\n",
+ "title": "001FRONT - Mantle of the moon 'colder' on its far side",
+ "description": "
Chinese scientists have recently published a new significant finding that will help to better understand the moon's history and its hemispheric dichotomy, or the dramatic difference between the lunar near and far sides.
\n
According to a joint statement released on Monday by the China National Space Administration and the China Atomic Energy Authority, a group of researchers from the Beijing Research Institute of Uranium Geology, a China National Nuclear Corp subsidiary, Peking University and Shandong University have found, for the first time, that the lunar mantle on the far side is "colder" than that on the near side.
\n
Researchers made the discovery after analyzing lunar dust retrieved from the far side of the moon by the Chang'e 6 robotic probe.
\n
The finding, which was published in the academic journal Nature Geoscience on Sept 30, will further deepen the understanding of the moon's hemispheric dichotomy, provide petrological, geochemical and other scientific evidence for the temperature difference between the lunar mantle on the near and far sides, and present key scientific data for research on lunar evolution and the characteristics of the hemispheric dichotomy, according to the statement.
\n
This also marks a new achievement in the cross-disciplinary collaboration between Chinese nuclear and space scientists, following their discovery of the sixth lunar mineral — Changesite-(Y) — in late 2022, the statement noted.
\n
Located beneath the lunar crust, the lunar mantle is the largest component of the moon in terms of volume, and the moon's ancient volcanic activities were formed by the upward movement of mantle materials. Therefore, the internal characteristics of the moon, such as the lunar mantle, are crucial for research on lunar evolution, the statement added.
\n
In their study, scientists used a variety of methods to conduct detailed analysis of the lunar samples brought back by the Chang'e 6 probe.
\n
By analyzing the compositions of typical minerals, including clinopyroxene and plagioclase, in the lunar regolith basalt samples, they calculated the crystallization temperature and pressure using three different thermobarometers. To ensure the scientific validity of the results, the team simulated the crystallization process of Chang'e 6 samples through a petrological model.
\n
The four independent methods yielded consistent results — the crystallization temperature of the basalt samples is about 1,100 C, approximately 100 C lower than that of samples from the near side.
\n
The researchers also reconstructed the chemical composition of the moon's original magma and calculated the potential temperatures of the lunar mantle. They found that the potential temperature of the lunar mantle on the far side is about 100 C lower than that on the near side. In addition, the research team used lunar remote-sensing data to conduct verification and analysis on a larger regional scale.
\n
"Collectively, our findings demonstrate that the lunar far side mantle is relatively colder than the near side mantle, consistent with the hemispherical differences in crustal thickness and heat-producing element distribution, and provide constraints on the thermal evolution of the moon and the origin of its global asymmetry," the scientists wrote in their Nature Geoscience article.
\n
Li Ziying, a senior scientist and one of the research leaders, said that studying the physical and chemical differences between the lunar near and far sides not only enables scientists to deepen their knowledge about the moon itself, but also offers insights into Earth's evolution.
\n
The Chang'e 6 mission, representing the world's first attempt to bring samples from the far side of the moon, was launched in May 2024 from the Wenchang Space Launch Site in Hainan province.
\n
The mission successfully concluded after 53 days of sophisticated maneuvers, retrieving a total of 1,935.3 grams of samples from the far side.
\n
zhaolei@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
Chinese scientists have recently published a new significant finding that will help to better understand the moon's history and its hemispheric dichotomy, or the dramatic difference between the lunar near and far sides.
\n
According to a joint statement released on Monday by the China National Space Administration and the China Atomic Energy Authority, a group of researchers from the Beijing Research Institute of Uranium Geology, a China National Nuclear Corp subsidiary, Peking University and Shandong University have found, for the first time, that the lunar mantle on the far side is "colder" than that on the near side.
\n
Researchers made the discovery after analyzing lunar dust retrieved from the far side of the moon by the Chang'e 6 robotic probe.
\n
The finding, which was published in the academic journal Nature Geoscience on Sept 30, will further deepen the understanding of the moon's hemispheric dichotomy, provide petrological, geochemical and other scientific evidence for the temperature difference between the lunar mantle on the near and far sides, and present key scientific data for research on lunar evolution and the characteristics of the hemispheric dichotomy, according to the statement.
\n
This also marks a new achievement in the cross-disciplinary collaboration between Chinese nuclear and space scientists, following their discovery of the sixth lunar mineral — Changesite-(Y) — in late 2022, the statement noted.
\n
Located beneath the lunar crust, the lunar mantle is the largest component of the moon in terms of volume, and the moon's ancient volcanic activities were formed by the upward movement of mantle materials. Therefore, the internal characteristics of the moon, such as the lunar mantle, are crucial for research on lunar evolution, the statement added.
\n
In their study, scientists used a variety of methods to conduct detailed analysis of the lunar samples brought back by the Chang'e 6 probe.
\n
By analyzing the compositions of typical minerals, including clinopyroxene and plagioclase, in the lunar regolith basalt samples, they calculated the crystallization temperature and pressure using three different thermobarometers. To ensure the scientific validity of the results, the team simulated the crystallization process of Chang'e 6 samples through a petrological model.
\n
The four independent methods yielded consistent results — the crystallization temperature of the basalt samples is about 1,100 C, approximately 100 C lower than that of samples from the near side.
\n
The researchers also reconstructed the chemical composition of the moon's original magma and calculated the potential temperatures of the lunar mantle. They found that the potential temperature of the lunar mantle on the far side is about 100 C lower than that on the near side. In addition, the research team used lunar remote-sensing data to conduct verification and analysis on a larger regional scale.
\n
"Collectively, our findings demonstrate that the lunar far side mantle is relatively colder than the near side mantle, consistent with the hemispherical differences in crustal thickness and heat-producing element distribution, and provide constraints on the thermal evolution of the moon and the origin of its global asymmetry," the scientists wrote in their Nature Geoscience article.
\n
Li Ziying, a senior scientist and one of the research leaders, said that studying the physical and chemical differences between the lunar near and far sides not only enables scientists to deepen their knowledge about the moon itself, but also offers insights into Earth's evolution.
\n
The Chang'e 6 mission, representing the world's first attempt to bring samples from the far side of the moon, was launched in May 2024 from the Wenchang Space Launch Site in Hainan province.
\n
The mission successfully concluded after 53 days of sophisticated maneuvers, retrieving a total of 1,935.3 grams of samples from the far side.
A vendor sells garlic during a Chinese Farmers' Harvest Festival event in Tianjin on Sept 23.
\n
Pomegranate grower Liu Yuan (center) hits the stage with performers in promoting the produce during a festival activity in Zhaoyuan, Shandong province, on Sept 23.
\n
People shop during the Egg Promotion Fair in Zhuozhou, Hebei province, last month.
\n
Growers promote pears during a livestreaming session at an orchard in Dangshan, Anhui province, on Sept 13.
\n
On a Sunday morning in late September, at a sprawling farm in Zhuozhou in Hebei province, several children gathered around tables to solve the "egg shell puzzle" and take the "egg protection challenge" while their parents chatted with farmers and industry representatives. This was the 2025 Egg Promotion Fair, part of the nationwide Golden Autumn Consumption Season tied to the Chinese Farmers' Harvest Festival. With 70 booths bringing together enterprises, farmers and consumers from across the country, the event turned a common staple — the humble egg — into a connection between rural and urban life.
\n
Exhibitors at the fair ranged from major producers such as Beijing Deqingyuan to small cooperatives. They presented goods from fresh eggs and seasoned products, including marinated eggs and egg yolk pastries, to powdered egg protein and even delicate handicrafts made from egg shells.
\n
"Eggs are more than just a daily food," said Yan Kuiyou, chief expert with the National Animal Husbandry Service. "They are vital to food security, a cost-effective source of protein, and a key to farmers' livelihoods."
\n
Yan said consumer demand for eggs is moving beyond basic protein supplementation toward more precise nutritional goals. "With consumption trends shifting toward healthier, traceable and more diverse products, this sector has huge potential," he said. Shoppers are increasingly seeking eggs that target specific health concerns, such as eggs enriched with omega-3 fatty acids for improving brain health and low-cholesterol eggs for seniors.
\n
With the advent of urban lifestyles, ready-to-eat egg products such as marinated eggs and liquid egg cartons are also gaining popularity, especially among younger consumers, Yan added.
\n
Wu Shugeng, head of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences' expert team on eggs and the event organizer, said the fair aimed to develop direct connections between suppliers and consumers. Visitors could tour the farm to see the full cycle of production, from feed processing to the making of organic fertilizer. "Eggs are a perfect entry point to promote agricultural consumption. They are found on every family's table," Wu said.
\n
China is both the world's largest producer and consumer of eggs. But the industry faces challenges such as insufficient branding and not enough processing facilities. The fair highlighted the push toward standardized and technology-driven growth, Wu said.
\n
Apart from videos about new farming technologies, experts answered questions face-to-face, addressing common misconceptions, including whether brown-shelled eggs were healthier than white ones, or if "native eggs" were more nutritious.
\n
Lu Jianzhong, deputy head of the Institute of Feed Research at the academy, said consumers would get to see the transformation of modern agriculture. "We hope people not only eat better eggs but understand the science and culture behind them, while helping farmers earn more," he said.
\n
The fair provided farmers and enterprises with win-win direct sales opportunities. Buyers from supermarkets, restaurants and e-commerce platforms signed deals on the spot, helping secure fairer prices. Platforms such as Pinduoduo and JD offered promotional support, boosting visibility for high-quality brands.
\n
"Celebrating harvest is not only about abundance but about building bridges between science and tradition, the countryside and cities, farmers and consumers," Wu said.
\n
Rural fairs fuel sales
\n
From colorful rural fairs to bustling livestreaming studios, the Golden Autumn Consumption Season has turned the nation's harvest into a feast for both farmers and consumers.
\n
Launched alongside the Chinese Farmers' Harvest Festival several years ago, the autumn consumption season is now one of its signature events. "Agricultural products should not only be grown well, but also sold well, with good returns for farmers," said Lei Liugong, head of the festival's organizing office, at a news conference in August.
\n
Several sectors have joined over the years to promote consumption in diverse forms, attracting urban residents to the countryside and smoothening the flow between rural supply and urban demand, said Lei, who is also head of the market and information department at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.
\n
According to the ministry, the event has so far generated more than 130 billion yuan ($18.3 billion) in cumulative agricultural sales and has become the festival highlight known for its strong "holiday flavor, popularity and vibrant consumption".
\n
Boosting consumption has been one of the priorities of China's economic agenda this year. In July, 10 central government departments jointly released an implementation plan to expand agricultural product consumption.
\n
Lei said this year's season features richer content, more benefits for consumers and closer urban-rural connections. For the first time, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism has joined as a co-organizer, along with Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, the Ministry of Commerce, the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, the All-China Federation of Supply and Marketing Cooperatives and the China Media Group.
\n
Running from September to November, the event now links farm produce with cultural and tourism resources, encouraging not only "buying" but also "seeing, playing, learning and creating". The goal is to bring people to the countryside and vitalize the rural consumption market, Lei said.
\n
Industry associations, e-commerce platforms and financial institutions have chipped in with attractive incentives. Six companies, including JD, Pinduoduo and Meituan, have launched promotions with subsidies, internet traffic support and training for merchants while popular livestream anchors have been mobilized to help farmers sell their produce. Eight financial institutions, including the Agricultural Bank of China and the China Construction Bank, are offering consumption vouchers and discount coupons to fuel sales.
\n
Zeng Hao, senior director of public affairs at Pinduoduo, told China Central Television that the company would step up marketing support for quality agricultural products, with 1 billion yuan in subsidies and a 2 billion yuan traffic package to help emerging merchants.
\n
Shen Guoji, an official with the Agriculture Ministry's market and information department, said more than 600,000 merchants are expected to participate. "Through the golden autumn consumption season, we are rolling out practical, people-centered initiatives that tap into rural and urban consumption potential," he said.
\n
Hangzhou flavor
\n
In Hangzhou, a hub of e-commerce and livestreaming industries in Zhejiang province, the autumn harvest festival opened on Sept 5. Local residents sampled new agricultural products and engaged in rural cultural experiences. At one booth, Zhao Jiahui from the Xiaoshan Gift Supply and Marketing Co presented a mooncake filled with traditional radish pickle. "It sounds unusual, but once people tried it, they found the flavor surprisingly good," Zhao said.
\n
Another exhibitor, Zhejiang Chuanhua Rural Development Co, displayed orchids. The company has bred more than 500 varieties of the flower. "Orchids have become a refined gifting option for families and friends," said the product curator Ma Caihong.
\n
Many cities, including Tianjin, Shenyang in Liaoning province, Wuhan in Hubei province, Guangzhou in Guangdong province, Chengdu in Sichuan province and Lanzhou in Gansu province have pledged to integrate resources in finance, technology and talent to host celebrations that combine the Farmers' Harvest Festival with the Mid-Autumn Festival and the National Day holiday.
\n
From stalls selling traditional snacks to cultural tours of villages, the activities are designed to ensure both rural and urban residents share the joy of harvest and prosperity.
\n
The consumption season is not limited to buying and selling though. Online and offline events are adding flavor to the festival. Visitors can enjoy rural stays, countryside food tours, handicraft workshops and entertainment alongside shopping, Lei said.
\n
"This year we are making consumption promotion a priority, so that the fruits of harvest can better translate into farmers' income," said Zhu Xuefeng, an official with the agriculture and rural affairs department of Ningxia Hui autonomous region.
\n
During the festival, Fujian province and Ningxia will jointly host events linking rural fairs across the region to feature tastings of delicacies, specialty snacks and premium agricultural products, Zhu said. The program will also extend to rural stays, countryside tours and dining, encouraging urban residents to travel to villages and boost consumption, he added.
A vendor sells garlic during a Chinese Farmers' Harvest Festival event in Tianjin on Sept 23.
\n
Pomegranate grower Liu Yuan (center) hits the stage with performers in promoting the produce during a festival activity in Zhaoyuan, Shandong province, on Sept 23.
\n
People shop during the Egg Promotion Fair in Zhuozhou, Hebei province, last month.
\n
Growers promote pears during a livestreaming session at an orchard in Dangshan, Anhui province, on Sept 13.
\n
On a Sunday morning in late September, at a sprawling farm in Zhuozhou in Hebei province, several children gathered around tables to solve the "egg shell puzzle" and take the "egg protection challenge" while their parents chatted with farmers and industry representatives. This was the 2025 Egg Promotion Fair, part of the nationwide Golden Autumn Consumption Season tied to the Chinese Farmers' Harvest Festival. With 70 booths bringing together enterprises, farmers and consumers from across the country, the event turned a common staple — the humble egg — into a connection between rural and urban life.
\n
Exhibitors at the fair ranged from major producers such as Beijing Deqingyuan to small cooperatives. They presented goods from fresh eggs and seasoned products, including marinated eggs and egg yolk pastries, to powdered egg protein and even delicate handicrafts made from egg shells.
\n
"Eggs are more than just a daily food," said Yan Kuiyou, chief expert with the National Animal Husbandry Service. "They are vital to food security, a cost-effective source of protein, and a key to farmers' livelihoods."
\n
Yan said consumer demand for eggs is moving beyond basic protein supplementation toward more precise nutritional goals. "With consumption trends shifting toward healthier, traceable and more diverse products, this sector has huge potential," he said. Shoppers are increasingly seeking eggs that target specific health concerns, such as eggs enriched with omega-3 fatty acids for improving brain health and low-cholesterol eggs for seniors.
\n
With the advent of urban lifestyles, ready-to-eat egg products such as marinated eggs and liquid egg cartons are also gaining popularity, especially among younger consumers, Yan added.
\n
Wu Shugeng, head of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences' expert team on eggs and the event organizer, said the fair aimed to develop direct connections between suppliers and consumers. Visitors could tour the farm to see the full cycle of production, from feed processing to the making of organic fertilizer. "Eggs are a perfect entry point to promote agricultural consumption. They are found on every family's table," Wu said.
\n
China is both the world's largest producer and consumer of eggs. But the industry faces challenges such as insufficient branding and not enough processing facilities. The fair highlighted the push toward standardized and technology-driven growth, Wu said.
\n
Apart from videos about new farming technologies, experts answered questions face-to-face, addressing common misconceptions, including whether brown-shelled eggs were healthier than white ones, or if "native eggs" were more nutritious.
\n
Lu Jianzhong, deputy head of the Institute of Feed Research at the academy, said consumers would get to see the transformation of modern agriculture. "We hope people not only eat better eggs but understand the science and culture behind them, while helping farmers earn more," he said.
\n
The fair provided farmers and enterprises with win-win direct sales opportunities. Buyers from supermarkets, restaurants and e-commerce platforms signed deals on the spot, helping secure fairer prices. Platforms such as Pinduoduo and JD offered promotional support, boosting visibility for high-quality brands.
\n
"Celebrating harvest is not only about abundance but about building bridges between science and tradition, the countryside and cities, farmers and consumers," Wu said.
\n
Rural fairs fuel sales
\n
From colorful rural fairs to bustling livestreaming studios, the Golden Autumn Consumption Season has turned the nation's harvest into a feast for both farmers and consumers.
\n
Launched alongside the Chinese Farmers' Harvest Festival several years ago, the autumn consumption season is now one of its signature events. "Agricultural products should not only be grown well, but also sold well, with good returns for farmers," said Lei Liugong, head of the festival's organizing office, at a news conference in August.
\n
Several sectors have joined over the years to promote consumption in diverse forms, attracting urban residents to the countryside and smoothening the flow between rural supply and urban demand, said Lei, who is also head of the market and information department at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.
\n
According to the ministry, the event has so far generated more than 130 billion yuan ($18.3 billion) in cumulative agricultural sales and has become the festival highlight known for its strong "holiday flavor, popularity and vibrant consumption".
\n
Boosting consumption has been one of the priorities of China's economic agenda this year. In July, 10 central government departments jointly released an implementation plan to expand agricultural product consumption.
\n
Lei said this year's season features richer content, more benefits for consumers and closer urban-rural connections. For the first time, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism has joined as a co-organizer, along with Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, the Ministry of Commerce, the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, the All-China Federation of Supply and Marketing Cooperatives and the China Media Group.
\n
Running from September to November, the event now links farm produce with cultural and tourism resources, encouraging not only "buying" but also "seeing, playing, learning and creating". The goal is to bring people to the countryside and vitalize the rural consumption market, Lei said.
\n
Industry associations, e-commerce platforms and financial institutions have chipped in with attractive incentives. Six companies, including JD, Pinduoduo and Meituan, have launched promotions with subsidies, internet traffic support and training for merchants while popular livestream anchors have been mobilized to help farmers sell their produce. Eight financial institutions, including the Agricultural Bank of China and the China Construction Bank, are offering consumption vouchers and discount coupons to fuel sales.
\n
Zeng Hao, senior director of public affairs at Pinduoduo, told China Central Television that the company would step up marketing support for quality agricultural products, with 1 billion yuan in subsidies and a 2 billion yuan traffic package to help emerging merchants.
\n
Shen Guoji, an official with the Agriculture Ministry's market and information department, said more than 600,000 merchants are expected to participate. "Through the golden autumn consumption season, we are rolling out practical, people-centered initiatives that tap into rural and urban consumption potential," he said.
\n
Hangzhou flavor
\n
In Hangzhou, a hub of e-commerce and livestreaming industries in Zhejiang province, the autumn harvest festival opened on Sept 5. Local residents sampled new agricultural products and engaged in rural cultural experiences. At one booth, Zhao Jiahui from the Xiaoshan Gift Supply and Marketing Co presented a mooncake filled with traditional radish pickle. "It sounds unusual, but once people tried it, they found the flavor surprisingly good," Zhao said.
\n
Another exhibitor, Zhejiang Chuanhua Rural Development Co, displayed orchids. The company has bred more than 500 varieties of the flower. "Orchids have become a refined gifting option for families and friends," said the product curator Ma Caihong.
\n
Many cities, including Tianjin, Shenyang in Liaoning province, Wuhan in Hubei province, Guangzhou in Guangdong province, Chengdu in Sichuan province and Lanzhou in Gansu province have pledged to integrate resources in finance, technology and talent to host celebrations that combine the Farmers' Harvest Festival with the Mid-Autumn Festival and the National Day holiday.
\n
From stalls selling traditional snacks to cultural tours of villages, the activities are designed to ensure both rural and urban residents share the joy of harvest and prosperity.
\n
The consumption season is not limited to buying and selling though. Online and offline events are adding flavor to the festival. Visitors can enjoy rural stays, countryside food tours, handicraft workshops and entertainment alongside shopping, Lei said.
\n
"This year we are making consumption promotion a priority, so that the fruits of harvest can better translate into farmers' income," said Zhu Xuefeng, an official with the agriculture and rural affairs department of Ningxia Hui autonomous region.
\n
During the festival, Fujian province and Ningxia will jointly host events linking rural fairs across the region to feature tastings of delicacies, specialty snacks and premium agricultural products, Zhu said. The program will also extend to rural stays, countryside tours and dining, encouraging urban residents to travel to villages and boost consumption, he added.
Visitors carry rabbit-shaped lanterns on Sunday as they take part in an event at Hongcun village, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Yixian county, Huangshan, Anhui province. The event was held to celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival, which fell on Monday this year.
Visitors carry rabbit-shaped lanterns on Sunday as they take part in an event at Hongcun village, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Yixian county, Huangshan, Anhui province. The event was held to celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival, which fell on Monday this year.
China's commitment to further reducing emissions and boosting renewable energy production is expected to encourage Southeast Asian economies to accelerate their low-carbon transition, analysts said.
\n
The move toward decarbonization is also expected to raise investment in renewable energy among members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, as China is one of ASEAN's biggest investors and trading partners in clean technology.
\n
"China is setting the stage for ASEAN countries to increase their confidence in green, low-carbon transition while making economic growth a priority," said Dinita Setyawati, a senior analyst at global energy policy think tank Ember.
\n
Cesar Carlito Baclagon, regional finance campaigner at 350.org, an international environmental group, said that China's plan to cut emissions and increase renewable energy production is significant for ASEAN, because this means Chinese factories will keep producing affordable solar panels, wind turbines and batteries that have long powered the renewable energy sector in ASEAN states.
\n
"China's pledge could spur more renewable investment in ASEAN by sustaining low-cost technology and signaling investors that the age of coal is fading," he added.
\n
In a video speech delivered to the UN Climate Summit held in New York on Sept 24, President Xi Jinping noted that this year marks the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement, a pivotal year for countries to submit their new Nationally Determined Contributions, and announced China's new NDCs.
\n
Xi said that China will, by 2035, reduce economy-wide net greenhouse gas emissions by 7 percent to 10 percent from peak levels, striving to do better. It will within the same period increase the share of nonfossil fuels in total energy consumption to over 30 percent and expand the installed capacity of wind and solar power to over six times the 2020 levels, striving to bring the total to 3,600 gigawatts, he said.
\n
China will, by 2035, also scale up the total forest stock volume to over 24 billion cubic meters, make new energy vehicles the mainstream in the sales of new vehicles, expand the National Carbon Emissions Trading Market to cover major high-emission sectors, and establish a climate adaptive society, he added.
\n
Xi's announcement carries significant weight ahead of the 2025 UN Climate Change Conference, or COP30, which is scheduled in Belem, Brazil, from Nov 10 to 21. Signatories to the Paris climate pact, which includes China and ASEAN members, will submit their respective NDCs at COP30.
\n
Setyawati, the senior analyst, said that while China's NDCs cover domestic commitments, these will also have implications for ASEAN members. By investing heavily in renewables, China is treading a new growth path — one that is powered by clean energy and one that ASEAN governments should take note of as soon as possible, she said.
\n
Setyawati also cited China's focus on solar and wind power as homegrown energy sources, indicating that the country is moving toward "a more secure and resilient energy system".She said this will possibly encourage China to invest more in ASEAN states on the back of a possible exponential growth in clean technology.
\n
According to a report released by global think tank Zero Carbon Analytics, China has invested over $2.7 billion in clean energy in ASEAN states between 2013 and 2023. It also led in clean energy trade with ASEAN, valued at $4.3 billion due to strong exports of electric vehicles, batteries, solar modules and wind components.
\n
Baclagon, the finance campaigner, said that what China does beyond its borders is important because its energy investment and infrastructure financing in Asia are the real tests of its climate commitments.
\n
Sharon Seah, a senior fellow at Singapore-based think tank ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, said that ASEAN is "fully committed" to decarbonization as shown by the investment in an ASEAN Common Carbon Framework.
\n
Malaysia, which is this year's rotating chair of ASEAN, has also given the ASEAN Power Grid — a key physical interconnectivity project — new momentum by pushing for greater coordination between energy, economy and finance ministries and central banks to ensure there is a financing mechanism to realize many of the planned projects, Seah said.
\n
prime@chinadailyapac.com
\n",
+ "content": "
China's commitment to further reducing emissions and boosting renewable energy production is expected to encourage Southeast Asian economies to accelerate their low-carbon transition, analysts said.
\n
The move toward decarbonization is also expected to raise investment in renewable energy among members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, as China is one of ASEAN's biggest investors and trading partners in clean technology.
\n
"China is setting the stage for ASEAN countries to increase their confidence in green, low-carbon transition while making economic growth a priority," said Dinita Setyawati, a senior analyst at global energy policy think tank Ember.
\n
Cesar Carlito Baclagon, regional finance campaigner at 350.org, an international environmental group, said that China's plan to cut emissions and increase renewable energy production is significant for ASEAN, because this means Chinese factories will keep producing affordable solar panels, wind turbines and batteries that have long powered the renewable energy sector in ASEAN states.
\n
"China's pledge could spur more renewable investment in ASEAN by sustaining low-cost technology and signaling investors that the age of coal is fading," he added.
\n
In a video speech delivered to the UN Climate Summit held in New York on Sept 24, President Xi Jinping noted that this year marks the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement, a pivotal year for countries to submit their new Nationally Determined Contributions, and announced China's new NDCs.
\n
Xi said that China will, by 2035, reduce economy-wide net greenhouse gas emissions by 7 percent to 10 percent from peak levels, striving to do better. It will within the same period increase the share of nonfossil fuels in total energy consumption to over 30 percent and expand the installed capacity of wind and solar power to over six times the 2020 levels, striving to bring the total to 3,600 gigawatts, he said.
\n
China will, by 2035, also scale up the total forest stock volume to over 24 billion cubic meters, make new energy vehicles the mainstream in the sales of new vehicles, expand the National Carbon Emissions Trading Market to cover major high-emission sectors, and establish a climate adaptive society, he added.
\n
Xi's announcement carries significant weight ahead of the 2025 UN Climate Change Conference, or COP30, which is scheduled in Belem, Brazil, from Nov 10 to 21. Signatories to the Paris climate pact, which includes China and ASEAN members, will submit their respective NDCs at COP30.
\n
Setyawati, the senior analyst, said that while China's NDCs cover domestic commitments, these will also have implications for ASEAN members. By investing heavily in renewables, China is treading a new growth path — one that is powered by clean energy and one that ASEAN governments should take note of as soon as possible, she said.
\n
Setyawati also cited China's focus on solar and wind power as homegrown energy sources, indicating that the country is moving toward "a more secure and resilient energy system".She said this will possibly encourage China to invest more in ASEAN states on the back of a possible exponential growth in clean technology.
\n
According to a report released by global think tank Zero Carbon Analytics, China has invested over $2.7 billion in clean energy in ASEAN states between 2013 and 2023. It also led in clean energy trade with ASEAN, valued at $4.3 billion due to strong exports of electric vehicles, batteries, solar modules and wind components.
\n
Baclagon, the finance campaigner, said that what China does beyond its borders is important because its energy investment and infrastructure financing in Asia are the real tests of its climate commitments.
\n
Sharon Seah, a senior fellow at Singapore-based think tank ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, said that ASEAN is "fully committed" to decarbonization as shown by the investment in an ASEAN Common Carbon Framework.
\n
Malaysia, which is this year's rotating chair of ASEAN, has also given the ASEAN Power Grid — a key physical interconnectivity project — new momentum by pushing for greater coordination between energy, economy and finance ministries and central banks to ensure there is a financing mechanism to realize many of the planned projects, Seah said.
An employee makes mooncakes at a food enterprise in Jinhua, Zhejiang province, on Sept 18.
\n\n
Diverse in style and flavor but uniform in the joyous spirit they represent, mooncakes capture the quintessence of Chinese traditions and are in high demand every Mid-Autumn Festival.
\n
However, consumer behavior has evolved over the years, with buyers now more aware of packaging, pricing and content. This has prompted sellers to improve both production quality and sales strategies to rope in more customers.
\n
The changes are discernible at some major supermarkets in Beijing this year. At Wumart, one of China's largest retail chains, mooncake gift boxes are priced at around 150 yuan ($21) on average, and the most expensive one is tagged at 498 yuan.
\n
"This year, our mooncakes are quite reasonably priced. For example, a gift box for 128 yuan contains one large mooncake and six small ones, weighing 920 grams in total," said a supermarket employee surnamed Zhang.
\n
Affordable mooncakes are a trend beyond the Chinese capital. Zheng Ziqin, owner of a bakery in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, said her gift boxes had a price tag of only 55 yuan. "We realized our customers are not fond of buying fancy, expensive mooncakes anymore," she added.
\n
On e-commerce platform Douyin, mooncakes are placed in the below-50 yuan product section, which experts said reflects the priority of consumers when selecting items, making market competition fiercer for producers.
\n
Another noticeable difference in consumer behavior this year is the loss of interest in mooncakes with fancy fillings, with most buyers looking for simple, traditional varieties.
\n
Xu Zhuqin, who works in Shanghai, said she bought meat mooncakes from Sam's Club and Freshippo this year.
\n
"We are fond of freshly baked ones, especially during the holiday. Sam's Club is selling 12 meat mooncakes for 26 yuan, while at Freshippo, it is 15 yuan for four pieces, which, if you ask me, is high cost performance," Xu said.
\n
Apart from pricing and packaging, consumer well-being is also receiving priority treatment. At both online stores and brick-and-mortar shops, "low-sugar" and "clean ingredients" are among eye-catching labels.
\n
According to Freshippo's research, development and procurement department, a recent survey indicated that 96.7 percent of its buyers consider "healthiness" their top priority when selecting mooncakes. So the grocery chain introduced low-sugar mooncakes, including lava egg custard and pine nut varieties, and also changed a key ingredient in the crust, using rice flour to lower the pastry's fat and sugar content.
\n
The normal shelf life of traditional mooncakes was considered to be over four months, but now most brands have reduced it to three and some have even cut it to 60 days, with the general belief being the shorter the shelf life, the healthier the mooncake.
\n
Noting the fierce competition in the sector, Zhan Junhao, founder of Fujian Huace Brand Positioning Consulting, said that mooncake bakers need to accurately grasp the dynamic changes in consumer demand.
\n
"First, they should set reasonable prices, keeping them around 100 to 200 yuan. Second, they should introduce more low-sugar mooncake varieties, reduce additives and innovate in terms of filling and dough to offer healthier options," he said, adding that fair price along with healthy ingredients is key to winning more customers.
\n
Data from market consultancy iiMedia Research shows China's production of mooncakes reached 548,000 metric tons in 2024, up 11.4 percent year-on-year, while sales revenue totaled 30 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 10.6 percent.
\n
zhengyiran@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
An employee makes mooncakes at a food enterprise in Jinhua, Zhejiang province, on Sept 18.
\n\n
Diverse in style and flavor but uniform in the joyous spirit they represent, mooncakes capture the quintessence of Chinese traditions and are in high demand every Mid-Autumn Festival.
\n
However, consumer behavior has evolved over the years, with buyers now more aware of packaging, pricing and content. This has prompted sellers to improve both production quality and sales strategies to rope in more customers.
\n
The changes are discernible at some major supermarkets in Beijing this year. At Wumart, one of China's largest retail chains, mooncake gift boxes are priced at around 150 yuan ($21) on average, and the most expensive one is tagged at 498 yuan.
\n
"This year, our mooncakes are quite reasonably priced. For example, a gift box for 128 yuan contains one large mooncake and six small ones, weighing 920 grams in total," said a supermarket employee surnamed Zhang.
\n
Affordable mooncakes are a trend beyond the Chinese capital. Zheng Ziqin, owner of a bakery in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, said her gift boxes had a price tag of only 55 yuan. "We realized our customers are not fond of buying fancy, expensive mooncakes anymore," she added.
\n
On e-commerce platform Douyin, mooncakes are placed in the below-50 yuan product section, which experts said reflects the priority of consumers when selecting items, making market competition fiercer for producers.
\n
Another noticeable difference in consumer behavior this year is the loss of interest in mooncakes with fancy fillings, with most buyers looking for simple, traditional varieties.
\n
Xu Zhuqin, who works in Shanghai, said she bought meat mooncakes from Sam's Club and Freshippo this year.
\n
"We are fond of freshly baked ones, especially during the holiday. Sam's Club is selling 12 meat mooncakes for 26 yuan, while at Freshippo, it is 15 yuan for four pieces, which, if you ask me, is high cost performance," Xu said.
\n
Apart from pricing and packaging, consumer well-being is also receiving priority treatment. At both online stores and brick-and-mortar shops, "low-sugar" and "clean ingredients" are among eye-catching labels.
\n
According to Freshippo's research, development and procurement department, a recent survey indicated that 96.7 percent of its buyers consider "healthiness" their top priority when selecting mooncakes. So the grocery chain introduced low-sugar mooncakes, including lava egg custard and pine nut varieties, and also changed a key ingredient in the crust, using rice flour to lower the pastry's fat and sugar content.
\n
The normal shelf life of traditional mooncakes was considered to be over four months, but now most brands have reduced it to three and some have even cut it to 60 days, with the general belief being the shorter the shelf life, the healthier the mooncake.
\n
Noting the fierce competition in the sector, Zhan Junhao, founder of Fujian Huace Brand Positioning Consulting, said that mooncake bakers need to accurately grasp the dynamic changes in consumer demand.
\n
"First, they should set reasonable prices, keeping them around 100 to 200 yuan. Second, they should introduce more low-sugar mooncake varieties, reduce additives and innovate in terms of filling and dough to offer healthier options," he said, adding that fair price along with healthy ingredients is key to winning more customers.
\n
Data from market consultancy iiMedia Research shows China's production of mooncakes reached 548,000 metric tons in 2024, up 11.4 percent year-on-year, while sales revenue totaled 30 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 10.6 percent.
A total of 350 hikers who were caught in a snowstorm on the eastern slopes of Qomolangma, also known as Mount Everest, have been relocated to safety, while the rest of over 200 hikers will be soon guided to reception points, local authorities said on Monday.
\n
Heavy snowfall hit the Gamagou area of Chudeng township in Dingri county, Xizang autonomous region, on Saturday night, trapping hundreds of visitors to the region.
\n
To ensure their safety, the county government immediately mobilized teams to provide communication and service support and to evacuate them to reception points in Chudeng.
\n
As of 11 am on Monday, all tourists at the reception points were safely relocated to hotels in Chudeng and its surrounding areas, according to the authorities. Cold-proof supplies have been distributed, meal services ensured and medical check-ups arranged, they said.
\n
A staff member of the Qomolangma scenic area, who asked to be identified as Yeshe, told National Business Daily that 60 to 80 people at the Qomolangma Base Camp were safely evacuated by Sunday morning, and no injuries were reported.
\n
The rescue efforts were focused on the 55-kilometer-long Gamagou valley, where the altitude ranges from 2,100 meters to over 5,000 meters, Yeshe said.
\n
Located in the core area of the Qomolangma National Nature Reserve, the valley boasts one of the world's top 10 classic hiking routes. The only means of transportation there are yaks and horses, Yeshe added.
\n
Dong Shuchang, a photographer with a lot of hiking experience in the Qomolangma scenic area, said this snowstorm was the worst he had ever seen.
\n
"We had just reached the first camp on the eastern slopes when the snowstorm hit the area. Even with a raincoat and an outdoor jacket on, I got soaked; and a layer of ice formed on my jacket," Dong said.
\n
In some places, the depth of snow reached about 1 meter, Dong said, noting that despite such inclement weather, rescue teams arrived on time and cleared the road by Sunday noon. "Food supplies were also timely and adequate," he added.
\n
According to a notice released by Dingri county's culture and tourism bureau on Sunday, several attractions in the region have been temporarily closed to ensure people's safety.
\n
The growing popularity of outdoor activities in recent years has made trekking in the Qomolangma region a lucrative option for many tourists.
\n
Official data shows that the Qomolangma scenic area received more than 540,000 domestic and international tourists last year, an 18 percent increase compared with the previous year.
\n
pengchao@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
A total of 350 hikers who were caught in a snowstorm on the eastern slopes of Qomolangma, also known as Mount Everest, have been relocated to safety, while the rest of over 200 hikers will be soon guided to reception points, local authorities said on Monday.
\n
Heavy snowfall hit the Gamagou area of Chudeng township in Dingri county, Xizang autonomous region, on Saturday night, trapping hundreds of visitors to the region.
\n
To ensure their safety, the county government immediately mobilized teams to provide communication and service support and to evacuate them to reception points in Chudeng.
\n
As of 11 am on Monday, all tourists at the reception points were safely relocated to hotels in Chudeng and its surrounding areas, according to the authorities. Cold-proof supplies have been distributed, meal services ensured and medical check-ups arranged, they said.
\n
A staff member of the Qomolangma scenic area, who asked to be identified as Yeshe, told National Business Daily that 60 to 80 people at the Qomolangma Base Camp were safely evacuated by Sunday morning, and no injuries were reported.
\n
The rescue efforts were focused on the 55-kilometer-long Gamagou valley, where the altitude ranges from 2,100 meters to over 5,000 meters, Yeshe said.
\n
Located in the core area of the Qomolangma National Nature Reserve, the valley boasts one of the world's top 10 classic hiking routes. The only means of transportation there are yaks and horses, Yeshe added.
\n
Dong Shuchang, a photographer with a lot of hiking experience in the Qomolangma scenic area, said this snowstorm was the worst he had ever seen.
\n
"We had just reached the first camp on the eastern slopes when the snowstorm hit the area. Even with a raincoat and an outdoor jacket on, I got soaked; and a layer of ice formed on my jacket," Dong said.
\n
In some places, the depth of snow reached about 1 meter, Dong said, noting that despite such inclement weather, rescue teams arrived on time and cleared the road by Sunday noon. "Food supplies were also timely and adequate," he added.
\n
According to a notice released by Dingri county's culture and tourism bureau on Sunday, several attractions in the region have been temporarily closed to ensure people's safety.
\n
The growing popularity of outdoor activities in recent years has made trekking in the Qomolangma region a lucrative option for many tourists.
\n
Official data shows that the Qomolangma scenic area received more than 540,000 domestic and international tourists last year, an 18 percent increase compared with the previous year.
China's move to bring exports of pure electric passenger vehicles under a licensing regulation is expected to enhance overseas user experience and protect brand reputation by ensuring stronger quality control, better after-sales services and a more orderly export environment, industry experts said.
\n
"By standardizing exporters and procedures, the new policy will help control the outflow of low-quality products from the source and encourage automakers to shift from a 'volume-driven' to a 'quality-driven' growth model," said Cui Dongshu, secretary-general of the China Passenger Car Association.
\n
The comments followed a joint announcement by the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the General Administration of Customs and the State Administration for Market Regulation on Sept 26, which stated that exports of pure electric passenger vehicles equipped with vehicle identification numbers will be subject to licensing requirements from Jan 1, 2026.
\n
"The core goal of licensing is to close loopholes by imposing strict qualification thresholds, directly restricting unauthorized entities and preventing quality risks caused by intermediaries," Cui said.
\n
Cui noted that in earlier years, many exported pure EVs were low-speed cars without VINs, which partly explained the less stringent management standards at the time.
\n
A VIN identifies a specific vehicle, providing detailed information about its manufacturer, model year, place of assembly and specifications.
\n
"Today, EVs with VINs have become mainstream in the pure EV category, and Customs authorities have already begun standardized classification, laying the foundation for more regulated export management," he said.
\n
According to data from the General Administration of Customs, from January to August this year, exports of pure EVs with VINs reached 1.082 million units, with a total value of 159.5 billion yuan ($22.4 billion). Over the same period, the number of all pure EV exports totaled 2.253 million units worth a combined 294.8 billion yuan.
\n
The new rules specify that only automakers and their authorized distributors may apply for licenses, and they may only export vehicles of their own brands.
\n
"At present, some unauthorized firms purchase vehicles in the domestic market and ship them to overseas destinations with no after-sales support, in order to bypass marketing and service costs. This undermines both user experience and the image of Chinese brands," said Wu Songquan, senior chief expert at the China Automotive Technology and Research Center.
\n
An excessive number of exporters crowding the same overseas markets may also lead to homogeneous competition and price wars, Wu added.
\n
"Designating automakers as the major responsible entity will push them to build rigorous quality systems and exercise price discipline with a long-term view," he said.
\n
Wu stressed that direct participation in overseas markets will also enable carmakers to adapt products locally and ensure sustained service.
\n
"When automakers integrate overseas markets into their value chains, they will increase research and development, tailor products for local demand and set up full-cycle service networks — from local parts depots and professional training to multilingual support and extended warranties — creating a seamless user experience and strengthening overall brand reputation," Wu said.
\n
Cui Fan, a professor of international trade at the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing, said that by regulating the flow and quality of vehicles entering international markets, China is also reacting to international EV markets that are marked with growing protectionism and friction.
\n
It positions the country not just as a dominant manufacturer, but also as a responsible and predictable player in the global trade of tomorrow's automobiles, Cui from UIBE said.
\n
"When you can demonstrate controlled, rules-based exports, it changes the narrative. It becomes harder for partners to argue against managed trade when you are already managing it yourself," he added.
\n
To further protect export orders and provide higher-quality products for overseas markets, the policy also requires exporters to meet certain conditions, including being listed in the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology's vehicle production catalog, holding valid CCC certifications and maintaining after-sales service capabilities aligned with their export scale. Automakers and their authorized partners must also share legal liability for quality assurance and after-sales service of exported vehicles.
\n
"By strictly reviewing qualifications, the policy will effectively limit exports by small manufacturers with weak technology and insufficient service capabilities abroad, raising the overall quality of China's EV exports," Wu said.
\n
Contact the writers at lijiaying@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
China's move to bring exports of pure electric passenger vehicles under a licensing regulation is expected to enhance overseas user experience and protect brand reputation by ensuring stronger quality control, better after-sales services and a more orderly export environment, industry experts said.
\n
"By standardizing exporters and procedures, the new policy will help control the outflow of low-quality products from the source and encourage automakers to shift from a 'volume-driven' to a 'quality-driven' growth model," said Cui Dongshu, secretary-general of the China Passenger Car Association.
\n
The comments followed a joint announcement by the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the General Administration of Customs and the State Administration for Market Regulation on Sept 26, which stated that exports of pure electric passenger vehicles equipped with vehicle identification numbers will be subject to licensing requirements from Jan 1, 2026.
\n
"The core goal of licensing is to close loopholes by imposing strict qualification thresholds, directly restricting unauthorized entities and preventing quality risks caused by intermediaries," Cui said.
\n
Cui noted that in earlier years, many exported pure EVs were low-speed cars without VINs, which partly explained the less stringent management standards at the time.
\n
A VIN identifies a specific vehicle, providing detailed information about its manufacturer, model year, place of assembly and specifications.
\n
"Today, EVs with VINs have become mainstream in the pure EV category, and Customs authorities have already begun standardized classification, laying the foundation for more regulated export management," he said.
\n
According to data from the General Administration of Customs, from January to August this year, exports of pure EVs with VINs reached 1.082 million units, with a total value of 159.5 billion yuan ($22.4 billion). Over the same period, the number of all pure EV exports totaled 2.253 million units worth a combined 294.8 billion yuan.
\n
The new rules specify that only automakers and their authorized distributors may apply for licenses, and they may only export vehicles of their own brands.
\n
"At present, some unauthorized firms purchase vehicles in the domestic market and ship them to overseas destinations with no after-sales support, in order to bypass marketing and service costs. This undermines both user experience and the image of Chinese brands," said Wu Songquan, senior chief expert at the China Automotive Technology and Research Center.
\n
An excessive number of exporters crowding the same overseas markets may also lead to homogeneous competition and price wars, Wu added.
\n
"Designating automakers as the major responsible entity will push them to build rigorous quality systems and exercise price discipline with a long-term view," he said.
\n
Wu stressed that direct participation in overseas markets will also enable carmakers to adapt products locally and ensure sustained service.
\n
"When automakers integrate overseas markets into their value chains, they will increase research and development, tailor products for local demand and set up full-cycle service networks — from local parts depots and professional training to multilingual support and extended warranties — creating a seamless user experience and strengthening overall brand reputation," Wu said.
\n
Cui Fan, a professor of international trade at the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing, said that by regulating the flow and quality of vehicles entering international markets, China is also reacting to international EV markets that are marked with growing protectionism and friction.
\n
It positions the country not just as a dominant manufacturer, but also as a responsible and predictable player in the global trade of tomorrow's automobiles, Cui from UIBE said.
\n
"When you can demonstrate controlled, rules-based exports, it changes the narrative. It becomes harder for partners to argue against managed trade when you are already managing it yourself," he added.
\n
To further protect export orders and provide higher-quality products for overseas markets, the policy also requires exporters to meet certain conditions, including being listed in the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology's vehicle production catalog, holding valid CCC certifications and maintaining after-sales service capabilities aligned with their export scale. Automakers and their authorized partners must also share legal liability for quality assurance and after-sales service of exported vehicles.
\n
"By strictly reviewing qualifications, the policy will effectively limit exports by small manufacturers with weak technology and insufficient service capabilities abroad, raising the overall quality of China's EV exports," Wu said.
\n
Contact the writers at lijiaying@chinadaily.com.cn
Ghanaian President John Mahama attends the groundbreaking ceremony for the Bright International Amusement Park in Afienya, Tema, on Saturday. With a total investment of about $300 million, the project was built with the support of a Chinese company under the cooperation framework of the Belt and Road Initiative.
\n",
+ "content": "
Ghanaian President John Mahama attends the groundbreaking ceremony for the Bright International Amusement Park in Afienya, Tema, on Saturday. With a total investment of about $300 million, the project was built with the support of a Chinese company under the cooperation framework of the Belt and Road Initiative.
Visitors color a 76-meter-long canvas during a community art event at Harbin Ice and Snow World in Heilongjiang province on Monday. A total of 500 parent-child groups participated in a collective painting activity held by the entertainment park to celebrate the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.
\n",
+ "content": "
Visitors color a 76-meter-long canvas during a community art event at Harbin Ice and Snow World in Heilongjiang province on Monday. A total of 500 parent-child groups participated in a collective painting activity held by the entertainment park to celebrate the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.
In a groundbreaking study, Chinese researchers have revealed how a single plant cell can develop into a whole plant, unlocking potential applications for agriculture and crop conservation.
\n
The team published its study, titled "Time-resolved Reprogramming of Single Somatic Cells into Totipotent States During Plant Regeneration", in the academic journal Cell on Tuesday. The researchers, from the College of Life Sciences of Shandong Agricultural University in Tai'an, Shandong province, were led by professors Zhang Xiansheng and Su Yinghua.
\n
Plants have long fascinated scientists with their remarkable ability to regenerate — a leaf, a stem or even a single cell can give rise to an entirely new plant. This phenomenon, known as plant cell totipotency, was first proposed in the early 20th century. It refers to the capacity of a plant cell to dedifferentiate and form totipotent stem cells similar to a fertilized egg, which can then develop into a complete plant. However, the molecular mechanisms behind this process have remained elusive for over a century.
\n
"It's common to observe plant regeneration, such as in sweet potatoes, which can grow into new plants even from a cut piece," professor Zhang said. "But how does a single somatic cell change? What is the mechanism? These were the questions we had been trying to answer."
\n
Zhang's team embarked on its journey in 2005 using thale cress, a widely studied model plant, and finally mapped the complete pathway of cell fate reprogramming using cutting-edge technologies such as single-cell sequencing and live imaging.
\n
"We can flip a 'switch' to turn it into a totipotent cell similar to a fertilized egg, which can then grow into the next generation," professor Su said. "That switch is the high accumulation of auxin in the original cell. By providing a specific environment, the cell can be triggered to become a totipotent stem cell."
\n
Over the past two decades, the team conducted hundreds of thousands of experiments.
\n
"Establishing the initial system was extremely difficult; experiments failed repeatedly," said Tang Liping, an associate professor at the university.
\n
A turning point came when she accidentally broke a glass vial, leading to the surprise discovery of embryo-like structures growing on a cotyledon.
\n
The research not only answers a long-standing question in plant biology, but also opens new pathways for agricultural innovation. The technology is currently being tested on wheat, corn, soybeans and other crops.
\n
"Precise regulation of cell totipotency could allow for rapid cloning of high-quality crop varieties, shortening breeding cycles and offering new strategies for conserving rare and valuable germplasm resources," Zhang said.
\n
Chong Kang, an academician at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, praised the discovery.
\n
"These research findings provide a theoretical blueprint for optimizing crop regeneration systems, marking a milestone contribution from China in the field of plant development and biotechnology to the world," Chong said.
\n
zhaoruixue@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
In a groundbreaking study, Chinese researchers have revealed how a single plant cell can develop into a whole plant, unlocking potential applications for agriculture and crop conservation.
\n
The team published its study, titled "Time-resolved Reprogramming of Single Somatic Cells into Totipotent States During Plant Regeneration", in the academic journal Cell on Tuesday. The researchers, from the College of Life Sciences of Shandong Agricultural University in Tai'an, Shandong province, were led by professors Zhang Xiansheng and Su Yinghua.
\n
Plants have long fascinated scientists with their remarkable ability to regenerate — a leaf, a stem or even a single cell can give rise to an entirely new plant. This phenomenon, known as plant cell totipotency, was first proposed in the early 20th century. It refers to the capacity of a plant cell to dedifferentiate and form totipotent stem cells similar to a fertilized egg, which can then develop into a complete plant. However, the molecular mechanisms behind this process have remained elusive for over a century.
\n
"It's common to observe plant regeneration, such as in sweet potatoes, which can grow into new plants even from a cut piece," professor Zhang said. "But how does a single somatic cell change? What is the mechanism? These were the questions we had been trying to answer."
\n
Zhang's team embarked on its journey in 2005 using thale cress, a widely studied model plant, and finally mapped the complete pathway of cell fate reprogramming using cutting-edge technologies such as single-cell sequencing and live imaging.
\n
"We can flip a 'switch' to turn it into a totipotent cell similar to a fertilized egg, which can then grow into the next generation," professor Su said. "That switch is the high accumulation of auxin in the original cell. By providing a specific environment, the cell can be triggered to become a totipotent stem cell."
\n
Over the past two decades, the team conducted hundreds of thousands of experiments.
\n
"Establishing the initial system was extremely difficult; experiments failed repeatedly," said Tang Liping, an associate professor at the university.
\n
A turning point came when she accidentally broke a glass vial, leading to the surprise discovery of embryo-like structures growing on a cotyledon.
\n
The research not only answers a long-standing question in plant biology, but also opens new pathways for agricultural innovation. The technology is currently being tested on wheat, corn, soybeans and other crops.
\n
"Precise regulation of cell totipotency could allow for rapid cloning of high-quality crop varieties, shortening breeding cycles and offering new strategies for conserving rare and valuable germplasm resources," Zhang said.
\n
Chong Kang, an academician at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, praised the discovery.
\n
"These research findings provide a theoretical blueprint for optimizing crop regeneration systems, marking a milestone contribution from China in the field of plant development and biotechnology to the world," Chong said.
For AkzoNobel, a Dutch multinational paints and coatings company, the potential to do strong business in China is significant as the country's focus increasingly shifts toward quality enhancement and improved living experiences, executives said.
\n
AkzoNobel sees a landscape ripe with opportunity in China, where current industry trends and government policies such as the "good housing" initiative are creating fertile ground for multinational corporations like itself, said Daniel Geiger Campos, AkzoNobel's business director of global decorative paints.
\n
"China's good housing initiative, which prioritizes sustainability, safety, smart living and comfort, provides AkzoNobel with chances to cater to the nation's burgeoning demand for enhanced living standards and sustainable solutions," he said.
\n
China included the concept of "good housing" in its Government Work Report this year for the first time, proposing adapting to the people's need for high-quality living, improving standards and regulations, and promoting the construction of safe, comfortable, green, and smart good housing.
\n
"China has been a pioneer within AkzoNobel in adopting bio-based ingredients, making our products more environmentally friendly. We are eager to contribute our expertise and solutions to support the development of good housing across China, helping to build homes that are not only beautiful, but also contribute to a healthier and more sustainable future for all," Campos said.
\n
According to AkzoNobel, three of its factories in China have been certified as national-level green factories, and it aims to continue to pursue this recognition for other sites.
\n
Despite a more challenging business environment, Campos said AkzoNobel is confident and remains committed to the Chinese market.
\n
"Our dedication to the Chinese market is long-term, and the company remains committed to continuously investing and growing throughout China, the world's second-largest economy," he said.
\n
"We are confident that growth will accelerate in the future, and we are preparing now to succeed in that improved climate. By doing our homework today, we aim to emerge even stronger when the market rebounds."
\n
Campos said there is already growth in repainting, particularly premium interior repainting, as well as in color options within the premium segment, where the company holds competitive advantages.
\n
Looking ahead, AkzoNobel's key business priorities in China include developing industry benchmarks, continuing to invest in production capacity and strengthening China's role as an innovation hub.
\n
Driven by China's resilience and ambitious goals, many multinational chemical corporations are committed to expanding their presence in the country, industry experts said.
\n
The combination of a substantial industrial base, growing demand and a stable, improving economic landscape makes China an attractive destination for foreign investment and a crucial driver of global economic growth, said Lin Boqiang, head of the China Institute for Studies in Energy Policy at Xiamen University in Fujian province.
\n
AkzoNobel recognizes the growing trend of renovation over new construction in China, emphasizing the importance of durable and high-quality paints.
\n
Karen Yin, president of AkzoNobel China, emphasized the importance of collaboration with local partners, designers and industry associations to promote the application of high-quality paints and support the upgrade of housing standards.
\n
"Today's Chinese consumers increasingly rely on professional advice when purchasing paint or planning home decoration. Designers, in particular, play a growing role in shaping color choices and aesthetic trends," Yin said.
\n
"Renovation is becoming more common than new construction as the market evolves, which makes it essential that renovations are durable. This provides AkzoNobel with a significant opportunity to offer its innovative and long-lasting solutions to meet this growing demand."
\n
zhengxin@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
For AkzoNobel, a Dutch multinational paints and coatings company, the potential to do strong business in China is significant as the country's focus increasingly shifts toward quality enhancement and improved living experiences, executives said.
\n
AkzoNobel sees a landscape ripe with opportunity in China, where current industry trends and government policies such as the "good housing" initiative are creating fertile ground for multinational corporations like itself, said Daniel Geiger Campos, AkzoNobel's business director of global decorative paints.
\n
"China's good housing initiative, which prioritizes sustainability, safety, smart living and comfort, provides AkzoNobel with chances to cater to the nation's burgeoning demand for enhanced living standards and sustainable solutions," he said.
\n
China included the concept of "good housing" in its Government Work Report this year for the first time, proposing adapting to the people's need for high-quality living, improving standards and regulations, and promoting the construction of safe, comfortable, green, and smart good housing.
\n
"China has been a pioneer within AkzoNobel in adopting bio-based ingredients, making our products more environmentally friendly. We are eager to contribute our expertise and solutions to support the development of good housing across China, helping to build homes that are not only beautiful, but also contribute to a healthier and more sustainable future for all," Campos said.
\n
According to AkzoNobel, three of its factories in China have been certified as national-level green factories, and it aims to continue to pursue this recognition for other sites.
\n
Despite a more challenging business environment, Campos said AkzoNobel is confident and remains committed to the Chinese market.
\n
"Our dedication to the Chinese market is long-term, and the company remains committed to continuously investing and growing throughout China, the world's second-largest economy," he said.
\n
"We are confident that growth will accelerate in the future, and we are preparing now to succeed in that improved climate. By doing our homework today, we aim to emerge even stronger when the market rebounds."
\n
Campos said there is already growth in repainting, particularly premium interior repainting, as well as in color options within the premium segment, where the company holds competitive advantages.
\n
Looking ahead, AkzoNobel's key business priorities in China include developing industry benchmarks, continuing to invest in production capacity and strengthening China's role as an innovation hub.
\n
Driven by China's resilience and ambitious goals, many multinational chemical corporations are committed to expanding their presence in the country, industry experts said.
\n
The combination of a substantial industrial base, growing demand and a stable, improving economic landscape makes China an attractive destination for foreign investment and a crucial driver of global economic growth, said Lin Boqiang, head of the China Institute for Studies in Energy Policy at Xiamen University in Fujian province.
\n
AkzoNobel recognizes the growing trend of renovation over new construction in China, emphasizing the importance of durable and high-quality paints.
\n
Karen Yin, president of AkzoNobel China, emphasized the importance of collaboration with local partners, designers and industry associations to promote the application of high-quality paints and support the upgrade of housing standards.
\n
"Today's Chinese consumers increasingly rely on professional advice when purchasing paint or planning home decoration. Designers, in particular, play a growing role in shaping color choices and aesthetic trends," Yin said.
\n
"Renovation is becoming more common than new construction as the market evolves, which makes it essential that renovations are durable. This provides AkzoNobel with a significant opportunity to offer its innovative and long-lasting solutions to meet this growing demand."
Chinese scientists have recently published a new significant finding that will help to better understand the moon's history and its hemispheric dichotomy, or the dramatic difference between the lunar near and far sides.
\n
According to a joint statement released on Monday by the China National Space Administration and the China Atomic Energy Authority, a group of researchers from the Beijing Research Institute of Uranium Geology, a China National Nuclear Corp subsidiary, Peking University and Shandong University have found, for the first time, that the lunar mantle on the far side is "colder" than that on the near side.
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Researchers made the discovery after analyzing lunar dust retrieved from the far side of the moon by the Chang'e 6 robotic probe.
\n
The finding, which was published in the academic journal Nature Geoscience on Sept 30, will further deepen the understanding of the moon's hemispheric dichotomy, provide petrological, geochemical and other scientific evidence for the temperature difference between the lunar mantle on the near and far sides, and present key scientific data for research on lunar evolution and the characteristics of the hemispheric dichotomy, according to the statement.
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This also marks a new achievement in the cross-disciplinary collaboration between Chinese nuclear and space scientists, following their discovery of the sixth lunar mineral — Changesite-(Y) — in late 2022, the statement noted.
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Located beneath the lunar crust, the lunar mantle is the largest component of the moon in terms of volume, and the moon's ancient volcanic activities were formed by the upward movement of mantle materials. Therefore, the internal characteristics of the moon, such as the lunar mantle, are crucial for research on lunar evolution, the statement added.
\n
In their study, scientists used a variety of methods to conduct detailed analysis of the lunar samples brought back by the Chang'e 6 probe.
\n
By analyzing the compositions of typical minerals, including clinopyroxene and plagioclase, in the lunar regolith basalt samples, they calculated the crystallization temperature and pressure using three different thermobarometers. To ensure the scientific validity of the results, the team simulated the crystallization process of Chang'e 6 samples through a petrological model.
\n
The four independent methods yielded consistent results — the crystallization temperature of the basalt samples is about 1,100 C, approximately 100 C lower than that of samples from the near side.
\n
The researchers also reconstructed the chemical composition of the moon's original magma and calculated the potential temperatures of the lunar mantle. They found that the potential temperature of the lunar mantle on the far side is about 100 C lower than that on the near side. In addition, the research team used lunar remote-sensing data to conduct verification and analysis on a larger regional scale.
\n
"Collectively, our findings demonstrate that the lunar far side mantle is relatively colder than the near side mantle, consistent with the hemispherical differences in crustal thickness and heat-producing element distribution, and provide constraints on the thermal evolution of the moon and the origin of its global asymmetry," the scientists wrote in their Nature Geoscience article.
\n
Li Ziying, a senior scientist and one of the research leaders, said that studying the physical and chemical differences between the lunar near and far sides not only enables scientists to deepen their knowledge about the moon itself, but also offers insights into Earth's evolution.
\n
The Chang'e 6 mission, representing the world's first attempt to bring samples from the far side of the moon, was launched in May 2024 from the Wenchang Space Launch Site in Hainan province.
\n
The mission successfully concluded after 53 days of sophisticated maneuvers, retrieving a total of 1,935.3 grams of samples from the far side.
\n
zhaolei@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
Chinese scientists have recently published a new significant finding that will help to better understand the moon's history and its hemispheric dichotomy, or the dramatic difference between the lunar near and far sides.
\n
According to a joint statement released on Monday by the China National Space Administration and the China Atomic Energy Authority, a group of researchers from the Beijing Research Institute of Uranium Geology, a China National Nuclear Corp subsidiary, Peking University and Shandong University have found, for the first time, that the lunar mantle on the far side is "colder" than that on the near side.
\n
Researchers made the discovery after analyzing lunar dust retrieved from the far side of the moon by the Chang'e 6 robotic probe.
\n
The finding, which was published in the academic journal Nature Geoscience on Sept 30, will further deepen the understanding of the moon's hemispheric dichotomy, provide petrological, geochemical and other scientific evidence for the temperature difference between the lunar mantle on the near and far sides, and present key scientific data for research on lunar evolution and the characteristics of the hemispheric dichotomy, according to the statement.
\n
This also marks a new achievement in the cross-disciplinary collaboration between Chinese nuclear and space scientists, following their discovery of the sixth lunar mineral — Changesite-(Y) — in late 2022, the statement noted.
\n
Located beneath the lunar crust, the lunar mantle is the largest component of the moon in terms of volume, and the moon's ancient volcanic activities were formed by the upward movement of mantle materials. Therefore, the internal characteristics of the moon, such as the lunar mantle, are crucial for research on lunar evolution, the statement added.
\n
In their study, scientists used a variety of methods to conduct detailed analysis of the lunar samples brought back by the Chang'e 6 probe.
\n
By analyzing the compositions of typical minerals, including clinopyroxene and plagioclase, in the lunar regolith basalt samples, they calculated the crystallization temperature and pressure using three different thermobarometers. To ensure the scientific validity of the results, the team simulated the crystallization process of Chang'e 6 samples through a petrological model.
\n
The four independent methods yielded consistent results — the crystallization temperature of the basalt samples is about 1,100 C, approximately 100 C lower than that of samples from the near side.
\n
The researchers also reconstructed the chemical composition of the moon's original magma and calculated the potential temperatures of the lunar mantle. They found that the potential temperature of the lunar mantle on the far side is about 100 C lower than that on the near side. In addition, the research team used lunar remote-sensing data to conduct verification and analysis on a larger regional scale.
\n
"Collectively, our findings demonstrate that the lunar far side mantle is relatively colder than the near side mantle, consistent with the hemispherical differences in crustal thickness and heat-producing element distribution, and provide constraints on the thermal evolution of the moon and the origin of its global asymmetry," the scientists wrote in their Nature Geoscience article.
\n
Li Ziying, a senior scientist and one of the research leaders, said that studying the physical and chemical differences between the lunar near and far sides not only enables scientists to deepen their knowledge about the moon itself, but also offers insights into Earth's evolution.
\n
The Chang'e 6 mission, representing the world's first attempt to bring samples from the far side of the moon, was launched in May 2024 from the Wenchang Space Launch Site in Hainan province.
\n
The mission successfully concluded after 53 days of sophisticated maneuvers, retrieving a total of 1,935.3 grams of samples from the far side.
An employee makes mooncakes at a food enterprise in Jinhua, Zhejiang province, on Sept 18.
\n\n
Diverse in style and flavor but uniform in the joyous spirit they represent, mooncakes capture the quintessence of Chinese traditions and are in high demand every Mid-Autumn Festival.
\n
However, consumer behavior has evolved over the years, with buyers now more aware of packaging, pricing and content. This has prompted sellers to improve both production quality and sales strategies to rope in more customers.
\n
The changes are discernible at some major supermarkets in Beijing this year. At Wumart, one of China's largest retail chains, mooncake gift boxes are priced at around 150 yuan ($21) on average, and the most expensive one is tagged at 498 yuan.
\n
"This year, our mooncakes are quite reasonably priced. For example, a gift box for 128 yuan contains one large mooncake and six small ones, weighing 920 grams in total," said a supermarket employee surnamed Zhang.
\n
Affordable mooncakes are a trend beyond the Chinese capital. Zheng Ziqin, owner of a bakery in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, said her gift boxes had a price tag of only 55 yuan. "We realized our customers are not fond of buying fancy, expensive mooncakes anymore," she added.
\n
On e-commerce platform Douyin, mooncakes are placed in the below-50 yuan product section, which experts said reflects the priority of consumers when selecting items, making market competition fiercer for producers.
\n
Another noticeable difference in consumer behavior this year is the loss of interest in mooncakes with fancy fillings, with most buyers looking for simple, traditional varieties.
\n
Xu Zhuqin, who works in Shanghai, said she bought meat mooncakes from Sam's Club and Freshippo this year.
\n
"We are fond of freshly baked ones, especially during the holiday. Sam's Club is selling 12 meat mooncakes for 26 yuan, while at Freshippo, it is 15 yuan for four pieces, which, if you ask me, is high cost performance," Xu said.
\n
Apart from pricing and packaging, consumer well-being is also receiving priority treatment. At both online stores and brick-and-mortar shops, "low-sugar" and "clean ingredients" are among eye-catching labels.
\n
According to Freshippo's research, development and procurement department, a recent survey indicated that 96.7 percent of its buyers consider "healthiness" their top priority when selecting mooncakes. So the grocery chain introduced low-sugar mooncakes, including lava egg custard and pine nut varieties, and also changed a key ingredient in the crust, using rice flour to lower the pastry's fat and sugar content.
\n
The normal shelf life of traditional mooncakes was considered to be over four months, but now most brands have reduced it to three and some have even cut it to 60 days, with the general belief being the shorter the shelf life, the healthier the mooncake.
\n
Noting the fierce competition in the sector, Zhan Junhao, founder of Fujian Huace Brand Positioning Consulting, said that mooncake bakers need to accurately grasp the dynamic changes in consumer demand.
\n
"First, they should set reasonable prices, keeping them around 100 to 200 yuan. Second, they should introduce more low-sugar mooncake varieties, reduce additives and innovate in terms of filling and dough to offer healthier options," he said, adding that fair price along with healthy ingredients is key to winning more customers.
\n
Data from market consultancy iiMedia Research shows China's production of mooncakes reached 548,000 metric tons in 2024, up 11.4 percent year-on-year, while sales revenue totaled 30 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 10.6 percent.
\n
zhengyiran@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
An employee makes mooncakes at a food enterprise in Jinhua, Zhejiang province, on Sept 18.
\n\n
Diverse in style and flavor but uniform in the joyous spirit they represent, mooncakes capture the quintessence of Chinese traditions and are in high demand every Mid-Autumn Festival.
\n
However, consumer behavior has evolved over the years, with buyers now more aware of packaging, pricing and content. This has prompted sellers to improve both production quality and sales strategies to rope in more customers.
\n
The changes are discernible at some major supermarkets in Beijing this year. At Wumart, one of China's largest retail chains, mooncake gift boxes are priced at around 150 yuan ($21) on average, and the most expensive one is tagged at 498 yuan.
\n
"This year, our mooncakes are quite reasonably priced. For example, a gift box for 128 yuan contains one large mooncake and six small ones, weighing 920 grams in total," said a supermarket employee surnamed Zhang.
\n
Affordable mooncakes are a trend beyond the Chinese capital. Zheng Ziqin, owner of a bakery in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, said her gift boxes had a price tag of only 55 yuan. "We realized our customers are not fond of buying fancy, expensive mooncakes anymore," she added.
\n
On e-commerce platform Douyin, mooncakes are placed in the below-50 yuan product section, which experts said reflects the priority of consumers when selecting items, making market competition fiercer for producers.
\n
Another noticeable difference in consumer behavior this year is the loss of interest in mooncakes with fancy fillings, with most buyers looking for simple, traditional varieties.
\n
Xu Zhuqin, who works in Shanghai, said she bought meat mooncakes from Sam's Club and Freshippo this year.
\n
"We are fond of freshly baked ones, especially during the holiday. Sam's Club is selling 12 meat mooncakes for 26 yuan, while at Freshippo, it is 15 yuan for four pieces, which, if you ask me, is high cost performance," Xu said.
\n
Apart from pricing and packaging, consumer well-being is also receiving priority treatment. At both online stores and brick-and-mortar shops, "low-sugar" and "clean ingredients" are among eye-catching labels.
\n
According to Freshippo's research, development and procurement department, a recent survey indicated that 96.7 percent of its buyers consider "healthiness" their top priority when selecting mooncakes. So the grocery chain introduced low-sugar mooncakes, including lava egg custard and pine nut varieties, and also changed a key ingredient in the crust, using rice flour to lower the pastry's fat and sugar content.
\n
The normal shelf life of traditional mooncakes was considered to be over four months, but now most brands have reduced it to three and some have even cut it to 60 days, with the general belief being the shorter the shelf life, the healthier the mooncake.
\n
Noting the fierce competition in the sector, Zhan Junhao, founder of Fujian Huace Brand Positioning Consulting, said that mooncake bakers need to accurately grasp the dynamic changes in consumer demand.
\n
"First, they should set reasonable prices, keeping them around 100 to 200 yuan. Second, they should introduce more low-sugar mooncake varieties, reduce additives and innovate in terms of filling and dough to offer healthier options," he said, adding that fair price along with healthy ingredients is key to winning more customers.
\n
Data from market consultancy iiMedia Research shows China's production of mooncakes reached 548,000 metric tons in 2024, up 11.4 percent year-on-year, while sales revenue totaled 30 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 10.6 percent.
Villagers cheer for following the completion of a national-level village singing competition in Wanzhou, Chongqing, on Sept 21.
\n
Dressed in ethnic clothing, singers perform during a gala after the village singing competition.
\n
The sound of drums and rustic melodies echoed across the shores of the Three Gorges Reservoir in Wanzhou, Chongqing, as the village singing competition got underway on Sept 21. Seventeen teams from six western provinces and regions had gathered to celebrate the harvest with songs during the 2025 Chinese Farmers' Harvest Festival.
\n
The singing competition has become one of the signature cultural events of the annual farmers' harvest festival, encouraging villagers to compose and perform original works that capture both traditional heritage and contemporary rural vitality, according to China Rural Magazine, one of the organizers of the event.
\n
This year's event was expanded to include a main competition for collective village songs and a subsidiary contest for individuals and smaller groups. The latter brought together mountain ballads, folk tunes, operatic arias and rap performances, showcasing the cultural diversity of China's countryside. The performances were judged based on the combined views from professionals, media and the public, with extra points awarded for strong grassroots participation.
\n
The performances reflected the width of western China's cultural landscape. A chorus from Lhundrub county in Lhasa, Xizang autonomous region, staged Harvested Barley, recreating scenes of golden fields and full granaries on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.
\n
In Gansu, a rural opera troupe fused traditional Qinqiang Opera with humorous depictions of modern farm life in The Good Days of Farmers, drawing laughter and applause. The performance bagged the first prize in its category.
\n
"More than 90 percent of our team members are farmers," said Qin Dengmei, head of the Gansu opera troupe in Chongxin county. "We use old voices to sing new songs about our villages, our better lives, and our hopes for the future," Qin said.
\n
Zhao Hongbin, one of the judges, said the prize-winning songs come straight from the fields, "unpolished, but full of real strength". "They celebrate not only the harvest but also cultural roots and rural confidence," Zhao said.
\n
The Village Song Competition was rolled out nationwide in August, with regional contests held both online and offline. The finals will take place later this year in Jianhe county, Guizhou province, home to vibrant ethnic traditions and grassroots cultural innovation.
\n
Lei Liugong, head of the festival organizing committee, said the Village Song Competition, similar to the Village Super League of soccer and the Village Basketball Games, has become an activity where farmers are both performers and storytellers.
\n
"By making good use of village songs, a popular art form among farmers, we can promote rural culture, cultivate rural customs, and boost farmers' morale, injecting new vitality into the rural civilization," Lei said.
Villagers cheer for following the completion of a national-level village singing competition in Wanzhou, Chongqing, on Sept 21.
\n
Dressed in ethnic clothing, singers perform during a gala after the village singing competition.
\n
The sound of drums and rustic melodies echoed across the shores of the Three Gorges Reservoir in Wanzhou, Chongqing, as the village singing competition got underway on Sept 21. Seventeen teams from six western provinces and regions had gathered to celebrate the harvest with songs during the 2025 Chinese Farmers' Harvest Festival.
\n
The singing competition has become one of the signature cultural events of the annual farmers' harvest festival, encouraging villagers to compose and perform original works that capture both traditional heritage and contemporary rural vitality, according to China Rural Magazine, one of the organizers of the event.
\n
This year's event was expanded to include a main competition for collective village songs and a subsidiary contest for individuals and smaller groups. The latter brought together mountain ballads, folk tunes, operatic arias and rap performances, showcasing the cultural diversity of China's countryside. The performances were judged based on the combined views from professionals, media and the public, with extra points awarded for strong grassroots participation.
\n
The performances reflected the width of western China's cultural landscape. A chorus from Lhundrub county in Lhasa, Xizang autonomous region, staged Harvested Barley, recreating scenes of golden fields and full granaries on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.
\n
In Gansu, a rural opera troupe fused traditional Qinqiang Opera with humorous depictions of modern farm life in The Good Days of Farmers, drawing laughter and applause. The performance bagged the first prize in its category.
\n
"More than 90 percent of our team members are farmers," said Qin Dengmei, head of the Gansu opera troupe in Chongxin county. "We use old voices to sing new songs about our villages, our better lives, and our hopes for the future," Qin said.
\n
Zhao Hongbin, one of the judges, said the prize-winning songs come straight from the fields, "unpolished, but full of real strength". "They celebrate not only the harvest but also cultural roots and rural confidence," Zhao said.
\n
The Village Song Competition was rolled out nationwide in August, with regional contests held both online and offline. The finals will take place later this year in Jianhe county, Guizhou province, home to vibrant ethnic traditions and grassroots cultural innovation.
