Feature: German TCM apprentice finds living wisdom in Chinese culture
LANZHOU, June 11 (Xinhua) -- On a mountain trail in China, when a young woman suddenly lost consciousness, Joel Mikael Walker acted before the crowd around him had time to decide what to do.
The German student of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), bent down beside her, tapped the inside of her elbows and stimulated several acupoints. He watched for signs that the body was responding. Several minutes later, when the woman's pulse could be felt again, he allowed himself to relax.
A video of the rescue soon went viral online. Many Chinese viewers were struck not only by Walker's command of TCM techniques, but also by the way he spoke: a blond-haired German speaking fluent Chinese, and often in a Henan dialect that made him sound, to many, unexpectedly local.
Walker, 31, has been studying TCM in central China's Henan Province for over a decade.
Recently invited to attend a Sinologist conference in Dunhuang, northwest China's Gansu Province, Walker said his years in China had changed his understanding of Chinese culture. It was not, he said, a fixed collection of symbols preserved behind museum glass, but a living body of thought that continues to address the spiritual dilemmas people are currently facing, especially in a world marked by uncertainty.
His fascination began almost accidentally, in his youth, when he first encountered the ideas of yin and yang and the five elements. The fragments Walker read were enough to unsettle him.
"The way of thinking, which understands the universe as a dynamically balanced whole, gave me an unprecedented shock," he recalled.
That shock eventually carried him to Henan, a province often described as part of the heartland of Chinese civilization. The early days were difficult. The language was unfamiliar, daily habits were different, and the specialized vocabulary of TCM could be demanding even for native Chinese speakers.
At first, Walker said, he could hardly pronounce terms such as yin-yang and the five elements properly. Soon he was memorizing herbal prescriptions, identifying acupoints and learning diagnostic methods.
...
2026-06-11 13:42:45
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]
LANZHOU, June 11 (Xinhua) -- On a mountain trail in China, when a young woman suddenly lost consciousness, Joel Mikael Walker acted before the crowd around him had time to decide what to do.
The German student of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), bent down beside her, tapped the inside of her elbows and stimulated several acupoints. He watched for signs that the body was responding. Several minutes later, when the woman's pulse could be felt again, he allowed himself to relax.
A video of the rescue soon went viral online. Many Chinese viewers were struck not only by Walker's command of TCM techniques, but also by the way he spoke: a blond-haired German speaking fluent Chinese, and often in a Henan dialect that made him sound, to many, unexpectedly local.
Walker, 31, has been studying TCM in central China's Henan Province for over a decade.
Recently invited to attend a Sinologist conference in Dunhuang, northwest China's Gansu Province, Walker said his years in China had changed his understanding of Chinese culture. It was not, he said, a fixed collection of symbols preserved behind museum glass, but a living body of thought that continues to address the spiritual dilemmas people are currently facing, especially in a world marked by uncertainty.
His fascination began almost accidentally, in his youth, when he first encountered the ideas of yin and yang and the five elements. The fragments Walker read were enough to unsettle him.
"The way of thinking, which understands the universe as a dynamically balanced whole, gave me an unprecedented shock," he recalled.
That shock eventually carried him to Henan, a province often described as part of the heartland of Chinese civilization. The early days were difficult. The language was unfamiliar, daily habits were different, and the specialized vocabulary of TCM could be demanding even for native Chinese speakers.
At first, Walker said, he could hardly pronounce terms such as yin-yang and the five elements properly. Soon he was memorizing herbal prescriptions, identifying acupoints and learning diagnostic methods.
...
2026-06-11 13:42:45
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]
Pakistan eyes 4 pct economic growth in next fiscal year
ISLAMABAD, June 11 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan's National Economic Council (NEC), the country's highest constitutional body for economic planning, on Wednesday approved a national development budget of 3.669 trillion Pakistani rupees (about 13 billion U.S. dollars) for the fiscal year 2026-27 and set a 4-percent economic growth target for the next fiscal year.
The decisions were made at an NEC meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad, according to a statement from the Prime Minister's Office.
The council approved allocations of 1 trillion rupees for the federal Public Sector Development Program, 2.218 trillion rupees for provincial development programs, and 451 billion rupees for state-owned enterprises.
The meeting also approved a 3.7-percent GDP growth rate for fiscal year 2025-26.
Sharif said an export-led economy remains the government's top priority and stressed closer coordination between federal and provincial governments to achieve sustainable growth.
The prime minister identified population growth, health challenges, child stunting, out-of-school children and youth unemployment as major national concerns, adding that efforts are underway to equip young people with technical and vocational skills.
The council also approved 11 economic development missions under the government's "Uraan Pakistan" initiative and directed relevant authorities to prepare implementation roadmaps. ■
2026-06-11 13:44:30
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]
ISLAMABAD, June 11 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan's National Economic Council (NEC), the country's highest constitutional body for economic planning, on Wednesday approved a national development budget of 3.669 trillion Pakistani rupees (about 13 billion U.S. dollars) for the fiscal year 2026-27 and set a 4-percent economic growth target for the next fiscal year.
The decisions were made at an NEC meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad, according to a statement from the Prime Minister's Office.
The council approved allocations of 1 trillion rupees for the federal Public Sector Development Program, 2.218 trillion rupees for provincial development programs, and 451 billion rupees for state-owned enterprises.
The meeting also approved a 3.7-percent GDP growth rate for fiscal year 2025-26.
Sharif said an export-led economy remains the government's top priority and stressed closer coordination between federal and provincial governments to achieve sustainable growth.
The prime minister identified population growth, health challenges, child stunting, out-of-school children and youth unemployment as major national concerns, adding that efforts are underway to equip young people with technical and vocational skills.
The council also approved 11 economic development missions under the government's "Uraan Pakistan" initiative and directed relevant authorities to prepare implementation roadmaps. ■
2026-06-11 13:44:30
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]
Iran's president says U.S. infrastructure threats show desperation
TEHRAN, June 11 (Xinhua) -- Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Wednesday that U.S. threats to target Iran's critical infrastructure are a sign of its desperation in the face of the nation's will.
He made the remarks in a post on social media platform X, reacting to threats uttered earlier in the day by U.S. President Donald Trump, who said he may order new strikes on Iran's power plants and bridges over Tehran's "delay" in signing a deal with Washington.
"Vital infrastructure constitutes the people's lifeblood. Threatening to target them, from transportation networks to the electricity and water industries, is not a show of power, but a sign of desperation in the face of a nation's will," Pezeshkian said.
He expressed confidence that by relying on its experts' knowledge and capabilities as well as national unity and solidarity, Iran will stand firm against any pressure and threat.
