Recently, the Philippine side has repeatedly hyped up an alleged "new structure" that was observed inside the lagoon of China's Huangyan Dao. On Wednesday local time, the Philippine authorities held a briefing, releasing what it called "details" of the so-called floating structure found at China's Huangyan Dao, along with related aerial images, while making irresponsible remarks about China's normal activities at Huangyan Dao.

The Global Times reporter has learned that the so-called "new structure" at Huangyan Dao recently hyped by the Philippine side is in fact a temporary scientific research facility set up there by the South China Sea Institute of Oceanology under the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The floating in-situ sampling and experimental platform is designed to improve ecological monitoring, research and forecasting at Huangyan Dao.

Regarding the Philippine side's hype over the so-called "new structure" at Huangyan Dao, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokespersons responded twice at regular press conferences respectively on June 5 and June 9. The spokespersons said China has indisputable sovereignty over Huangyan Dao and its adjacent waters. Any activities carried out by China at Huangyan Dao, including scientific research, are the legitimate rights of a sovereign country.

New hype

According to Philippine media outlets including ABS-CBN, Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Jay Tarriela displayed photos of the so-called "new structure" recently taken by the Philippine Coast Guard at a briefing on June 10 local time. Tarriela described the so-called "new structure" as a movable floating platform with a deck area of more than 30 square meters and fitted with metal poles.

The chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Gen. Romeo Brawner claimed in an official statement that the structure appeared to be equipped with antennas and that personnel were seen on it. As for the scientific research activities that China had made public, Tarriela gave a vague response, claiming he did not know its specific purpose. Some Philippine officials also claimed that China's activities could be a precursor to more permanent facilities.

After Philippine officials repeatedly sought to play up the issue, the South China Sea Institute of Oceanology under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, which conducted the research activity, released information on Wednesday about the operation and its findings.

The South China Sea Institute of Oceanology said that since May 20, 2026, it has led a comprehensive scientific expedition on the development, evolution and ecological resilience of Huangyan Dao. The expedition aims to deepen understanding of the patterns and trends in the development and evolution of Huangyan Dao's islands and reefs, the mechanisms sustaining coral reef biodiversity, and their ecological connectivity with islands and reefs in the Xisha and Nansha areas. So far, the research team has conducted a comprehensive survey covering the entire Huangyan Dao atoll.

The so-called "new structure" hyped by the Philippine side is in fact a floating in-situ sampling and experimental platform set up by the research team in the waters of Huangyan Dao. The platform can be used for core sampling, time-series observation of environmental factors, and in-situ experiments.

The samples and experimental data obtained from the expedition are of great value for studying the historical development process of Huangyan Dao, the physiological and ecological responses of coral reef organisms to changes in environmental factors, assessing geomorphological evolution and ecological changes in the protected area, and predicting the impact of global climate change, overfishing and other human activities on the ecological security of Huangyan Dao.

"The Philippine side should clearly recognize that the Huangyan Dao National Nature Reserve established by the Chinese government will not exist in name only. Instead, China will only step up its protection of Huangyan Dao," Yang Xiao, a research fellow at the Institute of Peaceful Development under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times.

Yang said such protection is reflected in two aspects: On the one hand, China will not allow Philippine personnel to enter Huangyan Dao and its adjacent waters to carry out destructive activities; on the other hand, China will make the protection of Huangyan Dao's ecology a priority, not only reducing the impact of human activities on the ecological security of Huangyan Dao, but also intensifying scientific research and accelerating ecological restoration there.

He further noted that Philippine officials often speculate that China may build "permanent facilities" at Huangyan Dao - such smears are in fact a case of "judging others by one's own petty standards." China has exercised effective control over Huangyan Dao, with maritime rights protection and law-enforcement forces maintaining a regular presence there.

"We can see that since last year, the Southern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army and the China Coast Guard have issued monthly updates on combat-readiness patrols and law-enforcement patrols in the territorial waters, airspace and surrounding areas of China's Huangyan Dao," Yang said.

Yang said the Philippine side should recognize the reality that it cannot "meddle in" China's Huangyan Dao, face up to China's continued, peaceful and effective exercise of sovereignty and jurisdiction over Huangyan Dao, and stop its crude and meaningless sensationalization.

Sanctions

China's foreign ministry on Thursday announced sanctions against Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. who repeatedly made irresponsible remarks on China, which undermines China's legitimate interests and sabotages China-Philippines relations.

