People's Daily - September 8, 2025

China will always be a force for world peace, stability, and progress.

By: 本报记者 张志文 龚 鸣 颜 欢

By the Haihe River, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) power surged, and on Chang'an Avenue (长安街), the determination for peaceful development was displayed. In a crucial year of history, the world witnessed the responsibility of a major power.

"We must contribute 'SCO strength' to maintaining world peace and stability." At the SCO Tianjin Summit, President Xi Jinping (习近平) and leaders from more than 20 countries and 10 international organizations gathered to discuss friendship, cooperation, and common development, pointing the way for the SCO's development and improvement of global governance.

"The great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is an unstoppable trend! The noble cause of peace and development for mankind will surely triumph!" At the meeting commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) and international dignitaries joined people from all over the world to commemorate this great day, jointly remembering history, cherishing the memory of martyrs, cherishing peace, and creating the future.

In the early autumn of 2025, China demonstrated to the world through a home-field diplomacy event and a grand military parade: an eastern power reborn from the flames of war, steadfastly pursuing the path of peaceful development, not only has the firm will to protect the peaceful life of its people and maintain world peace and development, but also has strong capabilities and solid actions.

"At any time, we must promote the common values of all mankind, firmly defend international fairness and justice, and let righteousness fill the world and the universe be clear and bright."

Along Chang'an Avenue (长安街), themed flower beds such as "Cherish Peace" are eye-catching; in the air, the flag-guarding echelon, with banners of "Justice Will Prevail," "Peace Will Prevail," and "The People Will Prevail" sweep across the sky; in the parade formations, the peacekeeping force marches firmly and powerfully; in Tiananmen Square (天安门广场), 80,000 peace doves soar into the sky... At the solemn moment of the meeting commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, "peace" became the most prominent theme and the most moving powerful voice.

In the flames of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, the Chinese people did not hesitate to go through fire and water for peace. The 14-year War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression was a life-and-death struggle between justice and evil, light and darkness, progress and reaction. The Chinese people resisted stubbornly with unyielding spirit, built a steel Great Wall with their flesh and blood, fought for national survival, for national rejuvenation, and for human justice.

General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) profoundly pointed out: "The Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression was an important component of the World Anti-Fascist War. The Chinese people made significant contributions to saving human civilization and defending world peace with huge national sacrifices." This arduous and great victory is forever engraved in the memory of the Chinese nation and forever written into the annals of human peace and development.

Today, mankind once again stands at a crossroads of history—the choice between peace or war, dialogue or confrontation, win-win or zero-sum, tests wisdom and courage. The Chinese people firmly stand on the right side of history, on the side of human civilization and progress, adhere to the path of peaceful development, and work with the people of all countries to build a community with a shared future for mankind.

"History tells us that the belief in justice cannot be shaken, the expectation of peace cannot be stopped, and the power of the people cannot be defeated!" General Secretary Xi Jinping's (习近平) powerful words convey the firm determination of the Chinese nation to defend international fairness and justice and safeguard world peace and tranquility. "At any time, we must promote the common values of all mankind, firmly defend international fairness and justice, and let righteousness fill the world and the universe be clear and bright."

Sixty-one foreign heads of state, heads of government, and high-level representatives of relevant countries, heads of international organizations, and former politicians attended the commemorative meeting. This is not only a tribute to China's historical contribution but also a full recognition of China's active promotion of human peace and development today.

Kazakh President Tokayev believes: "The Chinese people made a significant historical contribution to the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War, demonstrating extraordinary courage and patriotism."

"Commemorating the victory of the War of Resistance demonstrates China's strength and courage as a country that firmly safeguards national independence, defends national sovereignty, and plays an active role in maintaining world peace," said Indonesian President Prabowo.

This year also marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. Eighty years ago, "to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, which twice in our lifetime has brought untold sorrow to mankind," the United Nations came into being, and a new chapter in global governance began.

Currently, the international situation is intertwined with turmoil and changes, the authority of the United Nations and international rules are under attack, and the global governance deficit is expanding. Reviewing the original aspiration of the United Nations, reaffirming the commitment to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and promoting the revitalization of the authority and vitality of the United Nations under the new situation are of great significance for countries to coordinate actions and jointly address challenges.

"History warns us that the destinies of mankind are closely linked, and only when all countries and nations treat each other equally, live in harmony, and help each other can we maintain common security, eliminate the roots of war, and prevent historical tragedies from recurring!"

General Secretary Xi Jinping's (习近平) words are powerful and resonate, not only looking back at history but also reflecting on reality and indicating the future.

From striving for national liberation and world peace to embarking on a new journey of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and the progress of human civilization and development, the Chinese people deeply understand the preciousness of peace and tranquility, and also deeply understand that the more difficult the moment, the more important it is to uphold the original aspiration of peaceful coexistence, firmly believe in the confidence of win-win cooperation, and insist on advancing in the logic of historical progress and developing in the trend of the times.

Those who understand the situation are wise, and those who control the situation win. Facing the major issue of "what kind of world to build and how to build this world," President Xi Jinping (习近平) gave the answer of the times to build a community with a shared future for mankind, and the light of thought illuminates the direction of human society's progress.

Over the past 10 years, the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind has expanded from a Chinese initiative to an international consensus, from a beautiful vision to a rich practice, powerfully promoting the world towards a bright future of peace, security, prosperity, and progress, fully confirming that "every point of growth in China's strength adds a point of hope for world peace."

Bridging the global governance deficit is related to international fairness and justice and the prospects for world peace and development. On September 1, at the "Shanghai Cooperation Organisation +" meeting, President Xi Jinping (习近平) proposed the Global Governance Initiative. Adhering to sovereign equality, abiding by international rule of law, practicing multilateralism, advocating people-centeredness, and focusing on action-orientedness, the Global Governance Initiative is anchored in promoting the construction of a more just and reasonable global governance system, and together with the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative, constitutes an action system for promoting the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind.

"President Xi Jinping (习近平) clearly clarified the judgment on the current international situation and proposed the core concept of the initiative, which is the key to solving the problems existing in the current global governance system," said Belarusian President Lukashenko, adding that Belarus fully agrees with and fully supports the Global Governance Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping (习近平).

Cuban President Díaz-Canel expressed his support for the Global Governance Initiative proposed by China, believing that this initiative "will contribute to the reform of the global governance system and the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind." The Venezuelan government issued a statement supporting the Global Governance Initiative proposed by China, believing that the four major global initiatives are related and aim to build a community with a shared future for mankind.

Initiating the establishment of an international mediation institute, with 33 countries signing the convention on the spot and becoming founding members, providing important legal public products for improving global governance; launching the Asian Civilization Dialogue Conference and initiating the establishment of the Ancient Civilizations Forum to promote exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations; proposing the "dual carbon" goal, demonstrating the responsibility of a major country in addressing climate change; promoting the improvement of global governance of artificial intelligence, reflecting forward-looking thinking on the governance of emerging technologies... China adheres to action-orientedness, works with all parties to promote the filling of governance shortcomings, and jointly builds a more just and reasonable global governance system.

"China has made important contributions to maintaining international law and ensuring the rule of international law, and has become a cornerstone of defending multilateralism," said UN Secretary-General Guterres.

"At any time, we must adhere to the path of peaceful development, firmly safeguard world peace and tranquility, and work together to build a community with a shared future for mankind."

The vast land of China, with its eternal rivers.

In the evolution of Chinese civilization over more than 5,000 years, the pursuit of peace, harmony, and concord is deeply rooted in the spiritual world of the Chinese nation and deeply melted into the blood of the Chinese people.

"Human beings live on the same planet and should share the same boat and live in harmony. At any time, we must adhere to the path of peaceful development, firmly safeguard world peace and tranquility, and work together to build a community with a shared future for mankind," emphasized General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平).

When the country is harmonious, the world is at peace. China adheres to developing friendly cooperation with all countries on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, promotes the construction of a new type of international relations, deepens and expands equal, open, and cooperative global partnerships, and is committed to expanding the convergence of interests with all countries.

——Promote coordination and sound interaction among major countries, and promote the construction of a major-country relationship pattern of peaceful coexistence, overall stability, and balanced development.

From Red Square in Moscow to Tiananmen Rostrum (天安门城楼), President Xi Jinping (习近平) and President Putin mutually attended the celebrations of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War held by each other's countries, aiming to promote regional and world peace and inject positive energy into the cause of human peace and progress. Facing a turbulent and uncertain world, China-Russia relations are "not confused by temporary events, nor disturbed by strong winds and waves," and always take the certainty and resilience of China-Russia strategic coordination as a constructive force for maintaining global strategic stability and improving global governance.

From the high-level China-US economic and trade talks in Geneva in May to the first meeting of the China-US economic and trade consultation mechanism in London in June, and then to the new round of China-US economic and trade talks in Stockholm in July... China and the United States have taken an important step in resolving differences through equal dialogue and consultation in accordance with the important consensus reached by the two heads of state. "China and the United States have broad common interests and broad space for cooperation, and can become partners and friends, achieve each other, prosper together, benefit the two countries, and benefit the world." President Xi Jinping's (习近平) words are far-reaching and gather consensus and accumulate strength for the development of China-US relations.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the European Union. On July 24, President Xi Jinping (习近平) met with EU leaders, pointing out that China and Europe should jointly safeguard the international rules and international order established after World War II, promote the construction of a more just and reasonable global governance system in line with the times, and work together to address global challenges such as climate change, so that the torch of multilateralism can illuminate the way forward for mankind. EU leaders said that the EU looks forward to working with China to continue writing a more exciting chapter in the next 50 years of EU-China relations.

——Adhere to the concept of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness and the neighborhood diplomacy policy of being good to neighbors and treating them as partners, and deepen friendly mutual trust and integration of interests with neighboring countries.

Under the new situation of deep linkage between the surrounding pattern and the world situation, the Central Conference on Work Relating to Neighboring Countries was held in Beijing in April this year. The meeting pointed out that it is necessary to hold high the banner of a community with a shared future for mankind, take the construction of a peaceful, tranquil, prosperous, beautiful, and friendly "five homes" as a common vision, take good-neighborliness, security, prosperity, amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness, and a community with a shared future as the concept and policy, take the Asian values of peace, cooperation, openness, and inclusiveness as the basic guidelines, take high-quality joint construction of the "Belt and Road" as the main platform, and take the Asian security model of shared security, seeking common ground while reserving differences, and dialogue and consultation as strategic support, and work together with neighboring countries to create a better future.

After the meeting, General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) immediately started a tour of neighborhood diplomacy.

Visiting Vietnam, continuing the traditional friendship of "deep Vietnamese-Chinese friendship, comrades plus brothers," and achieving new results in building a China-Vietnam community with a shared future with strategic significance; visiting Malaysia, reviewing the generational friendship of "water cut but not broken" between China and Malaysia, and promoting the high-level strategic China-Malaysia community with a shared future to move forward; visiting Cambodia, leading China and Cambodia to take the lead in building a new era of all-weather community with a shared future at the bilateral level.

Attending the second China-Central Asia Summit in Kazakhstan and holding bilateral meetings with the heads of state of the five Central Asian countries respectively. Announcing the "China-Central Asia Spirit," anchoring the goal of building a community with a shared future, and promoting closer relations, deeper cooperation, and broader prospects between China and Central Asian countries.

Based on mutual trust and mutual benefit, with a blueprint for cooperation as the foundation, and with the path of development as the vein, China's ties with neighboring countries are closer, and the concept of building a community with a shared future in the neighborhood is increasingly deeply rooted in the hearts of the people.

——Adhere to the concept of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith and the correct approach to justice and interests, strengthen solidarity and cooperation with developing countries, and gather new momentum for the joint self-improvement of the Global South.

The SCO has grown into the world's largest regional organization with the participation of 27 countries, spanning Asia, Europe, and Africa, with a total population of nearly half of the world's population and an economic aggregate accounting for about 1/4 of the world's total, and its international influence and appeal are increasing. "Facing the accelerated evolution of the world's unprecedented changes in a century, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation should play a leading role and be a model in practicing the Global Governance Initiative." President Xi Jinping (习近平) has high hopes for the future of the SCO.

Promoting the historic expansion of BRICS countries, proposing the Global South Open and Inclusive Cooperation Initiative; implementing the "Ten Partnership Actions" to jointly promote modernization with Africa, launching the "Five Major Projects" with Latin America, building the "Five Cooperation Patterns" with Arab countries, and building the "Six Cooperation Platforms" with Pacific Island countries... China is known as an "important leading country in the Global South."

"China has always been a member of the Global South and will always belong to developing countries." On the road to modernization, China does not pursue a single flower blooming alone, but hopes for a hundred flowers to bloom, sincerely providing more wisdom and strength for the Global South, and is committed to working with the vast number of Southern countries to jointly create a better future for human modernization.

Adhering to the concept of "sharing the same boat," adhering to mutual respect, fairness and justice, and win-win cooperation, China is working with all parties to practice the four major global initiatives and take the right path of building a new type of international relations and a community with a shared future for mankind.

"At any time, we must take the people's heart as our heart and the world's interests as our interests, and make unremitting efforts to enhance the well-being of the people."

Attending the SCO Tianjin Summit, emphasizing "we must continue to adhere to dismantling walls instead of building walls, integration instead of decoupling, promote the high-quality joint construction of the 'Belt and Road,' and promote economic globalization towards a more inclusive and inclusive direction"; hosting the seventh meeting of the heads of state of China, Russia, and Mongolia, and proposing three suggestions for consolidating political mutual trust, deepening mutually beneficial cooperation, and strengthening cooperation within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation; holding talks and meetings with 30 foreign leaders, and drawing a blueprint for promoting bilateral cooperation...

From Tianjin to Beijing, General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) reiterated China's concept of peaceful development, announced a series of practical measures by China, and demonstrated China's responsibility as a major country to empower global development with its own development.

Development carries the people's yearning for a better life and is the eternal theme of human society. At present, the changes of the century are evolving in depth, emerging market countries and developing countries are rising collectively, and revolutionary changes are taking place in the international balance of power, which not only provides a fundamental impetus for the transformation of the global governance system, but also puts forward lofty goals for global development.

"The people are the creators of history, and the pursuit of a happy and beautiful life is the common aspiration of the people of all countries. At any time, we must take the people's heart as our heart and the world's interests as our interests, and make unremitting efforts to enhance the well-being of the people," emphasized General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平).

In 2025, China will conclude the "14th Five-Year Plan" and plan the "15th Five-Year Plan."

Development achievements indicate the future. During the "14th Five-Year Plan" period, China has continued to promote high-quality economic development, and the total economic volume has successively exceeded 110 trillion yuan, 120 trillion yuan, and 130 trillion yuan, and is expected to reach about 140 trillion yuan this year; in the past 5 years, the increment is expected to exceed 35 trillion yuan.

Last year, China's total R&D expenditure increased by nearly 50% compared with the end of the "13th Five-Year Plan," with an increment of 1.2 trillion yuan; the R&D intensity increased to 2.68%, close to the average level of OECD countries.
Chinese modernization is a modernization of common prosperity for all the people. China adheres to taking the people's aspiration for a better life as the starting point and end result of modernization construction, focusing on safeguarding and promoting social fairness and justice, and focusing on promoting common prosperity for all the people.

China has built the world's largest education system, social security system, and healthcare system. The consolidation rate of compulsory education and the participation rate of basic old-age insurance and basic medical insurance are both above 95%. The achievements of economic development and technological progress are being truly transformed into the people's sense of gain and happiness.

"Every time I come to China, I am deeply impressed by China's vibrant development and progress." Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko (亚历山大·卢卡申科) said that under the strong leadership of President Xi Jinping (习近平), China is firmly following a development path that suits its own national conditions, has made tremendous development achievements, and shows a brighter future. No force can stop China's development and revitalization.

"China has made tremendous development achievements under the leadership of President Xi Jinping (习近平). Armenia hopes to learn from China to help its own economic and social development," said Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan (尼科尔·帕希尼扬).

China is unswervingly promoting reform and opening up, and the door to opening up is opening wider and wider. "Walking with China means walking with opportunities. Believing in China means believing in tomorrow, and investing in China means investing in the future." President Xi Jinping (习近平) sincerely welcomes all countries to take a ride on China's high-quality development and high-level opening-up, and work together on the road to modernization.

Simon Lichtenberg (西蒙·利希滕贝格), the National Founding Chairman of the China-Denmark Chamber of Commerce, wrote in a letter to President Xi Jinping (习近平): "I believe that people with vision in the world will eventually understand that choosing China is choosing the future."

China advocates promoting inclusive and mutually beneficial economic globalization, actively participates in global economic governance, and is committed to building an open world economy. It has joined hands with more than 150 countries and more than 30 international organizations to promote the high-quality joint construction of the "Belt and Road" initiative, and jointly promoted the implementation of the Global Development Initiative with more than 100 countries and international organizations. China continues to provide new opportunities for the world with its own new development, continuously benefiting the people of all countries.

"The mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Saudi Arabia in the energy field has brought tangible benefits to the people of both countries." In April of this year, Chinese companies and Saudi partners signed the "Yanbu Refinery Expansion Project Cooperation Framework Agreement" (延布炼厂扩建项目合作框架协议), planning to create a full-industry chain innovation ecosystem, effectively enhance the production capacity of high-end petrochemical products, and promote the diversified development of the Saudi economy.

"China and Africa working together to promote modernization will strongly promote South-South cooperation and open up a brighter future for world peace and development." In June of this year, the 4th China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo (中国—非洲经贸博览会) was held in Changsha (长沙), Hunan (湖南) Province. African media commented: "The South African SMEs participating in the exhibition are full of confidence in the significant development opportunities it contains."

"The two sides should deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, promote the high-quality joint construction of the 'Belt and Road', strengthen cooperation in industrial and supply chains, and focus on promoting cooperation in the digital economy, green economy, blue economy, and tourism economy to help each other's modernization process." In July of this year, all tunnels of the Malaysia East Coast Rail Link (马来西亚东海岸铁路项目) project, undertaken by Chinese companies, were completed. Once completed, this "green spine" running through the Malay Peninsula will help Malaysia (马来西亚) achieve balanced economic development.

"Chinese modernization is a modernization that follows the path of peaceful development. China will always be a force for world peace, stability, and progress." General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) pointed out, "We sincerely hope that all countries will take history as a mirror and value peace, and jointly promote world modernization and create a better future for mankind!"

立天下之正位，行天下之大道 (lì tiān xià zhī zhèng wèi, xíng tiān xià zhī dà dào - "establish the correct position in the world, follow the great path of the world," to stand for justice and follow the right path). China will continue to work with the international community to uphold world peace and promote development and prosperity.

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English Editions of "Excerpts from Xi Jinping's Discourses on Women, Children and the Work of the All-China Women's Federation" and "Excerpts from Xi Jinping's Discourses on Emphasizing Family, Family Education and Family Traditions" Published and Distributed

Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, September 7th (Xinhua) The English versions of "Excerpts from Xi Jinping's (习近平) Discourses on Women, Children and the Women's Federation Work" and "Excerpts from Xi Jinping's (习近平) Discourses on Emphasizing Family, Family Education and Family Traditions" translated by the Institute of Party History and Literature of the CPC Central Committee, have recently been published by the Central Compilation & Translation Press and distributed at home and abroad.

"Excerpts from Xi Jinping's (习近平) Discourses on Women, Children and the Women's Federation Work" and "Excerpts from Xi Jinping's (习近平) Discourses on Emphasizing Family, Family Education and Family Traditions" are edited by the Institute of Party History and Literature of the CPC Central Committee, and respectively include a series of important discourses by General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) on women, children and the work of the Women's Federation, and on emphasizing family, family education, and family traditions. This series of important discourses is a major achievement in adhering to the "two combinations" and promoting theoretical innovation in the field of women, children, and families, providing a powerful ideological weapon and scientific action guide for the high-quality development of the cause of women and children and the work of family, family education, and family traditions in the new era.

On the eve of the Global Women's Summit, the publication and distribution of the English versions of the two works will help foreign readers deeply understand the rich connotation of General Secretary Xi Jinping's (习近平) relevant important discourses, and gain an in-depth understanding of Chinese wisdom, Chinese propositions, and Chinese solutions for promoting global gender equality and the comprehensive development of women. This is of great significance for further enhancing the common understanding of the international community in strengthening global women's cause cooperation, promoting the development of the global women's cause, and working together to build a human community with a shared future.

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Xi Jinping to Attend BRICS Leaders' Virtual Summit

Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, September 7th (Xinhua) – A Foreign Ministry spokesperson announced on the 7th that, at the invitation of Brazilian President Lula (卢拉), President Xi Jinping (习近平) will attend the BRICS Leaders' Online Summit via video link in Beijing (北京) on September 8th and deliver an important speech.

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Heed the Commander's Instructions, Build a First-Class Military

By: 新华社记者

"All officers and soldiers of the military must faithfully fulfill their sacred duties, accelerate the building of a world-class military, resolutely safeguard national sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity, provide strategic support for the realization of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, and make greater contributions to world peace and development!"

In recent days, all officers and soldiers of the military have conscientiously studied the important speech delivered by President Xi Jinping (习近平) at the Commemoration of the 80th Anniversary of the Victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. They have been deeply inspired and greatly encouraged. They have unanimously expressed that they must firmly remember the commander's instructions, strengthen their beliefs, obey the Party's command, practice their original aspirations, shoulder their missions, forge ahead with determination, unite and struggle, strive to advance the cause of strengthening the military, and resolutely fulfill their responsibilities.

On September 3, President Xi (习) signed an order to commend all personnel who participated in the military parade commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. The commendation order called on all military units and officers and soldiers to learn from the troops participating in the parade. The various departments and commissions of the Central Military Commission (军委), the various directly affiliated institutions of the Central Military Commission (军委), the Joint Operations Command Center of the Central Military Commission (军委联指中心), the various theater commands, the various services and arms, the various directly affiliated units of the Central Military Commission (军委), and the officers and soldiers of the People's Armed Police Force (武警部队) expressed that they must adhere to Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as guidance, thoroughly implement Xi Jinping's thinking on strengthening the military, thoroughly implement the military strategic guideline for the new era, deeply understand the decisive significance of the "Two Establishments," strengthen the "Four Consciousnesses," strengthen the "Four Confidences," achieve the "Two Safeguards," implement the chairman responsibility system of the Central Military Commission (军委主席负责制), adhere to the Party's absolute leadership over the people's army, adhere to building the military politically, strengthening the military through reform, strengthening the military through science and technology, strengthening the military through talent, and governing the military according to law, deepen political rectification, promote fine traditions, focus on training and preparation for war, strengthen reform and innovation, vigorously implement work, and forge this heroic army led by our Party even stronger.

"The Chinese People's Liberation Army has always been a heroic force that the Party and the people can completely trust." President Xi's (习) important speech is not only a full affirmation of all officers and soldiers of the military, but also a powerful spur to the vast number of officers and soldiers. The vast number of officers and soldiers expressed that they will resolutely obey the command of the Party Central Committee, the Central Military Commission (中央军委), and President Xi (习), resolutely complete the various tasks assigned by the Party and the people, resolutely safeguard national sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity, provide strategic support for the realization of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, and make greater contributions to world peace and development.

This year is the sixth time that Ding Hui (丁辉), a first-class sergeant major of a combined arms brigade of the 82nd Group Army (第82集团军) and a member of the ground assault formation, has participated in the military parade. He said that only by advancing bravely along the blueprint drawn by President Xi (习), faithfully performing duties and responsibilities, can we live up to our mission and live up to the heavy trust, accelerate the building of the people's army into a world-class military, and welcome new great victories.

"One parade, lifelong glory." Yang Yuzhu (杨玉柱), a first-class sergeant major of a marine brigade of the Marine Corps who participated in the parade support mission for the fourth time, said that as revolutionary soldiers in the new era, only by practicing excellent skills can we live up to the times and live up to our youth, and realize our life value in the great journey of strengthening the military and rejuvenating the army.

On the morning of the 3rd, the "Pingxingguan Battle Assault Company" (平型关大战突击连) organized officers and soldiers to watch the grand occasion of the Commemoration of the 80th Anniversary of the Victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. After the meeting, all officers and soldiers of the company solemnly swore to the battle flag: "Remember the commander's entrustment, inherit the spirit of our predecessors, hone our ability to win, and go all out to fight the tough battle to achieve the centenary goal of army building."

A certain bureau of the Army Equipment Department (陆军装备部) organized officers and soldiers to conscientiously study President Xi's (习) important speech. In the study and discussion, the officers and soldiers said that they must accelerate the implementation of various key tasks of the "14th Five-Year Plan" with a sense of urgency and a sense of mission, ensuring that the key tasks of the plan can be successfully completed.

In this military parade, the Hongqi-20 (红旗—20), Hongqi-19 (红旗—19), Hongqi-29 (红旗—29) and other 6 types of equipment participating in the air defense formation can implement multi-stage and multi-layer anti-missile interception, stand by at all times to respond to aerospace threats, and build a solid barrier for air defense. Hao Jiaqiang (郝加强), the leader of the formation, said: "The construction and development of weapons and equipment cannot be delayed or slowed down. We must transform the spirit of President Xi's (习) important speech into a powerful driving force, focus on innovation in cutting-edge fields, and contribute wisdom and strength to accelerating the advancement of weapons and equipment to the world's first-class level."

On the snowy plateau, the red flag is flying, and the boundary marker stands tall. Ma Mingyang (马明洋), a soldier of the Puerchu Border Defense Company (普尔楚边防连) of the Ali Military Sub-district (阿里军分区) in Tibet (西藏), said: "As a border guard, I must strive to be a good soldier of President Xi (习), be down-to-earth in my post, perform my duties and responsibilities, and dedicate my youth to guarding the great rivers and mountains of the motherland."

Shi Mengxing (石梦星), a cadre of the Awusqi Border Defense Company (阿吾斯奇边防连) of the Tacheng Military Sub-district (塔城军分区) in Xinjiang (新疆), said in the study and discussion: "We must transform our infinite loyalty to the Party, our infinite love for the motherland, and our infinite deep affection for the people into practical actions to defend the country and guard the border, continuously improve our ability to manage and control the border, defend national sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity, and practice our original mission with loyalty and guard the mountains and rivers of the motherland."

Li Cairu (李才儒), political commissar of a detachment of the Armed Police Corps (武警兵团总队), said that the officers and soldiers of the detachment will closely follow the pace of strengthening the military through science and technology, make good use of information and intelligent means, improve the ability to perceive and deal with the desert environment, guard the northwest barrier of the motherland, maintain border tranquility and unity, complete various tasks with higher standards and a more practical style, and be loyal guards of the Party and the people.

Looking at the entire military, the vast number of officers and soldiers are transforming the commander's entrustment and full of pride into an inexhaustible driving force for training and preparing for war and striving to strengthen the military. In the hinterland of Lingnan, officers and soldiers of an air force brigade rushed to the training ground to carry out anti-interference training in a high-temperature and high-humidity environment; at a coastal airport, pilots of an army aviation brigade on combat readiness duty took off in response to orders and went straight to the target airspace; in the waters of the Gulf of Aden, the 47th naval escort formation escorted and trained all the way, constantly honing the ability of officers and soldiers to perform diversified tasks.

The commander's entrustment is a call to battle. The vast number of officers and soldiers expressed that they will faithfully fulfill their sacred duties and unremittingly strive to achieve the centenary goal of army building as scheduled and accelerate the building of the people's army into a world-class military!

(Xinhua News Agency, Beijing (北京), September 7)

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New Look Across Tianshan: Seventy Years of Endeavor, New Chapter Across Tianshan

By: 本报记者 贺 勇 李亚楠 阿尔达克

Opening Remarks

70 years of trials and tribulations, 70 years of profound changes. In 1955, the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (新疆维吾尔自治区) was formally established. Over the past 70 years, especially since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, cadres and people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang (新疆) have followed the direction pointed out by General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平), focusing on strengthening the awareness of the Chinese national community, anchoring Xinjiang's "five strategic positions" in the overall national picture, and promoting high-quality development closely linked to people's livelihoods. Today's Xinjiang (新疆) enjoys social stability, economic prosperity, and people living and working in peace and contentment, presenting a new atmosphere of stability, harmony, and vigorous development throughout the Tianshan Mountains (天山).

Starting today, this newspaper launches the special column "Seventy Years of Hard Work: A Magnificent Chapter Across the Tianshan Mountains," telling the vivid stories of cadres and people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang (新疆) promoting the Xinjiang (新疆) practice of Chinese-style modernization, and showcasing the new image of Xinjiang (新疆) with its social openness and confidence, and the united struggle of all ethnic groups.

In the renovated Kashgar Old City (喀什古城), the songs and laughter of children float in the wind; in the health center of Bayanbulak Village (巴亚尔布拉格村), Utubulak Township (乌图布拉格镇), Bole City (博乐市), the elderly are enjoying the heartwarming benefits of universal health checkups; in the carpet factory in Yulong Kash Township (玉龙喀什镇), Hotan City (和田市), young women are weaving a better life with their skillful hands... These vivid scenes together outline the brilliant picture of the 70-year development achievements of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (新疆维吾尔自治区).

Seventy years are like a song. From a state of **百废待兴** (bǎi fèi dài xīng - "a hundred things waiting to be done," a situation where everything needs to be rebuilt or started from scratch) to **百业兴旺** (bǎi yè xīng wàng - "all trades flourishing," a prosperous and thriving economy), from poverty and backwardness to increasing modernization, from remoteness and isolation to the forefront of opening up, Xinjiang (新疆) has undergone earth-shaking changes.

Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) has attached great importance to Xinjiang (新疆) work, established the Party's strategy for governing Xinjiang (新疆) in the new era, and endowed Xinjiang (新疆) with "five strategic positions" in the overall national picture, drawing a blueprint and pointing the direction for building a beautiful Xinjiang (新疆).

Bearing in mind the entrustment and advancing with gratitude, cadres and people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang (新疆) fully, accurately, and comprehensively implement the Party's strategy for governing Xinjiang (新疆) in the new era, firmly grasp the overall goal of social stability and lasting peace and security, adhere to strengthening the awareness of the Chinese national community as the main line, and strive to promote new development and progress in various undertakings.

Today, a magnificent picture of unity and harmony, prosperity and affluence, civilization and progress, and people living and working in peace and contentment is slowly unfolding on the land of Xinjiang (新疆).

People of All Ethnic Groups Unite and Advance Together, as Close as One Family

Like pomegranate flowers blooming, with seeds closely connected. On the vast land of Xinjiang (新疆), exchanges, interactions, and integration among all ethnic groups are deepening day by day, the awareness of the Chinese national community is deeply rooted in the hearts of the people, and an atmosphere of unity and advancement, as close as one family, permeates everywhere.

Guyuan Lane Community (固原巷社区), Erdaoqiao Street (二道桥街道), Tianshan District (天山区), Urumqi City (乌鲁木齐市), is a large family where people of 14 ethnic groups live together. Here, the "Starlight Senior Chorus" uses songs to convey the power of unity, the "Points Supermarket" records mutual assistance and warmth, and the Guoxue (国学) classroom echoes with the crisp voices of children reciting. Here, unity is a tangible and visible happiness.

Such heartwarming stories are found throughout the Tianshan Mountains (天山). At the "Neighborhood Festival Hundred Family Banquet" in Haldun Community (哈尔墩社区), Tacheng City (塔城市), residents of 14 ethnic groups brought out 26 special dishes, sharing delicacies and talking about friendship; villagers in Daxi Village (达西村), Yuli County (尉犁县) insisted on "sharing naan bread," with 318 households paired up for mutual assistance, their friendship as close and resilient as the roots of the Populus euphratica.

Since October 2016, Xinjiang (新疆) has carried out the "Ethnic Unity as One Family" activity, with cadres at all levels pairing up with grassroots people, widely carrying out various forms of friendship and exchange.

Culture is the most nourishing to the heart. Xinjiang (新疆) has deeply carried out the work of nourishing Xinjiang (新疆) with culture, continuously improving cultural infrastructure, increasing the supply of culture, and continuously building a common spiritual home for the Chinese nation.

Paired assistance to Xinjiang (新疆) has become an important bridge for promoting ethnic unity. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, 19 provinces providing assistance to Xinjiang (新疆) have invested more than 200 billion yuan, and in Kashgar (喀什), Hotan (和田), Hami (哈密), and other places, assistance projects not only promote economic development and solve employment, but also promote personnel interaction and emotional integration, allowing people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang (新疆) to deeply feel the warmth of the big family of the motherland.

Today's Xinjiang (新疆), cadres and people of all ethnic groups embrace each other tightly like pomegranate seeds, jointly painting a beautiful picture of the Chinese nation as one big family.

Running Out of "Xinjiang Speed" on the High-Quality Development Track

At the Alashankou Railway Port (阿拉山口铁路口岸), China-Europe freight trains line up to depart. As of September 1 this year, more than 5,000 China-Europe (Central Asia) freight trains have passed through here; at the Urumqi Aviation Logistics Park (乌鲁木齐航空物流园区), a large number of goods are waiting to be transported to Central Asia, West Asia, and Europe. In the first half of this year, Xinjiang (新疆) opened 8 new international cargo routes, with international cargo volume reaching 47,400 tons, an increase of 7 times year-on-year.

Data from Urumqi Customs (乌鲁木齐海关) shows that in 2024, the total value of Xinjiang's (新疆) foreign trade import and export was 435.11 billion yuan, an increase of 21.8% year-on-year, crossing three 100 billion-level milestones for three consecutive years. The rapid development of foreign trade is just a microcosm of Xinjiang's (新疆) economic stride forward.

Based on its resource endowment and industrial base, Xinjiang (新疆) is accelerating the construction of industrial clusters such as oil and gas, coal and coal power and coal chemical industry, green mining, and strategic emerging industries, and the industrial system is becoming increasingly complete.

Advantageous industries continue to be consolidated, and the articles on oil, gas, and coal are becoming more and more solid: Xinjiang's (新疆) oil and gas production equivalent has ranked first in the country for four consecutive years, Tarim Oilfield (塔里木油田) has drilled a 10,000-meter vertical well, Hami (哈密) has started the construction of a direct coal liquefaction project, and "making oilfields on coalfields" is gradually becoming a reality.

Emerging industries are accelerating cultivation, and the clean energy track is fully laid out: Xinjiang (新疆) has built 3 ten-million-kilowatt-level and more than 10 million-kilowatt-level new energy bases. As of the end of 2024, the installed capacity of new energy has exceeded 100 million kilowatts, making it the first province in the Northwest region with an installed capacity of new energy exceeding 100 million kilowatts.

Traditional industries are constantly upgrading, and green and low-carbon momentum is continuously stimulated: low-carbon factories and zero-carbon factories are springing up, and the industrial structure is continuously optimized.

Over the past 70 years, Xinjiang's (新疆) economic aggregate has repeatedly broken new barriers: when the autonomous region was established in 1955, the regional GDP was only 1.231 billion yuan; it exceeded 10 billion yuan in 1985, exceeded 100 billion yuan in 1997, exceeded 1 trillion yuan in 2017, and exceeded 2 trillion yuan in 2024, with the economic aggregate continuously reaching new levels.

Xinjiang (新疆) is transforming from a "resource-rich region" to an "economically strong region," running out of "Xinjiang speed" on the high-quality development track.

Fully Enjoying the Fruits of Development, the "Happiness Account Book" Continues to Thicken

In Jimusar County (吉木萨尔县), Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture (昌吉回族自治州), more than 900 rural left-behind, empty-nest, and widowed elderly people are living together in multiple rural mutual-aid happiness homes; Matibak Tursunmat (买提巴克·吐尔送买提), a villager in Tohula Village (托乎拉村), Buzak Township (布扎克乡), Hotan County (和田县), Hotan Prefecture (和田地区), happily sends his children to junior high school classes within Xinjiang (新疆); Reheman Abdureyim (热合曼·阿不都热依木), a villager in Yukek Huangdi Village (尤喀克荒地村), Aheya Township (阿合雅镇), U什 County (乌什县), Aksu Prefecture (阿克苏地区), is cleaning his new courtyard, "With complete water and electricity heating, and earthquake resistance, I feel at ease living here!"

In recent years, Xinjiang (新疆) has used more than 75% of its fiscal expenditure to guarantee and improve people's livelihoods, focusing on the concerns of the masses such as elderly care, education, employment, medical care, and housing, solving urgent and difficult problems, and allowing more development results to benefit people of all ethnic groups.

Investment in education continues to increase. As of now, the consolidation rate of nine-year compulsory education in Xinjiang (新疆) has reached 99%, which is 3.2 percentage points higher than the national average; the proportion of children of migrant workers attending public schools is 99.16%, which is 8.26 percentage points higher than the national average; and southern Xinjiang (新疆) has achieved 15 years of free education from kindergarten to high school in urban and rural areas.

Medical resources are sinking to the grassroots level. As of the end of 2024, Xinjiang (新疆) has 16,739 medical and health institutions, 275,400 medical and health personnel, and 9.57 health technicians per thousand people. A medical and health service network covering urban and rural areas has been basically completed. Today, every village has a standardized health center, and county-level hospitals can carry out remote medical treatment.

Employment security is solid and strong. Xinjiang (新疆) comprehensively helps people with employment difficulties, implements "one person, one policy, and precise policy," and achieved 483,200 new urban jobs in 2024.

Opening Xinjiang's (新疆) "Time Account Book," every set of jumping numbers is a vivid footnote to the 70 years of hard work in the Tianshan Mountains (天山), witnessing the continuous thickening of the "Happiness Account Book."

Ending the History of "Sand Advancing and People Retreating," the Taklamakan Desert (塔克拉玛干沙漠) Wears a "Green Scarf"

In early autumn, Minfeng County (民丰县) has high mountains and flowing clouds, and no sand and dust blocking the sun. Visitors to the Niya Wetland Park (尼雅湿地公园) are in an endless stream, some strolling leisurely, some playing chess, and laughter echoes by the water. Who would have thought that the pleasant scene today was once a different picture?

"Two ounces of soil a day, not enough to eat during the day, and you have to make up for it at night." This once-popular local saying is also a true reflection of the harsh ecology of the past. Every spring, strong winds carry sand and dust whistling. The "sand wall" dozens of meters high obscures the sky and the sun, seriously affecting the production and life of residents.

In 1978, the Party Central Committee made a strategic decision to build large-scale shelterbelts in key areas of wind and sand hazards and soil erosion in the Northwest, North China, and Northeast. For more than 40 years, people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang (新疆) have worked tirelessly and persistently to build green barriers.

Today, Xinjiang's (新疆) ecological environment has been significantly improved: the forest coverage rate has jumped from 1.03% in 1978 to 5.08%; in the past 30 years, the area of artificial oases has increased from 65,000 square kilometers to 100,000 square kilometers, an increase of about 54%. The sixth national desertification and sandification survey shows that Xinjiang's (新疆) desertified land has decreased by 1,956 square kilometers and sandified land has decreased by 242.82 square kilometers, achieving "double reduction."

On November 28, 2024, the battle to block the edge of the Taklamakan Desert (塔克拉玛干沙漠) ushered in a key node - the blank area successfully locked the edge and "closed," putting a "green scarf" on the desert. The last 100,000 roses planted not only add romantic color to the sand sea, but also symbolize the wisdom and feelings of the people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang (新疆) in ecological governance.

While consolidating the ecological barrier, Xinjiang (新疆) actively explores the coordinated development of ecology and economy, and vigorously develops the sand industry. At present, the planting area of characteristic economic crops in Xinjiang's (新疆) sandy areas has reached 1.845 million mu, and the annual output value of the sand industry has exceeded 4.37 billion yuan, which not only forms a unique landscape of the desert, but also becomes a "green bank" for people to increase their income and become rich.

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How "Double Subsidies" Boost Consumption: Leveraging a Small Force to Achieve a Big Impact (Reader's Suggestion · Joint Focus)

By: 本报记者 曲哲涵

Recently, I read in the news that on September 1st, policies such as financial subsidies for personal consumption loans have begun to be implemented. From "two new" to "double subsidies," how much "gold content" is there in the policies? How effective will they be in stimulating consumption?

-- People's Daily Online user

Expanding domestic demand and promoting consumption are the top priorities of current economic work. There are many policies in this regard, and everyone is concerned about their effectiveness.

The meeting of the Political Bureau of the CPC (中共中央政治局) Central Committee (中央委员会) held on July 30th emphasized, "We must effectively release the potential of domestic demand" and "While expanding commodity consumption, we must cultivate new growth points for service consumption." The launch of the "double subsidy" policy for personal consumption loans and loans to service industry business entities at this time can be described as "fast, accurate, and stable."

So, what benefits can the policy bring?

Here are two straightforward examples. If a consumer borrows 200,000 yuan for multiple consumption expenditures such as decoration and purchasing furniture and home appliances, assuming the annual interest rate on this consumption loan is 3%, after enjoying a 1 percentage point financial subsidy, the interest expense can be reduced by up to 2,000 yuan; if a restaurant applies for a 1 million yuan service industry operating loan to upgrade its open kitchen, the financial subsidy can save about 10,000 yuan in interest expenses.

From daily catering to large household appliances, from essential consumption such as childcare, elderly care, and health, to development-oriented and enjoyment-oriented consumption such as education and tourism, all are included in the scope of support for this loan subsidy policy. One percentage point may not seem high, but it is still quite substantial when it lands in the "purses" of residents and enterprises.

So, can the subsidy policy effectively stimulate loan consumption?

Let's look at some more data. Statistics from the People's Bank of China (中国人民银行) show that as of the end of 2024, the balance of consumer loans (excluding mortgages) for Chinese residents reached 21.01 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 6.2%; an empirical calculation by financial regulatory authorities shows that after the introduction of consumer finance products, borrowers' consumption amount increased by 16% to 30%, and cooperating merchants' sales increased by about 40%.

At the same time, consumer credit services also face a supply gap. A survey report by Southwestern University of Finance and Economics (西南财经大学) shows that the gap between the demand rate and actual participation rate of household consumer credit in China increased from 2.5 percentage points in 2019 to 5.3 percentage points in 2021.

This "double subsidy" policy not only covers the main consumption items of ordinary families, but also greatly reduces the cost of borrowing funds, which can effectively alleviate the supply and demand contradiction of consumer credit services; coupled with the "national subsidy" policy for trading in old for new, the cumulative preferential margin is even greater, which can more powerfully release the consumption demand of middle-income groups. Currently, major financial institutions have begun to undertake related businesses, and the policy effect is worth looking forward to.

From strengthening and expanding the "two new" policies to the introduction and gradual implementation of free preschool education, childcare subsidies and other livelihood policies; from the establishment of 500 billion yuan of re-lending for service consumption and elderly care to this "double subsidy"... Since last year, fiscal, financial, industrial, and livelihood policies have been working together in the same direction, and policies to promote consumption are interlinked. In order to make everyone dare to consume and be willing to consume, the policies are truly **走心** (zǒu xīn - "go heart," thoughtful and considerate).

