Co-founder Zhou Xingxing, a former student at Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, said the concept was designed to make TCM culture more accessible to younger, wellness-focused consumers. He said customers receive a consultation from a TCM doctor before taking their report to the bartender, who prepares a cocktail using herbal ingredients and Chinese yellow wine.

TCM doctor Lu Sheng said the bar focuses on lifestyle advice and health maintenance rather than medical treatment, with most ingredients chosen from substances that can also be used as food. Visitors described the concept as novel and marketable

The move comes as the conflict has disrupted energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz, a major shipping lane for global oil and gas, contributing to sharp market swings and renewed inflation fears worldwide.  

China is particularly exposed to disruptions in the Gulf because it is a major oil importer, and the NDRC has warned it will work with oil producers and distributors to ensure adequate fuel supply and smooth deliveries across the country.  

The agency also said it would strengthen market supervision and punish price violations, as Beijing tries to prevent shortages and price gouging while global energy markets remain volatile.  

China has also taken other steps in recent weeks to protect domestic supply, including tightening controls on refined fuel exports.

As of early February, at least 25 lawmakers had surpassed 100,000 subscribers, the threshold required to receive YouTube’s “silver play button.” It has become an unlikely status symbol in politics , in the country and a way to appeal to the grassroots.

Most of the lawmakers with silver play buttons are from liberal or left-leaning parties, though several conservatives have also built sizable audiences. Subscriber numbers appear to depend less on seniority and more on timing, messaging style and online engagement.

YouTube allows politicians to communicate unfiltered, respond quickly to controversies and mobilise younger voters who consume news primarily online. Lawmakers can livestream debates, post commentary and shape narratives without relying on mainstream broadcasters.

However, politicians have been cautioned that online popularity does not always reflect public support or voting .

Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), which operates the plant, said an alarm from the monitoring system was triggered during the restart process, prompting officials to halt operations and investigate the cause.

“We don’t expect this to be solved within a day or two,” plant superintendent Takeyuki Inagaki told a news conference. “There is no telling at the moment how long it will take.”

TEPCO said the alarm was linked to malfunctioning electrical equipment. As a precaution, operators reinserted the control rods, devices used to slow or stop the nuclear reaction, in a planned and safe manner. The company said the reactor remains stable and there has been no release of radioactive material.

The restart had already been delayed earlier in the week after a separate issue involving the control rods was detected, though that problem was resolved on Sunday.

Kashiwazaki-Kariwa is the largest nuclear power plant in the world by capacity and has seven reactors, though only one was being prepared for restart. It is the first plant operated by TEPCO to attempt a restart since the Fukushima disaster, which led Japan to shut down most of its nuclear facilities.

Japan is now seeking to revive nuclear power as it aims to cut fossil fuel use, meet growing energy demand, including from artificial intelligence and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

However, public opposition remains strong in Niigata. A recent survey found that about 60 per cent of local residents oppose restarting the plant, citing safety concerns and the site’s location near active seismic faults.

TEPCO said it will focus on identifying the cause of the alarm before deciding when restart efforts can resume.

Indonesia has strengthened its crackdown on illegal mining as part of efforts to protect the environment, enforce immigration laws and curb criminal activity. Under Indonesian law, foreign nationals are prohibited from engaging in gold exploration, mining, processing or trading in any individual capacity. Violations can result in prison sentences of up to five years and fines of up to 100 billion rupiah (approximately US$6.4 million).

The Chinese Embassy warned its citizens not to be misled by claims that mining operations have “powerful backers” or that local disputes have been “settled.” It described the gold mining sector as highly risky, with complex power dynamics and serious security threats.

“Any foreign citizen involved in these activities is considered to be engaging in illegal gold mining ,” the embassy said, adding that such actions can breach mining, immigration, forestry and environmental laws at the same time.

The advisory urged Chinese nationals to strictly comply with Indonesian regulations and avoid all forms of illegal mining, including so-called “private gold mines” or informal cooperative sites. It also warned against involvement in related activities such as transporting or selling illegally mined gold.

Indonesian authorities have stated that the crackdown is necessary to protect local communities and ecosystems, particularly in resource-rich yet fragile regions.

What are ‘zero-kilometre’ used cars?

These cars are in effect brand new, however, they typically have extremely low mileage but are registered as second-hand. The practice has grown following intense competition in China’s car market, where some manufacturers and dealers register unsold vehicles to meet sales targets or quickly clear inventory.

Others exploit preferential export rules for used cars, selling them abroad at lower prices.

Car News China reports that there are usually some hidden risks attached to such vehicles, including uncertain ownership history of the vehicles, unpaid loans, diminished or no warranties, among others.

Why is China cracking down?

Authorities have said the practice brings several inherent risks. First, it threatens the global reputation of Chinese carmakers. Many of these cars are shipped abroad without any after-sales service support, leaving overseas buyers unable to secure repairs or spare parts and damaging trust in Chinese brands.

Second, it distorts markets overseas, where exporters selling these vehicles as new undercut authorised dealers and disrupt local pricing. Officials also argue that the loophole encourages a race to the bottom, prioritising rapid, low-quality exports rather than developing a sustainable and well-regulated second-hand export industry.

What does the new policy require?

The updated rules introduce multiple safeguards, which include the fact that exporters must now wait at least 180 days after a car is registered before it can be exported. They must also provide proof that the vehicle will have access to after-sales services in its destination country. Regulators will introduce a monitoring and exit mechanism to remove non-compliant exporters, while also supporting companies to build stronger overseas service networks.

The special prosecutor’s office argues she has “placed herself above the law” and undermined public trust in the justice system. Kim’s legal team denies all wrongdoing, insisting she acted as an ordinary investor in the stock case and that the gifts were ceremonial congratulatory items and not bribery.

Kim said in her final court statement that she had been “wronged in many ways” but apologised for causing public concern.

The trial is only one part of a wide investigation involving allegations of political interference, bribery and influence-peddling. She is also awaiting trial on accusations linked to the alleged unlawful recruitment of Unification Church members into the ruling party and other ongoing probes.