\n
Lei Liugong, head of the festival organizing committee, said the Village Song Competition, similar to the Village Super League of soccer and the Village Basketball Games, has become an activity where farmers are both performers and storytellers.
\n
"By making good use of village songs, a popular art form among farmers, we can promote rural culture, cultivate rural customs, and boost farmers' morale, injecting new vitality into the rural civilization," Lei said.
A vendor sells garlic during a Chinese Farmers' Harvest Festival event in Tianjin on Sept 23.
\n
Pomegranate grower Liu Yuan (center) hits the stage with performers in promoting the produce during a festival activity in Zhaoyuan, Shandong province, on Sept 23.
\n
People shop during the Egg Promotion Fair in Zhuozhou, Hebei province, last month.
\n
Growers promote pears during a livestreaming session at an orchard in Dangshan, Anhui province, on Sept 13.
\n
On a Sunday morning in late September, at a sprawling farm in Zhuozhou in Hebei province, several children gathered around tables to solve the "egg shell puzzle" and take the "egg protection challenge" while their parents chatted with farmers and industry representatives. This was the 2025 Egg Promotion Fair, part of the nationwide Golden Autumn Consumption Season tied to the Chinese Farmers' Harvest Festival. With 70 booths bringing together enterprises, farmers and consumers from across the country, the event turned a common staple — the humble egg — into a connection between rural and urban life.
\n
Exhibitors at the fair ranged from major producers such as Beijing Deqingyuan to small cooperatives. They presented goods from fresh eggs and seasoned products, including marinated eggs and egg yolk pastries, to powdered egg protein and even delicate handicrafts made from egg shells.
\n
"Eggs are more than just a daily food," said Yan Kuiyou, chief expert with the National Animal Husbandry Service. "They are vital to food security, a cost-effective source of protein, and a key to farmers' livelihoods."
\n
Yan said consumer demand for eggs is moving beyond basic protein supplementation toward more precise nutritional goals. "With consumption trends shifting toward healthier, traceable and more diverse products, this sector has huge potential," he said. Shoppers are increasingly seeking eggs that target specific health concerns, such as eggs enriched with omega-3 fatty acids for improving brain health and low-cholesterol eggs for seniors.
\n
With the advent of urban lifestyles, ready-to-eat egg products such as marinated eggs and liquid egg cartons are also gaining popularity, especially among younger consumers, Yan added.
\n
Wu Shugeng, head of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences' expert team on eggs and the event organizer, said the fair aimed to develop direct connections between suppliers and consumers. Visitors could tour the farm to see the full cycle of production, from feed processing to the making of organic fertilizer. "Eggs are a perfect entry point to promote agricultural consumption. They are found on every family's table," Wu said.
\n
China is both the world's largest producer and consumer of eggs. But the industry faces challenges such as insufficient branding and not enough processing facilities. The fair highlighted the push toward standardized and technology-driven growth, Wu said.
\n
Apart from videos about new farming technologies, experts answered questions face-to-face, addressing common misconceptions, including whether brown-shelled eggs were healthier than white ones, or if "native eggs" were more nutritious.
\n
Lu Jianzhong, deputy head of the Institute of Feed Research at the academy, said consumers would get to see the transformation of modern agriculture. "We hope people not only eat better eggs but understand the science and culture behind them, while helping farmers earn more," he said.
\n
The fair provided farmers and enterprises with win-win direct sales opportunities. Buyers from supermarkets, restaurants and e-commerce platforms signed deals on the spot, helping secure fairer prices. Platforms such as Pinduoduo and JD offered promotional support, boosting visibility for high-quality brands.
\n
"Celebrating harvest is not only about abundance but about building bridges between science and tradition, the countryside and cities, farmers and consumers," Wu said.
\n
Rural fairs fuel sales
\n
From colorful rural fairs to bustling livestreaming studios, the Golden Autumn Consumption Season has turned the nation's harvest into a feast for both farmers and consumers.
\n
Launched alongside the Chinese Farmers' Harvest Festival several years ago, the autumn consumption season is now one of its signature events. "Agricultural products should not only be grown well, but also sold well, with good returns for farmers," said Lei Liugong, head of the festival's organizing office, at a news conference in August.
\n
Several sectors have joined over the years to promote consumption in diverse forms, attracting urban residents to the countryside and smoothening the flow between rural supply and urban demand, said Lei, who is also head of the market and information department at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.
\n
According to the ministry, the event has so far generated more than 130 billion yuan ($18.3 billion) in cumulative agricultural sales and has become the festival highlight known for its strong "holiday flavor, popularity and vibrant consumption".
\n
Boosting consumption has been one of the priorities of China's economic agenda this year. In July, 10 central government departments jointly released an implementation plan to expand agricultural product consumption.
\n
Lei said this year's season features richer content, more benefits for consumers and closer urban-rural connections. For the first time, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism has joined as a co-organizer, along with Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, the Ministry of Commerce, the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, the All-China Federation of Supply and Marketing Cooperatives and the China Media Group.
\n
Running from September to November, the event now links farm produce with cultural and tourism resources, encouraging not only "buying" but also "seeing, playing, learning and creating". The goal is to bring people to the countryside and vitalize the rural consumption market, Lei said.
\n
Industry associations, e-commerce platforms and financial institutions have chipped in with attractive incentives. Six companies, including JD, Pinduoduo and Meituan, have launched promotions with subsidies, internet traffic support and training for merchants while popular livestream anchors have been mobilized to help farmers sell their produce. Eight financial institutions, including the Agricultural Bank of China and the China Construction Bank, are offering consumption vouchers and discount coupons to fuel sales.
\n
Zeng Hao, senior director of public affairs at Pinduoduo, told China Central Television that the company would step up marketing support for quality agricultural products, with 1 billion yuan in subsidies and a 2 billion yuan traffic package to help emerging merchants.
\n
Shen Guoji, an official with the Agriculture Ministry's market and information department, said more than 600,000 merchants are expected to participate. "Through the golden autumn consumption season, we are rolling out practical, people-centered initiatives that tap into rural and urban consumption potential," he said.
\n
Hangzhou flavor
\n
In Hangzhou, a hub of e-commerce and livestreaming industries in Zhejiang province, the autumn harvest festival opened on Sept 5. Local residents sampled new agricultural products and engaged in rural cultural experiences. At one booth, Zhao Jiahui from the Xiaoshan Gift Supply and Marketing Co presented a mooncake filled with traditional radish pickle. "It sounds unusual, but once people tried it, they found the flavor surprisingly good," Zhao said.
\n
Another exhibitor, Zhejiang Chuanhua Rural Development Co, displayed orchids. The company has bred more than 500 varieties of the flower. "Orchids have become a refined gifting option for families and friends," said the product curator Ma Caihong.
\n
Many cities, including Tianjin, Shenyang in Liaoning province, Wuhan in Hubei province, Guangzhou in Guangdong province, Chengdu in Sichuan province and Lanzhou in Gansu province have pledged to integrate resources in finance, technology and talent to host celebrations that combine the Farmers' Harvest Festival with the Mid-Autumn Festival and the National Day holiday.
\n
From stalls selling traditional snacks to cultural tours of villages, the activities are designed to ensure both rural and urban residents share the joy of harvest and prosperity.
\n
The consumption season is not limited to buying and selling though. Online and offline events are adding flavor to the festival. Visitors can enjoy rural stays, countryside food tours, handicraft workshops and entertainment alongside shopping, Lei said.
\n
"This year we are making consumption promotion a priority, so that the fruits of harvest can better translate into farmers' income," said Zhu Xuefeng, an official with the agriculture and rural affairs department of Ningxia Hui autonomous region.
\n
During the festival, Fujian province and Ningxia will jointly host events linking rural fairs across the region to feature tastings of delicacies, specialty snacks and premium agricultural products, Zhu said. The program will also extend to rural stays, countryside tours and dining, encouraging urban residents to travel to villages and boost consumption, he added.
\n
zhaoyimeng@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
A vendor sells garlic during a Chinese Farmers' Harvest Festival event in Tianjin on Sept 23.
\n
Pomegranate grower Liu Yuan (center) hits the stage with performers in promoting the produce during a festival activity in Zhaoyuan, Shandong province, on Sept 23.
\n
People shop during the Egg Promotion Fair in Zhuozhou, Hebei province, last month.
\n
Growers promote pears during a livestreaming session at an orchard in Dangshan, Anhui province, on Sept 13.
\n
On a Sunday morning in late September, at a sprawling farm in Zhuozhou in Hebei province, several children gathered around tables to solve the "egg shell puzzle" and take the "egg protection challenge" while their parents chatted with farmers and industry representatives. This was the 2025 Egg Promotion Fair, part of the nationwide Golden Autumn Consumption Season tied to the Chinese Farmers' Harvest Festival. With 70 booths bringing together enterprises, farmers and consumers from across the country, the event turned a common staple — the humble egg — into a connection between rural and urban life.
\n
Exhibitors at the fair ranged from major producers such as Beijing Deqingyuan to small cooperatives. They presented goods from fresh eggs and seasoned products, including marinated eggs and egg yolk pastries, to powdered egg protein and even delicate handicrafts made from egg shells.
\n
"Eggs are more than just a daily food," said Yan Kuiyou, chief expert with the National Animal Husbandry Service. "They are vital to food security, a cost-effective source of protein, and a key to farmers' livelihoods."
\n
Yan said consumer demand for eggs is moving beyond basic protein supplementation toward more precise nutritional goals. "With consumption trends shifting toward healthier, traceable and more diverse products, this sector has huge potential," he said. Shoppers are increasingly seeking eggs that target specific health concerns, such as eggs enriched with omega-3 fatty acids for improving brain health and low-cholesterol eggs for seniors.
\n
With the advent of urban lifestyles, ready-to-eat egg products such as marinated eggs and liquid egg cartons are also gaining popularity, especially among younger consumers, Yan added.
\n
Wu Shugeng, head of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences' expert team on eggs and the event organizer, said the fair aimed to develop direct connections between suppliers and consumers. Visitors could tour the farm to see the full cycle of production, from feed processing to the making of organic fertilizer. "Eggs are a perfect entry point to promote agricultural consumption. They are found on every family's table," Wu said.
\n
China is both the world's largest producer and consumer of eggs. But the industry faces challenges such as insufficient branding and not enough processing facilities. The fair highlighted the push toward standardized and technology-driven growth, Wu said.
\n
Apart from videos about new farming technologies, experts answered questions face-to-face, addressing common misconceptions, including whether brown-shelled eggs were healthier than white ones, or if "native eggs" were more nutritious.
\n
Lu Jianzhong, deputy head of the Institute of Feed Research at the academy, said consumers would get to see the transformation of modern agriculture. "We hope people not only eat better eggs but understand the science and culture behind them, while helping farmers earn more," he said.
\n
The fair provided farmers and enterprises with win-win direct sales opportunities. Buyers from supermarkets, restaurants and e-commerce platforms signed deals on the spot, helping secure fairer prices. Platforms such as Pinduoduo and JD offered promotional support, boosting visibility for high-quality brands.
\n
"Celebrating harvest is not only about abundance but about building bridges between science and tradition, the countryside and cities, farmers and consumers," Wu said.
\n
Rural fairs fuel sales
\n
From colorful rural fairs to bustling livestreaming studios, the Golden Autumn Consumption Season has turned the nation's harvest into a feast for both farmers and consumers.
\n
Launched alongside the Chinese Farmers' Harvest Festival several years ago, the autumn consumption season is now one of its signature events. "Agricultural products should not only be grown well, but also sold well, with good returns for farmers," said Lei Liugong, head of the festival's organizing office, at a news conference in August.
\n
Several sectors have joined over the years to promote consumption in diverse forms, attracting urban residents to the countryside and smoothening the flow between rural supply and urban demand, said Lei, who is also head of the market and information department at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.
\n
According to the ministry, the event has so far generated more than 130 billion yuan ($18.3 billion) in cumulative agricultural sales and has become the festival highlight known for its strong "holiday flavor, popularity and vibrant consumption".
\n
Boosting consumption has been one of the priorities of China's economic agenda this year. In July, 10 central government departments jointly released an implementation plan to expand agricultural product consumption.
\n
Lei said this year's season features richer content, more benefits for consumers and closer urban-rural connections. For the first time, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism has joined as a co-organizer, along with Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, the Ministry of Commerce, the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, the All-China Federation of Supply and Marketing Cooperatives and the China Media Group.
\n
Running from September to November, the event now links farm produce with cultural and tourism resources, encouraging not only "buying" but also "seeing, playing, learning and creating". The goal is to bring people to the countryside and vitalize the rural consumption market, Lei said.
\n
Industry associations, e-commerce platforms and financial institutions have chipped in with attractive incentives. Six companies, including JD, Pinduoduo and Meituan, have launched promotions with subsidies, internet traffic support and training for merchants while popular livestream anchors have been mobilized to help farmers sell their produce. Eight financial institutions, including the Agricultural Bank of China and the China Construction Bank, are offering consumption vouchers and discount coupons to fuel sales.
\n
Zeng Hao, senior director of public affairs at Pinduoduo, told China Central Television that the company would step up marketing support for quality agricultural products, with 1 billion yuan in subsidies and a 2 billion yuan traffic package to help emerging merchants.
\n
Shen Guoji, an official with the Agriculture Ministry's market and information department, said more than 600,000 merchants are expected to participate. "Through the golden autumn consumption season, we are rolling out practical, people-centered initiatives that tap into rural and urban consumption potential," he said.
\n
Hangzhou flavor
\n
In Hangzhou, a hub of e-commerce and livestreaming industries in Zhejiang province, the autumn harvest festival opened on Sept 5. Local residents sampled new agricultural products and engaged in rural cultural experiences. At one booth, Zhao Jiahui from the Xiaoshan Gift Supply and Marketing Co presented a mooncake filled with traditional radish pickle. "It sounds unusual, but once people tried it, they found the flavor surprisingly good," Zhao said.
\n
Another exhibitor, Zhejiang Chuanhua Rural Development Co, displayed orchids. The company has bred more than 500 varieties of the flower. "Orchids have become a refined gifting option for families and friends," said the product curator Ma Caihong.
\n
Many cities, including Tianjin, Shenyang in Liaoning province, Wuhan in Hubei province, Guangzhou in Guangdong province, Chengdu in Sichuan province and Lanzhou in Gansu province have pledged to integrate resources in finance, technology and talent to host celebrations that combine the Farmers' Harvest Festival with the Mid-Autumn Festival and the National Day holiday.
\n
From stalls selling traditional snacks to cultural tours of villages, the activities are designed to ensure both rural and urban residents share the joy of harvest and prosperity.
\n
The consumption season is not limited to buying and selling though. Online and offline events are adding flavor to the festival. Visitors can enjoy rural stays, countryside food tours, handicraft workshops and entertainment alongside shopping, Lei said.
\n
"This year we are making consumption promotion a priority, so that the fruits of harvest can better translate into farmers' income," said Zhu Xuefeng, an official with the agriculture and rural affairs department of Ningxia Hui autonomous region.
\n
During the festival, Fujian province and Ningxia will jointly host events linking rural fairs across the region to feature tastings of delicacies, specialty snacks and premium agricultural products, Zhu said. The program will also extend to rural stays, countryside tours and dining, encouraging urban residents to travel to villages and boost consumption, he added.
France's new Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu stepped down on Monday, just a day after unveiling his cabinet and under a month into the job.
\n
His cabinet lineup announced on Sunday had immediately drawn criticism from across the political spectrum, notably his move to return former finance chief Bruno Le Maire to head the Defense Ministry.
\n
Lecornu was French President Emmanuel Macron's 7th prime minister since 2022, and he had been tasked with forming a government able to navigate a divided parliament.
\n
His cabinet was presented 26 days after his appointment and was viewed as an effort to secure cross-party backing and address political deadlock.
\n
Lecornu blamed political parties' intransigence for his resignation in a public address on Monday morning, an hour after announcing he would step down.
\n
"I was ready to compromise, but each political party wanted the other political party to adopt its entire program," he said.
\n
"The conditions were not fulfilled for me to carry out my function as prime minister," Lecornu added, denouncing the "partisan appetites" of factions which he said had forced his resignation.
\n
He said he spent weeks seeking a path forward with unions, social partners, and politicians across the spectrum, and argued that his pledge not to pass laws without a parliamentary vote marked a clear break with the past that should have won opposition support.
\n
"It would take little for it to work," Lecornu added. "By being more selfless for many, by knowing how to show humility … One must always put one's country before one's party."
\n
The far-right National Rally party leader Jordan Bardella called on Macron to dissolve the National Assembly following the resignation.
\n
"Stability cannot be restored without a return to the polls and without the dissolution of the National Assembly," he said upon arriving at his party headquarters.
\n
The Paris stock market slipped Monday on the back of the resignation news, plunging the country into further political turmoil, reported France 24.
\n
French stocks were already down earlier after Lecornu had named Roland Lescure, a close ally of Macron, as finance minister.
\n
Broad backlash
\n
The largely unchanged cabinet he unveiled prompted a broad backlash across parties.
\n
Earlier on Monday, before Lecornu's resignation was announced, conservative Bruno Retailleau — who had been reappointed as interior minister — had said the new government "does not reflect the promised break".
\n
French Socialist Party leader Olivier Faure said his party would vote against the new government formed as it stood. Faure said: "At this current moment in time, I cannot see how the socialist party would not be in a position to vote against the government".
\n
"The prevailing sentiment is one of dismay … The reality is that we are witnessing an unprecedented political crisis," he told France Inter radio.
\n
Jean-Luc Melenchon, the de facto leader of the far left, said: "Elections for nothing and two motions of no confidence for nothing? This won't hold."
\n
Analysts have noted the current political crisis stems from Macron's decision to call legislative elections in summer 2024, which produced a fragmented parliament where the far-right and hard-left wield influence — compounded by France's limited culture of coalition-building and consensus.
\n
The next move rests with Macron, who must now decide how much longer these circumstances can continue. He has three options: appoint another prime minister, dissolve the National Assembly again, or resign.
\n
jonathan@mail.chinadailyuk.com
\n",
+ "content": "
France's new Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu stepped down on Monday, just a day after unveiling his cabinet and under a month into the job.
\n
His cabinet lineup announced on Sunday had immediately drawn criticism from across the political spectrum, notably his move to return former finance chief Bruno Le Maire to head the Defense Ministry.
\n
Lecornu was French President Emmanuel Macron's 7th prime minister since 2022, and he had been tasked with forming a government able to navigate a divided parliament.
\n
His cabinet was presented 26 days after his appointment and was viewed as an effort to secure cross-party backing and address political deadlock.
\n
Lecornu blamed political parties' intransigence for his resignation in a public address on Monday morning, an hour after announcing he would step down.
\n
"I was ready to compromise, but each political party wanted the other political party to adopt its entire program," he said.
\n
"The conditions were not fulfilled for me to carry out my function as prime minister," Lecornu added, denouncing the "partisan appetites" of factions which he said had forced his resignation.
\n
He said he spent weeks seeking a path forward with unions, social partners, and politicians across the spectrum, and argued that his pledge not to pass laws without a parliamentary vote marked a clear break with the past that should have won opposition support.
\n
"It would take little for it to work," Lecornu added. "By being more selfless for many, by knowing how to show humility … One must always put one's country before one's party."
\n
The far-right National Rally party leader Jordan Bardella called on Macron to dissolve the National Assembly following the resignation.
\n
"Stability cannot be restored without a return to the polls and without the dissolution of the National Assembly," he said upon arriving at his party headquarters.
\n
The Paris stock market slipped Monday on the back of the resignation news, plunging the country into further political turmoil, reported France 24.
\n
French stocks were already down earlier after Lecornu had named Roland Lescure, a close ally of Macron, as finance minister.
\n
Broad backlash
\n
The largely unchanged cabinet he unveiled prompted a broad backlash across parties.
\n
Earlier on Monday, before Lecornu's resignation was announced, conservative Bruno Retailleau — who had been reappointed as interior minister — had said the new government "does not reflect the promised break".
\n
French Socialist Party leader Olivier Faure said his party would vote against the new government formed as it stood. Faure said: "At this current moment in time, I cannot see how the socialist party would not be in a position to vote against the government".
\n
"The prevailing sentiment is one of dismay … The reality is that we are witnessing an unprecedented political crisis," he told France Inter radio.
\n
Jean-Luc Melenchon, the de facto leader of the far left, said: "Elections for nothing and two motions of no confidence for nothing? This won't hold."
\n
Analysts have noted the current political crisis stems from Macron's decision to call legislative elections in summer 2024, which produced a fragmented parliament where the far-right and hard-left wield influence — compounded by France's limited culture of coalition-building and consensus.
\n
The next move rests with Macron, who must now decide how much longer these circumstances can continue. He has three options: appoint another prime minister, dissolve the National Assembly again, or resign.
Demonstrators take part in a "Red Line" protest in Amsterdam, Netherlands, demanding government action to stop the genocide in Gaza on Sunday.
\n
Eight Arab and Muslim-majority countries have welcomed Hamas' response to United States President Donald Trump's Gaza "peace plan" ahead of the second anniversary of the Oct 7 attacks in Israel, but more civilian casualties were reported in the besieged strip.
\n
Delegations from Hamas, Israel and the US were due to meet with other mediators in Egypt later on Monday for indirect talks with Trump calling for "everyone to move fast". He expects the first phase of talks to advance within the week while senior US officials have told Israel to stop bombing Gaza for the meantime.
\n
Hamas told Al Jazeera that its delegation is led by Khalil al-Hayya, the head of the group's negotiating team who was targeted in an assassination attempt by Israel in Qatar last month.
\n
In a joint statement published by the foreign ministers of Qatar, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Pakistan, and Turkiye, on the Saudi Foreign Ministry's X account, they said they welcomed the steps taken by Hamas regarding Trump's proposal to end the conflict. They also welcomed Trump's call to immediately stop the bombings.
\n
The foreign ministers also welcomed the announcement by Hamas of its readiness to hand over the administration of Gaza to a transitional Palestinian Administrative Committee of independent technocrats, according to the statement. They also emphasized the need for the immediate launch of negotiations to agree on mechanisms to implement the proposal and address all of its aspects.
\n
The foreign ministers reiterated their joint commitment to support efforts toward returning the Palestinian Authority to Gaza, unifying Gaza and the West Bank, and reaching a security mechanism that guarantees the security of all sides, in a manner that leads to the full Israeli withdrawal, and to the rebuilding of Gaza and further for the two-state solution.
\n
In Ramallah, the Fatah Central Committee convened on Sunday at the movement's Mobilization and Organization headquarters to discuss the latest developments related to the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, Wafa news agency reported. The Central Committee welcomed the initiative.
\n
Widening chasm
\n
Arhama Siddiqa, a research fellow at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad in Pakistan, told China Daily that the joint statement by Arab and Muslim states underscores the widening chasm between public regional diplomacy and the realities on the ground in Gaza.
\n
"Gaza lies in ruins, its civilian population crushed under continuous bombardment, infrastructure obliterated, and humanitarian access severely restricted. The recent flotilla episodes, intended to symbolically and materially break the siege, further highlight how Israel is determined to maintain control over sea access and reinforce the blockade, even in the face of international protest," Siddiqa said.
\n
"Together, these dynamics reveal a tragic pattern, diplomatic overtures masked by entrenched aggression, making a just solution ever more elusive unless regional actors and global powers press with consistency, not rhetoric alone," she added.
\n
"As long as the rubble of Gaza continues to define the Palestinian landscape, no agreement on paper can claim to represent stability or justice," Siddiqa said.
\n
The Israeli prime minister's office published an announcement on Monday, saying Benjamin Netanyahu had conducted a lengthy meeting "in order to prepare the Hostages and the Missing Team ahead of their departure for Sharm El Sheikh, where the negotiations with the mediators will be held".
\n
Even as efforts are advancing to get negotiators to the table, Israel continued the attack with Al Jazeera reporting that at least seven people have been killed, including three aid seekers, in Israeli attacks across Gaza since dawn on Tuesday.
\n
Ayman Yousef, a professor of international relations at the Arab American University in Jenin, West Bank, told China Daily that the US-proposed plan was not a fair one "as Palestinian voices are not there" in the plan.
\n
"The main focus of Trump's plan is to release the Israeli prisoners and hostages who have been captured by Hamas on Oct 7 and to prepare the ground for new international management and administration of the Gaza Strip," said Yousef, adding there was no mention of the Palestinian factor or Palestinian variable, raising doubts about Palestinian participation in the postwar scenario.
\n
"Still, I think the deal on the Trump plan is not fair to the Palestinians. It takes the side of the Israelis," said Yousef.
\n
jan@chinadailyapac.com
\n",
+ "content": "
Demonstrators take part in a "Red Line" protest in Amsterdam, Netherlands, demanding government action to stop the genocide in Gaza on Sunday.
\n
Eight Arab and Muslim-majority countries have welcomed Hamas' response to United States President Donald Trump's Gaza "peace plan" ahead of the second anniversary of the Oct 7 attacks in Israel, but more civilian casualties were reported in the besieged strip.
\n
Delegations from Hamas, Israel and the US were due to meet with other mediators in Egypt later on Monday for indirect talks with Trump calling for "everyone to move fast". He expects the first phase of talks to advance within the week while senior US officials have told Israel to stop bombing Gaza for the meantime.
\n
Hamas told Al Jazeera that its delegation is led by Khalil al-Hayya, the head of the group's negotiating team who was targeted in an assassination attempt by Israel in Qatar last month.
\n
In a joint statement published by the foreign ministers of Qatar, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Pakistan, and Turkiye, on the Saudi Foreign Ministry's X account, they said they welcomed the steps taken by Hamas regarding Trump's proposal to end the conflict. They also welcomed Trump's call to immediately stop the bombings.
\n
The foreign ministers also welcomed the announcement by Hamas of its readiness to hand over the administration of Gaza to a transitional Palestinian Administrative Committee of independent technocrats, according to the statement. They also emphasized the need for the immediate launch of negotiations to agree on mechanisms to implement the proposal and address all of its aspects.
\n
The foreign ministers reiterated their joint commitment to support efforts toward returning the Palestinian Authority to Gaza, unifying Gaza and the West Bank, and reaching a security mechanism that guarantees the security of all sides, in a manner that leads to the full Israeli withdrawal, and to the rebuilding of Gaza and further for the two-state solution.
\n
In Ramallah, the Fatah Central Committee convened on Sunday at the movement's Mobilization and Organization headquarters to discuss the latest developments related to the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, Wafa news agency reported. The Central Committee welcomed the initiative.
\n
Widening chasm
\n
Arhama Siddiqa, a research fellow at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad in Pakistan, told China Daily that the joint statement by Arab and Muslim states underscores the widening chasm between public regional diplomacy and the realities on the ground in Gaza.
\n
"Gaza lies in ruins, its civilian population crushed under continuous bombardment, infrastructure obliterated, and humanitarian access severely restricted. The recent flotilla episodes, intended to symbolically and materially break the siege, further highlight how Israel is determined to maintain control over sea access and reinforce the blockade, even in the face of international protest," Siddiqa said.
\n
"Together, these dynamics reveal a tragic pattern, diplomatic overtures masked by entrenched aggression, making a just solution ever more elusive unless regional actors and global powers press with consistency, not rhetoric alone," she added.
\n
"As long as the rubble of Gaza continues to define the Palestinian landscape, no agreement on paper can claim to represent stability or justice," Siddiqa said.
\n
The Israeli prime minister's office published an announcement on Monday, saying Benjamin Netanyahu had conducted a lengthy meeting "in order to prepare the Hostages and the Missing Team ahead of their departure for Sharm El Sheikh, where the negotiations with the mediators will be held".
\n
Even as efforts are advancing to get negotiators to the table, Israel continued the attack with Al Jazeera reporting that at least seven people have been killed, including three aid seekers, in Israeli attacks across Gaza since dawn on Tuesday.
\n
Ayman Yousef, a professor of international relations at the Arab American University in Jenin, West Bank, told China Daily that the US-proposed plan was not a fair one "as Palestinian voices are not there" in the plan.
\n
"The main focus of Trump's plan is to release the Israeli prisoners and hostages who have been captured by Hamas on Oct 7 and to prepare the ground for new international management and administration of the Gaza Strip," said Yousef, adding there was no mention of the Palestinian factor or Palestinian variable, raising doubts about Palestinian participation in the postwar scenario.
\n
"Still, I think the deal on the Trump plan is not fair to the Palestinians. It takes the side of the Israelis," said Yousef.
A 60-year-old man was in custody in Australia on Monday after police said he shot up to 50 bullets into a busy Sydney street, wounding more than a dozen people. Police were called on Sunday evening to the city's Inner West suburb, where the alleged gunman was firing from his property at random at passing cars and police. A large contingent of police swarmed the area and locked down the street, before entering the property and arresting the man. They seized a rifle from the scene. Office worker Joe Azar said he was working across the road when he heard what he thought were fireworks or rocks being thrown at the windows.
\n
NORWAY
\n
Air traffic paused as drones sighted
\n
Norway's Oslo Airport temporarily paused one or several landings early on Monday after a report of a drone sighting near the airport, its operator Avinor said. "One or more aircraft waited in the air until the situation was clarified. No aircraft departed for alternative airports," an Avinor spokesperson said. The Norwegian news agency cited police as saying they had received a report around midnight that a Norwegian Air pilot thought he saw three to five drones during an approach to the airport. Avinor said there had been no further disruptions to air traffic. NTB news agency reported, citing police, that the observation remained unverified. European aviation has been repeatedly thrown into chaos in recent weeks by drone sightings and air incursions.
\n
UNITED STATES
\n
Bid to send troops to Portland blocked
\n
A federal judge in Oregon on Sunday temporarily blocked Donald Trump's administration from sending any National Guard troops to Portland, Oregon, a setback for the president as he seeks to dispatch the military to cities over the objections of their Democratic leaders. The ruling by US District Judge Karin Immergut followed the administration's decision to call in troops from California and Texas just one day after she temporarily blocked Trump from deploying 200 Oregon National Guard troops to Portland. Immergut, who was appointed by Trump during his first term, said there was no evidence that recent protests necessitated the presence of National Guard troops, no matter where they came from. There was no immediate comment from the White House or from the Pentagon on the judge's order.
\n",
+ "content": "
AUSTRALIA
\n
Dozens wounded in rare mass shooting
\n
A 60-year-old man was in custody in Australia on Monday after police said he shot up to 50 bullets into a busy Sydney street, wounding more than a dozen people. Police were called on Sunday evening to the city's Inner West suburb, where the alleged gunman was firing from his property at random at passing cars and police. A large contingent of police swarmed the area and locked down the street, before entering the property and arresting the man. They seized a rifle from the scene. Office worker Joe Azar said he was working across the road when he heard what he thought were fireworks or rocks being thrown at the windows.
\n
NORWAY
\n
Air traffic paused as drones sighted
\n
Norway's Oslo Airport temporarily paused one or several landings early on Monday after a report of a drone sighting near the airport, its operator Avinor said. "One or more aircraft waited in the air until the situation was clarified. No aircraft departed for alternative airports," an Avinor spokesperson said. The Norwegian news agency cited police as saying they had received a report around midnight that a Norwegian Air pilot thought he saw three to five drones during an approach to the airport. Avinor said there had been no further disruptions to air traffic. NTB news agency reported, citing police, that the observation remained unverified. European aviation has been repeatedly thrown into chaos in recent weeks by drone sightings and air incursions.
\n
UNITED STATES
\n
Bid to send troops to Portland blocked
\n
A federal judge in Oregon on Sunday temporarily blocked Donald Trump's administration from sending any National Guard troops to Portland, Oregon, a setback for the president as he seeks to dispatch the military to cities over the objections of their Democratic leaders. The ruling by US District Judge Karin Immergut followed the administration's decision to call in troops from California and Texas just one day after she temporarily blocked Trump from deploying 200 Oregon National Guard troops to Portland. Immergut, who was appointed by Trump during his first term, said there was no evidence that recent protests necessitated the presence of National Guard troops, no matter where they came from. There was no immediate comment from the White House or from the Pentagon on the judge's order.
Henry Harris (right), a student from The University of Sheffield, is one of many locals who celebrated the Mid-Autumn Festival in Manchester on Sunday.
\n
From Peking Opera, Chinese traditional instrument performances and handicraft workshops of intangible heritage, to a parade of Chinese-style costumes as well as a taste of Chinese food of course, the modern metropolis of Manchester in the UK embraced China's Mid-Autumn Festival over the weekend in its Chinatown.
\n
The festival to appreciate the full moon and family reunions falls on Monday this year. Over 10,000 people in Manchester have braved heavy downpours and occasional drizzles in the past two days to experience the Chinese festivity that they say is "amazing and unique".
\n
Lord Mayor of Manchester, Carmine Grimshaw, said in the opening remarks at the celebration on Saturday that despite the heavy rains, "values had brought people closer no matter where they are from".
\n
"Today as we enjoy mooncakes, music and amazing performances, we're also celebrating the bond between our communities and our lasting friendship between China and the UK," said Grimshaw.
\n
He said festivals like this show that culture is alive when it is shared, and from traditional Chinese music, dance, opera, and (traditional Chinese dress) hanfu… "we all get a chance to experience the richness of Chinese heritage in a meaningful way. May the moon shine brightly on our friendships, our families and our future".
\n
Consul General of China in Manchester, Tang Rui, said the Mid-Autumn Festival carries the common aspirations of people for family harmony and national prosperity.
\n
"This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) and the World Anti-Fascist War. While sharing moments of happiness and tranquility with countries around the world, including the UK, we must learn from history and work together to create a better future," said Tang.
\n
Many locals had joined the celebration in their own way.
\n
Henry Harris, a student from The University of Sheffield, put on a hanfu robe on the stage to play his role as Houyi, the mythological hero who shot down nine of 10 suns to save the Earth from scorching and whose wife, Chang'e, is a moon fairy. The couple meet once a year on Mid-Autumn Day in folktales.
\n
"I know China has been through wars in history and therefore its people especially cherish reunion. That's why we celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival, for family reunion and a good harvest," he said.
\n
Another local, Karen Cunningham set up a stand at the festival fair to sell homemade baked food for dogs.
\n
"The festival is fantastic, a really good experience," she said. "The costumes impressed me the most and the show, dances, (I've) never seen anything like that before."
\n
wanghuazhong@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
Henry Harris (right), a student from The University of Sheffield, is one of many locals who celebrated the Mid-Autumn Festival in Manchester on Sunday.
\n
From Peking Opera, Chinese traditional instrument performances and handicraft workshops of intangible heritage, to a parade of Chinese-style costumes as well as a taste of Chinese food of course, the modern metropolis of Manchester in the UK embraced China's Mid-Autumn Festival over the weekend in its Chinatown.
\n
The festival to appreciate the full moon and family reunions falls on Monday this year. Over 10,000 people in Manchester have braved heavy downpours and occasional drizzles in the past two days to experience the Chinese festivity that they say is "amazing and unique".
\n
Lord Mayor of Manchester, Carmine Grimshaw, said in the opening remarks at the celebration on Saturday that despite the heavy rains, "values had brought people closer no matter where they are from".
\n
"Today as we enjoy mooncakes, music and amazing performances, we're also celebrating the bond between our communities and our lasting friendship between China and the UK," said Grimshaw.
\n
He said festivals like this show that culture is alive when it is shared, and from traditional Chinese music, dance, opera, and (traditional Chinese dress) hanfu… "we all get a chance to experience the richness of Chinese heritage in a meaningful way. May the moon shine brightly on our friendships, our families and our future".
\n
Consul General of China in Manchester, Tang Rui, said the Mid-Autumn Festival carries the common aspirations of people for family harmony and national prosperity.
\n
"This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) and the World Anti-Fascist War. While sharing moments of happiness and tranquility with countries around the world, including the UK, we must learn from history and work together to create a better future," said Tang.
\n
Many locals had joined the celebration in their own way.
\n
Henry Harris, a student from The University of Sheffield, put on a hanfu robe on the stage to play his role as Houyi, the mythological hero who shot down nine of 10 suns to save the Earth from scorching and whose wife, Chang'e, is a moon fairy. The couple meet once a year on Mid-Autumn Day in folktales.
\n
"I know China has been through wars in history and therefore its people especially cherish reunion. That's why we celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival, for family reunion and a good harvest," he said.
\n
Another local, Karen Cunningham set up a stand at the festival fair to sell homemade baked food for dogs.
\n
"The festival is fantastic, a really good experience," she said. "The costumes impressed me the most and the show, dances, (I've) never seen anything like that before."
Mary E. Brunkow, Fred Ramsdell and Shimon Sakaguchi are awarded Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine on Monday.
\n
STOCKHOLM — Scientists Mary E. Brunkow, Fred Ramsdell and Shimon Sakaguchi won the 2025 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for "their discoveries concerning peripheral immune tolerance", the award-giving body said on Monday.
\n
This year's prize "relates to how we keep our immune system under control so we can fight all imaginable microbes and still avoid autoimmune disease," said Marie Wahren-Herlenius, a rheumatology professor at the Karolinska Institute.
\n
The winners for medicine are selected by the Nobel Assembly of Sweden's Karolinska Institute and receive a prize sum of 11 million Swedish crowns ($1.2 million), as well as a gold medal presented by Sweden's king.
\n
Brunkow is a senior program manager at the Institute for Systems Biology in Seattle, while Ramsdell is a scientific adviser at Sonoma Biotherapeutics in San Francisco, which he co-founded. Sakaguchi is a professor at Osaka University in Japan.
\n
Sakaguchi told reporters outside his university laboratory that "I feel it is a tremendous honor", Kyodo news agency reported.
\n
"Their discoveries have laid the foundation for a new field of research and spurred the development of new treatments, for example for cancer and autoimmune diseases," the prize-awarding body said in a statement. The Nobel Prizes were established through the will of Alfred Nobel, the Swedish inventor of dynamite and a wealthy businessman. They have been awarded since 1901 for outstanding contributions in science, literature, and peace, with interruptions mainly during the World Wars.
\n
The economics prize was added later and is funded by Sweden's central bank, the Riksbank.
\n
Winners are selected by expert committees from various institutions. All prizes are awarded in Stockholm, except for the Peace Prize, which is presented in Oslo.
\n
Past recipients of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine include renowned scientists such as Alexander Fleming, who shared the 1945 award for discovering penicillin. In recent years, the prize has recognized major breakthroughs, including those that enabled the development of COVID-19 vaccines.
\n
Last year's medicine prize was awarded to US scientists Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun for their discovery of microRNA and its key role in how multicellular organisms grow and live, helping explain how cells specialize into different types.
\n
Medicine, in accordance with tradition, kicks off the annual Nobel Prizes, arguably the most prestigious awards in science, literature, peace and economics, with the remainder set to be announced over the coming days.
\n",
+ "content": "
Mary E. Brunkow, Fred Ramsdell and Shimon Sakaguchi are awarded Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine on Monday.
\n
STOCKHOLM — Scientists Mary E. Brunkow, Fred Ramsdell and Shimon Sakaguchi won the 2025 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for "their discoveries concerning peripheral immune tolerance", the award-giving body said on Monday.
\n
This year's prize "relates to how we keep our immune system under control so we can fight all imaginable microbes and still avoid autoimmune disease," said Marie Wahren-Herlenius, a rheumatology professor at the Karolinska Institute.
\n
The winners for medicine are selected by the Nobel Assembly of Sweden's Karolinska Institute and receive a prize sum of 11 million Swedish crowns ($1.2 million), as well as a gold medal presented by Sweden's king.
\n
Brunkow is a senior program manager at the Institute for Systems Biology in Seattle, while Ramsdell is a scientific adviser at Sonoma Biotherapeutics in San Francisco, which he co-founded. Sakaguchi is a professor at Osaka University in Japan.
\n
Sakaguchi told reporters outside his university laboratory that "I feel it is a tremendous honor", Kyodo news agency reported.
\n
"Their discoveries have laid the foundation for a new field of research and spurred the development of new treatments, for example for cancer and autoimmune diseases," the prize-awarding body said in a statement. The Nobel Prizes were established through the will of Alfred Nobel, the Swedish inventor of dynamite and a wealthy businessman. They have been awarded since 1901 for outstanding contributions in science, literature, and peace, with interruptions mainly during the World Wars.
\n
The economics prize was added later and is funded by Sweden's central bank, the Riksbank.
\n
Winners are selected by expert committees from various institutions. All prizes are awarded in Stockholm, except for the Peace Prize, which is presented in Oslo.
\n
Past recipients of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine include renowned scientists such as Alexander Fleming, who shared the 1945 award for discovering penicillin. In recent years, the prize has recognized major breakthroughs, including those that enabled the development of COVID-19 vaccines.
\n
Last year's medicine prize was awarded to US scientists Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun for their discovery of microRNA and its key role in how multicellular organisms grow and live, helping explain how cells specialize into different types.
\n
Medicine, in accordance with tradition, kicks off the annual Nobel Prizes, arguably the most prestigious awards in science, literature, peace and economics, with the remainder set to be announced over the coming days.
The Deji band performs at the Naadam Festival in August in the Subei Mongolian autonomous county of Gansu province.
\n
The Deji band, featuring Mongolian musical instruments, performs for the public in front of a square in Subei.
\n
Long song singer Bulga, 25, performs at a theater in Dunhuang in Gansu province with members of their Ulan Muqir troupe.
\n
Bulga (front left) performs with a school orchestra at the theater of the Inner Mongolia Arts University in Hohhot, Inner Mongolian autonomous region.
\n
Qinbugele, a native Mongolian ethnic group in Subei, enjoys a moment of personal reflection after a performance on the grassland.
\n
Tugqi, 28, Deji band's khoomei (throat singing) singer and drummer.
\n
The wind sweeps across the grassland, carrying the deep, resonant hum of throat singing and the melodic strain of a horse-head fiddle. Under a vast blue sky, a crowd of herders gathers around a makeshift stage — a patch of oasis dotted with grazing sheep in the Gobi Desert.
\n
This is the stage for Qinbugele, 42, and his band, Deji, part of the Ulan Muqir troupe in Subei Mongolian autonomous county, Gansu province. They have taken a five-hour bus ride from the county seat to perform in Mazongshan town, located in the northernmost part of Subei.
\n
Qinbugele, a native of the Mongolian ethnic group in Subei, founded Deji a decade ago, forming an ensemble that uses only traditional instruments — the sheepskin drum, the horse-head fiddle, and others unique to the region.
\n
His connection to the Ulan Muqir troupe runs deep: his aunt was a singer in the troupe during the last century, when performers traveled on horseback or in large trucks to reach pastoral areas. Back then, he dreamed of following in her footsteps to become a member. He fulfilled that ambition as an adult.
\n
"We play where the people are, whether it's in large theaters, at music festivals, on the grasslands, in the desert, or near herders' yurts," he says,
\n
Ulan Muqir, which means "red bud" in Mongolian, are the troupes originated in the vast grasslands. They travel from one encampment to another, performing for herders living in remote regions.
\n
Subei county is predominantly inhabited by the Mongolian ethnic group, a population of less than 10,000. However, Subei covers a vast area, larger than some provinces, and is home to stunning natural landscapes, such as grasslands, snow-capped mountains, deserts, and lakes. Traveling to the farthest parts of the county can take five to six hours by car.
\n
For the Ulan Muqir of Subei, it is common to spend a week traveling long distances to perform in different villages and towns.
\n
The troupe performs over 100 times a year within the town, primarily in the summer, when herders are less busy. Winter is a hectic season for them, but summer brings traditional festivals, such as horse racing competitions, camel contests, and traditional Mongolian rituals, for which Deji also performs.
\n
Compared to performing in theaters or music festivals, Qinbugele prefers to perform for herders in pastoral areas. In his own words, "it's like visiting family members".
\n
"The herders know me and treat me like a brother. This warmth between people, the relaxation and freedom of performing, is completely different from stage performances," he says.
\n
Qinbugele is skilled at playing the morin khuur (horse-head fiddle) and music arrangements. He often rearranges ethnic Mongolian folk songs, which the band brings new life to.
\n
Growing up in pastoral areas with the vast Gobi Desert, he describes the local music as rugged and slightly desolate. On summer weekends, seeking inspiration for arrangements, he drives alone to the grassland, sets up a tent, plays recordings, and practices on his horse-head fiddle. At night, he lies on the grass to gaze at the stars, seeking creativity through solitude.
\n
"I think my hometown is amazing. I am proud of our ethnic music," he says.
\n
Among the band members is singer Bulga, 25, who joined four years ago. He specializes in the long song, urtiin duu in Mongolian, a UNESCO-recognized art form characterized by its extended, ornamented vocals. This unique genre is an integral part of ethnic Mongolian cultural heritage and is often performed at important events, celebrations and festivals.
\n
Growing up in Subei, he was drawn to the haunting beauty of the long song. He has studied the intangible cultural heritage intensely and sought out older generations to learn from, with the aim of preserving and promoting his ethnic music.
\n
"I notice that not many younger people are familiar with the long song and prefer pop music instead. I feel it is my responsibility to preserve and pass on our ethnic music," says the 25-year-old.
\n
As a child, Bulga often watched Ulan Muqir troupes' performances. Now, he is a proud member of the troupe.
\n
He and his troupe frequently travels for several days by bus to perform in remote pastoral areas. Each performance lasts from one to several hours.
\n
Sometimes, after their performances, he enjoys horseback riding, wrestling, and archery with the enthusiastic herders.
\n
"Although the journey is quite exhausting, all my worries and fatigue disappear as soon as I arrive on the grasslands. The people are warm and hospitable. We often organize a tug-of-war competition together, which is fantastic," says the singer.
\n
Unlike Qinbugele and Bulga, who both grew up immersed in the ethnic Mongolian culture, Tugqi, 28, the group's khoomei (throat singing) singer and drummer, took a different path. He studied saxophone and orchestral music in Henan province before moving to Shanghai, where he rediscovered his ethnic Mongolian roots.
\n
"After graduating, something pulled me back. I suddenly developed a strong fondness for our traditional music," he explains.
\n
Tugqi joined the Ulan Muqir troupe four years ago and is now skilled in several instruments. Here, everyone is a versatile talent, possessing a variety of musical skills.
\n
For him, performing feels like "sweet torment". After several days of arduous travel, they arrive, greeted by the vast, endless grasslands or deserts. The warm and hospitable herders offer rich, creamy milk tea and authentic local delicacies, instantly washing away the fatigue from the journey.
\n
After indulging in a feast, everyone gathers around, chatting about everything under the sun or in a yurt if there are not too many people. Before long, someone starts an impromptu performance. Tugqi thoroughly enjoys this relaxed, joyful and harmonious atmosphere.
\n
In recent years, he has toured nationwide with the Deji band, being invited to perform at various music festivals and theaters, and even shared the stage with famous singers at their concerts.
\n
"Performing in pastoral areas can be exhausting, but the connections between people are the most direct and genuine," Tugqi says.
\n
The Ulan Muqir in Subei was established in the 1970s to bring the arts to rural areas. Today, young people like members of the Deji band continue that task, traversing the grasslands with gear packed into dusty buses.
\n
After completing their performance at a Naadam festival, a traditional ethnic Mongolian festival that holds competitions, such as wrestling, horse racing and archery, Qinbugele found an open field to lie down. The distant snow-capped mountains reflected the glow of the setting sun, creating a serene and beautiful scene.
\n
"No theater compares to this," Qinbugele says, as the sun dips below the horizon.
\n
Contact the writer at dengzhangyu@chinadaily.com.cn
The Deji band performs at the Naadam Festival in August in the Subei Mongolian autonomous county of Gansu province.
\n
The Deji band, featuring Mongolian musical instruments, performs for the public in front of a square in Subei.
\n
Long song singer Bulga, 25, performs at a theater in Dunhuang in Gansu province with members of their Ulan Muqir troupe.
\n
Bulga (front left) performs with a school orchestra at the theater of the Inner Mongolia Arts University in Hohhot, Inner Mongolian autonomous region.
\n
Qinbugele, a native Mongolian ethnic group in Subei, enjoys a moment of personal reflection after a performance on the grassland.
\n
Tugqi, 28, Deji band's khoomei (throat singing) singer and drummer.
\n
The wind sweeps across the grassland, carrying the deep, resonant hum of throat singing and the melodic strain of a horse-head fiddle. Under a vast blue sky, a crowd of herders gathers around a makeshift stage — a patch of oasis dotted with grazing sheep in the Gobi Desert.
\n
This is the stage for Qinbugele, 42, and his band, Deji, part of the Ulan Muqir troupe in Subei Mongolian autonomous county, Gansu province. They have taken a five-hour bus ride from the county seat to perform in Mazongshan town, located in the northernmost part of Subei.
\n
Qinbugele, a native of the Mongolian ethnic group in Subei, founded Deji a decade ago, forming an ensemble that uses only traditional instruments — the sheepskin drum, the horse-head fiddle, and others unique to the region.
\n
His connection to the Ulan Muqir troupe runs deep: his aunt was a singer in the troupe during the last century, when performers traveled on horseback or in large trucks to reach pastoral areas. Back then, he dreamed of following in her footsteps to become a member. He fulfilled that ambition as an adult.
\n
"We play where the people are, whether it's in large theaters, at music festivals, on the grasslands, in the desert, or near herders' yurts," he says,
\n
Ulan Muqir, which means "red bud" in Mongolian, are the troupes originated in the vast grasslands. They travel from one encampment to another, performing for herders living in remote regions.
\n
Subei county is predominantly inhabited by the Mongolian ethnic group, a population of less than 10,000. However, Subei covers a vast area, larger than some provinces, and is home to stunning natural landscapes, such as grasslands, snow-capped mountains, deserts, and lakes. Traveling to the farthest parts of the county can take five to six hours by car.
\n
For the Ulan Muqir of Subei, it is common to spend a week traveling long distances to perform in different villages and towns.
\n
The troupe performs over 100 times a year within the town, primarily in the summer, when herders are less busy. Winter is a hectic season for them, but summer brings traditional festivals, such as horse racing competitions, camel contests, and traditional Mongolian rituals, for which Deji also performs.
\n
Compared to performing in theaters or music festivals, Qinbugele prefers to perform for herders in pastoral areas. In his own words, "it's like visiting family members".
\n
"The herders know me and treat me like a brother. This warmth between people, the relaxation and freedom of performing, is completely different from stage performances," he says.
\n
Qinbugele is skilled at playing the morin khuur (horse-head fiddle) and music arrangements. He often rearranges ethnic Mongolian folk songs, which the band brings new life to.
\n
Growing up in pastoral areas with the vast Gobi Desert, he describes the local music as rugged and slightly desolate. On summer weekends, seeking inspiration for arrangements, he drives alone to the grassland, sets up a tent, plays recordings, and practices on his horse-head fiddle. At night, he lies on the grass to gaze at the stars, seeking creativity through solitude.
\n
"I think my hometown is amazing. I am proud of our ethnic music," he says.
\n
Among the band members is singer Bulga, 25, who joined four years ago. He specializes in the long song, urtiin duu in Mongolian, a UNESCO-recognized art form characterized by its extended, ornamented vocals. This unique genre is an integral part of ethnic Mongolian cultural heritage and is often performed at important events, celebrations and festivals.
\n
Growing up in Subei, he was drawn to the haunting beauty of the long song. He has studied the intangible cultural heritage intensely and sought out older generations to learn from, with the aim of preserving and promoting his ethnic music.
\n
"I notice that not many younger people are familiar with the long song and prefer pop music instead. I feel it is my responsibility to preserve and pass on our ethnic music," says the 25-year-old.
\n
As a child, Bulga often watched Ulan Muqir troupes' performances. Now, he is a proud member of the troupe.
\n
He and his troupe frequently travels for several days by bus to perform in remote pastoral areas. Each performance lasts from one to several hours.
\n
Sometimes, after their performances, he enjoys horseback riding, wrestling, and archery with the enthusiastic herders.
\n
"Although the journey is quite exhausting, all my worries and fatigue disappear as soon as I arrive on the grasslands. The people are warm and hospitable. We often organize a tug-of-war competition together, which is fantastic," says the singer.
\n
Unlike Qinbugele and Bulga, who both grew up immersed in the ethnic Mongolian culture, Tugqi, 28, the group's khoomei (throat singing) singer and drummer, took a different path. He studied saxophone and orchestral music in Henan province before moving to Shanghai, where he rediscovered his ethnic Mongolian roots.
\n
"After graduating, something pulled me back. I suddenly developed a strong fondness for our traditional music," he explains.
\n
Tugqi joined the Ulan Muqir troupe four years ago and is now skilled in several instruments. Here, everyone is a versatile talent, possessing a variety of musical skills.
\n
For him, performing feels like "sweet torment". After several days of arduous travel, they arrive, greeted by the vast, endless grasslands or deserts. The warm and hospitable herders offer rich, creamy milk tea and authentic local delicacies, instantly washing away the fatigue from the journey.
\n
After indulging in a feast, everyone gathers around, chatting about everything under the sun or in a yurt if there are not too many people. Before long, someone starts an impromptu performance. Tugqi thoroughly enjoys this relaxed, joyful and harmonious atmosphere.
\n
In recent years, he has toured nationwide with the Deji band, being invited to perform at various music festivals and theaters, and even shared the stage with famous singers at their concerts.
\n
"Performing in pastoral areas can be exhausting, but the connections between people are the most direct and genuine," Tugqi says.
\n
The Ulan Muqir in Subei was established in the 1970s to bring the arts to rural areas. Today, young people like members of the Deji band continue that task, traversing the grasslands with gear packed into dusty buses.
\n
After completing their performance at a Naadam festival, a traditional ethnic Mongolian festival that holds competitions, such as wrestling, horse racing and archery, Qinbugele found an open field to lie down. The distant snow-capped mountains reflected the glow of the setting sun, creating a serene and beautiful scene.
\n
"No theater compares to this," Qinbugele says, as the sun dips below the horizon.
\n
Contact the writer at dengzhangyu@chinadaily.com.cn
Ushanxi (middle), a national-level inheritor of Mongolian benediction, gives a performance of the folklore art in Subei Mongolian autonomous county in Gansu province.
\n
"Back in the day, I practiced wedding benedictions every single afternoon — driven by pure passion, I never felt weary," reflects Ushanxi, his eyes lighting up as he recalls his decades of dedication.
\n
At 67, this soft-spoken yet revered figure stands as the most indispensable cultural guardian in the Subei Mongolian autonomous county of Gansu province. His chants have inaugurated countless weddings and festivals. As the sole national-level inheritor of zhuzanci, or Mongolian benediction, Ushanxi has not only preserved but also revitalized a tradition that spans over 40 years of his life.
\n
Mongolian benediction is far more than a ritual; it is a profound expression of goodwill, weaving together aspirations for health, prosperity and happiness through melodic recitations. These performances, which blend chanting with storytelling, serve as a cultural bridge between music and literature, often gracing pivotal moments, such as weddings, seasonal festivals and ceremonial gatherings.
\n
Ushanxi describes it as "a living archive of our ancestors' wisdom", noting that each benediction carries echoes of centuries-old oral traditions.
\n
His journey into this art began in the 1980s, shortly after graduating from Inner Mongolia Normal University. Fascinated by his heritage, Ushanxi apprenticed under his father and uncle, documenting the oral traditions passed down through generations. At the time, he taught at a remote primary school, where lunch breaks often turned into impromptu invitations to perform at weddings.
\n
"Those years were a whirlwind of practices and performances. Now that I'm aging, I pace myself — limiting it to a few weekly sessions, but the fire still burns bright," he says.
\n
In late September, he officiated a Sino-Mongolian wedding, where the bride was from Subei and the groom from Mongolia. "Benediction is essential to every traditional Mongolian wedding," he explains.
\n
Due to high demand, his two sons, along with some relatives and friends, have also learned wedding benedictions from him.
\n
"Even in marriages between ethnic Mongolians and people of Han ethnicity, the first day of the celebration strictly follows ethnic Mongolian customs, with benediction remaining a cornerstone," he adds.
\n
While wedding recitations focus on conjugal blessings, festival benedictions, such as those for oboo worship, fire rituals, or the Naadam Fair, hold grander significance, serving to express respect for nature and the universe, as well as to convey good wishes for the future. The content of these benedictions also encompasses history, ancestors and heroic figures.
\n
For these occasions, Ushanxi dons elaborate traditional robes adorned with silver and gold jewelry, delivering his distinctive chants against the backdrop of grasslands or deserts.
\n
To hone his craft, Ushanxi has self-funded trips to nationwide competitions and exchanges. In July, he participated in an international benediction contest in Mongolia, engaging with inheritors from 10 countries. "There are nuances in tone and content between our styles and those of Mongolians. I value such exchanges," he notes.
\n
Beyond personal growth, Ushanxi is committed to passing on the tradition. He teaches students of all ages — from teenagers to those in their fifties — free of charge. Lessons often take place in school cafeterias or students' homes for convenience.
\n
"My sincere hope is that they master this intangible cultural heritage, ensuring our ethnic Mongolian traditions endure for generations," he says.
\n
To date, he has nurtured over 40 inheritors, safeguarding a legacy that resonates across borders.
\n
Last September, Tsogtsaikhan Mandakh, counselor at the Mongolian Embassy in China, visited the Subei Intangible Cultural Heritage Center. After watching Ushanxi's benediction performance, he was full of admiration and said: "It's remarkable that the ethnic Mongolians here, with only a few thousand people, have preserved their traditional culture so well!"
\n
Located in the northwestern region of Gansu province, Subei county covers a vast area characterized by diverse landscapes, including mountains, deserts and grasslands, with a total area exceeding 66,748 square kilometers. The population is less than 20,000, with the majority being ethnic Mongolians.
\n",
+ "content": "
Ushanxi (middle), a national-level inheritor of Mongolian benediction, gives a performance of the folklore art in Subei Mongolian autonomous county in Gansu province.
\n
"Back in the day, I practiced wedding benedictions every single afternoon — driven by pure passion, I never felt weary," reflects Ushanxi, his eyes lighting up as he recalls his decades of dedication.
\n
At 67, this soft-spoken yet revered figure stands as the most indispensable cultural guardian in the Subei Mongolian autonomous county of Gansu province. His chants have inaugurated countless weddings and festivals. As the sole national-level inheritor of zhuzanci, or Mongolian benediction, Ushanxi has not only preserved but also revitalized a tradition that spans over 40 years of his life.
\n
Mongolian benediction is far more than a ritual; it is a profound expression of goodwill, weaving together aspirations for health, prosperity and happiness through melodic recitations. These performances, which blend chanting with storytelling, serve as a cultural bridge between music and literature, often gracing pivotal moments, such as weddings, seasonal festivals and ceremonial gatherings.
\n
Ushanxi describes it as "a living archive of our ancestors' wisdom", noting that each benediction carries echoes of centuries-old oral traditions.
\n
His journey into this art began in the 1980s, shortly after graduating from Inner Mongolia Normal University. Fascinated by his heritage, Ushanxi apprenticed under his father and uncle, documenting the oral traditions passed down through generations. At the time, he taught at a remote primary school, where lunch breaks often turned into impromptu invitations to perform at weddings.
\n
"Those years were a whirlwind of practices and performances. Now that I'm aging, I pace myself — limiting it to a few weekly sessions, but the fire still burns bright," he says.
\n
In late September, he officiated a Sino-Mongolian wedding, where the bride was from Subei and the groom from Mongolia. "Benediction is essential to every traditional Mongolian wedding," he explains.
\n
Due to high demand, his two sons, along with some relatives and friends, have also learned wedding benedictions from him.
\n
"Even in marriages between ethnic Mongolians and people of Han ethnicity, the first day of the celebration strictly follows ethnic Mongolian customs, with benediction remaining a cornerstone," he adds.
\n
While wedding recitations focus on conjugal blessings, festival benedictions, such as those for oboo worship, fire rituals, or the Naadam Fair, hold grander significance, serving to express respect for nature and the universe, as well as to convey good wishes for the future. The content of these benedictions also encompasses history, ancestors and heroic figures.
\n
For these occasions, Ushanxi dons elaborate traditional robes adorned with silver and gold jewelry, delivering his distinctive chants against the backdrop of grasslands or deserts.
\n
To hone his craft, Ushanxi has self-funded trips to nationwide competitions and exchanges. In July, he participated in an international benediction contest in Mongolia, engaging with inheritors from 10 countries. "There are nuances in tone and content between our styles and those of Mongolians. I value such exchanges," he notes.
\n
Beyond personal growth, Ushanxi is committed to passing on the tradition. He teaches students of all ages — from teenagers to those in their fifties — free of charge. Lessons often take place in school cafeterias or students' homes for convenience.
\n
"My sincere hope is that they master this intangible cultural heritage, ensuring our ethnic Mongolian traditions endure for generations," he says.
\n
To date, he has nurtured over 40 inheritors, safeguarding a legacy that resonates across borders.
\n
Last September, Tsogtsaikhan Mandakh, counselor at the Mongolian Embassy in China, visited the Subei Intangible Cultural Heritage Center. After watching Ushanxi's benediction performance, he was full of admiration and said: "It's remarkable that the ethnic Mongolians here, with only a few thousand people, have preserved their traditional culture so well!"
\n
Located in the northwestern region of Gansu province, Subei county covers a vast area characterized by diverse landscapes, including mountains, deserts and grasslands, with a total area exceeding 66,748 square kilometers. The population is less than 20,000, with the majority being ethnic Mongolians.
Participants of the China-Japan-ROK Young Ambassador Program pose with their Japanese teacher (middle in the front) and the Kanji meaning "love" they have written after attending a calligraphy lesson in Kyoto, Japan.
\n
Participants practice writing Kanji during a calligraphy lesson in Kyoto.
\n
Kim Song-jung, from the Republic of Korea, gives a presentation during a panel discussion.
\n
Shen Zhenqun, a PhD student in International Politics at Fudan University in Shanghai, recalls a revealing moment at the Japan Kanji Museum in Kyoto. As he spoke with the museum director, he mentioned his grandparents' hometown Anyang in Henan province, the birthplace of oracle bone inscriptions. To his surprise, the director had visited the city.
\n
The site is home to China's only museum dedicated to Chinese characters, the Chinese Language Museum.
\n
The director praised the city's dedication to preserving Chinese character culture and commended the museum for vividly showcasing the history of Hanzi, the Chinese characters, both popularly and academically, Shen said.
\n
"This exchange reinforced my realization that Hanzi, or Kanji in Japanese and Hanja in Korean, is more than just a linguistic tool," Shen said, adding that it is a shared cultural treasure and a spiritual bond among the three East Asian nations.
\n
"Its role in fostering a sense of regional identity is undeniable, further strengthening my aspiration to contribute to the global promotion of East Asia's shared heritage," he said.
\n
For Shen, the calligraphy lesson allowed him to experience firsthand the nuances between Japanese and Chinese calligraphy.
\n
This shared heritage is often overlooked in the heat of political disagreements, but Shen believes it forms the bedrock of long-term regional cooperation.
\n
"It underscored an important lesson: in promoting East Asia's cultural traditions such as calligraphy, we must embrace the principle of 'seeking common ground while respecting differences'," he said.
\n
Shen is among 30 young representatives from China, Japan, and South Korea who gathered earlier this year in Kyoto for the China-Japan-ROK Young Ambassador Program, an initiative organized by the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat.
\n
For nine days, they immersed themselves in cultural activities, academic discussions, and team projects, which aimed at deepening people-to-people ties among the three neighbors.
\n
Kim Hyein, a Korean design student from Ewha Womans University, shared a touching story from a temple visit in Kyoto.
\n
When one of the participants drew a bad fortune and became upset as they drew fortune paper, Kim introduced the Korean concept of "Aekddaem", the belief that a small misfortune can prevent a larger one.
\n
Kim explained this concept to her Asian friend and tried to comfort her by saying that the torn fortune paper had already taken care of the misfortune that would have come their way.
\n
"I was really surprised because my friend was truly grateful and appreciative of it. This was the first time I experienced that our culture could have a positive influence on others," she said.
\n
Breaking stereotypes
\n
During the YAP Program, the participants encountered many cultural differences, but through a series of experiences, they have realized that understanding, empathy, and a genuine heart are the keys to achieving harmony.
\n
They also found out that direct interaction is the best way to overcome stereotypes and build mutual understanding.
\n
Through the program, Kim found that the stereotypes she had grown up hearing, such as Chinese being "too loud" or Japanese being "too introverted", were upended by real interactions.
\n
"Looking back, the loudest and noisiest person in the YAP program was actually me," she laughed. "And our supposedly introverted Japanese friend led us to the most exciting night out at an izakaya at the end of the day."
\n
Kim said that stereotypes might have some basis in cultural traits, but this experience reminded her that they never tell the whole story.
\n
"Judging people based on preconceptions and assuming just builds unnecessary walls between us," she said.
\n
Shen from China noted he had assumed that Japanese and Korean societies were more rigid and rule-bound than China, with stricter and more subtle social norms.
\n
He had long believed that the strong sense of rules and boundaries in Japanese and Korean societies made it difficult to form truly heartfelt friendships.
\n
However, Shen said, during this exchange, he realized that all participants actively set aside their preconceived notions, whether positive or negative, about other nations, approaching each interaction with warmth, focus, and mutual respect.
\n
Rather than hindering communication, the so-called awareness of rules and personal boundaries was seamlessly integrated into an atmosphere of openness and inclusiveness, he said.
\n
For example, China, Japan and South Korea have their own unique but common cultural "unspoken rules", the importance of which can only be mutually understood by the people of the three East Asian countries, Shen noted.
\n
He added that it is mutual understanding that defines the essence of the exchange.
\n
Such opinions are also shared by Kim Song-jung, a PhD student at Yonsei University. She initially believed that Japanese youth might be too reserved for open debate, but she found them to be highly engaged and thoughtful in group discussions. "Similarly, I had a notion that Chinese participants would be overly competitive; instead, I witnessed a strong spirit of teamwork and a genuine willingness to collaborate," she added.
\n
Kim Hyein said that through this experience, she learned that "while it is important to establish our own identity and preserve unique culture by being with people from our own country, it is equally necessary to make an effort to communicate and understand people from different cultures and backgrounds".
\n
"If we isolate ourselves within our own culture, we may face difficulties in connecting with others from diverse backgrounds," she added.
\n
Discovering similarities
\n
Shen from China said what struck him most in his interactions with Japanese and Korean youth was not the cultural differences but rather the underlying commonalities that connect the three East Asian nations.
\n
"We share similar educational experiences, navigate comparable daily routines, and as young people, we grapple with analogous uncertainties about the future. These shared experiences fostered an immediate sense of connection," he said.
\n
Itsuki Shimoosako, a postgraduate student at the University of Tokyo's Graduate School of Public Policy and a double-degree student at Peking University, said that his deepest impression about the three countries is the shared cultural elements, including their communication styles, traditions, and cuisine.
\n
The lectures in the program also highlighted shared societal challenges, such as aging populations, public health, climate change, which deepened his understanding of the common ground.
\n
Born and raised in Germany, Shimoosako grew up surrounded by Chinese and Korean friends, which gave him familiarity with their cultures.
\n
However, he also witnessed tensions rooted in historical and political differences, even among East Asian communities in Germany. This inspired him to join the program, aiming to cultivate a "stronger shared identity as East Asians".
\n
Shimoosako emphasized the value of collaborative creation. He worked with Chinese and Korean peers to develop the CJK Cultural Pass Initiative, a proposal offering discounts at cultural sites across the three countries.
\n
Their team won the Best Team Award, which he viewed as a testament to what can be achieved when young minds focus on common goals rather than differences.
\n
"In our late-night discussions," Shimoosako recalled, "we learned to navigate our different communication styles — Chinese peers prioritizing harmony, Koreans ensuring everyone had a voice, and Japanese teammates focusing on methodical detail. What struck me was how these differences, instead of dividing us, actually enriched our proposal."
\n
The friendship forged through the program has broadened Shimoosako's perspective on current issues in East Asia and reinforced his belief that commonalities outweigh differences.
\n
"It's also heartwarming to know that I now have a network of like-minded peers in China and South Korea who share a vision for stronger regional cooperation," he added.
\n
Similarly, Kim from Yonsei University, discovered the transformative power of informal dialogue. "One of my most memorable experiences was a casual chat over tea in a small Kyoto tea house," she said.
\n
"We shared stories about our journeys, talked about the challenges we face as young people and the issues in our countries, and exchanged our hopes for a future with more cooperation and sustainability."
\n
The relaxed setting helped Kim and other participants connect personally, form friendships, and inspire them to work together on new solutions for their communities, she said.
\n
Kim said she recognized the importance of sustained trilateral cooperation between China, Japan, and South Korea, which have deep historical, economic, and geopolitical ties. "Despite occasional tensions, our shared challenges such as climate change, regional security, and economic integration, necessitate ongoing dialogue and mutual understanding," she said.
\n
Youth role
\n
Since its launch in 2013, the China-Japan-ROK Young Ambassador Program has been held 11 times and has grown into one of the brands under the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat.
\n
As major countries in the Asia-Pacific and important economies globally, China, Japan, and South Korea together account for about 24 percent of the world's GDP and around 20 percent of global trade.
\n
The years 2025-2026 have also been designated as the "China-Japan-ROK Years of Cultural Exchange".
\n
At the ninth China-Japan-ROK Leaders' Meeting last year, the three leaders reaffirmed the importance of strengthening exchanges. By fostering friendly interaction among the younger generation, the foundation for trilateral cooperation can be further consolidated.
\n
As negative perceptions of one another are gradually deepening among the three countries, the young ambassador program expects that young people will play an active role in overcoming prejudice and confrontation.
\n
For the participants, the program acts as a platform to break down barriers, foster trust and mutual understanding, as well as build personal connections that go beyond national boundaries.
\n
Youth cultural exchanges are vital in building bridges between nations. They create platforms for mutual understanding, dismantling stereotypes, and developing collaborative solutions to regional challenges, Kim from Yonsei University said.
\n
Kim, who also serves as a senior assistant at the United Nations Development Programme, said, "In my future endeavors both at the United Nations and within academic and policy circles, I plan to promote initiatives that encourage dialogue and cooperation among young leaders from China, Japan, and South Korea."
\n
Whether through mentoring future delegates or organizing cross-cultural workshops and forums, Kim said she is committed to contributing to a more inclusive and sustainable regional future.
\n
Shimoosako believed that ideally there should be more CJK youth exchanges involving a broader range of participants, not just students with relevant academic background or international experiences.
\n
To foster real change, it is crucial to engage more diverse youth in these programs, helping to break down long-standing misconceptions and promote genuine understanding, he said.
\n
Young people are the backbone of a nation's future and their perceptions will shape the dominant narratives of their societies, Shen from China said.
\n
After the program, he remains in active contact with Japanese and Korean friends through social media.
\n
These friendships have influenced his academic trajectory as he plans to pursue research visits in Japan and South Korea to deepen his understanding of regional dynamics.
\n
He noted that historical disputes persist because of the lack of direct, interpersonal engagement. "When people fail to meet face-to-face, stereotypes and misconceptions thrive," he said.
\n
"Only through direct dialogue can we truly foster heart-to-heart understanding, and youth cultural exchanges have always been at the core of meaningful people-to-people connections."
\n
Kim Hyein said, "Regardless of nationality, language, or culture, the blood that flows under our skin is all red."
\n
Unresolved historical and political differences between South Korea, China, and Japan should not be used as excuses for hatred or animosity, and in order to eliminate them, opportunities for young people from the three countries to gradually and sincerely get to know each other must be expanded, she said.
\n
"I believe the beginning and core of this opportunity lies with the youth who will lead the three countries in the future. Therefore, I strongly support cultural and youth exchanges and I think I found my vision," she said.
\n
zhoujin@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
Participants of the China-Japan-ROK Young Ambassador Program pose with their Japanese teacher (middle in the front) and the Kanji meaning "love" they have written after attending a calligraphy lesson in Kyoto, Japan.
\n
Participants practice writing Kanji during a calligraphy lesson in Kyoto.
\n
Kim Song-jung, from the Republic of Korea, gives a presentation during a panel discussion.
\n
Shen Zhenqun, a PhD student in International Politics at Fudan University in Shanghai, recalls a revealing moment at the Japan Kanji Museum in Kyoto. As he spoke with the museum director, he mentioned his grandparents' hometown Anyang in Henan province, the birthplace of oracle bone inscriptions. To his surprise, the director had visited the city.
\n
The site is home to China's only museum dedicated to Chinese characters, the Chinese Language Museum.
\n
The director praised the city's dedication to preserving Chinese character culture and commended the museum for vividly showcasing the history of Hanzi, the Chinese characters, both popularly and academically, Shen said.
\n
"This exchange reinforced my realization that Hanzi, or Kanji in Japanese and Hanja in Korean, is more than just a linguistic tool," Shen said, adding that it is a shared cultural treasure and a spiritual bond among the three East Asian nations.
\n
"Its role in fostering a sense of regional identity is undeniable, further strengthening my aspiration to contribute to the global promotion of East Asia's shared heritage," he said.
\n
For Shen, the calligraphy lesson allowed him to experience firsthand the nuances between Japanese and Chinese calligraphy.
\n
This shared heritage is often overlooked in the heat of political disagreements, but Shen believes it forms the bedrock of long-term regional cooperation.
\n
"It underscored an important lesson: in promoting East Asia's cultural traditions such as calligraphy, we must embrace the principle of 'seeking common ground while respecting differences'," he said.
\n
Shen is among 30 young representatives from China, Japan, and South Korea who gathered earlier this year in Kyoto for the China-Japan-ROK Young Ambassador Program, an initiative organized by the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat.
\n
For nine days, they immersed themselves in cultural activities, academic discussions, and team projects, which aimed at deepening people-to-people ties among the three neighbors.
\n
Kim Hyein, a Korean design student from Ewha Womans University, shared a touching story from a temple visit in Kyoto.
\n
When one of the participants drew a bad fortune and became upset as they drew fortune paper, Kim introduced the Korean concept of "Aekddaem", the belief that a small misfortune can prevent a larger one.
\n
Kim explained this concept to her Asian friend and tried to comfort her by saying that the torn fortune paper had already taken care of the misfortune that would have come their way.
\n
"I was really surprised because my friend was truly grateful and appreciative of it. This was the first time I experienced that our culture could have a positive influence on others," she said.
