Summary: Xi Jinping issued an important directive on spiritual civilization, emphasizing its role as a key feature of Chinese-style modernization. He noted the progress made in strengthening socialist values and raising public civility since the 18th Party Congress. Xi stressed the need for new achievements in this area, particularly in promoting Xi Jinping Thought and core socialist values. Cai Qi attended and addressed the National Conference on Spiritual Civilization Construction, relaying Xi's directive and highlighting the importance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, also mentioning that the CPC Central Committee has placed spiritual civilization construction in an important position. Li Shulei presided over the conference, and Chen Yiqin announced the commendation decisions. The report makes no mention of the United States or U.S.-China relations.
Summary: Xi Jinping spoke with German Chancellor Scholz, congratulating him on his appointment and emphasizing the strategic importance of Sino-German and Sino-European relations amidst global instability. Xi called for a new chapter in the all-round strategic partnership, highlighting mutual respect, expanding cooperation in traditional and emerging sectors like AI, and addressing climate change. Xi expressed China's willingness to share opportunities from its high-level opening-up, while hoping Germany would provide a fair and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese firms. Scholz affirmed Germany's commitment to the one-China policy, deeper cooperation, and multilateralism while also stating that he was willing to promote fair trade. The two leaders also exchanged views on the Ukraine crisis.
Summary: President Xi Jinping congratulated Nicușor Dan on his election as President of Romania, highlighting Romania as one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with the PRC. Xi emphasized the enduring friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Romania. In light of global changes, Xi called for strengthened communication, consensus, and cooperation to seize opportunities and address challenges. He expressed his desire to work with Dan to further develop bilateral relations for the benefit of both nations. There was no mention of the United States or U.S.-China relations in the article.
Summary: Premier Li Qiang chaired a State Council executive meeting on May 23rd, passing the "Manufacturing Green and Low-Carbon Development Action Plan (2025-2027)." The meeting emphasized the importance of green technology innovation and the green transformation of traditional industries, promoting clean energy and resource recycling. The meeting also discussed establishing crosswise ecological protection compensation mechanisms and the decision to submit the draft amendment to the "Food Safety Law of the People's Republic of China" to the National People's Congress Standing Committee for deliberation. The meeting stressed the importance of pre-emptive food safety measures and strict supervision.
Summary: Chinese Vice President Han Zheng met with Turkmenistani Speaker of the Assembly Gulmanova in Beijing on May 23rd. Han stated that under the guidance of both countries' leaders, China-Turkmenistan relations have been elevated to a comprehensive strategic partnership. China is willing to work with Turkmenistan to implement the consensus reached by the leaders, strengthen cooperation in areas such as natural gas and the digital economy, and expand cultural exchanges. Gulmanova expressed gratitude for China's support and a desire to strengthen cooperation in various fields. The article does not mention the United States or U.S.-China relations.
Summary: Xi Jinping recently issued important instructions on the work of promoting spiritual and ethical civilization, emphasizing its crucial role in national rejuvenation. He called for the continued use of the Party's innovative theories to strengthen the soul and focus on cultural and moral education. Xi stressed the need to establish spiritual pillars, set value benchmarks, cultivate new generations, and build cultural foundations. The goal is to achieve high-quality development in spiritual and ethical civilization, providing a strong spiritual impetus for Chinese-style modernization. The article does not mention the United States or U.S.-China relations.
Summary: China is currently harvesting summer grains and oil crops, with focus on winter wheat and rapeseed. The Ministry of Finance and Agriculture and Rural Affairs has allocated 376 million yuan for disaster relief in six provinces facing drought conditions. The rapeseed harvest is nearing completion and is expected to have higher yields than last year due to favorable weather and technological improvements. Spring planting is also almost complete across the country. There is no mention of the United States or U.S.-China relations in this article.
Summary: According to Ministry of Commerce data, from January to April, online sales of digital products in China increased by 8.4% year-on-year, with smart robots and smart home systems growing significantly. E-commerce is leveraging its integration of domestic and foreign trade to enhance consumption quality and strengthen both domestic and international economic cycles. Sales of products related to trade-ins are growing, with online sales of 15 types of appliances and digital products increasing by 11.5%. Service consumption is leading growth, with online entertainment and tourism experiencing substantial increases.
Summary: China's National Bureau of Statistics reports that the added value of five major mechanical industry sectors maintained year-on-year growth from January to April, with the automotive and electrical machinery industries experiencing particularly strong increases. Production of key mechanical products also saw significant growth, including industrial robots and solar cells. Fixed asset investment in the general equipment and automobile manufacturing sectors also increased substantially. The report does not mention the United States.
Summary: Premier Li Qiang congratulated Lawrence Wong on his reappointment as Singapore's Prime Minister. Li emphasized the positive development of China-Singapore relations, citing fruitful cooperation across various fields and coordination in international and regional affairs. He expressed his desire to work with Wong to deepen political trust, expand mutually beneficial cooperation, and strengthen cultural exchanges, using the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations as an opportunity. Li also stated that they will jointly maintain multilateralism and the free trade system, promoting regional prosperity and stability. The article does not mention the United States.
Summary: Five grassroots representatives from the agricultural sector met with reporters on May 23rd to discuss achievements and future plans, focusing on stable production, increased yields, and rural revitalization. Key topics included developing modern agriculture with improved crop varieties and sustainable farming practices, helping small farmers increase production quality through technology, and establishing full-chain traceability systems for food safety. Representatives also discussed industrial integration, increasing farmers' income through diversified channels such as rural tourism and food processing, and encouraging young people to engage in agriculture. The representatives emphasized the importance of technology promotion and innovation to boost agricultural efficiency and rural prosperity. There was no mention of the United States or U.S.-China relations.
Summary: Anhui Liangliang Electronics Technology Co., Ltd., an Anhui-based lighting company, has seen an 8% year-on-year increase in exports in the first quarter of this year, driven by popular products like plant lights and eye-protective classroom lighting that cater to markets in the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative. The company attributes its success to product innovation tailored to specific regional needs, participation in trade fairs like the Canton Fair, and financial support, including export credit insurance, which helps mitigate risks associated with overseas transactions. The company also uses information from insurance companies to help analyze the credit of foreign buyers. Overall, private enterprises in Anhui have experienced significant growth in import and export volume. The article did not discuss the United States or U.S.-China relations.
Summary: Nanjing's Hongshan Forest Zoo has become a popular tourist destination by diversifying its offerings, including fashion shows, product launches, and nighttime tours, aiming to break traditional zoo perceptions and promote conservation. Director Shen Zhijun emphasizes integrating research, conservation, culture, and green consumption to appeal to diverse audiences and spread ecological awareness. The zoo's success has boosted the local economy, with collaborative ventures extending its brand to shopping centers and other commercial areas. Nanjing is leveraging the zoo's popularity to stimulate consumption and integrate commerce, tourism, culture, sports, and health industries. There is no mention of the United States or U.S.-China relations in the article.
Summary: China's first offshore Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) project has commenced operations at the Enping 15-1 platform in the Pearl River Mouth Basin. The project captures CO2 produced during oil extraction, purifies it, and injects it back into underground reservoirs for enhanced oil recovery and carbon sequestration. This "carbon-driven oil recovery and oil-based carbon sequestration" model is projected to inject over 1 million tons of CO2 and increase crude oil production by 200,000 tons over the next decade. The project upgraded the entire chain of offshore CO2 capture, utilization and storage equipment technology in China. Existing oil and gas wells were repurposed, saving drilling costs and accelerating the project's completion.
Summary: A joint notice from nine departments, including the Ministry of Finance and the State Taxation Administration, promotes the nationwide application of electronic voucher accounting data standards to streamline the entire electronic voucher process. The initiative follows a pilot program involving 436 receiving units and over 200 million electronic vouchers, aiming to address issues like data standard inconsistencies and difficulties in processing electronic documents. The plan emphasizes tailored implementation based on local conditions and encourages broader adoption of the standards to improve accounting information and efficiency. The standards aim to reduce paper use and prevent fraud by making accounting more efficient. The article does not mention the United States or U.S.-China relations.
Summary: The German "Bielefeld Chinese Choir" (伯乐中文合唱团) visited China for cultural exchange, marking their 11th trip and making them the first German group in China under a youth exchange program announced during Xi Jinping's European tour. During their trip to Sichuan and Chongqing, the group visited cultural sites and experienced modern technological advancements, expressing admiration for China's cultural depth and innovation. Members emphasized the power of music to bridge cultural gaps and their desire to contribute to Sino-German cooperation. The choir's president likened the group to a "friendship boat," fostering connections between the two countries.
Summary: According to the author, China, as the rotating chair of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), is promoting the "Shanghai Spirit" through over 100 activities focusing on political, security, economic, and cultural cooperation. Member states, including Uzbekistan, have agreed to declare 2025 the "Year of Sustainable Development" for the SCO, aligning with China's Global Development Initiative. The author emphasizes that China aims to strengthen connectivity between the Belt and Road Initiative and the development strategies of SCO countries. China's actions are intended to drive the SCO towards high-quality development. The article does not mention the United States or U.S.-China relations.
Summary: Politburo member and Vice Premier He Lifeng met with Citigroup Chairman John C. Dugan and Carlyle Group CEO Harvey M. Schwartz in Beijing. He Lifeng stated that the Chinese economy continues to recover and improve and that China is committed to high-level opening up and optimizing the business environment to encourage foreign investment, in turn providing broad opportunities for multinational corporations. Dugan expressed Citigroup's commitment to the Chinese market, intending to increase investment and actively develop new businesses in securities, futures, and financial derivatives. Schwartz affirmed Carlyle's confidence in China's economic prospects and its commitment to long-term cooperation and expanding investment in China.
Summary: Liu Jianchao, head of the International Department of the CCP Central Committee, met with Dutch Foreign Minister Hanke Bruins Slot and Afghan Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in Beijing on May 22nd and 23rd. Discussions focused on strengthening political dialogue, expanding cultural exchanges, promoting bilateral relations, and addressing international and regional issues of mutual concern. The article does not discuss the United States or U.S.-China relations.
Summary: Joseph Tegbe, Director-General of the Nigeria-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, stated that China's development offers valuable lessons for African modernization, highlighting its advancements witnessed during his 13 visits. Tegbe emphasized the importance of China in Nigeria's foreign affairs, referencing President Tinubu's decision to elevate the relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership following his visit to China. He noted China's role in providing advanced technology and contributing to Africa's modernization goals, particularly in areas like digital infrastructure and poverty reduction. Tegbe also mentioned Nigeria's participation in BRICS, anticipating benefits for the Global South. He expressed hope for future collaboration with China in areas like new energy vehicles and artificial intelligence.
Summary: Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun met with Thai Armed Forces Chief of Staff Songwit Noonpackdee in Beijing, emphasizing the deep-rooted friendship and fruitful defense cooperation between China and Thailand. Dong expressed China's willingness to enhance cooperation in joint training and personnel training to contribute to the building of a China-Thailand community with a shared future. Songwit reaffirmed Thailand's adherence to the One China Principle. Both sides expressed a commitment to strengthening practical exchanges and cooperation in various fields and coordinating on multilateral affairs to jointly maintain regional security and stability.
Summary: CCP delegation led by Chen Zhou, Deputy Minister of the International Department of the CCP Central Committee, visited North Macedonia from May 20-23. Chen met with officials including Deputy Speaker Bendevska, Left Party Chairman Apasiev, SDMS Chairman Filipche, and former President Ivanov. Chen promoted Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. Both sides expressed a willingness to deepen party-to-party exchanges and promote cooperation in various fields, fostering the continued healthy development of bilateral relations.
Summary: The Hainan Activity Week, themed "Going Green and Strengthening, Opening Up and Sharing," commenced at the China Pavilion of the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo. Li Qingshuang, Vice Chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, stated the event would promote Hainan's high-level opening-up and high-quality development. Consul General Xue Jian noted the growing economic and trade ties between Hainan and Japan, particularly in healthcare, modern agriculture, and the digital economy. Nobuhiko Sasaki, Chairman of the Japan-China Economic Association, expressed hope that the event would allow countries to focus on opportunities within Hainan and called for deeper cooperation. A Hainan intangible cultural heritage exhibition also opened, showcasing Li ethnic crafts and other cultural products.
Summary: A group of Algerian Air Force veterans who received training in China in the 1950s and 60s will travel to China on May 25th. These veterans, who became vital to Algeria's air force development after its independence, deeply cherish their memories of Chinese instructors. The trip, jointly promoted by the Chinese Ministry of Veterans Affairs, the Chinese Embassy in Algeria, and the Algerian Ministry of Veterans and Rights Holders, aims to renew a friendship spanning over half a century. The veterans also expressed hope for the future of Algeria-China relations, referencing collaborative projects such as Chinese-built solar power plants and highways.
Summary: The 2025 China-Central and Eastern European Countries (CEEC) Mayors Forum, co-hosted by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the Ningbo Municipal Government, was held in Ningbo. The forum released the "Ningbo Initiative," calling for strengthened cooperation between China and CEEC countries for future urban development. Participants focused on "Promoting International Cooperation and Empowering Urban Development," reaching consensus on strengthening cooperation in areas such as economic and trade cooperation, cultural heritage protection, and green transition. The goal is to promote the development of China-CEEC relations. The article does not mention the United States or U.S.-China relations.
Summary: A company chairman in Wenzhou, Zhejiang province, expressed satisfaction with the new "advance notice" inspection system, a part of Zhejiang's "Comprehensive Integration" administrative law enforcement reform. This reform aims to reduce the burden of overlapping and inefficient inspections on businesses through measures like consolidated checks and preventative services. Companies can receive pre-inspections, risk assessments, and rectification suggestions before formal inspections, and can evaluate the inspections via a QR code. Wenzhou saw a decrease in company inspections by 31.2% in 2024 due to these efforts, with satisfaction increasing. By 2027, Zhejiang hopes to implement this system more widely, and further reduce the number of on-site inspections.
Summary: The 2025 SCO Media Cooperation Forum was held in Urumqi, Xinjiang, bringing together over 300 representatives from 26 SCO member, observer, and dialogue partner countries. Attendees included SCO Deputy Secretary-General Sohail Khan, Xinjiang Party Secretary Ma Xingrui, Xinjiang Governor Erkin Tuniyaz, and People's Daily President Yu Shaoliang. Participants emphasized upholding the "Shanghai Spirit" to promote mutual trust and common development among member states. The forum, co-hosted by People's Daily and the Xinjiang government, focused on building a shared future and fostering regional peace and prosperity through media cooperation. Following the forum, media representatives will conduct research and interviews in Xinjiang.
Summary: This article reports on water rescue training conducted by the Luzhou Fire and Rescue Detachment in Luzhou, Sichuan Province, on the Naxi section of the Yangtze River. The training focused on developing specialized water rescue skills. The article includes a photograph of the training exercise attributed to Liao Shengchun and Xinhua News Agency. No officials are mentioned as attending or commenting on the training, nor is there any discussion of the United States or U.S.-China relations.
Summary: NPC Standing Committee Vice Chairman Wang Dongming led a work inspection team in Chongqing from May 21-23, focusing on enforcement of the Trade Union Law. He emphasized the importance of trade unions as a bridge between the Party and the masses, and their role in China's modernization. He also stressed the need to protect workers' rights and promote their development, further urging reform to support modernization. The inspection team visited several districts in Chongqing, and paid tribute at the Hongyan Revolutionary Memorial.
Summary: The Chinese government has allocated funds and resources to Guizhou and Guangxi provinces following recent heavy rainfall that triggered floods and landslides, including one in Bijie City, Guizhou. The Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Emergency Management jointly allocated 30 million yuan for disaster relief, focusing on search and rescue, hazard mitigation, and resettlement of affected residents. The Ministry of Natural Resources has also issued directives to local authorities to strengthen risk assessment, monitoring, and evacuation procedures, deploying experts to high-risk areas. These measures are aimed at minimizing casualties and damages resulting from the natural disasters.
Summary: Following a landslide in Qingyang Village, Guizhou Province on May 22nd, a large-scale rescue operation was launched involving emergency services, fire departments, police, medical teams, and communication and electricity personnel. Difficult terrain initially hampered access, but authorities, including Dafang County's Deputy Director of Public Security Liu Yong, rapidly mobilized and cleared paths to the affected area. Communication teams led by Zhou Qingwu ensured network connectivity for the command center. Li Hongjie, General Manager of the Safety Supervision Department of Bijie Power Supply Bureau of Southern Power Grid, also worked to secure power supply in the area. The focus was on rapid response and coordination to rescue the 19 trapped people.
Summary: Zhou Kunpeng, a manager with China Railway Tunnel Group Co., Ltd., is overseeing the construction of the Gaoligong Mountain Tunnel on the Dali-Ruili Railway in Yunnan. Having previously worked on the Funing and Xinping tunnels, the latter being part of the "Belt and Road" initiative's China-Laos Railway, Zhou has spent 12 years overcoming significant geological challenges in Yunnan's complex terrain. He was present at the opening of the China-Laos railway. Zhou is committed to completing the Gaoligong Mountain Tunnel to improve local transportation.
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Summary: The article discusses the development and increasing presence of humanoid robots in various aspects of life. Experts explain that the human form is advantageous for robots as it allows them to better adapt to human-designed environments, learn from human behavior, and interact more naturally with people. The piece highlights recent robotic sporting events, like marathons, as opportunities to test robots' capabilities in perception, decision-making, and motion control. The article also explores the concept of robots having "brains" and "cerebellums," referring to layered architectures that enable cognitive decision-making, environmental awareness, and fine motor control.
Summary: Qingdao Metro Line 1 in Shandong province launched the "CETROVO 1.0 Carbon Star Fast Train" in January, the world's first carbon fiber metro vehicle to achieve industrialized application and commercial operation. The train reduces weight by 11%, energy consumption by 7%, and carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 130 tons per train per year. It achieves these improvements through carbon fiber integrated design and manufacturing, lowering both material and maintenance costs due to its enhanced structural reliability and smart monitoring systems. The train represents a significant innovation in rail transit, pointing towards a more environmentally friendly and intelligent future. The article did not mention any relationship with the United States.
Summary: Here's a summary of the provided articles: Chinese scientists, in collaboration with U.S. researchers, have reported the discovery of a new *Archaeopteryx* specimen, the "Chicago specimen," providing key evidence for the evolution of dinosaurs into birds through high-resolution CT scans revealing details of bones, soft tissues, and feathers. Separately, Japanese researchers found that inaccuracies in AI-generated content are similar to aphasia, a human language disorder, suggesting potential improvements to AI architecture. Additionally, a Chinese-led international team has used X-ray nanoprobe technology to observe the complex crystal structure of solid hydrogen, which provides a critical basis for understanding the formation path and mechanism of metallic hydrogen.
Summary: The Chinese icebreaker "Xuelong 2" conducted China's first autumn scientific expedition in the Ross Sea, aiming to fill gaps in understanding the Antarctic marginal sea's dark ecosystem. Scientists collected over 5,000 samples, revealing insights into organic carbon burial and the importance of ice lakes for overwintering organisms. The expedition faced challenges including extreme cold that caused equipment malfunctions, requiring innovative solutions from the team. The team was led by He Jianfeng, chief scientist. The article does not mention the United States or U.S.-China relations.
Summary: Please provide the article you would like me to summarize. I need the text of the article to be able to provide an accurate and concise summary tailored for professional analysts of Chinese politics.
Summary: After 79 years, the Silk Manuscripts of the Zidanku Tomb, specifically the second and third volumes ("Five Elements Order" and "Attack and Defense Divination"), have returned to China. This marks China's first successful retrieval of "historically lost cultural relics" through tracing their origins and history, a practice not covered by international law. The relics' return was achieved through collaboration with relevant institutions after establishing a solid chain of evidence regarding their illegal removal, with the National Cultural Heritage Administration submitting a memorandum requesting their return to the Smithsonian Institution in the United States on April 30, 2024. The return was coupled with promoting long-term cooperation between Chinese and U.S. museums. China aims to address the issue of lost cultural relics and promote international cooperation in this area.
Summary: The article recounts the history of the Zhongshan warship, formerly known as Yongfeng, from its construction during the Qing Dynasty to its sinking during the Battle of Wuhan in 1938. Commander Sa Shijun refused to abandon ship despite being severely wounded during a Japanese air attack and ultimately died with his crew. The Zhongshan was salvaged in 1997 and is now housed in the Zhongshan Warship Museum in Wuhan. The ship serves as a reminder of Chinese resistance against Japanese aggression during the Second Sino-Japanese War. The article notes that the destruction of the ship was caused by a Japanese air attack during the Battle of Wuhan.
Summary: A multidisciplinary team of experts from various Chinese academic institutions conducted a nine-day, 3,000-kilometer expedition in the Kashgar region to study the Kunlun Mountain's ancient trails, geographical markers, and historical sites. The team retraced sections of Deng Zuanxian's early 20th-century border patrol route, documented in his diaries, finding remnants of ancient infrastructure like wooden栈道 and fortresses in the Xiqiu valley. The expedition also explored the "Qiaogeli Ancient Road" near K2, a historically significant node in the Silk Road despite its harsh conditions, and the Ma'anshan mountain pass, examining stone ruins that suggest a rich history of human activity in the area. The study seeks to highlight the area's role in cultural exchange and interaction between different groups. The expedition highlights the area as being important to understanding the continuity and inclusiveness of Chinese civilization.
Summary: China's museum sector is booming, with 7,046 registered museums nationwide by the end of 2024, indicating one museum for every 200,000 people. These museums received 1.49 billion visitors in 2024 and hosted over 40,000 exhibitions. County-level museums have reached 80% coverage and museums are actively engaging younger audiences through technology and creative narratives. Cities are investing in "museum-friendly" infrastructure and events to enhance visitor experience and promote cultural tourism. These efforts are presented as showcasing China's long history, civilization and culture both to the Chinese people and the world.
Summary: The Xian Beilin (Stele Forest) Museum has completed a major expansion, its largest since 1103, to improve visitor experience and showcase previously unexhibited steles. The new building, designed by architect Cui Kai, triples the exhibition space, allowing for individual displays of famous steles. Newly exhibited treasures include the *Ma Lin Stele*, featuring calligraphy by Yan Zhenqing, and steles inscribed by Liu Gongquan, including the recently unearthed *Yang Chenghe Shinto Stele*. The *Yang Chenghe Shinto Stele* is of particular interest because the name of Yang Chenghe, a powerful court eunuch, had at one point been removed from the *Liang Shouqian Stele* after he was forced to commit suicide. The expansion aims to highlight the artistic and historical significance of the Beilin's collection.
Summary: This article discusses the oral traditions of folk tales among the Mongolian communities in喀喇沁左翼蒙古族自治县,遼寧省. The author reminisces about listening to stories from elders as a child and highlights the efforts to preserve these oral traditions, culminating in the publication of collections like 《喀左·东蒙民间故事》. The piece mentions 馬建友, a blind storyteller who memorized and passed on 167 stories. The author concludes by emphasizing their personal commitment to continuing this tradition of oral storytelling with their grandchildren.
Summary: Given the provided context, there is no article to summarize. Please provide the article text so that I can produce a five-sentence summary geared towards professional analysts of Chinese politics, focusing on key statements, accompanying individuals, and any implications for or mentions of the United States or U.S.-China relations.
Summary: Kucha city in Aksu Prefecture, Xinjiang, is revitalizing its ancient Kizil culture through cultural tourism and preservation projects. The city is focused on preserving historical sites, such as through the "Saving Old Houses" initiative, and promoting intangible cultural heritage like the Samovar dance. These efforts aim to enhance cultural confidence and integrate the Kizil culture into modern life, boosted by Zhejiang province's "Double Pearl" plan, which focuses on developing the region's cultural and natural heritage tourism. The plan has invested in projects like Kizil Alley and the Duku (Kangcun) Tourist Service Center to attract more visitors and create economic opportunities. Zhejiang's support includes initiatives to attract tourists, leading to a significant increase in visitors to the region.
Summary: The article highlights rural revitalization efforts in Kuqa City, Xinjiang, specifically in Yongku Tongxin Village and Yongku Zhenxing Village, where agriculture and tourism are being developed. In Tongxin Village, a "smart agriculture" plant utilizes technology like soilless cultivation to boost crop yields and income. Zhenxing Village has been transformed from a barren area into a tourist destination with improved infrastructure and cultural activities promoting unity. These projects show a multi-pronged approach to rural revitalization in Kuqa, but the article does not mention the United States or U.S.-China relations.
Summary: The Xinjiang Kuqa Green Hydrogen Demonstration Project, operated by Sinopec, utilizes solar power to produce "green hydrogen" for use in oil refining, replacing hydrogen derived from natural gas. The project has been operating for over 690 days and uses domestically produced equipment. Kuqa is also optimizing its industrial structure by developing clean energy and equipment manufacturing industries, and by introducing financial services for local businesses and agricultural producers. Kuqa City is also promoting cooperation with development zones in Ningbo to improve its industrial development.
Summary: The Kucha City government in Xinjiang has converted an old granary into the Kuqa Intangible Cultural Heritage Workshop to promote and preserve local cultural traditions like the Kuqa folk songs and dances. The workshop features various zones for visitors to experience and learn about 25 different ICH crafts, attracting an average of 8,000 visitors daily since its opening in 2025. Local officials are organizing training programs, such as "fire needle embroidery," to engage residents and foster a love for traditional culture. The city aims to improve the display of ICH projects and increase the market competitiveness of related products through the workshop. No mention of the United States or U.S.-China relations was encountered in the article.
Summary: Please provide the article you would like me to summarize. I need the text of the article to provide an accurate and relevant summary for professional analysts of Chinese politics.
Summary: A graduate student named Yueyue wrote a letter to her mother, detailing her experiences and insights from the "Finding Peace Small Classroom" course, where she learned about the importance of traditional Chinese culture in education and life. The course uses letter writing as a tool for introspection and reconciliation, with participants writing letters to family members to express gratitude, apologies, or understanding. Some letters facilitated emotional reunions, such as incarcerated individuals being given the opportunity to fulfill wishes expressed in their letters, like washing their parents' feet or celebrating a spouse's birthday. The initiative aims to resolve family conflicts and express heartfelt emotions through the medium of letter writing. The article itself is characterized by the author as a letter to the readers.
