New Ideas Guide New Journey: Jointly Planting Greenery for a Beautiful China
General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that increasing greenery means increasing advantages, and planting trees means planting the future. We must plant them generation after generation and work tirelessly to continuously enrich our "green assets." Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization, China has adhered to a holistic approach of expanding, flourishing, and protecting green spaces, promoting better integration of forests as reservoirs for water, wealth, grain, and carbon, achieving a unified ecological, economic, and social benefit, and painting a new scroll of beautiful China. In April, Beijing is vibrant with spring. This greenbelt in Jiangtai Township, Chaoyang District, Beijing, is the core area of Beijing's first green isolation belt. Ten years ago, through the relocation of inefficient industries, the "leaving blank for greenery" project began here, bringing new vitality to the land. In March 2024, General Secretary Xi Jinping participated in a voluntary tree planting activity with the people of the capital, planting white bark pine and Chinese flowering crabapple saplings, which are now lush and green. Afforestation and greening are endeavors that benefit the present and future generations. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, General Secretary Xi Jinping has attached great importance to national greening and has participated in voluntary tree planting in the capital for 12 consecutive years. He emphasized the need to firmly establish the concept that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets," strengthen ecological protection and restoration, expand urban and rural green spaces, plant trees for the people, and strive to build a beautiful China with mountains always green, waters always flowing, and air always fresh. Today, China is advancing national greening at an average annual rate of over 100 million mu. The latest data released by the National Forestry and Grassland Administration shows that in 2024, China completed afforestation of 4.446 million hectares, with forest coverage exceeding 25% and forest growing stock exceeding 20 billion cubic meters. It also rehabilitated 2.783 million hectares of desertified and stony desertified land, achieving a continuous "double reduction" in desertified and sandy land, becoming the country with the fastest and largest increase in greenery globally. Today, the level of urban and rural greening and beautification in China continues to improve. In 2024, over 6,200 "pocket parks" were started, and over 7,300 kilometers of urban greenways were built. Currently, China has built 212 national forest cities, with a green coverage rate of 43.32% in urban built-up areas and an average per capita park green space of 15.65 square meters. Today, the total output value of China's forestry and grassland industry reached 10.17 trillion yuan, and forest food production exceeded 200 million tons, becoming the third most important agricultural product after grain and vegetables. This year, various regions are actively exploring innovative mechanisms such as forest land management, resource utilization, and forest right financing to promote the high-quality development of the under-forest economy. In Nanping, Fujian, the local area has innovatively launched the "Forest Ecological Bank" model, which integrates fragmented forest land resources to attract social capital to participate in under-forest economic development, exploring a new path for ecological value transformation. In Anji Tianhuangping Town, Zhejiang, the "Ten-Thousand Mu Under-Forest Economy Industrial Park Renovation and Improvement Project" has been launched. In the future, the park will build characteristic functional areas such as tourist experience zones and under-forest camping bases, striving to create a tourism industrial cluster. This year, China will formulate and issue a national greening spatial plan, clarifying future greening spaces, continuously promoting large-scale national greening actions, implementing precision improvement projects for forestry and grassland quality, and coordinating the integrated protection and systematic governance of mountains, rivers, forests, fields, lakes, grasslands, and sand. Since March, the Three-North region has successively entered a new construction season, and various regions are continuously increasing the application of new models such as "photovoltaic sand control" and "mechanical sand control" in the key battle of the "Three-North" Shelterbelt Program. At the sand control site in Dengkou County, Bayannur City, Inner Mongolia, located in the "Jizi Bend" of the Yellow River, nearly 30,000 seedlings have been planted through the innovative adoption of "robot drilling + manual precision planting" model. As of now, this year's "Three-North" Shelterbelt Program has completed construction tasks of 3.5 million mu, showing a good start. Barren mountains are adorned with beauty, and deserts turn into oases. Under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization, China's green map is continuously expanding, which not only builds an ecological barrier for the sustainable development of the Chinese nation but also allows hundreds of millions of people to truly experience the happy life of bluer skies, greener mountains, and cleaner waters.