In a post on Truth Social on Wednesday, Trump said that Iran has "taken too long to negotiate a deal" and will now "have to pay the price."
Trump also suggested he may order new strikes on Iran's power plants and bridges, Fox News reported on Wednesday, citing a phone interview.
"I may keep going," Trump said during the interview. "They had a chance to sign a deal and survive."
Trump's remarks came as the U.S. Central Command said on X early Wednesday that its forces had completed "self-defense" strikes against Iranian targets in response to the "downing of a U.S. Army Apache helicopter," adding that the operation was a "proportional response to recent attacks on U.S. forces and international commercial ships transiting regional waters."
Meanwhile, Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps said that it had carried out missile and drone strikes against U.S. bases in Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan early Wednesday, adding that the United States had attacked locations in Jask and Sirik counties and on Qeshm Island in southern Iran. ■
2026-06-11 13:44:45
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]
TEHRAN, June 11 (Xinhua) -- Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Wednesday that U.S. threats to target Iran's critical infrastructure are a sign of its desperation in the face of the nation's will.
He made the remarks in a post on social media platform X, reacting to threats uttered earlier in the day by U.S. President Donald Trump, who said he may order new strikes on Iran's power plants and bridges over Tehran's "delay" in signing a deal with Washington.
"Vital infrastructure constitutes the people's lifeblood. Threatening to target them, from transportation networks to the electricity and water industries, is not a show of power, but a sign of desperation in the face of a nation's will," Pezeshkian said.
He expressed confidence that by relying on its experts' knowledge and capabilities as well as national unity and solidarity, Iran will stand firm against any pressure and threat.
In a post on Truth Social on Wednesday, Trump said that Iran has "taken too long to negotiate a deal" and will now "have to pay the price."
Trump also suggested he may order new strikes on Iran's power plants and bridges, Fox News reported on Wednesday, citing a phone interview.
"I may keep going," Trump said during the interview. "They had a chance to sign a deal and survive."
Trump's remarks came as the U.S. Central Command said on X early Wednesday that its forces had completed "self-defense" strikes against Iranian targets in response to the "downing of a U.S. Army Apache helicopter," adding that the operation was a "proportional response to recent attacks on U.S. forces and international commercial ships transiting regional waters."
Meanwhile, Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps said that it had carried out missile and drone strikes against U.S. bases in Bahrain, Kuwait and Jordan early Wednesday, adding that the United States had attacked locations in Jask and Sirik counties and on Qeshm Island in southern Iran. ■
2026-06-11 13:44:45
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]
China to further improve citizens' civil, political rights protection mechanisms in next five years
BEIJING, June 11 (Xinhua) -- China has pledged to further improve the mechanisms for protecting citizens' civil and political rights, according to a report released on Thursday by the State Council Information Office.
The National Human Rights Action Plan of China (2026-2030), released at the opening of the 2026 Forum on Global Human Rights Governance, outlines China's work to protect human rights in the next five years.
China will further refine the institutions, standards, and procedures for whole-process people's democracy, expand orderly public participation in political affairs, and guarantee that the people engage in democratic elections, consultations, decision-making, management, and oversight in accordance with the law.
The country will guarantee the people's extensive rights and freedoms as prescribed by law, strengthen legal protection of human rights, and ensure that the respect for and protection of human rights run through all aspects and the entire process of legislation, law enforcement, judicature, and law observance, according to the action plan. ■
2026-06-11 13:45:30
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]
BEIJING, June 11 (Xinhua) -- China has pledged to further improve the mechanisms for protecting citizens' civil and political rights, according to a report released on Thursday by the State Council Information Office.
The National Human Rights Action Plan of China (2026-2030), released at the opening of the 2026 Forum on Global Human Rights Governance, outlines China's work to protect human rights in the next five years.
China will further refine the institutions, standards, and procedures for whole-process people's democracy, expand orderly public participation in political affairs, and guarantee that the people engage in democratic elections, consultations, decision-making, management, and oversight in accordance with the law.
The country will guarantee the people's extensive rights and freedoms as prescribed by law, strengthen legal protection of human rights, and ensure that the respect for and protection of human rights run through all aspects and the entire process of legislation, law enforcement, judicature, and law observance, according to the action plan. ■
2026-06-11 13:45:30
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]
Thailand sees rising tourist arrivals in May
BANGKOK, June 11 (Xinhua) -- Thailand welcomed 2.35 million international tourist arrivals in May, representing a year-on-year increase of 3.54 percent, official data revealed Thursday.
Deputy Government Spokesperson Ploytalay Laksameesangchan said tourism earnings from foreign visitors hit 108 billion baht (about 3.26 billion U.S. dollars) last month, rising 12.77 percent from the same period a year earlier, with Malaysia, China, India, Russia and Singapore ranking the top five tourist source markets for the month.
The Southeast Asian nation received a total of 14,515,978 foreign tourists from Jan. 1 to June 7 this year, bringing cumulative tourism revenue to 701.36 billion baht, according to the spokesperson.
China led the list with 2,386,714 arrivals, Ploytalay said, adding that a moderate uptick in inbound tourist numbers is projected for the current week, as travel demand from major markets gradually returns to normal.
"Ongoing tensions in the Middle East have pushed up air fares and general transportation costs significantly, which has reshaped global travel patterns. More travelers are opting out of long-haul trips and keeping a tighter control over travel expenses," the spokesperson noted.
Ploytalay said that aside from tapping into international tourism revenue, the Thai government is stepping up efforts to revitalize its domestic tourism sector by promoting short-distance and convenient trips, while revamping the tourism sector to keep pace with emerging global trends that prioritize sustainability, energy conservation and high-quality travel experiences. ■
2026-06-11 13:49:15
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]
BANGKOK, June 11 (Xinhua) -- Thailand welcomed 2.35 million international tourist arrivals in May, representing a year-on-year increase of 3.54 percent, official data revealed Thursday.
Deputy Government Spokesperson Ploytalay Laksameesangchan said tourism earnings from foreign visitors hit 108 billion baht (about 3.26 billion U.S. dollars) last month, rising 12.77 percent from the same period a year earlier, with Malaysia, China, India, Russia and Singapore ranking the top five tourist source markets for the month.
The Southeast Asian nation received a total of 14,515,978 foreign tourists from Jan. 1 to June 7 this year, bringing cumulative tourism revenue to 701.36 billion baht, according to the spokesperson.
China led the list with 2,386,714 arrivals, Ploytalay said, adding that a moderate uptick in inbound tourist numbers is projected for the current week, as travel demand from major markets gradually returns to normal.
"Ongoing tensions in the Middle East have pushed up air fares and general transportation costs significantly, which has reshaped global travel patterns. More travelers are opting out of long-haul trips and keeping a tighter control over travel expenses," the spokesperson noted.