To uphold China's sovereignty, security and development interests, China has decided to prohibit Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and his spouse and child from entering the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Macao, and not allow organizations and individuals in China to engage in any transaction, cooperation or other activities with him and his spouse and child.

Before China's announcement of the sanction against Gilberto Teodoro Jr., on Wednesday, Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Maria Theresa Lazaro claimed that establishing clear maritime boundaries between the Philippines and Japan is of vital importance to the country's national defense and "has nothing to do" with China. She added, "We should continue with our delimitation talks," even if China keeps objecting or increases pressure, Nikkei Asia reported.

Chinese experts on Thursday said the so‑called Japan-Philippines maritime delimitation talks concern an area east of China's Taiwan island. They noted the move carries ulterior purposes beyond bilateral discussions.

Ding Duo, Director of the Research Center for International and Regional Issues at the National Institute for South China Sea Studies, told the Global Times that the collusion between Japan and Philippines aims beyond "delimitation," but serves as stepping stone to squeeze China's maritime operational space in the waters east of the Taiwan Island.

After so-called delimitation, they could scheme to carry out security cooperation, military collaboration and naval exercises, confining China's maritime activities in this area, Ding elaborated.

The so-called cooperation between Japan and the Philippines cater to both countries' respective ambitions and carries strong Cold War undertones, analysts said, warning against Japan's dangerous neo-militarist resurgence and Philippines' adventurist tendency.

A closely watched United Nations (UN) Security Council election delivered a mix of continuity and change on local time Wednesday, as Austria, Portugal, Trinidad and Tobago, Zimbabwe, and first-time member Kyrgyzstan secured seats as non-permanent member of the Security Council, while Germany suffered a notable setback, according to UN News.

The election came against the backdrop of widening geopolitical divisions and repeated deadlock within the UN body in resolving conflicts and preventing wars. The five countries were elected by the 193-member General Assembly to serve as non-permanent members of the Security Council for two-year terms beginning on January 1, 2027.

Austria and Portugal won the two seats allocated to the Western European and other States Group, while Trinidad and Tobago was elected from the Latin American and Caribbean Group and Zimbabwe from the African Group.

Kyrgyzstan secured the Asia-Pacific seat after defeating the Philippines in four rounds of voting. Germany, however, suffered what the media refers to as "a historic defeat" in the election, breaking its winning streak.

The Security Council has 15 members: five permanent members with veto power - China, France, Russia, the UK and the US - and 10 non-permanent members elected by the General Assembly for staggered two-year terms.

Bahrain, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Latvia and Liberia will remain on the Council through the end of 2027, providing continuity in its work.

The Security Council has the authority to impose sanctions, authorize peacekeeping missions, establish international tribunals and, in exceptional circumstances, authorize the use of force.

Although non-permanent members of the UN Security Council do not possess veto power, they can directly participate in the deliberation, voting, and agenda-shaping of issues concerning international peace and security. Their institutional influence should not be underestimated, Gao Wanni, the deputy dean of the School of Politics and International Relations at Lanzhou University, told the Global Times on Thursday.

Chen Hong, director of the Asia-Pacific Studies Center at East China Normal University, told the Global Times the election outcome reflects the UN member states' response to the principles of geographical balance, fair representation, and the broader trend toward a multipolar world.

Making history

One of the most dramatic and striking moment of the Wednesday election was the win for Kyrgyzstan. This marked not only a major diplomatic breakthrough for Bishkek, but also the return of Central Asian representation to the Security Council for the first time in nearly a decade, following Kazakhstan's 2017-2018 term, according to the UN official news site release and Central Asian media reports.

"A Truly Historic Moment! Thank You for Your Trust!" the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan wrote in a post on X, attaching a video of the announcement of the final round of voting where Kyrgyzstan defeated the Philippines. In the final round, 142 countries voted in favor of Kyrgyzstan, a two-thirds majority.

After the victory, Kyrgyzstan's Foreign Minister Jeenbek Kulubayev told reporters "we understand now is a turbulent time" and said Kyrgyzstan will work together with other council members, the AP reported on Thursday.

The Philippine local media Inquier.net covered the close contest between the two countries while highlighting that "Kyrgyzstan is among 59 UN member states that have never served on the Security Council."

According to the Philippine News Agency, Malacanang presidential palace on Thursday said domestic political tensions may have contributed to the Philippines' unsuccessful bid for a non-permanent seat in the UN Security Council.

