BEIJING, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- As 2024 draws to a close, Xinhua News Agency has curated a selection of top 10 news stories that defined the year in China. Join us as we recap the standout moments of 2024.

This undated file photo shows a copy of the regulations on disciplinary action of the Communist Party of China (CPC). (Xinhua/Li He)

1. CPC launches discipline education campaign to ensure strict Party self-governance

In April, the General Office of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee issued a circular to launch a Party-wide campaign on CPC discipline education. Running from April to July, the campaign is the first of its kind in Party history that centers around discipline education.

Through the study of the newly revised Party regulations on disciplinary action and other content, the campaign aimed to guide Party members and officials to study and abide by discipline so as to create a strong driving force and synergy for advancing Chinese modernization.

This image captured at Beijing Aerospace Control Center on Oct. 30, 2024 shows the crew of Shenzhou-18 and Shenzhou-19 manned spaceships talking with each other. (Photo by Han Qiyang/Xinhua)

2. Breakthroughs made in high-tech fields of strategic significance and key projects

The Shenzhou-18 and the Shenzhou-19 manned spaceships were launched in April and October respectively. In December, the Shenzhou 19 crew broke the record for the longest single extravehicular activity by Chinese astronauts.

On June 25, the Chang'e-6 lunar probe wrapped up a 53-day mission, bringing back samples collected from the moon's far side for the first time in human history.

On Nov. 1, China's 41st Antarctic expedition team set sail to build the supporting infrastructure for the Qinling Station in Antarctica and conduct international research and logistics cooperation.

As of Nov. 26, China's Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope had identified more than 1,000 new pulsars, outnumbering those identified by all foreign telescopes combined.

This combo photo shows maps released by the Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) to indicate the areas involved in Joint Sword-2024A and Joint Sword-2024B military drills conducted surrounding Taiwan Island. (Ministry of National Defense/Handout via Xinhua)

3. Mainland resolutely deters "Taiwan independence" separatist forces

In response to Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te's pursuit of "Taiwan independence" and his attempts to seek it through foreign backing and military means, the mainland side has firmly declared its intolerance of any form of separatism.

From May 23 to 24, the Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army conducted Joint Sword-2024A military drills around the island of Taiwan, involving the army, navy, air force and rocket force.

On Oct. 14, the Eastern Theater Command conducted Joint Sword-2024B drills in the Taiwan Strait and to the north, south and east of the island of Taiwan.

These exercises served as a decisive punishment for Lai's provocations, a strong warning for separatist forces, and a stern message for external entities that aid or abet the pursuit of "Taiwan independence" and interfere in China's internal affairs.