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Since July, the number of high-temperature days in the Huanghuai, Jianghuai, Jianghan, and Jiangnan regions of China has generally ranged from five to eight days, with some areas experiencing continuous high temperatures for nine to 13 days, the People's Daily reported on Thursday, citing data from the China Meteorological Administration (CMA). 

On Thursday morning, the National Meteorological Centre (NMC) continued to issue an orange alert for high temperatures. It is expected that during the day of Thursday, most areas from the Guanzhong of Northwest China's Shaanxi Province to the south of the central and western parts of the Huanghuai region, most of Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, and the western part of North China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region is expected to experience temperatures above 35 C.

In the past two days, this round of high temperatures entered its peak phase, with 1,400 national meteorological observation stations in 29 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities) recording temperatures above 35 C, said the CMA.

The maximum temperatures in Xi'an, Xianyang, Baoji, and other locations in Shaanxi exceeded 42 C, while the Dongkan National Meteorological Observation Station in Turpan, Xinjiang recorded temperature of 45.7 C. 

Over the past two days, maximum temperatures at eight national meteorological observation stations broke historical records, according to the CMA. In the first week of July, more than 100 national meteorological observation stations across the country broke nighttime temperature records. For example, in Jinan, East China's Shandong Province, the daily minimum temperature stood at 29 C, the administration said.  

Against the backdrop of global warming, the baseline temperatures in most regions of the country have already risen by over 2 C. Compounding this effect is the stable high-pressure system formed by the merging of subtropical and continental warm highs - also known as a "heat dome," Sun Shao, a senior researcher at Chinese Academy of Meteorological Sciences, told the Global Times on Thursday. 

Once a heat dome develops, areas under its influence are prone to prolonged and extreme high temperatures, Sun noted.

In addition, the frequency of extreme temperatures related to climate change has increased, significantly exacerbating the negative impacts on human health, according to a Chinese research team. 

In response, local governments have implemented measures to cope with the heat.

Such as in Yuncheng, North China's Shanxi, the local city environmental sanitation department intensified the spraying efforts on the roads to suppress dust and lower the temperature. The local city service stations are open to the public for free 24 hours a day, where outdoor workers can go to the service stations at any time to replenish water, escape the summer heat and rest. 

The meteorological observatory of Shanxi predicts that on Thursday, the high-temperature weather will continue, with the highest outdoor temperature in some areas of southern Shanxi reaching 42 C, according to China Central Television.

According to the forecast of the NMC, in the coming week, high temperatures above 35 C will persist in southern and central parts of north China's Hebei Province, Huanghuai, Jianghan, Jianghuai, Jiangnan, Guanzhong, and the Sichuan Basin, with the maximum temperature in some areas reaching 39 to 42 C. The heatwave is expected to ease starting from July 21.

A one-year-old police dog from the Chuxiong Public Security Bureau's police dog base in Southwest China's Yunnan Province recently helped locate an 80-year-old man who had gone missing in the mountains, following a search operation that lasted over 30 hours.

An 80-year-old man from Sanjie town failed to return for an extended period after going up the mountain to collect firewood, prompting his family to report to the police for help. In response, the local police dog base dispatched an experienced trainer along with four police dogs in a joint rescue effort. Among them was Barton, a one-year-old police dog, The Paper reported.

Days of continuous rainfall had left the mountain paths muddy and slippery, with extremely low visibility. Coupled with the complex and hazardous mountain forest terrain, the search operation faced considerable challenges.

During the mission, Barton sustained a foreleg injury when accidentally pierced by sharp branches while navigating dense underbrush. His trainer Li Xiaohua administered emergency treatment before resuming the search.

About 35 hours later, at the sound of Barton's bark, the rescue team spotted the elderly man in a deep ravine, the Paper reported. Police officers successfully rescued him and conducted a preliminary examination, confirming he was in stable physical condition.

Barton was born on May 20, 2024, and transferred to the police dog base for training in September of the same year. He passed the assessment and officially started duty at the start of 2025, The Paper said.

