General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee and Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith arrived in Hangzhou, capital of East China's Zhejiang Province, on Tuesday for a five-day state visit running from June 2 to June 6.

The first afternoon of the Lao top leader's China visit in Hangzhou, the hub city of Chinese cutting-edge robotics and e-commerce, was packed with rich hands-on experiences of China's technological progress, Global Times reporters observed in close distance. The visit demonstrates the immense potential for future cooperation between the two sides in industrial upgrading.

According to the Lao News Agency on May 30, the visit aims to further strengthen the longstanding friendship and cooperation between Laos and China and advance the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.

It is also expected to promote closer bilateral relations and enhance cooperation across various areas of mutual interest, contributing to the continued development of Laos-China ties.

From 2021 to 2026, Thongloun served as Lao president and he was re-elected president at the first session of the 10th Lao National Assembly in March 2026, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

The year 2026 also marks the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Laos as well as the Year of China-Laos Friendship, Xinhua reported in April.

Highlighting that the visit comes at such significant juncture, Gu Xiaosong, dean of the ASEAN Research Institute of Hainan Tropical Ocean University, told the Global Times that it will further advance bilateral relations. The important consensus reached by the leaders of both sides will strongly guide the continued development of China-Laos friendly relations, Gu added.

New sectors

Global Times reporters observed on Tuesday afternoon that shortly after his arrival in tech center Hangzhou, Thongloun visited Deep Robotics, leading Chinese robotics company specializing in quadruped (four-legged) robots, where he viewed a variety of robots. He then moved outdoors to watch performances by robots and robot dogs, including somersaults, running, and sprinting.

During the visit to Deep Robotics, Thongloun watched a robot demonstration. A robot later approached him and placed a small plush toy into his hands as a gift. After receiving it, he smiled and expressed his thanks in Chinese, drawing warm responses from those present, Global Times reporter observed on site.

Thongloun also tried operating a robot dog himself, successfully making it roll over. He ended the interaction by waving goodbye to the robot dog.

Thongloun then visited China's e-commerce giant Alibaba, where he reviewed the company's development history and its global data center.

The Alibaba guide spoke about China-Laos trade and e-commerce cooperation before Thongloun had an engaging interaction with a digital human. When the guide asked, "Who is the president of Laos?" in Chinese, the digital human accurately gave his name. Upon hearing the answer, Thongloun laughed, and those around him applauded.
In recent years, Hangzhou has vigorously developed the digital economy and intelligent industries, making it one of China's leading innovation hubs. This choice of stops shows that while Laos continues to value traditional trade and investment cooperation, it is also actively paying attention to cooperation in emerging fields such as the digital economy and artificial intelligence. This is of great significance for Laos in achieving industrial upgrading and cultivating new economic growth drivers, Gu Xiaosong noted.

Laos may hope to leverage cooperation with China to secure a position in the Fourth and Fifth Industrial Revolutions, achieve industrial upgrading, and overtake competitors by taking a strategic shortcut, Zhou Shixin, director of the Center of Southeast Asia Studies, Shanghai Institutes for International Studies, told the Global Times on Tuesday.

This is of great strategic significance for Laos, which is currently undergoing a critical transition from least developed country to that of developing country.

Booming flagship project

Thongloun's visit this time coincides with the fifth anniversary of the China-Laos Railway entering operation. The completion of the China-Laos Railway has enabled Laos to connect northward through China, and southward to Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and other countries, becoming a vital corridor for Laos to reach out to the world. This is undoubtedly a model project for infrastructure connectivity between China and Laos, and a source of pride for both nations, Gu highlighted.

Xie Yike with the China Railway Kunming Group shared with the Global Times on Tuesday that as a flagship project of the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative, the China-Laos Railway which runs from Kunming, Southwest China's Yunnan Province, to Lao capital Vientiane, has seen passenger and freight transport volumes repeatedly hit new highs since it entered operation.

