Summary: The article emphasizes Xi Jinping's focus on "harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature" as a crucial element of Chinese-style modernization. Xi has stressed the importance of ecological civilization and avoiding the old path of resource consumption and environmental pollution seen in Western modernization models. He has also reiterated the idea that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets," which is now becoming a national consensus. The piece highlights the importance of the Party's leadership in ecological protection and the pursuit of a win-win situation between environmental protection and economic development. The article did not mention the United States or U.S.-China relations.
Summary: A recent article reports on new measures to improve livelihoods in China, focusing on expanding social security coverage and assisting low-income groups. Key initiatives include subsidies for infants under 3 years old and efforts to increase the average life expectancy to 79 years by 2024. The article highlights employment as a crucial component of livelihood, with policies aimed at supporting college graduates, veterans, and migrant workers. It also mentions the expansion of public services, including education and healthcare, to ensure equitable access for all citizens. Finally, the article touches on support for elderly care and childcare services through integrated community centers.
Summary: This article emphasizes the intertwined relationship between development and people's well-being in the context of Chinese-style modernization. It argues that development is key to improving living standards, citing achievements in poverty reduction and establishing large-scale education, social security, and healthcare systems. Conversely, prioritizing people's well-being acts as a guide for effective development and stimulates high-quality growth by fostering demand. The piece advocates for balancing economic growth with equitable distribution to achieve continuous improvements in people's lives. There is no mention of the United States or U.S.-China relations in this article.
Summary: This article discusses China's efforts to preserve and promote intangible cultural heritage (非遗) by addressing the aging demographic of current practitioners and ensuring future transmission of skills. The piece highlights government initiatives such as the amendment of the Law on Intangible Cultural Heritage and the establishment of "non-heritage workshops" (非遗工坊) to promote employment and revitalization in rural areas. To involve more young people, efforts are being made to integrate traditional teaching methods with modern education, including incorporating non-heritage studies into university programs and supporting related curriculum development. The Ministry of Culture and Tourism will work with the Ministry of Education to promote non-heritage protection, cultivate talent and deepen the integration of industry and education. These initiatives aim to build a sustainable ecosystem for non-heritage preservation and attract young talent to the field.
Summary: The Youyiguan border crossing in Guangxi province, China's largest land port to Vietnam, has seen significant growth in trade volume and efficiency due to technological upgrades and streamlined customs procedures. These improvements include increased daily passage capacity for trucks, doubled entry-exit lanes since 2019, and the implementation of intelligent systems for cargo inspection and quarantine. Local businesses are expanding their operations and supply chains, particularly in the fruit processing industry, driven by strong domestic demand and increased trade with ASEAN countries. Specifically, trade with Vietnam, Thailand, and Cambodia has seen significant year-on-year growth. The area is also seeing growth in cross-border e-commerce, with local authorities implementing measures to support new business models.
Summary: In the first half of the year, China started renovating 16,500 old urban communities nationwide, according to the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development. The national plan for this year involves commencing renovations on 25,000 such communities. The article includes a picture of workers renovating a residential building in an old community located in Rucheng, Rugao City, Jiangsu province. The article does not mention the United States or U.S.-China relations.
Summary: In the first half of the year, China's cultural enterprises above a designated size saw a 7.4% year-on-year increase in operating revenue, reaching 7.1292 trillion yuan, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. Notably, content creation, creative design, and news information services experienced double-digit growth. Cultural service industries played a strong supporting role, with revenues of 3.9218 trillion yuan, up 10.7% year-on-year. Emerging cultural industries also developed rapidly, with revenues of 3.1564 trillion yuan, up 13.6% year-on-year.
Summary: According to data released by the State Taxation Administration, China's silver economy saw positive development in the first half of the year. Sales revenue for community, institutional, and in-home elderly care services increased by 30.4%, 22.6%, and 18% respectively. Sales revenue for assistive devices, elderly nutrition and healthcare products, and health monitoring equipment increased by 32.2%, 30.1%, and 7.5%, respectively. Sales revenue for elderly and disabled elderly care services, elderly-friendly family services, and elderly-friendly social care and assistance services increased by 40.9%, 14.1%, and 8.8%, respectively.
Summary: Politburo member and Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing, dispatched by Xi Jinping, visited disaster areas in Yuzhong County, Gansu province, to guide rescue and relief efforts following a severe mountain flood. Zhang conveyed Xi's concern for the affected population and emphasized the priority of ensuring people's safety, highlighting Xi's specific instructions on search and rescue, relocation of threatened residents, restoration of infrastructure, and improved early warning systems. Premier Li Qiang also issued instructions on disaster relief and prevention. Zhang stressed the urgency of finding the missing and the need for precise weather forecasting to facilitate timely evacuations.
Summary: Following severe flooding in Gansu's Yuzhong County, Xi Jinping called for all-out efforts to rescue the missing and ensure the safety of the population. As of August 9th, the disaster had resulted in 15 deaths and 28 missing persons, prompting emergency responses at both the national and local levels, including the deployment of over 400 armed police personnel and 840 firefighters. Various ministries, including the Ministry of Water Resources and the Ministry of Transport, initiated emergency responses and dispatched teams to support rescue and recovery efforts. The article also mentioned similar preventative efforts and emergency responses being undertaken in other regions of China, including Beijing and Hubei.
Summary: Xi Jinping issued important instructions on flood prevention and disaster relief, prompting the Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee to allocate 32 million yuan from Party membership fees to Gansu and Guangxi provinces for disaster relief. The Organization Department stressed the need to minimize casualties, strengthen risk forecasting, and ensure the safety of the population through flood prevention measures. Local Party organizations and cadres are expected to take the lead in disaster relief efforts. The funds are earmarked for慰问 frontline personnel and repairing damaged facilities.
Summary: A flash flood in Yuzhong County, Gansu Province, destroyed homes and infrastructure in Jiuzhuangou Village. Village officials, including Party branch deputy secretary Wang Dong, alerted residents and led evacuations before the flood hit. Rescue teams, including a militia led by Wang Taotao and a national emergency response team led by Mu Jialin, arrived to evacuate residents and conduct searches, with Party members playing a key role in the relief efforts. The disaster left roads destroyed and communication lines down, hindering rescue operations. The article did not mention the United States.
Summary: 120 firefighters from the Gansu Province Forest Fire Brigade and the National Northwest Regional Emergency Rescue Center were dispatched to search for missing persons in the downstream river area of Xinglong Mountain scenic area in Yuzhong County, Lanzhou after a flood. The team faced obstacles such as landslides and broken roads, requiring them to build a makeshift bridge from fallen trees with the help of local villagers. The rescue team was motivated to act quickly, as one member stated that every minute saved meant an increased hope of finding the missing persons. There was no mention of the United States.
Summary: This article reports on the increased trade and efficiency at the Youyiguan border crossing between China and Vietnam. The port has seen significant growth in the first half of the year, including a 30% increase in import and export value and a 31.4% increase in cargo volume, driven by trade with ASEAN countries, especially Vietnam. Technological upgrades like "smart inspection" and "intelligent quarantine" are credited with speeding up customs processes and reducing wait times. Local businesses are expanding into processing and e-commerce to capitalize on the increased trade, particularly in fruit imports. The article emphasizes the importance of optimizing the business environment to further promote trade and development in the region.
Summary: Chinese vegetables transported via the China-Laos Railway are increasingly populating markets in Vientiane, Laos. Vegetable shipments have increased significantly, reaching over 38,000 tons this year, a 5-6 fold increase, arriving in approximately 48 hours from Yunnan. This railway has decreased the number of empty containers returning to Laos, providing more options for Laotian consumers and saving transportation costs. The imported Chinese vegetables are popular despite being slightly more expensive than local produce, particularly during the Laotian rainy season when local production is limited.
Summary: China has implemented a visa-free policy for ordinary passport holders from Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, and Uruguay, effective June 1, to facilitate travel and signal a commitment to further opening up. This initiative aims to boost tourism, trade, technology, and cultural exchanges between China and Latin America. The policy is expected to foster business cooperation, activate trade and investment potential, and promote collaboration in emerging fields like high-tech and digital economy. Increased people-to-people exchanges are also anticipated to invigorate educational collaboration, joint research, and cultural activities. The author, who is the head of "China Phenomenon" column of Chilean Cooperative Radio, says that the visa-free policy is expected to improve bilateral relationships.
Summary: Japanese national archives have recently released personnel rosters of the Imperial Japanese Army's Unit 1644 (栄字1644部隊) and other units at the request of researchers including Katsutoshi Nishiyama and a descendant of a Unit 1644 member, 77-year-old Katsutoshi Takegami. Takegami, whose father served in Unit 1644, discovered wartime records left by his father and has since worked to expose the unit's activities in China, which included bacteriological warfare and human experimentation in coordination with Unit 731. Takegami expressed his condolences to the Chinese victims of the war and criticized the denial of Japan's wartime atrocities. He also called for a sincere apology from the Japanese government to China and pledged to continue revealing historical truths. The revelations from these documents have the potential to inform analysis of the legacy of Japanese actions in China, though the article makes no mention of the United States or U.S.-China relations.
Summary: Officials from the Guangxi Bangliang National Nature Reserve in China and the Cao Bang Chongshan Black Crested Gibbon Nature Reserve in Vietnam met at border marker 777 to discuss conservation efforts for the critically endangered Eastern Black Crested Gibbon. Yang Jiang, Director of the Bangliang Nature Reserve Management Center, expressed gratitude for Vietnam's support and proposed a formal meeting. Huang Wenyang, head of the Chongshan Forest Inspection Station, welcomed the invitation and suggested expanding the protected forest area. Both sides lauded the increasing gibbon populations as a result of joint efforts, including collaborative patrols and law enforcement. The two countries have also established a "joint protection" framework to protect the species.
Summary: Romanian researcher Agnes Kresztesi lauded China's commitment to sustainable development after participating in a forestry resource development and utilization training program in China. Kresztesi highlighted China's advancements in green technology, forest resource growth, and ecological restoration, viewing them as drivers of both economic and environmental progress. She emphasized the "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets" concept, noting China's success in integrating ecological protection with economic development. Kresztesi also praised China's international cooperation in sharing knowledge and experience in ecological civilization.
Summary: A recent Central Politburo meeting emphasized structural monetary policy tools to support technological innovation, consumption, small and micro enterprises (SMEs), and foreign trade. A coordination mechanism has been established to facilitate SME financing, involving local "recommendation lists" of qualified SMEs to banks. Financial institutions are providing support through increased lending and reduced interest rates. A credit platform is also being used to improve information sharing and increase lending efficiency, particularly for SMEs lacking collateral. The Financial Regulatory Administration is also working on additional measures to address the difficulties SMEs face in obtaining financing.
Summary: China's National Bureau of Statistics reports that July saw an increase in the CPI, driven by rising service and industrial consumer goods prices, signaling the continued effect of policies aimed at expanding domestic demand. The core CPI, excluding food and energy prices, rose by 0.8% year-on-year, marking the third consecutive month of expansion. The PPI experienced a decrease, attributed to seasonal factors and uncertainties in the international trade environment, though the decline was less pronounced than the previous month. The CPI was held down by food prices, which fell because of high comparison values from the same period last year. There is no mention of the United States or U.S.-China relations.
Summary: The "What Makes China: Harmony and Coexistence" online campaign launched in Tianjin, showcasing the city's unique culture through three segments: "River and Sea Charm of Tianjin," "Tianjin Like Never Before," and "One Family Under Heaven." The event highlighted Tianjin's cultural heritage, its high-quality development in the new era, and the connection between international students and foreign friends with Chinese culture. The event included wishes for the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Tianjin summit. Key network promotion projects were jointly released by central key news websites and industry representatives at the event, which was guided by several central and Tianjin municipal organizations.
Summary: Shanghai is enhancing the experience for foreign visitors, as exemplified by the experience of a Spanish traveler, Amadeus, and his daughters, who were able to spontaneously visit the city center due to China's visa-free entry policy for Spaniards. Shanghai Pudong International Airport's entry-exit volume surpassed 20 million in 2024, a 21% increase from last year, supported by a growing international flight network covering 291 destinations in 48 countries and regions. Volunteers fluent in multiple languages assist travelers, and services like the "入境通Easy Go" platform, integrating various services like mobile payment and tax refunds, are available. Amadeus successfully used the platform to purchase goods while shopping on Nanjing Road. The article does not mention the United States or U.S.-China relations.
Summary: The article reports on the harvesting of rice in Liangping District, Chongqing, specifically in Lianglu Village, Xingqiao Township. Liangping District is constructing a 100,000 mu high-standard farmland demonstration zone in Xingqiao Township, transforming rain-fed fields into high-yield fields. No officials are mentioned by name, nor is the United States or U.S.-China relations referenced. The report focuses solely on agricultural development within the district.
Summary: Between January and July, cargo throughput at ports along the Yangtze River reached an estimated 2.34 billion tons, a 4.8% year-on-year increase. The Three Gorges Dam saw a throughput of 98.584 million tons, up 15.3% year-on-year, and passenger transport volume reached 5.144 million people, up 5.3% year-on-year. The Yangtze River Administration also emphasized the integration of shipping infrastructure and data, with the electronic navigation chart system now covering 5,606 kilometers. The article does not mention the United States or U.S.-China relations.
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Summary: A recent notice from the Ministry of Education called for local authorities and schools to organize summer care services to address the difficulty many families face in supervising their children during the summer break. Various approaches are being implemented across China, including school-based programs, community-run托管班 (tuōguǎn bān, or "entrusted care classes"), and employer-sponsored childcare. These programs offer activities like sports, reading, and homework assistance, often with the help of volunteers and community resources. While these programs are very popular among parents, some educators have expressed that there is pressure on staffing and time. These summer care programs are seen as a collaborative effort involving schools, communities, and social organizations.
Summary: This article discusses summer childcare options in China, emphasizing that while increasingly available, they are not a complete solution for children's summer development. It advocates for a balance between structured care and unstructured time for exploration and family bonding. The piece calls for policies supporting parental leave and flexible work arrangements to allow for more parental involvement during summer vacation. It further suggests strengthening family education guidance and opening more social resources to provide diverse activities for children and families, advocating for a collaborative effort between families, schools, and society to address childcare challenges.
Summary: The article discusses the ongoing relevance of the "Qian Xuesen Question," posed 20 years ago, regarding China's ability to cultivate uniquely innovative talent. It reflects on China's progress in education, science, and technology over the past two decades, highlighting achievements like advancements in quantum technology and deep-sea exploration. The piece argues for further reforms in education to promote innovative and critical thinking, move beyond a focus on grades, and foster an environment conducive to producing exceptional individuals, and suggests learning from global experience. Ultimately, it frames the question as an ongoing challenge for each generation to cultivate the environment from which future innovators will emerge. There is no specific discussion of the United States in this article, but the article implies a competition with developed countries, including the United States.
Summary: A professor at Xidian University has focused on improving their teaching methods for a modern industrial microbiology course by prioritizing student feedback and personalized learning experiences. They restructured the curriculum to better integrate with other STEM fields, addressing students' concerns about a lack of connection to prior coursework. The professor utilizes tiered project-based learning and an AI-powered intelligent agent to support individualized study. An online learning evaluation platform analyzes student performance and predicts outcomes, further enabling customized instruction. While technology is leveraged, direct communication with students remains critical for tailoring the course.
Summary: Zhang Baichuan, a graduate student from China University of Petroleum (Beijing), successfully defended his master's degree based on practical achievements rather than a traditional thesis. As part of a pilot program initiated by multiple departments including the Ministry of Education, Zhang's work involved industry standards, a patent draft, and a core journal paper, with enterprise experts comprising over half of the defense committee. His research, conducted at the Sinopec Petroleum Engineering Technology Research Institute, focused on developing an environmentally friendly, high-temperature-resistant filtration reducer to address critical engineering challenges, emphasizing the shift from academic to industry-driven research topics. According to Hao Tongliang, Deputy Director of the Department of Degree Management and Postgraduate Education of the Ministry of Education, enterprises have provided over 5,100 research topics from the front lines of the industry to the National Academy of Excellent Engineers. A stated goal is to promote the building of independent Excellent Engineer schools for over half of all engineering doctoral degree programs by 2030.
Summary: Please provide the article you would like me to summarize. I need the text of the article to provide an accurate and concise summary for professional analysts of Chinese politics. I will adhere to the five-sentence limit and focus on key information, including any mentions of the United States or U.S.-China relations.
Summary: Hong Kong's Director of Investment Promotion, Lau Kai-shuen, announced that the department exceeded its 2022 policy address targets ahead of schedule, assisting over 1,300 overseas and mainland companies to establish or expand in Hong Kong, bringing in over HK$160 billion in foreign direct investment. Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (HKEX) Mainland Business Director Zhou Jiannan noted the strengths of HKEX in attracting Mainland companies seeking internationalization, with 31 new listings raising over HK$88.4 billion, ranking first globally. Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po stated that Hong Kong will encourage more new products, explore new markets, attract new funds, and continue to promote the expansion of "interconnection" with the Mainland market, as well as connections with emerging markets in the Global South. In May, Chief Executive Lee Ka-chiu led a trade delegation to Qatar and Kuwait, reaching 59 memoranda of cooperation. The government released a report, highlighting Hong Kong's unique advantages under "One Country, Two Systems" amid a complex external environment and upgrading its economic structure.
Summary: With 100 days remaining until the 15th National Games, jointly hosted by Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macau, the event is being touted as a significant step in integrating the Greater Bay Area under the "One Country, Two Systems" framework. The Games aim to enhance connectivity through infrastructure, institutional coordination, and fostering a sense of shared identity. Measures such as streamlined customs procedures for athletes and easier travel policies for spectators are designed to facilitate cross-border movement. The event also aims to promote patriotism and national identity among Hong Kong and Macau residents through shared experiences and cultural exchange. It will also be an opportunity to showcase the Greater Bay Area to the world, highlighting both the region's unique characteristics, and telling a positive story about Chinese development.
Summary: This article commemorates the 20th anniversary of Macao's Historic Centre becoming a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It highlights the area's preserved multicultural heritage and historical landscape within its 1.23 square kilometers. The article emphasizes Macao's ongoing role in fostering cultural exchange between China and the rest of the world. A photo shows tourists visiting the Zheng Family Mansion in Macao.
Summary: A Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) sponsored "Root-Seeking Journey" summer camp was held across China, allowing overseas Chinese youth to experience Chinese culture and history. The program aims to foster a sense of identity and connection to their ancestral homeland through activities such as visiting historical sites like the Forbidden City and learning traditional crafts. Participants explored ancient cities, learned about traditional Chinese art, and visited scenic spots. The program hopes participants will share their experiences and promote a positive image of China abroad.
Summary: The 8th Cross-Strait Youth Development Forum was held in Zhejiang, focusing on cross-strait cultural exchange and youth development. Approximately 1,000 youths, including over 700 from Taiwan, participated in activities such as interacting with humanoid robots, apprenticeship ceremonies with intangible cultural heritage inheritors, and short film production. Astronaut Liu Yang shared her experience of observing the interconnected lights of mainland China and Taiwan from space, emphasizing the shared connection between the people. The forum aims to strengthen ties and provide opportunities for Taiwanese youth in mainland China, with Zhejiang Province promoting policies to support their endeavors. The forum did not discuss the United States or U.S.-China relations.
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Summary: The article reports on commemorations and historical recounts surrounding the Battle of the Hundred Regiments, a major offensive launched by the Communist-led Eighth Route Army against Japanese forces in North China in 1940. The piece details exhibits at the Battle of the Hundred Regiments Memorial Hall in Yangquan, Shanxi, highlighting the bravery and sacrifice of Chinese soldiers and civilians. It stresses the battle's significance in resisting Japanese "cage policy" and boosting morale. The article further underscores the unity between the army and the people during the war, as well as the humanitarian spirit displayed by the Eighth Route Army towards innocent civilians, referencing the story of Japanese orphans rescued by the army.
Summary: Shanghai's first 24-hour park library, the Heping Academy in Hongkou District, has become a popular "urban living room" since its opening last year, serving over 4,000 readers daily. The article highlights the rise of 24-hour bookstores across China as symbols of urban culture and vitality. These bookstores cater to diverse cultural needs, providing quiet reading spaces and reflecting a city's cultural literacy. The article suggests that the long-term survival of 24-hour bookstores requires support from the government, society, and the bookstores themselves, citing examples such as government-supported operation model of Heping Academy and diversified business model of Qingdao's Rushu Bookstore. The article concludes that 24-hour bookstores serve as "cultural light" for the cities, offering solace and hope to readers.
Summary: Liu Fengzuan, a citrus farmer in Chongqing's Dazu District, overcame initial losses by leveraging agricultural books from the local rural bookstore and seeking expert advice. He then became the bookstore's volunteer manager, promoting reading among villagers by catering to their interests and integrating practical knowledge with field work, including using short videos to educate people. Liu utilized his citrus farm as a cultural space, attracting tourists and promoting local arts, boosting citrus sales and integrating cultural tourism. He believes that industrial development leads to cultural rooting, while cultural revitalization promotes talent and industrial development. There is no mention of the United States or US-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 concise summary for professional analysts of Chinese politics.
Summary: This article discusses the 20-year implementation of Zhejiang's "Eight Projects" for cultural development, initially deployed by Xi Jinping when he was the Secretary of the Zhejiang Provincial Party Committee. It highlights achievements in areas such as improving public morality, producing cultural works, advancing cultural research, and protecting cultural heritage. The "Eight Projects" are described as an integrated whole, vital to societal well-being. The article emphasizes Zhejiang's focus on both global perspectives and local concerns in its artistic expressions, with continuous efforts on Zhejiang's fine art creation projects. It also mentions the art exhibitions held by China Academy of Art, which focuses on Chinese and Western cultural exchange.
Summary: The artist, born in 1940 in a region of Hebei contested by Japanese forces and the Eighth Route Army, discusses his lifelong commitment to creating art depicting the War of Resistance Against Japan. He describes his artistic process, including repeated trips to revolutionary base areas in the Taihang Mountains to gather source material and interview veterans. He details his creation of the large-scale Chinese painting "Beacon Fire Taihang," a six-panel work depicting various aspects of the war and the relationship between the army and the people. The artist reflects on the importance of accurately representing historical events and promoting the national spirit through art. He emphasizes his enduring passion for the subject matter.
Summary: This article discusses the depiction of insects in Chinese paintings throughout history, from ancient bronze artifacts to contemporary art. It highlights how different dynasties and artists, like Huang Quan in the Five Dynasties period and Qi Baishi in modern times, captured the intricate details and symbolic meanings of insects like locusts, mantises, and butterflies. The article emphasizes the cultural significance of these creatures, such as the grasshopper representing fertility and the butterfly symbolizing longevity. It argues that paintings of insects connect people to nature. The article does not discuss the United States, or U.S.-China relations.
Summary: The author recounts their childhood love for the "Sanmao" comic books and how they inspired their career. The author describes "Sanmao's" evolution, particularly during the Second Sino-Japanese War, noting Zhang Leping's dedication to using comics for national salvation. "Sanmao Congjun Ji" (三毛从军记), created in 1946 based on Zhang's wartime experiences, uses black humor to depict the war's cruelty through the eyes of a child soldier. The author emphasizes the comic's enduring appeal and the importance of learning from the older generation of artists' dedication and patriotism. The recent "Sanmao Congjun Ji" exhibition in Shanghai highlights the character's continued relevance.
Summary: The article describes the Bamboo Culture Center in Changning County, Yibin City, Sichuan Province. The center's design, inspired by bamboo pavilions, utilizes bamboo's natural properties to create arched structures. This design aims to blend into the environment and provide open spaces. It now serves as a low-altitude economy science education base, connecting culture and technology. The article does not mention any officials, the United States, or U.S.-China relations.
Summary: The article discusses the significance of ink (墨) in traditional Chinese painting and calligraphy, emphasizing its unique qualities and the profound connection between the artist's emotions and the ink's variations. It highlights the concept of "墨分五色," where the diverse shades of ink create depth and meaning in artwork. The author reflects on the personal experience of grinding ink, viewing it as a meditative practice that refines both the ink and the individual. Ultimately, the article portrays ink as more than just a tool, but as a source of artistic expression, cultural memory, and personal solace.
Summary: This article identifies龐茂琨 (Pang Maokun) as the artist of the oil painting 《晨雾中的神女峰》 (Morning Mist on Goddess Peak). The painting depicts a scene of Goddess Peak shrouded in morning mist. The article otherwise provides no context beyond the artist and subject of the painting. The United States and U.S.-China relations are not discussed.
Summary: This text appears to be a notice indicating the email address for submissions to a section (likely related to social commentary, based on the "msfk" abbreviation common in Chinese media) of the *People's Daily* newspaper. It also credits Shen Yiling for the page layout design. There is no information provided regarding specific political statements, actions of officials, or US-China relations. Therefore, a summary beyond this is impossible.
By: 本报记者 冯 华 董丝雨
Ten thousand miles of rivers and mountains reflect the original aspiration.
"We must promote the comprehensive management of mountains, rivers, air, and cities in an integrated manner, and comprehensively strengthen desertification prevention and control and soil and water loss management in river basins." In July of this year, General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) earnestly instructed during his inspection in Shanxi (山西).
"We must unswervingly strengthen the ecological protection and management of key river basins, deepen the battle against pollution, and build a solid ecological security barrier." In May of this year, General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) made clear demands during his inspection in Henan (河南).
Planning for the overall situation, planning for the long term.
From the Northeast region to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (青藏高原), from the Loess Plateau (黄土高坡) to the Southeast coast, through repeated inspections and research, and important meetings, General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) has been concerned about the well-being of the people and looked forward to the future of the nation, promoting the Chinese-style modernization of harmonious coexistence between man and nature to move steadily and far.
"China's construction of socialist modernization has many important characteristics, one of which is that China's modernization is a modernization of harmonious coexistence between man and nature, focusing on the synchronous promotion of material civilization construction and ecological civilization construction."
The "Decision" of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee proposed: "Chinese-style modernization is a modernization of harmonious coexistence between man and nature. We must improve the ecological civilization system, coordinate the promotion of carbon reduction, pollution reduction, green expansion, and growth, actively respond to climate change, and accelerate the improvement of the system and mechanism for implementing the concept that green waters and green mountains are golden mountains and silver mountains."
…………
This is the inherent meaning of striding forward on the new journey of Chinese-style modernization, and it is also a strategic choice for comprehensively promoting the construction of a strong country and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
The history of the development of human civilization is a history of the relationship between man and nature.
