\n致命的僧帽水母 The Deadly Portuguese Man O'War，触手最长可达 50 米，其毒素可引发剧烈疼痛、过敏性休克甚至二次接触致命。\n箱形水母（Chironex fleckeri）是太平洋西南部最致命的水母之一，其毒液可在数分钟内引发心脏骤停，触手接触皮肤则留下剧痛的鞭痕状伤疤。\n
Elsworth, P. G., Seebacher, F., & Franklin, C. E. (2003). Sustained swimming performance in crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus): Effects of body size and temperature. Journal of Herpetology, 37(3), 363–368. https://doi.org/10.1670/0022-1511(2003)037[0363:SSPICC]2.0.CO;2
\n
Sepulveda, C. A., Aalbers, S. A., Kinney, M. J., Kohin, S., Dewar, H., & Ortega-Garcia, S. (2019). Insights into the horizontal movements, migration patterns and stock affiliation of California swordfish. Fisheries Oceanography, 29(1), 56–68. https://doi.org/10.1111/fog.12461
\n
Fish, F. E. (1994). Influence of hydrodynamic design and propulsive mode on mammalian swimming energetics. Australian Journal of Zoology, 42(1), 79–101. https://doi.org/10.1071/ZO9940079
\n
Williams, T. M. (1999). The evolution of cost efficient swimming in marine mammals: Limits to energetic optimization. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 354(1380), 193–201. https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.1999.0371
\n
Prange, H. D. (1976). Energetics of swimming of a sea turtle. Journal of Experimental Biology, 64(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1242/jeb.64.1.1
\n
延伸阅读：
\n
Woldaregay, A. Z., Walderhaug, S., & Hartvigsen, G. (2017). Telemedicine services for the Arctic: A systematic review. JMIR Medical Informatics, 5(2), e16. https://doi.org/10.2196/medinform.6323
\n
Ting, L., & Wilkes, M. (2021). Telemedicine for patient management on expeditions in remote and austere environments: A systematic review. Wilderness & Environmental Medicine, 32(1), 102–111. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wem.2020.09.009
\n
Baldassarre, R., Bonifazi, M., Zamparo, P., & Piacentini, M. F. (2017). Characteristics and challenges of open-water swimming performance: A review. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 12(10), 1275–1284. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2017-0230
\n
Pla, R., Raineteau, Y., Barbier, X., & Aubry, A. (2024). Physiological key determinants of elite open-water swimmers. Physiologia, 4(3), 305–316. https://doi.org/10.3390/physiologia4030018
\n致命的僧帽水母 The Deadly Portuguese Man O'War，触手最长可达 50 米，其毒素可引发剧烈疼痛、过敏性休克甚至二次接触致命。\n箱形水母（Chironex fleckeri）是太平洋西南部最致命的水母之一，其毒液可在数分钟内引发心脏骤停，触手接触皮肤则留下剧痛的鞭痕状伤疤。\n
Elsworth, P. G., Seebacher, F., & Franklin, C. E. (2003). Sustained swimming performance in crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus): Effects of body size and temperature. Journal of Herpetology, 37(3), 363–368. https://doi.org/10.1670/0022-1511(2003)037[0363:SSPICC]2.0.CO;2
\n
Sepulveda, C. A., Aalbers, S. A., Kinney, M. J., Kohin, S., Dewar, H., & Ortega-Garcia, S. (2019). Insights into the horizontal movements, migration patterns and stock affiliation of California swordfish. Fisheries Oceanography, 29(1), 56–68. https://doi.org/10.1111/fog.12461
\n
Fish, F. E. (1994). Influence of hydrodynamic design and propulsive mode on mammalian swimming energetics. Australian Journal of Zoology, 42(1), 79–101. https://doi.org/10.1071/ZO9940079
\n
Williams, T. M. (1999). The evolution of cost efficient swimming in marine mammals: Limits to energetic optimization. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 354(1380), 193–201. https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.1999.0371
\n
Prange, H. D. (1976). Energetics of swimming of a sea turtle. Journal of Experimental Biology, 64(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1242/jeb.64.1.1
\n
延伸阅读：
\n
Woldaregay, A. Z., Walderhaug, S., & Hartvigsen, G. (2017). Telemedicine services for the Arctic: A systematic review. JMIR Medical Informatics, 5(2), e16. https://doi.org/10.2196/medinform.6323
\n
Ting, L., & Wilkes, M. (2021). Telemedicine for patient management on expeditions in remote and austere environments: A systematic review. Wilderness & Environmental Medicine, 32(1), 102–111. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wem.2020.09.009
\n
Baldassarre, R., Bonifazi, M., Zamparo, P., & Piacentini, M. F. (2017). Characteristics and challenges of open-water swimming performance: A review. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 12(10), 1275–1284. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2017-0230
\n
Pla, R., Raineteau, Y., Barbier, X., & Aubry, A. (2024). Physiological key determinants of elite open-water swimmers. Physiologia, 4(3), 305–316. https://doi.org/10.3390/physiologia4030018
Q: Why is the claim that \"a Taiwan emergency is a Japanese emergency\" a false narrative?
\n
A: This year marks the 80th anniversary of the recovery of Taiwan. Japan undeniably bears historical responsibilities on the Taiwan question. The Cairo Declaration issued by China, the United States and the United Kingdom in 1943 states in explicit terms that Taiwan is a territory that Japan had stolen from the Chinese, and shall be restored to China.
\n
Article 8 of the Potsdam Proclamation, jointly issued by China, the US, the UK and the Soviet Union in 1945, stipulates that the terms of the Cairo Declaration shall be carried out. On Aug 15, 1945, Japan accepted the Potsdam Proclamation and announced unconditional surrender. Later in 1972, Japan pledged in the China-Japan Joint Statement that it firmly maintains its position under Article 8 of the Potsdam Proclamation.
\n
The Treaty of Peace and Friendship Between China and Japan, signed in 1978, clearly states that the principles set out in the statement should be strictly observed. The treaty was deliberated and approved by the legislators of the two countries, and together with the China-Japan Joint Statement, constitutes a legally binding documents that provide guidance for bilateral ties.
\n
The above-mentioned historical evidence and legal basis fully show that abiding by the one-China principle is a serious political commitment and obligation under international law that Japan must follow.
\n
The false narrative, including "a Taiwan emergency is a Japanese emergency", will gravely erode the political foundation of China-Japan relations.
\n
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs
\n",
- "content": "
Q: Why is the claim that \"a Taiwan emergency is a Japanese emergency\" a false narrative?
\n
A: This year marks the 80th anniversary of the recovery of Taiwan. Japan undeniably bears historical responsibilities on the Taiwan question. The Cairo Declaration issued by China, the United States and the United Kingdom in 1943 states in explicit terms that Taiwan is a territory that Japan had stolen from the Chinese, and shall be restored to China.
\n
Article 8 of the Potsdam Proclamation, jointly issued by China, the US, the UK and the Soviet Union in 1945, stipulates that the terms of the Cairo Declaration shall be carried out. On Aug 15, 1945, Japan accepted the Potsdam Proclamation and announced unconditional surrender. Later in 1972, Japan pledged in the China-Japan Joint Statement that it firmly maintains its position under Article 8 of the Potsdam Proclamation.
\n
The Treaty of Peace and Friendship Between China and Japan, signed in 1978, clearly states that the principles set out in the statement should be strictly observed. The treaty was deliberated and approved by the legislators of the two countries, and together with the China-Japan Joint Statement, constitutes a legally binding documents that provide guidance for bilateral ties.
\n
The above-mentioned historical evidence and legal basis fully show that abiding by the one-China principle is a serious political commitment and obligation under international law that Japan must follow.
\n
The false narrative, including "a Taiwan emergency is a Japanese emergency", will gravely erode the political foundation of China-Japan relations.
The well-manicured, lush vegetation at Hassan Yussuf's land in Garissa Township stands in stark contrast with the neighboring area in one of Kenya's arid lands.
\n
Compared with the cracked, dry soil left by months without rain, the mix of orchard, fodder and vegetable crops on his 6-hectare farm in Galbet ward — just 7 kilometers from northern Kenya's main town — offers a refreshing oasis under the scorching sun.
\n
Through solar-powered irrigation, the farm on the banks of the River Tana has transformed harsh climatic challenges into an opportunity, boosting food security for the marginalized community.
\n
"Garissa is a gold mine for fresh produce — everything I grow flies off the shelves," said Yussuf, an enterprising farmer who cultivates mangoes and papayas, among others.
\n
His secret lies not only in what he grows, but in how he grows it — pairing drip irrigation with mulching and powering the system with solar pumps instead of costly diesel engines, ensuring every drop from Kenya's longest river is put to use.
\n
The farm, once a patch of barren land, now hums with activity. Young men harvesting vegetables for the local market and baling fodder for livestock keepers, as traders flock to the farm to get fresh produce.
\n
"This area was known for hunger and relief food queues," he says, smiling as he gestures toward rows of green vegetables. "Now we are capable of producing fresh food even in the dry season."
\n
The solar revolution in Galbet and other regions of Garissa was boosted in 2019 when a 50-megawatt solar power plant — the largest of its kind in East Africa, which Chinese engineers built — was commissioned on the outskirts of Garissa as part of Kenya's broader strategy to diversify its energy sources and advance rural electrification in marginalized areas.
\n
Other than addressing the frequent power outages, the operation of the massive grid that mainly feeds into the national electricity network has demonstrated the viability of large-scale solar plants and spurred local farmers to adopt their own panels for irrigation.
\n
"When you have the largest solar plant in East Africa right in your backyard, you stop doubting the sun," Yussuf said. "People here saw it could power thousands of homes and decided to power their farms too."
\n
The power plant replaced the expensive and unreliable diesel with clean energy, enough to supply about 70,000 households.
\n
With the support of other development partners and in their own initiatives, farmers across Galbet and neighboring communities have today pieced together their irrigation systems to tap into renewable potential.
\n
However, with the growing complexity of solar technology and the desire to expand beyond basic pumping, many farmers are now appealing to the government to consider engaging Chinese investors to develop community-scale solar-powered irrigation hubs, offer training, and introduce energy storage solutions to cut postharvest losses and keep the produce fresh for longer.
\n
Helping hand
\n
Yussuf, who is also the founder of Garissa Farmers Network Cooperative, termed it unfortunate that only 10 out of 150 farm groups practice green energy farming.
\n
"We have shown we can grow food here. What we need now is technical training, how to maintain larger systems, store power and maybe even sell surplus energy like the big plant does. The Chinese who built the Garissa station could help us take this to the next step," he said.
\n
For Abdul Latiff, despite his farm being just 4 km along the banks of the River Tana, he says he is unable to pump the water from the river to his adjacent 10-hectare piece of land.
\n
"It's painful to watch the river flow past while my crops wither," Latiff says. "Without affordable solar pumps or support to tap this water, the land will just remain a desert."
\n
Mohamed Sheikh Hassan, an agriculture officer of Garissa Township, said less than 5 percent of farmers in his county use solar despite the untapped solar bounty.
\n
"There is a huge potential for arid land farming along the areas like Fafi, Balambala, Garissa Township, Lagdera, Masalani and parts of Ijara," he said.
\n
The county has written proposals to international organizations such as the World Food Programme to strengthen their capacity and scale up the utilization of solar farming.
\n
"We are also exploring opportunities to work hand in hand with Chinese experts to expand solar farming in Garissa for our farmers to cut reliance on fossil fuels and fully harness this untapped resource," he said.
\n
The withdrawal of the Sustainable, Transformational and Accessible Water Interventions project, funded by the US Agency for International Development, caused a major setback for more than 200 beneficiaries before it could be completed, he said.
\n
To reduce postharvest losses, he said the completion of the Garissa Industrial Park will include cold storage facilities and is expected to enable local farmers to add value to crops such as tomatoes, lemons and rice.
\n
"This initiative seeks to transform Garissa's image from a climate-vulnerable county into a hub of innovation in arid land farming — demonstrating that even the desert can bloom," he said.
The Chinese yuan has strengthened steadily against the US dollar this year, with the offshore yuan gaining over 2 percent year-to-date.
\n
Economists attribute the increase to both external and domestic drivers. Globally, the US economy has been weighed down by high interest rates and trade policy uncertainties, weakening the dollar index. Meanwhile, domestically, China's resilient economic fundamentals, continued policy support, and more flexible exchange rate management have bolstered the renminbi.
\n
As of 4:30 pm on Tuesday, the offshore yuan, according to Wind Info, stood at 7.1857 per US dollar, up more than 2 percent since the start of the year.
\n
Wen Bin, chief economist at China Minsheng Bank, said, "Washington's new tax cuts and spending law, coupled with a downgrade of US sovereign credit rating, have heightened concerns over the sustainability of US fiscal policy, lending support to the yuan's appreciation against the dollar."
\n
At home, China has continued to roll out countercyclical, growth-stabilizing measures. With relatively steady economic data, advances in technological innovation and industrial upgrading, steps to curb "involution-style" competition that help stabilize prices, and recovering risk appetite in financial markets have all provided a firmer footing for the currency, Wen said.
\n
Duan Chao, chief macro analyst at Industrial Securities, said China's economy has shown notable resilience this year. Despite tariff-related headwinds from the United States, exports grew 7.2 percent year-on-year in the first half. He argued that China's commitment to high-quality development helps counter external uncertainties and contributes stability to global growth — a foundation for a stable yuan that is likely to persist.
\n
Duan added that China's economic resilience has kept the yuan steadier than the dollar, while policies introduced after US President Donald Trump's return to the White House have created major uncertainties, denting confidence in holding US assets over the long term.
\n
The US dollar closed the first half of 2025 with its steepest drop since 1973, as the dollar index, which measures the greenback against a basket of currencies of the US's key trading partners, slid about 11 percent during the first six months.
\n
While the currency rebounded 3.2 percent in July, recovering part of its losses, Morgan Stanley Research forecast further weakness, warning of an additional 10 percent decline by the end of 2026.
\n
The downturn was fueled by April's tariff announcements and the resulting policy and economic uncertainties, compounded by mounting concerns over growth, inflation and public debt.
\n
With the delayed effects of tariffs on growth and jobs, coupled with ongoing policy risks, downward pressure on the dollar is expected to persist. Foreign investors have also increased hedging on currency exposure to US assets, a move Morgan Stanley said will likely deepen the dollar's slide.
\n
In contrast, during this period, the steady performance of China's economy provided strong support for the yuan exchange rate. Accelerated cross-border capital inflows and increased holdings of yuan assets also boosted the currency, said Wang Youxin, a senior researcher at a research institute backed by Bank of China.
\n
China's central bank released its monetary policy implementation report for the second quarter of 2025 on Friday.
\n
The report reaffirmed the need to pursue a managed floating exchange rate regime based on market supply and demand with reference to a basket of currencies. It stressed upholding the decisive role of the market in the formation of the exchange rate, enhancing the resilience of the foreign exchange market, stabilizing expectations, firmly correcting pro-cyclical behavior, addressing any conduct that disrupts market order, and guarding against the risk of exchange rate overshooting, so as to keep the yuan exchange rate basically stable at an adaptive and equilibrium level.
\n
A research note from China Galaxy Securities pointed out that the central bank's remarks once again sent a policy signal of its commitment to maintaining basic stability in the currency market, helping guide market expectations and providing a proactive response to the potential rise in global financial market uncertainties.
\n
jiangxueqing@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
- "content": "\n
The Chinese yuan has strengthened steadily against the US dollar this year, with the offshore yuan gaining over 2 percent year-to-date.
\n
Economists attribute the increase to both external and domestic drivers. Globally, the US economy has been weighed down by high interest rates and trade policy uncertainties, weakening the dollar index. Meanwhile, domestically, China's resilient economic fundamentals, continued policy support, and more flexible exchange rate management have bolstered the renminbi.
\n
As of 4:30 pm on Tuesday, the offshore yuan, according to Wind Info, stood at 7.1857 per US dollar, up more than 2 percent since the start of the year.
\n
Wen Bin, chief economist at China Minsheng Bank, said, "Washington's new tax cuts and spending law, coupled with a downgrade of US sovereign credit rating, have heightened concerns over the sustainability of US fiscal policy, lending support to the yuan's appreciation against the dollar."
\n
At home, China has continued to roll out countercyclical, growth-stabilizing measures. With relatively steady economic data, advances in technological innovation and industrial upgrading, steps to curb "involution-style" competition that help stabilize prices, and recovering risk appetite in financial markets have all provided a firmer footing for the currency, Wen said.
\n
Duan Chao, chief macro analyst at Industrial Securities, said China's economy has shown notable resilience this year. Despite tariff-related headwinds from the United States, exports grew 7.2 percent year-on-year in the first half. He argued that China's commitment to high-quality development helps counter external uncertainties and contributes stability to global growth — a foundation for a stable yuan that is likely to persist.
\n
Duan added that China's economic resilience has kept the yuan steadier than the dollar, while policies introduced after US President Donald Trump's return to the White House have created major uncertainties, denting confidence in holding US assets over the long term.
\n
The US dollar closed the first half of 2025 with its steepest drop since 1973, as the dollar index, which measures the greenback against a basket of currencies of the US's key trading partners, slid about 11 percent during the first six months.
\n
While the currency rebounded 3.2 percent in July, recovering part of its losses, Morgan Stanley Research forecast further weakness, warning of an additional 10 percent decline by the end of 2026.
\n
The downturn was fueled by April's tariff announcements and the resulting policy and economic uncertainties, compounded by mounting concerns over growth, inflation and public debt.
\n
With the delayed effects of tariffs on growth and jobs, coupled with ongoing policy risks, downward pressure on the dollar is expected to persist. Foreign investors have also increased hedging on currency exposure to US assets, a move Morgan Stanley said will likely deepen the dollar's slide.
\n
In contrast, during this period, the steady performance of China's economy provided strong support for the yuan exchange rate. Accelerated cross-border capital inflows and increased holdings of yuan assets also boosted the currency, said Wang Youxin, a senior researcher at a research institute backed by Bank of China.
\n
China's central bank released its monetary policy implementation report for the second quarter of 2025 on Friday.
\n
The report reaffirmed the need to pursue a managed floating exchange rate regime based on market supply and demand with reference to a basket of currencies. It stressed upholding the decisive role of the market in the formation of the exchange rate, enhancing the resilience of the foreign exchange market, stabilizing expectations, firmly correcting pro-cyclical behavior, addressing any conduct that disrupts market order, and guarding against the risk of exchange rate overshooting, so as to keep the yuan exchange rate basically stable at an adaptive and equilibrium level.
\n
A research note from China Galaxy Securities pointed out that the central bank's remarks once again sent a policy signal of its commitment to maintaining basic stability in the currency market, helping guide market expectations and providing a proactive response to the potential rise in global financial market uncertainties.
A villager, wearing an outfit with local flair and carrying agricultural products with a pole, struts on the runway at a village fashion show held in a strawberry greenhouse in Yangcunqiao town in Jiande, Zhejiang province, on Saturday.
\n",
@@ -20701,6 +20635,1370 @@
"image": null,
"description": "China Daily全文RSS。获取更多全文RSS：https://feedx.net",
"items": [
+ {
+ "title": "001FRONT - Xi: Build a united, prosperous new Xizang",
+ "description": "
President Xi Jinping, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, waves to waiting crowds after arriving on Wednesday at Lhasa, the Xizang autonomous region, ahead of a grand gathering on Thursday to celebrate the region's 60th founding anniversary.
\n
Left and right: President Xi and the central delegation are welcomed by local people lining the streets of Lhasa and a cheering crowd at the airport on Wednesday.
\n\n
President Xi Jinping has emphasized prioritizing efforts to maintain political stability, social harmony, ethnic solidarity and amity among religions in the Xizang autonomous region, ahead of a grand gathering in celebration of the region's 60th founding anniversary to be held on Thursday.
\n
Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, arrived in Lhasa, the regional capital, earlier on Wednesday, as he led a central delegation to attend activities marking the anniversary.
\n
Upon his arrival, he was greeted by a cheering crowd dancing to joyful rhythms at the airport and local people lined up along the streets.
\n
It was the first time in the history of the Party and the country that a leader visited Xizang on its founding anniversary in the capacities of general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, Chinese president and chairman of the CMC.
\n
The trip came four years after Xi, in the same capacities, visited the region in 2021 for the 70th anniversary of its peaceful liberation, also the first time in the history of the Party and the country.
\n
It is considered as a reflection of the great attention attached by Xi and the CPC Central Committee to Xizang, as well as their deep care for officials and people of all ethnic groups in the region.
\n
Speaking at a meeting with local authorities on Wednesday afternoon, Xi highlighted Xizang's four major tasks of ensuring stability, facilitating development, protecting the eco-environment and strengthening the borders. The region should strive to build a modern socialist new Xizang that is united, prosperous, civilized, harmonious and beautiful, he said.
\n
Xi spoke highly of the remarkable achievements made in Xizang's economic and social development over the past 60 years and extended sincere greetings and heartfelt wishes to the people of all ethnic groups in Xizang on behalf of the CPC Central Committee.
\n
To build Xizang into a model region for ethnic solidarity and progress, Xi said that efforts should be made to popularize national common language and characters, strengthen exchanges, communication and integration among all ethnic groups, and encourage two-way economic, cultural and personnel flows between Xizang and other parts of the country.
\n
He also stressed advancing the adaptation of Tibetan Buddhism to the socialist society according to the guideline of adapting religion to China's realities and handling religious affairs in line with the law.
\n
Situated on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and known as the "roof of the world", Xizang has an average altitude of over 4,000 meters above sea level.
\n
Xi said the region should leverage its plateau-specific advantages to develop agriculture and animal husbandry as well as clean energy, while steadily advancing resource processing and actively promoting the integration of culture and tourism.
\n
He said that major projects such as the hydropower project in the lower reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River and the Sichuan-Xizang Railway should be advanced in an orderly and effective manner with vigorous efforts.
\n
To safeguard the "roof of the world" and "Asia's water tower", Xi called for coordinated efforts to cut carbon emissions, reduce pollution, expand green development and pursue economic growth, while strengthening ecological conservation.
\n
Over the past six decades, Xizang has progressed from subsistence to well-being, and onward to a prosperous new life. The per capita disposable income of urban residents has increased 122-fold, while that of rural residents has risen 200-fold.
\n
To enhance the sense of fulfillment, happiness and security among people of all ethnic groups in the region, Xi said it is important to consolidate and expand the achievements in poverty alleviation, and earnestly address people's livelihood needs in employment, education, healthcare, social security, elderly care and child care.
\n
He also called for post-disaster reconstruction to be continued in Dingri county, which was struck by a magnitude 6.8 earthquake in early January.
\n
Noting that upholding the Party's leadership is crucial for work related to Xizang, Xi said that officials and people of all ethnic groups should follow the Party and foster a healthy political atmosphere of integrity within the Party.
\n
On Wednesday afternoon, Xi met with representatives from all ethnic groups and all walks of life in the plateau region, urging concerted efforts to write a splendid chapter of Chinese modernization in Xizang.
\n
He also held separate meetings with representatives of cadres who had come to work in Xizang from other parts of the country, local officials at various levels and from various departments, judicial workers and police officers, as well as patriotic members of religious circles, among others.
\n
Xi also met with military officers ranked colonel and above, along with representatives of grassroots role models and civilian personnel from troops stationed in Lhasa. He conveyed his greetings to all military personnel in Xizang on behalf of the CPC Central Committee and the CMC.
\n
On Wednesday evening, Xi, together with officials and people of all ethnic groups in the region, watched performances at a gala staged to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Xizang autonomous region.
\n
mojingxi@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
President Xi Jinping, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, waves to waiting crowds after arriving on Wednesday at Lhasa, the Xizang autonomous region, ahead of a grand gathering on Thursday to celebrate the region's 60th founding anniversary.
\n
Left and right: President Xi and the central delegation are welcomed by local people lining the streets of Lhasa and a cheering crowd at the airport on Wednesday.
\n\n
President Xi Jinping has emphasized prioritizing efforts to maintain political stability, social harmony, ethnic solidarity and amity among religions in the Xizang autonomous region, ahead of a grand gathering in celebration of the region's 60th founding anniversary to be held on Thursday.
\n
Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, arrived in Lhasa, the regional capital, earlier on Wednesday, as he led a central delegation to attend activities marking the anniversary.
\n
Upon his arrival, he was greeted by a cheering crowd dancing to joyful rhythms at the airport and local people lined up along the streets.
\n
It was the first time in the history of the Party and the country that a leader visited Xizang on its founding anniversary in the capacities of general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, Chinese president and chairman of the CMC.
\n
The trip came four years after Xi, in the same capacities, visited the region in 2021 for the 70th anniversary of its peaceful liberation, also the first time in the history of the Party and the country.
\n
It is considered as a reflection of the great attention attached by Xi and the CPC Central Committee to Xizang, as well as their deep care for officials and people of all ethnic groups in the region.
\n
Speaking at a meeting with local authorities on Wednesday afternoon, Xi highlighted Xizang's four major tasks of ensuring stability, facilitating development, protecting the eco-environment and strengthening the borders. The region should strive to build a modern socialist new Xizang that is united, prosperous, civilized, harmonious and beautiful, he said.
\n
Xi spoke highly of the remarkable achievements made in Xizang's economic and social development over the past 60 years and extended sincere greetings and heartfelt wishes to the people of all ethnic groups in Xizang on behalf of the CPC Central Committee.
\n
To build Xizang into a model region for ethnic solidarity and progress, Xi said that efforts should be made to popularize national common language and characters, strengthen exchanges, communication and integration among all ethnic groups, and encourage two-way economic, cultural and personnel flows between Xizang and other parts of the country.
\n
He also stressed advancing the adaptation of Tibetan Buddhism to the socialist society according to the guideline of adapting religion to China's realities and handling religious affairs in line with the law.
\n
Situated on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and known as the "roof of the world", Xizang has an average altitude of over 4,000 meters above sea level.
\n
Xi said the region should leverage its plateau-specific advantages to develop agriculture and animal husbandry as well as clean energy, while steadily advancing resource processing and actively promoting the integration of culture and tourism.
\n
He said that major projects such as the hydropower project in the lower reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River and the Sichuan-Xizang Railway should be advanced in an orderly and effective manner with vigorous efforts.
\n
To safeguard the "roof of the world" and "Asia's water tower", Xi called for coordinated efforts to cut carbon emissions, reduce pollution, expand green development and pursue economic growth, while strengthening ecological conservation.
\n
Over the past six decades, Xizang has progressed from subsistence to well-being, and onward to a prosperous new life. The per capita disposable income of urban residents has increased 122-fold, while that of rural residents has risen 200-fold.
\n
To enhance the sense of fulfillment, happiness and security among people of all ethnic groups in the region, Xi said it is important to consolidate and expand the achievements in poverty alleviation, and earnestly address people's livelihood needs in employment, education, healthcare, social security, elderly care and child care.
\n
He also called for post-disaster reconstruction to be continued in Dingri county, which was struck by a magnitude 6.8 earthquake in early January.
\n
Noting that upholding the Party's leadership is crucial for work related to Xizang, Xi said that officials and people of all ethnic groups should follow the Party and foster a healthy political atmosphere of integrity within the Party.
\n
On Wednesday afternoon, Xi met with representatives from all ethnic groups and all walks of life in the plateau region, urging concerted efforts to write a splendid chapter of Chinese modernization in Xizang.
\n
He also held separate meetings with representatives of cadres who had come to work in Xizang from other parts of the country, local officials at various levels and from various departments, judicial workers and police officers, as well as patriotic members of religious circles, among others.
\n
Xi also met with military officers ranked colonel and above, along with representatives of grassroots role models and civilian personnel from troops stationed in Lhasa. He conveyed his greetings to all military personnel in Xizang on behalf of the CPC Central Committee and the CMC.
\n
On Wednesday evening, Xi, together with officials and people of all ethnic groups in the region, watched performances at a gala staged to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Xizang autonomous region.
A number of the Chinese military's advanced weapons are set to be unveiled at the upcoming V-Day parade on Sept 3, representing the latest achievements in the armed forces' modernization efforts, according to a senior military official.
\n
Major General Wu Zeke, a senior officer from the Central Military Commission's Joint Staff Department and deputy director of the Office of the Leading Group for the Military Parade, told a news conference in Beijing on Wednesday that all of the hardware to be displayed has been domestically developed and built, and has been in active service.
\n
"It will be a comprehensive debut of our new-generation weaponry since the National Day parade in October 2019," he said.
\n
China will stage a grand military parade on Sept 3 to celebrate 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. This will be the country's 19th military parade since the People's Republic of China was founded in 1949 and the second V-Day parade.
\n
During the first part of the parade, troops — members of the People's Liberation Army and the People's Armed Police Force, as well as China's militia and reserve service — will line up in formations along Chang'an Avenue in Beijing, and they will be reviewed by President Xi Jinping, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission.
\n
The second part of the 70-minute celebration event will consist of shows of flags, processions of troops and ground-based hardware, and a flyby of aircraft.
\n
The majority of hardware to be shown at the parade will be new models, ranging from main battle tanks to fighter jets, Wu said.
\n
Unmanned platforms, counter-drone equipment and cyberspace operations apparatus will also be highlighted, including new types of combat drones, directed-energy weapons and electronic jamming instruments, he said.
\n
Wu added that to display the PLA's strategic deterrence prowess, a group of new hypersonic, missile-defense and intercontinental ballistic missiles will be displayed at the parade.
\n
"These weapons feature a high level of information and automation capabilities and represent our efforts to adapt to the development trends of science, technology and modern warfare, and will show our strength that will win future wars," Wu said.
\n
He added that a total of 45 marching soldier units, land weaponry groups and aircraft squadrons are set to take part in the parade.
\n
Many military units involved in the event have a long history that can be traced back to the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, he said.
\n
Another aspect of the parade is that it will be the first time for the Aerospace Force, Cyberspace Force, Information Support Force and Joint Logistics Support Force to take part, Wu noted.
\n
Major General Xu Guizhong, an official of the PLA Central Theater Command and deputy head of the command's parade organizing headquarters, said that organizers have been using the parade training to enhance troops' fighting spirit, hone their operational skills, and help them become familiar with new weapons.
\n
"We have used a positioning service based on China's Beidou Navigation Satellite System and intelligent assessment tools to facilitate the troops' training, and that has proved very useful and efficient," Xu said.
\n
Commanders have asked troops to make full use of this precious opportunity to strengthen their awareness and capabilities regarding joint operations, according to Xu.
A number of the Chinese military's advanced weapons are set to be unveiled at the upcoming V-Day parade on Sept 3, representing the latest achievements in the armed forces' modernization efforts, according to a senior military official.
\n
Major General Wu Zeke, a senior officer from the Central Military Commission's Joint Staff Department and deputy director of the Office of the Leading Group for the Military Parade, told a news conference in Beijing on Wednesday that all of the hardware to be displayed has been domestically developed and built, and has been in active service.
\n
"It will be a comprehensive debut of our new-generation weaponry since the National Day parade in October 2019," he said.
\n
China will stage a grand military parade on Sept 3 to celebrate 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. This will be the country's 19th military parade since the People's Republic of China was founded in 1949 and the second V-Day parade.
\n
During the first part of the parade, troops — members of the People's Liberation Army and the People's Armed Police Force, as well as China's militia and reserve service — will line up in formations along Chang'an Avenue in Beijing, and they will be reviewed by President Xi Jinping, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission.
\n
The second part of the 70-minute celebration event will consist of shows of flags, processions of troops and ground-based hardware, and a flyby of aircraft.
\n
The majority of hardware to be shown at the parade will be new models, ranging from main battle tanks to fighter jets, Wu said.
\n
Unmanned platforms, counter-drone equipment and cyberspace operations apparatus will also be highlighted, including new types of combat drones, directed-energy weapons and electronic jamming instruments, he said.
\n
Wu added that to display the PLA's strategic deterrence prowess, a group of new hypersonic, missile-defense and intercontinental ballistic missiles will be displayed at the parade.
\n
"These weapons feature a high level of information and automation capabilities and represent our efforts to adapt to the development trends of science, technology and modern warfare, and will show our strength that will win future wars," Wu said.
\n
He added that a total of 45 marching soldier units, land weaponry groups and aircraft squadrons are set to take part in the parade.
\n
Many military units involved in the event have a long history that can be traced back to the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, he said.
\n
Another aspect of the parade is that it will be the first time for the Aerospace Force, Cyberspace Force, Information Support Force and Joint Logistics Support Force to take part, Wu noted.
\n
Major General Xu Guizhong, an official of the PLA Central Theater Command and deputy head of the command's parade organizing headquarters, said that organizers have been using the parade training to enhance troops' fighting spirit, hone their operational skills, and help them become familiar with new weapons.
\n
"We have used a positioning service based on China's Beidou Navigation Satellite System and intelligent assessment tools to facilitate the troops' training, and that has proved very useful and efficient," Xu said.
\n
Commanders have asked troops to make full use of this precious opportunity to strengthen their awareness and capabilities regarding joint operations, according to Xu.
Pamela Reif, a German workout lifestyle influencer, poses with her fans in Shanghai on Oct 31, 2023, during her trip to China.
\n
US internet celebrity IShowSpeed plays instruments in Chongqing on April 2.
\n
Senegalese-Italian influencer Khaby Lame will visit China in September.
\n
Over 20 foreign influencers invite global friends to visit Anyue, a county in Sichuan province, through a livestream on Oct 15.
\n
Influencers from Malaysia experience traditional tofu-making techniques in Huainan, Anhui province, on April 16.
\n
Senegalese-Italian influencer Khaby Lame — the "Silent Comedy King" — has over 162 million followers on his TikTok account. The 25-year-old, whose real name is Seringe Khabane Lame, shot to fame with his expressive mute reactions to overly complicated life hacks.
\n
He is one of the world's most popular online personalities, but it's in China, a country known for its vibrant digital culture, that his rise has been especially meteoric.
\n
His Chinese fans call him wuyu ge, or speechless brother.
\n
On July 31, Lame officially joined Weibo, one of the most popular social media platforms in China.
\n
"You might not know my name, but I'm guessing you've definitely used my reaction memes," he posted on Weibo. "I am super excited to be officially here on Weibo! I've heard Chinese netizens are the masters of creativity and humor, so let's have some fun!"
\n
Within 24 hours, he garnered more than 100,000 followers on Weibo. Lame also launched accounts on other Chinese social media platforms, including RedNote and Kuaishou, which received warm feedback from his local fans.
\n
Lame's popularity in China derives from his iconic facial expressions, which have been absorbed into Chinese digital culture. One deadpan expression, often paired with an open palm gesture, perfectly encapsulates the feeling of "Why complicate things?" — a sentiment that resonates deeply in Chinese online communities.
\n
Immersive trip
\n
Recognizing his huge popularity in China, Shanghai-headquartered ShootsWorks announced Lame's upcoming trip to the country, which was met with great excitement.
\n
In mid-September, he will visit Changsha, Hunan province, Shanghai, Beijing and Shenzhen, Guangdong province.
\n
The company has set goals for Lame's trip, such as making 100 friends, tasting street food and engaging with his fans — all designed to solidify his presence in the rapidly growing Chinese digital landscape.
\n
"We plan to take him to experience Chinese culture in several profound and immersive ways," said Yuan Yiqing, ShootsWorks' overseas IP content director.
\n
The international, relaxed atmosphere of Shanghai will introduce Lame to the more cosmopolitan side of Chinese culture, the promoters said. The "spicy culture and fiery spirit" of Chongqing will expose him to China's more traditional, vibrant, and lively side, and likely trigger humorous content.
\n
In Changsha, Lame will witness China's role in addressing global collaboration. In June, the city held the Ministerial Meeting of Coordinators on the Implementation of the Follow-up Actions of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. The interaction of Chinese and African people will give Lame a glimpse into how travel, exploration, and cross-cultural exchanges foster business innovation. He will visit the Yuelu Academy, one of the four most prestigious academies in the country, which has nurtured generations of intellectuals since its founding in the early Song Dynasty (960-1279).
\n
"During this journey, he will also learn about Chinese humor, and develop new gestures, movements, expressions, and viral internet memes. He will deepen his understanding of Chinese culture, lifestyle, and the business environment," said Yuan. "In China, just like him, grassroots heroes are everywhere. The spirit of entertainment and humor is ingrained in the daily lives of ordinary people."
\n
Chinese people use humor as a tool for connection, social commentary, and entertainment — something Lame can relate to and learn from, Yuan noted.
\n
ShootsWorks said they approached the influencer early this year, and after three to four months of discussions he confirmed his commitment to the trip.
\n
"He and his team showed great interest in this China trip," said Zhu Liping, ShootsWorks' head of IP monetization for the Chinese market. "China's dynamic market, growing digital presence, and the increasing influence of Chinese social media platforms have all created a thriving environment for global influencers."
\n
Yuan said many of Lame's ideas surprised them.
\n
"He has watched a lot of Hong Kong movies and is a big fan of Bruce Lee. This year, he watched Nezha 2 and wants to create his own adaptations of Chinese movie scenes in his unique style," Yuan said. "He is also very interested in exploring the high-tech development of Chinese cities and delving into real-life cultural stories."
\n
Stretching a friendship
\n
It will not be the first time the Chinese company has brought a Western influencer to China.
\n
ShootsWorks has had a successful collaboration with Pamela Reif, a German workout lifestyle influencer, whose fitness content has a massive global following.
\n
The collaboration with Reif began in early 2023 when Zhu recognized her growing popularity in China, particularly during the pandemic. Zhu, who was living in Germany at the time, reached out to Reif who was seeking to grow her presence in China.
\n
In 2023, Zhu took on the role of managing Reif's Chinese social media accounts, helping her navigate platforms like Weibo and Red-Note. The goal was to introduce Reif's positive and healthy lifestyle message to China's massive audience, offering her fans not just workout routines, but also a connection to a role model.
\n
In October 2023, Reif visited major Chinese cities including Shanghai, Beijing, and Changsha. Zhu planned the trip, and Reif engaged with her Chinese fans by hosting live workout sessions and fan events.
\n
"Despite the language barrier, the energy and enthusiasm of the events showed that fitness and fun are universal languages," Zhu recalled.
\n
In addition to a massive 9.68 million followers on YouTube, Reif has established a presence on Chinese social media — including the video-sharing platform Bilibili — and has more than 11.6 million followers.
\n
Reif's first whirlwind trip to China was a success. On the streets of Shanghai, she was frequently stopped for photos by fans who were thrilled to meet the fitness icon in person. Her events in Beijing and Changsha featured cultural immersion, including trying the traditional Chinese exercises baduanjin and wuqinxi.
\n
Reif's visit also incorporated Chinese culture, including visits to landmarks like the Great Wall and the Forbidden City, which offered her followers around the world a look at China's rich history.
\n
A fresh perspective
\n
Zheng Huanzhao, vice-president of Jinan University's Chinese Language and Literature Department, said international influencers can create content that connects with the international community through their "credibility" and "charm".
\n
When visiting, they are likely to seek fresh and distinctive ways to express themselves and explore Chinese cities for new content. "The spread of foreign influencers can highlight perspectives that are relatively overlooked in local communication about a city," he noted.
\n
Early this year, Darren Watkins Jr, the 22-year-old US internet celebrity, better known to his 37 million You-Tube followers and those on other platforms as IShowSpeed, embarked on a marathon livestreaming tour across China.
\n
From enjoying views of Shanghai's neon lights, and the Great Wall, learning martial arts at the Shaolin Temple, experiencing Chinese medicine in Chengdu, Sichuan province, and being amazed by cyberpunk in Chongqing, he exposed tens of millions of fans to the nation's wonders.
\n
A video of him singing the pop song Super Idol with entertainer Tian Yiming went viral on Chinese social media, with more than 100 million views on Douyin.
\n
"In addition to short videos, Speed also created a lot of highlight moments livestreaming in China," said Lin Chuxia, head of global marketing for 88 Rising, a record label and a mass media company headquartered in New York that managed the trip.
\n
"Through him, viewers saw the real side of China for the first time, finding it cleaner, more modern, and more interesting than they had imagined. This changed many existing stereotypes," Lin said.
\n
"His interactions with Chinese fans also increased the audience's curiosity and closeness to China, while his experience of China helped bridge cultural gaps.
\n
"He experienced Chinese culture in his own way, and even without knowing Chinese, he was still able to have fun. As a result, many people began to feel that China isn't as distant as they once thought," Lin added.
\n
Chinese audiences were more enthusiastic and interesting to him than the 20-year-old influencer had imagined, showcasing the international perspective and inclusiveness of the new generation of young viewers, Lin noted.
\n
He said 88 Rising would continue to collaborate with content creators from different fields to enhance cultural exchanges to allow the world to see the real China and its people.
\n
"Through their lenses, they bring the authentic China into a global context, turning culture from a diplomatic term into something that resonates and creates curiosity in everyday life," he said.
\n
Visa bonus points
\n
The extension of China's visa-free transit policy — especially moving from 72 hours and 144 hours to 240 hours — is contributing to more Western influencers visiting China.
\n
The visa extension is useful for influencers looking to diversify their content in China and connect with a vast, young audience, said Xu Ke, who heads the lifestyle section on Bilibili.
\n
"Since the implementation of the 144-hour visa-free policy, we have observed a significant increase in China-themed content created by overseas influencers on the platform," said Xu, adding that these videos have received great feedback from both domestic and international audiences.
\n
International viewers favor "first-time experience" content, while Chinese viewers enjoy interactions, such as offering travel tips and explaining cultural details. These positive exchanges showcase the cultural confidence and openness of contemporary Chinese society.
\n
As China's online community becomes increasingly globalized, platforms like Bilibili are playing an important role in fostering cultural exchanges. The shift toward digital platforms has allowed influencers to connect with audiences on a more personal level, and transcend borders.
\n
"The two types of content creators we collaborate with are both distinctive — top YouTube influencers bring a fresh perspective on first impressions of China, while foreigners living in China are able to uncover in-depth content," said Xu.
\n
YouTube star Jimmy Donaldson, known as MrBeast, made his Bilibili debut in 2023. His first video on the platform gained more than 8 million views within 24 hours.
\n
"In terms of content creation, creators always hold the power over their content, and this is particularly evident among foreign bloggers," Xu said. "They place great emphasis on the uniqueness of their personal brand and have a strong sense of control over their topics and presentation styles."
\n
International content creators love focusing on topics, such as Chinese-language learning, and enjoy documenting their progress in mastering the language. Other popular topics include traditional Chinese medicine experiences, such as acupuncture and cupping; local customs and culture, ranging from exploring urban landscapes to regional delicacies; and opining on intangible cultural heritage skills such as calligraphy and tea ceremonies.
\n
"This content not only satisfies overseas audiences' curiosity about China, but also presents Chinese traditional culture in a more vibrant and engaging way to the world. Our platform will continue to support such cultural exchanges," said Xu, adding that Bilibili is using technology to make cross-cultural dialogue more inclusive and impactful, and breaking down language and cultural barriers.
\n
One example is the introduction of real-time comment translation features, which enable seamless interaction between Chinese fans and foreign creators.
\n
"This means that, regardless of language barriers, fans can communicate directly with content creators, and vice versa. The goal is to continue exploring ways to overcome these language barriers to facilitate smoother and more meaningful cultural exchanges," he said.
\n
chennan@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
Pamela Reif, a German workout lifestyle influencer, poses with her fans in Shanghai on Oct 31, 2023, during her trip to China.
\n
US internet celebrity IShowSpeed plays instruments in Chongqing on April 2.
\n
Senegalese-Italian influencer Khaby Lame will visit China in September.
\n
Over 20 foreign influencers invite global friends to visit Anyue, a county in Sichuan province, through a livestream on Oct 15.
\n
Influencers from Malaysia experience traditional tofu-making techniques in Huainan, Anhui province, on April 16.
\n
Senegalese-Italian influencer Khaby Lame — the "Silent Comedy King" — has over 162 million followers on his TikTok account. The 25-year-old, whose real name is Seringe Khabane Lame, shot to fame with his expressive mute reactions to overly complicated life hacks.
\n
He is one of the world's most popular online personalities, but it's in China, a country known for its vibrant digital culture, that his rise has been especially meteoric.
\n
His Chinese fans call him wuyu ge, or speechless brother.
\n
On July 31, Lame officially joined Weibo, one of the most popular social media platforms in China.
\n
"You might not know my name, but I'm guessing you've definitely used my reaction memes," he posted on Weibo. "I am super excited to be officially here on Weibo! I've heard Chinese netizens are the masters of creativity and humor, so let's have some fun!"
\n
Within 24 hours, he garnered more than 100,000 followers on Weibo. Lame also launched accounts on other Chinese social media platforms, including RedNote and Kuaishou, which received warm feedback from his local fans.
\n
Lame's popularity in China derives from his iconic facial expressions, which have been absorbed into Chinese digital culture. One deadpan expression, often paired with an open palm gesture, perfectly encapsulates the feeling of "Why complicate things?" — a sentiment that resonates deeply in Chinese online communities.
\n
Immersive trip
\n
Recognizing his huge popularity in China, Shanghai-headquartered ShootsWorks announced Lame's upcoming trip to the country, which was met with great excitement.
\n
In mid-September, he will visit Changsha, Hunan province, Shanghai, Beijing and Shenzhen, Guangdong province.
\n
The company has set goals for Lame's trip, such as making 100 friends, tasting street food and engaging with his fans — all designed to solidify his presence in the rapidly growing Chinese digital landscape.
\n
"We plan to take him to experience Chinese culture in several profound and immersive ways," said Yuan Yiqing, ShootsWorks' overseas IP content director.
\n
The international, relaxed atmosphere of Shanghai will introduce Lame to the more cosmopolitan side of Chinese culture, the promoters said. The "spicy culture and fiery spirit" of Chongqing will expose him to China's more traditional, vibrant, and lively side, and likely trigger humorous content.
\n
In Changsha, Lame will witness China's role in addressing global collaboration. In June, the city held the Ministerial Meeting of Coordinators on the Implementation of the Follow-up Actions of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. The interaction of Chinese and African people will give Lame a glimpse into how travel, exploration, and cross-cultural exchanges foster business innovation. He will visit the Yuelu Academy, one of the four most prestigious academies in the country, which has nurtured generations of intellectuals since its founding in the early Song Dynasty (960-1279).
\n
"During this journey, he will also learn about Chinese humor, and develop new gestures, movements, expressions, and viral internet memes. He will deepen his understanding of Chinese culture, lifestyle, and the business environment," said Yuan. "In China, just like him, grassroots heroes are everywhere. The spirit of entertainment and humor is ingrained in the daily lives of ordinary people."
\n
Chinese people use humor as a tool for connection, social commentary, and entertainment — something Lame can relate to and learn from, Yuan noted.
\n
ShootsWorks said they approached the influencer early this year, and after three to four months of discussions he confirmed his commitment to the trip.
\n
"He and his team showed great interest in this China trip," said Zhu Liping, ShootsWorks' head of IP monetization for the Chinese market. "China's dynamic market, growing digital presence, and the increasing influence of Chinese social media platforms have all created a thriving environment for global influencers."
\n
Yuan said many of Lame's ideas surprised them.
\n
"He has watched a lot of Hong Kong movies and is a big fan of Bruce Lee. This year, he watched Nezha 2 and wants to create his own adaptations of Chinese movie scenes in his unique style," Yuan said. "He is also very interested in exploring the high-tech development of Chinese cities and delving into real-life cultural stories."
\n
Stretching a friendship
\n
It will not be the first time the Chinese company has brought a Western influencer to China.
\n
ShootsWorks has had a successful collaboration with Pamela Reif, a German workout lifestyle influencer, whose fitness content has a massive global following.
\n
The collaboration with Reif began in early 2023 when Zhu recognized her growing popularity in China, particularly during the pandemic. Zhu, who was living in Germany at the time, reached out to Reif who was seeking to grow her presence in China.
\n
In 2023, Zhu took on the role of managing Reif's Chinese social media accounts, helping her navigate platforms like Weibo and Red-Note. The goal was to introduce Reif's positive and healthy lifestyle message to China's massive audience, offering her fans not just workout routines, but also a connection to a role model.
\n
In October 2023, Reif visited major Chinese cities including Shanghai, Beijing, and Changsha. Zhu planned the trip, and Reif engaged with her Chinese fans by hosting live workout sessions and fan events.
\n
"Despite the language barrier, the energy and enthusiasm of the events showed that fitness and fun are universal languages," Zhu recalled.
\n
In addition to a massive 9.68 million followers on YouTube, Reif has established a presence on Chinese social media — including the video-sharing platform Bilibili — and has more than 11.6 million followers.
\n
Reif's first whirlwind trip to China was a success. On the streets of Shanghai, she was frequently stopped for photos by fans who were thrilled to meet the fitness icon in person. Her events in Beijing and Changsha featured cultural immersion, including trying the traditional Chinese exercises baduanjin and wuqinxi.
\n
Reif's visit also incorporated Chinese culture, including visits to landmarks like the Great Wall and the Forbidden City, which offered her followers around the world a look at China's rich history.
\n
A fresh perspective
\n
Zheng Huanzhao, vice-president of Jinan University's Chinese Language and Literature Department, said international influencers can create content that connects with the international community through their "credibility" and "charm".
\n
When visiting, they are likely to seek fresh and distinctive ways to express themselves and explore Chinese cities for new content. "The spread of foreign influencers can highlight perspectives that are relatively overlooked in local communication about a city," he noted.
\n
Early this year, Darren Watkins Jr, the 22-year-old US internet celebrity, better known to his 37 million You-Tube followers and those on other platforms as IShowSpeed, embarked on a marathon livestreaming tour across China.
\n
From enjoying views of Shanghai's neon lights, and the Great Wall, learning martial arts at the Shaolin Temple, experiencing Chinese medicine in Chengdu, Sichuan province, and being amazed by cyberpunk in Chongqing, he exposed tens of millions of fans to the nation's wonders.
\n
A video of him singing the pop song Super Idol with entertainer Tian Yiming went viral on Chinese social media, with more than 100 million views on Douyin.
\n
"In addition to short videos, Speed also created a lot of highlight moments livestreaming in China," said Lin Chuxia, head of global marketing for 88 Rising, a record label and a mass media company headquartered in New York that managed the trip.
\n
"Through him, viewers saw the real side of China for the first time, finding it cleaner, more modern, and more interesting than they had imagined. This changed many existing stereotypes," Lin said.
\n
"His interactions with Chinese fans also increased the audience's curiosity and closeness to China, while his experience of China helped bridge cultural gaps.
\n
"He experienced Chinese culture in his own way, and even without knowing Chinese, he was still able to have fun. As a result, many people began to feel that China isn't as distant as they once thought," Lin added.
\n
Chinese audiences were more enthusiastic and interesting to him than the 20-year-old influencer had imagined, showcasing the international perspective and inclusiveness of the new generation of young viewers, Lin noted.
\n
He said 88 Rising would continue to collaborate with content creators from different fields to enhance cultural exchanges to allow the world to see the real China and its people.
\n
"Through their lenses, they bring the authentic China into a global context, turning culture from a diplomatic term into something that resonates and creates curiosity in everyday life," he said.
\n
Visa bonus points
\n
The extension of China's visa-free transit policy — especially moving from 72 hours and 144 hours to 240 hours — is contributing to more Western influencers visiting China.
