The 14th National People's Congress (NPC), China's national legislature, opened its third session at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Wednesday. In addition to the deputies to NPC and CPPCC members, there is a section for envoys from foreign countries. According to convention, ambassadors from various countries are invited to attend the opening and closing sessions of the NPC every year, which has become a window for the outside world to observe China and understand its development.

The annual "two sessions," a highly anticipated event on China's political calendar, are being held in Beijing. "China has entered a new phase of high-quality development," said Peru's Ambassador to China Marco Vinicio Balarezo Lizarzaburu in an interview with the Global Times. He said that he pays the most attention to keywords such as "high-quality development," "green transformation," "scientific and technological innovation."

While many architects expand career horizons globally, Chinese architect Liu Jiakun, who is also the 2025 Pritzker Architecture Prize laureate, was engrossed in designing a mixed-use courtyard complex in his hometown of Chengdu, Southwest China's Sichuan Province. Featuring teahouse and hotpot restaurants, the project, named the "West Village," typifies how architecture preserves regional culture through sustaining local people's daily lives.

Chinese animated film Ne Zha 2 officially released in 33 cinemas in Singapore on Thursday, leading in the number of screenings among all films currently showing in the country, China Central Television reported, citing local film distributor Encore Films.

Chinese animation Ne Zha 2 has taken the global box office by storm. The highest-earning animated film in history, it has pulled in an incredible 14.59 billion yuan ($2.01 billion).

Eating spring vegetables remains a cherished culinary tradition deeply embedded in regional practices in China. It highlights the Chinese appreciation for seasonal ingredients and local flavors, while also symbolizes the country's enduring connection to nature and the timeless wisdom of Chinese cuisine.

The highly anticipated new branch of Beijing's iconic Palace Museum is on track for completion in October, marking a milestone in China's cultural infrastructure development, the chief architect of the new museum said at an academic event on Thursday.

The upcoming National Games has become one of the topics that national legislators and political advisors are often talking about during the ongoing two sessions, as they emphasize its role in deepening regional integration and boosting economic vitality of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA).

On a casual afternoon, I opened an enlightening book called How the Steel Was Tempered written by a writer called Nikolai Ostrovsky. Immediately I was lost in the immortal work.

During her lunch break, 28-year-old office worker Li Qing heads straight to a chain health center in a bustling mall in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, relying on a rejuvenating session of massage and moxibustion to combat work fatigue.

From video game Black Myth: Wukong to the animated blockbuster Ne Zha 2, an increasing number of groundbreaking Chinese cultural works have been gaining international acclaim. However, this rising popularity is also leading to a more severe piracy problem, which urgently needs to establish a comprehensive anti-piracy management mechanism so as to swiftly, accurately and effectively com-bat the illegal behaviors across the entire industry chain, Zhao Dongling, a deputy to the 14th Na-tional People's Congress (NPC), told the Global Times.

Open an AI app, type in your destination, budget, number of travelers, and how many days you've got, and instantly, a personalized travel plan pops right out, with daily schedules and cost estimates all neatly lined up.

A rhinoceros tooth fossil has been discovered in a karst sinkhole near Changyang human fossil site in Changyang Tujia autonomous county, Central China's Hubei Province. The fossil is believed to be a rare remnant of the animals that coexisted with ancient Changyang humans, who lived about 195,000 years ago.

The infiltration into sports of extreme fan culture, a phenomenon often being referred to as fanquan, or "fan circle," on Chinese social media and characterized by extreme idolization and online extremity, has become a pressing concern in China.

The remains of a large-scale and well-preserved terraced wood-frame houses of early Warring States period (475BC-221BC) have been discovered in Shaoxing, East China's Zhejiang Province, providing valuable insights into the construction methods, structural layout and living conditions of the ordinary people in the outskirts of the Yue State capital, China News Service reported on Tuesday.

Over 80 toy suppliers from China brought more than 1,000 products to the 2025 North America International Toy Fair in New York City, drawing great attention from international buyers.