General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) has profound thoughts on the relationship between man and nature: "Man and nature are a community of life" "Human damage to nature will ultimately hurt human beings themselves, which is an irresistible law."
How to build a Chinese-style modernization of harmonious coexistence between man and nature? General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) profoundly elaborated:
"It is impossible for us to build a modern country by following the old path of the United States and Europe."
"Following the old path, consuming resources, and polluting the environment is unsustainable!"
"Ecological civilization is a major achievement of human social progress. Mankind has experienced primitive civilization, agricultural civilization, and industrial civilization. Ecological civilization is the product of the development of industrial civilization to a certain stage, and it is a new requirement for achieving harmonious development between man and nature."
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Clear positioning, clear direction.
To promote the modernization of harmonious coexistence between man and nature, we must strengthen the leadership of the Party.
"China's ecological and environmental problems have a historical accumulation process, and it did not become bad in a day, but it cannot become worse and worse in our hands. Communists should have such a mind and will."
The reform of the ecological civilization system has been comprehensively deepened and advanced in depth. The central ecological and environmental protection inspections personally planned, deployed, and promoted by General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) have solved the "stubborn diseases" of ecological environment in some places for many years and have become a tough and practical measure to urge local areas to implement ecological and environmental protection responsibilities.
To promote the modernization of harmonious coexistence between man and nature, we must adhere to the people-centered approach.
From "hoping for enough food and clothing" to "hoping for environmental protection," from "seeking survival" to "seeking ecology," the people's yearning for a better living environment is even stronger.
What the people expect is what the government is directed to. In Jinzhou (锦州), Liaoning (辽宁), General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) emphasized that "ecological civilization construction can bring the greatest sense of gain to the people"; in Rizhao (日照), Shandong (山东), General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) emphasized that "a good ecological environment will give the people a more tangible sense of happiness"... Simple words, earnest exhortations, transformed into resolute actions to make "the sky bluer, the mountains greener, the water clearer, and the environment more beautiful."
To promote the modernization of harmonious coexistence between man and nature, we must anchor the win-win goal of green waters and green mountains and golden mountains and silver mountains.
"In the past, we talked about both green waters and green mountains and golden mountains and silver mountains. In fact, green waters and green mountains are golden mountains and silver mountains." On August 15, 2005, Xi Jinping (习近平), then Secretary of the Zhejiang Provincial Party Committee, came to Yucun (余村) in Anji County (安吉县) for investigation and put forward the concept of "green waters and green mountains are golden mountains and silver mountains."
On February 7 this year, General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) pointed out in his speech at the welcoming banquet for the opening ceremony of the 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin (哈尔滨): "Coming to Harbin (哈尔滨), we truly feel that 'ice and snow are also golden mountains and silver mountains'."
"Ecology itself is economy, and protecting ecology is developing productivity." "Green waters and green mountains are both natural wealth and economic wealth."…
When the concept changes, the world becomes wider. Today's China, "green waters and green mountains are golden mountains and silver mountains" has become a consensus and joint action of the entire Party and society, and relevant systems and mechanisms are accelerating their improvement. The world's largest and most complete new energy industry chain has been built, and from 2013 to 2023, an average annual energy consumption growth rate of 3.3% has supported an average annual economic growth of 6.1%.
A magnificent beginning, slowly unfolding.
"We must plan development from the height of harmonious coexistence between man and nature, and continuously shape new momentum and new advantages for development through high-level environmental protection."
The Chinese-style modernization road with green as its background will surely be a win-win road for economic development and ecological environmental protection.
If people do not fail the green mountains, the green mountains will surely not fail the people.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 申少铁 邱超奕 杨彦帆
The "Opinions on Further Guaranteeing and Improving People's Livelihood and Focusing on Solving the Urgent Difficulties and Anxieties of the Masses" was recently released, proposing 10 key measures, including effectively expanding the coverage of social security and strengthening the bottom-line assistance for low-income groups. According to the "Implementation Plan for the Childcare Subsidy System," subsidies will be issued to infants and young children under the age of 3 who are born in compliance with laws and regulations, at a rate of 3,600 yuan per child per year. The average life expectancy in 2024 is expected to reach 79 years, an increase of 1 year every 5 years from the "Twelfth Five-Year Plan" to the "Fourteenth Five-Year Plan"...
Chinese-style modernization prioritizes people's livelihood.
General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) emphasized: "We must focus on stabilizing employment, stabilizing enterprises, stabilizing the market, and stabilizing expectations, strengthen key livelihood security services such as 'the elderly and the young,' and ensure the basic living conditions of people in need." The meeting of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee (中央政治局) held on July 30 pointed out: "We must earnestly do a good job in ensuring people's livelihood. Highlight the policy orientation of prioritizing employment, and promote employment for key groups such as college graduates, demobilized soldiers, and migrant workers. Implement pro-people policies and improve the hierarchical and categorized social assistance system."
Grasping reform and promoting development ultimately aims to enable people to live a better life. The fruits of economic development are continuously transformed into the people's sense of gain, happiness, and security. China has built the world's largest education system, social security system, and healthcare system, and strives to promote the equalization of basic public services.
Consolidate the foundation of people's livelihood and increase efforts to stabilize employment.
"The company's comprehensive training system allows me to quickly get started with this job," said Lin Weiwen (林威文), a recent graduate who joined Canbridge Biopharma Group Co., Ltd. (康方生物集团有限公司) in Zhongshan (中山市), Guangdong (广东) Province, as a cytology research assistant. With the support of local government employment policies such as job stabilization subsidies and reserve subsidies for young talents, Canbridge Biopharma has continuously expanded its recruitment scale.
Employment is the most basic livelihood. Since the "Fourteenth Five-Year Plan," China's annual new urban employment has remained stable at over 12 million people, providing important support for improving people's livelihood and economic development.
Enhance the overall effectiveness of the employment policy system. Continue to implement policies such as phased reductions in unemployment and work-related injury insurance rates, and conduct the "Hundred-Day and Ten-Million Recruitment Special Action" for many consecutive years. Take multiple measures to promote the employment of migrant workers, and the scale of labor export from poverty-stricken areas has stabilized at over 30 million people. Carry out large-scale vocational skills training. Currently, the total number of skilled workers in China exceeds 200 million, and the number of highly skilled workers exceeds 60 million.
Focus on the needs of people's livelihood, and public services benefit everyone.
At the end of last year, Chen Xiaoming (陈小明), a hearing-impaired teenager living in Chuanshan District (船山区), Suining (遂宁市), Sichuan (四川) Province, accidentally fell from the stairs and suffered multiple fractures throughout his body. After learning about the situation, the Chuanshan District Education Bureau (船山区教育局) provided Chen Xiaoming with 8,200 yuan in funding through relevant project funds. Through timely treatment, Chen Xiaoming recovered and successfully returned to school to continue his studies.
China has always placed education in a strategic position of priority development. In 2024, the consolidation rate of nine-year compulsory education in China exceeded 95%, and the popularization level of education at all levels reached or exceeded the average level of middle- and high-income countries.
"If it weren't for medical insurance, I really don't know what I would do," said Ms. Wang (王女士), who lives in the Huidu Community (惠都小区) of Huanghe Road Street (黄河路街道), Dongying (东营市), Shandong (山东) Province, and suffers from diabetes combined with nephrotic syndrome. Since last year, she has spent 155,500 yuan on hospitalization and treatment. Through medical insurance, critical illness insurance reimbursement, and medical assistance, she personally paid 17,200 yuan.
In order to solve the problems of people's difficulty and expense in seeking medical treatment, China has continued to deepen medical reform. Since 2021, China has newly deployed 114 national regional medical centers, and the construction of close-knit county medical communities and urban medical alliances has been fully promoted. The basic medical insurance participation rate has remained stable at 95%.
Responding to the people's expectations for livelihood, supporting "the elderly and the young."
Walking into a "one old and one young" integration center in Changping District (昌平区), Beijing (北京), a group of children are making creative handicrafts with the help of the elderly. There is both a community childcare center and a elderly care station here. "We hope to help the masses solve the problems of 'caring for the elderly and caring for the young' at the same time by exploring new models, and help build a 'one old and one young' friendly community," said Li Xiaochun (李晓春), the head of the integration center.
In recent years, China has continuously improved the policy mechanisms for developing elderly care services and the elderly care industry, vigorously developed integrated childcare services, and increased the supply of inclusive childcare services.
Currently, the proportion of nursing-type elderly care beds nationwide has increased to 64.6%, and approximately 190 million people are covered by long-term care insurance. Various regions have actively promoted the optimization of the maternity allowance distribution process, and more than 300 prefecture-level cities and large population counties have built integrated childcare service centers, striving to make it possible for more people to "afford" and "trust" childcare.
Return to TopBy: 杨 旭
Safeguarding and improving people's livelihoods in development is a major task of Chinese-style modernization. "Focusing on people's livelihoods is also focusing on development," and the two are mutually reinforcing and empowering.
Development is the "master key" to solving people's livelihood problems. From historically solving the problem of absolute poverty to building the world's largest education system, social security system, and healthcare system, guaranteeing people's livelihoods cannot be separated from the "power" of development.
People's livelihood is the "compass" for improving the quality and efficiency of development. Seeking benefits for people's livelihoods is also seeking practical results for development. Improving people's livelihoods cultivates more effective demand and stimulates the endogenous driving force for high-quality development.
Comprehensively grasping the dialectical relationship between the two, promoting the formation of a virtuous cycle of developing the economy and improving people's livelihoods, and coordinating the efforts to both make the "cake" bigger and divide the "cake" well, will surely enable us to continuously write a warm answer sheet for people's livelihoods on the new journey of Chinese-style modernization.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 李卓尔
Reader Concerns
I am learning intangible cultural heritage (ICH) skills and want to work in this field in the future, but I am worried about whether my income will be guaranteed and whether ICH skills can keep up with the times. Does the state have any policies to cultivate ICH inheritors that can alleviate my concerns?
In March of this year, the sixth batch of national-level representative inheritors of intangible cultural heritage was announced, totaling 942 people. Currently, the national-level representative inheritor team of ICH has a scale of nearly 4,000 people. At the same time, problems such as the aging of the ICH project inheritance team and the lack of successors cannot be ignored.
How to actively cultivate young talents and let the ancient skills have "successors" in the contemporary era?
Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, China has strengthened the protection of ICH with unprecedented efforts, promoting the inheritance of ICH.
Building an ICH talent cultivation system—
ICH inheritance, legislation first. The draft revision of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Law, which was publicly solicited for comments in early July, adheres to the problem-oriented approach, supplements support measures for representative inheritors, and adds content on inheritor training.
In recent years, policy documents such as the "Opinions on Further Strengthening the Protection of Intangible Cultural Heritage" and the "Measures for the Recognition and Management of National-level Representative Inheritors of Intangible Cultural Heritage" have been issued. A working pattern led by ICH administrative departments at all levels, with ICH protection centers, ICH museums, and ICH protection associations as the backbone, and broad participation from all sectors of society has gradually improved.
Innovative exploration to help talents stay in their hometowns—
In 2021, the General Office of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, together with the General Office of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security and the Comprehensive Department of the National Rural Revitalization Bureau, issued the "Notice on Continuing to Promote the Construction of ICH Workshops to Help Rural Revitalization." Subsequently, 18 provinces formulated identification and management documents for ICH workshops. "Currently, there are more than 18,000 ICH workshops across the country, distributed in 2,005 county-level administrative regions, including 670 formerly impoverished counties and 135 key national rural revitalization assistance counties, driving more than 1.2 million people in related industrial chains to find employment and increase income," said the person in charge of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Department of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
Cultivate inheritors to form a sustainable inheritance ecology. For example, Qianxinan Buyei and Miao Autonomous Prefecture (黔西南布依族苗族自治州) in Guizhou Province and Wuzhishan City (五指山市) in Hainan Province have developed "ICH + study tours" and "ICH + tourism" to find connection points between ancient skills and modern life, attract college students to return to their hometowns to start businesses, and inject new vitality into the comprehensive revitalization of the countryside.
Promote the combination of traditional inheritance methods and modern education systems—
Increase support for inheritors. The Ministry of Culture and Tourism, together with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, implemented the China Intangible Cultural Heritage Inheritor Training Program to broaden talent training channels, strengthen the construction of inheritance echelons, and continuously expand the inheritance team.
In the 10 years since the implementation of the training program, 149 universities have participated in it, holding more than 1,400 training courses, covering more than 1,300 national-level representative ICH projects, and directly training 51,000 people. In addition, more than 200 colleges and universities have participated in the research and training projects implemented in various places, benefiting more than 200,000 people.
In order to promote the training of young inheritors, the Ministry of Education has included "Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection" in the "Undergraduate Professional Catalog of Ordinary Higher Education Institutions," strengthened the construction of ICH-related courses and teaching materials, and recognized some ICH-related courses as national first-class undergraduate courses.
In the next step, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism will work with the Ministry of Education and other relevant departments to further strengthen the training of ICH protection and inheritance talents, focusing on training programs, support universities to further strengthen the construction of ICH-related majors, deepen the reform of curriculum system and teaching content, and strengthen the integration of industry and education and collaborative education.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 张云河
Youyi Pass (友谊关) Port in Pingxiang (凭祥) City, Chongzuo (崇左), Guangxi (广西) Province—
15 seconds: This is the time it takes for a truck to quickly clear customs at the border inspection checkpoint.
30%: This is the year-on-year growth rate of the port's import and export cargo value in the first half of this year.
2 million: This is the number of inbound and outbound passengers inspected and released at the port as of 9:00 PM on July 13th this year, reaching this figure 65 days earlier than last year.
Youyi Pass (友谊关) Port is China's largest land port to Vietnam and a major land channel serving the integrated development of the industrial and supply chains of China and Vietnam.
Recently, reporters visited Youyi Pass (友谊关) to interview foreign trade companies and experience the resilience of foreign trade.
Smarter Port
More Powerful Service
"The company's main business is cross-border fruit trade, and Southeast Asian tropical fruits are very popular in the domestic market," said Li Qianchang (李虔昌), Deputy General Manager of Guangxi Ouheng International Logistics Co., Ltd. (广西欧恒国际物流有限公司).
After swiping the card and passing through the checkpoint, a cold chain truck carrying 17 tons of Vietnamese durian drove into Youyi Pass (友谊关) Port. "This is the seventh truck today, with a cargo value of 430,000 yuan," said Li Qianchang (李虔昌). In 2020, Guangxi Ouheng (广西欧恒) imported 400 containers of durian through Youyi Pass (友谊关) Port; in 2024, it imported 1,600 containers; this year, in June alone, it imported 1,000 containers. In the first half of this year, the company's trade volume nearly doubled.
Youyi Pass (友谊关) Port is the largest land port for fruit import and export in Guangxi (广西). Looking at foreign trade through fruit, according to statistics from Youyi Pass (友谊关) Customs, in the first half of this year, the import and export freight volume through Youyi Pass (友谊关) Port was 3.248 million tons, a year-on-year increase of 31.4%, of which the import freight volume was 890,000 tons, a year-on-year increase of 57%.
Looking at the "hardware" - the daily traffic volume of Youyi Pass (友谊关) Port channels has increased from 800 trucks to more than 1,500 trucks; there are 12 inbound and outbound channels, double the number in 2019.
Looking at the "software" - Youyi Pass (友谊关) empowers fast inspection, fast verification, and fast release with technology.
"Intelligent Inspection Auxiliary Management System": Geomagnetic sensors "join hands" with mobile phone applications to automatically assign inspection stations, reducing cargo waiting time by 20% and increasing the turnover efficiency of inspection parking spaces by 35%.
"Intelligent Quarantine Processing System": Data "runs" instead of companies "running errands," saving an average of 3.5 hours of waiting time per ticket operation.
"Smart Logistics Management Platform": Through the vehicle-mounted Beidou (北斗) positioning terminal, the visualization of all aspects of vehicle customs clearance is realized, and scheduling is smoother.
Shi Lei (石磊), Deputy Director of Youyi Pass (友谊关) Customs, said: "We will vigorously promote the construction of smart customs and carry out special actions to facilitate cross-border trade, so that enterprises can travel light."
Extending the Industrial Chain
Expanding the Circle of Friends
The number of newly established enterprises is a "weathervane" of market vitality. In the first half of this year, Pingxiang (凭祥) City newly established 16 processing and production enterprises and 232 import and export enterprises.
After a week of business trips in Southeast Asia, Yao Yiliao (姚一燎), chairman of Guangxi Yuefeng Food Processing Co., Ltd. (广西越丰食品加工有限公司), gained a lot: he newly signed three durian orchards in Thailand and Vietnam, "increasing the source of goods to five."
Yao Yiliao (姚一燎) has been engaged in import and export business for 10 years and started a durian processing business in August 2023. In the workshop, durian "transforms" into durian pudding, durian ice dumplings, durian snowy mooncakes...
Facing the complex external environment, are you afraid of risks? "The domestic tropical fruit consumption potential is huge, and we have confidence," said Yao Yiliao (姚一燎).
Where does the confidence come from?
Extending the industrial chain—
"Ultra-low temperature of minus 196 degrees Celsius can completely preserve the flavor of durian," Yao Yiliao (姚一燎) introduced that the newly purchased four cabinet-type liquid nitrogen machines are about to be put into use, "Extending and supplementing the chain, intensive processing, and enhancing the resilience to cope with external risks."
Processing and manufacturing, commercial and trade logistics, cross-border tourism... More diversified business formats promote the leap from channel economy to industrial economy. Around Youyi Pass (友谊关), a total of 9 fruit processing enterprises have been attracted to settle down, with an annual output value of more than 500 million yuan.
Relying on the large market—
From the "seasonal heat" of pitaya to the "year-round fire" of various fruits, Youyi Pass (友谊关) today is filled with vehicles carrying jackfruit, mangosteen, coconut and other fruits. This year, Guangxi Yuefeng (广西越丰) has newly opened two distribution centers in Qingdao (青岛), Shandong (山东) and Foshan (佛山), Guangdong (广东).
Expanding the "circle of friends"—
In June of this year, Guangxi Ouheng (广西欧恒) added 1,000 new orders, and the demand for fruits such as mangosteen, durian, and jackfruit from Southeast Asia is strong. "The market is the most scarce resource. China has the world's most potential ultra-large-scale market, so there is no need to worry about the lack of development space," Li Qianchang (李虔昌) said calmly.
In the first half of this year, the import and export volume of Youyi Pass (友谊关) Port to ASEAN countries was 286.24 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 30.3%, accounting for 99.1% of the total value of import and export goods of Youyi Pass (友谊关) Port in the same period. Among them, the import and export volume to Vietnam, Thailand, and Cambodia reached 238.17 billion yuan, 36.36 billion yuan, and 5.96 billion yuan respectively, a year-on-year increase of 31.4%, 37.2%, and 9% respectively.
Opening up New Space
Improving Gold Content
Guo Deyi (郭得意), general manager of Guangxi Feiyue Supply Chain Management Co., Ltd. (广西飞越供应链管理有限公司), has been very "proud" recently - the company's newly opened e-commerce live broadcast business sector has achieved results, the daily visits to the live broadcast room exceeded 20,000, and the number of Vietnamese anchors in the company has increased to more than 30.
"Facing new situations, we must open up new spaces, forge new advantages, and meet new demands," Guo Deyi (郭得意) said that the company has transformed from a traditional freight model to an "integrated supply chain and warehousing logistics model," and the billing machines and conveyor belts are running non-stop.
"This is a hot spot for cross-border e-commerce." Guo Deyi's (郭得意) warehouse area has increased nearly 10 times in 3 years.
Making full use of the border and releasing the potential of the border, Youyi Pass (友谊关) is full of energy.
There is a spirit of daring to try. Pingxiang (凭祥) City has taken real measures to reduce the burden on enterprises. Enterprises that have been initially recognized by the state as manufacturing single champion enterprises and specialized and new "little giant" enterprises will be given a one-time reward of no more than 1 million yuan; the "one-fee system" reform of the port will be implemented to ensure all-weather customs clearance and inspection of raw materials and products in the industrial park.
There is resilience. Pingxiang (凭祥) City encourages enterprises to provide teaching, live broadcasting, and logistics customs clearance services to increase the stickiness of the industrial chain and supply chain. In the first half of this year, the export of mechanical and electrical products through Youyi Pass (友谊关) Port was 166.75 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 54.8%. Relying on the strong domestic supply chain system, the product cost performance advantage is obvious.
There is staying power. Pingxiang (凭祥) City strengthens the introduction of technology and funds, cultivates new business formats such as cross-border e-commerce, green trade, and digital economy, and the "new content" of cross-border trade is constantly improving. In the first half of this year, the export of lithium-ion batteries through Youyi Pass (友谊关) Port was 10.05 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 28%.
"We will further improve the supporting service facilities for cross-border e-commerce, upgrade the cross-border e-commerce live broadcast base, turn challenges into opportunities, and write a new chapter in foreign trade with hard work," said Lin Yuzhen (林郁贞), head of the Pingxiang (凭祥) City E-commerce Development Service Center.
Reporter's Notes
Strengthen Confidence and Share Opportunities
From 2012 to 2024, the number of inspection parking spaces at Youyi Pass (友谊关) Port increased from 28 to 76; the number of import and export commodities increased from more than 2,000 to more than 6,000... Youyi Pass (友谊关) has never been as busy as it is today.
Challenges have never left the field, and opportunities are always in the field. The secret of turning a "good card" of the port into a development "trump card" is to make full use of the border and release the potential of the border.
Improve infrastructure and accelerate the flow of factors. Aiming at "large ports" and "large customs clearance," cross-border smart ports are being accelerated here, 72 smart channel special inspection positions are equipped with "smart brains," and large equipment and information systems are being jointly debugged and tested.
Optimize the business environment and create a "strong magnet" for high-level opening up to the outside world. Youyi Pass (友谊关) has launched convenience measures such as "two-step declaration, advance inspection and release" and green special channels for agricultural products to attract enterprises to settle down and continue to improve the soft power of the business environment.
Stimulate reform vitality and ignite a "new engine" for high-quality development. The local government has established a communication and coordination mechanism of "local + resident inspection department + port operation," explored a new marketing model of "cross-border e-commerce + live streaming," stimulated the vitality of industrial upgrading, and accelerated the integration and transformation of business formats.
The door is opening wider and wider, and the road is getting wider and wider. Youyi Pass (友谊关) will surely reap more friendship!
Return to TopThe reporter learned from the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development (住房城乡建设部) that in the first half of the year, 16,500 old urban communities were newly renovated nationwide. This year, the country plans to start the renovation of 25,000 old urban communities.
The picture shows workers constructing the facade wall of a residential building in an old community in Chengnan Community (城南社区), Rucheng Subdistrict (如城街道), Rugao City (如皋市), Jiangsu Province (江苏).
People's Daily (本报) reporter Ding Yiting (丁怡婷) wrote the article, Wu Shujian (吴树建) photographed (Image China (影像中国)).
Return to TopThis Beijing (北京) Dispatch (Our Newspaper Beijing (北京) August 9th) (Reporter Liu Zhiqiang (刘志强)) The reporter learned from the National Bureau of Statistics (国家统计局): In the first half of this year, the national scale-above cultural and related industrial enterprises (hereinafter referred to as "cultural enterprises") achieved operating income of 7129.2 billion yuan, an increase of 7.4% over the same period last year. Among them, the operating income of three major industries, namely content creation and production, creative design services, and news and information services, achieved double-digit growth, with growth rates of 11.8%, 11.8%, and 10.8% respectively.
The cultural service industry has played a strong supporting role. In the first half of the year, the cultural service industry achieved operating income of 3921.8 billion yuan, an increase of 10.7% over the same period last year. The operating income of cultural service enterprises accounted for 55.0% of the scale-above cultural enterprises, an increase of 1.6 percentage points over the same period last year, and the contribution rate to the operating income growth of all scale-above cultural enterprises was 77.0%.
The new cultural business format industry is developing rapidly. In the first half of the year, 16 small industry categories with more obvious characteristics of new cultural business formats achieved operating income of 3156.4 billion yuan, an increase of 13.6% over the same period last year, which was 6.2 percentage points faster than all scale-above cultural enterprises. The contribution rate of the operating income of the new cultural business format industry to the growth of all scale-above cultural enterprises was 76.8%.
The profitability of cultural enterprises continues to improve. In the first half of the year, the scale-above cultural enterprises achieved a total profit of 629.8 billion yuan, an increase of 19.3% over the same period last year.
Return to TopThis newspaper's Beijing (北京) August 9th dispatch (Reporter Wang Guan (王观)) The value-added tax invoice data released by the State Taxation Administration (国家税务总局) shows that in the first half of this year, China's silver economy has developed well. With the comprehensive support of various policies and measures, the modes of elderly care services and the supply of silver products have been further enriched, and the consumption potential of the silver group is enormous.
From the perspective of demand, in the first half of the year, sales revenue of community elderly care services, institutional elderly care services, and home-based elderly care services increased by 30.4%, 22.6%, and 18% year-on-year, respectively. The growth rate of health consumption is remarkable. Sales revenue of mobility and hearing aids, elderly nutrition and health products, and health monitoring equipment increased by 32.2%, 30.1%, and 7.5% year-on-year, respectively.
In the first half of the year, cultural and entertainment consumption improved in quality and upgraded. Sales revenue of elderly tourism services, sports and health services, and cultural and entertainment activities increased by 26.2%, 23.9%, and 20.7% year-on-year, respectively, reflecting that the silver group is shifting from "caring for the elderly" to "enjoying old age," and the attributes of pleasing oneself are emerging.
From the perspective of supply, in the first half of the year, sales revenue of the elderly and disabled nursing service industry, the elderly-friendly household service industry, and the elderly-friendly social care and assistance service industry increased by 40.9%, 14.1%, and 8.8% year-on-year, respectively.
In the first half of the year, the number of entities engaged in the production and manufacturing of silver products nationwide increased by 14.1% year-on-year; sales revenue of elderly-friendly fitness equipment manufacturing, rehabilitation aid manufacturing, and nutritional health food manufacturing increased by 14.7%, 12.1%, and 6.9% year-on-year, respectively.
Return to TopAt the behest of General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平), Zhang Guoqing (张国清), member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council, representing the Party Central Committee and the State Council, rushed to Yuzhong County (榆中县), Lanzhou (兰州) City, Gansu (甘肃) Province on the evening of the 8th, leading responsible comrades from relevant departments to guide the on-site search and rescue and emergency response work for the mountain flood disaster.