Pass Blue, an independent, US-based digital publication that monitors and reports on activities by the UN, reported on Wednesday that Kyrgyzstan campaigned on a commitment to the UN Charter, multilateralism and conflict prevention. The permanent representative, Aida Kasymalieva, described the race as a milestone in the country's post-independence development.

"This is not only about a seat," she said during a World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA) session on May 20. "It's about the completion of a long chapter of state-building, democratic transition, national consolidation, and international engagement."

Kyrgyzstan's election reflects a deeper demand for representation. Among UN member states, there are numerous landlocked small and medium-sized countries like Kyrgyzstan, yet they have long remained on the margins of the Security Council agenda. In this election, a country that has never held a Security Council seat before defeated the Philippines — which possesses a stronger traditional diplomatic network — by a wide margin of 142 votes to 49. This in itself is a clear signal, Gao said.

The victory also carries broader regional significance. Central Asia sits at the intersection of several issues regularly discussed at the Security Council, including counterterrorism, water security, transnational crime and regional stability. Kyrgyzstan's term is expected to give the region a more direct platform in Council deliberations, the Times of Central Asia report noted.

Bitter defeat

Western media services such as Reuters emphasized more over the fallout of Germany, stating that Germany, which had lobbied hard for a seat, came third for the two places contested by the Western European and Others Group, with 104 votes, against 134 for Portugal and 131 for Austria.

Germany's leading role in rallying support for Ukraine and its close relations with Israel may have cost Berlin the chance of a seat ‌on the UN Security Council, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said on Wednesday, Reuters reported in another report on Wednesday.

Speaking to the press after the vote, Wadephul called the outcome "a real disappointment." German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said: "We applied with conviction. We did not achieve our goal," local media DW reported.

According to RFI, this marks Germany's seventh bid for a non-permanent UN Security Council seat and its first-ever defeat. As Europe's largest economy, a G7 member and one of the major UN contributors, Germany had won all six previous campaigns.

DW noted that Germany is the second-largest contributor to the UN. The DW report also said that Wadephul, who had traveled to the UN in New York for the occasion, told the press afterwards that Germany's positions on the wars in Ukraine and Gaza may have influenced how states voted.

"It also may have cost us votes that Germany must always assume a special responsibility to Israel with regard to the Middle East conflict," Wadephul said.

Euronews wrote that diplomatic circles also viewed critically the fact that the German federal government had failed to clearly describe either the US or the Israeli attacks on Iran as violations of international law. Observers saw this as a potential handicap for the candidacy.

The Times headlined its report "Germany suffers historic UN Security Council defeat." A loss to Austria denies Berlin a seat, breaking a winning streak in the periodic ballots, per the Times.

Germany has been a non-permanent member of the Security Council six times to date: 1977/1978, 1987/1988, 1995/1996, 2003/2004, 2011/2012 and 2019/2020, per the federal government.

The defeats of Germany and the Philippines — both close US allies — show reliance on US-style alliances and bloc confrontation is no longer widely supported by the international community, Li Haidong, a professor at China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times on Thursday.

Through unilateral measures such as slashing UN funding, successively withdrawing from multilateral mechanisms, and selectively engaging in international affairs, the US has further worsened the international community's perception of the American-style global governance model, said the experts.

According to Li, the election signals expectations that global governance should shift toward greater equity, balance and stability.

Luan Yukun, a 33-year-old climber from North China's Hebei Province, completed a consecutive climb of Mount Qomolangma and Mount Lhotse in less than 48 hours, becoming the first Chinese mountaineer to have accomplished both the Qomolangma-Lhotse consecutive climb and earlier ascents of Mount Qomolangma from its southern and northern routes, China Central Television News (CCTV) reported on Sunday.

According to CCTV, Luan reached the summit of Mount Qomolangma at 11:33 am on May 20 and, instead of descending from Camp 4, he continued toward Mount Lhotse, reaching its summit at 11:31 am on May 22, according to CCTV. He had previously summited Mount Qomolangma from the south face of the mountain (on the Nepalese side) in 2023 and from the northern slope of China's Xizang Autonomous Region, in 2024. 