Per the latest data provided by the Kunming Group, the China-Laos Railway has become the main artery of regional connectivity. As of June 1, 2026, the railway has operated more than 100,000 passenger trains, carrying over 73 million passengers, including more than 840,000 cross-border passengers from more than 120 countries and regions. Freight performance has also been impressive, with the total volume of goods transported across the entire line surpassing 84 million tons, of which cross-border freight exceeded 19 million tons.

The China-Laos Railway has also undergone a significant transformation from "connected" to "smooth" and from "smooth" to "prosperous," per the railway operators. The monthly passenger volume on the entire line has jumped from approximately 600,000 at the initial stage of operation to a peak of 2.25 million, a nearly four-fold increase.

The China-Laos Railway has not only strengthened confidence in infrastructure development, but has also laid a solid foundation for bilateral cooperation in high-tech fields such as artificial intelligence, the digital economy, e-commerce and new energy, Zhou Shixin noted.

During President Thongloun's visit to China, the two sides are expected to engage in in-depth discussions on a wide range of issues based on a high level of mutual trust, Zhou said, noting that he is full of confidence that the China-Laos community with a shared future will be further deepened, the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Laos will be further enriched, and China-Laos relations will enter a new golden era.

The Five Eyes is the world's largest intelligence-sharing alliance and has long carried out large-scale and systematic espionage activities around the globe. It is therefore highly ironic for such an organization to accuse China of posing a so-called espionage threat, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Thursday in response to a question about the Five Eyes intelligence alliance issuing a warning on Wednesday alleging that China is actively using online recruitment platforms to recruit spies.

Chinese Embassy in the Philippines on Sunday urged Chinese nationals in the country to stay vigilant amid rising cases of armed robberies, drug-facilitated thefts, exchange frauds, and thefts.

Amid recent security instability in parts of the Philippines, the embassy released a notification, highlighting several incidents involving Chinese nationals, causing significant personal and financial losses.

Chinese nationals are suggested to avoid going to high-risk areas, trying to go out in groups, and reducing unnecessary nighttime outings.

Be cautious of strangers initiating contact, and avoid dining with strangers or visiting bars and nightclubs, the embassy advised, suggesting not consume drinks, food, or cigarettes offered by strangers, and keep food and drinks in sight while dining.

The embassy also reminded Chinese nationals to remain vigilant in unfamiliar areas, keep family informed of one's plans and situation, and maintain emergency contact details for relatives and consulates.

The embassy advised avoiding displays of wealth or carrying large sums of cash and valuables. In crowded places, be vigilant and safeguard personal belongings.

The embassy also urged conducting currency exchanges through legal channels like banks to avoid scams or illegal transactions. 

Tourists are advised to keep travel documents like passports secure. 

Editor's Note:

As one of China's most beloved national treasures, the giant panda has long captured the hearts of people worldwide.

Right now, dozens of giant pandas are living in zoos across the globe, which brings joy to people, generates economic benefits for the institutions they inhabit, and contributes to biodiversity conservation.

However, the cute, fluffy animal has also faced malicious criticism and even smears, with some Western media reports accusing China of using pandas as a diplomatic tool to open doors to diplomatic relations.

In the second installment of the "Walking with the Giant Panda" series, we share with our readers why the adorable giant pandas are, and will always be, a message of peace and friendship that China conveys to the world.
Tightly hugging panda plush toys and waving both the Chinese and Belgian flags, a group of fans bid farewell to giant pandas Tian Bao, Bao Di, and Bao Mei in Pairi Daiza zoo, with tears in their eyes.

These three pandas, born in Belgium, have brought joy and beautiful memories to Belgians in recent years. Flying across the Eurasian continent, they returned, as promised, to their never-before-seen homeland in Sichuan, Southwest China on December 10.

At the same time, in Moscow, panda cub Katyusha was joyfully rolling in the snow, with a video clip of the moment going viral online.

In the US, giant pandas Bao Li and Qing Bao, who arrived at the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington DC from Sichuan two months ago, are now enjoying their new toys.

At the Adelaide Zoo in Australia, the panda exhibit is eagerly awaiting new residents - Xing Qiu and Yi Lan arrived on Sunday aboard a chartered flight.