Zhang Guoqing (张国清) successively visited Malian Tan Village (马莲滩村) and Jiuzhuang Gou Village (旧庄沟村) in Mapo Township (马坡乡), the areas most severely affected by the disaster, as well as the Yuzhong County (榆中县) No. 1 People's Hospital (榆中县第一人民医院) and temporary resettlement sites for evacuated people. He conveyed the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping's (习近平) important instructions and directives to the affected people, grassroots cadres, and rescue personnel, and conveyed General Secretary Xi Jinping's (习近平) concern. He inquired in detail about the search and rescue of personnel, treatment of the injured, and resettlement of evacuated people. Subsequently, he chaired a meeting at the on-site command center to study and deploy support to help Gansu (甘肃) with its rescue and disaster relief efforts. He pointed out that General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) is very concerned about the safety of the affected people and pays close attention to the progress of rescue and disaster relief. He repeatedly urged that ensuring the safety of people's lives be put first, and put forward clear requirements for making every effort to search for missing persons, relocating threatened people, restoring communications and transportation as soon as possible, strengthening risk forecasting and early warning, strengthening hidden danger investigation and rectification, strengthening emergency duty, and ensuring the safe flood season for the people. Premier Li Qiang (李强) issued instructions, making arrangements for rescue, resettlement, restoration of damaged facilities, and strengthening disaster prevention and response. Gansu Province (甘肃省) and all localities and relevant parties must resolutely implement the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping's (习近平) important instructions and directives and Premier Li Qiang's (李强) requirements, do a good job in flood prevention and disaster relief in a targeted manner, and minimize casualties and disaster losses.
Zhang Guoqing (张国清) emphasized that searching for missing persons should be the top priority. In light of the local terrain and geomorphological characteristics, professional rescue forces and equipment should be scientifically deployed to speed up the search and rescue of personnel to the greatest extent. There are still risks on the scene, and secondary casualties during the rescue process must be strictly prevented. Injured personnel should be carefully treated to reduce disability caused by injuries, psychological counseling should be strengthened, and the families of the dead and missing persons should be comforted with care and affection. The lives of the relocated people should be meticulously and thoughtfully guaranteed. The emergency forces of central enterprises should accelerate the repair of damaged infrastructure such as transportation, communications, and electricity under the unified dispatch of the local command. He emphasized that extreme weather events have been frequent recently, and efforts should be made to improve the accuracy of forecasting the location, intensity, and timing of rainfall, and to issue early warnings as early as possible. Close attention should be paid to dangerous areas such as areas prone to mountain floods and areas prone to geological disasters, as well as high-risk periods such as heavy rainfall at night. The "call-response" mechanism for early warning and emergency avoidance measures should be strictly implemented, and relocation should be carried out early and as much as possible.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者
Since August 7, Yuzhong County (榆中县) and other areas in Lanzhou (兰州), Gansu (甘肃) Province, have experienced continuous heavy rainfall, triggering flash floods and causing significant casualties.
After the disaster occurred, General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) issued important instructions emphasizing the need to spare no effort to search for missing persons, to carry out targeted flood prevention and disaster relief work, and to ensure the safety of the people during the flood season.
All regions and relevant departments resolutely implemented the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping's (习近平) important instructions, organized forces to fully carry out emergency rescue and disaster relief, minimized casualties, and made every effort to ensure the safety of the people during the flood season.
Seizing the Time to Search and Rescue, Making Every Effort to Rush to the Rescue
General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) pointed out that the urgent task is to spare no effort to search for missing persons, relocate and resettle threatened people, minimize casualties, and restore communications and transportation as soon as possible.
Reporters learned from the Gansu Provincial Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters Office (甘肃省防汛抗旱指挥部办公室) that as of 18:00 on the 9th, flash floods in Yuzhong County (榆中县) and other places had resulted in 15 deaths, 28 missing persons, 15 injuries, and the emergency evacuation and resettlement of 9,828 people.
Officers and soldiers of the Gansu Corps of the Armed Police (武警甘肃总队) continued to fight on the front lines of disaster relief. As of 16:10 on the 9th, the Gansu Corps of the Armed Police (武警甘肃总队) had deployed more than 400 soldiers, divided into 4 directions and 5 locations, to carry out emergency rescue, mainly undertaking tasks such as personnel search and rescue, dredging and clearing, and rushing to transport materials.
On the 9th, fire and rescue personnel were divided into 15 search and rescue teams to conduct in-depth searches in key areas. As of 17:00 on August 9, a total of 840 people, 136 vehicles, and 16 boats were dispatched, and 8 people have been rescued so far.
According to preliminary investigations, flash floods in Yuzhong County (榆中县) caused damage to 51 highways totaling 102.2 kilometers. The Gansu (甘肃) transportation department organized more than 670 emergency personnel and more than 130 pieces of equipment to fully carry out rush repair operations. As of 18:00 on the 9th, access roads to all affected villages in Yuzhong County (榆中县) had been cleared, providing conditions for emergency rescue personnel to pass.
Flash floods and mudslides caused damage to the main water supply pipeline in Yuzhong County (榆中县), affecting water supply to some administrative villages in Chengguan Town (城关镇), Xiaokangying Township (小康营乡), and Xiaguan Camp Town (夏官营镇) in Yuzhong County (榆中县). The damaged pipeline was repaired at 13:00 on the 9th, and water supply was restored.
The State Grid Gansu Electric Power Company (国网甘肃省电力公司) organized 11 teams with 330 repair personnel from the provincial, municipal, and county levels, dispatched 73 emergency vehicles, 42 generators, and 3 generator vehicles to invest in emergency rescue and power supply. As of 21:00 on the 9th, power supply had been fully restored in the affected areas, and subsequent efforts will fully transition to the restoration and construction of the damaged power grid.
The communication capacity in the disaster area is rapidly recovering. As of 16:00 on the 9th, basic communication had been restored in 22 affected villages in 5 townships in Yuzhong County (榆中县), of which 16 villages had been restored to pre-disaster levels, and basic communication had been guaranteed in 6 villages such as Malian Tan (马莲滩), where communication damage was severe.
Strengthening Dispatch and Implementing Responsibilities
General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) requested that targeted flood prevention and disaster relief work be carried out to ensure the safety of the people during the flood season.
The State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters (国家防总) and the National Disaster Reduction Committee (国家防减救灾委) launched a Level IV emergency response for flood control and disaster relief respectively in response to the disaster in Gansu (甘肃), and the Ministry of Emergency Management (应急管理部) launched a Level III emergency response for geological disasters. The State Flood Control Headquarters (国家防总) decided to launch a Level IV emergency response for flood control in Jiangsu (江苏), Anhui (安徽), Hubei (湖北), and Chongqing (重庆) at 15:00 on August 9. Recently, extreme weather has been frequent. The Office of the State Flood Control Headquarters (国家防总办公室) and the Ministry of Emergency Management (应急管理部) have been conducting point-to-point rolling dispatch of heavy rainfall areas, urging the strengthening of duty readiness, the pre-positioning of forces, and emergency preparedness, strengthening forecasting and early warning, highlighting the investigation of risks and hidden dangers in suburban areas, mountainous areas, rural areas, and key areas and parts, responding to dangers and disasters at the first time, and effectively ensuring the safety of people's lives and property.
The Ministry of Transport (交通运输部) strengthened dispatch and guidance, urged the Gansu (甘肃) transportation department to implement proactive defense measures against extreme weather, and dispatched a working group to the scene to fully support highway rush repairs and reconstruction in the disaster area.
At 12:00 on the 9th, the Ministry of Water Resources (水利部) launched a Level IV emergency response for flood defense in Henan (河南), Hubei (湖北), Chongqing (重庆), Sichuan (四川), and Shaanxi (陕西) provinces, and maintained a Level IV emergency response for flood defense in Anhui (安徽) and Gansu (甘肃) provinces, requiring relevant local water conservancy departments and relevant river basin management agencies to further tighten and implement flood control responsibilities.
In accordance with the deployment requirements of the All-China Women's Federation (全国妇联), the China Children and Teenagers' Fund (中国儿童少年基金会) urgently raised 910,000 yuan in funds and 300,000 yuan worth of disaster relief materials, and the China Women's Development Foundation (中国妇女发展基金会) urgently raised 200,000 yuan in funds and 800,000 yuan worth of disaster relief materials to help affected women, children, and families. At present, the first batch of Mother's Parcels (家庭健康包) (family health kits), milk powder, and other daily necessities are being transported to the disaster area.
Strengthening Monitoring and Investigating Hidden Dangers
General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) requested to "**坚决克服麻痹大意思想** (jiān jué kè fú má bì dà yì sī xiǎng - "resolutely overcome paralysis and complacency," to resolutely avoid carelessness and complacency)," strengthen risk forecasting and early warning, strengthen the investigation and rectification of hidden dangers, and strengthen emergency duty and guard duty.
At 18:00 on the 9th, the Central Meteorological Observatory (中央气象台) continued to issue a yellow warning for heavy rain and a blue warning for severe convective weather, and issued a meteorological risk warning for small and medium-sized river floods and a meteorological forecast for waterlogging risks. The Ministry of Water Resources (水利部) and the Ministry of Natural Resources (自然资源部) jointly issued an orange meteorological warning for mountain torrent disasters and a meteorological risk warning for geological disasters with the China Meteorological Administration (中国气象局). Relevant regions have deployed command ahead of time and done a good job in monitoring and dispatching.
Beijing (北京市) strictly implemented the overall arrangement of the flood control emergency plan, and made joint plans for different warning levels. "By effectively strengthening risk forecasting and early warning, investigating and rectifying hidden dangers, and strengthening emergency duty and guard duty, flood control work will be more predictable and targeted." A relevant person in charge of the Beijing Municipal Emergency Management Bureau (北京市应急管理局) said that when necessary, pre-positioned emergency rescue forces will be pre-positioned, and the relocation and resettlement of the people will be carried out in accordance with the principle of "transferring all those who should be transferred" to ensure the safety of people's lives and property with all efforts.
On the evening of the 9th, on the banks of the Han River (汉江) in Xiangyang (襄阳), Hubei (湖北) Province, flood control personnel held flashlights and checked for piping hazards on the back slope of the dam. "We have also strengthened the patrol and guard duty of key points such as key dikes, dangerous reservoirs, and hilltop ponds." A relevant person in charge of the Hubei Provincial Emergency Management Department (湖北省应急管理厅) introduced. Hubei Province (湖北省) has invested 923 teams with a total of 39,407 people in 10 cities and states including Wuhan (武汉) and Xiangyang (襄阳), which may be greatly affected, to participate in standby duty.
In order to cope with continuous heavy rainfall, 80 million yuan of central and provincial natural disaster relief funds were allocated to support Guangzhou (广州), Huizhou (惠州) and other disaster-stricken areas to carry out emergency rescue and assistance to affected people, procurement, storage and transportation of disaster relief materials, investigation and emergency rectification of secondary disaster hazards, and other work.
On the banks of the Yellow River (黄河), drones rose. In the Hekou Tourist Resort (河口旅游度假区) in Tuoketuo County (托克托县), Hohhot (呼和浩特) City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region (内蒙古自治区), local cadres and the masses are using the "technology + manpower" method to carry out dike patrols and inspections.
In response to this round of heavy rainfall weather, the Office of the Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region (内蒙古自治区防汛抗旱指挥部办公室) launched the autonomous region's flood control emergency response 5 times, and dispatched 8 working groups to key areas to guide flood control, disaster relief, and emergency response work. Hulunbuir City (呼伦贝尔市) maintains real-time information exchange with the Greater Khingan Range (大兴安岭地区) in Heilongjiang (黑龙江) and the Hinggan League (兴安盟) in Inner Mongolia (内蒙古), and at the same time, it has opened up the police platform for public security, fire protection, and health departments, and established an instant notification mechanism for emergencies.
(Comprehensive reports from reporters Wang Jintao (王锦涛), Zhao Shuaijie (赵帅杰), Yin Yan (银燕), Li Hongmei (李红梅), Yang Hao (杨昊), Qi Yukun (亓玉昆), Liu Wenxin (刘温馨), Deng Jianyang (邓剑洋), Han Xin (韩鑫), Jiang Xiaodan (姜晓丹), Wang Zhou (王洲), Wu Jun (吴君), and Zhai Qinqi (翟钦奇) of this newspaper)
Return to TopBeijing, August 9th (People's Daily) -- Recently, General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) made important instructions on flood prevention and disaster relief work. In order to implement the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping's (习近平) important instructions, the Organization Department of the Central Committee (中央组织部) allocated 32 million yuan of special funds from the Party fees managed on behalf of the Central Committee to Gansu (甘肃) and Guangxi (广西) provinces and autonomous regions to support flood prevention and disaster relief work.
The Organization Department of the Central Committee (中央组织部) requested that all regions should conscientiously implement the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping's (习近平) important instructions, try every possible means to search for and rescue missing persons, relocate and resettle people under threat, and minimize casualties. Leading cadres at all levels must resolutely overcome the idea of being 麻痹大意 (má bì dà yì - "numbness and carelessness," to be careless and slack), strengthen risk forecasting and early warning, strengthen hidden danger investigation and rectification, strengthen emergency duty and guarding, and do a good job in various flood prevention and disaster relief work in a targeted manner to ensure the safety of the people during the flood season. The broad masses of grassroots Party organizations and Party member cadres must charge ahead and defend their positions, and give full play to their role as fighting fortresses and exemplary vanguards in flood prevention and disaster relief.
The Organization Department of the Central Committee (中央组织部) emphasized that this Party fee should be allocated to the grassroots level in a timely manner, mainly for慰问基层党员, cadres and the masses who are fighting on the front lines of flood prevention and disaster relief, and慰问党员 and the masses who are facing difficulties in life due to severe disasters; and for repairing grassroots Party member education facilities damaged by disasters. Relevant provinces should, based on the actual situation, implement supporting funds from the Party fees managed at their own level, allocate them to the grassroots level in a timely manner, and invest them in flood prevention and disaster relief work, ensuring that the funds are used for their intended purpose.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 王锦涛 赵帅杰
Mountain torrents swept along with rocks, producing a thunderous roar. In less than 20 minutes, the homes of eight households in She No. 1 of Jiuzhuangou Village (旧庄沟村), Mapo Township (马坡乡), Yuzhong County (榆中县), Lanzhou City (兰州市), Gansu Province (甘肃省) were swallowed by the flood.
Recalling the mountain torrents of the evening of August 7, Wang Jianwu (王建武), the head of She No. 1, teared up, "The flood came too fast. The river, normally 2 meters wide, suddenly swelled to more than 50 meters."
"We must seize the time to save ourselves." Wang Dong (王东), deputy secretary of the Jiuzhuangou Village (旧庄沟村) Party Branch, was the village cadre on duty that night. It started raining at 5 p.m. that day, and at 8 p.m. the rain suddenly intensified, causing power outages in all six communities of the village. Seeing that the situation was not right, Wang Dong (王东) first posted risk avoidance information in the villagers' WeChat group, and then ran to She No. 1, a low-lying area, to evacuate the masses.
"I was alone at home when I heard the village cadres shouting, so I ran out." Villager Wang Jianyuan (王建元) said that as soon as he ran out of the door, he heard a loud bang and the house collapsed. Villager Wang Mingxi (王名玺) and his family followed the village cadres up the mountain ridge before the flood arrived. Wang Mingxi's (王名玺) grandfather, who is over 90 years old, told him that he had never seen such heavy rain in Jiuzhuangou Village (旧庄沟村) since he could remember.
Houses were destroyed, roads were cut off, and signals were interrupted. The evacuated people gathered at the village committee, waiting for rescue teams.
"We were the first rescue team to arrive at Jiuzhuangou Village (旧庄沟村). At this critical moment, we must charge forward." Wang Taotao (王涛涛), the leader of the Militia Emergency Company of Qilihe District (七里河区), Lanzhou City (兰州市), and a Party member, said that the 44 team members set off at 6 a.m. The road was either washed away or covered with half a meter of mud. The team members cleared the mud while rushing to the scene, arriving at 10:30 a.m. and evacuating a total of 175 people.
Wu Jialin (毋嘉麟), the captain of the Third Squadron of the Second Brigade of the National Northwest Regional Emergency Rescue Center, was born after 1995. "In June of this year, I will have been a Party member for 10 years." Wu Jialin (毋嘉麟) said that on the afternoon of August 8, he and his comrades walked 7 kilometers to Jiuzhuangou Village (旧庄沟村) and evacuated the last and most remote eight households.
Stones were everywhere, mud was everywhere, and the river was still turbulent. At the search and rescue site in Jiuzhuangou Village (旧庄沟村), Party members and cadres either used drones to conduct aerial reconnaissance or carried out searches with search and rescue dogs. At 1 p.m. on the 9th, the clouds gradually cleared over Jiuzhuangou Village (旧庄沟村). Wu Jialin (毋嘉麟), who had started the search and rescue work at 6 a.m., hurriedly ate a few mouthfuls of dry food and rushed back to the search and rescue site, working until late at night.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 王锦涛 赵帅杰
At approximately 9:00 AM on August 9th, a whistle blew, and 120 fire and rescue personnel gathered at the entrance of the Xinglong Mountain Scenic Area (兴隆山景区) in Yuzhong County (榆中县), Lanzhou (兰州) City, Gansu (甘肃) Province. Ahead, the floodwaters raged, and more than 10 excavators and loaders were simultaneously operating, clearing road obstacles. They had arrived as early as 7:00 AM, and unable to wait for the road to be completely clear, they walked along the provincial highway that had been washed away by the flood, stepping deep and shallow into the depths of the scenic area.
The depths of the scenic area are the downstream of the river. This team, jointly composed of the Gansu Provincial Forest Fire Brigade (甘肃省森林消防总队) and the National Northwest Regional Emergency Rescue Center (国家西北区域应急救援中心), rushed to the core area downstream of the river to search for missing persons.
Each fire and rescue personnel carried an iron shovel and a diagonally slung supply backpack, divided into 3 groups, and set off to conduct a net-like search along the river.
"Attention! There are falling rocks ahead, and half of the road has collapsed." Just over 500 meters into the journey, Dang Jun (党军), the captain of the training brigade of the Gansu Provincial Forest Fire Brigade (甘肃省森林消防总队训练大队), issued a warning, and then directed the team to disperse and continue moving forward. But not far ahead, they encountered an even greater obstacle - a flash flood had cut off the road, and a torrent continued to surge between the seven- or eight-meter-wide gaps.
What to do?
"We must not return the same way, we must complete the task." Cheng Tianqi (程天启), the chief of the combat training section of the National Northwest Regional Emergency Rescue Center (国家西北区域应急救援中心作战训练科), said, "Searching for missing persons, one minute faster is one more minute of hope." After checking the terrain and discussing, everyone unanimously decided: "Use local materials to build a bridge to pass!"
The team dispersed again to look for wood. Soon, a fallen tree trunk was lifted to the shore. Then, 5 people held the tree in front, and many people lifted it in the back, sending the tree trunk to the opposite bank. The water flow was turbulent. With a plop, the tree trunk fell into the water and was instantly washed several meters away, and the fire and rescue personnel on the shore almost fell.
"Again! More people!" With the belief of clearing the blocked road earlier and rescuing the missing persons as soon as possible, everyone worked together to drag the tree trunk out of the water and re-erect it, but failed again. At this time, two people walked over from the opposite bank. They were villagers from nearby villages, crossing mountains and rivers to find their missing family members. Seeing the fire and rescue personnel, they took the initiative to come forward to help.
"Catch!" Fire and rescue personnel Shan Liancang (剡连仓) was quick-witted, took out a throwing rope, tied one end tightly to the tree trunk, and steadily threw the other end to the opposite bank. The two villagers were also unambiguous, one wrapped the rope around his waist and held it tightly, and the other tied the rope to a boulder to increase the pulling force. The fire and rescue personnel also seized the opportunity to push the tree trunk to the opposite bank. Accompanied by the loud shouts of "One, two, one, two," the bridge was finally successfully erected!
About 20 minutes later, 4 tree trunks fixed by stones and ropes were arranged side by side across the rushing water, and a temporary wooden bridge was formed. The fire and rescue personnel stepped over the wooden bridge and continued to move forward through the mud...
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 张云河
Youyi Pass (友谊关) Port in Pingxiang (凭祥) City, Chongzuo (崇左), Guangxi (广西) –
15 seconds, that's the time it takes for a truck to pass quickly through the border inspection checkpoint;
30%, that's the year-on-year growth rate of the port's import and export value in the first half of this year;
2 million, that's the number of inbound and outbound passengers inspected and released at the port as of 21:00 on July 13 this year, reaching this figure 65 days earlier than last year.
Youyi Pass (友谊关) Port is China's largest land port to Vietnam and the main land channel serving the integrated development of the industrial and supply chains of the two countries.
Recently, reporters visited Youyi Pass (友谊关), interviewed foreign trade companies, and felt the resilience of foreign trade.
The port is smarter, and the service is more powerful.
"The company's main business is cross-border fruit trade, and Southeast Asian tropical fruits are very popular in the domestic market," said Li Qianchang (李虔昌), deputy general manager of Guangxi Ouheng International Logistics Co., Ltd. (广西欧恒国际物流有限公司).
Swiping the card and passing through the checkpoint, a cold chain truck carrying 17 tons of Vietnamese durian drove into Youyi Pass (友谊关) Port. "This is the seventh trip today, with a cargo value of 430,000 yuan," said Li Qianchang (李虔昌). In 2020, Guangxi Ouheng (广西欧恒) imported 400 containers of durian through Youyi Pass (友谊关) Port; in 2024, it imported 1,600 containers; this year, it imported 1,000 containers in June alone. In the first half of this year, the company's trade volume increased by nearly doubled.
Youyi Pass (友谊关) Port is the largest land fruit import and export port in Guangxi (广西). Looking at foreign trade through fruit, according to statistics from Youyi Pass (友谊关) Customs, in the first half of this year, the import and export cargo volume through Youyi Pass (友谊关) Port was 3.248 million tons, a year-on-year increase of 31.4%, of which the import cargo volume was 890,000 tons, a year-on-year increase of 57%.
Looking at the "hardware" - the daily traffic volume of Youyi Pass (友谊关) Port channels has increased from 800 trucks to more than 1,500 trucks; there are 12 inbound and outbound channels, double the number in 2019.
Looking at the "software" - Youyi Pass (友谊关) empowers fast inspection, fast verification, and fast release with technology.
"Intelligent Inspection Auxiliary Management System": Geomagnetic sensors "hold hands" with mobile phone applications to automatically assign inspection stations, reducing cargo waiting time by 20% and improving the turnover efficiency of inspection parking spaces by 35%.
"Intelligent Quarantine Processing System": Data "runs" instead of enterprises "running errands," saving an average of 3.5 hours of waiting time for a single operation.
"Smart Logistics Control Platform": Through the vehicle-mounted Beidou (北斗) positioning terminal, the visualization of all links of vehicle customs clearance is realized, and the scheduling is smoother.
Shi Lei (石磊), Deputy Director of Youyi Pass (友谊关) Customs, said: "We will vigorously promote the construction of smart customs and carry out special actions to facilitate cross-border trade, so that enterprises can start lightly."
Extend the industrial chain and expand the circle of friends.
The number of newly established enterprises is a "barometer" of market vitality. In the first half of this year, Pingxiang (凭祥) City newly established 16 processing and production enterprises and 232 import and export enterprises.
After a week of business trips in Southeast Asia, Yao Yiliao (姚一燎), chairman of Guangxi Yuefeng Food Processing Co., Ltd. (广西越丰食品加工有限公司), gained a lot: he newly signed a total of 3 durian orchards in Thailand and Vietnam, "increasing the source of goods to 5 places."
Yao Yiliao (姚一燎) has been engaged in import and export business for 10 years, and started a business in durian processing in August 2023. In the workshop, durian "transforms" into durian pudding, durian ice dumplings, durian ice skin moon cakes...
Facing the complex external environment, are you afraid of risks? "The domestic tropical fruit consumption potential is huge, and we have confidence," said Yao Yiliao (姚一燎).
Where does the confidence come from?
Extend the industrial chain –
"Minus 196 degrees Celsius ultra-low temperature can completely retain the durian flavor," Yao Yiliao (姚一燎) introduced that the newly purchased 4 cabinet-type liquid nitrogen machines are about to be put into use, "extending the chain, supplementing the chain, and deep processing to enhance the resilience to cope with external risks."
Processing and manufacturing industry, commercial and trade logistics industry, cross-border tourism industry... More diversified business formats promote the leap from channel economy to industrial economy. Around Youyi Pass (友谊关), a total of 9 fruit processing enterprises have been attracted to land, with an annual output value of more than 500 million yuan.
Relying on the large market –
From the "seasonal heat" of dragon fruit to the "year-round fire" of various fruits, Youyi Pass (友谊关) is now filled with vehicles carrying jackfruit, mangosteen, coconut and other fruits. This year, Guangxi Yuefeng (广西越丰) has newly opened two distribution centers in Qingdao (青岛), Shandong (山东) and Foshan (佛山), Guangdong (广东).
Expand the "circle of friends" –
In June of this year, Guangxi Ouheng (广西欧恒) added 1,000 orders, and the demand for mangosteen, durian, jackfruit and other fruits from Southeast Asia is strong. "The market is the most scarce resource. China has the world's most potential large-scale market, and there is no shortage of development space," Li Qianchang (李虔昌) said calmly.
In the first half of this year, the import and export volume of Youyi Pass (友谊关) Port to ASEAN countries was 286.24 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 30.3%, accounting for 99.1% of the total value of import and export goods of Youyi Pass (友谊关) Port in the same period. Among them, the import and export volume to Vietnam (越南), Thailand (泰国), and Cambodia (柬埔寨) reached 238.17 billion yuan, 36.36 billion yuan, and 5.96 billion yuan respectively, a year-on-year increase of 31.4%, 37.2%, and 9% respectively.
Open up new space and improve the gold content.
Guo Deyi (郭得意), general manager of Guangxi Feiyue Supply Chain Management Co., Ltd. (广西飞越供应链管理有限公司), has been very "proud" recently - the e-commerce live broadcast business sector newly opened by the company has achieved results, the daily visits to the live broadcast room exceed 20,000, and the number of Vietnamese anchors in the company has increased to more than 30.
"Faced with new situations, we must open up new spaces, forge new advantages, and meet new needs," Guo Deyi (郭得意) said that the company has transformed from the traditional freight model to the "supply chain, warehousing and logistics integration model," and the order machines and conveyor belts are running non-stop.
"This is a hot spot for cross-border e-commerce." Guo Deyi's (郭得意) warehouse area has increased nearly 10 times in 3 years.
Make full use of the border and release the potential of the border. Youyi Pass (友谊关) is full of energy.
