If some stellar Chinese Science Fiction (sci-fi) films were to be named, The Wandering Earth film series, would likely be the top choice of many fans.

The series' two episodes were released in 2019 and 2023, respectively. They are both highly popular films on the silver screen, and yet their backstage stories have rarely been shown to audiences.

Revealing details such as how the film's "Black Hawk" helicopter was created, a recently released documentary Inside the Wandering Earth II, for the first time, shares many behind-the-scenes stories.

It also introduces audiences to the rapidly developing landscape of the Chinese sci-fi culture.

Behind-the-scenes story

Most of the stories in Inside the Wandering Earth II are only now being told for the first time. The film crew, for instance, captured how the scene of the wreckage of the "Black Hawk" helicopter was produced.

Led by veteran prop designer Zhong Jianwei and his team, the helicopter prop was first built as a full-scale model, and the crew would create prototypes and assemble them piece by piece.

The model was then manually "damaged" by designers to achieve the appearance of a wreckage. The helicopter scene was only a couple of shots, but it took the prop team several months to set up the scene.

Other than the helicopter, there were several similar instances such as the door-frame robots and the moon rover props that show just how deeply embedded handmade prop-making is in Chinese sci-fi production.

"A top-notch visual presentation of a sci-fi production is often achieved by experts tweaking minute details meticulously countless times, including the prop's size, color, and patterns," Fang Muting, an industry insider, told the Global Times.

The documentary has also shown how the film's depiction of the "United Earth Government" headquarters was painstakingly crafted.

The film's overseas production team obtained a special permission to visit the inside of the United Nations headquarters in New York and combined these insights with the construction plans of the UN's iconic Golden Hall sourced by the art ­department, anchoring elements of the film in reality.

Beyond revealing the The Wandering Earth secrets was the documentary team's goal of showing audiences about Chinese sci-fi's profound cultural roots.

After consulting experts in various fields like literature and history, ­several milestones in Chinese sci-fi history were revealed in the documentary.

They include the early literary inspiration of The Future of New China, a book that was written by pioneer intellectual Liang Qichao, and the Science Fiction World magazine.

Founded in 1979, the magazine was a cradle for notable Chinese writers like Liu Cixin, Wang Jinkang and He Xi.

"Reflecting on the development of Chinese sci-fi literature, Chinese people have never stopped imagining and pursuing the future and technology­," Guo Siwen, the director of the documentary, told the Global Times.

The director added that the charm of films like The ­Wandering Earth series lies in their portrayal of "the ­history of the future."

"[Such films] are not just about visual imaginations, but also about attempts to explore scientific and social topics in reality," Guo emphasized.

The Wandering Earth 3 is expected to be released in China on February 6, 2027.

Expansive landscape

Noting that Chinese sci-fi does not lack quality IPs, Chen Fusi, a cultural industry expert, told the Global Times that Chinese sci-fi culture is ­expanding its "multi-domain" landscape in collaborating with not only the film sector, but also other sectors such as gaming and art.

Taking the Chinese game Honkai: Star Rail as an example, it is a strategic game that invites players to go on an adventure across the galaxy.

While maintaining its sci-fi theme, the visual aesthetics of the game engage Chinese cultural elements like traditional ­architectural designs unique to East China's Anhui Province.

The game has been popular among overseas players. Chen, the expert, told the Global Times that the new "sci-fi and gaming" design helps overseas young people "experience Chinese culture in effortless ways."

In the recent past, sci-fi has grown to be a popular theme for curated art exhibitions. Featuring new technologies like 3D mapping and virtue reality, a visual exhibition in Xi'an, Shaanxi Province has interpreted the historical ancient Silk Road story featuring sci-fi visual presentations.

"Sci-fi is like a medium for cultural expression. It can be embedded in different fields to help promote Chinese values," Lü Yingying, the documentary's producer, told the Global Times.

"Compared to many Western countries, the start of China's sci-fi culture was relatively recent, but we have developed fast relying on our profound history and also the country's innovative technologies," Chen told the Global Times.

