1. Flag patterns for four branches of PLA unveiled
The flag patterns of four branches of the Chinese People's Liberation Army were unveiled on Thursday.
According to a news release from the Central Military Commission, the new flags were meticulously designed to embody the Party's leadership over the forces, highlight their strategic importance, and inspire troops' sense of honor and mission.
The new flags will join the PLA flag and those of the army, navy, air force and rocket force to form a military flag system aimed at better motivating PLA members to accomplish their missions and build the Chinese military into a world-class force.
2. Chinese passports gaining power
Chinese passport holders can now travel to more than 90 countries and regions around the world without a visa or by obtaining a visa on arrival, a senior immigration official said Wednesday.
According to international consulting agency rankings, the Chinese passport has moved up from 72nd place in 2021 to 60th in terms of global mobility, reflecting a steady increase in its international travel convenience.
3. 12-year-old Chinese swimmer Yu Zidi shines at World Aquatics Championships
At just 12 years old, Chinese swimming prodigy Yu Zidi has emerged as one of the most talked-about swimmers at the 2025 World Aquatics Championships.
On Thursday evening, Yu competed as the only Chinese athlete in the women's 200-meter butterfly final, and finished fourth with a personal best of 2:06.43, just 0.31 seconds behind the bronze medalist.
A leading U.S. swimming outlet noted that while many young swimmers have achieved early breakthroughs, Yu stands out for her ability to compete alongside the world's top athletes at such a young age.
4.China's cyberspace regulator summons Nvidia over chip security concerns
The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) summoned U.S. chipmaker Nvidia on Thursday for a formal discussion regarding serious security risks identified in its H20 computing chips sold in China.
The move came amid growing concerns over advanced chip technologies being equipped with so-called "tracking and positioning" features. U.S. lawmakers have previously urged that high-performance chips exported from the United States must include such capabilities.
Industry experts in the U.S. artificial intelligence sector have also revealed that technologies enabling "tracking, positioning, and remote shutdown" have matured within Nvidia's product lines.
5.China launches commercial carrier rocket SQX-1 Y10
China successfully launched the SQX-1 Y10 commercial carrier rocket into space from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China Tuesday.
The rocket blasted off at 12:11 p.m. (Beijing Time) from the launch site, sending a satellite into its planned orbit.
6.Chinese-led team discover 'vibrant oasis' of chemical-eating creatures 10,000 meters undersea
Beneath the deep sea at nearly 10,000 meters, a Chinese-led team has discovered vibrant communities of marine creatures that survive without sunlight, relying instead on chemical reactions for energy.
The study, led by the Institute of Deep-sea Science and Engineering (IDSSE) under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, revealed the world's deepest-known chemosynthetic life communities that derive energy from chemical reactions within geologic fluids.
The groundbreaking study was published on Wednesday in the scientific journal "Nature."
7.Northeast China successfully launches eVTOL test flight to boost low-altitude economy
A test flight for eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) low-altitude sightseeing tourism project was successfully completed at Shenyang City in northeast China's Liaoning Province on Monday.
This flight aimed to offer tourists a new perspective to enjoy the scenic beauty of the Hunhe River, elevating their travel experience.
An industry expert stated that rising demand for low-altitude aircraft will foster coordinated supply chain development, forming a strong industrial cluster to power regional growth.
8.Museum opens doors for 168 hours to catch last glimpse of ancient Egypt
The Shanghai Museum's gate will be open for 168 hours straight from Aug. 11 to 17 during the final week of its largest exhibition, On Top of the Pyramid: The Civilization of Ancient Egypt, it announced on Tuesday.
Nearly 95 percent of the 780 artifacts on display are making their debut appearance in Asia. After opening on July 19, 2024, its 13-month run at the Shanghai Museum on People's Square will soon come to an end.
The exhibition has set one of the highest attendance records worldwide for a single-ticket museum exhibition of cultural relics. As of Monday, it received nearly 2.6 million visitors, and it is expected that the total number of visitors will exceed 2.7 million by the time it closes.
9.Chinese company secures Saudi Arabia's first autonomous driving license for Robotaxi operations
Chinese autonomous driving technology company WeRide announced Monday that its Robotaxi has been granted Saudi Arabia's first autonomous driving license.
In the initial phase, WeRide has partnered with Uber and local collaborator AiDriver to launch a pilot Robotaxi operation in Riyadh, which began in early July and covers key locations in Riyadh, including major highways and designated downtown zones. Full-scale commercial Robotaxi operations in the city are planned to be jointly launched by the end of 2025.
10.China's marriage registrations drop 20.5% in 2024
Marriage registrations in China fell to about 6.11 million in 2024, down by 20.5% year-on-year, according to the Ministry of Civil Affairs on Wednesday.
China's marriage rate fell to 4.3 per 1,000 people in 2024, down 1.1 points from the previous year and marking the lowest level since 2020, according to the 2024 Statistical Bulletin on the Development of Civil Affairs.
In addition, 3.50 million couples divorced last year, down from about 3.61 million in 2023.
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