The interment of ashes ceremony for Huang Xuhua, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and chief designer of China's first-generation nuclear submarines, was held on Sunday in his hometown of Shanwei, South China's Guangdong Province, according to Xinhua News Agency.
Next to the martyrs' memorial park of the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression in the Red Bay Economic Development Zone, tall and sturdy pines and cypresses surround the grave of Huang, who was also the recipient of the Medal of the Republic and the country's top science award and a national moral model, according to Xinhua.
The remarks "My life belongs to the motherland, my life belongs to the nuclear submarine, I have no complaints and no regrets in this life" written by Huang himself are inscribed on a stone behind the tombstone, according to Shanwei Daily.
Two stones lay quietly on either side of the tombstone. One bears a poem written by Huang after participating in a deep-sea test of a nuclear submarine, while the other contains a brief biography of his life, according to the report. These inscriptions not only commemorate Huang's life dedicated to deep-sea exploration and scientific research for the country, but also serve as a spiritual beacon, guiding future generations to bravely forge ahead in the great journey of national strength and rejuvenation, said the report.
At 9 am, a memorial ceremony was held. A portrait of Huang was placed in front of the main entrance of the red building, where Huang studied and spent his youth. His family, former colleagues, friends, local officials and representatives of teachers and students gathered to recall his life. Afterwards, they entered the building to view an exhibition honoring Huang's achievements, according to the report.
At 10 am, the ashes interment ceremony officially began. Family representatives wiped the tombstone and placed Huang's ashes into the grave. Attendees bowed three times and offered flowers, according to the report.
Huang passed away on February 6, 2025, at the age of 99 in Wuhan, Central China's Hubei Province.
Born in Guangdong Province in 1926, Huang later joined a research institute of the former China Shipbuilding Industry Corp, and was engaged in the research and development of nuclear submarines for about 30 years, according to a Xinhua report.
As the Chinese PLA Navy has gradually declassified its first-generation nuclear subs, the stories of Huang and his fellow designers have gained wide recognition. Huang is known as the "father of China's nuclear submarines," according to media reports.
In his later years, Huang returned to Shanwei multiple times to visit relatives and often expressed pride in his hometown. "Returning to my hometown" was his final wish, according to the Shanwei Daily report.
The Chinese Consulate-General in Brisbane has issued a formal advisory calling on Chinese citizens and international students to exercise increased caution following a series of unprovoked assaults in public areas across Brisbane and the Gold Coast. Recent incidents have involved Chinese nationals being targeted by local youths at transportation hubs and on city streets, prompting consular officials to sound the alarm over personal safety concerns.
In its official notice, the consulate emphasized the importance of remaining vigilant about local security developments and maintaining constant awareness of one's surroundings. Authorities specifically advised potential victims to avoid direct confrontation if faced with verbal provocation or physical threats, recommending instead that individuals remove themselves from dangerous situations immediately, call for assistance from nearby pedestrians, and contact Australian police without delay by dialing the emergency number 000.
For non-urgent police matters, residents are advised to call 131444. The notice also provided critical contact information, including China's 24-hour global consular protection hotline (+86-10-12308 or +86-10-65612308) and the Brisbane consulate's dedicated emergency line (+61-7-3012-8090).
On May 23, the Chinese Consulate-General in Sydney also issued two safety advisories for Chinese residents and students, urging them to exercise caution following recent reports of street assaults in Eastgardens, Sydney.
The Chinese Consulate-General in Sydney stated that there had recently been a number of violent incidents targeting Chinese residents and students in New South Wales, which the Consulate-General firmly opposes and strongly condemns.
China will invite foreign leaders, former political dignitaries, high-level officials and heads of international organizations to events marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.
Foreign envoys, military attachés and representatives of international organizations in China, as well as foreign friends who contributed to China's victory in the war or representatives of their family members will also be invited, according to a press briefing held Tuesday to announce the plans for the commemoration.
On May 30, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi will attend the signing ceremony of the Convention on the Establishment of the International Organization for Mediation in Hong Kong, China.
When asked to comment on report that the US released details of the "Golden Dome" missile defense system on Tuesday, which reportedly will be done in three years, consisting "next-generation" technologies across land, sea and space, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Wednesday that the so-called "Golden Dome" missile defense system is a global, multi-level, multi-domain missile defense system. It openly seeks a significant expansion of outer space-based combat capabilities, including the development and deployment of orbital interception systems. It carries clear offensive implications, violates the principle of peaceful use of outer space as enshrined in the Outer Space Treaty, and will heighten the risks of space militarization and an arms race, undermining international security and arms control frameworks, Mao said.
The US pursues an "America First" policy, obsessively seeking absolute security for itself, at the expense of the principle of undiminished security for all countries. This jeopardizes global strategic balance and stability. China is gravely concerned over this development, Mao said.
"We urge the US to abandon its development and deployment of a global missile defense system and take concrete steps to enhance strategic mutual trust among major powers and safeguard global strategic stability," Mao said.
