The government sees building a reading-friendly society as crucial to raising people's cultural refinement and the nation's level of social progress, and to fostering the country's overall innovation and creativity.

A regulation to promote reading among the public promulgated by the State Council last December and took effect on Feb. 1 this year, designates the fourth week of April each year as the national reading week.

The regulation aims to raise the intellectual, moral, scientific and cultural standards of the Chinese people and enhance overall social civility, contributing to China's efforts to build itself into a country with a strong socialist culture.

Jincheng City in north China's Shanxi Province has leveraged its local resources to launch a series of reading activities to encourage people to read, including a drama about local writer Zhao Shuli and other interactive events.

Jinan City, the capital of east China's Shandong Province and hometown of Xin Qiji, a renowned poet in the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279), has creatively introduced a Xin-themed activity, turning literature resources in libraries into perceptible and participatory real-scene experiences.

Yiwu City, known as the world's supermarket in east China's Zhejiang Province, launched a reading promotion event on Sunday, with diverse works created by Yiwu people at home and abroad displayed at the launch event. The event also features interactive activities incorporating traditional culture and ancient works, enabling participants to experience the unique reading culture as they move along with changing scenes.

Nanjing City, the capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, opened a book market where visitors could exchange old books for new ones. At the same time, classic literary IPs are integrated to create cultural and tourism consumption scenarios, meeting the needs of readers of different ages.

In Xiamen City of east China's Fujian Province, a local school has associated with a library to give lectures to engage students in in-depth reading.

As a country with more than five millennia of continuous civilization, China has long valued reading and learning.The government has elevated nationwide reading to a national strategy, incorporating it into the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) and featuring it in government work reports for 13 consecutive years.

The event was organized by the Sustainable Finance Center and Açyk ýürek with the support of the Union of Economists of Turkmenistan. This year, the festival reached a new level, with its program designed as a dynamic ecosystem of interaction, where panel discussions alternated with “Open Microphone” sessions, practical presentations, and one-on-one expert consultations. The financial fair became a point of direct engagement between companies and visitors, allowing participants to explore modern financial products and solutions in practice.

Key attention was given to pressing issues in financial market development, including the digitalization of banking services, expanding access to business financing, the development of the securities market, insurance, and risk management. A separate segment focused on sustainable development and ESG, reflecting global trends in the transformation of financial systems.

The festival’s expert value was enhanced by contributions from international and regional specialists. Panel discussions featured practical approaches to developing financial systems and institutional environments. In particular, international expert Maksat Keshiev shared insights on building sustainable financial ecosystems, emphasizing the importance of systemic reforms and international cooperation.

An online presentation by Ruslan Sadgalin (EY) focused on green finance and ESG transformation, which remains a relatively new yet strategically important area for the region. He highlighted that adopting ESG approaches opens access to international financing and increases a country’s investment attractiveness.

Gulzhanat Sarenova presented the practical perspective of the investment market, outlining modern capital-raising instruments, including alternative financial solutions, and emphasizing the importance of developing new financing mechanisms for businesses.

One of the most engaging elements of the festival was the children’s financial literacy zone. In an interactive format, children learned the basics of personal finance management, banking products, and financial responsibility, demonstrating the organizers’ long-term vision.

The wide audience — from schoolchildren and students to entrepreneurs, financial professionals, and international organizations — confirmed FinFest’s status as an open national platform for dialogue, knowledge exchange, and practical solutions.

FinFest Turkmenistan 2026 demonstrated that financial market development is impossible without improving financial literacy, adopting modern technologies, and fostering sustainable professional communities. The festival continues to evolve as a key platform uniting market participants and shaping its long-term development trajectory.

Modern telecommunications infrastructure has been deployed along the Mary–Turkmenabat segment of the high-speed highway. The project introduces 4G technologies of the “Altyn Asyr” mobile network, significantly improving data transmission speeds as well as the quality of voice and video communication.