Have the courage to break through. Pingxiang (凭祥) City has come up with real tricks and practical measures to reduce the burden on enterprises. Enterprises that have been recognized by the state for the first time as manufacturing single champion enterprises and specialized and new "little giant" enterprises will be given a one-time reward of no more than 1 million yuan; the "one-fee system" reform of the port will be implemented to ensure all-weather customs clearance and inspection of raw materials and products in the industrial park.
Have resilience. Pingxiang (凭祥) City encourages enterprises to provide teaching, live broadcasting, and logistics customs clearance services to increase the stickiness of the industrial chain and supply chain. In the first half of this year, the export of mechanical and electrical products through Youyi Pass (友谊关) Port was 166.75 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 54.8%. Relying on the strong domestic supply chain system, the product cost performance advantage is obvious.
Have staying power. Pingxiang (凭祥) City strengthens the introduction of technology and funds, cultivates new business formats such as cross-border e-commerce, green trade, and digital economy, and the "new content" of cross-border trade is constantly improving. In the first half of this year, the export of lithium-ion batteries through Youyi Pass (友谊关) Port was 10.05 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 28%.
"We will further improve the supporting service facilities for cross-border e-commerce, upgrade the cross-border e-commerce live broadcast base, turn challenges into opportunities, and write a new chapter in foreign trade with hard work," said Lin Yuzhen (林郁贞), head of the Pingxiang (凭祥) City E-commerce Development Service Center.
Reporter's Notes
Strengthen confidence and share opportunities
From 2012 to 2024, the number of inspection parking spaces at Youyi Pass (友谊关) Port increased from 28 to 76; the number of import and export commodities increased from more than 2,000 to more than 6,000... Youyi Pass (友谊关) has never been as busy as it is today.
Challenges have never left the field, and opportunities are always in the field. The secret of turning a "good card" of the port into a development "ace" is to make full use of the border and release the potential of the border.
Improve infrastructure and accelerate the flow of factors. Aiming at "large port" and "large customs clearance," cross-border smart ports are accelerating construction here, 72 smart channel special inspection positions are equipped with "smart brains," and large-scale equipment and information systems are being jointly debugged and tested.
Optimize the business environment and build a "strong magnet" for high-level opening up to the outside world. Youyi Pass (友谊关) has launched convenience measures such as "two-step declaration, advance inspection and release" and green special channels for agricultural products to attract enterprises to land, and continue to enhance the soft power of the business environment.
Stimulate reform vitality and ignite a "new engine" for high-quality development. The local area has established a communication and coordination mechanism of "local + resident inspection department + port operation," explored a new marketing model of "cross-border e-commerce + live streaming," stimulated the vitality of industrial upgrading, and accelerated the integration and transformation of business formats.
The door is opening wider and wider, and the road is getting wider and wider. Youyi Pass (友谊关) will surely reap more friendship!
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 杨 一
Walking into the Parkson Shopping Center in Vientiane (万象), the capital of Laos, celery, broccoli, cabbage, potatoes, and other vegetables are displayed in a dazzling array. According to the person in charge of the supermarket department of the shopping center, most of these vegetables come from China and are transported to Laos via the China-Laos Railway. "These tropical vegetables, which are not easy to grow and have good appearance, are very popular among Lao consumers and foreign residents."
As of June 18, the amount of vegetables transported to Laos via the China-Laos Railway this year has exceeded 38,000 tons, an increase of 5 to 6 times compared to the same period last year, enriching the supply of the Lao vegetable market. Recently, a reporter from this newspaper visited the Vientiane South Freight Station (万象南货运口岸站) (hereinafter referred to as "Vientiane South Station (万象南站)"), distributor warehouses, and local markets to track the "one-day journey" of Chinese vegetables in Vientiane (万象).
2 PM —
Vientiane South Station (万象南站)
In the afternoon, the business hall of Vientiane South Station (万象南站) is a busy scene, with many people going through customs clearance procedures for the cold chain containers that are about to arrive.
Accompanied by the sound of a whistle, a freight train carrying 16 cold chain containers full of fresh vegetables pulls into Vientiane South Station (万象南站). After the train comes to a stop, the trucks of vegetable distributors drive into the freight yard, and cranes lift the cleared cold chain containers onto the trucks. Subsequently, the fresh vegetables are sent to warehouses for sorting, grading, and distribution. A Lie (阿列), a freight duty officer at Vientiane South Station (万象南站), said: "These vegetables are loaded at the Zhongyi Village Station (中老铁路中谊村站) and Wangjiaying West Station (王家营西站) of the China-Laos Railway (中老铁路) in Yunnan (云南), China. Including the time for customs inspection, it takes only about 48 hours to reach Vientiane South Station (万象南站)."
In the past, there was a phenomenon of empty containers returning from Laos to China via the China-Laos Railway (中老铁路). In 2023, the China-Laos Railway (中老铁路) opened vegetable transportation services, which changed this situation. Ma Zhaoyin (马兆胤), Minister of Transportation and Production Department of Laos-China Railway Co., Ltd. (老挝老中铁路有限公司), said that the increase in Chinese vegetable transportation has reduced the situation of empty containers returning to Laos, providing more choices for the Lao people, and effectively saving transportation costs. "Over the past year or so, more and more companies have been optimistic about the time efficiency advantages of railway transportation, and our vegetable transportation volume has gradually increased." A Lie (阿列) told reporters, "Compared with tropical fruits, vegetables require lower preservation temperatures." Therefore, when the train transports seasonal Southeast Asian fruits such as mangoes, durians, and mangosteens to China and returns, the temperature of the cold chain containers will be adjusted in a timely manner to ensure the smooth shipment of vegetables.
8 PM —
Lirong Vegetable and Fruit Wholesale Company (利荣蔬菜水果批发公司) Warehouse
As night falls, the warehouse of Lirong Vegetable and Fruit Wholesale Company (利荣蔬菜水果批发公司) next to That Luang Lake Market (塔銮湖市场) in Vientiane (万象) is brightly lit. A truck is parked at the entrance of the warehouse, carrying cold chain containers that were transported from Vientiane South Station (万象南站) in the evening.
Warehouse workers begin to get busy. They unload the foam plastic boxes containing vegetables and stack them according to the numbers on the boxes into cold storage rooms with temperatures controlled at 2 to 4 degrees Celsius. Zou Wennian (邹文念), the person in charge of the company, showed reporters a foam plastic box numbered 21, which contained romaine lettuce, a necessary side dish for Lao noodle soup and barbecue. "This batch of lettuce was ordered by a restaurant, and all the foam plastic boxes numbered 21 will be delivered to this restaurant later." Zou Wennian (邹文念) said that more than 200 merchants currently order from him. "Our current procurement frequency is two containers every three days, with an average of 740 foam plastic boxes per container, distributing more than 40 kinds of Chinese vegetables."
Zou Wennian (邹文念) has been engaged in the wholesale of fruits and vegetables in Laos for more than two years. At the end of last year, he built this new warehouse next to That Luang Lake Market (塔銮湖市场). "More and more merchants are ordering, and the original warehouse is no longer enough," Zou Wennian (邹文念) said.
"We will open pre-sales to customers based on the arrival list. Many old customers, out of trust in us, will directly pre-order without seeing the goods." Zou Wennian (邹文念) said that in order to ensure the freshness of the vegetables, the warehouse also provides free storage services for vendors at That Luang Lake Market (塔銮湖市场). During the conversation, the warehouse workers had finished unloading. Subsequently, they will deliver goods to stalls in That Luang Lake Market (塔銮湖市场) and merchants and restaurants in other markets from night to early morning.
10 AM the next day —
That Luang Lake Market (塔銮湖市场)
In the morning, That Luang Lake Market (塔銮湖市场) is bustling with people, with all kinds of fresh fruits and vegetables, meat, dried goods, and seasonings available.
Vendor A Yi (阿依) has been running a vegetable stall in the market since she was 18 years old. "Five years ago, I started ordering Chinese vegetables. At that time, the China-Laos Railway (老中铁路) had not yet opened, and vegetables needed to be transported by road for a long time, and the preservation conditions were also relatively limited, often resulting in a large amount of loss. Now, Chinese vegetables can be quickly transported to the market by taking the China-Laos Railway (老中铁路). I get goods from Lirong Vegetable and Fruit Wholesale Company (利荣蔬菜水果批发公司) every other day." A Yi (阿依) said, "These broccoli, celery, peppers, and tomatoes are all transported from Yunnan (云南), China. Most of the vegetables sold at my stall are produced in China."
A local consumer came to A Yi's (阿依) stall to buy romaine lettuce. He said: "Chinese romaine lettuce is larger in size, and the miscellaneous leaves have also been processed, which is relatively neat and very popular among locals."
The price of Chinese romaine lettuce in That Luang Lake Market (塔銮湖市场) is 30,000 kip (approximately 10 yuan) per kilogram, which is 2,000 kip (approximately 0.7 yuan) higher than that produced locally in Laos. A Yi (阿依) said that although Chinese romaine lettuce is slightly more expensive, it is still favored by many consumers. "Romaine lettuce, celery, and scallions are very popular at my stall, and the goods on display can be sold out on the same day."
The planting and harvesting time of local Lao vegetables is from December to April of each year. After that, Laos enters the rainy season, which is no longer suitable for vegetable planting and relies more on imports. "Now, with the China-Laos Railway (老中铁路), we can eat more varieties of fresh vegetables during the rainy season. Chinese vegetables have enriched the dining tables of the Lao people, and have also made our family's life more prosperous." A Yi (阿依) said. A Yi's (阿依) husband runs another stall in That Luang Lake Market (塔銮湖市场). "The whole family is busy with the vegetable business. If there is an opportunity in the future, I would like to make the business bigger."
(Reported from Vientiane (万象) by Liu Yingjia (刘莹嘉) and Su Peng (苏朋) from the Asia-Pacific Center Branch)
Return to TopBy: 法比安·皮萨罗
Taking visa exemptions as an opportunity, China has extended a hand of deepened friendship and expanded cooperation to the distant Latin American continent, bringing new opportunities for both sides to enhance mutual understanding and trust, and seek common development and prosperity.
Since June 1, China has officially implemented a visa-free policy for ordinary passport holders from five countries: Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, and Uruguay. This measure not only provides tangible convenience for Latin American people eager to explore China, but also sends a clear and firm signal to the international community: against the backdrop of a complex and volatile global situation, China is taking a more proactive and confident stance to unswervingly promote higher-level and deeper-level opening up to the outside world.
For a long time, the long geographical distance and relatively cumbersome visa procedures have, to some extent, restricted exchanges between the people of Latin America and China. The visa-free policy is like an invisible bridge that will attract more Latin American people to set foot on the ancient and vibrant land of the East and experience a real, three-dimensional, and comprehensive China. For tourism practitioners in Chile (智利) and even the entire Latin American region, this is also a golden opportunity to expand their business.
The positive effects of the visa-free policy are expected to extend from tourism to more fields such as economy, trade, science, technology, and culture. More convenient personnel exchanges between the two sides will strongly promote business cooperation. Latin American trade delegations can conduct in-depth inspections of the Chinese market, participate in various professional exhibitions, carry out efficient business negotiations and project docking, and further activate the potential of Latin American-Chinese trade and investment. Cooperation between the two sides in areas with strong industrial complementarity, as well as in emerging fields such as high technology, new energy, and the digital economy, will also continue to deepen and become more practical. At the same time, cultural exchanges will also be revitalized. With more convenient personnel exchanges, activities such as scholar visits, university cooperation, joint scientific research, and cultural exchanges will become increasingly frequent, injecting a continuous stream of power into knowledge innovation, talent cultivation, and cultural prosperity.
The introduction of the visa-free policy once again powerfully demonstrates that "China's door to opening up will only open wider and wider." Personnel exchanges are an important bridge to enhance people-to-people connectivity, and people-to-people connectivity is the solid foundation for promoting pragmatic cooperation. China's practical actions to open its doors to the Latin American region demonstrate its strategic vision of connecting the world and its positive attitude of openness and inclusiveness. This "two-way rush" across mountains and seas allows the world to gain a deeper understanding of China's development achievements and governance concepts, and also promotes China's deeper integration into the global system, drawing wisdom and strength from diverse civilizations through exchanges and mutual learning. In the current international environment, China's open mind is particularly valuable.
The visa-free policy has opened a new window for Latin American countries to understand China. Whether it is exploring the magnificent mountains and rivers that carry five thousand years of civilization, experiencing the profound Chinese culture, or expanding business cooperation and deepening educational exchanges, the visa-free policy makes China more accessible and attractive. As the first Latin American country to sign a bilateral free trade agreement with China, Chile (智利) has maintained a long-term stable and mutually beneficial cooperative relationship with China. The implementation of this new visa-free policy will further consolidate and enhance bilateral relations, bring the hearts of the two peoples closer, and inject new vitality into Latin American-Chinese relations.
Taking visa exemptions as an opportunity, China has extended a hand of deepened friendship and expanded cooperation to the distant Latin American continent, bringing new opportunities for both sides to enhance mutual understanding and trust, and seek common development and prosperity. With the steady advancement and in-depth implementation of the visa-free policy, economic, trade, and cultural exchanges between Latin America and China will inevitably become closer, and the story of win-win cooperation will become more vivid and exciting. I believe that Latin America and China working together will contribute more wisdom and strength to building a more open and inclusive world.
(The author is the head of the "China Phenomenon" column of Chilean (智利) Cooperative Radio)
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 朱玥颖
"This time marks the first public disclosure by Japan of the complete roster of the 'Ei-ji 1644 Unit' (荣字1644部队), revealing the specific details of the 'Ei-ji 1644 Unit' (荣字1644部队). The evidence of the crimes committed by the Japanese invaders in China is conclusive and undeniable!" Takigami Katsutoshi (竹上胜利), a 77-year-old descendant of a member of the Japanese invading army's "Ei-ji 1644 Unit" (荣字1644部队), said in a recent interview with our reporter.
Not long ago, at the request of Takigami Katsutoshi (竹上胜利) and Katsuo Nishiyama (西山胜夫), a Japanese expert in bacteriological warfare research and Professor Emeritus at Shiga University of Medical Science (滋贺医科大学), the National Archives of Japan (日本国立公文书馆) publicly released for the first time materials such as the rosters of the Japanese invading army's "Ei-ji 1644 Unit" (荣字1644部队), "Ha-ji 8604 Unit" (波字8604部队), and "Ha-ji 8609 Unit" (波字8609部队). The rosters are personnel archive materials of the Japanese invading army, containing information such as the names, dates of birth, registered residences, and military branches of the members of the Japanese army at that time, and are important basic materials for studying the Japanese invading army units.
In 2017, while remodeling his own warehouse, Takigami Katsutoshi (竹上胜利) discovered several photo collections and materials left by his father, which recorded the activities of the Japanese Army's "Epidemic Prevention and Water Supply Unit" (防疫给水部队) in eastern and central China. Because the Japanese army required officers and soldiers to keep their military secrets, Takigami Katsutoshi's (竹上胜利) father never mentioned his experiences in China to him during his lifetime. After investigation, Takigami Katsutoshi (竹上胜利) discovered that his father had gone to China three times since 1932 as a medical soldier and other identities, and transferred to the "Ei-ji 1644 Unit" (荣字1644部队) in 1941.
The Japanese invading army launched bacteriological warfare in China on multiple occasions. Among the various Japanese bacteriological warfare units, in addition to the notorious Japanese invading army Unit 731 (731部队), there was also the "Ei-ji 1644 Unit" (荣字1644部队). Takigami Katsutoshi (竹上胜利) said that his father's experiences in other units were well-documented, but there was very little information about the "Ei-ji 1644 Unit" (荣字1644部队). Public information shows that this bacteriological warfare unit was related to Unit 731 (731部队) in terms of personnel configuration and equipment mobilization, developing bacterial weapons, cultivating bacterial warfare agents, conducting human experiments, and cooperating with Unit 731 (731部队) to implement bacteriological warfare against China, leading to the widespread epidemic of highly infectious diseases such as cholera, typhoid fever, and plague in areas such as Zhejiang (浙江) and Jiangxi (江西), causing great harm to the lives of local people.
In order to investigate his father's work in the "Ei-ji 1644 Unit" (荣字1644部队), Takigami Katsutoshi (竹上胜利) contacted Keiko Suenaga (末永惠子), a lecturer in the Faculty of Medicine at Fukushima Medical University (福岛县立医科大学). Keiko Suenaga (末永惠子) has long been engaged in historical research on the Japanese invading army's implementation of bacteriological warfare, and learned that Takigami Katsutoshi (竹上胜利) had organized and preserved important materials of the "Ei-ji 1644 Unit" (荣字1644部队). She encouraged Takigami Katsutoshi (竹上胜利) to organize and publish these "ironclad evidences." In July 2024, Keiko Suenaga (末永惠子) published "Image Collection of the Imperial Army Epidemic Prevention and Water Supply Department" (帝国陆军防疫给水部图像影集), which included wartime diaries and preserved photos recorded by Takigami Katsutoshi's (竹上胜利) father. Takigami Katsutoshi (竹上胜利) said that after Japan's defeat, a large number of materials were destroyed, and very few materials involving bacteriological warfare and human experiments were preserved. Making them public is of great significance. The truth about the "Ei-ji 1644 Unit" (荣字1644部队) has not yet been revealed, and the relevant materials are particularly valuable.
"I express my deep condolences to the Chinese people who sacrificed in the Japanese war of aggression against China. To this day, there are still occasional words and deeds in Japan that deny and beautify the history of aggression. A crime is a crime, and reflection is necessary. The Japanese government should sincerely apologize to China," said Takigami Katsutoshi (竹上胜利). "In my lifetime, I will continue to work hard to reveal the truth of history to the world in order to avoid the recurrence of tragedy."
(Our newspaper, Nagano (长野), Japan)
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 李维俊 祝佳祺
In the lush, forested valleys along the China-Vietnam border, the long, drawn-out calls of gibbons can be heard from time to time.
Staff from the Guangxi Bangliang Cao Vit Gibbon National Nature Reserve (广西邦亮长臂猿国家级自然保护区) (hereinafter referred to as "Bangliang Reserve (邦亮保护区)") once again arrived at Boundary Marker 777 on the China-Vietnam border, shaking hands and embracing staff from the Cao Vit Gibbon Nature Reserve of Chongqing County, Cao Bằng Province, Vietnam (越南高平省重庆县长臂猿自然保护区), exchanging work experiences.
In recent years, in order to protect the Eastern Black Crested Gibbons living in this forest, Chinese and Vietnamese animal protection workers have regularly held such informal meetings.
"Thank you for Vietnam's strong support for protection cooperation. We plan to hold a formal meeting in the near future and welcome relevant Vietnamese personnel to attend," said Yang Jiang (杨江), Director of the Bangliang Reserve (邦亮保护区) Management Center.
"Thank you for China's kind invitation. The number of Eastern Black Crested Gibbons is constantly increasing. We hope that at the next formal meeting between the two parties, we can discuss the issue of expanding the protected forest area," said Hoang Van Duong, head of the Forest Inspection Station of Chongqing County, Cao Bằng Province, Vietnam (越南高平省重庆县林检站站长黄文阳).
The Eastern Black Crested Gibbon is a Class I nationally protected wild animal in China and is listed as a critically endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). In the 1950s, due to poaching and habitat loss, the species was thought to be extinct. It was not until 2002 and 2006 that investigators rediscovered the Eastern Black Crested Gibbon on the China-Vietnam border.
The Bangliang Reserve (邦亮保护区) and the adjacent Cao Vit Gibbon Reserve of Chongqing County, Cao Bằng Province, Vietnam (越南高平省重庆县长臂猿保护区) are its only known habitats. In 2011, China and Vietnam signed a memorandum of cooperation to carry out joint surveys, protection exchange meetings, and joint patrols and law enforcement to create a livable habitat for the Eastern Black Crested Gibbon.
"After strict protection, the living environment of the Eastern Black Crested Gibbon is getting better and better. The number of populations observed in China has increased from 3 groups of 19 at the beginning of the discovery to 5 groups of 39 now. The number of populations in Vietnam has also achieved stable growth year after year. This is the result of the joint efforts of both parties," Yang Jiang (杨江) said with great satisfaction when talking about the changes in the number of Eastern Black Crested Gibbons.
In order to protect this group of lovely and precious creatures, the Bangliang Reserve (邦亮保护区) has continued to promote cooperation mechanisms such as "Forest Chief + Procurator General" and "Forest Chief + Police Station Chief + Forest Ranger," and has also jointly established the world's first "Eastern Black Crested Gibbon Guard Team" with the local police station, and established the "Eastern Black Crested Gibbon Ecological Police Office," basically achieving full coverage of patrols to ensure that the mountains are managed, the forests are protected, and the gibbons are guarded.
In 2024, the protected areas of China and Vietnam officially established a cross-border joint patrol team, carrying out 3 joint patrols within the year. In February 2025, the two parties jointly signed the "China-Vietnam Eastern Black Crested Gibbon Joint Protection Action Plan" and the "China-Vietnam Eastern Black Crested Gibbon Joint Patrol Team Work Plan," which for the first time clarified the composition of the patrol personnel of both parties and systematically constructed a joint protection framework integrating "joint establishment - joint patrol - joint law enforcement" for the first time, bringing China-Vietnam Eastern Black Crested Gibbon protection cooperation to a new level.
In order to monitor and conduct in-depth research on the population dynamics and behavior of the Eastern Black Crested Gibbon, the Bangliang Reserve (邦亮保护区) has launched scientific research cooperation with Sun Yat-sen University (中山大学), Guangxi Normal University (广西师范大学) and other universities, using passive acoustic monitoring technology to carry out routine scientific research protection monitoring of the Eastern Black Crested Gibbon, and discovered 3 newly born baby gibbons in the Bangliang Reserve (邦亮保护区). "They are so precious and cute, it is worth it no matter how hard or tired we are!" said Meng Keli (蒙克力), a forest ranger at the Daxing Management Station of the Bangliang Reserve (邦亮保护区) Management Center.
In front of Boundary Marker 777, the heads of the protected areas of China and Vietnam greeted each other and planned for the future—
"We appreciate and thank Vietnam for its work. Our cooperation is sincere and in-depth. We will work together in the future to continue to protect the gibbon's habitat."
"With the joint efforts of both parties, the protected areas of both parties have achieved zero fires, zero poaching, and zero deforestation. Thank you for the efforts made by China."
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 汪思源 龚 鸣
In classrooms in Beijing (北京), learning theoretical knowledge such as forestry resource development, utilization, and downstream processing; walking into Guangshan County (光山县), Henan (河南), to understand the entire product processing process of oil tea from fruit to shell; in the Xixia County (西峡县) edible mushroom base in Henan (河南), observing how to use digital technology to effectively reduce agricultural resource waste and improve production efficiency... This summer's trip to China was unforgettable for Krisztesi Agnes, Research Director of the Miercurea Ciuc Wildlife and Mountain Resources Research and Development Institute in Romania.
"This is an important experience in my career. By participating in the training course on forestry resource development and utilization under climate change, I felt China's firm steps on the road to sustainable development." Agnes said in a recent interview with this reporter, that the continuous innovation and application of green technologies has injected strong impetus into China and even the world's green development, and promoted a higher level of coordinated progress between economic society and the ecological environment.
China is the country with the largest and fastest growth of global forest resources and the largest area of artificial afforestation. At present, China's forest coverage rate exceeds 25%, its forest stock volume exceeds 20 billion cubic meters, and its annual forest and grass carbon sink reaches more than 1.2 billion tons. "In China, large areas of barren land have been reborn, biodiversity has been restored, climate adaptability has been significantly enhanced, and China has also achieved economic development for local areas through ecological tourism," Agnes said.
"In recent years, Romania has increasingly attached importance to the interdependence between ecological protection and rural agricultural development. The concept that **绿水青山就是金山银山** (lǜ shuǐ qīng shān jiù shì jīn shān yín shān - "green mountains and clear water are gold and silver mountains," lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets) and its systematic practice in the ecological field provide valuable experience and inspiration for Romania." Agnes said, "This concept coordinates the relationship between economic development and ecological environmental protection and construction. Protecting in development and developing in protection, China extends this concept from top-level design to grassroots practice, demonstrating unique institutional advantages and development wisdom."
Agnes believes that China's experience proves that ecological civilization is not a shackle hindering economic growth, but a strong driving force for promoting social prosperity. "The Wenxin Tea Village (文新茶村) in Xinyang (信阳), Henan (河南) that I visited is a vivid example. This village closely integrates the production of high-quality tea with ecological protection and cultural inheritance, demonstrating a beautiful picture of harmonious coexistence between man and nature."
"China not only vigorously develops advanced green technologies, but also actively carries out international exchanges, sharing valuable knowledge and experience with the world through theoretical learning and on-site demonstrations. This spirit of cooperation is one of China's important contributions to jointly building an ecological civilization," Agnes said.
Agnes said that China's continuous investment in renewable energy, green finance, and international cooperation mechanisms has opened up new paths for developing countries to obtain clean technologies, funds, and training talents. "China is helping global sustainable development with an inclusive attitude."
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 赵展慧
The Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee meeting held on July 30 pointed out that various structural monetary policy tools should be used well to increase support for scientific and technological innovation, boost consumption, small and micro enterprises, and stabilize foreign trade. From the announcement of a series of financial policies to support high-quality economic development on September 24 last year, to the introduction of a package of financial policies to support stabilizing the market and expectations on May 7 this year, and then to the recent issuance of the "Several Measures to Support the Financing of Small and Micro Enterprises" and the "Implementation Plan for High-Quality Development of Inclusive Finance in the Banking and Insurance Industries," solving the financing difficulties of small and micro enterprises is the focus of policy efforts.
Establishing a coordination mechanism to support the financing of small and micro enterprises, optimizing the policy of renewing loans without repayment of principal for small and micro enterprises, and improving credit approval and risk management models... How are the series of policies being implemented? What are the effects? Recently, reporters interviewed relevant departments and many small and micro enterprises.
A Coordination Mechanism Enables Banks and Enterprises to Quickly "Join Hands"
[Scene 1] "Two new production lines are waiting to be launched, and special insulation materials and other materials needed to produce high-end products must also be locked in and deposits paid as soon as possible." Lu Shigao, head of Zhejiang Mylon Electric Co., Ltd., encountered a major problem since starting his business.
Having never taken out a loan, how to solve the nearly 10 million yuan funding needs? In recent years, the company's self-developed products have gained a good reputation among customers in the petrochemical, electric power and other industries, and orders have increased exponentially, but the funding gap has also become larger and larger. Looking at the busy production line, Lu Shigao was both happy and worried.
