A suspect surnamed Cai, who had long been hiding overseas and is accused of organizing illegal border crossings, was successfully extradited back to China on June 8, China's National Immigration Administration (NIA) said on its WeChat account on Thursday.

In February 2024, immigration authorities in Zhenjiang, East China's Jiangsu Province, uncovered a transnational criminal syndicate that organized Chinese citizens to leave the country illegally through third countries.

Investigations found that between 2023 and 2024, a Chinese national surnamed Cai and his accomplices colluded with human smugglers both inside and outside China to organize multiple Chinese citizens to be smuggled abroad for illegal activities. The NIA designated the case as a major case under supervision and listed Cai as a fugitive target, said the administration. 

In March 2026, Cai was apprehended by police in a foreign country, which subsequently notified Chinese authorities. Under the guidance of the Ministry of Public Security and the NIA, the case-handling authorities promptly submitted an extradition request. China's foreign affairs authorities actively facilitated coordination efforts, with close cooperation between agencies at home and abroad helping advance the extradition process.

In late May, the foreign country approved the extradition request. Cai has since been escorted back to China, and further investigation into the case is underway.

A spokesperson for the NIA said the successful extradition represents another important achievement in China's efforts to strengthen international law enforcement cooperation and pursue fugitives overseas. It also demonstrates China's firm resolve to crack down on cross-border crimes and bring fugitives to justice wherever they may flee.

The NIA said it will continue working with relevant authorities to deepen international law enforcement cooperation, dismantle transnational human-smuggling networks, and safeguard national security and border stability.

The administration also issued a warning to fugitives still at large, saying that no one can escape the reach of the law. Overseas locations are neither safe havens from prosecution nor places beyond the rule of law. Any attempt to evade justice will ultimately be met with legal punishment, and the only viable option is to voluntarily return to China and surrender to authorities in exchange for possible leniency.

If individuals like Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro are allowed to repeatedly undermine efforts to stabilize bilateral relations, it is ultimately the fundamental interests of the Philippine nation and its people that will suffer, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said Friday. 

Lin made the remarks in response to a media inquiry on that given Chinese officials recently said criticism from the Philippine side could make it more difficult for China to continue aiding the Philippines, whether China's announcement of sanctions against Teodoro will affect future Chinese aid to the Philippines. 

In response, Lin stated that the decision to impose sanctions on Teodoro and his relatives, as published on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, has already explained the specific circumstances involved.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a welcome ceremony on Friday for General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee and Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith, who is on a state visit to China.

China launched a special maritime law enforcement operation in the waters east of Taiwan island on Saturday. It is a necessary move in response to Japan and the Philippines' unilateral announcement of the so-called "maritime delimitation talks" on the east of China's Taiwan island, which constitutes a serious violation of China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, the Xinhua News Agency reported on Saturday. 

The operation, launched by China's Ministry of Transport, in coordination with the Fujian and Guangdong maritime safety administrations, the East China Sea Navigation Support Center, and the East China Sea Rescue Bureau, aims to fully exercise China's maritime administrative law enforcement jurisdiction, enhance deep-sea cruise enforcement and traffic control capabilities in key waters, ensure maritime traffic safety, and safeguard national rights and interests, Xinhua reported. 

During the Philippine President's recent visit to Japan, the two countries issued a joint statement announcing the start of talks on the delimitation of exclusive economic zone and continental shelf between Japan and the Philippines. The area the two countries announced they will delimit is east of China's Taiwan island.

At a press briefing on Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning emphasized that Japan and the Philippines' attempt to bypass China and initiate the so-called "maritime delimitation talks" constitutes a severe violation of UNCLOS and other international laws and basic norms governing international relations.

It also seriously infringes on China's maritime rights and interests and China will not allow this, she continued.

"According to China’s domestic law and international law including UNCLOS, China has exclusive economic zone and continental shelf in this area. As per UNCLOS, the delimitation of the exclusive economic zone and the continental shelf between States with opposite or adjacent coasts shall be effected by the States concerned by agreement on the basis of equity. Any delimitation concerning waters to the east of Taiwan must have China as a party to the talks," Mao stated.

