"This is the matching photo spot where Chinese and US heads of state posed for pictures yesterday. Come take a photo here for a keepsake," such exclamations rippled across the front of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests in Beijing's Temple of Heaven on Friday afternoon. Crowds of tourists flocked to the very same spot where two leaders had posed for photos the previous day, to check in and recreate the iconic shots, the Global Times reporters saw at the site.
Arriving at the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests at around 2 pm on Friday, the reporters noted that the exact location where the two leaders posed for photos during their meeting a day earlier has become a popular check-in spot for both Chinese and foreign tourists.

Reporters also witnessed visitors calling out to their family and friends in turn to stand at the same photo spot that best recreates the vantage point used by the two leaders, capturing precious moments.
Adelson (pseudonym), a tourist from the US, told the Global Times that having his photo taken at this matching photo spot was "impressive," adding, "I think my family will think that's pretty neat."

He also said that he was excited that the two countries are talking and having dialogue. As China and the US strengthen their relations, Adelson believes people from both countries will benefit. "We have opportunities for win‑win relationships to better both countries and learn a lot from each other. I think Americans have a lot to offer, and so do the Chinese," he said.

Danusha Seneviratne, a visitor from Australia, said he would "never forget" witnessing such a historic moment in Beijing. Standing at the iconic spot where the two heads of state posed for pictures, he said he found it "really symbolic."
In Danusha's view, the Temple of Heaven stands as a symbol of peace and harmony, making it entirely fitting for the meeting between the two leaders. He said [talks were] all about harmony and bringing the world together, and "I think China is a fantastic place to do that."

Another Australian visitor, Tim, said he had anticipated increased crowds at the Temple of Heaven given the previous day's meeting between the two leaders, yet he had not expected such a massive turnout.

Besides the throngs of international tourists visiting the Temple of Heaven and snapping photos at the exact location, numerous domestic travelers from across the country are also among the queue of visitors taking photos.
Zhang Xiangrun, a 19‑year‑old student from Suqian, East China's Jiangsu Province, told the Global Times that seeing crowds flocking to the matching photo spot reflected the widespread attention the meeting attracted both in China and internationally, and he can also feel the pride in the nation's prosperity from Chinese visitors' big smiles.

"Come and see - this is where the leaders of the two countries posed for their picture!" Global Times reporters repeatedly overheard the excited exclamation at the site. A tourist surnamed Gao from Nantong, Jiangsu Province, was one of them. Standing at the matching photo spot, she pointed excitedly to tell the reporters that "this is the very vantage point where the two state leaders posed for photos yesterday."

"I wish for world peace and national prosperity," Gao said sincerely after taking her picture, gazing toward the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, which she described as a symbol of harmony.

A ceremony conferring an honorary professorship on Tajikistan’s President Emomali Rahmon, along with a speech event, was held at Peking University on Tuesday, the university said on Wednesday. Rahmon, who is currently on a state visit to China, reviewed the achievements of bilateral cooperation across multiple fields during his speech, expressed hope for further promoting civilizational exchanges and educational cooperation between Tajikistan and China, and encouraged young people to study diligently and strive for progress, the university said. 

He Guangcai, Secretary of the CPC Peking University Committee and Chair of the Peking University Council, and Gong Qihuang, President of the university, presented President Rahmon with the honorary professor plaque and certificate, conferring upon him the title of Honorary Professor of Peking University in recognition of his outstanding contributions to deepening China-Tajikistan friendship and cooperation, safeguarding regional peace and stability, promoting regional economic and social development, and advancing reforms in regional and global governance systems, according to the university. 

Rahmon is currently in China for a state visit from May 11 to 14, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry. 

Tajikistan has always attached great importance to cooperation with China in higher education, scientific and technological innovation, and academic exchanges, viewing them as among the most important components of bilateral relations, Rahmon said during the ceremony, according to the university’s website. 

Enthusiasm among Tajik youth for studying in China has continued to grow, while the number of Confucius Institutes and Luban Workshops in Tajikistan has steadily increased, he said, the university’s website showed. 

Since 2005, Peking University has admitted a total of 47 students from Tajikistan, and to date, more than 10,000 Tajik students have completed their studies at Chinese universities, per the university. 

Rahmon also expressed his expectation that Tajikistan and Chinese universities, including Peking University, will further deepen cooperation across various fields in the future. Drawing on his own personal experience, he also encouraged the younger generations of both countries to expand their knowledge and jointly write a new chapter in China-Tajikistan good-neighborly friendship and the Silk Road spirit, according to the university’s website. 

Rahmon was born to a peasant family on October 5, 1952, in Tajikistan's Dangara district. He graduated from Technical Lyceum No. 40 of Kalininabad city (presently Sarband) in 1969, and served in the Pacific Navy Military Force from 1971 to 1974. In 1982, he graduated from the Faculty of Economics at the Tajik National University, according to the Xinhua News Agency. 

Editor's Note: This year marks the 80th anniversary of the beginning of the International Military Tribunal for the Far East, also known as the Tokyo Trial. More than a legal proceeding, it was shaped by "decisive moments in history": prosecutors pursuing evidence, witnesses testifying, and judges upholding justice amid geopolitical strain. Eight decades on, Chinese collectors and scholars continue to unearthing archives, filling gaps in history, and advance unfinished justice—reinforcing historical conclusions with primary sources and drawing lessons for the present.