Taking the trade-in of consumer goods as an example, as of the first half of this year, the "national subsidy" funds have leveraged more than 2.9 trillion yuan in consumption, benefiting approximately 400 million people; since the beginning of this year, 82,000 sales stores across the country have carried out trade-ins of electric bicycles, with a cumulative replacement of more than 9.056 million new vehicles.

How can "thoughtful" policies make consumers more "moved"? On the one hand, it is necessary to improve product quality, and on the other hand, it is also necessary to regulate the consumption order, and it is also necessary to create new demands. Speaking of new demands alone, there are many tricks—

The "Crane Dance Streamer" luminous refrigerator magnets launched by the Yellow Crane Tower (黄鹤楼) scenic spot in Wuhan (武汉), Hubei (湖北) Province, have achieved sales of over 10 million yuan due to their combination of cultural connotation and modern creativity, and have become a favorite souvenir for many tourists;

The "Everything Can Be Connected Aerial Supermarket" in Zhengzhou (郑州), Henan (河南) Province, uses drones to deliver goods, which can be delivered to designated helipads in as little as 5 minutes, providing a convenient and fresh shopping experience;

"Don't panic, it's not a big deal" and other desktop ornaments, mobile phone cases... More than half of the "Top Ten Commodities of 2024" sorted out by e-commerce platforms are related to providing emotional value to consumers.

It can be seen that understanding consumer psychology and understanding consumer preferences can better create demand and create consumption. In the end, it's still two words: innovation.

From "two new" to "double subsidies," the policies are sincere and the subsidies are real money. China's large market has a large enough capacity, and enterprises and businesses should make good use of policy dividends, and also need to come up with real tricks and strategies in innovation. With the government and the market working together in both directions, we will definitely be able to do a good job in boosting consumption.

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Western Land-Sea Corridor New Passage Rail Freight Exceeds 1 Million TEUs This Year

According to the Nanning Railway Bureau (国铁南宁局), as of September 4th, the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor (西部陆海新通道) rail-sea intermodal trains have transported over 1 million TEUs of containerized goods this year, a year-on-year increase of 72.5%, achieving an annual throughput exceeding one million TEUs for the first time. This was reported by Pang Geping (庞革平) and Zhang Yunhe (张云河), reporters for this newspaper, from Nanning (南宁) on September 7th.

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Making Greater Contributions to World Peace and Development

"The Chinese people stand firmly on the right side of history and on the side of progress of human civilization, adhere to the path of peaceful development, and work with the people of all countries to build a community with a shared future for mankind." Chinese President Xi Jinping's (习近平) important speech on September 3 at the meeting commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War has aroused enthusiastic responses from the international community. International figures interviewed by this newspaper said that President Xi Jinping's (习近平) important speech demonstrated China's responsibility as a major country and its strategic vision, and demonstrated China's firm determination to make greater contributions to world peace and development.

"The enormous sacrifices made by the Chinese people for the final victory of the World Anti-Fascist War should be forever remembered by the world."

President Xi Jinping (习近平) pointed out that the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression was an important part of the World Anti-Fascist War, and the Chinese people made significant contributions to saving human civilization and defending world peace at the cost of huge national sacrifices.

Andrei Rusakovich, professor of the Eurasian Studies Department of Belarusian State University, said that the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression opened up the main eastern battlefield of the World Anti-Fascist War, curbed the aggression of Japanese militarism, made significant contributions to the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War, and defended human peace and justice. "The enormous sacrifices made by the Chinese people for the final victory of the World Anti-Fascist War should be forever remembered by the world."

Diego Prieto, Director of the Directorate of Living Culture, Intangible Heritage and Cultural Exchange of the Mexican Ministry of Culture, said that the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression made an indelible historical contribution to the overall victory of the World Anti-Fascist War, and also laid the cornerstone for the establishment of the post-war international order and the basic norms of international relations.

Chea Munyrith, President of the Cambodian-Chinese Relations Development Institute, said that the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression achieved a great victory, which promoted the opening of a new chapter in world history. Government officials and other guests from many countries went to China to participate in the commemorative meeting, which fully reflected the world's high recognition of the outstanding historical contribution of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. The victory of China's War of Resistance not only belongs to China, but also to the victory of world peace and justice.

Abigail Hernandez Leon, an international political expert from Cuba, believes that the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression has important historical significance. On the one hand, the long-term and heroic struggle of the Chinese people effectively curbed Japanese militarism, reduced the pressure on other battlefields, and made a significant contribution to the final defeat of fascism; on the other hand, this victory enhanced China's international status and influence, and laid the foundation for the establishment of the post-war international order.

"The victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression is a key chapter of great significance in World War II." Ivona Ladjevac, Deputy Director of the Serbian Institute of International Politics and Economics, said that the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression tied down a large amount of Japanese resources and troops, creating conditions for the Allies to achieve a wider victory. The tenacious struggle of the Chinese people inspired the people of all countries in the world to unite and jointly resist fascist aggression.

Charlton Tsodzo, a Zimbabwean expert on international issues, said that the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression made a significant contribution to saving human civilization and defending world peace. He emphasized that China is not only an active advocate of world peace, but also has always been committed to promoting and practicing South-South cooperation. History and reality have proved that China is an important force in maintaining world peace and promoting development and prosperity.

"China adheres to the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind, and this kind of mind is commendable."

President Xi Jinping (习近平) pointed out: "History warns us that the future of mankind is closely linked, and only when all countries and all nations treat each other equally, live in harmony, and help each other can we maintain common security, eliminate the roots of war, and prevent historical tragedies from happening again!"

Yan Tianlu, Vice President of the Malaysia-China Public Relations Association, said that the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War was a major event in human history in the 20th century, which has far-reaching significance for the development of the Chinese nation and the progress of world civilization, and also provides important enlightenment for the international community - we should adhere to international cooperation and actively practice multilateralism.

Gao Liang, Chairman of the Nepal-China Friendship Forum, said that when he was studying in China, he deeply realized that the Chinese people pay attention to learning from the past to know the future. He said that President Xi Jinping's (习近平) important speech at the commemorative meeting warned people to remember history, learn from history, and prevent historical tragedies from happening again. "China adheres to the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind, and this kind of mind is commendable."

Prieto said that history reminds the world that peace is never a matter of course, but needs to be maintained and defended. In the context of the current complex and volatile international situation, China emphasizes remembering history and shows the international community that only by respecting history and adhering to the principles of peace can we jointly cope with new global challenges.

Ladjevac said that China's commemoration of the history of the War of Resistance is not only to remember the sacrifices of the predecessors, but also to promote peace, multilateralism and international justice. This is of great guiding significance and practical value for maintaining international stability and promoting the establishment of a more cooperative world order.

"Commemorating the victory of the War of Resistance is not only a tribute to history, but also a hope for the present: remember the price of peace and never repeat the same mistakes." Ruslan Kenzhayev, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Uzbekistan's "People's Speech Newspaper," said that at present, the world is intertwined with chaos and turmoil, and the tendency to use force or resort to force to solve problems at every turn still exists. In this context, it is especially important to remember history. "The Chinese people who have experienced the cruel war remind the world that the sky of peace is the most precious."

"Create a brighter future for the development and progress of human society."

Alexei Kulich, Associate Professor of the Far Eastern Federal University of Russia, said that President Xi Jinping's (习近平) important speech profoundly demonstrated China's firm position in following the path of peaceful development and its responsibility as a major country in safeguarding world peace and tranquility. The current international situation is becoming increasingly severe, and hegemonism and unilateralism have seriously impacted the post-war international order. China has always conformed to the trend of the times and stood on the right side of history. "The international community expects China, as a responsible major country, to work with all peace-loving forces in the world to defend the achievements of World War II, promote true multilateralism, and create a brighter future for the development and progress of human society."

"China has suffered from the suffering of war, and now it is firmly on the road of maintaining peace and defending justice." Rusakovich said that President Xi Jinping's (习近平) important speech demonstrated China's firm determination to make unremitting efforts for lasting world peace and development, and also profoundly awakened the world to learn from history and cherish peace.

Prieto said that President Xi Jinping's (习近平) important speech has important practical significance. By actively participating in the reform and construction of the global governance system, China has shown the world its responsibility as a responsible major country. China has always adhered to opposing wars of aggression and advocated resolving disputes through peaceful means, and is an important force in reducing the risk of global conflict and maintaining the stability of the international situation.

Hernandez said that President Xi Jinping's (习近平) important speech clearly conveyed that China does not seek hegemony and expansion, but is committed to defending peace and justice. "In today's context of frequent local wars and the rise of unilateralism, this position is extremely valuable. China advocates openness, inclusiveness, cooperation and win-win results, firmly follows the path of peaceful development, and promotes the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, providing the world with a practical and feasible plan for achieving peace."

Ladjevac said that against the background of constant hot conflicts in some parts of the world and the increasing global security deficit, President Xi Jinping's (习近平) speech emphasized the value of cooperation and development as the cornerstone of lasting peace, reflecting China's firm determination to safeguard peace, justice and multilateralism. Ladjevac especially mentioned that China is actively promoting the reform and construction of the global governance system, making global governance more inclusive, representative and participatory.

Alibek Tazhibayev, Director of the Kazakhstan "Eurasian Monitoring" Analysis and Research Center, said that China actively assumes the responsibility of a major country and continues to promote the reform and construction of the global governance system. This not only reflects China's strategic vision, but also sets a benchmark for establishing a more just and sustainable world order.

(Reported on September 7 by Yu Yichun (俞懿春), Xiao Xinxin (肖新新), Xie Jianing (谢佳宁), Zhang Niansheng (章念生), Xie Yahong (谢亚宏), Zou Song (邹松), and Li Qiang (李强), from Beijing, Moscow, Mexico City, Bangkok, Rome, Johannesburg and Astana)

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Global Governance Initiative Demonstrates Responsibility (Harmony Voice)

The gradual enrichment and development of the Chinese solution have formed a blueprint rooted in the present and focused on the long term, writing a new chapter in multilateralism and demonstrating China's responsibility as a major power.

As a responsible major country, China is firmly committed to being a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development, a defender of the international order, and a provider of public goods. President Xi Jinping's (习近平) solemn proposal of the Global Governance Initiative is another important public good that China provides to the world, fully demonstrating China's strategic vision and sense of responsibility in leading the international community to jointly solve the governance deficit and work together to build a community with a shared future for mankind at a critical turning point in history.

The world has entered a new period of turbulence and change, and global governance has reached a new crossroads. Regarding how to solve the problems of the times and resolve risks and challenges, there is a clear contrast between two concepts and two propositions in the international community. One is to blindly believe in strength and national priority, which seriously impacts international rules and the international order, and exacerbates the instability and uncertainty of the world. The other is to adhere to sovereign equality and mutual respect, practice multilateralism and international rule of law, and carry out multilateral cooperation through consultation, joint construction, and shared benefits. History and reality prove that reforming and improving global governance can only effectively address the challenges of the times and share development opportunities by laying the foundation in terms of systems and mechanisms. Adhering to sovereign equality, abiding by international rule of law, practicing multilateralism, advocating people-centeredness, and focusing on action-orientedness, the Global Governance Initiative provides a systematic solution for strengthening and improving global governance.

Looking at the world, the principle of "sovereign equality" and the "belief in the equal rights of large and small nations" established in the United Nations Charter have not yet been fully implemented in international relations practice, and the challenges facing international rule of law have become more severe. China's proposal of the Global Governance Initiative adheres to leading the correct direction of global governance, advocating unity rather than division, and advocating cooperation rather than confrontation. It actively responds to the structural imbalances facing the current global governance system, directly addresses the problem of insufficient representation of the Global South, and is conducive to maintaining international order, upholding the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, and promoting better functioning of the United Nations and other multilateral mechanisms. Shortly after the initiative was proposed, it received praise and support from dozens of countries and relevant international organizations, including Russia, Malaysia, Slovakia, and Nicaragua. This fully demonstrates that the Chinese solution is in line with the common aspirations of the international community and helps to build broad consensus and strength for cooperation.

As a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, China has always earnestly fulfilled its due international responsibilities: proposing the lofty goal of building a community with a shared future for mankind, advocating an equal and orderly multipolar world and an inclusive economic globalization that benefits all, working with all countries to build a world of lasting peace, universal security, common prosperity, openness and inclusiveness, and cleanliness and beauty, setting a brilliant banner for leading the progress of the times; proposing a global governance concept of consultation, joint construction, and shared benefits, advocating that the fate of the world should be in the hands of all countries, international rules should be written by all countries, global affairs should be governed by all countries, and development results should be shared by all countries, promoting equality of rights, equality of opportunity, and equality of rules among countries, clarifying the basic principles for the transformation of the global governance system, and pointing out the direction of progress; adhering to true multilateralism, firmly safeguarding the international system with the United Nations as the core, the international order based on international law, and the basic norms of international relations based on the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, clarifying the effective path to promote peace and development in the face of major changes in the world; proposing the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative, and the Global Governance Initiative, from the four dimensions of development, security, civilization, and governance respectively, injecting stability and certainty into a turbulent world. The gradual enrichment and development of the Chinese solution have formed a blueprint rooted in the present and focused on the long term, writing a new chapter in multilateralism and demonstrating China's responsibility as a major power.

Riding the tide of history and pursuing the right path for humanity. Facing a world intertwined with changes and chaos, China will stand firmly on the right side of history, on the side of human progress, and on the side of multilateralism, so that the results of promoting the transformation of the global governance system and promoting the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind will benefit all mankind more and better.

(This series of commentaries ends here)

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China will always be a force for world peace, stability, and progress.

By: 本报记者 张志文 龚 鸣 颜 欢

On the shores of the Hai River, the strength of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (上合组织) is surging, and on Chang'an Avenue (长安街), the determination for peaceful development is displayed. In a crucial year in history, the world is witnessing the responsibility of a major power.

"We must contribute 'SCO strength' to maintaining world peace and stability." At the SCO Tianjin Summit, President Xi Jinping (习近平) and leaders from more than 20 countries and 10 international organizations gathered to discuss friendship, cooperation, and common development, pointing the way for the SCO's development and the improvement of global governance.

"The great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is an unstoppable trend! The noble cause of human peace and development will surely triumph!" At the meeting commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) and international dignitaries joined people from all over the world to commemorate this great day, jointly remembering history, cherishing the memory of martyrs, cherishing peace, and creating the future.

In the early autumn of 2025, China demonstrated to the world through a home-field diplomacy event and a grand military parade: an eastern power reborn from the flames of war, firmly committed to the path of peaceful development, not only has the firm will to protect the peaceful life of its people and maintain world peace and development, but also has strong capabilities and solid actions.

"At any time, we must promote the common values of all mankind, firmly defend international fairness and justice, and let righteousness fill the world and the universe be bright and clear."

Along Chang'an Avenue (长安街), themed flower beds such as "Cherish Peace" are eye-catching; in the aerial flag-guarding echelon, banners with the slogans "Justice Will Prevail," "Peace Will Prevail," and "The People Will Prevail" sweep across the sky; in the parade formations, the peacekeeping force's formation marches firmly and powerfully; in Tiananmen Square (天安门广场), 80,000 peace doves soar into the sky... At the solemn moment of the meeting commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, "peace" became the most prominent theme and the most moving powerful voice.

In the flames of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, the Chinese people spared no effort to achieve peace. The 14-year War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression was a life-and-death struggle between justice and evil, light and darkness, progress and reaction. The Chinese people resisted stubbornly with unyielding spirit, built a steel Great Wall with their flesh and blood, fought for national survival, fought for national rejuvenation, and fought for human justice.

General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) profoundly pointed out: "The Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression was an important component of the World Anti-Fascist War. The Chinese people made significant contributions to saving human civilization and defending world peace with huge national sacrifices." This arduous and great victory is forever engraved in the memory of the Chinese nation and is also forever written into the annals of human peace and development.

Today, mankind is once again standing at a crossroads in history—the choice between peace or war, dialogue or confrontation, win-win or zero-sum, tests wisdom and courage. The Chinese people firmly stand on the right side of history, on the side of human civilization and progress, adhere to the path of peaceful development, and work with the people of all countries to build a community with a shared future for mankind.

"History tells us that the belief in justice cannot be shaken, the expectation of peace cannot be stopped, and the power of the people cannot be defeated!" General Secretary Xi Jinping's (习近平) powerful words convey the Chinese nation's firm determination to defend international fairness and justice and safeguard world peace and tranquility. "At any time, we must promote the common values of all mankind, firmly defend international fairness and justice, and let righteousness fill the world and the universe be bright and clear."

Sixty-one foreign heads of state, heads of government, and high-level representatives from relevant countries, heads of international organizations, and former politicians attended the commemorative meeting. This is not only a tribute to China's historical contributions but also a full recognition of China's active promotion of human peace and development today.

Kazakh President Tokayev (托卡耶夫) believes that "the Chinese people have made significant historical contributions to the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War, demonstrating extraordinary courage and patriotism."

"Commemorating the victory of the War of Resistance demonstrates the strength and courage of China as a country that firmly safeguards national independence, defends national sovereignty, and plays an active role in maintaining world peace," said Indonesian President Prabowo (普拉博沃).

This year also marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. Eighty years ago, "to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, which twice in our lifetime has brought untold sorrow to mankind," the United Nations came into being, and a new chapter in global governance was opened.

Currently, the international situation is intertwined with turmoil and changes, the authority of the United Nations and international rules are being impacted, and the global governance deficit is expanding. Reviewing the original intention of the United Nations' founding, reaffirming the commitment to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and promoting the UN to revitalize its authority and vitality under the new circumstances are of great significance for countries to coordinate actions and jointly address challenges.

"History warns us that the fate of mankind is intertwined, and only when all countries and nations treat each other equally, live in harmony, and help each other can we maintain common security, eliminate the root causes of war, and prevent historical tragedies from recurring!"

General Secretary Xi Jinping's (习近平) words are powerful and resonate, looking back at history, reflecting on reality, and indicating the future.

From striving for national liberation and world peace to embarking on a new journey of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and the development and progress of human civilization, the Chinese people deeply understand the preciousness of peace and tranquility, and also deeply understand that the more difficult the times, the more important it is to uphold the original intention of peaceful coexistence, firmly believe in the confidence of win-win cooperation, and insist on advancing in the logic of historical progress and developing in the trend of the times.

Those who understand the situation are wise, and those who control the situation win. Facing the major issue of "what kind of world to build and how to build this world," President Xi Jinping (习近平) gave the answer of the times: building a community with a shared future for mankind. The light of thought illuminates the direction of human social progress.

Over the past 10 years, the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind has expanded from a Chinese initiative to an international consensus, from a beautiful vision to rich practice, powerfully promoting the world towards a bright future of peace, security, prosperity, and progress, fully confirming that "every point of growth in China's strength adds one point of hope for world peace."

Bridging the global governance deficit is related to international fairness and justice and the prospects for world peace and development. On September 1, at the "Shanghai Cooperation Organisation+" meeting, President Xi Jinping (习近平) proposed the Global Governance Initiative. Adhering to sovereign equality, abiding by international rule of law, practicing multilateralism, advocating people-centeredness, and emphasizing action-orientedness, the Global Governance Initiative is anchored in promoting the construction of a more just and reasonable global governance system, and together with the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative, constitutes an action system for promoting the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind.

"President Xi Jinping (习近平) clearly clarified his judgment on the current international situation and proposed the core concept of the initiative, which is the key to solving the problems existing in the current global governance system," said Belarusian President Lukashenko (卢卡申科), adding that Belarus fully agrees with and fully supports the Global Governance Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping (习近平).

Cuban President Díaz-Canel (迪亚斯—卡内尔) expressed support for the Global Governance Initiative proposed by China, believing that this initiative "will contribute to the reform of the global governance system and the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind." The Venezuelan government issued a statement supporting the Global Governance Initiative proposed by China, believing that the four major global initiatives are related and aim to build a community with a shared future for mankind.

The initiative to establish an international mediation institute, with 33 countries signing the convention on the spot and becoming founding members, provides important rule-of-law public goods for improving global governance; launching the Asian Civilization Dialogue Conference and advocating the establishment of an ancient civilization forum to promote exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations; proposing the "dual carbon" goal, demonstrating the responsibility of a major country in addressing climate change; promoting the improvement of global governance of artificial intelligence, reflecting forward-looking thinking on the governance of emerging technologies... China adheres to action-orientedness, working with all parties to promote the filling of governance shortcomings and jointly building a more just and reasonable global governance system.

"China has made important contributions to maintaining international law and ensuring international rule of law, and has become a cornerstone of defending multilateralism," said UN Secretary-General Guterres (古特雷斯).

"At any time, we must adhere to the path of peaceful development, firmly safeguard world peace and tranquility, and work together to build a community with a shared future for mankind."

The vast land of China, with its eternal rivers.

In the evolution of Chinese civilization over more than 5,000 years, the pursuit of peace, harmony, and concord is deeply rooted in the spiritual world of the Chinese nation and deeply melted into the blood of the Chinese people.

"Human beings live on the same planet and should share the same boat and live in harmony. At any time, we must adhere to the path of peaceful development, firmly safeguard world peace and tranquility, and work together to build a community with a shared future for mankind," emphasized General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平).

When countries are in harmony, the world is at peace. China adheres to developing friendly cooperation with all countries on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, promotes the construction of a new type of international relations, deepens and expands equal, open, and cooperative global partnerships, and is committed to expanding the convergence of interests with all countries.

——Promote coordination and sound interaction among major countries, and promote the construction of a major-country relationship pattern of peaceful coexistence, overall stability, and balanced development.

From Red Square in Moscow to Tiananmen Rostrum (天安门城楼), President Xi Jinping (习近平) and President Putin (普京) attended each other's celebrations commemorating the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War, aiming to promote regional and world peace and inject positive energy into the cause of human peace and progress. Facing a turbulent and uncertain world, China-Russia relations are "not confused by temporary events, nor disturbed by strong winds and waves," and always take the certainty and resilience of China-Russia strategic coordination as a constructive force for maintaining global strategic stability and improving global governance.

From the high-level China-U.S. economic and trade talks in Geneva in May to the first meeting of the China-U.S. economic and trade consultation mechanism in London in June, and then to the new round of China-U.S. economic and trade talks in Stockholm in July... China and the United States are taking an important step in resolving differences through equal dialogue and consultation in accordance with the important consensus reached by the two heads of state. "China and the United States have broad common interests and broad space for cooperation, and can become partners and friends, achieve each other, prosper together, benefit the two countries, and benefit the world." President Xi Jinping's (习近平) words are far-reaching, gathering consensus and accumulating strength for the development of China-U.S. relations.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the European Union. On July 24, President Xi Jinping (习近平) met with EU leaders, pointing out that China and Europe should jointly maintain the international rules and international order established after World War II, promote the construction of a more just and reasonable global governance system in line with the times, and work together to address global challenges such as climate change, so that the torch of multilateralism can illuminate the path of human progress. EU leaders said that the EU looks forward to working with China to continue writing a more exciting chapter in the next 50 years of EU-China relations.

——Adhere to the concept of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness and the neighboring diplomacy policy of being good to neighbors and treating them as partners, and deepen friendly mutual trust and integration of interests with neighboring countries.

Under the new situation of deep linkage between the surrounding pattern and world changes, the Central Conference on Work Relating to Neighboring Countries was held in Beijing in April this year. The meeting pointed out that it is necessary to hold high the banner of a community with a shared future for mankind, take the construction of a peaceful, tranquil, prosperous, beautiful, and friendly "five homes" as a common vision, take good-neighborliness, security, prosperity, amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness, and a shared future as the guiding principles, take the Asian values of peace, cooperation, openness, and inclusiveness as the basic guidelines, take high-quality joint construction of the "Belt and Road" as the main platform, and take the Asian security model of shared security, seeking common ground while reserving differences, and dialogue and consultation as the strategic support, and work together with neighboring countries to create a better future.

After the meeting, General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) immediately started his diplomatic tour to neighboring countries.

Visiting Vietnam, continuing the traditional friendship of "deep Vietnamese-Chinese friendship, comrades plus brothers," and achieving new results in building a China-Vietnam community with a shared future with strategic significance; visiting Malaysia, reviewing the generational friendship of "unbreakable ties," and promoting the high-level strategic China-Malaysia community with a shared future to move forward; visiting Cambodia, leading China and Cambodia to take the lead in building a new era of all-weather community with a shared future at the bilateral level.

Attending the Second China-Central Asia Summit in Kazakhstan and holding bilateral meetings with the heads of state of the five Central Asian countries respectively. Announcing the "China-Central Asia Spirit," anchoring the goal of building a community with a shared future, and promoting closer relations, deeper cooperation, and broader prospects between China and Central Asian countries.

Based on mutual trust and mutual benefit, based on the blueprint for cooperation, and based on the path of development, China's ties with neighboring countries are closer, and the concept of building a community with a shared future in the neighborhood is increasingly deeply rooted in the hearts of the people.

——Adhere to the concept of sincerity, real results, amity and good faith and the correct approach to justice and interests, strengthen solidarity and cooperation with developing countries, and gather new momentum for the joint self-improvement of the Global South.

The SCO has grown into the world's largest regional organization with 27 participating countries, spanning Asia, Europe, and Africa, with a total population of nearly half of the world's population and an economic aggregate accounting for about 1/4 of the world's total, and its international influence and appeal are increasing. "Faced with the accelerated evolution of the world's unprecedented changes in a century, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation should play a leading role and be a model in practicing the Global Governance Initiative." President Xi Jinping (习近平) has high hopes for the future of the SCO.

Promoting the historic expansion of BRICS countries and proposing the Global South Open and Inclusive Cooperation Initiative; implementing the "Ten Partnership Actions" to jointly promote modernization with Africa, launching the "Five Major Projects" with Latin America, building the "Five Cooperation Patterns" with Arab countries, and building the "Six Cooperation Platforms" with Pacific Island countries... China is known as an "important leading country in the Global South."

"China has always been a member of the Global South and will always belong to developing countries." On the road to modernization, China does not pursue unique excellence, but hopes for a hundred flowers to bloom, sincerely providing more wisdom and strength to the Global South, and is committed to working with the vast number of Southern countries to jointly create a better future for human modernization.

Adhering to the concept of "sharing the same boat," adhering to mutual respect, fairness and justice, and win-win cooperation, China is working with all parties to practice the four major global initiatives and follow the right path of building a new type of international relations and a community with a shared future for mankind.

"At any time, we must take the people's heart as our heart and the world's interests as our interests, and make unremitting efforts to improve the well-being of the people."

Attending the SCO Tianjin Summit, emphasizing "We must continue to adhere to dismantling walls instead of building walls, integration instead of decoupling, promote high-quality joint construction of the 'Belt and Road,' and promote economic globalization towards a more inclusive and inclusive direction"; presiding over the seventh meeting of the heads of state of China, Russia, and Mongolia, and proposing three suggestions for consolidating political mutual trust, deepening mutually beneficial cooperation, and strengthening cooperation within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation; holding talks and meetings with 30 foreign leaders, and drawing a blueprint for promoting bilateral cooperation...

From Tianjin to Beijing, General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) reiterated China's concept of peaceful development, announced a series of practical measures by China, and demonstrated China's responsibility as a major country to empower global development with its own development.

Development carries the people's yearning for a better life and is the eternal theme of human society. At present, the changes of the century are evolving in depth, emerging market countries and developing countries are rising collectively, and revolutionary changes are taking place in the international balance of power, which not only provides fundamental impetus for the transformation of the global governance system, but also puts forward lofty goals for global development.

"The people are the creators of history, and the pursuit of a happy and beautiful life is the common aspiration of the people of all countries. At any time, we must take the people's heart as our heart and the world's interests as our interests, and make unremitting efforts to improve the well-being of the people," emphasized General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平).

In 2025, China will conclude the "14th Five-Year Plan" and plan the "15th Five-Year Plan."

Development achievements indicate the future. During the "14th Five-Year Plan" period, China has continued to promote high-quality economic development, and the total economic volume has successively exceeded 110 trillion yuan, 120 trillion yuan, and 130 trillion yuan, and is expected to reach about 140 trillion yuan this year; in the past five years, the increase is expected to exceed 35 trillion yuan.

Last year, China's total R&D expenditure increased by nearly 50% compared with the end of the "13th Five-Year Plan," with an increase of 1.2 trillion yuan; the R&D intensity increased to 2.68%, close to the average level of OECD countries.
Chinese modernization is the modernization of common prosperity for all the people. China adheres to taking the people's aspiration for a better life as the starting point and end result of modernization, focusing on safeguarding and promoting social fairness and justice, and focusing on promoting common prosperity for all the people.

China has built the world's largest education system, social security system, and healthcare system. The consolidation rate of compulsory education and the participation rate of basic old-age insurance and basic medical insurance are both above 95%. The achievements of economic development and technological progress are being substantially transformed into the people's sense of gain and happiness.

"Every time I come to China, I am deeply impressed by China's vibrant development and progress." Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko (亚历山大·卢卡申科) said that under the strong leadership of President Xi Jinping (习近平), China is firmly following a development path that suits its own national conditions, achieving great development achievements, and showing a brighter future. No force can stop China's development and revitalization.

"China has achieved great development achievements under the leadership of President Xi Jinping (习近平). Armenia hopes to learn from China to help its own economic and social development," said Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan (尼科尔·帕希尼扬).

China unswervingly promotes reform and opening up, and the door to opening up is opening wider and wider. "Walking with China is walking with opportunities, believing in China is believing in tomorrow, and investing in China is investing in the future." President Xi Jinping (习近平) sincerely welcomes all countries to take a ride on China's high-quality development and high-level opening-up, and jointly embark on the road to modernization.

Simon Lichtenberg (西蒙·利希滕贝格), the National Founding Chairman of the China-Denmark Chamber of Commerce, wrote in a letter to President Xi Jinping (习近平): "I believe that people with vision in the world will eventually understand that choosing China is choosing the future."

China advocates promoting inclusive and mutually beneficial economic globalization, actively participates in global economic governance, and is committed to building an open world economy. It has joined hands with more than 150 countries and more than 30 international organizations to promote the high-quality joint construction of the "Belt and Road" initiative, and jointly promoted the implementation of the Global Development Initiative with more than 100 countries and international organizations. China continues to provide new opportunities for the world with its own new development, continuously benefiting the people of all countries.

"The mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Saudi Arabia in the energy field has brought tangible benefits to the people of both countries." In April of this year, Chinese companies and Saudi partners signed the "Yanbu Refinery Expansion Project Cooperation Framework Agreement" (延布炼厂扩建项目合作框架协议), planning to create a full-industry chain innovation ecosystem, effectively enhance the production capacity of high-end petrochemical products, and promote the diversified development of the Saudi economy.

"China and Africa working together to promote modernization will strongly promote the unity and cooperation of the Global South and open up a brighter future for the cause of world peace and development." In June of this year, the 4th China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo (中国—非洲经贸博览会) was held in Changsha (长沙), Hunan (湖南). African media commented: "The South African small and medium-sized enterprises participating in the exhibition are full of confidence in the significant development opportunities it contains."

"The two sides should deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, promote the high-quality joint construction of the 'Belt and Road', strengthen cooperation in industrial and supply chains, and focus on promoting cooperation in the digital economy, green economy, blue economy, and tourism economy to help each other's modernization process." In July of this year, all tunnels of the Malaysia East Coast Rail Link (马来西亚东海岸铁路项目) project, undertaken by Chinese companies, were completed. Once completed, this "green spine" running through the Malay Peninsula will help Malaysia (马来西亚) achieve balanced economic development.

"Chinese modernization is the modernization of peaceful development, and China will always be a force for world peace, stability, and progress." General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) pointed out, "We sincerely hope that all countries will learn from history, value peace, jointly promote world modernization, and create a better future for mankind!"

立天下之正位，行天下之大道 (lì tiān xià zhī zhèng wèi, xíng tiān xià zhī dà dào - "establish the correct position in the world, follow the great path of the world," to stand for justice and follow the right path). China will continue to work with the international community to uphold world peace and promote development and prosperity.

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Portuguese Prime Minister Montenegro to pay official visit to China starting today

At the invitation of Premier of the State Council Li Qiang (李强), Prime Minister Luís Montenegro (路易斯·蒙特内格罗) of Portugal will pay an official visit to China from September 8th to 10th.

Luís Montenegro (路易斯·蒙特内格罗) was born in Porto, Portugal in February 1973 and holds a Master's degree in Personal Data Protection Law from the Catholic University of Portugal. He was elected Chairman of the Social Democratic Party in May 2022. He took office as Prime Minister of Portugal in April 2024 and was re-elected in June 2025.

(Xinhua News Agency, Beijing (北京), September 7th)

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CPC Delegation Visits Portugal and Attends "Avante!" Festival of the Portuguese Communist Party

Xinhua News Agency, Lisbon, September 6th (Xinhua) From September 4th to 6th, 2025, Li Yifei (李邑飞), member of the CPC Central Committee and Secretary of the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region (宁夏回族自治区) Party Committee, led a CPC delegation to visit Portugal and attend the Avante! Festival of the Portuguese Communist Party (葡共). He met with Jerónimo de Sousa (雷蒙多), General Secretary of the Portuguese Communist Party, and Vítor Silva (席尔瓦), Mayor of Seixal (塞沙尔市). He also held discussions with Paulo Rangel (科埃略), Vice-President of the Social Democratic Party (社民党), and other leaders of the party, exchanging views on bilateral relations, inter-party exchanges, and widely promoting Ningxia's practice of Chinese-style modernization.

The Portuguese side expressed great importance to its relations with China, and expressed its willingness to deepen friendly exchanges with the Communist Party of China, strengthen exchanges of experience in governance and local cooperation, and promote greater development of the comprehensive strategic partnership between Portugal and China.

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Chinese Mission to the EU Holds Symposium Commemorating the 80th Anniversary of the Victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War

The Chinese Mission to the European Union recently held a symposium in Brussels on September 7th to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. (Reported by Niu Ruifei (牛瑞飞) of this newspaper.) Guests attending the meeting, including heads of mainstream European media and well-known think tanks, conducted in-depth exchanges on "China and Europe's Contribution to the Victory of the World Anti-Fascist War" and "China and Europe Working Together to Defend the Post-War International Order."

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Li Hongzhong Reads Xi Jinping's Congratulatory Message and Presides Over the 15th Plenary Session of the China-Russia Committee for Friendship, Peace and Development

Xinhua News Agency, Vladivostok, September 7th (Reporter Huang He) On September 6th, Li Hongzhong (李鸿忠), Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, and Chinese Chairman of the China-Russia Friendship, Peace and Development Committee, co-chaired the 15th Plenary Session of the Committee with Russian Chairman Titov in Vladivostok, Russia (俄罗斯符拉迪沃斯托克), read the congratulatory message from President Xi Jinping (习近平), and delivered a speech. Russian State Duma Deputy Chairman Yarovaya, chairmen and representatives of various councils of the committee from both sides, totaling more than 80 people, attended the meeting.

Li Hongzhong (李鸿忠) stated in his speech that under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, the China-Russia (中俄) comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era has always been moving steadily forward in the right direction and developing at a high level. President Xi Jinping (习近平) and President Putin (普京) sent congratulatory messages to this meeting, expressing their earnest expectations for the committee to actively play the role of the main channel for non-governmental exchanges between China (中国) and Russia (俄罗斯), which is very encouraging and inspiring to us. The committee should follow the important consensus and congratulatory message requirements of the two heads of state, give full play to the committee's work characteristics and resource advantages, accelerate the construction of a three-dimensional network of non-governmental exchanges, actively assist in the cultivation and exchange of young talents, and serve as a bridge and link for friendly cooperation and people-to-people connectivity between the two countries, so as to better serve the overall situation of China-Russia (中俄) relations.

Titov read President Putin's (普京) congratulatory message, highly praising the Russia-China (俄中) relationship and the important role played by the committee in continuing Russia-China (俄中) friendship, and expressed his willingness to work with the Chinese side to further strengthen people-to-people diplomacy and public diplomacy, promote the committee's work to achieve more fruitful results, and continue to write a new chapter in the traditional friendship between the two countries.

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"Our Common Name is Combatant" (Youthful Strength at the Parade)

By: 本报记者 金正波

During the September 3rd military parade, three YU-20A tankers flew over Tiananmen Square (天安门广场), ready to refuel H-6N, J-16, and J-20 aircraft, eliciting cheers.

The captain of one of the YU-20A tankers was Tan Hongmei (谭红梅) (pictured, photo by Xiao Jianjun (肖建军)), a pilot from a unit of the Central Theater Command Air Force (中部战区空军). She looked focused and determined.

Domestically produced large tankers support Chinese warplanes in their long-range flights. The YU-20A is a new generation of aerial refueling equipment independently developed by China, providing support for the combat operations, daily training, and exercise missions of the aviation forces.

"Regardless of gender, our common title is combatant!" Tan Hongmei's words were **掷地有声** (zhì dì yǒu shēng - "the sound of throwing something on the ground," forceful and sonorous). Throughout her growth, she has always demanded high standards of herself.

In one airdrop competition, already a captain, she led her team into battle and won the championship. When the unit replaced its equipment with new aircraft, she trained hard and quickly became a captain and flight instructor for a certain type of fighter jet. To participate in this year's parade mission, she practiced diligently and flew with precision, and her training results were among the best.

The desire to fly and the hope to fly the best warplanes has always been Tan Hongmei's dream. She has successively modified multiple aircraft types. The modification was difficult. The cabin was hot in the summer, and she was covered in sweat and her face was flushed after a short time. The modification was difficult. The new fighter jet system was upgraded, and various performance parameters and operating specifications were difficult to remember. She studied hard and practiced diligently. If once wasn't enough, she did it twice. **功夫不负有心人** (gōng fū bù fù yǒu xīn rén - "effort never betrays the person with a heart," effort will always pay off). Tan Hongmei quickly achieved solo flight and solo release in the same batch, completing the modification.

Flying is a career for the brave. That year, as captain, Tan Hongmei encountered complex weather while flying, and the plane was constantly bumping. At a critical moment, she led the crew to respond flexibly and handled the situation, landing the plane smoothly.

Warhawks are pens, and the sky is the scroll. Tan Hongmei concentrates on sharpening her sword, constantly moving towards higher and farther goals.

(Gao Sifeng (高思峰) and Fang Leilei (房磊磊) participated in the writing)

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Only one goal: zero mistakes (The youthful strength at the parade)

By: 本报记者 王昊男

At 4:00 AM on September 3rd, as the grand gathering commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War was about to begin, Xu Tao (徐涛) (pictured, photo by Qian Lei (钱磊)) stood in front of the Beijing (北京) BJ80 off-road ceremonial gun towing vehicle, beginning the final inspection. Xu Tao (徐涛), born in the 1980s, looks older than his actual age.

Ten years ago, at the military parade commemorating the 70th anniversary of the victory against Japanese aggression, Xu Tao (徐涛), as a member of the Beijing (北京) Off-road support team, stepped onto the parade ground for the first time. In the past 10 years, he has participated in six major support missions, with a total support drill mileage exceeding 100,000 kilometers. Xu Tao (徐涛) said, "There is only one goal: zero errors!"

"We are the first motorcade to enter the square. 56 ceremonial guns represent 56 ethnic groups, not one can be missing, and the 3-kilometer-long motorcade cannot be off by even a second." Xu Tao (徐涛) explained that the key to the ceremonial gun towing vehicle's mission is "on-time safety." To ensure the successful completion of the mission, the support team conducted centralized preparation of the mission vehicles during this year's "May Day" holiday. "In response to rainy weather, we also organized one-on-one training for drivers."

"The civilian passenger vehicle towing standard is 2.5 tons, but our actual measurement reached more than 2.8 tons." He introduced that the towing vehicle uses a non-load-bearing body with two longitudinal and eight transverse beams. "This vehicle was 'trained' in the 'five highs' environment, meeting all standards for high temperature, high cold, high altitude, high humidity, and high salt spray."

From an ordinary technician to a major mission support personnel, Xu Tao (徐涛) said: "Every support mission is an accumulation of experience. We will carefully summarize to ensure zero errors next time."

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Innovative drugs accelerate R&D and launch (Economic New Orientation: Innovation Seen Through Decimals)

By: 本报记者 王云娜

The information conveyed by the "National Drug Safety Publicity Week" in 2025, which started on September 1, shows that the innovative development of the pharmaceutical industry is in good shape: In the past five years, China has approved 210 innovative drugs, maintaining an accelerating growth trend. Currently, China accounts for approximately 30% of the innovative drugs under research globally.

How can more innovative drugs be accelerated out of the laboratory? Recently, a reporter interviewed in Guangzhou (广州), Guangdong (广东) Province, to see how researchers, enterprises, and the government are working hard to make the launch of domestically produced innovative drugs faster and faster.

-- Editor

36.3%

In July, the profit growth of China's biopharmaceutical manufacturing industry was 36.3%

"When I was young, I loved seafood with beer. In recent years, I haven't dared to eat it for a long time." Lu Ping (陆平), 63 years old this year, developed gout eight years ago. "Because of gout stones, the big toe joint was severely swollen, and it hurt so much when I bent it that I had to wear size 52 shoes."

When seeing a doctor at the hospital, Lu Ping learned that relevant innovative drugs were undergoing clinical trials, so he signed up. "Gout attacks are too painful, I want to try any hope." Lu Ping introduced that he now takes the medicine once a day, with a dedicated doctor monitoring safety, and tests uric acid levels every one or two months to measure the efficacy of the drug.

This innovative drug was developed by Yipinhong Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd. (一品红药业集团股份有限公司). Gouty arthritis has a high pain index, and patients have a high demand for drug treatment. When sorting out global gout treatment literature, the research team found that there had never been an "oral dissolving drug" for gout stones.

"The research and development of new drugs is difficult. If we can take on the 硬骨头 (yìng gǔ tou - "hard bone," a difficult problem), we are expected to fill the market gap," said Li Hanxiong (李捍雄), chairman of Yipinhong Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd. (一品红药业集团股份有限公司).

Developing an innovative drug requires screening at least 5,000 to 10,000 molecules to find a candidate compound. "This process is like 大海捞针 (dà hǎi lāo zhēn - "fishing a needle from the sea," to find a needle in a haystack)," said Yang Wenqian (杨文谦), Dean of Yipinhong Group Research Institute. What is more difficult is to find the target of drug action. Just like shooting an arrow, the drug can only take effect when it acts on specific proteins and nucleic acids in the human body, but the target is "hidden" in trillions of cells, and there is no shortcut but to find it patiently.