The implementation of this project is part of a broader effort to modernize the country’s transport, logistics, and telecommunications infrastructure. Notably, the launch followed shortly after the opening of the final section of the Ashgabat–Turkmenabat highway (Mary–Turkmenabat).

With the new network in place, drivers now have access to digital services, including navigation tools, online resources, and other internet-based features, making travel more convenient and safer.

The development of telecommunications infrastructure along key transport corridors is expected to enhance logistics efficiency, strengthen interregional connectivity, and support the country’s continued economic growth.

The event took place as part of the nationwide Month of Sports and Health, held during the Year “Independent Neutral Turkmenistan – Homeland of Purposeful Winged Horses,” and was organized jointly with public organizations of Turkmenistan.

Teachers, students, and representatives of public associations took part in the event. During the speeches, it was emphasized that the country’s policy focuses on strengthening public health, developing physical culture and sports, and fostering an active and healthy lifestyle.

Students noted in their remarks that they actively participate in sports events, competitions, and socially beneficial initiatives. They also expressed their commitment to further improving their knowledge and contributing to the country’s development.

Organized under the patronage of the Rize and Artvin provincial administrations with the support of the Rizem Culture and Tourism Association, the fair marked a key step in implementing the “Discover Kaçkar” strategy. The main goal of the project is to position the region as an internationally recognized destination for eco-tourism, culture, and authentic cuisine.

B2B meetings driving economic growth

The central platform of the event was the B2B meeting area, where around 150 international travel agencies met with more than 400 representatives of the local tourism industry.

“We expected around 450–600 meetings, but the actual figures exceeded our expectations,” said Burak Avcı, Chairman of the Rizem Association.

According to him, the agreements reached will lay the groundwork for next year’s concept and help attract new investments to the region. Approximately 10,000 visitors attended the event over two days.

Expert discussions and focus on sports tourism

The business program focused on the transformation of the sector. On the first day, experts discussed changing tourist behaviors during the panel “Different Markets — Different Expectations,” as well as strategic positioning in the session “One Destination, Many Markets: Where Do Rize and Artvin Stand?”

Special attention was given to sports tourism. At the stand of the Turkish Motorcycle Federation, a competition was held, with Buğrahan Sapdüzen winning an electric motorcycle. Representatives of the Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA) emphasized that active tourism and sports will be key growth drivers for the Kaçkar region in the coming years.

Cultural flavor: From falcons to “Laz Rally”

Beyond business, the fair offered visitors an immersive experience of the Black Sea region’s cultural atmosphere. Guests were able to enjoy:

• Traditional falconry hunting (Atmaca);

• Iconic “Laz Rally” vehicles;

• Working models of corn mills;

• Interactive simulators and tastings of local products.

Rize Deputy Governor Abdullah Kurt highlighted the importance of the event for the local economy:

“Our goal is to diversify tourism in Rize and ensure its sustainable development. This fair has given a new boost to the tourism sector.”

Rize Provincial Director of Culture and Tourism Alper Avluk added that the high level of activity in the B2B area confirms growing international interest in northeastern Türkiye.

Compared with traditional freight trains, fixed-schedule trains follow set timetables and routes, significantly improving efficiency and reliability.

The train, numbered X9305, left Beijing's Liangxiang Railway Station at 05:20. It will exit China via the Alashankou Port in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region before continuing on to Almaty. The total journey is expected to take about 10 days.

This is the first time Beijing has launched such a freight train service to Central Asia. The new fixed-schedule service is expected to provide a stable and efficient logistics channel for economic and trade exchanges between Beijing and Central Asian countries by ensuring timely cross-border delivery and reducing logistics costs for enterprises.

"A fixed-schedule train operates on a set time, a set route, and with a set train number, offering significantly higher transport efficiency and stability. This will make it easier for companies to plan their production schedules and fulfill overseas orders," said Lyu Bin, a manager at the Beijing Railway Logistics Center.