Cheng Ruifang, who documented the Japanese atrocities in Nanjing in her diary between December 8, 1937 and March 1, 1938, later submitted a written testimony based on her experiences to the 1946 International Military Tribunal for the Far East. Her diary is also regarded as the diary of the "Chinese Anne Frank" for its firsthand account of suffering and survival during wartime.

"Now it is midnight. I am sitting here to write this diary and cannot go to sleep because tonight I have experienced the taste of being a slave of a toppled country … After collecting more information, [we] heard that eleven girls, all told, were dragged away tonight. [We] did not know where they would be dragged to and be molested. I wanted to cry. What kind of future would these girls have?"

On the night of December 17, 1937, Cheng Ruifang, the housemaster of Ginling College and the head of the Health Unit of the Fourth District (Ginling College Refugee Shelter) of the Nanjing Safety Zone, wrote in her diary that she "could not help but feel heartbroken."

At the time Cheng Ruifang was already 62 years old. After the fall of Nanjing, she remained and, together with Minnie Vautrin, a US missionary and head of the Ginling College Refugee Shelter, and Chen Feiran, formed a "three-person emergency committee." Vautrin later described her as "an excellent general," according to the People's Daily Overseas Edition.

Due to health reasons, Cheng Ruifang was later unable to testify in person at the International Military Tribunal for the Far East. However, she submitted a written testimony to the tribunal, which was admitted as prosecution exhibit No.308.

In her statement, she wrote: "I am 71 years old and serve as the housemother of Ginling Women's College. After the fall of Nanjing in December 1937, the campus was declared a safety zone … Ginling Women's College sheltered more than 10,000 women and children." She then listed several instances of rape, looting and killings committed by Japanese soldiers on campus that she had witnessed, per the report.

Jiang Liangqin, a professor of the Department of Chinese History at Nanjing University, told the Global Times that, after rigorous academic comparison, Cheng Ruifang's testimony is fully consistent with her diary entries, which are even more detailed and comprehensive. Her diary has thus become key evidence in documenting Japanese wartime atrocities in China.

"Previous studies on the Nanjing Safety Zone have largely focused on Western participants. In reality, however, only some 20 Westerners remained in Nanjing and were responsible for protecting more than 200,000 refugees. As a result, much of the day-to-day administrative work in the refugee camps, including management and the provision of food and fuel, was carried out through the coordinated efforts of Chinese personnel," Jiang noted.

The expert added that through Cheng' s words, it is clear she was a woman with stable emotions and great practical ability. There were times when even Minnie Vautrin could not resolve certain problems, but Cheng Ruifang was able to handle them successfully.

"From a historical perspective, the diary of Cheng Ruifang provides a direct and valuable account of the crucial work carried out by Chinese administrators, organizers, and frontline staff in the Nanjing Safety Zone. It helps correct earlier scholarship that focused heavily on Western participants while largely overlooking the contributions of the Chinese staff. As such, it stands as an important source for understanding how the Safety Zone actually functioned on the ground."

Jiang further observed that Cheng, as a Chinese eyewitness, offers a perspective that complements the diaries of Westerners. For example, her detailed descriptions of Vautrin's emaciated appearance and extreme exhaustion are not found in Vautrin's own diary, according to the expert.

The Diary of Cheng Ruifang is not only the first known account of the Nanjing Massacre recorded by a Chinese eyewitness based on her own experiences, but also the only surviving testimony from a Chinese woman' s perspective.

Jiang said the diary offers a rare window into the resolve of Chinese workers in the Nanjing Safety Zone, their efforts to aid fellow civilians, and the emotional toll of living under occupation. It provides invaluable firsthand material for understanding the survival conditions, moral courage and mutual support of ordinary Chinese people during the massacre.

"That's precisely why the diary of Cheng Ruifang is so invaluable," the expert added.

The US Treasury Department on Friday local time announced new sanctions against 10 individuals and companies, including several in the Chinese mainland and China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), over so-called accusations that they aided Iran's efforts to secure weapons and the raw materials needed ‌to build its drones and ballistic missiles, according to Reuters.

The US' move is another case of long-arm jurisdiction without any basis in international law, and it won't change China's stance on firmly opposing such moves and strengthening measures to safeguard Chinese firms and individuals' legitimate rights and interests, a Chinese expert said on Saturday, while pointing to China's recent issuance of a blocking ban against similar US sanctions.

According to a press release from the US Treasury Department, the latest US sanctions targeted 10 individuals and companies based in several jurisdictions across the Middle East, Asia, and Eastern Europe. It claimed that these firms and individuals "are enabling efforts by Iran's military to secure weapons, as well as raw materials with applications in Iran's Shahed‑series unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and ballistic missile program."

Specifically, one Chinese individual and seven entities from the Chinese mainland and the Hong Kong SAR were newly added to the US' so-called Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) list. SDNs are individuals and entities located throughout the world that are blocked pursuant to the various sanctions programs administered by the US Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control, the US Treasury Department claimed.

