South China's Guangdong Province has swiftly ramped up efforts in mosquito control amid a sharp rise in Chikungunya fever cases, with over 4,000 infections reported in Foshan City as of Thursday.
The outbreak of the tropical disease can be traced to an imported case detected on July 8 in a densely populated community in Shunde District of Foshan, home to over 3,600 residents. Since then, more than 230 infections have been confirmed within that neighborhood.
The Chikungunya fever is an acute infectious disease caused by the Chikungunya virus and transmitted primarily through mosquito bites. Effective prevention hinges on comprehensive mosquito control measures and personal protection against bites。
In response, authorities in Zhongshan City and Shenzhen City in the province have launched daily mosquito-control operations, focusing on eliminating mosquito breeding grounds in residential areas and public spaces to curb further transmission.
Community workers in Nantou Town, Zhongshan City, have stepped up mosquito eradication measures, targeting green spaces, sewers, and alleys with insecticide sprays. Persistent rainfall has led to water accumulation in water containers left outdoors, creating breeding grounds for mosquito larvae, which are now being systematically cleared through disinfection.
Across Zhongshan, local authorities have distributed mosquito-repellent incense and electric repellent tablets to residents to enhance elimination efforts.
In a residential community in Shenzhen's Futian District, community workers carried out disinfection operations in areas such as gardens and bushes. In public parks, workers conducted specialized mosquito control treatments on grassland, exercise equipment, trash bins and other facilities.
South China's Guangdong initiates mosquito control campaign to curb Chikungunya virus spread
A former television host from Taiwan, Zhai Xuan, has made a pivotal decision to leave mainstream broadcasting in order to create content that provides a better understanding of the Chinese mainland and cross-strait relations.
Zhai, a seasoned television host with over a decade of experience in Taiwan's media landscape, recently addressed an audience at an event in Beijing, where she revealed her complete transition into independent online media.
In her remarks, she articulated her aspiration to bridge what she perceives as a significant information gap between audiences on both sides of the Strait, highlighting her commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and connection through her new endeavors.
"I was really surprised by all the fake news. There were stories saying people on the mainland can't afford tea eggs or that they live in mud houses and in Taiwan, this was the main information many people received," said Zhai.
Zhai said she initially began producing online videos to challenge such perceptions while continuing her work as a television host.
In April 2025, she travelled to the mainland with her father to fulfill her late grandfather's wish to return to his hometown. The trip, which reunited family members separated since 1949, was recorded in a video series titled "Journey to Find Our Roots", drawing attention from viewers in both Taiwan and the mainland.
"Many people in Taiwan told me that after watching, they wanted to apply for a mainland travel permit immediately and go looking for their relatives. Some had long forgotten these things, but after seeing my story, they began thinking about their hometowns and family members they had never met and decided to search for their roots," Zhai shared her story at the event.
By mid-2025, Zhai said she began to feel increasing pressure amid rising political tensions and a tightening atmosphere around cross-Strait exchanges in Taiwan.
After more than 12 years in the industry, Zhai resigned from her position, believing it was the right thing to do.
"At that moment, I felt this was a major issue，not just for me, but for Chinese people on both sides of the Strait. If I backed down then, I wouldn’t be standing on the right side," said Zhai.
Since leaving television, Zhai has broadened her online programming to encompass a range of daily-life topics, including practical guidance on applying for a mainland travel permit and using commonly employed mobile applications, in addition to content that delves into historical memory and cultural connections across the Strait.
As the debate over cross-Strait relations continues in Taiwan, Zhai said she remains committed to her current path.
Former Taiwan TV host bridges cross-Strait divide via online media