In a close-up image of Luan posted by CCTV in its coverage, on the summit of Mount Lhotse, Luan looked weathered by the climb, with deep marks from his oxygen mask pressed into his face. He said one finger was badly frostbitten and had turned slightly dark, while his right hand and feet were also affected. "The frostbite was quite serious this time," Luan said. "It is a mark left by the climb, and in a way, also a gift."

After serving in the military, Luan carried that drive into work and mountaineering. He climbed the first high-altitude snow mountain of his life in 2017 and summited Muztagh Ata in 2022. A failed Qomolangma-Lhotse attempt in 2023 became "a regret and a motivation." In 2024, he summited Qomolangma from the tougher northern route.

After returning from more than 8,000-meter to lower altitudes, Luan is often asked why he keeps climbing, he says the feeling is hard to explain, but "everything feels worth it." Mountaineering may not always be enjoyable at the moment, he said, yet the happiness and growth it brings last far longer. "A ship is safest in harbor, but that is not what ships are built for," Luan said.

Several individuals have been administratively punished for cyberbullying a village Party secretary in Central China's Hunan Province after spreading rumors about her wearing "gold earrings" while engaged in flood relief work, the Xinhua News Agency reported on Tuesday, citing China's Ministry of Public Security.

According to the report, Shimen County in Hunan Province was recently hit by heavy rainfall. A village cadre remained on the front line of flood control and disaster relief for several consecutive days, going door to door to alert residents, organizing evacuations, arranging temporary shelter, and delivering supplies. Her dedication moved many netizens.

However, while society was rallying to support disaster-relief efforts, a small number of netizens made groundless accusations against her because of the accessories she wore during an interview. They speculated that "the earrings weigh two liang (about 100 grams)," and posted belittling and mocking comments such as "ordinary rural women can't afford gold earrings" and "it would be more touching if she donated the earrings." Their actions interfered with flood relief efforts and created a highly negative impact, according to the Xinhua report.

Public security and cyber security authorities moved swiftly to investigate the case and handled 15 incidents of cyberbullying in accordance with the law. A 44-year-old man surnamed Qin, and a 45-year-old man surnamed Wei, among others, were given administrative penalties in accordance with the law, per Xinhua.

The cyber security department of the public security authorities said it will continue its "Clean Internet" campaign, focusing on tackling prominent online problems such as cyberbullying, online trolls, and online rumors, while cracking down on related illegal and criminal activities to safeguard the lawful rights and interests of the public and maintain order in cyberspace.

In response to the "reciprocity " cited by the US Department of State regarding media-related issues, Mao Ning, spokesperson of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, criticized the US's professed commitment to freedom of speech and urged Washington to implement common understandings through concrete measures to ensure Chinese journalists' lawful right to work and reside normally in the US.

At the press briefing on Wednesday, when asked to comment on a spokesperson of the US State Department claiming that the current US administration has a firm commitment to freedom of speech, and would not accept China's continued lack of reciprocity in treating US media, alleging China has long imposed restrictions on US journalists and other foreign journalists in China, Mao said the US is the one that caused the media issue. Since the two sides reached the three common understandings on this issue, China has implemented them in their entirety, and has facilitated US journalists' reporting in China in ways such as visa approvals, whereas Chinese journalists' reporting right has been severely curbed. 

Hardly any Chinese journalists are allowed to raise questions at the White House briefings. Their applications for visa or residence permits are often delayed without explanation. Multiple journalists have been forced to return to China. Chinese journalists' applications for short-term reporting rarely get approved, Mao said. 

Mao asked, " Is that what the US side means by "reciprocity"?"

Mao said that the US side keeps emphasizing freedom of speech., But when Chinese media are labeled "foreign agent" or "foreign mission" in the US, does that look like freedom of speech to the US side?

"What the US side should do is to implement the common understandings with real actions and ensure that Chinese journalists can work and stay normally in the US, which is their lawful right," Mao said. 

A cutting-edge artificially intelligent (AI) military device, named "robotic mastiff," made its debut at this year's China (Beijing) Military Intelligent Technology Expo. A Chinese military affairs expert said that such robotic mastiff serves as an extra pair of "eyes" for frontline combat personnel, allowing them to detect threats and conditions in otherwise inaccessible areas maximizing battlefield effectiveness.

A major strength of the robotic mastiff lies in its open base, which can be fitted with a wide range of equipment. Depending on its size, the robotic mastiff can be divided into two types. The smaller one, named the "Ying'ao," can be equipped with machine guns, reconnaissance devices, and self-detonation gear, according to CCTV News.

