Tourists wearing traditional attire explore a scenic area at Hengdian World Studios in Dongyang, Zhejiang province, on July 27.
\n
Every year, hundreds of films are produced in Hengdian, a once-obscure township in Zhejiang province that is now often referred to as "China's Hollywood".
\n
Few people realize, however, that the ascent of Hengdian — and the broader transformation of Zhejiang as a cultural powerhouse — was shaped earlier when Xi Jinping served as the province's Party secretary.
\n
In 2003, months after becoming secretary of the Communist Party of China Zhejiang Provincial Committee, Xi visited Hengdian at a moment when its sprawling film sets were growing rapidly, but the industry lacked support for deeper integration across the production value chain.
\n
Private capital was still restricted from entering critical areas such as film production and distribution.
\n
"He encouraged us to explore boldly and vigorously develop the film and cultural industry," recalled Xu Tianfu, vice-president of Hengdian Group.
\n
Soon after Xi's visit, Zhejiang authorities launched a provincial task force to study reforms, which led to the creation of China's first national-level film industry pilot zone in Hengdian in 2004.
\n
The move marked a turning point in widening investment opportunities for the cultural sector and laid the groundwork for what is now one of the world's busiest film production hubs.
\n
In 2005, the provincial Party committee, under Xi's leadership, adopted "eight projects" to build Zhejiang into a province with strong culture.
\n
The projects span eight areas — civic quality, cultural excellence, cultural research, cultural preservation, cultural industry promotion, cultural infrastructure, cultural communication and cultural talent development.
\n
As China pushes to build itself into a nation strong in culture, the projects have provided key references and are a critical component of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture, analysts said.
\n
The thought, first put forward at a two-day national meeting on the work of public communication and culture in October 2023, highlighted the need to meet the people's increasingly diverse, multitiered and multifaceted spiritual and cultural needs, and enhance the supply of services and products, in order to strengthen people's sense of cultural fulfillment and happiness.
\n
Chen Ye, former vice-president of the Zhejiang Academy of Social Sciences, said the eight projects reflected Xi's belief that cultural development is central to modernization.
\n
"His strategic vision, forward-looking ideas, political courage and pragmatic approach laid a solid foundation for preserving cultural heritage and promoting contemporary cultural development," she said.
\n
In Zhejiang, the results have been more than palpable. More than 5,000 film and television companies operate across the province. Since 2003, the added value of Zhejiang's cultural industries has risen from 44.2 billion yuan ($6.15 billion) to over 615 billion yuan. Their share of the province's GDP has more than doubled, to over 7 percent.
\n
The province is now home to three UNESCO World Heritage sites, five national archaeological parks, 281 nationally protected heritage sites and 926 registered village museums.
\n
One of the most notable preservation efforts has focused on the archaeological ruins of Liangzhu City, a Neolithic site on the outskirts of Hangzhou.
\n
Preserving heritage
\n
During a 2003 visit, Xi was briefed on the status of the preservation of the site — a hub for a rice-cultivating and jade-worshiping culture dating back 4,300 to 5,300 years.
\n
"The Liangzhu archaeological site is a sacred testament to China's 5,000-year civilization and a rare, invaluable treasure. We must ensure its preservation with the utmost care," Xi said during the visit.
\n
He ordered the expansion of the preservation zone, halted nearby quarrying and called for the site to be prepared for nomination as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Over the next decade, archaeological work accelerated alongside policy, legal and ecological support, and in 2019, Liangzhu was inscribed on the World Heritage List.
\n
Preservation of intangible heritage was also elevated under Xi's tenure in Zhejiang.
\n
In 2005, when he visited a Kunqu Opera troupe in Yongjia county, the troupe had been struggling to survive since losing public funding in the 1980s.
\n
After watching the performance and speaking with veteran actress Lin Meimei, Xi initiated a provincial-level plan to rescue the centuries-old Kunqu Opera.
\n
The troupe was granted heritage status and allocated funding of 1 million yuan per year. Today, it stages more than 200 shows annually and has worked with a vocational college to train new performers.
\n
"We are full of gratitude," Lin said. Now recognized as a national inheritor of Kunqu Opera, she added: "The flame of Kunqu Opera in Yongjia has not gone out. We've lived up to the legacy entrusted to us by our forebears."
\n
Innovation matters
\n
Xi's emphasis on cultural innovation also extended to the animation and gaming sectors.
\n
In 2005, he visited the China Academy of Art, where he highlighted the broad potential of the animation sector and the strength for Hangzhou to build a "city of animation".
\n
That same day, he toured Zhejiang Zhongnan Animation Co, now one of the largest original animation companies in China.
\n
"Animation should not be measured purely in financial terms," Xi told Wu Jianrong, chairman of Zhongnan Group, of which Zhongnan Animation is a subsidiary.
\n
"It provides young people with healthy spiritual nourishment. Chinese civilization has over 5,000 years of history — you can create animated works featuring our national heroes," Xi said.
\n
Encouraged by Xi's remarks, Zhongnan produced a series of animations and began exporting them.
\n
That year, Hangzhou hosted the inaugural China International Cartoon& Animation Festival, generating over 10 million yuan in on-site sales and 3 billion yuan in potential deals.
\n
Xi later wrote to national regulators to help secure Hangzhou as the event's permanent home and supported the creation of a dedicated organizing office.
\n
Hangzhou is now home to more than 270 animation and gaming companies, employing over 12,000 people. The city is the birthplace of the hit video game Black Myth: Wukong, and 227 internet-based animated series produced in the city were licensed in 2024, accounting for 34.45 percent of the national total.
\n
Across Zhejiang, there are more than 300,000 private cultural enterprises — up from fewer than 45,000 in 2003.
\n
Chen, the former vice-president of Zhejiang Academy of Social Sciences, said that Xi's cultural initiatives during his tenure in Zhejiang and the landmark achievements in the new era highlighted the importance of sustained efforts to deliver cultural development outcomes that truly benefit the people.
\n
"It also indicated that the implementation and evaluation of cultural initiatives should prioritize the production of more high-quality outcomes to meet the cultural rights and interests of the broadest segments of the population."
\n
Zhejiang Daily contributed to this story.
\n
Contact the writers at xuwei@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
- "content": "
Tourists wearing traditional attire explore a scenic area at Hengdian World Studios in Dongyang, Zhejiang province, on July 27.
\n
Every year, hundreds of films are produced in Hengdian, a once-obscure township in Zhejiang province that is now often referred to as "China's Hollywood".
\n
Few people realize, however, that the ascent of Hengdian — and the broader transformation of Zhejiang as a cultural powerhouse — was shaped earlier when Xi Jinping served as the province's Party secretary.
\n
In 2003, months after becoming secretary of the Communist Party of China Zhejiang Provincial Committee, Xi visited Hengdian at a moment when its sprawling film sets were growing rapidly, but the industry lacked support for deeper integration across the production value chain.
\n
Private capital was still restricted from entering critical areas such as film production and distribution.
\n
"He encouraged us to explore boldly and vigorously develop the film and cultural industry," recalled Xu Tianfu, vice-president of Hengdian Group.
\n
Soon after Xi's visit, Zhejiang authorities launched a provincial task force to study reforms, which led to the creation of China's first national-level film industry pilot zone in Hengdian in 2004.
\n
The move marked a turning point in widening investment opportunities for the cultural sector and laid the groundwork for what is now one of the world's busiest film production hubs.
\n
In 2005, the provincial Party committee, under Xi's leadership, adopted "eight projects" to build Zhejiang into a province with strong culture.
\n
The projects span eight areas — civic quality, cultural excellence, cultural research, cultural preservation, cultural industry promotion, cultural infrastructure, cultural communication and cultural talent development.
\n
As China pushes to build itself into a nation strong in culture, the projects have provided key references and are a critical component of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture, analysts said.
\n
The thought, first put forward at a two-day national meeting on the work of public communication and culture in October 2023, highlighted the need to meet the people's increasingly diverse, multitiered and multifaceted spiritual and cultural needs, and enhance the supply of services and products, in order to strengthen people's sense of cultural fulfillment and happiness.
\n
Chen Ye, former vice-president of the Zhejiang Academy of Social Sciences, said the eight projects reflected Xi's belief that cultural development is central to modernization.
\n
"His strategic vision, forward-looking ideas, political courage and pragmatic approach laid a solid foundation for preserving cultural heritage and promoting contemporary cultural development," she said.
\n
In Zhejiang, the results have been more than palpable. More than 5,000 film and television companies operate across the province. Since 2003, the added value of Zhejiang's cultural industries has risen from 44.2 billion yuan ($6.15 billion) to over 615 billion yuan. Their share of the province's GDP has more than doubled, to over 7 percent.
\n
The province is now home to three UNESCO World Heritage sites, five national archaeological parks, 281 nationally protected heritage sites and 926 registered village museums.
\n
One of the most notable preservation efforts has focused on the archaeological ruins of Liangzhu City, a Neolithic site on the outskirts of Hangzhou.
\n
Preserving heritage
\n
During a 2003 visit, Xi was briefed on the status of the preservation of the site — a hub for a rice-cultivating and jade-worshiping culture dating back 4,300 to 5,300 years.
\n
"The Liangzhu archaeological site is a sacred testament to China's 5,000-year civilization and a rare, invaluable treasure. We must ensure its preservation with the utmost care," Xi said during the visit.
\n
He ordered the expansion of the preservation zone, halted nearby quarrying and called for the site to be prepared for nomination as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Over the next decade, archaeological work accelerated alongside policy, legal and ecological support, and in 2019, Liangzhu was inscribed on the World Heritage List.
\n
Preservation of intangible heritage was also elevated under Xi's tenure in Zhejiang.
\n
In 2005, when he visited a Kunqu Opera troupe in Yongjia county, the troupe had been struggling to survive since losing public funding in the 1980s.
\n
After watching the performance and speaking with veteran actress Lin Meimei, Xi initiated a provincial-level plan to rescue the centuries-old Kunqu Opera.
\n
The troupe was granted heritage status and allocated funding of 1 million yuan per year. Today, it stages more than 200 shows annually and has worked with a vocational college to train new performers.
\n
"We are full of gratitude," Lin said. Now recognized as a national inheritor of Kunqu Opera, she added: "The flame of Kunqu Opera in Yongjia has not gone out. We've lived up to the legacy entrusted to us by our forebears."
\n
Innovation matters
\n
Xi's emphasis on cultural innovation also extended to the animation and gaming sectors.
\n
In 2005, he visited the China Academy of Art, where he highlighted the broad potential of the animation sector and the strength for Hangzhou to build a "city of animation".
\n
That same day, he toured Zhejiang Zhongnan Animation Co, now one of the largest original animation companies in China.
\n
"Animation should not be measured purely in financial terms," Xi told Wu Jianrong, chairman of Zhongnan Group, of which Zhongnan Animation is a subsidiary.
\n
"It provides young people with healthy spiritual nourishment. Chinese civilization has over 5,000 years of history — you can create animated works featuring our national heroes," Xi said.
\n
Encouraged by Xi's remarks, Zhongnan produced a series of animations and began exporting them.
\n
That year, Hangzhou hosted the inaugural China International Cartoon& Animation Festival, generating over 10 million yuan in on-site sales and 3 billion yuan in potential deals.
\n
Xi later wrote to national regulators to help secure Hangzhou as the event's permanent home and supported the creation of a dedicated organizing office.
\n
Hangzhou is now home to more than 270 animation and gaming companies, employing over 12,000 people. The city is the birthplace of the hit video game Black Myth: Wukong, and 227 internet-based animated series produced in the city were licensed in 2024, accounting for 34.45 percent of the national total.
\n
Across Zhejiang, there are more than 300,000 private cultural enterprises — up from fewer than 45,000 in 2003.
\n
Chen, the former vice-president of Zhejiang Academy of Social Sciences, said that Xi's cultural initiatives during his tenure in Zhejiang and the landmark achievements in the new era highlighted the importance of sustained efforts to deliver cultural development outcomes that truly benefit the people.
\n
"It also indicated that the implementation and evaluation of cultural initiatives should prioritize the production of more high-quality outcomes to meet the cultural rights and interests of the broadest segments of the population."
Algerian Ambassador to the United Nations Amar Bendjama holds up a picture of a severely malnourished child, who he said was a victim of starvation in Gaza, in the direction of Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar (extreme left) on Tuesday, during a UN Security Council meeting in New York on the Israel-Palestine conflict. See more, pages 8, 11
\n",
- "content": "
Algerian Ambassador to the United Nations Amar Bendjama holds up a picture of a severely malnourished child, who he said was a victim of starvation in Gaza, in the direction of Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar (extreme left) on Tuesday, during a UN Security Council meeting in New York on the Israel-Palestine conflict. See more, pages 8, 11
Hong Kong is making strides in aspects of targeted tax reforms, a robust initial public offering market, and progressive virtual asset regulations — advances poised to transform Asia's financial hub into the world's largest cross-border asset and wealth management center, financial analysts said.
\n
Eddie Yue Wai-man, chief executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, said that the authority will continue to work closely with the government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the industry and the international community to drive policy innovation and market enhancements to further strengthen Hong Kong's competitiveness in the wealth management and asset allocation business.
\n
"On the one hand, the Chinese mainland's economic growth and wealth accumulation, along with enhancements and expansions to various Connect Schemes, will further broaden the client base for Hong Kong's wealth management industry, while uncertainties are prompting international investors to adopt more proactive diversification strategies to better manage risks," Yue said.
\n
According to the latest figures released by the Securities and Futures Commission in Hong Kong, total assets under management in Hong Kong grew 13 percent annually, reaching HK$35 trillion ($4.48 trillion) by the end of 2024. The assets under management of the private banking and private wealth management sector increased 15 percent year-on-year, and net fund inflows totaled HK$384 billion.
\n
Forty-six banks expanded their private banking or private wealth management business in Hong Kong in 2024, and the assets under management of these institutions grew 14 percent in the first half of 2025, compared with the end of 2024, according to the authority's data.
\n
"Hong Kong's commitment to refining its Unified Funds Exemption regime, fostering a vibrant IPO market, and establishing clear regulations for virtual assets sends a strong signal to global asset managers," said Vivian Chui, KPMG China's Hong Kong head of securities and asset management.
\n
"These efforts demonstrate how effective regulatory support and targeted programs can be in shaping a dynamic and competitive asset management hub, positioning Hong Kong to capitalize on opportunities in the evolving financial landscape," she added.
\n
Recent refinements to Hong Kong's Unified Funds Exemption regime focus on broadening its scope to include alternative assets such as private credit. These enhancements are likely to bolster the city's competitiveness by clarifying that both fund entities and their special purpose vehicles remain tax-neutral, thereby providing tax certainty.
\n
Starting in August, Hong Kong has established a regulatory regime for stablecoin — a type of cryptocurrency whose value is pegged to another asset — including the issuance of digital tokens backed by fiat currencies. The regulatory framework also has constraints aimed at reducing risks and leverage in the crypto-related segment.
\n
"We expect stablecoin will continue to be a gateway to crypto asset trading, for the convenience it provides as a trade pair in the blockchain-based environment," said S&P Global Ratings credit analyst Michael Huang. "By offering stablecoin-linked products or digital assets, Hong Kong banks may attract customers locally and across borders that are seeking offshore crypto exposures."
\n
In the first half of 2025, the total transaction amount of digital asset-related products and tokenized assets in Hong Kong banks reached HK$26.1 billion, marking a 233 percent year-on-year surge and surpassing last year's total, the HKMA said.
\n
"Hong Kong's status as a regional hub for asset and wealth management is also supported by its mature financial markets, resilient Linked Exchange Rate System, robust banking sector and vibrant capital markets, offering numerous investment and value-enhancement opportunities for global capital," said Yue, the HKMA chief executive.
\n
In the first half of this year, funds raised through the Hong Kong IPO market exceeded HK$100 billion, making the city the top IPO market globally to date, HKMA data showed.
\n
"The HKMA has ample ammunition to defend the (currency) peg in case the Hong Kong dollar converges towards the weak end of the band. Foreign exchange reserves have declined in recent years but remain well above regulatory levels," said Carlos Casanova, Asia senior economist at Swiss private bank Union Bancaire Privee.
\n
The stability provided by the peg outweighs the negative effects even when Hong Kong faces cyclical challenges, as the business cycle of Hong Kong is more aligned with the Chinese mainland than the United States, Casanova added.
Children visit Huaneng Shidao Bay Nuclear Power Science and Technology Museum on July 25,2025, in Rongcheng, Shandong province.
\n
Girls take ballet classes at a training center in Handan, Hebei province, on July 31.
\n
Holidaying families at Shanghai Pudong International Airport on July 26 in Shanghai.
\n
Children make pottery at an art workshop on July 27 in Huaying, Sichuan province.
\n\n
Even before the summer holiday kicked off in July, Shanghai mother Shen had planned her 12-year-old daughter Mengmeng's daily schedule — tutoring, homework, extracurricular classes and physical exercise.
\n
The daily timetable, containing the smallest details, runs from 7 am to 10 pm and includes five-minute breaks to allow the girl to rest her eyes.
\n
Mengmeng attends one-on-one tutoring sessions in math, physics and English for two hours each on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays until dinnertime.
\n
On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, she revises the previous day's lessons. To ensure her daughter doesn't waste time at home, Shen often takes Mengmeng to the office with her to supervise her homework.
\n
Like many parents, Shen has high hopes for her child's academic performance, aiming for Mengmeng to excel and secure a place in a prestigious high school after taking the entrance exam in three years.
\n
"Physics, which starts in eighth grade, is challenging," said Shen, 39. "My daughter will be in the seventh grade in September, but I feel it is necessary for her to learn in advance. If Mengmeng forgets what she learns this summer, I will send her to learn it once again next summer," she added.
\n
Daydream believers
\n
Shen's attitude to her child's education is typical of many Chinese parents. They value diligence and studiousness, believing that if children do not spend most of their free time learning, they are wasting opportunities to secure a bright future.
\n
However, a news conference organized by the Shanghai Municipal Health Commission at the end of June emphasized the importance of allowing children appropriate free time during the summer holiday. Experts suggested that parents should allow their children to do their own activities — even if it is daydreaming, doodling, or doing nothing — and reduce excessive parental intervention.
\n
Free time has numerous benefits for children, such as stimulating creativity, developing problem-solving skills, and enhancing a child's ability to cope with negative emotions, according to experts.
\n
"Giving children free time means letting them decide what to do for themselves. This kind of self-driven decision-making is more important than completing tasks assigned by parents. Children have the opportunity to think, decide, try, and adjust based on their own desires and interests," said Huang Xiang, a doctor at the neurosurgery department of Shanghai Huashan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University.
\n
"Such experience is about developing self-management skills and, on a larger scale, developing a form of independent thinking that allows individuals to explore, satisfy, and develop themselves based on their feelings, needs, and current resources rather than passively completing orders by others and waiting for rewards," he said.
\n
Experts said helping children build such abilities will benefit them for their entire life. However, today's society, where children are often forced into "involution-style competitions", prevents some youngsters from enjoying free time.
\n
Skating ahead
\n
Mengmeng is in a top class at a prestigious middle school in Shanghai's Pudong New Area, where a competitive academic atmosphere prevails in the classroom.
\n
Her mother Shen said the school does not require students to take extra classes in the summer holiday. On the contrary, teachers suggest the students go on vacation.
\n
"But I think there is no way out but to learn as much as possible. I worry that the subject of physics will be difficult for my child, and I don't have confidence that girls can learn science well," said Shen, who changed her job from being a tour guide to a travel agency administrative position to better support her daughter's educational pursuits.
\n
Mengmeng has grown up under her mother's rigorous approach and seems quite obedient. She has followed a tight summer schedule since she was a small child.
\n
When she was younger, she had more extracurricular classes to attend. But now she has narrowed it down to four: piano, drawing, badminton, and swimming. During elementary school, her summer holiday and weekends were also filled with figure skating and ballet classes.
\n
"The premise of giving children free time is self-discipline, which is hardly seen from children," said Shen. "If left with free time they will resort to using electronic devices with no exceptions," she said, adding that she and her husband, who have no hobbies, spend almost all their salaries on raising their child.
\n
Mengmeng is not opposed to having a full schedule. She said acquiring knowledge of physics is "quite enjoyable", adding that math lessons have improved her problem-solving speed and boosted her grades.
\n
Of all the extracurricular activities, figure skating is her favorite.
\n
"But due to a scheduling conflict and my mother's insistence that playing the piano is elegant for girls, there leaves no time for figure skating," she said, explaining that learning figure skating changed her perception of the sport from terrifying to beautiful. Mengmeng also said she feels a surge of dopamine when she figure skates.
\n
Her mother said: "Everyone understands the importance of ensuring happiness for children, but the overall environment of fierce competition pushes children and parents forward together".
\n
Anxiety, shame
\n
Experts warned that over organizing children can lead to high levels of anxiety in the future, as they may struggle with downtime and feel pressure to be constantly productive.
\n
"Being accustomed to being scheduled without breaks will lead to such individuals feeling uncomfortable whenever they are idle," said Jin Jin, a Shanghai Mental Health Center doctor. "They won't let themselves have any free time and feel unworthy, or even have a sense of shame, about enjoying it."
\n
These children may also feel anxious that their parents will urge them to do something. "They can only follow in a passive way doing whatever they are told to do," Jin said.
\n
The other extreme is that these children will eventually give up on developing themselves. In either case, they lose the ability to plan their own use of time, Jin said.
\n
Huang, the doctor from Shanghai Huashan Hospital, said human creativity is actually a result of synthesizing different information in a person's daily life. "When seemingly in a daze, people will sort out all their knowledge and experiences of the day. When the brain combines these different elements, people sometimes have new creative ideas," he said
\n
Psychological research shows that giving children free time in moderation is important for their development. When the brain is at rest, it does not really stop working, but begins to engage in another form of thinking — particularly about social cognition and self-reflection.
\n
"Free time also fosters mental toughness and helps individuals bounce back from setbacks because they have the time to recover. This is a trait that people with free time have when they grow up, and it benefits overall personality development," Jin said.
\n
Enjoyable activities
\n
When children are given free time, they develop a strong sense of self-efficacy — a person's belief in their ability to complete a task or achieve a goal. They work harder as they know they are working for themselves, rather than being forced to do something for others, several experts said.
\n
Wu Tingting is the mother of a 10-year-old boy in Shanghai. She said she can sense the development of his self-efficacy when he engages in activities he enjoys, such as conducting physics and chemistry experiments with apparatus or building Lego sets.
\n
"He becomes deeply immersed in those activities and improves as he continues. In contrast, when it comes to completing certain school assignments, I have to urge him repeatedly to do them and he often drags his feet," said Wu, an elementary school teacher.
\n
Wu agrees with leaving free time for children. She believes in a balanced holiday schedule for children, consisting of equal parts of learning and leisure time. While she does not oppose her child engaging in scientific experiments, she considers playing with water guns a waste of time.
\n
With her dual roles as a mother and a teacher, Wu said she feels more lenient toward her students but stricter with her own child, as she has higher expectations for him.
\n
"Despite knowing the distinct roles of home and school — where home provides love and support and school focuses on education — I find it challenging in practice not to push my son to study," she said.
\n
Sun Jinhua, director of the mental health department at the Children's Hospital of Fudan University, said intensive learning schedules not only eat into children's rest time, but also diminish their interest in new subjects when school resumes.
\n
He said many middle school students who seek medical assistance from the department suffer from emotional disorders. These often stem from being overloaded with study during primary school years, leading to boredom and even fear of learning. Typical symptoms include insomnia, loss of emotional control, and refusing to go to school, as well as physical ones such as headaches and chest tightness.
\n
"For such children, excessive study time can be likened to overeating. Just like those who overeat vomit and lose interest in food, excessive studying can lead to loss of interest in learning," Sun said.
\n
What's on your mind?
\n
Parent-child communication plays a crucial role in the process of a child's growth, experts said. When it comes to extra classes, parents must respect the child's academic needs, interests, and wishes.
\n
"Some parents discuss course enrollment matters with their child, while also considering the child's ability to handle pressure. However, others disregard their child's willingness to enroll, and force them to take classes simply because the neighbor's child achieved good results," Sun said, adding that a good relationship is important for a child to be willing to listen to parental advice.
\n
Children who spend a lot of time in tutoring institutions may lose time for parent-child interactions, which can lead to distant relationships, he warned.
\n
"Sending a child to tutoring classes lasting an entire day seems to lighten parents' burden, but it means giving up the opportunity to build an intimate relationship with their child for time spent with teachers," said Sun.
\n
Many families focus on pushing their child to improve their academic performance because they define success narrowly, some sociologists said. However, parents should not force their child to learn things against their will, and should allow for different development paths, they said.
\n
Huang said every child has a different direction in life, and the development of society and national strength require a diversity of talent. Some children may not be suited for STEM learning or research, but they can explore other fields and make contributions to society.
\n
Jin suggested that parents should spend more time and energy on self-improvement rather than interfering with their children's choices. Moreover, they should avoid frequently using discouraging words, which stems from a lack of trust in a child.
\n
She said no one inherently desires to be unsuccessful, and just like lions in the wild, everyone desires "good hunting and health". However, if a child is constantly criticized, they may start believing they are not good at anything, hindering their natural inclination to excel. That child will eventually lose confidence and give up on themselves, she said.
\n
"It's so important that parents have belief in their children to follow their own paths to have a good future. Whether they become a chef or a flutist, there'll be opportunities," said Jin.
\n
"By instilling confidence in their children and recognizing their inherent abilities, children will learn to manage themselves. Such empowerment will naturally lead to their vitality, allowing them to grow into individuals who are admired, kind, capable, and empathetic," she said.
\n
zhouwenting@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
- "content": "
Children visit Huaneng Shidao Bay Nuclear Power Science and Technology Museum on July 25,2025, in Rongcheng, Shandong province.
\n
Girls take ballet classes at a training center in Handan, Hebei province, on July 31.
\n
Holidaying families at Shanghai Pudong International Airport on July 26 in Shanghai.
\n
Children make pottery at an art workshop on July 27 in Huaying, Sichuan province.
\n\n
Even before the summer holiday kicked off in July, Shanghai mother Shen had planned her 12-year-old daughter Mengmeng's daily schedule — tutoring, homework, extracurricular classes and physical exercise.
\n
The daily timetable, containing the smallest details, runs from 7 am to 10 pm and includes five-minute breaks to allow the girl to rest her eyes.
\n
Mengmeng attends one-on-one tutoring sessions in math, physics and English for two hours each on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays until dinnertime.
\n
On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, she revises the previous day's lessons. To ensure her daughter doesn't waste time at home, Shen often takes Mengmeng to the office with her to supervise her homework.
\n
Like many parents, Shen has high hopes for her child's academic performance, aiming for Mengmeng to excel and secure a place in a prestigious high school after taking the entrance exam in three years.
\n
"Physics, which starts in eighth grade, is challenging," said Shen, 39. "My daughter will be in the seventh grade in September, but I feel it is necessary for her to learn in advance. If Mengmeng forgets what she learns this summer, I will send her to learn it once again next summer," she added.
\n
Daydream believers
\n
Shen's attitude to her child's education is typical of many Chinese parents. They value diligence and studiousness, believing that if children do not spend most of their free time learning, they are wasting opportunities to secure a bright future.
\n
However, a news conference organized by the Shanghai Municipal Health Commission at the end of June emphasized the importance of allowing children appropriate free time during the summer holiday. Experts suggested that parents should allow their children to do their own activities — even if it is daydreaming, doodling, or doing nothing — and reduce excessive parental intervention.
\n
Free time has numerous benefits for children, such as stimulating creativity, developing problem-solving skills, and enhancing a child's ability to cope with negative emotions, according to experts.
\n
"Giving children free time means letting them decide what to do for themselves. This kind of self-driven decision-making is more important than completing tasks assigned by parents. Children have the opportunity to think, decide, try, and adjust based on their own desires and interests," said Huang Xiang, a doctor at the neurosurgery department of Shanghai Huashan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University.
\n
"Such experience is about developing self-management skills and, on a larger scale, developing a form of independent thinking that allows individuals to explore, satisfy, and develop themselves based on their feelings, needs, and current resources rather than passively completing orders by others and waiting for rewards," he said.
\n
Experts said helping children build such abilities will benefit them for their entire life. However, today's society, where children are often forced into "involution-style competitions", prevents some youngsters from enjoying free time.
\n
Skating ahead
\n
Mengmeng is in a top class at a prestigious middle school in Shanghai's Pudong New Area, where a competitive academic atmosphere prevails in the classroom.
\n
Her mother Shen said the school does not require students to take extra classes in the summer holiday. On the contrary, teachers suggest the students go on vacation.
\n
"But I think there is no way out but to learn as much as possible. I worry that the subject of physics will be difficult for my child, and I don't have confidence that girls can learn science well," said Shen, who changed her job from being a tour guide to a travel agency administrative position to better support her daughter's educational pursuits.
\n
Mengmeng has grown up under her mother's rigorous approach and seems quite obedient. She has followed a tight summer schedule since she was a small child.
\n
When she was younger, she had more extracurricular classes to attend. But now she has narrowed it down to four: piano, drawing, badminton, and swimming. During elementary school, her summer holiday and weekends were also filled with figure skating and ballet classes.
\n
"The premise of giving children free time is self-discipline, which is hardly seen from children," said Shen. "If left with free time they will resort to using electronic devices with no exceptions," she said, adding that she and her husband, who have no hobbies, spend almost all their salaries on raising their child.
\n
Mengmeng is not opposed to having a full schedule. She said acquiring knowledge of physics is "quite enjoyable", adding that math lessons have improved her problem-solving speed and boosted her grades.
\n
Of all the extracurricular activities, figure skating is her favorite.
\n
"But due to a scheduling conflict and my mother's insistence that playing the piano is elegant for girls, there leaves no time for figure skating," she said, explaining that learning figure skating changed her perception of the sport from terrifying to beautiful. Mengmeng also said she feels a surge of dopamine when she figure skates.
\n
Her mother said: "Everyone understands the importance of ensuring happiness for children, but the overall environment of fierce competition pushes children and parents forward together".
\n
Anxiety, shame
\n
Experts warned that over organizing children can lead to high levels of anxiety in the future, as they may struggle with downtime and feel pressure to be constantly productive.
\n
"Being accustomed to being scheduled without breaks will lead to such individuals feeling uncomfortable whenever they are idle," said Jin Jin, a Shanghai Mental Health Center doctor. "They won't let themselves have any free time and feel unworthy, or even have a sense of shame, about enjoying it."
\n
These children may also feel anxious that their parents will urge them to do something. "They can only follow in a passive way doing whatever they are told to do," Jin said.
\n
The other extreme is that these children will eventually give up on developing themselves. In either case, they lose the ability to plan their own use of time, Jin said.
\n
Huang, the doctor from Shanghai Huashan Hospital, said human creativity is actually a result of synthesizing different information in a person's daily life. "When seemingly in a daze, people will sort out all their knowledge and experiences of the day. When the brain combines these different elements, people sometimes have new creative ideas," he said
\n
Psychological research shows that giving children free time in moderation is important for their development. When the brain is at rest, it does not really stop working, but begins to engage in another form of thinking — particularly about social cognition and self-reflection.
\n
"Free time also fosters mental toughness and helps individuals bounce back from setbacks because they have the time to recover. This is a trait that people with free time have when they grow up, and it benefits overall personality development," Jin said.
\n
Enjoyable activities
\n
When children are given free time, they develop a strong sense of self-efficacy — a person's belief in their ability to complete a task or achieve a goal. They work harder as they know they are working for themselves, rather than being forced to do something for others, several experts said.
\n
Wu Tingting is the mother of a 10-year-old boy in Shanghai. She said she can sense the development of his self-efficacy when he engages in activities he enjoys, such as conducting physics and chemistry experiments with apparatus or building Lego sets.
\n
"He becomes deeply immersed in those activities and improves as he continues. In contrast, when it comes to completing certain school assignments, I have to urge him repeatedly to do them and he often drags his feet," said Wu, an elementary school teacher.
\n
Wu agrees with leaving free time for children. She believes in a balanced holiday schedule for children, consisting of equal parts of learning and leisure time. While she does not oppose her child engaging in scientific experiments, she considers playing with water guns a waste of time.
\n
With her dual roles as a mother and a teacher, Wu said she feels more lenient toward her students but stricter with her own child, as she has higher expectations for him.
\n
"Despite knowing the distinct roles of home and school — where home provides love and support and school focuses on education — I find it challenging in practice not to push my son to study," she said.
\n
Sun Jinhua, director of the mental health department at the Children's Hospital of Fudan University, said intensive learning schedules not only eat into children's rest time, but also diminish their interest in new subjects when school resumes.
\n
He said many middle school students who seek medical assistance from the department suffer from emotional disorders. These often stem from being overloaded with study during primary school years, leading to boredom and even fear of learning. Typical symptoms include insomnia, loss of emotional control, and refusing to go to school, as well as physical ones such as headaches and chest tightness.
\n
"For such children, excessive study time can be likened to overeating. Just like those who overeat vomit and lose interest in food, excessive studying can lead to loss of interest in learning," Sun said.
\n
What's on your mind?
\n
Parent-child communication plays a crucial role in the process of a child's growth, experts said. When it comes to extra classes, parents must respect the child's academic needs, interests, and wishes.
\n
"Some parents discuss course enrollment matters with their child, while also considering the child's ability to handle pressure. However, others disregard their child's willingness to enroll, and force them to take classes simply because the neighbor's child achieved good results," Sun said, adding that a good relationship is important for a child to be willing to listen to parental advice.
\n
Children who spend a lot of time in tutoring institutions may lose time for parent-child interactions, which can lead to distant relationships, he warned.
\n
"Sending a child to tutoring classes lasting an entire day seems to lighten parents' burden, but it means giving up the opportunity to build an intimate relationship with their child for time spent with teachers," said Sun.
\n
Many families focus on pushing their child to improve their academic performance because they define success narrowly, some sociologists said. However, parents should not force their child to learn things against their will, and should allow for different development paths, they said.
\n
Huang said every child has a different direction in life, and the development of society and national strength require a diversity of talent. Some children may not be suited for STEM learning or research, but they can explore other fields and make contributions to society.
\n
Jin suggested that parents should spend more time and energy on self-improvement rather than interfering with their children's choices. Moreover, they should avoid frequently using discouraging words, which stems from a lack of trust in a child.
\n
She said no one inherently desires to be unsuccessful, and just like lions in the wild, everyone desires "good hunting and health". However, if a child is constantly criticized, they may start believing they are not good at anything, hindering their natural inclination to excel. That child will eventually lose confidence and give up on themselves, she said.
\n
"It's so important that parents have belief in their children to follow their own paths to have a good future. Whether they become a chef or a flutist, there'll be opportunities," said Jin.
\n
"By instilling confidence in their children and recognizing their inherent abilities, children will learn to manage themselves. Such empowerment will naturally lead to their vitality, allowing them to grow into individuals who are admired, kind, capable, and empathetic," she said.
China has released an action plan to build a livable, green and safe environment as part of its efforts to better address the health consequences of climate change and improve public well-being.
\n
The plan, issued on Monday by the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration and 15 other government departments, outlines a series of tasks to be completed by the end of 2030. These include raising environmental health literacy, promoting household waste classification, improving drinking water quality and curbing indoor air pollution.
\n
In a corresponding statement, the administration said global warming has created new challenges that hinder healthy living environments.
\n
The plan aims to "incorporate the concept of environmental health into policies across all sectors" and to "focus on addressing prominent environmental issues that harm public health", the administration said.
\n
Under the plan, residents are encouraged to reduce their carbon footprint and use green or energy-efficient products while increasing their knowledge about environmental protection and risks associated with extreme weather.
\n
To improve household and community environments, the plan calls for promoting the use of energy-saving and less-hazardous appliances, as well as elderly-friendly and safety-enhancing home facilities such as anti-slip and anti-collision features.
\n
At the neighborhood level, the plan calls for better waste sorting, expanded green spaces and walking trails, enhanced community healthcare and first aid services, and strengthened noise control.
\n
"For the elderly living alone, it is important to carry out regular door-to-door visits and launch safety awareness campaigns and security checks targeting them," the plan states.
\n
It also calls for advancing smoke-free public spaces and tightening management of emissions, including exhaust gas, wastewater, noise and solid waste.
\n
"Efforts should be dedicated to strengthening sanitation and safety management of drinking water," the administration said, with particular emphasis on improving rural water supply quality.
\n
"It is also important to ramp up capabilities in drinking water sanitation and environmental hygiene management during natural disasters triggered by extreme weather events or environmental pollution incidents," it added.
\n
The plan also urges improvements to the release mechanisms for health risk warnings and public advisories on cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, as well as vector-borne infectious diseases.
\n
Official data shows the overall health literacy rate in China rose from about 19.2 percent in 2019 to nearly 32 percent in 2024.
\n
By the end of last year, the harmless treatment rate of solid waste in urban areas reached 99 percent, and the coverage rate of sanitary toilets stood at about 75 percent.
\n
wangxiaoyu@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
@@ -4070,28 +4752,6 @@
"hash": "1171494db4a3ca8bfa76f090fe409618",
"highlights": []
},
- {
- "title": "004CHINA - Women call for legally backed period leave",
- "description": "
Female workers in China are increasingly calling for the introduction of "period leave", which would allow them to take a few days off work to cope with menstrual pain. But experts say that without State-level legal backing, implementing such a policy remains challenging.
\n
"I'd never heard of period leave until I saw related hot topics on Weibo earlier this year. If it becomes a reality, it would be a great workplace benefit," said Zhang Qi, a salesperson in Beijing.
\n
The 28-year-old said she often suffers from lower back and abdominal pain during the first two days of her period, making it difficult to stand while selling cosmetics to customers.
\n
"Many of my colleagues also have period pain, but we just endure it because taking sick leave means a pay deduction," she said.
\n
Some provinces and cities have taken initial steps to support period leave by issuing guidelines aimed at protecting women's right to paid rest during menstrual cycles. However, experts caution that these government documents are largely advisory in nature and lack the force of law, making them difficult to enforce in practice.
\n
Zhejiang province, for example, issued a women's labor protection guideline in 2017 requiring employers to grant up to two days of paid leave to women suffering from severe menstrual pain or heavy bleeding.
\n
Other regions, including Shanghai, Guangdong province and Jiangxi province have also rolled out similar policies in recent years, though the length of leave and payment standards vary across jurisdictions.
\n
The concept of period leave in China dates back to the 1990s, when several central government agencies — including the All-China Federation of Trade Unions and the former Ministry of Health — jointly issued a regulation requiring employers to grant one or two days of leave to women with severe symptoms, provided they present a hospital diagnosis.
\n
A more recent regulation jointly issued last year by six central departments — including the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, the National Health Commission and the All-China Federation of Trade Unions — also mentioned period leave.
\n
But unlike marriage or maternity leave, which are clearly defined in China's labor laws, period leave is referenced only in guidelines or departmental regulations, said Yao Junchang, from the W&H Law Firm in Beijing.
\n
"These are advocacy policies without legal binding force on employers. As a result, applying for period leave remains difficult," he said.
\n
Currently, many women take sick leave to cope with menstrual pain, but Yao noted that obtaining a medical diagnosis is often inconvenient and employers may reject the request because period leave is not legally mandated.
\n
"It's necessary to include period leave in the national labor law so that women can take time off without worry," he said.
\n
Wang Yu, a doctor at Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital affiliated with Capital Medical University, told China Youth Daily that menstrual pain has long been viewed as a normal condition and is often not taken seriously.
\n
She emphasized the importance of seeing a doctor when experiencing pain, as it could indicate an underlying medical condition. Even when not caused by disease, she said, menstrual pain is a harmful stimulus that can disrupt a woman's daily life, work or studies and deserves greater attention.
\n
chengsi@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
- "content": "
Female workers in China are increasingly calling for the introduction of "period leave", which would allow them to take a few days off work to cope with menstrual pain. But experts say that without State-level legal backing, implementing such a policy remains challenging.
\n
"I'd never heard of period leave until I saw related hot topics on Weibo earlier this year. If it becomes a reality, it would be a great workplace benefit," said Zhang Qi, a salesperson in Beijing.
\n
The 28-year-old said she often suffers from lower back and abdominal pain during the first two days of her period, making it difficult to stand while selling cosmetics to customers.
\n
"Many of my colleagues also have period pain, but we just endure it because taking sick leave means a pay deduction," she said.
\n
Some provinces and cities have taken initial steps to support period leave by issuing guidelines aimed at protecting women's right to paid rest during menstrual cycles. However, experts caution that these government documents are largely advisory in nature and lack the force of law, making them difficult to enforce in practice.
\n
Zhejiang province, for example, issued a women's labor protection guideline in 2017 requiring employers to grant up to two days of paid leave to women suffering from severe menstrual pain or heavy bleeding.
\n
Other regions, including Shanghai, Guangdong province and Jiangxi province have also rolled out similar policies in recent years, though the length of leave and payment standards vary across jurisdictions.
\n
The concept of period leave in China dates back to the 1990s, when several central government agencies — including the All-China Federation of Trade Unions and the former Ministry of Health — jointly issued a regulation requiring employers to grant one or two days of leave to women with severe symptoms, provided they present a hospital diagnosis.
\n
A more recent regulation jointly issued last year by six central departments — including the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, the National Health Commission and the All-China Federation of Trade Unions — also mentioned period leave.
\n
But unlike marriage or maternity leave, which are clearly defined in China's labor laws, period leave is referenced only in guidelines or departmental regulations, said Yao Junchang, from the W&H Law Firm in Beijing.
\n
"These are advocacy policies without legal binding force on employers. As a result, applying for period leave remains difficult," he said.
\n
Currently, many women take sick leave to cope with menstrual pain, but Yao noted that obtaining a medical diagnosis is often inconvenient and employers may reject the request because period leave is not legally mandated.
\n
"It's necessary to include period leave in the national labor law so that women can take time off without worry," he said.
\n
Wang Yu, a doctor at Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital affiliated with Capital Medical University, told China Youth Daily that menstrual pain has long been viewed as a normal condition and is often not taken seriously.
\n
She emphasized the importance of seeing a doctor when experiencing pain, as it could indicate an underlying medical condition. Even when not caused by disease, she said, menstrual pain is a harmful stimulus that can disrupt a woman's daily life, work or studies and deserves greater attention.
A foreign athlete engages in a strength challenge with a robot police dog at the World Games Village in Chengdu, Sichuan province, on Tuesday. The opening ceremony of the 2025 Chengdu World Games will take place on Thursday evening.
\n
Meteorological workers conduct inspections at a weather station in Chengdu, Sichuan province, on July 29, ahead of the 2025 Chengdu World Games.
\n
On a humid summer night in Chengdu, Zhang Tao stared at a glowing weather monitoring system inside the Chengdu Municipal Meteorological Department. The deputy director looked anxious.
\n
In just 24 hours, the opening ceremony of the 2025 Chengdu World Games is scheduled to be held outdoors at the Tianfu International Convention Center. But the forecast is far from ideal.
\n
As of 8 pm Wednesday, meteorologists were predicting partly cloudy skies with scattered showers or thunderstorms during the Thursday evening festivities. Daytime highs could reach as high as 33 C, but the key window from 6 to 10 pm — covering the torch lighting and fireworks segments of the ceremony — is likely to face a threat of rain.
\n
"We're under a lot of pressure," Zhang said. The uncertainty threatens to derail the outdoor elements of the ceremony, and organizers are on standby to activate an indoor contingency plan if needed, he added.
\n
While northern and southern China are battling heavy rainfall during the flood season, the Sichuan Basin is bracing for an intense heat wave, with temperatures exceeding 40 C in some areas.
\n
Adding to the challenge, Chengdu is known for its local microclimates, which complicates weather forecasting for citywide sporting events, said Li Linlin, deputy director of the Games' services support center.
\n
To tackle the uncertainty, Chengdu has rolled out a high-tech weather monitoring system aimed at ensuring smooth operations.
\n
The network includes 855 ground stations, nine advanced radar systems, 13 upper-air sites and real-time satellite data — providing minute-by-minute, high-resolution forecasts across all venues, according to the meteorological department.
\n
With 15 outdoor venues spread across Chengdu's urban and suburban districts, meteorologists are providing hyper-local forecasts to support the complex web of competitions.
\n
"Organizers have installed 26 new localized weather stations in addition to the 61 built for the 2023 Chengdu Universiade," Li said.
\n
The stations enhance precise forecasting down to individual venues — many of which have open-air surfaces highly sensitive to weather changes.
\n
Artificial intelligence-powered models can now offer forecasts ranging from 60 days ahead to just five minutes out, helping predict rain, wind, heat and air quality to protect athletes and minimize delays.
\n
Among the most weather-vulnerable sports is drone racing — a high-octane event blending speed and virtual reality. Scheduled for Aug 14 to 16 at the Dong'an Lake Sports Park athletics field, the race pushes agile drones through obstacle-laden tracks at speeds topping 160 kilometers per hour.
\n
"Wind is a critical factor," said Zhou Xueyun, a member of the Games' meteorological center. "A gust over 32.4 km per hour may throw a drone off course or cause a crash."
\n
Rain, he added, could short-circuit electronics or significantly reduce flight speed.
\n
Ideal flying conditions include low wind, visibility over 1 km and moderate humidity.
\n
"Anything outside those parameters could ground the event," Zhou said.
\n
To mitigate the risks, high-resolution numerical weather prediction tools have been deployed to map low-altitude turbulence and wind fields in real time.
\n
"Flying disc is another sport requiring strict weather conditions," Zhou said. Frisbee flight is easily disrupted by winds above 28.8 km per hour, and athletes perform best in 15 C to 25 C temperatures with moderate humidity. Mobile weather stations have been placed near the lake to deliver second-by-second data on wind and visibility.
\n
At the Sancha Lake Water Sports Competition Zone, thunderstorms are the biggest threat to events such as powerboating and waterski.
\n
"If there's lightning, everything stops immediately," said Gao Deng, deputy head of the venue operation center's competition committee. "Athletes are vulnerable on open water. We have emergency tents and shelters ready for immediate evacuation."
\n
He said the team has rehearsed for extreme weather scenarios ahead of the Games.
\n
Gao said updated hourly forecasts and rolling three-day outlooks are sent to the Global Association of International Sports Federations to help guide decisions about potential delays or rescheduling.
\n
Beyond the playing field, weather can also impact a wide range of support services. High temperatures raise the risk of heatstroke among spectators and workers, while heavy rain can disrupt electrical systems and interfere with live media broadcasts, Li said.
\n
"Weather should not stand in the way of athletic achievement," he said. "Our job is to make sure it never catches us unprepared."
