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China: Cloud Fall Cascades Over Nanchuan’s Jinfo Mountain

This is the stunning moment that a mesmerizing waterfall cascaded down the eastern slope of Jinfo Mountain, leaving viewers in awe with its “cloud fall”-like appearance. On May 10, 2025, in Nanchuan District, Chongqing, the video showed thick white clouds dramatically tumbling down the mountain slope like a massive waterfall. The breathtaking spectacle occurred at the eastern foothills of Jinfo Mountain, a region that is known for its unique topography, which contributed to the formation of such rare natural phenomena. In the video, the clouds poured over the ridge in powerful streams, creating the illusion of liquid mist plunging from the peak. According to local meteorological explanations, the “cloud fall” was formed due to a specific combination of warm and cool airflows along the mountain slope. When temperatures rose on one side of the mountain, clouds were pushed by the wind toward the cooler side, creating a “cloud fall”. The video ended with the rolling clouds continuing their dramatic descent, blanketing the forested slopes below in a sea of mist.

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XINHUA PHOTOS OF THE DAY

(240710) -- BEIJING, July 10, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- Wang Wei conducts road testing for an autonomous vehicle at an autonomous driving demonstration area in Yizhuang in Beijing, capital of China, June 19, 2024. Wang Wei joined Pony.ai, a Chinese autonomous driving solution provider in 2019 and now works as a safety supervisor of autonomous vehicles. He is responsible for maintaining devices that support driverless operations, and modifying hardware and software of self-driving cars. China's autonomous driving sector is ramping up with a robust expansion of road testing sweeping the country. This new phase sees the technology threading through the vibrant streets of populous metropolises, navigating the challenging topography of mountainous regions and making inroads into sectors such as agriculture and retail. Against this backdrop, the 39-year-old has more expectations for the future. "It feels like my job has more development potentials, and I hope to become a test engineer for autonomous v

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(ChineseToday)CHINA-BEIJING-AUTONOMOUS DRIVING-SAFETY GUARDIAN (CN)

(240709) -- BEIJING, July 9, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- Wang Wei conducts road testing for an autonomous vehicle at an autonomous driving demonstration area in Yizhuang in Beijing, capital of China, June 19, 2024. Wang Wei joined Pony.ai, a Chinese autonomous driving solution provider in 2019 and now works as a safety supervisor of autonomous vehicles. He is responsible for maintaining devices that support driverless operations, and modifying hardware and software of self-driving cars. China's autonomous driving sector is ramping up with a robust expansion of road testing sweeping the country. This new phase sees the technology threading through the vibrant streets of populous metropolises, navigating the challenging topography of mountainous regions and making inroads into sectors such as agriculture and retail. Against this backdrop, the 39-year-old has more expectations for the future. "It feels like my job has more development potentials, and I hope to become a test engineer for autonomous ve

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(ChineseToday)CHINA-BEIJING-AUTONOMOUS DRIVING-SAFETY GUARDIAN (CN)

(240709) -- BEIJING, July 9, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- Wang Wei checks devices of an autonomous vehicle at the operation center of Pony.ai in Yizhuang in Beijing, capital of China, June 19, 2024. Wang Wei joined Pony.ai, a Chinese autonomous driving solution provider in 2019 and now works as a safety supervisor of autonomous vehicles. He is responsible for maintaining devices that support driverless operations, and modifying hardware and software of self-driving cars. China's autonomous driving sector is ramping up with a robust expansion of road testing sweeping the country. This new phase sees the technology threading through the vibrant streets of populous metropolises, navigating the challenging topography of mountainous regions and making inroads into sectors such as agriculture and retail. Against this backdrop, the 39-year-old has more expectations for the future. "It feels like my job has more development potentials, and I hope to become a test engineer for autonomous vehicles in the fut

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(ChineseToday)CHINA-BEIJING-AUTONOMOUS DRIVING-SAFETY GUARDIAN (CN)

(240709) -- BEIJING, July 9, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- Wang Wei conducts road testing for an autonomous vehicle at an autonomous driving demonstration area in Yizhuang in Beijing, capital of China, June 19, 2024. Wang Wei joined Pony.ai, a Chinese autonomous driving solution provider in 2019 and now works as a safety supervisor of autonomous vehicles. He is responsible for maintaining devices that support driverless operations, and modifying hardware and software of self-driving cars. China's autonomous driving sector is ramping up with a robust expansion of road testing sweeping the country. This new phase sees the technology threading through the vibrant streets of populous metropolises, navigating the challenging topography of mountainous regions and making inroads into sectors such as agriculture and retail. Against this backdrop, the 39-year-old has more expectations for the future. "It feels like my job has more development potentials, and I hope to become a test engineer for autonomous ve

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(ChineseToday)CHINA-BEIJING-AUTONOMOUS DRIVING-SAFETY GUARDIAN (CN)