Following Israel's ground military operations in southern Lebanon and Iran's ballistic missile strikes on Israel, Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, urges immediate de-escalation of the Lebanese-Israeli situation, warning that any further provocations could easily cause the situation, which is now "hanging by a thread," to spiral out of control.

Over the past two weeks, the situation in the Middle East, especially in Lebanon, has rapidly deteriorated. China is deeply concerned about the severe situation and the outlook for future developments, Fu said at a UN Security Council emergency session on Wednesday.

We call for the respect of the sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity of all countries, Fu noted, reiterating China's opposition to any action that violates the basic principles of international relations and condemning all violent attacks targeting civilians.

China supports the position of the UN, emphasizing that any Israeli incursions into Lebanon violate the latter's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and are in breach of the provisions of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, Fu said.

Under the current circumstances, the Chinese envoy said the UN Security Council must take urgent actions and be united in making clear and unequivocal demands: An immediate ceasefire must be established in Gaza; the deescalation of the Lebanese-Israeli situation must be advanced to stop the cycle of violence; every effort must be made to prevent the spread of the fighting; and the parties concerned must return to the track of political and diplomatic solutions.

"Since October of last year, cycles of violent conflict have repeatedly occurred in the Middle East. Israel has disregarded the international community's calls for an immediate ceasefire and has insisted on advancing military actions, leading to the prolongation and escalation of the conflict. A full-scale war could break out at any moment," Fu warned.

At this critical juncture, any inflammatory rhetoric or provocative actions are extremely dangerous and could easily lead to misjudgments, trigger chain reactions, and cause the situation to spiral out of control. "China urges all parties, especially Israel, to exercise restraint and avoid any actions that could further escalate the situation," Fu noted.

Fu said the conflict has caused an unprecedented humanitarian disaster, Gaza has become "a hell on Earth," and massive destruction of civilian facilities, thousands of casualties, and more than 1 million people displaced in Lebanon.

The ambassador called on all parties to respect the red lines of international humanitarian law and to ensure the protection of civilians.

Warning that the current situation is "hanging by a thread," Fu said any procrastination would be irresponsible, and any rhetoric of condoning further military adventurism would send a wrong message and could cause serious consequences.

"We hope major countries with influence will adopt a sincere and responsible attitude and earnestly play a constructive role to avoid further escalation of the situation," he stressed.

Fu reiterated the importance of respecting the neutrality of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon and ensuring the safety and security of the UN peacekeepers. "UN assets and personnel should not be the target of armed attacks," he said.

Israel pressed forward on Wednesday with a ground incursion into Lebanon against Hezbollah, leaving eight Israeli soldiers dead, and conducted strikes in Gaza that killed dozens, including children, AP reported on Thursday.

Iran launched nearly 200 ballistic missiles at Israel on Tuesday in what Tehran said was retaliation for the recent killings of top Hezbollah and Hamas officials. Meanwhile, 55 people were killed and 156 were injured in Israeli airstrikes on Lebanon in the past 24 hours, according to the Lebanese health ministry on early Wednesday.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry expressed deep concerns on Wednesday over the turmoil in the Middle East, stressing that China opposes the violation of Lebanon's sovereignty, security and territorial integrity and opposes moves that fuel antagonism and escalate tensions. China calls on the international community, especially major countries with influence, to play a constructive role and avoid further turmoil.

China has filed a complaint at the World Trade Organization (WTO) over Canada's unilateralism and trade protectionism practices, according to a spokesperson of the Chinese Commerce Ministry (MOFCOM) on Wednesday.

The ministry said it has also initiated an anti-discrimination probe into Canada's restrictive measures targeting certain imports from China.

The Canadian government announced on Tuesday the final list of Chinese-made steel and aluminum subject to a 25 percent tariff, along with a 100 percent tariff on Chinese-made electric vehicles (EVs), effective immediately.

These moves were made despite opposition and warnings from multiple sources.

Commenting on the announcement made by the Canadian side, MOFCOM spokesperson said that Canada's measures violate the principles of market economy and fair competition, severely damaging normal economic and trade cooperation between Chinese and Canadian enterprises, significantly impacting bilateral economic and trade relations, and disrupting and distorting global industrial and supply chains. China firmly opposes these actions by the Canadian side, according to the spokesperson.