Summary: The interviewee, a composer, discusses the importance of reading novels to understand society and human nature, citing a habit of reading over ten novels annually. They emphasize focusing on the fates of characters and appreciating the unique perspectives of authors like Liang Xiaosheng, even reading through visual difficulties to understand their perspectives. The interviewee recalls being deeply impacted by Soviet novels in their youth, particularly a story about a child's unwavering loyalty, which instilled a lifelong commitment to fulfilling promises. They believe that reading cultivates faith, principles, and a belief in the inherent truth of beauty found in art and music.
Summary: This article is an ode to the beauty and inspirational power of spring in the Ili River Valley. The author describes the vibrant nature, from the singing nightingales to the blooming flowers, and the industrious spirit of the local people, such as a hardworking mother making noodles. They evoke the spirit of Lin Zexu and quote him, as well as the writings of Lu Xun, emphasizing patriotism and the importance of serving the people. The author sees the valley as a source of endless inspiration and a place where one can sow the seeds of hope and love within their soul. They suggest that Ili inspires people to love life, and never run out of things to love.
Summary: Please provide the article you would like me to summarize. I need the text of the article to provide an accurate summary for professional analysts of Chinese politics, focusing on the specified criteria.
Summary: This article is a personal reflection on the author's 90-year-old mother and her enduring zest for life, exemplified by her crafting and gardening activities. The author describes his mother's resourcefulness in creating decorations from discarded items, such as flower arrangements in biscuit tins and a walking stick from a broken dustpan. He contrasts this with her earlier life of hard work and frugality, highlighting her lifelong commitment to cleanliness and making the most of limited resources. The author marvels at his mother's continued optimism and childlike wonder, recognizing her love for beauty and simple pleasures like flowers. The author expresses a sense of admiration for his mother's spirit and questions whether he truly understands her enduring love for life beneath her aging exterior.
Summary: This article is a personal essay by a poet from Xiapu, Fujian province, describing his deep connection to the sea and his hometown. He recounts helping at his family's shop and taking bus trips to various coastal villages. The essay highlights the establishment of a seaside bookstore called Peninsula Bookstore by the author and his poet friend, Xiaosu, which became a community space for local children. The author emphasizes the vibrant poetry scene in Xiapu and the respect poets receive in the city. He anticipates fulfilling his promise to cycle to the sea once the Nanqishan Tunnel is open.
Summary: The article discusses Su Dongpo's exile in Hainan, where he lamented the lack of good writing materials. He partnered with a local ink maker named Pan Heng to produce high-quality ink using a special method and branded with "Hainan Pine Coal Dongpo Ink." After Dongpo left Hainan, Pan Heng capitalized on Dongpo's name to sell his ink at inflated prices. Upon his return to the mainland, Dongpo lost a large number of his own treasured inks in a boating accident, using only a few remaining pieces for the rest of his life. The article also mentions other famous ink-makers of the Song Dynasty. The article does not discuss the United States or U.S.-China relations.
Summary: Please provide the article you would like me to summarize. I need the text of the article to provide an accurate and relevant summary for professional analysts of Chinese politics, focusing on key details and potential implications.
Coordinating material and spiritual civilization is an important characteristic of Chinese-style modernization. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the Party Central Committee has continued to promote socialist spiritual civilization construction, consolidate and strengthen mainstream social values, and the spiritual outlook of the entire nation has become more vigorous and upward-looking, and the people's cultural quality and the level of social civilization have been significantly improved.
In the new era and on the new journey, the construction of spiritual civilization must have a new atmosphere and new achievements. We must unswervingly use Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era to strengthen our minds and souls, strengthen education on ideals and beliefs, and widely practice socialist core values. We must pay more attention to cultivating people with culture and educating people with culture, continuously enrich people's spiritual world, and promote the all-round development of people. We must coordinate the promotion of civilization cultivation, civilization practice, and civilization creation, promote the integrated development of urban and rural spiritual civilization construction, strengthen civic moral construction, give play to the exemplary role of advanced models, and further form an upward and benevolent social atmosphere. We must strengthen organizational leadership, deepen reform and innovation, widely mobilize social participation, and form a long-term mechanism for spiritual civilization construction with joint efforts and management. By promoting the high-quality development of spiritual civilization construction, we will provide strong spiritual strength for building a strong country and national rejuvenation.
(Reporter Li Changyu (李昌禹)) A dispatch from Beijing (北京) on May 23rd in this newspaper stated that Xi Jinping (习近平), General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, President of the State, and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, recently issued important instructions on the work of spiritual civilization construction. He pointed out that the coordination of material civilization and spiritual civilization is an important feature of Chinese-style modernization. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the Party Central Committee has continued to promote socialist spiritual civilization construction, consolidate and strengthen mainstream social values, and the spiritual outlook of the entire nation has become more vigorous and upward-looking, and the people's cultural quality and the level of social civilization have been significantly improved.
Xi Jinping (习近平) emphasized that in the new era and on the new journey, the construction of spiritual civilization must have a new atmosphere and new achievements. We must unswervingly use Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era to strengthen our minds and souls, strengthen education on ideals and beliefs, and widely practice socialist core values. We must pay more attention to cultivating people with culture and educating people with culture, continuously enrich people's spiritual world, and promote the all-round development of people. We must coordinate the promotion of civilization cultivation, civilization practice, and civilization creation, promote the integrated development of urban and rural spiritual civilization construction, strengthen civic moral construction, give play to the exemplary role of advanced models, and further form an upward and benevolent social atmosphere. We must strengthen organizational leadership, deepen reform and innovation, widely mobilize social participation, and form a long-term mechanism for spiritual civilization construction with joint efforts and management. By promoting the high-quality development of spiritual civilization construction, we will provide strong spiritual strength for building a strong country and national rejuvenation.
The National Spiritual Civilization Construction Commendation Conference was held in Beijing (北京) on May 23. The conference conveyed the important instructions of Xi Jinping (习近平). Cai Qi (蔡奇), member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Secretary of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, attended the conference and delivered a speech.
Cai Qi (蔡奇) pointed out in his speech that General Secretary Xi Jinping's (习近平) important instructions are far-sighted and profound, and have strong political, ideological, targeted, and guiding significance. We must earnestly study and comprehend them and implement them well.
Cai Qi (蔡奇) pointed out that since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping (习近平) at its core has placed the construction of spiritual civilization in an important position and deployed and promoted a series of important tasks. A series of important expositions and important instructions made by General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) have scientifically answered a series of major theoretical and practical issues in the construction of spiritual civilization in the new era, deepened our Party's understanding of the laws of socialist spiritual civilization construction, and are an important part of Xi Jinping's (习近平) cultural thought, providing an important guide for doing a good job in the construction of spiritual civilization.
Cai Qi (蔡奇) emphasized that it is necessary to fully implement the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and the Second and Third Plenary Sessions of the 20th Central Committee, deeply study and implement Xi Jinping's (习近平) cultural thought, study and implement General Secretary Xi Jinping's (习近平) important expositions on the construction of spiritual civilization, deeply understand the decisive significance of the "two establishments," resolutely achieve the "two safeguards," and use the high-quality development of spiritual civilization construction to gather strong spiritual strength for promoting Chinese-style modernization. It is necessary to continuously deepen theoretical arming, coordinate the promotion of publicity and popularization, and deeply promote implementation, and continuously lead the study, publicity, and implementation of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era to a deeper level. Grasp the characteristics of the times and the laws of development of spiritual civilization construction, and promote civilization cultivation, civilization practice, and civilization creation in a coordinated manner. Coordinate the promotion of urban and rural spiritual civilization construction, improve the quality and effectiveness of civilized city creation, and promote the construction of civilized rural customs. Give play to the exemplary and leading role of advanced models, strengthen the study and publicity of heroic models, and form an upward and benevolent spiritual outlook in the whole society. Promote cultural prosperity and development, enrich the cultural life of the masses, and provide profound nourishment for the construction of spiritual civilization. It is necessary to run the strengthening of Party leadership through all aspects and the entire process of spiritual civilization construction, and implement the decisions and deployments of the Party Central Committee without compromise.
Li Shulei (李书磊) presided over the conference. Chen Yiqin (谌贻琴) announced the commendation decision.
The conference presented awards to the representatives of those commended. Representatives of the 7th National Civilized Cities, Civilized Villages and Towns, and Civilized Units, representatives of the 3rd National Civilized Families and Civilized Campuses, and representatives of the 9th National Moral Models spoke at the conference.
Return to TopOn the afternoon of May 23, President Xi Jinping (习近平) had a phone conversation with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (默茨) at his request.
Xi Jinping (习近平) once again congratulated Olaf Scholz (默茨) on taking office as German Chancellor. Xi Jinping (习近平) pointed out that the world today is undergoing accelerated changes unseen in a century, and the international situation is intertwined with turbulence and change. The strategic and overall significance of China-Germany and China-Europe relations is becoming more prominent. A healthy and stable China-Germany relationship is in the interests of both countries and meets the expectations of all sectors in China and Europe. China is willing to work with Germany to open a new chapter in the all-round strategic partnership, lead China-Europe relations to achieve new development, and make new contributions to the stable growth of the world economy.
Xi Jinping (习近平) stressed that China and Germany have always adhered to the spirit of mutual respect, seeking common ground while reserving differences, and mutually beneficial cooperation in developing bilateral relations. This fine tradition needs to be carefully cherished, inherited, and carried forward by both sides. First, we must consolidate political mutual trust. China regards Germany as a partner, is pleased to see Germany's development and prosperity, and is willing to strengthen high-level exchanges with Germany, respect each other's core interests, and consolidate the political foundation of bilateral relations. Second, we must enhance the resilience of the relationship. Both sides should not only continue to increase the existing cooperation in traditional fields such as automobiles, machinery manufacturing, and chemicals, but also cultivate new growth in cutting-edge fields such as artificial intelligence and quantum technology, and strengthen exchanges and cooperation in areas such as climate change and green development, so as to contribute Chinese and German wisdom and solutions to global sustainable development. Third, we must add impetus to cooperation. China is willing to share the development opportunities brought about by high-level opening up with Germany, and hopes that Germany will provide more policy support and convenience for bilateral two-way investment cooperation, and provide a fair, transparent, and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese enterprises.
Xi Jinping (习近平) pointed out that facts fully prove that the correct positioning of China-Germany and China-Europe relations is as partners, a stable and predictable policy environment is an important guarantee for bilateral cooperation, and the responsibility of major countries is the common mission of both sides. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the European Union. Both sides should jointly summarize the successful experience in the development of China-Europe relations and send a positive signal of upholding multilateralism and free trade, and deepening open and mutually beneficial cooperation.
Olaf Scholz (默茨) said that China is one of the most important countries in the world. Germany-China relations are developing well, with in-depth cooperation and fruitful results. Under the current international situation, Germany-China cooperation is particularly important as the world's two major economies. The new German government adheres to the one-China policy and is willing to promote greater development of the two countries' strategic partnership in a constructive and pragmatic spirit. Germany looks forward to close exchanges and cooperation with China in various fields, adhering to openness and mutual benefit, promoting fair trade, maintaining world peace, and jointly addressing global challenges such as climate change. The healthy and stable development of EU-China relations is in the interests of both sides, and Germany is willing to play an active role in this regard.
The two sides also exchanged views on the Ukraine crisis.
Return to TopXinhua News Agency, Beijing, May 23rd (Xinhua) On May 22, 2025, Chinese President Xi Jinping (习近平) sent a congratulatory message to Nicușor Dan (尼库绍尔·达恩), congratulating him on his election as President of Romania.
Xi Jinping (习近平) pointed out that Romania was the third country in the world to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China. For a long time, China and Romania have respected each other and treated each other as equals. Mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries has continued to advance, and the traditional friendship has become even stronger with time. Currently, profound changes unseen in a century in the world are accelerating. As good friends and good partners, China and Romania should strengthen communication, enhance consensus, and deepen cooperation to jointly seize opportunities of the times and work together to meet risks and challenges. I attach great importance to the development of China-Romania relations and am willing to work with President-elect Dan (达恩) to write a new chapter in friendly cooperation between the two countries and better benefit the two peoples.
Return to TopXinhua News Agency, Beijing, May 23rd (北京). Premier of the State Council Li Qiang (李强) presided over an executive meeting of the State Council on May 23rd, deliberating and approving the "Manufacturing Green and Low-Carbon Development Action Plan (2025-2027)," studying relevant measures to further improve the horizontal ecological protection compensation mechanism, and discussing the "Food Safety Law of the People's Republic of China (Draft Amendment)."
The meeting pointed out that promoting the green and low-carbon development of manufacturing is an irresistible trend, and it is necessary to accelerate green technological innovation and the promotion and application of advanced green technologies, and strengthen the green background of new industrialization. It is necessary to promote the deep green transformation of traditional industries, combine with the implementation of policies such as large-scale equipment renewal, actively apply advanced equipment and processes, and accelerate the green transformation and upgrading of key industries. It is necessary to lead the high-starting-point green development of emerging industries, increase the promotion of clean energy and green products, and improve the level of resource recycling. It is necessary to strengthen the tackling of common technologies, improve standards in key areas, optimize relevant policies, and improve the green manufacturing and service system to better support and help enterprises transform and upgrade.
The meeting pointed out that establishing a horizontal ecological protection compensation mechanism with shared costs, shared benefits, and collaborative governance is of great significance for strengthening ecological environmental protection and promoting coordinated regional development. It is necessary to promote the establishment of a horizontal ecological protection compensation mechanism that is more comprehensive in coverage, clearer in responsibilities, more diverse in methods, and more efficient in governance, further refine key tasks and implementation measures, and achieve a virtuous interaction between the supply and beneficiary areas of ecological products. It is necessary to further promote the construction of a horizontal ecological protection compensation mechanism for the main streams of major rivers, steadily expand the scope of compensation, and actively explore compensation methods for other ecological environmental elements such as forests, grasslands, and the atmosphere. It is necessary to improve the reward and punishment system mechanism, adhere to the principle of "whoever pollutes, governs; whoever protects, benefits," study and improve incentive and restraint policies, and attract more social capital to participate in ecological civilization construction.
The meeting decided to submit the "Food Safety Law of the People's Republic of China (Draft Amendment)" to the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (全国人大常委会) for deliberation. The meeting pointed out that food safety is related to life and health, and it is necessary to improve relevant laws and regulations in accordance with the principle of urgent use first, and build a more scientific and rigorous food safety standard system, especially a mandatory standard system. It is necessary to further promote the transformation of the food safety governance model to pre-prevention, strengthen the supervision of the entire chain, promote the sinking of the center of gravity of supervision, and strictly conduct daily supervision and inspection. It is necessary to highlight key areas to carry out special governance, strengthen the handling of supervision and spot check results, severely punish problems found in accordance with the law, and never tolerate them, and continuously improve the food safety system.
The meeting also studied other matters.
Return to TopXinhua News Agency, Beijing, May 23rd (Xinhua) -- Vice President Han Zheng (韩正) met with Turkmen Parliament Speaker Gulmanova (古尔马诺娃) in Beijing (北京) on the 23rd.
Han Zheng (韩正) stated that in recent years, under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping (习近平) and President Serdar Berdimuhamedov (谢尔达尔·别尔德穆哈梅多夫) and Chairman Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov (库尔班古力·别尔德穆哈梅多夫), China-Turkmenistan relations have been elevated to a comprehensive strategic partnership, and a community of common destiny has been practiced at the bilateral level. China is willing to work with Turkmenistan to jointly implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, continue to adhere to the principles of mutual respect, mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, firmly support each other, accelerate cooperation in natural gas, the digital economy, green development, new energy and other fields, expand cultural and people-to-people exchanges, strengthen international collaboration, and promote the steady and long-term development of relations between the two countries.
Gulmanova (古尔马诺娃) said that the friendship between Turkmenistan and China has a long history, and she thanked China for its long-term strong support for Turkmenistan's economic and social development. Turkmenistan is willing to further strengthen exchanges and cooperation with China in the fields of legislation, environmental protection, culture, economy and trade, and youth, so as to achieve common development.
Return to TopBy: 伊 平
"By promoting the high-quality development of spiritual civilization, we provide a powerful spiritual force for building a strong country and national rejuvenation." General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) recently gave important instructions on the work of spiritual civilization construction, providing important guidance for doing a good job in the work of spiritual civilization construction in the new era and new journey.
The power of the spirit is infinite. The moving deeds of moral models enter thousands of households, and the light of the spirit shines in people's hearts; civilization cultivation, civilization practice, and civilization creation are booming at the urban and rural grassroots levels, and the new atmosphere of civilization is blowing through every corner... The spiritual soil is continuously thickened, and the flowers of civilization are blooming in competition, further stimulating Chinese power and leading Chinese fashion.
Opening up a new world for reform and development requires the support of material civilization and the nourishment of spiritual civilization. Persisting in using the Party's innovative theories to unite the people's hearts and souls, paying more attention to influencing and educating people with culture, and continuously establishing spiritual pillars, setting value benchmarks, cultivating new people of the times, and building cultural foundations, spiritual civilization construction can continue to achieve new results in high-quality development, and promote Chinese-style modernization with an 昂扬精神面貌 (áng yáng jīng shén miàn mào - "high-spirited mental outlook," a vibrant and energetic spirit) and gather spiritual strength.
Return to TopThis newspaper reported from Beijing on May 23rd (Reporters Zhu Jun (朱隽) and Yu Jingxian (郁静娴)): China's summer grains and oils are successively entering the harvest season, and relevant regions are striving to achieve a bumper harvest of summer grains and oils to consolidate the foundation for annual grain production.
Winter wheat is China's main summer harvest grain crop. In the Huanghuaihai region, winter wheat is in a critical period of yield formation and will usher in a large-scale harvest in about 10 days; the southwest wheat region and the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River wheat region have successively started harvesting.
Since the beginning of spring this year, some areas have experienced unfavorable weather conditions such as high temperatures and little rainfall, and drought has shown a developing trend. The Ministry of Finance (财政部), together with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (农业农村部), has allocated 376 million yuan of central financial agricultural production disaster prevention and relief funds to support 6 provinces, including Shanxi (山西), Jiangsu (江苏), Anhui (安徽), Henan (河南), Guangxi (广西), and Shaanxi (陕西), in doing a good job in drought resistance and disaster relief. Relevant officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (农业农村部) introduced that they will closely monitor meteorological disasters such as drought in the near future, release early warning information in a timely manner, and make preparations for material reserves and technical preparations as soon as possible. At the same time, they will prepare for machine harvesting and emergency rush harvesting and drying to ensure that summer grains are safely stored in granaries.
Winter rapeseed is the main variety of oil crops harvested in summer in China. Along the Yangtze River Basin, from west to east, winter rapeseed is ushering in a large-scale harvest. According to agricultural conditions monitoring by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (农业农村部), the national winter rapeseed harvest progress is nearly 80%, and it is expected that the yield per unit area this year will be higher than last year. It is reported that last winter and this spring, the temperature, light, and water conditions in the main winter rapeseed producing areas were generally suitable, and coupled with the high rate of implementation of yield-increasing measures and technologies, the growth of rapeseed is at the best level in recent years.
This year, the central government has allocated rapeseed production funds in advance, increasing support, with funds exceeding 3 billion yuan. Various localities have promoted the implementation of a three-year action plan to increase rapeseed yield per unit area, implemented key technologies such as precision machine sowing and reasonable dense planting, and promoted large-scale balanced yield increase. According to expert field investigations, the yield per unit area of winter rapeseed is expected to further increase.
The progress of spring plowing and spring sowing is generally smooth, and the national spring sowing of grain has exceeded 80%, entering the final stage.
Return to TopThis newspaper's Beijing (北京) dispatch on May 23rd (Reporter Wang Ke (王珂)) The reporter learned on the 23rd from the Ministry of Commerce (商务部): According to business big data monitoring, from January to April, online sales of digital products increased by 8.4% year-on-year. Among them, smart robots and smart home systems increased by 87.6% and 16% year-on-year, respectively.
From January to April, China's e-commerce leveraged its advantages such as a high degree of integration of domestic and foreign trade and a strong global production and supply chain layout capability to improve consumption quality, strengthen the domestic circulation, deepen international cooperation to link the external circulation, and build a strong e-commerce production and supply chain to 畅通双循环 (chàng tōng shuāng xún huán - "smooth the dual circulation," refers to facilitating both domestic and international economic cycles).
Consumption e-commerce continues to improve quality. From January to April, sales of products traded in for new ones grew rapidly. Online sales of 15 categories of home appliances and digital products increased by 11.5% year-on-year. Among them, online sales of three types of digital products, including mobile phones, increased by 18.5% year-on-year. Service consumption led the growth, with key monitored online service consumption increasing by 12.1% year-on-year. Among them, online entertainment and online tourism increased by 31.9% and 25.4% year-on-year, respectively.
Return to TopPeople's Daily Beijing, May 23rd (Reporter Li Xinping (李心萍)) - The latest data from the National Bureau of Statistics (国家统计局) shows that from January to April, the added value of the five major categories of industries mainly involved in the machinery industry maintained a year-on-year growth trend. Among them, the general equipment manufacturing industry increased by 9%, the special equipment manufacturing industry increased by 4%, the automobile manufacturing industry increased by 11.2%, the electrical machinery and equipment manufacturing industry increased by 12.7%, and the instrumentation manufacturing industry increased by 9.2%.
Among the representative products of the machinery industry, the cumulative output of metal cutting machine tools in the first four months was 260,000 units, a year-on-year increase of 16.8%; the cumulative output of industrial robots was 221,000 sets, a year-on-year increase of 34.1%; the cumulative output of generator sets was 105.31 million kilowatts, a year-on-year increase of 90.8%; and the cumulative output of solar cells was 239.06 million kilowatts, a year-on-year increase of 18.8%.
In terms of fixed asset investment, investment in the general equipment manufacturing industry increased by 17.9% year-on-year, investment in the special equipment manufacturing industry increased by 8.4% year-on-year, and investment in the automobile manufacturing industry increased by 23.6% year-on-year.
Return to TopXinhua News Agency, Beijing, May 23rd. On May 23rd, Premier of the State Council Li Qiang (李强) sent a congratulatory message to Lawrence Wong (黄循财), congratulating him on his reappointment as Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore.
Li Qiang (李强) stated that China and Singapore are friendly neighbors and important partners. The relationship between the two countries has developed well, and fruitful results have been achieved in cooperation in various fields, which has strongly promoted the modernization processes of both countries. The two sides maintain coordination and cooperation in international and regional affairs, making positive contributions to regional peace, stability, and prosperity. I am willing to work with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong (黄循财) to take the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries as an opportunity to further deepen political mutual trust, expand mutually beneficial cooperation, strengthen cultural and people-to-people exchanges, jointly safeguard multilateralism and the free trade system, promote the China-Singapore all-round high-quality forward-looking partnership to achieve more results, and promote regional prosperity and stability.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 郁静娴
In recent years, significant achievements have been made in the agricultural and rural areas. These remarkable achievements are inseparable from the hard work and dedication of the vast number of cadres and the masses on the "San Nong" (agriculture, rural areas, and farmers) front. On May 23rd, the State Council Information Office (国新办) held a meeting with Chinese and foreign journalists on the theme of "Strivers on the New Journey," inviting five grassroots representatives from the agricultural and rural fields to meet and exchange ideas with Chinese and foreign journalists on the theme of "Ensuring Stable Production and Increasing Output, Making New Contributions to Rural Revitalization."
Developing modern agriculture to enrich the dining table—
"Our cooperative independently operates an area of over 60,000 mu, and has cumulatively produced more than 300 million jin of grain over the past 14 years," said Zou Dehai (邹德海), a major grain grower in Kedong County (克东县), Qiqihar City (齐齐哈尔市), Heilongjiang Province (黑龙江省). In recent years, the cooperative, based on moderate scale, has selected superior varieties, and the corn it grows has high starch and protein content, which is sold to nearby breeding enterprises and converted into meat products; high-oil, high-protein soybeans follow an order model and are converted into high-quality soybean oil and vegetable protein by grain processing enterprises. Last year, focusing on the fresh corn industry, the cooperative also established a food company and built a quick-freezing tunnel production line and a vacuum production line to produce new products such as soft-packaged corn kernel cans and vacuum corn cans.
Zou Dehai's Qiqihar City (齐齐哈尔市) is located in the core area of the Northeast black soil. "Over the years, the cooperative has always treated the black soil as its own child." He introduced that the cooperative collects organic fertilizer from local pastures and breeding farms, and spreads it on the fields after the autumn harvest to achieve planting and breeding cycle; at the same time, through large-scale agricultural machinery operations, all the straw is crushed and returned to the field, ploughed and buried to increase soil organic matter. In addition, the cooperative also improves the soil environment through corn and soybean rotation.
How to help small farmers increase grain production and improve quality? Xu Haibo (徐海波), director of the Nongyou Planting Professional Cooperative (农友种植专业合作社) in Yi County (黟县), Huangshan City (黄山市), Anhui Province (安徽省), introduced that Yi County (黟县) is a typical mountainous county with relatively scattered land. Over the past 11 years, the cooperative has established a modern agricultural service center to solve the problems faced by the mechanization of grain and oil production in hilly and mountainous areas around the needs of small farmers. With the help of the China Rice Research Institute (中国水稻研究所), the cooperative has formed an integrated technology in equipment, seed distribution, cultivation and other links, and applied it to the production practice of small farmers through agricultural socialization services to realize scientific farming. "Last year, we did a calculation that the average yield of rice per mu of small farmers who received our services was 200 jin higher than that of other farmers," said Xu Haibo (徐海波).
Making sure that consumers eat healthy and safe food is a key focus for several representatives. "We adopt an ecological cycle model, and the farm is a small ecosystem and cycle chain. In the production process, we strictly implement green production standards and have a number of green food certifications," said Hua Mengli (华梦丽), general manager of Guomu Buwang Farm (果牧不忘农场) in Zhenjiang City (镇江市), Jiangsu Province (江苏省). The farm's green production concept is also subtly influencing the surrounding growers and breeders.
