China stands ready to provide more medical support to Africa within the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, and calls for the international community to enhance solidarity and cooperation to increase support for African countries, in regard to the ongoing Ebola outbreak on the continent, according to a readout from the Chinese Foreign Ministry on Wednesday.

Chinese Vice Premier Liu Guozhong made the remarks on Tuesday when addressing the High-Level Meeting of African Heads of State and Government and Partners on the Ebola Disease Outbreak via video link.

Liu, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that the vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity and a global community of health for all has charted the course for international cooperation in fighting the outbreak.

Noting that China and Africa have always been a community with a shared future, Liu said China has provided emergency humanitarian assistance to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the African Union (AU), and dispatched medical expert teams to the DRC, the readout said.

Meanwhile, nearly 1,000 Chinese medical professionals who are working in African countries stand side by side with local people in combating the disease, Liu said.

At a regular press conference on Wednesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian briefed the media on China's participation in the meeting, saying that China will implement the Partnership Action for Health under the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, and provide assistance to the best of our capability in combating the outbreak. "We call on the international community to strengthen solidarity and cooperation to help Africa defeat the outbreak at an early date," Lin added.

According to the official website of the African Union, the virtual meeting served as a platform to mobilize urgent political commitment, financial resources, and operational support to strengthen Africa's collective response to the outbreak and reinforce continental health security.

Burundian President and current Chairperson of the AU Evariste Ndayishimiye chaired the meeting. Heads of state and government from more than 10 African countries, including South Africa, Equatorial Guinea and Zimbabwe, attended the meeting. Representatives from international and regional organizations such as the World Health Organization and partners from outside the region also attended the meeting, per the Xinhua News Agency.

Addressing the meeting, the head of Africa's Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) warned that the Ebola outbreak in DRC could be the worst ever, and that currently tens of thousands of ⁠contacts of those ill with the disease had not been traced, Reuters reported.

"If we don't stop the outbreak very soon it will be worse than what we had in West Africa and eastern ‌DRC," ⁠Africa CDC Director-General Jean Kaseya told the virtual meeting. He ⁠was referring to the outbreak that affected Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone ⁠in 2014-2016 that killed over 11,000 people and a ⁠less deadly 2018 outbreak in DRC, per Reuters.

Amid the grim situation of the ongoing spread of the Ebola outbreak in parts of Africa, the Chinese government has decided to provide additional emergency humanitarian assistance on top of its previous anti‑outbreak support for Africa. The assistance includes continued aid to the DRC, a batch of anti‑outbreak supplies for Uganda, and sustained support for Africa CDC to fulfil its mandate, helping Africa contain the outbreak at an early date, Tang Ying, spokesperson for the China International Development Cooperation Agency, said on Wednesday.

The ⁠number of confirmed cases in ⁠the DRC has increased to 837, including 196 deaths, ‌government data showed on Tuesday. Neighboring Uganda has recorded 19 cases, 14 of them among people who had travelled from the DRC. The country has also reported two deaths, according to the Al Jazeera.

A ⁠Red Cross official said that the outbreak had not yet peaked in the DRC. "We ⁠are afraid that this could last one year to end this disease," said Bruno Michon, operations manager for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Al Jazeera reported.

Zhuang Shilihe, a Guangzhou-based medical expert, told the Global Times on Wednesday that given the outbreak situation, case numbers across Africa are likely to keep rising in the coming months. The security situation in the DRC may also hamper medical‑relief personnel operating in outbreak‑hit regions.

Amid the ongoing outbreak in Africa, China's National Disease Control and Prevention Administration released an updated Ebola prevention and control plan Tuesday, setting out tracking and health management requirements for people arriving from affected regions.

The plan requires health monitoring and management for people arriving in China from Ebola-affected countries or regions, foreign nationals who traveled to affected areas within 21 days before entering China, and Chinese citizens returning from outbreak zones.

Zhuang noted that this plan represents proactive contingency preparation given the currently low overall domestic risk level. It helps authorities enforce more detailed preventive measures.

China on Thursday released a new national human rights action plan at the opening of the 2026 Forum on Global Human Rights Governance, aiming to ensure the principal position of the people is respected and the people's fundamental interests are safeguarded.

The National Human Rights Action Plan of China (2026-2030) will also promote social fairness and justice and ensure that the fruits of modernization benefit all people fairly.

The action plan is divided into an introduction and eight chapters. It was jointly unveiled by the representatives of the members of the joint meeting mechanism for the national human rights action plan.

The Chinese government implemented its fourth human rights action plan between 2021 and 2025. With the effective implementation of its objectives and tasks, the country achieved remarkable progress in human rights protection, providing much-needed stability and certainty for global human rights development, the latest action plan says.