Though only one year old, Barton is a seasoned veteran, having participated in 43 search and rescue missions and successfully rescued six people, according to the report.

China will launch the "Digital South" initiative under the framework of the Global Development Initiative (GDI), and over the next five years, will host 200 training programs on the digital economy and artificial intelligence (AI) for countries of the Global South, Premier Li Qiang announced during the plenary sessions of the 17th BRICS Summit, according to the Xinhua News Agency. 

On Monday and Tuesday local time, Premier Li attended the second and third sessions of the 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro and delivered speeches on key topics including strengthening multilateralism, artificial intelligence, environmental and climate change, and global health. Leaders of BRICS member states, partner countries, guest nations, and representatives of international organizations attended the meetings, according to Xinhua. 

The current international economic and trade order and the multilateral trading system are under severe strain, and the global economic recovery remains challenging, Li said, noting that the Greater BRICS cooperation should uphold its founding purpose, meet the needs of the times, safeguard and practice multilateralism, promote the establishment of a fair and open international economic and trade order, and unite the strength of the Global South to make greater contributions to global stability and development, according to Xinhua 

He emphasized the need to open up new blue oceans for economic growth by expanding cooperation in emerging areas such as the digital and green economies, leveraging AI to empower a wide range of industries and benefit countless households, and helping Global South countries enhance their capabilities.

China will host 200 training programs in digital economy and AI for Global South countries over the next five years. China also welcomes all countries to attend the World Artificial Intelligence Conference to be held in China this July, Li said, according to Xinhua. 

Chinese Premier Li Qiang said on Wednesday that China and Egypt, as important members of the Global South, should further strengthen strategic coordination to safeguard their common interests, according to the Xinhua News Agency. 

Li made the remarks after landing in the Egyptian capital Cairo for an official visit to the Middle East country, Xinhua said. 

This visit comes at a critical moment as the China-Egypt comprehensive strategic partnership entered its second golden decade. As such, the visit is expected to deepen China-Egypt cooperation across political, economic, strategic, and cultural dimensions, and to further advance the building of a shared future between the two nations, a Chinese expert said. 

Through the visit, China hopes to work with Egypt to carry forward our traditional friendship, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, advance China-Egypt relations toward the goal of building a community with a shared future for the new era, and build a China-Arab community with a shared future at a higher level, Mao Ning, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, told a recent press conference. 

On one hand, economic and trade cooperation is expected to upgrade from traditional infrastructure development to a full industrial chain collaboration focused on new quality productive forces, Song Wei, a professor at the School of International Relations and Diplomacy at Beijing Foreign Studies University, told the Global Times on Wednesday.  

In the past, China and Egypt have engaged in deep cooperation in infrastructure, with China supporting the establishment of economic and trade cooperation zones and industrial parks in Egypt. Looking ahead, China will strengthen cooperation in areas such as new energy and high-tech industries in response to Egypt's needs for industrial transformation and digital economic development, Song noted. 

In recent years, China and Egypt have jointly achieved several "firsts": Chinese companies constructed Africa's tallest skyscraper in Egypt, built Egypt's first electrified light rail, and supported Egypt to become the continent's leading fiberglass base. Chinese technology has also enabled Egypt to become the first African country with full satellite assembly and testing capabilities, Xinhua said. 

Ahmed Moustafa, an Egyptian economist and director of Asia Center for Studies and Translation, told the Global Times on Wednesday that this visit is expected to strengthen economic ties between the two countries. "Discussions will focus on advancing their comprehensive strategic partnership, established in 2014, and aligning Egypt's Vision 2030 modernization plan with China's Belt and Road Initiative," Moustafa said, noting that the collaboration could lead to significant projects in renewable energy, high-speed rail construction and other infrastructure developments.

There are some key areas of cooperation including energy and technology, infrastructure development, trade and investment, culture exchange, he said. For instance in energy and technology, the two countries could enhance collaboration in renewable energy, artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies to drive sustainable growth.