He Weiwen, a senior fellow at the Center for China and Globalization, told the Global Times on Saturday that relevant business activities are normal trade between China and Iran - two sovereign nations, and the US move constitutes long-arm jurisdiction with no basis in international law.

"China only complies with UN Security Council sanctions resolutions, and the US has no jurisdiction over relevant Chinese companies," He Weiwen said, noting that while the US repeatedly seeks to undermine China-Iran trade, China's principled position remains firm, as it continues to refine and strengthen its countermeasures.

On May 2, China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) issued a blocking ban prohibiting any recognition, enforcement or compliance with US sanctions imposed on five Chinese companies on the grounds of their alleged involvement in Iranian petroleum transactions.

Commenting on the blocking ban, a MOFCOM spokesperson said on the same day that since 2025, the US, under its executive orders targeting other countries, has imposed sanctions on these Chinese firms for their alleged involvement in petroleum transactions with Iran.

The spokesperson pointed out that the US' actions improperly prohibit or restrict normal economic and trade activities between Chinese companies and third countries as well as their citizens, legal persons or other organizations, in violation of international law and basic norms of international relations.

To safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests, and to protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens, legal persons and other organizations, the ministry issued the ban based on the Rules on Counteracting Unjustified Extra-territorial Application of Foreign Legislation and Other Measures, the spokesperson noted, stressing that the Chinese government consistently opposes unilateral sanctions that lack authorization from the United Nations and the basis of international law.

This is the first time since the implementation of the rules in January 2021 that China has formally activated the mechanism and issued a blocking ban, according to media reports. China's issuance of the blocking ban has drawn widespread attention, including in US media, with some calling the move "unprecedented," and others noting that the move "rewrote" rules on US sanctions.

For example, a Bloomberg report claimed that "Beijing's move will test the [US] sanctions system at a time when it's already under pressure, as Washington vacillates on curbs against Russia, Venezuela and Iran."

If the US continues to impose illegal sanctions against Chinese entities and individuals, it is expected that China will further refine and deploy relevant measures to prohibit any recognition, enforcement or compliance with the US' unilateral sanctions to protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese entities and individuals, He Weiwen said.

As the May Day holiday draws near, 28-year-old photographer Zhao Xingchen is overwhelmed with work, busily juggling a surge of bookings and constantly replying to inquiries. A Global Times reporter learned that her WeChat Moments are filled with photo albums of Wuhan’s iconic Yellow Crane Tower, which she took for her clients. Working as a travel photography consultant, she accompanies tourists on their trips, captures professional photos, and introduces local scenic spots and authentic delicacies. 

This more flexible form of employment has exploded in popularity as China’s cultural and tourism consumption surges, and Zhao’s example is a vivid microcosm of the broader new occupation boom sweeping the country. In recent years, an increasing number of new occupations have entered the public view, bringing more employment opportunities and diverse career choices.

“The May Day holiday is always busy, and the slots from April 29 to May 5 are almost fully booked, with only a few left. The earliest booking for my service for May Day holiday this year was made on April 8,” Zhao said. 

Zhao told the Global Times on Monday. On peak days, she serves up to five groups of clients.

For Zhao, the biggest reward is turning her two passions—photography and her college major in tourism management—into a sustainable career. Ninety percent of her clients are out-of-town visitors who want both a local guide and a professional photographer to document their trips.

She has worked full-time as a travel photography consultant for two years. “Competition is much fiercer this year than last, as more people from all walks of life have joined the industry, offering clients more options,” she said. “Even so, my order volume remains steady, and I earn an above-average income in Wuhan.”

Zhao’s experience is far from unique. Beyond travel photography consultants, a wave of new occupations has entered the public eye, catering to evolving consumer demands for quality, healthy and personalized experiences.

Other notable roles include AI trainers, who feed training data to AI algorithms; long-term care workers, who integrate daily care, medical support, health management and long-term care insurance expertise; indoor environment managers, who improve air quality in newly renovated homes; and sleep health managers, who help people address non-clinical sleep issues, according to Xinhua News Agency.

Rising consumer demand has created acute talent shortages in many of these fields. North China’s Tianjin has classified delivery staff and carbon emission managers as "extremely scarce occupations," while Hangzhou and Ningbo in East China’s Zhejiang Province have listed infant development guides, health caregivers and all-media operators on their scarce occupations lists, according to Xinhua.

Zhang Yi, CEO of iiMedia Research Institute, told the Global Times on Monday that the frequent emergence of new occupations reflects the surging vitality of economic and social development. 

From new technological trends such as artificial intelligence, to new consumption formats such as the companion economy and immersive experiences, the acceleration of economic transformation has driven more diverse talent demand, accelerated job turnover, and opened new employment pathways, Zhang said.

A worker fulfills domestic and overseas orders for logistics equipment at a manufacturing company in Wuhu, East China's Anhui Province, on April 28, 2026. Profits of industrial enterprises above designated size in China hit 1.696 trillion yuan ($248.57 billion) in the first quarter of 2026, up 15.5 percent year-on-year, according to official data. Photo: VCG

The outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) called for strengthening cooperation between Hong Kong and Macao and the mainland in economy and trade, science and technology, and culture, and improving policies and measures to facilitate the development and life of Hong Kong and Macao residents on the mainland. It also called for boosting exchanges among youth and at the grassroots level, and continuing to create better conditions for Taiwan youth to pursue their dreams on the mainland.