Ploytalay said that aside from tapping into international tourism revenue, the Thai government is stepping up efforts to revitalize its domestic tourism sector by promoting short-distance and convenient trips, while revamping the tourism sector to keep pace with emerging global trends that prioritize sustainability, energy conservation and high-quality travel experiences. ■
2026-06-11 13:49:15
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]
Sri Lanka advances storage plans to support renewable power expansion
COLOMBO, June 11 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka is moving ahead with energy storage and grid upgrade plans as it prepares to increase the share of renewable electricity in the national power supply by 2030.
Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya told the parliament on Wednesday that the government has already completed procurement for 160 MW of battery energy storage capacity. Cabinet approval has also been granted to proceed with procurement for two additional battery storage projects with capacities of 250 MW and 50 MW.
The government is studying pumped hydro energy storage systems and assessing options to increase the capacity of existing hydropower plants. These measures are expected to support grid stability as the country adds more renewable energy, including solar and wind power, to the system.
Sri Lanka has set a target of generating 70 percent of its electricity from renewable energy sources by 2030. The Prime Minister said the government has prepared the required plans and has begun implementation to meet that target.
Under the Sustainable Energy Authority's Renewable Energy Development Plan, which covers the period from 2025 to 2030, Sri Lanka plans to add 1,274 MW of wind power and 2,071 MW of solar power to the national grid.
The expansion will be carried out through the country's long-term generation plan and a range of procurement mechanisms aimed at enabling greater integration of clean energy into the grid. The Prime Minister said work is also underway to strengthen and expand the national transmission and distribution network so it can accommodate a higher share of renewable energy. ■
2026-06-11 13:52:45
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]
COLOMBO, June 11 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka is moving ahead with energy storage and grid upgrade plans as it prepares to increase the share of renewable electricity in the national power supply by 2030.
Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya told the parliament on Wednesday that the government has already completed procurement for 160 MW of battery energy storage capacity. Cabinet approval has also been granted to proceed with procurement for two additional battery storage projects with capacities of 250 MW and 50 MW.
The government is studying pumped hydro energy storage systems and assessing options to increase the capacity of existing hydropower plants. These measures are expected to support grid stability as the country adds more renewable energy, including solar and wind power, to the system.
Sri Lanka has set a target of generating 70 percent of its electricity from renewable energy sources by 2030. The Prime Minister said the government has prepared the required plans and has begun implementation to meet that target.
Under the Sustainable Energy Authority's Renewable Energy Development Plan, which covers the period from 2025 to 2030, Sri Lanka plans to add 1,274 MW of wind power and 2,071 MW of solar power to the national grid.
The expansion will be carried out through the country's long-term generation plan and a range of procurement mechanisms aimed at enabling greater integration of clean energy into the grid. The Prime Minister said work is also underway to strengthen and expand the national transmission and distribution network so it can accommodate a higher share of renewable energy. ■
2026-06-11 13:52:45
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]
Cambodian minister urges public to join annual million-tree planting campaign to boost forest cover
PHNOM PENH, June 11 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Minister of Environment Eang Sophalleth on Thursday urged people from all walks of life to join the ongoing campaign to plant at least 1 million trees per year, aiming to expand the country's forest cover and combat climate change.
To support the campaign, the ministry has prepared 5 million tree saplings for free distribution to the public this year, Sophalleth said, adding that citizens, educational institutions, local authorities, communities and organizations are encouraged to obtain saplings and participate actively in tree-planting activities throughout the country.
The minister said five regional tree nurseries have been established to produce millions of quality saplings annually for distribution to the public.
"Increasing forest cover is a key component of Cambodia's climate strategy and supports the country's commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050," Sophalleth said in a news release.
According to the Ministry of Environment, Cambodia has 73 protected areas covering more than 41 percent of the Southeast Asian country's land area. ■
2026-06-11 13:57:30
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]
PHNOM PENH, June 11 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Minister of Environment Eang Sophalleth on Thursday urged people from all walks of life to join the ongoing campaign to plant at least 1 million trees per year, aiming to expand the country's forest cover and combat climate change.
To support the campaign, the ministry has prepared 5 million tree saplings for free distribution to the public this year, Sophalleth said, adding that citizens, educational institutions, local authorities, communities and organizations are encouraged to obtain saplings and participate actively in tree-planting activities throughout the country.
The minister said five regional tree nurseries have been established to produce millions of quality saplings annually for distribution to the public.
"Increasing forest cover is a key component of Cambodia's climate strategy and supports the country's commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050," Sophalleth said in a news release.
According to the Ministry of Environment, Cambodia has 73 protected areas covering more than 41 percent of the Southeast Asian country's land area. ■
2026-06-11 13:57:30
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]
Infantino highlights World Cup's power to unite
MEXICO CITY, June 10 (Xinhua) -- FIFA President Gianni Infantino said Wednesday that the FIFA World Cup would serve as a global celebration of football as the tournament prepared to kick off across the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Speaking on the eve of the opening match between Mexico and South Africa at Mexico City's Azteca Stadium, Infantino described the tournament as "a moment of joy, a moment of celebration, a moment of happiness", urging attention to remain on the pitch.
"If you want to criticize me, criticize me. It's fine, it's okay," Infantino told reporters. "But promote the unity of the World Cup, promote people coming to the World Cup, feeling those emotions that all of you have been feeling when you were children and I hope you can still feel them now because we want to unite the world."
Infantino said the expanded tournament was already breaking records before a ball had been kicked.
He noted that more than six million tickets had been sold and that 17,000 media representatives were accredited across the tournament's 16 host cities.
The competition will feature 48 teams and 104 matches, with a global audience of six billion people expected to tune in on television.
"We want to host the biggest, the best, the greatest, the most inclusive World Cup in the history of FIFA," Infantino said.
He added that supporters remained at the heart of the tournament, pointing out that the World Cup's reach extended far beyond the stadiums.
"The fans make the World Cup, of course, what it is," he said. "There will be many more millions in the fan zones, fan fests, watch parties, not just in the three host countries but everywhere in the world."
Infantino also pointed to the participation of Iran as an example of football's ability to bring nations together despite challenges.
"When people were saying, well, it would be impossible for Iran to come to the World Cup, I told them and I promised them that they would come," he said.
"If I had to go with a bus to Tehran and drive them here, I would do that. I'm very happy that we managed to get Iran to come and play in this World Cup."
...
