Three astronauts who took part in the Shenzhou-19 crewed mission were on Wednesday awarded medals for their services to China's space endeavors.

Cai Xuzhe was honored with a second-class aerospace achievement medal. Song Lingdong and Wang Haoze received third-class aerospace achievement medals and the honorary title of "Heroic Astronaut."

The decision to honor them was made by the Communist Party of China Central Committee, the State Council and the Central Military Commission.

Cai participated in two spaceflight missions -- Shenzhou-14 and Shenzhou-19 and completed a total of five extravehicular activities, making him the astronaut with the highest number of extravehicular outings in China.

Song accomplished three extravehicular activities on his first spaceflight, thus becoming the country's first astronaut born after 1990 to conduct an extravehicular activity.

Wang is China's first female aerospace flight engineer to reside in the space station.

The Shenzhou-19 manned spaceship was launched on Oct. 30, 2024, and docked with the Chinese space station's core module Tianhe to form a combination. The trio returned to Earth on April 30.

During their six-month stay in orbit, the crew conducted three extravehicular activities and performed six payload transfer operations in and out of the airlock cabin.

They also completed over 90 construction, upgrading, and maintenance tasks for the space station, and carried out more than 80 space science experiments and technology tests.

During the mission, the Shenzhou-19 crew set a world record for the longest single extravehicular activity duration by Chinese astronauts -- nine hours in total.

The government of North China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region has attached great importance to the tragic incident where six university students fell into a flotation tank during an educational visit on Wednesday, and will establish an investigation team to conduct a higher-level inquiry, China Central Television (CCTV) cited the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region bureau of emergency management as saying. 

The students, who were from Northeastern University in the city of Shenyang, Northeast China's Liaoning Province, were learning about the flotation process at a plant of Wunugetushan copper-molybdenum deposit, which belongs to Zhongjin Gold Corporation, when they fell into a flotation tank after falling off a grate, according to CCTV.

After all efforts to rescue them, the students were retrieved but were confirmed drowned by medical personnel. Additionally, one teacher was injured.

After the incident, the company immediately activated its emergency response plan and sent personnel to the scene to manage the situation, Zhongjin Gold Corporation said in a statement on Thursday.

The company expresses its deep condolences to the victims, sincere sympathy to the injured and the families of the deceased, and extended its heartfelt apologies for the social impact caused by this tragedy.

Currently, Zhongjin Gold Corporation has set up an on-site command center, where relevant follow-up work is being carried out, an employee from the company told the Global Times on Thursday, adding that they will provide updates in a timely manner.

On the afternoon of Thursday, a student's family members told reporters that on Wednesday, they received a notification from the school saying that the student was undergoing emergency treatment. Later that evening, they received calls from the student's academic advisor and the leading teacher, informing them that the child had lost vital signs, according to jiemian.com.

The student's parents and elder sister arrived in Manzhouli, Inner Mongolia on Thursday. The sister said that the family's only demand is to "uncover the truth and ensure that no one involved evades responsibility."

On Thursday, the stocks of Zhongjin Gold Corporation opened with a sharp decline. By market close, the company had fallen 4.41 percent to 15.19 yuan ($2.13) per share, with a total market capitalization of 73.631 billion yuan.

The Northeastern University told the Global Times that it is still collecting information related to the accident, and will report their findings in due course.  

In a video released by the Xinhua News Agency, the plant involved has suspended all its operations.

Flotation is an important technique for processing ores, commonly used in the extraction of valuable metal-bearing particles from crushed ore, with flotation tanks being the key equipment, according to cctv.com. 

The tank is usually a large, deep vessel, either square or round, with depths reaching several meters. Instead of water, the flotation tank contains a slurry made from crushed ore, water and flotation chemicals. 

This slurry is much denser than water and has a thick, mud-like consistency. If someone falls into it, they quickly sink to the bottom, and the slurry can block the airways, making it difficult to breathe; corrosive chemicals can severely burn a person's respiratory system and lungs if inhaled. Additionally, there is a high-speed rotating impeller in the tank, and anyone falling in could be struck by it, which can potentially break bones or cause severe injuries, the cctv.com explained.

In a commentary published Thursday, Xinhua asked why the grating above the flotation tank — an essential part of the mineral processing plant — was suddenly detached during the students' visit. 

