1. China, Kenya elevate ties as Xi, Ruto hold talks
Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with Kenyan President William Ruto in Beijing on Thursday, with the two sides agreeing to elevate their ties to a China-Kenya community with a shared future for the new era.
Noting that the move is a strategic choice for both sides, Xi said that in response to the historical trend and the trend of the times, China is willing to work with Kenya to create an example in the all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era, and lead the development of China-Africa relations and the forging of solidarity and cooperation among Global South countries.
Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcome ceremony for Kenyan President William Ruto at the square outside the east gate of the Great Hall of the People prior to their talks in Beijing, capital of China, April 24, 2025. Xi held talks with Ruto, who is on a state visit to China, in Beijing on Thursday. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei)
2. China launches Shenzhou-20 crewed spaceship
China launched the Shenzhou-20 crewed spaceship on Thursday, sending three astronauts to its orbiting space station for a six-month mission.
The spaceship, atop a Long March-2F carrier rocket, blasted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China.
The Shenzhou-20 crewed spaceship, atop a Long March-2F carrier rocket, blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, April 24, 2025. (Photo: China News Service/Wang Jiangbo)
3. China urges the Philippines to stop creating trouble
China urges the Philippines to honor its commitments and stop creating troubles, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Thursday.
Guo made the remarks at a regular press briefing when asked to comment on a recent Philippine statement asserting that no permission was sought from, nor granted by, China for the conduct of its resupply mission to Ren’ai Jiao on March 4 and that it does not recognize Beijing’s authority over Ren’ai Jiao.
Guo underscored that China has sovereignty over the Nansha Qundao, including Ren’ai Jiao, and their adjacent waters, noting that China’s position on how to handle the current situation at Ren’ai Jiao is clear and consistent.
Ren’ai Reef. (File photo/China Daily)
4. China denies existence of tariff negotiations with U.S.
China and the U.S. are not having any consultation or negotiation on tariffs, still less reaching a deal, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said a regular press conference on Thursday. Guo said this tariff war was launched by the U.S.
“China’s position is consistent and clear: We will fight, if fight we must. Our doors are open if the U.S. wants to talk. Dialogue and negotiation must be based on equality, respect, and mutual benefit,” the spokesperson said.
FM spokesperson Guo Jiakun
5. China unveils next-generation cargo spacecraft Qingzhou
Qingzhou, China’s next-generation cargo spacecraft designed for future in-orbit supply deliveries, including missions to China’s Tiangong Space Station, took center stage in Shanghai on Thursday as it made its first public debut.
The unveiling of the spacecraft’s life-size model at the ongoing aerospace science exhibition at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition &Convention Center, serves as part of the celebrations of this year’s Space Day of China.
A life-size model of the Qingzhou cargo spacecraft is on display at the ongoing aerospace science exhibition at Shanghai World Expo Exhibition &Convention Center. (Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn)
6. Negative list updated to further ease market access
China unveiled a new version of its negative list for market access on Thursday, further opening up sectors to private and foreign enterprises in a move that underscores the country’s commitment to bolstering its vast domestic market amid external shocks, officials and experts said.
The updated list, which specifies industries and business activities that are either prohibited or require government approval, has reduced the number of items from 117 in the 2022 version to 106.
File photo
7. China announces roster for table tennis worlds in Doha
The Chinese Table Tennis Association (CTTA) on Monday announced the roster for the ITTF World Table Tennis Championships Finals Doha 2025, with star paddlers Wang Chuqin, Lin Shidong, Sun Yingsha and Wang Manyu making the cut.
According to the roster, Wang Chuqin, Lin Shidong, Liang Jingkun, Lin Gaoyuan and Xue Fei will participate in the men’s singles, while Lin Shidong/Lin Gaoyuan and Huang Youzheng/Liang Jingkun are set to compete in the men’s doubles event.
Wang Chuqin. (Photo: China News Service/He Penglei)
8. Chinese Navy marks 76th anniversary on march to world-class force safeguarding peace
The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy marked its 76th anniversary on Wednesday, reaffirming its commitment to becoming a world-class naval force dedicated to safeguarding both national security and global peace.
As part of the celebrations, the Chinese Navy opened more than 30 active-duty vessels to the public this year — surpassing previous years in both scale and variety — drawing large crowds eager to get a closer look.
Young pioneers presented flowers to the representatives of officers and soldiers of amphibious assault ship “Hainan”, April 22, 2025. (Photo: China News Service/Luo Yunfei)
9. Giant panda pair arrives in Austria for 10-year stay
Two giant pandas from southwest China’s Sichuan Province arrived at Vienna’s Schoenbrunn Zoo on Wednesday, marking the start of a decade-long stay as symbols of friendship between China and Austria.
The pandas – male He Feng and female Lan Yun – were both born in 2020. According to the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, He Feng is energetic, while Lan Yun is known for her gentle nature. Their names refer to the freshness of lotus flowers and the fragrance of orchids, reflecting traditional Chinese symbolism.
Photo shows giant panda He Feng. (Photo:China News Service/ An Yuan)
10. Liu Guoliang resigns as president of Chinese Table Tennis Association, successor elected
Liu Guoliang has resigned the position of the Chinese Table Tennis Association (CTTA) president, with current CTTA vice president Wang Liqin elected the organization’s new chief on Wednesday.
Liu, who has achieved a career singles Grand Slam of Olympic Games, World Championships and World Cup, was appointed chief coach of China’s national team in 2013. China’s national team swept four gold medals at the 2016 Rio Olympics guided by him.
Wang Liqin(L) and Liu Guoliang(R) (Photo/TTW)
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