Probe of Mars set for 2020

China's unmanned mission will conduct research on planet's soil, environment and atmosphere

Tributes to icon Prince pour in

A deluge of tributes came in from around the world on Friday following the sudden death at 57 of superstar Prince, with fans flocking to dance parties to celebrate the life of the "Purple Rain" music legend.

Beijing test lab suspended

China's anti-doping authority said it is trying to solve the problems that caused the suspension of its testing laboratory and denied that the recent positive drug tests of Chinese swimmers had anything to do with it.

Production of wheat to drop for first time since '04

China's wheat production will decrease this year for the first time in 12 years, the result of a reduction in acreage and unfavorable weather conditions caused by El Nino, a government report said on Friday.

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A moment in time: World at home

In the 1985 photo (above), foreigners visiting Xi'an, in Northwest China's Shaanxi province, are seen surrounded by locals as foreign faces were rare in the country back then. Whereas, in June 2014 (right), visitors from the United States, Canada and the Netherlands are clicked enjoying making snacks along with Chinese tourists in Central China's Hubei province.

Old-world jade survives changes in China

Hu Zunmei has been buying jade jewelry for years, both for herself and as gifts for friends. To her, the rock in varying shades of green symbolizes something unusual.

Ban praises China's role in climate accord

More than 165 countries were expected to sign Paris Agreement at United Nations on Friday

Taiwan wire fraud suspects to face trial on mainland

The 77 suspected members of telecom fraud syndicates deported from Kenya this month will be tried on the mainland, said Chen Shiqu, deputy inspector of the Ministry of Public Security's Criminal Investigation Bureau.

Shrine offering and visit stir protests

Beijing is protesting two days of senior Japanese politicians' actions related to the Yasukuni Shrine, which honors convicted war criminals from World War II.