Wang Huning Attends Symposium on Democratic Oversight of Yangtze River Ecological Environmental Protection
The symposium on democratic oversight of the ecological environmental protection of the Yangtze River by the central committees of all democratic parties and non-party individuals was held in Beijing on April 2. Wang Huning, Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, attended and delivered a speech. He stated that it is necessary to deeply study and implement Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization, fully implement the spirit of the 20th and Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, implement General Secretary Xi Jinping's important expositions on promoting the high-quality development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt, enhance political responsibility, strengthen mission responsibility, give full play to the advantages of China's new party system, and promote the in-depth and practical development of democratic oversight work for Yangtze River ecological environmental protection. Wang Huning said that in the past year, new progress and achievements have been made in the democratic oversight work of Yangtze River ecological environmental protection. This year marks the end of the "14th Five-Year Plan," and it is necessary to conscientiously deploy democratic oversight work for Yangtze River ecological environmental protection, further deepen political consensus on strengthening democratic oversight, strengthen problem-oriented approaches in focusing on key tasks, explore innovations in the practical forms of special oversight, and complete all tasks of democratic oversight for Yangtze River ecological environmental protection with high quality. It is necessary to summarize the achievements of democratic oversight for Yangtze River ecological environmental protection, plan a new round of special oversight work, and promote the normalization and long-term effectiveness of democratic oversight work. Li Ganjie, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of the United Front Work Department of the CPC Central Committee, presided over the meeting. Zheng Jianbang, Chairman of the Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese Kuomintang Central Committee; Ding Zhongli, Chairman of the China Democratic League Central Committee; Hao Mingjin, Chairman of the China National Democratic Construction Association Central Committee; Cai Dafeng, Chairman of the China Association for Promoting Democracy Central Committee; He Wei, Chairman of the Chinese Peasants and Workers Democratic Party Central Committee; Jiang Zuojun, Chairman of the China Zhi Gong Party Central Committee; Wu Weihua, Chairman of the Jiusan Society Central Committee; Su Hui, Chairman of the Taiwan Democratic Self-Government League Central Committee; and Fan Jie, a representative of non-party individuals, delivered speeches. Leading comrades from the National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, as well as leading comrades from the United Front Work Departments of Shanghai, Anhui, and Hunan provincial Party committees, also delivered speeches.
Ding Xuexiang Attends National Video Conference on Employment and Entrepreneurship for College Graduates and Young People
A video conference on employment and entrepreneurship for college graduates and other young people nationwide was held in Beijing on April 2. Ding Xuexiang, Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council, attended and delivered a speech. Ding Xuexiang pointed out that college graduates are valuable human resources for the Party and the country, and the employment and entrepreneurship of college graduates and other young people concern thousands of households. It is necessary to deeply study and implement the important instructions of General Secretary Xi Jinping, implement the decisions and deployments of the Party Central Committee and the State Council, adhere to prioritizing the employment of college graduates and other young people, and ensure overall stability in youth employment levels. Ding Xuexiang emphasized that every effort should be made to increase employment opportunities, pay more attention to developing new employment growth points in key areas and industries, ensure stable and increased job opportunities at the urban and rural grassroots levels, and actively support small, medium, and micro enterprises in expanding job supply. It is important to better leverage the comprehensive effects of policies, ensuring that all pro-employment policies are introduced as soon as possible, and that policy-based positions maintain stable numbers and are recruited early and frequently. Support for entrepreneurial preferential policies should be increased and implemented, promoting college students' innovation and entrepreneurship and driving employment. Ding Xuexiang stated that it is necessary to earnestly and warmly provide employment guidance and services, strengthen ideological and political education, implement "one-on-one" assistance responsibilities, prioritize services for disadvantaged graduate groups, and help graduates choose jobs better and find employment faster. All regions, departments, and universities should strengthen organizational leadership, shoulder work responsibilities, and jointly do a good job in the major matter of college graduate employment, which concerns national economy and people's livelihood. State Councilor Shen Yiqin attended and delivered a speech. Leading comrades from the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, the Ministry of Education, the People's Government of Zhejiang Province, the People's Government of Hubei Province, and Shandong University, as well as representatives of college graduates, delivered speeches at the meeting.