A Chinese participant talks with Belarusian youths in front of a display booth at the SCO Youth Kaleidoscope Cultural Bazaar in Tianjin on Wednesday. Hundreds of young students from Shanghai Cooperation Organization countries such as Russia and Uzbekistan gathered to experience a variety of cultures at the event.
\n",
- "content": "
A Chinese participant talks with Belarusian youths in front of a display booth at the SCO Youth Kaleidoscope Cultural Bazaar in Tianjin on Wednesday. Hundreds of young students from Shanghai Cooperation Organization countries such as Russia and Uzbekistan gathered to experience a variety of cultures at the event.
Dingri county in the Xizang autonomous region is leveraging world-renowned Mount Qomolangma, also known as Mount Everest, to build a thriving cultural and tourism sector under its "Roof of the World" brand.
\n
A new visitor service center at the scenic area's north gate, which opened earlier this year, offers 24-hour ticketing, oxygen supplies and emergency rescue facilities. The upgrades aim to improve safety and provide comfort to tourists heading to the world's highest peak, Xizang TV reported.
\n
The scenic area welcomed more than 547,600 domestic and international tourists last year, an 18 percent increase from the previous year. Revenues exceeded 110 million yuan ($15.3 million), up 1.4 percent year-on-year, according to Xinhua News Agency.
\n
From the entrance, visitors travel up Gyawula Mountain's famous 108 hairpin bends to reach a viewing platform that offers sweeping views of Qomolangma and neighboring Himalayan giants Lhotse and Makalu. Cultural and creative spaces on the platform sell plateau-themed souvenirs that highlight local Tibetan culture.
\n
To boost connectivity, Dingri has improved roads along national highways 318 and 219 to establish a "small loop" tourism circuit linking nearby towns and villages.
\n
In Tashizom township, known as the "Gateway to Qomolangma", brand-name hotels, boutique guesthouses and restaurants are flourishing. The homestay economy has expanded significantly, with more than 150 establishments now offering over 6,300 beds and providing jobs for more than 560 locals, according to the township government.
\n
Sonam Tashi, chairman of the Tashizom Township People's Congress, said a high-quality service ecosystem has been formed "where food is savory and accommodations are welcoming".
\n
Following an earthquake in January, the local government swiftly closed the scenic area.
\n
"In line with post-disaster reconstruction, the Mount Qomolangma scenic area resumed operations on March 1, backed by scientific assessments from the local tourism and market supervision bureaus, ensuring that infrastructure, staffing and operational standards were met," Sonam said.
\n
He noted that six villages along the route participate in tourism, running businesses such as hotels, guesthouses and tent camps.
\n
The tent camp at the Mount Qomolangma Base Camp is jointly managed by six administrative villages and employs 52 staff members, 80 percent of whom are local residents, including 12 university students.
\n
"This collaborative effort provides a variety of services, including accommodation, dining, oxygen supply, supermarket, cultural products and travel photography," Sonam said. The tent camp generated revenue of 12 million yuan in 2024, he added.
\n
The base camp remains a must-visit destination, featuring the world's highest themed post office and a comprehensive service area with dining, lodging and shopping options, he said.
\n
Contact the writers at palden_nyima@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
@@ -4158,28 +4796,6 @@
"hash": "6a07881b2c6bb55c3de7a0ab48d8dc4d",
"highlights": []
},
- {
- "title": "005CHINA - New research universities lure bright minds with prospects",
- "description": "
Three newly established research universities in China have drawn top-tier students in their inaugural undergraduate admissions, with their enrollees' scores on the national college entrance exam, or gaokao, rivaling or even surpassing those required by the nation's most prestigious institutions.
\n
The Fuyao University of Science and Technology in Fujian province; the Eastern Institute of Technology, Ningbo in Zhejiang province; and Great Bay University in Dongguan, Guangdong province, have all reported remarkably high admission thresholds in their first year of enrollment.
\n
At Fuyao, for example, the minimum gaokao score that physics majors from the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region — one of five provincial-level regions that the university enrolls students from — is 616, surpassing those of established universities such as Beijing Normal University and Xiamen University.
\n
Similar trends were seen in Jiangxi and Hunan provinces. The maximum possible gaokao score students can enroll with is 750 in most regions.
\n
The Eastern Institute of Technology, Ningbo, which only admits students from Zhejiang province, set its minimum entrance score at 656 — exceeding those of many renowned universities. Great Bay University, with just 80 students admitted in Guangdong province, reported a minimum threshold of 622, only six points lower than Sun Yat-sen University and equal to that of the South China University of Technology.
\n
Each institution offers unique advantages.
\n
Privately funded Fuyao was founded by entrepreneur and philanthropist Cao Dewang with an investment of more than 10 billion yuan ($1.4 billion). It is led by Wang Shuguo, former president of Xi'an Jiaotong University, and enrolled just 50 students from five provincial-level regions.
\n
Its appeal lies in its leadership, its elite faculty — which includes 15 members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences or Chinese Academy of Engineering — an accelerated bachelor-master-doctorate program that allows a student to earn a doctorate by age 26, and dual-degree options with overseas partners such as Oxford and Cambridge universities in the United Kingdom. Graduates also receive employment priority at Fuyao Glass Industry Group with a guaranteed minimum salary.
\n
The Eastern Institute of Technology, Ningbo, was launched with a donation from Will Semiconductor Chairman Yu Renrong and is headed by Chen Shiyi, former president of the Southern University of Science and Technology. It is offering effectively free tuition via full scholarships for its first cohort of 70 students in Zhejiang. The school focuses on computer science disciplines tied to artificial intelligence and chip development, and features one-on-one mentorship and 16 academicians on its faculty.
\n
Publicly funded Great Bay University, led by renowned mathematician Tian Gang, enrolled 80 students in Guangdong and offers a 3-to-1 student-faculty ratio. Its programs are designed to align with the industrial strengths of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
\n
Education experts said these new research universities stand out for their high starting points, substantial investment, small-scale elite enrollment and strong research orientation.
\n
Students and parents are increasingly looking beyond the prestige of traditional universities, instead considering factors such as academic majors, innovative teaching models, faculty credentials, postgraduation pathways and opportunities tied to the schools' locations in economically dynamic coastal regions.
\n
For a high school graduate surnamed Huang from Hunan province, who scored 636 on the gaokao, Fuyao was his top choice.
\n
Describing himself as a "young gambler" and a "guinea pig" for educational reform, Huang told Red Star News he was drawn to the school's leadership, its emphasis on integrating research and production, and its learning environment.
\n
He acknowledged concerns that choosing a new university might "waste" his high score, but said he accepted the risks.
\n
"If I win the gamble, I could become an associate professor in my 20s. If I lose, I could be a blue-collar worker at Fuyao Glass, earning a living with my own hands," he said. "I can accept both outcomes."
\n
Ding Changfa, an associate professor of economics at Xiamen University, told financial media outlet Yicai that these universities attract top gaokao scorers by offering exceptional faculty, programs tailored to national economic priorities and promising career prospects in cutting-edge disciplines.
\n
He noted that the schools' small enrollment sizes and specialized disciplines allow them to efficiently deploy resources to meet the demands of socioeconomic development.
\n
Chu Zhaohui, a researcher at the China National Academy of Educational Sciences, told China Daily that evolving student preferences are reshaping the development of universities, with student quality forming the foundation of institutional excellence. Still, he cautioned that preferences alone do not guarantee long-term success.
\n
Xiong Bingqi, director of the 21st Century Education Research Institute, said an increasing number of high-achieving students are prioritizing personal interests, strengths and career goals over school name recognition.
\n
He emphasized that to maintain their appeal, new universities must prove their value through strong educational quality, distinctive features and graduate outcomes.
\n
zoushuo@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
- "content": "
Three newly established research universities in China have drawn top-tier students in their inaugural undergraduate admissions, with their enrollees' scores on the national college entrance exam, or gaokao, rivaling or even surpassing those required by the nation's most prestigious institutions.
\n
The Fuyao University of Science and Technology in Fujian province; the Eastern Institute of Technology, Ningbo in Zhejiang province; and Great Bay University in Dongguan, Guangdong province, have all reported remarkably high admission thresholds in their first year of enrollment.
\n
At Fuyao, for example, the minimum gaokao score that physics majors from the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region — one of five provincial-level regions that the university enrolls students from — is 616, surpassing those of established universities such as Beijing Normal University and Xiamen University.
\n
Similar trends were seen in Jiangxi and Hunan provinces. The maximum possible gaokao score students can enroll with is 750 in most regions.
\n
The Eastern Institute of Technology, Ningbo, which only admits students from Zhejiang province, set its minimum entrance score at 656 — exceeding those of many renowned universities. Great Bay University, with just 80 students admitted in Guangdong province, reported a minimum threshold of 622, only six points lower than Sun Yat-sen University and equal to that of the South China University of Technology.
\n
Each institution offers unique advantages.
\n
Privately funded Fuyao was founded by entrepreneur and philanthropist Cao Dewang with an investment of more than 10 billion yuan ($1.4 billion). It is led by Wang Shuguo, former president of Xi'an Jiaotong University, and enrolled just 50 students from five provincial-level regions.
\n
Its appeal lies in its leadership, its elite faculty — which includes 15 members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences or Chinese Academy of Engineering — an accelerated bachelor-master-doctorate program that allows a student to earn a doctorate by age 26, and dual-degree options with overseas partners such as Oxford and Cambridge universities in the United Kingdom. Graduates also receive employment priority at Fuyao Glass Industry Group with a guaranteed minimum salary.
\n
The Eastern Institute of Technology, Ningbo, was launched with a donation from Will Semiconductor Chairman Yu Renrong and is headed by Chen Shiyi, former president of the Southern University of Science and Technology. It is offering effectively free tuition via full scholarships for its first cohort of 70 students in Zhejiang. The school focuses on computer science disciplines tied to artificial intelligence and chip development, and features one-on-one mentorship and 16 academicians on its faculty.
\n
Publicly funded Great Bay University, led by renowned mathematician Tian Gang, enrolled 80 students in Guangdong and offers a 3-to-1 student-faculty ratio. Its programs are designed to align with the industrial strengths of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
\n
Education experts said these new research universities stand out for their high starting points, substantial investment, small-scale elite enrollment and strong research orientation.
\n
Students and parents are increasingly looking beyond the prestige of traditional universities, instead considering factors such as academic majors, innovative teaching models, faculty credentials, postgraduation pathways and opportunities tied to the schools' locations in economically dynamic coastal regions.
\n
For a high school graduate surnamed Huang from Hunan province, who scored 636 on the gaokao, Fuyao was his top choice.
\n
Describing himself as a "young gambler" and a "guinea pig" for educational reform, Huang told Red Star News he was drawn to the school's leadership, its emphasis on integrating research and production, and its learning environment.
\n
He acknowledged concerns that choosing a new university might "waste" his high score, but said he accepted the risks.
\n
"If I win the gamble, I could become an associate professor in my 20s. If I lose, I could be a blue-collar worker at Fuyao Glass, earning a living with my own hands," he said. "I can accept both outcomes."
\n
Ding Changfa, an associate professor of economics at Xiamen University, told financial media outlet Yicai that these universities attract top gaokao scorers by offering exceptional faculty, programs tailored to national economic priorities and promising career prospects in cutting-edge disciplines.
\n
He noted that the schools' small enrollment sizes and specialized disciplines allow them to efficiently deploy resources to meet the demands of socioeconomic development.
\n
Chu Zhaohui, a researcher at the China National Academy of Educational Sciences, told China Daily that evolving student preferences are reshaping the development of universities, with student quality forming the foundation of institutional excellence. Still, he cautioned that preferences alone do not guarantee long-term success.
\n
Xiong Bingqi, director of the 21st Century Education Research Institute, said an increasing number of high-achieving students are prioritizing personal interests, strengths and career goals over school name recognition.
\n
He emphasized that to maintain their appeal, new universities must prove their value through strong educational quality, distinctive features and graduate outcomes.
Asian diplomatic envoys to China visit the Datong Mass Graves Memorial in Datong, Shanxi province, on Wednesday. The Japanese occupation of the coal mines in Datong during the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) resulted in the exploitation of coal resources, harsh working conditions and the discovery of mass graves. During the occupation, coal production in Datong increased from 870,000 metric tons in 1938 to 2.27 million tons in 1942. Over 60,000 miners lost their lives.
Driven by intensifying job market competition, Chinese students are increasingly choosing specialized universities linked to government agencies, pushing admission scores at these institutions above those of traditionally prestigious universities.
\n
The message is clear: in a tough job market, the promise of a secure position often outweighs the appeal of an elite academic pedigree. Practical job security has become the paramount concern shaping students' university choices, experts said.
\n
At Beijing Police College, a public institution dedicated to training police officers, a Beijing applicant with a score of 646 on the national college entrance exam, or gaokao, was among this year's enrollees.
\n
Such a score is high enough to gain entry to many top-tier universities. The highest achievable score on the gaokao is 750.
\n
Similarly, in Jiangsu province, Shanghai Customs University, which is managed by the General Administration of Customs, now requires an entrance score of 657-higher than many elite universities. The Beijing Electronic Science and Technology Institute, affiliated with the General Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, recorded a minimum score of 657 for one program group in Jiangsu, also surpassing numerous leading institutions.
\n
The main driver behind the shift is securing employment. An official from Shanghai Customs University told Jiupai News that students are very likely to secure jobs in the civil service sector after graduation, especially in customs.
\n
According to employment reports released by Beijing Electronic Science and Technology Institute, the university had 428 bachelor's degree graduates last year, with an employment rate of 96 percent. Among its class of 2022,390 — or 95 percent — found work in government institutions.
\n
Experts said the shift stems from deep anxiety about future job security. With 12.22 million university graduates expected to enter the workforce this year and government job creation targets set at just 12 million, the pressure is intense.
\n
Opting for a specialized university that offers direct entry into stable government or high-demand industry roles is a strategic move to hedge against uncertainty, said Chen Zhiwen, editor-in-chief of online education portal EOL.
\n
He noted that the popularity of such institutions lies in their close alignment with specific industry needs, which translates into strong recruitment outcomes.
\n
While acknowledging the potential for limited career flexibility, Chen said the trend underscores a critical direction for higher education reform: "Curriculum design and training models must align with real industry demands."
\n
zoushuo@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
- "content": "
Driven by intensifying job market competition, Chinese students are increasingly choosing specialized universities linked to government agencies, pushing admission scores at these institutions above those of traditionally prestigious universities.
\n
The message is clear: in a tough job market, the promise of a secure position often outweighs the appeal of an elite academic pedigree. Practical job security has become the paramount concern shaping students' university choices, experts said.
\n
At Beijing Police College, a public institution dedicated to training police officers, a Beijing applicant with a score of 646 on the national college entrance exam, or gaokao, was among this year's enrollees.
\n
Such a score is high enough to gain entry to many top-tier universities. The highest achievable score on the gaokao is 750.
\n
Similarly, in Jiangsu province, Shanghai Customs University, which is managed by the General Administration of Customs, now requires an entrance score of 657-higher than many elite universities. The Beijing Electronic Science and Technology Institute, affiliated with the General Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, recorded a minimum score of 657 for one program group in Jiangsu, also surpassing numerous leading institutions.
\n
The main driver behind the shift is securing employment. An official from Shanghai Customs University told Jiupai News that students are very likely to secure jobs in the civil service sector after graduation, especially in customs.
\n
According to employment reports released by Beijing Electronic Science and Technology Institute, the university had 428 bachelor's degree graduates last year, with an employment rate of 96 percent. Among its class of 2022,390 — or 95 percent — found work in government institutions.
\n
Experts said the shift stems from deep anxiety about future job security. With 12.22 million university graduates expected to enter the workforce this year and government job creation targets set at just 12 million, the pressure is intense.
\n
Opting for a specialized university that offers direct entry into stable government or high-demand industry roles is a strategic move to hedge against uncertainty, said Chen Zhiwen, editor-in-chief of online education portal EOL.
\n
He noted that the popularity of such institutions lies in their close alignment with specific industry needs, which translates into strong recruitment outcomes.
\n
While acknowledging the potential for limited career flexibility, Chen said the trend underscores a critical direction for higher education reform: "Curriculum design and training models must align with real industry demands."
Amid China's national birthrate slump, Tianmen, a city in Hubei province, has seen a meaningful rebound, with a 5.6 percent year-on-year increase in recorded births during the first half of this year, according to data from the municipal government.
\n
The growth builds on last year's 17 percent jump in new births, which ended an eight-year decline and marked a rare success in population recovery. The turnaround has drawn more than 100 research delegations from institutions such as the China Population Association for field studies.
\n
On a July evening at the Tianmen Maternal and Child Health Hospital, the cry of Zhao Lifeng's third child echoed through the maternity ward. Before discharge, the mother from Huangtan town received flowers, a birth certificate, a household registration booklet, a red envelope and a housing purchase coupon — items that make up the city's signature welcome package for newborns.
\n
Tianmen had a permanent resident population of 1.084 million at the end of last year, with 7,217 births recorded throughout the year, according to official data.
\n
The city's recovery stems from what its Party Secretary Ji Daoqing calls a "real capital" investment in building a society that "respects, encourages and protects childbirth".
\n
Newlyweds in Tianmen are eligible for 60,000 yuan ($8,351) in housing subsidies, distributed as purchase coupons that function as cash. More than 450 couples have claimed the incentive, with some buying homes just hours after registering their marriages.
\n
To prevent developers from inflating prices through deceptive means such as hidden fees, all property prices must be registered with the local housing security center, and officials supervise each sales point. Housing prices in Tianmen average around 5,000 yuan per square meter and have remained stable, a local official said.
\n
Families with second and third children qualify for monthly childcare stipends of 800 to 1,000 yuan until the child turns 3.
\n
A mother of twins from Yuekou town, surnamed Wu, will receive 64,800 yuan under Tianmen's housing and childcare subsidy program. She also received 180,000 yuan for giving birth to twins and 60,000 yuan in rural relocation subsidies that helped her purchase an urban home.
\n
Shi Renbing, a professor at the School of Sociology at the Huazhong University of Science and Technology, said Tianmen's fertility-boosting policies hold significant reference value for many small and medium-sized cities across China.
\n
"Tianmen ranks 14th in per capita GDP among Hubei's 17 prefecture-level cities. If Tianmen achieved results, many other cities can follow suit," he said.
\n
Beyond financial incentives, Tianmen has worked to eliminate practical obstacles through integrated services.
\n
The city's support network for high-risk pregnancies includes case management and home visits by maternal health teams. Wang Yuerong, a physician at the city's maternal and child hospital, recalled a critical case: "Had we transferred that uterine rupture patient from township to city 20 minutes later, both mother and child would have been lost."
\n
The local health system also covers eight types of assisted reproductive procedures under public insurance, offering 3,000 yuan subsidies for artificial insemination and 10,000 yuan for in vitro fertilization.
\n
The hospital also hosts "one-stop fertility service" stations, which coordinate health, insurance and banking officials to help new mothers obtain birth certificates, household registration and subsidy cards before they are discharged.
\n
Childcare accessibility is another key part of the city's strategy. Thirty public kindergartens now offer 1,200 toddler care slots at fees capped at 1,400 yuan per semester — a 50 percent reduction.
\n
"It's far cheaper than private centers," said Zhu, whose 2-year-old daughter Xiaoman attends Jingling Xiguan Kindergarten.
\n
Complimentary services include holiday childcare programs and community-based care facilities. Educational infrastructure has also expanded. Beihu Elementary is among new schools that have added 37,000 seats, with policies that allow families with multiple children to enroll siblings together.
\n
Zhang Lei, deputy director of the Institute of Population Research at Peking University, said the "Tianmen case" demonstrates how reducing the systemic burden of parenthood can raise birthrates through four pillars: lowering economic costs via direct subsidies; easing time conflicts with extended leave and streamlined services; ensuring access to healthcare and education; and reshaping the cultural environment.
\n
"We still need to wait and see as challenges remain," she said, pointing to concerns about the sustainability of cash subsidies given fiscal constraints, and the need for mechanisms to maintain interdepartmental coordination.
\n
Still, she added, Tianmen's investment shows a fundamental truth: "Only by uniting government, society and families to holistically lift the multidimensional burdens of parenthood can China rekindle fertility intention."
\n
Contact the writers at weiwangyu@chinadaily.com.cn
Participating cyclists join the opening ceremony of the 2025 China Xizang Trans-Himalaya International Cycling Race in Lhasa, Xizang autonomous region, on Wednesday.
\n",
- "content": "
Participating cyclists join the opening ceremony of the 2025 China Xizang Trans-Himalaya International Cycling Race in Lhasa, Xizang autonomous region, on Wednesday.
Qin Rupei, former vice-chairman of the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous regional government, was sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve for accepting bribes of more than 216 million yuan ($30.04 million), a court in Sichuan province announced on Wednesday.
\n
Qin was also deprived of political rights for life, with confiscation of all his personal assets. His illicit gains and related interests were ordered to be turned over to the State treasury, according to the ruling made by the Deyang Intermediate People's Court.
\n
In China, a suspended death sentence is typically commuted to life in prison if the inmate commits no new crimes during the two-year probation period. The sentence can be further reduced for good behavior.
\n
After an investigation, the court found that from 1998 to 2024, Qin took advantage of his positions, including as deputy governor of Guizhou province and vice-chairman of the Guangxi regional government, to seek benefits for some individuals and departments in matters such as project contracting, business operations and job transfers. In return, he received bribes worth over 216 million yuan.
\n
Qin's actions have constituted the crime of accepting bribes and he deserves capital punishment, as the amount of the bribes he accepted was "extremely large", causing huge losses to the interests of the country and the people, the court said.
\n
However, the court added that it showed leniency because Qin confessed, voluntarily reported bribes unknown to investigators and agreed to turn over his illicit gains.
\n
According to public information, Qin, a 62-year-old native of Guizhou, started his career in August 1983 and joined the Communist Party of China in July 1985. Before he went to work in Guangxi in early 2018, he had served in his hometown for decades.
\n
In April 2024, he was placed under disciplinary and supervisory investigation. In October, he was expelled from the Party and removed from public office.
\n
In February, he was indicted on the charge of accepting bribes, and the court publicly heard his case in May.
\n
caoyin@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
@@ -4290,28 +4862,6 @@
"hash": "6a0d7f29efe3a887329bbe902d03abcd",
"highlights": []
},
- {
- "title": "007CHINA - Disabled people find a 'cozy haven' in center",
- "description": "\n
Online Scan the code to watch the video.
\n
Volunteer Liu Shudong cuts a birthday cake made for her by members of Wenxin Jiayuan in Beijing's Dongcheng district.
\n
Members enjoy painting at the community center in Dongzhimen Subdistrict.
\n
Sunlight pours through the windows of Wenxin Jiayuan, literally "cozy haven", a small but vibrant community center nestled in Dongzhimen subdistrict, Dongcheng district, Beijing. Inside, several residents with disabilities are weaving intricate knots, their fingers moving with precision and calm.
\n
It is a scene that plays out daily in this quiet corner of the capital, one that reflects a broader commitment to improving lives.
\n
Dongzhimen subdistrict is home to 1,541 residents with disabilities. From individuals with learning difficulties and hearing impairments to wheelchair users, many now benefit from a range of dedicated services aimed at fostering independence, skill building and community connection.
\n
Those efforts were nationally recognised in May, when the subdistrict's civil affairs office was named an "Advanced Collective in Disability Support" at China's seventh National Model of Self-Improvement and Advanced Disability Support Commendation Conference.
\n
"This honor reflects the work we've integrated into everyday community services," said Kang Anqi, deputy director of the Dongzhimen subdistrict administrative committee. "Wenxin Jiayuan is the nearest and warmest support hub for our residents in need, and we continue to explore new ways to assist them."
\n
Echoing her, Deng Mei, head of the Disabled Persons' Federation of Dongzhimen Subdistrict, who is in charge of the Wenxin Jiayuan, emphasized that supporting individuals with disabilities is like "an unceasing relay of warmth".
\n
"The recognition we received is like a torch that inspires us to keep going, to deepen community bonds and make small, steady progress," she said.
\n
Statistics showed that the street has attracted a combined fund of up to 1 million yuan ($139,000) and partnered with 25 government bodies and private enterprises to develop training programs and improve accessibility, often guided by professional teams.
\n
Inside the Wenxin Jiayuan, people with disabilities can be found making birthday cakes, crafting fashion accessories, exploring photography, or learning vocational skills.
\n
A young man surnamed Cao, who has learning difficulties, enlisted for training of hotel service in tableware cleaning offered by the center, and achieved a job training certificate from Beijing Rosewood Hotel.
\n
After earning his vocational certificate, he found employment at the nearby Beijing Oriental Mao Hotel, which brought much joy and relief to his family.
\n
Liu Shudong, a retired interpreter and researcher at Yonghe Temple, also known as Lama Temple, and a member of the Beijing History Research Association, was an active volunteer in the center.
\n
"I've taught history, culture and etiquette there for the members three times a week, and what impressed me most was that the trainees prepared a big birthday cake in cold December last year for me to celebrate my 70th birthday after my class.... At that moment I was impressed by their improvement and their love in response to our contribution," she said.
\n
Some local residents gaining support from the center expressed their sincere gratitude.
\n
"It's incredibly convenient to have bathing services right at your doorstep, with professional caregivers to assist," said an elderly man surnamed Zhang, who has a physical disability, regarding the bathing assistance services provided to him.
\n
Addressing the issue of difficulty in bathing for individuals with disabilities, the subdistrict has introduced professional institutions to offer home-based bathing services, catering to over 100 individuals throughout the year.
\n
Statistics indicated the subdistrict provided services including daily care for the needy, besides a convenient canteen service with reasonable prices for up to 10,000 people.
\n
yangcheng@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
- "content": "\n
Online Scan the code to watch the video.
\n
Volunteer Liu Shudong cuts a birthday cake made for her by members of Wenxin Jiayuan in Beijing's Dongcheng district.
\n
Members enjoy painting at the community center in Dongzhimen Subdistrict.
\n
Sunlight pours through the windows of Wenxin Jiayuan, literally "cozy haven", a small but vibrant community center nestled in Dongzhimen subdistrict, Dongcheng district, Beijing. Inside, several residents with disabilities are weaving intricate knots, their fingers moving with precision and calm.
\n
It is a scene that plays out daily in this quiet corner of the capital, one that reflects a broader commitment to improving lives.
\n
Dongzhimen subdistrict is home to 1,541 residents with disabilities. From individuals with learning difficulties and hearing impairments to wheelchair users, many now benefit from a range of dedicated services aimed at fostering independence, skill building and community connection.
\n
Those efforts were nationally recognised in May, when the subdistrict's civil affairs office was named an "Advanced Collective in Disability Support" at China's seventh National Model of Self-Improvement and Advanced Disability Support Commendation Conference.
\n
"This honor reflects the work we've integrated into everyday community services," said Kang Anqi, deputy director of the Dongzhimen subdistrict administrative committee. "Wenxin Jiayuan is the nearest and warmest support hub for our residents in need, and we continue to explore new ways to assist them."
\n
Echoing her, Deng Mei, head of the Disabled Persons' Federation of Dongzhimen Subdistrict, who is in charge of the Wenxin Jiayuan, emphasized that supporting individuals with disabilities is like "an unceasing relay of warmth".
\n
"The recognition we received is like a torch that inspires us to keep going, to deepen community bonds and make small, steady progress," she said.
\n
Statistics showed that the street has attracted a combined fund of up to 1 million yuan ($139,000) and partnered with 25 government bodies and private enterprises to develop training programs and improve accessibility, often guided by professional teams.
\n
Inside the Wenxin Jiayuan, people with disabilities can be found making birthday cakes, crafting fashion accessories, exploring photography, or learning vocational skills.
\n
A young man surnamed Cao, who has learning difficulties, enlisted for training of hotel service in tableware cleaning offered by the center, and achieved a job training certificate from Beijing Rosewood Hotel.
\n
After earning his vocational certificate, he found employment at the nearby Beijing Oriental Mao Hotel, which brought much joy and relief to his family.
\n
Liu Shudong, a retired interpreter and researcher at Yonghe Temple, also known as Lama Temple, and a member of the Beijing History Research Association, was an active volunteer in the center.
\n
"I've taught history, culture and etiquette there for the members three times a week, and what impressed me most was that the trainees prepared a big birthday cake in cold December last year for me to celebrate my 70th birthday after my class.... At that moment I was impressed by their improvement and their love in response to our contribution," she said.
\n
Some local residents gaining support from the center expressed their sincere gratitude.
\n
"It's incredibly convenient to have bathing services right at your doorstep, with professional caregivers to assist," said an elderly man surnamed Zhang, who has a physical disability, regarding the bathing assistance services provided to him.
\n
Addressing the issue of difficulty in bathing for individuals with disabilities, the subdistrict has introduced professional institutions to offer home-based bathing services, catering to over 100 individuals throughout the year.
\n
Statistics indicated the subdistrict provided services including daily care for the needy, besides a convenient canteen service with reasonable prices for up to 10,000 people.
A guide introduces exhibits to Russian students at a museum in Qufu city, Shandong province.
\n
Tsin Yuhei, a 19-year-old freshman from City University of Hong Kong, carefully pressed a piece of paper onto an inscribed stone tablet at the Confucius Research Institute in Qufu, a county-level city of Jining, Shandong province.
\n
With practiced strokes, she dabbed ink over the surface, gradually revealing four Chinese characters which mean "choose the good and follow it".
\n
"This phrase captures the essence of Confucian values," Tsin said, examining her imprint.
\n
"It teaches us to root our actions in goodness, to do what's right, and to learn from virtuous people. Experiencing this ancient art form makes these lessons come alive, they are not just words in textbooks," she said.
\n
Tsin is among a group of university students from Hong Kong on a weeklong study visit to Shandong during the summer vacation.
\n
Since June, students of all ages, from wide-eyed primary schoolers to university students, have been flocking to this cradle of Chinese civilization, where Confucius was born over 2,500 years ago, to learn about Chinese culture. In early July, at the Ancient Architecture Museum behind the UNESCO-listed Kong Family Mansion, a group of Russian teenagers sat in focused silence, their paintbrushes tracing intricate patterns of the golden dragon and phoenix, both imperial decorative motifs from China's architectural heritage.
\n
Under expert guidance, they progressed through meticulous steps including sketching outlines, mixing mineral pigments, and finally bringing the designs to life.
\n
At the Lu State National Archaeological Site Park, the Russian students gathered around a demonstration of rammed-earth techniques.
\n
As instructor Mao Fuwei explained how ancient builders created earthquake-resistant structures 3,000 years ago, his words were translated into Russian in real time.
\n
"Many young visitors asked how these walls built 3,000 years ago stand sturdy and stable," Mao said, guiding students to compact soil with wooden rammers. "When I see their amazement at our ancestors' ingenuity, I feel tremendous cultural pride," he said.
\n
Capitalizing on its rich heritage, Qufu has developed immersive programs blending education with entertainment.
\n
"We've moved beyond passive sightseeing," said Kong Xiangsheng, director of the study tour program of Shandong Zhidao Culture and Tourism Development Co.
\n
"Our archaeological exploration program allows students to experience the archaeological exploration process, while the Lu Ban Workshop teaches traditional woodworking — complete with miniature mortise-and-tenon joints for children to assemble," Kong said.
\n
These innovations respond to meticulous market research. This year, Qufu officials conducted surveys with international tourists, held educational exchanges in Hong Kong, and met with major travel agencies. The findings prompted tailored offerings such as calligraphy master classes and Confucian banquet culinary tours where visitors learn the philosophy behind dishes.
\n
Even previously overlooked sites have found new life. The museum of steles of the Han (206 BC-AD 220) and Wei (220-265) dynasties, once a quiet niche attraction, now draws crowds of Japanese and Korean calligraphy enthusiasts.
\n
"These stone inscriptions are time capsules of Chinese script's evolution," said Xiu Xiaochun, director of Qufu Overseas International Travel Service Co.
\n
In addition to traditional sites, the small town of Luyuan — known as the place where Confucius was born — has been transformed into an immersive open-air cultural zone where history breathes through interactive experiences.
\n
At the town, visitors can participate in a wide range of activities including decoding millennia of aesthetics by trying on ancient Chinese attire and rolling bamboo slips to recreate the very medium that preserved Confucius' teachings.
\n
To accommodate growing international interest, Qufu has upgraded its services, setting up currency exchange counters and providing multilingual audio guides.
\n
In the first half of this year, visits of international tourists to Qufu saw a year-on-year increase of 26.8 percent, according to the city government.
TIANJIN — As night fell, coffee vendors prepared their stalls to soft melodies in the background while young office workers queued up, bringing the fourth Tianjin Coffee Culture Festival to its pinnacle. "It's my time to unwind," said Wang Chen, a local resident at the bustling night market. "The vibe here is fantastic, well worth the trip."
\n
Xia Lanying, general manager of Palm Tianjin, an organizer of the coffee festival featuring stalls showcasing crafts, art, and lifestyle products, said: "Today's youth are redefining how and when they spend. We designed this space for both comfort and engagement."
\n
A young entrepreneur surnamed Tian saw the festival as more than a sales opportunity. "It's our gateway to the city's nightlife and nighttime consumers," he noted. "Young people gather here for coffee, cold drinks and music on summer nights."
\n
In recent years, Tianjin has expanded its night economy through upgraded streets, displays of intangible cultural heritage, pop-up art, and immersive cultural experiences.
\n
Citywide "bridge concerts", Italian opera flash mobs, and traditional folk performances now turn urban areas into nocturnal stages across Tianjin.
\n
On the Haihe River, tourist Liu Hao from Northwest China's Xi'an in Shaanxi province marveled at the waterfront lights. "Like stepping into a 3D painting," Liu said.
\n
Demand for night cruises has surged with the arrival of the summer peak tourist season. According to the cruise operator, 29 boats operate over 70 nightly trips every night. Themed "performance cruises" featuring comedy or opera transform sightseeing into memorable experiences.
\n
"Our boats are mobile cultural spaces," said Zhang Shifang, deputy manager of Tianjin Jinlv Haihe Cruises.
\n
At Tianjin's Dongli Lake, an immersive lakeside show captivated audiences. "With the breeze, water and storytelling, it's a comfort," tourist Feng Nan said. Many linger afterward to explore nearby scenic areas.
\n
Tianjin's vibrancy mirrors China's nighttime economy boom, with regions including Jiangsu, Sichuan and Chongqing enhancing offerings. "Nighttime cultural consumption has entered regional development strategies," said Dai Bin, head of the China Tourism Academy.
\n
A report from the academy indicates that 63 percent of China's 5A-level scenic spots operated at night in 2024, up from 23 percent in 2020, with over one-third of national museums hosting after-dark events during summer. "Night tourism spurs innovation and expands industry boundaries," Dai added. "Its future lies in cultural creativity and sustained, high-quality development."
\n",
- "content": "
TIANJIN — As night fell, coffee vendors prepared their stalls to soft melodies in the background while young office workers queued up, bringing the fourth Tianjin Coffee Culture Festival to its pinnacle. "It's my time to unwind," said Wang Chen, a local resident at the bustling night market. "The vibe here is fantastic, well worth the trip."
\n
Xia Lanying, general manager of Palm Tianjin, an organizer of the coffee festival featuring stalls showcasing crafts, art, and lifestyle products, said: "Today's youth are redefining how and when they spend. We designed this space for both comfort and engagement."
\n
A young entrepreneur surnamed Tian saw the festival as more than a sales opportunity. "It's our gateway to the city's nightlife and nighttime consumers," he noted. "Young people gather here for coffee, cold drinks and music on summer nights."
\n
In recent years, Tianjin has expanded its night economy through upgraded streets, displays of intangible cultural heritage, pop-up art, and immersive cultural experiences.
\n
Citywide "bridge concerts", Italian opera flash mobs, and traditional folk performances now turn urban areas into nocturnal stages across Tianjin.
\n
On the Haihe River, tourist Liu Hao from Northwest China's Xi'an in Shaanxi province marveled at the waterfront lights. "Like stepping into a 3D painting," Liu said.
\n
Demand for night cruises has surged with the arrival of the summer peak tourist season. According to the cruise operator, 29 boats operate over 70 nightly trips every night. Themed "performance cruises" featuring comedy or opera transform sightseeing into memorable experiences.
\n
"Our boats are mobile cultural spaces," said Zhang Shifang, deputy manager of Tianjin Jinlv Haihe Cruises.
\n
At Tianjin's Dongli Lake, an immersive lakeside show captivated audiences. "With the breeze, water and storytelling, it's a comfort," tourist Feng Nan said. Many linger afterward to explore nearby scenic areas.
\n
Tianjin's vibrancy mirrors China's nighttime economy boom, with regions including Jiangsu, Sichuan and Chongqing enhancing offerings. "Nighttime cultural consumption has entered regional development strategies," said Dai Bin, head of the China Tourism Academy.
\n
A report from the academy indicates that 63 percent of China's 5A-level scenic spots operated at night in 2024, up from 23 percent in 2020, with over one-third of national museums hosting after-dark events during summer. "Night tourism spurs innovation and expands industry boundaries," Dai added. "Its future lies in cultural creativity and sustained, high-quality development."
NAIROBI — Lavenda Chepkirui, a 25-year-old student from Kenya's University of Kabianga, has taken a step closer to realizing her vision of transforming agriculture in Africa with eco-friendly solutions.
\n
Her invention — a biodegradable soil mulch film made from crop waste — earned her a gold medal at the inaugural Africa Division Contest of the China International College Students' Innovation Competition 2025, which concluded last month in Nairobi, Kenya's capital. "By applying the biodegradable film over the soil surface, farmers can increase their yields through eliminating weeds and conserving moisture," Chepkirui told Xinhua at the award ceremony.
\n
Chepkirui was among 559 students from 115 African universities who submitted 185 innovation projects to the competition, hosted by China's Nanjing Agricultural University. It marked the first time the event held a regional round on the African continent.
\n
The submissions spanned a wide range of fields, from agricultural and food technologies to artificial intelligence and environmental sustainability. After expert evaluations, 30 teams from 21 universities across nine African countries received awards in various categories.
\n
Chepkirui said the platform not only allowed her to showcase her idea but also offered invaluable mentorship.
\n
"I received valuable expertise from my Chinese instructors on how to conceptualize and test my innovation in the farm fields," she said, expressing her hope to commercialize her product and offer farmers a sustainable alternative to plastic mulch, a major pollutant.
\n
Beyond the lab, the journey was also personal. Growing up in a single-parent household in rural Kenya, Chepkirui said the experience helped her overcome early challenges and strengthened her resolve to make a difference.
\n
Roselida Owuor, director-general of Kenya's State Department for Science Research and Innovation, said the competition serves as a launchpad for African youth to develop homegrown solutions to the continent's challenges. "Kenya is keen to nurture youth to commercialize their innovations through the establishment of innovation hubs across the country," said Owuor.
\n
Zhu Yan, vice-president of NAU, said the contest not only serves as a platform for Chinese and African youth to showcase their innovative wisdom but also stands as a vivid example of implementing the Belt and Road Initiative and deepening the construction of the China-Africa community with a shared future.
\n
"We are delighted to see young students from both China and Africa jointly exploring innovative solutions focusing on sustainable development, technology empowerment, and livelihood improvement," Zhu said. "It is part of our university's mission to support global agricultural development and foster international youth exchange."
\n
The stories behind the winning projects also highlight how innovation, cultural exchange, and practical problem-solving are coming together to meet Africa's evolving needs.
\n
Silvia Christopher Mganga, a 27-year-old Tanzanian postgraduate student at Egerton University, was part of a gold medal-winning team that developed a tomato grafting project.
\n
Her inspiration came from watching her parents struggle with crop losses as small-scale tomato farmers. "Our project combines Chinese rootstock with local tomato varieties, creating a product that is both disease resistant and high yielding," Mganga said.
\n
Tefera Efrata Tibebu, a 19-year-old information technology student from Ethiopia, helped create an award-winning robotic sorting arm using code-scanning technology. The silver medal-winning project aims to enhance efficiency in Africa's logistics sector.
\n
"Our goal is to improve Africa's logistics sector by reducing dependence on manual labor, which is costly and prone to error," she said.
\n
From Ghana, 26-year-old Jochbed Ama Adzomani, a student at the University of Energy and Natural Resources, was awarded a silver medal for her team's innovation in calcium feed supplements for poultry.
\n
"We developed an improved feed formulation using locally available materials such as eggshells and animal bones, which helps farmers reduce costs," she explained.
\n
As the curtains closed on the first African edition of the competition, one message rang clear: Africa's youth are bursting with ideas. With the right platforms and partnerships, their innovations hold the promise to solve real world challenges and advance the continent's sustainable development goals.
",
@@ -4378,28 +4906,6 @@
"hash": "e1132da7321122a04ad4b18e9fd4d001",
"highlights": []
},
- {
- "title": "008COMMENT - Japan needs to match words with deeds to prove it has learned Hiroshima lessons",
- "description": "
Eighty years ago on Aug 6, 1945, a United States B-29 bomber dropped an atomic bomb on the city of Hiroshima. Between 60,000 and 80,000 people were killed instantly, with the death toll rising to 140,000 by the end of the year as victims succumbed to burns and illnesses caused by acute exposure to radiation. Three days later, the US forces dropped a plutonium bomb on Nagasaki, killing 74,000. These were the first and only use of nuclear weapons in history.
\n
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and representatives from more than 100 countries and regions, including those from nuclear countries, such as the US and the United Kingdom, attended a ceremony at Hiroshima's Peace Memorial Park on Wednesday on the anniversary of the bombing.
\n
Japan holds annual commemorative events that reinforce the perception of the country as a victim. But those who were killed in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, as well as the survivors who were physically or mentally scarred, were not just victims of the atomic bombs but also of the war of aggression the Japanese militarist government launched against other countries before and during World War II.
\n
During the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45), China suffered more than 35 million casualties, both military and civilian. Over the course of six weeks, Japanese troops slaughtered around 300,000 Chinese civilians and unarmed soldiers in the city, in what is now referred to as the Nanjing Massacre.
\n
While the world's sympathy goes to those who were killed by the bombs and those who survived with terrible memories that haunted them for the rest of their lives, the atrocities and suffering Japanese invading troops inflicted on the peoples of other countries should also not be forgotten.
\n
In 2024, Nihon Hidankyo, a Japanese group of atomic bomb survivors won the Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts to achieve a world free of nuclear weapons. That should serve as a reminder to all Japanese people of the importance of learning the right lessons from history.
\n
But Tokyo only pays lip service to this necessity. While advocating against nuclear war and expressing Japan's adherence to the "three nonnuclear principles", it continues to uphold the importance of the US nuclear umbrella and is actively working with the US to extend this "deterrent" capability, in which they would use nuclear weapons in the event of a "contingency". Japan has also significantly increased its defense spending and strengthened its military cooperation with so-called "like-minded" countries such as the Philippines.
\n
As the only country that has ever been subjected to nuclear attacks, Japan has the obligation to leverage these historical horrors to instill among its people the conviction that the country should never again tread the path of militarism. Instead, it should try its best to become a key force for world peace.
\n
Yet, Japan approved a record defense budget for 2025 early this year, the 13th annual growth in a row, explicitly justifying this profligacy in its defense white paper by hyping up a "threat" from China and other neighboring countries.
\n
By hyping up a "threat" from China, Japan has been building its military might and accepted the role of being a pawn in the geopolitical game of the US. All of this is a voluntary arrangement based on the new version of Japan's National Security Strategy, which was introduced in December 2022. These are concrete steps toward militarization, citing a fabricated foreign "threat".
\n
These and other deeds and words by Japan, such as its overtures to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and its remarks relating to the Taiwan question, show that the nation is clearly a long way from being a peace-loving country.
\n
It should go without saying that the victims of the nuclear attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki should have the world's sympathy. But while remembering them, it should not be forgotten that those attacks were a direct outcome of Japan charging down a militarist path.
\n
Japan should never be allowed to present itself as the victim of the war just because Hiroshima and Nagasaki suffered the horrors of nuclear attacks. Even though the rights and wrongs of the nuclear bombings are still being debated, it is important for Japan to develop the right attitude toward that part of history and its responsibility for what transpired.
\n
For the entire world, what happened to Hiroshima and Nagasaki should also serve as a reminder about the scale of destruction nuclear weapons can wreak and the importance of global efforts for nonproliferation of nuclear weapons worldwide, and for the process of denuclearization to yield results.
\n
To mark this anniversary, major countries should manifest their determination to strive for a world free of nuclear weapons.
\n",
- "content": "
Eighty years ago on Aug 6, 1945, a United States B-29 bomber dropped an atomic bomb on the city of Hiroshima. Between 60,000 and 80,000 people were killed instantly, with the death toll rising to 140,000 by the end of the year as victims succumbed to burns and illnesses caused by acute exposure to radiation. Three days later, the US forces dropped a plutonium bomb on Nagasaki, killing 74,000. These were the first and only use of nuclear weapons in history.
\n
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and representatives from more than 100 countries and regions, including those from nuclear countries, such as the US and the United Kingdom, attended a ceremony at Hiroshima's Peace Memorial Park on Wednesday on the anniversary of the bombing.
\n
Japan holds annual commemorative events that reinforce the perception of the country as a victim. But those who were killed in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, as well as the survivors who were physically or mentally scarred, were not just victims of the atomic bombs but also of the war of aggression the Japanese militarist government launched against other countries before and during World War II.
\n
During the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45), China suffered more than 35 million casualties, both military and civilian. Over the course of six weeks, Japanese troops slaughtered around 300,000 Chinese civilians and unarmed soldiers in the city, in what is now referred to as the Nanjing Massacre.
\n
While the world's sympathy goes to those who were killed by the bombs and those who survived with terrible memories that haunted them for the rest of their lives, the atrocities and suffering Japanese invading troops inflicted on the peoples of other countries should also not be forgotten.
\n
In 2024, Nihon Hidankyo, a Japanese group of atomic bomb survivors won the Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts to achieve a world free of nuclear weapons. That should serve as a reminder to all Japanese people of the importance of learning the right lessons from history.
\n
But Tokyo only pays lip service to this necessity. While advocating against nuclear war and expressing Japan's adherence to the "three nonnuclear principles", it continues to uphold the importance of the US nuclear umbrella and is actively working with the US to extend this "deterrent" capability, in which they would use nuclear weapons in the event of a "contingency". Japan has also significantly increased its defense spending and strengthened its military cooperation with so-called "like-minded" countries such as the Philippines.
\n
As the only country that has ever been subjected to nuclear attacks, Japan has the obligation to leverage these historical horrors to instill among its people the conviction that the country should never again tread the path of militarism. Instead, it should try its best to become a key force for world peace.