\n
Breaking stereotypes
\n
During the YAP Program, the participants encountered many cultural differences, but through a series of experiences, they have realized that understanding, empathy, and a genuine heart are the keys to achieving harmony.
\n
They also found out that direct interaction is the best way to overcome stereotypes and build mutual understanding.
\n
Through the program, Kim found that the stereotypes she had grown up hearing, such as Chinese being "too loud" or Japanese being "too introverted", were upended by real interactions.
\n
"Looking back, the loudest and noisiest person in the YAP program was actually me," she laughed. "And our supposedly introverted Japanese friend led us to the most exciting night out at an izakaya at the end of the day."
\n
Kim said that stereotypes might have some basis in cultural traits, but this experience reminded her that they never tell the whole story.
\n
"Judging people based on preconceptions and assuming just builds unnecessary walls between us," she said.
\n
Shen from China noted he had assumed that Japanese and Korean societies were more rigid and rule-bound than China, with stricter and more subtle social norms.
\n
He had long believed that the strong sense of rules and boundaries in Japanese and Korean societies made it difficult to form truly heartfelt friendships.
\n
However, Shen said, during this exchange, he realized that all participants actively set aside their preconceived notions, whether positive or negative, about other nations, approaching each interaction with warmth, focus, and mutual respect.
\n
Rather than hindering communication, the so-called awareness of rules and personal boundaries was seamlessly integrated into an atmosphere of openness and inclusiveness, he said.
\n
For example, China, Japan and South Korea have their own unique but common cultural "unspoken rules", the importance of which can only be mutually understood by the people of the three East Asian countries, Shen noted.
\n
He added that it is mutual understanding that defines the essence of the exchange.
\n
Such opinions are also shared by Kim Song-jung, a PhD student at Yonsei University. She initially believed that Japanese youth might be too reserved for open debate, but she found them to be highly engaged and thoughtful in group discussions. "Similarly, I had a notion that Chinese participants would be overly competitive; instead, I witnessed a strong spirit of teamwork and a genuine willingness to collaborate," she added.
\n
Kim Hyein said that through this experience, she learned that "while it is important to establish our own identity and preserve unique culture by being with people from our own country, it is equally necessary to make an effort to communicate and understand people from different cultures and backgrounds".
\n
"If we isolate ourselves within our own culture, we may face difficulties in connecting with others from diverse backgrounds," she added.
\n
Discovering similarities
\n
Shen from China said what struck him most in his interactions with Japanese and Korean youth was not the cultural differences but rather the underlying commonalities that connect the three East Asian nations.
\n
"We share similar educational experiences, navigate comparable daily routines, and as young people, we grapple with analogous uncertainties about the future. These shared experiences fostered an immediate sense of connection," he said.
\n
Itsuki Shimoosako, a postgraduate student at the University of Tokyo's Graduate School of Public Policy and a double-degree student at Peking University, said that his deepest impression about the three countries is the shared cultural elements, including their communication styles, traditions, and cuisine.
\n
The lectures in the program also highlighted shared societal challenges, such as aging populations, public health, climate change, which deepened his understanding of the common ground.
\n
Born and raised in Germany, Shimoosako grew up surrounded by Chinese and Korean friends, which gave him familiarity with their cultures.
\n
However, he also witnessed tensions rooted in historical and political differences, even among East Asian communities in Germany. This inspired him to join the program, aiming to cultivate a "stronger shared identity as East Asians".
\n
Shimoosako emphasized the value of collaborative creation. He worked with Chinese and Korean peers to develop the CJK Cultural Pass Initiative, a proposal offering discounts at cultural sites across the three countries.
\n
Their team won the Best Team Award, which he viewed as a testament to what can be achieved when young minds focus on common goals rather than differences.
\n
"In our late-night discussions," Shimoosako recalled, "we learned to navigate our different communication styles — Chinese peers prioritizing harmony, Koreans ensuring everyone had a voice, and Japanese teammates focusing on methodical detail. What struck me was how these differences, instead of dividing us, actually enriched our proposal."
\n
The friendship forged through the program has broadened Shimoosako's perspective on current issues in East Asia and reinforced his belief that commonalities outweigh differences.
\n
"It's also heartwarming to know that I now have a network of like-minded peers in China and South Korea who share a vision for stronger regional cooperation," he added.
\n
Similarly, Kim from Yonsei University, discovered the transformative power of informal dialogue. "One of my most memorable experiences was a casual chat over tea in a small Kyoto tea house," she said.
\n
"We shared stories about our journeys, talked about the challenges we face as young people and the issues in our countries, and exchanged our hopes for a future with more cooperation and sustainability."
\n
The relaxed setting helped Kim and other participants connect personally, form friendships, and inspire them to work together on new solutions for their communities, she said.
\n
Kim said she recognized the importance of sustained trilateral cooperation between China, Japan, and South Korea, which have deep historical, economic, and geopolitical ties. "Despite occasional tensions, our shared challenges such as climate change, regional security, and economic integration, necessitate ongoing dialogue and mutual understanding," she said.
\n
Youth role
\n
Since its launch in 2013, the China-Japan-ROK Young Ambassador Program has been held 11 times and has grown into one of the brands under the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat.
\n
As major countries in the Asia-Pacific and important economies globally, China, Japan, and South Korea together account for about 24 percent of the world's GDP and around 20 percent of global trade.
\n
The years 2025-2026 have also been designated as the "China-Japan-ROK Years of Cultural Exchange".
\n
At the ninth China-Japan-ROK Leaders' Meeting last year, the three leaders reaffirmed the importance of strengthening exchanges. By fostering friendly interaction among the younger generation, the foundation for trilateral cooperation can be further consolidated.
\n
As negative perceptions of one another are gradually deepening among the three countries, the young ambassador program expects that young people will play an active role in overcoming prejudice and confrontation.
\n
For the participants, the program acts as a platform to break down barriers, foster trust and mutual understanding, as well as build personal connections that go beyond national boundaries.
\n
Youth cultural exchanges are vital in building bridges between nations. They create platforms for mutual understanding, dismantling stereotypes, and developing collaborative solutions to regional challenges, Kim from Yonsei University said.
\n
Kim, who also serves as a senior assistant at the United Nations Development Programme, said, "In my future endeavors both at the United Nations and within academic and policy circles, I plan to promote initiatives that encourage dialogue and cooperation among young leaders from China, Japan, and South Korea."
\n
Whether through mentoring future delegates or organizing cross-cultural workshops and forums, Kim said she is committed to contributing to a more inclusive and sustainable regional future.
\n
Shimoosako believed that ideally there should be more CJK youth exchanges involving a broader range of participants, not just students with relevant academic background or international experiences.
\n
To foster real change, it is crucial to engage more diverse youth in these programs, helping to break down long-standing misconceptions and promote genuine understanding, he said.
\n
Young people are the backbone of a nation's future and their perceptions will shape the dominant narratives of their societies, Shen from China said.
\n
After the program, he remains in active contact with Japanese and Korean friends through social media.
\n
These friendships have influenced his academic trajectory as he plans to pursue research visits in Japan and South Korea to deepen his understanding of regional dynamics.
\n
He noted that historical disputes persist because of the lack of direct, interpersonal engagement. "When people fail to meet face-to-face, stereotypes and misconceptions thrive," he said.
\n
"Only through direct dialogue can we truly foster heart-to-heart understanding, and youth cultural exchanges have always been at the core of meaningful people-to-people connections."
\n
Kim Hyein said, "Regardless of nationality, language, or culture, the blood that flows under our skin is all red."
\n
Unresolved historical and political differences between South Korea, China, and Japan should not be used as excuses for hatred or animosity, and in order to eliminate them, opportunities for young people from the three countries to gradually and sincerely get to know each other must be expanded, she said.
\n
"I believe the beginning and core of this opportunity lies with the youth who will lead the three countries in the future. Therefore, I strongly support cultural and youth exchanges and I think I found my vision," she said.
A live-streamer selling matsutake calls out to the Shangri-La matsutake market, Yunnan province, on July 24.
\n
Chunpi (middle) demonstrates how to harvest matsutake to tourists in Jidi village, Shangri-La city, on July 25.
\n
Villagers pack matsutake from Jidi village at a stall in the Shangri-La matsutake market, on July 24.
\n
A matsutake photographed in Jidi village, on July 25.
\n
A Jidi villager picks matsutake in the early morning of July 25.
\n
Staff pack matsutake from Jidi village at a stall in the Shangri-La matsutake market, on July 24.
\n
Tourists taste freshly picked matsutake in Jidi village, on July 25.
\n
Chunpi (second from left) and staff sort through matsutake from Jidi village at a stall in the Shangri-La matsutake market, on July 24.
\n
Chunpi (middle) and fellow villagers load freshly collected matsutake on a vehicle outside the Jidi village matsutake trading market, on July 25.
\n
A view of Jidi village, Shangri-La city, photographed on July 24.
\n
At a little past 3 am when lights are gradually switched on in Tibetan homes in Jidi village, Shangri-La city, Yunnan province, some villagers pick up their baskets and sticks, as well as flashlights, pile them up on their motorcycles, and ride up the mountains about 3,000 meters above the sea level to pick matsutake, a highly prized mushroom.
\n
With the spread of mobile devices such as smartphones, more and more Tibetan villagers are using short videos and livestreaming to share online their matsutake-picking process, becoming new "matsutake hunters."
\n
Born in 1990 in Jidi village, Chunpi, one of the "matsutake hunters", began foraging for matsutake in the mountains with his elders from the age of five.
\n
After graduating from college in 2017, Chunpi chose to return to Shangri-La, and became one of the first youths in his village to promote the sales of matsutake through e-commerce.
\n
In recent years, Chunpi has focused on improving the quality of the mushrooms while also building his own brand.
\n
In 2024, because of his efforts, Jidi Village established a village-level matsutake market that integrates offline transactions, livestreaming e-commerce and cold storage.
\n",
+ "content": "
A live-streamer selling matsutake calls out to the Shangri-La matsutake market, Yunnan province, on July 24.
\n
Chunpi (middle) demonstrates how to harvest matsutake to tourists in Jidi village, Shangri-La city, on July 25.
\n
Villagers pack matsutake from Jidi village at a stall in the Shangri-La matsutake market, on July 24.
\n
A matsutake photographed in Jidi village, on July 25.
\n
A Jidi villager picks matsutake in the early morning of July 25.
\n
Staff pack matsutake from Jidi village at a stall in the Shangri-La matsutake market, on July 24.
\n
Tourists taste freshly picked matsutake in Jidi village, on July 25.
\n
Chunpi (second from left) and staff sort through matsutake from Jidi village at a stall in the Shangri-La matsutake market, on July 24.
\n
Chunpi (middle) and fellow villagers load freshly collected matsutake on a vehicle outside the Jidi village matsutake trading market, on July 25.
\n
A view of Jidi village, Shangri-La city, photographed on July 24.
\n
At a little past 3 am when lights are gradually switched on in Tibetan homes in Jidi village, Shangri-La city, Yunnan province, some villagers pick up their baskets and sticks, as well as flashlights, pile them up on their motorcycles, and ride up the mountains about 3,000 meters above the sea level to pick matsutake, a highly prized mushroom.
\n
With the spread of mobile devices such as smartphones, more and more Tibetan villagers are using short videos and livestreaming to share online their matsutake-picking process, becoming new "matsutake hunters."
\n
Born in 1990 in Jidi village, Chunpi, one of the "matsutake hunters", began foraging for matsutake in the mountains with his elders from the age of five.
\n
After graduating from college in 2017, Chunpi chose to return to Shangri-La, and became one of the first youths in his village to promote the sales of matsutake through e-commerce.
\n
In recent years, Chunpi has focused on improving the quality of the mushrooms while also building his own brand.
\n
In 2024, because of his efforts, Jidi Village established a village-level matsutake market that integrates offline transactions, livestreaming e-commerce and cold storage.
Wang Zhixiang and Fan Kaijian (front row), dubbed "Harmonica Grandpas" by online fans, performs a string of children's songs while drawing fans to join the performance in Beijing in May last year.
\n
The 86-year-old "Grandpa" from the influencer duo "Kangkang and Grandpa", who are popular for stylish outfits and have millions of followers, hits the runway during a fashion show in Chengdu, Sichuan province, in September 2023.
\n
The "Grandpa" from the fashion-style influencer duo "Kangkang and Grandpa" performs during a fashion show in Chengdu in September 2023.
\n
Grandpa Beihai and his son, Yang Kai, who goes by the online name Uncle Mona, sign books during a session in March 2019.
\n
(From left) Screenshots of the Douyin social media accounts of granfluencers "Grandpa Beihai and Uncle Mona", "Kangkang and Grandpa", and "Grandma Wang Who Only Wears High Heels".
\n
(From left) Screenshots of the Douyin social media accounts of granfluencers "Grandpa Beihai and Uncle Mona", "Kangkang and Grandpa", and "Grandma Wang Who Only Wears High Heels".
\n
(From left) Screenshots of the Douyin social media accounts of granfluencers "Grandpa Beihai and Uncle Mona", "Kangkang and Grandpa", and "Grandma Wang Who Only Wears High Heels".
\n
Growing older does not have to mean life has lost its vibrancy, as many elderly people are joining the digital and internet economy by turning themselves into "granfluencers".Experts said the growing number of senior netizens and granfluencers will benefit the nation's development of the "silver economy".
\n
Gray-haired influencers
\n
At the age of 80, an elegantly dressed man who goes by Grandpa Beihai to his online fans, is known for his bespoke, well-tailored suits and self-disciplined lifestyle. His online persona took off in 2018 when he partnered with his 40-year-old son, Uncle Mona, and they began posting videos of their refined lifestyle, travel vlogs and hilarious family life on Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok, with the account having garnered around 15.2 million subscribers and 290 million likes.
\n
"I've followed their account for over 5 years. In their videos, Grandpa Beihai is always well-dressed, in high spirits with a kind smile on his face. He is in a well-tailored suit even when he goes to the wet market. He is very tall and handsome, and so are his son and grandson. They are eye candy to average followers," said Liu Qingmei, 56, a retired factory worker who lives in Huangshan, Anhui province, with her daughter.
\n
Liu said Grandpa Beihai has inspired her by showing that elderly people still have a lot to contribute to society.
\n
"I used to be jaded and burned out of my passion for life, but now I myself have started to record my own short videos, recording my retirement life of growing flowers, dancing and traveling. I record the videos just for fun as I've never thought of becoming an influencer like Beihai, but he did inspire me to cherish the good things in my life," she said.
\n
While Grandpa Beihai is garnering a large number of domestic followers, another social media influencer commonly known as Aunt Tan remains a firm favorite after she left a mark on the world's fashion industry after walking the runway for the luxury brand MiuMiu in March 2024.
\n
With around 141,000 followers on Xiaohongshu, or RedNote, Tan, who comes from Liuzhou, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, previously shared how she got interested in fashion by styling herself with her son's clothes as a form of artistic expression.
\n
She said in her post that turning 70 was a new start for her, and she wishes to inspire every single person who may be at a loss not to give up on their dreams. "I was a doctor dedicated to my patients before turning 70, and I've never thought I would stand at the runway. So come on! Look at me in my 70s."
\n
Increasing senior netizens
\n
Yang Xiaoqi, a researcher at the China Research Center on Aging, said the emergence and growth of granfluencers is because the elderly wish to express themselves and create personal values, as well as the popularization of the internet, which allows the elderly to get easier access to a broader audience.
\n
Yang noted that another factor is that the families of elderly individuals, along with many MCNs — third-party organizations collaborating with platforms to support content creators — have recognized the commercial opportunities in granfluencers and are actively working to transform older adults into online influencers.
\n
In July, the China Internet Network Information Center released a report, outlining that, as of June this year, China has over 1.12 billion netizens nationwide, and the population of senior netizens aged 60 years old and above reached 161 million, according to People's Daily.
\n
Noting the growing population of granfluencers, Yang said the elderly are gaining more internet followers because of the strong contrast between people's stereotypical view of old people and the high spirits and fashionable outfits the elderly show in their videos.
\n
"People usually think that the elderly are out of touch with fashion or interesting lifestyles and only put their focus on caring for their grandchildren. So it's very attractive to the public when a gray-haired woman shows the audience her life with refined makeup and beautiful outfits like a qipao — one-piece Chinese dress," he said. He added that the more elderly people, not only the granfluencers, share their lives online and gain likes and accomplishments, they will gain a stronger sense of accomplishment and confidence, which is good for their physical and mental health.
\n
Ye Mingrui, vice-dean of the Television School at the Communication University of China in Beijing, said that the rise of granfluencers reflects China's economic progress and material prosperity. This trend enhances social inclusivity and encourages greater participation among older adults, thereby fostering harmony in society.
\n
"Whether the elderly just watch short videos by the gray-haired influencers or they make up their mind to become a granfluencer, they do have spiritual fulfillment. To those successfully turning themselves into a granfluencer, they will have extra income and a good enhancement of their personal habits," he added.
\n
However, Yang highlighted health risks and the pressure to compete as some of the challenges granfluencers may face.
\n
"It's necessary to offer the granfluencers proper guidance that highlights that recording short videos is to enrich their retirement life and improve the quality rather than earning traffic by sacrificing personal health. The elderly can create some innovative videos sharing their skills in cooking, gardening and traditional handicrafts, or giving their views on fashion or scientific knowledge to let the audience feel their wisdom that has stood the test of time," he said.
\n
Silver economy
\n
The latest figures from the Ministry of Civil Affairs show that by the end of 2024, China had over 310 million people aged 60 and above, accounting for 22 percent of the total population.
\n
Noting the increasing population of the elderly and their growing passion for online entertainment and self-accomplishment, as well as their untapped great consumption power, the State Council, China's Cabinet, unveiled a guideline in January 2024, to encourage governments at all levels to take actions to promote the "silver economy".
\n
Under the guideline, governments of all levels and their agencies are encouraged to develop more content that is appealing to the elderly, including literature, TV series, music and short videos. The guideline also requires authorities to set up pioneer programs on elderly-oriented modifications, elderly services and products and smart technologies.
\n
A recent report by the China Association of Social Welfare and Senior Service and the Institute of Contemporary Social Service shows that China's market size of the silver economy has reached 7 trillion yuan ($984 billion) to date, which is roughly 6 percent of the GDP. The silver economy market size is estimated to reach 30 trillion yuan in 2035, about 10 percent of the nation's GDP.
\n
However, the elderly still face challenges in their endeavor to adapt to the digital and internet era, which requires efforts from both the government and platforms on elderly-oriented modifications and improvement of the elderly's digital literacy.
\n
"The screen of the smartphone is too small, and I can't see the words on the screen very clearly. My son taught me how to record short videos but I always forget to save the materials. It's not easy for us elderly to adapt to these changing electronic products," said Wang Limei, 65, in Beijing, who developed an interest in short videos last year.
\n
"Many of my peers said they've started their own Douyin accounts, but they also have problems with editing and uploading their videos and replying to comments from the audience as the video-making procedures are hard to remember," she said. "My son has written each step on how to make and upload a short video, and I have to check the note every time I open the phone camera. I thought it would be very interesting to record a short video, but it now seems like a burden to me."
\n
Experts also noticed the challenges Wang and the elderly have encountered while making efforts to be in tune with the times. They have also reminded the elderly to avoid scams because of their inexperience with electronic products and emerging technological advancements like artificial intelligence.
\n
"Though the population of senior netizens and granfluencers has recorded growth in recent years, the number is still small, and they will face problems using the trending technologies," said Ye Mingrui, the vice-dean, adding that a resolution requires joint efforts from the government and platforms.
\n
"The government can give some supportive policies to platforms such as tax reduction incentives. The platform itself, I think, will put more effort into elderly-oriented modifications after the senior netizens and users keep rising," he said.
\n
He stressed that it is necessary for the public and the elderly people's families to show more care and consideration to the elderly, as they may take some time to learn new skills.
\n
"The care for their mental health is also important in case the elderly get addicted to the internet and trapped in scams due to weaker awareness of security and digital literacy."
\n
He said developing the silver economy is praiseworthy as the industry considers the needs of the elderly, but it's important to view the silver economy rationally.
\n
"The government, social organizations and platforms should channel efforts to improve the elderly's consciousness of preventing risks and awareness of their 'digital footprints', which may cause side effects to the elderly and their families if they expose privacy improperly," he said.
\n
chengsi@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
Wang Zhixiang and Fan Kaijian (front row), dubbed "Harmonica Grandpas" by online fans, performs a string of children's songs while drawing fans to join the performance in Beijing in May last year.
\n
The 86-year-old "Grandpa" from the influencer duo "Kangkang and Grandpa", who are popular for stylish outfits and have millions of followers, hits the runway during a fashion show in Chengdu, Sichuan province, in September 2023.
\n
The "Grandpa" from the fashion-style influencer duo "Kangkang and Grandpa" performs during a fashion show in Chengdu in September 2023.
\n
Grandpa Beihai and his son, Yang Kai, who goes by the online name Uncle Mona, sign books during a session in March 2019.
\n
(From left) Screenshots of the Douyin social media accounts of granfluencers "Grandpa Beihai and Uncle Mona", "Kangkang and Grandpa", and "Grandma Wang Who Only Wears High Heels".
\n
(From left) Screenshots of the Douyin social media accounts of granfluencers "Grandpa Beihai and Uncle Mona", "Kangkang and Grandpa", and "Grandma Wang Who Only Wears High Heels".
\n
(From left) Screenshots of the Douyin social media accounts of granfluencers "Grandpa Beihai and Uncle Mona", "Kangkang and Grandpa", and "Grandma Wang Who Only Wears High Heels".
\n
Growing older does not have to mean life has lost its vibrancy, as many elderly people are joining the digital and internet economy by turning themselves into "granfluencers".Experts said the growing number of senior netizens and granfluencers will benefit the nation's development of the "silver economy".
\n
Gray-haired influencers
\n
At the age of 80, an elegantly dressed man who goes by Grandpa Beihai to his online fans, is known for his bespoke, well-tailored suits and self-disciplined lifestyle. His online persona took off in 2018 when he partnered with his 40-year-old son, Uncle Mona, and they began posting videos of their refined lifestyle, travel vlogs and hilarious family life on Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok, with the account having garnered around 15.2 million subscribers and 290 million likes.
\n
"I've followed their account for over 5 years. In their videos, Grandpa Beihai is always well-dressed, in high spirits with a kind smile on his face. He is in a well-tailored suit even when he goes to the wet market. He is very tall and handsome, and so are his son and grandson. They are eye candy to average followers," said Liu Qingmei, 56, a retired factory worker who lives in Huangshan, Anhui province, with her daughter.
\n
Liu said Grandpa Beihai has inspired her by showing that elderly people still have a lot to contribute to society.
\n
"I used to be jaded and burned out of my passion for life, but now I myself have started to record my own short videos, recording my retirement life of growing flowers, dancing and traveling. I record the videos just for fun as I've never thought of becoming an influencer like Beihai, but he did inspire me to cherish the good things in my life," she said.
\n
While Grandpa Beihai is garnering a large number of domestic followers, another social media influencer commonly known as Aunt Tan remains a firm favorite after she left a mark on the world's fashion industry after walking the runway for the luxury brand MiuMiu in March 2024.
\n
With around 141,000 followers on Xiaohongshu, or RedNote, Tan, who comes from Liuzhou, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, previously shared how she got interested in fashion by styling herself with her son's clothes as a form of artistic expression.
\n
She said in her post that turning 70 was a new start for her, and she wishes to inspire every single person who may be at a loss not to give up on their dreams. "I was a doctor dedicated to my patients before turning 70, and I've never thought I would stand at the runway. So come on! Look at me in my 70s."
\n
Increasing senior netizens
\n
Yang Xiaoqi, a researcher at the China Research Center on Aging, said the emergence and growth of granfluencers is because the elderly wish to express themselves and create personal values, as well as the popularization of the internet, which allows the elderly to get easier access to a broader audience.
\n
Yang noted that another factor is that the families of elderly individuals, along with many MCNs — third-party organizations collaborating with platforms to support content creators — have recognized the commercial opportunities in granfluencers and are actively working to transform older adults into online influencers.
\n
In July, the China Internet Network Information Center released a report, outlining that, as of June this year, China has over 1.12 billion netizens nationwide, and the population of senior netizens aged 60 years old and above reached 161 million, according to People's Daily.
\n
Noting the growing population of granfluencers, Yang said the elderly are gaining more internet followers because of the strong contrast between people's stereotypical view of old people and the high spirits and fashionable outfits the elderly show in their videos.
\n
"People usually think that the elderly are out of touch with fashion or interesting lifestyles and only put their focus on caring for their grandchildren. So it's very attractive to the public when a gray-haired woman shows the audience her life with refined makeup and beautiful outfits like a qipao — one-piece Chinese dress," he said. He added that the more elderly people, not only the granfluencers, share their lives online and gain likes and accomplishments, they will gain a stronger sense of accomplishment and confidence, which is good for their physical and mental health.
\n
Ye Mingrui, vice-dean of the Television School at the Communication University of China in Beijing, said that the rise of granfluencers reflects China's economic progress and material prosperity. This trend enhances social inclusivity and encourages greater participation among older adults, thereby fostering harmony in society.
\n
"Whether the elderly just watch short videos by the gray-haired influencers or they make up their mind to become a granfluencer, they do have spiritual fulfillment. To those successfully turning themselves into a granfluencer, they will have extra income and a good enhancement of their personal habits," he added.
\n
However, Yang highlighted health risks and the pressure to compete as some of the challenges granfluencers may face.
\n
"It's necessary to offer the granfluencers proper guidance that highlights that recording short videos is to enrich their retirement life and improve the quality rather than earning traffic by sacrificing personal health. The elderly can create some innovative videos sharing their skills in cooking, gardening and traditional handicrafts, or giving their views on fashion or scientific knowledge to let the audience feel their wisdom that has stood the test of time," he said.
\n
Silver economy
\n
The latest figures from the Ministry of Civil Affairs show that by the end of 2024, China had over 310 million people aged 60 and above, accounting for 22 percent of the total population.
\n
Noting the increasing population of the elderly and their growing passion for online entertainment and self-accomplishment, as well as their untapped great consumption power, the State Council, China's Cabinet, unveiled a guideline in January 2024, to encourage governments at all levels to take actions to promote the "silver economy".
\n
Under the guideline, governments of all levels and their agencies are encouraged to develop more content that is appealing to the elderly, including literature, TV series, music and short videos. The guideline also requires authorities to set up pioneer programs on elderly-oriented modifications, elderly services and products and smart technologies.
\n
A recent report by the China Association of Social Welfare and Senior Service and the Institute of Contemporary Social Service shows that China's market size of the silver economy has reached 7 trillion yuan ($984 billion) to date, which is roughly 6 percent of the GDP. The silver economy market size is estimated to reach 30 trillion yuan in 2035, about 10 percent of the nation's GDP.
\n
However, the elderly still face challenges in their endeavor to adapt to the digital and internet era, which requires efforts from both the government and platforms on elderly-oriented modifications and improvement of the elderly's digital literacy.
\n
"The screen of the smartphone is too small, and I can't see the words on the screen very clearly. My son taught me how to record short videos but I always forget to save the materials. It's not easy for us elderly to adapt to these changing electronic products," said Wang Limei, 65, in Beijing, who developed an interest in short videos last year.
\n
"Many of my peers said they've started their own Douyin accounts, but they also have problems with editing and uploading their videos and replying to comments from the audience as the video-making procedures are hard to remember," she said. "My son has written each step on how to make and upload a short video, and I have to check the note every time I open the phone camera. I thought it would be very interesting to record a short video, but it now seems like a burden to me."
\n
Experts also noticed the challenges Wang and the elderly have encountered while making efforts to be in tune with the times. They have also reminded the elderly to avoid scams because of their inexperience with electronic products and emerging technological advancements like artificial intelligence.
\n
"Though the population of senior netizens and granfluencers has recorded growth in recent years, the number is still small, and they will face problems using the trending technologies," said Ye Mingrui, the vice-dean, adding that a resolution requires joint efforts from the government and platforms.
\n
"The government can give some supportive policies to platforms such as tax reduction incentives. The platform itself, I think, will put more effort into elderly-oriented modifications after the senior netizens and users keep rising," he said.
\n
He stressed that it is necessary for the public and the elderly people's families to show more care and consideration to the elderly, as they may take some time to learn new skills.
\n
"The care for their mental health is also important in case the elderly get addicted to the internet and trapped in scams due to weaker awareness of security and digital literacy."
\n
He said developing the silver economy is praiseworthy as the industry considers the needs of the elderly, but it's important to view the silver economy rationally.
\n
"The government, social organizations and platforms should channel efforts to improve the elderly's consciousness of preventing risks and awareness of their 'digital footprints', which may cause side effects to the elderly and their families if they expose privacy improperly," he said.
The Qinglong Cave in Heishui township, Yanhe Tujia autonomous county of Guizhou province.
\n
Yangnan village hosts a cave basketball game in August.
\n
A cave restaurant bustles with customers.
\n
When you approach a karst cave in Southwest China's Guizhou, you might not notice the stalactites in the dark over the glare of floodlights and the roar of cheering.
\n
Inside Fengming Cave in Yanhe Tujia autonomous county, a full-size basketball court sits under a vaulted ceiling, surrounded by packed stands and streamers. A late-August basketball tournament drew teams from Chongqing and the provinces of Hubei, Hunan and Guizhou, attracting more than 40,000 people to Yanhe's Cuantang village. The influx prompted local officials and villagers to begin planning tourism and other projects around the county's cave network.
\n
Guizhou sits atop extensive karst terrain. Heavy rainfall and a humid climate in Yanhe have helped form and preserve numerous caves. Local authorities said the county has recorded more than 1,000, some of which now figure in visitor service plans.
\n
Fengming Cave, on the banks of the Wujiang River, is ringed by mountains and naturally cool in summer. Villagers said the interior temperature stays around 10 to 20 C even when outside temperatures approach 40.
\n
Before descending into the cave's inner area, visitors pass through a 64-by-36-meter arena. It includes a standard court and terraced seating for more than 2,000 people. Behind that is a scenic section with stalactites and flowstone formations. The complex also hosts a bar and lounge, a central viewing hall, and an exploration hall.
\n
According to legend, the cave's passages form a Y shape, and the trickle of water sometimes sounds like a phoenix's call, a tale that gave Fengming its name, meaning "sound of the phoenix".
\n
Playing basketball in a cave has brought unprecedented foot traffic, turning the cave into a lucrative attraction.
\n
"Before, our village relied mainly on rice and corn farming and a small peach and pear industry," said Wang Chunnian, Cuantang's Party secretary. "We had five caves, and people mainly used them to cool off. Now, events bring steady visitors and new business."
\n
Wang said villagers who sell snacks and drinks can earn 1,000 to 2,000 yuan ($140-$280) daily on busy days.
\n
The idea originated in Yangnan, another village in Yanhe county. In early 2024, residents converted a large cave into an arena holding more than 4,000 people. Organizers said the project boosted local incomes and put Yanhe on the social media map. Since August 2024, the county has hosted roughly 200 basketball events involving more than 1,000 teams.
\n
The Yangnan example encouraged nearby villages. Cuantang's large cave spaces and its location 17 kilometers from the county seat give it an edge in attracting visitors.
\n
"The venues inside the caves are sheltered from the weather and are quiet and suitable for community activities," Wang said. "People can exercise, cool off, and meet others. Villagers raised money to build this site."
\n
Officials said community initiatives, together with county-led environmental and geological assessments, have spurred a wave of cave development. Sites are being positioned as tourist draws and as spaces for sports and events.
\n
"Cave basketball is not a single event," said Wang Tao, Yanhe's deputy county head. "It is an experiment in combining sports with cultural tourism. We are exploring all possibilities."
\n
Yanhe is a remote county with limited industry, according to Wang Tao. For years, the local government has sought ways to boost jobs and incomes.
\n
New businesses are following the visitors. Some villagers have opened cave restaurants and bars. Others are aging sorghum liquor in caves.
\n
In Shihua village, Zhang Liao stores his home-brewed baijiu underground. Local media reported that cave-aged liquor can sell for more than double the price of comparable brands.
\n
Yanhe officials said they intend to focus on caves within a 20-minute drive of the county seat that have good transport access. Those sites will undergo safety inspections and environmental reviews before development proceeds.
\n
After the cave events went viral, several companies and sports platforms approached local authorities. The deputy county head said any market-driven projects will move forward only after assessments.
\n
"Cave basketball gave us a good start, but much work remains to create distinct, sustainable offerings that keep visitors coming back," he said.
\n
Planners are also considering a regional basketball alliance to link cities across the Wuling Mountain area, where several provinces meet. Officials said a coordinated approach could help the region develop together and support small communities that lack industry.
\n
"It's important that we use our cave resources to follow a development path that fits us, rather than copying tourism trends," Wang Tao said.
\n
Contact the writers at liuboqian@chinadaily.com.cn
The Qinglong Cave in Heishui township, Yanhe Tujia autonomous county of Guizhou province.
\n
Yangnan village hosts a cave basketball game in August.
\n
A cave restaurant bustles with customers.
\n
When you approach a karst cave in Southwest China's Guizhou, you might not notice the stalactites in the dark over the glare of floodlights and the roar of cheering.
\n
Inside Fengming Cave in Yanhe Tujia autonomous county, a full-size basketball court sits under a vaulted ceiling, surrounded by packed stands and streamers. A late-August basketball tournament drew teams from Chongqing and the provinces of Hubei, Hunan and Guizhou, attracting more than 40,000 people to Yanhe's Cuantang village. The influx prompted local officials and villagers to begin planning tourism and other projects around the county's cave network.
\n
Guizhou sits atop extensive karst terrain. Heavy rainfall and a humid climate in Yanhe have helped form and preserve numerous caves. Local authorities said the county has recorded more than 1,000, some of which now figure in visitor service plans.
\n
Fengming Cave, on the banks of the Wujiang River, is ringed by mountains and naturally cool in summer. Villagers said the interior temperature stays around 10 to 20 C even when outside temperatures approach 40.
\n
Before descending into the cave's inner area, visitors pass through a 64-by-36-meter arena. It includes a standard court and terraced seating for more than 2,000 people. Behind that is a scenic section with stalactites and flowstone formations. The complex also hosts a bar and lounge, a central viewing hall, and an exploration hall.
\n
According to legend, the cave's passages form a Y shape, and the trickle of water sometimes sounds like a phoenix's call, a tale that gave Fengming its name, meaning "sound of the phoenix".
\n
Playing basketball in a cave has brought unprecedented foot traffic, turning the cave into a lucrative attraction.
\n
"Before, our village relied mainly on rice and corn farming and a small peach and pear industry," said Wang Chunnian, Cuantang's Party secretary. "We had five caves, and people mainly used them to cool off. Now, events bring steady visitors and new business."
\n
Wang said villagers who sell snacks and drinks can earn 1,000 to 2,000 yuan ($140-$280) daily on busy days.
\n
The idea originated in Yangnan, another village in Yanhe county. In early 2024, residents converted a large cave into an arena holding more than 4,000 people. Organizers said the project boosted local incomes and put Yanhe on the social media map. Since August 2024, the county has hosted roughly 200 basketball events involving more than 1,000 teams.
\n
The Yangnan example encouraged nearby villages. Cuantang's large cave spaces and its location 17 kilometers from the county seat give it an edge in attracting visitors.
\n
"The venues inside the caves are sheltered from the weather and are quiet and suitable for community activities," Wang said. "People can exercise, cool off, and meet others. Villagers raised money to build this site."
\n
Officials said community initiatives, together with county-led environmental and geological assessments, have spurred a wave of cave development. Sites are being positioned as tourist draws and as spaces for sports and events.
\n
"Cave basketball is not a single event," said Wang Tao, Yanhe's deputy county head. "It is an experiment in combining sports with cultural tourism. We are exploring all possibilities."
\n
Yanhe is a remote county with limited industry, according to Wang Tao. For years, the local government has sought ways to boost jobs and incomes.
\n
New businesses are following the visitors. Some villagers have opened cave restaurants and bars. Others are aging sorghum liquor in caves.
\n
In Shihua village, Zhang Liao stores his home-brewed baijiu underground. Local media reported that cave-aged liquor can sell for more than double the price of comparable brands.
\n
Yanhe officials said they intend to focus on caves within a 20-minute drive of the county seat that have good transport access. Those sites will undergo safety inspections and environmental reviews before development proceeds.
\n
After the cave events went viral, several companies and sports platforms approached local authorities. The deputy county head said any market-driven projects will move forward only after assessments.
\n
"Cave basketball gave us a good start, but much work remains to create distinct, sustainable offerings that keep visitors coming back," he said.
\n
Planners are also considering a regional basketball alliance to link cities across the Wuling Mountain area, where several provinces meet. Officials said a coordinated approach could help the region develop together and support small communities that lack industry.
\n
"It's important that we use our cave resources to follow a development path that fits us, rather than copying tourism trends," Wang Tao said.
\n
Contact the writers at liuboqian@chinadaily.com.cn
Visitors try a cave via ferrata at the Shuanghe Cave scenic area in Zunyi, Guizhou province.
\n
Visitors explore Shilong Cave in Qingzhen city of Guizhou by paddleboard.
\n\n
Through the dark rims of sink holes and crystalline underground rivers, Guizhou province's karst terrain reveals a landscape carved over millennia. Travelers paddle across glassy, sapphire water and photograph tiered travertine pools and delicate cascades that look like they jumped out of the pages of a fantasy film.
\n
Guizhou is one of China's most karst-dense regions, with about 42,800 cave entrances recorded as of July, according to the provincial natural resources department.
\n
These caves are natural heritage sites and year-round shelters. Their steady cool air makes them ideal for sightseeing and exploration.
\n
Shuanghe Cave in Zunyi, mapped at 437.1 kilometers, is Asia's longest known cave and a magnet for outdoor adventurers. In recent years, the scenic area has shifted toward adventure tourism to meet rising demand. Operators have expanded activities to attract younger visitors and families while protecting fragile cave environments.
\n
Near one cave entrance, a via ferrata consisting of steel pegs and footholds runs along a cliff. Parents and children inch along the safety line, clipping in and steadying themselves.
\n
"My daughter found it challenging last year, so she wanted to try a harder route," said Li Yu, a visitor from Chongqing who returned with her daughter this year to take a more advanced course.
\n
Operators say they're adapting to new tastes. "With rising consumer expectations, the old sightseeing model no longer meets visitors' needs, especially among younger travelers," said Zhang Yifeng, president of the scenic area operator. "We have been working to build experiences that appeal to them."
\n
The site now offers via ferrata lines, 100-meter rappels, cave paddleboarding, and even cliffside coffee.
\n
Zhang said the aim is to attract thrill-seeking 18- to 30-year-olds and families looking for hands-on learning.
\n
Those efforts are paying off. This year's attendance rose 35 percent year-on-year to surpass 620,000 visits by August, with a single-day peak of about 15,000 visitors, the park reported.
\n
Social media is amplifying the trend. About an hour's drive from the provincial capital, Guiyang, Shilong Cave went viral thanks to its photogenic underground river. Locals call it a benchmark water cave. Hashtags on the popular social media platforms Douyin and Xiaohongshu have drawn more than 30 million views and a stream of travel guides and photos.
\n
"Entering the cave felt like disconnecting from the world. It was like stepping into another realm," one visitor posted under photos from a recent trip.
\n
Visitors can boat along the winding underground river, and in summer, some try cave diving or scramble over submerged falls, according to the operator.
\n
The caverns hold more than 30 terraces, dozens of travertine pools, and numerous fine cascades, local media reported.
\n
Under the lights, crystal-clear pools take on an emerald sheen and transform the dark cavern into a bright spectacle.
\n
"This route is very popular with young travelers. Its appeal is mainly about photo potential and the thrill of discovery," said Zhou Xiao, a team leader and coach with a decade of caving experience.
\n
He said he was stunned by Shilong's scenery when he first entered it in early 2021. "For water caves, Shilong's scenery is world-class. Its relatively low difficulty makes it well-suited to visitor exploration."
\n
The cave operator said that aside from a necessary rivet on a steep slope and a safety rope, no extra fixtures have been added, letting visitors experience the cave in near-pristine form.
\n
But industry insiders warn that cave tourism brings safety and environmental risks. Shilong's operators limit entry and require reservations to ease crowding and shield delicate formations.
\n
"Most caves are undeveloped and routes place heavy demands on guides and team members," Zhou said. He urged visitors not to attempt high-difficulty caves without proper credentials and to join teams led by certified guides.
\n
"With more people taking up caving, cave tourism in Guizhou is heating up, but we're still short on guide certifications and environmental protection awareness," Zhou added. "I have seen some popular caves troubled by litter, so I'm running training courses to help professionalize and regulate the industry."
\n",
+ "content": "
Visitors try a cave via ferrata at the Shuanghe Cave scenic area in Zunyi, Guizhou province.
\n
Visitors explore Shilong Cave in Qingzhen city of Guizhou by paddleboard.
\n\n
Through the dark rims of sink holes and crystalline underground rivers, Guizhou province's karst terrain reveals a landscape carved over millennia. Travelers paddle across glassy, sapphire water and photograph tiered travertine pools and delicate cascades that look like they jumped out of the pages of a fantasy film.
\n
Guizhou is one of China's most karst-dense regions, with about 42,800 cave entrances recorded as of July, according to the provincial natural resources department.
\n
These caves are natural heritage sites and year-round shelters. Their steady cool air makes them ideal for sightseeing and exploration.
\n
Shuanghe Cave in Zunyi, mapped at 437.1 kilometers, is Asia's longest known cave and a magnet for outdoor adventurers. In recent years, the scenic area has shifted toward adventure tourism to meet rising demand. Operators have expanded activities to attract younger visitors and families while protecting fragile cave environments.
\n
Near one cave entrance, a via ferrata consisting of steel pegs and footholds runs along a cliff. Parents and children inch along the safety line, clipping in and steadying themselves.
\n
"My daughter found it challenging last year, so she wanted to try a harder route," said Li Yu, a visitor from Chongqing who returned with her daughter this year to take a more advanced course.
\n
Operators say they're adapting to new tastes. "With rising consumer expectations, the old sightseeing model no longer meets visitors' needs, especially among younger travelers," said Zhang Yifeng, president of the scenic area operator. "We have been working to build experiences that appeal to them."
\n
The site now offers via ferrata lines, 100-meter rappels, cave paddleboarding, and even cliffside coffee.
\n
Zhang said the aim is to attract thrill-seeking 18- to 30-year-olds and families looking for hands-on learning.
\n
Those efforts are paying off. This year's attendance rose 35 percent year-on-year to surpass 620,000 visits by August, with a single-day peak of about 15,000 visitors, the park reported.
\n
Social media is amplifying the trend. About an hour's drive from the provincial capital, Guiyang, Shilong Cave went viral thanks to its photogenic underground river. Locals call it a benchmark water cave. Hashtags on the popular social media platforms Douyin and Xiaohongshu have drawn more than 30 million views and a stream of travel guides and photos.
\n
"Entering the cave felt like disconnecting from the world. It was like stepping into another realm," one visitor posted under photos from a recent trip.
\n
Visitors can boat along the winding underground river, and in summer, some try cave diving or scramble over submerged falls, according to the operator.
\n
The caverns hold more than 30 terraces, dozens of travertine pools, and numerous fine cascades, local media reported.
\n
Under the lights, crystal-clear pools take on an emerald sheen and transform the dark cavern into a bright spectacle.
\n
"This route is very popular with young travelers. Its appeal is mainly about photo potential and the thrill of discovery," said Zhou Xiao, a team leader and coach with a decade of caving experience.
\n
He said he was stunned by Shilong's scenery when he first entered it in early 2021. "For water caves, Shilong's scenery is world-class. Its relatively low difficulty makes it well-suited to visitor exploration."
\n
The cave operator said that aside from a necessary rivet on a steep slope and a safety rope, no extra fixtures have been added, letting visitors experience the cave in near-pristine form.
\n
But industry insiders warn that cave tourism brings safety and environmental risks. Shilong's operators limit entry and require reservations to ease crowding and shield delicate formations.
\n
"Most caves are undeveloped and routes place heavy demands on guides and team members," Zhou said. He urged visitors not to attempt high-difficulty caves without proper credentials and to join teams led by certified guides.
\n
"With more people taking up caving, cave tourism in Guizhou is heating up, but we're still short on guide certifications and environmental protection awareness," Zhou added. "I have seen some popular caves troubled by litter, so I'm running training courses to help professionalize and regulate the industry."
A tribute to Italian skier Matteo Franzoso is shown on a screen inside the San Siro stadium in Milan before a Serie A soccer match between Inter Milan and Sassuolo on Sept 21.
\n
Lindsey Vonn of the United States crashes at Whistler during the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics.
\n
US skier Mikaela Shiffrin falls during Beijing 2022.
\n
Tragic Italian skier Matteo Franzoso contests a men's World Cup super-G race in December 2022.
\n
It's usually not until December or January, and after a series of tumbles, twisted knees, torn ACLs and worse, that the debate over safety in World Cup skiing becomes an annual topic.
\n
Not this season.
\n
The death of Italian skier Matteo Franzoso last month, following a crash during preseason training in Chile, has seen concerns over how to limit risks in the high-speed sport resurface less than a month before the actual racing even starts.
\n
The debate also comes less than five months before Milano-Cortina 2026.
\n
Franzoso, who was 25, became the third rising Italian skier to die in less than a year.
\n
Matilde Lorenzi, who was 19, died from her injuries after a crash in October 2024. Then, in March, Marco Degli Uomini, who was 18, died while testing a course for a regional children's race. A month later, Margot Simond, a promising 18-year-old French skier, also died in a training crash.
\n
In 2017, French downhill skier David Poisson, a former medalist at the world championships, died following a training crash in Canada. He was 35.
\n
"How many tragic losses will we have to experience before we finally open the debate on safety, especially during training?" Veteran French downhill skier Adrien Theaux wrote on Instagram.
\n
Added Lucrezia Lorenzi, Matilde's older sister and a competitive skier herself: "The time has come to stop. … You can't go out to ski and then not return home."
\n
Same course used by Vonn
\n
Franzoso crashed through two layers of safety fencing on a course at La Parva, and slammed into another type of fence positioned six to seven meters away from the course, the Italian Winter Sports Federation said. He was transported by helicopter to a hospital in Santiago but didn't survive the cranial trauma and a consequent swelling of his brain. He died two days later — a day before what would have been his 26th birthday.
\n
The La Parva course has been widely used by World Cup skiers for years. Lindsey Vonn and the US Ski Team were training there a week before Franzoso's crash, and several other national teams have been there this month.
\n
Shaken teammate flies home
\n
Italian veteran Christof Innerhofer had completed a run just before Franzoso's crash. After hearing about the incident, Innerhofer saw the crash site with his own eyes when he went back up the mountain on a chairlift and looked down at his fallen teammate.
\n
"Matte, when I saw where you fell, where they were applying emergency aid, with you on the other side of the fence, I lost my mind, because I feared for the severity of the situation," Innerhofer wrote on Instagram.
\n
The 40-year-old Innerhofer was so shaken that he abandoned the training camp and flew home to Italy.
\n
"These are the toughest days I've ever experienced as an athlete," he said.
\n
Dedicated training courses
\n
Franzoso's death has sparked debate over whether the Switzerland-based International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) should take on a greater role in ensuring safety for preseason training courses in the southern hemisphere.
\n
Ushuaia in Argentina and Coronet Peak in New Zealand are also popular destinations for World Cup skiers in August and September.
\n
The Italian federation has called for the FIS to establish dedicated training courses for national teams.
\n
"The proposal could include two in the southern hemisphere for summer training, and a few in Europe and North America for fall and winter training," the Italian federation, known as FISI, said.
\n
FISI added that each course should have A, B and C safety netting, just like those used for World Cup races.
\n
"In the coming weeks, FIS will further intensify dialogue with its stakeholders, always with a single guiding principle: the wellbeing and safety of athletes must come first," the FIS said in a statement.
\n
Air bags, cut-resistant underwear
\n
Starting this season, all World Cup skiers will be required to wear protective air-bag systems under their racing suits for downhill and super-G races; and cut-resistant underwear for all events.
\n
The air bags, which inflate briefly when activated by a sophisticated algorithm that can sense when a skier loses control, have been around as an optional safety device for years.
\n
The cut-resistant underwear protects against laceration injuries from ultra-sharp ski edges. For example, the underwear may have helped prevent the severe cut and nerve damage to the right calf of Norwegian standout Aleksander Aamodt Kilde during a horrific crash in January 2024. Kilde has been out ever since that fall, but hopes to return this season.
\n
"Moments like this bring into sharp focus the profound risks that are an inseparable part of our sport," the FIS said.
\n
"It is not possible to eliminate the inherent dangers of alpine skiing, but — by listening, by raising awareness and by fostering dialogue that leads to collective action — we can mitigate the risks."
\n
Olympic runs' crash history
\n
Franzoso was from the coastal city of Genoa, but had moved to the mountains near Sestriere — where skiing was contested at the 2006 Turin Olympics — to pursue his skiing career. His funeral was held there on Sept 23.
\n
For the Milano-Cortina Games in February, men's skiing will be held in Bormio and women's skiing will be held in Cortina d'Ampezzo.
\n
Both the Stelvio course in Bormio and the Olympia delle Tofane course in Cortina have been the site of numerous high-profile crashes in recent years. Mikaela Shiffrin hit the Cortina nets at high speed in 2024, and French standout Cyprien Sarrazin needed surgery to drain a brain bleed after an accident on the Stelvio last season saw him catapulted into the air and land hard on his head.
\n
This season's World Cup circuit opens on the Rettenbach glacier in Solden, Austria, at the end of this month.
\n",
+ "content": "
A tribute to Italian skier Matteo Franzoso is shown on a screen inside the San Siro stadium in Milan before a Serie A soccer match between Inter Milan and Sassuolo on Sept 21.
\n
Lindsey Vonn of the United States crashes at Whistler during the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics.
\n
US skier Mikaela Shiffrin falls during Beijing 2022.
\n
Tragic Italian skier Matteo Franzoso contests a men's World Cup super-G race in December 2022.
\n
It's usually not until December or January, and after a series of tumbles, twisted knees, torn ACLs and worse, that the debate over safety in World Cup skiing becomes an annual topic.
\n
Not this season.
\n
The death of Italian skier Matteo Franzoso last month, following a crash during preseason training in Chile, has seen concerns over how to limit risks in the high-speed sport resurface less than a month before the actual racing even starts.
\n
The debate also comes less than five months before Milano-Cortina 2026.
\n
Franzoso, who was 25, became the third rising Italian skier to die in less than a year.
\n
Matilde Lorenzi, who was 19, died from her injuries after a crash in October 2024. Then, in March, Marco Degli Uomini, who was 18, died while testing a course for a regional children's race. A month later, Margot Simond, a promising 18-year-old French skier, also died in a training crash.
\n
In 2017, French downhill skier David Poisson, a former medalist at the world championships, died following a training crash in Canada. He was 35.
\n
"How many tragic losses will we have to experience before we finally open the debate on safety, especially during training?" Veteran French downhill skier Adrien Theaux wrote on Instagram.
\n
Added Lucrezia Lorenzi, Matilde's older sister and a competitive skier herself: "The time has come to stop. … You can't go out to ski and then not return home."
\n
Same course used by Vonn
\n
Franzoso crashed through two layers of safety fencing on a course at La Parva, and slammed into another type of fence positioned six to seven meters away from the course, the Italian Winter Sports Federation said. He was transported by helicopter to a hospital in Santiago but didn't survive the cranial trauma and a consequent swelling of his brain. He died two days later — a day before what would have been his 26th birthday.
\n
The La Parva course has been widely used by World Cup skiers for years. Lindsey Vonn and the US Ski Team were training there a week before Franzoso's crash, and several other national teams have been there this month.
\n
Shaken teammate flies home
\n
Italian veteran Christof Innerhofer had completed a run just before Franzoso's crash. After hearing about the incident, Innerhofer saw the crash site with his own eyes when he went back up the mountain on a chairlift and looked down at his fallen teammate.
\n
"Matte, when I saw where you fell, where they were applying emergency aid, with you on the other side of the fence, I lost my mind, because I feared for the severity of the situation," Innerhofer wrote on Instagram.
\n
The 40-year-old Innerhofer was so shaken that he abandoned the training camp and flew home to Italy.
\n
"These are the toughest days I've ever experienced as an athlete," he said.
\n
Dedicated training courses
\n
Franzoso's death has sparked debate over whether the Switzerland-based International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) should take on a greater role in ensuring safety for preseason training courses in the southern hemisphere.
\n
Ushuaia in Argentina and Coronet Peak in New Zealand are also popular destinations for World Cup skiers in August and September.
\n
The Italian federation has called for the FIS to establish dedicated training courses for national teams.
\n
"The proposal could include two in the southern hemisphere for summer training, and a few in Europe and North America for fall and winter training," the Italian federation, known as FISI, said.
\n
FISI added that each course should have A, B and C safety netting, just like those used for World Cup races.
\n
"In the coming weeks, FIS will further intensify dialogue with its stakeholders, always with a single guiding principle: the wellbeing and safety of athletes must come first," the FIS said in a statement.
\n
Air bags, cut-resistant underwear
\n
Starting this season, all World Cup skiers will be required to wear protective air-bag systems under their racing suits for downhill and super-G races; and cut-resistant underwear for all events.
\n
The air bags, which inflate briefly when activated by a sophisticated algorithm that can sense when a skier loses control, have been around as an optional safety device for years.
\n
The cut-resistant underwear protects against laceration injuries from ultra-sharp ski edges. For example, the underwear may have helped prevent the severe cut and nerve damage to the right calf of Norwegian standout Aleksander Aamodt Kilde during a horrific crash in January 2024. Kilde has been out ever since that fall, but hopes to return this season.
\n
"Moments like this bring into sharp focus the profound risks that are an inseparable part of our sport," the FIS said.
\n
"It is not possible to eliminate the inherent dangers of alpine skiing, but — by listening, by raising awareness and by fostering dialogue that leads to collective action — we can mitigate the risks."
\n
Olympic runs' crash history
\n
Franzoso was from the coastal city of Genoa, but had moved to the mountains near Sestriere — where skiing was contested at the 2006 Turin Olympics — to pursue his skiing career. His funeral was held there on Sept 23.
\n
For the Milano-Cortina Games in February, men's skiing will be held in Bormio and women's skiing will be held in Cortina d'Ampezzo.
\n
Both the Stelvio course in Bormio and the Olympia delle Tofane course in Cortina have been the site of numerous high-profile crashes in recent years. Mikaela Shiffrin hit the Cortina nets at high speed in 2024, and French standout Cyprien Sarrazin needed surgery to drain a brain bleed after an accident on the Stelvio last season saw him catapulted into the air and land hard on his head.
\n
This season's World Cup circuit opens on the Rettenbach glacier in Solden, Austria, at the end of this month.
Serbia's Novak Djokovic, at full stretch, attempts to hit a return to Germany's Yannick Hanfmann during their third-round match at the Rolex Shanghai Masters on Sunday.
\n
Novak Djokovic signs autographs for local fans after his 2-1 victory over Yannick Hanfmann on Sunday.
\n
Using a Chinese character, Novak Djokovic signs his name on the lens of a TV camera after his win.
\n
Having pretty much seen it and done it all in a sport where, he believes, nobody is too old to learn or improve, Novak Djokovic still has some progress to make, even in his already storied career.
\n
His physicality at the age of 38? Perhaps. His mental freshness to keep going with 24 majors under his belt? Maybe. His mastery of foreign languages? Of course.
\n
The Serbian great made it obvious at the ongoing Rolex Shanghai Masters that he's become better at presenting his post-match homework in the East China metropolis, as he barely missed a stroke while writing his name in Chinese on the lens of the TV camera following his latest win on Sunday.
\n
The four-time winner in Shanghai also proved he's better at fighting under brutally hot and humid conditions, overcoming a first-set scare to beat German ace Yannick Hanfmann 2-1 to reach the fourth round at the season's penultimate ATP 1000 tournament.
\n
As proud as he is of handling the on-court challenge, Djokovic took more satisfaction from knowing that his effort to appreciate his unrivaled fan support in China was well received.
\n
"A little bit. A little bit," Djokovic said with a grin in the mixed zone, after being asked if he had been practicing his Chinese handwriting.
\n
"The fans showed me (how to make it right)," said Djokovic, who, on Friday, had to take a long pause, trying to remember the strokes, while writing the same, fairly complicated Chinese character following his first match.
\n
I have to go through my characters. I knew quite a few of them, but I have lost them somewhere, and I haven't been really working on them, so I have to update my Chinese knowledge.
\n
"It's always a pleasure to play in front of such passionate fans. People have been giving me lots of love and support over the years, so I try to give back to them with good tennis, and also a basic knowledge of the Chinese language with a few phrases."
\n
A crowd favorite in China, where he holds the record for most titles at both the Shanghai Masters and the ATP 500 China Open in Beijing (six), said the reunion with his Chinese fans was the main reason he'd decided to return to Shanghai and compete at an event few would have expected him to attend so close to the end of the season.
\n
After all, pursuing a record-breaking 25th major singles trophy seems to be the only unfinished on-court business for the man who already holds multiple all-time records, including the most number of weeks at world No 1 (428), the most titles at the ATP 1000 level (40) and the most ATP Finals wins (seven).
\n
The key to the celebrated veteran's longevity was laid bare on Sunday, when he dug deep to pull through a tough night, while his younger rival Jannik Sinner, one of the biggest obstacles to the Serb's hunt for his elusive 25th major, had to retire from his own third-round match in Shanghai, due to a serious cramp in his right thigh.
\n
The 24-year-old Italian world No 2 was forced to stop midway through the deciding set against Tallon Griekspoor, with the cramp growing too painful to withstand.
\n
Djokovic also had to battle against his own discomfort, which saw him vomit during a changeover, while hitting against the big-serving Hanfmann at the packed Stadium Court.
\n
The German qualifier's booming serve and variety of drop shots did quite a bit of damage in the first set, threatening to derail Djokovic's bid for a fifth Shanghai title, before the Serb intentionally shortened the rallies with more precision to regain control and pull off a 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 win in two hours and 45 minutes — his second-longest best-of-three battle in 2025.
\n
The vocal support from his local "Nole-Fam" provided a much-needed boost for the current world No 5.
\n
"I am proud to overcome the big challenge, and I want to thank the Chinese for supporting me tonight, their energy was amazing," said Djokovic, who will meet Spain's No 41 Jaume Munar in the fourth round on Tuesday.
\n
"Their support is something that motivated me to come this year and play in Shanghai.
\n
"These first two matches are testament to how welcome I feel in China in general, and Shanghai specifically, so I am very grateful and blessed to be able to experience an atmosphere like tonight."
\n
Since his arrival early last week, every one of Djokovic's public appearances, either at his hotel entrance or on the practice courts at the Qizhong Tennis Center, has been swarmed by fervent fans, so much so, that security was drafted in to help him make his way in and out.
\n
He also tries not to disappoint those fans, each time, signing as many autographs as his tight schedule will allow and taking as many selfies with them as possible.
\n
"It's stunning, honestly, I cannot ask for more. I'm grinding for almost three hours, third round of a Masters at 38 with the full stadium cheering my name. It's a dream come true for me, so I'm very thankful," said Djokovic, who's racked up 41 wins, the most among anyone, across his 11 appearances at the Shanghai event.
\n
Djokovic will take a 1-0 head-to-head lead into Tuesday's clash with Munar, who earlier fought past Japan's Yoshihito Nishioka 6-4, 5-7,6-1 to reach this stage of a hard-court ATP Masters 1000 tournament for the first time in his career.
\n
sunxiaochen@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
Serbia's Novak Djokovic, at full stretch, attempts to hit a return to Germany's Yannick Hanfmann during their third-round match at the Rolex Shanghai Masters on Sunday.
\n
Novak Djokovic signs autographs for local fans after his 2-1 victory over Yannick Hanfmann on Sunday.
\n
Using a Chinese character, Novak Djokovic signs his name on the lens of a TV camera after his win.
\n
Having pretty much seen it and done it all in a sport where, he believes, nobody is too old to learn or improve, Novak Djokovic still has some progress to make, even in his already storied career.
\n
His physicality at the age of 38? Perhaps. His mental freshness to keep going with 24 majors under his belt? Maybe. His mastery of foreign languages? Of course.
\n
The Serbian great made it obvious at the ongoing Rolex Shanghai Masters that he's become better at presenting his post-match homework in the East China metropolis, as he barely missed a stroke while writing his name in Chinese on the lens of the TV camera following his latest win on Sunday.
\n
The four-time winner in Shanghai also proved he's better at fighting under brutally hot and humid conditions, overcoming a first-set scare to beat German ace Yannick Hanfmann 2-1 to reach the fourth round at the season's penultimate ATP 1000 tournament.
\n
As proud as he is of handling the on-court challenge, Djokovic took more satisfaction from knowing that his effort to appreciate his unrivaled fan support in China was well received.
\n
"A little bit. A little bit," Djokovic said with a grin in the mixed zone, after being asked if he had been practicing his Chinese handwriting.
\n
"The fans showed me (how to make it right)," said Djokovic, who, on Friday, had to take a long pause, trying to remember the strokes, while writing the same, fairly complicated Chinese character following his first match.
\n
I have to go through my characters. I knew quite a few of them, but I have lost them somewhere, and I haven't been really working on them, so I have to update my Chinese knowledge.
\n
"It's always a pleasure to play in front of such passionate fans. People have been giving me lots of love and support over the years, so I try to give back to them with good tennis, and also a basic knowledge of the Chinese language with a few phrases."
\n
A crowd favorite in China, where he holds the record for most titles at both the Shanghai Masters and the ATP 500 China Open in Beijing (six), said the reunion with his Chinese fans was the main reason he'd decided to return to Shanghai and compete at an event few would have expected him to attend so close to the end of the season.
\n
After all, pursuing a record-breaking 25th major singles trophy seems to be the only unfinished on-court business for the man who already holds multiple all-time records, including the most number of weeks at world No 1 (428), the most titles at the ATP 1000 level (40) and the most ATP Finals wins (seven).
\n
The key to the celebrated veteran's longevity was laid bare on Sunday, when he dug deep to pull through a tough night, while his younger rival Jannik Sinner, one of the biggest obstacles to the Serb's hunt for his elusive 25th major, had to retire from his own third-round match in Shanghai, due to a serious cramp in his right thigh.
\n
The 24-year-old Italian world No 2 was forced to stop midway through the deciding set against Tallon Griekspoor, with the cramp growing too painful to withstand.
\n
Djokovic also had to battle against his own discomfort, which saw him vomit during a changeover, while hitting against the big-serving Hanfmann at the packed Stadium Court.
\n
The German qualifier's booming serve and variety of drop shots did quite a bit of damage in the first set, threatening to derail Djokovic's bid for a fifth Shanghai title, before the Serb intentionally shortened the rallies with more precision to regain control and pull off a 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 win in two hours and 45 minutes — his second-longest best-of-three battle in 2025.
\n
The vocal support from his local "Nole-Fam" provided a much-needed boost for the current world No 5.
\n
"I am proud to overcome the big challenge, and I want to thank the Chinese for supporting me tonight, their energy was amazing," said Djokovic, who will meet Spain's No 41 Jaume Munar in the fourth round on Tuesday.
\n
"Their support is something that motivated me to come this year and play in Shanghai.
\n
"These first two matches are testament to how welcome I feel in China in general, and Shanghai specifically, so I am very grateful and blessed to be able to experience an atmosphere like tonight."
\n
Since his arrival early last week, every one of Djokovic's public appearances, either at his hotel entrance or on the practice courts at the Qizhong Tennis Center, has been swarmed by fervent fans, so much so, that security was drafted in to help him make his way in and out.
\n
He also tries not to disappoint those fans, each time, signing as many autographs as his tight schedule will allow and taking as many selfies with them as possible.
\n
"It's stunning, honestly, I cannot ask for more. I'm grinding for almost three hours, third round of a Masters at 38 with the full stadium cheering my name. It's a dream come true for me, so I'm very thankful," said Djokovic, who's racked up 41 wins, the most among anyone, across his 11 appearances at the Shanghai event.
\n
Djokovic will take a 1-0 head-to-head lead into Tuesday's clash with Munar, who earlier fought past Japan's Yoshihito Nishioka 6-4, 5-7,6-1 to reach this stage of a hard-court ATP Masters 1000 tournament for the first time in his career.
President Xi Jinping and Bangladeshi President Mohammed Shahabuddin exchanged congratulatory messages on Saturday to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
\n
In his message, Xi noted that China and Bangladesh are traditional friendly neighbors with a long history of exchanges.
\n
Over the past 50 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, regardless of changes in international and regional landscapes, China and Bangladesh have always fostered friendly relations on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, setting an example of mutual respect, equality and win-win cooperation, he said.
\n
In recent years, China and Bangladesh have continued to consolidate political mutual trust, expand high-quality Belt and Road cooperation as well as practical cooperation in various fields, and further deepen their comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, he said.
\n
Xi emphasized that he attaches great importance to China's relations with Bangladesh and stands ready to work with Shahabuddin to take the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties as an opportunity to carry forward the traditional friendship, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation and promote common development, in order to better benefit the two peoples and make greater contributions to world peace and progress.
\n
For his part, Shahabuddin said that over the past 50 years, Bangladesh and China have forged a deep friendship based on mutual respect and trust, as well as enduring cooperation, bringing tangible benefits to the two peoples.
\n
He noted that Bangladesh highly appreciates China's important role in promoting regional peace, stability and common prosperity, and expressed gratitude for China's long-term valuable support for Bangladesh's sustainable development.
\n
He expressed the belief that with the joint efforts of the leaders and peoples of the two countries, bilateral cooperation will yield even greater results.
\n
Also on Saturday, Premier Li Qiang and Chief Adviser of Bangladesh's interim government Muhammad Yunus exchanged congratulatory messages.
\n
Li said that China highly values the development of China-Bangladesh relations, and stands ready to work with Bangladesh to take the 50th anniversary as an opportunity to accelerate high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, as well as collaboration across various fields, and promote the continued growth of the China-Bangladesh comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.
\n
Yunus said that since the establishment of diplomatic relations 50 years ago, the friendship between the two peoples has grown stronger, bilateral ties have developed steadily and cooperation has yielded fruitful results, which is worth celebrating.
\n
Bangladesh is committed to promoting new achievements in the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries, he added.
\n",
+ "content": "
President Xi Jinping and Bangladeshi President Mohammed Shahabuddin exchanged congratulatory messages on Saturday to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
\n
In his message, Xi noted that China and Bangladesh are traditional friendly neighbors with a long history of exchanges.
\n
Over the past 50 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, regardless of changes in international and regional landscapes, China and Bangladesh have always fostered friendly relations on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, setting an example of mutual respect, equality and win-win cooperation, he said.
\n
In recent years, China and Bangladesh have continued to consolidate political mutual trust, expand high-quality Belt and Road cooperation as well as practical cooperation in various fields, and further deepen their comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, he said.
\n
Xi emphasized that he attaches great importance to China's relations with Bangladesh and stands ready to work with Shahabuddin to take the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties as an opportunity to carry forward the traditional friendship, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation and promote common development, in order to better benefit the two peoples and make greater contributions to world peace and progress.
\n
For his part, Shahabuddin said that over the past 50 years, Bangladesh and China have forged a deep friendship based on mutual respect and trust, as well as enduring cooperation, bringing tangible benefits to the two peoples.
\n
He noted that Bangladesh highly appreciates China's important role in promoting regional peace, stability and common prosperity, and expressed gratitude for China's long-term valuable support for Bangladesh's sustainable development.
\n
He expressed the belief that with the joint efforts of the leaders and peoples of the two countries, bilateral cooperation will yield even greater results.
\n
Also on Saturday, Premier Li Qiang and Chief Adviser of Bangladesh's interim government Muhammad Yunus exchanged congratulatory messages.
\n
Li said that China highly values the development of China-Bangladesh relations, and stands ready to work with Bangladesh to take the 50th anniversary as an opportunity to accelerate high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, as well as collaboration across various fields, and promote the continued growth of the China-Bangladesh comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.
\n
Yunus said that since the establishment of diplomatic relations 50 years ago, the friendship between the two peoples has grown stronger, bilateral ties have developed steadily and cooperation has yielded fruitful results, which is worth celebrating.
\n
Bangladesh is committed to promoting new achievements in the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries, he added.
Performers from Foshan, Guangdong province, compete on elevated poles during the 12th International Lion Dance Championship in the Macao Special Administrative Region on Saturday. The event, held in front of the A-Ma Temple, featured teams demonstrating southern-style lion dance routines that combine martial arts and acrobatics with traditional dance.
\n",
+ "content": "
Performers from Foshan, Guangdong province, compete on elevated poles during the 12th International Lion Dance Championship in the Macao Special Administrative Region on Saturday. The event, held in front of the A-Ma Temple, featured teams demonstrating southern-style lion dance routines that combine martial arts and acrobatics with traditional dance.
China's Wang Chuqin celebrates after defeating Felix Lebrun of France 4-0 to claim the men's singles title at the World Table Tennis China Smash in Beijing on Sunday.
\n
Shopping malls, restaurants and sports venues in Beijing have remained packed with visitors during the ongoing National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holiday, representing a microcosm of the strong consumer demand nationwide.
\n
The Chinese capital's reputation as a major sports hub is playing a pivotal role in stimulating consumption in the city.
\n
Since its Sept 25 opening, the World Table Tennis China Smash, which concluded on Sunday, sold more than 85,000 tickets, generating 87 million yuan ($12 million) in revenue, up 52.6 percent year-on-year.
\n
During the first three days of the holiday, cultural and sports-related consumption in Beijing's Shijingshan district reached nearly 200 million yuan. Shougang Park, which is located in the district and is home to the WTT events, drew 130,000 visitors on average daily, nearly double compared with last year, while sales of event-related cultural products surged 127 percent to 2.7 million yuan.
\n
Meanwhile, the 2025 China Open tennis tournament hit new records between Sept 22 and Sunday. The number of visitors to the tournament's National Tennis Center venue in Chaoyang district totaled 360,000, up 20 percent year-on-year. It included 180,000 visitors from outside Beijing and nearly 10,000 from outside China.
\n
The revenue from China Open ticket sales hit 88 million yuan, a year-on-year increase of 10 percent, while broader consumption — from food and beverage to merchandise — exceeded 36 million yuan, up 44 percent.
\n
Licensed product sales topped 12.5 million yuan, with more than 80,000 yuan worth of a co-branded toy series — Wakuku — selling within the first hour of launch.
\n
Christina Wang, a Beijing resident, said she paid 1,160 yuan for two night-session tickets at the Diamond Court for China Open. "This is my third year in a row watching the tournament in Beijing," she added.
\n
Zhang Qing, founder of Beijing-based sports marketing consultancy Key-Solution, said, "China is accelerating efforts to foster domestic demand and a consumption-driven economy, and the sports industry is becoming an increasingly important part of that picture."
\n
Both the WTT China Smash and the China Open delivered double-digit growth compared with last year, with ticket sales remaining especially strong, he said.
\n
"When spectators come to watch these events, they also spend on hotels, dining, transportation, sightseeing, shopping and entertainment," Zhang said.
\n
"The timing during the National Day holiday, or Golden Week, gave people more reasons to travel. In this sense, spectator sports add real weight to building tourism destinations — they make the idea of 'traveling with events' a reality," he said, adding that sports will continue to play a greater role in China's consumption growth.
\n
According to the Beijing Municipal Commerce Bureau, from Wednesday to Saturday, sales revenue at enterprises in key monitored sectors, including department stores, supermarkets, speciality stores, catering and e-commerce, rose 0.4 percent year-on-year.
\n
Meanwhile, more than 500 consumption promotion activities have been launched in the city, integrating culture, tourism, commerce and sports. Beijing Daily reported that foot traffic across 60 major business areas increased 14.3 percent from Wednesday to Saturday compared with the same period last year.
\n
The catering sector has emerged as a bright spot, with sales at time-honored restaurants and fast-food chains increasing 4.8 percent year-on-year. The Beijing Cuisine Association partnered with delivery platform Meituan to launch check-in activities around traditional Beijing food culture.
\n
The holiday period is also seeing a sharp rise in cultural spending. The city is hosting 364 commercial performances with 2,102 shows, attracting strong demand. As of Saturday noon, box-office receipts reached 30 million yuan, according to movie data tracker Beacon.
\n
Beijing's tourism spending has highlighted broader travel dynamics across the country.
\n
Data from Tongcheng Travel and Baidu Maps showed that self-driving trips surged on Wednesday, with congestion levels climbing on highways in several provinces.
\n
In addition to Beijing, other popular tourist destinations during the first three days of the holiday included Shanghai, Chengdu in Sichuan province, Shenzhen and Guangzhou in Guangdong province, and Xi'an in Shaanxi province.
\n
wangzhuoqiong@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
China's Wang Chuqin celebrates after defeating Felix Lebrun of France 4-0 to claim the men's singles title at the World Table Tennis China Smash in Beijing on Sunday.
\n
Shopping malls, restaurants and sports venues in Beijing have remained packed with visitors during the ongoing National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holiday, representing a microcosm of the strong consumer demand nationwide.
\n
The Chinese capital's reputation as a major sports hub is playing a pivotal role in stimulating consumption in the city.
\n
Since its Sept 25 opening, the World Table Tennis China Smash, which concluded on Sunday, sold more than 85,000 tickets, generating 87 million yuan ($12 million) in revenue, up 52.6 percent year-on-year.
\n
During the first three days of the holiday, cultural and sports-related consumption in Beijing's Shijingshan district reached nearly 200 million yuan. Shougang Park, which is located in the district and is home to the WTT events, drew 130,000 visitors on average daily, nearly double compared with last year, while sales of event-related cultural products surged 127 percent to 2.7 million yuan.
\n
Meanwhile, the 2025 China Open tennis tournament hit new records between Sept 22 and Sunday. The number of visitors to the tournament's National Tennis Center venue in Chaoyang district totaled 360,000, up 20 percent year-on-year. It included 180,000 visitors from outside Beijing and nearly 10,000 from outside China.