At a press conference of the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office on Wednesday, spokesperson Zhu Fenglian said the waters slated for "delimitation" by Japan and the Philippines lie east of China's Taiwan island. Their proposed so-called "delimitation negotiations" gravely infringe on China's maritime rights and interests, run counter to international law and the basic norms governing international relations, and are entirely illegal, null and void. 

Zhu noted that compatriots across the Taiwan Straits belong to the Chinese nation. They must uphold their national stance, stand for the fundamental interests of the nation, and jointly safeguard China's sovereignty and territorial integrity as well as the overall interests of the Chinese nation. 

Should the DPP authorities collude with external forces to betray national interests, they will surely be spurned by compatriots on both sides of the Straits and punished by history, the spokesperson said. 

A Chinese anti-epidemic medical expert team arrived in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), on Tuesday for a three-month mission to support the Central African country's response to the Ebola outbreak.

Luku Maleyo Marius, a representative of the DRC Ministry of Health, welcomed the team at the airport, saying that China's dispatch of the medical experts represents timely and strong support for the Congolese government and people.

Whenever the DRC faces major public health challenges, China has consistently extended timely assistance, he said, adding that he looks forward to the mission further strengthening the country's epidemic prevention, control and treatment capacities, and helping bring the outbreak under control as soon as possible.

Lu Ming, head of the Chinese expert team, said the team would begin work promptly in line with the Congolese side's needs and would cooperate with local medical and disease control institutions to provide support in epidemic assessment, case management, and other areas.

He added that the team would work closely with the Congolese side to safeguard people's lives and health, contributing China's expertise to helping the DRC control the outbreak at an early stage.

On May 15, the DRC officially confirmed its 17th Ebola outbreak since 1976. Two days later, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern.

China's National Health Commission announced on Monday the decision to send a medical expert team to support the DRC's Ebola control efforts.

According to the commission, the first group consists of five members with extensive experience in epidemic control. They will also share practical response experience tailored to local conditions and help enhance the DRC's capacity for Ebola prevention, control and treatment.

"The allegation of so-called 'Chinese espionage threat' is entirely fabricated and constitutes malicious slander. We strongly condemn this," said a spokesperson from the Chinese Embassy in UK when asked to comment on the so-called "warning" issued by the UK Security Service (MI5), together with intelligence agencies from other "Five Eyes" countries, alleging that Chinese intelligence services are approaching individuals in Western countries through fake online recruitment schemes in order to steal military, political, and technological intelligence, according to the embassy on Thursday.

It must be pointed out that the "Five Eyes" are the world's largest intelligence network. Its members have engaged in unscrupulous espionage and intelligence-gathering activities around the globe. They are the real threat to peace-loving countries, the spokesperson said.

"We urge the UK side to immediately stop this clumsy self-staged show of thief crying catch thief. Otherwise, it will only bring shame upon itself," the spokesperson continued.

Chinese Foreign Ministry also responded on the same day. Spokesperson Mao Ning said as the world's largest intelligence cooperation network, the "Five Eyes" has long engaged in massive systemic espionage all over the world. It is ironic that such an organization is accusing China of "spy threat."

According to Reuters on Wednesday local time, security agencies from the US, Britain, Canada, Australia and New Zealand claimed that Chinese military intelligence services ultimately seek to "acquire privileged military, political and economic intelligence that can provide China with a strategic and tactical advantage over the Five Eyes."

A Chinese expert told the Global Times on Thursday that the Five Eyes Alliance's current hype over the so-called "Chinese espionage threat" is essentially a carefully crafted rhetorical trap. Ostensibly framed as an effort to safeguard "national security," the campaign is in reality designed to fuel the "China threat" narrative, the expert stressed. 

Regarding similar allegations, China has stated its position more than once. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said during a press conference in November 2025 that China never interferes in other countries' internal affairs and has absolutely no interest in the so-called "intelligence" of the UK Parliament.

The response came after MI5 in 2025 issued an official warning to British politicians about two LinkedIn accounts that it claimed were posing as "headhunters" but were in fact operating on behalf of the Chinese Ministry of State Security. 

 "Time to stop those phantom allegations and the false projection," the spokesperson said at the time.

