Xi's speech at study session opening charts direction for advancing reform

The speech delivered by Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, at the opening of a central Party school study session for senior officials on Tuesday has charted the direction and strengthened confidence for the trainees to advance reform in various sectors.

Xi, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, called for pooling strength to advance reform in a steady and sustained manner, as he addressed the principal officials at the provincial and ministerial level at the Party School of the CPC Central Committee (National Academy of Governance).

The session, held from Tuesday to Friday, was themed on implementing the guiding principles of the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, which rolled out a new package of comprehensive reforms for the country.

Xi pointed out that China's efforts to advance reforms on all fronts in the new era have yielded substantial results across practical, institutional and theoretical dimensions, representing one of the most monumental chapters in the nation's journey of reform and opening up.

"Zhejiang succeeded in development through reform, opening up and innovation. In the new era and on the new journey, Zhejiang will thoroughly implement the remarks of the General Secretary, focus on high-quality development, narrow 'three major gaps' (income gap, urban-rural gap, and regional gap), meet the people's need for a better life, highlight economic structural reform, and advance reform in all areas in a comprehensive and coordinated manner," said Wang Hao, Party committee secretary and governor of Zhejiang Province.

"We will further understand the requirements of the General Secretary, identify the positioning of the science and technology groups in improving the overall effectiveness of the national science and technology innovation system, and coordinate reform efforts in carrying forward the spirit of scientists, serving sci-tech talents, synergizing innovation resources, conducting sci-tech decision-making consultation, and improving the scientific quality of the public. We will unite and guide sci-tech workers to make greater contributions to accelerating the realization of high-level scientific and technological self-reliance and building a powerful country in science and technology," said He Junke, Party group secretary of the China Association for Science and Technology.

"The session strengthened my sense of mission, responsibility and urgency, consolidated my confidence, taught me methods and enlightened my mind. After I return (from the session), I will endeavor to integrate systematic planning and key breakthroughs and take concrete actions to effectively put into practice all reform tasks to contribute to the high-quality development of the radio, television and internet audio-visual programs and the building of a country strong in culture," said Cao Shumin, Party group secretary and director of the National Radio and Television Administration.

Xi's speech at study session opening charts direction for advancing reform

A one-legged oriental white stork has managed to find its footing again after a custom-built prosthetic was fitted at a wildlife rescue center in north China. Staff there are now assessing whether this unique bionic bird is ready to be released back into the wild.

The stork was brought to the Sunshine Wildlife Rescue and Shelter Center in Tianjin Municipality back in 2024 with a severe injury after its left leg became entangled in netting. A resulting infection was so serious that amputation was required.

While staff at the center slowly nursed the bird back to health, it was initially determined that it would be unable to survive in the wild on a single leg. To change its future, the team searched for a solution that would eventually allow it to return to nature.

Last year, staff began experimenting with prosthetic designs, testing a range of materials including carbon fiber, plastic, and rubber. Each attempt improved the outcome, but the key challenge was developing a suitable “shock absorber” to make the prosthesis feel more natural to the stork and help it fully restore its movement.

Oriental white storks typically land and step with the front of the foot first, and walking naturally requires a strong upward rebound. To deal with this, the latest prosthetic developed by the teams incorporated a mechanical component to allow for finer adjustments while providing cushioning to support the bird as it walks.

"The internal compression rod and clasp system enables [the stork to have] micro-adjustments so that the stork is able to better get used to [walking with the prosthesis]. And the [prosthesis] can match the height of the stork's remaining leg while offering both walking support and shock absorption," said Li Zheng, a staff member at the Tianjin Wildlife Rescue and Domestication Breeding Center, as he showed off the final design.

The 17-centimeter-tall prosthesis is made from resin and silicone, and it is designed to weigh roughly the same as a normal bird leg. Its orange color was also chosen to help it blend in with its peers.

The breakthrough came on the morning of Wednesday, when staff carefully carried out the fitting. After nearly an hour-long, non-invasive procedure, the prosthesis was successfully installed.

Returning to its outdoor enclosure, the stork took some time to adjust and adapt to the new feeling. But, before long, it was soon seen attempting to step up onto a rocky formation with its new leg leading the way, and after a couple of shaky moments it appeared able to keep its balance.

Next, staff say they will monitor and assess how well the stork is acclimatizing to the brand new prosthetic. If they deem it can live and move normally, the bird will be released back into the wild at an appropriate time.

One-legged stork finds feet again after being fitted with custom prosthetic leg