China is home to 59 World Heritage Sites and 44 intangible cultural heritages recognized by UNESCO. These treasures embody the essence of China's millennia-old civilization and cultural identity of the Chinese nation, serving as the spiritual bond that unites the country's diverse ethnic groups. As the national two sessions are ongoing, some NPC deputies and CPPCC National Committee members have shared with the Global Times their proposals and suggestions on safeguarding and promoting excellent traditional Chinese culture, highlighting their commitment to cultural heritage protection and vision for cultural development in the new era.

China's National Cultural Heritage Administration (NCHA) received 41 cultural and artistic artifacts returned to the Chinese side by the Manhattan District Attorney's Office in New York, US, at dawn on Tuesday, Beijing time.

The highly anticipated Chinese animated film Ne Zha 2 is set for official release in multiple Southeast Asian countries, including Singapore, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Thailand . As the film enjoys global popularity, the border county of Hekou in Southwest China's Yunnan Province has witnessed a surge in cross-border moviegoers.

With sharp inquiries, the host of "Wenzheng Shandong," which means Questioning Shandong in Chinese, leaves officials sweating and struggling for answers, while an on-site panel of observers frowns, ready to raise their "Dissatisfied" signs. This investigative TV program from East China's Shandong Province has gone viral in China recently.

Literature and art in modern-day China is, in essence, the literature and art of the people, as art creators follow a people-centered approach in their work and produce numerous outstanding works that satisfy people's spiritual needs, embody Chinese cultural traditions and reflect the nation's aesthetic pursuits. As the annual two sessions convene in Beijing, a number of CPPCC members and NPC deputies shared with the Global Times their proposals and suggestions on achieving the creative transformation and innovative development of literary and artistic creation and cultural heritage protection in the new era.

From tools used at workplaces to creative video production, novel writing, drone simulation flight training, smart parenting courses and intelligent human resource solutions, the AI night school offers a diverse array of classes that appeal to a wide range of participants, including public officials, students, new parents and professionals from a variety of industries.

Chinese animated blockbuster "Ne Zha 2" has grossed an estimated nearly 18 million U.S. dollars after three weekends in North America, data from the measurement firm Comscore showed on Sunday.

China has become the country with the most dinosaur fossil discovery sites in the world, the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology (IVPP) at the Chinese Academy of Sciences recently revealed.

The recent launch of a player self-recommendation system under the purview of the Chinese Football Association (CFA) marks a significant step forward in the development of Chinese football. This initiative, which allows all domestic players to recommend themselves, has far-reaching implications and potential benefits for the sport in China.

The highly anticipated Chinese animated film Ne Zha 2 premiered in Singapore on Sunday, drawing an enthusiastic crowd. The film is set for release in multiple other Southeast Asian countries, includ-ing the Philippines, Malaysia, and Thailand.

China's National Cultural Heritage Administration (NCHA) announced on Sunday that the newly revised Law on the Protection of Cultural Relics, which took effect on Saturday, explicitly establishes China's right to reclaim cultural relics lost overseas due to theft or illicit export without any time limitations.

A total of 2.29 million infringing links related to films released during China's Spring Festival movie season like NeZha 2 and Venom: The Last Dance have been removed since January as authorities intensified crackdown on illegal recording and distribution, Xinhua reported on Sunday.

A fire-drilling toolset dating back about 7,000 years has been unearthed at the Canyangang site in East China's Jiangsu Province. This discovery yielded the earliest known physical evidence of fire-making technology found in the country to date, reported the Xinhua News Agency.

Renowned musician from Hong Kong Khalil Fong (Fang Datong), 41, passed away on February 21 after fighting with illness with a positive attitude for five years. "Fong will continue his mission and dreams in another realm of life. The music and graphic novels he left behind are an eternal spiritual legacy," the music company Fumusic posted on Sina Weibo on Saturday.