The China-Egypt partnership has significant implications for the Global South, the Egyptian economist said. The partnership demonstrates a model for mutually beneficial collaboration between developing nations, enhances economic and security cooperation in the Middle East and Africa, and contributes to the development of new infrastructure and industries in Egypt and beyond, Moustafa said. 

The China-Egypt cooperation model offers valuable insights for Global South countries, Song said. Their exploration of de-dollarization through local currency settlement and technology transfer represents a path toward independent development free from external dependency. This model embodies the spirit of equality, mutual benefit and coordinated development, setting a positive example for international development cooperation, she noted. 

Within the BRICS framework, closer China-Egypt cooperation contributes to advancing global financial governance reform and enhancing the representation and voice of Global South countries in international affairs, Song told the Global Times. 

"Also, their collaboration in addressing regional hotspots and global climate challenges highlights the constructive role such partnerships can play, underscoring both the current feasibility and future potential of Global South nations working together to tackle shared challenges," she added. 

When asked to comment on reports that an Irish regulator helping to oversee EU data privacy has launched an investigation into TikTok over the alleged "transfer of European users' personal data to servers in China," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Friday that the Chinese government attaches great importance to and protects data privacy and security in accordance with the law. It has never and will never require enterprises or individuals to collect or store data in illegal ways. 

According to Reuters, the new inquiry by TikTok's lead regulator in the EU, as its European headquarters is located in Ireland, will look specifically at the storage of data in China.

"China hopes that the European side will earnestly respect the principles of market economy and fair competition and provide a fair, just and non-discriminatory business environment for enterprises from all countries," Mao said.

Recently, European Commission (EC) President Ursula von der Leyen made several accusations against China on issues related to market access, subsidies, government procurement, export controls, and overcapacity in a speech.

In response, He Yongqian, a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM), on Thursday sharply rebuked the criticisms, calling the EU's allegations on overcapacity, market access and other issues "unfounded."

"In fact, the relevant remarks made by the EU leader do not truly reflect the current state of China-EU economic and trade relations, nor do they reflect the positive progress made in the dialogue and communication between the economic and trade authorities of the two sides," He said.

The MOFCOM spokesperson also urged the EU to view bilateral economic and trade relations without emotion and prejudice, with fewer accusations and more communication, less protection and more openness, less anxiety and more action, and less labeling and more consultations.

China is willing to work with the EU to mutually expand two-way market access, strengthen dialogue on government procurement and export controls, deepen supply chain cooperation, and promote WTO reforms, in a bid to inject more stability, certainty, and positive energy into building an open world economy, He said.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Friday criticized the notion of "might makes right," questioning where rules and justice stand under such logic at a joint press conference in Paris with his French counterpart Jean-Noel Barrot. “Strength will not bring true peace; it may well open 'Pandora’s box'. How should countries lacking strength, especially small and medium-sized ones, find their place? Are they to be laid out on the table, left at the mercy of others?” said Wang.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, is visiting Europe from June 30 to July 6, at the invitation of High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the EU Kaja Kallas, Federal Foreign Minister of Germany Johann Wadephul, and Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France Jean-Noel Barrot.

Responding to questions about China's stance on the Iran nuclear issue and the current situation in the Middle East, Wang said that the Iran nuclear issue could have been a model for resolving international disputes through dialogue and negotiation. However, it has now triggered a new round of crisis in the Middle East. Despite hearing the knock of peace, the door to peace remains shut. China deeply regrets this outcome and believes there are profound lessons to be learned.

Wang reiterated China's clear and consistent position on the Iran nuclear issue. “We value the repeated public commitments made by Iranian Supreme Leader that Iran will not develop nuclear weapons, and we also respect Iran’s right, as a signatory to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), to the peaceful use of nuclear energy,” he said. 

Based on this, relevant parties should accelerate negotiations to reach a new international agreement on resolving the Iran nuclear issue, placing Iran's nuclear activities fully under the strict supervision and safeguards of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Wang said. 