"Was it the result of long-term neglect, or was there a fundamental flaw in the installation from the start? Moreover, were routine safety inspections and equipment maintenance conducted properly?"

The commentary further cautioned that this tragedy should serve as a stark reminder of the need for heightened safety practices in school social programs. 

Following consecutive days of high and humid temperatures, there have been incidents of glass shattering across China. A glass installer said that he has already replaced 60 glass panels in the past two months, averaging nearly one per day, China National Radio (CNR) reported.
The sweltering heat has tested the limits of glass. Recently, incidents of glass shattering due to high temperatures have been reported across the country, CNR reported.

A resident surnamed Tian from Zhengzhou, Central China's Henan Province, noticed that the inner layer of the glass in his bathroom window cracked into a spiderweb pattern on a recent morning. 

He noted that while the air conditioning in the room was set to around 27 C, the bathroom window, facing east, was exposed to direct sunlight.

“I didn’t hear any noise,” Tian said, adding that since it cracked from the inner layer, it was unlikely to have been caused by an external impact. 

“I suspect it was due to the extreme heat," he said.  

A glass installation worker said that cases of spontaneous glass breakage have surged in the past two months — he has replaced 60 glass panels, averaging one per day, according to the CNR.

According to industry insiders, glass naturally contains tiny crystalline impurities. When there is a significant temperature difference between indoor and outdoor environments, thermal expansion and contraction can occur, which can cause spontaneous breakage, experts said.

Such incidents typically peak from May to October each year, as high temperatures amplify the indoor-outdoor temperature differential, increasing the risk of glass shattering, CNR said. 

Earlier in July, due to consecutive days of high temperatures, a glass panel at a bus shelter in Changsha, Central China's Hunan Province, experienced spontaneous shattering. Fortunately, no casualties were reported, as confirmed by staff from the Changsha bus shelter management department, Xiaoxiang Morning News reported.

As many as 152 national-level meteorological observation stations across China have recorded high temperatures exceeding 40 C since the beginning of July, China Meteorological Administration (CMA) reported on Wednesday.

The Ministry of Water Resources initiated a Level IV emergency response for flood prevention in Beijing at 12:00 pm on Sunday as Beijing's suburban district of Miyun has lashed by torrential rainfall with some areas recording extreme downpours.
According to reports from multiple media outlets, as of press time, there are currently no casualties.

Beijing Emergency Management Bureau published a notice on Sunday on its WeChat account stating that the current heavy rainfall has significantly increased upstream inflow to the Miyun Reservoir, peaking at a record 6,550 cubic meters per second — surpassing all historical maximums. The reservoir has effectively mitigated flood risks by intercepting and attenuating the peak flow to ensure downstream safety.

The China Central Television (CCTV) reported Sunday that the Miyun Reservoir - Beijing's main sources of potable water - has witnessed the largest inflow since its construction in 1959.

As the flood season continues, the Miyun Reservoir initiated controlled discharge starting at 3 pm Sunday to lower water levels below the flood control limit, preparing for potential subsequent inflows.
The Global Times reporter has faced repeated delays due to heavy rain en route to flood discharge site in Beijianchang village, Miyun district. During the water discharge period, the reporter witnessed the water levels in downstream rivers rise significantly with deep water and rapid currents.

From Saturday afternoon to the early hours of Sunday, Miyun was battered by intense rainfall, with the maximum precipitation exceeding 300 millimeters within just over half a day — reaching the threshold of an extreme rainstorm, according to multiple media outlets on Sunday.

Torrential rains have resulted in the evacuation of 3,065 residents in Miyun, the CCTV reported.

The Global Times learnt Sunday afternoon from one of Miyun's officials via the government service hotline that many evacuated residents have been accommodated in mountain-top guesthouses and hotels, with authorities providing not only essential living supplies but also specialized emotional support services.
The Global Times learned on Sunday on site that at Shicheng Town Central Primary School, now serving as an emergency shelter, 138 evacuees have been housed. Authorities have delivered food, water and established 24-hour medical services at the site.

According to Xinhua, between 12 pm on Saturday and 2 am on Sunday, the district recorded an average rainfall of 73.5 millimeters, with the heaviest precipitation reaching 315.3 millimeters at Huangtuliang station.