(240709) -- BEIJING, July 9, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- Wang Wei checks devices in an autonomous vehicle at the operation center of Pony.ai in Yizhuang in Beijing, capital of China, June 19, 2024. Wang Wei joined Pony.ai, a Chinese autonomous driving solution provider in 2019 and now works as a safety supervisor of autonomous vehicles. He is responsible for maintaining devices that support driverless operations, and modifying hardware and software of self-driving cars. China's autonomous driving sector is ramping up with a robust expansion of road testing sweeping the country. This new phase sees the technology threading through the vibrant streets of populous metropolises, navigating the challenging topography of mountainous regions and making inroads into sectors such as agriculture and retail. Against this backdrop, the 39-year-old has more expectations for the future. "It feels like my job has more development potentials, and I hope to become a test engineer for autonomous vehicles in the fut

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(ChineseToday)CHINA-BEIJING-AUTONOMOUS DRIVING-SAFETY GUARDIAN (CN)

(240709) -- BEIJING, July 9, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- Wang Wei checks the sensor of an autonomous vehicle at the operation center of Pony.ai in Yizhuang in Beijing, capital of China, June 19, 2024. Wang Wei joined Pony.ai, a Chinese autonomous driving solution provider in 2019 and now works as a safety supervisor of autonomous vehicles. He is responsible for maintaining devices that support driverless operations, and modifying hardware and software of self-driving cars. China's autonomous driving sector is ramping up with a robust expansion of road testing sweeping the country. This new phase sees the technology threading through the vibrant streets of populous metropolises, navigating the challenging topography of mountainous regions and making inroads into sectors such as agriculture and retail. Against this backdrop, the 39-year-old has more expectations for the future. "It feels like my job has more development potentials, and I hope to become a test engineer for autonomous vehicles in the

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(ChineseToday)CHINA-BEIJING-AUTONOMOUS DRIVING-SAFETY GUARDIAN (CN)

(240709) -- BEIJING, July 9, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- Wang Wei inspects an autonomous vehicle at the operation center of Pony.ai in Yizhuang in Beijing, capital of China, June 19, 2024. Wang Wei joined Pony.ai, a Chinese autonomous driving solution provider in 2019 and now works as a safety supervisor of autonomous vehicles. He is responsible for maintaining devices that support driverless operations, and modifying hardware and software of self-driving cars. China's autonomous driving sector is ramping up with a robust expansion of road testing sweeping the country. This new phase sees the technology threading through the vibrant streets of populous metropolises, navigating the challenging topography of mountainous regions and making inroads into sectors such as agriculture and retail. Against this backdrop, the 39-year-old has more expectations for the future. "It feels like my job has more development potentials, and I hope to become a test engineer for autonomous vehicles in the future," Wan

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(ChineseToday)CHINA-BEIJING-AUTONOMOUS DRIVING-SAFETY GUARDIAN (CN)

(240709) -- BEIJING, July 9, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- An autonomous vehicle undergoes road testing at an autonomous driving demonstration area in Yizhuang in Beijing, capital of China, June 19, 2024. Wang Wei joined Pony.ai, a Chinese autonomous driving solution provider in 2019 and now works as a safety supervisor of autonomous vehicles. He is responsible for maintaining devices that support driverless operations, and modifying hardware and software of self-driving cars. China's autonomous driving sector is ramping up with a robust expansion of road testing sweeping the country. This new phase sees the technology threading through the vibrant streets of populous metropolises, navigating the challenging topography of mountainous regions and making inroads into sectors such as agriculture and retail. Against this backdrop, the 39-year-old has more expectations for the future. "It feels like my job has more development potentials, and I hope to become a test engineer for autonomous vehicles in th

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(ChineseToday)CHINA-BEIJING-AUTONOMOUS DRIVING-SAFETY GUARDIAN (CN)

(240709) -- BEIJING, July 9, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- An autonomous vehicle undergoes road testing at an autonomous driving demonstration area in Yizhuang in Beijing, capital of China, June 19, 2024. Wang Wei joined Pony.ai, a Chinese autonomous driving solution provider in 2019 and now works as a safety supervisor of autonomous vehicles. He is responsible for maintaining devices that support driverless operations, and modifying hardware and software of self-driving cars. China's autonomous driving sector is ramping up with a robust expansion of road testing sweeping the country. This new phase sees the technology threading through the vibrant streets of populous metropolises, navigating the challenging topography of mountainous regions and making inroads into sectors such as agriculture and retail. Against this backdrop, the 39-year-old has more expectations for the future. "It feels like my job has more development potentials, and I hope to become a test engineer for autonomous vehicles in th

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(ChineseToday)CHINA-BEIJING-AUTONOMOUS DRIVING-SAFETY GUARDIAN (CN)

