China establishes world's largest eco-environment monitoring network during 14th Five-Year Plan: minister

China has established the world's largest ecological environment monitoring network during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), achieving full coverage of monitoring elements such as water, air, soil, and noise, said Minister of Ecology and Environment Huang Runqiu on Friday.

The network includes over 33,000 monitoring stations directly overseen by the ministry, covering all prefecture-level and above cities, key river basins across China, as well as maritime areas under China's jurisdiction, Huang said at a news conference in Beijing.

The minister highlighted the significant advancements in automation across the entire monitoring process.

By leveraging modern technologies such as big data, artificial intelligence, and cloud computing, the ministry has continuously advanced the intelligent transformation of the monitoring network. Currently, the entire process, including sampling, delivery, analysis and test, has been automated, the minister said.

"Taking surface water monitoring as an example, using drones for automatic sample collection can save over 70 percent of sampling time and offers unique advantages in remote areas. In the analysis and testing phase, 'black box laboratories' can automatically and continuously complete analysis and testing work, even when the lights are off and no one is present, achieving an efficiency increase of more than eight times," said Huang.

In terms of upgrading monitoring equipment, China has implemented intelligent diagnostics and maintenance for water and air automatic monitoring stations and instruments. By applying new technologies such as "AI+", the ministry can utilize intelligent recognition, analysis, and qualitative screening to accurately identify the sources of problems. For instance, sound fingerprint recognition technology can quickly determine whether noise originates from construction, transportation, or social activities, providing effective strategies for targeted management and addressing issues like noise disturbances, the minister added.

China establishes world's largest eco-environment monitoring network during 14th Five-Year Plan: minister

Hong Kong's first astronaut lifted off into space on Sunday, sparking a wave of enthusiasm for space exploration in the special administrative region, while inspiring a new generation to look to the stars.

The Shenzhou-23 crewed spaceship, atop a Long March-2F carrier rocket, blasted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China at 23:08 (Beijing Time) on Sunday. The crew members include Lai Ka-ying, the first astronaut and payload specialist from Hong Kong to join a national space mission, whose achievements have motivated many Hong Kong residents.

"I feel so happy and thrilled. This is the first time a Hong Kong astronaut has gone to space, and to see a true Hong Konger, who is also a mother of three, just really touches my heart," said Chow, a local resident.

The successful spaceflight of Lai has especially captivated the younger generation to dream bigger about the future.

"I want to be an astronaut, because I want to discover more things about space," said a young student surnamed Chow.

"I have seen things related to spaceflights of astronauts. I hope when I grow up, I could receive training and go to space myself," said another student surnamed Koo.

To meet public expectations, the Hong Kong Space Museum has updated its space-themed exhibition with the latest development of the Shenzhou-23 mission, extending the display until July 6. Parents are seizing the moment to enrich their children's knowledge.

"At his age, I want him to be exposed to a wide range of information. With all the recent astronaut news, I brought him here specially to see for himself. We will also check out a film about space knowledge at the planetarium. I hope he can get more out of this from an early age," said Cheung, a father.

"We just watched the Shenzhou-23 launch at home with my son last night, and decided to take him to the Space Museum," a mother surnamed Chun shared.

"I saw on TV that so many people were cheering for the launch. When the rocket was launched, fire burst out from its body. I was really happy they succeeded," said Chun's son.

Hong Kong's first astronaut ignites citywide enthusiasm over space exploration