CCTV reported that during this round of precipitation, a total of 19 national meteorological stations in northern China broke their historical monthly rainfall records for the same period, with 13 of these stations even surpassing their all-time historical extremes.

On Saturday evening, Miyun upgraded its rainstorm warning to red, the highest level, CCTV reported. Two other districts of Huairou and Yanqing also upgraded their warnings to red alerts. This marked Beijing's first district-level red alert for heavy rainfall since the beginning of this year's flood season, according to the Guangming Daily.

The city's hydrology station has issued the first flood warning of the year, reminding the public to stay away from mountainous areas and riverbanks, and to be vigilant against secondary disasters such as mountain floods, mudslides and landslides, the Guangming Daily reported.

Meanwhile, the Miyun flood control and drought relief headquarters has activated a Level-I flood control emergency response to carry out relevant rescue operations, Xinhua reported.

Based on recent rainfall conditions in Beijing and the latest forecasts from meteorological authorities, comprehensive analysis indicates a high risk of geological disasters in certain areas of the capital. The Ministry of Natural Resources activated a Level III emergency response for geological disaster prevention in Beijing starting at 8 am on Sunday. An expert working group has been be dispatched to Beijing to provide on-site guidance for disaster prevention and emergency response measures.

According to the CCTV, multiple emergency response units, including firefighters and armed police, are advancing toward the affected areas for relief operations.

This intense and localized downpour triggered flash floods - disrupting access to roads, power supplies and communication networks in several villages.

The CCTV noted that weather forecasts indicate continued rainfall in Miyun on Sunday. These conditions are expected to ease slightly on Monday, with lingering risks of downpours in mountainous areas of this district.

Noting that the China-Australia comprehensive strategic partnership has entered its second decade, Chinese President Xi Jinping said that China stands ready to work with Australia to further advance their relations for sound development to bring greater benefits to the two peoples, during his meeting with visiting Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Beijing on Tuesday.

The two leaders met as Albanese is making a landmark official visit to China from Saturday to Friday - a tour which spans high-level talks in Beijing and commercial and cultural engagements in Shanghai and Chengdu, Sichuan Province, that are expected to yield tangible progress across economic and trade cooperation, people-to-people exchanges and wider sectors in both countries, analysts said. 

Xi met with Albanese at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Tuesday. Xi once again congratulated Albanese on his re-election. He said that with the joint efforts of both sides, China-Australia relations have emerged from their low point and achieved a turnaround in recent years, bringing tangible benefits to the people of both countries.

The most important insight this gives us is that treating each other as equals, seeking common ground while shelving differences, and engaging in mutually beneficial cooperation serve the fundamental interests of both China and Australia and the two peoples, Xi said. 

Noting that China and Australia should continuously enhance strategic mutual trust, Xi affirmed China's unwavering commitment to peaceful development, dedication to shared progress, and its policy of advancing Asia-Pacific cooperation.

According to Xinhua, Albanese said that Australia values its relations with China and looks forward to working with the Chinese side to treat each other as equals, seek common ground while shelving differences, and engage in mutually beneficial cooperation to advance bilateral ties.

Noting that Australia adheres to the one-China policy and does not support "Taiwan independence," he said Australia stands ready to maintain dialogue and exchanges with China at all levels to enhance mutual trust.

Tuesday's meeting between Chinese and Australian leaders marked their first in-person engagement since Albanese was reelected in May, establishing what Chen Hong, a professor and director of the Australian Studies Center at East China Normal University, calls "a predictable rhythm of top-down diplomacy complementing bottom-up economic ties." The talks coincided with the second-decade anniversary of the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership, providing "a bridge between past stabilization and future transformation," Chen told the Global Times on Tuesday.

Noting that both the leaders' comments highlighted "seeking common ground while shelving differences," Chen said this principle has long been key to China's foreign policy. The expert emphasized that differences between nations should not define bilateral relations. 

"While China and Australia have disagreements, these should not obstruct normal relations. Instead, both sides must focus on shared interests and a common future," Chen said.

Vaughn Barber, chairman of the China-Australia Chamber of Commerce (AustCham), told the Global Times on Tuesday that Albanese's China visit sends a strong signal of the importance Australia places on its relationship with China and shows a willingness to engage directly on difficult issues.

