 2025. The document, released recently by four government agencies including the Office of the Central Cyberspace Affairs Commission and the Ministry of Education, sets a wide-ranging agenda, authorities announced on Sunday.
Shenzhou-20 astronauts enter space station
The three astronauts aboard China's Shenzhou-20 spaceship have entered the country's space station and met with another astronaut trio in the early hours of Friday, starting a new round of in-orbit crew handover. The Shenzhou-19 crew opened the hatch at 1:17 a.m. (Beijing Time) and greeted the new arrivals, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA).
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China's e-commerce sector reports steady growth in Q1
China's e-commerce sector has reported steady growth in the first quarter of the year, boosted by the country's pro-consumption policies such as its large-scale consumer goods trade-in program, the Ministry of Commerce said on Monday. Official data shows that China's online retail sales totalled 3.6 trillion yuan (about 499.6 billion U.S. dollars) in the first quarter, with online retail sales of physical goods increasing 5.7 per cent. There was also a 7.4-per-cent increase in online sales of digital products in this period, the ministry said.
China's AG600 large amphibious aircraft obtains type certificate
China's independently developed AG600 large amphibious firefighting aircraft on Sunday obtained its type certificate from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) in Beijing, marking its successful development and approval to enter the market.
China hosts world's first humanoid half marathon
In a historic fusion of athletic tradition and cutting-edge technology, humanoid robots and human runners took to the same half-marathon course in Beijing on Saturday, marking the world's first event of its kind. Covering 21.0975 kilometres through the capital's Economic-Technological Development Area, the race redefined what it means to compete, innovate, and imagine the future of embodied intelligence.
China successfully launches new test satellites
China sent six new test satellites into space on Saturday from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in north China's Shanxi Province.
Across China: Robots revolutionize spring tea harvest in east China
This year's Longjing tea harvest has been slightly delayed due to a cooler-than-average spring in eastern China. However, tea connoisseurs can still look forward to revelling in the aroma of spring tea without much delay, thanks to an innovative addition to the traditional tea-picking workforce, namely robots.
China raises additional tariffs to 125% on U.S. imports
China will raise the additional tariffs on products imported from the United States to 125 per cent, effective from Saturday, the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council announced Friday. The announcement follows the U.S. move to raise the "reciprocal tariffs" on Chinese imports to 125 per cent. The commission said the U.S. imposition of excessively high tariffs on China seriously violates international economic and trade rules, goes against basic economic laws and common sense, and is nothing but unilateral bullying and coercion.
China launches new communication technology test satellite
China sent a new communication technology test satellite into space from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China's Sichuan Province early on Friday.
Chinese hydrogen drone sets 30-hour non-stop flight record
An independently developed Chinese hydrogen-powered drone has recently completed a 30-hour non-stop flight, a new record for such aircraft produced in the country, according to the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC). This type of 50 kg-class hydrogen drone has been jointly developed by AVIC Chengdu Aircraft Industrial (Group) Co., Ltd. and Tsinghua University, the AVIC said.
China raises additional tariffs to 84% on imported U.S. products following U.S. tariff hikes
China will raise the additional tariffs on products imported from the United States to 84 per cent, effective from 12:01 p.m. Thursday, the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council announced Wednesday. The announcement follows the U.S. decision to raise the "reciprocal tariffs" on Chinese imports from 34 per cent to 84 per cent, a move that is "going further down the wrong path and seriously infringes on China's legitimate rights and interests," according to the commission.