After many attempts, the researchers focused on a urate transporter protein. Under normal circumstances, most of the uric acid is filtered by the kidneys and then "moved" back into the blood by the transporter protein, which improves the body's antioxidant and anti-infection capabilities. If the transporter protein is less effective, can it reduce the uric acid level of gout patients?

Finding the idea, the team immediately carried out the research and development of urate transporter protein inhibitors, while optimizing the molecular structure, and striving to reduce drug side effects and prolong the efficacy.

At the end of 2022, the National Medical Products Administration (国家药监局) agreed to conduct clinical trials of the drug to ensure that it is fully verified before上市. More than 1,500 gout patients participated in the trial. "Guangzhou (广州) has many top-tier hospitals. With the help of local medical resources, we have cooperated with hospitals and patients to accelerate the process of new drug clinical research, trial certification, and market development," said Li Hanxiong (李捍雄).

In addition to medical resources, Guangzhou (广州) has introduced policies and cultivated a development environment to support the development of the biopharmaceutical industry. With the joint efforts of the government and enterprises, the research and development and上市 of innovative drugs have accelerated.

Issuing policy documents such as several policy measures to promote the high-quality development of the biopharmaceutical industry, laying out international major scientific plans such as the human cell lineage and the "human proteome navigation", and having 45 drug clinical trial quality management specification institutions... Guangzhou (广州) has gradually formed a comprehensive, full-process, and full-chain policy support system.

"Our new drug adopts the 'Greater Bay Area R&D, global declaration' model, and the上市 process is expected to be accelerated. The Greater Bay Area Sub-center for Drug Evaluation and Inspection of the National Medical Products Administration (国家药监局) has also listed the new drug as a key variety, providing advance guidance in clinical research and other aspects to help accelerate approval." Li Hanxiong (李捍雄) believes that the完善 hardware and software facilities and good industrial development policies are conducive to enterprises gathering talents, optimizing research, production and sales management systems, and making the research and development results of innovative drugs applied faster. "The company has 15 innovative drugs under research, and more drugs will enter the mass production stage."

Not long ago, the National Healthcare Security Administration (国家医保局) and the National Health Commission (国家卫生健康委) jointly issued the "Several Measures to Support the High-Quality Development of Innovative Drugs," and 16 measures injected strong vitality into the development of innovative drugs.

Since last year, the National Medical Products Administration (国家药监局) has carried out pilot projects to optimize the reform of drug supplementary applications in 11 provincial bureaus. The review time limit for supplementary applications that require verification and inspection has been shortened from 200 working days to 60 working days. At the same time, it is exploring to complete the review and approval of clinical trials of key innovative drugs within 30 working days. In the first half of this year, China approved 43 innovative drugs, a year-on-year increase of 59%, and the reform policy dividends are being transformed into industrial development momentum.

This issue is coordinated by: Zhang Anyu (张安宇)

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Making medicines affordable and accessible to patients (Expert Commentary)

By: 杨 悦

In recent years, the development speed of innovative drugs in China has accelerated, and the market size has exceeded 100 billion yuan.

Among innovative drugs, biopharmaceuticals have a more rapid development momentum compared to traditional small molecule drugs. Domestic biopharmaceutical companies have made certain progress in immuno-oncology drugs, gene and cell therapy, and antibody drugs.

Industrial development requires policy support. Since the State Council (国务院) issued the "Opinions on Reforming the Drug and Medical Device Review and Approval System" in 2015, China's pharmaceutical industry has gradually shifted from generic drugs to innovative drugs, and problems such as backlog in review and approval and delayed listing of innovative drugs have been gradually resolved. In July last year, the State Council's (国务院) executive meeting deliberated and approved the "Implementation Plan for Supporting the Development of Innovative Drugs Across the Entire Chain," pointing out the need to coordinate the use of price management, medical insurance payment, commercial insurance, drug allocation and use, investment and financing, and other policies, and to optimize review and approval and medical institution assessment mechanisms. The introduction of a series of measures provides a full-chain policy guarantee for the development of innovative drugs.

Innovative drug research and development requires large investments, and the key to realizing their value lies in making them affordable and accessible to patients. For innovative drugs with large usage and good efficacy, they can be appropriately included in the medical insurance catalog through price negotiations, while protecting the innovation enthusiasm of pharmaceutical companies. Since 2018, a total of 149 innovative drugs (mainly Class 1 innovative drugs) have been included in the medical insurance catalog, accounting for 17% of the number of newly added drugs, effectively reducing the burden of medication for patients.

Recently, China's high-quality innovative drugs have attracted multinational pharmaceutical companies and domestic pharmaceutical companies to reach a number of cooperation agreements, involving considerable amounts of money. Allowing more new and good drugs to be successfully launched in China first is conducive to boosting the development confidence of China's innovative drug industry.

(The author is a researcher and doctoral supervisor at the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tsinghua University (清华大学), interviewed and compiled by Shen Shaotie (申少铁), a reporter from this newspaper.)

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Heed the Commander's Instructions, Build a First-Class Military

By: 新华社记者

"The officers and soldiers of the entire army must faithfully fulfill their sacred duties, accelerate the building of a world-class military, resolutely safeguard national sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity, provide strategic support for the realization of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, and make greater contributions to world peace and development!"

In recent days, officers and soldiers throughout the army have conscientiously studied President Xi Jinping's (习近平) important speech at the meeting commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, deeply inspired and greatly encouraged. They unanimously expressed that they must keep in mind the commander's instructions, strengthen their beliefs, obey the Party's command, practice their original aspirations, shoulder their responsibilities, forge ahead with determination, unite and struggle, strive to promote the cause of strengthening the army, and resolutely fulfill their responsibilities.

On September 3, President Xi (习近平) signed an order to commend all personnel who participated in the military parade commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. The commendation order called on all military units and officers and soldiers to learn from the troops participating in the parade. The various departments of the Central Military Commission (军委), the various directly affiliated institutions of the Central Military Commission (军委), the Joint Operations Command Center of the Central Military Commission (军委联指中心), the various theater commands (战区), the various services and arms of the military (军兵种), the various directly affiliated units of the Central Military Commission (军委), and the vast number of officers and soldiers of the People's Armed Police Force (武警部队) expressed that they must adhere to Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as guidance, thoroughly implement Xi Jinping's thinking on strengthening the military, thoroughly implement the military strategic policy for the new era, deeply understand the decisive significance of the "two establishments," strengthen the "four consciousnesses," strengthen the "four self-confidences," achieve the "two safeguards," implement the chairman responsibility system of the Central Military Commission (军委主席负责制), adhere to the Party's absolute leadership over the people's army, adhere to building the army politically, strengthening the army through reform, strengthening the army through science and technology, strengthening the army through talent, and governing the army according to law, deepen political rectification, promote fine traditions, focus on military training and preparedness, strengthen reform and innovation, vigorously implement work, and forge this heroic army led by our Party even stronger.

"The Chinese People's Liberation Army is always a heroic force that the Party and the people can completely trust." President Xi's (习近平) important speech is both a full affirmation of the officers and soldiers of the entire army and a powerful spur to the vast number of officers and soldiers. The vast number of officers and soldiers expressed that they will resolutely obey the command of the Party Central Committee, the Central Military Commission (中央军委), and President Xi (习近平), resolutely complete the various tasks entrusted by the Party and the people, resolutely safeguard national sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity, provide strategic support for the realization of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, and make greater contributions to world peace and development.

This year marks the sixth time that Ding Hui (丁辉), a first-class sergeant major of a combined arms brigade of the 82nd Group Army (第82集团军) and a member of the ground assault formation, has participated in the military parade. He said that only by advancing bravely along the blueprint drawn by President Xi (习近平), faithfully performing his duties and responsibilities, can he live up to his mission and trust, accelerate the building of the people's army into a world-class military, and welcome new great victories.

"One parade, lifelong glory." Yang Yuzhu (杨玉柱), a first-class sergeant major of a marine brigade of the Marine Corps (海军陆战队) who participated in the parade support mission for the fourth time, said that as a revolutionary soldier in the new era, only by practicing solid skills can he live up to the times and his youth, and realize his life value in the great journey of strengthening the army and rejuvenating the military.

On the morning of the 3rd, the "Pingxingguan Battle Assault Company" (平型关大战突击连) organized officers and soldiers to watch the grand occasion of the meeting commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. After the meeting, all the officers and soldiers of the company solemnly swore to the battle flag: "Keep in mind the commander's entrustment, inherit the spirit of our predecessors, hone our ability to win, and go all out to fight the tough battle to achieve the centennial goal of army building."

A certain bureau of the Army Equipment Department (陆军装备部) organized officers and soldiers to conscientiously study President Xi's (习近平) important speech. In the study and discussion, the officers and soldiers expressed that they must accelerate the implementation of various key tasks of the "14th Five-Year Plan" with a sense of urgency and a sense of mission, ensuring that the key tasks of the plan can be completed successfully.

In this military parade, the Hongqi-20 (红旗—20), Hongqi-19 (红旗—19), Hongqi-29 (红旗—29) and other 6 types of equipment reviewed by the air defense formation can implement multi-stage and multi-layer anti-missile interception, be on standby at all times to respond to aerospace threats, and build a solid barrier for air defense. Hao Jiaqiang (郝加强), the leader of the formation, said: "The construction and development of weapons and equipment cannot be delayed or slowed down. We must transform the spirit of President Xi's (习近平) important speech into a powerful driving force, focus on innovation in cutting-edge fields, and contribute wisdom and strength to accelerate the advancement of weapons and equipment to the world's first-class level."

On the snowy plateau, the red flag fluttered, and the boundary marker stood tall. Ma Mingyang (马明洋), a soldier of the Puerchu Border Defense Company (普尔楚边防连) of the Ali Military Sub-district (阿里军分区) in Tibet (西藏), said: "As a border guard, I must strive to be a good soldier of President Xi (习近平), be down-to-earth in my post, perform my duties and responsibilities, and dedicate my youth to guarding the great rivers and mountains of the motherland."

Shi Mengxing (石梦星), a cadre of the Awusqi Border Defense Company (阿吾斯奇边防连) of the Tacheng Military Sub-district (塔城军分区) in Xinjiang (新疆), said in the study and discussion: "We must transform our infinite loyalty to the Party, our infinite love for the motherland, and our infinite deep affection for the people into practical actions to defend the country and guard the border, continuously improve our ability to manage and control the border, defend national sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity, and practice our original mission with loyalty and guard the mountains and rivers of the motherland."

Li Cairu (李才儒), political commissar of a detachment of the Armed Police Corps (武警兵团总队), said that the officers and soldiers of the detachment will closely follow the pace of strengthening the military through science and technology, make good use of informatization and intelligent means, enhance the ability to perceive and deal with the desert environment, guard the northwest barrier of the motherland, maintain border stability and unity, and complete various tasks with higher standards and a more practical style, and be loyal guards of the Party and the people.

Looking at the entire army, the vast number of officers and soldiers are transforming the commander's entrustment and full of pride into an inexhaustible driving force for military training and preparedness, and striving to strengthen the army. In the hinterland of Lingnan (岭南), officers and soldiers of an air force brigade rushed to the training ground to carry out anti-interference training in a high-temperature and high-humidity environment; at a coastal airport, pilots of an army aviation brigade, who were on combat readiness duty, took off in response to orders and headed straight for the target airspace; in the waters of the Gulf of Aden, the 47th naval escort formation escorted and trained all the way, constantly honing the ability of officers and soldiers to perform diverse tasks.

The commander's entrustment is the call to battle. The vast number of officers and soldiers expressed that they will faithfully fulfill their sacred duties and strive unremittingly to achieve the centennial goal of army building as scheduled and accelerate the building of the people's army into a world-class military!

(Xinhua News Agency, Beijing (北京), September 7)

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Special Support for Central and Western Regions to Strengthen Teacher Development

Beijing, September 7th (Reporter Wu Yue (吴月)) - The reporter learned from the Ministry of Education (教育部): During the "14th Five-Year Plan" period, focusing on optimizing the allocation of teacher resources, the central government has cumulatively allocated nearly 45 billion yuan from the central budget to specifically support the central and western regions in strengthening the construction of the teaching staff, and continuously cultivating and supplying more high-quality teachers. Support the implementation of the Ministry of Education (教育部) directly affiliated normal universities' free teacher education policy, cultivating more than 8,000 primary and secondary school teachers for the central and western regions every year; support the implementation of the "Excellent Teacher Program," annually training about 10,000 normal students for primary and secondary schools in 832 formerly poor counties and central and western land border counties; support the implementation of the "Special Post Plan," cumulatively supplementing approximately 250,000 special post teachers for rural schools in the central and western regions over 5 years.

This year, the first batch of "National Excellent Teacher Program" graduates have taken up teaching positions in primary and secondary schools, and the central and western regions have also welcomed the first class of nearly 10,000 "Excellent Teacher Program" graduates, injecting new vitality into the development of basic education in underdeveloped areas.

Focusing on consolidating and improving the guarantee of teacher compensation, the Ministry of Education (教育部), together with the National Development and Reform Commission (国家发展改革委), the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development (住房和城乡建设部) and other departments, has strengthened housing security for rural teachers, and constructed a rural teacher housing security system combining "allocation for rent + allocation for sale." In terms of providing services that benefit teachers, the Ministry of Education (教育部) recently launched the second phase of the public welfare campaign to respect and benefit teachers, covering multiple fields such as office learning software, housing and settlement, automobile purchase, daily commodities, catering consumption, and transportation, providing preferential services for the teacher community, and various regions have also successively introduced measures to respect and benefit teachers.

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Photo Report

On September 6th, the top head module of the steel containment vessel of Unit 4 nuclear island at the State Power Investment Corporation (国家电投) Shandong Haiyang Nuclear Power Plant (山东海阳核电站) was successfully hoisted into place, marking the completion of the reactor building dome. This signifies the transition of the nuclear island construction from civil engineering to equipment installation. The Haiyang Nuclear Power Plant (海阳核电) Units 3 and 4, currently under construction, are key projects in the National "14th Five-Year Plan" and are scheduled to be fully operational in 2027.

Tang Ke (唐克) photographed (Image China (影像中国))

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Further optimization of train ticket discount measures

Beijing, September 7th (Reporter Li Xinping (李心萍)) – China State Railway Group Co., Ltd. (中国国家铁路集团有限公司) recently announced further optimization of ticket discount measures for passengers such as children, disabled military personnel, disabled people's police, and disabled fire and rescue personnel. Discounted tickets went on sale starting on the 6th.

Regarding children's tickets, according to relevant regulations of the railway passenger transportation regulations, children who are 6 years old or older but under 14 years old should purchase children's discount tickets; each adult passenger with a ticket can carry one child under 6 years old who does not occupy a seat alone for free. If there is more than one child, the excess number should purchase children's discount tickets; children traveling for free should purchase children's discount tickets when using a seat alone.

After optimization and adjustment, children's discount tickets for EMU (Electric Multiple Unit) trains enjoy corresponding fare discounts according to seat class. Second-class and first-class seats are priced at "50% of the execution fare," while premium first-class and business-class seats are priced at "80% of the execution fare." Various sleeper classes on EMU trains (second-class sleeper, first-class sleeper, dynamic sleeper, advanced dynamic sleeper, etc.) are priced at "70% of the execution fare," with the minimum discount being 40% of the published fare.

In addition, personnel holding the "People's Republic of China Disabled Military Personnel Certificate" (中华人民共和国残疾军人证), "People's Republic of China Disabled People's Police Certificate" (中华人民共和国伤残人民警察证), or "National Comprehensive Fire and Rescue Team Disabled Personnel Certificate" (国家综合性消防救援队伍残疾人员证) can purchase preferential tickets with their certificates. The preferential ticket price for each seat class on EMU trains is priced at "50% of the execution fare," with the minimum discount being 40% of the published fare.

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Substantial Achievements in Education Cooperation Among Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao

By: 本报记者 吴 丹 贺林平 洪秋婷 黄 超

In recent times, the "education circle" activities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area have been frequent and interactive:

The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Hong Kong Youth Internship Program (Guangzhou) has been launched, with over 100 Hong Kong youths coming to Guangzhou for internships, covering emerging industries such as fintech and biomedicine; the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao University Alliance Annual Meeting and Presidents' Forum was held in Macao, with over 180 representatives from universities in the three regions discussing cooperation in science and education; the World Youth Forum's "Future Liberal Arts Leadership Summit" opened, with over 400 Chinese and foreign youths embarking on a Macao cultural exchange tour; the China International College Students' Innovation Competition established a Hong Kong and Macao regional competition for the first time, with 47 innovation and entrepreneurship projects from 10 Hong Kong and Macao universities competing at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (香港中文大学)...

This frequent interaction stems from General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) and the Party Central Committee's strategic deployment to promote the construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Under the top-level design, the "Development Plan for Promoting Higher Education Cooperation in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area" was issued in 2020, clearly defining the Greater Bay Area as a national pilot zone for deepening the reform of the higher education system and mechanism, an important hub for educational services in the "Belt and Road" international cooperation, and a vivid model for comprehensive educational cooperation between the mainland and Hong Kong and Macao. Over the past 5 years, from academic cooperation to practical education, from cultural exchange to joint talent cultivation, resources have been accelerating, talent vitality has been bursting forth, the blueprint for educational coordination in the Greater Bay Area has become clearer, and the momentum for regional innovation and development has become stronger.

A New University Reflects the Gathering of High-Quality Resources

On June 19, the Ministry of Education officially replied to Guangdong Province, agreeing to establish the Greater Bay Area University (大湾区大学).

The Greater Bay Area, this well-known term, has gradually evolved from an initial geographical concept to a synonym for integrated development characterized by economic prosperity, technological leadership, and active innovation. Now, it has also radiated to the field of education, becoming the name of a university. What's new about this new type of research university?

Looking at the location—a few tens of minutes' drive north from Shenzhen, you arrive at Songshan Lake (松山湖) in Dongguan. This high-tech zone is precisely where the Greater Bay Area's "strongest brains" converge: Huawei (华为), China's first pulsed spallation neutron source, Songshan Lake Materials Laboratory (松山湖材料实验室)... The lunar soil brought back by Chang'e 5 (嫦娥五号) was also sent here for research.

"Running a school in Songshan Lake will make cooperation with nearby laboratories, large scientific facilities, and leading technology companies more convenient. The transportation here is also very convenient, connecting to Guangzhou in the north and Shenzhen in the south," said Tian Gang (田刚), Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and founding head of the Greater Bay Area University. The Greater Bay Area University has planned and designed two campuses, and the Songshan Lake campus is already in use, while the Binhai Bay campus is still under construction.

Looking at the positioning—science and engineering, small but精, new type of research. The Greater Bay Area University's first batch of majors includes mathematics and applied mathematics, physics, materials science and engineering, computer science and technology, and industrial engineering. On July 19, the school completed its first undergraduate enrollment: enrolling 80 students in the physics category in Guangdong Province, filling the quota in one go. Compared to the small and精 enrollment scale, the school has a strong faculty. Among the nearly 300 teaching and research staff, 70% have work experience in top overseas universities and research institutions, including 10 academicians and 78 national-level leading talents.

"We encourage undergraduates to choose different mentors and go to laboratories for internships. The curriculum must also closely follow national needs, social needs, industrial needs, and the world's frontiers," said Zhao Jinkui (赵金奎), Executive Dean of the School of Physical Sciences at the Greater Bay Area University. "University + University," "University + Research Institution," "University + Leading Enterprise"... Matching the development needs and industrial spatial layout of the Greater Bay Area, Guangdong Province is coordinating at a high level, optimizing the layout of universities, and accelerating the formation of a world-class university matrix with Greater Bay Area characteristics.

New types of research universities such as the Greater Bay Area University, Southern University of Science and Technology (南方科技大学), and Shenzhen Institute of Technology (深圳理工大学) have accurately identified their development positioning, innovated their school-running models, promoted the construction of emerging and interdisciplinary disciplines, and vigorously cultivated top-notch innovative talents; cooperative universities such as Beijing Normal University-Hong Kong Baptist University (北师香港浸会大学), the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen (香港中文大学（深圳）), the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou) (香港科技大学（广州）), and City University of Hong Kong (Dongguan) (香港城市大学（东莞）) are exploring diversified, collaborative, sustainable, and connotation-driven school-running paths to promote high-level opening up of education; vocational undergraduate colleges such as Shenzhen Polytechnic (深圳职业技术大学) and Guangdong Industry Polytechnic (广东轻工职业技术大学) are breaking the "ceiling" of vocational education stopping at the junior college level, cultivating more high-end skilled talents with solid theoretical knowledge and practical skills for the economic transformation and upgrading of the Greater Bay Area...

"We are implementing the 'Striving for First-Class, Strengthening Weaknesses, and Enhancing Characteristics' enhancement plan for higher education to support the connotation construction of universities," said Lin Rupeng (林如鹏), Director of the Guangdong Provincial Department of Education. Guangdong arranges special subsidies for "Double First-Class" construction universities every year, providing support for construction universities in terms of talent introduction, scientific research project approval, scientific research platform construction, and discipline and major settings, and giving universities more autonomy in running schools.

A Laboratory Gathers Scientific Research Strength from Three Regions

In the Pearl River Estuary, after a typhoon, a biological aerosol monitoring network slowly unfolds—at the Hok Tsui air monitoring station in Hong Kong, researchers from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University are checking whether the data output is stable; at the Macao Coastal Zone Ecological Environment National Field Scientific Observation and Research Station, doctoral students from the Macau University of Science and Technology are checking and analyzing observation data; at the Zhuhai Marine Environment Monitoring Center Station of the State Oceanic Administration, the Xichong Meteorological Observation Base of the Southern University of Science and Technology in Shenzhen, environmental monitoring stations in Guangdong Province, and Guangdong University of Technology, 4 identical devices are also operating at high speed.

Jointly with Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao, the scientific research data information collected by 6 "detection tentacles" are all gathered to the "smart brain" terminal—the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory for Pollutant Exposure and Health, located on the University Town campus of Guangdong University of Technology. "The laboratory is led by Guangdong University of Technology, jointly built with Southern Medical University, Hong Kong Baptist University, Macau University of Science and Technology, and the University of Macau, bringing together first-class scientific research teams in many fields such as environment, chemistry, biology, and health from the three regions to carry out research on pollutant emissions and the resulting ecological environment and human health problems in the Greater Bay Area," said An Taicheng (安太成), the Yue (Guangdong) Director of the Joint Laboratory and Dean of the School of Environmental Science and Engineering at Guangdong University of Technology.

In the joint research, Peng Lin (彭琳), a doctoral student at Hong Kong Baptist University, broke the limitations of a single research perspective, "Our research group has a total of 8 people, of which the Hong Kong team focuses on toxicity mechanism analysis, and the Guangzhou team focuses on environmental exposure assessment." "The Greater Bay Area is closely connected, and the three regions have their own advantages in scientific research. We have an urgent need for technology, methods, data, and equipment sharing," said Peng Ye (彭烨), Associate Professor at the Macau University of Science and Technology, looking forward to more joint research opportunities.

A small laboratory gathers scientific research strength from three regions. According to the relevant person in charge of the Guangdong Provincial Department of Education, 31 Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao joint laboratories led by Guangdong have been built, of which 22 are based in Guangdong universities. In the context of increasingly fierce global technological competition, the importance of promoting organized scientific research is self-evident.

"Research on Deep Statistical Learning Theory and Methods for Brain Imaging Data," "Data-Driven Scientific and Engineering Computing Algorithms and Software"... Recently, the first batch of projects under the "1+1+1" joint funding plan of the Guangdong Provincial Department of Science and Technology, Hong Kong Baptist University, and Beijing Normal University-Hong Kong Baptist University were launched. Chen Zhi (陈致), President of Beijing Normal University-Hong Kong Baptist University, said: "'1+1+1' is not a simple numerical superposition, but a fusion of concepts, resources, and actions. For example, each project has two persons in charge, one from Beijing Normal University-Hong Kong Baptist University and one from Hong Kong Baptist University." In August, as the first mainland "Double First-Class" construction university introduced by the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park, the International Medical Device Inspection and Research Institute built by South China University of Technology was officially unveiled in Hong Kong. Zhang Xichun (章熙春), Secretary of the Party Committee of South China University of Technology, introduced: "The International Medical Device Inspection and Research Institute will take the lead in practicing the new model of industry-university-research cooperation of 'university research and development—Greater Bay Area manufacturing—Hong Kong and Macao financing—international market,' focusing on multiple interdisciplinary fields such as life sciences and smart healthcare, and building an innovation base, talent introduction platform, and brand incubation port facing the world."

In recent years, Sun Yat-sen University (中山大学), Shenzhen University (深圳大学), and other universities have extended their research institutions to Hong Kong and Macao, and scientific research teams in Hong Kong and Macao have also actively connected with major national strategic needs and cooperated with scientific research institutions in the mainland. In Hong Kong and Macao, strengthen international connections, attract global talents, and strengthen basic research; in the mainland, the industrial chain and supply chain are complete, application scenarios are diverse, and industrial talents are gathered, accelerating the breakthrough "from 0 to 1 to 100." "1+1+1>3," the "scientific research voice" of the Greater Bay Area is singing louder and louder.

A Vocational Education Park Facilitates the Cultivation and Development Path

Walking into the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Characteristic Vocational Education Park, the innovative achievements independently developed by vocational teachers and students are dazzling:

An all-terrain rescue robot that can easily traverse complex terrains such as mountains and ruins and quickly reach disaster relief sites; a diagnostic system used to monitor the health status of power batteries for unmanned aerial vehicles, which has been purchased and used by companies such as China Southern Power Grid; a zodiac pot that integrates traditional ceramic techniques with contemporary silver jewelry, wood carving, and gold painting techniques... This park is located in Chuangzhi Yuncheng in Nanshan District, Shenzhen, and is jointly built by Shenzhen Polytechnic and the Hong Kong Vocational Training Council, aiming at "learning, training, innovation, and research," strengthening the exchange and cooperation platform, facilitating the cultivation and development path, and enriching the connotation of vocational education cooperation in the Greater Bay Area.

Credit recognition, joint training. "Studying in Hong Kong in the first year and in Shenzhen in the second year, you can get diplomas from both places after graduation." Deng Dehua (邓德华), a Hong Kong youth, signed up to participate in the Shenzhen-Hong Kong joint training "Electrical Engineering" higher diploma program, "At Shenzhen Polytechnic, I can touch all kinds of advanced equipment and have more hands-on opportunities."

"The college and the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (IVE) (Lee Wai Lee) jointly form a curriculum committee to compile curriculum content that meets the requirements of both places, and strive to cultivate more international high-skilled talents," said Li Zhibin (李志斌), Deputy Dean of the School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering at Shenzhen Polytechnic. The project has played a demonstration effect, and the park has carried out 5 Shenzhen-Hong Kong joint talent training projects, including electrical engineering, and the Macao Institute for Tourism Studies has become the first Macao university to settle in the park. Industry-education integration, precise assistance.

In the student entrepreneurship park of the park, some people are staring at the screen to debug code, and some are modifying design drafts. The sound of keyboard tapping and discussion is intertwined. "The entrepreneurship park not only 'gives space' for free, but also patiently 'helps on the road,' providing professional policy support and technical guidance, giving us the confidence to dare to try and dare to fight," said Luo Lina (罗丽娜), a 2025 graduate of the School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering at Shenzhen Polytechnic. Previously, Luo Lina and 3 students from the School of Artificial Intelligence formed a partner team, hoping to develop a multi-modal emotion perception hardware system to promote human-computer interaction towards emotional intelligence by analyzing multi-dimensional information such as voice, text, and facial expressions.

Chen Wenkai (陈文锴), a teacher at the Industrial Training Center (Innovation and Entrepreneurship College) of Shenzhen Polytechnic, introduced that the entrepreneurship park has incubated 483 enterprises in 24 phases, and about 40 new student projects are incubated every year. Not only vocational education, but also what kind of talents are needed for high-quality development, the Greater Bay Area education will hand over what kind of answer.

Southern University of Science and Technology has opened new majors such as artificial intelligence, and the curriculum setting is in line with the international first-class training system, and is committed to cultivating AI talents with global vision and innovation ability; Sun Yat-sen University has cooperated with Huawei to carry out the "Intelligent Base" industry-education integration collaborative education base project, guiding students to do real research in practice through a new teaching model that connects the "classroom-laboratory-enterprise" three classrooms; Jinan University (暨南大学) and the University of Hong Kong signed a legal discipline cooperation agreement, officially establishing a student exchange mechanism, and jointly cultivating legal talents with an international perspective, marking the stage of strategic collaboration from basic exchanges between the two universities.

"Next, we will accelerate the construction of a world-class university cluster, support the construction of several new types of research universities, support well-known universities in Hong Kong and Macao to establish campuses or run schools in cooperation in Guangdong, comprehensively promote 'mutual appointment of professors, mutual study of courses, mutual recognition of credits, and mutual awarding of diplomas,' and deepen the reform of the whole-process innovation chain system to promote the 'landing and rapid transformation' of university scientific research results in the Greater Bay Area," said Zhang Guozhi (张国智), Member of the Standing Committee of the Guangdong Provincial Party Committee and Deputy Governor of the Provincial Government.

On the shores of Lingdingyang, breaking waves and going first. From cross-school joint training to consolidate the foundation of talents, to collaborative tackling of key scientific research problems, and then to industry-education integration to open up the innovation chain, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao education cooperation is full of color, building a growth stage for talents in the three regions, and providing intellectual support for the high-quality development of the Greater Bay Area.

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"We cannot be complacent; we must continue to progress" (An echo of the spirit across time and space)

By: 本报记者 徐雷鹏

On the morning of September 6th, in Beijing's (北京) Haidian (海淀) district, entering the home of 102-year-old veteran Fu Ying (傅英) of the Eighth Route Army (八路军) (pictured, photo by Xu Leipeng (徐雷鹏), reporter from this newspaper), an old military uniform was particularly eye-catching. Golden medals covered the front of the uniform, shining brightly in the sunlight.

On September 3rd, Fu Ying (傅英), as a representative of veteran soldiers, watched the military parade on Tiananmen Rostrum (天安门城楼), wearing this very uniform. That day, the original plan was to get up and assemble at 5:00 AM, but Fu Ying (傅英), excited, got dressed and ready to go very early. After returning from the ceremony, Fu Ying (傅英) said with emotion: "On Tiananmen Rostrum (天安门城楼), General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) warmly shook my hand. This is the General Secretary's care and love for us veterans."

During the parade, marching formations passed Tiananmen (天安门) with powerful steps, new fighter jets roared across the sky, and various new types of weapons and equipment were neatly arrayed... Witnessing this great moment, Fu Ying (傅英) couldn't help but recall the years of war.

In 1938, 15-year-old Fu Ying (傅英) joined the People's Self-Defense Army (人民自卫军) led by Lü Zhengcao (吕正操). In August of the same year, the People's Self-Defense Army (人民自卫军) was incorporated into the command of the Jin-Cha-Ji Military Region (晋察冀军区). "At first, I joined the army to have food to eat; later, I received the Party's education and gradually strengthened my revolutionary beliefs," said Fu Ying (傅英), "but no matter what, my determination to fight the Japanese devils has never changed."

"The war was arduous, but we were not afraid of anything when fighting, and we always charged forward," said Fu Ying (傅英). During his revolutionary career, he was wounded three times: once by shrapnel hitting his forehead, once by a bullet piercing his nose, and once by a piece of grenade shrapnel embedded in his back.

Speaking of the comrades who sacrificed beside him, Fu Ying's (傅英) eyes filled with tears. In one battle, the company Fu Ying (傅英) was in was surrounded by the enemy. The instructor led a platoon to block the enemy from behind, while Fu Ying (傅英) led two platoons to charge forward. Fu Ying (傅英) used a captured "Type 38 rifle" to kill the enemy blocking the way, leading the troops to successfully break through the encirclement, but the instructor unfortunately sacrificed. "The instructor's surname was Bai (白), and I still deeply miss him. We ate, lived, and fought together back then, as close as brothers, but it's a pity he didn't see the happy life we have today."

"In recent years, my father has gotten older, his memory is not as good as before, and he can no longer participate in various lectures, but he still remembers that war in his heart," said Fu Ying's (傅英) son, Fu Yuanzhan (傅援战).

On September 3rd, after Fu Ying (傅英) returned from the ceremony, his great-grandson Fu Tianchen (傅天辰) couldn't wait to take a photo with him and wrote in his diary: "We must remember history and cherish the present. This is the best comfort to the martyrs, predecessors, and heroes."

"I hope young people study hard and work hard to contribute more to the country," said Fu Ying (傅英). "The country's development is changing with each passing day, but we cannot be proud and must continue to progress." At the end of the interview, the old man tremblingly raised his hand and gave a military salute to the camera.

This military salute is not only a tribute to the past but also an expectation for the future.

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The Meaning and Inspiration of "Second Breath" (People's Tribune)

By: 邹 翔

There is a "critical point" state in long-distance running. When running to a certain stage, there will be symptoms such as general weakness, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and difficulty breathing. However, by adjusting the rhythm and stimulating fighting spirit to cross this critical point, the body will regain vitality and usher in a smooth and free "second breath."

The road of life, the transformation of enterprises, and the development of regions are all long-distance races. Frustrations and setbacks, difficulties and anxieties, ups and downs... Numerous practices have proven that the process is full of variables and will not be smooth sailing. Only by understanding the meaning of the "second breath" and grasping the enlightenment in it can we run the "marathon" well in various fields and tracks.

Runners cannot cross the "critical point" without a strong will. Similarly, in starting a business, growing, and becoming talented, if you can't withstand 千磨万击 (qiān mó wàn jī - "thousands of grindings and strikes," to endure all kinds of hardships and setbacks), you will not be able to break through the boundaries of life and climb the peak of your career. In the 1960s and 1970s, Yuan Longping (袁隆平) and his team used nearly 1,000 varieties to conduct more than 3,000 hybridization experiments before cultivating the second generation of sterile rice seeds from the male sterile wild rice called "wild abortion" in the swamp, opening a new chapter in the hybrid rice industry. Tu Youyou (屠呦呦)'s team experienced repeated failures in 190 experiments. It was not until the 191st time that they discovered artemisinin, reshaping the world's anti-malarial situation. Trekking through mountains and streams, with thorns blocking the way, different scenery often appears at the turning point when you persevere to the end.

Just as you can embrace the "second breath" by surviving the "critical point," companies can only cultivate the "second growth curve" by breaking away from path dependence. A "single champion" in the field of precision cutting wire in Ningbo (宁波), Zhejiang (浙江) encountered a watershed in development in 2012: If they engaged in technological transformation, the massive investment of funds might lead to a survival crisis; if they did not engage in technological transformation, how far could the OEM path go? In the end, the company resolutely stepped out of its "comfort zone" and crossed this ridge, winning an ever-increasing growth curve. Today's "Made in China" relies on innovation to reshape its muscles and bones, and is accelerating its upgrading towards high-end, intelligent, and green directions. "Created in China" is becoming increasingly well-known. In the "critical point" test, successful breakthroughs all stem from the courage of self-innovation and the ambition to pursue excellence.

Breaking through the "critical point" inevitably requires enduring physical pain. For local areas, the "second breath" also means experiencing the pain of the conversion of old and new driving forces in order to open up greater development space and achieve higher-quality development. Back then, when China joined the World Trade Organization, there was a cry of "the wolf is coming," but looking back, "opening up is like breaking out of a cocoon and becoming a butterfly. Although it will experience temporary pain, it will be exchanged for new life." Since the new era, the situation of "three periods superimposed," the "troubles" in development, and the "bottleneck" challenges... one "critical point" after another has stood in front of China, and one after another has been broken through, either turning into a successful mark on the road or becoming a stepping stone on the road ahead. Without the baptism of pain, there is no phoenix nirvana.

To overcome the "critical point," you must also pay attention to not falling before the "second breath" arrives. In the long run of life, you must pay attention to your physical health even if you work hard; in the growth of an enterprise, you must strengthen cash flow management even if you are singing triumphantly. For local development, keep in mind General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平)'s requirement of "orderly," and do not "throw away the tools for eating before the 'golden baby' is in your arms'," but rather grasp the balance between leveraging inherent advantages and transforming development, and pay attention to the transition and connection between the conversion of old and new driving forces, using the new to transform the old and proceeding in an orderly manner. Calibrating the course, following the laws, and finding the right rhythm are the keys to running the "marathon" of growth and development well.

Climbing Mount Tai (泰山), the "Eighteen Bends" (十八盘) are the steepest and most difficult to climb, but if you grit your teeth and break through, the scenery of "nature bestows its beauty" is in front of you. On the road of Chinese-style modernization, even if we encounter more uncertain "critical points" in the future, as long as our ambitions do not fall, our wisdom does not run out, and our strength does not weaken, we can continue to open up a "new breath" of a better life.

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National People's Congress Standing Committee Holds the 4th Study Session for NPC Deputies in 2025

Xinhua News Agency, Zhengzhou, September 7th (Xinhua) The 4th National People's Congress (NPC) Deputies Study Session of 2025 was held in Zhengzhou (郑州), Henan Province (河南省) from September 5th to 7th by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (全国人大常委会). 174 NPC deputies from 30 electoral units conducted duty performance studies focusing on the theme of "Enhancing Cultural Confidence and Developing Advanced Socialist Culture."

At the opening ceremony, the responsible comrade of the Deputies Work Committee of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (全国人大常委会代表工委) stated that the purpose of holding this study session is to further guide and promote the deputies to deeply study the "Study Outline of Xi Jinping's Thought on Culture (习近平文化思想学习纲要)," the decisions and deployments of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (党的二十大) and the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee regarding the construction of a strong cultural country and the reform of the cultural system, to profoundly understand and recognize that the Party's innovative theory is a great creation of the "two integrations," and to earnestly implement enhancing the "four consciousnesses," strengthening the "four confidences," and achieving the "two safeguards" in the actions of deputies performing their duties in accordance with the law; to profoundly understand and recognize that the system of people's congresses is a brand-new political system created by the Communist Party of China (中国共产党) by combining the basic principles of Marxism with the specific realities of China and with China's outstanding traditional culture, and to uphold, improve, and operate the fundamental political system of the country well; to profoundly understand and recognize that the "two integrations" are the greatest magic weapon for the success of the Party and the country's various undertakings, and to continuously transform the learning outcomes into a powerful driving force for promoting and guiding the development of their own work and the work of deputies performing their duties.

The study session arranged four special reports, focusing on deeply studying and implementing Xi Jinping's Thought on Culture (习近平文化思想), solidly promoting the construction of a strong socialist cultural country, promoting high-quality development of culture and tourism, cultivating a positive, healthy, and upward-looking network culture, and the Chinese Civilization Exploration Project, and invited responsible comrades and experts and scholars from relevant departments to explain. The study session also arranged on-site teaching and organized duty performance exchanges.

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Photo Report

September 7th marked the final day of the three-day Nagqu Horse Racing Festival in the Tibet Autonomous Region. Riders raced their horses across the Qiangtang Grassland, attracting a large number of tourists, local people, and horse racing enthusiasts. The Nagqu Horse Racing Festival is a traditional festival and sporting event on the Northern Tibetan Plateau. The picture shows riders racing during the competition on September 6th.

Xinhua News Agency reporter Jiang Fan (姜帆) photographed.

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First Edition Editors: Xu Nuo, Zhao Zheng, Luan Xinyi; Second Edition Editors: Han Xiaoming, Jiang Bo, Li Anqi; Third Edition Editors: Yin Xinyu, Qi Jiarun, Zhang Anyu; Fourth Edition Editors: Yuan Zhenxi, Liu Jingwen, Chen Zhen

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A River's Sense of Time (On-the-Spot Commentary)

By: 王 浩

We must maintain the historical patience of "planning for centuries and millennia," while also embracing the historical initiative of "ten thousand years is too long, seize the day," and move forward steadily with a balance of efficiency and quality.

Only by focusing on the most urgent and important matters at hand, while also laying the groundwork for long-term benefits, can we create achievements that can withstand the test of history and the people.

Time is the "active existence of man" and the "space for human development." This view of Marx is concretely presented in Asia's largest "water interchange" project.

Located in the core area of the Huai'an Hydraulic Hub (淮安水利枢纽) in Jiangsu (江苏) Province, thousands of years of water management history are condensed into a space of 3 square kilometers. Above is the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal (京杭大运河), supported by aqueducts, with boats shuttling back and forth. This is also the water transfer channel of the Eastern Route of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project (南水北调东线调水通道), where the treasures of a great power and the great projects of a great power complement each other. Passing underneath is the Huai River Estuary Waterway (淮河入海水道). This key water conservancy project, in coordination with the Subei Irrigation Main Canal (苏北灌溉总渠) not far away, ended the history of the Huai River (淮河) not having an independent estuary channel for more than 800 years. At the same time, the second phase of the Huai River Estuary Waterway, a national water network backbone project deployed in the "14th Five-Year Plan" outline, is being promoted intensively.

The depth of time is stretched in space. From the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal to the South-to-North Water Diversion Project, history and reality are condensed in the same space, witnessing the Eastern power's inheritance and promotion of the traditional Chinese water management culture. From the Subei Irrigation Main Canal to the Huai River Estuary Waterway, spanning decades, marking the struggle of generations since the founding of the People's Republic of China. Building smart factories and constructing "underwater Great Walls," technological innovation is expanding the new era's water management blueprint.

The Huai River is the first major river to be comprehensively and systematically managed after the founding of the People's Republic of China. Since the "Decision on Harnessing the Huai River" was made in 1950, the Huai River management has been carried out with a single blueprint to the end, with systematic planning to solve the problem of "summer floods and winter droughts, northern shortage and southern abundance," with the long-term effort of "people's livelihood first, water management is essential," and with emergency response to flood control and disaster relief, and pollution prevention and control. In the footsteps of time, there is perseverance, there is catching up, there is constancy, and there is adaptation. From governing the Huai River to governing water, from governing water to governing the country, the time variations of fast and slow contain the dialectics of development.

Fast is the swift action to solve "urgent needs"; slow is the perseverance to tackle "long-term tasks." In the 75-year picture of Huai River management, there are both tens of thousands of people fighting and building the "first dam of New China," the Foziling Reservoir (佛子岭水库) dam, in 2 years and 10 months, and anchoring the Huai River management policy of "combining storage and discharge" and gradually improving the water conservancy project system. Understanding the trajectory of national development from a time scale, we must both maintain the historical patience of "planning for centuries and millennia" and embrace the historical initiative of "ten thousand years is too long, seize the day," and move forward steadily with a balance of efficiency and quality.

Taking the new energy vehicle industry as an example, on the timeline of development, there is dedicated research and development of motor, electronic control, and battery technologies, there is a comprehensive effort in the policy system, and there is even a "last-mile" to seize market opportunities. From the start to breaking through 10 million vehicles, the annual production of new energy vehicles has achieved rapid growth. However, some undesirable phenomena cannot be ignored. Products are competing to reduce prices, concepts are varied, and behind the "involution" competition is a blind pursuit of output value with a "fierce attack," while ignoring the "slow simmering" of value. Returning to the original intention of development and finding a balance between fast and slow is also a way to win.