\n
The visa extension is useful for influencers looking to diversify their content in China and connect with a vast, young audience, said Xu Ke, who heads the lifestyle section on Bilibili.
\n
"Since the implementation of the 144-hour visa-free policy, we have observed a significant increase in China-themed content created by overseas influencers on the platform," said Xu, adding that these videos have received great feedback from both domestic and international audiences.
\n
International viewers favor "first-time experience" content, while Chinese viewers enjoy interactions, such as offering travel tips and explaining cultural details. These positive exchanges showcase the cultural confidence and openness of contemporary Chinese society.
\n
As China's online community becomes increasingly globalized, platforms like Bilibili are playing an important role in fostering cultural exchanges. The shift toward digital platforms has allowed influencers to connect with audiences on a more personal level, and transcend borders.
\n
"The two types of content creators we collaborate with are both distinctive — top YouTube influencers bring a fresh perspective on first impressions of China, while foreigners living in China are able to uncover in-depth content," said Xu.
\n
YouTube star Jimmy Donaldson, known as MrBeast, made his Bilibili debut in 2023. His first video on the platform gained more than 8 million views within 24 hours.
\n
"In terms of content creation, creators always hold the power over their content, and this is particularly evident among foreign bloggers," Xu said. "They place great emphasis on the uniqueness of their personal brand and have a strong sense of control over their topics and presentation styles."
\n
International content creators love focusing on topics, such as Chinese-language learning, and enjoy documenting their progress in mastering the language. Other popular topics include traditional Chinese medicine experiences, such as acupuncture and cupping; local customs and culture, ranging from exploring urban landscapes to regional delicacies; and opining on intangible cultural heritage skills such as calligraphy and tea ceremonies.
\n
"This content not only satisfies overseas audiences' curiosity about China, but also presents Chinese traditional culture in a more vibrant and engaging way to the world. Our platform will continue to support such cultural exchanges," said Xu, adding that Bilibili is using technology to make cross-cultural dialogue more inclusive and impactful, and breaking down language and cultural barriers.
\n
One example is the introduction of real-time comment translation features, which enable seamless interaction between Chinese fans and foreign creators.
\n
"This means that, regardless of language barriers, fans can communicate directly with content creators, and vice versa. The goal is to continue exploring ways to overcome these language barriers to facilitate smoother and more meaningful cultural exchanges," he said.
Doctors from the community health service center provide free health checkups for residents in Luyang district, Hefei, Anhui province, on Tuesday. They conduct health examinations, follow-up on chronic diseases, offer rehabilitation guidance, and promote health knowledge and medical insurance policies for signed-up citizens.
\n
China plans to boost convenient access to medicines used to treat chronic diseases and bolster door-to-door healthcare services for the elderly through its family doctor contract service systems, according to a notice released this week.
\n
Family doctors in China comprise general practitioners at grassroots medical institutions, qualified rural doctors and doctors who have retired from public hospitals.
\n
Since 2016, the nation has had in place a system under which family physicians sign contracts with residents and provide them with basic and customized healthcare services. The system was established to curb reliance on large, overcrowded hospitals and better assist an aging population that is affected by a growing number of chronic diseases.
\n
On Tuesday, the National Health Commission and five other government departments released a notice calling for further improving the quality and accessibility of family doctor contract services.
\n
According to the notice, family doctors are encouraged to provide prescription services lasting four to 12 weeks for chronic disease patients in key groups and monitor their medication. Key groups include the elderly, pregnant women, children, people with disabilities and those diagnosed with high blood pressure, diabetes, tuberculosis and other chronic illnesses or severe mental disorders.
\n
Pharmacists at primary healthcare institutions are also encouraged to provide home-based pharmaceutical care and medicine delivery services to contracted patients.
\n
Family doctors should issue annual health assessment reports for key groups and provide home visits or in-person follow-up services for contracted patients age 80 and above, with a focus on carrying out health evaluations and guidance on medication use.
\n
"For elderly patients with impaired mobility or dementia, family doctors are encouraged to provide services more frequently and explore ways to provide long-term assessments or nursing services, thereby expanding the range of contracted services," it said.
\n
The notice also called on family doctors to send out no fewer than 12 health messages each year and offer tailored education content covering matters such as exercise and diet, smoking cessation and the need to reduce the intake of oil, salt and sugar.
\n
The notice requires major hospitals to appropriately arrange the transfer of patients initially handled by family doctors and reserve a certain number of outpatient appointment slots, including senior expert consultation slots and hospital beds for contracted residents, it added.
\n
The nation aims to increase the coverage rate of family doctor contract services by 1 to 3 percentage points each year to 75 percent by 2035. The coverage rate among key populations should reach 85 percent.
\n
Shen Jin, a 67-year-old retiree in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, said that his family doctor has helped him avoid purchasing faulty health-promotion devices and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
\n
"My contract doctor devised a personalized plan to aid my weight loss, offering guidance on diet, exercise and traditional Chinese medicine interventions and reminding me to check in and post updates online every day," he said. "I have so far lost 15 kilograms."
\n
wangxiaoyu@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
Doctors from the community health service center provide free health checkups for residents in Luyang district, Hefei, Anhui province, on Tuesday. They conduct health examinations, follow-up on chronic diseases, offer rehabilitation guidance, and promote health knowledge and medical insurance policies for signed-up citizens.
\n
China plans to boost convenient access to medicines used to treat chronic diseases and bolster door-to-door healthcare services for the elderly through its family doctor contract service systems, according to a notice released this week.
\n
Family doctors in China comprise general practitioners at grassroots medical institutions, qualified rural doctors and doctors who have retired from public hospitals.
\n
Since 2016, the nation has had in place a system under which family physicians sign contracts with residents and provide them with basic and customized healthcare services. The system was established to curb reliance on large, overcrowded hospitals and better assist an aging population that is affected by a growing number of chronic diseases.
\n
On Tuesday, the National Health Commission and five other government departments released a notice calling for further improving the quality and accessibility of family doctor contract services.
\n
According to the notice, family doctors are encouraged to provide prescription services lasting four to 12 weeks for chronic disease patients in key groups and monitor their medication. Key groups include the elderly, pregnant women, children, people with disabilities and those diagnosed with high blood pressure, diabetes, tuberculosis and other chronic illnesses or severe mental disorders.
\n
Pharmacists at primary healthcare institutions are also encouraged to provide home-based pharmaceutical care and medicine delivery services to contracted patients.
\n
Family doctors should issue annual health assessment reports for key groups and provide home visits or in-person follow-up services for contracted patients age 80 and above, with a focus on carrying out health evaluations and guidance on medication use.
\n
"For elderly patients with impaired mobility or dementia, family doctors are encouraged to provide services more frequently and explore ways to provide long-term assessments or nursing services, thereby expanding the range of contracted services," it said.
\n
The notice also called on family doctors to send out no fewer than 12 health messages each year and offer tailored education content covering matters such as exercise and diet, smoking cessation and the need to reduce the intake of oil, salt and sugar.
\n
The notice requires major hospitals to appropriately arrange the transfer of patients initially handled by family doctors and reserve a certain number of outpatient appointment slots, including senior expert consultation slots and hospital beds for contracted residents, it added.
\n
The nation aims to increase the coverage rate of family doctor contract services by 1 to 3 percentage points each year to 75 percent by 2035. The coverage rate among key populations should reach 85 percent.
\n
Shen Jin, a 67-year-old retiree in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, said that his family doctor has helped him avoid purchasing faulty health-promotion devices and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
\n
"My contract doctor devised a personalized plan to aid my weight loss, offering guidance on diet, exercise and traditional Chinese medicine interventions and reminding me to check in and post updates online every day," he said. "I have so far lost 15 kilograms."
A total of 120 universities are expected to add low-altitude technology and engineering as a new undergraduate major next year, making it one of the most popular academic subjects as the country aims to cultivate talent for the burgeoning low-altitude economy.
\n
According to a recently released list of undergraduate majors seeking approval from the Ministry of Education, the low-altitude technology and engineering major tops the list for the most popular field of study universities want to add next year.
\n
Online space safety is another popular field, with 55 universities seeking to add that major. A sports training program is sought at 42 universities, a soccer major at 31 and an AI education course of study at 26.
\n
The list, which includes 863 requests from universities to add new majors, is open to public feedback until Sep 13. Universities need to apply a year in advance to add new majors.
\n
The low-altitude technology and engineering major was among 29 new majors approved by the Ministry of Education in April, which aims to align university major implementations with national development needs.
\n
Six top universities, including Beihang University, Beijing Institute of Technology, and the Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, have gained approval from the ministry to offer the major this year, with undergraduate students expected to enroll in related programs for the upcoming fall semester.
\n
The Civil Aviation Administration of China has forecast that the domestic low-altitude economy market will reach 1.5 trillion yuan ($209 billion) this year, and grow to 3.5 trillion yuan by 2035.
\n
University majors undergo reshuffles every year. In its latest change released by the Ministry of Education in April, universities nationwide added 1,839 new undergraduate programs while suspending enrollment in 2,220 programs and phasing out 1,428 others in 2025. Additionally, 157 existing programs underwent modifications in degree categories or the duration of study.
\n
zoushuo@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
A total of 120 universities are expected to add low-altitude technology and engineering as a new undergraduate major next year, making it one of the most popular academic subjects as the country aims to cultivate talent for the burgeoning low-altitude economy.
\n
According to a recently released list of undergraduate majors seeking approval from the Ministry of Education, the low-altitude technology and engineering major tops the list for the most popular field of study universities want to add next year.
\n
Online space safety is another popular field, with 55 universities seeking to add that major. A sports training program is sought at 42 universities, a soccer major at 31 and an AI education course of study at 26.
\n
The list, which includes 863 requests from universities to add new majors, is open to public feedback until Sep 13. Universities need to apply a year in advance to add new majors.
\n
The low-altitude technology and engineering major was among 29 new majors approved by the Ministry of Education in April, which aims to align university major implementations with national development needs.
\n
Six top universities, including Beihang University, Beijing Institute of Technology, and the Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, have gained approval from the ministry to offer the major this year, with undergraduate students expected to enroll in related programs for the upcoming fall semester.
\n
The Civil Aviation Administration of China has forecast that the domestic low-altitude economy market will reach 1.5 trillion yuan ($209 billion) this year, and grow to 3.5 trillion yuan by 2035.
\n
University majors undergo reshuffles every year. In its latest change released by the Ministry of Education in April, universities nationwide added 1,839 new undergraduate programs while suspending enrollment in 2,220 programs and phasing out 1,428 others in 2025. Additionally, 157 existing programs underwent modifications in degree categories or the duration of study.
Buddhist clergy, especially key Buddhist leaders in China, are urged to strengthen their legal awareness and strictly observe national laws, the Buddhist Association of China said in a statement.
\n
Ordination doesn't exempt Buddhist monks and nuns from constitutional obligations as Buddhist clergy are first and foremost Chinese citizens, according to the statement released on Tuesday evening.
\n
"Their religious identity neither negates civic responsibilities nor places them above the law," it said.
\n
It was the second statement issued by the association in a month urging the Buddhist community to deeply reflect and draw lessons from the case of Shi Yongxin, former abbot of the world-renowned Shaolin Temple.
\n
On July 27, the Shaolin Temple announced that Shi was under investigation by multiple authorities for allegedly embezzling funds and having affairs with various women, resulting in him fathering at least one child. Two days later, the association revoked Shi's ordination certificate, which is proof of acceptance into the monastic community.
\n
"Shi's actions have disrupted the management of Shaolin Temple and the proper order of the Buddhist community, hindered the healthy transmission of Buddhism, and brought discredit to the national Buddhist community," the statement added.
\n
Born in 1965, Shi became a monk in 1981 and had served as the 30th abbot of the 1,500-year-old temple located in a mountain range in Henan province since 1999. He is also known as the first Chinese abbot to hold a master's degree in business administration.
\n
According to the statement issued by the association on Aug 7, Shi's case sounded an alarm for the entire Buddhist community in China.
\n
"Shi's case has exposed loopholes in the management of Buddhist organizations and venues. And internal supervision mechanisms in the Buddhist community need further improvement," the first statement said.
\n
Meanwhile, some Buddhist leaders have been negligent in their practice, lax in self-discipline and have allowed their faith to waver, ultimately losing the ethical standards Buddhists should uphold. Shi's actions not only ruined his own spiritual life and wisdom, but also damaged the ethical standards of Buddhism, it added.
\n
The association also said it firmly supports the relevant departments' lawful handling of Shi's case and vowed to advance comprehensive and strict governance of the Buddhist community. Those who violate precepts and rules will be resolutely disciplined, it added.
\n
cuijia@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
Buddhist clergy, especially key Buddhist leaders in China, are urged to strengthen their legal awareness and strictly observe national laws, the Buddhist Association of China said in a statement.
\n
Ordination doesn't exempt Buddhist monks and nuns from constitutional obligations as Buddhist clergy are first and foremost Chinese citizens, according to the statement released on Tuesday evening.
\n
"Their religious identity neither negates civic responsibilities nor places them above the law," it said.
\n
It was the second statement issued by the association in a month urging the Buddhist community to deeply reflect and draw lessons from the case of Shi Yongxin, former abbot of the world-renowned Shaolin Temple.
\n
On July 27, the Shaolin Temple announced that Shi was under investigation by multiple authorities for allegedly embezzling funds and having affairs with various women, resulting in him fathering at least one child. Two days later, the association revoked Shi's ordination certificate, which is proof of acceptance into the monastic community.
\n
"Shi's actions have disrupted the management of Shaolin Temple and the proper order of the Buddhist community, hindered the healthy transmission of Buddhism, and brought discredit to the national Buddhist community," the statement added.
\n
Born in 1965, Shi became a monk in 1981 and had served as the 30th abbot of the 1,500-year-old temple located in a mountain range in Henan province since 1999. He is also known as the first Chinese abbot to hold a master's degree in business administration.
\n
According to the statement issued by the association on Aug 7, Shi's case sounded an alarm for the entire Buddhist community in China.
\n
"Shi's case has exposed loopholes in the management of Buddhist organizations and venues. And internal supervision mechanisms in the Buddhist community need further improvement," the first statement said.
\n
Meanwhile, some Buddhist leaders have been negligent in their practice, lax in self-discipline and have allowed their faith to waver, ultimately losing the ethical standards Buddhists should uphold. Shi's actions not only ruined his own spiritual life and wisdom, but also damaged the ethical standards of Buddhism, it added.
\n
The association also said it firmly supports the relevant departments' lawful handling of Shi's case and vowed to advance comprehensive and strict governance of the Buddhist community. Those who violate precepts and rules will be resolutely disciplined, it added.
A study of lunar samples retrieved by the Chang'e 6 mission has dated the formation of the Apollo basin to 4.16 billion years ago, meaning the onset of the late heavy bombardment occurred at least 100 million years earlier than thought. The finding offers new insights into the early dynamic evolution of the moon and the solar system.
\n
The late heavy bombardment refers to a period of lunar basin-forming epoch due to intense bombardments from small celestial bodies.
\n
The Apollo basin, where the Chang'e 6 mission sampled lunar soils, has a diameter of about 540 kilometers. As the largest crater within the moon's largest and oldest impact basin — the South Pole-Aitken basin — its formation might well indicate the onset of the late heavy bombardment.
\n
Through the analysis of samples from the far side of the moon, the study reveals that the late heavy bombardment initiated at least 4.16 billion years ago, which is 100 million years earlier than the previously suspected cataclysm between 3.8 to 4 billion years ago. This finding suggests that the lunar early impact flux is consistent with a gradual decline rather than an abrupt surge.
\n
According to the study published in the journal Nature Astronomy on Wednesday, the research team, led by Xu Yigang, an academician from the Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, examined three impact-melt fragments with sizes ranging from 150 to 300 micrometers. These fragments are a special type of lunar rock that formed through the cooling and crystallization of impact melts generated during impacts and are regarded as the most ideal "geological clock" for the impact records of the moon.
\n
Integrating remote sensing, geological, geochemical and petrological data, the study confirms that the Apollo basin formed around 4.16 billion years ago.
\n
limenghan@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
A study of lunar samples retrieved by the Chang'e 6 mission has dated the formation of the Apollo basin to 4.16 billion years ago, meaning the onset of the late heavy bombardment occurred at least 100 million years earlier than thought. The finding offers new insights into the early dynamic evolution of the moon and the solar system.
\n
The late heavy bombardment refers to a period of lunar basin-forming epoch due to intense bombardments from small celestial bodies.
\n
The Apollo basin, where the Chang'e 6 mission sampled lunar soils, has a diameter of about 540 kilometers. As the largest crater within the moon's largest and oldest impact basin — the South Pole-Aitken basin — its formation might well indicate the onset of the late heavy bombardment.
\n
Through the analysis of samples from the far side of the moon, the study reveals that the late heavy bombardment initiated at least 4.16 billion years ago, which is 100 million years earlier than the previously suspected cataclysm between 3.8 to 4 billion years ago. This finding suggests that the lunar early impact flux is consistent with a gradual decline rather than an abrupt surge.
\n
According to the study published in the journal Nature Astronomy on Wednesday, the research team, led by Xu Yigang, an academician from the Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, examined three impact-melt fragments with sizes ranging from 150 to 300 micrometers. These fragments are a special type of lunar rock that formed through the cooling and crystallization of impact melts generated during impacts and are regarded as the most ideal "geological clock" for the impact records of the moon.
\n
Integrating remote sensing, geological, geochemical and petrological data, the study confirms that the Apollo basin formed around 4.16 billion years ago.
Gansu province has enacted legislation mandating a female-to-male restroom ratio of no less than 2-to-1 in high-traffic areas, setting a pioneering standard for urban planning in China.
\n
The law, which took effect on Aug 1, requires governments at all levels in Gansu to consider the special needs of women in the planning and construction of infrastructure and to ensure there are enough public toilets and baby care rooms. The ratio of female to male toilet stalls in urban public toilets should be raised to 3-to-2, and in crowded venues, the ratio should be increased to 2-to-1.
\n
"It has provided practical and effective legal guarantees for safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of women in Gansu, promoting gender equality, facilitating the all-round development of women, and continuously enhancing the sense of gain, happiness and security of the vast number of women," said Li Yue, deputy director of the Legislative Affairs Commission of the Standing Committee of the Gansu Provincial People's Congress.
\n
At the Crescent Spring scenic spot in Dunhuang, the change has been visible.
\n
"The change reveals public service refinement and gender equality," said Li Xiaoqing, deputy director of the site.
\n
According to Li, the scenic area converted a restroom that had been shared by both men and women into a restroom exclusively for women. Two mobile restrooms with 20 stalls have been added, and two more with 40 stalls are being purchased. The scenic area now has 16 restrooms, achieving a 2-to-1 ratio for women and men.
\n
The law has been warmly welcomed by the public. A tourist surnamed Jin from Zhejiang province said she was surprised to find toilets specially provided for women at the scenic area.
\n
"It's people-oriented service," she said.
\n
The reform responds to persistent inequities in restroom design, which traditionally favored a 1-to-1 ratio despite women's longer usage times. A 2017 study by Ghent University in Belgium found men take an average of 60 seconds in a toilet while women take 90 seconds.
\n
Meanwhile, a new regulation on women's rights protection in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region will take effect Sept 1. The regulation mandates that governments at or above the county level build mother-and-baby rooms and increase the proportion of female toilet stalls. In places with heavy traffic flow, the female-to-male ratio of stalls should not be less than 2-to-1 when planning and constructing infrastructure, carrying out urban renewal and promoting the development of new towns.
\n
For employers with a large number of female employees, the regulation requires facilities such as health rooms, restrooms for pregnant women and mother-and-baby rooms to meet employees' needs. It also encourages supermarkets, shopping malls, cinemas and other business premises to provide public toilets and mother-and-baby rooms that meet the needs of women.
\n
Other cities in China, including Shenzhen in Guangdong province and Chongqing, are testing solutions such as "tidal toilets" and internet-of-things-enabled dynamic allocation systems to optimize the ratio, People's Daily reported on Monday.
\n
Contact the writers at wangsongsong@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
Gansu province has enacted legislation mandating a female-to-male restroom ratio of no less than 2-to-1 in high-traffic areas, setting a pioneering standard for urban planning in China.
\n
The law, which took effect on Aug 1, requires governments at all levels in Gansu to consider the special needs of women in the planning and construction of infrastructure and to ensure there are enough public toilets and baby care rooms. The ratio of female to male toilet stalls in urban public toilets should be raised to 3-to-2, and in crowded venues, the ratio should be increased to 2-to-1.
\n
"It has provided practical and effective legal guarantees for safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of women in Gansu, promoting gender equality, facilitating the all-round development of women, and continuously enhancing the sense of gain, happiness and security of the vast number of women," said Li Yue, deputy director of the Legislative Affairs Commission of the Standing Committee of the Gansu Provincial People's Congress.
\n
At the Crescent Spring scenic spot in Dunhuang, the change has been visible.
\n
"The change reveals public service refinement and gender equality," said Li Xiaoqing, deputy director of the site.
\n
According to Li, the scenic area converted a restroom that had been shared by both men and women into a restroom exclusively for women. Two mobile restrooms with 20 stalls have been added, and two more with 40 stalls are being purchased. The scenic area now has 16 restrooms, achieving a 2-to-1 ratio for women and men.
\n
The law has been warmly welcomed by the public. A tourist surnamed Jin from Zhejiang province said she was surprised to find toilets specially provided for women at the scenic area.
\n
"It's people-oriented service," she said.
\n
The reform responds to persistent inequities in restroom design, which traditionally favored a 1-to-1 ratio despite women's longer usage times. A 2017 study by Ghent University in Belgium found men take an average of 60 seconds in a toilet while women take 90 seconds.
\n
Meanwhile, a new regulation on women's rights protection in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region will take effect Sept 1. The regulation mandates that governments at or above the county level build mother-and-baby rooms and increase the proportion of female toilet stalls. In places with heavy traffic flow, the female-to-male ratio of stalls should not be less than 2-to-1 when planning and constructing infrastructure, carrying out urban renewal and promoting the development of new towns.
\n
For employers with a large number of female employees, the regulation requires facilities such as health rooms, restrooms for pregnant women and mother-and-baby rooms to meet employees' needs. It also encourages supermarkets, shopping malls, cinemas and other business premises to provide public toilets and mother-and-baby rooms that meet the needs of women.
\n
Other cities in China, including Shenzhen in Guangdong province and Chongqing, are testing solutions such as "tidal toilets" and internet-of-things-enabled dynamic allocation systems to optimize the ratio, People's Daily reported on Monday.
\n
Contact the writers at wangsongsong@chinadaily.com.cn
Visitors to the Bai Causeway at West Lake seek relief from the heat wave with fans and cold drinks in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, on Tuesday. The maximum temperatures climbed to 38.9 C in the main urban area.
\n
China has endured its second-hottest sanfu period on record this year, and forecasters warn that high temperatures will persist in the south even though the period has ended.
\n
Average national temperatures reached 23.21 C during the period, which ran from July 20 to Aug 18. It was the second highest sanfu on record, according to Weather China, a website affiliated with the China Meteorological Administration. The figure narrowly trailed the 23.24 C average recorded in 2024.
\n
Sanfu is the hottest and most humid stretch of the year, according to the Chinese lunar calendar.
\n
Despite lasting only 30 days, this year's sanfu heat was exceptionally intense, Weather China said.
\n
The heat wave set new average-temperature records in Shaanxi province and the Xizang autonomous region, while the Sichuan, Henan and Shanxi provinces logged their second-hottest sanfu on record.
\n
Persistence was also notable, with more than 100 national meteorological stations reporting record numbers of high-temperature days. Yicheng in Hubei province, Ganluo in Sichuan and Luohe in Henan each broke previous records, experiencing more than 20 days of extreme heat; previously, none of the regions had seen more than nine days of such temperatures.
\n
Tang Xiaojing, a weather analyst with Weather China, attributed the extreme heat to a particularly strong and northward-positioned subtropical high.
\n
"This system extended its influence across central North China and the Sichuan Basin, causing widespread and intense heat due to descending warm air currents," she said.
\n
Although sanfu has ended, scorching weather persists across regions south of the Yellow and Huaihe rivers as the subtropical high remains strong, Weather China said.
\n
Daytime highs could reach up to 40 C in cities such as Hangzhou in Zhejiang province, Nanjing in Jiangsu province and Shanghai. Nighttime lows are expected to hover near 30 C in some areas.
\n
On Wednesday morning, the National Meteorological Center issued a yellow alert for high temperatures, the lowest in its three-tier warning system. Forecasts said most areas along the Yellow and Huaihe rivers, the Yangtze River region, southern Shaanxi and the Sichuan Basin would see highs of 35 C to 39 C.
\n
In some places, including Shandong, Henan and Zhejiang provinces, temperatures could climb above 40 C.
\n
lihongyang@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
Visitors to the Bai Causeway at West Lake seek relief from the heat wave with fans and cold drinks in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, on Tuesday. The maximum temperatures climbed to 38.9 C in the main urban area.
\n
China has endured its second-hottest sanfu period on record this year, and forecasters warn that high temperatures will persist in the south even though the period has ended.
\n
Average national temperatures reached 23.21 C during the period, which ran from July 20 to Aug 18. It was the second highest sanfu on record, according to Weather China, a website affiliated with the China Meteorological Administration. The figure narrowly trailed the 23.24 C average recorded in 2024.
\n
Sanfu is the hottest and most humid stretch of the year, according to the Chinese lunar calendar.
\n
Despite lasting only 30 days, this year's sanfu heat was exceptionally intense, Weather China said.
\n
The heat wave set new average-temperature records in Shaanxi province and the Xizang autonomous region, while the Sichuan, Henan and Shanxi provinces logged their second-hottest sanfu on record.
\n
Persistence was also notable, with more than 100 national meteorological stations reporting record numbers of high-temperature days. Yicheng in Hubei province, Ganluo in Sichuan and Luohe in Henan each broke previous records, experiencing more than 20 days of extreme heat; previously, none of the regions had seen more than nine days of such temperatures.
\n
Tang Xiaojing, a weather analyst with Weather China, attributed the extreme heat to a particularly strong and northward-positioned subtropical high.
\n
"This system extended its influence across central North China and the Sichuan Basin, causing widespread and intense heat due to descending warm air currents," she said.
\n
Although sanfu has ended, scorching weather persists across regions south of the Yellow and Huaihe rivers as the subtropical high remains strong, Weather China said.
\n
Daytime highs could reach up to 40 C in cities such as Hangzhou in Zhejiang province, Nanjing in Jiangsu province and Shanghai. Nighttime lows are expected to hover near 30 C in some areas.
\n
On Wednesday morning, the National Meteorological Center issued a yellow alert for high temperatures, the lowest in its three-tier warning system. Forecasts said most areas along the Yellow and Huaihe rivers, the Yangtze River region, southern Shaanxi and the Sichuan Basin would see highs of 35 C to 39 C.
\n
In some places, including Shandong, Henan and Zhejiang provinces, temperatures could climb above 40 C.
Education leaders, not technology alone, will determine the success of digital transformation in East Asia's classrooms, according to a new UNESCO report released this week during the Global Smart Education Conference 2025.
\n
"East Asia: Lead for Technology", a regional edition of the 2024/25 Global Education Monitoring Report, said school principals, education officials and teacher leaders — or their representatives — are central to ensuring that technology adoption in classrooms improves future learning and focuses on students.
\n
The report highlights how countries across East Asia have become pioneers in incorporating digital education: China has advanced a unified national smart education platform through its Digital China Initiative; Japan has rolled out a one-device-per-student policy; and South Korea is developing AI-powered textbooks for nationwide use by 2028.
\n
However, the report cautions that devices and networks alone will not bring meaningful change, and collaboration among education leaders is essential in digital reform efforts.
\n
Manos Antoninis, director of the Global Education Monitoring Report, said digital education technology is evolving at a rapid pace, and it is necessary to inject human-centered care into reforms to ensure that the interests of students remain at the core.
\n
"School and education system leaders play a crucial role in this process, but their importance may not be fully recognized," he said.
\n
In China, digital learning has been regarded as a cornerstone of the country's education modernization drive, said Huang Ronghuai, dean of the Smart Learning Institute at Beijing Normal University.
\n
The country has consolidated 32 provincial platforms into a single national smart education public service system, which categorizes resources by school level and curriculum to reduce duplication and ensure equal access.
\n
As part of its Digital China Initiative, the government has set a target to introduce artificial intelligence education in all primary and secondary schools by 2030.
\n
Local education authorities have been facilitating collaboration between schools. Qinghai province, for example, has built partnerships with education institutions in Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces.
\n
Huang, a co-author of the report, said the Global Smart Education Conference in Beijing, which ran from Monday to Wednesday, provided a platform to share experiences and address common challenges in advancing inclusive and equitable education in the digital era.
\n
The report said principals, teachers and local officials carry the responsibility of ensuring that digital transformation is more than a technical exercise. Principals are expected not only to manage digital resources and cybersecurity, but also to guide teaching innovation and protect student well-being.
\n
Teacher leaders embed reforms at the classroom level by experimenting with new methods and sharing best practices, while local education officials oversee implementation and provide crucial feedback to policymakers, it said.
\n
Stefania Giannini, UNESCO's assistant director-general for education, said East Asia offers a compelling example of how leadership roles are evolving in response to new technologies.
\n
"School principals can no longer be seen as mere administrators," she said, adding that it is critical to empower education leaders with training.
\n
According to the report, countries should establish systematic training programs to raise the digital literacy and leadership capacity of education administrators. It called for investing in technical support workers to ease the burden on schools.
\n
In addition, the development of collaborative systems and cross-regional partnerships among different levels of education authorities is encouraged.
\n
The future of smart education depends not only on the technology itself, but also on whether education systems and leaders can drive reforms toward quality and sustainability, the report said.
\n
zhaoyimeng@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
Education leaders, not technology alone, will determine the success of digital transformation in East Asia's classrooms, according to a new UNESCO report released this week during the Global Smart Education Conference 2025.
\n
"East Asia: Lead for Technology", a regional edition of the 2024/25 Global Education Monitoring Report, said school principals, education officials and teacher leaders — or their representatives — are central to ensuring that technology adoption in classrooms improves future learning and focuses on students.
\n
The report highlights how countries across East Asia have become pioneers in incorporating digital education: China has advanced a unified national smart education platform through its Digital China Initiative; Japan has rolled out a one-device-per-student policy; and South Korea is developing AI-powered textbooks for nationwide use by 2028.
\n
However, the report cautions that devices and networks alone will not bring meaningful change, and collaboration among education leaders is essential in digital reform efforts.
\n
Manos Antoninis, director of the Global Education Monitoring Report, said digital education technology is evolving at a rapid pace, and it is necessary to inject human-centered care into reforms to ensure that the interests of students remain at the core.
\n
"School and education system leaders play a crucial role in this process, but their importance may not be fully recognized," he said.
\n
In China, digital learning has been regarded as a cornerstone of the country's education modernization drive, said Huang Ronghuai, dean of the Smart Learning Institute at Beijing Normal University.
\n
The country has consolidated 32 provincial platforms into a single national smart education public service system, which categorizes resources by school level and curriculum to reduce duplication and ensure equal access.
\n
As part of its Digital China Initiative, the government has set a target to introduce artificial intelligence education in all primary and secondary schools by 2030.
\n
Local education authorities have been facilitating collaboration between schools. Qinghai province, for example, has built partnerships with education institutions in Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces.
\n
Huang, a co-author of the report, said the Global Smart Education Conference in Beijing, which ran from Monday to Wednesday, provided a platform to share experiences and address common challenges in advancing inclusive and equitable education in the digital era.
\n
The report said principals, teachers and local officials carry the responsibility of ensuring that digital transformation is more than a technical exercise. Principals are expected not only to manage digital resources and cybersecurity, but also to guide teaching innovation and protect student well-being.
\n
Teacher leaders embed reforms at the classroom level by experimenting with new methods and sharing best practices, while local education officials oversee implementation and provide crucial feedback to policymakers, it said.
\n
Stefania Giannini, UNESCO's assistant director-general for education, said East Asia offers a compelling example of how leadership roles are evolving in response to new technologies.
\n
"School principals can no longer be seen as mere administrators," she said, adding that it is critical to empower education leaders with training.
\n
According to the report, countries should establish systematic training programs to raise the digital literacy and leadership capacity of education administrators. It called for investing in technical support workers to ease the burden on schools.
\n
In addition, the development of collaborative systems and cross-regional partnerships among different levels of education authorities is encouraged.
\n
The future of smart education depends not only on the technology itself, but also on whether education systems and leaders can drive reforms toward quality and sustainability, the report said.
An incoming freshman majoring in automation poses for a photo as Tsinghua University welcomes some 4,000 new students on Wednesday, with volunteers guiding them to registration areas.
\n",
+ "content": "
An incoming freshman majoring in automation poses for a photo as Tsinghua University welcomes some 4,000 new students on Wednesday, with volunteers guiding them to registration areas.
A research team at Nankai University in Tianjin has made major strides in detecting text generated by artificial intelligence, developing a system that significantly reduces false positives and false negatives, a problem that has plagued many existing tools.
\n
The team's research paper on the system has been accepted by ACM Multimedia 2025, one of the world's leading computer science conferences. Their detection feature is now integrated into Paper-Mate, an AI research assistant developed by Nankai professors Li Zhongyi and Guo Chunle, and is available free of charge.
\n
The system has more than 1,000 monthly active users, including teachers and students from several universities such as Peking University, Zhejiang University and Sun Yat-sen University, said team member Fu Jiachen.
\n
"Many users have provided feedback, indicating that PaperMate outperforms similar tools on the market in terms of false positives and false negatives, offering more accurate and reliable detection results," Fu said.
\n
"Current AI detection tools for academic papers often falsely accuse authors. For instance, my senior, while writing his thesis, used existing AI detection tools and found that some of his original content was mistakenly flagged as AI-generated," he said.
\n
Explaining the reasons behind misidentifications by current AI text detection methods, Fu said: "If we liken AI text detection to an exam, the training data of the detector is akin to daily practice questions. Existing detection methods tend to mechanically memorize fixed routines for answering questions, and their accuracy drops significantly when faced with entirely new problems.
\n
"In theory, to achieve universal detection, we would need to train on data from all major models, which is nearly impossible given the rapid iteration of these models today."
\n
Enhancing the detection's generalization ability and enabling the detector to apply principles across various scenarios is crucial for improving AI text detection performance.
\n
The Media Computing Laboratory of Nankai University's School of Computer Science has not only revealed the performance limitations of existing AI detection methods from an evaluation perspective, but has also proposed a "Direct Discrepancy Learning" optimization strategy.
\n
This strategy teaches AI to discern between human- and machine-generated text, achieving a significant breakthrough in detection performance.
\n
"In essence, we improve the accuracy of the detection algorithm to reduce the false positive rate," Fu said.
\n
He also introduced MIRAGE, the team's benchmark dataset.
\n
"We collected human-written texts and then had AI large models refine these texts, resulting in a set of human-original texts and AI-generated texts. By applying both existing algorithms and our algorithm to these texts, MIRAGE records the detection accuracy," he explained.
\n
The dataset test results show that the accuracy of existing detectors dropped from 90 percent to around 60 percent, while detectors trained with Direct Discrepancy Learning maintained an accuracy of more than 85 percent. Compared to Stanford University's DetectGPT, performance improved by more than 70 percent, he said.
\n
Li Zhongyi, who heads the Media Computing Laboratory at Nankai University's School of Computer Science, said the findings highlight fundamental flaws in many current detection systems and offer a practical path forward.
\n
"With AI-generated content developing so rapidly, we will keep iterating our technology and benchmark to achieve faster, more accurate and cost-effective detection," Li said. "Our goal is to use AI itself to make every piece of work shine."
\n
yandongjie@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
A research team at Nankai University in Tianjin has made major strides in detecting text generated by artificial intelligence, developing a system that significantly reduces false positives and false negatives, a problem that has plagued many existing tools.
\n
The team's research paper on the system has been accepted by ACM Multimedia 2025, one of the world's leading computer science conferences. Their detection feature is now integrated into Paper-Mate, an AI research assistant developed by Nankai professors Li Zhongyi and Guo Chunle, and is available free of charge.
\n
The system has more than 1,000 monthly active users, including teachers and students from several universities such as Peking University, Zhejiang University and Sun Yat-sen University, said team member Fu Jiachen.
\n
"Many users have provided feedback, indicating that PaperMate outperforms similar tools on the market in terms of false positives and false negatives, offering more accurate and reliable detection results," Fu said.
\n
"Current AI detection tools for academic papers often falsely accuse authors. For instance, my senior, while writing his thesis, used existing AI detection tools and found that some of his original content was mistakenly flagged as AI-generated," he said.
\n
Explaining the reasons behind misidentifications by current AI text detection methods, Fu said: "If we liken AI text detection to an exam, the training data of the detector is akin to daily practice questions. Existing detection methods tend to mechanically memorize fixed routines for answering questions, and their accuracy drops significantly when faced with entirely new problems.
\n
"In theory, to achieve universal detection, we would need to train on data from all major models, which is nearly impossible given the rapid iteration of these models today."
\n
Enhancing the detection's generalization ability and enabling the detector to apply principles across various scenarios is crucial for improving AI text detection performance.
\n
The Media Computing Laboratory of Nankai University's School of Computer Science has not only revealed the performance limitations of existing AI detection methods from an evaluation perspective, but has also proposed a "Direct Discrepancy Learning" optimization strategy.
\n
This strategy teaches AI to discern between human- and machine-generated text, achieving a significant breakthrough in detection performance.
\n
"In essence, we improve the accuracy of the detection algorithm to reduce the false positive rate," Fu said.
\n
He also introduced MIRAGE, the team's benchmark dataset.
\n
"We collected human-written texts and then had AI large models refine these texts, resulting in a set of human-original texts and AI-generated texts. By applying both existing algorithms and our algorithm to these texts, MIRAGE records the detection accuracy," he explained.
\n
The dataset test results show that the accuracy of existing detectors dropped from 90 percent to around 60 percent, while detectors trained with Direct Discrepancy Learning maintained an accuracy of more than 85 percent. Compared to Stanford University's DetectGPT, performance improved by more than 70 percent, he said.
\n
Li Zhongyi, who heads the Media Computing Laboratory at Nankai University's School of Computer Science, said the findings highlight fundamental flaws in many current detection systems and offer a practical path forward.
\n
"With AI-generated content developing so rapidly, we will keep iterating our technology and benchmark to achieve faster, more accurate and cost-effective detection," Li said. "Our goal is to use AI itself to make every piece of work shine."
Van Svetlana, a Russian entrepreneur, launched her company in Qingdao, Shandong province, in January 2019, drawn by the development potential of the China-Shanghai Cooperation Organization Local Economic and Trade Cooperation Demonstration Area. Over the past six years, her business has doubled in size.
\n
She has also led the Russia National Elements Exhibition Area — the Russian Pavilion at the Qingdao SCODA Pearl International Expo Center — to become a platform for promoting Russian products, language and culture across SCO member countries.
\n
"The pavilion is now more than just an exhibition area; it is a vibrant platform for cultural exchanges. People come here not only to meet and engage in trade, but also to form genuine friendships," said Svetlana, head of the Russian Pavilion.
\n
Svetlana shared her story on Tuesday in Beijing at the launch of Stories of the SCO in the New Era. The book presents 18 accounts of cooperation among SCO countries, covering science and technology, healthcare, education, sports, culture and tourism.
\n
The event was held ahead of the SCO Tianjin Summit, which will run from Aug 31 through Sept 1.
\n
While addressing the launch, Assistant Foreign Minister Liu Bin emphasized the importance of storytelling in fostering public understanding of the SCO.
\n
"Cooperation across various fields within the SCO framework has flourished, with numerous inspiring stories of collaboration emerging. Collecting and promoting these stories can enhance public understanding and awareness of the SCO, making it a valuable endeavor," he said.
\n
Liu noted that since its founding, the SCO has embodied the shared aspirations of people in the region for peace, stability, development, prosperity and lasting friendship.
\n
SCO Deputy Secretary-General Ahmad Saidmurodzoda said the book gathers perspectives from people in various fields, emphasizing a shared objective to enhance mutual understanding, improve people's well-being and achieve regional peace and stability.
\n
"The SCO is a dynamic organization, and since 2021, we have established a strong tradition of deepening cooperation in people-to-people exchanges," he said.
\n
At the event, Hou Xianru, a leading ophthalmologist at Peking University People's Hospital, described how Chinese medical teams have restored sight to thousands in Central Asia.
\n
Since 2019, Hou and his teammates have completed about 950 free cataract surgeries in Uzbekistan and more than 600 in Kyrgyzstan.
\n
"Our work may not be grand or spectacular, but it consists of small, beautiful contributions that have genuinely benefited the local community," Hou said.
\n
By the end of June, Chinese medical teams had completed more than 2,300 free cataract surgeries for people in SCO member countries.
\n
As the book's preface notes, the stories "vividly illustrate the tangible benefits that cooperation within the SCO framework has brought to the peoples of SCO countries".
\n
The book has been released in Chinese, Russian and English.
\n
Liu said the book not only shares experiences of cooperation, but also strengthens confidence in win-win outcomes within SCO countries.
\n
"We hope this book will help readers from various countries gain a deeper understanding of the SCO, become more familiar with the SCO, and engage with the SCO, thereby carrying forward the 'Shanghai Spirit'," he said.
\n
jihaisheng@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
Van Svetlana, a Russian entrepreneur, launched her company in Qingdao, Shandong province, in January 2019, drawn by the development potential of the China-Shanghai Cooperation Organization Local Economic and Trade Cooperation Demonstration Area. Over the past six years, her business has doubled in size.
\n
She has also led the Russia National Elements Exhibition Area — the Russian Pavilion at the Qingdao SCODA Pearl International Expo Center — to become a platform for promoting Russian products, language and culture across SCO member countries.
\n
"The pavilion is now more than just an exhibition area; it is a vibrant platform for cultural exchanges. People come here not only to meet and engage in trade, but also to form genuine friendships," said Svetlana, head of the Russian Pavilion.
\n
Svetlana shared her story on Tuesday in Beijing at the launch of Stories of the SCO in the New Era. The book presents 18 accounts of cooperation among SCO countries, covering science and technology, healthcare, education, sports, culture and tourism.
\n
The event was held ahead of the SCO Tianjin Summit, which will run from Aug 31 through Sept 1.
\n
While addressing the launch, Assistant Foreign Minister Liu Bin emphasized the importance of storytelling in fostering public understanding of the SCO.
\n
"Cooperation across various fields within the SCO framework has flourished, with numerous inspiring stories of collaboration emerging. Collecting and promoting these stories can enhance public understanding and awareness of the SCO, making it a valuable endeavor," he said.
\n
Liu noted that since its founding, the SCO has embodied the shared aspirations of people in the region for peace, stability, development, prosperity and lasting friendship.
\n
SCO Deputy Secretary-General Ahmad Saidmurodzoda said the book gathers perspectives from people in various fields, emphasizing a shared objective to enhance mutual understanding, improve people's well-being and achieve regional peace and stability.
\n
"The SCO is a dynamic organization, and since 2021, we have established a strong tradition of deepening cooperation in people-to-people exchanges," he said.
\n
At the event, Hou Xianru, a leading ophthalmologist at Peking University People's Hospital, described how Chinese medical teams have restored sight to thousands in Central Asia.
\n
Since 2019, Hou and his teammates have completed about 950 free cataract surgeries in Uzbekistan and more than 600 in Kyrgyzstan.
\n
"Our work may not be grand or spectacular, but it consists of small, beautiful contributions that have genuinely benefited the local community," Hou said.
\n
By the end of June, Chinese medical teams had completed more than 2,300 free cataract surgeries for people in SCO member countries.
\n
As the book's preface notes, the stories "vividly illustrate the tangible benefits that cooperation within the SCO framework has brought to the peoples of SCO countries".
\n
The book has been released in Chinese, Russian and English.
\n
Liu said the book not only shares experiences of cooperation, but also strengthens confidence in win-win outcomes within SCO countries.
\n
"We hope this book will help readers from various countries gain a deeper understanding of the SCO, become more familiar with the SCO, and engage with the SCO, thereby carrying forward the 'Shanghai Spirit'," he said.
Bangladeshi trainees practice acrobatics at Hebei Wuqiao Acrobatic Art School on Wednesday, where over 600 foreign students from 34 countries have trained since 2002.
\n",
+ "content": "
Bangladeshi trainees practice acrobatics at Hebei Wuqiao Acrobatic Art School on Wednesday, where over 600 foreign students from 34 countries have trained since 2002.
Foreign diplomats have spoken highly of China's efforts to preserve the giant panda and expressed hopes for stronger cooperation between their countries and China regarding conservation research on the endangered species.
\n
They made the remarks during a visit to the section of the Giant Panda National Park in Ya'an, Sichuan province, ahead of the third National Park Forum in Chengdu, the provincial capital, which opened on Tuesday.
\n
The tour group consisted of diplomats from seven countries, including New Zealand, Belgium and Malaysia, and also representatives from the World Wide Fund for Nature. The group visited a series of facilities devoted to giant panda conservation, including the Ya'an Bifengxia Panda Base of the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, the Panda International Forest Camp and the Daxiangling Giant Panda Reintroduction Research Base.
\n
Karolus Henricus Martinus van Bommel, agricultural counselor at the Netherlands embassy in China, described the Bifengxia facility, which now accommodates over 70 pandas, as an "impressive" and "green" base.
\n
"The pandas have a lot of spaces. I think it is a good and healthy location for the pandas' breeding program," he said.
\n
Van Bommel also underscored the importance of international cooperation in giant panda conservation.
\n
"Having pandas abroad creates awareness of the endangered situation those pandas are in. And also, you can create a joint knowledge about further breeding and research," he stated.
\n
He stressed that the Netherlands would like to continue cooperating with China on research over giant panda conservation.
\n
"I could imagine that also in the future, other species could be included," he said.
\n
Siti Zurianah Binti Ismail, first secretary of the Malaysian embassy in China, described the Bifengxia base as resembling a natural habitat rather than a traditional zoo.
\n
"The center is more natural …They are in what we call a natural habitat," she said.
\n
She said she was impressed to see two panda families, each with a set of twin cubs. Breeding pandas is inherently challenging, and the task becomes even more complex when twins are involved.
\n
This underscores the crucial role of the facility in promoting the reproduction of the endangered species and ensuring its sustainability, she said.
\n
Recalling Malaysia-China cooperation on giant panda conservation research, the first secretary emphasized that such collaborations "provide a lot of benefits".
\n
She cited knowledge sharing and the enhancement of global awareness on conserving endangered species as two examples of the benefits.
\n
"Countries can exchange expertise on raising techniques, habitat restoration and disease control. For example, Malaysia has benefited from China's extensive research on panda breeding and husbandry," she remarked.
\n
She mentioned that although two pandas recently returned to China in May after an 11-year stay in Malaysia, the two countries have agreed to send another pair of pandas to Malaysia this year.
\n
The previous two giant pandas became one of the main attractions at the national zoo in Malaysia. So people really look forward to the new pandas, she said.
\n
According to the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, China is currently conducting collaborative research on giant panda conservation with 16 institutions from 15 countries, including the United States, Austria, Spain, Australia and France. Currently, 40 giant pandas are residing abroad.
\n
houliqiang@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
Foreign diplomats have spoken highly of China's efforts to preserve the giant panda and expressed hopes for stronger cooperation between their countries and China regarding conservation research on the endangered species.
\n
They made the remarks during a visit to the section of the Giant Panda National Park in Ya'an, Sichuan province, ahead of the third National Park Forum in Chengdu, the provincial capital, which opened on Tuesday.
\n
The tour group consisted of diplomats from seven countries, including New Zealand, Belgium and Malaysia, and also representatives from the World Wide Fund for Nature. The group visited a series of facilities devoted to giant panda conservation, including the Ya'an Bifengxia Panda Base of the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, the Panda International Forest Camp and the Daxiangling Giant Panda Reintroduction Research Base.
\n
Karolus Henricus Martinus van Bommel, agricultural counselor at the Netherlands embassy in China, described the Bifengxia facility, which now accommodates over 70 pandas, as an "impressive" and "green" base.
\n
"The pandas have a lot of spaces. I think it is a good and healthy location for the pandas' breeding program," he said.
\n
Van Bommel also underscored the importance of international cooperation in giant panda conservation.
\n
"Having pandas abroad creates awareness of the endangered situation those pandas are in. And also, you can create a joint knowledge about further breeding and research," he stated.
\n
He stressed that the Netherlands would like to continue cooperating with China on research over giant panda conservation.
\n
"I could imagine that also in the future, other species could be included," he said.
\n
Siti Zurianah Binti Ismail, first secretary of the Malaysian embassy in China, described the Bifengxia base as resembling a natural habitat rather than a traditional zoo.
\n
"The center is more natural …They are in what we call a natural habitat," she said.
\n
She said she was impressed to see two panda families, each with a set of twin cubs. Breeding pandas is inherently challenging, and the task becomes even more complex when twins are involved.
\n
This underscores the crucial role of the facility in promoting the reproduction of the endangered species and ensuring its sustainability, she said.
\n
Recalling Malaysia-China cooperation on giant panda conservation research, the first secretary emphasized that such collaborations "provide a lot of benefits".
\n
She cited knowledge sharing and the enhancement of global awareness on conserving endangered species as two examples of the benefits.
\n
"Countries can exchange expertise on raising techniques, habitat restoration and disease control. For example, Malaysia has benefited from China's extensive research on panda breeding and husbandry," she remarked.
\n
She mentioned that although two pandas recently returned to China in May after an 11-year stay in Malaysia, the two countries have agreed to send another pair of pandas to Malaysia this year.
\n
The previous two giant pandas became one of the main attractions at the national zoo in Malaysia. So people really look forward to the new pandas, she said.
\n
According to the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, China is currently conducting collaborative research on giant panda conservation with 16 institutions from 15 countries, including the United States, Austria, Spain, Australia and France. Currently, 40 giant pandas are residing abroad.
Mei Meng (left) and a teacher of Qisheng Special Education and Training School help Shang Zhipeng get off the bus in Xiangyang, Hubei province.
\n
Mei cleans the sign of "compassionate bus stop" in Xiangyang.
\n
A special "compassionate bus stop" was recently established in Xiangyang, Hubei province, for a boy with cerebral palsy to commute between his home and school despite concerns over costs.
\n
It's extremely rare to set up a bus stop for a single individual. Behind it is a commitment lasting more than three years, telling a warmhearted story about a city's care for the vulnerable group and the trust between strangers.
\n
Every day at 7 am, the boy, Shang Zhipeng, 15, and his mother Jiang Feifei wait for bus route 73 at its starting station. Shang gets on, swipes his bus card, and waves goodbye to his mother. With the driver Mei Meng holding his arm, Shang sits down on the seat at the right rear of the driver, so that Mei can keep an eye on him through the mirror. "This child is special. We need to maintain his safety at all times," Mei said.
\n
One hour later, while all the passengers get off at the route's terminal station, Shang stays back. After five minutes, the bus arrives at the "compassionate bus stop" near Qisheng Special Education and Training School.
\n
Mei helps him get off and entrusts his care to the boy's teachers.