2026-06-11 13:59:30
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]
MEXICO CITY, June 10 (Xinhua) -- FIFA President Gianni Infantino said Wednesday that the FIFA World Cup would serve as a global celebration of football as the tournament prepared to kick off across the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Speaking on the eve of the opening match between Mexico and South Africa at Mexico City's Azteca Stadium, Infantino described the tournament as "a moment of joy, a moment of celebration, a moment of happiness", urging attention to remain on the pitch.
"If you want to criticize me, criticize me. It's fine, it's okay," Infantino told reporters. "But promote the unity of the World Cup, promote people coming to the World Cup, feeling those emotions that all of you have been feeling when you were children and I hope you can still feel them now because we want to unite the world."
Infantino said the expanded tournament was already breaking records before a ball had been kicked.
He noted that more than six million tickets had been sold and that 17,000 media representatives were accredited across the tournament's 16 host cities.
The competition will feature 48 teams and 104 matches, with a global audience of six billion people expected to tune in on television.
"We want to host the biggest, the best, the greatest, the most inclusive World Cup in the history of FIFA," Infantino said.
He added that supporters remained at the heart of the tournament, pointing out that the World Cup's reach extended far beyond the stadiums.
"The fans make the World Cup, of course, what it is," he said. "There will be many more millions in the fan zones, fan fests, watch parties, not just in the three host countries but everywhere in the world."
Infantino also pointed to the participation of Iran as an example of football's ability to bring nations together despite challenges.
"When people were saying, well, it would be impossible for Iran to come to the World Cup, I told them and I promised them that they would come," he said.
"If I had to go with a bus to Tehran and drive them here, I would do that. I'm very happy that we managed to get Iran to come and play in this World Cup."
...
2026-06-11 13:59:30
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]
Roundup: S. Korea's employment logs 1st fall in 17 months in May
SEOUL, June 11 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's employment logged the first fall in 17 months amid the prolonged Middle East conflict, statistical ministry data showed Thursday.
The number of employed people aged 15 and older shrank 40,000, or 0.1 percent, from a year earlier to 29.12 million in May, marking the first reduction since December 2024, according to the Ministry of Data and Statistics.
Even with a semiconductor boom, manufacturing jobs sharply declined as the Middle East conflict dragged on.
Employment among manufacturers tumbled 140,000 in May from a year earlier, maintaining a downward trend for 23 straight months.
It was more than double April's loss of 55,000, recording the biggest contraction since February 2019.
Jobs lost in the construction industry reached 43,000, continuing to go down for 25 consecutive months.
The number of jobs in the health and social welfare service, the arts, sports and leisure service, and the transport and warehousing industries advanced 212,000, 44,000 and 36,000 each.
The overall employment was driven by the elderly. The number of jobs for those aged 60 and older gained 171,000 in May on a yearly basis, while the figures for those in their 30s and 50s swelled 62,000 and 25,000 each.
Employment among those in their 20s and 40s reduced 251,000 and 43,000 each in the cited month.
The number of regular and irregular workers fell 7,000 and 121,000 each, while the reading for daily laborers climbed 14,000.
The number of the self-employed who hired employees added 80,000, and the figure for the self-employed without workers increased 29,000.
Employment rate for those aged 15 and older retreated 0.5 percentage points over the year to 63.3 percent in May, while the OECD-method hiring rate for those aged 15-64 slipped 0.3 percentage points to 70.2 percent.
The number of unemployed people totaled 878,000 in May, up 25,000 from a year earlier. The unemployment rate was up 0.1 percentage point to 2.9 percent.
The expanded jobless rate dipped 0.3 percentage points to 8.5 percent in the cited month, while the corresponding rate for those aged 15-29 added 0.3 percentage points to 16.6 percent.
...
2026-06-11 14:07:15
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]
SEOUL, June 11 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's employment logged the first fall in 17 months amid the prolonged Middle East conflict, statistical ministry data showed Thursday.
The number of employed people aged 15 and older shrank 40,000, or 0.1 percent, from a year earlier to 29.12 million in May, marking the first reduction since December 2024, according to the Ministry of Data and Statistics.
Even with a semiconductor boom, manufacturing jobs sharply declined as the Middle East conflict dragged on.
Employment among manufacturers tumbled 140,000 in May from a year earlier, maintaining a downward trend for 23 straight months.
It was more than double April's loss of 55,000, recording the biggest contraction since February 2019.
Jobs lost in the construction industry reached 43,000, continuing to go down for 25 consecutive months.
The number of jobs in the health and social welfare service, the arts, sports and leisure service, and the transport and warehousing industries advanced 212,000, 44,000 and 36,000 each.
The overall employment was driven by the elderly. The number of jobs for those aged 60 and older gained 171,000 in May on a yearly basis, while the figures for those in their 30s and 50s swelled 62,000 and 25,000 each.
Employment among those in their 20s and 40s reduced 251,000 and 43,000 each in the cited month.
The number of regular and irregular workers fell 7,000 and 121,000 each, while the reading for daily laborers climbed 14,000.
The number of the self-employed who hired employees added 80,000, and the figure for the self-employed without workers increased 29,000.
Employment rate for those aged 15 and older retreated 0.5 percentage points over the year to 63.3 percent in May, while the OECD-method hiring rate for those aged 15-64 slipped 0.3 percentage points to 70.2 percent.
The number of unemployed people totaled 878,000 in May, up 25,000 from a year earlier. The unemployment rate was up 0.1 percentage point to 2.9 percent.
The expanded jobless rate dipped 0.3 percentage points to 8.5 percent in the cited month, while the corresponding rate for those aged 15-29 added 0.3 percentage points to 16.6 percent.
...
2026-06-11 14:07:15
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]
Milu deer population keeps steady rise in China's Inner Mongolia
HOHHOT, June 11 (Xinhua) -- The population of milu deer in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region has been growing steadily, reaching 74 after the first batch of 27 deer was introduced in 2021, according to the regional forestry and grassland bureau.
This marks a major achievement in China's efforts to rebuild a rare species population in alpine and frigid zones north of 40 degrees north latitude.
Milu deer, a rare species worldwide, have been successfully reintroduced into the wild in China. On Sept. 29, 2021, the National Forestry and Grassland Administration and the China Wildlife Conservation Association jointly released 27 milu deer into the Daqingshan National Nature Reserve in Inner Mongolia. In May 2022, nine milu deer fawns were born. It was the first generation of offspring born to the milu deer that were released into the wild in the region. It was also the first time a wild milu deer population was established in the transition zone between north China and the Mongolian plateau region.
According to researchers, the deer were fitted with BeiDou satellite positioning collars to track their movements and home ranges in real time. During breeding seasons, a dual monitoring system combining 24-hour infrared cameras and on-site human observation was activated. Measures such as winter supplementary feeding, wetland restoration, water source improvement, and controlled human disturbance have been implemented to continuously optimize their living environment.
