Chinese researchers have decoded the genetic puzzle behind the regional characteristics of wheat, explaining why northern Chinese varieties tend to be harder while southern ones are softer.
A study recently published in the journal Nature, led by Zhang Xueyong's team from the Institute of Crop Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences with international collaborators, reveals key findings about wheat evolution and diversity after over 10,000 years of domestication.
By assembling chromosome-level genomes of 17 representative wheat varieties, researchers identified the peri-centromeric regions of chromosomes as critical zones for wheat differentiation.
The study shows Chinese wheat maintains higher genetic diversity than its foreign counterparts, possibly due to slower commercialization of breeding programs that inadvertently preserved resilient traits.
The team also solved the mystery surrounding winter and spring wheat divergence. While ancestral tetraploid wheats were predominantly spring-types with single VRN-A1 gene copies, later mutations in common wheat created winter varieties through altered gene copy numbers and enhanced cold tolerance.
An intriguing discovery links regional food preferences to wheat genetics. Grain hardness, controlled by Pina and Pinb genes, determines culinary uses.
Mutations in either gene produce harder grains ideal for baked goods, while intact genes yield softer wheat preferred for steamed buns. "This explains why northern China's wheaten food culture favors hard wheat, while southern regions lean toward softer varieties," Zhang explained.
Liu Xu, an Academician with the Chinese Academy of Engineering, noted the research marks China's entry into big-data era wheat germplasm studies, accelerating the discovery of vital agricultural genes.
Senior officials from Myanmar, China, and Thailand have arrived in Myawaddy in Myanmar to crack down on telecom fraud and illegal online gambling operations, China Media Group reported on Monday, citing Myanmar's State Administration Council's Information Team.
Since the Myanmar authorities launched a crackdown on Myawaddy's scam centers, they have discovered a large number of foreigners illegally entering the country from neighboring nations. Between January 30 and February 16, they have reviewed and detained 1,030 illegal entrants. The joint task force, composed of senior officials from the three countries, is currently verifying identities and conducting detailed investigations to expedite the repatriation process.
Myanmar has already repatriated some of those detained, while efforts are underway to process the remaining individuals in accordance with legal procedures to ensure their swift repatriation to their home countries.
On Friday, Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar Ma Jia and the visiting Assistant Minister of Public Security Liu Zhongyi met with Myanmar's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, U Than Swe, and Minister of Home Affairs, Tun Tun Naung, according to the Chinese Embassy in Myanmar.
Both sides had in-depth exchange of views on enhancing China-Myanmar law enforcement and security cooperation, and on jointly tackling cross-border crimes such as telecom fraud and human trafficking, according to the statement.
When asked to comment on the meetings between Assistant Minister of Public Security Liu Zhongyi and Myanmar's officials, as well as Liu's visit to Thailand, Guo Jiakun, spokesperson of China's Foreign Ministry, said on Monday that the recent serious crimes involving online gambling and scam happened along the Thailand-Myanmar border threaten the life and property of citizens of China, Thailand and other relevant countries, and disrupt normal exchanges and cooperation between regional countries.
China is carrying out active bilateral and multilateral cooperation with countries including Thailand and Myanmar. We have adopted various means to address both symptoms and the root cause and worked together to prevent lawbreakers from crossing borders, so as to jointly eradicate the problems of online gambling and scam, safeguard the life and property of the people, and uphold the order of exchanges and cooperation between regional countries, the spokesperson noted.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry will continue working with competent authorities to direct our embassies and consulates overseas to properly handle relevant cases involving consular protection and help, and protect the safety of overseas Chinese and their lawful rights and interests, Guo said.
Southeast Asian countries have been stepping up efforts to combat telecom fraud. AFP reported on Saturday that a Myanmar ethnic militia was preparing to deport 10,000 people linked to cyber scams in the area it controls to Thailand as part of a crackdown on the illicit compounds.
Authorities in Thailand have arrested 10 Chinese suspects in connection with the case involving Chinese actor Wang Xing and have handed them over to the immigration department for repatriation to China, the Thai police said on Friday, according to Xinhua.
Thailand cut electricity, fuel supply, and internet services to five areas in Myanmar along the Thai-Myanmar border on February 5.
Thai Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, who also serves as the defense minister, said that online fraud has caused serious harm to Thai citizens and become a national security issue. The Thai government's investigation found that these five connection points are linked to online scam activities, Xinhua reported.
A source from Myawaddy told the Global Times that on February 7, two days after Thailand cut electricity, fuel and internet to five areas in Myanmar, the industrial park in Myawaddy where scam centers are located became erratic, with power outage in some buildings.