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson announces:

At the invitation of Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi, Nepal’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Shisir Khanal will visit China from June 14 to 17.

Asked to comment on China-related remarks made by intelligence agencies of the "Five Eyes" alliance, Chinese FM spokesperson Mao Ning said on Friday that "I addressed this question yesterday. It is ironic that the 'Five Eyes,' as an intelligence agency, has a long track record of conducting espionage across the globe, yet it leveled accusations against China over so-called espionage threats."

Newly discovered historical records have shed fresh light on the operations of a Japanese poison gas bomb factory during World War II, revealing details of chemical weapons production, workplace accidents and the wartime mobilization system that prioritized military expansion above all else.

The documents were recently uncovered by Seiya Matsuno, a historian and researcher at the International Peace Research Institute of Meiji Gakuin University, in Japan's National Archives. Matsuno said the materials not only provide new evidence about Japan's wartime production of poison gas munitions but also illustrate the dark reality of a government and military apparatus that placed war above society and human life.

The newly found document, titled "Compilation of Reports on the Implementation of Military Mobilization," is a production report covering fiscal 1941 operations at the Sone Manufacturing Plant of the Tokyo Second Army Arsenal. Matsuno analyzed the material and published his findings in the June 2026 issue of the Japanese magazine Sekai.

According to Matsuno's research, the Sone plant, formerly located in Kitakyushu City in Fukuoka Prefecture, was responsible for filling artillery shells with toxic chemical agents and assembling poison gas bombs. The facility also manufactured smoke shells and incendiary bombs.

The material documents accidents that occurred during poison gas bomb production and the injuries suffered by workers. Until now, such incidents had largely been known only through testimonies from former employees. The newly discovered records provide documentary evidence supporting those accounts.

Matsuno told Xinhua that the material also shows how poison gas bomb production expanded alongside Japan's growing war efforts. During fiscal 1941, the Sone plant increased its workforce and boosted output. He noted that, at the time, Japan was continuing its war in China, preparing for a possible conflict with the Soviet Union and planning military expansion into Southeast Asia.

Matsuno emphasized that the Japanese military's use of chemical weapons in China and elsewhere violated international law, adding that the military also conducted human experiments and committed other war crimes, which reflected the brutal nature of Japan's wartime aggression.

Under the rule of Japanese militarism, the country became increasingly consumed by war fervor. Matsuno said that the newly discovered records reveal a period in which the government and military subordinated all aspects of society to the war effort, while dissenting voices were systematically suppressed.

War brings only suffering and misfortune, Matsuno noted, stressing the importance of uncovering the realities of wartime history to prevent similar tragedies from recurring. Understanding how Japan became a country that inflicted serious harm on many Asian nations, and examining the conditions that made such developments possible, remain important tasks for contemporary Japanese society, he added. 

A spokesperson of Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday that fear-mongering of so-called threats to justify military buildup is a go-to tactic for Japanese militarism.

Spokesperson Mao Ning made the remarks when asked to comment on recent social media post by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi which claimed the review of the three principles on Japan's defense equipment transfer is aimed at enhancing deterrence for the sake of "defense" and preventing conflicts before they occur, as well as US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's welcome of this Japanese initiative and agreed to strengthen military cooperation with Japan. 

Mao said that as explicitly stipulated in international instruments such as the Potsdam Proclamation, Japan is obligated under international law to be "completely disarmed" and not to maintain industries that "would enable her to re-arm for war."

Japan, however, has been lifting the ban on lethal weapon export, rebuilding the war machine, and rapidly shifting to offense-oriented security and defense policies. Those dangerous moves bear an alarming resemblance to the course of actions taken by militarists in pre-war Japan, Mao noted.  

History has taught the world a painful lesson on appeasing and condoning militarism. Once that Pandora's box is opened, no one will be safe from the danger of raising a monster, Mao added.

Following intensive and proactive diplomatic engagements in May, General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee and Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith, British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper as well as upcoming guest Myanmar's Minister for Foreign Affairs Tin Maung Swe are among the latest foreign dignitaries visiting or scheduled to visit China amid a flurry of diplomatic activities to unfold in the month.

As China has enhanced its capabilities in fields such as technology and green development, foreign officials have found an increasingly broad range of areas for engagement during their visits. Experts say Beijing's consistent and predictable diplomacy has also strengthened its standing at a time when many governments are searching for certainty in an increasingly fragmented international landscape.

Development Philosophy

As Lao leader Thongloun Sisoulith and his delegation visited Yucun village in Anji, East China's Zhejiang Province on Wednesday for an inspection tour, the gentle drizzle added a touch of the Yangtze River Delta region's characteristic warmth and tranquility to the scene.  