Han Zheng Meets with HSBC Group Chairman
Vice President Han Zheng met with HSBC Group Chairman Mark Tucker in Beijing on April 2. Han Zheng stated that President Xi Jinping met with representatives of international business circles, including HSBC, last week, highly affirming the positive contributions made by foreign-funded enterprises in China to China's reform and opening up, and innovation and creation, emphasizing that China's door to opening up will only open wider. The world today is full of uncertainties, and China is firmly advancing high-level opening up and firmly supporting multilateralism. Maintaining healthy and stable development of China-UK relations is not only beneficial to both sides but will also add certainty to the world. He expressed hope that HSBC Group will continue to deeply cultivate China and contribute to the development of China-UK and China-Europe relations. Mark Tucker stated that President Xi Jinping's meeting with representatives of international business circles sent an important, positive, and constructive message about China's continued promotion of high-level opening up, which greatly encouraged the international business community. HSBC Group is full of confidence in China's economic development prospects and is willing to actively promote the long-term stable development of UK-China relations.
Promoting High-Quality Development of Private Economy: Authoritative Interview: Yunnan Creates New Advantages for Private Economy by Optimizing Environment and Strengthening Industries
Yunnan has unique geographical conditions. How can it leverage its own resources to create new advantages and inject new impetus for the private economy? Today (April 2), "Promoting High-Quality Development of Private Economy: Authoritative Interview" broadcasted CCTV reporter's exclusive interview with Wang Ning, Secretary of the Yunnan Provincial Party Committee. Wang Ning stated that General Secretary Xi Jinping's important speech at the private enterprise symposium has pointed the way for Yunnan to promote the development and growth of the private economy. This year, Yunnan will further leverage its geographical advantages, resource advantages, and green advantages to solidly promote the high-quality development of the private economy. It will further promote the high-quality development of the private economy. This year, Yunnan launched a new round of three-year action to optimize the business environment, introducing a series of measures in areas such as precise push of preferential policies for enterprises and one-stop direct access to enterprise demands, and actively carrying out "director's on-site consultation and complaint handling" activities to serve enterprises, helping enterprises alleviate difficulties with greater efforts and more practical measures. This year, Yunnan will continue to leverage its resource advantages to promote the private economy's optimization and strengthening in characteristic advantageous industries such as tea, coffee, fresh flowers, and cultural tourism, and do a good job in 10 practical affairs benefiting enterprises in 2025, helping enterprises improve efficiency and reduce costs in areas such as improving the efficiency of environmental impact assessment approval and energy conservation review, and increasing the loan approval rate.
Multiple Departments to Introduce Measures to Improve Social Credit System
Reporters learned from the press conference held by the State Council Information Office today (April 2) that the National Development and Reform Commission, the People's Bank of China, the National Administration of Financial Regulation, and other departments will accelerate the construction of a social credit system by focusing on the development and utilization of credit information and promoting the construction of a modern credit reporting system. In terms of credit information development and utilization, the "main hub" function of the National Credit Information Sharing Platform will be strengthened to uniformly collect credit information from various fields and vigorously promote regional sharing of public credit information. In terms of promoting the construction of a modern credit reporting system, the application of new technologies such as big data and artificial intelligence in the credit reporting field will be deepened, and credit support for scientific and technological innovation, inclusive finance for small and micro businesses, and green development will be increased. In terms of improving information security, unauthorized collection of information is strictly prohibited, and non-credit information and privacy information are strictly prohibited from being included in credit evaluations. At the same time, the credit repair system will be further improved to create a good credit repair environment.