\n
The revenue from China Open ticket sales hit 88 million yuan, a year-on-year increase of 10 percent, while broader consumption — from food and beverage to merchandise — exceeded 36 million yuan, up 44 percent.
\n
Licensed product sales topped 12.5 million yuan, with more than 80,000 yuan worth of a co-branded toy series — Wakuku — selling within the first hour of launch.
\n
Christina Wang, a Beijing resident, said she paid 1,160 yuan for two night-session tickets at the Diamond Court for China Open. "This is my third year in a row watching the tournament in Beijing," she added.
\n
Zhang Qing, founder of Beijing-based sports marketing consultancy Key-Solution, said, "China is accelerating efforts to foster domestic demand and a consumption-driven economy, and the sports industry is becoming an increasingly important part of that picture."
\n
Both the WTT China Smash and the China Open delivered double-digit growth compared with last year, with ticket sales remaining especially strong, he said.
\n
"When spectators come to watch these events, they also spend on hotels, dining, transportation, sightseeing, shopping and entertainment," Zhang said.
\n
"The timing during the National Day holiday, or Golden Week, gave people more reasons to travel. In this sense, spectator sports add real weight to building tourism destinations — they make the idea of 'traveling with events' a reality," he said, adding that sports will continue to play a greater role in China's consumption growth.
\n
According to the Beijing Municipal Commerce Bureau, from Wednesday to Saturday, sales revenue at enterprises in key monitored sectors, including department stores, supermarkets, speciality stores, catering and e-commerce, rose 0.4 percent year-on-year.
\n
Meanwhile, more than 500 consumption promotion activities have been launched in the city, integrating culture, tourism, commerce and sports. Beijing Daily reported that foot traffic across 60 major business areas increased 14.3 percent from Wednesday to Saturday compared with the same period last year.
\n
The catering sector has emerged as a bright spot, with sales at time-honored restaurants and fast-food chains increasing 4.8 percent year-on-year. The Beijing Cuisine Association partnered with delivery platform Meituan to launch check-in activities around traditional Beijing food culture.
\n
The holiday period is also seeing a sharp rise in cultural spending. The city is hosting 364 commercial performances with 2,102 shows, attracting strong demand. As of Saturday noon, box-office receipts reached 30 million yuan, according to movie data tracker Beacon.
\n
Beijing's tourism spending has highlighted broader travel dynamics across the country.
\n
Data from Tongcheng Travel and Baidu Maps showed that self-driving trips surged on Wednesday, with congestion levels climbing on highways in several provinces.
\n
In addition to Beijing, other popular tourist destinations during the first three days of the holiday included Shanghai, Chengdu in Sichuan province, Shenzhen and Guangzhou in Guangdong province, and Xi'an in Shaanxi province.
A diplomatic window for ending the conflict in the Gaza Strip reemerged as negotiators converged in Cairo, Egypt, for talks scheduled on Monday after both Israel and Hamas signaled support for a new United States peace plan to stop the war and ensure release of all remaining hostages.
\n
The opportunity for peace, however fragile, has galvanized a chorus of optimistic statements from the international community, while mediators face the daunting task of bridging Israel's security demands, Hamas' bid for survival and the overwhelming humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
\n
US President Donald Trump's 20-point peace plan aimed at ending the war in Gaza includes immediate ceasefire, phased withdrawal of Israeli troops, freeing of all hostages within 72 hours, international oversight of humanitarian aid and rebuilding the devastated territory under international supervision.
\n
A Hamas statement on Friday said it was willing to release the hostages and hand over power to a technocratic Palestinian authority backed by Arab and Islamic states. The statement said the group was open to talks through mediators, but made no mention of Hamas disarming, which is a key Israeli demand.
\n
Hours later, Trump declared that Hamas' response indicated it is "ready for lasting peace", and he urged Israel to stop bombing Gaza, "so we can quickly and safely extract the hostages".
\n
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said on Friday that Israel is prepared for the implementation of the "first stage" of Trump's plan, apparently referring to the release of hostages, said late on Saturday that the Israeli military will continue to hold territories it controls in Gaza, and that Hamas will be disarmed diplomatically "or through a military path by us". He added that a delegation had been sent to Cairo for the talks.
\n
According to the White House, Trump dispatched two envoys on Saturday — his son-in-law Jared Kushner and the US' Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff.
\n
Qatar, Egypt, Turkiye and the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah have welcomed Hamas' statement, hoping it would become an important step toward achieving a complete ceasefire as the Gaza conflict nears its two-year mark.
\n
Qatar "welcomes the announcement by Hamas of its agreement to President Trump's plan", said its Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed Al Ansari. Egypt said it hoped "this positive development will lead all parties to rise to the level of responsibility by committing to implementing President Trump's plan on the ground and ending the war".
\n
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the UN "welcomes and is encouraged by the statement issued by Hamas, announcing its readiness to release hostages and to engage".
\n
French President Emmanuel Macron, in a social media post on Friday, said Hamas' response must be "followed up without delay", and, "we now have the opportunity to make decisive progress towards peace".
\n
Analysts said that Hamas' language was deliberately measured. The group said that broader political questions about Gaza's future and Palestinian rights would be decided collectively and "in line with international resolutions" — an acknowledgment of the US plan without binding concessions.
\n
"It's a tactical retreat, not a strategic surrender," said Esmat Mansour, a Ramallah-based political analyst. "Hamas highlighted positive points, like prisoner exchanges and civilian administration, while avoiding sensitive issues such as disarmament."
\n
Despite the Hamas statement saying that Trump's call to Israel to stop bombing Gaza is "encouraging", a senior Hamas official told AFP on Friday that the peace plan is "vague, ambiguous and lacks clarity".
\n
Meanwhile, Israeli forces pressed on with operations in Gaza City. As many as 70 people were killed since Hamas released its response, Al Jazeera reported on Sunday.
\n
In Europe, pro-Palestine rallies were held on Saturday, calling for an end to the Gaza conflict and the immediate release of activists on board the Global Sumud flotilla carrying humanitarian aid to the territory.
\n
Police in Rome, Italy, said some 250,000 people showed up for a fourth day of protests, after Israel intercepted the 45-strong flotilla seeking to reach Gaza last week. Nearly 70,000 people took to the streets in Barcelona, Spain, while in capital Madrid, nearly 92,000 marched for a free Palestine. In the United Kingdom, police said they made at least 442 arrests in London.
\n
In Paris, France, where some 10,000 people gathered, a spokeswoman for the French contingent of Global Sumud, Helene Coron, told the crowd: "We'll never stop. This flotilla didn't get to Gaza. But we'll send another, then another, until Palestine and Gaza are free."
\n
Agencies contributed to this report.
\n
cuihaipei@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
A diplomatic window for ending the conflict in the Gaza Strip reemerged as negotiators converged in Cairo, Egypt, for talks scheduled on Monday after both Israel and Hamas signaled support for a new United States peace plan to stop the war and ensure release of all remaining hostages.
\n
The opportunity for peace, however fragile, has galvanized a chorus of optimistic statements from the international community, while mediators face the daunting task of bridging Israel's security demands, Hamas' bid for survival and the overwhelming humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
\n
US President Donald Trump's 20-point peace plan aimed at ending the war in Gaza includes immediate ceasefire, phased withdrawal of Israeli troops, freeing of all hostages within 72 hours, international oversight of humanitarian aid and rebuilding the devastated territory under international supervision.
\n
A Hamas statement on Friday said it was willing to release the hostages and hand over power to a technocratic Palestinian authority backed by Arab and Islamic states. The statement said the group was open to talks through mediators, but made no mention of Hamas disarming, which is a key Israeli demand.
\n
Hours later, Trump declared that Hamas' response indicated it is "ready for lasting peace", and he urged Israel to stop bombing Gaza, "so we can quickly and safely extract the hostages".
\n
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said on Friday that Israel is prepared for the implementation of the "first stage" of Trump's plan, apparently referring to the release of hostages, said late on Saturday that the Israeli military will continue to hold territories it controls in Gaza, and that Hamas will be disarmed diplomatically "or through a military path by us". He added that a delegation had been sent to Cairo for the talks.
\n
According to the White House, Trump dispatched two envoys on Saturday — his son-in-law Jared Kushner and the US' Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff.
\n
Qatar, Egypt, Turkiye and the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah have welcomed Hamas' statement, hoping it would become an important step toward achieving a complete ceasefire as the Gaza conflict nears its two-year mark.
\n
Qatar "welcomes the announcement by Hamas of its agreement to President Trump's plan", said its Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed Al Ansari. Egypt said it hoped "this positive development will lead all parties to rise to the level of responsibility by committing to implementing President Trump's plan on the ground and ending the war".
\n
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the UN "welcomes and is encouraged by the statement issued by Hamas, announcing its readiness to release hostages and to engage".
\n
French President Emmanuel Macron, in a social media post on Friday, said Hamas' response must be "followed up without delay", and, "we now have the opportunity to make decisive progress towards peace".
\n
Analysts said that Hamas' language was deliberately measured. The group said that broader political questions about Gaza's future and Palestinian rights would be decided collectively and "in line with international resolutions" — an acknowledgment of the US plan without binding concessions.
\n
"It's a tactical retreat, not a strategic surrender," said Esmat Mansour, a Ramallah-based political analyst. "Hamas highlighted positive points, like prisoner exchanges and civilian administration, while avoiding sensitive issues such as disarmament."
\n
Despite the Hamas statement saying that Trump's call to Israel to stop bombing Gaza is "encouraging", a senior Hamas official told AFP on Friday that the peace plan is "vague, ambiguous and lacks clarity".
\n
Meanwhile, Israeli forces pressed on with operations in Gaza City. As many as 70 people were killed since Hamas released its response, Al Jazeera reported on Sunday.
\n
In Europe, pro-Palestine rallies were held on Saturday, calling for an end to the Gaza conflict and the immediate release of activists on board the Global Sumud flotilla carrying humanitarian aid to the territory.
\n
Police in Rome, Italy, said some 250,000 people showed up for a fourth day of protests, after Israel intercepted the 45-strong flotilla seeking to reach Gaza last week. Nearly 70,000 people took to the streets in Barcelona, Spain, while in capital Madrid, nearly 92,000 marched for a free Palestine. In the United Kingdom, police said they made at least 442 arrests in London.
\n
In Paris, France, where some 10,000 people gathered, a spokeswoman for the French contingent of Global Sumud, Helene Coron, told the crowd: "We'll never stop. This flotilla didn't get to Gaza. But we'll send another, then another, until Palestine and Gaza are free."
The election of Sanae Takaichi as the first female president of Japan's long-governing Liberal Democratic Party and the possibility of her becoming the country's first female prime minister indicate a shift toward greater conservatism in Japan's sociopolitical atmosphere, according to experts.
\n
Takaichi, 64, a former economic security minister and an ultra-conservative lawmaker, defeated Shinjiro Koizumi, 44, agriculture minister and son of former prime minister Junichiro Koizumi, in an LDP vote runoff on Saturday.
\n
Responding to foreign media queries regarding the LDP final vote outcome, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said, "We have noted the election result, which is Japan's internal affairs."
\n
The spokesperson added, "We hope the Japanese side will abide by the principles and consensus set out in the four political documents between China and Japan, honor its political commitments on major issues such as history and the Taiwan question, follow a positive and rational policy toward China, and put into practice the positioning of comprehensively advancing the strategic relationship of mutual benefit."
\n
On Saturday, none of the three other candidates in the fray — Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi, its former economic security minister Takayuki Kobayashi and former LDP secretary-general Toshimitsu Motegi — achieved majority in the first-round vote.
\n
In the runoff, Takaichi won 185 votes, against Koizumi's 156, drawing on a broad base of support among local party members and affiliates. With her replacing Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba as the LDP leader, the conservative party hopes to regain public support and stay in power despite major election debacles in the National Diet, Japan's parliament.
\n
Hiroshi Shiratori, a professor of political science at Hosei University in Tokyo, noted that Takaichi led by a wide margin in party member and supporter votes in the first round, which represent voices of the party grassroots and are considered to reflect public support.
\n
During her election campaign, Takaichi promised a tougher stance on foreigners in Japan. In fact, all LDP candidates raised the matter of "foreign policy" to reclaim conservative votes lost over the issue.
\n
Shiratori explained that these votes originally came from LDP supporters, but shifted to parties such as the far-right Sanseito and the center-right Democratic Party for the People in the upper house election due to their active advocacy on the matter. That gave the LDP race a distinct "social media leadership election" character, he said.
\n
Ukeru Magosaki, director of the East Asian Community Institute and a former senior official at Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that many Western countries are facing economic stagnation and widening inequity, making life difficult for many of their citizens, who blame foreigners for their hardships.
\n
Japan is experiencing a "similar trend", as economic hardships and xenophobia are becoming increasingly intertwined with politics, he added.
\n
The LDP leadership race took place amid growing political woes after the coalition with the Komeito Party lost its majority in both houses of parliament — the first such situation since the LDP was founded in 1955.
\n
Addressing her first news conference as LDP leader just hours after the runoff result was announced, Takaichi said, "The LDP marks a new era." She pledged that the party, which has held power almost continuously for 70 years, will transform the public's "anxieties into hope".
\n
Takaichi's leadership is scheduled to last two years, until September 2027, completing the remainder of Ishiba's original three-year term.
\n
She is likely to be chosen as Japan's next prime minister at an extraordinary parliamentary session, to be held around Oct 15, with the minority coalition remaining the largest group in parliament and opposition parties still divided.
\n
Shiratori, from Hosei University, said that Takaichi's "first challenge" is the prime ministerial nomination election. If elected, the next challenge will be to build constructive diplomatic ties with China and other Asian neighbors.
The election of Sanae Takaichi as the first female president of Japan's long-governing Liberal Democratic Party and the possibility of her becoming the country's first female prime minister indicate a shift toward greater conservatism in Japan's sociopolitical atmosphere, according to experts.
\n
Takaichi, 64, a former economic security minister and an ultra-conservative lawmaker, defeated Shinjiro Koizumi, 44, agriculture minister and son of former prime minister Junichiro Koizumi, in an LDP vote runoff on Saturday.
\n
Responding to foreign media queries regarding the LDP final vote outcome, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said, "We have noted the election result, which is Japan's internal affairs."
\n
The spokesperson added, "We hope the Japanese side will abide by the principles and consensus set out in the four political documents between China and Japan, honor its political commitments on major issues such as history and the Taiwan question, follow a positive and rational policy toward China, and put into practice the positioning of comprehensively advancing the strategic relationship of mutual benefit."
\n
On Saturday, none of the three other candidates in the fray — Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi, its former economic security minister Takayuki Kobayashi and former LDP secretary-general Toshimitsu Motegi — achieved majority in the first-round vote.
\n
In the runoff, Takaichi won 185 votes, against Koizumi's 156, drawing on a broad base of support among local party members and affiliates. With her replacing Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba as the LDP leader, the conservative party hopes to regain public support and stay in power despite major election debacles in the National Diet, Japan's parliament.
\n
Hiroshi Shiratori, a professor of political science at Hosei University in Tokyo, noted that Takaichi led by a wide margin in party member and supporter votes in the first round, which represent voices of the party grassroots and are considered to reflect public support.
\n
During her election campaign, Takaichi promised a tougher stance on foreigners in Japan. In fact, all LDP candidates raised the matter of "foreign policy" to reclaim conservative votes lost over the issue.
\n
Shiratori explained that these votes originally came from LDP supporters, but shifted to parties such as the far-right Sanseito and the center-right Democratic Party for the People in the upper house election due to their active advocacy on the matter. That gave the LDP race a distinct "social media leadership election" character, he said.
\n
Ukeru Magosaki, director of the East Asian Community Institute and a former senior official at Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that many Western countries are facing economic stagnation and widening inequity, making life difficult for many of their citizens, who blame foreigners for their hardships.
\n
Japan is experiencing a "similar trend", as economic hardships and xenophobia are becoming increasingly intertwined with politics, he added.
\n
The LDP leadership race took place amid growing political woes after the coalition with the Komeito Party lost its majority in both houses of parliament — the first such situation since the LDP was founded in 1955.
\n
Addressing her first news conference as LDP leader just hours after the runoff result was announced, Takaichi said, "The LDP marks a new era." She pledged that the party, which has held power almost continuously for 70 years, will transform the public's "anxieties into hope".
\n
Takaichi's leadership is scheduled to last two years, until September 2027, completing the remainder of Ishiba's original three-year term.
\n
She is likely to be chosen as Japan's next prime minister at an extraordinary parliamentary session, to be held around Oct 15, with the minority coalition remaining the largest group in parliament and opposition parties still divided.
\n
Shiratori, from Hosei University, said that Takaichi's "first challenge" is the prime ministerial nomination election. If elected, the next challenge will be to build constructive diplomatic ties with China and other Asian neighbors.
A staff member introduces a traditional costume to travel photography customers in Taierzhuang ancient town, in Zaozhuang city of Shandong province.
\n
Costumes in various styles are popular choices for travel photography on Badaling Great Wall, Beijing.
\n
Costumes in various styles are popular choices for travel photography on Badaling Great Wall, Beijing.
\n
A makeup artist crafts a look for a travel photography client in Taierzhuang, Shandong.
\n\n
The sun beat down on the ancient stones of Beijing's Beihai Park, but Ma Zhixue barely noticed the heat.
\n
For nearly 12 hours a day during summer, he framed through his lens not only the city's iconic landscapes but also the fleeting, authentic moments of travelers to the capital city from around the world.
\n
"At the peak of the summer tourism season, I served up to 25 clients a day," the full-time travel photographer says.
\n
Ma's journey into travel photography began nearly five years ago when he noticed a rising demand for such photography experience.
\n
"More clients are requesting shoots during their travels, featuring hanfu (traditional Chinese attire), imperial-era costumes and atmospheric ancient architecture," he notes.
\n
Locations like Beijing's Summer Palace, the Temple of Heaven, and Beihai Park remain perennially popular for their ability to evoke China's historical grandeur, he explains.
\n
While traditional photography tends to rely more on controlled poses and studio lighting, and landscape photographers must chase specific natural lighting, Ma pays more attention to capturing people candidly within historical settings.
\n
"My clients range from the very young to the elderly. My goal is always the same: to create images that are genuine, spontaneous and deeply personal," he emphasizes.
\n
A typical shoot begins well before the camera is lifted. Ma consults with clients about their preferences, suggests locations and styles, and often flips through sample albums to align each other's expectations.
\n
During photography sessions, he avoids rigid directions and instead encourages natural interactions and movement. After a shoot, he reviews the images on-site with the clients and reshoots if necessary, ensuring everyone leaves happy.
\n
As the summer crowds gradually thinned, a brief lull allowed Ma Zhixue to catch his breath, but not for long. The National Day holiday has seen his full packed calendar.
\n
By mid-September, four days of the eight-day National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holidays have been booked, he says with a mix of pride and exhaustion.
\n
"The demand for a blend of photography and cultural storytelling shows no sign of slowing down," Ma says.
\n
Sun Na, manager of the overall travel photography operations at the iconic cultural landmark Badaling Great Wall, says the business has attracted visitors for a range of special occasions, from proposals and graduation celebrations to family reunions and diaspora homecomings.
\n
"We are not simply using the Wall as a backdrop but are opening a channel for emotions to resonate with ancient civilization," Sun says.
\n
Epic grandeur, ritual significance and a distinct Chinese imprint are guiding the principles behind everything from location selection to style choices, she explains.
\n
Sun's team has developed narrative-driven themes such as Guarding the Great Wall, the Silk Road Envoy, and Moon Over the Frontier, incorporating costumes that bear historical elements and dignified poses to reflect the Great Wall's solemnity.
\n
"While Chinese tourists often seek to integrate into the historical tapestry through traditional hanfu attire or cheongsam, international visitors tend toward contrast — posing in modern wedding gowns, or even suits, against the ancient stones, expressing vitality against silence," Sun observes.
\n
According to Qichacha, a leading business information platform, China's travel photography market still has considerable growth potential.
\n
More than 6,000 travel photography enterprises are currently in operation nationwide. In 2024 alone, over 2,500 new businesses were registered, a year-on-year increase of over 22 percent.
\n
Taierzhuang ancient town in Zaozhuang city of Shandong province prepared to welcome visitors with Mid-Autumn Festival-themed photoshoots inspired by Chang'e, the moon goddess.
\n
"It is a perfect fusion of myth, history and modern creativity," says Feng Jinle, an official in charge of travel photography operations at the resort, part of a UNESCO World Heritage site.
\n
Feng took the lead in developing the town's travel photography industry in early 2023, testing the market by sharing photography content highlighting hanfu on the popular livestream platform Douyin.
\n
The town's unique historical backdrop, featuring Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal culture, provides rich material for themed photoshoots.
\n
"Young women took quite a shine to the idea of dressing as ancient brewery girls along the canal," Feng says.
\n
It immediately garnered an enthusiastic response from online viewers, which led to the travel photography business' official launch a few months later.
\n
The first store, located near the scenic spot's east gate, offers quick-change hanfu services, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in traditional attire upon entering the ancient town.
\n
By the end of 2023, revenue from this single store had reached nearly 2 million yuan ($281,550), Feng says.
\n
As demand grew, a second flagship store was opened at the center of the area, spanning 650 square meters and catering to mid-range and high-end customers with customized, historically accurate costumes and scenes inspired by ancient dynasties.
\n
A third store, developed in collaboration with the local civil affairs bureau and themed around marriage registration, is scheduled to open later this year.
\n
"Our primary customer base is predominantly female, accounting for more than 92 percent, with over 50 percent under 35," Feng says.
\n
Today, the project employs 12 full-time staff, including makeup artists, photographers and digital marketing specialists.
\n
The booming travel photography industry has also inspired over 40 businesses within the ancient town, including hotels and retail stores, to incorporate hanfu services, generating a combined annual revenue of over 20 million yuan.
\n
To manage the influx and maintain a quality experience, Feng says his team has implemented measures, such as designated photography zones and guidelines that help to avoid disrupting other visitors.
\n
Looking ahead, the scenic spot plans to incorporate AI-assisted costume selection and digital scene previews to enhance efficiency. The team is also developing customized short videos and drama productions to further deepen the integration of culture and technology.
\n
"We're giving visitors a chance to step into history and become part of Taierzhuang's living heritage," Feng says.
\n
Kang Jiawang has firsthand experience of how travel photography has become a central part of the visitor experience in Xijiang Qianhu Miao village, Guizhou province.
\n
"We've seen everything from family portraits to friends and parent-child shoots," says Kang, who runs a travel photography store in the ethnic Miao village, known for its rich cultural heritage and breathtaking natural landscapes.
\n
Since opening in May 2024, the store has welcomed over 30,000 visitors, with peak travel season seeing around 150 clients per day.
\n
Kang's team, which includes eight photographers and eight makeup artists, usually works from early morning to midnight to meet the demand.
\n
They offer an immersive experience where visitors can step into a world of Miao ethnic culture through traditional clothing, makeup and a stunning landscape.
\n
"There's something magical about night photography here. The way the village lights up, combined with traditional Miao outfits, makes for truly spectacular images," Kang explains.
\n
Located in the heart of the village, Kang's store has become a go-to spot for tourists eager to capture the village's essence.
\n
The store specializes in providing traditional Miao attire and expert makeup services, ensuring visitors are fully immersed in the culture. Guests are guided to various scenic spots, from the observation deck and ancient alleyways to the iconic wind-and-rain bridge.
\n
"We focus on providing a seamless experience from the moment they walk in until they leave with their desired images," Kang says.
\n
For those looking to break into the industry, Beijing-based travel photographer Ma Zhixue emphasizes that technical skill alone is not enough.
\n
"A successful travel photographer must have passion, cultural insight, creativity, and strong communication skills. It's about understanding people as much as pixels, and stories as much as settings," he says.
\n
yangfeiyue@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
A staff member introduces a traditional costume to travel photography customers in Taierzhuang ancient town, in Zaozhuang city of Shandong province.
\n
Costumes in various styles are popular choices for travel photography on Badaling Great Wall, Beijing.
\n
Costumes in various styles are popular choices for travel photography on Badaling Great Wall, Beijing.
\n
A makeup artist crafts a look for a travel photography client in Taierzhuang, Shandong.
\n\n
The sun beat down on the ancient stones of Beijing's Beihai Park, but Ma Zhixue barely noticed the heat.
\n
For nearly 12 hours a day during summer, he framed through his lens not only the city's iconic landscapes but also the fleeting, authentic moments of travelers to the capital city from around the world.
\n
"At the peak of the summer tourism season, I served up to 25 clients a day," the full-time travel photographer says.
\n
Ma's journey into travel photography began nearly five years ago when he noticed a rising demand for such photography experience.
\n
"More clients are requesting shoots during their travels, featuring hanfu (traditional Chinese attire), imperial-era costumes and atmospheric ancient architecture," he notes.
\n
Locations like Beijing's Summer Palace, the Temple of Heaven, and Beihai Park remain perennially popular for their ability to evoke China's historical grandeur, he explains.
\n
While traditional photography tends to rely more on controlled poses and studio lighting, and landscape photographers must chase specific natural lighting, Ma pays more attention to capturing people candidly within historical settings.
\n
"My clients range from the very young to the elderly. My goal is always the same: to create images that are genuine, spontaneous and deeply personal," he emphasizes.
\n
A typical shoot begins well before the camera is lifted. Ma consults with clients about their preferences, suggests locations and styles, and often flips through sample albums to align each other's expectations.
\n
During photography sessions, he avoids rigid directions and instead encourages natural interactions and movement. After a shoot, he reviews the images on-site with the clients and reshoots if necessary, ensuring everyone leaves happy.
\n
As the summer crowds gradually thinned, a brief lull allowed Ma Zhixue to catch his breath, but not for long. The National Day holiday has seen his full packed calendar.
\n
By mid-September, four days of the eight-day National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holidays have been booked, he says with a mix of pride and exhaustion.
\n
"The demand for a blend of photography and cultural storytelling shows no sign of slowing down," Ma says.
\n
Sun Na, manager of the overall travel photography operations at the iconic cultural landmark Badaling Great Wall, says the business has attracted visitors for a range of special occasions, from proposals and graduation celebrations to family reunions and diaspora homecomings.
\n
"We are not simply using the Wall as a backdrop but are opening a channel for emotions to resonate with ancient civilization," Sun says.
\n
Epic grandeur, ritual significance and a distinct Chinese imprint are guiding the principles behind everything from location selection to style choices, she explains.
\n
Sun's team has developed narrative-driven themes such as Guarding the Great Wall, the Silk Road Envoy, and Moon Over the Frontier, incorporating costumes that bear historical elements and dignified poses to reflect the Great Wall's solemnity.
\n
"While Chinese tourists often seek to integrate into the historical tapestry through traditional hanfu attire or cheongsam, international visitors tend toward contrast — posing in modern wedding gowns, or even suits, against the ancient stones, expressing vitality against silence," Sun observes.
\n
According to Qichacha, a leading business information platform, China's travel photography market still has considerable growth potential.
\n
More than 6,000 travel photography enterprises are currently in operation nationwide. In 2024 alone, over 2,500 new businesses were registered, a year-on-year increase of over 22 percent.
\n
Taierzhuang ancient town in Zaozhuang city of Shandong province prepared to welcome visitors with Mid-Autumn Festival-themed photoshoots inspired by Chang'e, the moon goddess.
\n
"It is a perfect fusion of myth, history and modern creativity," says Feng Jinle, an official in charge of travel photography operations at the resort, part of a UNESCO World Heritage site.
\n
Feng took the lead in developing the town's travel photography industry in early 2023, testing the market by sharing photography content highlighting hanfu on the popular livestream platform Douyin.
\n
The town's unique historical backdrop, featuring Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal culture, provides rich material for themed photoshoots.
\n
"Young women took quite a shine to the idea of dressing as ancient brewery girls along the canal," Feng says.
\n
It immediately garnered an enthusiastic response from online viewers, which led to the travel photography business' official launch a few months later.
\n
The first store, located near the scenic spot's east gate, offers quick-change hanfu services, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in traditional attire upon entering the ancient town.
\n
By the end of 2023, revenue from this single store had reached nearly 2 million yuan ($281,550), Feng says.
\n
As demand grew, a second flagship store was opened at the center of the area, spanning 650 square meters and catering to mid-range and high-end customers with customized, historically accurate costumes and scenes inspired by ancient dynasties.
\n
A third store, developed in collaboration with the local civil affairs bureau and themed around marriage registration, is scheduled to open later this year.
\n
"Our primary customer base is predominantly female, accounting for more than 92 percent, with over 50 percent under 35," Feng says.
\n
Today, the project employs 12 full-time staff, including makeup artists, photographers and digital marketing specialists.
\n
The booming travel photography industry has also inspired over 40 businesses within the ancient town, including hotels and retail stores, to incorporate hanfu services, generating a combined annual revenue of over 20 million yuan.
\n
To manage the influx and maintain a quality experience, Feng says his team has implemented measures, such as designated photography zones and guidelines that help to avoid disrupting other visitors.
\n
Looking ahead, the scenic spot plans to incorporate AI-assisted costume selection and digital scene previews to enhance efficiency. The team is also developing customized short videos and drama productions to further deepen the integration of culture and technology.
\n
"We're giving visitors a chance to step into history and become part of Taierzhuang's living heritage," Feng says.
\n
Kang Jiawang has firsthand experience of how travel photography has become a central part of the visitor experience in Xijiang Qianhu Miao village, Guizhou province.
\n
"We've seen everything from family portraits to friends and parent-child shoots," says Kang, who runs a travel photography store in the ethnic Miao village, known for its rich cultural heritage and breathtaking natural landscapes.
\n
Since opening in May 2024, the store has welcomed over 30,000 visitors, with peak travel season seeing around 150 clients per day.
\n
Kang's team, which includes eight photographers and eight makeup artists, usually works from early morning to midnight to meet the demand.
\n
They offer an immersive experience where visitors can step into a world of Miao ethnic culture through traditional clothing, makeup and a stunning landscape.
\n
"There's something magical about night photography here. The way the village lights up, combined with traditional Miao outfits, makes for truly spectacular images," Kang explains.
\n
Located in the heart of the village, Kang's store has become a go-to spot for tourists eager to capture the village's essence.
\n
The store specializes in providing traditional Miao attire and expert makeup services, ensuring visitors are fully immersed in the culture. Guests are guided to various scenic spots, from the observation deck and ancient alleyways to the iconic wind-and-rain bridge.
\n
"We focus on providing a seamless experience from the moment they walk in until they leave with their desired images," Kang says.
\n
For those looking to break into the industry, Beijing-based travel photographer Ma Zhixue emphasizes that technical skill alone is not enough.
\n
"A successful travel photographer must have passion, cultural insight, creativity, and strong communication skills. It's about understanding people as much as pixels, and stories as much as settings," he says.
Visitors take photographs of a panda installation at a shopping mall in Shanghai on Saturday.
\n
Chinese consumers are enthusiastically unleashing their massive purchasing power during the eight-day National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holiday, with intelligent household appliances and electronic products gaining popularity amid the country's vigorous measures to boost consumption.
\n
Experts said the consumption boom during the Golden Week break indicates the enormous vitality and strong resilience of the world's second-largest economy, and will further unleash the potential of domestic demand to stimulate economic growth.
\n
Data from the Ministry of Commerce showed that during the first four days of the holiday, sales from key retail and catering enterprises nationwide increased 3.3 percent year-on-year.
\n
The customer traffic and sales revenue at 78 key pedestrian streets and business districts monitored by the ministry rose 4.2 percent and 4 percent year-on-year, respectively, from Wednesday to Friday.
\n
Major e-commerce platforms monitored by the ministry saw their sales of energy-saving home appliances jump 19 percent year-on-year during the first four days of the eight-day holiday, while the sales of intelligent refrigerators and smart home devices grew 20.7 percent and 16.8 percent, respectively, compared with the same period last year.
\n
Smartphones, tablets, digital cameras, outdoor sporting goods, and beauty and skincare products have witnessed rapid growth on leading online marketplaces such as JD, Taobao and Tmall during the holiday period.
\n
"China's consumption recovery is gaining momentum during the eight-day break, which demonstrates the continuous restoration of consumer confidence," said Hong Yong, an associate research fellow at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, highlighting that Chinese shoppers attach great importance to product quality and value, and prefer to purchase premium merchandise boasting high cost-effectiveness.
\n
Hong estimated that the country's consumer market is poised for steady growth this year, driven by a slew of supportive policy measures to boost consumption, stabilize employment and increase household income.
\n
E-commerce platforms should step up investment in technological innovation, improve shopping experience, and roll out more high-quality and intelligent commodities to attract young shoppers, he added.
\n
Consumption has become the main driving force bolstering China's economic growth. This year's Government Work Report made vigorously boosting consumption and expanding domestic demand across the board among the nation's top priorities for 2025.
\n
The country announced a raft of measures to expand the scope of the consumer goods trade-in program in January, increasing funding from 150 billion yuan ($20.9 billion) last year to 300 billion yuan, and offering subsidies for more home appliances and electronic devices such as smartphones, tablets and smartwatches.
\n
With Mid-Autumn Festival falling alongside National Day this year, China's consumer market is picking up steam during the extended eight-day holiday, showcasing immense potential and strong resilience, said Pan Helin, a member of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology's Expert Committee for Information and Communication Economy.
\n
A series of pro-consumption policies have played a vital role in stimulating shoppers' purchasing appetites, shoring up domestic demand and spurring economic growth amid external uncertainties, Pan said, estimating that the country's consumption growth will gather pace in the fourth quarter of this year.
\n
Industry insiders said the Golden Week break has typically been a peak season for consumption when Chinese shoppers loosen their purse strings to buy personalized and diversified commodities at a brisk pace.
\n
China's consumption market has witnessed a sustained recovery. Retail sales, a major indicator of consumption strength, expanded 3.4 percent year-on-year in August, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. Online sales remained a bright spot, expanding 9.6 percent year-on-year during the first eight months of the year.
\n
Mo Daiqing, a senior analyst at the Internet Economy Institute, a domestic consultancy, said the robust recovery in consumer spending during the holiday is of great importance in bolstering market expectations as well as the confidence of investors and consumers.
\n
"The expansion of the consumer goods trade-in program has not only motivated consumers' enthusiasm to purchase and pushed up the sales of household appliances and electronic devices, but also bolstered the popularization of green and energy-saving products," she added.
\n
Zhou Guanlin, a Beijing white-collar worker, bought a new handset on Chinese e-commerce platform JD during the holiday. He enjoyed a discount of about 800 yuan with national subsidies and shopping coupons provided by the platform.
\n
fanfeifei@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
Visitors take photographs of a panda installation at a shopping mall in Shanghai on Saturday.
\n
Chinese consumers are enthusiastically unleashing their massive purchasing power during the eight-day National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holiday, with intelligent household appliances and electronic products gaining popularity amid the country's vigorous measures to boost consumption.
\n
Experts said the consumption boom during the Golden Week break indicates the enormous vitality and strong resilience of the world's second-largest economy, and will further unleash the potential of domestic demand to stimulate economic growth.
\n
Data from the Ministry of Commerce showed that during the first four days of the holiday, sales from key retail and catering enterprises nationwide increased 3.3 percent year-on-year.
\n
The customer traffic and sales revenue at 78 key pedestrian streets and business districts monitored by the ministry rose 4.2 percent and 4 percent year-on-year, respectively, from Wednesday to Friday.
\n
Major e-commerce platforms monitored by the ministry saw their sales of energy-saving home appliances jump 19 percent year-on-year during the first four days of the eight-day holiday, while the sales of intelligent refrigerators and smart home devices grew 20.7 percent and 16.8 percent, respectively, compared with the same period last year.
\n
Smartphones, tablets, digital cameras, outdoor sporting goods, and beauty and skincare products have witnessed rapid growth on leading online marketplaces such as JD, Taobao and Tmall during the holiday period.
\n
"China's consumption recovery is gaining momentum during the eight-day break, which demonstrates the continuous restoration of consumer confidence," said Hong Yong, an associate research fellow at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, highlighting that Chinese shoppers attach great importance to product quality and value, and prefer to purchase premium merchandise boasting high cost-effectiveness.
\n
Hong estimated that the country's consumer market is poised for steady growth this year, driven by a slew of supportive policy measures to boost consumption, stabilize employment and increase household income.
\n
E-commerce platforms should step up investment in technological innovation, improve shopping experience, and roll out more high-quality and intelligent commodities to attract young shoppers, he added.
\n
Consumption has become the main driving force bolstering China's economic growth. This year's Government Work Report made vigorously boosting consumption and expanding domestic demand across the board among the nation's top priorities for 2025.
\n
The country announced a raft of measures to expand the scope of the consumer goods trade-in program in January, increasing funding from 150 billion yuan ($20.9 billion) last year to 300 billion yuan, and offering subsidies for more home appliances and electronic devices such as smartphones, tablets and smartwatches.
\n
With Mid-Autumn Festival falling alongside National Day this year, China's consumer market is picking up steam during the extended eight-day holiday, showcasing immense potential and strong resilience, said Pan Helin, a member of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology's Expert Committee for Information and Communication Economy.
\n
A series of pro-consumption policies have played a vital role in stimulating shoppers' purchasing appetites, shoring up domestic demand and spurring economic growth amid external uncertainties, Pan said, estimating that the country's consumption growth will gather pace in the fourth quarter of this year.
\n
Industry insiders said the Golden Week break has typically been a peak season for consumption when Chinese shoppers loosen their purse strings to buy personalized and diversified commodities at a brisk pace.
\n
China's consumption market has witnessed a sustained recovery. Retail sales, a major indicator of consumption strength, expanded 3.4 percent year-on-year in August, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. Online sales remained a bright spot, expanding 9.6 percent year-on-year during the first eight months of the year.
\n
Mo Daiqing, a senior analyst at the Internet Economy Institute, a domestic consultancy, said the robust recovery in consumer spending during the holiday is of great importance in bolstering market expectations as well as the confidence of investors and consumers.
\n
"The expansion of the consumer goods trade-in program has not only motivated consumers' enthusiasm to purchase and pushed up the sales of household appliances and electronic devices, but also bolstered the popularization of green and energy-saving products," she added.
\n
Zhou Guanlin, a Beijing white-collar worker, bought a new handset on Chinese e-commerce platform JD during the holiday. He enjoyed a discount of about 800 yuan with national subsidies and shopping coupons provided by the platform.
A woman struggles through rainfall brought by Typhoon Matmo in Haikou, Hainan province, on Sunday.
\n
Typhoon Matmo, the 21st typhoon of the year, made landfall in Zhanjiang, Guangdong province, on Sunday afternoon. Classified as a Category 14 storm, Matmo has become the strongest typhoon to hit Guangdong this year.
\n
Due to Matmo, which made landfall in Zhanjiang's Xuwen county, the city experienced nearly 100 millimeters of rainfall within three hours on Sunday, with heavy rain expected to continue for another six hours.
\n
In He'an town, Xuwen, over 100 farmers are urgently harvesting shrimp as the typhoon "will bring heavy rain, worsening water conditions and weakening shrimp immunity", said Fu Xiaoli, a local shrimp farmer.
\n
In Xuwen, the local government has organized 264 teams, sending over 2,250 staff members to key areas such as rural communities and enterprises to assist in case of emergency. By 10 am on Sunday, 22,041 people had been evacuated.
\n
In Haian town of Xuwen, drones are being deployed to check for stranded individuals and for those engaging in fishing activities in coastal and low-lying areas. So far, 11,700 tourists have been persuaded to leave dangerous areas.
\n
Echoing the reminders from provincial authorities, 3,406 ships were anchored west of the Pearl River Estuary to avoid the storm as of 6 am on Sunday.
\n
In Wenchang, Hainan province, rainfall exceeded 200 millimeters by Sunday morning. In Puqian town, the seawater flooded some streets and houses.
\n
A local woman surnamed Han said the situation with Matmo is identical to Typhoon Rammasun 11 years ago, with seawater inundating fish farms, fishing boats washed ashore and dead chickens scattered in breeding sheds.
\n
"Farmers and residents, still recovering from last year's Typhoon Mangkhut, feel helpless and heartbroken," Han said. "Fortunately, local officials relocated some residents, especially the elderly, young and vulnerable, before the typhoon hit."
\n
In Haikou, the capital of Hainan province, large shopping venues such as shopping malls and wholesale markets have been closed since 10 pm on Saturday. Delivery and courier services were suspended citywide.
\n
To ensure the safety of residents in hazardous areas such as dilapidated buildings and flood-prone zones, Haikou opened 54 indoor emergency shelters, including schools, gymnasiums and government office buildings.
\n
As of 8 pm on Sunday, Matmo has moved out of Guangdong and is located some 155 kilometers east-southeast off Dongxing, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region. Its intensity has weakened to Category 13, the China Meteorological Administration said on Sunday.
\n
According to wind monitoring by meteorological departments in the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions and Guangdong's Zhuhai, Matmo could make a second landfall along the coast of Guangxi as it continues to move westward.
\n
Based on the analysis, the governments of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao planned to resume shuttle bus services across the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge on Sunday afternoon.
\n
In addition, Haikou Meilan International Airport is expected to gradually resume flights from 8 pm on Sunday, with 153 flights planned for the day, including 37 departures and 116 arrivals.
\n
The National Development and Reform Commission has urgently arranged a central budgetary investment of 200 million yuan to support Guangdong and Hainan in their emergency recovery efforts following the typhoon disaster.
\n
cangwei@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
A woman struggles through rainfall brought by Typhoon Matmo in Haikou, Hainan province, on Sunday.
\n
Typhoon Matmo, the 21st typhoon of the year, made landfall in Zhanjiang, Guangdong province, on Sunday afternoon. Classified as a Category 14 storm, Matmo has become the strongest typhoon to hit Guangdong this year.
\n
Due to Matmo, which made landfall in Zhanjiang's Xuwen county, the city experienced nearly 100 millimeters of rainfall within three hours on Sunday, with heavy rain expected to continue for another six hours.
\n
In He'an town, Xuwen, over 100 farmers are urgently harvesting shrimp as the typhoon "will bring heavy rain, worsening water conditions and weakening shrimp immunity", said Fu Xiaoli, a local shrimp farmer.
\n
In Xuwen, the local government has organized 264 teams, sending over 2,250 staff members to key areas such as rural communities and enterprises to assist in case of emergency. By 10 am on Sunday, 22,041 people had been evacuated.
\n
In Haian town of Xuwen, drones are being deployed to check for stranded individuals and for those engaging in fishing activities in coastal and low-lying areas. So far, 11,700 tourists have been persuaded to leave dangerous areas.
\n
Echoing the reminders from provincial authorities, 3,406 ships were anchored west of the Pearl River Estuary to avoid the storm as of 6 am on Sunday.
\n
In Wenchang, Hainan province, rainfall exceeded 200 millimeters by Sunday morning. In Puqian town, the seawater flooded some streets and houses.
\n
A local woman surnamed Han said the situation with Matmo is identical to Typhoon Rammasun 11 years ago, with seawater inundating fish farms, fishing boats washed ashore and dead chickens scattered in breeding sheds.
\n
"Farmers and residents, still recovering from last year's Typhoon Mangkhut, feel helpless and heartbroken," Han said. "Fortunately, local officials relocated some residents, especially the elderly, young and vulnerable, before the typhoon hit."
\n
In Haikou, the capital of Hainan province, large shopping venues such as shopping malls and wholesale markets have been closed since 10 pm on Saturday. Delivery and courier services were suspended citywide.
\n
To ensure the safety of residents in hazardous areas such as dilapidated buildings and flood-prone zones, Haikou opened 54 indoor emergency shelters, including schools, gymnasiums and government office buildings.
\n
As of 8 pm on Sunday, Matmo has moved out of Guangdong and is located some 155 kilometers east-southeast off Dongxing, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region. Its intensity has weakened to Category 13, the China Meteorological Administration said on Sunday.
\n
According to wind monitoring by meteorological departments in the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions and Guangdong's Zhuhai, Matmo could make a second landfall along the coast of Guangxi as it continues to move westward.
\n
Based on the analysis, the governments of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao planned to resume shuttle bus services across the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge on Sunday afternoon.
\n
In addition, Haikou Meilan International Airport is expected to gradually resume flights from 8 pm on Sunday, with 153 flights planned for the day, including 37 departures and 116 arrivals.
\n
The National Development and Reform Commission has urgently arranged a central budgetary investment of 200 million yuan to support Guangdong and Hainan in their emergency recovery efforts following the typhoon disaster.
The shared identity and family ties between people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait were the main theme of a Mid-Autumn Festival gathering on Saturday in Fuzhou, the capital of Fujian province, the closest province on the Chinese mainland to Taiwan. The two sides are separated by a narrow strait.
\n
"Both sides of the Taiwan Strait are Chinese and part of one family," said Song Tao, director of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, emphasizing the need to oppose "Taiwan independence" and external interference to safeguard the homeland.
\n
The event — jointly hosted by Fuzhou and Matsu, a group of small islands administered by Taiwan just off the coast of the capital city — brought together over 250 participants, including Lien Sheng-wen, vice-chairman of the Chinese Kuomintang party, and Taiwan compatriots living in Fujian.
\n
With exhibits showcasing Mid-Autumn lanterns, Matsu cultural tourism and traditional folk customs, alongside displays set up by Taiwan enterprises, the event promoted mainland tourism to Matsu and showcased the achievements of cross-Strait integration development in Fuzhou.
\n
A highlight of the evening was a drone display featuring 500 drones forming messages, including "One Family Across the Strait", which was met with enthusiastic applause from attendees.
\n
Song's remarks came during a tea party for cross-Strait compatriots, in which he noted the significance of the 80th anniversaries of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45), as well as Taiwan's retrocession. He also highlighted the V-Day parade at Tian'anmen Square in Beijing on Sept 3, which stirred national pride among viewers, including many in Taiwan.
\n
Song called for increased cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation to deepen integration and enhance the well-being of the "family", as well as efforts toward peaceful development and national reunification.
\n
Lien said the Mid-Autumn Festival symbolizes reunion, completeness and harmony. He affirmed that the KMT will continue to promote cross-Strait exchanges, peaceful development based on the 1992 Consensus, and opposition to "Taiwan independence".
\n
Participating Taiwan compatriots said the continuous advancement of cross-Strait integrated development has made studying, working and living on the mainland increasingly convenient for them.
\n
Wong Chen-hua, a former primary schoolteacher from Matsu, attended the celebration event in Fuzhou with other Matsu locals, where they performed traditional Matsu songs and dances. He also promoted Matsu's specialty liquor and tourist sites, hoping that more compatriots would visit Matsu.
\n
This year, there has been an increase in mainland tourists visiting Matsu, Wong said, adding that strengthening mutual understanding is essential to eliminating barriers, as both sides share common roots.
\n
"I have many relatives on the mainland, and because of the convenience, I often bring my children to travel extensively across it," he said. "I hope the ties between compatriots will grow even closer."
\n
Su Yu-sheng, who started teaching at the Ningde Normal University's College of Medical Science in Fujian six years ago after moving from Taiwan, said that during the Mid-Autumn Festival, he felt a deep longing for his family as he did not return to Taiwan. Participating in a cross-Strait Mid-Autumn Festival event for the first time, he found it interesting and heartwarming and made some new friends, he said.
\n
Contact the writers at zhangyi1@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
The shared identity and family ties between people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait were the main theme of a Mid-Autumn Festival gathering on Saturday in Fuzhou, the capital of Fujian province, the closest province on the Chinese mainland to Taiwan. The two sides are separated by a narrow strait.
\n
"Both sides of the Taiwan Strait are Chinese and part of one family," said Song Tao, director of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, emphasizing the need to oppose "Taiwan independence" and external interference to safeguard the homeland.
\n
The event — jointly hosted by Fuzhou and Matsu, a group of small islands administered by Taiwan just off the coast of the capital city — brought together over 250 participants, including Lien Sheng-wen, vice-chairman of the Chinese Kuomintang party, and Taiwan compatriots living in Fujian.
\n
With exhibits showcasing Mid-Autumn lanterns, Matsu cultural tourism and traditional folk customs, alongside displays set up by Taiwan enterprises, the event promoted mainland tourism to Matsu and showcased the achievements of cross-Strait integration development in Fuzhou.
\n
A highlight of the evening was a drone display featuring 500 drones forming messages, including "One Family Across the Strait", which was met with enthusiastic applause from attendees.
\n
Song's remarks came during a tea party for cross-Strait compatriots, in which he noted the significance of the 80th anniversaries of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45), as well as Taiwan's retrocession. He also highlighted the V-Day parade at Tian'anmen Square in Beijing on Sept 3, which stirred national pride among viewers, including many in Taiwan.
\n
Song called for increased cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation to deepen integration and enhance the well-being of the "family", as well as efforts toward peaceful development and national reunification.
\n
Lien said the Mid-Autumn Festival symbolizes reunion, completeness and harmony. He affirmed that the KMT will continue to promote cross-Strait exchanges, peaceful development based on the 1992 Consensus, and opposition to "Taiwan independence".
\n
Participating Taiwan compatriots said the continuous advancement of cross-Strait integrated development has made studying, working and living on the mainland increasingly convenient for them.
\n
Wong Chen-hua, a former primary schoolteacher from Matsu, attended the celebration event in Fuzhou with other Matsu locals, where they performed traditional Matsu songs and dances. He also promoted Matsu's specialty liquor and tourist sites, hoping that more compatriots would visit Matsu.
\n
This year, there has been an increase in mainland tourists visiting Matsu, Wong said, adding that strengthening mutual understanding is essential to eliminating barriers, as both sides share common roots.
\n
"I have many relatives on the mainland, and because of the convenience, I often bring my children to travel extensively across it," he said. "I hope the ties between compatriots will grow even closer."
\n
Su Yu-sheng, who started teaching at the Ningde Normal University's College of Medical Science in Fujian six years ago after moving from Taiwan, said that during the Mid-Autumn Festival, he felt a deep longing for his family as he did not return to Taiwan. Participating in a cross-Strait Mid-Autumn Festival event for the first time, he found it interesting and heartwarming and made some new friends, he said.
The election of Sanae Takaichi as the first female president of Japan's long-governing Liberal Democratic Party and the possibility of her becoming the country's first female prime minister indicate a shift toward greater conservatism in Japan's sociopolitical atmosphere, according to experts.
\n
Takaichi, 64, a former economic security minister and an ultra-conservative lawmaker, defeated Shinjiro Koizumi, 44, agriculture minister and son of former prime minister Junichiro Koizumi, in an LDP vote runoff on Saturday.
\n
Responding to foreign media queries regarding the LDP final vote outcome, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said, "We have noted the election result, which is Japan's internal affairs."
\n
The spokesperson added, "We hope the Japanese side will abide by the principles and consensus set out in the four political documents between China and Japan, honor its political commitments on major issues such as history and the Taiwan question, follow a positive and rational policy toward China, and put into practice the positioning of comprehensively advancing the strategic relationship of mutual benefit."
\n
On Saturday, none of the three other candidates in the fray — Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi, its former economic security minister Takayuki Kobayashi and former LDP secretary-general Toshimitsu Motegi — achieved majority in the first-round vote.
\n
In the runoff, Takaichi won 185 votes, against Koizumi's 156, drawing on a broad base of support among local party members and affiliates. With her replacing Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba as the LDP leader, the conservative party hopes to regain public support and stay in power despite major election debacles in the National Diet, Japan's parliament.
\n
Hiroshi Shiratori, a professor of political science at Hosei University in Tokyo, noted that Takaichi led by a wide margin in party member and supporter votes in the first round, which represent voices of the party grassroots and are considered to reflect public support.
\n
During her election campaign, Takaichi promised a tougher stance on foreigners in Japan. In fact, all LDP candidates raised the matter of "foreign policy" to reclaim conservative votes lost over the issue.
\n
Shiratori explained that these votes originally came from LDP supporters, but shifted to parties such as the far-right Sanseito and the center-right Democratic Party for the People in the upper house election due to their active advocacy on the matter. That gave the LDP race a distinct "social media leadership election" character, he said.
\n
Ukeru Magosaki, director of the East Asian Community Institute and a former senior official at Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that many Western countries are facing economic stagnation and widening inequity, making life difficult for many of their citizens, who blame foreigners for their hardships.
\n
Japan is experiencing a "similar trend", as economic hardships and xenophobia are becoming increasingly intertwined with politics, he added.
\n
The LDP leadership race took place amid growing political woes after the coalition with the Komeito Party lost its majority in both houses of parliament — the first such situation since the LDP was founded in 1955.
\n
Addressing her first news conference as LDP leader just hours after the runoff result was announced, Takaichi said, "The LDP marks a new era." She pledged that the party, which has held power almost continuously for 70 years, will transform the public's "anxieties into hope".
\n
Takaichi's leadership is scheduled to last two years, until September 2027, completing the remainder of Ishiba's original three-year term.
\n
She is likely to be chosen as Japan's next prime minister at an extraordinary parliamentary session, to be held around Oct 15, with the minority coalition remaining the largest group in parliament and opposition parties still divided.
\n
Shiratori, from Hosei University, said that Takaichi's "first challenge" is the prime ministerial nomination election. If elected, the next challenge will be to build constructive diplomatic ties with China and other Asian neighbors.
\n
houjunjie@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
Sanae Takaichi
\n
The election of Sanae Takaichi as the first female president of Japan's long-governing Liberal Democratic Party and the possibility of her becoming the country's first female prime minister indicate a shift toward greater conservatism in Japan's sociopolitical atmosphere, according to experts.
\n
Takaichi, 64, a former economic security minister and an ultra-conservative lawmaker, defeated Shinjiro Koizumi, 44, agriculture minister and son of former prime minister Junichiro Koizumi, in an LDP vote runoff on Saturday.
\n
Responding to foreign media queries regarding the LDP final vote outcome, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said, "We have noted the election result, which is Japan's internal affairs."
\n
The spokesperson added, "We hope the Japanese side will abide by the principles and consensus set out in the four political documents between China and Japan, honor its political commitments on major issues such as history and the Taiwan question, follow a positive and rational policy toward China, and put into practice the positioning of comprehensively advancing the strategic relationship of mutual benefit."
\n
On Saturday, none of the three other candidates in the fray — Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi, its former economic security minister Takayuki Kobayashi and former LDP secretary-general Toshimitsu Motegi — achieved majority in the first-round vote.
\n
In the runoff, Takaichi won 185 votes, against Koizumi's 156, drawing on a broad base of support among local party members and affiliates. With her replacing Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba as the LDP leader, the conservative party hopes to regain public support and stay in power despite major election debacles in the National Diet, Japan's parliament.
\n
Hiroshi Shiratori, a professor of political science at Hosei University in Tokyo, noted that Takaichi led by a wide margin in party member and supporter votes in the first round, which represent voices of the party grassroots and are considered to reflect public support.
\n
During her election campaign, Takaichi promised a tougher stance on foreigners in Japan. In fact, all LDP candidates raised the matter of "foreign policy" to reclaim conservative votes lost over the issue.
\n
Shiratori explained that these votes originally came from LDP supporters, but shifted to parties such as the far-right Sanseito and the center-right Democratic Party for the People in the upper house election due to their active advocacy on the matter. That gave the LDP race a distinct "social media leadership election" character, he said.
\n
Ukeru Magosaki, director of the East Asian Community Institute and a former senior official at Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that many Western countries are facing economic stagnation and widening inequity, making life difficult for many of their citizens, who blame foreigners for their hardships.
\n
Japan is experiencing a "similar trend", as economic hardships and xenophobia are becoming increasingly intertwined with politics, he added.
\n
The LDP leadership race took place amid growing political woes after the coalition with the Komeito Party lost its majority in both houses of parliament — the first such situation since the LDP was founded in 1955.
\n
Addressing her first news conference as LDP leader just hours after the runoff result was announced, Takaichi said, "The LDP marks a new era." She pledged that the party, which has held power almost continuously for 70 years, will transform the public's "anxieties into hope".
\n
Takaichi's leadership is scheduled to last two years, until September 2027, completing the remainder of Ishiba's original three-year term.
\n
She is likely to be chosen as Japan's next prime minister at an extraordinary parliamentary session, to be held around Oct 15, with the minority coalition remaining the largest group in parliament and opposition parties still divided.
\n
Shiratori, from Hosei University, said that Takaichi's "first challenge" is the prime ministerial nomination election. If elected, the next challenge will be to build constructive diplomatic ties with China and other Asian neighbors.
A diplomatic window for ending the conflict in the Gaza Strip reemerged as negotiators converged in Cairo, Egypt, for talks scheduled on Monday after both Israel and Hamas signaled support for a new United States peace plan to stop the war and ensure release of all remaining hostages.
\n
The opportunity for peace, however fragile, has galvanized a chorus of optimistic statements from the international community, while mediators face the daunting task of bridging Israel's security demands, Hamas' bid for survival and the overwhelming humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
\n
US President Donald Trump's 20-point peace plan aimed at ending the war in Gaza includes immediate ceasefire, phased withdrawal of Israeli troops, freeing of all hostages within 72 hours, international oversight of humanitarian aid and rebuilding the devastated territory under international supervision.
\n
A Hamas statement on Friday said it was willing to release the hostages and hand over power to a technocratic Palestinian authority backed by Arab and Islamic states. The statement said the group was open to talks through mediators, but made no mention of Hamas disarming, which is a key Israeli demand.
\n
Hours later, Trump declared that Hamas' response indicated it is "ready for lasting peace", and he urged Israel to stop bombing Gaza, "so we can quickly and safely extract the hostages".
\n
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said on Friday that Israel is prepared for the implementation of the "first stage" of Trump's plan, apparently referring to the release of hostages, said late on Saturday that the Israeli military will continue to hold territories it controls in Gaza, and that Hamas will be disarmed diplomatically "or through a military path by us". He added that a delegation had been sent to Cairo for the talks.
\n
According to the White House, Trump dispatched two envoys on Saturday — his son-in-law Jared Kushner and the US' Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff.
\n
Qatar, Egypt, Turkiye and the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah have welcomed Hamas' statement, hoping it would become an important step toward achieving a complete ceasefire as the Gaza conflict nears its two-year mark.
\n
Qatar "welcomes the announcement by Hamas of its agreement to President Trump's plan", said its Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed Al Ansari. Egypt said it hoped "this positive development will lead all parties to rise to the level of responsibility by committing to implementing President Trump's plan on the ground and ending the war".
\n
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the UN "welcomes and is encouraged by the statement issued by Hamas, announcing its readiness to release hostages and to engage".
\n
French President Emmanuel Macron, in a social media post on Friday, said Hamas' response must be "followed up without delay", and, "we now have the opportunity to make decisive progress towards peace".
\n
Analysts said that Hamas' language was deliberately measured. The group said that broader political questions about Gaza's future and Palestinian rights would be decided collectively and "in line with international resolutions" — an acknowledgment of the US plan without binding concessions.
\n
"It's a tactical retreat, not a strategic surrender," said Esmat Mansour, a Ramallah-based political analyst. "Hamas highlighted positive points, like prisoner exchanges and civilian administration, while avoiding sensitive issues such as disarmament."
\n
Despite the Hamas statement saying that Trump's call to Israel to stop bombing Gaza is "encouraging", a senior Hamas official told AFP on Friday that the peace plan is "vague, ambiguous and lacks clarity".
\n
Meanwhile, Israeli forces pressed on with operations in Gaza City. As many as 70 people were killed since Hamas released its response, Al Jazeera reported on Sunday.
\n
In Europe, pro-Palestine rallies were held on Saturday, calling for an end to the Gaza conflict and the immediate release of activists on board the Global Sumud flotilla carrying humanitarian aid to the territory.
\n
Police in Rome, Italy, said some 250,000 people showed up for a fourth day of protests, after Israel intercepted the 45-strong flotilla seeking to reach Gaza last week. Nearly 70,000 people took to the streets in Barcelona, Spain, while in capital Madrid, nearly 92,000 marched for a free Palestine. In the United Kingdom, police said they made at least 442 arrests in London.
\n
In Paris, France, where some 10,000 people gathered, a spokeswoman for the French contingent of Global Sumud, Helene Coron, told the crowd: "We'll never stop. This flotilla didn't get to Gaza. But we'll send another, then another, until Palestine and Gaza are free."
A diplomatic window for ending the conflict in the Gaza Strip reemerged as negotiators converged in Cairo, Egypt, for talks scheduled on Monday after both Israel and Hamas signaled support for a new United States peace plan to stop the war and ensure release of all remaining hostages.
\n
The opportunity for peace, however fragile, has galvanized a chorus of optimistic statements from the international community, while mediators face the daunting task of bridging Israel's security demands, Hamas' bid for survival and the overwhelming humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
\n
US President Donald Trump's 20-point peace plan aimed at ending the war in Gaza includes immediate ceasefire, phased withdrawal of Israeli troops, freeing of all hostages within 72 hours, international oversight of humanitarian aid and rebuilding the devastated territory under international supervision.
\n
A Hamas statement on Friday said it was willing to release the hostages and hand over power to a technocratic Palestinian authority backed by Arab and Islamic states. The statement said the group was open to talks through mediators, but made no mention of Hamas disarming, which is a key Israeli demand.
\n
Hours later, Trump declared that Hamas' response indicated it is "ready for lasting peace", and he urged Israel to stop bombing Gaza, "so we can quickly and safely extract the hostages".
\n
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said on Friday that Israel is prepared for the implementation of the "first stage" of Trump's plan, apparently referring to the release of hostages, said late on Saturday that the Israeli military will continue to hold territories it controls in Gaza, and that Hamas will be disarmed diplomatically "or through a military path by us". He added that a delegation had been sent to Cairo for the talks.
\n
According to the White House, Trump dispatched two envoys on Saturday — his son-in-law Jared Kushner and the US' Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff.
\n
Qatar, Egypt, Turkiye and the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah have welcomed Hamas' statement, hoping it would become an important step toward achieving a complete ceasefire as the Gaza conflict nears its two-year mark.
\n
Qatar "welcomes the announcement by Hamas of its agreement to President Trump's plan", said its Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed Al Ansari. Egypt said it hoped "this positive development will lead all parties to rise to the level of responsibility by committing to implementing President Trump's plan on the ground and ending the war".
\n
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the UN "welcomes and is encouraged by the statement issued by Hamas, announcing its readiness to release hostages and to engage".
\n
French President Emmanuel Macron, in a social media post on Friday, said Hamas' response must be "followed up without delay", and, "we now have the opportunity to make decisive progress towards peace".
\n
Analysts said that Hamas' language was deliberately measured. The group said that broader political questions about Gaza's future and Palestinian rights would be decided collectively and "in line with international resolutions" — an acknowledgment of the US plan without binding concessions.
\n
"It's a tactical retreat, not a strategic surrender," said Esmat Mansour, a Ramallah-based political analyst. "Hamas highlighted positive points, like prisoner exchanges and civilian administration, while avoiding sensitive issues such as disarmament."
\n
Despite the Hamas statement saying that Trump's call to Israel to stop bombing Gaza is "encouraging", a senior Hamas official told AFP on Friday that the peace plan is "vague, ambiguous and lacks clarity".
\n
Meanwhile, Israeli forces pressed on with operations in Gaza City. As many as 70 people were killed since Hamas released its response, Al Jazeera reported on Sunday.
\n
In Europe, pro-Palestine rallies were held on Saturday, calling for an end to the Gaza conflict and the immediate release of activists on board the Global Sumud flotilla carrying humanitarian aid to the territory.
\n
Police in Rome, Italy, said some 250,000 people showed up for a fourth day of protests, after Israel intercepted the 45-strong flotilla seeking to reach Gaza last week. Nearly 70,000 people took to the streets in Barcelona, Spain, while in capital Madrid, nearly 92,000 marched for a free Palestine. In the United Kingdom, police said they made at least 442 arrests in London.
\n
In Paris, France, where some 10,000 people gathered, a spokeswoman for the French contingent of Global Sumud, Helene Coron, told the crowd: "We'll never stop. This flotilla didn't get to Gaza. But we'll send another, then another, until Palestine and Gaza are free."
Wei Kunming, a young entrepreneur from Beichuan Qiang autonomous county in Sichuan province, found a way to blend his professional skills with his passion for his hometown — as a travel photography designer.
\n
Wei decided to return to his hometown in 2023 from a big city where he had been working on microfilms and promotional videos.
\n
He established a travel photography studio, teaming up with other like-minded youth born in the 1990s and 2000s to start their own business.
\n
It turned out to be one of the best decisions he has made, Wei says.
\n
The rich Qiang ethnic culture and beautiful natural scenery in Beichuan inspired Wei to bring his expertise home. He wanted to showcase its unique charm reflected in the exquisite Qiang embroidery and ancient architecture to the rest of the country and beyond.
\n
Starting from scratch, Wei and his team began by taking photos for tourists on the street and telling them stories about Qiang culture, such as its blockhouses and silver jewelry.
\n
Beichuan has experienced a tourism boom this year, with visitor numbers during the summer surging by 10 percent year-on-year. This growth has fueled Wei's business, with more travelers requesting carefully planned routes, professional clothing and styling advice, and capturing special moments, carving out unforgettable memories from each journey, he notes.
\n
"Unlike traditional commercial photographers, this is a composite role that combines being a companion, a tour guide, and an itinerary planner," Wei explains.
\n
A qualified travel photography designer needs to ensure tourists enjoy their trip and also get beautiful photos, while providing emotional value, he says.
\n
In a significant step for the special photography sector, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security announced in May that the career title of travel photography designer would be added to its list of more than 15 new professions and 40 new types of work.
\n
This move is expected to provide travel photography designers with a professional identity, attract more young workers, and promote more orderly and standardized development within the sector, experts say.
\n
Xie Chaowu, professor at the College of Tourism at Huaqiao University, notes that the travel photography market continues to demonstrate significant growth potential, as evidenced by the increasing number of operators, expanding workforce, and diversifying business models.
\n
The official recognition of travel photography designer as a new type of occupation reflects the national and societal endorsement of this professional path, Xie says.
\n
Qiu Shi, a travel photographer in southwestern Chongqing, has noticed the industry's rapid growth since he entered the field in early 2024.
\n
"Chongqing is an internet-famous city with a huge flow of tourists, creating massive demand for travel photography," Qiu says.
\n
Low entry barriers, flexible work, and a decent income are among the major factors that led him onto this career path.
\n
Xu Junjie, a post-90s part-time travel photography assistant from Chongqing, says he's excited about the recognition of travel photography designers as an official line of work.
\n
By day, Xu is a courier. By night, he communicates with clients, handles props, assists with outfits and touch-ups, and manages shooting logistics.
\n
"Although I often work late, I'm learning new skills, which is very fulfilling," Xu says.
\n
Xu adds that he will continue to improve his understanding of the city's culture to plan routes that meet tourists' needs, while providing styling and outfit advice to better showcase clients' charms.
\n
More creative approaches should be found to develop a distinctive style in terms of shooting angles and visual presentation, he says.
\n
Luo Zibai, director of the Chongqing Tourism Development Research Center at Chongqing Normal University, notes that the sustained boom in the cultural and tourism markets has fueled demand for personalized experiences like travel photography, naturally creating many new jobs.
\n
Luo suggests that the training system should keep pace, for example, by developing related programs in vocational schools. These could cover modules on travel photography, destination marketing, and cross-cultural communications.
\n
In the future, graduates could have a photography certificate, a tour guide license, and a special certification as a travel photography designer, making them interdisciplinary talents who better meet market demands, Luo adds.
\n
Huaqiao University's Xie emphasizes that establishing standardized professional competencies for the role will help regulate service quality.
\n
At the same time, he advises tourists to seek out certified practitioners to ensure a satisfactory experience.
\n
This dual approach of promoting official qualification standards and raising consumer awareness will further stimulate the healthy development of the industry, Xie says.
Wei Kunming, a young entrepreneur from Beichuan Qiang autonomous county in Sichuan province, found a way to blend his professional skills with his passion for his hometown — as a travel photography designer.
\n
Wei decided to return to his hometown in 2023 from a big city where he had been working on microfilms and promotional videos.
\n
He established a travel photography studio, teaming up with other like-minded youth born in the 1990s and 2000s to start their own business.
\n
It turned out to be one of the best decisions he has made, Wei says.
\n
The rich Qiang ethnic culture and beautiful natural scenery in Beichuan inspired Wei to bring his expertise home. He wanted to showcase its unique charm reflected in the exquisite Qiang embroidery and ancient architecture to the rest of the country and beyond.
\n
Starting from scratch, Wei and his team began by taking photos for tourists on the street and telling them stories about Qiang culture, such as its blockhouses and silver jewelry.
\n
Beichuan has experienced a tourism boom this year, with visitor numbers during the summer surging by 10 percent year-on-year. This growth has fueled Wei's business, with more travelers requesting carefully planned routes, professional clothing and styling advice, and capturing special moments, carving out unforgettable memories from each journey, he notes.
\n
"Unlike traditional commercial photographers, this is a composite role that combines being a companion, a tour guide, and an itinerary planner," Wei explains.
\n
A qualified travel photography designer needs to ensure tourists enjoy their trip and also get beautiful photos, while providing emotional value, he says.
\n
In a significant step for the special photography sector, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security announced in May that the career title of travel photography designer would be added to its list of more than 15 new professions and 40 new types of work.
\n
This move is expected to provide travel photography designers with a professional identity, attract more young workers, and promote more orderly and standardized development within the sector, experts say.
\n
Xie Chaowu, professor at the College of Tourism at Huaqiao University, notes that the travel photography market continues to demonstrate significant growth potential, as evidenced by the increasing number of operators, expanding workforce, and diversifying business models.
\n
The official recognition of travel photography designer as a new type of occupation reflects the national and societal endorsement of this professional path, Xie says.
\n
Qiu Shi, a travel photographer in southwestern Chongqing, has noticed the industry's rapid growth since he entered the field in early 2024.
\n
"Chongqing is an internet-famous city with a huge flow of tourists, creating massive demand for travel photography," Qiu says.
\n
Low entry barriers, flexible work, and a decent income are among the major factors that led him onto this career path.
\n
Xu Junjie, a post-90s part-time travel photography assistant from Chongqing, says he's excited about the recognition of travel photography designers as an official line of work.
\n
By day, Xu is a courier. By night, he communicates with clients, handles props, assists with outfits and touch-ups, and manages shooting logistics.
\n
"Although I often work late, I'm learning new skills, which is very fulfilling," Xu says.
\n
Xu adds that he will continue to improve his understanding of the city's culture to plan routes that meet tourists' needs, while providing styling and outfit advice to better showcase clients' charms.
\n
More creative approaches should be found to develop a distinctive style in terms of shooting angles and visual presentation, he says.
\n
Luo Zibai, director of the Chongqing Tourism Development Research Center at Chongqing Normal University, notes that the sustained boom in the cultural and tourism markets has fueled demand for personalized experiences like travel photography, naturally creating many new jobs.
\n
Luo suggests that the training system should keep pace, for example, by developing related programs in vocational schools. These could cover modules on travel photography, destination marketing, and cross-cultural communications.
\n
In the future, graduates could have a photography certificate, a tour guide license, and a special certification as a travel photography designer, making them interdisciplinary talents who better meet market demands, Luo adds.
\n
Huaqiao University's Xie emphasizes that establishing standardized professional competencies for the role will help regulate service quality.
\n
At the same time, he advises tourists to seek out certified practitioners to ensure a satisfactory experience.
\n
This dual approach of promoting official qualification standards and raising consumer awareness will further stimulate the healthy development of the industry, Xie says.
A staff member introduces a traditional costume to travel photography customers in Taierzhuang ancient town, in Zaozhuang city of Shandong province.
\n
Costumes in various styles are popular choices for travel photography on Badaling Great Wall, Beijing.
\n
Costumes in various styles are popular choices for travel photography on Badaling Great Wall, Beijing.
\n
A makeup artist crafts a look for a travel photography client in Taierzhuang, Shandong.
\n\n
The sun beat down on the ancient stones of Beijing's Beihai Park, but Ma Zhixue barely noticed the heat.
\n
For nearly 12 hours a day during summer, he framed through his lens not only the city's iconic landscapes but also the fleeting, authentic moments of travelers to the capital city from around the world.
\n
"At the peak of the summer tourism season, I served up to 25 clients a day," the full-time travel photographer says.
\n
Ma's journey into travel photography began nearly five years ago when he noticed a rising demand for such photography experience.
\n
"More clients are requesting shoots during their travels, featuring hanfu (traditional Chinese attire), imperial-era costumes and atmospheric ancient architecture," he notes.
\n
Locations like Beijing's Summer Palace, the Temple of Heaven, and Beihai Park remain perennially popular for their ability to evoke China's historical grandeur, he explains.
\n
While traditional photography tends to rely more on controlled poses and studio lighting, and landscape photographers must chase specific natural lighting, Ma pays more attention to capturing people candidly within historical settings.
\n
"My clients range from the very young to the elderly. My goal is always the same: to create images that are genuine, spontaneous and deeply personal," he emphasizes.
\n
A typical shoot begins well before the camera is lifted. Ma consults with clients about their preferences, suggests locations and styles, and often flips through sample albums to align each other's expectations.
\n
During photography sessions, he avoids rigid directions and instead encourages natural interactions and movement. After a shoot, he reviews the images on-site with the clients and reshoots if necessary, ensuring everyone leaves happy.
\n
As the summer crowds gradually thinned, a brief lull allowed Ma Zhixue to catch his breath, but not for long. The National Day holiday has seen his full packed calendar.
\n
By mid-September, four days of the eight-day National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holidays have been booked, he says with a mix of pride and exhaustion.
\n
"The demand for a blend of photography and cultural storytelling shows no sign of slowing down," Ma says.
\n
Sun Na, manager of the overall travel photography operations at the iconic cultural landmark Badaling Great Wall, says the business has attracted visitors for a range of special occasions, from proposals and graduation celebrations to family reunions and diaspora homecomings.
\n
"We are not simply using the Wall as a backdrop but are opening a channel for emotions to resonate with ancient civilization," Sun says.
\n
Epic grandeur, ritual significance and a distinct Chinese imprint are guiding the principles behind everything from location selection to style choices, she explains.
\n
Sun's team has developed narrative-driven themes such as Guarding the Great Wall, the Silk Road Envoy, and Moon Over the Frontier, incorporating costumes that bear historical elements and dignified poses to reflect the Great Wall's solemnity.