A growing number of young people from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan are planting the seeds of their dreams across the vast and fertile land of their motherland. Weaving their personal aspirations into the tide of the times, and with the support of various policies, they are writing vivid stories of entrepreneurship. Their journeys offer a window into the profound sense of national commitment and striving spirit alongside the motherland.
"Hi! Fancy a freshly made ice cream?" At Longtan Park in Longgang District, Shenzhen, South China's Guangdong Province, a virtual cartoon "store manager" on the screen of an ice cream robot warmly greets visitors.

After visitors scan a QR code, select a flavor and complete payment, a compact white robotic arm springs into action, placing a cup beneath the dispenser. As the cup rotates gently, the ice cream is layered into a torch-like swirl. In under 30 seconds, an ice cream is made and sent to the serving area.

This ice cream robot, equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) interactive technology, is the latest achievement of Lun Wenjing, a post-2000s girl from Hong Kong, who started her business in Shenzhen. The machines have already been deployed across Shenzhen's Guangming, Longgang, Longhua and Futian districts. From conceiving the idea of starting a business in 2022 to developing products such as unmanned coffee kiosks and ice cream robots, she has dared to think, try, and strive. On the fertile ground of innovation that is Shenzhen, she has deeply cultivated intelligent unmanned retail machinery and pursued her entrepreneurial dreams.

Identify demand

In Guangming District, Shenzhen, the production workshop of Shenzhen Chuangjie Zhilian Technology Co, founded by Lun, is bustling with activity.

"Ice cream robots and unmanned coffee kiosks operate on essentially the same logic and principle. They rely on a complete algorithm to precisely schedule hundreds of parts. We have applied for more than 20 invention patents," said Lun, born in 2001, speaking eloquently about her products.

Why choose to start a business in Shenzhen? In the summer of 2020, Lun became a student in the Department of Economics at Shenzhen University. Shenzhen University has a strong entrepreneurial atmosphere, and besides her studies, she thought most about finding entrepreneurial opportunities. During her freshman year, she participated in the school's entrepreneurship competition, gaining experience and broadening her horizons through repeated competitions.

In 2022, while still a sophomore, Lun had an idea over a cup of coffee: Guangdong's robotics industry was booming, and robotic arms were already widely used in smart manufacturing. Could these "tireless" robotic arms be brought into the beverage sector? The idea of building an unmanned coffee kiosk took root from that moment.

But was the idea commercially viable? Lun was not sure. After giving it careful thought, she decided to work part-time at a tea shop first to better understand the market. "I can't just make assumptions or act on impulse; I have to accurately identify the demand," she said.

Every weekend, Lun worked part-time at a popular tea shop in downtown Shenzhen. She took orders, prepared drinks and delivered them to customers, gradually becoming familiar with every step of the beverage-making process.

Lun then reached out, one by one, to the people she had met at entrepreneurship competitions. Armed with strong determination and a clear plan, she quickly brought together a like-minded team with complementary strengths in computer science, power machinery, journalism and communication, with each member assuming a clearly defined role.

Support also came from her university. In 2022, Lun's unmanned coffee kiosk project stood out from more than 70 entries in a call for startup incubation at Shenzhen University's entrepreneurship park. The team was given free workspace, utilities and WiFi, helping cut operating costs significantly.

At the outset, Lun and several of her partners pooled 1 million yuan ($145,700) of their own money, but it was far from enough. Just as she was worrying about funding, a new partner came on board - Pei Yicheng, a computer science graduate of Shenzhen University, who had likewise taken part in the university's entrepreneurship competitions.

Also born in the 2000s, he was very optimistic about Lun's project and understood cutting-edge AI technology, so he joined with funds and took the lead in technology research and development.

Policy support

Technical challenges are fraught with difficulties. Even after resolving the funding issue, Lun still faces research and development challenges.

The team had to develop its own algorithms while carefully selecting every component. Whenever they had spare time, they were also out searching for suppliers. Thanks to the Greater Bay Area's comprehensive industrial ecosystem, virtually everything they needed was readily available, easing much of the burden on the team.

"It takes little more than an hour to travel from Shenzhen to factories in Dongguan, Huizhou and other nearby cities in Guangdong. This has greatly reduced both coordination time and transport costs. Suppliers also respond very quickly. On one occasion, we raised our requirements in the morning and received samples the very next day," Lun said.

In May 2023, the team assembled a prototype of the unmanned coffee kiosk in the lab. After repeated testing and fine-tuning, they were able to realize the core concept of intelligent coffee-making.

To turn the prototype into a commercial product, Lun began planning to establish a company in the second half of 2023. While searching for a location, she consulted widely and carried out multiple site visits before identifying Shenzhen's Guangming District as a promising base.

"Guangming District offers strong support for startups," Lun said, noting that the district's Science and Technology Innovation Service Center has set up a Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Macao youth innovation and entrepreneurship base and introduced professional incubators. Startups that move in can receive professional guidance, enjoy three years of rent-free office space and obtain start-up funding.