Financial services took the initiative to come to the door. Not long ago, in the "Thousands of Enterprises and Households Visit" organized by the coordination mechanism to support the financing of small and micro enterprises, Wu Wenxiu, a customer manager from the Yueqing Chengnan Sub-branch of the Agricultural Bank of China (农业银行) , walked into the bustling production workshop, looked at the layout of the new production line, and learned about the company's funding needs. Soon, a "first loan service team" was stationed in the company.
First-time borrowers have no credit records, which is equivalent to drawing a picture of the company on a blank sheet of paper. How to control risks? The service team assessed the company's technical strength and actual order situation, quickly completed the valuation of the factory building, and relied on the Agricultural Bank of China's "first-time borrower" green channel to provide loans to the company. Three days later, a loan of 9.9 million yuan was deposited into Mylon Electric's account.
How can small and micro enterprises and financial institutions quickly "join hands"? A mechanism builds a bridge of communication. In October last year, the National Financial Regulatory Administration (金融监管总局) and the National Development and Reform Commission (国家发展改革委) took the lead in establishing a coordination mechanism to support the financing of small and micro enterprises. Localities established corresponding working mechanisms and special teams to unblock the blockages in the financing of small and micro enterprises.
Jiang Ning, head of the Risk Monitoring Section of the Jiangshan Regulatory Sub-bureau of the Zhejiang Quzhou Financial Regulatory Administration, is a member of the local working team. "This survey of small and micro enterprises is carpet-like and systematic." Jiang Ning introduced that first, data is summarized to establish a list of small and micro enterprises operating in accordance with laws and regulations. Relevant departments and institutions then conduct "Thousands of Enterprises and Households Visit" activities based on the list to identify financing needs and recommend qualified small and micro enterprises to banking institutions.
With the "recommendation list," banks promptly connect and provide financial support. As of the end of June this year, in Zhejiang, 960,000 small and micro enterprises like Mylon Electric have received credit support through this mechanism.
In Puyang, Henan, enterprises with financing needs are divided into "green light enterprises" that meet the conditions of the "recommendation list" and "yellow light enterprises" that have flaws and have not been granted credit. The working team guides financial institutions to strengthen guidance for "yellow light enterprises," coordinate and solve difficulties such as land and credit, and promote the "yellow to green" transformation of enterprises, effectively improving the loan approval rate.
"The coordination mechanism to support the financing of small and micro enterprises helps to optimize the local business environment." Jiang Ping, Director of the Inclusive Finance Department of the National Financial Regulatory Administration, said that localities promptly collect operating problems of small and micro enterprises, provide targeted assistance, and stimulate effective credit demand from enterprises.
Data from the National Financial Regulatory Administration shows that as of the end of June this year, localities have relied on the working mechanism to cumulatively visit more than 90 million small and micro enterprises, individual industrial and commercial households, and other business entities, of which more than 11 million have been included in the "recommendation list." Banks have newly granted credit of 23.6 trillion yuan to business entities on the "recommendation list," with newly issued loans of 17.8 trillion yuan, of which credit loans account for 32.8%.
A Set of Policy Combinations to Reduce Financing Costs
[Scene 2] "After submitting the company's information, the 25 million yuan loan was renewed on the same day." Recently, Lin Xiaoping, the financial director of Fujian Longyan Jinshiyu Electronics Co., Ltd., handled the business of renewing loans without repayment of principal at the Wuping County Sub-branch of the Postal Savings Bank (邮储银行) . "A month before the loan expired, I received a call from the customer manager informing me of the new policy."
The "new policy" Lin Xiaoping mentioned refers to the optimized policy of renewing loans without repayment of principal, which was launched simultaneously with the coordination mechanism to support the financing of small and micro enterprises last year. The service targets have been expanded from some small and micro enterprises to all small and micro enterprises, clarifying that small and micro enterprises that have real financing needs and temporary financial difficulties after the loan expires can apply for renewal support if they meet the conditions.
"It really reduces the burden on us." Lin Xiaoping said that now is the stage of purchasing a large amount of raw materials. If the loan funds cannot be renewed in time after they expire, the company will have to seek high-cost bridge funds to make up for the short-term funding gap.
The expansion and increase of the business of renewing loans without repayment of principal has effectively alleviated the pressure on the capital turnover of small and micro enterprises and reduced the cost of loan transfer for enterprises. In order to further expand the coverage of the policy, the National Financial Regulatory Administration has also embedded the policy of renewing loans without repayment of principal into the working mechanism for coordinated promotion. Banks are required to adjust their credit granting systems and approval processes in a timely manner, transform information systems, actively identify and count the renewal needs of small and micro enterprises, and "renew as much as possible" for small and micro enterprises on the "recommendation list" that have renewal needs and meet the conditions... As of the end of June this year, the national balance of renewed loans for small and micro enterprises was 8.2 trillion yuan, an increase of 43.8% year-on-year.
It is necessary to increase financial support for enterprises in every possible way, and also to help enterprises save costs. Many financial institutions provide preferential interest rates and special fee reductions for small and micro enterprises.
"The annual interest can be reduced by nearly 10,000 yuan." Ke Sigen, head of Zhejiang Longquan Zhoulong Bamboo and Wood Co., Ltd., recently received a credit line of 2.2 million yuan from the Longquan City Sub-branch of the Agricultural Bank of China, and he was pleasantly surprised that the loan interest rate for exclusive products for small and micro enterprises was 45 basis points lower than before. Ke Sigen told reporters that the bamboo and wood industry is in a period of transformation and upgrading, and enterprises are promoting production intelligence and high-end through technological transformation. "At this stage, we have large investments and short-term income reductions, so financial support is very important."
Jiang Ping introduced that in order to further strengthen the policy guarantee for the financing of small and micro enterprises, the "Several Measures to Support the Financing of Small and Micro Enterprises" proposes to make good use of relevant policies such as re-lending for agricultural support and small business support, government financing guarantee systems, tax incentives, special funds for inclusive financial development, and credit information sharing to benefit small and micro enterprises.
In the first six months of this year, the average interest rate for newly issued inclusive small and micro enterprise loans nationwide was 3.89%, a decrease of 1.98 percentage points compared with 2020, which was 1.23 percentage points higher than the same period decrease in the 1-year loan market quotation rate (LPR).
A Credit Platform to Improve Financing Efficiency
[Scene 3] "Accounts receivable cannot be recovered in the short term, and there is no collateral for loans, so the company's operation is 'stuck'." At the beginning of this year, Liu Chao, head of Mianning County Tianyun Biotechnology Co., Ltd. in Liangshan, Sichuan, fell into a shortage of working capital.
The company focuses on green agriculture and is mainly engaged in the production of organic fertilizer and microbial bacterial fertilizer, and its operating conditions are stable. However, the company's business premises are leased factory buildings, which cannot be used for mortgage credit, and the production equipment has been used for loans before. Under the guidance and coordination of the Liangshan Regulatory Sub-bureau of the National Financial Regulatory Administration, the Mianning County Small and Micro Enterprise Financing Coordination Working Team included the company in the "Green Agriculture Key Support List," and Liangshan Rural Commercial Bank (凉山农商银行) contacted the company to understand its needs.
Can Tianyun Biology, which has no collateral, be given a loan? First, understand the company's continuous three-year tax payment, social security payment, environmental assessment, etc. through tax and other departments, and then use the "Tianfu Credit Pass" credit platform to supplement other information of the company. A company credit profile supported by data is formed.
"Insufficient collateral is a common feature of small and micro enterprises, which does not mean that small and micro enterprises do not have the ability to obtain loans. Understanding the actual production and operation capabilities of enterprises through big data provides a basis for loans." Wang Xiaoyi, head of the Mianning Sub-branch of Liangshan Rural Commercial Bank, introduced that the bank issued a pure credit loan of 2 million yuan to Tianyun Biology within two days.
The special team "runs errands" and the data "runs the road." Among the massive number of small and micro enterprises, financial institutions select objects that truly have financing needs and can be supported. Localities continue to optimize the financing credit service platform to solve the problem of information asymmetry between banks and enterprises and transform enterprise information into financing credit.
Sichuan strengthens the integration of data resources and promotes the interconnection of credit platforms at the provincial and municipal levels; the Zhejiang Provincial Financial Comprehensive Service Platform gathers enterprise information from 54 government departments to help financial institutions achieve intelligent approval and risk control... Localities strengthen credit information sharing, improve credit approval and risk management models, accurately profile small and micro enterprises, and improve financing efficiency.
To solve the problems of "difficulty, high cost, and slowness" in the financing of small and micro enterprises, more detailed measures are on the way. Revise and issue the Measures for the Risk Classification of Small and Micro Enterprise Loans and formulate differentiated standards; revise the classification standards for small and medium-sized enterprises to help accurately support small and micro enterprises... "We will efficiently coordinate with the coordination mechanism to support the financing of small and micro enterprises to promote policies to reach the grassroots level and take effect." Jiang Ping said.
Return to TopBeijing, August 9th (People's Daily reporter Liu Zhiqiang (刘志强)) -- The reporter learned from the National Bureau of Statistics (国家统计局) that in July, the effect of policies to expand domestic demand continued to emerge. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) changed from a decrease of 0.1% month-on-month in the previous month to an increase of 0.4% month-on-month, and was the same year-on-year. The core CPI, excluding food and energy prices, increased by 0.8% year-on-year, and the increase has expanded for three consecutive months.
Affected by seasonal factors and the uncertainty of the international trade environment, in July, the Producer Price Index (PPI) for industrial products decreased by 0.2% month-on-month. The order of domestic market competition continued to optimize, and the month-on-month decline narrowed by 0.2 percentage points compared with the previous month, a year-on-year decrease of 3.6%, the same decrease as the previous month.
As the effect of policies to expand domestic demand continues to emerge, prices in the consumption sector continue to show positive changes. First, the CPI rose 0.4% month-on-month, an increase of 0.1 percentage points higher than the seasonal level. The month-on-month increase was mainly driven by rising prices for services and industrial consumer goods. Service prices rose 0.6% month-on-month, affecting the CPI to rise by about 0.26 percentage points month-on-month, accounting for more than 60% of the total CPI increase. Industrial consumer goods prices rose 0.5% month-on-month, an increase of 0.4 percentage points higher than the previous month, affecting the CPI to rise by about 0.17 percentage points month-on-month. Second, the core CPI continued to rebound year-on-year. The core CPI, excluding food and energy prices, increased by 0.8% year-on-year, and the increase continued to expand by 0.1 percentage points compared with the previous month, the highest since March 2024.
The CPI was flat year-on-year, mainly affected by lower food prices. Affected by the high price base in the same period of the previous year, food prices fell by 1.6% year-on-year, an increase of 1.3 percentage points higher than the previous month, affecting the CPI to fall by about 0.29 percentage points year-on-year, and the downward impact on the CPI year-on-year increased by about 0.24 percentage points compared with the previous month. Non-food prices rose 0.3% year-on-year, an increase of 0.2 percentage points higher than the previous month.
Return to TopThis newspaper reported from Tianjin (天津) on August 9th (People's Daily reporter Tao Jian (陶建)): The Haihe River (海河) surges, and the cultural heritage is long. On the 9th, the "Why China: Harmony and Coexistence" online theme promotion event was launched in Tianjin (天津).
The launching ceremony was divided into three chapters: "River and Sea Charm of Tianjin (天津)," "Tianjin (天津) is Not What it Used to Be," and "One Family Under Heaven," multidimensionally and three-dimensionally showcasing the unique Tianjin (天津) culture, allowing the world to feel the charm of Chinese culture. In the "River and Sea Charm of Tianjin (天津)" chapter, thematic performances such as "Southern Peach and Northern Willow (南桃北柳)," "Treasures of the Museum (镇馆之宝)," and "More Than Architecture (不止建筑)" vividly presented river and sea culture, red culture, folk culture, and cultural and museum culture. In the "Tianjin (天津) is Not What it Used to Be" chapter, thematic performances such as "The Exploitation of the Works of Nature (天工开物)," "240 Hours in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (京津冀240小时)," and "Ballads of the Nine Rivers (九河谣)" vividly told the story of Tianjin (天津) promoting high-quality development in the new era. In the "One Family Under Heaven" chapter, international students from Shanghai Cooperation Organization (上海合作组织) countries studying in China and foreign friends in Tianjin (天津) shared their indissoluble bond with Chinese culture and offered their wishes for the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organization (上海合作组织) Tianjin (天津) Summit. At the event, key central news websites and industry representatives jointly released key online promotion projects.
This event was guided by the Bureau of Internet Communication of the Central Cyberspace Administration of China (中央网信办网络传播局), the Department of Policies, Laws and Regulations, the Department of Museums and Social Relics, and the Department of Revolutionary Relics of the National Cultural Heritage Administration (国家文物局政策法规司、博物馆与社会文物司、革命文物司), and the Publicity Department of the Tianjin (天津) Municipal Committee; jointly hosted by the Cyberspace Administration of the Tianjin (天津) Municipal Committee, the Tianjin (天津) Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism (Tianjin (天津) Municipal Bureau of Cultural Relics) (天津市委网信办、天津市文化和旅游局（天津市文物局）), People's Daily (人民网), the Nankai District (南开区) Cyberspace Administration Commission of the Tianjin (天津) Municipal Committee, and Tianjin (天津) Haihe Media Center (天津海河传媒中心); and undertaken by People's Video (人民视频) and Jin Yun New Media (津云新媒体).
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 沈文敏
"We are fully utilizing the 240-hour visa-free transit policy and plan to spend 9 days in Shanghai." Lena and her two friends are from Romania. After landing in Shanghai on July 25, they smoothly resolved their payment issues at the Shanghai Pudong International Airport (上海浦东国际机场) Foreigner One-Stop Service Center.
That day, the total number of inbound and outbound passengers at the Pudong International Airport (上海浦东国际机场) port in 2025 exceeded 20 million, a 21% increase compared to the same period last year, ranking among the top airport ports in the country.
Not only Pudong International Airport (上海浦东国际机场), but also with the increasing density of international route networks, the global connectivity of Shanghai (上海) ports continues to improve. In 2024, Shanghai Airport's (上海机场) international aviation hub network has covered 291 destinations in 48 countries and regions.
Spanish passenger Amadeus is flying to Tokyo (东京) this time, and he and his two daughters have a few hours of transit time in Shanghai (上海).
"At the airport, when I was worried about filling out the entry card, a volunteer came over and told me that passengers from Spain (西班牙) could enter China (中国) visa-free for a maximum stay of 30 days, so we entered smoothly." Amadeus changed his plan to spend time in the airport duty-free shop and decided to take his daughters to see the center of Shanghai (上海).
The volunteer who helped Amadeus is a member of the Shanghai Airport (上海机场) Border Inspection "Hundred-Person Foreign Language Volunteer Service Team." This team, which is on duty in shifts 24 hours a day, is composed of 150 police officers proficient in foreign languages and provides volunteer services in 13 languages, including English, French, German, and Spanish, for inbound and outbound passengers.
"When we enter the country, volunteers answer many questions, which reduces a lot of my worries." Belgian musician Gao Yue (高悦), who has transited through Shanghai (上海) many times, felt deeply.
In order to improve the entry experience for foreigners, the Shanghai Airport (上海机场) Border Inspection Station has also established an inspection model of "pre-diversion of inbound foreigners + pre-examination of transit applications + simultaneous processing of inbound and transit," which reduces the waiting time for passengers in line for inspection; it promotes the "fill in on the plane, report online" entry card filling model for foreigners, saving the time of filling in on-site.
How to pay for shopping in Shanghai (上海)? Amadeus encountered a new problem.
At the Pudong International Airport (上海浦东国际机场) Foreigner One-Stop Service Center, staff helped him bind his bank card to Alipay (支付宝) and WeChat (微信), thereby facilitating payment, and opened the "Entry Easy Go."
The "Entry Easy Go" platform was jointly launched by the Shanghai Municipal Foreign Affairs Office (上海市政府外事办) and Alipay (支付宝), integrating 30 mini-programs from 24 first-batch resident companies to help tourists achieve one-time registration, one-code access, one-click coupon collection, and tap-to-refund tax.
"We also assist foreign passengers in exchanging cash, and if necessary, we can also handle short-term phone cards and transportation cards." Zhou Dan (周丹), the Shanghai Foreign Service (上海外服) operations manager at the Pudong International Airport (上海浦东国际机场) Foreigner One-Stop Service Center, introduced. According to statistics, from June 2024 to now, the one-stop service centers at Shanghai's (上海) two major international airports have received more than 430,000 visits.
"See the Bund (外滩) and the Oriental Pearl Tower (东方明珠), and taste the delicious food!" An unplanned trip made Amadeus and his daughters very excited.
Amadeus and his daughters took the Maglev train (磁浮列车) to Shanghai Metro Line 2 (上海地铁2号线), and the three got off at Nanjing East Road Station (南京东路站). "Walking along Nanjing Road (南京路), we found that almost all the stores here have signs supporting VISA or Alipay (支付宝). My daughters wanted to buy White Rabbit candy (大白兔奶糖), and when I paid, the clerk handed me an 'Entry Easy Go' coupon and told me that I could get a 5 yuan discount with the coupon," said Amadeus.
"I was just on a video call with my wife, showing her the pan-fried buns we bought on Nanjing Road (南京路)." After chatting with the reporter, Amadeus and his two daughters prepared to board the plane. "The convenience here is beyond imagination, and I look forward to seeing you again next time," he said.
Behind them is an increasingly dense international route network.
Return to TopOn August 9th, in Lianglu Village (两路村), Xingqiao Town (星桥镇), Liangping District (梁平区), Chongqing (重庆), a harvester reaps rice in the paddy fields. In recent years, Liangping District (梁平区) has constructed a 100,000-mu high-standard farmland demonstration zone in Xingqiao Town (星桥镇), transforming individual "hope-for-rain fields" into high-yield fields.
Liu Hui (刘辉) photographed (People's Vision (人民视觉)).
Return to TopAccording to the Changjiang Waterway Bureau (长江航务管理局) of the Ministry of Transport (交通运输部), from January to July, the cumulative cargo throughput of ports along the Yangtze River (长江) trunk line is estimated to be 2.34 billion tons, an increase of 4.8% year-on-year.
In the first seven months, the throughput of the Three Gorges Hub (三峡枢纽) was 98.584 million tons, an increase of 15.3% year-on-year; the Changjiang Pilot Center (长江引航中心) piloted 35,000 ships, an increase of 2.4% year-on-year; and the passenger volume of cruise ships was 5.144 million, an increase of 5.3% year-on-year, indicating steady progress in Yangtze River (长江) shipping and transportation production.
The upgrading of intelligence is accelerating. The promotion and application of a new generation of Beidou ship-borne intelligent terminals has achieved comprehensive integration of shipping infrastructure and industry data. At present, the electronic navigation chart of the Yangtze River (长江) system has covered 5,606 kilometers, and the ability of the Yangtze River (长江) to support the economic development along the river has been further enhanced.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 吴 月 李俊杰 吴 君 巨云鹏
At 8:30 in the morning, parents were dropping off their children one after another at the Yangliu campus of the Chuíyángliǔ Central Primary School (垂杨柳中心小学) in Chaoyang District (朝阳区), Beijing (北京). Student Fu Qianhui (付千卉) waved goodbye to her mother and was led into the school by a teacher. "The school's after-school care program solves the problem of difficulty in taking care of children during the summer vacation," said parent Ms. Liu (刘).
Every vacation, "nowhere for children to go, difficulty for parents to take care of them" is a situation faced by many families. In July, the General Office of the Ministry of Education (教育部) issued a notice proposing to do a good job in summer care, enrich holiday life, and require local education administrative departments and schools to organize various care services in conjunction with streets (communities) and the Communist Youth League (共青团), the Women's Federation (妇联), trade unions and other departments to effectively solve the problem of "difficulty in care" for students during the summer vacation.
What is the effect of summer care? What are the expectations of parents and teachers? The reporter visited many places to find out.
To Whom to Entrust
The notification was sent in the group in the morning, and the after-school care class was full before noon.
Why participate in after-school care? Watching her daughter enter the school, Ms. Liu (刘) opened the conversation: "My husband and I are both employed and cannot take care of our children at home on weekdays. Although the elderly can help, their energy is limited, and they cannot bear to take care of them for two consecutive months."
Just worrying before the summer vacation, Ms. Liu (刘) quickly signed up after hearing that the school had after-school care services, "The child is looking forward to it because there are children here who can play together."
Following Fu Qianhui (付千卉) to the campus, the reporter saw that the first part was morning exercise, and the children exercised to music. Half an hour later, it was independent study time. Fu Qianhui (付千卉) read extracurricular books brought from home, and the teacher reminded her to pay attention to her sitting posture from time to time. At 11:30, lunch arrived, lotus root boxes, shredded pork with eggs, bananas... "Delicious!" Fu Qianhui (付千卉) nodded repeatedly.
In addition to school care, many streets and communities have also opened summer care classes, launching official childcare services at the doorstep.
At 8:00 in the morning, in Luyang District (庐阳区), Hefei (合肥), Anhui (安徽), Qin Qiongzhi (秦琼枝), who works at the express delivery station in the Feilicheng Community (翡丽城小区) of Luyuan Community (鲁园社区), sent her child to the community summer care class and rushed to help her husband deliver express deliveries.
"I thought about sending my child to an interest class, but there was economic pressure. I also thought about taking care of it myself, but my income would decrease. Fortunately, there is public welfare care!" Qin Qiongzhi (秦琼枝) said, "Now, the child goes to the community during the day, which saves money and is reassuring, and I can work with peace of mind."
Zhu Tianting (祝天婷), Secretary of the Party Committee of Luyuan Community (鲁园社区), introduced that due to limited space, in order to ensure the quality of care, the community care class enrolled 20 children in the first phase, "The notification was sent in the group in the morning, and it was often full before noon. We are trying to open more phases to take care of more children in the jurisdiction."
In addition, some units and parks are also exploring care services, and taking children to work has become a choice for some parents.
"The unit's loving care class solves the worries." When Shi Weijun (时伟君), an employee of State Grid Hubei Ultra-High Voltage Company (国网湖北超高压公司), went to work in the morning, he took his son to the staff activity center and went home together after work. The company's trade union hired coaches from the gymnasium and recruited volunteers from among the employees to carry out projects such as table tennis and badminton.
Liu Zhitian (刘治田), Secretary of the Hubei Provincial Committee of the Communist Youth League (共青团湖北省委), introduced that this summer vacation, more than 3,800 loving care classes in the province have started one after another, an increase of more than 300 compared with last year. The new locations are mainly located in parks, business districts, buildings, etc., highlighting the service coverage for children of dual-income families, children of young people in emerging fields, and left-behind children and children from economically disadvantaged families.
How to Manage
Open libraries and sports fields, carry out cultural and sports activities, homework tutoring, etc.
According to relevant regulations of the Ministry of Education (教育部), care services should focus on care to ensure that students get adequate rest; schools should open various resource facilities such as classrooms, libraries, and sports venues, and reasonably organize some collective games, cultural and sports activities, reading guidance, comprehensive practice, interest expansion, homework tutoring and other services.
What can children do in summer care classes? In addition to "watching children," what activities can teachers carry out?
"Ready, start!" At the Affiliated Huayuan Primary School (附属花园小学) of Capital Normal University (首都师范大学), physical education teacher Li Guangcheng (李广成) blew the whistle and shouted commands, leading the children to play throwing sandbags, etc.
After a few games, the body was slightly sweaty, and the next step was the free exercise session: the children gathered in groups of three or five, received their favorite sports equipment, played badminton, kicked shuttlecocks, jumped rope...
"Summer care should also help children grow up healthily and develop in an all-round way. To ensure exercise, physical education teachers are on duty every day, arranging 1 hour of sports activities each in the morning and afternoon." Zhang Jinyu (张金玉), Deputy Secretary of the Party General Branch of the school, took reporters to visit the campus: books in the reading room can be freely accessed, garbage must be sorted after meals, and hygiene must be cleaned before leaving school... Every bit is a detail of education.
Rich activities are inseparable from the participation of all parties. In Putuo District (普陀区), Shanghai (上海), the District Committee of the Communist Youth League (团区委) and the education department jointly organized 27 loving summer care classes in 10 streets and towns. "While alleviating the difficulty of care, we also hope to build a multi-dimensional practical education platform to guide students to spend a safe, happy and meaningful holiday," said Lü Huan (吕欢), Secretary of the Putuo District Committee of the Communist Youth League (团普陀区委).
"In the 'Intelligent and Fun AI Paradise' activity of the Changzheng Town (长征镇) Loving Summer Care Class, children talked with intelligent bodies of historical figures; in the Changshou Road Street (长寿路街道) Loving Summer Care Class, staff from the Market Supervision Office explained relevant knowledge about food and medicine..." Lü Huan (吕欢) introduced that the smooth development of the summer care class is backed by the linkage of multiple departments: the district finance supports the overall operation, the education department coordinates and guarantees the venue for running the class, the public security, health and other departments provide guarantees, and the streets and towns coordinate enrollment and other preliminary preparations. Nearby universities, research institutes, and social organizations also actively participate, constantly enriching the service content of the summer care class.
"Care should reflect the characteristics of the holiday. On the basis of safe care, it should provide projects that are different from the subject teaching during the semester, such as cultural and sports activities, social practice, etc., to meet the diverse needs of students," said Xue Haiping (薛海平), professor of the School of Education of Capital Normal University (首都师范大学).
Where is the Difficulty
More guarantees are needed for personnel, venues, and content.
While interviewing at a primary school that hosted summer care, the reporter saw that the messages on the duty cadre's mobile phone kept coming: the alarm clock rang, reminding to count the number of meals for the next day; in the WeChat group, parents left messages hoping to pick up their children early; less than a week after the class started, there were already more than 20 documents in the folder, including teacher schedules, etc.
Many teachers admitted that it is not easy to run a good summer care class: teachers volunteer to participate, and time needs to be arranged reasonably; students come from different schools and grades, and it is difficult to manage and carry out activities in a targeted manner. Introducing more social forces to participate is the expectation of many grassroots education workers. In this regard, some places are actively exploring.
Introducing volunteers, personnel guarantees are more in place.
Tang Diao recitation, intangible cultural heritage handicrafts... More than 30 students from the School of Humanities of Shanghai Normal University (上海师范大学) served as volunteers in the Caohejing Street (漕河泾街道) Loving Summer Care Class in Xuhui District (徐汇区), carrying out activities combining their professional strengths. Qi Jing (戚静), Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of the college, introduced that students can exercise their teaching and class management skills, and can also gain volunteer service hours and a certain subsidy.