The service is jointly developed by China Railway Beijing Group and Beijing International Land Port. It will operate on a regular basis at a frequency of one train per week. To ensure smooth operations, the Beijing Railway Logistics Center will provide a "green channel" for the train and implement special priority measures to guarantee its efficient passage.

According to the National Statistics Committee of Uzbekistan, during the reporting period 79,000 Turkmen tourists visited the neighboring country, which is 1.1 thousand more compared to the same period last year.

Thus, Turkmenistan ranked seventh among countries by the number of citizens visiting Uzbekistan. The top five included Kyrgyzstan (807 thousand people), Tajikistan (713.9 thousand), Kazakhstan (681.9 thousand), Russia (223.2 thousand), and Afghanistan (120.1 thousand).

Overall, in the first three months of the current year, Uzbekistan received 2 million 872.5 thousand foreign tourists, which is 36.6% more compared to the same period in 2025.

According to the National Statistics Committee of Uzbekistan, in January–February Uzbekistan imported about 6.6 thousand tons of chocolate from 34 countries with a total value of 27.7 million US dollars.

Within the supply structure, Turkmenistan exported 209.1 tons of chocolate products, strengthening its position among key regional exporters.

Russia remains the leader in terms of supply volume with 4,407 tons. It is followed by Ukraine (607 tons), Kazakhstan (201.8 tons), and Türkiye (190.7 tons). Poland supplied 124.4 tons of products.

Overall, the volume of chocolate imports into Uzbekistan decreased by 1.1 thousand tons compared to the same period last year, which may indicate an adjustment in market demand.

China's total installed power-generating capacity reached nearly 4 billion kilowatts by the first quarter of this year, according to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Friday. The volume remains the world's largest, accounting for nearly 30 percent of the global total.

The share of clean energy in China's power supply system has seen a notable increase so far this year.

In the first quarter, industrial enterprises above designated size across China produced 700 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity from clean energy sources including hydropower, nuclear power, wind power and solar energy, representing a year-on-year increase of 2.8 percent and accounting for 33.2 percent of their total power generation, according to the NBS data.

Industrial enterprises above designated size refer to enterprises each with an annual revenue of 20 million yuan (2.93 million U.S. dollars) and more.

By the end of February, China's installed renewable energy capacity reached 2.38 billion kilowatts, the data showed.

"It's estimated that in the first quarter of the year, renewable energy sources such as wind power and photovoltaic power accounted for about 70 percent of China's newly installed power generation capacity. It's safe to say that more than two thirds of China's newly installed generators are producing electricity from clean energy sources. Our energy supply has become more abundant and greener," said Hou Wenjie, director of the statistics and digital intelligence department at the China Electricity Council.

According to the schedule, flight TK627 will depart from Istanbul at 06:35 and arrive in Accra at 10:55, then depart at 12:20 and arrive in Monrovia at 14:15. The return flight TK628 departs from Monrovia at 15:10, arrives in Accra at 17:10, then departs at 18:35 and arrives in Istanbul at 04:50 the next day.

The launch of the new route expands the airline’s network in West Africa and strengthens transport connections between the region and international destinations.

At the forefront of this momentum is Wuhu City in Anhui, home to the country's first national-level robotics industry cluster.

On the production floor of AiMOGA Robotics in Wuhu, a new generation of quadruped robots is preparing for going on international markets. Featuring 13 degrees of freedom in its joints, the robot dog is capable of carrying a 5-kilogram payload while operating for up to two hours on a single charge.

Designed to navigate complex terrains including shrubbery, gravel and inclines, the robot can access confined spaces beyond human reach. Equipped with night-vision lighting, it has become a preferred solution for overseas clients seeking automated security patrols at industrial facilities and residential properties.

Its adorable design has also made it a popular companion assistant for families.

Besides the robot dog, AiMOGA also exports a kind of humanoid robots, each of which is about 1.67 meters tall. They can support interaction in 11 languages, enabling seamless service across diverse cultural and linguistic markets.