\n
Yet, Japan approved a record defense budget for 2025 early this year, the 13th annual growth in a row, explicitly justifying this profligacy in its defense white paper by hyping up a "threat" from China and other neighboring countries.
\n
By hyping up a "threat" from China, Japan has been building its military might and accepted the role of being a pawn in the geopolitical game of the US. All of this is a voluntary arrangement based on the new version of Japan's National Security Strategy, which was introduced in December 2022. These are concrete steps toward militarization, citing a fabricated foreign "threat".
\n
These and other deeds and words by Japan, such as its overtures to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and its remarks relating to the Taiwan question, show that the nation is clearly a long way from being a peace-loving country.
\n
It should go without saying that the victims of the nuclear attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki should have the world's sympathy. But while remembering them, it should not be forgotten that those attacks were a direct outcome of Japan charging down a militarist path.
\n
Japan should never be allowed to present itself as the victim of the war just because Hiroshima and Nagasaki suffered the horrors of nuclear attacks. Even though the rights and wrongs of the nuclear bombings are still being debated, it is important for Japan to develop the right attitude toward that part of history and its responsibility for what transpired.
\n
For the entire world, what happened to Hiroshima and Nagasaki should also serve as a reminder about the scale of destruction nuclear weapons can wreak and the importance of global efforts for nonproliferation of nuclear weapons worldwide, and for the process of denuclearization to yield results.
\n
To mark this anniversary, major countries should manifest their determination to strive for a world free of nuclear weapons.
After imposing sweeping "reciprocal tariffs" against the world four months ago, the United States is mulling a new round of targeted sector-specific tariff attacks.
\n
US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he plans to announce tariffs on semiconductors and chips in the "next week or so", and place a "small tariff" on pharmaceutical imports before hiking it to 150 percent within 18 months and eventually to 250 percent.
\n
Although he did not specify the initial tariff rate on pharmaceuticals, Trump said in February that sectoral tariffs on pharmaceuticals and semiconductor chips would start at"25 percent or higher", rising substantially over the course of a year.
\n
The US initiated a Section 232 investigation on pharmaceutical products in April, purportedly to verify the impact of imports on "national security". It is believed this was a prelude to the planned levies which the US leader hopes can help the US boost the domestic production of medicines.
\n
Pharmaceutical drug production in the US has shrunk dramatically over the last few decades. In 2024, the US' trade deficit in medicines reached $139 billion out of a total goods trade deficit of $1.2 trillion. Many US pharmaceutical companies have moved their manufacturing operations to other countries, such as Ireland, due to lower labor costs and other factors. Although they seem to be contributors to the US' trade deficit, they are the major beneficiaries of the model.
\n
But industry observers have warned that the planned tariffs, along with an executive order of the president in May, could drive up costs, deter investments in the US, affect the whole industry's research and development, and disrupt the drug supply chains, putting patients at risk. The executive order aims to slash drug costs by tying the prices of some medicines in the US to lower ones abroad.
\n
In response to the possible resistance from pharmaceutical companies and the wide concerns about rising medical bills for US families, the US president last week sent letters to 17 drugmakers calling on them to commit to steps to lower US drug prices by Sept 29. That includes agreeing to provide their full portfolio of existing medicines at the lowest price offered in other developed nations to every single medicaid patient, among other steps. The information they are pressed to provide is expected to be used to facilitate the implementation of the aforementioned "most favored nation" policy. The US drugmakers are obviously being caught in a similar dilemma to that of US carmakers when the US raised tariffs on imported vehicles and parts.
\n
Yet the US administration's maximum pressure tactics are already producing results. Companies such as Eli Lilly and Johnson & Johnson announced fresh US investments in the past few months, according to a CNBC report. And Reuters has reported that AstraZeneca has just committed $50 billion to expand its operations in the US.
\n
Although the US administration seems to be leaving the companies enough time to relocate their production to the US with its planned phased tariff hikes over more than a year, to what extent the latter will comply depends on their profit-cost balance. The exorbitant 250 percent tariffs the US leader threatened, the highest for a sector so far, to some extent reflects the huge cost it will incur to shape a US-led pharmaceutical industry by reforging supply chains around the world.
\n
The pharmaceutical industry boasts arguably one of the most sophisticated systems of global division of labor. The planned tariffs, if they materialize, will also slow down the catch-up of developing countries in the industry by realizing the US' control of their product sources and related technologies and equipment. That will certainly prompt some emerging market economies to accelerate independent innovation in the industry.
\n
The proposed tariffs also look set to further complicate the already strained trade relations between the US and Europe. Ireland, Germany and Switzerland, which are the top three exporters of pharmaceuticals to the US, accounting for about 60 percent of the exports to the country combined, will bear the main brunt of the levies.
\n
Just like in the chip and artificial intelligence sectors, the formation of two de facto parallel systems in the pharmaceutical sector will markedly increase R&D costs and slow the pace of technological development. Ultimately, it is ordinary people who will pay the price for the tariff hikes.
While the humanitarian crisis in the besieged Palestinian enclave worsens day by day, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has implied that the Israeli army will "occupy all of the Gaza Strip" as ceasefire talks with Hamas have reached an impasse.
\n
Considering that there are similar calls from members of the far-right, on whom Netanyahu's "fragile" coalition government relies, it is very likely Israel's security Cabinet will adopt the plan after deliberating on it on Thursday.
\n
The Netanyahu Cabinet claims the three objectives laid out at the start of Israel's offensive in Gaza — defeating Hamas, seeing the release of its hostages and removing the threat of possible future attacks — remain unchanged. However, if Israel occupies the whole of Gaza, which is not necessarily a means to realize any of its three goals, it will mark a watershed moment since the outbreak of the conflict following Hamas' Oct 7 attacks on Israel.
\n
Currently, Israel controls about 75 percent of Gaza. Although the Hamas' attacks in 2023, in which 1,200 people were killed and 250 taken hostage, triggered Israel's military operations in Gaza, the huge damages Israel has inflicted on the Palestinians have far exceeded retaliation and subjected Tel Aviv to fierce censure from the international community, except from its backer, the United States.
\n
What is particularly bad is Israel intentionally restricting the supply of humanitarian aid to Gaza. According to local health authorities, more than 60,000 Palestinians, including 18,000 children, have been killed either because of Israel's offensive or the famine it has caused.
\n
The plan to occupy the whole of Gaza is yet another bid by Netanyahu to cling to power in the face of mounting opposition to the conflict at home. Increasingly, Israelis are realizing that their leader doesn't want a ceasefire at all.
\n
After all, it is Israel that halted the three-phase ceasefire process brokered by the US and agreed upon by all parties, including itself, after passing the buck to the Hamas.
\n
The more the Israeli people oppose the conflict and want peace, the more their leader pushes for harsher measures in Gaza while opening more fronts with almost all its neighbors.
\n
NBC News reported that Commanders for Israel's Security, a group representing hundreds of retired Israeli security officials, addressed a letter to the US president earlier this month, calling on him to press Israel to end the conflict. In the letter the group said it believes Hamas no longer poses a strategic threat — and that it was time to "end the war, return the hostages" and "stop the suffering".
\n
The US remains the biggest supplier of arms to Israel. According to Brown University's Costs of War Project, US spending on Israel's military operations from Oct 7, 2023, to Sept 30, 2024, reached more than $17.9 billion.
\n
It is clear that Israel's threat to take the whole of Gaza is not about defeating Hamas or rescuing the hostages, but a new tactic by Tel Aviv to steer the situation toward greater chaos, meeting the needs of its domestic politics.
\n
That the Netanyahu Cabinet chose to make its occupy-the-whole-Gaza plan public — when it could have carried it out without making a high-profile announcement — should be regarded as an attempt to test how Israel's regional archrival, Iran, will react.
\n
Iran has practiced considerable restraint after Israel and the US bombed its nuclear facilities in June. But Israel doesn't want to see the situation calm down. Not to mention that in the process it has emerged as the major target of international criticism for the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
\n
So by releasing the occupy-Gaza plan, Tel Aviv intends to provoke Tehran into taking new actions, which will provide Israel an excuse to further expand its military operation in the region while distracting international attention from Gaza.
",
@@ -4466,28 +4950,6 @@
"hash": "cb7dfdedeb98d82a9b9552e39cbfe0cd",
"highlights": []
},
- {
- "title": "008COMMENT - Free preschooling part of birth support policy portfolio",
- "description": "
Editor's Note: Starting from the autumn semester, care and education will be free for children in public kindergartens for the year before they enter primary school. Private kindergarten fees will also be reduced in accordance with the amount exempted at local public kindergartens. The move aims to lower education costs and improve the country's public education services. Wang Jian, director of China National Academy of Educational Sciences' Institute of Education Finance, told the China National Radio website how the move will affect the preschool education sector in China. Below are excerpts from the interview. The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.
\n
The cost of raising children, especially preschool education expenses, has become a burden for many families, particularly low-income households. To some extent, this has also discouraged families from having children. Providing free preschool education will reduce the financial burden of child-raising for families.
\n
China is currently witnessing a declining birth rate, an aging population and regional population disparities. The school-age population for basic education has also been fluctuating. The preschool-age population peaked in 2023 but has gradually declined in the past two years.
\n
The preschool stage is a critical period for child development. Numerous studies show that high-quality preschool education has a positive impact on children's cognitive, social and behavioral development. Free preschool education would especially benefit children from low-income families and underdeveloped regions by ensuring they have fair access to education. This in turn would promote social equity.
\n
But the implementation of free preschool education requires a lot of financial, material and human resource support from both the government and society. Preschool education generally spans three years, from ages 3 to 6. In 2024, there were more than 35.83 million preschoolers in China.
\n
Given the large number of children enrolled in preschools, implementing this measure at one go will put significant pressure on fiscal resources as well as the quality of education. Therefore, it will be implemented in a phased manner. This is also the approach that most countries adopt when introducing such measures.
\n
There are four key dimensions of the policy: making one year of preschool education free, the total elimination of tuition and care fees, prioritizing disadvantaged groups and special regions, and gradually expanding the scope of beneficiaries.
\n
To this end, prioritizing one year of free preschool education and then gradually expanding it to cover three years based on factors such as the school-age population, fiscal revenue and education investment would be a more practical and feasible approach.
\n
Preschool education should be designated as a shared fiscal responsibility of the central and local governments. Subsidies for free preschool education should be jointly funded based on proportionate contributions, and a sound funding guarantee mechanism should be established to ensure sustainable financial support for its implementation.
\n
It needs to be pointed out that "compulsory education" and "free education" are two distinct concepts. Compulsory education is mandatory, universal and free and aims to safeguard the children's right to education. It includes both the government's obligation to provide school placements and parents' obligation to ensure their children attend school.
\n
In contrast, free education is a social welfare measure designed to eliminate financial barriers to participation in education. Under this, the children, parents or guardians are not charged any enrollment fee.
\n
As China gradually promotes free preschool education, it is important to note that there is no legal requirement mandating preschool-aged children's enrollment in kindergarten. Also, the policy is being "gradually promoted" rather than "fully implemented".
\n
The free preschool education policy should adopt a scientifically designed and rational prioritization strategy that is based on national and regional levels of economic development, fiscal capacity for education and the current state of educational development.
\n",
- "content": "
Editor's Note: Starting from the autumn semester, care and education will be free for children in public kindergartens for the year before they enter primary school. Private kindergarten fees will also be reduced in accordance with the amount exempted at local public kindergartens. The move aims to lower education costs and improve the country's public education services. Wang Jian, director of China National Academy of Educational Sciences' Institute of Education Finance, told the China National Radio website how the move will affect the preschool education sector in China. Below are excerpts from the interview. The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.
\n
The cost of raising children, especially preschool education expenses, has become a burden for many families, particularly low-income households. To some extent, this has also discouraged families from having children. Providing free preschool education will reduce the financial burden of child-raising for families.
\n
China is currently witnessing a declining birth rate, an aging population and regional population disparities. The school-age population for basic education has also been fluctuating. The preschool-age population peaked in 2023 but has gradually declined in the past two years.
\n
The preschool stage is a critical period for child development. Numerous studies show that high-quality preschool education has a positive impact on children's cognitive, social and behavioral development. Free preschool education would especially benefit children from low-income families and underdeveloped regions by ensuring they have fair access to education. This in turn would promote social equity.
\n
But the implementation of free preschool education requires a lot of financial, material and human resource support from both the government and society. Preschool education generally spans three years, from ages 3 to 6. In 2024, there were more than 35.83 million preschoolers in China.
\n
Given the large number of children enrolled in preschools, implementing this measure at one go will put significant pressure on fiscal resources as well as the quality of education. Therefore, it will be implemented in a phased manner. This is also the approach that most countries adopt when introducing such measures.
\n
There are four key dimensions of the policy: making one year of preschool education free, the total elimination of tuition and care fees, prioritizing disadvantaged groups and special regions, and gradually expanding the scope of beneficiaries.
\n
To this end, prioritizing one year of free preschool education and then gradually expanding it to cover three years based on factors such as the school-age population, fiscal revenue and education investment would be a more practical and feasible approach.
\n
Preschool education should be designated as a shared fiscal responsibility of the central and local governments. Subsidies for free preschool education should be jointly funded based on proportionate contributions, and a sound funding guarantee mechanism should be established to ensure sustainable financial support for its implementation.
\n
It needs to be pointed out that "compulsory education" and "free education" are two distinct concepts. Compulsory education is mandatory, universal and free and aims to safeguard the children's right to education. It includes both the government's obligation to provide school placements and parents' obligation to ensure their children attend school.
\n
In contrast, free education is a social welfare measure designed to eliminate financial barriers to participation in education. Under this, the children, parents or guardians are not charged any enrollment fee.
\n
As China gradually promotes free preschool education, it is important to note that there is no legal requirement mandating preschool-aged children's enrollment in kindergarten. Also, the policy is being "gradually promoted" rather than "fully implemented".
\n
The free preschool education policy should adopt a scientifically designed and rational prioritization strategy that is based on national and regional levels of economic development, fiscal capacity for education and the current state of educational development.
Our everyday life is being increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence, and the line between reality and fantasy is becoming ever blurrier. Recently, Grok, a free AI assistant designed by xAI to "maximize truth and objectivity", introduced a "waifu" character — a virtual anime-style character designed to gain user affection, potentially at the expense of real-life relationships.
\n
This raises deep concerns: Is technological innovation now outpacing ethical regulation? Are we witnessing Big Tech racing to the bottom?
\n
While this feature may seem harmless entertainment or, more cynically, Grok's marketing strategy to compete with OpenAI's new AI Agents, which can plan and organize your trip to attend a wedding party, it raises bigger questions about AI companies' emotional manipulation, their impact on social well-being, and the future of human relationships.
\n
Leshner et al. (2025) have studied how people form intimate connections with fictional characters, particularly within the anime fandom where "waifus" (idealized female characters) and "husbandos" (idealized male characters) are prominent. Their study revealed that men tend to form sexual connections, often driven by physical appearance, while women are more likely to form emotional connections, shaped by personality traits and perceived similarity.
\n
These findings suggest that the psychological mechanisms underpinning human-human relationships, such as attraction, emotional bonding and even love, can extend to fictional entities. The study underscores the human capacity to form meaningful connections, even when the "partner" exists only on a screen or in a narrative.
\n
But what happens when these connections are no longer one-sided? When AI characters like Grok's "waifu" are designed to actively engage, flatter and adapt to users' desires, the line between para-social relationships (one-sided emotional bonds with fictional characters) and real-life intimacy becomes dangerously ambiguous. As Leshner et al. highlight, these connections can be deeply meaningful and, in some cases, rival or displace real-life relationships.
\n
While the idea of a personalized AI companion is evocative — recalling films like Her — the ethical implications of such technologies are serious. By exploiting well-documented psychological tendencies, such as men's preference for physical attractiveness or women's desire for emotional connection, AI systems risk fostering unhealthy emotional dependencies. AI "waifus" are not just characters on a screen; they are tools explicitly designed by leading AI companies to engage, manipulate and blur the lines between authentic human connection and commercial profit.
\n
The stakes are particularly high for educators and parents. Such systems have the potential to distort young people's understanding of relationships, intimacy and consent. As Leshner et al. observe, para-social relationships, while often harmless, can teach individuals about intimacy. Yet when such relationships are shaped by profit-driven AI systems, they risk promoting distorted and idealized models of human interaction, potentially undermining relational skills and emotional development.
\n
As AI technology evolves, it becomes imperative to critically examine their implications. If AI developers cannot be persuaded by civil society to adopt an ethical approach, regulation must step in. But what can we, as linguists, educators and parents, do in the meantime?
\n
One immediate step is to foster critical AI awareness among our students and communities. Open conversations about the distinctions between real and fictional relationships, as well as the psychological impact of para-social bonds, are essential. Educators can incorporate discussions of AI's ethical implications into their curriculums, helping young people critically evaluate their interactions with these systems.
\n
At the same time, we must raise our collective voices to question AI companies: Are we steering AI innovation in a direction that enhances humanity, or are we creating tools that erode the very fabric of human connection? The answers will depend on the values we choose to uphold and the vigilance we maintain against this rapidly advancing field.
\n
As Leshner et al. show, humans have an extraordinary capacity to form meaningful connections, even with fictional characters. But with this capacity comes a profound responsibility: ensuring that these connections enrich our lives rather than replacing them. As Yuval Noah Harari, author of Sapiens, aptly observes, "If the only intimacy we can form is with a non-human AI, then we have no intimacy at all."
\n
Let's take up this call with urgency. Will the corporate empire of AI listen to civil society?
\n
Chances are it won't, given the imperative to optimize profit at all (human) costs. Will governments step up regulation? The US government recently passed a bill forbidding states from regulating AI. We're witnessing corporate and national interests combined to take precedence over human interests. By raising critical AI awareness, we can perhaps, at least, work toward, even if in a small way, a future where AI technology serves humanity's best interests, rather than compromising them.
\n
The views don't necessarily reflect those of China Daily.
\n",
@@ -4510,28 +4972,6 @@
"hash": "e2245d7f7a5131c60691af758c4d5d01",
"highlights": []
},
- {
- "title": "009VIEWS - Reciprocity in US-led global trade an illusion",
- "description": "\n
There have been moments in history when the veneer of fairness that underpins international relations has faded, and the crude mechanics of power re-emerged with startling clarity. Such is the case with the contemporary global trade architecture, which, for decades, has been championed by the United States as a virtuous system of open markets, a rules-based order and reciprocal gains.
\n
However, as with all hegemonies, there comes a time when the existing superpower, faced with relative decline, resorts not to the principles it once espoused, but to the instruments it once condemned. The US economic model relies not only on domestic productivity and innovation but also increasingly on extracting value from the rest of the world — a form of 21st century economic imperialism cloaked in the language of national interest.
\n
To understand this, one must grasp a peculiar but critical inversion: the US does not primarily produce wealth to sustain the living standards of the American people; it absorbs it. This is made possible by the central role of the US dollar, the enduring attractiveness of the US market, and, perhaps most crucially, the inability or unwillingness of other countries to challenge the structural asymmetry embedded in the international system. The US benefits from a disproportionate share of global wealth and resources, whereas other countries bear the cost of maintaining this imbalance, leading to a progressive loss of economic sovereignty.
\n
What we have witnessed is essentially a systemic transfer of wealth masquerading as free trade. Developing and middle-income countries have been gradually drained of their productive value to sustain US consumption and geopolitical dominance. In this sense, trade has become a tool of extraction and control instead of a vehicle of mutual prosperity.
\n
The trade war unleashed by the US leader is not an aberration, but the culmination of Washington's decades of economic frustration. It represents a blunt acknowledgement that the so-called "Washington Consensus" has not served the US as its architects had expected. China adheres to market economy principles under State guidance within the multilateral framework. Other countries, lacking the same strategic discipline, have embraced liberalization with fervour but without the necessary safeguards: they have opened their markets without building capacity, and deregulated without planning, hoping reciprocity would help build resilience. It has not.
\n
The result has been a gradual erosion of agency among middle-level powers, whose economies are now exposed to punitive tariffs, extraterritorial sanctions and arbitrary restrictions — not as responses to violations, but as tools of coercion. Their competitiveness, rather than being welcomed as a sign of integration, has become a target for containment. Not sovereign but vassal nations are what the US administration is seeking to impose on the world — docile partners expected to comply, contribute and never contest.
\n
This posture is emblematic of a broader failure to defend countries' economic sovereignty in a world still governed by core-periphery logic. Washington, despite its liberal democratic rhetoric, understands only the language of zero-sum gain — of dominance. The notion that the US might reduce its consumption, rebalance its fiscal architecture or increase its productivity is politically heretical. The easier course for it is to shift the burden outward: pressure partners, punish rivals, and coerce allies — all under the banner of "fairness".
\n
What is required now is strategic clarity. Countries must stop mistaking access to the US market as a concession bestowed from above. They must see it instead as a transaction, subject to leverage, renegotiation and, when necessary, strategic decoupling. This involves investing in industrial capacity, diversifying trade relationships, restoring national development agendas, and asserting that sovereignty is incompatible with dependency.
\n
The future of the global economy must not lie in perpetuating privilege, but in creating symmetry. To that end, the rise of new economic groupings, such as BRICS+, should be viewed, not as threats to stability but as corrections to an unsustainable order. These groupings offer a pathway to more horizontal cooperation — with China, India and other rising powers — where rules are not dictated but negotiated, and where growth is not extracted but shared.
\n
The US has every right to pursue its interests. But others also have the right, and the duty, to pursue theirs. Only when this is understood can a truly multipolar and just international economic system begin to take form.
\n
The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.
\n",
- "content": "\n
There have been moments in history when the veneer of fairness that underpins international relations has faded, and the crude mechanics of power re-emerged with startling clarity. Such is the case with the contemporary global trade architecture, which, for decades, has been championed by the United States as a virtuous system of open markets, a rules-based order and reciprocal gains.
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However, as with all hegemonies, there comes a time when the existing superpower, faced with relative decline, resorts not to the principles it once espoused, but to the instruments it once condemned. The US economic model relies not only on domestic productivity and innovation but also increasingly on extracting value from the rest of the world — a form of 21st century economic imperialism cloaked in the language of national interest.
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To understand this, one must grasp a peculiar but critical inversion: the US does not primarily produce wealth to sustain the living standards of the American people; it absorbs it. This is made possible by the central role of the US dollar, the enduring attractiveness of the US market, and, perhaps most crucially, the inability or unwillingness of other countries to challenge the structural asymmetry embedded in the international system. The US benefits from a disproportionate share of global wealth and resources, whereas other countries bear the cost of maintaining this imbalance, leading to a progressive loss of economic sovereignty.
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What we have witnessed is essentially a systemic transfer of wealth masquerading as free trade. Developing and middle-income countries have been gradually drained of their productive value to sustain US consumption and geopolitical dominance. In this sense, trade has become a tool of extraction and control instead of a vehicle of mutual prosperity.
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The trade war unleashed by the US leader is not an aberration, but the culmination of Washington's decades of economic frustration. It represents a blunt acknowledgement that the so-called "Washington Consensus" has not served the US as its architects had expected. China adheres to market economy principles under State guidance within the multilateral framework. Other countries, lacking the same strategic discipline, have embraced liberalization with fervour but without the necessary safeguards: they have opened their markets without building capacity, and deregulated without planning, hoping reciprocity would help build resilience. It has not.
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The result has been a gradual erosion of agency among middle-level powers, whose economies are now exposed to punitive tariffs, extraterritorial sanctions and arbitrary restrictions — not as responses to violations, but as tools of coercion. Their competitiveness, rather than being welcomed as a sign of integration, has become a target for containment. Not sovereign but vassal nations are what the US administration is seeking to impose on the world — docile partners expected to comply, contribute and never contest.
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This posture is emblematic of a broader failure to defend countries' economic sovereignty in a world still governed by core-periphery logic. Washington, despite its liberal democratic rhetoric, understands only the language of zero-sum gain — of dominance. The notion that the US might reduce its consumption, rebalance its fiscal architecture or increase its productivity is politically heretical. The easier course for it is to shift the burden outward: pressure partners, punish rivals, and coerce allies — all under the banner of "fairness".
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What is required now is strategic clarity. Countries must stop mistaking access to the US market as a concession bestowed from above. They must see it instead as a transaction, subject to leverage, renegotiation and, when necessary, strategic decoupling. This involves investing in industrial capacity, diversifying trade relationships, restoring national development agendas, and asserting that sovereignty is incompatible with dependency.
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The future of the global economy must not lie in perpetuating privilege, but in creating symmetry. To that end, the rise of new economic groupings, such as BRICS+, should be viewed, not as threats to stability but as corrections to an unsustainable order. These groupings offer a pathway to more horizontal cooperation — with China, India and other rising powers — where rules are not dictated but negotiated, and where growth is not extracted but shared.
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The US has every right to pursue its interests. But others also have the right, and the duty, to pursue theirs. Only when this is understood can a truly multipolar and just international economic system begin to take form.
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The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.
The aroma emanating from ducks being spun slowly on charcoal-fired swivel roasters fills the air, drawing people into narrow alleys in search of the source of the familiar, mouthwatering odor. A modest sign-"Whole Roast Duck: 25 yuan" — hanging overhead greets connoisseurs and laymen alike. For less than the price of a cappuccino, people walk away with a freshly roasted, carved bird.
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A few hours earlier, the same duck, when alive, might retail for about 100 yuan ($13.93) in the market. How could it cost a fraction of its market price, that too after being roasted? The answer lies in a carefully developed model of farming, processing and rural trade.
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At the heart of this model is a simple principle: the roast duck can be sold for 25 yuan not because the system undercuts value, but because it splits the value across a duck's body parts. Only about a quarter of a duck's economic worth is in its flesh. The rest is hidden in its wings, gizzards, fat, bones, feathers and blood, which are sold separately: wings become sizzling street snacks, gizzards go to specialty eateries, fat is rendered into kitchen oil, bones are used for broth, and feathers are repurposed for insulation or shuttlecock manufacturing. By breaking the duck's body parts this way, especially selling the prized flight feathers to niche industries, processors turn what seems like useless products into sources of profit, making it possible to sell a roast duck for just 25 yuan.
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High-quality farming is essential to this business model. In Xianxian county of Hebei province, for example, a poultry group introduced a "five-unified" contract program covering ducklings, feed, veterinary care, technical training, and guaranteed buyback. Many farmers have moved from a risky to a structured model with predictable returns. Smart barns monitor temperature and air quality, and QR codes ensure the source of every bird can be traced.
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With the ducklings' survival rate nearly 99 percent and yield up by 20-30 percent, farmers have seen both the quantity and quality improve. Under this system, a farmer who raises, say, 300,000 ducks a year might earn close to 1 million yuan, which shows how precision and scale can reshape livelihoods.
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By dividing the duck into more than 20 product categories, the processors multiply its economic value, making the roast duck only one piece of a much larger economic mosaic. The value then moves downstream to brand and retail. In Xianxian county, many of the roast duck stalls are managed by local entrepreneurs or returned migrant workers.
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A couple that used to work in a factory in a city, invested just a few thousand yuan in a branded stall. They said that they start making profit after the sale of the ninth roast duck. Alongside roasting and plating, villagers, mostly women and elders, also take care of the prep lines, packaging and customer services. In more ways than one, the stalls promote social involvement and generate local income.
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With livestreaming extending its reach, the stalls make brisk business, with a small village stall once selling nearly 200 roast ducks through a Douyin broadcast. Viewers watched the preparation live, asked questions, and placed orders immediately. Suddenly the local roast-duck stall livestreaming gained a national audience.
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Steady returns on duck contracts prevent families from being forced to work in factories. Jobs multiply — elderly workers earn an income by slicing the roast ducks, and youths by managing livestreams and logistics. And community halls host tasting sessions, with stalls sponsoring carnivals, and villages organizing local roast-duck festivals.
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All of this is underpinned by not only market ingenuity but also policy design and strategic risk protection. In 2023, when pork prices declined suddenly after rising sharply, independent duck farmers who had not entered any contract suffered huge losses. But those working under Hebei's "five-unified" framework — duckling supply, feed, veterinary care, training, and guaranteed buyback — continued to earn money.
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Importantly, the government is promoting digital traceability, precision farming, and e-commerce as part of a broader smart-agriculture and rural vitalization initiative.
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But the transformation is not limited to ducks. Across China, the push for smarter, greener livestock is quietly taking hold. In Qiqihar, Heilongjiang province, for instance, a "digital pasture" system originally designed for beef cattle now helps monitor duck sheds — measuring temperature, humidity and feed efficiency through sensors and automated alerts. In Zhejiang and Sichuan provinces, farming cooperatives are experimenting with insect protein and low-protein feed formulations which reduce costs while maintaining output. In particular, in newly retrofitted barns, remote monitoring and AI-supported disease detection have started appearing, not just on large commercial farms, but even in village-scale operations.
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To support these efforts, policies such as the Feed-Saving Action Plan aim to reduce reliance on imported soymeal, while rural financial tools, such as insurance, subsidies and small loans, are being redesigned around livestock's lifecycles.
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What is emerging is not only a reimagined poultry sector, but a broader blueprint for how small-scale livestock farming can thrive amid increasing economic uncertainties. From chicken to beef, and pork to fish, the idea is the same: lower input costs, smarter tools, clearer logistics, better contracts, and stronger rural incomes.
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The roast duck may be the face of this model, but the system is branching out, quietly reshaping how livestock is raised and families make a living. Ultimately, that 25-yuan roast duck is not just a local delicacy — it's the tip of an iceberg, representing a meticulously structured ecosystem of rural innovation, efficient processing, and policy-enabled smart farming.
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The views don't necessarily reflect those of China Daily.
\n",
@@ -4554,28 +4994,6 @@
"hash": "46f0b4fc63cbaf798bc1a84c7a61dec8",
"highlights": []
},
- {
- "title": "010WORLD - US consumers to feel pinch of steep tariffs",
- "description": "
A man loads soybeans from grain bins into a truck in Dwight, Illinois, on Friday. Although farmers in the area are expecting strong yields from this year's crops, there is concern about depressed demand and prices as tariffs risk shifting global markets toward cheaper crops in Brazil.
\n
United States President Donald Trump has signed an executive order further modifying tariff rates imposed on 69 trading partners, drawing widespread criticism.
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The order, set to snap into place on Thursday, imposes "additional ad valorem duties on goods of certain trading partners", with rates ranging from 10 to 41 percent.
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Experts warned that these steep tariffs could result in higher inflation, reduced consumer purchasing power and slower economic growth in the US.
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The move also risks destabilizing global trade and accelerating the fragmentation of the world economy, they noted.
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Yale University's Budget Lab, a nonpartisan US policy research center, said on Friday that consumers face an overall average effective tariff rate of 18.3 percent, the highest rate since 1934.
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While the Trump administration claimed foreign exporters will bear the burden, a June survey conducted by the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta revealed that businesses expected to transfer around 50 percent of these additional costs to US consumers through price hikes. For example, Adidas cautioned that the US tariffs would cost the company an additional 200 million euros ($231 million) in the second half of the year.
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The Budget Lab also predicted that the new tariffs would raise price levels by 1.8 percent in the short term. The added costs could potentially reduce average US household incomes by $2,400 in 2025.
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Song Guoyou, deputy director of the Center for American Studies at Fudan University in Shanghai, noted that the high tariff rate was likely to persist throughout Trump's second term, inflicting long-term damage on the US economy.
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It will result in a cumulative rise in prices, Song said, adding that the price increase would not be a onetime effect but would trigger a chain reaction.
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"The tariff-driven price hikes will begin with direct consumer goods, then extend to production due to tariffs on raw materials and intermediate goods. This eventually will raise overall operating costs in the US, ultimately pushing up service prices," he added.
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Song also highlighted a clear link between tariffs and the increasing pressure on private businesses, which has dampened hiring intentions.
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Weaker hiring
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Data released by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics on Friday showed that US job growth slowed sharply in July, with only 73,000 nonfarm jobs added, significantly below economists' projections. This weaker-than-expected hiring pushed the unemployment rate up to 4.2 percent from 4.1 percent in June.
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Luo Zhenxing, an associate research fellow at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences' Institute of American Studies, said, "Overall, US consumers will undoubtedly face upward price pressures as a result of large-scale tariff increases."
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"Inflation's effect on consumers is equivalent to a decline in their overall real income levels, which will further weaken consumer confidence and expectations. Since consumer sentiment is a key economic indicator, inflation could dampen the US macroeconomic outlook," he added.
\n
Luo argued that the high-tariff policy of the US amounted to economic coercion, leveraging its market dominance to compel nations to pay steep costs for access.
\n
"As the world's largest economy, the US' rejection of free trade rules threatens to collapse the entire global trading system," he said.
\n
This signals a shift away from traditional globalization toward a fragmented model, potentially divided along market size, technology access, security concerns and values, Luo said.
\n
He warned that the absence of unified global trade rules will raise transaction costs, increase uncertainty, and ultimately shrink the global market.
\n
Song of the Center for American Studies echoed this concern, arguing that the high tariffs imposed by the US, which damage trade flows, will exert significant downward pressure on global economic growth.
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However, Song also noted that US protectionism could spur other nations committed to free trade to forge new regional and bilateral trade agreements as a countermeasure.
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Xinhua and agencies contributed to this story.
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yangran1@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
- "content": "
A man loads soybeans from grain bins into a truck in Dwight, Illinois, on Friday. Although farmers in the area are expecting strong yields from this year's crops, there is concern about depressed demand and prices as tariffs risk shifting global markets toward cheaper crops in Brazil.
\n
United States President Donald Trump has signed an executive order further modifying tariff rates imposed on 69 trading partners, drawing widespread criticism.
\n
The order, set to snap into place on Thursday, imposes "additional ad valorem duties on goods of certain trading partners", with rates ranging from 10 to 41 percent.
\n
Experts warned that these steep tariffs could result in higher inflation, reduced consumer purchasing power and slower economic growth in the US.
\n
The move also risks destabilizing global trade and accelerating the fragmentation of the world economy, they noted.
\n
Yale University's Budget Lab, a nonpartisan US policy research center, said on Friday that consumers face an overall average effective tariff rate of 18.3 percent, the highest rate since 1934.
\n
While the Trump administration claimed foreign exporters will bear the burden, a June survey conducted by the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta revealed that businesses expected to transfer around 50 percent of these additional costs to US consumers through price hikes. For example, Adidas cautioned that the US tariffs would cost the company an additional 200 million euros ($231 million) in the second half of the year.
\n
The Budget Lab also predicted that the new tariffs would raise price levels by 1.8 percent in the short term. The added costs could potentially reduce average US household incomes by $2,400 in 2025.
\n
Song Guoyou, deputy director of the Center for American Studies at Fudan University in Shanghai, noted that the high tariff rate was likely to persist throughout Trump's second term, inflicting long-term damage on the US economy.
\n
It will result in a cumulative rise in prices, Song said, adding that the price increase would not be a onetime effect but would trigger a chain reaction.
\n
"The tariff-driven price hikes will begin with direct consumer goods, then extend to production due to tariffs on raw materials and intermediate goods. This eventually will raise overall operating costs in the US, ultimately pushing up service prices," he added.
\n
Song also highlighted a clear link between tariffs and the increasing pressure on private businesses, which has dampened hiring intentions.
\n
Weaker hiring
\n
Data released by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics on Friday showed that US job growth slowed sharply in July, with only 73,000 nonfarm jobs added, significantly below economists' projections. This weaker-than-expected hiring pushed the unemployment rate up to 4.2 percent from 4.1 percent in June.
\n
Luo Zhenxing, an associate research fellow at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences' Institute of American Studies, said, "Overall, US consumers will undoubtedly face upward price pressures as a result of large-scale tariff increases."
\n
"Inflation's effect on consumers is equivalent to a decline in their overall real income levels, which will further weaken consumer confidence and expectations. Since consumer sentiment is a key economic indicator, inflation could dampen the US macroeconomic outlook," he added.
\n
Luo argued that the high-tariff policy of the US amounted to economic coercion, leveraging its market dominance to compel nations to pay steep costs for access.
\n
"As the world's largest economy, the US' rejection of free trade rules threatens to collapse the entire global trading system," he said.
\n
This signals a shift away from traditional globalization toward a fragmented model, potentially divided along market size, technology access, security concerns and values, Luo said.
\n
He warned that the absence of unified global trade rules will raise transaction costs, increase uncertainty, and ultimately shrink the global market.
\n
Song of the Center for American Studies echoed this concern, arguing that the high tariffs imposed by the US, which damage trade flows, will exert significant downward pressure on global economic growth.
\n
However, Song also noted that US protectionism could spur other nations committed to free trade to forge new regional and bilateral trade agreements as a countermeasure.
Southeast Asian countries need to deepen their integration and economic cooperation to sustain regional development amid uncertainties and challenges arising from steep tariffs imposed by the United States, a regional forum heard on Wednesday.
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While tariff negotiations with the US may have resulted in deals that are disadvantageous to members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the regional bloc can use existing free trade agreements to promote a "rules-based global economic order", according to experts who participated in the webinar organized by the Manila-based Philippine Association for Chinese Studies.
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"The inconsistency and unpredictability of US foreign policy (are pushing) Asian and other regional states to hedge and realign," said Kei Koga, an associate professor from the School of Social Sciences at Singapore's Nanyang Technological University.
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Noting how US trade policies change when a new president is elected, he said that Asian countries are seeking a stable trading environment by signing international agreements such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, "which do not rely on US (trade policy)".
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US President Donald Trump issued an executive order on July 31, slapping 10 to 41 percent "reciprocal tariffs" against most Asian economies as well as dozens of others.
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Observers viewed such deals as unfair, as the tariffs are much higher than the often single-digit rates in previous years.
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Alexander Michael Palma, an assistant professor at the Asian Center of the University of the Philippines, said these bilateral trade deals with the US will limit ASEAN's gains from other trade relationships and restrict the participation of micro, small and medium enterprises, which make up the bulk of businesses in ASEAN.
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"I think there is a need to promote regional integration in ASEAN through SME development," he said.
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Palma said one of the key topics for discussion at the ASEAN Summit in October is the issue of nontariff barriers, including complex customs procedures and stringent licensing standards.
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For Christine Susanna Tjhin, co-founder of the Jakarta-based consultancy firm Gentala Institute, there is an "urgent and strategic need" to synchronize the existing ASEAN-based mechanism with BRICS, since several ASEAN countries are now part of BRICS. This will help ASEAN diversify its export markets to lessen dependence on the US.
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Qin Beichen, former visiting research associate at the Ateneo de Manila University, said ASEAN also needs to promote industrial cooperation among its members, as industrialization in Southeast Asia remains confined to labor-intensive, low-value-added production activities.
\n
prime@chinadailyapac.com
\n",
@@ -4598,28 +5016,6 @@
"hash": "77fb8f7bc23c986938b64c74eeb2feab",
"highlights": []
},
- {
- "title": "010WORLD - Levies prompt Brazil to look to China, elsewhere",
- "description": "
A coffee producer displays processed coffee beans at Boa Esperanca farm in Braganca Paulista, Brazil, on Monday.
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A 50 percent tariff on Brazilian coffee and meat is causing a rush among farmers, businesspeople and Brazilian officials to find alternative markets for their products. China is among the most promising new destinations.
\n
US President Donald Trump announced on July 9 he would impose tariffs on Brazilian products. Though many sectors were initially exempted from the tariffs that went into effect on Wednesday, coffee and meat — two of the most important areas of the Brazilian economy — will be charged a 50 percent tariff to enter the US market.
\n
The impact on Brazilian GDP is expected to be low — estimated by Goldman Sachs at a 0.5 percent decrease in Brazil's projected 2025 GDP — but it can devastate specific and strategic areas in agriculture and livestock.
\n
According to the Brazil's Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade and Services, 35.9 percent of the exports to the US will be affected, which could amount to $12 billion to $17 billion per year.
\n
Brazil exported $1.9 billion in coffee to the US last year, and the tariff could lead to a loss of $400 million to $800 million. Brazil also sold $1.35 billion worth of meat to the US and could lose $500 million to $700 million.
\n
Marcio Candido Ferreira, president of the Brazilian Coffee Exporters Council, said that while there can be immediate losses, he is confident that they will be surpassed by diversifying export destinations.
\n
For several years, he has been seeing Asian countries as rich in new customers, making visits to Shanghai, and seeking partnerships in South Korea, Japan and Indonesia.
\n
"We see a lot of young Chinese consume coffee daily to improve work performance or enjoy it socially. The dominant tradition in China is tea, of course, but in a country with such a large population, 10 percent means all the consumption of a European country. The East is also where the population grows the most, so it is an inevitable target for the coffee."
\n
Talking about the competition with foreign producers, Ferreira highlights the versatility of Brazilian coffee.
\n
"We produce any kind of coffee bean, especially Arabica and Conilon, the most consumed worldwide. I've met partners in big eastern countries, like Chinese Luckin Coffee and Indonesian Kapal Api, all of whom are users of our coffee, notably for the production of the popular canned iced coffees in China and South Korea."
\n
The meat sector faces a tougher situation as the Asian market is meeting the demand, so the loss of competitiveness in the US won't be as easily offset by other regions.
\n
No alternative
\n
In a news conference last week, Roberto Perosa, president of the Brazilian Association of Meat Exporting Industries, said: "The United States is our second-biggest market for beef, so it has a big impact. Brazil exports to many countries, but there is no alternative market yet for the products intended for the US. Many of those products were made to meet the demand of the American hamburger industry."
\n
He concludes that "the industry will maintain production, rely on credit lines from the government to carry on, absorbing the impact on the production chain".
\n
"And, of course, the negotiations are ongoing. (We are) looking forward to the end of the tariffs, as happened to other sectors."
\n
Initially, many products were taxed by Trump, including oranges and heavy industry. Brazil is one of the country's biggest suppliers of orange juice, and sells Embraer airplanes in the US market.
\n
On the night before the tariffs took effect, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said, "Brazil remains willing to negotiate trade aspects of its relationship with the United States, but will not give up the tools needed to defend the country."
\n
He also noted that the Brazilian economy is integrated into the main markets and international partners, and is evaluating the impact of US measures and taking steps to protect workers, companies and families in Brazil.
\n",
- "content": "
A coffee producer displays processed coffee beans at Boa Esperanca farm in Braganca Paulista, Brazil, on Monday.
\n
A 50 percent tariff on Brazilian coffee and meat is causing a rush among farmers, businesspeople and Brazilian officials to find alternative markets for their products. China is among the most promising new destinations.
\n
US President Donald Trump announced on July 9 he would impose tariffs on Brazilian products. Though many sectors were initially exempted from the tariffs that went into effect on Wednesday, coffee and meat — two of the most important areas of the Brazilian economy — will be charged a 50 percent tariff to enter the US market.
\n
The impact on Brazilian GDP is expected to be low — estimated by Goldman Sachs at a 0.5 percent decrease in Brazil's projected 2025 GDP — but it can devastate specific and strategic areas in agriculture and livestock.
\n
According to the Brazil's Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade and Services, 35.9 percent of the exports to the US will be affected, which could amount to $12 billion to $17 billion per year.
\n
Brazil exported $1.9 billion in coffee to the US last year, and the tariff could lead to a loss of $400 million to $800 million. Brazil also sold $1.35 billion worth of meat to the US and could lose $500 million to $700 million.
\n
Marcio Candido Ferreira, president of the Brazilian Coffee Exporters Council, said that while there can be immediate losses, he is confident that they will be surpassed by diversifying export destinations.
\n
For several years, he has been seeing Asian countries as rich in new customers, making visits to Shanghai, and seeking partnerships in South Korea, Japan and Indonesia.
\n
"We see a lot of young Chinese consume coffee daily to improve work performance or enjoy it socially. The dominant tradition in China is tea, of course, but in a country with such a large population, 10 percent means all the consumption of a European country. The East is also where the population grows the most, so it is an inevitable target for the coffee."
\n
Talking about the competition with foreign producers, Ferreira highlights the versatility of Brazilian coffee.
\n
"We produce any kind of coffee bean, especially Arabica and Conilon, the most consumed worldwide. I've met partners in big eastern countries, like Chinese Luckin Coffee and Indonesian Kapal Api, all of whom are users of our coffee, notably for the production of the popular canned iced coffees in China and South Korea."
\n
The meat sector faces a tougher situation as the Asian market is meeting the demand, so the loss of competitiveness in the US won't be as easily offset by other regions.
\n
No alternative
\n
In a news conference last week, Roberto Perosa, president of the Brazilian Association of Meat Exporting Industries, said: "The United States is our second-biggest market for beef, so it has a big impact. Brazil exports to many countries, but there is no alternative market yet for the products intended for the US. Many of those products were made to meet the demand of the American hamburger industry."
\n
He concludes that "the industry will maintain production, rely on credit lines from the government to carry on, absorbing the impact on the production chain".
\n
"And, of course, the negotiations are ongoing. (We are) looking forward to the end of the tariffs, as happened to other sectors."
\n
Initially, many products were taxed by Trump, including oranges and heavy industry. Brazil is one of the country's biggest suppliers of orange juice, and sells Embraer airplanes in the US market.
\n
On the night before the tariffs took effect, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said, "Brazil remains willing to negotiate trade aspects of its relationship with the United States, but will not give up the tools needed to defend the country."
\n
He also noted that the Brazilian economy is integrated into the main markets and international partners, and is evaluating the impact of US measures and taking steps to protect workers, companies and families in Brazil.
Dancers from The Journey of a Legendary Landscape Painting react to the audience's applause during the curtain call at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles, on Friday.
\n
When Debbie Allen, an acclaimed US actress, choreographer and the 2025 Academy Honorary Award recipient, stepped into the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, she did something rare.
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As executive producer of Grey's Anatomy, Allen had cleared her production schedule so she could witness The Journey of a Legendary Landscape Painting, a poetic Chinese dance drama premiering in Los Angeles on Friday.
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"I am so honored to see this incredible performance. I'm so thrilled that these Chinese artists have come to America to share their culture, to share their grace and power, and inspire all of us," she told China Daily.
\n
By the end of the evening, Allen was on her feet, applauding with joy and admiration. Her sentiment captured the essence of the night, a celebration of cultural artistry and people's connection across countries.
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The dance drama is inspired by A Thousand Miles of Rivers and Mountains, the monumental 12th-century scroll painting by Wang Ximeng, a teenage prodigy of the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127).
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The original scroll — now housed in the Palace Museum in Beijing — has rarely been exhibited and has never traveled abroad.
