Stories from Beijing · China

During China's May Day holiday, the number of moviegoers increased by 10.23% year-on-year, while screening sessions rose by 2%. The increase in film attendance and screenings indicates a rising single-screening attendance rate and an increasingly active Chinese film market.

The CR400AF Fuxing EMU high-speed train, designed by CRRC Sifang chief engineer Lian Jianying, underwent over 5,200 ground tests and more than 2,300 line tests. The Fuxing Hao train's experimental mileage exceeded 610,000 kilometers.

China's oil imports have fallen by 20% to their lowest level since 2022, while gas imports decreased by 13%. These declines occurred amid increasing disruptions to energy supplies originating from the Middle East, including a reported Hormuz transgression according to Chinese customs data. Estimates indicate the Middle East typically supplies China with about half of its crude oil imports and nearly a third of its liquefied natural gas imports. This decrease was attributed to disruptions of shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. Lu Daliang, Director of the Statistical Analysis Department of the General Administration of Customs, reported that China's foreign trade showed initial positive results this year.

China's shipbuilding industry has become a pioneer in world marine equipment, developing vessels with emission reductions. China's shipbuilding industry holds over 80% of global new orders, with its international market share exceeding 90% in segments like super-large oil tankers, car carriers, and large container ships. China has set a national target to reduce its carbon emissions to 2005 levels by the year 2025. A Chinese source reaffirmed the national goal to reduce China's carbon emissions to 2005 levels by 2025. China aims to achieve carbon peak before 2030, in addition to its goal of reducing carbon emissions by 20% to 2005 levels before 2025. A Vietnamese source reiterated China's goal to reduce carbon emissions by 20% by 2025, specifying that this target aims to bring emissions down to 2005 levels, and confirmed the objective to achieve peak carbon emissions by 2030.

Criminal Chief Li Jiachao stated that global changes are accelerating and geopolitical tensions are intensifying. He affirmed that the country will demonstrate great power responsibility by implementing global development and security initiatives.

Plums have been frequently written about by Chinese literati, appearing in works from Sima Xiangru's 'Shanglin Fu' to Zhang Jiuling's 'Li Zi Fu'. Plums are extensively featured in Chinese literature, with mentions from Sima Xiangru's 'Shanglin Fu' and Zhang Jiuling's 'Plum Fu.' An anecdote recounts Zhao Qianpan, the Prefect of Kuaiji, enjoying and sharing plums, alongside a famous line about 'Zidan plums three hundred.' Many Chinese literati have written about plums, with Sima Xiangru's 'Shanglin Fu' being the earliest mention, followed by Zhang Jiuling's 'Plum Fu.' The transcript also recounts an anecdote where Zhao Qianpan, the prefect of Kuaiji, invited someone to eat plums, which were described as red, delicious, and shared with officials.

An analysis indicates China's Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) holds 1.3 billion barrels, with a potential for more. The People's Liberation Army (PLA) is estimated to consume approximately 500,000 barrels of oil per day.

Bamboo is described as a symbol of enduring winter without withering, acting as a spiritual confidant for poets.

The Chinese government is responsible for its capital markets, as it controls them.

Author Wang Yongying, a 12th National Excellent Children's Literature Award winner and Vice Chairman of the Guangxi Writers Association, was invited to a program.