Through several consecutive years of natural breeding during calving seasons, the total milu deer population in Inner Mongolia has reached 74, an increase of 174 percent compared to the initial release. The population has maintained natural reproduction for five years in a row, indicating a more balanced age structure and expanding range.
Milu deer, also known as Pere David's deer, are endemic to China where they bear the nickname "sibuxiang," or "like none of the four" due to their unique features -- a horse's face, a donkey's tail, cow-like hooves and a stag's antlers.
...
2026-06-11 14:15:30
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]
HOHHOT, June 11 (Xinhua) -- The population of milu deer in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region has been growing steadily, reaching 74 after the first batch of 27 deer was introduced in 2021, according to the regional forestry and grassland bureau.
This marks a major achievement in China's efforts to rebuild a rare species population in alpine and frigid zones north of 40 degrees north latitude.
Milu deer, a rare species worldwide, have been successfully reintroduced into the wild in China. On Sept. 29, 2021, the National Forestry and Grassland Administration and the China Wildlife Conservation Association jointly released 27 milu deer into the Daqingshan National Nature Reserve in Inner Mongolia. In May 2022, nine milu deer fawns were born. It was the first generation of offspring born to the milu deer that were released into the wild in the region. It was also the first time a wild milu deer population was established in the transition zone between north China and the Mongolian plateau region.
According to researchers, the deer were fitted with BeiDou satellite positioning collars to track their movements and home ranges in real time. During breeding seasons, a dual monitoring system combining 24-hour infrared cameras and on-site human observation was activated. Measures such as winter supplementary feeding, wetland restoration, water source improvement, and controlled human disturbance have been implemented to continuously optimize their living environment.
Through several consecutive years of natural breeding during calving seasons, the total milu deer population in Inner Mongolia has reached 74, an increase of 174 percent compared to the initial release. The population has maintained natural reproduction for five years in a row, indicating a more balanced age structure and expanding range.
Milu deer, also known as Pere David's deer, are endemic to China where they bear the nickname "sibuxiang," or "like none of the four" due to their unique features -- a horse's face, a donkey's tail, cow-like hooves and a stag's antlers.
...
2026-06-11 14:15:30
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]
South Africa to play Mexico in opening match of FIFA World Cup 2026
[Media]
South Africa's Teboho Mokoena attends a press conference in Mexico City, Mexico, June 10, 2026. South Africa will play Mexico in the opening match of the FIFA World Cup 2026 on June 11. (Photo by Lucio Tavora/Xinhua)
[Media]
South Africa's Teboho Mokoena attends a press conference in Mexico City, Mexico, June 10, 2026. South Africa will play Mexico in the opening match of the FIFA World Cup 2026 on June 11. (Photo by Lucio Tavora/Xinhua)
[Media]
South Africa's head coach Hugo Broos speaks during a press conference in Mexico City, Mexico, June 10, 2026. South Africa will play Mexico in the opening match of the FIFA World Cup 2026 on June 11. (Photo by Lucio Tavora/Xinhua)
[Media]
South Africa's head coach Hugo Broos speaks during a press conference in Mexico City, Mexico, June 10, 2026. South Africa will play Mexico in the opening match of the FIFA World Cup 2026 on June 11. (Photo by Lucio Tavora/Xinhua)
2026-06-11 14:27:01
[新华网] [Full Text]
[Media]
South Africa's Teboho Mokoena attends a press conference in Mexico City, Mexico, June 10, 2026. South Africa will play Mexico in the opening match of the FIFA World Cup 2026 on June 11. (Photo by Lucio Tavora/Xinhua)
[Media]
South Africa's Teboho Mokoena attends a press conference in Mexico City, Mexico, June 10, 2026. South Africa will play Mexico in the opening match of the FIFA World Cup 2026 on June 11. (Photo by Lucio Tavora/Xinhua)
[Media]
South Africa's head coach Hugo Broos speaks during a press conference in Mexico City, Mexico, June 10, 2026. South Africa will play Mexico in the opening match of the FIFA World Cup 2026 on June 11. (Photo by Lucio Tavora/Xinhua)
[Media]
South Africa's head coach Hugo Broos speaks during a press conference in Mexico City, Mexico, June 10, 2026. South Africa will play Mexico in the opening match of the FIFA World Cup 2026 on June 11. (Photo by Lucio Tavora/Xinhua)
2026-06-11 14:27:01
[新华网] [Full Text]
Over 1.2 mln Vietnamese students sit national high school graduation exam
HANOI, June 11 (Xinhua) -- More than 1.2 million students across Vietnam took the national high school graduation exam on Thursday, Vietnam News Agency reported.
The exam comprises two compulsory subjects -- mathematics and literature -- plus two elective subjects chosen from the following: physics, chemistry, biology, industrial technology, agricultural technology, informatics, foreign languages, history, geography, and economics and law, the report said.
The number of private candidates exceeded 63,800 this year, marking the highest figure since 2020, local media VnExpress reported.
The national high school graduation examination is set to last one and a half days from Thursday to Friday, the media added.
Since 2015, Vietnam has adopted this exam to award high school graduation credentials, and its results also serve as the main admission criterion for universities and colleges. ■
2026-06-11 14:21:15
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]
HANOI, June 11 (Xinhua) -- More than 1.2 million students across Vietnam took the national high school graduation exam on Thursday, Vietnam News Agency reported.
The exam comprises two compulsory subjects -- mathematics and literature -- plus two elective subjects chosen from the following: physics, chemistry, biology, industrial technology, agricultural technology, informatics, foreign languages, history, geography, and economics and law, the report said.
The number of private candidates exceeded 63,800 this year, marking the highest figure since 2020, local media VnExpress reported.
The national high school graduation examination is set to last one and a half days from Thursday to Friday, the media added.
Since 2015, Vietnam has adopted this exam to award high school graduation credentials, and its results also serve as the main admission criterion for universities and colleges. ■
2026-06-11 14:21:15
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]
Vietnam capital proposes bond issuance to support development
HANOI, June 11 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam's capital Hanoi has submitted a draft resolution on bond issuance and borrowing mechanisms to mobilize resources for strategic projects during 2026-2035, the Vietnam News Agency reported Thursday.
Under the document, the city would be allowed to issue local government bonds, project bonds, construction bonds and green bonds, as well as borrow from credit institutions and the state treasury to finance development under the 2026 Capital Law, said the report.
City authorities said funding demand will be substantial over the next decade, particularly for transport infrastructure, environmental treatment projects, digital transformation and smart city development, as state budget funding will be insufficient to meet investment needs.