Around the world, giant pandas not only serve as China's "ambassadors of goodwill" and "cultural envoys," but also as a bridge that strengthens the connection between the Chinese people and people worldwide.

To date, China has engaged in panda cooperation and exchange programs with 26 institutions in 20 countries, showed date from the National Forestry and Grassland Administration in June.

Giant pandas have played a unique and positive role in fostering friendly relations, spreading ecological civilization concepts, and tackling technical challenges in panda breeding, disease control, and wild release, among other areas. Their efforts have strongly supported wildlife conservation and become a model for global cooperation in protecting endangered species, the administration said.

Shared feelings

At the end of November, the weather was cooler in Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan, with golden leaves scattered on the ground and the mountains in the distance donning snow caps.

This cool weather is exactly what giant pandas love.

Amid this weather, four-year-old Fu Bao, holding tender bamboo, rolls around on the ground, playfully executing multiple flips.

Outside her playground, camera shutters click away, capturing every move. These fans come from China, South Korea, and other countries, communicating in various languages.

Fubao was born at the Everland Zoo in South Korea, the first giant panda to be born there. From the moment she was born, she became a true panda princess, showered with love and attention.

"Fu Bao is so cute and beautiful. I cried when I first saw her," Danabao, a panda blogger in Seoul who specializes in photographing Fu Bao and her family, told the Global Times. "These pandas have become a part of my life."

Each panda cub born overseas is a testament to international cooperation and friendship. Fu Bao's birth is no exception.

She was born in 2020, at the height of the global pandemic. The news of the giant panda Hua Xin (Ai Bao) giving birth gave the anxious Korean public a glimmer of hope.

Before this, South Korea had no experience with panda births, and the pressure was immense. Thanks to the online guidance of experts in China and the on-site support of Wu Kai, a keeper from the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda (CCRCGP), Fu Bao was successfully born.

Her growth journey was not without challenges: She developed a rash at 10 days old, and her eyes opened prematurely before they were fully developed. Fortunately, with the guidance of Wu and the collaborative efforts of Korean zoo staff, these dangers were overcome, and Fubao grew into a "beautiful lady."

Her story was even made into a documentary, "The Chronicle of Fu Bao's Birth," as a testament to China-South Korea cooperation in panda breeding and conservation.

On December 3, Fu Bao was observed shaking while eating bamboo, which deeply concerned panda lovers.

The CCRCGP immediately conducted observation and testing on Fu Bao, lasting several days. The center also has provided daily updates on Fu Bao's condition.

The good news is that her health, appetite, and test results are normal, with no signs of infectious diseases.

Fans were relieved to see Fu Bao playing with new toys and leisurely scratching herself while eating bamboo.

In fact, the healthy growth of captive pandas abroad is the result of joint efforts from both China and the host countries.

As a Chinese national treasure and a globally beloved species, before pandas are sent abroad, a comprehensive evaluation is conducted, including assessments of the habitat, disease prevention, and research conditions, according to Li Desheng, deputy director and chief expert of the CCRCGP.

Only when the cooperation partners meet the necessary conditions can the international collaboration begin. Before leaving, pandas undergo health monitoring and quarantine to ensure their safety and well-being, Li told the Global Times.

When giant pandas abroad fall ill, go into estrus, or give birth, Chinese experts will also travel to help them through these special periods.

Upon their return to China, pandas may experience stress due to environmental changes and caregiver transitions. Extra care is needed until they fully adapt to their new surroundings before being displayed, Li said.

For example, Xiao Qi Ji, a panda born in the US, is sensitive to noise and can be startled by loud sounds, as explained by keeper Lang Shunjun.

Now, Xiao Qi Ji has adapted to life in his Sichuan home and has learned how to efficiently obtain his favorite bamboo shoots. "When the keeper places food, he sniffs the path the keeper walked to find it," she said. "He's one of the smartest pandas I've ever seen."
Global Phenomenon

Since the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, the Chinese government has gifted giant pandas to various countries, conveying goodwill and friendship.