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Presented by the China Oriental Performing Arts Group, The Journey of a Legendary Landscape Painting captivated a full house with its rich visual storytelling and emotional depth. More than a performance, it was a living expression of Chinese artistic heritage that bridges past and present, East and West.
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Structured in seven poetic chapters from "Unfolding the Scroll" to "Merging with the Painting", the production follows a modern cultural historian's journey back in time to explore the artist's creative spirit and the philosophical richness of this masterpiece.
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Film director and producer Harrison Engle described the experience as "emotionally moving".
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New perspective
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"It's really extraordinary, the dance, choreography, design, lighting and music, all so overwhelming and so moving," he told China Daily. "I hope that this show is welcomed by many people outside of the immediate Chinese community in the US. I think it would give them a whole new perspective about Chinese culture."
\n
Through its flowing narrative and elegant choreography, the production becomes a profound reflection on artistic devotion, cultural legacy and the enduring spirit of Chinese civilization. For many audience members, the show was their first encounter with Chinese classical dance on such an expressive scale.
\n
"This show was wonderful. It's a real art," film producer Bogdan Szumilas told China Daily. "We need more shows like this."
\n
Evie, a young dancer who attended the premiere, described the show as "super interesting".
\n
"It's definitely something I haven't seen before," she said. "I loved the costumes, and all the design elements were really captivating. The story was told beautifully."
\n
The performance has already been hailed in China as a "pinnacle of aesthetics" and has enjoyed more than 700 sold-out performances since its debut in 2021. Its international acclaim surged after the mesmerizing "Green Waist" dance segment was featured on China's Spring Festival Gala in 2022.
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In Los Angeles, the city's multicultural landscape made the premiere particularly meaningful, with a diverse crowd of artists, executives and cultural influencers in attendance. Before the performance, anticipation was already high.
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"I love Chinese culture," said Lance Sterling, owner of concert venues across Southern California, including the House of Blues. "And I believe this is true Chinese culture. I hope one day my concerts can showcase such Chinese dance and performance."
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His wife, Caryn Sterling, a talent manager in the entertainment industry, echoed that enthusiasm. "My eyes are wide-open, my heart is wide-open. We can't wait to take it all in — the grace, the creativity, the detail. I think this will stay with me forever," she said.
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Douglas Ivanovich, founder of World Peace One Concerts and a member of the LA Beverly Arts group, believes that art serves as a bridge between nations.
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"One of the missions of the arts is to help people understand each other better, and to elevate humanity into a more creative, peaceful and productive existence," he told China Daily. "Art is one of our best ambassadors."
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As the final curtain fell, the theater known for hosting the Oscars erupted in a lengthy standing ovation.
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"What I saw tonight isn't just Chinese culture, it's universal. In today's world, art remains one of the most powerful forces for healing and fostering connection between nations," Allen said.
Rejecting a possible Israeli plan to expand military operations through the entire Gaza Strip, a United Nations representative stressed that Gaza is part of a future State of Palestine, while former Israeli officials voiced objection to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's takeover plan.
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"International law is clear in this regard — Gaza is and must remain an integral part of the future Palestinian state," Miroslav Jenca, the UN's assistant secretary-general for Europe, Central Asia and the Americas, told the Security Council in New York on Tuesday.
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The Israeli plan on Gaza "would risk catastrophic consequences for millions of Palestinians and could further endanger the lives of the remaining hostages in Gaza", he said.
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Israel's Channel 12, citing an official from Netanyahu's office, said the prime minister was leaning toward taking control of the entire Gaza. That would reverse a 2005 decision to withdraw Israeli citizens and soldiers from the besieged enclave. Netanyahu is likely to seek its approval at a key Cabinet meeting on Thursday.
\n
At the UN session, Jenca said there is no military solution to the fighting in Gaza or the broader Israel-Palestine conflict.
\n
The UN has favored a sustainable two-state solution. Jenca said this would mean "Israel and a fully independent, democratic, contiguous, viable and sovereign Palestinian State — of which Gaza is an integral part — living side by side in peace and security within secure and recognized borders, on the basis of the pre-1967 lines, with Jerusalem as the capital of both States".
\n
"Hunger is everywhere in Gaza, visible in the faces of children and in the desperation of parents risking their lives to access the most basic supplies," he said. He again echoed UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' condemnation of the continuing violence in Gaza, including the shooting, killing and injuring of people trying to get food.
\n
"The situation in Gaza is horrifying — it is unbearable," he said, adding that Palestinians are subjected to "squalid, inhumane conditions on a daily basis".
\n
More than 60,000 Palestinians have been killed since the conflict began, local health authorities said. "Since the end of May, over 1,200 Palestinians have been killed and over 8,100 injured while trying to access food supplies, including in the vicinity of militarized aid distribution sites," Jenca said.
\n
War of starvation
\n
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi said on Tuesday that Gaza's population is experiencing systematic genocide.
\n
"The war in Gaza is no longer merely a war to achieve political goals or release hostages," he said. "It has long since surpassed any logic or justification, and has become a war of starvation and genocide. There is systematic genocide to eradicate the Palestinian cause."
\n
Algeria's Ambassador to the UN Amar Bendjama told the Security Council on Tuesday that Israel is legally required to allow aid into Gaza as "famine thresholds have been crossed".
\n
"Let me be clear, humanitarian access is a legal obligation under the Geneva Conventions. It is not a favor. It is not negotiable. It cannot be used as a bargaining chip in exchange for those held in captivity," he said.
\n
Inside Israel, voices are increasing for an end to the nearly 22-month military assault in Gaza. Among those speaking out were former leaders of Israel's Shin Bet internal security service, Mossad spy agency and the military — and also former prime minister Ehud Barak.
\n
In a video posted on social media, they said far-right members of the government are holding Israel "hostage" in prolonging the conflict.
\n
Netanyahu's objectives in Gaza are "a fantasy", said Yoram Cohen, former head of the Shin Bet, in the video. "If anyone imagines that we can reach every terrorist and every pit and every weapon, and in parallel bring our hostages home — I think it is impossible."
\n
United States President Donald Trump, asked by a reporter on Tuesday, declined to say whether he supported or opposed the potential military takeover. "I know that we are there now trying to get people fed," he said. "As far as the rest of it, I really can't say. That's going to be pretty much up to Israel."
\n
Israel's offensive in Gaza has also caused a hunger crisis, internally displaced nearly the entire population and led to accusations of genocide at the International Court of Justice and of war crimes at the International Criminal Court.
Rejecting a possible Israeli plan to expand military operations through the entire Gaza Strip, a United Nations representative stressed that Gaza is part of a future State of Palestine, while former Israeli officials voiced objection to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's takeover plan.
\n
"International law is clear in this regard — Gaza is and must remain an integral part of the future Palestinian state," Miroslav Jenca, the UN's assistant secretary-general for Europe, Central Asia and the Americas, told the Security Council in New York on Tuesday.
\n
The Israeli plan on Gaza "would risk catastrophic consequences for millions of Palestinians and could further endanger the lives of the remaining hostages in Gaza", he said.
\n
Israel's Channel 12, citing an official from Netanyahu's office, said the prime minister was leaning toward taking control of the entire Gaza. That would reverse a 2005 decision to withdraw Israeli citizens and soldiers from the besieged enclave. Netanyahu is likely to seek its approval at a key Cabinet meeting on Thursday.
\n
At the UN session, Jenca said there is no military solution to the fighting in Gaza or the broader Israel-Palestine conflict.
\n
The UN has favored a sustainable two-state solution. Jenca said this would mean "Israel and a fully independent, democratic, contiguous, viable and sovereign Palestinian State — of which Gaza is an integral part — living side by side in peace and security within secure and recognized borders, on the basis of the pre-1967 lines, with Jerusalem as the capital of both States".
\n
"Hunger is everywhere in Gaza, visible in the faces of children and in the desperation of parents risking their lives to access the most basic supplies," he said. He again echoed UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' condemnation of the continuing violence in Gaza, including the shooting, killing and injuring of people trying to get food.
\n
"The situation in Gaza is horrifying — it is unbearable," he said, adding that Palestinians are subjected to "squalid, inhumane conditions on a daily basis".
\n
More than 60,000 Palestinians have been killed since the conflict began, local health authorities said. "Since the end of May, over 1,200 Palestinians have been killed and over 8,100 injured while trying to access food supplies, including in the vicinity of militarized aid distribution sites," Jenca said.
\n
War of starvation
\n
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi said on Tuesday that Gaza's population is experiencing systematic genocide.
\n
"The war in Gaza is no longer merely a war to achieve political goals or release hostages," he said. "It has long since surpassed any logic or justification, and has become a war of starvation and genocide. There is systematic genocide to eradicate the Palestinian cause."
\n
Algeria's Ambassador to the UN Amar Bendjama told the Security Council on Tuesday that Israel is legally required to allow aid into Gaza as "famine thresholds have been crossed".
\n
"Let me be clear, humanitarian access is a legal obligation under the Geneva Conventions. It is not a favor. It is not negotiable. It cannot be used as a bargaining chip in exchange for those held in captivity," he said.
\n
Inside Israel, voices are increasing for an end to the nearly 22-month military assault in Gaza. Among those speaking out were former leaders of Israel's Shin Bet internal security service, Mossad spy agency and the military — and also former prime minister Ehud Barak.
\n
In a video posted on social media, they said far-right members of the government are holding Israel "hostage" in prolonging the conflict.
\n
Netanyahu's objectives in Gaza are "a fantasy", said Yoram Cohen, former head of the Shin Bet, in the video. "If anyone imagines that we can reach every terrorist and every pit and every weapon, and in parallel bring our hostages home — I think it is impossible."
\n
United States President Donald Trump, asked by a reporter on Tuesday, declined to say whether he supported or opposed the potential military takeover. "I know that we are there now trying to get people fed," he said. "As far as the rest of it, I really can't say. That's going to be pretty much up to Israel."
\n
Israel's offensive in Gaza has also caused a hunger crisis, internally displaced nearly the entire population and led to accusations of genocide at the International Court of Justice and of war crimes at the International Criminal Court.
South Korean lawmakers on Wednesday questioned the government's recent trade deal with the United States, calling it a "failed "agreement that erodes the country's advantage.
\n
"As a result of this tariff negotiation, the effects of the US-South Korea free trade agreement have disappeared," said Lee In-sun, a member of the opposition People Power Party, during a session of the National Assembly.
\n
Under the original free trade agreement, South Korean exports to the US benefited from near-zero tariffs. However, following the new deal, South Korea now faces the same rate of 15 percent as Japan, which previously enjoyed a 2.5 percent rate, Lee was quoted as saying by the Chosun Biz.
\n
In addition to the blanket tariffs, South Korean automobiles will also be subjected to sector-specific duties of 15 percent — up from zero — bringing them in line with tariffs now applied to products from the European Union and Japan.
\n
Yoon Young-seok, another member of the People Power Party, said the outcome of the negotiations had led South Korea to lose its advantage over competitors completely.
\n
Also on Wednesday, South Korea's HD Hyundai Heavy Industries secured a maintenance, repair and overhaul project for a US Navy cargo ship, which is expected to be completed and delivered in November.
\n
The deal, the first of its kind, came after the South Korean government pledged a $350 billion special strategic industry cooperation fund to support investments for the US, including $150 billion under the "Make America Shipbuilding Great Again" initiative to revive the US shipbuilding industry.
\n
In return, the US has agreed to lower the tariffs on South Korean exports to 15 percent, down from the 25 percent rate previously announced by US President Donald Trump.
\n
While the initiative is expected to increase the influence of South Korean shipbuilders in the US market, some observers expressed concerns about how much progress can be made within the remaining three years of Trump's term, as well as the lack of clarity surrounding the remaining $200 billion in pledged investment beyond the shipbuilding initiative.
\n
Discrepancies in explanations between the two sides regarding key issues — such as revenue distribution from the cooperation fund — have also sparked discussions.
\n
For example, US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick claimed that 90 percent of profits from South Korea's investment in the US will benefit US citizens, a statement that South Korea has disputed.
\n
Hollowing out base
\n
Yoo Myung-hee, a former trade minister and now a professor in the Graduate School of International Studies at Seoul National University, warned that investments in the US could hollow out South Korea's domestic manufacturing base.
\n
"It is more important than ever for the South Korean government to support domestic industry through regulatory reform and enhance labor flexibility," she said, as reported by the Korea JoongAng Daily.
\n
Lee Eun-chang, a research fellow at the Korea Institute for Industrial Economics and Trade, told KBS News, "Given the large scale of the fund, we need to divide the role effectively."
\n
A severe shortage of personnel and facilities in the US also poses a challenge to bilateral cooperation.
\n
In addition, with a summit between South Korean and US leaders approaching, experts have raised concerns that security issues may also be on the agenda. Washington has demanded that Seoul increase its defense budget to 5 percent of GDP.
About 600 kilograms of smuggled cocaine are displayed at the district prosecutors' office in Busan, South Korea, on Wednesday, following their seizure from a shipping container in May. The bust marked the largest crackdown on drugs in the port city's history.
\n",
- "content": "
About 600 kilograms of smuggled cocaine are displayed at the district prosecutors' office in Busan, South Korea, on Wednesday, following their seizure from a shipping container in May. The bust marked the largest crackdown on drugs in the port city's history.
A massive mudslide and flash floods ravage Dharali village in Uttarakhand State, India, on Tuesday, killing at least four people and leaving around 50 missing. On Wednesday, rescuers scoured the debris-strewn state in a desperate search for survivors.
Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) greets US special envoy Steve Witkoff in Moscow on Wednesday.
\n
MOSCOW — Russian President Vladimir Putin held "constructive "talks with United States envoy Steve Witkoff in Moscow on Wednesday, the Kremlin said, two days ahead of a US deadline for Russia to halt its Ukraine offensive or face fresh sanctions.
\n
Witkoff met Putin for around three hours on a last-minute mission to seek a breakthrough in the three-and-a-half-year conflict. Russian state TV showed a brief clip of him shaking hands with Putin at the start of their meeting.
\n
US President Donald Trump, increasingly frustrated with Putin over the lack of progress toward peace, has threatened to impose heavy tariffs on countries that buy Russian exports.
\n
"A quite useful and constructive conversation took place," Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov told journalists after the meeting.
\n
The two sides exchanged "signals "on the Ukraine issue and discussed the possibility of developing strategic cooperation between Moscow and Washington, Ushakov said, but declined to give more details until Witkoff had reported back to Trump.
\n
Russian investment envoy Kirill Dmitriev, who earlier greeted Witkoff on arrival and strolled with him in a park near the Kremlin, posted on social media, "Dialogue will prevail."
\n
There was no immediate comment from the US side.
\n
Andriy Yermak, chief of staff to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, said on Wednesday that a complete ceasefire and a leaders' summit were required. "The war must stop and for now this is on Russia," he posted on Telegram.
\n
Putin is unlikely to bow to Trump's sanctions ultimatum because he believes he is winning the conflict and his military goals take precedence over his desire to improve relations with the US, three sources close to the Kremlin told Reuters.
\n
"The visit of Witkoff is a last-ditch effort to find a face-saving solution for both sides," said Gerhard Mangott, an Austrian analyst and member of a group of Western academics and journalists who have met regularly with Putin over the years.
\n
"I don't think, however, that there will be anything of a compromise between the two.
\n
"Russia will insist it is prepared to have a ceasefire, but (only) under the conditions that it has formulated for the last two or three years already," he said in a telephone interview.
\n
"Trump will be under pressure to do what he has announced — to raise tariffs for all the countries buying oil and gas, and uranium probably as well, from Russia."
\n
Zelensky said on Tuesday he had a "productive" conversation with Trump on ending the conflict, sanctions on Russia and the finalization of a US-Ukraine drone deal.
\n
On the ground, Russian forces have captured the village of Sichneve in Ukraine's east-central Dnipropetrovsk region, Russia's Defense Ministry said on Tuesday.
\n
In the Zaporizhzhia region, Governor Ivan Fedorov said on Wednesday that Russian strikes killed two people and wounded 10 others, including four children.
\n",
- "content": "
Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) greets US special envoy Steve Witkoff in Moscow on Wednesday.
\n
MOSCOW — Russian President Vladimir Putin held "constructive "talks with United States envoy Steve Witkoff in Moscow on Wednesday, the Kremlin said, two days ahead of a US deadline for Russia to halt its Ukraine offensive or face fresh sanctions.
\n
Witkoff met Putin for around three hours on a last-minute mission to seek a breakthrough in the three-and-a-half-year conflict. Russian state TV showed a brief clip of him shaking hands with Putin at the start of their meeting.
\n
US President Donald Trump, increasingly frustrated with Putin over the lack of progress toward peace, has threatened to impose heavy tariffs on countries that buy Russian exports.
\n
"A quite useful and constructive conversation took place," Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov told journalists after the meeting.
\n
The two sides exchanged "signals "on the Ukraine issue and discussed the possibility of developing strategic cooperation between Moscow and Washington, Ushakov said, but declined to give more details until Witkoff had reported back to Trump.
\n
Russian investment envoy Kirill Dmitriev, who earlier greeted Witkoff on arrival and strolled with him in a park near the Kremlin, posted on social media, "Dialogue will prevail."
\n
There was no immediate comment from the US side.
\n
Andriy Yermak, chief of staff to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, said on Wednesday that a complete ceasefire and a leaders' summit were required. "The war must stop and for now this is on Russia," he posted on Telegram.
\n
Putin is unlikely to bow to Trump's sanctions ultimatum because he believes he is winning the conflict and his military goals take precedence over his desire to improve relations with the US, three sources close to the Kremlin told Reuters.
\n
"The visit of Witkoff is a last-ditch effort to find a face-saving solution for both sides," said Gerhard Mangott, an Austrian analyst and member of a group of Western academics and journalists who have met regularly with Putin over the years.
\n
"I don't think, however, that there will be anything of a compromise between the two.
\n
"Russia will insist it is prepared to have a ceasefire, but (only) under the conditions that it has formulated for the last two or three years already," he said in a telephone interview.
\n
"Trump will be under pressure to do what he has announced — to raise tariffs for all the countries buying oil and gas, and uranium probably as well, from Russia."
\n
Zelensky said on Tuesday he had a "productive" conversation with Trump on ending the conflict, sanctions on Russia and the finalization of a US-Ukraine drone deal.
\n
On the ground, Russian forces have captured the village of Sichneve in Ukraine's east-central Dnipropetrovsk region, Russia's Defense Ministry said on Tuesday.
\n
In the Zaporizhzhia region, Governor Ivan Fedorov said on Wednesday that Russian strikes killed two people and wounded 10 others, including four children.
Bangladesh's decision to hold national elections in February signals the country's intent to usher in a "New Bangladesh" amid political and economic challenges, analysts say.
\n
The announcement was made by interim government Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus on Tuesday night, marking the anniversary of the July Uprising that toppled the previous government.
\n
"On behalf of the interim government, I will write to the chief election commissioner, requesting that the Election Commission arrange the national election in February 2026, before Ramadan," Yunus said. The Islamic holy month is set to begin on Feb 17 or 18.
\n
"We're beginning the transition toward handing over power to an elected government," he said. "Please pray that the election is held peacefully and smoothly, and that every citizen of this country can contribute to building a 'New Bangladesh' successfully."
\n
The vision for "New Bangladesh", as outlined in Yunus' July Declaration, includes a democratic state founded on the rule of law, human rights and moral values — free from corruption and exploitation.
\n
Yunus took oath as head of the interim government on Aug 8 last year, two days after the president dissolved the parliament in the wake of weekslong student-led protests that culminated in the resignation of prime minister Sheikh Hasina.
\n
Abul Kalam Azad Majumder, deputy press secretary to the chief adviser, said the law and order situation was chaotic when the interim government assumed power.
\n
"Thanks to the cooperation of all political parties, the government managed to get through the difficult times and keep the country united."
\n
Since taking office, the interim government has established 15 reform commissions and carried out key reforms across various sectors, though "challenges still persist", Majumder said. "But the government is confident that, with the support of all, it will be able to overcome those challenges and organize a free and fair election in the coming February."
\n
Objectives achieved
\n
Fazle Elahi Akbar, chairman of the Foundation for Strategic and Development Studies, a think tank in Bangladesh, said the interim government has achieved two key objectives.
\n
First, it has stabilized the economy, ensured timely debt servicing, and nearly doubled the country's foreign exchange reserves to $30 billion, he said. Second, inflation has also stabilized, he added.
\n
In his address, Yunus said controlling inflation had been one of the biggest challenges. The fragile economy, compounded by last year's severe floods, had pushed inflation close to 14 percent. That figure has since been halved and could come down to 6 percent by December, he said.
\n
Shahab Enam Khan, a professor of international relations at Bangladesh University of Professionals, also praised the efforts to curb inflation.
\n
Despite numerous obstacles, the interim government has made "notable progress in a brief period, particularly in enhancing the banking sector and improving macroeconomic governance", he said.
\n
There is a growing national consensus on the importance of returning to electoral democracy, he added. However, other observers noted a trend of political polarization, with parties expected to seek alliances in election strategies.
\n
Salahuddin Ahmed, a member of the National Standing Committee of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, welcomed the recent developments.
\n
"We welcome the July Declaration and the commitment to hold elections in February," he was quoted by the Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha news agency as saying.
\n
Xinhua contributed to this story.
\n
Contact the writers at vivienxu@chinadailyapac.com
\n",
@@ -4774,28 +5104,6 @@
"hash": "e874fda05c36f2e575779e32bfeb088f",
"highlights": []
},
- {
- "title": "012WORLD - US sees redistricting fight before midterms",
- "description": "
AUSTIN, Texas — The two most populous US states, California and Texas, are grappling for political advantage ahead of the 2026 elections as Democrats and Republicans vie for control of Congress in the latter half of Donald Trump's second presidency.
\n
Texas Democrats on Tuesday again delayed their state's House of Representatives from moving forward with a redrawn congressional map sought by Trump to shore up Republicans' midterm prospects. For a second day, Democrats forced a quick adjournment by denying the GOP majority the required attendance to take votes.
\n
In California, Democrats encouraged by Governor Gavin Newsom are considering new political maps that could slash Republican-held House seats in the left-leaning state while bolstering Democratic incumbents in battleground districts. The move is intended to counter any GOP gains in Texas — though California Democrats could face even more complex legal and logistical hurdles.
\n
Under existing maps, Democrats are within three seats of reclaiming the US House majority.
\n
For years, the two behemoth states have set competing political and cultural curves, dueling over jobs, innovation, prestige and ideology. Now, the rivalry is at the center of the two major parties' scramble to win an edge in 2026.
\n
"We are entitled to five more seats" in Texas, Trump insisted on Tuesday in a CNBC interview. He pointed to California's existing maps, which are drawn by an independent commission unlike the Texas maps drawn by a partisan legislature: "They did it to us."
\n
Democratic National Committee Chairman Ken Martin said Trump and compliant Republicans are "subverting democracy out of fear" given the president's lagging approval ratings and voter angst over the massive tax and policy bill he signed last month.
\n
"Republicans are running scared that voting for this monstrosity will make them lose their majority, and it certainly will," Martin said in Illinois, where multiple Texas Democrats have settled temporarily to deny their Republican colleagues a quorum in Austin.
\n
Spillover effects
\n
Though the two states are seeking similar outcomes, Texas is in the final stages of its effort while California is just embarking on a path riddled with obstacles. Both states are likely to face well-funded legal challenges should they move ahead with new maps. The fight could spill over to other statehouses.
\n
After dozens of Democrats left Texas, the Republican-dominated House remains unable to establish the quorum of lawmakers required to do business.
\n
The House issued civil arrest warrants for absent Democrats and Republican Governor Greg Abbott ordered state troopers to find and arrest them, but lawmakers physically outside Texas are beyond state authorities' jurisdiction. Democrats retort that Abbott is blustering about legal authority he does not have.
\n
Trump said on Tuesday that the FBI "may have to" help arrest and bring back more than 50 Texas Democratic lawmakers who are staying out of the state to deny the quorum.
\n
Earlier on Tuesday, Republican Senator John Cornyn of Texas called on the FBI to help locate and arrest these absent Democrats. Asked by reporters on this issue, Trump said, "They may have to."
\n
House Speaker Representative Dustin Burrows said on Tuesday that Texas officers are continuing efforts to corral lawmakers but offered no details.
\n
Abbott, for his part, has derided absent Democrats as "un-Texan".
\n
The practice of partisan redistricting has a long tradition in the United States, but the advent of powerful software and sophisticated voter data has allowed mapmakers to drill down to individual streets and neighborhoods.
\n
Redistricting typically occurs every 10 years to incorporate the US Census count. Trump has broken with that convention by openly pushing Texas Republicans to pursue a rare mid-decade redistricting for partisan gain, even though the existing map, which Republicans drew just four years ago, resulted in the party winning 25 of the state's 38 seats. The Texas House will convene again on Friday.
\n",
- "content": "
AUSTIN, Texas — The two most populous US states, California and Texas, are grappling for political advantage ahead of the 2026 elections as Democrats and Republicans vie for control of Congress in the latter half of Donald Trump's second presidency.
\n
Texas Democrats on Tuesday again delayed their state's House of Representatives from moving forward with a redrawn congressional map sought by Trump to shore up Republicans' midterm prospects. For a second day, Democrats forced a quick adjournment by denying the GOP majority the required attendance to take votes.
\n
In California, Democrats encouraged by Governor Gavin Newsom are considering new political maps that could slash Republican-held House seats in the left-leaning state while bolstering Democratic incumbents in battleground districts. The move is intended to counter any GOP gains in Texas — though California Democrats could face even more complex legal and logistical hurdles.
\n
Under existing maps, Democrats are within three seats of reclaiming the US House majority.
\n
For years, the two behemoth states have set competing political and cultural curves, dueling over jobs, innovation, prestige and ideology. Now, the rivalry is at the center of the two major parties' scramble to win an edge in 2026.
\n
"We are entitled to five more seats" in Texas, Trump insisted on Tuesday in a CNBC interview. He pointed to California's existing maps, which are drawn by an independent commission unlike the Texas maps drawn by a partisan legislature: "They did it to us."
\n
Democratic National Committee Chairman Ken Martin said Trump and compliant Republicans are "subverting democracy out of fear" given the president's lagging approval ratings and voter angst over the massive tax and policy bill he signed last month.
\n
"Republicans are running scared that voting for this monstrosity will make them lose their majority, and it certainly will," Martin said in Illinois, where multiple Texas Democrats have settled temporarily to deny their Republican colleagues a quorum in Austin.
\n
Spillover effects
\n
Though the two states are seeking similar outcomes, Texas is in the final stages of its effort while California is just embarking on a path riddled with obstacles. Both states are likely to face well-funded legal challenges should they move ahead with new maps. The fight could spill over to other statehouses.
\n
After dozens of Democrats left Texas, the Republican-dominated House remains unable to establish the quorum of lawmakers required to do business.
\n
The House issued civil arrest warrants for absent Democrats and Republican Governor Greg Abbott ordered state troopers to find and arrest them, but lawmakers physically outside Texas are beyond state authorities' jurisdiction. Democrats retort that Abbott is blustering about legal authority he does not have.
\n
Trump said on Tuesday that the FBI "may have to" help arrest and bring back more than 50 Texas Democratic lawmakers who are staying out of the state to deny the quorum.
\n
Earlier on Tuesday, Republican Senator John Cornyn of Texas called on the FBI to help locate and arrest these absent Democrats. Asked by reporters on this issue, Trump said, "They may have to."
\n
House Speaker Representative Dustin Burrows said on Tuesday that Texas officers are continuing efforts to corral lawmakers but offered no details.
\n
Abbott, for his part, has derided absent Democrats as "un-Texan".
\n
The practice of partisan redistricting has a long tradition in the United States, but the advent of powerful software and sophisticated voter data has allowed mapmakers to drill down to individual streets and neighborhoods.
\n
Redistricting typically occurs every 10 years to incorporate the US Census count. Trump has broken with that convention by openly pushing Texas Republicans to pursue a rare mid-decade redistricting for partisan gain, even though the existing map, which Republicans drew just four years ago, resulted in the party winning 25 of the state's 38 seats. The Texas House will convene again on Friday.
The United Kingdom began implementing its new "one-for-one" migrant return agreement with France on Wednesday, enabling exchanges of illegal arrivals for legitimate asylum-seekers with British ties.
\n
The European Commission-approved initiative marks the first such bilateral return arrangement between the two countries, with both sides emphasizing their role in deterring dangerous Channel crossings.
\n
The plan marks a key initiative in UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer's strategy to combat illegal migration amid rising political pressure.
\n
Starmer and France's President Emmanuel Macron announced the "one in, one out" agreement last month as part of wider efforts.
\n
For each person returned under the new deal, the UK will accept an equal number of eligible migrants through legal channels, provided they meet security requirements and have not previously attempted Channel crossings.
\n
UK government sources had said previously that the new agreement would involve about 50 returns a week, or 2,600 a year.
\n
UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said on Tuesday that there are no set limits on the number of migrants to be exchanged under the new bilateral agreement.
\n
Wider strategy
\n
Despite criticism that the program's scale will mean it has only a limited deterrent effect, Cooper insisted the French agreement forms just one component of a wider government strategy.
\n
Other government measures target smugglers through sanctions, tackle social media recruitment, and work with food delivery companies to prevent illegal employment, reported Reuters.
\n
Speaking to ITV News, Cooper declined to estimate the number of migrants facing return to France.
\n
She said: "There's no specified number agreed as part of the overall program, because we want to build it and we want to test it.
\n
"This is a pilot program. We expect it to build over time and we want to increase the numbers, but we need to test the processes, because this has never happened before."
\n
Speaking to Sky News, she added: "The principle says, frankly, if you arrive here on a small boat, you have paid thousands of pounds to a criminal people smuggler actually, you should be being returned, that money should be lost … and we should be taking those who have applied lawfully who've been through security checks."
\n
France's Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau posted on X that disrupting people smuggling operations is the "clear objective" of the new agreement.
\n
More than 25,000 people have reached the UK by small boats this year so far, despite Starmer's pledge to "smash the gangs" of smugglers and reduce arrivals.
\n
Tensions have escalated across England as both pro — and anti-immigration groups staged protests at hotels housing asylum-seekers in recent weeks.
Tourists walk on a beach as the smoke from wildfires raging in the Aude Department is seen from the Mediterranean coast in Banyuls-sur-Mer, southwestern France, on Tuesday. A fire that broke out on the afternoon of Tuesday in Ribaute has burned 4,000 hectares of forest and scrubland in just a few hours before reaching the village of Saint-Laurent-de-la-Cabrerisse, where one person died and houses were destroyed.
Tourists walk on a beach as the smoke from wildfires raging in the Aude Department is seen from the Mediterranean coast in Banyuls-sur-Mer, southwestern France, on Tuesday. A fire that broke out on the afternoon of Tuesday in Ribaute has burned 4,000 hectares of forest and scrubland in just a few hours before reaching the village of Saint-Laurent-de-la-Cabrerisse, where one person died and houses were destroyed.
Visitors view a blooming titan arum, also known as the corpse flower, which has blossomed for the first time in four years, at the Warsaw University Botanic Garden in Warsaw, Poland, on Tuesday.
Seoul to offer visa-free entry to Chinese tourists
\n
South Korea will offer visa-free entry to tourist groups from China for a temporary period, from Sept 29 through June 2026 to boost foreign tourism, the government said on Wednesday. The visa-free offer comes amid expectations that ties between the two countries will improve under the new South Korean administration of liberal President Lee Jae-myung.
\n
ROMANIA
\n
Former president Ion Iliescu dies at 95
\n
Former Romanian president Ion Iliescu died on Tuesday at the age of 95, the Romanian government has announced. Iliescu had been receiving treatment in a hospital since June after being diagnosed with lung cancer, and his condition had worsened in recent days, according to public medical reports. Iliescu served as president from 1990 until 1996, and from 2000 until 2004.The Romanian government expressed deep regret and offered condolences.
\n
IRAN
\n
Tehran executes Mossad spy, IS member
\n
Iran on Wednesday executed two men, one on the conviction of spying for Israel's intelligence agency Mossad and the other, a member of the Islamic State, for acting against the country's national security. The Mossad spy, identified as Rouzbeh Vadi, and the IS "terrorist," named Mehdi Asgharzadeh, were hanged following legal and judicial proceedings and the upholding of their death sentences by the Supreme Court of Iran, Mizan news agency of the Iranian judiciary reported. According to the report, Vadi had been working in one of the country's "important and sensitive "organizations with a level of access "appealing" to Mossad.
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- "content": "
SOUTH KOREA
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Seoul to offer visa-free entry to Chinese tourists
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South Korea will offer visa-free entry to tourist groups from China for a temporary period, from Sept 29 through June 2026 to boost foreign tourism, the government said on Wednesday. The visa-free offer comes amid expectations that ties between the two countries will improve under the new South Korean administration of liberal President Lee Jae-myung.
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ROMANIA
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Former president Ion Iliescu dies at 95
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Former Romanian president Ion Iliescu died on Tuesday at the age of 95, the Romanian government has announced. Iliescu had been receiving treatment in a hospital since June after being diagnosed with lung cancer, and his condition had worsened in recent days, according to public medical reports. Iliescu served as president from 1990 until 1996, and from 2000 until 2004.The Romanian government expressed deep regret and offered condolences.
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IRAN
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Tehran executes Mossad spy, IS member
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Iran on Wednesday executed two men, one on the conviction of spying for Israel's intelligence agency Mossad and the other, a member of the Islamic State, for acting against the country's national security. The Mossad spy, identified as Rouzbeh Vadi, and the IS "terrorist," named Mehdi Asgharzadeh, were hanged following legal and judicial proceedings and the upholding of their death sentences by the Supreme Court of Iran, Mizan news agency of the Iranian judiciary reported. According to the report, Vadi had been working in one of the country's "important and sensitive "organizations with a level of access "appealing" to Mossad.
Overseas Chinese communities in the United States on Monday deplored the passing of renowned historian Hsu Cho-yun, professor emeritus of history and sociology at the University of Pittsburgh, calling his perpetual efforts to amplify Chinese culture overseas "irreplaceable."
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Hsu, born in 1930 in Xiamen, Fujian province, spent his childhood in areas along the Yangtze River before leaving the Chinese mainland for Taiwan with his family in 1948. An ardent history enthusiast, Hsu completed his graduate education in Taiwan and the United States and taught in the history department at the Taiwan University.
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In the 1970s, Hsu migrated to the United States and accepted a full professorship at the University of Pittsburgh, where he specialized in ancient Chinese social and cultural history. Over the years, his research and publications centered around the essence of Chinese culture, fostering exchanges between the West and China, and garnering his preeminent academic status.
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"Hsu embodies the altruistic spirit of old-school Chinese scholars," said Rose He, an advocate for peaceful reunification between Taiwan and the Chinese mainland. "He was among the first group of Western scholars to orchestrate collaborations with universities and institutions in China soon after 1979, when the China-US relationship was normalized."
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Specifically, he was a visiting professor at Nanjing University, where he gave very enlightening lectures to students and young scholars.
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"Hsu is an exemplary representative of our Taiwan compatriots who deeply love the motherland," said Zhang Jingjing, a founding member of the San Francisco-based China Peaceful Unification Western America. "He spares no effort to promote China, Chinese culture; He has always taken pride in being Chinese, through his lectures, his scholarly work, his words and deeds. I guess that's why Hsu once said: 'What concerns China concerns me.'"
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For Dong Xudong, a community leader in northern California who majored in Chinese history, what impressed him the most was Hsu's intense longing and heartfelt nostalgia for the motherland.
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"We lament the passing of professor Hsu, hoping that the cause of peaceful reunification across the Taiwan Strait can be achieved soon," said Dong.
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Profound homesickness
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"His profound homesickness has been manifest throughout his life after he left the Chinese mainland," said Dong. "Whoever shared the same experience as Hsu's would understand why he choked and paused for eight seconds in a broadcast interview." In early 2020, in a show when being asked about his unfulfilled dream, Hsu cited the famous prose of Lu You in the Song Dynasty (960-1279): "But what grieves me is not to have seen our land united."
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"We can feel his pain regarding his reflection on national identity, cross-Strait relations, and the national reunification," said Dong. "That also helps explain why Hsu had long planned to be buried next to his parents in his hometown in Wuxi, Jiangsu province. This equates to a lost child finally returning home."
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"My heart is overwhelmed with grief," said Dai Chi, a Taiwan compatriot who has been based in California and has been crafting cultural exchanges between China and the US for more than 30 years. Sharing similar childhood backgrounds, Dai resonates with Hsu's "lifelong yearning for national unity and the rejuvenation of China".
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Calling Hsu a "pillar or beam", Dai said Hsu has devoted his life to the cause of the nation. Though Hsu resided overseas, "his heart remained tied to China, deeply concerned with the greater good of our people. With history as his vessel and culture as his oar, he bridged East and West, blending past and present, transcending the role of a mere scholar to become a beacon for the nation and a torchbearer of culture," Dai added.
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Hsu's passing marks the curtain fall of an era, Dai said. "Though we may fall far short of his greatness, we must carry forward his will, continue his work, remain steadfast, and forge ahead through thorns and brambles."
Marine biologist Anne Hoggett inspects and records bleached and dead coral around Lizard Island on the Great Barrier Reef on April 5, 2024.Australia's Great Barrier Reef has suffered its most widespread coral bleaching on record, according to a report on Wednesday.
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SYDNEY — Australia's Great Barrier Reef's hard coral cover has sharply declined, returning to near long-term average levels after recent record highs, a report revealed on Wednesday.
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The findings underscore a new volatility in coral health, according to the Australian Institute of Marine Science's annual survey report of the world's largest coral reef system off the coast of Queensland, Australia.
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The Great Barrier Reef has experienced the largest annual decline in coral cover in two of its three regions since the institute began monitoring 39 years ago, the report said.
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This decline was mainly caused by climate change-driven heat stress from the 2024 mass bleaching event, alongside damage from cyclones and crown-of-thorns starfish outbreaks, it said.
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According to the institute, coral cover fell by about 25 percent in the northern section, nearly 14 percent in the central region, and around one-third in the southern region, which has experienced such severe bleaching for the first time.
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The institute's Long-Term Monitoring Program, or LTMP, leader Mike Emslie said that over the past 15 years, hard coral cover has become more volatile, fluctuating rapidly between record lows and highs, pointing to an ecosystem under stress.
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Coral reefs dominated by the Acropora species, known for their fast growth but high vulnerability, were among the most impacted, "as they are susceptible to heat stress, cyclones and are a favorite food of crown-of-thorns starfish", Emslie said.
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The LTMP surveyed 124 reefs between August 2024 and May 2025, finding that most reefs had hard coral cover of 10-30 percent, 33 reefs had 30-50 percent, two reefs exceeded 75 percent, and two were below 10 percent.
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The institute's CEO Selina Stead said the findings strongly demonstrate how ocean warming due to climate change is causing significant and rapid harm to the Great Barrier Reef's coral communities.
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- "content": "
Marine biologist Anne Hoggett inspects and records bleached and dead coral around Lizard Island on the Great Barrier Reef on April 5, 2024.Australia's Great Barrier Reef has suffered its most widespread coral bleaching on record, according to a report on Wednesday.
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SYDNEY — Australia's Great Barrier Reef's hard coral cover has sharply declined, returning to near long-term average levels after recent record highs, a report revealed on Wednesday.
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The findings underscore a new volatility in coral health, according to the Australian Institute of Marine Science's annual survey report of the world's largest coral reef system off the coast of Queensland, Australia.
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The Great Barrier Reef has experienced the largest annual decline in coral cover in two of its three regions since the institute began monitoring 39 years ago, the report said.
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This decline was mainly caused by climate change-driven heat stress from the 2024 mass bleaching event, alongside damage from cyclones and crown-of-thorns starfish outbreaks, it said.
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According to the institute, coral cover fell by about 25 percent in the northern section, nearly 14 percent in the central region, and around one-third in the southern region, which has experienced such severe bleaching for the first time.
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The institute's Long-Term Monitoring Program, or LTMP, leader Mike Emslie said that over the past 15 years, hard coral cover has become more volatile, fluctuating rapidly between record lows and highs, pointing to an ecosystem under stress.
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Coral reefs dominated by the Acropora species, known for their fast growth but high vulnerability, were among the most impacted, "as they are susceptible to heat stress, cyclones and are a favorite food of crown-of-thorns starfish", Emslie said.
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The LTMP surveyed 124 reefs between August 2024 and May 2025, finding that most reefs had hard coral cover of 10-30 percent, 33 reefs had 30-50 percent, two reefs exceeded 75 percent, and two were below 10 percent.
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The institute's CEO Selina Stead said the findings strongly demonstrate how ocean warming due to climate change is causing significant and rapid harm to the Great Barrier Reef's coral communities.
Chinese financial authorities and institutions are likely to step up coordinated efforts to amplify support for manufacturing upgrades as part of the country's broader commitment to advancing new quality productive forces, analysts said on Wednesday.
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They commented after the People's Bank of China, the country's central bank, released a guideline on Tuesday regarding amplifying financial support for new industrialization, together with the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and five other central government departments.
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The guideline, containing 18 sets of specific measures, said the country aims to develop a financial system by 2027 that is more effective in supporting the high-end, intelligent and green development of the manufacturing sector.
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"A targeted and differentiated approach shall be maintained, combining support with restrictions, to accelerate the industrial sector's move toward mid-to-high end, while preventing excessive competition," the guideline said, adding that by 2027, the number and scale of bond issuances by manufacturers will see continuous growth, while equity financing will be significantly enhanced, fully meeting the effective credit demand from manufacturers.
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The guideline was released after a top-level meeting last week called for efforts to accelerate the cultivation of emerging pillar industries with global competitiveness and promote the deep integration and development of sci-tech and industrial innovation.
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Liu Dian, an associate research fellow at Fudan University's China Institute, said: "New industrialization is not just about the expansion of manufacturing, but about upgrading toward greater sophistication, intelligence and sustainability. This requires the financial system to shift from supporting the manufacturing sector expanding in size to helping the sector optimize its structure and control risks, and to build a financial supply mechanism that is more adaptive to these requirements."
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According to the guideline, financial products will become more diversified, and various instruments — such as loans, bonds, equity and insurance — will be more closely coordinated and integrated under the premise of effectively preventing cross-sector financial risks.
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Eligible enterprises in emerging industries — including next-generation information technology, basic and industrial software, intelligent and connected vehicles, new energy, new materials, high-end equipment, spatiotemporal information, commercial aerospace, biopharmaceuticals, cybersecurity and data security — will be supported in raising funds through the multitiered capital market.
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Looking ahead, Liu said overcoming bottlenecks of key technologies and ensuring the security of industrial and supply chains are likely to be the focus of the stepped-up financial support.
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Encouraging more participation of long-term capital is essential to help address challenges such as the difficulty of translating scientific research into commercial applications, he said, adding that refinements in rules are needed to guide long-term investment in future industries, enabling greater risk tolerance and acceptance of delayed returns.
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The guideline said that long-term capital — including government investment funds, State-owned enterprise funds and insurance companies — will be encouraged to accelerate investment in future industries such as manufacturing, information, materials, energy, space and health.
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It also called for leveraging structural monetary policy tools to encourage medium and long-term financing from banks to overcome technological bottlenecks and develop critical products in key sectors, such as integrated circuits, medical equipment, servers, instruments and measurement devices, basic software, industrial software and advanced materials.
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Dong Ximiao, chief researcher at Merchants Union Consumer Finance, said that the guideline will promote closer cooperation among financial institutions, regulators, industries and enterprises in areas such as policy formulation and talent development, thus enhancing the effectiveness of financial services for new industrialization.
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Dong added that the measures outlined in the guideline also form an important part of the financial sector's own efforts to accelerate structural adjustment.
As Changji Hui autonomous prefecture in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region recently issued its highest-level heat alert, staff members from State Grid Changji are assembling the No 12 tower for the Chuanyue 220 kilovolt transmission project in the heart of the desert in Dashitou township, where temperatures soared to 40 C. The team is pressing ahead with the 18 gigawatt new-energy transmission undertakings for the entire prefecture.
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- "content": "
As Changji Hui autonomous prefecture in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region recently issued its highest-level heat alert, staff members from State Grid Changji are assembling the No 12 tower for the Chuanyue 220 kilovolt transmission project in the heart of the desert in Dashitou township, where temperatures soared to 40 C. The team is pressing ahead with the 18 gigawatt new-energy transmission undertakings for the entire prefecture.
Hongqi brand cars are on display at a weeklong international automobile expo that opened in Harbin, Northeast China's Heilongjiang province, on Tuesday. Hongqi is the high-end brand of Changchun, Jilin province-based State-owned automaker China FAW Group.
China has unveiled interest subsidy policies on certain loans to ease the financial burdens of both individuals and businesses, as part of the country's broader push to boost consumption, analysts said.
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The interest subsidies, earmarked from fiscal funds, will be provided to personal consumer loans and business loans in the services sector, according a State Council executive meeting on July 31.
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Zeng Gang, director of Shanghai Institution for Finance and Development, said that banks are now encouraged to offer reasonable loan terms for major consumer expenditures like car purchases, home appliance upgrades, and cultural-tourism activities, with fiscal interest subsidies poised to further reduce borrowing costs and spur spending appetite.
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For market players in service sector, especially small and medium-sized ones in catering, housekeeping, and childcare services, the interest subsidies will help expand their operations and increase service provision, Zeng added.
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At the start of this year, consumer loans underwent a round of rate competition. By late March, consumer loans with annual interest rates below 3 percent were halted, leading to a decline in subsequent customer applications.
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Business loans maintained steady growth, with financial data for the first half of the year showing household loans increased by 1.17 trillion yuan ($162.8 billion).Within this total, individual business loans surged by 923.9 billion yuan, accounting for a 79 percent share.
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Though the subsidy rates, the scope of eligible loan purposes and other specifics remain under wraps, analysts said reductions in borrowing costs could provide a boost to consumption.
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Coordinated fiscal and financial measures are not unprecedented. This year's rebound in consumption driven by the consumer goods trade-in program has been underpinned by support from ultra-long-term special treasury bonds, said Lou Feipeng, a researcher at the Postal Savings Bank of China.
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"The core advantage of interest subsidy policies lies in their leverage effect, mobilizing larger-scale private capital into the consumer sector with minimal public investment," Lou added.
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One day before the State Council executive meeting, the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee held a tone-setting meeting calling for efforts to deepen the implementation of consumption-boosting initiatives, expanding goods consumption while simultaneously fostering new growth drivers in the service sector.
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"We anticipate a further ramping-up of consumption-boosting measures in the second half of the year, building on the steps already taken to stimulate domestic demand," said Wang Qing, chief macroeconomic analyst at Golden Credit Rating International.
