Stories from beijing · China

The 2026 Snooker tournament continues its round of 16 matches on April 27. Athletes are facing bans due to doping offenses. The 2026 Snooker Championship enters its round of 16 stage on April 27. The snooker competition continues on April 27 in Beijing. Chinese player Wu Yize is set to face four-time champion Mark Selby in the third stage of their match on April 27.

The 2026 World Diving World Cup finals are taking place this week at the National Aquatics Center in Beijing. Over 90 elite divers from 17 different countries and regions are participating in the competition. The event is taking place at the Water Cube. The Chinese team will compete as the home nation during the competition. The Diving World Cup Super Finals will take place in Beijing from May 1 to May 3. The event will feature top divers including Olympic champion Chen Yuxi, Chen Yewen, Lian Junjie, and Wang Zongyuan. The schedule includes synchronized and mixed team finals on May 1, followed by men's 3m springboard and women's 10m platform finals on May 2. The final day on May 3 will feature women's 3m springboard and men's 10m platform competitions. In the previous season's finals, the Chinese team won all available gold medals.

BYD is on track to sell 10 million vehicles in 2026. The company's growth has been noted during recent auto shows. Chinese electric vehicles are being described as significantly cheaper than competitors, with some models priced at half the cost of others. This trend is impacting market perceptions of Beijing-made cars.

The Australian dollar is maintaining a short-term high position against the US dollar. The Australian dollar's selling price against the Korean won is 7.836. Current quotes are at 1.3584, with the daily cycle showing high volatility but a recent rebound. Short-term support is identified between 1.3490 and 1.3510.

The Central Meteorological Observatory issued a yellow wind warning for several regions in China. Draft amendments to the Agriculture Law, Defense Mobilization Law, and Water Law will be submitted for deliberation. Chinese authorities are proposing amendments to change the terminology for certain individuals from 'aid recipients' to 'displaced persons.' The modification does not change the content of the existing relief system or the normal operation of aid work. New policy discussions in China are addressing the need for reasonable compensation for workers in the new economy. China's cumulative installed capacity for wind and solar power reached 1.898 billion kilowatts by the end of the first quarter. This represents a 28.1% increase compared to the same period last year. The country's energy supply remained stable during the first quarter with growth in oil and gas production.

A monitor for the Beijing Wildlife Registry, Sha Fei, reported discovering a bearded vulture at the Heishantou monitoring point in Baiwangshan. A juvenile bearded vulture has been identified in Beijing, marking a rare sighting for the species in China.

Australian buyer Ronak Panchal met with 15 suppliers during a trade matchmaking event to discuss cooperation details. The event is part of a series of 28 matchmaking activities designed to connect international buyers directly with Chinese factories. These activities aim to establish efficient bilateral trade channels.

A journalistic investigation in China has revealed risks associated with 'elf ear' cosmetic procedures. The patient missed the optimal window for emergency rescue, leaving the damage likely irreversible. Complications include risks of blindness, severe infection, and potential liquefaction of ear cartilage. New reports indicate severe infection from fillers can cause ear cartilage liquefaction and require surgery down to the bone to clear facial nerve compression. Severe infections from hyaluronic acid fillers can cause ear cartilage to liquefy and lose structural support. Medical professionals are calling for regulatory oversight as the concept of certain aesthetic treatments is described as a medical myth. Experts note that current medical methods struggle to fully correct these deformities once they occur.

Ethan Robertson, co-founder of a YouTube channel for English-speaking audiences, led a group from Australia, New Zealand, and the UAE at the Beijing Auto Show. Researchers confirmed the discovery of a monazite variant alongside Chang'eite, indicating past oxidation processes on the Moon. This discovery provides critical data for understanding lunar geological history. The findings suggest the Moon underwent complex chemical changes during its early stages. These minerals are considered essential life elements that provide insight into planetary layers and elemental migration. The discovery aids in understanding planetary evolution and the potential for life on other planets. The research team expects to maintain high production and growth rates through 2025. The discovery includes 8 minerals from lunar samples and 3 from lunar meteorites, totaling 11 new minerals.

Two Kenyan athletes, Obiri and Jepkor Moe Kaplet, participated in an event in China. Great distance runners from Kenya and other parts of Africa have been a inspiration. Many children are running, and there is hope for more to participate after watching athletes like Sebastian Coe break records. A Kenyan athlete has reportedly achieved a accomplishment in China.