A final verdict is expected in January 2026.

Dr Liu Jianlin, the study’s lead researcher and a research fellow at IMH, said childhood adversity continues to shape a person’s emotional and social development well into adulthood. “Trauma impacts how we relate to others, the way we trust, the way we see ourselves,” she said. “Experiencing very strong emotions at a young age may also impact how we respond later in life,” Straits Times quotes.

The modified i-STAIR programme focuses on strengthening two key skills often disrupted by early trauma: emotional regulation and interpersonal relationships. Participants will undergo weekly one-hour sessions for eight months, learning techniques to manage overwhelming emotions and build healthier patterns of communication.

Many adults experiencing what clinicians call subsyndromal depression (SSD), a milder form of depression that affects daily life without meeting full diagnostic criteria, never seek treatment. Yet research shows that around 17% of those with SSD progress to major depressive disorder (MDD). Those with adverse childhood experiences are three times more likely to develop mood or anxiety disorders.

Singapore has no official statistics on SSD because it often goes undiagnosed, making prevention efforts difficult.

Disclaimer: The image used in this article is AI-generated

China has proposed, amongst others, that the United Nations , not military blocs or unilateral partnerships, should oversee global security frameworks. Adding further that arms control must be rooted in consensus-based multilateral institutions, and calls for developing countries to have a stronger voice in decision-making.

Nuclear governance

On nuclear weapons, the white paper reaffirmed China’s position on such matters, including its commitment to no-first-use and maintaining the “minimum level” of deterrence needed for national security . "China's nuclear weapons are not intended to threaten other countries but for defence and self-protection," the paper said.

China criticises what it describes as “exclusive alliances” and missile defence systems, which it argues undermine strategic stability. "Destroying its abandoned chemical weapons in China is Japan's unshirkable historical, political, and legal responsibility, and also an international obligation stipulated by the CWC," it stressed.

Further, some sections of the White Paper focus on outer space, cyberspace, and artificial intelligence, which the country says are becoming central to global security.

China has thus called for a treaty banning weapons in outer space, UN-led standards for cyber operations, and a responsible and transparent development of military AI.

The country further argued that without global rules, technological competition will become a major driver of instability.

Under the Nationality Act as it operated at the time of their births, children of Japanese men could acquire nationality by descent. In practice, however, courts rely on documentary proof, marriage certificates, formal acknowledgements of paternity, or other official records that establish the legal parent-child relationship. The three applicants argued that wartime chaos and post-war turmoil destroyed those records.

The judges found that, absent such documentation, the legal requirements were not met, even though one applicant says his father personally acknowledged him after being repatriated to Japan, and another submitted a DNA test showing a 99.9% probability of blood relation to Japanese relatives.

The crackdown intensified in October with the arrest of Yuto Agarie, alleged leader of a trafficking group. Investigators say they found about 63.84g of etomidate-containing liquid at his home in Urasoe, which they believe was intended for sale. Local police suspect the group was the main supplier in Okinawa, where youth vaping of sedative-laced liquids has raised alarms.

Etomidate is used overseas to induce anaesthesia for surgery, but in vape form it can cause sudden loss of consciousness, loss of motor control and spasms in the hands and legs, doctors warn. The drug is being advertised on encrypted messaging apps and sold via social media , often in flavoured and unflavoured cartridges designed for e-cigarette devices.

In August and September, three Chinese men in their 20s living near Tokyo were arrested for allegedly smuggling around 100g of etomidate from India via Singapore. Japan’s Health Ministry narcotics unit says the suspects took online orders, dissolved the powder into liquid, filled cartridges and sold them repeatedly across the Tokyo area. 

Meanwhile, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime has flagged the trend and reported in March that etomidate and similar compounds have surfaced on illicit markets in East and Southeast Asia in recent years, including China.

Field teams began with standard botanical documentation, which included mapping the vine’s footprint, photographing growth form, and recording dimensions such as height, basal diameter, and girth. Following this, researchers turned to ring analysis.

Deputy Director of the Institute of Fruit Trees at the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Dr Wang Haibo, told Guinness World Records that finding a wild grapevine over four centuries old at an altitude of 2,400 metres is a testament to nature’s patience and life’s resilience.

Guinness World Records certified the vine in September, after reviewing the scientific documentation, site details, and methodological notes, and confirming it to be 416 years old.

The missile warning data is being shared in real time between the three allies as part of a growing regional security cooperation effort amid Pyongyang’s continued weapons testing.

“South Korea announced that North Korea had launched a ballistic missile, so I changed my plans to go out and have just received a report on the situation. Japan, the United States, and South Korea are working closely together, including sharing missile warning data in real time, to ensure a thorough response. The government is aware of this latest launch,” she told the press.

This is first diplomatic test after assuming office only a day prior.

Organisers said that ADEX 2025 drew a record 600 companies from 35 countries, all showcasing advanced defence systems, drones , and aerospace technologies. 

The biennial exhibition ran its public days from October 17 to 19, featuring aerial displays and static aircraft exhibits. Business-to-business meetings, indoor exhibitions, and conferences will continue from October 20 to 24 in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province.

The annual APEC forum will take place at the end of October. South Korea will host the summit for the second time, having done so in 2005.

The move also comes as Japan looks for ways to pay for major domestic commitments such as expanding free high school tuition, a policy that needs long-term funding but is politically sensitive if imposed on voters.

Why is Japan raising fees now?

The government says travel infrastructure is under financial strain. Officials argue that busier airports, tighter border controls and digital systems require new investment. They insist that those who use these services, particularly international travellers, should contribute more to their upkeep, The Asahi Shimbun reports.

What fees are likely to increase?

The current departure tax, introduced in 2019, is expected to rise. Visa and residency application fees are also under review, with the government aiming to bring them in line with countries such as the United States and those in Europe.

A new online entry authorisation system, known as the Japan Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (JESTA), is also being planned for visitors from visa-waiver countries. It will require travellers to apply in advance and pay a fee, similar to the U.S. ESTA system.

