Residents in some parts of Beijing are on edge as rises in humidity and temperature lure snakes into the Chinese capital, where encounters with the reptiles are usually rare. Concerned residents have been sharing their sightings on social media. “Why are there snakes in Beijing’s parks?” one user posted. “It scared me to death.” Advertisement In the comments section, many others shared similar experiences, with one woman recounting her shock at finding a snake hiding behind the fridge of her 25th-floor flat. Official media reports said the active season for…
Day: June 6, 2026
The problem with Japan’s bid to strengthen energy security, supply chains
What is in effect Japan’s version of the Belt and Road Initiative is being rolled out at an accelerating pace. But unlike China’s global infrastructure initiative, which mainly takes the form of highways, railways and sea lanes, Japan’s project is all about energy networks and supply chains. It poses a further challenge to America’s waning economic and strategic influence in Asia, the world’s most populous, resource-rich and potentially powerful region. What is more, it is a cooperative venture with the World Bank, which lends multilateral credibility. Japan’s project does not…
China bans 11 online activities under tighter rules to curb rumours, cyberbullies
China’s top internet watchdog has banned 11 specific online activities under strict new rules for multiplatform content creators taking effect later this year. Rolling out the new regulations last week, the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) said they aimed to prevent the spread of rumours and posts that could incite public anger, antagonism or social discrimination. The prohibited content includes posts fabricating topics to confuse the public, spreading fake or speculative information, “maliciously collecting and rehashing negative information” or “recycling old news to mislead the public”. Advertisement The CAC said…