In the 1980s, with a focus on preserving this national treasure and ensuring the species' propagation, China ceased gifting pandas and gradually shifted to international collaborative research on panda conservation, according to the Xinhua News Agency.

This model continues today, enabling better protection of the species while offering people abroad more opportunities to get close to giant pandas and experience the friendship of China.

Across the world, people queue for hours to see pandas.

For example, after the debut of Yun Chuan and Xin Bao at the San Diego Zoo on August 8, a new wave of "panda fever" swept the US, with Americans waiting an hour just to have a glimpse of a giant panda.

Behind this are the tremendous economic benefits to zoos that pandas have brought.

In Japan, giant panda Xiang Xiang's popularity has led to a booming economy in related sectors. Japanese scholars estimated that the economic benefit generated from her birth to her return to China exceeded 60 billion yen ($391 million), according to a CCTV report in June.

In France, after the ZooParc de Beauval rented pandas in 2012, its annual visitor numbers skyrocketed from about 600,000 to over 2 million, with annual revenue reaching 105 million euros, according to Science and Technology Daily.

However, there are strict conditions for renting pandas from China.

Li, the CCRCGP director, introduced that China has clear requirements for institutions wishing to rent pandas. For example, the management team must be professionally qualified, and the panda habitat must meet standards based on years of research, including specific requirements for exhibit halls, outdoor exercise areas, and green resting zones.

"We also require our partners to provide regular health assessments and submit annual check-up reports to ensure proper care and health management," he said.

To meet these standards, institutions, zoos, and keepers worldwide make great efforts.

The Ouwehands Zoo in the Netherlands invested around 7 million euros to build a 9,000-square-meter panda palace, designed in the traditional Chinese style, with custom-made glazed tiles, CCTV reported.

In Qatar, giant pandas Jing Jing and Si Hai reside in an enormous, climate-controlled playground. The bamboo they eat is delivered by cold chain from Sichuan, the People's Daily reported.

In 2019, during the Mid-Autumn Festival, a choir in Finland was even invited to sing for pandas with a Chinese folk song, "May we all be blessed with longevity."

These pandas have proven to be exemplary, reflecting the pride of their home countries. For example, Yuan Meng, born in France, has a stylish curly coat as a cub and is known as the "French little prince." In Russia, the lively panda family comprised of Ding Ding, Rui Yi, and Katyusha have been humorously dubbed "pandas raised by the fighting spirit of the Russian people."

Pandas being pandas

Giant pandas, with their immense popularity and influence, are known as symbols of China, yet they are sometimes exploited as a tool of politicization.

Almost simultaneously with giant pandas Bao Li and Qing Bao departing from their hometown in Sichuan for Washington DC, the New York Times published a lengthy article attempting to cool down the enthusiasm surrounding this cooperation.

The article questioned why overseas pandas and their offspring born in foreign zoos have not been released into the wild, completely ignoring the complexity and scientific nature of the giant panda's rewilding process.

In another article, the newspaper sensationalized the issue of panda rental fees, baselessly claiming "records" show that the Chinese government has spent millions of dollars on apartment buildings, roads, computers, museums, and other expenses.
The rental fees are used to protect and breed giant pandas. While foreign countries pay for renting the pandas, China, as a partner in the collaboration, invests significantly more in terms of human resources, material support, and financial input, the Global Times learned from insiders familiar with the matter.

"Through international cooperation in panda conservation, both China and its partner countries have made advances in scientific research and management techniques. Furthermore, protecting giant pandas also helps preserve other species in their habitats. As a flagship species, the successful conservation experiences of giant pandas can be applied to other endangered species," Li said.

Li further noted that through international cooperation, scientists from both sides learn from each other and engage in deep exchanges, which not only increased the success rate of panda breeding but also advanced related technologies.

For example, in 2014, the San Diego Zoo performed testicular cancer surgery on the giant panda Gao Gao.

"These experiences highlight the complexity and challenges of multinational scientific cooperation while also emphasizing the importance of teamwork and knowledge sharing. Ultimately, these efforts not only increased public awareness of panda conservation but also deepened the friendship and understanding between China and the US," Li said.