Fast is the flexible response to solve problems tactically; slow is the far-reaching planning to think about problems strategically. Development is like playing chess, we must both observe the general trend and plan the overall situation, thinking a few steps ahead, and seize the opportunity to make the first move. For example, ecological civilization construction is to achieve sustainable development, "we cannot start to expand projects and sacrifice the environment for economic growth just because economic development encounters some difficulties," gritting our teeth and climbing the slope, testing strategic determination. At the same time, to tackle tough problems and cure stubborn diseases, we cannot detour or push outwards, but try every means to break through, testing the vitality of strategy. Only by focusing on the most urgent and important matters at hand, while also laying the groundwork for long-term benefits, can we create achievements that can withstand the test of history and the people.

Fast and slow, current and long-term, are related to visible and potential achievements. For example, Zigui County (秭归县) in Hubei (湖北) Province, located in the Three Gorges Reservoir area (三峡库区), has consistently focused on the navel orange industry for many years. Because of pest and disease infestations, everyone wavered; when sales were sluggish, cadres were forced to go to the streets to promote them... Facing difficulties, the local area has taken solid steps to make up for shortcomings and tap potential, abandoning the practice of "predecessors plant trees and successors cut them down." Today, the annual comprehensive output value of navel oranges exceeds 20 billion yuan. Behind the firm choice is the long-term calculation of turning small fruits into a big industry. To develop a career, we must make judgments and decisions from the overall situation, the long-term, and the general trend, and seize the opportunity when we see it. Respecting the laws and promoting them with all our strength will make the foundation of high-quality development more solid and the momentum of development stronger.

Time contains infinite possibilities. Maintaining firm confidence, taking firm steps, and forging ahead, fighting, and moving forward in the tide of time, the journey full of glory and dreams can become wider and wider.

(The author is a reporter from the Economic and Social Department of this newspaper)

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Realizing "My Single Drop of Green Will Join a Thousand Acres of Clarity" (Jin Tai Essay)

By: 李 拯

Everyone is working hard in their own time and space, and it is precisely "countless intersecting forces, countless parallelograms of forces" that jointly write the continuous history.

"How can a drop of water not dry up?" When Comrade Xi Jinping (习近平) was working in Zhejiang (浙江), he gave a theme report to teachers and students of universities entitled "Ideals, Values, and Humanistic Spirit," and asked this question when talking about the common ideals of individuals and the nation. The answer is: "Put it into the sea." Comrade Xi Jinping (习近平) concluded: The ideal of a nation is the ocean, inexhaustible and inexhaustible.

In fact, the answer to this question has already been written in the poem "Nian Nu Jiao - Remembering Jiao Yulu (焦裕禄)." "Green my trickle, meet it with a thousand acres of clear blue," expressing a broad mind and lofty pursuit with elegant, profound, and majestic verses.

In recent years, "sense of meaning" has become a popular online term. From a deep psychological mechanism, the long-term driving force of people is not utilitarianism or happiness, but the pursuit of meaning. At present, some phenomena that appear at the level of social mentality, whether it is lying flat, letting things rot, or being Buddhist, are more or less related to the dissolution or loss of the sense of meaning. Therefore, to cultivate a positive social mentality, we must answer a question: How does a person construct a sense of meaning?

A drop of water entering the sea provides cognitive enlightenment for modern people to construct a sense of meaning.

A drop of water merges into the sea and gathers with more drops of water, symbolizing the organic connection between people. "Look at those birds, still seeking the voice of friends." We pursue individuality and freedom, but we must also connect with society based on respect and understanding, and find our own position. Just like a drop of water merging into another drop of water, a cloud clustering around another cloud, we gain care and construct meaning from mutual help and keeping each other warm.

For example, at work, teamwork can bring a sense of belonging; in life, mutual help among neighbors can make the community warmer; in leisure time, like-minded partners doing something meaningful together can light up ordinary life. If you are a party member or cadre, you should be like a seed, going deep into the masses of the people and realizing your own value in serving the masses. "The essence of man is the sum of all social relations." By finding an organic connection with others and with society, we can "gather faint light into a torch and gather small streams into a river" and reach the oasis of meaning.

A drop of water merges into the sea and realizes value in a larger space, symbolizing the organic connection between the individual and the country. Everyone is working hard in their own time and space, and it is precisely "countless intersecting forces, countless parallelograms of forces" that jointly write the continuous history. Life is limited, but the common cause is passed down from generation to generation. Therefore, an effective way to obtain eternal value in a limited life is to integrate personal ideals into the common ideals of the nation, and to integrate one's work into the cause of the Party and the country.

Some people may say that the common ideals of the nation are somewhat distant and abstract, and seem to have little to do with themselves. In fact, the connection with the country lies in the hard work of seizing the opportunities of the times. Taking root at the grassroots level and doing practical things for the people; participating in entrepreneurial teams and turning innovative ideas into reality; deeply cultivating key technologies and casting "major country weapons" with the spirit of craftsmanship... Striving and running on the track of the times, refusing the lying flat of "nothing to ask for" and the letting things rot of "nothing to care about," is to integrate personal efforts into the national narrative and engrave personal imprints on the wheel of history, thereby obtaining a sense of meaning of "the times have me" and forming a joint force to write history. We are on our way in our respective time and space, jointly pushing the wheels of history forward.

How to live this life well? This is a question that everyone will ask themselves. In the world, when examining ourselves, we often sigh with the feeling of "entrusting the mayfly to the world, a millet in the vast sea." In the vast sky, what can I do? By gathering under a common banner, integrating into the ranks of hundreds of millions of people moving forward hand in hand, and integrating into the torrent of the cause of the Party and the country, we can achieve a broader life in "greening my trickle, meeting it with a thousand acres of clear blue" and obtain meaning and value that transcends time.

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Making hosting interesting and meaningful

By: 吴 丹

The recently concluded 2025 summer vacation saw various托管 (tuō guǎn - "entrusted care") services become the choice for many dual-income families. Looking closer, some of these services have become somewhat distorted: subject-based content such as Chinese, mathematics, and English are "cleverly" embedded into the schedule, and some even directly use advanced mathematics and out-of-syllabus materials.

明修栈道，暗度陈仓 (míng xiū zhàn dào, àn dù chén cāng - "repair the plank road openly, but march secretly via Chencang," to do one thing while appearing to do another; to achieve one's aim by a feint), disguising "entrusted care," "quality development," and "thinking training" as a cover for "advanced learning" and "hidden tutoring," the holiday time that should be for children to relax and develop their interests is packaged as a "third semester," which not only increases the academic burden on students but also makes托管 services a driver for amplifying educational anxiety. Resolutely investigating and dealing with paid off-campus training conducted in the name of consulting, cultural communication, thinking training, and托管, in accordance with the law, is an inherent requirement for safeguarding the achievements of the "Double Reduction" (双减) reform. Unblocking reporting channels, discovering and dealing with each case, is the only way to form an effective deterrent.

In addition to strengthening supervision, it is equally indispensable to resolve anxiety and channel demand. Students have nearly two months of summer vacation, while parents have limited vacation time, making sending children to托管 institutions a helpless move, which also forms a rigid demand for social services. Preventing subject tutoring from "making a comeback" and allowing students to jump out of the vicious cycle of "reducing the burden within the school and increasing the pressure outside the school," the key lies in enhancing the supply capacity and attractiveness of high-quality public托管 services.

The content of托管 should be "interesting," stimulating children's interest through edutainment. In the托管 class of the Apple Orchard Street Comprehensive Cultural Center (苹果园街道综合文化中心) in Beijing (北京市), a national-level intangible cultural heritage inheritor leads the children to dance the "long dragon," with each move and each rise and fall being very interesting. Traditional folk customs become a tangible and experiential living culture, and young people learn and benefit in high spirits. 托管 services should become an experience field full of laughter, cooperation, and surprises, allowing children to feel the joy of creation and the beauty of culture in hands-on experiences, and to explore the wonders of the world and the mysteries of civilization in interactive entertainment.

托管 services should be "meaningful," completing the education and edification of moral, intellectual, physical, aesthetic, and labor education in a subtle way. In the Yunlin (云林) Agricultural Trade Market (农贸市场) in Wuxi (无锡), Jiangsu (江苏) Province, the public welfare summer托管 class not only solves the childcare problems of migrant workers' parents but also allows children to experience vegetable sales, practical cooking, and other content, which is a vivid life practice class. In the "Young Pioneers' Small Classroom" (红领巾小课堂) in Achima Airik Village (阿其玛艾日克村), Bagayirik Township (巴格艾日克乡), Qiemo County (且末县), Xinjiang (新疆), returning college student Irshat Keremu (依尔夏提·克热木) carefully explained the relevant knowledge of the Party emblem and taught the children to make the Party emblem with colored clay. The big classroom of social practice can make knowledge dissemination more interesting.

To curb the impulse of subject tutoring, building a healthy educational ecology is the key. It is necessary to unswervingly promote educational balance and expand the coverage of high-quality educational resources, thereby reducing the dependence on off-campus "filling gaps and improving standards." In the long run, the reform of the education evaluation system should also be deepened, establishing a more diverse and scientific view of education evaluation and broadening the channels for talent growth. Only when the definition of success is no longer singular and the value of learning returns to itself can the anxiety of parents and society be truly alleviated, creating a more relaxed and healthy growth environment for children.

Holiday托管 is just a "helper," not a reason to "shirk responsibility," and cannot be "entrusted" once and for all. It is necessary to realize that the summer vacation is a valuable opportunity for parent-child companionship, enhancing family affection, and growing together. Even if托管 services are chosen, parents should actively understand their children's daily experiences and actively participate in parent-child activities. The family is the hub of various types of education, and parents should take the time and energy to do a good job of supplementing and connecting, so as to integrate school education, social education, and family education to form a synergy of education.

The holiday is a period of rest and adjustment for children's learning and life, a period of planning for the future, and a golden period for them to independently explore the world, develop their personality, and accumulate strength. Finding the original meaning of the holiday and returning holiday托管 to the original intention of care and companionship and promoting all-round development is an inherent requirement for following the laws of education and the laws of youth growth. When children can easily embrace a holiday full of laughter, exploration, and a healthy rhythm, there will be a better environment for cultivating pillars of talent.

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Photo Report

The themed exhibition "Monument - A True Record of the Anti-Japanese War in Eastern Hebei" opened at the Tangshan Museum (唐山博物馆) in Hebei (河北); "Flesh and Blood Build the Lifeline of the Anti-Japanese War - An Exhibition of Archival Documents and Pictures of the滇缅 Highway during the Anti-Japanese War" was jointly exhibited in many places in Yunnan (云南)... Recently, to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, many places have held related themed exhibitions, allowing people to relive history and understand the great spirit of the Anti-Japanese War.

This is precisely:

Beacon fires obscured the sun, mountains and rivers were broken,
Not an inch of land was yielded to protect China (华夏).
Now we must remember the road we came from,
Rouse ourselves and strive to serve the country.

Wang Jingwen (王静文)

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Addresses immediate needs and eliminates future worries (Perspective)

By: 杨 博

For some time, the Central Social Work Department (中央社会工作部), the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development (住房城乡建设部), and other departments have been continuously promoting the construction of rider-friendly scenarios, providing convenience for couriers and online delivery personnel in areas such as parking, dining, and skills improvement.

Currently, the number of food delivery riders in China has exceeded 10 million. Some people compare the work of riders to a "triathlon," with "no rest in all seasons and irregular meals" as their daily life. Regardless of the weather, they are always running on the road, rarely able to stop and take a breath or rest. In their work, many riders have encountered problems such as: no dedicated electric vehicle lanes, sometimes forced to mix with cars; not allowed to enter residential areas by security guards when delivering meals; and not being able to find temporary parking spaces for electric vehicles when delivering goods or going to the toilet.

The difficulties in the work and life of riders are also an examination question for urban governance. As long as investment is increased and resources are integrated effectively, solutions can be found to address each specific problem. Adding ramps to pedestrian overpasses, reasonably increasing electric vehicle lanes, planning dedicated parking areas, setting up road traffic guidance and improving floor information can better solve the problems of difficult driving and parking. Setting up dedicated takeaway pick-up cabinets can solve the problems of difficult access to residential areas or office buildings and long waiting times. The valuable experience accumulated in the construction of friendly scenarios is worth referring to and learning from.

Responding to the needs of new employment groups requires not only solving immediate problems but also eliminating future worries. Compared to the small problems in daily work and life, solving the difficulties of integration and development is a more challenging and difficult task. To do this work well, it is necessary to weave a dense service network and care for new employment groups in an all-round and multi-dimensional way. For example, integrating guaranteed rental housing projects to create "homes for urban builders" and integrating services such as medical and legal aid into the construction of friendly scenarios. It should also be noted that service depends on quantity and quality. It is necessary to improve the level of friendly scenario construction and achieve the transformation from "tangible coverage" to "effective coverage," such as establishing training bases for academic qualifications and skills to help broaden career development channels. Only by doing the work in a practical manner and delivering care and concern to their side can we effectively improve the quality of work and life of new employment groups.

New employment groups are also "partners" in urban governance. Chongqing (重庆) has absorbed a large number of online delivery personnel and online car-hailing drivers to serve as grid members, guiding them to become sentinels of consumer hazards and community grid managers. This also inspires us: expanding the construction of rider-friendly scenarios to the entire city, continuously enhancing their sense of belonging and identity, and improving their sense of integration and happiness, can achieve a "two-way rush" between the city and its people.

(Excerpted and edited from *Guangzhou Daily (广州日报)*, originally titled *Solving the "Integration Difficulties" of Riders with Friendly Scenarios*)

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Solving Appointment Difficulties: Focusing Efforts Beyond the Surface (People's Daily Commentary)

By: 李忱阳

To solve the "booking difficulty," it is necessary to base solutions on local conditions and adapt to specific circumstances, but also to consider the overall situation and coordinate resources, so as to arrive at the "optimal solution."

Outside the venues, audiences line up, waiting to enter; inside the venues, crowds surge, and various featured exhibits dazzle the eyes. This summer, museum tours remain popular. At the same time, problems such as "booking difficulty" and "hard to get a ticket" have also sparked discussion and attention.

Museums are not only cultural spaces for increasing knowledge, but also increasingly becoming tourist destinations. Children can learn about cultural relics from their textbooks here, tourists from other places can appreciate the charm of a city, and local citizens have a good place for leisure. Nowadays, museums have become cultural complexes integrating education, tourism, exhibitions, and public services, which can meet the cultural needs of different groups. It is not difficult to understand why more and more people love museums. Data shows that in 2024, national museums received 1.49 billion visitors.

As the demand for audience visits rises, but the carrying capacity of museums is limited, "booking difficulty" has become a "happy trouble" in the cultural and museum boom. To solve the contradiction between supply and demand, efforts need to be made on both ends.

Targeting new demands and creating new supplies can increase the carrying capacity of museums to a certain extent. For example, this summer, the Sanxingdui Museum (三星堆博物馆) in Sichuan (四川) extended its opening hours to 8 pm, receiving more than 20,000 visitors per day on average. Extending opening hours and opening at night better meet the needs of traditional non-visiting hours, which not only brings convenience to citizens and tourists, but also opens up new ideas for exploring new consumption potential.

Actively exploring suitable opening modes and further improving reservations and management will help better meet the audience's viewing needs. For example, closing on Mondays used to be a common practice followed by many museums. Nowadays, many museums are trying to cancel closing days and achieve year-round operation; some are exploring staggered closing, with closing times staggered from other museums, to avoid tourists having no museums to visit on Mondays.

From a larger perspective, the physical capacity of a museum is always limited. To solve the "booking difficulty" of museums, it is necessary to break out of the "one-acre three-point land" and work hard "outside the poem," seeking ideas from the big picture of integrating cultural and tourism resources.

Breaking the limitations of physical space and promoting exhibits to go out of museums and to a wider area can allow more audiences to feast their eyes without having to travel long distances. Since the launch of the Jiangsu (江苏) "Digital Jiangsu Charm: See the Great Exhibition at Your Doorstep" provincial tour, a batch of town treasures have frequently been "on business trips." During the 184-day exhibition period, a total of 2,097,000 visitors were received. The Beijing Grand Canal Museum (北京大运河博物馆) held the "See and See Yin and Shang" exhibition, and 338 pieces (sets) of precious cultural relics from 28 units were displayed on the "Grand Canal Boat," allowing more audiences to appreciate the original cultural relics up close. Promoting museums in different regions to "join hands" with each other, allowing more cultural relics to "go on business trips" and "be guests," will make the radiation range of museums wider and wider.

Activating dormant resources and making niche museums popular can also effectively divert tourists. The contradiction between audience visiting demand and museum carrying capacity is reflected not only in quantity, but also in structure. Tickets for popular museums are "gone if you are slow," but some small and medium-sized museums are deserted. As of the end of 2024, there were 7,046 registered museums in China (中国), most of which are small and medium-sized museums scattered throughout the country. Compared with large museums, small and medium-sized museums have more focused themes and distinctive collections, which can often give tourists a different cultural experience. Promoting the diversification of museums and creating "small and beautiful" characteristic brands will not only help solve the "booking difficulty," but also cultivate new consumption growth points for local cultural tourism.

To solve the "booking difficulty," it is necessary to base solutions on local conditions and adapt to specific circumstances, but also to consider the overall situation and coordinate resources, so as to arrive at the "optimal solution." With more high-quality cultural supply and higher service levels, further improving the development quality of cultural and tourism undertakings is the common expectation of the audience and an inevitable requirement for enhancing the people's sense of cultural gain and happiness.

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This edition's editors: Liu Tianliang, Shi Ling, Zou Xiang

This edition's email: rmbpl@peopledaily.cn (Please indicate the column name when submitting articles)

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Releasing the Charm of Mountains and Seas: Promoting the Integration of Culture, Sports, and Tourism

By: 本报记者 马 晨

Core Reading

Where azure seas meet blue skies dotted with white sails, the Great Wall cultural heritage is revitalized, and industrial style blends with modern artistic flair... In recent years, Qinhuangdao (秦皇岛市), Hebei Province (河北省), guided by meeting the needs of tourists, has adhered to using culture to shape tourism and tourism to highlight culture, continuously showcasing the charm of its mountains and seas. This city is surging with new momentum for the integrated development of culture, sports, and tourism on the coast of the Bohai Sea (渤海) with its vigorous innovative vitality.

Qinhuangdao (秦皇岛), a city located between mountains and sea, possesses diverse resources such as mountains, sea, and the Great Wall. Its unique tourism resources attract tourists from all over the country.

In recent years, Qinhuangdao (秦皇岛), Hebei Province (河北省), guided by meeting the needs of tourists, has adhered to using culture to shape tourism and tourism to highlight culture, continuously showcasing the charm of its mountains and seas, and promoting the integrated development of culture, sports, and tourism. From the beginning of this year to the end of July, Qinhuangdao's (秦皇岛) total tourist volume increased by 11.7% year-on-year, and total tourist spending increased by 13% year-on-year.

Great Wall Culture Comes Alive

Inside the Jiaoshan Great Wall Scenic Area (角山长城景区) in Shanhaiguan District (山海关区), Qinhuangdao (秦皇岛), the "Shanhaiguan Golden Autumn Great Wall Chrysanthemum Exhibition" is being set up. "In previous years, the chrysanthemum exhibition has attracted countless fans. This year, the themed exhibition area combining the Great Wall landscape will also become a 'check-in spot' for tourists!" said Liao Xuemei (廖雪梅), Chairman of the First Pass Tourism Development Co., Ltd. (第一关旅游发展有限公司) in Shanhaiguan District (山海关区), Qinhuangdao (秦皇岛).

Based on "Great Wall culture as the core, mountain resources as the foundation," Qinhuangdao (秦皇岛) promotes the construction of the Great Wall National Cultural Park, promotes the deep integration of "Great Wall, green mountains, and villages," continuously enriches Great Wall cultural tourism products, revitalizes the Great Wall cultural heritage, and turns green waters and green mountains into "gold and silver mountains" for increasing people's income.

The splendor at the foot of the Great Wall is not only in flower appreciation but also hidden in the transformation of villages. Beiyingzi Village (北营子村) in Mengjiang Town (孟姜镇), Shanhaiguan District (山海关区), is close to the Jiaoshan Great Wall (角山长城), but it used to be "not seeing the scenery despite being near the mountain, and not having tourist traffic despite guarding the Great Wall." Now, with the help of the construction of the Great Wall National Cultural Park, the village has packaged and developed "Great Wall landscape + mountain ecology," completed the "undergrounding of water, electricity, gas, and internet" in 14 streets and alleys, repaired more than 30 dilapidated walls, transformed idle farmhouses into "Great Wall Family" characteristic homestays, built a Manchu Culture Museum, and developed characteristic foods such as "Manchu Eight Bowls."

"In the past, tourists would leave after climbing the Great Wall, but now they stay in homestays, eat mountain vegetables, and visit mountain villages, and can stay for a whole day," said Li Chengsuo (李成锁), Secretary of the Party Branch of Beiyingzi Village (北营子村). According to statistics, this year, the number of tourists to Beiyingzi Village (北营子村) has exceeded 50,000, the annual income of the village collective has reached 100,000 yuan, and the per capita disposable income of villagers is nearly 30,000 yuan.

From the Jiaoshan Great Wall (角山长城) along the Yanshan Mountains (燕山山脉) to the west, the 153-kilometer环 Great Wall tourism highway winds through the mountains, connecting projects along the Great Wall such as the Shanhaiguan China Great Wall Museum (山海关中国长城博物馆), Tiannv Town (天女小镇) in Haigang District (海港区), Shengding Mountain (圣顶山) in Funing District (抚宁区), and Zuoyou Mountain Valley (左右山谷) in Lulong County (卢龙县), enriching the ways for villages along the route such as Dongjiakou Village (董家口村) and Banchangyu Village (板厂峪村) to become rich, and becoming the "revitalization road" in the mouths of villagers.

In Tiannv Town (天女小镇) in Zushan (祖山), research, camping, hiking, food and other projects attract many tourists. "Mushrooms come from Huachangyu Village (花厂峪村), chestnuts come from Qiuziyu Village (秋子峪村), and yellow peaches come from Chechang Village (车厂村)," said Ma Rui (马瑞), head of Qinhuangdao Tiannv Town Tourism Development Co., Ltd. (秦皇岛天女小镇旅游发展有限公司). By developing foods processed from different agricultural products, the characteristic agricultural products of each village have also become famous. According to statistics, in 2024, the catering sales of Tiannv Town (天女小镇) were nearly 4 million yuan, of which local characteristic agricultural products created a value of over 1.2 million yuan.

"Taking the Great Wall as the vein, a new picture of cultural and tourism integration is drawn in the mountainous area," said Wang Jiawei (王嘉伟), head of the Propaganda Section of the Qinhuangdao Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism (秦皇岛市文旅局宣传科). Relying on the three Great Wall National Cultural Park (Hebei Section) boutique tourism routes, 15 scenic spots such as Jiaoshan (角山), Shengding Mountain (圣顶山), Banchangyu (板厂峪), and Bingtangyu (冰塘峪) have achieved initial results, realizing the expansion from "point-style scenic spots" to "corridor parks," and creating 10 most beautiful Great Wall villages such as Beiyingzi Village (北营子村) in Mengjiang Town (孟姜镇), Shanhaiguan District (山海关区), and Huachangyu Village (花厂峪村) in Zushan Town (祖山镇), Qinglong Manchu Autonomous County (青龙满族自治县), revitalizing the mountainous villages at the foot of the Great Wall.

New Cultural and Tourism Formats Emerge

Qinhuangdao (秦皇岛) was born and prospered because of its port. What kind of sparks will be generated when the industrial style of the ancient wharf blends with the modern artistic atmosphere?

In the Qinhuangdao Port Industrial Tourism Area (秦皇岛港口工业旅游区), seaside lighthouses stand tall, and unloading machines, hooks, and anchors on the coast attract tourists to stop and watch. "Here, there is not only the historical charm of the port industry, but also a fashionable and romantic summer atmosphere. Every landscape created using old buildings and discarded mechanical equipment is full of ingenuity," said a tourist from Inner Mongolia (内蒙古).

The Xigang District (西港区), where the Qinhuangdao Port Industrial Tourism Area (秦皇岛港口工业旅游区) is located, is the opening place of Qinhuangdao Port (秦皇岛港). Industrial relics such as the South Warehouse, the Great Wharf, the Old Dock, and discarded mechanical equipment are not only concentrated but also diverse in type. On the basis of protecting the historical and cultural relics of the port, the park redefines, designs, and transforms them into a comprehensive tourist destination integrating industrial culture, tourism, sports, and leisure.

Not long ago, the Qinhuangdao Port Industrial Tourism Area (秦皇岛港口工业旅游区) was officially unveiled as the first national 4A-level tourist attraction transformed from a port in Hebei Province (河北省). Today, the port industrial tourism area has formed a rich and diverse business format pattern, including sailing competitions, research education, themed cultural creation, characteristic catering, travel photography... The century-old port has been rejuvenated with cultural and tourism brilliance.

Today's Qinhuangdao (秦皇岛) is breaking the boundaries of traditional tourism with the innovative model of "art + tourism," bringing tourists a new experience of cultural tourism that is all-encompassing and all-the-time.

On the art center square of "Beidaihe · Different Art Town" (北戴河·不同艺术小镇) in Beidaihe District (北戴河区), Qinhuangdao (秦皇岛), a tourist is holding a mobile phone, carefully photographing the "Different Art Eye" suspended 21 meters above the ground with a diameter of 9 meters.

"From the romantic seaside fun to the artistic immersion in the city, Qinhuangdao's (秦皇岛) cultural tourism story has a richer way to open," said Bo Yang (薄洋), general manager of the scenic spot. Many people can come over to visit the exhibition and experience handicrafts while relaxing by the sea, extending their vacation time.

From a traditional summer resort to a modern cultural tourism complex, Qinhuangdao (秦皇岛) has successively organized and implemented 130 cultural tourism projects, and built a number of new business format projects such as Yutian Qilihai Resort (渔田七里海度假区), Beidaihe Happy Bay (北戴河欢乐湾), and Different Art Town (不同艺术小镇), continuously promoting the iterative upgrading of cultural tourism products.

Sports Economy Ignites

On the azure coast, the sky is high and the sea is wide, the blue waves are rippling, and the scattered sailboats become a dynamic and beautiful landscape on the sea. Qinhuangdao's (秦皇岛) mountain and sea resources have opened up a new track for the integration of culture, sports, and tourism.

On August 2, the 11th Masha Cup National Youth Sailing League Weekend Race came to a successful conclusion. 102 young sailors fought the wind and waves, pursuing their sailing dreams.

"I not only want to participate in the competition myself, but also accompany my younger brother to participate. Compared with daily training, the competition is more exciting and more competitive," said Zhuang Shaohui (庄绍辉), who has participated in many competitions and is only 12 years old this year, but has 4 years of experience in learning and driving boats.

Relying on its coastal resource advantages and good infrastructure, Qinhuangdao (秦皇岛) has created the "Qinhuangdao Sailing Season" event brand, and built a multi-level and three-dimensional event activity system: professional events such as the National Sailing Championships and the National Windsurfing Championships attract professional teams at all levels in China and foreign sailing teams to come for training; fun events such as the Jinmenghai Bay Windsurfing Open and the Family Sailing Race stimulate public participation; activities such as the Ocean Sailing Festival have become a high-end platform for international sailing cultural exchange.

"The natural conditions in Qinhuangdao (秦皇岛) are very suitable for sailing and windsurfing. I often take my children to the club here to participate in training and competitions," said a windsurfing enthusiast from Beijing (北京). Now many young people are joining this team.

Since 2005, Qinhuangdao (秦皇岛) has continuously held the Beidaihe Roller Skating Carnival for 21 sessions; the China Freestyle BMX League Finals and the Hebei Provincial Youth Freestyle BMX Championship were held in Changli County (昌黎县); since the beginning of this year, Qinhuangdao (秦皇岛) has taken the Second National Fitness Games as the lead, and held community (village) sports games, covering badminton, table tennis, basketball, square dance, Go and other sports, attracting wide participation from the masses...

From professional venues to public fitness squares, Qinhuangdao (秦皇岛) takes events as a link, continuously strengthens infrastructure construction, continuously optimizes the event system, continuously extends the sports industry chain, and gradually transitions from an event venue to a sports industry ecological city.

In early June, the 2025 ILCA Asian (Open) Sailing Championships concluded in Beidaihe New District (北戴河新区), Qinhuangdao (秦皇岛). During the period, merchants carefully launched 37 exhibition areas, covering food, intangible cultural heritage snacks, cultural creations, etc. The Asian Sailing Championships, which lasted for 5 days, attracted more than 140,000 domestic and foreign tourists, and consumers moved in tourism and traveled in sports, driving the revenue of local consumption places to exceed 23 million yuan.

"Events drive the development of tourism-related industries such as training, hotels, catering, and transportation, and traffic becomes incremental," said Wang Jing (王静), Deputy Director of the Qinhuangdao Municipal Sports Bureau (秦皇岛市体育局). Through the "sports +" model, the momentum of multi-industry synergy is developing strongly, and the integrated development of culture, sports, and tourism in Qinhuangdao (秦皇岛) is gradually realizing a virtuous cycle of complementary advantages, mutual diversion, and promotion of consumption.

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Upgrading Infrastructure to Support a Better Life on the Plateau

By: 本报记者 王锦涛 徐驭尧

Inside the Imaging Medicine Center of the Tibet Autonomous Region Hospital (Sichuan University West China Hospital Tibet Hospital) (西藏自治区医院（四川大学华西医院西藏医院)) in Doilungdêqên District (堆龙德庆区), Lhasa (拉萨市), Tibet Autonomous Region (西藏自治区), a CT machine is operating, providing imaging data for doctors' diagnoses.

"Large medical equipment, disinfection supply centers, and in-hospital heating facilities require a lot of electricity. With the continuous improvement of infrastructure such as electricity and networks, we no longer worry about electricity supply," said Jiang Yaowen (蒋耀文), Executive Dean of the hospital. "Next, the hospital will also introduce a variety of large new equipment such as radiotherapy instruments, and use advanced technologies such as remote surgery robots to achieve the sinking of high-quality medical resources, and safeguard the health of the masses with higher standards and levels."

"For important livelihood areas such as medical care, the power company has specially configured dual-circuit power supply guarantees to build a solid 'double insurance' for power supply," said Fan Zhenghua (樊正华), General Manager of the State Grid Tibet Electric Power Co., Ltd. (国网西藏电力有限公司) Lhasa (拉萨市) Doilungdêqên District (堆龙德庆区) Power Supply Company.

Behind this lies the support of four "Power Skyways." In December 2011, the Qinghai-Tibet Interconnection Project was completed and put into operation, followed by the Sichuan-Tibet Interconnection Project, the Central Tibet Interconnection Project, and the Ali Interconnection Project. The four "Power Skyways" have built the backbone network of electricity in the snowy plateau, with the power supply reliability of the entire region reaching 99.6%, injecting strong momentum into the economic and social development of Tibet (西藏).

Driven directly by the "Power Skyways," the electricity load of the Tibetan power grid has repeatedly broken historical records year after year, with an average annual increase of 15%, reaching a maximum of 2.76 million kilowatts; in 2024, the total social electricity consumption reached 15.417 billion kilowatt-hours, which is 593 times that at the time of the establishment of the Tibet Autonomous Region (西藏自治区).

The continuously improving infrastructure has also brought more benefits to the people of the plateau—

In Tingri County (定日县), Shigatse (日喀则市), at the foot of Mount Everest (珠峰), Awang (阿旺), a villager in Sênga Village (森噶村), finally moved into a new home, with a clean small building, brand-new furniture, and a bright hall, his face overflowing with happiness.

In the kitchen, clean tap water gurgles out; in the living room, the TV picture is clear and smooth; taking out his mobile phone, he can make calls and watch videos... "Our life is as convenient as in the city," Awang (阿旺) said happily.

Near dusk, at the foot of Mount Kangrinboqe (冈仁波齐山), the Tarchin (塔尔钦) tourist town gradually lights up. "The roads are better, making it easier for tourists to travel; electricity is available, upgrading home appliances and greatly improving accommodation conditions; the network is better, allowing everyone to do live broadcasts and shoot videos here, allowing more people to see the beauty of Ali (阿里)," said Bandan Lunzhu (班旦伦珠), who runs a small hotel in the town, with emotion: "Our small hotel is very popular with tourists. During the peak season, beds are in short supply, and last year's income reached 300,000 yuan."

Since the establishment of the Tibet Autonomous Region (西藏自治区), infrastructure conditions such as water, electricity, roads, and networks have been greatly improved. As of now, the main power grid in Tibet (西藏) covers all counties (cities and districts), rural drinking water safety has been guaranteed, and all administrative villages have achieved access to optical fiber and 4G networks. The lives of people of all ethnic groups have undergone tremendous changes from buckets to water pipes, oil lamps to electric lights, dirt roads to paved roads, and yurts to buildings, bidding farewell to the history of "difficult access to drinking water, difficult access to electricity, difficult travel, and difficult communication," and living a comfortable and convenient modern life.

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Protecting Red Cultural Relics Well Also Means Telling Their Stories Well (Looking Out: In Search of Red Memories)

By: 本报记者 刘以晴

Walking into a red-themed exhibition hall in Tonghua County (通化县), Tonghua City (通化市), Jilin Province (吉林省), a kerosene lamp sits on a table—large belly, long handle, cotton wick, the lamp body already covered in rust, making it difficult to distinguish its original color. "Don't look at this ordinary oil lamp; there's a story behind it." Facing the visitors, Wang Guolin (王国霖), the founder of the red-themed exhibition hall (pictured, courtesy of the interviewee), piqued their curiosity.

Wang Guolin (王国霖) said that he collected this kerosene lamp from the home of a villager surnamed Li in Xinglin Town (兴林镇), Tonghua County (通化县). Brother Li told Wang Guolin (王国霖) the story of that year: a team of the Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army (东北抗日联军) marched and fought during the day, and rested in farmers' homes at night to discuss tactics, "They didn't dare to light the lamp too brightly, fearing being discovered by the enemy, so they could only look at the map by the dim light." Brother Li's father stood in the yard, carefully keeping watch for the troops. Later, the troops continued on their way, leaving the kerosene lamp behind, and the Li family has carefully preserved it to this day.

"A lamp represents patriotism and the close relationship between the army and the people. We must find ways to protect the red cultural relics and, more importantly, tell their stories well," said Wang Guolin (王国霖).

The First Route Army (第一路军) of the Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army (东北抗日联军) once maneuvered with the enemy in the icy and snowy wilderness, creating many classic battles such as the surprise attack on the Laoling Tunnel (老岭隧道). In 1986, 25-year-old Wang Guolin (王国霖) went to work at the Tonghua County Public Security Bureau (通化县公安局). When he went to the countryside, he often met some veterans of the War of Resistance Against Japan, and Wang Guolin (王国霖) always liked to chat with them more. "Some old comrades, when they mentioned their experiences back then, their eyes lit up!" The team marching through the snow with gritted teeth, the leggings soaked in blood, General Yang Jingyu's (杨靖宇) "four no-hit" guerrilla tactics... While chatting, some veterans showed Wang Guolin (王国霖) various old objects, and Wang Guolin (王国霖) had the idea of collecting them from then on. "Some people were willing to give them to me, so I spent money to buy them or helped them with some work. Sometimes, if the other party was reluctant, I didn't force it. It was good to take a photo and leave some image data," said Wang Guolin (王国霖).

In order to record more stories of the War of Resistance Against Japan, Wang Guolin (王国霖) traveled almost all over the county's villages and townships, covering a distance of 150,000 kilometers. As the accumulated stories and objects increased, Wang Guolin (王国霖) began planning public welfare exhibitions. A year later, the public welfare red-themed exhibition hall founded by Wang Guolin (王国霖) was opened to the public for free, and he himself served as the docent.

In the exhibition hall, there is an old-fashioned telescope that has been sawed in half, which was donated by a veteran surnamed Geng from Zengsheng Village (增胜村), Sanke Yushu Town (三棵榆树镇). In those days, there was only one telescope in the company. If they wanted to observe the situation, the company commander and instructor could only use it together, head to head. Grandpa Geng came up with a good idea and sawed the telescope open, turning it into a monocular telescope. "The conditions were simple, but people at that time could always think of good ideas," Wang Guolin (王国霖) said with emotion.

In 2016, Wang Guolin (王国霖) established the Red Volunteer Propaganda Team (红色义务宣讲小分队), which currently has more than 60 members. "We not only speak in the exhibition hall, but also go to communities, schools, and enterprises to tell more people," said Wang Guolin (王国霖). The team conducts an average of more than 100 propaganda events per year, and the red-themed exhibition hall has received more than 200 social groups, with a cumulative total of nearly 100,000 visitors. As the exhibition hall became known to more and more people, some old soldiers took the initiative to find Wang Guolin (王国霖) and donate military uniforms and other items. In order to better protect these old objects, some display cabinets have also been upgraded with moisture-proof functions.

Walking to the exit of the exhibition hall, the pine waves outside the window are rolling, just like the forest 80 years ago. Opening the exhibition hall's guestbook, there are both childish handwriting and vigorous ink marks: "I remembered the small oil lamp used during the meeting, and I must study hard when I go back," "Unforgettable the wisdom of the old soldiers in the telescope," "Remembering comrades-in-arms, cherishing life"... "I hope that through our efforts, the memory of history will transcend time and space and remain fresh," said Wang Guolin (王国霖).

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New Look in Xinjiang: Seven Decades of Endeavor, A New Chapter in Xinjiang

By: 本报记者 贺 勇 李亚楠 阿尔达克

Column Opening Remarks

For 70 years, we have weathered storms and witnessed monumental changes. In 1955, the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (新疆维吾尔自治区) was officially established. Over the past 70 years, especially since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, cadres and people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang (新疆) have followed the direction pointed out by General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平), focusing on strengthening the awareness of the Chinese national community, anchoring Xinjiang's "Five Strategic Positions" in the national landscape, and promoting high-quality development closely tied to people's livelihoods. Today's Xinjiang (新疆) enjoys social stability, economic prosperity, and people living and working in peace and contentment. A new atmosphere of stability, harmony, and vigorous development prevails both north and south of the Tianshan Mountains (天山).

Starting today, this newspaper launches the column "Striving Forward for Seventy Years: A Magnificent Chapter North and South of the Tianshan Mountains (砥砺奋进七十载 天山南北谱华章)," which tells the vivid stories of cadres and people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang (新疆) promoting the Xinjiang (新疆) practice of Chinese-style modernization, and showcases the new image of Xinjiang (新疆) with its social openness and confidence, and the united struggle of all ethnic groups.

In the renovated Kashgar Old City (喀什古城), the songs and laughter of children float in the wind; in the health center of Bayanbulak Village (巴亚尔布拉格村), Utbulak Township (乌图布拉格镇), Bole City (博乐市), the elderly are enjoying the heartwarming benefits of universal health checkups; in the carpet factory of Yulong Kash Township (玉龙喀什镇), Hotan City (和田市), young women are weaving a better life with their skillful hands... These vivid scenes together outline a splendid picture of the 70-year development achievements of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (新疆维吾尔自治区).

Seventy years have passed like a song. From a state of **百废待兴** (bǎi fèi dài xīng - "a hundred things waiting to be done," everything in ruins, waiting to be rebuilt) to a state of thriving industries, from poverty and backwardness to increasing modernization, from remote and closed-off to an open frontier, Xinjiang (新疆) has undergone earth-shaking changes.

Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) has attached great importance to the work of Xinjiang (新疆), established the Party's strategy for governing Xinjiang (新疆) in the new era, and endowed Xinjiang (新疆) with the "Five Strategic Positions" in the national landscape, drawing a blueprint and pointing the direction for building a beautiful Xinjiang (新疆).

Bearing in mind the entrustment and advancing with gratitude, cadres and people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang (新疆) fully, accurately, and comprehensively implement the Party's strategy for governing Xinjiang (新疆) in the new era, firmly grasp the overall goal of social stability and lasting peace and security, adhere to strengthening the awareness of the Chinese national community as the main line, and strive to promote new development and progress in various undertakings.

Today, a magnificent picture of unity and harmony, prosperity and affluence, civilization and progress, and people living and working in peace and contentment is slowly unfolding on the land of Xinjiang (新疆).

People of All Ethnic Groups Unite and Advance Together, as Close as One Family

Like pomegranate flowers blooming, with seeds closely united. On the vast land of Xinjiang (新疆), exchanges, interactions, and integration among all ethnic groups are deepening day by day, the awareness of the Chinese national community is deeply rooted in people's hearts, and an atmosphere of unity and common progress, as close as one family, is everywhere.

Guyuan Lane Community (固原巷社区), Erdaoqiao Street (二道桥街道), Tianshan District (天山区), Urumqi City (乌鲁木齐市), is a large family where people of 14 ethnic groups live together. Here, the "Starlight Senior Chorus (星光老年合唱团)" uses songs to convey the power of unity, the "Points Supermarket (积分超市)" records mutual assistance and warmth, and the Guoxue (国学) classroom echoes with the clear voices of children reciting. Here, unity is a tangible and visible happiness.

Such heartwarming stories are found throughout the north and south of the Tianshan Mountains (天山). At the "Neighborhood Festival Hundred-Family Banquet" in Hardun Community (哈尔墩社区), Tacheng City (塔城市), residents of 14 ethnic groups brought out 26 special dishes, sharing delicacies and talking about friendship; villagers in Daxi Village (达西村), Yuli County (尉犁县), insisted on "sharing nang (馕) by breaking it open together," with 318 households paired up for mutual assistance, their friendship as close and resilient as the roots of the Euphrates poplar.

Since October 2016, Xinjiang (新疆) has carried out the "United as One Family (民族团结一家亲)" activity, with cadres at all levels pairing up with grassroots people, widely carrying out various forms of friendship and exchange.

Culture is what nourishes people's hearts the most. Xinjiang (新疆) has carried out in-depth cultural enrichment work, continuously improving cultural infrastructure, increasing cultural supply, and constantly building a common spiritual home for the Chinese nation.

Paired assistance to Xinjiang (新疆) has become an important bridge for promoting ethnic unity. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, 19 provinces providing assistance to Xinjiang (援疆省份) have invested a cumulative total of over 200 billion yuan. In Kashgar (喀什), Hotan (和田), Hami (哈密), and other places, assistance projects not only promote economic development and solve employment, but also promote personnel interaction and emotional integration, allowing people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang (新疆) to deeply feel the warmth of the great family of the motherland.