"Our humanoid robots and robotic dogs have now been exported to more than 30 other countries and regions. In Europe, we've achieved batch deliveries to the UK, Poland and Italy. These bulk shipments signal that our products have reached a significant level of sophistication," said Shen Xiantian, overseas sales manager at AiMOGA Robotics.

The evolving landscape of China's robot exports is further reflected in customs clearance data.

According to Fang Yu, an officer at the Wuhu Customs, the tariff code system now includes 13 distinct categories for robotics, up from just five a decade ago.

"Currently, the customs declaration system includes as many as 13 distinct tariff items related to robots. For instance, the category for 'collaborative robots' was newly added in 2023, while multiple additional items, such as those for 'intelligent bionic robots' and 'cleaning robots', were introduced in 2026. This clearly reflects the continuous expansion of application scenarios for Chinese-made robots," Fang said.

Industry analysts observe that Chinese robotics manufacturers are steadily strengthening their competitiveness through greater precision in engineering, deeper specialization for niche applications, and enhanced intelligence via AI integration.

The main goal of the strategy is to cover up to 3.5 million hectares with modern irrigation systems by 2028. This will account for about 80% of the country’s irrigated land. Amid water scarcity in Central Asia, transitioning to drip and sprinkler irrigation has become a matter of national security.

The government is actively supporting farmers: 800 billion soums have been allocated for direct subsidies, and an additional 2.6 trillion soums for concessional loans. Beyond installing irrigation systems, funds will also be used for laser land leveling—a technology that ensures perfectly even soil surfaces for uniform water distribution.

Economic incentives and accountability

Starting from 2027, tax rates will become differentiated. In regions with unstable water supply, farmers will receive increased support with a coefficient of 1.25. However, for those who ignore modern methods despite having access to water, the water usage tax will double.

An important innovation is the ban on outdated irrigation methods in areas where water-saving systems have already been implemented. From April 2026, the use of traditional furrow irrigation in such areas will be considered a violation and will result in financial penalties.

Human capital and international experience

Alongside technical upgrades, the project places strong emphasis on people. The “Water Management School” program will train 10,000 farmers. Additionally, 358 leading specialists will be sent abroad, particularly to study advanced practices in China’s Xinjiang region.

This approach will help farmers not only conserve water but also reduce spending on fertilizers and fuel. The adoption of modern technologies turns resource efficiency into a profitable strategy and a key national priority.

ORIENT

The technology is based on developments by xAI. Unlike traditional bots that ask users to “press 1 or 2,” Grok understands natural speech and responds instantly.

What can the new AI assistant do?

The Grok Voice system is fully integrated into the Starlink ecosystem and can handle a wide range of tasks:

• Technical support: Helps resolve issues with satellite internet service.

• Sales and orders: The bot can use your personal data to create an account and process equipment purchases.

• Direct connection: No need to enter a subscriber phone number for authorization — the system starts the conversation immediately.

For users who prefer traditional communication, the option to contact a human operator remains available. If Grok cannot resolve the issue or if you request it, the AI will arrange a callback. The system will obtain your time zone and a convenient time. In practice, the waiting time after submitting a request through AI is about five minutes.

ORIENT

Despite the stability of leading banks, the ranking saw notable shifts due to intensified competition for customers.

Key sector indicators

The banking system demonstrates resilience: assets grew to 932.3 trillion soums, while deposits increased by 32%. A positive signal was the reduction in the share of non-performing loans (NPLs) to 3.3% (down from 4.5% last year), indicating improved loan quality.

Performance of major banks

Among the 20 largest financial institutions, most experienced changes:

• Breakthrough of the quarter: Tenge Bank jumped 6 positions. Growth was also recorded by Agrobank, Invest Finance Bank, and Halk Bank.

• Declining activity: Orient Finance Bank dropped 5 positions, while Trust Bank fell by 3.

• Quality leaders: Hamkorbank and Asia Alliance Bank maintain leadership in asset quality and profitability.