"Once, the children took my hand and asked: 'Teacher, when can we see you again?' At that moment, I was very moved." Graduate student Shao Minyi (邵敏怡) is serving as a volunteer for the fourth time. She applies her knowledge to practice and has established a deep friendship with the children.
In Gaoqiao Community (高桥社区), Guandang Town (官垱镇), Shayang County (沙洋县), Hubei (湖北), volunteers from Zhongnan University of Economics and Law (中南财经政法大学) broadened the horizons of rural children. "College students have come to teach in recent years, and they are very responsible. This year, 55 children signed up to participate in care, and almost no one is absent every day," said Zhang Chuncheng (张春城), Secretary of the Party General Branch of Gaoqiao Community (高桥社区).
Make good use of social resources, and summer life is more colorful.
At the Baohe District (包河区) Youth Activity Center (青少年活动中心) in Hefei (合肥), in the etiquette training session of the "Lakeside Youth League" (湖畔少年团) volunteer service summer camp, the young campers raised their heads and chests and practiced explaining historical stories. Hu Mei (胡梅), a guide from the Baogong Park (包公园景区) in Hefei (合肥), occasionally made suggestions.
"There is a free summer camp at my doorstep, and I want my child to experience it." Parent Wang Li (汪丽) said. It is reported that the Baohe District (包河区) Youth Activity Center (青少年活动中心) carries out summer camps with themes such as intangible cultural heritage and technological innovation, which can accommodate more than 1,000 primary and secondary school students.
Lang Qiuyan (郎秋艳), Deputy Director of the Basic Education Department of the Hefei (合肥) Municipal Education Bureau (市教育局), introduced that local departments have explored social education resources and launched the "Taking Care of Your Children" summer service, with a total of 1,143 projects, including care, public welfare summer camps, museum visits, and competition viewing. The next step will be to continue to integrate high-quality resources to improve the quality of summer care services.
"We should encourage multiple entities to participate, improve the matching degree of supply and demand, and form a summer care service system with multiple levels and wide coverage," suggested Zhou Limin (周立民), Associate Professor of the School of Philosophy and Political Science of Shanghai Normal University (上海师范大学). He suggested using resources such as museums, cultural centers, and youth activity centers, and guiding college student volunteers, social professionals, etc. to participate to improve the effect of collaborative education between families, schools, and society.
Return to TopBy: 吴 月
Today, summer care resources are more abundant, providing parents with more choices for childcare. However, it should also be noted that care is not the only solution for summer vacation.
Care cannot replace independent growth. It is better to leave more blank space to allow children to fully explore and experience life. Care cannot replace the vast world; the large social classroom helps to broaden horizons. Care cannot replace companionship; the holiday is an important time for family education. Spend more time with your children and share parent-child time.
For some parents, this means devoting more time, energy, and parenting wisdom. An ideal summer vacation calls for more guarantees.
Make childcare more time-efficient. Some places have introduced policies to implement the paid annual leave system, and some employers have adopted flexible working hours and home office arrangements based on actual conditions, which helps parents better balance family and work.
Strengthen family education guidance. Guide parents and children to reasonably plan their holiday life, and properly handle issues such as the use of electronic products, to avoid not knowing how to care for children or not caring for them well.
Provide more social resources. Open up more social education venues and standardize study tour activities, so that parents and children have places to go, providing more choices for the long holiday.
Childcare is not just a family matter. To solve the childcare problem, families, schools, and communities must work together.
Return to TopBy: 吴 丹
During the summer vacation, the Qian Xuesen Library (钱学森图书馆) at Shanghai Jiao Tong University (上海交通大学) is bustling with young visitors. In the lobby, 4,015 pages of "Qian Xuesen's Manuscripts" rise like a mushroom cloud, symbolizing the 4,015 days and nights from Qian Xuesen's return to China to his successful leadership of the "two bombs combined" experiment. Children stop and stare, sowing the seeds of determined innovation in their hearts.
This year marks the 70th anniversary of the return to China of the people's scientist Qian Xuesen (钱学森), and the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the first "Qian Xuesen Class" in the country. People can't help but recall the famous "Qian Xuesen Question" - in 2005, Qian Xuesen expressed his hopes for Chinese education: "The reason why China has not fully developed is that no university can operate according to the model of cultivating talents for scientific and technological invention and creation, without its own unique innovative things, and outstanding talents are always not 'emerging'."
Twenty years later, how do we answer the "Qian Xuesen Question"?
It may be helpful to rewind to 2005 and look back at the era in which the question was raised. At that time, the gross enrollment rate in Chinese higher education was 21%, and the total social expenditure on research and experimental development accounted for only 1.34% of GDP. Looking at the world, from the development status of education, science, technology, and talent to the comprehensive national strength competition, China was still catching up.
The "Qian Xuesen Question" directly confronts the glory and hidden pain of the education system since the reform and opening up. Looking forward, the demographic dividend stimulated by the resumption of the college entrance examination supported the rise of the "world factory"; looking backward, China urgently needs to transform into a talent dividend, and higher education, as the main battlefield for scientific and technological innovation and talent cultivation, is entrusted with important tasks. Answering the "Qian Xuesen Question" well concerns the present of education and the future of innovation.
Over the past 20 years, we have ushered in college systems, credit systems, and mentoring systems, and the reform of the training model for top-notch talents has begun; we have promoted the systematic construction of new engineering, new medicine, new agriculture, and new liberal arts, and the "Top Student Program" (拔尖计划) and "Strong Foundation Program" (强基计划) have been implemented in detail.
Chinese laboratories are frequently updated, and a number of major innovative achievements such as the quantum anomalous Hall effect and iron-based high-temperature superconductivity are emerging in competition; Chang'e-6 (嫦娥六号) is sampling on the far side of the moon, Dream is exploring the ocean, the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Bridge (深中通道) is striding across the sea and sky, and the Antarctic Qinling Station (南极秦岭站) is rising on the ice sheet... Innovative China is full of vitality! Top talents deeply resonate with the national innovation ecosystem.
The road is steeper halfway up the mountain. There is still a long way to go from a large education country to a strong education country. In the new era and on the new journey, from developing intelligent chips to forging great power equipment, from breaking through cutting-edge scientific theories to innovating key technology applications, we must deeply grasp the needs of Chinese-style modernization for education, science and technology, and talent, strengthen the supporting role of education for science and technology and talent, and further form a vivid situation in which talents emerge in large numbers, everyone gives full play to their talents, and their talents are fully utilized.
Today, China's comprehensive national strength has significantly improved, creating two major miracles of rapid economic development and long-term social stability. Standing on a thicker foundation, looking forward to the next 20 years, and facing the second centenary goal, how can we better answer the "Qian Xuesen Question"?
Looking at the concept, we are shifting from a sole focus on scores to all-round development, paying attention to cultivating students' innovative thinking and critical thinking, and the spark of innovation can be born outside of standard answers.
Deepen reform, use multiple standards to "measure" talents, eliminate the "accumulation of quantity" of achievements, and cultivate the soil for more outstanding talents to "emerge."
Expand opening up, absorb the world's advanced experience in running schools and managing academics, and run universities rooted in the land of China with a broader international perspective and a deeper strategic vision...
From reform and opening up to 2005, 2025, and then to the middle of the 21st century, will there be an answer to the "Qian Xuesen Question"?
The answer lies not in a certain paper or award, but in the light in the eyes of hundreds of millions of young students. Chinese education has always been doing a unique proof question: it does not need to follow suit, does not rush to pick fruit, but improves the soil and works for a long time to cultivate forests.
Or perhaps, the "Qian Xuesen Question" has no ultimate answer. This is a never-rusting yardstick, measuring the responsibility of each generation - when we no longer obsess over "when will masters emerge," but deeply cultivate the soil for talents to "emerge," then China will have Qian Xuesens belonging to that era, standing on the ladder we have built today, and raising new questions of innovation.
Return to TopBy: 谢 晖
How to make students fall in love with my class and stimulate their enthusiasm for learning?
For more than 10 years of teaching modern engineering microbiology, my secret is: get close to the students, listen to what they think, see what they do, and truly be student-centered. "Blend in" with students, encourage them to express course suggestions, learning insights, and future plans. This authentic feedback is crucial for improving teaching.
In one exchange, I found that many students felt that the core courses of the life science major lacked a systematic connection with the mathematics, physics, and computer science courses they had taken before, resulting in low interest in learning. Therefore, I started by reconstructing the lesson plan to build an interdisciplinary knowledge graph, which to a certain extent alleviated the difficulties of insufficient applicability, lack of cross-integration, and vague personalized learning paths in microbiology-related professional courses in engineering colleges.
Educating people is like cultivating flowers, and their particularities must be respected and cultivated according to their habits. Therefore, adhering to individualized teaching and providing personalized learning resources for each student has become the direction of my efforts. While ensuring the achievement of the core goals of the course, I divide learning resources into basic knowledge and skills and advanced interdisciplinary innovation, and provide a complete set of 3-level project-oriented options for students to choose from. At the same time, we will build a vertical domain intelligent agent with the main goal of solving project plan problems to help students design, develop, and implement projects, and give students a personalized learning space.
Accurately assessing learning outcomes is the key and difficult point to ensure students' personalized needs and feedback. Combining my own research, I explored the construction of an online learning multi-modal "Three-Pronged Education" intelligent evaluation platform based on educational big data with independent intellectual property rights. The platform functions cover the whole process of course learning effect evaluation, end-of-term grade prediction and early warning, subject learning ability portrait, learning potential evaluation, academic development prediction, etc., and each student has an exclusive dynamic evaluation model.
Of course, although intelligent technology can efficiently assist teaching, it is difficult to replace student-centered education and teaching methods. Therefore, in actual teaching, I often set up multiple class representatives according to the class size, and through in-depth communication, I understand students' learning situations and actual needs, and then dynamically optimize and adjust based on intelligent evaluation results. It is gratifying that in recent years, many students have fallen in love with my class and established a deep friendship with me. I believe that with continued efforts, more and more students will bloom their own brilliance in their respective fields.
(The author is a professor at Xidian University (西安电子科技大学), compiled by Ding Yasong (丁雅诵), a reporter from this newspaper)
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 丁雅诵
Some time ago, Zhang Baichuan, a master's student at China University of Petroleum (Beijing) (中国石油大学（北京）), successfully graduated after passing his defense. What was slightly different was that his degree application relied not on a thesis, but on practical achievements.
At the defense, Zhang Baichuan submitted two industry standards, a draft of a patent, and a core journal paper. However, he admitted: "Not writing a thesis doesn't mean it's easy."
"In the defense committee, enterprise experts accounted for more than half. They not only assess the innovation and standardization of the results, but also emphasize the applicability, economy, and environmental protection of the results," Zhang Baichuan said. "Applying for a degree with practical achievements can better reflect the applicant's application and innovation capabilities, and is more in line with the industry's actual needs for talent."
Since 2022, the Organization Department of the Central Committee (中央组织部), the Ministry of Education (教育部), and other eight departments have launched a special pilot project to reform the training of engineering master's and doctoral students, and have planned to build 40 National Institutes of Excellent Engineers and 4 National Institutes of Excellent Engineers Innovation. In July of this year, the first batch of more than 2,100 special pilot master's students successfully graduated, and 67 of them applied for degrees with practical achievements. Zhang Baichuan is one of them.
Zhang Baichuan's innovative practice stems from the nurturing environment of school-enterprise collaborative training. "After a year of school courses, I entered the Sinopec Petroleum Engineering Technology Research Institute (中国石化石油工程技术研究院). The research institute not only opened up cutting-edge research projects, but also built a complete transformation chain from 'gram-level laboratory tests' to 'hundred-liter factory pilot tests' to 'ten-thousand-ton oilfield production site applications'," Zhang Baichuan said. This kind of combat environment is unmatched by books and laboratories.
What surprised Zhang Baichuan even more was that his professional practice mentor was Yang Xiaohua (杨小华), the chief expert in the field of oilfield chemistry at the research institute, and there were also two doctoral associate mentors with 10 years of R&D experience to escort him throughout the process.
"The purpose of engineering research is to solve 'bottleneck' problems," Zhang Baichuan recalled. "The first time I met him, Mr. Yang's words gave me a lot of inspiration." Later, he set the direction of the topic: to develop an environmentally friendly high-temperature filtration reducer, which needs to simultaneously overcome five barriers: resistance to 180 degrees Celsius high temperature, resistance to saturated salt, reduction of drilling fluid viscosity, cost reduction of 15%, and compliance with national marine emission standards.
"In the past, students found topics from literature, but now they find topics from the front line of production," said Hao Tongliang (郝彤亮), Deputy Director of the Department of Degree Management and Postgraduate Education of the Ministry of Education. In recent years, enterprises have provided more than 5,100 research topics from the front line of industry to the National Institute of Excellent Engineers, focusing on industry technical problems. From enrollment to graduation, and even to the workplace, students are solving real needs on the front line, while also improving their hard power.
Two years of enterprise research, four heavy work notebooks, and more than 100,000 words recorded Zhang Baichuan's every experimental parameter, every spark of thought, and every failure lesson.
"Now, the high-temperature filtration reducer we developed has met the pilot test standards and is about to carry out on-site verification work," Zhang Baichuan is very proud. He is now a formal employee of the research institute.
It is understood that this year, the first batch of special pilot engineering master's students achieved high-quality employment, of which 71% of the students stayed in enterprises in this field.
"We will officially release the 'Excellent Engineer Training Certification Standard' and, according to the standard requirements, pilot the launch of the National Institute of Excellent Engineers certification work, leading and driving more units to independently build Excellent Engineer Institutes." Talking about how to achieve a normalized industry-education integration training model in the future, Hao Tongliang said that one is to promote it to all engineering master's and doctoral students. By 2030, it is planned to promote more than half of the engineering master's and doctoral training units to independently build Excellent Engineer Institutes; the second is to promote it to all 67 professional degree categories to build a classified training system.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 冯学知
Hong Kong has always been one of the preferred destinations for global capital, and these choices from all over the world are the most solid response to 'investing in Hong Kong.'" Recently, at a press conference held by Invest Hong Kong (香港特区政府投资推广署) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (香港特区政府), Director General of Investment Promotion, Alpha Lau (刘凯旋), announced that the department had exceeded the performance indicators proposed in the 2022 Policy Address six months ahead of schedule.
Data shows that from January 2023 to the first half of 2025, Invest Hong Kong (香港特区政府投资推广署) assisted more than 1,300 overseas and mainland companies in setting up or expanding their businesses in Hong Kong, bringing in more than HK$160 billion in foreign direct investment and creating over 19,000 new jobs.
In the face of a complex external environment, Hong Kong has met challenges head-on, forging ahead with determination, and achieving 10 consecutive quarters of growth in local GDP. Observing Hong Kong's economy in the middle of the year, various major economic indicators are positive, and economic development has many highlights, strong vitality, and sufficient momentum.
Capital Inflow, Thriving Financial Market
To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (香港交易所), the "Golden Gong" (金锣), originally placed in the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (香港交易所) Financial Hall, recently made its debut on the "Golden Gong Parade" mobile exhibition vehicle, traveling through popular attractions in Hong Kong, attracting citizens and tourists to line up for photo opportunities.
Whenever a new company is listed in Hong Kong, the "Golden Gong" (金锣) in the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (香港交易所) is struck. Since the beginning of this year, the sound of the gong at the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (香港交易所) has been frequent, and the IPO market has been very lively.
Beijing Sai Mu Technology Co., Ltd. (北京赛目科技股份有限公司) is a technology company focusing on the independent research and development and industrial application of simulation industrial software. It was successfully listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (香港交易所) in January this year. "Hong Kong is a bridgehead for enterprises to explore the international market, and listing in Hong Kong is a key step for the company to go international. Our company has received orders from overseas customers in less than half a year since listing in Hong Kong," said Hu Dalin (胡大林), Chairman of Beijing Sai Mu Technology Co., Ltd. (北京赛目科技股份有限公司).
"From the beginning of 2025 to June 20, the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (香港交易所) welcomed a total of 31 new share issues, raising more than HK$88.4 billion, ranking first in the world," said Zhou Jiannan (周健男), Head of Mainland Business at the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (香港交易所), in an interview with reporters. He introduced that against the background of the current accelerated internationalization of mainland enterprises, Hong Kong's abundant liquidity, diversified investor structure, and flexible and efficient refinancing mechanisms are even more prominent, and the listing applications of several other companies are being processed.
The hot IPO market is a microcosm of the prosperity of Hong Kong's financial market. In the first half of 2025, the market capitalization of Hong Kong's securities market increased to HK$42.7 trillion, an increase of 33% compared to last year; as of the end of March this year, the number of registered funds reached 976, recording a net inflow of funds of more than US$44 billion year-on-year, an increase of 285%; as of the end of April this year, the total amount of bank deposits in Hong Kong exceeded HK$18 trillion, an increase of approximately 19% compared to the end of June 2022...
Facts speak louder than words, and Hong Kong's status as an international financial center is recognized by various international rankings. In the "Global Financial Centers Index" report jointly released by the British Z/Yen Group and the China (Shenzhen) Comprehensive Development Research Institute (中国（深圳）综合开发研究院) in March this year, Hong Kong's overall score further increased, and its overall ranking remained third in the world, with investment management, insurance, and financing ranking first in the world.
Since the beginning of this year, Hong Kong has intensively launched a number of innovative measures: launching Cross-border Payment Connect, realizing interconnection between the mainland and Hong Kong's rapid payment systems; and releasing the "Hong Kong Digital Asset Development Policy Declaration 2.0", proposing a policy framework for building a global innovation center in the field of digital assets...
"To consolidate this steady momentum, Hong Kong must continue to promote reform and innovation, and enhance the breadth, depth, and efficiency of Hong Kong's financial market," said Paul Chan (陈茂波), Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (香港特区政府). He said that Hong Kong will encourage more new products, explore new markets, attract new funds, and continue to promote the expansion and increase of "mutual connectivity" with the mainland market, as well as connections with emerging markets in the Global South.
Strong Popularity, Recovery of the Consumer Market
Before Hong Kong Ocean Park (香港海洋公园) opens, long queues have already formed at the entrance. Some tourists specially bring panda dolls and wait excitedly to enter the park. Here, the adorable pandas are "superstars" that attract tourists.
In 2024, the first pair of "Hong Kong-born" panda twins was born, plus the third pair of pandas presented to Hong Kong by the central government, the number of pandas in Hong Kong Ocean Park (香港海洋公园) increased to 6, the most in history. "Since the addition of 4 pandas, the number of tourists to Hong Kong Ocean Park (香港海洋公园) has been increasing. The number of visitors in May and June this year increased by 19% compared to the same period last year," said Huang Sihui (黄嗣辉), Chief Executive Officer of Hong Kong Ocean Park (香港海洋公园). The park is preparing birthday celebrations for the upcoming one-year-old panda twins "Jia Jia" (加加) and "De De" (得得), and it is expected that the number of visitors this year will be higher than last year, and the annual profit performance is expected.
Looking from Hong Kong Island (港岛) to Kowloon (九龙), the main stadium of the Kai Tak Sports Park (启德体育园) is like a pearl inlaid on the Victoria Harbour (维港), with a beautiful exterior wall shining pearly luster in the sun, dazzling and eye-catching. Since its opening in March this year, international sports events and large-scale cultural performances have been staged here one after another, and the Kai Tak Sports Park (启德体育园) has quickly become a new landmark and a new hot spot in Hong Kong.
"The opening of the Kai Tak Sports Park (启德体育园) allows Hong Kong to have the largest and top-notch event venue. Within 3 months, 15 large-scale concerts have been held, attracting approximately 600,000 domestic and foreign audiences," said Kevin Yeung (罗淑佩), Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (香港特区政府文化体育及旅游局). He said that major events bring considerable economic benefits. More than 285 large-scale concerts will be held in Hong Kong from 2024 to the first half of 2025, attracting more than 3.9 million viewers and bringing approximately HK$3.4 billion in consumption.
Hong Kong's cultural and tourism market has frequent highlights, bringing prosperity and strongly promoting the recovery of the consumer market. According to statistics, in the first half of 2025, a total of approximately 24 million visitors to Hong Kong were recorded, an increase of 12% year-on-year. At the same time, the provisional estimate of the total retail sales value in May 2025 was HK$31.32 billion, an increase of 2.4% year-on-year, better than market expectations.
"At present, many retailers are operating well, and new brands are emerging," said Annie Tse (谢邱安仪), Chairman of the Hong Kong Retail Management Association (香港零售管理协会). She said that the industry is working hard to innovate and transform, and find business opportunities. She believes that Hong Kong's retail industry will improve step by step.
Relevant persons in charge of CBRE (世邦魏理仕), a consulting agency, said that with the continuous recovery of tourist traffic, the store leasing situation has also gradually improved. Some retailers in Hong Kong are re-entering the market with a cautious and optimistic attitude. The supply of first-tier street shops is tight, and rents have slightly increased.
"Hong Kong has the backing of the motherland and connects to the world, and has the institutional advantages of 'one country, two systems', and the economy is full of resilience," said Patrick Healy (邓健荣), Director of Swire Group (香港太古集团有限公司). Despite facing short-term challenges, the group remains optimistic about Hong Kong's long-term prospects and will continue to invest in Hong Kong. Its real estate and aviation businesses have launched investment plans of HK$30 billion and HK$100 billion respectively.
Active Trade, Expanding "Circle of Friends"
On July 15, guests gathered at the Hong Kong China Foreign Transportation Logistics Center (香港中国外运物流中心) in Tsing Yi (青衣), Hong Kong. With the sound of a gong, the London Metal Exchange (伦敦金属交易所) warehouse operated by Sinotrans (Hong Kong) Warehousing Co., Ltd. (中国外运（香港）仓储有限公司) was officially opened. On the same day, all 8 London Metal Exchange (伦敦金属交易所) approved warehousing facilities in Hong Kong were put into operation, and approximately 7,000 tons of non-ferrous metals of London Metal Exchange (伦敦金属交易所) recognized brands have been put into storage in Hong Kong.
Backed by the mainland's huge market, Hong Kong is working hard to build a bulk commodity trading ecosystem, driving the development of Hong Kong's shipping and trade services. The Shanghai Gold Exchange (上海黄金交易所) also launched its first offshore gold delivery warehouse in Hong Kong in June this year, listing gold contracts for delivery in Hong Kong on its international board.
"The official opening of the Hong Kong delivery warehouse will effectively shorten the time and space distance between mainland non-ferrous metal enterprises and the global market, significantly improve the delivery efficiency in the Asian time zone, and is an important milestone for Hong Kong's bulk commodity market to move towards internationalization and specialization," said Zhang Mengyao (张梦瑶), Marketing Director of Sinotrans (Hong Kong) Warehousing Co., Ltd. (中国外运（香港）仓储有限公司).
In the face of increasing global trade uncertainty and rising risks of supply chain fragmentation, Hong Kong, which is based on trade, is actively expanding new markets and exploring new business opportunities. In the past few years, Hong Kong has signed 9 free trade agreements with 21 economies and 24 investment promotion and protection agreements with 33 economies.
In mid-May, a business delegation led by Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (香港特区) Chief Executive John Lee (李家超) visited Qatar and Kuwait, reaching 59 memorandums of cooperation and agreements. Au Chun-hing (欧振兴), Southern China Managing Partner of Deloitte China (德勤中国), a professional service organization accompanying the delegation, participated in the signing of 4 of them.
"In recent years, Middle Eastern countries have actively promoted industrial diversification and developed finance, technology, renewable energy, etc. Hong Kong's financial professional service system is well-established, which can help Middle Eastern institutional investors enter the Hong Kong and mainland markets, and can also 'go overseas together' with mainland enterprises to jointly develop the Middle Eastern market," said Au Chun-hing (欧振兴). He said that as Hong Kong and the Middle East deepen their understanding, more Middle Eastern companies will definitely come to Hong Kong.
A global network of trade and investment partners gives Hong Kong ample room to maneuver in response to external challenges. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (香港特区政府) Census and Statistics Department announced that in June 2025, the overall value of Hong Kong's merchandise exports increased by 11.9% year-on-year, and the overall value of exports in the first half of the year increased by 12.5% year-on-year, achieving 16 consecutive months of growth.
On July 30, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (香港特区政府) released the "Report on Hong Kong's Business Environment: One Country, Two Systems - Unique Advantages" (《香港营商环境报告：一国两制 独特优势》). "In the face of a complex and volatile external environment, Hong Kong's economic structure is being upgraded and transformed. We see more opportunities than challenges. The financial market is performing well, the innovation and technology industry is developing rapidly, and traditional industries are also actively transforming and upgrading," said Paul Chan (陈茂波) at the report's press conference. He introduced that multiple sets of data reflect that international investors' confidence in Hong Kong is further increasing, and it is widely recognized in various foreign investment surveys and international rankings.
"From a macro perspective, with the support of the country, the joint efforts of the government, all sectors of society, and citizens, as long as we accurately recognize changes, scientifically respond to changes, and proactively seek changes, we will definitely be able to achieve new breakthroughs, develop new growth points, and create a new situation for Hong Kong," said Paul Chan (陈茂波).
Return to TopBy: 江 琳
August 1st marked a symbolic and inspiring milestone as the countdown clocks across the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area simultaneously ticked down to "100 days" for the 15th National Games of China. This edition, the first ever jointly hosted by Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao, is not only a sporting extravaganza for all, but also a vivid exploration of Bay Area integration, and an innovative practice of "One Country, Two Systems" in the field of sports.
How can the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, built under "One Country, Two Systems, three customs territories, and three currencies," achieve deeper cooperation? At this National Games, Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao will jointly compose a chapter of "hard connectivity," "soft connectivity," and "heart connectivity."
Take the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao road cycling race as an example. The race crosses three regions, passing through the ports of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge six times without interruption. On the 230-kilometer course, athletes can travel at speeds of over 40 kilometers per hour, "without hitting the brakes," and clear customs seamlessly. Behind this lies the continuous deepening of "soft connectivity" in the systems and mechanisms of Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao.
From cross-border test events to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao road cycling race and the Shenzhen-Hong Kong marathon, a series of measures to strengthen rule alignment and mechanism docking, such as "advance inspection, closed-loop operation, and seamless customs clearance," will solve the problem of efficient and convenient flow of key elements such as personnel, materials, and information under the different legal systems of Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao. Upholding the foundation of "One Country," making good use of the benefits of "Two Systems," and summarizing and exploring innovative measures such as "one event, three regions; one policy, three regions; one regulation, three regions," the 15th National Games will accumulate experience for the future integration and development of the Greater Bay Area in broader fields and at deeper levels.
