China has gathered more than 90% of its summer grain and has largely finished harvesting winter wheat, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs said on 26 June. The accelerated progress comes less than a month after combines began rolling across key producing regions.

Planting for the next crop cycle is also well advanced. The ministry said nearly 80% of summer grain has been sown, including about 95% of summer corn and middle-season rice and more than 70% of soybean acreage. Transplanting of double-cropping late rice is scheduled to begin in mid-July, keeping the overall cultivation calendar on track.

Chinese AI and robotics firms are making notable advances despite U.S. trade restrictions. Unitree Robotics, founded by Wang Xingxing in 2016, has grown from a single employee to a team of around 1,000 and reported annual revenue exceeding 1 billion yuan (approximately $140 million). Wang emphasized that humanoid robots are still not ready for mass deployment and that AI robotic products require gradual development and precise market alignment.

Meanwhile, DeepSeek, a Chinese AI company, has developed a model rivaling OpenAI's performance at a fraction of the cost. Another startup, Zhipu AI, has also drawn positive attention from OpenAI analysts. Additionally, a Chinese AI firm created the world's first open-weight, large-scale hybrid-attention reasoning model, MiniMax M1, which features a 1 million token context window and outperforms Claude 4 Opus in the LiveCode Bench, all achieved with less than $535,000 in training costs. These developments indicate China is laying a strong foundation for the next wave of AI and robotics innovation.

China has for several years inflated headline car-sales figures by registering brand-new vehicles as second-hand and shipping them overseas, according to a Reuters investigation published on 24 June. The practice, known locally as “zero-mileage” used-car exporting, began after Beijing legalised used-vehicle exports in 2019 and has become a government-backed grey market that helps automakers clear unsold stock and pad sales growth.

Read more

Bangladesh, China and Pakistan convened their first foreign-office-level trilateral meeting in Kunming, Yunnan, on 19–20 June. The talks were led in person by Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong, Bangladeshi Acting Foreign Secretary Ruhul Alam Siddiqui and Pakistan’s Additional Foreign Secretary Imran Ahmed Siddiqui, with Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch joining the opening session via video link.

Read more

The 9th China-South Asia Expo commenced on June 19 in Kunming, the capital of southwest China's Yunnan Province, and is scheduled to run through June 24. The event has attracted representatives from 73 countries, regions, and international organizations, as well as over 2,500 enterprises, covering all South and Southeast Asian nations. Featuring 16 exhibition halls, the expo highlights sectors such as manufacturing, green energy, digital economy, artificial intelligence, the coffee industry, and traditional culture. It serves as a key platform to enhance economic and trade cooperation between China and South Asian countries, fostering regional connectivity and mutual understanding.

According to data from China's Ministry of Commerce, trade between China and South Asian countries reached nearly $2 trillion in 2024, doubling over the past decade with an average annual growth rate of approximately 6.3%. As of June 23, the expo had facilitated the signing of 150 trade contracts worth 8.3 billion yuan ($1.16 billion), including 91 agreements with Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) member countries valued at 1.39 billion yuan. Experts and officials have underscored the expo's role in promoting regional cooperation, economic growth, and cultural exchange, with a focus on providing foreign enterprises greater access to the South Asian market and supporting small and medium-sized enterprises.

The second China-Central Asia Summit was held in Astana, Kazakhstan, focusing on strengthening regional cooperation and advancing the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized expanding bilateral trade and investment with Central Asian countries, particularly Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. Xi highlighted the importance of high-quality cooperation under the BRI framework and called for the construction of a China-Central Asia community with a shared future. Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov acknowledged China as Kyrgyzstan's largest trade and investment partner and welcomed increased Chinese business presence, including projects like the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway.

The summit also underscored China's consistent commitment to principles amid global trade tensions and its role in providing stability in a complex international environment. Infrastructure developments such as Astana's urban light rail, a key BRI project, were noted as milestones enhancing regional connectivity. Additionally, Kazakhstan is pursuing sustainable cooperation with the European Union, reflecting broader regional economic integration efforts. China's modernization of its railway network connecting neighboring countries including Mongolia, Russia, Vietnam, and Laos was highlighted as a driver for economic cooperation and cultural exchange in the region.