\n
"The first time I saw Shang and his mother was in February 2022. I noticed that the child didn't move very smoothly, and the mother always nodded off. I then talked to them, learning that the mother had to work at night and escorted the boy to school and home in the daytime, feeling exhausted," Mei said, adding they had to walk 2 kilometers to the school after alighting at the terminal station.
\n
Since March 2022, Mei and his colleagues have volunteered to pick up the child at 7 am from the starting station and the school at around 5 pm. Since the special school doesn't have summer and winter vacations, he and his colleagues have completed more than 1,600 trips in more than 800 days. "I understand how difficult life can be for a family with a child with intellectual disabilities. I hope to ease their hardships. I want the child to feel cared for and the family to see the kindness and support of society," Mei said, adding that he has a child of roughly the same age as Shang.
\n
Mei once visited their home in summer and was struck by the cramped living space. There was no air conditioner, and the stifling heat had turned the mother's face red.
\n
"Though I couldn't offer much materially, I could at least ensure Shang's safety on his way to school, easing some of his mother's burdens and supporting the family in my own way," he said.
\n
Jiang said Mei told her they can accompany the boy on the bus so she can take a rest.
\n
"When Mei offered to help, I was, of course, grateful and happy, but also a little worried. After all, the child's condition is special, and Mei and the others were volunteering out of goodwill. If anything went wrong, it would be hard to explain. But to my surprise, Mei was incredibly responsible," she said.
\n
Previously, Jiang had to accompany the child on the bus, which disrupted her normal work schedule and sleep. Getting off the bus, they still had to walk about 20 minutes, and rainy days made it even harder.
\n
She said now she hardly worries about the child's commute. Since the drivers took over, she has quit the night shift job and found daytime work near home. "Life has become much easier," she added.
\n
"For families like ours, it's nearly impossible to hire someone to escort our child — we can't afford to pay too much, but pay too little, and no one is willing to take the responsibility. So Mei's kindness meant the world to me. He treated my child as his own, often bringing snacks and fruits," she said.
\n
Jiang remembered a time, just before International Children's Day, when Shang was sick and couldn't go to school. Yet Mei had prepared a gift in advance. When Shang received it, he was overjoyed — hugging him, kissing him, and dancing. "Even though he struggles with expressing emotions, his happiness was unmistakable. That gift was cherished for days," she said.
\n
Jiang said this experience made her aware that there are good, kindhearted people in society, and it gives her renewed hope for the child's future. "I'm truly grateful," she added.
\n
Though the 4-km extra route daily for a single passenger entails an extra cost, Huang Yong, deputy manager of Mei's company, the second branch of Xiangyang Public Transport Group, said: "As long as we can let the child go to school safely, it's worthwhile."
\n
It's the first "compassionate bus stop" in the city.
\n
Contact the writers at chenmeiling@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
Mei Meng (left) and a teacher of Qisheng Special Education and Training School help Shang Zhipeng get off the bus in Xiangyang, Hubei province.
\n
Mei cleans the sign of "compassionate bus stop" in Xiangyang.
\n
A special "compassionate bus stop" was recently established in Xiangyang, Hubei province, for a boy with cerebral palsy to commute between his home and school despite concerns over costs.
\n
It's extremely rare to set up a bus stop for a single individual. Behind it is a commitment lasting more than three years, telling a warmhearted story about a city's care for the vulnerable group and the trust between strangers.
\n
Every day at 7 am, the boy, Shang Zhipeng, 15, and his mother Jiang Feifei wait for bus route 73 at its starting station. Shang gets on, swipes his bus card, and waves goodbye to his mother. With the driver Mei Meng holding his arm, Shang sits down on the seat at the right rear of the driver, so that Mei can keep an eye on him through the mirror. "This child is special. We need to maintain his safety at all times," Mei said.
\n
One hour later, while all the passengers get off at the route's terminal station, Shang stays back. After five minutes, the bus arrives at the "compassionate bus stop" near Qisheng Special Education and Training School.
\n
Mei helps him get off and entrusts his care to the boy's teachers.
\n
"The first time I saw Shang and his mother was in February 2022. I noticed that the child didn't move very smoothly, and the mother always nodded off. I then talked to them, learning that the mother had to work at night and escorted the boy to school and home in the daytime, feeling exhausted," Mei said, adding they had to walk 2 kilometers to the school after alighting at the terminal station.
\n
Since March 2022, Mei and his colleagues have volunteered to pick up the child at 7 am from the starting station and the school at around 5 pm. Since the special school doesn't have summer and winter vacations, he and his colleagues have completed more than 1,600 trips in more than 800 days. "I understand how difficult life can be for a family with a child with intellectual disabilities. I hope to ease their hardships. I want the child to feel cared for and the family to see the kindness and support of society," Mei said, adding that he has a child of roughly the same age as Shang.
\n
Mei once visited their home in summer and was struck by the cramped living space. There was no air conditioner, and the stifling heat had turned the mother's face red.
\n
"Though I couldn't offer much materially, I could at least ensure Shang's safety on his way to school, easing some of his mother's burdens and supporting the family in my own way," he said.
\n
Jiang said Mei told her they can accompany the boy on the bus so she can take a rest.
\n
"When Mei offered to help, I was, of course, grateful and happy, but also a little worried. After all, the child's condition is special, and Mei and the others were volunteering out of goodwill. If anything went wrong, it would be hard to explain. But to my surprise, Mei was incredibly responsible," she said.
\n
Previously, Jiang had to accompany the child on the bus, which disrupted her normal work schedule and sleep. Getting off the bus, they still had to walk about 20 minutes, and rainy days made it even harder.
\n
She said now she hardly worries about the child's commute. Since the drivers took over, she has quit the night shift job and found daytime work near home. "Life has become much easier," she added.
\n
"For families like ours, it's nearly impossible to hire someone to escort our child — we can't afford to pay too much, but pay too little, and no one is willing to take the responsibility. So Mei's kindness meant the world to me. He treated my child as his own, often bringing snacks and fruits," she said.
\n
Jiang remembered a time, just before International Children's Day, when Shang was sick and couldn't go to school. Yet Mei had prepared a gift in advance. When Shang received it, he was overjoyed — hugging him, kissing him, and dancing. "Even though he struggles with expressing emotions, his happiness was unmistakable. That gift was cherished for days," she said.
\n
Jiang said this experience made her aware that there are good, kindhearted people in society, and it gives her renewed hope for the child's future. "I'm truly grateful," she added.
\n
Though the 4-km extra route daily for a single passenger entails an extra cost, Huang Yong, deputy manager of Mei's company, the second branch of Xiangyang Public Transport Group, said: "As long as we can let the child go to school safely, it's worthwhile."
\n
It's the first "compassionate bus stop" in the city.
\n
Contact the writers at chenmeiling@chinadaily.com.cn
Ding Rugang and Yang Huacai stand with trees they planted on the Helan Mountain in the Ningxia Hui autonomous region.
\n
At the mountain pass Zhengyiguan on the Helan Mountain in the Ningxia Hui autonomous region, the wind once carried only dust and coal ash. Today, it rustles through the leaves of towering scholar trees, thanks to more than three decades of dedication by Ding Rugang and his wife, Yang Huacai.
\n
The couple moved from Donghai county in Jiangsu province to Ningxia's Shizuishan city in 1959 to join in coal mine construction. After retiring in 1988, they sought a quieter life and began planting trees in the barren mountain pass.
\n
"When we first arrived in 1989, you couldn't find a single green leaf," Ding, in his nineties, recalled. He bought some abandoned houses for a small sum and began planting trees.
\n
"The proudest thing in my life is that every tree you see here was planted by our own hands," he said.
\n
Ding's passion had deep roots. "I've always loved planting trees," he said. "When I was a child, I'd bring saplings back from the fields. It's good for the soul and the land."
\n
Their initial efforts were fraught with challenges. Saplings were scarce in the early years. The couple would ride buses and walk kilometers uphill, carrying young trees on their backs or bicycles. On visits to Jiangsu, Ding brought back saplings by train.
\n
The work was physically punishing. The sandy, rocky soil meant digging with pickaxes, sometimes sending sparks flying. Ding once fell into a pit and was knocked unconscious.
\n
Water was another hurdle. In the early years, every drop had to be hauled from the valley in buckets. During droughts for years, batches of young trees withered.
\n
"The start is the hardest," Ding said. "But planting trees makes me happy. The air feels more refreshing,"
\n
Their persistence paid off. The first batch of Chinese scholar trees has now grown into giants, some 20 meters tall and 60 centimeters thick. Today, more than 40,000 trees, including red willow, poplar, ash, apple, pear and apricot trees, cover an estimated 26.67 hectares.
\n
Over time, the couple's children joined the work. Their youngest son, Ding Feng, worked alongside the couple until he passed away in 2021. The same year, their daughter, Ding Ping, moved to the mountain after retiring. Ding Yi, another son, left his job in Yinchuan in 2017 to care for his aging parents and the forest.
\n
"I started helping my parents on weekends as a teenager," Ding Yi said. "Now it's my turn to carry on their work."
\n
Twenty years ago, Ding Yi planted red willows on the southern side of the valley. Today, they have grown into a green belt stretching over 300 meters. Beneath them run irrigation pipes connected to distant springs. Every day, he spends three hours watering the trees, which helps against winds and sand.
\n
The family's efforts have transformed Zhengyiguan into an oasis. The once-barren fields have become a 1,700-m-long and 300-m-wide green belt, with a stream flowing eastward from the area.
\n
Despite having a home in the city, the family spends most of the year in the mountain, tending the forest.
\n
With plans to maintain and expand the forest, the family remains committed to this mission. "After my father can no longer work," Ding Yi said, "I'll keep going. Planting is almost done. Now, it's about protecting what we've grown."
\n
Contact the writers at guoyanqi@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
Ding Rugang and Yang Huacai stand with trees they planted on the Helan Mountain in the Ningxia Hui autonomous region.
\n
At the mountain pass Zhengyiguan on the Helan Mountain in the Ningxia Hui autonomous region, the wind once carried only dust and coal ash. Today, it rustles through the leaves of towering scholar trees, thanks to more than three decades of dedication by Ding Rugang and his wife, Yang Huacai.
\n
The couple moved from Donghai county in Jiangsu province to Ningxia's Shizuishan city in 1959 to join in coal mine construction. After retiring in 1988, they sought a quieter life and began planting trees in the barren mountain pass.
\n
"When we first arrived in 1989, you couldn't find a single green leaf," Ding, in his nineties, recalled. He bought some abandoned houses for a small sum and began planting trees.
\n
"The proudest thing in my life is that every tree you see here was planted by our own hands," he said.
\n
Ding's passion had deep roots. "I've always loved planting trees," he said. "When I was a child, I'd bring saplings back from the fields. It's good for the soul and the land."
\n
Their initial efforts were fraught with challenges. Saplings were scarce in the early years. The couple would ride buses and walk kilometers uphill, carrying young trees on their backs or bicycles. On visits to Jiangsu, Ding brought back saplings by train.
\n
The work was physically punishing. The sandy, rocky soil meant digging with pickaxes, sometimes sending sparks flying. Ding once fell into a pit and was knocked unconscious.
\n
Water was another hurdle. In the early years, every drop had to be hauled from the valley in buckets. During droughts for years, batches of young trees withered.
\n
"The start is the hardest," Ding said. "But planting trees makes me happy. The air feels more refreshing,"
\n
Their persistence paid off. The first batch of Chinese scholar trees has now grown into giants, some 20 meters tall and 60 centimeters thick. Today, more than 40,000 trees, including red willow, poplar, ash, apple, pear and apricot trees, cover an estimated 26.67 hectares.
\n
Over time, the couple's children joined the work. Their youngest son, Ding Feng, worked alongside the couple until he passed away in 2021. The same year, their daughter, Ding Ping, moved to the mountain after retiring. Ding Yi, another son, left his job in Yinchuan in 2017 to care for his aging parents and the forest.
\n
"I started helping my parents on weekends as a teenager," Ding Yi said. "Now it's my turn to carry on their work."
\n
Twenty years ago, Ding Yi planted red willows on the southern side of the valley. Today, they have grown into a green belt stretching over 300 meters. Beneath them run irrigation pipes connected to distant springs. Every day, he spends three hours watering the trees, which helps against winds and sand.
\n
The family's efforts have transformed Zhengyiguan into an oasis. The once-barren fields have become a 1,700-m-long and 300-m-wide green belt, with a stream flowing eastward from the area.
\n
Despite having a home in the city, the family spends most of the year in the mountain, tending the forest.
\n
With plans to maintain and expand the forest, the family remains committed to this mission. "After my father can no longer work," Ding Yi said, "I'll keep going. Planting is almost done. Now, it's about protecting what we've grown."
Shoulder to shoulder with strangers on a swaying subway car, Li Zining plugs in her earbuds, and as the narrator of the sci-fi epic The Three-Body Problem begins, the clang of doors and hum of conversation fade, leaving her adrift in a quiet, otherworldly realm of her own.
\n
Across China, millions of Generation Z readers are seeking the same hush, their glowing screens now serving as the new parchment. "Just got into sci-fi, so I started with the classics," Li said, noting that whether cooking or running, she's always got an audiobook playing, and before she knew it, she'd plowed through several hefty sci-fi titles.
\n
China's digital natives born between 1995 and 2009, also known as "Generation Z", have rewritten the rules of how stories are discovered, consumed and shared.
\n
Making up nearly one-fifth of the country's total population, they are more likely to download e-books onto their phones and tablets than to visit bookstores or libraries for physical copies. They consume vast amounts of online literature, share reviews and annotations on social media platforms, follow "book bloggers", and seek out "reading buddies".
\n
Data from WeChat Reading shows that 6.56 million, or 46 percent, of its monthly active users belong to Gen Z. On Zhangyue, the iReader Technology platform, about one-third of monthly active users are Gen Zers, who spend an average of 120 minutes per day on the platform.
\n
Chen Wenting, who holds an annual subscription to a reading app, believes that e-reading allows for "reading whenever and wherever you want" and is relatively cost-effective.
\n
A survey by the Chinese Academy of Press and Publication shows that last year, 38.5 percent of adult citizens engaged in reading through audiobooks.
\n
For the youngsters, books are not only read but also experienced through others' interpretations.
\n
Cheng Nan, a college student, has recently become engrossed in watching explanatory videos of the Nobel Prize-winning novel One Hundred Years of Solitude on the video-sharing platform Bilibili. "I found it hard to muster the courage to read such a classic, but the explanatory videos were quite engaging," she said.
\n
These videos not only cover the plot but also provide background and extended insights, often accompanied by animations or clips from TV adaptations, making them very appealing, Cheng added.
\n
When a content creator drops a video clip on social media with illustrations about the Chinese novel White Deer Plain, the view counter races past 20 million more quickly than most first printings sell out.
\n
In 2024, the number of reading videos longer than five minutes on the Douyin platform increased by 336 percent year on year, with a 137 percent increase in their views. Meanwhile, book review videos and images saw a 135 percent increase in views and a 518 percent jump in cumulative shares.
\n
Some Gen Z readers also enjoy finding like-minded "reading buddies". According to Xiao Xia, a college student, reading with a "buddy" not only helps keep schedules on track and encourages timely completion of books, but also offers fresh perspectives and knowledge, uncovering blind spots in one's thinking.
\n
On the WeChat Reading platform, users can interact with others by highlighting and commenting on specific sentences. "You can record your thoughts when reading a book or a particular sentence. When you don't understand something in the book, you can see what others think and sometimes have an epiphany," Chen Wenting said.
\n
Reading weighty volumes becomes more interesting when you can read along with comments from other readers, Chen added.
\n
Traditional publishers are now chasing the digital glow, using big data to target readers and livestreaming to launch new titles. "We are in a critical period of redefining product forms and industry rules," said Huang Zhijian, chairman of the China Publishing Group. "The core of the publishing industry is knowledge sharing, which should not be limited to physical books."
\n
Cong Ting, a professor at the School of Publishing, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, said, "The publishing sector must actively use new technologies to make quality content more accessible and perceptible to the young population."
\n",
+ "content": "
Shoulder to shoulder with strangers on a swaying subway car, Li Zining plugs in her earbuds, and as the narrator of the sci-fi epic The Three-Body Problem begins, the clang of doors and hum of conversation fade, leaving her adrift in a quiet, otherworldly realm of her own.
\n
Across China, millions of Generation Z readers are seeking the same hush, their glowing screens now serving as the new parchment. "Just got into sci-fi, so I started with the classics," Li said, noting that whether cooking or running, she's always got an audiobook playing, and before she knew it, she'd plowed through several hefty sci-fi titles.
\n
China's digital natives born between 1995 and 2009, also known as "Generation Z", have rewritten the rules of how stories are discovered, consumed and shared.
\n
Making up nearly one-fifth of the country's total population, they are more likely to download e-books onto their phones and tablets than to visit bookstores or libraries for physical copies. They consume vast amounts of online literature, share reviews and annotations on social media platforms, follow "book bloggers", and seek out "reading buddies".
\n
Data from WeChat Reading shows that 6.56 million, or 46 percent, of its monthly active users belong to Gen Z. On Zhangyue, the iReader Technology platform, about one-third of monthly active users are Gen Zers, who spend an average of 120 minutes per day on the platform.
\n
Chen Wenting, who holds an annual subscription to a reading app, believes that e-reading allows for "reading whenever and wherever you want" and is relatively cost-effective.
\n
A survey by the Chinese Academy of Press and Publication shows that last year, 38.5 percent of adult citizens engaged in reading through audiobooks.
\n
For the youngsters, books are not only read but also experienced through others' interpretations.
\n
Cheng Nan, a college student, has recently become engrossed in watching explanatory videos of the Nobel Prize-winning novel One Hundred Years of Solitude on the video-sharing platform Bilibili. "I found it hard to muster the courage to read such a classic, but the explanatory videos were quite engaging," she said.
\n
These videos not only cover the plot but also provide background and extended insights, often accompanied by animations or clips from TV adaptations, making them very appealing, Cheng added.
\n
When a content creator drops a video clip on social media with illustrations about the Chinese novel White Deer Plain, the view counter races past 20 million more quickly than most first printings sell out.
\n
In 2024, the number of reading videos longer than five minutes on the Douyin platform increased by 336 percent year on year, with a 137 percent increase in their views. Meanwhile, book review videos and images saw a 135 percent increase in views and a 518 percent jump in cumulative shares.
\n
Some Gen Z readers also enjoy finding like-minded "reading buddies". According to Xiao Xia, a college student, reading with a "buddy" not only helps keep schedules on track and encourages timely completion of books, but also offers fresh perspectives and knowledge, uncovering blind spots in one's thinking.
\n
On the WeChat Reading platform, users can interact with others by highlighting and commenting on specific sentences. "You can record your thoughts when reading a book or a particular sentence. When you don't understand something in the book, you can see what others think and sometimes have an epiphany," Chen Wenting said.
\n
Reading weighty volumes becomes more interesting when you can read along with comments from other readers, Chen added.
\n
Traditional publishers are now chasing the digital glow, using big data to target readers and livestreaming to launch new titles. "We are in a critical period of redefining product forms and industry rules," said Huang Zhijian, chairman of the China Publishing Group. "The core of the publishing industry is knowledge sharing, which should not be limited to physical books."
\n
Cong Ting, a professor at the School of Publishing, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, said, "The publishing sector must actively use new technologies to make quality content more accessible and perceptible to the young population."
ANKARA — Once little known in Turkiye, the traditional Chinese board game Go, known by its Chinese name Weiqi, is gaining remarkable popularity as a cultural bridge between Turkiye and China. With roots stretching back thousands of years, Go is now being rediscovered by a new generation of Turkish players drawn to its depth, elegance, and cultural heritage.
\n
"There has been a significant rise in interest recently," Eren Kurter, president of the Turkish Go Association, told Xinhua. "Playing Go is becoming more common among university students, especially as Chinese culture is becoming more widespread in Turkiye, from music to films and now traditional games like Go."
\n
One especially popular initiative is a robot that plays Go — a particular hit among children — which Kurter says has become an effective educational tool.
\n
Beyond the classroom, Go is making its mark in academia. The prestigious Hacettepe University in Ankara will co-host the European Go Congress in the summer of 2026, which is expected to bring around 1,500 players from across Europe and China to Turkiye for the first time.
\n
"We're organizing it with Hacettepe University at their campus. Many professional Go players from China will attend," Kurter said.
\n
For Cagatay Tavsanoglu, a professor of biology at Ankara's Hacettepe University and a longtime Go enthusiast, the appeal of the game lies not only in its depth, but in its profound cultural value.
\n
"When you look at its history, you see all the complexities of Chinese civilization, warfare strategies, philosophy, and societal changes. That's what draws people in," he said.
\n
"Compared to other games, Go has a unique historical and strategic foundation," he said, noting that playing Go gives Turkish players a chance to experience a different worldview, one rooted in Eastern philosophy.
\n
"We come from a Western-style educational system, but through Go, we get to explore Chinese thought. It opens a new window for us," he said.
\n
Go has also fostered greater personal and academic ties between China and Turkiye. For young people like Yigitcan Cortuk, a graduate student and Go enthusiast, the game has influenced his life choices, including his decision to pursue studies in China. "I've been playing Go for five years, and during that time, my interest in Chinese culture grew," he told Xinhua.
\n
"Go really deepened my affection for Chinese culture. It's not just a game. It introduced me to a whole new world of meaning."
\n
Cortuk said Go helped him appreciate the broader value of Chinese civilization, from literature to diplomacy. "People have written books about it for centuries. Generals and statesmen played it."
\n
This sense of cultural bonding through Go is echoed by many in Turkiye's growing community of players. The game is no longer a niche hobby but a shared experience that creates connections across borders, generations, and ideologies.
\n
"Go creates bonds between individuals," said Tavsanoglu. "It's a kind of coexistence culture. Anatolian culture actually shares some of the same values of patience, strategy and introspection. We've rediscovered that connection."
\n
With Turkiye now among the top five countries in Europe in terms of active Go players, experts believe there is strong potential for deepening interactions with China in this field, through joint training programs, tournaments and cultural exchanges.
\n
"As China's cultural influence grows in Turkiye, Go is following the same path," Kurter said, adding that the ancient game is not just a pastime, but a symbol of mutual understanding.
\n
"Go helps people explore themselves, to find inner depth," Tavsanoglu said. "That's very much connected to Chinese culture."
\n",
+ "content": "\n
ANKARA — Once little known in Turkiye, the traditional Chinese board game Go, known by its Chinese name Weiqi, is gaining remarkable popularity as a cultural bridge between Turkiye and China. With roots stretching back thousands of years, Go is now being rediscovered by a new generation of Turkish players drawn to its depth, elegance, and cultural heritage.
\n
"There has been a significant rise in interest recently," Eren Kurter, president of the Turkish Go Association, told Xinhua. "Playing Go is becoming more common among university students, especially as Chinese culture is becoming more widespread in Turkiye, from music to films and now traditional games like Go."
\n
One especially popular initiative is a robot that plays Go — a particular hit among children — which Kurter says has become an effective educational tool.
\n
Beyond the classroom, Go is making its mark in academia. The prestigious Hacettepe University in Ankara will co-host the European Go Congress in the summer of 2026, which is expected to bring around 1,500 players from across Europe and China to Turkiye for the first time.
\n
"We're organizing it with Hacettepe University at their campus. Many professional Go players from China will attend," Kurter said.
\n
For Cagatay Tavsanoglu, a professor of biology at Ankara's Hacettepe University and a longtime Go enthusiast, the appeal of the game lies not only in its depth, but in its profound cultural value.
\n
"When you look at its history, you see all the complexities of Chinese civilization, warfare strategies, philosophy, and societal changes. That's what draws people in," he said.
\n
"Compared to other games, Go has a unique historical and strategic foundation," he said, noting that playing Go gives Turkish players a chance to experience a different worldview, one rooted in Eastern philosophy.
\n
"We come from a Western-style educational system, but through Go, we get to explore Chinese thought. It opens a new window for us," he said.
\n
Go has also fostered greater personal and academic ties between China and Turkiye. For young people like Yigitcan Cortuk, a graduate student and Go enthusiast, the game has influenced his life choices, including his decision to pursue studies in China. "I've been playing Go for five years, and during that time, my interest in Chinese culture grew," he told Xinhua.
\n
"Go really deepened my affection for Chinese culture. It's not just a game. It introduced me to a whole new world of meaning."
\n
Cortuk said Go helped him appreciate the broader value of Chinese civilization, from literature to diplomacy. "People have written books about it for centuries. Generals and statesmen played it."
\n
This sense of cultural bonding through Go is echoed by many in Turkiye's growing community of players. The game is no longer a niche hobby but a shared experience that creates connections across borders, generations, and ideologies.
\n
"Go creates bonds between individuals," said Tavsanoglu. "It's a kind of coexistence culture. Anatolian culture actually shares some of the same values of patience, strategy and introspection. We've rediscovered that connection."
\n
With Turkiye now among the top five countries in Europe in terms of active Go players, experts believe there is strong potential for deepening interactions with China in this field, through joint training programs, tournaments and cultural exchanges.
\n
"As China's cultural influence grows in Turkiye, Go is following the same path," Kurter said, adding that the ancient game is not just a pastime, but a symbol of mutual understanding.
\n
"Go helps people explore themselves, to find inner depth," Tavsanoglu said. "That's very much connected to Chinese culture."
This year marks the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Xizang autonomous region. The visit of a central delegation, led by President Xi Jinping, to the autonomous region, starting on Wednesday, to attend activities in celebration of the anniversary demonstrates the great significance the central authorities attach to the development of Xizang.
\n
The warm welcome President Xi and the delegation received from people of various ethnic groups in Xizang shows local residents' appreciation for and support of the leadership of the Communist Party of China Central Committee with Xi at its core, which has ushered in a tremendous transformation of the region over the years.
\n
With development and the casting off of the shackles of serfdom, the living standards of people in Xizang have improved dramatically. The average life expectancy has risen from 35.5 years in 1959 to 72.5 years today.
\n
And, in 2024, the per capita disposable income of urban residents was 55,444 yuan ($7,725) on average, 121 times the figure of 1965. That of rural residents was 21,578 yuan, an increase of 199 times.
\n
Over the past 60 years, Xizang has achieved many remarkable milestones. Its development has been guided, particularly in the new era, by a comprehensive strategy that focuses on stability, development, ecology and border-area consolidation. The region has made consistent efforts to fulfill the tasks in these four areas that are critical to its development. This has ensured steady progress for the region as well as tangible benefits for local residents.
\n
The region's gross domestic product reached 276.5 billion yuan in 2024, 155 times that of 1965, with an average annual growth rate of 8.9 percent. That it took the region 50 years to achieve its first 100 billion yuan in GDP and the second 100 billion yuan milestone was reached just six years later speaks volumes about the importance the country's leadership attaches to the development of the region.
\n
The central authorities have consistently prioritized stability in Xizang. Social harmony and ethnic unity are fundamental to the region's progress. This makes the region a vivid example of the vitality, cohesion and shared prosperity of the Chinese nation.
\n
Ecological conservation is also a key task. On a plateau more than 4,000 meters above sea level on average, Xizang has a fragile ecosystem, which makes ecological conservation a priority. The region serves as both a national ecological barrier and a key strategic area in the national development layout. About half of the region's territory, 600,000 square kilometers in all, has been placed under strict ecological conservation. Forty-seven nature reserves encompassing a total area of 412,200 square kilometers have been established.
\n
In 2024, days with good air quality reached 99.7 percent in the region. Water quality of all the rivers and lakes in the region reached or was above the good quality level. Major ecological projects — from afforestation to wetland restoration — have strengthened the foundation for green development while creating jobs and sustainable livelihoods for local communities.
\n
At the same time, Xizang has strengthened the protection of its rich intangible cultural heritage, from Tibetan opera to thangka art, recognizing them as integral treasures of the broader Chinese culture.
\n
Religious freedom is fully guaranteed and cultural heritage is carefully safeguarded according to law. The policy on freedom of religious belief is fully implemented, with all religions respected and protected.
\n
As President Xi stressed in a meeting with local officials in Lhasa on Wednesday, the focus of Xizang's development should always be on the aforementioned four priorities.
\n
Indeed, Xizang would not have made the achievements it has were it not for the good job it has done on those four matters of crucial significance. President Xi's emphasis on relevant endeavors provides the region with strategic guidance for its development work in the future.
\n
To that end, as Xi urged, authorities at different levels in the region should fully and faithfully grasp the new development philosophy of the Party, and apply it to all areas throughout the process of economic and social development.
\n
Doing so is necessitated by the modernization requirement of the autonomous region in its pursuit of high-quality development.
\n
With the strong support of the central authorities, people in the region are building a modern socialist new Xizang that is united, prosperous, civilized, harmonious and beautiful.
\n",
+ "content": "
This year marks the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Xizang autonomous region. The visit of a central delegation, led by President Xi Jinping, to the autonomous region, starting on Wednesday, to attend activities in celebration of the anniversary demonstrates the great significance the central authorities attach to the development of Xizang.
\n
The warm welcome President Xi and the delegation received from people of various ethnic groups in Xizang shows local residents' appreciation for and support of the leadership of the Communist Party of China Central Committee with Xi at its core, which has ushered in a tremendous transformation of the region over the years.
\n
With development and the casting off of the shackles of serfdom, the living standards of people in Xizang have improved dramatically. The average life expectancy has risen from 35.5 years in 1959 to 72.5 years today.
\n
And, in 2024, the per capita disposable income of urban residents was 55,444 yuan ($7,725) on average, 121 times the figure of 1965. That of rural residents was 21,578 yuan, an increase of 199 times.
\n
Over the past 60 years, Xizang has achieved many remarkable milestones. Its development has been guided, particularly in the new era, by a comprehensive strategy that focuses on stability, development, ecology and border-area consolidation. The region has made consistent efforts to fulfill the tasks in these four areas that are critical to its development. This has ensured steady progress for the region as well as tangible benefits for local residents.
\n
The region's gross domestic product reached 276.5 billion yuan in 2024, 155 times that of 1965, with an average annual growth rate of 8.9 percent. That it took the region 50 years to achieve its first 100 billion yuan in GDP and the second 100 billion yuan milestone was reached just six years later speaks volumes about the importance the country's leadership attaches to the development of the region.
\n
The central authorities have consistently prioritized stability in Xizang. Social harmony and ethnic unity are fundamental to the region's progress. This makes the region a vivid example of the vitality, cohesion and shared prosperity of the Chinese nation.
\n
Ecological conservation is also a key task. On a plateau more than 4,000 meters above sea level on average, Xizang has a fragile ecosystem, which makes ecological conservation a priority. The region serves as both a national ecological barrier and a key strategic area in the national development layout. About half of the region's territory, 600,000 square kilometers in all, has been placed under strict ecological conservation. Forty-seven nature reserves encompassing a total area of 412,200 square kilometers have been established.
\n
In 2024, days with good air quality reached 99.7 percent in the region. Water quality of all the rivers and lakes in the region reached or was above the good quality level. Major ecological projects — from afforestation to wetland restoration — have strengthened the foundation for green development while creating jobs and sustainable livelihoods for local communities.
\n
At the same time, Xizang has strengthened the protection of its rich intangible cultural heritage, from Tibetan opera to thangka art, recognizing them as integral treasures of the broader Chinese culture.
\n
Religious freedom is fully guaranteed and cultural heritage is carefully safeguarded according to law. The policy on freedom of religious belief is fully implemented, with all religions respected and protected.
\n
As President Xi stressed in a meeting with local officials in Lhasa on Wednesday, the focus of Xizang's development should always be on the aforementioned four priorities.
\n
Indeed, Xizang would not have made the achievements it has were it not for the good job it has done on those four matters of crucial significance. President Xi's emphasis on relevant endeavors provides the region with strategic guidance for its development work in the future.
\n
To that end, as Xi urged, authorities at different levels in the region should fully and faithfully grasp the new development philosophy of the Party, and apply it to all areas throughout the process of economic and social development.
\n
Doing so is necessitated by the modernization requirement of the autonomous region in its pursuit of high-quality development.
\n
With the strong support of the central authorities, people in the region are building a modern socialist new Xizang that is united, prosperous, civilized, harmonious and beautiful.
TikTok's appeal and effectiveness as a communication channel has not been lost on even the White House.
\n
Uploading three short videos featuring highlight moments of the US president at home and abroad, the White House launched its own official TikTok account on Tuesday.
\n
The account had garnered more than 73,200 followers and over 120,700 "likes" within less than 24 hours, demonstrating the platform's value as a shortcut for the US administration to get its message across to the app's users.
\n
But while it is not surprising that the White House should seek to leverage the popularity of the app in the United States, the blase way that the White House introduced the account is.
\n
"The Trump administration is committed to communicating the historic successes President Trump has delivered to the American people with as many audiences and platforms as possible," White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, said, as if TikTok is no different from any other app that the administration treats as a "reliable" channel to connect with the public.
\n
For a long time some politicians in the US have smeared TikTok as a "threat" to US data security, and the app still faces a "sell or ban" law that requires its parent company ByteDance to divest its US operations or see the app banned in the country.
\n
That the White House now has its own TikTok account undoubtedly contradicts the "national security threat" rhetoric that claims ByteDance is beholden to the Chinese government and that the app could be used to influence US citizens.
\n
Well aware of the platform's importance as a means to reach young people, the US president opted not to enforce the aforementioned law that was passed last year after he began his second term as president on Jan 20; first extending the deadline to early April, then to June 19 and then again to Sept 17.
\n
That the White House launched its own account on the app less than one month before the third extended deadline expires only serves to expose the hypocrisy of the US side's alleged "security" charges against TikTok.
\n
ByteDance is not the only Chinese company US politicians have smeared with unwarranted "security threat" allegations. The electronics companies Huawei and ZTE, as well as those related to shipbuilding and port equipment, have also been unjustifiably targeted. DJI, a Chinese drone maker, was put on the US government's blacklist and then removed simply because its US clients could not find substitutes for its products.
\n
But it is the company's algorithm — which constitutes its core competitiveness and helps it achieve the popularity — that has really triggered Washington's covetousness.
\n
TikTok has 170 million US users and has become integrated into business operations across the country. A study commissioned by TikTok's US operator and conducted by Oxford Economics in late 2024 through early 2025, found that approximately 7.5 million businesses maintain active TikTok accounts. These businesses collectively employ more than 28 million people and 4.7 million more jobs in the US benefit from the platform's business accounts.
\n
As Chinese foreign and commerce ministries' spokespersons have said on different occasions, the operation and acquisition of enterprises should be based on market principles and decided independently by the enterprises concerned. If Chinese enterprises are involved, they must comply with Chinese laws and regulations.
\n
Notably, the Chinese authorities have issued a catalogue of technologies prohibited and restricted for export. This explicitly prohibits the export of core technologies such as short video algorithms, drawing a red line for the TikTok transaction.
\n
It is to be hoped that the launch of the White House's TikTok account signals that the administration will listen more to the voices of businesses and the public and provide a fair and just business environment for the development of companies from all countries, including Chinese companies, in the US.
\n
Calling a halt to the wanton targeting of Chinese companies would be conducive to economic and trade cooperation between China and the US and thus would be in the interests of both countries.
\n",
+ "content": "
TikTok's appeal and effectiveness as a communication channel has not been lost on even the White House.
\n
Uploading three short videos featuring highlight moments of the US president at home and abroad, the White House launched its own official TikTok account on Tuesday.
\n
The account had garnered more than 73,200 followers and over 120,700 "likes" within less than 24 hours, demonstrating the platform's value as a shortcut for the US administration to get its message across to the app's users.
\n
But while it is not surprising that the White House should seek to leverage the popularity of the app in the United States, the blase way that the White House introduced the account is.
\n
"The Trump administration is committed to communicating the historic successes President Trump has delivered to the American people with as many audiences and platforms as possible," White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, said, as if TikTok is no different from any other app that the administration treats as a "reliable" channel to connect with the public.
\n
For a long time some politicians in the US have smeared TikTok as a "threat" to US data security, and the app still faces a "sell or ban" law that requires its parent company ByteDance to divest its US operations or see the app banned in the country.
\n
That the White House now has its own TikTok account undoubtedly contradicts the "national security threat" rhetoric that claims ByteDance is beholden to the Chinese government and that the app could be used to influence US citizens.
\n
Well aware of the platform's importance as a means to reach young people, the US president opted not to enforce the aforementioned law that was passed last year after he began his second term as president on Jan 20; first extending the deadline to early April, then to June 19 and then again to Sept 17.
\n
That the White House launched its own account on the app less than one month before the third extended deadline expires only serves to expose the hypocrisy of the US side's alleged "security" charges against TikTok.
\n
ByteDance is not the only Chinese company US politicians have smeared with unwarranted "security threat" allegations. The electronics companies Huawei and ZTE, as well as those related to shipbuilding and port equipment, have also been unjustifiably targeted. DJI, a Chinese drone maker, was put on the US government's blacklist and then removed simply because its US clients could not find substitutes for its products.
\n
But it is the company's algorithm — which constitutes its core competitiveness and helps it achieve the popularity — that has really triggered Washington's covetousness.
\n
TikTok has 170 million US users and has become integrated into business operations across the country. A study commissioned by TikTok's US operator and conducted by Oxford Economics in late 2024 through early 2025, found that approximately 7.5 million businesses maintain active TikTok accounts. These businesses collectively employ more than 28 million people and 4.7 million more jobs in the US benefit from the platform's business accounts.
\n
As Chinese foreign and commerce ministries' spokespersons have said on different occasions, the operation and acquisition of enterprises should be based on market principles and decided independently by the enterprises concerned. If Chinese enterprises are involved, they must comply with Chinese laws and regulations.
\n
Notably, the Chinese authorities have issued a catalogue of technologies prohibited and restricted for export. This explicitly prohibits the export of core technologies such as short video algorithms, drawing a red line for the TikTok transaction.
\n
It is to be hoped that the launch of the White House's TikTok account signals that the administration will listen more to the voices of businesses and the public and provide a fair and just business environment for the development of companies from all countries, including Chinese companies, in the US.
\n
Calling a halt to the wanton targeting of Chinese companies would be conducive to economic and trade cooperation between China and the US and thus would be in the interests of both countries.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi described his just-concluded visit to India as preparation for high-level exchanges between the two countries. His trip saw the two sides reach a broad consensus on restarting dialogue mechanisms in various fields, deepening mutually beneficial cooperation, upholding multilateralism, jointly addressing global challenges, and opposing unilateral bullying.
\n
Transforming that consensus into concrete results will likely be on the agenda of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his forthcoming visit to China starting Aug 31.
\n
Although attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit in Tianjin has been cited as the main purpose of Modi's visit, the series of outcomes of Wang's talks with his hosts-Wang met with his Indian counterpart, India's national security advisor and Modi during his stay — suggests that during Modi's first visit to China in seven years the Indian leader will also focus on promoting the healthy development of Sino-Indian ties.
\n
While some attribute the improving Sino-Indian relations to the United States' recent pressure on India over trade issues, it should be noted that the two neighbors started mending ties — strained following the border clash in 2020 — long before the US-Indian economic relations soured. The meeting between the leaders of the two countries during the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, in October last year was widely perceived to be the turning point for the improvement in bilateral relations.
\n
China's relations with any other country, including India, do not target any third party. And China's stance on its ties with India and its foreign policy toward the important neighbor have been consistent. It is not subject to changes in the external environment.
\n
The improvement in Sino-Indian ties should not be regarded as simply a result of the pressure from the US' tariff onslaught, but a deliberate choice they have made for the common good of the two nations.
\n
New Delhi knows that the series of ill-advised and restrictive policies it has rolled out against China since 2020, in trade, investment and people-to-people exchanges, have harmed India as well as China. It is good to see the Indian side accelerating efforts to resume exchanges and cooperation with its neighbor.
\n
Two time-honored civilizations, large developing countries and important members of the Global South, China and India both stand at a crucial phase in their respective modernization endeavors. China-India relations are essentially a question of how the two large developing countries and neighbors, each with a 1.4-billion-strong population, treat each other. It is in the fundamental interests of both countries to maintain the positive momentum in their relations.
\n
Development being the biggest shared goal, China and India have no reason to let their border issue stand in the way of their otherwise mutually beneficial collaboration. It is thus important that the Indian side embraces what the Chinese side has long maintained — that the two countries are each other's development opportunity rather than threat, and cooperation partner rather than competitor.
\n
Maintaining a sound strategic perception of China is necessary for India to meet China halfway so they can achieve the common goal of keeping Sino-Indian ties on the right track. That way the two neighbors can avoid a third party driving a wedge between them. To that end, New Delhi should ensure its China policy is consistent.
\n
Bilateral ties have experienced ups and downs, and the lesson that no matter what happens, the two neighbors should maintain the correct perception of each other, should be learned from the past, as Wang noted.
\n
Working together to find the right path to live side by side in harmony serves the common interests of the two neighbors. China and India should shoulder their responsibility, manage their differences and set an example in boosting the strength and unity of the Global South. In doing so, they will make a shared contribution toward promoting a multipolar world and greater democracy in international relations.
\n",
+ "content": "
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi described his just-concluded visit to India as preparation for high-level exchanges between the two countries. His trip saw the two sides reach a broad consensus on restarting dialogue mechanisms in various fields, deepening mutually beneficial cooperation, upholding multilateralism, jointly addressing global challenges, and opposing unilateral bullying.
\n
Transforming that consensus into concrete results will likely be on the agenda of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his forthcoming visit to China starting Aug 31.
\n
Although attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit in Tianjin has been cited as the main purpose of Modi's visit, the series of outcomes of Wang's talks with his hosts-Wang met with his Indian counterpart, India's national security advisor and Modi during his stay — suggests that during Modi's first visit to China in seven years the Indian leader will also focus on promoting the healthy development of Sino-Indian ties.
\n
While some attribute the improving Sino-Indian relations to the United States' recent pressure on India over trade issues, it should be noted that the two neighbors started mending ties — strained following the border clash in 2020 — long before the US-Indian economic relations soured. The meeting between the leaders of the two countries during the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, in October last year was widely perceived to be the turning point for the improvement in bilateral relations.
\n
China's relations with any other country, including India, do not target any third party. And China's stance on its ties with India and its foreign policy toward the important neighbor have been consistent. It is not subject to changes in the external environment.
\n
The improvement in Sino-Indian ties should not be regarded as simply a result of the pressure from the US' tariff onslaught, but a deliberate choice they have made for the common good of the two nations.
\n
New Delhi knows that the series of ill-advised and restrictive policies it has rolled out against China since 2020, in trade, investment and people-to-people exchanges, have harmed India as well as China. It is good to see the Indian side accelerating efforts to resume exchanges and cooperation with its neighbor.
\n
Two time-honored civilizations, large developing countries and important members of the Global South, China and India both stand at a crucial phase in their respective modernization endeavors. China-India relations are essentially a question of how the two large developing countries and neighbors, each with a 1.4-billion-strong population, treat each other. It is in the fundamental interests of both countries to maintain the positive momentum in their relations.
\n
Development being the biggest shared goal, China and India have no reason to let their border issue stand in the way of their otherwise mutually beneficial collaboration. It is thus important that the Indian side embraces what the Chinese side has long maintained — that the two countries are each other's development opportunity rather than threat, and cooperation partner rather than competitor.
\n
Maintaining a sound strategic perception of China is necessary for India to meet China halfway so they can achieve the common goal of keeping Sino-Indian ties on the right track. That way the two neighbors can avoid a third party driving a wedge between them. To that end, New Delhi should ensure its China policy is consistent.
\n
Bilateral ties have experienced ups and downs, and the lesson that no matter what happens, the two neighbors should maintain the correct perception of each other, should be learned from the past, as Wang noted.
\n
Working together to find the right path to live side by side in harmony serves the common interests of the two neighbors. China and India should shoulder their responsibility, manage their differences and set an example in boosting the strength and unity of the Global South. In doing so, they will make a shared contribution toward promoting a multipolar world and greater democracy in international relations.
Editor's Note: Several rivers in China have run dry and lakes have shrunk due to the combined impact of human activities and climate change. As a result, ecological challenges have become prominent and water security faces new risks. Yu Qiyang, director of the Department of Water Resources Management of the Ministry of Water Resources, spoke to Fengmian News about the initiative launched in 2022 to protect many mother rivers in the country. Below are excerpts from the interview. The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.
\n
The relationship between people, rivers and lakes in China has become increasingly strained in recent years. In some areas, there is an acute lack of understanding of natural and economic laws and not enough consideration for water resources and ecological conditions. Development has not always taken water availability into account, leading to dried up river channels, shrinking lakes and new challenges to water security.
\n
To address these issues, the Ministry of Water Resources is focusing on major problems such as river interruptions and lake shrinkage. Three years ago it implemented an initiative to protect rivers, which involved targeted policies to resolve the difficult challenges of river and lake ecological management. Among the 88 mother rivers and lakes included in the initiative, 74 rivers had achieved full connectivity by the end of 2024, five rivers saw an extension in both the length and duration of water flow and the water level was effectively maintained in nine lakes.
\n
Water resources are unevenly distributed in China, with some regions receiving a relatively scarce supply. To strike a balance between ecological restoration and the water demand for economic and social development, there should be harmonized water use for living, production and ecological purposes.
\n
The ministry has worked to clarify initial water rights, strictly control water exploitation and strengthen water use management to curb wastage. At the same time, efforts are being made to enhance efficiency in the use of water resources. This will ensure that the limited water supply supports both ecological protection and high-quality development.
\n
Going forward, the Ministry of Water Resources will continue to make ecological protection and governance of rivers and lakes a top priority. It has a four-point strategy to ensure that the initiative to protect mother rivers yields good results.
\n
The first goal is to revive all 88 designated mother rivers and lakes. The ministry will guide local authorities to implement action plans river by river and lake by lake. This includes strengthening ecological flow management, enhancing unified water resource scheduling, advancing connectivity of river-lake systems, upgrading hydrological monitoring and strengthening the oversight of water resources.
\n
The second step is to summarize experiences from the initiative and build replicable models of water ecological protection and restoration. Technical standards will be developed, improving the overall standards system for river-lake governance and laying the groundwork for broader implementation.
\n
Third, institutional and legal safeguards will be strengthened. The ministry will fully leverage mechanisms to enhance unified planning, governance, dispatch and management. The water rights trading system will be further improved, and legislative revisions will be advanced to modernize governance capacity. Remote sensing, big data and other digital technologies will be increasingly applied for scientific evaluation of outcomes.
\n
The fourth step involves expanding the scope of the initiative nationwide. Local governments at the prefecture level will conduct thorough inspections of river and lake conditions, prepare updated catalogs and design three-year implementation plans. Tailored protection and governance programs will be formulated to scale up the initiative across the country.
\n",
+ "content": "
Editor's Note: Several rivers in China have run dry and lakes have shrunk due to the combined impact of human activities and climate change. As a result, ecological challenges have become prominent and water security faces new risks. Yu Qiyang, director of the Department of Water Resources Management of the Ministry of Water Resources, spoke to Fengmian News about the initiative launched in 2022 to protect many mother rivers in the country. Below are excerpts from the interview. The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.
\n
The relationship between people, rivers and lakes in China has become increasingly strained in recent years. In some areas, there is an acute lack of understanding of natural and economic laws and not enough consideration for water resources and ecological conditions. Development has not always taken water availability into account, leading to dried up river channels, shrinking lakes and new challenges to water security.
\n
To address these issues, the Ministry of Water Resources is focusing on major problems such as river interruptions and lake shrinkage. Three years ago it implemented an initiative to protect rivers, which involved targeted policies to resolve the difficult challenges of river and lake ecological management. Among the 88 mother rivers and lakes included in the initiative, 74 rivers had achieved full connectivity by the end of 2024, five rivers saw an extension in both the length and duration of water flow and the water level was effectively maintained in nine lakes.
\n
Water resources are unevenly distributed in China, with some regions receiving a relatively scarce supply. To strike a balance between ecological restoration and the water demand for economic and social development, there should be harmonized water use for living, production and ecological purposes.
\n
The ministry has worked to clarify initial water rights, strictly control water exploitation and strengthen water use management to curb wastage. At the same time, efforts are being made to enhance efficiency in the use of water resources. This will ensure that the limited water supply supports both ecological protection and high-quality development.
\n
Going forward, the Ministry of Water Resources will continue to make ecological protection and governance of rivers and lakes a top priority. It has a four-point strategy to ensure that the initiative to protect mother rivers yields good results.
\n
The first goal is to revive all 88 designated mother rivers and lakes. The ministry will guide local authorities to implement action plans river by river and lake by lake. This includes strengthening ecological flow management, enhancing unified water resource scheduling, advancing connectivity of river-lake systems, upgrading hydrological monitoring and strengthening the oversight of water resources.
\n
The second step is to summarize experiences from the initiative and build replicable models of water ecological protection and restoration. Technical standards will be developed, improving the overall standards system for river-lake governance and laying the groundwork for broader implementation.
\n
Third, institutional and legal safeguards will be strengthened. The ministry will fully leverage mechanisms to enhance unified planning, governance, dispatch and management. The water rights trading system will be further improved, and legislative revisions will be advanced to modernize governance capacity. Remote sensing, big data and other digital technologies will be increasingly applied for scientific evaluation of outcomes.
\n
The fourth step involves expanding the scope of the initiative nationwide. Local governments at the prefecture level will conduct thorough inspections of river and lake conditions, prepare updated catalogs and design three-year implementation plans. Tailored protection and governance programs will be formulated to scale up the initiative across the country.
The founding of the Xizang autonomous region in September 1965 marked the beginning of a new chapter in the region's history, as people of all ethnic groups in Xizang embarked on the path of socialist construction and development together with the rest of the country. In the six decades since then, Xizang has made remarkable economic and social achievements, creating a new era in its development journey.
\n
In the new era, the region's economic aggregate has grown rapidly. By 2024, its GDP reached 276.49 billion yuan ($38.49 billion), while its innovation capacity continued to rise, with increasing investment in science and technology and vigorous expansion of the high-tech digital industry. By 2024, the value added from Xizang's digital economy reached 27.5 billion yuan, accounting for more than 10 percent of its GDP. And coordinated regional development advanced steadily, with the narrowing of the urban-rural income gap to 2.57:1 in 2024.
\n
Green development, too, has gained pace, while the proportion of days with excellent air quality has remained above 99 percent, major rivers and lakes meet or exceed class III water quality standards, and the soil condition continues to be stable and safe.
\n
In 2024, total retail sales of consumer goods in the region and its total import-export increased by 7.2 percent and 15.4 percent, respectively. Shared development has also made headway, with notable improvement in people's livelihoods and social undertakings. While a multi-tier social security system has taken shape, per capita disposable income and per capita consumption expenditure in 2024 grew by 8.2 percent and 10.2 percent year-on-year, respectively.
\n
Xizang has completed a large number of major projects vital to the economy and people's well-being, clearing infrastructure bottlenecks. The total length of roads open to traffic stands at 123,300 kilometers, and the number of civil aviation routes exceeds 190, with new hydropower projects beginning to generate electricity. The large-scale projects have not only narrowed the long-standing infrastructure gaps, but also laid a solid foundation for high-quality development. In 2024, Xizang's fixed-asset investment grew by 19.6 percent, playing a key role in driving economic growth and structural adjustment.