In September that year, Lun rented a 200-square-meter office free of charge at the entrepreneurship base and officially registered the company.

By establishing a presence in Guangming District, the team also gained access to numerous resources. In November of that year, with the assistance of the Guangming District Science and Technology Innovation Bureau and the Commerce Bureau, the company obtained a free exhibition at the China Hi-Tech Fair, where the company's 1.0 version of the unmanned coffee kiosk prototype was successfully unveiled.

"With its complete industrial chain, supportive policies and strong backing for startups, the Greater Bay Area is especially friendly to first-time entrepreneurs," Lun said.

In July 2025, the team launched the 5.0 version of its unmanned coffee kiosk and moved into mass production. The new model can prepare three drinks simultaneously in fully automated fashion, with each drink taking about 70 seconds. It also features new AI-powered interactive functions, including a virtual store manager carefully designed by the team to converse with customers.

Growing business

In July 2025, shortly after the 5.0 version of the unmanned coffee kiosk was launched, a company in Huizhou approached Lun's team and placed an order for 25 units at once, planning to install them in pedestrian streets and other cultural and tourism venues. The 6-million-yuan deal was the largest order the company had received since its establishment, providing a much-needed cash injection just as funds were running low.

But the order also brought new challenges. "Previously, our products had all been used indoors. Suddenly, they were being moved outdoors, with no shelter from the elements, exposed to wind, sun and rain, and expected to withstand typhoons and extreme heat. Could the product really stand up to that kind of test?" Lun recalled.

They had to tackle the challenges head on. Lun and Pei took the product to the site and tackled problems as they arose. When rainwater seeped in during typhoons, they thickened the machine's waterproof coating. When ground temperatures climbed above 60 C in extreme heat and the screen repeatedly malfunctioned, they immediately contacted the supplier and replaced it that same day with a heat-resistant screen.

It was also at this point that Lun realized where the real bottleneck lay: If the products were to be rolled out on a large scale in the future, on-site operations and maintenance would be critical, and the team lacked talent in that area.

Born in 1997, Hong Zhaolong is also an alumnus of Shenzhen University and had previously started a business in the convenience store sector. His arrival helped fill the company's gap in market operations.

"Coffee kiosks need to be cleaned every day and restocked daily, so on-site operations and maintenance must be standardized," Hong said. After joining the company, he worked with the team to map out seven major categories and 163 specific operations and maintenance tasks, giving the work a unified template and raising standards to a new level.

Not long afterward, a company from Northeast China's Jilin Province approached Lun, hoping it could adapt the unmanned coffee kiosk model to develop customized machines for herbal wellness drinks and ice cream.

Off-the-shelf components could not meet the demands of customization, making tailor-made parts essential. To solve the problem, Lun reached out to multiple suppliers. In the end, a supplier in Guangming District was persuaded to join the effort and began producing bespoke components specifically for the ice cream robot. At the same time, Pei led the technical team in developing proprietary technologies, including a dedicated Internet of Things development system.

Soon, four customized ice cream robots were developed and put into operation in Changchun, Jilin. Today, the robots can be found in 10 parks across Shenzhen, each featuring its own distinctive exterior design and virtual character.

"The entrepreneurial journey has come with its share of ups and downs, but our team has only grown stronger along the way. Clients and suppliers have become partners, and our products are reaching ever farther afield, it feels remarkable," Lun said with emotion. "This fertile ground has given ideas the space to grow. Going forward, we will continue to build our future in Shenzhen."

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Wednesday that China-US economic and trade relations are essentially mutually beneficial and win-win in nature, noting that both sides should jointly implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, so as to provide greater stability for bilateral economic and trade cooperation. 

Mao made the remark when asked by a foreign reporter whether China would "reinstate" export restrictions on rare earths to the US, as US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said the US is able to access Chinese rare earths while working on plurilateral agreements to boost alternative supplies of critical minerals, according to Reuters. 

"For specific questions, you may contact relevant Chinese authorities," Mao said. 

"When I said, 'I love you,' its eyes immediately lit up with red heart emojis and it responded affectionately in both Chinese and English." Ram Niranjan Sharma, an Indian business consultant, still vividly remembers the encounter at an expo in Xiamen, East China's Fujian Province, in 2023. The small cat-shaped robot, which could read emotions, shattered his preconceived notions about tech products. "At that moment, I felt warmth from technology I'd never experienced before, and now I see this kind of caring, emotional innovation has spread far and wide."

In China, this quest for warmth and connection has crystallized into a growing trend known as "emotional value consumption." In the past two years, this term has become a defining buzzword in China's consumer landscape. From collectible blind boxes and anime merchandise to AI-powered companionship apps, young Chinese are increasingly spending not for utility, but to find psychological comfort, express their identity, and create moments of joy - prioritizing mental satisfaction over mere function.

This is not just a local trend. A global wave of "emotional value consumption" is surging, with the market for mood-enhancing products projected to grow robustly. London-based market research company Euromonitor International has predicted that the global market for mood-enhancing products will grow at a 12.3 percent compound annual growth rate through 2028.

Amid this worldwide shift, a new wave of Chinese products has risen to global prominence. Blending gentle Eastern aesthetics with thoughtful, responsive technology, these products speak to a universal human need for comfort and understanding and are winning hearts around the world.