Researchers at the Donghu Laboratory in Hubei Province said they accelerated a 1.1-tonne magnetic-levitation test vehicle to 650 kilometres per hour in just seven seconds on a purpose-built, one-kilometre track. The demonstration marks one of the fastest start-to-speed performances yet reported for maglev technology and underscores China’s push to develop next-generation, ultra-high-speed ground transport.

Separately in the same province, the 116-kilometre Xiangyang–Jingmen high-speed railway began integrated testing this week ahead of its planned launch by year-end. Designed for 350 km/h operation, the line will cut the journey between the two cities to about 30 minutes from 90, adding to a national network that already exceeds 45,000 kilometres. Together, the advances highlight China’s continued investment in both conventional high-speed rail and experimental maglev systems.

China has officially commenced mass production of its domestically developed AG600 "Kunlong" amphibious aircraft after receiving certification from the Civil Aviation Administration of China. Produced by the state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), the AG600 is one of three large aircraft developed domestically alongside models like the C919. The amphibious aircraft is capable of carrying 12 tonnes of water and has a flight range of 4,500 kilometers. It is designed for multiple roles, including firefighting and waterborne search and rescue operations.

Recently, the AG600 completed high-altitude plateau test flights at Huatugou Airport in Qinghai Province, situated at 2,945 meters above sea level, marking a breakthrough in operating in complex meteorological and high-altitude conditions. The aircraft measures approximately 38.9 meters in length and can take off and land at sea, highlighting China's advancement in aviation technology aimed at reducing reliance on foreign aircraft. This development aligns with China's broader efforts to expand its aerospace capabilities and military technology, including the unveiling of new stealth drones and long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicles.

Self-proclaimed Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko has proposed erecting a monument to Chinese President Xi Jinping in Minsk during the opening ceremony of the National Football Stadium on 8 June 2025.

The new stadium, which has a capacity of over 33,000 spectators and was originally estimated to cost $180 million, was built entirely with Chinese funding. The project, along with a new international-class swimming pool, was presented as a gift from China to the Belarusian people, following Xi Jinping's earlier promise to Lukashenko. The stadium features a sculpture of two footballers—one Belarusian and one Chinese—standing on a globe highlighting both countries.

Read more

Construction of the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge in Guizhou Province, southwest China, is progressing smoothly and is expected to be completed in the second half of 2025. The suspension bridge will measure 2,890 meters in length with a main span of 1,420 meters and a vertical height of 625 meters from the ground, making it the tallest bridge in the world upon completion. Workers have begun removing gantry cranes and installing sightseeing elevators on the bridge, enhancing its infrastructure and tourism appeal. The project is a key part of the Guizhou Liuan Expressway. Meanwhile, the Bailong Elevator, a 326-meter-high glass double-deck elevator built onto a cliff in Zhangjiajie, China, remains one of the tallest and heaviest outdoor elevators worldwide. Separately, the Chenab Railway Bridge in India continues to draw attention for its impressive scale as the world's highest rail bridge.

The fourth China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo (CAETE) is scheduled to open in Changsha, the capital of Hunan Province, China. This event has garnered high expectations from scholars and experts across Africa. Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and China's Foreign Minister, will attend the ministerial meeting of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and the opening ceremony of the expo from June 10 to 12. Kenyan officials, including Governor Irungu Kang’ata and former Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, are actively participating in related meetings and events in Changsha. Kang’ata highlighted the opportunity presented by the ongoing trade tensions between China and the United States, noting that American tariffs on Chinese goods are incentivizing shifts in manufacturing and trade dynamics. Mudavadi arrived in Changsha to attend the Ministerial Coordinator’s Meeting on the implementation of the Beijing Summit of FOCAC, emphasizing the importance of dialogue and renewed momentum in advancing Africa-China cooperation.