\n
Xizang has also developed its distinctive industries. It has fostered nine major industries that align with local conditions, creating new engines for high-quality development. Traditional industries have undergone rapid upgrading, while distinct sectors have grown stronger, emerging industries have expanded, and future industries are being planned, resulting in a modern industrial structure featuring a solid agricultural base, higher manufacturing capacity and a modern service sector.
\n
Moreover, the living standards of Xizang residents have improved dramatically, with the region achieving the historic mission of eradicating poverty. As a matter of fact, in 2024, Xizang's per capita GDP reached 75,237 yuan, with per capita disposable income reaching 31,358 yuan. Rising incomes have boosted consumption, helping create a more balanced consumption structure. In actual terms, per capita consumer spending stood at 18,983 yuan in 2024.
\n
High-quality development is key to building a modern socialist country. In the new era, Xizang must continue to pursue high-quality development by faithfully applying the new development philosophy and drawing on six decades of experience. The region should focus on optimizing the development pattern, strengthening infrastructure and factor allocation, improving institutions and leveraging resource advantages to achieve both qualitative and quantitative growth. Its goal should be to reach the national average development level.
\n
However, given its low starting point and late takeoff, Xizang still faces structural weaknesses. Over the past 60 years, the central government has provided strong policy support for Xizang. As such, the region should continue to make full use of the preferential policies, deepen reform, strengthen factor mobility and narrow the infrastructure gaps. Also, it should foster "new quality productive forces", boost demand, and advance urban-rural integration, all while improving the people's wellbeing.
\n
Common prosperity is an essential requirement of socialism with Chinese characteristics. So Xizang must advance it vigorously by leveraging its institutional strengths, and properly balancing efficiency and equity. This means Xizang needs to build systems that promote both material and cultural wealth, advance urban-rural integration to enrich rural areas, and strengthen the sense of community among residents to enhance spiritual prosperity, ensuring that all ethnic groups in the region steadily move toward achieving common prosperity.
\n
The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.
\n",
+ "content": "\n\n
The founding of the Xizang autonomous region in September 1965 marked the beginning of a new chapter in the region's history, as people of all ethnic groups in Xizang embarked on the path of socialist construction and development together with the rest of the country. In the six decades since then, Xizang has made remarkable economic and social achievements, creating a new era in its development journey.
\n
In the new era, the region's economic aggregate has grown rapidly. By 2024, its GDP reached 276.49 billion yuan ($38.49 billion), while its innovation capacity continued to rise, with increasing investment in science and technology and vigorous expansion of the high-tech digital industry. By 2024, the value added from Xizang's digital economy reached 27.5 billion yuan, accounting for more than 10 percent of its GDP. And coordinated regional development advanced steadily, with the narrowing of the urban-rural income gap to 2.57:1 in 2024.
\n
Green development, too, has gained pace, while the proportion of days with excellent air quality has remained above 99 percent, major rivers and lakes meet or exceed class III water quality standards, and the soil condition continues to be stable and safe.
\n
In 2024, total retail sales of consumer goods in the region and its total import-export increased by 7.2 percent and 15.4 percent, respectively. Shared development has also made headway, with notable improvement in people's livelihoods and social undertakings. While a multi-tier social security system has taken shape, per capita disposable income and per capita consumption expenditure in 2024 grew by 8.2 percent and 10.2 percent year-on-year, respectively.
\n
Xizang has completed a large number of major projects vital to the economy and people's well-being, clearing infrastructure bottlenecks. The total length of roads open to traffic stands at 123,300 kilometers, and the number of civil aviation routes exceeds 190, with new hydropower projects beginning to generate electricity. The large-scale projects have not only narrowed the long-standing infrastructure gaps, but also laid a solid foundation for high-quality development. In 2024, Xizang's fixed-asset investment grew by 19.6 percent, playing a key role in driving economic growth and structural adjustment.
\n
Xizang has also developed its distinctive industries. It has fostered nine major industries that align with local conditions, creating new engines for high-quality development. Traditional industries have undergone rapid upgrading, while distinct sectors have grown stronger, emerging industries have expanded, and future industries are being planned, resulting in a modern industrial structure featuring a solid agricultural base, higher manufacturing capacity and a modern service sector.
\n
Moreover, the living standards of Xizang residents have improved dramatically, with the region achieving the historic mission of eradicating poverty. As a matter of fact, in 2024, Xizang's per capita GDP reached 75,237 yuan, with per capita disposable income reaching 31,358 yuan. Rising incomes have boosted consumption, helping create a more balanced consumption structure. In actual terms, per capita consumer spending stood at 18,983 yuan in 2024.
\n
High-quality development is key to building a modern socialist country. In the new era, Xizang must continue to pursue high-quality development by faithfully applying the new development philosophy and drawing on six decades of experience. The region should focus on optimizing the development pattern, strengthening infrastructure and factor allocation, improving institutions and leveraging resource advantages to achieve both qualitative and quantitative growth. Its goal should be to reach the national average development level.
\n
However, given its low starting point and late takeoff, Xizang still faces structural weaknesses. Over the past 60 years, the central government has provided strong policy support for Xizang. As such, the region should continue to make full use of the preferential policies, deepen reform, strengthen factor mobility and narrow the infrastructure gaps. Also, it should foster "new quality productive forces", boost demand, and advance urban-rural integration, all while improving the people's wellbeing.
\n
Common prosperity is an essential requirement of socialism with Chinese characteristics. So Xizang must advance it vigorously by leveraging its institutional strengths, and properly balancing efficiency and equity. This means Xizang needs to build systems that promote both material and cultural wealth, advance urban-rural integration to enrich rural areas, and strengthen the sense of community among residents to enhance spiritual prosperity, ensuring that all ethnic groups in the region steadily move toward achieving common prosperity.
\n
The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.
US authorities have recently adopted more covert measures to enforce semiconductor export controls, secretly embedding location-tracking devices in high-risk shipments of advanced chips to prevent their illegal diversion to China, Reuters reported. The move, revealed in late August, marks a sharper turn in Washington's tech rivalry strategy, complementing earlier licensing curbs while Beijing continues to counter with restrictions on critical mineral exports such as gallium, germanium and antimony.
\n
Neither country is associating their respective move with a trade war. Both insist the measures have been taken to safeguard national security. Yet semiconductors, once treated as quiet workhorses of global commerce, have become a symbol of power and self-reliance.
\n
Few technologies reveal the stakes of this major-power competition more clearly than advanced chips. These technologies drive the growth of artificial intelligence, next generation telecommunications, missile systems and even quantum research. Whoever holds the upper hand in these technologies gains, not just an economic edge, but also strategic weight.
\n
For Washington, keeping Beijing away from top-tier chip-making is a way to check any potential military leap by China. For Beijing, the restriction on the export of key raw materials to Washington and investing increasing amounts of resources to promote innovation at home are aimed at avoiding a future where outside powers can hold it back.
\n
The more important story is not who lands the sharper blow in each round. It is what this steady escalation is doing to the way technology is developed and traded around the world. Semiconductor production is sprawling — a single advanced chip might rely on US design tools, Dutch lithography machines, Japanese chemicals, Taiwan's factories and minerals accumulated from across continents. Every new restriction, whether on supply of equipment or raw materials or on sharing of intellectual property rights, forces the entire network to adjust. Companies change production plans, renegotiate contracts and still have to bear higher costs.
\n
This, however, does not mean a total break between the world's two largest economies, at least not for now. What it does mean is longer timelines, higher prices and increasing possibility of two parallel systems emerging. One will be anchored around the US, the other will depend on China. For companies caught in the middle, learning to comply with competing standards and export rules is fast becoming part of the cost of staying in business. For governments, keeping industries secure without suffocating them will need new regulations, more than money.
\n
There is another risk that is harder to quantify. These rolling restrictions could slow down innovation which both Washington and Beijing want to accelerate. Big breakthroughs in technology usually depend on scale, open talent pools and the free exchange of ideas and components. If those connections fray seriously, innovation could slow down despite both sides continuing to invest heavily to speed it up.
\n
The contest over chips is much more than about trade numbers or quarterly profits. It is about deciding which economy sets the rules, which country controls the key tools and how much countries will rely on each other in the future.
\n
Governments can build barriers, and markets tend to find ways around them. So the real question is whether the world's two strongest economic players, policy on one side and commerce on the other, can coexist without breaking the system that has powered decades of technological progress and economic growth globally.
\n
Semiconductors are no longer unseen components powering our devices. They now stand as a measure of influence, determining which economy or economic bloc will command the supply chains, set standards and drive investment flows. The struggle is less about cutting ties than about deciding whose rules will anchor the connections that have survived decades of ups and downs.
\n
However it unfolds, the outcome will not just define the future of technology. It will also reveal how power is organized in a world where economic and strategic interests are no longer easy to separate.
\n
The views don't necessarily reflect those of China Daily.
\n",
+ "content": "\n
US authorities have recently adopted more covert measures to enforce semiconductor export controls, secretly embedding location-tracking devices in high-risk shipments of advanced chips to prevent their illegal diversion to China, Reuters reported. The move, revealed in late August, marks a sharper turn in Washington's tech rivalry strategy, complementing earlier licensing curbs while Beijing continues to counter with restrictions on critical mineral exports such as gallium, germanium and antimony.
\n
Neither country is associating their respective move with a trade war. Both insist the measures have been taken to safeguard national security. Yet semiconductors, once treated as quiet workhorses of global commerce, have become a symbol of power and self-reliance.
\n
Few technologies reveal the stakes of this major-power competition more clearly than advanced chips. These technologies drive the growth of artificial intelligence, next generation telecommunications, missile systems and even quantum research. Whoever holds the upper hand in these technologies gains, not just an economic edge, but also strategic weight.
\n
For Washington, keeping Beijing away from top-tier chip-making is a way to check any potential military leap by China. For Beijing, the restriction on the export of key raw materials to Washington and investing increasing amounts of resources to promote innovation at home are aimed at avoiding a future where outside powers can hold it back.
\n
The more important story is not who lands the sharper blow in each round. It is what this steady escalation is doing to the way technology is developed and traded around the world. Semiconductor production is sprawling — a single advanced chip might rely on US design tools, Dutch lithography machines, Japanese chemicals, Taiwan's factories and minerals accumulated from across continents. Every new restriction, whether on supply of equipment or raw materials or on sharing of intellectual property rights, forces the entire network to adjust. Companies change production plans, renegotiate contracts and still have to bear higher costs.
\n
This, however, does not mean a total break between the world's two largest economies, at least not for now. What it does mean is longer timelines, higher prices and increasing possibility of two parallel systems emerging. One will be anchored around the US, the other will depend on China. For companies caught in the middle, learning to comply with competing standards and export rules is fast becoming part of the cost of staying in business. For governments, keeping industries secure without suffocating them will need new regulations, more than money.
\n
There is another risk that is harder to quantify. These rolling restrictions could slow down innovation which both Washington and Beijing want to accelerate. Big breakthroughs in technology usually depend on scale, open talent pools and the free exchange of ideas and components. If those connections fray seriously, innovation could slow down despite both sides continuing to invest heavily to speed it up.
\n
The contest over chips is much more than about trade numbers or quarterly profits. It is about deciding which economy sets the rules, which country controls the key tools and how much countries will rely on each other in the future.
\n
Governments can build barriers, and markets tend to find ways around them. So the real question is whether the world's two strongest economic players, policy on one side and commerce on the other, can coexist without breaking the system that has powered decades of technological progress and economic growth globally.
\n
Semiconductors are no longer unseen components powering our devices. They now stand as a measure of influence, determining which economy or economic bloc will command the supply chains, set standards and drive investment flows. The struggle is less about cutting ties than about deciding whose rules will anchor the connections that have survived decades of ups and downs.
\n
However it unfolds, the outcome will not just define the future of technology. It will also reveal how power is organized in a world where economic and strategic interests are no longer easy to separate.
\n
The views don't necessarily reflect those of China Daily.
To escape the summer heat in Beijing, my wife and I have been living in a fishing village 2,000 kilometers northeast of the capital since late June. Surrounded by vast wetlands and situated on the Wusulijiang River, our village, Zhuaji, is the easternmost village of China. As a result, Zhuaji is the first place in China to receive the sun's rays every morning.
\n
Daily temperatures in Zhuaji vary between 13 C and 27 C even at the height of summer, the air quality is excellent throughout the year, and the views of the ever-changing river and the wetlands are breathtaking. Life in the village is relaxed and convenient because Zhuaji, being a tourist destination, has quite a few restaurants and shops. Before mealtime, one just needs to go to the river dock to buy a fresh fish or a few fishtails before picking some in-season organic vegetables — eggplants, cucumbers, beans, tomatoes, spring onions — from the garden behind the house. Make some rice, stir-fry the vegetables and fish, separately or together, and a simple, healthy meal is ready.
\n
Everything is fine except that the nearest city, Fuyuan, is 50 kilometers away. So when we needed to buy some daily necessities or beef/mutton or some other vegetables and fruits, we were frustrated by the lack of transportation.
\n
"Why don't you try the rural bus?" A villager suggested, which prompted us to check out the "village bus stop". Yes, the village is on a regular bus route to the city, with buses passing by four times a day. We didn't know about the bus service because there are no bus stop signs there. Since the villagers know the bus timings, they wait on the "bus stop" at the right time and wave the bus to a stop before boarding it.
\n
Our bus arrived right on time at 7 am. The previous one had left an hour earlier. The 30-seat bus was similar to the ones plying in the cities, clean and well-maintained, and the driver was wearing a uniform. The fare — 15 yuan ($2.08) per person — was reasonable for a distance of 50 kilometers. We paid by scanning a QR code.
\n
It took us 70 minutes to get to the city center, not because of poor road conditions but because the driver had to make detours to drop off or pick up people in villages a few kilometers off the main road. At a bus stop before the final destination, a middle-aged woman boarded the bus with a basketful of vegetables. "Home-grown, too much for my family to consume …That's why I'm carrying them to the city market to sell and earn some money," she said before paying 6 yuan for the ticket.
\n
To bridge the development gap between urban and rural areas, China has invested trillions of yuan over the past two decades to build durable roads in rural areas. By the end of 2023, China's rural roads add up to 4.6 million kilometers with 90 percent of them being covered with cement or bitumen.
\n
Improved rural roads have made it possible for the authorities to provide better bus services to villagers. Data show that 342,000 buses operate in rural areas, connecting 50.2 percent of the country's 600,000 administrative villages with nearby cities. Some better-off cities offer free bus rides to villagers above the age of 60 while some other places provide buses for transporting goods, making it easier for villagers to carry their farm produce to city markets.
\n
But problems remain. For instance, Zhuaji residents complain that the buses are not frequent enough. If you miss a bus, you have to wait for hours for the next one. And if you miss the last bus back to the village, you either have to pay 150 yuan for a taxi to return home or spend the night in a hotel in the city.
\n
Also, in many cases, most of the roads in rural areas are narrow, and thus prone to traffic snarls and accidents. On our way back to the village, we had to stop for 10 minutes at a place to allow heavily loaded trailers from the opposite side to pass by.
\n
Yet I believe things will improve now that the central authorities have intensified the rural vitalization program.
To escape the summer heat in Beijing, my wife and I have been living in a fishing village 2,000 kilometers northeast of the capital since late June. Surrounded by vast wetlands and situated on the Wusulijiang River, our village, Zhuaji, is the easternmost village of China. As a result, Zhuaji is the first place in China to receive the sun's rays every morning.
\n
Daily temperatures in Zhuaji vary between 13 C and 27 C even at the height of summer, the air quality is excellent throughout the year, and the views of the ever-changing river and the wetlands are breathtaking. Life in the village is relaxed and convenient because Zhuaji, being a tourist destination, has quite a few restaurants and shops. Before mealtime, one just needs to go to the river dock to buy a fresh fish or a few fishtails before picking some in-season organic vegetables — eggplants, cucumbers, beans, tomatoes, spring onions — from the garden behind the house. Make some rice, stir-fry the vegetables and fish, separately or together, and a simple, healthy meal is ready.
\n
Everything is fine except that the nearest city, Fuyuan, is 50 kilometers away. So when we needed to buy some daily necessities or beef/mutton or some other vegetables and fruits, we were frustrated by the lack of transportation.
\n
"Why don't you try the rural bus?" A villager suggested, which prompted us to check out the "village bus stop". Yes, the village is on a regular bus route to the city, with buses passing by four times a day. We didn't know about the bus service because there are no bus stop signs there. Since the villagers know the bus timings, they wait on the "bus stop" at the right time and wave the bus to a stop before boarding it.
\n
Our bus arrived right on time at 7 am. The previous one had left an hour earlier. The 30-seat bus was similar to the ones plying in the cities, clean and well-maintained, and the driver was wearing a uniform. The fare — 15 yuan ($2.08) per person — was reasonable for a distance of 50 kilometers. We paid by scanning a QR code.
\n
It took us 70 minutes to get to the city center, not because of poor road conditions but because the driver had to make detours to drop off or pick up people in villages a few kilometers off the main road. At a bus stop before the final destination, a middle-aged woman boarded the bus with a basketful of vegetables. "Home-grown, too much for my family to consume …That's why I'm carrying them to the city market to sell and earn some money," she said before paying 6 yuan for the ticket.
\n
To bridge the development gap between urban and rural areas, China has invested trillions of yuan over the past two decades to build durable roads in rural areas. By the end of 2023, China's rural roads add up to 4.6 million kilometers with 90 percent of them being covered with cement or bitumen.
\n
Improved rural roads have made it possible for the authorities to provide better bus services to villagers. Data show that 342,000 buses operate in rural areas, connecting 50.2 percent of the country's 600,000 administrative villages with nearby cities. Some better-off cities offer free bus rides to villagers above the age of 60 while some other places provide buses for transporting goods, making it easier for villagers to carry their farm produce to city markets.
\n
But problems remain. For instance, Zhuaji residents complain that the buses are not frequent enough. If you miss a bus, you have to wait for hours for the next one. And if you miss the last bus back to the village, you either have to pay 150 yuan for a taxi to return home or spend the night in a hotel in the city.
\n
Also, in many cases, most of the roads in rural areas are narrow, and thus prone to traffic snarls and accidents. On our way back to the village, we had to stop for 10 minutes at a place to allow heavily loaded trailers from the opposite side to pass by.
\n
Yet I believe things will improve now that the central authorities have intensified the rural vitalization program.
In 2018, Andrea, who lives in the United States, was planning to take a trip to China to celebrate her college graduation.
\n
When the summer of 2019 came, she changed her mind: The trade war had dimmed China's glow in her eyes, so she took a trip to Japan instead.
\n
However, her curiosity about China was piqued again when she noticed more and more China travel vlogs on YouTube after travel recovered following the COVID-19 pandemic.
\n
Now a young professional in her mid-20s, Andrea, who asked that her surname not be used, visited China for two weeks with her boyfriend during spring this year.
\n
While she enjoyed the beautiful landscape of Guilin in the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, the rich history of the Palace Museum in Beijing and delicious and affordable cuisine, and was impressed by China's modernity and the high-speed train system, she was struck most by how safe she felt and how friendly the Chinese people were toward her and her boyfriend.
\n
"Some watched us with curiosity, some talked with us. Whenever we needed a bit of help, we got it in abundance. We felt welcome," said Andrea. "It felt different from what we have been hearing about China in the States. I can no longer look at China through the lens of our media and politicians."
\n
Andrea's raving about her trip to China prompted a friend of hers to plan a similar trip, she said.
\n
Her changing views of China are reflected by recent polls.
\n
The geopolitical tension between China and the US has led many US people in recent years to view China more negatively than they did before the trade war initiated by US President Donald Trump during his first term, which began in 2017.
\n
Trade disputes and political rhetoric have driven the adversarial perspective higher. A Pew Research poll published in April 2024 found that 48 percent of US respondents viewed China as an "enemy", while only 6 percent viewed China as a "partner".
\n
However, people in the US have softened their views on China in 2025. The same Pew poll conducted this year found that 33 percent of US respondents viewed China as an adversary — a drop of 15 percentage points. About 9 percent viewed China as a partner, while the majority — 56 percent — saw China as a competitor.
\n
The shift in Pew's latest poll in April was reaffirmed by a poll conducted by Third Way, a think tank based in Washington, DC.
\n
Two years ago, a Third Way poll found that 60 percent of people surveyed in the US favored "standing up to China", while 32 percent preferred "cooperating and finding areas of agreement with China".
\n
In its latest poll, published in August, Third Way found that slightly more than half of those surveyed — 52 percent — preferred "cooperating and finding areas of agreement with China", while 43 percent preferred "standing up to China". That's roughly a 20-percentage-point reversal in both directions. The poll also found that, by a 40-point margin, the US survey respondents would like their country to make trade agreements with China rather than imposing tariffs and broad trade restrictions, so long as those agreements prioritize benefits for US citizens and protect US intellectual property.
\n
This attitude shift is "subtle but meaningful", said Greg Pence, a freelancer with a degree in international studies who writes extensively on international affairs for various platforms.
\n
'Different side'
\n
Writing for Modern Diplomacy, a platform for assessing and evaluating international issues, Pence commented that this shift means that "ordinary Americans are discovering a different side of China through social media and cultural exchanges".
\n
After the US Senate passed a bill last year that would ban TikTok on Jan 19, 2025, unless its Chinese parent company divested the app, many young people in the US fled to China's popular social media platform Xiaohongshu, or RedNote. People in China and the US then talked about wide-ranging topics, from their cats to food and language learning.
\n
Pence suggested that such exchanges and personal travel, which picked up after the pandemic, might be contributing to the shift in attitudes among people in the US.
\n
While different data sources provide varying numbers, the consensus appears to be that with the implementation of the visa-free stay policy in 2024, China saw a strong uptick of inbound international visitors, including travelers from the US — nearly doubling the figures for 2023.
\n
"These interactions suggest that, unlike their politicians, American citizens are increasingly open to seeing China as a potential partner rather than an adversary," Pence wrote.
\n
mayzhou@chinadailyusa.com
\n",
+ "content": "
In 2018, Andrea, who lives in the United States, was planning to take a trip to China to celebrate her college graduation.
\n
When the summer of 2019 came, she changed her mind: The trade war had dimmed China's glow in her eyes, so she took a trip to Japan instead.
\n
However, her curiosity about China was piqued again when she noticed more and more China travel vlogs on YouTube after travel recovered following the COVID-19 pandemic.
\n
Now a young professional in her mid-20s, Andrea, who asked that her surname not be used, visited China for two weeks with her boyfriend during spring this year.
\n
While she enjoyed the beautiful landscape of Guilin in the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, the rich history of the Palace Museum in Beijing and delicious and affordable cuisine, and was impressed by China's modernity and the high-speed train system, she was struck most by how safe she felt and how friendly the Chinese people were toward her and her boyfriend.
\n
"Some watched us with curiosity, some talked with us. Whenever we needed a bit of help, we got it in abundance. We felt welcome," said Andrea. "It felt different from what we have been hearing about China in the States. I can no longer look at China through the lens of our media and politicians."
\n
Andrea's raving about her trip to China prompted a friend of hers to plan a similar trip, she said.
\n
Her changing views of China are reflected by recent polls.
\n
The geopolitical tension between China and the US has led many US people in recent years to view China more negatively than they did before the trade war initiated by US President Donald Trump during his first term, which began in 2017.
\n
Trade disputes and political rhetoric have driven the adversarial perspective higher. A Pew Research poll published in April 2024 found that 48 percent of US respondents viewed China as an "enemy", while only 6 percent viewed China as a "partner".
\n
However, people in the US have softened their views on China in 2025. The same Pew poll conducted this year found that 33 percent of US respondents viewed China as an adversary — a drop of 15 percentage points. About 9 percent viewed China as a partner, while the majority — 56 percent — saw China as a competitor.
\n
The shift in Pew's latest poll in April was reaffirmed by a poll conducted by Third Way, a think tank based in Washington, DC.
\n
Two years ago, a Third Way poll found that 60 percent of people surveyed in the US favored "standing up to China", while 32 percent preferred "cooperating and finding areas of agreement with China".
\n
In its latest poll, published in August, Third Way found that slightly more than half of those surveyed — 52 percent — preferred "cooperating and finding areas of agreement with China", while 43 percent preferred "standing up to China". That's roughly a 20-percentage-point reversal in both directions. The poll also found that, by a 40-point margin, the US survey respondents would like their country to make trade agreements with China rather than imposing tariffs and broad trade restrictions, so long as those agreements prioritize benefits for US citizens and protect US intellectual property.
\n
This attitude shift is "subtle but meaningful", said Greg Pence, a freelancer with a degree in international studies who writes extensively on international affairs for various platforms.
\n
'Different side'
\n
Writing for Modern Diplomacy, a platform for assessing and evaluating international issues, Pence commented that this shift means that "ordinary Americans are discovering a different side of China through social media and cultural exchanges".
\n
After the US Senate passed a bill last year that would ban TikTok on Jan 19, 2025, unless its Chinese parent company divested the app, many young people in the US fled to China's popular social media platform Xiaohongshu, or RedNote. People in China and the US then talked about wide-ranging topics, from their cats to food and language learning.
\n
Pence suggested that such exchanges and personal travel, which picked up after the pandemic, might be contributing to the shift in attitudes among people in the US.
\n
While different data sources provide varying numbers, the consensus appears to be that with the implementation of the visa-free stay policy in 2024, China saw a strong uptick of inbound international visitors, including travelers from the US — nearly doubling the figures for 2023.
\n
"These interactions suggest that, unlike their politicians, American citizens are increasingly open to seeing China as a potential partner rather than an adversary," Pence wrote.
Women dressed in flamenco costumes dance on the street as they take part in the Malaga Fair 2025 in Malaga, Spain, on Tuesday. Over a week, thousands of tourists and locals enjoy the concerts, flamenco dancing and other activities such as bullfighting and horse shows.
\n",
+ "content": "
Women dressed in flamenco costumes dance on the street as they take part in the Malaga Fair 2025 in Malaga, Spain, on Tuesday. Over a week, thousands of tourists and locals enjoy the concerts, flamenco dancing and other activities such as bullfighting and horse shows.
Chinese workers work on a flare stack upgrade project to tackle energy pollution at the Rumaila oilfield in Basra, Iraq, last December.
\n
"What does coral cultivation entail?" "What's the ideal temperature for coral growth?" These were among the questions raised during a public welfare event marking the 17th World Oceans Day in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates.
\n
Titled "Reef Revival: A Mission to Protect the Blue Heart of the Earth", the event brought together over 40 Chinese and UAE volunteers on June 13, a few days after the international community celebrated World Oceans Day on June 8.
\n
At the event, participants watched videos on coral cultivation and marine conservation. They also headed to the shoreline near a project site for a coastal cleanup, removing plastic waste and debris from a 6,000-square-meter stretch of beach.
\n
The gathering took place at the Hassyan Desalination Project site near the Jebel Ali Wildlife Sanctuary, one of Dubai's few remaining pristine coastal areas. It was organized by PowerChina's Middle East and North Africa, or MENA, regional headquarters along with local partners and environment institutions.
\n
"This is my first time getting up close to seawater desalination — it's fascinating and incredibly meaningful," said local student Leila Diyari. "It is vital in securing water supplies and protecting the environment."
\n
Ali Al Suwaidi from a Dubai-based NGO focused on marine environmental conservation said: "I learned why protecting species like sea turtles matters, and how to do it. Every small action counts."
\n
Undertaken by Shandong Electric Power Construction Corporation III, a subsidiary of PowerChina, the Hassyan Desalination Project is set to be completed in 2027. Once operational, it will produce over 810,000 cubic meters of fresh water daily, supplying drinking water to nearly 2 million people in this arid region.
\n
Safeguarding ecosystem
\n
Li Yang, who oversees environmental protection for the project, said the company adopts green principles to minimize impact on the surrounding ecosystem. "We've relocated over 20,000 corals in the area to undisturbed parts of the construction zone, and safely transferred fish from lagoons near the site," he said.
\n
Along the coast, the team has adjusted construction schedules to avoid sensitive periods, such as sea turtle nesting seasons (March to June), and partnered with environmental groups to protect turtle habitats. "We arrange professionals to transfer the sea turtle eggs to the incubation area. After the hatching is completed, we will release the newborn baby turtles back into the sea," Li said.
\n
"Our team patrols the beach every day. When we find sea turtle nests, we protect them with iron enclosures," said Maria, a volunteer, describing the measures in place.
\n
Before joining this project, local employee Rafat Abdullah said his knowledge of China was limited to books and his experience with Chinese products.
\n
"Through working with Chinese colleagues, I have gained more understanding of China. I hope we can see more and more such projects here under the Belt and Road Initiative," Abdullah said.
\n
Li Junqi, vice-president of PowerChina's MENA operations, said: "Protecting marine ecosystems is both a responsibility and a key step toward ecological improvement. As a Chinese enterprise, we're taking the initiative to safeguard the environment, collaborating with local organizations to build a better shared home."
\n
While Chinese enterprises are safeguarding marine ecosystems in the UAE, elsewhere in the Gulf region, they are tackling another critical challenge: energy pollution.
\n
For decades, Iraq's oil and gas sector — the nation's economic lifeline — has taken a toll on the environment. Gas flaring, the practice of burning off excess gas from oil production, became a persistent blight. Over cities like Basra in the south, thick smoke clouds enveloped the air, harming local residents. The World Bank reported that Iraq wasted nearly 17 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually through flaring.
\n
'Blue sky projects'
\n
A series of practices led by Chinese enterprises, dubbed "blue sky projects" by Iraqis, are turning the tide, curbing pollution while addressing chronic energy shortages.
\n
Central to this shift is the Basra Natural Gas Liquids project, built by China Petroleum Engineering and Construction Corp, or CPECC, which captures and processes associated gas from three major oil fields.
\n
"Every cubic meter of gas we process is one that won't be flared into Basra's sky," said Sun Baojun, the project manager. His facility now produces 4.4 million cubic meters of dry gas and 2,600 metric tons of liquefied petroleum gas daily — enough to power nearby communities long plagued by electricity shortages.
\n
Wang Xianghui, senior vice-president of CPECC Middle East Branch, said that embracing green development is a fundamental social responsibility for companies involved in high-quality advancement of the Belt and Road Initiative.
\n
In the nearby West Qurna 1 oilfield, where outdated flare stacks once spewed "black smoke", change is tangible. A newly-operated degassing station has nearly eliminated such smoke — an outcome hailed by locals as a big achievement.
\n
Hasan Hanoon, a 35-year-old Iraqi engineer at West Qurna 1, has witnessed the transformation firsthand. "The smoke used to harm locals badly. Now Basra's air is so much cleaner," he said. "Working with the Chinese enterprise, I've seen the oilfield change, and I've come to admire China's speed, strength, and spirit through my role in the Belt and Road Initiative. Iraq-China cooperation has truly improved our lives."
\n
Iraqi officials see these projects as a new chapter for industrial development. Hayan Abdul-Ghani, the deputy prime minister for energy affairs and oil minister, recently visited West Qurna 1, praising Chinese energy firms for their "outstanding contributions".
\n
"These projects are not just economic successes but also environmental victories," he said.
\n
Cai Kaiping, the project's subsurface manager, said: "We once took Iraqi colleagues to visit Daqing, China's largest onshore oilfield. Its garden-like environment left them a deep impression, strengthening their confidence in our partnership."
\n
From Dubai's coral-friendly desalination efforts to Iraq's smoke-free oil fields, these initiatives are more than infrastructure — they are trust-builders, proving that the BRI thrives on green action and people bonds.
\n
Zayed bin Aweidha, CEO of Abu Dhabi Investment Group, said China is bound to play an important role in promoting global economic recovery, with the initiatives in the Gulf region contributing to the process.
\n
"China's cutting-edge technologies and infrastructure expertise complement our needs perfectly. Regional investors are optimistic about the Chinese market and eager to explore new win-win cooperation models," he said.
Chinese workers work on a flare stack upgrade project to tackle energy pollution at the Rumaila oilfield in Basra, Iraq, last December.
\n
"What does coral cultivation entail?" "What's the ideal temperature for coral growth?" These were among the questions raised during a public welfare event marking the 17th World Oceans Day in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates.
\n
Titled "Reef Revival: A Mission to Protect the Blue Heart of the Earth", the event brought together over 40 Chinese and UAE volunteers on June 13, a few days after the international community celebrated World Oceans Day on June 8.
\n
At the event, participants watched videos on coral cultivation and marine conservation. They also headed to the shoreline near a project site for a coastal cleanup, removing plastic waste and debris from a 6,000-square-meter stretch of beach.
\n
The gathering took place at the Hassyan Desalination Project site near the Jebel Ali Wildlife Sanctuary, one of Dubai's few remaining pristine coastal areas. It was organized by PowerChina's Middle East and North Africa, or MENA, regional headquarters along with local partners and environment institutions.
\n
"This is my first time getting up close to seawater desalination — it's fascinating and incredibly meaningful," said local student Leila Diyari. "It is vital in securing water supplies and protecting the environment."
\n
Ali Al Suwaidi from a Dubai-based NGO focused on marine environmental conservation said: "I learned why protecting species like sea turtles matters, and how to do it. Every small action counts."
\n
Undertaken by Shandong Electric Power Construction Corporation III, a subsidiary of PowerChina, the Hassyan Desalination Project is set to be completed in 2027. Once operational, it will produce over 810,000 cubic meters of fresh water daily, supplying drinking water to nearly 2 million people in this arid region.
\n
Safeguarding ecosystem
\n
Li Yang, who oversees environmental protection for the project, said the company adopts green principles to minimize impact on the surrounding ecosystem. "We've relocated over 20,000 corals in the area to undisturbed parts of the construction zone, and safely transferred fish from lagoons near the site," he said.
\n
Along the coast, the team has adjusted construction schedules to avoid sensitive periods, such as sea turtle nesting seasons (March to June), and partnered with environmental groups to protect turtle habitats. "We arrange professionals to transfer the sea turtle eggs to the incubation area. After the hatching is completed, we will release the newborn baby turtles back into the sea," Li said.
\n
"Our team patrols the beach every day. When we find sea turtle nests, we protect them with iron enclosures," said Maria, a volunteer, describing the measures in place.
\n
Before joining this project, local employee Rafat Abdullah said his knowledge of China was limited to books and his experience with Chinese products.
\n
"Through working with Chinese colleagues, I have gained more understanding of China. I hope we can see more and more such projects here under the Belt and Road Initiative," Abdullah said.
\n
Li Junqi, vice-president of PowerChina's MENA operations, said: "Protecting marine ecosystems is both a responsibility and a key step toward ecological improvement. As a Chinese enterprise, we're taking the initiative to safeguard the environment, collaborating with local organizations to build a better shared home."
\n
While Chinese enterprises are safeguarding marine ecosystems in the UAE, elsewhere in the Gulf region, they are tackling another critical challenge: energy pollution.
\n
For decades, Iraq's oil and gas sector — the nation's economic lifeline — has taken a toll on the environment. Gas flaring, the practice of burning off excess gas from oil production, became a persistent blight. Over cities like Basra in the south, thick smoke clouds enveloped the air, harming local residents. The World Bank reported that Iraq wasted nearly 17 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually through flaring.
\n
'Blue sky projects'
\n
A series of practices led by Chinese enterprises, dubbed "blue sky projects" by Iraqis, are turning the tide, curbing pollution while addressing chronic energy shortages.
\n
Central to this shift is the Basra Natural Gas Liquids project, built by China Petroleum Engineering and Construction Corp, or CPECC, which captures and processes associated gas from three major oil fields.
\n
"Every cubic meter of gas we process is one that won't be flared into Basra's sky," said Sun Baojun, the project manager. His facility now produces 4.4 million cubic meters of dry gas and 2,600 metric tons of liquefied petroleum gas daily — enough to power nearby communities long plagued by electricity shortages.
\n
Wang Xianghui, senior vice-president of CPECC Middle East Branch, said that embracing green development is a fundamental social responsibility for companies involved in high-quality advancement of the Belt and Road Initiative.
\n
In the nearby West Qurna 1 oilfield, where outdated flare stacks once spewed "black smoke", change is tangible. A newly-operated degassing station has nearly eliminated such smoke — an outcome hailed by locals as a big achievement.
\n
Hasan Hanoon, a 35-year-old Iraqi engineer at West Qurna 1, has witnessed the transformation firsthand. "The smoke used to harm locals badly. Now Basra's air is so much cleaner," he said. "Working with the Chinese enterprise, I've seen the oilfield change, and I've come to admire China's speed, strength, and spirit through my role in the Belt and Road Initiative. Iraq-China cooperation has truly improved our lives."
\n
Iraqi officials see these projects as a new chapter for industrial development. Hayan Abdul-Ghani, the deputy prime minister for energy affairs and oil minister, recently visited West Qurna 1, praising Chinese energy firms for their "outstanding contributions".
\n
"These projects are not just economic successes but also environmental victories," he said.
\n
Cai Kaiping, the project's subsurface manager, said: "We once took Iraqi colleagues to visit Daqing, China's largest onshore oilfield. Its garden-like environment left them a deep impression, strengthening their confidence in our partnership."
\n
From Dubai's coral-friendly desalination efforts to Iraq's smoke-free oil fields, these initiatives are more than infrastructure — they are trust-builders, proving that the BRI thrives on green action and people bonds.
\n
Zayed bin Aweidha, CEO of Abu Dhabi Investment Group, said China is bound to play an important role in promoting global economic recovery, with the initiatives in the Gulf region contributing to the process.
\n
"China's cutting-edge technologies and infrastructure expertise complement our needs perfectly. Regional investors are optimistic about the Chinese market and eager to explore new win-win cooperation models," he said.
Jianzhou big-eared goats are under quarantine in Entebbe, Uganda, earlier this month.
\n
As the evening sun dipped behind the gentle hills of Entebbe in Uganda, a small herd of Jianzhou big-eared goats recently imported from China grazed quietly on fresh pasture, their distinctive floppy ears swaying gently in the breeze.
\n
These are no ordinary goats — they are the latest addition to Uganda's drive to transform its livestock industry, in a bid to boost meat production, improve breeding stock, and strengthen the livelihoods of rural farmers.
\n
Uganda has welcomed a new chapter in its agricultural modernization drive with the importation of nine Jianzhou big-eared goats, part of a broader South-South cooperation program aimed at enhancing livestock productivity and farmer incomes.
\n
The goats — a crossbreed of British Nubian and local goats from Jianyang, Sichuan province in China — were procured through a partnership among China, the Ugandan government under the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
\n
Known for their rapid growth, large body size and adaptability, the breed is expected to support Uganda's push to commercialize agriculture by increasing meat yields, introducing new breeding technologies, and expanding market opportunities.
\n
Mutual benefit
\n
"This is not a donor-recipient arrangement — it is mutual benefit," said Julius Twinamasiko, program coordinator for the Uganda-China agricultural cooperation. "We want to add superior livestock breeds that will help farmers earn more through meat, milk and trade. China gains investment and market ties, while Uganda gains technology, genetics and capacity building."
\n
The introduction of these goats is expected to play a key role in tackling food insecurity and increasing meat production, especially in arid and semiarid parts of Uganda, where traditional cattle and goat herding has become increasingly difficult due to prolonged dry spells.
\n
Twinamasiko said the project reflects growing agricultural ties between China and Uganda, underpinned by the principles of South-South cooperation. Chinese experts, he said, have provided technical guidance on breeding, disease control and pasture management of the new breed to Ugandan experts. "This is more than just a livestock project — it's a knowledge exchange."
\n
The goats are being held in quarantine as part of research and breeding programs, including a proposal to use artificial insemination in the new breed of goats — a first for Uganda. The goal is to increase the number of these goats, cross them with indigenous kinds, and eventually give better stock to smallholder farmers all around the country.
\n
Rose Ademun, Uganda's commissioner for animal health, said the Jianzhou big-eared goat is "a superior meat breed known for its rapid growth, high carcass yield and adaptability to various agro-climatic conditions". She said that through crossbreeding, the Ugandan government aims to ensure that farmers get offspring that are resilient, productive, and capable of thriving even under drought conditions.
\n
FAO coordinated the procurement process, ensuring health checks, quarantine procedures and on-the-ground knowledge transfer. Chinese livestock experts have been working alongside Ugandan veterinarians to adapt the goats to local feeding regimes and climate, while training local staff in breeding and husbandry practices.
\n
"This cooperation goes beyond livestock. It's about building lasting capacity, fostering innovation, and creating income opportunities in rural areas," said Martin Ameu, FAO program associate and South-South project coordinator in Uganda.
\n
With the goats now set to be out of quarantine and thriving on Ugandan pastures, the project is set to begin breeding trials — a step policymakers said will mark the start of a long-term transformation in the country's livestock sector.
\n
sharon@chinadailyafrica.com
\n",
+ "content": "
Jianzhou big-eared goats are under quarantine in Entebbe, Uganda, earlier this month.
\n
As the evening sun dipped behind the gentle hills of Entebbe in Uganda, a small herd of Jianzhou big-eared goats recently imported from China grazed quietly on fresh pasture, their distinctive floppy ears swaying gently in the breeze.
\n
These are no ordinary goats — they are the latest addition to Uganda's drive to transform its livestock industry, in a bid to boost meat production, improve breeding stock, and strengthen the livelihoods of rural farmers.
\n
Uganda has welcomed a new chapter in its agricultural modernization drive with the importation of nine Jianzhou big-eared goats, part of a broader South-South cooperation program aimed at enhancing livestock productivity and farmer incomes.
\n
The goats — a crossbreed of British Nubian and local goats from Jianyang, Sichuan province in China — were procured through a partnership among China, the Ugandan government under the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
\n
Known for their rapid growth, large body size and adaptability, the breed is expected to support Uganda's push to commercialize agriculture by increasing meat yields, introducing new breeding technologies, and expanding market opportunities.
\n
Mutual benefit
\n
"This is not a donor-recipient arrangement — it is mutual benefit," said Julius Twinamasiko, program coordinator for the Uganda-China agricultural cooperation. "We want to add superior livestock breeds that will help farmers earn more through meat, milk and trade. China gains investment and market ties, while Uganda gains technology, genetics and capacity building."
\n
The introduction of these goats is expected to play a key role in tackling food insecurity and increasing meat production, especially in arid and semiarid parts of Uganda, where traditional cattle and goat herding has become increasingly difficult due to prolonged dry spells.
\n
Twinamasiko said the project reflects growing agricultural ties between China and Uganda, underpinned by the principles of South-South cooperation. Chinese experts, he said, have provided technical guidance on breeding, disease control and pasture management of the new breed to Ugandan experts. "This is more than just a livestock project — it's a knowledge exchange."
\n
The goats are being held in quarantine as part of research and breeding programs, including a proposal to use artificial insemination in the new breed of goats — a first for Uganda. The goal is to increase the number of these goats, cross them with indigenous kinds, and eventually give better stock to smallholder farmers all around the country.
\n
Rose Ademun, Uganda's commissioner for animal health, said the Jianzhou big-eared goat is "a superior meat breed known for its rapid growth, high carcass yield and adaptability to various agro-climatic conditions". She said that through crossbreeding, the Ugandan government aims to ensure that farmers get offspring that are resilient, productive, and capable of thriving even under drought conditions.
\n
FAO coordinated the procurement process, ensuring health checks, quarantine procedures and on-the-ground knowledge transfer. Chinese livestock experts have been working alongside Ugandan veterinarians to adapt the goats to local feeding regimes and climate, while training local staff in breeding and husbandry practices.
\n
"This cooperation goes beyond livestock. It's about building lasting capacity, fostering innovation, and creating income opportunities in rural areas," said Martin Ameu, FAO program associate and South-South project coordinator in Uganda.
\n
With the goats now set to be out of quarantine and thriving on Ugandan pastures, the project is set to begin breeding trials — a step policymakers said will mark the start of a long-term transformation in the country's livestock sector.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (right) meets with visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in New Delhi on Tuesday.
\n
In a major step toward stabilizing and improving relations, China and India have agreed on a wide range of agreements covering boundary management, trade, investment and people-to-people exchanges, a move officials and experts say will inject fresh momentum to the partnership between the world's two largest developing countries.
\n
A 10-point consensus was announced on Tuesday after visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, co-chaired the 24th Round of Talks Between the Special Representatives of China and India on the Boundary Question with India's National Security Adviser Ajit Doval in New Delhi.
\n
Both sides reaffirmed that maintaining peace and tranquility in border areas is vital for the overall relations, and pledged to work toward a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable framework for resolving the boundary question through friendly consultations.
\n
They agreed to strengthen diplomatic and military communication mechanisms and hold the 25th round of boundary talks in China next year.
\n
To advance negotiations, the two sides will establish a demarcation expert group under the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on China-India Border Affairs, as well as a working group under the framework of the mechanism to promote effective border management and control.
\n
They further agreed to expand general-level talks to the eastern and central sectors of the boundary, in addition to the existing western sector, and to convene a new round of talks on the western section as soon as possible.
\n
The cooperation will also extend to cross-boundary rivers, with China pledging to continue sharing emergency hydrological data on humanitarian grounds and to maintain communication on renewing the flood-reporting memorandum of understanding with India. The two countries further agreed to reopen traditional boundary trade markets at three designated points.
\n
During his meeting with Wang on Tuesday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the progress in bilateral ties, saying the two countries are "partners rather than adversaries".
\n
Modi called for prudently managing the border question and preventing differences from escalating into disputes, while expanding cooperation to showcase the "huge potential and bright prospects" for bilateral ties.
\n
Steady progress
\n
In a social media post, he said that since his meeting with President Xi Jinping in Kazan, Russia, last year, India-China relations "have made steady progress guided by respect for each other's interests and sensitivities". He said he was looking forward to meeting Xi again on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit in Tianjin, in his first visit to China in more than seven years.
\n
On Monday, Wang also met India's External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar with the two sides achieving 10-point outcomes. According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, they agreed to resume intergovernmental dialogue and exchange mechanisms, including holding the Third Meeting of the China-India High-level Mechanism on People-to-People Exchanges in India next year.
\n
They also agreed to resume direct flights between the Chinese mainland and India at the earliest; facilitate visas to tourists, businesses, media and other visitors in both directions; and expand the scale of Indian pilgrimages to sacred mountains and lakes in China's Xizang autonomous region.
\n
Both sides pledged to take concrete steps to boost trade and investment flows while safeguarding the multilateral trading system.
\n
Observers said that after years of strain, China-India ties are gradually returning to normal, with the latest talks yielding tangible progress that could help stabilize relations.
\n
Liu Zongyi, director of the Center for South Asian Studies at the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies, said India should work with China to eliminate distractions, expand cooperation and consolidate positive momentum.
\n
While the relationship has seen ups and downs, he said, China has consistently stressed that the two countries should pursue common development and mutual success.
\n
Wrapping up his three-day visit in India, Wang arrived in Kabul on Wednesday morning to visit Afghanistan and attend the sixth China-Afghanistan-Pakistan Trilateral Foreign Ministers' Dialogue.
\n
zhaojia@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (right) meets with visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in New Delhi on Tuesday.
\n
In a major step toward stabilizing and improving relations, China and India have agreed on a wide range of agreements covering boundary management, trade, investment and people-to-people exchanges, a move officials and experts say will inject fresh momentum to the partnership between the world's two largest developing countries.
\n
A 10-point consensus was announced on Tuesday after visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, co-chaired the 24th Round of Talks Between the Special Representatives of China and India on the Boundary Question with India's National Security Adviser Ajit Doval in New Delhi.
\n
Both sides reaffirmed that maintaining peace and tranquility in border areas is vital for the overall relations, and pledged to work toward a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable framework for resolving the boundary question through friendly consultations.
\n
They agreed to strengthen diplomatic and military communication mechanisms and hold the 25th round of boundary talks in China next year.
\n
To advance negotiations, the two sides will establish a demarcation expert group under the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on China-India Border Affairs, as well as a working group under the framework of the mechanism to promote effective border management and control.
\n
They further agreed to expand general-level talks to the eastern and central sectors of the boundary, in addition to the existing western sector, and to convene a new round of talks on the western section as soon as possible.
\n
The cooperation will also extend to cross-boundary rivers, with China pledging to continue sharing emergency hydrological data on humanitarian grounds and to maintain communication on renewing the flood-reporting memorandum of understanding with India. The two countries further agreed to reopen traditional boundary trade markets at three designated points.
\n
During his meeting with Wang on Tuesday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the progress in bilateral ties, saying the two countries are "partners rather than adversaries".
\n
Modi called for prudently managing the border question and preventing differences from escalating into disputes, while expanding cooperation to showcase the "huge potential and bright prospects" for bilateral ties.
\n
Steady progress
\n
In a social media post, he said that since his meeting with President Xi Jinping in Kazan, Russia, last year, India-China relations "have made steady progress guided by respect for each other's interests and sensitivities". He said he was looking forward to meeting Xi again on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit in Tianjin, in his first visit to China in more than seven years.
\n
On Monday, Wang also met India's External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar with the two sides achieving 10-point outcomes. According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, they agreed to resume intergovernmental dialogue and exchange mechanisms, including holding the Third Meeting of the China-India High-level Mechanism on People-to-People Exchanges in India next year.
\n
They also agreed to resume direct flights between the Chinese mainland and India at the earliest; facilitate visas to tourists, businesses, media and other visitors in both directions; and expand the scale of Indian pilgrimages to sacred mountains and lakes in China's Xizang autonomous region.
\n
Both sides pledged to take concrete steps to boost trade and investment flows while safeguarding the multilateral trading system.
\n
Observers said that after years of strain, China-India ties are gradually returning to normal, with the latest talks yielding tangible progress that could help stabilize relations.
\n
Liu Zongyi, director of the Center for South Asian Studies at the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies, said India should work with China to eliminate distractions, expand cooperation and consolidate positive momentum.
\n
While the relationship has seen ups and downs, he said, China has consistently stressed that the two countries should pursue common development and mutual success.
\n
Wrapping up his three-day visit in India, Wang arrived in Kabul on Wednesday morning to visit Afghanistan and attend the sixth China-Afghanistan-Pakistan Trilateral Foreign Ministers' Dialogue.
A resident walks among the rubble of houses destroyed by a wildfire in San Vicente de Leira, Spain, on Tuesday.
\n
Firefighters in Spain are hoping cooling temperatures and rain in the coming days will help douse destructive wildfires that have killed several people and destroyed homes.
\n
The drought-fed wildfires, which ripped through almost as much land on Monday as was lost to fire during the whole of 2024, prompted Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to announce a civil protection emergency on Tuesday.
\n
The battle to contain the fires has been boosted by teams and equipment from throughout Europe, and Sanchez said the expected end of a 16-day heat wave and the prospect of rain offered hope that the fires may soon be slowed.
\n
However, he said the overriding reason why severe wildfires have hit Spain was down to global warming caused by human activity, and that it must be addressed.
\n
"We're seeing the climate emergency accelerate and worsen significantly, particularly in the Iberian Peninsula, each year," he said, vowing to tackle the root cause by putting forward a plan next month to turn climate emergency policies into permanent state policies.
\n
During a visit to the fire-ravaged autonomous community of Extremadura, in the central-western province of Badajoz, Sanchez said areas seriously damaged by wildfires will get government help for their reconstruction.