(240709) -- BEIJING, July 9, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- Wang Wei conducts road testing for an autonomous vehicle at an autonomous driving demonstration area in Yizhuang in Beijing, capital of China, June 19, 2024. Wang Wei joined Pony.ai, a Chinese autonomous driving solution provider in 2019 and now works as a safety supervisor of autonomous vehicles. He is responsible for maintaining devices that support driverless operations, and modifying hardware and software of self-driving cars. China's autonomous driving sector is ramping up with a robust expansion of road testing sweeping the country. This new phase sees the technology threading through the vibrant streets of populous metropolises, navigating the challenging topography of mountainous regions and making inroads into sectors such as agriculture and retail. Against this backdrop, the 39-year-old has more expectations for the future. "It feels like my job has more development potentials, and I hope to become a test engineer for autonomous ve

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(ChineseToday)CHINA-BEIJING-AUTONOMOUS DRIVING-SAFETY GUARDIAN (CN)

(240709) -- BEIJING, July 9, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- Wang Wei checks devices of an autonomous vehicle at the operation center of Pony.ai in Yizhuang in Beijing, capital of China, June 19, 2024. Wang Wei joined Pony.ai, a Chinese autonomous driving solution provider in 2019 and now works as a safety supervisor of autonomous vehicles. He is responsible for maintaining devices that support driverless operations, and modifying hardware and software of self-driving cars. China's autonomous driving sector is ramping up with a robust expansion of road testing sweeping the country. This new phase sees the technology threading through the vibrant streets of populous metropolises, navigating the challenging topography of mountainous regions and making inroads into sectors such as agriculture and retail. Against this backdrop, the 39-year-old has more expectations for the future. "It feels like my job has more development potentials, and I hope to become a test engineer for autonomous vehicles in the fut

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(ChineseToday)CHINA-BEIJING-AUTONOMOUS DRIVING-SAFETY GUARDIAN (CN)

(240709) -- BEIJING, July 9, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- Wang Wei works at the operation center of Pony.ai in Yizhuang in Beijing, capital of China, June 19, 2024. Wang Wei joined Pony.ai, a Chinese autonomous driving solution provider in 2019 and now works as a safety supervisor of autonomous vehicles. He is responsible for maintaining devices that support driverless operations, and modifying hardware and software of self-driving cars. China's autonomous driving sector is ramping up with a robust expansion of road testing sweeping the country. This new phase sees the technology threading through the vibrant streets of populous metropolises, navigating the challenging topography of mountainous regions and making inroads into sectors such as agriculture and retail. Against this backdrop, the 39-year-old has more expectations for the future. "It feels like my job has more development potentials, and I hope to become a test engineer for autonomous vehicles in the future," Wang said. Photo by Xinhua/A

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(ChineseToday)CHINA-BEIJING-AUTONOMOUS DRIVING-SAFETY GUARDIAN (CN)

(240709) -- BEIJING, July 9, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- An autonomous vehicle yields to a pedestrian as it undergoes road testing at an autonomous driving demonstration area in Yizhuang in Beijing, capital of China, June 19, 2024. Wang Wei joined Pony.ai, a Chinese autonomous driving solution provider in 2019 and now works as a safety supervisor of autonomous vehicles. He is responsible for maintaining devices that support driverless operations, and modifying hardware and software of self-driving cars. China's autonomous driving sector is ramping up with a robust expansion of road testing sweeping the country. This new phase sees the technology threading through the vibrant streets of populous metropolises, navigating the challenging topography of mountainous regions and making inroads into sectors such as agriculture and retail. Against this backdrop, the 39-year-old has more expectations for the future. "It feels like my job has more development potentials, and I hope to become a test engineer

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(ChineseToday)CHINA-BEIJING-AUTONOMOUS DRIVING-SAFETY GUARDIAN (CN)

(240709) -- BEIJING, July 9, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- Wang Wei receives media interview at the operation center of Pony.ai in Yizhuang in Beijing, capital of China, June 19, 2024. Wang Wei joined Pony.ai, a Chinese autonomous driving solution provider in 2019 and now works as a safety supervisor of autonomous vehicles. He is responsible for maintaining devices that support driverless operations, and modifying hardware and software of self-driving cars. China's autonomous driving sector is ramping up with a robust expansion of road testing sweeping the country. This new phase sees the technology threading through the vibrant streets of populous metropolises, navigating the challenging topography of mountainous regions and making inroads into sectors such as agriculture and retail. Against this backdrop, the 39-year-old has more expectations for the future. "It feels like my job has more development potentials, and I hope to become a test engineer for autonomous vehicles in the future," Wang said

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(ChineseToday)CHINA-BEIJING-AUTONOMOUS DRIVING-SAFETY GUARDIAN (CN)

