In ancient times, shells served as decorations, tools, religious artifacts and currency, as well as canvases for art. However, archaeological evidence of this practice has been scarce, and research in this area has been lacking.

Recently, Chinese scholars for the first time recreated images of shell paintings from over 2,000 years ago, based on findings at an archaeological site dating from the Warring States period (475BC-221BC). 

A paper authored by Professor Luo Wugan and a team from the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences and several other universities was recently published in the prestigious Journal of Cultural Heritage. It traces the history of shell paintings, a unique art form, back to at least the Warring States period in China.

Observations through three-dimensional video microscopy revealed that the production of the shell paintings began with precise delineation and positioning of images using raised lines. This technique is reminiscent of methods widely used in jade carving. The intricacy and precision of the craftsmanship on such small and fragile shells is highly impressive.

Subsequent comprehensive analysis using X-ray fluorescence and Raman spectroscopy revealed the various pigment components used in the colored decorations of the shell paintings: the vibrant red pigment was sourced from cinnabar, the fresh green hue was attributed to malachite, and the deep, mysterious black color derived from the use of charcoal.

Technological archaeological research on shell paintings also indicates that this distinctive art form seemed to flourish in northern China during the Warring States period, with its influence extending into the Han dynasty. These shell paintings also exhibit a rich variety of subjects, with lifelike characters and sophisticated compositions, making them of immense historic, scientific and artistic value.

China launches Chang'e-6 to retrieve samples from moon's far side

Chinese President Xi Jinping will pay state visits to France, Serbia and Hungary from May 5 to 10, foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying announced on Monday.

China's Ministry of State Security has released two departmental regulations, namely the "Administrative Law Enforcement Procedures of the National Security Agencies" and the "Criminal Case Handling Procedures of the National Security Agencies."

The ministry said in Friday's announcement that the promulgation of the two departmental regulations is a strong measure taken by the national securities authorities to implement the CPC Central Committee's overall strategy of governing the country according to law. It is an important basis for regulating the law enforcement and judicial activities of the national security agencies, and is of great significance for lawfully combating illegal activities that risk national security, safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of individuals and organizations, and enhancing the level of legal governance in national security work. 

The two regulations were promulgated in the departmental orders signed by the Minister of State Security Chen Yixin on Friday, and will be implemented from July 1, 2024. 

According to the ministry, the "Administrative Law Enforcement Procedures of the National Security Agencies" consists of seven chapters and 140 articles, including general principles, prevention guidance, investigation and evidence collection, expropriation and compensation, administrative penalties, periods and service, and supplementary provisions. 

The "Criminal Case Handling Procedures of the National Security Agencies" consists of 11 chapters and 360 articles, including general principles, jurisdiction, avoidance, participation of lawyers in criminal proceedings, evidence, coercive measures, filing and withdrawal of cases, investigation, execution of penalties, special procedures, and supplementary provisions. 

The ministry stated that moving forward, national security agencies at all levels will conscientiously implement the two departmental regulations, always adhere to strict, standardized, fair, and civilized law enforcement, voluntarily accept social supervision, and ensure that every case can withstand scrutiny from the law, the Chinese people and history.

China's Ministry of State Security earlier released 10 typical espionage cases in a special documentary film aired ahead of the ninth National Security Education Day that falls on April 15, including the cases of Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig. In the documentary, various methods of infiltration, theft and incitement by foreign spy and intelligence agencies are exposed, and awareness of anti-espionage is expected to be established among the people.

The European Parliament on Tuesday approved rules to ban goods produced by the so-called forced labor, which does not refer to but is believed to target China, thus casting a shadow on China-EU trade.

Chinese analysts said on Wednesday that such a move, despite representing some China hawks within the bloc, cannot dominate the major trend of "stabilizing China-EU relations" and will face strong opposition in member states which maintain a pragmatic China policy. 

The US enacted a similar law in 2021 to ban products from Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region unless the a US company doing business with China can prove no forced labor is involved. The EU first mulled the ban in 2022. 

Authorities of EU member states or the European Commission will be able to investigate suspicious goods, supply chains, and manufacturers. Preliminary investigations should be wrapped up within 30 working days, Reuters reported Tuesday. 

Products "deemed to have been made using forced labor" will be banned in the EU market and shipments will be intercepted at EU borders.

The law still needs approval from EU countries to enter into force - a final step that is usually a formality which approves laws with no changes, according to Reuters. EU countries need to apply it within three years. 

Zhao Junjie, a research fellow at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences' Institute of European Studies, told the Global Times on Wednesday that the European Parliament has been playing a disruptive "clown" role in China-EU relations in recent years, but its acts cannot represent the real major trend of the bilateral ties. 

As the 27-member bloc is not a monolithic whole, such rules will face great opposition in countries having close cooperation with China, Zhao said.

Citing European leaders, including Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who paid visits to China one after another since the start of 2024, Zhao said that countries will act in line with their own interests rather than listen solely to the European Parliament's anti-China bugles.  

Such a ban may greatly increase the production costs of European companies and ultimately, it will be enterprises and consumers in the EU who will have to foot the bill, analysts said.

The upcoming European Parliament elections are also fueling anti-China moves and rhetoric as politicians seek to expand their influence, Zhao said, predicting that more hawkish signs could emerge before the elections in June.

Zhao said that China stands ready to listen to EU countries' concerns in regard to bilateral trade and other matters, and to negotiate to push forward cooperation, but will not allow biased political slogans and groundless slander. 

The EU have imposed, or are mulling to impose restrictive policies on Chinese products ranging from electric vehicles (EVs) to wind turbines to medical devices. The US-fabricated "overcapacity" fallacy has been a focal point in recent weeks. 

The EU has frequently resorted to economic toolboxes and trade remedy measures, sending protectionist signals, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said at Wednesday's routine press briefing.

Wang urged the EU to fulfill its commitment to open markets and fair competition, abide by the WTO rules and stop using various excuses to unreasonably suppress Chinese companies. 

Though China and Europe have competition and frictions, they can and should be managed properly so that cooperation can carry on and develop further, Zhao said.

Both sides should have the strategic wisdom not to mix political and economic issues, and allow the resilience of the bilateral relationship to overcome areas of conflict, Zhao said.