The proposed resolution aims to diversify medium- and long-term funding sources and attract domestic and international investors and financial institutions, while ensuring borrowing stays within legal debt limits and the city's repayment capacity.
The draft is expected to be considered by the municipal People's Council at its meeting scheduled for June 12-16. ■
2026-06-11 14:26:00
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]
HANOI, June 11 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam's capital Hanoi has submitted a draft resolution on bond issuance and borrowing mechanisms to mobilize resources for strategic projects during 2026-2035, the Vietnam News Agency reported Thursday.
Under the document, the city would be allowed to issue local government bonds, project bonds, construction bonds and green bonds, as well as borrow from credit institutions and the state treasury to finance development under the 2026 Capital Law, said the report.
City authorities said funding demand will be substantial over the next decade, particularly for transport infrastructure, environmental treatment projects, digital transformation and smart city development, as state budget funding will be insufficient to meet investment needs.
The proposed resolution aims to diversify medium- and long-term funding sources and attract domestic and international investors and financial institutions, while ensuring borrowing stays within legal debt limits and the city's repayment capacity.
The draft is expected to be considered by the municipal People's Council at its meeting scheduled for June 12-16. ■
2026-06-11 14:26:00
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]
5.3-million-year-old whale graveyard hotspot found in Indian Ocean
BEIJING, June 11 (Xinhua) -- Scientists have discovered the world's deepest and largest collection of whale remains on the ocean floor, a site they call a "whale necropolis."
Located in the Diamantina Zone of the southeastern Indian Ocean, at depths of up to 7,000 meters, the find includes both ancient fossils and active whale-fall ecosystems that have been forming for at least 5.3 million years.
The study, conducted by the Institute of Deep-sea Science and Engineering (IDSSE) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in collaboration with the University of Pisa in Italy and Earth Sciences New Zealand in Wellington, has been published in the latest issue of the journal Nature.
Whale falls occur when dead whales sink to the seabed. These carcasses create rich, temporary habitats for deep-sea creatures, supporting everything from bone-eating worms to sea stars. Until now, most known whale falls were found at depths of less than 4,000 meters, with the deepest active site recorded at 4,204 meters. No active whale-fall ecosystem had ever been reported from hadal depths -- which are those deeper than 6,000 meters.
In 2023, a team led by the IDSSE carried out 32 dives using the manned deep-sea submersible Fendouzhe (Striver), aboard the research vessel Tansuo-1. They explored a 1,200-kilometer stretch of the Diamantina Zone and found five active whale falls and 476 fossil sites, ranging from 4,616 to 7,001 meters deep. The density of whale remains reached up to 759.5 individuals per square kilometer.
"If that number is extrapolated across the entire zone, it suggests there may be more than 10 million whale carcasses in the area," said Peng Xiaotong, a professor at the IDSSE.
Among the active whale falls, one site consisting of three beaked whale vertebrae at a depth of 6,789 meters represents the deepest active whale-fall ecosystem ever recorded.
Using strontium isotope dating, researchers confirmed that the fossils there date back at least 5.3 million years to the Early Pliocene. Among them are both living beaked whale species, such as Andrews' and strap-toothed beaked whales, and extinct ones, including a newly described species named Pterocetus diamantinae.
...
2026-06-11 14:32:45
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]
BEIJING, June 11 (Xinhua) -- Scientists have discovered the world's deepest and largest collection of whale remains on the ocean floor, a site they call a "whale necropolis."
Located in the Diamantina Zone of the southeastern Indian Ocean, at depths of up to 7,000 meters, the find includes both ancient fossils and active whale-fall ecosystems that have been forming for at least 5.3 million years.
The study, conducted by the Institute of Deep-sea Science and Engineering (IDSSE) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in collaboration with the University of Pisa in Italy and Earth Sciences New Zealand in Wellington, has been published in the latest issue of the journal Nature.
Whale falls occur when dead whales sink to the seabed. These carcasses create rich, temporary habitats for deep-sea creatures, supporting everything from bone-eating worms to sea stars. Until now, most known whale falls were found at depths of less than 4,000 meters, with the deepest active site recorded at 4,204 meters. No active whale-fall ecosystem had ever been reported from hadal depths -- which are those deeper than 6,000 meters.
In 2023, a team led by the IDSSE carried out 32 dives using the manned deep-sea submersible Fendouzhe (Striver), aboard the research vessel Tansuo-1. They explored a 1,200-kilometer stretch of the Diamantina Zone and found five active whale falls and 476 fossil sites, ranging from 4,616 to 7,001 meters deep. The density of whale remains reached up to 759.5 individuals per square kilometer.
"If that number is extrapolated across the entire zone, it suggests there may be more than 10 million whale carcasses in the area," said Peng Xiaotong, a professor at the IDSSE.
Among the active whale falls, one site consisting of three beaked whale vertebrae at a depth of 6,789 meters represents the deepest active whale-fall ecosystem ever recorded.
Using strontium isotope dating, researchers confirmed that the fossils there date back at least 5.3 million years to the Early Pliocene. Among them are both living beaked whale species, such as Andrews' and strap-toothed beaked whales, and extinct ones, including a newly described species named Pterocetus diamantinae.
...
2026-06-11 14:32:45
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]
Seminar on China-Pakistan joint contribution to GGI, CPEC held in Islamabad
"75 Years of Friendship: Seminar on China-Pakistan Joint Contribution to the Global Governance Initiative and the CPEC" was held on Tuesday in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan.
2026-06-11 14:39:31
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]
"75 Years of Friendship: Seminar on China-Pakistan Joint Contribution to the Global Governance Initiative and the CPEC" was held on Tuesday in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan.
2026-06-11 14:39:31
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]
Letter from Mideast: Delivering life amid death -- a Jordanian obstetrician's journey in Gaza
by Asil Jallad
AMMAN, June 11 (Xinhua) -- "Thousands of women in Gaza are suffering, and they need us," I told the Jordan Medical Association when they initially said obstetricians weren't a priority in war zones.
Weeks later, the green light came.
On the morning of March 16, I stood before my two children, both under 10 years old. I am 38, and I had never left them before.
For a moment, my heart wavered like a candle in the wind. But I remembered who I was and where I came from. I'm a doctor, originally from Tulkarem in the West Bank, and my family came to Jordan as refugees. Duty, I have learned, is a language spoken not in the mouth, but in the bones.
Each night before leaving, I tucked my children into their safe, warm beds, and felt guilty -- guilty for having the privilege of safety while less than 200 km away, other mothers and children were losing their lives.
Arriving in Gaza was like stepping into an entirely different reality.
