英语新闻丨Shopping festival ends with flourish618

The 31st edition of the Beijing International Book Fair, one of the most influential book fairs in the world, opened on Wednesday at the China National Convention Center.第三十一届北京国际图书博览会于周三在中国国家会议中心拉开帷幕，该展会是全球最具影响力的图书博览会之一。Under the theme "Promoting the Inheritance and Development of Civilizations and Fostering Exchange, Mutual Learning, and Win-Win Cooperation", the five-day fair features more than 220,000 publications and 1,700 exhibitors from over 80 countries and regions. Malaysia is this year's guest of honor.为期五天的展会以“促进文明传承发展，促进交流互鉴，合作共赢”为主题，汇集了来自80多个国家和地区的1700多家参展商，展出超过22万种出版物。马来西亚是今年的主宾国。At the Malaysian pavilion, Lim Pei Yen, studio director at Wizard Within—one of Malaysia's prominent publishers—handed out posters introducing the publisher alongside Malaysian dishes, plants, animals and traditions.在马来西亚展馆，马来西亚知名出版社Wizard Within工作室总监林佩燕(音译）分发了海报，介绍该出版社以及马来西亚的美食、动植物和传统文化。"This is the second time for me to be here," Lim said. "It's quite different this year because we are the guest of honor. It's also because, as the publishing sector in Malaysia is experiencing steady growth, we find more opportunities here in Beijing."“这是我第二次来到这里，”林佩燕说道。“今年很特别，因为我们是主宾国。同时，随着马来西亚出版业的稳步发展，我们在北京找到了更多机遇。”She said the pavilion was designed to bring together people from different countries and regions to interact.她表示，设立香港馆的目的是让来自不同国家和地区的人们聚集在一起，进行交流。"I myself have been learning from our Chinese peers about the art of making books," she added.“我自己也一直在向中国同行学习书籍制作艺术，”她补充道。Over the next four days, renowned Malaysian authors, including Li Zishu, will present their works, while a series of events including activities for children, for illustrators and sessions about bookmaking will be held.在接下来的四天里，包括李子书在内的马来西亚知名作家将展示他们的作品，同时还将举办一系列活动，包括儿童活动、插画家活动以及书籍制作讲座。At the Hong Kong pavilion, a long queue formed in front of a milk tea stand offering the region's signature drink. The pavilion also features an exhibition on Hong Kong's cultural heritages, including bamboo steamers, Canton enamel, paper crafting techniques, Cantonese opera headdress making, fire dragon dances and Chinese flower button crafting.在香港馆，一个提供香港特色饮品的奶茶摊前排起了长龙。香港馆还设有一个关于香港文化遗产的展览，包括蒸笼、粤式珐琅彩、纸艺制作技艺、粤剧头饰制作、火龙舞和中国花纽扣制作。"These cultural heritages serve not only as vessels for Hong Kong's historical memories, but also as vibrant embodiments of Chinese cultural heritage, carrying the wisdom and craftsmanship of our ancestors and resiliently enduring through the tides of time," said Yuen Wai-yin, deputy director of the Beijing Office of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government, during the pavilion's opening ceremony.香港特别行政区政府驻北京办事处副主任阮慧贤在香港展馆开幕式上表示：“这些文化遗产不仅承载着香港的历史记忆，更是中华文化遗产鲜活的体现，承载着先辈的智慧和技艺，在时代洪流中历久弥新。”The Hong Kong pavilion will also host lectures and workshops on cultural heritage, bookmaking and painting throughout the fair.香港展馆还将在书展期间举办一系列关于文化遗产、书籍制作和绘画的讲座和工作坊。Elsewhere at the fair, China Publishing Group Co is showcasing an extensive array of translated works. A centerpiece is the Chinese Translations of World Academic Masterpieces series by the Commercial Press, which reached 1,000 titles in 2024. Among the earliest and most influential is Yan Fu's translation of Thomas Henry Huxley's Evolution and Ethics.中国出版集团公司在书展的其他展区也展出了丰富的译作。其中，商务印书馆的《汉译世界学术名著丛书》是一大亮点，预计到2024年，该丛书数量将达到1000种。其中最早、最具影响力的译作当属严复翻译的托马斯·亨利·赫胥黎的《天演论》。Another highlight is the art book fair The Art of Seeing, featuring From Lo Archive to Visualizing Dunhuang: Discovering Princeton's Treasured Photographic Records in Eighty Years.另一个亮点是艺术书展“观看的艺术”，展出的展览主题为“从罗氏档案到观象敦煌：普林斯顿八十年珍藏图档的展示”。"We very much wanted people to get a sense of the magnitude of this work. Now the archives are not reproducible or replicable in this era of AI. We really need to hold on to that human artistry," said Christie Henry, director of Princeton University Press.普林斯顿大学出版社社长克里斯蒂·亨利表示：“我们非常希望人们能够感受到这项工作的重要性。在人工智能时代，这些档案无法复制，也无法复制。我们真的需要传承人类的艺术才华。”"Books are not ephemeral but very much enduring," she said. "So this nine-volume work gives us a chance to showcase that. We felt there isn't a better group to do that with than a group of publishers and people who are coming to the fair to celebrate publishing in all of its glory."她说道：“书籍并非昙花一现，而是经久不衰。因此，这本九卷本的著作给了我们一个展示这一点的机会。我们觉得，没有比与一群来到书展，共同庆祝出版业辉煌的出版商和人士合作更好的平台了。”heritage/ˈherɪtɪdʒ/n.遗产，传统non-replicable/ˌnɒnˈreplɪkəbl/adj.不可复制的publishing sector出版行业

