China's first quarter GDP expanded at a record pace of 18.3 percent year-on-year as it rebounded from a historic contraction a year earlier. The official data beat the lower forecast of 17.9 percent from a Nikkei survey, but weaker than the higher end of 19 percent from a Reuters poll. Despite the strong recovery, Chinese officials also warn of risks due to the complicated international landscape.

Tuesday marks the third anniversary of the establishment of Hainan Free Trade Port. The island has seen robust growth in foreign investment inflow and new market entities since 2018. Located in southern China, analysts say the province has its uniqueness of being a free trade port.

Thursday marks the one-year anniversary of Wuhan lifting its COVID-19 lockdown. The city is gradually returning to normal with some preventative measures still in place. Residents, doctors, and expats who experienced the lockdown look back at this unique experience and talk about their current life in Wuhan.

China released its white paper on poverty alleviation on Tuesday, announcing its success in eradicating extreme poverty. The white paper also says the Belt and Road Initiative has helped 7.6 million people out of extreme poverty globally. Analysts say China has had a substantial impact on global poverty alleviation.

China officially opened use of its FAST radio telescope to foreign researchers on Wednesday. Work at the observatory in Guiyang in the south of the country will give special attention to mysterious celestial bodies called pulsars, located deep in space. The telescope's extreme sensitivity will help scientists from around the globe enrich their exploration of the universe.

A World Health Organization report has stated that a laboratory leak of COVID-19 was "extremely unlikely" and the coronavirus most likely jumped from animals to humans. Experts are calling for efforts to trace the origin of the virus to involve more countries and regions.

Some international clothing brands are facing a backlash in China after they expressed concerns over claims of forced labor in Xinjiang's cotton fields. The Better Cotton Initiative office in China says they have found no cases of forced labor in their investigation. Farmers in Xinjiang also stood up to clarify the claims.

China has issued a report on 2020 human rights violations in the U.S. It covers Washington's ineffectual pandemic containment, the country's racial discrimination, continuous social unrest, social inequality, and its trampling on international rules.

Foreign ministers from China and Russia have coordinated positions on a wide range of issues such as multilateralism and climate change during their two-day meeting in southwest China's Guilin. Analysts believe China-Russia cooperation contributes to global and regional stability.

Senior officials from the world's two largest economies have concluded day one of a strategic dialogue in Alaska. Though a tough start, analysts are still optimistic about bilateral relations, saying at least both sides have started to talk.