For Hong Kong and Macao compatriots, the 15th National Games is also a vivid lesson in patriotic education. When the national flag is raised and the national anthem is sung simultaneously in Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao at the opening and closing ceremonies, that solemn and sacred moment is both a resonance of identity and a cohesion of emotions. On the field, Hong Kong and Macao compatriots participate in national events and watch the games at home, witnessing the spirit of national athletes striving hard, and a sense of pride will arise spontaneously. In mass events, volunteer services, and thematic publicity activities, Hong Kong and Macao compatriots can not only feel the charm of the sporting spirit, but also help promote the connectivity of people's hearts in the Bay Area. In the applause, cheers, and memories of joint struggles, the national sentiments of Hong Kong and Macao compatriots will be continuously deepened, and their national identity will also be enhanced.
The 15th National Games fully demonstrates the charm of the Bay Area. Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao will join hands to tell the world the story of the Bay Area and the story of China. Guangdong will make good use of convenient policies such as "Hong Kong vehicles traveling north" ("港车北上") and "Macao vehicles traveling north" ("澳车北上") and the 240-hour transit visa exemption, opening the door to convenient viewing and tourism for audiences across the country and even the world. The organizing committee is actively striving for convenient visa measures for mainland residents to travel to Hong Kong, making it easier for tourists to travel with the games. Macao highlights the city's characteristics of ancient and modern integration and the combination of Chinese and Western cultures through the integrated model of "the venue is the attraction, and watching the game is tourism." Through the 15th National Games, the Greater Bay Area will showcase its charm through sports events, excellent traditional Chinese culture, modern technology, cross-border tourism, and other forms, telling the successful stories of "One Country, Two Systems" in Hong Kong and Macao, and also telling the world a more real, three-dimensional, and comprehensive China.
Passionate National Games, vibrant Greater Bay Area. Let us witness the glory of Chinese sports in the cheers of the stadium; savor the heritage of Lingnan culture in the melodious singing of Cantonese opera; listen to the surging integration of the Bay Area in the rushing waves of the Pearl River; and feel the strong pulse of Chinese-style modernization in the light and shadow intertwined with technology and humanity.
Let us look forward to the moment when the flame of the 15th National Games is lit, Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao will join hands and write a new chapter full of vitality and hope!
Return to TopThis year marks the 20th anniversary of the successful inscription of the Historic Centre of Macao on the World Heritage List. On this 1.23-square-kilometer area, not only are the cultural imprints and historical features of multicultural coexistence preserved, but also a new chapter of cultural exchange between China and foreign countries is being written.
The picture shows tourists visiting the Mandarin's House (郑家大屋) in Macao (澳门) recently.
Photo by Zhang Jinjia (张金加) (Xinhua News Agency (新华社) issued)
Return to TopBy: 张 烁
In the capital, Beijing (北京), encounter the more than 600-year-old Forbidden City (紫禁城) and feel the magnificence of the central axis; in the Lingnan (岭南) morning light, encounter Cantonese morning tea and taste the authentic deliciousness; on the Central Plains (中原) land, encounter the more than 3,000-year-old oracle bone inscriptions and understand the "past and present" of Chinese characters... This summer, the 2025 "Affectionate China, China Root-Seeking Journey" summer camp, sponsored by the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese (中国侨联), was held in many places. Overseas Chinese teenagers from all over the world measured their homeland with their footsteps, and in encounters that touched their hearts time and time again, they sought the connection in their blood.
If the growth of overseas Chinese teenagers is a book, then the "Root-Seeking Journey" is to fill in the annotation about "where they come from." These children with black hair and yellow skin may have seen the festive red lanterns in the Paris (巴黎) market and heard the lingering sound of the guzheng on the streets of New York (纽约), but they may not have actually experienced the great rivers and mountains of their ancestral homeland and personally felt the long-standing and profound Chinese excellent traditional culture. No matter how high a kite flies, there is always a line connecting it to its source. That line contains not only blood but also the immersion of thousands of years of culture. As one parent of an overseas Chinese teenager said, "The children grow up abroad and have almost no understanding of the culture of their ancestral homeland. Such activities can help them understand their roots and enhance their sense of identity with Chinese culture."
Chinese civilization is the unique spiritual symbol of the Chinese nation and the spiritual bond that connects Chinese people all over the world. In this root-seeking journey, overseas Chinese teenagers can truly feel that Chinese excellent traditional culture is not a static specimen, but a flowing river. Visit the ancient houses and floating markets in Wuzhen (乌镇), a water town in Jiangnan (江南), and be immersed in the poetic and picturesque scenery of "small bridges, flowing water, and homes"; learn tie-dyeing and ancient Chinese frog fasteners, and experience the ingenuity passed down through the warp and weft threads; see "Cangshan (苍山) does not use ink to paint for thousands of years, and Erhai (洱海) has no strings for ten thousand years" on the Erhai Ecological Corridor (洱海生态廊道), and understand the ancient wisdom of "harmony between man and nature"... These experiences are like seeds, sown in their hearts, growing fresh memories of their homeland.
Seeking roots is to move forward more firmly. May overseas Chinese teenagers find the cultural code engraved in their blood in this journey, and while carrying beautiful memories, tell the world about a credible, lovable, and respectable China.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 刘军国
Interacting with humanoid robots, apprenticing to intangible cultural heritage inheritors, filming short dramas at Hengdian World Studios... From July 10th to 15th, the 8th Straits Youth Development Forum was held in Hangzhou (杭州), Zhejiang (浙江) Province, as well as Jiaxing (嘉兴), Ningbo (宁波), Wenzhou (温州), and Jinhua (金华). The forum, themed "Cross-Strait Heritage, Youth Power," was attended by approximately 1,000 young people from both sides of the Taiwan Strait, including over 700 young people from Taiwan.
The atmosphere at the opening ceremony of the forum was warm and lively, filled with laughter. Two special "guests"—humanoid robots from Unitree Robotics (宇树科技)—attracted many young people from both sides of the Strait to stop and watch. Everyone enthusiastically took photos, and many young people from Taiwan were eager to try their hand, stepping onto the stage to spar with the robots.
"Looking at Taiwan from space, it shines like a pearl, and the Strait is like a gentle blue ribbon. At night, the lights on both sides of the Strait are connected, shining brightly. This scene makes me believe that no matter how far apart we are, the blood ties and dreams of our compatriots are closely linked." During the forum's thematic sharing session, Liu Yang (刘洋), China's first female astronaut to enter space, described the scene when looking at the Earth from the space station, and the feeling of "A bright moon rises from the sea, people far away share this moment together," resonated strongly with the young people present.
From a once-thin teenager and a CBA (中国男子篮球职业联赛) (Chinese Basketball Association) draft reject to joining the Zhejiang Guangsha Lions (浙江广厦雄狮俱乐部) and lifting the championship trophy... Taiwanese player Lin Bingsheng (林秉圣) shared his story of pursuing his dreams. He gained a career in cross-strait sports exchanges and also felt the warmth of home. "I used to think that coming to the mainland to pursue my dreams was ‘背井离乡’ (bèi jǐng lí xiāng - "leave hometown," to be forced to leave one's native place), but in fact, I have been well taken care of. I hope more young people from Taiwan will come to the mainland. The stage here is big enough, the people here are warm enough, and the dreams here are worth pursuing together."
At each forum, guests and youth representatives from both sides of the Strait share their stories of struggle and experiences. Since the first forum was held in 2018, the forum has cumulatively invited more than 3,000 young people from both sides of the Strait to participate, and its influence has continued to expand, and its attention has continued to increase, becoming an important platform for young people from both sides of the Strait to communicate, interact, and connect with each other.
Longquan celadon (龙泉青瓷), Shaoxing rice wine (绍兴黄酒), Dongyang wood carving (东阳木雕), Haining Lanterns (硖石灯彩)... At this year's forum's historical classic industry "Cross the Strait to Become an Apprentice" ceremony, 10 young people from Taiwan apprenticed to intangible cultural heritage inheritors. Each "Master" reflects the integration and inheritance of cross-strait culture. "Cross-strait cultures share the same roots and origins. Thousands of years of culture need to be seen and inherited by young people. This is also a kind of cultural recognition of ancestors," said Cao Jingwen (曹景雯), a post-00s Taiwanese youth who participated in the apprenticeship ceremony.
Young people from both sides of the Strait also went to various parts of Zhejiang to participate in thematic study camps. More than 150 young people from Ningbo (宁波) and Taiwan gathered in Yuyao (余姚) to carry out activities such as the "Meeting Mr. Yangming" theme salon and on-site visits and teaching, embarking on a study tour feast integrating cultural baptism, ideological collision, and friendship exchange. "Wang Yangming (王阳明) was originally a character seen in textbooks, but today he has suddenly become vivid," many young people from Taiwan said.
At this year's forum, whether it was guest sharing or experiential activities, many were centered on the inheritance and development of outstanding traditional Chinese culture.
"In the process of promoting Hanfu culture, I can perceive that strong cultural identity," said Vincent Fang (方文山), a Taiwanese pop song lyricist, expressing his hope that more young people from both sides of the Strait will join in, inherit outstanding traditional Chinese culture, and show the beauty of China to more audiences.
It is reported that Zhejiang Province takes the Straits Youth Development Forum as a guide to build a platform for exchange and cooperation for Taiwanese youth coming to Zhejiang, continuously deepening cooperation in education, art, culture and other fields, and introducing relevant policies to support Taiwanese youth to start businesses and find employment in Zhejiang. According to statistics, by the end of 2024, more than 13,000 Taiwanese youth have come to Zhejiang to find employment and start businesses, and more than 1,800 entrepreneurial projects have been established.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 刘鑫焱 郑洋洋
On Mount Shinao (狮脑山) in Yangquan (阳泉), Shanxi (山西) Province, the 40-meter-high Hundred Regiments Offensive Monument stands proudly like a sharp sword piercing the clouds. Recently, people from all over the country, filled with reverence, presented flowers in front of the monument to commemorate the martyrs.
In August 1940, in order to break the Japanese army's "cage policy," the Eighth Route Army (八路军) led by the Communist Party of China (中国共产党) launched the Hundred Regiments Offensive in North China, which lasted for more than five months, deploying as many as 105 regiments. This was the largest and longest strategic offensive campaign launched by the Eighth Route Army in North China since the start of the full-scale War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, writing a glorious page in the history of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.
200 meters west of the monument is the Hundred Regiments Offensive Memorial Hall. Inside the hall, visitors often stop and ponder at the precious cultural relics and exhibition boards. They ask the guides about the details in the historical materials, immersing themselves in the exploration of that great history...
Daring to Show the Sword, Mainstay
"We Chinese people are not afraid of violence in the face of aggression"
"The Hundred Regiments Offensive was a proactive offensive by our Eighth Route Army!" At the Hundred Regiments Offensive Memorial Hall, Miao Liuming (苗柳明), a graduate student from Shanxi University of Finance and Economics (山西财经大学), frankly stated in front of the dynamic schematic diagram of the campaign that it had refreshed his previous understanding.
Several black and white photos bring the visitors' thoughts to the depths of history. In the photos, one can see the Japanese army densely covering the anti-Japanese base areas with barbed wire and frantically looting. From the winter of 1939 to 1940, the Japanese army implemented the "cage policy" in North China, using "railways as pillars, highways as chains, and strongholds as locks" to divide and "mop up" the anti-Japanese base areas, causing serious difficulties for the anti-Japanese base areas.
Under such circumstances, the headquarters of the Eighth Route Army believed that in order to resolutely oppose surrender, inspire the anti-Japanese military and civilians, and smash the enemy's "cage policy," a battle should be organized with the main purpose of large-scale destruction of the enemy's transportation lines to reverse the national situation.
In the exhibition hall, there is a huge calendar marking August 20, 1940. The huge pocket watch in the middle freezes the time at 8:00 PM on Tuesday, which is the start time of the Hundred Regiments Offensive. On the wall on the right are three red flags, representing the Jin-Cha-Ji Military Region (晋察冀军区), the 129th Division (第129师), and the 120th Division (第120师), highlighting the meaning of the hundred regiments gathering and preparing to launch.
Attacking the Zhengtai Railway (正太路), bloody battle of Mount Shinao, attacking Niangziguan (娘子关)... In front of the exhibition boards, one fierce battle after another emerges. In a corner of the exhibition hall, there is a simulated restoration scene that aroused the curiosity of tourists. On both sides of a section of railway track, the Eighth Route Army and the common people are pushing and pulling hard, overturning the long railway track.
"What we see in front of us is the scene of destroying the Zhengtai Railway," explained Shi Wei (石玮), the guide. "On the evening of August 20, as red flares rose into the air and cut through the sky, the Eighth Route Army soldiers rushed towards the railway line like tigers descending the mountain. At the same time, tens of thousands of coal miners and farmers fought side by side with the Eighth Route Army on the Zhengtai Line. The slogan 'Leave no rail, leave no sleeper' resounded through the sky. The Zhengtai Line was paralyzed under the joint efforts of the military and civilians."
Gales, torrential rain, lightning and thunder, the whistle of the train mixed with the pace of the mechanized troops, the audience's sight constantly shifted with the changes of light and shadow... This is the scene of the Eighth Route Army fighting fiercely on Mount Shinao, restored on the second floor of the memorial hall.
Mount Shinao is a strategic high ground controlling the Zhengtai Railway. On the evening of August 20, 1940, in order to cover the smooth advance of the troops destroying the Zhengtai Railway, the 14th Regiment and the 769th Regiment of the 385th Brigade of the 129th Division of the Eighth Route Army were ordered to occupy Mount Shinao overnight, and fought fiercely with the Japanese army for six days and nights. The commanders and fighters relied on eating black beans, gnawing corn, and drinking vegetable soup to hold their ground, successfully covering the Zhengtai Railway destruction operation west of Yangquan.
"Under such difficult conditions, they were still able to resist the enemy's fierce artillery fire. This kind of tenacity and firm heart made me understand the difficulties behind the history textbooks more deeply," said Miao Liuming.
"We Chinese people are not afraid of violence in the face of aggression and dare to show the sword. In the Hundred Regiments Offensive, the Eighth Route Army fought a total of 2,174 battles, removed more than 2,900 strongholds, and annihilated more than 50,000 Japanese and puppet troops," said Wang Ruiping (王瑞萍), director of the Party History Research Office of the Yangquan Municipal Committee. "The victory of the Hundred Regiments Offensive contained a large number of Japanese troops and dealt a blow to the arrogance of the Japanese army."
Heroic Integrity, Eternal Awe
"Worthy of the unyielding integrity of a Communist Party member"
"I advance, you follow me; I stop, you push me; I retreat, you shoot me!" In the memorial hall, on the relief wall of Fan Zixia (范子侠), commander of the New Tenth Brigade of the 129th Division of the Eighth Route Army, leading his soldiers to charge into battle, the sonorous oath moved countless visitors.
Fan Zixia carried two Mauser pistols during his lifetime and was known as the "Double Gun General." After the Hundred Regiments Offensive was launched, he led his troops to fire at the enemy at a distance of more than 60 meters. After three consecutive attacks in an hour and a half, he captured the Sangzhang Bridge (桑掌大桥). Shi Wei said: "As you can see, this mottled kerosene lamp and black glazed pottery pot were used by Fan Zixia during his lifetime. These personal belongings accompanied Fan Zixia in the night attack on Sangzhang Bridge, the clever capture of the railway station, and the strong attack on Caomao Mountain (草帽山), and left these three oaths, inspiring batch after batch of soldiers to advance wave upon wave."
Such heroic deeds can be seen everywhere in the memorial hall. On a wall of martyrs, Wen Yunzhi (闻允志), Ma Zhenhua (马振华), Yue Yong (岳勇), Zhao Hengde (赵亨德)... one name after another, that is one fresh life after another.
"Dong Tianzhi (董天知) was the political commissar of the Third Column of the Eighth Route Army's Death Squad," Shi Wei told everyone. "On the night the Hundred Regiments Offensive was launched, he led his troops to destroy the Baijin Road (白晋路), and fought a bloody battle with the Japanese army all night in Wangguozhuang (王郭庄), Lucheng County (潞城县). In the face of a strong enemy six or seven times larger than our side, he fought bravely against the enemy and repelled the enemy's attacks time and time again. He eventually died heroically at the age of only 29. He was worthy of the unyielding integrity of a Communist Party member."
The deeds of General Zuo Quan (左权), Deputy Chief of Staff of the Eighth Route Army, brought tears to the eyes of many visitors from afar. General Zuo Quan's letters to his wife Liu Zhilan (刘志兰) were gentle and moving, full of patriotic feelings. General Zuo Quan's mother in the countryside waited for 26 years but received the news of her son's sacrifice... Hearing these plots, an elderly veteran party member said, "I must make a special trip to the Zuo Quan General Cemetery to pay tribute and admire him."
In the Hundred Regiments Offensive Monument Square, there is a 227-meter-long wall of heroes, on which are engraved the names of 4,860 martyrs who heroically sacrificed in the Hundred Regiments Offensive. There are also many martyrs whose names are still unknown...
The great history forged by blood and life is a firm commitment to defending justice and peace. In the exhibition hall, a photo of Marshal Nie Rongzhen (聂荣臻) with the Japanese little girl Mihozi (美穗子) made the tourists feel the awe-inspiring righteousness and humanitarian glory displayed by the Eighth Route Army, this army of justice.
In the Battle of Niangziguan, the Central Column of the Jin-Cha-Ji Military Region was responsible for destroying the Jingxing Coal Mine (井陉煤矿). In the flames of war, a young soldier named Yang Zhongshan (杨仲山) rescued two Japanese orphans at the risk of his life. The 5-year-old sister Mihozi and her sister Xingzi (兴子), who was less than one year old, received careful care from Nie Rongzhen and the Eighth Route Army soldiers. Later, the villagers safely sent the two little girls back to the Japanese side. After Mihozi grew up, she has been actively engaged in Japan-China friendship activities.
"Many tourists will sincerely sigh after visiting that, in the face of the invaders, the Chinese military and civilians were united and fought heroically against the enemy, but in the face of innocent and peace-loving people, they always maintained a friendly and kind heart," said Shi Wei.
The Military and the People Are of One Mind, Moving Forward
"These scalding memories are worth passing on from generation to generation"
"Guanjialao (关家垴), grab a handful of soil, shrapnel cuts through your hands, shells come from Malantou (马岚头), blowing up the brains of the Japanese devils, the Japanese and puppet troops clear out Panlong (蟠龙), we never stopped making shells." In front of a Taihang 50 small cannon (太行50小炮), Shi Wei recited a Shanxi Wuxiang (武乡) folk song "We Never Stopped Making Shells."
This is a type of light mortar (grenade launcher) developed by the Liugou Iron Factory (柳沟铁厂) in Wuxiang County, Changzhi City (长治市), Shanxi Province during the Anti-Japanese War. It is 85 cm long and handmade. It is one of the first ten grenade launchers successfully trial-produced.
"Compared with the Japanese army, our equipment is very different, but our own Liugou Iron Factory still produced a batch of powerful weapons," said Shi Wei.
Under conditions of material scarcity, every battle is inseparable from the full support of the masses.
In the Battle of Mount Shinao, Yangquan miners, surrounding village militias, and villagers transported grain and ammunition, rescued and nursed the wounded in the rain of bullets, and would rather go hungry themselves than send food to the Eighth Route Army.
In the Battle of Niangziguan, the local people took advantage of the cover of night to thoroughly destroy the railways, highways, bridges, and communication lines in this area, and blew up the Mohetan Railway Bridge (磨河滩铁路大桥) and the enemy's bunkers and fortifications, cooperating with the Eighth Route Army to inflict heavy damage on the Japanese invaders...
The "Statistics on the Mobilization of Various Counties in Jinzhong (晋中) during the Zhengtai Campaign," which was recently made public for the first time, records that the number of militiamen mobilized in Jinzhong alone reached more than 10,000, and the villagers also prepared vegetables, chickens, sheep, fried noodles, etc. for the troops.
The Eighth Route Army soldiers fought desperately to kill the enemy and fought bloody battles, and the militia, guerrillas, and the broad masses of the people actively cooperated in the battle. They worked with the Eighth Route Army soldiers to pry up rails, burn sleepers, cut down telephone poles, and collect wires, transport the wounded in the face of artillery fire, and send army-supporting shoes and army-supporting clothes to the front line.
"The Hundred Regiments Offensive has become a magnificent chapter in history, and the great power of unity between the military and the government and the military and the people contained in it always shines with the light that transcends time and space," said Shi Wei. "We must tell their stories well and let more people inherit the great spirit of the War of Resistance."
As a national demonstration base for patriotic education, the Hundred Regiments Offensive Memorial Hall now attracts more than 400,000 visitors every year.
On July 7, members of the summer "Three Going to the Countryside" social practice activity team of the School of Pharmacy of Shanxi Medical University (山西医科大学) made a special trip here to carry out a themed group day activity. In front of the Hundred Regiments Offensive Monument, the team members stood in silence, bowed deeply, and presented flowers to express their deep condolences and high respect.
"The great sacrifices made by our predecessors for national independence and liberation have deeply shocked us," said Wang Hongdan (王虹丹), the ideological and political counselor of the 2024 class of the School of Pharmacy. "In the new journey, we must take our predecessors as examples, transform the great spirit of the War of Resistance into the driving force for striving forward and forging ahead, and guide students to continue the red bloodline."
The memorial hall has launched different narrative methods for different visiting groups: designing scenario explanations for young people, using interesting Q&A to connect the historical context; attracting adult audiences to participate in expert lectures and themed exhibitions to deeply analyze the strategic value of the campaign; customizing activities to recall the years of the War of Resistance for the elderly, enhancing emotional resonance.
The smoke of war has long dissipated, every cultural relic is still telling the story of history, and every explanation is conveying strength. As one audience member wrote in the guestbook: "These scalding memories are worth passing on from generation to generation."
Return to TopBy: 张 贺
Located in the Heping Park (和平公园) in Hongkou District (虹口区), Shanghai (上海), the Heping Shuyuan (和平书院) is Shanghai's (上海) first 24-hour city park library. Since its opening last year, it has quickly become a popular "urban living room" for residents, serving an average of over 4,000 readers per day. "The lights never go out, and reading never stops." From midnight to dawn, it is a warm light in this city.
Since the first 24-hour bookstore in China officially opened in Beijing (北京) in 2014, 24-hour bookstores have sprung up like mushrooms after a rain. First-tier cities generally have 24-hour bookstores, and there are at least hundreds of bookstores operating 24 hours a day nationwide. Unmanned smart bookstores and 24-hour self-service libraries are also becoming increasingly common. These bookstores and libraries, which are still brightly lit in the late hours, provide readers with rare opportunities for nighttime reading, create quiet reading spaces for book lovers, and are hailed as the "cultural light" of the city.
The never-ending lights of 24-hour bookstores are a reflection of the city's humanistic spirit, a symbol of the city's cultural vitality, and an identifier of the city's cultural image. Culture is the soul of a city. The humanistic spirit of a city is not only reflected in the number of magnificent cultural facilities it possesses, but also in its people-oriented approach, respecting and accommodating diverse, multifaceted spiritual and cultural needs, allowing everyone to find their own cultural space in the city. Such a city gives people warmth and strength, and is a place to nurture life and comfort the soul. "Night owls" may be a minority, but their cultural needs also deserve to be seen and met.
The pulse of culture never stops, and the activity of nighttime activities is one of the characteristics that distinguishes modern society from traditional society. Adapting to this trend, more and more cultural facilities or cultural activities open at night, such as night tours of museums and cultural night schools, are becoming increasingly popular. In the long night, with a calm mind and peaceful spirit, it is the perfect time to quietly embark on a spiritual and cultural journey. Especially in an era of increasingly fast pace, it is not easy to calm down and patiently read a book. The 24-hour bookstore proves the city's cultural vitality, which does not change with day and night.
腹有诗书气自华 (fù yǒu shī shū qì zì huá - "one's elegance naturally emerges when filled with poetry and books," knowledge enriches a person's character), this is true for people, and it is also true for cities. A high-quality bookstore often becomes a city's cultural calling card. Only with a sufficiently large reading population can bookstores, especially 24-hour bookstores, be supported for long-term operation. The lights of the bookstore silently reflect the city's cultural literacy and spiritual pursuit.
The fragrance of books is an atmosphere. 24-hour bookstores are beneficial to cultivating a strong atmosphere of loving to read, reading good books, and being good at reading, and are beneficial to enriching the city's cultural heritage. Therefore, their survival and development should be valued and supported. For 24-hour bookstores to survive in the long term, it requires the joint efforts of the government, society, and bookstores. From the beginning of its construction, Heping Shuyuan (和平书院) has been exploring how the government and social forces can work together to build public cultural spaces and provide citizens with higher-quality cultural services. Ultimately, it was determined to use the method of government procurement of services to entrust social forces to be responsible for the daily operation of the academy. Qingdao's (青岛) Ru Shi Bookstore (如是书店) and others are exploring diversified operations, adding brand activities and distinctive cultural creations in addition to selling books. Long-established Xinhua Bookstores (新华书店) such as Beijing Zhongguancun Bookstore (北京中关村图书大厦) and Zhejiang Xinhua Bookstore (浙江新华书店) have also launched distinctive 24-hour bookstores. In the current situation where the survival of bookstores is generally difficult, the joint efforts of the government, society, and bookstores to persevere reflect cultural awareness and cultural responsibility. This is a blessing for readers and a blessing for the country.
The light of culture illuminates the future. When a tired traveler sees the lights of a post station in the distance on a snowy night, when a sailor crossing stormy waves sees a lighthouse standing on the horizon, when a hungry worker sees a late-night diner still open, what wells up in their hearts must be comfort, relaxation, and even hope. Bookstores are the same for readers. May 24-hour bookstores light up the city with the never-ending light of culture.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 刘新吾
Opposite the rural bookstore with its green tiles and white walls, the tangerine orchard is lush and vibrant. Liu Fengzuan (刘峰钻), born in the 1980s, weaves through it, explaining the use of new agricultural machinery to the live broadcast camera.
Liu Fengzuan is from Anyue (安岳), Sichuan (四川). In 2017, he resigned from his stable job and came to the countryside to start a business—planting tangerines in Mingyue Village (明月村), Zhong'ao Town (中敖镇), Dazu District (大足区), Chongqing (重庆). However, Liu Fengzuan's entrepreneurial enthusiasm was quickly dampened by reality. Due to poor technology, cost overruns, and lower-than-expected orchard yields, he suffered continuous losses.