The MOFCOM spokesperson urged Canada to view bilateral economic and trade cooperation rationally and objectively, respect the facts, adhere to WTO rules, and not stray further down the wrong path.

China will take all necessary steps to firmly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises, the spokesperson emphasized.

Canada's action is a blind follow-up to the US approach without carefully assessing its own market conditions, Zhou Mi, a senior research fellow at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, told the Global Times on Wednesday.

Despite considerable opposition, Canada insists on implementing its protectionist measures, which will directly impact its industrial development and green transition, Zhou said.

"Furthermore, it will affect Canada's role in the multilateral economic and trade system and increase trade friction and economic costs. The related industrial chains will also face further restrictions, which will weaken Canada's ties to currently leading global green development technologies," Zhou further noted.

On September 11, China requested WTO dispute consultations with Canada regarding surtax measures imposed on certain Chinese products, including EVs and steel and aluminum products, according to the WTO.

The MOFCOM announced that it commenced from September 26 an anti-discrimination probe into Canada's tariff hikes on EVs as well as steel and aluminum products imported from China, after initial results have unveiled such discriminatory approach.

According to Xinhua News Agency, it is the first such investigation initiated by China and also the first of its kind in the world.

Chinese observers on Tuesday slammed smears presented in a US House committee report as a cliché that was aiming at stifling China's technological advancement and hyping up the "China threat" narrative.

The report, released on Monday by the Republican members of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party and the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, claimed that hundreds of millions of dollars in US federal research funding over the last decade has contributed to China's technological advancements and military modernization and that collaborations between Chinese entities and US-funded researchers and universities have significantly contributed to China's progress in critical areas such as hypersonic and nuclear weapons, artificial intelligence, and semiconductors, according to the New York Times. 

This is just part of the US anti-China rhetoric, repeating the same cliché of smearing China, Lü Xiang, an expert on US studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Tuesday. 

The US has been hyping up the normal exchanges between China and the US, particularly since 2018, Lü noted.

House Republicans argued that these research publications could potentially be weaponized against the US in the event of a conflict with China, according to Fox News.

The report calls for stricter regulations on federally funded research and limiting the opportunities for researchers receiving US grants to collaborate with Chinese universities and companies that have military connections. 

However, the Democrats on the China committee chose not to sign on to the report, saying that it was a conversation that required more nuance. "Cutting off all collaboration would not serve US interests either," reported New York Times, citing a representative for the committee's Democratic staff.

The GOP report clearly said it was the US Department of Defense and US intelligence agencies that are funding relevant schools and research institutes. Such claim is similar to accusing them of potential treason. Such accusation reflects the increasing intensity of political struggles within the US, Li Haidong, a professor from the China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times on Tuesday.

A Chinese military expert who requested anonymity told the Global Times on Tuesday that the US is once again overstretching the concept of "national security" and hyping the "China threat" rhetoric.

Scientific and technological researches themselves are neutral, and many of the projects are not military-backed, the above-quoted expert said. It is the US that unilaterally labeled them with the so-called military applications.

It is worth noting that the US report significantly exaggerates its own scientific research capabilities while downplaying China's research and development achievements, Lü said. He noted that China is in a leading position in many areas of the scientific research, especially in large-scale applications and integrated applications. 

The House report examined several China-based joint institutes between Chinese and American universities, including the University of California, Berkeley and Georgia Institute of Technology. Both Berkeley and Georgia Tech disputed many of the report's findings, according to the New York times. 

'Risk of long-term damage to bilateral ties'

Following the San Francisco summit between the two heads of state in November 2023, China has been facilitating deeper communication, whereas the US has imposed numerous obstacles that impede the enhancement of normal interactions between the two sides.

Mao Ning, a spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, told a press briefing in June that such US moves "have created a chilling effect" for cultural and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries. 

The smear campaign launched by the US against China's independent, innovative technology developments serves to further obstruct normal academic exchanges between the two countries, the above-quoted military expert who requested anonymity told the Global Times.