In front of a stone stele engraved with the words "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets," officials provided a detailed introduction to the background and profound significance of this important development philosophy. 

The Global Times reporter noticed that Sisoulith listened attentively and nodded repeatedly. 

During the visit, he also toured local specialty homestays, engaging warmly with villagers and inquiring in detail about the homestays' revenue, customer base and other aspects, gaining an in-depth understanding of China's rural tourism model and its effectiveness in increasing local incomes. The visit concluded with an exchange of gifts between the Chinese and Lao sides in front of the stele, symbolizing their friendship.

Later, the Lao president and his wife visited the "Bamboo as a Substitute for Plastic" Exhibition Center. Sisoulith showed keen interest in various bamboo products, picking up a bamboo board to gently tap and hear its crisp sound, examining elegantly designed bamboo lamps, and closely inspecting the craftsmanship of bamboo cup holders.

At the end of the visit, the exhibition center presented the president and his wife with bamboo gifts, highlighting both the concept of green, low-carbon development and the unique charm of Anji's bamboo culture.

Meanwhile, according to information released by Shenzhen municipal government on Wednesday, Shenzhen Party Secretary Jin Lei met with a delegation led by UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper.

Jin said that Shenzhen will earnestly implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, fully tap the potential for cooperation, and pragmatically advance collaboration in areas including trade and investment, industrial and technological innovation, finance, and people-to-people exchanges, so as to achieve mutually beneficial and win-win development.

In Shenzhen, known as "China's Silicon Valley," Cooper was scheduled to discuss potential trade links and also "the challenges of the future of AI as it rapidly changes our world," according to the Independent.

Before going to Shenzhen, Cooper met separately with Chinese Vice President Han Zheng and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

Referring also to the example of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who visited Chinese humanoid robot company Unitree Robotics in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, in February, Cui Hongjian, a professor at the Academy of Regional and Global Governance at Beijing Foreign Studies University, told the Global Times that officials from countries especially from some European countries, including the UK, have frequently visited China, mainly to observe and understand the country's technological innovation. 

In the past, they perceived China as having limited innovation capacity and focusing primarily on trade and manufacturing. Recent breakthroughs in the technology sector have gradually changed this perception. Consequently, European leaders often visit Chinese tech companies during their trips to see developments firsthand, while laying the groundwork for future cooperation, especially in the field of technology, Cui said.

Wide range of allure

Adding to the list of guests is Myanmar's Minister for Foreign Affairs Tin Maung Swe, who will pay an official visit to China from Thursday to Saturday at the invitation of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, according to an announcement by the Chinese Foreign Ministry on Wednesday.

The upcoming visit will be Tin Maung Swe's first trip to China since taking office, and will mark the exchange of visits between the two foreign ministers in a very short period of time, a clear testament to the political will and keen interest on both sides to advance the bilateral community with a shared future, spokesperson from China's Foreign Ministry Mao Ning said at the regular press briefing on Wednesday.

The flurry of visits from foreign officials to China has attracted wide attention in Western media. Al Jazeera published a chart on Tuesday listing virtually every world leader to have visited China in 2026.

It noted that "according to an Al Jazeera tally, Cooper is the 26th foreign leader or senior official to visit China this year. The list includes presidents, prime ministers, chancellors, crown princes and foreign ministers from 23 countries."

From May 1 to 31, China's Foreign Ministry said that 15 foreign heads of state, heads of government, and foreign ministers had visited China. 

Apart from traditional visits to Beijing and Shanghai, some dignitaries traveled to a wide range of other places in China to explore areas of common interest for cooperation. For example, Mozambique's President Daniel Chapo visited an industrial park in Central China's Hunan Province in April, showing strong interest in new energy products. During his visit to heavy machinery manufacturer Sany Group's Xingsha Industrial Park in Changsha, Chapo boarded an electric reach stacker and tried operating it under the guidance of technical staff. 

During his visit to Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in May, Singapore's Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong said that while trade is no longer always seen as a mutually beneficial exercise in today's unsettled and troubled world, countries have to work to make it a "win-win."

"If we are honest, we have to say that it is not always win-win, but we have to work to make it win-win," he said, highlighting the considerable potential for economic cooperation in trade, investment and many other areas between Singapore and China, and between China and the wider ASEAN region, according to The Straits Times. 

"Dignitaries from many countries are visiting China because they recognize the global challenges the world faces, as well as the difficulties confronting their own nations," Li Haidong, a professor at China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times. "In seeking solutions, China occupies a position that allows it to provide support to the international community. As a result, it has become a country that many view as a reliable partner in addressing the world's crises and common challenges."