Today's Xinjiang (新疆), cadres and people of all ethnic groups are embracing each other tightly like pomegranate seeds, jointly painting a beautiful picture of the Chinese nation as one big family.

Running at "Xinjiang Speed" on the Track of High-Quality Development

At the Alashankou Railway Port (阿拉山口铁路口岸), China-Europe freight trains line up to depart. As of September 1 this year, more than 5,000 China-Europe (Central Asia) freight trains have passed through here; at the Urumqi Aviation Logistics Park (乌鲁木齐航空物流园区), a large number of goods are waiting to be transported to Central Asia, West Asia, and Europe. In the first half of this year, Xinjiang (新疆) opened 8 new international cargo routes, with international cargo volume reaching 47,400 tons, an increase of 7 times year-on-year.

Data from Urumqi Customs (乌鲁木齐海关) shows that in 2024, the total value of Xinjiang's (新疆) foreign trade import and export was 435.11 billion yuan, an increase of 21.8% year-on-year, surpassing three 100-billion-level milestones for three consecutive years. The rapid development of foreign trade is just a microcosm of Xinjiang's (新疆) economic stride forward.

Based on its resource endowment and industrial base, Xinjiang (新疆) is accelerating the construction of industrial clusters such as oil and gas, coal and coal power and coal chemical industry, green mining, and strategic emerging industries, and the industrial system is becoming increasingly complete.

Advantage industries continue to be consolidated, and the articles on oil, gas, and coal are becoming more and more substantial: Xinjiang's (新疆) oil and gas production equivalent has ranked first in the country for four consecutive years, the Tarim Oilfield (塔里木油田) has drilled a 10,000-meter vertical well, and a direct coal liquefaction project has been started in Hami (哈密), gradually making "building an oilfield on a coalfield" a reality.

Emerging industries are accelerating cultivation, and the clean energy track is fully laid out: Xinjiang (新疆) has built 3 ten-million-kilowatt-level and more than 10 million-kilowatt-level new energy bases. As of the end of 2024, the installed capacity of new energy has exceeded 100 million kilowatts, making it the first province in the Northwest region with an installed capacity of new energy exceeding 100 million kilowatts.

Traditional industries are constantly being upgraded, and green and low-carbon momentum is continuously stimulated: low-carbon factories and zero-carbon factories are springing up, and the industrial structure is continuously optimized.

Over the past 70 years, Xinjiang's (新疆) economic aggregate has repeatedly broken new levels: when the autonomous region was established in 1955, the regional GDP was only 1.231 billion yuan; it exceeded 10 billion yuan in 1985, 100 billion yuan in 1997, 1 trillion yuan in 2017, and 2 trillion yuan in 2024, and the economic aggregate has continued to climb to new heights.

Xinjiang (新疆) is transforming from a "resource-rich region" to an "economically strong region," running at "Xinjiang speed" on the track of high-quality development.

Fully Enjoying the Fruits of Development, the "Happiness Account Book" Continues to Thicken

In Jimusar County (吉木萨尔县), Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture (昌吉回族自治州), more than 900 rural left-behind, empty-nest, and widowed elderly people are living together in multiple rural mutual-aid happiness homes; Maitibak Tursunmaiti (买提巴克·吐尔送买提), a villager in Tohula Village (托乎拉村), Buzak Township (布扎克乡), Hotan County (和田县), Hotan Prefecture (和田地区), happily sends his children to junior high school classes in Xinjiang (新疆); Reheman Abdureyim (热合曼·阿不都热依木), a villager in Yukek Huangdi Village (尤喀克荒地村), Aheya Township (阿合雅镇), U什 County (乌什县), Aksu Prefecture (阿克苏地区), is cleaning his new courtyard, "With complete water and electricity heating, and earthquake resistance, I feel at ease living here!"

In recent years, Xinjiang (新疆) has used more than 75% of its fiscal expenditure to guarantee and improve people's livelihoods, focusing on the concerns of the masses such as elderly care, education, employment, medical care, and housing, solving urgent and difficult problems, and allowing more development results to benefit people of all ethnic groups.

Investment in education continues to increase. At present, the consolidation rate of nine-year compulsory education in Xinjiang (新疆) has reached 99%, which is 3.2 percentage points higher than the national average; the proportion of children of migrant workers attending public schools is 99.16%, which is 8.26 percentage points higher than the national average; and 15 years of free education from kindergarten to high school has been achieved in both urban and rural areas of southern Xinjiang (南疆).

Medical resources are being decentralized to the grassroots level. As of the end of 2024, there were 16,739 medical and health institutions in Xinjiang (新疆), with 275,400 medical and health personnel, and 9.57 health technicians per thousand people. A medical and health service network covering urban and rural areas has been basically established. Today, every village has a standardized health center, and county-level hospitals can carry out remote medical treatment.

Employment security is solid and effective. Xinjiang (新疆) comprehensively helps people with employment difficulties, implements "one person, one policy, precise policy," and achieved 483,200 new urban jobs in 2024.

Opening Xinjiang's (新疆) "Time Account Book," every set of jumping numbers is a vivid footnote to the 70 years of hard work in the north and south of the Tianshan Mountains (天山), witnessing the continuous thickening of the "Happiness Account Book."

Ending the History of "Desert Advancing, People Retreating," the Taklamakan Desert (塔克拉玛干沙漠) Wears a "Green Scarf"

In early autumn, Minfeng County (民丰县) has high mountains and flowing clouds, and no sand and dust blocking the sun. Visitors to the Niya Wetland Park (尼雅湿地公园) are in an endless stream, some strolling leisurely, some playing chess, and laughter echoing by the water. Who would have thought that the pleasant scene today was once a different picture?

"Two liang of soil a day, not enough to eat during the day, and you have to make up for it at night." This once-popular local saying is also a true reflection of the harsh ecology in the past. Every spring, strong winds swept in with sand and dust. "Sand walls" dozens of meters high blocked out the sky and the sun, seriously affecting the production and life of residents.

In 1978, the Party Central Committee made a strategic decision to build large-scale shelterbelts in key areas of wind and sand hazards and soil erosion in the Northwest, North China, and Northeast. For more than 40 years, people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang (新疆) have worked tirelessly and persistently to build green barriers.

Today, the ecological environment in Xinjiang (新疆) has been significantly improved: the forest coverage rate has jumped from 1.03% in 1978 to 5.08%; in the past 30 years, the area of artificial oases has increased from 65,000 square kilometers to 100,000 square kilometers, an increase of about 54%. The sixth national survey of desertification and sandification showed that the area of desertified land in Xinjiang (新疆) decreased by 1,956 square kilometers, and the area of sandified land decreased by 242.82 square kilometers, achieving "double reduction."

On November 28, 2024, the battle to block the edge of the Taklamakan Desert (塔克拉玛干沙漠) ushered in a key node - the blank area successfully locked the edge and "closed," putting a "green scarf" on the desert. The 100,000 roses planted at the end not only add a romantic color to the sea of sand, but also symbolize the wisdom and feelings of ecological governance of people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang (新疆).

While consolidating ecological barriers, Xinjiang (新疆) actively explores the coordinated development of ecology and economy, and vigorously develops the sand industry. At present, the planting area of characteristic economic crops in Xinjiang's (新疆) sandy areas has reached 1.845 million mu, and the annual output value of the sand industry has exceeded 4.37 billion yuan, which not only forms a unique landscape of the desert, but also becomes a "green bank" for people to increase their income and become rich.

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Photo Report

On September 5th, the Fourth Branch of Yangzhou Public Transport Group (扬州市公交集团) in Jiangsu Province (江苏省) launched a "Campus Customized Bus Line" in the urban area. By implementing one person, one seat, and one belt (seat belt), it achieves zero transfers from "school gate" to "home gate," reducing the burden of parents picking up and dropping off their children. The picture shows students taking a group photo on the "Campus Customized Bus Line."

Meng Delong (孟德龙) photographed (Image China (影像中国)).

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Editor(s) for this page: Zhang Yanchun, Kang Yan, Liu Juanxi

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Illegal mining of sand and gravel, dumping of slag and garbage (Letter and Investigation)

By: 本报记者 金 歆 张腾扬

Editor:

Near Baozidian Village (堡子店村) and Nanxiaozhuang Village (南小庄村) in Baozidian Town (堡子店镇), Zunhua City (遵化市), Tangshan (唐山), Hebei (河北), some people are illegally mining sand and gravel in the Beiling River (北岭河) riverbed and nearby cultivated land; and transporting black tailings and garbage to backfill the stolen pits. Some people also transported a large amount of garbage and piled it on the bank of the Beiling River (北岭河). We are concerned that it may pollute groundwater and river water, and hope that relevant departments will address the related issues as soon as possible.

Mr. Wang (王先生), Zunhua City (遵化市), Hebei (河北)

August 29th, the reporter came to Baozidian Town (堡子店镇), Zunhua City (遵化市), Tangshan (唐山), Hebei (河北) according to the information provided in the reader's letter.

Villagers reported: Illegal mining of river sand and renting land to dig sand left many pits.

At the Beiling River (北岭河) west of Nanxiaozhuang Village (南小庄村) in Baozidian Town (堡子店镇), the riverbanks on both sides were seven or eight meters higher than the river surface. There was a gap on the west bank, with uneven edges, covering an area of about several square meters, and the cross-section exposed sand and gravel.

Ms. Liu (柳女士), a villager, pointed to the gap and told reporters that in previous years, someone mined sand in the nearby river channel, and people were still mining until last summer. Many people in the village reported it.

Ms. Yu (于女士), a villager, also said that she had seen people mining sand in the Nanxiaozhuang Village (南小庄村) section of the Beiling River (北岭河). "They all came to mine at night."

Liu Che (刘澈) (pseudonym) has long served as the village-level river chief in the area near the Beiling River (北岭河). He believes that the gap should have been naturally washed out by floods, but he told reporters that sand mining did exist and only stopped in July last year. He reported the sand mining in the river channel to the water conservancy department in 2023 and 2024. As for whether it was illegal mining or had procedures, he did not know.

In addition to illegal mining of river sand, another problem reported by the public is digging soil on cultivated land to mine sand and gravel.

According to the villagers' guidance, the reporter came to one kilometer south of Nanxiaozhuang Village (南小庄村). There were several large pits next to a cornfield, the large ones being one or two mu, and the small ones being dozens of square meters. Because it rained the day before, there was water in the pits.

"These were left after outside companies rented the villagers' land and mined sand and gravel. Our soil layer here is relatively thin. Digging away the soil reveals sand and gravel." Mr. Wang (王先生), a villager, pointed to the edge of a pit and told reporters, "Look how neat the soil profile is. It shouldn't be naturally formed, but dug out by machines."

Mr. Liu (刘先生), a villager in Nanxiaozhuang Village (南小庄村), said that it is not uncommon for outside companies to rent villagers' land to mine sand and gravel locally. He recalled that seven or eight years ago, a company called "Hongxi Iron Ore Plant" (鸿禧铁选厂) signed an agreement with him to rent more than 20 mu of his land at 1,600 yuan per mu per year. "It was said to be used for 'receiving materials,' but it was actually digging the ground to mine sand and gravel. After the mining, the people ran away, and only gave me one year's money. The land was not filled in, and now nothing can be planted." According to Mr. Liu's (刘先生) guidance, the reporter found a large pit in the southeast of Nanxiaozhuang Village (南小庄村), several meters deep, overgrown with weeds, and surrounded by iron sheet fences.

"The situation of enclosing land for sand mining is more serious in our village." In Baozidian Village (堡子店村), southwest of Nanxiaozhuang Village (南小庄村), Mr. Yang (杨先生), a villager, told reporters that it is very common for outsiders to rent land for sand mining. "They rent the land, mine sand at night, and fill it in after mining, covering it with soil and returning it to the villagers." Mr. Yang (杨先生) said that he estimated that more than half of the land in the village had this situation. "I also rented out more than one mu, at 3,000 yuan per year, for a lease term of 10 years, which is about to expire."

Villagers worry: Piles and backfilled mine slag and garbage will pollute river water and cultivated land.

"Recently, some people were still digging the ground to mine sand and gravel. After they mined, they filled in the pits and covered them with soil, making it difficult to be discovered," said Mr. Yang (杨先生).

What is used to fill in the sand and gravel after mining?

"Iron ore slag is used to fill it. There are black and gray mine slags, and some are filled with garbage." Mr. Guo (郭先生), a villager in Baozidian Village (堡子店村), told reporters that people who rent land in the village to mine sand transport mine slag from outside to fill the land. "Now you can still see some mine slag in the fields that has not been covered with soil after being filled into the pits, or piled in the fields that has not been filled into the pits."

The reporter walked back and forth in a cultivated land north of Baozidian Village (堡子店村) and saw a total of 5 piles of mine slag: black and gray mine slag gathered into "small mountains" with a diameter of nearly 10 meters and a height of two or three meters (see photo, Zhang Tengyang (张腾扬), reporter of this newspaper), some close to growing corn, and some covered with a soil layer of more than ten centimeters, with some weeds growing on it.

Mr. Yang (杨先生) said helplessly that when planting crops on this kind of cultivated land that has been mined for sand and gravel and filled and covered with soil, "it grows in the first year, but it doesn't grow in the second year."

There is also mine slag dumped in Nanxiaozhuang Village (南小庄村). The reporter saw some black, whitish, and greenish mine slag in the "sand mining pit" mentioned by the villagers on the south side of the village, and some were piled on the edge of the pit. A villager said that he had been engaged in iron ore-related work for a long time and believed that the whitish mine slag might be "sulfuric acid slag."

"Several years ago, someone rented land in our village to secretly mine sand and gravel and filled it with mine slag." Mr. Wang (王先生), a villager in Nanxiaozhuang Village (南小庄村), showed reporters a video he took at the beginning of this year of an excavator working in the field at night. "Someone is still mining this year."

In addition to filling pits with mine slag, villagers reported that some people transported garbage from outside to cultivated land for landfill. The reporter saw a garbage dump in the cultivated land north of Baozidian Village (堡子店村). A passing villager told reporters that there were several larger garbage dumps on the bank of the Beiling River (北岭河) outside the village.

According to the villagers' guidance, the reporter saw 4 garbage "small mountains" on the bank of the Beiling River (北岭河) at the junction of Baozidian Village (堡子店村) and Nanxiaozhuang Village (南小庄村), each "small mountain" being four or five meters high and covering an area of about several mu.

During the interview, many villagers expressed the same concerns: Will the garbage on the riverbank pollute the river water? Will the mine slag left in the ground pollute the land? Will there be problems with the crops grown on such land?

Local government responds: Illegal mining did exist in the past, and no new reports have been received for more than a year.

Is it true that there is illegal mining of sand and gravel as the villagers said? Are there legal procedures for sand mining in the river channel? Where did the mine slag in the cultivated land and the garbage on the riverbank come from? On August 30, the reporter interviewed relevant departments in Zunhua City (遵化市).

First, the issue of sand mining in the river channel. "Zunhua (遵化) has not approved any sand mining in the river channel." The person in charge of the Zunhua City Water Conservancy Bureau (遵化市水利局) said that in February 2024, the water conservancy department accidentally discovered a case of illegal sand mining near the Nanxiaozhuang Village (南小庄村) section of the Beiling River (北岭河), and transferred it to Baozidian Town (堡子店镇) according to the law enforcement authority. The town government imposed a fine of 20,000 yuan for damaging the river channel.

A relevant person in charge of the Zunhua Municipal Government (遵化市政府) introduced that, in addition to that case, Baozidian Town (堡子店镇) has not discovered any other cases of illegal sand mining since 2020. "We mainly rely on river chiefs and grid members to supervise the relevant situation. They will report any situation in a timely manner." Li Pengfei (李鹏飞), Secretary of the Party Committee of Baozidian Town (堡子店镇党委书记), said that he has not received any reports of illegal sand mining since he came to work in Baozidian Town (堡子店镇) at the end of 2023.

Liu Che (刘澈) has a different opinion on this. "I have reported illegal sand mining to higher authorities more than once in 2023 and 2024. After the report, law enforcement officers came to seize the machines and stop the sand mining, but they started mining again in a few days."

Liu Che (刘澈) said that he reported it in the Zunhua City River Chief WeChat group (遵化市河长微信群). He showed reporters a partial chat record of a platform called "River Chief Cloud Information Platform" ("河掌云信息平台"): In April 2024, he reported the situation of illegal sand mining in the group and attached photos of the mining pit. The "River Chief Office" ("河长办") staff in the group replied, "It has been handed over to the local township for investigation and handling."

Second, the issue of renting land to steal sand and gravel. "This situation exists." Hao Hongxing (郝红星), Director of the Zunhua City Natural Resources and Planning Bureau (遵化市自然资源和规划局局长), said bluntly. He introduced that two cases were discovered in the relevant area in January and July 2025, but the scale of illegal mining was not large. One of them has been fined 9,600 yuan. In addition, no similar situation has been discovered in recent years. Regarding the "big pit" seen by the reporter, Hao Hongxing (郝红星) said that he would investigate and verify it as soon as possible.

Third, the issue of filling and piling mine slag on cultivated land. The person in charge of the Zunhua Municipal Party Committee (遵化市委) said that the mine slag mentioned by the villagers is preliminarily judged to be mainly tailings sand generated during iron ore mining, and some are waste materials after washing tailings mud and steel slag. For the 5 stacking sites shown by the reporter, the natural resources department found after consulting the land nature data that 4 sites were cultivated land and 1 site was construction land. Regarding that construction land, the reporter pointed out that the land ownership certificate of the local villagers showed that the site was also cultivated land. Hao Hongxing (郝红星) introduced that during the third national land survey in 2019, the site was identified as construction land based on the situation of stacking sand and gravel on the ground at that time, "**所见即所得** (suǒ jiàn jí suǒ dé - "what you see is what you get," a pragmatic approach of accepting things as they are at the present moment)."

"What about the information registered before 2019?" the reporter asked.

"The system is broken and cannot be exported."

As for the issue of mine slag filling, Hao Hongxing (郝红星) said that a conclusion still needs to be investigated and is not currently known. However, according to the relevant person in charge of the Zunhua Municipal Government (遵化市政府), Zunhua (遵化) had rectified the historically formed illegal mining pits in 2023, some of which were filled with mine slag, "which is in line with relevant environmental protection requirements."

So where did these garbage and iron ore tailings mud come from? Will they cause pollution if they are filled or piled on the ground?

"We are not sure where these garbage and tailings sand and tailings mud came from. We have handed them over to the public security department for investigation." Zhang Lina (张丽娜), the relevant person in charge of the Zunhua City Ecological Environment Department (遵化市生态环境部门), said. The person in charge of the Zunhua Municipal Party Committee (遵化市委) said that the specific components of the tailings sand and tailings mud have been sampled and sent for testing, and the test results have not yet come out. "According to the expert's preliminary rapid on-site inspection, it is not 'sulfuric acid slag' and does not belong to hazardous waste." The person in charge further stated, "If there are no harmful components, tailings sand can be piled in cultivated land." For the mine slag that has been filled in the cultivated land mentioned by the reporter, they said that they would conduct underground sampling later to confirm whether it contains harmful components.

Local government says: All piled garbage on the land involved has been cleared, and a city-wide thorough investigation and rectification will be carried out.

Regardless of whether it contains harmful components, can mine slag be directly piled and filled into cultivated land?

"Industrial tailings slag or tailings mud belong to general industrial solid waste, and may still be hazardous waste. According to relevant regulations on farmland management, they cannot enter agricultural land." Chen Shibao (陈世宝), a researcher at the Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (中国农科院农业资源与农业区划研究所), introduced that mine slag and other substances contain high concentrations of metal components. Due to their high salt and ion concentrations and lack of soil properties such as lack of organic matter and microbial communities, they can easily cause crops to fail to grow. Under natural conditions, heavy metals and other components in mine slag will pose a pollution risk to surface water and shallow groundwater, and the harm will be even greater if it is near rivers.

"According to relevant laws and regulations and general treatment principles, even general industrial solid waste must be stored in a special solid waste storage site and take anti-seepage measures. For parts with high metal concentrations, further harmless treatment is required through biological or other methods to meet the national industrial solid waste emission standards before it can be safely used for landfill or other purposes," Chen Shibao (陈世宝) introduced.

The reporter's search also found that Article 28 of the Soil Pollution Prevention and Control Law stipulates, "It is forbidden to discharge into agricultural land... dredged sludge, tailings, mine slag, etc. that may cause soil pollution."

"In recent years, we have taken a series of measures to strengthen supervision of cultivated land protection, mineral resources and sand and gravel resource management." The person in charge of the Zunhua Municipal Government (遵化市政府) said, for example, since the beginning of this year, Zunhua (遵化) has begun to promote drone monitoring, setting up a total of 15 drone stations to conduct routine and irregular inspections and monitoring of key areas. At the end of last year, surveillance cameras were installed in places with a high risk of illegal sand and gravel mining. "In the past, the value of illegally mined sand and gravel had to exceed 100,000 yuan to be considered a criminal offense, and the cost of violation was low. The newly revised Mineral Resources Law, which came into effect in July this year, has increased the penalties."

Li Pengfei (李鹏飞) admitted frankly, "In western Zunhua (遵化), especially in the Baozidian Town (堡子店镇) area, the land is barren and the soil layer is very thin. Therefore, since the 1980s, people have been digging sand and gravel in their own land for their own use. With the development of the economy and society, the demand for building materials has expanded, and a sand and gravel processing industry has slowly formed here." Sand and gravel processing enterprises currently play a certain role in local employment and people's livelihood. It is hoped that under the premise of strictly protecting cultivated land and protecting the ecological environment, these enterprises can be guided to operate in accordance with laws and regulations, so that the "sunset industry" can contribute to the local economic and social development.

Regarding the problems reflected by the villagers this time, "We have stepped up processing as soon as possible." The person in charge of the Zunhua Municipal Party Committee (遵化市委) introduced on September 1 that they began to clear the garbage on the riverbank on the morning of August 30, and transported the mine slag tailings mud piled on the cultivated land to temporary resettlement sites. Currently, all the garbage and tailings sand and steel slag washing waste piled on the land involved have been cleared. Local public security and discipline inspection and supervision agencies have also intervened to investigate the relevant responsibilities. The person in charge said that the next step will be to crack down more severely on illegal activities in the field of natural resources, continue to improve the "human defense + physical defense + technical defense" inspection and supervision mechanism, and consolidate the responsibilities of all parties. At the same time, a city-wide environmental sanitation thorough investigation and rectification action will be carried out. This newspaper will continue to pay attention to the follow-up results.

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Pumping out accumulated water, dredging pipelines, and accelerating the renovation of aging pipe networks (Feedback)

By: 本报记者 郑洋洋

On May 26, the "Letters to the Editor" section of this newspaper published "Xinghualing District of Taiyuan City, Shanxi Province - Aging Water Pipes Leak, Basement Submerged," reporting on the serious aging of underground water pipes in an old residential area in Taiyuan (太原), and the problem of the basement being constantly submerged due to water leakage.

On the day the report was published, the Gulou Subdistrict (鼓楼街道) of Xinghualing District (杏花岭区) in Taiyuan City (太原市) went to the site for verification together with the District Urban Management Bureau. After investigation, it was found that the problem was caused by the blockage of the sewage pipe network in the courtyard of the residential area, which led to the backflow of sewage. From May 27 to June 2, the District Urban Management Bureau organized manpower to pump out the accumulated water in the basement and dredge the courtyard sewage pipe network.

On August 5, Gulou Subdistrict (鼓楼街道) received another report from residents of Building 6 in the residential area that there was accumulated water in the basement. The subdistrict and community found that there was varying degrees of accumulated water in the basements of the three units of the building. After further investigation, it was found that it was caused by leakage from the heating pipe trench. From August 6 to 11, Gulou Subdistrict (鼓楼街道) organized forces to completely pump out the accumulated water, seal the leaking heating pipe trench, clean up the accumulated debris in the basement, and thoroughly dredge the outdoor sewage pipe network of the residential area. After subsequent observation, no further leakage was found.

Recently, Gulou Subdistrict (鼓楼街道) has actively communicated and coordinated with the District Urban Management Bureau to include the residential area in this year's renovation plan for old residential areas, and plans to completely solve the leakage problem caused by the aging of the pipe network through rainwater and sewage diversion renovation.

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Construction on Jingli Expressway Cuts Off Villagers' Road (Local News)

I am a villager from Qinglin Temple Village (青林寺村), Chengguan Town (城关镇), Li County (礼县), Gansu (甘肃). When villagers go out, they usually go to the Li-Min Highway (礼岷公路) to take a bus. Several years ago, the Jingli Expressway (景礼高速) started construction, cutting off a major road in the village leading to the Li-Min Highway (礼岷公路), and no new road was opened for the villagers. Currently, residents living on the east side of the village can only take a bumpy dirt road (see picture) and pass through the expressway construction area to go out. This not only poses safety hazards, but also becomes muddy and difficult to walk on when it rains. We have reported this many times, but it has not been properly resolved. We hope that relevant departments can pay attention to this matter and leave a convenient and safe road for the people.

Ms. Shi (石女士), Li County (礼县), Gansu (甘肃)

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Making bus stops age-friendly can start with "micro-renovations" (suggestion)

Recently, Jiangbei District (江北区), Ningbo City (宁波市), Zhejiang Province (浙江省) has promoted pilot projects for age-friendly renovation of bus stops. "Micro-renovations" have been carried out at two bus stops, including gentle slope reduction, enhanced signage, and the installation of protective facilities, to alleviate travel difficulties for elderly people, wheelchair users, and other people with reduced mobility.

Elderly people often choose to travel by bus. However, many elderly people report problems such as bus stops being too high, no seats in the waiting area, and insufficient physical strength to stand for long periods; or the characters on the bus stop signs being too small, and the route information flashing too quickly. At present, many bus stops have limited space and lack renovation funds, and there is a lack of unified standards for age-friendly design, which makes age-friendly renovation of bus stops difficult.

Jiangbei District (江北区) in Ningbo City (宁波市) started with "micro-renovations" that meet basic needs such as gentle slopes and slip resistance. It requires little investment, produces quick results, and is practical, which is worthy of reference by other regions. The next step is to focus on how to carry out standardized innovative applications on the basis of addressing shortcomings, so that age-friendly renovations can be followed, creating a more friendly bus travel environment for the elderly.

Wu Qinghua (吴庆华), Nantong City (南通市), Jiangsu Province (江苏省)

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Cultural relic explanations should avoid being "fake, vulgar, and chaotic" (Focus on the People)

By: 本报记者 史一棋

As the tourism boom continues to heat up, more and more tourists are no longer satisfied with check-in style tours, and the demand for cultural and museum explanations is also rising. However, many readers have reported that some "guides" render feudal superstitions, arbitrarily distort history, and spread vulgar content, causing historical culture to change its flavor in erroneous interpretations.

Mr. Qiu, a reader from Wuhan (武汉市), Hubei (湖北) Province, is a history enthusiast. He traveled to Beijing (北京), hoping to gain a historical and cultural feast, but "I didn't hear much serious history, but rather vulgar jokes and ghost stories all the way."

Mr. Qiu's first stop was the Palace Museum (故宫博物院). In the east side lane of the Treasure Gallery (珍宝馆) of the Palace Museum, the tour guide suddenly stopped and said pretentiously: "This road is the Yin-Yang Road. The Yang side is for people to walk, and the Yin side is for 'ghosts' (阿飘). You must not walk in the middle, otherwise you will meet 'ghosts'."

Further ahead to the Palace of Earthly Tranquility (坤宁宫), the tour guide stopped again and asked the tourists to guess "what time the emperor flips the牌子 (pái zi - name plaques of consorts)," and then imitated the eunuch, attracting many tourists, including children.

"Although the explanation is vivid, historical culture cannot be spoken without thinking, especially for underage tourists, we must give correct historical knowledge and value guidance," said Mr. Qiu.

"Some online explanations are also unreliable." Ms. Deng, a reader from Haikou (海口市), Hainan (海南) Province, reported that her elders often see some "secret" videos filmed in historical sites on their mobile phones. Ms. Deng watched a few and found that "they are all dross of unofficial history."

"A blogger described the outrageous content of Empress Dowager Cixi (慈禧) finding a lover and getting pregnant, and also said 'learn from Empress Dowager Cixi to love yourself more'. The values are not right," Ms. Deng said helplessly.

Mr. Wan, a reader from Dalian (大连市), Liaoning (辽宁) Province, recently went to the Sanxingdui Museum (三星堆博物馆). He booked a tour guide on the online platform. This tour guide not only exaggerated the age of Sanxingdui (三星堆) to 5,000 years, but even said that "the sacred tree is a relic of alien civilization."

Mr. Wan was puzzled, what happened to the current tourism explanation? Not long ago, when he went to visit the former residence of a historical celebrity of the Song Dynasty (宋代), the tour guide said pretentiously: "Every weekend, the poet would travel around the mountains and rivers with three or five friends..." However, there was no such thing as "weekend" in the Song Dynasty. If these basic knowledge are wrong, how can we ensure the authenticity and reliability of other content?

Tour guide explanations help tourists understand historical allusions and better appreciate cultural heritage sites. It is also an important means for cultural heritage sites and museums to exert their social education functions and provide public services. In August 2023, the "Guiding Opinions on Further Improving the Level of Museum Explanation Service" issued by the National Cultural Heritage Administration (国家文物局) proposed that social explanation individuals or groups should establish correct historical, national, national, and cultural views, be in awe of cultural relics, respect historical facts, and actively strengthen the study and training of historical and cultural knowledge to improve explanation service capabilities and ensure the objectivity and accuracy of knowledge dissemination.

"Some cultural and museum explanations are 'fake, vulgar, and chaotic', reflecting the structural contradictions in the current process of cultural and tourism integration." He Cheng (贺成), a reader from Xingyi (兴义市), Guizhou (贵州) Province, believes that the official explanations of many cultural heritage sites and museums are small in scale and few in number, which is difficult to meet the needs of the huge visiting groups.

In order to resolve the above-mentioned structural contradictions, Yang Gangyuan (杨钢元), associate professor of the School of Journalism and Communication of Renmin University of China (中国人民大学), suggested that, on the one hand, museums should continue to build professional teams, pay attention to flexible management, and start from optimizing the explanation reservation process and increasing the number of explanation service sessions. At the same time, they should unblock cooperation channels, share explanation materials, and jointly work with social explanation institutions and folk explanation experts to add icing on the cake for the "museum craze." On the other hand, improve the standards of cultural and museum explanations and strengthen supervision, such as establishing corresponding access thresholds, setting assessment standards for explainers, and improving the dynamic evaluation mechanism; improve the closed loop of reporting acceptance and disposal, and promptly discover and stop problem explanations. In addition, it is necessary to increase efforts to clean up the chaos of explanations on short video platforms and bring online explanation content into the scope of supervision.

"Museums can explore mechanisms such as applying for recordation, training and assessment, and holding certificates to work, and include social explanation individuals or groups with good credit in a 'whitelist' for unified management. Correspondingly, put unreliable explanation groups or individuals on a 'blacklist' and announce it to the public," said Yang Gangyuan.

(Min Jinghan (闵靖涵) participated in writing)

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Seeking Submissions

The People's Daily "Letters from Readers" page and the People's Daily Online "Leaders' Message Board" are jointly conducting a collection of urgent and difficult problems that concern the masses. Readers are welcome to provide clues and suggestions.

Email: rmrbdzlx@126.com

dzlx@peopledaily.cn

Mobile: People's Daily (人民日报) Client "Exposure Platform"

People's Daily Online "Leaders' Message Board" Client

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China Exim Bank Supports the Development of Import and Export Trade and Serves the New Era of Opening Up

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Deeply Grasping Xi Jinping's Thought on the Rule of Law's Original Contributions to Constitutional Theory and Practice (In-depth Study and Implementation of Xi Jinping's Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era · A Collection of Discussions on Studying and Implementing Xi Jinping's Thought on the Rule of Law)

By: 莫纪宏

Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law is the latest achievement in the Sinicization of Marxist rule of law theory and serves as the fundamental guideline and action plan for comprehensively advancing the rule of law. Among the "Eleven Adherences" of the core tenets of Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law, adhering to governing the country and exercising state power in accordance with the Constitution occupies an important position. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "The Constitution is the general charter for governing the country and ensuring its stability, the fundamental legal basis for our Party's governance, and the highest legal norm in the country's political and social life." Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping (习近平) at its core has, in the great practice of the new era, put forward a series of new concepts, new thoughts, and new strategies around adhering to governing the country and exercising state power in accordance with the Constitution. This has made significant original contributions to enriching and developing constitutional theory and deepening constitutional practice. At the theoretical level, it reveals the important role of the Constitution in governing the country, requires the Constitution to keep pace with the times and respond to new demands in economic and social development, and lays the theoretical cornerstone for the construction of the rule of law. At the practical level, it adheres to and strengthens the Party's leadership over constitutional work, accelerates the improvement of the legal system of socialism with Chinese characteristics with the Constitution at its core, and continuously improves the level of constitutional implementation and supervision, thereby improving the layout of national rule of law practice. At the institutional level, it improves the implementation mechanism of relevant constitutional provisions, improves the constitutional supervision system, and uses a scientific, effective, and complete institutional system to ensure the implementation of the Constitution, raising constitutional implementation to a new level and effectively safeguarding citizens' rights and regulating the exercise of state power. These original contributions are not only reflected in the progress of theoretical viewpoints but also demonstrate a powerful guiding and driving force in the practice of comprehensively advancing the rule of law. They are of great significance for safeguarding the authority of the Constitution and promoting its implementation, for spreading Chinese constitutional concepts and resisting erroneous statements, and contribute Chinese wisdom and Chinese solutions to human legal civilization.

Clearly Define and Institutionalize the Party's Comprehensive Leadership over Constitutional Work

Party leadership is the most fundamental guarantee of socialist rule of law. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "Only the Communist Party of China can adhere to serving the public and exercising power for the people, fully promote democracy, lead the people to formulate a constitution that reflects the people's will, lead the people to implement the constitution, and ensure the correct political direction of the development of our country's constitution." Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law clarifies the Party's comprehensive leadership over constitutional work and further specifies and institutionalizes the relationship between the Party and the Constitution.

The Party's comprehensive leadership over constitutional work is reflected in many aspects, including leading the formulation and amendment of the Constitution, supervising the implementation of the Constitution, and promoting the research and innovation of constitutional theory. In the process of formulating and amending the Constitution, the Party, based on the strategic needs of national development and the fundamental interests of the people, puts forward the overall requirements and major principles for constitutional amendments, ensuring that constitutional amendments conform to national conditions, conform to reality, and conform to the requirements of the times. For example, the constitutional amendment passed in 2018 was made under the leadership of the Party Central Committee, fully promoting democracy, widely soliciting opinions, and making appropriate amendments in light of the new situation and new tasks, incorporating Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era into the Constitution, providing a strong constitutional guarantee for upholding and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era. In terms of constitutional implementation, the Party ensures the comprehensive implementation of the Constitution throughout society by leading Party organizations and state organs at all levels.

To ensure the Party's comprehensive leadership over constitutional work, China has established a series of institutional guarantees. In legislative work, it adheres to the Party's leadership over legislative work, improves the procedures for the Party to make decisions on major issues in legislative work, and transforms the Party's propositions into state will through legal procedures. In law enforcement and judicial work, it strengthens the Party's leadership and supervision over law enforcement and judicial activities, ensuring that law enforcement and judicial organs perform their duties in accordance with the law and safeguard social fairness and justice. At the same time, it strengthens Party building in practice, requiring Party organizations and Party member cadres at all levels to take the lead in abiding by the Constitution, enhance Party member cadres' constitutional awareness and legal literacy, safeguard the authority of the Constitution, and operate within the scope of the Constitution and laws, setting an example for the whole society. For example, by carrying out various constitutional study and training activities, it enhances Party member cadres' understanding and grasp of the Constitution, better implements the Party's constitutional work guidelines and policies, and consciously uses the Constitution to solve problems in their work. Clarifying the Party's comprehensive leadership over constitutional work and institutionalizing it provides a strong political guarantee for the stable operation of the Constitution and the in-depth advancement of constitutional practice.

Further Enriching and Improving the Basic Principles System of China's Constitution

General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "The Constitution is the product of the will of the ruling class. Our country is a people's democratic dictatorship led by the working class and based on the alliance of workers and peasants, and our Party is the vanguard of the Chinese working class and also the vanguard of the Chinese people and the Chinese nation, and therefore can formulate a people's constitution in the true sense." "Our Constitution confirms the ruling position of the Communist Party of China and confirms the Party's core position of overseeing the overall situation and coordinating all parties in the structure of state power. This is the most essential feature of socialism with Chinese characteristics, the greatest advantage of the socialist system with Chinese characteristics, and the most fundamental guarantee of socialist rule of law." The Constitution formulated by our Party leading the people was formulated on the basis of winning the victory of the new democratic revolution, realizing national independence and people's liberation, and eliminating all old forces, and it is a brand-new constitution formulated for building a new socialist China. Under the leadership of the Party, China's Constitution embodies the will of the people and is constantly improved and keeps pace with the times in the process of socialist construction and reform. In the successive amendments to the Constitution, the Party, according to the needs of national development and the wishes of the people, puts forward amendment proposals, so that the Constitution can better adapt to the requirements of the times.

In constitutional theory and practice, erroneous views such as Western constitutional democracy, separation of powers, and judicial independence have caused some interference. Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law's emphasis on our Constitution "confirming the Party's core position of overseeing the overall situation and coordinating all parties in the structure of state power" is not only a powerful criticism of erroneous views such as Western constitutional democracy but also points out the correct direction for the development and improvement of China's constitutional system. The constitutional amendment passed in 2018, which wrote "the leadership of the Communist Party of China is the most essential feature of socialism with Chinese characteristics" into the general program of the Constitution, reflects the implementation of Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law and provides a strong constitutional guarantee for adhering to the Party's leadership. Under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law, the Party adheres to operating within the scope of the Constitution and laws, integrates the implementation of the Constitution into all aspects and the entire process of governing the country, integrates it into the overall practice of coordinating and promoting the "Five-Sphere Integrated Plan" and coordinating and promoting the "Four-Pronged Comprehensive Strategy," and integrates it into all fields and aspects of reform, development, stability, domestic affairs, foreign affairs, national defense, governing the Party, governing the country, and governing the military, comprehensively promoting the legalization of all aspects of national work.

"Adhering to governing the country and exercising state power in accordance with the Constitution includes adhering to the unshakeable leading position of the Communist Party of China as determined by the Constitution and adhering to the unshakeable state system of people's democratic dictatorship and the political system of the people's congress system as determined by the Constitution." This is an important part of Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law, an innovative expression of the basic principles of the current Constitution, and further enriches and improves the basic principles system of China's Constitution, providing clearer guidance for constitutional practice. Among them, the Party's leadership is the fundamental guarantee for the correct implementation and continuous development of China's Constitution; the state system of people's democratic dictatorship clarifies the nature of our country, that is, a socialist country of people's democratic dictatorship led by the working class and based on the alliance of workers and peasants, which determines that all power in the country belongs to the people; the political system of the people's congress system is the fundamental political system to ensure that the people are the masters of the country, through the people electing representatives to form the people's congress, exercising state power, and managing state affairs. These three aspects are interrelated and mutually reinforcing, jointly constituting the cornerstone of China's constitutional system. In the process of promoting the modernization of the national governance system and governance capacity, whether formulating policies or carrying out work, it is necessary to always adhere to these three aspects unswervingly, ensure that national governance activities conform to the spirit and requirements of the Constitution, protect the people's right to be the masters of the country, and maintain long-term national stability and security.

Deepening the Understanding of the Status of the Constitution

General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "Governing the country according to law is first and foremost governing the country according to the Constitution, and exercising state power according to law is key to exercising state power according to the Constitution." Compared with the "first and foremost" proposed by our Party before the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the change from "first and foremost" to "first and foremost" contains profound theoretical connotations and practical significance, reflecting the deepening of the understanding of the status of the Constitution.

"First and foremost" reflects what ought to be, that is, "should" and "must," reflecting the expectation and requirement for governing the country and exercising state power in accordance with the Constitution. "First and foremost" makes a factual judgment, clearly and explicitly revealing the fundamental status of the Constitution in governing the country and comprehensively advancing the rule of law, and is a deepening of the understanding of the important role of the Constitution in comprehensively advancing the rule of law. This shows that our Party's understanding and grasp of the Constitution has reached a new height, and it deeply recognizes that the Constitution, as the fundamental law of the country, occupies a central position in the entire legal system, has the highest legal status, legal authority, and legal effect, and is the basis and prerequisite for comprehensively advancing the rule of law. The construction of various national systems and the formulation of policies must be based on the Constitution, and any behavior that violates the Constitution will undermine the foundation of the rule of law. As General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: "The Constitution is the fundamental law of the country, the general charter for governing the country and ensuring its stability, has the highest legal status, legal authority, and legal effect, and has fundamental, overall, stable, and long-term characteristics. People of all ethnic groups across the country, all state organs and armed forces, all political parties and social organizations, and all enterprises and institutions must take the Constitution as the fundamental code of conduct and have the responsibility to safeguard the dignity of the Constitution and ensure its implementation." This important exposition clarifies the status of the Constitution in the national governance system and is a powerful explanation of the innovative concept of "governing the country according to law is first and foremost governing the country according to the Constitution, and exercising state power according to law is key to exercising state power according to the Constitution."

This deepening of understanding provides a more solid theoretical support for comprehensively advancing the rule of law and guides the direction of socialist rule of law construction. In terms of legislation, in the process of building a socialist legal system with Chinese characteristics, China requires legislative bodies to always take the Constitution as the benchmark when formulating laws and regulations, ensure that the laws enacted conform to the spirit and principles of the Constitution, and avoid situations that conflict with the Constitution. At the same time, it ensures that various legal departments are coordinated and cooperate with each other, paying attention to the connection and coordination between different laws and regulations to form an organic whole. For example, the Civil Code fully considered the relationship with the Constitution during its formulation, and the provisions on the basic rights of citizens in the Constitution were specifically refined and implemented in the Civil Code, so that the civil legal system is in line with the spirit of the Constitution. In the process of law enforcement, it requires administrative organs to strictly perform their duties in accordance with the powers conferred by the Constitution and laws, achieve law-based administration, and not exceed the powers prescribed by the Constitution and laws. The introduction of this concept has prompted the whole society to more deeply understand the importance of the Constitution, promote the formation of a good atmosphere of respecting the Constitution, learning the Constitution, abiding by the Constitution, safeguarding the Constitution, and applying the Constitution, and powerfully promote the integrated construction of a country ruled by law, a government ruled by law, and a society ruled by law.

