A special team of volunteers, known as the "odor inspectors", is busy sniffing out problems in Jiaxing City in east China's Zhejiang Province to promote local environmental protection.
Organized by the local ecology and environment department, this group of volunteers from all walks of life visited a chemical factory in a industrial park to do a simple yet special task: smell for odors.
"To address public concerns over our chemical companies, we've organized a team of 'civilian odor inspectors' as part of our public engagement efforts. These inspectors are invited to the companies to literally use their noses to detect odors. The 'nose standard' complements the existing national emission standards, helping enterprises to reduce unpleasant odors, enhance their environmental management, and ultimately improve the overall environmental quality of the park," said Cheng Xiaoxia, deputy director of Zhapu Economic Development Zone Branch of Jiaxing Municipal Ecology and Environment Bureau.
The "civilian odor inspector" initiative has been well received by locals, who actively volunteer to promote public understanding of environmental protection.
Meanwhile, enterprises have tightened production standards based on community feedback and oversight, advancing both industrial upgrades and environmental governance.
Public satisfaction with environmental improvements has grown. This initiative has created positive interaction among the public, the government, and the enterprises.
"Civilian odor inspectors" in action for environmental protection in China's Zhejiang
Nicaragua's co-foreign minister Valdrack Jaentschke has warned that militarism must never be allowed to rise again, as Japan's recent moves to lift its arms export ban and revise the pacifist Constitution continue to draw international concern.
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the opening of the Tokyo Trials, where Japan's Class-A war criminals from World War II were brought to justice.
In an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN), Valdrack Jaentschke voiced his concern that today's world order is being undermined by interventionism and other challenges.
"It is necessary for us to remember that after the end of World War II, countries worked hard to build a new international order based on international law. However, regrettably, more than 80 years later, we are seeing that this once explored and attempted order is being challenged by interventionism, a confrontational mindset, and tendencies like 'might makes right.' These are precisely the conditions that gave rise to fascism and militarism in the past, which ultimately led to the tragedy of World War II," he said.
He said the international community has a responsibility to pursue a new international order -- one fundamentally grounded in peace.
"Looking back at the history more than eight decades ago and comparing it with today's reality, it is our responsibility to recognize that the world should, and must, build a new international order that is more just, fairer, rooted in international law, based on a logic of mutual benefit and shared success, and fundamentally grounded in peace," said the minister.
"Today, as we revisit the Tokyo Trials, it is meant to remind the world that such a tragedy must never be repeated -- and that we must do everything in our power to prevent it from happening again. We must stop that dark world -- born from militarism, interventionism, and fascism -- from ever returning," he said.
Nicaraguan FM warns of militarism revival