\n
So far this year, around 383,000 hectares of land have been burned across Spain, which is about the size of the island of Mallorca.
\n
The European Forest Fire Information System of the European Union said the amount of land lost to wildfires this year is the largest recorded since records began in 2006. And it said the area is more than four times the size of the average annual total recorded between 2006 and 2024.
\n
While Spain has been one of the most seriously affected countries, wildfires have also devastated parts of other European nations, including Bulgaria, France, Greece, Italy and Romania. And Spain's neighbor, Portugal, has recorded one of its worst wildfire seasons for two decades, with eight national roads and several rail lines forced to close because of fires, and more than 2,700 firefighters tackling blazes.
\n
News agency Agencia EFE reported that the firefighting efforts in Portugal, as in Spain, have been boosted by teams from other European countries, and by at least 35 firefighting aircraft.
\n
Portugal's National Republican Guard, or GNR, said, "The protection of people and property continues to be one of the GNR's priorities, supported by preventive and surveillance actions, with the reinforcement of patrols … and surveillance and monitoring through drones, which can act in the rapid detection of fire outbreaks."
\n
Government agencies in Portugal said at least 172,000 hectares of land had been burned across the country as of Sunday, but that cooler temperatures in the coming days may help slow the spread of the fires.
\n
earle@mail.chinadailyuk.com
\n",
+ "content": "
A resident walks among the rubble of houses destroyed by a wildfire in San Vicente de Leira, Spain, on Tuesday.
\n
Firefighters in Spain are hoping cooling temperatures and rain in the coming days will help douse destructive wildfires that have killed several people and destroyed homes.
\n
The drought-fed wildfires, which ripped through almost as much land on Monday as was lost to fire during the whole of 2024, prompted Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to announce a civil protection emergency on Tuesday.
\n
The battle to contain the fires has been boosted by teams and equipment from throughout Europe, and Sanchez said the expected end of a 16-day heat wave and the prospect of rain offered hope that the fires may soon be slowed.
\n
However, he said the overriding reason why severe wildfires have hit Spain was down to global warming caused by human activity, and that it must be addressed.
\n
"We're seeing the climate emergency accelerate and worsen significantly, particularly in the Iberian Peninsula, each year," he said, vowing to tackle the root cause by putting forward a plan next month to turn climate emergency policies into permanent state policies.
\n
During a visit to the fire-ravaged autonomous community of Extremadura, in the central-western province of Badajoz, Sanchez said areas seriously damaged by wildfires will get government help for their reconstruction.
\n
So far this year, around 383,000 hectares of land have been burned across Spain, which is about the size of the island of Mallorca.
\n
The European Forest Fire Information System of the European Union said the amount of land lost to wildfires this year is the largest recorded since records began in 2006. And it said the area is more than four times the size of the average annual total recorded between 2006 and 2024.
\n
While Spain has been one of the most seriously affected countries, wildfires have also devastated parts of other European nations, including Bulgaria, France, Greece, Italy and Romania. And Spain's neighbor, Portugal, has recorded one of its worst wildfire seasons for two decades, with eight national roads and several rail lines forced to close because of fires, and more than 2,700 firefighters tackling blazes.
\n
News agency Agencia EFE reported that the firefighting efforts in Portugal, as in Spain, have been boosted by teams from other European countries, and by at least 35 firefighting aircraft.
\n
Portugal's National Republican Guard, or GNR, said, "The protection of people and property continues to be one of the GNR's priorities, supported by preventive and surveillance actions, with the reinforcement of patrols … and surveillance and monitoring through drones, which can act in the rapid detection of fire outbreaks."
\n
Government agencies in Portugal said at least 172,000 hectares of land had been burned across the country as of Sunday, but that cooler temperatures in the coming days may help slow the spread of the fires.
A worker welds at a steel manufacturing facility in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, on July 16.
\n
WASHINGTON — The United States has broadened the reach of its steel and aluminum tariffs, the Commerce Department said on Tuesday, affecting hundreds more products that contain both metals, such as child seats, tableware and heavy equipment.
\n
The Bureau of Industry and Security said in a recent notice that it was adding 407 product types to a list of items considered steel and aluminum "derivative products".
\n
This means a 50 percent tariff on both metals — imposed by President Donald Trump's administration earlier in the year — will apply to their steel and aluminum content.
\n
The widened scope took effect on Monday, and the notice detailing the changes was published in the Federal Register on Tuesday.
\n
"Today's action covers wind turbines and their parts and components, mobile cranes, bulldozers and other heavy equipment, railcars, furniture, compressors and pumps, and hundreds of other products," the Commerce Department said on Tuesday.
\n
The department is also adding imported parts for automotive exhaust systems and electrical steel needed for electric vehicles to the new tariffs, as well as components for buses, air conditioners and appliances, including refrigerators, freezers and dryers.
\n
A group of foreign automakers had urged the department not to add the parts, saying the US does not have the domestic capacity to handle current demand.
\n
Jeffrey Kessler, US under secretary of commerce for industry and security, said the move "shuts down avenues for circumvention", reiterating the aim of boosting the US steel and aluminum industries.
\n
Since returning to the presidency, Trump has imposed a 10 percent tariff on almost all US trading partners, alongside varying steeper levels on dozens of economies such as the European Union and Japan.
\n
Certain sectors have been spared from these countrywide tariff levels but were instead targeted under different authorities by even higher duties.
\n
In the case of steel and aluminum, the administration initially unveiled a 25 percent tariff on imports of both metals before doubling this to 50 percent in June.
\n
Although the influence of the tariffs on consumer prices has been limited so far, economists warn that their full effects are yet to be seen.
\n
For now, some businesses have coped by bringing forward purchases of products that they expected would encounter tariffs. Others have passed on additional costs to their consumers or absorbed a part of the fresh tariff burden.
\n
However, analysts note that importers and retailers will unlikely be able to bear these costs indefinitely, and could eventually raise consumer prices.
\n
Some economists argue that the inflation hit will be one-off, but others are wary of more persistent effects.
\n",
+ "content": "
A worker welds at a steel manufacturing facility in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, on July 16.
\n
WASHINGTON — The United States has broadened the reach of its steel and aluminum tariffs, the Commerce Department said on Tuesday, affecting hundreds more products that contain both metals, such as child seats, tableware and heavy equipment.
\n
The Bureau of Industry and Security said in a recent notice that it was adding 407 product types to a list of items considered steel and aluminum "derivative products".
\n
This means a 50 percent tariff on both metals — imposed by President Donald Trump's administration earlier in the year — will apply to their steel and aluminum content.
\n
The widened scope took effect on Monday, and the notice detailing the changes was published in the Federal Register on Tuesday.
\n
"Today's action covers wind turbines and their parts and components, mobile cranes, bulldozers and other heavy equipment, railcars, furniture, compressors and pumps, and hundreds of other products," the Commerce Department said on Tuesday.
\n
The department is also adding imported parts for automotive exhaust systems and electrical steel needed for electric vehicles to the new tariffs, as well as components for buses, air conditioners and appliances, including refrigerators, freezers and dryers.
\n
A group of foreign automakers had urged the department not to add the parts, saying the US does not have the domestic capacity to handle current demand.
\n
Jeffrey Kessler, US under secretary of commerce for industry and security, said the move "shuts down avenues for circumvention", reiterating the aim of boosting the US steel and aluminum industries.
\n
Since returning to the presidency, Trump has imposed a 10 percent tariff on almost all US trading partners, alongside varying steeper levels on dozens of economies such as the European Union and Japan.
\n
Certain sectors have been spared from these countrywide tariff levels but were instead targeted under different authorities by even higher duties.
\n
In the case of steel and aluminum, the administration initially unveiled a 25 percent tariff on imports of both metals before doubling this to 50 percent in June.
\n
Although the influence of the tariffs on consumer prices has been limited so far, economists warn that their full effects are yet to be seen.
\n
For now, some businesses have coped by bringing forward purchases of products that they expected would encounter tariffs. Others have passed on additional costs to their consumers or absorbed a part of the fresh tariff burden.
\n
However, analysts note that importers and retailers will unlikely be able to bear these costs indefinitely, and could eventually raise consumer prices.
\n
Some economists argue that the inflation hit will be one-off, but others are wary of more persistent effects.
JERUSALEM — Israel's defense minister approved a plan on Wednesday for the conquest of Gaza City and authorized the call-up of around 60,000 reservists, piling pressure on Hamas as mediators push for a ceasefire.
\n
Israel Katz's move, confirmed to Agence France-Presse by a spokesperson, came as mediators awaited an official Israeli response on their latest proposal.
\n
While mediator Qatar had expressed guarded optimism over the latest proposal, a senior Israeli official said the government stood firm on its call for the release of all hostages in any agreement.
\n
The framework that Hamas had approved proposes an initial 60-day truce, a staggered hostage release, the freeing of some Palestinian prisoners, and provisions allowing for the entry of aid into Gaza.
\n
Israel and Hamas have held on-off indirect negotiations throughout the conflict, resulting in two short truces during which Israeli hostages were released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
\n
Of the 251 hostages taken during Hamas' October 2023 attack that triggered the conflict, 49 are still in Gaza, including 27 the Israeli military says are dead.
\n
Sources from Hamas and its ally Islamic Jihad told AFP on Wednesday that the latest proposal envisages the release of 10 hostages and 18 bodies from Gaza.
\n
The remaining captives would be released in the second phase, with negotiations for a broader settlement.
\n
The latest proposal came after Israel's security cabinet approved plans to conquer Gaza City, despite fears it will worsen the already catastrophic humanitarian crisis.
\n
Qatar and Egypt, backed by the United States, have mediated the frequent rounds of shuttle diplomacy.
\n
Qatar said the latest proposal was "almost identical" to an earlier version agreed by Israel, while Egypt said on Monday that "the ball is now in its (Israel's) court".
\n
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has yet to publicly comment on the truce plan, but said last week that his country would accept "an agreement in which all the hostages are released at once and according to our conditions for ending the war".
\n
Door opened
\n
Senior Hamas official Mahmoud Mardawi said on social media that his group had "opened the door wide to the possibility of reaching an agreement, but the question remains whether Netanyahu will once again close it, as he has done in the past".
\n
According to Israeli media reports, Netanyahu has not so far called a security cabinet meeting to discuss any response.
\n
An Israeli military official told journalists on Wednesday that the new phase of combat would involve "a gradual precise and targeted operation in and around Gaza City", including some areas where forces had not previously operated.
\n
Gaza's civil defense agency said Israeli strikes and fire killed at least 21 people across the territory on Wednesday.
\n
In the Zikim area of northern Gaza on Tuesday, an AFP journalist saw Palestinians hauling sacks of food aid along dusty roads lined with rubble and damaged buildings.
\n
Gazan Shawg Al-Badri said it took "three to four hours" to carry flour, what she called "white gold", back to her family's tent.
\n
"This bag is worth the whole world," she said.
\n",
+ "content": "
JERUSALEM — Israel's defense minister approved a plan on Wednesday for the conquest of Gaza City and authorized the call-up of around 60,000 reservists, piling pressure on Hamas as mediators push for a ceasefire.
\n
Israel Katz's move, confirmed to Agence France-Presse by a spokesperson, came as mediators awaited an official Israeli response on their latest proposal.
\n
While mediator Qatar had expressed guarded optimism over the latest proposal, a senior Israeli official said the government stood firm on its call for the release of all hostages in any agreement.
\n
The framework that Hamas had approved proposes an initial 60-day truce, a staggered hostage release, the freeing of some Palestinian prisoners, and provisions allowing for the entry of aid into Gaza.
\n
Israel and Hamas have held on-off indirect negotiations throughout the conflict, resulting in two short truces during which Israeli hostages were released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
\n
Of the 251 hostages taken during Hamas' October 2023 attack that triggered the conflict, 49 are still in Gaza, including 27 the Israeli military says are dead.
\n
Sources from Hamas and its ally Islamic Jihad told AFP on Wednesday that the latest proposal envisages the release of 10 hostages and 18 bodies from Gaza.
\n
The remaining captives would be released in the second phase, with negotiations for a broader settlement.
\n
The latest proposal came after Israel's security cabinet approved plans to conquer Gaza City, despite fears it will worsen the already catastrophic humanitarian crisis.
\n
Qatar and Egypt, backed by the United States, have mediated the frequent rounds of shuttle diplomacy.
\n
Qatar said the latest proposal was "almost identical" to an earlier version agreed by Israel, while Egypt said on Monday that "the ball is now in its (Israel's) court".
\n
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has yet to publicly comment on the truce plan, but said last week that his country would accept "an agreement in which all the hostages are released at once and according to our conditions for ending the war".
\n
Door opened
\n
Senior Hamas official Mahmoud Mardawi said on social media that his group had "opened the door wide to the possibility of reaching an agreement, but the question remains whether Netanyahu will once again close it, as he has done in the past".
\n
According to Israeli media reports, Netanyahu has not so far called a security cabinet meeting to discuss any response.
\n
An Israeli military official told journalists on Wednesday that the new phase of combat would involve "a gradual precise and targeted operation in and around Gaza City", including some areas where forces had not previously operated.
\n
Gaza's civil defense agency said Israeli strikes and fire killed at least 21 people across the territory on Wednesday.
\n
In the Zikim area of northern Gaza on Tuesday, an AFP journalist saw Palestinians hauling sacks of food aid along dusty roads lined with rubble and damaged buildings.
\n
Gazan Shawg Al-Badri said it took "three to four hours" to carry flour, what she called "white gold", back to her family's tent.
The White House said on Tuesday that US aircraft could be used to support security guarantees for Ukraine, while reaffirming that US troops will not be deployed on the ground.
\n
In an interview following Monday's high-stakes talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and seven European leaders at the White House, US President Donald Trump said "you have my assurance" that US troops would not be part of defending Ukraine's border.
\n
"When it comes to security, (Europeans) are willing to put people on the ground. We're willing to help them with things, especially, probably … by air," Trump said in a Fox News program on Tuesday.
\n
At a White House briefing on Tuesday, Trump's press secretary Karoline Leavitt also said Trump "has definitively stated that US boots will not be on the ground in Ukraine", but added that Washington "can certainly help in the coordination and perhaps provide other means of security guarantees" to its European allies.
\n
Asked whether air support could be part of that, Leavitt replied: "It is an option and a possibility. I won't rule out anything as far as military options the president has at his disposal."
\n
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will lead a working group to draft a proposal for security guarantees for Ukraine, CNN reported on Tuesday, citing a White House official and another source familiar with the situation.
\n
US and European military planners have begun exploring post-conflict security guarantees for Ukraine, US officials and sources told Reuters on Tuesday.
\n
They cautioned it would take time for them to determine what would be both militarily feasible and acceptable to the Kremlin.
\n
Moscow has rejected the idea of European troop deployments in Ukraine as security guarantees.
\n
On Monday, Russia's Foreign Ministry reiterated its "long-standing position of unequivocally rejecting any scenarios involving the deployment of NATO military contingents in Ukraine", noting that it risks "uncontrollable escalation with unpredictable consequences".
\n
At Tuesday's briefing, Leavitt said plans for a bilateral meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Zelensky are now "underway", with "many options" being discussed, but the press secretary declined to answer questions about specific locations.
\n
On Monday, Trump and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban discussed the capital Budapest as a potential host for future talks between Putin and Zelensky, a White House official told Reuters.
\n
Leavitt said that Putin has already agreed to such a meeting. "I can assure you that the United States government and the Trump administration is working with Russia and Ukraine to make that bilateral (meeting) happen," Leavitt said.
\n
After Trump met Zelensky and European leaders on Monday, Leavitt confirmed the focus has now shifted from a possible trilateral format to a bilateral meeting between Zelensky and Putin.
\n
Trump himself seemed to express doubts over whether he would be attending their meeting. "I had a very successful meeting with President Zelensky and now I thought it would be better if they met without me, just to see — I want to see what goes on. You know, they had a hard relationship, very bad, very bad relationship," Trump said on The Mark Levin Show on Tuesday evening.
\n
Leavitt also said Trump has proposed that NATO should take the lead in providing military support by buying US weapons.
\n
"Back in January, he made it very clear that we're not going to continue writing blank checks to fund a war very far away, which is why he came up with a very creative solution to have NATO purchase American weaponry" to back the Ukrainian army.
\n
NATO military leaders were expected to meet on Wednesday to discuss Ukraine, with US General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, expected to attend virtually, Reuters reported.
\n
Daunting obstacles
\n
Michael E. O'Hanlon, the director of research at the Brookings Institution's foreign policy program, noted that the obstacles to peace between Russia and Ukraine are daunting, and no one should expect major progress anytime soon.
\n
"The two sides have completely different views on whether 'land swaps' are feasible, and if so, on what terms. The ways in which Europe and perhaps the United States and Canada could provide security reinforcers to Ukraine are completely undeveloped at present," he wrote in an analysis "The way forward for Ukraine after the Putin summit "posted on the Brookings website.
\n
There has been so far no confirmation from Russia that a potential bilateral meeting between Putin and Zelensky is being planned.
\n
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Tuesday that contacts involving national leaders must be prepared "with the utmost thoroughness" and cannot be pursued for the sake of "media coverage or evening broadcasts".
\n
Russia and Ukraine on Tuesday exchanged more bodies of fallen soldiers under the Istanbul deal, Russian presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky said.
\n
Moscow had handed over 1,000 bodies of fallen soldiers to Kyiv, while Ukraine had transferred 19 bodies to Russia, said Medinsky, also Russia's chief negotiator at the talks with the Ukrainian side.
\n
During their second round of talks on June 2 in Istanbul, Russia and Ukraine agreed on an "all-for-all" exchange of seriously ill and wounded prisoners, and soldiers under the age of 25, as well as the transfer of bodies of fallen soldiers.
\n
On July 23, after the last round of Russia-Ukraine direct talks, Medinsky said Russia had returned the bodies of 7,000 fallen Ukrainian soldiers and was ready to return 3,000 more.
\n
Agencies and Xinhua contributed to this story.
\n
huanxinzhao@chinadailyusa.com
\n",
+ "content": "
The White House said on Tuesday that US aircraft could be used to support security guarantees for Ukraine, while reaffirming that US troops will not be deployed on the ground.
\n
In an interview following Monday's high-stakes talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and seven European leaders at the White House, US President Donald Trump said "you have my assurance" that US troops would not be part of defending Ukraine's border.
\n
"When it comes to security, (Europeans) are willing to put people on the ground. We're willing to help them with things, especially, probably … by air," Trump said in a Fox News program on Tuesday.
\n
At a White House briefing on Tuesday, Trump's press secretary Karoline Leavitt also said Trump "has definitively stated that US boots will not be on the ground in Ukraine", but added that Washington "can certainly help in the coordination and perhaps provide other means of security guarantees" to its European allies.
\n
Asked whether air support could be part of that, Leavitt replied: "It is an option and a possibility. I won't rule out anything as far as military options the president has at his disposal."
\n
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will lead a working group to draft a proposal for security guarantees for Ukraine, CNN reported on Tuesday, citing a White House official and another source familiar with the situation.
\n
US and European military planners have begun exploring post-conflict security guarantees for Ukraine, US officials and sources told Reuters on Tuesday.
\n
They cautioned it would take time for them to determine what would be both militarily feasible and acceptable to the Kremlin.
\n
Moscow has rejected the idea of European troop deployments in Ukraine as security guarantees.
\n
On Monday, Russia's Foreign Ministry reiterated its "long-standing position of unequivocally rejecting any scenarios involving the deployment of NATO military contingents in Ukraine", noting that it risks "uncontrollable escalation with unpredictable consequences".
\n
At Tuesday's briefing, Leavitt said plans for a bilateral meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Zelensky are now "underway", with "many options" being discussed, but the press secretary declined to answer questions about specific locations.
\n
On Monday, Trump and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban discussed the capital Budapest as a potential host for future talks between Putin and Zelensky, a White House official told Reuters.
\n
Leavitt said that Putin has already agreed to such a meeting. "I can assure you that the United States government and the Trump administration is working with Russia and Ukraine to make that bilateral (meeting) happen," Leavitt said.
\n
After Trump met Zelensky and European leaders on Monday, Leavitt confirmed the focus has now shifted from a possible trilateral format to a bilateral meeting between Zelensky and Putin.
\n
Trump himself seemed to express doubts over whether he would be attending their meeting. "I had a very successful meeting with President Zelensky and now I thought it would be better if they met without me, just to see — I want to see what goes on. You know, they had a hard relationship, very bad, very bad relationship," Trump said on The Mark Levin Show on Tuesday evening.
\n
Leavitt also said Trump has proposed that NATO should take the lead in providing military support by buying US weapons.
\n
"Back in January, he made it very clear that we're not going to continue writing blank checks to fund a war very far away, which is why he came up with a very creative solution to have NATO purchase American weaponry" to back the Ukrainian army.
\n
NATO military leaders were expected to meet on Wednesday to discuss Ukraine, with US General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, expected to attend virtually, Reuters reported.
\n
Daunting obstacles
\n
Michael E. O'Hanlon, the director of research at the Brookings Institution's foreign policy program, noted that the obstacles to peace between Russia and Ukraine are daunting, and no one should expect major progress anytime soon.
\n
"The two sides have completely different views on whether 'land swaps' are feasible, and if so, on what terms. The ways in which Europe and perhaps the United States and Canada could provide security reinforcers to Ukraine are completely undeveloped at present," he wrote in an analysis "The way forward for Ukraine after the Putin summit "posted on the Brookings website.
\n
There has been so far no confirmation from Russia that a potential bilateral meeting between Putin and Zelensky is being planned.
\n
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Tuesday that contacts involving national leaders must be prepared "with the utmost thoroughness" and cannot be pursued for the sake of "media coverage or evening broadcasts".
\n
Russia and Ukraine on Tuesday exchanged more bodies of fallen soldiers under the Istanbul deal, Russian presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky said.
\n
Moscow had handed over 1,000 bodies of fallen soldiers to Kyiv, while Ukraine had transferred 19 bodies to Russia, said Medinsky, also Russia's chief negotiator at the talks with the Ukrainian side.
\n
During their second round of talks on June 2 in Istanbul, Russia and Ukraine agreed on an "all-for-all" exchange of seriously ill and wounded prisoners, and soldiers under the age of 25, as well as the transfer of bodies of fallen soldiers.
\n
On July 23, after the last round of Russia-Ukraine direct talks, Medinsky said Russia had returned the bodies of 7,000 fallen Ukrainian soldiers and was ready to return 3,000 more.
People wade through a flooded street after heavy monsoon rain in Karachi, Pakistan, on Tuesday. At least 11 people were killed and 10 others injured in rain-related incidents in the port city as record downpours turned neighborhoods into lakes, disrupted flights, and caused power shutdowns, local authorities said on Wednesday. The meteorological department forecast heavy rains until Saturday in Karachi.
\n",
+ "content": "
People wade through a flooded street after heavy monsoon rain in Karachi, Pakistan, on Tuesday. At least 11 people were killed and 10 others injured in rain-related incidents in the port city as record downpours turned neighborhoods into lakes, disrupted flights, and caused power shutdowns, local authorities said on Wednesday. The meteorological department forecast heavy rains until Saturday in Karachi.
The San Diego Zoo recently celebrated the first anniversary of the arrival of giant pandas Yun Chuan and Xin Bao, drawing thousands of visitors who lined up for hours to glimpse the black-and-white stars. The milestone, which coincided with "California Panda Day", was noted as a reflection of ongoing conservation partnerships between China and the United States.
\n
The pandas arrived on Aug 8,2024, marking the first time in more than two decades that San Diego hosted giant pandas. Their debut in the newly built Denny Sanford Panda Ridge was attended by California Governor Gavin Newsom, Chinese Ambassador to the US Xie Feng, and representatives of the China Wildlife Conservation Association.
\n
Newsom proclaimed Aug 8, 2024, as California Panda Day, celebrating the pandas' public debut and highlighting the significance of the conservation partnership between California and China.
\n
"We hope that the newly arrived panda 'envoys of friendship' will lead to further exchanges and cooperation between California and China," Newsom stated in his official proclamation last August.
\n
"The arrival of Yun Chuan and Xin Bao sends a clear and important message that China-US cooperation on panda conservation will not cease," Xie said at the opening ceremony last year, adding that people-to-people exchanges and subnational cooperation between the two sides will also not stop.
\n
The pandas' homecoming was the result of a renewed 10-year agreement with Chinese conservation partners, highlighting not only cultural exchange but also science-based collaboration.
\n
Yun Chuan, whose name means "river of clouds", has family roots at the San Diego Zoo. His grandmother, Bai Yun, lived here for 23 years, and his mother, Zhen Zhen, was born on site in 2007. Known for his calm demeanor, he often enjoys lounging near the pool in his enclosure.
\n
Xin Bao, whose name translates as "precious treasure of prosperity and abundance", is gentle and curious, with a round face and fluffy ears that make her especially popular with children. She is often spotted climbing trees, a behavior that has delighted keepers and guests alike.
\n
According to the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, the two pandas have "spread friendship across the Earth and inspired countless others to join us in saving, protecting and caring for pandas and their bamboo forest ecosystems" over the past year.
\n
To celebrate the one-year anniversary, the zoo released a limited-edition Panda Day commemorative pin for the first 2,025 visitors. The event included special programs for families and children to highlight the zoo's focus on education and community engagement.
\n
Families from the Ronald McDonald House and Rady Children's Hospital attended an early-morning session with Yun Chuan and Xin Bao, giving children and their caregivers a chance to observe the pandas and learn about conservation programs.
\n
"Being able to come to the zoo on a special morning was amazing," said a visitor named Heather. "It was a chance to step away from the hospital and just enjoy time together."
\n
The anniversary programs also featured cultural activities and educational talks.
\n
One year on, the frenzy surrounding the pandas shows no signs of waning. Local media reported that lines to see Yun Chuan and Xin Bao "stretch as far as the eye can see," with even private "Early Morning with Pandas "tours selling out rapidly. Crowds were described as comparable to opening day in 2024, showing the enduring fascination with the species.
\n
Charming public
\n
The pair's daily habits continue to charm the public. Each panda consumes nearly 23 kilograms of bamboo every day, a high-fiber diet that requires long naps to aid digestion. Their visible routine of eating and resting serves as both entertainment and education for visitors about the unique adaptations of giant pandas.
\n
Marco Wendt, wildlife ambassador and wildlife care specialist at the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, said the pandas embody both joy and responsibility.
\n
"Giant pandas bring curiosity and happiness to people all over the world," he told media. "They connect communities, and especially children, in a way few other animals can."
\n
Wendt noted the deep conservation significance.
\n
"Our decades of work with the China Wildlife Conservation Association enabled the pandas' status to improve from endangered to vulnerable," he said. "Now, with genetics and behavioral studies, we're deepening our partnership to protect isolated wild populations."
\n
"We're not only doing conservation work," Wendt added. "We're offering hope and prosperity for people around the world. This is a chance to connect the world through an animal that, in my opinion, unites people better than any other."
\n
The giant pandas' presence at the San Diego Zoo is more than a zoological attraction; it is a living symbol of long-standing collaboration between California and China, as "giant pandas can unite us," according to Paul Baribault, the former president and CEO of the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. Since the 1990s, San Diego has worked closely with Chinese conservationists on breeding programs, habitat preservation and public education.
The San Diego Zoo recently celebrated the first anniversary of the arrival of giant pandas Yun Chuan and Xin Bao, drawing thousands of visitors who lined up for hours to glimpse the black-and-white stars. The milestone, which coincided with "California Panda Day", was noted as a reflection of ongoing conservation partnerships between China and the United States.
\n
The pandas arrived on Aug 8,2024, marking the first time in more than two decades that San Diego hosted giant pandas. Their debut in the newly built Denny Sanford Panda Ridge was attended by California Governor Gavin Newsom, Chinese Ambassador to the US Xie Feng, and representatives of the China Wildlife Conservation Association.
\n
Newsom proclaimed Aug 8, 2024, as California Panda Day, celebrating the pandas' public debut and highlighting the significance of the conservation partnership between California and China.
\n
"We hope that the newly arrived panda 'envoys of friendship' will lead to further exchanges and cooperation between California and China," Newsom stated in his official proclamation last August.
\n
"The arrival of Yun Chuan and Xin Bao sends a clear and important message that China-US cooperation on panda conservation will not cease," Xie said at the opening ceremony last year, adding that people-to-people exchanges and subnational cooperation between the two sides will also not stop.
\n
The pandas' homecoming was the result of a renewed 10-year agreement with Chinese conservation partners, highlighting not only cultural exchange but also science-based collaboration.
\n
Yun Chuan, whose name means "river of clouds", has family roots at the San Diego Zoo. His grandmother, Bai Yun, lived here for 23 years, and his mother, Zhen Zhen, was born on site in 2007. Known for his calm demeanor, he often enjoys lounging near the pool in his enclosure.
\n
Xin Bao, whose name translates as "precious treasure of prosperity and abundance", is gentle and curious, with a round face and fluffy ears that make her especially popular with children. She is often spotted climbing trees, a behavior that has delighted keepers and guests alike.
\n
According to the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, the two pandas have "spread friendship across the Earth and inspired countless others to join us in saving, protecting and caring for pandas and their bamboo forest ecosystems" over the past year.
\n
To celebrate the one-year anniversary, the zoo released a limited-edition Panda Day commemorative pin for the first 2,025 visitors. The event included special programs for families and children to highlight the zoo's focus on education and community engagement.
\n
Families from the Ronald McDonald House and Rady Children's Hospital attended an early-morning session with Yun Chuan and Xin Bao, giving children and their caregivers a chance to observe the pandas and learn about conservation programs.
\n
"Being able to come to the zoo on a special morning was amazing," said a visitor named Heather. "It was a chance to step away from the hospital and just enjoy time together."
\n
The anniversary programs also featured cultural activities and educational talks.
\n
One year on, the frenzy surrounding the pandas shows no signs of waning. Local media reported that lines to see Yun Chuan and Xin Bao "stretch as far as the eye can see," with even private "Early Morning with Pandas "tours selling out rapidly. Crowds were described as comparable to opening day in 2024, showing the enduring fascination with the species.
\n
Charming public
\n
The pair's daily habits continue to charm the public. Each panda consumes nearly 23 kilograms of bamboo every day, a high-fiber diet that requires long naps to aid digestion. Their visible routine of eating and resting serves as both entertainment and education for visitors about the unique adaptations of giant pandas.
\n
Marco Wendt, wildlife ambassador and wildlife care specialist at the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, said the pandas embody both joy and responsibility.
\n
"Giant pandas bring curiosity and happiness to people all over the world," he told media. "They connect communities, and especially children, in a way few other animals can."
\n
Wendt noted the deep conservation significance.
\n
"Our decades of work with the China Wildlife Conservation Association enabled the pandas' status to improve from endangered to vulnerable," he said. "Now, with genetics and behavioral studies, we're deepening our partnership to protect isolated wild populations."
\n
"We're not only doing conservation work," Wendt added. "We're offering hope and prosperity for people around the world. This is a chance to connect the world through an animal that, in my opinion, unites people better than any other."
\n
The giant pandas' presence at the San Diego Zoo is more than a zoological attraction; it is a living symbol of long-standing collaboration between California and China, as "giant pandas can unite us," according to Paul Baribault, the former president and CEO of the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. Since the 1990s, San Diego has worked closely with Chinese conservationists on breeding programs, habitat preservation and public education.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan — A launch ceremony for the Uzbek-language edition of the book titled Xi Jinping: On Respecting and Protecting Human Rights was held on Tuesday in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan.
\n
Jiang Jianguo, executive vice-president of the China Society for Human Rights Studies; Akmal Saidov, director of the National Centre of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights; and Yu Jun, Chinese ambassador to Uzbekistan, attended the event and delivered speeches. Nearly 300 people participated in the event.
\n
In his speech, Jiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and vice-director of the Committee for Ethnic and Religious Affairs of the CPPCC National Committee, said the translation and publication of the book in Uzbekistan represents a dialogue and mutual learning on human rights between China and Uzbekistan.
\n
It is hoped that the book will open a new window for the people of Uzbekistan to observe and understand human rights in China, and build a bridge of mutual understanding between the intellectual communities and peoples of the two countries, Jiang added.
\n
Saidov said in his address that the launch marks an important event in the cooperation between Uzbekistan and China in the fields of cultural exchange and human rights protection.
\n
Yu said the deepening of exchanges and cooperation in human rights between the two sides further enriches the China-Uzbekistan comprehensive strategic partnership for a new era and the China-Uzbekistan community with a shared future.
\n
At the launch event, guests from China and Uzbekistan jointly unveiled the new book. Jiang and others presented copies of the book to the main guests from Uzbekistan. A seminar was then held on topics related to human rights.
\n
The Uzbek edition of Xi Jinping: On Respecting and Protecting Human Rights is the 13th foreign-language edition of the book, jointly translated and published by China's Foreign Languages Press and an Uzbek publishing house.
\n",
+ "content": "
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan — A launch ceremony for the Uzbek-language edition of the book titled Xi Jinping: On Respecting and Protecting Human Rights was held on Tuesday in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan.
\n
Jiang Jianguo, executive vice-president of the China Society for Human Rights Studies; Akmal Saidov, director of the National Centre of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights; and Yu Jun, Chinese ambassador to Uzbekistan, attended the event and delivered speeches. Nearly 300 people participated in the event.
\n
In his speech, Jiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and vice-director of the Committee for Ethnic and Religious Affairs of the CPPCC National Committee, said the translation and publication of the book in Uzbekistan represents a dialogue and mutual learning on human rights between China and Uzbekistan.
\n
It is hoped that the book will open a new window for the people of Uzbekistan to observe and understand human rights in China, and build a bridge of mutual understanding between the intellectual communities and peoples of the two countries, Jiang added.
\n
Saidov said in his address that the launch marks an important event in the cooperation between Uzbekistan and China in the fields of cultural exchange and human rights protection.
\n
Yu said the deepening of exchanges and cooperation in human rights between the two sides further enriches the China-Uzbekistan comprehensive strategic partnership for a new era and the China-Uzbekistan community with a shared future.
\n
At the launch event, guests from China and Uzbekistan jointly unveiled the new book. Jiang and others presented copies of the book to the main guests from Uzbekistan. A seminar was then held on topics related to human rights.
\n
The Uzbek edition of Xi Jinping: On Respecting and Protecting Human Rights is the 13th foreign-language edition of the book, jointly translated and published by China's Foreign Languages Press and an Uzbek publishing house.
Penguins are weighed during the annual weigh-in event at London Zoo on Tuesday, as a way to monitor their health, development and even identify pregnancies.
\n",
+ "content": "
Penguins are weighed during the annual weigh-in event at London Zoo on Tuesday, as a way to monitor their health, development and even identify pregnancies.
The White House launched an official TikTok account on Tuesday, less than a month before US President Donald Trump's deadline for the social media app to either find a new owner or face a ban in the United States. The account posted its debut video on Tuesday afternoon — a 27-second clip featuring footage of Trump walking and interacting with his supporters, accompanied by audio from his acceptance speech at the 2016 Republican National Convention. A few hours after the debut video, the account has garnered over 57,000 followers, while the TikTok account Trump used for his presidential campaign last year has more than 15 million followers.
\n
AFGHANISTAN
\n
Bus collision claims at least 79 lives
\n
The deadly road accident, which occurred in Afghanistan's western Herat Province on Tuesday night, killed at least 79 people, including women and children, spokesman for the Ministry of Interior Affairs Abdul Mateen Qani said on Wednesday. The bloody road mishap took place after a passenger bus carrying Afghan returnees from Iran collided with a motorbike and a mini-truck on a road linking the neighboring Iran to Herat city in Afghanistan on Tuesday night.
\n
JAPAN
\n
Fire breaks out on US naval ship off Okinawa
\n
A fire broke out Wednesday evening aboard a US Navy vessel off the coast of a US military port in Uruma City of Japan's Okinawa Prefecture, local media reported. The Japan Coast Guard received an emergency call around 5 pm local time reporting that the amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans, more than 200 meters in length, had caught fire, national broadcaster NHK reported. Crew members were conducting firefighting efforts and requested support from Japanese authorities, according to the report.
\n",
+ "content": "
UNITED STATES
\n
White House launches official TikTok account
\n
The White House launched an official TikTok account on Tuesday, less than a month before US President Donald Trump's deadline for the social media app to either find a new owner or face a ban in the United States. The account posted its debut video on Tuesday afternoon — a 27-second clip featuring footage of Trump walking and interacting with his supporters, accompanied by audio from his acceptance speech at the 2016 Republican National Convention. A few hours after the debut video, the account has garnered over 57,000 followers, while the TikTok account Trump used for his presidential campaign last year has more than 15 million followers.
\n
AFGHANISTAN
\n
Bus collision claims at least 79 lives
\n
The deadly road accident, which occurred in Afghanistan's western Herat Province on Tuesday night, killed at least 79 people, including women and children, spokesman for the Ministry of Interior Affairs Abdul Mateen Qani said on Wednesday. The bloody road mishap took place after a passenger bus carrying Afghan returnees from Iran collided with a motorbike and a mini-truck on a road linking the neighboring Iran to Herat city in Afghanistan on Tuesday night.
\n
JAPAN
\n
Fire breaks out on US naval ship off Okinawa
\n
A fire broke out Wednesday evening aboard a US Navy vessel off the coast of a US military port in Uruma City of Japan's Okinawa Prefecture, local media reported. The Japan Coast Guard received an emergency call around 5 pm local time reporting that the amphibious transport dock ship USS New Orleans, more than 200 meters in length, had caught fire, national broadcaster NHK reported. Crew members were conducting firefighting efforts and requested support from Japanese authorities, according to the report.
The footage of Black Myth: Zhong Kui was released at an exhibition center in Cologne, Germany, on Tuesday. The game features Zhong Kui, a legendary demon-queller of Chinese folklore. It is the second in the Black Myth series, after Black Myth: Wukong, which attracted worldwide attention.
The footage of Black Myth: Zhong Kui was released at an exhibition center in Cologne, Germany, on Tuesday. The game features Zhong Kui, a legendary demon-queller of Chinese folklore. It is the second in the Black Myth series, after Black Myth: Wukong, which attracted worldwide attention.
China is moving to further regulate competition within its solar photovoltaic (PV) industry, aiming to accelerate the photovoltaic sector's shift to value-driven growth while fostering a healthier and more sustainable development path for the sector.
\n
In a sign of growing concern over cutthroat pricing and overcapacity, six government bodies, including the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) and the National Energy Administration (NEA), convened a joint symposium of the PV industry on Tuesday, signaling a concerted effort to address what officials termed "irrational competition" within the sector.
\n
The meeting emphasized the critical importance of regulating competitive practices for the high-quality development of the PV industry, urging all stakeholders to work together to promote its healthy and sustainable growth.
\n
It called for strengthening industrial regulation, enhancing investment management for PV projects and promoting the orderly exit of outdated production capacity through market-oriented and rule-of-law approaches.
\n
Liu Qiao, dean of Peking University's Guanghua School of Management, said that the competition will inflict significant harm, driving down corporate investment returns while jeopardizing long-term planning and investment in research and development.
\n
"For China's economy to maintain sustained, healthy, long-term growth, it's crucial for businesses to remain dynamic, characterized by consistently high investment returns," he said.
\n
"The competition undermines this core competitiveness, hindering profitability and ultimately jeopardizing the revitalization of China's economy. A long-term perspective fostering mutually beneficial development that considers the interests of all stakeholders is essential for every enterprise."
\n
Chen Deqiu, vice-president of the University of International Business and Economics, and a professor at the Business School of the university, said the competition is essentially a low-level, repetitive expansion, a vicious cycle fueled by insufficient innovation.
\n
Improving price monitoring and product pricing mechanisms, and cracking down on illegal and irregular activities such as selling below cost and false marketing are equally important, he said.
\n
The competition not only distorts market resource allocation but also hinders the transition of China's industries toward high-quality development, he said.
\n
"It undermines the long-term competitiveness of businesses, threatens the security of our supply chains, and jeopardizes the national industrial upgrading strategy," said Chen.
\n
"To break free from this predicament, we need to establish anti-monopoly enforcement as a baseline and implement targeted industrial policies to guide the market away from low-price, cost-based competition toward value-driven competition. This should be a key focus of our reforms."
\n
The MIIT called for leveraging the role of industry associations to advocate for fair competition and orderly development and strengthening technological innovation leadership to maintain a sound development environment for the industry.
\n
The move comes amid growing concerns that aggressive pricing strategies and rapid capacity expansion are undermining the long-term health of the industry, even as it remains a global leader in solar panel production and deployment.
\n
The government's intervention reflects a desire to move beyond simply chasing volume and toward a more sustainable model that prioritizes innovation, quality and fair competition.
\n
Industry experts believe the emphasis on industry self-regulation also suggests a desire to empower industry associations to play a more active role in setting standards and promoting best practices.
\n
The success of this regulatory push will depend on the willingness of companies to embrace a more collaborative and responsible approach to competition. While some may initially resist the changes, many industry players recognize the need for a more sustainable model that benefits all stakeholders in the long run, they said.
\n
"The focus is shifting from a race to the bottom on price to a more balanced approach that values technological advancement and responsible business practices," said Lin Boqiang, head of the China Institute for Studies in Energy Policy at Xiamen University.
\n
The government's actions are aimed at preventing a "race to the bottom" scenario, where companies sacrifice quality and innovation in order to undercut competitors on price, he said.
\n
"The government wants to ensure that the industry remains competitive on a global scale, and that requires a focus on long-term sustainability, not just short-term gains."
\n
The China Photovoltaic Industry Association (CPIA) has forecast a potential slowdown in solar power installations in 2025, which aligns with the broader goal of curbing excessive production and promoting a more rational deployment of PV projects.
\n
The association anticipates newly installed photovoltaic capacity to reach 215-255 gigawatts this year, a year-on-year decline of between 8 and 22.54 percent compared to the approximately 277 GW installed last year.
\n
Wang Bohua, honorary chairman of the CPIA, has previously stressed the need for prioritizing marketing innovation and deepening collaboration between industry and academia to enhance the industry's competitiveness and technological prowess.
\n
Contact the writers at zhengxin@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
China is moving to further regulate competition within its solar photovoltaic (PV) industry, aiming to accelerate the photovoltaic sector's shift to value-driven growth while fostering a healthier and more sustainable development path for the sector.
\n
In a sign of growing concern over cutthroat pricing and overcapacity, six government bodies, including the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) and the National Energy Administration (NEA), convened a joint symposium of the PV industry on Tuesday, signaling a concerted effort to address what officials termed "irrational competition" within the sector.
\n
The meeting emphasized the critical importance of regulating competitive practices for the high-quality development of the PV industry, urging all stakeholders to work together to promote its healthy and sustainable growth.
\n
It called for strengthening industrial regulation, enhancing investment management for PV projects and promoting the orderly exit of outdated production capacity through market-oriented and rule-of-law approaches.
\n
Liu Qiao, dean of Peking University's Guanghua School of Management, said that the competition will inflict significant harm, driving down corporate investment returns while jeopardizing long-term planning and investment in research and development.
\n
"For China's economy to maintain sustained, healthy, long-term growth, it's crucial for businesses to remain dynamic, characterized by consistently high investment returns," he said.
\n
"The competition undermines this core competitiveness, hindering profitability and ultimately jeopardizing the revitalization of China's economy. A long-term perspective fostering mutually beneficial development that considers the interests of all stakeholders is essential for every enterprise."
\n
Chen Deqiu, vice-president of the University of International Business and Economics, and a professor at the Business School of the university, said the competition is essentially a low-level, repetitive expansion, a vicious cycle fueled by insufficient innovation.
\n
Improving price monitoring and product pricing mechanisms, and cracking down on illegal and irregular activities such as selling below cost and false marketing are equally important, he said.
\n
The competition not only distorts market resource allocation but also hinders the transition of China's industries toward high-quality development, he said.
\n
"It undermines the long-term competitiveness of businesses, threatens the security of our supply chains, and jeopardizes the national industrial upgrading strategy," said Chen.
\n
"To break free from this predicament, we need to establish anti-monopoly enforcement as a baseline and implement targeted industrial policies to guide the market away from low-price, cost-based competition toward value-driven competition. This should be a key focus of our reforms."
\n
The MIIT called for leveraging the role of industry associations to advocate for fair competition and orderly development and strengthening technological innovation leadership to maintain a sound development environment for the industry.
\n
The move comes amid growing concerns that aggressive pricing strategies and rapid capacity expansion are undermining the long-term health of the industry, even as it remains a global leader in solar panel production and deployment.
\n
The government's intervention reflects a desire to move beyond simply chasing volume and toward a more sustainable model that prioritizes innovation, quality and fair competition.
\n
Industry experts believe the emphasis on industry self-regulation also suggests a desire to empower industry associations to play a more active role in setting standards and promoting best practices.
\n
The success of this regulatory push will depend on the willingness of companies to embrace a more collaborative and responsible approach to competition. While some may initially resist the changes, many industry players recognize the need for a more sustainable model that benefits all stakeholders in the long run, they said.
\n
"The focus is shifting from a race to the bottom on price to a more balanced approach that values technological advancement and responsible business practices," said Lin Boqiang, head of the China Institute for Studies in Energy Policy at Xiamen University.
\n
The government's actions are aimed at preventing a "race to the bottom" scenario, where companies sacrifice quality and innovation in order to undercut competitors on price, he said.
\n
"The government wants to ensure that the industry remains competitive on a global scale, and that requires a focus on long-term sustainability, not just short-term gains."
\n
The China Photovoltaic Industry Association (CPIA) has forecast a potential slowdown in solar power installations in 2025, which aligns with the broader goal of curbing excessive production and promoting a more rational deployment of PV projects.
\n
The association anticipates newly installed photovoltaic capacity to reach 215-255 gigawatts this year, a year-on-year decline of between 8 and 22.54 percent compared to the approximately 277 GW installed last year.
\n
Wang Bohua, honorary chairman of the CPIA, has previously stressed the need for prioritizing marketing innovation and deepening collaboration between industry and academia to enhance the industry's competitiveness and technological prowess.
The number of meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions held in the Macao Special Administrative Region surged in the first half of this year, said the region's Statistics and Census Service on Tuesday. Data showed that Macao hosted 918 MICE events between January and June, representing a 29.3 percent year-on-year increase. Meetings and conferences accounted for the bulk, rising 29.6 percent to 863 events, with participants increasing by 6.7 percent to 82,000. Exhibitions also edged up 3.8 percent to 27.
\n
Beijing's NEV output exceeds 2024 level
\n
Beijing's new energy vehicle production surged past 310,000 units in the first seven months, exceeding its total output for the entire previous year, according to the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Economy and Information Technology. Production in July alone reached 52,000 NEVs, representing a year-on-year increase of 140 percent, according to the official data.
\n",
+ "content": "
Macao sees growth in MICE events
\n
The number of meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions held in the Macao Special Administrative Region surged in the first half of this year, said the region's Statistics and Census Service on Tuesday. Data showed that Macao hosted 918 MICE events between January and June, representing a 29.3 percent year-on-year increase. Meetings and conferences accounted for the bulk, rising 29.6 percent to 863 events, with participants increasing by 6.7 percent to 82,000. Exhibitions also edged up 3.8 percent to 27.
\n
Beijing's NEV output exceeds 2024 level
\n
Beijing's new energy vehicle production surged past 310,000 units in the first seven months, exceeding its total output for the entire previous year, according to the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Economy and Information Technology. Production in July alone reached 52,000 NEVs, representing a year-on-year increase of 140 percent, according to the official data.
Two staff members of State Grid Ningbo Power Supply Co visit Tongzhao fishing port in Ningbo, Zhejiang province, to inspect power facilities and monitor safety precautions to ensure reliable electricity supply in the area.
\n",
+ "content": "
Two staff members of State Grid Ningbo Power Supply Co visit Tongzhao fishing port in Ningbo, Zhejiang province, to inspect power facilities and monitor safety precautions to ensure reliable electricity supply in the area.
Despite headwinds and rising complexities in the global market, Shanghai's Pudong New Area has managed to sustain economic growth thanks to continued efforts to open-up its market and optimize the economic structure, said local officials and company executives.
\n
Positioned as a pioneer of China's socialist modernization, Pudong has seen its GDP grow by 5.8 percent in the first half of the year, while the city's average was 5.1 percent. The value of foreign investment in Pudong has surged by 36.1 percent on a yearly basis. A total of 18,300 companies were newly registered, up 28.1 percent year-on-year, according to Li Zheng, Pudong's Party secretary.
\n
Li disclosed the data during a news conference on Wednesday, the first of its kind to wrap up Shanghai's achievements during the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25).
\n
Last year, Pudong saw the value of five major economic indicators standing above 1 trillion yuan ($140 billion), including GDP, output generated by industrial companies with a minimum 20 million yuan of annual sales, turnover made by service companies with a minimum 20 million yuan of annual sales, export and import of goods, and online sales, he said.
\n
It should be noted that knowledge-intensive industries have played bigger roles in Pudong's economic development, said Li. Information transmission, software and information technology service companies contributed 10.3 percent of the area's GDP last year, up 2.1 percentage points from that in 2020. Emerging industries, such as integrated circuit and biomedicine, accounted for 53.6 percent of Pudong's industrial output last year, the ratio of which was 48.4 percent in 2020.
\n
A complete IC value chain has been formed in Pudong, said Wu Jincheng, government head of Pudong New Area. The area's IC industrial value reached 294.7 billion yuan in 2024, taking up 75 percent of Shanghai's total and 20 percent of the country's total. Up to 800 IC companies have set up operations in Pudong, hiring nearly 200,000 employees.
\n
With coordinated development regarding computing, model algorithm, software and hardware, Pudong-based artificial intelligence companies saw their combined industrial value reaching 163.7 billion yuan in 2024, accounting for 40 percent of the city's total, said Wu.
\n
According to Dai Zhong, chairman of Lianren Digital Health, the company has experienced the maturity of various ecosystems in Pudong. The company has already collected, processed and managed paramount data over the past few years. AI models can thus thrive on the data provided by similar healthcare companies in Pudong.
\n
Meanwhile, Lianren can provide masked data to biomedicine companies, helping them to speed up the R&D of new drugs, said Dai.
\n
Ongoing two-way opening-up is another major driving force in Pudong's economic growth. Since 2021, Pudong has utilized $43.64 billion foreign investment. A total of 129 multinational companies have set up their regional headquarters in the area in the past five years. Many industry firsts, such as China's first wholly foreign-owned securities brokerage and the country's first mechanism for cross-border data flow, have been established in Pudong.
\n
In late July, leading semiconductor company Infineon held the groundbreaking ceremony for its customized distribution center in Pudong, which will be the company's largest single project of its kind globally.
\n
Located in China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone, which is located partly in Pudong, Infineon has seen its business capacity expanding and operation efficiency improving over the past decade. This has largely facilitated the company's rapid development in China, said David Poon, president of Infineon Greater China.
\n
Domestic companies are also bullish on Pudong's future, which can be seen by the 14.2 percent average annual growth in terms of investment from the private sector in the past five years.
\n
Six major frontier projects just landed in Lin-gang Special Area on Tuesday, when this part of the Shanghai FTZ celebrated its sixth anniversary.