Eastern Theater Command Successfully Completes Joint Drills Around Taiwan Island
From April 1 to 2, the Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army successfully completed all tasks of joint exercises around Taiwan Island, comprehensively testing the integrated joint combat capabilities of the troops. Shi Yi, spokesperson for the Eastern Theater Command, stated that the theater's forces remain on high alert at all times, continuously strengthen training and combat readiness, and resolutely thwart all "Taiwan independence" separatist activities. During the exercises, under the unified command of the Eastern Theater Command, the Shandong aircraft carrier formation conducted drills in the air and sea areas east of Taiwan Island with forward air and sea forces, including ship-aircraft coordination, regional air control, and anti-ship and anti-land strikes, focusing on testing the ability of integrated linkage between inner and outer lines, multi-dimensional blockade, and joint operations of various services and arms. A formation of H-6K bombers carrying live ammunition advanced into the far sea via the Bashi Channel, carrying out multiple waves of simulated joint strikes against important military targets in eastern Taiwan Island. To ensure the bomber formation's advancement, the Eastern Theater Command Air Force dispatched multiple types, numbers, and batches of aircraft to establish an air superiority combat system in the Taiwan Strait and the southwestern air area of Taiwan Island with combat formations, open air assault corridors, and seize regional air control. On April 2, the Eastern Theater Command organized the "Strait Thunder-2025A" exercise in the central and southern relevant sea areas of the Taiwan Strait, focusing on verifying and identifying, warning and expelling, intercepting and detaining, testing the troops' capabilities of regional control, joint blockade, and precise strikes. The Eastern Theater Command Army units carried out live-fire long-range artillery exercises in the relevant sea areas of the East China Sea according to the exercise plan, precisely striking simulated Taiwan Island targets such as important ports and energy facilities. This long-range firepower strike highlighted the integration of new systems, the application of new equipment, and the practice of new tactics, focusing on exploring tactics such as multi-platform coordinated assault and multi-munition composite strikes, comprehensively improving rapid firepower response and joint precision strike capabilities, emphasizing testing the ability to control energy channels, cut off supply routes, and block hidden channels during wartime, and achieving the expected results.
Coast Guard Fleet Conducts Law Enforcement and Control Drills in Waters Around Taiwan Island
On April 2, multiple China Coast Guard vessel formations continued to conduct law enforcement exercises in the waters around Taiwan Island. During the exercises, the vessel formations carried out drills on radar reconnaissance, close-range verification, warning and expulsion, navigation control, boarding and seizure, and interception and detention, focusing on testing control capabilities over the waters around Taiwan Island and important ports. As the combat alarm sounded, China Coast Guard law enforcement officers stationed outside Keelung, Kaohsiung, Taichung, and Hualien swiftly entered their positions to conduct law enforcement control over simulated incoming and outgoing vessels. Suspect vessels moved at high speed, attempting to evade inspection. The Coast Guard vessels legally employed joint flanking, water cannon spraying, and navigation control to force them to stop. Subsequently, Coast Guard law enforcement officers quickly boarded small boats to carry out boarding and seizure, interception, and detention. At the same time, the Fujian Coast Guard conducted comprehensive law enforcement exercises in the waters near Dongyin Island and Wuqiu Islets, issuing verbal warnings and controlling and expelling Taiwan vessels attempting to interfere with normal law enforcement patrols.
Domestic News in Brief
Information technology service revenue increased by over 10% in the first two months. Data from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology shows that from January to February this year, China's information technology service revenue reached 1.2585 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 10.3%. Among them, cloud computing and big data services increased by 8.8%. Driven by information technology services, China's overall software business revenue in the first two months reached 1.8965 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 9.9%. National data market transaction scale exceeded 160 billion yuan in 2024. Reporters learned from the National Data Bureau that in 2024, the national data market transaction scale exceeded 160 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of over 30%. Currently, 24 data trading institutions have achieved mutual recognition and interoperability, and the construction of a unified national market in the data field is accelerating. Two new food safety principal responsibility regulations released. The State Administration for Market Regulation today (April 2) released two new regulations on food safety principal responsibility. Food production enterprises are required to record daily inspections, weekly investigations, and monthly scheduling, and keep records for future reference; for kindergartens with more than 300 people and school cafeterias with more than 500 people operating under contract, both the dining unit and the contractor must appoint a food safety director to assume corresponding responsibilities. The regulations will come into effect on April 15. China's first batch of large-scale vehicle-to-grid (V2G) application pilot cities and projects announced. Today (April 2), the National Development and Reform Commission, the National Energy Administration, and other four departments jointly released the first batch of large-scale V2G application pilots, including 9 cities such as Shanghai and Changzhou, and 30 projects such as the Tianjin V2G demonstration center pilot project. V2G refers to the exchange of electricity between new energy vehicles and the power grid to optimize grid load and improve energy utilization efficiency. 