In a miraculous survival tale reminiscent of the novel Life of Pi, a 10-year-old boy from a village in Lingshui county, South China's Hainan Province survived a perilous 24-hour drift at sea. The boy, who went out to sea to catch squid,  fell asleep and drifted a whole day and night before being rescued by a fishing boat in Sanya. 

A video of the boy drifting alone at sea in a small boat went viral online over the weekend. According to China National Radio (CNR) on Sunday, the video's uploader said they were fishing when they spotted a small green boat in the distance and heard someone calling for help. They approached and found a child, then worked together to rescue him.

"We received the rescue request from our fishing guests at around 5 pm on Saturday," said Luo Wen, captain of a local rescue team in Sanya. "They had rented our boat for fishing and rescued the boy near a coastal area. After bringing him on board, they contacted us and soon brought him back to shore, handing him over to the local police." 

Luo noted that the boy's skin has been severely sunburned from prolonged sunlight exposure, but he was in stable condition after receiving milk and bread given by the fishermen.

"He was very scared at the time, crying and saying that he had gone out to fish squid but couldn't find his way home," Luo told the CNR. 

The boy said he is 10 years old, and this wasn't his first time fishing alone at sea, according to Luo. 

At around 9 pm on Friday, , the boy went squid fishing near a village in Lingshui and fell asleep on the boat from sheer exhaustion and drifted away. 

Lost at sea, he saw distant lights, but the strong waves and relentless winds had drained him of strength, leaving him too weak to paddle, Luo said.

According to the report, the land distance between the boy's departure point and the location where he was rescued surpassed 30 kilometers. 

Luo said that on Friday night, the sea near Haitang Bay is windy and rough, with winds of around Force 6 and waves up to 1.5 meters high on Friday. "Even adult fishermen would hardly survive in such conditions, let alone a child. He was very lucky."

After recuring the boy, Luo and the local police managed to connect his family. An hour later, the parents of the boy arrived at the local police station and took him home.

Liang Qiuming, the Party secretary of the village, told the CNR that they organized rescue teams to comb the village and coastal areas on Friday night to search the lost boy. They also issued a missing person notice. 

Liang said that the boy is safe at home. Staff from the township government have visited his home to provide safety education and will arrange psychological counseling if needed, according to the report.

Some US senators have introduced a bipartisan legislation, attempting to change the name of "Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office" to "the Taiwan Representative Office." They claimed the move is to "underscore the US' commitment" to the island's democracy and enhances clarity in their relationship, US media reported on Wednesday.

Experts said the legislation essentially aims to create "one China, one Taiwan," and support "Taiwan independence." They pointed out some US senators are exploiting China hawks and pro-Taiwan island factions in the new US administration to further their own political goals.

Senators John Curtis and Jeff Merkley introduced the Taiwan Representative Office Act to rename "Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office", National Review reported on Wednesday.

In a press release issued by senator Curtis, the legislation does not alter the US position on Taiwan's international status, it stressed. 

Similar legislations were introduced twice, in 2023 and 2024, in both the US House of Representatives and the Senate, but did not gain enough traction to pass in either chamber. But the senators said there is "high hopes" for it this time around, as Secretary of State Marco Rubio co-authored the 2023 iteration of the bill, media report said.

In September 2021, China lodged solemn representation with the US over media reports that said the US is "seriously considering changing the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO)'s name to the 'Taiwan Representative Office,'" the Chinese Foreign Ministry slammed the move of causing serious deterioration of the China-US relationship and peace in the Taiwan Straits.

Wu Xinbo, director of the Center for American Studies at Fudan University, told the Global Times on Thursday that internationally, the island of Taiwan is usually referred to as "Chinese Taipei" or as an economic entity, while the direct use of "Taiwan" is rare. Therefore, the latest legislation essentially aims to create "one China, one Taiwan," supporting "Taiwan independence," Wu said. 

As for the timing of the legislation, the expert said with China hawks and pro-Taiwan forces in the new US government, the senators may be seeking to leverage these forces to advance their own political agenda, driven by personal interests. 

However, the current US administration's priority is handling domestic affairs, particularly economic issues, while properly managing relations with China, Li Haidong, a professor at China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times. 

In contrast, US Congress has consistently taken a high-profile stance on Taiwan question, actively working to enhance the island's international presence, Li said, adding that some of the congressmen may have received substantial financial support from Taiwan.

It has been reported by Taiwan island-based media CNA that senator John Curtis previously served as a missionary in Taiwan, has a clear pro-Taiwan stance, and is fluent in the local language.

Nevertheless, Wu warned that this development should not be underestimated. "If the new US administration's China policy does not meet expectations, it may play the Taiwan card, potentially crossing established red lines, especially under the influence of pro-Taiwan figures," he said. 

During a Cabinet meeting in February, US President Donald Trump declined to make a commitment to the Taiwan island when asked by a reporter whether "the US would allow China to take control of Taiwan by force," Instead, US President responded by expressing desire for Chinese investment in the US, Reuters reported.