\n
With a combined investment value exceeding 40 billion yuan, the six projects include the three-dimensional chip integration project of SJ Semiconductor (Jiangyin) Corp, which can strengthen Lin-gang's competitiveness in high-end advanced IC packaging.
\n
shijing@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
Despite headwinds and rising complexities in the global market, Shanghai's Pudong New Area has managed to sustain economic growth thanks to continued efforts to open-up its market and optimize the economic structure, said local officials and company executives.
\n
Positioned as a pioneer of China's socialist modernization, Pudong has seen its GDP grow by 5.8 percent in the first half of the year, while the city's average was 5.1 percent. The value of foreign investment in Pudong has surged by 36.1 percent on a yearly basis. A total of 18,300 companies were newly registered, up 28.1 percent year-on-year, according to Li Zheng, Pudong's Party secretary.
\n
Li disclosed the data during a news conference on Wednesday, the first of its kind to wrap up Shanghai's achievements during the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25).
\n
Last year, Pudong saw the value of five major economic indicators standing above 1 trillion yuan ($140 billion), including GDP, output generated by industrial companies with a minimum 20 million yuan of annual sales, turnover made by service companies with a minimum 20 million yuan of annual sales, export and import of goods, and online sales, he said.
\n
It should be noted that knowledge-intensive industries have played bigger roles in Pudong's economic development, said Li. Information transmission, software and information technology service companies contributed 10.3 percent of the area's GDP last year, up 2.1 percentage points from that in 2020. Emerging industries, such as integrated circuit and biomedicine, accounted for 53.6 percent of Pudong's industrial output last year, the ratio of which was 48.4 percent in 2020.
\n
A complete IC value chain has been formed in Pudong, said Wu Jincheng, government head of Pudong New Area. The area's IC industrial value reached 294.7 billion yuan in 2024, taking up 75 percent of Shanghai's total and 20 percent of the country's total. Up to 800 IC companies have set up operations in Pudong, hiring nearly 200,000 employees.
\n
With coordinated development regarding computing, model algorithm, software and hardware, Pudong-based artificial intelligence companies saw their combined industrial value reaching 163.7 billion yuan in 2024, accounting for 40 percent of the city's total, said Wu.
\n
According to Dai Zhong, chairman of Lianren Digital Health, the company has experienced the maturity of various ecosystems in Pudong. The company has already collected, processed and managed paramount data over the past few years. AI models can thus thrive on the data provided by similar healthcare companies in Pudong.
\n
Meanwhile, Lianren can provide masked data to biomedicine companies, helping them to speed up the R&D of new drugs, said Dai.
\n
Ongoing two-way opening-up is another major driving force in Pudong's economic growth. Since 2021, Pudong has utilized $43.64 billion foreign investment. A total of 129 multinational companies have set up their regional headquarters in the area in the past five years. Many industry firsts, such as China's first wholly foreign-owned securities brokerage and the country's first mechanism for cross-border data flow, have been established in Pudong.
\n
In late July, leading semiconductor company Infineon held the groundbreaking ceremony for its customized distribution center in Pudong, which will be the company's largest single project of its kind globally.
\n
Located in China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone, which is located partly in Pudong, Infineon has seen its business capacity expanding and operation efficiency improving over the past decade. This has largely facilitated the company's rapid development in China, said David Poon, president of Infineon Greater China.
\n
Domestic companies are also bullish on Pudong's future, which can be seen by the 14.2 percent average annual growth in terms of investment from the private sector in the past five years.
\n
Six major frontier projects just landed in Lin-gang Special Area on Tuesday, when this part of the Shanghai FTZ celebrated its sixth anniversary.
\n
With a combined investment value exceeding 40 billion yuan, the six projects include the three-dimensional chip integration project of SJ Semiconductor (Jiangyin) Corp, which can strengthen Lin-gang's competitiveness in high-end advanced IC packaging.
Employees work on a production line of Panpan Foods Group in Jinjiang, Fujian province, on Aug 19.
\n
Panpan Foods Group, a Jinjiang, Fujian province-based snack food maker, has continued to accelerate the pace of its international expansion, especially in markets involved in the Belt and Road Initiative.
\n
So far, the company has exported products such as snack food and beverages to more than 50 countries. Taking Southeast Asia as a hub, Panpan has established a coconut plantation of about 67 hectares in Thailand as a raw material base for making coconut beverages.
\n
The company has also built a factory in Indonesia that produces coconut milk and concentrated coconut water, and is building a food plant there.
\n
By establishing a supply chain and strengthening research and development efforts overseas, Panpan aims to develop more snack food products that meet the taste preferences of local consumers.
\n
"Such an overseas strategy will help us to reduce logistics costs and ensure the quality of products with our own raw materials. We would like to gradually build a food industry belt in markets involved in the BRI and continue to expand our presence globally," said Cai Jin'an, chairman of Panpan Foods Group.
\n
Cai added that the Southeast Asia market stands as one of its main overseas targets, as a large number of overseas Chinese live in the region, with many of them having moved there from Fujian.
\n
In addition, Panpan has strengthened its cooperation with domestic and foreign supermarket chains that are operating in China. These include Sam's Club, Costco and Freshippo, with Panpan providing beverages specifically for different supermarkets.
\n
Founded in 1996, the private company said it next plans to develop more beverages with food and medical benefits to cater to the growing demand of Chinese consumers who are more health-conscious.
\n
Fueled by the booming growth of e-commerce transactions in China, the company has continued to strengthen its marketing efforts of online sales, such as carrying out livestreaming sessions and cooperating with online celebrity anchors. In the first half, its online sales revenue jumped 43 percent year-on-year.
\n
Besides Panpan, several top-ranking Chinese sportswear brands such as Anta, Xtep and 361 Degrees were founded in Jinjiang, a county-level city in Fujian, thanks to the burgeoning private economy in the region and a spirit of pioneering and entrepreneurship, which helped to create the "Jinjiang Experience".
\n
Over the years, under the guidance of the "Jinjiang Experience", the city has grown its economy rapidly, mainly supported by the growth of the real economy.
\n
Liu Longzhen, deputy director of the bureau of commerce in Quanzhou, said that with a spirit of daring, local enterprises have been continuously innovating and creating new consumption scenarios.
\n
"For instance, Jinjiang-based Chinese menswear brand Septwolves cooperated with a tea brand in Fujian and put on a fashion show earlier this year. Such companies have been daring to try and willing to cooperate across different sectors," Liu said.
\n
In the first half, Jinjiang achieved a regional GDP of 160.1 billion yuan ($22.3 billion), up 6.5 percent year-on-year, according to the local government.
\n
Contact the writers at zhuwenqian@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
Employees work on a production line of Panpan Foods Group in Jinjiang, Fujian province, on Aug 19.
\n
Panpan Foods Group, a Jinjiang, Fujian province-based snack food maker, has continued to accelerate the pace of its international expansion, especially in markets involved in the Belt and Road Initiative.
\n
So far, the company has exported products such as snack food and beverages to more than 50 countries. Taking Southeast Asia as a hub, Panpan has established a coconut plantation of about 67 hectares in Thailand as a raw material base for making coconut beverages.
\n
The company has also built a factory in Indonesia that produces coconut milk and concentrated coconut water, and is building a food plant there.
\n
By establishing a supply chain and strengthening research and development efforts overseas, Panpan aims to develop more snack food products that meet the taste preferences of local consumers.
\n
"Such an overseas strategy will help us to reduce logistics costs and ensure the quality of products with our own raw materials. We would like to gradually build a food industry belt in markets involved in the BRI and continue to expand our presence globally," said Cai Jin'an, chairman of Panpan Foods Group.
\n
Cai added that the Southeast Asia market stands as one of its main overseas targets, as a large number of overseas Chinese live in the region, with many of them having moved there from Fujian.
\n
In addition, Panpan has strengthened its cooperation with domestic and foreign supermarket chains that are operating in China. These include Sam's Club, Costco and Freshippo, with Panpan providing beverages specifically for different supermarkets.
\n
Founded in 1996, the private company said it next plans to develop more beverages with food and medical benefits to cater to the growing demand of Chinese consumers who are more health-conscious.
\n
Fueled by the booming growth of e-commerce transactions in China, the company has continued to strengthen its marketing efforts of online sales, such as carrying out livestreaming sessions and cooperating with online celebrity anchors. In the first half, its online sales revenue jumped 43 percent year-on-year.
\n
Besides Panpan, several top-ranking Chinese sportswear brands such as Anta, Xtep and 361 Degrees were founded in Jinjiang, a county-level city in Fujian, thanks to the burgeoning private economy in the region and a spirit of pioneering and entrepreneurship, which helped to create the "Jinjiang Experience".
\n
Over the years, under the guidance of the "Jinjiang Experience", the city has grown its economy rapidly, mainly supported by the growth of the real economy.
\n
Liu Longzhen, deputy director of the bureau of commerce in Quanzhou, said that with a spirit of daring, local enterprises have been continuously innovating and creating new consumption scenarios.
\n
"For instance, Jinjiang-based Chinese menswear brand Septwolves cooperated with a tea brand in Fujian and put on a fashion show earlier this year. Such companies have been daring to try and willing to cooperate across different sectors," Liu said.
\n
In the first half, Jinjiang achieved a regional GDP of 160.1 billion yuan ($22.3 billion), up 6.5 percent year-on-year, according to the local government.
\n
Contact the writers at zhuwenqian@chinadaily.com.cn
BEIJING — Stepping into a model apartment, a homebuyer surnamed Liu was immediately struck by the bright, open layout. Right at the entrance, a small garden seamlessly flowed into the dining area and kitchen, creating a single airy space bathed in natural light.
\n
The park-inspired residential project in Chengdu, in Southwest China's Sichuan province, features an adventure playground, camping-friendly lawns and wooded trails. "I value the outdoor facilities here for both kids and their grandparents," said Liu.
\n
More and more homebuyers like Liu are increasingly shifting their focus from simply "having a place to live" to seeking "livable quality", which is injecting new impetus into China's property market.
\n
Over the past few years, China's real estate market has seen a significant shift in the supply-demand relationship as the country's urbanization has shifted from rapid growth to stable development, said Li Yujia, chief researcher at the Guangdong Housing Policy Research Center.
\n
According to a circular released by the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development on the development of the construction sector during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25), people's housing needs are changing from a mere space to hang one's hat to a high quality living space, which provides the construction sector with unprecedented opportunities for transformation.
\n
Industry insiders believe that the real estate sector is transitioning from rapid, debt-fueled expansion to quality-driven development.
\n
In March, the phrase "quality homes" was featured in the Government Work Report for the first time.
\n
Many cities have proactively adjusted their land supply structures by reducing overall volume and focusing on premium plots. A growing number of "small but refined" units are being released to better support high-quality residential development.
\n
In Hangzhou, capital of East China's Zhejiang province — a major urban property market — about 90 percent of residential land parcels sold this year have a planned construction area of less than 90,000 square meters. These plots typically feature complete support infrastructure and moderate floor area ratios, making them well-suited for building quality homes.
\n
On May 1, new national standards for residential projects took effect, putting the improvement of housing quality on a faster track. The updated guidelines set higher requirements for factors such as ceiling heights, elevator access and soundproof insulation, providing a clearer framework for building quality homes.
\n",
+ "content": "
BEIJING — Stepping into a model apartment, a homebuyer surnamed Liu was immediately struck by the bright, open layout. Right at the entrance, a small garden seamlessly flowed into the dining area and kitchen, creating a single airy space bathed in natural light.
\n
The park-inspired residential project in Chengdu, in Southwest China's Sichuan province, features an adventure playground, camping-friendly lawns and wooded trails. "I value the outdoor facilities here for both kids and their grandparents," said Liu.
\n
More and more homebuyers like Liu are increasingly shifting their focus from simply "having a place to live" to seeking "livable quality", which is injecting new impetus into China's property market.
\n
Over the past few years, China's real estate market has seen a significant shift in the supply-demand relationship as the country's urbanization has shifted from rapid growth to stable development, said Li Yujia, chief researcher at the Guangdong Housing Policy Research Center.
\n
According to a circular released by the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development on the development of the construction sector during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25), people's housing needs are changing from a mere space to hang one's hat to a high quality living space, which provides the construction sector with unprecedented opportunities for transformation.
\n
Industry insiders believe that the real estate sector is transitioning from rapid, debt-fueled expansion to quality-driven development.
\n
In March, the phrase "quality homes" was featured in the Government Work Report for the first time.
\n
Many cities have proactively adjusted their land supply structures by reducing overall volume and focusing on premium plots. A growing number of "small but refined" units are being released to better support high-quality residential development.
\n
In Hangzhou, capital of East China's Zhejiang province — a major urban property market — about 90 percent of residential land parcels sold this year have a planned construction area of less than 90,000 square meters. These plots typically feature complete support infrastructure and moderate floor area ratios, making them well-suited for building quality homes.
\n
On May 1, new national standards for residential projects took effect, putting the improvement of housing quality on a faster track. The updated guidelines set higher requirements for factors such as ceiling heights, elevator access and soundproof insulation, providing a clearer framework for building quality homes.
A robot serving ice cream attracts visitors during the 2025 WAIC in Shanghai on July 29.
\n
Shanghai aims to accelerate the integration of artificial intelligence and manufacturing in the coming years, a move expected to boost new industrialization, strengthen new quality productive forces, and position China as a global leader in intelligent manufacturing, experts said.
\n
An implementation plan to accelerate the development of "AI + Manufacturing" was announced on Tuesday by the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Economy and Informatization, along with the Shanghai Municipal Development and Reform Commission and Shanghai's municipal State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission.
\n
The plan calls for deeper integration of AI with the manufacturing sector, boosting new industrialization and fostering new quality productive forces.
\n
The plan also outlines specific targets, including enabling 3,000 manufacturing enterprises to adopt smart applications, developing 10 industry benchmark models and 100 flagship intelligent products and promoting 100 demonstration application scenarios.
\n
Xie Haiqin, deputy general manager of COSMOPlat, outlined three new prospects in the action plan.
\n
"First is the opportunity to build new factories. For companies planning new facilities, the implementation plan promotes 'AI +Manufacturing' factories, allowing firms to integrate advanced technologies to create smarter, more efficient plants and achieve a leap in production models.
\n
"Second is the potential for product intelligence upgrades and end-to-end empowerment. Companies integrating AI into daily operations can develop 'AI+' industrial software, products, and equipment to enhance product intelligence and functionality.
\n
"Third is the chance for coordinated industrial ecosystem development. For our company, this means providing digital twin and intelligent agent tools to support the rollout of '10 industry benchmark models' and '100 demonstration scenarios'."
\n
COSMOPlat is the industrial internet platform of Chinese home appliance company Haier Group.
\n
Shanghai's plan calls for the establishment of about 10 "AI +Manufacturing" demonstration factories, development of around five integrated service providers, and cultivation of a group of competitive specialized service firms, in a bid to forge a comprehensive ecosystem for intelligent manufacturing.
\n
Jia Wei, associate director for academic affairs at the Shanghai Artificial Intelligence Research Institute, said the city, as a national hub for scientific research, enjoys advantages in both artificial intelligence and manufacturing.
\n
"The city holds a leading position in sectors such as aviation, aerospace, shipbuilding and high-end equipment. Meanwhile, its strength in AI lies in its strong research capacity, a large talent pool, and a concentration of leading institutions, which jointly create favorable conditions for scaling up innovations and setting national examples," Jia said.
\n
"If the three-year plan meets its targets, including enabling 3,000 enterprises to adopt smart applications and developing 10 industry benchmarks, it is expected to foster a group of competitive service providers and give an unprecedented boost to the integration of AI and manufacturing across China," Jia added.
\n
Jia's views were echoed by Duanmu Haiying, director of the Shanghai MetaNow Metaverse Industry Promotion Center.
\n
Duanmu said she believes artificial intelligence is one of Shanghai's three leading industries and has already built a solid foundation for "AI+" applications.
\n
"So far, nearly 100 large models have been registered, industrial internet platforms connect more than 16 million devices, and the city leads the nation in 5G base station density," she said.
\n
According to Duanmu, Shanghai is home to one-third of China's AI professionals, and by July 2024, the number of industrial manufacturing enterprises in the city had exceeded 80,000, "giving Shanghai confidence in meeting the plan's targets by 2028".
\n
However, there are still some challenges ahead in meeting the goal.
\n
"Developing practical, scalable products and solutions, along with a sustainable intelligent manufacturing ecosystem, will require a large pool of talent skilled in both AI and manufacturing," she said.
\n
"Challenges also remain in connecting industrial equipment, standardizing data, and managing unstructured information. Another key issue is how to develop cost-effective 'AI+' solutions for small and medium-sized manufacturers," Duanmu said.
\n
Overcoming these hurdles will be crucial for the sector's next phase, she added.
\n
According to Jia, the upgrade is seen as a step toward transforming China from a major manufacturing country into a leading power in smart manufacturing.
\n
"By focusing on data, models and closed-loop application scenarios, the plan aims to move the sector from isolated intelligent functions to full-chain smart manufacturing. This, in turn, is expected to position China's intelligent manufacturing as a global benchmark," Jia added.
\n
wang_ying@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
A robot serving ice cream attracts visitors during the 2025 WAIC in Shanghai on July 29.
\n
Shanghai aims to accelerate the integration of artificial intelligence and manufacturing in the coming years, a move expected to boost new industrialization, strengthen new quality productive forces, and position China as a global leader in intelligent manufacturing, experts said.
\n
An implementation plan to accelerate the development of "AI + Manufacturing" was announced on Tuesday by the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Economy and Informatization, along with the Shanghai Municipal Development and Reform Commission and Shanghai's municipal State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission.
\n
The plan calls for deeper integration of AI with the manufacturing sector, boosting new industrialization and fostering new quality productive forces.
\n
The plan also outlines specific targets, including enabling 3,000 manufacturing enterprises to adopt smart applications, developing 10 industry benchmark models and 100 flagship intelligent products and promoting 100 demonstration application scenarios.
\n
Xie Haiqin, deputy general manager of COSMOPlat, outlined three new prospects in the action plan.
\n
"First is the opportunity to build new factories. For companies planning new facilities, the implementation plan promotes 'AI +Manufacturing' factories, allowing firms to integrate advanced technologies to create smarter, more efficient plants and achieve a leap in production models.
\n
"Second is the potential for product intelligence upgrades and end-to-end empowerment. Companies integrating AI into daily operations can develop 'AI+' industrial software, products, and equipment to enhance product intelligence and functionality.
\n
"Third is the chance for coordinated industrial ecosystem development. For our company, this means providing digital twin and intelligent agent tools to support the rollout of '10 industry benchmark models' and '100 demonstration scenarios'."
\n
COSMOPlat is the industrial internet platform of Chinese home appliance company Haier Group.
\n
Shanghai's plan calls for the establishment of about 10 "AI +Manufacturing" demonstration factories, development of around five integrated service providers, and cultivation of a group of competitive specialized service firms, in a bid to forge a comprehensive ecosystem for intelligent manufacturing.
\n
Jia Wei, associate director for academic affairs at the Shanghai Artificial Intelligence Research Institute, said the city, as a national hub for scientific research, enjoys advantages in both artificial intelligence and manufacturing.
\n
"The city holds a leading position in sectors such as aviation, aerospace, shipbuilding and high-end equipment. Meanwhile, its strength in AI lies in its strong research capacity, a large talent pool, and a concentration of leading institutions, which jointly create favorable conditions for scaling up innovations and setting national examples," Jia said.
\n
"If the three-year plan meets its targets, including enabling 3,000 enterprises to adopt smart applications and developing 10 industry benchmarks, it is expected to foster a group of competitive service providers and give an unprecedented boost to the integration of AI and manufacturing across China," Jia added.
\n
Jia's views were echoed by Duanmu Haiying, director of the Shanghai MetaNow Metaverse Industry Promotion Center.
\n
Duanmu said she believes artificial intelligence is one of Shanghai's three leading industries and has already built a solid foundation for "AI+" applications.
\n
"So far, nearly 100 large models have been registered, industrial internet platforms connect more than 16 million devices, and the city leads the nation in 5G base station density," she said.
\n
According to Duanmu, Shanghai is home to one-third of China's AI professionals, and by July 2024, the number of industrial manufacturing enterprises in the city had exceeded 80,000, "giving Shanghai confidence in meeting the plan's targets by 2028".
\n
However, there are still some challenges ahead in meeting the goal.
\n
"Developing practical, scalable products and solutions, along with a sustainable intelligent manufacturing ecosystem, will require a large pool of talent skilled in both AI and manufacturing," she said.
\n
"Challenges also remain in connecting industrial equipment, standardizing data, and managing unstructured information. Another key issue is how to develop cost-effective 'AI+' solutions for small and medium-sized manufacturers," Duanmu said.
\n
Overcoming these hurdles will be crucial for the sector's next phase, she added.
\n
According to Jia, the upgrade is seen as a step toward transforming China from a major manufacturing country into a leading power in smart manufacturing.
\n
"By focusing on data, models and closed-loop application scenarios, the plan aims to move the sector from isolated intelligent functions to full-chain smart manufacturing. This, in turn, is expected to position China's intelligent manufacturing as a global benchmark," Jia added.
Employees prepare tea for customers at a store in Huangshan, Anhui province, on July 15.
\n
With consumers' pursuit of wellness, variety and refinement, China's tea beverage brands are exhibiting inspiring trends.
\n
According to Coffee and Tea Observation, a market information platform on WeChat, in July, the top 10 tea beverage brands launched 43 products in total, including six relaunched products and 37 brand new items.
\n
In terms of brands, Guming Holdings Ltd owns the most number of new products, with eight new products and one relaunched product hitting the market. ChaPanda ranked second, with four new items and four repeats.
\n
In terms of timing, brands tend to roll out new products at the beginning and end of a month.
\n
At the beginning of the month, brands typically launch monthly marketing strategies. By introducing new products, they attract both existing and new consumers and lay the foundation for the whole month. At the end of the month, brands adjust their marketing strategies according to market responses, and may launch more new products, experts said.
\n
According to Coffee and Tea Observation, in July, the top three sellers among new tea beverage brands were fruit tea, light milk tea and vegetable tea, taking up a combined 73.7 percent of all drinks sold. As temperatures soar in the summer, consumers prefer lighter and healthier drinks.
\n
From the survey, fruit teas are the top sellers, quenching thirst on scorching days. The popularity of fruit teas, light milk teas and vegetable teas suggests that consumers are increasingly aware of the health benefits of such beverages.
\n
Specifically, Shuyi Grass Jelly and Tea sold 200,000 cups of its newly launched green grape and kale drink in a span of just three days, using over 10,000 kilograms of kale.
\n
In terms of flavor popularity among new tea beverage brands, according to Coffee and Tea Observation, flower teas were the most common, followed by green teas, matcha and black tea.
\n
Flower tea has become the most commonly used tea base with an absolute advantage of 20 new products launched, among which jasmine tea performs particularly well. A total of 15 new products use it as a tea base, accounting for up to 75 percent, while gardenia and camellia are less commonly used. Next is green tea, which has been applied to 17 new products. Matcha follows closely behind, with a usage of eight types of new products, with oolong tea and black tea trailing, having only two and one products represented, respectively.
\n
Also, among new products launched, new tea beverage brands use large volumes of fruit — 30 types in total. There are significant differences in the frequency of application of different fruits. Lemon is the most frequently used fruit, with 11 new products using fragrant lemon flavoring. Green grape and apple are the second and third most often used fruits, followed by strawberry, blueberry, raspberry, orange, honey orange and cherry.
\n
Zhan Junhao, founder of Fujian Huace Brand Positioning Consulting, said: "This summer, the new tea beverage industry has shown a trend toward better healthiness, variety and refinement. The launch of fruit tea, light milk tea and vegetable tea is the mainstream, taking up over 70 percent. This reflects consumers' dual pursuit of refreshing taste and healthy attributes.
\n
"In the future, business opportunities for new tea beverages lie in deepening healthy innovations, such as developing functional ingredients, expanding categories such as dessert-based tea drinks, accelerating globalization through supply chain localization and product customization, deeply cultivating potential markets such as Southeast Asia and North America, and promoting sustainable and healthy industry development."
\n
Gao Chengyuan, president and CEO of TY Marketing, said, "In the future, there will be less sugar used in new tea beverages, conforming to Gen Z's pursuit of health and wellness."
\n
In terms of digitization, AI customization and full chain management will enhance efficiency and personalized experience. In addition, cultural empowerment and "China-chic" intellectual property can strengthen emotional connections. The sinking market — a Chinese concept referring to smaller-sized urban markets — and county-level shopping venues are also incremental spaces, and policy support can accelerate channel penetration, Gao said.
\n
zhengyiran@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
Employees prepare tea for customers at a store in Huangshan, Anhui province, on July 15.
\n
With consumers' pursuit of wellness, variety and refinement, China's tea beverage brands are exhibiting inspiring trends.
\n
According to Coffee and Tea Observation, a market information platform on WeChat, in July, the top 10 tea beverage brands launched 43 products in total, including six relaunched products and 37 brand new items.
\n
In terms of brands, Guming Holdings Ltd owns the most number of new products, with eight new products and one relaunched product hitting the market. ChaPanda ranked second, with four new items and four repeats.
\n
In terms of timing, brands tend to roll out new products at the beginning and end of a month.
\n
At the beginning of the month, brands typically launch monthly marketing strategies. By introducing new products, they attract both existing and new consumers and lay the foundation for the whole month. At the end of the month, brands adjust their marketing strategies according to market responses, and may launch more new products, experts said.
\n
According to Coffee and Tea Observation, in July, the top three sellers among new tea beverage brands were fruit tea, light milk tea and vegetable tea, taking up a combined 73.7 percent of all drinks sold. As temperatures soar in the summer, consumers prefer lighter and healthier drinks.
\n
From the survey, fruit teas are the top sellers, quenching thirst on scorching days. The popularity of fruit teas, light milk teas and vegetable teas suggests that consumers are increasingly aware of the health benefits of such beverages.
\n
Specifically, Shuyi Grass Jelly and Tea sold 200,000 cups of its newly launched green grape and kale drink in a span of just three days, using over 10,000 kilograms of kale.
\n
In terms of flavor popularity among new tea beverage brands, according to Coffee and Tea Observation, flower teas were the most common, followed by green teas, matcha and black tea.
\n
Flower tea has become the most commonly used tea base with an absolute advantage of 20 new products launched, among which jasmine tea performs particularly well. A total of 15 new products use it as a tea base, accounting for up to 75 percent, while gardenia and camellia are less commonly used. Next is green tea, which has been applied to 17 new products. Matcha follows closely behind, with a usage of eight types of new products, with oolong tea and black tea trailing, having only two and one products represented, respectively.
\n
Also, among new products launched, new tea beverage brands use large volumes of fruit — 30 types in total. There are significant differences in the frequency of application of different fruits. Lemon is the most frequently used fruit, with 11 new products using fragrant lemon flavoring. Green grape and apple are the second and third most often used fruits, followed by strawberry, blueberry, raspberry, orange, honey orange and cherry.
\n
Zhan Junhao, founder of Fujian Huace Brand Positioning Consulting, said: "This summer, the new tea beverage industry has shown a trend toward better healthiness, variety and refinement. The launch of fruit tea, light milk tea and vegetable tea is the mainstream, taking up over 70 percent. This reflects consumers' dual pursuit of refreshing taste and healthy attributes.
\n
"In the future, business opportunities for new tea beverages lie in deepening healthy innovations, such as developing functional ingredients, expanding categories such as dessert-based tea drinks, accelerating globalization through supply chain localization and product customization, deeply cultivating potential markets such as Southeast Asia and North America, and promoting sustainable and healthy industry development."
\n
Gao Chengyuan, president and CEO of TY Marketing, said, "In the future, there will be less sugar used in new tea beverages, conforming to Gen Z's pursuit of health and wellness."
\n
In terms of digitization, AI customization and full chain management will enhance efficiency and personalized experience. In addition, cultural empowerment and "China-chic" intellectual property can strengthen emotional connections. The sinking market — a Chinese concept referring to smaller-sized urban markets — and county-level shopping venues are also incremental spaces, and policy support can accelerate channel penetration, Gao said.
Industrial software developer Aveva will continue to increase investments and strengthen its research and development capacities in China, while expanding cooperation with Chinese partners to grasp the abundant opportunities arising from China's emphasis on industrial upgrading and digital transformation.
\n
Sue Quense, chief commercial officer of Aveva, said China plays a pivotal role in global industrial transformation because its economy is so large and the output of the high-tech manufacturing sector grew by 8.9 percent year-on-year in 2024, which is higher than the overall industrial sector.
\n
Quense said China has the largest renewable energy installed capacity in the world, and accounts for about 60 percent of the global electric vehicle sales and EV battery production. It also plays a dominant role in manufacturing solar photovoltaic modules and wind turbines, meaning that China's development in these fields is largely driving a global industrial revolution, she noted.
\n
The United Kingdom-based company will continue to firmly advance its strategy of "in China, for China" to bolster the intelligent, high-end and green transformation of China's manufacturing and industrial digitalization.
\n
China attaches great importance to advanced technologies and focuses on research and development, and companies can rapidly deploy and scale up technologies, Quense said.
\n
"We get to be a part of this sort of scaling of innovation very quickly. Whereas in some other markets, things move a little slow," she added. "China has always been an exciting and important market for us. The focus on innovation is something we'd like to participate in, and we'd like to support our customers in China in doing that because we think we can help. The innovation is really moving fast here."
\n
Aveva recently launched a China intelligent innovation center, its first localized R&D center, and a vital addition to its global R&D innovation network, deepening its "in China, for China" strategy. The establishment of this center is aimed at addressing the urgent demand for digital productivity within China's industrial development.
\n
Chris Lee, the company's senior vice-president and head of Asia-Pacific at Aveva, said China, as a manufacturing-driven economy, continues to play a very critical role in leading industrial development as well as setting the standard in the industry.
\n
"Today, we see China is not only playing the role of the supplier, but also playing the role of setting standards. So that's the big shift that we see in the whole industry and that's where an industrial company like us will look forward to the partnerships that we can establish with companies here to keep our technology relevant to the customers."
\n
In terms of sustainability, China plays a very unique role in renewable energy and the use of EV technology, said Lee, adding that more and more Chinese companies are leveraging overseas direct investments, establishing businesses across the board and promoting the transition toward sustainable development.
\n
Lee emphasized China's significant role in industrial production and energy, and its great contribution to global economic growth, as well as industrial and social transformation.
\n
Bry Dillon, senior vice-president of partners and commercial strategy at Aveva, said, "What gets us so excited about the market here is the speed of transformation that's happening in industry."
\n
He said China provides a great opportunity for Aveva to directly learn from its customers and learn how it can solve their problems better for them by leveraging the decades of knowledge that it has across different disciplines in accordance with their specific needs and requirements in China.
\n
The company will continue to expand its partnership networks in China in a couple of ways to meet the diversified needs of customers, Dillon added. "We are looking to proactively engage with partners and with any organizations that our customers want and need us to partner with."
\n
China will hold a greater appeal for foreign companies, especially those in the manufacturing sector, given the nation's unwavering efforts to expand high-standard opening-up by removing all restrictions on foreign investment access in manufacturing and continuously optimizing its business environment, said Zhang Jianping, deputy director of the academic committee at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation.
Industrial software developer Aveva will continue to increase investments and strengthen its research and development capacities in China, while expanding cooperation with Chinese partners to grasp the abundant opportunities arising from China's emphasis on industrial upgrading and digital transformation.
\n
Sue Quense, chief commercial officer of Aveva, said China plays a pivotal role in global industrial transformation because its economy is so large and the output of the high-tech manufacturing sector grew by 8.9 percent year-on-year in 2024, which is higher than the overall industrial sector.
\n
Quense said China has the largest renewable energy installed capacity in the world, and accounts for about 60 percent of the global electric vehicle sales and EV battery production. It also plays a dominant role in manufacturing solar photovoltaic modules and wind turbines, meaning that China's development in these fields is largely driving a global industrial revolution, she noted.
\n
The United Kingdom-based company will continue to firmly advance its strategy of "in China, for China" to bolster the intelligent, high-end and green transformation of China's manufacturing and industrial digitalization.
\n
China attaches great importance to advanced technologies and focuses on research and development, and companies can rapidly deploy and scale up technologies, Quense said.
\n
"We get to be a part of this sort of scaling of innovation very quickly. Whereas in some other markets, things move a little slow," she added. "China has always been an exciting and important market for us. The focus on innovation is something we'd like to participate in, and we'd like to support our customers in China in doing that because we think we can help. The innovation is really moving fast here."
\n
Aveva recently launched a China intelligent innovation center, its first localized R&D center, and a vital addition to its global R&D innovation network, deepening its "in China, for China" strategy. The establishment of this center is aimed at addressing the urgent demand for digital productivity within China's industrial development.
\n
Chris Lee, the company's senior vice-president and head of Asia-Pacific at Aveva, said China, as a manufacturing-driven economy, continues to play a very critical role in leading industrial development as well as setting the standard in the industry.
\n
"Today, we see China is not only playing the role of the supplier, but also playing the role of setting standards. So that's the big shift that we see in the whole industry and that's where an industrial company like us will look forward to the partnerships that we can establish with companies here to keep our technology relevant to the customers."
\n
In terms of sustainability, China plays a very unique role in renewable energy and the use of EV technology, said Lee, adding that more and more Chinese companies are leveraging overseas direct investments, establishing businesses across the board and promoting the transition toward sustainable development.
\n
Lee emphasized China's significant role in industrial production and energy, and its great contribution to global economic growth, as well as industrial and social transformation.
\n
Bry Dillon, senior vice-president of partners and commercial strategy at Aveva, said, "What gets us so excited about the market here is the speed of transformation that's happening in industry."
\n
He said China provides a great opportunity for Aveva to directly learn from its customers and learn how it can solve their problems better for them by leveraging the decades of knowledge that it has across different disciplines in accordance with their specific needs and requirements in China.
\n
The company will continue to expand its partnership networks in China in a couple of ways to meet the diversified needs of customers, Dillon added. "We are looking to proactively engage with partners and with any organizations that our customers want and need us to partner with."
\n
China will hold a greater appeal for foreign companies, especially those in the manufacturing sector, given the nation's unwavering efforts to expand high-standard opening-up by removing all restrictions on foreign investment access in manufacturing and continuously optimizing its business environment, said Zhang Jianping, deputy director of the academic committee at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation.
The No 3 unit of the Jurong Pumped-Storage Power Plant in Jurong, Jiangsu province, which was connected to the grid for power generation on March 10.
\n
Staff members install bearings at the construction site of a pumped storage power station in Taizhou, Zhejiang province, on Aug 18.
\n\n
China is expected to remain the world's largest hydropower market through 2030, fueled by significant domestic investment and the expansion of Chinese firms into developing nations, industry experts and executives said.
\n
The world's second-largest economy has been leading the world in installed hydropower capacity, accounting for over half of all new global hydropower capacity additions last year, the International Hydropower Association said in a report released recently.
\n
IHA said global hydropower capacity grew by 24.6 gigawatts last year, with China contributing 14.4 GW, or nearly 60 percent of the total, cementing its position as a global leader in hydropower development.
\n
Pumped hydro storage accounted for more than half of China's hydropower capacity growth, with new capacity reaching 7.75 GW, it added.
\n
China has over 91 GW of pumped hydro projects under construction and is expected to surpass its original target of 120 GW by 2030, according to the IHA. With an additional 136 GW of pumped hydro storage capacity planned, China is poised to accelerate its development in this sector, the association said.
\n
As Chinese hydropower companies significantly expand their presence in emerging and developing nations, particularly through the Belt and Road Initiative, the country is expected to play a bigger role in the global hydropower market, analysts said.
\n
Driven by the growing domestic hydropower sector and higher demand for energy in these developing countries, Chinese firms are increasingly involved in building, financing, and owning a large percentage of new hydropower projects in regions like Africa, Southeast Asia and Latin America, said Lin Boqiang, head of the China Institute for Studies in Energy Policy at Xiamen University.
\n
The Belt and Road Initiative provides a framework for Chinese investment and development projects, including hydropower, in many emerging and developing countries, he said.
\n
"As many developing nations are seeking reliable and affordable energy sources, hydropower is seen as a potential solution. On the other hand, Chinese State-owned banks and other financial institutions play a crucial role in financing these projects."
\n
China Three Gorges Corporation, for example, has been consistently focusing on overseas hydropower projects, particularly in South Asia, Southeast Asia, Africa and Latin America.
\n
CTG's overseas arm, CTG International, has expanded its operations across five continents, boasting over 19 million kilowatts of installed capacity.
\n
Karot Hydropower Station, for example, a priority project for energy cooperation under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and operated by CTG, now boasts a total installed capacity of 720 megawatts and generates an annual average of 3,200 gigawatt-hours of clean electricity, meeting the power needs of over 5 million people.
\n
While expanding its global footprint, China is also heavily investing in domestic hydropower, particularly pumped hydro storage, to support its energy transition.
\n
China announced recently the construction of a hydropower project in the lower reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River, which will consist of five cascade hydropower stations with a total investment estimated at around 1.2 trillion yuan ($167.8 billion).
\n
By harnessing the abundant hydropower resources of the river, the project will also spur the development of solar and wind energy resources in surrounding areas, creating a clean energy base featuring a complementary mix of hydro, wind and solar power.
\n
The hydropower project will primarily deliver electricity for external consumption while also addressing local demand in the Xizang autonomous region.
\n
China also boasts the world's largest clean energy corridor, which comprises six mega hydropower stations on the Yangtze River, the longest river in China, with a total installed capacity of 71.7 million kW.
\n
Comprising 110 generating units, it transmits electricity from the resource-rich west to energy-consuming regions in the eastern parts of China.
\n
The corridor achieved a record-breaking annual power generation of 295.9 billion kilowatt-hours last year, representing a year-on-year increase of 7.11 percent, equivalent to saving approximately 89.24 million metric tons of standard coal and reducing carbon dioxide emissions by over 240 million tons, according to China Yangtze Power Co Ltd, a subsidiary of CTG.
\n
A research report by Guosheng Securities pointed out that Xizang has approximately 200 million kW of hydropower resources, accounting for nearly 30 percent of the country's total, ranking first in the country.
\n
Analysts believe that China's continued investment in pumped hydro storage stations is becoming a crucial means of maintaining grid stability during its energy transition.
\n
Pumped hydro storage projects use electricity during periods of low demand to pump water to an upper reservoir, which is then released to generate electricity during peak demand periods, earning them the nickname "super charging stations".
\n
Zhang Zongliang, an academician at the Chinese Academy of Engineering, expects significant market growth in the sector, driven by the increasing integration of wind and solar power into the energy system.
\n
Pumped hydro storage is a vital component of clean energy hubs, facilitating the ongoing expansion of renewable energy sources, he said.
\n
According to the China Renewable Energy Engineering Institute, 23 new pumped hydro storage projects were approved last year in China, which further solidified the country's position as the world leader in pumped hydro storage for the ninth consecutive year.
\n
The IHA said China is set to exceed its 2030 pumped storage hydropower target by more than 8 percent and potentially reach 130 GW by the end of the decade.
\n
China's total installed hydropower capacity has reached approximately 436 GW, accounting for more than three-quarters of Asia's total capacity, it said.
\n
In addition to hydropower, China continues to maintain its global leadership in renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power. By the end of 2024, China's total installed wind and solar power capacity had exceeded 1,200 GW, achieving its national target for wind and solar power capacity originally set for 2030 ahead of schedule.
\n
The government's policy of raising electricity prices during peak demand times has incentivized storage providers, including pumped hydro operators, said Lin.
\n
This allows them to profit from selling stored power at higher prices, further boosting the development of the sector, he said.
\n
China has consistently increased its investment in hydropower development in recent years.
\n
State Grid Corp of China's new energy subsidiary completed a 36.5 billion yuan capital increase and share expansion project in late July.
\n
The substantial capital injection will be entirely allocated to the construction of pumped-hydro energy storage projects, an initiative seen as crucial for promoting high-quality development in the pumped-hydro sector, accelerating the establishment of a new type of power system, and contributing to the stable growth of the national economy, said Zhang Zhigang, executive chairman of the company.
\n
The company currently has 75 pumped hydro power stations in operation or under construction, with a total capacity of 94 million kW, making it the world's largest operator of pumped hydro facilities.
\n
According to the China Renewable Energy Engineering Institute, since the commissioning of China's first pumped hydro station in 1968 — almost 90 years after the world's first such facility was established in Zurich, Switzerland — the nation's expertise in this technology has matured through decades of practical application and technological accumulation.
\n
China has also come up with a comprehensive industrial system and specialized development model, covering standard formulation, planning and design, engineering construction and equipment, it said.
\n
zhengxin@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
The No 3 unit of the Jurong Pumped-Storage Power Plant in Jurong, Jiangsu province, which was connected to the grid for power generation on March 10.
\n
Staff members install bearings at the construction site of a pumped storage power station in Taizhou, Zhejiang province, on Aug 18.
\n\n
China is expected to remain the world's largest hydropower market through 2030, fueled by significant domestic investment and the expansion of Chinese firms into developing nations, industry experts and executives said.
\n
The world's second-largest economy has been leading the world in installed hydropower capacity, accounting for over half of all new global hydropower capacity additions last year, the International Hydropower Association said in a report released recently.
\n
IHA said global hydropower capacity grew by 24.6 gigawatts last year, with China contributing 14.4 GW, or nearly 60 percent of the total, cementing its position as a global leader in hydropower development.
\n
Pumped hydro storage accounted for more than half of China's hydropower capacity growth, with new capacity reaching 7.75 GW, it added.
\n
China has over 91 GW of pumped hydro projects under construction and is expected to surpass its original target of 120 GW by 2030, according to the IHA. With an additional 136 GW of pumped hydro storage capacity planned, China is poised to accelerate its development in this sector, the association said.
\n
As Chinese hydropower companies significantly expand their presence in emerging and developing nations, particularly through the Belt and Road Initiative, the country is expected to play a bigger role in the global hydropower market, analysts said.
\n
Driven by the growing domestic hydropower sector and higher demand for energy in these developing countries, Chinese firms are increasingly involved in building, financing, and owning a large percentage of new hydropower projects in regions like Africa, Southeast Asia and Latin America, said Lin Boqiang, head of the China Institute for Studies in Energy Policy at Xiamen University.
\n
The Belt and Road Initiative provides a framework for Chinese investment and development projects, including hydropower, in many emerging and developing countries, he said.
\n
"As many developing nations are seeking reliable and affordable energy sources, hydropower is seen as a potential solution. On the other hand, Chinese State-owned banks and other financial institutions play a crucial role in financing these projects."
\n
China Three Gorges Corporation, for example, has been consistently focusing on overseas hydropower projects, particularly in South Asia, Southeast Asia, Africa and Latin America.
\n
CTG's overseas arm, CTG International, has expanded its operations across five continents, boasting over 19 million kilowatts of installed capacity.
\n
Karot Hydropower Station, for example, a priority project for energy cooperation under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and operated by CTG, now boasts a total installed capacity of 720 megawatts and generates an annual average of 3,200 gigawatt-hours of clean electricity, meeting the power needs of over 5 million people.
\n
While expanding its global footprint, China is also heavily investing in domestic hydropower, particularly pumped hydro storage, to support its energy transition.
\n
China announced recently the construction of a hydropower project in the lower reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River, which will consist of five cascade hydropower stations with a total investment estimated at around 1.2 trillion yuan ($167.8 billion).
\n
By harnessing the abundant hydropower resources of the river, the project will also spur the development of solar and wind energy resources in surrounding areas, creating a clean energy base featuring a complementary mix of hydro, wind and solar power.
\n
The hydropower project will primarily deliver electricity for external consumption while also addressing local demand in the Xizang autonomous region.
\n
China also boasts the world's largest clean energy corridor, which comprises six mega hydropower stations on the Yangtze River, the longest river in China, with a total installed capacity of 71.7 million kW.
\n
Comprising 110 generating units, it transmits electricity from the resource-rich west to energy-consuming regions in the eastern parts of China.
\n
The corridor achieved a record-breaking annual power generation of 295.9 billion kilowatt-hours last year, representing a year-on-year increase of 7.11 percent, equivalent to saving approximately 89.24 million metric tons of standard coal and reducing carbon dioxide emissions by over 240 million tons, according to China Yangtze Power Co Ltd, a subsidiary of CTG.
\n
A research report by Guosheng Securities pointed out that Xizang has approximately 200 million kW of hydropower resources, accounting for nearly 30 percent of the country's total, ranking first in the country.
\n
Analysts believe that China's continued investment in pumped hydro storage stations is becoming a crucial means of maintaining grid stability during its energy transition.
\n
Pumped hydro storage projects use electricity during periods of low demand to pump water to an upper reservoir, which is then released to generate electricity during peak demand periods, earning them the nickname "super charging stations".
\n
Zhang Zongliang, an academician at the Chinese Academy of Engineering, expects significant market growth in the sector, driven by the increasing integration of wind and solar power into the energy system.
\n
Pumped hydro storage is a vital component of clean energy hubs, facilitating the ongoing expansion of renewable energy sources, he said.
\n
According to the China Renewable Energy Engineering Institute, 23 new pumped hydro storage projects were approved last year in China, which further solidified the country's position as the world leader in pumped hydro storage for the ninth consecutive year.
\n
The IHA said China is set to exceed its 2030 pumped storage hydropower target by more than 8 percent and potentially reach 130 GW by the end of the decade.
\n
China's total installed hydropower capacity has reached approximately 436 GW, accounting for more than three-quarters of Asia's total capacity, it said.
\n
In addition to hydropower, China continues to maintain its global leadership in renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power. By the end of 2024, China's total installed wind and solar power capacity had exceeded 1,200 GW, achieving its national target for wind and solar power capacity originally set for 2030 ahead of schedule.
\n
The government's policy of raising electricity prices during peak demand times has incentivized storage providers, including pumped hydro operators, said Lin.
\n
This allows them to profit from selling stored power at higher prices, further boosting the development of the sector, he said.
\n
China has consistently increased its investment in hydropower development in recent years.
\n
State Grid Corp of China's new energy subsidiary completed a 36.5 billion yuan capital increase and share expansion project in late July.
\n
The substantial capital injection will be entirely allocated to the construction of pumped-hydro energy storage projects, an initiative seen as crucial for promoting high-quality development in the pumped-hydro sector, accelerating the establishment of a new type of power system, and contributing to the stable growth of the national economy, said Zhang Zhigang, executive chairman of the company.
\n
The company currently has 75 pumped hydro power stations in operation or under construction, with a total capacity of 94 million kW, making it the world's largest operator of pumped hydro facilities.
\n
According to the China Renewable Energy Engineering Institute, since the commissioning of China's first pumped hydro station in 1968 — almost 90 years after the world's first such facility was established in Zurich, Switzerland — the nation's expertise in this technology has matured through decades of practical application and technological accumulation.
\n
China has also come up with a comprehensive industrial system and specialized development model, covering standard formulation, planning and design, engineering construction and equipment, it said.
Employees use a drone to maneuver photovoltaic panels for installation on the roof of a coal shed in Ma'anshan, Anhui province, on May 5.
\n
China's rapid advancements in sustainable urban development offer valuable lessons for other rapidly urbanizing regions, particularly Southeast Asia and Africa, and even developed countries seeking to enhance their green building practices, according to the World Resources Institute.
\n
"One key strength lies in China's ability to implement nationwide initiatives at scale," said Roxana Slavcheva, global lead for built environment at the WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities, during an exclusive interview with China Daily.
\n
Programs in China have accelerated the deployment of rooftop solar panels across residential and public buildings. This centralized planning approach — characterized by bulk procurement, standardized system designs, streamlined permissions, and State-led financing mechanisms — significantly lowers the cost and complexity of clean energy adoption, she said.
\n
This model, according to Slavcheva, is particularly valuable for countries in Africa or Southeast Asia, where public utilities have strong influence and infrastructure investment is centrally managed.
\n
"Countries such as Vietnam, Kenya and Indonesia could benefit from adapting China's strategy to expand access to solar energy and energy-efficient technologies at scale," she said.
\n
According to a work plan released by the government for accelerating energy conservation and carbon reduction in the buildings sector, all new buildings in Chinese cities will fully comply with green building standards by 2025, which the World Resources Institute believes is a significant milestone in the nation's commitment to reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable urban development.
\n
This achievement is the result of two decades of continuous refinement and upgrading of green building standards, with a focus on full life-cycle management, including requirements for green building materials, it said.
\n
Cities like Shenzhen, Guangdong province, and Shanghai are at the forefront of this movement. Shenzhen began enforcing green building standards in 2022, while Shanghai implemented its own green building regulations in January 2025, requiring all new large public buildings to comply with the most climate-friendly three-star grade of the green building certification regime.
\n
According to Slavcheva, China has also made significant strides in the development and deployment of building-integrated photovoltaics.
\n
Beijing's green building standards, for example, mandate BIPV for new public buildings and industrial parks. Pilot projects have showcased integrated solar facades and roofing solutions developed by Chinese companies innovating in BIPV glass, solar curtain walls and roof tiles.
\n
These Chinese BIPV products are increasingly entering global markets, including Europe, the Middle East and Southeast Asia, she said.
\n
BIPV, which makes up a major part of China's rooftop solar power market, will have a market size of up to 40 billion yuan ($5.55 billion) this year, according to the China BIPV Association.
\n
China aims to equip half of its new public institutional buildings with rooftop solar panels by 2025, the National Development and Reform Commission and the National Energy Administration said in a joint statement recently. They also indicated a push to expand rooftop solar installations in rural areas and industrial parks.
\n
Zhong Baoshen, chairman of Longi Green Energy Technology Co, also emphasized the importance of scaling up the use of BIPV, saying it is a key approach alongside building-attached photovoltaics for expanding rooftop solar power generation.
\n
This integration not only generates clean energy, but also enhances the building's design and functionality, said Zhong.
\n
While currently costlier than rooftop solar due to their integration into the building envelope, BIPV solutions offer versatility and durability, presenting a significant opportunity for Chinese manufacturers to expand their exports as manufacturing scales and costs decrease, he said.
\n
Looking ahead to China's 2030 carbon peaking and 2060 carbon neutrality goals, Slavcheva emphasized the need for a life-cycle approach to managing carbon emissions from buildings.
\n
This includes focusing not only on operational energy efficiency, but also on addressing upstream emissions embedded in construction materials and the building processes, she said.
\n
"International collaboration will play a vital role in accelerating this transformation and a two-way exchange of experience and innovation will be especially valuable," she said.
\n
"Europe offers mature experiences in integrating energy and climate goals into urban regeneration, building codes and financing models that China can adapt to its context. Conversely, China's large-scale implementation capabilities and urbanization strategies offer valuable lessons for countries in Southeast Asia and Africa, many of which face similar urban development pressures."
\n",
+ "content": "\n
Employees use a drone to maneuver photovoltaic panels for installation on the roof of a coal shed in Ma'anshan, Anhui province, on May 5.
\n
China's rapid advancements in sustainable urban development offer valuable lessons for other rapidly urbanizing regions, particularly Southeast Asia and Africa, and even developed countries seeking to enhance their green building practices, according to the World Resources Institute.
