The spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Panama rebutted recent remarks by the US Ambassador, criticizing him for exposing “Neo-Monroe Doctrine” mentality that oversteps his diplomatic mandate. In a statement released by the Embassy on Saturday, the spokesperson reaffirmed that the Panama Canal remains Panama’s asset and reiterated China’s respect for canal’s neutrality.

In recent days, the US Ambassador to Panama has relentlessly repeated lies about China and China–Panama relations in interviews with local media, claiming that China exerts a “malign influence” over Panama and the Canal. The spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Panama responded that the Panama Canal is and will remain Panama’s, and emphasized that China has consistently affirmed its respect for the Canal’s sovereignty and neutrality.

President Jose Raul Mulino has repeatedly debunked the alleged “malign influence” of China on the Canal and on Panama. It was, in fact, the US that once closed the Canal, and now seeks free passage” and even attempt to “retake” it, said the spokesperson.

The spokesmen also refuted the US ambassador’s claim that the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is neither good for Panama nor for the Western hemisphere, stating that China’s cooperation with Latin American and Caribbean countries under the BRI has been more than fruitful. More than twenty countries in the region have joined the BRI family—most recently Colombia and Ecuador, each of which has signed cooperation plans with China under this initiative. “They are voting with their feet,” said the spokesperson. 

In response to the US ambassador smear that China provides “predatory loans” to countries in the region, leaving them in distress, the spokesperson said that China always follows the principles of mutual respect, reciprocal benefit, openness and inclusiveness, and win-win cooperation when investing in and partnering with countries worldwide, respecting each nation’s choices. This approach has vigorously propelled economic development and improved people’s livelihoods in those countries, bringing tangible benefits to local populations. Chinese investments are creating significant development opportunities across diverse regions and nations. 

Regarding the US ambassador’s accusation that China conducts “cyberattacks” against countries in the region and his spreading slanders about Chinese devices, the Chinese embassy spokesperson said that everyone knows that the US is the world’s single largest source of cyberattacks—a recognized “empire of hacks.” 

For a long time, it has carried out unfettered eavesdropping, surveillance, and large-scale cyberattacks in this region. Its criticism of China is a vivid example of a thief crying “Stop thief,” said the spokesperson.

“We reiterate that China always requires its companies operating overseas to comply with local laws and regulations, and we always oppose any coercive economic measures or hegemonic, abusive practices that harm the legitimate rights and interests of other countries,” said the spokesperson. 

The US Ambassador’s irresponsible remarks on China-related matters in Panama and elsewhere in the region not only embody the US “Neo-Monroe Doctrine” mentality, but also exceed the proper scope of his responsibilities, said the spokesperson, 

China’s actions should be judged solely by the governments and peoples of those countries. US interference will only fuel even broader rejection among the people of Panama and other regional nations, the spokesperson said.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will pay an official visit to China, which an expert said reflects Australia's effort to seek and shape a sense of certainty aligned with its national interests amid increasing global uncertainties to the international order and security, while the two sides still have more areas open for bilateral cooperation to spur regional free trade growth.

At the invitation of Premier of the State Council Li Qiang, Albanese will pay an official visit to China from July 12 to 18, according to Chinese Foreign Ministry.

When asked to introduce the background to Albanese's visit to China and China's expectation for the visit, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Tuesday that this visit is taking place just as the China-Australia comprehensive strategic partnership enters its second decade. Under the guidance of the leaders and the joint efforts of the two countries, China-Australia relations have continued to improve and grow.

China hopes that through this visit, the two sides will strengthen communication, enhance mutual trust, expand practical cooperation and further advance the comprehensive strategic partnership, Mao added.

This will be Albanese's second visit to China as prime minister, following his visit in November 2023, according to a media release from the official website of Australian Prime Minister on Tuesday.

The visit, shortly after Albanese's re-election in May this year, is not merely a reciprocal visit following Premier Li's trip to Australia last year but also underscores the high priority Albanese places on China-Australian relations, Chen Hong, a professor and director of the Australian Studies Center at East China Normal University, told the Global Times on Tuesday.

Amid increasing global uncertainties to international order and security, Australia aims to seek and shape a sense of certainty that aligns with its national interests, and it is in this context that Australia has turned its attention to China, the expert said.

