Please note that the following stories are read by AI, but all information has been written and verified by professional editors.
You are listening to Special English.
The Deep Sea Floating Research Facility, one of China's major scientific research infrastructure projects, has begun construction in East China's Shanghai.
The facility is being built by Shanghai Jiao Tong University and is scheduled for completion by 2030.
It comprises three major systems, including the main platform, Shipborne Laboratories and shore-based support.
The platform uses semi-submersible and twin-hole vessel design.
It features the capability to conduct sea trials for large-scale deep-sea equipment weighing up to about 100 tons and enabling scientific exploration and experimental research at ocean depths of up to 10000 meters.
The facility will be capable of sustained presence in deep-sea mission areas for cross-seasonal scientific observation and engineering trials.
It can also be rapidly mobilized and deployed, allowing for flexible adjustment of its operational sea areas upon completion.
It will provide a real sea testing platform for deep-sea mining systems, key marine equipment and offshore oil and gas equipment.
It will also help reveal seasonal patterns of marine ecosystem evolution and explore the mysteries of life's origins and evolution, and is expected to further improve typhoon forecasting accuracy and enhanced disaster prevention and mitigation capabilities.
You are listening to special english.
Several chinese government departments have jointly issued guidelines to advance high quality development of the e-commerce sector, aiming to strengthen its role in supporting the real economy.
That is, according to the Ministry of Commerce.
The document outlines key measures to deepen the integration of the digital and real economies, focusing on empowering small and medium-sized enterprises and rural areas through e-commerce, boosting industrial digitalization and encouraging technological innovation to improve consumption quality.
It also highlights efforts to expand high-standard opening up by advancing cross-border e-commerce and the Silk Road e-commerce initiative, while pushing for greater alignment with international rules in areas such as digital trade.
To foster a sound development ecosystem.
The guidelines call for clarifying the responsibilities of platforms, enhancing regulation and supporting e-commerce companies in expanding globally, in compliance with relevant regulations.
Supporting measures include improving financial services, activating the value of data elements and strengthening talent cultivation for the industry.
The Ministry of Commerce also pledged to work with relevant departments to ensure effective implementation of these guidelines.
China has unveiled an upgraded pet transport service on its high-speed rail network, expanding coverage to 121 stations and 228 trains.
That is according to China Railway Express Company.
The new service builds on a one-year pilot programme, launched on April 8, 2025.
During the trial, over 15000 pets were safely transported, proving popular with travellers seeking to bring their furry companions.
Two options are now available accompanied travel for ticket-holding passengers and unaccompanied transport for owners not travelling on the same train.
Eligible pets are restricted to healthy, domestically raised cats and dogs weighing no more than 15 kilograms, with a shoulder height not exceeding 40 centimeters and a body length not exceeding 52 centimetres.
For the accompanied option, passengers can use the 12306 app or website to check trains marked with a pet icon, purchase tickets and reserve a pet transport slot on the same train.
The unaccompanied option allows owners to make reservations via the China Railway Express WeChat mini-program two to five days before departure.
China Railway Express said the expansion aims to better accommodate the growing demand for pet-friendly travel.
You are listening to Special English.
A 7.5-tonne unmanned cargo aircraft powered by AEP-100, China's independently developed megawatt-class hydrogen-fuelled turboprop engine, has successfully completed its maiden flight in Juzhou in central China's Hunan province.
This marks the world's first test flight of a megawatt-class hydrogen-fueled turboprop engine.
According to its developer, the Aeroengine Corporation of China, The engine operated normally and remained in good condition throughout the 16-minute test flight.
The aircraft covered 36 kilometers. at 220 km per hour, flying at an altitude of 300 meters.
After completing all scheduled flight maneuvers, it returned safely.
Experts from the company noted that The successful maiden flight highlights that China has now established a complete technological chain in hydrogen-fueled aviation engines, covering everything from core components to full engine integration.
They added that this achievement lays the foundation for the industrial application of hydrogen energy in aviation.
Experts said that as green hydrogen production costs fall, hydrogen aviation engines will show growing economic and energy security advantages.
Hydrogen-fueled aeroengine technology is expected to debut in low-altitude economy fields such as unmanned air freight and island logistics, before gradually expanding to regional and mainline aircraft.
That is the end of today's program.
I hope you will join us every day to learn English at a slower pace.