In today’s podcast:

Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for building a community with a shared future with neighboring countries and striving to open new ground for China's neighborhood work. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks at a central conference on work related to neighboring countries, which was held in Beijing from Tuesday to Wednesday.

Ports from north to south in China posted robust growth in their throughput in the first quarter, with several achieving best-in-history results. A Chinese analyst said that the performance is an indication of the resilience of China's foreign trade and the broader economy, as the government's incremental policies took hold. 

John McCown, a shipping expert and non-resident senior fellow at the Center for Maritime Strategy, shared with the Global Times his views on the potential impact of the port fees proposed by the US on both the US and the global economy, as well as insights on how to properly understand China's shipbuilding industry and its relationship with the US.

For many long-time followers, this was an emotional moment: It was the first time Xiaoshu, a child diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, had ever voluntarily raised his hand to answer a question. Stories like Xiaoshu's illustrate China's growing awareness of autism and the expanding support systems for children with special needs.

China's sports authority General Administration of Sport of China recently announced the launch of the 2025 internship and training program for retired athletes at sports schools, providing them with opportunities to gain practical experience and prepare for careers in sports education.