American economist Richard Wolff has highlighted China as the most rewarding country for future engagement, emphasizing its rapid economic growth and successful poverty alleviation over the past decades. Wolff contrasts China's socialist market economy, which balances government ownership and private enterprise, with the profit-driven American economic model. He notes that about half of Chinese enterprises are privately managed by Chinese and international stakeholders, while the other half are government-owned and operated. Wolff also points to China's advanced infrastructure, such as its high-speed rail system, which he describes as fast, well-equipped, and aesthetically pleasing—features lacking in the United States due to the profit-oriented nature of its economy. This perspective challenges prevailing narratives of a China threat and US-China confrontation by underscoring China's focus on serving its people rather than prioritizing economic profit. Meanwhile, some commentators view China's promotion of a new world order as a self-serving power play by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

On June 6, 2025, China successfully launched a group of low Earth orbit (LEO) internet satellites using the Long March 6A rocket. The launch took place near Xi'an, where the rocket's ascent created a striking visual spectacle as it passed over the city's ancient Yongning Gate and historic city wall. This event was widely noted for its dramatic combination of cutting-edge space technology and the cultural heritage of Xi'an, with observers capturing the rocket's trajectory against the backdrop of the Tang Dynasty Welcome Ceremony and the city's ancient architecture. The launch marked another advancement in China's satellite internet capabilities, emphasizing the integration of modern innovation with historical settings.

China's Tianwen-2 spacecraft, launched on May 29 by a Long March 3B carrier rocket from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan province, has been operating in orbit for over eight days and has reached a distance of more than 3 million kilometers from Earth, according to the China National Space Administration (CNSA).

The Tianwen-2 mission aims to explore the near-Earth asteroid 2016 HO3, collect samples, and subsequently conduct a flyby of the main-belt comet 311P. The mission is planned to last 10 years, with the return capsule scheduled to land on Earth by the end of 2027.

The CNSA has released images captured by Tianwen-2 showing its fully deployed circular flexible solar panels, which are designed to meet the power requirements for the mission's extended journey, including operations as far as 375 million kilometers from the Sun. All systems are reported to be functioning properly.

On June 4, a load test was conducted on the main bridge section (合建段主桥) of the G3 Tongling Yangtze River Highway-Railway Bridge in Tongling, Anhui Province, China. The test involved 214 loaded vehicles with a combined weight of over 9,000 tonnes crossing the bridge.

The bridge has a total length of 11.88 kilometers and a main span of 988 meters, and is designed to support both expressway and railway traffic. The load test was carried out to assess the construction quality and mechanical properties of the bridge structure.

Approximately 700 pieces of specialized testing equipment were used to perform both static and dynamic load tests during the operation.

On World Environment Day 2025, China's Ministry of Ecology and Environment released the "2024 China Ecological Environment Status Report," highlighting the country's environmental progress over the past year. The report showcases China's achievements in ecological protection, including efforts in preserving forests, advancing clean energy projects, and promoting sustainable development. The nation's environmental philosophy emphasizes the interconnection between humanity and nature, reflecting President Xi Jinping's commitment to the long-term sustainable development of the Chinese nation. The report and related data posters underscore China's dedication to building a greener and more sustainable future.

Construction of a 602-meter railway tunnel in Suifenhe, Heilongjiang Province, near the China-Russia border, was completed on May 28, 2025. This tunnel is expected to enhance the capacity of the railway line connecting Suifenhe to the border, an important gateway for the China-Europe freight corridor known as the "East Passage." Suifenhe has seen a 9% year-on-year increase in import and export volume in 2025, reaching 3.581 million tons. Meanwhile, the Alashankou Port in Xinjiang has handled over 3,000 China-Europe freight train trips from January to May 2025, accounting for more than half of China’s total China-Europe freight train traffic, thereby supporting global supply chain stability. Additionally, tunneling work has commenced on the undersea section of the Jintang tunnel, part of the Ningbo-Zhoushan Railway in Zhejiang Province. The Jintang tunnel, with a total length of 16.18 kilometers and a shield-tunneled segment of 11.21 kilometers, is the world’s longest undersea high-speed rail tunnel. The "Yongzhou" shield tunneling machine began boring at a depth of 64 meters underground, marking the start of the tunnel’s marine section construction.