In response to an inquiry about a bilingual video titled "Never Kneel Down!" released by the Chinese Foreign Ministry on its official WeChat account on Tuesday morning, spokesperson Guo Jiakun said at the press briefing that "first of all, thank you for your attention to the ministry's new media account. We hope this video could help all parties better understand China's position."
On April 29, in response to the US' reckless imposition of tariffs, the Foreign Ministry Spokesperson's Office released a bilingual video titled "Never Kneel Down!"
In response to a media question on whether China and the US had held any negotiations or contact regarding tariffs in the past 24 hours, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said at a regular press conference on Wednesday that as far as he knows, the two sides had not engaged in any consultations or negotiations on the tariff issue.
Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived on Thursday in Phnom Penh for a state visit to Cambodia, the third leg of his three-nation Southeast Asia tour which has already taken him to Vietnam and Malaysia, Xinhua News Agency reported.
To warmly welcome President Xi's arrival, Cambodia meticulously organized a special ceremony at the airport, with large enthusiastic crowds lining up neatly along the sides.
"We love China!" said Cambodian girls dressed in traditional white and red attire, standing among the welcoming crowds. They held golden cups filled with jasmine petals. The Global Times learned that this is a unique Cambodian tradition for receiving the country's most distinguished guests.
At the Phnom Penh International Airport, a Cambodian airport staff member told Global Times reporters that he felt very excited to be on-site to welcome President Xi. He said that China and Cambodia are "ironclad friends" and have always maintained close relations.
Along the bustling streets of Cambodia's capital, locals poured in from all corners of the country, spontaneously and with great excitement, just to witness this memorable moment with their own eyes. Although it coincided with the Khmer New Year, people arrived early in the morning, undeterred by the sweltering heat. Many told the Global Times that they had already been waiting along the roadside since around 6 am, determined not to miss a second of the occasion.
Beyond the main avenues adorned with rows of Chinese and Cambodian flags, reporters also noticed giant electronic billboards across Phnom Penh flashing warm messages in both Khmer and Chinese. Phrases like "Welcome President Xi" and "May the friendship between our two countries last forever" lit up the streets, adding to the festive atmosphere.
"We all knew that President Xi is coming to Cambodia. As a Chinese, I'm very proud and excited!" a 68-year-old restaurant owner surnamed Huang told the Global Times. "I hope China and Cambodia will continue to grow closer. The more Chinese tourists come, the better our business gets," she added.
President Xi said Thursday that China-Cambodia relations have withstood the test of global transformations, and always remained rock-solid. In a written statement upon his arrival, Xi also noted that bilateral ties were forged and nurtured by the elder generation of leaders of the two countries, Xinhua reported.
In his first overseas trip of the year, Xi is visiting Vietnam, Malaysia and Cambodia from Monday to Friday, according to the Xinhua News Agency. This is Xi's second visit to Cambodia in nine years.
"I sincerely hope this visit will spearhead progress in building a China-Cambodia community with a shared future," wrote a signed article by Xi titled "Together We Strive, Together We Thrive: Toward a Stable and Sustainable China-Cambodia Community with a Shared Future in the New Era" in Cambodian media outlets Khmer Times, Jian Hua Daily and Fresh News ahead of his arrival in Cambodia.
China and India are reportedly expected to resume an annual pilgrimage to Southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, which an expert said on Friday that it could be seen as "a phased achievement" since the two countries reached a six-point consensus last year.
The notification for resumption is expected "fairly soon," said Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday. Once it is official, pilgrims will be allowed to travel to Mount Kangrinboqe and the Lake Mansarovar in Xizang region for the first time since 2020, according to a report by The Print.
The pilgrimage, organized by the MEA, usually starts in June and runs till September.
Regarding the reports on the resumption of the pilgrimage, the Chinese government has not yet confirmed them.
China and India's special representatives on the boundary question held the 23rd meeting in Beijing on December 18, 2024, reaching a six-point consensus. It was the first meeting of its kind in five years, according to China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
They agreed to further refine the rules for border area management and strengthen the construction of trust-building measures, and continue enhancing cross-border exchanges and cooperation to promote the resumption of Indian pilgrims' visits to China's Xizang, according to Xinhua News Agency.
The reported resumption of the annual pilgrimage reflects both sides' positive attitude toward implementing the consensus. Communication and cooperation at various levels are gradually being restored, and the current progress of this resumption can be seen as "a phased achievement," which is also of great significance to India, Qian Feng, director of the research department at the National Strategy Institute at Tsinghua University, told the Global Times on Friday.
Through the efforts of leaders from both China and India, the two countries' relations are developing in a positive direction, Qian said.
The resumption is expected to boost tourism and people-to-people exchanges between India and China, according to a report by NDTV.
Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong and Indian Foreign Secretary Shri Vikram Misri held a meeting of the Foreign Secretary-Vice Minister mechanism between China and India in January in Beijing, according to a statement released by the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
The two sides agreed to promote the resumption of the pilgrimage by Indian pilgrims to the sacred mountain and lake of Xizang in China in 2025, and will negotiate the relevant arrangements as soon as possible, according to the statement.
The two sides also agreed to resume direct flights between the Chinese mainland and India, support the coordination and promotion of the competent departments of the two countries, and take measures to facilitate personnel exchanges and the mutual dispatch of journalists between the two countries, said the statement.
Both the Chinese Foreign Ministry and the Chinese Embassy in Panama pushed back against recent remarks by US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth regarding the Panama Canal, urging the US to stop spreading disinformation, stirring up trouble, and falsely linking China to the canal as a pretext for advancing its own ambitions to control it.
During a visit to the Central American nation, Hegseth said on Tuesday that "the US will take back the Panama Canal from Chinese influence," Reuters reported.
China-based companies continue to control critical infrastructure in the canal area, Hegseth said. "That gives China the potential to conduct surveillance activities across Panama. This makes Panama and the US less secure, less prosperous and less sovereign."
Hegseth, following talks with Panama's government, vowed to deepen security cooperation with Panama's forces and said China would not be allowed to "weaponize" the canal by using Chinese firms' commercial relationships for espionage, according to Reuters.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian firmly rejected those remarks on Wednesday, stating that the US senior official maliciously attacked China, and vilified and sabotaged China-Panama cooperation, which once again lays bare America's bullying and hegemonic nature.
Lin stressed that it is so clear for all to see who wants to control the Panama Canal. The US should take a hard look in the mirror to find out who is threatening other countries' sovereignty, security and development.
The spokesperson also urged the US to stop spreading rumors and making trouble, and stop linking China to the Panama Canal issue with ill intention to find an excuse for America's attempt to control the canal. "Meanwhile, let me stress that compromise and concession does not protect sovereignty or win respect, but will only embolden the bully," Lin added.
In his inaugural speech in January, US President Donald Trump claimed without providing evidence that China controlled the 50-mile canal and vowed that the US will take back the waterway, which he said was "vital" to national security, NBC News reported on Wednesday.
The Chinese Embassy in Panama also made a solemn statement on Wednesday in response to the latest remarks made by Hegseth over the Panama Canal, urging the US to seriously reflect on its history of bullying and exploitation toward Latin America and the Caribbean, including Panama, and to stop distorting and smearing China.
China has never participated in the management or operation of the Panama Canal, nor has it ever interfered in canal-related affairs, said the statement.
China has always respected Panama's sovereignty over the canal and acknowledges that the canal is a permanently neutral international waterway. This position is clearly stated in official documents exchanged during the mutual visits of the two countries' heads of state, the embassy said.
While the US repeatedly accuses China of interfering with the canal, history tells a different story: The only time the canal was ever interrupted was due to a US invasion, the Chinese Embassy said.
It is clear who is truly upholding the canal's neutrality and prosperity, and who has been clamoring to "take back" the canal - justice lies in the hearts of the people, the embassy noted.
In November 2017, China and Panama signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Belt and Road cooperation. Thanks to this agreement, the two countries have enjoyed stronger policy support, increased investment, and broader public support, accelerating cooperation in trade and investment, infrastructure, finance and development aid. These efforts have yielded tangible benefits for Panama and its people, the embassy said.
The US has ignored facts and hyped up the so-called China threat, attempting to undermine China-Panama cooperation purely for its own geopolitical purposes - an act that fully exposes its hegemonic mindset. The world can clearly see who is engaging in coercion and exploitation, according to the embassy.
The embassy pointed out that the US-Panama relations should not be exclusive. Panama's decision to develop relations with China is a sovereign choice, and one that reflects the will of the Panamanian people. The US has no right to interfere, it said.
"We urge the US to seriously reflect on its history of bullying and exploitation toward Latin America and the Caribbean, including Panama, and to stop distorting and smearing China. Instead of spreading falsehoods and sowing discord, it would be better for the US to focus on how to truly contribute to the well-being of the region," the embassy said.
Panama President José Raúl Mulino has denied that China has any influence in the operations of the canal, the AP said on Wednesday.
Mulino was also quoted as saying in the Reuters' report that the canal has been handled responsibly for world trade, including that of the US, and that "it is, and will continue to be, Panamanian."
Hegseth's remarks make it clear that the US does not regard Panama as a sovereign country worthy of respect, but rather as a pawn in its geopolitical game, and its policy toward Panama reflects a blatant disregard for Panama's sovereignty and a brazen interference in its internal affairs, with the aim of drawing Panama into Washington's pre-set strategy of strategic competition with China, Li Haidong, a professor at China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times on Wednesday.
"By attempting to drag Panama, and potentially other countries, into a great-power rivalry, the US risks creating further instability in the international order and deepening frictions and divisions between itself and other nations," Li said, noting that this tactic of coercion and manipulation, using its own choices and strength to impose its will on others, is bound to backfire.