A new wave of choices

When asked about his initial impression of "emotional value consumption," Sharma described it traditionally: products that offer emotional connection more than just utility. "Globally, from the US and European countries to India, these have often taken familiar forms: nostalgic gifts, handmade crafts, limited-edition collectibles, or personalized presents. Think of a locket for a photograph, a vintage video game console, or a finely restored classic bicycle," Sharma told the Global Times.

The impulse to pay for what moves people is timeless. But in today's China, Sharma observed an "upgraded version" of this emotional linkage.

What recently stirred him was something he hadn't anticipated encountering in the realm of hardcore tech products. "Two years ago, at a robotics expo in Beijing, I saw humanoid robots for the first time. They could deliver goods in stores, and also make tea and coffee for you," he said, adding that today, he's seeing many Chinese robots go beyond those functional tasks - engaging people in conversations and even cracking jokes.

This blend of advanced capability and personal touch is what defines the new wave for many consumers. Nepali influencer Garima Ghimire first discovered these China-made offerings with an emotional touch through social media. "While scrolling, I saw people sharing their favorites, which immediately caught my attention," she said. Drawn in, she began visiting malls to explore them in person. "The variety is dazzling, and there's always something new to catch the eye," she added.

Online, she has observed a global community sharing heartwarming experiences with Chinese emotional value products - from a stringless guitar featured in Time magazine's Best Inventions of 2025 list to a sleep pillow modeled after the "Mo," a mythical dream-eating creature from the renowned ancient Chinese mythology text Classic of Mountains and Seas, and from original beauty brands to autonomous companion robots.

"There was something about their design, the playful interaction, and the attention to detail that really tapped into my inner child," Ghimire reflected. "Interacting with them made me feel a sense of comfort and understanding, almost like they were quietly responding to my emotions. It was both healing and uplifting."

Core tech as the new edge
"When I tell my friends about this, they are left thinking," said Sharma, referring to the high-tech emotional value products from China that are capturing attention in his home country.

As a business consultant and a frequent visitor to trade shows across China since 2019, Sharma has closely followed the evolution of the country's latest technological offerings. He pointed out that currently, consumers are increasingly willing to pay for a product that can provide an intelligent relationship - one that can interact, respond, and even anticipate needs.

Sharma said that from companion robots to interactive smart toys, a new generation of products provides emotional solace by leveraging proprietary core technologies and patents. This foundation in research and development, and manufacturing scale is becoming Chinese companies' critical competitive edge as they extend into the global market.

At CES 2026, an annual consumer electronics trade show, AI-powered companion robots from Chinese firms drew significant crowds. As reported by Pakistan's ARY News, one new product is "warm and appears to breathe to make it more realistic," with the report suggesting such AI toys have the potential to be a new driver of consumer spending.

The smooth, responsive movements that bring these creations to life rely on breakthroughs in underlying hardware. "The flexibility and safety of a robot's movements and interactions depend entirely on one core component: the motor," said Chen Weijie, a representative at a technology company based in Dongguan, South China's Guangdong Province. His firm has achieved high integration of core parts - including encoders, control boards and gearboxes - essentially packing a complete control system into a single motor unit.

Beyond companion robots, another Chinese sensation taking CES and overseas social media by storm is the stringless guitar. A quick search for "China stringless guitar" on YouTube and other global platforms brings up videos with tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of views.

According to China Media Group, Chinese companies independently developed the intelligent playing system for the stringless guitar. The built-in chip acts as a "music brain," analyzing pressed chords in real time and calling up authentic tones. The right-hand pick uses magnetic sensing technology to simulate the intensity and rhythm of strumming.

Requiring no complicated music theory or repetitive practice, this low-barrier, instant-gratification experience precisely hits the emotional needs of global users. Social media reactions echo the sentiment: "Great idea. The future" and "I actually love this idea! Really useful for when you want to sing and need backing instruments but don't feel like learning guitar first."

Chen's experience encapsulates this journey of innovation. "In the past, we only sold hardware, which meant low profit margins and frequent encounters with overseas patent barriers," Chen said, noting that this reality forced an understanding: only technological and patent innovation ensures a foothold in the global market.

Today, robots equipped with his company's self-developed technology are sold to 36 countries and regions, including the US, Germany, and Japan, for use in companionship, service, and domestic settings.

Chen pointed to this growing capability to conceive, engineer, and mass-produce as the engine behind the trend. "We're turning cutting-edge patents into accessible products," he said. "That's how emotional comfort is becoming a tangible good, newly made within reach for a global market."

Cultural code meets emotional needs
"I've always been naturally drawn to tradition," said Ghimire. For her, what resonates most about Chinese emotional value products isn't cutting-edge technology, but the traditional aesthetics and cultural depth woven into their design.

In Nepal, she explained, people don't use the term "emotional value products," but they have long cherished items that carry profound emotional weight: traditional sweets like Pustakari and Gudpak, hand-woven Dhaka fabric bags, and small bamboo toys. "These products are rooted in tradition and craftsmanship, cherished for the emotions and memories they evoke," Ghimire said. That cultural affinity is precisely why she finds Chinese emotional value products so compelling: They speak to the universal human connection to heritage.