The meeting between the leaders of both countries will contribute to promoting the sustained and healthy development of China-Australia relations and diversifying areas of cooperation, Song Wei, a professor at the School of International Relations and Diplomacy at Beijing Foreign Studies University, told the Global Times on Tuesday.

Against the backdrop of the current international political landscape, this high-level engagement serves to strengthen political mutual trust between China and Australia, Song said.

Cornerstone of ties

China advocates for solidarity and cooperation among nations, accelerating the building of the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP), promoting trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, and fostering regional peace, development and prosperity, Xi said, calling on both sides to maintain correct perceptions of each other to consolidate the foundation of mutual trust.

Xi also called on the two countries to deepen and expand their mutually beneficial cooperation, noting that China has been Australia's largest trading partner for 16 consecutive years and trade with China has brought tangible benefits to Australia.

The two countries should synergize development strategies, cultivate a favorable business environment for enterprises, create more shared interests and new avenues for cooperation, all while steadily enhancing the scope and quality of cooperation, Xi said.

Stressing the importance of cultivating people-to-people ties, Xi said China welcomes Australians from all walks of life to visit the country and stands ready to invite more Australian youth for exchange programs.

Xi called on both sides to jointly address risks and challenges, uphold international fairness and justice, safeguard multilateralism and free trade, and defend the international system with the United Nations at its core and the international order based on international law.

Albanese said China's development is vital to Australia, and Australia has never sought to decouple from the Chinese economy. He added that Australia remains committed to advancing practical cooperation in green industries, climate change response, and medical technology for mutual benefit, while also strengthening people-to-people exchanges in tourism, education and sports to deepen mutual understanding. 

Australia will work with China to uphold multilateralism, jointly safeguard free trade and WTO rules, and provide greater stability and certainty for the international community, he said, adding that Australia supports China in hosting the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in 2026.

The cornerstone of bilateral ties remains economic engagement, and Albanese's emphasis on trade during this visit highlights its role in advancing the comprehensive strategic partnership, Chinese experts said.

Albanese's itinerary that spans Shanghai, Beijing and Chengdu, signals Australia's desire to move beyond diplomatic formalities and engage with China's broader landscape. "This is a 'big hello' to the vast population of China," Chen remarked. 

Barber told the Global Times on Tuesday that this shift from the "stabilization" phase of Australia's diplomatic relationship with China to a "strengthening" phase is incredibly significant, as it highlights that the relationship is no longer just about managing tensions and finding a steady footing, but about building on those foundations to unlock deeper, more mutually beneficial cooperation.

"For the business community, that's important. Companies need predictability, stability, and the confidence to invest for the long term," Barber said. "High-level engagement like this helps set the tone for deeper cooperation in areas that are critical for Australia's future prosperity," Barber added.

Uphold independent foreign policy

While Canberra shows goodwill toward Beijing during Albanese's visit, "You've got to raise an eyebrow at the chutzpah of the US demanding to know how Australia would behave militarily" in the event of a so-called Taiwan emergency, according to analysis published by Australian media outlet ABC on Monday. It came amid reports of a push by US Defense Undersecretary Elbridge Colby for allies to make clear if they would commit troops to a conflict with China over Taiwan island, according to the report. 

The Guardian reported on Sunday that Australian Defense Industry Minister Pat Conroy has said Australia would refuse any US request to join a "hypothetical" conflict over Taiwan and will not make any advance commitment.

This reflects Australia's assertion of diplomatic independence, Chen told the Global Times on Tuesday. "US demands for pre-commitments reveal bullying behavior and disrespect for allies' sovereignty," he pointed out.

The expert said the Albanese administration shows growing resolve to uphold Australia's independent foreign policy, resisting pressure from both domestic and foreign hawkish factions.

"It is our hope that Canberra will persist in protecting its long-term national interests and adopt an objective perspective on China's development," Chen said.

The All-China Journalists Association (ACJA) issued a statement on Tuesday, saying that conducting interviews is a fundamental right of journalists and that lawful press supervision is protected under the law. The statement was issued in response to a video released earlier by a Hunan-based media outlet showing a company representative violently obstructing on-site reporting. 