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"Raising the subsidy levels for trade-ins, issuing consumption vouchers nationwide, and extending incentives to cover service sectors like tourism and catering — these are all policy options on the table," Wang added.
China has unveiled interest subsidy policies on certain loans to ease the financial burdens of both individuals and businesses, as part of the country's broader push to boost consumption, analysts said.
\n
The interest subsidies, earmarked from fiscal funds, will be provided to personal consumer loans and business loans in the services sector, according a State Council executive meeting on July 31.
\n
Zeng Gang, director of Shanghai Institution for Finance and Development, said that banks are now encouraged to offer reasonable loan terms for major consumer expenditures like car purchases, home appliance upgrades, and cultural-tourism activities, with fiscal interest subsidies poised to further reduce borrowing costs and spur spending appetite.
\n
For market players in service sector, especially small and medium-sized ones in catering, housekeeping, and childcare services, the interest subsidies will help expand their operations and increase service provision, Zeng added.
\n
At the start of this year, consumer loans underwent a round of rate competition. By late March, consumer loans with annual interest rates below 3 percent were halted, leading to a decline in subsequent customer applications.
\n
Business loans maintained steady growth, with financial data for the first half of the year showing household loans increased by 1.17 trillion yuan ($162.8 billion).Within this total, individual business loans surged by 923.9 billion yuan, accounting for a 79 percent share.
\n
Though the subsidy rates, the scope of eligible loan purposes and other specifics remain under wraps, analysts said reductions in borrowing costs could provide a boost to consumption.
\n
Coordinated fiscal and financial measures are not unprecedented. This year's rebound in consumption driven by the consumer goods trade-in program has been underpinned by support from ultra-long-term special treasury bonds, said Lou Feipeng, a researcher at the Postal Savings Bank of China.
\n
"The core advantage of interest subsidy policies lies in their leverage effect, mobilizing larger-scale private capital into the consumer sector with minimal public investment," Lou added.
\n
One day before the State Council executive meeting, the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee held a tone-setting meeting calling for efforts to deepen the implementation of consumption-boosting initiatives, expanding goods consumption while simultaneously fostering new growth drivers in the service sector.
\n
"We anticipate a further ramping-up of consumption-boosting measures in the second half of the year, building on the steps already taken to stimulate domestic demand," said Wang Qing, chief macroeconomic analyst at Golden Credit Rating International.
\n
"Raising the subsidy levels for trade-ins, issuing consumption vouchers nationwide, and extending incentives to cover service sectors like tourism and catering — these are all policy options on the table," Wang added.
A freight train carrying 18 40-foot containers loaded with 486 metric tons of goods arrived at Shigatse West Station in the Xizang autonomous region recently, marking another milestone in China-Nepal trade cooperation, said China Railway Qinghai-Xizang Group.
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The shipment, including curtains, hardware accessories, shoes, hats and general merchandise, was unloaded before being transported by road to Nepal via Shigatse International Land Port and Zhangmu Port.
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The smooth delivery not only highlights the expanding variety of products in China-Nepal trade, but also underscores the efficiency of cross-border railway logistics channels connecting China and South Asian nations, injecting fresh momentum into regional economic prosperity.
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Since the deepening of the Belt and Road Initiative, railway logistics has emerged as a "golden channel "for China-Nepal trade. Thanks to the transport mode's efficiency, stability and cost-effectiveness, more commodities — such as bulk grains, new energy vehicles and daily necessities — are now shipped to Shigatse via the Qinghai-Xizang and Lhasa-Shigatse railways before being exported to South Asian markets.
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This has significantly shortened overland journeys from China's coastal areas to South Asia, giving enterprises an edge in tapping foreign markets.
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Shigatse Railway Freight Yard, a key node in the trade network, has upgraded its operations in recent years by optimizing loading schedules, improving warehouses and streamlining multimodal transport links.
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These efforts have boosted efficiency and cut logistics costs, turning the yard into a vital "transfer station" and "accelerator" for China-Nepal trade, and providing round-the-clock support for bilateral economic cooperation.
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Geng Liuyan, head of the freight yard, said there is a growing volume and diversity of goods transported to Nepal via Shigatse, ranging from building materials to daily necessities.
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"Cross-border cargo volume has seen steady annual growth, and this 18-container shipment is a vivid example of our diversified trade development," said Geng.
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Wang Fei, head of Golmud Longrui Trading Co, expressed satisfaction with the services.
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Since starting exports via the yard in 2025, his company has benefited from tailored logistics solutions.
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"This year, the railway department has tailored a logistics solution specifically for us, taking into account the characteristics of our diverse range of goods, high stacking requirements and strict safety standards, making it possible for various types of goods to be exported collectively," Wang said, adding that daily necessities like curtains, hardware accessories and other goods are highly favored by consumers in Nepal.
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As China-Nepal trade expands, China Railway Qinghai-Xizang Group is on its way to building a professional team and extensive services network to strengthen Shigatse's role as a hub, supporting Xizang in becoming an open highland facing South Asia.
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Contact the writers at palden_nyima@chinadaily.com.cn
China has issued a set of guidelines to strengthen financial support for new industrialization, the country's central bank said. The guidelines, released by the People's Bank of China and six other government departments, state that a financial system for advanced, smart and green manufacturing should be largely in place by 2027.As of 2027, manufacturing enterprises should see their effective credit demand met in full, with steady growth in both the volume and diversity of corporate bond issuances, alongside substantial progress in equity financing, as per the guidelines.
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Yuan weakens against greenback
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The central parity rate of the Chinese currency renminbi, or the yuan, weakened 43 pips to 7.1409 against the US dollar on Wednesday, according to the China Foreign Exchange Trade System.
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- "content": "
More support for new industrialization
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China has issued a set of guidelines to strengthen financial support for new industrialization, the country's central bank said. The guidelines, released by the People's Bank of China and six other government departments, state that a financial system for advanced, smart and green manufacturing should be largely in place by 2027.As of 2027, manufacturing enterprises should see their effective credit demand met in full, with steady growth in both the volume and diversity of corporate bond issuances, alongside substantial progress in equity financing, as per the guidelines.
\n
Yuan weakens against greenback
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The central parity rate of the Chinese currency renminbi, or the yuan, weakened 43 pips to 7.1409 against the US dollar on Wednesday, according to the China Foreign Exchange Trade System.
It is crucial to promote a comprehensive roadmap for the development of artificial intelligence that prioritizes secure innovation, as AI is expected to bring new challenges, industry experts and company executives said on Wednesday.
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Luo Laijun, vice-chairman of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, said: "Healthy AI development demands innovation as the primary driver, security as the nonnegotiable baseline, and universal benefit as our core value."
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Luo made the comments at the 13th Internet Security Conference in Beijing on Wednesday.
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He called upon private enterprises to actively strengthen national cybersecurity ecosystems and participate in constructing end-to-end governance frameworks spanning technology research, practical implementation and security protocols.
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Luo emphasized that developing internationally recognized standards would establish essential "safety belts" for the industry's sustainable advancement, urging companies to embrace their roles as "promoters, builders, and guardians" of digital security.
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Echoing this imperative, Zhao Zhiguo, former chief engineer at the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, described the integration of AI and cybersecurity as an unavoidable responsibility rather than an optional strategy.
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"This fusion represents our era's defining challenge," Zhao said, stressing the critical need for "deep industrial integration and mutual empowerment" between sectors.
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He advocated for collaborative governance mechanisms to unify security capabilities across the technological landscape, framing this synergy as essential for national resilience.
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Zhou Hongyi, founder of Chinese internet enterprise 360 Security Group, delivered a pivotal critique of the limitations of generative AI, noting that despite remarkable advances, "powerful models alone remain insufficient tools".
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He said foundational models lack executive capability.
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"Without operational 'hands and feet', they cannot complete real-world tasks — risking their status as sophisticated toys rather than true productivity engines."
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Zhou positioned AI agents as the inevitable evolutionary breakthrough, explaining their unique capacity to "comprehend objectives, strategize actions, utilize digital tools, and deliver complete solutions."
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His company responded to this gap with the launch of an "agent factory", an accessible platform allowing enterprises to create customized AI agents using natural language commands without programming expertise.
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Zhou issued a stark warning about emerging cybersecurity vulnerabilities accelerated by agent technology. "While the global shortage of security experts persists, we now confront 'agent hackers' — individual attackers commanding hundreds of AI agents to launch automated assaults at unprecedented scale," he cautioned.
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In response, 360 Security Group has introduced security-specific agents designed to replicate human expert capabilities. "By equipping our security brain with operational limbs," Zhou explained, "we achieve qualitative breakthroughs in threat response — effectively cloning elite analysts' decision-making prowess."
Shanghai's stepped-up efforts to aid fundamental scientific research are crucial to support the development of pioneering technologies and companies specializing in emerging industries, which is conducive to the city's high-quality economic growth, said officials and company executives.
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A set of nine new measures to better support companies' fundamental research took effect in Shanghai on Aug 1, aiming to strengthen enterprises' role in such research by providing them more subsidies, favorable tax policies and more access to scientific facilities.
\n
For companies directing at least 100 million yuan ($13.9 million) to fundamental research on a yearly basis, a one-time 10 million yuan fiscal subsidy will be provided. Company expenditures used to support basic research conducted in nonprofit research institutions, universities and government-run natural science foundations can be 100 percent deductible before tax.
\n
Companies using the city's scientific equipment and services may be entitled to 50 percent subsidies based on actual payments, with an annual limit of 1 million yuan for each company, according to the new measures.
\n
Qu Wei, deputy head of the Shanghai municipal commission of science and technology, said the new measures aim to direct more resources to companies and grant them more decision-making power regarding basic research.
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The government also wishes to arm companies with the right research methods. In this way, companies can develop long-term objectives and dedication to technological innovation, which will help to consolidate the foundation of new drivers of high-quality economic development, Qu said.
\n
The municipal government underlined in the latest measures that the city's "explorer plan" — which was launched in 2021 to address the most pressing industry challenges by seeking more academic backing — should be further supported and include more companies from the emerging sectors of integrated circuits, biomedicine and artificial intelligence.
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Therefore, Shanghai municipal commission of science and technology on Monday issued 24 detailed management measures for the "explorer plan".
\n
Over the past four years, a total of 22 companies have been included in the plan, covering State-owned enterprises, private companies and foreign firms.
\n
Shanghai Nuclear Engineering Research and Design Institute Co Ltd was one of the first to be part of the plan. According to the company's chairman, Yan Yan, the firm has built a national-level lab for key nuclear power materials by working with a number of Shanghai-based research institutes. This cooperation, which is part of the "explorer plan", helps to deeply integrate basic research and meet engineering demand. The most cutting-edge scientific problems can thus be solved efficiently, helping to improve China's original innovation regarding nuclear power, he said.
\n
Shen Yichen, founder and CEO of Shanghai-based optoelectronic hybrid computing service provider Lightelligence, said universities are willing to take part in research projects which are not quite mature at the moment. The company is striving to come up with technologies which are required in products that the company may release in five years. This is also a major benefit of the "explorer plan", he said.
\n
Shanghai Electric Group Co Ltd Central Academe has managed to attract 20 partners over the past two years by taking part in the "explorer plan". One problem, which they thought might be resolved by surrounding universities' engineering departments, was eventually tackled by a university chemistry department. Such interdisciplinary cooperation is another major benefit of the plan, according to Central Academe's assistant to the dean, Ru Bin.
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On July 30, Qiyuan Public Welfare Foundation was launched in Shanghai. Founded by 16 local State-owned enterprises, the foundation is the first of its kind initiated by SOEs which aims to support basic research.
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Apart from helping create technological breakthroughs in IC, biomedicine and AI — three pioneering sectors in Shanghai — the foundation will also support research in frontier sectors such as quantum technology, controllable nuclear fusion, brain science, as well as deep sea and deep earth exploration.
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Data from the municipal government showed that 11 percent of Shanghai's research spending was devoted to basic research, higher than the national level of 6.9 percent.
\n
shijing@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
- "content": "
Shanghai's stepped-up efforts to aid fundamental scientific research are crucial to support the development of pioneering technologies and companies specializing in emerging industries, which is conducive to the city's high-quality economic growth, said officials and company executives.
\n
A set of nine new measures to better support companies' fundamental research took effect in Shanghai on Aug 1, aiming to strengthen enterprises' role in such research by providing them more subsidies, favorable tax policies and more access to scientific facilities.
\n
For companies directing at least 100 million yuan ($13.9 million) to fundamental research on a yearly basis, a one-time 10 million yuan fiscal subsidy will be provided. Company expenditures used to support basic research conducted in nonprofit research institutions, universities and government-run natural science foundations can be 100 percent deductible before tax.
\n
Companies using the city's scientific equipment and services may be entitled to 50 percent subsidies based on actual payments, with an annual limit of 1 million yuan for each company, according to the new measures.
\n
Qu Wei, deputy head of the Shanghai municipal commission of science and technology, said the new measures aim to direct more resources to companies and grant them more decision-making power regarding basic research.
\n
The government also wishes to arm companies with the right research methods. In this way, companies can develop long-term objectives and dedication to technological innovation, which will help to consolidate the foundation of new drivers of high-quality economic development, Qu said.
\n
The municipal government underlined in the latest measures that the city's "explorer plan" — which was launched in 2021 to address the most pressing industry challenges by seeking more academic backing — should be further supported and include more companies from the emerging sectors of integrated circuits, biomedicine and artificial intelligence.
\n
Therefore, Shanghai municipal commission of science and technology on Monday issued 24 detailed management measures for the "explorer plan".
\n
Over the past four years, a total of 22 companies have been included in the plan, covering State-owned enterprises, private companies and foreign firms.
\n
Shanghai Nuclear Engineering Research and Design Institute Co Ltd was one of the first to be part of the plan. According to the company's chairman, Yan Yan, the firm has built a national-level lab for key nuclear power materials by working with a number of Shanghai-based research institutes. This cooperation, which is part of the "explorer plan", helps to deeply integrate basic research and meet engineering demand. The most cutting-edge scientific problems can thus be solved efficiently, helping to improve China's original innovation regarding nuclear power, he said.
\n
Shen Yichen, founder and CEO of Shanghai-based optoelectronic hybrid computing service provider Lightelligence, said universities are willing to take part in research projects which are not quite mature at the moment. The company is striving to come up with technologies which are required in products that the company may release in five years. This is also a major benefit of the "explorer plan", he said.
\n
Shanghai Electric Group Co Ltd Central Academe has managed to attract 20 partners over the past two years by taking part in the "explorer plan". One problem, which they thought might be resolved by surrounding universities' engineering departments, was eventually tackled by a university chemistry department. Such interdisciplinary cooperation is another major benefit of the plan, according to Central Academe's assistant to the dean, Ru Bin.
\n
On July 30, Qiyuan Public Welfare Foundation was launched in Shanghai. Founded by 16 local State-owned enterprises, the foundation is the first of its kind initiated by SOEs which aims to support basic research.
\n
Apart from helping create technological breakthroughs in IC, biomedicine and AI — three pioneering sectors in Shanghai — the foundation will also support research in frontier sectors such as quantum technology, controllable nuclear fusion, brain science, as well as deep sea and deep earth exploration.
\n
Data from the municipal government showed that 11 percent of Shanghai's research spending was devoted to basic research, higher than the national level of 6.9 percent.
A drone image shows a section along the Haimen-Taicang Yangtze River conduit, a trans-river road being built by State builders such as China Railway 24th Bureau Group Corp to link Nantong's Haimen with Suzhou's Taicang in Jiangsu province.
\n\n
NANJING — For Franz Decker, a senior executive at BMW Group, China's rapid advances in artificial intelligence represent a crucial engine of the auto giant's global digital transformation.
\n
In July, the German automaker inaugurated its first information technology center in China — and its largest in Asia — in Nanjing, Jiangsu province. The facility is designed to harness cutting-edge technologies, including AI, to provide digital solutions across BMW's global production, sales and after-sales networks.
\n
"By joining forces with China's innovation ecosystem, we aim to propel BMW Group's digital transformation both in China and globally," Decker said.
\n
"China obviously is at the forefront of a lot of innovations in IT and Nanjing is our gateway to this innovation here in China."
\n
Foreign firms are anchoring themselves more deeply in China's smart manufacturing landscape.
\n
On July 30, software giant Dassault Systemes launched its new Nanjing-based subsidiary. With 20 years of experience in the Chinese market and about 60,000 local clients, the company is expanding its footprint to offer software-as-a-service platforms for digital manufacturing.
\n
Initially targeting smart manufacturing and the steel industry, the new entity aims to gradually extend services to aerospace, biopharmaceuticals and other high-tech sectors, according to the French company.
\n
"High-end equipment manufacturing and aerospace industries in Nanjing are growing rapidly," said Xu Feng, vice-mayor of Nanjing. "Demand for the digital transformation of Chinese manufacturing enterprises and Dassault Systemes' technological strengths have formed a natural complementarity."
\n
As one of China's economic powerhouses, Jiangsu, located in the Yangtze River Delta region where supportive infrastructure has been upgraded at a historic pace, is ramping up transformation, attracting steady high-end foreign investment, especially in headquarters, research and development and advanced manufacturing projects.
\n
Among a series of plans to further improve its business environment and boost its attractiveness among corporations, the province is facilitating links among its cities and with neighboring regions with a slew of infrastructure projects, such as a major trans-river road link beneath China's longest river, namely the Haimen-Taicang Yangtze River Tunnel, connecting Nantong's Haimen with Suzhou's Taicang.
\n
Data show that in the first half, Jiangsu attracted $11.54 billion in actual foreign investment, maintaining its lead among Chinese provincial-level regions.
\n
Samson Khaou, executive vice-president of Dassault Systemes, attributed the company's growth in China to a long-standing commitment to local integration. "The reason why we have grown to this level is because we are adhering to the 'In China, For China, With China' policy."
\n
"This helps us to really bring the best practices from around the world to enable the digital transformation of the Chinese industry and here in Jiangsu," Khaou added.
\n
A recent survey by the French Chamber of Commerce in China found that 60 percent of French companies have operated in the country for over a decade, highlighting strong long-term confidence. Furthermore, 25 percent of those firms plan to boost their investment in China by 2025, focusing especially on high-end manufacturing and industrial digitization.
\n
New policy measures are fueling this trend. A recent circular from the National Development and Reform Commission and other ministries outlined fresh incentives to encourage foreign firms to reinvest in China.
\n
Strong local performance continues to drive foreign firms' growing presence in China. At Bosch and Siemens' smart washing machine factory in Jiangsu, supported by 5G and the internet of things, a new unit rolls off the production line every 24 seconds.
\n
"We have always been deeply committed to the Chinese market," said Simon Song, president of BSH Home Appliances Greater China. "Over the next six years, we plan to invest more than 3 billion yuan ($417.3 million) here in R&D alone."
\n",
@@ -5126,28 +5280,6 @@
"hash": "db8ae4d1cb1bb5e42b3d875eae9bfe02",
"highlights": []
},
- {
- "title": "014BUSINESS - Pet cooling heats up on rising demand",
- "description": "
A pet owner interacts with her dog at a pet store in Changsha, Hunan province, on July 20.
\n
With people willing to spend increasing amounts of money on their pets, China's pet cooling market is seeing a surge in demand.
\n
Liu Yang, a dog owner in Beijing, has spent over 2,000 yuan ($278) this summer to help keep her dog cool during the hot weather.
\n
"I bought an intelligent constant temperature pet bed which was priced at 2,000 yuan and I also bought a cooling suit for her. This summer is so hot, I don't want my dog to get sunstroke," Liu said.
\n
A survey by the 36Kr media platform found that over 70 percent of pet owners are taking measures to keep their beloved pets cool. To ensure their pets' health in summer, pet owners are increasingly willing to pay for all kinds of cooling products.
\n
According to a 2025 pet industry research paper issued by Huaxi Securities, consumer spending within China's pet industry in urban areas surpassed 300 billion yuan in 2024, up 7.5 percent year-on-year. With the increase of people's living standards, pet owners pour their emotions into their pets' lifestyles without reservation.
\n
Wu Suwei, an independent consumption analyst, said: "With the rise in temperatures, plus the fact that pet owners have increased their emotional investment in their pets, viewing them as family members, they are willing to provide them with better living conditions. With the increases in consumer spending, the pet economy is rapidly developing, promoting the growth of the pet cooling market as a segmented market."
\n
As the survey of 36Kr found, pet cooling products are increasingly diversified. From ice pads costing tens of yuan to pet air conditioners costing tens of thousands of yuan, from ice bath spas to pet-exclusive water parks, businesses have gone to great lengths to create cooling solutions for furry family members, meeting the various needs of the public in caring for pets in hot weather.
\n
Basic cooling supplies such as ice mats are still mainstream. According to 36Kr, sales of these products this summer have grown 230 percent on a year-on-year basis.
\n
In addition, outdoor equipment such as cooling suits and pet sandals have become a must-have for summer, and some products even incorporate waterproof, breathable and other technological elements, causing prices to skyrocket.
\n
Pet beauty shops have also launched various cooling beauty programs, such as pet ice baths, pet cooling spas, etc. These services are said to clean pets' hair and skin, and also provide a cool feeling to pets by adding cooling ingredients such as mint and aloe vera.
\n
For those who need to go out, pet hotels have launched cooling down packages, offering air conditioned rooms and heat-dispersing food, which cost a bundle.
\n
Experts noted that the explosion of the pet cooling market reflects the current generation of pet owners' emphasis on the quality of pet life. According to 36Kr, the market is expected to surpass 5 billion yuan in value in the coming three years.
\n
To grasp business opportunities, Wu suggested that product development should focus on practicality and safety. Enterprises should develop differentiated products based on the characteristics of different pets.
\n
"The product price should be reasonable, to meet both high-end demand and the purchasing power of the general public. Meanwhile, online channels should integrate with offline channels to offer convenient ways for purchasing and after-sales service," he said.
\n
As promising as the market is, experts warned that pet owners should pay attention to false claims in pet cooling.
\n
They should be aware of what kind of product satisfies the rigid demand of pet cooling, and that others are merely false advertising. The real market transformation should occur at the bottom of consumption logic: from the emotional bondage of "giving the best to furry family members" to the rational cognition of scientific pet raising. The direction of future development should not be limited to the consumer spending frenzy and wants of owners, but should return to the health needs of pets themselves, experts added.
\n
zhengyiran@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
- "content": "
A pet owner interacts with her dog at a pet store in Changsha, Hunan province, on July 20.
\n
With people willing to spend increasing amounts of money on their pets, China's pet cooling market is seeing a surge in demand.
\n
Liu Yang, a dog owner in Beijing, has spent over 2,000 yuan ($278) this summer to help keep her dog cool during the hot weather.
\n
"I bought an intelligent constant temperature pet bed which was priced at 2,000 yuan and I also bought a cooling suit for her. This summer is so hot, I don't want my dog to get sunstroke," Liu said.
\n
A survey by the 36Kr media platform found that over 70 percent of pet owners are taking measures to keep their beloved pets cool. To ensure their pets' health in summer, pet owners are increasingly willing to pay for all kinds of cooling products.
\n
According to a 2025 pet industry research paper issued by Huaxi Securities, consumer spending within China's pet industry in urban areas surpassed 300 billion yuan in 2024, up 7.5 percent year-on-year. With the increase of people's living standards, pet owners pour their emotions into their pets' lifestyles without reservation.
\n
Wu Suwei, an independent consumption analyst, said: "With the rise in temperatures, plus the fact that pet owners have increased their emotional investment in their pets, viewing them as family members, they are willing to provide them with better living conditions. With the increases in consumer spending, the pet economy is rapidly developing, promoting the growth of the pet cooling market as a segmented market."
\n
As the survey of 36Kr found, pet cooling products are increasingly diversified. From ice pads costing tens of yuan to pet air conditioners costing tens of thousands of yuan, from ice bath spas to pet-exclusive water parks, businesses have gone to great lengths to create cooling solutions for furry family members, meeting the various needs of the public in caring for pets in hot weather.
\n
Basic cooling supplies such as ice mats are still mainstream. According to 36Kr, sales of these products this summer have grown 230 percent on a year-on-year basis.
\n
In addition, outdoor equipment such as cooling suits and pet sandals have become a must-have for summer, and some products even incorporate waterproof, breathable and other technological elements, causing prices to skyrocket.
\n
Pet beauty shops have also launched various cooling beauty programs, such as pet ice baths, pet cooling spas, etc. These services are said to clean pets' hair and skin, and also provide a cool feeling to pets by adding cooling ingredients such as mint and aloe vera.
\n
For those who need to go out, pet hotels have launched cooling down packages, offering air conditioned rooms and heat-dispersing food, which cost a bundle.
\n
Experts noted that the explosion of the pet cooling market reflects the current generation of pet owners' emphasis on the quality of pet life. According to 36Kr, the market is expected to surpass 5 billion yuan in value in the coming three years.
\n
To grasp business opportunities, Wu suggested that product development should focus on practicality and safety. Enterprises should develop differentiated products based on the characteristics of different pets.
\n
"The product price should be reasonable, to meet both high-end demand and the purchasing power of the general public. Meanwhile, online channels should integrate with offline channels to offer convenient ways for purchasing and after-sales service," he said.
\n
As promising as the market is, experts warned that pet owners should pay attention to false claims in pet cooling.
\n
They should be aware of what kind of product satisfies the rigid demand of pet cooling, and that others are merely false advertising. The real market transformation should occur at the bottom of consumption logic: from the emotional bondage of "giving the best to furry family members" to the rational cognition of scientific pet raising. The direction of future development should not be limited to the consumer spending frenzy and wants of owners, but should return to the health needs of pets themselves, experts added.
Alibaba Group's grocery retail arm Hema, also known as Freshippo, has officially exited the membership store business, shuttering all Hema X locations as it pivots toward more profitable formats amid intensifying competition in China's retail market.
\n
Hema said that its Shanghai Senlan store, the last remaining Hema X location, will cease operations on Aug 31. The closure follows the shutdown of stores in Beijing; Suzhou and Nanjing of Jiangsu province in late July. After the Senlan store closure, Hema will no longer operate any stores under the membership model.
\n
Customers holding Hema X memberships — priced at 258 yuan ($35.9) annually for Gold and 658 yuan for Diamond — will be eligible for refunds or can transfer benefits to other Hema formats.
\n
The move signals the end of Hema's experiment with membership stores, which the company once positioned as a "second growth curve" akin to US membership giants Costco and Sam's Club.
\n
The first Hema X opened in Shanghai in October 2020. By October 2023, the format had expanded to 10 stores across key cities.
\n
Hema management made a strategic call earlier this year to concentrate resources on Freshippo and Hema NB (neighbor business), both of which are showing stronger growth momentum.
\n
In an internal letter at the end of 2024, Hema CEO Yan Xiaolei reaffirmed confidence in the company's Hema NB format, with a goal to expand to 300 stores in fiscal year 2025.
\n
According to Alibaba's latest annual report, Hema plans to deepen its presence in emerging cities and counties, with a focus on value-driven formats. The company's gross merchandise value surpassed 75 billion yuan in fiscal year 2025, and its adjusted earnings before interest, taxation and amortization turned positive for the first time. Freshippo now operates over 420 stores, with online orders contributing more than 60 percent of sales.
\n
Analysts said the collapse of Hema X highlights the challenges Chinese retailers face in replicating the US membership model.
\n
"Hema X charged membership fees, but it never truly validated a mature model," said Jason Yu, general manager of CTR Market Research. "It faced pressure from both global competitors like Sam's Club and domestic players, but lacked strong differentiation in product assortment and customer experience."
\n
While Sam's Club benefits from a global supply chain and robust local procurement, most Chinese entrants lack comparable sourcing and private-label development capabilities, said Yu.
\n
"Costco has started to localize its assortment, but the offering still leans heavily toward an American lifestyle that doesn't fully align with Chinese consumer habits," Yu said. "Omnichannel capabilities also remain weak — there's no front-end warehouse system to support fast delivery expectations."
\n
Hema's retreat from the warehouse format also reflects broader changes in Chinese consumer behavior, particularly among middle- and high-income shoppers.
\n
"High-income households still value product quality and freshness, but they've become increasingly rational," said Laura Liu, senior research analyst at market observer Mintel China. "We're seeing more of them shift toward fresh-product discount stores, which offer a better price-to-value balance."
\n
According to Mintel, shoppers are no longer loyal to a single retail format. Instead, they alternate between warehouse stores and discount channels depending on purchase scenarios. This crossover trend reflects a broad shift toward flexible, needs-based consumption.
\n
Hema is doubling down on its discount Hema NB format to capture this evolving demand.
\n
Consultancy Kantar Worldpanel data show that Hema NB boosted its penetration by 1.6 percentage points in eastern China during the first quarter of 2025, outpacing growth in traditional retail formats. Overall, Freshippo's reach grew 1.3 percentage points year-on-year in the first quarter.
\n
The company has also accelerated store openings, averaging one new location every five days in 2024.
\n
The NB format, focused on community-based stores offering aggressively priced fresh goods and snacks, has shown particular strength in town-level markets. In the first quarter, discount snack store penetration reached 18 percent, with southern and lower-tier regions seeing the fastest growth.
\n
"Consumers are seeking more value without compromising on quality," Liu said. "Discount retailers that deliver on both fronts are well-positioned to capture share in this new retail landscape."
Visitors enjoy the sunset along the riverside at restaurant bar Under Joy in Chongqing's Ciyun Temple section of Nanbin Road on July 19.
\n
The view of the underutilized spaces under a bridge before their transformation into a restaurant bar.
\n
The spaces have been turned into a popular spot.
\n
Left: The restaurant bar attracts numerous visitors at night. Right: A complimentary bench area is set up along the outmost part of the venue for people to relax by the river.
\n
A chic riverside restaurant bar recently emerged from a once-neglected space beneath an overpass in Chongqing, captivating locals and tourists alike. The space's metamorphosis stands as another innovative example of the city's forward-thinking urban renewal endeavors.
\n
As the venue's name suggests, Under Joy, the restaurant bar is nestled under a bridge in Chongqing's Ciyun Temple section of Nanbin Road, Nan'an district, radiating joy for customers.
\n
Designed with modern flair, the venue boasts an energetic ambience with a misting system that descends from above, creating a dreamlike atmosphere complemented by perfectly appointed lighting. It also offers a stunning view of Chaotianmen Gate, where the Yangtze and Jialing rivers meet. It is one of the city's most iconic landmarks, especially at sunset.
\n
Largely built on mountains and surrounded by the Yangtze and Jialing rivers, Chongqing is often referred to as the "city of mountains" or "city of rivers". It is also known by the moniker "city of bridges".
\n
According to the Chongqing Department of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, the city has more than 20,000 bridges — more than any other city in the country.
\n
In recent years, the densely populated metropolis has discovered a modern solution in utilizing the tremendous amount of space under its bridges by converting them into pocket parks, playgrounds, recreation areas, commercial spaces, pedestrian trails, cycling paths, and parking lots.
\n
One example is the nearly 14-kilometer-long riverside rainbow cycling path from Hongbin Road to Beibin Road in the city's Jiangbei district, which offers a perfect opportunity to enjoy the scenic river views while taking a leisurely bike ride.
\n
"I'm confident that our restaurant bar will be a hit," says Peng Jixiang, the general manager of Under Joy. "It truly is one of a kind."
\n
Since its soft launch earlier in July, the approximately 1,800-square-meter venue has drawn an increasing stream of customers.
\n
Peng, a 26-year-old entrepreneur with a background in the traditional catering industry, envisioned utilizing the cost-effective extra spaces and leveraging the location's geographical advantages to create a secluded yet vibrant corner with the perfect ambience for a diverse clientele, particularly the younger crowd.
\n
The upscale oasis offers a mixed menu featuring American barbecue, Thai cuisine and craft beer, catering to a variety of palates. With the capacity to accommodate up to 500 customers simultaneously, the establishment is a source of great pride for Peng and his 32-year-old friend Wang Xingchen, the project director.
\n
"We have helped in addressing the issue of underutilized spaces in the city," says Wang.
\n
The project, conceived in May last year and approved by the local government in January, required an investment of over 6 million yuan ($834,888) and half a year to complete.
\n
"The most challenging part of the construction involved manually removing a substantial volume of silt and weeds, as the area was inaccessible to large equipment, resulting in high costs and extra time," he notes.
\n
They also had to ensure that the bridge's piers remained untouched to preserve its structural integrity while achieving the desired outcome. To enhance the ambience, they installed lights on the ground, in the greenery, and on the railings.
\n
As the restaurant bar's menu continues to expand, efforts are underway to recruit staff proficient in English to cater to international clients.
\n
Live performances in the evenings add to the vibrant atmosphere.
\n
Notably, along the outermost part of the venue, a complimentary bench area is arranged for people to relax. This spot is favored by locals, including fishing enthusiasts, sanitation workers, and walkers, who unwind free of charge.
\n
Many more underutilized spaces beneath the city's bridges will undergo a transformation through urban renewal.
\n
Contact the writers at dengrui@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
- "content": "
Visitors enjoy the sunset along the riverside at restaurant bar Under Joy in Chongqing's Ciyun Temple section of Nanbin Road on July 19.
\n
The view of the underutilized spaces under a bridge before their transformation into a restaurant bar.
\n
The spaces have been turned into a popular spot.
\n
Left: The restaurant bar attracts numerous visitors at night. Right: A complimentary bench area is set up along the outmost part of the venue for people to relax by the river.
\n
A chic riverside restaurant bar recently emerged from a once-neglected space beneath an overpass in Chongqing, captivating locals and tourists alike. The space's metamorphosis stands as another innovative example of the city's forward-thinking urban renewal endeavors.
\n
As the venue's name suggests, Under Joy, the restaurant bar is nestled under a bridge in Chongqing's Ciyun Temple section of Nanbin Road, Nan'an district, radiating joy for customers.
\n
Designed with modern flair, the venue boasts an energetic ambience with a misting system that descends from above, creating a dreamlike atmosphere complemented by perfectly appointed lighting. It also offers a stunning view of Chaotianmen Gate, where the Yangtze and Jialing rivers meet. It is one of the city's most iconic landmarks, especially at sunset.
\n
Largely built on mountains and surrounded by the Yangtze and Jialing rivers, Chongqing is often referred to as the "city of mountains" or "city of rivers". It is also known by the moniker "city of bridges".
\n
According to the Chongqing Department of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, the city has more than 20,000 bridges — more than any other city in the country.
\n
In recent years, the densely populated metropolis has discovered a modern solution in utilizing the tremendous amount of space under its bridges by converting them into pocket parks, playgrounds, recreation areas, commercial spaces, pedestrian trails, cycling paths, and parking lots.
\n
One example is the nearly 14-kilometer-long riverside rainbow cycling path from Hongbin Road to Beibin Road in the city's Jiangbei district, which offers a perfect opportunity to enjoy the scenic river views while taking a leisurely bike ride.
\n
"I'm confident that our restaurant bar will be a hit," says Peng Jixiang, the general manager of Under Joy. "It truly is one of a kind."
\n
Since its soft launch earlier in July, the approximately 1,800-square-meter venue has drawn an increasing stream of customers.
\n
Peng, a 26-year-old entrepreneur with a background in the traditional catering industry, envisioned utilizing the cost-effective extra spaces and leveraging the location's geographical advantages to create a secluded yet vibrant corner with the perfect ambience for a diverse clientele, particularly the younger crowd.
\n
The upscale oasis offers a mixed menu featuring American barbecue, Thai cuisine and craft beer, catering to a variety of palates. With the capacity to accommodate up to 500 customers simultaneously, the establishment is a source of great pride for Peng and his 32-year-old friend Wang Xingchen, the project director.
\n
"We have helped in addressing the issue of underutilized spaces in the city," says Wang.
\n
The project, conceived in May last year and approved by the local government in January, required an investment of over 6 million yuan ($834,888) and half a year to complete.
\n
"The most challenging part of the construction involved manually removing a substantial volume of silt and weeds, as the area was inaccessible to large equipment, resulting in high costs and extra time," he notes.
\n
They also had to ensure that the bridge's piers remained untouched to preserve its structural integrity while achieving the desired outcome. To enhance the ambience, they installed lights on the ground, in the greenery, and on the railings.
\n
As the restaurant bar's menu continues to expand, efforts are underway to recruit staff proficient in English to cater to international clients.
\n
Live performances in the evenings add to the vibrant atmosphere.
\n
Notably, along the outermost part of the venue, a complimentary bench area is arranged for people to relax. This spot is favored by locals, including fishing enthusiasts, sanitation workers, and walkers, who unwind free of charge.
\n
Many more underutilized spaces beneath the city's bridges will undergo a transformation through urban renewal.
Visitors enjoy themselves at Xiaomi's car plant in suburban Beijing in June.
\n
Obtaining an entrance pass to Xiaomi's car plant in suburban Beijing is like snagging front-row tickets to the world's hottest concert.
\n
"Application accepted!" Wang Shuang crowed, posting a screenshot on social media. "The last time I felt this giddy was when I landed a Taylor Swift concert ticket."
\n
Welcome to China's newest tourism craze — high-tech factories collaborating with ancient palaces and world-class museums to become must-see destinations.
\n
China has been the world's manufacturing powerhouse for years. Yet, in just the past two years, the robust rise of smart manufacturing has revolutionized the country's once-dreary, clang-and-hiss assembly lines into a cultural phenomenon known as the "industrial Disneyland".
\n
Chinese manufacturers aren't the ones who pioneered this factory fascination. France's Citroen ignited the trend in the 1950s, while Boeing and Toyota plants remain top draws in the United States and Japan.
\n
As the country's industrial prowess ascends from the lower rungs of the global supply chain to a technology-driven frontier, a profound shift has taken hold. An increasing number of Chinese people now celebrate mechanical ingenuity with reverence, as their pride in homegrown sectors flourishes.
\n
The registration page of Xiaomi, a headline-grabbing newcomer to the electric vehicle sector last year, was still live-ticking. Beside the tiny line that read "20 spots only", the counter read "4,060 already applied" as a scramble ensued to witness robotic arms assembling electric cars.
\n
Wang snagged that coveted ticket only after camping on the official website for days, finger tap-dancing like a twitchy trigger, until the confirmation flashed on the screen.
\n
Under the scorching sun, lucky visitor Wang stepped into the factory complex as scheduled. The two-hour journey felt like a tech-filled odyssey as she rode a shuttle that zipped through the six major workshops — stamping, large die-casting, body welding, painting, battery assembly, and final assembly.
\n
In her past experiences, factories caused claustrophobia, were dusty, and filled with workers in safety helmets. This time, she saw robotic arms using micron-level precision on the factory floor and AI-driven robots moving freely along planned routes to deliver battery cell components to their destinations.
\n
"It takes only 76 seconds to churn out a new car," Wang exclaims in amazement. "Faster than whipping up a latte."
\n
NIO, another domestic EV manufacturer, opened its "Second Advanced Manufacturing Base" to the public in October 2023. Visitors can tour the facility to observe robotic arms in action from an elevated corridor. In 2024, over 130,000 people visited the site, including 900 from overseas.
\n
The move to open production lines to the public came as China's new energy vehicles topped the global production and sales charts for nine consecutive years. Along with lithium batteries and photovoltaic products, they form China's "new export trio", showcasing the technological upgrades of "Made in China".
\n
Freya Zhang, a research analyst at the investment consulting firm Tech Buzz China, told the journal Wired that China's EV factory tour "offers a chance to not only see the production line up close, but also experience the human side of the brand".
\n
Beyond EVs, emerging tech hubs are also becoming pilgrimage sites. In Hangzhou, an innovation magnet in East China's Zhejiang province, robotics pioneers like Unitree Robotics draw curated tour groups.
\n
At the AG600 final assembly plant in the southern Chinese city of Zhuhai, Guangdong province, where China's premier airshow is hosted, a steady stream of visitors files through the country's only extensive special-mission aircraft production line open to the public.
\n
The AG600 line attracts roughly 40,000 visitors a year, with open-day slots nearly booked out to a crowd dominated by the younger generations. The domestically developed amphibious aircraft, which has entered mass production, can swiftly shuttle between water sources and fire sites, making it a powerful tool for firefighting.
\n
Industry tourism destinations are also emerging from unexpected origins — waste treatment plants. Not far from Zhuhai, Shenzhen, an economic hub also in Guangdong, welcomes visitors to four such "eco parks".
\n
One social platform user from Xiaohongshu (RedNote) posted about their visit: "The true spectacle lies in the industrial-scale choreography of the facility's central sorting hall, where a colossal hydraulic claw, operating with uncanny precision, plunges into mountains of refuse and sorts recyclables. It provides a sense of satisfaction akin to that of playing a claw crane game."
\n
China hosts over 40 percent of the world's "lighthouse factories", which represent the highest level of global intelligent manufacturing. More assembly lines have been digitally transformed, creating an ideal foundation for transforming humans on factory floors into a cultural canvas.
\n
More Chinese cities have made industrial tourism their new growth engine. In February, Beijing vowed to establish five national industrial-tourism demonstration bases by 2027 to become leading destinations by 2029.
\n
The city's tourism blueprint includes opening high-level autonomous driving scenarios, rocket institutes, a low-altitude economy, and green energy routes, while inviting research institutions to grant public access to select labs and assembly halls.
\n
Local governments are also looking to outfit industrial tourism with next-generation stagecraft. Shanghai is set to weave large language models, the metaverse and blockchain into richer cultural narratives. Hunan province in Central China will deploy AR, VR, AI, 5G, 3D cinema, and holography to build immersive worlds.
\n
"Industrial tourism is a nexus where secondary and tertiary industries converge," says Chen Wei, an expert from Tsinghua University. "It can fuel consumption, expand domestic demand, and promote industrial science education."
\n
Among the facilities listed as national industrial tourism demonstration bases are the aerospace supercomputing center in the island province of Hainan and the Zhuzhou electric locomotive production line in Hunan province, according to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
\n
"Fast-tracking industrial tourism is a strategic move in building a modern industrial system, which serves to unlock growth potential for regional economic vitality," says Chen.
An artist describes the detail of an artwork to visitors at the Victory and Peace ceramic art exhibition in Beijing on Friday.
\n
Left: A porcelain work depicts a battle scene of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45). Right: The work uses clay to portray Chinese soldiers, with rich details of a wartime scene.
\n
Online Scan the code to watch the video.
\n
Beneath the soft glow of gallery lights, a monumental ceramic piece grips viewers with its stark intensity. Numbers marking the time period of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) fractured and reassembled in porcelain intertwine with the silhouettes of rifles, uniforms, and the Great Wall.
\n
The work, Remembering: 1931-1945, mirrors the chaos and endurance of a nation under siege, embodying life's fragility and memory's permanence, say its creators, the Chao brothers: Chao Ziyi and Chao Ziwei.
\n
Nearby, the gleaming contours of Peaceful Flourishing Age take the form of a trophy, adorned with rising suns, peace doves, and the Yellow River flowing past evergreen pines. Its glazed surface becomes a declaration that peace is the highest form of victory.
\n
In solemn counterpoint, artist Lyu Pinchang's The Great Victory presents a porcelain warhorse burdened with weapons and armor. Fusing symbols of warfare with the steadfast horse, the piece reflects the brutality of conflict and the longing for peace.
\n
In its stillness, the sculpture captures the pulse of battle, transforming silent clay into a vivid chronicle of war's fragile connection to life.
\n
These works are among more than 30 items that open the chapter Flames of Memory — Porcelain Paints the Homeland at the Victory and Peace ceramic art exhibition in Beijing.
\n
Through clay and glaze, artists re-create an era where blood and fire shaped destiny. The delicate yet enduring nature of porcelain stands in stark contrast to the cruelty of war, engraving the nation's collective memory with dignity, according to the hosts, the China Ceramic Industry Association and its partners.
\n
Each fragile sheen carries both sacrifice and the enduring hope for peace.
\n
Staged at the Beijing Ceramic Art Museum, the exhibition features over 100 masterpieces by more than 500 artists. Running until Sept 1 and open to the public free of charge, it stands as a significant cultural event commemorating the 80th anniversary of victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.
\n
"Eighty years ago, the Chinese people, through immense sacrifice and unyielding will, secured a great victory," said Liu Ting, chairperson of the China Ceramic Industry Association, at the exhibition's opening ceremony on Friday.
\n
He emphasized the exhibition's deeper meaning: "Ceramics, treasures of Chinese civilization, with their timeless quality, serve as an exceptional medium for recording history. With clay as paper and glaze as ink, we etch memory, carry forward spirit, and illuminate the future."
\n
Liu praised the participating artists for skillfully blending historical themes with modern aesthetics, especially the young artists whose fresh perspectives keep the spirit of resistance alive.
\n
The exhibition unfolds through three additional chapters, each offering a distinct yet interwoven perspective on the themes of sacrifice, legacy and peace.
\n
The Iron-Blood Monuments — Sculpting the Soul chapter pays tribute to the noble spirit and immortal contributions of revolutionary martyrs. Through sculptures, porcelain vases and porcelain panels, ceramic artists shape vivid and towering figures, enabling viewers to feel the power of faith in solemn reflection and to recognize the backbone of the nation.
\n
In Passing the Torch — Vessels Bearing Resolve, tradition is reignited through contemporary spirit. Innovative works by modern ceramic artists show how the legacy of resistance continues to resonate today. Artists reinterpret history through modern design language, weaving wartime elements into underglaze motifs and sculpted forms that symbolize resilience. Each vessel becomes a container of resolve.
\n
The final chapter, A Flourishing Era — Porcelain's Hymn to Peace, marks the shift from chaos of war to the calm of peace. Through ceramic art, this section explores the eternal theme of war and peace, capturing the sweeping journey of the Chinese nation from suffering to rejuvenation. Artists use brilliant glazes and flowing lines to depict the prosperity of present-day China — lush mountains and rivers, peace and stability — set in stark contrast to the flames and smoke of war.
\n
All the artworks encourage viewers to cherish peace and carry the wartime spirit forward, contributing to the great dream of national rejuvenation, according to the organizers.
\n
Kang Ning, director of the publicity department of the Beijing-based Museum of the War of Chinese People's Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, described the themed exhibition as a vital step in encouraging ceramic artists to root their creations in the spirit of the times — to document a historic journey, promote national spirit, and share China's story with the world.
\n
To ensure the exhibition captures the grand theme, the organizers invited governments of major porcelain-producing regions, provincial and municipal ceramic industry associations, and a wide network of ceramic artists.
\n
"What touched us deeply was the overwhelming response from all sides," says Dong Bo, vice-chairman of the industry association.
