The Latin American and Caribbean Space Agency (ALCE) and the China-based International Deep Space Exploration Association signed a memorandum of understanding on Thursday in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, marking a new push for bilateral cooperation in deep space research.
The document was signed Thursday at the opening ceremony of this year's International Deep Space Exploration Conference. ALCE Secretary General Oscar Fredy Gonzalez Rivera described the MOU as a starting point for tangible future outcomes.
"This agreement is only the beginning. Now our task is to carry out concrete, achievable projects so that our countries can benefit," Rivera said.
With the international community increasingly focused on deep space research, the secretary general expressed the hope that the MOU will give developing countries a stronger foothold in lunar and planetary missions.
"Lunar and Mars exploration is now entering a new stage. Our goal is that our researchers and scientists not only study missions, but in the future will be able to take part in and carry out a mission," he said.
China's deep space association signs MOU with LatAm, Caribbean counterpart
Beyond sightseeing and dining, international tourists visiting Shanghai are adding a new stop to their itineraries: hair salons. From precision haircuts to custom coloring, personalized styling services are emerging as a fresh and increasingly popular way for visitors to experience the city's vibrant local life.
Swiss tourist Elif and her friend booked a salon on social media before even arriving in Shanghai for their 10-day trip, eager to try an Asian-inspired look.
"I saw multiple videos and this place was much more accessible, like we could tell that they had other foreigners here and so it was easy to communicate because they also speak English," she said.
After an in-depth consultation, the stylist designed layers, curls, and bangs tailored to Elif's face shape, hair texture, and everyday wardrobe -- a level of personalization she said is hard to find back home.
"It will cost me a little bit less than half the price of what I would pay in my country," she said.
The salon is located on Laowai Street in Shanghai's Minhang District, a neighborhood long popular with expatriates. As inbound tourism continues to surge, the number of foreign clients has grown noticeably.
"We have clients from Europe, the Middle East and South Africa. We've seen a clear increase in foreign tourists, with about 20 to 30 foreign clients coming in each month," said Li Menghua, the salon owner.
To cater to the diverse needs of international customers, who vary widely in hair texture and aesthetic preferences, the salon offers one-on-one styling sessions. Staff also receive regular English training to ensure smooth communication.
Li now has over 8,000 foreign clients stored in his contacts, complete with notes on their names and styling preferences. Many have become regulars, returning every month or two; others make a point of visiting every time they travel to Shanghai on business.
"I started to see him last year, they speak English and the service is really good and he knows a lot about foreigners' hair," said Julie, a tourist from France.
Shanghai's hair salons become must-try for inbound tourists