\n
"One key strength lies in China's ability to implement nationwide initiatives at scale," said Roxana Slavcheva, global lead for built environment at the WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities, during an exclusive interview with China Daily.
\n
Programs in China have accelerated the deployment of rooftop solar panels across residential and public buildings. This centralized planning approach — characterized by bulk procurement, standardized system designs, streamlined permissions, and State-led financing mechanisms — significantly lowers the cost and complexity of clean energy adoption, she said.
\n
This model, according to Slavcheva, is particularly valuable for countries in Africa or Southeast Asia, where public utilities have strong influence and infrastructure investment is centrally managed.
\n
"Countries such as Vietnam, Kenya and Indonesia could benefit from adapting China's strategy to expand access to solar energy and energy-efficient technologies at scale," she said.
\n
According to a work plan released by the government for accelerating energy conservation and carbon reduction in the buildings sector, all new buildings in Chinese cities will fully comply with green building standards by 2025, which the World Resources Institute believes is a significant milestone in the nation's commitment to reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable urban development.
\n
This achievement is the result of two decades of continuous refinement and upgrading of green building standards, with a focus on full life-cycle management, including requirements for green building materials, it said.
\n
Cities like Shenzhen, Guangdong province, and Shanghai are at the forefront of this movement. Shenzhen began enforcing green building standards in 2022, while Shanghai implemented its own green building regulations in January 2025, requiring all new large public buildings to comply with the most climate-friendly three-star grade of the green building certification regime.
\n
According to Slavcheva, China has also made significant strides in the development and deployment of building-integrated photovoltaics.
\n
Beijing's green building standards, for example, mandate BIPV for new public buildings and industrial parks. Pilot projects have showcased integrated solar facades and roofing solutions developed by Chinese companies innovating in BIPV glass, solar curtain walls and roof tiles.
\n
These Chinese BIPV products are increasingly entering global markets, including Europe, the Middle East and Southeast Asia, she said.
\n
BIPV, which makes up a major part of China's rooftop solar power market, will have a market size of up to 40 billion yuan ($5.55 billion) this year, according to the China BIPV Association.
\n
China aims to equip half of its new public institutional buildings with rooftop solar panels by 2025, the National Development and Reform Commission and the National Energy Administration said in a joint statement recently. They also indicated a push to expand rooftop solar installations in rural areas and industrial parks.
\n
Zhong Baoshen, chairman of Longi Green Energy Technology Co, also emphasized the importance of scaling up the use of BIPV, saying it is a key approach alongside building-attached photovoltaics for expanding rooftop solar power generation.
\n
This integration not only generates clean energy, but also enhances the building's design and functionality, said Zhong.
\n
While currently costlier than rooftop solar due to their integration into the building envelope, BIPV solutions offer versatility and durability, presenting a significant opportunity for Chinese manufacturers to expand their exports as manufacturing scales and costs decrease, he said.
\n
Looking ahead to China's 2030 carbon peaking and 2060 carbon neutrality goals, Slavcheva emphasized the need for a life-cycle approach to managing carbon emissions from buildings.
\n
This includes focusing not only on operational energy efficiency, but also on addressing upstream emissions embedded in construction materials and the building processes, she said.
\n
"International collaboration will play a vital role in accelerating this transformation and a two-way exchange of experience and innovation will be especially valuable," she said.
\n
"Europe offers mature experiences in integrating energy and climate goals into urban regeneration, building codes and financing models that China can adapt to its context. Conversely, China's large-scale implementation capabilities and urbanization strategies offer valuable lessons for countries in Southeast Asia and Africa, many of which face similar urban development pressures."
French-trained Lucas Garigliano became the executive chef of TRB Hutong in Beijing last December.
\n
From top: Four dishes from Michelin-starred TRB Hutong's summer menu: Shandong (province) heirloom cherry tomato, foie gras, Australian M9 Wagyu beef, and Alaskan King crab.
\n
In Beijing, few flavors have stirred up as much debate as douzhi, the city's traditional fermented mung bean drink. Pungent and earthy, its distinct aroma is notorious for testing even the most discerning palates. For Lucas Garigliano, a 33-year-old Spanish chef who had never encountered it before arriving in China, the challenge was even greater.
\n
On the ongoing reality show Chef of China, of which Garigliano's episode was aired in July, he was tasked with building an entire dish around douzhi. What might have been a culinary pitfall became a turning point. He reimagined and incorporated the humble drink with precision into French cuisine with creative flair — aged Korean kinki (rockfish) paired with charcoal-roasted green peas, celeriac puree, and a creamy douzhi sauce. A light douzhi foam adds freshness while pine nuts provide a bit of crunch.
\n
To complement the dish, he crafted a tartelette of radish, kinki tartare, Changsha (Hunan province)-style fermented chili paste, and a douzhi emulsion — an inventive bite that balanced spiciness and freshness.
\n
The result, as reviewer "Yuechiyueshoudemumu" put it, was irresistible: "The douzhi is truly the soul of the sauce, which is handled so cleanly. The fish was crisp yet tender, and the whole dish was a perfect balance of salty, savory, sour, and sweet. That light douzhi foam was brilliant!"
\n
For Garigliano, however, the dish was more than a showcase of skill. It became a reflection of what he hopes to achieve in China — using Chinese ingredients, French techniques, and his fresh creativity to craft flavors that connect East and West.
\n
That vision has found its stage at TRB Hutong, where Garigliano took on the role of executive chef late last year. The restaurant itself is a meeting point of worlds: a French fine-dining institution set within the centuries-old walls of a historic Beijing temple.
\n
"Every day, I ask myself the same question, how can my food belong to both without losing the soul of either?" he says.
\n
"The answer lies in the dialogue between place and craft. In the meeting of Chinese ingredients with French techniques, there is a softness not in execution but in approach. In humility. In listening. It's less about fusing cuisines and more about finding common ground through quiet gestures on the plate."
\n
For Garigliano, cooking is about striking harmony between creativity and authenticity. "Each dish I create reflects my journey, marrying the traditions I cherish with the vibrant inspirations I've gathered throughout my career," he says.
\n
Garigliano's approach in Beijing is grounded in an international journey that shaped his craft. He honed his skills over seven years at the famed L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon in Paris, mastering the rigor and precision of French gastronomy, before using his expertise in Dubai to lead a new restaurant that earned accolades from Gault & Millau and the Michelin Guide. By 2023, he returned to Saint-Germain as executive chef, a professional homecoming before his move to Beijing.
\n
The past eight months in Beijing, however, have opened an entirely new chapter. A new team, new guests, new menus to design, and a constant stream of unfamiliar Chinese ingredients have made it a journey of firsts.
\n
For Garigliano, sourcing ingredients is a challenge that spans China, not just Beijing. He begins with the centerpiece of a dish, often a protein, and considers which seasonal ingredients best complement it.
\n
"I explore different options and source them from the regions that best produce and harvest them. I taste everything and then decide which one suits the main ingredient I want," he says. "This, more or less, is how I create a dish."
\n
This summer, being one of the hottest and most humid in recent years, Garigliano created a seasonal menu that is both a response to the city's climate and a reflection of his first months in Beijing.
\n
While many Western kitchens strip down summer menus to raw vegetables and limp salads, Chinese chefs serve braised meats and rich sauces even in July. Garigliano respects this honesty but charts his own course to create dishes that balance complexity and restraint, adapting classic techniques and personal memories.
\n
He begins with escabeche (marinated) mussels and pickled Shandong (province) baby cucumber to make a deliberately structured starter — not a raw, minimalist dish hiding behind the word "refreshing".
\n
The acidity sharpens the mussel's natural salinity, while the cucumber brings snap and brightness. It reflects a principle Garigliano holds closely: Local produce should never be a token gesture, but treated with precision so that it can carry the dish on its own terms.
\n
For the seafood course, he turns to Alaskan king crab with kimchi and Yunnan (province) oxheart tomato. The kimchi is no accident. During his time in Dubai, a colleague taught him how it's made and the technique stuck with him. The tomato, fleshy and sweet, anchors the spice with natural weight and balance.
\n
The Red Devil Shrimp dish tells the story of different chapters in Garigliano's life. It begins with a reinvented curry sauce — originally from his mother's kitchen — elevated with fresh aromatics, where his passion for cooking first took hold.
\n
A velvety parsnip veloute (roux and stock) evokes his time in France, the country where he refined his craft. Fresh bamboo, a tribute to his Chinese wife, adds a local touch and a sense of connection to his present. At its heart lies a prized Red Devil shrimp from Spain, tying the dish back to his origin.
\n
"The dish is like a summary of my life. It's spicy, vibrant," he says.
\n
The main course embraces reality: Wagyu beef is not light summer fare. Yet rather than mask its richness, Garigliano exercises restraint in its preparation, crafting a dish that is indulgent without feeling heavy, even in Beijing's sweltering summer heat.
\n
"Shaoxing (Zhejiang province) huadiao wine is one of my favorite Chinese ingredients, which I discovered when I arrived in China last September," Garigliano recalls. He notes that the wine's nutty, mellow character reminds him of French yellow wine from Jura, sparking a connection to his culinary roots.
\n
He builds a deep, layered sauce starting with caramelized shallots and enriched with huadiao wine.
\n
"I add a bit of cognac and a touch of port, a different combination of liquids, with huadiao as the main wine," he explains. The result is bold yet disciplined: hearty, nuanced, and richly flavored, but never weighed down by excess.
\n
Food writer Wu Xuefeng is impressed by the summer menu: "A subtle thread of spiciness runs through the whole menu, giving it cohesion. But each dish sources its heat differently, from house-made hot-and-sour sauce to fermented chili paste from Changsha to pickles."
\n
"In Beijing's stifling summer, that spice awakens the palate, making every other flavor sharper and more vivid. It's like a spotlight on the stage, highlighting the ingredients around it," she says.
\n
About the douzhi fish, Wu adds: "The dish preserves only the lightly fermented tang while balancing the stronger, off-putting notes. Even the tart's hint of spice offsets the douzhi's sour-bitter character perfectly."
\n
Before the summer heat fades, Garigliano has begun planning his autumn menu. Beijing's autumn is beautiful and abundant with flavors, and is sure to bring plenty of new inspiration.
\n
Contact the writer at liyingxue@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
French-trained Lucas Garigliano became the executive chef of TRB Hutong in Beijing last December.
\n
From top: Four dishes from Michelin-starred TRB Hutong's summer menu: Shandong (province) heirloom cherry tomato, foie gras, Australian M9 Wagyu beef, and Alaskan King crab.
\n
In Beijing, few flavors have stirred up as much debate as douzhi, the city's traditional fermented mung bean drink. Pungent and earthy, its distinct aroma is notorious for testing even the most discerning palates. For Lucas Garigliano, a 33-year-old Spanish chef who had never encountered it before arriving in China, the challenge was even greater.
\n
On the ongoing reality show Chef of China, of which Garigliano's episode was aired in July, he was tasked with building an entire dish around douzhi. What might have been a culinary pitfall became a turning point. He reimagined and incorporated the humble drink with precision into French cuisine with creative flair — aged Korean kinki (rockfish) paired with charcoal-roasted green peas, celeriac puree, and a creamy douzhi sauce. A light douzhi foam adds freshness while pine nuts provide a bit of crunch.
\n
To complement the dish, he crafted a tartelette of radish, kinki tartare, Changsha (Hunan province)-style fermented chili paste, and a douzhi emulsion — an inventive bite that balanced spiciness and freshness.
\n
The result, as reviewer "Yuechiyueshoudemumu" put it, was irresistible: "The douzhi is truly the soul of the sauce, which is handled so cleanly. The fish was crisp yet tender, and the whole dish was a perfect balance of salty, savory, sour, and sweet. That light douzhi foam was brilliant!"
\n
For Garigliano, however, the dish was more than a showcase of skill. It became a reflection of what he hopes to achieve in China — using Chinese ingredients, French techniques, and his fresh creativity to craft flavors that connect East and West.
\n
That vision has found its stage at TRB Hutong, where Garigliano took on the role of executive chef late last year. The restaurant itself is a meeting point of worlds: a French fine-dining institution set within the centuries-old walls of a historic Beijing temple.
\n
"Every day, I ask myself the same question, how can my food belong to both without losing the soul of either?" he says.
\n
"The answer lies in the dialogue between place and craft. In the meeting of Chinese ingredients with French techniques, there is a softness not in execution but in approach. In humility. In listening. It's less about fusing cuisines and more about finding common ground through quiet gestures on the plate."
\n
For Garigliano, cooking is about striking harmony between creativity and authenticity. "Each dish I create reflects my journey, marrying the traditions I cherish with the vibrant inspirations I've gathered throughout my career," he says.
\n
Garigliano's approach in Beijing is grounded in an international journey that shaped his craft. He honed his skills over seven years at the famed L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon in Paris, mastering the rigor and precision of French gastronomy, before using his expertise in Dubai to lead a new restaurant that earned accolades from Gault & Millau and the Michelin Guide. By 2023, he returned to Saint-Germain as executive chef, a professional homecoming before his move to Beijing.
\n
The past eight months in Beijing, however, have opened an entirely new chapter. A new team, new guests, new menus to design, and a constant stream of unfamiliar Chinese ingredients have made it a journey of firsts.
\n
For Garigliano, sourcing ingredients is a challenge that spans China, not just Beijing. He begins with the centerpiece of a dish, often a protein, and considers which seasonal ingredients best complement it.
\n
"I explore different options and source them from the regions that best produce and harvest them. I taste everything and then decide which one suits the main ingredient I want," he says. "This, more or less, is how I create a dish."
\n
This summer, being one of the hottest and most humid in recent years, Garigliano created a seasonal menu that is both a response to the city's climate and a reflection of his first months in Beijing.
\n
While many Western kitchens strip down summer menus to raw vegetables and limp salads, Chinese chefs serve braised meats and rich sauces even in July. Garigliano respects this honesty but charts his own course to create dishes that balance complexity and restraint, adapting classic techniques and personal memories.
\n
He begins with escabeche (marinated) mussels and pickled Shandong (province) baby cucumber to make a deliberately structured starter — not a raw, minimalist dish hiding behind the word "refreshing".
\n
The acidity sharpens the mussel's natural salinity, while the cucumber brings snap and brightness. It reflects a principle Garigliano holds closely: Local produce should never be a token gesture, but treated with precision so that it can carry the dish on its own terms.
\n
For the seafood course, he turns to Alaskan king crab with kimchi and Yunnan (province) oxheart tomato. The kimchi is no accident. During his time in Dubai, a colleague taught him how it's made and the technique stuck with him. The tomato, fleshy and sweet, anchors the spice with natural weight and balance.
\n
The Red Devil Shrimp dish tells the story of different chapters in Garigliano's life. It begins with a reinvented curry sauce — originally from his mother's kitchen — elevated with fresh aromatics, where his passion for cooking first took hold.
\n
A velvety parsnip veloute (roux and stock) evokes his time in France, the country where he refined his craft. Fresh bamboo, a tribute to his Chinese wife, adds a local touch and a sense of connection to his present. At its heart lies a prized Red Devil shrimp from Spain, tying the dish back to his origin.
\n
"The dish is like a summary of my life. It's spicy, vibrant," he says.
\n
The main course embraces reality: Wagyu beef is not light summer fare. Yet rather than mask its richness, Garigliano exercises restraint in its preparation, crafting a dish that is indulgent without feeling heavy, even in Beijing's sweltering summer heat.
\n
"Shaoxing (Zhejiang province) huadiao wine is one of my favorite Chinese ingredients, which I discovered when I arrived in China last September," Garigliano recalls. He notes that the wine's nutty, mellow character reminds him of French yellow wine from Jura, sparking a connection to his culinary roots.
\n
He builds a deep, layered sauce starting with caramelized shallots and enriched with huadiao wine.
\n
"I add a bit of cognac and a touch of port, a different combination of liquids, with huadiao as the main wine," he explains. The result is bold yet disciplined: hearty, nuanced, and richly flavored, but never weighed down by excess.
\n
Food writer Wu Xuefeng is impressed by the summer menu: "A subtle thread of spiciness runs through the whole menu, giving it cohesion. But each dish sources its heat differently, from house-made hot-and-sour sauce to fermented chili paste from Changsha to pickles."
\n
"In Beijing's stifling summer, that spice awakens the palate, making every other flavor sharper and more vivid. It's like a spotlight on the stage, highlighting the ingredients around it," she says.
\n
About the douzhi fish, Wu adds: "The dish preserves only the lightly fermented tang while balancing the stronger, off-putting notes. Even the tart's hint of spice offsets the douzhi's sour-bitter character perfectly."
\n
Before the summer heat fades, Garigliano has begun planning his autumn menu. Beijing's autumn is beautiful and abundant with flavors, and is sure to bring plenty of new inspiration.
Left: A robotic arm selects treats for customers at a "chocolate theater" in Bergl, Austria, on Aug 6. Right: Girls relish the sweet taste of chocolate at the "theater".
\n
VIENNA — In the small town of Bergl in Styria, Austria, there's a "chocolate theater" that draws over 2,000 visitors daily during peak summer months. Over 8,000 kilometers away in Shanghai, there's an almost identical chocolate theater that attracts locals and tourists.
\n
These two theaters are chocolate-themed experience stores opened by Austrian chocolate company Zotter. They integrate tastings with handson experiences, film screenings and exhibitions.
\n
Julia Zotter, junior CEO of the company, says that since entering the Chinese market, the company has received support from the local government and gained the affection of Chinese consumers. Looking to the future, the company has full confidence in the Chinese economy and hopes to deepen cooperation with China.
\n
Zotter is an Austrian family-owned chocolate company founded in 1987 by Josef Zotter. During high school, Josef Zotter's daughter Julia Zotter spent a year in China as an exchange student, where she experienced warm Chinese hospitality and learned to appreciate Chinese culture. When Zotter was considering the company's expansion into new markets, his daughter persuaded the family to explore the Chinese market.
\n
She advocated for introducing a novel business model to China — establishing offline experience stores like the Austrian chocolate theater, where consumers could taste the treats and participate in the chocolate-making process, helping to cultivate a local chocolate culture. In 2014, the Zotter Chocolate Theatre opened in Shanghai's Yangpu District and quickly became a hit.
\n
After more than a decade in the Chinese market, Julia says that China's opening-up policy and favorable business environment have greatly benefited foreign companies like Zotter.
\n
"When we first entered the Chinese market, we were unfamiliar with its many laws and regulations. However, the Shanghai government provided us with great support, and the locals were very receptive. We also found excellent partners who helped us resolve any problems," she says. "For a brand like Zotter, which focuses on providing consumer experiences, it would have been difficult to implement our business model without that support."
\n
Zotter has participated in the China International Import Expo since 2018, attracting tens of thousands of visitors every year. Reflecting on her experiences at the event, Julia describes them as "amazing".
\n
"We exhibited chocolates of different flavors and designs at the Zotter booth, which attracted many people to visit and taste them. Because there were so many people queuing for the tastings, it even caused congestion," she recalls. At the 2025 CIIE in November, Zotter will unveil 50 new products and introduce a new product line.
\n
Through these opportunities, Julia has also witnessed the resilience of the Chinese economy. "Since the pandemic, China's consumption levels have recovered, and demand for high-quality products and services is increasing," she says, adding that both market demand for Zotter's chocolates and the number of visitors to the company's chocolate theater in China have grown.
\n",
+ "content": "
Left: A robotic arm selects treats for customers at a "chocolate theater" in Bergl, Austria, on Aug 6. Right: Girls relish the sweet taste of chocolate at the "theater".
\n
VIENNA — In the small town of Bergl in Styria, Austria, there's a "chocolate theater" that draws over 2,000 visitors daily during peak summer months. Over 8,000 kilometers away in Shanghai, there's an almost identical chocolate theater that attracts locals and tourists.
\n
These two theaters are chocolate-themed experience stores opened by Austrian chocolate company Zotter. They integrate tastings with handson experiences, film screenings and exhibitions.
\n
Julia Zotter, junior CEO of the company, says that since entering the Chinese market, the company has received support from the local government and gained the affection of Chinese consumers. Looking to the future, the company has full confidence in the Chinese economy and hopes to deepen cooperation with China.
\n
Zotter is an Austrian family-owned chocolate company founded in 1987 by Josef Zotter. During high school, Josef Zotter's daughter Julia Zotter spent a year in China as an exchange student, where she experienced warm Chinese hospitality and learned to appreciate Chinese culture. When Zotter was considering the company's expansion into new markets, his daughter persuaded the family to explore the Chinese market.
\n
She advocated for introducing a novel business model to China — establishing offline experience stores like the Austrian chocolate theater, where consumers could taste the treats and participate in the chocolate-making process, helping to cultivate a local chocolate culture. In 2014, the Zotter Chocolate Theatre opened in Shanghai's Yangpu District and quickly became a hit.
\n
After more than a decade in the Chinese market, Julia says that China's opening-up policy and favorable business environment have greatly benefited foreign companies like Zotter.
\n
"When we first entered the Chinese market, we were unfamiliar with its many laws and regulations. However, the Shanghai government provided us with great support, and the locals were very receptive. We also found excellent partners who helped us resolve any problems," she says. "For a brand like Zotter, which focuses on providing consumer experiences, it would have been difficult to implement our business model without that support."
\n
Zotter has participated in the China International Import Expo since 2018, attracting tens of thousands of visitors every year. Reflecting on her experiences at the event, Julia describes them as "amazing".
\n
"We exhibited chocolates of different flavors and designs at the Zotter booth, which attracted many people to visit and taste them. Because there were so many people queuing for the tastings, it even caused congestion," she recalls. At the 2025 CIIE in November, Zotter will unveil 50 new products and introduce a new product line.
\n
Through these opportunities, Julia has also witnessed the resilience of the Chinese economy. "Since the pandemic, China's consumption levels have recovered, and demand for high-quality products and services is increasing," she says, adding that both market demand for Zotter's chocolates and the number of visitors to the company's chocolate theater in China have grown.
From left: Visitors interact with a robot during the Xinjiang Is a Nice Place intangible cultural heritage showcase, which opened last Friday in Hotan, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. People dance to celebrate the event. Tourists experience culinary culture at the Tianjin pavilion.
\n
An inheritor from Zhejiang province guides a child to learn brick inkstone craft.
\n
Online Scan the code to watch the video.
\n
In a hall adorned with some of Beijing's most distinctive intangible cultural heritage items, Elham Arkin, a young boy of Uygur ethnic group from Hotan, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, carefully copies every gesture demonstrated by Li Hongyan, a leading Peking Opera artist.
\n
Bathed in the glow of cloisonne vessels, a finely woven palace carpet and a brightly colored opera costume, Elham practices singing, sweeping his sleeves, and pacing his steps under Li's gentle instruction.
\n
Li had flown six hours from Beijing to Hotan to mentor him.
\n
For Elham, Peking Opera has been both a passion and a dream since he first encountered the traditional stage art in 2018.
\n
"At the time, I didn't even have a phone," he recalls. "I borrowed my brother's to search online. From hanfu and calligraphy to martial arts and tai chi, each interest led me naturally closer to Peking Opera."
\n
What first captivated him were the exquisite costumes and melodic singing. As he began to understand the plots and techniques, he grew increasingly appreciative of the subtle beauty of the performances.
\n
"If I had to describe Peking Opera in two words, they would be 'elegant' and 'beautiful'," he says.
\n
Growing up in Xinjiang, however, he found that opportunities for formal training were scarce. Most of the time, Elham learned through videos on Douyin, Bilibili or television programs. "Online resources helped me, but many details — like footwork and gestures — are hard to grasp from a screen," he explains.
\n
That is why he was especially thrilled to learn face-to-face from Li, an accomplished artist with the Mei Lanfang Peking Opera Troupe of the Jingju Theater Company of Beijing in mid-August.
\n
"She corrected my pronunciation and performance mistakes, something I could never achieve just by watching videos," Elham says.
\n
They met during the Xinjiang Is a Nice Place intangible cultural heritage showcase, which opened last Friday in Hotan.
\n
Jointly organized by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Xinjiang government, the event carried the theme Nurturing Xinjiang with Culture, Enriching Life with Heritage.
\n
The main venue, Yotkan folk culture and tourism town, brought together 435 representative ICH programs and 383 inheritors from Xinjiang, the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, and 25 other provinces, regions and municipalities.
\n
Through exhibitions, stage performances and cultural fairs, the showcase highlighted the achievements of ICH preservation, transmission and interregional cooperation, while fostering exchanges among different ethnic groups.
\n
Since it began five years ago, the Xinjiang Is a Nice Place ICH showcase has brought together 1,450 inheritors and displayed 1,217 ICH programs. It has become an important platform for advancing cultural initiatives in Xinjiang and strengthening a shared sense of national identity.
\n
Li says she was deeply moved when she heard about Elham, who comes from a modest family.
\n
"I can see how hard he works. That spirit is admirable," Li comments on Elham's performance, adding that she is willing to continue mentoring him online once she is back in Beijing.
\n
Li was one of several artists sent to the ICH showcase in Hotan by the Beijing authorities, who set up a permanent exhibition booth at the main venue that aims to enrich local life with the capital city's distinctive culture.
\n
"Our exhibition features 16 intangible cultural heritage items, ranging from imperial traditions to folk art," says Sun Liqing, coordinator of booth operations.
\n
Visitors can appreciate the Yanjing Bajue (Eight Imperial Handicrafts) items, such as exquisite cloisonne vessels, Tongrentang traditional Chinese medicine, and dough figurines. Many of the works by Beijing artists also incorporate Hotan elements. For instance, the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) Chinese ink brand Yidege has developed a special ink package featuring Hotan's mulberry paper elements.
\n
At the Beijing booth, an ink artist from Yidege interacts with a local mulberry paper inheritor, Sun adds.
\n
Beijing is one of the three regions, along with Tianjin and Anhui province, that have established permanent cultural spaces at the venue. Designed with both practicality and sustainability in mind, these booths not only serve as exhibition platforms but also as lasting bridges for cultural exchange.
\n
Inside the Tianjin exhibition space, visitors were greeted with distinctive local heritage items, from intricate paper-cutting and tea soup brewed in giant copper teapots to Yangliuqing New Year woodblock prints and Goubuli (Go Believe) steamed buns.
\n
"We have prepared detailed introductions for each heritage item, hands-on interactive installations, and numerous photo-worthy display points to create an immersive environment," says Yang Runze, founder of a cultural company that was commissioned to design the pavilion.
\n
The space serves as a dynamic bridge between Tianjin and Xinjiang local cultures, Yang adds.
\n
One of the most engaging installations is an interactive clapper talk (kuaiban) station, where this signature Tianjin folk art performance comes alive through technology.
\n
"When visitors attempt the traditional clapper rhythm, the installation responds with synchronized digital animations of galloping horses. It's a crowd favorite, and 80 to 90 percent of visitors take part," Yang notes.
\n
The space will regularly host student groups from Tianjin, Beijing and Anhui, as well as local Xinjiang schools, creating ongoing opportunities for exchange of local cultures, he says. In addition to the three permanent exhibitions, immersive ICH experiences from across the country, ranging from artworks, TCM massage, and pulse diagnosis to handicraft workshops and live demonstrations, attracted large crowds during the showcase, which concluded on Tuesday.
\n
The event also marked the launch of the third-quarter activities of a national four seasons ICH shopping festival. The summer session combines offline exhibitions with online livestreaming to promote seasonal ICH-inspired products, travel routes and cultural experiences, further boosting cultural and tourism consumption.
\n
Elham admits that mastering the precise pronunciation and controlled vocal techniques remains the most challenging part of his training. But the challenge hasn't weakened his determination. Looking ahead, he hopes to pursue professional training. He has already set his sights on applying to drama schools in Beijing, where Peking Opera traditions are especially strong.
\n
"If I am admitted to a drama academy, I want to make opera my career. If not, it will still be my lifelong passion," he says with a timid smile.
\n
Contact the writer at yangfeiyue@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
From left: Visitors interact with a robot during the Xinjiang Is a Nice Place intangible cultural heritage showcase, which opened last Friday in Hotan, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. People dance to celebrate the event. Tourists experience culinary culture at the Tianjin pavilion.
\n
An inheritor from Zhejiang province guides a child to learn brick inkstone craft.
\n
Online Scan the code to watch the video.
\n
In a hall adorned with some of Beijing's most distinctive intangible cultural heritage items, Elham Arkin, a young boy of Uygur ethnic group from Hotan, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, carefully copies every gesture demonstrated by Li Hongyan, a leading Peking Opera artist.
\n
Bathed in the glow of cloisonne vessels, a finely woven palace carpet and a brightly colored opera costume, Elham practices singing, sweeping his sleeves, and pacing his steps under Li's gentle instruction.
\n
Li had flown six hours from Beijing to Hotan to mentor him.
\n
For Elham, Peking Opera has been both a passion and a dream since he first encountered the traditional stage art in 2018.
\n
"At the time, I didn't even have a phone," he recalls. "I borrowed my brother's to search online. From hanfu and calligraphy to martial arts and tai chi, each interest led me naturally closer to Peking Opera."
\n
What first captivated him were the exquisite costumes and melodic singing. As he began to understand the plots and techniques, he grew increasingly appreciative of the subtle beauty of the performances.
\n
"If I had to describe Peking Opera in two words, they would be 'elegant' and 'beautiful'," he says.
\n
Growing up in Xinjiang, however, he found that opportunities for formal training were scarce. Most of the time, Elham learned through videos on Douyin, Bilibili or television programs. "Online resources helped me, but many details — like footwork and gestures — are hard to grasp from a screen," he explains.
\n
That is why he was especially thrilled to learn face-to-face from Li, an accomplished artist with the Mei Lanfang Peking Opera Troupe of the Jingju Theater Company of Beijing in mid-August.
\n
"She corrected my pronunciation and performance mistakes, something I could never achieve just by watching videos," Elham says.
\n
They met during the Xinjiang Is a Nice Place intangible cultural heritage showcase, which opened last Friday in Hotan.
\n
Jointly organized by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Xinjiang government, the event carried the theme Nurturing Xinjiang with Culture, Enriching Life with Heritage.
\n
The main venue, Yotkan folk culture and tourism town, brought together 435 representative ICH programs and 383 inheritors from Xinjiang, the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, and 25 other provinces, regions and municipalities.
\n
Through exhibitions, stage performances and cultural fairs, the showcase highlighted the achievements of ICH preservation, transmission and interregional cooperation, while fostering exchanges among different ethnic groups.
\n
Since it began five years ago, the Xinjiang Is a Nice Place ICH showcase has brought together 1,450 inheritors and displayed 1,217 ICH programs. It has become an important platform for advancing cultural initiatives in Xinjiang and strengthening a shared sense of national identity.
\n
Li says she was deeply moved when she heard about Elham, who comes from a modest family.
\n
"I can see how hard he works. That spirit is admirable," Li comments on Elham's performance, adding that she is willing to continue mentoring him online once she is back in Beijing.
\n
Li was one of several artists sent to the ICH showcase in Hotan by the Beijing authorities, who set up a permanent exhibition booth at the main venue that aims to enrich local life with the capital city's distinctive culture.
\n
"Our exhibition features 16 intangible cultural heritage items, ranging from imperial traditions to folk art," says Sun Liqing, coordinator of booth operations.
\n
Visitors can appreciate the Yanjing Bajue (Eight Imperial Handicrafts) items, such as exquisite cloisonne vessels, Tongrentang traditional Chinese medicine, and dough figurines. Many of the works by Beijing artists also incorporate Hotan elements. For instance, the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) Chinese ink brand Yidege has developed a special ink package featuring Hotan's mulberry paper elements.
\n
At the Beijing booth, an ink artist from Yidege interacts with a local mulberry paper inheritor, Sun adds.
\n
Beijing is one of the three regions, along with Tianjin and Anhui province, that have established permanent cultural spaces at the venue. Designed with both practicality and sustainability in mind, these booths not only serve as exhibition platforms but also as lasting bridges for cultural exchange.
\n
Inside the Tianjin exhibition space, visitors were greeted with distinctive local heritage items, from intricate paper-cutting and tea soup brewed in giant copper teapots to Yangliuqing New Year woodblock prints and Goubuli (Go Believe) steamed buns.
\n
"We have prepared detailed introductions for each heritage item, hands-on interactive installations, and numerous photo-worthy display points to create an immersive environment," says Yang Runze, founder of a cultural company that was commissioned to design the pavilion.
\n
The space serves as a dynamic bridge between Tianjin and Xinjiang local cultures, Yang adds.
\n
One of the most engaging installations is an interactive clapper talk (kuaiban) station, where this signature Tianjin folk art performance comes alive through technology.
\n
"When visitors attempt the traditional clapper rhythm, the installation responds with synchronized digital animations of galloping horses. It's a crowd favorite, and 80 to 90 percent of visitors take part," Yang notes.
\n
The space will regularly host student groups from Tianjin, Beijing and Anhui, as well as local Xinjiang schools, creating ongoing opportunities for exchange of local cultures, he says. In addition to the three permanent exhibitions, immersive ICH experiences from across the country, ranging from artworks, TCM massage, and pulse diagnosis to handicraft workshops and live demonstrations, attracted large crowds during the showcase, which concluded on Tuesday.
\n
The event also marked the launch of the third-quarter activities of a national four seasons ICH shopping festival. The summer session combines offline exhibitions with online livestreaming to promote seasonal ICH-inspired products, travel routes and cultural experiences, further boosting cultural and tourism consumption.
\n
Elham admits that mastering the precise pronunciation and controlled vocal techniques remains the most challenging part of his training. But the challenge hasn't weakened his determination. Looking ahead, he hopes to pursue professional training. He has already set his sights on applying to drama schools in Beijing, where Peking Opera traditions are especially strong.
\n
"If I am admitted to a drama academy, I want to make opera my career. If not, it will still be my lifelong passion," he says with a timid smile.
\n
Contact the writer at yangfeiyue@chinadaily.com.cn
A poster for the travel reality show Wow the World.
\n
Actor Gong Jun joins other Chinese celebrities in the reality show Wow the World to visit historical cities along the 40th parallel north, such as Beijing, Rome and Madrid.
\n
Stretching across continents and civilizations, the 40th parallel north, a circle of latitude that is 40 degrees north of the Earth's equatorial plane, is more than just a line on a map — it is a zone of climatic balance, human civilization, and historical development.
\n
From ancient trade routes to modern megacities, this latitude line has long shaped economies, cultures and the flow of ideas. A recently aired travel reality show, Wow the World, brought together a group of Chinese celebrities to visit historical cities along the iconic belt, such as Beijing, Rome and Madrid — blending travel, history and high-stakes knowledge challenges into a thrilling series.
\n
The main cast includes actors Sun Honglei, Li Naiwen, Chen He, Liu Yuning, Gong Jun, and Chen Xingxu, alongside actresses Wang Yuwen and Ouyang Didi, who collaborate to complete a series of missions during their travels.
\n
"This group shares a common curiosity about the world," explains Yan Zhihua, the show's executive producer.
\n
Experts such as Shi Zhan, a professor at the Institute for the Global History of Civilizations, Shanghai International Studies University, were invited to provide cultural and historical context for each location visited by the cast.
\n
The show also features several minigames that allow the cast to interact with locals and experience cultural exchange. For example, in one challenge, foreigners listen to Chinese songs through headphones and hum the melody, while the cast guesses the original lyrics based solely on the humming.
\n
Beyond visiting historical attractions and sampling local cuisine, the team members immersed themselves in cultural experiences, such as participating in a castell (human tower) performance and meeting a talented Flamenco dancer in Spain. While the production unit carefully planned urban exploration routes, they also embraced serendipitous encounters along the way.
\n
"In a small Italian town, we met an elderly man who seemed to know everyone. He recommended hidden gems and even took us to a cliff where local teens were jumping into the sea for fun," recalls Yan.
\n
She notes how this filming experience differed from her previous rushed travels through these countries.
\n
"When you have in-depth travel experience and engage with locals, you become more open-minded — better at understanding the differences between people," she says, hoping the reality show's viewers will observe the world through a similar lens.
\n
"Algorithms keep feeding us content we already like, creating a so-called 'echo chamber'. I want our viewers to break out of that, to see the world with curiosity rather than stubbornness."
\n
Recalling her most unforgettable moment, Yan describes a day in Catania, Italy, also the hometown of opera composer Vincenzo Bellini, in a bustling square.
\n
"I was buying strawberries when a passerby began singing. Soon, the whole crowd joined in — like surround sound. Our cast sang a Cantonese song in response, and right after that, everyone was dancing hand-in-hand."
\n
Then, a local elderly man grabbed their microphone and yelled, "I love China!"
\n
"That moment — when music erased borders — gave me goose bumps all over," Yan says.
\n
xingwen@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
A poster for the travel reality show Wow the World.
\n
Actor Gong Jun joins other Chinese celebrities in the reality show Wow the World to visit historical cities along the 40th parallel north, such as Beijing, Rome and Madrid.
\n
Stretching across continents and civilizations, the 40th parallel north, a circle of latitude that is 40 degrees north of the Earth's equatorial plane, is more than just a line on a map — it is a zone of climatic balance, human civilization, and historical development.
\n
From ancient trade routes to modern megacities, this latitude line has long shaped economies, cultures and the flow of ideas. A recently aired travel reality show, Wow the World, brought together a group of Chinese celebrities to visit historical cities along the iconic belt, such as Beijing, Rome and Madrid — blending travel, history and high-stakes knowledge challenges into a thrilling series.
\n
The main cast includes actors Sun Honglei, Li Naiwen, Chen He, Liu Yuning, Gong Jun, and Chen Xingxu, alongside actresses Wang Yuwen and Ouyang Didi, who collaborate to complete a series of missions during their travels.
\n
"This group shares a common curiosity about the world," explains Yan Zhihua, the show's executive producer.
\n
Experts such as Shi Zhan, a professor at the Institute for the Global History of Civilizations, Shanghai International Studies University, were invited to provide cultural and historical context for each location visited by the cast.
\n
The show also features several minigames that allow the cast to interact with locals and experience cultural exchange. For example, in one challenge, foreigners listen to Chinese songs through headphones and hum the melody, while the cast guesses the original lyrics based solely on the humming.
\n
Beyond visiting historical attractions and sampling local cuisine, the team members immersed themselves in cultural experiences, such as participating in a castell (human tower) performance and meeting a talented Flamenco dancer in Spain. While the production unit carefully planned urban exploration routes, they also embraced serendipitous encounters along the way.
\n
"In a small Italian town, we met an elderly man who seemed to know everyone. He recommended hidden gems and even took us to a cliff where local teens were jumping into the sea for fun," recalls Yan.
\n
She notes how this filming experience differed from her previous rushed travels through these countries.
\n
"When you have in-depth travel experience and engage with locals, you become more open-minded — better at understanding the differences between people," she says, hoping the reality show's viewers will observe the world through a similar lens.
\n
"Algorithms keep feeding us content we already like, creating a so-called 'echo chamber'. I want our viewers to break out of that, to see the world with curiosity rather than stubbornness."
\n
Recalling her most unforgettable moment, Yan describes a day in Catania, Italy, also the hometown of opera composer Vincenzo Bellini, in a bustling square.
\n
"I was buying strawberries when a passerby began singing. Soon, the whole crowd joined in — like surround sound. Our cast sang a Cantonese song in response, and right after that, everyone was dancing hand-in-hand."
\n
Then, a local elderly man grabbed their microphone and yelled, "I love China!"
\n
"That moment — when music erased borders — gave me goose bumps all over," Yan says.
Casper Ruud of Norway (right) plays a shot as partner Iga Swiatek of Poland covers during a mixed doubles match at the US Open tennis championships in New York on Tuesday.
\n
Carlos Alcaraz (right) of Spain and Emma Raducanu of Britain celebrate during a US Open mixed doubles match on Tuesday.
\n\n
NEW YORK — The new US Open mixed doubles tournament drew plenty of criticism for everything from its format to its field.
\n
With mostly singles players, some who rarely play doubles at all, it felt less like a Grand Slam championship than an exhibition — which is what one player referred to it as on Tuesday.
\n
The fast-paced event, with shorter matches and a smaller field, is already down to its final four. Whoever wins the trophy Wednesday night — and a $1 million prize — won't apologize for the way they got it.
\n
"This is the official mixed doubles. If we get to the final tomorrow, I'm sure everyone is going to be pretty determined to try to win this thing," Casper Ruud said.
\n
Ruud and Iga Swiatek, the No 3 seeds, easily won their two matches and will face the top-seeded duo of Jessica Pegula and Jack Draper in one semifinal. Defending champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori, the only traditional mixed doubles team in the 16-team field, meet Danielle Collins and Christian Harrison — who weren't even the draw until Jannik Sinner and Katerina Siniakova withdrew Tuesday morning because of Sinner's illness — in the other.
\n
Carlos Alcaraz and Emma Raducanu were quickly eliminated. So were the No 2 seeds, Taylor Fritz and Elena Rybakina. Novak Djokovic and teammate Olga Danilovic also were one-and-done.
\n
Those types of Grand Slam singles champions are exactly the sort of players the US Tennis Association was seeking when it revamped the tournament and cut it down from 32 teams.
\n
Now played over two days, mixed doubles starts well before the singles tournaments begin on Sunday, with organizers believing singles stars would be more interested in playing if it didn't interfere with their rest and recovery during that event.
\n
Traditional doubles specialists like Errani and Vavassori were among the biggest critics of the changes. Even Karolina Muchova referred to the event as an exhibition during the postmatch interview after her team's opening victory over Venus Williams and Reilly Opelka.
\n
The prize of $1 million to the winning team would be a huge boost to doubles players, but most of them never had a chance of competing for it this year. Errani and Vavassori said they were playing for those teams, but also acknowledged the potential benefit of the new event.
\n
"I have to say that, as with everything, there are always positives and negatives, but the positives are, for sure, that the stadium was packed in the second match," Vavassori said. "It's a great thing for doubles to be seen by more people. I have to give them credit. I also said it before, playing this format is great for doubles and mixed doubles to develop in the future."
\n
Errani and Vavassori didn't even know originally if they would get a chance to defend their title in the new format, which gives eight teams automatic spots based on the players' combined singles rankings. The other spots are wildcards awarded by the USTA.
\n
The Italians were given one, and they showed off their skills in a first-round victory over Fritz and Rybakina that took just 42 minutes. The shortened format allows the matches to speed by, knowing winning teams would have to play twice on the first day, and potentially twice again Wednesday night.
\n
When Errani and Vavassori won the title last year in Flushing Meadows, it was late in the second week of the tournament in a stadium with plenty of empty seats.
\n
The new schedule has mixed doubles now being played when, usually, the only competitions taking place are the qualifying events for the singles tournaments. Admission onto the grounds during what the USTA calls "fan week" is free, so Louis Armstrong Stadium was packed for the opening match, a far bigger crowd than mixed doubles generally draws.
\n
Some fans may not have even realized that the match was headed to a second set after Errani and Vavassori took the opener in just 19 minutes. In traditional tennis scoring, they would have had to win six games instead of four to win the set.
\n
"I think some people could easily view it as they had to do less work to win the match. Stamina's definitely less of a factor now that sets are only to four in the first two rounds, but I think it's good," spectator and New York native Jay Maresco said after watching the Italians' second-round victory. "It keeps the pace going. It's definitely better for the US Open to keep the matches faster, and people coming in and out of Armstrong."
\n
The sets to four games with a 10-point match tiebreaker instead of a third set were used through the semifinals. Only the final will resemble a regular match, with sets to six games, tiebreakers at 6-all and a 10-point tiebreak for a third set.
\n",
+ "content": "
Casper Ruud of Norway (right) plays a shot as partner Iga Swiatek of Poland covers during a mixed doubles match at the US Open tennis championships in New York on Tuesday.
\n
Carlos Alcaraz (right) of Spain and Emma Raducanu of Britain celebrate during a US Open mixed doubles match on Tuesday.
\n\n
NEW YORK — The new US Open mixed doubles tournament drew plenty of criticism for everything from its format to its field.
\n
With mostly singles players, some who rarely play doubles at all, it felt less like a Grand Slam championship than an exhibition — which is what one player referred to it as on Tuesday.
\n
The fast-paced event, with shorter matches and a smaller field, is already down to its final four. Whoever wins the trophy Wednesday night — and a $1 million prize — won't apologize for the way they got it.
\n
"This is the official mixed doubles. If we get to the final tomorrow, I'm sure everyone is going to be pretty determined to try to win this thing," Casper Ruud said.
\n
Ruud and Iga Swiatek, the No 3 seeds, easily won their two matches and will face the top-seeded duo of Jessica Pegula and Jack Draper in one semifinal. Defending champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori, the only traditional mixed doubles team in the 16-team field, meet Danielle Collins and Christian Harrison — who weren't even the draw until Jannik Sinner and Katerina Siniakova withdrew Tuesday morning because of Sinner's illness — in the other.
\n
Carlos Alcaraz and Emma Raducanu were quickly eliminated. So were the No 2 seeds, Taylor Fritz and Elena Rybakina. Novak Djokovic and teammate Olga Danilovic also were one-and-done.
\n
Those types of Grand Slam singles champions are exactly the sort of players the US Tennis Association was seeking when it revamped the tournament and cut it down from 32 teams.
\n
Now played over two days, mixed doubles starts well before the singles tournaments begin on Sunday, with organizers believing singles stars would be more interested in playing if it didn't interfere with their rest and recovery during that event.
\n
Traditional doubles specialists like Errani and Vavassori were among the biggest critics of the changes. Even Karolina Muchova referred to the event as an exhibition during the postmatch interview after her team's opening victory over Venus Williams and Reilly Opelka.
\n
The prize of $1 million to the winning team would be a huge boost to doubles players, but most of them never had a chance of competing for it this year. Errani and Vavassori said they were playing for those teams, but also acknowledged the potential benefit of the new event.
\n
"I have to say that, as with everything, there are always positives and negatives, but the positives are, for sure, that the stadium was packed in the second match," Vavassori said. "It's a great thing for doubles to be seen by more people. I have to give them credit. I also said it before, playing this format is great for doubles and mixed doubles to develop in the future."
\n
Errani and Vavassori didn't even know originally if they would get a chance to defend their title in the new format, which gives eight teams automatic spots based on the players' combined singles rankings. The other spots are wildcards awarded by the USTA.
\n
The Italians were given one, and they showed off their skills in a first-round victory over Fritz and Rybakina that took just 42 minutes. The shortened format allows the matches to speed by, knowing winning teams would have to play twice on the first day, and potentially twice again Wednesday night.
\n
When Errani and Vavassori won the title last year in Flushing Meadows, it was late in the second week of the tournament in a stadium with plenty of empty seats.
\n
The new schedule has mixed doubles now being played when, usually, the only competitions taking place are the qualifying events for the singles tournaments. Admission onto the grounds during what the USTA calls "fan week" is free, so Louis Armstrong Stadium was packed for the opening match, a far bigger crowd than mixed doubles generally draws.
\n
Some fans may not have even realized that the match was headed to a second set after Errani and Vavassori took the opener in just 19 minutes. In traditional tennis scoring, they would have had to win six games instead of four to win the set.
\n
"I think some people could easily view it as they had to do less work to win the match. Stamina's definitely less of a factor now that sets are only to four in the first two rounds, but I think it's good," spectator and New York native Jay Maresco said after watching the Italians' second-round victory. "It keeps the pace going. It's definitely better for the US Open to keep the matches faster, and people coming in and out of Armstrong."
\n
The sets to four games with a 10-point match tiebreaker instead of a third set were used through the semifinals. Only the final will resemble a regular match, with sets to six games, tiebreakers at 6-all and a 10-point tiebreak for a third set.
Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle gestures from the bench against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the NBA Eastern Conference semifinals in May.
\n
INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Pacers rewarded coach Rick Carlisle with a multiyear contract extension Tuesday following the team's surprising run to the NBA Finals.
\n
Team officials made the announcement about a month before the Pacers open training camp. The Pacers provided no additional details about contract terms.
\n
"Since his return to the Pacers in 2021, coach Carlisle has been integral to our success, which includes leading us to consecutive Eastern Conference finals appearances and our first NBA Finals appearance in 25 years," president of basketball operations Kevin Pritchard said in a statement. "Beyond his coaching achievements that rank him among the best in NBA history, coach Carlisle continues to embrace our community and give back to the state of Indiana with his Drive and Dish program."
\n
The 65-year-old Carlisle seems to be rejuvenated in his second stint with the Pacers. He first took the Indiana job in 2003-04. Four seasons later, he was fired.
\n
After taking a year off from coaching, the New York state native was hired by the Dallas Mavericks. Carlisle became the longest-tenured and most successful coach in franchise history, going 555-478 in 13 seasons while leading the Mavs to the NBA crown in 2010-11.
\n
In June 2021, he stepped down from the Dallas job, and a week later was hired by the Pacers for one big reason.
\n
"Herb Simon, the Simon family, Steven Rales, Kevin Pritchard and our players make Indiana such a special place. Let's go!" Carlisle said, referring to the team owners and management.
\n
The Pacers struggled in his first two seasons back in the organization, going 60-114 during yet another attempt by Indiana to rebuild around a group of young players.
\n
But, as Carlisle adapted his coaching style to play at a faster, more aggressive pace, it paid dividends over the past two seasons. Indiana reached the Eastern Conference finals for the first time in a decade in 2024, and, last season, made its first Finals appearance since 2000. It forced Oklahoma City to Game 7, but couldn't close out the series after two-time All-Star Tyrese Haliburton suffered a torn Achilles tendon in the first quarter of the final game.
\n
Haliburton is expected to miss all of next season as he recovers.
\n
In eight seasons with the Pacers, Carlisle has gone 338-318. He's recorded the most wins in the franchise's NBA history, and starts this season needing seven wins to become the 11th NBA coach with 1,000 career wins.
\n
Only one active coach, Milwaukee's Doc Rivers, has more victories than Carlisle, who led the Pacers past the Bucks in first-round playoff series in each of the past two years.
\n
He grew up in New York, near the Canadian border, played college basketball at Virginia and was a teammate of Hall of Famer Larry Bird on the 1986 champion Boston Celtics.
\n
Carlisle also was an assistant on Bird's coaching staff when the Pacers made their first Finals appearance and has become a fan favorite in his adopted hometown.
\n
"We are thrilled to have him continue leading our team and representing our organization well into the future," Pritchard said.
\n",
+ "content": "
Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle gestures from the bench against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the NBA Eastern Conference semifinals in May.
\n
INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Pacers rewarded coach Rick Carlisle with a multiyear contract extension Tuesday following the team's surprising run to the NBA Finals.
\n
Team officials made the announcement about a month before the Pacers open training camp. The Pacers provided no additional details about contract terms.
\n
"Since his return to the Pacers in 2021, coach Carlisle has been integral to our success, which includes leading us to consecutive Eastern Conference finals appearances and our first NBA Finals appearance in 25 years," president of basketball operations Kevin Pritchard said in a statement. "Beyond his coaching achievements that rank him among the best in NBA history, coach Carlisle continues to embrace our community and give back to the state of Indiana with his Drive and Dish program."
\n
The 65-year-old Carlisle seems to be rejuvenated in his second stint with the Pacers. He first took the Indiana job in 2003-04. Four seasons later, he was fired.