Will Japanese citizens be affected?

While the departure tax applies to all passengers leaving Japan, officials have suggested cutting passport renewal fees for Japanese citizens to offset the increase. However, foreign nationals would not benefit from such adjustments.

Figures from the Ministry of Health show only modest improvements over the past decade. Kidney donations from deceased donors rose slightly from 6.3 per million people in 2013 to 6.59 in 2023. Liver and heart donations show similar slow growth, far below demand, The Straits Times reports.

To supplement transplants, Singapore also allows whole-body and brain donations for medical education and research under the Medical (Therapy, Education and Research) Act (MTERA). In such cases, bodies are collected within six hours and sent to medical schools , including the National University of Singapore and Nanyang Technological University. Families may still hold wakes of up to three days before collection.

Medical institutions may retain bodies for up to three years before cremation. Families are then invited to collect ashes, or they are buried at sea if unclaimed.

Disclaimer: The image used in this article is AI-generated.

Their cases have been transferred to military prosecutors, marking the beginning of likely criminal proceedings.

General He Weidong was among the most powerful figures in China’s military hierarchy. As Vice Chairman of the CMC and a Politburo member, he was involved in strategic command, including operations related to Taiwan . His disappearance from public view months ago had sparked speculation, but Friday’s announcement delivered the first official confirmation of his downfall.

The Defence Ministry said the expelled officials were implicated in “extremely serious crimes involving exceptionally large sums of money,” though no specific allegations were disclosed. The purge includes leaders responsible for political work, armaments, and logistics, core sectors often linked to procurement and corruption.

The expulsions come just days before a major Communist Party meeting in Beijing, where leadership appointments and strategic roadmaps for the next five years will be finalised.

“This move is both political and strategic,” said Neil Thomas of the Asia Society Policy Institute. “It clears the way for Xi to appoint loyalists and tighten his control over the military at a critical geopolitical moment,” he said.

Since coming to power in 2012, Xi has made anti-corruption campaigns a hallmark of his rule, purging not only civilian officials but also dozens of senior commanders.

One such couple is Hitomi Inoue, a 46-year-old veterinarian, and Junko Urimoto, a 45-year-old veterinary nurse, who live together in Osaka. Though they held a wedding ceremony and pledged to spend their lives as partners, the census refuses to recognise their relationship.

In past surveys, Inoue listed herself as “head of household,” while Urimoto tried to register as “spouse.” Instead, census officials changed her status to “other relative.” “We are not just cohabiting,” Inoue said. “We are life partners. But the census makes us disappear,” she told The Asahi Shimbun.

A ministry official said the policy exists because same-sex marriage is not legally recognised in Japan, and to prevent people from incorrectly registering friends or roommates as spouses. As a result, the census form still enforces a definition of “family” rooted in heterosexual marriage.

Professor Saori Kamano of Waseda University warned that removing LGBT households from official data has real consequences. “The census covers everyone, it guides national policy. If LGBT families are not counted, their needs will never be reflected in laws or services,” Kamano said.

Although over 530 municipalities across Japan now issue partnership certificates to same-sex couples, covering 92.7% of the population, the national government still does not recognise these unions.

The ordinance specifically calls for elementary school children to avoid using smartphones after 9 p.m., while students under 18 are encouraged to switch off by 10 p.m. Although use for study and work is exempt, the rules are designed to prompt families to set their own household guidelines and prioritise sufficient sleep.

City officials said the push came after parents raised alarms about children refusing to attend school, with excessive smartphone use suspected of contributing to social withdrawal. “The phrase ‘two hours’ has been misunderstood and oversimplified. The ordinance is intended to encourage families to self-check usage habits and discuss rules together,” Mayor Masafumi Koki said. 

Supporters argue that the ordinance is an important step toward tackling sleep loss and truancy linked to smartphone overuse. However, others warn that the measure risks becoming government overreach into personal life, questioning the scientific evidence connecting school absenteeism to screen addiction.

To track its impact, the city’s educational board will offer consultations for parents and conduct surveys on how families are setting rules and whether children’s sleep habits improve. Officials say the ordinance will be periodically reviewed, with adjustments made based on feedback and data.

Xiong Sihao, vice-minister of education, told reporters this week that Xi’s call had already inspired tens of thousands of Americans to take part. “More than 36,000 young people from the United States have come to China for exchanges since the initiative was announced,” he said at a State Council Information Office news briefing.

The programs include cultural, educational, and sports exchanges. For instance, a U.S. youth pickleball delegation from Maryland travelled to China in April, forging what officials described as “unforgettable friendships” with their Chinese counterparts. Other groups have participated in study tours, academic collaborations, and cultural immersion projects in cities across China. 

When Miss Universe lifted its long-standing age cap of 28 for this year’s competition, Sakai, 66, seized the chance to compete alongside women decades younger. Out of hundreds of hopefuls, she was selected as one of 42 finalists nationwide.

For Sakai, the journey has become more than a personal challenge; it is a cultural statement that she aims to show that older women, often sidelined in Japanese society , can still shine.

“I was the star. It was my moment,” Sakai said , recalling her brief but unforgettable walk on stage. “You have raised four kids and have always put others first. It’s time to do something for yourself,” her husband told her when she first considered applying.

Though she once feared criticism, Sakai was surprised by the support she received from her children and the public. “People actually don’t care as much about you as you think,” she reflected.

As Japan’s elderly population hits record highs, with nearly 100,000 people over the age of 100 this year, Sakai hopes to serve as a reminder that Respect-for-the-Aged Day, often celebrated in the country, is not just about celebrating longevity, but about recognising the dignity and vitality of older generations.

The Japanese ski resort of Hakuba is tightening its rules on visitor behaviour after years of growing frustration over disruptive incidents linked to booming inbound tourism. Local officials have announced plans to introduce fines of up to 50,000 yen ($340) for nuisances such as late-night fireworks, littering, noisy street gatherings, and even vehicles without proper snow tyres.

