High-level talks between China and Iran began in Beijing, focusing on two key issues: maintaining a ceasefire and reopening the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. China has long voiced concern over these matters, criticizing the U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports as dangerous while also expressing growing dissatisfaction with Iran for keeping the waterway closed.

During the meeting, Beijing is expected to deliver a clear message to Tehran that continued closure of the strait could affect future Chinese support. This discussion is particularly significant as Iran faces potential new sanctions, where Chinese backing at the United Nations would be crucial. Meanwhile, Iran’s foreign minister seeks clarity on whether China might make concessions to Washington during an upcoming meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump.

China has also asked Iran to refrain from any retaliatory or sudden actions before the talks. Observers view the Beijing meeting as critical not only for bilateral relations but also for Middle Eastern stability and global energy security.

China has declared the ongoing war by the United States and Israel against Iran as illegal. The statement came from Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi during a meeting in Beijing with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Wang said China is ready to continue efforts to de-escalate tensions and emphasized that a comprehensive ceasefire is essential. He noted that the region is at a critical juncture and that direct talks between the parties are necessary.

Araghchi thanked China for its firm stance and for condemning the actions of the United States and Israel. He described the war against Iran as a shameless act of aggression and a grave violation of international law. The Iranian minister added that Tehran would make every effort to protect its legitimate rights and interests in negotiations and would only accept a fair agreement.

The meeting underscored Beijing’s continued alignment with Tehran amid heightened regional tensions and calls for diplomatic resolution.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has described the United States and Israel’s military actions against Iran as “illegal.” He made the remarks during a meeting in Beijing with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, according to Tasnim News Agency. Wang stated that the Middle East is at a “decisive turning point” and emphasized that a comprehensive ceasefire is “essential” for regional stability. He reaffirmed China’s commitment to easing tensions and urged direct dialogue between the parties involved.

During the meeting, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi praised China’s “firm stance,” particularly its condemnation of the US-Israel attacks. He said that cooperation between Tehran and Beijing would strengthen further in the future.

Analysts cited in the report noted that the meeting signals China’s continued diplomatic engagement with Iran amid regional tensions and its ongoing efforts to mediate and promote calm in the Middle East.

At least 21 people were killed and 61 injured in a massive explosion at a fireworks manufacturing plant in central China’s Hunan province. The blast occurred at 4:43 p.m. on Monday at the Liuyang Huasheng Fireworks Manufacturing and Display Company in Liuyang city, according to state broadcaster CCTV. Videos shared on social media showed multiple explosions and thick plumes of smoke rising from the mountainous rural area.

CCTV’s drone footage the following day revealed widespread devastation, with collapsed buildings and smoke still visible as over 480 rescuers worked to clear debris. Authorities established a three-kilometer security perimeter and evacuated nearby residents. The factory’s owners and management have been detained while investigators examine the cause of the explosion. President Xi Jinping ordered swift medical treatment for the injured, rescue efforts for the missing, and strict action against those responsible.

Liuyang is one of China’s main fireworks production hubs, accounting for about 60 percent of national output and 70 percent of exports. Industrial accidents remain frequent in China due to weak safety enforcement, with several similar explosions reported in recent years.

Diplomatic and government sources say former U.S. President Donald Trump faces mounting pressure before his upcoming meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, as the prolonged Iran crisis has weakened Washington’s bargaining position. The summit is scheduled for May 14–15 in Beijing, seen by China as a key opportunity to stabilize long-term relations between the two powers.

Chinese officials reportedly believe the Trump administration initially sought a swift victory in Iran to strengthen leverage over Beijing, but the conflict’s drawn-out and unpopular nature has shifted momentum in China’s favor. Wu Xinbo, a member of China’s Foreign Ministry advisory council, said the U.S. inability to control Iran has left Trump in a weaker position for talks. Analysts add that with U.S. midterm elections approaching, Trump is eager to show success to voters, while Beijing aims to extract concessions on Taiwan, technology exports, and sanctions relief.