(240709) -- BEIJING, July 9, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- Wang Wei conducts road testing for an autonomous vehicle at an autonomous driving demonstration area in Yizhuang in Beijing, capital of China, June 19, 2024. Wang Wei joined Pony.ai, a Chinese autonomous driving solution provider in 2019 and now works as a safety supervisor of autonomous vehicles. He is responsible for maintaining devices that support driverless operations, and modifying hardware and software of self-driving cars. China's autonomous driving sector is ramping up with a robust expansion of road testing sweeping the country. This new phase sees the technology threading through the vibrant streets of populous metropolises, navigating the challenging topography of mountainous regions and making inroads into sectors such as agriculture and retail. Against this backdrop, the 39-year-old has more expectations for the future. "It feels like my job has more development potentials, and I hope to become a test engineer for autonomous ve

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(ChineseToday)CHINA-BEIJING-AUTONOMOUS DRIVING-SAFETY GUARDIAN (CN)

(240709) -- BEIJING, July 9, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- Wang Wei (1st L, rear) and his colleagues check devices in an autonomous vehicle at the operation center of Pony.ai in Yizhuang in Beijing, capital of China, June 19, 2024. Wang Wei joined Pony.ai, a Chinese autonomous driving solution provider in 2019 and now works as a safety supervisor of autonomous vehicles. He is responsible for maintaining devices that support driverless operations, and modifying hardware and software of self-driving cars. China's autonomous driving sector is ramping up with a robust expansion of road testing sweeping the country. This new phase sees the technology threading through the vibrant streets of populous metropolises, navigating the challenging topography of mountainous regions and making inroads into sectors such as agriculture and retail. Against this backdrop, the 39-year-old has more expectations for the future. "It feels like my job has more development potentials, and I hope to become a test engineer fo

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(ChineseToday)CHINA-BEIJING-AUTONOMOUS DRIVING-SAFETY GUARDIAN (CN)

(240709) -- BEIJING, July 9, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- Wang Wei checks devices in an autonomous vehicle at the operation center of Pony.ai in Yizhuang in Beijing, capital of China, June 19, 2024. Wang Wei joined Pony.ai, a Chinese autonomous driving solution provider in 2019 and now works as a safety supervisor of autonomous vehicles. He is responsible for maintaining devices that support driverless operations, and modifying hardware and software of self-driving cars. China's autonomous driving sector is ramping up with a robust expansion of road testing sweeping the country. This new phase sees the technology threading through the vibrant streets of populous metropolises, navigating the challenging topography of mountainous regions and making inroads into sectors such as agriculture and retail. Against this backdrop, the 39-year-old has more expectations for the future. "It feels like my job has more development potentials, and I hope to become a test engineer for autonomous vehicles in the fut

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(ChineseToday)CHINA-BEIJING-AUTONOMOUS DRIVING-SAFETY GUARDIAN (CN)

(240709) -- BEIJING, July 9, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- Wang Wei checks devices in an autonomous vehicle at the operation center of Pony.ai in Yizhuang in Beijing, capital of China, June 19, 2024. Wang Wei joined Pony.ai, a Chinese autonomous driving solution provider in 2019 and now works as a safety supervisor of autonomous vehicles. He is responsible for maintaining devices that support driverless operations, and modifying hardware and software of self-driving cars. China's autonomous driving sector is ramping up with a robust expansion of road testing sweeping the country. This new phase sees the technology threading through the vibrant streets of populous metropolises, navigating the challenging topography of mountainous regions and making inroads into sectors such as agriculture and retail. Against this backdrop, the 39-year-old has more expectations for the future. "It feels like my job has more development potentials, and I hope to become a test engineer for autonomous vehicles in the fut

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(ChineseToday)CHINA-BEIJING-AUTONOMOUS DRIVING-SAFETY GUARDIAN (CN)

(240709) -- BEIJING, July 9, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- Wang Wei checks the sensor of an autonomous vehicle at the operation center of Pony.ai in Yizhuang in Beijing, capital of China, June 19, 2024. Wang Wei joined Pony.ai, a Chinese autonomous driving solution provider in 2019 and now works as a safety supervisor of autonomous vehicles. He is responsible for maintaining devices that support driverless operations, and modifying hardware and software of self-driving cars. China's autonomous driving sector is ramping up with a robust expansion of road testing sweeping the country. This new phase sees the technology threading through the vibrant streets of populous metropolises, navigating the challenging topography of mountainous regions and making inroads into sectors such as agriculture and retail. Against this backdrop, the 39-year-old has more expectations for the future. "It feels like my job has more development potentials, and I hope to become a test engineer for autonomous vehicles in the

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(ChineseToday)CHINA-BEIJING-AUTONOMOUS DRIVING-SAFETY GUARDIAN (CN)