Built for stealth surveillance, behind-enemy-line infiltration and silent mobility, it conducts detection and reconnaissance across visible light, infrared and laser spectrums, and performs well in complex terrains such as mountainous areas and wilderness.

The larger one, called the "Tie'ao," can carry an integrated fire platform for surveillance and strike, transport containers, and rocket launchers. It supports wide-range firing up to 240 degrees and is capable of autonomous pursuit, undertaking missions such as forward assault and fire support, the report said. 

Chinese military affairs expert Song Zhongping told the Global Times on Friday that the robotic mastiff is capable of performing high-risk, arduous combat missions, demonstrating advantages in counter-terrorism operations and street battles in traditional warfare. Powered by AI, it can autonomously detect and engage targets, which is its core operational strength, he added.

Operating in coordination with combat personnel, it also enables precision strikes against hostile targets, extending operational reach and enhancing battlefield precision, Song said, adding that the equipment is specifically deployed to neutralize hardened fortified positions and point targets that are difficult to defeat through conventional means.

In addition to size-based classification, the robotic mastiff also comes in wheeled and quadrupedal forms. The wheeled-legged version is designed for speed, excelling at pursuit missions on flat, open terrain, while the quadruped one offers superior accessibility, enabling it to navigate buildings and obstacle-strewn terrain.

Such robotic mastiff will be integrated into future system‑of‑system combat operations, forming a closed operational loop encompassing group control, coordinated engagement, task allocation, autonomous situational awareness, autonomous task distribution, and mission execution, CCTV News, citing exhibitors, reported.

In counter-terrorism and street combat scenarios, battlefields feature extensive visual blind spots, with complex terrains that are inaccessible and risky for infantry personnel, Song said, adding that therefore AI-powered robotic mastiff effectively serve as "eyes" for ground troops, endowing them with auxiliary surveillance and strike capabilities to detect visual and acoustic cues.

CCTV News also reported that all types of unmanned equipment are expected to achieve collaborative operations within a unified command system.

By leveraging artificial intelligence to operate alongside the robotic mastiff, our forces can achieve maximum battlefield effect while minimizing casualties, Song said.

AI-related topics are among the highlights of this year's Shangri-La Dialogue. On Saturday afternoon, Meng Xiangqing, the head of China's delegation to the 23rd Shangri-La Dialogue (SLD) responded to questions on AI development during a parallel session and said that China stresses that the final decision-making authority over weapon systems must remain in human hands, and that it opposes the development and use of lethal intelligent weapons that lack human control.

Meng said that, historically, every major scientific and technological invention has had two significant impacts on human society: on the one hand, it has brought tremendous development; on the other, it may also bring enormous disasters.

Speaking about the impact of AI on warfare, Meng said several military conflicts in recent years have profoundly reflected the influence of AI, while also showing, to a considerable extent, a more dangerous trend in the militarized use of AI. For example, various large models are playing an increasingly important role in decision-making, meaning AI is providing support for war-related decisions.

As a responsible major country, China has played an active role in managing emerging technologies. In his remarks before the interactive session, Meng said it is important to actively manage the risks of emerging technologies and prevent a "rules vacuum" in the military field. Allowing algorithms to control matters of life and death could very likely lead to technological loss of control, and even turn scenes from the US film The Terminator into reality. At all times, the control of war and relevant weapon systems must be firmly kept in human hands, he said.

China has submitted a position paper on regulating the military application of artificial intelligence under the framework of the UN Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons, and supports reaching a legally binding international instrument when conditions are mature, said Meng.

When asked to comment on claims by Benjamin Leon, the US Ambassador to Spain, that China is starting to penetrate into critical areas and Spain must be really careful about this, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Spain said on Thursday that the US Ambassador to Spain has made groundless accusations and smears against China and Chinese companies, and arbitrarily meddled in China-Spain cooperation, and China firmly rejects such erroneous claims.

The spokesperson made the remarks when also asked to comment on the US ambassador's claims that China aims to secure dominance in critical technologies through enterprises including Huawei which pose "an unacceptable risk" ⁠to US national security, and claims that China uses unfair trade practices and economic coercion to expand its strategic influence.

The Chinese Embassy spokesperson stated that China and Spain are both sovereign, independent countries. Bilateral cooperation is always based on the principles of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit. It is a choice made by the two countries for their own interests, serves the fundamental and long-term interests of both peoples, targets no third party, and will not be subject to outside interference or restrictions. In fact, the deepening of friendly cooperation between China and Spain has received strong support from all walks of life in both nations, the spokesperson added.

