Chinese navy issued warnings in accordance with international law amid China-Russia Joint Sea drills.
The joint exercises were conducted by navies from both countries from Sunday to Tuesday, including tasks such as joint air defense, maritime combat, anti-submarine warfare, and anchorage defense.
Meanwhile, vessels and aircraft from certain countries repeatedly appeared in the vicinity, adding a layer of complexity to the operation.
Amid roaring seas, naval officer Zhang Zhiyang, stationed aboard the Chinese guided-missile destroyer Shaoxing, exemplified professionalism as he issued swift, standardized warnings. His calm articulation of China's position, grounded firmly in international law, demonstrated the navy's disciplined approach.
"This is China naval warship 134. We are conducting normal navigation in this area under international law. Keep safe distance away from me. Over," Zhang announced to foreign vessels and aircraft.
Zhang believes these warnings showcase the professionalism and composure of the Chinese navy, projecting a confident and positive image to other countries.
"On this journey, we have traveled to the Sea of Japan through Tsushima Strait, where we experienced roaring waves and surging undercurrents. When it comes to giving warnings to foreign vessels and aircraft, we should not only have a swift response, but also use standard expressions. By doing so, we demonstrate our confidence and power, all within a legal framework, while showcasing the positive image of the Chinese navy," he added.
Before this year's exercises, ten editions of China-Russia Joint Sea drills have been successfully held since 2012. The series has become an important platform for China-Russia naval cooperation, promoting maritime joint operational capabilities.
As part of the annual cooperation plan between the Chinese and Russian militaries, the drills are not targeted at any third party, and are unrelated to the current international and regional situations, said Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang during a regular press conference on July 30.
Chinese navy issues warnings in line with international law amid drills
South China's Guangdong Province is accelerating its transformation into an international medical tourism hub, positioning itself as a destination for patients worldwide seeking affordable, high-quality care.
The push follows a joint initiative announced in late March by nine Chinese government departments, including the Ministry of Commerce, aimed at boosting spending by foreign tourists and enhancing exports of tourism services as part of broader efforts to expand the country's service sector.
Every day, some of the most complex surgeries are performed here. Li Zilun, deputy director of the division of vascular surgery at the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat‑sen University, is among the doctors capable of carrying out these intricate procedures.
He recently completed surgery on a patient with an aortic aneurysm, a condition often described as a "time bomb" in the body’s main artery, increasingly common in aging societies around the globe. Li also specializes in highly difficult and pioneering procedures, including repairing leaks caused by failed grafts.
"This was a very challenging case. And then, we implanted the covered stent to eliminate the endoleak. Actually, the outcome was pretty good. The patient will be discharged today," said Li Zilun.
The ability to handle such complex cases -- combining international techniques with domestically produced devices -- is drawing patients from around the world to seek treatment. In addition, high safety standards and low costs are also major draws.
"Our government is encouraging innovation. So, lots of physicians -- including our vascular surgeons -- we are actively involved in the innovation that helps to increase the effectiveness and safety, and also bring down the cost," said Li.
This hospital is one of the first in Guangdong to be designated by the provincial health commission as a pilot site for building an international medical service hub.
The growing number of patients has pushed the hospital to explore new ways to transform every step -- from treatment to payment and everything in between -- into a seamless experience, reducing waiting times and delivering better care for patients.
"I think it's fast. When the patient come here for just about, I think, one week, you can solve the problem," said Xiao Haipeng, president of the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University.
The hospital is also deepening its international cooperation with top-tier medical institutions, including those at Harvard University.
"Not just for China, for the whole globe, we are facing health care challenges -- emerging infectious disease and chronic, lung infectious diseases, and also the aging population, also the shortage of healthcare workforce," said Xiao.
In response to these challenges, China is promoting its own solutions, including aggressive innovation in artificial intelligence (AI)-driven workflows, while stepping up research and development investment and global engagement along the way.
"In recent years, the innovation in Western medicine is dramatically growing. An example of my hospital -- in the past few years, we have 140 innovations and seven of them are international leading innovations," said Xiao.
As global demand for medical tourism grows, China is positioning itself as a new destination. Official data shows that the number of foreign patients in Guangdong increased by 20 percent last year. Among them, the growth in inpatient admissions was even faster, rising by 76 percent.
Guangdong fast-tracks pilot for int'l medical service hub