\n
After taking a year off from coaching, the New York state native was hired by the Dallas Mavericks. Carlisle became the longest-tenured and most successful coach in franchise history, going 555-478 in 13 seasons while leading the Mavs to the NBA crown in 2010-11.
\n
In June 2021, he stepped down from the Dallas job, and a week later was hired by the Pacers for one big reason.
\n
"Herb Simon, the Simon family, Steven Rales, Kevin Pritchard and our players make Indiana such a special place. Let's go!" Carlisle said, referring to the team owners and management.
\n
The Pacers struggled in his first two seasons back in the organization, going 60-114 during yet another attempt by Indiana to rebuild around a group of young players.
\n
But, as Carlisle adapted his coaching style to play at a faster, more aggressive pace, it paid dividends over the past two seasons. Indiana reached the Eastern Conference finals for the first time in a decade in 2024, and, last season, made its first Finals appearance since 2000. It forced Oklahoma City to Game 7, but couldn't close out the series after two-time All-Star Tyrese Haliburton suffered a torn Achilles tendon in the first quarter of the final game.
\n
Haliburton is expected to miss all of next season as he recovers.
\n
In eight seasons with the Pacers, Carlisle has gone 338-318. He's recorded the most wins in the franchise's NBA history, and starts this season needing seven wins to become the 11th NBA coach with 1,000 career wins.
\n
Only one active coach, Milwaukee's Doc Rivers, has more victories than Carlisle, who led the Pacers past the Bucks in first-round playoff series in each of the past two years.
\n
He grew up in New York, near the Canadian border, played college basketball at Virginia and was a teammate of Hall of Famer Larry Bird on the 1986 champion Boston Celtics.
\n
Carlisle also was an assistant on Bird's coaching staff when the Pacers made their first Finals appearance and has become a fan favorite in his adopted hometown.
\n
"We are thrilled to have him continue leading our team and representing our organization well into the future," Pritchard said.
The Boston Celtics have a new owner, and there's one thing that isn't going to change at the NBA's most-decorated franchise.
\n
"Coming in second is not the objective, and it's not acceptable," private equity mogul Bill Chisholm said Tuesday after taking control of the team from Wyc Grousbeck. "The ultimate yardstick is winning championships. Wyc's got two, and we're going to get more, and he and I together are going to help drive that."
\n
Chisholm leads a group that bid $6.1 billion for the Celtics — a record price for an American professional sports franchise. The NBA unanimously approved the deal last week, and all that was left was for the money to change hands on Tuesday.
\n
"We are committed to building on the legacy of the Celtics and raising banners," Chisholm said. "And I can't wait for the team to get back out there this fall."
\n
A Massachusetts native, Chisholm said his earliest Celtics memories are of the Dave Cowens, Jo Jo White and John Havlicek teams that won two NBA titles in the 1970s, but he really fell hard for the teams with Larry Bird, Robert Parish and Kevin McHale that added three more banners to the Boston Garden rafters in the '80s.
\n
"I became a rabid fan during the Bird, McHale, Parish era. That was my team," Chisholm said in an interview with reporters shortly after the deal was finalized.
\n
"How can you be a teenager in Massachusetts, or New England, with that group and not end up being a lifelong Celtics fan?"
\n
The team was put on the market last summer, soon after Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown vanquished the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA finals. Chisholm won the bidding in March and leads a group that now has majority ownership control of the team, with full control coming by 2028 at a price that could bring the total value to $7.3 billion.
\n
That's the highest price ever paid for a team in the four major North American sports, though a stake in the Los Angeles Lakers changed hands this summer for a price that would value the entire franchise at $10 billion.
\n",
+ "content": "
The Boston Celtics have a new owner, and there's one thing that isn't going to change at the NBA's most-decorated franchise.
\n
"Coming in second is not the objective, and it's not acceptable," private equity mogul Bill Chisholm said Tuesday after taking control of the team from Wyc Grousbeck. "The ultimate yardstick is winning championships. Wyc's got two, and we're going to get more, and he and I together are going to help drive that."
\n
Chisholm leads a group that bid $6.1 billion for the Celtics — a record price for an American professional sports franchise. The NBA unanimously approved the deal last week, and all that was left was for the money to change hands on Tuesday.
\n
"We are committed to building on the legacy of the Celtics and raising banners," Chisholm said. "And I can't wait for the team to get back out there this fall."
\n
A Massachusetts native, Chisholm said his earliest Celtics memories are of the Dave Cowens, Jo Jo White and John Havlicek teams that won two NBA titles in the 1970s, but he really fell hard for the teams with Larry Bird, Robert Parish and Kevin McHale that added three more banners to the Boston Garden rafters in the '80s.
\n
"I became a rabid fan during the Bird, McHale, Parish era. That was my team," Chisholm said in an interview with reporters shortly after the deal was finalized.
\n
"How can you be a teenager in Massachusetts, or New England, with that group and not end up being a lifelong Celtics fan?"
\n
The team was put on the market last summer, soon after Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown vanquished the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA finals. Chisholm won the bidding in March and leads a group that now has majority ownership control of the team, with full control coming by 2028 at a price that could bring the total value to $7.3 billion.
\n
That's the highest price ever paid for a team in the four major North American sports, though a stake in the Los Angeles Lakers changed hands this summer for a price that would value the entire franchise at $10 billion.
Chinese fans are some of the most loyal, despite their men's national side often giving them very little to cheer about.
\n
A focus on the development of youth soccer is set to be one of the key sporting goals of the Chinese central government's next five-year plan.
\n
A focus on the development of youth soccer is set to be one of the key sporting goals of the Chinese central government's next five-year plan.
\n
Calling for concerted efforts in youth training and its anti-graft campaign, China's central government has reiterated its commitment to improving the country's soccer program to match its global ambition.
\n
After failing to qualify for the FIFA World Cup six times in a row, the Chinese men's national team's underachieving international record has emerged as a pressing issue on the country's agenda for building balanced sporting prowess across a number of disciplines on the global sports stage by the end of 2035 — a target outlined in the country's 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25).
\n
With a new five-year (2026-30) development period just around the corner, the central government took serious note when State Councilor Shen Yiqin called a high-level meeting recently to hear reports on the promotion of soccer across the country and discuss solutions for a turnround with local sports authorities, club representatives and youth training bodies.
\n
To bring the level of the slumping game up, especially on the men's side, to match China's status as a top contender at the Olympics and Asian Games, the country's soccer development needs an overhaul with a focus on youth training, league operation and clean governance, Shen emphasized in her speech at the meeting.
\n
Shen added that the Chinese government will maintain rigorous disciplinary scrutiny and anti-corruption measures within the sector to make sure the sport's revitalization forges ahead amid a healthy and clean environment.
\n
The General Administration of Sport of China, the country's sports ministry, in response to the top-down instructions, urged regional soccer federations and all relevant departments, such as the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Finance, to work together to implement the youth-first principals entering the new five-year period.
\n
"Developing world-class national teams in the three collective big-ball games (soccer, volleyball and basketball) represents a true global sporting power. Yet, that's where we are falling far behind the world right now, especially in men's soccer," Gao Zhidan, minister of the GASC, said during a Tuesday news conference.
\n
"Having already made progress in the reform of governance and the fight against corruption, we have to invest more in youth development to build for the future from the ground up," he said.
\n
According to Zhang Xin, director of the GASC's competitive sports department, soccer reform has been underlined as a top priority of the "633" project — the country's elite sports development plan for the new five-year period — and will be considered a key criterion in assessing the project's outcome.
\n
"With our country fast developing across all social and economic sectors, people's expectations for results at the international level from the three ball-sports programs are growing higher, making it a mandate for us to elevate the competitiveness of these teams, particularly men's soccer," Zhang told the news conference.
\n
The "633" project focuses on keeping China's dominance in six strength sports — table tennis, badminton, shooting, weightlifting, gymnastics and diving — at future Olympics, maintaining its progress in swimming, athletics and water sports, such as rowing and canoeing, at the international level, and to improve competitiveness in the three big-ball sports.
\n
An international turnaround in soccer seems the biggest ask.
\n
Just two months ago, the Chinese men's team's attempt to return to the FIFA marquee tournament for the first time since its sole appearance in 2002 crashed in the third-stage of Asian qualifiers, finishing fifth in its six-team group, with only three wins across 10 matches.
\n
Failing to secure qualification to the expanded 48-team 2026 World Cup finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico next summer drew harsh criticism from fans, media and pundits, alike, with the squad's decline at the continental level particularly disappointing.
\n
As FIFA's No 94-ranked team, and the No 14 side in Asia, Team China's exit was a disappointing, yet technically fair outcome, considering the gap between its youth development program compared to world-class contenders, such as its close neighbor Japan and European power Spain.
\n
For instance, an average 12-year-old Spanish junior player plays 52 official games per season, yet a Chinese kid of the same age might play three tournaments at most, according to Saul Vazquez, a youth training expert from La Liga, who shared his expertise with over 30 Chinese youth coaches and managers at a coaching exchange workshop in Kunming, Yunnan province, last month.
\n
Measures discussed and approved at the recent top-level meeting include the establishment of a five-tier national youth training network, scouting and nurturing talented juniors from county-level centers and promoting the best to city, provincial, regional and then national camps, to build a pyramid system with input from European clubs and international experts.
\n
The China Youth Football League, a national competition for high-school players, has, this year, added a regional division between the provincial preliminaries and the national finals to increase the number of drills for young talent.
\n
Fan Zhiyi, captain of China's 2002 World Cup finals team, stressed that improving the level of youth coaches and trainers should also be a priority.
\n
"Many teenagers lack professional guidance at the initial stage of their training, which makes their basic skills poor, leading to bad performances in the future," said the legendary centerback.
Chinese fans are some of the most loyal, despite their men's national side often giving them very little to cheer about.
\n
A focus on the development of youth soccer is set to be one of the key sporting goals of the Chinese central government's next five-year plan.
\n
A focus on the development of youth soccer is set to be one of the key sporting goals of the Chinese central government's next five-year plan.
\n
Calling for concerted efforts in youth training and its anti-graft campaign, China's central government has reiterated its commitment to improving the country's soccer program to match its global ambition.
\n
After failing to qualify for the FIFA World Cup six times in a row, the Chinese men's national team's underachieving international record has emerged as a pressing issue on the country's agenda for building balanced sporting prowess across a number of disciplines on the global sports stage by the end of 2035 — a target outlined in the country's 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25).
\n
With a new five-year (2026-30) development period just around the corner, the central government took serious note when State Councilor Shen Yiqin called a high-level meeting recently to hear reports on the promotion of soccer across the country and discuss solutions for a turnround with local sports authorities, club representatives and youth training bodies.
\n
To bring the level of the slumping game up, especially on the men's side, to match China's status as a top contender at the Olympics and Asian Games, the country's soccer development needs an overhaul with a focus on youth training, league operation and clean governance, Shen emphasized in her speech at the meeting.
\n
Shen added that the Chinese government will maintain rigorous disciplinary scrutiny and anti-corruption measures within the sector to make sure the sport's revitalization forges ahead amid a healthy and clean environment.
\n
The General Administration of Sport of China, the country's sports ministry, in response to the top-down instructions, urged regional soccer federations and all relevant departments, such as the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Finance, to work together to implement the youth-first principals entering the new five-year period.
\n
"Developing world-class national teams in the three collective big-ball games (soccer, volleyball and basketball) represents a true global sporting power. Yet, that's where we are falling far behind the world right now, especially in men's soccer," Gao Zhidan, minister of the GASC, said during a Tuesday news conference.
\n
"Having already made progress in the reform of governance and the fight against corruption, we have to invest more in youth development to build for the future from the ground up," he said.
\n
According to Zhang Xin, director of the GASC's competitive sports department, soccer reform has been underlined as a top priority of the "633" project — the country's elite sports development plan for the new five-year period — and will be considered a key criterion in assessing the project's outcome.
\n
"With our country fast developing across all social and economic sectors, people's expectations for results at the international level from the three ball-sports programs are growing higher, making it a mandate for us to elevate the competitiveness of these teams, particularly men's soccer," Zhang told the news conference.
\n
The "633" project focuses on keeping China's dominance in six strength sports — table tennis, badminton, shooting, weightlifting, gymnastics and diving — at future Olympics, maintaining its progress in swimming, athletics and water sports, such as rowing and canoeing, at the international level, and to improve competitiveness in the three big-ball sports.
\n
An international turnaround in soccer seems the biggest ask.
\n
Just two months ago, the Chinese men's team's attempt to return to the FIFA marquee tournament for the first time since its sole appearance in 2002 crashed in the third-stage of Asian qualifiers, finishing fifth in its six-team group, with only three wins across 10 matches.
\n
Failing to secure qualification to the expanded 48-team 2026 World Cup finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico next summer drew harsh criticism from fans, media and pundits, alike, with the squad's decline at the continental level particularly disappointing.
\n
As FIFA's No 94-ranked team, and the No 14 side in Asia, Team China's exit was a disappointing, yet technically fair outcome, considering the gap between its youth development program compared to world-class contenders, such as its close neighbor Japan and European power Spain.
\n
For instance, an average 12-year-old Spanish junior player plays 52 official games per season, yet a Chinese kid of the same age might play three tournaments at most, according to Saul Vazquez, a youth training expert from La Liga, who shared his expertise with over 30 Chinese youth coaches and managers at a coaching exchange workshop in Kunming, Yunnan province, last month.
\n
Measures discussed and approved at the recent top-level meeting include the establishment of a five-tier national youth training network, scouting and nurturing talented juniors from county-level centers and promoting the best to city, provincial, regional and then national camps, to build a pyramid system with input from European clubs and international experts.
\n
The China Youth Football League, a national competition for high-school players, has, this year, added a regional division between the provincial preliminaries and the national finals to increase the number of drills for young talent.
\n
Fan Zhiyi, captain of China's 2002 World Cup finals team, stressed that improving the level of youth coaches and trainers should also be a priority.
\n
"Many teenagers lack professional guidance at the initial stage of their training, which makes their basic skills poor, leading to bad performances in the future," said the legendary centerback.
Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe celebrates converting a penalty during a Spanish league match against Osasuna at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid on Tuesday.
\n
MADRID — Kylian Mbappe got off to a scoring start in his second season with Real Madrid, leading the team to a 1-0 victory over Osasuna in their Spanish league opener Tuesday.
\n
Mbappe, the leading scorer in his debut season with Madrid last term, converted a 51st-minute penalty to give the host the win. A nice run by Mbappe through the right side of the area, followed by a neat cutback move, drew the foul.
\n
The goal got new coach Xabi Alonso off to a winning start in his first full season with the club. The former Madrid player arrived before the Club World Cup to replace Carlo Ancelotti, who left to take the reins of the Brazil national side.
\n
"It was special to be back here as a coach. Unforgettable," Alonso said. "Hopefully, it was the first of many victories celebrated here."
\n
Alonso started the match with three of the club's new signings for the season — left-back Alvaro Carreras, right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold and central defender Dean Huijsen. Teenage forward Franco Mastantuono came off the bench to replace Brahim Diaz in the 68th, being loudly cheered by the crowd at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
\n
Some fans had not been happy after the former River Plate player praised Lionel Messi — his fellow Argentine who was a star at rival Barcelona — during his introductory news conference.
\n
The 18-year-old Mastantuono had a chance to score in the 89th, but his shot from inside the area was saved by the Osasuna goalkeeper.
\n
"They all did well," Alonso said of the newcomers. "They are players who will be helping us for years. None of them felt the pressure of the Madrid jersey, or of (playing at) the Bernabeu."
\n
Osasuna defender Abel Bretones was sent off in stoppage time with a straight red card for using a high arm to block Madrid forward Gonzalo Garcia.
\n
"They dominated, we knew it was going to be like that," Osasuna midfielder Ruben Garcia said. "We played a good game but couldn't get too close to their goal. In the end, they deserved the victory."
\n
Madrid forward Rodrygo watched the match from the bench, intensifying speculation of a possible transfer. Alonso downplayed Rodrygo's lack of minutes, saying he is still counting on the Brazil international.
\n
"It was only a match," he said. "If in three months he still isn't getting these minutes, then it's different."
\n
The game was played Tuesday instead of last weekend along with the rest of opening matches because Madrid's players needed more rest following the team's participation at the Club World Cup. Madrid's attempt to delay its debut even further was denied by the league.
\n
Madrid controlled possession — more than 70 percent — but struggled to break through the tight Osasuna defense early, threatening only with a few long-range shots.
\n
"There were positives, beginning with the result," Alonso said. "We still need a few things that will give us stability to keep progressing."
\n
Mbappe, with the No 10 jersey this season, had one of Madrid's best first-half chances, a curling shot from inside the area that just missed the top corner, but finally broke through with the winner early in the second half as Madrid continued to press forward. He sent a low shot from the spot into the right side of the net as the goalkeeper dived the other way.
\n
"You can tell that Mbappe wants more," Alonso said.
\n
Barcelona began its title defense with a comfortable 3-0 win at nine-man Mallorca on Saturday, while on Sunday, Atletico Madrid squandered a first-half lead at Espanyol, losing 2-1 after conceding two goals late on.
\n
Madrid was runner-up to Barcelona in the Spanish league last season. Osasuna finished ninth.
\n",
+ "content": "
Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe celebrates converting a penalty during a Spanish league match against Osasuna at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid on Tuesday.
\n
MADRID — Kylian Mbappe got off to a scoring start in his second season with Real Madrid, leading the team to a 1-0 victory over Osasuna in their Spanish league opener Tuesday.
\n
Mbappe, the leading scorer in his debut season with Madrid last term, converted a 51st-minute penalty to give the host the win. A nice run by Mbappe through the right side of the area, followed by a neat cutback move, drew the foul.
\n
The goal got new coach Xabi Alonso off to a winning start in his first full season with the club. The former Madrid player arrived before the Club World Cup to replace Carlo Ancelotti, who left to take the reins of the Brazil national side.
\n
"It was special to be back here as a coach. Unforgettable," Alonso said. "Hopefully, it was the first of many victories celebrated here."
\n
Alonso started the match with three of the club's new signings for the season — left-back Alvaro Carreras, right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold and central defender Dean Huijsen. Teenage forward Franco Mastantuono came off the bench to replace Brahim Diaz in the 68th, being loudly cheered by the crowd at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
\n
Some fans had not been happy after the former River Plate player praised Lionel Messi — his fellow Argentine who was a star at rival Barcelona — during his introductory news conference.
\n
The 18-year-old Mastantuono had a chance to score in the 89th, but his shot from inside the area was saved by the Osasuna goalkeeper.
\n
"They all did well," Alonso said of the newcomers. "They are players who will be helping us for years. None of them felt the pressure of the Madrid jersey, or of (playing at) the Bernabeu."
\n
Osasuna defender Abel Bretones was sent off in stoppage time with a straight red card for using a high arm to block Madrid forward Gonzalo Garcia.
\n
"They dominated, we knew it was going to be like that," Osasuna midfielder Ruben Garcia said. "We played a good game but couldn't get too close to their goal. In the end, they deserved the victory."
\n
Madrid forward Rodrygo watched the match from the bench, intensifying speculation of a possible transfer. Alonso downplayed Rodrygo's lack of minutes, saying he is still counting on the Brazil international.
\n
"It was only a match," he said. "If in three months he still isn't getting these minutes, then it's different."
\n
The game was played Tuesday instead of last weekend along with the rest of opening matches because Madrid's players needed more rest following the team's participation at the Club World Cup. Madrid's attempt to delay its debut even further was denied by the league.
\n
Madrid controlled possession — more than 70 percent — but struggled to break through the tight Osasuna defense early, threatening only with a few long-range shots.
\n
"There were positives, beginning with the result," Alonso said. "We still need a few things that will give us stability to keep progressing."
\n
Mbappe, with the No 10 jersey this season, had one of Madrid's best first-half chances, a curling shot from inside the area that just missed the top corner, but finally broke through with the winner early in the second half as Madrid continued to press forward. He sent a low shot from the spot into the right side of the net as the goalkeeper dived the other way.
\n
"You can tell that Mbappe wants more," Alonso said.
\n
Barcelona began its title defense with a comfortable 3-0 win at nine-man Mallorca on Saturday, while on Sunday, Atletico Madrid squandered a first-half lead at Espanyol, losing 2-1 after conceding two goals late on.
\n
Madrid was runner-up to Barcelona in the Spanish league last season. Osasuna finished ninth.
Colorful flags adorn a bustling avenue on Monday in Lhasa, to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Xizang autonomous region.
\n\n
When Dondrak, in his 20s, began working in the early 1980s as a primary-level doctor in a remote village in the city of Nagqu, about 300 kilometers from Lhasa, regional capital of the Xizang autonomous region, his duties often meant riding horseback or trekking on foot at an average altitude above 4,500 meters.
\n
"Buses were seasonal," he recalled. "In winter and spring, walking was the only option."
\n
Back then, a trip from Nagqu to Lhasa would require an entire day on a bumpy dirt road, leaving at dawn and arriving deep into the night.
\n
Known as the "roof of the world", Xizang is a land of extreme cold, towering mountains and thin air. For centuries, it had no modern roads.
\n
But all that began to change in 1954, when the Sichuan-Xizang and Qinghai-Xizang highways — stretching a combined 4,360 km — opened to traffic in Lhasa.
\n
In the six decades since the Xizang autonomous region was established in 1965, infrastructure development in the region has accelerated across the board, achieving historic breakthroughs. Today, Xizang boasts an integrated transportation network of highways, railways and air routes.
\n
In 2006, the completion of the Qinghai-Xizang Railway ended the region's history without rail service and gave a powerful boost to its development.
\n
President Xi Jinping has emphasized on many occasions the importance of building the region's second great rail artery — the Sichuan-Xizang Railway, an east-west high-speed route designed to link the plateau more closely with the rest of the country.
\n
In an instruction made ahead of the beginning of the construction of the Sichuan-Xizang Railway's Ya'an-Nyingchi section in 2020, Xi called for efforts to advance the construction of the railway project with high quality, saying that the project would significantly contribute to the economic and social development of the western region, especially Xizang and Sichuan province.
\n
Underlining the complex geological and climatic conditions, as well as the fragile ecological environment along the project line, Xi called for leveraging the Chinese socialist system's advantage of concentrating resources to get things done to accomplish this arduous but glorious task.
\n
When Xi visited Xizang in 2021 for the 70th anniversary of the region's peaceful liberation, he took a train from Nyingchi to Lhasa along the Lhasa-Nyingchi Railway — a key segment of the Sichuan-Xizang line — that was completed and opened to traffic in June 2021.
\n
The journey took just over three hours — a stark contrast to 1998, when Xi, then deputy secretary of the Communist Party of China Fujian Provincial Committee, traveled the same route by bus in a grueling day over treacherous roads.
\n
"The roads were extremely dangerous back then," Xi recalled. "We were lucky that there were no landslides. In the narrowest spots, just two logs spanned the gap, and we had to get out and move them ourselves."
\n
Aboard the train to Lhasa, Xi described the national transportation map as a painting, saying that the central, eastern and northeastern regions of China are like detailed fine brushwork, but the western region has too much blank space.
\n
"In the future, a few strokes should be added to complete the picture, making the transportation of a beautiful China even more beautiful," he said.
\n
By the end of 2024, Xizang had 124,900 km of open highways and 1,359 km of operational railways.
\n
Changes in air travel have also been dramatic.
\n
Xiong Zailin, deputy director of the air traffic management center of the Xizang regional office of the Civil Aviation Administration of China, has worked at Lhasa Gonggar International Airport for 30 years and witnessed the high-quality growth of the region's civil aviation sector.
\n
According to Xiong, Xizang's complex and variable weather was once a major obstacle. In those early days, air traffic management was jokingly described as "blind and deaf" — controllers could neither see aircraft clearly nor hear them well.
\n
"For example, at Lhasa Gonggar Airport, controllers mainly relied on pilots' position reports to coordinate flight intervals. This was inefficient and carried safety risks," he said.
\n
Now, modern systems such as automated meteorological data collection and precise real-time warnings have eliminated the bottlenecks that once restricted flights during severe weather.
\n
Today, Xizang has eight operational airports and 183 domestic and international air routes, with direct flights to major Chinese cities as well as countries including Nepal and Singapore.
\n
From Lhasa, passengers can reach destinations across China within a single day.
\n
Infrastructure is just one aspect that mirrors the sweeping transformation of Xizang over the past decades.
\n
Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in 2012, the region has achieved remarkable progress in economic growth, people's livelihoods, environmental protection and the development of Tibetan culture.
\n
Xi attended the sixth and seventh national meetings on Xizang work in 2015 and 2020, respectively. And it was during the seventh meeting that Xi outlined the CPC guidelines for governing Xizang in the new era, which led to major projects and preferential policies that have solved the region's longstanding problems and achieved results once thought impossible.
\n
During his 2021 trip to Xizang, Xi said he saw significant changes in people's lives and spirits. "Everywhere I went, I could feel their sense of happiness about living better lives and their heartfelt gratitude toward the Party and the country," he said.
\n
In June this year, Xi replied to a letter from residents of a village in Nyingchi that he had visited in 2021.
\n
"Learning that the village has undergone new changes in recent years and villagers' incomes have increased, I feel happy for you," Xi wrote, encouraging them to protect the plateau's natural beauty, strengthen their tourism brand and contribute to building a prosperous and stable border area.
\n
The region's GDP reached 276.5 billion yuan ($38.48 billion) in 2024, 155 times that of 1965, reaching an average annual growth rate of 8.9 percent.
\n
In addition, public health services now reach even the most remote villages, average life expectancy has risen to 72.5 years and incomes have soared. In 2024, the per capita disposable income of urban residents was 121 times that of 1965, while rural incomes were 199 times higher.
\n
Guo Kefan, a researcher at the regional academy of social sciences, said that from the first two high-altitude highways of the 1950s to the newest airports in Ngari prefecture — known as "the roof on the roof of the world", Xizang's transformation reflects not only China's growing national strength, but also the central government's enduring commitment to the region.
\n
"Xizang's progress is a textbook example of the whole-nation system powering major road, rail and air infrastructure projects in the region. At every stage of the country's development, the State has gone to extraordinary lengths — mobilizing more resources than anywhere else — to fully support Xizang's development," he said.
\n
Now, at the age of 68, Dondrak, the retired doctor, and his wife live in a serene community in Lhasa. They usually start their mornings with a walk to the nearby park, enjoy Guozhuang, a traditional Tibetan group dance, for an hour, work out at the public fitness square, and end the day with tea and conversation at the local sweet tea house.
\n
"Everything has changed for the better — our homes, our roads, our education and our medical services. I never imagined life could be this comfortable," he said.
![](\"http://img2.jintiankansha.me/get?src=http://mmbiz.qpic.cn/mmbiz_gif/laADTC8BCK6M7Nv6wvsPyLPCsN7uraAJxdXiby5XB2BE6S0ulr9Fs213uZ85nlxAalcgRcLFiaSVdOVlrtCZRibIw/640?wx_fmt=gif\")
![](\"http://img2.jintiankansha.me/get?src=http://mmbiz.qpic.cn/mmbiz_png/laADTC8BCK5tkMtGyC0QvI9hRpfJRQnWdnVBX6rxY4PpaBs8sMXMK9SIIO5t0ZIVKUuAv570dfliaaiccZPPvlYA/640?wx_fmt=png&from=appmsg\")
![](\"http://img2.jintiankansha.me/get?src=http://mmbiz.qpic.cn/mmbiz_jpg/laADTC8BCK5tkMtGyC0QvI9hRpfJRQnWtb4qRgyFbT3dib3ibib074bupXd5dmiatIwNIUDyArObEbPplXwe287Mww/640?wx_fmt=jpeg\")
![](\"http://img2.jintiankansha.me/get?src=http://mmbiz.qpic.cn/mmbiz_png/laADTC8BCK5tkMtGyC0QvI9hRpfJRQnW6Jf77wXaKloLIRKmPGmOVv0rTicIW9uibuibYFUfGHjqT9qYgBuJPiaE1Q/640?wx_fmt=png&from=appmsg\")
![](\"http://img2.jintiankansha.me/get?src=http://mmbiz.qpic.cn/mmbiz_png/laADTC8BCK5tkMtGyC0QvI9hRpfJRQnW7Q5oq4Ns5DlZznR5lrRaiciaLQAWgsIz7gQMVF6cBGhHTJbRyHsiarHnA/640?wx_fmt=png&from=appmsg\")
![](\"http://img2.jintiankansha.me/get?src=http://mmbiz.qpic.cn/mmbiz_png/laADTC8BCK6mtsMFNaibBsvGrxyeL72mpFrFKlCPfziaRuNPoiaIWia2hQIspRHnSyibDg4ibJggLYpUZibrCuKqjsVrw/640?wx_fmt=png&from=appmsg\")
![](\"http://img2.jintiankansha.me/get?src=http://mmbiz.qpic.cn/mmbiz_png/laADTC8BCK5tkMtGyC0QvI9hRpfJRQnWhibtib5VliccqdHDDSQ1yelSkt9zBBiaUsnnIzEySIxjkpp2G5tJJdGMWA/640?wx_fmt=png&from=appmsg\")
![](\"http://img2.jintiankansha.me/get?src=http://mmbiz.qpic.cn/mmbiz_png/laADTC8BCK6mtsMFNaibBsvGrxyeL72mpXzMy1tiahVibccedFqPRbnL4uBvdnKA25L8sqtznjaTTyq3y8yhtHUXw/640?wx_fmt=png&from=appmsg\")
![](\"http://img2.jintiankansha.me/get?src=http://mmbiz.qpic.cn/mmbiz_png/laADTC8BCK5tkMtGyC0QvI9hRpfJRQnWuj9ZQicE5MFp3fd0ibHichWA11AdHCwFL9GJAnOXD99xRLLu5kAfEf44g/640?wx_fmt=png&from=appmsg\")
![](\"http://img2.jintiankansha.me/get?src=http://mmbiz.qpic.cn/mmbiz_png/laADTC8BCK6mtsMFNaibBsvGrxyeL72mpv2IVrvWBicjGYoer6aDSxuOOicbvaYkgmibOcGyyTAj5Qx1uQuS857NxA/640?wx_fmt=png&from=appmsg\")
![](\"http://img2.jintiankansha.me/get?src=http://mmbiz.qpic.cn/mmbiz_png/laADTC8BCK5tkMtGyC0QvI9hRpfJRQnWupC4GYUHxZiaQHG89HVS4XzaDlfLoYdiaRQxA9oxfDN3IYAvyfKdKeaw/640?wx_fmt=png&from=appmsg\")
![](\"http://img2.jintiankansha.me/get?src=http://mmbiz.qpic.cn/mmbiz_png/laADTC8BCK6mtsMFNaibBsvGrxyeL72mp3LYbkSPtsueSQKtK7B0iaR1sVworsl3pmbFWuv5mwVod1OnbKgJkliag/640?wx_fmt=png&from=appmsg\")
![](\"http://img2.jintiankansha.me/get?src=http://mmbiz.qpic.cn/mmbiz_png/laADTC8BCK5tkMtGyC0QvI9hRpfJRQnWnyBP4vywtpCUiaZaicibT3IFMIKIEP2p4xzO3hPEGfzfVYbO5kLyRwlPQ/640?wx_fmt=png&from=appmsg\")
![](\"http://img2.jintiankansha.me/get?src=http://mmbiz.qpic.cn/mmbiz_png/laADTC8BCK6mtsMFNaibBsvGrxyeL72mp78C40S20yyJZNkmQUOTqqibvWKctCwM5O4IyEFmmKhUYcYOjjJHFZMA/640?wx_fmt=png&from=appmsg\")
![](\"http://img2.jintiankansha.me/get?src=http://mmbiz.qpic.cn/mmbiz_png/laADTC8BCK5tkMtGyC0QvI9hRpfJRQnW19dicNyrZ0XGMjiaFTwhcshGZGoxJFu5DeDbicFytq4hibxJPS1NmKibibgA/640?wx_fmt=png&from=appmsg\")
![](\"http://img2.jintiankansha.me/get?src=http://mmbiz.qpic.cn/mmbiz_png/laADTC8BCK6mtsMFNaibBsvGrxyeL72mpytuCGA2ohApm3PeujaL8mpKiaIMZ186XoxbBLEjic5uBPu8Hfa688SIg/640?wx_fmt=png&from=appmsg\")
![](\"http://img2.jintiankansha.me/get?src=http://mmbiz.qpic.cn/mmbiz_png/laADTC8BCK4s6XTkV1zgY7Ndw3fVeyGpxIIj30oUzpUnwIcafcXhx66GztUhxGc2FM8I09uwLbMwUFOQfZVGcg/640?wx_fmt=png\")
![\"图片\"](\"http://img2.jintiankansha.me/get?src=http://mmbiz.qpic.cn/mmbiz_png/laADTC8BCK6o0DTLAcjHUob1LlCbkiaCGeUicmbUPjIKiciad7l2ytYjz3bGBzNyAUu0aicCb4oWXbicQBJA96lk9Tug/640?wx_fmt=png\")
![\"图片\"](\"http://img2.jintiankansha.me/get?src=http://mmbiz.qpic.cn/mmbiz_png/laADTC8BCK50l871IgvMuCSibrmOibSxicuB2xBPs1uQ2ZspQytHr1P0K7rUaKzSAg2CRzMr8ibAYhs2mSk7cLvZpQ/640?wx_fmt=png\")
![\"图片\"](\"http://img2.jintiankansha.me/get?src=http://mmbiz.qpic.cn/mmbiz_png/laADTC8BCK50l871IgvMuCSibrmOibSxicuassfQWcfhotQqH5lYBRPtichLu7A0vIGovAB5sRkicvnkQnT342127lA/640?wx_fmt=png\")
![\"图片\"](\"http://img2.jintiankansha.me/get?src=http://mmbiz.qpic.cn/mmbiz_png/laADTC8BCK5sbRbqWpNPCUYibIYbC7RFRAHn32PAWbKDIM6A4MkicYHOWIR0Hy6iamToAdrvvPDeu5T15EKXjC1Fg/640?wx_fmt=png\")
![\"图片\"](\"http://img2.jintiankansha.me/get?src=http://mmbiz.qpic.cn/mmbiz_jpg/laADTC8BCK5DrcJEwiatFLAOuvLJJ52DPPPS2Tl0L42giakAlUSsWM2hKsLfDwrNFcLNgFaxPhQng3E9mCRE3tkg/640?wx_fmt=jpeg\")
![](\"http://img2.jintiankansha.me/get?src=http://mmbiz.qpic.cn/mmbiz_png/laADTC8BCK7LjX9c6gcSz8YED6vspDHvSicVI4sibZ0aPbvk2ic2TKNUby2TqqiaHBQoEEr5yVT4iab8CwHgwZv7TFQ/640?wx_fmt=png\")
![](\"http://img2.jintiankansha.me/get?src=http://mmbiz.qpic.cn/mmbiz_png/laADTC8BCK7LjX9c6gcSz8YED6vspDHvJmcEzOocMb4p6X1yRZm7u277wasQTlLp3ouXfsrYtA28nT6ljB6MYw/640?wx_fmt=png\")
![](\"http://img2.jintiankansha.me/get?src=http://mmbiz.qpic.cn/mmbiz_png/laADTC8BCK7LjX9c6gcSz8YED6vspDHv24z7O4dXGIC2esia0mxiaujptaPA2bJ52vzjOTBYHdIkCJSWM8rrX3VQ/640?wx_fmt=png\")
![\"图片\"](\"http://img2.jintiankansha.me/get?src=http://mmbiz.qpic.cn/mmbiz_gif/laADTC8BCK6M7Nv6wvsPyLPCsN7uraAJ0nGCQhDMIIg0L5icbmcctmcTvsgM0HwBpkXTF9ztE2MsQ8Tso0exnicA/640?wx_fmt=gif\")
![\"头图\"/](\"http://pic1.zhimg.com/v2-04cdd120d1080d34467d5985eb17d7b7_fhd.jpg?source=8673f162\")
![\"\"](\"http://picx.zhimg.com/v2-a5a6ac15b8be60bbeee8e44734fc2965_720w.jpg?source=8673f162\")
![\"\"](\"http://picx.zhimg.com/v2-8467b13e398fae01ff824333ffe9f4dc_720w.jpg?source=8673f162\")
![\"\"](\"http://pic1.zhimg.com/v2-5fe36617ef618592b9e49295103e24d7_720w.jpg?source=8673f162\")
![\"\"](\"http://picx.zhimg.com/v2-04274fa59749f6270da416dbd54cd55f_720w.jpg?source=8673f162\")
![\"\"](\"http://picx.zhimg.com/v2-abcb36eaede7391d172f7d15e1a6c088_720w.jpg?source=8673f162\")
![\"\"](\"http://picx.zhimg.com/v2-302f1767b8df3414fa719e0d611c7478_720w.jpg?source=8673f162\")
![\"\"](\"http://pica.zhimg.com/v2-d14937d8ba2e3672aaa8f18ebc8727bb_720w.jpg?source=8673f162\")
![\"\"](\"http://picx.zhimg.com/v2-3bd2ff4ee43c8896c39831c0a3a53bdc_720w.jpg?source=8673f162\")
![\"\"](\"http://picx.zhimg.com/v2-d5c6098bbb5791e8ac95b97c326269e8_720w.jpg?source=8673f162\")
![\"\"](\"http://pic1.zhimg.com/v2-98f71d13b6d65fc9b95bcbd4ac765f5e_720w.jpg?source=8673f162\")
![\"\"](\"http://pic1.zhimg.com/v2-baa0d1931c146840a7e1129bea0b6c82_720w.jpg?source=8673f162\")
![\"\"](\"http://picx.zhimg.com/v2-0469977fd6982f40b1110753602f7ae6_720w.jpg?source=8673f162\")
![\"\"](\"http://pic1.zhimg.com/v2-196cae7431a6ff6ed9934d5c6812fe0d_720w.jpg?source=8673f162\")
![\"\"](\"http://pica.zhimg.com/v2-ba1554559957adc364f61396fa94bec5_720w.jpg?source=8673f162\")
![\"\"](\"http://picx.zhimg.com/v2-3baea535e4d2aa8aebede104485782ba_720w.jpg?source=8673f162\")
![\"\"](\"http://pica.zhimg.com/v2-f6040f7046bd2314a0acd8f25407ba11_720w.jpg?source=8673f162\")
![\"\"](\"http://picx.zhimg.com/v2-65b51437ab4d273ef34eb3cb5fd41d48_720w.jpg?source=8673f162\")
![\"\"](\"http://picx.zhimg.com/v2-ce4427feaa19aa4b2d6f6fcf56f59ff3_720w.jpg?source=8673f162\")
![\"\"](\"http://picx.zhimg.com/v2-2ff67acee1f1274b0a41eb194659da41_720w.jpg?source=8673f162\")
![\"\"](\"http://pic1.zhimg.com/v2-ffd6a64a5f51e62e789914662758b791_720w.jpg?source=8673f162\")
![\"\"](\"http://pic1.zhimg.com/v2-d63a0a9eaace4a18c2480cc277eade67_720w.jpg?source=8673f162\")
![\"\"](\"http://picx.zhimg.com/v2-1a9f0c63c3618df17df8ac81b86de243_720w.jpg?source=8673f162\")
![\"\"](\"http://pic1.zhimg.com/v2-2eeacdb728f2810dfb109ecd52448ba1_720w.jpg?source=8673f162\")
![\"\"](\"http://pic1.zhimg.com/v2-87c952b75921c2f056303dbd60c308e7_720w.jpg?source=8673f162\")
![\"\"](\"http://pic1.zhimg.com/v2-062121a30bfa24239ab33489baf0686e_720w.jpg?source=8673f162\")
![\"\"](\"http://picx.zhimg.com/v2-c3ce9989f5031fd1a77b21044a356b72_720w.jpg?source=8673f162\")
![\"\"](\"http://picx.zhimg.com/v2-4bcf5f7952259ac1591f3e0f743f80cb_720w.jpg?source=8673f162\")
![\"\"](\"http://picx.zhimg.com/v2-596351065322ca63c731cdcf30047b5b_720w.jpg?source=8673f162\")
![\"\"](\"http://picx.zhimg.com/v2-b56741d48792a40bc7f5173e7f25f2ad_720w.jpg?source=8673f162\")
![\"\"](\"http://pic1.zhimg.com/v2-c06eacfa3c1d72894ad86833d6efada9_720w.jpg?source=8673f162\")
![\"\"](\"http://pic1.zhimg.com/v2-23fcbd40016697387f9846d606f05484_720w.jpg?source=8673f162\")
![\"\"](\"http://pica.zhimg.com/v2-1fc1909a3505e1c177767c47c66336ff_720w.jpg?source=8673f162\")
![\"\"](\"http://pic1.zhimg.com/v2-ef8bc8cae688149c7c1e2d5b7ac91c78_720w.jpg?source=8673f162\")
![\"\"](\"http://picx.zhimg.com/v2-e37e29a3f8605b13b66c737fb4379363_720w.jpg?source=8673f162\")
![\"\"](\"http://pic1.zhimg.com/v2-77fb3f01d2569f13f6011dd8bbce8d90_720w.jpg?source=8673f162\")
![\"\"](\"http://pic1.zhimg.com/v2-37246196d31f41e9817b4833f7986301_720w.jpg?source=8673f162\")
![\"\"](\"http://pic1.zhimg.com/v2-3e5b4322101ed6d869bc0052e94042ec_720w.jpg?source=8673f162\")
![\"\"](\"http://pica.zhimg.com/v2-8bc2fbea90886b5aa887d7ccd39253c2_720w.jpg?source=8673f162\")
![\"\"](\"http://picx.zhimg.com/v2-2a026e9bd422b35afc7f0e9e74804f19_720w.jpg?source=8673f162\")
![\"\"](\"http://picx.zhimg.com/v2-70a1375510e2763117b79fc5ea1f126d_720w.jpg?source=8673f162\")
![\"\"](\"http://pic1.zhimg.com/v2-dabc39e4e7a73d94d54305ad4b64c0b8_720w.jpg?source=8673f162\")
![\"\"](\"http://picx.zhimg.com/v2-abbe9a1d8809cd6546d43f1c90e1534c_720w.jpg?source=8673f162\")
![\"\"](\"http://pic1.zhimg.com/v2-417dae9f5dfef69371a29944a4f2060b_720w.jpg?source=8673f162\")
![\"\"](\"http://picx.zhimg.com/v2-0822d688b85253ffaabb27462e355bbd_720w.jpg?source=8673f162\")
![\"\"](\"http://picx.zhimg.com/v2-4bb45702051186d7d6a7deb7263ac2f5_720w.jpg?source=8673f162\")
![\"\"](\"http://picx.zhimg.com/v2-315306e82aef4b29913e2267150cbf3b_720w.jpg?source=8673f162\")
![\"\"](\"http://pic1.zhimg.com/v2-3ded1c66b0d166bfbf3ec2f79e52ae2e_720w.jpg?source=8673f162\")
![\"\"](\"http://pica.zhimg.com/v2-39726395e79c86bc1437d28ab0540f20_720w.jpg?source=8673f162\")
![\"\"](\"http://pica.zhimg.com/v2-5dccafb7bff81505ca33e838d7303064_720w.jpg?source=8673f162\")
![](\"https://mobile.chinadaily.com.cn/cn/resfile/2025-08-20/011/20250820_011_03_56764.png\")
\n![](\"https://mobile.chinadaily.com.cn/cn/resfile/2025-08-20/014/20250820_014_01_49687.png\")
\n![](\"https://mobile.chinadaily.com.cn/cn/resfile/2025-08-19/004/20250819_004_02_74214.png\")
![](\"https://mobile.chinadaily.com.cn/cn/resfile/2025-08-21/001/20250821_001_01_55802.png\")
![](\"https://mobile.chinadaily.com.cn/cn/resfile/2025-08-21/001/20250821_001_01_541802.png\")
![](\"https://mobile.chinadaily.com.cn/cn/resfile/2025-08-21/001/20250821_001_01_561802.png\")
\n![](\"https://mobile.chinadaily.com.cn/cn/resfile/2025-08-21/001/20250821_001_02_592802.png\")
\n![](\"https://mobile.chinadaily.com.cn/cn/resfile/2025-08-21/001/20250821_002_01_62064.png\")
![](\"https://mobile.chinadaily.com.cn/cn/resfile/2025-08-21/001/20250821_002_01_80064.png\")
![](\"https://mobile.chinadaily.com.cn/cn/resfile/2025-08-21/001/20250821_002_01_79064.png\")
![](\"https://mobile.chinadaily.com.cn/cn/resfile/2025-08-21/001/20250821_002_01_28064.png\")
![](\"https://mobile.chinadaily.com.cn/cn/resfile/2025-08-21/001/20250821_002_01_45064.png\")
![](\"https://mobile.chinadaily.com.cn/cn/resfile/2025-08-21/005/20250821_005_01_33220.png\")
![](\"https://mobile.chinadaily.com.cn/cn/resfile/2025-08-21/005/20250821_005_06_70220.png\")
![](\"https://mobile.chinadaily.com.cn/cn/resfile/2025-08-21/006/20250821_006_02_32.png\")
![](\"https://mobile.chinadaily.com.cn/cn/resfile/2025-08-21/006/20250821_006_05_49.png\")
![](\"https://mobile.chinadaily.com.cn/cn/resfile/2025-08-21/007/20250821_007_01_80.png\")
![](\"https://mobile.chinadaily.com.cn/cn/resfile/2025-08-21/007/20250821_007_01_63.png\")
![](\"https://mobile.chinadaily.com.cn/cn/resfile/2025-08-21/007/20250821_007_02_42.png\")
![](\"https://mobile.chinadaily.com.cn/cn/resfile/2025-08-21/007/20250821_007_04_107.png\")
\n![](\"https://mobile.chinadaily.com.cn/cn/resfile/2025-08-21/008/20250821_008_03_71.png\")
\n",
+ "content": "![](\"https://mobile.chinadaily.com.cn/cn/resfile/2025-08-21/009/20250821_009_01_22.png\")
\n![](\"https://mobile.chinadaily.com.cn/cn/resfile/2025-08-21/009/20250821_009_01_62.png\")
\n![](\"https://mobile.chinadaily.com.cn/cn/resfile/2025-08-21/009/20250821_009_02_19.png\")
\n![](\"https://mobile.chinadaily.com.cn/cn/resfile/2025-08-21/009/20250821_009_03_53.png\")
![](\"https://mobile.chinadaily.com.cn/cn/resfile/2025-08-21/009/20250821_009_03_18.png\")
\n![](\"https://mobile.chinadaily.com.cn/cn/resfile/2025-08-21/010/20250821_010_02_43.png\")
![](\"https://mobile.chinadaily.com.cn/cn/resfile/2025-08-21/010/20250821_010_03_77.png\")
![](\"https://mobile.chinadaily.com.cn/cn/resfile/2025-08-21/010/20250821_010_04_60.png\")
![](\"https://mobile.chinadaily.com.cn/cn/resfile/2025-08-21/011/20250821_011_01_32651.png\")
![](\"https://mobile.chinadaily.com.cn/cn/resfile/2025-08-21/011/20250821_011_02_41651.png\")
![](\"https://mobile.chinadaily.com.cn/cn/resfile/2025-08-21/011/20250821_011_03_15651.png\")
![](\"https://mobile.chinadaily.com.cn/cn/resfile/2025-08-21/012/20250821_012_02_35163.png\")
![](\"https://mobile.chinadaily.com.cn/cn/resfile/2025-08-21/012/20250821_012_05_57163.png\")
![](\"https://mobile.chinadaily.com.cn/cn/resfile/2025-08-21/012/20250821_012_07_47163.png\")
![](\"https://mobile.chinadaily.com.cn/cn/resfile/2025-08-21/013/20250821_013_03_21885.png\")
![](\"https://mobile.chinadaily.com.cn/cn/resfile/2025-08-21/013/20250821_013_05_30885.png\")
![](\"https://mobile.chinadaily.com.cn/cn/resfile/2025-08-21/014/20250821_014_01_19936.png\")
![](\"https://mobile.chinadaily.com.cn/cn/resfile/2025-08-21/014/20250821_014_02_30936.png\")
![](\"https://mobile.chinadaily.com.cn/cn/resfile/2025-08-21/014/20250821_014_03_47936.png\")
\n![](\"https://mobile.chinadaily.com.cn/cn/resfile/2025-08-21/015/20250821_015_01_9142.png\")
![](\"https://mobile.chinadaily.com.cn/cn/resfile/2025-08-21/015/20250821_015_01_38142.png\")
![](\"https://mobile.chinadaily.com.cn/cn/resfile/2025-08-21/015/20250821_015_01_50142.png\")
\n![](\"https://mobile.chinadaily.com.cn/cn/resfile/2025-08-21/015/20250821_015_02_52142.png\")
\n![](\"https://mobile.chinadaily.com.cn/cn/resfile/2025-08-21/015/20250821_015_02_23142.png\")
![](\"https://mobile.chinadaily.com.cn/cn/resfile/2025-08-21/017/20250821_017_01_47945.png\")
![](\"https://mobile.chinadaily.com.cn/cn/resfile/2025-08-21/017/20250821_017_01_40945.png\")
![](\"https://mobile.chinadaily.com.cn/cn/resfile/2025-08-21/017/20250821_017_02_21945.png\")
![](\"https://mobile.chinadaily.com.cn/cn/resfile/2025-08-21/018/20250821_018_01_38039.png\")
![](\"https://mobile.chinadaily.com.cn/cn/resfile/2025-08-21/018/20250821_018_01_61039.png\")
![](\"https://mobile.chinadaily.com.cn/cn/resfile/2025-08-21/018/20250821_018_01_68039.png\")
![](\"https://mobile.chinadaily.com.cn/cn/resfile/2025-08-21/018/20250821_018_02_19039.png\")
![](\"https://mobile.chinadaily.com.cn/cn/resfile/2025-08-21/018/20250821_018_02_26039.png\")
![](\"https://mobile.chinadaily.com.cn/cn/resfile/2025-08-21/019/20250821_019_01_12874.png\")
![](\"https://mobile.chinadaily.com.cn/cn/resfile/2025-08-21/019/20250821_019_01_22874.png\")
![](\"https://mobile.chinadaily.com.cn/cn/resfile/2025-08-21/019/20250821_019_01_53874.png\")
\n![](\"https://mobile.chinadaily.com.cn/cn/resfile/2025-08-21/019/20250821_019_02_39874.png\")
![](\"https://mobile.chinadaily.com.cn/cn/resfile/2025-08-21/020/20250821_020_01_26006.png\")
![](\"https://mobile.chinadaily.com.cn/cn/resfile/2025-08-21/020/20250821_020_01_39006.png\")
![](\"https://mobile.chinadaily.com.cn/cn/resfile/2025-08-21/020/20250821_020_01_38006.png\")
![](\"https://mobile.chinadaily.com.cn/cn/resfile/2025-08-21/020/20250821_020_02_14006.png\")
![](\"https://mobile.chinadaily.com.cn/cn/resfile/2025-08-20/001/20250820_001_01_75612.png\")
![](\"https://mobile.chinadaily.com.cn/cn/resfile/2025-08-20/001/20250820_001_01_552612.png\")
\n