Chen Lizhi (陈丽芝), director of the Aquatic Technology Extension Station of the Agriculture and Rural Bureau of Sanmen County (三门县), Taizhou City (台州市), Zhejiang Province (浙江省), is a grassroots fishery technician. "In order to let everyone eat safe crabs, we have established a full-chain traceability system from breeding to the table." In her 20 years of work, Chen Lizhi (陈丽芝) has traveled to all the breeding townships in the county, combined with the needs of breeders to carry out technical guidance services, and changed the traditional model of "raising crabs with fish." The county has also actively expanded the "blue granary," built a national marine ranch, and promoted deep-water cage culture. Today, Sanmen County (三门县) has become a national demonstration county for healthy aquaculture.
Promoting industrial integration to help farmers fill their "purses"—
How to promote the continuous increase of farmers' income? "We develop industries, and ultimately it is to benefit the villagers," said Liu Lianyun (刘连云), secretary of the Party General Branch of Tantou Village (潭头村), Zishan Town (梓山镇), Yudu County (于都县), Ganzhou City (赣州市), Jiangxi Province (江西省). In recent years, he has led the villagers to deeply explore red resources and selenium-rich resources, jointly established a 10,000-mu selenium-rich vegetable industrial park and a 1,000-mu selenium-rich rice base with surrounding villages, expanded channels for the masses to find employment nearby, and created a national key village for rural tourism, with an average annual reception of more than 1 million tourists and a comprehensive tourism income of more than 50 million yuan.
In Zou Dehai's (邹德海) grain growing cooperative, farmers can obtain multiple benefits. "The seasonal employment of the food processing plant is about 600 people per year. Through seed breeding, comprehensive utilization of straw, grain storage, and agricultural product processing, the cooperative creates an income of more than 8 million yuan for surrounding farmers a year," said Zou Dehai (邹德海).
Teaching people how to fish, encouraging more new farmers to cultivate the countryside—
Chen Lizhi (陈丽芝) believes that in order to develop the small seafood industry that enriches the people, and truly turn the new technologies in books into good harvests in the ponds of the villagers, it is necessary to bring a good team of science and technology extension, give play to the role of diversified agricultural technology extension forces, and also pay attention to cultivating innovative entities. She shared an example: "Lao Yan, a breeder who has been in the industry for more than 30 years, used to only know how to work hard in the pond from morning till night. After participating in our training many times, he has now learned new technologies such as clam bottom netting, microbial preparation expansion, and feed input, and he and his family have also started live streaming to sell goods, and the benefit per mu has increased by 1,000 yuan. There are many such breeders in Sanmen County (三门县)."
Chen Lizhi (陈丽芝) said: "Next, my colleagues and I will promote more advanced and practical technologies to enable more breeders to hold on to the technology rice bowl and move more steadily on the road to common prosperity."
For Hua Mengli (华梦丽), a post-95s new farmer, this year is her tenth year of rooting in the countryside. In the past 10 years, she has deeply cultivated ecological cycle agriculture, led farmers to deeply explore the value of land with science and technology, and has cumulatively driven more than 400 farmers to find employment and attracted 67 young people to return to their hometowns to engage in agriculture.
Hua Mengli (华梦丽) said that the comprehensive revitalization of the countryside has brought great opportunities to young people, "We are attracting more and more young people to enter the countryside, devote themselves to agriculture, and serve farmers in our own way. We hope to take root in the countryside, bloom in the countryside, and become the hope on the fields in this field full of hope."
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 屈信明
A set of plant lighting lamps that simulate the solar spectrum can be used for soilless cultivation of fruits, vegetables, flowers, etc., without being restricted by land, seasons, and other conditions. The yield is much higher than traditional land cultivation and is very popular in the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and other places. Classroom lighting eye protection products can meet the needs of upgrading educational facilities in some countries and regions jointly building the "Belt and Road" initiative, and orders are constantly coming in... In the showroom of Anhui Liangliang Electronic Technology Co., Ltd. (安徽亮亮电子科技有限公司) in Guangde City (广德市), Xuancheng (宣城), Anhui (安徽), Deputy General Manager Zhang Zhihua (张志华) confidently introduced several of the company's popular overseas products.
"In the past month, we have received six or seven groups of overseas guests!" Zhang Zhihua (张志华) said that as a private enterprise, the company is mainly engaged in the research and development, production, sales, and service of lighting fixtures, and export business revenue accounts for about 90% of total revenue. In the first quarter of this year, the company's direct exports amounted to 7.13 million US dollars, plus the part exported through trading companies, totaling 13 million US dollars, an increase of about 8% year-on-year.
What does it rely on to be "successful" in overseas markets?
One must be strong oneself before forging iron.
"We study the characteristics of geographical environments, cultural customs, lifestyles, and consumption habits in various places, and explore the differentiated and diversified needs of different markets, and strengthen product innovation in a targeted manner. Through the rapid conversion of flexible production lines, the order delivery time can be shortened by about a week compared to traditional production lines." Zhang Zhihua (张志华) cited an example, saying that the company has designed many solar energy products and emergency lighting products for the African region; for European customers, it has launched minimalist design products, which are very popular.
Making friends widely leads to many opportunities.
"In recent years, large and small exhibitions have provided us with important platforms for promoting products and expanding markets." Zhang Zhihua (张志华) said that at the recent Canton Fair (广交会), the company brought solar product lines, artificial intelligence smart lighting integrated solutions, etc. to the site, attracting the attention of companies from many countries, and signed orders for 6.8 million US dollars on the spot for solar energy and classroom lighting series products.
"The overseas guests we recently received were new friends we met at the Canton Fair (广交会). Customers from Bangladesh (孟加拉国), Laos (老挝), Ecuador (厄瓜多尔), and other places came for the first time and highly recognized our factory management level and independent research and development capabilities." Zhang Zhihua (张志华) said that more and more overseas companies are seeing the strength of Chinese companies and the potential of the Chinese market. The company is seizing development opportunities and constantly expanding its "circle of friends," "especially merchants from countries and regions jointly building the 'Belt and Road' initiative are very interested in our products."
Financial services provide assistance.
In recent years, financial support for small and medium-sized micro enterprises has continued to increase, especially since the beginning of this year. In the face of fluctuations in overseas orders, services such as insurance and foreign exchange settlement and sales have been upgraded, which has greatly helped enterprises.
"We generally conduct cash transactions, and some can also achieve larger orders through credit sales. However, credit sales are risky, and this is where export credit insurance comes in." Zhang Zhihua (张志华) said that so-called credit sales means allowing customers to pay within a certain period after receiving the goods.
"We guide insurance institutions to increase their visits to and connections with foreign trade enterprises, publicize export credit insurance policies, and expand service coverage." The relevant person in charge of the Xuancheng Financial Supervision Bureau (宣城金融监管分局) said that the local branch of PICC Property and Casualty Insurance (人保财险) provides Liangliang Technology (亮亮科技) with export credit insurance with a limit of 40 million US dollars. If overseas customers cannot pay for the goods on time, the insurance can provide corresponding compensation.
Insurance companies can also use their information advantages to help companies analyze the creditworthiness and operating conditions of overseas buyers in advance to avoid trade risks.
In April of this year, Liangliang Technology (亮亮科技) initially reached a trade intention contract of 800,000 US dollars with a newly contacted overseas company, and immediately asked the insurance company to investigate the company's financial report status through cooperative credit channels. "Through the feedback information, we judged that the buyer has a certain ability to pay for the goods, but the overall revenue is not high, and we finally decided to appropriately reduce the order amount," Zhang Zhihua (张志华) said.
"Export credit insurance is an important policy tool to promote export trade and promote industrial upgrading. The government provides a high proportion of premium subsidies to reduce the financial costs of enterprises." The relevant person in charge of the Anhui Financial Supervision Bureau (安徽金融监管局) said that in the first quarter, the insured amount of export credit insurance in Anhui Province (安徽全省) was nearly 6 billion US dollars, a significant year-on-year increase. In addition, combined with the foreign exchange settlement and sales needs of foreign trade enterprises, the Anhui Financial Supervision Bureau (安徽金融监管局) guides financial institutions to provide comprehensive services such as exchange rate hedging and cross-border settlement. In the first quarter, the province's foreign exchange settlement and sales volume increased by 82% year-on-year, and the cross-border RMB settlement volume increased by 54% year-on-year.
"With strong policies and our own efforts, we have the confidence to overcome difficulties." Zhang Zhihua (张志华) said. During interviews in Xuancheng (宣城), Huangshan (黄山), and other places in Anhui (安徽), many foreign trade enterprise leaders also expressed the same view.
According to data from Hefei Customs (合肥海关), in the first four months of this year, the total import and export value of private enterprises in Anhui (安徽) was 155.33 billion yuan, an increase of 17.7% year-on-year, accounting for 53.1% of the province's total import and export value. Among them, exports were 115.74 billion yuan, an increase of 17.2% year-on-year.
[Editor's comment] Facing the vast blue ocean of the international market, Liangliang Technology (亮亮科技) is full of confidence. Behind this, we cannot do without exhibition platforms, financial assistance, and, more importantly, the hard power brought by good products.
Analyzing the differentiated characteristics of various places, exploring the personalized needs of different markets, strengthening product innovation in a targeted manner, and also achieving rapid conversion through flexible production lines... When more and more Chinese companies are consciously able to think of, willing to do, and capable of achieving, the path to overseas expansion will definitely be more firm and calm.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 姚雪青
A fashion show featuring models wearing trendy brand clothing and moving to dynamic rhythms attracted hundreds of spectators.
"It's so special! Who would have thought this wasn't a fashion show venue but a zoo!" exclaimed Yang Jie (杨婕), a tourist from Suzhou (苏州), Jiangsu (江苏) province.
Nanjing Hongshan Forest Zoo (南京市红山森林动物园) in Jiangsu Province (江苏省) is now a nationally renowned "internet-famous check-in spot," attracting nearly 8 million visitors last year. It is also a "launchpad for activities" for many brands, frequently hosting fashion shows, new product launches, and film promotion events.
Seeking novelty and change, and innovating diversified consumption scenarios, Hongshan Forest Zoo has become a sensational hit, 出圈 (chū quān - "out of the circle," to break through, to become popular beyond a specific group).
"We want to gradually break people's traditional impressions of zoos," said Shen Zhijun (沈志军), director of Hongshan Forest Zoo. "Innovative attempts such as developing cultural and creative products, jointly holding fashion shows, and holding new product launches integrate scientific research, conservation, culture, and green consumption, providing more consumption choices for the public of different ages and needs, and spreading the concept of animal protection and ecological protection to more people."
Following online guides, Yang Jie (杨婕) and her friends booked the zoo's nature school's "day and night camp," following animal protection education teachers, tiptoeing all the way, seeking the true nature of the animals at night.
In the quiet night, you can smell the scent of the earth and hear the "rustling" sounds of nature. Giraffes bend their necks and rest their heads on their buttocks, red pandas comfortably lie on the trees and sleep soundly, and lynx vigilantly observe their surroundings. What impressed her most was the scene of the wolf pack "meeting": first, the alpha wolf stretched its neck and howled "woo," and then the surrounding wolves responded with "woo."
"There are no animal performances, no feeding interactions. Here, animals are the masters, and we 'do as the Romans do'," Yang Jie (杨婕) felt the animal-friendly concept and novel experience were fascinating.
In addition to the "day and night camp," there are many other fun things waiting for tourists to unlock in Hongshan Forest Zoo. In the pavilions, watch koalas being weighed, monkeys rowing boats, and brown bears catching fish; in the coffee shop, "drink" with a group of flamingos outside the floor-to-ceiling windows; in the Hongshan Forest Market, white-faced saki monkey kite brooches, red panda hat pendants, otter pull ropes and other cultural and creative new products make people can't help but "buy, buy, buy." There are already more than a thousand kinds of Hongshan cultural and creative products, and sales are booming.
As Hongshan Forest Zoo becomes a "top performer," hotel prices nearby are approaching the level of the city center; salted duck, pig skin noodles, and duck blood vermicelli soup and other snacks have topped the popular lists... The consumption circle centered on Hongshan Forest Zoo has been expanding in recent years.
"Among the annual visitors, 23% are from Nanjing (南京) locally, 27% are from other cities in the province, and nearly half are from other provinces," introduced Bai Yali (白亚丽), deputy director of Hongshan Forest Zoo.
Where do tourists go after leaving the zoo?
The answer lies in the "Hongshan Brand Image Map" compiled by netizens. Vientiane City (万象汇) "Sky Zoo" in the north of the city, cultural and creative stores in Guochuang Park (国创园), 1912 coffee shops and other commercial scenes co-branded with Hongshan or authorized with the Hongshan brand image are located in multiple business districts and blocks. Currently, there are more than 50 brands co-branded with Hongshan Forest Zoo.
"We cooperated with Hongshan Forest Zoo last year, and this year we are joining hands again to create more interactive experience scenes and develop audio-visual cultural creations," said the relevant person in charge of Golden Eagle International Shopping Center (金鹰国际购物中心) Xinjiekou Store (新街口店).
The "Special Action Plan for Boosting Consumption" proposes to deepen the integration of online and offline, business, tourism, culture, sports, and health consumption, and innovate diversified consumption scenarios.
Nanjing (南京) is trying every means to develop and explore urban brand images such as "Hongshan Forest Zoo" and "Nanjing Xinjiekou (南京新街口)," continuously cultivating new consumption scenarios and new business forms, promoting the integration of business, tourism, culture, sports, and health consumption, and striving to empower "consumption increment" with "urban traffic." In the first quarter of this year, Nanjing's (南京) total retail sales of consumer goods reached 232.311 billion yuan, with a growth rate ranking among the top in the province.
Leaving Hongshan Forest Zoo, Yang Jie (杨婕) is full of expectations, "I want to start my next Nanjing (南京) trip as soon as possible."
Return to TopThis newspaper reported from Beijing on May 23rd (Reporter Ding Yiting (丁怡婷)): A reporter recently learned from China National Offshore Oil Corporation (中国海油) that China's first offshore CCUS (Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage) project has been put into operation on the Enping 15-1 (恩平15—1) platform in the Pearl River Mouth Basin (珠江口盆地). The carbon dioxide produced during oilfield development is captured, purified, and pressurized to a supercritical state, and then injected into underground oil reservoirs through injection wells. This not only increases crude oil fluidity and drives increased production, but also achieves carbon dioxide sequestration, forming a marine energy recycling model of "carbon-driven oil production and oil-based carbon sequestration."
The Enping 15-1 (恩平15—1) platform is the largest offshore crude oil production platform in Asia, with a peak daily crude oil production of over 7,500 tons from the oilfield cluster it develops. If developed using conventional methods, carbon dioxide would be extracted to the surface along with the crude oil, which would not only corrode offshore platform facilities and subsea pipelines, but also increase emissions.
CCUS is an emerging technological means for the low-carbon and efficient development of fossil energy, but most projects are concentrated onshore, with very few offshore projects. The commissioning of this project has achieved a full-chain upgrade of China's offshore carbon dioxide capture, utilization and storage equipment technology. In the next 10 years, it will inject more than 1 million tons of carbon dioxide on a large scale and drive crude oil production to increase by 200,000 tons.
It is no small feat to successfully "capture" carbon dioxide back to the seabed. Among them, the injection well is the "green channel" connecting the offshore platform and the underground oil reservoir. China National Offshore Oil Corporation (中国海油) adopted an economical and efficient model of "reusing old wells + layered gas injection," transforming old oil and gas wells into carbon dioxide channels, saving more than 10 million yuan in drilling costs and completing the project 7 days ahead of schedule.
Return to TopThis newspaper reported from Beijing on May 23rd (Reporter Qu Zhehan (曲哲涵)) that recently, the Ministry of Finance (财政部), the State Taxation Administration (税务总局), and other 9 departments jointly issued a notice to promote the widespread application of electronic voucher accounting data standards nationwide, clearing the "last mile" of the entire process of electronic voucher processing.
With the deepening of the digital transformation of the economy and society, various accounting vouchers are shifting from paper-based to digital carriers. However, due to the large variety of electronic vouchers and inconsistent data standards, problems such as difficulty in receiving, difficulty in reimbursement, difficulty in accounting, and difficulty in archiving urgently need to be solved.
From 2022 to 2024, the 9 departments jointly carried out pilot work on electronic voucher accounting data standards, selecting fully digitized electronic invoices, railway electronic passenger tickets, air transport electronic passenger ticket itineraries, and bank electronic receipts, which have high frequency of use, large reimbursement quantities, and widespread social attention. 436 receiving-end pilot units (including nearly 60,000 accounting entities), 51 related platforms, and 12 service support units participated, cumulatively processing over 200 million standard-compliant electronic vouchers in a fully paperless manner. The pilot project achieved its expected goals, and the standard is ready for promotion.
The promotion work adheres to the principle of "adapting to local conditions and implementing policies according to different categories," requiring issuing-end units that have participated in the pilot work to further enhance their ability to issue (distribute) relevant electronic vouchers; receiving-end units that have participated in the pilot and completed the entire process of electronic voucher processing to consolidate the pilot results and achieve in-depth application; receiving-end units that have participated in the pilot but have not completed the entire process of electronic voucher processing for all accounting entities to continue to increase efforts and promote the overall comprehensive application of the unit; and units that have not participated in the pilot to fully learn from the pilot's prior experience and steadily promote application on the basis of having the conditions.
The notice also made specific arrangements for improving the electronic voucher accounting data standard system, smoothing the channels for issuing and delivering electronic vouchers, promoting the paperless processing of the entire process of electronic vouchers by category, and leveraging the supporting role of platforms in promoting expansion.
Reporter's Notes
Making Economic Activities More Efficient
After returning from a business trip, you can simply send the digital invoice to the unit's financial staff via mobile phone to reimburse accommodation and transportation expenses, saving time, effort, and paper; suppliers and buyers use electronic receipts to confirm payment for goods, greatly speeding up the delivery process... Electronic vouchers make economic activities more efficient, and unified relevant data standards further solve the "docking" problems in receiving, reimbursement, accounting, archiving, and other links, helping to improve the level of accounting informatization throughout society.
By applying electronic voucher accounting data standards, the entire process can be paperless, freeing business and financial personnel from inefficient and repetitive work and promoting digital transformation; it can effectively reduce the demand for printing reimbursement papers, transaction storage costs, and carbon emissions in various fields, effectively saving overall social resources; and it can obtain a reliable source of information that is true and cross-verifiable, which helps prevent financial fraud from the source.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 刘 赫
"My heart is back in China." As the plane landed at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (成都双流国际机场), German university student Anna Brühlmeier (安娜·布吕梅克), whose Chinese name is Bu Shuchan (布姝婵), said excitedly to her companion, on her third trip to China. Eugen Mangaseev (尤金·曼加泽夫), whose Chinese name is Man Hongyi (满宏毅), who was visiting China for the fifth time, responded with a smile: "My heart has never left."
In April of this year, 17 teachers and students from the Bochum Chinese Choir (伯乐中文合唱团) in Germany visited China, traveling to Sichuan (四川) and Chongqing (重庆) for a study tour. During the 14-day trip, they explored the hometown of giant pandas, visited the Sanxingdui Museum (三星堆博物馆) and ancient towns and villages, and toured the traction power laboratory, experiencing the profound heritage of Chinese civilization and the pulse of contemporary Chinese innovation and vitality. Members of the choir said they will continue to work hard to contribute to promoting friendship and cultural exchange between Germany and China.
"Feel the charm of Chinese culture in the beautiful melody, and convey friendship with songs"
This is the eleventh visit to China by the Bochum Chinese Choir. The story of this choir and China began 11 years ago. In March 2014, when President Xi Jinping (习近平) visited Germany, Bochum High School (伯乐高级文理中学) in Germany decided to establish a Chinese choir. In May 2024, President Xi Jinping proposed during his visit to Europe to "promote the number of French students studying in China to exceed 10,000 in the next three years, and double the scale of exchanges between European youth and China." China launched a youth envoy exchange and learning program to promote exchanges and mutual learning between Chinese and European youth, and the teachers and students of the Bochum Chinese Choir became the first German group to participate in the program.
For 11 years, the choir has used singing as a link to carry out "singing and learning Chinese" activities for German teenagers to promote non-governmental exchanges between Germany and China and enhance friendship between the two countries. "The choir's door is open to all partners who are willing to sing Chinese songs and want to learn about Chinese culture," Zhang Yungang (张云刚), head of the Bochum Chinese Choir, told reporters. The choir initially consisted mainly of students from Bochum High School, but later gradually gathered Chinese-loving teenagers from many local schools. The choir has professional vocal teachers and rehearses for a fixed 4 hours every week. Many students from surrounding areas come to the choir, and the students who live the farthest have to drive more than 100 kilometers to participate in rehearsals.
"Each Chinese character has its own characteristics, not the 'irregular graphics' that beginners mistakenly believe. Learning Chinese through singing can better master pronunciation and also allow us to better understand the deep meaning of the songs and get closer to Chinese culture," said 16-year-old choir member Kim Barnes (金·巴恩斯).
"In a restaurant on the streets of Chengdu (成都), we couldn't help but sing the Chinese song 'Chengdu,' and unexpectedly, the Chinese friends at the next table also hummed along," Alexander Ujvari (亚历山大·乌贾瓦里), whose Chinese name is Wu Qiang (邬强), who has been a member of the choir for more than 3 years, recalled the scene and was still immersed in it. "We come from two countries thousands of kilometers apart. When we sing the same song, we have an emotional resonance, which feels very wonderful," Wu Qiang said.
Flash mob performances in Shanghai (上海), English teaching in Guilin (桂林), cheering for the Beijing Winter Olympics (北京冬奥会) with songs, participating in the recording of the theme song of the Chengdu Universiade (成都大运会)... "German teenagers use music as a golden key to unlock a new world of Chinese, feel the charm of Chinese culture in the beautiful melody, and convey friendship with songs," Zhang Yungang said.
Mirman (米尔曼), chairman of the Bochum Chinese Choir Association, sincerely exclaimed: "Music is a language without borders. It does not distinguish between races, regions, or cultures. 11 years ago, we planted a 'small sapling.' Today, under the joint care of Germany and China, this 'small sapling' has grown vigorously and is full of branches and leaves."
"Every city in China has different characteristics, and I hope to visit more places"
Stepping into the Sanxingdui Museum, the members of the choir were immersed in the unique charm of ancient Shu civilization. Jonas Müller (约纳斯·米勒), a high school student from Dortmund (多特蒙德) in Germany, stood in front of the bronze mask with protruding eyes for a long time, carefully examining it. He said: "This artistic style is very distinctive. The creativity of ancient Chinese civilization far exceeds our imagination." In the Wuhou Temple (武侯祠), Marvin Kales (马文·卡莱斯), whose Chinese name is Cai Zhipeng (蔡志朋), developed a strong interest in the story of the Peach Garden Oath, saying: "Chinese traditional culture has a power that transcends thousands of years and can still move us today."
In Germany, giant pandas "Meng Meng (梦梦)" and "Jiao Qing (娇庆)" and their twin panda cubs born last year are popular star animals at the Berlin Zoo (柏林动物园). Walking into the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding (成都大熊猫繁育研究基地), everyone was very excited. "I saw the giant panda mother eating bamboo with two cubs. They rolled down the hillside and climbed up again, playing and frolicking, which was very cute," Cai Zhipeng said.
At the National Key Laboratory of Traction Power of Rail Transit Vehicle System at Southwest Jiaotong University (西南交通大学轨道交通运载系统全国重点实验室), members of the choir experienced high-speed rail simulation driving. Bu Shuchan sat in the simulation driving room, paying attention to the speed and traffic lights on the electronic screen at all times, and operating according to different weather conditions such as thunderstorms and storms. She said: "China's high-speed rail is not only internationally leading in speed, but also demonstrates outstanding strength in intelligence and safety."
Face-scanning to enter the station, robot food delivery, mobile payment... Everywhere they went, China's efficient and convenient technological applications made everyone curious and amazed. Barnes said: "In China, technology and innovation are tangible and perceptible, integrated into the daily lives of ordinary people, truly improving the efficiency of social operation and facilitating people's lives."
"China not only has rapidly developing technology, but also an ecological environment that coexists harmoniously with it," "Every day we spend in China is unique"... Members of the choir told reporters that this trip gave them a deeper understanding of China and Chinese culture.
Man Hongyi has been learning Chinese since high school and has visited cities such as Beijing (北京), Shanghai, Wuhan (武汉), and Chengdu. "I regard China as my second hometown, and every time I come, it feels like coming home." Man Hongyi said that especially after China implemented a unilateral visa-free policy for ordinary passport holders from Germany, it is more convenient and faster to come to China. "Every city in China has different characteristics, and I hope to visit more places."
"Hope to become a participant and promoter of Sino-German cooperation in the future"
"There is an ancient Chinese saying: 读万卷书，行万里路 (dú wàn juǎn shū, xíng wàn lǐ lù - "read ten thousand books, travel ten thousand miles," to broaden one's knowledge through extensive reading and travel). This is by no means an ordinary sightseeing trip," said 16-year-old Miller, who has been learning Chinese since the sixth grade. During his 10-plus days in China, he carefully recorded his daily feelings and hoped to bring them back to Germany to share with his family and friends. He said: "This kind of close communication between people is more knowable and perceptible than book knowledge."
"The trip to China not only brought us knowledge and experience, but also made us feel the preciousness of friendship," Bu Shuchan said. This unique journey ignited her love for cross-cultural exchange. "I hope to become a participant and promoter of Sino-German cooperation in the future."
As the organizer of this trip to China, Southwest Jiaotong University organized a series of Sino-German youth exchange activities. Students from the two countries walked into Luodai Ancient Town (洛带古镇) together to watch Sichuan opera performances and experience Tai Chi and lion dances. In the multi-functional hall of Southwest Jiaotong University, Chinese and German students sat around the piano, formed partnerships, and jointly learned to sing the Chinese-German bilingual version of "Jasmine Flower (茉莉花)."
When the students of the Department of Music of Southwest Jiaotong University played a magnificent guzheng ensemble piece "Taking Tiger Mountain by Strategy (打虎上山)," German students came to the stage to experience traditional Chinese musical instruments. "Hearing German friends try to play the melody of 'Jasmine Flower' with the guzheng, I truly realized the power of music to cross Eastern and Western cultures and connect people," said Guo Jia (郭佳), a guzheng player. Wang Baoru (王宝茹), head of the Southwest Jiaotong University Choir, said: "We are very proud to see German partners so enthusiastically learning Chinese and understanding Chinese culture."