In 2023, panda Ya Ya, residing at the Memphis Zoo, fell ill with a skin disease, drawing attention both domestically and internationally. In April, Ya Ya returned to China and is now enjoying a comfortable retirement at the Beijing Zoo.

After Ya Ya's return, some media outlets, including the New York Times, continued to downplay the China-US panda cooperation.

However, this year, four pandas arrived in the US to begin their new lives, dispelling these doubts, including Yun Chuan, Xin Bao, Bao Li and Qing Bao. These new residents had been eagerly anticipated and were warmly welcomed by locals.

In a video released by the Smithsonian's National Zoo in Washington DC on Saturday, Bao Li and Qing Bao are leisurely enjoying tender bamboo leaves under the sunlight. In the future, they will meet visitors here, and plant the seeds of friendship and a love for nature in the hearts of people.

Humanity issued its 11th asteroid impact warning on December 3, marking the fourth successful warning in 2024, according to the Purple Mountain Observatory (PMO) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, CCTV reported on Friday.

China is in a key geographical location for monitoring in this event, with ephemeris data showing that follow-up observations could be conducted after nightfall in China. The PMO coordinated observations using several telescopes, capturing images 42 minutes before the impact. The Xinjiang Astronomical Observatory (XAO) also contributed to the observations, according to CCTV.

According to global observation data gathered by the International Astronomical Union Minor Planet Center (MPC), during the asteroid's approach, the PMO predicted that it would enter the atmosphere at 16:15 UTC on Tuesday, at the location of 60.80 degrees north latitude, 118.98 degrees east longitude. The calculation results were consistent with the announcement from the IAUMPC.

This asteroid, with an estimated diameter of 0.75 to 1 meter, was first discovered by the University of Arizona's the 90" (2.3 m) Bok Telescope at 05:55:16 UTC on December 3. The object was submitted to the MPC NEO Confirmation Page (NEOCP) under the temporary designation C0WEPC5, CCTV reported.

Subsequently, multiple observatories in the US and Hawaii conducted follow-up observations. Based on 16 observation data points collected over approximately three hours, the European Space Agency (ESA) issued an impact prediction. The asteroid was expected to enter the atmosphere at 16:15 ± 5 UTC on December 3, 2024 (00:15 ± 5 Beijing time, December 4) over Siberia. Video footage from Russia confirmed that a bright fireball appeared on schedule at 16:14:53 UTC.

Two hours after the impact, the IAUMPC had received 64 observation data points from around the world and officially designated the asteroid as 2024 XA1. The expected impact location was updated to 60.5 degrees north latitude, 119.0 degrees east longitude. This marks the 11th successful early warning of an asteroid impact by humanity.

The increasing number of successful asteroid impact warnings is attributed to the continuous improvement of global near-Earth asteroid monitoring and early warning capabilities. 

The PMO has long been dedicated to the research and operational enhancement of near-Earth asteroid monitoring and early warning methods. It is also actively promoting the construction of the next-generation near-Earth object (NEO) Surveyor monitoring and early warning network, which includes threat warnings, monitoring of the entry process, and analysis of fallen debris, thus systematically improving China's capabilities in near-Earth asteroid monitoring and early warning, CCTV said.

Xi extends congratulations to Namibian President-elect

International political figures and business leaders gathered on Tuesday at the opening of a supply chain expo in Beijing, calling for enhanced cooperation to better face global challenges amid rising geopolitical tension and growing trade protectionism.

"We hear terms like the end of globalization, decoupling, high fences and small gardens," but in the end the world needs a functioning and inclusive trading system for the benefits of all businesses and individuals, John Denton, the secretary-general of the International Chamber of Commerce, said in his speech.

Global businesses can play a pivotal and unifying role in defending and promoting supply chain coordination and free trade, Rio Tinto Chair Dominic Barton said when addressing the event.

"It's essential for all of our prosperity. I'm confident that we will all be able to do this," Barton added.