Highly Valuing the Scientific Nature of the Constitution

In the process of formulating and amending the Constitution, scientificity is crucial. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "Building systems and enacting laws requires attention to scientific spirit, comprehensively understanding and consciously applying laws." "China's current Constitution was formulated and continuously improved under the leadership of the Party, on the basis of deeply summarizing China's socialist revolution, construction, and reform practice experience. It has achieved a high degree of unity between the Party's propositions and the people's will, has strong vitality, and provides a fundamental legal guarantee for reform and opening up and socialist modernization." These important expositions reflect the great importance attached to the scientific nature of the Constitution by the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping (习近平) at its core and the close attention paid to the necessity and feasibility of constitutional amendments.

As the fundamental law of the country, the Constitution must have scientificity to adapt to the needs of national economic, political, cultural, social, and other aspects of development. This requires fully considering the country's actual situation, historical and cultural traditions, social development laws, and other factors in the process of formulating and amending the Constitution. Comrade Mao Zedong (毛泽东) proposed "making the Constitution is making science" when he presided over the drafting of the "May Fourth Constitution" (五四宪法). China's current Constitution, when it was formulated, fully summarized the positive and negative experiences of socialist construction, deeply absorbed the painful lessons of the ten-year "Cultural Revolution" (文化大革命), and at the same time, drew on the successes and failures of world socialism, adapting to the new requirements of China's reform and opening up and socialist modernization construction, and strengthening socialist democracy and the legal system, and has a solid scientific foundation.

Entering the new era, the profound changes in the international situation and the new situations and new tasks facing China's economic and social development have put forward higher requirements for the scientificity of the Constitution. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: "The Constitution, as the superstructure, must adapt to the changes in the economic base." This means that the Constitution must constantly keep pace with the times and accurately reflect the new requirements of the times and the new expectations of the people. For example, in the context of the vigorous development of the digital economy, the Constitution needs to scientifically regulate relevant issues in emerging fields such as digital rights and data security to protect the legitimate rights and interests of citizens in the digital age and promote the healthy and orderly development of the digital economy. In the process of promoting the modernization of the national governance system and governance capacity, the scientificity of the Constitution is reflected in providing a scientific and reasonable institutional framework and normative basis for various governance activities, ensuring that national governance is efficient and orderly. The continuous attention and maintenance of the scientificity of the Constitution enables the Constitution to better adapt to the development of the times and provide a solid guarantee for long-term national stability and security and the people's happy life.

Enriching the Connotation of the Constitution and Promoting the Constitutionality Review

Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law grasps the Constitution from many aspects such as "constitutional provisions," "constitutional principles," and "constitutional spirit," and further enriches the connotation of the Constitution. "Constitutional provisions" are the specific contents of the constitutional articles, which are clear and normative and provide specific guidelines for people's behavior; "constitutional principles" are the fundamental principles that run through the Constitution, such as the principle of people's sovereignty, the principle of the rule of law, and the principle of equality, which have a guiding role in the implementation and interpretation of the Constitution; "constitutional spirit" is the value pursuit and concept embodied in the Constitution, such as protecting human rights and maintaining fairness and justice, which is the soul of the Constitution and the fundamental value that determines why the Constitution is the Constitution. The enrichment and expansion of the connotation of the Constitution provides us with a more complete and rich legal toolbox for applying the Constitution in our actual work. For example, to regulate the rights and obligations of citizens, we should not only base on specific constitutional provisions, but also consider the principles and spirit of protecting human rights embodied in the Constitution, and comprehensively judge whether the arrangement of rights and obligations meets the requirements of the Constitution in combination with the basic principles of constitutional protection of human rights.

Based on the enrichment and expansion of the connotation of the Constitution, China is comprehensively promoting the constitutionality review work. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "All regulations and normative documents that violate the Constitution and laws must be resolutely corrected and revoked." Constitutionality review is an important institutional guarantee for safeguarding the authority of the Constitution. Improving the constitutionality review mechanism and conducting constitutionality review of laws, regulations, and normative documents can ensure that they conform to "constitutional provisions," "constitutional principles," and "constitutional spirit." In the review process, the review organ should conduct a comprehensive review of the object under review based on the specific provisions of the Constitution and in light of the principles and spirit of the Constitution. For content that does not meet the requirements of the Constitution, it should be corrected in a timely manner. This not only safeguards the unity and authority of the Constitution but also safeguards the core position of the Constitution in national governance.
Incorporating treaties and agreements concluded by the state into the scope of constitutional review further demonstrates the authority of the Constitution and the unity of the socialist legal system with Chinese characteristics. Treaties and agreements concluded by the state have legal effect domestically, but their content must comply with the provisions and spirit of China's Constitution. Including them in the scope of constitutional review can ensure that China does not violate the country's fundamental interests and constitutional principles in participating in international affairs and fulfilling international obligations. For example, when China joins some international human rights conventions, it is necessary to conduct a constitutional review of the content of the conventions to ensure that the rights and obligations stipulated in the conventions are consistent with the civil rights guaranteed by China's Constitution and the requirements of national sovereignty and security. This review mechanism maintains the unity of China's legal system in the connection between domestic and international law and safeguards the core position and supreme authority of the Constitution in the entire legal system.

Enhancing Constitutional Awareness and Strengthening Constitutional Implementation

General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) emphasized: "The life of the Constitution lies in its implementation, and the authority of the Constitution also lies in its implementation." "We must implement the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (中国共产党), unswervingly follow the path of socialist rule of law with Chinese characteristics, enhance constitutional awareness, strengthen constitutional implementation, fulfill the constitutional mission, and write a new chapter in the practice of the Chinese Constitution in the new era." These important expositions fully embody Xi Jinping's (习近平) thought on the rule of law's profound insight and active adherence to the key position of the Constitution in national governance, and profoundly reveal the core position and key role of constitutional implementation in the constitutional system.

The Constitution carries the country's fundamental system, basic principles, and the basic rights and obligations of citizens, and has supreme authority. Enhancing constitutional awareness means identifying with the value of the Constitution from the bottom of one's heart, and profoundly grasping that the Constitution is the general charter for governing the country and ensuring peace and stability, and the cornerstone for safeguarding the people's status as masters of the country. Enhancing constitutional awareness requires all members of society, especially Party member leading cadres, to deepen their understanding of the theoretical system of the Constitution, profoundly understand the concepts of people's sovereignty, the rule of law, and checks and balances of power contained in the Constitution, internalize the spirit of the Constitution into their own code of conduct, and then keenly identify phenomena that are contrary to the spirit of the Constitution in complex social affairs, and use the Constitution to analyze problems and solve problems, promote the innovative development of constitutional theory, and enable the Constitution to play a more effective normative and guiding role in all fields of national governance.

The value and significance of the Constitution lie not only in the formulation of the articles, but also in its effective implementation in real life. Only through implementation can the state power prescribed by the Constitution be correctly regulated and exercised, the rights of citizens can be effectively guaranteed, and the authority of the Constitution can be truly established. For example, the right to vote and to stand for election of citizens can only ensure the true exercise of this right and realize the people's status as masters of the country if the election activities are strictly organized and implemented in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution and relevant laws; for another example, in national governance, the administrative power of the government must be exercised in accordance with the authorization of the Constitution and laws, and only by administering according to law and implementing the provisions of the Constitution into specific administrative management activities can the operation of government power be guaranteed to conform to the interests of the people and maintain social fairness and justice.

Since the new era, China has taken a series of important measures to promote the implementation of the Constitution to a new level, including: establishing National Constitution Day (国家宪法日), designating December 4th of each year as National Constitution Day (国家宪法日), carrying out constitutional publicity and education activities throughout society, enhancing the constitutional awareness of the whole society, and creating a good atmosphere of respecting the Constitution; establishing a constitutional oath system, whereby all state functionaries elected or decided to be appointed by the National People's Congress (全国人民代表大会) and its Standing Committee publicly swear an oath to the Constitution when they officially take office, strengthening the state functionaries' awe of the Constitution through a solemn oath ceremony, and prompting them to consciously abide by the Constitution and safeguard the authority of the Constitution in their work; adhering to the joint promotion of publicity, education, and research, adhering to the comprehensive efforts of knowledge popularization, theoretical interpretation, and conceptual guidance, and promoting the implementation of the Constitution to become the conscious action of all the people; and so on. These measures have powerfully promoted the comprehensive implementation of the Constitution, raised the implementation of the Constitution to a new level, and laid a solid foundation for the construction of a rule-of-law China.

In practice, enhancing constitutional awareness and strengthening constitutional implementation require a multi-pronged approach. In adhering to the Party's leadership, we must strengthen the Party's comprehensive leadership over constitutional work and integrate the implementation of the Constitution into all aspects and the whole process of governing the country. The Party must play a leading and exemplary role, continuously improve its ability to govern the country and exercise state power in accordance with the Constitution, ensure the correct political direction for the implementation of the Constitution, and set an example for the whole society in respecting the Constitution. In improving the legal system, we must continuously improve the socialist legal system with Chinese characteristics with the Constitution as the core, and ensure that laws and regulations are highly consistent with the spirit of the Constitution. Through rigorous legislative procedures, each legal norm can be accurately positioned within the framework of the Constitution, enhancing the scientific and systematic nature of the legal system, and providing a solid legal system guarantee for the implementation of the Constitution. In strengthening the implementation of the Constitution, we must improve the institutional system for ensuring the comprehensive implementation of the Constitution, strengthen the implementation and supervision mechanism of the Constitution, enhance the effectiveness of constitutional review, and truly make the Constitution a "high-voltage line with electricity," forming a strong deterrent to unconstitutional acts. In addition, we must vigorously strengthen constitutional theoretical research and publicity and education, innovate publicity forms, broaden publicity channels, make the spirit of the Constitution deeply rooted in the hearts of the people, and promote all the people to become loyal advocates, conscious observers, and firm defenders of the Constitution, creating a strong atmosphere of constitutional supremacy in the whole society, and comprehensively promoting the improvement of national constitutional awareness and constitutional literacy.

In short, Xi Jinping's (习近平) thought on the rule of law, as the latest achievement in the Sinicization of Marxist rule of law theory, has comprehensively enhanced the scientific, authoritative, and practical nature of China's constitutional system, not only consolidating the foundation for domestic rule of law construction, injecting new vitality into the innovative development of constitutional theory and practice, and promoting China to steadily embark on a new journey of Chinese-style modernization on the track of the rule of law, but also contributing valuable experience to the development of human rule of law civilization, contributing Chinese wisdom to global governance, and promoting the continuous development and progress of human rule of law civilization.

(The author is a researcher at the Xi Jinping (习近平) Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era Research Center of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (中国社会科学院).)

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Giving Fast-Growing Children a Bigger Outfit (Thinking Across Disciplines)

By: 胡海智

Children grow up too fast, and their clothes become too small, so they need to "put on a larger garment for children who are growing quickly." During his time working in Zhejiang (浙江), Xi Jinping (习近平) used such a vivid analogy regarding the institutional and systemic obstacles encountered in Yiwu's (义乌) development. At that time, Yiwu (义乌) was developing rapidly, but it faced some institutional and systemic constraints, like small clothes that didn't fit, which limited Yiwu (义乌), this "fast-growing child," from continuing to move forward by leaps and bounds. In 2006, Zhejiang (浙江) issued a document to solve Yiwu's (义乌) "small horse pulling a large cart" problem, promoting Yiwu (义乌) to open a new chapter of reform and development. Since then, Yiwu's (义乌) development vitality has been continuously released, its economic strength has been significantly improved, and it has grown into a world-renowned small commodity capital of "buying globally and selling globally."

　　General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) emphasized: "The purpose of advancing reform is to continuously promote the self-improvement and development of China's socialist system and to give socialism new vitality." The vivid and graphic statement of "putting on a larger garment for children who are growing quickly" embodies the reform thinking of keeping pace with the times, demonstrates the ideological method of seeking truth from facts, and contains profound governance wisdom. It is our scientific methodology for doing our work well. "Changing clothes" changes the outdated systems and mechanisms, breaks the realistic obstacles restricting development, and seeks a vibrant and broad future. Take optimizing the business environment and promoting the quality and efficiency of government services as examples. In recent years, various regions have continuously explored new models and new services, from "entering one door" to "at most one visit," from "non-face-to-face approval" to "one-network access," continuously optimizing handling processes, simplifying handling materials, reducing handling costs, and improving handling efficiency. The satisfaction and sense of gain of enterprises and the masses have been significantly improved.

　　Whether or not one can "change clothes" in a timely manner reflects the mental state and work style of party members and cadres in starting businesses and undertaking ventures. In reality, some party members and cadres lack a sense of responsibility for reform and undertaking, relying on experience in handling affairs and inertia in their work, not daring to try new paths or break old rules, and are conservative and 墨守成规 (mò shǒu chéng guī - "stick to conventions," to adhere rigidly to conventions; to be hidebound) in their concepts, ideas, and methods, becoming detached or even contrary to the ever-changing development and the people's expectations for a better life. Grasping reform, undertaking careers, and planning development will inevitably touch deep-seated social relations and conflicts of interest. If one retreats because of fear of controversy or shrinks back because of fear of contradiction, then one loses the due responsibility of a Communist and will be eliminated from the track of the times. Failure to change clothes in a timely manner will restrict a child's growth and development; failure to adjust backward systems and mechanisms in a timely manner will miss development opportunities. Party members and cadres must inspire the spirit of reform and tackling key problems, maintain the spirit of "daring to break through," the drive to "create," and the style of "doing," dare to break the shackles, and promptly introduce targeted reform measures and work initiatives to continuously open up broad space for the development of the cause.

　　How to "change clothes" tests the ability and skills of party members and cadres. The key is to accurately understand the needs of the "child" and accurately solve the "growing pains." When Liao Junbo (廖俊波), the "Role Model of the Times," served as the Secretary of the Zhenghe County (政和县) Party Committee in Nanping (南平), Fujian (福建), in order to solve the "official seal travel" problem of project approval, he jointly formed a working group of all approval departments related to project implementation, optimized the approval process, merged handling matters, reduced handling time, and greatly improved the efficiency of enterprises entering the industrial park. In recent years, Anhui Province (安徽省) has established the Provincial Automobile Office (省汽车办), from issuing guidance on the construction of new energy vehicle industry clusters to building a supply and demand docking platform for the automobile industry. It has strengthened overall coordination at the mechanism level to solve many problems such as insufficient resilience of the production and supply chain and unreasonable industrial division of labor and layout, and promoted the "shifting and acceleration" of the automobile industry. For every four cars exported nationwide, one is "made in Anhui (安徽)." These examples inspire us that what to change and how to change should not be aimless, but should be directed at problems and revolve around problems, especially grasping the urgent difficulties and anxieties of enterprises and the masses, breaking the invisible barriers in thinking and the tangible barriers in systems and mechanisms, establishing and improving flexible and efficient systems and mechanisms, and providing institutional impetus and guarantees for releasing the vitality of economic and social development.

　　"Everything must have a method before it can be accomplished." "Putting on a larger garment for children who are growing quickly" is not necessarily the bigger the better, but should be "tailored to fit." Reforming systems and mechanisms must respect the laws, proceed from reality, and not be greedy for greatness and speed, doing things that exceed the stage of development. Otherwise, the new systems and mechanisms will be difficult to produce effective promotion and guarantee effects on economic and social development, and may even produce negative effects. For example, when some places formulate industrial policies, regardless of whether they have the basic conditions, they blindly develop currently popular industries such as artificial intelligence, resulting in not only the relevant policies and measures becoming empty words, but also causing waste of land and funds. On the journey of advancing Chinese-style modernization, it is essential for party members and cadres to have the spirit of being determined to reform, but they must promote reform on the basis of respecting reality and following the laws. Adhere to proceeding from reality in everything, avoid being too ambitious and divorced from reality, prevent political achievement impulses, use the trick of reform to fully liberate and develop social productive forces, fully release the creative vitality of the people, and write more vivid stories of "changing clothes and growing up."

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Key Historical Lessons from the Victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression

By: 曲青山

Xi Jinping (习近平), General Secretary of the Communist Party of China, delivered an important speech at the meeting commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. With profound historical insight, a grand international vision, and future strategic thinking, he profoundly expounded the great practical significance and far-reaching historical significance of the victory of this war. General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) pointed out: "History carries the past and inspires the future. In the new era and on the new journey, the people of all ethnic groups across the country must, under the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China, adhere to Marxism-Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory, the Important Thought of 'Three Represents', and the Scientific Outlook on Development, fully implement Xi Jinping Thought (习近平思想) on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, unswervingly follow the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, inherit and carry forward the great spirit of the War of Resistance, strive forward with courage and determination, and unite and struggle to comprehensively promote the construction of a strong country and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation with Chinese-style modernization!" The victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression is a great victory in which the Communist Party of China played the role of the mainstay. The Communist Party of China's role as the mainstay is the key to the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. Profoundly understanding and grasping this major issue, drawing wisdom and strength from the history of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, and adhering to the leadership of the Party on the new journey in the new era are of extremely significant practical and historical significance for achieving the second centenary goal and realizing the Chinese dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

1. The Communist Party of China is the earliest propagandist, mobilizer, organizer, and resister of the Chinese people's resistance against Japanese militarist aggression.

General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) pointed out: "After the September 18th Incident (九一八事变), the Chinese people rose up to resist in the white mountains and black waters, becoming the starting point of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, and at the same time, it kicked off the prelude to the World Anti-Fascist War." Before the September 18th Incident (九一八事变), facing the provocations of the Japanese army, Chiang Kai-shek (蒋介石) telegraphed the Northeast Army: No matter how the Japanese army provokes in the Northeast in the future, our side should not resist and avoid conflict. After the incident, the Kuomintang government telegraphed the Northeast Army: The Japanese army's move is only a common provocative nature. In order to avoid the expansion of the incident, we must absolutely adhere to the non-resistance policy. Therefore, under the sudden attack of the Japanese army, most of the Northeast Army retreated without fighting, and large areas of territory were quickly lost. At this most critical moment, the Communist Party of China resolutely shouldered the important task of being the vanguard of the anti-Japanese national movement and resolutely walked at the forefront of the anti-Japanese national salvation movement.

It was the first to raise the banner of armed resistance against Japan and sound the first call to save the nation from peril. In 1931, the day after the September 18th Incident (九一八事变) broke out, the Manchurian Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China issued the "Declaration on the Armed Occupation of Manchuria by Japanese Imperialism." The third day, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China issued the "Declaration of the Communist Party of China on the Japanese Imperialist Forcible Occupation of the Three Northeastern Provinces." On the fifth day, it made the "Resolution on the Japanese Imperialist Forcible Occupation of the Manchurian Incident." On the eighth day, September 25, the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army, in the name of Zhu De (朱德), Mao Zedong (毛泽东), He Long (贺龙), Peng Dehuai (彭德怀), etc., issued the "Letter to Soldiers and Brothers of the Army on the Japanese Imperialist Forcible Occupation of Manchuria." Since then, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China has successively issued declarations. In April 1932, the Provisional Central Government of the Chinese Soviet Republic issued the "Declaration of War Against Japan," which was nine years earlier than the Kuomintang government's official declaration of war against Japan after the outbreak of the Pacific War in December 1941. These declarations, resolutions, etc., profoundly exposed the Japanese militarists' ambition to turn China into their colony, severely condemned the Kuomintang government's traitorous and humiliating non-resistance policy, and proposed to resist Japanese militarist aggression with "armed people's national revolutionary war," demonstrating the Communist Party of China's firm stance in resolutely resisting Japanese invaders, and declaring the heroic spirit of the Chinese people to fight the Japanese invaders to the end and their firm determination never to yield.

It took the lead in launching anti-Japanese actions and directly led the anti-Japanese guerrilla warfare in Northeast China. The Communist Party of China actively carried out work in the Anti-Japanese Volunteer Army, directly organized anti-Japanese armed forces, and created more than 10 anti-Japanese guerrilla teams. The Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army, formed in 1936, fought thousands of battles with the Japanese and puppet troops under extremely difficult conditions, crushing the enemy's many "suppressions," effectively打击了日本侵略者在中国东北的殖民统治,激发和鼓舞了全国人民的抗日斗志和爱国热情.

Resolutely support the widespread development of the anti-Japanese national salvation movement. The Communist Party of China successively supported the Songhu Anti-Japanese War, the Great Wall Anti-Japanese War, supported and assisted the Chahar People's Anti-Japanese Allied Army, organized the Northward Anti-Japanese Vanguard, and in December 1935, launched the December 9th Anti-Japanese National Salvation Movement that shocked the whole country, encouraging and organizing educated youth to publicize anti-Japanese resistance among the broad masses of workers and peasants, supporting the anti-Japanese patriotic activities of the "Seven Gentlemen" of the National Salvation Association and the Suiyuan Anti-Japanese War, and playing a positive role and significant influence in promoting the rise of the national anti-Japanese national salvation movement and promoting the cooperation between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party against Japan.

2. The Communist Party of China is the advocate, organizer, consolidator, and maintainer of the anti-Japanese national united front, and is the strong political leadership core of the national united resistance.

General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) pointed out: "The Communist Party of China held high the banner of the anti-Japanese national united front, resolutely safeguarded, consolidated, and developed the united front, adhered to independence and self-reliance, united and resisted Japan, and maintained the overall situation of united resistance." Facing the extremely disparate balance of power between China and Japan, what should we rely on to win the War of Resistance Against Japan? Rely on the "great union of the Chinese people" emphasized by Comrade Mao Zedong (毛泽东), that is, to establish the broadest anti-Japanese national united front. The Communist Party of China is the active advocate, active organizer, firm consolidator, and firm maintainer of the national anti-Japanese united front. The Communist Party of China unswervingly promoted the whole nation to adhere to the War of Resistance, becoming a glorious banner leading the whole nation to victory in the War of Resistance.

Actively advocate and promote the establishment of the anti-Japanese national united front. In January 1933, the delegation of the Communist Party of China to the Communist International issued the "January 26th Instruction Letter" in the name of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, which for the first time proposed to create a national anti-imperialist united front in Northeast China as much as possible to gather all possible anti-Japanese forces. In August 1935, the delegation of the Communist Party of China to the Communist International drafted the "August 1st Declaration," which clearly put forward the proposition of establishing an anti-Japanese national united front. In December 1935, the Communist Party of China convened the Wayaobao Conference (瓦窑堡会议) to formulate a new strategy for establishing an anti-Japanese national united front. After the Xi'an Incident (西安事变) occurred in December 1936, the Communist Party of China, proceeding from the great righteousness of the nation, abandoned its previous grievances and promoted the peaceful settlement of the Xi'an Incident (西安事变), reversing the situation in China and creating the necessary prerequisite for the arrival of the national war of resistance. After the July 7th Incident (七七事变) broke out in 1937, the Chinese nation reached its most dangerous moment. With the efforts and promotion of the Communist Party of China, based on the second cooperation between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party, the national united front, including all ethnic groups, democratic parties, patriotic armies, patriotic people from all walks of life, and overseas Chinese, was formally established, and the situation of the national comprehensive war of resistance began to take shape. The Communist Party of China played an extremely important role in actively advocating and promoting the establishment of the anti-Japanese national united front. Japanese China affairs commentator Fujieda Takeo (藤枝丈夫) commented on this point in a book published in 1938. It said: "Under the promotion of the Communist Party of China, the anti-Japanese national united front has become the main force in promoting the national anti-Japanese movement." "As the actual underground guiding force, the Communist Party of China has long been hidden in the dark of society and has not received enough attention from journalists and international public opinion, but they are an indispensable backbone force in this movement. After the Jiangxi Soviet Area (江西苏区) was captured and forced to withdraw from Central and South China and retreat to the northwest frontier, people once thought that the Communist Party of China had lost its former advantage, but the fact proved that it was still the core of the anti-Japanese movement." This is just as Comrade Mao Zedong (毛泽东) said, "If the Communist Party, the Eighth Route Army, the New Fourth Army, and the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia Border Region (陕甘宁边区) had not sincerely come out to advocate stopping the civil war and unanimously resisting Japan, no one would have initiated the anti-Japanese national united front, no one would have led the peaceful settlement of the Xi'an Incident (西安事变), and there would have been no way to implement the anti-Japanese resistance."

Resolutely safeguard, consolidate, and develop the anti-Japanese national united front. After the War of Resistance entered the strategic stalemate stage, due to Japan's adoption of political inducement methods against the Chinese Kuomintang, Britain and the United States implemented an appeasement policy towards Japan, coupled with the Kuomintang's hostility and fear of the growing strength of the people's armed forces led by the Communist Party of China, the united resistance against Japan suffered several unfavorable situations of reversal. The Communist Party of China clearly put forward the political propositions of "adhering to resistance against Japan, opposing surrender, adhering to unity, opposing division, adhering to progress, and opposing regression," and proposed the general policy of "developing progressive forces, winning over intermediate forces, and isolating stubborn forces," adhering to the policy of "seeking unity through struggle" and the principle of "reason, advantage, and restraint" in the struggle, and repelled the three anti-communist upsurges launched by the Kuomintang diehards. Especially in the struggle after the Southern Anhui Incident (皖南事变), the Communist Party of China took the overall situation of the War of Resistance as the most important thing, and while defending and counterattacking, maintained the situation of united resistance against Japan, so that the cooperation between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party never broke down, effectively safeguarding the anti-Japanese national united front, and providing a strong political guarantee for the final victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.

3. The Communist Party of China implemented a comprehensive war of resistance line and proposed a general strategic policy of protracted war, and is the proposer, guide, leader, and practitioner of the correct strategy and tactics of the War of Resistance Against Japan.

General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) pointed out: "The victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression is a great victory of the whole nation uniting as one and fighting bravely. The Communist Party of China insisted on mobilizing the people and relying on the people, and promoted the formation of a historical torrent of national resistance." Facing the barbaric aggression of Japanese militarism, how should China resist Japan? What kind of process will the War of Resistance go through? Can China win in the end? These are the questions that people generally cared about and could not see clearly for a while after the start of the comprehensive war of resistance. If these questions cannot be answered scientifically, this war cannot be correctly guided. The Communist Party of China and Comrade Mao Zedong (毛泽东) accurately grasped the laws of the War of Resistance Against Japan, proposed and insisted on implementing a comprehensive war of resistance line and a general strategic policy of protracted war, providing correct guidance and scientific guidance for winning the victory of the War of Resistance.

Implement a comprehensive war of resistance line. From the very beginning of the comprehensive war of resistance, the Communist Party of China called on the people of the whole country to implement general mobilization and a comprehensive war of resistance line in which all the people participate in the war and support the war. The Communist Party of China profoundly realized that "the deepest source of the power of war lies in the people." As long as the Chinese people are organized, "the Japanese invaders will be placed in front of our hundreds of millions of people who have stood up, making them like a wild bull rushing into a fire, and we will scare them with a shout, and this wild bull will have to be burned to death." In order to organize the scattered people, the Communist Party of China led the establishment of anti-Japanese national salvation organizations such as the Chinese National Liberation Vanguard and the Women's National Salvation Association. At the same time, according to the nature of the work, rescue teams, stretcher teams, propaganda teams, reconnaissance teams, and battlefield service groups were organized, truly realizing the mobilization of all the people, all the people as soldiers, and all the people participating in the war. In 1944, American New York Times reporter Harrison Forman wrote a book called Report from Red China after interviewing Yan'an (延安) and the Jin-Sui Anti-Japanese Base Area (晋绥抗日根据地) for 6 months. The book wrote: "Anyone who has seen the Eighth Route Army will not doubt them. The reason why they can persist in fighting with captured weapons or simple weapons is because they stand with the people."

Implement the general strategic policy of protracted war. In December 1935, Comrade Mao Zedong (毛泽东) put forward the view at the party activists meeting that "to defeat the enemy, we must prepare for a protracted war." In July 1936, when he talked with American journalist Edgar Snow, he clearly put forward the policy of achieving victory through a protracted war. After the outbreak of the comprehensive war of resistance, in order to refute the erroneous views such as "theory of national subjugation" and "theory of quick victory" that were noisy in society for a while, Comrade Mao Zedong (毛泽东) wrote On Protracted War in May 1938, deeply analyzing the domestic and international situation, systematically summarizing historical experience, and clearly pointing out that protracted war is the general strategic policy of the War of Resistance Against Japan, and that final victory belongs to China. Comrade Mao Zedong (毛泽东) scientifically predicted that the protracted War of Resistance Against Japan would go through three stages: strategic defense, strategic stalemate, and strategic counter-offensive, believing that the strategic stalemate stage was the "pivot" for the protracted War of Resistance to turn to final victory. This scientific prediction was fully confirmed in the War of Resistance. The general strategic policy of protracted war not only armed the Communist Party of China and the broad masses of soldiers and civilians under its leadership ideologically, but also caused great shock among the Kuomintang high-level officials and had a significant impact on the whole country. Some Kuomintang dignitaries had carefully read On Protracted War, deeply admired it, and gave it a high evaluation, believing that the analysis of On Protracted War was very profound, had great foresight and persuasiveness, and was the highest strategic policy for defeating the enemy and winning.

Implement the strategy and tactics of guerrilla warfare. In order to realize the comprehensive war of resistance line and the general strategic policy of protracted war, Comrade Mao Zedong (毛泽东) for the first time raised guerrilla warfare to a strategic position. Different from the battles in the regular operations of the frontal battlefield, the focus of guerrilla warfare behind enemy lines is on the surface rather than the point, on continuity rather than stages, on the whole rather than the individual, and on strategy rather than tactics. In essence, it is a special strategic battle that lasts the longest and has continuous battles and campaigns in the War of Resistance Against Japan. In the extremely arduous struggle against "mopping up" and "clearing the countryside," the military and civilians behind enemy lines created many extremely effective, flexible, and diverse methods of annihilating the enemy, such as ambush warfare, sabotage warfare, landmine warfare, tunnel warfare, and sparrow warfare, making the Japanese army like a trapped beast, sinking into the vast ocean of people's war. Tsukamoto Masato (冢本政登), a Japanese general who served as a staff officer in the headquarters of the Japanese North China Front Army, said: "The war waged by the Chinese Communist Eighth Route Army against the Japanese army is a special war that has never been written or experienced in any regulations." Practice has proved that independent and autonomous guerrilla warfare is the best form of operation for the people's army to exert its political and military advantages, and it is the only correct political and military policy to persist in the protracted war of resistance and ultimately completely defeat the Japanese invaders.

4. The vast anti-Japanese base areas opened up by the Communist Party of China gradually rose to become the main battlefield of the War of Resistance Against Japan, and the people's anti-Japanese armed forces led by the Communist Party of China played a decisive role in winning the victory of the War of Resistance.

General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) pointed out: "The anti-Japanese base areas opened up by the Communist Party of China and the frontal battlefield commanded by the Kuomintang cooperated to form a strategic situation of jointly resisting the Japanese invaders." The Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression was composed of the frontal battlefield, which was mainly composed of the Kuomintang army, and the vast anti-Japanese base areas led by the Communist Party of China. In the War of Resistance Against Japan, the frontal battlefield and the anti-Japanese base areas cooperated and played an important role, but their status and role were different in different historical stages. Comrade Ye Jianying (叶剑英) once pointed out: "The Chinese War of Resistance was divided into two major battlefields, the frontal and the rear, from the very beginning, and since the fall of Wuhan (武汉) in October 1938, the rear battlefield has actually become the main battlefield in China." Throughout the entire process of the War of Resistance Against Japan, the frontal battlefield played the role of the main battlefield in a historical period, especially in the strategic defense stage. When the War of Resistance Against Japan entered the strategic stalemate stage, the anti-Japanese base areas gradually became the main battlefield. In the process of opening up anti-Japanese base areas, carrying out guerrilla warfare, and establishing anti-Japanese democratic base areas, the people's armed forces led by the Communist Party of China grew from small to large and from weak to strong, playing a decisive role in winning the final victory of the War of Resistance.

An important force in the strategic defense stage. In the early days of the War of Resistance, the frontal battlefield, which was mainly composed of the Kuomintang army, organized a series of battles such as Songhu (淞沪), Xinkou (忻口), Xuzhou (徐州), and Wuhan (武汉). The Eighth Route Army and the New Fourth Army participated in the defensive operations of each war zone. On September 25, 1937, the 115th Division of the Eighth Route Army won the Pingxingguan Victory (平型关大捷), annihilating more than 1,000 enemies, breaking the myth of the Japanese army's so-called "invincibility," greatly boosting the anti-Japanese confidence of the military and civilians across the country, and enhancing the prestige of the Communist Party of China and the Eighth Route Army. At the same time, the Eighth Route Army and the New Fourth Army went deep behind enemy lines, mobilized the masses, carried out guerrilla warfare, and established anti-Japanese democratic base areas, which not only effectively cooperated with the frontal battlefield's operations against Japan, but also constituted a fatal threat to the rear of the Japanese army, forcing the Japanese army to disperse its forces for a long time to conduct two-front operations, thereby playing an important role in promoting the transition of the War of Resistance Against Japan from the strategic defense to the strategic stalemate stage and realizing the protracted War of Resistance.
The main force in the strategic stalemate phase. After the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression entered the strategic stalemate phase, the anti-Japanese guerrilla warfare led by the Communist Party of China (中国共产党) was widely launched, and the enemy's rear battlefield gradually became the main battlefield of the national resistance. The anti-Japanese armed forces led by the Communist Party of China (中国共产党) gradually became the main force of the national resistance. From 1938, the proportion of the invading Japanese army resisted by the troops led by the Communist Party of China (中国共产党) was: nearly 59% in 1938, 62% in 1939, 58% in 1940, 75% in 1941, 63% in 1942, 58% in 1943, 64% in 1944, and 69% in 1945. From August 1940 to January of the following year, during a very difficult period in the War of Resistance, the Eighth Route Army (八路军) launched the Hundred Regiments Offensive, launching a large-scale offensive against the Japanese and puppet troops in North China. By the beginning of December 1940, a total of 1,824 battles of various sizes had been fought, killing and wounding more than 25,000 Japanese and puppet troops, and capturing 281 Japanese soldiers and more than 18,000 puppet soldiers, which greatly boosted the confidence of the people across the country in the War of Resistance and fully demonstrated the powerful power of the people's war led by the Communist Party of China (中国共产党).

　　The decisive force in the strategic counter-offensive phase. After 1943, the enemy's rear battlefield began to reverse the difficult situation and launch a partial counter-offensive, gradually realizing the transition from guerrilla warfare to mobile warfare, recovering a large amount of lost territory, and becoming a strategic base for a full-scale counter-offensive, making a significant contribution to the final victory of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. By the end of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, the People's Army had grown to about 1.32 million people, and the militia had grown to more than 2.6 million people. The anti-Japanese democratic base areas, i.e., the liberated areas, led by the Communist Party of China (中国共产党) numbered 19, covering an area of nearly 1 million square kilometers and a population of nearly 100 million. The anti-Japanese democratic base areas not only supported the War of Resistance, but also pointed out a new direction for Chinese society, making people feel that China was moving towards a bright future. This was in sharp contrast to the political autocracy, official corruption, and economic depression in the Kuomintang (国民党)-controlled areas. As Comrade Mao Zedong (毛泽东) pointed out in 1944, "China has not perished because we have the Communist Party, the Eighth Route Army (八路军), and the New Fourth Army (新四军), mainly because we have supported the War of Resistance. This is the situation of the War of Resistance in China today." In 1945, Comrade Mao Zedong (毛泽东), full of pride, emphasized at the Seventh National Congress of the Communist Party of China (中共七大) that "our Party has become the center of the Chinese people's resistance to Japan and national salvation, the center of the Chinese people's liberation, and the center of defeating the invaders and building a new China." History fully proves that the persistence and development of the enemy's rear battlefield led by the Communist Party of China (中国共产党) made a great contribution to the victory of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and played a strategic leading role in changing the entire war situation.

　　V. The great spirit of the War of Resistance forged by the Communist Party of China (中国共产党) in unity with the people provided a strong spiritual support for winning the victory of the War of Resistance.

　　General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) pointed out: "The Chinese people nurtured the great spirit of the War of Resistance in the magnificent process of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, demonstrating to the world the patriotic feelings of everyone being responsible for the rise and fall of the world, the national integrity of regarding death as home and preferring death to submission, the heroic spirit of not fearing violence and fighting to the end, and the belief in victory of being unyielding and persevering." The history of the Chinese people's War of Resistance is a history of resistance against Japanese aggressors, and even more so, a history of forging the great spirit of the War of Resistance. Facing the invasion of Japanese militarism, the Chinese Communists have always stood at the forefront of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, using the great spirit of patriotism and the practical actions of revolutionary heroism to unite and lead the people in bloody battles and forging ahead bravely, and together with the people, they forged the great spirit of the War of Resistance, which condensed a powerful spiritual force for winning the victory of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.

　　The Chinese Communists played a pioneering and exemplary role. In October 1938, Comrade Mao Zedong (毛泽东) pointed out in "The Position of the Communist Party of China (中国共产党) in the National War": "Communists should show their high degree of initiative in the national war; and this initiative should be specifically manifested in all aspects, that is, they should play a pioneering and exemplary role in all aspects." During the 14-year arduous struggle of the War of Resistance, no matter how difficult the conditions, how dangerous the situation, or how cruel the war, the Chinese Communists always fought bravely on the front line, "vowing to coexist with the mountains and rivers," building a steel Great Wall with their flesh and blood to save the nation from peril, holding up the spine of the Chinese nation, and maintaining and safeguarding the blood and dignity of the Chinese nation. The "Five Heroes of Langya Mountain (狼牙山五壮士)" of the Eighth Route Army (八路军), the "Liu Laozhuang Company (刘老庄连)" of the New Fourth Army (新四军), the eight female soldiers of the Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army (东北抗联), and many outstanding Communists represented by Yang Jingyu (杨靖宇), Zhao Shangzhi (赵尚志), Zhao Yiman (赵一曼), Zuo Quan (左权), and Peng Xuefeng (彭雪枫) shed their last drop of blood for the victory of the War of Resistance. In the white mountains and black waters, inside and outside the Great Wall, north and south of the Yangtze River, the Chinese Communists fought together with the people, shed blood together, and played a heroic song that shook the mountains and rivers. In recalling the Huangtuling Battle (黄土岭之战) in which the Eighth Route Army (八路军) defeated the Japanese army, the writer Wei Wei (魏巍) wrote: "It is very clear on the battlefield that this is a contest between two spirits: one is the Japanese 'Bushido' spirit, and the other is the revolutionary will of the old Red Army. Let's see who is more tenacious and who overwhelms whom."

　　The Communist Party of China (中国共产党) awakened the nation and凝聚了人民的力量 凝聚了人民的力量 (níng jù le rén mín de lì liàng - "condensed the people's strength," to gather and unite the power of the people). Under the influence and leadership of the Chinese Communists, fighting for the nation and fighting for the country became the strongest voice resounding throughout China, and the patriotic feelings buried deep in the hearts of the Chinese nation re-emerged and surged, and the awareness and belief of national self-esteem, national self-confidence, and national self-reliance rose to an unprecedented level. The broad masses of the people shared a common hatred for the enemy and went to the national crisis together, and a vivid situation emerged in which "the soldiers on the front line sacrificed and shed blood; all parties and factions united sincerely; and people from all walks of life worked together to save the country." Kuomintang (国民党) generals Tong Linge (佟麟阁), Zhao Dengyu (赵登禹), Zhang Zizhong (张自忠), and Dai Anlan (戴安澜) died for their country, and the Kuomintang (国民党) army's "Eight Hundred Heroes (八百壮士)" fought stubbornly to the last moment. The sons and daughters of China, "400 million people marched forward together, united in one mind and one uniform," embracing the determination to "advance in the face of the enemy's artillery fire with one heart and one mind," embracing the belief of not fearing violence and persisting in the War of Resistance to the end, gathering a majestic force, and composing an epic of heroism that shocked the heavens and moved the ghosts.

　　It has been 80 years since the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. The smoke of war 80 years ago has long since dissipated, but history must not be forgotten. Today, as we commemorate the great victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, the most fundamental thing is to bear in mind that the Communist Party of China's (中国共产党) role as the mainstay is the key to the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. History tells us that the leadership of the Communist Party of China (中国共产党) is the fundamental and lifeline of the Party and the country, and it is the interest and destiny of the people of all ethnic groups across the country. The new era and new journey are a long march full of glory and dreams, and there will inevitably be major tests of high winds and rapid waves, and even turbulent waves, on the road ahead. We must deeply understand the decisive significance of the "Two Establishments," strengthen the "Four Consciousnesses," strengthen the "Four Confidences," and achieve the "Two Safeguards," and under the strong leadership of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping (习近平) at its core, we must work together with one heart and one mind, forge ahead, and unite and strive to comprehensively promote the construction of a strong country and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation with Chinese-style modernization.

　　(The author is the President of the Institute of Party History and Literature of the CPC Central Committee (中共中央党史和文献研究院) and the President of the Chinese Society for the Study of the History of the Communist Party of China (中国中共党史学会))

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China's Supreme People's Procuratorate Holds Exhibition Unveiling the Investigation and Prosecution of Japanese War Criminals

This newspaper's Beijing (北京) dispatch on September 7th (Reporter Ni Yi (倪弋)) - The reporter learned from the Supreme People's Procuratorate (最高人民检察院): The Supreme People's Procuratorate, in cooperation with relevant units, is holding the theme exhibition "Sword of Justice - The New China Procuratorial Organs' Investigation and Prosecution of Japanese War Criminals." The exhibition highlights the 80th anniversary of the victory against Japanese aggression as its main theme, closely focusing on demonstrating the role of the New China procuratorial organs in investigating and prosecuting Japanese war criminals. It features carefully selected archival materials and historical photographs, telling the procuratorial stories behind the archival materials and historical photographs, and promoting the spirit of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. The exhibition will run until November and will be on display at the Supreme People's Procuratorate's Xiangshan (香山) office area and the National Prosecutors College (国家检察官学院).

The exhibition consists of five parts: the historical background of New China's handling of Japanese war criminals, the interrogation of Japanese war criminals, attending the Special Military Tribunal to support public prosecution, exempting some Japanese war criminals from prosecution, and remembering history and creating the future. Through detailed historical materials and video data, it introduces the history of the procuratorial organs' investigation and prosecution of Japanese war criminals, proving once again that the just nature of the trial of Japanese war criminals is unshakable and cannot be challenged.

Min Shan (闵钐), curator of the People's Procuratorate Museum (人民检察博物馆), said that the crimes committed by Japanese war criminals against the Chinese people were extremely serious. During the interrogation process, procuratorial personnel continuously improved their ideological understanding, accurately grasped the spirit of the central government's policies, grasped the principles of the rule of law, coordinated the relationship between national sentiment and judicial justice, strictly investigated and collected evidence in accordance with the law, carefully reviewed and finalized the case, and made decisions to prosecute or exempt from prosecution, contributing procuratorial power to a just trial. In the process of interrogation, attention was paid to ideological transformation and the embodiment of humanitarian spirit, which enabled the vast majority of war criminals to sincerely confess their guilt and repent, creating a precedent for the education and transformation of war criminals, which is of pioneering significance.