Jolene Sievers (乔琳·西弗斯), a high school student who came to China for the first time, said: "I am extremely grateful for this journey. During the journey, we are experiencing a three-dimensional and colorful China every day." "Understanding, listening, and growing together - I think this is the key to the exchange between the younger generation of Germany and China," Barnes wrote in his diary.
"German often says 'sitting in the same boat' to describe friendship." Recalling this trip to China, Mirman said that the choir is like a boat of Sino-German friendship, connecting each other with songs and building bridges with sincerity. He hopes that Sino-German friendship will resonate and continue like notes.
Return to TopBy: 于 骏
This year is the "Year of China" for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (上海合作组织). In July 2024, China took over the rotating presidency of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (上海合作组织). The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (上海合作组织) is the first international organization initiated by China and named after a Chinese city. Over the past 24 years since its establishment, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (上海合作组织) has always adhered to its original aspiration and forged ahead, forging a fruitful path of peaceful development, setting a model for building a new type of international relations, and becoming an important force in international and regional affairs.
The "Shanghai Spirit" is deeply rooted in people's hearts. Mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for diverse civilizations, and the pursuit of common development, the "Shanghai Spirit" is the organization's valuable spiritual wealth and common guide to action. Facts have proved that the "Shanghai Spirit" conforms to the trend of the times and the direction of human progress. It is the source of strength for the continuous development and growth of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (上海合作组织) and has been widely recognized by the international community.
The "SCO family" is growing. From 6 member states to a large family of 26 countries, including member states, observer states, and dialogue partners, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (上海合作组织) has become the largest regional international organization in the world in terms of area and population. More and more countries are applying to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (上海合作组织), demonstrating the continuous improvement of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation's (上海合作组织) influence, cohesion, and appeal.
The "SCO force" is attracting much attention. The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (上海合作组织) has pioneered a new cooperation model of unity and collaboration, openness, win-win cooperation, and inclusive mutual learning among countries with different social systems and development paths, making important contributions to promoting regional peace, stability, development, and prosperity. By continuously deepening cooperation in security, economy, trade, culture, and other fields, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (上海合作组织) is committed to drawing a concentric circle of common development, making the pie of cooperation bigger and bigger, and making the power of progress stronger and stronger.
At the "Shanghai Cooperation Organisation +" Astana Summit, President Xi Jinping (习近平) proposed building "five common homelands" of unity and mutual trust, peace and security, prosperity and development, good-neighborliness and friendship, and fairness and justice, outlining a new blueprint for the organization's development. As the rotating presidency country, China is carrying out more than 100 activities in the fields of politics, security, economy, and culture this year under the slogan of "Promoting the 'Shanghai Spirit': The SCO in Action." Focusing on the outstanding concerns of the organization's countries, the member states responded to China's initiative and unanimously decided to declare 2025 as the "Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Year of Sustainable Development." All parties will carry out a series of cooperation and actions around the eight key areas of the Global Development Initiative, deeply promote the high-quality joint construction of the "Belt and Road" (一带一路) and the development strategies of various countries, and provide assistance for regional countries to achieve modernization.
China and Uzbekistan, as founding members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (上海合作组织), have always worked closely together to jointly promote the organization's steady and long-term development. Uzbekistan actively participates in bilateral and multilateral cooperation within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (上海合作组织) and has achieved fruitful "SCO results." Uzbekistan's trade volume with Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (上海合作组织) member states has increased to 50% of its total foreign trade, and projects such as the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway have been successfully implemented. Cooperation in new energy, the digital economy, modern agriculture, ecological environmental protection, and poverty reduction is booming. One "SCO project" after another has taken root and blossomed in Uzbekistan, bringing tangible benefits to the local people.
The great way is simple, and practical work is essential. The world today is undergoing complex and profound changes, and the international community expects the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (上海合作组织) to show greater responsibility. China will use "China's actions" to highlight the "Shanghai Spirit" and use the "China engine" to drive the SCO wheel, work together with the organization's partners to promote the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (上海合作组织) to enter a new stage of high-quality development, and make greater contributions to promoting the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind.
(The author is the Chinese Ambassador to Uzbekistan)
Return to TopXinhua News Agency, Beijing, May 23 (Reporter Dong Xue) Vice Premier He Lifeng (何立峰), a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, met with Citigroup Chairman Andrew Du (杜颂安) and Carlyle Group CEO Harvey Schwartz (施瓦茨) at the Great Hall of the People on the morning of May 23.
He Lifeng (何立峰) stated that China's economy is currently continuing its upward trend, with the development potential of the primary, secondary, and tertiary industries being continuously released. High-quality development is being steadily promoted, demonstrating strong resilience and vitality. China is focusing on building a unified national market, unswervingly expanding high-level opening up to the outside world, continuously benchmarking international high-standard economic and trade rules, continuously optimizing the business environment, and vigorously encouraging foreign investment, providing broad space for the long-term and stable development of multinational corporations in China. Foreign-funded financial institutions, including Citi and Carlyle, are welcome to invest and develop in China, jointly participate in the construction of China's capital market, deepen cooperation with China, and share development opportunities.
Andrew Du (杜颂安) stated that Citi will continue to deeply cultivate the Chinese market and is willing to further strengthen investment and cooperation with China, actively deploying new related businesses in China in the fields of securities, futures, and financial derivatives. Harvey Schwartz (施瓦茨) stated that Carlyle is optimistic about China's economic development prospects and is willing to commit to long-term cooperation with China, continuously expanding new investment layouts in China.
Return to TopXinhua News Agency, Beijing, May 23rd. Liu Jianchao (刘建超), Minister of the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (中共中央对外联络部), met with Dutch Foreign Minister Hanke Bruins Slot (费尔德坎普) and Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi (穆塔基) of Afghanistan in Beijing (北京) on the 22nd and 23rd, respectively. They exchanged views on strengthening political dialogue, expanding cultural exchanges, promoting the development of national relations, and international and regional issues of common concern.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 姜 宣
"I have visited China 13 times, and each trip to China has made me deeply feel the earth-shaking changes." Joseph Tegbe (约瑟夫·特格贝), Director-General of the Nigeria-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, said in an exclusive interview with this reporter recently that China's development achievements are world-renowned, and its experience provides useful lessons for African countries to achieve modernization.
In September 2024, Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (提努布) paid a state visit to China and attended the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (中非合作论坛北京峰会). The heads of state of China and Nigeria unanimously decided to upgrade the relations between the two countries to a comprehensive strategic partnership and build a high-level China-Nigeria community with a shared future. Tegbe (特格贝) was appointed by Tinubu (提努布) as the Director-General of the Nigeria-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Tegbe (特格贝) said, "Nigeria has a full-time Director-General for Nigeria-China bilateral affairs, which highlights the importance of China in Nigeria's foreign affairs and Nigeria's high regard for bilateral relations."
President Xi Jinping (习近平主席) said in his keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (中非合作论坛北京峰会): "China and Africa account for one-third of the world's total population. Without the modernization of China and Africa, there would be no modernization of the world." This statement impressed Tegbe (特格贝) deeply. He said that China has brought advanced technology to African countries. "The wave of modernization is having a positive and profound impact on the world, and its ultimate goal is to achieve the free and comprehensive development of people. With China's help, Africa is also working hard to realize its dream of modernization."
In recent years, cooperation between China and Nigeria has continued to upgrade. The Lekki Free Trade Zone (莱基自贸区) and the Ogun Guangdong Free Trade Zone (奥贡广东自贸区), invested in, constructed and managed by China, have created more than 20,000 jobs locally and brought direct and indirect investment of approximately US$2.6 billion. The Nigerian National Fiber Backbone Network (尼日利亚国家光纤骨干网) constructed by China has enabled Nigeria to achieve a **弯道超车** (wān dào chāo chē - "overtaking on a curve," to surpass competitors by taking a different approach) on the "Digital Africa" track. "Africa and China address each other as 'brothers'. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and China more than 50 years ago, they have respected and helped each other. The relations between the two countries have deepened and cooperation has become more solid." Tegbe (特格贝) said that Nigeria and other African countries have achieved fruitful results in cooperation with China in areas such as talent training, poverty reduction and employment. With the help of China's modernization technology and drawing on China's successful experience in Chinese-style modernization, the living standards of the Nigerian people can be improved and more people can be helped out of poverty. Nigeria hopes to receive China's support in the development of new energy vehicles, artificial intelligence and other fields. "I believe that Nigeria and China will continue to maintain close cooperation in the future and bring more benefits to the people of both sides."
In January of this year, Nigeria officially became a BRICS partner country. Tegbe (特格贝) said that Nigeria's active participation in BRICS cooperation is not only conducive to its own development, but also in line with the common interests of BRICS countries and the Global South. "We will reap the fruits of 'Greater BRICS Cooperation'." Tegbe (特格贝) said that as a developing country and a member of the Global South, Nigeria will actively participate in BRICS cooperation and make positive contributions to the development of the BRICS cooperation mechanism.
Return to TopXinhua News Agency, Beijing, May 23 (Reporter Mei Changwei) - Defense Minister Dong Jun (董军) met with the Supreme Commander of the Royal Thai Armed Forces, Songwit Noonpackdee (颂威) in Beijing on the 23rd.
Dong Jun (董军) said, "The traditional friendship between China and Thailand is deeply rooted, like 中泰一家亲 (zhōng tài yī jiā qīn - "China Thailand one family," China and Thailand are as close as one family), and the defense cooperation between the two countries is solid and fruitful." China is willing to work with Thailand to make good use of the existing cooperation mechanisms and further improve the level of cooperation in areas such as joint training and personnel training, so as to contribute to the building of a China-Thailand community with a shared future.
Songwit Noonpackdee (颂威) said that Thailand and China are friendly neighbors, and Thailand has always adhered to the one-China principle. The Thai military is willing to continue to strengthen practical exchanges and cooperation with China in various fields, strengthen coordination in multilateral affairs, and jointly safeguard regional security and stability.
Return to TopXinhua News Agency, Skopje, May 23rd. Chen Zhou (陈洲), Deputy Minister of the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (中联部), led a CPC delegation to visit North Macedonia from May 20th to 23rd. He met with Deputy Speaker of the Assembly, Bendevska (本德夫斯卡), Left Party Chairman Apasiev (阿帕斯埃夫), Social Democratic Union Chairman Filipche (菲利普切), former President Ivanov (伊万诺夫), and others. The delegation also inspected local party organizations of the Left Party and deeply promoted Xi Jinping (习近平) Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. Both sides expressed their willingness to further deepen inter-party exchanges, promote cooperation in various fields, and promote the sustained and healthy development of bilateral relations.
Return to TopThis newspaper's Osaka (大阪) May 23rd dispatch (Reporter Zhu Yueying (朱玥颖)) The Hainan (海南) Event Week, themed "Going Green for Strength, Openness and Sharing," opened on the 23rd at the China Pavilion of the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo (大阪・関西万博) (Osaka Expo (大阪世博会)).
Li Qingshuang (李庆霜), Vice Chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade and Government Representative of the China Pavilion, stated in his opening remarks that the Hainan (海南) Event Week presents to the world Hainan (海南), where nature and culture blend, and openness and innovation dance together, which will surely promote Hainan's (海南) high-level opening to the outside world and high-quality development.
Xue Jian (薛剑), Consul General of China in Osaka (大阪), stated that in recent years, economic and trade exchanges between Hainan (海南) and Japan have become increasingly close, and fruitful cooperation has been achieved in fields such as medical care and health, modern agriculture, and the digital economy. He welcomed more Japanese friends to take the Hainan (海南) Event Week as an opportunity to witness and experience the open, inclusive, and vibrant new era of China with their own eyes.
Nobuhiko Sasaki (佐佐木伸彦), Chairman of the Japan-China Economic Association, expressed his hope that this event will allow people from all over the world to further focus on Hainan (海南) and discover opportunities. The Japan-China Economic Association will also further promote the deepening of cooperation between the Japanese economic community and Hainan (海南).
On the same day, the "Nanming Skills and Memories, Hundreds of Flowers" Hainan (海南) Intangible Cultural Heritage Theme Exhibition was launched simultaneously. Through graphic displays, physical displays, live demonstrations, and interactive experiences, the exhibition focuses on showcasing Li (黎族) ethnic ornaments, Li brocade products, and a series of intangible cultural heritage creative products. Ten intangible cultural heritage inheritors, including those of Li traditional textile dyeing and embroidery techniques, Li bamboo and wood musical instruments, and Hainan (海南) coconut carving, performed live intangible cultural heritage projects, allowing the audience to experience the unique charm of Hainan's (海南) intangible cultural heritage at close range.
Return to TopThis newspaper Algiers, May 23rd (Reporter Hao Ruimin (郝瑞敏)) Under the joint promotion of the Ministry of Veterans Affairs of China (中国退役军人事务部), the Chinese Embassy in Algeria (中国驻阿尔及利亚大使馆), and the Algerian Ministry of Veterans and Rights Holders (阿尔及利亚老战士及相关权利者享有部), some Algerian Air Force veterans who were trained in China will depart for China on May 25th local time to relive that precious friendship that spans more than half a century.
In the 1950s and 1960s, two groups of 27 Algerian Air Force students went to China for aviation training. These students were the first generation of pilots and technicians in Algeria and became the backbone of promoting the rapid development of the Algerian Air Force after independence. For decades, the Algerian Air Force veterans have deeply missed their Chinese instructors, who were like their fathers and elder brothers, and looked forward to reuniting with these Chinese comrades who had fought side by side. According to their recollections, during their studies, the Chinese instructors hand-drew hundreds of schematic diagrams of aviation components, labeled in Arabic, French, and Chinese respectively. In the classrooms late at night, kerosene lamps often burned until dawn, and the instructors corrected the students' flight logs word by word and sentence by sentence. The teachers not only taught professional knowledge but also practiced and inherited excellent traditions, which benefited the Algerian Air Force soldiers greatly.
In recent years, Sino-Algerian cooperation has yielded fruitful results - the photovoltaic power station project undertaken by Chinese enterprises in southern Algeria has helped the area become an important clean energy base in North Africa; the Algerian East-West Expressway, which was built with the participation of Chinese enterprises, has greatly shortened the transportation time between coastal and inland areas... The Algerian Air Force veterans are about to set foot on Chinese soil, and in their hearts, there are not only memories of history but also expectations for the future. As one veteran said, "The Chinese often say, 兄弟同心，其利断金 (xiōng dì tóng xīn, qí lì duàn jīn - "brothers united in heart, their strength cuts metal," united brothers can overcome any obstacle). We believe that as long as the Algerian and Chinese people join hands, any difficulty can be overcome, and any dream can be realized."
Return to TopAccording to Xinhua News Agency, Hangzhou, May 23rd (Reporter Duan Jingjing (段菁菁)) On May 23rd, the 2025 China-Central and Eastern European Countries Mayors' Forum, co-sponsored by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (中国人民对外友好协会) and the Ningbo Municipal People's Government (宁波市人民政府), was held in Ningbo (宁波). The forum released the "Ningbo Initiative (宁波倡议)," calling on China and Central and Eastern European countries to jointly create a new future for urban development.
Participating guests conducted in-depth exchanges around the theme of "Promoting International Cooperation and Empowering Urban Development," and reached a positive consensus on strengthening cooperation between cities in China and Central and Eastern European countries in areas such as economic and trade cooperation, cultural heritage protection, civilization dialogue, urban governance, and green transformation, so as to help the development of China-Central and Eastern European countries relations.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 李中文 刘军国
When law enforcement officers walked into the factory area of Shuaishuai Electric Technology Co., Ltd. in Wanquan Town, Pingyang County (平阳县), Wenzhou City (温州市), Zhejiang Province (浙江省), Chairman Huang Dechu (黄德初) quickly greeted them.
"In the past, my heart would skip a beat when I heard about inspections," Huang Dechu (黄德初) said with a smile, but this time he was calm and composed.
It turned out that at the end of February this year, he received a text message: Your company has been selected as an inspection target for the "Comprehensive Inspection Once" (综合查一次), covering six major areas including market supervision and ecological environmental protection.
Informing in advance of the inspection time, content, and key points of cooperation, and also encouraging self-inspection and self-correction; during the inspection, law enforcement officers from relevant departments came to the door as a team, and one inspection covered all items... Currently, this "advance notice inspection" is becoming a new trend in law enforcement involving enterprises in Wenzhou (温州市).
Focusing on solving problems such as multiple, repetitive, and inefficient inspections involving enterprises, Zhejiang (浙江) has been exploring the "large comprehensive integrated" administrative law enforcement reform at the provincial level since 2022. Wenzhou (温州市) has further standardized law enforcement involving enterprises by implementing measures such as the reform of the preventive comprehensive supervision system for enterprises, the reform of the bright code inspection full-chain, and the integrated reform of law enforcement assistance enterprise service stations. In 2024, Wenzhou's (温州市) "Comprehensive Inspection Once" (综合查一次) was conducted 84,800 times, accounting for 62.2% of all inspections.
At the inspection site that day, law enforcement officers from relevant departments came to the door as a team and simultaneously entered inspection data through mobile terminals. In just one hour, the inspection was basically completed. Huang Dechu (黄德初) couldn't help but give a thumbs up: "Fast, good, and in place!"
The law enforcement inspection reform not only reduces the burden but also brings value-added services.
Can enterprises also enjoy appointment-based guidance? At first, Huang Dechu (黄德初) was skeptical about this, but a special "physical examination" completely changed his mind.
After advance communication, a "pre-inspection service team" composed of multiple departments came to the company in plain clothes. After the inspection, they not only reminded that the old factory area's drainage permit was about to expire, but also "caught" hidden dangers such as blocked evacuation passages in the new factory area.
"This 'physical examination report' identifies risks in advance, provides rectification suggestions, and as long as the problems found are rectified in time, there will be no punishment. Actively booking services can also reduce the number of subsequent inspections," Huang Dechu (黄德初) said with emotion, such services "make us feel warm inside."
The entire process of law enforcement is supervised, allowing power to operate in the sunlight.
"In the past, I was afraid that the law enforcement standards were not transparent. Now I can scan the code to see the results at any time, and I can also score and evaluate the law enforcement process..." Huang Dechu (黄德初) said while showing the inspection report on his mobile phone.
In order to ensure fair and impartial law enforcement, Pingyang County (平阳县) stipulates that law enforcement officers must show an "administrative behavior code" when entering an enterprise for inspection, informing them of the details of the law enforcement and the rights of the enterprise. Those without a code are not allowed to enter the factory, and the entire inspection process is recorded. Through the "Zhejiang Affairs" (浙里办) APP, enterprises can scan the code to supervise and evaluate.
After further standardizing law enforcement behaviors involving enterprises, enterprises have reduced their burden and accelerated their development. In 2024, the number of inspections involving enterprises in Wenzhou (温州市) decreased by 31.2% year-on-year, the satisfaction with law enforcement continued to rise, and the effectiveness of the reform continued to be released.
In February this year, the General Office of the People's Government of Zhejiang Province (浙江省人民政府办公厅) issued the "Implementation Opinions on Strictly Standardizing Administrative Inspections Involving Enterprises," proposing to deepen the "large comprehensive integrated" administrative law enforcement reform, adhere to the principle of "**管住风险、无事不扰**" (guǎn zhù fēngxiǎn, wú shì bù rǎo - "manage risks, no disturbance if there is nothing wrong," emphasizing risk management and minimizing unnecessary interference with businesses), promote standardized inspection, precise inspection, and coordinated inspection, focus on solving the problems of multiple, repetitive, and inefficient inspections involving enterprises, and eliminate campaign-style inspections, disguised inspections, and arbitrary inspections. By 2027, Zhejiang's (浙江) "Comprehensive Inspection Once" (综合查一次) mechanism will be more sound, the implementation rate of annual joint inspections by departments, levels, and fields will strive to reach more than 80%, the proportion of non-on-site inspections will increase year by year, the total amount of on-site inspections will continue to decline, outstanding problems in administrative inspections will be effectively addressed, the satisfaction of enterprises and the public with law enforcement will continue to improve, and the provincial business environment will continue to be optimized.
Return to TopThis newspaper Urumqi (乌鲁木齐) May 23rd dispatch (Reporter Cao Shulin (曹树林)) On May 23rd, the 2025 SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organisation) (上海合作组织) National Media Cooperation Forum was held in Urumqi (乌鲁木齐), Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (新疆维吾尔自治区). More than 300 representatives of mainstream media, responsible comrades of relevant departments, experts, scholars, and enterprise representatives from 26 countries including SCO member states, observer states, and dialogue partners gathered together to discuss cooperation. SCO Deputy Secretary-General Sohail Khan, Secretary of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Party Committee Ma Xingrui (马兴瑞), Chairman of the People's Government of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Erkin Tuniyaz (艾尔肯·吐尼亚孜), and President of the People's Daily Yu Shaoliang (于绍良) attended the forum.
The participating guests believe that since its establishment in 2001, the SCO has always adhered to the "Shanghai Spirit" of "mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for diverse civilizations, and pursuit of common development," and firmly supports safeguarding the core interests and major concerns of its members, becoming a reliable partner on the road to mutual development and revitalization.
The participating guests stated that the SCO national media should promote the "Shanghai Spirit" with true, objective, and fair reports, build consensus on development, enhance mutual understanding and affinity among the people of SCO countries, and contribute media strength to maintaining regional peace, stability, and prosperity, and jointly promoting the building of a SCO community with a shared future.
The forum was jointly hosted by the People's Daily and the People's Government of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, with the theme of "Building a Better Home and Creating a Prosperous Future." The forum included an opening ceremony, a media dialogue, and a launching ceremony for a youth cultural exchange camp. After the forum, Chinese and foreign media representatives participating in the conference will conduct research and interviews in Xinjiang (新疆).
Return to TopRecently, the Luzhou Fire and Rescue Detachment (泸州市消防救援支队) of Sichuan Province conducted specialized water rescue training in the Naxi section of the Yangtze River (长江泸州纳溪段) in Luzhou (泸州).
Photo by Liao Shengchun (廖胜春) (Xinhua News Agency (新华社) photo)
Return to TopThis newspaper reported from Chongqing on May 23rd (Reporter Qi Yukun (亓玉昆)) From May 21st to 23rd, Wang Dongming (王东明), Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, led a law enforcement inspection team on the Trade Union Law to conduct inspections in Chongqing (重庆). He emphasized the need to thoroughly implement General Secretary Xi Jinping's (习近平) important expositions on the working class and trade union work, promote the comprehensive and effective implementation of the Trade Union Law, better leverage the role of trade unions as a bridge and link connecting the Party and the working masses, and unite and mobilize hundreds of millions of workers to fully play their role as the main force in advancing the construction of Chinese-style modernization.
Wang Dongming (王东明) affirmed Chongqing's (重庆) achievements in implementing the Trade Union Law. He pointed out that inspections should be carried out in accordance with statutory duties, within the statutory scope, in compliance with statutory procedures, and closely linked to the legal system. Through this law enforcement inspection, the implementation of the Trade Union Law and related supporting laws and regulations in the labor field should be promoted in an integrated manner, actively responding to the concerns of workers and the masses, and effectively safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of workers and promoting their all-round development. It is necessary to further promote the reform of the construction of the industrial workers' contingent and provide strong talent and skill support for Chinese-style modernization.
The law enforcement inspection team successively carried out inspections in Jiangbei (江北), Yubei (渝北), Jiulongpo (九龙坡), Shapingba (沙坪坝), Banan (巴南), Yuzhong (渝中) and other places, and paid tribute to the Hongyan Revolutionary Memorial Hall (红岩革命纪念馆) to receive revolutionary traditional education.
Return to TopThis newspaper reported from Beijing on May 23rd (Reporters Qu Zhehan (曲哲涵), Liu Wenxin (刘温馨), and Chang Qin (常钦)) Recently, many areas in Guizhou (贵州) and Guangxi (广西) provinces (autonomous regions) have experienced heavy rainfall, triggering floods, geological disasters, and other calamities. On May 22nd, a landslide occurred in Qingyang Village (庆阳村), Guowa Township (果瓦乡), Dafang County (大方县), Bijie City (毕节市), causing multiple people to go missing. On May 23rd, the Ministry of Finance (财政部) and the Ministry of Emergency Management (应急管理部) urgently allocated 30 million yuan in central natural disaster relief funds to support Guizhou Province (贵州省) in rapidly organizing rescue and relief efforts, properly resettling affected people, focusing on emergency response such as personnel search and rescue, hazard removal, and conducting secondary disaster risk assessments, to minimize casualties and reduce disaster losses to the greatest extent.
The Ministry of Natural Resources (自然资源部) attaches great importance to the prevention of geological disasters during periods of heavy rainfall. On May 22nd, the General Office of the Ministry of Natural Resources (自然资源部办公厅) issued an emergency notice requiring local natural resources authorities and related units to strengthen on-site supervision and stationing in counties and townships, fully implement risk assessment, monitoring and early warning, pre-disaster evacuation, and duty assignments, continuously analyze risks and issue reminders, and resolutely and decisively evacuate threatened people.
It is understood that since the beginning of the flood season, 66 permanently stationed experts, 205 mobile defense experts from the Ministry of Natural Resources (自然资源部), and responsible comrades from relevant departments and bureaus have gone deep into areas with high geological disaster risks to provide on-site supervision, helping various localities jointly carry out geological disaster prevention work.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 黄 娴
On the morning of May 23, the sky over Qingyang Village (庆阳村), Guowa Township (果瓦乡), Dafang County (大方县), Bijie City (毕节市), Guizhou Province (贵州省) was still cloudy. As dawn broke, rescue teams, each equipped with a commander, a radar life detector operator, and a search and rescue dog, quickly gathered towards the rescue operation area on the hillside. Group 1, Group 2, Group 3... rescue personnel continued to advance towards the search and rescue site.
On May 22, a landslide occurred in Qingyang Village (庆阳村). Preliminary investigations indicated that 8 households with 19 people were trapped. Rescue was imperative.
Guizhou Province (贵州省) responded quickly, with emergency response, fire, public security, medical, communications, and electricity personnel rushing to the scene to jointly carry out a race against time to rescue lives.
Maps showed that the disaster site was about 5 kilometers from the village committee. However, due to narrow roads, rugged mountain paths, and road collapses caused by heavy rainfall, how to quickly reach the disaster site became the first challenge facing the rescue team.