I was stationed at an International Medical Corps field hospital in Al-Mawasi, Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip. The hospital was a cluster of tents and caravans set among vast displacement camps. Inside those tents, we delivered babies. Outside, the earth trembled from time to time, a reminder that even as we ushered life into the world, death was never far away.
Despite limited resources, the women's clinic alone attended to 100 to 120 patients a day.
During my time there, I helped deliver 500 babies, 10 to 15 births every day. But these were not normal deliveries.
Basic medical supplies? Severely restricted. Painkillers for natural childbirth? None. Equipment for emergency cesarean sections? A luxury we could only dream of. We often drew hearts around such items on supply lists, knowing they might never arrive. Yet, we performed the surgeries anyway, because a mother's life does not wait for permission.
One woman came to me with a hemoglobin level of four. Anywhere else in the world, she would have been in an intensive care unit, surrounded by beeping machines and fluorescent light. In Gaza, she was pale as moonlight, walking on her own two feet to fetch water and food for her children.
I watched her leave the tent. She did not look back.
...
2026-06-11 14:40:45
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]
by Asil Jallad
AMMAN, June 11 (Xinhua) -- "Thousands of women in Gaza are suffering, and they need us," I told the Jordan Medical Association when they initially said obstetricians weren't a priority in war zones.
Weeks later, the green light came.
On the morning of March 16, I stood before my two children, both under 10 years old. I am 38, and I had never left them before.
For a moment, my heart wavered like a candle in the wind. But I remembered who I was and where I came from. I'm a doctor, originally from Tulkarem in the West Bank, and my family came to Jordan as refugees. Duty, I have learned, is a language spoken not in the mouth, but in the bones.
Each night before leaving, I tucked my children into their safe, warm beds, and felt guilty -- guilty for having the privilege of safety while less than 200 km away, other mothers and children were losing their lives.
Arriving in Gaza was like stepping into an entirely different reality.
I was stationed at an International Medical Corps field hospital in Al-Mawasi, Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip. The hospital was a cluster of tents and caravans set among vast displacement camps. Inside those tents, we delivered babies. Outside, the earth trembled from time to time, a reminder that even as we ushered life into the world, death was never far away.
Despite limited resources, the women's clinic alone attended to 100 to 120 patients a day.
During my time there, I helped deliver 500 babies, 10 to 15 births every day. But these were not normal deliveries.
Basic medical supplies? Severely restricted. Painkillers for natural childbirth? None. Equipment for emergency cesarean sections? A luxury we could only dream of. We often drew hearts around such items on supply lists, knowing they might never arrive. Yet, we performed the surgeries anyway, because a mother's life does not wait for permission.
One woman came to me with a hemoglobin level of four. Anywhere else in the world, she would have been in an intensive care unit, surrounded by beeping machines and fluorescent light. In Gaza, she was pale as moonlight, walking on her own two feet to fetch water and food for her children.
I watched her leave the tent. She did not look back.
...
2026-06-11 14:40:45
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]
S. Korean banks' household lending rises faster in May
SEOUL, June 11 (Xinhua) -- South Korean banks' household lending rose faster last month due to solid demand for both mortgage and credit loans, central bank data showed Thursday.
Debt owed by households to deposit-taking banks totaled 1,181.8 trillion won (772.9 billion U.S. dollars) at the end of May, up 6.9 trillion won from a month earlier, according to the Bank of Korea (BOK).
The May growth was faster than an expansion of 2.1 trillion won in the previous month, keeping an upward trend for a third straight month.
Banks' mortgage loan increased 3.2 trillion won in May amid higher home transactions.
The domestic real estate market fluctuated in recent months, with the number of apartment transactions across the country reaching 48,000 in January, 41,000 in February, 49,000 in March and 49,000 in April.
Other loans to households, including credit loan, credit line and commercial real estate-backed loan, advanced 3.7 trillion won in May compared to the previous month.
The BOK left its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 2.50 percent for eight straight times in May, but it indicated rate hikes later this year on the back of the improved economic growth, inflationary pressure, household debt risks and the exchange rate volatility.
Banks' corporate loan came to 1,408.3 trillion won at the end of May, up 10.6 trillion won from a month earlier.
Lending to big companies mounted 5.2 trillion won, while loan to small firms swelled 5.4 trillion won last month. (1 won equals 0.00065 U.S. dollar) ■
2026-06-11 14:50:00
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]
SEOUL, June 11 (Xinhua) -- South Korean banks' household lending rose faster last month due to solid demand for both mortgage and credit loans, central bank data showed Thursday.
Debt owed by households to deposit-taking banks totaled 1,181.8 trillion won (772.9 billion U.S. dollars) at the end of May, up 6.9 trillion won from a month earlier, according to the Bank of Korea (BOK).
The May growth was faster than an expansion of 2.1 trillion won in the previous month, keeping an upward trend for a third straight month.
Banks' mortgage loan increased 3.2 trillion won in May amid higher home transactions.
The domestic real estate market fluctuated in recent months, with the number of apartment transactions across the country reaching 48,000 in January, 41,000 in February, 49,000 in March and 49,000 in April.
Other loans to households, including credit loan, credit line and commercial real estate-backed loan, advanced 3.7 trillion won in May compared to the previous month.
The BOK left its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 2.50 percent for eight straight times in May, but it indicated rate hikes later this year on the back of the improved economic growth, inflationary pressure, household debt risks and the exchange rate volatility.
Banks' corporate loan came to 1,408.3 trillion won at the end of May, up 10.6 trillion won from a month earlier.
Lending to big companies mounted 5.2 trillion won, while loan to small firms swelled 5.4 trillion won last month. (1 won equals 0.00065 U.S. dollar) ■
2026-06-11 14:50:00
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]
China's Yan claims second 2026 Diamond League javelin title
OSLO, June 11 (Xinhua) -- China's Yan Ziyi continued her impressive rise in women's javelin by winning the event at the Wanda Diamond League meeting in Oslo on Wednesday, marking her second Diamond League title of the season.
Yan, 18, secured victory with a first-round effort of 67.11 meters, a mark that proved untouchable throughout the competition. Yan finished nearly six meters ahead of Norway's Sigrid Borge, who placed second with 61.92m on home soil, while Serbia's world No. 1 Adriana Vilagos took third with 61.33m.
The lineup also featured 2023 World Championship silver medalist Flor Denis Ruiz Hurtado of Colombia, who finished fourth with a mark of 61.11m.
Yan was the youngest athlete in the nine-woman field. Born in 2008, she is the reigning World U20 champion and a two-time Chinese national champion. Despite competing in only two international events this season, both on the Diamond League circuit, she has emerged victorious on each occasion.