According to the video, following citizen reports of allegedly substandard products sold by Hunan Fengxu Cable Co, while conducting an on-site investigation, reporters were confronted by a man identified as a company representative. The footage shows the man grabbing a video camera from a journalist and smashing it to the ground. He also attempted to snatch the reporter's mobile phone. Subtitles in the video indicate that multiple pieces of recording equipment were damaged.

The ACJA said it had learned from journalists at the scene that the incident took place Tuesday morning in Changsha, Central China's Hunan Province. Local police have launched an investigation. The association added that it will continue to monitor the case closely.

Local police department later issued a statement confirming that the company representative who destroyed the filming equipment had been placed under criminal detention. According to a police bulletin released on Tuesday evening by the Public Security Bureau of Xiangjiang New Area in Hunan Province, authorities received an emergency call at 11:28 am reporting an incident at Hunan Fengxu Cable Co, and police officers were immediately dispatched to the scene.

The investigation revealed that at approximately 11:15 am on Tuesday, thea suspect surnamed Xie (male, 42), who is the legal representative of Hunan Fengxu Cable Co, became involved in a dispute with reporters who were at the company for an interview. During the altercation, Xie smashed the reporters' eyeglasses and filming equipment.

Xie has since been placed under criminal detention by police on suspicion of intentional destruction of property, and the case is under further investigation, according to local the police departmentstatement.

Five minutes - that is the maximum time a foreign traveler needs to spend at the tax refund counter in the new terminal 4 of Urumqi Tianshan International Airport in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. More than 70 countries and regions - that is the source of more than 10,000 categories of goods offered at Urumqi bonded zone. Over 9,500 trains - that is the China-Europe Railway Express departed from Urumqi international land port as of June 2025.

These numbers indicate how Xinjiang region, with unique geographical advantages, is accelerating its pace of making itself the gateway of China's westward opening up.

Riding 'China Travel' tide

The National Immigration Administration (NIA) said on Wednesday that foreign nationals made 38.05 million cross-border trips to and from China in the first half (H1) of 2025, up 30.2 percent year on year. Among them, 13.64 million foreigners entered China without a visa, accounting for 71.3 percent of total foreign entries and representing a 53.9-percent increase year-on-year.

Riding the booming "China Travel" trend, China optimized in April its tax refund policy by granting more stores the qualification for refund, raising the cap of cash refund to 20,000 yuan ($2,788) and lowering the threshold of product price to 200 yuan.

As refund in other form has no cap, staff member Liu Jiawei, the refund counter in Tianshan International Airport, recalled an impressive customer who received 60,000 yuan of refund for a luxury watch.

Yet majority of the customers are from the five Central Asian countries, dealing car and motorcycle parts as well as clothes. "They are sensitive to the efficiency and amount of tax refund, and can really benefit from the revised policy and our 24/7 service," Liu told the Global Times.

To provide service around the clock, Liu and his two colleagues from Tianshan Rural Commercial Bank, with more than 10 year working experience and proficient in English, work in three shifts and sometimes rest in the small break room behind the counter. "It is hard but meaningful work."

The Tianshan International Airport has signed cooperation with 14 out of 18 qualified shopping malls in Urumqi. Since 2025, it has handled 168 transactions totaling 350,000 yuan, the Global Times learned at the tax refund counter.

Passengers made 660,000 inbound and outbound trips from Tianshan International Airport in 2024. By providing comprehensive services including tax refund, diverse languages, smart and seamless border checks, and cooperation with businesses, the airport seeks to become a model port of opening-up in western region of the country.

Airport staff member Paerhade Amuti told the Global Times "in terms of volume, we cannot compare to Shanghai which sees 30 million international trips annually, but as long as we do our best for the 660,000 passengers, the number will gradually increase."

People on different posts at the airport share the belief that Xinjiang is and will continue to be not only a gateway for westward opening-up, but has the potential to become a regional consumption hub.

Consuming quality and convenience

When some foreign travelers buy in Xinjiang and leave, some others as well as an increasing number of domestic customers are shopping global goods in Urumqi bonded zone, on site and virtually, for quality and convenience.

More than 10,000 kinds of goods from more than 70 countries and regions - oil and flour, snacks and drinks, liquors and jewelry, cosmetics and handicrafts - are on display at a major hall of 116,000 square meters in the bonded zone, for retail and wholesale, the Global Times learned at an exhibition and trading center of the bonded zone.