Space Pioneer has completed assembling the first Tianlong-3 rocket, which is equipped with nine Tianhuo-12 engines on its first stage and is capable of delivering 17,000 to 22,000 kilograms to low Earth orbit. The company plans to conduct static fire tests soon, marking progress nearly a year after previous testing setbacks. The Tianlong-3 features a triple-mode reaction engine capable of operating as a turbojet, scramjet, and rocket, which could have significant commercial applications in missile propulsion. Meanwhile, CAS-SPACE has assembled the Kinetica-2 core, which resembles the Tianlong-2 first stage with three YF-102 kerolox engines, and is preparing for static fire tests. Separately, the China National Space Administration reported that the Tianwen-2 probe has completed assembly, testing, fueling, and integration with its launch vehicle. The Long March 3B rocket designated for the Tianwen-2 mission is expected to be fueled with propellant imminently.

China's Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Emergency Management have allocated 30 million yuan (approximately 4.17 million U.S. dollars) in disaster relief funds from the central government to support southwest China's Guizhou Province. The funds are intended to aid in geological disaster rescue efforts, including emergency response measures such as personnel search and rescue, hazard mitigation, and secondary disaster risk assessments. The allocation aims to facilitate prompt rescue operations, proper resettlement of affected populations, and minimize casualties and damage caused by natural disasters in the region.

China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have completed negotiations on Version 3.0 of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area (CAFTA), marking a key development in regional economic cooperation. The announcement was made following a special online meeting of economic and trade ministers from both sides held on May 20, 2025. According to a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, the upgraded agreement signals strong support for free trade and open cooperation. The new version of CAFTA aims to establish a more modern, efficient, and resilient trade system between China and ASEAN countries, unlocking regional economic potential and advancing shared prosperity.

China has gathered more than 90% of its summer grain and has largely finished harvesting winter wheat, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs said on 26 June. The accelerated progress comes less than a month after combines began rolling across key producing regions.

Planting for the next crop cycle is also well advanced. The ministry said nearly 80% of summer grain has been sown, including about 95% of summer corn and middle-season rice and more than 70% of soybean acreage. Transplanting of double-cropping late rice is scheduled to begin in mid-July, keeping the overall cultivation calendar on track.

Chinese AI and robotics firms are making notable advances despite U.S. trade restrictions. Unitree Robotics, founded by Wang Xingxing in 2016, has grown from a single employee to a team of around 1,000 and reported annual revenue exceeding 1 billion yuan (approximately $140 million). Wang emphasized that humanoid robots are still not ready for mass deployment and that AI robotic products require gradual development and precise market alignment.

Meanwhile, DeepSeek, a Chinese AI company, has developed a model rivaling OpenAI's performance at a fraction of the cost. Another startup, Zhipu AI, has also drawn positive attention from OpenAI analysts. Additionally, a Chinese AI firm created the world's first open-weight, large-scale hybrid-attention reasoning model, MiniMax M1, which features a 1 million token context window and outperforms Claude 4 Opus in the LiveCode Bench, all achieved with less than $535,000 in training costs. These developments indicate China is laying a strong foundation for the next wave of AI and robotics innovation.

China has for several years inflated headline car-sales figures by registering brand-new vehicles as second-hand and shipping them overseas, according to a Reuters investigation published on 24 June. The practice, known locally as “zero-mileage” used-car exporting, began after Beijing legalised used-vehicle exports in 2019 and has become a government-backed grey market that helps automakers clear unsold stock and pad sales growth.

Read more

Bangladesh, China and Pakistan convened their first foreign-office-level trilateral meeting in Kunming, Yunnan, on 19–20 June. The talks were led in person by Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong, Bangladeshi Acting Foreign Secretary Ruhul Alam Siddiqui and Pakistan’s Additional Foreign Secretary Imran Ahmed Siddiqui, with Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch joining the opening session via video link.