Taiwan is never a country, not in the past, and never in the future. The only reference to the Taiwan region in the UN is "Taiwan, Province of China," said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi at the press conference on March 7, 2025, during this year's two sessions.

Chinese animated film Ne Zha 2 has surpassed the global box-office earnings of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, breaking into the top 5 at the global box office on Saturday with a total box office of 15.2 billion yuan ($2.07 billion).

"This is not only a milestone in breaking Hollywood's dominance, but also advances China's cultural soft power. The film's universal theme of individual determination of one's fate transcends cultural barriers, blending Chinese mythology with a coming-of-age story that resonates with audiences worldwide," Zhang Peng, a film researcher and associate professor at Nanjing Normal University, told the Global Times.

According to Xinhua News Agency, Ne Zha 2 is set to be released in 37 countries and regions across Europe. The UK and Ireland just hosted preview screenings on Friday followed by a wider release in over 200 cinemas across France, Germany, Spain, Italy and other countries on March 21.

Trinity CineAsia, the company handling the European distribution of the film, has long been dedicated to bringing Asian films to Western audiences. In recent years, it has distributed Chinese-language films such as Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In, Hong Kong's official submission for the Oscars. 

The film has achieved remarkable success at the global box office. On February 17, it amassed a cumulative total of 12.052 billion yuan, surpassing The Lion King and securing its position as the first Asian film to enter the global box office top 10. Alongside this milestone, its overseas earnings reached 76.86 million yuan, establishing a new record for Chinese-language film screenings in nearly two decades.

By March 9, the film's global cumulative box office had soared to 14.88 billion yuan, overtaking Avengers: Infinity War and climbing to sixth place on the all-time global box office chart, further cementing its historic achievement.

Notably, US media outlet Deadline described the performance of Ne Zha 2 as "a rare example of a non-US film" citing one of its senior analysts, adding that this "rare" hurricane is still ongoing.

The US critics have largely celebrated Ne Zha 2 for its quality as a sequel after it was aired on February 14. For instance, New York-based film critic Simon Abrams' review highlights it as a "rare sequel that amplifies both its action and drama without sacrificing much of what already worked in the last movie."

"Rarely do you get a film that truly defines an era, shows again the unique power of cinema to move audiences, and makes an indelible mark on culture. This is 'Ne Zha 2,'" said Cedric Behrel, managing director of Trinity CineAsia, as reported by Euronews. "It signifies a major turning point in further establishing Trinity CineAsia as a pan-European distributor." 

"By seamlessly integrating elements of intangible cultural heritage and philosophical metaphors, Ne Zha has transformed Chinese mythology into a vehicle for global cultural dialogue. This success lays the foundation for the future development of a 'mythological universe,' supporting China's film industry in transitioning from a single box-office-driven model to an ecosystem-based economy," Zhang said.

French media have also been closely following Ne Zha 2 and eagerly anticipate its release in France. The French film website Écranlarge noted that this record-breaking Chinese animated film is finally coming to French cinemas, and "Beyond showcasing the growing strength of a local film industry that is increasingly turning away from Hollywood blockbusters, this record-breaking film also reinforces the ambition of Chinese cinema: to establish itself as a tool of soft power on the international stage."

Additionally, Ne Zha 2 already hit theaters in countries such as Malaysia and Thailand on March 13, followed by a release in Japanese version in Japan on April 4.

China on Sunday made public a plan on special initiatives to boost consumption. This comes as the world's second-largest economy moves to make domestic demand the main engine and anchor of economic growth.

The plan, issued by the General Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council, aims to vigorously boost consumption, stimulate domestic demand across the board, and increase spending power by increasing earnings and reducing financial burdens, according to the Xinhua News Agency. 

It also aims to generate effective demand through high-quality supply, improve the consumption environment to strengthen consumer willingness to spend, and address prominent constraints on consumption.

The move came after China's policymakers have delivered clear and decisive signals to encourage consumer spending, addressing doubts about the country's transition to a consumption-driven economy.

China will "place a stronger economic policy focus on improving living standards and boosting consumer spending," according to this year's Government Work Report at the just closed two sessions.

Promoting consumption is not a new concept in China's policy toolbox. Consumer spending plays an increasingly important role in China's economy. Data from the National Bureau of Statistics showed that in 2024, final consumption contributed 44.5 percent to China's economic growth, surpassing investment and exports, and driving GDP growth by 2.2 percentage points.

The latest approach to boosting consumption is very comprehensive, underscoring the government's determination with pragmatic efforts to strengthen the economy, where consumption plays a key role, Hu Qimu, deputy secretary-general of the digital-real economies integration Forum 50, told the Global Times on Sunday.

The ramped-up measures to boost consumption are particularly crucial this year, as China's economy faces challenges amid the rise of trade protectionism and global headwinds, as well as the shift from traditional growth drivers like real estate to new, more sustainable sources of growth, Hu added.

"Stimulating consumption to expand domestic demand can effectively counter external uncertainties, stabilize short-term growth, and contribute to long-term structural transformation," Hu said.