At about 10:00 on the 22nd, Liu Yong (刘勇), Deputy Director of the Dafang County Public Security Bureau (大方县公安局), led two village officials, running ahead, and immediately evacuated the masses after arriving at the scene. From the 3-person advance team to the hundreds of people who arrived successively, more than 900 people from public security organs at all levels in the province participated in on-site evacuation, rescue, and traffic order maintenance.
"If there is no road, then we will forge a path!" said Liu De (刘德), Deputy Director of the Combat Training Division of the Guizhou Provincial Fire and Rescue Corps (贵州省消防救援总队). The fire department was one of the first teams to arrive at the scene. After receiving the report, the Guizhou Provincial Fire and Rescue Corps (贵州省消防救援总队) immediately dispatched the Corps' full-time command and 200+ personnel from 5 detachments to the scene for rescue.
The disaster site was located on a high mountain with a steep slope. After drone aerial surveying, the landslide was 1040 meters long, 300 meters wide, and had an average thickness of 10 meters, with a volume of approximately 2.4 million cubic meters.
Among the first batch of fire rescue teams, 3 search and rescue groups rushed to the scene from different directions to carry out search and rescue operations. "To ensure the fastest arrival, our team directly forged a mountain road from the mountain to reach the disaster site, saving time to the greatest extent," said Hu Haishan (胡海山), head of the Combat Training Section of the Bijie City Fire and Rescue Detachment (毕节市消防救援支队).
Traveling through the mountains and forests and repairing the road surface were carried out simultaneously, without stopping for a moment. As the collapsed road was gradually repaired, more and more rescue forces arrived one after another, and new challenges immediately emerged.
As the number of on-site rescue personnel increased, the demand for networks from the command and on-site rescue communications became higher and higher. Zhou Qingwu (周庆武), Executive Deputy Director of the Bijie City Communications Development Management Office (毕节市通信发展管理办公室), said firmly: "We must ensure that the network at the rescue site is unblocked!"
Emergency communication vehicles, repair vehicles, backpack base stations, satellite phones... On the afternoon of the 22nd, communication industry forces successively entered the front line, the network continued to expand, and communication between the command and the outside world gradually became smooth.
"This landslide caused damage to 9 10kV lines and affected 413 substations in Qingyang Village (庆阳村)." When he received the notice, Li Hongjie (李鸿杰), General Manager of the Safety Supervision Department of the Southern Power Grid Bijie Power Supply Bureau (南方电网毕节供电局), was on the high-speed train from Guiyang (贵阳) to Bijie (毕节).
"We must get to the scene before dark to ensure power supply!" After several transfers by car and a ride in a rescue mountain off-road vehicle... Li Hongjie (李鸿杰) arrived at the command post and started an emergency generator with his colleagues to ensure power supply for the command post and communications, while coordinating emergency lighting towers to ensure nighttime lighting. At about 20:00, the lights of the command post lit up, the scene was brightly lit, and personnel performed their respective duties. Li Hongjie (李鸿杰) breathed a sigh of relief.
The network was connected, the lights were on, and more and more rescue forces arrived. The wind was howling, the rain was dripping, and at the rescue command post, bursts of rapid footsteps rose and fell one after another. Everyone had only one goal: "Go all out and race against time to carry out the rescue."
(Long Zhangyu (龙章榆) participated in the writing)
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 叶传增
640 meters underground, at the No. 2 Vertical Shaft Work Area of the Gaoligong Mountain Tunnel of the China Railway Tunnel Group Co., Ltd. (中铁隧道局集团有限公司) of the Dali-Ruili Railway, the reporter met Zhou Kunpeng (周坤朋), the manager of the work area. At this time, he was discussing the construction plan with technicians and workers at a work surface. Hundreds of mechanical equipment roared in the narrow cave, and the humid and hot air in the tunnel covered his glasses with a layer of white mist.
The road to find Zhou Kunpeng (周坤朋) is not easy.
First, take an elevator shaped like an iron cage from the ground down the well. As the "iron cage" descends, bursts of heat hit your face, and huge noises echo in your ears. After 5 minutes, the "iron cage" reaches the underground construction platform. The route to the work surface is formed by accumulated water and sediment. It is more like a "swamp" than a "road." It takes a lot of effort to pull out the rubber shoes that sink into it. The reporter was covered in sweat after walking less than 1 kilometer.
Since coming to Yunnan (云南) in 2013 to build railways, Zhou Kunpeng (周坤朋) has long been accustomed to this kind of road. "The geological structure of Yunnan (云南) is complex, and there are many difficulties in digging tunnels. For example, the Gaoligong Mountain Tunnel (高黎贡山隧道) is known in the industry as one of the 'most difficult railway tunnels to build.'" Zhou Kunpeng (周坤朋) paused, "However, the more difficult it is, the more we must move forward."
Zhou Kunpeng (周坤朋) is from Henan (河南). He came to China Railway Tunnel Group (中铁隧道局) in 2009 after graduating and devoted himself to railway construction. In June 2013, he was sent to Wenshan (文山), Yunnan (云南) to participate in the construction of the Funing Tunnel (富宁隧道).
At first, Zhou Kunpeng (周坤朋) was a little excited when he heard that he was going to work in Yunnan (云南): "The Funing Tunnel (富宁隧道) passes through several famous scenic spots such as Puzhehei (普者黑). After work, I can go shopping."
But after arriving in Yunnan (云南), reality gave him a "blow to the head." The geological landforms of Yunnan (云南) are complex. Tunnel construction not only has to face risks such as high ground stress, high geothermal heat, abundant water, and harmful gases at all times, but also has to deal with geological disasters such as landslides, mudslides, and large deformation of soft rocks at any time.
Taking the Funing Tunnel (富宁隧道) as an example, the area through which the construction passes is a karst landform, and sinkholes are often encountered when the tunnel is excavated. "The tunnel base is located in the range of sinkholes, and the foundation is unstable and prone to settlement, which affects construction and later operation safety." In order to solve this problem, Zhou Kunpeng (周坤朋), then the Minister of Engineering, and his team innovated the construction plan, driving piles and building beams at the bottom of the tunnel in the manner of building a bridge, erecting a "bridge" in the tunnel first, and then starting to build the tunnel.
In December 2015, after more than 1,800 days of hard work, the Funing Tunnel (富宁隧道) was fully connected. After unloading his exhaustion, Zhou Kunpeng (周坤朋) originally wanted to take advantage of the rare free time to go back to his hometown of Henan (河南) to see, but at this time, the order for the full commencement of the China-Laos Railway (中老铁路) was sounded.
"As an engineer, I must go all out if I have the opportunity to participate in the construction of a key project of the 'Belt and Road' initiative." Zhou Kunpeng (周坤朋) plunged into another mountain and began to participate in the construction of the Xinping Tunnel (新平隧道) of the China-Laos Railway (中老铁路). In order to take care of his wife and children, he brought his wife and young children to the project.
The Xinping Tunnel (新平隧道) is another tough "hard bone" to crack. The tunnel is 14.8 kilometers long and crosses 7 fault fracture zones. The mountain where it is located is rich in water, and the surrounding rock is loose and broken. The difficulty of building the tunnel this time can be imagined.
During the construction of the Xinping Tunnel (新平隧道), mudslides and water inrushes occurred frequently, and mudslides and water inrushes of more than 2,000 cubic meters occurred more than 30 times. The construction is difficult, the safety risk is high, and the task of opening to traffic is heavy... Zhou Kunpeng (周坤朋) goes out early and returns late, and almost all his energy is spent on the construction site. Even though his wife and children live in the construction site living area, he rarely has time to accompany his family. "Yunnan (云南) has countless beautiful scenery, but I have hardly taken my family out for tourism, and I don't take good care of my children." Speaking of his family, Zhou Kunpeng's (周坤朋) words are full of apologies.
Crossing mountains and ridges, but not in the mood to see the scenery. In Yunnan (云南), Zhou Kunpeng (周坤朋) participated in the construction of 3 tunnels with a total length of 72.5 kilometers. After all of them are opened to traffic, the passing time is about 30 minutes. For these 30 minutes, Zhou Kunpeng (周坤朋) plunged into the deep mountains and worked for 12 years. And there are many builders like Zhou Kunpeng (周坤朋).
On December 3, 2021, the China-Laos Railway (中老铁路) was fully opened to traffic. Zhou Kunpeng (周坤朋), as a construction representative, was invited to experience the first train. Many people living nearby took the train for the first time and sang and danced in the carriages. The joyful scene is still fresh in Zhou Kunpeng's (周坤朋) memory. "Seeing the railway infrastructure in the border areas gradually improving and facilitating people's travel, I feel that these years of hard work have been very worthwhile." Zhou Kunpeng (周坤朋) said that he will continue to stick to the front line of the Gaoligong Mountain Tunnel (高黎贡山隧道) construction of the Dali-Ruili Railway (大瑞铁路) to ensure the safe connection of the tunnel and help the Dali-Ruili Railway (大瑞铁路) to be fully opened to traffic as soon as possible.
Return to TopHumanoid robots are accelerating their entry into our lives. They can run and patrol on the streets, interact and communicate with children, and even work in fields such as manufacturing, healthcare, and consumption. Many people are curious: Is designing robots in human form to better integrate into human society? Why are humanoid robots so enthusiastic about participating in sports events? Do humanoid robots also have "brains" that can think and generate emotions? In this issue of "Focus on the Frontier," we have invited several experts to answer questions and help us further understand our robot partners.
——Editor
Why Should Robots Be "More Like Humans"?
Zhang Lihua (张立华)
From moving things and doing housework to dancing, running, and even "practicing kung fu," more and more robots are developing in the direction of being "more like humans." Some people are curious: Why make robots look like humans? Is it to "show off skills" or to get closer to the future world in science fiction movies?
In fact, robots "evolving" in human form is because this form is more suitable for the real world, more technically feasible, and facilitates harmonious coexistence between humans and robots.
First of all, humanoid robots can learn from humans. Humans have a unique body structure, agile motor skills, and a highly flexible hand structure, which is a perfect fusion of biological evolution and nature. Therefore, a bionic humanoid structure allows robots to become more intelligent through direct imitation.
The "first lesson" for humanoid robots learning from humans is to learn rough behavioral patterns and quickly master basic actions, such as picking up a water glass, opening a door, and walking, through a large number of human action demonstration videos. Then, through reinforcement learning, the details of the actions are further refined. This kind of learning and training is less costly and more efficient.
Secondly, humanoid robots are more adaptable to social life. Most of the items, facilities, and spaces in our daily life are designed according to human proportions and usage habits. Designing robots in human form allows them to better integrate into the existing environment.
With a dexterous structure similar to human hands and advanced control technology, humanoid robots can complete more tasks and demonstrate high versatility in variable tasks. For example, they can use common tools such as screwdrivers, keyboards, and drills to complete fine movements such as opening and closing valves and assembling objects, and can also handle fragile objects smoothly. This high degree of adaptability makes humanoid robots more competent in social tasks.
Designing robots in human form can also better facilitate social interaction with people. Their human-like appearance not only makes us feel naturally friendly, but is also a carefully designed communication interface, such as a head with "gaze" pointing function, and expressive gestures and arm movements, which allow us to more intuitively "understand" its intentions.
Our brains are better at processing communication signals that are "like humans," so when a humanoid robot nods, reaches out, or leans forward slightly, we subconsciously respond to its movements. In contrast, when a six-legged robot extends a "mechanical foot," people often do not understand its intention. In this regard, humanoid robots can interact with humans in a more natural and friendly way.
Of course, the ultimate goal of humanoid robots is not to "be like humans," but to "be for humans." It is not only a bionic human structure, but also a bridge connecting artificial intelligence and social life. In the future, humanoid robots may become ubiquitous intelligent tools like mobile phones, and on this "evolutionary path," we are both users and shapers.
(The author is the Vice Dean of the Institute of Intelligent Robots and Advanced Manufacturing Innovation, Fudan University (复旦大学). This article was compiled by Ding Yasong (丁雅诵), a reporter from this newspaper.)
Why Are Robots So Enthusiastic About "Playing Sports"?
Xu Baoguo (徐宝国)
Recently, the first Cybathlon was held in Wuxi (无锡), Jiangsu (江苏), with more than 150 robot contestants showing off their skills in the arena. Not long ago, the 2025 Beijing Yizhuang (北京亦庄) Half Marathon and Humanoid Robot Half Marathon featured a futuristic scene of "human-machine co-running."
Why are robots so enthusiastic about "playing sports"? What abilities do robots need to compete in sports events?
Robots have been around for decades, but they didn't used to look like "humans." Many times, they appeared in production workshops in the form of robotic arms. Humanoid robots are the most complex form of robots, and the diverse scenarios of competitive sports test the abilities of humanoid robots to perceive the environment, analyze decisions, and control movements. These are the key links for them to step out of the laboratory and move towards application.
What requirements must robot "athletes" meet to participate in competitions? The constantly changing environment at the competition site requires robots to be more intelligent; the competition often lasts for a long time, which places high demands on the stability and reliability of the robots; to ensure the viewing experience of the competition, the flexibility and coordination of the robots are also essential. Behind these high standards are the skills that humans have given them.
The visual, tactile, and force sensors on robots correspond to human vision, touch, and force, and are used to perceive the external environment in real time, requiring them to be very sensitive. The "general hub" of these sensors can be regarded as the human brain's nervous system, which not only requires strong information processing capabilities, but also continuous learning capabilities. Robot "athletes" face a constantly changing environment, and engineers input code with learning functions into them. This process is like a child learning to walk, which requires both parental guidance and self-exploration. If robots want to run steadily on the field, they cannot be lazy in their usual training, and they must learn straightaways, curves, etc. When encountering new scenarios, they also need to "adapt to circumstances" and "learn and apply on the spot."
It seems simple for a robot "athlete" to get up after falling, but it is actually not easy. The core component that controls the robot's movement is the motor, which can be regarded as the human body's joints and the muscle groups that drive the joints to move. When people write or shake hands, the force varies in magnitude. The stiffness of robot joints, which are centered on motors, must also be able to change dynamically to achieve "tightness adjustment." Otherwise, once the robot falls, it may not be able to get up.
Some netizens asked, why are the main events for robot "athletes" mostly marathons, rather than volleyball, basketball, or table tennis? Playing ball requires the use of hands, and human hands are very sensitive and can delicately feel the texture and grain of a piece of fabric—this is something that robot hands cannot currently do. Scientists are developing "brain-like multimodal tactile sensors" to help robots have more sensitive hands.
Robot "athletes" also fall and get up on the field, just like the process of technological innovation, which is not always smooth sailing. We look forward to humanoid robots being able to "run" into our daily lives and run towards a better future.
(The author is the Deputy Director of the Institute of Robot Sensing and Control Technology, Southeast University (东南大学). This article was compiled from an interview with Yao Xueqing (姚雪青), a reporter from this newspaper.)
Do Robots Also Have "Brains" and "Cerebellums"?
Zhang Qiang (张强)
In science fiction movies, humanoid robots are "omnipotent"; in real life, they perform their respective duties in factories, scenic spots, schools, and other scenarios, and look almost indistinguishable from humans.
Do humanoid robots also have "brains" and "cerebellums"?
In fact, the "brain" and "cerebellum" of robots are hierarchical architectures defined by humans, simulating the collaborative mode of the human nervous system. Like humans, the "brain" is responsible for cognitive decision-making, realizing natural language interaction, environmental perception, and task planning through AI large models; the "cerebellum" focuses on motion control, handling fine operations such as joint coordination and force control feedback.
How were the "brain" and "cerebellum" of humanoid robots born? This is inseparable from the deep integration of multidisciplinary technologies. At the "brain" level, multimodal large models have become the core engine: through natural language understanding and multi-machine collaboration, autonomous operation in unmanned scenarios is realized; integrating vision, speech, and reinforcement learning, humanoid robots can provide intelligent services in multiple fields. The "brain" allows humanoid robots to not only "understand" instructions, but also have "adaptability." The "cerebellum" uses motion control algorithms to imitate the human motor nerve structure, allowing humanoid robots to have "coordinated limbs." High-precision sensors and bionic drive technology give humanoid robots tactile sense, allowing them to be careful when handling fragile items.
In factories, humanoid robots efficiently sort items; in orchards, they use 3D vision and flexible grasping technology to pick fruits; in life, they run marathons and interact with people... all of which are inseparable from the collaboration of the "brain" and "cerebellum."
Just like humans are committed to developing their own brains, the "brain" and "cerebellum" of humanoid robots are also evolving.
First, multimodal fusion and group collaboration. In the future, the "brain" of humanoid robots will achieve deep integration of multi-dimensional information such as language, vision, and touch. For example, when receiving the instruction to "clean up spilled coffee," the home service robot can not only parse the demand through voice, but also use vision to identify the range of the liquid, and use touch to sense the material of the ground, dynamically adjusting the pressure and movement trajectory of the rag. Humanoid robots can also achieve "group collaboration." They form a "group brain" through a distributed network, and the local experience of a single humanoid robot can be quickly transformed into a group knowledge base.
Second, hardware-algorithm symbiotic embodied intelligence. After the "cerebellum" evolves, humanoid robots can achieve adaptive control through data-driven methods. The combination of bionic drive technology and reinforcement learning enables robots to autonomously adjust their gait on irregular roads, achieving "self-adaptation" to complex terrains such as slopes and gravel.
Third, ethical embedding and safe evolution. As autonomy increases, the "brain" of humanoid robots will learn "value judgments." For example, ethical decision-making models can clarify the "principles" of humanoid robots. Service robots will proactively request user permission before entering the bedroom to avoid infringing on privacy.
In the future, after the "brain" and "cerebellum" of humanoid robots have evolved significantly, they are expected to better integrate into human society and better serve people.
(The author is the Director of the Academic Committee of the Beijing Humanoid Robot Innovation Center (北京人形机器人创新中心). This article was compiled by Wang Haonan (王昊男), a reporter from this newspaper.)
Return to TopBy: 尚克明
Qingdao Metro Line 1 (山东青岛地铁1号线) in Shandong Province launched the "CETROVO 1.0 Carbon Star Rail Transit" metro train (hereinafter referred to as "Carbon Star Rail Transit") in January of this year. Carbon Star Rail Transit is the world's first carbon fiber metro vehicle to achieve engineering application and commercial operation, using carbon fiber composite material as the main material for the main load-bearing structures such as the car body and bogie frame.
Data can better illustrate the results: a weight reduction of 11%, a 7% reduction in operating energy consumption, and an annual reduction of approximately 130 tons of carbon dioxide emissions per train; during operation, curve passing noise is reduced by 15 decibels, and in-car noise can also be reduced by more than 2 decibels; the maintenance cost throughout the entire life cycle is reduced by 22%...
How does Carbon Star Rail Transit achieve these outstanding performances?
In the past, the main load-bearing structures of trains mostly used metal materials, which were heavy and not flexible enough. Carbon Star Rail Transit adopts carbon fiber integrated design technology, combining all parts into a whole, like creating a light and strong "super skeleton" for the train. To use an analogy, previous trains were like those built with many building blocks, while Carbon Star Rail Transit is like a whole piece of carefully carved "super building block." This design not only removes the heavy "armor" from the train and replaces it with light "sportswear," but also enhances the overall structural strength, making the train safer and more stable during operation, and less prone to deformation and other problems, laying a solid foundation for the train's energy saving and safe operation.
Speaking of carbon fiber materials, many people first think of them as expensive. The carbon fiber forming and manufacturing process of Carbon Star Rail Transit breaks through this perception. The pultrusion molding process is like making rice cakes, extruding tens of meters long carbon fiber car body side beams at once; the weaving and winding process is like an automatic sweater knitting machine, using the weaving equipment's dexterous "hands" to manufacture the complex shaped frame beams and side beams... High-efficiency carbon fiber manufacturing equipment and low-cost carbon fiber manufacturing capabilities significantly reduce the manufacturing cost of carbon fiber materials.
Carbon Star Rail Transit has also made efforts to reduce operation and maintenance costs. Carbon fiber materials and advanced design technologies make the overall structure of the train more reliable and less prone to failure. The intelligent monitoring system equipped on the train is like a 24-hour online "doctor," which can monitor the operating status of various parts of the train in real time. Once an abnormality is detected, it will immediately issue an alarm, allowing maintenance personnel to prepare in advance, avoiding long-term shutdowns and repairs caused by failures.
With breakthroughs in carbon fiber integrated design technology, carbon fiber forming and manufacturing capabilities, and other aspects, Carbon Star Rail Transit has become a safe, energy-saving, comfortable, and low-cost new generation of rail transit vehicles. The successful launch and operation of Carbon Star Rail Transit is a huge innovation in the field of rail transit, indicating that future rail transit vehicles will move towards a more environmentally friendly and intelligent direction.
(Author is the Chief Designer of CRRC Qingdao Sifang Co., Ltd. (中车四方股份公司), interviewed and compiled by Hou Linliang (侯琳良), reporter of this newspaper)
Return to TopScientists Discover Key Evidence of Dinosaur Evolution into Birds
Beijing Electric News (Reporter Wu Yuehui) This reporter learned from the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology (中国科学院古脊椎动物与古人类研究所) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (中国科学院) that a joint Sino-US research team has reported a newly discovered Archaeopteryx specimen - the Chicago Archaeopteryx specimen. The research team used high-precision CT scanning technology to reveal the details of Archaeopteryx's bones, soft tissues, and feathers for the first time, providing key evidence for the evolution of dinosaurs into birds. The relevant research results were recently published online in the journal "Nature."
Most of the bones of this specimen are relatively three-dimensional, and it also preserves rare soft tissue (such as skin and toe pads) and feathers and other important information. Hu Han (胡晗), a researcher at the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology (中国科学院古脊椎动物与古人类研究所) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (中国科学院), led the research team to successfully conduct high-precision CT scanning and three-dimensional reconstruction of it. The reconstruction results show that the specimen preserves almost the entire skull, especially the complete palatal region structure, which is rare. "This structure shows that the skull morphology of Archaeopteryx is between that of troodontids and other Cretaceous birds, representing a key stage in the transition from the inflexible skull of non-avian dinosaurs to the lighter and more flexible skull of birds," said Hu Han (胡晗).
This specimen is the first Archaeopteryx specimen found with tertiary flight feathers. The feathers attached to the humerus and ulna are located between the wings and the body. Researchers believe that this structure has never appeared in non-avian dinosaurs, indicating that these feathers may be innovative features evolved to adapt to active flight.
New Research Shows Inaccurate Content Generated by Artificial Intelligence is Similar to Aphasia
Beijing Electric News from Xinhua News Agency (新华社) (Reporter Li Wen) Although the content generated by artificial intelligence is very fluent, the information provided is often inaccurate. Researchers at the University of Tokyo (东京大学) in Japan recently published a research result in the German journal "Advanced Science" showing that this problem is similar to a human language disorder - aphasia. The new research results can provide a reference for researchers to improve artificial intelligence.
Aphasia patients may fluently say some meaningless or incomprehensible words. Researchers say that artificial intelligence models still express themselves fluently when serious errors occur, which is similar to the symptoms of sensory aphasia, that is, speaking fluently but always not making sense. This does not mean that chatbots have "brain damage," but they may be locked in a rigid internal mode, limiting their ability to flexibly use the stored knowledge, just like having sensory aphasia.
Researchers said that for neuroscience, this study provides a possible new method that can classify and monitor diseases such as aphasia based on internal brain activity rather than just external symptoms; for artificial intelligence research, this will help researchers improve the architecture of artificial intelligence systems from the inside out.
Scientists Discover the Finest Structure of Solid Hydrogen
Beijing Electric News from Xinhua News Agency (新华社) (Reporter Zhang Manzi) The international academic journal "Nature" recently published a major breakthrough: an international team led by Chinese scientists used X-ray nanoprobe to "see" the complex crystal structure of solid hydrogen for the first time. This is currently the finest structure of solid hydrogen in the world, and the discovery provides a key basis for understanding the formation path and mechanism of metallic hydrogen.
"The molecules of gaseous hydrogen are randomly scattered in space. As the pressure increases, hydrogen molecules are arranged layer by layer like checkers, forming solid hydrogen. As the pressure increases further, some hydrogen atoms will form a honeycomb arrangement, so solid hydrogen presents a more complex structure: checkers and honeycombs are stacked layer by layer." said Ji Cheng (吉诚), the first author of the paper and a researcher at the Beijing High Pressure Science Research Center (北京高压科学研究中心). "We squeeze the hydrogen molecules in the middle with two ultra-sharp diamond tips facing each other. We use high-brightness X-rays to penetrate the diamond and irradiate the high-pressure hydrogen. The interaction between the X-rays and the high-pressure hydrogen is like 'taking a photo' of the solid hydrogen, so we can see how the atoms are arranged."
Return to TopBy: 新华社记者 黄韬铭
After prescribing medicine for mechanic Wang Caijun (王彩军), Doctor Li (李医生) breathed a slight sigh of relief. As the ship doctor of the polar research icebreaker "Xuelong 2" (雪龙2号), he was responsible for medical support. He was not usually too busy, but during the Antarctic Ross Sea (罗斯海) expedition, the number of people seeking medical attention suddenly increased.
Walking out of the clinic, the walkie-talkie hanging on Wang Caijun's (王彩军) waist rang again: "The outdoor water pipe is frozen and damaged, please deal with it as soon as possible." He hurriedly applied lip balm, tightened his down jacket, took a deep breath, opened the watertight door, and walked into the blizzard.
The ambient humidity was 74%, the outdoor temperature was more than 20 degrees Celsius below zero, and the wind was raging with heavy snow. The autumn weather in the Southern Ocean (南大洋) was harsh and changeable. At the end of March and the beginning of April, research vessels from previous voyages had already headed north on their way home. But this year, in this autumn with lengthening nights, "Xuelong 2" (雪龙2号) sailed south alone, crossing the westerlies again to the Antarctic Ross Sea (南极罗斯海), opening the curtain on China's first Southern Ocean (南大洋) autumn scientific expedition.
"Currently, international understanding of the Southern Ocean (南大洋) in seasons other than summer is extremely limited, making it impossible to form a scientific and systematic understanding of high-trophic-level organisms such as penguins. We hope to fill the gaps in on-site observation and experimentation of the Antarctic marginal sea dark ecosystem through this survey," said He Jianfeng (何剑锋), deputy leader of the 41st Chinese Antarctic Expedition Team (中国第四十一次南极考察队) and chief scientist of the Antarctic Ross Sea (南极罗斯海) joint voyage.