The expert highlighted that Albanese's visit, which is longer than the usual two or three days, is expected to play an important role in regional stability and development, including upholding multilateralism and free trade. It also carries special significance as the start of the second decade of the China-Australia comprehensive strategic partnership.

Albanese told reporters in Hobart that he is looking forward to going to Shanghai, Beijing and Chengdu [in Southwest China's Sichuan Province], according to Reuters. Leaders will exchange views on global and regional issues as well as bilateral cooperation in areas including trade and tourism, according to the media release from Prime Minister official website.

Chen noted that Shanghai is a key hub for China-Australia economic, financial, and service ties, while his planned stop in Chengdu signals a broader, more substantive approach toward China, reflecting a comprehensive and forward-looking vision to deepen bilateral relations beyond symbolic gestures.

China remains Australia's largest trading partner, accounting for almost one-third of its total trade, and will remain so for the foreseeable future, Albanese said, according to the media release. "We will continue to patiently and deliberately work toward a stable relationship with China, with dialogue at its core," he added.

Economic and trade ties have always been not only a cornerstone but also a booster of China-Australia relations, the expert said. Traditional trade will be further consolidated and upgraded, including China's high-quality, competitively priced manufactured goods, such as electric vehicles and household appliances, alongside Australia's energy, mineral and agricultural exports to China. At the same time, under the new economic landscape, bilateral cooperation can expand into emerging areas like the green economy, the expert noted.

More areas remain open for bilateral cooperation, Chen added, which can in turn spur regional free-trade growth.

Tourism has also been a vital area of China-Australia cooperation, especially after China's visa-free policy included Australia, which has brought more Australian visitors to China. Such people-to-people interaction also fosters mutual understanding and is particularly important for bilateral ties, Chen said.

Chinese Ambassador to Australia Xiao Qian published an article in the opinion section of The Australian Financial Review on Monday, which said the two sides should strengthen high-level guidance and consolidate institutional dialogue and exchanges, expand practical cooperation across all fields, deepen people-to-people exchanges and sub-national ties, and advance cooperation on international and regional affairs.

China stands ready to work with Australia to strengthen high-level guidance, enhance political mutual trust, properly manage differences, focus on common interests and promote greater development of the China-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, the ambassador said.

China’s deputy permanent representative to the UN Geng Shuang urged the Houthi forces to safeguard the security of navigation in the Red Sea when spoke at a UN Security Council open meeting on the Yemen issue on Wednesday local time. 

Geng expressed China’s deep concern over the recent attacks on two cargo ships in the Red Sea and once again called on the Houthis to respect the rights of commercial vessels from all countries to navigate in the Red Sea in accordance with international law. He urged them to cease attacks on commercial ships and to help ensure the safety of maritime routes in the region, according to a statement published on the website of the Permanent Mission of China to the UN. 

China is also concerned about the renewed exchanges of fire between the Houthis and Israel, and the worsening trajectory of the situation. Geng called on all parties to remain calm and exercise restraint, and to avoid actions that could further escalate tensions.

The resolution of the Yemen and Red Sea issues cannot be achieved without a broader de-escalation and stabilization of the regional situation, Geng noted. 

The conflict in Gaza must come to an end as soon as possible, the humanitarian crisis there must be alleviated without delay, and the two-state solution must be implemented at the earliest opportunity. The long-delayed high-level meeting on implementing the two-state solution must be convened promptly, he said. 

The ceasefire agreement reportedly reached between Israel, the US, and Iran must be respected. The sovereignty of every nation must be upheld, and the purposes and principles of the UN Charter must be strictly observed, Geng noted. 

Protecting civilians and civilian infrastructure is an international obligation that all parties must uphold. Respecting the sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity of all countries is a fundamental principle that must be observed by all sides, Geng said. 

China welcomes the recent agreement on the management of the water supply system in Taiz City and Al-Hawban, reached with the assistance of the UN. This positive development demonstrates that peace, development, and cooperation are the shared aspirations of the Yemeni people, Geng said. 