At the Xiamen meeting, Yan produced a throw of 71.74 meters to set a new Asian record. The mark currently ranks second on the all-time women's javelin list. ■
2026-06-11 14:51:00
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]
OSLO, June 11 (Xinhua) -- China's Yan Ziyi continued her impressive rise in women's javelin by winning the event at the Wanda Diamond League meeting in Oslo on Wednesday, marking her second Diamond League title of the season.
Yan, 18, secured victory with a first-round effort of 67.11 meters, a mark that proved untouchable throughout the competition. Yan finished nearly six meters ahead of Norway's Sigrid Borge, who placed second with 61.92m on home soil, while Serbia's world No. 1 Adriana Vilagos took third with 61.33m.
The lineup also featured 2023 World Championship silver medalist Flor Denis Ruiz Hurtado of Colombia, who finished fourth with a mark of 61.11m.
Yan was the youngest athlete in the nine-woman field. Born in 2008, she is the reigning World U20 champion and a two-time Chinese national champion. Despite competing in only two international events this season, both on the Diamond League circuit, she has emerged victorious on each occasion.
At the Xiamen meeting, Yan produced a throw of 71.74 meters to set a new Asian record. The mark currently ranks second on the all-time women's javelin list. ■
2026-06-11 14:51:00
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]
10th China-South Asia Expo opens in SW China to facilitate regional trade
KUNMING, June 11 (Xinhua) -- The 10th China-South Asia Expo kicked off on Thursday in Kunming City, capital of southwest China's Yunnan Province. The event has put an emphasis on enhancing regional trade and industrial cooperation under the theme "Solidarity and Coordination for Common Development."
The six-day event has attracted participants from 68 countries, regions and international organizations. Over 560 companies from South Asian countries are taking part in the event. Over 1,500 professional buyers have registered, with overseas buyers, including those from 45 countries such as Germany, Brazil and Egypt, making up more than 60 percent of the total.
The expo features 13 pavilions, covering sectors ranging from green energy, service trade and manufacturing to the coffee industry. For the first time, a procurement matchmaking center has been set up, alongside supply-demand matchmaking events, new product launches, as well as a seminar between Chinese and South Asian governments, industries, universities and research institutes.
The first day of the expo is reserved for professional visitors, with the following five days open to the public. Featured products include black tea from Sri Lanka, carpets from Afghanistan, furniture from India and artworks from Bhutan.
Having been successfully held nine times, the China-South Asia Expo has facilitated over 3,000 project signings and foreign trade worth more than 100 billion U.S. dollars. China has now become the largest trading partner of Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and the Maldives. In 2025, trade volume between China and South Asian countries surpassed 200 billion U.S. dollars, up 10.7 percent year on year. ■
2026-06-11 14:56:30
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]
KUNMING, June 11 (Xinhua) -- The 10th China-South Asia Expo kicked off on Thursday in Kunming City, capital of southwest China's Yunnan Province. The event has put an emphasis on enhancing regional trade and industrial cooperation under the theme "Solidarity and Coordination for Common Development."
The six-day event has attracted participants from 68 countries, regions and international organizations. Over 560 companies from South Asian countries are taking part in the event. Over 1,500 professional buyers have registered, with overseas buyers, including those from 45 countries such as Germany, Brazil and Egypt, making up more than 60 percent of the total.
The expo features 13 pavilions, covering sectors ranging from green energy, service trade and manufacturing to the coffee industry. For the first time, a procurement matchmaking center has been set up, alongside supply-demand matchmaking events, new product launches, as well as a seminar between Chinese and South Asian governments, industries, universities and research institutes.
The first day of the expo is reserved for professional visitors, with the following five days open to the public. Featured products include black tea from Sri Lanka, carpets from Afghanistan, furniture from India and artworks from Bhutan.
Having been successfully held nine times, the China-South Asia Expo has facilitated over 3,000 project signings and foreign trade worth more than 100 billion U.S. dollars. China has now become the largest trading partner of Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and the Maldives. In 2025, trade volume between China and South Asian countries surpassed 200 billion U.S. dollars, up 10.7 percent year on year. ■
2026-06-11 14:56:30
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]
Uganda tightens Ebola prevention measures as cases hold at 19
KAMPALA, June 11 (Xinhua) -- Uganda's Ministry of Health on Wednesday announced additional Ebola prevention measures aimed at curbing the possible spread of the disease.
Speaking after Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni's national address on the Ebola outbreak, Health Minister Chris Baryomunsi said Ebola prevention guidelines have been distributed to all districts bordering the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, the epicenter of the current outbreak.
Baryomunsi said mass gatherings, including weddings and market days, have been suspended, while schools have been advised to strictly follow the Ministry of Health's prevention guidelines.
According to the ministry, Uganda has not recorded any new Ebola cases in the past five days. The country has registered a cumulative total of 19 confirmed cases so far, including two deaths.
Diana Atwine, permanent secretary at the Ministry of Health, said recent observations indicate that the Ebola virus is more concentrated in the alimentary canal than in the blood once symptoms appear.
"We have seen that when people start getting symptoms, the virus is highly concentrated in the saliva, vomitus and the stool," Atwine said, noting that the finding could help advance global knowledge on combating Ebola.
Atwine urged the public not to share cups or other drinking utensils, warning that the virus could spread through contaminated items. She also advised people to avoid eating cracked fruits during the fruit season, as it is difficult to determine whether animals may have partially consumed them. ■
2026-06-11 15:00:00
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]
KAMPALA, June 11 (Xinhua) -- Uganda's Ministry of Health on Wednesday announced additional Ebola prevention measures aimed at curbing the possible spread of the disease.
Speaking after Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni's national address on the Ebola outbreak, Health Minister Chris Baryomunsi said Ebola prevention guidelines have been distributed to all districts bordering the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, the epicenter of the current outbreak.
Baryomunsi said mass gatherings, including weddings and market days, have been suspended, while schools have been advised to strictly follow the Ministry of Health's prevention guidelines.
According to the ministry, Uganda has not recorded any new Ebola cases in the past five days. The country has registered a cumulative total of 19 confirmed cases so far, including two deaths.
Diana Atwine, permanent secretary at the Ministry of Health, said recent observations indicate that the Ebola virus is more concentrated in the alimentary canal than in the blood once symptoms appear.
"We have seen that when people start getting symptoms, the virus is highly concentrated in the saliva, vomitus and the stool," Atwine said, noting that the finding could help advance global knowledge on combating Ebola.
Atwine urged the public not to share cups or other drinking utensils, warning that the virus could spread through contaminated items. She also advised people to avoid eating cracked fruits during the fruit season, as it is difficult to determine whether animals may have partially consumed them. ■
2026-06-11 15:00:00
[Source: Xinhua] [Full Text]