Today, a growing number of Chinese products are embracing distinct cultural identities in their design and aesthetics. In a January 2026 Financial Times article titled "Local brands weaken European luxury groups' grip in US and China," the head of luxury at consultancy Bain commented that certain Chinese brands "are better at interpreting heritage and local taste."

This ability to bridge cultural specificity and universal feeling lies at the heart of "Chinese-style emotional value," a narrative strategy that transforms weighty cultural symbols into approachable, tangible, and usable daily companions, Wu Qiaomei, brand marketing director of a trendy toy company in Dongguan, told the Global Times. "We don't just sell products. We create emotional companions rooted in our culture," she said.

Wu noted that consumers crave more than just a decoration. They want a companion that offers emotional comfort. Her team spent years refining the design, settling on skin-friendly rose velvet fabric and integrating intangible cultural heritage "lotus fragrance" beads that emit a subtle, soothing scent. This multi-sensory experience has struck a chord: The pillow secured numerous domestic and overseas orders before its launch, with exports now accounting for 30 percent of sales, expanding from Southeast Asia to Europe and the Americas.

Today in China, this blend of cultural storytelling and user-centric design isn't limited to toys. Singaporean business media Marketing Interactive has observed this aesthetic shift across categories, noting that in cosmetics, for instance, Chinese brands are "turning their products into storytelling canvases, drawing deeply from Chinese aesthetics and folklore. Rather than chasing Western standards, these brands are redefining what Chinese elegance looks like - both at home and abroad."

"Given China's over 5,000-year-old culture, their global popularity is totally understandable - It's a heritage that deserves to be preserved and shared worldwide," Ghimire said.

Ghimire believed that this cultural resonance isn't about imposing culture on others, "but as a gift to be shared." "Every time I return home, I often bring cultural and creative products with Chinese traditional elements as gifts… It's a way to share Chinese culture and values. While rooted in Chinese traditions, they tap into universal emotions about comfort, nostalgia and playfulness."

In a January report titled "Why China cares about being cool all of a sudden," The Wall Street Journal cited a media observation: "Many foreigners' perceptions of China may still be stuck at kung fu, the Great Wall and pandas. Now, through trendy collectibles, they are seeing a China full of creativity and attuned to young people's needs… Through these trend icons, China is reshaping the world's perceptions of who we are."

Looking ahead, Ghimire has high hopes for the future of Chinese emotional value products. "I expect Chinese enterprises and brands to grow even stronger," she said, "and to meet the needs of more people - no matter where they come from. Culture is a bridge, and these products are building it one heart at a time."

While several TV stations, including Israel's Channel 13 and Fox News, were counting down to the 8 pm (00:00 GMT) deadline set by US President Donald Trump for Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz, or "a whole civilization will die," the US leader surprisingly announced a two-week ceasefire with Iran on Tuesday, about one and half hours before the deadline.

Iran later confirmed the two-week ceasefire deal brokered by Pakistan, saying it does not mean an end to the war as Tehran released its own 10-point peace plan.

In a stunning turn of events closely watched by the world, the US-Israeli military operation against Iran that had dragged on for over a month has dramatically reversed, ushering in a significant de-escalation of tensions.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Wednesday that China welcomes the announcement of the ceasefire arrangement by relevant parties.

We support the mediation efforts by countries including Pakistan. We have all along been calling on parties to end hostilities as soon as possible and resolve disputes through political and diplomatic channels to achieve enduring peace and security in the Gulf and Middle East region. China has made active effort to this end, Mao noted.

Victories declared by both sides

In a Truth Social post on Tuesday local time, Trump claimed that he agreed to "suspend the bombing and attack of Iran for a period of two weeks." He wrote that his decision is "subject to" Iran agreeing to the complete, immediate and safe opening of the Strait of Hormuz.

"The reason for doing so is that we have already met and exceeded all Military objectives, and are very far along with a definitive Agreement concerning Longterm PEACE with Iran, and PEACE in the Middle East," Trump said. "We received a 10 point proposal from Iran, and believe it is a workable basis on which to negotiate," he said.

According to Iran's semi-official Mehr News Agency, Iran's 10-point plan includes US commitment to ensure no further acts of aggression, continued Iranian control of the Strait of Hormuz, acceptance of Iran's nuclear enrichment rights, the lifting of all primary and secondary sanctions, payment of damages to Iran for losses in the war and the withdrawal of US combat forces from the region.

Trump told AFP that the US won a "total and complete victory. 100 percent."

Hours later, in a statement published by the Mehr News Agency, Iran's Supreme National Security Council confirmed the ceasefire negotiated by Pakistan. The statement claimed the deal is a "victory for Iran," according to Al Jazeera.

Zhu Yongbiao, a Middle East affairs expert at Lanzhou University, told the Global Times that as both sides were locked in a stalemate, continuing the conflict would make the costs of war increasingly unbearable. Therefore, negotiations are aligned with the expectations of both parties.

According to Zhu, although both sides have declared victory, neither the US nor Iran fully achieved its anticipated objectives. The US did not succeed in toppling the Iranian regime, nor was it able to restore its absolute deterrence in the Middle East through strikes against Iran. For Iran, while it showcased its resilience and the stability of its regime, Tehran suffered heavy losses in the war, and its relations with Gulf states have worsened.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said in an X post on Wednesday that the ceasefire deal between Iran and US, along with their allies, is "effective immediately."