(240709) -- BEIJING, July 9, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- Wang Wei checks the sensor of an autonomous vehicle at the operation center of Pony.ai in Yizhuang in Beijing, capital of China, June 19, 2024. Wang Wei joined Pony.ai, a Chinese autonomous driving solution provider in 2019 and now works as a safety supervisor of autonomous vehicles. He is responsible for maintaining devices that support driverless operations, and modifying hardware and software of self-driving cars. China's autonomous driving sector is ramping up with a robust expansion of road testing sweeping the country. This new phase sees the technology threading through the vibrant streets of populous metropolises, navigating the challenging topography of mountainous regions and making inroads into sectors such as agriculture and retail. Against this backdrop, the 39-year-old has more expectations for the future. "It feels like my job has more development potentials, and I hope to become a test engineer for autonomous vehicles in the

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(ChineseToday)CHINA-BEIJING-AUTONOMOUS DRIVING-SAFETY GUARDIAN (CN)

(240709) -- BEIJING, July 9, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- Wang Wei inspects an autonomous vehicle at the operation center of Pony.ai in Yizhuang in Beijing, capital of China, June 19, 2024. Wang Wei joined Pony.ai, a Chinese autonomous driving solution provider in 2019 and now works as a safety supervisor of autonomous vehicles. He is responsible for maintaining devices that support driverless operations, and modifying hardware and software of self-driving cars. China's autonomous driving sector is ramping up with a robust expansion of road testing sweeping the country. This new phase sees the technology threading through the vibrant streets of populous metropolises, navigating the challenging topography of mountainous regions and making inroads into sectors such as agriculture and retail. Against this backdrop, the 39-year-old has more expectations for the future. "It feels like my job has more development potentials, and I hope to become a test engineer for autonomous vehicles in the future," Wan

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UN Chinese Language Day celebrated at University of Lome in Togo

STORY: UN Chinese Language Day celebrated at University of Lome in Togo SHOOTING TIME: April 19, 2024 DATELINE: April 20, 2024 LENGTH: 00:01:29 LOCATION: Lome CATEGORY: CULTURE SHOTLIST: 1. various of celebration event 2. SOUNDBITE (Chinese): SHEN FUHAI, Teacher at Confucius Institute of University of Lome STORYLINE: The Confucius Institute of the University of Lome in Togo celebrated the UN Chinese Language Day on Friday, attracting more than 100 participants including students of the university and local Chinese language enthusiasts. The event included performances of guqin, Chinese costume demonstration, dragon dance, and other activities such as paper-cutting, calligraphy, topography, to allow participants to experience the beauty of Chinese culture. SOUNDBITE (Chinese): SHEN FUHAI, Teacher at Confucius Institute of University of Lome "On the occasion of the UN Chinese Language Day, the Confucius Institute at the University of Lome in Togo organized a series of activities. Through these activit

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Aftermath of China quake

QINGHAI PROVINCE, China - Rescue workers take a rest on April 16, 2010, in Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in China's Qinghai Province, which was hit by a powerful earthquake that has claimed at least 790 lives. The altitude and topography of the quake-hit zone, which sits on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau 4,000 meters above sea level, have compounded the difficulties for rescuers.

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Aftermath of China quake

QINGHAI PROVINCE, China - Rescue workers and search dogs take a rest on April 16, 2010, in Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in China's Qinghai Province, which was hit by a powerful earthquake that has claimed at least 790 lives. The altitude and topography of the quake-hit zone, which sits on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau 4,000 meters above sea level, have compounded the difficulties for rescuers.

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Japan agrees to withdraw maritime survey plan near disputed islets

SEOUL, South Korea - Yu Myung Hwan (L), South Korean first vice minister for Foreign affairs and trade, and Japanese Vice Foreign Minister Shotaro Yachi (R) speak at separate press conference in Seoul on April 22 at the end of two-day talks on Japan's plan to carry out a maritime survey near disputed islets. Japan agreed to withdraw its plan for a survey near while Korea agreed to cancel plans to name seafloor topography near the islets at an international conference scheduled for June in Germany.

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Japan agrees to withdraw maritime survey plan near disputed islets

SEOUL, South Korea - Japanese Vice Foreign Minister Shotaro Yachi speaks at a press conference after two days of talks with Yu Myung Hwan, South Korea's first vice minister for foreign affairs and trade, in Seoul on April 22. Japan agreed to withdraw its plan for a survey near while Korea agreed to cancel plans to name seafloor topography near the islets at an international conference scheduled for June in Germany.

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(1)Research ship starts study on quake mechanism off Sumatra

TOKYO, Japan - An ocean-bottom seismometer is brought down into the sea off Sumatra Island, Indonesia, from Japan's deep-sea research ship Natsushima on Feb. 18. The 1,739-ton ship started research on underwater topography to study quake-causing mechanisms in waters near the epicenter of the Dec. 26 quake. (Pool photo)

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(2)Research ship starts study on quake mechanism off Sumatra

TOKYO, Japan - Researchers and crew members aboard Japan's deep-sea research ship Natsushima offer silent prayers off Sumatra Island, Indonesia, for victims of the Dec. 26 devastating earthquake on Feb. 18 as they started research on underwater topography to study quake-causing mechanisms in waters. (Pool photo)

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Japanese research ship heads to Indonesia to study quake mechanism

KAGOSHIMA, Japan - The 1,739-ton Natsushima, a deep-sea research vessel of the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology, heads to Indonesia on Feb. 2 to conduct research on underwater topography to study earthquake-causing mechanisms. Researchers aboard the ship plan to conduct the research for about a month, from February to March, near the epicenter of the Dec. 26 earthquake off northern Sumatra, which triggered the deadly Asian tsunami.