A new species of spined loach, officially named the Cobitis beijingensis, has been discovered in the Beijing area for the first time in over 40 years. This is the first time a fish species has been named using the pinyin "Beijing" globally, according to a report released by the Beijing Daily on Thursday.

China's track and field athletes are in the midst of preparing for the national indoor athletics championships, which are scheduled to be held in Jinan, East China's Shandong Province, from March 7 to 9. The event, which will also serve as the last chance for the Chinese athletes to qualify into the 2025 World Athletics Indoor Championships in Nanjing, East China's Jiangsu Province, is expected to witness the emergence of domestic talents.

The torch for The World Games (TWG) 2025 Chengdu, named Zhumeng (lit: Bamboo Dream in Chinese, which also sounds like "chasing dreams"), was unveiled in Chengdu, Southwest China's Sichuan Province, on Thursday. The design of the torch, the first-ever in TWG's history, is inspired by the Grand Bronze Standing Figure at the Sanxingdui Ruins site in Sichuan.

Starting March 1, the revised Law on the Protection of Cultural Relics will be implemented nation-wide, introducing new regulations for cultural relic preservation and China's repatriation of lost arti-facts around the globe. A major focus of the updated law is to prioritize the protection of cultural rel-ics; and while the law has yet to take full effect, various regions in China have already begun imple-menting its principles.

In the vast 400-square-kilometer area of the Kuaiji Mountain in ­Shaoxing, East China's Zhejiang Province, a collection of torreya trees has stood the test of time. Among them are tens of thousands of trees that are over 100 years old, with nearly 100 trees exceeding 1,000 years in age.

Swiss Ambassador to China, Jurg Burri, visited the Renmin University of China in Beijing on February 25. On the same day, the university's Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies (RDCY), staged an Ambassador Forum. Under the theme of "the Innovative and Steadfast Partnership between Switzerland and China," the ambassador gave a speech, discussing China-Switzerland relations, the Free Trade Area, and the two countries' 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties.

The Embassy of Türkiye in China held a press briefing in Beijing on February 25. İsmail Hakkı Musa, Ambassador of Türkiye to China, reviewed the historical origins and development of Türkiye-China relations while exploring bilateral cooperation in the future.

In a recent interview, the head coach of China's national men's basketball team, Guo Shiqiang, emphasized that naturalized players are an "inevitable trend" for the team if it wants to remain competitive, which stirred up debate on the matter of naturalization once again.

The Embassy of Saudi Arabia in China hosted the Saudi Founding Day 2025 celebration in Beijing on February 25. Special Envoy Zhai Jun of the Chinese Government on the Middle East Issue, participated in the reception. Both sides also exchanged views on bilateral relations.

French Culture Center in Beijing launched the 29th Mois de la francophonie in Beijing on February 26. For 25 years, the Month of Francophonie has been one of the major highlights of the Institut Français de Chine.

Consul General of Consulate General of the Kingdom of Cambodia in Jinan, Mao Samneang, visited Jinan in East China's Shandong Province, and held talks with Yu Haitian, Mayor of Jinan, on February 25. Both sides discussed opportunities to achieve mutual benefit, win-win, and common development.

In 2017, I visited my cousin and asked her to recommend me the book that she liked the most. I remember she walked me through some novels in different genres such as sci-fi, adventure and history on her bookshelf.

Italian fashion brand Fendi is caught up in a dispute after having been accused of erroneously describing the Chinese cultural roots of one of its recent products' design as Korean.

Plum blossoms in Meiyuan Garden have recently entered their peak flowering season in Linhai City, east China's Zhejiang Province.

The 10th Istanbul Publishing Fellowship kicked off on Tuesday, with China selected as the "Focus Country" for the event.

Recent excavations at the Liulihe relic site in Beijing have uncovered significant discoveries, including the precise reconstruction of a four-generation family lineage and insights into the diets of ancient inhabitants from 2,700 years ago. Through ancient DNA analysis and isotope research, these findings shed new light on life during the Western Zhou Dynasty (1046-771BC).