Seventeen "country booths" sell wine from France, dairy products from Australia and ointment from Thailand… and a designated section features goods from countries along the Belt and Road, including plain flour from Kazakhstan and tea from Sri Lanka.

The center is a display window for goods going through the bonded zone, which is established mainly for border check convenience and relieve foreign trade companies' tax pressure, but also attracts more and more individual customers.

With storage behind, this bonded zone is the largest and most comprehensive bonded trade center in Xinjiang, manager Liu Li told the Global Times, adding that many customers came for credibility, as products here are carefully selected, and many of those displayed in "country booths" are direct sourcing from the origin.
A shopper from Changji in Xinjiang told the Global Times that they came for the quality and variety of products, particularly supplements and snacks. "[We came here] because of our kid. The snacks are diverse and of good quality."

The Global Times learned that a livestreaming studio is located on second floor of the main hall for e-commerce livestreamers to brand and sell the diverse products to domestic and global markets. "They work from afternoon to midnight, as people usually watch livestreaming late in the day, plus the jet lag in Central Asia, our major overseas market," Liu Li said.

In addition to direct sales of goods, the bonded zone is also cultivating agricultural manufacturers who can benefit from the infrastructure and policy convenience, Xinjiang Daily reported.

Xinjiang now has four comprehensive bonded zones and their total import and export totaled 81.57 billion yuan in first five months of 2025, accounting for 35.8 percent of total foreign trade in Xinjiang, Xinjiang Daily reported.

By highway, railway and flight, diverse commercial goods arrive and depart this bonded zone, painting a picture of hustle and bustle and telling a story of how continuous opening up is benefiting manufacturers, dealers and customers.

Smart and integrated transport

Behind the variety of goods stands Xinjiang's transportation archeries and key knots, represented by 67 square kilometers of Urumqi international land port, which is a pivotal hub undertaking the important mission of being the "gold corridor" between Asia and Europe and the "bridgehead for westward opening up."

The land port area is 20 minutes of drive from Tianshan international airport, with multiple key highways and railways running through this area, meaning its one-stop port services can reach different modes of transportation.

Standing at the command center of the port, one can understand how smart and integrated infrastructure are facilitating trade and boosting connectivity.

A screen shows the up-to-date amount of transportation and comparison by month, primary analysis of containers and customers and other data. Real time footages at multiple spots in the port area are integrated in the system so that one can monitor and allocate storage, containers and dispatch personnel if necessary.

Observing that not many people are in the main building for services, the Global Times learned from a staff member that most of the services, from booking containers and checking schedules to customs declarations, can be done online through a WeChat mini program.

Through one-stop service, coordination with railway and customs, the quick border checks and seamless transfer in combined transportation can cut unloading and reloading by 48 hours and shorten the border passing by 6-12 hours, increasing efficiency which means lower costs and higher value of goods.

Vehicle parts and steel, chemicals, nuts and tomato products from Xinjiang, as well as microwave ovens and electric fans, clothes and building materials from outside Xinjiang, all board China-Europe Railway Express trains here and running toward tens of thousands of overseas customers. The trains carry ores and minerals, timbers, grains and cooking oil back.

First operated in 2023, the Urumqi international land port has seen off 9,500 trains to 26 cities in 19 countries as of June 30. A staff member told the Global Times that majority of the goods exported through Xinjiang are from other provinces and regions.

With the guidance of Belt and Road Initiative and the development of China's western region, Xinjiang region has changed from a relatively closed inland region to a frontier of opening up. From favorable policies to upgrade of hard and soft infrastructure, Xinjiang is accelerating its pace to transform into a bridgehead of China's unremitting opening-up.

Hong Kong veteran singer‐actor Law Kar-ying, 78, has disclosed that his prostate cancer has recurred and that he is now receiving female‐hormone injections to slow the illness’ progression. He said that he is “very optimistic” and unafraid of death. The hashtag about Law’s female-hormone therapy has shot up social media’s trending charts in recent days.

Recently, Law revealed in an interview that his prostate cancer has recurred, leaving him with at most eight to nine years to live. He is currently receiving estrogen injections to lower his male hormone levels and slow the cancer’s progression—and even joked that the treatment might cause feminine physical traits. The actor told media that he is very optimistic and is not afraid of death, according to the Guangming Daily.