In global geopolitics, the Five Eyes ranks among the world's largest intelligence surveillance blocs, having long leveraged its technological advantages to conduct indiscriminate mass surveillance across the globe, Wang Hanyi, a research fellow at the Shanghai International Studies University, told the Global Times on Thursday. Wang noted that the bloc's credibility is therefore highly suspect when it loudly hypes alleged "Chinese espionage threat." 

Wang said that the joint initiative results from a mix of domestic pressures and the strategy to contain China. Some Five Eyes countries are plagued by weak economic growth, worsening social conflicts and rising political polarization. Against this backdrop, exaggerating external threats serves as an easy tool to divert domestic disputes and consolidate political consensus, the expert added.

The Reuters report noted on Wednesday that although there have been similar so-called warnings from individual countries in the past, the joint bulletin was described as unprecedented.

"Such an 'unprecedented' scale stems from a collective anti-China anxiety and coordinated escalation of containment strategies against China," Wang said.

Their practice will severely disrupt regular people-to-people exchanges, normal economic and trade cooperation between China and certain Western countries, and erode the long-built foundation for global cooperation, the expert noted. 

An academician at the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) successfully performed a prostate cancer surgery on a patient 220 kilometers away from him in Jingzhou, Central China's Hubei Province, by remotely operating a surgical robot via a 5G network, Jimu News reported. 

Using clear endoscopic images displayed on a large screen, Zhang Xu, an academician at the CAS, operating from a control console at Tongji Hospital affiliated with Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST) located in Wuhan, Hubei, precisely manipulated robotic arms to perform the surgery on the patient surnamed Cao, according to Jimu News.

The display screen showed that the system recorded a network round-trip latency of just nine milliseconds - the complete round-trip time from the doctor issuing an operation command to the surgical robot responding and the doctor receiving feedback, such as image transmission, was only nine milliseconds, or 0.009 seconds, Jimu News reported. 

According to Liao Yixiang, director of the Urology Department at Jingzhou Central Hospital, the 57-year-old patient had early-stage intermediate-risk prostate cancer, and the remote robotic surgery helped preserve his urinary and other functions through advanced precision techniques, Jimu News reported.

With close cooperation between the medical teams in the two locations, Cao's prostate tumor was safely and completely removed in about one hour, with minimal bleeding and no intestinal damage, which is expected to help the patient recover faster and return to normal life sooner, per Jimu News. 

As dawn breaks over Hangji town in Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, the first rays of sunlight spill onto the bustling streets, illuminating the rhythmic hum of toothbrush production lines. In a cozy Beijing hutong, a grandmother beams with delight as she unwraps her brand-new toothbrush, its bristles gleaming with promise. Thousands of miles away, guests at opulent hotels in Dubai indulge in lavish oral care routines, where even this simplest act becomes a luxurious ritual. While on the other side of the globe, in the icy expanse of Antarctica, scientists endure frigid winds, finding small comfort in their trusted toothbrushes amid the stark wilderness.

Lives that seem worlds apart are intricately connected by this small yet essential item produced in the small Chinese town of Hangji, known for its toothbrush manufacturing. Nearly one in every three toothbrushes in the world is produced here, Xinhua reported.

Hangji has become a global champion in toothbrush production, with local stories of hard work and prosperity passing down through generations. Residents here wield this small item as a tool that connects them to the world, mirroring the dedication of millions of workers over the last 75 years and embodying Chinese people's pursuit of a beautiful and healthy life.

The small town also serves as a testament to a dynamic and thriving China, where its people have marched forward in high spirits, embarking on a vibrant journey of pursuing a beautiful and flourishing life while connecting to the world.
Returning to hometown

When the Global Times reporter entered, Tu Xinye, 37-year-old manager of Shuguang Toothbrush Factory, was instructing his workers to clean the factory's marble sign. The brand, with "Shuguang" meaning "dawn," is part of a cherished legacy from his grandfather and father, symbolizing the resilience and innovative spirit of his family.

Established in 1976, it was the first toothbrush factory in the town, witnessing the evolution from manual labor to mechanization, and later, the digital transformation brought about by the internet.