\n
"While Chinese tourists often seek to integrate into the historical tapestry through traditional hanfu attire or cheongsam, international visitors tend toward contrast — posing in modern wedding gowns, or even suits, against the ancient stones, expressing vitality against silence," Sun observes.
\n
According to Qichacha, a leading business information platform, China's travel photography market still has considerable growth potential.
\n
More than 6,000 travel photography enterprises are currently in operation nationwide. In 2024 alone, over 2,500 new businesses were registered, a year-on-year increase of over 22 percent.
\n
Taierzhuang ancient town in Zaozhuang city of Shandong province prepared to welcome visitors with Mid-Autumn Festival-themed photoshoots inspired by Chang'e, the moon goddess.
\n
"It is a perfect fusion of myth, history and modern creativity," says Feng Jinle, an official in charge of travel photography operations at the resort, part of a UNESCO World Heritage site.
\n
Feng took the lead in developing the town's travel photography industry in early 2023, testing the market by sharing photography content highlighting hanfu on the popular livestream platform Douyin.
\n
The town's unique historical backdrop, featuring Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal culture, provides rich material for themed photoshoots.
\n
"Young women took quite a shine to the idea of dressing as ancient brewery girls along the canal," Feng says.
\n
It immediately garnered an enthusiastic response from online viewers, which led to the travel photography business' official launch a few months later.
\n
The first store, located near the scenic spot's east gate, offers quick-change hanfu services, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in traditional attire upon entering the ancient town.
\n
By the end of 2023, revenue from this single store had reached nearly 2 million yuan ($281,550), Feng says.
\n
As demand grew, a second flagship store was opened at the center of the area, spanning 650 square meters and catering to mid-range and high-end customers with customized, historically accurate costumes and scenes inspired by ancient dynasties.
\n
A third store, developed in collaboration with the local civil affairs bureau and themed around marriage registration, is scheduled to open later this year.
\n
"Our primary customer base is predominantly female, accounting for more than 92 percent, with over 50 percent under 35," Feng says.
\n
Today, the project employs 12 full-time staff, including makeup artists, photographers and digital marketing specialists.
\n
The booming travel photography industry has also inspired over 40 businesses within the ancient town, including hotels and retail stores, to incorporate hanfu services, generating a combined annual revenue of over 20 million yuan.
\n
To manage the influx and maintain a quality experience, Feng says his team has implemented measures, such as designated photography zones and guidelines that help to avoid disrupting other visitors.
\n
Looking ahead, the scenic spot plans to incorporate AI-assisted costume selection and digital scene previews to enhance efficiency. The team is also developing customized short videos and drama productions to further deepen the integration of culture and technology.
\n
"We're giving visitors a chance to step into history and become part of Taierzhuang's living heritage," Feng says.
\n
Kang Jiawang has firsthand experience of how travel photography has become a central part of the visitor experience in Xijiang Qianhu Miao village, Guizhou province.
\n
"We've seen everything from family portraits to friends and parent-child shoots," says Kang, who runs a travel photography store in the ethnic Miao village, known for its rich cultural heritage and breathtaking natural landscapes.
\n
Since opening in May 2024, the store has welcomed over 30,000 visitors, with peak travel season seeing around 150 clients per day.
\n
Kang's team, which includes eight photographers and eight makeup artists, usually works from early morning to midnight to meet the demand.
\n
They offer an immersive experience where visitors can step into a world of Miao ethnic culture through traditional clothing, makeup and a stunning landscape.
\n
"There's something magical about night photography here. The way the village lights up, combined with traditional Miao outfits, makes for truly spectacular images," Kang explains.
\n
Located in the heart of the village, Kang's store has become a go-to spot for tourists eager to capture the village's essence.
\n
The store specializes in providing traditional Miao attire and expert makeup services, ensuring visitors are fully immersed in the culture. Guests are guided to various scenic spots, from the observation deck and ancient alleyways to the iconic wind-and-rain bridge.
\n
"We focus on providing a seamless experience from the moment they walk in until they leave with their desired images," Kang says.
\n
For those looking to break into the industry, Beijing-based travel photographer Ma Zhixue emphasizes that technical skill alone is not enough.
\n
"A successful travel photographer must have passion, cultural insight, creativity, and strong communication skills. It's about understanding people as much as pixels, and stories as much as settings," he says.
\n
yangfeiyue@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
A staff member introduces a traditional costume to travel photography customers in Taierzhuang ancient town, in Zaozhuang city of Shandong province.
\n
Costumes in various styles are popular choices for travel photography on Badaling Great Wall, Beijing.
\n
Costumes in various styles are popular choices for travel photography on Badaling Great Wall, Beijing.
\n
A makeup artist crafts a look for a travel photography client in Taierzhuang, Shandong.
\n\n
The sun beat down on the ancient stones of Beijing's Beihai Park, but Ma Zhixue barely noticed the heat.
\n
For nearly 12 hours a day during summer, he framed through his lens not only the city's iconic landscapes but also the fleeting, authentic moments of travelers to the capital city from around the world.
\n
"At the peak of the summer tourism season, I served up to 25 clients a day," the full-time travel photographer says.
\n
Ma's journey into travel photography began nearly five years ago when he noticed a rising demand for such photography experience.
\n
"More clients are requesting shoots during their travels, featuring hanfu (traditional Chinese attire), imperial-era costumes and atmospheric ancient architecture," he notes.
\n
Locations like Beijing's Summer Palace, the Temple of Heaven, and Beihai Park remain perennially popular for their ability to evoke China's historical grandeur, he explains.
\n
While traditional photography tends to rely more on controlled poses and studio lighting, and landscape photographers must chase specific natural lighting, Ma pays more attention to capturing people candidly within historical settings.
\n
"My clients range from the very young to the elderly. My goal is always the same: to create images that are genuine, spontaneous and deeply personal," he emphasizes.
\n
A typical shoot begins well before the camera is lifted. Ma consults with clients about their preferences, suggests locations and styles, and often flips through sample albums to align each other's expectations.
\n
During photography sessions, he avoids rigid directions and instead encourages natural interactions and movement. After a shoot, he reviews the images on-site with the clients and reshoots if necessary, ensuring everyone leaves happy.
\n
As the summer crowds gradually thinned, a brief lull allowed Ma Zhixue to catch his breath, but not for long. The National Day holiday has seen his full packed calendar.
\n
By mid-September, four days of the eight-day National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holidays have been booked, he says with a mix of pride and exhaustion.
\n
"The demand for a blend of photography and cultural storytelling shows no sign of slowing down," Ma says.
\n
Sun Na, manager of the overall travel photography operations at the iconic cultural landmark Badaling Great Wall, says the business has attracted visitors for a range of special occasions, from proposals and graduation celebrations to family reunions and diaspora homecomings.
\n
"We are not simply using the Wall as a backdrop but are opening a channel for emotions to resonate with ancient civilization," Sun says.
\n
Epic grandeur, ritual significance and a distinct Chinese imprint are guiding the principles behind everything from location selection to style choices, she explains.
\n
Sun's team has developed narrative-driven themes such as Guarding the Great Wall, the Silk Road Envoy, and Moon Over the Frontier, incorporating costumes that bear historical elements and dignified poses to reflect the Great Wall's solemnity.
\n
"While Chinese tourists often seek to integrate into the historical tapestry through traditional hanfu attire or cheongsam, international visitors tend toward contrast — posing in modern wedding gowns, or even suits, against the ancient stones, expressing vitality against silence," Sun observes.
\n
According to Qichacha, a leading business information platform, China's travel photography market still has considerable growth potential.
\n
More than 6,000 travel photography enterprises are currently in operation nationwide. In 2024 alone, over 2,500 new businesses were registered, a year-on-year increase of over 22 percent.
\n
Taierzhuang ancient town in Zaozhuang city of Shandong province prepared to welcome visitors with Mid-Autumn Festival-themed photoshoots inspired by Chang'e, the moon goddess.
\n
"It is a perfect fusion of myth, history and modern creativity," says Feng Jinle, an official in charge of travel photography operations at the resort, part of a UNESCO World Heritage site.
\n
Feng took the lead in developing the town's travel photography industry in early 2023, testing the market by sharing photography content highlighting hanfu on the popular livestream platform Douyin.
\n
The town's unique historical backdrop, featuring Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal culture, provides rich material for themed photoshoots.
\n
"Young women took quite a shine to the idea of dressing as ancient brewery girls along the canal," Feng says.
\n
It immediately garnered an enthusiastic response from online viewers, which led to the travel photography business' official launch a few months later.
\n
The first store, located near the scenic spot's east gate, offers quick-change hanfu services, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in traditional attire upon entering the ancient town.
\n
By the end of 2023, revenue from this single store had reached nearly 2 million yuan ($281,550), Feng says.
\n
As demand grew, a second flagship store was opened at the center of the area, spanning 650 square meters and catering to mid-range and high-end customers with customized, historically accurate costumes and scenes inspired by ancient dynasties.
\n
A third store, developed in collaboration with the local civil affairs bureau and themed around marriage registration, is scheduled to open later this year.
\n
"Our primary customer base is predominantly female, accounting for more than 92 percent, with over 50 percent under 35," Feng says.
\n
Today, the project employs 12 full-time staff, including makeup artists, photographers and digital marketing specialists.
\n
The booming travel photography industry has also inspired over 40 businesses within the ancient town, including hotels and retail stores, to incorporate hanfu services, generating a combined annual revenue of over 20 million yuan.
\n
To manage the influx and maintain a quality experience, Feng says his team has implemented measures, such as designated photography zones and guidelines that help to avoid disrupting other visitors.
\n
Looking ahead, the scenic spot plans to incorporate AI-assisted costume selection and digital scene previews to enhance efficiency. The team is also developing customized short videos and drama productions to further deepen the integration of culture and technology.
\n
"We're giving visitors a chance to step into history and become part of Taierzhuang's living heritage," Feng says.
\n
Kang Jiawang has firsthand experience of how travel photography has become a central part of the visitor experience in Xijiang Qianhu Miao village, Guizhou province.
\n
"We've seen everything from family portraits to friends and parent-child shoots," says Kang, who runs a travel photography store in the ethnic Miao village, known for its rich cultural heritage and breathtaking natural landscapes.
\n
Since opening in May 2024, the store has welcomed over 30,000 visitors, with peak travel season seeing around 150 clients per day.
\n
Kang's team, which includes eight photographers and eight makeup artists, usually works from early morning to midnight to meet the demand.
\n
They offer an immersive experience where visitors can step into a world of Miao ethnic culture through traditional clothing, makeup and a stunning landscape.
\n
"There's something magical about night photography here. The way the village lights up, combined with traditional Miao outfits, makes for truly spectacular images," Kang explains.
\n
Located in the heart of the village, Kang's store has become a go-to spot for tourists eager to capture the village's essence.
\n
The store specializes in providing traditional Miao attire and expert makeup services, ensuring visitors are fully immersed in the culture. Guests are guided to various scenic spots, from the observation deck and ancient alleyways to the iconic wind-and-rain bridge.
\n
"We focus on providing a seamless experience from the moment they walk in until they leave with their desired images," Kang says.
\n
For those looking to break into the industry, Beijing-based travel photographer Ma Zhixue emphasizes that technical skill alone is not enough.
\n
"A successful travel photographer must have passion, cultural insight, creativity, and strong communication skills. It's about understanding people as much as pixels, and stories as much as settings," he says.
The United States government has still not been able to broker a legislative end to the shutdown that began on Wednesday as the two political sides blamed each other over the fiscal stalemate and President Donald Trump's administration withheld federal funding for some Democrat-run states.
\n
The Senate left Washington, DC on Friday, after failing to pass funding and signaling no end in sight to the snarling of government business. It means some agencies cannot reopen and some workers are not being paid.
\n
Instead, under Trump, at least $28 billion in funding that was already approved by Congress is being withheld or canceled for 16 mainly Democrat-run cities and states, such as New York, California and Illinois.
\n
Russell Vought, director of the White House Office of Management and Budget, announced on Friday that at least $2.1 billion in funding for Chicago would be withheld as they launched an investigation into whether contractors had been hired based on race or not. The money was going to be used to upgrade the transit system.
\n
New York has seen $7.6 billion in funding from the federal government paused. The funds were due to go toward clean energy initiatives. Oregon has also seen funds for infrastructure halted. The administration said it may target Portland next.
\n
"Without a doubt, blue states are on the front lines of the attacks, they're coming after us," New York's Democratic Governor, Kathy Hochul, told The New York Times.
\n
Many states that have not received funds have launched lawsuits in an effort to get the federal aid.
\n
There are approximately 2.1 million civilian government workers who are facing some, or all of the effects of the politicians' inability to strike a deal. At least 750,000 government workers are furloughed due to the shutdown, The Washington Post reports.
\n
Workers at the Department of Education and the Department of State are among those that are furloughed. Staff members at federal buildings are also facing uncertainty such as security guards, cooks and janitors.
\n
Some federal workers have already seen job cuts by the Department of Government Efficiency earlier this year. Trump suggested he would like to cut more "Democrat agencies", and enact mass layoffs.
\n
The American Federation of Government Employees, or AFGE, the largest union for federal workers, sued the administration last week in an attempt to block it from firing any workers during the shutdown. They argued this would be illegal.
\n
AFGE President Everett Kelley said in a statement that "when the government shuts down, American families pay the price. Congress must stop playing politics with the livelihoods of federal workers and the communities they serve, end this shutdown immediately, and stop holding workers hostage".
\n
Public services affected
\n
While the shutdown has affected airport staff and others in public roles, some essential services such as the Immigration and Customs Enforcement are still running and carrying out raids.
\n
The House Republicans supported a short-term measure to fund the government until Nov 21, but Democrats blocked it. Republicans blame Democrats for the shutdown saying they want to give free healthcare to illegal immigrants.
\n
But immigrants who are in the US illegally are not eligible for any federal healthcare programs such as insurance through the Affordable Care Act exchange or Medicaid.
\n
Democrats are, however, trying to get healthcare changes into the next congressional spending package and a reversal of Medicaid cuts made in the Republican-led tax and spending bill signed into law in July.
\n
Trump posted a manipulated AI video of House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries on social media showing him in a sombrero alongside Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer who spoke in a fake voice. Vice-President JD Vance dismissed concerns over it, telling reporters at the White House briefing Wednesday that it was a joke.
\n
Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, a Trump critic, urged cooler heads, saying: "We're all Americans. We shouldn't be targeting different areas in ways that would be viewed as punitive. That's just not what we do."
\n
belindarobinson@chinadailyusa.com
\n",
+ "content": "
The United States government has still not been able to broker a legislative end to the shutdown that began on Wednesday as the two political sides blamed each other over the fiscal stalemate and President Donald Trump's administration withheld federal funding for some Democrat-run states.
\n
The Senate left Washington, DC on Friday, after failing to pass funding and signaling no end in sight to the snarling of government business. It means some agencies cannot reopen and some workers are not being paid.
\n
Instead, under Trump, at least $28 billion in funding that was already approved by Congress is being withheld or canceled for 16 mainly Democrat-run cities and states, such as New York, California and Illinois.
\n
Russell Vought, director of the White House Office of Management and Budget, announced on Friday that at least $2.1 billion in funding for Chicago would be withheld as they launched an investigation into whether contractors had been hired based on race or not. The money was going to be used to upgrade the transit system.
\n
New York has seen $7.6 billion in funding from the federal government paused. The funds were due to go toward clean energy initiatives. Oregon has also seen funds for infrastructure halted. The administration said it may target Portland next.
\n
"Without a doubt, blue states are on the front lines of the attacks, they're coming after us," New York's Democratic Governor, Kathy Hochul, told The New York Times.
\n
Many states that have not received funds have launched lawsuits in an effort to get the federal aid.
\n
There are approximately 2.1 million civilian government workers who are facing some, or all of the effects of the politicians' inability to strike a deal. At least 750,000 government workers are furloughed due to the shutdown, The Washington Post reports.
\n
Workers at the Department of Education and the Department of State are among those that are furloughed. Staff members at federal buildings are also facing uncertainty such as security guards, cooks and janitors.
\n
Some federal workers have already seen job cuts by the Department of Government Efficiency earlier this year. Trump suggested he would like to cut more "Democrat agencies", and enact mass layoffs.
\n
The American Federation of Government Employees, or AFGE, the largest union for federal workers, sued the administration last week in an attempt to block it from firing any workers during the shutdown. They argued this would be illegal.
\n
AFGE President Everett Kelley said in a statement that "when the government shuts down, American families pay the price. Congress must stop playing politics with the livelihoods of federal workers and the communities they serve, end this shutdown immediately, and stop holding workers hostage".
\n
Public services affected
\n
While the shutdown has affected airport staff and others in public roles, some essential services such as the Immigration and Customs Enforcement are still running and carrying out raids.
\n
The House Republicans supported a short-term measure to fund the government until Nov 21, but Democrats blocked it. Republicans blame Democrats for the shutdown saying they want to give free healthcare to illegal immigrants.
\n
But immigrants who are in the US illegally are not eligible for any federal healthcare programs such as insurance through the Affordable Care Act exchange or Medicaid.
\n
Democrats are, however, trying to get healthcare changes into the next congressional spending package and a reversal of Medicaid cuts made in the Republican-led tax and spending bill signed into law in July.
\n
Trump posted a manipulated AI video of House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries on social media showing him in a sombrero alongside Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer who spoke in a fake voice. Vice-President JD Vance dismissed concerns over it, telling reporters at the White House briefing Wednesday that it was a joke.
\n
Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, a Trump critic, urged cooler heads, saying: "We're all Americans. We shouldn't be targeting different areas in ways that would be viewed as punitive. That's just not what we do."
Visitors look at the tomb of Amenhotep III, in the Valley of Kings in the southern city of Luxor, Egypt, on Saturday, as it opened to visitors for the first time in more than two decades.
\n
LUXOR, Egypt — Egypt on Saturday opened a tomb of a pharaoh for visitors after more than two decades of renovation in the southern city of Luxor, as it prepares for the official opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo.
\n
The huge tomb of Amenhotep III, who ruled ancient Egypt between 1390 BC and 1350 BC, is located on the western side of the famed Valley of the Kings. It was found in 1799 by two people and its contents were looted, including the sarcophagus, Egyptian antiquities authorities said.
\n
It has been under a Japanese-led, three-phased restoration project for the past two decades, including renovating paintings of the pharaoh and his wife on the tomb walls, said Mohamed Ismail Khaled, secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities.
\n
"It's a very fascinating tomb," he told The Associated Press at the scene, adding it includes a frame of the stolen sarcophagus box.
\n
The tomb starts with a 36-meter-long, 14-meter-deep, downward-sloping passageway beneath the Valley of the Kings. It includes a main burial chamber for the king, and two other chambers for his wives, Queens Tiye and Sitamun.
\n
Unlike other ancient tombs in the valley, the tomb is not fully decorated, Khaled said. Its paintings show Amenhotep III with a group of ancient Egyptian gods, and the burial chamber contains inscriptions of scenes from the Book of the Dead, which is a collection of spells aimed at directing the dead through the underworld in ancient Egypt.
\n
The mummy of Amenhotep III was moved by ancient priests to the tomb of his grandfather, Amenhotep II, also in the Valley of the Kings, according to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization. The severely damaged mummy is showcased at the museum along with 16 other mummies of 17 kings and queens of ancient Egypt.
\n
Amenhotep III was one of the most prominent pharaohs of the 18th Dynasty of ancient Egypt, which ruled between 1550 BC and 1292 BC, according to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization.
\n
The tomb's reopening came less than a month before the official inauguration of the Grand Egyptian Museum near the Giza Pyramids. The museum is scheduled to open on Nov 1.
Visitors look at the tomb of Amenhotep III, in the Valley of Kings in the southern city of Luxor, Egypt, on Saturday, as it opened to visitors for the first time in more than two decades.
\n
LUXOR, Egypt — Egypt on Saturday opened a tomb of a pharaoh for visitors after more than two decades of renovation in the southern city of Luxor, as it prepares for the official opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo.
\n
The huge tomb of Amenhotep III, who ruled ancient Egypt between 1390 BC and 1350 BC, is located on the western side of the famed Valley of the Kings. It was found in 1799 by two people and its contents were looted, including the sarcophagus, Egyptian antiquities authorities said.
\n
It has been under a Japanese-led, three-phased restoration project for the past two decades, including renovating paintings of the pharaoh and his wife on the tomb walls, said Mohamed Ismail Khaled, secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities.
\n
"It's a very fascinating tomb," he told The Associated Press at the scene, adding it includes a frame of the stolen sarcophagus box.
\n
The tomb starts with a 36-meter-long, 14-meter-deep, downward-sloping passageway beneath the Valley of the Kings. It includes a main burial chamber for the king, and two other chambers for his wives, Queens Tiye and Sitamun.
\n
Unlike other ancient tombs in the valley, the tomb is not fully decorated, Khaled said. Its paintings show Amenhotep III with a group of ancient Egyptian gods, and the burial chamber contains inscriptions of scenes from the Book of the Dead, which is a collection of spells aimed at directing the dead through the underworld in ancient Egypt.
\n
The mummy of Amenhotep III was moved by ancient priests to the tomb of his grandfather, Amenhotep II, also in the Valley of the Kings, according to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization. The severely damaged mummy is showcased at the museum along with 16 other mummies of 17 kings and queens of ancient Egypt.
\n
Amenhotep III was one of the most prominent pharaohs of the 18th Dynasty of ancient Egypt, which ruled between 1550 BC and 1292 BC, according to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization.
\n
The tomb's reopening came less than a month before the official inauguration of the Grand Egyptian Museum near the Giza Pyramids. The museum is scheduled to open on Nov 1.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has vowed to strip state funding from any California university that agrees to implement the Donald Trump administration's new "Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education". The move has reignited a fierce political battle over academic freedom, international student enrollment and federal control over higher education.
\n
The controversial compact, unveiled by the White House last week, offers colleges favorable access to federal grants and new funding streams if they agree to a list of demands aligned with Trump's conservative agenda. Among these are caps on international student enrollment, bans on race and gender considerations in admissions and hiring, reintroduction of standardized testing requirements, and enforcement of the administration's definition of gender on campus facilities and athletics.
\n
The compact also mandates that schools freeze tuition for five years, restrict certain liberal arts programs, and "transform or abolish institutional units that purposefully punish, belittle, and even spark violence against conservative ideas". "Institutions of higher education are free to develop models and values other than those below, if the institution elects to forgo federal benefits," the compact states.
\n
Newsom, a Democrat, issued a strong warning on Thursday: "If any California university signs this radical agreement, they'll lose billions in state funding — including Cal Grants — instantly."
\n
Newsom characterized the compact as "nothing short of a hostile takeover of America's universities".
\n
The governor's remarks came less than a day after the White House sent letters to nine major universities, including the University of Southern California, the only California institution in the initial round.
\n
Though the USC is a private institution and does not receive direct state funding, its students benefit significantly from California's state financial aid programs. In addition, international students — many from China and India — form a key part of USC's revenue model. The Trump compact would limit international enrollment to just 15 percent of the undergraduate population, with no more than 5 percent from a single country, which would significantly impact the USC.
\n
USC officials have not committed to signing or rejecting the compact. A university spokesperson stated they are "reviewing the administration's letter".
\n
Reshaping policy
\n
Observers see the compact as the latest move in the administration's strategy of using federal funding as leverage to reshape university policy. Over the past year, multiple elite institutions, including Columbia, Brown and Harvard, have faced federal investigations and funding constraints over how they handled campus protests and allegations of antisemitism. In one prior case, the University of California, Los Angeles, was penalized with $1.2 billion in fines and loss of grant access, though a federal judge later ordered the restoration of many suspended health and science grants.
\n
Supporters of the compact argue it will rein in tuition hikes and restore balance to campuses they claim have become hostile to conservative voices. A White House spokesperson said Newsom was "opposing efforts to cap wild tuition hikes and to protect free speech", accusing him of mismanaging California's education system.
\n
However, California legislators dismissed the federal overture as politically motivated. "No self-respecting university should sign on to this proposed compact," said Al Muratsuchi, chair of the Assembly Education Committee.
\n
While only nine universities were included in the first round, a White House official told media outlets more schools could soon receive the compact. Public universities in California, including the University of California and California State University systems, are under federal civil rights investigations, making them vulnerable to similar pressures. At the same time, some institutions in conservative-led states have welcomed the offer. The University of Texas Board of Regents described itself as "honored" to be included, calling the compact an "opportunity" to align with the administration's goals.
\n
Agencies contributed to this story.
\n
renali@chinadailyusa.com
\n",
+ "content": "
California Governor Gavin Newsom has vowed to strip state funding from any California university that agrees to implement the Donald Trump administration's new "Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education". The move has reignited a fierce political battle over academic freedom, international student enrollment and federal control over higher education.
\n
The controversial compact, unveiled by the White House last week, offers colleges favorable access to federal grants and new funding streams if they agree to a list of demands aligned with Trump's conservative agenda. Among these are caps on international student enrollment, bans on race and gender considerations in admissions and hiring, reintroduction of standardized testing requirements, and enforcement of the administration's definition of gender on campus facilities and athletics.
\n
The compact also mandates that schools freeze tuition for five years, restrict certain liberal arts programs, and "transform or abolish institutional units that purposefully punish, belittle, and even spark violence against conservative ideas". "Institutions of higher education are free to develop models and values other than those below, if the institution elects to forgo federal benefits," the compact states.
\n
Newsom, a Democrat, issued a strong warning on Thursday: "If any California university signs this radical agreement, they'll lose billions in state funding — including Cal Grants — instantly."
\n
Newsom characterized the compact as "nothing short of a hostile takeover of America's universities".
\n
The governor's remarks came less than a day after the White House sent letters to nine major universities, including the University of Southern California, the only California institution in the initial round.
\n
Though the USC is a private institution and does not receive direct state funding, its students benefit significantly from California's state financial aid programs. In addition, international students — many from China and India — form a key part of USC's revenue model. The Trump compact would limit international enrollment to just 15 percent of the undergraduate population, with no more than 5 percent from a single country, which would significantly impact the USC.
\n
USC officials have not committed to signing or rejecting the compact. A university spokesperson stated they are "reviewing the administration's letter".
\n
Reshaping policy
\n
Observers see the compact as the latest move in the administration's strategy of using federal funding as leverage to reshape university policy. Over the past year, multiple elite institutions, including Columbia, Brown and Harvard, have faced federal investigations and funding constraints over how they handled campus protests and allegations of antisemitism. In one prior case, the University of California, Los Angeles, was penalized with $1.2 billion in fines and loss of grant access, though a federal judge later ordered the restoration of many suspended health and science grants.
\n
Supporters of the compact argue it will rein in tuition hikes and restore balance to campuses they claim have become hostile to conservative voices. A White House spokesperson said Newsom was "opposing efforts to cap wild tuition hikes and to protect free speech", accusing him of mismanaging California's education system.
\n
However, California legislators dismissed the federal overture as politically motivated. "No self-respecting university should sign on to this proposed compact," said Al Muratsuchi, chair of the Assembly Education Committee.
\n
While only nine universities were included in the first round, a White House official told media outlets more schools could soon receive the compact. Public universities in California, including the University of California and California State University systems, are under federal civil rights investigations, making them vulnerable to similar pressures. At the same time, some institutions in conservative-led states have welcomed the offer. The University of Texas Board of Regents described itself as "honored" to be included, calling the compact an "opportunity" to align with the administration's goals.
China, on behalf of a cross-regional group of 28 member states, on Friday delivered a joint statement at the Third Committee of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly, calling for the immediate and complete removal of unilateral coercive measures, or UCMs.
\n
The statement, delivered on behalf of countries, including Belarus, Cambodia, Central African Republic, Cuba, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Pakistan and Russia, warned that UCMs have become a major source of instability and disorder in the international system.
\n
"As the United Nations marks its 80th anniversary, the international community must remain clearheaded, strengthen unity and cooperation, and firmly curb and stop such unlawful practices," said Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the United Nations.
\n
Fu stressed that developing countries and their populations continue to fall victim to unilateral coercive measures, "which violate the principle of sovereign equality and cooperation, interfere in other countries' internal affairs, disregard the UN Charter and undermine the foundation of multilateralism and international rule of law".
\n
Fu stated that unilateral sanctions severely hinder countries' ability to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
\n
"Despite the global call to urgently lift UCMs, the imposition of these illegal measures continues to cause devastating, sometimes even life-threatening consequences, to targeted countries and their peoples," Fu added.
\n
Stability undermined
\n
"UCMs, coupled with secondary sanctions and overcompliance, exacerbate existing humanitarian and economic challenges, gravely affect the stability of the global production and supply chains, as well as food, energy and financial security, and seriously undermine the world economic order and the efforts of the countries concerned to achieve Sustainable Development Goals," said Fu.
\n
Fu emphasized that UCMs "violate fundamental human rights, including the rights to life, health, education and development".
\n
Fu also expressed concern that unilateral coercive measures and overcompliance have limited affected countries' access to investment, technology, international exchanges in culture, sports, travel, people-to-people exchanges, and transport, including civil aviation.
\n
The statement welcomed the 2025 Ministerial Declaration of the Group of 77 and China, which reaffirmed that coercive economic measures against developing countries do not contribute to peace, development or dialogue among nations.
\n
The 28 countries urged "certain Western states" to "heed the just calls of the international community, honor their commitments to the UN Charter and international law, and immediately, unconditionally and completely lift all unilateral coercive measures".
\n
In a separate speech delivered during the general debate of the Third Committee, Fu also outlined China's proposals, including the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, Global Civilization Initiative and Global Governance Initiative. He stated these proposals "reflect the universal aspirations for peace, justice and progress" and "offer Chinese wisdom and solutions for strengthening and improving global governance".
\n
Looking ahead, Fu said China will continue to promote women's empowerment, eliminate discrimination, and support the just cause of the Palestinian people in restoring their legitimate national rights.
\n
China is committed to working with all parties to address global challenges such as terrorism, climate change, refugees, food security, and the governance of emerging fields like digital technology and artificial intelligence, said Fu.
\n
minluzhang@chinadailyusa.com
\n",
+ "content": "
China, on behalf of a cross-regional group of 28 member states, on Friday delivered a joint statement at the Third Committee of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly, calling for the immediate and complete removal of unilateral coercive measures, or UCMs.
\n
The statement, delivered on behalf of countries, including Belarus, Cambodia, Central African Republic, Cuba, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Pakistan and Russia, warned that UCMs have become a major source of instability and disorder in the international system.
\n
"As the United Nations marks its 80th anniversary, the international community must remain clearheaded, strengthen unity and cooperation, and firmly curb and stop such unlawful practices," said Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the United Nations.
\n
Fu stressed that developing countries and their populations continue to fall victim to unilateral coercive measures, "which violate the principle of sovereign equality and cooperation, interfere in other countries' internal affairs, disregard the UN Charter and undermine the foundation of multilateralism and international rule of law".
\n
Fu stated that unilateral sanctions severely hinder countries' ability to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
\n
"Despite the global call to urgently lift UCMs, the imposition of these illegal measures continues to cause devastating, sometimes even life-threatening consequences, to targeted countries and their peoples," Fu added.
\n
Stability undermined
\n
"UCMs, coupled with secondary sanctions and overcompliance, exacerbate existing humanitarian and economic challenges, gravely affect the stability of the global production and supply chains, as well as food, energy and financial security, and seriously undermine the world economic order and the efforts of the countries concerned to achieve Sustainable Development Goals," said Fu.
\n
Fu emphasized that UCMs "violate fundamental human rights, including the rights to life, health, education and development".
\n
Fu also expressed concern that unilateral coercive measures and overcompliance have limited affected countries' access to investment, technology, international exchanges in culture, sports, travel, people-to-people exchanges, and transport, including civil aviation.
\n
The statement welcomed the 2025 Ministerial Declaration of the Group of 77 and China, which reaffirmed that coercive economic measures against developing countries do not contribute to peace, development or dialogue among nations.
\n
The 28 countries urged "certain Western states" to "heed the just calls of the international community, honor their commitments to the UN Charter and international law, and immediately, unconditionally and completely lift all unilateral coercive measures".
\n
In a separate speech delivered during the general debate of the Third Committee, Fu also outlined China's proposals, including the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, Global Civilization Initiative and Global Governance Initiative. He stated these proposals "reflect the universal aspirations for peace, justice and progress" and "offer Chinese wisdom and solutions for strengthening and improving global governance".
\n
Looking ahead, Fu said China will continue to promote women's empowerment, eliminate discrimination, and support the just cause of the Palestinian people in restoring their legitimate national rights.
\n
China is committed to working with all parties to address global challenges such as terrorism, climate change, refugees, food security, and the governance of emerging fields like digital technology and artificial intelligence, said Fu.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic on Friday inaugurated the Novi Sad-Subotica section of the Hungary-Serbia high-speed railway, marking the opening of Serbia's section of the landmark regional project. The president underlined the project's realization through cooperation among Serbia, Hungary and China.
\n",
+ "content": "
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic on Friday inaugurated the Novi Sad-Subotica section of the Hungary-Serbia high-speed railway, marking the opening of Serbia's section of the landmark regional project. The president underlined the project's realization through cooperation among Serbia, Hungary and China.
Indonesian rescuers were searching on Sunday for missing students after a prayer hall at an Islamic boarding school collapsed almost a week ago. They have recovered 23 bodies over the weekend search, bringing the death toll to 37. The structure fell on top of hundreds of students, mostly boys between the ages of 12 and 19, on Sept 30 at the century-old Al Khoziny school in Sidoarjo on the eastern side of Indonesia's Java Island. Only one student escaped unscathed, authorities said.
\n
CZECH REPUBLIC
\n
Former PM Babis' party wins election
\n
The Czech Republic's opposition ANO party, led by former prime minister Andrej Babis, has won the country's parliamentary election, according to official results from a nearly complete vote count released on Saturday. With over 99 percent of voting districts counted in the election, ANO garnered 34.5 percent of the vote, while the ruling center-right SPOLU coalition came in second place with over 23.3 percent. Babis hailed the election result as the absolute highlight of his political career.
\n
NEPAL
\n
43 confirmed dead in rain-induced disasters
\n
A total of 43 people have been confirmed dead in disasters sparked by monsoon rains in Nepal in the last 24 hours, a government agency said on Sunday. Among the dead, 38 were killed in landslides, three in lightning strikes and two in floods, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority said. Incessant rainfall from Friday has triggered landslides and floods across the country, obstructing highways and roads during the Dashain festival.
\n",
+ "content": "
INDONESIA
\n
Death toll in school collapse rises to 37
\n
Indonesian rescuers were searching on Sunday for missing students after a prayer hall at an Islamic boarding school collapsed almost a week ago. They have recovered 23 bodies over the weekend search, bringing the death toll to 37. The structure fell on top of hundreds of students, mostly boys between the ages of 12 and 19, on Sept 30 at the century-old Al Khoziny school in Sidoarjo on the eastern side of Indonesia's Java Island. Only one student escaped unscathed, authorities said.
\n
CZECH REPUBLIC
\n
Former PM Babis' party wins election
\n
The Czech Republic's opposition ANO party, led by former prime minister Andrej Babis, has won the country's parliamentary election, according to official results from a nearly complete vote count released on Saturday. With over 99 percent of voting districts counted in the election, ANO garnered 34.5 percent of the vote, while the ruling center-right SPOLU coalition came in second place with over 23.3 percent. Babis hailed the election result as the absolute highlight of his political career.
\n
NEPAL
\n
43 confirmed dead in rain-induced disasters
\n
A total of 43 people have been confirmed dead in disasters sparked by monsoon rains in Nepal in the last 24 hours, a government agency said on Sunday. Among the dead, 38 were killed in landslides, three in lightning strikes and two in floods, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority said. Incessant rainfall from Friday has triggered landslides and floods across the country, obstructing highways and roads during the Dashain festival.
An old photo of Enlan Building, located within Minqing Liudu Hospital, where Dr. Ruth V. Hemenway once worked. The lychee tree in front of the building was planted by her during her time there.
\n
Thomas Hemenway and Huang Yao (the granddaughter of Hua Sing, one of Dr. Hemenway's adopted Chinese daughters) pose for a photo in front of Enlan Building in July.
\n
Dr. Ruth V. Hemenway takes shelter in an underground bunker during an air raid drill in Chongqing, in December 1938.
\n
(From left) Martha Smalley, a special collections librarian of the Yale University Divinity Library, Elyn MacInnis, initiator of "Kuliang Friends", a group of descendants of American families who once resided in Kuliang, Fujian province, Thomas Hemenway and Huang Yao taste the lychee fruit planted by Ruth V. Hemenway in Fujian province, in July.
\n
Thomas Hemenway visits the Life on the Mountain Museum, which is Ruth V. Hemenway's former residence, in Kuliang, Fuzhou, Fujian province, in July.
\n
Ruth V. Hemenway and her adopted daughter Hua Sing in 1930.
\n
Legendary US missionary doctor Ruth V. Hemenway, and her great wartime help lent to Chinese people, became known to more people in China this year as the nation marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) and the World Anti-Fascist War.
\n
During her stay in China from 1924 to 1941, she joined the Chinese people in tackling the lack of medical supplies and poor facilities.
\n
She saved numerous lives amid the darkest moments for the country inflicted by Japan's wartime atrocities, including slaughtering, bombing and raping.
\n
As a key witness of the Chinese people's resilience against Japan's aggression, Ruth met many Chinese who had fled the Japanese invasion in the eastern part of the country to Southwest China's Chengdu in Sichuan province, listening to their stories of horrible bombings.
\n
"They had been witnesses to wholesale looting, burning, butchery, and raping by the Japanese invaders. This had made them firm in their commitment to fight to the end," she wrote.
\n
Ruth was born in the United States in 1894 in Williamsburg, Massachusetts. After her graduation from high school in 1910, she taught in a one-room schoolhouse in Conway, Massachusetts, and later in the Williamsburg-Searsville School, in order to save enough money to go to medical school.
\n
Later she entered Tufts Medical School and graduated in 1921, and she had decided to practice medicine in China by her junior year.
\n
She realized that the best opportunity to reach that goal was to become a missionary doctor after interning at the Women's Medical College in Philadelphia and at the Pennsylvania State Hospital in Allentown.
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In 1924, she arrived in China and settled in the then Mintsing, which is now called Minqing, of eastern China's Fujian province. She was there directing a hospital, which became today's Minqing Liudu Hospital.
\n
She remained there for thirteen years, except for one year when she was surgeon at a hospital in Nanjing of eastern China's Jiangsu province.
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"Ruth arrived in China a single woman, without knowledge of the Chinese languages, in the midst of political and social chaos," said Thomas Hemenway, a descendant of Ruth V. Hemenway.
\n
Thomas has long been tracing her footprints in China. He noted that rather than remaining in the relative safety and comfort of the treaty ports, Ruth chose to work in remote villages among the Chinese peasantry.
\n
"She treated many victims of the protracted violence, and ran clinics that improved prenatal and neonatal healthcare for women and children" in rural Fujian province, he said.
\n
Liu Shouguang, former head of Minqing Liudu Hospital, said, "Beyond managing daily hospital operations, she frequently embarked on medical tours in rural areas, visiting villages and households to serve the local people."
\n
Ruth worked tirelessly to expand the hospital, improve medical facilities, and broaden service coverage by establishing branch clinics in both urban and rural areas.
\n
She promoted vaccinations, disseminated health knowledge, and conducted health education campaigns. She also nurtured medical talent, established a nurse school and mentored medical personnel, according to Liu.
\n
"Her footsteps covered most of mountains and streams in Minqing," he added.
\n
Light in the Dark
\n
In 1937, when the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression escalated, Ruth was practicing medicine in Nanchang, Jiangxi province, and she was unable to return to Minqing.
\n
Seeing the disaster spreading rapidly, she volunteered with the Red Cross Society of China to join the medical service, and asked to be sent to the frontline medical posts in the war zone.
\n
Later, she entrusted Hua Sing, one of her adopted daughters, to others and journeyed alone through gunfire to southwestern China's major city Chongqing, which was known as Chunking at that time.
\n
In Chongqing, Ruth joined a hospital sponsored by Syracuse University. There, she was responsible for obstetrics, gynecology and pediatrics.
\n
At that time, Chongqing was suffering unprecedented challenges as it endured massive bombing by Japanese forces.
\n
In her diary, she narrated how the wounded flooded into the hospital's courtyard like tidal waves after one air raid, filling the space with patients suffering from fractured skulls, broken limbs or hemorrhagic shock.
\n
She and her colleagues often worked all night performing surgeries on patients with gunshot wounds, burns, and blast injuries, and she was shocked by the Japanese army's unchecked slaughter of civilians.
\n
Liu, the former head of Minqing Liudu Hospital, said Ruth has consistently stayed committed to humanitarian belief and universal compassion, "treating all patients with care regardless of their wealth or social status whenever medical help was needed".
\n
"A lover of peace and champion of justice, she resolutely joined the medical resistance after the outbreak of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, saving countless lives," he said.
\n
Liu noted that the American doctor kept pursuing technical excellence, combining boldness with meticulous care in her medical practice.
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In the summer of 1939, she planned to return to Minqing but was stranded by the worsening war situation. To avoid bombing, the hospital was forced to relocate to the countryside.
\n
Afterwards, she accepted an invitation from Zizhou Hospital and traveled to Zizhou, a small town located between Chengdu and Chongqing, to continue her frontline medical work.
\n
When she first arrived at Zizhou Hospital, a cholera epidemic was raging there. The wards were filled with comatose patients whose limbs were shriveled from dehydration and whose eyes were sunken.
\n
She employed people including female students, blacksmiths, carpenters to bolster staff and supplies. She also organized a large-scale vaccination campaign, inoculating 1,500 people within a week.
\n
Through her relentless efforts, the cholera epidemic gradually subsided, restoring hope to countless families.
\n
In 1940, her health deteriorated severely due to heavy workload and malnutrition. She lost significant weight and struggled to climb stairs without resting.
\n
Even so, she insisted on performing surgeries and conducting consultation visits in the wards until colleagues sent her to seek treatment in Chengdu, the provincial capital of Sichuan.
\n
In 1941, she had to return to the US for treatment after years of hard work took its toll.
\n
In July this year, Thomas traveled to China to attend a series of friendship events, and he achieved his first face-to-face encounter with Huang Yao, granddaughter of Hua Sing, one of Ruth's adopted daughters.
\n
Huang said she is "very proud of the family heritage" as endowed by Ruth.
\n
"Dr. Hemenway made outstanding contribution to maternal and pediatric medicine in China, and my family has nurtured many medical workers as influenced by her," Huang said.
\n
"I'm so glad to have invited her descendant living back in the US to China to have a look at her greatest heritage left in this country, which is still cherished by Chinese people by heart," she added.
\n
When touring alongside Huang at Minqing Liudu Hospital, Thomas said, "This has been an amazing experience. It is like a dream come true to be in the place that Dr. Hemenway practiced and see the clinics that she started and the work that she contributed to China."
\n
"I think maybe the most important is the fact that I have met my long-lost Chinese cousin. Our families have been separated for decades," he added.
\n
Narrator and painter
\n
Ruth developed her habit of documenting what she saw, heard, felt and thought in China through vivid writings and colorful paintings.
\n
She left a series of papers that consist of a small amount of printed biographical material, an oil painting, photographs, and 20 original diaries dated from 1924 to 1941, which are now preserved by Smith College in Northampton of Massachusetts.
\n
The diaries provide a detailed record of her 18 years as medical missionary to China and include photographs and drawings, and they describe medical and surgical cases, customs and rural culture, and the upheavals in the country.
\n
"They are rich with poignant and perceptive pictures of Chinese village life in southeastern China, of modernized urban life in the Kuomintang-controlled Yangtze Valley on the eve of the (expanded) Japanese invasion of 1937, and the besieged wartime capital of Chunking in western China," said the Smith College website in a brief introduction.
\n
In 1937, Ruth traveled to Wuhan, the capital of Hubei province, en route to Chongqing. In Wuhan, she witnessed a tragedy brought by Japan's air raid.
\n
At that moment, she could only watch from afar behind sandbags in shelters. In her diary, she noted that the air raid claimed 200 lives.
\n
Among the atrocities committed by Japanese forces after occupying Wuhan was that when the Japanese seized Hankou in Wuhan, they bombed ships carrying refugees and led to huge casualties.
\n
She mentioned how a refugee train packed with women and children was bombed — as passengers fled the burning carriages, Japanese troops shot them down with machine guns.
\n
Also evident in her narrations were scenes that the Japanese troops soaked captive Chinese soldiers and farmers with diesel or petroleum and burned them alive, while children were brutally slaughtered and young women raped.
\n
From February 1938 to December 1944, the Japanese invaders bombed Chongqing and its surrounding cities for a span of six years and 10 months, an event known as the "Chongqing Bombing".
\n
Her diary recounts one bombing during which she was on the phone inviting friends to dinner. Suddenly, air raid sirens blared, and the entire city plunged into terror and chaos: rickshaws dashed wildly through the streets, and people carrying children fled in tears.
\n
In her later years, she put down these memories into watercolor paintings depicting Chongqing under bombardment, portraying the burning streets and weeping refugees.
\n
Ruth indexed her diaries, and excerpts of her diaries were edited by Fred W. Drake in the book Ruth V.Hemenway, M.D.: A Memoir of Revolutionary China, 1924-1941, published by The University of Massachusetts Press in 1977.
\n
John K. Fairbank, a renowned scholar on China studies and former professor of history at Harvard University, said "the memoir of Ruth Hemenway may well be a classic".
\n
"She writes with extreme immediacy and creates a visual and personal impression in almost every paragraph. The content of her experience is both medical and Chinese, and the combination is a constant excitement if not shock to the reader," Fairbank said in a message prepared for the publication of her book.
\n
"This particular story has more vitality, action and color than almost any I can remember," he added.
\n
After Ruth returned to the US in 1941, she established a medical practice in her hometown of Williamsburg.
\n
In 1974, just months before her death, she wrote about her thoughts on the future of the US and China.
\n
"Yet even as a person must experience hardship, suffering, and bereavement to attain maturity, it may be that our own country, like China already, must be bathed in tears and blood in order to find itself in its rightful place of simple equality among the nations of the world."
\n
"For it is through pain and heartbreak that humility is born; and it is from humility that wisdom and understanding come. Physical deprivation, hardship, bereavement — these may not be evils but blessings if they initiate constructive change," she added.
\n
Contact the writers at zhangyunbi@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
An old photo of Enlan Building, located within Minqing Liudu Hospital, where Dr. Ruth V. Hemenway once worked. The lychee tree in front of the building was planted by her during her time there.
\n
Thomas Hemenway and Huang Yao (the granddaughter of Hua Sing, one of Dr. Hemenway's adopted Chinese daughters) pose for a photo in front of Enlan Building in July.
\n
Dr. Ruth V. Hemenway takes shelter in an underground bunker during an air raid drill in Chongqing, in December 1938.
\n
(From left) Martha Smalley, a special collections librarian of the Yale University Divinity Library, Elyn MacInnis, initiator of "Kuliang Friends", a group of descendants of American families who once resided in Kuliang, Fujian province, Thomas Hemenway and Huang Yao taste the lychee fruit planted by Ruth V. Hemenway in Fujian province, in July.
\n
Thomas Hemenway visits the Life on the Mountain Museum, which is Ruth V. Hemenway's former residence, in Kuliang, Fuzhou, Fujian province, in July.
\n
Ruth V. Hemenway and her adopted daughter Hua Sing in 1930.
\n
Legendary US missionary doctor Ruth V. Hemenway, and her great wartime help lent to Chinese people, became known to more people in China this year as the nation marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) and the World Anti-Fascist War.
\n
During her stay in China from 1924 to 1941, she joined the Chinese people in tackling the lack of medical supplies and poor facilities.
\n
She saved numerous lives amid the darkest moments for the country inflicted by Japan's wartime atrocities, including slaughtering, bombing and raping.
\n
As a key witness of the Chinese people's resilience against Japan's aggression, Ruth met many Chinese who had fled the Japanese invasion in the eastern part of the country to Southwest China's Chengdu in Sichuan province, listening to their stories of horrible bombings.
\n
"They had been witnesses to wholesale looting, burning, butchery, and raping by the Japanese invaders. This had made them firm in their commitment to fight to the end," she wrote.
\n
Ruth was born in the United States in 1894 in Williamsburg, Massachusetts. After her graduation from high school in 1910, she taught in a one-room schoolhouse in Conway, Massachusetts, and later in the Williamsburg-Searsville School, in order to save enough money to go to medical school.
\n
Later she entered Tufts Medical School and graduated in 1921, and she had decided to practice medicine in China by her junior year.
\n
She realized that the best opportunity to reach that goal was to become a missionary doctor after interning at the Women's Medical College in Philadelphia and at the Pennsylvania State Hospital in Allentown.
\n
In 1924, she arrived in China and settled in the then Mintsing, which is now called Minqing, of eastern China's Fujian province. She was there directing a hospital, which became today's Minqing Liudu Hospital.
\n
She remained there for thirteen years, except for one year when she was surgeon at a hospital in Nanjing of eastern China's Jiangsu province.
\n
"Ruth arrived in China a single woman, without knowledge of the Chinese languages, in the midst of political and social chaos," said Thomas Hemenway, a descendant of Ruth V. Hemenway.
\n
Thomas has long been tracing her footprints in China. He noted that rather than remaining in the relative safety and comfort of the treaty ports, Ruth chose to work in remote villages among the Chinese peasantry.
\n
"She treated many victims of the protracted violence, and ran clinics that improved prenatal and neonatal healthcare for women and children" in rural Fujian province, he said.
\n
Liu Shouguang, former head of Minqing Liudu Hospital, said, "Beyond managing daily hospital operations, she frequently embarked on medical tours in rural areas, visiting villages and households to serve the local people."
\n
Ruth worked tirelessly to expand the hospital, improve medical facilities, and broaden service coverage by establishing branch clinics in both urban and rural areas.
\n
She promoted vaccinations, disseminated health knowledge, and conducted health education campaigns. She also nurtured medical talent, established a nurse school and mentored medical personnel, according to Liu.
\n
"Her footsteps covered most of mountains and streams in Minqing," he added.
\n
Light in the Dark
\n
In 1937, when the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression escalated, Ruth was practicing medicine in Nanchang, Jiangxi province, and she was unable to return to Minqing.
\n
Seeing the disaster spreading rapidly, she volunteered with the Red Cross Society of China to join the medical service, and asked to be sent to the frontline medical posts in the war zone.
\n
Later, she entrusted Hua Sing, one of her adopted daughters, to others and journeyed alone through gunfire to southwestern China's major city Chongqing, which was known as Chunking at that time.
\n
In Chongqing, Ruth joined a hospital sponsored by Syracuse University. There, she was responsible for obstetrics, gynecology and pediatrics.
\n
At that time, Chongqing was suffering unprecedented challenges as it endured massive bombing by Japanese forces.
\n
In her diary, she narrated how the wounded flooded into the hospital's courtyard like tidal waves after one air raid, filling the space with patients suffering from fractured skulls, broken limbs or hemorrhagic shock.
\n
She and her colleagues often worked all night performing surgeries on patients with gunshot wounds, burns, and blast injuries, and she was shocked by the Japanese army's unchecked slaughter of civilians.
\n
Liu, the former head of Minqing Liudu Hospital, said Ruth has consistently stayed committed to humanitarian belief and universal compassion, "treating all patients with care regardless of their wealth or social status whenever medical help was needed".
\n
"A lover of peace and champion of justice, she resolutely joined the medical resistance after the outbreak of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, saving countless lives," he said.
\n
Liu noted that the American doctor kept pursuing technical excellence, combining boldness with meticulous care in her medical practice.
\n
In the summer of 1939, she planned to return to Minqing but was stranded by the worsening war situation. To avoid bombing, the hospital was forced to relocate to the countryside.
\n
Afterwards, she accepted an invitation from Zizhou Hospital and traveled to Zizhou, a small town located between Chengdu and Chongqing, to continue her frontline medical work.
\n
When she first arrived at Zizhou Hospital, a cholera epidemic was raging there. The wards were filled with comatose patients whose limbs were shriveled from dehydration and whose eyes were sunken.
\n
She employed people including female students, blacksmiths, carpenters to bolster staff and supplies. She also organized a large-scale vaccination campaign, inoculating 1,500 people within a week.
\n
Through her relentless efforts, the cholera epidemic gradually subsided, restoring hope to countless families.
\n
In 1940, her health deteriorated severely due to heavy workload and malnutrition. She lost significant weight and struggled to climb stairs without resting.
\n
Even so, she insisted on performing surgeries and conducting consultation visits in the wards until colleagues sent her to seek treatment in Chengdu, the provincial capital of Sichuan.
\n
In 1941, she had to return to the US for treatment after years of hard work took its toll.
\n
In July this year, Thomas traveled to China to attend a series of friendship events, and he achieved his first face-to-face encounter with Huang Yao, granddaughter of Hua Sing, one of Ruth's adopted daughters.
\n
Huang said she is "very proud of the family heritage" as endowed by Ruth.
\n
"Dr. Hemenway made outstanding contribution to maternal and pediatric medicine in China, and my family has nurtured many medical workers as influenced by her," Huang said.
\n
"I'm so glad to have invited her descendant living back in the US to China to have a look at her greatest heritage left in this country, which is still cherished by Chinese people by heart," she added.
\n
When touring alongside Huang at Minqing Liudu Hospital, Thomas said, "This has been an amazing experience. It is like a dream come true to be in the place that Dr. Hemenway practiced and see the clinics that she started and the work that she contributed to China."
\n
"I think maybe the most important is the fact that I have met my long-lost Chinese cousin. Our families have been separated for decades," he added.
\n
Narrator and painter
\n
Ruth developed her habit of documenting what she saw, heard, felt and thought in China through vivid writings and colorful paintings.
\n
She left a series of papers that consist of a small amount of printed biographical material, an oil painting, photographs, and 20 original diaries dated from 1924 to 1941, which are now preserved by Smith College in Northampton of Massachusetts.
\n
The diaries provide a detailed record of her 18 years as medical missionary to China and include photographs and drawings, and they describe medical and surgical cases, customs and rural culture, and the upheavals in the country.
\n
"They are rich with poignant and perceptive pictures of Chinese village life in southeastern China, of modernized urban life in the Kuomintang-controlled Yangtze Valley on the eve of the (expanded) Japanese invasion of 1937, and the besieged wartime capital of Chunking in western China," said the Smith College website in a brief introduction.
\n
In 1937, Ruth traveled to Wuhan, the capital of Hubei province, en route to Chongqing. In Wuhan, she witnessed a tragedy brought by Japan's air raid.
\n
At that moment, she could only watch from afar behind sandbags in shelters. In her diary, she noted that the air raid claimed 200 lives.
\n
Among the atrocities committed by Japanese forces after occupying Wuhan was that when the Japanese seized Hankou in Wuhan, they bombed ships carrying refugees and led to huge casualties.
\n
She mentioned how a refugee train packed with women and children was bombed — as passengers fled the burning carriages, Japanese troops shot them down with machine guns.
\n
Also evident in her narrations were scenes that the Japanese troops soaked captive Chinese soldiers and farmers with diesel or petroleum and burned them alive, while children were brutally slaughtered and young women raped.
\n
From February 1938 to December 1944, the Japanese invaders bombed Chongqing and its surrounding cities for a span of six years and 10 months, an event known as the "Chongqing Bombing".
\n
Her diary recounts one bombing during which she was on the phone inviting friends to dinner. Suddenly, air raid sirens blared, and the entire city plunged into terror and chaos: rickshaws dashed wildly through the streets, and people carrying children fled in tears.
\n
In her later years, she put down these memories into watercolor paintings depicting Chongqing under bombardment, portraying the burning streets and weeping refugees.
\n
Ruth indexed her diaries, and excerpts of her diaries were edited by Fred W. Drake in the book Ruth V.Hemenway, M.D.: A Memoir of Revolutionary China, 1924-1941, published by The University of Massachusetts Press in 1977.
\n
John K. Fairbank, a renowned scholar on China studies and former professor of history at Harvard University, said "the memoir of Ruth Hemenway may well be a classic".
\n
"She writes with extreme immediacy and creates a visual and personal impression in almost every paragraph. The content of her experience is both medical and Chinese, and the combination is a constant excitement if not shock to the reader," Fairbank said in a message prepared for the publication of her book.
\n
"This particular story has more vitality, action and color than almost any I can remember," he added.
\n
After Ruth returned to the US in 1941, she established a medical practice in her hometown of Williamsburg.
\n
In 1974, just months before her death, she wrote about her thoughts on the future of the US and China.
\n
"Yet even as a person must experience hardship, suffering, and bereavement to attain maturity, it may be that our own country, like China already, must be bathed in tears and blood in order to find itself in its rightful place of simple equality among the nations of the world."
\n
"For it is through pain and heartbreak that humility is born; and it is from humility that wisdom and understanding come. Physical deprivation, hardship, bereavement — these may not be evils but blessings if they initiate constructive change," she added.
\n
Contact the writers at zhangyunbi@chinadaily.com.cn
A Yangtze finless porpoise leaps out of the water in Yichang, Hubei province in 2020.
\n
A Yangtze finless porpoise swims with a newborn calf in Yichang in 2023.
\n
A Yangtze finless porpoise emerges from the water amid the morning mist in Poyang Lake, Jiangxi province, in Feb, 2021.
\n
Staff members from the Yichang fishery administration rescues a Yangtze finless porpoise entangled in an abandoned string, in Hubei province, in Feb, 2022.
\n
A painful setback can sometimes act as a catalyst for meaningful change. When the Baiji dolphin named Qiqi died in 2002, there was gloom in conservation circles. Qiqi, the sound of which means "rarity" in Chinese, had been living in captivity since it was rescued from the shallow waters of the Yangtze River in 1980.
\n
The gloom turned to shock five years later, in 2007, when the Royal Society published an article declaring the Baiji functionally extinct. Functional extinction means that the population of a species has declined to an extent that it can no longer sustain reproduction under natural conditions. But the decline of the Baiji spurred the authorities to focus their efforts to conserve the Yangtze finless porpoise, another endangered species living in the Yangtze River ecosystem.
\n
The Royal Society's article on the Baiji's decline was based on a sixweek field survey by scientists from seven countries, marking the first global extinction of a large vertebrate in over 50 years. Though it did not mean that the species was completely extinct, it underscored a far bigger problem plaguing the Yangtze River ecosystem.
\n
The Baiji, or the Yangtze River dolphin, is classified as a separate family, which means that its functional extinction represents a significant gap from an evolutionary perspective, according to Wang Ding, secretary-general of the Chinese National Committee for the Man and the Biosphere Programme of UNESCO.
\n
If the apex predator in the Yangtze River ecosystem could no longer survive, other species in the river would also gradually disappear under a domino effect, Wang added.
\n
Wang said the dangers facing the Baiji were noticed almost three decades earlier. "As early as 1978, we became aware of the perilous situation facing the Baiji, with only about 300 dolphins remaining. Our research group was specifically established at that time for the study and conservation of the species," he said. The government and research institutions invested substantial human and financial resources in rescue efforts, including establishing protected areas and intensifying scientific research. However, the results were less than satisfactory and the number of Baiji dolphins steadily declined.
\n
Qiqi's death in 2002 followed by the declaration of functional extinction in 2007 sealed the fate of the species. "It was a tremendous tragedy and also a painful lesson," Wang said. But the silver lining was that it shifted the focus of conservation efforts to the Yangtze finless porpoise — the sole extant cetacean in the Yangtze River.
\n
Compared to the Baiji, the Yangtze finless porpoise is smaller, lacks a dorsal fin, and has a shorter and broader rostrum. Wang Xi, a researcher from the Museum of Aquatic Organisms under the Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, said that the ancestors of the Yangtze finless porpoise migrated from the oceans hundreds of thousands of years ago, adapted to the freshwater environment and established habitats in the Yangtze River. Like the Baiji, they are also apex predators in the Yangtze ecosystem.
\n
However, the spread of economic development and increase in human activities had led to a sharp decline in Yangtze finless porpoise population. Their numbers dropped from around 2,700 in the early 1990s to just about 1,800 in 2006. In 2012, a field investigation led by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs found that only about 1,040 finless porpoises remained — 460 in Poyang Lake, 90 in Dongting Lake and the rest in the main stream of the Yangtze River. The alarming drop in numbers led the International Union for Conservation of Nature to classify the Yangtze finless porpoise as a critically endangered species in 2013.
\n
"The chief cause of the decline was the surge in vessel traffic in the river," Wang said. "As a cetacean species highly dependent on echolocation for foraging and communication, the Yangtze finless porpoise is extremely sensitive to underwater noise. The noise generated by motorised vessels disrupts their behavioral patterns, impairs echolocation efficiency and even poses lethal threats."
\n
In addition, factors like vessel collisions, water pollution as well as habitat fragmentation caused by hydropower projects and dock construction further exacerbated population pressures.
\n
As a first step, the implementation of a three-pronged protection strategy was intensified. The strategy includes ex-situ conservation, in-situ conservation, and captive breeding and rearing.
\n
"Ex-situ conservation is a critical strategy and acts as a genetic reservoir. It involves relocating the Yangtze finless porpoises to enclosed or semi-enclosed water bodies with ecological conditions similar to the Yangtze River for dedicated protection," Wang said. These porpoises are later reintroduced into the wild once the river's environment improves.
\n
The Tian'ezhou oxbow in Shishou, Hubei province, also a national nature reserve for the Baiji, was recognized as an ideal site for Yangtze finless porpoise ex-situ conservation because its water quality was comparable to the Yangtze River and there was no disturbance by ships. There are now more than 150 Yangtze finless porpoises living in the four ex-situ reserves and roughly 10 calves are born every year.
\n
In-situ conservation involves establishing nature reserves in areas with dense Yangtze finless porpoise populations. China has established eight such conservation areas along the Yangtze River's main stream and in Dongting and Poyang Lakes, covering over 30 percent of the river's middle and lower reaches.
\n
Captive breeding and rearing mainly take place at the Baiji Dolphinarium in Wuhan, where Qiqi once lived. The aquarium is now home to 12 finless porpoises, five of which were born under captive breeding conditions, including three second-generation porpoises, Wang said.
\n
Thanks to the three-pronged strategy and the measures taken to protect and restore the Yangtze River, including the Yangtze River Protection Law and the 10-year fishing ban, the Yangtze finless porpoise population has rebounded in recent years. From 1,012 finless porpoises in 2017, the population increased to 1,249 in 2022, marking the first-ever rebound since monitoring began. Wang says this is "extremely rare", because freshwater cetacean populations are typically hard to recover once they begin to decline.
\n
Wang Ding said that the survival conditions of many cetacean species worldwide are currently of great concern. Data from the IUCN show that, as of July 2020, there are 131 known cetacean species globally, among which 22 are classified as critically endangered and 20 as endangered.
\n
"China's conservation efforts for the Yangtze finless porpoise have received high praise internationally, with its methods, like passive acoustic monitoring, being promoted in Southeast Asia. This technology is now used for monitoring and conserving Irrawaddy dolphins in Cambodia's Mekong River," Wang said.
\n
Wang Ding added that Chinese scientists are exploring the use of artificial intelligence in cetacean conservation and are collaborating with various countries to develop tailored conservation and technological solutions for them.
\n
"An IUCN expert once said that 'China's conservation practices for the Yangtze finless porpoise have illuminated the dawn for the global conservation of cetacean species'," Wang said. "This is our pride and also our long-lasting commitment," he added.
\n
limenghan@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
A Yangtze finless porpoise leaps out of the water in Yichang, Hubei province in 2020.
\n
A Yangtze finless porpoise swims with a newborn calf in Yichang in 2023.
\n
A Yangtze finless porpoise emerges from the water amid the morning mist in Poyang Lake, Jiangxi province, in Feb, 2021.
\n
Staff members from the Yichang fishery administration rescues a Yangtze finless porpoise entangled in an abandoned string, in Hubei province, in Feb, 2022.
\n
A painful setback can sometimes act as a catalyst for meaningful change. When the Baiji dolphin named Qiqi died in 2002, there was gloom in conservation circles. Qiqi, the sound of which means "rarity" in Chinese, had been living in captivity since it was rescued from the shallow waters of the Yangtze River in 1980.
\n
The gloom turned to shock five years later, in 2007, when the Royal Society published an article declaring the Baiji functionally extinct. Functional extinction means that the population of a species has declined to an extent that it can no longer sustain reproduction under natural conditions. But the decline of the Baiji spurred the authorities to focus their efforts to conserve the Yangtze finless porpoise, another endangered species living in the Yangtze River ecosystem.
\n
The Royal Society's article on the Baiji's decline was based on a sixweek field survey by scientists from seven countries, marking the first global extinction of a large vertebrate in over 50 years. Though it did not mean that the species was completely extinct, it underscored a far bigger problem plaguing the Yangtze River ecosystem.
\n
The Baiji, or the Yangtze River dolphin, is classified as a separate family, which means that its functional extinction represents a significant gap from an evolutionary perspective, according to Wang Ding, secretary-general of the Chinese National Committee for the Man and the Biosphere Programme of UNESCO.
\n
If the apex predator in the Yangtze River ecosystem could no longer survive, other species in the river would also gradually disappear under a domino effect, Wang added.
\n
Wang said the dangers facing the Baiji were noticed almost three decades earlier. "As early as 1978, we became aware of the perilous situation facing the Baiji, with only about 300 dolphins remaining. Our research group was specifically established at that time for the study and conservation of the species," he said. The government and research institutions invested substantial human and financial resources in rescue efforts, including establishing protected areas and intensifying scientific research. However, the results were less than satisfactory and the number of Baiji dolphins steadily declined.
\n
Qiqi's death in 2002 followed by the declaration of functional extinction in 2007 sealed the fate of the species. "It was a tremendous tragedy and also a painful lesson," Wang said. But the silver lining was that it shifted the focus of conservation efforts to the Yangtze finless porpoise — the sole extant cetacean in the Yangtze River.
\n
Compared to the Baiji, the Yangtze finless porpoise is smaller, lacks a dorsal fin, and has a shorter and broader rostrum. Wang Xi, a researcher from the Museum of Aquatic Organisms under the Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, said that the ancestors of the Yangtze finless porpoise migrated from the oceans hundreds of thousands of years ago, adapted to the freshwater environment and established habitats in the Yangtze River. Like the Baiji, they are also apex predators in the Yangtze ecosystem.
\n
However, the spread of economic development and increase in human activities had led to a sharp decline in Yangtze finless porpoise population. Their numbers dropped from around 2,700 in the early 1990s to just about 1,800 in 2006. In 2012, a field investigation led by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs found that only about 1,040 finless porpoises remained — 460 in Poyang Lake, 90 in Dongting Lake and the rest in the main stream of the Yangtze River. The alarming drop in numbers led the International Union for Conservation of Nature to classify the Yangtze finless porpoise as a critically endangered species in 2013.
\n
"The chief cause of the decline was the surge in vessel traffic in the river," Wang said. "As a cetacean species highly dependent on echolocation for foraging and communication, the Yangtze finless porpoise is extremely sensitive to underwater noise. The noise generated by motorised vessels disrupts their behavioral patterns, impairs echolocation efficiency and even poses lethal threats."
\n
In addition, factors like vessel collisions, water pollution as well as habitat fragmentation caused by hydropower projects and dock construction further exacerbated population pressures.
\n
As a first step, the implementation of a three-pronged protection strategy was intensified. The strategy includes ex-situ conservation, in-situ conservation, and captive breeding and rearing.
\n
"Ex-situ conservation is a critical strategy and acts as a genetic reservoir. It involves relocating the Yangtze finless porpoises to enclosed or semi-enclosed water bodies with ecological conditions similar to the Yangtze River for dedicated protection," Wang said. These porpoises are later reintroduced into the wild once the river's environment improves.
\n
The Tian'ezhou oxbow in Shishou, Hubei province, also a national nature reserve for the Baiji, was recognized as an ideal site for Yangtze finless porpoise ex-situ conservation because its water quality was comparable to the Yangtze River and there was no disturbance by ships. There are now more than 150 Yangtze finless porpoises living in the four ex-situ reserves and roughly 10 calves are born every year.
\n
In-situ conservation involves establishing nature reserves in areas with dense Yangtze finless porpoise populations. China has established eight such conservation areas along the Yangtze River's main stream and in Dongting and Poyang Lakes, covering over 30 percent of the river's middle and lower reaches.
\n
Captive breeding and rearing mainly take place at the Baiji Dolphinarium in Wuhan, where Qiqi once lived. The aquarium is now home to 12 finless porpoises, five of which were born under captive breeding conditions, including three second-generation porpoises, Wang said.
\n
Thanks to the three-pronged strategy and the measures taken to protect and restore the Yangtze River, including the Yangtze River Protection Law and the 10-year fishing ban, the Yangtze finless porpoise population has rebounded in recent years. From 1,012 finless porpoises in 2017, the population increased to 1,249 in 2022, marking the first-ever rebound since monitoring began. Wang says this is "extremely rare", because freshwater cetacean populations are typically hard to recover once they begin to decline.
\n
Wang Ding said that the survival conditions of many cetacean species worldwide are currently of great concern. Data from the IUCN show that, as of July 2020, there are 131 known cetacean species globally, among which 22 are classified as critically endangered and 20 as endangered.
\n
"China's conservation efforts for the Yangtze finless porpoise have received high praise internationally, with its methods, like passive acoustic monitoring, being promoted in Southeast Asia. This technology is now used for monitoring and conserving Irrawaddy dolphins in Cambodia's Mekong River," Wang said.
\n
Wang Ding added that Chinese scientists are exploring the use of artificial intelligence in cetacean conservation and are collaborating with various countries to develop tailored conservation and technological solutions for them.
\n
"An IUCN expert once said that 'China's conservation practices for the Yangtze finless porpoise have illuminated the dawn for the global conservation of cetacean species'," Wang said. "This is our pride and also our long-lasting commitment," he added.
Yang He photographs a Yangtze finless porpoise in Yichang, Hubei province, in Nov, 2023.
\n
When Yang He was a child, the Yangtze finless porpoise was a common sight in the Yichang section of the Yangtze River. "Adults would scare us away from the river by saying that the 'jiangzhuzi' (the local term for the Yangtze finless porpoise) would push us into deep waters," recalls the 67-year-old Hubei native. But the spread of economic development and human activities have changed that. The population of the Yangtze finless porpoise has dwindled so much in the past 60 years that the apex predator of the Yangtze River ecosystem is now under first-level State protection.
\n
Born and raised along the Yangtze River, Yang has devoted himself to the conservation of the Yangtze finless porpoise, using his camera to document their lives and facilitate research and study. In the past six years, Yang has taken more than 100,000 photos of finless porpoises, all of which have been provided for free use in scientific research. "Many of the photos Yang He took are of significant scientific value," said Wang Ding, secretary-general of the Chinese National Committee for the Man and the Biosphere Programme, UNESCO.
\n
Interestingly, Yang took up photography only after retirement. In 2017, he saw a Yangtze finless porpoise swimming along with a person in the Yangtze River. For Yang, it illustrated the perfect harmony between humanity and nature. Inspired by the scene, Yang took up professional photography and embarked on a journey to capture images of finless porpoises. In the past seven years, he has upgraded his equipment without caring about how much it cost.
\n
Even so, Yang doesn't want to be labeled a "photographer". Instead, he prefers the title "grassroots guardian" because he finds immense happiness and fulfillment in observing, protecting and rescuing finless porpoises.
\n
Three years ago, when he was out photographing on the Yangtze River, he saw a Yangtze finless porpoise thrashing violently in the water. Its tail had gotten entangled in an abandoned string. Porpoises are mammals and must surface regularly to breathe. If trapped in a net, the animal faces the risk of physical injuries, sinking due to exhaustion and even death by suffocation.
\n
Realizing the urgency, Yang immediately called the local fishery administration for help. A rescue team reached the site within 15 minutes, and the local maritime authority issued an emergency halt order to all vessels in the area to facilitate the rescue operation. Thanks to the rapid response, the Yangtze finless porpoise was saved, and experts confirmed it was healthy enough to be released back into the river.
\n
Even though it was confirmed that the rescued porpoise was safe, Yang wanted to see for himself. He visited the area almost every day, looking for signs of the animal, and eventually identified it by the distinctive scars on its tail.
\n
"It must have recognized me too, because though finless porpoises are very alert animals, this one allowed me to photograph it from a very close distance," he said. Two months later, Yang realized that he had saved not one but two porpoises on that fateful day. When it had been rescued, the Yangtze finless porpoise was pregnant and Yang photographed it with a calf two months later.
\n
Wang Ding, who is also a researcher at the Institute of Hydrobiology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, emphasized the challenges of individual identification in wildlife conservation. He said traditional observation methods often fail to reliably distinguish animals in the field. "However," he added, "practitioners like Yang He leverage their hands-on experience to overcome these limitations."
\n
Yang said that thanks to the conservation efforts of patrol teams, scientists and volunteers, he has observed a noticeable improvement in the water quality and a significant increase in the population of the Yangtze finless porpoise. According to him, with the full implementation of the Yangtze River's 10-year fishing ban, the Yichang section of the Yangtze River has become "a nursery", with groups of finless porpoises coming for fertility preparation and childbirth. "Every citizen in Yichang is proud of the Yangtze finless porpoise conservation achievements, with the concept of comprehensive protection of the Yangtze River taking root," Yang said.
\n
limenghan@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
Yang He photographs a Yangtze finless porpoise in Yichang, Hubei province, in Nov, 2023.
\n
When Yang He was a child, the Yangtze finless porpoise was a common sight in the Yichang section of the Yangtze River. "Adults would scare us away from the river by saying that the 'jiangzhuzi' (the local term for the Yangtze finless porpoise) would push us into deep waters," recalls the 67-year-old Hubei native. But the spread of economic development and human activities have changed that. The population of the Yangtze finless porpoise has dwindled so much in the past 60 years that the apex predator of the Yangtze River ecosystem is now under first-level State protection.