The new penalties are set to be introduced through a revised ordinance by December, just in time for the peak winter ski season. But with that growth has come a rise in problems, graffiti and sticker vandalism, loud late-night parties spilling onto the streets, littering, and fireworks disturbing residents. Officials say that while earlier rules, banning street drinking, smoking, and skiing on public roads, helped, they no longer go far enough.

“Our goal is not to punish visitors harshly but to set clear boundaries and protect the community’s quality of life,” one village representative explained.

The revised ordinance will empower authorities to impose fines on anyone, whether local or foreign, who violates community rules. While the aim is to warn and discourage disruptive behaviour rather than immediately penalise, repeat offenders or serious cases could face the maximum fine.

Tourists are being urged to show respect by avoiding late-night fireworks or noisy outdoor parties; disposing of trash properly; using snow tyres during winter driving; and refraining from vandalism, including graffiti or stickers on public property.

The U.S. side was led by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, while China was represented by Vice Premier He Lifeng and Chief Trade Negotiator Li Chenggang.

TikTok on the agenda

Nikkei Asia reports that for the first time, TikTok has been formally placed on the talks’ agenda. The popular short-video app’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance, faces a looming September 17 deadline to divest its U.S. operations or risk being shut down.

While sources close to the Trump administration caution that no deal is expected in Madrid, officials anticipate the deadline will be extended yet again, the fourth such extension since President Donald Trump took office in January.

The public inclusion of TikTok in the Madrid discussions is seen as giving the administration political cover for another delay, even as lawmakers from both parties press for a permanent solution.

Tariffs and trade tension

Meanwhile, trade tensions remain at the heart of the talks. Trump has approved the extension of tariffs on Chinese goods at rates of about 55 percent until November 10, continuing a policy that has fueled a cycle of retaliation between the two powers.

At the same time, Washington is pressing allies to impose tariffs on China for its purchases of Russian oil, a demand that underscores how trade disputes are increasingly intertwined with geopolitical flashpoints.

China, on the other hand, has sought relief from U.S. export controls and a reduction of tariffs it views as crippling to its state-subsidised industries.

Projected outcome of Madrid talks

According to Wendy Cutler, a former U.S. trade negotiator, the Madrid discussions may help pave the way for “deliverables” at a high-level meeting, potentially including agreements on soybeans, fentanyl tariffs, and a final resolution on TikTok.

“Frankly, I don’t think China is in any rush to do an agreement where they don’t get substantial concessions on export controls and lower tariffs,” Cutler said. “And I don’t see the United States in a position to make major concessions on either.”

The U.S.-China trade relationship has, in recent months, been battered by tariffs, retaliatory decisions and mutual suspicion.

Japan’s population shrank by more than 900,000 people in 2024, the steepest decline on record, fueling concerns over the sustainability of the workforce and the mounting costs of medical care and pensions, the Telegraph reports.

Outgoing Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has described the situation as a “quiet emergency”, promising to expand free daycare, encourage flexible working hours, and promote policies to support families. Authorities are also turning to care robots and incentives for foreign workers to ease the pressure on Japan’s strained social systems.

South Korea, on the other hand, has more than 10 million people aged over 65, while Italy is also grappling with a shrinking birth rate and a swelling pensioner population.

Japan’s oldest living person is Shigeko Kagawa, a 114-year-old former doctor in the Nara region. She attributed her vitality to walking long distances during house calls in her younger years, which she said gave her “strong legs, the source of my current vitality.”

Globally, however, the record for the world’s oldest person is currently held by Britain’s Ethel Caterham , who turned 116 in August.

“This joint approach aims to strengthen the regulation and guidance of AI use, and to clearly delineate the responsibilities and obligations of the technology developers, providers and users,” Zhao explained.

Since its founding in 2018, the Beijing Internet Court has handled more than 245,000 cases, and disputes linked to AI are climbing sharply. Many of these involve copyright issues around AI-generated content and questions of whether AI-powered tools constitute online infringement, China Daily reports.

Zhao noted that conflicts are no longer confined to internet platforms. They are spreading into culture, entertainment, finance, and advertising, where new products are raising questions about AI hallucinations, algorithmic bias, and ethical boundaries.

The push for stronger regulation comes on the heels of China’s first court case involving AI-generated voices. In 2024, a voice-over artist surnamed Yin discovered her voice had been cloned without consent for audiobooks circulating online.

The court found that a cultural media company had sent Yin’s recordings to an AI software developer, which then used the data to train a program that mimicked her vocal style. The AI-generated voice products were sold to third parties, including a voice-dubbing app. Judges ruled the cultural media company and the software developer had infringed Yin’s voice rights, ordering them to pay 250,000 yuan ($35,111) in compensation. Other defendants were cleared because they unknowingly used the cloned voice material.

“The ruling has set boundaries for how AI should be applied and helped regulate the technology to better serve the public,” said Sun Mingxi, another vice-president of the court.

Officials further stressed that while AI innovation should be encouraged, safeguarding dignity and individual rights must come first.

The surgery involved implanting a closed-loop brain acquisition and stimulation system (ANS), a device that can monitor brain signals in real time and respond immediately to abnormal neural activity. By reading and stimulating the brain simultaneously, the system allows doctors to precisely regulate irregular brain waves responsible for seizures.

“This technology provides real-time, accurate intervention in abnormal neural activity,” said Professor Guo Yanwu, a neurosurgeon at the hospital. “It gives patients with drug-resistant epilepsy a new avenue for treatment.”

Epilepsy affects millions worldwide, and up to a third of patients do not respond to medication. For children like the 12-year-old patient, repeated seizures can severely impact development and quality of life.

Disclaimer: The image used in this story is AI-generated

“We are asking them to invest in hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles because that is the market that they are servicing globally,” Godlimpi said.

Chinese brands such as Chery and Haval have grown their footprint in South Africa by offering cheaper internal-combustion engine cars than their American and Japanese rivals. 