Tu has been gaining the attention of netizens in 2020 when he invited his grandfather and father - former factory managers - to join him for live selling, while sharing the trials and triumphs of the family business. Viewers were captivated by the heartfelt stories of dedication and the pursuit of prosperity that have defined the Tu family's journey in the toothbrush industry.

Returning home to inherit the family business was not Tu's initial choice. He pursued a degree in aircraft engine design in the UK, driven by dreams of aviation. However, the relentless efforts of his family to innovate and sustain the toothbrush factory ignited his sense of responsibility. Having observed his father tirelessly seeking market opportunities to provide jobs for local residents, he began to realize that the toothbrush industry was not just a business. It was a lifeline for his hometown.

In 2013, Tu decided to return to China and take over the family business. He dropped out of a PhD application, and started from the ground up, working as a factory worker to understand the intricacies of production. Over the last decade, he made efforts with all employees to double the factory's output and expanded its reach to over 40 countries worldwide.

Three generations face different challenges in different historical contexts. Tu's grandfather, the first factory manager, faced the challenges of the 1970s' planned economy in China when production was fine, but sales were not. In the early 1980s, as the planned economy began to dissolve and privatization took hold, Tu's father encountered a sudden drop in orders while navigating market complexities. During his childhood, Tu often found himself in the factory, waking up to his parents discussing machine upgrades and strategies to tap into overseas markets, despite a lack of English. However, their commitments to exploration opened doors to international markets and set the factory on a successful path.

In recent years, Tu has embraced e-commerce as a new frontier for growth. In October 2019, a leading Chinese e-commerce platform approached his factory to collaborate on a budget-friendly electric toothbrush. The factory invested in research and development, ultimately launching an electric toothbrush costing only 9.9 yuan ($1.4) that sold over 30,000 units in just one day. This success highlighted a growing demand for quality dental care products, even in rural areas, he told the Global Times.

"Was it worth investing hundreds of thousands into a workshop environment that consumers could not see? My parents questioned me. But I wanted foreign visitors to see that our production standards were on par with the best in the world," he explained.
Tech drives greener future

In a small town covering just 40 square kilometers and home to fewer than 40,000 residents, an astonishing economic phenomenon is unfolding, marked by impressive figures.

What's behind it is an engine powered by technology and environmental sustainability.

In recent years, the toothbrush industry in Hangji has undergone a significant transformation, moving toward standardization and scalability. This shift has inspired a growing number of local youths to learn the craft.

Dong Tao, a recent university graduate from Yangzhou, exemplifies this trend. After leaving a large corporate job, he joined Sanfeng Brush Factory, where he started his day at 7:30 am, preparing materials and warming up machines on the production line. Dong finds fulfillment in his role, utilizing his engineering skills and applying his knowledge of WIFI modules and Bluetooth technology to develop new products. He noted that many young graduates are eager to return to their hometowns, leveraging national policies and local technological advancements to carve out new career paths.

The factory Dong works for has made attempts at innovation in a recent decade, supplying its toothbrushes to Xuelong 2, a Chinese icebreaking research vessel.

Li Yang, the factory's manager, introduced that they tried different ways to develop a toothbrush with bristles measuring just 0.1 millimeters in diameter, designed to prevent gum bleeding in extremely cold conditions. The brush handle is made from polylactic acid, which can biodegrade in as little as three months, minimizing the ecological impact of research activities in polar regions.

Driven by technological innovation, toothbrush manufacturers in Yangzhou are increasingly introducing smart toothbrush products. Tan Yuanshuai, the head of Fengyun Intelligent, a subsidiary of Sanfeng Brush Factory, showcased an AI-interactive toothbrush for children that utilizes a smart processor for real-time calculations and feedback, reminding kids to brush missed areas.

"The popularity of this toothbrush reflects the growing consciousness and emphasis of Chinese people on healthy and environmental friendly lifestyle," Tan said.

Similarly, Zhang Degang, the second-generation owner of Yangzhou Minsheng Brush Factory, highlights how the pursuit of quality and sustainability is reshaping their industry. Over the last decade, he has transformed production facilities to meet international standards, striving for a cleanroom environment akin to those used in chip manufacturing.