The source also said power generators were being used in the industrial park day and night to provide electricity, adding that he hopes the scam centers will be raided soon.
Humanoid robots in China have recently been capturing widespread attention with their diverse capabilities. They are now being deployed not only in daily life, performing cooking or cleaning, but also in industrial production within factories. They are even gearing up to take on the challenge of a half-marathon.
A robot manufacturer in South China's Guangdong Province has been busy with orders from across the country since the beginning of 2025. With a dual-arm load capacity of 40 kilograms and a highly bionic skeletal and muscular structure, the humanoid robot LeadIn D1, designed for industrial use, is capable of easily handling high-intensity tasks such as heavy lifting, material handling, and loading in industrial production, a staff member from Guangzhou Li Gong Industry Co, Ltd told the Global Times on Tuesday.
According to the company staff, LeadIn D1 is scheduled for official delivery to production lines in the second quarter of this year. Its application will span multiple industries, including aerospace, medical devices, and life sciences.
Especially in areas such as monitoring workshop capacity, tracking production task progress, as well as material handling, loading, and product assembly on production lines, LeadIn D1 can leverage intelligent interaction and precise operations to achieve digital and intelligent management of production processes.
Fourier's GRx Robot Series has also been trialed for deployment at car factories in Shanghai, where they are tasked with installing live high-voltage components and performing high-precision operations, a company representative told the Global Times on Tuesday.
The latest version of the Fourier GRx Robot Series, the GR-2 humanoid robot, stands 175 centimeters tall, weighs 63 kilograms, and has a battery life of up to two hours. GR-2 introduces more dexterous hands, designed to mirror the flexibility of human physiology, that can adapt seamlessly to complex tasks with greater precision.
The humanoid robots in the GRx Robot Series have been experimentally applied in scenarios such as reception, scientific research and education, industrial manufacturing, and rehabilitation healthcare, said the representative.
In terms of daily life, humanoid robots have also begun to be put into use. As the world's first full-sized humanoid robot driven purely by electric power, "Tiangong" can not only run on flat ground but also steadily move on slopes, grass, gravel, sand, and sandbags, according to a report by the Beijing Daily on Tuesday.
Since its official release in April 2024, Tiangong has already been used in multiple scenarios, including warehouse pick-and-place tasks and patrols for electrical plants, the Global Times has learned.
In April, for the first time, dozens of humanoid robots will participate in a half-marathon to be held in Beijing's Daxing district.
Wei Jiaxin, brand and public relations manager of the Beijing-based National and Local Co-built Embodied AI Robotics Innovation Center, introduced that participating in the marathon is ultimately about pushing boundaries and overcoming technical challenges in body structure and motion algorithms. This will help enhance compatibility, enabling humanoid robots to be used in a wider range of scenarios, according to the Beijing Daily.
By training humanoid robots in diverse environments and using them in remote operations, they become smarter and more capable. In a home setting, they can learn to do laundry, cook, and organize, paving the way for them to become helpful household assistants in the future, Wei added.
"Before humanoid robots entered factories, many industrial robots were already in place on China's automated production lines," Wang Peng, an associate research fellow at the Beijing Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Tuesday. However, he noted that humanoid robots, with their ability to mimic human movements, are better suited for complex environments. Their flexibility allows them to work in tight spaces, climb stairs, and navigate uneven terrain, tackling tasks that traditional industrial robots struggle with.
Wang further pointed out that industrial robots are mainly used for tasks like handling, welding, assembly, painting, processing, and cleanroom operations, covering most key areas of manufacturing. Meanwhile, humanoid robots have potential carrying out tasks requiring human-like flexibility or those beyond the capabilities of traditional industrial robots.
"In the future, humanoid robots and industrial robots may form a complementary relationship in industrial settings," Wang said.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Monday presided over a symposium to hear opinions and suggestions on a draft government work report.
Li, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, listened to suggestions from experts, entrepreneurs and representatives of sectors such as education, science, culture, health and sports.
China achieved progress in various sectors last year, and those achievements were hard won, according to representatives at the symposium. They offered suggestions on addressing the current challenges in development and ensuring government work in 2025.
China still faces many difficulties and challenges in its development, particularly with increasing uncertainty and instability in the external environment, Li said, emphasizing the importance of understanding situations accurately and becoming adept at turning crises into opportunities.
Li said that China has comprehensive strengths in such areas as institutions, the market, industry and talent, and that its overall trend of long-term economic improvement remains unchanged and will not change.