Shenzhen-based BYD, one of China’s largest electric vehicle makers, is also expanding rapidly, planning to raise its number of dealerships in South Africa from 13 to at least 30 by next year.

The government plans to raise import taxes so that cheap foreign cars do not undercut local manufacturing, creating pressure on Chinese companies to consider assembling vehicles in South Africa.

By urging Chinese firms to build factories locally, South Africa hopes to protect its domestic auto sector, which remains one of the continent’s most industrialised. 

China’s progress is not limited to pharmaceuticals. Its domestic industry has also delivered impressive breakthroughs in medical technology . Officials emphasise the successful development of a photon-counting CT scanner, which produces images at much higher resolution while exposing patients to less radiation.

At the same time, Chinese engineers have designed surgical robots that improve precision in operations and reduce trauma for patients. Other technologies, such as artificial hearts, ECMO machines, and heavy-ion therapy systems, have also been rolled out in hospitals across the country.

China is also achieving results in a new therapy for immunotherapy-resistant metastatic colorectal cancer, developed under a national science and technology program. The therapy has dramatically increased treatment response rates and extended survival times.

According to Guo, the therapy has produced the best outcomes internationally in this field.

Meanwhile, the United States remains the global leader in innovative new drug development, with a proven track record in the number of approved drugs and clinical trials.

We bring you a continental breakdown of the key participants in the celebration:

Asia dominates the guest list

The strongest presence came from Asia, with Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un flanking Xi on Tiananmen Gate as guests of honour. They were joined by Asian heads of state and government, including Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, and Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian, highlighting Eurasian solidarity.

Central Asia was strongly represented with Kazakhstan’s Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Kyrgyzstan’s Sadyr Japarov, Tajikistan’s Emomali Rahmon, Turkmenistan’s Serdar Berdimuhamedov, and Uzbekistan’s Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

From South and Southeast Asia came Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Nepali Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, Myanmar’s Acting President Min Aung Hlaing, Mongolian President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, Vietnam’s President Luong Cuong, Laos’ President Thongloun Sisoulith, and Cambodia’s King Norodom Sihamoni.

European representation

Europe was represented by only two leaders. These were the Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico. Both have been outspoken critics of sanctions on Russia and have sought closer ties with Moscow.

Africa ’s representation slashed

From Africa , the Republic of the Congo President Denis Sassou Nguesso and Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa made the trip and were the only top representatives from the continent. This comes in spite of China’s increased strategic presence on the African continent. In 2015, five African countries made the guest list. Nonetheless, the participation of the two African leaders was symbolic of African partnerships.

Latin America’s sole representative

Cuba’s President Miguel Díaz-Canel was the only Latin American leader present.

Absentees and envoy-level participation

Conspicuously missing were leaders from the United States, the United Kingdom, South Korea, Poland, and the Czech Republic. While Poland and the Czech Republic had attended in 2015, they were replaced this year by Serbia and Slovakia.

Meanwhile, Brazil, Egypt, and South Korea chose to send envoys rather than heads of state, signalling more cautious engagement.

China’s Ministry of Transport reported that the country saw 11.9 billion cross-regional trips between July 1 and August 31, averaging 192 million trips daily, up 4.3 percent year-on-year. Road-based self-driving trips accounted for 8.7 billion journeys, or 73 percent of the total, People's Daily reports. Rural self-driving tours surged in popularity, while student travel, tourism, and study tours helped fuel consumption. An official projected that domestic tourism trips this summer would surpass 2.5 billion, with Beijing, Shanghai, and Xi’an ranking among the top destinations. The rail system set a new summer record with 940 million passenger trips, and civil aviation carried 147 million passengers, a 3.6 percent year-on-year rise. On August 15 alone, flights carried 2.56 million passengers, marking a new single-day high.

President Xi unveils Global Governance Initiative

President Xi Jinping, at the “Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Plus” meeting in Tianjin, proposed a new Global Governance Initiative (GGI) to reshape international cooperation. “I look forward to working with all countries for a more just and equitable global governance system and advancing toward a community with a shared future for humanity,” Xi said . He outlined five guiding principles for the GGI, including sovereign equality, adherence to international rule of law, practicing multilateralism, adopting a people-centered approach, and focusing on concrete action.

China leads the world in nanotechnology patents

A white paper released in Beijing revealed that China holds 43 percent of all nanotechnology patents granted globally over the past 25 years, amounting to 464,000 patents. This surpasses the combined total of the U.S., Japan, and South Korea. The White Paper : China Nanotechnology Industry 2025 highlights key areas of China’s patent portfolio, including semiconductors, catalytic chemistry, biomedicine, and new materials. The Chinese Academy of Sciences topped the global rankings with 23,400 patents. As of May 2025, China had more than 34,500 nanotech enterprises employing nearly 10 million people, with the global market projected to reach $1.5 trillion by year’s end.

China’s summer box office nears 12 billion yuan

The China Film Administration announced that the 2025 summer box office grossed 11.96 billion yuan ($1.68 billion), surpassing last year’s total. More than 100 films were released, drawing 321 million viewers nationwide. The top-grossing film, Dead to Rights - a historical drama on the 1937 Nanjing Massacre - earned 2.89 billion yuan since its July 25 release. Other major hits included animated feature Nobody, Jackie Chan’s crime action film The Shadow’s Edge, the historical drama The Lychee Road, and Universal’s Jurassic World Rebirth.  

Chinese Embassy issues warning in South Korea

The Chinese Embassy in South Korea has urged Chinese citizens to avoid carrying offensive weapons in public after South Korea revised its criminal law earlier this year. The embassy noted that carrying knives, hammers, or other potentially dangerous items without a legitimate reason could now result in up to three years’ imprisonment or fines of 10 million won ($7,300). “Chinese citizens in South Korea or those planning to visit the country should avoid carrying objects that could be regarded as offensive weapons in public. If unavoidable, they must be properly concealed to reduce legal risks,” the embassy said in its statement .

Drone footage released on Monday showed the majesty of the “Oriental Pyramids,” located in the foothills of the Helan Mountains in Yinchuan, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. Covering 40 square kilometers, the site is considered one of the world’s most remarkable imperial mausoleum complexes.