Ice ridges stretched out in front, and challenges followed one after another. Extreme cold covered the hull of "Xuelong 2" (雪龙2号) with a layer of "ice armor," making driving suddenly more difficult. "Some ice ridge areas have ice more than one meter thick, which is not too thick, but it is very strong, making navigation difficult," said Chen Donglin (陈冬林), a mobile driver of "Xuelong 2" (雪龙2号). Under normal circumstances, a single generator ship can reach a speed of 12 knots, but now with two generators running, it can only run three or four knots per hour.
Having been to Antarctica seven times, Shi Jiuxin (史久新), a professor at Ocean University of China (中国海洋大学), was most impressed by this voyage: "Trawls are damaged, net clothes are frozen, winches do not respond, equipment freezes and malfunctions... These problems that do not exist during summer scientific expeditions continue to emerge. The operational experience of previous scientific expeditions is not fully applicable, and we can only summarize as we go."
The water sampling pipe of the Conductivity Temperature Depth (CTD) instrument is prone to freezing, so the order of operations is adjusted, putting it as the last item, and water is sampled after the cabin door is closed, the room temperature rises, and it thaws; if the equipment freezes and malfunctions, it is rinsed with warm water after each station is completed, and then dried with an air gun to remove residual water in the equipment to ensure data accuracy as much as possible; if the trawl has floating ice, it is placed on the deck to melt for a while before rinsing... All expedition members worked together, cooperated with each other, and summarized as they practiced. Repair, snow removal, insulation, and operations were carried out simultaneously, the scientific expedition was on track, and the task was successfully completed.
After fighting in extreme cold for 20 days, the expedition team collected more than 5,000 samples of water, membranes, sediments, organisms, and sea ice, and the initial results exceeded expectations. Zhou Meng (周朦), a professor at Shanghai Jiao Tong University (上海交通大学), believes that this study not only reveals how organic carbon is rapidly buried in the deep sea, but also reveals the important mechanism by which ice-covered lakes become biological hotspots.
"Some preliminary results in marine chemistry show that the water layer shallower than 150 meters in Terra Nova Bay (特拉诺瓦湾) ice-covered lakes has the characteristics of high ammonium and low nitrate, reflecting the signal of strong feeding activity of plankton, reflecting the importance of ice-covered lakes for biological overwintering," said Chen Min (陈敏), a professor at Xiamen University (厦门大学).
Towards the dark night and the deep sea, with a desire for exploration, the expedition members stick to the front line of Antarctic scientific research, 劈波斩浪 (pī bō zhǎn làng - "cleave the waves and cut through the billows," to forge ahead dauntlessly) and bravely fight the extreme cold...
(According to Xinhua News Agency (新华社), "Xuelong 2" (雪龙2号), May 23)
Return to TopLayout Design: Zhang Danfeng (张丹峰)
Return to TopBy: 王云霞
In recent days, the second volume of the Zidanku Silk Manuscripts, "Five Elements Order" (五行令), and the third volume, "Attack, Defense, and Divination" (攻守占), have finally returned to the motherland after 79 years.
The Zidanku Silk Manuscripts are the earliest silk manuscripts unearthed in China to date, named after their excavation in 1942 from the Chu tomb at Zidanku (子弹库) in Changsha (长沙), Hunan (湖南). They were illegally taken out of China in 1946. Professor Li Ling (李零) of Peking University (北京大学) provided a detailed review of the process of their illegal outflow in his book, "Zidanku Silk Manuscripts." Based on his research, a solid and complete chain of evidence was formed regarding the loss of these cultural relics, and the National Cultural Heritage Administration (国家文物局) initiated their repatriation.
This is China's first practice of actively pursuing the return of "historically lost cultural relics" to which international law is not applicable, through tracing their origins and studying their history of circulation, and successfully achieving their return. The "historically lost cultural relics" we refer to are those that were transferred out of China's borders before the 1970 Convention came into effect, due to illegal reasons or unethical means such as war looting, tomb raiding, illegal transfer, and smuggling.
In the field of cultural relic repatriation, the 1954 UNESCO Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict, the 1970 UNESCO Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property, and the 1995 UNIDROIT Convention on Stolen or Illegally Exported Cultural Objects are the main legal bases for the international pursuit of lost cultural relics. Unfortunately, these conventions have no retroactive effect. As a country of origin for cultural relics, China cannot use them to pursue the return of cultural relics looted and illegally transferred before the conventions came into effect.
Since modern times, China has suffered a very serious loss of cultural relics. During the Second Opium War in 1860 and the invasion of China by the Eight-Nation Alliance in 1900, British and French troops and the Eight-Nation Alliance successively looted Beijing (北京). The number of cultural relics looted from the Old Summer Palace (圆明园) alone reached as many as 1.5 million pieces. From 1937 to 1945, Japan looted more than 3.6 million Chinese cultural relics. At the same time, some scholars and explorers from countries such as Britain, France, Russia, Germany, Sweden, the United States, and Finland illegally transferred a large number of precious cultural relics to Europe and the United States through theft, tomb raiding, and deception in the northwestern regions of China. Chinese and foreign illegal merchants colluded with each other to carry out smuggling and illegal trading activities on a large scale, resulting in the loss of countless precious cultural relics.
Since the mid-20th century, an increasing number of colonial and semi-colonial countries have shaken off the control of Western powers and recognized the importance of cultural heritage to national history and enhancing national cohesion, and have successively put forward demands for the return of cultural relics. Due to the insufficient reflection of Western countries on their history of colonial aggression, the existing legal rules hinder the return of cultural relics. In addition, many Western museums have tried their best to tout their so-called contributions and efforts in protecting cultural relics and disseminating foreign history and culture, making the return of cultural relics with a colonial background a prominent historical legacy issue in modern international relations.
China has not only joined all international conventions in the field of cultural relic repatriation, but also actively played a role in the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for Promoting the Return of Cultural Property to its Countries of Origin or its Restitution in case of Illicit Appropriation. In 1997, when acceding to the Convention on Stolen or Illegally Exported Cultural Objects, the Chinese government solemnly declared: "China reserves the right to recover cultural objects stolen or illegally exported before the entry into force of the Convention." In addition, China has signed bilateral agreements with 27 countries, including Peru, Italy, the United States, Australia, and Switzerland, on preventing the theft, excavation, and illegal entry and exit of cultural relics, and has established important intergovernmental cooperation mechanisms. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, 59 batches of 2,310 pieces (sets) of Chinese cultural relics and artworks lost overseas have returned to the motherland.
In recent years, the international community has made new progress in promoting the resolution of the issue of returning cultural relics with a colonial background. In 2017, French President Emmanuel Macron (马克龙) announced that France would immediately return all cultural relics removed from sub-Saharan Africa during the colonial period that are in the collections of the national museum system. The German Museums Association and government departments have successively issued guidelines for the disposal of colonial-era cultural relic collections, requiring German museums and public and private collection institutions to publish their collection catalogs, conduct provenance investigations of colonial-era cultural relics, and cooperate with the countries of origin and source communities of the cultural relics. These measures have been supported by some European and American countries. The Smithsonian Institution (美国史密森尼学会) in the United States, which has 21 museums, 21 libraries, and numerous educational and research institutions, released a policy document in 2022 entitled "A Statement of Values and Principles on Ethical Returns." The statement proposes that not only should its collections be investigated and handled in accordance with current legal requirements, but also in accordance with ethical standards, and that it will work closely with source communities, individuals, and relevant governments and stakeholders.
China pays close attention to relevant progress in the field of tracing and returning lost cultural relics, actively responds and takes action. In June 2024, the "Qingdao Proposal" (青岛建议书) was released. This is a concrete measure to implement the "Global Civilization Initiative" (全球文明倡议), contributing Chinese wisdom and providing Chinese solutions to solving the world problem of cultural relic tracing and return, and also striving for greater space to promote the tracing and return of historically lost cultural relics.
The practice of tracing historically lost cultural relics shows that tracing the origin and history of circulation is a necessary basis for us to carry out tracing work and an important basis for external consultation and negotiation. The return of the second and third volumes of the Zidanku Silk Manuscripts is the result of actively engaging in consultation and cooperation with relevant institutions on the basis of thorough and solid provenance research. At the end of 2023, the National Cultural Heritage Administration (国家文物局) formed a solid and complete chain of evidence regarding the illegal loss of the cultural relics, and submitted a memorandum requesting their return to the Smithsonian Institution (美国史密森尼学会) on April 30, 2024, officially launching the pursuit of "Five Elements Order" (五行令) and "Attack, Defense, and Divination" (攻守占). Throughout this work, the Chinese side has always combined the return of cultural relics with promoting long-term cooperation between relevant Chinese and American museums with the return of cultural relics as a link, and finally realized the return of the Zidanku Silk Manuscripts "Five Elements Order" (五行令) and "Attack, Defense, and Divination" (攻守占) to the motherland. The quality and reserve of results of provenance and circulation history research are directly related to the progress of the work of tracing historically lost cultural relics.
We look forward to more experts and scholars in the fields of Chinese culture and cultural relics, and law joining the team of provenance and circulation history research. We look forward to more Chinese cultural relics lost overseas returning to the motherland, and we also look forward to broader results in international cooperation in this field.
(The author is a distinguished professor at Minzu University of China (中央民族大学))
Return to TopBy: 田豆豆
Time passes, but people have never forgotten the Zhongshan Warship. In 1997, the Zhongshan Warship, which had been lying at the bottom of the Yangtze River for nearly 60 years, was salvaged and became China's largest movable anti-Japanese war relic. Today, the restored Zhongshan Warship, carrying the smoke of history, is quietly placed in the Wuhan Zhongshan Warship Museum (武汉市中山舰博物馆).
The Zhongshan Warship, originally named Yongfeng Warship, was ordered from Japan by the Qing government in 1910. At that time, the Chinese Navy, which the Qing government had invested heavily in building, had its main force almost completely destroyed after the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895. "The Yongfeng Warship was born to rebuild the navy." Liu Xinyang (刘新阳), curator of the Wuhan Zhongshan Warship Museum (武汉市中山舰博物馆), introduced that the Xinhai Revolution (辛亥革命) broke out in 1911, and the Yongfeng Warship was completed in 1913. The Republic of China (中华民国) paid the final payment to receive it and incorporated it into the navy. Because the Yongfeng Warship had made great military achievements in historical events such as the "Law Protection Movement" led by Sun Yat-sen (孙中山) , the Yongfeng Warship was renamed Zhongshan Warship in memory of Sun Yat-sen (孙中山).
In 1938, on the eve of the Battle of Wuhan (武汉会战), the Zhongshan Warship was tasked with blockading the waterway from Jiayu (嘉鱼), Xindi (新堤) to Jinkou (金口). The captain of the Zhongshan Warship, Sa Shijun (萨师俊), came from a naval family and kept in mind the family motto "Civil officials do not love money, and military generals do not fear death," and actively resisted Japan. Due to the great disparity in strength between China and Japan, the main Chinese naval vessels were almost destroyed in a short period of time. Sa Shijun (萨师俊) once said with grief and indignation: "Only by building a strong navy can we keep the enemy out of the country and safeguard national independence and freedom."
On October 24, 1938, the Zhongshan Warship was discovered by Japanese aircraft while performing a mission on the Yangtze River near Jinkou (金口), Wuchang (武昌). Six Japanese seaplane light bombers flew over the Zhongshan Warship and launched attacks on it in turn. Bombs fell from the sky like raindrops, and many parts of the Zhongshan Warship were bombed and caught fire. The entire warship was shrouded in billowing black smoke. However, Captain Sa Shijun (萨师俊) did not flinch and led his officers and soldiers to resist stubbornly. "At that time, the main and secondary guns of the Zhongshan Warship had been dismantled and moved to the Yangtze River Fortress on land to increase the land defense force, so the Zhongshan Warship's counterattack capability was very weak. Without air support, the fate of the Zhongshan Warship was almost without suspense," said Liu Xinyang (刘新阳).
On the Zhongshan Warship, there are two huge bomb craters. One is located in the hull, where the huge steel plate has been deeply dented and cracked, and it is conceivable that the turbulent sea water can enter directly from here; the other is located near the command platform, where the floor around the crater is broken, and the connecting lines of the floor radiate outward from the inside like a huge morning glory. "The Japanese army did enough 'homework', and every shelling directly hit the key parts of the Zhongshan Warship," said Liu Xinyang (刘新阳).
Sa Shijun's (萨师俊) right leg was blown off and his left leg was severely injured. He fell in a pool of blood. He endured the severe pain and leaned on the railing of the observation deck to continue directing the battle. Deputy Captain Lü Shufen (吕叔奋) saw that the warship was about to capsize and hurriedly ordered the navigation officer to send Sa Shijun (萨师俊) and the wounded away from the ship first. Sa Shijun (萨师俊) said, "As the captain, abandoning the ship is to steal life. This is the time for me to 成仁取义 (chéng rén qǔ yì - "achieve benevolence take righteousness," to die for a just cause)." He insisted on not leaving, but persuaded others to leave as soon as possible. Helplessly, his subordinates forcibly carried Sa Shijun (萨师俊) onto a small sampan. When the enemy plane discovered that the small sampan was preparing to carry people away from the ship, it frantically bombed the small sampan again. Sa Shijun (萨师俊) and more than 20 people on the sampan all died heroically. With a loud noise, the Zhongshan Warship sank to the bottom of the Yangtze River at Longchuangji (龙床矶), Jinkou Town (金口镇), Wuchang County (武昌县), Hubei Province (湖北省).
The Battle of Wuhan (武汉会战) was the longest, widest, and largest battle since the Anti-Japanese War. It lasted for more than 4 months, and the Japanese army's dream of a "quick victory" was completely shattered. Shortly after the Zhongshan Warship sank, the Battle of Wuhan (武汉会战) ended. The Chinese Anti-Japanese War shifted from the strategic defense stage to the strategic stalemate stage.
In May 1986, the Hubei Provincial Cultural Relics Department (湖北省文物部门) formally proposed to the State Administration of Cultural Heritage (国家文物局) to salvage the Zhongshan Warship. In 1988, the State Administration of Cultural Heritage (国家文物局) approved the proposal. In May 1988 and March 1994, the South China Sea Fleet (南海舰队) and North Sea Fleet (北海舰队) of the Navy conducted two underwater explorations of the Zhongshan Warship, clarifying important information such as the sinking location of the Zhongshan Warship, and also discovered the words "Zhongshan (中山)" on the right side of the stern. In 1995 and 1996, the Chongqing Yangtze River Rescue and Salvage Company (重庆长江救助打捞公司) conducted another underwater exploration of the Zhongshan Warship. In November 1996, on the occasion of the 130th anniversary of Sun Yat-sen's (孙中山) birth, the Zhongshan Warship salvage project was officially launched. On January 28, 1997, the Zhongshan Warship was salvaged as a whole. This famous warship, which witnessed modern Chinese history, finally saw the light of day again. The Zhongshan Warship and its unearthed cultural relics, totaling more than 6,000 pieces (sets), provide valuable information for research in many fields, such as the development history of China's modern navy, the development status of national industry, and cultural exchanges between China and the West.
In 1997, the "Zhongshan Warship Restoration and Protection Plan Demonstration Meeting" was held. At that time, experts agreed that the warship should be restored to its original appearance in the 1920s as much as possible using the original materials and craftsmanship. In view of the serious damage to the outer shell of the hull, all parties finally abandoned the plan to display the Zhongshan Warship on a floating dock. At the end of 2001, the restoration project was completed. In 2008, the Zhongshan Warship was moved to the Wuhan Zhongshan Warship Museum (武汉市中山舰博物馆), which was custom-built for it. In 2011, the Wuhan Zhongshan Warship Museum (武汉市中山舰博物馆) was opened to the public.
In the Wuhan Zhongshan Warship Museum (武汉市中山舰博物馆), which is shaped like a warship, people can observe the restored Zhongshan Warship up close, feel its majestic hull and precise structure, and, under the guidance of the docent, gain an in-depth understanding of the important position and role of the Zhongshan Warship in modern Chinese history. The two huge bomb craters are still preserved, conveying the unyielding national spirit to future generations.
Return to TopBy: 骆 娟
From April 23rd to May 2nd, the Kashgar (喀什) Prefectural Committee and Administrative Office of Xinjiang (新疆) and the Shenzhen Front Command for Paired Assistance (深圳市对口支援前方工作指挥部) invited experts from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (中国社会科学院), the Chinese Academy of Sciences (中国科学院), and Minzu University of China (中央民族大学) to form the Kunlun Ancient Road Comprehensive Scientific Expedition Team. Over nine days, the team traveled nearly 3,000 kilometers, conducting a systematic and in-depth interdisciplinary investigation of important Kunlun (昆仑) geographical landmarks, trestle ruins, and ancient road nodes in the Kashgar (喀什) region. I was fortunate enough to be a member of this team.
We departed from Kashgar City (喀什市) and retraced "Deng Zuanxian's (邓缵先) Border Patrol Route" in two segments. During the Republic of China period, Deng Zuanxian (邓缵先) came to Xinjiang (新疆) from Lingnan (岭南) to take the imperial examination, and he spent eighteen years defending the border with integrity. In 1920, he conducted a border patrol and survey in Yecheng County (叶城县) and wrote "Diary of the Investigation of the Batza Dalaqa Border Garrison and the Conditions Along the Way" (调查八札达拉卡边界屯务暨沿途情形日记).
"Xihuxiu (西合休)" in Uyghur means river bend under the mountain peak. The Xihuxiu Township (西合休乡), located in the West Kunlun Mountains (西昆仑山区), has complex geological conditions, great topographic relief, and narrow, winding roads. After passing the Xihuxiu Township Government (西合休乡政府), the altitude began to increase significantly. The off-road vehicle turned on the winding mountain road, as if caught in a heavy "mountain road vortex." Finally, we entered Bashqupu Village (巴什却普村) and Ayakqupu Village (阿亚格却普村) in Xihuxiu Township (西合休乡).
Due to the special geological conditions of the Kunlun Mountains (昆仑山), the river valleys at the confluence of mountain gullies have become important transportation routes. The scientific expedition team discovered well-preserved ancient hanging wooden trestle roads in the Bashqupu River Valley (巴什却普河谷), as well as ancient stone-built fortresses (stations) and more than a dozen stone coffin burial sites on the opposite bank of the river. Experts judged that there were military facilities here, indicating that it was an important transportation node in the West Kunlun Mountains (西昆仑山区).
This route from Yecheng County (叶城县) to Batza Dalaqa (八札达拉卡), recorded in ancient Qing Dynasty books, is precisely the border patrol route described in Deng Zuanxian's (邓缵先) diary as "a zigzag path with nine bends, a wolf-tail road with a thousand turns" and "frost accumulates and scales crack, wind rages and pebbles fly." At that moment, we could truly appreciate his state of "exploring the strange to increase knowledge, taking risks to see the spirit" and his contribution to recording history through literature.
In the following days, the scientific expedition team went to the north slope area of the world's second highest peak, Qogir (乔戈里峰). In the previous five years of scientific expeditions, the team referred to the ancient transportation routes with the Keleqing River Valley (克勒青河谷) and the Yarkand River (叶尔羌河) tributaries as important channels as the "Qogir Ancient Road" (乔戈里古道). This place has always been known for its dangerous geographical conditions and harsh climatic conditions, but it is an important node on the north and south routes of the Silk Road, and also an important channel for the occurrence, development, and mutual communication of ancient civilizations in Eurasia. Standing in this ancient and vibrant Silk Road corridor, the shock and touch are beyond words.
In the past, scientific expeditions used camel teams and hiking, but now transportation is convenient, and natural barriers have become thoroughfares. We took a car into the Keleqing River Valley (克勒青河谷) to investigate the ancient road and the geographical environment. Many mountain passes and river valleys along the way played a transportation role in ancient times. On April 26, the scientific expedition team arrived at the Feilai Peak (飞来峰) at the confluence of the Muztagh River (穆斯塔格河) and the Keleqing River (克勒青河). This is an excellent location to view Qogir Peak (乔戈里峰).
There is also a landmark mountain here - Ma'anshan (马鞍山) at an altitude of 4,730 meters, which is a gray rock ridge formed by glacial abrasion. According to historical records, the mountain pass of Ma'anshan (马鞍山) at an altitude of 4,340 meters was originally an overflow channel of an ancient glacier and was frequently crossed by caravans. During this scientific expedition, we climbed Ma'anshan (马鞍山) and focused on investigating and sampling more than 20 stone enclosure ruins on the terrace. These ruins are all located on alluvial terraces with a good natural environment, which shows that there are rich details of ancient people's lives in the core area of Qogir (乔戈里) and on the transportation routes.
It can be said that the Kunlun Ancient Road (昆仑古道) not only carries the historical imprint of the integration and mutual learning of diverse and integrated Chinese civilizations and the connection of people's hearts, but also witnesses the magnificent process of long-term exchanges, interactions, and integration of various ethnic groups, providing us with a vivid sample for studying the continuity and inclusiveness of Chinese civilization.
Return to TopBy: 杨雪梅
Recently, the National Cultural Heritage Administration (国家文物局) released the latest data on the development of China's museum industry in 2024. Among them, three sets of figures not only demonstrate the thriving museum industry but also show that national cultural consumption is undergoing a structural upgrade. First, by the end of 2024, there were 7,046 registered museums, with one museum for every 200,000 people. Second, museums received 1.49 billion visitors, meaning that on average, every person visited a museum once a year. Third, in 2024, more than 40,000 exhibitions were held, with an average of more than three exhibitions per museum per year. Visiting museums has become an important part of the public's spiritual and cultural life.
Among the 7,046 museums, it is worth noting that the coverage rate of county-level museums reached 80%. The "small but beautiful" Qingzhou Museum (青州博物馆) in Shandong (山东) has received more than 4 million visitors from home and abroad since its new馆 opened two years ago. This number is comparable to that of many provincial museums in China, demonstrating the enthusiasm of visitors to "travel to a city for an exhibition." The newly built Xiangyang Museum (襄阳市博物馆) in Hubei (湖北), thanks to a series of archaeological discoveries, can display a continuous history from the Paleolithic Age to the Qing Dynasty (清代), making it one of the most beloved cultural landmarks for the people of this city.
Among the 1.49 billion visitors, the proportion of young people is gratifying, reaching 359 million. The statistics of the National Museum of China (中国国家博物馆), where visitors aged 18-30 account for nearly 50%, support this trend from one perspective. More and more museums are changing their narrative methods through technological empowerment and cross-border integration to "bring cultural relics to life" and attract young audiences. They are willing to "pay the bill" for what they love, and various "out-of-circle" cultural and creative products are one example.
More museums are striving to create "visitor-friendly" museums, meeting the needs of different audiences in a hierarchical and classified manner; more cities are committed to building museum cities, making the connection between audiences and cities more lasting. For example, the Shanghai Museum East Branch (上海博物馆东馆) is designed with multi-entry, multi-path, and multi-angle visiting methods, emphasizing that "cultural relics are only part of the museum, and the experience of the audience constitutes the entire exhibition." On the basis of trying the "Museum Month" event last year, Beijing (北京市) upgraded it to "Museum Season" this year, taking International Museum Day as the starting point, and striving to continue the temperature and popularity of the exhibition until after the National Day (国庆节), and focusing on creating a new type of "city festival."
The construction of museums is, in the final analysis, an epitome of our country's cultural construction. The Chinese nation has a long history, Chinese civilization has a long history, and Chinese culture is broad and profound. Museums are becoming cultural places that can both trace the long river of civilization and respond to the calls of the times. It makes the audience love China and lets the world see China.
Return to TopBy: 陈根远
Forests of steles, with ink fragrance spreading far and wide; Buddhist and Taoist statues, solemn and serene; stone tigers and village oxen, mighty yet docile – this is the Xi'an Stele Forest (西安碑林), known as a marvel in the sea of calligraphy and a treasure trove of sculpture.
Starting in 2017, Shaanxi Province initiated the Beilin North Expansion Project, striving to improve the visiting conditions of the Xi'an Stele Forest (西安碑林) and allow many treasured steles locked away in storage to be publicly exhibited. After eight years of effort, on May 12th of this year, the Beilin North Expansion Project was completed, marking the largest expansion since the Xi'an Stele Forest (西安碑林) was moved to its current location in 1103.
The new Xi'an Stele Forest (西安碑林) museum is a large exposed concrete building with one floor above ground and two floors underground, designed and planned by the team of Academician Cui Kai (崔恺) from the China Architecture Design & Research Group. The design of the main building highlights both historical culture and incorporates modern fashion, focusing on reflecting the integrity of the Xi'an Stele Forest (西安碑林) with the Confucius Temple (孔庙), the Ming City Wall (明城墙), and other cultural contexts. The exhibition area of the new museum is three times larger than before, with many famous steles occupying their own halls. In the past, even the famous steles written by Yan Zhenqing (颜真卿) and Liu Gongquan (柳公权) of the Tang Dynasty could only "sleep in a communal bunk," but now, these famous steles all live in "luxury single rooms," fully demonstrating their artistic charm.
With the completion of the new Beilin Museum, the museum has brought out many national treasures that had been stored away.
The "Fragmentary Stele of Ma Lin" (《马璘残碑》), also known as the "Stele of the New Temple of Ma Lin" (《马璘新庙碑》), was written in June of the fourteenth year of the Dali era of the Tang Dynasty (779 AD). The author was Cheng Hao (程浩), and the title was written by Han Xiushi (韩秀实), the eldest son of Han Zemu (韩择木), a famous calligrapher of the Tang Dynasty in the official script style. Yan Zhenqing (颜真卿), the 71-year-old Minister of Personnel, erected the "Stele of the New Temple of Ma Lin" (《马璘新庙碑》) for the family temple of Ma Lin (马璘), the Prince of Fufeng Commandery, a "revival general" of the Tang Dynasty who had just passed away. He recommended Han Xiushi (韩秀实), the 49-year-old eldest son of his old subordinate Han Zemu (韩择木), to write the 20 characters of the stele title "Stele of the Temple of Ma Lin (马璘), the Deceased Minister of the Left of the Ministry of Works, Knowing Affairs of the Secretariat, Prince of Fufeng, Posthumously Granted the Title of Grand Tutor of the Heir Apparent of the Tang Dynasty" in the official script style, to show his affirmation and support for the younger generation's calligraphy skills. The first record of this stele is found in Ouyang Xiu's (欧阳修) "Collection of Ancient Records," but it was later lost to obscurity. It was not until the seventeenth year of the Guangxu reign of the Qing Dynasty (1891) that the stone stele was unearthed in the Xi'an Provincial Office, already damaged into five pieces, with more than 400 characters remaining. In 1947, it was moved to the Xi'an Stele Forest (西安碑林). Because the Beilin North Expansion required dismantling and unloading, it was secretly stored in the cultural relics warehouse, and this is its first public appearance.