Read more

The 9th China-South Asia Expo commenced on June 19 in Kunming, the capital of southwest China's Yunnan Province, and is scheduled to run through June 24. The event has attracted representatives from 73 countries, regions, and international organizations, as well as over 2,500 enterprises, covering all South and Southeast Asian nations. Featuring 16 exhibition halls, the expo highlights sectors such as manufacturing, green energy, digital economy, artificial intelligence, the coffee industry, and traditional culture. It serves as a key platform to enhance economic and trade cooperation between China and South Asian countries, fostering regional connectivity and mutual understanding.

According to data from China's Ministry of Commerce, trade between China and South Asian countries reached nearly $2 trillion in 2024, doubling over the past decade with an average annual growth rate of approximately 6.3%. As of June 23, the expo had facilitated the signing of 150 trade contracts worth 8.3 billion yuan ($1.16 billion), including 91 agreements with Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) member countries valued at 1.39 billion yuan. Experts and officials have underscored the expo's role in promoting regional cooperation, economic growth, and cultural exchange, with a focus on providing foreign enterprises greater access to the South Asian market and supporting small and medium-sized enterprises.

The second China-Central Asia Summit was held in Astana, Kazakhstan, focusing on strengthening regional cooperation and advancing the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized expanding bilateral trade and investment with Central Asian countries, particularly Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. Xi highlighted the importance of high-quality cooperation under the BRI framework and called for the construction of a China-Central Asia community with a shared future. Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov acknowledged China as Kyrgyzstan's largest trade and investment partner and welcomed increased Chinese business presence, including projects like the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway.

The summit also underscored China's consistent commitment to principles amid global trade tensions and its role in providing stability in a complex international environment. Infrastructure developments such as Astana's urban light rail, a key BRI project, were noted as milestones enhancing regional connectivity. Additionally, Kazakhstan is pursuing sustainable cooperation with the European Union, reflecting broader regional economic integration efforts. China's modernization of its railway network connecting neighboring countries including Mongolia, Russia, Vietnam, and Laos was highlighted as a driver for economic cooperation and cultural exchange in the region.

Researchers at the Donghu Laboratory in Hubei Province said they accelerated a 1.1-tonne magnetic-levitation test vehicle to 650 kilometres per hour in just seven seconds on a purpose-built, one-kilometre track. The demonstration marks one of the fastest start-to-speed performances yet reported for maglev technology and underscores China’s push to develop next-generation, ultra-high-speed ground transport.

Separately in the same province, the 116-kilometre Xiangyang–Jingmen high-speed railway began integrated testing this week ahead of its planned launch by year-end. Designed for 350 km/h operation, the line will cut the journey between the two cities to about 30 minutes from 90, adding to a national network that already exceeds 45,000 kilometres. Together, the advances highlight China’s continued investment in both conventional high-speed rail and experimental maglev systems.

China has officially commenced mass production of its domestically developed AG600 "Kunlong" amphibious aircraft after receiving certification from the Civil Aviation Administration of China. Produced by the state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), the AG600 is one of three large aircraft developed domestically alongside models like the C919. The amphibious aircraft is capable of carrying 12 tonnes of water and has a flight range of 4,500 kilometers. It is designed for multiple roles, including firefighting and waterborne search and rescue operations.

Recently, the AG600 completed high-altitude plateau test flights at Huatugou Airport in Qinghai Province, situated at 2,945 meters above sea level, marking a breakthrough in operating in complex meteorological and high-altitude conditions. The aircraft measures approximately 38.9 meters in length and can take off and land at sea, highlighting China's advancement in aviation technology aimed at reducing reliance on foreign aircraft. This development aligns with China's broader efforts to expand its aerospace capabilities and military technology, including the unveiling of new stealth drones and long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicles.

Self-proclaimed Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko has proposed erecting a monument to Chinese President Xi Jinping in Minsk during the opening ceremony of the National Football Stadium on 8 June 2025.

