On Wednesday, April 15, China stated it has taken note of a relevant declaration by the British government and firmly opposes it. A spokesperson for China's Ministry of Commerce responded to a media inquiry regarding the UK government's refusal to support the use of wind turbines produced by Ming Yang Smart Energy in its offshore wind projects.
When asked for comment on the recent statement published by the UK Energy Minister on the parliamentary website, which indicated the British government does not support the use of Ming Yang's turbines in UK offshore wind projects, the spokesperson replied that China has noted the UK's statement. The spokesperson stated that the UK's exclusion of Chinese products from its wind power projects on grounds of "national security" contradicts the market principles of "openness and freedom" long upheld by the UK. This move is detrimental to the economic development of local regions in the UK and the well-being of its people, and will negatively impact practical bilateral economic and trade cooperation. China firmly opposes this action.
The spokesperson recalled that during Prime Minister Keir Starmer's visit to China this past January, he explicitly expressed the UK's willingness to strengthen cooperation with China in various fields including trade, investment, finance, and environmental protection, to foster mutual economic growth and benefit the people of both nations. China hopes the UK government will provide a fair, just, and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese companies, effectively advance practical Sino-UK economic and trade cooperation, and promote the healthy development of bilateral relations.
In domestic news, the General Office of the State Council issued several opinions on improving the drug pricing formation mechanism. The Ministry of Public Security launched a themed publicity campaign focusing on enhancing governance, protecting people's safety, and promoting development. The Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of Natural Resources jointly publicized four typical criminal cases involving illegal occupation of farmland. Railway police are strictly investigating unauthorized drone flights and kite intrusions into railway safety zones. China successfully launched satellites including the Jixing Gaofen 07A02. The National Healthcare Security Administration continues to carry out self-inspection and self-correction efforts regarding the illegal use of healthcare funds by designated medical institutions. Six departments, including the Ministry of Veterans Affairs and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, have made arrangements for veteran employment services in 2026. The Supreme People's Court reported that courts across China accepted 10.6079 million various cases in the first quarter. The China Development Bank disbursed over 150 billion yuan in green loans during the same period. China's import and export growth rate in the first quarter reached its highest level in nearly five years. The secondary housing market in first-tier cities showed signs of warming up, displaying a "small sunny spring" trend.
Internationally, China and New Zealand held their fourth round of consular consultations. The Iranian government stated that US and Israeli military actions have caused $270 billion in losses to Iran. An Iranian diplomatic official mentioned that the next round of US-Iran negotiations might take place this week or early next week. US media reported that the USS George H.W. Bush is detouring around Africa to the Middle East to participate in potential conflict with Iran. Japan's Takaichi Sanae reiterated her push for constitutional revision, sparking widespread public opposition. International Maritime Organization Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez stated on the 13th that no country has the right to block international straits. To counter rising energy prices, Germany plans to reduce energy taxes by 1.6 billion euros. Hundreds of people in Russia's Vladimir Oblast have been affected by acute intestinal infections.
From an overseas perspective on China, the global trend "Becoming Chinese" was popularized by her! Last December, American-Chinese girl Zhu Xirui posted a series of short videos titled "Becoming Chinese" on TikTok, sharing details of daily Chinese life and wellness practices. Within a few months, her followers surged by 740,000, with countless foreign netizens visiting her page to learn about the Chinese lifestyle: drinking warm water, wearing slippers, and brewing apple water. Now, the phrase "Becoming Chinese" has become a popular opening line on TikTok, and a trend of imitating Chinese lifestyles is sweeping the globe. Initially, Zhu Xirui thought the interest in her Chinese wellness habits was just a passing fad, but more people have since reported to her that drinking warm water feels comfortable, as does soaking their feet before bed. Not only have people started cooking congee for breakfast, drinking honey lemon water, and eating Chinese vegetables, but some have commented, "As a new 'Chinese,' I now own three pairs of indoor slippers, haven't touched cold drinks for weeks, and am taking this new lifestyle very seriously." From these changes, Zhu Xirui deduced a simple truth: when a habit feels comfortable, people are willing to continue it. The transmission of culture is embedded in these everyday experiences.