\n
Born and raised along the Yangtze River, Yang has devoted himself to the conservation of the Yangtze finless porpoise, using his camera to document their lives and facilitate research and study. In the past six years, Yang has taken more than 100,000 photos of finless porpoises, all of which have been provided for free use in scientific research. "Many of the photos Yang He took are of significant scientific value," said Wang Ding, secretary-general of the Chinese National Committee for the Man and the Biosphere Programme, UNESCO.
\n
Interestingly, Yang took up photography only after retirement. In 2017, he saw a Yangtze finless porpoise swimming along with a person in the Yangtze River. For Yang, it illustrated the perfect harmony between humanity and nature. Inspired by the scene, Yang took up professional photography and embarked on a journey to capture images of finless porpoises. In the past seven years, he has upgraded his equipment without caring about how much it cost.
\n
Even so, Yang doesn't want to be labeled a "photographer". Instead, he prefers the title "grassroots guardian" because he finds immense happiness and fulfillment in observing, protecting and rescuing finless porpoises.
\n
Three years ago, when he was out photographing on the Yangtze River, he saw a Yangtze finless porpoise thrashing violently in the water. Its tail had gotten entangled in an abandoned string. Porpoises are mammals and must surface regularly to breathe. If trapped in a net, the animal faces the risk of physical injuries, sinking due to exhaustion and even death by suffocation.
\n
Realizing the urgency, Yang immediately called the local fishery administration for help. A rescue team reached the site within 15 minutes, and the local maritime authority issued an emergency halt order to all vessels in the area to facilitate the rescue operation. Thanks to the rapid response, the Yangtze finless porpoise was saved, and experts confirmed it was healthy enough to be released back into the river.
\n
Even though it was confirmed that the rescued porpoise was safe, Yang wanted to see for himself. He visited the area almost every day, looking for signs of the animal, and eventually identified it by the distinctive scars on its tail.
\n
"It must have recognized me too, because though finless porpoises are very alert animals, this one allowed me to photograph it from a very close distance," he said. Two months later, Yang realized that he had saved not one but two porpoises on that fateful day. When it had been rescued, the Yangtze finless porpoise was pregnant and Yang photographed it with a calf two months later.
\n
Wang Ding, who is also a researcher at the Institute of Hydrobiology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, emphasized the challenges of individual identification in wildlife conservation. He said traditional observation methods often fail to reliably distinguish animals in the field. "However," he added, "practitioners like Yang He leverage their hands-on experience to overcome these limitations."
\n
Yang said that thanks to the conservation efforts of patrol teams, scientists and volunteers, he has observed a noticeable improvement in the water quality and a significant increase in the population of the Yangtze finless porpoise. According to him, with the full implementation of the Yangtze River's 10-year fishing ban, the Yichang section of the Yangtze River has become "a nursery", with groups of finless porpoises coming for fertility preparation and childbirth. "Every citizen in Yichang is proud of the Yangtze finless porpoise conservation achievements, with the concept of comprehensive protection of the Yangtze River taking root," Yang said.
A girl dresses up like a gege in Beijing in March.
\n
A tourist poses for a portrait in March against the red walls of the Forbidden City, which is a popular backdrop for photography.
\n
Women with traditional Chinese-style makeup and styling stroll through the Wangfujing business district in Beijing, capital of China, in March.
\n
Two gege wearing sunglasses livestream with their phone in Beijing in March.
\n
A customer has her makeup done at a styling store in Beijing in March. Weekends and holidays are the busiest periods for the stores.
\n
Visitors in traditional Chinese-style makeup and costumes walk at the Wangfu Century Building in Beijing, a hub for such makeup and styling shops, in March.
\n
The experience of dressing in traditional Chinese styling is not limited to young people, as this photo from March shows middle-aged and elderly women in gege-style makeup and costumes in Beijing.
\n
Women dressed up in "Guochao" or "China-chic" styling can be seen throughout the streets near Wangfujing, Beijing, in March.
\n
In the early morning, before the opening of the Palace Museum, also known as the Forbidden City, the shutters roll up one by one in the basement of the Wangfu Century Building, about 800 meters from Donghuamen of the Palace Museum. Hundreds of intricately designed traditional costumes and makeup tools in the shops await customers eager to try traditional Chinese styling.
\n
In recent years, the revival of traditional culture, known as Guochao or "Chinachic", has spurred a new trend among young people: immersive experiences in traditional attire. The Wangfu Century Building and its surrounding areas, located in the heart of Wangfujing, a popular business district in China's capital, Beijing, have become a hub for such experiences. Shops there offer visitors a chance to indulge in a fast-paced transformation, especially the styling of gege, princesses of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). The dressed-up visitors can walk through Beijing's modern buildings and take photos at various scenic spots, including the Palace Museum.
\n
The area has turned into a "dream factory" for fans of traditional Chinese fashion, providing a new trend to Beijing's cultural tourism.
\n
Yu Qian, head of the China Tourist Attractions Association, remarked, "The trend of gege makeup and attire has not only boosted related services, including makeup and photography, but also offered young people an immersive experience of role-playing and cultural identity."
\n
However, many visitors, while sharing photos in traditional garb, have reported issues such as poor service experiences and a lack of transparency in the consumption process. Complaints often focus on areas such as inadequate standardization in makeup procedures, lack of personalized services, shared makeup tools causing skin allergies, poor photography skills, and hidden costs or consumption traps.
\n
Since June 2023, commercial photography has been halted at places such as the Forbidden City. Some commercial photography agencies have shifted to other open tourist sites.
\n
"Tourists are willing to pay for cultural experiences, and tourist sites should provide the necessary knowledge and services," Yu emphasized. By enhancing the design and management of cultural and tourism settings, such experiences can evolve from fleeting fantasies into sustainable urban memories, thereby unlocking the true cultural value behind the gege trend.
\n",
+ "content": "
A girl dresses up like a gege in Beijing in March.
\n
A tourist poses for a portrait in March against the red walls of the Forbidden City, which is a popular backdrop for photography.
\n
Women with traditional Chinese-style makeup and styling stroll through the Wangfujing business district in Beijing, capital of China, in March.
\n
Two gege wearing sunglasses livestream with their phone in Beijing in March.
\n
A customer has her makeup done at a styling store in Beijing in March. Weekends and holidays are the busiest periods for the stores.
\n
Visitors in traditional Chinese-style makeup and costumes walk at the Wangfu Century Building in Beijing, a hub for such makeup and styling shops, in March.
\n
The experience of dressing in traditional Chinese styling is not limited to young people, as this photo from March shows middle-aged and elderly women in gege-style makeup and costumes in Beijing.
\n
Women dressed up in "Guochao" or "China-chic" styling can be seen throughout the streets near Wangfujing, Beijing, in March.
\n
In the early morning, before the opening of the Palace Museum, also known as the Forbidden City, the shutters roll up one by one in the basement of the Wangfu Century Building, about 800 meters from Donghuamen of the Palace Museum. Hundreds of intricately designed traditional costumes and makeup tools in the shops await customers eager to try traditional Chinese styling.
\n
In recent years, the revival of traditional culture, known as Guochao or "Chinachic", has spurred a new trend among young people: immersive experiences in traditional attire. The Wangfu Century Building and its surrounding areas, located in the heart of Wangfujing, a popular business district in China's capital, Beijing, have become a hub for such experiences. Shops there offer visitors a chance to indulge in a fast-paced transformation, especially the styling of gege, princesses of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). The dressed-up visitors can walk through Beijing's modern buildings and take photos at various scenic spots, including the Palace Museum.
\n
The area has turned into a "dream factory" for fans of traditional Chinese fashion, providing a new trend to Beijing's cultural tourism.
\n
Yu Qian, head of the China Tourist Attractions Association, remarked, "The trend of gege makeup and attire has not only boosted related services, including makeup and photography, but also offered young people an immersive experience of role-playing and cultural identity."
\n
However, many visitors, while sharing photos in traditional garb, have reported issues such as poor service experiences and a lack of transparency in the consumption process. Complaints often focus on areas such as inadequate standardization in makeup procedures, lack of personalized services, shared makeup tools causing skin allergies, poor photography skills, and hidden costs or consumption traps.
\n
Since June 2023, commercial photography has been halted at places such as the Forbidden City. Some commercial photography agencies have shifted to other open tourist sites.
\n
"Tourists are willing to pay for cultural experiences, and tourist sites should provide the necessary knowledge and services," Yu emphasized. By enhancing the design and management of cultural and tourism settings, such experiences can evolve from fleeting fantasies into sustainable urban memories, thereby unlocking the true cultural value behind the gege trend.
Dulaan Wine Resort in Yinchuan, Ningxia Hui autonomous region.
\n
The artwork, Terroir Has a Native Place, at the inaugural Wine Terroir & Culture Biennale.
\n
Another artwork, A Microcosm of Helan Mountain Terroir, at the biennale, which runs till December.
\n
A sculpture at the biennale, located in Dulaan Wine Resort, Yinchuan, Ningxia Hui autonomous region.
\n
A scene from the seminar of the inaugural Wine Terroir & Culture Biennale in September.
\n
At the biennale, Hao Linhai, founding president of the Helan Mountains East Foothill grape and wine federation, tastes award-winning wines.
\n
As a cultural dialogue that transcends mountains and seas, and a deep resonance centered on art and wine, the inaugural Wine Terroir & Culture Biennale was launched in September and will run till December in Dulaan Wine Resort in Yinchuan, Ningxia Hui autonomous region.
\n
By integrating "terroir culture" with the wine industry, the exhibition showcases wine's diversity, cultural depth, and innovation, aiming to provide a comprehensive and multilayered platform for exchange among global wine enthusiasts and professionals.
\n
Terroir refers to the characteristic flavors imparted to a wine by the environment in which it is produced.
\n
The choice of venue for the biennale is no coincidence. After decades of development, the eastern foothills of the Helan Mountains have become one of China's leading wine regions, with one of the largest vineyard areas, the highest number of wineries, and the most international gold medals.
\n
According to Huang Siming, director of the management committee of the wine industry park at the eastern foothills of Helan Mountains, "Every bottle of fine wine from the Helan Mountains' eastern foothills carries the nourishment of the Yellow River, the protection of the Helan Mountains, and the warmth of the frontier's sun".
\n
"This year's launch of the Wine Terroir &Culture Biennale is a core initiative to deeply integrate the concept of terroir into the wine industry. From winery owners and experts to cultural artists, entrepreneurs and consumers, everyone is an indispensable note in this symphony of terroir culture," Huang said.
\n
"We encourage more social forces to participate so that the fragrance of wine culture permeates every corner of life. Together, we aim to shape a 'World Capital of Wine' and an 'International Wine Tourism Destination', making this gift of the earth a beautiful experience that connects us all and brightens our lives," he added.
\n
Wang Ziyun, president of the Ningxia Helan Mountains East Foothill grape and wine federation, said: "Focusing on the theme of terroir culture, we aim to honor the history of the region, shape the spirit of pioneering winery owners, and celebrate the craftsmanship of master growers and winemakers.
\n
"We express and present these stories through diverse cultural and artistic forms, bringing to life the historical scroll of the Helan Mountains East Foothill wine region, ensuring its legacy endures for generations."
\n
In the exhibition area of the Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, experts praised the successful cultivation and winemaking of highly cold-resistant grape varieties of Jiuxi Winemakers in Ningxia.
\n
Doctors Li Shaohua and Dai Zhanwu agreed that these Chinese-developed varieties adapt well to Ningxia's environment, reduce costs, improve efficiency, and display distinct quality features, marking an important step in the localization of grape varieties in China's wine industry.
\n
According to Tan Zhiyong, owner of Jiuxi Winemakers, its goal is to produce wines that resonate with Chinese consumers, drawing on Jiuxi's environment, the expertise of viticulture specialist Liang Yuwen, and scientific support from the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
\n
While science and innovation are pushing the region forward, traditional practices also play a defining role.
\n
Gao Yuan, co-founder of Silver Heights winery, whose vineyards lie at the foot of the Helan Mountains, has long adhered to biodynamic practices in vineyard management.
\n
"Grapes cultivated through biodynamic methods best express the characteristics of the terroir, making them irreplicable products," she said.
\n
"The most challenging part is the farming experience, accumulated year after year with biodynamic practices; it cannot be bought, only understood through dedication by integrating with nature, and through repeated trials. Only then can we achieve high-quality wines and foster a sustainable, regenerative wine industry," Gao said.
\n
A new dimension
\n
Beyond the vineyards, another dimension of Ningxia's wine culture is also taking shape — the fusion of art and wine.
\n
Zheng Zifeng, head of Dulaan Wine Resort, said the town was planned from the outset to use art as a bridge to turn winemaking into a broader ecosystem of culture, tourism and lifestyle.
\n
Over the past five years, Dulaan Wine Resort has pursued this vision, using art as a medium to help the world better understand the story of Chinese wine.
\n
Zheng believes that the inaugural Wine Terroir & Culture Biennale will mark a new starting point, sparking more artistic inspiration and fostering dialogue between artists and Ningxia wines.
\n
This exhibition will break the boundaries between cultural artworks and commercial products, promoting integration between wine, culture, art, and society. It also seeks to remove barriers between artists and winemakers, encouraging cross-disciplinary collaboration to create wine-related works that combine artistic and cultural value with commercial potential.
\n
Among the representatives of Ningxia's cultural entrepreneurs is Jia Wei, who sees unique strength in the Helan Mountains East Foothill region, which is shaped by dramatic day-night temperature differences, the nourishment of the Yellow River, and the shelter of the mountains — all of which contribute to the quality of its wines.
\n
Jia hopes to combine "wine plus art", making wineries spaces not only for winemaking but also for art exhibitions and cultural exchanges. Visitors to the Helan Mountains East Foothill wine region could then enjoy fine wines while experiencing the unique fusion of art and land.
\n
The works showcased at the biennale will feature qualities of permanence, mobility, commercial value, and digital integration, including the use of artificial intelligence. Exhibits will go beyond traditional formats by incorporating modern technology and cultural creativity, aiming to transcend the boundaries of time, space and technology.
\n
The event is guided by an expert advisory committee comprising leading wine professionals, cultural artists and business leaders from China and abroad. The committee reflects the terroir and cultural background of the region, while ensuring the exhibition's high standards, professionalism and global vision.
\n
"When Chinese wine consumers and enthusiasts talk about terroir — when they realize that the search for good wine can be traced through the interwoven clues of sky, earth, people, region, soil, climate, grape varieties, and vineyards — it marks a sign of maturity in China's wine consumption," said Hao Linhai, then president of the Ningxia Helan Mountains East Foothill grape and wine federation, in a speech in 2023.
\n
Today, Hao, founding president of the federation and now director of the organizing committee of the 2025 biennale, said the Wine Terroir & Culture Biennale aims to become a globally influential cultural brand event, elevating the status of China's wine regions, including the Helan Mountains East Foothill area.
\n
He added that through competitions, auctions and related events, the biennale also aims to raise the market value and consumer awareness of wine, while promoting the integration of "wine plus tourism plus culture" to create a new identity for the region.
\n
Contact the writers at liyingxue@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
Dulaan Wine Resort in Yinchuan, Ningxia Hui autonomous region.
\n
The artwork, Terroir Has a Native Place, at the inaugural Wine Terroir & Culture Biennale.
\n
Another artwork, A Microcosm of Helan Mountain Terroir, at the biennale, which runs till December.
\n
A sculpture at the biennale, located in Dulaan Wine Resort, Yinchuan, Ningxia Hui autonomous region.
\n
A scene from the seminar of the inaugural Wine Terroir & Culture Biennale in September.
\n
At the biennale, Hao Linhai, founding president of the Helan Mountains East Foothill grape and wine federation, tastes award-winning wines.
\n
As a cultural dialogue that transcends mountains and seas, and a deep resonance centered on art and wine, the inaugural Wine Terroir & Culture Biennale was launched in September and will run till December in Dulaan Wine Resort in Yinchuan, Ningxia Hui autonomous region.
\n
By integrating "terroir culture" with the wine industry, the exhibition showcases wine's diversity, cultural depth, and innovation, aiming to provide a comprehensive and multilayered platform for exchange among global wine enthusiasts and professionals.
\n
Terroir refers to the characteristic flavors imparted to a wine by the environment in which it is produced.
\n
The choice of venue for the biennale is no coincidence. After decades of development, the eastern foothills of the Helan Mountains have become one of China's leading wine regions, with one of the largest vineyard areas, the highest number of wineries, and the most international gold medals.
\n
According to Huang Siming, director of the management committee of the wine industry park at the eastern foothills of Helan Mountains, "Every bottle of fine wine from the Helan Mountains' eastern foothills carries the nourishment of the Yellow River, the protection of the Helan Mountains, and the warmth of the frontier's sun".
\n
"This year's launch of the Wine Terroir &Culture Biennale is a core initiative to deeply integrate the concept of terroir into the wine industry. From winery owners and experts to cultural artists, entrepreneurs and consumers, everyone is an indispensable note in this symphony of terroir culture," Huang said.
\n
"We encourage more social forces to participate so that the fragrance of wine culture permeates every corner of life. Together, we aim to shape a 'World Capital of Wine' and an 'International Wine Tourism Destination', making this gift of the earth a beautiful experience that connects us all and brightens our lives," he added.
\n
Wang Ziyun, president of the Ningxia Helan Mountains East Foothill grape and wine federation, said: "Focusing on the theme of terroir culture, we aim to honor the history of the region, shape the spirit of pioneering winery owners, and celebrate the craftsmanship of master growers and winemakers.
\n
"We express and present these stories through diverse cultural and artistic forms, bringing to life the historical scroll of the Helan Mountains East Foothill wine region, ensuring its legacy endures for generations."
\n
In the exhibition area of the Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, experts praised the successful cultivation and winemaking of highly cold-resistant grape varieties of Jiuxi Winemakers in Ningxia.
\n
Doctors Li Shaohua and Dai Zhanwu agreed that these Chinese-developed varieties adapt well to Ningxia's environment, reduce costs, improve efficiency, and display distinct quality features, marking an important step in the localization of grape varieties in China's wine industry.
\n
According to Tan Zhiyong, owner of Jiuxi Winemakers, its goal is to produce wines that resonate with Chinese consumers, drawing on Jiuxi's environment, the expertise of viticulture specialist Liang Yuwen, and scientific support from the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
\n
While science and innovation are pushing the region forward, traditional practices also play a defining role.
\n
Gao Yuan, co-founder of Silver Heights winery, whose vineyards lie at the foot of the Helan Mountains, has long adhered to biodynamic practices in vineyard management.
\n
"Grapes cultivated through biodynamic methods best express the characteristics of the terroir, making them irreplicable products," she said.
\n
"The most challenging part is the farming experience, accumulated year after year with biodynamic practices; it cannot be bought, only understood through dedication by integrating with nature, and through repeated trials. Only then can we achieve high-quality wines and foster a sustainable, regenerative wine industry," Gao said.
\n
A new dimension
\n
Beyond the vineyards, another dimension of Ningxia's wine culture is also taking shape — the fusion of art and wine.
\n
Zheng Zifeng, head of Dulaan Wine Resort, said the town was planned from the outset to use art as a bridge to turn winemaking into a broader ecosystem of culture, tourism and lifestyle.
\n
Over the past five years, Dulaan Wine Resort has pursued this vision, using art as a medium to help the world better understand the story of Chinese wine.
\n
Zheng believes that the inaugural Wine Terroir & Culture Biennale will mark a new starting point, sparking more artistic inspiration and fostering dialogue between artists and Ningxia wines.
\n
This exhibition will break the boundaries between cultural artworks and commercial products, promoting integration between wine, culture, art, and society. It also seeks to remove barriers between artists and winemakers, encouraging cross-disciplinary collaboration to create wine-related works that combine artistic and cultural value with commercial potential.
\n
Among the representatives of Ningxia's cultural entrepreneurs is Jia Wei, who sees unique strength in the Helan Mountains East Foothill region, which is shaped by dramatic day-night temperature differences, the nourishment of the Yellow River, and the shelter of the mountains — all of which contribute to the quality of its wines.
\n
Jia hopes to combine "wine plus art", making wineries spaces not only for winemaking but also for art exhibitions and cultural exchanges. Visitors to the Helan Mountains East Foothill wine region could then enjoy fine wines while experiencing the unique fusion of art and land.
\n
The works showcased at the biennale will feature qualities of permanence, mobility, commercial value, and digital integration, including the use of artificial intelligence. Exhibits will go beyond traditional formats by incorporating modern technology and cultural creativity, aiming to transcend the boundaries of time, space and technology.
\n
The event is guided by an expert advisory committee comprising leading wine professionals, cultural artists and business leaders from China and abroad. The committee reflects the terroir and cultural background of the region, while ensuring the exhibition's high standards, professionalism and global vision.
\n
"When Chinese wine consumers and enthusiasts talk about terroir — when they realize that the search for good wine can be traced through the interwoven clues of sky, earth, people, region, soil, climate, grape varieties, and vineyards — it marks a sign of maturity in China's wine consumption," said Hao Linhai, then president of the Ningxia Helan Mountains East Foothill grape and wine federation, in a speech in 2023.
\n
Today, Hao, founding president of the federation and now director of the organizing committee of the 2025 biennale, said the Wine Terroir & Culture Biennale aims to become a globally influential cultural brand event, elevating the status of China's wine regions, including the Helan Mountains East Foothill area.
\n
He added that through competitions, auctions and related events, the biennale also aims to raise the market value and consumer awareness of wine, while promoting the integration of "wine plus tourism plus culture" to create a new identity for the region.
\n
Contact the writers at liyingxue@chinadaily.com.cn
A tourist stands on a cliff overlooking the stunning islands and turquoise waters of Komodo National Park in Indonesia.
\n
The serene waters of Lake Toba, Indonesia's largest volcanic lake, cradled by lush hills.
\n
A diver swims past bleached corals in the waters of Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia.
\n
The memorable beauty of Indonesia's tourist sites lies not only in their striking landscapes but also in the ambience of exchanges among people, including the way locals connect with visitors as best as they can.
\n
One such moment unfolded near Ijen Crater — popularly known as the "Sunrise of Java" — in Banyuwangi, East Java Province. Earlier this year, a video of a middle-aged villager living near the famous attraction went viral after she was seen warmly greeting Chinese visitors.
\n
"This mango is 35,000 rupiah ($2) per kilogram. If you buy 3 kilos, it's 100,000 altogether," she said — in melodic Chinese.
\n
"Zhege hen tian de, mingtian bijiao haochi ma," added the traditionally veiled fruit vendor, meaning: This one is very sweet, and tomorrow it will taste even better.
\n
She is not alone. At the same spot, another video captured a man calling out in Chinese to tourists, inviting them to his stall. Promising sweet durians and mangosteens, he even joked that if the fruit was not sweet, it would be free.
\n
The videos, which also circulated online, show a small group of Chinese visitors chatting with the fruit seller in astonishment, bursting into warm laughter when they learned she had taught herself Mandarin.
\n
As China emerges as a leading source of global tourists, such viral moments — together with the rising number of Chinese holidaymakers to Indonesia — have reportedly encouraged villagers around Ijen and beyond to take up Mandarin.
\n
Ijen Crater, a complex of composite volcanoes about 300 kilometers southeast of Surabaya, the capital of East Java and Indonesia's second-largest city, has seen visitor numbers grow steadily in recent years. Alongside the increase, local villagers selling fruit and other goods at the site have worked hard to bridge the language gap with foreign travelers.
\n
Today, Ijen stands among Java's must-visit places, drawing not only Southeast Asian and Chinese tourists but also visitors from France, the United States, Japan and Russia.
\n
While Java and nearby Bali remain Indonesia's top islands for foreign tourists — with Chinese visitors currently leading arrivals in Bali, as they did even before the pandemic — other destinations across the country's 17,000 islands are gaining ground with their beautiful mountains, pristine beaches and rich cultural heritage.
\n
The rise in foreign visitors to these outer islands has convinced more locals that speaking a foreign language has now become a necessity. Even in Bali, reports suggest there is still a shortage of local guides with adequate Chinese-language skills.
\n
Paul Edmundus Talo, group managing director at Floressa Bali Tours, said demand is growing not only for local guides but also for restaurant employees, hotel workers and others with good English and Mandarin.
\n
At the moment, many Chinese groups still prefer to bring their own Chinese-speaking guides, he said. "That's why they are especially happy when they meet locals who can talk with them in Chinese — it adds a human touch to their journey."
\n
Talo, who began his tourism career after earning a bachelor's degree from a Jakarta tourism academy and later completed a doctorate in tourism economics, has witnessed these trends firsthand. His company, Floressa Bali Tours — based in Denpasar, the capital of Bali Province — serves both Indonesian and foreign holidaymakers, organizing trips to destinations across the archipelago, including the farthest islands beyond Bali and Java.
\n
Komodo National Park
\n
Many Chinese visitors, Talo said, have been exceptionally impressed by East Nusa Tenggara, where they can see the world's largest lizards at Komodo National Park on Komodo Island and dive at nearby top sites.
\n
Although there are no direct international flights to Komodo, foreign travelers can get there by first flying to Labuan Bajo, on the western tip of Flores Island. The journey takes about 2.5 hours nonstop from Jakarta or 1.5 hours direct from Surabaya, East Java.
\n
From Labuan Bajo, visitors continue by boat — either a standard vessel or a speedboat — which takes one to two hours to reach Komodo.
\n
Accommodation in Labuan Bajo ranges from regular hotels to liveaboard boats, the latter becoming increasingly popular. Many tourists now go straight from the airport or seaport onto a boat to begin their adventure.
\n
Komodo is one of 10 places the Indonesian government has promoted as "priority" tourist sites, while four others — among them Lake Toba in North Sumatra — have been designated as "super-priority "destinations.
\n
Looking further east, Talo is planning to expand leisure and adventure trips to Raja Ampat and other destinations in Papua — Indonesia's easternmost region, which borders Papua New Guinea and draws the majority of its visitors from abroad.
\n
Located in West Papua Province, Raja Ampat was named by The New York Times this year as one of the world's must-visit destinations, alongside the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador and Norway's Lofoten Islands.
\n
According to the Raja Ampat Regency Office, tourist arrivals — mostly foreigners, including many from China — have steadily increased over the past five years.
\n
Lying within the Coral Triangle off West Papua, Raja Ampat is made up of four main islands and some 1,800 smaller ones, most of them uninhabited. The region is famed for its pristine turquoise waters and marine biodiversity.
\n
A nonstop passenger flight from Jakarta to Sorong takes about four hours. From Sorong, travelers can continue on to Raja Ampat by standard or high-speed boat, reaching the islands in one to two hours.
\n
There are also flights from Jakarta to Sorong with stopovers in Makassar, South Sulawesi, or in Manado, the provincial capital of North Sulawesi. Since there are no direct international flights to Sorong yet, Chinese tourists often fly directly to Manado and then connect to Sorong if Raja Ampat is their main destination.
\n
Currently, three airlines serve the China-Manado route: TransNusa, China Southern Airlines and Sichuan Airlines. Manado itself has become a must-visit stop for many Chinese holidaymakers, offering picturesque hillsides and beaches, notably in Likupang and Bunaken, both known for their natural beauty and rich marine life.
\n
Welcoming tourists
\n
Raja Ampat authorities expect to welcome around 45,000 tourists this year, said Ellen Risamasu, head of the Raja Ampat Tourism Office, as reported by tempo.co. She acknowledged, however, that the destination remains costly for many travelers.
\n
Even so, the projected figure is more than double the 19,800 visitors recorded in 2023 — though only about half of last year's total.
\n
For Jakarta resident Anika Soertjiady, the higher costs are justified. "Raja Ampat's clean and blue seawaters are really incredible for diving, and it is also a strongly recommended place for seafood lovers," she said, while showing photos of beautifully built bungalows on stilts.
\n
For foreign holidaymakers seeking destinations not too far from Jakarta, Lampung Province in southern Sumatra is well worth a visit. At Way Kambas National Park, visitors can see endangered Asian elephants in their natural habitat.
\n
A flight from Jakarta to the provincial capital, Bandar Lampung, takes just 55 minutes. From the airport, travelers can rent a car and reach Way Kambas in about two hours.
\n
I Putu Winastra, head of the Bali chapter of the Association of the Indonesian Tours and Travel Agencies, said the government's priority should not only be on developing attractions but also on improving access.
\n
"In tourism, it's not the destination — it's connectivity that matters most," Winastra said.
\n
No matter how impressive the attractions are, without direct flights or strong transport links, nobody comes, he said.
\n
He recalled that before the pandemic, Bali saw a surge in chartered flights, including many from China, which greatly boosted arrivals.
\n",
+ "content": "
A tourist stands on a cliff overlooking the stunning islands and turquoise waters of Komodo National Park in Indonesia.
\n
The serene waters of Lake Toba, Indonesia's largest volcanic lake, cradled by lush hills.
\n
A diver swims past bleached corals in the waters of Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia.
\n
The memorable beauty of Indonesia's tourist sites lies not only in their striking landscapes but also in the ambience of exchanges among people, including the way locals connect with visitors as best as they can.
\n
One such moment unfolded near Ijen Crater — popularly known as the "Sunrise of Java" — in Banyuwangi, East Java Province. Earlier this year, a video of a middle-aged villager living near the famous attraction went viral after she was seen warmly greeting Chinese visitors.
\n
"This mango is 35,000 rupiah ($2) per kilogram. If you buy 3 kilos, it's 100,000 altogether," she said — in melodic Chinese.
\n
"Zhege hen tian de, mingtian bijiao haochi ma," added the traditionally veiled fruit vendor, meaning: This one is very sweet, and tomorrow it will taste even better.
\n
She is not alone. At the same spot, another video captured a man calling out in Chinese to tourists, inviting them to his stall. Promising sweet durians and mangosteens, he even joked that if the fruit was not sweet, it would be free.
\n
The videos, which also circulated online, show a small group of Chinese visitors chatting with the fruit seller in astonishment, bursting into warm laughter when they learned she had taught herself Mandarin.
\n
As China emerges as a leading source of global tourists, such viral moments — together with the rising number of Chinese holidaymakers to Indonesia — have reportedly encouraged villagers around Ijen and beyond to take up Mandarin.
\n
Ijen Crater, a complex of composite volcanoes about 300 kilometers southeast of Surabaya, the capital of East Java and Indonesia's second-largest city, has seen visitor numbers grow steadily in recent years. Alongside the increase, local villagers selling fruit and other goods at the site have worked hard to bridge the language gap with foreign travelers.
\n
Today, Ijen stands among Java's must-visit places, drawing not only Southeast Asian and Chinese tourists but also visitors from France, the United States, Japan and Russia.
\n
While Java and nearby Bali remain Indonesia's top islands for foreign tourists — with Chinese visitors currently leading arrivals in Bali, as they did even before the pandemic — other destinations across the country's 17,000 islands are gaining ground with their beautiful mountains, pristine beaches and rich cultural heritage.
\n
The rise in foreign visitors to these outer islands has convinced more locals that speaking a foreign language has now become a necessity. Even in Bali, reports suggest there is still a shortage of local guides with adequate Chinese-language skills.
\n
Paul Edmundus Talo, group managing director at Floressa Bali Tours, said demand is growing not only for local guides but also for restaurant employees, hotel workers and others with good English and Mandarin.
\n
At the moment, many Chinese groups still prefer to bring their own Chinese-speaking guides, he said. "That's why they are especially happy when they meet locals who can talk with them in Chinese — it adds a human touch to their journey."
\n
Talo, who began his tourism career after earning a bachelor's degree from a Jakarta tourism academy and later completed a doctorate in tourism economics, has witnessed these trends firsthand. His company, Floressa Bali Tours — based in Denpasar, the capital of Bali Province — serves both Indonesian and foreign holidaymakers, organizing trips to destinations across the archipelago, including the farthest islands beyond Bali and Java.
\n
Komodo National Park
\n
Many Chinese visitors, Talo said, have been exceptionally impressed by East Nusa Tenggara, where they can see the world's largest lizards at Komodo National Park on Komodo Island and dive at nearby top sites.
\n
Although there are no direct international flights to Komodo, foreign travelers can get there by first flying to Labuan Bajo, on the western tip of Flores Island. The journey takes about 2.5 hours nonstop from Jakarta or 1.5 hours direct from Surabaya, East Java.
\n
From Labuan Bajo, visitors continue by boat — either a standard vessel or a speedboat — which takes one to two hours to reach Komodo.
\n
Accommodation in Labuan Bajo ranges from regular hotels to liveaboard boats, the latter becoming increasingly popular. Many tourists now go straight from the airport or seaport onto a boat to begin their adventure.
\n
Komodo is one of 10 places the Indonesian government has promoted as "priority" tourist sites, while four others — among them Lake Toba in North Sumatra — have been designated as "super-priority "destinations.
\n
Looking further east, Talo is planning to expand leisure and adventure trips to Raja Ampat and other destinations in Papua — Indonesia's easternmost region, which borders Papua New Guinea and draws the majority of its visitors from abroad.
\n
Located in West Papua Province, Raja Ampat was named by The New York Times this year as one of the world's must-visit destinations, alongside the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador and Norway's Lofoten Islands.
\n
According to the Raja Ampat Regency Office, tourist arrivals — mostly foreigners, including many from China — have steadily increased over the past five years.
\n
Lying within the Coral Triangle off West Papua, Raja Ampat is made up of four main islands and some 1,800 smaller ones, most of them uninhabited. The region is famed for its pristine turquoise waters and marine biodiversity.
\n
A nonstop passenger flight from Jakarta to Sorong takes about four hours. From Sorong, travelers can continue on to Raja Ampat by standard or high-speed boat, reaching the islands in one to two hours.
\n
There are also flights from Jakarta to Sorong with stopovers in Makassar, South Sulawesi, or in Manado, the provincial capital of North Sulawesi. Since there are no direct international flights to Sorong yet, Chinese tourists often fly directly to Manado and then connect to Sorong if Raja Ampat is their main destination.
\n
Currently, three airlines serve the China-Manado route: TransNusa, China Southern Airlines and Sichuan Airlines. Manado itself has become a must-visit stop for many Chinese holidaymakers, offering picturesque hillsides and beaches, notably in Likupang and Bunaken, both known for their natural beauty and rich marine life.
\n
Welcoming tourists
\n
Raja Ampat authorities expect to welcome around 45,000 tourists this year, said Ellen Risamasu, head of the Raja Ampat Tourism Office, as reported by tempo.co. She acknowledged, however, that the destination remains costly for many travelers.
\n
Even so, the projected figure is more than double the 19,800 visitors recorded in 2023 — though only about half of last year's total.
\n
For Jakarta resident Anika Soertjiady, the higher costs are justified. "Raja Ampat's clean and blue seawaters are really incredible for diving, and it is also a strongly recommended place for seafood lovers," she said, while showing photos of beautifully built bungalows on stilts.
\n
For foreign holidaymakers seeking destinations not too far from Jakarta, Lampung Province in southern Sumatra is well worth a visit. At Way Kambas National Park, visitors can see endangered Asian elephants in their natural habitat.
\n
A flight from Jakarta to the provincial capital, Bandar Lampung, takes just 55 minutes. From the airport, travelers can rent a car and reach Way Kambas in about two hours.
\n
I Putu Winastra, head of the Bali chapter of the Association of the Indonesian Tours and Travel Agencies, said the government's priority should not only be on developing attractions but also on improving access.
\n
"In tourism, it's not the destination — it's connectivity that matters most," Winastra said.
\n
No matter how impressive the attractions are, without direct flights or strong transport links, nobody comes, he said.
\n
He recalled that before the pandemic, Bali saw a surge in chartered flights, including many from China, which greatly boosted arrivals.
Labuan Bajo, where turquoise waters meet rugged cliffs, serves as the gateway to Komodo's legendary islands.
\n
Tourists relax on Kuta Beach in Bali, Indonesia, enjoying the sun and sea.
\n
Melania Dasilva, operational manager of L Bajo Hotel in eastern Indonesia, is among the tourism industry players who strongly welcome the government's ambitious policies to boost the country's travel sector.
\n
She highlighted initiatives such as Visa on Arrival and e-VoA, which have increased tourist arrivals, including to her hometown of Labuan Bajo on the western tip of Flores Island in East Nusa Tenggara Province.
\n
Currently, Chinese nationals are eligible for VoA when entering Indonesia, along with visitors from Germany, Japan, Jordan, Russia, the United States and Uzbekistan.
\n
The government has also extended visa-free entry to all members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, as well as to travelers from Timor Leste; Suriname; Colombia; Hong Kong, China; Turkiye; and Brazil.
\n
As operational manager of a non-star hotel in Labuan Bajo, Dasilva said she had previously seen only a handful of foreign tourists staying at her property. That has changed, with numbers now on the rise, boosting L Bajo Hotel's profile. The new wave of guests includes visitors from Australia, Japan and China.
\n
Among Labuan Bajo's star-rated hotels, five-star ones mostly cater to foreign tourists — many arriving via Bali and planning trips to see the world's largest lizards at nearby Komodo National Park on Komodo Island, or to dive in the area's strikingly blue waters.
\n
The number of Chinese visitors to Labuan Bajo has surged 350 percent over the past two years, partly because of the government's visaon-arrival policy, Charles Christian Mathaus, head of Labuan Bajo's immigration office, said in June.
\n
In April, Chinese tourists accounted for nearly 29 percent of all foreign visitors to Labuan Bajo, detik.com reported.
\n
Services at airports are also improving. Currently, there are fewer reports of long lines at the immigration gate of Bali's Ngurah Rai International Airport.
\n
In the past, viral reports detailed visitors' "nightmare" experiences at Bali airport, claiming they had to wait hours in massive immigration lines. For Indonesia's tourism industry, such delays could discourage travelers from visiting the archipelago.
\n
The country's new visa system, which includes Visa on Arrival and e-VoA, allows tourists and business visitors to stay for up to 30 days upon arrival.
\n
Indonesia introduced VoA in 2016 and e-VoA in 2022. While VoA can be purchased at the airport, e-VoA can be booked in advance, giving travelers flexibility. Both options — particularly e-VoA — help reduce long waits at immigration counters.
\n
In addition to Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta Airport, Bali's Ngurah Rai Airport, and Manado's Sam Ratulangi Airport, international airports in Papua and South Papua provinces are also seeing growing numbers of travelers.
\n
"With Visa on Arrival, visitors can more easily enter Indonesia and go to various destinations in our country, from Bali or Jakarta," said I Putu Winastra, head of the Bali chapter of the Association of the Indonesian Tours and Travel Agencies.
\n
Winastra, however, disagrees that the visa policy will lead to a drop in the number of travelers staying in Bali, noting that tourists may also explore other destinations such as Java, Labuan Bajo, Lake Toba, and sites in Papua.
\n
"Reports that Bali is experiencing overtourism is groundless because what happens is tourist overconcentration, not overtourism," Winastra added.
\n
He admitted that overtourism can pose environmental risks, but added that "Bali is not just southern Bali", highlighting that the northern part of the "Island of the Gods "offers many promising destinations for visitors.
\n
Xi He Can, deputy head of Mandarin language education at a large school in Tangerang, Banten Province, said she has visited Bali several times and also seen Lake Toba in North Sumatra.
\n
She said she really loves these destinations, especially Bali's idyllic scenery, noting that "every time I go to Bali, my heart can be calm and relaxed, and return to nature".
\n
"I love the culture of smiling among people, the slow pace of life and the human touch," said Xi, who has lived in Indonesia for 10 years after moving from a town in North China.
\n
She added that she has no plans to visit Indonesia's more distant provinces but intends to encourage her relatives, friends and others in China to come to Indonesia for leisure.
\n
Widiyanti Putri Wardhana, Indonesia's tourism minister, said the government has set a target of attracting 14 to 16 million foreign tourists this year, most of whom are likely to make Bali their first destination, as has been the case for decades.
Labuan Bajo, where turquoise waters meet rugged cliffs, serves as the gateway to Komodo's legendary islands.
\n
Tourists relax on Kuta Beach in Bali, Indonesia, enjoying the sun and sea.
\n
Melania Dasilva, operational manager of L Bajo Hotel in eastern Indonesia, is among the tourism industry players who strongly welcome the government's ambitious policies to boost the country's travel sector.
\n
She highlighted initiatives such as Visa on Arrival and e-VoA, which have increased tourist arrivals, including to her hometown of Labuan Bajo on the western tip of Flores Island in East Nusa Tenggara Province.
\n
Currently, Chinese nationals are eligible for VoA when entering Indonesia, along with visitors from Germany, Japan, Jordan, Russia, the United States and Uzbekistan.
\n
The government has also extended visa-free entry to all members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, as well as to travelers from Timor Leste; Suriname; Colombia; Hong Kong, China; Turkiye; and Brazil.
\n
As operational manager of a non-star hotel in Labuan Bajo, Dasilva said she had previously seen only a handful of foreign tourists staying at her property. That has changed, with numbers now on the rise, boosting L Bajo Hotel's profile. The new wave of guests includes visitors from Australia, Japan and China.
\n
Among Labuan Bajo's star-rated hotels, five-star ones mostly cater to foreign tourists — many arriving via Bali and planning trips to see the world's largest lizards at nearby Komodo National Park on Komodo Island, or to dive in the area's strikingly blue waters.
\n
The number of Chinese visitors to Labuan Bajo has surged 350 percent over the past two years, partly because of the government's visaon-arrival policy, Charles Christian Mathaus, head of Labuan Bajo's immigration office, said in June.
\n
In April, Chinese tourists accounted for nearly 29 percent of all foreign visitors to Labuan Bajo, detik.com reported.
\n
Services at airports are also improving. Currently, there are fewer reports of long lines at the immigration gate of Bali's Ngurah Rai International Airport.
\n
In the past, viral reports detailed visitors' "nightmare" experiences at Bali airport, claiming they had to wait hours in massive immigration lines. For Indonesia's tourism industry, such delays could discourage travelers from visiting the archipelago.
\n
The country's new visa system, which includes Visa on Arrival and e-VoA, allows tourists and business visitors to stay for up to 30 days upon arrival.
\n
Indonesia introduced VoA in 2016 and e-VoA in 2022. While VoA can be purchased at the airport, e-VoA can be booked in advance, giving travelers flexibility. Both options — particularly e-VoA — help reduce long waits at immigration counters.
\n
In addition to Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta Airport, Bali's Ngurah Rai Airport, and Manado's Sam Ratulangi Airport, international airports in Papua and South Papua provinces are also seeing growing numbers of travelers.
\n
"With Visa on Arrival, visitors can more easily enter Indonesia and go to various destinations in our country, from Bali or Jakarta," said I Putu Winastra, head of the Bali chapter of the Association of the Indonesian Tours and Travel Agencies.
\n
Winastra, however, disagrees that the visa policy will lead to a drop in the number of travelers staying in Bali, noting that tourists may also explore other destinations such as Java, Labuan Bajo, Lake Toba, and sites in Papua.
\n
"Reports that Bali is experiencing overtourism is groundless because what happens is tourist overconcentration, not overtourism," Winastra added.
\n
He admitted that overtourism can pose environmental risks, but added that "Bali is not just southern Bali", highlighting that the northern part of the "Island of the Gods "offers many promising destinations for visitors.
\n
Xi He Can, deputy head of Mandarin language education at a large school in Tangerang, Banten Province, said she has visited Bali several times and also seen Lake Toba in North Sumatra.
\n
She said she really loves these destinations, especially Bali's idyllic scenery, noting that "every time I go to Bali, my heart can be calm and relaxed, and return to nature".
\n
"I love the culture of smiling among people, the slow pace of life and the human touch," said Xi, who has lived in Indonesia for 10 years after moving from a town in North China.
\n
She added that she has no plans to visit Indonesia's more distant provinces but intends to encourage her relatives, friends and others in China to come to Indonesia for leisure.
\n
Widiyanti Putri Wardhana, Indonesia's tourism minister, said the government has set a target of attracting 14 to 16 million foreign tourists this year, most of whom are likely to make Bali their first destination, as has been the case for decades.
Fans of Qingyuan's "Mushroom Warriors" quite literally drum up support for the team during an away Zhejiang Basketball Association match against Jinhua.
\n
Qingyuan's players, many of them ordinary workers, have become local heroes, while fans are enthusiastic in their support. Across the town, posters of players fill public spaces, while videos of their efforts are shared widely online.
\n
Qingyuan's players, many of them ordinary workers, have become local heroes, while fans are enthusiastic in their support. Across the town, posters of players fill public spaces, while videos of their efforts are shared widely online.
\n
A recent Zhejiang Basketball Association game at the Hangzhou Olympic Center plays out in front of a near sell-out crowd.
\n
On a humid September night in Qingyuan, a remote hill county in southwestern Zhejiang province with about 140,000 residents, the local sports center was transformed into a cauldron of noise and light.
\n
The occasion was a ZheBA city clash between underdog Qingyuan and provincial capital Hangzhou, a metropolis of more than 10 million people. Inside the stadium, nearly 10,000 fans erupted in thunderous unison, rattling the steel roof. Beyond the arena, the tournament's impact pulsed through the town, filling cash registers and drawing the community closer together.
\n
Basketball fever
\n
The tournament's influence stretched well past the court, energizing commerce and culture. Streets, shops and markets thrived in a way locals had never seen.
\n
"Orders have been cascading like snowflakes," said Wang Jinyong, owner of a rice cake shop near the arena. "I simply can't keep up. On game days, fans from Hangzhou line up before the shop even opens. Zhe-BA has put our county in the spotlight and carried our delicacies far beyond the hills."
\n
His family's black rice cakes, once a local treat, now sell out within hours. Similarly, Fan Huafei, who runs an online mushroom store, said sales jumped nearly 30 percent. "Spectators taste our mushrooms courtside, then order online to share with friends and family. The tournament has given our produce wings."
\n
As night fell, barbecue stalls like Yao Ya's became gathering points. "Every evening is a full house," Yao said, flipping skewers over on smoky grills as laughter and chatter filled the streets.
\n
Tourism is also surging. Visitors camped in Lingtou village, blending outdoor leisure with basketball fever. "ZheBA has put this region on the map," said Yuan Ke, executive director of the Zhejiang RV and Camping Association.
\n
Mushroom warriors
\n
The county, known as China's mushroom capital, embraced the nickname "Mushroom Warriors" for its team. With the arena packed, hundreds of fans gathered in the central square to watch on a giant screen, waving bamboo tubes called gu shengtong.
\n
"We chose bamboo for its symbolism and sustainability," said volunteer leader Ye Jiqin. "It lets everyone feel part of the rally."
\n
The local cinema even opened a hall for free live screenings. "The atmosphere rivals the arena itself," said manager Lu Tiefeng.
\n
The county has transformed into a living arena: streets are lined with banners, shop windows are plastered with posters and children wave flags. For many residents, the appeal is less about winning and more about the fight.
\n
"Our players fight until the final buzzer," Ye said. "Their grit mirrors the spirit of our community."
\n
Work and play
\n
The players, many of them ordinary workers, have become local heroes. Among them is guard Yao Dingtian, a bank clerk who scored 28 points in Qingyuan's 83-108 loss to Hangzhou.
\n
"He embodies the spirit of a true hometown hero," said one elderly fan.
\n
At the bank, customers request Yao by name. "They say trusting him feels like trusting someone who never gives up," a colleague noted.
\n
Across the town, posters of players fill public spaces, while videos of their efforts spread widely online, turning the county into a trending topic.
\n
For Qingyuan, the final buzzer is not an ending but the start of a story still unfolding. To its people, the team's first victory feels like only a matter of time.
\n",
+ "content": "
Fans of Qingyuan's "Mushroom Warriors" quite literally drum up support for the team during an away Zhejiang Basketball Association match against Jinhua.
\n
Qingyuan's players, many of them ordinary workers, have become local heroes, while fans are enthusiastic in their support. Across the town, posters of players fill public spaces, while videos of their efforts are shared widely online.
\n
Qingyuan's players, many of them ordinary workers, have become local heroes, while fans are enthusiastic in their support. Across the town, posters of players fill public spaces, while videos of their efforts are shared widely online.
\n
A recent Zhejiang Basketball Association game at the Hangzhou Olympic Center plays out in front of a near sell-out crowd.
\n
On a humid September night in Qingyuan, a remote hill county in southwestern Zhejiang province with about 140,000 residents, the local sports center was transformed into a cauldron of noise and light.
\n
The occasion was a ZheBA city clash between underdog Qingyuan and provincial capital Hangzhou, a metropolis of more than 10 million people. Inside the stadium, nearly 10,000 fans erupted in thunderous unison, rattling the steel roof. Beyond the arena, the tournament's impact pulsed through the town, filling cash registers and drawing the community closer together.
\n
Basketball fever
\n
The tournament's influence stretched well past the court, energizing commerce and culture. Streets, shops and markets thrived in a way locals had never seen.
\n
"Orders have been cascading like snowflakes," said Wang Jinyong, owner of a rice cake shop near the arena. "I simply can't keep up. On game days, fans from Hangzhou line up before the shop even opens. Zhe-BA has put our county in the spotlight and carried our delicacies far beyond the hills."
\n
His family's black rice cakes, once a local treat, now sell out within hours. Similarly, Fan Huafei, who runs an online mushroom store, said sales jumped nearly 30 percent. "Spectators taste our mushrooms courtside, then order online to share with friends and family. The tournament has given our produce wings."
\n
As night fell, barbecue stalls like Yao Ya's became gathering points. "Every evening is a full house," Yao said, flipping skewers over on smoky grills as laughter and chatter filled the streets.
\n
Tourism is also surging. Visitors camped in Lingtou village, blending outdoor leisure with basketball fever. "ZheBA has put this region on the map," said Yuan Ke, executive director of the Zhejiang RV and Camping Association.
\n
Mushroom warriors
\n
The county, known as China's mushroom capital, embraced the nickname "Mushroom Warriors" for its team. With the arena packed, hundreds of fans gathered in the central square to watch on a giant screen, waving bamboo tubes called gu shengtong.
\n
"We chose bamboo for its symbolism and sustainability," said volunteer leader Ye Jiqin. "It lets everyone feel part of the rally."
\n
The local cinema even opened a hall for free live screenings. "The atmosphere rivals the arena itself," said manager Lu Tiefeng.
\n
The county has transformed into a living arena: streets are lined with banners, shop windows are plastered with posters and children wave flags. For many residents, the appeal is less about winning and more about the fight.
\n
"Our players fight until the final buzzer," Ye said. "Their grit mirrors the spirit of our community."
\n
Work and play
\n
The players, many of them ordinary workers, have become local heroes. Among them is guard Yao Dingtian, a bank clerk who scored 28 points in Qingyuan's 83-108 loss to Hangzhou.
\n
"He embodies the spirit of a true hometown hero," said one elderly fan.
\n
At the bank, customers request Yao by name. "They say trusting him feels like trusting someone who never gives up," a colleague noted.
\n
Across the town, posters of players fill public spaces, while videos of their efforts spread widely online, turning the county into a trending topic.
\n
For Qingyuan, the final buzzer is not an ending but the start of a story still unfolding. To its people, the team's first victory feels like only a matter of time.
China's Shang Juncheng hits a return to Russia's Karen Khachanov during their singles match at the Rolex Shanghai Masters tennis tournament in Shanghai on Saturday.
\n
Never a power hitter and never will he be, China's rising ace Shang Juncheng leans on his quick legs and tactical variety to outwit size and strength, enabling him to survive the brutally competitive world of men's tennis.
\n
A sudden bone fracture in his right foot sustained at the Australian Open, however, cast a shadow on his meteoric rise on the ATP Tour, posing a serious threat to a budding career that has been built upon his speed and agility.
\n
The 20-year-old did pay a heavy price — he underwent the first surgery of his life, spent almost half a year in rehab and took a nosedive in the rankings, plummeting to No 238 all the way from a career-high No 47 a year ago.
\n
Yet, he left fans convinced that none of the setbacks would wear him down, proving it at the last and highest-caliber tournament of the year on home soil, the Rolex Shanghai Masters.
\n
Relying on his familiar winning formula of fast movement combined with pinpoint shots and long rallies, Shang stunned world No 10 Karen Khachanov in straight sets in a second-round encounter with the big-serving Russian on Saturday to notch his first win over a top-10 opponent since he turned pro in 2021.
\n
The biggest win of his career to date also helped him reach the third round at a top-tier ATP 1000 tournament for the first time in his career, making him the youngest among three Chinese men who have advanced that far at a Masters tournament.
\n
Only his older compatriots Zhang Zhizhen and Wu Yibing have accomplished the feat, also in Shanghai in 2023 and 2024, respectively.
\n
The victory was Shang's fifth career win on the ATP 1000 series, where, aged 19, he became the youngest Chinese man ever to register a main-draw triumph at that level with a straight-sets win over Jordan Thompson at Indian Wells, California, in March last year.
\n
The serial setter of "youngest-ever" records in Chinese men's tennis will next take on Portugal's world No 51 Nuno Borges on Monday in the round of 32, looking to write more history under his name.
\n
"It was an unbelievable match against Karen today. He's a very solid top-10 player. Coming into the match I didn't think too much, I just wanted to put on a show for the people," Shang said during his post-match on-court interview.
\n
"I didn't start perfectly, but I kept fighting, kept focusing, no matter if I was winning or losing, though I'm glad that I got the win. Overall, I am happy with my performance, and would have been even if I had lost."
\n
Apart from his composure and precision, Shang attributed his scintillating form to the energy from his family who were cheering in the stands, including vocal support and some technical tips from his grandmother.
\n
"I am super happy to have family here," Shang said before rushing into the stands to hug his most senior cheerleader. "Winning here, on such a big stage, means a lot, especially at home. Having them watch me do it is incredible."
\n
Shang's deeper run in Shanghai, after being eliminated in the second round last year by world No 1 Carlos Alcaraz, has served him up a much-needed confidence boost following his return from the long injury layoff.
\n
Since coming back to play in July during the North American hard-court swing, Shang has suffered five losses, including two straight defeats recently at home in the ATP 250 Chengdu Open and ATP 500 China Open, as he tried to pick up his pace and regain his form.
\n
It seems that his form has arrived at the right time.
\n
The Shanghai Masters, as the highest-ranked event on the China Swing, offers the most generous prize pool and ranking-point haul during the final stretch of the season, and by fighting into the round of 32 Shang has already collected 50 points, helping him climb back to No 215 in the live ATP rankings, as well as pocketing a bonus of at least $60,400.
\n
To get over the hump mentally, following an injury that hampered his strength in movement, is worth far more, though, according to Shang.
\n
"I am always a fast-moving player, and I've been used to counting on my advantage in speed when facing bigger and more powerful opponents," said Shang, who won his career first ATP Tour title in Chengdu last year thanks to his rapid-fire game.
\n
"I feel like I've overcome a hurdle in my mind with the win over a top-10 opponent, and by getting over that mental obstacle, I've found the confidence in myself again.
\n
"Of course, I won't be able to prevail every time I face a player in the top 10. But, with faith restored in myself physically and mentally, I feel like I could do it every time I step on the court on my best day."
\n
Shang and Khachanov twice traded breaks in the opening set. In the second set, Shang rode a string of winners to victory, claiming the final three games from 3-3 and rattling off the final six points of the match.
\n
"Against players like Karen, you might only have one chance to close it out," said Shang. "If I don't, it might be the match, it might be a grind in the third set, you never know. But, I'm glad that I kept the focus, and that, in the end, it went smoothly."
\n
In an earlier second-round match on Saturday, China's current top-ranked man, Buyunchaokete, who is ranked 121st, was beaten by Italy's No 26 seed Luciano Darderi 6-4, 6-4 at the Grandstand 2 Court, ending his Shanghai campaign earlier than expected, leaving Shang as the last local favorite standing.
\n
sunxiaochen@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
China's Shang Juncheng hits a return to Russia's Karen Khachanov during their singles match at the Rolex Shanghai Masters tennis tournament in Shanghai on Saturday.
\n
Never a power hitter and never will he be, China's rising ace Shang Juncheng leans on his quick legs and tactical variety to outwit size and strength, enabling him to survive the brutally competitive world of men's tennis.
\n
A sudden bone fracture in his right foot sustained at the Australian Open, however, cast a shadow on his meteoric rise on the ATP Tour, posing a serious threat to a budding career that has been built upon his speed and agility.
\n
The 20-year-old did pay a heavy price — he underwent the first surgery of his life, spent almost half a year in rehab and took a nosedive in the rankings, plummeting to No 238 all the way from a career-high No 47 a year ago.
\n
Yet, he left fans convinced that none of the setbacks would wear him down, proving it at the last and highest-caliber tournament of the year on home soil, the Rolex Shanghai Masters.
\n
Relying on his familiar winning formula of fast movement combined with pinpoint shots and long rallies, Shang stunned world No 10 Karen Khachanov in straight sets in a second-round encounter with the big-serving Russian on Saturday to notch his first win over a top-10 opponent since he turned pro in 2021.
\n
The biggest win of his career to date also helped him reach the third round at a top-tier ATP 1000 tournament for the first time in his career, making him the youngest among three Chinese men who have advanced that far at a Masters tournament.
\n
Only his older compatriots Zhang Zhizhen and Wu Yibing have accomplished the feat, also in Shanghai in 2023 and 2024, respectively.
\n
The victory was Shang's fifth career win on the ATP 1000 series, where, aged 19, he became the youngest Chinese man ever to register a main-draw triumph at that level with a straight-sets win over Jordan Thompson at Indian Wells, California, in March last year.
\n
The serial setter of "youngest-ever" records in Chinese men's tennis will next take on Portugal's world No 51 Nuno Borges on Monday in the round of 32, looking to write more history under his name.
\n
"It was an unbelievable match against Karen today. He's a very solid top-10 player. Coming into the match I didn't think too much, I just wanted to put on a show for the people," Shang said during his post-match on-court interview.
\n
"I didn't start perfectly, but I kept fighting, kept focusing, no matter if I was winning or losing, though I'm glad that I got the win. Overall, I am happy with my performance, and would have been even if I had lost."
\n
Apart from his composure and precision, Shang attributed his scintillating form to the energy from his family who were cheering in the stands, including vocal support and some technical tips from his grandmother.
\n
"I am super happy to have family here," Shang said before rushing into the stands to hug his most senior cheerleader. "Winning here, on such a big stage, means a lot, especially at home. Having them watch me do it is incredible."
\n
Shang's deeper run in Shanghai, after being eliminated in the second round last year by world No 1 Carlos Alcaraz, has served him up a much-needed confidence boost following his return from the long injury layoff.
\n
Since coming back to play in July during the North American hard-court swing, Shang has suffered five losses, including two straight defeats recently at home in the ATP 250 Chengdu Open and ATP 500 China Open, as he tried to pick up his pace and regain his form.
\n
It seems that his form has arrived at the right time.
\n
The Shanghai Masters, as the highest-ranked event on the China Swing, offers the most generous prize pool and ranking-point haul during the final stretch of the season, and by fighting into the round of 32 Shang has already collected 50 points, helping him climb back to No 215 in the live ATP rankings, as well as pocketing a bonus of at least $60,400.
\n
To get over the hump mentally, following an injury that hampered his strength in movement, is worth far more, though, according to Shang.
\n
"I am always a fast-moving player, and I've been used to counting on my advantage in speed when facing bigger and more powerful opponents," said Shang, who won his career first ATP Tour title in Chengdu last year thanks to his rapid-fire game.
\n
"I feel like I've overcome a hurdle in my mind with the win over a top-10 opponent, and by getting over that mental obstacle, I've found the confidence in myself again.
\n
"Of course, I won't be able to prevail every time I face a player in the top 10. But, with faith restored in myself physically and mentally, I feel like I could do it every time I step on the court on my best day."
\n
Shang and Khachanov twice traded breaks in the opening set. In the second set, Shang rode a string of winners to victory, claiming the final three games from 3-3 and rattling off the final six points of the match.
\n
"Against players like Karen, you might only have one chance to close it out," said Shang. "If I don't, it might be the match, it might be a grind in the third set, you never know. But, I'm glad that I kept the focus, and that, in the end, it went smoothly."
\n
In an earlier second-round match on Saturday, China's current top-ranked man, Buyunchaokete, who is ranked 121st, was beaten by Italy's No 26 seed Luciano Darderi 6-4, 6-4 at the Grandstand 2 Court, ending his Shanghai campaign earlier than expected, leaving Shang as the last local favorite standing.
Italy's Jasmine Paolini (left) and Coco Gauff of the United States interact with fans during the China Open in Beijing.
\n
Italy's Jasmine Paolini (left) and Coco Gauff of the United States interact with fans during the China Open in Beijing.
\n
It's developing into a tournament tradition in Beijing, and it's one that everyone seems to love.
\n
Fans giving their beloved international stars Chinese nicknames — sometimes creative, while most times hilarious — and teaching the players how to pronounce them in Mandarin has caught on at the China Open, shedding light on the fun reception the competitors have enjoyed in Beijing.
\n
Just ask the United States' women's defending champion Coco Gauff, aka the "Fruit Salad Queen", how thoughtful her growing legion of fans is when it comes to flooding her with love and support, and the two-time major winner would rate it unmatched.
\n
After all, her collection of gifts in Beijing has beaten her Christmas haul.
\n
"I will say, the Chinese fans have been the nicest fans on tour by far. Just the gifts and everything ... It's more gifts than I've gotten on Christmas, and I was a pretty spoiled kid. It's just insane," Gauff said of the treatment she's received from fans during the ongoing "China Swing" of tournaments.
\n
"I don't know if I'll get as many gifts elsewhere in the world. I hope the western side of the world can be as nice as the Chinese fans are," said the world No 3, who was eventually beaten by her 4th-ranked compatriot Amanda Anisimova 6-1, 6-2 in the semifinals on Saturday at the WTA 1000 tournament in Beijing.
\n
Well aware of their idol's habits, including snacking on fruit salads during changeovers, Gauff's Chinese fans had been affectionately rooting for her with the regal moniker until the American star threw down a challenge.
\n
After hearing that one of her fellow countrywomen Jessica Pegula's Chinese nicknames is "capybara", Gauff is looking for an equivalent.
\n
"I would like to know what animal resonates with me," said Gauff, who has landed in Wuhan, capital of Hubei province, to play another WTA 1000 tournament, which is set to start on Monday.
\n
"I mean, 'fruit salad' is cool, but I think being named after an animal is cooler. I would like to see what animal they think I am."
\n
Perhaps, Pegula wanted something more innocuously straightforward as well, after learning about her other nickname, the one that has truly gone viral on Chinese social media.
\n
"Da Fu", which literally translates to "Big Rich", has been how most of Pegula's growing legion of Chinese fans have been referring to her during her stay in Beijing, referencing her billionaire parents.
\n
The gifts Chinese fans had prepared for Pegula proved to be personal and meticulously curated, such as a key ring engraved with a likeness of her beloved dog Maddie, and a beautifully designed traditional paper fan bearing the inscription "Princess of Buffalo" in Chinese, honoring the American star's family roots in the New York state city.
\n
These aren't generic fan offerings, Pegula noted, but products of research, affection and understanding of their favorite players' lives beyond the baseline.
\n
"Even though I did feel it last year, this year it feels like it's a lot more," Pegula said of her surprising popularity in Beijing, where she reached the semifinals last week. "I'm not sure why. Maybe over the years gaining fans and stuff like that. Or maybe I'm just embracing it a little bit more."
\n
"They're so creative with a lot of the off-court stuff. They definitely research a lot of things. It's been a lot of fun. I definitely can feel a lot more support coming here."
\n
Russian teen star Mirra Andreeva echoed the sentiment of her American colleagues, hailing the loyal and frenetic fan support in China as a unique motivation that she never feels anywhere else away from home.
\n
The 18-year-old world No 5 didn't go as far as expected in Beijing, stunned by British challenger Sonay Kartal in the fourth round, but didn't leave the Chinese capital empty-handed.
\n
She's gained a catchy new nickname "Xiao Mi La", a pun that means "Little Spicy Pepper" in English, with its Chinese pronunciation similar to "Little Mirra".
\n
"I love the conditions here in Beijing. Also the support of the fans is unmatchable," said Andreeva, who was among the most-followed international players at the China Open, even during her practice sessions at the National Tennis Center.
\n
"I always have, like, a full court. It's packed, even when I practice for 20 minutes. I was like, OK, I don't do anything that any other player doesn't do.
\n
"For me, it also provides a lot of motivation, because they are genuinely supportive. They're so happy when you do well, like I'm part of their family. I receive so much support, it's just crazy."
\n
Even with this year's China Swing still underway, Gauff says she's committed to reciprocating the love and loyalty of her Chinese fans by promising to come back next season.
\n
"Every time someone gives me a gift, it's so personalized. You can tell they've been thinking about this thing for a couple of weeks, or got something made, before I came here," she said.
\n
"It makes me want to come to this tournament, because I don't want someone to make something for me and I don't show up. Unless I'm injured, I'm going to definitely come here to Beijing (next year) because I love it."
\n",
+ "content": "
Italy's Jasmine Paolini (left) and Coco Gauff of the United States interact with fans during the China Open in Beijing.
\n
Italy's Jasmine Paolini (left) and Coco Gauff of the United States interact with fans during the China Open in Beijing.
\n
It's developing into a tournament tradition in Beijing, and it's one that everyone seems to love.
\n
Fans giving their beloved international stars Chinese nicknames — sometimes creative, while most times hilarious — and teaching the players how to pronounce them in Mandarin has caught on at the China Open, shedding light on the fun reception the competitors have enjoyed in Beijing.
\n
Just ask the United States' women's defending champion Coco Gauff, aka the "Fruit Salad Queen", how thoughtful her growing legion of fans is when it comes to flooding her with love and support, and the two-time major winner would rate it unmatched.
\n
After all, her collection of gifts in Beijing has beaten her Christmas haul.
\n
"I will say, the Chinese fans have been the nicest fans on tour by far. Just the gifts and everything ... It's more gifts than I've gotten on Christmas, and I was a pretty spoiled kid. It's just insane," Gauff said of the treatment she's received from fans during the ongoing "China Swing" of tournaments.
\n
"I don't know if I'll get as many gifts elsewhere in the world. I hope the western side of the world can be as nice as the Chinese fans are," said the world No 3, who was eventually beaten by her 4th-ranked compatriot Amanda Anisimova 6-1, 6-2 in the semifinals on Saturday at the WTA 1000 tournament in Beijing.
\n
Well aware of their idol's habits, including snacking on fruit salads during changeovers, Gauff's Chinese fans had been affectionately rooting for her with the regal moniker until the American star threw down a challenge.
\n
After hearing that one of her fellow countrywomen Jessica Pegula's Chinese nicknames is "capybara", Gauff is looking for an equivalent.
\n
"I would like to know what animal resonates with me," said Gauff, who has landed in Wuhan, capital of Hubei province, to play another WTA 1000 tournament, which is set to start on Monday.
\n
"I mean, 'fruit salad' is cool, but I think being named after an animal is cooler. I would like to see what animal they think I am."
\n
Perhaps, Pegula wanted something more innocuously straightforward as well, after learning about her other nickname, the one that has truly gone viral on Chinese social media.
\n
"Da Fu", which literally translates to "Big Rich", has been how most of Pegula's growing legion of Chinese fans have been referring to her during her stay in Beijing, referencing her billionaire parents.
\n
The gifts Chinese fans had prepared for Pegula proved to be personal and meticulously curated, such as a key ring engraved with a likeness of her beloved dog Maddie, and a beautifully designed traditional paper fan bearing the inscription "Princess of Buffalo" in Chinese, honoring the American star's family roots in the New York state city.
\n
These aren't generic fan offerings, Pegula noted, but products of research, affection and understanding of their favorite players' lives beyond the baseline.
\n
"Even though I did feel it last year, this year it feels like it's a lot more," Pegula said of her surprising popularity in Beijing, where she reached the semifinals last week. "I'm not sure why. Maybe over the years gaining fans and stuff like that. Or maybe I'm just embracing it a little bit more."
\n
"They're so creative with a lot of the off-court stuff. They definitely research a lot of things. It's been a lot of fun. I definitely can feel a lot more support coming here."
\n
Russian teen star Mirra Andreeva echoed the sentiment of her American colleagues, hailing the loyal and frenetic fan support in China as a unique motivation that she never feels anywhere else away from home.
\n
The 18-year-old world No 5 didn't go as far as expected in Beijing, stunned by British challenger Sonay Kartal in the fourth round, but didn't leave the Chinese capital empty-handed.
\n
She's gained a catchy new nickname "Xiao Mi La", a pun that means "Little Spicy Pepper" in English, with its Chinese pronunciation similar to "Little Mirra".
\n
"I love the conditions here in Beijing. Also the support of the fans is unmatchable," said Andreeva, who was among the most-followed international players at the China Open, even during her practice sessions at the National Tennis Center.
\n
"I always have, like, a full court. It's packed, even when I practice for 20 minutes. I was like, OK, I don't do anything that any other player doesn't do.
\n
"For me, it also provides a lot of motivation, because they are genuinely supportive. They're so happy when you do well, like I'm part of their family. I receive so much support, it's just crazy."
\n
Even with this year's China Swing still underway, Gauff says she's committed to reciprocating the love and loyalty of her Chinese fans by promising to come back next season.
\n
"Every time someone gives me a gift, it's so personalized. You can tell they've been thinking about this thing for a couple of weeks, or got something made, before I came here," she said.
\n
"It makes me want to come to this tournament, because I don't want someone to make something for me and I don't show up. Unless I'm injured, I'm going to definitely come here to Beijing (next year) because I love it."
President Xi Jinping and Singaporean President Tharman Shanmugaratnam exchanged congratulations on Friday on the 35th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries.
\n
Noting that China and Singapore are friendly neighbors and important cooperation partners, Xi said that over the past 35 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, the two countries have adhered to mutual respect, mutual trust and win-win cooperation.
\n
The bilateral relationship has continuously improved and been upgraded, with cooperation in various fields yielding fruitful results, Xi said. Furthermore, both sides have also advanced hand in hand in their respective modernization processes, bringing tangible benefits to the peoples of both countries, he added.
\n
China is willing to take the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations as an opportunity to further deepen political mutual trust, promote high-level cooperation, strengthen people-to-people exchanges, and jointly safeguard the multilateral trading system and the basic norms governing international relations, in order to promote the all-around high-quality, future-oriented partnership between China and Singapore — contributing even more to regional and global peace and prosperity, Xi added.
\n
Shanmugaratnam noted that in 2023, Singapore-China relations were elevated to an all-around high-quality, future-oriented partnership, and cooperation between the two governments has continued to advance, constantly integrating new features and demonstrating foresight.
\n
Responding to the demands of the times, both sides have actively expanded cooperation in new areas, while the peoples of the two countries have steadily strengthened cultural ties, Shanmugaratnam said. He expressed his firm belief that the two countries will continue to work closely together, pushing their bilateral relationship to new heights.
\n
Also on Friday, Premier Li Qiang and Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong exchanged congratulatory messages.
\n
Li said that China is ready to further strengthen the alignment of development strategies with Singapore, deepen high-level cooperation across various fields, and work together to uphold the multilateral trading system, in order to contribute to the development of both countries and the prosperity and stability of the region.
\n
Wong said that Singapore-China relations have continued to deepen over the years, with the building of strong mutual trust.
\n
Singapore is willing to continue expanding cooperation with China in various fields and jointly safeguard free trade and the multilateral system, he added.
\n
Luxembourg ties
\n
President Xi also sent a congratulatory message on Friday to Luxembourg's Grand Duke Guillaume on his enthronement.
\n
Since the establishment of diplomatic relations more than 50 years ago, the two countries have consistently treated each other with mutual respect and equality, Xi said in the message.
\n
China and Luxembourg have become a model of mutual achievement and win-win cooperation between countries of different sizes, systems and stages of development, he added.
\n
He noted that the two countries have achieved fruitful cooperation in areas such as steel, finance and logistics, and the Zhengzhou-Luxembourg Air Silk Road has contributed to the stability and smooth operation of the China-Europe industrial chain.
\n
Xi emphasized that he attaches great importance to the development of the bilateral relations and is willing to work together with Luxembourg's Grand Duke Guillaume to continuously take the relationship to new heights, better benefiting the peoples of both countries.
\n
Also on Friday, Xi sent a message to Luxembourg's retired Grand Duke Henri, extending greetings and best wishes.
\n",
+ "content": "
President Xi Jinping and Singaporean President Tharman Shanmugaratnam exchanged congratulations on Friday on the 35th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries.
\n
Noting that China and Singapore are friendly neighbors and important cooperation partners, Xi said that over the past 35 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, the two countries have adhered to mutual respect, mutual trust and win-win cooperation.
\n
The bilateral relationship has continuously improved and been upgraded, with cooperation in various fields yielding fruitful results, Xi said. Furthermore, both sides have also advanced hand in hand in their respective modernization processes, bringing tangible benefits to the peoples of both countries, he added.
\n
China is willing to take the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations as an opportunity to further deepen political mutual trust, promote high-level cooperation, strengthen people-to-people exchanges, and jointly safeguard the multilateral trading system and the basic norms governing international relations, in order to promote the all-around high-quality, future-oriented partnership between China and Singapore — contributing even more to regional and global peace and prosperity, Xi added.
\n
Shanmugaratnam noted that in 2023, Singapore-China relations were elevated to an all-around high-quality, future-oriented partnership, and cooperation between the two governments has continued to advance, constantly integrating new features and demonstrating foresight.
\n
Responding to the demands of the times, both sides have actively expanded cooperation in new areas, while the peoples of the two countries have steadily strengthened cultural ties, Shanmugaratnam said. He expressed his firm belief that the two countries will continue to work closely together, pushing their bilateral relationship to new heights.
\n
Also on Friday, Premier Li Qiang and Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong exchanged congratulatory messages.
\n
Li said that China is ready to further strengthen the alignment of development strategies with Singapore, deepen high-level cooperation across various fields, and work together to uphold the multilateral trading system, in order to contribute to the development of both countries and the prosperity and stability of the region.
\n
Wong said that Singapore-China relations have continued to deepen over the years, with the building of strong mutual trust.
\n
Singapore is willing to continue expanding cooperation with China in various fields and jointly safeguard free trade and the multilateral system, he added.
\n
Luxembourg ties
\n
President Xi also sent a congratulatory message on Friday to Luxembourg's Grand Duke Guillaume on his enthronement.
\n
Since the establishment of diplomatic relations more than 50 years ago, the two countries have consistently treated each other with mutual respect and equality, Xi said in the message.