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CHINA-GUIZHOU-WUCHUAN-SICHUAN PEPPER (CN)

(220616) -- WUCHUAN, June 16, 2022 (Xinhua) -- A villager harvests Sichuan pepper in Zhennan Town of Wuchuan Gelao and Miao Autonomous County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, June 16, 2022. Covering a wide area of karst topography and suffering from serious rocky desertification, Wuchuan County once had low agricultural yields. Local authorities have been committed to planting Sichuan pepper, a cash crop highly adaptable to areas of rocky desertification, as a way to boost local economy and drive rural revitalization. The total area of Sichuan pepper plantation now stands at 225,000 mu (about 15,000 hectares) in the county. (Xinhua/Ou Dongqu)

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CHINA-GUIZHOU-WUCHUAN-SICHUAN PEPPER (CN)

(220616) -- WUCHUAN, June 16, 2022 (Xinhua) -- A villager demonstrates freshly-picked Sichuan pepper in Zhennan Town of Wuchuan Gelao and Miao Autonomous County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, June 16, 2022. Covering a wide area of karst topography and suffering from serious rocky desertification, Wuchuan County once had low agricultural yields. Local authorities have been committed to planting Sichuan pepper, a cash crop highly adaptable to areas of rocky desertification, as a way to boost local economy and drive rural revitalization. The total area of Sichuan pepper plantation now stands at 225,000 mu (about 15,000 hectares) in the county. (Xinhua/Ou Dongqu)

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CHINA-GUIZHOU-WUCHUAN-SICHUAN PEPPER (CN)

(220616) -- WUCHUAN, June 16, 2022 (Xinhua) -- In this aerial photo, a villager harvests Sichuan pepper in Zhennan Town of Wuchuan Gelao and Miao Autonomous County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, June 16, 2022. Covering a wide area of karst topography and suffering from serious rocky desertification, Wuchuan County once had low agricultural yields. Local authorities have been committed to planting Sichuan pepper, a cash crop highly adaptable to areas of rocky desertification, as a way to boost local economy and drive rural revitalization. The total area of Sichuan pepper plantation now stands at 225,000 mu (about 15,000 hectares) in the county. (Xinhua/Ou Dongqu)

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CHINA-GUIZHOU-WUCHUAN-SICHUAN PEPPER (CN)

(220616) -- WUCHUAN, June 16, 2022 (Xinhua) -- A staff member checks the processing of Sichuan pepper at the production line of a local company in Zhennan Town of Wuchuan Gelao and Miao Autonomous County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, June 16, 2022. Covering a wide area of karst topography and suffering from serious rocky desertification, Wuchuan County once had low agricultural yields. Local authorities have been committed to planting Sichuan pepper, a cash crop highly adaptable to areas of rocky desertification, as a way to boost local economy and drive rural revitalization. The total area of Sichuan pepper plantation now stands at 225,000 mu (about 15,000 hectares) in the county. (Photo by Zhao Yongzhang/Xinhua)

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CHINA-GUIZHOU-WUCHUAN-SICHUAN PEPPER (CN)

(220616) -- WUCHUAN, June 16, 2022 (Xinhua) -- A staff member packs Sichuan pepper at a local company in Zhennan Town of Wuchuan Gelao and Miao Autonomous County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, June 16, 2022. Covering a wide area of karst topography and suffering from serious rocky desertification, Wuchuan County once had low agricultural yields. Local authorities have been committed to planting Sichuan pepper, a cash crop highly adaptable to areas of rocky desertification, as a way to boost local economy and drive rural revitalization. The total area of Sichuan pepper plantation now stands at 225,000 mu (about 15,000 hectares) in the county. (Xinhua/Ou Dongqu)

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CHINA-GUIZHOU-WUCHUAN-SICHUAN PEPPER (CN)

(220616) -- WUCHUAN, June 16, 2022 (Xinhua) -- A villager harvests Sichuan pepper in Zhennan Town of Wuchuan Gelao and Miao Autonomous County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, June 16, 2022. Covering a wide area of karst topography and suffering from serious rocky desertification, Wuchuan County once had low agricultural yields. Local authorities have been committed to planting Sichuan pepper, a cash crop highly adaptable to areas of rocky desertification, as a way to boost local economy and drive rural revitalization. The total area of Sichuan pepper plantation now stands at 225,000 mu (about 15,000 hectares) in the county. (Xinhua/Ou Dongqu)