Liu Fengzuan began to reflect on his planting techniques and management model, constantly searching for information online, inviting experts from the Citrus Research Institute of Southwest University (西南大学柑桔研究所) to provide on-site guidance, and humbly learning. Coincidentally, the village's rural bookstore had some books on tangerine planting, and he became a regular visitor to the bookstore. He also often bought agricultural books and studied and discussed them with his colleagues.
Learning while doing, Liu Fengzuan's tangerine orchard gradually improved, with a planting area of 1,300 mu, gradually turning losses into profits. Colleagues also gradually developed reading habits, putting the new knowledge they learned into practice, and repeatedly exploring and summarizing. Liu Fengzuan's habit of reading was also known to the villagers.
Hearing that the rural bookstore needed an administrator, Liu Fengzuan volunteered: "Let more villagers and friends know the value of reading."
How to improve everyone's reading enthusiasm? "First of all, we must understand the needs of the villagers and be **有的放矢** (yǒu dì fàng shǐ - "shoot the arrow at the target," to act purposefully and effectively)." Liu Fengzuan visited every household and learned that everyone was more interested in agriculture, law, health, and teaching materials. The bookstore added practical books such as "Health Guide" and "Common Legal Knowledge," and the books became more and more abundant, and the borrowing volume also increased significantly.
In order to make knowledge closer to practice, Liu Fengzuan led the villagers to "read in the fields," holding the book "Scientific Use of Herbicides" and leading everyone to identify pests and diseases in the orchard and use herbicides in a targeted manner.
In recent years, villagers have become "addicted" to watching short videos. For the "bowed heads" in the village, Liu Fengzuan "dredged instead of blocking," guiding everyone to use their mobile phones to learn knowledge.
"Uncle Zhang (张叔), I recommend a video account to you. He is very good at raising chickens."
"Xiao Liu (小刘), don't just play games on your mobile phone. Look at how interestingly this blogger explains Tang poetry."
…………
Now, the reading atmosphere in Mingyue Village (明月村) is even stronger. When the village holds meetings, the villagers who arrive early always like to sit in the nearby bookstore and borrow a book to read. Liu Fengzuan was also awarded the 2025 New Era Youth Pioneer Award and the 2023 National "Rural Reading Promoter" and other honors.
With the good development of the industry and the gradual enrichment of the cultural atmosphere, how to promote the integration of the two and promote the development of cultural tourism? Liu Fengzuan began to study again.
In 2019, Liu Fengzuan opened the account "Most Missed Little Orange and Friends" on the short video platform, turning the process of tangerine flowering and fruiting into a cultural narrative, showing the beauty of the countryside in all seasons. He also invited representative inheritors of intangible cultural heritage to perform bamboo flute and Sichuan opera face-changing in the orchard, allowing traditional art and modern agriculture to resonate harmoniously. A short video of the tea-picking opera "New Rhyme of Orange Township" had a single-day playback volume of over 500,000, driving a 40% increase in seasonal tangerine sales.
The tangerine orchard is an important embodiment of agricultural culture. Liu Fengzuan has built it into a research and study base to attract people from the city to adopt it. "Tourists can not only pick tangerines, but also experience stone mill oil pressing in the agricultural museum and learn about the planting history in the tangerine culture corridor." Liu Fengzuan said that through the integrated development of culture and tourism, the villagers' pockets are bulging and the citizens' minds are richer.
In the practice of comprehensive rural revitalization, Liu Fengzuan's thinking has become more and more mature. "When the industry develops and people can settle down, rural culture has a foundation. At the same time, cultural revitalization can act on talent revitalization and industrial revitalization, and a good cultural atmosphere must be created," said Liu Fengzuan.
As night falls, a crescent moon leaps onto the treetops. In Mingyue Village (明月村), the lights of the rural bookstore and the landscape lights of the tangerine orchard complement each other. The bookstore is crowded with people, and the "reading night talk" is about to begin...
Return to TopBy: 许 江
In 2005, Xi Jinping (习近平), then Secretary of the Zhejiang Provincial Party Committee, personally planned and implemented the "Eight Projects" for cultural construction, thereby establishing the "four beams and eight pillars" for Zhejiang's acceleration of its construction as a major cultural province.
These 20 years have been 20 years of in-depth implementation of the "Eight Projects." Not long ago, under the guidance of the Publicity Department of the Zhejiang Provincial Party Committee, the Provincial Federation of Literary and Art Circles and the Provincial Artists Association mobilized the vast number of art workers to passionately and enthusiastically respond by holding the "Cultural Enrichment of Zhejiang - 'New Era New Journey' Zhejiang Major Theme Fine Arts Masterpiece Creation Project Exhibition," presenting a multi-dimensional view of the major innovative practices and fruitful achievements of the "Eight Projects" over the past 20 years. The entire exhibition is a rich summary of the implementation of the "Eight Projects" and a magnificent Zhejiang blueprint for building a strong cultural country.
These 20 years have also been 20 years of comprehensive improvement in the ideological and moral quality of the entire population. The "Cultural Enrichment of Zhejiang" exhibition showcases the spiritual outlook of a cultural community through the display of group photos of the Zhejiang spirit, the era of "Most Beautiful People in Zhejiang (最美浙江人)," and the civilized practice paintings of Zhejiang's integrity, Zhejiang's etiquette, and Zhejiang's good family traditions, vividly answering important propositions such as "how culture can become the leader of the times."
These 20 years, in particular, have been 20 years of abundant cultural masterpieces, fruitful cultural research, and substantial cultural protection. These three areas are the forefront of cultural development and the main stage of cultural creation. This exhibition seizes the key points and highlights such as the compilation, research, and display of the "Chinese Painting Collection of Past Dynasties (中国历代绘画大系)" and the protection of world cultural heritage for artistic presentation, allowing these cultural achievements to become a cultural declaration showcasing Zhejiang's characteristics and style.
Over the past 20 years, the unremitting implementation of the "Eight Projects" has given us three profound experiences.
Fully recognize the integrity of the "Eight Projects." The Civilized Quality Project is the key project of the "Eight Projects"; the Cultural Masterpiece Project, the Cultural Research Project, and the Cultural Protection Project are the forefront projects of cultural development; the Cultural Industry Promotion Project, the Cultural Position Project, and the Cultural Communication Project are important battlefields for enhancing the cultural industry, social nature, and communication; the Cultural Talent Project is the foundation for the construction of a cultural creation team. The "Eight Projects" are a whole and a measure of the spiritual strength of a nation. In the framework of the "four beams and eight pillars," every aspect of cultural construction is intertwined, firmly connected to the strings of society, people's livelihood, and people's hearts.
The Cultural Masterpiece Project focuses on continuity and deepening. As soon as the "Eight Projects" were proposed, Xi Jinping (习近平), then Secretary of the Zhejiang Provincial Party Committee, combined the construction of the Zhejiang Art Museum and took the lead in promoting the implementation of the provincial major theme art creation project nationwide, which not only laid the foundation for the museum's collection but also cultivated a group of major theme art creation talents, and on this basis, formed a subjective spirit of contemporary historical painting creation. Since then, in the national major historical theme art creation projects, Zhejiang art has ranked among the top in terms of quantity and quality. In recent years, Zhejiang has successively promoted and implemented five phases of the "Chasing Dreams for a Century (百年追梦)" fine arts creation project and the "New Era New Journey (新时代 新征程)" major theme fine arts masterpiece creation project. This phenomenon of iterative development and cumulative creation is unique in the country and is also the result of adhering to and deepening the cultural masterpiece project.
The value of masterpiece creation lies in the deep cultivation and mutual learning of artistic language. Artistic language research is not only a key requirement of artistic creation but also an important foundation of artistic and cultural research. A significant feature of Zhejiang's art and culture is that it has both a global perspective and local care in terms of humanistic vision; in terms of language expression, it emphasizes both the creation of contemporary new culture and the continuation of Chinese traditional culture. This enables Zhejiang's art creation to achieve creative transformation and innovative development in mutual learning and deep cultivation. In 2023, the Art Museum of the China Academy of Art held the "Song Charm Today's Brilliance (宋韵今辉)" art exhibition, which systematically presented the development context and profound influence of "Song Charm" calligraphy and painting on contemporary art through the authentic works of calligraphy and painting handed down from the Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, as well as the research, study, inheritance, and transformation of Song paintings in past dynasties. Subsequently, the museum held the "The Great Way is Boundless - Zao Wou-Ki Centennial Retrospective Exhibition (大道无极——赵无极百年回顾特展)," focusing on Zao Wou-Ki's creative transformation of the Chinese landscape tradition through more than 100 important works, showcasing the peak example of mutual learning between Chinese and Western cultures. This year, the museum held the "Black Myth Forging - 'Black Myth: Wukong (黑神话：悟空)' Art Exhibition," which successfully constructed a new paradigm of innovative development of traditional culture with creative original paintings of various genres, realistic game character models, and grand restorative theaters. These "three axes" of the Art Museum of the China Academy of Art respond to the major proposition of creative transformation and innovative development of excellent Chinese traditional culture from three dimensions: traditional inheritance, international innovation, and fashion transformation, revealing the contemporary significance of deep cultivation of artistic language.
With 20 years of perseverance, we bravely climb to the peak; with 20 years of holding high, we have achieved fruitful results; with 20 years of 知行合一 (zhī xíng hé yī - "unity of knowledge and action," the unity of knowing and doing, a philosophical concept emphasizing the integration of thought and action), we continue to transform. We must gather even stronger forces for progress, continue to implement the "Eight Projects" in depth, let culture put on the wings of science and technology, let culture soar in the new world of tourism, let culture shoulder the mission and responsibility of serving people's livelihood, and constantly write new chapters in cultural revitalization.
(The author is the Vice Chairman of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles (中国文联) and the Chairman of the Zhejiang Provincial Federation of Literary and Art Circles (浙江省文联))
Return to TopBy: 赵志田
In 1940, I was born in Jin County (晋县), Hebei Province (河北省). At that time, it was an area occupied by Japanese invaders and also a region where the Eighth Route Army (八路军) carried out anti-Japanese guerrilla warfare. My family was a fortress household for the Eighth Route Army (八路军). I often heard my mother tell stories of the guerrillas and witnessed the "mopping-up" operations of the Japanese army. The struggle of blood and fire left an unforgettable memory on my young mind. As I grew older, this memory not only did not fade, but became clearer and clearer.
In the 1960s, I studied at the Central Academy of Fine Arts (中央美术学院). Every year, I went to revolutionary old areas for field practice. At that time, the school also invited Ge Zhenlin (葛振林), one of the Five Heroes of Langya Mountain (狼牙山五壮士), to give a report in the auditorium. In those years, there were many literary and artistic works about the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. The influence of excellent works, the education of the school, and my special experience in childhood made the theme of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression take root in my heart. For me, painting the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression is both an aspiration and a responsibility. This feeling became stronger and stronger. When I accumulated certain creative experience, I decided to start creating around this major historical theme.
The Chinese people nurtured the great spirit of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression in the magnificent process of the war. How to inherit and promote this spirit with art works? For more than 40 years, I have been exploring.
In the autumn of 1985, when I wanted to start writing, I felt that the information at hand was not enough. Therefore, I went to the Taihang Mountain (太行山) revolutionary old area again with a purpose and plan to interview old soldiers of the Eighth Route Army (老八路), old cadres (老干部), old militiamen (老民兵), old landlords (老房东), visit the Anti-Japanese War Memorial Hall, and also went to the former sites of the headquarters of Comrades Zhu De (朱德), Peng Dehuai (彭德怀), and Nie Rongzhen (聂荣臻). I collected all the written, visual, and environmental materials related to the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, and also painted some portraits of people and mountain scenery. I carried out this kind of activity countless times over the years. Although it cost a lot of time and energy, it also helped me to continue learning, improve my understanding, and further enhance my creative enthusiasm and confidence.
The more information I learned, the more things I wanted to paint. While thinking, I brewed and created some exploratory works, such as "Three Old Eighth Route Army Soldiers" (《三个老八路》) and "Old Landlord" (《老房东》). During this period, I painted whenever I had an idea, and also held a viewing activity, which was affirmed, helped, and encouraged by the leaders and friends of the Beijing Painting Academy (北京画院). It was not until 2015 that I had some more mature ideas before I began to create the large-scale Chinese painting "Beacon Fire Taihang" (《烽火太行》).
I used six group paintings to express the beacon fire years of Taihang Mountain (太行山), named "Profound Friendship Between the Army and the People" (《鱼水情深》), "Copper Walls and Iron Bastions" (《铜墙铁壁》), "Jointly Plan the War of Resistance" (《共谋抗战》), "Those Who Gain Assistance are Many" (《得道多助》), "Ode to Justice" (《正义之歌》), and "Universal Celebration" (《普天同庆》). A total of more than 260 characters appear in these works. The gender, age, identity, relationship with the surrounding environment, and their voices and smiles of each character must be properly handled so that they can stand up and come alive. Therefore, I chose to express it in the form of freehand figure painting. Although I had made many efforts in the sketch drawing stage, it was still very different to paint with a brush on rice paper - not only to vividly express all kinds of characters, but also to achieve exquisite brushwork. Only by perfectly combining the two can we achieve the artistic masterpieces of Chinese painting. This is the essence of Chinese painting, and it is also the artistic peak that Chinese painters strive to climb throughout their lives.
During the creation, my spirit was highly concentrated, and I integrated my understanding of the characters and my pursuit of art into the tip of the pen. It seemed that the whole person had entered the painting, and I often burst into tears when I was excited. Even so, there are inevitably unsatisfactory places. Each stroke has different depths, dryness, and wetness, and the effect will be different. In addition, some places need to be modified and processed, so it is normal to redraw. In this way, I actually painted more than a dozen paintings and thousands of characters, and it took almost 5 years to complete the final 6 works one after another.
I used all kinds of methods in the creation. For example, in "Those Who Gain Assistance are Many" (《得道多助》), I borrowed the traditional mural creation technique to integrate events that occurred in different time and space into one picture, and drew the continuous Taihang Mountains (太行山) in the distance, which not only made the work more complete, but also highlighted the regional characteristics. In terms of coloring, I paid attention to the tone and warm and cold changes to make the whole work look better and more vibrant. In terms of artistic style, I adopted a relatively realistic technique in order to allow more audiences to accept and resonate.
Now, although I am in my twilight years, I am still concerned about the creation of art on the theme of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. I think that recording history and expressing the national spirit is the unshirkable responsibility of every painter.
(The author is a full-time painter at the Beijing Painting Academy (北京画院))
Return to TopBy: 贾国强
"In May, the grasshoppers move their legs; in June, the katydids shake their wings. In July, they are in the fields; in August, they are under the eaves. In September, they are at the door; in October, the crickets enter under my bed." This famous line from the *Classic of Poetry* reveals the ancients' meticulous observation of insects and reflects the close connection between insects and human life.
As early as the pre-Qin period, insect patterns could be seen on bronzes. From the Northern and Southern Dynasties to the Five Dynasties, more and more painters included insects in their paintings. The extant *Sketch of Rare Birds* by Huang Quan (黄筌) of the Five Dynasties exquisitely depicts common insects in late summer and early autumn, such as the Chinese Sword-horned Locust, the Black Cicada, and the wasp. In the picture, the elastic antennae and thin, transparent wings of the insects show the painter's strong insight and artistic expression.
In the Song Dynasty, the creation of paintings with grass and insect themes reached its peak. In *Grapes and Insects*, Lin Chun (林椿) used the double-hook filling method to paint insects such as mantises, katydids, and stinkbugs, accurately outlining their postures, whether moving or still. Li Di's (李迪) *Autumn Flowers and Insects* (pictured) records a thrilling scene: a mantis is about to prey on a golden turtle beetle, which quickly notices and flies away, making the moment of life and death suspenseful. In the Ming Dynasty, Dai Jin (戴进) and Chen Hongshou (陈洪绶), and in the Qing Dynasty, Ju Lian (居廉) and Ju Chao (居巢), and in modern times, Chen Banding (陈半丁) and Pan Tianshou (潘天寿), further depicted the elves of nature with different artistic techniques and styles, presenting a vibrant scene.
Each season has its own unique phenology, and early autumn belongs to the chirping insects. The Tettigoniidae, with its diverse chirping sounds, is the best of the chirping insects, and because of its vigorous reproductive capacity, it is regarded as a symbol of the continuation of offspring. In traditional Chinese paintings, Tettigoniidae are often combined with loofahs and gourds, implying family prosperity and the flourishing of descendants. Han You's (韩祐) *Tettigoniidae and Continuous Gourds* in the Southern Song Dynasty expresses good wishes with the imagery of "vibrating Tettigoniidae and continuous gourds." Qi Baishi's (齐白石) *Loofah and Katydid* depicts the mouthparts, leg spines, and wing veins of the katydid with fine brushstrokes; the freehand loofah in the background forms a sharp contrast with the realistic grass and insects, and the whole work is full of rich pastoral atmosphere.
"Few cold fish in the shallow rapids, many autumn butterflies in the orchid clumps." In autumn, when most plants and animals begin to restrain their light, the light butterflies still flutter. In the anonymous *Butterflies Playing* of the Ming Dynasty, the painter selected butterflies of different colors and species to create a visual effect with sparse and dense arrangements and distinct layers; the blank background is like a vast world, allowing the butterflies to dance freely. Because the pronunciation of "butterfly" (蝶) is the same as "耋" (dié, meaning 80-90 years old), painters often combine butterflies with cats to create "cat and butterfly (耄耋) pictures" to bless the elderly with longevity.
Today, more and more urban people are eager to get close to nature, and paintings with grass and insect themes are like a bridge, connecting memories of childhood and nature, and allowing people to experience the touch of resonance of all things in the ink and wash.
(The author is an associate professor at the Central Academy of Fine Arts (中央美术学院))
Return to TopBy: 孙绍波
In my childhood, when material resources were scarce, the picture books "Sanmao Joins the Army" and "Sanmao the Vagrant" became my favorites. At first, my parents would tell me the stories page by page, and later I would read them repeatedly myself, never seeming to get enough. My love for these two picture books also prompted me to embark on the path of comic creation.
In 1986, I joined the Shanghai Xinmin Evening News (上海新民晚报社) and worked as an editor for the bi-monthly magazine "Cartoon World" (漫画世界), becoming colleagues with many cartoonists. At that time, Zhang Leping (张乐平) and Hua Junwu (华君武) successively served as editors-in-chief of "Cartoon World" (漫画世界). Working and communicating with these前辈们, I benefited greatly and gained a more comprehensive understanding and deeper appreciation of "Sanmao Joins the Army."
Comics are closely related to social progress and closely connected to people's lives. Their keen sensitivity and vivid expression make them the "thermometer" of the times and the "megaphone" of the masses. Cartoonists wielding the pen of comics are also among the most socially responsible groups. Zhang Leping (张乐平) and his "Sanmao" are no exception.
The "Sanmao" character under Zhang Leping's (张乐平) pen was born as early as 1935. Initially, "Sanmao" was just a mischievous boy living in the Shanghai (上海) alleyways. With the development of the times, the image of "Sanmao" continued to enrich. In 1937, the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression fully broke out, and colleagues in the Shanghai (上海) cartooning world quickly established the National Salvation Cartoon Propaganda Team (救亡漫画宣传队), with Ye Qianyu (叶浅予) and Zhang Leping (张乐平) as the leader and deputy leader, respectively, leading the team to leave Shanghai (上海) to promote the war of resistance. During this period, Zhang Leping (张乐平) traveled to Shanghai (沪), Jiangsu (苏), Hubei (鄂), Anhui (皖), Zhejiang (浙), Hunan (湘), Guangxi (桂), Jiangxi (赣), Fujian (闽), Guangdong (粤), and other places, persisting until the victory of the war. As he said: "Motivated by national indignation, we took hardship as pleasure, lived up to the trust of the motherland, and fulfilled our responsibilities."
In 1946, Zhang Leping (张乐平) used his own experiences in the War of Resistance as a clue to create the full-length serialized comic strip "Sanmao Joins the Army." The work was well received by readers as soon as it was published in the *Shen Bao* (申报), becoming a collective memory of generations.
The greatest characteristic of comic creation is 小中见大 (xiǎo zhōng jiàn dà - "seeing the big in the small," revealing a grand theme through small details). Facing a broad social background, cartoonists often use a small perspective to depict some small stories to reflect the major themes of the era. "Sanmao Joins the Army" uses the experience and perseverance of a small character in the War of Resistance to show the cruelty and absurdity of war. The "Sanmao" under Zhang Leping's (张乐平) pen is thin and bony, with a large head and thin neck, and a pair of big eyes that sometimes reveal a bit of innocence and joy, and sometimes reveal a lot of unwillingness and anger. When this frail child puts on a wide military uniform and carries a rifle taller than himself, a kind of tension that is both unbearable and awe-inspiring is formed. Using a seemingly comedic shell to wrap a tragic soul, and presenting absurd stories with seemingly real plots, Zhang Leping (张乐平) used black humor to perfection in "Sanmao Joins the Army."
As the first full-length wordless comic in the history of modern Chinese comics, the appeal of "Sanmao Joins the Army" lies in the fact that it is not a whimsical fabrication. Every fall, every hunger, every humiliation, and every anger of Little Sanmao comes from Zhang Leping's (张乐平) own experiences in the war. He also uses exaggerated body movements and rich character expressions to unfold the narrative, uses some small props to set off the scene atmosphere, and uses visual language that transcends words to make the "Sanmao" image a shared emotional memory for all people.
Represented by "Sanmao Joins the Army" and "Sanmao the Vagrant," the "Sanmao" image created by Zhang Leping (张乐平) shines to this day. Recently, the "Living Up to the Trust of the Motherland – Reliving the 'Sanmao Joins the Army' Photo Exhibition" opened at the Shanghai Ba Jin Library (上海巴金图书馆), with a constant stream of visitors, which once again proves that "Sanmao" has an extraordinary charm. For us comic creators, the older generation of artists' serious creative attitude, deep national sentiment, and sincere love for life are worth further studying and promoting.
(The author is the director of the Cartoon and Animation Art Committee of the Shanghai Artists Association (上海市美术家协会漫画动漫艺术委员会主任))
Return to TopNestled against Zhushan (竹山) to the north and overlooking the green fields to the south, the Bamboo Culture Museum of Changning County (长宁县), Yibin City (宜宾市), Sichuan Province (四川省) is situated amidst forests and fields.
The museum is composed of three buildings of varying sizes, its design inspired by the bamboo pavilions in ancient gardens – bending natural bamboo to form enclosed spaces, embodying people's spiritual pursuit of returning to nature.
During construction, the design team fully utilized the physical properties of bamboo, connecting them end-to-end and binding them into bundles to form bamboo arch structures. This not only makes the interior space more open but also allows the unique aesthetic charm of bamboo to flow naturally between light and shadow.
Today, this building has been given a new mission, becoming a low-altitude economy science education and research base, building a new bridge between culture and technology.
Photo by Ji Xiaoxuan (季笑玄) (Image China)
Return to TopBy: 张宏宇
Ink is an important expressive material in traditional Chinese painting and calligraphy, black and lustrous, congealing and flowing, drying and solid. Many literati and refined scholars have created numerous artistic masterpieces passed down through the ages through the ingenious use of brush and ink.
Chinese painting emphasizes "five shades of ink," the rich variations of dark, light, dry, wet, and scorched, endowing the picture with myriad appearances and profound connotations. I know an old painter who uses an inkstone and a brush to outline layered mountains on plain silk. The dark ink is like the deep night, the light ink is like a wisp of smoke, the dry brushstrokes outline gnarled branches of old trees, and the wet brush rendering is full of vitality, which is amazing.
The beauty of ink marks lies in their irreproducibility. Wang Xizhi (王羲之) of the Eastern Jin Dynasty's "Preface to the Orchid Pavilion" (《兰亭序》), Yan Zhenqing (颜真卿) of the Tang Dynasty's "Draft of a Requiem for My Nephew" (《祭侄文稿》), and Su Dongpo (苏东坡) of the Northern Song Dynasty's "Cold Food Observance" (《寒食帖》) were all created on a whim, dashed off in one go. The ink color changes with the ups and downs of the calligrapher's emotions, and the darkness, lightness, moistness, and dryness are all reflections of the state of mind. Later generations imitated and pursued them, but ultimately found it difficult to capture their spirit. Painters of all dynasties also integrated their emotions into the ink color, making each stroke an extension of their inner world. Xu Xi (徐熙) of the Five Dynasties expressed his unrestrained spirit with the "falling ink" method. His "Snow Bamboo" (《雪竹图》) looks freehand and unrestrained from a distance, but is meticulous and detailed up close, with ink dyeing and leaving blank spaces, and dark and light complementing each other. In modern times, Huang Binhong (黄宾虹) used ink that was clear but thick, black but bright. His "Landscape of Sichuan" (《蜀中山水》) was written with soaked ink, thick and luxuriant, displaying the spirit of mountains and rivers and the philosophy of life. "Ink method is the method of the heart," the ink rhyme in Chinese painting and calligraphy is never a simple presentation of technique, but a product of the creator's dialogue with all things with their heart.
The fun of using ink lies both in licking the brush and sucking the ink, and in quietly grinding the ink. When I was learning to write as a child, my teacher gave me a stone inkstone and half a stick of pine soot ink. Both the ink and the inkstone are hard, and it takes a lot of effort to grind them carefully with water. At that time, I only felt that this was a chore, and I often cut corners, resulting in ink that was as thin as water, which would smudge when writing, so I was often scolded by the teacher. Later, as I grew older, I realized that grinding ink is actually a kind of practice, requiring even force in the wrist and a peaceful state of mind in order to grind ink that is suitable in darkness and lightness, and neither stagnant nor floating. Therefore, when people grind ink, the ink also grinds people.
Now, I occasionally practice writing for my own enjoyment, just to pursue that inner peace. When grinding ink, I listen to the rustling sound of the ink rubbing against the inkstone; when moving the brush, I carefully appreciate the ink color slowly spreading on the rice paper. Between each stroke, worries and sorrows are temporarily forgotten, and the mind gradually becomes clear. Ink, for me, is no longer a simple writing tool, but an old friend, giving me inner comfort.
Ink marks will eventually fade, but cultural memories can be passed down from generation to generation. Those ink marks that carry thoughts and emotions will eventually settle into the riverbed of the spirit in the long river of time, nourishing generations of people.
Return to TopThis edition's email: msfk@peopledaily.cn
Layout design: Shen Yiling (沈亦伶)
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