\n
"Ceramic artists poured their passion into works that use clay and glaze to recount those tumultuous years, while local governments and associations actively mobilized resources to support the exhibition," he notes.
\n
Wang Jianzhong, professor at Tsinghua University, and one of the exhibition's judges, notes the poignant symbolism of using ceramics to remember the past.
\n
"In the hands of the artists, cold clay becomes a vessel of memory. Every carved line recalls the sacrifice of the martyrs; every brush of color reflects the value of peace. This exhibition allows us to relive history through art, to recognize the high price of liberation, and to realize how hard-won peace truly is."
\n
The diversity of participating regions and the enthusiastic response, he emphasizes, reflect the profound dedication of ceramic artists to honoring the nation's legacy of resistance and liberation.
\n
Wang praises the ingenuity and thematic precision of the selected works, noting how they effectively embody the exhibition's core message.
\n
"I hope this exhibition grows into a long-standing cultural brand, one that both honors the sacrifices of our forebears and inspires future creations rooted in wisdom, craftsmanship and spirit."
\n
According to organizers, the finest works from the exhibition will be included in the China ceramic digital traceability certification system. Each selected piece will be given a unique digital identity, ensuring that its artistic and historical value is permanently preserved.
\n
This initiative also provides ceramic art enthusiasts and collectors with a credible and authoritative platform for appreciation and collection, further promoting the popularity and development of ceramic art.
\n
Beyond reflection, the exhibition seeks to become a cultural bridge — connecting China with the world and sharing its enduring message of peace and shared future through the timeless language of ceramics.
\n
Contact the writer at yangfeiyue@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
- "content": "
An artist describes the detail of an artwork to visitors at the Victory and Peace ceramic art exhibition in Beijing on Friday.
\n
Left: A porcelain work depicts a battle scene of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45). Right: The work uses clay to portray Chinese soldiers, with rich details of a wartime scene.
\n
Online Scan the code to watch the video.
\n
Beneath the soft glow of gallery lights, a monumental ceramic piece grips viewers with its stark intensity. Numbers marking the time period of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) fractured and reassembled in porcelain intertwine with the silhouettes of rifles, uniforms, and the Great Wall.
\n
The work, Remembering: 1931-1945, mirrors the chaos and endurance of a nation under siege, embodying life's fragility and memory's permanence, say its creators, the Chao brothers: Chao Ziyi and Chao Ziwei.
\n
Nearby, the gleaming contours of Peaceful Flourishing Age take the form of a trophy, adorned with rising suns, peace doves, and the Yellow River flowing past evergreen pines. Its glazed surface becomes a declaration that peace is the highest form of victory.
\n
In solemn counterpoint, artist Lyu Pinchang's The Great Victory presents a porcelain warhorse burdened with weapons and armor. Fusing symbols of warfare with the steadfast horse, the piece reflects the brutality of conflict and the longing for peace.
\n
In its stillness, the sculpture captures the pulse of battle, transforming silent clay into a vivid chronicle of war's fragile connection to life.
\n
These works are among more than 30 items that open the chapter Flames of Memory — Porcelain Paints the Homeland at the Victory and Peace ceramic art exhibition in Beijing.
\n
Through clay and glaze, artists re-create an era where blood and fire shaped destiny. The delicate yet enduring nature of porcelain stands in stark contrast to the cruelty of war, engraving the nation's collective memory with dignity, according to the hosts, the China Ceramic Industry Association and its partners.
\n
Each fragile sheen carries both sacrifice and the enduring hope for peace.
\n
Staged at the Beijing Ceramic Art Museum, the exhibition features over 100 masterpieces by more than 500 artists. Running until Sept 1 and open to the public free of charge, it stands as a significant cultural event commemorating the 80th anniversary of victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.
\n
"Eighty years ago, the Chinese people, through immense sacrifice and unyielding will, secured a great victory," said Liu Ting, chairperson of the China Ceramic Industry Association, at the exhibition's opening ceremony on Friday.
\n
He emphasized the exhibition's deeper meaning: "Ceramics, treasures of Chinese civilization, with their timeless quality, serve as an exceptional medium for recording history. With clay as paper and glaze as ink, we etch memory, carry forward spirit, and illuminate the future."
\n
Liu praised the participating artists for skillfully blending historical themes with modern aesthetics, especially the young artists whose fresh perspectives keep the spirit of resistance alive.
\n
The exhibition unfolds through three additional chapters, each offering a distinct yet interwoven perspective on the themes of sacrifice, legacy and peace.
\n
The Iron-Blood Monuments — Sculpting the Soul chapter pays tribute to the noble spirit and immortal contributions of revolutionary martyrs. Through sculptures, porcelain vases and porcelain panels, ceramic artists shape vivid and towering figures, enabling viewers to feel the power of faith in solemn reflection and to recognize the backbone of the nation.
\n
In Passing the Torch — Vessels Bearing Resolve, tradition is reignited through contemporary spirit. Innovative works by modern ceramic artists show how the legacy of resistance continues to resonate today. Artists reinterpret history through modern design language, weaving wartime elements into underglaze motifs and sculpted forms that symbolize resilience. Each vessel becomes a container of resolve.
\n
The final chapter, A Flourishing Era — Porcelain's Hymn to Peace, marks the shift from chaos of war to the calm of peace. Through ceramic art, this section explores the eternal theme of war and peace, capturing the sweeping journey of the Chinese nation from suffering to rejuvenation. Artists use brilliant glazes and flowing lines to depict the prosperity of present-day China — lush mountains and rivers, peace and stability — set in stark contrast to the flames and smoke of war.
\n
All the artworks encourage viewers to cherish peace and carry the wartime spirit forward, contributing to the great dream of national rejuvenation, according to the organizers.
\n
Kang Ning, director of the publicity department of the Beijing-based Museum of the War of Chinese People's Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, described the themed exhibition as a vital step in encouraging ceramic artists to root their creations in the spirit of the times — to document a historic journey, promote national spirit, and share China's story with the world.
\n
To ensure the exhibition captures the grand theme, the organizers invited governments of major porcelain-producing regions, provincial and municipal ceramic industry associations, and a wide network of ceramic artists.
\n
"What touched us deeply was the overwhelming response from all sides," says Dong Bo, vice-chairman of the industry association.
\n
"Ceramic artists poured their passion into works that use clay and glaze to recount those tumultuous years, while local governments and associations actively mobilized resources to support the exhibition," he notes.
\n
Wang Jianzhong, professor at Tsinghua University, and one of the exhibition's judges, notes the poignant symbolism of using ceramics to remember the past.
\n
"In the hands of the artists, cold clay becomes a vessel of memory. Every carved line recalls the sacrifice of the martyrs; every brush of color reflects the value of peace. This exhibition allows us to relive history through art, to recognize the high price of liberation, and to realize how hard-won peace truly is."
\n
The diversity of participating regions and the enthusiastic response, he emphasizes, reflect the profound dedication of ceramic artists to honoring the nation's legacy of resistance and liberation.
\n
Wang praises the ingenuity and thematic precision of the selected works, noting how they effectively embody the exhibition's core message.
\n
"I hope this exhibition grows into a long-standing cultural brand, one that both honors the sacrifices of our forebears and inspires future creations rooted in wisdom, craftsmanship and spirit."
\n
According to organizers, the finest works from the exhibition will be included in the China ceramic digital traceability certification system. Each selected piece will be given a unique digital identity, ensuring that its artistic and historical value is permanently preserved.
\n
This initiative also provides ceramic art enthusiasts and collectors with a credible and authoritative platform for appreciation and collection, further promoting the popularity and development of ceramic art.
\n
Beyond reflection, the exhibition seeks to become a cultural bridge — connecting China with the world and sharing its enduring message of peace and shared future through the timeless language of ceramics.
\n
Contact the writer at yangfeiyue@chinadaily.com.cn
Visitors appreciate a bamboo artifact (left) and costumes (right) that are among some 50 works on display during an exhibition at the Prince Kung's Palace Museum in Beijing.
\n
Online Scan the code to watch the video.
\n
A dialogue between centuries-old elegance and cutting-edge design unfolds this summer at Prince Kung's Palace Museum in Beijing, where a landmark exhibition explores how Chinese traditions continue to inspire contemporary fashion.
\n
Titled Elegance and Style: A Dialogue Between Prince Kung's Palace and Chinese Fashion (1780-2025), the exhibition opened on July 22 and runs through Oct 19 in Jiale Hall, one of the palace's most historically significant spaces.
\n
It marks the first major contemporary fashion and art showcase within the museum, bridging Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) heritage with the creative energy of 26 leading Chinese designers and artists.
\n
"This isn't just an exhibition. It's a cross-temporal dialogue," says Xu Ning, senior curator and co-initiator of the project.
\n
"We wanted to show how refined living at Prince Kung's Palace translates into today's aesthetic language. History doesn't have to be static — it can flow like fashion," he adds.
\n
Built in 1780, Prince Kung's Palace is one of the largest and best-preserved Qing royal residences open to the public in Beijing. Known for its intricate architecture, elegant gardens and rich decorative arts, the site offers fertile ground for reimagining traditional Chinese lifestyle aesthetics.
\n
The exhibition unfolds across the narrative arc of "Twelve Elegances", echoing the palace's four seasons and 12 lunar months. Each month is represented by a signature scene from the palace, interpreted through nearly 50 works ranging from haute couture and furniture to bamboo crafts and lighting installations.
\n
"We wanted the structure to feel natural and poetic," Xu explains.
\n
"Visitors move from spring to winter, experiencing the shifting mood of the palace while encountering how artists and designers respond to these temporal rhythms."
\n
In the first section, spring bursts to life with a porcelain-inspired couture, reflecting its creator's roots in Jingdezhen (a porcelain-making hub in Jiangxi province) and highlighting shapes of classic Qing Dynasty vessels with an avant-garde sensibility. Nearby, a sofa whose flowing lines are inspired by the bamboo shadows and mist of the palace gardens invites visitors to imagine reclining in comfort, where history and modernity merge.
\n
Summer shifts the tone to celebration, featuring a series of couture which pays tribute to Peking Opera legend Mei Lanfang (1894-1961).The garments highlight the performer's stage presence and integrate elements of daily attire, such as flowing water sleeves and cloud-shaped collars. Bamboo, a recurring motif in the palace's gardens, finds new expression in woven sculpture and geometric paintings.
\n
Autumn dazzles in golden hues, anchored by the palace's two 110-year-old ginkgo trees. Under their canopy, lustrous eco-friendly textiles, woven pieces and couture rich in multi-ethnic influences evoke themes of cultural pilgrimage and renewal.
\n
Winter, by contrast, is whispers of quiet rituals, with sustainable fur pieces and 3D-printed furnishings drawing on ink-wash painting's fluidity.
\n
"Each season has its own emotional resonance. Together, they create a living poem of Chinese aesthetics," Xu says.
\n
For Su Ning, deputy director of the museum, choosing Jiale Hall for the exhibition was a deliberate act of cultural continuity.
\n
"This hall sits on the palace's central axis and was originally used for rituals," Su notes.
\n
"We chose the most prestigious space to present the fusion of traditional elements and modern design. It's a way of showing the palace isn't just a relic — it's still inspiring creativity," she adds.
\n
Su emphasizes that the exhibition aligns with the museum's broader mission to revitalize cultural heritage and make it accessible.
\n
"We're not simply preserving history. We're creating a platform where traditional culture can meet contemporary life and spark new forms of expression."
\n
The collaboration between designers, artists and the museum represents a growing trend in China to translate intangible cultural heritage into contemporary contexts.
\n
"Chinese aesthetics are rooted in harmony with nature, in subtlety and restraint," says Xu.
\n
"Our participating designers are interpreting these values through modern materials and forms, creating works that resonate with younger generations."
\n
Examples include a Spring Garden Gathering series, which infuses traditional motifs like orchids and frost into everyday wear, and a collection of Dancing in the Clouds garments that were crafted with heritage weaving techniques but tailored for the modern stage, Xu points out.
\n
"We hope visitors leave not only admiring the palace's beauty, but also inspired by how tradition can inform our daily lives," Xu says.
\n",
@@ -5258,28 +5346,6 @@
"hash": "f5648f38ebf67f2c61972eaef06240e9",
"highlights": []
},
- {
- "title": "018CULTURE - The Song of Youth sings once again",
- "description": "
A new Chinese musical, The Song of Youth, based on the 1958 novel of the same title by Yang Mo, will be staged at the Beijing Tianqiao Performing Arts Center.
\n
Left: Singer Tan Jing performs the theme song of the musical in Beijing on July 31. Right: (From top) Tenor Wang Kai, director Jia Ding and singer Cao Fujia (right) at the media event in Beijing on July 31.
\n
More than six decades after Yang Mo's iconic novel The Song of Youth captured the hearts and minds of a generation, its spirited protagonist, Lin Daojing, returns in a bold, new form.
\n
A fresh musical adaptation of this 1958 literary classic is set to premiere at the Beijing Tianqiao Performing Arts Center from Oct 3 to 5, it was announced on July 31. It promises to reignite the story's powerful themes of love, conviction, and personal awakening, set against the backdrop of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45).
\n
Jia Ding, the director and scriptwriter of the musical, says: "The Song of Youth influenced our parents' generation. Through this musical, I hope today's youth can experience that generation's spirit and emotions.
\n
"This musical will not only serve as a bridge for communication between today's youth and their parents, but also help young people realize that they share common ground and language with their parents. At its core, this musical is about one word — choice. It's a question every generation must face," he adds.
\n
Considered a "red classic", a genre celebrating revolutionary culture and heroes, the novel by Yang Mo (1914-95) captures the turbulent historical landscape of the 1930s through the personal and ideological evolution of a young woman, Lin Daojing.
\n
Born into a privileged landlord family, Lin rejects the path laid out for her, determined not to serve her family's interests. Rejecting an arranged marriage to a powerful government official, Lin chooses her own path despite losing her teaching job and struggling to establish a career.
\n
At its heart, the story is a romance. Lin's life is deeply shaped by the men she encounters along the way, such as Yu Yongze, who saves her from despair when she is on the brink of suicide, and Lu Jiachuan, a student revolutionary who introduces her to socialist struggles. The author intertwines themes of love and personal growth with the larger social struggles of 1930s China, portraying intimate emotional moments against the backdrop of a nation in crisis.
\n
In 1959, The Song of Youth was adapted into a black-and-white Chinese film, gaining widespread popularity.
\n
"Is it a peaceful life, the pursuit of wealth and status, or commitment to one's ideals? The choices Lin Daojing faces are the same decisions today's youth must confront. In the musical, she makes her choice — and I hope the audience finds their own answers too," Jia Ding says.
\n
Jia Ding, 64, whose real name is Wu Jiading, is a renowned director known for his work on national galas. Since 2021, he has created Chinese musicals that highlight nostalgic stories and "red classics".
\n
In 2021, to mark the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, he directed Xin Hua Bao Tong (Newspaper Boy), which follows a group of teenagers running messages during the war of resistance.
\n
In 2023, he helmed Love Song, a musical about lovers separated by war.
\n
His 2024 work Me & My Lei Feng pays tribute to Lei Feng, a cultural symbol of altruism and humility.
\n
Jia Ding says he enjoys reinterpreting iconic stories because they carry deep cultural meaning. "These stories embody important cultural myths, morals and lessons, and presenting them as musicals allows for a fresh celebration of these values.
\n
"Musicals express these themes through song and choreography, deepening the audience's emotional connection to the story. It's one of the most popular forms of art among today's youth," says Jia Ding.
\n
He says that classic or nostalgic stories, whether based on literature or historical events, often have universal themes that resonate across generations. These themes — love, adventure, loss, and triumph — are powerful when paired with music, making them even more emotionally evocative.
\n
While older generations might be drawn to the nostalgic value, younger audiences are often attracted by the energy and spectacle of the musical format. This cross-generational appeal helps revive and reinvigorate older stories for a new audience.
\n
Composer He Qi, who previously worked with Jia Ding, composed the music for this show.
\n
"I have worked on this project for the past eight months, shaping the sound of this musical to align the rhythm of today's youth with the emotional heartbeat of the characters," says He. "We blend various musical styles — classical, heavy metal, and aria-like songs — to reflect the ups and downs, the intense and tender moments, to give the audience a full emotional experience."
\n
Jia Ding, also a renowned lyricist, wrote the songs for this musical, while Tan Jing, a veteran singer, performs the theme song Ren Lai Ren Wang, or The Flow of Souls, who also serves as the show's vocal coach.
\n
The main cast features Wang Kai as Lu, Gao Tianhe as Yu, and Cao Fujia as Lin.
\n
The production is supported by the Beijing Culture and Arts Fund.
A new Chinese musical, The Song of Youth, based on the 1958 novel of the same title by Yang Mo, will be staged at the Beijing Tianqiao Performing Arts Center.
\n
Left: Singer Tan Jing performs the theme song of the musical in Beijing on July 31. Right: (From top) Tenor Wang Kai, director Jia Ding and singer Cao Fujia (right) at the media event in Beijing on July 31.
\n
More than six decades after Yang Mo's iconic novel The Song of Youth captured the hearts and minds of a generation, its spirited protagonist, Lin Daojing, returns in a bold, new form.
\n
A fresh musical adaptation of this 1958 literary classic is set to premiere at the Beijing Tianqiao Performing Arts Center from Oct 3 to 5, it was announced on July 31. It promises to reignite the story's powerful themes of love, conviction, and personal awakening, set against the backdrop of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45).
\n
Jia Ding, the director and scriptwriter of the musical, says: "The Song of Youth influenced our parents' generation. Through this musical, I hope today's youth can experience that generation's spirit and emotions.
\n
"This musical will not only serve as a bridge for communication between today's youth and their parents, but also help young people realize that they share common ground and language with their parents. At its core, this musical is about one word — choice. It's a question every generation must face," he adds.
\n
Considered a "red classic", a genre celebrating revolutionary culture and heroes, the novel by Yang Mo (1914-95) captures the turbulent historical landscape of the 1930s through the personal and ideological evolution of a young woman, Lin Daojing.
\n
Born into a privileged landlord family, Lin rejects the path laid out for her, determined not to serve her family's interests. Rejecting an arranged marriage to a powerful government official, Lin chooses her own path despite losing her teaching job and struggling to establish a career.
\n
At its heart, the story is a romance. Lin's life is deeply shaped by the men she encounters along the way, such as Yu Yongze, who saves her from despair when she is on the brink of suicide, and Lu Jiachuan, a student revolutionary who introduces her to socialist struggles. The author intertwines themes of love and personal growth with the larger social struggles of 1930s China, portraying intimate emotional moments against the backdrop of a nation in crisis.
\n
In 1959, The Song of Youth was adapted into a black-and-white Chinese film, gaining widespread popularity.
\n
"Is it a peaceful life, the pursuit of wealth and status, or commitment to one's ideals? The choices Lin Daojing faces are the same decisions today's youth must confront. In the musical, she makes her choice — and I hope the audience finds their own answers too," Jia Ding says.
\n
Jia Ding, 64, whose real name is Wu Jiading, is a renowned director known for his work on national galas. Since 2021, he has created Chinese musicals that highlight nostalgic stories and "red classics".
\n
In 2021, to mark the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, he directed Xin Hua Bao Tong (Newspaper Boy), which follows a group of teenagers running messages during the war of resistance.
\n
In 2023, he helmed Love Song, a musical about lovers separated by war.
\n
His 2024 work Me & My Lei Feng pays tribute to Lei Feng, a cultural symbol of altruism and humility.
\n
Jia Ding says he enjoys reinterpreting iconic stories because they carry deep cultural meaning. "These stories embody important cultural myths, morals and lessons, and presenting them as musicals allows for a fresh celebration of these values.
\n
"Musicals express these themes through song and choreography, deepening the audience's emotional connection to the story. It's one of the most popular forms of art among today's youth," says Jia Ding.
\n
He says that classic or nostalgic stories, whether based on literature or historical events, often have universal themes that resonate across generations. These themes — love, adventure, loss, and triumph — are powerful when paired with music, making them even more emotionally evocative.
\n
While older generations might be drawn to the nostalgic value, younger audiences are often attracted by the energy and spectacle of the musical format. This cross-generational appeal helps revive and reinvigorate older stories for a new audience.
\n
Composer He Qi, who previously worked with Jia Ding, composed the music for this show.
\n
"I have worked on this project for the past eight months, shaping the sound of this musical to align the rhythm of today's youth with the emotional heartbeat of the characters," says He. "We blend various musical styles — classical, heavy metal, and aria-like songs — to reflect the ups and downs, the intense and tender moments, to give the audience a full emotional experience."
\n
Jia Ding, also a renowned lyricist, wrote the songs for this musical, while Tan Jing, a veteran singer, performs the theme song Ren Lai Ren Wang, or The Flow of Souls, who also serves as the show's vocal coach.
\n
The main cast features Wang Kai as Lu, Gao Tianhe as Yu, and Cao Fujia as Lin.
\n
The production is supported by the Beijing Culture and Arts Fund.
Left: Yin Zhifa, veteran saxophonist, acts as conductor at the closing ceremony of the 20th World Saxophone Congress in Harbin, Heilongjiang province, on July 31. Right: The 20th World Saxophone Congress opened on July 26 in Harbin, drawing musicians from 33 countries.
\n
HARBIN — At the opening ceremony of the 20th World Saxophone Congress in late July, as a melody filled the venue, 57-year-old Yin Zhifa was swept back to a distant morning in 1976 when he first caught sight of a shimmering saxophone.
\n
Little did he know then that over the next five decades, he would travel across China with his saxophone in hand, bringing fresh melodies to countless listeners.
\n
Yin is a veteran saxophonist who serves as president of the professional saxophone committee of the China Popular Music Association.
\n
He vividly recalls seeing a saxophone for the first time at a public performance when he was 8. "The golden gleam of its brass body and its vibrant, soaring melody instantly captivated me."
\n
Yin began formal training at 9 and joined a local performance troupe at 17, becoming one of China's few saxophonists at that time.
\n
Back then, the saxophone still carried an air of mystery in China. While it occasionally appeared in military honor guard shows or parades, for most people it remained a rare and exotic import from the distant West.
\n
"Only a handful of factory and school bands had saxophones. It looked and sounded incredible, so I worked hard to learn it," Yin says, adding that a light music tape released in 1982 helped introduce the instrument to a wider audience in China.
\n
Recorded by a Beijing-based orchestra, the tape featured the saxophone as the lead instrument, backed by drums and guitar. Its fresh, vibrant sound soon became a symbol of the country's spirit of opening up since late 1970s.
\n
In 1991, Yin joined the Art Ensemble of the All-China Federation of Trade Unions as a saxophonist. During performances across the country, he noticed audiences responding with growing enthusiasm, often erupting in applause during his saxophone solos.
\n
"That's when I decided to popularize the saxophone among the public, because only with widespread affection can it truly thrive," he says.
\n
Over the next three decades, Yin's life would mirror the saxophone's growing popularity in China.
\n
In 1993, he compiled China's first saxophone grading exam textbook, laying the foundation for a standardized evaluation system. Thanks to Yin's persistent advocacy, institutions like the Central Conservatory of Music began launching saxophone programs from 1997 onward, formally introducing the Western instrument into China's higher music education.
\n
"At first, many thought it lacked roots in traditional Chinese instruments, but music knows no borders. A beautiful melody always resonates," Yin says, noting how the iconic piece Going Home sparked a nationwide craze.
\n
In 2002, American saxophonist Kenny G performed Going Home in China, and its tapes and CDs quickly became a "signature melody" heard in shopping malls, school halls and even over park loudspeakers.
\n
"Emphasizing family bonds in traditional culture, Chinese people hold a special connection to the idea of 'returning home', making the name and melody deeply resonate with our emotions," says Yin Shenghua, Yin Zhifa's daughter and a young saxophonist.
\n
Having grown up watching her father promote the instrument, the junior Yin was struck by a deep passion for it after returning from her studies in France.
\n
She observed retired seniors practicing in groups with speakers in Beijing parks, and many 5-year-olds attending saxophone classes in Harbin, the capital of Northeast China's Heilongjiang province.
\n
According to the CPMA, there are now approximately 800,000 people learning to play the saxophone in China.
\n
To further promote the saxophone's popularity, Yin Zhifa compiled simplified notation textbooks for middle-aged and elderly enthusiasts and encouraged manufacturers to produce smaller instruments tailored for children.
\n
For him, the saxophone has been more than a source of joy for Chinese music lovers; it has also served as a bridge for cultural exchange.
\n
From July 26 to 31 this year, the World Saxophone Congress was held in China for the first time, drawing musicians from 33 countries to Harbin. Yin Zhifa and fellow saxophonists believe that this gathering of diverse musical ideas and cultural styles has paved a brighter future for the saxophone in China.
\n
The sheer number of saxophonists and the presence of many large saxophone orchestras is a remarkable achievement, says Arno Bornkamp, president of the International Saxophone Committee.
\n
"Though it originated in the West, the saxophone has taken root in China," the senior Yin says.
\n",
@@ -5302,28 +5368,6 @@
"hash": "82abe8d97c9dfccd347f30abccd0aff1",
"highlights": []
},
- {
- "title": "019SPORTS - Judge returns for Yankees, but can't stop the skid",
- "description": "
Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees reacts as he strikes out during the fourth inning against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, on Tuesday.
\n
A young New York Yankees fan holds up a sign for Aaron Judge before Tuesday's game against the Texas Rangers.
\n
Aaron Judge's highly anticipated return from the 10-day injured list did not go the way the New York Yankees hoped it would, as their abysmal run of results continued with a limp 2-0 loss in the middle game of a three-game series against the Texas Rangers on Tuesday night.
\n
Judge was back in the lineup as the designated hitter following a nearly two-week layoff with a flexor tendon strain in his right elbow, and it was hoped that seeing him back in the rotation, batting third, would inspire the struggling Yanks to overturn a 4-6 run they've been on since the All-Star slugger stood down.
\n
The anticipated jolt didn't materialize, as Rangers ace Nathan Eovaldi sat down 24 of the 25 batters he faced across eight scoreless innings, allowing only one hit.
\n
It was very much a case of poor timing for Judge, who returned to face one of the season's most dominant pitchers, leading the American League with a 1.38 ERA, and also seemed to be struggling for rhythm at the plate, going 0-for-3 and striking out twice.
\n
Following the game, the Yankee captain told the reporters in the Rangers clubhouse that he felt "physically great", but lamented the result, heaping praise on Eovaldi's pitching. "He kept us off the bases and we just couldn't get anything going against him," Judge said.
\n
When asked about the challenge facing the ailing Yankees, he responded: "We've got a lot of work to do. There's a lot of things to clean up.
\n
"You never want the skids to go longer than a week or two, you're gonna go through some tough times, every team does, but, you know, it's about us here in this room.
\n
"We've got to take care of this. It starts with each individual; we've got to look ourselves in the mirror and say: 'hey, I gotta step up, I gotta be better. Enough is enough'.
\n
"The boys here are fired up to change all that and make things right.
\n
"There are a lot of mistakes all around, some mental, some physical, and we've got to fix them and we've got to fix them now."
\n
There's also still no clarity on when the reigning AL MVP will return to the outfield. Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Judge is supposed to start a throwing program Wednesday, but he all but ruled out Judge returning to the outfield this week.
\n
"I don't want to get ahead of myself," Boone said. "See how that first day goes. From there, we'll probably have a better idea after a day or two of that."
\n
Judge, too, was pragmatic, telling the reporters gathered at his locker: "I've no idea, but we'll see how it goes tomorrow, and, hopefully, I can get out there, because we need all of the big boys in the lineup."
\n
Boone said Judge came away from a trip to the team's spring training facility in Tampa, Florida, "pretty upbeat about it".
\n
"I think down in Tampa, he did a lot of things. Didn't throw, but did a lot of things in kind of preparation for that throwing. So far, so good. So, hopefully, when he does start that throwing program, it goes well and he can progress fairly quickly."
\n
Tuesday's loss was Judge's first game since July 25 because of the elbow strain. An MRI showed no acute damage to his ulnar collateral ligament, and he had a platelet-rich injection July 27, when he was placed on the IL in a move retroactive to the previous day. The first time Judge said he felt pain in the elbow was July 22 in Toronto, after he made a strong throw home when George Springer singled to right field.
\n
Judge entered Tuesday night's game hitting .342 and was fourth in the majors with 37 homers and fifth with 85 RBIs.
\n
New York's second loss of the Texas series was the club's fifth in a row, and consigns the Yankees to a second series loss in a row. They have fallen to third place in the AL East behind Toronto and Boston. In first place at the start of July, the Bronx outfit has slumped to six-and-a-half games behind the Blue Jays, and currently holds a wild-card spot three-and-a-half games behind the Red Sox.
\n
"Hopefully, it's the start of something really good," Boone said of Judge's return.
\n
Judge's comeback was part of a bevy of roster moves, headlined by the Yankees sending reliever Jake Bird to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre just five days after acquiring the right-hander from Colorado before the trade deadline.
\n
Bird allowed seven runs — six earned — in two innings over his first three appearances with the Yankees, capped by Josh Jung's three-run homer in the 10th inning of the Rangers' 8-5 victory in the series opener.
\n
"I think he got quite a bit of work there in the first half, a lot of success," Boone said. "And he's had some struggles lately. We still think really highly of him, and think he's not only going to help us this year in the short term, but certainly in the long term, too. So, hopefully, this is something that does give him that little bit of a reset."
\n
The Yankees put newly acquired outfielder Austin Slater on the IL with a left hamstring strain. Slater, traded by the Chicago White Sox last week, exited in the second inning Monday night after running out a fielder's choice grounder.
\n
New York also activated right-hander Mark Leiter Jr, who has been out almost a month with a stress fracture in his leg. Right-handed relief pitcher Yerry De los Santos was recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, and right-hander JT Brubaker was designated for assignment.
\n
Giancarlo Stanton, who has been the Yankees' starting DH for all of his 32 games this season, was displaced by Judge in the lineup. His 10th homer was a two-run shot in the fourth inning on Monday that gave the Yankees a 5-4 lead over the Rangers. He missed the first 70 games of the season with inflammation in the tendons of both elbows.
\n
"That's the tough part," Boone said. "G's been in such a good place for, really, most of the time he's been back. Just feel like he's putting together real consistent at-bats where he's a real threat all the time. That'll be tough to navigate these first few days."
\n",
- "content": "
Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees reacts as he strikes out during the fourth inning against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, on Tuesday.
\n
A young New York Yankees fan holds up a sign for Aaron Judge before Tuesday's game against the Texas Rangers.
\n
Aaron Judge's highly anticipated return from the 10-day injured list did not go the way the New York Yankees hoped it would, as their abysmal run of results continued with a limp 2-0 loss in the middle game of a three-game series against the Texas Rangers on Tuesday night.
\n
Judge was back in the lineup as the designated hitter following a nearly two-week layoff with a flexor tendon strain in his right elbow, and it was hoped that seeing him back in the rotation, batting third, would inspire the struggling Yanks to overturn a 4-6 run they've been on since the All-Star slugger stood down.
\n
The anticipated jolt didn't materialize, as Rangers ace Nathan Eovaldi sat down 24 of the 25 batters he faced across eight scoreless innings, allowing only one hit.
\n
It was very much a case of poor timing for Judge, who returned to face one of the season's most dominant pitchers, leading the American League with a 1.38 ERA, and also seemed to be struggling for rhythm at the plate, going 0-for-3 and striking out twice.
\n
Following the game, the Yankee captain told the reporters in the Rangers clubhouse that he felt "physically great", but lamented the result, heaping praise on Eovaldi's pitching. "He kept us off the bases and we just couldn't get anything going against him," Judge said.
\n
When asked about the challenge facing the ailing Yankees, he responded: "We've got a lot of work to do. There's a lot of things to clean up.
\n
"You never want the skids to go longer than a week or two, you're gonna go through some tough times, every team does, but, you know, it's about us here in this room.
\n
"We've got to take care of this. It starts with each individual; we've got to look ourselves in the mirror and say: 'hey, I gotta step up, I gotta be better. Enough is enough'.
\n
"The boys here are fired up to change all that and make things right.
\n
"There are a lot of mistakes all around, some mental, some physical, and we've got to fix them and we've got to fix them now."
\n
There's also still no clarity on when the reigning AL MVP will return to the outfield. Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Judge is supposed to start a throwing program Wednesday, but he all but ruled out Judge returning to the outfield this week.
\n
"I don't want to get ahead of myself," Boone said. "See how that first day goes. From there, we'll probably have a better idea after a day or two of that."
\n
Judge, too, was pragmatic, telling the reporters gathered at his locker: "I've no idea, but we'll see how it goes tomorrow, and, hopefully, I can get out there, because we need all of the big boys in the lineup."
\n
Boone said Judge came away from a trip to the team's spring training facility in Tampa, Florida, "pretty upbeat about it".
\n
"I think down in Tampa, he did a lot of things. Didn't throw, but did a lot of things in kind of preparation for that throwing. So far, so good. So, hopefully, when he does start that throwing program, it goes well and he can progress fairly quickly."
\n
Tuesday's loss was Judge's first game since July 25 because of the elbow strain. An MRI showed no acute damage to his ulnar collateral ligament, and he had a platelet-rich injection July 27, when he was placed on the IL in a move retroactive to the previous day. The first time Judge said he felt pain in the elbow was July 22 in Toronto, after he made a strong throw home when George Springer singled to right field.
\n
Judge entered Tuesday night's game hitting .342 and was fourth in the majors with 37 homers and fifth with 85 RBIs.
\n
New York's second loss of the Texas series was the club's fifth in a row, and consigns the Yankees to a second series loss in a row. They have fallen to third place in the AL East behind Toronto and Boston. In first place at the start of July, the Bronx outfit has slumped to six-and-a-half games behind the Blue Jays, and currently holds a wild-card spot three-and-a-half games behind the Red Sox.
\n
"Hopefully, it's the start of something really good," Boone said of Judge's return.
\n
Judge's comeback was part of a bevy of roster moves, headlined by the Yankees sending reliever Jake Bird to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre just five days after acquiring the right-hander from Colorado before the trade deadline.
\n
Bird allowed seven runs — six earned — in two innings over his first three appearances with the Yankees, capped by Josh Jung's three-run homer in the 10th inning of the Rangers' 8-5 victory in the series opener.
\n
"I think he got quite a bit of work there in the first half, a lot of success," Boone said. "And he's had some struggles lately. We still think really highly of him, and think he's not only going to help us this year in the short term, but certainly in the long term, too. So, hopefully, this is something that does give him that little bit of a reset."
\n
The Yankees put newly acquired outfielder Austin Slater on the IL with a left hamstring strain. Slater, traded by the Chicago White Sox last week, exited in the second inning Monday night after running out a fielder's choice grounder.
\n
New York also activated right-hander Mark Leiter Jr, who has been out almost a month with a stress fracture in his leg. Right-handed relief pitcher Yerry De los Santos was recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, and right-hander JT Brubaker was designated for assignment.
\n
Giancarlo Stanton, who has been the Yankees' starting DH for all of his 32 games this season, was displaced by Judge in the lineup. His 10th homer was a two-run shot in the fourth inning on Monday that gave the Yankees a 5-4 lead over the Rangers. He missed the first 70 games of the season with inflammation in the tendons of both elbows.
\n
"That's the tough part," Boone said. "G's been in such a good place for, really, most of the time he's been back. Just feel like he's putting together real consistent at-bats where he's a real threat all the time. That'll be tough to navigate these first few days."
Liverpool's new attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz in action during a preseason friendly against Athletic Bilbao on Monday.
\n
LONDON — Florian Wirtz says his huge price tag "doesn't matter", as he prepares for his first season in the Premier League after a switch to champion Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen.
\n
The attacking midfielder arrived at Anfield for an initial 100 million pounds ($132 million) that could rise to 116 million with add-ons, making his move a potential British record.
\n
However, speaking after impressing in a 3-2 friendly win over Athletic Bilbao on Monday, the 22-year-old brushed off the size of his transfer fee.
\n
"I don't think about it. I just want to play football, and how much money the clubs pay between each other, it doesn't matter," he said.
\n
"Of course the big challenge is to win the title again, and it is the most difficult thing, so (I will) try and just create chances and also work against the ball.
\n
"I can also run a lot, so (I will) bring this to the team and, then, with the ball, I can make the team better and put my teammates into better situations."
\n
Liverpool faces FA Cup winner Crystal Palace in the season-opening Community Shield on Sunday and kicks off its Premier League title defense at home to Bournemouth on Aug 15.
\n
Germany international Wirtz said he was relishing the challenge.
\n
"There are some differences to Germany, but I think there is also something I can learn and make me better, so, I am really looking forward to it," he said.
\n
"It's more intense and more physical, every player is really strong, really fast. That is what everybody is telling me."
\n
Big spender
\n
Liverpool has spent more than 250 million pounds so far in the summer transfer window on a clutch of new players, including Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong, who also came from Leverkusen, and Giorgi Mamardashvili.
\n
The club is understood to have made a bid of around 110 million pounds, plus potential add-ons, for unsettled Newcastle striker Alexander Isak last week, which was later rejected.
\n
Manager Arne Slot said after two friendlies against Athletic Bilbao at Anfield on Monday that there was "always room for improvement", despite the club's march to a record-equaling 20th league title last season.
\n
"We've added a few, in my opinion, extra weapons," said the Dutchman. "So, Florian has a lot of creativity in the final third. We've lost, with Trent (Alexander-Arnold, who signed for Real Madrid), a lot of creativity from the back.
\n
"Trent's crosses and ability to pick out runners were so special — I think Flo has this quality, as well, in a totally different position."
\n
Liverpool paid tribute to late forward Diogo Jota in their first matches at Anfield since the forward and his brother Andre Silva died in a car accident in Spain last month.
\n
Slot said in his match program notes that it had been a "tough time for everyone connected with the club, but especially for Diogo's family, his wife, his children and friends".
\n
"We cannot imagine the pain that they have been going through, and the club will continue to give them all the support they can to go forward," he wrote.
\n
"We will always carry him with us in our hearts, in our thoughts, wherever we go."
In exactly six months' time the spotlight will shine on the tiny Alpine town of Cortina d'Ampezzo, which, along with the city of Milan, will be staging the Winter Olympics.
\n
The Games also took place in the resort in 1956, but for Cortina native and Olympic champion curler Stefania Constantini, the 2026 edition promises to be extra special.
\n
"I think it will be a really big event in a really little mountain village," Constantini said.
\n
"Cortina is a little village, yes, but it's huge for me. I think Cortina is special, it is a really beautiful place, which also survives thanks to the tourists.
\n
"When Cortina will host the Olympics, a lot of people will come and see us compete. People will have the chance to see a really good level of sport, but also to enjoy a great place. It will be a really special moment."
\n
Constantini will be a defending champion at next year's Games after teaming up with Amos Mosaner to secure Italy's first curling medal in the mixed doubles three-and-a-half years ago in Beijing.
\n
The 26-year-old, who, as well as being an Olympic medal-winning athlete, is also a member of the Italian police force, said her success at the 2022 Games had transformed both the sport's profile in the country, and her own life.
\n
"In Italy, curling is not a very big sport," she added. "What me and Amos did in Beijing really made a difference. It's really good to see how Italians right now are cheering for us and follow us during our tournaments, our preparation.
\n
"Curling is not very big, but we are growing. My life really changed a lot in one week, before leaving for China I was just a normal girl working part-time and playing.
\n
"I came back a week later with a gold medal. We were nobody, and then, we came back and it was'OK, now we know you. Now you are someone important in Italy'."
\n
As host, Italy is guaranteed spots in all three curling events at the 2026 Games, with Constantini saying the nation's curlers would relish the prospect of having a home crowd cheering them on.
\n
Hometown support
\n
"I have lived two different experiences. I played in China, really far from home, where it was easy to focus just on curling," she added.
\n
"It was just me, my sport, my team. In less than one year, it will be really different, because we will play in Italy. I will play in my hometown with my family, my friends.
\n
"It will be a little weird. Usually we don't have anyone that is cheering for us during the competition, because we play a lot in Canada.
\n
"It will be really fun to compete with fans that are cheering for us, making some noise for us."
\n
After parting ways following their Beijing triumph, Constantini once again linked up with Mosaner this year, and the pair are favorites to bring home another gold medal after taking the title at the world championships in May.
\n
"It's funny, because we played together in the Olympics and then we didn't play together for three years," Constantini said.
\n
"I think we did great, we didn't practice very much before the world championships. We did just some practice together, throwing rocks and trying to find our dynamics again.
\n
"But, it was not a problem at all. I think we really communicate well. We work together. We listen to each other. I think we can really find that perfect dynamic on the ice."
\n",
- "content": "
In exactly six months' time the spotlight will shine on the tiny Alpine town of Cortina d'Ampezzo, which, along with the city of Milan, will be staging the Winter Olympics.
\n
The Games also took place in the resort in 1956, but for Cortina native and Olympic champion curler Stefania Constantini, the 2026 edition promises to be extra special.
\n
"I think it will be a really big event in a really little mountain village," Constantini said.
\n
"Cortina is a little village, yes, but it's huge for me. I think Cortina is special, it is a really beautiful place, which also survives thanks to the tourists.
\n
"When Cortina will host the Olympics, a lot of people will come and see us compete. People will have the chance to see a really good level of sport, but also to enjoy a great place. It will be a really special moment."
\n
Constantini will be a defending champion at next year's Games after teaming up with Amos Mosaner to secure Italy's first curling medal in the mixed doubles three-and-a-half years ago in Beijing.
\n
The 26-year-old, who, as well as being an Olympic medal-winning athlete, is also a member of the Italian police force, said her success at the 2022 Games had transformed both the sport's profile in the country, and her own life.
\n
"In Italy, curling is not a very big sport," she added. "What me and Amos did in Beijing really made a difference. It's really good to see how Italians right now are cheering for us and follow us during our tournaments, our preparation.
\n
"Curling is not very big, but we are growing. My life really changed a lot in one week, before leaving for China I was just a normal girl working part-time and playing.
\n
"I came back a week later with a gold medal. We were nobody, and then, we came back and it was'OK, now we know you. Now you are someone important in Italy'."
\n
As host, Italy is guaranteed spots in all three curling events at the 2026 Games, with Constantini saying the nation's curlers would relish the prospect of having a home crowd cheering them on.
\n
Hometown support
\n
"I have lived two different experiences. I played in China, really far from home, where it was easy to focus just on curling," she added.
\n
"It was just me, my sport, my team. In less than one year, it will be really different, because we will play in Italy. I will play in my hometown with my family, my friends.
\n
"It will be a little weird. Usually we don't have anyone that is cheering for us during the competition, because we play a lot in Canada.
\n
"It will be really fun to compete with fans that are cheering for us, making some noise for us."
\n
After parting ways following their Beijing triumph, Constantini once again linked up with Mosaner this year, and the pair are favorites to bring home another gold medal after taking the title at the world championships in May.
\n
"It's funny, because we played together in the Olympics and then we didn't play together for three years," Constantini said.
\n
"I think we did great, we didn't practice very much before the world championships. We did just some practice together, throwing rocks and trying to find our dynamics again.
\n
"But, it was not a problem at all. I think we really communicate well. We work together. We listen to each other. I think we can really find that perfect dynamic on the ice."
Veteran guard Zhao Rui (No 8) shows his class in clutch time, helping China hold off a late surge by host Saudi Arabia and snatch a 93-88 group-stage win at the FIBA Asia Cup on Monday.
\n
Team China forward Hu Jinqiu goes for a layup during a hard-fought 93-88 opening win against host Saudi Arabia at the FIBA Asia Cup in Jeddah on Monday.
\n\n
Team China barely surviving in its Asia Cup opener against the host has provided another harsh reminder of its current power slump, as the reshuffled squad pushes on with its youth movement in the hope of a future turnaround.
\n
Opening its group phase at the Cup tournament against underdog Saudi Arabia, China kept fans on the edge of their seats, grim-faced and fists-clenched, until the dying seconds of Monday's game, before it edged out the host 93-88 in a much-tougher-than-expected battle in the Red Sea city of Jeddah.
\n
To put fans' critical takeaway into perspective — China thrashed the Saudis 98-10 in their previous meeting, a knockout game at the 2005 Asian championship, with NBA All-Star Yao Ming, in his prime, left resting on the bench.
\n
Of course, over the past two decades, the Gulf nation has developed leaps and bounds in a game that was never a mainstream sport in the region, thanks in part to help from North American-born naturalized talent.
\n
It is the sharp decline of Team China's competitiveness, though, that has fans and media worried about its own future prospects in the popular ball game.
\n
For a national program that once did the country proud with a quarterfinal run at its home Olympics in Beijing in 2008, investing in youth — underlined by sending a raw team with little international experience to Saudi — seems to be the right move, as it looks to rebuild following the disappointment of missing out on the past two Olympics in Tokyo and Paris.
\n
Head coach Guo Shiqiang anticipates a tough learning curve for the young team, with an average age of 26 and only three players from the 2023 World Cup roster.
\n
"It was a tough game for both teams, especially for us. Playing the opening game against the host nation was a difficult challenge," Guo said afterward.
\n
"We prepared thoroughly for this game, and I give credit to my players for staying focused and executing our plans well throughout 40 minutes."
\n
After a slow start, Team China adjusted well in the latter part of the first half, taking a 10-point lead into the interval and extending the margin to 15 points in the third quarter. The host, though, launched a fierce counterattack, tearing China's defense apart by knocking down contested deep 3s and scoring putbacks off offensive rebounds.
\n
Led by American-born guard Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman, the Saudis cut China's lead to just five points, with the scoreboard reading 90-85 with 1:42 remaining, partially thanks to a series of Chinese turnovers in the face of Saudi's full-court press, bringing back bitter memories of similar last-minute collapses the team suffered in multiple games at the 2023 World Cup and Asian Games.
\n
China, though, was able to hold its nerve when it mattered most, led by veteran guard Zhao Rui and forward Hu Jinqiu, who together contributed 39 points, nine rebounds and six assists to help fend off the surging Saudi comeback and secure the win.
\n
Abdur-Rahkman, a former Michigan Wolverines sharpshooter in the NCAA D1 tournament, finished with a game-high 32 points.
\n
Despite the opening win, Team China's lack of consistency in free throws, exposed by its subpar 67.7 percent shooting on the line, and sloppy play in clutch time, underlined by only 13 points scored in the fourth quarter, 10 fewer than the host, suggests Guo's unit remains a work in progress.
\n
"This is a first international tournament for many players in this national squad, and some are still adjusting to the pressure of competition at this level," said team captain Zhao.
\n
"The older guys tried to lead by example today, but going forward, we need more players to step up. That's the only way we'll grow. The further we go, the tougher it gets."