"I warmly welcome the sagacious gesture and extend deepest gratitude to the leadership of both the countries and invite their delegations to Islamabad on Friday, 10th April 2026, to further negotiate for a conclusive agreement to settle all disputes," Sharif wrote in the post.

Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf is to head a negotiating team for talks with US Vice President JD Vance in Islamabad, the Xinhua News Agency reported, citing the Iranian Students' News Agency on Wednesday.

And according to a Pakistani government release later on Wednesday, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a telephone conversation with President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Masoud Pezeshkian, in the afternoon. During their warm and cordial conversation that lasted for over 45 minutes, President Pezeshkian confirmed that Iran would be participating in the negotiations in Islamabad, read the statement.
Sharif on Wednesday posted a message in Chinese, English and Arabic on social platform X, thanking China and other countries for their diplomatic efforts and support in securing a ceasefire between the US and Iran.

"As we proceed to Islamabad Talks, I wish to extend our deepest and sincere gratitude to our brotherly countries People's Republic of China, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Republic of Türkiye, Arab Republic of Egypt and State of Qatar for extending invaluable and all out support towards reaching the ceasefire and giving peaceful diplomatic efforts a chance to seek a comprehensive and conclusive end to the conflict," he said.

Besides Pakistan's mediation, China and Russia on Tuesday blocked a UN Security Council resolution which "strongly encourages" states interested in the use of commercial maritime routes in the Strait of Hormuz to coordinate efforts of a defensive nature to contribute to ensuring the safety and security of navigation across the strait.

"Only a few hours after the vote, the US and Iran announced a ceasefire deal. If the resolution had not been vetoed, it would have greatly heightened uncertainty in the regional tension," Zhu said, noting that the move highlights China's tangible actions for resolving hotspot issues through political dialogue rather than military confrontation.

In response to Trump's claims that he believes China helped get Iran to negotiate on a truce during an AFP interview, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a press briefing on Wednesday that since the outbreak of the war, China has been actively working to promote peace and bring about a ceasefire.

As a responsible major country, China will continue to play a constructive role and contribute to restoring peace and security in the Gulf and the Middle East, the spokesperson added.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi made 26 phones calls with his counterparts from relevant countries. The Special Envoy of the Chinese Government on the Middle East Issue traveled to the Gulf and Middle East region in a mediation effort. China and Pakistan jointly put forward the five-point initiative for restoring peace and stability in the Gulf and Middle East region. As a responsible major country, China will conti

Welcoming but skeptical

Regional countries have welcomed the ceasefire. Iraq's Foreign Ministry said Baghdad hopes the truce will deescalate tensions and lead to strengthening security and stability in the region, Al Jazeera reported.

The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the move as representing "a very important opportunity that must be seized to make room for negotiations, diplomacy and constructive dialogue" in a statement on Facebook.

Oman's Foreign Ministry also welcomed the ceasefire, AFP reported.

But some voices are still concerned over the prospects for lasting peace.

Trump said in an interview with Sky News later on Wednesday that the US will be ready to resume hostilities against Iran if the coming negotiations or a deal aren't good enough for Washington, according to media reports.

"We go right back to it, very easily," he told the British TV channel, Aljazeera reported.

On Wednesday evening, Iran's Press TV on X posted footage released by the IRGC of the 100th wave of Operation True Promise 4 in which 25 strategic positions of enemies were targeted. The post did not detail when that happened, but according to the WANA (West Asia News Agency) Wednesday report, the military operation took place overnight.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said in a Wednesday statement that Israel supports the US-Iran two-week ceasefire, "subject to Iran immediately reopening the straits and stopping all attacks on the US, Israel and countries in the region," according to Xinhua.

However, the ceasefire does not include Lebanon, the office said in a statement, which differs from Sharif's earlier statement of "an immediate ceasefire everywhere including Lebanon and elsewhere."

According to Al Jazeera, in the hour and a half since Trump's ceasefire announcement, there had already been at least two Israeli air strikes in Lebanon.

The New York Times in an opinion article published on Wednesday noted that Trump's tactic of escalating his rhetoric to astronomical levels certainly helped him find an offramp he had been seeking for weeks but "it resolved none of the fundamental issues that led to the war."

The article also quoted Richard Fontaine, the chief executive of the Center for a New American Security, a Washington think tank, by saying that "Iran remains in the control of the Strait, which was not the case before the war." Fontaine continued that "I find it hard to believe that the US and the world could accept a situation in which Iran remains in control of a key energy checkpoint indefinitely. That would be a materially worse outcome than existed before the war."

Liu Zhongmin, a professor at the Middle East Studies Institute at Shanghai International Studies University, said the two-week ceasefire is a welcome development.

"The serious trust deficit between Washington and Tehran, combined with the US' pattern of inconsistent stances and the complicating factors of Israel, will continue to exert a major impact on the evolution of the situation going forward," Liu said, "the hard bargaining and fierce tit-for-tat negotiations over specific conditions in the days ahead are expected to remain highly intense."