The educational cooperation between China and the US offers significant benefits, particularly in the foundational training of students from both countries. Impeding the normal exchanges in science and technology between the two countries results in significant losses for all parties involved, Lü noted.

Cutting off scientific exchanges between China and the US will result in long-term damage to the relationship between the two countries, Lü warned.

The recently opened exhibition titled Stars over the Volga: Works by Academicians of the Russian Academy of Arts is marking the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Russia at the China Millennium Monument in Beijing.

The exhibition features 100 paintings created by academicians and corresponding members of the Russian Academy of Arts since the 20th century and includes oil paintings, watercolors, and some mixed-media works. 

The pieces, arranged according to the birth dates of the artists and the date the works were created, showcase the internal developmental threads of Russian painting. Most of these works and artists are being exhibited in China for the first time.

Through the exhibition, visitors will have the opportunity to appreciate the beautiful landscape paintings created by renowned Russian artists, which vividly display the beauty and uniqueness of Russia, noted Natalia Stepkina, counselor of the Russian Embassy in China, during the opening ceremony on Friday.

All of the works on display are provided by the Russian Academy of Arts and encompass landscapes, portraits, still lifes, and thematic creations, showcasing the easel painting art of the academy's members over nearly half a century. The exhibition will run until mid-October.

Autumnal Equinox, the 16th solar term of the lunar 24 solar terms, started on Sunday (September 22) this year and marks the midpoint of autumn, dividing the season into two equal parts. It also marks the harvest season. This year marks the seventh celebration of the Chinese Farmers' Harvest Festival, a time when farmers across the country share in the joy of the harvest. 

After Autumnal Equinox, the location of direct sunlight moves to the south, making days shorter and nights longer in the northern hemisphere. By this time, most regions in China have transitioned into the cooler autumn season. As cold air from the north meets the diminishing warm, humid air, it often results in precipitation.

Ancient Chinese tradition divides the Autumnal Equinox into three pentads: the first observes the softening of thunder, the second sees hibernating insects begin to nest, and in the third pentad, water starts to dry up.

During this season, crabs are considered particularly delicious. Eating crabs is believed to nourish the marrow and help clear internal heat from the body.

In South China, a custom for Autumnal Equinox is known as "having Qiucai (an autumn vegetable), a type of wild amaranth that is popular during this time. Every Autumnal Equinox day, Qiucai, verdant in the field, is collected and made into soup with fish, called "Qiutang" (autumn soup). 

Besides, Autumnal Equinox is the perfect season for kite flying. Children fly various kites, enjoying the pleasant weather. 

In North China, taro becomes a staple in the seasonal diet during this time. Health experts recommend having some more easily digestible foods in autumn. Taro is soft and nutritional. 

In some regions, there remains a folk tradition of extending greetings and well wishes for a successful autumn ploughing. 

Since ancient times, many places have had folk custom of mountaineering and sight-seeing. Due to the effects of air pressure and humidity, autumn often brings clear blue skies, white clouds, and cool breezes, making it perfect for mountaineering. 

During the Autumnal Equinox, the temperature difference between morning and evening becomes more pronounced, so people should adjust their attire to prevent catching colds.

Fitness exercises in this season can do more of cold-resistant exercises and aerobic exercises, such as hiking, walking and cycling. After the Autumnal Equinox, it is recommended not to engage in excessive exercise, as it may deplete yang energy. Instead, people may try some gentle exercises including tai chi, Baduanjin (an ancient Chinese qigong exercise combining movement), and Wuqinxi (the Five-Animal Exercises), so that the whole-body sweats slightly and not too tired. 

After the robust micro-drama industry intrigued young Chinese viewers with romance shows, it is now experiencing a notable surge in popularity among middle-aged and elderly audiences, evolving from a niche medium into a mainstream entertainment phenomenon. These short, melodramatic shows, often featuring middle-aged protagonists in fantastical scenarios, have captured the imagination of an older demographic. However, this burgeoning trend also brings to light significant challenges, particularly concerning content homogenization and the need for stricter regulation.

