Stories from China

The Long March 6 PRSC-EO3 mission achieved a successful launch on April 25, 2026. The mission was completed as scheduled according to launch status reports. Soyuz 2.1a | Progress MS-34 (95P) launch was successful.

China's National Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters has released a notification regarding responsibility personnel for 2026. China's National Flood Control Office has organized consultations predicting a new round of heavy rainfall from April 26th to 29th in eastern Southwest China, Jianghan, Jiangnan, and South China. The designation includes personnel responsible for major rivers, large and medium-sized reservoirs, key flood control cities, and sections along the eastern and middle routes of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project. This proactive measure aims to enhance the country's capacity to manage potential flooding events. The designation is part of ongoing efforts in water management and disaster preparedness.

The traditional Chinese art of seven-line carving, known for its aesthetic principles and intricate detail on porcelain and glass, is being preserved by its 12th-generation inheritor, Cai Shuikuang, and subsequent practitioners like Cai Chaorong and Guo Jingwang.

The Long March 6 rocket successfully completed its launch for the PRSC-EO3 mission on April 25, 2026. The Progress MS-34 (95P) mission via Soyuz 2.1a was also successfully launched on April 25.

China's Supreme People's Procuratorate reported that national courts have adjudicated 1,471 intellectual property cases involving punitive damages since 2021. Senior prosecutor Liu Taizong noted these cases include major infringements in chip manufacturing, design, and new energy sectors. Courts are specifically applying punitive measures to cases involving malicious trademark infringement against well-known brands. The report notes that some defendants reached settlements to stop infringement only to resume similar infringing activities later. One specific case involved a technology company and an individual named Zhou regarding trademark rights violations.

The Beijing Intellectual Property Court ordered a defendant to pay 20 million yuan in punitive damages for malicious intellectual property infringement. A court has ordered a compensation payment of 200,000 yuan following a case involving the fraudulent use of Guojiao 1573 packaging for ordinary white liquor.

The China-Laos Railway facilitates two fixed daily freight trains for durian shipments to Kunming. Southeast Asian fruit transport costs to China have decreased by 60% due to the railway infrastructure. The durian industry in China currently has an annual output value of approximately $6 billion. Fresh agricultural products transported via this route are now being sold in 10 different countries. The railway ensures a timely exchange window of 26 hours for fruit shipments. China currently imports over 90% of its durian through this region, with the domestic durian economy valued at approximately $6 billion annually. The infrastructure is facilitating closer links between Southeast Asian producers and Chinese consumers. Mobile ticketing software has reduced travel time between China and Laos to 52 minutes.

The United States has implemented trade restrictions on Chinese garlic to protect domestic agricultural products. The 2025 National Defense Authorization Act explicitly includes a ban on the sale of Chinese garlic in US military stores. Chinese netizens have noted the high market share China holds due to low costs and superior pricing. This move follows long-standing US trade limitations on the product.

Wuhu-based technology firms are developing and deploying rehabilitation robots specifically for nursing homes, recovery centers, and home care environments. At a skill training center in the Wuhu Robot Future Community, robots are undergoing training in simulated hospital wards. These machines are practicing tasks such as covering beds and assisting with patient care. The development targets the growing needs of the elderly care sector. The robots are being tested in a simulated ward setting at the Wuhu Xike Robot Future Community. Current training includes tasks such as covering patients with blankets. The technology aims to support elderly care through automated assistance. Wuhu has established a complete robotics industry chain with over 300 enterprises. This network covers complete machines, core components, system integration, and industry applications.

A new robotic dog model has been released featuring 13 degrees of freedom in its joints. It is designed to navigate complex terrains including shrubs, sand, gravel, and slopes. The robot includes night lighting capabilities and is being utilized by international clients for security patrols in properties and factories. It supports night lighting and 11 different languages for interaction. Customs officials in Wu Hu report that the customs tariff system for robotics has expanded to include 13 distinct categories. This includes the addition of collaborative robots in 2023 and intelligent bionic robots in 2016. The expansion reflects increasing complexity in the classification of robotic hardware for import and export. Customs classification for robotics in China has expanded to 13 distinct categories. China is currently the world's largest producer of robots.