We hope all parties to the conflict in Yemen will show political will, enhance dialogue and communication, and gradually build mutual trust to create conditions for the eventual political resolution of the Yemeni issue. China supports UN Special Envoy to Yemen Hans Grundberg in intensifying his mediation efforts and looks forward to greater contributions from regional countries in this regard, Geng said. 

China also calls on the international community to increase humanitarian assistance to Yemen and help alleviate the humanitarian crisis there. In this process, the safety and security of UN personnel and humanitarian workers must be effectively guaranteed, Geng said. 

Jiang Yanchen, a young man suffering from a debilitating condition, was medically classified as a reverse-folded posture patient. After undergoing four exceptionally complex surgeries, his body was corrected by approximately 170 degree overall, allowing Jiang to finally stand upright, the Paper reported.

Jiang's head and hips were once separated by barely the width of a palm, according to the report.

Liang Yijian, an expert in extreme spinal deformity correction, who performed Jiang's surgeries, said that the final surgery lasted more than 12 hours. A viral online clip captured the doctor kneeling while performing surgery on Jiang during the procedure. Liang said that this position allowed him to better adjust the patient's posture.

Following the successful surgery, Jiang's body achieved approximately 170 degrees of correction, ultimately enabling him to stand upright, the Paper reported.

Jiang's condition was not congenital. At just over two years old, he was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis - a form of arthritis causing severe inflammation in the joints and ligaments of the spine, and he underwent tendon lengthening surgery. 

Subsequently, his head began tilting backward uncontrollably, his neck progressively stiffened, and his head could no longer be repositioned, according to the report.

Multiple physicians attributed the condition to genetic abnormalities, though the specific genetic defect remains unidentified. With no therapeutic target established, Jiang's continued to deteriorate. By junior high, his neck had arched backward until his head pressed against his spine, the report said.

Despite these daunting physical challenges, Jiang never faltered in his resolve. In 2022, he took the national college entrance exam lying on a yoga mat and later gained admission to Dezhou University in East China's Shandong Province, the Paper reported.

According to Liang, the patient underwent a total of four surgeries, each extraordinarily difficult — reaching what he described as the "pinnacle" of surgical complexity.

In May 2023, Jiang successfully completed the first-stage surgery, reducing his 180-degree reverse fold to 90 degrees. On December 5, 2024, he underwent reverse osteotomy correction. Further procedures followed a cervical osteotomy with orthopedic revision, and a hip joint release surgery, respectively.

Now that he has successfully completed the surgery, many netizens expressed their joy and sent their blessings, "The winding detours of life are all behind him; what awaits him is a straight and unimpeded life ahead."

China's national observatory on Sunday renewed a yellow alert for Typhoon Danas as it is expected to bring strong winds and heavy rain to the southern parts of the country.

As of 5 a.m. Sunday, the typhoon was located at 21.3 degrees north latitude and 118.1 degrees east longitude, moving northeast at 10 to 15 km per hour, with its intensity continuing to strengthen, according to the National Meteorological Center (NMC).

From Sunday evening to Monday morning, it is expected to cross the Taiwan Strait from south to north and may either brush past or make landfall along the island's western coast.

On Monday, the typhoon will enter the East China Sea and gradually approach coastal areas from northern Fujian to central and southern Zhejiang, the NMC said.

From 8 a.m. Sunday to 8 a.m. Monday, strong gales are forecast to affect parts of the South China Sea, the Taiwan Strait, waters east of Taiwan, the Bashi Channel, and sections of the East China Sea, as well as coastal regions of Guangdong, Fujian, Zhejiang and Taiwan island, according to the NMC.

During the same period, heavy to torrential rainfall is expected in southeastern Zhejiang, northeastern Fujian, and across Taiwan island. Some areas of Taiwan may experience extreme downpours, with precipitation reaching up to 230 mm.

China has a four-tier, color-coded weather warning system for typhoons, with red representing the most severe warning, followed by orange, yellow and blue.

Due to the impact of the typhoon, sea areas near Taiwan island, the South China Sea, and the coastal waters off Fujian, Guangdong and Zhejiang will experience strong waves from Sunday noon to Monday noon, according to the National Marine Environmental Forecasting Center.

