CGTN Frontline

China's second homegrown large cruise ship undocks 🚢 The Adora Flora City, the second domestically-built large cruise ship, starts undocking in Shanghai on March 20, marking its transition to the dockside mooring phase. The Adora Flora City has a gross tonnage of 141,900 tonnes, with an overall length of 341 meters and a molded width of 37.2 meters. Compared to its predecessor, the Adora Magic City, the new vessel is 17.4 meters longer and features expanded public areas and enhanced onboard comfort, according to China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. As of now, over 94% of the overall project progress has been completed. The goal is to conduct sea trials by mid-year and complete delivery by the end of the year. The new vessel represents a major leap forward in China's large cruise ship construction capability, demonstrating a progression from delivering a single project to establishing an entire industrial system. #cruiseship #China #economy

Apple CEO Tim Cook: Appreciates China's business environment in recent months Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao met with an Apple delegation led by Tim Cook in Beijing. Key topics included the global supply chain and China’s efforts to boost domestic consumption. Cook reaffirmed the importance of the Chinese market and expressed appreciation for recent consumption incentive policies. #ChinaUS

Rafah crossing reopens for limited movement of people #Gaza's ⁠main gateway, ⁠the #Rafah crossing with #Egypt, has reopened on Thursday for limited movement of people in both directions. The crossing had reopened in early February after being largely shut since May 2024, amid the conflict in Gaza. It was shut again when #Israel began attacks on #Iran over two weeks ago. The United Nations has been pressing Israel to reopen more border crossings, and increase the flow of aid into Gaza as the escalating conflict in the Middle East further jeopardized #humanitarian relief. #PalestineIsraelConflict #ScarsofWars

JustIn: Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao held meetings in Beijing with an Apple delegation led by CEO Tim Cook. Global supply chain and China's push to boost domestic consumption are among the key topics. #ChinaUS

Chengdu: What did Germany's "hidden champions" see on the factory floor? A three-day German business delegation tour has kicked off in Chengdu, bringing "hidden champions" directly onto factory floors and into real industrial scenarios. As companies on both sides look beyond production toward long-term partnership, Chengdu is positioning itself as a key hub for China-Europe cooperation, leveraging the China-Europe Railway Express, strengthening supply chain integration, and aligning with international standards to deepen high-quality opening-up. #Germany #industry #ChinaTech #economy

China urges Japan to stop going further down wrong path Lin Jian, spokesperson of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, criticised remarks by Sanae Takaichi on Taiwan, saying they interfere in China's internal affairs and signal intentions of military involvement. He urged Japan to reflect and "stop going further down the wrong path," warning that such actions could undermine trust with regional neighbors and the international community. #JapanProvocation #Japan #Taiwan #OneChina

From Shenzhen to Ashgabat in 9 hours: The new Silk Road takes flight Every Wednesday at 3:30 a.m. at Shenzhen Airport. While the city sleeps, a cargo plane is being loaded with electronics and helmets, preparing for takeoff—destination: Turkmenistan. Before 2023? The same journey took 12 to 25 days by truck and rail—at the mercy of weather, stuck at border crossings. Now? These twice-weekly direct flights between Shenzhen and Ashgabat have turned weeks into hours, making same-day delivery a reality. The result: $10.46 billion in #China -#Turkmenistan bilateral trade (2025). Want to know how a direct air corridor is bringing two economies closer than ever? Full story here: news.cgtn.com/news/2026-03-1…

Russia warns Japan against remilitarization, urges adherence to pacifist principles Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova warned that Japan is moving toward remilitarization, including the acquisition of strike weapons like cruise missiles. She said such policies could destabilize the Asia-Pacific region and risk triggering a new arms race, adding that if new missile threats emerge, Russia "will respond" to ensure its national defense. #remilitarization #JapanProvocation #Russia #Zakharova #weapons