Consumer enthusiasm for online shopping in China has been evident during this year's "618" shopping carnival, an extended sales event that wrapped up on Wednesday, which experts said has played a pivotal role in unleashing domestic demand potential, promoting the recovery of consumption and shoring up the economy.本年度618年中大促活动于周三结束，中国消费者在此期间的线上购物热情有目共睹。专家表示，该活动对释放内需潜力、促进消费复苏和支撑经济起到关键作用。Emphasizing that consumption has become a major driving force for China's economic growth, they said major e-commerce platforms have taken a more pragmatic approach and simplified promotions this year, with a key focus on stepping up support for merchants and offering more cost-effective products for consumers.专家强调，消费已成为中国经济增长的主要驱动力，并指出今年各大电商平台采取更务实的态度，简化促销活动，重点加大商家扶持力度，同时为消费者提供更具性价比的产品。They said home appliances and smart electronic gadgets have gained in popularity among Chinese shoppers amid the country's drive to boost consumption, which includes the expansion of the consumer goods trade-in program.专家表示，在包括扩大消费品以旧换新范围在内的促进消费举措的推动下，中国家电和智能电子产品销量增长。Data from e-commerce giant JD, which initiated the midyear promotional campaign, showed that sales of smartphones priced between 4,000 yuan ($556.7) and 6,000 yuan rose 50 percent year-on-year during the promotional gala, which kicked off at 8 pm on May 31, while the turnover of artificial intelligence-powered laptops surged 151 percent from a year earlier.据618年中大促活动发起方电商巨头京东的数据显示，在5月31日晚8点开启的促销活动期间，售价4000元至6000元（约556.7美元）的智能手机销售额同比增长50%，而AI笔记本电脑的销售额较去年同期激增151%。China's Generation Z shoppers — those born between the mid-1990s and early 2010s — have shown robust purchasing power for personalized and trendy commodities, with electronic gadgets, mobile phones, home appliances, apparel, and beauty and skincare products being the most popular items among young consumers, JD said.京东表示，Z世代（1995年至2010年出生）消费者对个性化潮流商品展现出强劲购买力，电子产品、手机、家电、服装及美妆护肤产品最受年轻消费者欢迎。此外，越来越多的海外消费者参与618促销活动。京东跨境电子商务业务部门京东全球售的订单量同比飙升236%。Moreover, an increasing number of overseas consumers participated in the "618" promotional gala. Orders from JD Global Sales, JD's cross-border e-commerce business division, soared 236 percent year-on-year.此外，越来越多的海外消费者参与了“618”促销盛会。京东旗下跨境电商业务部门京东全球售的订单量同比激增236%。According to Tmall, Alibaba's business-to-customer platform, turnover of home appliances, mobile phones and digital products participating in trade-in programs increased 283 percent compared with last year's Singles Day shopping extravaganza, a weekslong sales event that peaks on Nov 11.据阿里巴巴旗下B2C平台天猫的数据显示， 参与以旧换新活动的家电、手机和数码产品成交额，相比去年持续数周并在11月11日达到高潮的“双十一”购物狂欢节，增长了283%。"The 618 online shopping extravaganza is pivotal to stimulating consumers' purchasing appetites, bolstering domestic demand and propping up economic growth amid external uncertainties," said Wang Yun, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Macroeconomic Research.中国宏观经济研究院研究员王蕴表示：“‘618’线上购物盛会对刺激消费者购买欲、提振内需以及在外界不确定性中支撑经济增长至关重要。”This year's Government Work Report listed vigorously boosting consumption and expanding domestic demand across the board as key priorities for 2025. 今年的《政府工作报告》将“着力激发消费潜能”和“推动内需全面扩大”列为2025年的重点工作重点。The country announced in January a raft of measures to expand the scope of the consumer goods trade-in program, increasing funding from 150 billion yuan last year to 300 billion yuan, and expanding government subsidies for categories of home appliances and electronic products such as smartphones, tablets, smartwatches and wristbands.国家于今年1月宣布了一系列扩大消费品以旧换新行动范围的措施， 将资金支持规模从去年的1500亿元增加到3000亿元，并扩大政府对智能手机、平板电脑、智能手表和手环等家电电子产品的补贴范围。Jason Yu, general manager of CTR Market Research, said the expansion of the trade-in program has not only motivated consumer enthusiasm and boosted sales of consumer electronic devices and home appliances on online marketplaces, but also propelled the popularity of high-end, intelligent and energy-saving commodities and elevated people's quality of life.央视市场研究(CTR)总经理虞坚表示， 以旧换新行动的扩大不仅激发了消费者的热情，促进了线上市场消费电子产品和家电的销售，也推动了高端、智能、节能产品的普及，提升了人们的生活质量。Yu emphasized that online retailers have made promotional methods simpler this time to improve the consumer shopping experience, given that Chinese shoppers attach great importance to product quality and value, and are inclined to purchase premium merchandise boasting high cost-effectiveness.虞坚强调，鉴于中国消费者非常重视产品质量和价值，并倾向于购买性价比高的优质商品，此次线上零售商简化了促销方式，以提升消费者的购物体验。Denis Cheng, consumer sector leader of EY Greater China, said the trade-in program has reduced costs for consumers purchasing new products of better quality and higher performance, thus promoting the optimization and upgrade of the overall consumption structure and bolstering sales of household appliances and digital products.安永大中华区消费品行业主管合伙人郑铭驹（Denis Cheng） 表示，以旧换新计划降低了消费者购买质量更好、性能更优的新产品的成本，从而促进了整体消费结构的优化升级，并提振了家电和数码产品的销售。Cheng highlighted the significant role of the midyear shopping festival in driving the recovery and growth of China's consumer market, providing consumers with more diverse and personalized shopping experiences, and further revitalizing consumption potential.郑铭驹强调了618年中购物节在推动中国消费市场复苏和增长方面的重要作用，为消费者提供了更加多样化和个性化的购物体验，并进一步激发了消费潜力。China's retail sales, a significant indicator of consumption strength, grew 6.4 percent year-on-year in May, compared with a 5.1 percent rise in April, making it the fastest pace of growth since late 2023, said the National Bureau of Statistics.中国国家统计局数据显示，作为衡量消费实力的重要指标，中国5月份社会消费品零售总额同比增长6.4%，增速快于4月份的5.1%，为自2023年末以来最快的增长。Cheng said China's consumption market is expected to maintain stable growth fueled by the consumer goods trade-in program, online shopping festivals, stable recovery of the macroeconomy and gradual increases in household incomes.郑铭驹表示，在消费品以旧换新政策、线上购物节、宏观经济稳定复苏以及家庭收入逐步增加的推动下，中国消费市场有望保持稳定增长。online shopping网购shopping carnival购物狂欢promotional/prəˈməʊʃ(ə)nəl/adj. 广告宣传的；促销的government subsidies政府补贴turnover/ˈtɜrnˌoʊvər/n.营业额；成交额trade-in以旧换新