Tourism has surged since the UNESCO listing, with local authorities now limiting daily visitors to protect the site while encouraging off-peak travel. “This year, when I heard that the application for World Heritage was successful, I came to the Western Xia Tombs again. My feeling this year was that there were so many people here,” said one tourist.

Visitors have been captivated by the grandeur of the mausoleums. “At that time, I felt that this building was really magnificent, and I could feel how glorious it was a long, long time ago,” another tourist told Viory.

“They all heard that the Xixia Imperial Tombs in Ningxia were listed as a World Heritage Site, and then came here to admire it. More tourists came from different places just to appreciate the unique style and appearance of the Xixia Imperial Tombs,” one volunteer explained.

 Another volunteer added that, “From the first moment I set foot on that place, I felt like I was in contact with ancient relics from many years ago, and I felt like I was in a dialogue with time and space . So I think going to those ruins is very valuable and very tangible.”

The tech upgrades come as Hangzhou sees a significant increase in border traffic. “In the first half of 2025, we handled over 2.55 million border crossings, a 12.3 percent year-on-year increase,” said officer Liu Jiani. “Of those, foreign entries accounted for 206,000, up 33.5 percent year on year,” she told Viory.

To further ease congestion and enhance digital convenience, smart kiosks for foreign entry cards were introduced in January. These machines allow travellers to submit declarations via QR codes or mobile mini-programs and currently support seven languages, English, Japanese, Korean, German, French, Spanish, and Arabic.

As of mid-July, more than 86,000 passengers have already used the self-service kiosks.

The STAM Atlas includes over 34,000 ultra-thin brain sections, 14,000 coronal, 11,400 sagittal, and 9,000 horizontal slices, producing a complete 3D reconstruction of the mouse brain. In this model, scientists have identified and annotated 916 distinct brain regions, including 236 newly discovered sub-regions that shed light on previously unknown neural circuits.

According to Li Yunqing, president of the Chinese Society for Anatomical Sciences and professor at the Air Force Medical University, the atlas allows scientists to “precisely locate pathological brain regions and neurons” implicated in diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, potentially aiding in the development of more effective targeted therapies.

“This atlas surpasses conventional murine brain maps by two orders of magnitude in precision,” said Xue Tian, executive dean of the School of Life Science s at the University of Science and Technology of China. “It provides the global neuroscience community with a cutting-edge tool developed by Chinese scientists.”

The main image was AI-generated.

Eligible travelers can stay up to 30 days per visit, with a cumulative maximum of 90 days within a 180-day period, Global Times reports.

The policy is seen as a major step forward in strengthening bilateral ties and boosting people-to-people exchanges. It comes amid growing travel demand between the two nations and is expected to significantly ease short-term mobility for individuals engaged in leisure, family, and commercial activities.

Travel platform Qunar.com reported that Malaysia is among the top three overseas destinations for Chinese tourists this summer, with a 43% year-on-year increase in hotel bookings. Popular Malaysian cities include Kuala Lumpur, Tawau, and Langkawi. In terms of outbound international air travel from China, Kuala Lumpur ranked as the most popular destination on the platform.

Using data from the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan and mobile phone base stations, Ohta confirmed that the islands, previously moving northeast together, had suddenly diverged, a phenomenon never seen before in the area.

Surprisingly, Ohta said the quake itself may not have been the direct cause of the shift. "Considering the magnitude and distance from the epicenter, it’s unlikely the quake alone triggered this movement," he explained.

He pointed instead to possible underground forces, such as magma or fluids seeping into the earth's crust, or a slow slip along a shallow fault on the continental plate.

While it's still unclear whether this crustal movement signals a larger quake to come, Ohta said he will analyze historical data to better understand the cause of the phenomenon, NHK World Japan reports.

Under the current system, foreigners with valid licenses from their home countries can obtain Japanese licenses if they pass basic knowledge and driving skill tests. However, the process does not require applicants to prove long-term residency, allowing some visitors to register hotels or temporary addresses, raising law enforcement concerns about accountability in the event of accidents.

Starting October 1, the revised system will require all applicants to present a certificate of residence, effectively limiting conversions to foreign residents living in Japan. Tourists will instead be required to use an international driving permit based on the Geneva Convention on Road Traffic, Japan Times reports.

Authorities also plan to toughen the licensing process itself. The written test will expand from 10 to 50 questions, and applicants must now score at least 90 percent to pass. The practical driving test will also have stricter grading criteria.

A recent agency survey of 15 countries found that none allowed tourists to convert licenses. Japan recorded a sharp increase in conversions in 2023, with about 68,000 foreign applicants.

“For segmented indicators, China’s financial technology competitiveness has ranked third for two straight years, and this year’s score is significantly higher than last year, driven by notable development potential of China’s fintech industry,” said Liu Dongmin, senior research fellow at the CASS Institute of World Economics and Politics.

The study highlighted rapid advances in China’s fintech sector. The country’s fintech development potential index jumped from 35.12 in 2024 to 57.25 this year, propelling China’s ranking in this metric from 12th place to fourth globally. Notably, China’s AI talent index also climbed from eighth to fourth place.

Li Dongrong, former deputy governor of the People ’s Bank of China, underscored China’s leading role in shaping the global digital economy. “China’s development of digital finance technology, especially mobile payment technology, is globally leading. Leveraging on the growth of digital technology, China’s financial services have effectively covered areas that were previously difficult to reach, and the country has made effective breakthroughs in inclusive finance,” he said.

Data from ChinaIRN showed the global digital finance market reached $4.5 trillion last year, with China alone accounting for $3.2 trillion, consolidating its status as a major engine of global growth.

Under Egypt’s investment law, foreign companies can already own 100% of businesses in most sectors. The new measure means Chinese firms will be able to open bank accounts in Egyptian banks denominated in yuan, a development experts believe will streamline operations and encourage more Chinese investment, the People's Daily Online reports.