The hashtag “Law Kar-ying reveals undergoing female-hormone injections” has trended on Sina Weibo in recent days, garnering over 150 million views as of press time. Many netizens praised his optimism and expressed hope that he will overcome his illness.

Born on September 22, 1946, Law first gained recognition as a supporting actor — TVB’s so-called “green-leaf” player. After a cameo in Stephen Chow’s 1994 spy spoof From Beijing with Love, it was his loquacious portrayal of the Tang Monk in the 1995 fantasy A Chinese Odyssey that cemented his status as a household name, according to chinanews.com.

From July 10 to 11, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi will attend the China-ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting, the ASEAN Plus Three Foreign Ministers' Meeting, the East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers' Meeting and the ASEAN Regional Forum Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the Chinese Foreign Ministry announced on Tuesday.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Tuesday that China hopes that through the upcoming foreign ministers' meetings, parties will be able to build more consensus, focus on development and cooperation and prepare the ground for the leaders' meetings later this year.

China firmly upholds ASEAN centrality, stands ready to steadily advance the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0 upgrade, and foster an even closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future, Mao said. 

China looks forward to working with regional countries to uphold true multilateralism and open regionalism, defend free trade and the multilateral trading system, implement the RCEP with high quality and expand cooperation in emerging industries and promote the Asian values of peace, cooperation, openness and inclusiveness and develop a model of security for Asia featuring security for all, the spokesperson added. 

Under the 2025 ASEAN Chairmanship theme "Inclusivity and Sustainability," the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM) and related meetings kicked off on Tuesday in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, with tariffs and regional issues among key focuses amid growing global uncertainties. 

Described as "one of the most significant diplomatic gatherings" in the region by local media, the AMM is expected to see more than 40 foreign ministers and representatives from international organizations in attendance from July 8 to 11. 

Foreign ministers from the 10 ASEAN member states will attend the gathering, except Myanmar, which will be represented by a senior official from its foreign ministry, according to the Bernama, Malaysian National News Agency. In addition, several major global actors, including China, the US and Russia, will take part in ASEAN Post-Ministerial Conferences. Other dialogue partners include the European Union, Australia, Canada, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, the United Kingdom and Switzerland, Malaysia local media The Star reported.

According to the Bernama, Malaysian National News Agency, the Thailand-Cambodia border clash, the political situation in Myanmar and Thailand will be on agenda as regional issues. Meanwhile, climate change, and ASEAN stance as nuclear weapon-free zone, as well as the US' tariff threats would be part of the border concerns to be addressed.

Gu Xiaosong, dean of the ASEAN Research Institute at Hainan Tropical Ocean University, told the Global Times that ASEAN serves as an exemplary model of regional cooperation, acting as a stabilizing force. 

The foreign ministers' meeting and related meetings offer an opportunity to reinforce the ASEAN pursuit to uphold multilateralism, enhance collaboration and promote free trade, thereby ensuring regional stability and fostering deeper cooperation, Gu said.  

"ASEAN is the key focus of neighborhood diplomacy which China prioritizes," Gu said, "It's expected that both sides will leverage meetings to strengthen coordination, including advancing investment partnerships under the Belt and Road Initiative, championing multilateralism, advocating for free trade, countering hegemonic behavior, and opposing external interference in security matters, particularly regarding the South China Sea."

According to the US State Department, Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to travel to Malaysia for ASEAN-related meetings, focusing on "reaffirming the United States' commitment to advancing a free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific region." 

Meanwhile, the US is stepping up pressure on trading partners to quickly make new deals before a Wednesday deadline of the 90-day tariff pause, with plans for the US to start sending letters on Monday warning countries that higher tariffs could kick in on August 1, AP reported. 

According to Chanel News Asia, the US announced plans for tariffs on Malaysia and five other countries in ASEAN, with Malaysia facing a 25 percent tariff, Laos and Myanmar 40 percent, Cambodia and Thailand 36 per cent, and Indonesia 32 percent.

Chen Xiangmiao, a research fellow at the National Institute for South China Sea Studies, believes that the visit by the senior US diplomat is not merely an attempt to exploit Southeast Asian nations to constrain China, particularly on the South China Sea issue and to diminish China's influence, but also is an effort to sow discord among ASEAN members.