President Xi Jinping returned to Beijing on Wednesday after attending the second China-Central Asia Summit, which had outcomes that officials and experts said would give stronger momentum to China-Central Asia cooperation and help the Eurasian heartland become a vast oasis of peace, harmony and development in a turbulent world.In less than 48 hours in Astana, Kazakhstan, Xi attended more than 10 bilateral and multilateral events, during which he renewed traditional friendship, discussed ways of promoting cooperation, and drew the blueprint for development with the heads of state of the five Central Asian countries — Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.In the Astana Declaration of the second China-Central Asia Summit, leaders of the six countries pledged continuous efforts to strengthen friendly relations, deepen political mutual trust, and expand economic cooperation for the future of the region, as the world faces heightened turbulence and volatility."No matter how the international situation changes, China will remain unwavering in opening up to the outside world, and embrace higher-quality cooperation with Central Asian countries to deepen the integration of interests and achieve common development," Xi said on Tuesday when addressing the summit, the second of its kind. The first was held in China's northwestern city of Xi'an in 2023.The summit also announced the signing of 12 cooperation agreements regarding Belt and Road cooperation, facilitation of personnel exchanges, green minerals, trade, connectivity, industry and customs.Noting that countries now face the common task of ensuring sustainable progress amid growing global uncertainty, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said he believes that the China-Central Asia mechanism will become a model of innovative strategic partnership for shared prosperity, common security and inclusive development.Xi's trip to Kazakhstan marked his third consecutive visit to neighboring countries since China held the Central Conference on Work Related to Neighboring Countries in April.Speaking at a news briefing in Astana upon the conclusion of the tour on Tuesday night, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that a highlight of the trip was Xi's announcement that China and Central Asian countries have explored and formed the China-Central Asia Spirit, which features mutual respect, mutual trust, mutual benefit, mutual assistance and the pursuit of common modernization through high-quality development."China never seeks modernization in isolation but is committed to joint development and win-win cooperation with other countries. Through high-quality development and high-level opening-up, China aims to bring more development opportunities to countries worldwide, including those in Central Asia, and to work together with all nations to forge a broad path toward common modernization," Wang said.The signing of the treaty of permanent good-neighborliness and friendly cooperation was the most significant innovation of the summit, said Wang, as it "sets a new milestone in the history of relations among the six countries"."This will lay a solid foundation for the long-term and steady development of relations between China and Central Asian countries," Wang added.Sun Weidong, secretary-general of the Secretariat of the China-Central Asia Mechanism, told reporters after the summit that leaders of the six countries recognize the strategic significance of the region and the importance of further deepening multilateral cooperation based on the principles of equality, mutual respect and mutual benefit."In Astana, the heads of state comprehensively summarized the significant achievements of the China-Central Asia mechanism since the first summit and made a new top-level design for the development of China-Central Asia relations, pointing out the new direction for all-around cooperation between China and Central Asia," Sun said.Since the first summit in 2023, trade between China and Central Asian countries has surged 35 percent, reaching a historic high of nearly $100 billion last year.The joint declaration issued on Tuesday also outlines the six priority directions for China-Central Asia cooperation: unimpeded trade, industrial investment, connectivity, green minerals, agricultural modernization, and facilitation of personnel exchanges.The political will of the leaders of China and Central Asian countries to promote sustainable development and deepen the China-Central Asia cooperation mechanism plays a key role, said Sheradil Baktygulov, director of the Institute of World Policy of Kyrgyzstan.The leaders' participation in the summit reflects mutual respect and a shared commitment to deepening the China-Central Asia partnership, Baktygulov told Xinhua News Agency.It enables them to align on key issues, strengthen mutual trust, and forge a coordinated approach to regional security and development, he added.

