Greece's Ministry of Culture announced last week the completion of the restoration of the western pediment of the Parthenon, marking a major milestone in the long-term conservation of the ancient temple on the Acropolis in Athens.
The restoration project, launched in 2022 and completed after nearly three years of work, is part of an ongoing effort to preserve one of the world's most important cultural monuments.
With the removal of scaffolding from the Parthenon's western facade, visitors can now view the temple in its most complete form in around 220 years, according to the ministry.
Culture Minister Lina Mendoni said the restoration has helped recover the monument's original proportions and overall appearance, describing it as a significant achievement in the protection of world cultural heritage.
The ministry said the project was among the most technically demanding heritage conservation efforts undertaken in recent years. It was funded by the European Union's Recovery and Resilience Facility.
Many people in Greece hope that the Parthenon sculptures stored in the British Museum could return to Athens soon.
"Our big request, our big hope and all our efforts is to bring back the stolen parts of the Parthenon which are in the British Museum now. It's very important to reunite this monument again," said Lydia Koniordou, former minister of culture and sports of Greece.
Built in the 5th century BC, the Parthenon is the centerpiece of the Acropolis and one of the most iconic monuments of ancient Greece. The Acropolis is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Greece completes major restoration project at Parthenon
Greece completes major restoration project at Parthenon
New energy vehicles (NEVs) accounted for 56.9 percent of all new car sales in China in May, against 50.8 percent in 2025 and 40.9 percent in 2024, according to the latest data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM).
With nearly 1.5 million units sold last month, the country's NEV market is growing at a pace that continues to outstrip global expectations.
Chen Shihua, deputy secretary-general of CAAM, attributed the momentum to a combination of falling costs, rapid technological upgrades and a fundamental change in consumer preferences. Even as traditional gasoline car sales soften, NEVs have carved out an independent growth trajectory.
For Chinese buyers, the appeal of NEVs goes far beyond cost savings. The battleground has shifted to the software-defined cabin. Domestic AI models are increasingly being integrated into vehicles, transforming the driving experience from a mechanical task into something highly intuitive.
Some models now use sensors and facial recognition to detect a driver's mood, automatically adjusting ambient lighting, music and even cabin fragrances. As a dealership manager in Chongqing noted, consumers are no longer obsessing over horsepower; they are prioritizing smart features and the overall user experience.
This tech-heavy push is happening alongside a dramatic drop in prices. As battery material costs stabilize and advanced manufacturing techniques, such as integrated die-casting, become standard, automakers are passing the savings directly to consumers.
Brands like BYD and Leapmotor are now offering vehicles with advanced driver-assistance systems for under 100,000 yuan, with some entry-level NEVs priced around 80,000 yuan.
Charging infrastructure, long cited as a potential bottleneck, is also keeping pace with demand. According to the National Energy Administration, China had deployed nearly 22 million charging facilities nationwide as of April.
The network now spans from urban centers to remote rural areas, making the promise of charging as convenient as refueling a tangible reality for millions of drivers. Government incentives, including trade-in subsidies, are further fueling this momentum.
Chinese consumers embrace NEVs