Moreover, the "Spirit Road Stele of Yang Chenghe" (《杨承和神道碑》) and the "Epitaph of Yan Gongkuang" (《严公贶墓志》), written by Liu Gongquan (柳公权) and unearthed in recent years, can be grandly exhibited in the Xi'an Stele Forest (西安碑林), which is deeply gratifying. When the two pieces of Liu's calligraphy steles were unearthed, after receiving the news, I strongly urged that they be transferred to the Xi'an Stele Forest (西安碑林) for exhibition, and now my dream has come true.
The "Spirit Road Stele of Yang Chenghe" (《杨承和神道碑》) was discovered in March 2021 at a construction site on Zaoyuan North Road in Xi'an (西安市), and was immediately taken to the Xi'an Municipal Institute of Cultural Relics Protection and Archaeology. The author was Wang Qi (王起), a prime minister of the Tang Dynasty, and the calligrapher was Liu Gongquan (柳公权). It was erected in the fourth year of the Kaicheng era of the Tang Dynasty (839 AD). Yang Chenghe (杨承和) was a powerful eunuch who was active during the reigns of Emperors Jingzong and Wenzong of the Tang Dynasty. He served as the Privy Council Envoy, in charge of confidential matters, and was granted the title of Pillar of the State and Founding Marquis of Hongnong Commandery. After Emperor Jingzong of the Tang Dynasty was assassinated, he, along with Liang Shouqian (梁守谦), Wang Shouchun (王守澄), Pei Du (裴度), and others, jointly supported Li Han (李涵), the Prince of Jiang, to ascend the throne, who became Emperor Wenzong of the Tang Dynasty. Later, he lost power and was exiled to Lingnan, and finally ordered to commit suicide in 835. Fortunately, the inscription records "On the ninth day of the first month of the first year of the Kaicheng era (836 AD), a clear imperial edict was specially issued, exonerating him of innocence, restoring his official titles, and allowing him to return for burial." The spirit road stele was erected three years later. During the wars of the late Tang Dynasty, this stele had already been knocked down and buried underground, so none of the many epigraphic works of the Song Dynasty recorded it. The surface of the stele is as good as new, and Liu's calligraphy is concise, sharp, even, and slender. The Xi'an Stele Forest (西安碑林) houses the large stele "Eulogy and Preface to the Merits of Liang Shouqian, Duke of Bin" (《邠国公梁守谦功德铭并序》), erected by Yang Chenghe (杨承和) in 822 AD for his predecessor, the great eunuch Liang Shouqian (梁守谦). Interestingly, in the second line of the stele, "Yang Chenghe (杨承和) wrote and calligraphed, Right Military Protectorate Deputy Envoy of the Shence Army, Deputy Envoy of Merits of the Right Street, General of Yunhui, General of the Right Jianmen Guard, Yuanwai placed with the same official rank, Pillar of the State, Founding Marquis of Hongnong Commandery, with a fief of one thousand five hundred households," the three characters "Yang Chenghe" (杨承和) alone were chiseled away, presumably because Yang Chenghe (杨承和) committed suicide in 835, and his name was erased from the stele.
The new Xi'an Stele Forest (西安碑林) museum is completed, and the famous works are dazzling and shine like stars. Come on, friends! The Xi'an Stele Forest (西安碑林) welcomes you!
(The author is a researcher at the Xi'an Beilin Museum (西安碑林博物馆))
Return to TopBy: 车承金
"The young lama Batu Cang (巴图仓) was very handsome, and the little female rabbit fell in love with him at first sight, and turned into a beautiful Huhan (呼恨) (girl)..." Grandpa Batu (巴图) sat in the middle of the kang (炕), vividly telling the story of "Daxiao Yaojing Gou (大小妖精沟)" (Big and Small Demon Gully). In the dim yellow light, the children and I sat or lay down, resting our chins in our hands, listening with rapt attention. This scene, in a flash, is more than 50 years ago, and when I think about it now, it is still vividly in my mind.
I remember it was winter, and after dinner, I put down my chopsticks and ran to Grandpa Batu's (巴图) house as quickly as I could, for fear of being late. Grandpa Batu (巴图) told stories like "The Turtle's Gratitude," "Breaking Chopsticks to Teach Children," "The Rabbit and the Fox"... As I listened, Fatty Xiao (胖小) got sleepy and dozed off. Grandpa Batu (巴图) said it was late, go home and sleep, and I'll tell you more tomorrow. We didn't leave, begging Grandpa Batu (巴图) to tell us another one. Grandpa Batu (巴图) couldn't resist, so he told another one, and we reluctantly left. On the way, everyone complained about Fatty Xiao (胖小), "You made us hear fewer stories." Fatty Xiao (胖小) quickly promised: "I definitely won't be sleepy tomorrow!"
Grandpa Batu (巴图) had endless stories to tell. One day, I asked him where he got so many stories? Grandpa Batu (巴图) stroked his beard and said with a smile that his grandfather told them to him when he was a child. He also said that there were many people in the village who could tell stories. "There are many people with more stories in their stomachs than I do!"
My hometown, the Harqin Left Wing Mongolian Autonomous County (喀喇沁左翼蒙古族自治县), is located in western Liaoning Province (辽宁省), and is home to ancient tribes such as the Mongolian Harqin (喀喇沁) tribe. In the process of shifting from animal husbandry to agriculture, the production and life of the Mongolian people have changed, creating a large number of stories with regional characteristics, including legends, myths, folk songs, etc., reflecting views on life, worship of the sun, moon, and stars, nomadic life, and agricultural life. These contents are not recorded in writing, but are passed down from generation to generation through oral storytelling and singing.
In the early 1980s, people in my hometown began to rescue and excavate the folk tales of the Eastern Mongolian region of Kazuo (喀左东蒙), and in May 2006, it was selected into the first batch of national intangible cultural heritage representative project list. In 2008, "Kazuo·Dongmeng Folk Tales (喀左·东蒙民间故事)" was compiled and published in 12 volumes, and in 2009, it won the 9th China Folk Literature and Art "Shanhua Award" (山花奖). In 2018, "Kazuo·Dongmeng Folk Tales (喀左·东蒙民间故事)" was compiled and published in 24 volumes, translated from Mongolian to Chinese, including 1544 stories. There are 5 storytellers with more than 100 stories, who are known as "Story Kings."
Ma Jianyou (马建友) is an admirable storyteller. When he was a child, he lost his sight in an accident. The elders in the village felt sorry for him and told him stories to make him happy. He remembered all the stories he heard, as many as 167. One year, I went to Pingfangzi Village (平房子村) to work in the countryside, and I went to his house and saw four or five children surrounding him, and the 80-year-old man was still telling stories to the children.
Now, I have also become a grandfather, with several granddaughters and grandsons. Although there are ready-made storybooks, I have never read from the books, but rather tell them stories. I feel that I have a responsibility to pass on the excellent traditional culture orally, just like my ancestors.
(The author is a retiree from Chaoyang City (朝阳市), Liaoning Province (辽宁省))
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 杨明方 阿尔达克
In the early summer, the southern foothills of the Tianshan Mountains are brimming with vitality everywhere.
In the early morning, the teahouses in the alleys of Kuqa exude the fragrance of rose tea. Abudukade Maimutiming (阿布都卡德·买木提明), the operator of a teahouse, gently plucks the strings of his Dutar, quietly waiting for customers. After putting down their teacups and leaving the alleys, people come to the Kuqa Music and Dance Digital Experience Center to immerse themselves in the charm of the Kuqa murals. As night falls, the dome of the Kuqa Grand Bazaar lights up with starlight-like spots, and the sound of camel bells in the performances rises and falls with the shouts of the night market vendors...
This is Kuqa City (库车市), Aksu Prefecture (阿克苏地区), Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (新疆维吾尔自治区). Kuqa, formerly known as "Qiuci (龟兹)," was the long-term seat of the Anxi Protectorate (安西都护府) during the Tang Dynasty in China and an important transportation hub on the ancient Silk Road. Kuqa is the birthplace of Qiuci culture, which, with its unique artistic charm and rich cultural connotations, has become an important part of outstanding traditional Chinese culture.
In recent years, Kuqa City has taken cultural and tourism integration as its starting point, actively promoted the Cultural Enrichment of Xinjiang Project, and delivered outstanding answers in promoting ethnic exchange and integration, inheriting and promoting outstanding traditional Chinese culture, allowing Qiuci culture to radiate new vitality in the new era, and injecting strong momentum into the prosperity and development of the border region.
Protecting Historical Sites, Ancient City Rejuvenated
Strolling through the old city of Kuqa, the simple and unadorned streets and traditional buildings are well-arranged, as if telling the city's thousand-year history. In Xinjiang, Kuqa City is one of the historical and cultural cities with the longest duration and the richest types of historical and cultural heritage, and is known as an open-air museum.
In 2012, the State Council listed Kuqa as a National Historical and Cultural City, and the local government has always placed the protection and utilization work in an important position. In order to restore the glory of ancient buildings, Kuqa launched the "Old House Rescue Action" in 2023, with Beijing Qingcheng Ruixian Digital Technology Research Institute Co., Ltd. conducting a comprehensive survey of the ancient dwellings in the old city of Kuqa, and inviting well-known domestic cultural relic protection experts to train local craftsmen, improve their skills, inherit their techniques, and promote the repair and protection of ancient dwellings.
"We adhere to the principle of minimal intervention, repairing according to the original craftsmanship and materials, and preserving the historical features and cultural value of the old houses to the greatest extent," said He Yan (贺艳), a cultural heritage protection expert and president of Beijing Qingcheng Ruixian Digital Technology Research Institute. On the basis of protecting the authenticity of historical information, maintaining the integrity of the style, and maintaining the continuity of living functions, the local government has renovated the historical and cultural blocks, improving the living environment. Bao Guohai (鲍国海), Secretary of the Party Working Committee of Restan Street in Kuqa City, introduced that the local government focused on excavating cultural elements during the renovation process, and the once dilapidated alleys have been renewed, attracting many tourists to visit and check in, and also broadening the income channels for local residents.
The renovation of the old flour mill site is an example of Kuqa City revitalizing its existing urban resources. In 2023, the first phase of the renovated flour mill site was transformed into the "Qiuci Digital Creation and Memory Park," where the National Historical and Cultural City Digital Exhibition Hall, Qiuci Bookstore, and Tourist Reception Center are located. In March last year, the "Kuqa Historical and Cultural City Protection Plan (2023-2035)" was officially released. According to the plan, Kuqa will continue to focus on city protection, improvement of people's livelihood facilities, and cultivation of characteristic industries, so that this ancient city can radiate new vitality in the new era.
Today, strolling through the newly renovated old city of Kuqa, you can not only feel the historical charm of the millennium-old Qiuci, but also experience the profound changes brought about by the Cultural Enrichment of Xinjiang Project. A local resident, Maimaiti Yimiti (买买提·依米提), said: "Now that the houses have been repaired and there are more tourists, our income has also increased, and more importantly, more children have learned about Kuqa's long history and culture."
Inheriting Intangible Cultural Heritage Skills, Traditional Culture Permeates People's Hearts
Walking into the Qiuci Intangible Cultural Heritage Workshop in Restan Street, Kuqa City, the colorful Atlas silk sways gently in the wind, and the copperware in the hands of the craftsmen makes a crisp sound. Tursunay Ablikmu (吐尔逊阿依·阿布力克木), Director of the Restan Street Office, introduced that the workshop injects vitality into the inheritance and development of intangible cultural heritage and has become a new highlight of cultural and tourism integration.
Kuqa City has rich intangible cultural heritage resources, with a total of 119 representative intangible cultural heritage projects, including 2 national-level projects and 5 autonomous region-level projects. Kuqa City has done a lot of work to better protect and inherit these intangible cultural heritage projects. In the Kuqa City Cultural Center, various intangible cultural heritage training activities are dazzling. In February this year, the activity center of Qinaibage Village, Bixibage Township, held a performance to report on the achievements of the Kuqa Intangible Cultural Heritage Project Inheritor Training, with wonderful presentations of intangible cultural heritage projects such as peasant paintings, Samawar dance, Twelve Muqam, and Kuqa folk songs. The Kuqa City Cultural Center goes deep into the countryside to better integrate traditional skills and intangible cultural heritage into rural life.
Kuqa City has improved the enthusiasm of representative inheritors of intangible cultural heritage by issuing special funds for intangible cultural heritage protection and holding exhibitions. At the same time, it encourages representative inheritors of intangible cultural heritage to cultivate the younger generation through the method of passing on experience and providing guidance. "We hope to attract more young people to join the cultural inheritance team and let the ancient intangible cultural heritage shine," said Luo Zhijuan (罗志娟), curator of the Kuqa City Cultural Center. Taking the Samawar dance as an example, this intangible cultural heritage project was included in the first batch of intangible cultural heritage list of the autonomous region in 2007. In the 14th China Dance "Lotus Award" National Folk Dance Competition, the aid-Xinjiang project "Grandpa's Samawar," which was taken from the Samawar dance, won the gold award, allowing more people to feel the charm of this intangible cultural heritage project.
In addition, Kuqa City also promotes intangible cultural heritage projects to enter schools, encourages primary and secondary schools to open intangible cultural heritage characteristic courses, so that young people can contact and understand intangible cultural heritage from an early age, and enhance their cultural confidence.
Promoting Cultural and Tourism Integration, Cultural Enrichment of Xinjiang Bears Fruit
Relying on its rich historical and cultural resources and natural landscapes, Kuqa City actively promotes the integrated development of culture and tourism, and has created a number of characteristic cultural and tourism brands.
On October 21, 2023, the Zhejiang Cultural Tourism Aid-Xinjiang "Double Pearl" plan was launched. The plan is co-sponsored by the Zhejiang Provincial Aid-Xinjiang Headquarters, the Zhejiang Provincial Department of Culture, Radio and Television, and Tourism, and the Aksu Prefectural Party Committee of Xinjiang. From 2023 to 2026, it will focus on creating two pearl belts of Tomur World Natural Heritage and Qiuci World Cultural Heritage. By implementing six major actions: planning to attract tourism, strengthening the foundation to revitalize tourism, cultivating tourism through industries, shaping tourism through culture, strengthening tourism through talent, and assisting tourism through brands, it will achieve "connecting beads into chains, connecting chains into belts, and connecting belts into rings," and fully promote the main brand of "Ancient Qiuci on the Silk Road, Magical Aksu," creating a Silk Road cultural tourism belt with both cultural connotation and natural scenery.
Under the guidance of the "Double Pearl" plan, the Ningbo Aid-Xinjiang Headquarters invited a professional team to carefully plan the Kuqa cultural and tourism operations, and created the 1.2-kilometer-long Kuqa Alley in a micro-transformation manner. This place retains the original features of the ancient city and cleverly integrates Qiuci cultural elements, quickly becoming an internet celebrity check-in place, attracting many tourists.
In the southern section of the Duku Highway, the construction of the Duku (Kangcun) Tourist Service Center, a key project of the Zhejiang Cultural Tourism Aid-Xinjiang "Double Pearl" plan fully funded by the Ningbo Aid-Xinjiang Headquarters, has entered the sprint stage and is scheduled to be officially put into operation by the end of May this year. The project is located in Kangcun Village, Age Township, Kuqa City, and is located next to the Duku Highway, which is known as "China's Most Beautiful Self-Driving Highway." As a composite tourist service center integrating tourism consultation, rest and check-in, catering and accommodation, RV supply, and cultural display, it will not only provide all-round services for tourists, but also create more employment opportunities and economic benefits for local residents.
Yang Yong (杨勇), Secretary of the Party Committee and Commander of the Ningbo Aid-Xinjiang Headquarters, and Deputy Secretary of the Kuqa Municipal Party Committee, introduced that Zhejiang Aid-Xinjiang supports the recipient areas to "**走出去**" (zǒu chū qù - "go out," to venture out and explore opportunities) and "**引进来**" (yǐn jìn lái - "bring in," to attract investment and resources), and has successively carried out publicity and promotion and cultural and tourism investment promotion in many places, and opened aid-Xinjiang charter flights and special trains to "attract customers to A," attracting a total of more than 3.7 million tourists since 2023, helping the recipient areas receive more than 17.94 million tourists, and driving the development of the local tourism industry.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 胡仁巴 本报通讯员 吕 娜
Early in the morning, the sunlight awakened Yongku Tongxin Village (甬库同心村), Yuqi Wusitang Township (玉奇吾斯塘乡), Kuqa City (库车市), Xinjiang (新疆), and the electric vehicle of Aili Kelimu (艾力·克力木) left a shallow trail on the village road. This man in light blue overalls now has a new identity - a technician at the smart agriculture plant factory in Yongku Tongxin Village. "I am now a 'tech farmer'!" He smiled and patted his work card, "Scan with my phone, and I can see the growth data of the strawberries!"
Inside the smart agriculture plant factory, strawberries are bright red and tempting on the three-dimensional cultivation racks, and green leafy vegetables are growing vigorously. Soilless cultivation technology allows crops to "get rid of" seasonal restrictions and achieve year-round production. Aili Kelimu and 25 villagers are engaged in seedling cultivation, data recording, and other work here, increasing their annual income by more than 40,000 yuan. "In the past, farming depended on the weather; now, we depend on technology!" he said with emotion.
The construction of the smart agriculture plant factory has transformed the once-remote village into a 3A-level tourist attraction, and traditional farmers have transformed into "tech farmers"... The project is the first common prosperity workshop in southern Xinjiang, which can generate approximately 600,000 yuan in revenue for the village collective each year, and is also a pilot model for smart agriculture in Kuqa City.
Arriving at Yongku Zhenxing Village (甬库振兴村) in Wuqia Town (乌恰镇), Kuqa City, standing on a high place and looking into the distance, the lake surface is rippling with blue waves, groups of wild ducks are playing under the bridge, and the homestays are lined up. Who would have thought that three years ago, this place was still a wasteland.
Kuqa City has learned from Zhejiang's "Thousand Villages Demonstration, Ten Thousand Villages Renovation" ("千万工程") experience, continuously improving rural infrastructure, and deeply implementing greening, beautification, and lighting projects. Wuqia No. 1 Village (乌恰一村) in Wuqia Town, a small village that was once adjacent to the Gobi Desert, has become the "Shangri-La" Yongku Zhenxing Village.
On a summer evening, cheerful Maxlap (麦西来甫) music resounds in the cultural square of Yongku Zhenxing Village, and everyone dances together, releasing the fatigue of a day's work. "Everyone enjoys happy times, learns the national common language and writing, and can also sell handmade nang and embroidery. Life is getting more and more lively," said Reziwanguli Aibai (热孜完古丽·艾拜), a villager in Yongku Zhenxing Village.
Yongku Zhenxing Village regularly organizes cultural activities in the area with the theme of "forging a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation," enriching people's lives through colorful activities.
From the "green technology" of smart agriculture to the "green ecology" of environmental protection, and then to the "green bond" of cultural enrichment of Xinjiang, the "Kuqa Model" interprets the diverse paths of comprehensive rural revitalization.
Return to TopBy: 韩立群 孟亚娟 陆雪婷
Walking into Kuqa City (库车市), Xinjiang (新疆), located on the northern edge of the Taklamakan Desert (塔克拉玛干沙漠), rows of photovoltaic panels on the vast Gobi Desert resemble undulating sea surfaces, continuously converting solar energy into green electricity. The green hydrogen plant of the Sinopec Xinjiang Kuqa Green Hydrogen Demonstration Project (中国石化新疆库车绿氢示范项目), 20 kilometers away, uses this green electricity to produce hydrogen.
The Xinjiang Kuqa Green Hydrogen Demonstration Project is implemented by Sinopec Star Xinjiang Green Hydrogen New Energy Co., Ltd. (中石化新星新疆绿氢新能源有限公司). It successfully produced hydrogen on June 30, 2023, and has been operating safely and stably for over 690 days as of May 20, this year. The project utilizes the abundant local solar energy resources to generate electricity for hydrogen production. The produced green hydrogen is supplied entirely to Sinopec Tahe Refining & Chemical Co., Ltd. (中国石化塔河炼化有限责任公司) nearby, replacing the natural gas-based hydrogen production used in the oil refining process, thereby achieving the greening of refined oil products.
"Green hydrogen refers to hydrogen produced by electrolyzing water using renewable energy sources such as photovoltaics. Because it essentially does not produce greenhouse gases during its production process, it is called 'green hydrogen'," introduced Mao Yanyun (毛炎云), General Manager of Sinopec Star Xinjiang Green Hydrogen New Energy Co., Ltd. "The major equipment and main materials used in the Xinjiang Kuqa Green Hydrogen Demonstration Project are domestically produced, which has driven the development of related domestic industries. We are actively promoting the improvement of information management, carrying out the full industrial chain promotion of hydrogen energy transportation scenarios, and jointly with relevant departments, attempting to replace some coal-transporting heavy trucks with hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, expanding the application scenarios of hydrogen in industrial, civil, and other fields."
The chemical industry occupies an important position in Kuqa's economy. To accelerate the optimization of the industrial structure and enhance the driving force of Kuqa's economic development, Kuqa City introduced Yinzhou Bank (鄞州银行) and established Kuqa National Rural Bank (库车国民村镇银行) to provide financial services for the production and life of Kuqa's small and micro enterprises and farmers and herdsmen. It has cumulatively issued loans to 2,293 small and micro enterprises, totaling 1.18 billion yuan, and agricultural-related loans to 8,437 households, totaling 4.93 billion yuan. It has facilitated strategic cooperation between Ningbo Economic and Technological Development Zone (宁波经济技术开发区), Ningbo Daxie Development Zone (宁波大榭开发区), Ningbo Petrochemical Development Zone (宁波石化开发区) and Kuqa Economic and Technological Development Zone (库车经济技术开发区), promoting the improvement of the Kuqa Development Zone in terms of park planning, industrial development, and park management.
Relying on its rich energy and mineral resources, convenient transportation location, and cultural tourism resources, Kuqa City is accelerating the optimization of its industrial structure. It actively responds to national industrial policies, vigorously develops clean energy and equipment manufacturing industries, continuously improves the industrial chain through investment promotion and project construction, promotes industrial upgrading, and at the same time, acts as a good "shop assistant" to help park enterprises develop better and faster.
Return to TopBy: 李亚楠 张 路
Early in the morning, Kadi Niyaz (卡地·尼亚孜), representative inheritor of the autonomous region-level intangible cultural heritage, rushed to the Kuqa Qiuci Intangible Cultural Heritage Workshop (龟兹非遗工坊) in Restan Street (热斯坦街道), Kuqa City (库车市), Xinjiang (新疆), carefully preparing the "Intangible Cultural Heritage Compulsory Course" for primary and secondary school students. "The Intangible Cultural Heritage Workshop offers research and study courses, and I will teach students how to make bronzeware. I used to worry about the loss of this craft, but now I am very pleased to see more and more young people willing to learn and inherit it."
As a national historical and cultural city, Kuqa City (库车市) has rich intangible cultural heritage resources, such as Kuqa folk songs and Kuqa Samavar dance. In 2024, Kuqa City (库车市) transformed a long-idle old granary into the Qiuci Intangible Cultural Heritage Workshop (龟兹非遗工坊) to better inherit and innovate intangible cultural heritage skills.
The Qiuci Intangible Cultural Heritage Workshop (龟兹非遗工坊) has multiple functional areas such as a production area, experience area, physical display area, and digital display area, covering 25 intangible cultural heritage categories. Tourists can experience intangible cultural heritage production in one stop, admire exquisite exhibitions, and purchase cultural and creative products.
Citizens and tourists come in an endless stream, and functional areas such as Kuqa pottery, gourd painting, Qiuci murals, and nang making often have long queues. In the pottery experience area, children knead clay, pull blanks, and make blanks to create traditional Uyghur pottery; in the Uyghur traditional embroidery area, tourists from Shanghai (上海) carefully learn stitch by stitch under the guidance of representative inheritors...
Since its official operation during the Spring Festival of 2025, the Qiuci Intangible Cultural Heritage Workshop (龟兹非遗工坊) has received an average of more than 8,000 tourists per day, with an average daily sales of about 16,000 yuan. The Intangible Cultural Heritage Workshop has gradually become a new cultural landmark of Kuqa (库车).
The Qiuci Intangible Cultural Heritage Workshop (龟兹非遗工坊) also organizes training on different themes. In February of this year, painting enthusiasts from various towns and townships in Kuqa City (库车市) gathered together to experience the unique charm of "fire needle embroidery" with soldering irons as pens and wooden boards as paper.
Holding a hot electric soldering iron tightly in the right hand and supporting the wooden board with the left hand, the trainees painted according to the prepared sketches - this is pyrography, anciently known as "fire pen painting," which uses temperature control techniques to iron out rich layers and tones on materials such as bamboo, wood, rice paper, and gourds. After a week of training, Ali Xati Imiti (艾力夏提·依米提), a trainee who came into contact with this intangible cultural heritage technique for the first time, completed four works, including old city scenery and intangible cultural heritage culture. "I used to study painting, and this training allowed me to master new skills," Ali Xati (艾力夏提) said.
"The Qiuci Intangible Cultural Heritage Workshop (龟兹非遗工坊) has stimulated the public's love for traditional culture. We will continue to be committed to improving the display system of intangible cultural heritage projects, enhancing the market competitiveness of products, and at the same time increasing the training of representative inheritors of intangible cultural heritage," said Bao Guohai (鲍国海), Secretary of the Party Working Committee of Restan Street (热斯坦街道) in Kuqa City (库车市). The Intangible Cultural Heritage Workshop will continue to explore the integration of intangible cultural heritage and modern life, and safeguard cultural treasures.