Small banks: stability and new players

Among smaller banks, TBS Bank remains the leader. AVO Bank and Apex Bank showed notable growth (+3 positions each). Meanwhile, Octobank recorded the sharpest decline, losing 6 positions.

The updated ranking serves as a transparency tool. Growth in deposits and a decline in non-performing loans make the system more reliable for savings. However, the drop in some large banks’ positions in “liquidity” and “accessibility” indicators may signal temporary difficulties in accessing services at those institutions.

ORIENT

Representatives of UNESCO, profile ministries of Kazakhstan, and regional experts will discuss joint actions to prevent an environmental crisis.

The issue of the cryosphere (glaciers and snow cover) is currently critical for the entire Central Asian region. According to pessimistic forecasts, the region may lose up to 85% of its glacier volume by 2100. This would inevitably lead to a shortage of drinking water, threats to agriculture, and an increase in natural disasters such as glacial lake outburst floods.

What will experts discuss?

The main topic of the meeting will be the Joint Subregional Action Programme (JSAP). This plan will enable countries in the region to:

• Establish shared monitoring of glaciers and permafrost.

• Coordinate the use of water resources under climate change conditions.

• Implement unified tools for environmental risk assessment.

Why does it matter?

Glacier melting is not just a scientific issue but a serious challenge to food and energy security in the region. The session is expected to result in a Joint Statement by Central Asian countries. This document will serve as a legal and political foundation for attracting major international investments and grants from global financial institutions to implement environmental projects.

Kazakhstan’s initiative within RES 2026 aims to transform scientific concerns into real interstate mechanisms for protecting ecosystems that millions of people depend on.

ORIENT

On Saturday morning, the Chaoyang Park in downtown Beijing was bustling with enthusiastic book lovers eager to read and buy books.

"I love to read books about history. This is the latest book of Chinese novelist Ma Boyong and it was sold at 35 percent off. I think it is a good deal," said a resident surnamed Huang.

Running until May 17, the book fair sees participation by more than 2,000 bookstores across the city, with the event's four venues at the Chaoyang Park in the east, the Shougang Park in the west, the Nanyuan Forest Wetland Park in the south, and the Yuanmingyuan Ruins Park in the north covering a total area of approximately 16,000 square meters, setting a new record for scale. Over 70 related events will be held in residential communities, commercial districts and schools.

"We have set up centralized exhibition areas in parks located in the east, south, west and north of the city, in striving to expand the coverage of the book fair," said Li Kun, an official from the publicity department of Beijing Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China.

To boost spending, Beijing plans to distribute a total of 6 million yuan (around 880,056 U.S. dollars) in book vouchers at the event. Meanwhile, visitors who attended the ongoing 16th Beijing International Film Festival screenings can receive book vouchers at book fair by presenting their film ticket stubs.

More than 20 horses from the western regions of Afghanistan participated in the festive horse racing.

Officials of relevant institutions in Herat province and equestrian specialists noted that the horse performances were not only a sporting event but also an important occasion strengthening ties between Turkmenistan and Afghanistan through equestrian sports and enhancing cultural relations. The races, held in a festive atmosphere, left a positive impression on the audience.

At the end of the event, the winning horses were awarded commemorative gifts and special prizes prepared by the Consulate General.

ORIENT

At the 3,500-square-meter competition venue, an obstacle course was set up to simulate disaster scenarios—earthquakes, floods, and fires—serving as an extreme stress test for the robots' core capabilities, including dynamic balance, precision manipulation, obstacle climbing, and load-bearing operations.

The course has a total of 17 challenges divided into three categories: general events, specialized events, and ultimate challenges. Robots compete in groups based on their design—humanoid, quadruped, or wheeled-legged hybrid—with each group corresponding to a specific combination of specialized events.

General challenges require robots to demonstrate their basic all-terrain adaptability by navigating a narrow bridge, climbing a roof, traversing a swinging pendulum, jumping over a "cliff", and traversing a simulated mountain path.