If you are living abroad, don't be surprised if one day you see your neighbor ride past you on a convenient electric three-wheeler. Most likely, he or she purchased this quirky sanbengzi—as it is called in Chinaon an online platform. Thanks to cross-border e-commerce platforms, what was once a common sight in China's alleyways is now a hit on some foreign streets. Many overseas shoppers are now buying many things—be it Christmas presents or entire vehicles—from China.如果你生活在国外，有一天看到邻居骑着便捷的电动三轮车从你身边经过，千万不要感到惊讶。很可能，他或她就是在网上平台购买了这种奇特的“三蹦子”，在中国它被叫做“三蹦子”。得益于跨境电商平台，这种曾经常见于中国胡同里的交通工具，如今已风靡部分海外街头。从圣诞礼物到整车，许多海外消费者正越来越多地从中国采购商品。Many smart buyers abroad have already joined millions of buyers who are swarming Chinese online stores during this year's "618" online shopping carnival that culminates on June 18. What began as a domestic sales event has evolved into a global shopping phenomenon, kicking off in mid-May. This mid-year extravaganza showcases not only China's powerful e-commerce capabilities but also its evolving foreign trade model.今年的“618”购物狂欢节将于6月18日结束，许多精明的海外买家已经加入了涌入中国网店的数百万购物者的行列。这场始于国内的促销活动，如今已发展成为一场全球购物盛宴，并于5月中旬拉开帷幕。这场年中盛会不仅展示了中国强大的电商实力，也展现了其不断发展的外贸模式。Chinese e-commerce apps are now among the most downloaded and favored apps in many countries, while social media platforms there are flooded with viral posts flaunting must-buy lists. This year's "618" shopping festival could not have come at a more opportune moment. According to the General Administration of Customs, China's foreign trade has maintained steady growth despite a complex global environment. The first five months of 2025 saw foreign trade reach 17.94 trillion yuan ($2.49 trillion).如今，中国电商应用已成为许多国家下载量最高、最受欢迎的应用之一，社交媒体平台上也充斥着各种热门帖子，纷纷推荐必买清单。今年的“618”购物节恰逢其时。据海关总署统计，尽管全球环境复杂，但中国对外贸易仍保持稳定增长。2025年前五个月，中国对外贸易额达17.94万亿元人民币（约合2.49万亿美元）。The momentum reflects a deeper transition: from relying purely on volume and low-cost exports toward a more flexible, specialized and innovation-driven model. The"618" shopping festival perfectly illustrates this transformation. Beyond the steep discounts, cross-border platforms such as AliExpress, Temu and TikTok Shop are deploying AI-powered logistics, hyper-personalized marketing algorithms and seamless digital payment systems to connect Chinese manufacturers directly with overseas consumers. For example, Taobao extended its free shipping coverage to 12 countries and regions this year.这种势头反映出中国正在经历更深层次的转型：从单纯依赖数量和低成本出口，转向更加灵活、专业化和创新驱动的模式。“618”购物节完美地诠释了这种转型。除了大幅优惠，跨境平台如AliExpress、Temu和TikTok Shop正通过AI驱动的物流系统、个性化营销算法和无缝的数字支付系统，将中国制造商直接连接到全球消费者。例如，淘宝今年将其免邮服务扩展至12个国家和地区。The success of the"618" shopping festival is supported by a comprehensive ecosystem that includes upgraded manufacturing, green energy transitions, targeted policies for small and medium-sized enterprises, and expanded financial support for exporters.“618”购物节的成功得益于一个全面的生态系统，包括制造业升级、绿色能源转型、针对中小企业的定向政策以及扩大对出口商的金融支持。More importantly, the structure of exports is shifting toward higher-value-added products, as borne out by a notable increase in shipments of electric vehicles, lithium batteries and solar cells. These sectors align perfectly with China's dual-carbon goals and its ambitions to lead the global green transition. So while cheap T-shirts and home appliances are still selling, they now share container space with EV charging stations and photovoltaic modules.更重要的是，出口结构正在向高附加值产品转变，电动汽车、锂电池和太阳能电池的出货量显著增长就是明证。这些行业与中国的“双碳”目标及其引领全球绿色转型的雄心壮志完美契合。因此，虽然廉价的T恤和家用电器仍在销售，但它们现在与电动汽车充电站和光伏组件共享集装箱空间。Of course, challenges remain. Geopolitical tensions, rising trade protectionism and a sluggish global recovery all pose real risks. But Chinese factories and their foreign buyers are responding not with confrontation, but with adaptation. In previous years, May and June used to be the off season for the foreign trade industry. However, the recent 90-day tariff-reduction window between China and the United States has triggered a surge in procurement demand from US businesses, transforming the once off season into a booming overseas version of the "618" shopping festival.当然，挑战依然存在。地缘政治紧张局势、贸易保护主义抬头以及全球经济复苏乏力都构成了现实风险。但中国制造商和海外买家并未选择对抗，而是主动适应。往年，五六月曾是外贸行业的淡季。今年，中美之间短暂的90天关税减免窗口期引发了美国企业采购需求激增，将传统淡季“逆转”为海外版“618”的热销季。This year's "618" has therefore become a symbol of strategic transformation in foreign trade. It represents China's confidence in its economic fundamentals, the ingenuity of its entrepreneurs, and the agility of its supply chains. And if the carnival is anything to go by, the world is clicking back.今年的“618”也因此成为对外贸易战略转型的象征。它体现了中国对经济基本面的信心、企业家的创新精神以及供应链的灵活应变能力。而如果说这场狂欢有什么可借鉴之处，那就是世界正在复苏。resilience/rɪˈzɪliəns/n.韧性；适应力procurement/prəˈkjʊəmənt/n.采购ecosystem/ˈiːkəʊˌsɪstəm/n.生态系统，产业生态transformative/trænsˈfɔːmətɪv/adj.变革性的；有重大影响的