171 characteristic service activities launched for 2025 spring recruitment. Reporters learned from the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security that the third batch of 171 characteristic service activities for the 2025 National Urban Joint Recruitment for College Graduates Spring Special Session was recently launched. Online and offline job fairs, cross-regional touring job fairs, and live streaming job-seeking activities are being held for industries such as biomedicine and information technology, as well as regions along the Yellow River's nine provinces. Foshan Comprehensive Bonded Zone officially approved. According to Guangzhou Customs, on April 2, the Foshan Comprehensive Bonded Zone successfully passed the official acceptance by the national joint acceptance team. The Foshan Comprehensive Bonded Zone has a planned area of 1.13 square kilometers and will focus on the development of ten major industries, including high-end equipment and advanced materials, striving to build five centers, including an international advanced manufacturing processing center and an international logistics distribution center, to create a new highland for opening up in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. "Flowers Bloom in Beijing" spring appreciation series of activities launched. The "Flowers Bloom in Beijing" spring appreciation series of activities officially launched today (April 2) at Yuan Dadu City Wall Ruins Park in Chaoyang District. A "Flowers Bloom in Beijing" flower appreciation map was released on site, inviting citizens and tourists to visit 214 flower appreciation areas across the city. Simultaneously, 163 characteristic ecological and cultural activities were launched, integrating diverse experiences such as exhibitions, tours, food, shopping, entertainment, and sports, providing diverse flower appreciation leisure and cultural tourism consumption options for citizens and tourists. Nearly 30 new films to be released during Qingming and May Day holidays. Following the popularity of this year's Spring Festival film season, nearly 30 new films of diverse genres and themes, including "The Silent Love," "Sunny Flower," and "Sunshine on Youth," will be released in national cinemas during the Qingming and May Day holidays, offering audiences a wide range of viewing choices. Since the beginning of this year, China's mainland box office has exceeded 24.4 billion yuan, leading the global film market.
Myanmar Earthquake Death Toll Rises to 2,886
According to news released by Myanmar's State Administration Council today (April 2), the strong earthquake in Myanmar has resulted in 2,886 deaths, 4,639 injuries, and 373 missing. According to data released by Myanmar's meteorological and hydrological department today, a total of 54 aftershocks have occurred since the strong earthquake, with the highest magnitude reaching 7.5 on the Richter scale. Search and rescue operations are still underway. As the bridge to Sagaing City reopened to traffic, more and more rescue teams and material transport teams entered Sagaing City to carry out disaster relief work. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) stated on April 1 that it had urgently transported relief supplies from Yangon to the affected area, including plastic sheeting, sleeping mats, blankets, kitchen utensils, and mosquito nets.
Chinese Rescue Teams Continue Efforts in Myanmar, 8 Survivors Rescued
Since the strong earthquake in central Myanmar, multiple Chinese rescue teams have been continuously conducting search and rescue operations in the affected area. The Ministry of Emergency Management has taken the lead in establishing a working mechanism for Chinese rescue teams in Myanmar, strengthening information sharing and collaborative rescue among the various teams. From yesterday (April 1) to today, the Chinese rescue team, together with the Hong Kong SAR rescue team and other teams, dispatched over 300 personnel to conduct search and rescue operations at 44 sites in Mandalay City, inspecting over 50 buildings covering approximately 42,000 square meters. The China International Search and Rescue Team, in conjunction with relevant social emergency forces, continued to carry out rescue efforts at multiple points within Mandalay City, conducting comprehensive reconnaissance and search and rescue at 21 sites. Today, the search and rescue scope of the Chinese rescue teams in Mandalay City expanded to the entire urban area. As of now, Chinese rescue forces have rescued a total of 8 survivors. As high temperatures persist in Myanmar, rescue teams have successively dispatched multiple medical teams to carry out disinfection work in Mandalay and Nay Pyi Taw, assist local hospitals in testing drinking water safety, and provide medical services to residents at resettlement sites.
