Chinese, Russian coast guards hold joint drills

The coast guards from China and Russia conducted joint drills on Wednesday in the waters near the Peter the Great Gulf of Russia to test their capability in coping with maritime security risks.

The drills, not targeting any third party, centered on addressing security threats during maritime law enforcement and improving search and rescue capabilities.

Drills under scenarios including joint vessel searches, intercepting and inspecting suspected criminal vessels, rescuing individuals overboard, and assisting with vessels on fire were carried out, to assess the collaborative capabilities of China and Russia's coast guards in maintaining maritime security.

"Overall, the exercise was successful and achieved the intended outcomes. Joint law enforcement capabilities and rescue plans were tested during the drills, which enhanced mutual trust between the two sides, and laid a solid foundation for future cooperation in maintaining maritime security and production order," said He Feng member from the China Coast Guard (CCG).

A courageous wild giant panda was spotted heroically striving to traverse river rapids at the Dajiangou scenic area in northwest China's Shaanxi Province on Tuesday.

The footage, captured by a tourist, shows a chubby body with black and white fur clinging to a boulder mid-river, apparently struggling to maintain its grip. After plunging into the water, the plump creature managed to take hold of a lower rock before waddling its way back up, eventually reaching the shore successfully.

According to the staff at the scenic area, this is not the first time that humans have encountered wild giant pandas in the area. Up to four giant pandas have been observed simultaneously.

The Dajiangou scenic area belongs to the Shaanxi Huangbaiyuan National Nature Reserve.