Here are six stories from China over the past week that you might have missed…

Bullet train reaches 453 km/h in test runs

The next-generation bullet train CR450 lived up to the number in its name by reaching 453 kilometers per hour in testing. The tests were carried out on the Meizhou Bay cross-sea bridge, one of the most notable sections of the 277-kilometer high-speed line between Fuzhou and Xiamen. 

The CR450 project is a key part of developing the next generation of bullet trains. For comparison, the Shinkansen bullet-train lines in Japan have a top speed of 320 km/h.

World Artificial Intelligence Conference kicks off

The 2023 World Artificial Intelligence Conference opened in Shanghai with the theme "Intelligent Connectivity: Generating the Future." It aims to shed light on emerging avenues for industrial and technological advancements, propelling the innovation and development of the next generation of artificial intelligence.

The 1,400 distinguished guests – including four Nobel Prize and Turing Award laureates – will roam around the venue's 50,000 square meters, accommodating 400 companies and 50 start-ups… plus more than 30 AI models.

MisrSat II satellite to be launched by end of 2023

The MisrSat-II satellite, a landmark Belt and Road Initiative co-operative project with Egypt, is back in China ahead of a launch later this year. The flight model has returned from a test center in Cairo, with two prototypes heading to Egypt. 

The satellite is scheduled to be launched later this year. After being tested in orbit for three months, the satellite operation will be handed over to the Egyptian Space Agency. The project has made Egypt the first African country with the capacity to assemble, integrate and test a satellite.

Record new-energy vehicle manufactured

The 20 millionth Chinese-produced New Energy Vehicle (NEV) rolled off an assembly line in Guangzhou on Monday. It's a landmark figure for a benchmark industry in the search for sustainable transport – and the acceleration of production speaks volumes. In China NEV is used to describe any vehicle that is powered wholely or partly on electricity.

China produced its first NEV in 1995 and its five millionth in September 2020. The total exceeded 10 million in February 2022, and passed 20 million this week – meaning the number has doubled in just 17 months. 

20 millionth passenger takes ferry service between Xiamen and Kinmen

But it's not just about car ownership – public transport is also booming in China, and a much-loved ferry service reached the same '20 million' milestone this week. 

The Xiamen-Kinmen route of the "mini three links" ferry service between the Chinese mainland and the Taiwan region passed the 20-million-passenger mark on Tuesday. It began operation on January 2, 2001.

Panda twins celebrate 2nd birthday in Chengdu

Giant panda twins He Hua and He Ye celebrated their second birthday on Tuesday at Chengdu Panda Base in southwest China's Sichuan Province – and a widely-shared video showed the siblings enjoying a birthday feast.

Younger brother He Ye was first on the scene, sitting down to enjoy iced cake, pumpkin, carrots and fruit chunks. He was gracefully joined by sister He Hua, and the siblings sat together contentedly munching.

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