"Amid tariff pressures from the US, ASEAN nations are highly unlikely to forsake cooperation with China due to such coercion," Chen said. "Collaboration with China serves as a critical buffer against potential economic losses, bolstered by China's immense market size, robust manufacturing capabilities and comprehensive industrial and supply chain systems."

In 2024, China and ASEAN had already been each other's largest trading partner for the fifth consecutive year, the Xinhua News Agency reported. Official data shows that the zero-tariff coverage rate between China and ASEAN has remained above 65 percent. In 2024, bilateral trade in goods reached $982.34 billion, a year-on-year growth of 7.8 percent.

"It would be much appreciated if US Secretary of the State visits the ASEAN foreign minister meeting with a peaceful mission, not to meddle in ASEAN affairs… ASEAN would appreciate if the US does not provide us with a binary choice on takings side with the US or China. Because giving us the binary choice means does not respect ASEAN sovereignty," Veronika Saraswati, director of the Global Development Research Center in Indonesia, told the Global Times. 

China's Ministry of State Security (MSS) on Thursday disclosed three cases involving foreign espionage and intelligence agencies setting traps targeting Chinese public servants for infiltration operations and intelligence theft. 

According to a statement released by the MSS, foreign espionage and intelligence agencies have in recent years become increasingly active in carrying out infiltration and intelligence theft against China. Some public servants have caused serious leaks due to a lack of firm beliefs, weakened discipline, and diminished awareness of rules, which not only ruin their own futures but also pose threats to national security and interests. 

In one of the cases, a fresh college graduate surnamed Zhang who was recruited by a primary-level unit and was promoted to deputy head of a department at the age of 28 due to outstanding work performance, became the youngest mid-level official. 

However, as Zhang's career progressed smoothly, his awareness of confidentiality gradually weakened, leading to breaches in both work and secrecy discipline. 

On one occasion, after receiving three classified documents during a meeting, Zhang failed to return them to his unit for proper storage as required. Instead, he took the documents home. 

At home, Zhang disclosed the contents of the documents without authorization to his relative surnamed Li during a conversation, and even allowed Li to view the document. Seizing the opportunity, Li secretly photographed the documents and transmitted the classified information abroad, resulting in serious consequences. 

Investigations revealed that Li had long been engaging in espionage under the direction of a foreign intelligence agency, waiting for an opportunity to steal China's classified documents. Li was ultimately held criminally responsible for illegally providing state secrets overseas. Zhang was subject to Party disciplinary action and demoted from working position. 

In another case, a government official surnamed Hou participated with a casual attitude in online gambling during a FIFA World Cup. However, driven by greed, he quickly escalated from small bets to large-scale gambling, ultimately accumulating massive debt and losing all his savings. 

In order to cover his gambling losses, Hou turned to the classified documents he had access to through his work. He took the initiative to contact a foreign espionage agency and, taking advantage of his position, repeatedly photographed classified materials and transmitted them abroad, illegally profiting over 70,000 yuan ($9,749.95). In the end, Hou was held criminally liable for the crime of illegally providing state secrets overseas.

In the third case, a provincial government employee, surnamed Li, traveled abroad to attend a short-term training program for work purposes. During the trip, Li, who was unable to resist seduction, fell into a "honey trap" meticulously orchestrated by agents of a foreign espionage agency. 

Afterward, the foreign agency used compromising private photos of Li to blackmail him into joining their espionage organization. Under coercion, Li reluctantly completed the recruitment process. 

Upon returning to China, Li hoped to get away with it and did not report the incident to the authorities. Worse still, he went on to repeatedly pass work-related documents to the foreign espionage agency. 

Ultimately, Li was convicted of espionage and sentenced to five years in prison, with political rights deprived for three years. 

According to the MSS, these cases show that incidents of information leakage often lurk in the seemingly trivial details of daily work and life. Without firm ideals and beliefs or a strong sense of discipline and rules, individuals can easily be influenced, manipulated, or coerced - eventually falling into the trap of criminal schemes set by foreign espionage agencies. 

All citizens, especially public servants, must remain vigilant, act with caution and restraint, and always keep the importance of confidentiality in mind, safeguarding the national security through concrete actions, the MSS said.