Zhang said that in the past, they primarily focused on contract manufacturing, but now Chinese brands are becoming increasingly innovative and popular in the world. Zhang's factory also incorporates Chinese cultural elements such as the Grand Canal and Wenchang Pavilion, into the design of the toothbrush handle, attracting overseas customers who have interest in Chinese culture.

The synergy of technology and sustainability is revitalizing local economies and inspiring a new generation of young people to pursue careers in their hometowns.
Better life through hardworking

In 2011, the China Toothbrush Museum, the only special industrial culture museum in the world named after a toothbrush, was established in Hangji. This museum houses over a thousand toothbrush specimens that span more than a thousand years.

The story of Hangji reflects a typical narrative of how Chinese people have created a better life through hard work over the last 75 years. Countless small towns in China, which have achieved remarkable success through their advantageous industries, owe their progress to a group of pioneering individuals who are able to endure hardships.

In China, 70 percent of China's violins come from Huangqiao township in Jiangsu; 80 percent of freshwater pearls are sourced from Shanxiahu township in Zhejiang Province; and 70 percent of industrial brushes are produced in Yuantan, Anhui Province. These industries have become new engines for China's economy.

In a report on the achievements of economic and social development over the last 75 years, released by the National Bureau of Statistics on September 20, it was highlighted that under the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China, living standards and quality of life have seen historic improvements. As residents' incomes continue to grow, consumption levels have risen, with notable enhancements in quality and ongoing optimization of consumption structures.

Each artisan contributing to these progress writes their glory and dreams into the new journey of national rejuvenation. Today, the vibrant presence of hardworking individuals from various sectors is evident, showcasing a lively and colorful tapestry of life. These ordinary individuals, through their relentless efforts, are striving to increase their incomes and enhance their quality of life.

Tu has inherited the legacy of his family's toothbrush factory, "Dawn," along with a pursuit of excellence. His spirit of perseverance, adventurous drive, and practical determination resonate with countless young people striving to find their own "dawn" in the new global landscape.

For the global business community, including US companies, no one wants to "decouple" from China, as cooperation remains the mainstream, and mutual benefit is the goal, Wang Linjie, spokesperson from China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) told a press conference on Sunday.

Wang's remarks were in response to recent restrictive measures taken by the US against China, including raising the Section 301 tariffs on certain Chinese goods and strengthening export restrictions on technologies such as quantum computing and semiconductor manufacturing.

Wang said that the US has continuously outstretched the concept of national security, violating the principles of the market economy by politicizing and weaponizing economic, trade, and technological issues.

The WTO has already ruled that the US Section 301 tariffs violate WTO rules. The US tariff measures are typical examples of unilateralism and protectionism. These actions have disrupted the stability and smooth functioning of global supply chains, including those in the semiconductor and other technology manufacturing industries, and have seriously harmed the legitimate rights and interests of relevant countries and enterprises, Wang noted.

During the recent third meeting of the APEC Business Advisory Council for 2024, representatives from the Chinese and the US business communities emphasized the importance of keeping supply chains open, cooperative, and non-discriminatory, while ensuring supply chain policies comply with WTO rules and avoid distorting trade and investment, according to Wang.

Recently, the US-China Business Council released a survey on China's 2024 business environment, with participation from 140 member companies. 77 percent of the surveyed companies have been operating in China for over 20 years, with 40 percent reporting revenues exceeding $1 billion in China in 2023.

The survey revealed that American companies in China have stabilized their revenues over the past year, with 80 percent of respondents achieving profitability. These companies plan to reinvest profits generated in China this year, indicating a continued commitment to the Chinese market. The general consensus among the surveyed US businesses is that the Chinese market is a crucial component of their global strategy, according to Wang.

"This reflects that for the global business community, including American companies, no one wants to 'decouple' from China, as cooperation remains the mainstream, and mutual benefit is the goal," Wang noted.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has encouraged industrial workers to further contribute wisdom and strength to building a country that is strong in manufacturing and promoting the full revitalization of northeast China.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks in a reply letter to representatives of workers from China First Heavy Industries Co. Ltd., a leading equipment manufacturer headquartered in Qiqihar City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province.