The humanoid robot course focuses on testing human-like operational capabilities with tasks such as squeezing through narrow passageways, building dams, door-breaking and obstacle clearance, window-breaking rescue, and emergency valve closure.

The event for quadrupedal robots emphasizes navigation in complex environments and search-and-rescue operations. It features tasks such as climbing through rapids, navigating through pipes, desert search-and-rescue, and supply delivery.

The ultimate challenges at the center of the venue require humanoid robots to move atop vertical pillars and quadrupedal robots to navigate narrow passages, test the robots' stability in extreme conditions and their ability to make autonomous decisions.

Saturday's event attracted 37 teams from 19 institutions, competing with 31 remotely controlled robots and 9 autonomous navigation robots.

With participation from top Chinese robotics companies and top universities from the Chinese mainland and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the event showcased the latest technological level of embodied intelligence in China.

For outstanding teams in the competition, Beijing will provide access to real-world scenarios such as emergency response and municipal inspections, along with comprehensive support, including venture capital, industrial space, public service platforms, and policy incentives, to facilitate the rapid implementation of technological innovations.

The zone has become a highlight of the advanced manufacturing exhibition area at the ongoing 139th edition of the China Import and Export Fair, also known as the Canton Fair, in south China's Guangzhou, drawing large crowds of buyers and securing numerous deals on site.

At the agricultural drone zone, many companies are showcasing their latest models. The displays have attracted large numbers of buyers, many placing orders on the spot.

One drone company has nailed three orders from Canada, New Zealand and Ireland in just one morning, with one order for as many as 50 units.

"The market will become increasingly broad. It is the first time for us to participate in the Canton Fair, and we have signed orders for nearly 100 units with customers from four countries. We are full of confidence that Chinese products, including Chinese robots, will go on the international market in the future," said an exhibitor named Shan Chaoqun.

China's agricultural drone industry is undergoing a clear transformation and upgrade from selling equipment to providing comprehensive solutions and multi-drone collaborative and intelligent operation systems. Now, many companies are developing integrated service platforms that cover drones, dispatch systems, data and maintenance.

The Canton Fair is held every spring and autumn in Guangzhou since its founding in 1957, and has been seen as a barometer of China's foreign trade.

The longest-established trade fair in China has seen record participation across its exhibition metrics this time -- over 32,000 companies are exhibiting, including about 3,900 first-time participants.

Tech-driven innovations have taken the center stage among the more than 4.65 million products showcased, with new, green and independently developed products accounting for 23 percent, 22 percent and 25 percent, respectively.

Turkmen diplomacy in Antalya focused on three pillars of regional prosperity: political dialogue, energy sustainability, and transport connectivity.

Participants were particularly interested in the idea of ​​transforming the region's political landscape. The creation of the Consultative Meetings of the Heads of State of Central Asia, initiated by Turkmenistan, has proven its viability. Azerbaijan's accession to this dialogue has transformed the format into a powerful tool of influence, allowing the region to present a united front in the face of global uncertainty.

In energy matters, Turkmenistan remains committed to the principle of "balance of interests." The TAPI project and expanded electricity exports are viewed not simply as commercial objectives, but as a contribution to global security.

A key emphasis was placed on the three UN resolutions on energy sustainability adopted on Ashgabat's initiative. Turkmenistan confirmed its readiness not only to export its gas (including the existing route to China), but also to provide its infrastructure to its neighbors for their access to global markets.

The transport component of the speech cemented the region's status as a key hub at the intersection of the East-West and North-South routes. Ashgabat calls for consolidated efforts to ensure the corridor between Asia and Europe functions as a single, coherent mechanism. This requires not only investment in rails and ports, but also coordination in the management of logistics flows.

Rashid Meredov's speech at ADF-2026 demonstrated that, over 35 years of independence, the Central Asian states have moved from a state of self-determination to one of actively shaping the global agenda. In this context, Turkmenistan is assuming the role of an intellectual and logistical hub, offering concrete solutions where the world sees uncertainty.