The appeal of micro-dramas to older demographics is significant. According to the 2024 China Micro-Drama Industry Research Report by iResearch.com, users aged 40-59 constitute 37.3 percent of the micro-drama audience, with those aged 60 and above accounting for 12.1 percent. This shift highlights a broader trend: Digital entertainment is increasingly catering to an aging population. With China's elderly consumption potential projected to soar from 40 trillion ($5.6 trillion ) to 106 trillion yuan by 2050, the market for such content is both expansive and lucrative.

The success of micro-dramas among older viewers is evident from their prominence on various platforms. Data from DataEye and WETRUE reveals that micro-dramas featuring middle-aged protagonists frequently top the charts, reflecting their widespread appeal. Shows like The Flash Marriage at Fifty, which features a wealthy CEO marrying a middle-aged woman, have resonated with viewers seeking both escapism and relatable narratives. The dramatic plots, marked by themes of instant romance and personal transformation, offer a stark contrast to the everyday realities faced by many elderly viewers.

Experts suggest that as the internet and mobile media become more prevalent among older adults, these platforms increasingly serve as substitutes for diminished social support. Micro-dramas, particularly those exploring family dynamics and emotional conflicts such as "mother-in-law issues," "divorces," "flash marriages," and "reconciliation," provide emotional compensation and a sense of connection.

However, concerns about content homogenization are growing. Many micro-dramas rely on repetitive and formulaic elements, such as "villainous female characters" and "hasty marriages," which can lead to viewer disengagement. Additionally, the stereotypical portrayal of family conflicts in these dramas may exacerbate negative perceptions of real-life disputes, reinforcing harmful stereotypes and potentially increasing emotional strain for older audiences.

For instance, the emergence of themes like "tyrannical CEOs" and "sweet romances" has become predictable, with many new dramas offering little beyond superficial variations of these tropes. This homogenization risks reducing the genre's appeal as viewers may grow tired of repetitive plots and characters.

Monetization practices within the micro-drama sector further complicate matters. Reports indicate that many platforms employ aggressive and often deceptive tactics to extract money from viewers, including hidden fees, automatic renewals, and misleading pricing structures. These practices place a substantial financial burden on consumers, particularly elderly viewers, who may struggle with the complexities of digital payments and subscription models. Many elderly individuals find themselves facing unexpected charges due to poorly disclosed fees and manipulative marketing strategies, exacerbating their financial strain and sense of exploitation.

As highlighted by recent user experiences, elderly individuals often find themselves unwittingly spending significant amounts of money on micro-dramas due to poorly disclosed fees and manipulative marketing strategies. Such issues are compounded by a lack of adequate support and recourse for resolving disputes, leaving many viewers feeling exploited.

To address these challenges, the National Radio and Television Administration has implemented new regulations that went into effect on June 1. Dramas are managed based on their investment levels: Projects with high amounts of funding are overseen by national and provincial bodies, while lesser funded projects are handled by the online platforms. Furthermore, unapproved and unregistered micro-dramas are prohibited from being disseminated online.

As micro-dramas continue to captivate older audiences, addressing the issues of content quality and regulatory oversight will be crucial in ensuring that this genre remains both engaging and ethically responsible.

The Chinese national soccer team lost 0-7 to Japan on Thursday in the first match of the third round of the 2026 World Cup Asian qualifiers. 

This defeat reportedly set three unfortunate records for Chinese soccer team: their biggest-ever loss to Japan, the most goals conceded in a single World Cup qualifying match, and their biggest defeat in World Cup qualifying history.

The last time the Chinese team defeated Japan was during the 1998 Dynasty Cup semifinals when they won 2-0. Since then, China has gone 14 matches without a victory against Japan in all competitions, with eight losses and six draws. 

On social media, such a defeat has sparked torrents of criticism and dismay, and even satire from Chinese fans.

Li Boqing, a traditional storyteller, offered a pointed remark: "If we had forfeited the match and lost 0-3 by default, we could have saved travel expenses and invested in youth training instead, while also preserving a better goal difference. In World Cup qualifiers, sometimes a single goal difference can determine whether a team advances."

