Here are six stories you may have missed from China this week – from spotted seals, to the world's largest boat festival in Jiangsu province.

Hundreds of spotted seals at Liaohe Estuary nature reserve

Hundreds of spotted seals, including newborn cubs, were seen playing, resting and sunbathing on the tidal flats at the Liaohe Estuary nature reserve in Panjin City, northeast China's Liaoning Province.

Under the first-class national protection in China, spotted seals are dubbed "the elves of the Bohai Sea" and are the only pinnipeds that can breed in the waters of China.

Due to the improvement of the environment and protection efforts by local authorities, the population of spotted seals has steadily grown from less than 1,000 to more than 2,000 in the past decade.

Chinese FM vows to deepen bilateral cooperation with Uzbekistan

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang said China is willing to work with Uzbekistan to push bilateral relations to a new level.

Qin, who added that the two sides have agreed to practise the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, made the remarks when meeting Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in Tashkent. 

The Chinese foreign minister called on the two sides to implement the five-year plan for economic, trade and investment cooperation and urged more efforts to achieve an annual trade turnover of $10 billion set by the two heads of state and the early construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway to help regional connectivity. 

China-Laos railway starts cross-border passenger services

The China-Laos railway has begun its cross-border passenger service, which is expected to improve regional connections. The first passenger train departed from Kunming, capital of southwest China's Yunnan Province, on April 13, for the Lao capital of Vientiane. 

Passengers can now travel between Kunming and Vientiane within a day.
 

Brazilian president eyes more cooperation with China

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is visiting China from April 12 to 15. Brazil's delegation includes cabinet ministers, state governors, lawmakers and 240 business leaders. 

In recent years, China and Brazil's economic and trade ties have strengthened. China has been Brazil's largest trading partner for 14 consecutive years, and both countries have achieved steady progress in cooperation in the fields of agriculture, infrastructure and others.

Henan enjoys bumper harvest

Shangcheng County in central China's Henan Province is enjoying a bumper harvest of Xinyang Maojian tea, one of the 10 most renowned types of tea in the country.

It is generally believed in China that tea sprouts harvested around the Qingming Festival on April 5 have the freshest flavor. Although they are the most expensive, the price doesn't stop Chinese tea drinkers from pursuing a taste of spring.

World's largest boat festival opens

The 16th China Wetland Eco-tourism Festival, also known as the 2023 Qintong Boat Festival, opened in Taizhou City, east China's Jiangsu Province on April 8.

It has attracted over 500 decorative boats with over 10,000 team members participating in the event.

Subscribe to Storyboard: A weekly newsletter bringing you the best of CGTN every Friday