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CHINA-GUIZHOU-WUCHUAN-SICHUAN PEPPER (CN)

(220616) -- WUCHUAN, June 16, 2022 (Xinhua) -- In this aerial photo, villagers harvest Sichuan pepper in Zhennan Town of Wuchuan Gelao and Miao Autonomous County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, June 16, 2022. Covering a wide area of karst topography and suffering from serious rocky desertification, Wuchuan County once had low agricultural yields. Local authorities have been committed to planting Sichuan pepper, a cash crop highly adaptable to areas of rocky desertification, as a way to boost local economy and drive rural revitalization. The total area of Sichuan pepper plantation now stands at 225,000 mu (about 15,000 hectares) in the county. (Xinhua/Ou Dongqu)

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CHINA-GUIZHOU-WUCHUAN-SICHUAN PEPPER (CN)

(220616) -- WUCHUAN, June 16, 2022 (Xinhua) -- A staff member processes Sichuan pepper at the production line of a local company in Zhennan Town of Wuchuan Gelao and Miao Autonomous County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, June 15, 2022. Covering a wide area of karst topography and suffering from serious rocky desertification, Wuchuan County once had low agricultural yields. Local authorities have been committed to planting Sichuan pepper, a cash crop highly adaptable to areas of rocky desertification, as a way to boost local economy and drive rural revitalization. The total area of Sichuan pepper plantation now stands at 225,000 mu (about 15,000 hectares) in the county. (Photo by Zhao Yongzhang/Xinhua)

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CHINA-GUIZHOU-WUCHUAN-SICHUAN PEPPER (CN)

(220616) -- WUCHUAN, June 16, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Aerial photo taken on June 16, 2022 shows a Sichuan pepper plantation in Zhennan Town of Wuchuan Gelao and Miao Autonomous County, southwest China's Guizhou Province. Covering a wide area of karst topography and suffering from serious rocky desertification, Wuchuan County once had low agricultural yields. Local authorities have been committed to planting Sichuan pepper, a cash crop highly adaptable to areas of rocky desertification, as a way to boost local economy and drive rural revitalization. The total area of Sichuan pepper plantation now stands at 225,000 mu (about 15,000 hectares) in the county. (Photo by Luo Xinghan/Xinhua)

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CHINA-GUIZHOU-WUCHUAN-SICHUAN PEPPER (CN)

(220616) -- WUCHUAN, June 16, 2022 (Xinhua) -- A staff member checks Sichuan pepper at the production line of a local company in Zhennan Town of Wuchuan Gelao and Miao Autonomous County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, June 15, 2022. Covering a wide area of karst topography and suffering from serious rocky desertification, Wuchuan County once had low agricultural yields. Local authorities have been committed to planting Sichuan pepper, a cash crop highly adaptable to areas of rocky desertification, as a way to boost local economy and drive rural revitalization. The total area of Sichuan pepper plantation now stands at 225,000 mu (about 15,000 hectares) in the county. (Photo by Chen Qingjun/Xinhua)

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CHINA-GUIZHOU-WUCHUAN-SICHUAN PEPPER (CN)

(220616) -- WUCHUAN, June 16, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Aerial photo taken on June 16, 2022 shows a Sichuan pepper plantation in Zhennan Town of Wuchuan Gelao and Miao Autonomous County, southwest China's Guizhou Province. Covering a wide area of karst topography and suffering from serious rocky desertification, Wuchuan County once had low agricultural yields. Local authorities have been committed to planting Sichuan pepper, a cash crop highly adaptable to areas of rocky desertification, as a way to boost local economy and drive rural revitalization. The total area of Sichuan pepper plantation now stands at 225,000 mu (about 15,000 hectares) in the county. (Xinhua/Ou Dongqu)

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CHINA-GUIZHOU-WUCHUAN-SICHUAN PEPPER (CN)

(220616) -- WUCHUAN, June 16, 2022 (Xinhua) -- In this aerial photo, villagers harvest Sichuan pepper in Zhennan Town of Wuchuan Gelao and Miao Autonomous County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, June 16, 2022. Covering a wide area of karst topography and suffering from serious rocky desertification, Wuchuan County once had low agricultural yields. Local authorities have been committed to planting Sichuan pepper, a cash crop highly adaptable to areas of rocky desertification, as a way to boost local economy and drive rural revitalization. The total area of Sichuan pepper plantation now stands at 225,000 mu (about 15,000 hectares) in the county. (Xinhua/Ou Dongqu)

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(EyesonSci) CHINA-TIANWEN-1-NEW MARS IMAGES-UNVEILING (CN)