Iran sent a significant signal. Iran's Acting Defense Minister Ibn Reza stated on the 13th that Iran's armed forces are currently at their highest level of readiness and are fully prepared for various possibilities. He emphasized that any hostile action would be met with a "strong and decisive response," making the aggressor pay the price and regret their actions. The Public Relations Department of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps issued a statement on the same day, stating that Iran has not yet demonstrated its full combat capability. The declaration said that if the war continues, Iran will "display combat capabilities unseen by the enemy and employ combat methods difficult for the enemy to counter."
Regarding EVERGRANDE Group, a first-instance trial for the cases involving Evergrande Real Estate Group and Hui Ka Yan opened. From April 13 to 14, 2026, the Shenzhen Intermediate People's Court in Guangdong Province publicly heard the case. The Shenzhen People's Procuratorate prosecuted the defendant unit, Evergrande Group Co., Ltd., for crimes including illegal absorption of public deposits, fundraising fraud, illegal loan issuance, fraudulent securities issuance, illegal disclosure of important information, and unit bribery. The defendant unit, Evergrande Real Estate Group Co., Ltd., was prosecuted for fraudulent securities issuance. The defendant, Hui Ka Yan, was prosecuted for illegal absorption of public deposits, fundraising fraud, illegal loan issuance, illegal use of funds, fraudulent securities issuance, illegal disclosure of important information, misappropriation of duties, and unit bribery. During the trial, the court presided over court investigations and debates where the prosecution and defense addressed the alleged facts. The defendant units and Hui Ka Yan made final statements. Hui Ka Yan expressed remorse and pleaded guilty in court. The court will announce the verdict at a later date. Some NPC deputies, CPPCC members, relatives of the defendants, and representatives of fund participants attended the hearing.
In other news, an Indian boy bitten by a snake was partially immersed in the Ganges River by his parents. On April 9, in Amroha district, Uttar Pradesh, a 14-year-old boy was bitten by a venomous snake. Instead of seeking medical help, the family, following the advice of a "sorcerer," secured the boy with ropes and a bamboo frame and partially submerged him in the Ganges River, believing it would "draw out" the venom. The boy was kept in the river water for up to 12 hours, during which the family prayed on the bank while a large crowd watched. Seeing no improvement, the family retrieved the boy and took him to another "sorcerer." The boy ultimately died due to toxin spread and drowning.
Regarding dental hygiene, it is advised not to rinse immediately after brushing. It is recommended to spit out the toothpaste foam after brushing and allow the fluoride to remain on the teeth for a few minutes before rinsing. Some residual foam might remain in the mouth; even if a small amount is occasionally swallowed, it is safe, and the benefits far outweigh the risks. This time can be used for other activities, such as washing one's face or combing hair. After these few minutes, a small mouthful of water can be used to rinse gently. By then, the primary protective effect is achieved, and a light rinse addresses the residual feeling without compromising the anti-cavity effect.
Weather forecasts indicate light to moderate snow or sleet in parts of southern high-altitude areas of the southern Xinjiang Basin, southern Tibet, northern and southern Qinghai, the Hexi region of Gansu, northeastern Inner Mongolia, northwestern and southeastern Heilongjiang, and northeastern Jilin. Moderate to heavy rain is expected in parts of southeastern Guizhou, central Chongqing, central-eastern and southern regions south of the Yangtze River, northern South China, southern Ningxia, and southeastern Tibet. Some areas in southern and western Hunan, central Jiangxi, northeastern Guangxi, and northwestern Guangdong may experience heavy rain or torrential rain (100-110 mm). Winds of force 4-6 are forecast for parts of central and northwestern Inner Mongolia, eastern Xinjiang, northern Tibet, and western Qinghai. The Beibu Gulf will experience force 5-6 winds, with gusts up to force 7.
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