“Licensing Chinese companies to use yuan in Egypt means these firms can open bank accounts with the Chinese currency. The move will encourage more Chinese companies to pump investments in Egypt, which will further expand bilateral economic relations by facilitating trade in local currencies ,” said Waleed Gaballah, a member of the Egyptian Association for Political Economy, Statistics and Legislation.

Gaballah explained that Chinese businesses previously needed to convert yuan into U.S. dollars to operate in Egypt, adding costs and complexity. “Now the Chinese companies don’t have to use mediating currency,” he said. “They can use yuan directly within Egypt and transfer their profits back to China in the same currency.”

He noted that the yuan has “succeeded in making a large international presence in payments in recent years,” and that wider use of the Chinese currency will help reduce Egypt’s reliance on the dollar. Gaballah also expressed hope that more Chinese investment and local production could help narrow Egypt’s trade deficit with China.

“Therefore, this country was met in a stalemate. We cannot go anywhere. Because none of the plans can be carried out to develop this country. And development is what we need right now,” he added.

Others fear history could repeat itself if political leaders fail to resolve the crisis peacefully. “I’m worried because I think it might end up being the same cycle again, meaning a coup could happen. I think, if possible, I don’t want a coup to happen. At the very least, let there be a dissolution of parliament, a new election, and a government formed by the majority vote of the people , rather than through a coup.” said Dr. Chawis Hansasuta.

Pattarapat Pattarasilpvirakul, a business owner, said, “As for politics, I think it’s normal. Having lived for 43 years, I’ve already experienced the highest and lowest points in politics. I want whatever brings people a good life.”

Developed by the Deep Space Exploration Laboratory in Hefei, Anhui Province, the system uses a high-precision solar concentrator and flexible fibre-optic energy transmission to generate the extreme heat needed to fuse lunar regolith, the layer of loose, dusty material covering the moon.

According to senior engineer Yang Honglun, the successful prototype proves that lunar soil can serve as the sole raw material for creating infrastructure on the moon.

“This printing breakthrough has validated the feasibility of using lunar soil as the sole raw building material, enabling true in-situ resource utilisation and eliminating the need to transport any additional materials from Earth,” Yang said.

The technology features flexible manufacturing capabilities that allow for the production of standard bricks as well as the moulding of complex, custom-designed structures. The lab has completed preliminary tests on Earth, demonstrating the system’s ability to melt and shape lunar regolith into lines, surfaces, and three-dimensional forms using concentrated solar energy, The People’s Daily Online reports.

The project tackled major technical challenges, including reliable solar energy concentration and precise regolith shaping under the harsh conditions expected on the lunar surface. A multidisciplinary team of experts in planetary science, materials science, engineering, and optics collaborated to solve these problems, developing key innovations in energy capture and material processing.

In the future, the 3D printing system could support the construction of lunar roads, equipment platforms, buildings, and energy systems, laying the foundation for large-scale, sustainable exploration and potential resource utilisation on the moon.

The Tiandu lab, which built the printer, has already contributed to major projects such as the Chang’e-6 mission, which returned the first-ever samples from the far side of the moon, and is now preparing to develop the world’s first Mars sample research facility.

In a recent online panel hosted by Dialogues on Asian Universities, Tony Chan, former president of King Abdullah University of Science and Technology and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, described this shift as historic. “The flow of talent is instead going more one way; now it’s going both ways. It’s more multi-polar,” Chan said during the discussion titled “Tectonic Shift in the Global Talent Chain.”

Professor Rangan Banerjee, director of the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, said technology disruption and geopolitics are the two major forces driving this change. “The geopolitics are such that this is the right time for Asian universities to play a leading role in nurturing the talent pool and finding solutions to the world’s problems,” Banerjee is further quoted by University World News .

Banerjee explained that while a decade ago most IIT students left India to study abroad, today only about 10% do so. “Most of the people graduating are taking up jobs in India, some of them international jobs, and we are seeing a trend for innovation and startups, there is a booming startup ecosystem,” he said.

In China, Yaqin Zhang, chair professor at Tsinghua University and founding dean of the Tsinghua Institute for AI Industry Research, described a similar pattern. “Twenty-five years ago, the best [Chinese] students went to the US and Europe, but mainly the US, to get their PhDs and to find jobs,” he said. “In the last five years, especially, most of the best students have chosen to stay in China.”

Zhang pointed to visa hurdles as one reason for the change. “It’s harder for Chinese top students to get a visa,” he said, adding that around 90% of Tsinghua’s top computer science students now remain in China.

The event, held as part of the RoBoLeague, saw teams from Tsinghua University’s THU Robotics team and Beijing Information Science and Technology University’s Blaze team go head-to-head, with the humanoid robots playing the entire game independently.

The championship title was claimed by the THU Robotics team, with China Agricultural University’s Mountain Sea team finishing in second place. The Blaze team from Beijing Information Science and Technology University and the Power team from the Future Laboratory, Tsinghua University, shared third place.

The competition has quickly gained traction among fans, attracting robotics enthusiasts eager to witness the cutting-edge integration of artificial intelligence with sports. The event’s unique blend of AI technology and athletic competition has captivated both tech aficionados and sports lovers alike.

Bian Yuansong, chairman of Shangyicheng Group, the event’s organiser, emphasised that RoBoLeague serves as a testing ground for pioneering technologies like bipedal dynamic balancing and multi-agent collaborative decision-making. “The event not only provides crucial technical validation for the football segment of future humanoid robot games, but also lays a solid foundation for enhancing the sensitivity and capabilities of embodied robots,” Bian explained to the People’s Daily Online .

Beyond the competition, Bian revealed that the technologies showcased during RoBoLeague will soon have real-world applications, potentially benefiting industrial production and daily life. Shangyicheng Group plans to expand the competition format, introducing new robot challenges like a half-marathon, to further promote the development and practical use of humanoid robotics in diverse scenarios.

The latest ranking identifies Macau as the world’s most atheist region, with 59.3% of its population identifying as non-believers.