China's appeal is both broad and multifaceted. In areas such as renewable energy and the green economy, the country is widely regarded as far ahead of its peers, attracting international attention and prompting other nations to study and learn from its experience, Li said. 

Reliable partner

When depicting China's attraction to so many, the Economist offered the answer as "It [China] desires partners, not allies."

Al Jazeera pointed out that among officials who visited China recently, "several of the visits have been by leaders and officials from countries that Beijing considers strategically important partners, including Russia and Pakistan, both of which sent multiple senior officials this year."

There are also countries that have trade and diplomatic frictions with China such as European countries. "Visits by leaders from the UK, Germany, Spain, Ireland and Finland suggest that European governments are eager to engage closely with Beijing despite disagreements over trade, security and China's relationship with Russia," Al Jazeera wrote.

In an interview with Chinese media, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, who visited China from May 24 to 28, described China as a "gravity center of stability" in global affairs, contrasting its consistent foreign policy with what he called the unpredictable behavior of other major powers.

There are countries that "know that they can rely on Chinese foreign policy, they can rely on responsible messages and responsible answers to whatever might happen in the world, which is a very rare case today," Vucic said.

Countries are increasingly looking to China for solutions to challenges in areas such as security, development and environmental governance, Li said. He pointed out that China's growing influence stems not only from its economic rise but also from what many countries see as its ability to provide certainty amid mounting global challenges. 

As other countries and international platforms face limitations in responding to global crises, Li said, Beijing is increasingly viewed as a bridge-builder and an important partner in international cooperation.

A village official in a Southwest China's Yunnan Province township, was swept away by a debris flow and left covered in mud while going door to door urging residents to evacuate during a sudden flash flood. After escaping the raging mudslide, he continued organizing the evacuation, bringing all 60 people from 21 households to safety.

On a recent night, upon receiving a flood control alert, Tian Ruliang, head of Shanghongyan village in Yunnan, immediately went door to door to warn villagers of the impending flood risks. Several hours later, a second emergency alert was issued. Tian then teamed up with young villagers to knock on every door to wake those still asleep, China National Radio (CNR) reported. 

While Tian was rushing through the village, a debris flow laden with mud, sand, and rocks struck, engulfing him. At this life-threatening moment, Tian grabbed hold of a large tree by a gully, fought his way out of the mud, and scrambled onto the bank. 

By then, he was covered head to toe in mud, with his clothes torn, multiple abrasions on his body and mud in his mouth and nose. Yet he continued checking each home and organizing the evacuation.

From the urgent alert to the complete evacuation to a safe zone, the entire process took only about half an hour—all 60 villagers from 21 households were safely relocated, CNR reported. Tian said that just as he withdrew, a landslide of over 10,000 cubic meters crashed down, burying the rear area of the village.

After the crisis passed, Tian did not rest but immediately threw himself into clearing sludge and village rebuilding. Medical checks confirmed he had multiple soft tissue abrasions across his body, and conjunctivitis in both eyes caused by irritation from mud, CNR reported.

Tian said that danger was inevitable but protecting thelocal people is his duty. "As long as everyone stays safe and sound, all the toil and fatigue mean nothing," he added.

Five people died and one was injured when a collapse occurred during illegal mining activities in Huize County of southwest China's Yunnan Province early on Sunday morning.

The incident took place at around 4:30 a.m. in Baiwu Village of Nagu Town, Huize County, according to local authorities.

Emergency response, public security, firefighting, health and natural resources departments from the city of Qujing and Huize County quickly launched rescue operations, pulling out all six trapped individuals and rushing them to hospital for treatment.

Five of the rescued people succumbed to their injuries despite medical efforts. The other survivor is now in stable condition and out of life-threatening danger.

An investigation into the cause of the collapse is underway.

Historically, Japan's intelligence agencies paved the way for the country to pursue militarism in an all-round manner and launch wars of aggression abroad, committing heinous crimes against its Asian neighbors and the Japanese people. Japanese policymakers should draw profound lessons from history and act with prudence, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a press briefing on Thursday, in response to a Global Times question regarding Tokyo's latest enactment of a law to establish a new "national intelligence council" aimed at enhancing national intelligence capabilities.

China is concerned about relevant developments, which have sparked widespread controversy and doubts both within Japan and across the international community, said Mao. 

Some experts in Japan believed that such moves may blur the boundaries of "national security" and be exploited to build a full-spectrum war preparedness system. Some insightful figures also pointed out that this is not merely Japan's internal affairs, but touches on major issues including the country's constitutional system and the direction of its domestic and foreign security policies, said the spokesperson.