Disney's live-action remake of Snow White, set to be released in the Chinese mainland and North America on March 21, has ignited a firestorm of debate both in China and abroad. Adapted from the 1937 animated classic - the studio's first feature-length film - the remake attempts to modernize a centuries-old fairy tale while navigating the fraught terrain of identity politics.

Regulations on the protection of the cliff inscriptions in Fuzhou, East China's Fujian Province, will be officially implemented starting from March 1, the municipal government of Fuzhou announced on Wednesday. The regulations specify penalties for damages to the inscriptions and provide legal protection to promote the preservation of the city's cliff inscriptions.

On its official opening day on Wednesday, the Western Airport Museum in Xi'an, Northwest China's Shaanxi Province - the world's first on-site cultural heritage museum housed in an airport - wel-comed thousands of visitors. The visitor traffic amazed staff members at the museum, who were busy maintaining order and guiding visitors on the spot without a moment's pause.

Wuxi, a city located in East China's Jiangsu Province, by the shores of the Taihu Lake, has long been hailed as the “Pearl of Jiangnan Water Towns.” It embodies the ideal image of a traditional Jiangnan (the region located in the coastal area south of the Yangtze River) town in many people's hearts across the globe.

"My dad doesn't know why, but he particularly enjoys watching videos of funeral processions with suona [an oboe-like traditional Chinese solo musical instrument] music," 27-year-old Bao Xiuhuan from Wenzhou, East China's Zhejiang Province, told the Global Times.

An aerial drone photo shows tourists visiting the Grand Tang Mall in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Feb. 2, 2024. As the provincial capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Xi'an, with a history of over 3,100 years, has served as the capital city for 13 dynasties of China. Under the policies of protection and utilization of cultural relics, the historical and cultural resources of Xi'an have been well preserved.

Beijing Guoan's newly signed Serbian international Uros Spajic joined the team in Shanghai on Tuesday as they gear up for the Chinese Super League (CSL) clash against Shanghai Shenhua on Sat-urday.

While hiking enthusiasts are eager to explore outdoors in spring time, several mountainous scenic areas have temporarily closed recently due to hazardous weather conditions.

A new Neolithic archaeological site has recently been discovered in the city of Baoji, Northwest China's Shaanxi Province, offering valuable insights into the Yangshao culture. The 15,000-square-meter site, named Weizigou, yielded a rare 5,000-year-old small-mouthed, pointed-bottom amphorae, believed to have been used for alcohol brewing, marking a significant contribution to the study of Neolithic pottery, Wang Hao, director of the Baoji Institute of Archaeology, told the Global Times on Tuesday.

Looking at your delightfully naïve pet kitty at home, have you ever thought it could be used as a unit of measurement?

In the quiet corners of the Fudan University Library, where the scent of aged paper fills the air, Yu Rong, a veteran expert in ancient book restoration, sits in front of her screen, typing on her keyboard with several questions in mind: "How do overseas experts restore ancient books? Are there efficient methods we can learn from?"

Featuring ancient ceramics made at the renowned Longquan and Jingdezhen kilns, the Nanhaiwei City Wall site was unearthed in Dongguan, South China's Guangdong Province. It is the largest single archaeological excavation project in Guangdong Province in recent years. The site's excavation reveals Dongguan used to be a crucial exchange node on the ancient Maritime Silk Road.

Rich brachiopod fossils dating back 470 million years to the Ordovician period were discovered in Zigui county, Central China's Hubei Province. Experts suggest these fossils provide evidence for researches into the ancient geography and paleobiological evolution of the Three Gorges region, China News Service reported on Tuesday.

People visit an international art exhibition in Istanbul, Türkiye, on Feb. 24, 2025. The international art exhibition opened in Istanbul on Monday, highlighting the cultural connections among China, Türkiye, and other nations along the Silk Road.

Around 10 centimeters in length, the fossil of a type of scorpion species that existed around 125 million years ago has been discovered in Chifeng, North China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. The discovery marks the first Mesozoic scorpion fossil unearthed in the country.