Russia Claims Ukraine Again Attacked Energy Facilities; Ukraine Claims Repelled Russian Offensive
The Russian Ministry of Defense stated on April 1 that Russian forces had taken control of another settlement in the Donetsk region. The Russian Ministry of Defense also stated on the same day that Ukrainian forces had attacked Russian substations twice in the past 24 hours. Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov said that he had provided the United Nations and other parties with a detailed list of recent attacks on Russian energy facilities. The Ukrainian side stated on the same day that Ukrainian forces repelled Russian attacks in the directions of Kharkiv and Kupyansk. The Ukrainian side also stated that Russian forces attacked energy facilities in Sumy from the night of April 1 to the early morning of April 2.
Multiple Parties Oppose US Tariff Hike Policy
The U.S. government plans to begin imposing "reciprocal tariffs" on trade partners today (April 2), local time, and plans to impose a 25% tariff on imported cars starting April 3. In response, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated on April 1 that Canada rejects all attempts to weaken Canada, and if the U.S. imposes additional tariffs, Canada will retaliate. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stated on April 1 that Mexico is ready to take measures to protect its people and jobs. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on the same day that he would strive to defend Australia's interests and would not make concessions. The European Union stated that the U.S. imposition of tariffs is wrong, and the EU will protect the interests of EU businesses and citizens. Moody's chief economist Mark Zandi previously stated that the U.S. tariff policy would lead to the outbreak of a trade war and would continue to harm the U.S. economy, raising his probability of the U.S. economy falling into recession this year from 15% at the beginning of the year to 40%. U.S. Manufacturing PMI dropped to 49.0 in March. Data released by the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) on April 1 showed that the U.S. Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) was 49.0 in March, marking the first contraction this year, while the index was 50.3 in February. The ISM report indicated that the U.S. tariff policy has shaken the confidence of some manufacturers, who believe that tariffs and economic uncertainty are making the business environment challenging.
International News in Brief
U.S. Military Attacks Multiple Locations in Yemen, Houthi Forces Strike U.S. Aircraft Carrier. According to Yemeni media reports, on April 1, the U.S. military launched multiple airstrikes again in Saada, Hajjah, Hodeidah, and other provinces in Yemen, resulting in 4 deaths and 3 injuries. The White House stated that as of April 1, the U.S. had launched over 200 strikes against Houthi forces, killing some Houthi leaders. A Houthi spokesperson stated today (April 2) that their forces attacked the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier and its escort group deployed in the Red Sea and will continue to strike U.S. and Israeli targets. Constant Israeli Attacks, UN Agency Says Gaza Situation Critical. According to Palestinian media reports, Israeli forces launched multiple airstrikes on various locations in the Gaza Strip on April 1 and 2, hitting multiple residential buildings and refugee camps. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant stated today that the Israeli military is expanding its operations in the Gaza Strip and will control more areas to expand Israel's security zone. Palestinian media reported that Israeli military vehicles encroached into central and eastern Rafah. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) stated on April 1 that all 25 bakeries in the Gaza Strip supported by the World Food Programme were closed during the ceasefire due to the inability of aid materials to enter. The local situation is extremely critical. Volcano Erupts Again in Southwest Iceland, Personnel Urgently Evacuated. The Icelandic Meteorological Office announced that a volcanic eruption occurred again on the Reykjanes Peninsula in southwest Iceland on April 1. According to local media reports, earthquakes occurred in the volcanic area, and personnel in Grindavik town, a tourist resort "Blue Lagoon," and other places on the southern Reykjanes Peninsula were urgently evacuated. The Icelandic Meteorological Office stated that the total length of the volcanic fissure in this eruption has reached 1,200 meters. U.S. Military Confirms Deaths of 4 Soldiers Missing in Lithuania. The U.S. military issued a statement on April 1 saying that the body of the fourth U.S. soldier who went missing during training in Lithuania recently was found near the Pabrade military base. On March 25, four U.S. soldiers went missing. On March 31, search personnel recovered the vehicle the missing personnel were in from a swamp near the base and found the bodies of three people.