Return to TopLayout Design: Zhang Fangman (张芳曼)
Return to TopBy: 郭文斌
Dear Mom,
Hello! The course from March 29th to March 31st was my fourth time participating in the "Seeking Serenity Classroom" (寻找安详小课堂), and I feel I gained even more than before. At the time, I thought, how wonderful it would be if we could listen together, so I took careful notes and will share the most memorable content with you.
This course, the teacher, combined with history, deeply interpreted that "the outstanding traditional Chinese culture is the wisdom and essence of Chinese civilization, the root and soul of the Chinese nation, and the foundation for us to stand firm in the world's cultural turbulence."
Integrating outstanding traditional Chinese culture into early childhood education not only helps to shape the character and all-round development of young children but also lays the foundation for cultural inheritance. And you are dedicated to planting the seeds of outstanding traditional Chinese culture in the hearts of children, allowing them to take root and sprout in subtle ways. Making dumplings for the Winter Solstice, wrapping zongzi for the Dragon Boat Festival, making mooncakes for the Mid-Autumn Festival, and respecting the elderly for the Double Ninth Festival—inviting the elders of the children to participate, letting the children wash the feet of their grandparents, put on new socks, etc., 润物细无声 (rùn wù xì wú shēng - "moistening things silently," to influence subtly and gradually) making the children fall in love with traditional festivals.
From "Kindergarten Mom" to "Kindergarten Grandma," from rural kindergartens to municipal-level kindergartens, as a guardian of grassroots education, you have spent 20 years practicing the "taking over and passing on" of outstanding traditional Chinese culture among children. Now that I think about it, you wiping the dirt off the children's faces, tidying up their clothes, bit by bit, are all interpreting: true education is not about shaping elites, but about allowing every life to be treated with tenderness.
You treat every child as your own, what a great heart! Whenever I see the children bowing to the teacher to say hello, the cute way they bend over to salute, isn't that the most beautiful footnote to the inheritance of civilization? Your dedication makes me feel that everyone is a disseminator and practitioner of outstanding traditional Chinese culture.
You have been worried about my younger brother's education. As a high school sophomore, my brother is currently under a lot of pressure to get into a good university. However, this does not mean that we can only wander in score anxiety. The lack of character education is the most hidden crack in the educational ecology.
In this class, the teacher said, "If parents' views on education and happiness do not change, children will not be happy. Parents should transform goal-oriented happiness into process-oriented happiness." In this way, the tension of education can be truly transformed into the driving force of growth.
When you try to let go of your obsession with scores, replace blame with encouragement, and replace preaching with listening, your brother may find his own learning rhythm in this sense of relaxation. When the parents' mentality changes, different shoots will quietly grow in the child's heart. Education is a process of waiting for flowers to bloom. When you choose to pave the way for your brother's growth with "process-oriented happiness," those educational problems that once gave you a headache may inadvertently turn into spring mud, nourishing unexpected fragrance.
I look forward to witnessing this miracle of transformation with you.
Thank you, I love you!
Daughter: Yueyue (悦悦)
March 31, 2025
This is part of a "family letter" written by a graduate student from Ningxia Normal University (宁夏师范大学) to her mother at the "Seeking Serenity Classroom" (寻找安详小课堂). As we all know, in this information age, very few people write family letters with pen and paper anymore. One can imagine how surprised the mother must be when she receives a family letter from her daughter!
"A Family Letter" is one of the fixed sessions. In a specific situation, let the students see the benefits, difficulties, and hardships of their relatives, or express gratitude, or express apology, or express understanding, and then have volunteers send it to the destination provided by the students. Some family letters are written to deceased relatives. Many students shared that after the family letter was written, the things that had been blocked in their hearts for a long time disappeared.
Once, a father and son came to study together. When the son read aloud a family letter to his father in front of the whole class, the father wiped away tears from beginning to end. After reading, the host asked the father what he thought. The father choked up and couldn't say anything, just hugged his son tightly. In the classroom, there was lasting applause.
Over the past 13 years, I don't know how many such family letters have been sent. I once suggested to the class committee to solicit everyone's opinions, and those who are willing to make it public can make a copy, keep it, and build a family letter museum in the future to exhibit to everyone. I think many parents will bring their children to visit.
Yueyue's (悦悦) family letter is convenient to make public, and there are many family letters that are not convenient to make public. Those family letters written to relatives in prison, as well as family letters written by prisoners to relatives outside prison, are heartbreaking to think about without even looking at them.
Once, I went to participate in the graduation ceremony sharing meeting of the "Seeking Serenity Classroom" (寻找安详小课堂) in four prisons in Guangdong Province (广东省). After a prisoner shared, the police officer asked her to see who was here. The prisoner turned around, and her parents walked out from behind the stage. She was stunned at first, then knelt down with a "thump" and hugged her parents' legs, unwilling to get up. After a while, the police officer said, don't you want to wash your parents' feet? At this time, a police officer had already brought the foot-washing water, and another police officer brought a stool and asked her parents to sit down. When she washed her parents' feet, all the police officers and prisoners present were filled with emotion.
The police officers learned about her wish from her "family letter." This was a prisoner who had once gone astray and did not recognize her relatives. In the "family letter," she said that her only hope was that her parents could live a few more years, and after she was released from prison, she would wash their feet and cook them a meal, otherwise, she would never be able to forgive herself. The police officers fulfilled her wish and invited her parents, but did not notify her, giving her a surprise.
Another prisoner wrote in a family letter that she had not celebrated her husband's birthday for many years. That day happened to be her husband's birthday, and the police officer invited her husband and prepared a cake. When the prisoner cut a piece of cake for her husband and fed it to him tremblingly, many people present shed tears.
This is the touching part of family letters. Many family conflicts have been resolved through family letters; many heartfelt words that are usually difficult to say have been expressed through family letters. And this article can also be regarded as a "family letter" I wrote to my readers.
Return to TopBy: 王立平
Every year, I read more than ten novels. This habit has continued from my thirties and forties until now. When choosing books, I choose everything: humanities, history, Chinese, foreign, and I try to choose different types as much as possible. I think reading novels is a relatively comprehensive way to understand society.
For a while, my cataracts were particularly severe, and it was very difficult to read. At that time, Liang Xiaosheng's (梁晓声) "The World (人世间)" was published, and I still managed to read all three volumes. Liang Xiaosheng (梁晓声) is a good friend of mine, and I wanted to know what he was focusing on at this stage. Understanding a writer is actually seeing the world through his eyes. I also include the world he sees in the world I want to see.
When I read novels, I don't look at how the story begins or how dramatic it becomes later. I focus on people's destinies. When a writer writes about a person, he has his own unique perspective, which must be different from mine, and this is what interests me the most. Like Feng Jicai (冯骥才), Liang Xiaosheng (梁晓声), and Zhang Xianliang (张贤亮), we are all very familiar with each other. After becoming familiar, I will see what people look like in their eyes. For example, someone we have all come into contact with, but he is actually like this in the eyes of the writer. The point that the writer pays attention to is so interesting! There are many very interesting differences between what I and the writer see, and this is the difference between people and the difference between writers and artists.
Someone asked, which book has had the greatest impact on me in my life? I don't think one book is enough. When I was in elementary school, I worked as a service worker in the Changchun (长春) Cultural Palace, specifically in charge of borrowing books. At that time, some children didn't want to read the books they had, and they returned them as soon as they borrowed them. I would ask, "Have you finished reading it? Tell me about it." They couldn't tell me. Why could I test them? Because I had read most of those books. The other person would ask back, "Then do you know?" I said, "I know, I can even tell you a few sentences. If you haven't finished reading it, don't come back to return it."
At that time, I had already read many novels. Among them, "How the Steel Was Tempered," "The Story of Zoya and Shura," "The Street of Little Sons," and many Soviet novels had a relatively large impact on me. I read books relatively quickly. When my classmates were still confused children, I had already seen a little more of the world from books.
I remember reading a Soviet book about a group of children playing military games, letting one of the children stand guard. That child just stood there, and in the end, all the other children left, but he just didn't leave. Others forgot about him, but he kept standing there. That kind of loyalty was very touching. After reading it, I felt very uncomfortable and touched. I still shed tears when I think about it now. That story had a lifelong impact on me. I want to be like that child in my life. As long as I have promised, I must do it, even if others have forgotten.
When reading, I am very pious. Many of the books I have read have become my faith, my pursuit, and my consciousness. I believe that is my wealth, my spirit. Once I have this belief in my heart, I have confidence and principles in doing things.
If people don't believe a writer after reading his book, the writer loses credibility. If I were a writer, I would feel lifeless if I knew that people didn't believe in my work. Writers often rely on others' trust in their works to write. I am a composer, and I also hope that others believe in my music. Music is a kind of beauty, and beauty is true. You get beauty and emotion from music, and that is real. The truth cannot be faked, and you cannot feel the fake. Beauty must be true. When you truly feel beauty, you have a love, a love for beauty. If people don't even believe in beautiful things, that's too sad. Accepting beauty is a kind of ability and also a kind of realm.
Return to TopBy: 阿拉提·阿斯木
Back in Yili (伊犁), I like to let my imagination run wild.
Good air and good food are not the main reasons. Even on rainy days, I can see the rain, scattered all over the sky, nourishing the world. The blooming flowers by the roadside, in the streets, and even in my dreams are a natural gift and a free source of inspiration. This is a scene of flourishing vitality. So I get excited and say to myself: Spring is a guest of the world, but in Yili (伊犁), it is the beautiful girl next door in all four seasons. I like the way they look, sometimes like treasures that the sun has lost in the world, and sometimes like fairies in the paintings of Yili (伊犁) artists, pleasing to the heart and teaching you to love life more rationally.
Having traveled to many places, I am most proud of the spring in Yili (伊犁). In this spring, the most remarkable thing is the nightingale of Yili (伊犁). They sing day and night, their melody and sound quality surpassing many singers who love to brag about themselves. Lying down at night to listen quietly, whatever you think about comes to mind. When you wake up in the morning, it is still their melody, never tired. There are too many folk sayings that they sing day and night, hoping to see a rose bloom once. Unfortunately, in the few seconds they doze off, the rose blooms. The nightingales miss this opportunity again and again, and then for a lifetime, generation after generation, they miss the magnificent sight of the rose in full bloom. But they are not discouraged, they continue to sing about the days, their hope does not die, and they always believe that those roses will give them a chance to see their blooming beauty.
Loving life is a human instinct. If you don't have enough intelligence, resilience, and a grateful heart, it is difficult for you to reach the realm of loving life. More often than not, you forget to decorate yourself with the taste of spring.
When spring appears shyly in the garden, the spring water of the Yili River (伊犁河) has already rippled. Wind and water are age-old friends on the earth. The fragrance of the river water and the blessings of the fish, as well as the ancient wind, are in the warm bed of the sun, in the streets and alleys, in the vast dry fields, by the side of the paths, in the oil-painting-like courtyards of housewives, and between the petals of roses. They say, we are the messengers of the sun and the earth, and also your human friends.
Yili (伊犁) is a good place to sow stories and reap stories. Mr. Wang Meng (王蒙) said it is the best of good places. To revere masters is to learn their great love. Without the spirit of bowing your head, you will not feel what is good on top of good, nor will you leave behind rose-like language that can be passed down through the ages. If we always learn, we can discover our hometown and accept the teachings of our hometown. Those barren wastelands will also become revelations of gold and silver mountains.
The most beautiful Tianshan (天山) red flowers are also a landscape of Yili (伊犁), and in fact, they are the hope that blooms in everyone's heart. Especially in spring, people nourished by flowers, harvesting smiles and blessings from all over the world, their eyes can speak.
The days are so fresh that in my thin memory, there are stories of farmer friends and wheat, as well as folk tales passed down from generation to generation. We escape the great heat and cut wheat in the coolness after dusk. The moon is a generous searchlight, and those plump quails that avoid us become lively details in my later novels.
The evening meal is extremely fragrant, it is handmade noodles. The chopped noodles are put into the pot, cooked and scooped up, a big hodgepodge of soup and water, mixed with a warm and comforting delicacy. The noodle maker is a woman in her 30s, a strong woman. The image of her carrying her young son and working in the kitchen is still a textbook that accompanies me. Some men say she is pitiful, without hope, and her husband ran away and left her. She said: I don't accept this pitifulness, in life, I am a strong mother. In the long time that followed, I often thought of this mother and dreamed of her carrying her young son and rolling noodles.
The Bell and Drum Tower (钟鼓楼) near the General's Mansion (将军府) is called "Guo Lu (锅路)" in the local dialect. It is surrounded by shops and stores. The Bell and Drum Tower (钟鼓楼) stands there majestically, like Lin Zexu's (林则徐) upright skeleton, like his angry spirit, like his concern for the country and the people. In the wind and rain of time, people have always abided by his famous saying and understood the heroic spirit he left to future generations: "苟利国家生死以，岂因祸福避趋之" (gǒu lì guó jiā shēng sǐ yǐ, qǐ yīn huò fú bì qū zhī - "If it benefits the country, I would risk my life; I would not avoid it because of fortune or misfortune," meaning one should be selfless and dedicated to the country). When I am immersed in his spiritual world, I think of Lu Xun (鲁迅), who is also my spiritual mentor. Reading the words he left in the hearts of the Chinese people, I can swim into his lake of wisdom. He said that since ancient times, we have had people who bury themselves in hard work, people who work hard desperately, people who plead for the people, and people who sacrifice themselves for the sake of the law... This is the backbone of China. People who do not read books and do not worship Lu Xun (鲁迅) as their teacher can hardly explain their spring, and cannot understand the blessings and revelations of the seasons. They will not discover that the stunningly beautiful Yili River Valley (伊犁河谷) is actually a source of inspiration for beauty and love.
The spring of every year is the earliest friend of the Yili River Valley (伊犁河谷), calling for the growth of all things. All kinds of flowers bloom in competition, they know that we each have our own preferences. Some people will suddenly disappear, and then come back as a certain kind of flower petal, some will become green leaves, some will become migratory birds singing on the branches, and some will become intoxicating red butterflies. Tell you, today's Yili River Valley (伊犁河谷) is already a garden full of love and hope.
Come to Yili (伊犁) to see the spring, and you will sow the seeds of spring blossoming in your soul. Yili (伊犁) people often say, "One of my ten flowers has not yet bloomed." There is a folk saying that when a person is born, they carry ten flowers given by their mother, and they must let them bloom and bear fruit in their lifetime. When they say it, the logic hidden in their tone is also very interesting, because they don't love this spring enough, they don't love life enough, and the flowers in their hearts can't be fully bloomed.
Return to TopBy: 张亚明
On a small holiday morning, as usual, I went to my mother's place to cook and have a meal with her. Upon entering, I noticed a few blooming flowers on the table. I assumed my sister had bought them and wasn't too surprised.
After lunch, the rain stopped, and my mother brought in a bouquet of fresh flowers with raindrops from the small courtyard outside. She said with a proud smile, "Look, aren't they pretty!" As she spoke, she placed the flower-filled container on the table, with a plate underneath to prevent water from seeping through. I took a closer look, and the originally plain room immediately brightened up. I asked, "Where did these come from?" My mother said with a grin, "I cut them from the yard." My mother picked up a stainless steel rod next to her and said, "I even made myself a walking stick yesterday!" As she spoke, she tried it out in her hand. In her bright smile, I could see her sense of accomplishment from these labor results.
Looking at it, the flower container was a biscuit tin, and the walking stick was the handle from a broken dustpan, tied with a red ribbon. Both were examples of waste utilization. I said to my mother, "This walking stick is too short. I'll buy you a good one later." My mother said loudly, "I made it for fun. I don't need it now. We'll talk about it when I need it in the future." Looking at my mother's relaxed eyebrows and joyful expression, I was amazed by my mother's "creativity" and also marveled at my nonagenarian (over 90 years old) mother's passion for life and her mentality, marveling at her still undiminished childlike innocence and optimism for the days to come.
My mother is uneducated and started working in a textile factory in her teens. Because my father worked away from home all year round, my siblings and I relied entirely on her and my grandmother to go to school. In an era of material scarcity and poverty, my mother, who worked three shifts, always used her rest time to sew clothes and shoes and manage household chores. Although our house was a thatched cottage, it was clean. Although our clothes had some patches, they were always neat and tidy. A sentence my mother often said was, "Poverty can't be compared to wealth, but people can't be sloppy." Whenever outsiders praised us for being well-dressed, the smile on my mother's tired but delicate face was particularly moving.
Over a dozen years, the house in our hometown was rebuilt three times. The improvement of the family's financial situation made my mother feel the beauty of life. After retirement, she managed the inside and outside of the house even more neatly and pleasantly. She also planted *Salvia splendens*, peony flowers, etc. in the yard. One year on "March 8" International Women's Day, after taking photos of female colleagues in my unit, I also wanted to take a photo of my mother. My mother declined, saying, "I'm not photogenic, take more photos of my grandson." But she kept looking at the camera. I understood my mother's psychology. After much persuasion, she walked to the rapeseed field and took a few photos while holding the golden and elegant rapeseed flowers. Afterwards, my mother said with a smile that this was the first time in her life that she had taken a photo with flowers. When the photos were developed, she treasured them and put them in a box. When the old house was demolished and replaced with a new house, my mother insisted on having a ground floor with a yard. Until now, my mother still lives happily on this ground floor with a small yard where she can put flower pots.
These "historical images" quickly replayed in my mind at the moment when my mother held the flowers.
Flowers are a symbol of a beautiful life. My elderly mother uses her own hands to plant and arrange flowers, enlivening her daily life in her later years. As her son, do I really understand that beneath my mother's increasingly aging appearance, there is still a heart that loves life beating?
Return to TopBy: 韦廷信
For a long time, I was either on the way to the sea or on the way back from the sea.
My parents ran a small snack shop next to the bus station. During summer vacation, I helped out in the shop, but more often I watched the vehicles passing by the shop every day. Many shuttle buses from southern townships of Xiapu (霞浦) passed by my house. The names of these townships were also very interesting. Whenever buses heading to "Yacheng (牙城)" or "Yantian (盐田)" came by, I would imagine a city made of teeth or rice paddies full of salt being transported back and forth. And when I saw "Changchun (长春)" or "Sansha (三沙)," I would think of the other two cities I longed for but had never visited.
I randomly flagged down a shuttle bus and went to the sea in all directions: the sea of Dajing (大京), the sea of Gaoluo (高罗), the sea of Lvxia (吕峡), the sea of Xiaqingshan (下青山). After getting off the bus, I would wander around alone, sometimes watching fishermen mend their nets, sometimes visiting friends.
That time, I flagged down a shuttle bus heading to Gaoluo (高罗) in Changchun (长春). There was a fishing village called Yanyangcheng (雁洋城) along the way, where a sea lived, and also a poet friend of mine: Xiao Su (小苏).
"Did you take the shuttle bus again?" Xiao Su (小苏) handed me a bottle of drink at the entrance of the grocery store. This was his parents' grocery store. When his parents went to the sea to catch seafood, he helped to look after the store.
"Once the Nanqishan Tunnel (南岐山隧道) connecting the county seat to Gaoluo (高罗) is open, I'll ride my bike here, along the coastline, and I'll be here in an hour." I took the drink and gulped it down. Before I could swallow, a burp escaped, and some air followed – in an instant, the sea rushed towards me.
This was not my first time visiting the sea of Gaoluo (高罗). Next to the sea is a vast beach. In Xiapu (霞浦), besides Dajing Beach (大京沙滩), this beach in Gaoluo (高罗) can be considered vast. On this beach, I watched the sun rise from the sea horizon time and time again. Around sunrise, people carrying fish baskets passed by me. The sunlight shone on them, glittering.
After Xiao Su (小苏) took me around the fishing village, we set our sights on an abandoned elementary school dormitory building and quickly reached an agreement with the local village to renovate the two-story bungalow. In the following six months, a group of young poets renovated a seaside bookstore through online crowdfunding. The bookstore is located on the Dongchong Peninsula (东冲半岛), and we named it Peninsula Bookstore (半岛书屋).
After the Peninsula Bookstore (半岛书屋) was completed, I ran to the sea even more frequently. Many people asked me for the specific address of the bookstore. I told them that finding the entrance to the bookstore was not an easy task. I described it in a poem like this: The entrance to the Peninsula Bookstore (半岛书屋) is in the sea of Gaoluo (高罗), Xiapu (霞浦) / It's not easy to enter the sea, you have to please a pile of seaweed / And only when the reefs are in a good mood can you enter / The door of the peninsula sometimes falls on the feet of hermit crabs / Sometimes on the back of a conch / If you encounter a fire-breathing fish, then you're out of luck.
We young people, like the waves, like to toss and turn, either slamming ourselves heavily on the reefs or merging with another wave.
Xiao Su (小苏) went from being a grocery store owner by the sea to the owner of the Peninsula Bookstore (半岛书屋). Every weekend, the children of the fishing village would come to the bookstore to do their homework, read picture books, or listen to us talk about poetry. We would also hold bonfire parties on the beach for children to read poetry, and a group of people would sing and dance around the bonfire.
I often sit in a corner of the Peninsula Bookstore (半岛书屋), chatting with my poet friends. It seems that only at certain times can I be so eloquent. At other times, I am not good at expressing myself.
I am fortunate to live in the small city of Xiapu (霞浦). It has a good ecological environment for poetry creation. Poets are highly respected in this city and have become a ray of light in this city. Perhaps many poets are ashamed to use the identity of a poet when introducing themselves to people outside the literary circle, but in Xiapu (霞浦), we are happy to tell others that we are poets.
In the world of poetry, we are not alone. Even if no one pays attention to us, we can write the shrimp and crab brothers in the sea into poems and accompany them.
The Nanqishan Tunnel (南岐山隧道) is now open, and I have not yet fulfilled my promise to ride my bike to that sea, but one day I will.
Return to TopBy: 刘 墨
The elderly Su Dongpo (苏东坡) and his son Su Guo (苏过) enjoyed reading and writing, but Hainan (海南) did not have good stationery. The article "Letter on Lingnan Paper" complains about the lack of good stationery:
"The inkstone is fine but does not retain ink, and the paper is smooth but the characters dry easily, both are rare treasures. I have no hobbies in my life, except for fine pens and ink. Since I was exiled to Lingnan (岭南) after offending someone, eight or nine out of ten of my life-sustaining items are gone, and my fine paper and ink are about to run out. How will I entertain myself when I have to use such things? I am filled with sorrow."
A ink maker named Pan Heng (潘衡) came to Hainan (海南), which made Dongpo (东坡) extremely happy. Hainan (海南) has many pine trees, and he and Pan Heng (潘衡) enthusiastically cut pine branches to make ink, and invented the "far flue wide stove method," moving the chimney further away and expanding the stove pit. In this way, although the amount of smoke available for making ink might be reduced during harvesting, the quality of the smoke would be improved.
To prevent counterfeiting, Dongpo (东坡) also printed the words "Hainan Pine Coal Dongpo Ink Method" on the inksticks. He was very happy and left an article for this:
"Pan Heng (潘衡) of Jinhua (金华) first came to Dan'er (儋耳) and started making ink, obtaining a lot of smoke, but the ink was not very refined. I taught him to make a far flue wide stove, and the amount of smoke was reduced by almost half, but the ink was excellent. The inscription on it says 'Hainan Pine Coal Dongpo Ink Method,' all of which are excellent. One should always guard against ink makers stealing the seal, so that those who get the ink will be suspicious. This ink came out of the ash pond, and its color is already like this in less than five days. When the glue is set for a long time, it should not be inferior to Li Tinggui (李廷珪) and Zhang Yu (张遇). April 17th, Yuanfu (元符) Year 2." ("Letter on Pan Heng's Ink")
"This ink was made by me personally in Hainan (海南), and the ink is not inferior to Tinggui (廷珪). Hainan (海南) has many pine trees, and because there are many pine trees, the coal is rich, and because the coal is rich, there is a choice." ("Letter on Hainan Ink")
Su Dongpo (苏东坡) made ink himself, and once almost burned down the house by accident. However, this experience was thrilling but safe, and he and Su Guo (苏过) "obtained five hundred large and small ink pellets of fine ink from the ruins, and hundreds of ink pellets with lacquer, enough for a lifetime of writing."
After the fire, Su Dongpo (苏东坡) no longer made ink. He recommended Pan Heng (潘衡) to the abbot of Nanhua Temple (南华寺), asking him to make ink there.
Later, Pan Heng (潘衡) sold ink in the Jiangxi (江西) area. Because he borrowed Dongpo's (东坡) fame, claiming that he had obtained Dongpo's (东坡) secret of ink making, his business was very good. Later, he went to Hangzhou (杭州), and the price was several times higher. Ye Mengde's (叶梦得) "Bishu Luhua" ("避暑录话") has a record of this matter.
The ink made by Pan Heng (潘衡) increased in value because he borrowed Dongpo's (东坡) great name. In ancient times, he could be called a "marketing expert."
When Su Dongpo (苏东坡) returned to the mainland, he lost almost all of his beloved ink. Lu You's (陆游) "Lao Xue An Notes" ("老学庵笔记") Volume 5 records: "Dongpo (东坡) returned from Dan'er (儋耳), and the boat was defeated in Guangzhou (广州), losing four boxes of ink, all of his lifelong treasures. He only got one pellet of Li (李) ink and two pellets of Pan Gu (潘谷) ink from his sons. From then until he donated his house in Biling (毗陵), he used all three inks."
Lu You (陆友), a Yuan Dynasty (元代) person, recorded several ink-making masters of the Song Dynasty (宋代) in "Ink History" ("墨史"): One was named Zhang Gu (张谷), who made ink using the Li (李) method, but there were not many in the world. One was named Pan Gu (潘谷), whose ink was known for its fragrance, which penetrated the skin and bones, and the fragrance did not diminish even when it was ground to the end. One was named Chen Zhan (陈瞻), who met a strange person who passed on the method of mixing glue, using ancient pine trees in the mountains as raw materials to extract coal. Although the glue used was not as good as Chang He (常和) and Shen Gui (沈圭), it did not steam and spoil when placed in a humid environment. There was also one named Zhu Jin (朱觐), a native of Jiuhua (九华), who was good at using glue as a softener to produce glossy ink. Teng Yuanfa (滕元发), a contemporary, liked his ink and inscribed "Aishantang Made" ("爱山堂造") on the ink he made, which was the best. Those who study ink history must pay attention to these people.
For Dongpo (东坡), who loved ink to the bone, there was probably nothing more painful than losing ink.
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