China's National Computer Network Emergency Response Technical Team (CNERT/CC) has uncovered a series of malicious foreign websites and IP addresses used by overseas hacker groups to carry out ongoing cyberattacks against China and other countries, according to a statement released Monday via its official WeChat account.

These malicious websites and IP addresses are closely linked to specific Trojan programs or their command-and-control servers, said the statement. The cyberattacks include the creation of botnets and exploitation through backdoors, posing a significant threat to Chinese networked institutions and internet users.

CNERT/CC warned that the malicious websites and IP addresses primarily originate from the US, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Belgium, Poland, South Africa, and Lithuania.

According to Qin An, head of the Beijing-based Institute of China Cyberspace Strategy, the specific tactics used in these attacks—such as the deployment of Trojan programs and command-and-control servers—are tied to malicious websites and IP addresses. The cyberattacks include building botnets and exploiting system backdoors, posing a serious threat to Chinese institutions and internet users, said Qin.

"These are basic, commonly used tricks - they're not sophisticated," Qin said. "But what we need to stay alert to is the intent behind these waves of large-scale, coordinated cyberattacks."

"Beyond issuing warnings and alerts, China should take more forceful action," Qin stressed. "We should arrest and punish those hackers who launch attacks against us to send a clear message of deterrence."

When asked to comment on the US Department of Justice's claim regarding the arrest of two Chinese nationals allegedly engaging in espionage and attempting to identify Navy members willing to spy, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Wednesday, "I am not aware of the specifics, but we have always opposed unfounded hype about so-called 'Chinese spies.'"

"We will take the necessary measures to protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens," Mao added.

For archaeology and ancient Chinese culture enthusiasts, there is exciting news. An exhibition showcasing the ancient Hongshan Culture will open in Shanghai on Thursday, offering visitors an immersive journey going back thousands of years to explore the early forms of Chinese civilization.
The exhibition, titled “Legends of Dragon: The Ancient Civilization of Hongshan Culture,” will be held at the Shanghai Museum from June 26 to October 8 and is free to the public.

Bringing together a century’s worth of archaeological achievements and the latest discoveries related to Hongshan Culture, the exhibition showcases over 300 artifacts, obtained through the joint efforts of 20 museums and archaeological institutions across the country.

Hongshan Culture is recognized as one of the vital origins of Chinese civilization, often referred to as the “root system” of Chinese culture, said Chu Xiaobo, director of the Shanghai Museum.

“The archaeological findings surrounding the Hongshan Culture demonstrate the enduring, diverse, and inclusive characteristics of Chinese civilization, marking an important chapter in ancient Chinese history that we must promote and preserve,” Chu said at a press conference on Wednesday.

Dating back approximately 6,500 to 5,000 years, Hongshan Culture represents a significant Neolithic archaeological culture in northern China, covering an area of around 200,000 square kilometers. Archaeological evidence shows that Hongshan Culture developed a jade ritual system exemplified by the jade dragon, making it a representative archaeological culture that was among the earliest to shape China’s ancient civilization.

The jade dragon artifacts, a defining feature of the Hongshan Culture, are a major highlight of this exhibition. One of the most significant pieces, placed on display at the center of the exhibition hall, is the "C-shaped Jade Dragon." This intricately carved jade dragon forms a full-bodied C shape, and its surface is smooth and translucent, making it one of the most renowned artifacts from the Hongshan Culture.

Another key exhibit is the "Jade Dragon in the Shape of a Jue (slit ring)." According to Feng Yucheng, a curator of the exhibition, this Jue-shaped jade dragon was the first of its kind to be unearthed during archaeological excavations of the Hongshan Culture, marking the start of many similar discoveries by later archaeologists at various Hongshan sites.

"We can say that, the excavation of this artifact established a connection between the Jue-shape jade dragon and the Hongshan Culture," Feng told the Global Times during a media preview of the exhibition on Wednesday.

The jade dragon is the most notable type of Hongshan jade artifact, and it serves as a prototype for the Chinese dragon. "It is one of the key markers of the very beginning of Chinese civilization, which occurred more than 5,000 years ago," read a display board at the exhibition.

To enhance the visitor experience, the organizers have also drawn inspiration from representative elements of the Hongshan Culture to design 153 cultural and creative products, including toys, stationery, decorations, and food items, the Global Times learned from the Shanghai Museum.