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Number of motor vehicles insured under compulsory traffic insurance reaches 372 million

Beijing, September 7th (Reporter Qu Xinming (屈信明)) The reporter learned recently from the National Financial Regulatory Administration (金融监管总局): The National Financial Regulatory Administration (金融监管总局) guides the insurance industry to continuously improve the guarantee and service work of compulsory traffic insurance. The coverage of compulsory traffic insurance has been further expanded. In 2024, the number of insured motor vehicles reached 372 million, an increase of 4.2% year-on-year. The risk protection capability of compulsory traffic insurance has been continuously strengthened. Last year, the guaranteed amount of compulsory traffic insurance reached 74.3 trillion yuan, an increase of 4.2% year-on-year. Last year, the compensation expenditure was 226.28 billion yuan, an increase of 11.6% year-on-year. At the same time, the insurance industry has made full use of effective mechanisms such as mutual recognition of vehicle damage surveys in major disasters and non-discriminatory rescue to fully respond to major disaster accidents and effectively serve the overall situation of road traffic safety and social stability.

The average premium per vehicle for compulsory traffic insurance is basically stable. Last year, the average premium per vehicle for compulsory traffic insurance was 762.5 yuan, an increase of 0.3% year-on-year. The National Financial Regulatory Administration (金融监管总局) will guide the insurance industry to further improve the quality and efficiency of compulsory traffic insurance services and better play the role of the insurance industry as an economic shock absorber and social stabilizer.

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Anhui Builds "One-Stop" Service System for Implementing Pro-Business Policies

This newspaper Hefei (合肥) September 7th (Reporter Tian Xianjin (田先进)) - Recently, the Anhui Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China (中共安徽省委) Comprehensive Rule of Law Committee Office (全面依法治省委员会办公室) issued a notice proposing to build a "one-stop" service system for policy fulfillment, expand the coverage of benefiting-enterprises policies, and further enhance the service effectiveness of "enjoy without application" and "enjoy immediately upon application" for benefiting-enterprises policies.

Anhui (安徽) will take the "enjoy without application" and "enjoy immediately upon application" of benefiting-enterprises policies as an important part of the legality review, relying on the "Benefiting-Enterprises Policy Service Application" (惠企政策服务应用) to establish an online transfer and parallel review mechanism for the legality review of benefiting-enterprises policies. When formulating benefiting-enterprises policy documents, the lead department should, together with the responsible departments of each policy clause, use the "Benefiting-Enterprises Policy Service Application" (惠企政策服务应用) to disassemble and record policy services, and submit the generated "Policy Service List" (政策服务清单) online to the judicial and administrative departments for legality review, and the judicial and administrative departments will transfer it to the finance and data resource departments at the same level for simultaneous review.

The notice requires strengthening the unified platform management of benefiting-enterprises policies. It encourages all cities to promote the integration of local enterprise-related policy service platforms with the "Benefiting-Enterprises Policy Service Application" (惠企政策服务应用) provincial platform, and no longer build or upgrade local enterprise-related policy service platforms, so as to realize "one-screen overview and one-stop handling" of the entry, release, inquiry, declaration, approval, and fulfillment of benefiting-enterprises policies at all levels in the province.

Relevant departments in Anhui (安徽) will accurately sort out the elements such as the name of policy services, conditions for fulfillment, implementation methods, review and payment levels, etc., and standardize the entry of policy documents, the disassembly of policy services, and the implementation of fund fulfillment, so that it is easy for enterprises to find, understand, and handle.

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Photo Report

On the evening of September 6th, citizens came to the Xujiahui Library (徐家汇书院) in Shanghai (上海) to enjoy the fragrance of books. Many public cultural spaces in Shanghai (上海) have extended their opening hours and are conducting activities such as evening classes to enrich the cultural life of citizens.

Photo by Ma Erhu (马二虎) (Image China).

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Editors of this page: Ji Jianming, Zhao Xiaoxi, Li Peiyang

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New Technologies in the Granary (Economic Focus)

By: 本报记者

Planting good grain is important, but storing and managing it well are even more crucial. How can we promptly store the hard-earned grain after harvest? How can we reduce losses? How can we improve the comprehensive utilization rate of crops?

Intelligent sampling systems accurately extract samples, smart monitoring aids green and superior storage, and robots collaborate to level grain piles... From warehousing, storage, leveling, sorting, to processing, post-production grain processes are accelerating towards intelligence, digitization, and automation. Recently, reporters delved into several provinces to see how new technologies are safeguarding the granary of a major country.

—Editor

Warehousing

"Intelligent Examiners" Efficiently Sample

At 9:30 AM, a truck loaded with wheat slowly drove into the Xuzhou Direct Reserve Depot of China Grain Reserves Group Co., Ltd. (中国储备粮管理集团有限公司徐州直属库) and stopped within the yellow line area in front of the one-stop service center. Here, the intelligent sampling system will conduct a detailed "physical examination" of the grain.

Sampling is an important part of grain acquisition, directly related to the quality and safety of the grain entering the warehouse. As soon as the truck stopped, a high-definition radar camera scanned the vehicle. Based on the results, the system automatically generated a sampling plan. Immediately afterward, the intelligent sampler extracted about 20 kilograms of wheat samples from 10 random points, and then transported them through pipelines to the intelligent sorting and testing equipment below.

Subsequently, under the command of the intelligent system, a white intelligent inspection robot in the inspection warehouse transferred the grain samples to each workstation according to the established inspection path. Various testing equipment cooperated to complete the detection of moisture, impurities, and other items, and formed a detailed wheat test report. From the time the truck stopped to the generation of the report, it took less than 20 minutes.

Li Lin (李琳), a quality inspector at the grain depot, introduced that in the past, grain sampling relied on manual labor. Staff had to sample each vehicle and then conduct manual sorting and testing. The entire process usually took about 40 minutes. Now, the sampling process is more intelligent, and efficiency has doubled.

After passing the "physical examination," the truck started again, weighed, and went to the designated location in the storage area to unload. Han Gaoqiang (韩高强), head of the warehousing management section of the China Grain Reserves Xuzhou Direct Reserve Depot (中储粮徐州直属库仓储管理科), said: "By applying technical prevention and control, we have achieved information-based supervision of grain warehousing, storage, and other processes."

Storage

Smart Monitoring Aids Green and Superior Storage

"For safe grain storage, temperature is crucial." Liu Qichao (刘其超), deputy director of the warehousing management section of the China Grain Reserves Fuyang Direct Reserve Depot (中储粮阜阳直属库仓储管理科), said that especially in hot weather, it is necessary to pay close attention to changes in the temperature inside the warehouse.

In the monitoring office, Liu Qichao remotely monitored the grain depots through the intelligent grain depot centralized control platform. In less than half an hour, he completed the inspection of 37 grain depots. "In the past, it would take at least half a day. Now, multiple high-definition cameras are installed in each grain depot, and the pan-tilt can be rotated flexibly, making it easy for us to observe the inside of the warehouse," Liu Qichao introduced while demonstrating.

Multiple sensors are also hidden inside the grain depot. "If the local temperature of the grain is too high, the system will automatically issue a warning." Liu Qichao casually opened a three-dimensional model of a flat warehouse. "These neat and layered green dots are the temperature sensors inside the grain pile. Clicking on any small dot will display information such as its location and temperature."

In a factory next to the grain depot, a nitrogen production device is working. "This device can separate air, leaving nitrogen with a concentration of more than 98%, and then pressurize the nitrogen and transport it to the grain depot through pipelines." Wang Jingwei (王景伟), deputy general manager of China Grain Reserves Fuyang Direct Reserve Depot Co., Ltd. (中储粮阜阳直属库有限公司), introduced that by reducing the oxygen content of the grain pile and weakening the respiration of the grain, the effect of preventing grain storage pests and delaying changes in grain quality can be achieved.

A mobile tank car connected to the grain depot is eye-catching. Liu Qichao introduced that this equipment can quickly gasify liquid carbon dioxide and inject it into the grain depot through the ventilation system. In about 15 days, it can inactivate pests in the warehouse and achieve green grain storage. Relevant负责人 of the Anhui Branch of China Grain Reserves (中储粮安徽分公司相关负责人) introduced that technological and intelligent grain storage has reduced labor costs by 40% and the grain loss rate to below 1%.

Leveling

Robots Collaborate to Level Grain Piles

Walking into the modern grain depot of the China Grain Reserves (Beijing) Changping Direct Reserve Depot (中储粮（北京）昌平直属库), 5 leveling robots are performing autonomous obstacle avoidance and precise operations, and the undulating grain piles are gradually becoming level... This is a multi-robot automatic leveling system jointly developed by Xinherobot (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. (芯禾机器人（深圳）有限公司) and China Grain Reserves Chengdu Storage Research Institute Co., Ltd. (中储粮成都储藏研究院有限公司).

Leveling the grain surface makes it easier for staff to find pests and take measures, and also allows the ventilation system to evenly dehumidify and cool the grain pile. "In the past, leveling mainly relied on manual labor, which was labor-intensive and the working environment was poor. Workers often had to work continuously in a high-dust environment." Zhao Baoguo (赵宝国), head of the warehousing section of the China Grain Reserves (Beijing) Changping Direct Reserve Depot (中储粮（北京）昌平直属库仓储科), introduced, "After the new system is in operation, the workload of the past 3 to 5 days can now be completed in just half a day."

"This automatic leveling system and hardware are all independently developed." Xiao Xiao (萧霄), general manager of Xinherobot (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. (芯禾机器人（深圳）有限公司), introduced, "In the future, inspection, sampling, wiring, and placement of grain boards can all be automated."

Technological innovation helps intelligent operations. "The new system adopts an innovative architecture that can intelligently schedule 50 robots to work together to achieve automation of grain depot leveling operations." Ma Haoran (马浩然), deputy director of China Grain Reserves Chengdu Storage Research Institute Co., Ltd. (中储粮成都储藏研究院有限公司), introduced.

Sorting

Digital and Intelligent Production Line Guards Quality

In Hei Ying Village (黑英村), Shuiyuan Town (水源镇), Dashiqiao City (大石桥市), Yingkou (营口), Liaoning Province, the rice processing workshop of Yingkou Bohai Rice Industry Co., Ltd. (营口渤海米业有限公司) is humming with machines. In the control room of the intelligent production line, a digital screen records the operation of the production line in real time. The operator only needs to tap the screen lightly, and the golden rice is transported to different processing machines along the conveyor belt...

This japonica rice digital and intelligent production line covers the entire process from raw grain warehousing, rice husking, rice milling to color sorting and packaging, and finally produces rice for sale on the market. "From rice to rice, it takes dozens of screenings." General Manager Yang Jie (杨杰) pointed to a fully operating intelligent color sorter and introduced, "It can sort 30 tons of rice per hour, and the sorting rate is over 99%."

In the past, traditional rice processing relied on manual labor or simple tools for sorting and grading, which was inefficient. "After using the color sorter, the efficiency has been greatly improved." Yang Jie introduced that the machine used by the company was developed by Hefei Meyer Optoelectronic Technology Co., Ltd. (合肥美亚光电技术股份有限公司) and can effectively identify tiny impurities as small as 0.05 mm.

"From technology introduction to independent innovation, domestic color sorters have a certain cost performance." Ruan Rongchao (阮荣超), marketing director of Hefei Meyer (合肥美亚公司), introduced, "According to the difference in optical characteristics of materials, we use multi-spectral recognition and artificial intelligence technology to extract the color, shape, texture, and material characteristics of the materials, construct the optimal classifier, and then use high-speed removal devices to achieve intelligent sorting and grading of materials."

"This japonica rice digital and intelligent production line can achieve intelligent and moderate processing, effectively preventing over-milling. Producing the same batch of rice can yield at least 2% more good rice than before." Yang Jie said. In Liaoning Province, this color sorter has been widely used in the sorting and grading of many agricultural products such as rice, miscellaneous grains, and corn.

Processing

Innovative Fresh-Locking Technology Maintains Food Taste

Kneading, stretching, throwing, calendering... In the flour processing workshop of Sinian Foods (思念食品) in Zhengzhou (郑州), Henan Province, workers sift the new flour and pour it into the dough mixer to form a dough. After multiple processes, dumplings come off the assembly line one by one.

How do these quick-frozen rice and flour foods maintain their taste? "The flavor of freshly wrapped dumplings will be affected after being frozen in a household refrigerator. This is because household refrigerators are 'slow-frozen,' and it takes a long time for the center temperature of the dumplings to drop to minus 18 degrees Celsius." Production Manager Song Hui (宋慧) explained that during this process, large ice crystals will form on the surface of the food, piercing the cell walls of the cabbage, leading to the loss of moisture and nutrients, thereby affecting the taste.

In the workshop, the formed dumplings can be cooled to minus 18 degrees Celsius in half an hour through a double-spiral freezing tunnel. "Nanoscale ice crystal fresh-locking technology can more effectively ensure the taste of food." Song Hui said.

"This is 500 tons of high-quality straw powder that was just purchased this year, about 1,000 yuan per ton." Li Yanzeng (李彦增) is the head of an edible mushroom enterprise in Jian'an District (建安区), Xuchang (许昌), Henan Province. He told reporters that straw powder, wheat bran, corn cobs, water, and other ingredients are stacked and fermented in a certain proportion for about 20 days, and can be turned into a substrate for edible mushrooms to grow.

The journey of straw turning into mushroom stick substrate is not over yet. Edible mushrooms have a strong decomposition ability during growth. After decomposing the straw and fermenting it with mycelium, the straw can be turned into organic fertilizer and returned to the field.

In Xuchang, by promoting the "straw-mushroom-fertilizer substrate utilization" model, the former "agricultural waste" has become "agricultural fertilizer." Jian'an District has 20 edible mushroom production bases and 1,100 greenhouses, with an annual output of 10,000 tons of fresh edible mushrooms.

(Reporters Ouyang Jie (欧阳洁), Wang Weijian (王伟健), Li Junjie (李俊杰), Liu Hongchao (刘洪超), Zhang Wenhao (张文豪), Ding Qianqian (丁茜茜) participated in the writing)

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How Long Until Brain-Computer Interfaces Connect to Reality?

By: 《中国经济周刊》记者 贾 璇

Paralyzed patients use their minds to control robotic arms to drink water, and players play video games through brainwaves... The "mind control" scenes in science fiction movies are now gradually becoming a reality. This is all due to the continuous breakthroughs in brain-computer interface technology.

Brain-computer interface, as the name suggests, establishes an information channel between the human brain and a machine to realize the coordinated interaction between biological intelligence and machine intelligence.

"This technology has significant innovation, intersectionality, and cutting-edge nature. It is an important engine for promoting the integrated development of multiple disciplines and has broad application prospects in cutting-edge fields such as precision medicine, intelligent interaction, and human-machine integration." Li Wenyu (李文宇), Secretary-General of the Brain-Computer Interface Industry Alliance, said that the technology has entered an explosive development stage, and the level of intelligence in key links such as decoding, control, and regulation is continuously improving, and it is becoming one of the key forces leading the direction of future industries.

A typical brain-computer interface system usually consists of three parts: signal acquisition, signal analysis, and equipment control. According to the placement of electrodes for signal acquisition, the technology is mainly divided into two categories: non-implantable and implantable. Li Wenyu (李文宇) introduced that non-implantable technology is relatively mature, and both domestic and foreign countries are in the stage of small-scale application. Specifically, in China, this technology has made positive progress in many directions in the medical field, such as stroke motor rehabilitation, fatigue state monitoring of construction workers, and brain health detection, and the development momentum is good, and application scenarios need to be further expanded; implantable technology can collect high-quality single neuron signals, and the technical difficulty is correspondingly increased. China has made considerable progress in multiple implantable technology routes and has successively entered the clinical trial stage.

"I'm in a good mood today..." In March of this year, a 67-year-old ALS patient who had lost most of his language function successfully converted brain electrical signals into "what he wanted to say" through the implanted "Beinao No. 1" (北脑一号) brain-computer interface device, realizing wireless implantable Chinese real-time decoding, and brain-computer interface took a key step in the field of language function recovery.

In Li Wenyu's (李文宇) view, China's brain-computer interface is in a critical window period from the laboratory to industrialization. At the technical level, brain-computer interface is evolving from the "perception and regulation separation" of the 1.0 stage to the "closed-loop regulation and interactive perception" of the 2.0 stage.

In terms of core devices, signal decoding, and closed-loop systems, China has also achieved a series of representative phased results. Many systems have entered clinical testing or completed preliminary application verification, but they still face multiple challenges such as the lack of core device standards, the need to improve decoding accuracy and system stability, and limited clinical samples.

Recently, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (工业和信息化部), the National Development and Reform Commission (国家发展改革委), and other seven departments jointly released implementation opinions on promoting the innovative development of the brain-computer interface industry, proposing two-step development goals for 2027 and 2030, clarifying five key tasks, further promoting the high-quality development of the brain-computer interface industry, and accelerating the cultivation and formation of new tracks for future industries.

Li Wenyu (李文宇) believes that China has initially established a development pattern that promotes policy guidance, technology research and development, ethical norms, and standard systems in a coordinated manner. Provinces such as Beijing (北京), Shanghai (上海), and Guangdong (广东) have formed regional agglomeration trends. Some core enterprises and research institutions have made technological breakthroughs in key areas such as invasive electrode systems, closed-loop stimulation systems, and multi-modal fusion platforms, and the gap between the technical level and the international advanced level continues to narrow. In the next 3 to 5 years, brain-computer interface will enter the "3.0 era", showing the technical characteristics of "integrated perception and regulation, system intelligence, and interactive integration."

In terms of applications, brain-computer interface technology has served specific groups of people in medical auxiliary communication, neurological rehabilitation, and other aspects. With the gradual release of demand in medical health, consumer electronics, and assisted driving scenarios, brain-computer interface will gradually realize scenario implementation in emotion monitoring, brain fatigue early warning, attention enhancement, cognitive training, home automation, and other aspects.

From "understanding the brain" to "dialoguing with the brain," brain-computer interface is making ideas "controllable." Perhaps in the near future, everyone will be able to enjoy the freedom and convenience brought by this technology - by then, "**心想事成**" (xīn xiǎng shì chéng - "what one thinks in his heart becomes accomplished," all wishes come true) will no longer be a blessing, but a daily life given by technology.

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First Main Tower of Shuangyumen Bridge Capped

Beijing, September 7th (Reporter Li Xinping (李心萍)) On September 6th, with the completion of the concrete pouring of the forty-fourth tower column, the first main tower of the Shuangyumen (双屿门) Grand Bridge in the second phase of the Ningbo-Zhoushan Port (宁波舟山港) Liugeng (六横) Highway Bridge project, undertaken by China Railway Construction Bridge Engineering Bureau (中国铁建大桥局), was successfully capped. The Shuangyumen (双屿门) Grand Bridge connects Liugeng Island (六横岛) and Fodu Island (佛渡岛) in Zhoushan (舟山), with a main span of 1768 meters.

The main tower capped this time is 246.3 meters high and is constructed from 12,000 tons of rebar, 32,000 cubic meters of concrete, and 3,500 tons of shaped steel.

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This edition's editors: Wu Yan, Lü Zhongzheng, Lin Ziye

Layout Design: Wang Zhepeng (汪哲平)

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Experiencing the Charm of an Ancient City in a Slow-Paced Life (Experiencing China Through Culture)

By: 本报记者 杨文明

China has many famous historical and cultural cities with numerous ancient buildings. How can they be protected? During an interview in Weishan Yi and Hui Autonomous County (巍山彝族回族自治县), Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture (大理白族自治州), Yunnan Province, reporters discovered that an old, dilapidated academy had been transformed into a new bookstore, becoming a popular spot for internet celebrities; once-dilapidated old residences now house restaurants and guesthouses; and Dengjue Temple (等觉寺), originally built in the Tang Dynasty, has been renovated and transformed into the Nanzhao Museum (南诏博物馆)... Reporters ventured into the ancient city to uncover the secrets of protection and utilization.

Respecting Ancient Buildings, Choosing Suitable Business Formats

With weeds a meter high and the house on the verge of collapse, the long-abandoned Chongzheng Academy (崇正书院) had been a source of worry for Weishan County's administrators.

"Renovation is easy, but the question is how to legally and compliantly utilize it after it's renovated? If the doors are closed, there's no point in talking about protection," said Ding Hongtao (丁洪涛), Secretary of the Weishan County Party Committee. There were many business formats to choose from for the revitalization of Chongzheng Academy. The reason for ultimately deciding to cooperate with Librairie Avant-Garde (先锋书店) to convert the old academy into a new bookstore was that a bookstore is a continuation of the academy's cultural heritage and can also boost Weishan County's tourism industry.

The structure of ancient buildings cannot be altered, and the bookstore must be weatherproof. Zhang Ruifeng (张瑞峰), rotating chairman of Librairie Avant-Garde in Nanjing (南京先锋书店), explained that the renovation of Weishan Chongzheng Academy adopted a completely reversible design. The book gallery in the courtyard is supported by steel frames, gaps are left between the bookshelves and the courtyard walls, and even spaces are reserved around the ancient trees to avoid hindering their growth.

The academy's renovation took two years, and Zhao Yifan (赵一凡), the person in charge of the Chongzheng Academy renovation project, also kept a close eye on it for two years. Fearing that the bookstore alone would not attract tourists, Weishan County conducted an overall design of the area surrounding Chongzheng Academy. The old buildings next door were restored to their original appearance and used to host various exhibitions; the vacated square was used to host holiday markets with a strong artistic atmosphere.

At sunset, the square in front of the bookstore is filled with readers; on weekends, many parents bring their children and stay in the bookstore for half a day. If tourists ask where to go in Weishan County, locals will definitely recommend the bookstore. Librairie Avant-Garde, which was not originally in many tourists' itineraries, quickly became a popular spot for internet celebrities.

"The atmosphere of the ancient building enhances the bookstore experience," Wu Jia (吴佳), the first store manager of Librairie Avant-Garde Weishan Chongzheng Academy, told reporters. Many tourists see the murals on the walls and ask if they can take pictures; when they encounter the brick carvings at the corners, they ask if they can touch them. The unique experience makes tourists willing to check in, record, and share photos, attracting more people to come.

"You probably can't imagine that the most troublesome problem in maintaining the bookstore now is squirrels and bats," Wu Jia said. The large banyan tree at the entrance of the academy and the century-old pine tree in the courtyard are havens for animals. Bat droppings are often found on the ground in the early morning, and mischievous squirrels often run through the halls, knocking over cultural and creative products. "We can't change the animals' habits. Although the academy has been transformed into a bookstore, we should still respect the past academy," Wu Jia said.

Government Guidance, Encouraging Social Capital Participation

When Yang Xijun (杨锡俊), the operator of Xishe Guesthouse, bought an old residence, the first thing he pulled out was the ancient city protection regulations; when Zheng Jun (郑军), the operator of a restaurant, rebuilt his old courtyard, he ran to seven departments for approval.

The renovation of ancient residences must be carried out in accordance with laws and regulations, without damaging the overall style of the ancient city. In Xishe Guesthouse, the historically valuable mountain gate, rockery, and houses have been preserved, and the steel structure shed that was added later has been demolished. "Renovating old residences costs more than building new houses," Yang Xijun said.

Zheng Jun's old courtyard now houses a restaurant. Zheng Jun said that ancient residences are mostly made of earth and wood, and once they are left uninhabited and unmaintained for a long time, the wooden beams and rafters are easily infested with insects and rot. Based on the actual situation, Weishan County encourages enterprises or individuals with economic strength and an interest in historical buildings to renovate, operate, and manage ancient buildings in accordance with requirements. Under the premise of "not changing the original state" and "restoring the old as before," it guides social capital to invest in the protection and revitalization of ancient buildings.

During the interview, reporters found that in Weishan Ancient City, the business formats for the revitalization of ancient residences are mainly concentrated in catering and guesthouses. Some people think that the utilization method is too simple, but Yang Kunhua (杨昆华), the person in charge of "Master Kun's" Restaurant, said: "Eating and lodging are tourists' essential needs. Moreover, through catering and guesthouses, tourists can better experience the charm of Weishan Ancient City."

"The government can guide the business layout of ancient residences, but it cannot be taken for granted. If it cannot survive in market competition, the business format that is forcibly done will not be sustainable," said Cha Shangzhen (茶尚珍), Secretary of the Party Group of the Weishan County Housing and Urban-Rural Development Bureau. The government's responsibility is to safeguard the safety and unified style of the ancient city and continuously improve the ancient city's public services; in terms of the operation of ancient residences, the new owners should still be respected.

"Not only should we protect ancient residences, but we should also retain the original residents," Cha Shangzhen said. Weishan County implements a government subsidy policy to encourage the original residents to stay and maximize the continuation of the original business format, so that the revitalization and utilization of historical buildings can be sustainable. Today, 90% of the residents in Weishan Ancient City are still the original residents.

"Choosing an ancient city is actually choosing the lifestyle of the ancient city," Zheng Jun told reporters. In the past two years, many Weishan people who have gone out choose to return to live after retirement, enjoying the slow life of the ancient city of drinking tea, playing chess, raising flowers, and walking birds.

"We give priority to encouraging the original residents who have gone out to repurchase ancient residences and revitalize them, and we also welcome foreign investors to transfer and operate guesthouses," Cha Shangzhen said. The revitalization and utilization of ancient residences can follow the principle of starting with the easy and then moving on to the difficult. First, some of the vacated public houses can be rented out as a demonstration, and then gradually guide and encourage qualified operators to participate.

Revitalization and Utilization, Safeguarding the Bottom Line of Protection

"The Sun Palace (太阳宫) of Dengjue Temple, a national key cultural relics protection unit, was once the Chinese medicine pharmacy of Weishan County People's Hospital. Because the pharmacy needed to be insect-proof, the entire hall was completely preserved," introduced Zi Xing (字兴), Director of the Weishan County Cultural Relics Management Office. According to the needs of ancient city protection, Weishan County has successively implemented the overall relocation of units occupying Dengjue Temple, a national key cultural relics protection unit, the ancient building complex of Nanzhao Town (南诏镇), and the Wenmiao (文庙), a provincial-level cultural relics protection unit. Since October 2000, a total of 320 million yuan has been invested in protection funds, and the first, second, and third phases of the ancient city's protective restoration project, as well as infrastructure construction such as the ancient city's road renovation and supporting pipeline network renewal, have been implemented. Illegal buildings and facilities that hinder the overall style of the ancient city have been demolished and rectified. The Literature Square (文献广场), Menghua Square (蒙化广场), and Nanzhao Culture Square (南诏文化广场) that are compatible with the historical and cultural city have been newly built. Today, the streets and alleys of Weishan Ancient City are distinct, and ancient buildings such as city towers, temples, academies, and guild halls are scattered, highlighting the urban pattern and style characteristics of the Ming and Qing dynasties.

Weishan County uses Dengjue Temple as a foundation, renovating and transforming it into the Nanzhao Museum. There are usually three to five hundred tourists here, and on weekends there are thousands. The Sun Palace of Dengjue Temple is an ancient building, restored to its original appearance, with key protection, only for display; the open space vacated by the demolition and relocation of the hospital is newly built as an exhibition area for Nanzhao historical culture. Because of fire prevention needs, the new exhibition area must use reinforced concrete, etc., but the style is blue tiles and white walls, consistent with the Sun Palace.

"The museum still has some vacant courtyards. In the next step, we will introduce business formats such as travel photography and afternoon tea around the needs of tourists to raise funds and better improve the museum's exhibition capacity," Zi Xing said. The museum is still inseparable from government financial subsidies.

If the business format of the ancient city is completely determined by the market, there may be excessive commercialization. "The protection of ancient buildings must be one step ahead of the market. If you haven't thought clearly about how to use it, first protect the real and complete ancient city," Cha Shangzhen said. Weishan County needs to 未雨绸缪 (wèi yǔ chóu móu - "prepare for rain before it comes," to plan ahead) in the protection of ancient buildings and the layout of business formats. The government's primary responsibility is to safeguard the bottom line of ancient building protection, and at the same time find ways to guide various entities to find a way out for the revitalization and utilization of ancient buildings.

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The 19th China Theatre Festival Opens in Hangzhou, Zhejiang

The 19th China Theatre Festival opened in Hangzhou, Zhejiang (浙江杭州) on the evening of September 5th, according to a report in this newspaper on September 7th from Hangzhou (杭州) (Reporter Jiang Nan (江南)). The drama "Going North" performed by the Hangzhou Drama Center (杭州话剧艺术中心) was staged at the Jinsha Lake Grand Theatre (金沙湖大剧院) in Hangzhou (杭州) as the premiere of this year's Theatre Festival.

The Theatre Festival is hosted by the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles (中国文学艺术界联合会) and the Chinese Theatre Association (中国戏剧家协会), and organized by the Publicity Department of the Zhejiang Provincial Party Committee (浙江省委宣传部) and the Hangzhou Municipal People's Government (杭州市人民政府), lasting until September 25th. During the Theatre Festival, 30 excellent plays covering 20 opera genres, as well as different theatrical art categories such as drama, opera, dance drama, musical, comedy, and puppet show, will be staged in various theaters in Hangzhou (杭州), and another 12 plays will be exhibited simultaneously in Wenzhou (温州).

The Theatre Festival continues the traditional activities such as "one play one review" and "one play one recommendation," and will also hold the "China Federation of Literary and Art Circles Lifetime Achievement Award (Drama)" commendation ceremony at the closing ceremony.

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Renowned Writers Arrive, Launching Literary "County" Tour Series

This newspaper Jiujiang (九江) September 7th (Reporters Wang Jue (王珏) and Zhou Huan (周欢)) From September 6th to 7th, the first stop of the "Famous Writers Arrive at the Literary 'County' Scene" series of activities, sponsored by the Chinese Writers Association (中国作家协会), was held in Xiushui County (修水县), Jiujiang City (九江市), Jiangxi Province (江西省). Writer Alai (阿来) interacted with readers, during which a number of activities were held, including "To the Windy Wilderness - Finding Readers Activity", "Literature Illuminates Life - Chinese Writers' 'Public Literature Class'", and "Literary Slow Time - Famous Writers and Readers Exchange Meeting".

The "Famous Writers Arrive at the Literary 'County' Scene" series of activities aims to respond to the expectations of grassroots writers and the general public, deliver high-quality literary resources directly to the grassroots, meet the spiritual and cultural needs of the people, nurture the literary ecology of the county, and at the same time, use the eyes of famous literary figures to discover the beauty of the county, use the power of literature to open up new development opportunities for the local area, and serve the local county economic development.

The event is planned to be carried out in Xiushui (修水) in Jiangxi (江西), Jimusaer (吉木萨尔) in Xinjiang (新疆), Yushu (玉树) in Qinghai (青海), Xixia (西峡) in Henan (河南), Mile (弥勒) in Yunnan (云南), and Linhai (临海) in Zhejiang (浙江). Some writers will go to these counties with rich cultural heritage to have face-to-face exchanges with readers.

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Guangdong-Guizhou Collaboration Releases 18 Featured Rural Agricultural, Cultural, and Tourism Routes

This newspaper, Tongren, September 7th (Reporters Luo Aihua (罗艾桦) and Huang Xian (黄娴)) The 2025 Guangdong-Guizhou Collaboration Platform Enterprise Helping Rural Agricultural, Cultural, and Tourism Integration Development On-site Docking Activity recently kicked off in Jiangkou County (江口县), Tongren City (铜仁市), Guizhou Province (贵州省). With the theme of "Collaboration Depicts Guizhou's Scenery · Agricultural, Cultural, and Tourism Circles," the event aims to gather the resource advantages of Guangdong (广东) and Guizhou (贵州), integrate the resource linking capabilities of Guangdong platform enterprises, think tanks, industry associations, and other organizations, import high-quality resources and consumer groups from the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (粤港澳大湾区) to the countryside, and activate rural development momentum.

At the event site, Guangdong-Guizhou Collaboration released 18 characteristic rural agricultural, cultural, and tourism routes, with themes covering "Fanjing Mountain (梵净山) Pure Water · Matcha Fragrance" and "Most Beautiful Zunyi (遵义) · Enjoying the Chishui River (赤水河)". In recent years, the East-West collaboration between Guangdong and Guizhou has continued to deepen. The Guangdong Provincial Guangdong-Guizhou Collaboration Working Group (广东省粤黔协作工作队), relying on the Guangdong-Guizhou East-West Collaboration mechanism and the "Ten Thousand Enterprises Revitalizing Ten Thousand Villages" action, combined with Guizhou's rich rural agricultural, cultural, and tourism resources, to promote complementary advantages and achieve a 合作共赢 (hé zuò gòng yíng - "cooperation win-win," mutually beneficial cooperation).

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Zheshang Futures: Actively Serving the High-Quality Development of the Real Economy

In 1995, Zheshang Futures Co., Ltd. (浙商期货) (hereinafter referred to as "Zheshang Futures") was established in Hangzhou (杭州), formerly known as Zhejiang Tianma Futures Brokerage Co., Ltd. (浙江天马期货经纪有限公司). Over the past 30 years, from the water towns of Jiangnan (江南) to the national market, from traditional brokerage business to comprehensive financial services with full licenses, Zheshang Futures has adhered to the corporate mission of "making futures simpler," using digital transformation as an engine, and writing a practical chapter of serving the real economy's high-quality development with financial contributions to the country.

Culture gathers strength, building a solid foundation for development.

Substantial internal strength is the key to steady and long-term progress. Zheshang Futures adheres to the leadership of Party building and innovatively creates the "Zheshang Red" (浙商红) Party building brand. Through the "Party Building and Business Go Hand in Hand" series of activities, it has visited 220 real economy enterprises and provided services more than 100 times, continuously enhancing its own development advantages, and has won the title of "Zhejiang Province Service Industry Leading Enterprise" (浙江省服务业领军企业).

In terms of cultural construction, Zheshang Futures has deeply rooted the corporate culture concept of "co-creation, co-sharing, and co-growth" in people's hearts, based on the excellent traditional Chinese culture, and cultivated cultural characteristics such as "Red Zheshang" (红色浙商), "Innovative Zheshang" (创新浙商), "Integrity Zheshang" (廉洁浙商), "Vibrant Zheshang" (活力浙商), and "Contributing Zheshang" (贡献浙商), making corporate culture a bond that unites the power of development.

Helping agriculture and production, activating the original driving force for development.

In the field of helping farmers and benefiting the people, Zheshang Futures has participated in the "insurance + futures" Nenjiang (嫩江) model pilot project since 2015, and has now grown into a backbone force in futures services for the comprehensive revitalization of rural areas. In Nenjiang (嫩江), Heilongjiang (黑龙江), the promotion of the soybean "insurance + futures" project has expanded from the initial pilot to a mature model with an annual guarantee of 125,000 mu; in Aksu (阿克苏), Xinjiang (新疆), measures such as directly providing price insurance to cotton farmers have effectively protected the rights and interests of cotton farmers and helped the healthy and sustainable development of the cotton industry; in Wucheng (武城), Shandong (山东), the innovative model of "bank credit + insurance + futures + basis acquisition" was adopted, and "Exploring a Better Model for Futures to Help Agriculture and Consolidate the Achievements of Poverty Alleviation - The Corn Income Insurance Project of 'Insurance + Futures' in Wucheng County (武城县), Shandong Province (山东省) Empowering Local Agriculture" was selected as a United Nations Global Poverty Reduction Case. Up to now, the company's "insurance + futures" project has benefited more than 200,000 farmers, fully safeguarding farmers' "grain bags" and "money bags."

In terms of industrial assistance, Zheshang Futures accurately solves the pain points and difficulties of the industrial chain. Facing the fluctuations in the steel market, Zheshang Futures designed European-style put options for upstream enterprises to prevent inventory devaluation, customized "buy call + sell put" option-embedded trade to lock in raw material costs for midstream enterprises, and provided "buying out-of-the-money call options" for downstream enterprises to reduce procurement costs. In addition, Zheshang Futures innovatively implemented a stepped hedging strategy for a mining enterprise in Inner Mongolia (内蒙古), helping it increase its hedging income by more than 20 million yuan; and designed a "warehouse receipt repurchase + hedging" plan for a Xinjiang (新疆) jujube enterprise, helping the enterprise solve the problems of capital shortage and inventory devaluation at the same time, so that financial services truly meet the needs of the industry.

Technology-driven, building a new service ecosystem.

As an explorer of digital transformation, Zheshang Futures launched its self-developed futures trading APP "Zheqi Hui" (浙期汇) as early as 2018, and upgraded it to a think tank version in 2021, transforming professional research results such as industrial chain maps and supply-demand balance sheets into visual tools, becoming an investor's personal "futures think tank." The "Qizhi Hui" (企智汇) integrated risk management platform launched in 2023 deeply integrates intelligent investment research with enterprise needs, and provides customized solutions for real enterprises through the entire process of digitalizing market analysis, hedging strategy design, and business execution. The platform realizes the industrial production of data collection and processing, logical precipitation and refinement, and research report generation and storage, and provides customers with accurate price risk management tools through industrial chain valuation models and dynamic balance analysis.

In 2025, Zheshang Futures upgraded and launched the "Four 'Hui' Four 'Fang' One 'Model'" digital service ecosystem. Among them, the four platforms "Zheqi Hui" (浙期汇), "Qizhi Hui" (企智汇), "Zhezhi Hui" (浙智汇), and "Wealth Hui" (财富汇) respectively cover futures trading, risk management, practice management, and wealth management, realizing intelligentization in all scenarios; the four modules "Value Preservation Fang" (保值方), "Cargo Cube" (货立方), "Agricultural Insurance Fang" (农保方), and "Option Cube" (权立方) accurately match the needs of enterprises for hedging, cash-futures trade, "insurance + futures," and over-the-counter derivatives trading, providing one-stop services; and the locally deployed "FutureSeek" dialogue terminal enables artificial intelligence to quickly serve futures business and promote the re-upgrading of digital services.

From a start-up enterprise on the shore of West Lake (西子湖畔) to a financial institution with a global layout, Zheshang Futures has resonated with the development of China's futures market for 30 years. In the future, Zheshang Futures will continue to use innovation as its oars and technology as its sails, and forge ahead on the course of serving the high-quality development of the real economy.

Data source: Zheshang Futures (浙商期货)

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Editor in Charge for This Edition: Xiao Yao, Guan Xuanyue, Dong Yingxue

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"Sister Mushroom's" Phone Becomes Consultation Hotline for Mushroom Farmers (My Hometown, My Development)

By: 本报记者 范昊天

Core Reading

In Yichang (宜昌), Hubei (湖北) Province, there is an agricultural expert affectionately known as "Sister Mushroom." She is Liu Shiling (刘世玲), an expert from the Yichang Municipal Academy of Agricultural Sciences (宜昌市农业科学研究院) who has been researching and promoting edible mushroom technology for over 20 years. She is highly skilled, having formulated provincial local standards for morel and king stropharia cultivation techniques. She is dedicated to farmers, going deep into the fields and helping over 50,000 mushroom farmers increase their income through demonstration, promotion, and on-site technical guidance.

Walking into the intelligent temperature-controlled mushroom houses of Yichang Daziran Biotechnology Co., Ltd. (宜昌大自然生物科技有限公司) in Maopingchang Town (茅坪场镇), Yuan'an County (远安县), Hubei (湖北), rows of button mushrooms emerge from the soil. Due to the hot weather, the small mushrooms "live" in air-conditioned rooms.

"This batch of mushrooms needs temperature difference stimulation, increased ventilation, and heavy water catalysis. It is estimated that they will produce mushrooms well in 5 days." Liu Shiling (刘世玲), wearing a white coat, stands beside the mushroom bed, "diagnosing" the mushrooms.

Liu Shiling (刘世玲), 59, is the director of the Institute of Microbiology at the Yichang Municipal Academy of Agricultural Sciences (宜昌市农业科学研究院微生物研究所), focusing on edible mushroom research and breeding for over 20 years. Through demonstration, promotion, and on-site technical guidance, she has helped over 50,000 mushroom farmers in Yichang (宜昌) increase their income and is affectionately known as "Sister Mushroom."

Repeated Screening

Cultivating High-Yield and High-Quality Strains

In the laboratory of the Institute of Microbiology at the Yichang Municipal Academy of Agricultural Sciences (宜昌市农科院微生物研究所), Liu Shiling (刘世玲) and her colleagues are sorting through a batch of newly collected wild mushroom strains. After taking photos, registering, and sampling, they are frozen at a low temperature of minus 80 degrees Celsius and then freeze-dried under vacuum to make specimens, which are sealed in specimen bottles. Over the years, she and her colleagues have collected a total of 143 large fungi unique to the local area, and have built the Three Gorges Fungi Museum (三峡真菌馆) in Yichang (宜昌), which is used for germplasm resource protection and utilization.

Located in the western Hubei (鄂西) mountainous area, Yichang (宜昌) has four distinct seasons and abundant rainfall. Edible mushrooms are one of the leading agricultural industries in its subordinate counties such as Yuan'an (远安) and Xingshan (兴山). More than 20 years ago, farmers mostly relied on experience to grow edible mushrooms. The technical level was low, the ability to resist risks was weak, and they were helpless in the face of natural disasters.

After Liu Shiling (刘世玲) became the director of the Institute of Microbiology in 2000, she learned about the urgent needs of farmers and began to lead the team to select and breed traditional mushroom varieties such as oyster mushrooms, shiitake mushrooms, and black fungus to improve their disease resistance, yield, and mushroom shape.

Over the years, Liu Shiling (刘世玲) found that these varieties were highly homogeneous. She realized that cultivating some new varieties with local characteristics would be more competitive in the market. In 2009, she turned her attention to rare edible mushrooms. After repeatedly screening local wild mushroom strains, she decided to artificially cultivate morels, which are nutritious, delicious, and have high economic value.

In order to select and breed high-yield and high-quality morels, Liu Shiling (刘世玲) led the team to plunge into the mountainous area of Changyang Tujia Autonomous County (长阳土家族自治县) at an altitude of more than 800 meters. They lived in the mountains for several months. Five team members took turns squatting in the mushroom shed, carefully observing the moisture, temperature, and other data suitable for mycelial growth every morning, noon, and evening, and recording the detailed process of mushroom production. After 5 years of exploration, they gradually mastered the key points of domestication, cultivation, and management techniques of wild morels. The team successfully cultivated morels in 2015, proposed the "facility cultivation technology of morels," and formulated provincial local standards for morel cultivation technology.