Increasing residents' income

Among the 30-points plan, it has put increasing income of urban and rural residents as the first part, which highlighted promoting reasonable growth of wage income, with the measures to implement employment support plans for key areas, key industries, urban and rural grassroots, and small and medium-sized enterprises. 

In light of changes in the situation, it will increase employment support, especially for key groups.

It also highlighted expanding channels for property income, saying that it will implement multiple measures to stabilize the stock market, and strengthen strategic reserves and enhance market stabilization mechanisms. Introducing a wider range of bond-related investment products tailored for individual investors is also highlighted there. 

Wang Peng, an associate research fellow at the Beijing Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Sunday that wage income and property income need to progress together. "The preservation and appreciation of assets are the foundation of consumer confidence, directly influencing residents' willingness and ability to spend," he said.

Wang also said consumption and income create a positive cycle. "Increased consumption boosts economic vitality, which in turn generates more jobs and income, further stimulating consumption. In this process, government policies play a crucial role in 'activating the overall situation,'" Wang added.

The measures also include increasing support for trade-in scheme, which was launched a year ago and has played a vital role in revitalizing the consumer market. 

It said it should make good use of ultra-long special treasury bonds, support local governments to expand the scope of the trade-in program policy for consumer goods, promote the green and intelligent upgrade of large durable consumer goods such as automobiles, home appliances, and home decoration.

To support this pivotal transition, the Government Work Report unveiled stronger supportive measures, including issuing ultra-long special treasury bonds of 300 billion yuan ($41.45 billion) to support the consumer goods trade-in program, doubling the scale from last year.

In 2024, the program brought in sales of more than 1.3 trillion yuan, including more than 6.8 million cars, 56 million home appliances and 1.38 million electric bicycles. This year, more items have been added to the list of subsidized products.

"The trade-in scheme goes beyond being just an economic policy," Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao stated at a press conference during the third session of the 14th National People's Congress on March 6, emphasizing that it has spurred new growth drivers and enhanced the quality of life for millions of households.

Chinese policymakers also linked consumption to lifestyle improvements rather than just spending volume. The measures also include expanding cultural, sports and tourism consumption, promoting ice and snow consumption and boosting inbound consumption.

The market size of the ice and snow economy in Northeast China's Heilongjiang Province reached 266.17 billion yuan in 2024, of which the output of ice and snow tourism was 182.33 billion yuan, said the provincial bureau of statistics.

During the 2024-2025 winter season, Heilongjiang received 135 million domestic and overseas tourists, up 18.5 percent compared with last year's winter season. Tourist spending also increased by 30.7 percent, Xinhua News Agency reported on Thursday. 

Some foreign media hyped that a Chinese warship that recently sailed into the Pacific Ocean was suspected of being armed with a laser weapon. A Chinese expert said on Thursday that laser is a type of defensive weapon being developed by multiple countries, and there is no need to make an undue fuss over this potential development.

Citing the Japanese Defense Ministry, US media outlet Newsweek claimed on Wednesday that a Chinese flotilla was spotted sailing toward the wider Western Pacific Ocean this week, which included a suspected laser-armed warship.

According to a press release by Japan's Ministry of Defense Joint Staff on Wednesday, seven warships of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy, including two Type 052D destroyers, two Type 054A frigates, one Type 075 amphibious assault ship, one Type 071 amphibious transport dock and one Type 903 replenishment ship, transited the Miyako Strait southeastward from Monday to Tuesday. 

Photos of the Chinese warships were attached to the Japanese press release. Citing a previous report by specialist outlet Naval News, Newsweek claimed that the Type 071 amphibious warship in the Chinese flotilla is "armed with a laser-based directed energy weapon," which is placed in a protective and extendable cupola between the ship's main gun and the command bridge. 

While China has publicly displayed land-based laser weapons, such as the LW-30 laser defense system displayed at Airshow China 2022, the country has not yet made any official announcement of ship-borne laser weapons.

In late 2024, the US Navy tested the HELIOS laser weapon system with the USS Preble destroyer against a threat-representative cruise missile, Naval News reported on February 4.

Fu Qianshao, a Chinese military expert, told the Global Times on Thursday that shipborne laser weapons represent a development trend for several countries, as they attack at the speed of light, require no trajectory predictions, and are supposed to be more cost-effective than traditional naval guns and missiles.

Shipborne laser weapons are mainly designed for close-in defense purposes against targets such as drones, loitering munitions and cruise missiles, rather than being an offensive weapon, because contemporary warships may have difficulties providing enough electricity to cause enough damage for offensive purposes, especially considering energy losses in the atmosphere at sea level, Fu said.

Regardless of whether claims of the Chinese warship carrying an alleged laser weapon are true or not, there is no need for foreign media to be paranoid or make an undue fuss, Fu said, noting that China has been making in naval developments such as electromagnetic catapult technologies, and the country has also displayed land-based laser systems, so any new development should not be surprising.