Stories from Beijing · China

Premier Li Qiang chaired a State Council executive meeting on April 17 to review progress on free trade zone construction. A large Chinese refinery has officially denied engaging in trade with Iran following the imposition of US sanctions.

The AI programming landscape is transitioning from 'vibe coding' to 'wish coding,' signaling a turning point for consumer-end applications. Tools like Cursor and Claude Code are significantly increasing software development efficiency for engineers.

Five types of malaria parasites are known to infect humans: Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium ovale, Plasmodium malariae, and the recently reported Plasmodium knowlesi.

China's auto industry is redefining luxury SUV value with models priced between 300,000 to 500,000 yuan, offering a compelling alternative to imported luxury brands. These vehicles combine high performance with low fuel consumption and advanced intelligent driving assistance features. The Beijing Auto Show highlights this trend, showcasing innovations like 2K resolution LiDAR and powerful processing chips for handling data volumes. The Chinese automotive industry is showcasing its comprehensive capabilities, from microcars to luxury vehicles, including MPVs, SUVs, sedans, and pickups.

China has reported zero domestic malaria cases, according to recent health data. Global malaria statistics show approximately 200 million infections and 600,000 deaths annually. Health officials said that malaria remains prevalent primarily in Africa and Southeast Asia. Prevention efforts focus on managing imported cases and utilizing treatments to prevent life-threatening symptoms. Vaccines are available but effectiveness varies by region. Authorities continue to support malaria prevention and control work to mitigate health crises. China has been certified by the World Health Organization for eliminating malaria, marking a achievement in public health.

Lu Xiulian, a rural farmer, has become a prolific writer over the past thirty years, publishing over a thousand novels, essays, and poems.

Chinese joint venture auto companies are increasingly integrating into the local market, with many models now being China-exclusive and co-developed with Chinese partners. China's integrated vehicle door modules are eliminating manual window cranks due to highly integrated motor and frame designs.

The broadcast discusses historical power struggles in China, focusing on the Qing Dynasty. Japan's principle of exporting weapons globally is seen as a step towards restoring militarism. China, as a victor of World War II, has not signed a peace treaty with Japan and retains the right to station troops there. Recent provocations by Japan are noted.

Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message to President-elect Romuald Wadagni of Benin.

China is pursuing an open approach to telecommunications and scientific advancement, recognizing that progress is impossible in isolation. The nation's 'New Infrastructure' program, launched in 2021, involves investment in 'smart' technologies and networks. Despite strict internet censorship, Chinese leadership understands that isolation would hinder its ability to compete globally. The strategy focuses on increasing openness in communication rather than solely expanding resources or artificial intelligence capabilities. This approach counters calls from some, like those associated with Donald Trump, to restrict technology exports to China. The development poses a nuclear threat to India's neighborhood and has prompted warnings from the United States.