China and the five Central Asian countries signed a treaty of permanent good-neighborliness and friendly cooperation on Tuesday, enshrining the principle of everlasting friendship across generations in the legal form. President Xi Jinping signed the document with leaders of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, where they gathered for the second China-Central Asia Summit. Addressing the summit, Xi said that China-Central Asia cooperation is rooted in more than 2,000 years of friendly exchanges, cemented by solidarity and mutual trust, cultivated through more than three decades of diplomatic ties, and taken forward through openness and win-win cooperation of the new era. As the world has entered a new period of turbulence and transformation, Xi said a strong belief in fairness and justice and an unyielding commitment to mutual benefit and win-win cooperation are the only ways to maintain global peace and achieve common development. "There is no winner in tariff wars or trade wars. Unilateralism, protectionism and hegemonism will surely backfire while hurting others," he said."I always maintain that history should move forward, not backward; and the world should be united, not divided. Humanity must not regress to the law of the jungle. Instead, we should build a community with a shared future for mankind," he added. Xi emphasized that building on the collective efforts over the years, the nations have forged a China-Central Asia Spirit of "mutual respect, mutual trust, mutual benefit and mutual assistance for the joint pursuit of modernization through high-quality development". He called for carrying forward the China-Central Asia Spirit, enhancing cooperation with renewed vigor and more practical measures, promoting high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative, and forging ahead toward the goal of a community with a shared future for the region."China consistently takes Central Asia as a priority in its neighborhood diplomacy. With a firm belief in an amicable, secure and prosperous neighborhood as well as a strong dedication to amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness, China interacts with Central Asian countries on the basis of equality and sincerity," he said. Xi highlighted the need to optimize the China-Central Asia cooperation framework to make it more results-oriented, more efficient and more deeply integrated, with collaboration focused on smooth trade, industrial investment, connectivity, green minerals, agricultural modernization and personnel exchanges. In order to promote relevant cooperation, China will provide a grant of 1.5 billion yuan ($209 million) to Central Asian countries this year to be used in livelihood and development projects high on their agenda, he said, adding that China will also provide 3,000 training opportunities to Central Asian countries over the next two years. Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon, Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev attended the summit. They commended the China-Central Asia mechanism as an important platform for promoting dialogue and cooperation between the two sides and driving economic and social development in Central Asian countries. In a world full of uncertainties, the strategic significance of the China-Central Asia cooperation mechanism is becoming more prominent, as China's prosperity and strength are benefiting neighboring countries, they said. Noting that China is a strategic partner and a true friend that Central Asian countries can rely on permanently, the leaders said they look forward to close and all-around cooperation with China to make the China-Central Asia mechanism a model of regional cooperation. They pledged to closely coordinate and cooperate with China, firmly uphold the principles of free trade and the multilateral trading system, and jointly safeguard international fairness and justice.The leaders of China and Central Asian countries signed the Astana Declaration of the second China-Central Asia Summit. They also witnessed the launch of three cooperation centers on poverty reduction, education exchange and desertification prevention and control, as well as a cooperation platform on smooth trade under the China-Central Asia cooperation framework. It was decided at the summit that China will host the third China-Central Asia Summit in 2027.