As one of the creators of Black Myth: Wukong, I still feel a surge of emotion when I reflect on this game's journey from concept to reality. Every step - from the first spark of inspiration to its unveiling before players - embodies the tireless dedication of our team.

Chinese table tennis star Wang Chu­qin on Monday celebrated his victory at the 34th ITTF-ATTU Asian Cup 2025 in a post on Sina Weibo. "As an athlete, raising the five-star red flag is always my greatest pride. I'm very happy to have your witness. The Chinese table tennis team is always the best. See you at the next competition!"

Chinese racer Shi Wei will make history as the first driver from China to compete in the F1 Academy in March. She will take on the world's best female drivers as a wild card entry, when the opening round of the 2025 F1 Academy ­season takes place during the F1 Chinese Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit from March 21 to 23.

Chinese archaeologists from Zhengzhou, Central China's Henan Province have unveiled the earliest and largest known rammed-earth city site, the Qingjinggou Yangshao Site from the mid-Yangshao culture, CCTV News reported on Monday.

More than 80 archaeological sites and artifact distribution points containing artifacts that date back from the Neolithic period to modern times have recently been discovered in South China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

A guinea fowl is seen at Nairobi National Park in Nairobi, Kenya, Feb. 23, 2025. Located about 7 kilometers south of the city center, Nairobi National Park is one of the world's few national parks located on the doorstep of a major city. It is a home for more than 100 mammal species and over 500 recorded bird species.

People dressed in costumes enjoy carnival festivities in Athens, Greece, Feb. 23, 2025.

Highlights of 2025 ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships

The earliest known examples of China's "high-quartz porcelain" have been uncovered at the Suyukou porcelain kiln site in the county of ­Helan, Northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, challenging previous assumptions about the development of porcelain in China. This discovery has advanced the timeline of a crucial porcelain technique, specifically the "two-component recipe," pushing its origins from the Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368) to the Xixia period (1038-1227), reported CCTV on Sunday.

Chinese director Huo Meng won the Silver Bear prize for best director at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival for his film Living the Land, a story about four generations of Chinese farmers, the China News Service reported on Sunday.

China's national under-20 football team saw their dream of qualifying for the FIFA U-20 World Cup slip away in a cruel fashion, as a stoppage-time goal by Saudi Arabia in the AFC U20 Asian Cup quarterfinals sealed a 1-0 defeat, leaving Chinese football fans in silent disbelief.

The Xi'an Xianyang International Airport in Northwest China's Shaanxi Province, known for world-famous relics such as the Terracotta Army, is no longer merely a transportation space for tourists since it introduced the world's first in-terminal museum showcasing local archaeological treasures on Thursday. This bold initiative redefines the boundaries of both museum spaces and transportation hubs, heralding a new chapter in cultural accessibility and public engagement.

The Shanxi Provincial Institute of Archaeology in North China has revealed the latest development of Yuancun ruins, which were discovered in Yuncheng, North China's Shanxi Province. An expert told the Global Times on Sunday that the "Yasheng" and "Ge" clan emblems unearthed at the site have provided important evidence for the study of Shang and Zhou dynasties in southern Shanxi.

The record-breaking Chinese animated blockbuster Ne Zha 2 debuted in Hong Kong and Macau special administrative regions on Saturday. Local theaters have reported surging attendance, fueling the film's growing momentum as it plays across major cinemas in the two cities.

Italian guests pose for photos in local customs at Banyueli Village of Xinan Town, Xiapu County, southeast China's Fujian Province, Feb. 20, 2025. A delegation from Sardinia, Italy visited the village on Thursday, experiencing the unique She ethnic group culture and customs.

Young Chinese travelers, after discovering the thrill of rock climbing, have now found a new extreme sport suitable for the masses - Via Ferrata leading high up toward the sky. Via Ferrata, an Italian term meaning "iron road" or "iron way," involves climbing a mountain rock face equipped with steel handrails, footholds, and cables. Unlike traditional rock climbing, which focuses on vertical ascents, Via Ferrata allows participants to traverse rocky walls with added safety measures.