Efforts should be made to adopt a more proactive fiscal policy and a moderately loose monetary policy, monitor the development of domestic and international situations closely, adjust policy measures in a timely manner, and fine-tune the country's policy toolbox, Li said.
He also called for further deepened reform, expanded opening-up, the promotion of a transition from old to new growth drivers through scientific and technological innovation, and intensified efforts to secure and improve people's livelihoods.
Li noted his expectation that those in attendance would work hard in their respective fields, actively report on social conditions and public opinion, and devise more policy recommendations.
The draft work report has also been distributed to various government departments for suggestions.
In response to a question about whether the recent change by the Chinese side in the official translation of the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's surname, using the characters 鲁 (lǔ) 比 (bǐ) 奥 (ào) instead of the earlier official translation using 卢 (lú) for the first syllable, indicates that he is no longer under sanction by China, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said that she had not noticed it but would look into it. She added that what was more important was his English name.
Regarding the sanction, she stated that her colleague had explained China's position the previous day.
"China's sanctions targeted actions and words that harmed China's legitimate rights and interests," Mao emphasized.
On Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun also responded to a question on whether China will consider dropping sanctions against Rubio. Guo stated that China will firmly defend its national interests. At the same time, it is necessary for high-level Chinese and American officials to maintain contact in an appropriate way.
On January 6, Canadian Prime Minister and Liberal Party leader Justin Trudeau delivered a speech outside his residence in Ottawa, vowing to step down once his party picks a successor. On January 15, Trudeau told the media that he would not run in the upcoming federal election and would instead be "entirely focused on doing the job that Canadians elected me to do in an extraordinarily pivotal time right now." Theoretically, Trudeau is still the Prime Minister of Canada and the leader of the Liberal Party, but with domestic support plummeting to 16 percent and raising discontent over his leadership among high-ranking party officials, the Prime Minister, who has been in office for 9 years, has no choice but to "take a bow and exit" early. Media outlets are widely speculating that Canada is about to enter the "post-Trudeau era." In this issue, the Global Times invited commentator Tao Duanfang, who has lived in Canada for nearly 20 years, to opine on how Canada has changed under Trudeau's leadership and the profound impact it has had on Canadians' lives, as part of our "Witness to history" series.
Fresh blood of 'natural governing party'
In 2005, I obtained my immigration status. After a brief stay in Canada, I returned to Africa for work and officially settled in Canada a year later. My wife arrived in Canada a year earlier.
The immigration interview for my wife and me took place in October 2003 at the Consulate General of Canada in Hong Kong. The immigration officer asked me, "How much do you know about Canadian politics? How many major federal parties are there in Canada?" I had prepared in advance and answered correctly: the Liberal Party, the Conservative Party, the New Democratic Party, and the Bloc Québécois - a total of four (the Green Party did not have any seats in the House of Commons at that time).
The immigration officer expressed satisfaction and specifically praised me for placing the Liberal Party first, as it is the "natural governing party."
The Liberal Party first came to power in 1873, and it is the party with the longest cumulative time in power in Canadian history. It is known for its center to center-left political stance, an emphasis on business, and commitment to moderate welfare policies. The party once enjoyed widespread support among the middle class, business people, and small business owners. The characteristics of Chinese immigrants often align with those of small business owners and the middle class. Therefore, when I first settled here, among the Chinese community members who were politically engaged, most I knew tended to support the Liberal Party.
In fact, as of 2006, when I settled in Canada, the Liberal Party had been in power for 13 consecutive years. However, in that year, the Conservative Party, which had not been in power since 1993 and had even changed its name, defeated the Liberal Party and gained control of the government. The politically engaged older generation of immigrants said that the infighting and backstabbing among the prominent figures within the Liberal Party provided an opportunity for the well-organized Conservative Party to benefit. Subsequently, Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper remained in power for nine consecutive years.
The Harper era was a mix of hope and fear for the Chinese community in Canada. The positive aspect was that, although Harper and the Conservative Party came to power with an "anti-China" undertone, their policies toward China gradually became more pragmatic after taking office. During this period, Canada became a popular destination for Chinese citizens traveling abroad.
The Canadian government, at that time, also made a historic acknowledgment of the wrongs of the past, such as the "Chinese Exclusion Act" and the "Chinese head tax." Harper offered a full apology to Chinese Canadians. Furthermore, many government officials at that time often attended Chinese community-organized events.
Coupled with stable prices and a stable Canadian dollar exchange rate, my family (both of my children were born during this period) was quite satisfied with these developments.