US President Donald Trump will extend the deadline for ByteDance Ltd to divest TikTok's US operations for the third time, allowing the app to continue operating in the United States as negotiations continue, the White House said Tuesday.白宫周二表示，美国总统唐纳德·特朗普将第三次延长字节跳动有限公司剥离TikTok美国业务的期限，允许该应用在谈判继续进行的同时继续在美国运营。"As he has said many times, President Trump does not want TikTok to go dark," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement. "This extension will last 90 days, which the Administration will spend working to ensure this deal is closed so that the American people can continue to use TikTok with the assurance that their data is safe and secure."白宫新闻秘书卡罗琳·莱维特在一份声明中表示：“正如他多次表示的那样，特朗普总统不希望TikTok彻底停摆。此次延期将持续90天，政府将在此期间努力确保达成协议，使美国人民能够继续使用TikTok，并确保他们的数据安全无虞。”This marks the third extension since Trump took office in January. He initially signed an executive order delaying the TikTok ban by 75 days, saying it would permit his administration "an opportunity to determine the appropriate course of action with respect to TikTok." In April, he granted another 75-day extension to avoid disrupting the app's operations. The latest extension expires on June 19.这是特朗普自1月份就职以来第三次延期。他最初签署了一项行政命令，将TikTok禁令推迟75天，称这将使他的政府“有机会确定针对TikTok的适当行动方案”。今年4月，他又批准了一次75天的延期，以避免该应用的服务中断。最新一次延期将于6月19日到期。In his first term, Trump signed an executive order effectively seeking to ban the app in the United States unless ByteDance sold its US operations to an American company, but the order didn't go into effect amid legal challenges.在他的首个任期内，特朗普曾签署行政命令，试图禁止TikTok在美运营，除非字节跳动将其美国业务出售给一家美国公司。但由于法律挑战，该命令未能生效。In April 2024, then-President Joe Biden signed a law giving ByteDance 270 days to sell TikTok, citing national security concerns that critics called unfounded. Under the law, failure to comply would require app store operators like Apple and Google to remove TikTok from their platforms starting Jan 19, 2025.2024年4月，时任总统乔·拜登签署了一项法律，给予字节跳动270天的时间出售TikTok，理由是批评人士认为其出于国家安全方面的担忧，但这一担忧毫无根据。根据该法律，若不履行规定，苹果、谷歌等应用商店运营商将被要求自2025年1月19日起下架TikTok。The app went dark for hours and resumed its service on Jan 19, one day before Trump's inauguration for his second term.该应用程序一度停用数小时，并于1月19日（特朗普第二任期就职典礼的前一天）恢复服务。divest/daɪˈvest/v.剥离，出售inauguration/ɪˌnɔːɡjʊˈreɪʃən/n.就职典礼；正式开始executive order行政命令national security国家安全

The Louvre, the world's most-visited museum and a global symbol of art, beauty and endurance, has withstood war, terror and pandemic — but on Monday, it was brought to a halt by its own striking staff, who say the institution is crumbling under the weight of mass tourism.Thousands of stranded and confused visitors, tickets in hand, were corralled into unmoving lines by I.M. Pei's glass pyramid."It's the Mona Lisa moan out here," said Kevin Ward, 62, from Milwaukee, the United States. "Thousands of people waiting, no communication, no explanation. I guess even she needs a day off."The Louvre has become a symbol of tourism pushed to its limits. As hot spots from Venice to the Acropolis race to curb crowds, the world's most iconic museum, visited by millions, is hitting a breaking point of its own.Just a day earlier, coordinated anti-tourism protests swept across southern Europe. Thousands rallied in Mallorca, Venice, Lisbon and beyond, denouncing an economic model they say displaces locals and erodes city life.The Louvre's spontaneous strike erupted during a routine internal meeting, as gallery attendants, ticket agents and security personnel refused to take up their posts in protest over unmanageable crowds, chronic understaffing and what one union called "untenable" working conditions.It's rare for the Louvre to close its doors. It has happened during war, during the pandemic, and in a handful of strikes. But seldom has it happened so suddenly, without warning, and in full view of the crowds.What's more, the disruption comes just months after President Emmanuel Macron unveiled a sweeping decade-long plan to rescue the Louvre from precisely the problems now boiling over — water leaks, dangerous temperature swings, outdated infrastructure, and foot traffic far beyond what the museum can handle.But for workers on the ground, that promised future feels distant."We can't wait six years for help," said Sarah Sefian, a front-of-house gallery attendant and visitor services agent. "Our teams are under pressure now. It's not just about the art — it's about the people protecting it."At the center of it all is the Mona Lisa — a 16th-century portrait that draws modern-day crowds more akin to a celebrity meet-and-greet than an art experience.Roughly 20,000 people a day squeeze into the Salle des Etats, the museum's largest room, just to snap a selfie with Leonardo da Vinci's enigmatic woman behind protective glass. The scene is often noisy, jostling, and so dense that many barely glance at the masterpieces flanking her — works by Titian and Veronese that go largely ignored.Macron's renovation blueprint, dubbed the "Louvre New Renaissance", promises a remedy. The Mona Lisa will finally get her own dedicated room, accessible through a timed-entry ticket. A new entrance near the Seine River is also planned by 2031 to relieve pressure from the overwhelmed pyramid hub.But Louvre workers said the 700 million to 800 million euros ($730 million to $834 million) renovation plan masks a deeper crisis. While Macron is investing in new entrances and exhibition space, the Louvre's annual operating subsidies from the French state have shrunk by more than 20 percent over the past decade — even as visitor numbers soared.The Louvre welcomed 8.7 million visitors last year — more than double what its infrastructure was designed to accommodate. Even with a daily cap of 30,000, staff say the experience has become a daily test of endurance, with too few rest areas, limited bathrooms, and summer heat magnified by the pyramid's greenhouse effect.