He emphasized that the path to peace lies beneath our feet, and history will question the sincerity of all parties involved.

The Chinese foreign minister said that military conflicts between Israel and Iran should not be repeated as war cannot resolve the Iran nuclear issue, and preemptive strikes lack legitimacy. The excessive use of force will only escalate conflict and breed more animosity, warning that the US’s brazen bombing of a sovereign country's nuclear facilities has set a dangerous precedent and if it leads to a nuclear disaster, the entire world will bear the consequences.

Wang also emphasized that the genuine resolution of the Iran nuclear issue cannot ignore the core issue in the Middle East, which is the Palestinian question. The humanitarian disaster in Gaza must not be allowed to continue. The Palestinian issue must no longer be marginalized. The legitimate aspirations of the Arab nation should be fulfilled as soon as possible, and the just voices of the broader Islamic world must be given due attention.

The "two-state solution" remains the only realistic path to resolving the chaos in the Middle East, and the international community should take more concrete and effective action to support this goal, Wang said.

Wang called for China and France, both as permanent members of the UN Security Council, to uphold justice and take responsibility by supporting conflict resolution through dialogue and negotiation, opposing double standards, and basing their positions on the merits of the matter itself. The UN and its Security Council should play their due role in promoting peace. China is willing to work with France to make unremitting efforts toward these goals.

In response to a reporter's question about an AP report about French intelligence services claiming that after the India-Pakistan conflict in May this year, China used its embassies abroad to spread doubts about the performance of French-made Rafale fighter jets, aiming to undermine their sales, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Monday that she is not aware of the situation. 

On the southern bank of the Minjiang River estuary in Fujian province, a sprawling wetland sanctuary is proving indispensable to one of nature's great journeys.

The Minjiang River estuary wetland, encompassing roughly 2,382 hectares of protected land, has become a critical stopover post on the arduous East Asian-Australasian migratory bird flyway.

Its significance was formally recognized in 2022 when it was designated a Wetland of International Importance. For years, its value has been measured in the wings of countless birds finding refuge and food within its boundaries. Serving as a vital ecological hub, it supports biodiversity and safeguards endangered species along this crucial avian migration route.

Among the conservationists on the frontline is Guo Pingping, a dedicated member of the scientific monitoring division of the Minjiang River estuary wetland national nature reserve. Her daily work involves meticulous field surveys and protection measures, ensuring safe passage and habitat for the region's migratory guests.

"The Minjiang Estuary Wetland is a critical station for migratory birds and a home to many rare and endangered species," Guo said. "Migratory birds are the best indicators of whether the wetland is well protected and the ecosystem is improving."

The birds are indeed signaling positive change. Guo's data revealed notable population increases. Compared to 2021, counts of shorebirds, geese and ducks, and gulls recorded in 2024 surged by approximately 23 percent, 13 percent and a remarkable 198 percent respectively.

Furthermore, significant numbers of terns are now utilizing the wetland to complete essential life activities -- feeding, mating and breeding, a testament to its improving ecological health and value.

Years of continuous scientific research, including a major investigation from 2022 to 2023, have mapped the migration patterns and habitat preferences of the waterbirds. This sustained effort has yielded tangible results -- the recent survey documented over 70 more bird species than a similar one conducted in 2011.

This flourishing biodiversity underscores the wetland's improving condition. The area is now home to 1,378 species of wild animals and plants, with notable environmental improvements and balance of the local wetland ecosystem.

Whenever migratory birds glide freely over the wetland, or a new species is found breeding within its bounds, Guo feels proud and rewarded. As a woman working in ecological monitoring, Guo believes her perspective brings distinct strengths.

"The meticulousness, perseverance, and empathy help identify subtle issues in conservation work and offer solutions that are more humane and considerate," she said. "I hope my journey encourages more young women to pursue their passions with courage and determination." 