Harper is a politician rooted in Alberta, a major oil and gas province and one of the "Prairie Provinces" (Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta), which primarily rely on oil, agriculture, and other primary resources. So his long-standing governance is also directly linked to a decline in Canada's high-tech industries, manufacturing, and commercial sectors.
It was during this delicate moment that Trudeau emerged. Since 2012, Canadians have frequently seen this young and handsome politician on their television screens, known for his eloquence and quick wit. Trudeau's entry into politics quickly brought an end to the internal strife within the Liberal Party.
In the 2015 Canadian federal election, Trudeau, participating as the party leader for the first time, led the Liberal Party to a resounding victory.
Baffling policies
In the early days of the Trudeau administration, my family, friends, and colleagues were filled with optimism. Trudeau's commitment to increasing child benefits significantly alleviated our financial burden. I had two school-aged children at the time.
However, based on my observations, the generous Canada Child Benefit (CCB) has led some families to prefer having more children to maximize their benefits rather than seeking low-wage employment.
Additionally, since Trudeau took office, he has been actively advocating for an increase in the minimum wage. Before his administration, the minimum wage in most provinces was around 8 Canadian dollars ($5.6) per hour, but after nine years in office, it has risen to approximately 15 Canadian dollars.
While many of my friends initially supported this policy, the reality has been challenging. Small businesses, already struggling, have found it difficult to absorb the significant wage increases. Many small business owners have had to resort to layoffs or rely on family members to provide "volunteer labor." Meanwhile, rising prices have exacerbated the financial strain on low- and middle-income earners, making their lives even more difficult.
In 2018, cannabis was officially legalized in Canada. Interestingly, recent public opinion polls showed that the majority of Canadians support this policy. In my opinion, there are two main reasons behind this: First, those in favor of cannabis legalization tend to form vocal groups, while opponents remain the "silent majority," and Trudeau chose to cater to the "loud voices"; second, Trudeau and his advisors explained that legalization allows for more effective regulation, leading many people to push for cannabis legalization, mistakenly thinking they were voting for "regulatory support."
After the policy was implemented, a cannabis store opened within a kilometer of my home. During weekend parties, a strong smell of cannabis often wafts from the house next door, rented by students, leaving neighbors powerless, whereas, before legalization, authorities could directly intervene.
In my view, the policies during Trudeau's era have made the originally center or center-left Liberal Party appear more "left-wing" and "progressive."
Some of his policies are baffling, such as the "gender diversity" policy, which mandates that public schools not restrict students from using changing rooms and bathrooms based on their self-identified gender. Some politicians voiced objections but were sidelined within the Liberal Party. In some cases, parents transferred their children to religious schools because "at least there, one can openly say that boys are boys and girls are girls."
Many people in Canada have expressed dissatisfaction with Trudeau's approach of initially "flooding the gates" with immigrants, refugees, and international students, only to later "shut the gates." They believe this approach has significantly changed Canada's social structure. The period before the pandemic saw a rise in anti-Chinese and anti-Vietnamese hostility incidents, and post-pandemic, Indians have become the new target of similar exclusionary sentiments.
Key issues
Some analysts, following Trudeau's resignation announcement, pointed out that although Trudeau had many "flaws," he always presented himself as a "fighter" and refused to step down until late December 2024. His eventual resignation was due to his failure to resolve the "interlinked issues of the economy, employment, and people's livelihoods."
In the case of McDonald's, for example, the price of the classic Big Mac meal was 7.99 Canadian dollars at the beginning of Trudeau's term, but now it has nearly doubled to 14.99 Canadian dollars. Last Sunday, when I went to a warehouse-style supermarket, I found that, compared to nine years ago, the only product that had not seen a significant price increase was bananas, which have remained at 0.69 Canadian dollars per pound (approximately 0.45 kilograms), while almost everything else had increased by 80 percent to over 100 percent. Similarly, the price of haircuts at a cheap community barbershop has gone from 7.99 Canadian dollars to 15.99 Canadian dollars per person.
A provincial election candidate friend of mine said that they now avoid Chinese community activities for fear of being misunderstood. A longtime friend of mine once ran for a provincial legislative seat and was labeled "red" by his opponents simply because he hailed from the Chinese mainland. It must be said that the era of Trudeau after 2019 has truly been difficult to describe for many Chinese Canadians.
For Chinese Canadians with relatives in China, the most frustrating "byproduct" of the Trudeau era may be the slow rebound of direct flights between Canada and China. I sincerely hope that the "post-Trudeau era" will lead to a "warming" of Canada's policy toward China, bringing the country back on track as it was when I first arrived. Hopefully, this is not mere wishful thinking.