More Italy and less Great Britain: In recent years, especially since the post-pandemic period, the flow of Chinese university students to Europe has changed direction, with a growing number of students favoring the Italian peninsula over institutions in the UK.

"Director Jiaozi and the creative team behind Ne Zha 2 have fully dedicated themselves to their next project, declining all interview requests." The latest update of creators of the blockbuster ignited conversation on Chinese social media platforms on Wednesday. The team of Chinese animation producers is eager to embark on a new journey to a higher place, although their work is currently standing at the highest position among global animation films.

In a highly anticipated game on Thursday, the Chinese men's basketball team achieved a resounding 100-58 victory over Japan in a FIBA Asia Cup qualifier match in Shenzhen, South China's Guangdong Province, securing direct qualification for the 2025 Asia Cup.

The world's first on-site museum within an ­airport was unveiled at the T5 terminal at Xi'an Xianyang International Airport, which officially began operations on Thursday in Northwest ­China's Shaanxi Province, a staff member with the airport surnamed Chen told the Global Times.

In today's fast-paced world, China's popular micro-drama model perfectly aligns with global audience's viewing habits and delivers a strong emotional impact. This has contributed to its overseas success. With a focus on long-term growth abroad, micro-­dramas must strengthen cross-national collaborations in the future, Xiang Kai, a playwright and director, told the Global Times.

Recently, Beijing's sports authority released the 2025 calendar of the sports events to be held in the Chinese capital city. This calendar includes a staggering 1,280 events throughout the year, covering a wide range of sports and levels, and promising an unprecedented viewing experience for sports enthusiasts.

A new paleofish species fossil, Bothriolepis zhujiangyuanensis, has been discovered in Southwest China's Yunnan Province, the Chinese Academy of Sciences announced on Thursday. This is the first time a fish fossil has been found at the source of the Pearl River, marking the discovery of a new species of Bothriolepis in nearly 50 years in China.

Snooker veteran Barry Hawkins is set to compete in the upcoming World Open, which will take place from Sunday to March 1 in Yushan, East China's Jiangxi Province.

The expectation of an increased tempo for the domestic football league, tactical changes brought by foreign coaches and how homegrown players may make use of their opportunities are some of the storylines to keep an eye on during the new season of the Chinese Super League (CSL).

Six significant archaeological sites in China were named the top new discoveries of 2024, it was announced Wednesday at an annual forum hosted by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. The Mengchaktepa site in Uzbekistan, located along the ancient Silk Road, was listed among the new discoveries outside China.

After seeing the incredible box office gains and reviews for Ne Zha 2 outside of China, Peter, an Australian filmmaker who lives in Brisbane, became curious about what the animated film is about and decided to judge its quality himself as an industry insider. His curiosity was highly rewarded.

The highly anticipated animated film Ne Zha 2 held its premiere in Causeway Bay in Hong Kong on Tuesday, drawing an enthusiastic response from audiences.

The Chinese national under-20 football team finished the group stage in second place at the U20 Asian Cup in Shenzhen, South China's Guangdong Province, after being defeated 2-1 by Australia in a match featuring both teams' second-string lineups.

Just as the Spring Festival holidays came to an end, a city museum in Huai'an, East China's Jiangsu Province, made a bold decision that sent ripples through otherwise tranquil cultural institutions: Starting from February 10 it would no longer close on Mondays and embrace a year-round, no-rest operation schedule. The move not only is a response to the growing cultural demands of the public but also provides a pioneering model for the next development of cultural institutions nationwide.

A well-preserved salt production workshop active during the Jin Dynasty (1115-1234) and Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368) has been discovered in East China's Shandong Province, filling a gap in the archaeological study of salt production during this period in the Yellow River Delta region, the Shandong Underwater Archaeology Research Center told the Global Times on Tuesday.