Sports commentator Zhan Jun also expressed his dismay on social media, calling the second-half collapse and the overall performance unacceptable. He pointed out that the coaching team seemed to lack a detailed study of Japan's attack tactics and did not make effective adjustments.

"It appeared that the players were unprepared, and the coach failed to convey his strategy through substitutions. Hopefully, the coaching team will learn from this, and the Chinese team can return home and rebound with a stronger performance in the second round," he stated.

The UN Security Council (UNSC)should channel more of its energies into pushing the parties toward dialogue and engagement in search of a political solution, while helping Sudan build up its humanitarian response capacity to stop the humanitarian crisis from worsening even further, Dai Bing, China's deputy permanent representative to the UN, said at a UN meeting on Wednesday.

Dai's remarks were part of his explanation of vote on the UNSC draft resolution on sanctions against Sudan.

Over one and a half years of conflicts, with no sign of de-escalation in sight, the worsening humanitarian situation on the ground has put millions of innocent Sudanese civilians in the face of multiple challenges, including war, natural disasters, and diseases, said Dai. 

In this context, the renewal of the sanction measures will go some way toward stemming the steady flow of illicit arms into the battlefield and calming down and de-escalating the situation. 

This is what the international community wants and what the UNSC has duty to do, and that's why China voted in favor of the draft resolution that was put to a vote a moment ago, said Dai.

We renew our call for the parties to the conflict to put their country and people's interests first, respect international humanitarian law to the letter, and provide maximum protection to civilians and civilian facilities without causing further harm or damage, said Dai. 

He noted that China hopes all member states will observe the arms embargo provided for in the resolution and together take constructive and tangible actions to help the country cease hostilities and return to lasting peace.

On the other hand, as China has stressed many times, sanctions are a means, not an end. They must not replace diplomacy, much less become a tool of political pressurization in the service of some countries, the Chinese envoy said. 

The UNSC should channel more of its energies into pushing the parties toward dialogue, while helping Sudan build up its humanitarian response capacity, said Dai. 

Dai urged that international community should respect Sudan's sovereignty and territorial integrity and try to secure more support and cooperation from the Sudanese government. The penholder should likewise fully respect the Sudanese government's legitimate concerns and aspirations and effectively forge greater consensus among the parties without slipping in political self-interests.

At 3:26 am on August 28, with the successful energization of the 220 kV No. 1 main transformer for power transmission at 220 kV Kuitun Substation, State Grid Kuitun Power Supply Company successfully completed the task of upgrading and replacing the No. 1 main transformer at 220 kV Kuitun Substation.

This is also the fourth 220 kV main transformer replacement work completed by the company this year.

The 220 kV Kuitun Substation is an important hub station in Kuitun area. Its No. 1 main transformer was put into operation in 2005. Kuitun Substation connects Dushanzi District in the south and Wusu City in the west. It has mutual power supply with the Seventh Division of the Corps. While meeting the power consumption needs of local loads, it undertakes the power supply tasks of Kuitun, Wusu, Dushanzi and other areas.

In recent years, the economy of Kuitun City and surrounding areas has been developing well, putting forward higher requirements for power demand and reliable supply. Preliminary diagnosis found that the No. 1 main transformer had insufficient short-circuit resistance capacity, increasing the risk of power grid operation. It is urgently necessary to replace the main transformer.

For this equipment upgrade and renovation, the 220 kV No. 1 main transformer body, the low-voltage side isolating switch of the main transformer, and the three-side conductors of the main transformer in this substation have been upgraded and renovated. After the upgrade and renovation, the capacity of the No. 1 main transformer has been increased from 150 MW to 180 MW, enhancing the short-circuit resistance capacity, strengthening the power grid structure of Kuitun Power Grid, and ensuring the safe and stable operation of the power grid during the peak summer period.

This renovation started on August 16 and ended on August 28. Multiple processes such as oil drainage of the old main transformer, removal and displacement of the main body, installation of the new main transformer in place, vacuum pumping and oil injection, and handover test were completed item by item. It involves a sixth-level power grid risk. The entire renovation process is a third-level operation risk. Among them, the process of replacing the main transformer is a second-level operation risk.