Briefly

China rescues 8 foreign fishermen

The China Coast Guard said on Thursday it had rescued eight foreign fishermen from a distressed vessel in the East China Sea. The CCG successfully carried out a rescue operation on Tuesday after receiving an emergency alert about the South Korean fishing vessel 887 EOJIN, which was drifting due to hull damage and facing imminent danger, it said. The fishing vessel had been operating at sea for 20 days before the incident, according to the CCG. On Wednesday, the fishermen were handed over to a South Korean coast guard vessel in the same area, it added.

Railway reports record 1.46 billion trips

China's railway sector set a new record, handling 1.46 billion passenger trips during the first four months of the year, up 5.9 percent year-on-year, according to data from the national railway operator released on Thursday. The national railway operated an average of 11,224 passenger trains per day during the four-month period, a year-on-year increase of 7.1 percent, said China State Railway Group Co. To closely match market demand for sightseeing and eco-wellness, China Railway has carefully planned travel routes to suitable destinations, which helped boost the development of both the tourism and silver economies. From January to April, the national railway transported around 5.69 million foreign passengers, marking a year-on-year increase of 32.1 percent, according to China Railway.

New gecko species found in Hainan

Chinese researchers have discovered a new species of gecko in the National Park of Hainan Tropical Rainforest, underlining the rich biodiversity of the island province's protected ecosystems. The dark green gecko was found during a field expedition in October last year in the Bawangling section of the park, the Hainan provincial forestry department said on Thursday. The newly identified gecko is characterized by warty scales along its back and tail, smooth limbs and webbing between its toes. Adult males typically measure around 16 centimeters in length and weigh approximately 9 grams, while females are slightly smaller. Details of the study were recently published in the international journal Zootaxa.

Beijing cracks 2,100 economic crimes

Beijing police intensified their crackdown on economic crimes last year, solving more than 2,100 cases involving contract fraud and credit card fraud, the city's public security bureau said on Wednesday. Authorities also ramped up efforts to tackle emerging tax-related offenses, dismantling 11 criminal dens and detaining more than 90 suspects, the bureau said in a statement. To address evolving challenges in solving economic crimes, police across the capital have strengthened cooperation with financial regulatory bodies and expanded the use of advanced technologies in investigations. Artificial intelligence has helped officers quickly identify and collect more than 100 leads related to money laundering and illegal financing, according to the bureau. Police have also been encouraged to visit businesses, schools and communities to raise awareness about financial risks.

Xinhua - China Daily