Experts note that despite energy supply concerns through the Strait of Hormuz, China’s global standing has improved due to its calls for peace. The upcoming summit will test whether the two nations can ease tensions that have persisted since Trump’s 2017 Beijing visit.

Beijing has refused to comply with U.S. sanctions imposed on five Chinese refineries accused of purchasing Iranian oil. The Chinese government described its stance as defensive and justified, according to the state-run English-language outlet China Daily. The report said that China issued an injunction to block Washington’s sanctions, which include measures against Hengli Petrochemical Refinery and four other facilities.

Beijing argued that the U.S. action violates international law, as it lacks authorization from the United Nations. In an article, China Daily writer Li Yang stated that Washington’s sanctions attempt to extend U.S. jurisdiction over bilateral trade between two sovereign nations. He further noted that the United States has long used the dominance of the dollar to expand the reach of its sanctions through so-called secondary sanctions that penalize entities dealing with blacklisted parties.

Li emphasized that China has drawn a clear line, declaring that Chinese companies will not comply with what it considers illegal U.S. restrictions.

China has announced counter-sanctions in response to US measures imposed on five Chinese companies accused of involvement in Iran’s oil trade. Beijing formally issued an injunction to block the US sanctions, which Washington said were aimed at firms violating its Iran-related restrictions. The Chinese Ministry of Commerce denounced the US move as an example of “long-arm jurisdiction.”

According to China’s state news agency Xinhua, the sanctioned companies include Hengli Petrochemical (Dalian) Refinery, Shandong Jincheng Petrochemical Group, Hebei Xinhai Chemical Group, Shouguang Luqing Petrochemical, and Shandong Shengxing Chemical. The details of how Beijing’s injunction will be implemented have not yet been clarified.

Analysts cited in the report noted that this latest dispute over Iran could further complicate the already tense trade and diplomatic relations between Washington and Beijing.

The US State Department announced sanctions on several entities, one individual, and a vessel linked to Iran’s petroleum and petrochemical trade. Among those targeted is China’s Qingdao Haiye Oil Terminal Co. Ltd., which US officials allege imported millions of barrels of sanctioned Iranian crude oil, enabling Tehran to earn billions of dollars.

China strongly criticized the move. Liu Pengyu, spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington, said Beijing opposes unilateral sanctions that disregard international law. He emphasized that normal economic and trade cooperation between Chinese companies and other countries should not be interfered with or obstructed.

Liu urged the United States to stop abusing sanctions and asserted that China would firmly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of its companies.

China has announced the discovery of two new minerals from lunar samples collected by its Chang’e-5 mission. The country’s state media reported the finding on Friday, citing the China National Space Administration (CNSA). The minerals, named Magnesiochangesite-(Y) and Changesite-(Ce), were identified from samples brought back to Earth in December 2020. The Chang’e-5 mission returned with about 1,731 grams of lunar soil, marking China’s first collected lunar sample and the first brought to Earth in 44 years.

According to CNSA, the announcement was made at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Space Day of China in Chengdu, Sichuan Province. The International Mineralogical Association’s Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification has officially approved the two new minerals. With this discovery, the total number of known lunar minerals worldwide has increased to eight.

China previously discovered a lunar mineral named Changesite-(Y) in 2022, and its continued lunar exploration follows earlier milestones such as the Chang’e-4 probe’s historic landing on the moon’s far side in 2019.

The United States has imposed sanctions on China's Hengli Petrochemical refinery for purchasing crude oil from Iran. The U.S. Department of the Treasury announced the decision on Friday, stating that the refinery, located near Dalian in northeastern China, is one of the largest buyers of Iranian crude and petroleum products. The Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control also sanctioned about 40 shipping companies and vessels linked to Iran’s so-called shadow fleet.

China has criticized the sanctions as illegal. The Chinese Embassy in Washington said normal trade should not be harmed and urged the U.S. to stop what it called the misuse of sanctions targeting Chinese companies. The move follows earlier U.S. actions last year against several other Chinese chemical and petrochemical firms, including Hebei Xinhai Chemical Group, Shandong Shouguang Luqing Petrochemical, and Shandong Shengjing Chemical.