The new stadium, which has a capacity of over 33,000 spectators and was originally estimated to cost $180 million, was built entirely with Chinese funding. The project, along with a new international-class swimming pool, was presented as a gift from China to the Belarusian people, following Xi Jinping's earlier promise to Lukashenko. The stadium features a sculpture of two footballers—one Belarusian and one Chinese—standing on a globe highlighting both countries.

Read more

Construction of the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge in Guizhou Province, southwest China, is progressing smoothly and is expected to be completed in the second half of 2025. The suspension bridge will measure 2,890 meters in length with a main span of 1,420 meters and a vertical height of 625 meters from the ground, making it the tallest bridge in the world upon completion. Workers have begun removing gantry cranes and installing sightseeing elevators on the bridge, enhancing its infrastructure and tourism appeal. The project is a key part of the Guizhou Liuan Expressway. Meanwhile, the Bailong Elevator, a 326-meter-high glass double-deck elevator built onto a cliff in Zhangjiajie, China, remains one of the tallest and heaviest outdoor elevators worldwide. Separately, the Chenab Railway Bridge in India continues to draw attention for its impressive scale as the world's highest rail bridge.

The fourth China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo (CAETE) is scheduled to open in Changsha, the capital of Hunan Province, China. This event has garnered high expectations from scholars and experts across Africa. Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and China's Foreign Minister, will attend the ministerial meeting of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and the opening ceremony of the expo from June 10 to 12. Kenyan officials, including Governor Irungu Kang’ata and former Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, are actively participating in related meetings and events in Changsha. Kang’ata highlighted the opportunity presented by the ongoing trade tensions between China and the United States, noting that American tariffs on Chinese goods are incentivizing shifts in manufacturing and trade dynamics. Mudavadi arrived in Changsha to attend the Ministerial Coordinator’s Meeting on the implementation of the Beijing Summit of FOCAC, emphasizing the importance of dialogue and renewed momentum in advancing Africa-China cooperation.

American economist Richard Wolff has highlighted China as the most rewarding country for future engagement, emphasizing its rapid economic growth and successful poverty alleviation over the past decades. Wolff contrasts China's socialist market economy, which balances government ownership and private enterprise, with the profit-driven American economic model. He notes that about half of Chinese enterprises are privately managed by Chinese and international stakeholders, while the other half are government-owned and operated. Wolff also points to China's advanced infrastructure, such as its high-speed rail system, which he describes as fast, well-equipped, and aesthetically pleasing—features lacking in the United States due to the profit-oriented nature of its economy. This perspective challenges prevailing narratives of a China threat and US-China confrontation by underscoring China's focus on serving its people rather than prioritizing economic profit. Meanwhile, some commentators view China's promotion of a new world order as a self-serving power play by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

On June 6, 2025, China successfully launched a group of low Earth orbit (LEO) internet satellites using the Long March 6A rocket. The launch took place near Xi'an, where the rocket's ascent created a striking visual spectacle as it passed over the city's ancient Yongning Gate and historic city wall. This event was widely noted for its dramatic combination of cutting-edge space technology and the cultural heritage of Xi'an, with observers capturing the rocket's trajectory against the backdrop of the Tang Dynasty Welcome Ceremony and the city's ancient architecture. The launch marked another advancement in China's satellite internet capabilities, emphasizing the integration of modern innovation with historical settings.

China's Tianwen-2 spacecraft, launched on May 29 by a Long March 3B carrier rocket from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan province, has been operating in orbit for over eight days and has reached a distance of more than 3 million kilometers from Earth, according to the China National Space Administration (CNSA).

The Tianwen-2 mission aims to explore the near-Earth asteroid 2016 HO3, collect samples, and subsequently conduct a flyby of the main-belt comet 311P. The mission is planned to last 10 years, with the return capsule scheduled to land on Earth by the end of 2027.

The CNSA has released images captured by Tianwen-2 showing its fully deployed circular flexible solar panels, which are designed to meet the power requirements for the mission's extended journey, including operations as far as 375 million kilometers from the Sun. All systems are reported to be functioning properly.

