Yiwu's Factory flaw “sad horse" toys go viral on Chinese Internet

From production flaw to cultural icon, this accidental "sad horse" resonates with young professionals as a symbol of resilience in the face of exhaustion and high pressure.

A plush toy horse designed as a cheerful Chinese New Year mascot has galloped into unexpected popularity — with an ironic twist.

Created for the upcoming Year of the Horse in the Chinese zodiac, it was originally meant to wear an upturned smile. Instead, due to a production error at a factory in Yiwu, Zhejiang province — widely known as the world's capital of small commodities — the toy left the assembly line with its mouth stitched into a distinct, down-turned pout.

"It was simply a worker's mistake — the mouth was sewn upside down," factory owner Zhang Huoqing said in an interview on Friday.

Read more: Yiwu's Factory flaw “sad horse" toys go viral on Chinese Internet

Hainan FTP: Island-wide customs reform to boost China-ASEAN economic cooperation

The rollout of island-wide special customs operations at Hainan Free Trade Port will unlock new opportunities for deepening economic cooperation between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, said Pov Somnang, special assistant to the secretary-general of ASEAN.

His comments came after China launched island-wide special customs operations at Hainan FTP in mid-December — the world's largest free trade port by area — allowing freer entry of overseas goods, expanding zero-tariff coverage and introducing more business-friendly measures.

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China's first license plate for L3 autonomous driving was granted to China Changan Auto Group

China's first license plate for Level-3 autonomous driving was granted recently to China Changan Auto Group, a car manufacturer based in Southwest China's Chongqing, marking a landmark development for the country's automotive sector.

The license plate, Yu AD0001Z, was issued by the Chongqing Municipal Public Security Bureau's traffic management department on Saturday. It will be used on Changan's Deepal model.

Read more: China's first license plate for L3 autonomous driving was granted to China Changan Auto Group

World's first methanol dual-fuel VLCC "Kaituo" delivered in Dalian

C909 has paved the way for China’s large passenger jet

The Chinese-developed regional jetliner, the C909, has so far safely transported more than 30 million passengers, marking a major milestone for the country's civil aircraft industry. In aviation history, there is an unwritten benchmark: Only after delivering 100 aircraft and transporting 10 million passengers can a plane be said to have completed the transformation from an "industrial product" into a true commodity. To date, 175 C909 aircraft have been delivered, accounting for more than 60 percent of China's domestic regional aviation market, with operations extending to 12 countries. As a trailblazer in China's commercial aircraft sector, the C909 not only achieved the breakthrough of moving domestic passenger aircraft commercial operations from "0 to 1," but also paved the way for the development of larger homegrown aircraft such as the C919.

A good aircraft is not only built on the production line but also proven in the skies. Over nine years of commercial operation, the C909 has undergone comprehensive market testing. In China, the C909 serves nationwide trunk-to-regional route networks and has become a mainstay on frontier and remote routes. Overseas, the aircraft has been delivered to Indonesia, Laos and Vietnam, and has obtained airworthiness certification from the Brunei civil aviation authority. In civil aviation, where safety is regarded as a lifeline, "safely transporting 30 million passengers" is by no means a superficial marketing slogan, but a hard-earned answer that China's civil aircraft industry has delivered to the market.

Read more: C909 has paved the way for China’s large passenger jet

2025 China's Chongqing launches fixed-schedule freight train service to Budapest

A China-Europe freight train bound for Budapest, Hungary waits for departure at Tuanjiecun Station in Chongqing, Southwest China, Nov 30, 2025.

A freight train bound for Budapest, Hungary, departed from Southwest China's Chongqing municipality on Sunday, marking the launch of a new fixed-schedule China-Europe freight train service, also known as China Railway Express.

The train, carrying automotive and motorcycle parts, electronic products and other consumer goods, is expected to take about 11 days to reach Budapest -- a major transport hub serving Central and Eastern Europe. The train will exit China via the Alataw Pass in its northwestern Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region and travel through countries including Kazakhstan, Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, before arriving in Hungary.

Read more: 2025 China's Chongqing launches fixed-schedule freight train service to Budapest

China uncrewed Shenzhou-22 spacecraft was launched for emergency

The uncrewed Shenzhou-22 spacecraft, China's first emergency launch in the history of its manned space program, docked with China's Tiangong space station on Tuesday, some three hours and 40 minutes after liftoff, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA). The mission came after an unexpected incident occurred to Shenzhou-20 spacecraft, which was struck by space debris, disrupting its planned return.

China immediately activated emergency plans after the incident. Within 20 days, a series of maneuvers were accomplished including the launch of the Shenzhou-22 backup vehicle, presenting a "textbook model" for the international space community in effectively responding to unexpected emergencies.

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China’s manned AS700 airship helps advance low-altitude economy

China's homegrown AS700 passenger airship "Xiangyun" has secured an 18-unit purchase contract from Zhejiang Airspace Integration Low-altitude Industry Development Co, the airship's developer told the Global Times on Tuesday, a milestone in the commercialization of China's manned airships and the development of the low-altitude economy.

The deal is the first major order following the announcement by the airship's developer - the Aviation Industry Corp of China (AVIC) on November 9 that the first AS700 in East China had been delivered.

Read more: China’s manned AS700 airship helps advance low-altitude economy

The Safest Cars On Sale In Europe Now Are Chinese EVs

The Tesla Model 3 keeps its position as Europe’s safest car, but it too is made in China, and is followed by mostly Chinese cars.

Chinese cars were once notorious for their terrible safety ratings. But things have changed.

Taking a quick glance over the Euro NCAP rankings will bring you to a potentially startling conclusion: most of the safest cars available today in Europe come from Chinese manufacturers. The organization recently posted the results from a fresh batch of testing, which included 23 new cars, and the safest was a compact electric hatchback from China.

Read more: The Safest Cars On Sale In Europe Now Are Chinese EVs

Hangzhou offers free entry to Tourist Spots

One of the must-see tourism spots in Hangzhou in Zhejiang province — the Lingyin Feilaifeng Scenic Area — announced it would offer free admission to all visitors starting Dec 1, a move officials say demonstrates the city's historical vision and cultural confidence that the best scenery should be accessible to all.

The site is home to Lingyin Temple, one of China's 10 most renowned ancient temples. First built in the Eastern Jin Dynasty (317-420), the temple has a history of more than 1,700 years and is an important Buddhist cultural site known for its flourishing incense traditions.

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Heritage tourism unlocks new possibilities in China

The China Tourism Association (CTA) recently released 20 innovative cases highlighting the integration of intangible cultural heritage and tourism, underscoring the vitality of heritage tourism.

Xuan paper, a type of handmade paper commonly used for calligraphy and painting, serves as a key carrier of Chinese culture, and the Xuan paper-making technique is recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage. Jingxian county in east China's Anhui Province is known as the birthplace of Xuan paper.

Read more: Heritage tourism unlocks new possibilities in China

China's display industry rises on global stage

Recent data from the China Center for Information Industry Development show that China now accounts for 55 percent of the global market for display panels and 43 percent for display materials, ranking first worldwide in both categories. The total output of China's display industry represents nearly half of the global market.

As a key pillar of advanced manufacturing, China's display industry began to take shape in the late 20th century. Just over a decade ago, however, the country remained heavily reliant on imports of advanced chips and high-end display panels -- the latter ranking as China's fourth-largest import category at the time. Chinese domestic manufacturers faced significant challenges, lacking bargaining power in a sector dominated by a few multinational firms. High costs and supply constraints were common, with local companies often forced to queue for access to critical components.

Read more: China's display industry rises on global stage