\n
China and Luxembourg have become a model of mutual achievement and win-win cooperation between countries of different sizes, systems and stages of development, he added.
\n
He noted that the two countries have achieved fruitful cooperation in areas such as steel, finance and logistics, and the Zhengzhou-Luxembourg Air Silk Road has contributed to the stability and smooth operation of the China-Europe industrial chain.
\n
Xi emphasized that he attaches great importance to the development of the bilateral relations and is willing to work together with Luxembourg's Grand Duke Guillaume to continuously take the relationship to new heights, better benefiting the peoples of both countries.
\n
Also on Friday, Xi sent a message to Luxembourg's retired Grand Duke Henri, extending greetings and best wishes.
Visitors enjoy an immersive performance staged on the water in Meishan, Sichuan province, on Wednesday. During the National Day holiday, large numbers of tourists have flocked to scenic spots across the country.
\n
This year's eight-day National Day holiday, which is one day longer than usual and overlaps with Mid-Autumn Festival, has driven greater popularity in the tourism market than previous years, according to industry insiders.
\n
As demand for travel and family reunions overlap, there has been a notable rise in family trips, said Qunar, a Beijing-based online travel agency. This has driven rapid growth in travel volume, and the holiday's overall tourism popularity is expected to surpass that of previous years, the agency said.
\n
Due to high demand, many passengers have been unable to book tickets for high-speed trains, so they have turned instead to flight tickets, which has further fueled an overall increase in holiday airfares, said aviation data provider VariFlight.
\n
Nonetheless, Cai Muzi, a Qunar researcher, said that airfares "saw a drop starting on Oct 2 and reached a relatively low level on Oct 4. Traveling during the offpeak period makes it more cost-effective."
\n
On Oct 1, National Day, the number of air passengers hit a peak, and family travelers were the main force of those embarking on trips, according to Qunar.
\n
On the first day of the holiday period, family travelers accounted for 43 percent of all travelers — 3 percentage points higher than last year — while the number of elderly people and children traveling grew rapidly. The number of children through age 12 traveling by air saw a 31 percent year-on-year increase, while the number of air travelers over age 60 rose 33 percent year-on-year, Qunar found.
\n
In terms of hotel check-ins on Oct 1, Beijing topped the list of the most popular domestic destinations, followed by Shanghai and Chongqing.
\n
In particular, the number of self-driving travelers has increased significantly. On Oct 1, the number of road trip travelers more than tripled over the previous day, according to Tuniu Corp, an online travel agency based in Nanjing, Jiangsu province.
\n
The longer holiday has also enabled more people to travel abroad. Travelers from third-tier and smaller cities have shown more enthusiasm for outbound travel, and the number of people who flew abroad on Oct 1 surged by more than 50 percent year-on-year. The most popular overseas destinations have been Japan, Thailand, South Korea, Malaysia and Vietnam.
\n
Meanwhile, the holidays have attracted more international travelers to experience Chinese culture. On Oct 1, the number of foreign passengers taking domestic flights jumped more than 40 percent year-on-year, with such travelers visiting some 70 cities in China. Foreign travelers have mainly come from South Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand, Qunar found.
\n
Meanwhile, as of Sept 25, the average price of air tickets for the National Day holiday was 819 yuan ($115), up 9.1 percent year-on-year, according to Flight Master, a travel services platform in China.
\n
Lin Zhijie, an independent aviation industry analyst, said: "After adjustments over the past few years, airlines' pricing strategies have undergone significant changes. Their forecasts of market trends have become increasingly accurate and effective, and airfares have also become more closely aligned with market demand."
\n
zhuwenqian@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
Visitors enjoy an immersive performance staged on the water in Meishan, Sichuan province, on Wednesday. During the National Day holiday, large numbers of tourists have flocked to scenic spots across the country.
\n
This year's eight-day National Day holiday, which is one day longer than usual and overlaps with Mid-Autumn Festival, has driven greater popularity in the tourism market than previous years, according to industry insiders.
\n
As demand for travel and family reunions overlap, there has been a notable rise in family trips, said Qunar, a Beijing-based online travel agency. This has driven rapid growth in travel volume, and the holiday's overall tourism popularity is expected to surpass that of previous years, the agency said.
\n
Due to high demand, many passengers have been unable to book tickets for high-speed trains, so they have turned instead to flight tickets, which has further fueled an overall increase in holiday airfares, said aviation data provider VariFlight.
\n
Nonetheless, Cai Muzi, a Qunar researcher, said that airfares "saw a drop starting on Oct 2 and reached a relatively low level on Oct 4. Traveling during the offpeak period makes it more cost-effective."
\n
On Oct 1, National Day, the number of air passengers hit a peak, and family travelers were the main force of those embarking on trips, according to Qunar.
\n
On the first day of the holiday period, family travelers accounted for 43 percent of all travelers — 3 percentage points higher than last year — while the number of elderly people and children traveling grew rapidly. The number of children through age 12 traveling by air saw a 31 percent year-on-year increase, while the number of air travelers over age 60 rose 33 percent year-on-year, Qunar found.
\n
In terms of hotel check-ins on Oct 1, Beijing topped the list of the most popular domestic destinations, followed by Shanghai and Chongqing.
\n
In particular, the number of self-driving travelers has increased significantly. On Oct 1, the number of road trip travelers more than tripled over the previous day, according to Tuniu Corp, an online travel agency based in Nanjing, Jiangsu province.
\n
The longer holiday has also enabled more people to travel abroad. Travelers from third-tier and smaller cities have shown more enthusiasm for outbound travel, and the number of people who flew abroad on Oct 1 surged by more than 50 percent year-on-year. The most popular overseas destinations have been Japan, Thailand, South Korea, Malaysia and Vietnam.
\n
Meanwhile, the holidays have attracted more international travelers to experience Chinese culture. On Oct 1, the number of foreign passengers taking domestic flights jumped more than 40 percent year-on-year, with such travelers visiting some 70 cities in China. Foreign travelers have mainly come from South Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand, Qunar found.
\n
Meanwhile, as of Sept 25, the average price of air tickets for the National Day holiday was 819 yuan ($115), up 9.1 percent year-on-year, according to Flight Master, a travel services platform in China.
\n
Lin Zhijie, an independent aviation industry analyst, said: "After adjustments over the past few years, airlines' pricing strategies have undergone significant changes. Their forecasts of market trends have become increasingly accurate and effective, and airfares have also become more closely aligned with market demand."
A model showcases clothing on Wednesday that blends the traditional craftsmanship of the Lisu ethnic group from China's Sichuan province with modern fashion elements, at the third Sino-French Fashion Week held at the China Cultural Center in Paris.
\n",
+ "content": "
A model showcases clothing on Wednesday that blends the traditional craftsmanship of the Lisu ethnic group from China's Sichuan province with modern fashion elements, at the third Sino-French Fashion Week held at the China Cultural Center in Paris.
Shoppers browse smart electric cookers at a store in Changzhou, Jiangsu province.
\n
An AI-powered air conditioner on display during an industry expo in Shanghai earlier this year.
\n
Air conditioners that automatically control the humidity and temperature of a room, based on artificial intelligence-powered voice interactions and machine learning ability to track consumer habits, have already become part of people's daily lives in China.
\n
Nowadays, people can play games, engage in physical exercise, make purchases online and have video chats with friends and family members via intelligent televisions.
\n
Thanks to the rapid development of AI, an increasing number of home appliances can be controlled through voice commands and facial recognition, helping to better understand and satisfy the personalized and diversified demands of users.
\n
Experts said rapidly evolving artificial intelligence is expected to create new consumption growth drivers and inject strong impetus into China's home appliance industry, as the cutting-edge digital technology spearheads a new wave of technological revolution and industrial transformation.
\n
AI is not only playing an increasingly pivotal role in boosting productivity and reshaping the competitive landscape in the household appliances market, but also driving the transformation and upgrade of the traditional manufacturing sector, they said.
\n
The State Council, China's Cabinet, recently issued a guideline on deeply implementing the "AI Plus" initiative. According to the guideline, the country will promote the use of AI in science and technology, industrial development, consumption, people's well-being, governance capability and global cooperation.
\n
By 2027, China will extensively and deeply integrate AI in six key sectors, with the penetration rate of new-generation intelligent terminals and AI agents surpassing 70 percent, and this figure will exceed 90 percent by 2030, the guideline said.
\n
The country has recognized AI as essential to fostering new quality productive forces and activating new growth drivers. Leading Chinese consumer electronics and home appliance makers are racing to incorporate AI technology into manufacturing, products and services.
\n
AI is reshaping the industrial landscape and will be the biggest technological revolution in the next 50 years, said Zhou Yunjie, chairman and CEO of Chinese home appliance giant Haier Group. "At present, the deployment of AI in enterprises is mainly concentrated on manufacturing, research and development, sales, procurement and services."
\n
Highlighting that every industry will integrate with AI, and any enterprise that does not embrace AI will eventually be weeded out, Zhou noted that the integration of AI models with home service robots and terminal devices will create new growth drivers for the global consumer electronics industry.
\n
The company has invested heavily in developing large language models and is promoting the adoption of AI in a wide range of fields such as household appliances and industrial internet, he said.
\n
AI models tailored for the smart home domain represent key infrastructure supporting transformation of the traditional home appliances sector, he added.
\n
Li Dongsheng, founder and chairman of Chinese consumer electronics manufacturer TCL Technology Group Corp, said, "The application of AI in the high-tech manufacturing sector will bring about greater value than its use in terminal products, as this state-of-the-art digital technology will significantly improve the production efficiency and competitiveness of China's manufacturing enterprises."
\n
Li said AI is increasingly embedded into intelligent production lines, product research and development, and terminal devices, which will further bolster the development of China's high-tech manufacturing sector.
\n
"We established an AI research and development center in Poland in 2018. Prior to that, we set up an R&D center in the United States in 2011. As a manufacturing enterprise, we will focus more on the application of AI," Li said.
\n
He said China's breakthroughs in LLMs, along with the meteoric rise of Chinese AI startup DeepSeek, have enabled it to rapidly catch up with the United States in the AI segment, while surpassing most other developed economies in terms of AI application.
\n
This year's Government Work Report stated that under the "AI Plus" initiative, the nation will work to effectively combine digital technologies with its manufacturing and market strengths, support the extensive application of large-scale AI models, and vigorously develop new-generation intelligent terminals and smart manufacturing equipment.
\n
According to a report by China Merchants Securities, the market scale of the smart home devices sector in China will reach 952.3 billion yuan ($133.9 billion) in 2025, with the penetration rate of AI technology exceeding 50 percent. In the next 10 years, smart household appliances will experience explosive growth.
\n
"We are pushing forward the integration of AI with data and speeding up the industrial use of AI," said Liu Jiang, chairman of Sichuan Changhong Electronics Holding Group Co Ltd.
\n
The company is leveraging AI to inspect the quality of machines and components to facilitate the automation and intelligent upgrade of equipment and improve the efficiency of production lines, Liu said.
\n
Changhong has applied AI technology into areas such as manufacturing, operations and products. It has unveiled plans to establish 66 AI-powered intelligent factories worldwide, and has rolled out AI televisions equipped with LLMs that support multimodal interaction functions including voice, gesture and expressions.
\n
Hisense Group said its Xinghai large language model is deeply integrated with DeepSeek, and with enhanced deep thinking and reasoning abilities, its smart TVs can better understand user demands, and provide them with a more natural interaction experience.
\n
Statistics from Beijing-based consultancy All View Cloud, which focuses on the home appliances sector, showed that the sales of home appliances in China reached 907.1 billion yuan last year, up 6.4 percent year-on-year, a fresh record.
\n
China's AI sector will make big strides in the next 10 to 15 years, with its market size reaching 1.73 trillion yuan by 2035, accounting for 30.6 percent of the global total, said market research company CCID Consulting.
\n
Gree Electric Appliances, a major Chinese home appliance manufacturer based in Zhuhai, Guangdong province, has embedded its own proprietary model framework into DeepSeek R1 and plans to build an industry-specific AI model based on DeepSeek.
\n
Dong Mingzhu, chairwoman of Gree, said the company will bolster the integration of image and voice recognition and other AI technologies with home appliance products, and expects the application of AI in air conditioners to contribute to energy conservation.
\n
"The rise of AI technology will offer better human-machine interaction capacities and advance the intelligent transformation of the traditional home appliances sector, while unleashing immense consumption potential," said Liu Fei, research director of the consumer electronics department at All View Cloud.
\n
Chinese consumers have shown increased demand for high-quality and smart home equipment along with the iteration and upgrade of product functions and technologies, Liu said, adding that the accelerated adoption of AI in household appliances will further stimulate consumers' purchasing appetites, thereby expanding domestic demand and shoring up the economy.
\n
However, some challenges and difficulties have cropped up in the development of smart home devices, Liu said.
\n
AI-powered home appliance products made by different manufacturers usually cannot be connected, and they still rely on foreign suppliers for high-end smart chips, Liu said.
\n
Hong Yong, an associate research fellow at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, said the adoption of AI can reduce production costs, improve the quality of products and optimize resource allocation, thus bringing about huge economic benefits.
\n
He added that the new type of consumption is mainly driven by technological advancements in AI, with a focus on consumers' personalized and diversified needs.
\n
Midea Group is bolstering the application of AI technology in intelligent manufacturing, smart home, robotic and healthcare segments.
\n
Zhong Zheng, vice-president of Midea, called for stepping up R&D investment in AI, especially in core technologies in key fields, establishing a data security and privacy protection system, and strengthening the training of high-caliber AI talent.
\n
Liang Zhenpeng, an independent consumer electronics analyst, said that as smart air conditioners precisely adjust room temperatures and TVs recommend and broadcast programs in accordance with the preferences of consumers, household appliances have turned into people's companions.
\n
China's smart home industry is developing by leaps and bounds, fueled by advances in cutting-edge technologies represented by AI, Liang said, adding that home appliances are creating a more comfortable and smarter home environment for residents with the help of AI.
\n
Liang noted, "The emergence of AI technology will better facilitate the conversational interaction between human beings and home appliance products. Along with people's increasing desire for a high-quality life, the AI-enabled smart home sector has a promising future."
\n
Zhu Keli, founding director of the China Institute of New Economy, stressed on the need for Chinese home appliance enterprises to improve computing power by establishing high-performance computing centers and elevating algorithm design to boost the utilization efficiency of computing power.
\n
fanfeifei@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "\n
Shoppers browse smart electric cookers at a store in Changzhou, Jiangsu province.
\n
An AI-powered air conditioner on display during an industry expo in Shanghai earlier this year.
\n
Air conditioners that automatically control the humidity and temperature of a room, based on artificial intelligence-powered voice interactions and machine learning ability to track consumer habits, have already become part of people's daily lives in China.
\n
Nowadays, people can play games, engage in physical exercise, make purchases online and have video chats with friends and family members via intelligent televisions.
\n
Thanks to the rapid development of AI, an increasing number of home appliances can be controlled through voice commands and facial recognition, helping to better understand and satisfy the personalized and diversified demands of users.
\n
Experts said rapidly evolving artificial intelligence is expected to create new consumption growth drivers and inject strong impetus into China's home appliance industry, as the cutting-edge digital technology spearheads a new wave of technological revolution and industrial transformation.
\n
AI is not only playing an increasingly pivotal role in boosting productivity and reshaping the competitive landscape in the household appliances market, but also driving the transformation and upgrade of the traditional manufacturing sector, they said.
\n
The State Council, China's Cabinet, recently issued a guideline on deeply implementing the "AI Plus" initiative. According to the guideline, the country will promote the use of AI in science and technology, industrial development, consumption, people's well-being, governance capability and global cooperation.
\n
By 2027, China will extensively and deeply integrate AI in six key sectors, with the penetration rate of new-generation intelligent terminals and AI agents surpassing 70 percent, and this figure will exceed 90 percent by 2030, the guideline said.
\n
The country has recognized AI as essential to fostering new quality productive forces and activating new growth drivers. Leading Chinese consumer electronics and home appliance makers are racing to incorporate AI technology into manufacturing, products and services.
\n
AI is reshaping the industrial landscape and will be the biggest technological revolution in the next 50 years, said Zhou Yunjie, chairman and CEO of Chinese home appliance giant Haier Group. "At present, the deployment of AI in enterprises is mainly concentrated on manufacturing, research and development, sales, procurement and services."
\n
Highlighting that every industry will integrate with AI, and any enterprise that does not embrace AI will eventually be weeded out, Zhou noted that the integration of AI models with home service robots and terminal devices will create new growth drivers for the global consumer electronics industry.
\n
The company has invested heavily in developing large language models and is promoting the adoption of AI in a wide range of fields such as household appliances and industrial internet, he said.
\n
AI models tailored for the smart home domain represent key infrastructure supporting transformation of the traditional home appliances sector, he added.
\n
Li Dongsheng, founder and chairman of Chinese consumer electronics manufacturer TCL Technology Group Corp, said, "The application of AI in the high-tech manufacturing sector will bring about greater value than its use in terminal products, as this state-of-the-art digital technology will significantly improve the production efficiency and competitiveness of China's manufacturing enterprises."
\n
Li said AI is increasingly embedded into intelligent production lines, product research and development, and terminal devices, which will further bolster the development of China's high-tech manufacturing sector.
\n
"We established an AI research and development center in Poland in 2018. Prior to that, we set up an R&D center in the United States in 2011. As a manufacturing enterprise, we will focus more on the application of AI," Li said.
\n
He said China's breakthroughs in LLMs, along with the meteoric rise of Chinese AI startup DeepSeek, have enabled it to rapidly catch up with the United States in the AI segment, while surpassing most other developed economies in terms of AI application.
\n
This year's Government Work Report stated that under the "AI Plus" initiative, the nation will work to effectively combine digital technologies with its manufacturing and market strengths, support the extensive application of large-scale AI models, and vigorously develop new-generation intelligent terminals and smart manufacturing equipment.
\n
According to a report by China Merchants Securities, the market scale of the smart home devices sector in China will reach 952.3 billion yuan ($133.9 billion) in 2025, with the penetration rate of AI technology exceeding 50 percent. In the next 10 years, smart household appliances will experience explosive growth.
\n
"We are pushing forward the integration of AI with data and speeding up the industrial use of AI," said Liu Jiang, chairman of Sichuan Changhong Electronics Holding Group Co Ltd.
\n
The company is leveraging AI to inspect the quality of machines and components to facilitate the automation and intelligent upgrade of equipment and improve the efficiency of production lines, Liu said.
\n
Changhong has applied AI technology into areas such as manufacturing, operations and products. It has unveiled plans to establish 66 AI-powered intelligent factories worldwide, and has rolled out AI televisions equipped with LLMs that support multimodal interaction functions including voice, gesture and expressions.
\n
Hisense Group said its Xinghai large language model is deeply integrated with DeepSeek, and with enhanced deep thinking and reasoning abilities, its smart TVs can better understand user demands, and provide them with a more natural interaction experience.
\n
Statistics from Beijing-based consultancy All View Cloud, which focuses on the home appliances sector, showed that the sales of home appliances in China reached 907.1 billion yuan last year, up 6.4 percent year-on-year, a fresh record.
\n
China's AI sector will make big strides in the next 10 to 15 years, with its market size reaching 1.73 trillion yuan by 2035, accounting for 30.6 percent of the global total, said market research company CCID Consulting.
\n
Gree Electric Appliances, a major Chinese home appliance manufacturer based in Zhuhai, Guangdong province, has embedded its own proprietary model framework into DeepSeek R1 and plans to build an industry-specific AI model based on DeepSeek.
\n
Dong Mingzhu, chairwoman of Gree, said the company will bolster the integration of image and voice recognition and other AI technologies with home appliance products, and expects the application of AI in air conditioners to contribute to energy conservation.
\n
"The rise of AI technology will offer better human-machine interaction capacities and advance the intelligent transformation of the traditional home appliances sector, while unleashing immense consumption potential," said Liu Fei, research director of the consumer electronics department at All View Cloud.
\n
Chinese consumers have shown increased demand for high-quality and smart home equipment along with the iteration and upgrade of product functions and technologies, Liu said, adding that the accelerated adoption of AI in household appliances will further stimulate consumers' purchasing appetites, thereby expanding domestic demand and shoring up the economy.
\n
However, some challenges and difficulties have cropped up in the development of smart home devices, Liu said.
\n
AI-powered home appliance products made by different manufacturers usually cannot be connected, and they still rely on foreign suppliers for high-end smart chips, Liu said.
\n
Hong Yong, an associate research fellow at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, said the adoption of AI can reduce production costs, improve the quality of products and optimize resource allocation, thus bringing about huge economic benefits.
\n
He added that the new type of consumption is mainly driven by technological advancements in AI, with a focus on consumers' personalized and diversified needs.
\n
Midea Group is bolstering the application of AI technology in intelligent manufacturing, smart home, robotic and healthcare segments.
\n
Zhong Zheng, vice-president of Midea, called for stepping up R&D investment in AI, especially in core technologies in key fields, establishing a data security and privacy protection system, and strengthening the training of high-caliber AI talent.
\n
Liang Zhenpeng, an independent consumer electronics analyst, said that as smart air conditioners precisely adjust room temperatures and TVs recommend and broadcast programs in accordance with the preferences of consumers, household appliances have turned into people's companions.
\n
China's smart home industry is developing by leaps and bounds, fueled by advances in cutting-edge technologies represented by AI, Liang said, adding that home appliances are creating a more comfortable and smarter home environment for residents with the help of AI.
\n
Liang noted, "The emergence of AI technology will better facilitate the conversational interaction between human beings and home appliance products. Along with people's increasing desire for a high-quality life, the AI-enabled smart home sector has a promising future."
\n
Zhu Keli, founding director of the China Institute of New Economy, stressed on the need for Chinese home appliance enterprises to improve computing power by establishing high-performance computing centers and elevating algorithm design to boost the utilization efficiency of computing power.
China will remain a stabilizing force in the global economy, with recent targeted financing tools and steps to bolster domestic demand and trade underscoring its proactive policy support, resilience and long-term growth potential, said market watchers and business leaders on Friday.
\n
They made the remarks after the Washington-based International Monetary Fund said on Thursday that global inflation presents a mixed picture. Headline inflation has shown renewed upward pressure in several economies, with stronger readings recently in the United Kingdom, Australia and India.
\n
Julie Kozack, director of the IMF's communications department, said that in the United States, there is evidence that tariffs are feeding through into higher prices, particularly in core inflation.
\n
"And then we have countries where inflation pressures are very muted, for example in China and some countries in Asia," she said.
\n
Analysts said China's ability to maintain relatively low inflation, safeguard supply chains and sustain steady exports of green and high-tech products underlines its role as a stabilizer in the global economy, especially at a time when certain countries are grappling with divergent price pressures and policy uncertainties.
\n
China's recent policy moves show a clear commitment to cushioning the economy against global headwinds, said Wang Guannan, spokeswoman for the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade.
\n
"By expanding financing channels for key sectors and ensuring stable demand at home and abroad, China is enhancing its role as a steadying force in the world economy," she said.
\n
To meet these expectations, the National Development and Reform Commission, China's top economic regulator, announced earlier this week that the government will introduce a new policy-based financial instrument worth 500 billion yuan ($70.2 billion), as part of the country's efforts to improve financial services for the real economy and boost effective investment.
\n
"Despite external pressures, China's economy has remained generally stable, with solid progress in high-quality development," said Li Chao, spokesperson for the NDRC. "As the effects of policies are fully released, we are confident in maintaining steady and healthy economic development, and confident in achieving the annual growth target."
\n
Chen Jianwei, a researcher at the University of International Business and Economics' Academy of China Open Economy Studies, said that targeted measures that address domestic consumption as well as stable foreign trade growth are helping to build confidence among businesses and investors.
\n
Chen said this reflects not only proactive policy support, but also the resilience and long-term potential of the Chinese economy.
\n
Recognizing China's market strengths, Yin Zheng, executive vice-president of China and East Asia operations at French industrial conglomerate Schneider Electric, said that with its vast market size, comprehensive industrial support and resilient supply chains, China has become a central force in the global industrial landscape.
\n
The rapid growth and broad application of frontier technologies such as artificial intelligence are further reinforcing this position, Yin said.
\n
Denis Depoux, global managing director of management consultancy Roland Berger, said that the partnership between China and many Asian countries, especially economies of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, has achieved resounding success, built on a foundation of deep integration.
\n
Crucially, this deep regionalization is not just beneficial for Chinese or ASEAN companies, but is essential for Asia's future collective competitiveness, said Depoux, adding that amid global geopolitical tensions, building resilient regional supply chains is a strategic imperative.
\n
"For Chinese companies, ASEAN is not merely an outlet, it is an integral part of a regional industrial ecosystem," Depoux said.
\n
Furthermore, faced with rising uncertainties from the US, Asian governments are encouraging regional demand within Asia and accelerating efforts to build a more integrated and easier-to-navigate Asian market with resilient regional supply chains, he said.
China will remain a stabilizing force in the global economy, with recent targeted financing tools and steps to bolster domestic demand and trade underscoring its proactive policy support, resilience and long-term growth potential, said market watchers and business leaders on Friday.
\n
They made the remarks after the Washington-based International Monetary Fund said on Thursday that global inflation presents a mixed picture. Headline inflation has shown renewed upward pressure in several economies, with stronger readings recently in the United Kingdom, Australia and India.
\n
Julie Kozack, director of the IMF's communications department, said that in the United States, there is evidence that tariffs are feeding through into higher prices, particularly in core inflation.
\n
"And then we have countries where inflation pressures are very muted, for example in China and some countries in Asia," she said.
\n
Analysts said China's ability to maintain relatively low inflation, safeguard supply chains and sustain steady exports of green and high-tech products underlines its role as a stabilizer in the global economy, especially at a time when certain countries are grappling with divergent price pressures and policy uncertainties.
\n
China's recent policy moves show a clear commitment to cushioning the economy against global headwinds, said Wang Guannan, spokeswoman for the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade.
\n
"By expanding financing channels for key sectors and ensuring stable demand at home and abroad, China is enhancing its role as a steadying force in the world economy," she said.
\n
To meet these expectations, the National Development and Reform Commission, China's top economic regulator, announced earlier this week that the government will introduce a new policy-based financial instrument worth 500 billion yuan ($70.2 billion), as part of the country's efforts to improve financial services for the real economy and boost effective investment.
\n
"Despite external pressures, China's economy has remained generally stable, with solid progress in high-quality development," said Li Chao, spokesperson for the NDRC. "As the effects of policies are fully released, we are confident in maintaining steady and healthy economic development, and confident in achieving the annual growth target."
\n
Chen Jianwei, a researcher at the University of International Business and Economics' Academy of China Open Economy Studies, said that targeted measures that address domestic consumption as well as stable foreign trade growth are helping to build confidence among businesses and investors.
\n
Chen said this reflects not only proactive policy support, but also the resilience and long-term potential of the Chinese economy.
\n
Recognizing China's market strengths, Yin Zheng, executive vice-president of China and East Asia operations at French industrial conglomerate Schneider Electric, said that with its vast market size, comprehensive industrial support and resilient supply chains, China has become a central force in the global industrial landscape.
\n
The rapid growth and broad application of frontier technologies such as artificial intelligence are further reinforcing this position, Yin said.
\n
Denis Depoux, global managing director of management consultancy Roland Berger, said that the partnership between China and many Asian countries, especially economies of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, has achieved resounding success, built on a foundation of deep integration.
\n
Crucially, this deep regionalization is not just beneficial for Chinese or ASEAN companies, but is essential for Asia's future collective competitiveness, said Depoux, adding that amid global geopolitical tensions, building resilient regional supply chains is a strategic imperative.
\n
"For Chinese companies, ASEAN is not merely an outlet, it is an integral part of a regional industrial ecosystem," Depoux said.
\n
Furthermore, faced with rising uncertainties from the US, Asian governments are encouraging regional demand within Asia and accelerating efforts to build a more integrated and easier-to-navigate Asian market with resilient regional supply chains, he said.
Tianjin University President Chai Liyuan (front, third from left) joins faculty members, students and alumni on Thursday in sharing the 130th anniversary cake at the university in Tianjin.
\n
President Xi Jinping has extended his congratulations to the faculty, students and alumni of Tianjin University on the 130th anniversary of the founding of China's first modern university.
\n
Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, conveyed his congratulations in a reply dated Tuesday to a letter from all the faculty and students of the university.
\n
Xi described the anniversary as a new starting point for the university, and called on its faculty and students to focus on major national strategic needs.
\n
He expressed his hope that they will deepen reforms in teaching and scientific research, strengthen basic research, and achieve greater breakthroughs in science and technology.
\n
Xi also urged them to improve the quality of talent development and contribute to the country's efforts to build a strong educational system, enhance scientific and technological strength, and advance Chinese modernization.
\n
Tianjin University, which was founded in 1895 as Peiyang University, adopted its current name in 1951.
\n
The university, with about 40,000 full-time students and more than 4,800 faculty and staff members, is known for its specialties in engineering.
\n
Recently, the university's faculty and students wrote a letter to Xi, reporting the university's development over the 130 years and its achievements in recent years.
\n
They also expressed their determination to cultivate talent independently and achieve greater self-reliance and strength in science and technology.
\n
Xi's reply was received with great enthusiasm by the university's faculty and students.
\n
Yang Xianjin, Party secretary of Tianjin University, said the reply was inspiring and encouraging, adding that it has provided fundamental guidance for the university's efforts to build itself into a world-class university.
\n
Liu Congqiang, dean of the School of Earth System Science, said the reply contains strategic guidance for scientific and technological innovation in the new era.
\n
"We feel deeply honored and are deeply aware of the great responsibility we shoulder," Liu said.
\n
The school will work to better align its basic research efforts with the country's major needs, such as those for carbon peak and carbon neutrality, and contribute to the country's efforts to cultivate new quality productive forces, Liu said.
\n
Qi Dehao, a student in the School of Precision Instrument and Opto-Electronics Engineering, said, "In this era, only innovators advance, only innovators become strong, and only innovators win."
\n
"We will bravely climb the peaks of technology and take the lead in overcoming technological 'stranglehold', contributing our youthful energy to the realization of the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation," Qi said.
\n
Tan Lak Hon, an international student from Malaysia, said that during his three years at Tianjin University, he has gained not only extensive knowledge, but also many unforgettable experiences and memories.
\n
Last year marked the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Malaysia and China, and last month, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim visited Tianjin University.
\n
"These two significant events have converged during my youth, strengthening my future direction — to integrate personal growth into the progress of the times, to transform cross-cultural exchanges into bridges and bonds, and to tell the story of Malaysia-China friendship," he said.
\n",
+ "content": "
Tianjin University President Chai Liyuan (front, third from left) joins faculty members, students and alumni on Thursday in sharing the 130th anniversary cake at the university in Tianjin.
\n
President Xi Jinping has extended his congratulations to the faculty, students and alumni of Tianjin University on the 130th anniversary of the founding of China's first modern university.
\n
Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, conveyed his congratulations in a reply dated Tuesday to a letter from all the faculty and students of the university.
\n
Xi described the anniversary as a new starting point for the university, and called on its faculty and students to focus on major national strategic needs.
\n
He expressed his hope that they will deepen reforms in teaching and scientific research, strengthen basic research, and achieve greater breakthroughs in science and technology.
\n
Xi also urged them to improve the quality of talent development and contribute to the country's efforts to build a strong educational system, enhance scientific and technological strength, and advance Chinese modernization.
\n
Tianjin University, which was founded in 1895 as Peiyang University, adopted its current name in 1951.
\n
The university, with about 40,000 full-time students and more than 4,800 faculty and staff members, is known for its specialties in engineering.
\n
Recently, the university's faculty and students wrote a letter to Xi, reporting the university's development over the 130 years and its achievements in recent years.
\n
They also expressed their determination to cultivate talent independently and achieve greater self-reliance and strength in science and technology.
\n
Xi's reply was received with great enthusiasm by the university's faculty and students.
\n
Yang Xianjin, Party secretary of Tianjin University, said the reply was inspiring and encouraging, adding that it has provided fundamental guidance for the university's efforts to build itself into a world-class university.
\n
Liu Congqiang, dean of the School of Earth System Science, said the reply contains strategic guidance for scientific and technological innovation in the new era.
\n
"We feel deeply honored and are deeply aware of the great responsibility we shoulder," Liu said.
\n
The school will work to better align its basic research efforts with the country's major needs, such as those for carbon peak and carbon neutrality, and contribute to the country's efforts to cultivate new quality productive forces, Liu said.
\n
Qi Dehao, a student in the School of Precision Instrument and Opto-Electronics Engineering, said, "In this era, only innovators advance, only innovators become strong, and only innovators win."
\n
"We will bravely climb the peaks of technology and take the lead in overcoming technological 'stranglehold', contributing our youthful energy to the realization of the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation," Qi said.
\n
Tan Lak Hon, an international student from Malaysia, said that during his three years at Tianjin University, he has gained not only extensive knowledge, but also many unforgettable experiences and memories.
\n
Last year marked the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Malaysia and China, and last month, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim visited Tianjin University.
\n
"These two significant events have converged during my youth, strengthening my future direction — to integrate personal growth into the progress of the times, to transform cross-cultural exchanges into bridges and bonds, and to tell the story of Malaysia-China friendship," he said.
In a spectacular light show to celebrate the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, 5,000 drones take to the skies over Southwest China's Chongqing on Wednesday evening.
\n",
+ "content": "
In a spectacular light show to celebrate the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, 5,000 drones take to the skies over Southwest China's Chongqing on Wednesday evening.
Customers browse products at a Pop Mart store on Oxford Street in London, on May 21. Collectible toys, which go beyond the practical function of traditional toys by offering greater emotional value, collectibility, and artistic appeal, have gained popularity among overseas consumers recently.
\n
Customers line up at a Heytea store in Times Square, New York, on March 8, as they flock to the newly opened bubble tea brand from China.
\n
People walk past a Luckin Coffee store before its opening in Chelsea in New York on June 8.
\n\n
The global frenzy for the Labubu doll has shone a light on how Chinese brands are crossing borders and growing in popularity worldwide.
\n
Domestic toy company Pop Mart's plush toys took off in 2024 after celebrities like Blackpink's Lisa and superstar Rihanna showcased their collections on social media. People now compete fiercely to buy the popular dolls, which have seen a significant increase in resale value.
\n
Labubu's monster sales have helped Pop Mart, built on the concept of high-quality blind box toys, grow into a billion-dollar business. It now operates over 400 stores and 2,000 vending machines worldwide.
\n
Meanwhile, other Chinese brands have either already proved to be an international success or are in the process of doing so.
\n
Online stores Shein and Temu are both well-known for offering a vast selection of low-cost products shipped directly from China. While Shein has not publicly reported its global earnings, Reuters said the company was valued at $66 billion last year. Temu is owned by Pinduoduo, a major e-commerce platform. The company's market capitalization had reached approximately $184 billion as of Sept 19.
\n
While the rise of e-commerce has caused a decline in many traditional retail stores, lifestyle retailer Miniso has defied the trend.
\n
Miniso was founded in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, in 2016, with the philosophy of "quality, affordability and fashion".
\n
As of 2024, the company had more than 7,500 stores worldwide. It offers a range of products including toys, beauty products, small electronics, stationery, snacks, and household goods. There are over 200 Miniso stores across 40 US states, with membership growing by 250 percent in 2024 to 2 million people, according to the company.
\n
Miniso's global flagship store in New York's Times Square generated nearly $80,000 in revenue on its opening day on May 19, 2023, setting a single-day sales record among its stores globally, according to a media release.
\n
The company is rapidly expanding, launching flagship stores in iconic locations such as Oxford Street in London, the Champs-Elysees in Paris, Seoul's Gangnam District and Tokyo's Harajuku. In July, it opened a 500-square-meter store in Melbourne, Australia.
\n
The NYSE-listed company reported that its revenue last year reached $2.3 billion, a 22.8 percent increase from the previous year. Consumers say they love Miniso products for their cute designs, IP collaborations and affordable prices.
\n
"Brands like Pop Mart have successfully created a 'collectible culture' around their products, using the blind box to tap into psychological drivers like scarcity and the thrill of discovery," Cornell University finance professor Will Cong told China Daily.
\n
"They bypass traditional retail barriers by launching on e-commerce and social platforms like TikTok, building communities and generating viral, user-generated content that provides authentic marketing."
\n
Cong added, "This digital fluency, combined with hyper-agile supply chains that enable rapid product iteration — a 'fast fashion' DNA seen in brands like Miniso and (fashion chain) Urban Revivo — allows them to respond to trends in near real time, keeping their offerings perpetually fresh and relevant."
\n
Beverage bubble
\n
The concept of bubble tea is being taken to the next level — with Chinese beverage companies including Heytea, Chagee, Coco Fresh Tea and Juice, Molly Tea, and Auntea Jenny now operating tens of thousands of stores worldwide.
\n
Heytea can be seen not only in New York's Chinatown. It has outlets in other major traffic areas in the city such as Times Square, Soho, the East Village, and Herald Square, which attract a diverse range of consumers from all backgrounds.
\n
Founded in Guangdong in 2012 by Nie Yunchen, Heytea lays claim to creating the first "cheese tea", which has a top layer of foamy cream cheese added.
\n
Besides offering tea latte, Heytea created a range of beverages that mix fruit with green tea or dairy.
\n
The company has over 4,000 stores worldwide. Its vice-president of overseas strategy and franchising, Yujia Gu, told the Los Angeles Times he believes the US market will be even bigger than China's, due to the rising appreciation of Asian culture.
\n
Yang Jiawen, a professor of international business and international affairs at George Washington University, said Chinese brands are still at an early stage of recognition in the US market. Product quality, effective advertising, competitive prices, and services that emphasize health and safety features will be important for the development of markets in the US and globally, Yang added.
\n
These brands have had huge success in China, and now they are trying to expand their market in the US.
\n
Luckin Coffee is the biggest coffee shop chain in China with its 22,000 stores far surpassing the 6,500 of its US competitor Starbucks.
\n
The company reported that its net revenue last year exceeded $4.7 billion, representing a 38.4 percent year-on-year increase, with much of it due to its rapid expansion. It opened 6,092 new stores, including 6,071 on the Chinese mainland, 21 in Singapore, and five in Hong Kong.
\n
In June, Luckin Coffee ventured into the US and launched its first store in New York.
\n
Sean Brassil, 28, who visited China in April, said he's excited to see the Chinese company in the US, after enjoying the convenience of ordering a beverage each morning from his hotel room and picking it up. "App and pay integration just feels very seamless and the way of the future," he said.
\n
Cotti Coffee — founded by two former Luckin Coffee executives in 2022 — is also experiencing rapid growth with over 14,000 stores worldwide in more than 28 countries and regions.
\n
Unlike Luckin, which is shifting from a price war to focus on quality and brand building, Cotti offers more competitive pricing to attract customers. In China, customers can buy a Cotti beverage for 10 yuan ($1.40). Although Cotti's pricing in the US isn't that competitive, it recently opened its second store in Manhattan.
\n
"The success of the new wave of Chinese brands in the US is driven by a sophisticated playbook that moves beyond the old 'low-cost manufacturing' model. A primary factor is their innovative reengineering of the value proposition," Cong from Cornell University said.
\n
"Brands like Luckin Coffee and Cotti Coffee exemplify a model of 'tech-enabled affordable convenience', using app-based ordering and small-footprint, grab-and-go stores to offer quality products at highly competitive prices. This isn't just a price war; it's a competition of operational efficiency, where technology drastically reduces overheads like rent and labor, allowing them to sustainably offer value that combines affordability with extreme convenience."
\n
Popular clothing brand Urban Revivo, founded in Guangzhou in 2016, is often referred to as the Chinese version of Zara, the Spanish fashion giant.
\n
Urban Revivo has annual sales of around $961 million with 400 stores in China and 19 across the world, mostly in Southeast Asia, according to Forbes. As a major fast-fashion player competing with brands like Zara and H&M, the store adds hundreds of new styles every week. In late February, it entered the US market with a store opening in New York's trendy Soho neighborhood.
\n
Blush of success
\n
In China, more consumers are turning to domestic beauty brands, driving strong growth in local products. At the same time, the country's cosmetics industry is being highly influenced by social media and e-commerce platforms.
\n
In 2022, for example, the sales of domestic Chinese brands on Douyin grew 110 percent year-on-year, according to a Xinhua News Agency report.
\n
From budget-friendly names like Into You and Judydoll to premium brands such as Mao Geping and Florasis, Chinese beauty labels are gaining widespread popularity.
\n
In the first 11 months of 2024, the export volume of Chinese beauty products and toiletries reached 1.19 million metric tons, marking an 18.2 percent increase compared with last year, General Administration of Customs data shows. Export value was $6.53 billion, up 9.4 percent on a yearly basis.
\n
In addition, a growing number of Chinese beauty products have entered the US market. These brands are competing with established international names by offering special pricing while emphasizing design and quality.
\n
Florasis, a cosmetic brand started in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, was praised by US beauty guru and influencer Jeffree Star as "the world's most beautiful makeup" for its designs, which incorporate traditional Chinese elements.
\n
Now available in over 110 countries and regions, the brand earned Marie Claire's 2025 Makeup Award for "Best Luxury Powder Eyeshadow" with one of its palettes.
\n
Another brand, Flower Knows, recognized for its dreamy, fairy-tale-style packaging, quickly went viral in China after launching in 2016, thanks to its unique design concept as well as close collaborations with social media influencers.
\n
Following its success in the domestic market, the brand expanded into Japan, where the company said its products are sold in over 1,000 stores. Flower Knows has also secured a partnership with Urban Outfitters, one of the leading fashion and lifestyle retailers in the US.
\n
The brand has attracted over 2 million followers on Instagram. US pop star Sabrina Carpenter was recently seen holding one of their products on a film set.
\n
Flower Knows is in discussions with major US beauty retailers like Sephora and Ulta Beauty to showcase their products, according to the company's chief marketing officer Gong Fang.
\n
Cong, the finance professor, said the US market could prove to be more profitable than the Chinese market because of its significantly higher household spending. In addition, success in the world market would "confer a powerful 'halo effect' of global prestige" and enhance brand value everywhere, including in China.
\n
He warned, however: "This potential is tempered by significant geopolitical risks, including tariffs and regulatory scrutiny, which add direct costs and uncertainty. Thus, while the US market could become more financially profitable for certain brands, its primary value for many will likely remain strategic."
\n
After the US administration in May eliminated the "de minimis "exemption by imposing duties on packages under $800 coming from China, businesses like Shein and Temu experienced a sharp decline in sales.
\n
In the first week of May, FedEx reported a 35 percent drop in packages arriving in the US from Asia. In response to the policy change, Temu and Shein opened warehouses on US soil to facilitate domestic shipping. They also raised their prices. Shein increased prices by as much as 377 percent, according to Bloomberg.
\n
Brands like Flower Knows emphasize that marketing is more important than ever during this period.
\n
"I have a very strong belief in manufacturing power in China, and we are living proof of that as well," said Fang. "Tariffs force us to innovate and focus more on establishing unique brand positioning. C-beauty should go beyond competitiveness in pricing and agility. We'll turn constraints into chances to redefine 'Made in China'."
Customers browse products at a Pop Mart store on Oxford Street in London, on May 21. Collectible toys, which go beyond the practical function of traditional toys by offering greater emotional value, collectibility, and artistic appeal, have gained popularity among overseas consumers recently.
\n
Customers line up at a Heytea store in Times Square, New York, on March 8, as they flock to the newly opened bubble tea brand from China.
\n
People walk past a Luckin Coffee store before its opening in Chelsea in New York on June 8.
\n\n
The global frenzy for the Labubu doll has shone a light on how Chinese brands are crossing borders and growing in popularity worldwide.
\n
Domestic toy company Pop Mart's plush toys took off in 2024 after celebrities like Blackpink's Lisa and superstar Rihanna showcased their collections on social media. People now compete fiercely to buy the popular dolls, which have seen a significant increase in resale value.
\n
Labubu's monster sales have helped Pop Mart, built on the concept of high-quality blind box toys, grow into a billion-dollar business. It now operates over 400 stores and 2,000 vending machines worldwide.
\n
Meanwhile, other Chinese brands have either already proved to be an international success or are in the process of doing so.
\n
Online stores Shein and Temu are both well-known for offering a vast selection of low-cost products shipped directly from China. While Shein has not publicly reported its global earnings, Reuters said the company was valued at $66 billion last year. Temu is owned by Pinduoduo, a major e-commerce platform. The company's market capitalization had reached approximately $184 billion as of Sept 19.
\n
While the rise of e-commerce has caused a decline in many traditional retail stores, lifestyle retailer Miniso has defied the trend.
\n
Miniso was founded in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, in 2016, with the philosophy of "quality, affordability and fashion".
\n
As of 2024, the company had more than 7,500 stores worldwide. It offers a range of products including toys, beauty products, small electronics, stationery, snacks, and household goods. There are over 200 Miniso stores across 40 US states, with membership growing by 250 percent in 2024 to 2 million people, according to the company.
\n
Miniso's global flagship store in New York's Times Square generated nearly $80,000 in revenue on its opening day on May 19, 2023, setting a single-day sales record among its stores globally, according to a media release.
\n
The company is rapidly expanding, launching flagship stores in iconic locations such as Oxford Street in London, the Champs-Elysees in Paris, Seoul's Gangnam District and Tokyo's Harajuku. In July, it opened a 500-square-meter store in Melbourne, Australia.
\n
The NYSE-listed company reported that its revenue last year reached $2.3 billion, a 22.8 percent increase from the previous year. Consumers say they love Miniso products for their cute designs, IP collaborations and affordable prices.
\n
"Brands like Pop Mart have successfully created a 'collectible culture' around their products, using the blind box to tap into psychological drivers like scarcity and the thrill of discovery," Cornell University finance professor Will Cong told China Daily.
\n
"They bypass traditional retail barriers by launching on e-commerce and social platforms like TikTok, building communities and generating viral, user-generated content that provides authentic marketing."
\n
Cong added, "This digital fluency, combined with hyper-agile supply chains that enable rapid product iteration — a 'fast fashion' DNA seen in brands like Miniso and (fashion chain) Urban Revivo — allows them to respond to trends in near real time, keeping their offerings perpetually fresh and relevant."
\n
Beverage bubble
\n
The concept of bubble tea is being taken to the next level — with Chinese beverage companies including Heytea, Chagee, Coco Fresh Tea and Juice, Molly Tea, and Auntea Jenny now operating tens of thousands of stores worldwide.
\n
Heytea can be seen not only in New York's Chinatown. It has outlets in other major traffic areas in the city such as Times Square, Soho, the East Village, and Herald Square, which attract a diverse range of consumers from all backgrounds.
\n
Founded in Guangdong in 2012 by Nie Yunchen, Heytea lays claim to creating the first "cheese tea", which has a top layer of foamy cream cheese added.
\n
Besides offering tea latte, Heytea created a range of beverages that mix fruit with green tea or dairy.
\n
The company has over 4,000 stores worldwide. Its vice-president of overseas strategy and franchising, Yujia Gu, told the Los Angeles Times he believes the US market will be even bigger than China's, due to the rising appreciation of Asian culture.
\n
Yang Jiawen, a professor of international business and international affairs at George Washington University, said Chinese brands are still at an early stage of recognition in the US market. Product quality, effective advertising, competitive prices, and services that emphasize health and safety features will be important for the development of markets in the US and globally, Yang added.
\n
These brands have had huge success in China, and now they are trying to expand their market in the US.
\n
Luckin Coffee is the biggest coffee shop chain in China with its 22,000 stores far surpassing the 6,500 of its US competitor Starbucks.
\n
The company reported that its net revenue last year exceeded $4.7 billion, representing a 38.4 percent year-on-year increase, with much of it due to its rapid expansion. It opened 6,092 new stores, including 6,071 on the Chinese mainland, 21 in Singapore, and five in Hong Kong.
\n
In June, Luckin Coffee ventured into the US and launched its first store in New York.
\n
Sean Brassil, 28, who visited China in April, said he's excited to see the Chinese company in the US, after enjoying the convenience of ordering a beverage each morning from his hotel room and picking it up. "App and pay integration just feels very seamless and the way of the future," he said.
\n
Cotti Coffee — founded by two former Luckin Coffee executives in 2022 — is also experiencing rapid growth with over 14,000 stores worldwide in more than 28 countries and regions.
\n
Unlike Luckin, which is shifting from a price war to focus on quality and brand building, Cotti offers more competitive pricing to attract customers. In China, customers can buy a Cotti beverage for 10 yuan ($1.40). Although Cotti's pricing in the US isn't that competitive, it recently opened its second store in Manhattan.
\n
"The success of the new wave of Chinese brands in the US is driven by a sophisticated playbook that moves beyond the old 'low-cost manufacturing' model. A primary factor is their innovative reengineering of the value proposition," Cong from Cornell University said.
\n
"Brands like Luckin Coffee and Cotti Coffee exemplify a model of 'tech-enabled affordable convenience', using app-based ordering and small-footprint, grab-and-go stores to offer quality products at highly competitive prices. This isn't just a price war; it's a competition of operational efficiency, where technology drastically reduces overheads like rent and labor, allowing them to sustainably offer value that combines affordability with extreme convenience."
\n
Popular clothing brand Urban Revivo, founded in Guangzhou in 2016, is often referred to as the Chinese version of Zara, the Spanish fashion giant.
\n
Urban Revivo has annual sales of around $961 million with 400 stores in China and 19 across the world, mostly in Southeast Asia, according to Forbes. As a major fast-fashion player competing with brands like Zara and H&M, the store adds hundreds of new styles every week. In late February, it entered the US market with a store opening in New York's trendy Soho neighborhood.
\n
Blush of success
\n
In China, more consumers are turning to domestic beauty brands, driving strong growth in local products. At the same time, the country's cosmetics industry is being highly influenced by social media and e-commerce platforms.
\n
In 2022, for example, the sales of domestic Chinese brands on Douyin grew 110 percent year-on-year, according to a Xinhua News Agency report.
\n
From budget-friendly names like Into You and Judydoll to premium brands such as Mao Geping and Florasis, Chinese beauty labels are gaining widespread popularity.
\n
In the first 11 months of 2024, the export volume of Chinese beauty products and toiletries reached 1.19 million metric tons, marking an 18.2 percent increase compared with last year, General Administration of Customs data shows. Export value was $6.53 billion, up 9.4 percent on a yearly basis.
\n
In addition, a growing number of Chinese beauty products have entered the US market. These brands are competing with established international names by offering special pricing while emphasizing design and quality.
\n
Florasis, a cosmetic brand started in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, was praised by US beauty guru and influencer Jeffree Star as "the world's most beautiful makeup" for its designs, which incorporate traditional Chinese elements.
\n
Now available in over 110 countries and regions, the brand earned Marie Claire's 2025 Makeup Award for "Best Luxury Powder Eyeshadow" with one of its palettes.
\n
Another brand, Flower Knows, recognized for its dreamy, fairy-tale-style packaging, quickly went viral in China after launching in 2016, thanks to its unique design concept as well as close collaborations with social media influencers.
\n
Following its success in the domestic market, the brand expanded into Japan, where the company said its products are sold in over 1,000 stores. Flower Knows has also secured a partnership with Urban Outfitters, one of the leading fashion and lifestyle retailers in the US.
\n
The brand has attracted over 2 million followers on Instagram. US pop star Sabrina Carpenter was recently seen holding one of their products on a film set.
\n
Flower Knows is in discussions with major US beauty retailers like Sephora and Ulta Beauty to showcase their products, according to the company's chief marketing officer Gong Fang.
\n
Cong, the finance professor, said the US market could prove to be more profitable than the Chinese market because of its significantly higher household spending. In addition, success in the world market would "confer a powerful 'halo effect' of global prestige" and enhance brand value everywhere, including in China.
\n
He warned, however: "This potential is tempered by significant geopolitical risks, including tariffs and regulatory scrutiny, which add direct costs and uncertainty. Thus, while the US market could become more financially profitable for certain brands, its primary value for many will likely remain strategic."
\n
After the US administration in May eliminated the "de minimis "exemption by imposing duties on packages under $800 coming from China, businesses like Shein and Temu experienced a sharp decline in sales.
\n
In the first week of May, FedEx reported a 35 percent drop in packages arriving in the US from Asia. In response to the policy change, Temu and Shein opened warehouses on US soil to facilitate domestic shipping. They also raised their prices. Shein increased prices by as much as 377 percent, according to Bloomberg.
\n
Brands like Flower Knows emphasize that marketing is more important than ever during this period.
\n
"I have a very strong belief in manufacturing power in China, and we are living proof of that as well," said Fang. "Tariffs force us to innovate and focus more on establishing unique brand positioning. C-beauty should go beyond competitiveness in pricing and agility. We'll turn constraints into chances to redefine 'Made in China'."
China has condemned the United States' recent veto of the Gaza ceasefire resolution at the United Nations Security Council.
\n
Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the UN, said at Wednesday's General Assembly — which was convened in response to the recent Security Council veto in order to address the escalating crisis in Gaza and consider the next steps for peace and accountability — that the US had abused its veto power.
\n
He said that if the US had not repeatedly abused its veto, the Security Council's response to the Gaza crisis would have been more effective, and if Washington had not offered unconditional protection to Israel, Security Council resolutions and international law would not have been violated so recklessly.
\n
On Sept 18, the US vetoed a draft resolution at the UN Security Council for the sixth time. The resolution called for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza as well as the release of hostages. Although 14 of the 15 Security Council members voted in favor of the draft resolution, the measure was blocked by the US veto.
\n
The US representative said his delegation vetoed the resolution because it "failed to condemn Hamas and it failed to recognize Israel's right to defend itself, amongst other serious defects".
\n
UN General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock told the 193-member organ that "a raised hand", "a simple 'no'" may appear routine when a permanent member of the Security Council casts a veto, but the impact is anything but ordinary.
\n
"A veto can extinguish hope for those trapped in conflict. It falls hardest on those who turn to the United Nations for peace, for relief, for a path out of suffering, for hope. And when it results in constant blockages, it can damage the credibility of this whole institution," Baerbock said.
\n
"The veto is not a privilege. It's a responsibility, entrusted to five nations to be exercised rarely in the spirit of peace and security for all," Baerbock said.
\n
Fu said the tragedy in Gaza must not continue, and an immediate and lasting ceasefire is needed. He added that China welcomes all efforts to de-escalate the current situation.
\n
History has repeatedly shown that military means cannot resolve the conflict, and that no country's security can be built on the insecurity of others. The ongoing war has already claimed the lives of more than 66,000 people in Gaza, and prolonging the violence will only bring more deaths and hatred, Fu said.
\n
China urged Israel, as the occupying power, to comply with its obligations under international humanitarian law, restore full access for humanitarian aid, and support relief efforts by the UN and other agencies.
\n
Fu said the two-state solution is the only viable path, stressing that Gaza and the West Bank are integral Palestinian territory and that postwar arrangements must be "Palestinians governing Palestine". He called for concrete, irreversible steps toward this goal and opposition to unilateral measures.
\n
Meanwhile, organizers of a flotilla heading toward Gaza said on Thursday that Israeli forces had stopped 39 boats carrying foreign activists and aid.
\n
The organizers denounced Israel's action as a "war crime". They said the military used aggressive tactics, including the use of water cannon, but that no one was harmed.
\n
The flotilla's progress across the Mediterranean Sea garnered international attention as nations including Turkiye, Spain and Italy sent boats or drones in case their nationals required assistance.
\n
Italy and Greece urged Israeli authorities on Wednesday to ensure the safety of the flotilla participants.
\n
Colombian President Gustavo Petro ordered the expulsion of Israel's entire diplomatic delegation on Wednesday following the detention of two Colombians in the flotilla. Israel has not had an ambassador in Colombia since last year.
\n
Spain summoned Israel's top representative in Madrid on Thursday. Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said that 65 Spaniards were traveling with the flotilla.
\n
Agencies and <span class="epaper-contributor">Pan Jie</span> in Beijing contributed to this story.
\n
mingmeili@chinadailyusa.com
\n",
+ "content": "
China has condemned the United States' recent veto of the Gaza ceasefire resolution at the United Nations Security Council.
\n
Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the UN, said at Wednesday's General Assembly — which was convened in response to the recent Security Council veto in order to address the escalating crisis in Gaza and consider the next steps for peace and accountability — that the US had abused its veto power.
\n
He said that if the US had not repeatedly abused its veto, the Security Council's response to the Gaza crisis would have been more effective, and if Washington had not offered unconditional protection to Israel, Security Council resolutions and international law would not have been violated so recklessly.
\n
On Sept 18, the US vetoed a draft resolution at the UN Security Council for the sixth time. The resolution called for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza as well as the release of hostages. Although 14 of the 15 Security Council members voted in favor of the draft resolution, the measure was blocked by the US veto.
\n
The US representative said his delegation vetoed the resolution because it "failed to condemn Hamas and it failed to recognize Israel's right to defend itself, amongst other serious defects".
\n
UN General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock told the 193-member organ that "a raised hand", "a simple 'no'" may appear routine when a permanent member of the Security Council casts a veto, but the impact is anything but ordinary.
\n
"A veto can extinguish hope for those trapped in conflict. It falls hardest on those who turn to the United Nations for peace, for relief, for a path out of suffering, for hope. And when it results in constant blockages, it can damage the credibility of this whole institution," Baerbock said.
\n
"The veto is not a privilege. It's a responsibility, entrusted to five nations to be exercised rarely in the spirit of peace and security for all," Baerbock said.
\n
Fu said the tragedy in Gaza must not continue, and an immediate and lasting ceasefire is needed. He added that China welcomes all efforts to de-escalate the current situation.
\n
History has repeatedly shown that military means cannot resolve the conflict, and that no country's security can be built on the insecurity of others. The ongoing war has already claimed the lives of more than 66,000 people in Gaza, and prolonging the violence will only bring more deaths and hatred, Fu said.
\n
China urged Israel, as the occupying power, to comply with its obligations under international humanitarian law, restore full access for humanitarian aid, and support relief efforts by the UN and other agencies.
\n
Fu said the two-state solution is the only viable path, stressing that Gaza and the West Bank are integral Palestinian territory and that postwar arrangements must be "Palestinians governing Palestine". He called for concrete, irreversible steps toward this goal and opposition to unilateral measures.
\n
Meanwhile, organizers of a flotilla heading toward Gaza said on Thursday that Israeli forces had stopped 39 boats carrying foreign activists and aid.
\n
The organizers denounced Israel's action as a "war crime". They said the military used aggressive tactics, including the use of water cannon, but that no one was harmed.
\n
The flotilla's progress across the Mediterranean Sea garnered international attention as nations including Turkiye, Spain and Italy sent boats or drones in case their nationals required assistance.
\n
Italy and Greece urged Israeli authorities on Wednesday to ensure the safety of the flotilla participants.
\n
Colombian President Gustavo Petro ordered the expulsion of Israel's entire diplomatic delegation on Wednesday following the detention of two Colombians in the flotilla. Israel has not had an ambassador in Colombia since last year.
\n
Spain summoned Israel's top representative in Madrid on Thursday. Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said that 65 Spaniards were traveling with the flotilla.
\n
Agencies and <span class="epaper-contributor">Pan Jie</span> in Beijing contributed to this story.
China's latest move to sharply raise rewards for whistleblowers will effectively improve the integrity and transparency of its securities and futures markets, analysts said, as authorities step up efforts to address misconduct and boost investor confidence.
\n
The China Securities Regulatory Commission, the country's top securities regulator, together with the Ministry of Finance, unveiled a proposal earlier this week to raise cash incentives for individuals providing credible tipoffs on serious violations.
\n
The maximum reward in eligible cases has been raised to 1 million yuan ($140,460) from 100,000 yuan.
\n
The proposal would lift whistleblower rewards to 3 percent of fines and confiscations in each case, up from the current 1 percent, the regulatory commission said in a statement.
\n
By significantly raising the stakes for tipsters, the government aims to deter market malpractice ranging from insider trading to fraudulent disclosures.
\n
Market watchers said the policy will help create a fairer and more disciplined trading environment, ensuring that listed companies and market participants operate under stricter compliance standards.
\n
Hu Guopeng, chief analyst at Sealand Securities, said that in the longer term, this could reduce systemic risks, strengthen investor protection, and support the healthy functioning of China's capital market as it strives to attract more long-term domestic and foreign investment.
\n
Qin Tai, chief macroeconomic analyst at Huajin Securities, said that by offering stronger protection and incentives, China signals that its capital markets are maturing and increasingly compatible with international standards of transparency and accountability.
\n
Highlighting that this move reflects policymakers' intent to empower investors, Qin said it will encourage public participation in market oversight, which will not only strengthen deterrence against misconduct, but also help foster a culture of integrity in which investors feel more protected and engaged in the system.
\n
According to the CSRC, the proposed rules also refine the reward criteria. Major cases that severely disrupt the order of the securities and futures markets, seriously endanger financial security, or gravely infringe upon investors' lawful rights and interests are now included in the scope of rewardable cases.
\n
Anonymous whistleblowers who provide supplementary materials as required, as well as whistleblowers who have played a secondary or assisting role in the violations, may also be granted rewards if they meet the criteria, according to the statement.
\n
Ding Rijia, a professor of economics at China University of Mining and Technology-Beijing, said that while the proposed rules would strengthen deterrence, regulators must also guard against possible overreactions in the market.
\n
"If investors interpret rising whistleblower cases as a sign of hidden risks, it could unsettle sentiment in the short term," he warned, adding that careful communication will be needed to balance strict oversight with market stability.
\n
China has been steadily expanding the institutional opening-up of its capital market during the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) period. The number of foreign-controlled securities, funds and futures firms has risen significantly, with the CSRC approving 13 new entrants in these sectors.
\n
The number of Qualified Foreign Institutional Investors, or QFIIs, had expanded to 907 by the end of August, with their holdings of Chinese shares valued at 949.3 billion yuan, according to the CSRC.
\n
According to the newly disclosed data for the second quarter of 2025, the total market value of northbound funds, or overseas capital flowing into A shares via stock connect programs linking the Shanghai, Shenzhen and Hong Kong exchanges, has reached 2.29 trillion yuan, up more than 2 percent from the previous quarter.
China's latest move to sharply raise rewards for whistleblowers will effectively improve the integrity and transparency of its securities and futures markets, analysts said, as authorities step up efforts to address misconduct and boost investor confidence.
\n
The China Securities Regulatory Commission, the country's top securities regulator, together with the Ministry of Finance, unveiled a proposal earlier this week to raise cash incentives for individuals providing credible tipoffs on serious violations.
\n
The maximum reward in eligible cases has been raised to 1 million yuan ($140,460) from 100,000 yuan.
\n
The proposal would lift whistleblower rewards to 3 percent of fines and confiscations in each case, up from the current 1 percent, the regulatory commission said in a statement.
\n
By significantly raising the stakes for tipsters, the government aims to deter market malpractice ranging from insider trading to fraudulent disclosures.
\n
Market watchers said the policy will help create a fairer and more disciplined trading environment, ensuring that listed companies and market participants operate under stricter compliance standards.
\n
Hu Guopeng, chief analyst at Sealand Securities, said that in the longer term, this could reduce systemic risks, strengthen investor protection, and support the healthy functioning of China's capital market as it strives to attract more long-term domestic and foreign investment.
\n
Qin Tai, chief macroeconomic analyst at Huajin Securities, said that by offering stronger protection and incentives, China signals that its capital markets are maturing and increasingly compatible with international standards of transparency and accountability.
\n
Highlighting that this move reflects policymakers' intent to empower investors, Qin said it will encourage public participation in market oversight, which will not only strengthen deterrence against misconduct, but also help foster a culture of integrity in which investors feel more protected and engaged in the system.
\n
According to the CSRC, the proposed rules also refine the reward criteria. Major cases that severely disrupt the order of the securities and futures markets, seriously endanger financial security, or gravely infringe upon investors' lawful rights and interests are now included in the scope of rewardable cases.
\n
Anonymous whistleblowers who provide supplementary materials as required, as well as whistleblowers who have played a secondary or assisting role in the violations, may also be granted rewards if they meet the criteria, according to the statement.
\n
Ding Rijia, a professor of economics at China University of Mining and Technology-Beijing, said that while the proposed rules would strengthen deterrence, regulators must also guard against possible overreactions in the market.
\n
"If investors interpret rising whistleblower cases as a sign of hidden risks, it could unsettle sentiment in the short term," he warned, adding that careful communication will be needed to balance strict oversight with market stability.
\n
China has been steadily expanding the institutional opening-up of its capital market during the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) period. The number of foreign-controlled securities, funds and futures firms has risen significantly, with the CSRC approving 13 new entrants in these sectors.
\n
The number of Qualified Foreign Institutional Investors, or QFIIs, had expanded to 907 by the end of August, with their holdings of Chinese shares valued at 949.3 billion yuan, according to the CSRC.
\n
According to the newly disclosed data for the second quarter of 2025, the total market value of northbound funds, or overseas capital flowing into A shares via stock connect programs linking the Shanghai, Shenzhen and Hong Kong exchanges, has reached 2.29 trillion yuan, up more than 2 percent from the previous quarter.
Moviegoers walk past promotional posters on Wednesday for film releases during the National Day holiday at a cinema in Wuhan, Hubei province.
\n
China's 2025 box office has crossed a crucial milestone during the National Day holiday period, with the year-to-date cumulative gross overtaking 2024's full-year total of 42.5 billion yuan ($5.96 billion) as holiday releases flood cinemas across the country.
\n
Within days of the start of the holiday frame, this year's cumulative total reached approximately 42.6 billion yuan, according to the latest figures. The arrival of two new releases on Tuesday — Chen Kaige's war epic The Volunteers: Peace at Last and the comedy offering Row to Win — and the official start of the eight-day National Day holiday on Oct 1, assisted the box office in surpassing 2024's total nearly three months before year's end.
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The biggest single driver of this year's surge has been Ne Zha 2, which opened during the Chinese New Year holiday and has amassed more than 15.4 billion yuan domestically, accounting for over a third of the annual gross to date.
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Other major contributors include Detective Chinatown 1900 at 3.6 billion yuan, as well as summer box office leaders Dead to Rights at 3 billion yuan and Nobody at 1.6 billion yuan, with the latter becoming the highest-grossing 2D animated film in Chinese history.
\n
September's standout Evil Unbound — a film depicting the atrocities committed by Japan's notorious Unit 731 during World War II — closed the month with 1.5 billion yuan, making it the fifth-highest earner of the year.
\n
China's box office has been navigating a bumpy path to recovery since 2019, when the yearly revenue peaked at a record-breaking figure of over 64 billion yuan. After a 2023 rebound to 54.9 billion yuan, annual grosses retreated again in 2024 to 42.5 billion yuan. There is cautious optimism among industry watchers that 2025 could climb past 50 billion yuan, given the current momentum heading into the final quarter.
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Holiday lineup dynamics
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According to data from Chinese movie ticketing platform Maoyan, new films scheduled for the National Day holiday have generated more than 100 million yuan in pre-sales and previews by noon on Tuesday. Early front-runners are crime thriller Sound of Silence, The Volunteers: Peace at Last, the final entry in Chen Kaige's trilogy, following two earlier installments that together grossed over 2 billion yuan; and A Writer's Odyssey II, a sequel to the 2021 fantasy-action hit that topped 1 billion yuan.
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The lineup also features live-action comedy Row to Win, historical animated feature Three Kingdoms: Starlit Heroes, crime thrillers The Return of the Lame Hero and Sons of the Neon Night, and a re-release of Avatar: The Way of Water.
\n
Despite a crowded release slate, the holiday season is "still lacking a true tentpole to really fire up the market," said Lai Li, a Maoyan analyst. "This year's holiday runs one day longer than usual, which may help word-of-mouth-driven titles build legs. Strong reviews could still push the slate toward an outsized performance."
\n
IP-driven expansion
\n
Analysts also highlight the growing weight of sequels and franchise-building in the Chinese market. "Sequels, franchises and IP-based films are becoming mainstream," said Chen Jin, an analyst at film data platform Beacon. "The Volunteers concludes a trilogy that has already drawn nearly 50 million admissions. A Writer's Odyssey II extends a successful commercial property, and Three Kingdoms: Starlit Heroes is clearly designed to launch a new franchise."
\n
This trend reflects a push toward greater industrialization and maturity in the Chinese film industry, Chen added, echoing Hollywood's long-standing reliance on intellectual property as a driver of repeat viewership.
\n
Despite uneven performances in earlier release windows this year — a record Lunar New Year followed by a weak May Day and a steady summer — the National Day period could prove pivotal in confirming the strength of the 2025 recovery.
\n
With the annual total poised to surpass last year's figure within days, the big question is whether China can cross the symbolic 50 billion yuan threshold, further cementing its standing as one of the world's most dynamic box offices.
\n",
+ "content": "
Moviegoers walk past promotional posters on Wednesday for film releases during the National Day holiday at a cinema in Wuhan, Hubei province.
\n
China's 2025 box office has crossed a crucial milestone during the National Day holiday period, with the year-to-date cumulative gross overtaking 2024's full-year total of 42.5 billion yuan ($5.96 billion) as holiday releases flood cinemas across the country.
\n
Within days of the start of the holiday frame, this year's cumulative total reached approximately 42.6 billion yuan, according to the latest figures. The arrival of two new releases on Tuesday — Chen Kaige's war epic The Volunteers: Peace at Last and the comedy offering Row to Win — and the official start of the eight-day National Day holiday on Oct 1, assisted the box office in surpassing 2024's total nearly three months before year's end.
\n
The biggest single driver of this year's surge has been Ne Zha 2, which opened during the Chinese New Year holiday and has amassed more than 15.4 billion yuan domestically, accounting for over a third of the annual gross to date.
\n
Other major contributors include Detective Chinatown 1900 at 3.6 billion yuan, as well as summer box office leaders Dead to Rights at 3 billion yuan and Nobody at 1.6 billion yuan, with the latter becoming the highest-grossing 2D animated film in Chinese history.
\n
September's standout Evil Unbound — a film depicting the atrocities committed by Japan's notorious Unit 731 during World War II — closed the month with 1.5 billion yuan, making it the fifth-highest earner of the year.
\n
China's box office has been navigating a bumpy path to recovery since 2019, when the yearly revenue peaked at a record-breaking figure of over 64 billion yuan. After a 2023 rebound to 54.9 billion yuan, annual grosses retreated again in 2024 to 42.5 billion yuan. There is cautious optimism among industry watchers that 2025 could climb past 50 billion yuan, given the current momentum heading into the final quarter.
\n
Holiday lineup dynamics
\n
According to data from Chinese movie ticketing platform Maoyan, new films scheduled for the National Day holiday have generated more than 100 million yuan in pre-sales and previews by noon on Tuesday. Early front-runners are crime thriller Sound of Silence, The Volunteers: Peace at Last, the final entry in Chen Kaige's trilogy, following two earlier installments that together grossed over 2 billion yuan; and A Writer's Odyssey II, a sequel to the 2021 fantasy-action hit that topped 1 billion yuan.
\n
The lineup also features live-action comedy Row to Win, historical animated feature Three Kingdoms: Starlit Heroes, crime thrillers The Return of the Lame Hero and Sons of the Neon Night, and a re-release of Avatar: The Way of Water.
\n
Despite a crowded release slate, the holiday season is "still lacking a true tentpole to really fire up the market," said Lai Li, a Maoyan analyst. "This year's holiday runs one day longer than usual, which may help word-of-mouth-driven titles build legs. Strong reviews could still push the slate toward an outsized performance."
\n
IP-driven expansion
\n
Analysts also highlight the growing weight of sequels and franchise-building in the Chinese market. "Sequels, franchises and IP-based films are becoming mainstream," said Chen Jin, an analyst at film data platform Beacon. "The Volunteers concludes a trilogy that has already drawn nearly 50 million admissions. A Writer's Odyssey II extends a successful commercial property, and Three Kingdoms: Starlit Heroes is clearly designed to launch a new franchise."
\n
This trend reflects a push toward greater industrialization and maturity in the Chinese film industry, Chen added, echoing Hollywood's long-standing reliance on intellectual property as a driver of repeat viewership.
\n
Despite uneven performances in earlier release windows this year — a record Lunar New Year followed by a weak May Day and a steady summer — the National Day period could prove pivotal in confirming the strength of the 2025 recovery.
\n
With the annual total poised to surpass last year's figure within days, the big question is whether China can cross the symbolic 50 billion yuan threshold, further cementing its standing as one of the world's most dynamic box offices.
Chinese scientists have devised "NeuroWorm", an intelligent microfiber capable of navigating freely inside the body, demonstrated through lab tests on mice, providing insights for brain-machine interfaces and neural regulation in treating certain chronic diseases.
\n
Tests showed that the microfiber, which is about 200 micrometers in width and as thin as two strands of human hair, can monitor neural electrical signals and minute tissue deformations across large areas of the body or brain while moving, unlike similar materials from other studies, which remain fixed in one location.
\n
Such advancement could redefine treatments using brain-machine interfaces or neurological disease therapies, the researchers said.
\n
"Unlike traditional Parkinson's disease treatments that require implanting multiple electrodes in different brain regions, the 'Neuro-Worm' is implanted once and can navigate various affected areas, monitoring neural electrical signals and even alleviating symptoms through electrical stimulation," said Yan Wei, a lead scientist on the team and researcher from the College of Materials Science and Engineering at Donghua University in Shanghai.
\n
"For disabled patients who need brain-machine interfaces to help move restricted body parts, this technology is equally beneficial. With a single implantation of this fiber, it can monitor neural electrical signals across a wide range of the body."
\n
Inspired by the segmented body structure of earthworms, which allows for distributed sensory and motion control, the research team led by Liu Zhiyuan, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology and Yan developed the "NeuroWorm".
\n
The study was published on the website of the journal Nature on Wednesday.
\n
"This dynamic, soft and stretchable microfiber serves as a neural interface, offering significant advantages over traditional neural interface devices that are static and require invasive procedures for repositioning," Yan said.
\n
The "NeuroWorm" fiber has other advantages over traditional devices, the researchers said. For example, it is embedded with 60 nano-level micro sensors, 15 times the number found in traditional methods. This allows for precise multipoint monitoring of neural electrical and biomechanical signals while navigating within the body after being implanted in the muscle or navigating within the brain after being implanted in the cerebral cortex of mice, said Yan.