Following closely are South Korea (54.9%), Hong Kong (52.3%), and China (33.8%), underscoring the secular shift in several East Asian economies.

Top atheist countries in 2025

What’s behind the atheist surge?

According to World Population Review, atheism is not merely the rejection of religion—it’s often a reflection of individualism, scientific thinking, and cultural secularism.

In places like Macau, South Korea, and Hong Kong, rapid economic development, high education levels, and digital lifestyles have contributed to lower religious adherence.

South Korea, in particular, represents a fascinating case. Despite the strong presence of Christianity and Buddhism, more than half of the population now identifies with no religion, a trend attributed to younger generations prioritising personal freedom over traditional norms.

The World Population Review further elaborates that the lack of religious affiliation is particularly high in urbanised nations with advanced welfare systems, strong public education, and a separation of religion from state affairs. These conditions often reduce the societal dependence on religious institutions.

Countries like the UK, Canada, Australia, and the Netherlands mirror this trend, though at slightly lower percentages.

Meanwhile, Japan's 19.1% atheist rate aligns with its long-standing cultural approach, where Shintoism and Buddhism function more as philosophies and rituals than as faith-based doctrines.

Travellers’ information will be cross-referenced with data from foreign embassies to identify individuals on watchlists or blacklists. The data will then be shared with the Tourist Police and local law enforcement units for monitoring and tracking purposes.

Pol Gen Kittharath said travellers entering Thailand on tourist or student visas will be subject to heightened scrutiny.

The announcement comes in response to increasing concerns about prostitution networks operated by foreign nationals in key nightlife districts such as Sukhumvit, Soi Cowboy, and Nana in Bangkok.

 The ban, which has sparked concern across academic and diplomatic circles, is seen by Beijing as yet another sign of rising diplomatic tensions between the two powers.

“It’s like creating a highway for drug delivery,” said Chang Lingqian, a professor at Beihang University’s School of Biological and Medical Engineering. "This study has already been applied in medical aesthetics and skin trauma repair, and it holds great promise for future treatments of major health issues like cancer and trauma," Chang added.

Using a combination of flexible electronics and nano-pore technology , the patch gently perforates cell membranes with ultra-high electric field strength, allowing drug molecules, especially large-molecule therapies, to enter targeted tissues with precision.

The device is wirelessly powered and as thin as a sheet of paper, making it both discreet and effective.

A research team from Huazhong Agricultural University found that QT12 interacts with the NF-Y protein complex to protect developing grains during extreme heat, stabilising starch and protein synthesis even under environmental stress, the Tribune reports.

In field trials conducted during last year’s record-breaking heatwaves, rice plants modified with QT12 showed remarkable results. When inserted into the hybrid rice variety “Huazhan,” yields increased by up to 77.9% in cities across China’s Yangtze River basin, a region that produces two-thirds of the country's rice.

“These results demonstrate QT12’s potential as a powerful tool to combat yield loss caused by rising global temperatures. This gene offers a novel molecular strategy to breed rice that performs well under heat stress without compromising quality,” said Li Yibo, the study’s corresponding author.

Li added that the discovery not only provides insight into the molecular mechanisms of heat tolerance in rice but also opens new avenues for developing climate-resilient crop varieties.

The research team is now collaborating with domestic agricultural companies to fasten the integration of QT12 into commercial rice breeding programs.

"Seeing all of the flowers in bloom is completely different. It's gorgeous, it's beautiful. Honestly, there are no words to describe how nice it is out here," said Brittany Nichole, one of the many attendees.

Another visitor, Desiree Aleisha, added, "I've never seen anything like it in my life, and it's worth it to come out."

Sonia Paul, a 39-year-old tourist, praised Japan’s deep appreciation for nature and its seasons. "Spectacular is the word," she said. "I love how Japan is so seasonal and celebrates its seasons with different flowers."

She noted the unique ways the park commemorates the wisteria bloom, offering items like scented pillows, keychains, and even wisteria-flavoured ice cream.

Wisterias typically bloom in Japan during May, though the timing can shift based on weather conditions and local climates.

“If you have to protect the economy , you're not winning. You're in defence. The U.S. is afraid of China because China is so productive, low-cost, hyper competitive,” Sachs said.

The remarks come amid a renewed Trump-led campaign for the White House, during which he has doubled down on his “America First” trade agenda. Trump has frequently claimed that the U.S. is “winning” against foreign competitors, particularly China, through tariffs and reshoring initiatives.

But Sachs dismisses this as superficial showmanship, arguing that the numbers and the global demand for Chinese goods tell a different story.

Sachs also took aim at U.S. claims that China suffers from “overcapacity,” a term used by American officials to describe what they view as China producing more than global markets can absorb. In contributing to the debate, Sachs stated, “That just means America has undercapacity. That’s all it means. The world needs what China can produce, and it wants it.”

“Trump is a good showman. He's filled with bluster,” Sachs added. “He says, ‘I'm a winner, we’re a winner,’ but what does it really mean when you have to win by imposing barriers against China?”

Meanwhile, Trump has hinted at a possible softening of his trade war stance with China, stating that the steep tariffs currently in place, some exceeding 145%, “will come down substantially, but it won’t be zero.”

“Instability and uncertainty are on the rise,” Li said, adding, “At this time, I think it’s even more important for each of our countries to open up their markets more, and our companies, our businesses, should be sharing their resources more.”

The forum, a key platform for dialogue between Chinese policymakers and global business leaders, comes amid escalating trade tensions between Beijing and Washington. With the possibility of  Donald Trump returning to the White House, fears of a renewed U.S.-China trade war loom large, threatening China’s export-driven growth, the AFP reports.

China has been under mounting pressure from Western economies, particularly the United States , which has tightened trade restrictions and imposed tariffs on Chinese goods. Despite this, Li Qiang emphasised China’s commitment to global economic integration, positioning Beijing as a proponent of open markets and cross-border collaboration.

The China Development Forum, which brings together international executives and Chinese officials, serves as a key indicator of Beijing’s economic direction.