The second China International Supply Chain Expo, which runs through Saturday, has drawn more than 600 companies from around the globe. These exhibitors are showcasing their latest technologies and products while seeking cooperation in areas ranging from advanced manufacturing and green agriculture to clean energy.

As the first of its kind in the world to focus on fostering supply chain cooperation, the expo, emerging at a time when "decoupling and breaking chains" are on the rise, aims to build up consensus, help companies integrate into global industrial chains, and promote win-win cooperation.

The event comes at just the right time as the world is confronted with enormous challenges, said Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto. For the world's development and prosperity, "connectivity -- not the blocks -- should characterize the upcoming decades," he said.

Attendees at the expo pointed out that while improvements in global supply chains will help boost benefits for people around the world, the costs of fragmentation will be unbearable.

"We can achieve more, when we work together. The bigger the challenge, the more essential the cooperation becomes. The benefits of an interconnected supply chain are clear," Barton said.

Business representatives at the expo jointly proposed the Beijing Initiative, which outlines five key actions for the future of global supply chains -- promoting open cooperation, advancing digital connectivity, supporting green and low-carbon development, enhancing supply chain services, and giving play to the unique role of business communities.

The international participation at this year's expo highlights the widespread desire for cooperation. Nearly one-third of the exhibitors are from overseas, up from 26 percent in the previous year.

Among the exhibitors are Apple, which is showcasing its supply chain alongside Chinese partners, as well as Rio Tinto, Bosch, Baowu Steel and XPENG, which are jointly exhibiting in the expo's smart vehicle zone.

Global supply chain connectivity is an unstoppable trend and economic globalization remains a shared goal, stated the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), the organizer of the expo.

According to a report and two indices published Tuesday by the CCPIT, the global supply chain connectivity reached a historic high despite challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, natural disasters and geopolitical tensions, which indicates that the negative impact of decoupling and protectionist policies have been temporary and limited.

Ren Hongbin, president of the CCPIT, said the expo aims to build bridges of industrial integration, innovation and market connectivity, foster broad consensus, and achieve win-win cooperation for a brighter future.

The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theater Command on Thursday organized naval and air forces to conduct combat readiness patrols in sea and air spaces around Chinese territorial waters off Huangyan Dao, the PLA Southern Theater Command announced in a statement on Thursday.

The troops have continuously enhanced alert patrols in the region since November to strengthen control and management of relevant area, resolutely defend national sovereignty security, and firmly safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea, the PLA Southern Theater Command said.

The crux of the obstacles to cross-Straits tourism lies entirely with Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities, according to State Council Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson Chen Binhua on Friday. 

The claim from Taiwan's "mainland affairs council" ignores facts, shifts blame, seeks to evade responsibility and attempts to mislead the public, which is unpopular and does not help restore normal tourism between the two sides, Chen said in response to the claim that "the obstacles to cross-Straits tourism exchanges are on the mainland side."

As early as May 2023, the mainland announced the resumption of group tours from the island of Taiwan. In April and August of this year, arrangements were made for mainland residents' travel to Kinmen, Matsu, and Taiwan island for group tours, Chen said.

Since 2020, the DPP authorities have used the COVID-19 pandemic as an excuse to prohibit residents from the mainland from traveling to the island of Taiwan and halted the operations of travel agencies on the island that organize group tours to the mainland. Up to today, the DPP authorities still disregard the calls from Taiwan island's tourism industry and residents, refusing to lift the "ban on group tours to the mainland," according to Chen.

Chen emphasizes once again if the DPP authorities lift the ban on group tours and eliminate barriers to cross-Straits exchanges, the mainland will actively explore expanding tourism for mainland residents to Taiwan.

Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Lin Jian said on Monday that China firmly opposes baseless accusations and scapegoating, as well as political manipulation, when asked to comment on German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock's criticism over China providing military aid to Russia on Sunday.

Baerbock is scheduled to visit China on Monday and Tuesday. 

"Regarding the visit of German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock to China, we will release relevant information in due course. You may stay tuned for updates," Lin noted, adding that China has already articulated its position on the Ukraine crisis multiple times.