Facial recognition regulations

New rules surrounding facial recognition technology are coming into effect in China. 

The Supreme People's Court has specified that a set of regulations will better protect citizens' data. The measures follow increasing consumer concerns over infringements. 

Satellites in orbit 

China successfully launched two multimedia satellites into pre-set orbit from Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in north China's Shanxi Province.

It was the 382nd flight mission for the Long March series carrier rockets, which were launched by a long March-6 carrier rocket. 

Winds in Hebei Province 

Extreme weather continues to cause devastation in parts of China, as flooding was followed by high winds which tore roofs off houses in Hebei Province. 

Wind speeds reached extremes of 83.66 mph (135 kph) which is the fastest ever recorded in the city of Handan. Six towns also experienced power cuts but were back online within 10 hours. 

Driverless cars 

Like something you would see in a futuristic movie, driverless cars will soon be tested on expressways in the Chinese capital of Beijing. 

The municipal authority has approved the gradual opening of several expressway sections for unmanned vehicles. Beijing has issued temporary car plates to 99 vehicles from 15 companies including the multinational internet company Baidu and the ride-hailing platforms Didi Chuxing. 

Delta variant in Wuhan

A cluster of COVID-19 infections in Wuhan has been linked to the highly contagious delta variant, said local government officials at a press briefing. 

Before the discovery of the recent cases, Wuhan had not reported a locally transmitted case for a year. 

Wang Yi responds 

Chinese State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi responded to comments made by the U.S. and Japan on issues related to Xinjiang, Hong Kong and human rights. 

Stranger saves children 

A heartwarming video has gone viral on social media in China showing two children and an adult being rescued from a trapped SUV by several people in Zhengzhou, Henan Province. 

A grandmother picked up her grandson and granddaughter from school during heavy rain before being trapped in floodwaters. Following a call on her mobile, the children's mother Yang Xiaojie asked local hotel staff for help and they rushed to the trapped car but couldn't open it with a kitchen knife. The children's hiphop teacher soon after stepped in to help after seeing the mother's WeChat moment, followed by a local noodle bar owner also coming to the rescue. 

Those who helped are now being hailed as heroes.

Volleyball coach bids farewell

Lang Ping, the volleyball coach of China's women's team bows out after the defending champions exited from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics despite a 3-0 win over Argentina in their last group game on Monday. 

Lang took over the Chinese team in 2013 and led China to three major triumphs at the World Cups in 2015 and 2019 as well as at the Rio Olympics in 2016. Ping has repeatedly said that the Tokyo Olympics would be one of the final steps in her journey as coach with the team. 

Beidou satellite industry soars

The value of China's BeiDou satellite navigation industry is estimated to exceed about $155 billion by 2025, taking up to 20 to 25 percent of the global share. Last year (2020) was a major turning point as the construction of the system was completed and focus shifted to industrialization and large-scale applications. 

Tencent curbs teenagers' access 

Chinese tech titan Tencent has vowed to push for stricter curbs on teenagers' access to its flagship mobile game "Honor of Kings" after the Economic Information Daily labeled online games "spiritual opium" and claimed that such video games harm teenagers.