President Xi Jinping called on China and Kazakhstan on Monday to guide their bilateral ties with high-level strategic mutual trust, saying that the two countries should serve as strong support for each other amid challenges and provide beneficial assistance to each other's development and revitalization.Xi made the remarks during a meeting with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan.The Chinese president arrived in Astana earlier on Monday to attend the second China-Central Asia Summit. He was welcomed by Tokayev and other senior officials at the airport. Kazakh teenagers and children, holding the national flags of China and Kazakhstan, warmly welcomed Xi on his arrival.Xi told Tokayev that China always views and develops its relationship with Kazakhstan from a strategic and long-term perspective."I'm willing to work together with you to steadfastly consolidate the friendship between the two countries and contribute more to regional and world peace and development with stability and positive energy of China-Kazakhstan relations," he said.Xi said efforts should be made for China and Kazakhstan to upgrade bilateral cooperation through high-quality Belt and Road cooperation.He called on the two sides to consolidate cooperation in traditional areas including trade, investment and energy, advance the construction of cross-border railway projects and the upgrading of port infrastructure, expand cooperation in high-tech fields, and promote green and sustainable development.Xi said that China and Kazakhstan should continue to support each other on issues involving core interests and major concerns, and promote the synergy of their development strategies.He called on both countries to expand law enforcement and defense exchanges, and jointly combat terrorism, separatism and extremism.The two sides should strengthen the foundation of China-Kazakhstan friendship through diverse people-to-people exchanges, and make the China tourism year in Kazakhstan a success, he said, urging efforts to encourage more exchanges among youth, media, think tanks and local regions.Amid a complex and turbulent international situation, Xi called on the two countries to firmly uphold the international system with the United Nations at its core and the international order based on international law, and to practice true multilateralism and safeguard the common interests of developing countries.As the rotating chair of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, China will work with all member countries and take the opportunity of this year's SCO summit in Tianjin to make the SCO more substantive and stronger, thus showcasing new developments, breakthroughs and dynamics, Xi said.Tokayev said that China is Kazakhstan's friendly neighbor, close friend and trustworthy partner.Kazakhstan and China have a strong political will to enhance cooperation and consistently support each other on issues related to sovereignty, security and other core interests, unaffected by changes in the international situation, he said.After their talks, the two presidents jointly witnessed the exchange of more than 10 cooperation documents, covering areas such as trade, investment, science and technology, customs, tourism and media.Kazakhstan is the largest country in Central Asia and shares a 1,700-plus-kilometer border with China. In 2022, the two countries agreed on the vision of building a China-Kazakhstan community with a shared future defined by lasting friendship, a high degree of mutual trust and sharing of weal and woe.Observers said that the two heads of state have provided significant strategic guidance for the sustainable development of bilateral ties. Xiao Bin, a researcher of Central Asian studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said that cooperation between China and Kazakhstan in recent years has been accelerating and expanding across multiple fields, laying a solid foundation for the new "golden 30 years". "China's trade and economic cooperation with Kazakhstan has not only provided the Kazakh people with a genuine sense of benefit, but has also contributed to the diversification of Kazakhstan's economy and the stability of its society," Xiao said.In addition to enhancing and improving traditional areas of cooperation, China and Kazakhstan are also exploring emerging areas of collaboration, including green development, by launching a hydrogen energy innovation cooperation center, he added.