\n
Team China returns to action on Thursday, when it faces India in its second group game, before a final round-robin matchup against Jordan on Saturday. The group winner will advance into the quarterfinals directly.
Players from Sweden and Thailand compete for the ball in a floor ball — or soft hockey — preliminary match at the Chengdu World Games on Wednesday.
\n\n
CHENGDU — With opening ceremony set to kick off proceedings at the 12th World Games on Thursday, International World Games Association (IWGA) president Jose Perurena Lopez declared that Chengdu's preparations have exceeded all expectations, positioning the event to make history.
\n
"My expectations two years ago were very high, but I think it's exceeded all of them," Perurena told Xinhua on Tuesday. "We guarantee that Chengdu will organize the best World Games ever, because the quality of the venues, volunteers and the organizing committee are higher than professional."
\n
The Games' inaugural torch relay, integrating China's ancient heritage with modern sporting spirit, left a profound impression on the IWGA leadership. The torch, named "Zhu Meng" — meaning "Bamboo Dream", and symbolizing the pursuit of dreams — was inspired the bronze sculptures from the Sanxingdui Ruins and the bamboo forests of Sichuan. The relay began at the Sanxingdui Museum, where the flame was kindled using green energy by former curators of the site.
\n
The 11km relay route spanned six cultural landmarks across the cities of Chengdu, Deyang and Meishan, including the Jinsha Ruins, Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding and the San Su Shrine.
\n
"This is something we can easily bring together," noted IWGA CEO Joachim Gossow, emphasizing the relay's cultural resonance. Perurena added that it motivated the population, and showcased "different scenarios, different cities" globally, receiving "very positive feedback".
\n
The World Games' role in promoting sports outside the Olympic program was underscored by both leaders. Perurena highlighted its function as a proving ground: "We represent the sports that are recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), but are not in the Olympic Games. They need our Games to show they are ready."
\n
Gossow reinforced this, noting the growing convergence. "When you look at the IOC's choice of sports for future Olympics, nearly all are World Games sports," he said, further challenging perceptions. "Being Olympic or non-Olympic is not a sign of being good or bad."
\n
Having hosted the 2023 FISU World University Games, Chengdu's accelerated development stunned IWGA officials. Gossow, who attended the University Games in Chengdu, observed: "I'm even more impressed how much more effort they put, now, into promoting the World Games. The venues, the look of the Games and all the services."
\n
China will field its largest delegation ever — 489 members, including 321 athletes competing across 28 sports. The team will debut in 12 sports, and it marks China's first delegation of para-athletes at the Games.
\n
Running from Aug 7 to 17, the Chengdu World Games will feature 34 sports, 60 disciplines and 256 events, with approximately 5,000 athletes from around 110 countries and regions competing.
\n",
- "content": "
Players from Sweden and Thailand compete for the ball in a floor ball — or soft hockey — preliminary match at the Chengdu World Games on Wednesday.
\n\n
CHENGDU — With opening ceremony set to kick off proceedings at the 12th World Games on Thursday, International World Games Association (IWGA) president Jose Perurena Lopez declared that Chengdu's preparations have exceeded all expectations, positioning the event to make history.
\n
"My expectations two years ago were very high, but I think it's exceeded all of them," Perurena told Xinhua on Tuesday. "We guarantee that Chengdu will organize the best World Games ever, because the quality of the venues, volunteers and the organizing committee are higher than professional."
\n
The Games' inaugural torch relay, integrating China's ancient heritage with modern sporting spirit, left a profound impression on the IWGA leadership. The torch, named "Zhu Meng" — meaning "Bamboo Dream", and symbolizing the pursuit of dreams — was inspired the bronze sculptures from the Sanxingdui Ruins and the bamboo forests of Sichuan. The relay began at the Sanxingdui Museum, where the flame was kindled using green energy by former curators of the site.
\n
The 11km relay route spanned six cultural landmarks across the cities of Chengdu, Deyang and Meishan, including the Jinsha Ruins, Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding and the San Su Shrine.
\n
"This is something we can easily bring together," noted IWGA CEO Joachim Gossow, emphasizing the relay's cultural resonance. Perurena added that it motivated the population, and showcased "different scenarios, different cities" globally, receiving "very positive feedback".
\n
The World Games' role in promoting sports outside the Olympic program was underscored by both leaders. Perurena highlighted its function as a proving ground: "We represent the sports that are recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), but are not in the Olympic Games. They need our Games to show they are ready."
\n
Gossow reinforced this, noting the growing convergence. "When you look at the IOC's choice of sports for future Olympics, nearly all are World Games sports," he said, further challenging perceptions. "Being Olympic or non-Olympic is not a sign of being good or bad."
\n
Having hosted the 2023 FISU World University Games, Chengdu's accelerated development stunned IWGA officials. Gossow, who attended the University Games in Chengdu, observed: "I'm even more impressed how much more effort they put, now, into promoting the World Games. The venues, the look of the Games and all the services."
\n
China will field its largest delegation ever — 489 members, including 321 athletes competing across 28 sports. The team will debut in 12 sports, and it marks China's first delegation of para-athletes at the Games.
\n
Running from Aug 7 to 17, the Chengdu World Games will feature 34 sports, 60 disciplines and 256 events, with approximately 5,000 athletes from around 110 countries and regions competing.
As Chengdu prepares to host the World Games, the city has placed sustainability, frugality and environmental responsibility at the center of its venue planning and construction.
\n
Rather than building new facilities, all 27 competition venues have been completed, with organizers pursuing a "renovate or reuse" approach. Temporary structures from the 2024 ITTF Mixed Team World Cup have been repurposed from Table Tennis to host kickboxing and Muay Thai, reducing the need for new construction.
\n
"We reduced the number of newly built temporary structures, reusing nearly 500 square meters of existing facilities," said Tan Bingxiao, deputy director of operations at Sichuan Provincial Gymnasium.
\n
Upgrades prioritized environmentally friendly materials, energy-efficient systems and reusable components to cut carbon emissions and ensure venues remain useful after the Games.
\n
One of the city's best-known facilities, the 50-year-old Chengdu North Sports Center, has been renovated to host dance sport events — standard, Latin and breaking.
\n
"The lighting system uses energy-saving fixtures that consume far less than standard bulbs," said Li Yuanyuan, head of the venue's dance sport competition operations. She added that the venue now features permeable concrete paving to lower surface temperatures, reducing reliance on air conditioning that, in turn, helps cut emissions.
\n
Fifteen venues are outdoors, with several set in parks and public waterways, integrating the competitions into the "park city "development vision. At Guixi Ecological Park, flying disc events will take place in temporary tents, stands and shelters set up on the grass. All structures will be dismantled after competition to return the park to its original state.
\n
The World Games, the highest-level international multi-sport event mainly for non-Olympic disciplines, open on Thursday night in Chengdu, featuring 34 sports, 60 disciplines and 256 events.
\n
At Chengdu Sport University, sustainability measures include leasing UPS power units, sound systems, shelters and cable bridges to cut costs and emissions from production and transport.
\n
"We applied a venue-specific budgeting approach, using what we can borrow, renting instead of buying when necessary," said Lan Renqin, deputy director of the venue center.
\n
The university will host underwater sports, life saving, boules and flying disc. "We used foldable furniture and convertible spaces to ensure the venue can transition seamlessly for long-term use," Lan said.
\n
"Equipment like LED screens and lighting systems will be repurposed for school training after the Games."
",
@@ -5434,28 +5434,6 @@
"hash": "ca8750eb81437222fcf26ce850dc0a9c",
"highlights": []
},
- {
- "title": "001FRONT - Training helps to empower Global South",
- "description": "
An instructor guides a Pakistani student majoring in electrical automation during a training session at the Luban Workshop of Tianjin Modern Vocational Technology College on June 16.
\n
When Joseph Njane, a railway training officer from Kenya, boarded for the first time a high-speed train from Beijing to Wuhan and then Guangzhou, he was captivated by the speed, safety and technological sophistication of the country's railway network.
\n
The three-week training session in 2019, provided by Beijing Jiaotong University, allowed Njane, who works for Afristar, the company that operates the Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway, to learn about China's scientific approach to railway planning and construction, control and monitoring systems.
\n
"Seeing China's railway network firsthand was really eye-opening," he said, adding that the field trip ignited his desire to bring the advanced technology back to help modernize Kenya's railway systems.
\n
"The knowledge that I acquired, the scientific methods and models, can be used for our railways in Africa to improve the capacity and utilization of our lines."
\n
Three years later, Njane participated in an online course also provided by the Beijing Jiaotong University, which he said enhanced his understanding of railway systems, from the structure of the railroad to dispatching technologies.
\n
The most valuable takeaway of the training was China's emphasis on integrating technology with education, he said.
\n
"The two training courses enabled and inspired me to come up with something that can be used in Kenya to train our staff and ensure their access to railway knowledge."
\n
When he returned to Kenya, Njane established an online system where he uploaded the training materials from his visits to China and online training.
\n
Now, any employee can log in and access those training materials within minutes, even though they did not get a chance to study in China, Njane said. "This accelerates technology transfer from Chinese experts to Kenyan workers."
\n
The type of training that Njane received, as part of China's international human resources development cooperation, is seen as an important aspect of the country's foreign aid.
\n
Over the past 70 years, China has carried out nearly 15,000 training programs for over 180 countries and organizations through various forms such as short- and medium-term training programs in China, overseas expert consultations and youth volunteer services.
\n
These programs have covered 17 fields and trained more than 500,000 professionals in total, according to Li Ming, a spokesman for the China International Development Cooperation Agency.
\n
China's foreign aid training programs focus on cultivating and enhancing the recipient countries' self-development capabilities, playing a vital role in international economic and technological exchanges and cooperation, he said.
\n
Li shared examples such as a Rwandan trainee who founded a Juncao production company upon returning home, after learning about Juncao (mushroom and grass) technology in China, thereby helping to lift over 50,000 local farmers out of poverty.
\n
An Iraqi trainee brought back China's "checkerboard" sand control method to combat desertification in Iraq, Li said, adding that another trainee from Afghanistan used emergency response training to prevent an explosion in Kabul.
\n
The agency plans to launch over 2,000 training programs for more than 50,000 participants in 2025, he said, adding that China will continue to design development cooperation projects and provide 100,000 training and study opportunities to Global South countries over the next five years.
\n
Two-way exchange
\n
Jing Guoqing, a professor at the highway and railway engineering department of Beijing Jiaotong University, said that sharing China's railway development philosophy and experience allows participants to share insights into their countries' railway challenges and expectations.
\n
"Teaching is a two-way process," Jing said. During the training, the trainees share their experiences, concerns, questions and aspirations, and such feedback is valuable for Chinese companies operating overseas, helping them to navigate cultural differences and improve their projects, he said.
\n
"Foreign aid training plays a crucial role in bridging Chinese enterprises and international stakeholders, ensuring smoother cooperation," Jing said.
\n
Such training helps to enhance local engineers and officials' understanding of China's technical expertise and project management approaches, he said, adding that as the locals become more familiar with Chinese standards, they trust Chinese companies more and feel more confident in adopting those standards.
\n
"In this way, it will help China to promote its technology and standards overseas," he added.
\n
Jing said that China should focus more on vocational training such as railway technology, new energy vehicle-related skills and photovoltaic installation, areas that will efficiently boost local development while fostering long-term partnerships with developing countries.
\n
Knowledge transfer
\n
Liu Xian, a research associate at the Institute of International Development Cooperation at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation of the Ministry of Commerce, said that the fundamental mission of human resource development cooperation is to "teach people how to fish" rather than mechanically export China's model.
\n
"It is about unreservedly sharing China's experience and technology, enabling partners to grasp not only the 'how' but also the 'why' of the country's development practices through interaction," Liu said.
\n
Stephen Ndegwa, executive director of South-South Dialogues, a Nairobi-based development communication think tank, said that by providing actionable knowledge, recipient nations will be able to adapt Chinese methods to their unique contexts, focusing on long-term planning and development models.
\n
Ndegwa said that the impact of China's training programs is evident in their ability to strengthen development capacity and promote modernization in recipient nations.
\n
Through skill development, policy learning and South-South cooperation, these programs equip participants with the tools needed to enhance local industries, improve productivity and develop homegrown policies inspired by China's success, Ndegwa said.
\n
He noted that lessons from China's experience, such as prioritizing public investment in critical sectors, offer valuable insights for African countries seeking to balance tradition with innovation while pursuing their development goals.
\n
As the Global South pursues its modernization journey, cooperation with China is expected to focus on inclusive growth, technology-driven development, and resilient infrastructure, he added.
\n
Ndegwa stressed that China's approach to foreign aid training is practical and results-oriented.
\n
The training programs emphasize respect for sovereignty and noninterference in domestic affairs, offering flexible knowledge that countries can adapt to their own governance structures, he said.
\n
Participants often highlight the focus on tangible outcomes, such as improved infrastructure and poverty reduction, he added.
\n
According to a survey regarding China's foreign aid training by the Institute of International Development Cooperation at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, which was conducted among over 1,400 participants from 32 countries and regions, 75.89 percent of participants believed the training significantly improved their professional knowledge or skills.
\n
The survey found that 75.23 percent of participants feel that the training greatly enhanced their career competitiveness, while 75.38 percent find the experiences gained in China highly applicable in their home countries.
\n
zhoujin@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
- "content": "
An instructor guides a Pakistani student majoring in electrical automation during a training session at the Luban Workshop of Tianjin Modern Vocational Technology College on June 16.
\n
When Joseph Njane, a railway training officer from Kenya, boarded for the first time a high-speed train from Beijing to Wuhan and then Guangzhou, he was captivated by the speed, safety and technological sophistication of the country's railway network.
\n
The three-week training session in 2019, provided by Beijing Jiaotong University, allowed Njane, who works for Afristar, the company that operates the Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway, to learn about China's scientific approach to railway planning and construction, control and monitoring systems.
\n
"Seeing China's railway network firsthand was really eye-opening," he said, adding that the field trip ignited his desire to bring the advanced technology back to help modernize Kenya's railway systems.
\n
"The knowledge that I acquired, the scientific methods and models, can be used for our railways in Africa to improve the capacity and utilization of our lines."
\n
Three years later, Njane participated in an online course also provided by the Beijing Jiaotong University, which he said enhanced his understanding of railway systems, from the structure of the railroad to dispatching technologies.
\n
The most valuable takeaway of the training was China's emphasis on integrating technology with education, he said.
\n
"The two training courses enabled and inspired me to come up with something that can be used in Kenya to train our staff and ensure their access to railway knowledge."
\n
When he returned to Kenya, Njane established an online system where he uploaded the training materials from his visits to China and online training.
\n
Now, any employee can log in and access those training materials within minutes, even though they did not get a chance to study in China, Njane said. "This accelerates technology transfer from Chinese experts to Kenyan workers."
\n
The type of training that Njane received, as part of China's international human resources development cooperation, is seen as an important aspect of the country's foreign aid.
\n
Over the past 70 years, China has carried out nearly 15,000 training programs for over 180 countries and organizations through various forms such as short- and medium-term training programs in China, overseas expert consultations and youth volunteer services.
\n
These programs have covered 17 fields and trained more than 500,000 professionals in total, according to Li Ming, a spokesman for the China International Development Cooperation Agency.
\n
China's foreign aid training programs focus on cultivating and enhancing the recipient countries' self-development capabilities, playing a vital role in international economic and technological exchanges and cooperation, he said.
\n
Li shared examples such as a Rwandan trainee who founded a Juncao production company upon returning home, after learning about Juncao (mushroom and grass) technology in China, thereby helping to lift over 50,000 local farmers out of poverty.
\n
An Iraqi trainee brought back China's "checkerboard" sand control method to combat desertification in Iraq, Li said, adding that another trainee from Afghanistan used emergency response training to prevent an explosion in Kabul.
\n
The agency plans to launch over 2,000 training programs for more than 50,000 participants in 2025, he said, adding that China will continue to design development cooperation projects and provide 100,000 training and study opportunities to Global South countries over the next five years.
\n
Two-way exchange
\n
Jing Guoqing, a professor at the highway and railway engineering department of Beijing Jiaotong University, said that sharing China's railway development philosophy and experience allows participants to share insights into their countries' railway challenges and expectations.
\n
"Teaching is a two-way process," Jing said. During the training, the trainees share their experiences, concerns, questions and aspirations, and such feedback is valuable for Chinese companies operating overseas, helping them to navigate cultural differences and improve their projects, he said.
\n
"Foreign aid training plays a crucial role in bridging Chinese enterprises and international stakeholders, ensuring smoother cooperation," Jing said.
\n
Such training helps to enhance local engineers and officials' understanding of China's technical expertise and project management approaches, he said, adding that as the locals become more familiar with Chinese standards, they trust Chinese companies more and feel more confident in adopting those standards.
\n
"In this way, it will help China to promote its technology and standards overseas," he added.
\n
Jing said that China should focus more on vocational training such as railway technology, new energy vehicle-related skills and photovoltaic installation, areas that will efficiently boost local development while fostering long-term partnerships with developing countries.
\n
Knowledge transfer
\n
Liu Xian, a research associate at the Institute of International Development Cooperation at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation of the Ministry of Commerce, said that the fundamental mission of human resource development cooperation is to "teach people how to fish" rather than mechanically export China's model.
\n
"It is about unreservedly sharing China's experience and technology, enabling partners to grasp not only the 'how' but also the 'why' of the country's development practices through interaction," Liu said.
\n
Stephen Ndegwa, executive director of South-South Dialogues, a Nairobi-based development communication think tank, said that by providing actionable knowledge, recipient nations will be able to adapt Chinese methods to their unique contexts, focusing on long-term planning and development models.
\n
Ndegwa said that the impact of China's training programs is evident in their ability to strengthen development capacity and promote modernization in recipient nations.
\n
Through skill development, policy learning and South-South cooperation, these programs equip participants with the tools needed to enhance local industries, improve productivity and develop homegrown policies inspired by China's success, Ndegwa said.
\n
He noted that lessons from China's experience, such as prioritizing public investment in critical sectors, offer valuable insights for African countries seeking to balance tradition with innovation while pursuing their development goals.
\n
As the Global South pursues its modernization journey, cooperation with China is expected to focus on inclusive growth, technology-driven development, and resilient infrastructure, he added.
\n
Ndegwa stressed that China's approach to foreign aid training is practical and results-oriented.
\n
The training programs emphasize respect for sovereignty and noninterference in domestic affairs, offering flexible knowledge that countries can adapt to their own governance structures, he said.
\n
Participants often highlight the focus on tangible outcomes, such as improved infrastructure and poverty reduction, he added.
\n
According to a survey regarding China's foreign aid training by the Institute of International Development Cooperation at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, which was conducted among over 1,400 participants from 32 countries and regions, 75.89 percent of participants believed the training significantly improved their professional knowledge or skills.
\n
The survey found that 75.23 percent of participants feel that the training greatly enhanced their career competitiveness, while 75.38 percent find the experiences gained in China highly applicable in their home countries.
Local artistes perform Dabu Axie, a traditional Tibetan dance inscribed on the national intangible cultural heritage list, at Sapu Snow Mountain Scenic Area in Nagchu, Xizang autonomous region, on July 19. The city integrates cultural preservation with tourism, sharing Tibetan traditions with visitors during peak seasons. See story, page 3
\n",
@@ -5478,28 +5456,6 @@
"hash": "cff4913ad0556dd781767cd0fb9169e7",
"highlights": []
},
- {
- "title": "001FRONT - Central govt has final say on reincarnation of Dalai Lama",
- "description": "
In the matter of the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama, the Chinese central government has unquestionable, ultimate decision-making authority, which is also a belief adhered to by the vast number of Tibetan Buddhism followers, the chairman of the Xizang autonomous region said on Tuesday.
\n
Starting from the 5th Dalai Lama (1617-1682), the title has been conferred on all successors by the central government, which is the source of the religious status and historical legitimacy of the Dalai Lama title.
\n
The reincarnation of living Buddhas follows strict religious rituals and historical conventions, and the legitimacy of the title of the Dalai Lama in fact originates from the central government, Gama Cedain, chairman of Xizang, said during a news conference held by the State Council Information Office on the region's economic and social development achievements since it was established 60 years ago.
\n
On several occasions in the past, the 14th Dalai Lama has said he might reincarnate while still alive. At other times, he has said he will personally choose his successor.
\n
In July, he released the so-called "Statement Affirming the Continuation of the Institution of Dalai Lama", personally appointing a trust to recognize the future reincarnation.
\n
"Reincarnation has never been solely determined by the Dalai Lama himself," Gama Cedain said. "The reincarnation of the Dalai Lama must strictly follow the principle of 'carrying out the search domestically, drawing lots from a golden urn, and gaining approval from the central government', while complying with the country's laws and regulations."
\n
Tsering Deji, deputy director and associate researcher of the Xizang Academy of Social Sciences' Institute of Religion, said the 14th Dalai Lama's multiple claims on his reincarnation all aim to bypass approval from the central government, which is in fact a crucial step in the reincarnation process of the living Buddhas of Tibetan Buddhism.
\n
"Such remarks have shown that he has a nonserious attitude toward the lineage of the Dalai Lama, which has a history spanning several hundred years and holds extensive and revered authority among followers of the Gelug sect of Tibetan Buddhism," she said in Lhasa, the capital of the Xizang autonomous region. "The issue of reincarnation should not be sensationalized or used to attract public attention."
\n
She said that anyone with even a modest understanding of history knows that the Dalai Lama's reincarnation process involves a series of historical customs and religious rituals, which can only be completed after reporting to the central government and obtaining its approval.
\n
"Therefore, his claims are all attempts to challenge or deny the ultimate authority of the central government in the matter of the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama," Tsering Deji said.
In the matter of the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama, the Chinese central government has unquestionable, ultimate decision-making authority, which is also a belief adhered to by the vast number of Tibetan Buddhism followers, the chairman of the Xizang autonomous region said on Tuesday.
\n
Starting from the 5th Dalai Lama (1617-1682), the title has been conferred on all successors by the central government, which is the source of the religious status and historical legitimacy of the Dalai Lama title.
\n
The reincarnation of living Buddhas follows strict religious rituals and historical conventions, and the legitimacy of the title of the Dalai Lama in fact originates from the central government, Gama Cedain, chairman of Xizang, said during a news conference held by the State Council Information Office on the region's economic and social development achievements since it was established 60 years ago.
\n
On several occasions in the past, the 14th Dalai Lama has said he might reincarnate while still alive. At other times, he has said he will personally choose his successor.
\n
In July, he released the so-called "Statement Affirming the Continuation of the Institution of Dalai Lama", personally appointing a trust to recognize the future reincarnation.
\n
"Reincarnation has never been solely determined by the Dalai Lama himself," Gama Cedain said. "The reincarnation of the Dalai Lama must strictly follow the principle of 'carrying out the search domestically, drawing lots from a golden urn, and gaining approval from the central government', while complying with the country's laws and regulations."
\n
Tsering Deji, deputy director and associate researcher of the Xizang Academy of Social Sciences' Institute of Religion, said the 14th Dalai Lama's multiple claims on his reincarnation all aim to bypass approval from the central government, which is in fact a crucial step in the reincarnation process of the living Buddhas of Tibetan Buddhism.
\n
"Such remarks have shown that he has a nonserious attitude toward the lineage of the Dalai Lama, which has a history spanning several hundred years and holds extensive and revered authority among followers of the Gelug sect of Tibetan Buddhism," she said in Lhasa, the capital of the Xizang autonomous region. "The issue of reincarnation should not be sensationalized or used to attract public attention."
\n
She said that anyone with even a modest understanding of history knows that the Dalai Lama's reincarnation process involves a series of historical customs and religious rituals, which can only be completed after reporting to the central government and obtaining its approval.
\n
"Therefore, his claims are all attempts to challenge or deny the ultimate authority of the central government in the matter of the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama," Tsering Deji said.
A traditional Pan embroidery motif known as the sunflower is seen on this rug.
\n
A Tibetan carpet is embroidered with an image of snow leopards.
\n
People demonstrate the art of Pan embroidery at an industrial base in Qinghai province.
\n
A Thangka made to commemorate the 15th anniversary of Tianjin's assistance to Qinghai province.
\n
A local woman stitches a Pan embroidery product.
\n
Would it be a surprise to learn that plush carpets underfoot at Dubai International Airport, on Carnival cruise ships, and in Las Vegas hotels often come from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau?
\n
Tibetan carpets are among the three most-famous traditional carpets in the world and have a history dating back 3,000 years. Prized for their fine wool, unique craftsmanship and exquisite designs, they enjoy global acclaim.
\n
Based in Xining, Qinghai province, Shengyuan Carpet Group is one of China's largest Tibetan carpet manufacturers, and boasts a significant market share. The company combines the advantages of handwoven and machine-woven carpets to ensure product quality and aesthetics while increasing production efficiency.
\n
Du Fei, deputy general manager of the projects department, recalls the company's humble beginnings. "Founded in 2007 with just over 20 employees, we survived fierce market competition by tackling complex craftsmanship and focusing on high-end, custom-made carpets, elevating 'Made in China' standards," he said.
\n
Today, the company's annual sales exceed 100 million yuan ($13.9 million), with products shipped to the Middle East, Europe, North America and Australia. The United States accounts for 60 to 70 percent of sales, which mainly go to high-end venues.
\n
Production methods range from machine-woven, which imitates handmade rugs, to gun-tufted, or semi-handmade, to fully handwoven, with prices increasing manyfold as craftsmanship becomes more intricate.
\n
Handwoven Tibetan carpets, most looking like vivid oil paintings, are highly prized. A 1-square-meter piece takes a craftsman roughly a year to complete, and usually fetches 50,000 yuan to 60,000 yuan for its vibrant colors and durability.
\n
With high transportation costs due to Qinghai's deep inland location, handwoven carpets barely turn a profit, Du explained. "We persist out of a mission to preserve this intangible cultural heritage — Tibetan carpet weaving is the cultural root of our enterprise," he said.
\n
In 2023, Shengyuan was designated a national demonstration base for productive protection of intangible cultural heritage, relying on the traditional Tibetan carpet-weaving technique originating from Jiaya village in Xining. Its inheritors are mainly engaged in training artisans.
\n
Of the company's 300-plus employees, over 200 are from surrounding villages, including many ethnic groups such as the Tibetan and Tu. About half of them have mastered the hand-weaving skills.
\n
"Instead of working far from home, I now earn nearly 5,000 yuan a month here and can still care for my family," said 42-year-old weaver Zhu Cunfeng, smiling.
\n
Tibetan carpets utilize premium raw materials like sheep wool and yak wool sourced in Qinghai. The designs include not only auspicious traditional Tibetan motifs, but also new artistic inspirations such as Qinghai Lake, the Kunlun Mountains, snow leopards, depictions of herders' lives, and cultural landmarks.
\n
Du said the yarn used in premium handwoven carpets is only one-eighth the thickness of traditional Tibetan carpets, making them more durable and refined. The company has also developed a color library with nearly 40,000 hues, ensuring vibrant and natural color rendering.
\n
Wedding legacy
\n
"Every young girl in the Tu ethnic group knows how to do Pan embroidery. Only by doing so can she make her wedding costume by hand when she gets married," said Zhang Zhuoma Shijie, as she explained the cultural inheritance of Pan embroidery skills.
\n
"I started learning when I was 14 or 15 years old and made my own wedding costume when I was 19," said the 58-year-old inheritor of the intangible cultural heritage of Pan embroidery.
\n
Zhang is also the director of the Pan Embroidery Garden in Banyan village, Huzhu Tu autonomous county in Haidong. The Tu people worship the sun and rainbows, and the county is known as the "Hometown of Rainbows". Their costumes are characterized by colorful sleeves and Pan embroidery.
\n
Pan embroidery uses two threads — one coiling, one stitching — made without a frame and relying solely on hand movements, a technique impossible to replicate by machine. Founded in 2017, the Pan Embroidery Garden employs over a dozen senior embroiderers aged 63 to 73, each earning over 10,000 yuan annually.
\n
Known for its bright colors, the classic pattern of Pan embroidery resembles sunflowers (though it is not a literal sunflower), symbolizing a peaceful, auspicious, happy and beautiful life.
\n
Today, Pan embroidery adorns scarves, laptop bags, pillows, coasters and other fashion products. It is sold domestically and abroad through the Qing embroidery — or embroidery of Qinghai — workshop network.
\n
The Pan method comes under the umbrella of Qing embroidery, which encompasses 17 categories and 29 stitching techniques, including Tibetan embroidery, and pile embroidery in Huangzhong district of Xining.
\n
It originated during the Qin and Han dynasties (221 BC-AD 220) along the southern route of the Silk Road and integrates elements from the Central Plains and plateau culture.
\n
The Qing embroidery workshop network consolidates experience, displays, training, production, and sales, and serves as a vital platform for preserving ethnic embroidery, boosting employment, and linking heritage protection with rural vitalization.
\n
Youthful innovation
\n
Tongren city in the Huangnan Tibetan autonomous prefecture, 160 km southeast of Xining, is known as the "Hometown of Regong Art".
\n
Encompassing Thangka painting, murals, clay sculpture, and other aspects, Regong art was inscribed on China's national intangible heritage list in 2006.
\n
Thangka, an iconic Regong art form, uses mineral pigments like cinnabar and coral, painted on cotton cloth and mounted on silk. Traditionally depicting Tibetan Buddhist stories and history, often with peony motifs, modern Thangkas now incorporate landscapes, architecture, and daily life, with innovative techniques.
\n
Dorje Tsering, office director of Renjun Regong Art Training Institute, said its founder Xiawujiao, as a master inheritor, has trained over 560 Thangka artists from Tibetan, Tu, Han, and Mongolian backgrounds.
\n
The institute currently has 43 students and offers them free training and accommodation. It also houses Qinghai's first private Regong art museum. Built between 2009 and 2013 with a 10 million yuan investment, it draws visitors from around the world every year.
\n
In its Thangka studio, two large works stand out.
\n
"They were created to mark 15 years of Tianjin's aid to Qinghai, and timed for 2025. Each is 2.5m long and 1.5m wide," Dorje said.
\n
One of them depicts landmark landscapes and buildings, including Tianjin's Panshan Mountain and Qinghai's Sanjiangyuan National Park, as well as scenes of Tianjin's educational and medical assistance to Qinghai. The other one shows the sister regions of Qinghai's Huangnan Tibetan autonomous prefecture and Tianjin's Binhai New Area and their natural and cultural landmarks.
\n
Over 10 artists have worked on them for seven months, with completion scheduled for late August, Dorje said.
\n
"Compared with traditional Thangka, this more modern style allows for greater freedom of expression," said 23-year-old Gatso while concentrating on painting one of the Thangkas. "I have been studying here for just two years and hope to be recognized by my teacher as soon as possible."
\n
He is from the Hainan Tibetan autonomous prefecture. After graduating from high school, he stayed at home for a few years. When he heard that there were free learning opportunities at the institute, he went there.
\n
Sonam Gyaltso, 25, works alone in the studio next door, sculpting a leopard out of red clay.
\n
"I'm local. I came here as an apprentice eight years ago after graduating from high school. Now I have a monthly salary of over 4,000 yuan. Five of my 40 high school classmates now study Regong art," he said.
\n
Tongren has built a provincial-level Regong culture industrial park in Qinghai, bringing together 25 large painting academies and 356 cultural enterprises engaged in Regong art, said Geng Bin, deputy head of Qinghai's Culture and Tourism Department.
\n
The painting academies operate under the "painting academy plus farmers plus base" model, and are mainly engaged in research, creation of works, training, production, sales, exhibitions, collections, and import and export business. They offer free training, accommodation, and employment, and have boosted annual per capita income by over 60,000 yuan.
\n
To expand the market, the government of Tongren has set up over 200 sales points for Regong art in cities such as Beijing, Shanghai and Tianjin. Tongren has also established a center for promoting Regong art in the 798 Art Zone in Beijing to enhance the influence and popularity of the Regong art brand.
\n
The works produced there are exported to Japan, Thailand, South Korea, Malaysia, France, India, Nepal and other countries.
\n
By 2024, Tongren's cultural sector employed 24,000 people — up 8,600 from 2023 — and earned 454 million yuan in revenue, Geng said.
\n
"Regong", which means "Golden Valley" and "where dreams come true" in Tibetan, lives up to its name as countless young artists chase their aspirations.
\n
wuyanbo@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
@@ -5522,28 +5478,6 @@
"hash": "39a7ad8e6900b0476590fe24f355ad30",
"highlights": []
},
- {
- "title": "001FRONT - China-US trade ties key for world economy",
- "description": "
China's economic growth is pivotal to and vital for global prosperity, and it is essential and significant for the United States and China to maintain a stable trade relationship, according to a senior business leader.
\n
Rajesh Subramaniam, CEO of US-based logistics company FedEx Corp and chair of the Board of the US-China Business Council, said that in a world defined by rapid changes and heightened geopolitical uncertainty, the council welcomes continued dialogue and the positive outcomes achieved by the US and Chinese economic and trade consultation teams.
\n
His remarks follow a recent visit by a USCBC board delegation to Beijing, during which representatives of major US companies, including Apple, Boeing, Goldman Sachs and Otis, sought to strengthen bilateral commercial ties and advocate for a stable and predictable environment for US businesses operating in China.
\n
The visit underscored a broader sentiment among global and US companies that continue to view China as a critical market because of its vast consumer base, consistent focus on high-quality growth, well-developed industrial system and supply chain networks.
\n
Amid declining global cross-border investment, a growing number of foreign businesses regard China as an ideal, secure and promising investment destination. The number of foreign-invested companies with foreign trade businesses in China reached 75,000 in the first half of 2025, the highest level for the same period since 2021, data from the General Administration of Customs shows.
\n
Emphasizing China's importance to the global competitiveness of many US companies, Subramaniam said that FedEx, which operates over 300 international weekly flights to and from China, will continue to invest in smarter supply chains through digital innovation, data-driven platforms and artificial intelligence within the country.
\n
A report released in mid-July by the USCBC showed that about 82 percent of its surveyed member companies reported profitable operations in China in 2024, an improvement compared with the previous two years. Nearly all respondents also said they cannot remain globally competitive without their operations in China.
\n
According to the Ministry of Commerce, China and the US have agreed to continue pushing for an extension of the pause on 24 percent reciprocal tariffs of the US side, as well as countermeasures of the Chinese side, following their latest round of trade talks last week in Stockholm, Sweden.
\n
He Yadong, a spokesman for the ministry, said last week that China looks forward to working with the US to fully leverage the role of the bilateral economic and trade consultation mechanism and strive for more win-win outcomes.
\n
Subramaniam said that China has sent a strong signal to the world of its commitment to further advance reform and opening-up. "This has helped boost market confidence," he added.
\n
Chen Jianwei, a researcher at the University of International Business and Economics' Academy of China Open Economy Studies in Beijing, said that China's ongoing efforts in industrial upgrading, green transformation and further opening-up are creating long-term opportunities for foreign businesses in areas such as high-end manufacturing, smart mobility and service-related sectors.
\n
"These efforts are contributing to global economic growth and supply chain stability, reinforcing China's role as a key engine of the world economy," Chen said.
\n
Gao Lingyun, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences' Institute of World Economics and Politics in Beijing, said that continued dialogue between China and the US could help reduce uncertainty in global supply chains, enhance cooperation in both goods trade and trade in services, and foster innovation in emerging sectors such as green technology and digital infrastructure.
\n
"Businesses on both sides are seeking predictability and trust — key factors for the long-term planning and stability of global markets," Gao added.
\n
Nathan Stoner, chairman for China at Cummins Inc, a US-based engine manufacturer, said the company will launch next-generation products, including electric motors, electronic controls, e-driving systems and integrated controllers, as well as power electronics, in China next year.
\n
As more Chinese carmakers venture into Southeast Asia, Europe and beyond, Cummins is looking to play a key role in helping them grow their global footprint, Stoner said.
\n
zhongnan@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
- "content": "
China's economic growth is pivotal to and vital for global prosperity, and it is essential and significant for the United States and China to maintain a stable trade relationship, according to a senior business leader.
\n
Rajesh Subramaniam, CEO of US-based logistics company FedEx Corp and chair of the Board of the US-China Business Council, said that in a world defined by rapid changes and heightened geopolitical uncertainty, the council welcomes continued dialogue and the positive outcomes achieved by the US and Chinese economic and trade consultation teams.
\n
His remarks follow a recent visit by a USCBC board delegation to Beijing, during which representatives of major US companies, including Apple, Boeing, Goldman Sachs and Otis, sought to strengthen bilateral commercial ties and advocate for a stable and predictable environment for US businesses operating in China.
\n
The visit underscored a broader sentiment among global and US companies that continue to view China as a critical market because of its vast consumer base, consistent focus on high-quality growth, well-developed industrial system and supply chain networks.
\n
Amid declining global cross-border investment, a growing number of foreign businesses regard China as an ideal, secure and promising investment destination. The number of foreign-invested companies with foreign trade businesses in China reached 75,000 in the first half of 2025, the highest level for the same period since 2021, data from the General Administration of Customs shows.
\n
Emphasizing China's importance to the global competitiveness of many US companies, Subramaniam said that FedEx, which operates over 300 international weekly flights to and from China, will continue to invest in smarter supply chains through digital innovation, data-driven platforms and artificial intelligence within the country.
\n
A report released in mid-July by the USCBC showed that about 82 percent of its surveyed member companies reported profitable operations in China in 2024, an improvement compared with the previous two years. Nearly all respondents also said they cannot remain globally competitive without their operations in China.
\n
According to the Ministry of Commerce, China and the US have agreed to continue pushing for an extension of the pause on 24 percent reciprocal tariffs of the US side, as well as countermeasures of the Chinese side, following their latest round of trade talks last week in Stockholm, Sweden.
\n
He Yadong, a spokesman for the ministry, said last week that China looks forward to working with the US to fully leverage the role of the bilateral economic and trade consultation mechanism and strive for more win-win outcomes.
\n
Subramaniam said that China has sent a strong signal to the world of its commitment to further advance reform and opening-up. "This has helped boost market confidence," he added.
\n
Chen Jianwei, a researcher at the University of International Business and Economics' Academy of China Open Economy Studies in Beijing, said that China's ongoing efforts in industrial upgrading, green transformation and further opening-up are creating long-term opportunities for foreign businesses in areas such as high-end manufacturing, smart mobility and service-related sectors.
\n
"These efforts are contributing to global economic growth and supply chain stability, reinforcing China's role as a key engine of the world economy," Chen said.
\n
Gao Lingyun, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences' Institute of World Economics and Politics in Beijing, said that continued dialogue between China and the US could help reduce uncertainty in global supply chains, enhance cooperation in both goods trade and trade in services, and foster innovation in emerging sectors such as green technology and digital infrastructure.
\n
"Businesses on both sides are seeking predictability and trust — key factors for the long-term planning and stability of global markets," Gao added.
\n
Nathan Stoner, chairman for China at Cummins Inc, a US-based engine manufacturer, said the company will launch next-generation products, including electric motors, electronic controls, e-driving systems and integrated controllers, as well as power electronics, in China next year.
\n
As more Chinese carmakers venture into Southeast Asia, Europe and beyond, Cummins is looking to play a key role in helping them grow their global footprint, Stoner said.
China's top court has directed courts nationwide to intensify their crackdown on crimes related to medical insurance fraud, stressing the need to safeguard public health rights and ensure the security of the national insurance fund.
\n
In a statement released on Tuesday, alongside details of four prominent cases, the Supreme People's Court described the fund as people's "life-saving money" and emphasized the importance of protecting it.
\n
"The fund concerns the basic interests of the public and relate to the healthy and sustainable development of the medical security system. It is also crucial for the long-term stability of the country," the court said.
\n
It cited data showing that courts across China concluded 1,156 criminal cases of medical insurance fraud last year, up 131.2 percent from the previous year. Authorities recovered more than 402 million yuan ($55.9 million) in losses.
\n
The court called on judges to swiftly resolve disputes involving the national insurance fund and to place greater focus on organizers or repeat perpetrators of fraud.
\n
One of the cases involved a man surnamed Ai, a former controller of a private hospital in Datong, Shanxi province, who was sentenced to 13 years and six months in prison and fined 500,000 yuan for fraud.
\n
According to the Shanxi court judgement, Ai and six others solicited patients for unnecessary hospitalizations in order to defraud the national insurance fund by inflating drug prices, increasing medication and examination fees, submitting false bed occupancy reports, fabricating medical records and data, and exaggerating medical expenses.
\n
By the end of 2020, the hospital had falsely claimed more than 9.7 million yuan from the fund. Ai received the heaviest sentence due to his role as an organizer of the scheme and the massive amount of money involved in it. The other six were sentenced to between four and 11 years and fined between 30,000 and 200,000 yuan.
\n
"Legal support should be provided for private hospitals that enrich medical resources and ensure public access to healthcare and medications," the top court said. "But for those engaging in fraudulent activities to obtain money from the national medical insurance fund for personal gain and who are seriously undermining the development of the healthcare system, harsh punishments will be imposed."
\n
The top court also noted the growing severity of offenses involving the illegal resale of drugs acquired through medical insurance and urged courts to strengthen efforts against the practice.
\n
In another case, a man surnamed Dai in Fuliang county, Jiangxi province, was sentenced to six years in prison and fined 120,000 yuan for profiting from the illegal resale of medical insurance drugs.
\n
Dai, who did not have a drug distribution license, bought drugs via WeChat and made more than 3.4 million yuan in profit by selling them to others through the platform between June 2020 and December 2021. He earned another 750,000 yuan from July 2022 until his arrest.
\n
"Dai's actions not only caused losses to the insurance fund, but also led to improper storage and wastage of drugs," the top court said. "If expired drugs re-enter the market, public health will face a threat."
\n
The top court urged judges to watch out for new fraud tactics and called on government departments to step up oversight of medical insurance funds.
\n
caoyin@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
@@ -5566,28 +5500,6 @@
"hash": "c1d194e91b80ff760898528805d67f34",
"highlights": []
},
- {
- "title": "004CHINA - Measures put in place to curb Chikungunya fever",
- "description": "
The southern city of Foshan in Guangdong province has introduced real-name registration requirements for the purchase of fever and pain relief medications in response to a growing outbreak of Chikungunya fever, a mosquito-borne viral disease. Other regions across the country are also rolling out preemptive measures in an effort to contain the spread.
\n
Customers in Foshan, who buy any of 47 designated drugs — including common analgesics such as ibuprofen — must now verify their identity by scanning a QR code, local authorities said, in a move aimed at enabling timely detection of potential infections.
\n
Bai Tao, mayor of Foshan, said at a meeting on Monday that the city would strive to contain the outbreak "in the shortest time possible". He said disinfection work will be carried out in enclosed public spaces such as corridors, garages and elevator shafts during rainfall, and that stagnant water will be cleared promptly after rain to eliminate both adult mosquitoes and mosquito breeding sites.
\n
The city reported 194 new confirmed cases on Monday, down from 216 on Sunday, according to local health authorities. Foshan remains the hardest hit city in Guangdong province with at least 12 other cities reporting cases.
\n
Officials in Foshan, Zhongshan and Maoming have stepped up the enforcement of mosquito control measures, penalizing violations that contribute to mosquito breeding. According to local media, a restaurant in Foshan was fined for illegally dumping wastewater, and a kindergarten in Zhongshan was warned after inspectors found stagnant water containing mosquito larvae. Property managers at 13 residential complexes were cited for failing to clear drains and install mosquito barriers.
\n
Outside Guangdong, several cities in Fujian province have issued health alerts for travelers returning from affected areas. Authorities in Fuzhou and Quanzhou have mandated 14-day self-monitoring for symptoms such as fever, joint pain and skin rashes. Individuals experiencing such symptoms are advised to seek medical attention and self-isolate to prevent further spread, the provincial disease control center said.
\n
In Jiangsu province, the Nanjing Center for Disease Control and Prevention issued a mosquito control advisory as the city enters its peak season for mosquito-borne illnesses. With hot and wet conditions creating ideal mosquito breeding environments, health authorities warned of heightened transmission risks for both dengue and Chikungunya fevers.
\n
The advisory called for weekly household inspections, with a focus on courtyards, balconies and drainage systems. Community clean-up operations should emphasize removing waste, sealing construction sites and maintaining water infrastructure. Special attention should also be given to decorative water features and plant containers, authorities said.
\n
In Gulin county, Sichuan province, health authorities held a special training session on Thursday to improve preparedness for Chikungunya fever prevention and control. Two hospitals have been designated as county-level treatment centers, and an expert group has been established to guide clinical response. All medical institutions in the county have been instructed to set up isolation wards, stock emergency supplies and prepare for potential outbreaks.
\n
Yang Song, deputy director of the infectious diseases department at China-Japan Friendship Hospital, said the elderly, pregnant women and people with chronic illnesses require special attention, though the public should not panic.
\n
"Symptoms of Chikungunya include fever, swelling and pain in the ankles and knuckles, and rash," he said. "Unlike dengue fever, general blood routine indicators do not show significant abnormalities."
\n
He advised patients to rest and maintain a nutritious diet. If fever persists for more than a week, patients should be monitored for possible complications involving the heart or nervous system.
\n
Yang added that while current control measures are appropriate, vaccines could become an option for prevention depending on the disease's spread and cost-effectiveness. China currently has no approved vaccine for Chikungunya, according to a previous briefing by the National Health Commission.
\n
wangsongsong@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
- "content": "
The southern city of Foshan in Guangdong province has introduced real-name registration requirements for the purchase of fever and pain relief medications in response to a growing outbreak of Chikungunya fever, a mosquito-borne viral disease. Other regions across the country are also rolling out preemptive measures in an effort to contain the spread.
\n
Customers in Foshan, who buy any of 47 designated drugs — including common analgesics such as ibuprofen — must now verify their identity by scanning a QR code, local authorities said, in a move aimed at enabling timely detection of potential infections.
\n
Bai Tao, mayor of Foshan, said at a meeting on Monday that the city would strive to contain the outbreak "in the shortest time possible". He said disinfection work will be carried out in enclosed public spaces such as corridors, garages and elevator shafts during rainfall, and that stagnant water will be cleared promptly after rain to eliminate both adult mosquitoes and mosquito breeding sites.
\n
The city reported 194 new confirmed cases on Monday, down from 216 on Sunday, according to local health authorities. Foshan remains the hardest hit city in Guangdong province with at least 12 other cities reporting cases.
\n
Officials in Foshan, Zhongshan and Maoming have stepped up the enforcement of mosquito control measures, penalizing violations that contribute to mosquito breeding. According to local media, a restaurant in Foshan was fined for illegally dumping wastewater, and a kindergarten in Zhongshan was warned after inspectors found stagnant water containing mosquito larvae. Property managers at 13 residential complexes were cited for failing to clear drains and install mosquito barriers.