On June 4, a load test was conducted on the main bridge section (合建段主桥) of the G3 Tongling Yangtze River Highway-Railway Bridge in Tongling, Anhui Province, China. The test involved 214 loaded vehicles with a combined weight of over 9,000 tonnes crossing the bridge.

The bridge has a total length of 11.88 kilometers and a main span of 988 meters, and is designed to support both expressway and railway traffic. The load test was carried out to assess the construction quality and mechanical properties of the bridge structure.

Approximately 700 pieces of specialized testing equipment were used to perform both static and dynamic load tests during the operation.

On World Environment Day 2025, China's Ministry of Ecology and Environment released the "2024 China Ecological Environment Status Report," highlighting the country's environmental progress over the past year. The report showcases China's achievements in ecological protection, including efforts in preserving forests, advancing clean energy projects, and promoting sustainable development. The nation's environmental philosophy emphasizes the interconnection between humanity and nature, reflecting President Xi Jinping's commitment to the long-term sustainable development of the Chinese nation. The report and related data posters underscore China's dedication to building a greener and more sustainable future.

Construction of a 602-meter railway tunnel in Suifenhe, Heilongjiang Province, near the China-Russia border, was completed on May 28, 2025. This tunnel is expected to enhance the capacity of the railway line connecting Suifenhe to the border, an important gateway for the China-Europe freight corridor known as the "East Passage." Suifenhe has seen a 9% year-on-year increase in import and export volume in 2025, reaching 3.581 million tons. Meanwhile, the Alashankou Port in Xinjiang has handled over 3,000 China-Europe freight train trips from January to May 2025, accounting for more than half of China’s total China-Europe freight train traffic, thereby supporting global supply chain stability. Additionally, tunneling work has commenced on the undersea section of the Jintang tunnel, part of the Ningbo-Zhoushan Railway in Zhejiang Province. The Jintang tunnel, with a total length of 16.18 kilometers and a shield-tunneled segment of 11.21 kilometers, is the world’s longest undersea high-speed rail tunnel. The "Yongzhou" shield tunneling machine began boring at a depth of 64 meters underground, marking the start of the tunnel’s marine section construction.

Space Pioneer has completed assembling the first Tianlong-3 rocket, which is equipped with nine Tianhuo-12 engines on its first stage and is capable of delivering 17,000 to 22,000 kilograms to low Earth orbit. The company plans to conduct static fire tests soon, marking progress nearly a year after previous testing setbacks. The Tianlong-3 features a triple-mode reaction engine capable of operating as a turbojet, scramjet, and rocket, which could have significant commercial applications in missile propulsion. Meanwhile, CAS-SPACE has assembled the Kinetica-2 core, which resembles the Tianlong-2 first stage with three YF-102 kerolox engines, and is preparing for static fire tests. Separately, the China National Space Administration reported that the Tianwen-2 probe has completed assembly, testing, fueling, and integration with its launch vehicle. The Long March 3B rocket designated for the Tianwen-2 mission is expected to be fueled with propellant imminently.

China's Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Emergency Management have allocated 30 million yuan (approximately 4.17 million U.S. dollars) in disaster relief funds from the central government to support southwest China's Guizhou Province. The funds are intended to aid in geological disaster rescue efforts, including emergency response measures such as personnel search and rescue, hazard mitigation, and secondary disaster risk assessments. The allocation aims to facilitate prompt rescue operations, proper resettlement of affected populations, and minimize casualties and damage caused by natural disasters in the region.

China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have completed negotiations on Version 3.0 of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area (CAFTA), marking a key development in regional economic cooperation. The announcement was made following a special online meeting of economic and trade ministers from both sides held on May 20, 2025. According to a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, the upgraded agreement signals strong support for free trade and open cooperation. The new version of CAFTA aims to establish a more modern, efficient, and resilient trade system between China and ASEAN countries, unlocking regional economic potential and advancing shared prosperity.