The sanctions reflect continued U.S. efforts to restrict Iran’s oil trade and pressure entities that facilitate its exports, while drawing renewed diplomatic friction between Washington and Beijing.

China has denied claims that a ship seized by US forces in the Gulf of Oman was carrying a 'gift' from Beijing to Iran. The denial came after US President Trump made an allegation earlier in the week. Former US ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley had also written on social media that the vessel was traveling from China to Iran and was linked to a shipment of chemicals used in missile production.

Responding to these allegations, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said at a regular press briefing that the seized vessel was a 'foreign container ship.' He added that China opposes what it called 'malicious associations and assumptions.' Guo emphasized that as a responsible major power, China has always set an example in fulfilling its international obligations.

The report, citing Al Jazeera, comes amid heightened tensions between Iran and the United States, with regional developments drawing close international attention.

China has reduced petrol and diesel prices at the pump for the first time since the start of the Iran war, according to the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC). The commission, which serves as China’s top economic planning body, stated that the decision reflects recent changes in global crude oil prices. Fuel prices in China are reviewed every ten working days based on international crude oil market trends.

The NDRC noted that the price cut will allow drivers to save about three US dollars when filling a 50-liter tank. Previously, Beijing had raised the maximum retail prices of petrol and diesel several times as global oil prices surged following the outbreak of the Iran war.

The adjustment marks a shift in China’s fuel pricing policy amid fluctuating global energy markets, aligning domestic prices more closely with international trends.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has expressed interest in working jointly with African countries to address the negative effects of the ongoing war in the Middle East. He made the remarks during a meeting in Beijing with Mozambican President Daniel Chapo, according to Chinese state media CCTV.

Xi stated that the Middle East crisis is affecting African nations and emphasized China’s willingness to collaborate with local countries to manage the crisis, maintain peace, and sustain development. During the meeting, he also urged China and Africa to jointly call for a ceasefire and encouraged the international community to practice what he described as genuine multilateralism.

The report, citing Al Jazeera, highlights China’s diplomatic positioning as it seeks to strengthen cooperation with African partners amid global instability linked to the Middle East conflict.

An autonomous humanoid robot named Lightning completed a 13-mile half-marathon in Beijing on Sunday in 50 minutes and 26 seconds, setting a new record for both robots and humans. Developed by engineers at smartphone company Honor, Lightning was designed with 90 to 95 cm legs to mimic elite human runners and used liquid cooling technology similar to that in Honor smartphones. The robot outpaced all 12,000 human participants and broke the human world record of 57 minutes and 20 seconds.

This year’s race featured 300 robots from 102 teams, with 47 teams finishing the event. Among them, 18 teams used autonomous robots while 29 relied on remote control. The top three finishers were all Lightning robots, with the second and third autonomous models finishing in 51 and 53 minutes respectively. A remote-controlled Lightning recorded the fastest overall time of 48 minutes and 19 seconds, but the autonomous version was awarded first place due to category weighting.

The result marks a major leap from last year, when only six of 21 robots completed the race, none close to victory.

A visiting delegation of Bangladesh’s BNP, including Chattogram-10 MP Saeed Al Noman, shared their experiences from a recent trip to China, highlighting the country’s extensive grassroots development model. After visiting Fangxing Community in Anhui Province and other areas, the delegation praised the Chinese Communist Party’s (CPC) people-centered approach, noting that around 700,000 neighborhood service centers have been established across the country to serve citizens.

According to Noman, these centers act as community hubs where people of all ages gather for education, exercise, cultural activities, and social interaction. They also provide employment assistance and administrative services, making them vital to daily life. He described the CPC’s integration into citizens’ lives as a key factor behind China’s success.

Following the community visits, the BNP delegation attended a dinner hosted by the Anhui vice governor and senior officials, where discussions focused on strengthening Bangladesh-China bilateral ties, development cooperation, and fostering long-term party-to-party relations.