\n
Outside Guangdong, several cities in Fujian province have issued health alerts for travelers returning from affected areas. Authorities in Fuzhou and Quanzhou have mandated 14-day self-monitoring for symptoms such as fever, joint pain and skin rashes. Individuals experiencing such symptoms are advised to seek medical attention and self-isolate to prevent further spread, the provincial disease control center said.
\n
In Jiangsu province, the Nanjing Center for Disease Control and Prevention issued a mosquito control advisory as the city enters its peak season for mosquito-borne illnesses. With hot and wet conditions creating ideal mosquito breeding environments, health authorities warned of heightened transmission risks for both dengue and Chikungunya fevers.
\n
The advisory called for weekly household inspections, with a focus on courtyards, balconies and drainage systems. Community clean-up operations should emphasize removing waste, sealing construction sites and maintaining water infrastructure. Special attention should also be given to decorative water features and plant containers, authorities said.
\n
In Gulin county, Sichuan province, health authorities held a special training session on Thursday to improve preparedness for Chikungunya fever prevention and control. Two hospitals have been designated as county-level treatment centers, and an expert group has been established to guide clinical response. All medical institutions in the county have been instructed to set up isolation wards, stock emergency supplies and prepare for potential outbreaks.
\n
Yang Song, deputy director of the infectious diseases department at China-Japan Friendship Hospital, said the elderly, pregnant women and people with chronic illnesses require special attention, though the public should not panic.
\n
"Symptoms of Chikungunya include fever, swelling and pain in the ankles and knuckles, and rash," he said. "Unlike dengue fever, general blood routine indicators do not show significant abnormalities."
\n
He advised patients to rest and maintain a nutritious diet. If fever persists for more than a week, patients should be monitored for possible complications involving the heart or nervous system.
\n
Yang added that while current control measures are appropriate, vaccines could become an option for prevention depending on the disease's spread and cost-effectiveness. China currently has no approved vaccine for Chikungunya, according to a previous briefing by the National Health Commission.
Excavators clear mud on the road in Zhaoqing, Guangdong province, on Tuesday. The city was hit by heavy rainfall on Monday, with subsequent flooding in various urban areas and instances of flash floods and landslides. No casualties have been reported.
\n\n
Some rivers in North China's Haihe River Basin and Northeast China's Songliao Basin may experience major flooding, a representative from China's top emergency response authority said on Tuesday.
\n
Shen Zhanli, a spokeswoman for the Ministry of Emergency Management, said at a news conference in Beijing that all seven major river basins in China have entered their main flood season this month.
\n
"In recent years, due to global climate change, disastrous weather has become increasingly sudden, extreme and unpredictable," Shen said. "Especially during the flood season, disasters that break historical records and traditional understandings occur frequently."
\n
She emphasized that the country is now in a critical period for flood prevention — from the second half of July through the first half of August — calling it the most complex and severe stretch for flood control throughout the year.
\n
The peak of summer travel and outdoor construction further raises safety risks, she said.
\n
Shen also shared the ministry's disaster risk forecast for August, warning of high risks of flooding and hail in parts of North, Northeast, East, South and Southwest China.
\n
Two to three typhoons are expected to make landfall or affect China this month, with at least one expected to impact areas north of the Yangtze River, she said.
\n
There is also a high risk of forest fires in the Greater Hinggan Mountains and in several parts of the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region.
\n
Geological disasters could occur in western areas of Yunnan province, while high-temperature drought risks loom over parts of the middle and lower Yangtze River region, the Jianghuai area — including parts of Jiangsu, Anhui and Henan provinces — and central and northern Xinjiang.
\n
On Monday night, the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters raised its flood emergency response level from Level IV to Level III — the third-highest in China's four-tier emergency system — for Beijing, Tianjin, and the provinces of Hebei and Guangdong.
\n
Meteorological forecasts had predicted heavy to torrential rainfall in parts of those regions from Monday evening through Tuesday.
\n
In Guangdong, the provincial hydrology department issued six red alerts for flooding and three red alerts for mountain torrents on Tuesday — the highest warning level in China's color-coded alert system.
\n
By Tuesday evening, emergency management authorities in Beijing and Hebei had either lowered or maintained their current emergency levels as rainfall lessened or stopped. In Tianjin and its upstream areas, heavy rainfall had also largely subsided.
Over 630 media organizations, ranging from central news agencies to county-level converged media centers, have recently issued their social responsibility reports for 2024-over 50 more than the previous year. The publishing of the reports is the 12th consecutive release since 2014.Eighteen provinces, including Jilin and Sichuan, expanded the coverage of their reports to include media outlets at the provincial, city and county levels. The reports elaborated on media organizations' role in upholding social responsibility in areas such as service and humanistic care, as well as promoting cultural and moral responsibility. The media social responsibility reports will be featured on the website of the All-China Journalists Association. For the first time, the China Industry Newspaper Association and journalist associations from various provinces, regions and municipalities have set up platforms to display reports from national industry media and local media organizations to boost their influence.
\n
Former oil executive gets 14-year sentence
\n
Li Yong, former general manager of the China National Offshore Oil Corporation, was sentenced to 14 years in prison on Tuesday for taking bribes. The sentence was handed down by the Intermediate People's Court of Xiangyang, Hubei province. Li was also fined 3 million yuan ($420,368), and his illegal gains will be recovered and turned over to the State treasury. According to the court, Li took advantage of his various posts from 1996 to 2023 to assist certain enterprises and individuals in matters such as agency services and product sales. In return, he accepted money and valuables totaling 67.94 million yuan. Taking into account Li's confession, remorse, his willingness to turn over his ill-gotten gains and other mitigating factors, the court handed down a lenient sentence.
Over 630 media organizations, ranging from central news agencies to county-level converged media centers, have recently issued their social responsibility reports for 2024-over 50 more than the previous year. The publishing of the reports is the 12th consecutive release since 2014.Eighteen provinces, including Jilin and Sichuan, expanded the coverage of their reports to include media outlets at the provincial, city and county levels. The reports elaborated on media organizations' role in upholding social responsibility in areas such as service and humanistic care, as well as promoting cultural and moral responsibility. The media social responsibility reports will be featured on the website of the All-China Journalists Association. For the first time, the China Industry Newspaper Association and journalist associations from various provinces, regions and municipalities have set up platforms to display reports from national industry media and local media organizations to boost their influence.
\n
Former oil executive gets 14-year sentence
\n
Li Yong, former general manager of the China National Offshore Oil Corporation, was sentenced to 14 years in prison on Tuesday for taking bribes. The sentence was handed down by the Intermediate People's Court of Xiangyang, Hubei province. Li was also fined 3 million yuan ($420,368), and his illegal gains will be recovered and turned over to the State treasury. According to the court, Li took advantage of his various posts from 1996 to 2023 to assist certain enterprises and individuals in matters such as agency services and product sales. In return, he accepted money and valuables totaling 67.94 million yuan. Taking into account Li's confession, remorse, his willingness to turn over his ill-gotten gains and other mitigating factors, the court handed down a lenient sentence.
Tourists look at wall bricks at the Nanjing City Wall Museum in Jiangsu province on Tuesday. Built during the early Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the Nanjing City Wall is one of the best-preserved examples of ancient Chinese city walls.
Chinese scientists have recently discovered that forests not only sequester carbon, but also form a natural cooling barrier by releasing key substances, amplifying the climate benefits of afforestation.
\n
Led by Fu Pingqing, a professor from Tianjin University, the research highlights how China's reforestation efforts under its carbon neutrality strategy could deliver enhanced cooling effects against global warming. The findings were published in Nature Geoscience recently.
\n
Previous research established that natural vegetation areas such as forests emit volatile organic compounds. According to Zhu Jialei, a core team member at Tianjin University, these VOCs serve as raw materials for secondary organic aerosols.
\n
"SOA particles in the atmosphere effectively reflect solar radiation and modify cloud properties, functioning like a 'cooling umbrella' for Earth," Zhu explained. This dual role makes forests not just Earth's lungs for carbon absorption, but also critical natural air conditioners.
\n
Since the Industrial Revolution, global cropland area has expanded by approximately 270 percent, causing significant shrinkage of forests and grasslands. Zhu's team developed a proprietary aerosol module to upgrade Earth system models, enabling the first precise quantification of historical cropland expansion and its impact on SOAs and cooling effect.
\n
The study revealed that cropland expansion reduced global SOA levels by around 10 percent, weakening their net cooling effect by about 11 percent.
\n
"Forests act as nature's cooling barrier. Replacing them with farmland diminishes this protective function," said Zhu.
\n
This occurs because agricultural crops emit far fewer VOCs and generate less SOAs than forest trees. Consequently, cropland expansion disrupts the Earth's natural cooling mechanism, contributing significantly to global warming.
\n
This pivotal finding, based on two years of research building on a decade of SOA studies, fills critical knowledge gaps regarding land-use changes, organic aerosols and climate interactions, with profound policy implications.
\n
China has achieved remarkable progress in afforestation, boasting the world's largest artificial forest area. The Three-North Shelterbelt Program, China's flagship ecological project and the largest restoration initiative in the world, spans over 4 million square kilometers, creating ecological security barriers across North, Northeast and Northwest China.
\n
The research confirms that China's afforestation not only absorbs carbon dioxide, but also reinforces Earth's "natural cooling" capacity, delivering dual climate dividends.
\n
"It demonstrates how China's carbon neutrality strategy, especially large-scale afforestation, constitutes a major contribution to global climate action, showcasing China's responsibility for environmental protection," Zhu emphasized.
\n
The Tianjin University-led study involved collaboration with Tsinghua University and the University of Michigan in the United States. Sino-US scientific cooperation enabled breakthroughs in Earth system modeling and land-use change scenario design.
\n
"Joint research with US scientists accelerated our progress, positioning this work at the global forefront," Zhu noted.
\n
yandongjie@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
- "content": "
Chinese scientists have recently discovered that forests not only sequester carbon, but also form a natural cooling barrier by releasing key substances, amplifying the climate benefits of afforestation.
\n
Led by Fu Pingqing, a professor from Tianjin University, the research highlights how China's reforestation efforts under its carbon neutrality strategy could deliver enhanced cooling effects against global warming. The findings were published in Nature Geoscience recently.
\n
Previous research established that natural vegetation areas such as forests emit volatile organic compounds. According to Zhu Jialei, a core team member at Tianjin University, these VOCs serve as raw materials for secondary organic aerosols.
\n
"SOA particles in the atmosphere effectively reflect solar radiation and modify cloud properties, functioning like a 'cooling umbrella' for Earth," Zhu explained. This dual role makes forests not just Earth's lungs for carbon absorption, but also critical natural air conditioners.
\n
Since the Industrial Revolution, global cropland area has expanded by approximately 270 percent, causing significant shrinkage of forests and grasslands. Zhu's team developed a proprietary aerosol module to upgrade Earth system models, enabling the first precise quantification of historical cropland expansion and its impact on SOAs and cooling effect.
\n
The study revealed that cropland expansion reduced global SOA levels by around 10 percent, weakening their net cooling effect by about 11 percent.
\n
"Forests act as nature's cooling barrier. Replacing them with farmland diminishes this protective function," said Zhu.
\n
This occurs because agricultural crops emit far fewer VOCs and generate less SOAs than forest trees. Consequently, cropland expansion disrupts the Earth's natural cooling mechanism, contributing significantly to global warming.
\n
This pivotal finding, based on two years of research building on a decade of SOA studies, fills critical knowledge gaps regarding land-use changes, organic aerosols and climate interactions, with profound policy implications.
\n
China has achieved remarkable progress in afforestation, boasting the world's largest artificial forest area. The Three-North Shelterbelt Program, China's flagship ecological project and the largest restoration initiative in the world, spans over 4 million square kilometers, creating ecological security barriers across North, Northeast and Northwest China.
\n
The research confirms that China's afforestation not only absorbs carbon dioxide, but also reinforces Earth's "natural cooling" capacity, delivering dual climate dividends.
\n
"It demonstrates how China's carbon neutrality strategy, especially large-scale afforestation, constitutes a major contribution to global climate action, showcasing China's responsibility for environmental protection," Zhu emphasized.
\n
The Tianjin University-led study involved collaboration with Tsinghua University and the University of Michigan in the United States. Sino-US scientific cooperation enabled breakthroughs in Earth system modeling and land-use change scenario design.
\n
"Joint research with US scientists accelerated our progress, positioning this work at the global forefront," Zhu noted.
China launched a group of internet satellites into orbit on Monday evening, marking the third in-orbit deployment of such spacecraft in eight days.
\n
The satellites are the seventh group of low-orbit hardware in China's State-owned internet network. They were lifted by a Long March 12 carrier rocket at 6:21 pm on Monday from the Hainan International Commercial Aerospace Launch Center — a coastal spaceport in Wenchang, Hainan province — and soon arrived in their orbital positions, according to China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp, maker of the Long March 12 rocket.
\n
The fifth group was launched on July 27 and the sixth on July 30.
\n
The satellites were manufactured by GalaxySpace, a Beijing-based private satellite company, at its "smart factory" in Nantong, Jiangsu province, that features highly intelligent assembly robots and automatic quality testing systems.
\n
Monday's launch was the first time that satellites designed and built by a private company were deployed as part of the national mega-constellation project.
\n
The first six groups of space-based assets in this network were made by State-owned entities such as the Innovation Academy for Microsatellites of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the China Academy of Space Technology, a subsidiary of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp.
\n
Previously, several GalaxySpace satellites were launched to take part in a technology demonstration for the State-owned internet network, but they are of an experimental nature and are not formal members in the network.
\n
Now, the private enterprise has become a leader in the domestic commercial satellite market, with 34 satellites that have been launched, ranging from China's first plate-shaped satellites equipped with foldable solar arrays to the nation's first communications satellite with a transmission capacity of 10 gigabits per second.
\n
"Next, GalaxySpace will make all-out efforts to develop core technologies that meet major needs of our nation's space industry, including cutting-edge phased array antennas, mega-constellation networking solutions, on-board large-scale energy systems and digital processing payloads," Hu Zhao, a senior satellite designer at Galaxy-Space, said on Tuesday.
\n
He said the company will also speed up the low-cost mass production of satellites and various key equipment, and continuously push the boundaries of technological capabilities, so as to contribute to forming China's independent and reliable space infrastructure.
\n
Monday's mission marked China's 43rd space launch this year and also the second flight of the Long March 12 rocket model.
\n
Designed by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology, the Long March 12 is the 22nd member of the Long March family, the backbone of China's space sector, and the 17th in the operating fleet.
\n
It is the first Chinese rocket to have a diameter of 3.8 meters — most Chinese rockets have a diameter of 3.35 meters, a standard width set in the 1960s considering constraining factors in rail transport.
\n
Standing 62.6 meters tall, equivalent to the height of 22 stories of a standard residential building, the two-stage model is the second highest in all Chinese rockets, only exceeded by the 62.8-meter Long March 5.
\n \n \n A video of rabbits bouncing on a trampoline has gone viral on social media, garnering millions of views and shares over platforms. It started on July 27 when a TikTok user posted a video with the caption, \"Just checked the home security cam and… I think we've got guest performers out back!\"\n \n \n
\n \n \n First, as the video starts, pay close attention to two bunnies on the left-hand side of the trampoline. What initially looks like two grey rabbits sitting side-by-side, unnaturally warps into a single bunny, which bounds away.\n \n \n
\n \n \n A similar transformation occurs with two other rabbits around the five-second mark.\n \n \n
\n
\n \n \n \n
\n
\n \n \n To spot the subtle flaw, focus on the leftmost rabbit as it starts to run across the trampoline. The rabbit jumps up and obscures another rabbit sitting on the back edge, which has vanished by the time the first rabbit lands.\n \n \n
\n \n \n \n A fact-checking platform Snopes stated that\n \n \n \n \n the account that posted the video previously shared at least one video (archived) generated by Google's artificial video generator \"\n \n \n \n \n \n Veo\n \n \n \n \n \", as evidenced by a watermark on the footage.\n \n \n
\n \n \n Despite the subtle hints and the account's unusual behaviour, many people still found themselves falling for the clip.\n \n \n
\n
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\n \n \n Some commenters even joked that they had thought only their parents would fall for fake AI content. One wrote: \"A few years ago I was laughing at my mother for believing AI.\" Another joked: \"I'm getting scammed when I'm older.\"\n \n \n
\n \n \n Experts say there are many reasons why this was so believable\n \n \n \n \n , such as surveillance footage providing a sense of authenticity. Before AI became popular, security footage was viewed as a reliable record, according to CBS News Confirmed.\n \n \n
\n \n \n Nobody\n \n \n , the first feature-length film adapted from the hit animated series\n \n \n Yao\n \n \n \n \n \n —\n \n \n \n \n \n Chinese Folktales\n \n \n , set to premiere in Chinese theaters on Saturday.\n \n \n
\n \n \n The film, a spin-off based of one of the eight stand-alone short stories from the\n \n \n Yao — Chinese Folktales\n \n \n anthology,\n \n \n Nobody\n \n \n follows the adventures of four grassroots monsters: a pig, a toad, a chimpanzee and a mink.\n \n \n
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\n \n \n Disguised as the Buddhist monk Xuanzang and his three disciples, they set out on a quest to obtain sacred Buddhist scrolls in hopes of achieving immortality. However, their quest soon takes an unexpected turn as they find themselves battling evil and saving innocent villagers.\n \n \n
\n \n \n The production took over two years and involved a team of more than 600 animators. It features over 1,800 animated shots and more than 2,000 background paintings, with an aesthetic inspired by traditional Chinese brushwork.\n \n \n
\n \n \n Chen Liaoyu, the film's executive producer and art director, shared that the visual style is rooted in traditional ink wash painting, enriched with vibrant colors, dynamic lighting, and a realistic sense of space to create a fantastical yet believable world for the audience.\n \n \n
\n \n \n The film appeals to young urban audiences by depicting workplace challenges. The characters face obstacles and misunderstandings while representing the experiences of ordinary urban employees and their efforts to maintain personal values and goals.\n \n \n
\n \n \n \n On the G1546 train from Nanning East to Hangzhou West, a post-00s train attendant Qin Yunhao carries a plastic bag with him every time he works during the busy summer travel season, according to China Railway's official social media account.\n \n \n \n
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\n \n \n \n This \"mysterious plastic bag\" contains a stack of primary school exam papers for various grades. If children are being noisy, Qin approaches them and \"rewards\" them with a test paper.\n \n \n \n
\n \n \n This summer, Qin's train has been especially crowded, popular with study tour groups and families. At times, student passengers make up half the carriage. Keeping children calm is a frequent topic discussed among the crew.\n \n \n
\n \n \n \"I noticed some parents bring their kids' summer homework on board, which keeps them busy and quiet,\" Qin said. \"So I thought, why not print simple exam papers for parents who didn't bring any?\"\n \n \n
\n \n \n He added that many of his colleagues have their own tricks, like giving out coloring books, stickers, or small toys that help improve concentration. Some trains even set up \"mobile play zones\" in dining cars for young travelers.\n \n \n
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\n \n \n \n Qin advises parents to prepare cartoons, movies, toys, or picture books to make trips more enjoyable.\n \n \n \n
\n \n \n \n \n \n \n 图源：新浪微博@七三一官方微博截图\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n A Chinese historical drama titled\n \n \n \"731,\"\n \n \n which revisits the horrific World War II-era human experiments conducted by Japan's notorious germ warfare unit 731, is set to premiere on Sept 18, sources associated with the film have said.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n
\n \n \n 二战期间，侵华日军第七三一部队在哈尔滨市平房区以“给水防疫”为名，秘密研制细菌武器，抓捕平民、抗日志士等进行活体实验，成为日本军国主义实施细菌战的铁证。\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Unit 731, a top-secret biological and chemical warfare research base, was established in Harbin, capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang province, and served as the nerve center for Japanese biological warfare in China and Southeast Asia during WWII.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 图源：\n \n \n \n \n \n 新浪微博@七三一官方微博截图\n \n \n \n \n \n \n 据新华社报道，主创团队介绍，影片讲述了当地小贩王永章等人被强行抓入“特设监狱”，侵华日军以“配合健康检查与防疫研究即可换取自由”的虚伪承诺，欺骗他们遭受冻伤实验、毒气实验、活体解剖等极端折磨的故事。\n \n \n
\n \n \n According to the film's director Zhao Linshan, it tells the story of Wang Yongzhang, a local vendor, and others who were imprisoned and lured by false promises of freedom in exchange for cooperation with health checks and disease prevention research.\n \n \n
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\n \n \n Instead, they became victims of brutal medical experiments carried out by the occupying Japanese forces -- including frostbite testing, gas exposure and vivisection.\n \n \n
\n \n \n “日本侵略者给中国人民带来了沉重灾难，这是不容忘却的历史。”侵华日军第七三一部队罪证陈列馆馆长金成民说，\n \n 影片展现绝境下中国人不屈的反抗精神，警醒世人铭记历史、捍卫和平。\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \"This is a history that must never be forgotten,\" said Jin Chengmin, a historical adviser for the film and head of the Exhibition Hall of Evidences of Crime Committed by Unit 731 of the Japanese Imperial Army.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \"The film reveals the inhumane atrocities committed by the invading Japanese army through the eyes of ordinary civilians, while highlighting the unyielding resistance spirit of the Chinese people in the face of despair,\" Jin said. \"It serves as a powerful reminder to safeguard peace.\"\n \n \n \n \n \n 定档消息发出后\n \n \n \n \n 相关话题引发关注\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n 网友：真相不能忘！\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n
\n \n \n A master's graduate surnamed Yang in Zhengzhou, Henan province has taken social media by storm with his artistic take on\n \n shaobing\n \n (Chinese flatbread), amassing over 400,000 followers within just two months.\n \n \n
\n \n \n Yang, a young postgraduate from North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power, started a\n \n shaobing\n \n business after quitting his previous job. Using just a utility knife, he sculpts the dough into elaborate shapes ranging from firearms like Desert Eagles to popular cartoon characters such as Labubu and Hello Kitty.\n \n \n
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\n \n His stall has become particularly popular among children, who jokingly refer to it as a \"flour arsenal\". Daily queues form as soon as he opens for business, with some elderly customers reportedly waiting up to two hours to buy his creations for their grandchildren.\n \n
\n \n What began as a custom request from a child has blossomed into a viral phenomenon, with each piece meticulously hand-carved using only a utility knife — a skill he attributes to the spatial imagination honed during his engineering studies.\n \n
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\n \n Remarkably, Yang prices each artistic flatbread at just 1 yuan ($0.14), despite their intricate designs. \"I initially sold them for 3 to 5 yuan but lowered the price to make them affordable for children,\" he explained.\n \n
\n \n \n His Douyin bio — \"Unemployed civil engineering grad selling\n \n shaobing\n \n \" — underscores the unconventional career pivot that has sparked heated debate online.\n \n \n
\n \n While many applaud his creativity and defiance of \"elite job\" stereotypes, critics question whether street vending justifies his education. Undeterred, Yang sees his venture as liberation. \"Traditional civil engineering didn't suit me,\" he shared, adding that livestreaming and content creation now fuel his entrepreneurial ambitions. His story resonates with a growing cohort of Chinese youth redefining success beyond conventional career tracks.\n \n
\n \n \n \n With a performance inspired by the Terracotta Warriors, the Chinese artistic swimming team concluded their World\n \n \n \n \n Aquatics\n \n \n \n \n Championships campaign in Singapore on July 25, as they secured a gold in the team acrobatic event, bringing their total medal tally to four golds and three silvers in the tournament with gold medals in all three team events.\n \n \n \n
\n \n \n \n Wearing golden headbands symbolizing the legendary Monkey King, China's artistic swimmers brought the myth to life in a powerful Wukong-inspired routine to win gold in the team technical event at the 2025 World Aquatics Championships last Tuesday. Their performance, based on the popular Chinese video game\n \n Black Myth: Wukong\n \n , earned China 307.8001 points.\n \n \n \n
\n \n \n \n Performing a routine titled \"Soul of the Terracotta Army\", the Chinese squad topped the preliminary round and carried that momentum into the team acrobatic final on Friday, where they scored 229.0186 points to secure the gold.\n \n \n \n
\n \n \n \n Dead to Rights\n \n \n \n \n \n ,\n \n \n a film set during the Nanjing Massacre,\n \n \n \n \n \n opened in domestic theaters on July 25\n \n \n \n \n \n .\n \n \n \n \n Marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45), the film revisits one of the most barbaric episodes of World War II through the perspective of a group of unsung heroes.\n \n \n
\n \n \n Set against the Nanjing Massacre, the film follows a group of civilians sheltering in a photo studio.\n \n \n
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\n \n \n Forced to develop a Japanese military photographer's film to survive, they accidentally uncover photographic proof of the atrocities. Initially focused on mere survival, they ultimately risk everything to preserve the evidence and expose the war crimes.\n \n \n
\n \n \n The most powerful core of this film lies in its tearing open the veil of history, allowing me an outsider to viscerally empathize wth the unimaginable suffering endured by the Chinese nation during the catastraphe. It doesn't shy away from the darkness, nor does it gloss over the pain. It confronts the nation's scars with immense artistic courage.\n \n \n
\n \n \n China's 2025 summer box office, including presales, exceeded 5 billion yuan on Sunday. Daily box office takings have remained above 100 million yuan for 10 consecutive days. On Saturday alone, ticket sales hit 293 million yuan, setting a new single-day high for this year's summer movie season.\n \n \n
\n \n \n Leading the charts is Universal's \"Jurassic World Rebirth,\" with 541 million yuan in ticket sales, followed by Chinese comedy \"The Lychee Road,\" which has grossed 468 million yuan. Other top performers include Japanese animated movie \"Detective Conan: One-eyed Flashback,\" Peter Chan's crime drama \"She's Got No Name\" and the sports film \"F1 The Movie\" starring Brad Pitt.\n \n \n
\n \n \n \n On Tuesday, the United States announced a decision to withdraw from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) by the end of December 2026. This marks the third time Washington has exited UNESCO.\n \n \n \n
\n \n \n According to a statement by the US State Department, the withdrawal was prompted by what Washington perceived as UNESCO's tendency to \"advance divisive social and cultural causes,\" particularly regarding the Israel-Palestine conflict.\n \n \n
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\n \n \n \n The US exit will take effect at the end of December 2026.\n \n \n \n
\n \n \n Audrey Azoulay, director-general of UNESCO expressed regret over the US decision, calling it inconsistent with the fundamental principles of multilateralism.\n \n \n
\n \n \n UNESCO said the US exit was regrettable but came as no surprise. \"However regrettable, this announcement was expected, and UNESCO has prepared for it,\" Azoulay said in a statement.\n \n \n
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\n \n \n \n \"We have implemented major structural reforms and diversified our funding sources. Thanks to the efforts made by the Organization since 2018, the decline in US financial contributions has been effectively offset,\" she stated.\n \n \n \n
\n \n \n Earlier Tuesday afternoon, French President Emmanuel Macron expressed on his X account France's \"unwavering support\" for UNESCO. He called UNESCO a \"universal guardian of science, the ocean, education, culture, and world heritage.\"\n \n \n
\n \n \n \n France, as the host country and a founding member of UNESCO, regrets the US decision to quit UNESCO, the spokesperson of the country's foreign ministry said on Tuesday.\n \n \n \n
\n \n \n \n S\n \n \n \n ince Donald Trump's second term in office started early this year, the Trump administration had announced its withdrawal from the Paris Agreement on climate change, the World Health Organization, and the United Nations Human Rights Council.\n \n \n
\n \n \n \n \n \n The finals of the 2025 RoboCup Humanoid League\n \n \n \n \n concluded on Sunday in Brazil, with Tsinghu\n \n \n \n \n \n \n a U\n \n \n \n \n niversity's Hephaestus team beating China Agricultural University's Mountain Sea tea\n \n \n \n \n m 5:3 to clinch the title.\n \n \n \n
\n \n \n China has made history by winning the gold for the first time in the 28-year history of the tournament's Humanoid AdultSize Soccer Competition.\n \n \n
\n \n \n Chinese teams showed dominant form from the group stage onward. Hephaestus, powered by the domestically developed T1 humanoid robots, overwhelmed opponents with multiple clean-sheet victories, including 16:0, 9:0, and 12:0 triumphs over UT Austin Villa from the United States.\n \n \n
\n \n \n \n One highlight of the tournament came during the group stage, when a Hephaestus robot scored the tournament's \"best goal\"\n \n \n \n \n \n .\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n
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\n \n \n \n In a moment reminiscent of Dutch footballer Robin van Persie's iconic diving header, the robot read the ball's trajectory at the goalmouth and launched forward to head the ball into the net. The dramatic goal was dubbed the \"robot Van Persie dive.\"\n \n \n \n
\n \n \n Other Chinese teams also delivered impressive results, with Tsinghua's TH-MOS team taking second place in the KidSize category. In the KidSize soccer competition final, both the German champions Boosted HTWK and China's TH-MOS team relied on the K1 robot.\n \n \n
\n \n \n \n Notably, both Chinese and international teams, including those from Germany and the US, chose to use China-made humanoid robots such as the T1 and K1, underscoring the growing global influence of Chinese robotics.\n \n \n \n
\n \n \n \n Founded in 1997, RoboCup is the world's leading robotics competition, known for its scale, prestige, and technological rigor. Among its many leagues, the Humanoid category attracts the most attention.\n \n \n \n
\n \n \n \n \n The ultimate goal of the RoboCup Initiative is stated as,\"By the middle of the 21st century, a team of fully autonomous humanoid robot soccer players shall win a soccer game, complying with the official rules of FIFA, against the winner of the most recent World Cup,\"\n \n \n according to its official website.\n \n \n \n \n
\n \n \n \n Several of the teams that participated in RoboCup 2025 are also expected to compete at the upcoming first World Humanoid Sports Games to be held in August in Beijing, where the world's first 5v5 AI robotic soccer will be introduced.\n \n \n \n
\n \n \n Health authorities said all affected children received treatment, with nearly all now discharged after their blood lead levels dropped by around 40 percent on average. The government is covering medical costs and has set up a monitoring program to track the children's recovery.\n \n \n
\n \n \n Seventeen officials have been placed under disciplinary investigation, and 10 others, including senior health and education officials in Tianshui city and its Maiji district, Gansu province, face formal accountability procedures, according to a report released on Sunday.\n \n \n
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\n \n \n Authorities said the kindergarten was operating without a license and that local education and market supervision departments failed to carry out oversight. Some officials are suspected of accepting bribes and favors from the kindergarten's investor. Disciplinary and criminal investigations have been launched against officials, including the head of the provincial health commission and the mayor of Tianshui.\n \n \n
\n \n \n Authorities found that the kindergarten's management had instructed staff to add brightly colored but inedible industrial pigments to foods such as corn rolls and jujube cakes (steamed buns), to make them look more appealing to children and parents.\n \n \n
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\n \n \n Two samples from Peixin — a tricolor red date sponge cake served at breakfast and a corn roll with sausage served at dinner — failed to meet food safety standards. The samples contained lead levels of 1,052 milligrams per kilogram and 1,340 milligrams per kilogram, respectively, far above the national limit of 0.5 milligram per kilogram.\n \n \n
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\n \n \n On Sunday, officials revealed in a report that six had been arrested on suspicion of producing toxic and harmful food.\n \n \n
\n \n \n AI hallucination occurs when an AI model generates false or illogical information that is not based on real data or events, but is presented as fact. Hallucinations can lead to significant consequences when people use AI for tasks with the potential for high-stakes consequences.\n \n \n
\n \n \n Launched by Fudan University and sponsored by United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in China, the Youth Innovation Competition on Global Governance (YICGG) is an international competition that encourages youths from around the world to develop innovative global governance solutions.\n \n \n
\n \n \n Apart from having the required curriculum, Science and Technology Branch of\n \n \n \n \n Beijing Academy\n \n \n \n \n focus more on teaching science and technology. The school is guided jointly by the\n \n \n \n \n Beijing Academy\n \n \n \n \n Educational Group and five nearby universities.\n \n \n
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\n \n \n With the five universities giving students access to their labs and arranging for lectures by their professors, the school aims to rear talents interested in science and technology.\n \n \n
\n \n \n Faced with the challenges of the economic globalization, where cross-cultural dialogue has an important place, education is booming increasingly globalized.\n \n \n
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\n \n \n Ever since the concept of Education for International Understanding was proposed by UNESCO, this dialogue has been highlighted by the government.\n \n \n
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\n \n \n The Ministry of Education of China has repeatedly pointed out that the development of core competencies for Chinese students is required to be in line with the world education reform, and strengthens the international competitiveness of China's education.\n \n \n
\n \n \n In a small workshop in Wuhan, Hubei province, traditional Chinese elements like dragons and cranes aren't just painted on walls or silk — they're coming alive on sneakers.\n \n \n
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\n \n \n Behind these creations is Wang Qing, a 26-year-old postgraduate student at the School of Arts and Design, Wuhan University of Technology.\n \n \n
\n \n \n One of his most popular collections was inspired by the animated film\n \n \n White Snake\n \n \n (2019), a modern retelling of a classic Chinese legend. The design features a dragon that coils gently around the shoe's emblem, blending into a misty mountain background. A silhouette emerges from the clouds on the heel, adding a scent of romantic mystique.\n \n \n
\n \n \n Beyond folklore, Wang's work incorporates regional heritage. For example, his \"Waking Lion\" series pays homage to the lion dance traditions.\n \n \n
\n \n \n \"I loved reciting Chinese poems when I was little and was deeply fascinated by the artistic conception brought by the verses,\" he said. \"Even before the term 'China chic' existed, traditional culture was already influencing my imagination.\"\n \n \n
\n \n \n In a spontaneous moment in 2022, he decided to repair his torn skate shoes by drawing Chinese-style cartoon patterns on them. That was when the idea of wearable culture took form.\n \n \n
\n \n \n Wang explained that government-backed innovation programs have played a crucial role in helping their team expand.\n \n \n
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\n \n \n Through Hubei's entrepreneurship fund for university students, his team secured 50,000 yuan in initial funding. Later, by participating in a youth innovation competition, they received an additional 100,000 yuan and established valuable connections with investors and policy advisers.\n \n \n
\n \n \n But for Wang, it's not just about decoration. \"It's never as easy as simply copying a symbol and printing it on a shoe,\" he said. \"We consider the shoe's silhouette, its structure, and how each design element complements the form.\"\n \n \n
\n \n \n His academic background in landscape architecture gives him a unique edge. Wang believes that core design principles — structure, proportion, and harmony — are transferable across disciplines. \"When I design a 50-square-meter courtyard, I think about plant arrangement, paving patterns, water features — it's all about composition,\" he said. \"Sneakers may be a smaller canvas, but the design logic is similar.\"\n \n \n
\n \n \n To maintain high standards, Wang and his team traveled to major footwear material markets in Houjie, Guangdong, and Quanzhou, Fujian, to source better materials. One result: their shoes are 30 percent more scratch-resistant than comparable handcrafted products.\n \n \n
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\n \n \n When facing color fading issues, Wang consulted a doctoral researcher in materials science at his university and developed a pigment formula that preserves color saturation while enhancing wear resistance.\n \n \n
\n \n \n The team also established its own design database and incorporated an AI color-matching system. \"This allows us to complete color matching in approximately 10 seconds,\" Wang noted. \"Designers then build on this foundation by adding elements, significantly boosting design efficiency.\"\n \n \n
\n \n \n Looking ahead, Wang hopes to launch his own China chic fashion brand, expanding into clothing, accessories, and global markets. \"Being Chinese and growing up with these traditions has deeply influenced me,\" he said.\n \n \n
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\n \n \n \"We want to create something that truly belongs to us and reflects our identity. Our dream is to make Chinese brands more high-end and infuse international brands with the spirit of Chinese culture.\"\n \n \n
\n \n \n \n Recently, an influencer launched a creative writing challenge where participants were randomly assigned past national college entrance exam essay prompts. A construction worker was assigned\n \n \n \n \n \"My Mother\"—the 1957 gaokao composition topic.\n \n \n \n
\n \n \n \n He wrote:\n \n \n \n \n \"The grass on my mother's grave turns green\n \n \n \n \n ,\n \n \n \n \n then yellow\n \n \n \n \n ;\n \n \n \n \n yellow\n \n \n \n \n ,\n \n \n \n \n then green—just like my longing. Year after year, it never fades. I'\n \n \n \n \n ve become a father and then a grandfather, yet it's been over thirty years since I last called out '\n \n \n \n \n Mom'.\n \n \n \n \n I keep thinking, when the day comes that I can no longer haul cement, I'\n \n \n \n \n ll return to the village and lie down beside that mound of earth. Maybe then, if I call for my mother again, she'll hear me.\"\n \n \n \n
\n \n \n \n When asked about the essay, the worker\n \n \n \n \n ,\n \n \n \n \n surnamed An,\n \n \n \n \n said: \"\n \n \n \n \n This composition reflects\n \n \n \n \n my family's truth—it'\n \n \n \n \n s my own\n \n \n \n \n lived experience.\"\n \n \n \n \n He recalled how his mother cared for him and his seven siblings. \"\n \n \n \n \n The prompt '\n \n \n \n \n My Mother'\n \n \n \n \n felt deeply moving,\"\n \n \n \n \n he explained. \"\n \n \n \n \n That's what compelled me to pour my heart into this writing.\"\n \n \n \n
\n \n \n Known to some Westerners as \"century eggs\" or \"thousand-year-old eggs\" for their dark, translucent appearance and bold flavor, these traditional Chinese delicacies have long sparked mixed reactions abroad.\n \n \n
\n \n \n Once dubbed one of the world's most disgusting foods, China's preserved eggs are now flying off the shelves at Costco stores across the United States.\n \n \n
\n \n \n The buzz began on Xiaohongshu, where Chinese shoppers in the US posted photos of the eggs on display. The posts quickly drew a flood of comments asking for store locations and ZIP codes.\n \n \n
\n \n \n Then came a viral boost. US food influencer \"The Sushi Guy\" reviewed the eggs on TikTok and YouTube, drawing more than 660,000 views. Food site Tasting Table followed up with a feature exploring the eggs' cultural roots and distinctive taste.\n \n \n
\n \n \n On TikTok, adventurous eaters filmed their reactions: some recoiled at the first bite, then returned for more.\n \n \n
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\n \n \n On TikTok, adventurous eaters filmed their reactions: some recoiled at the first bite, then returned for more. \"I don't know what I'm doing, but it's weirdly addictive,\" said vloggers.\n \n \n
\n \n \n \"We planned enough stock for three months – some stores ran out in under three days,\" sales manager of the company behind the product said.\n \n \n
\n \n This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) and the World Anti-Fascist War.\n \n \n \n \n
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\n \n Today, July 7, is etched in history with the Lugou Bridge Incident (1937) in Beijing, when Japanese troops attacked Lugou Bridge (Marco Polo Bridge) and the defending Chinese troops rose to fight the enemy. The event triggered China's full-scale war of resistance against Japanese aggression, also a main Eastern theater of the World Anti-Fascist War.\n \n
\n \n \n Japan has never fully reflected on its aggressive acts and war crimes before and during World War II. Right-wing forces have repeatedly downplayed or glorified this history, promoting revisionist narratives that blur public understanding of World War II.\n \n \n
Visitors ride camels to tour the Xixia Imperial Tombs in Yinchuan, Ningxia Hui autonomous region, on July 13. Since the tombs were inscribed on the World Heritage List, the scenic spot has seen a tourism boom, with tourists from across the country flocking to experience the charm of Chinese civilization and enjoy the summer holidays.
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As the largest existing ancient Chinese venue for imperial sacrificial ceremonies of agriculture, the Altar of the God of Agriculture often seemed to be neglected by bustling visitors who poured into the nearby Temple of Heaven just across Beijing's Central Axis.
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But when the Central Axis was inscribed on the World Heritage List in July last year, with the words "Beijing Central Axis: A Building Ensemble Exhibiting the Ideal Order of the Chinese Capital", things changed dramatically.
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Now the sacrificial altar, as a component of the axis — an ensemble of palaces, ceremonial and public buildings, roads and other aspects governing the overall layout of the old city area of the Chinese capital — is embracing a new scenario. It has received more than 1.2 million visits between July 2024 and last month, a tenfold year-on-year increase, according to the administration of the Beijing Ancient Architecture Museum, which oversees the altar site.
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"The altar was once merely a relaxation area for residents of local communities. But when people know it provides a good angle to view the northern section of Beijing's Central Axis, tourists rush to the place now," said Lyu Zhou, director of the National Heritage Center at Tsinghua University, who participated in the axis application process. "This is the charm and influence of a World Heritage site."
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China has 60 UNESCO World Heritage sites, the second most among all countries. President Xi Jinping's continuous guidance in applications for World Heritage sites has helped to better unveil their outstanding universal value to the world and boost international communication.
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Following the inscription of the Central Axis on the list, Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, called for further efforts to preserve the country's cultural and natural treasures and renew their glamour in the new era. He also noted that such inclusions on the list have added new luster to world civilizations.
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Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC in 2012, Xi has toured a number of World Heritage sites and made many instructions related to their significance and protection.
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In 2016, after receiving a letter from four archaeologists about seeking World Heritage status for the archaeological ruins of Liangzhu city in Hangzhou, the capital of East China's Zhejiang province, Xi proposed the "three-benefits "principle guiding such applications. He said the projects should be beneficial to highlighting the historical and cultural value of Chinese civilization, to demonstrating the spiritual pursuits of the Chinese nation, and to showcasing for the world a comprehensive and authentic ancient and modern China.
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In 2003, when Xi was the Party secretary of Zhejiang, he visited the Liangzhu site, a hub for a rice-cultivating and jade-worshiping culture dating back 4,300 to 5,300 years. He called for better protection of the site, which was then facing huge pressure, as it was being disturbed by nearby quarries. Lasting comprehensive protection and studies finally brought World Heritage status in 2019 to the "Archaeological Ruins of Liangzhu City".
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"The 'three-benefits' principle proposed by President Xi is fundamental for our application work," said Zheng Jun, a researcher at the China Academy of Cultural Heritage, who is also a World Heritage consultant for the International Council on Monuments and Sites. "It gets rid of the old narrative of history that often centered on the West."
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For locals who live around the World Heritage sites, the legacies left by their ancestors bear new fruit. Last year, Xi called for efforts to take UNESCO inclusion as an opportunity to further strengthen the comprehensive and systematic protection of cultural and natural heritage and make good use of the sites to better meet the people's needs.
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"The application is essentially a process of enhancing protection of the heritage, as each site needs to be improved in legal protection, heritage management and monitoring, and its value must be explained to prepare for the application," said Zheng, adding that "World Heritage sites are key tourist brands".
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For example, "The Cultural Landscape of Old Tea Forests of the Jingmai Mountain in Pu'er", in Yunnan province, was listed in 2023. This mountainous area has become a haven for an ancient planting technique, in which tea trees are cultivated under forest canopies. The method is known as the "understory" growing technique, by which sunshine is filtered and moisture ensured.
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"It represents a format of sustainable development," Zheng said. "Gaining World Heritage status helps to protect the local ecosystem and cultural tradition. It also greatly improves the value of local tea and thus the economy booms."
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Another example can be found in Fujian province, where tulou are traditional multifamily, communal living structures of mainly the Hakka people that are built in a circular or square pattern designed for defense purposes. In the past, many young people who lived in tulou migrated to other places to earn a living.
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In 2000, when Xi was governor of the province, he coordinated the application work and suggested using the term "Fujian Tulou" in the application process.
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Fujian Tulou became a World Heritage site in 2008. After that, local people who had moved away found that they could earn more from local tourism, so they returned home.
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"This not only increased their income, but also solved social problems like left-behind children, showing the remarkable influence of the sites in tourism," Zheng said.
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In July, the Xixia Imperial Tombs in Yinchuan, the capital of Northwest China's Ningxia Hui autonomous region — currently the most intact archaeological site of the Xixia Dynasty (1038-1227) — became China's newest entry on the World Heritage List, signifying the nation's continued efforts in applying for World Heritage status for its numerous legacies of various ethnic groups.
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Cultural dialogue
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Through decades of practice, Chinese professionals have explored effective ways to prepare materials for seeking World Heritage status, enabling the value of China's sites to be understood by experts from other cultural backgrounds, according to Chen Tongbin, honorary director of the Institute of Architectural History affiliated with the China Architecture Design and Research Group.
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Chen has participated in World Heritage application for more than two decades. She said that each inscribed site represents an aspect of Chinese civilization, and by piecing them together, the world can gradually get a comprehensive view of China.
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"The key point is to view the sites from the perspective of human civilization instead of China's own, extracting the most fundamental elements of them and letting the facts speak," said Chen, who also was the main drafter of documents when seeking World Heritage status for the Xixia Imperial Tombs.
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"When viewing the Xixia Imperial Tombs from the global perspective, for instance, you will find that none of the existing sites on the World Heritage List had a relation to the Xixia Dynasty or the Tangut people who established it," she said, so the Xixia tombs site "fills in a blank".
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In a congratulatory message to the 44th Session of the World Heritage Committee, held in Fuzhou, Fujian, in 2021, President Xi said that China stands ready to work with all countries and UNESCO to strengthen exchanges, boost cooperation and enhance mutual learning to jointly preserve the cultural and natural treasures of the whole of mankind.
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Zheng, the researcher from the China Academy of Cultural Heritage, said, "The World Heritage system is a good platform for international communication and equal dialogue among various civilizations."
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A remarkable example of such communication was the successful application for inscription on the World Heritage List of "Silk Roads: the Routes Network of Chang'an-Tianshan Corridor" in 2014 by China and its Central Asian neighbors Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.
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"The ancient Silk Road spanning across Asia, Africa and Europe is one of the world's largest heritage sites, woven together by a vast network of corridors and routes. It's impossible to apply for it all at once", so the applications are instead segmented, said Zheng.
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During the application process, the three countries had frequent conferences to work out details in application strategies, selection of constituting elements, extraction of value, establishment of a multinational joint management system, and preparation of documents in the bid for World Heritage status.
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The project proved to be a model for other sections of the Silk Road in applying for World Heritage status. Following the Chang'an-Tianshan Corridor's application success, "Silk Roads: Zarafshan-Karakum Corridor", involving Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, was inscribed on the list in 2023. Chinese experts including Lyu also contributed their ideas during the application process for that corridor.
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"These sites depict the scenes of communication, dialogue and growth of human civilization throughout history," Lyu said. "For today's people, they also create a space for development through cooperation."
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