MOFCOM: China-US trade talks yield "new consensus" Commenting on China-US economic and trade talks held in Paris, Chinese Commerce Ministry spokesperson He Yongqian said at a regular press briefing on March 19 that the two sides had reached a new consensus and would continue consultations. She added that both sides agreed to explore establishing a mechanism to expand economic and trade cooperation, make full use of existing consultation channels, enhance communication, properly manage differences, and broaden practical cooperation — in a bid to promote the steady and stable development of bilateral economic ties. #ChinaUS #economy

Tehran funeral for Ali Larijani and others draws thousands Thousands gathered at #Enghelab Square in #Tehran ahead of the #funeral for navy personnel and senior figures, including Ali #Larijani. Despite ongoing tensions and reported risks, mourners assembled, chanting slogans and expressing their views. #ScarsofWars #Iraninfocus #MiddleEast #Iran

AW 2026 Shanghai Fashion Week official schedule unveiled The official schedule for the Autumn/Winter 2026 #ShanghaiFashionWeek has been unveiled, with the season set to open on March 25. Under the theme "Design Ahead, Fashion Ascends," the season highlights design as the core driver of the evolution of the Chinese fashion industry. #design #ChinaFashion

China, Vietnam bring joint medical services to border residents China and Vietnam are holding the 10th border defense friendship exchange in the frontier area of two countries. On Tuesday, a joint medical mission was carried out in the border city of Dongxing in South China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, as well as in Quang Ninh Province, Vietnam. The military medics from both countries offered free medical consultations to locals. #China #Vietnam #exchange

Killing of Ali Larijani deepens instability, dims peace prospects Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian says the killing of senior official Ali Larijani is a major loss to the country, as experts warn the assassination could further destabilize Iran's political system. CGTN's Zhao Yunfei explains potential regional fallout. #Iran #ScarsofWars #Israel #US

Expert warns Iran may escalate if US targets energy infrastructure Last week, the southern Iranian island of Kharg came under US airstrikes. While only military sites were targeted, Washington signaled that future strikes could extend to broader infrastructure if Iran continues to disrupt shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. An analyst warns that such escalation could push oil prices higher and trigger wider actions from Iran. #Iraninfocus #ScarsofWars

Mass funeral held in Afghanistan as temporary ceasefire agreed #Pakistan and #Afghanistan have agreed to a temporary pause in hostilities during the #Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr this week, officials said on Wednesday. The truce comes days after a reported Pakistani airstrike in Kabul that left hundreds of families in mourning. A mass #funeral was held as several families desperately searched for loved ones among the dead. #MiddleEast

Aid trucks wait in Al-Arish as Rafah crossing faces limited, uncertain reopening In #Egypt's Al-Arish, long lines of aid trucks are waiting to move toward the #Rafah crossing, anticipating its reopening after Israel’s announcement on March 15 that it would allow limited pedestrian movement from Wednesday following a security review. The decision—restricted and tightly controlled, with no clear provision for aid—has raised expectations, but uncertainty remains, leaving hundreds of trucks carrying food, fuel, and medical supplies idling as #Gaza's needs continue to outpace access. #ScarsofWars #MiddleEast

An Israeli strike has destroyed a building in central #Beirut on Wednesday, as missiles continue to hit areas far from where the Iranian-backed Hezbollah group has its strongest presence. Strikes rattled Beirut through the night and into morning, lighting up the sky over the Hezbollah‑controlled southern suburbs, which have been heavily bombarded by Israel since #Iran-backed Hezbollah entered the war in the #MiddleEast in support of #Tehran. #US

During a meeting in Beijing with Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, a senior envoy from the UAE, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stressed closer strategic coordination and continued cooperation, as both sides look to deepen ties and contribute to regional stability.

Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz claims that Iran's Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib was killed in an overnight Israeli attack.

A funeral procession is held in #Tehran's Revolution (Enghelab) Square for Iranian security chief Ali #Larijani, Basij organization commander Gholamreza Soleimani, both killed in Israeli air strikes, and the sailors who died on the Iranian Navy vessel torpedoed by the U.S. off Sri Lanka. #US #Iran