US President Donald Trump asserted that American and Iranian officials will talk next week, when he will likely seek a commitment from Iran to end its nuclear ambitions, according to media reports, while Iran has not acknowledged any talks taking place next week.  

Chinese observers pointed out Thursday that although the involved parties have the desire to talk, low political trust and wide divergence limit the chances of this desire translating into an agreement. 

Trump told reporters at a NATO summit in the Hague, Netherlands on Wednesday that he was not particularly interested in restarting negotiations with Iran, insisting that US strikes had destroyed its nuclear program. Earlier in the day, an Iranian official questioned whether the US could be trusted after its weekend attack, AP reported. 

Trump added that his administration would be asking for the same type of commitments it sought in negotiations with Iran prior to recent heightened tensions in the Middle East, per CNN.

Iran's Constitutional Council on Thursday approved a plan, already ratified by the parliament, to suspend the country's cooperation with the United Nations nuclear watchdog International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Xinhua News Agency reported.

The plan, which calls on the Iranian government to halt cooperation with the IAEA, was reviewed by the council and found to be in line with Iran's religious regulations, laws, and constitution, council spokesperson Hadi Tahan Nazif said in an interview with state-run IRIB TV on Thursday.

The US struck three Iranian nuclear sites on Sunday, which US President claimed "completely and fully obliterated" the country's nuclear program. When asked about a US intelligence report that found Iran's nuclear program has been set back only a few months, Trump scoffed and said it would at least take years to rebuild, AP reported.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei claimed in a video message published on Thursday that the US strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities had no major effect, Axios reported Thursday.

Trump said he was confident Tehran would pursue a diplomatic path toward reconciliation. The president gave no details on the discussions next week, such as the venue and participants, Reuters reported.

Zou Zhiqiang, a research fellow at the Center for Middle Eastern Studies at Fudan University, told the Global Times the US believes Iran is now weaker as its nuclear facilities suffered severe damage, meaning the US will certainly adopt a much tougher position in possible talks and make few concessions. 

Iran, meanwhile, has stated it will not abandon its nuclear program and its domestic political atmosphere would prevent it from making concessions, Zou added, noting that the gap between the two sides is still wide and it will be difficult for the desire for talks to translate into an agreement. 

Zhu Yongbiao, director of the Center for Afghanistan Studies at Lanzhou University, told the Global Times that the focal point of their talks, if held, will be the nuclear issue. The US appears to have raised its demands after the weekend strikes, and Iran shows no sign of compromise. If Iran is determined to continue its nuclear program, that could be a new flashpoint.

Also, the two sides' political trust has been further eroded, Zhu said. 

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman, Esmail Baghaei, said Washington had "torpedoed diplomacy" with its attacks on nuclear sites, and that while Iran in principle was always open to talks, national security was the priority.

The latest escalation of hostility started when Israel launched a surprise attack on June 13, killing Iran's military leadership and leading nuclear scientists. Iran responded with missiles that pierced Israel's defenses in large numbers for the first time. 

A US-Iran negotiation scheduled for June 15 in Oman was canceled after Israel's strikes. 

US Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff told Fox News that Trump is now looking to land "a comprehensive peace agreement that goes beyond even the ceasefire."

Niu Xinchun, executive director of the China-Arab Research Institute at Ningxia University, told the Global Times that previous rounds of US-Iran talks focused on Iran's nuclear issue, and if the US wants "a comprehensive" agreement, that would involve a slate of issues including missiles, agent warfare, and sanctions. It will be way more complex and the possibility of consensus is hard to determine, Niu said.  

After an eight-year interval, Hong Kong is about to welcome China's second aircraft carrier, the Shandong. This marks the first visit of the Shandong carrier formation to Hong Kong, making the city the only one to host visits of two of China's aircraft carriers and also to hold public open-house events during their stays.

Under the approval of the Central Military Commission, from July 3 to 7, a naval formation consisting of the aircraft carrier Shandong, the guided missile destroyers Yan'an and Zhanjiang, and the guided missile frigate Yuncheng will visit Hong Kong, according to a statement from China's Ministry of National Defense on Saturday.