\n
Furthermore, the fiber possesses excellent competency in softness. Long-term experiments on mice showed high biocompatibility, with the microfiber remaining in muscles for up to 13 months without adverse reactions, the researchers said.
\n
"A key innovation lies in the fiber's ability to navigate within the body. Using an open magnetic control strategy, we achieved initial controlled movement and steering within tissues, allowing the fiber to move like an earthworm through soil and record neural signals all along the path without the need for additional surgeries," said Yan.
\n
Zhu Meifang, a strategic adviser of the study, who is also director of the State Key Laboratory of Advanced Fiber Materials at Donghua University, said this breakthrough aims to transition bioelectronics from fixed passive recording to mobile intelligent collaboration.
\n
"The team hopes to work with more institutions in the application field to accelerate the practical use of the technology, potentially transforming the landscape of the clinical use of brain-machine interface devices as well as neural disease treatment and monitoring," she said.
\n
zhouwenting@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
Chinese scientists have devised "NeuroWorm", an intelligent microfiber capable of navigating freely inside the body, demonstrated through lab tests on mice, providing insights for brain-machine interfaces and neural regulation in treating certain chronic diseases.
\n
Tests showed that the microfiber, which is about 200 micrometers in width and as thin as two strands of human hair, can monitor neural electrical signals and minute tissue deformations across large areas of the body or brain while moving, unlike similar materials from other studies, which remain fixed in one location.
\n
Such advancement could redefine treatments using brain-machine interfaces or neurological disease therapies, the researchers said.
\n
"Unlike traditional Parkinson's disease treatments that require implanting multiple electrodes in different brain regions, the 'Neuro-Worm' is implanted once and can navigate various affected areas, monitoring neural electrical signals and even alleviating symptoms through electrical stimulation," said Yan Wei, a lead scientist on the team and researcher from the College of Materials Science and Engineering at Donghua University in Shanghai.
\n
"For disabled patients who need brain-machine interfaces to help move restricted body parts, this technology is equally beneficial. With a single implantation of this fiber, it can monitor neural electrical signals across a wide range of the body."
\n
Inspired by the segmented body structure of earthworms, which allows for distributed sensory and motion control, the research team led by Liu Zhiyuan, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology and Yan developed the "NeuroWorm".
\n
The study was published on the website of the journal Nature on Wednesday.
\n
"This dynamic, soft and stretchable microfiber serves as a neural interface, offering significant advantages over traditional neural interface devices that are static and require invasive procedures for repositioning," Yan said.
\n
The "NeuroWorm" fiber has other advantages over traditional devices, the researchers said. For example, it is embedded with 60 nano-level micro sensors, 15 times the number found in traditional methods. This allows for precise multipoint monitoring of neural electrical and biomechanical signals while navigating within the body after being implanted in the muscle or navigating within the brain after being implanted in the cerebral cortex of mice, said Yan.
\n
Furthermore, the fiber possesses excellent competency in softness. Long-term experiments on mice showed high biocompatibility, with the microfiber remaining in muscles for up to 13 months without adverse reactions, the researchers said.
\n
"A key innovation lies in the fiber's ability to navigate within the body. Using an open magnetic control strategy, we achieved initial controlled movement and steering within tissues, allowing the fiber to move like an earthworm through soil and record neural signals all along the path without the need for additional surgeries," said Yan.
\n
Zhu Meifang, a strategic adviser of the study, who is also director of the State Key Laboratory of Advanced Fiber Materials at Donghua University, said this breakthrough aims to transition bioelectronics from fixed passive recording to mobile intelligent collaboration.
\n
"The team hopes to work with more institutions in the application field to accelerate the practical use of the technology, potentially transforming the landscape of the clinical use of brain-machine interface devices as well as neural disease treatment and monitoring," she said.
A high-tech AI "police team", consisting of humanoid robots and quadruped robot dogs, conducts patrols and anti-fraud campaigns along the iconic West Lake in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province on Wednesday. The futuristic "robot police" fascinate tourists who stop to take pictures.
\n",
+ "content": "
A high-tech AI "police team", consisting of humanoid robots and quadruped robot dogs, conducts patrols and anti-fraud campaigns along the iconic West Lake in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province on Wednesday. The futuristic "robot police" fascinate tourists who stop to take pictures.
China has received more than 36,000 young people from the United States through exchange programs in the past two years, inspired by President Xi Jinping's "50,000 in Five Years" initiative, a senior education official said recently.
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At a welcoming dinner hosted by friendly organizations in the US in November 2023, Xi proposed that China was ready to invite 50,000 US young people to China on exchange and study programs over the next five years to boost interactions between the two peoples, especially young people.
\n
Xiong Sihao, vice-minister of education, said at a news conference held by the State Council Information Office that more than 36,000 youths from the US were inspired by Xi's call and traveled to China for exchanges over the past two years.
\n
For example, a US youth pickleball cultural exchange delegation from Maryland forged friendships with Chinese peers during a trip to China in April, Xiong said.
\n
Globally, China has established educational cooperation with 183 countries and regions, signed mutual recognition agreements on academic degrees with 61 and launched joint education programs with 42, he said. Students from more than 190 countries and regions pursue studies in China, while 86 nations have incorporated Chinese language into their national education systems, he added.
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Multilevel exchanges enable young people from China and abroad to connect, draw mutual inspiration and grow together, steadily converging their youthful energy into a driving force for building a community with a shared future for humanity, he said.
\n
Minister of Education Huai Jinpeng said China has built the world's largest high-quality education system, providing guarantees for equal access to education for all children.
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The enrollment rate in higher education has more than doubled, from 30 percent in 2012 to 60.8 percent, reaching internationally recognized levels, he said.
\n
Meanwhile, China's higher education system has produced more than 55 million graduates — equaling the population of many developed countries — during the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) period, Huai said.
\n
"While we do not judge our institutions solely by these rankings, it is evident that in internationally comparable indicators, China's universities and disciplines have become a significant force globally," he said.
\n
This progress lays a foundation for accelerating the development of world-class universities and disciplines with Chinese characteristics. The education policies also support national strategies, advancing self-reliance in science and technology, and cultivating innovative talent, he added.
\n
China's basic education has reached the average level of high-income countries, Huai said.
\n
zoushuo@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
China has received more than 36,000 young people from the United States through exchange programs in the past two years, inspired by President Xi Jinping's "50,000 in Five Years" initiative, a senior education official said recently.
\n
At a welcoming dinner hosted by friendly organizations in the US in November 2023, Xi proposed that China was ready to invite 50,000 US young people to China on exchange and study programs over the next five years to boost interactions between the two peoples, especially young people.
\n
Xiong Sihao, vice-minister of education, said at a news conference held by the State Council Information Office that more than 36,000 youths from the US were inspired by Xi's call and traveled to China for exchanges over the past two years.
\n
For example, a US youth pickleball cultural exchange delegation from Maryland forged friendships with Chinese peers during a trip to China in April, Xiong said.
\n
Globally, China has established educational cooperation with 183 countries and regions, signed mutual recognition agreements on academic degrees with 61 and launched joint education programs with 42, he said. Students from more than 190 countries and regions pursue studies in China, while 86 nations have incorporated Chinese language into their national education systems, he added.
\n
Multilevel exchanges enable young people from China and abroad to connect, draw mutual inspiration and grow together, steadily converging their youthful energy into a driving force for building a community with a shared future for humanity, he said.
\n
Minister of Education Huai Jinpeng said China has built the world's largest high-quality education system, providing guarantees for equal access to education for all children.
\n
The enrollment rate in higher education has more than doubled, from 30 percent in 2012 to 60.8 percent, reaching internationally recognized levels, he said.
\n
Meanwhile, China's higher education system has produced more than 55 million graduates — equaling the population of many developed countries — during the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) period, Huai said.
\n
"While we do not judge our institutions solely by these rankings, it is evident that in internationally comparable indicators, China's universities and disciplines have become a significant force globally," he said.
\n
This progress lays a foundation for accelerating the development of world-class universities and disciplines with Chinese characteristics. The education policies also support national strategies, advancing self-reliance in science and technology, and cultivating innovative talent, he added.
\n
China's basic education has reached the average level of high-income countries, Huai said.
China's latest move to sharply raise rewards for whistleblowers will effectively improve the integrity and transparency of its securities and futures markets, analysts said, as authorities step up efforts to address misconduct and boost investor confidence.
\n
The China Securities Regulatory Commission, the country's top securities regulator, together with the Ministry of Finance, unveiled a proposal earlier this week to raise cash incentives for individuals providing credible tipoffs on serious violations.
\n
The maximum reward in eligible cases has been raised to 1 million yuan ($140,460) from 100,000 yuan.
\n
The proposal would lift whistleblower rewards to 3 percent of fines and confiscations in each case, up from the current 1 percent, the regulatory commission said in a statement.
\n
By significantly raising the stakes for tipsters, the government aims to deter market malpractice ranging from insider trading to fraudulent disclosures.
\n
Market watchers said the policy will help create a fairer and more disciplined trading environment, ensuring that listed companies and market participants operate under stricter compliance standards.
\n
Hu Guopeng, chief analyst at Sealand Securities, said that in the longer term, this could reduce systemic risks, strengthen investor protection, and support the healthy functioning of China's capital market as it strives to attract more long-term domestic and foreign investment.
\n
Qin Tai, chief macroeconomic analyst at Huajin Securities, said that by offering stronger protection and incentives, China signals that its capital markets are maturing and increasingly compatible with international standards of transparency and accountability.
\n
Highlighting that this move reflects policymakers' intent to empower investors, Qin said it will encourage public participation in market oversight, which will not only strengthen deterrence against misconduct, but also help foster a culture of integrity in which investors feel more protected and engaged in the system.
\n
According to the CSRC, the proposed rules also refine the reward criteria. Major cases that severely disrupt the order of the securities and futures markets, seriously endanger financial security, or gravely infringe upon investors' lawful rights and interests are now included in the scope of rewardable cases.
\n
Anonymous whistleblowers who provide supplementary materials as required, as well as whistleblowers who have played a secondary or assisting role in the violations, may also be granted rewards if they meet the criteria, according to the statement.
\n
Ding Rijia, a professor of economics at China University of Mining and Technology-Beijing, said that while the proposed rules would strengthen deterrence, regulators must also guard against possible overreactions in the market.
\n
"If investors interpret rising whistleblower cases as a sign of hidden risks, it could unsettle sentiment in the short term," he warned, adding that careful communication will be needed to balance strict oversight with market stability.
\n
China has been steadily expanding the institutional opening-up of its capital market during the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) period. The number of foreign-controlled securities, funds and futures firms has risen significantly, with the CSRC approving 13 new entrants in these sectors.
\n
The number of Qualified Foreign Institutional Investors, or QFIIs, had expanded to 907 by the end of August, with their holdings of Chinese shares valued at 949.3 billion yuan, according to the CSRC.
\n
According to the newly disclosed data for the second quarter of 2025, the total market value of northbound funds, or overseas capital flowing into A shares via stock connect programs linking the Shanghai, Shenzhen and Hong Kong exchanges, has reached 2.29 trillion yuan, up more than 2 percent from the previous quarter.
\n
zhongnan@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
China's latest move to sharply raise rewards for whistleblowers will effectively improve the integrity and transparency of its securities and futures markets, analysts said, as authorities step up efforts to address misconduct and boost investor confidence.
\n
The China Securities Regulatory Commission, the country's top securities regulator, together with the Ministry of Finance, unveiled a proposal earlier this week to raise cash incentives for individuals providing credible tipoffs on serious violations.
\n
The maximum reward in eligible cases has been raised to 1 million yuan ($140,460) from 100,000 yuan.
\n
The proposal would lift whistleblower rewards to 3 percent of fines and confiscations in each case, up from the current 1 percent, the regulatory commission said in a statement.
\n
By significantly raising the stakes for tipsters, the government aims to deter market malpractice ranging from insider trading to fraudulent disclosures.
\n
Market watchers said the policy will help create a fairer and more disciplined trading environment, ensuring that listed companies and market participants operate under stricter compliance standards.
\n
Hu Guopeng, chief analyst at Sealand Securities, said that in the longer term, this could reduce systemic risks, strengthen investor protection, and support the healthy functioning of China's capital market as it strives to attract more long-term domestic and foreign investment.
\n
Qin Tai, chief macroeconomic analyst at Huajin Securities, said that by offering stronger protection and incentives, China signals that its capital markets are maturing and increasingly compatible with international standards of transparency and accountability.
\n
Highlighting that this move reflects policymakers' intent to empower investors, Qin said it will encourage public participation in market oversight, which will not only strengthen deterrence against misconduct, but also help foster a culture of integrity in which investors feel more protected and engaged in the system.
\n
According to the CSRC, the proposed rules also refine the reward criteria. Major cases that severely disrupt the order of the securities and futures markets, seriously endanger financial security, or gravely infringe upon investors' lawful rights and interests are now included in the scope of rewardable cases.
\n
Anonymous whistleblowers who provide supplementary materials as required, as well as whistleblowers who have played a secondary or assisting role in the violations, may also be granted rewards if they meet the criteria, according to the statement.
\n
Ding Rijia, a professor of economics at China University of Mining and Technology-Beijing, said that while the proposed rules would strengthen deterrence, regulators must also guard against possible overreactions in the market.
\n
"If investors interpret rising whistleblower cases as a sign of hidden risks, it could unsettle sentiment in the short term," he warned, adding that careful communication will be needed to balance strict oversight with market stability.
\n
China has been steadily expanding the institutional opening-up of its capital market during the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) period. The number of foreign-controlled securities, funds and futures firms has risen significantly, with the CSRC approving 13 new entrants in these sectors.
\n
The number of Qualified Foreign Institutional Investors, or QFIIs, had expanded to 907 by the end of August, with their holdings of Chinese shares valued at 949.3 billion yuan, according to the CSRC.
\n
According to the newly disclosed data for the second quarter of 2025, the total market value of northbound funds, or overseas capital flowing into A shares via stock connect programs linking the Shanghai, Shenzhen and Hong Kong exchanges, has reached 2.29 trillion yuan, up more than 2 percent from the previous quarter.
China has condemned the United States' recent veto of the Gaza ceasefire resolution at the United Nations Security Council.
\n
Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the UN, said at Wednesday's General Assembly — which was convened in response to the recent Security Council veto in order to address the escalating crisis in Gaza and consider the next steps for peace and accountability — that the US had abused its veto power.
\n
He said that if the US had not repeatedly abused its veto, the Security Council's response to the Gaza crisis would have been more effective, and if Washington had not offered unconditional protection to Israel, Security Council resolutions and international law would not have been violated so recklessly.
\n
On Sept 18, the US vetoed a draft resolution at the UN Security Council for the sixth time. The resolution called for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza as well as the release of hostages. Although 14 of the 15 Security Council members voted in favor of the draft resolution, the measure was blocked by the US veto.
\n
The US representative said his delegation vetoed the resolution because it "failed to condemn Hamas and it failed to recognize Israel's right to defend itself, amongst other serious defects".
\n
UN General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock told the 193-member organ that "a raised hand", "a simple 'no'" may appear routine when a permanent member of the Security Council casts a veto, but the impact is anything but ordinary.
\n
"A veto can extinguish hope for those trapped in conflict. It falls hardest on those who turn to the United Nations for peace, for relief, for a path out of suffering, for hope. And when it results in constant blockages, it can damage the credibility of this whole institution," Baerbock said.
\n
"The veto is not a privilege. It's a responsibility, entrusted to five nations to be exercised rarely in the spirit of peace and security for all," Baerbock said.
\n
Fu said the tragedy in Gaza must not continue, and an immediate and lasting ceasefire is needed. He added that China welcomes all efforts to de-escalate the current situation.
\n
History has repeatedly shown that military means cannot resolve the conflict, and that no country's security can be built on the insecurity of others. The ongoing war has already claimed the lives of more than 66,000 people in Gaza, and prolonging the violence will only bring more deaths and hatred, Fu said.
\n
China urged Israel, as the occupying power, to comply with its obligations under international humanitarian law, restore full access for humanitarian aid, and support relief efforts by the UN and other agencies.
\n
Fu said the two-state solution is the only viable path, stressing that Gaza and the West Bank are integral Palestinian territory and that postwar arrangements must be "Palestinians governing Palestine". He called for concrete, irreversible steps toward this goal and opposition to unilateral measures.
\n
Meanwhile, organizers of a flotilla heading toward Gaza said on Thursday that Israeli forces had stopped 39 boats carrying foreign activists and aid.
\n
The organizers denounced Israel's action as a "war crime". They said the military used aggressive tactics, including the use of water cannon, but that no one was harmed.
\n
The flotilla's progress across the Mediterranean Sea garnered international attention as nations including Turkiye, Spain and Italy sent boats or drones in case their nationals required assistance.
\n
Italy and Greece urged Israeli authorities on Wednesday to ensure the safety of the flotilla participants.
\n
Colombian President Gustavo Petro ordered the expulsion of Israel's entire diplomatic delegation on Wednesday following the detention of two Colombians in the flotilla. Israel has not had an ambassador in Colombia since last year.
\n
Spain summoned Israel's top representative in Madrid on Thursday. Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said that 65 Spaniards were traveling with the flotilla.
\n
Agencies and <span class="epaper-contributor">Pan Jie</span> in Beijing contributed to this story.
\n
mingmeili@chinadailyusa.com
\n",
+ "content": "
China has condemned the United States' recent veto of the Gaza ceasefire resolution at the United Nations Security Council.
\n
Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the UN, said at Wednesday's General Assembly — which was convened in response to the recent Security Council veto in order to address the escalating crisis in Gaza and consider the next steps for peace and accountability — that the US had abused its veto power.
\n
He said that if the US had not repeatedly abused its veto, the Security Council's response to the Gaza crisis would have been more effective, and if Washington had not offered unconditional protection to Israel, Security Council resolutions and international law would not have been violated so recklessly.
\n
On Sept 18, the US vetoed a draft resolution at the UN Security Council for the sixth time. The resolution called for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza as well as the release of hostages. Although 14 of the 15 Security Council members voted in favor of the draft resolution, the measure was blocked by the US veto.
\n
The US representative said his delegation vetoed the resolution because it "failed to condemn Hamas and it failed to recognize Israel's right to defend itself, amongst other serious defects".
\n
UN General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock told the 193-member organ that "a raised hand", "a simple 'no'" may appear routine when a permanent member of the Security Council casts a veto, but the impact is anything but ordinary.
\n
"A veto can extinguish hope for those trapped in conflict. It falls hardest on those who turn to the United Nations for peace, for relief, for a path out of suffering, for hope. And when it results in constant blockages, it can damage the credibility of this whole institution," Baerbock said.
\n
"The veto is not a privilege. It's a responsibility, entrusted to five nations to be exercised rarely in the spirit of peace and security for all," Baerbock said.
\n
Fu said the tragedy in Gaza must not continue, and an immediate and lasting ceasefire is needed. He added that China welcomes all efforts to de-escalate the current situation.
\n
History has repeatedly shown that military means cannot resolve the conflict, and that no country's security can be built on the insecurity of others. The ongoing war has already claimed the lives of more than 66,000 people in Gaza, and prolonging the violence will only bring more deaths and hatred, Fu said.
\n
China urged Israel, as the occupying power, to comply with its obligations under international humanitarian law, restore full access for humanitarian aid, and support relief efforts by the UN and other agencies.
\n
Fu said the two-state solution is the only viable path, stressing that Gaza and the West Bank are integral Palestinian territory and that postwar arrangements must be "Palestinians governing Palestine". He called for concrete, irreversible steps toward this goal and opposition to unilateral measures.
\n
Meanwhile, organizers of a flotilla heading toward Gaza said on Thursday that Israeli forces had stopped 39 boats carrying foreign activists and aid.
\n
The organizers denounced Israel's action as a "war crime". They said the military used aggressive tactics, including the use of water cannon, but that no one was harmed.
\n
The flotilla's progress across the Mediterranean Sea garnered international attention as nations including Turkiye, Spain and Italy sent boats or drones in case their nationals required assistance.
\n
Italy and Greece urged Israeli authorities on Wednesday to ensure the safety of the flotilla participants.
\n
Colombian President Gustavo Petro ordered the expulsion of Israel's entire diplomatic delegation on Wednesday following the detention of two Colombians in the flotilla. Israel has not had an ambassador in Colombia since last year.
\n
Spain summoned Israel's top representative in Madrid on Thursday. Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said that 65 Spaniards were traveling with the flotilla.
\n
Agencies and <span class="epaper-contributor">Pan Jie</span> in Beijing contributed to this story.
Customers browse products at a Pop Mart store on Oxford Street in London, on May 21. Collectible toys, which go beyond the practical function of traditional toys by offering greater emotional value, collectibility, and artistic appeal, have gained popularity among overseas consumers recently.
\n
Customers line up at a Heytea store in Times Square, New York, on March 8, as they flock to the newly opened bubble tea brand from China.
\n
People walk past a Luckin Coffee store before its opening in Chelsea in New York on June 8.
\n\n
The global frenzy for the Labubu doll has shone a light on how Chinese brands are crossing borders and growing in popularity worldwide.
\n
Domestic toy company Pop Mart's plush toys took off in 2024 after celebrities like Blackpink's Lisa and superstar Rihanna showcased their collections on social media. People now compete fiercely to buy the popular dolls, which have seen a significant increase in resale value.
\n
Labubu's monster sales have helped Pop Mart, built on the concept of high-quality blind box toys, grow into a billion-dollar business. It now operates over 400 stores and 2,000 vending machines worldwide.
\n
Meanwhile, other Chinese brands have either already proved to be an international success or are in the process of doing so.
\n
Online stores Shein and Temu are both well-known for offering a vast selection of low-cost products shipped directly from China. While Shein has not publicly reported its global earnings, Reuters said the company was valued at $66 billion last year. Temu is owned by Pinduoduo, a major e-commerce platform. The company's market capitalization had reached approximately $184 billion as of Sept 19.
\n
While the rise of e-commerce has caused a decline in many traditional retail stores, lifestyle retailer Miniso has defied the trend.
\n
Miniso was founded in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, in 2016, with the philosophy of "quality, affordability and fashion".
\n
As of 2024, the company had more than 7,500 stores worldwide. It offers a range of products including toys, beauty products, small electronics, stationery, snacks, and household goods. There are over 200 Miniso stores across 40 US states, with membership growing by 250 percent in 2024 to 2 million people, according to the company.
\n
Miniso's global flagship store in New York's Times Square generated nearly $80,000 in revenue on its opening day on May 19, 2023, setting a single-day sales record among its stores globally, according to a media release.
\n
The company is rapidly expanding, launching flagship stores in iconic locations such as Oxford Street in London, the Champs-Elysees in Paris, Seoul's Gangnam District and Tokyo's Harajuku. In July, it opened a 500-square-meter store in Melbourne, Australia.
\n
The NYSE-listed company reported that its revenue last year reached $2.3 billion, a 22.8 percent increase from the previous year. Consumers say they love Miniso products for their cute designs, IP collaborations and affordable prices.
\n
"Brands like Pop Mart have successfully created a 'collectible culture' around their products, using the blind box to tap into psychological drivers like scarcity and the thrill of discovery," Cornell University finance professor Will Cong told China Daily.
\n
"They bypass traditional retail barriers by launching on e-commerce and social platforms like TikTok, building communities and generating viral, user-generated content that provides authentic marketing."
\n
Cong added, "This digital fluency, combined with hyper-agile supply chains that enable rapid product iteration — a 'fast fashion' DNA seen in brands like Miniso and (fashion chain) Urban Revivo — allows them to respond to trends in near real time, keeping their offerings perpetually fresh and relevant."
\n
Beverage bubble
\n
The concept of bubble tea is being taken to the next level — with Chinese beverage companies including Heytea, Chagee, Coco Fresh Tea and Juice, Molly Tea, and Auntea Jenny now operating tens of thousands of stores worldwide.
\n
Heytea can be seen not only in New York's Chinatown. It has outlets in other major traffic areas in the city such as Times Square, Soho, the East Village, and Herald Square, which attract a diverse range of consumers from all backgrounds.
\n
Founded in Guangdong in 2012 by Nie Yunchen, Heytea lays claim to creating the first "cheese tea", which has a top layer of foamy cream cheese added.
\n
Besides offering tea latte, Heytea created a range of beverages that mix fruit with green tea or dairy.
\n
The company has over 4,000 stores worldwide. Its vice-president of overseas strategy and franchising, Yujia Gu, told the Los Angeles Times he believes the US market will be even bigger than China's, due to the rising appreciation of Asian culture.
\n
Yang Jiawen, a professor of international business and international affairs at George Washington University, said Chinese brands are still at an early stage of recognition in the US market. Product quality, effective advertising, competitive prices, and services that emphasize health and safety features will be important for the development of markets in the US and globally, Yang added.
\n
These brands have had huge success in China, and now they are trying to expand their market in the US.
\n
Luckin Coffee is the biggest coffee shop chain in China with its 22,000 stores far surpassing the 6,500 of its US competitor Starbucks.
\n
The company reported that its net revenue last year exceeded $4.7 billion, representing a 38.4 percent year-on-year increase, with much of it due to its rapid expansion. It opened 6,092 new stores, including 6,071 on the Chinese mainland, 21 in Singapore, and five in Hong Kong.
\n
In June, Luckin Coffee ventured into the US and launched its first store in New York.
\n
Sean Brassil, 28, who visited China in April, said he's excited to see the Chinese company in the US, after enjoying the convenience of ordering a beverage each morning from his hotel room and picking it up. "App and pay integration just feels very seamless and the way of the future," he said.
\n
Cotti Coffee — founded by two former Luckin Coffee executives in 2022 — is also experiencing rapid growth with over 14,000 stores worldwide in more than 28 countries and regions.
\n
Unlike Luckin, which is shifting from a price war to focus on quality and brand building, Cotti offers more competitive pricing to attract customers. In China, customers can buy a Cotti beverage for 10 yuan ($1.40). Although Cotti's pricing in the US isn't that competitive, it recently opened its second store in Manhattan.
\n
"The success of the new wave of Chinese brands in the US is driven by a sophisticated playbook that moves beyond the old 'low-cost manufacturing' model. A primary factor is their innovative reengineering of the value proposition," Cong from Cornell University said.
\n
"Brands like Luckin Coffee and Cotti Coffee exemplify a model of 'tech-enabled affordable convenience', using app-based ordering and small-footprint, grab-and-go stores to offer quality products at highly competitive prices. This isn't just a price war; it's a competition of operational efficiency, where technology drastically reduces overheads like rent and labor, allowing them to sustainably offer value that combines affordability with extreme convenience."
\n
Popular clothing brand Urban Revivo, founded in Guangzhou in 2016, is often referred to as the Chinese version of Zara, the Spanish fashion giant.
\n
Urban Revivo has annual sales of around $961 million with 400 stores in China and 19 across the world, mostly in Southeast Asia, according to Forbes. As a major fast-fashion player competing with brands like Zara and H&M, the store adds hundreds of new styles every week. In late February, it entered the US market with a store opening in New York's trendy Soho neighborhood.
\n
Blush of success
\n
In China, more consumers are turning to domestic beauty brands, driving strong growth in local products. At the same time, the country's cosmetics industry is being highly influenced by social media and e-commerce platforms.
\n
In 2022, for example, the sales of domestic Chinese brands on Douyin grew 110 percent year-on-year, according to a Xinhua News Agency report.
\n
From budget-friendly names like Into You and Judydoll to premium brands such as Mao Geping and Florasis, Chinese beauty labels are gaining widespread popularity.
\n
In the first 11 months of 2024, the export volume of Chinese beauty products and toiletries reached 1.19 million metric tons, marking an 18.2 percent increase compared with last year, General Administration of Customs data shows. Export value was $6.53 billion, up 9.4 percent on a yearly basis.
\n
In addition, a growing number of Chinese beauty products have entered the US market. These brands are competing with established international names by offering special pricing while emphasizing design and quality.
\n
Florasis, a cosmetic brand started in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, was praised by US beauty guru and influencer Jeffree Star as "the world's most beautiful makeup" for its designs, which incorporate traditional Chinese elements.
\n
Now available in over 110 countries and regions, the brand earned Marie Claire's 2025 Makeup Award for "Best Luxury Powder Eyeshadow" with one of its palettes.
\n
Another brand, Flower Knows, recognized for its dreamy, fairy-tale-style packaging, quickly went viral in China after launching in 2016, thanks to its unique design concept as well as close collaborations with social media influencers.
\n
Following its success in the domestic market, the brand expanded into Japan, where the company said its products are sold in over 1,000 stores. Flower Knows has also secured a partnership with Urban Outfitters, one of the leading fashion and lifestyle retailers in the US.
\n
The brand has attracted over 2 million followers on Instagram. US pop star Sabrina Carpenter was recently seen holding one of their products on a film set.
\n
Flower Knows is in discussions with major US beauty retailers like Sephora and Ulta Beauty to showcase their products, according to the company's chief marketing officer Gong Fang.
\n
Cong, the finance professor, said the US market could prove to be more profitable than the Chinese market because of its significantly higher household spending. In addition, success in the world market would "confer a powerful 'halo effect' of global prestige" and enhance brand value everywhere, including in China.
\n
He warned, however: "This potential is tempered by significant geopolitical risks, including tariffs and regulatory scrutiny, which add direct costs and uncertainty. Thus, while the US market could become more financially profitable for certain brands, its primary value for many will likely remain strategic."
\n
After the US administration in May eliminated the "de minimis "exemption by imposing duties on packages under $800 coming from China, businesses like Shein and Temu experienced a sharp decline in sales.
\n
In the first week of May, FedEx reported a 35 percent drop in packages arriving in the US from Asia. In response to the policy change, Temu and Shein opened warehouses on US soil to facilitate domestic shipping. They also raised their prices. Shein increased prices by as much as 377 percent, according to Bloomberg.
\n
Brands like Flower Knows emphasize that marketing is more important than ever during this period.
\n
"I have a very strong belief in manufacturing power in China, and we are living proof of that as well," said Fang. "Tariffs force us to innovate and focus more on establishing unique brand positioning. C-beauty should go beyond competitiveness in pricing and agility. We'll turn constraints into chances to redefine 'Made in China'."
\n
bilinlin@chinadailyusa.com
\n",
+ "content": "
Customers browse products at a Pop Mart store on Oxford Street in London, on May 21. Collectible toys, which go beyond the practical function of traditional toys by offering greater emotional value, collectibility, and artistic appeal, have gained popularity among overseas consumers recently.
\n
Customers line up at a Heytea store in Times Square, New York, on March 8, as they flock to the newly opened bubble tea brand from China.
\n
People walk past a Luckin Coffee store before its opening in Chelsea in New York on June 8.
\n\n
The global frenzy for the Labubu doll has shone a light on how Chinese brands are crossing borders and growing in popularity worldwide.
\n
Domestic toy company Pop Mart's plush toys took off in 2024 after celebrities like Blackpink's Lisa and superstar Rihanna showcased their collections on social media. People now compete fiercely to buy the popular dolls, which have seen a significant increase in resale value.
\n
Labubu's monster sales have helped Pop Mart, built on the concept of high-quality blind box toys, grow into a billion-dollar business. It now operates over 400 stores and 2,000 vending machines worldwide.
\n
Meanwhile, other Chinese brands have either already proved to be an international success or are in the process of doing so.
\n
Online stores Shein and Temu are both well-known for offering a vast selection of low-cost products shipped directly from China. While Shein has not publicly reported its global earnings, Reuters said the company was valued at $66 billion last year. Temu is owned by Pinduoduo, a major e-commerce platform. The company's market capitalization had reached approximately $184 billion as of Sept 19.
\n
While the rise of e-commerce has caused a decline in many traditional retail stores, lifestyle retailer Miniso has defied the trend.
\n
Miniso was founded in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, in 2016, with the philosophy of "quality, affordability and fashion".
\n
As of 2024, the company had more than 7,500 stores worldwide. It offers a range of products including toys, beauty products, small electronics, stationery, snacks, and household goods. There are over 200 Miniso stores across 40 US states, with membership growing by 250 percent in 2024 to 2 million people, according to the company.
\n
Miniso's global flagship store in New York's Times Square generated nearly $80,000 in revenue on its opening day on May 19, 2023, setting a single-day sales record among its stores globally, according to a media release.
\n
The company is rapidly expanding, launching flagship stores in iconic locations such as Oxford Street in London, the Champs-Elysees in Paris, Seoul's Gangnam District and Tokyo's Harajuku. In July, it opened a 500-square-meter store in Melbourne, Australia.
\n
The NYSE-listed company reported that its revenue last year reached $2.3 billion, a 22.8 percent increase from the previous year. Consumers say they love Miniso products for their cute designs, IP collaborations and affordable prices.
\n
"Brands like Pop Mart have successfully created a 'collectible culture' around their products, using the blind box to tap into psychological drivers like scarcity and the thrill of discovery," Cornell University finance professor Will Cong told China Daily.
\n
"They bypass traditional retail barriers by launching on e-commerce and social platforms like TikTok, building communities and generating viral, user-generated content that provides authentic marketing."
\n
Cong added, "This digital fluency, combined with hyper-agile supply chains that enable rapid product iteration — a 'fast fashion' DNA seen in brands like Miniso and (fashion chain) Urban Revivo — allows them to respond to trends in near real time, keeping their offerings perpetually fresh and relevant."
\n
Beverage bubble
\n
The concept of bubble tea is being taken to the next level — with Chinese beverage companies including Heytea, Chagee, Coco Fresh Tea and Juice, Molly Tea, and Auntea Jenny now operating tens of thousands of stores worldwide.
\n
Heytea can be seen not only in New York's Chinatown. It has outlets in other major traffic areas in the city such as Times Square, Soho, the East Village, and Herald Square, which attract a diverse range of consumers from all backgrounds.
\n
Founded in Guangdong in 2012 by Nie Yunchen, Heytea lays claim to creating the first "cheese tea", which has a top layer of foamy cream cheese added.
\n
Besides offering tea latte, Heytea created a range of beverages that mix fruit with green tea or dairy.
\n
The company has over 4,000 stores worldwide. Its vice-president of overseas strategy and franchising, Yujia Gu, told the Los Angeles Times he believes the US market will be even bigger than China's, due to the rising appreciation of Asian culture.
\n
Yang Jiawen, a professor of international business and international affairs at George Washington University, said Chinese brands are still at an early stage of recognition in the US market. Product quality, effective advertising, competitive prices, and services that emphasize health and safety features will be important for the development of markets in the US and globally, Yang added.
\n
These brands have had huge success in China, and now they are trying to expand their market in the US.
\n
Luckin Coffee is the biggest coffee shop chain in China with its 22,000 stores far surpassing the 6,500 of its US competitor Starbucks.
\n
The company reported that its net revenue last year exceeded $4.7 billion, representing a 38.4 percent year-on-year increase, with much of it due to its rapid expansion. It opened 6,092 new stores, including 6,071 on the Chinese mainland, 21 in Singapore, and five in Hong Kong.
\n
In June, Luckin Coffee ventured into the US and launched its first store in New York.
\n
Sean Brassil, 28, who visited China in April, said he's excited to see the Chinese company in the US, after enjoying the convenience of ordering a beverage each morning from his hotel room and picking it up. "App and pay integration just feels very seamless and the way of the future," he said.
\n
Cotti Coffee — founded by two former Luckin Coffee executives in 2022 — is also experiencing rapid growth with over 14,000 stores worldwide in more than 28 countries and regions.
\n
Unlike Luckin, which is shifting from a price war to focus on quality and brand building, Cotti offers more competitive pricing to attract customers. In China, customers can buy a Cotti beverage for 10 yuan ($1.40). Although Cotti's pricing in the US isn't that competitive, it recently opened its second store in Manhattan.
\n
"The success of the new wave of Chinese brands in the US is driven by a sophisticated playbook that moves beyond the old 'low-cost manufacturing' model. A primary factor is their innovative reengineering of the value proposition," Cong from Cornell University said.
\n
"Brands like Luckin Coffee and Cotti Coffee exemplify a model of 'tech-enabled affordable convenience', using app-based ordering and small-footprint, grab-and-go stores to offer quality products at highly competitive prices. This isn't just a price war; it's a competition of operational efficiency, where technology drastically reduces overheads like rent and labor, allowing them to sustainably offer value that combines affordability with extreme convenience."
\n
Popular clothing brand Urban Revivo, founded in Guangzhou in 2016, is often referred to as the Chinese version of Zara, the Spanish fashion giant.
\n
Urban Revivo has annual sales of around $961 million with 400 stores in China and 19 across the world, mostly in Southeast Asia, according to Forbes. As a major fast-fashion player competing with brands like Zara and H&M, the store adds hundreds of new styles every week. In late February, it entered the US market with a store opening in New York's trendy Soho neighborhood.
\n
Blush of success
\n
In China, more consumers are turning to domestic beauty brands, driving strong growth in local products. At the same time, the country's cosmetics industry is being highly influenced by social media and e-commerce platforms.
\n
In 2022, for example, the sales of domestic Chinese brands on Douyin grew 110 percent year-on-year, according to a Xinhua News Agency report.
\n
From budget-friendly names like Into You and Judydoll to premium brands such as Mao Geping and Florasis, Chinese beauty labels are gaining widespread popularity.
\n
In the first 11 months of 2024, the export volume of Chinese beauty products and toiletries reached 1.19 million metric tons, marking an 18.2 percent increase compared with last year, General Administration of Customs data shows. Export value was $6.53 billion, up 9.4 percent on a yearly basis.
\n
In addition, a growing number of Chinese beauty products have entered the US market. These brands are competing with established international names by offering special pricing while emphasizing design and quality.
\n
Florasis, a cosmetic brand started in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, was praised by US beauty guru and influencer Jeffree Star as "the world's most beautiful makeup" for its designs, which incorporate traditional Chinese elements.
\n
Now available in over 110 countries and regions, the brand earned Marie Claire's 2025 Makeup Award for "Best Luxury Powder Eyeshadow" with one of its palettes.
\n
Another brand, Flower Knows, recognized for its dreamy, fairy-tale-style packaging, quickly went viral in China after launching in 2016, thanks to its unique design concept as well as close collaborations with social media influencers.
\n
Following its success in the domestic market, the brand expanded into Japan, where the company said its products are sold in over 1,000 stores. Flower Knows has also secured a partnership with Urban Outfitters, one of the leading fashion and lifestyle retailers in the US.
\n
The brand has attracted over 2 million followers on Instagram. US pop star Sabrina Carpenter was recently seen holding one of their products on a film set.
\n
Flower Knows is in discussions with major US beauty retailers like Sephora and Ulta Beauty to showcase their products, according to the company's chief marketing officer Gong Fang.
\n
Cong, the finance professor, said the US market could prove to be more profitable than the Chinese market because of its significantly higher household spending. In addition, success in the world market would "confer a powerful 'halo effect' of global prestige" and enhance brand value everywhere, including in China.
\n
He warned, however: "This potential is tempered by significant geopolitical risks, including tariffs and regulatory scrutiny, which add direct costs and uncertainty. Thus, while the US market could become more financially profitable for certain brands, its primary value for many will likely remain strategic."
\n
After the US administration in May eliminated the "de minimis "exemption by imposing duties on packages under $800 coming from China, businesses like Shein and Temu experienced a sharp decline in sales.
\n
In the first week of May, FedEx reported a 35 percent drop in packages arriving in the US from Asia. In response to the policy change, Temu and Shein opened warehouses on US soil to facilitate domestic shipping. They also raised their prices. Shein increased prices by as much as 377 percent, according to Bloomberg.
\n
Brands like Flower Knows emphasize that marketing is more important than ever during this period.
\n
"I have a very strong belief in manufacturing power in China, and we are living proof of that as well," said Fang. "Tariffs force us to innovate and focus more on establishing unique brand positioning. C-beauty should go beyond competitiveness in pricing and agility. We'll turn constraints into chances to redefine 'Made in China'."
China's development path is peaceful and its experiences could benefit many countries, international observers and business leaders said, hailing President Xi Jinping's speech at the reception marking the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China on Tuesday as a message of confidence.
\n
At the event, Xi called on the nation to keep working hard and forging ahead with determination in advancing Chinese modernization, stressing that "achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is an unprecedented cause".
\n
Carlos Martinez, political commentator and co-founder of the Friends of Socialist China platform, said: "President Xi's speech reflects and reinforces the confidence of the Chinese people and the Communist Party of China in tackling the major challenges of the present era and marching forward toward socialist modernization."
\n
Martinez noted the sharp difference between China's modernization and that of capitalist countries as "peaceful" and "based on common prosperity and harmony between humankind and nature", instead of "war, colonialism, slavery, exploitation and ecocide".
\n
"So the Chinese people are exploring previously uncharted territory, and this has profound significance for the other peoples of the Global South. China's rise holds valuable lessons for the socialist countries and all Global South countries that seek to modernize whilst upholding their sovereignty," he said.
\n
Martinez also praised his reiteration of China's support for multilateralism despite a complex and unpredictable international environment with a range of threats and challenges. "China remains a force for peace and progress, and its vision of a global community of shared future is a source of inspiration and unity."
\n
For Fiona Sim, co-founder of the Black Liberation Alliance in London, China's modernization means a greater contribution to the fight against poverty on a global level.
\n
"I cannot say China's poverty alleviation can be overstated enough, just the very fact that it contributed to 70 percent of the global poverty decline," she said.
\n
From a business perspective, Bernard Dewit, chairman of the Belgian-Chinese Chamber of Commerce, stressed the opportunities that China's modernization offers.
\n
"For Belgian companies, China remains a key partner and one of the world's most dynamic markets. The emphasis on high-quality development, green transformation, digital advancement, and people's well-being opens new areas for collaboration."
\n
Dewit sees the reaffirmation of multilateralism and global cooperation in the speech aligning with the shared commitment to innovation and sustainability by Europe, which can create opportunities not only for trade but also for joint solutions to global challenges.
\n
"We look forward to deepening our economic partnerships, fostering more exchanges between our people and enterprises, and building bridges of trust and prosperity," Dewit said.
\n
Jack Perry, chairman of the London-based business community 48 Group, said that when unilateralism and protectionism undermine the UN and other multilateral mechanisms, the business community feels the impact and disruption the most.
\n
"Against this backdrop, China has consistently been at the forefront of upholding multilateralism and maintaining a high level of openness to the world," he said, adding that as China prepares for the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30), businesses expect the country's priorities of reform, sustainable growth, and multilateral cooperation to create prosperity not only for China but for the global community.
\n
Contact the writers at xingyi@chinadaily.com.cn.
\n",
+ "content": "
China's development path is peaceful and its experiences could benefit many countries, international observers and business leaders said, hailing President Xi Jinping's speech at the reception marking the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China on Tuesday as a message of confidence.
\n
At the event, Xi called on the nation to keep working hard and forging ahead with determination in advancing Chinese modernization, stressing that "achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is an unprecedented cause".
\n
Carlos Martinez, political commentator and co-founder of the Friends of Socialist China platform, said: "President Xi's speech reflects and reinforces the confidence of the Chinese people and the Communist Party of China in tackling the major challenges of the present era and marching forward toward socialist modernization."
\n
Martinez noted the sharp difference between China's modernization and that of capitalist countries as "peaceful" and "based on common prosperity and harmony between humankind and nature", instead of "war, colonialism, slavery, exploitation and ecocide".
\n
"So the Chinese people are exploring previously uncharted territory, and this has profound significance for the other peoples of the Global South. China's rise holds valuable lessons for the socialist countries and all Global South countries that seek to modernize whilst upholding their sovereignty," he said.
\n
Martinez also praised his reiteration of China's support for multilateralism despite a complex and unpredictable international environment with a range of threats and challenges. "China remains a force for peace and progress, and its vision of a global community of shared future is a source of inspiration and unity."
\n
For Fiona Sim, co-founder of the Black Liberation Alliance in London, China's modernization means a greater contribution to the fight against poverty on a global level.
\n
"I cannot say China's poverty alleviation can be overstated enough, just the very fact that it contributed to 70 percent of the global poverty decline," she said.
\n
From a business perspective, Bernard Dewit, chairman of the Belgian-Chinese Chamber of Commerce, stressed the opportunities that China's modernization offers.
\n
"For Belgian companies, China remains a key partner and one of the world's most dynamic markets. The emphasis on high-quality development, green transformation, digital advancement, and people's well-being opens new areas for collaboration."
\n
Dewit sees the reaffirmation of multilateralism and global cooperation in the speech aligning with the shared commitment to innovation and sustainability by Europe, which can create opportunities not only for trade but also for joint solutions to global challenges.
\n
"We look forward to deepening our economic partnerships, fostering more exchanges between our people and enterprises, and building bridges of trust and prosperity," Dewit said.
\n
Jack Perry, chairman of the London-based business community 48 Group, said that when unilateralism and protectionism undermine the UN and other multilateral mechanisms, the business community feels the impact and disruption the most.
\n
"Against this backdrop, China has consistently been at the forefront of upholding multilateralism and maintaining a high level of openness to the world," he said, adding that as China prepares for the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30), businesses expect the country's priorities of reform, sustainable growth, and multilateral cooperation to create prosperity not only for China but for the global community.
China's proposal of the Global Governance Initiative, or GGI, is expected to inject stability and cooperation into an increasingly uncertain world, experts and scholars said at a conference in London on Saturday.
\n
The event, held to mark the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, brought together diplomats, academics, and solidarity campaigners who highlighted China's role as a force for peace, its achievements in the fight against poverty and climate change, and the timeliness of the initiative in strengthening multilateralism.
\n
The Global Governance Initiative was proposed by President Xi Jinping at the "Shanghai Cooperation Organization Plus" Meeting in Tianjin earlier in September.
\n
The initiative on governance is the fourth major initiative proposed by China, following the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative.
\n
Francisco Dominguez, secretary of the Venezuela Solidarity Campaign and a former head of the Centre for Brazilian and Latin American Studies at Middlesex University in London, said the GGI is "timely, perhaps even overdue", given the challenges created by the United States' protectionist and unilateralist actions in the global economy.
\n
"Not long ago, world governability was based on agreed rules, principles, and norms enshrined in treaties that were stipulated in the UN Charter, the WTO, and a raft of international conventions and protocols that Washington has either abandoned or trampled upon," he said.
\n
Dominguez said that multipolarity has reached a critical stage, and he expects the GGI to steer the world economy toward its central aim of advancing human development and improving people's livelihoods.
\n
"This aim can only be obtained by establishing a world governance that is inclusive, builds global open and cooperative relationships, with all countries participating equally through multilateralism to share prosperity, in a community of shared future," he said.
\n
Overarching framework
\n
Jenny Clegg, an independent researcher and author of China's Global Strategy: Towards a Multipolar World, emphasized that the GGI serves as an overarching framework linking China's earlier proposals.
\n
"The world is getting more and more turbulent. How are we going to stabilize the situation? It's only going to be by strengthening links between countries, strengthening cooperation and unity between countries," she said.
\n
"By reaffirming the sovereignty and equality of nations in the GGI, China is showing its commitment to the international rule of law," she said, adding that the initiative's emphasis on taking action is very important.
\n
Mushtaq Lasharie, chairman of Third World Solidarity, welcomed the initiative as a response to the shortcomings of current international institutions.
\n",
+ "content": "
China's proposal of the Global Governance Initiative, or GGI, is expected to inject stability and cooperation into an increasingly uncertain world, experts and scholars said at a conference in London on Saturday.
\n
The event, held to mark the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, brought together diplomats, academics, and solidarity campaigners who highlighted China's role as a force for peace, its achievements in the fight against poverty and climate change, and the timeliness of the initiative in strengthening multilateralism.
\n
The Global Governance Initiative was proposed by President Xi Jinping at the "Shanghai Cooperation Organization Plus" Meeting in Tianjin earlier in September.
\n
The initiative on governance is the fourth major initiative proposed by China, following the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative.
\n
Francisco Dominguez, secretary of the Venezuela Solidarity Campaign and a former head of the Centre for Brazilian and Latin American Studies at Middlesex University in London, said the GGI is "timely, perhaps even overdue", given the challenges created by the United States' protectionist and unilateralist actions in the global economy.
\n
"Not long ago, world governability was based on agreed rules, principles, and norms enshrined in treaties that were stipulated in the UN Charter, the WTO, and a raft of international conventions and protocols that Washington has either abandoned or trampled upon," he said.
\n
Dominguez said that multipolarity has reached a critical stage, and he expects the GGI to steer the world economy toward its central aim of advancing human development and improving people's livelihoods.
\n
"This aim can only be obtained by establishing a world governance that is inclusive, builds global open and cooperative relationships, with all countries participating equally through multilateralism to share prosperity, in a community of shared future," he said.
\n
Overarching framework
\n
Jenny Clegg, an independent researcher and author of China's Global Strategy: Towards a Multipolar World, emphasized that the GGI serves as an overarching framework linking China's earlier proposals.
\n
"The world is getting more and more turbulent. How are we going to stabilize the situation? It's only going to be by strengthening links between countries, strengthening cooperation and unity between countries," she said.
\n
"By reaffirming the sovereignty and equality of nations in the GGI, China is showing its commitment to the international rule of law," she said, adding that the initiative's emphasis on taking action is very important.
\n
Mushtaq Lasharie, chairman of Third World Solidarity, welcomed the initiative as a response to the shortcomings of current international institutions.
Worshippers stand inside a church under construction that collapsed in Arerti, Amhara region of northern Ethiopia, on Wednesday, killing at least 36 people and injuring over 200 others. The incident occurred at around 7:45 am in the town of Arerti, roughly 70 kilometers east of the capital Addis Ababa, when a group was visiting for an annual Virgin Mary festival.
\n",
+ "content": "
Worshippers stand inside a church under construction that collapsed in Arerti, Amhara region of northern Ethiopia, on Wednesday, killing at least 36 people and injuring over 200 others. The incident occurred at around 7:45 am in the town of Arerti, roughly 70 kilometers east of the capital Addis Ababa, when a group was visiting for an annual Virgin Mary festival.
African countries are lobbying for renewal of the crucial trade deal while trying to diversify trade amid rising trade protectionism from the United States, as the African Growth and Opportunity Act, or AGOA, expired on Tuesday.
\n
Launched in 2000, the act is a flagship US trade preference program that allows eligible sub-Saharan African countries to export goods duty-free to the US under specific conditions. However, with the rise of trade protectionism in the US, many fear the program will not be renewed.
\n
Speaking at the South Africa-US Trade and Investment Dialogue in New York last week, South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa noted that the act underpins thousands of jobs in auto assembly plants, farms and high-tech manufacturing hubs.
\n
"Predictable, preferential access to the US market is vital not only to South Africa but to American companies that depend on reliable imports," he said, appealing to the US to renew the trade deal.
\n
Joseph Upile Matola, acting head of the economic resilience and inclusion program at the South African Institute of International Affairs, warned that non-renewal would deprive African countries of "a very important market" that supports manufacturing, agriculture, clothing and textiles.
\n
He said chances of the act being renewed are "very minimal" but added that a renewal would be "a pleasant surprise".
\n
He called on African governments to accelerate the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area to boost intra-African trade and cushion against future shocks.
\n
"The US itself has lost some markets around the world due to other countries' retaliation and change in consumer sentiments across regions like Europe and Canada as consumers ditch America," he said.
\n
Zero-tariff policy
\n
Matola pointed to China as an alternative market, citing its recent zero-tariff offer to 53 African countries with which it has diplomatic relations.
\n
Kganki Matabane, chief executive officer of the Black Business Council in South Africa, echoed doubts over the act's future.
\n
"We know there are discussions going on between South Africa and the US, but we don't think we have enough time to salvage AGOA. So far, things are not promising," said Matabane.
\n
The South African government should continue negotiating with the US for the renewal of AGOA even as it diversifies its markets by exploring Africa, Asia and the Gulf, he added.
\n
"China is a big market and ready. Many of our farmers are supplying citrus fruits to the US, and are now looking for opportunities in China," Matabane added.
\n
Khulekani Mathe, CEO of Business Unity South Africa, concurred with Matabane that South Africa should explore other markets.
\n
Last week, BUSA signed a memorandum of understanding with the South Africa-China Economic and Trade Association, which represents Chinese companies operating in South Africa.
\n
Under the deal, BUSA will share regulatory information while the association provides market intelligence about China.
\n
In Kenya, the Kenya Private Sector Alliance, or KEPSA, has urged the US to renew the deal for 16 years or provide a two-year transition window to allow time for a bilateral trade deal pact between Kenya and the US.
\n
Carole Kariuki, KEPSA CEO, said that AGOA has played a positive role in Africa over the past 25 years, noting that it has supported industries, created jobs and transformed lives.
\n
Kenyan President William Ruto raised the same issue with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. Ruto said that Kenya exported $600 million worth of apparel to the US last year and aims to surpass $2 billion by 2030.
\n
Last week, Kenya's parliament passed a motion urging expedited extension of AGOA, citing its critical role in the country's economy, exports and job creation.
\n
Jane Kagiri, a woman representative from Laikipia, Kenya, who sponsored the motion, warned of potential economic disruptions if urgent action is not taken.
\n
"Women comprise approximately 75 percent of AGOA's direct beneficiaries, and their incomes directly support education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation," she said.
\n
edithmutethya@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
African countries are lobbying for renewal of the crucial trade deal while trying to diversify trade amid rising trade protectionism from the United States, as the African Growth and Opportunity Act, or AGOA, expired on Tuesday.
\n
Launched in 2000, the act is a flagship US trade preference program that allows eligible sub-Saharan African countries to export goods duty-free to the US under specific conditions. However, with the rise of trade protectionism in the US, many fear the program will not be renewed.
\n
Speaking at the South Africa-US Trade and Investment Dialogue in New York last week, South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa noted that the act underpins thousands of jobs in auto assembly plants, farms and high-tech manufacturing hubs.
\n
"Predictable, preferential access to the US market is vital not only to South Africa but to American companies that depend on reliable imports," he said, appealing to the US to renew the trade deal.
\n
Joseph Upile Matola, acting head of the economic resilience and inclusion program at the South African Institute of International Affairs, warned that non-renewal would deprive African countries of "a very important market" that supports manufacturing, agriculture, clothing and textiles.
\n
He said chances of the act being renewed are "very minimal" but added that a renewal would be "a pleasant surprise".
\n
He called on African governments to accelerate the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area to boost intra-African trade and cushion against future shocks.
\n
"The US itself has lost some markets around the world due to other countries' retaliation and change in consumer sentiments across regions like Europe and Canada as consumers ditch America," he said.
\n
Zero-tariff policy
\n
Matola pointed to China as an alternative market, citing its recent zero-tariff offer to 53 African countries with which it has diplomatic relations.
\n
Kganki Matabane, chief executive officer of the Black Business Council in South Africa, echoed doubts over the act's future.
\n
"We know there are discussions going on between South Africa and the US, but we don't think we have enough time to salvage AGOA. So far, things are not promising," said Matabane.
\n
The South African government should continue negotiating with the US for the renewal of AGOA even as it diversifies its markets by exploring Africa, Asia and the Gulf, he added.
\n
"China is a big market and ready. Many of our farmers are supplying citrus fruits to the US, and are now looking for opportunities in China," Matabane added.
\n
Khulekani Mathe, CEO of Business Unity South Africa, concurred with Matabane that South Africa should explore other markets.
\n
Last week, BUSA signed a memorandum of understanding with the South Africa-China Economic and Trade Association, which represents Chinese companies operating in South Africa.
\n
Under the deal, BUSA will share regulatory information while the association provides market intelligence about China.
\n
In Kenya, the Kenya Private Sector Alliance, or KEPSA, has urged the US to renew the deal for 16 years or provide a two-year transition window to allow time for a bilateral trade deal pact between Kenya and the US.
\n
Carole Kariuki, KEPSA CEO, said that AGOA has played a positive role in Africa over the past 25 years, noting that it has supported industries, created jobs and transformed lives.
\n
Kenyan President William Ruto raised the same issue with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. Ruto said that Kenya exported $600 million worth of apparel to the US last year and aims to surpass $2 billion by 2030.
\n
Last week, Kenya's parliament passed a motion urging expedited extension of AGOA, citing its critical role in the country's economy, exports and job creation.
\n
Jane Kagiri, a woman representative from Laikipia, Kenya, who sponsored the motion, warned of potential economic disruptions if urgent action is not taken.
\n
"Women comprise approximately 75 percent of AGOA's direct beneficiaries, and their incomes directly support education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation," she said.
\n \n \n Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are officially engaged. The couple shared the big news on Instagram with a carousel of photos and the caption, \"Your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married.\" The photos capture the moment Kelce got down on his knee in a rose garden, including a close up shot of the diamond engagement ring.\n \n \n
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\n \n \n Their post earned more than 14 million likes and 425,000 reposts in just over an hour. A spokesperson for Meta, the parent company of Instagram, confirmed that Instagram had crashed for some users.\n \n \n
\n \n 就在霉霉公开订婚消息的同日，吉尼斯世界纪录发文表示：\n \n 霉霉又多了一项吉尼斯世界纪录\n \n 。她近日在凯尔斯的播客节目上首度亮相，创下了 “YouTube播客同时观看次数最多”（the most concurrent views for a podcast on YouTube）的纪录。\n \n
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\n \n \n \n 外媒花式玩梗报道\n \n \n \n
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\n \n \n 许多网友形容，\n \n \n \n 两人的订婚场景就\n \n \n \n 如同斯威夫特的歌曲《Love Story》\n \n \n \n 描绘的求婚画面一样\n \n \n \n ：“He knelt to the ground and pulled out a ring”\n \n \n \n （他单膝跪地，取出一枚戒指）\n \n \n \n ，是“现实版的Love Story”。\n \n \n
\n \n \n Shortly after Swift's post, Fox News broke away from their continuous coverage of\n \n \n \n \n Donald Trump\n \n \n \n \n 's Cabinet meeting in Washington to share the news, according to The Hill.\n \n \n
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\n \n \n \"I wish them a lot of luck,\" Trump told reporters during a Cabinet meeting. \"I think he's a great player, I think he's a great guy. I think that she's a terrific person, so I wish them a lot of luck.\"\n \n \n
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\n \n 此前，2024年美国大选期间，由于泰勒·斯威夫特公开支持民主党总统候选人哈里斯，特朗普曾在社交平台“\n \n \n Truth Social\n \n \n ”发文：“我讨厌泰勒·斯威夫特！(I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT!)”\n \n
\n \n \n Joint Statement on China-US Economic and Trade Meeting in Stockholm\n \n \n
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\n \n 中华人民共和国政府（“中国”）和美利坚合众国政府（“美国”），\n \n
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\n \n \n The Government of the People's Republic of China (\"China\") and the Government of the United States of America (the \"United States\"),\n \n \n
\n \n \n 1. The United States will continue to modify the application of the additional ad valorem rate of duty on articles of China (including articles of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Macao Special Administrative Region) set forth in Executive Order 14257 of April 2, 2025, by suspending 24 percentage points of that rate for an additional period of 90 days, starting on August 12, 2025, while retaining the remaining ad valorem rate of 10 percent on those articles pursuant to the terms of said Order.\n \n \n
\n \n \n 2. China will continue to (1) modify the application of the additional ad valorem rate of duty on articles of the United States set forth in the Announcement of the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council No. 4 of 2025, by suspending 24 percentage points of that rate for an additional period of 90 days, starting on August 12, 2025, while retaining the remaining additional ad valorem rate of 10 percent on those articles, and (2) adopt or maintain all necessary administrative measures to suspend or remove the non-tariff countermeasures taken against the United States as agreed in the Geneva Joint Statement.\n \n \n
\n \n \n This Joint Statement is based on the discussions that took place during the China-US Economic and Trade Meeting in Stockholm, which was held under the mechanism established by the Geneva Joint Statement. The representative from the Chinese side for this meeting was He Lifeng, Vice-Premier of the State Council, and the representatives from the US side were Scott Bessent, Secretary of Treasury, and Jamieson Greer, United States Trade Representative.\n \n \n
\n \n \n China will continue to suspend 24 percentage points of additional duty rate on imports from the United States within 90 days starting from 12:01 pm Tuesday, while retaining the remaining additional tariffs of 10 percent on those articles, according to an announcement from the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council.\n \n \n
\n \n \n China's commerce ministry announced Tuesday that the country has continued to suspend or removed related unreliable entity list measures on certain US entities from Tuesday.\n \n \n
\n \n \n China's commerce ministry announced Tuesday that it has continued to suspend or removed export-control measures on some US entities from Tuesday, in line with the consensus reached during the high-level China-US economic and trade meeting in Stockholm.\n \n \n
\n \n \n Nobody\n \n \n , the first feature-length film adapted from the hit animated series\n \n \n Yao\n \n \n \n \n \n —\n \n \n \n \n \n Chinese Folktales\n \n \n , set to premiere in Chinese theaters on Saturday.\n \n \n
\n \n \n The film, a spin-off based of one of the eight stand-alone short stories from the\n \n \n Yao — Chinese Folktales\n \n \n anthology,\n \n \n Nobody\n \n \n follows the adventures of four grassroots monsters: a pig, a toad, a chimpanzee and a mink.\n \n \n
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\n \n \n Disguised as the Buddhist monk Xuanzang and his three disciples, they set out on a quest to obtain sacred Buddhist scrolls in hopes of achieving immortality. However, their quest soon takes an unexpected turn as they find themselves battling evil and saving innocent villagers.\n \n \n
\n \n \n The production took over two years and involved a team of more than 600 animators. It features over 1,800 animated shots and more than 2,000 background paintings, with an aesthetic inspired by traditional Chinese brushwork.\n \n \n
\n \n \n Chen Liaoyu, the film's executive producer and art director, shared that the visual style is rooted in traditional ink wash painting, enriched with vibrant colors, dynamic lighting, and a realistic sense of space to create a fantastical yet believable world for the audience.\n \n \n
\n \n \n The film appeals to young urban audiences by depicting workplace challenges. The characters face obstacles and misunderstandings while representing the experiences of ordinary urban employees and their efforts to maintain personal values and goals.\n \n \n
\n \n \n \n On the G1546 train from Nanning East to Hangzhou West, a post-00s train attendant Qin Yunhao carries a plastic bag with him every time he works during the busy summer travel season, according to China Railway's official social media account.\n \n \n \n
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\n \n \n \n This \"mysterious plastic bag\" contains a stack of primary school exam papers for various grades. If children are being noisy, Qin approaches them and \"rewards\" them with a test paper.\n \n \n \n
\n \n \n This summer, Qin's train has been especially crowded, popular with study tour groups and families. At times, student passengers make up half the carriage. Keeping children calm is a frequent topic discussed among the crew.\n \n \n
\n \n \n \"I noticed some parents bring their kids' summer homework on board, which keeps them busy and quiet,\" Qin said. \"So I thought, why not print simple exam papers for parents who didn't bring any?\"\n \n \n
\n \n \n He added that many of his colleagues have their own tricks, like giving out coloring books, stickers, or small toys that help improve concentration. Some trains even set up \"mobile play zones\" in dining cars for young travelers.\n \n \n
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\n \n \n \n Qin advises parents to prepare cartoons, movies, toys, or picture books to make trips more enjoyable.\n \n \n \n
\n \n \n \n With a performance inspired by the Terracotta Warriors, the Chinese artistic swimming team concluded their World\n \n \n \n \n Aquatics\n \n \n \n \n Championships campaign in Singapore on July 25, as they secured a gold in the team acrobatic event, bringing their total medal tally to four golds and three silvers in the tournament with gold medals in all three team events.\n \n \n \n
\n \n \n \n Wearing golden headbands symbolizing the legendary Monkey King, China's artistic swimmers brought the myth to life in a powerful Wukong-inspired routine to win gold in the team technical event at the 2025 World Aquatics Championships last Tuesday. Their performance, based on the popular Chinese video game\n \n Black Myth: Wukong\n \n , earned China 307.8001 points.\n \n \n \n
\n \n \n \n Performing a routine titled \"Soul of the Terracotta Army\", the Chinese squad topped the preliminary round and carried that momentum into the team acrobatic final on Friday, where they scored 229.0186 points to secure the gold.\n \n \n \n
\n \n \n \n \n \n The finals of the 2025 RoboCup Humanoid League\n \n \n \n \n concluded on Sunday in Brazil, with Tsinghu\n \n \n \n \n \n \n a U\n \n \n \n \n niversity's Hephaestus team beating China Agricultural University's Mountain Sea tea\n \n \n \n \n m 5:3 to clinch the title.\n \n \n \n
\n \n \n China has made history by winning the gold for the first time in the 28-year history of the tournament's Humanoid AdultSize Soccer Competition.\n \n \n
\n \n \n Chinese teams showed dominant form from the group stage onward. Hephaestus, powered by the domestically developed T1 humanoid robots, overwhelmed opponents with multiple clean-sheet victories, including 16:0, 9:0, and 12:0 triumphs over UT Austin Villa from the United States.\n \n \n
\n \n \n \n One highlight of the tournament came during the group stage, when a Hephaestus robot scored the tournament's \"best goal\"\n \n \n \n \n \n .\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n
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\n \n \n \n In a moment reminiscent of Dutch footballer Robin van Persie's iconic diving header, the robot read the ball's trajectory at the goalmouth and launched forward to head the ball into the net. The dramatic goal was dubbed the \"robot Van Persie dive.\"\n \n \n \n
\n \n \n Other Chinese teams also delivered impressive results, with Tsinghua's TH-MOS team taking second place in the KidSize category. In the KidSize soccer competition final, both the German champions Boosted HTWK and China's TH-MOS team relied on the K1 robot.\n \n \n
\n \n \n \n Notably, both Chinese and international teams, including those from Germany and the US, chose to use China-made humanoid robots such as the T1 and K1, underscoring the growing global influence of Chinese robotics.\n \n \n \n
\n \n \n \n Founded in 1997, RoboCup is the world's leading robotics competition, known for its scale, prestige, and technological rigor. Among its many leagues, the Humanoid category attracts the most attention.\n \n \n \n
\n \n \n \n \n The ultimate goal of the RoboCup Initiative is stated as,\"By the middle of the 21st century, a team of fully autonomous humanoid robot soccer players shall win a soccer game, complying with the official rules of FIFA, against the winner of the most recent World Cup,\"\n \n \n according to its official website.\n \n \n \n \n
\n \n \n \n Several of the teams that participated in RoboCup 2025 are also expected to compete at the upcoming first World Humanoid Sports Games to be held in August in Beijing, where the world's first 5v5 AI robotic soccer will be introduced.\n \n \n \n
\n \n \n In a small workshop in Wuhan, Hubei province, traditional Chinese elements like dragons and cranes aren't just painted on walls or silk — they're coming alive on sneakers.\n \n \n
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\n \n \n Behind these creations is Wang Qing, a 26-year-old postgraduate student at the School of Arts and Design, Wuhan University of Technology.\n \n \n
\n \n \n One of his most popular collections was inspired by the animated film\n \n \n White Snake\n \n \n (2019), a modern retelling of a classic Chinese legend. The design features a dragon that coils gently around the shoe's emblem, blending into a misty mountain background. A silhouette emerges from the clouds on the heel, adding a scent of romantic mystique.\n \n \n
\n \n \n Beyond folklore, Wang's work incorporates regional heritage. For example, his \"Waking Lion\" series pays homage to the lion dance traditions.\n \n \n
\n \n \n \"I loved reciting Chinese poems when I was little and was deeply fascinated by the artistic conception brought by the verses,\" he said. \"Even before the term 'China chic' existed, traditional culture was already influencing my imagination.\"\n \n \n
\n \n \n In a spontaneous moment in 2022, he decided to repair his torn skate shoes by drawing Chinese-style cartoon patterns on them. That was when the idea of wearable culture took form.\n \n \n
\n \n \n Wang explained that government-backed innovation programs have played a crucial role in helping their team expand.\n \n \n
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\n \n \n Through Hubei's entrepreneurship fund for university students, his team secured 50,000 yuan in initial funding. Later, by participating in a youth innovation competition, they received an additional 100,000 yuan and established valuable connections with investors and policy advisers.\n \n \n
\n \n \n But for Wang, it's not just about decoration. \"It's never as easy as simply copying a symbol and printing it on a shoe,\" he said. \"We consider the shoe's silhouette, its structure, and how each design element complements the form.\"\n \n \n
\n \n \n His academic background in landscape architecture gives him a unique edge. Wang believes that core design principles — structure, proportion, and harmony — are transferable across disciplines. \"When I design a 50-square-meter courtyard, I think about plant arrangement, paving patterns, water features — it's all about composition,\" he said. \"Sneakers may be a smaller canvas, but the design logic is similar.\"\n \n \n
\n \n \n To maintain high standards, Wang and his team traveled to major footwear material markets in Houjie, Guangdong, and Quanzhou, Fujian, to source better materials. One result: their shoes are 30 percent more scratch-resistant than comparable handcrafted products.\n \n \n
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\n \n \n When facing color fading issues, Wang consulted a doctoral researcher in materials science at his university and developed a pigment formula that preserves color saturation while enhancing wear resistance.\n \n \n
\n \n \n The team also established its own design database and incorporated an AI color-matching system. \"This allows us to complete color matching in approximately 10 seconds,\" Wang noted. \"Designers then build on this foundation by adding elements, significantly boosting design efficiency.\"\n \n \n
\n \n \n Looking ahead, Wang hopes to launch his own China chic fashion brand, expanding into clothing, accessories, and global markets. \"Being Chinese and growing up with these traditions has deeply influenced me,\" he said.\n \n \n
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\n \n \n \"We want to create something that truly belongs to us and reflects our identity. Our dream is to make Chinese brands more high-end and infuse international brands with the spirit of Chinese culture.\"\n \n \n
\n \n \n Known to some Westerners as \"century eggs\" or \"thousand-year-old eggs\" for their dark, translucent appearance and bold flavor, these traditional Chinese delicacies have long sparked mixed reactions abroad.\n \n \n
\n \n \n Once dubbed one of the world's most disgusting foods, China's preserved eggs are now flying off the shelves at Costco stores across the United States.\n \n \n
\n \n \n The buzz began on Xiaohongshu, where Chinese shoppers in the US posted photos of the eggs on display. The posts quickly drew a flood of comments asking for store locations and ZIP codes.\n \n \n
\n \n \n Then came a viral boost. US food influencer \"The Sushi Guy\" reviewed the eggs on TikTok and YouTube, drawing more than 660,000 views. Food site Tasting Table followed up with a feature exploring the eggs' cultural roots and distinctive taste.\n \n \n
\n \n \n On TikTok, adventurous eaters filmed their reactions: some recoiled at the first bite, then returned for more.\n \n \n
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\n \n 在线下购买皮蛋的消费者\n \n
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\n \n 除了华人之外\n \n
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\n \n 也可以看到当地人的身影\n \n
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\n \n 他们不少都是初尝“拒绝”\n \n
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\n \n 不知不觉就对皮蛋“上瘾”了\n \n
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\n \n \n On TikTok, adventurous eaters filmed their reactions: some recoiled at the first bite, then returned for more. \"I don't know what I'm doing, but it's weirdly addictive,\" said vloggers.\n \n \n
\n \n \n \"We planned enough stock for three months – some stores ran out in under three days,\" sales manager of the company behind the product said.\n \n \n
Chinese scientists have recently published a new significant finding that will help to better understand the moon's history and its hemispheric dichotomy, or the dramatic difference between the lunar near and far sides.
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According to a joint statement released on Monday by the China National Space Administration and the China Atomic Energy Authority, a group of researchers from the Beijing Research Institute of Uranium Geology, a China National Nuclear Corp subsidiary, Peking University and Shandong University have found, for the first time, that the lunar mantle on the far side is "colder" than that on the near side.
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Researchers made the discovery after analyzing lunar dust retrieved from the far side of the moon by the Chang'e 6 robotic probe.
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The finding, which was published in the academic journal Nature Geoscience on Sept 30, will further deepen the understanding of the moon's hemispheric dichotomy, provide petrological, geochemical and other scientific evidence for the temperature difference between the lunar mantle on the near and far sides, and present key scientific data for research on lunar evolution and the characteristics of the hemispheric dichotomy, according to the statement.
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This also marks a new achievement in the cross-disciplinary collaboration between Chinese nuclear and space scientists, following their discovery of the sixth lunar mineral — Changesite-(Y) — in late 2022, the statement noted.
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Located beneath the lunar crust, the lunar mantle is the largest component of the moon in terms of volume, and the moon's ancient volcanic activities were formed by the upward movement of mantle materials. Therefore, the internal characteristics of the moon, such as the lunar mantle, are crucial for research on lunar evolution, the statement added.
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In their study, scientists used a variety of methods to conduct detailed analysis of the lunar samples brought back by the Chang'e 6 probe.
\n
By analyzing the compositions of typical minerals, including clinopyroxene and plagioclase, in the lunar regolith basalt samples, they calculated the crystallization temperature and pressure using three different thermobarometers. To ensure the scientific validity of the results, the team simulated the crystallization process of Chang'e 6 samples through a petrological model.
\n
The four independent methods yielded consistent results — the crystallization temperature of the basalt samples is about 1,100 C, approximately 100 C lower than that of samples from the near side.
\n
The researchers also reconstructed the chemical composition of the moon's original magma and calculated the potential temperatures of the lunar mantle. They found that the potential temperature of the lunar mantle on the far side is about 100 C lower than that on the near side. In addition, the research team used lunar remote-sensing data to conduct verification and analysis on a larger regional scale.
\n
"Collectively, our findings demonstrate that the lunar far side mantle is relatively colder than the near side mantle, consistent with the hemispherical differences in crustal thickness and heat-producing element distribution, and provide constraints on the thermal evolution of the moon and the origin of its global asymmetry," the scientists wrote in their Nature Geoscience article.
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Li Ziying, a senior scientist and one of the research leaders, said that studying the physical and chemical differences between the lunar near and far sides not only enables scientists to deepen their knowledge about the moon itself, but also offers insights into Earth's evolution.
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The Chang'e 6 mission, representing the world's first attempt to bring samples from the far side of the moon, was launched in May 2024 from the Wenchang Space Launch Site in Hainan province.
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The mission successfully concluded after 53 days of sophisticated maneuvers, retrieving a total of 1,935.3 grams of samples from the far side.
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