Iran's state broadcaster IRIB said one of its buildings was hit on Monday in a "brutal aggression" by Israel, but added that live broadcasts continued without major disruption.伊朗国家广播公司（IRIB）称，其一栋建筑周一遭到以色列“野蛮袭击”，但直播仍在继续，没有受到严重干扰。IRIB said the strike targeted its news network in an apparent effort "to silence the voice of the Iranian nation and the voice of truth". It said staff continued to provide coverage "at full capacity".IRIB表示，此次袭击针对其新闻网络，显然是为了“压制伊朗民族的声音和真相的声音”。该公司表示，工作人员仍在“全力以赴”地进行报道。Video footage aired by the network showed the moment the attack occurred during a live broadcast. An anchor was seen delivering the news when an explosion was heard. She reported the blast and condemned the strike, but a second explosion and resulting smoke forced her to halt the broadcast.该电视台播出的视频片段显示了袭击发生时的直播场景。一名主播正在播报新闻时听到了爆炸声。她报道了爆炸并谴责了袭击，但第二次爆炸及随之而来的烟雾迫使她中断播报。The anchor later reappeared on camera, uninjured, according to IRIB's live report.据IRIB的现场报道，这名主播后来再次出现在镜头中，没有受伤。In a major escalation of regional tensions, Israel launched large-scale airstrikes early Friday, killing several military commanders, scientists, and dozens of civilians. Iran responded with retaliatory strikes later that day, and the exchange of fire continued into Monday.在地区紧张局势大幅升级之际，以色列周五凌晨发动了大规模空袭，造成数名军事指挥官、科学家和数十名平民死亡。伊朗当天晚些时候进行了报复性打击，交火持续到周一。aggression/əˈɡreʃn/n.侵略，攻击行为escalation/ˌeskəˈleɪʃn/n.升级retaliatory/rɪˈtæliətɔːri/adj.报复性的disruption/dɪsˈrʌpʃn/n.中断，扰乱

While the volume of goods and number of trains crossing back and forth over the China-Kazakhstan border in Horgos, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, continue to break records, passenger crossings are also on the increase, border officials said.据边境官员称，在新疆维吾尔自治区霍尔果斯市，中哈边境的货物运输量和列车数量不断创下新高的同时，过境旅客人数也在不断增加。According to the Xinjiang Exit-Entry Border Inspection Station in Horgos, a record high of some 280,000 crossings have been made at the border during the first quarter of this year, a 30 percent year-on-year increase.据新疆霍尔果斯出入境边防检查站统计，今年第一季度，该边境口岸过境旅客约28万人次，同比增长30%，创历史新高。The number of people crossing the border has significantly increased after the agreement on mutual visa exemption between China and Kazakhstan went into force on Nov 10, 2023, said Fu Ruichao, a border inspection officer.边防检查站官员符睿超表示，自2023年11月10日中哈互免签证协定生效以来，过境旅客人数大幅增加。"Before the agreement took effect, we would normally see 20 buses taking passengers to the Chinese border every day. Now, the number is between 50 and 60, which means the number of passengers has also surged," Fu said.“协定生效前，我们每天通常能看到20辆大巴将旅客送往中国边境。现在，每天有50到60辆，这意味着旅客数量也大幅增加。”符睿超说。Chinese and Kazakh citizens have been granted visa-free access to each other's country for no more than 30 days for a single crossing, and are allowed to stay in the other country for a cumulative total of 90 days within 180 days.中国和哈萨克斯坦公民已享受互免签证待遇，单次入境停留不超过30天，180天内在对方国家累计停留不超过90天。"We've seen an obvious increase in the number of Chinese tourists making trips to Central Asian countries, foreign traders, people who seek advanced medical treatments in China and foreign students," Fu said.符睿超表示：“我们发现前往中亚国家的中国游客、外国贸易商、来华就医的人员以及留学生数量明显增加。”Another visa-free agreement between China and Uzbekistan came into effect on June 1, Fu said, adding that he expects to see more Chinese tourists explore the Silk Road by visiting Kazakhstan via Horgos and then Uzbekistan.符睿超还指出，自6月1日起，中国与乌兹别克斯坦的互免签证协议也已正式生效。他预计，未来会有更多中国游客通过霍尔果斯口岸前往哈萨克斯坦，再延伸至乌兹别克斯坦，开启丝绸之路之旅。"Such agreements have further improved personnel and trade exchanges between China and Central Asian countries," he said. "It also means that we must be prepared for the travel rush in advance. While improving the efficiency of inspection and further facilitating opening-up, we will always prioritize border security, which is key to national security."他表示：“此类协议进一步促进了中国与中亚国家之间的人文和经贸交流。”他补充说，“这也意味着我们必须提前做好迎接客流高峰的准备。在提升通关效率、深化对外开放的同时，始终要把边境安全放在首位，因为它关乎国家安全。”At the China-Kazakhstan Horgos International Border Cooperation Center, Zhang Liangbo, another border inspection officer, has also had to cope with a large influx of people entering the center for business and tourism.在中哈霍尔果斯国际边境合作中心，边检官员张良波也正在应对持续增长的商务与旅游入境人流。The center allows business people from both countries to showcase their products, discuss cooperation and sign deals all under one roof.该中心为两国商界人士提供了展示产品、洽谈合作、签署协议的平台。In 2012, there were some 270,000 visits to the center. The number surpassed 6 million in 2019. In the first four months of this year, over 3 million visits have been made to the center, a year-on-year increase of 104 percent, according to official figures.2012年，该中心接待了约27万人次。2019年，这一数字超过了600万人次。官方数据显示，今年前四个月，该中心接待了超过300万人次，同比增长104%。"As the Belt and Road Initiative and Horgos itself become more influential, more and more people from other parts of China will visit the center so they don't miss out on the business opportunities," Zhang said.“随着‘一带一路’和霍尔果斯本身影响力的不断扩大，越来越多来自中国其他地区的人来到这里，希望抓住商机。”张良波说。Fu said although the border inspection officers in Horgos are busier than ever, they are glad to witness the BRI bearing fruit. "It shows that China has more partners and friends so it's all worth it," he said.符睿超表示，尽管霍尔果斯的边检官员比以往任何时候都更加忙碌，但他们很高兴看到“一带一路”取得丰硕成果。他说：“这表明中国拥有了更多的合作伙伴和朋友，所以这一切都是值得的。”exemption/ɪɡˈzempʃn/n.免除，豁免influx/ˈɪnflʌks/n.大量涌入facilitate/fəˈsɪlɪteɪt/v.促进，使便利inspection/ɪnˈspekʃn/n.检查，审查