During this period, a series of open-day visits and cultural exchange activities will be organized to give Hong Kong compatriots a more direct and in-depth understanding of the development of national defense and military modernization in the new era, the Chinese Defense Ministry said.

In July 2017, China's aircraft carrier formation comprising the Liaoning, China's first aircraft carrier, and three escort ships, namely the Yantai, Yinchuan, and Jinan, conducted a five-day visit to Hong Kong. The event sparked a "Liaoning fever" in Hong Kong.

Eight years later, the visit of the Shandong, China's first domestically built aircraft carrier, is expected to also spark a "Shandong fever" in Hong Kong, Zhang Junshe, a Chinese military affairs expert, told the Global Times on Saturday.

According to information released by the Chinese Defense Ministry, the Shandong carrier formation will also conduct a five-day visit to Hong Kong with four vessels. However, compared to the Liaoning's formation, this visit will see new changes. 

Zhang said that The Shandong's escort ships, the Type 055 10,000 ton-class destroyer Yan'an, the Type 052D guided missile destroyer Zhanjiang and Type 054A guided missile frigate Yuncheng, all fully domestically developed by China, are a composition that demonstrates the core warships of a modern Chinese carrier formation, and are expected to meet Hong Kong's high public expectations.

Compared to 2017, this carrier formation is even more impressive, said Zhang. "In addition to China's domestically built aircraft carrier Shandong, the accompanying Yan'an is a Type 055 large destroyer - often hailed as the 'sword-bearing guard' of carrier groups. This visit also marks the first public opening of a Type 055 destroyer in Hong Kong," he said.

In 2020, the Nanchang (Hull 101), the first Type 055 destroyer, was commissioned into service. Since then, the family of 10,000 ton-class destroyers has continued to grow. Official reports indicate that the Type 055 destroyer represents the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy's largest-tonnage, most technologically advanced, and most comprehensively capable destroyer in history. Upon its debut, it immediately ranked among the world's top-tier warships."

To date, Hong Kong has witnessed multiple first and exclusive records in hosting Chinese naval vessels. The PLA Navy has consistently chosen Hong Kong as the first public showcase for its newest warship classes, including not only the aircraft carrier Liaoning's first and only public opening, but also the first public opening of the domestically developed Type 075 amphibious assault ship Hainan during its Hong Kong visit from November 21 to 25, 2024.

Opening naval vessels to nationals is a common practice among navies worldwide. Since Hong Kong's return to the motherland, PLA Navy vessels have made multiple port calls to the city, each time welcoming Hong Kong compatriots aboard for tours, Zhang said.

The state-of-the-art surface vessels offer Hong Kong compatriots a tangible showcase of China's national defense and military modernization achievements in the new era. These visits allow them to witness firsthand the strength of the motherland's defense capabilities, thereby enhancing national pride and strengthening patriotic sentiment, Zhang said, noting that during last year's port call by the amphibious assault ship Hainan, many Hong Kong residents expressed enthusiasm for more naval visits - with hopes to see advanced vessels like the Type 055 large destroyers in the future. The upcoming visit by the aircraft carrier Shandong and Type 055 destroyer has indeed warmly fulfilled these expectations.

At the same time, the visit of these cutting-edge warships to Hong Kong, a bridge and window of China's openness to the world, fully demonstrates to the international community both the developmental achievements of China's military and the exemplary professionalism of its naval personnel. In addition, the display of powerful, strategic assets like the aircraft carrier Shandong and the Type 055 10,000 ton-class destroyer also serves as a deterrent to any forces with ill intentions, Zhang said.

"We hope to share with our Hong Kong compatriots the nation's development achievements and progress in national defense and military modernization, while also demonstrating the PLA's capacity to safeguard national sovereignty and security," Zhang said.

Song Zhongping, another Chinese military affairs expert who boarded the Liaoning during the carrier's 2017 Hong Kong visit, told the Global Times on Saturday that there were many Hong Kong residents who applied to tour China's first aircraft carrier. Many of them waved Chinese national flags in their hands.

Speaking with Song about their impressions of the Liaoning, Hong Kong visitors said that they could feel the growing strength of the motherland, and that a mighty PLA means a safe Hong Kong, according to Song.