When asked for comment on the "BRICS Joint Statement on the Escalation of the Security Situation in the Middle East Following the Military Strikes on the Territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran," issued by the BRICS Chair, Brazil, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun stated that the BRICS countries are a progressive force in maintaining world peace and stability, as well as upholding international fairness and justice. 

In response to the current tense situation in the Middle East, the BRICS countries have issued a joint statement calling for a ceasefire, urging dialogue and consultation, while playing a constructive role in de-escalating the situation in the Middle East, Guo noted. 

"In the face of rising tensions with unpredictable consequences for international peace and security, as well as for the world economy, we underscore the urgent need to break the cycle of violence and restore peace. We call on all parties to engage through existing channels of dialogue and diplomacy, with a view to de-escalating the situation and resolving their differences through peaceful means," the statement said.

China is willing to work with the BRICS countries to continue making efforts to maintain peace and stability in the Middle East, Guo added.

Some in NATO, by playing up international and regional tensions and slandering China's normal military buildup, seek nothing but excuses to allow NATO to drastically grow its military spending, arbitrarily reach beyond its geographical scope and mandate, and advance eastward into the Asia-Pacific, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Thursday. 

We firmly oppose NATO using China as an excuse to "expand eastward into the Asia-Pacific" and urge NATO to reflect on its own behaviors, change course, and contribute more to global security and stability, Zhang Xiaogang, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, also stated on the same day.

These remarks were made in response to NATO chief Mark Rutte's claim on Wednesday that it's really important that NATO spends more, given factors including Russia-Ukraine conflict and so-called China's massive military buildup.

Guo noted that NATO countries already account for 55 percent of the world's total military spending in 2024. Yet they're still required to raise defense investment to 5 percent of GDP to build a "more lethal NATO." What exactly is NATO's objective behind this? NATO calls itself a regional organization, but it keeps reaching beyond the geographic scope defined in its treaty and into the Asia-Pacific by claiming that what happens there and in Euro-Atlantic are "interconnected". The world is not blind to NATO's calculations, and countries in the Asia-Pacific are certainly wary of it, said Guo. 

Guo stated that on Ukraine, China has all along been promoting talks for peace and actively pushing for a political settlement of the crisis. China has never provided weapons to any party to the conflict and exercised strict export control over dual-use articles. China's objective and impartial position and constructive role have been widely recognized by the international community, while NATO's disinformation cannot deceive people around the world. If NATO truly cares about the security of Europe and the world, it should stop adding fuel to the fire and instigating confrontation.

China acts as a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development, a defender for international order and a supplier of public good. On peace and security, China has the best track record among major countries. We call on NATO to examine its own behavior, listen to the just voice of the world and let go of its outdated Cold War mentality, bloc confrontation and zero-sum approach. Time for NATO to get its perception right about China and stop manipulating issues on China, Guo said. 

China will firmly uphold sovereignty, security, and development interests, and continue to do its part to make the world a more peaceful and stable place, Guo added.

When asked to comment on the NATO Secretary General's recent claims that NATO should strengthen its partnership with Indo-Pacific countries, citing so-called military challenges posed by China, Zhang stressed that China adheres to the path of peaceful development, and is committed to a national defense policy that is defensive in nature. China's military development is purely aimed at safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests. 

The claim that China is "providing Russia with key support during the Russia-Ukraine conflict" is complete nonsense, said Lü Xiang, a research fellow at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. "The root cause of the Russia-Ukraine conflict lies in the US long-term meddling in regional affairs. Europe, while being a participant in the conflict, is also a victim—yet under US pressure, it has been forced to go along with the situation."

The NATO Secretary General essentially serves as Washington's spokesperson in Europe, said Lü. As a product of the Cold War and the world's largest military alliance, NATO is gradually becoming a "zombie" organization in the post-Cold War era.

"In an attempt to justify its continued existence, it keeps exaggerating and fabricating so-called security threats, thereby aligning itself with US strategic objectives and pressuring member states to increase military spending," Lü added.