"China has always championed open cooperation in science and technology based on mutual respect, fairness, equality and non-discrimination. Chinese firms such as Huawei have operated in Spain in full compliance with local laws and regulations for years, fulfilled social responsibilities, and contributed greatly to local economic and social progress. Arrogance, prejudice and arbitrary labeling can solve no problems and will only harm all parties concerned," the spokesperson continued.

The international community is clear about which country is bent on erecting technological barriers, building a "small yard with high fences," pushing for decoupling and severing industrial and supply chains, and abusing tools such as tariffs, export controls, long-arm jurisdiction and unilateral sanctions, the spokesperson said. 

The allegations against Chinese enterprises by the US Ambassador to Spain are totally unfounded in terms of technology and facts, and represent nothing but blatant anti-China political manipulation, according to the embassy spokesperson.

"We hope the US Ambassador to Spain will earnestly implement the important consensuses between the two heads of state, do more that are conducive to boosting mutual trust, and stop making reckless comments and hyping up the so-called 'China threat'," the spokesperson said.

Multiple regions across China on Sunday issued red alerts for rainstorms as heavy, prolonged torrential rain continued to batter the southern and central parts of China, which has resulted in flash flooding, landslides and mudslides. In particular, torrential rain in Southwest China's Chongqing has resulted in three deaths and at least 19 people missing, media reported on Sunday. 

An extreme rainstorm hit Chongqing's Yongchuan district from late Saturday to early Sunday morning, with rainfall in the Chashan Zhuhai community in the district reaching 296.6 millimeters from 2 am to 4 am and peak hourly rainfall of 103.6 millimeters. The sudden downpour had left three dead and 17 people missing as of 2:30 pm on Sunday, China Central Television (CCTV) reported on Sunday. 

In addition, two people were also unaccounted for after the rain lashed Beibei district in the municipality, according to the Xinhua News Agency. 

Following the flooding, the flood control and drought relief headquarters at both the municipal and district levels in Chongqing swiftly activated emergency response measures, with over 400 personnel from public security, emergency response, and fire services deployed to the scene for rescue and emergency operations. 

Rescue operations were still underway at full scale as of press time. A total of 168 people have been evacuated and 82 have been relocated and resettled in emergency response efforts, CCTV reported. 

After consultation and risk assessment, the Chongqing flood control and drought relief headquarters decided to upgrade to a Level-I flood control emergency response at the city level in the Yongchuan district starting at 2 pm on Sunday. 

According to the municipal hydrological monitoring center, heavy rainfall has pushed water levels above warning marks at 37 monitoring stations on 22 small and medium-sized rivers across Chongqing, per CCTV. 

China's Ministry of Water Resources and the China Meteorological Administration jointly issued a red alert for flash flood disasters, forecasting very high risks of flash floods (red alert) in localized areas in western Anhui Province and eastern Hubei Province from 8 pm on Sunday to 8 pm on Monday, while other regions, including western Zhejiang, western and southern Anhui, northeastern Jiangxi, and eastern Hubei have a high risk of flash floods (orange alert) triggered by short-duration intense rainfall, China Central Television reported on Sunday.

In Central China's Hubei Province, the meteorological authority in Wuhan city issued a red rainstorm alert on Sunday morning, warning of over 100 millimeters of rainfall within three hours in some areas and risks of urban and rural waterlogging and geological disasters, and flooding in small and medium-sized rivers, and advising the suspension of public gatherings, classes, and business activities, the Hubei Daily reported on Sunday. 

This is the second red alert for rainstorms issued by Wuhan within a week, following another red alert released on the evening of May 18. Statistics show that Wuhan has issued a total of 14 rainstorm warnings over the past week, according to the Hubei Daily. 

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Monday that claims of "Taiwan independence" separatists are "not worth commenting on," stressing that Chinese military activities have always been in line with international law and practice. 

Mao made the remarks when asked to comment on claims made by Taiwan regional authorities that the Chinese mainland deployed more than 100 vessels last week in waters stretching from the Yellow Sea to the South China Sea, with some reportedly near South Korea, Japan and the Philippines.

In her response, Mao also pointed out that China has always been a constructive force in safeguarding regional peace and stability.