(220101) -- BEIJING, Jan. 1, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Photo released on Jan. 1, 2022 by the China National Space Administration (CNSA) shows the surface landscape taken by the rover Zhurong. China released on the first day of 2022 a group of new Mars images taken by the Tianwen-1 probe. These new images showed diverse working conditions of the probe's orbiter and rover, as well as the Mars surface topography obtained by them, said the China National Space Administration. The images include the group photo of the orbiter and Mars, closeup of the orbiter, ice sheet on Mars' north pole area, surface landscape taken by the rover Zhurong. China's Tianwen-1 mission, consisting of an orbiter, a lander and a rover, was launched on July 23, 2020. (CNSA/Handout via Xinhua)

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(EyesonSci) CHINA-TIANWEN-1-NEW MARS IMAGES-UNVEILING (CN)

(220101) -- BEIJING, Jan. 1, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Photo released on Jan. 1, 2022 by the China National Space Administration (CNSA) shows the ice sheet on Mars' north pole area. China released on the first day of 2022 a group of new Mars images taken by the Tianwen-1 probe. These new images showed diverse working conditions of the probe's orbiter and rover, as well as the Mars surface topography obtained by them, said the China National Space Administration. The images include the group photo of the orbiter and Mars, closeup of the orbiter, ice sheet on Mars' north pole area, surface landscape taken by the rover Zhurong. China's Tianwen-1 mission, consisting of an orbiter, a lander and a rover, was launched on July 23, 2020. (CNSA/Handout via Xinhua)

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(EyesonSci) CHINA-TIANWEN-1-NEW MARS IMAGES-UNVEILING (CN)

(220101) -- BEIJING, Jan. 1, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Photo released on Jan. 1, 2022 by the China National Space Administration (CNSA) shows the closeup of the orbiter. China released on the first day of 2022 a group of new Mars images taken by the Tianwen-1 probe. These new images showed diverse working conditions of the probe's orbiter and rover, as well as the Mars surface topography obtained by them, said the China National Space Administration. The images include the group photo of the orbiter and Mars, closeup of the orbiter, ice sheet on Mars' north pole area, surface landscape taken by the rover Zhurong. China's Tianwen-1 mission, consisting of an orbiter, a lander and a rover, was launched on July 23, 2020. (CNSA/Handout via Xinhua)

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(EyesonSci) CHINA-TIANWEN-1-NEW MARS IMAGES-UNVEILING (CN)

(220101) -- BEIJING, Jan. 1, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Photo released on Jan. 1, 2022 by the China National Space Administration (CNSA) shows the group photo of the orbiter and Mars. China released on the first day of 2022 a group of new Mars images taken by the Tianwen-1 probe. These new images showed diverse working conditions of the probe's orbiter and rover, as well as the Mars surface topography obtained by them, said the China National Space Administration. The images include the group photo of the orbiter and Mars, closeup of the orbiter, ice sheet on Mars' north pole area, surface landscape taken by the rover Zhurong. China's Tianwen-1 mission, consisting of an orbiter, a lander and a rover, was launched on July 23, 2020. (CNSA/Handout via Xinhua)

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Japan agrees to withdraw maritime survey plan near disputed isle

SEOUL, South Korea - Yu Myung Hwan (L), South Korean first vice minister for Foreign affairs and trade, and Japanese Vice Foreign Minister Shotaro Yachi (R) speak at separate press conference in Seoul on April 22 at the end of two-day talks on Japan's plan to carry out a maritime survey near disputed islets. Japan agreed to withdraw its plan for a survey near while Korea agreed to cancel plans to name seafloor topography near the islets at an international conference scheduled for June in Germany. (Kyodo)

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Japan agrees to withdraw maritime survey plan near disputed isle

SEOUL, South Korea - Japanese Vice Foreign Minister Shotaro Yachi speaks at a press conference after two days of talks with Yu Myung Hwan, South Korea's first vice minister for foreign affairs and trade, in Seoul on April 22. Japan agreed to withdraw its plan for a survey near while Korea agreed to cancel plans to name seafloor topography near the islets at an international conference scheduled for June in Germany. (Kyodo)

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Research ship detects cracks, slope collapse off Sumatra

TOKYO, Japan - This photo, taken by the remotely operated submersible Hyper-Dolphin deployed by Japan's 1,739-ton Natsushima deep-sea research ship on Feb. 22, shows cracks at the seabed at a depth of 2,184 meters off Sumatra Island, Indonesia. It is the first time a change in the topography of the seabed triggered by the Dec. 26 quake has been confirmed visually. The photo was provided by the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology. (Kyodo)

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Japanese research ship heads to Indonesia to study quake mechani

KAGOSHIMA, Japan - The 1,739-ton Natsushima, a deep-sea research vessel of the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology, heads to Indonesia on Feb. 2 to conduct research on underwater topography to study earthquake-causing mechanisms. Researchers aboard the ship plan to conduct the research for about a month, from February to March, near the epicenter of the Dec. 26 earthquake off northern Sumatra, which triggered the deadly Asian tsunami. (Kyodo)