Promoting Technology

Going Deep into the Fields to Guide Farmers

At the morel cultivation base of Yuan'an County Junxiangyuan Edible Mushroom Professional Cooperative (远安县菌香苑食用菌专业合作社), the person in charge, Wang Zongbin (汪宗斌), looked at the rice in the field with anticipation. Last September, under the guidance of Liu Shiling (刘世玲), he adopted the "rice-mushroom rotation" method to plant morels during the rice planting gap. He had a good harvest this spring, with a net income of more than 10,000 yuan per mu. He plans to expand the planting area to 300 mu by November.

To hand over the "golden key" to wealth to farmers, it is necessary to do a good job in technology demonstration and promotion. On the one hand, Liu Shiling (刘世玲) actively participates in planting technology training meetings and other activities organized by agricultural departments at all levels to impart management technology to farmers. On the other hand, she goes deep into the fields to provide hands-on guidance.

Morels have strict requirements for the planting environment and technology. In the past few years, Wang Zongbin (汪宗斌), who was new to this industry, suffered a big setback. "I used to mainly grow shiitake mushrooms, which could not be sold at a good price. In 2021, I participated in the high-quality farmer training class organized by the county and was moved after listening to Teacher Liu's (刘老师) class." Wang Zongbin (汪宗斌) said that in the autumn of that year, he tried planting 10 mu of morels in the mountains of Maopingchang Town (茅坪场镇) and had a small harvest the following year.

Later, Wang Zongbin (汪宗斌), who tasted the sweetness, expanded the morel planting scale to 50 mu. Unexpectedly, in the spring of 2024, he encountered pests and diseases, and nearly 15 mu of land was almost completely destroyed, losing more than 300,000 yuan at once. Liu Shiling (刘世玲) came to the door in time to "diagnose" and prescribed a "prescription": "Try to avoid continuous cropping as much as possible. Appropriate fallow is conducive to restoring land fertility and reducing the occurrence of pests and diseases." "Keep the site environment clean and hygienic. The site must be sterilized and insecticidal before sowing." The morels planted by Wang Zongbin (汪宗斌) slowly recovered and the industry gradually got on the right track.

Running on the Front Line

Serving Mushroom Farmers to Produce Mushrooms Early and Well

Under the scorching sun, at the edible mushroom planting base of Hubei Yunpeng Agricultural Biotechnology Co., Ltd. (湖北耘蓬农业生物科技有限公司) in Niuzhaping Village (牛扎坪村), Dianjun District (点军区), Yichang (宜昌), a 28-year-old young man, Wang Huang (王皝), is driving a rotary tiller to till quicklime into the ground.

"We adopt the mushroom-vegetable rotation model. We plant king stropharia from October to March every year, and solanaceous vegetables from March to June. Now is the fallow period. We need to disinfect the land by spreading quicklime and exposing it to the sun to prepare for autumn sowing." Wang Huang (王皝) introduced that these technologies were taught to him by Liu Shiling (刘世玲).

King stropharia is a new type of edible mushroom that has emerged in recent years. Wang Huang (王皝), who graduated from the Pharmaceutical Engineering major of Three Gorges University (三峡大学), is from Inner Mongolia (内蒙古). After retiring from the army in 2022, he came to Yichang (宜昌) to start a business and rented 5 mu of plastic greenhouses in Niuzhaping Village (牛扎坪村) to try planting king stropharia.

Leveling the land, repairing the greenhouses, collecting straw, installing intelligent monitoring... Wang Huang (王皝) worked from dawn to dusk, looking forward to a bumper harvest. The early spring of the following year should have been the peak season for mushroom production, but the daily mushroom production was far from normal. Looking at the sparse mushrooms on the mushroom bed, Wang Huang (王皝) was anxious.

"Are there any mushroom experts who can help us analyze why mushrooms are not produced?" With a try-it-out mentality, Wang Huang (王皝) posted a short video online for help, which attracted the attention of many netizens. One of the netizens helped him contact Liu Shiling (刘世玲).

Wang Huang (王皝) did not expect that two days later, Liu Shiling (刘世玲), whom he did not know, came to his mushroom shed with her team. She squatted down, pinched the bacteria residue on the culture medium with her hand, and carefully observed the growth environment of the king stropharia. She quickly figured out the crux of the problem: "The biggest problem is that the film is covered, and the soil humidity is too high. You need to punch some holes in the mushroom bed to ventilate."

It turned out that Wang Huang (王皝) saw that mushrooms were not produced, and thought that the temperature was not enough, so he covered the mushroom shed with a thermal insulation film. As a result, the temperature rose, but oxygen could not enter. Under the guidance of Liu Shiling (刘世玲), he removed the film and punched some holes in the mushroom bed. On the third day, king stropharia emerged from the soil.

Liu Shiling (刘世玲) devoted herself to researching cultivation techniques and models, and formulated provincial local standards for king stropharia cultivation techniques in 2021. Through her efforts, the yield of king stropharia reached 3,000 kilograms per mu, which increased farmers' income while improving land utilization.

From October to April every year, it is the peak season for edible mushroom cultivation. Liu Shiling's (刘世玲) phone has become a consultation hotline for mushroom farmers, and it is almost "blown up" every day. She is either in the mushroom shed or on the way to the mushroom shed. Over the past 20 years, her footprints have spread all over the counties and cities of Yichang (宜昌), promoting the implementation and transformation of cultivation technologies such as shiitake mushrooms, morels, and king stropharia, training more than 20,000 people, and helping mushroom farmers produce mushrooms early, produce more mushrooms, and produce good mushrooms.

As night fell, Liu Shiling's (刘世玲) phone rang again. A mushroom farmer sent a photo of shiitake mushrooms breaking out of the bag. Liu Shiling (刘世玲) felt relieved after reading it, and then casually opened the phone album and saw a photo with her daughter. "When my daughter was a child, she often said, 'Mom is the mother of mushrooms, not my mother.' I feel very guilty for missing her company. Later, when my daughter started working, she not only understood me, but also often proudly told others, 'My mother has helped many people solve problems.'" Liu Shiling (刘世玲) said with a smile.

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Smartwatches in schools require more humane management (People's Livelihood Perspective)

By: 李祉瑶

For phone watches, classified management and a combination of blocking and guidance are more humane approaches.

Recently, primary and secondary schools welcomed the new semester. In Shenzhen (深圳), Guangdong (广东) Province, some parents suggested that the education department should prohibit primary and secondary school students from bringing phone watches and other electronic products to school, which sparked heated discussions among netizens.

The parents' original intention is understandable. Nowadays, some phone watches can not only make calls and locate, but also have entertainment functions such as playing games and watching videos. Excessive use of phone watches can not only distract from learning, but also lead to problems such as decreased vision and consumer comparison.

However, it is also unrealistic for schools to completely ban phone watches. The basic functions of phone watches, such as calling and positioning, allow parents to keep track of their children's whereabouts and get in touch with them in a timely manner. Although many schools have set up public telephones on campus and opened head teacher hotlines, in scenarios where students are away from school, such as going to and from school alone, phone watches do have a positive role in ensuring safety in the event of an emergency.

Managing phone watches is difficult to simply ban. The classified management and combination of blocking and guidance mentioned in the reply from the Longhua District (龙华区) Education Bureau in Shenzhen (深圳) to the parents' suggestion is a more humane approach.

Classified management is key to implementing differentiated policies. According to the Law on the Protection of Minors, minor students shall not bring mobile phones and other smart terminal products into the classroom without the permission of the school, and those brought into the school shall be managed uniformly. Although phone watches are different from mobile phones, some models have become close to mobile phones in terms of complete functions. Schools must make it clear that the bottom line is that the use of phone watches is strictly prohibited in the classroom.

On this basis, schools can explore classified management models: for phone watches with only basic functions, combine usage scenarios to clarify regulations, such as handing them in for unified safekeeping after entering the school, and returning them when school is over; for phone watches with entertainment functions, the requirements for mobile phone management can be used to restrict entry to the school, or require that permissions be set during school, retaining only basic functions.

Combining blocking and guidance requires guidance in addition to management. Instead of rejecting phone watches with a 一刀切 (yī dāo qiē - "one knife cut," a simplistic, uniform approach), it is better to help students establish correct concepts. Schools and parents should cultivate students' healthy habits of using electronic products reasonably and improve their self-control.

The competent industry authorities should also promote enterprises to optimize the functions of phone watches and other electronic products according to the needs of primary and secondary school students, so as to better adapt to school scenarios. Parents should also strictly control the selection of phone watches and carefully choose products with unnecessary entertainment functions according to their needs.

Parents' suggestions should become an opportunity to optimize the use and management of electronic products for primary and secondary school students. Through the efforts of all parties, a balance point between ensuring teaching order and meeting contact needs can be found to minimize the negative impact of phone watches on the learning and growth of primary and secondary school students.

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51Talk Strives to Build a Language Bridge Connecting the World

Against the backdrop of the joint construction of the "Belt and Road" entering its second golden decade and the implementation of the national cultural digitalization strategy, 51Talk, as a well-known brand in China's online education industry, actively carries out language education overseas, laying a solid foundation for breaking cognitive barriers and promoting exchanges and communication, and contributing to enhancing people-to-people connectivity.

Dual-Engine Drive, Building a Global Business Layout

51Talk implements a "dual-engine" strategy based on local roots and overseas expansion to build a global business layout.

Based on local roots, it provides language education services to help Chinese enterprises "go global." In response to the language challenges faced by Chinese enterprises in foreign business exchanges, 51Talk provides systematic, scenario-based, and customized language training solutions. To meet the needs of enterprises in cultivating compound international talents, 51Talk's language education services not only cover English but also involve multiple minor languages of countries jointly building the "Belt and Road." Currently, it has helped companies such as the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (中国工商银行), China National Petroleum Corporation (中国石油), Mengniu (蒙牛), and TCL enhance the English proficiency and cross-cultural adaptability of their expatriate staff, effectively promoting international business exchanges and cooperation.

In terms of expanding overseas markets, 51Talk is simultaneously advancing two key tasks: first, actively meeting the broad demand of overseas users for high-quality English learning; and second, taking the international promotion of Chinese education and the dissemination of Chinese culture as key focuses, building a business pattern of coordinated development of language teaching and cultural dissemination in some countries jointly building the "Belt and Road." At present, 51Talk's services have covered more than 50 countries and regions, with a cumulative total of over 100 million lessons taught, becoming an online language learning platform widely trusted by overseas users.

AI Empowerment and Localization Innovation, Driving the Leap in Learning Effectiveness

While exporting language education concepts and practical experience, 51Talk always listens to the diverse voices of global users, pays attention to localization innovation, and customizes learning programs that meet local needs for learners in different regions.

51Talk deeply integrates cutting-edge artificial intelligence large model technology through its self-developed AirClass online teaching platform and Magic Mirror Brain system, forming a digital teaching system covering the entire scenario of "teaching, learning, practice, testing, and evaluation," realizing a comprehensive upgrade of the teaching experience.

Driven by AI big data, 51Talk continues to optimize the personalized teaching model. Before class, customized preview programs are generated based on AI learning diagnosis; during class, the learning status of students is dynamically perceived, and the content and rhythm are adjusted in real time; after class, learning analysis is conducted through big data, and precise training tasks are pushed. This data-driven teaching model has been widely recognized by users.

As a deep practitioner of language education going overseas, 51Talk always adheres to the mission of the times and social responsibility, actively promotes education benefiting actions such as the "Entering School Project" (进校工程) and the "New Window Plan" (新窗计划), organizes systematic training for English teachers in the western region of China, strongly supports the balanced development of regional education, actively practices the integrated concept of "education-technology-culture," and helps promote high-quality education development. In the future, 51Talk will continue to work with global partners to drive education overseas with technological innovation, strive to build a language bridge connecting the world, continuously enhance brand competitiveness and influence, and achieve "going out, staying, and doing well."

Data source: 51Talk

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This edition's editors: Lü Li, Bai Zhenzhi, Ma Ruishan

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Green Relay in the Depths of the Mu Us Desert (Beautiful China)

By: 本报记者 顾仲阳

Core Reading

From carrying forward the spirit of hard struggle and continuing to plant trees to control desertification, to using scientific and technological means to improve the efficiency of desertification control, and then to developing green industries to drive income growth for the masses... In Otog Banner (乌审旗), Ordos City (鄂尔多斯市), Inner Mongolia (内蒙古), generations of desertification control workers have continuously consolidated and expanded the results of governance, writing a moving story of turning the desert into an oasis and barren land into fertile fields.

Blue skies, comfortable clouds, green expanses, and grazing cattle and sheep. Deep in the Mu Us Desert (毛乌素沙地) – Otog Banner (乌审旗), Ordos City (鄂尔多斯市), Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region (内蒙古自治区), driving through it, the scenery is pleasing to the eye.

The patches of green come from the green relay of generations of cadres and the masses in Otog Banner (乌审旗) – the forest coverage rate of Otog Banner (乌审旗) has increased from 2.6% in the 1950s to 32.92%, and the vegetation coverage has reached more than 80%. The local area is making every effort to fight the "Three-North" Shelterbelt Project (三北防护林工程) battle in the "zigzag bend" of the Yellow River (黄河), and strive to create new miracles in sand prevention and control in the new era.

Relay desertification control, the governance rate of the Mu Us Desert (毛乌素沙地) within Otog Banner (乌审旗) has reached 80%

Walking into the museum located in Wushenzhao Gacha (乌审召嘎查), Wushenzhao Town (乌审召镇), the harsh scene of "yellow sand rolling in the sky, lights burning in the house during the day. Pedestrians can't see the road when they go out, and half of the pasture is buried in the sand" comes from old photos...

Faced with the endless yellow sand, in the 1950s and 1960s, local cadre Baoriledai (宝日勒岱) led the vast number of cadres and the masses to seal 100,000 mu of mobile sand dunes, turning nearly 60,000 mu of barren desert into lush pastures. Inspired by the stories of the predecessors in desertification control, the cadres and masses of Otog Banner (乌审旗) continue to write the story of the Mu Us Desert (毛乌素沙地) "changing from yellow to green, and from green to rich."

At a comprehensive management construction site for desertified land in Buridu Gacha (布日都嘎查), Wushenzhao Town (乌审召镇), Yuan Guangying (袁广英), the head of the Wunagenburidu Cooperative (乌那根布日都合作社), and his fellow villagers are rushing to plant Yangchai (杨柴) (a type of shrub). "The surrounding area is basically green, and the unmanaged areas are scattered sand ridges. We must carry forward the spirit of hard struggle of the older generation of desertification control workers and take down these tough bones," said Yuan Guangying (袁广英).

At the desertification control site, Aolun Qiqige (敖伦其其格), a herdsman from Wushenzhao Gacha (乌审召嘎查), and her mother Wudunge Rile (乌敦格日勒) come to help whenever they have time. Wudunge Rile (乌敦格日勒) was a member of the "Iron Girls" (铁姑娘) commando team formed by Baoriledai (宝日勒岱) that year. In 2021, with the support of her mother, Aolun Qiqige (敖伦其其格) took the lead in establishing a new era "Iron Girls" (铁姑娘) volunteer service team, continuing to be active on the front line of desertification control.

"The Mu Us Desert (毛乌素沙地) is a major focus of the 'Three-North' Shelterbelt Project (三北防护林工程) battle in the 'zigzag bend' of the Yellow River (黄河). The governance rate of the Mu Us Desert (毛乌素沙地) within Otog Banner (乌审旗) has reached 80%. We will continue to consolidate and expand the results of desertification control and turn the beautiful blueprint of green Otog (乌审) into reality as soon as possible," said Wang Xuefeng (王雪峰), Secretary of the Otog Banner (乌审旗) Party Committee.

Scientific desertification control, drone precision seeding and other technologies are widely used

"Cut down the degraded poplar trees and update the planting of Scotch pine. The afforestation density is significantly reduced. Look how well they are growing!" "I plan to plant Acer truncatum (元宝枫) and Xanthoceras sorbifolium (文冠果) on this wasteland. While greening, it can increase the beautification effect and also increase income..." Driving through the family forest farm, Yin Yuzhen (殷玉珍), a villager from Sala Usu Village (萨拉乌苏村), Wudinghe Town (无定河镇), is full of pride and constantly introduces her "desertification control experience" to reporters.

"Desertification control requires hard work, but also knowing how to do it." As a representative of the second generation of desertification control workers in Otog Banner (乌审旗), Yin Yuzhen (殷玉珍) followed the desertification control methods summarized by Baoriledai (宝日勒岱) and other older generations of desertification control workers, such as "front blocking and rear pulling, wearing boots and hats, locking the edges and eating away, and gradually advancing," and then to the "three-element nesting" governance model adopted in recent years, learning while doing, and practicing the scientific desertification control concepts of determining green with water, adapting trees to the local conditions, and combining natural restoration with artificial measures. In 40 years, 70,000 mu of barren sandy land has been covered with green. "To be effective in desertification control, we must adapt to local conditions and times, and carry out classified and precise governance," said Yin Yuzhen (殷玉珍).

At the "Three-North" Shelterbelt Project (三北防护林工程) operation site in Huhetaolegai Gacha (呼和陶勒盖嘎查), Galutu Town (嘎鲁图镇), a ditching and planting machine is cultivating ditches on the sandy land and planting rows of Caragana korshinskii (柠条). Herdsman Gongjiri Gala (贡吉日嘎拉) introduced: "This machine has high working efficiency, and the Yangchai (杨柴) planted last year is growing very well!"

Tiemuer Bagena (铁木尔巴格那), head of the Forest Industry Station in Galutu Town (嘎鲁图镇), introduced that in order to improve the effectiveness of desertification control, the station has successively developed 15 kinds of sandy land afforestation machines, such as sandy land ditching machines and double-row hole digging machines. On the front line of desertification control in Otog Banner (乌审旗), suitable technologies such as drone precision seeding, mechanical sand barrier laying, and water-saving drip irrigation are widely used.

Technological empowerment and scientific desertification control improve the efficiency and quality of desertification control. Lü Qi (吕琪), Director of the Forestry and Grassland Bureau of Otog Banner (乌审旗), said that they will further increase the mechanization rate of ecological construction projects and the application and transformation rate of forestry and grass science and technology, promote effective governance models such as "three-element nesting," and strive to basically control the exposed sandy land in Otog Banner (乌审旗) by 2030, increase the forest coverage rate to more than 35%, and increase the vegetation coverage to more than 85%.

Rational use of sand, green industries are booming in the Mu Us Desert (毛乌素沙地)

In the biomass pellet factory located in Wulanshibatai Village (乌兰什巴台村), Tuke Town (图克镇), the machines are roaring, and the Salix psammophila (沙柳) is processed into bags of biomass pellet fuel, loaded into trucks and transported out.

In 2018, after Liu Erfei (刘二飞) was elected as the Secretary of the Party Branch of Wulanshibatai Village (乌兰什巴台村), he conducted extensive research on industries that could enrich the people, and finally discovered that the "treasure" was right next to him – as a pioneer tree species for desertification control, Salix psammophila (沙柳) is widely planted locally, and the biomass pellet fuel processed from Salix psammophila (沙柳) can be widely used in heating, power generation, etc. "The sandy land has become green, the environment has become better, and how to transform green water and green mountains into Jinshan Yinshan (金山银山) and make the pockets of the people bulge is the mission of our third generation of desertification control workers," said Liu Erfei (刘二飞).

Therefore, the Wulanshibatai Village (乌兰什巴台村) biomass pellet factory was established. Driven by the factory, the annual per capita disposable income of farmers and herdsmen in the village increased from 12,000 yuan in 2018 to 30,000 yuan in 2024. At the same time, Liu Erfei (刘二飞) also led the villagers to increase the collective income of more than 20 surrounding Gacha villages by more than 4.3 million yuan in accordance with the methods of resource sharing, product co-sales, and benefit sharing.

In Otog Banner (乌审旗), from biomass pellet fuel to wood, furniture, and mushrooms, Salix psammophila (沙柳) has "grown" into an industrial chain. Adhering to technological innovation, on the Mu Us Desert (毛乌素沙地), stories of panning for gold in the sand and achieving green prosperity are still continuing.

In Sulide Sumu (苏力德苏木), patches of jujube forest are a unique landscape, which can not only prevent wind and fix sand, but also increase the income of farmers and herdsmen. Li Kong (李孔), the head of the Inner Mongolia Wushen Jujube Science and Technology Courtyard (内蒙古乌审红枣科技小院), cooperated with Inner Mongolia Agricultural University (内蒙古农业大学) and led the team to successfully cultivate "Mengzao No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3" (蒙枣1号、2号、3号) suitable for growing in sandy land, which have been promoted and planted in Ordos City (鄂尔多斯市). In 2024, the "New Variety Cultivation and Industrialization Application of Sandy Land Jujube" project won the first prize of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Science and Technology Progress Award (内蒙古自治区科学技术进步奖). "We also promote the planting of wild jujube and hawthorn to help more villagers embark on the road to ecological industrialization and prosperity," said Li Kong (李孔).

The desert has become an oasis, and the desert has become fertile land. Sandy land forest fruits, sandy land Chinese medicinal materials, ecological agriculture, ecological tourism and other green industries are booming on the vast Mu Us Desert (毛乌素沙地), and are bursting with the vitality that green water and green mountains are Jinshan Yinshan (金山银山).

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Raising Deer Leads to a Path of Development

By: 本报记者 辛 阳

At the first light of dawn, in the China (Xifeng) Sika Deer Germplasm Culture Park in Anle Village, Gaojiadian Town, Xifeng County, Tieling City, Liaoning Province, accompanied by the calls of deer, Luo Jiantong (罗剑通), the technical director of the Germplasm Culture Park, hurried towards the deer sheds in Unit 3 of the park—where adorable fawns were basking in the sun. "These are the fawns born in June this year. Their mothers are all high-quality breeding does in the park. Three-month-old fawns need careful care, and there is no room for carelessness," said Luo Jiantong (罗剑通). This year, the park has produced more than 2,000 purebred Xifeng sika deer (西丰梅花鹿) fawns.

Xifeng County (西丰县) is a national-level standardized demonstration area for sika deer breeding. As of now, the total number of sika deer raised in Xifeng County (西丰县) has exceeded 60,000, with nearly 300 sika deer breeding households and 36,000 people engaged in deer breeding, processing, and sales.

"Xifeng sika deer (西丰梅花鹿) are medium in size and have shorter bodies, with the characteristics of high yield, high quality, and stable genetic traits," said Luo Jiantong (罗剑通).

"Xifeng sika deer (西丰梅花鹿)" is one of China's excellent sika deer breeds and was included in the "China Livestock and Poultry Genetic Resources Records" in 2010. The Liaoning Xifeng Sika Deer Breeding System (辽宁西丰梅花鹿养殖系统) was successfully selected into the seventh batch of China Important Agricultural Heritage Systems in 2023. Xifeng County (西丰县) was selected into the list of advantageous areas for the development of agricultural characteristic industries in Liaoning Province. In recent years, Xifeng County (西丰县) has continuously promoted the improvement of deer herd quality and expansion of scale by deeply cultivating the fertile ground of "germplasm breeding."

Walking into the Yongsheng Seed Deer Farm (永晟种鹿场) in Diaoyu Town (钓鱼镇), Xifeng County (西丰县), workers were busy transporting forage. "September is the best viewing period for sika deer. The grayish-yellow fur has faded, and the spots are particularly obvious. This is also a good time for us to select high-quality breeding stags," said Zhang Shuhui (张树辉), the head of Yongsheng Seed Deer Farm (永晟种鹿场). Xifeng County (西丰县) strengthens the protection of sika deer germplasm resources and promotes the construction of breeding farms. In the thirtieth area of Yongsheng Seed Deer Farm (永晟种鹿场), a beautiful and strong sika deer was lying in the field. "This is a breeding stag that the deer farm focuses on breeding. It is expected that the annual antler production can reach 10 kilograms. The deer farm selects more than 100 such high-quality breeding stags every year," said Zhang Shuhui (张树辉).

Standing in the deer farm, looking at the plump sika deer around, Zhang Shuhui (张树辉) said: "Germplasm is the key to the development of the sika deer industry. In the future, more high-quality purebred Xifeng sika deer (西丰梅花鹿) will be bred here."

In recent years, Xifeng County (西丰县) has focused on the purebred development of sika deer, deepened cooperation with the Institute of Special Animal and Plant Sciences of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (中国农业科学院特产研究所), and taken the opportunity of good breed registration to purify and strengthen the quality of "Xifeng sika deer (西丰梅花鹿)." At the same time, Xifeng County (西丰县) is accelerating the construction of a "germplasm resource" protection center for sika deer with the largest number of preserved and the purest breeds in China, developing molecular marker technology, and discovering a number of excellent genes through the implementation of germplasm resource identification and evaluation.

Liangquan Town (凉泉镇) in Xifeng County (西丰县) has established sika deer breeding as a leading industry to strengthen the collective economy and drive the increase of villagers' income. Relying on financial support such as provincial-level support to strengthen the village-level collective economic project, seven standardized deer sheds have sprung up, and then rented to Song Yufu (宋玉甫), a major deer breeder in Liangquan Village (凉泉村), Liangquan Town (凉泉镇), which has increased the collective income of the village. At the same time, it also provides employment opportunities for villagers at their doorsteps, and drives surrounding villagers to jointly integrate into the sika deer breeding industry chain and share the dividends of industrial development by purchasing agricultural products such as corn and soybeans.

"In the past, there were many people in the town who raised deer, but most households explored based on experience and lacked technical support," said Song Yufu (宋玉甫). He has always wanted to lead the villagers to a new path of development through large-scale demonstration breeding—selecting excellent breeds, optimizing breeding models, and improving breeding technology, so that sika deer breeding can truly drive the increase of villagers' income.

Now, the number of sika deer in Liangquan Town (凉泉镇) has exceeded 2,000, and the industrial scale has been expanded. Jiang Fulu (蒋福录), a villager in Quanbei Village (泉北村), Liangquan Town (凉泉镇), is a direct beneficiary of the sika deer breeding industry. Song Yufu (宋玉甫) paired up with him, passed on his experience, and taught him technical experience in deer shed construction, feed ratio, and disease prevention, while sharing reliable sales channels. With this detailed guidance, Jiang Fulu (蒋福录) quickly figured out the way to raise deer, raising a total of 80 sika deer, with an annual income of 250,000 yuan.

(Zhang Yu (张瑜) participated in the writing)

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Celebrating Giant Panda's Birthday

Giant panda "Gege" (格格) was born on September 6, 2003, at the Hetaoping Wild Training Base (核桃坪野化培训基地) of the China Giant Panda Conservation and Research Center (中国大熊猫保护研究中心), and came to Tianjin Zoo (天津动物园) in 2018. On September 6th, to celebrate the 22nd birthday of the giant panda "Gege" (格格), Tianjin Zoo (天津动物园) prepared a special birthday meal of bamboo shoots, seasonal fruits, and other delicacies. Many citizens rushed to the Tianjin Zoo Panda House (天津动物园熊猫馆) to celebrate the giant panda's birthday together.

Xinhua News Agency reporter Sun Fanyue (孙凡越) photographed.

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Typhoon Tapah to Make Landfall in Guangdong Coastal Areas Today

People's Daily, Beijing, September 7th (Reporters Li Hongmei (李红梅) and Deng Jianyang (邓剑洋)) At 20:00 on September 6th, the tropical depression in the South China Sea strengthened into Typhoon "Tapah," the 16th typhoon of this year. On the 7th, affected by Typhoon "Tapah," Guangdong coastal areas and Hainan Island and other places experienced windy and rainy weather. At 17:00 on the 7th, "Tapah" strengthened from a tropical storm to a severe tropical storm. The National Meteorological Center (中央气象台) predicts that "Tapah" will move north-northwest at a speed of about 20 kilometers per hour, gradually increasing in intensity, and will land on the coast of Guangdong's Taishan (台山) to Dianbai (电白) area between the early hours and morning of the 8th (severe tropical storm or typhoon level, 28-33 meters/second, level 10-12). After landing, the intensity will gradually weaken. After comprehensive research and judgment and emergency consultation, at 8:30 on the 7th, the China Meteorological Administration (中国气象局) launched a level IV emergency response for major meteorological disasters (typhoon, heavy rain). At 18:00 on the 7th, the National Meteorological Center (中央气象台) continued to issue a yellow typhoon warning and a yellow rainstorm warning. The Ministry of Water Resources (水利部) and the Ministry of Natural Resources (自然资源部) jointly issued a yellow mountain flood disaster meteorological warning and a geological disaster meteorological risk warning with the China Meteorological Administration (中国气象局), respectively.

It is expected that from 20:00 on the 7th to 20:00 on the 8th, most of the South China Sea, Beibu Gulf, Qiongzhou Strait, parts of the Xisha Islands (西沙群岛), the sea area near the Zhongsha Islands (中沙群岛), the coastal areas of Guangdong (广东), the Pearl River Estuary (珠江口) area, the eastern and northern coastal areas of Hainan Island (海南岛), and the coastal areas of Guangxi (广西) will have strong winds of level 6-8. Among them, some sea areas in the northern part of the South China Sea and the central and western coastal areas of Guangdong (广东) may have winds of level 9-10, and the sea areas or regions passed by the center of the typhoon may have winds of level 11-12, with gusts of level 13-14; central and southern Guangdong (广东) and southeastern Guangxi (广西) will have heavy rain to torrential rain.

Affected by Typhoon "Tapah," from the 7th to the 10th, the Dongjiang (东江), Hanjiang (韩江), Luodingjiang (罗定江), and Xinxingjiang (新兴江) rivers in Guangdong (广东), as well as the main stream of the Xijiang River (西江) and the Beiliuhe River (北流河) tributary of the Yujiang River (郁江) in Guangxi (广西), will experience significant water level rises. Small and medium-sized rivers in the heavy rain area, such as the Jianjiang Moyangjiang (鉴江漠阳江) in the western coastal area of Guangdong (粤西) and the Nanliujiang Baishahe (南流江白沙河) in the southern coastal area of Guangxi (桂南), may experience floods exceeding the warning level.

At 10:00 on the 7th, the Ministry of Water Resources (水利部) launched a level IV emergency response for flood prevention for Guangdong (广东) and Guangxi (广西), requiring the water resources departments of the two provinces (autonomous regions) and the Pearl River Water Resources Commission (珠江水利委员会) to pay close attention to the development and changes in rainfall, water conditions, and flood conditions, closely monitor the development trend and movement path of the typhoon, and strengthen monitoring, forecasting, early warning, consultation, and judgment. The Pearl River Water Resources Commission (珠江水利委员会) of the Ministry of Water Resources (水利部) launched a level III emergency response for flood prevention, scheduling the Datengxia (大藤峡) and other key reservoirs to pre-discharge and empty their reservoirs to welcome the flood season. The Ministry of Water Resources (水利部) dispatched two working groups to Guangdong (广东) and Guangxi (广西) to assist and guide the work of preventing torrential rain and floods caused by Typhoon "Tapah."

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Protecting wetlands is like protecting my children. (Guardians of green mountains and clear waters)

By: 本报记者 孙海天

In the autumn of Changjiang Li Autonomous County (昌江黎族自治县), Hainan (海南), egrets dance and insects chirp in the Haiwei National Wetland Park (海尾国家湿地公园). Xue Meili (薛美丽) (pictured, provided by the interviewee), head of the park management center, bent down and parted a dense clump of shrubs, quietly extending the camera's telephoto lens.

"Shhh—" she gestured, her eyes fixed on the distant pond. In the lens, an Oriental darter was grooming its feathers on the branches of a shrub. "Click, click," the shutter sounded, and Xue Meili (薛美丽) captured this precious moment.

Six years ago, 42-year-old Xue Meili (薛美丽) first came to work at the park management center. At that time, although it had been approved as a national wetland park pilot, everything was still in its initial stages. Facing the complex wetland ecological environment, Xue Meili (薛美丽) felt apprehensive. "At that time, I knew nothing about it, so I felt that I had to quickly learn new knowledge," Xue Meili (薛美丽) recalled. "To protect the wetland, you must first understand it and know its resources." In November 2019, the park carried out ecological monitoring, and Xue Meili (薛美丽) insisted on following the expert team to the wetland every month to take photos and record data.

During the day, she stepped into the wetland, sometimes sinking deep, to shoot video and photographic materials; at night, she plunged into professional books and online courses to learn about plant and animal classification and bird habits. In her studies, Xue Meili (薛美丽) constantly explored and optimized her working methods. She found that the original fixed transect monitoring easily missed key areas. After studying with experts for three years, Xue Meili (薛美丽) proposed to the park management center and the monitoring expert team to replace "transects" with "sample areas." "Only by expanding the monitoring range can we more comprehensively grasp the wetland's ecological status," she said. After the suggestion was implemented, the monitoring effect was significantly improved.

Birds are frequent visitors to wetlands and a barometer of wetland ecology. In the autumn of 2021, Xue Meili (薛美丽) inadvertently photographed an unfamiliar "little duck," which experts identified as a Cotton Pygmy Goose—117 years since the last record in Hainan (海南). The Cotton Pygmy Goose is a national second-class protected bird and was once thought to be extinct in Hainan (海南). This discovery is of great significance for studying its population distribution.

To get more people involved in bird protection, in 2021, Xue Meili (薛美丽) initiated the establishment of the "Changjiang Bird Loving Team (昌江爱鸟队)." Members use their spare time to patrol and monitor, clean up bird nets, and protect bird habitats. Not only that, Xue Meili (薛美丽) also took her photos to schools, communities, and enterprises. Her popular science articles are widely popular on social platforms. "Let more people understand the wetland, fall in love with birds, and protection can last," Xue Meili (薛美丽) said.

The effect of the protection is increasingly apparent. In recent years, rare species such as the national first-class protected birds Black-faced Spoonbill, Black Stork, and Glossy Ibis, and the national second-class key protected wild animals Common Palm Civet and Leopard Cat, have appeared or settled in Haiwei National Wetland Park (海尾国家湿地公园). In July of this year, the Oriental Darter, listed as a near-threatened species, appeared in Hainan (海南) for the first time, and the discovery site was this wetland. In 2023, the Hainan Changjiang Haiwei Wetland (海南昌江海尾湿地) migratory bird important habitat was selected into the first batch of national terrestrial wildlife important habitat list. The wetland bird list has increased from 83 species in 2017 to 213 species in July this year.

"Loving the wetland is like loving my children," Xue Meili (薛美丽) said. Because of this continued love and protection, she was selected for the first quarter of the 2024 "China Good People List (中国好人榜)."

As the sun sets, Xue Meili (薛美丽) puts away her camera and looks out over the wetland—a Purple Swamphen leads its chicks leisurely foraging among the aquatic plants, and a beautiful picture of harmony between humans and birds is unfolding brilliantly in Haiwei National Wetland Park (海尾国家湿地公园).

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Fuzhou, Fujian "Insures" 5,236 Ancient and Famous Trees

This newspaper Fuzhou (福州) September 7th (Reporter Fu Wen (付文)) The reporter learned from the Standing Committee of the Fuzhou Municipal People's Congress (福州市人大常委会): The newly revised "Fuzhou City Ancient and Famous Trees Protection and Management Measures" (《福州市古树名木保护管理办法》) has been implemented since January 2024. The local area pioneered the "Ancient and Famous Trees + Judiciary" and "Ancient and Famous Trees + Insurance" models in Fujian Province (福建省). Currently, joint supervision units and responsible persons have been implemented for more than 4,000 ancient and famous trees, and "property loss insurance" and "public liability insurance" have been purchased for 5,236 ancient and famous trees.

In order to improve the long-term protection mechanism for ancient and famous trees, Fuzhou (福州) has guaranteed capital investment. Since last year, it has invested 3.17 million yuan in expenses such as patrol inspections and rescue and rejuvenation of ancient and famous trees, and strived for provincial financial support to carry out the protection of the "Most Beautiful Ancient Tree Group in Fujian" (福建最美古树群) and the rejuvenation of ancient trees. With technology to help protect ancient and famous trees, Fuzhou (福州) took the lead in compiling and revising two provincial-level technical standards for ancient and famous trees, carried out research on key technologies for breeding and cultivation, and built a Fuzhou (福州) ancient and famous tree gene resource conservation nursery.

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This edition's editors: Zhang Ye, He Yuche, Qin Ruijie

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Time will give us the best answer (Behind the famous scene)

By: 本报记者 郝迎灿

Column Opening Remarks

On the arena, there have been many memorable moments: comebacks against all odds, passion that breaks limits, courage to go all out, and unity in sharing joys and sorrows... These moments, etched in the album of history, inspire people to dare to surpass, to be brave in striving, and interpret the moving power of sports.

Each memorable moment once started in a corner; thousands upon thousands of times of tempering forged the glory under the spotlight.

Starting today, this edition launches a new column, "Behind the Memorable Moments," focusing on the stories behind the moments of glory, paying tribute to those journeys of chasing the light.

Memorable Moment

On February 9, 2025, Beijing Winter Olympics champion Xu Mengtao (徐梦桃) won the women's aerials freestyle skiing championship at the Harbin Asian Winter Games in Yabuli (亚布力), Heilongjiang (黑龙江), successfully collecting championships from major domestic and international events such as the Winter Olympics, World Championships, World Cup, World Junior Championships, Asian Winter Games, National Winter Games, and National Championships, becoming the first Chinese snow sports athlete to achieve a Grand Slam. After the competition, she said "very" four times in a row, "Very happy, very excited, very blessed, and very grateful!"

Message

As long as you keep moving forward, time will give us the best response.

——Xu Mengtao (徐梦桃)

Shouldering skis, wearing ski boots, climbing 123 steps, assisting in the glide, taking off, somersaulting, landing in the water...

During summer training at the National Sports Training Center in Qinhuangdao (秦皇岛), Xu Mengtao (徐梦桃) repeats this process more than a dozen times every day.

The few seconds of tumbling in the air come from countless climbs. "The 123 steps are 12.3 meters high. I jump an average of 10 times a day, and summer training lasts for 5 months each year. Over the past 18 years, the total climbing height has exceeded 330,000 meters, equivalent to 37 Mount Everest." Xu Mengtao (徐梦桃) summarized her life in the national team for the past 18 years with data.

Traveling with wind and snow, Xu Mengtao (徐梦桃) has created one record after another in the field of freestyle skiing aerials: winning China's first women's Winter Olympics gold medal in the event, achieving a Grand Slam in snow sports, and winning over a hundred medals in international competitions...

Walking the road with thorns, even after experiencing 4 major surgeries, including anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in both knees and 70% of the meniscus being removed, Xu Mengtao's (徐梦桃) steps forward have never hesitated, "The word 'bowing my head' does not exist in my dictionary."

Staying true to her love, winning the championship after four Winter Olympics, this 35-year-old veteran's belief is still burning hot, "Go all out to defend the title at the Milan Winter Olympics!"

Re-embarking After Repeated Setbacks

Freestyle skiing aerials is known as the "brave man's sport" on snow. "Athletes rush down the snow track at a speed of 50 to 70 kilometers per hour, relying on inertia to take off to a height equivalent to 6 floors. They not only have to complete difficult movements in the air, but also have to withstand an impact force several times their own weight when landing," said Xu Mengtao (徐梦桃). The danger is self-evident, and injuries are inevitable.

Years of sports injuries have tormented the no-longer-young Xu Mengtao (徐梦桃). The clearly visible scars on her legs testify to Xu Mengtao's (徐梦桃) efforts and courage along the way, "Even now, as long as the movements are slightly strenuous during training, my knee joints will make noise."

Xu Mengtao (徐梦桃) first encountered a major setback at the end of 2007. Due to an unstable landing center of gravity, the tip of the ski board was inserted into the snow, causing a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament in her right knee. Major knee injuries are fatal to athletes, and many people find it difficult to return to their peak condition even after recovery. Xu Mengtao (徐梦桃), who has always "reported good news but not bad," hid it from her parents and underwent surgery alone, groping for rehabilitation training. "If I couldn't go downstairs, I asked others to help me get food; if it was difficult to go to the toilet, I bought a toilet stool; if there was no rehabilitation coach, I practiced my core and stretched myself..." As her condition improved, in order to exercise her balance, Xu Mengtao (徐梦桃) deliberately hopped to the cafeteria on one leg to eat. At that time, her younger teammate Wang Xindi (王心迪) was only 12 years old. Seeing this scene, he couldn't help but feel a sense of respect and hurried forward to help her. Who would have thought that 15 years later, the two would happily get married.

"At that time, I had to go to Beijing (北京) for physiotherapy every month. The train would stop at Anshan (鞍山) Station in Liaoning (辽宁) in the middle. I couldn't wait to get off the train immediately and go home, throwing myself into my parents' arms and crying, but I held back in the end." Night after night, Xu Mengtao (徐梦桃) had difficulty sleeping due to pain, but she gritted her teeth and persevered, and it only took her 7 months to recover to the point where she could carry out special training.

In the final of the 2016 National Winter Games, Xu Mengtao (徐梦桃) fell heavily to the ground, causing a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee. This time, she was no longer fighting alone - after learning the news from the live broadcast, Xu Mengtao's (徐梦桃) mother rushed to the hospital to take care of her; the team formulated a personalized rehabilitation training plan for her... During the rehabilitation period, she had to carry out 8 hours of systematic training every day, and Xu Mengtao (徐梦桃) gritted her teeth and persevered, "I had to prepare four or five sets of clothes before each training session, because the clothes would be completely wet in a short while, and I could wring water out of them." It was this super-strong endurance and tolerance that allowed Xu Mengtao (徐梦桃) to return to the competition field 10 and a half months after the surgery, announcing her return with a World Cup gold medal.

On the night of winning the Beijing (北京) Winter Olympics, Wang Jianquan (王健全), a medical expert from the Chinese delegation and director of the Department of Sports Medicine at Peking University Third Hospital (北京大学第三医院), stood at the end of the track, watching Xu Mengtao (徐梦桃). He sincerely exclaimed: "It is already a miracle to be able to return to the competition field after surgery, and it is an even greater miracle to be able to win a gold medal and win glory for the country."

Finally Realizing the Championship Dream After Four Olympics

After winning the Beijing (北京) Winter Olympics, Xu Mengtao (徐梦桃) temporarily left the jump platform, got married, engaged in public welfare activities, and experienced diverse life scenery. Whenever she calmed down, there was always a voice in her heart: "I want to go back to the snow field, I can still jump!" Just when many people thought that retirement was a natural choice for her, in order not to let herself regret it, Xu Mengtao (徐梦桃) announced her return to the competition field.

After returning to the national team, Xu Mengtao (徐梦桃) needed to regain her physical condition and technical feel as soon as possible, "I worked with the coaching team to analyze the competition videos bit by bit, starting from the basic movements and slowly adjusting my state." However, the veteran faced new troubles, "As I get older, my body recovers more slowly, and the feeling of fatigue after training is more obvious than before, and it takes more time to adjust."

In order to maintain her physical function at a high level, Xu Mengtao (徐梦桃) set a requirement for herself: to be a "24-hour athlete" - pool training and physical training during the day, massage and physiotherapy in the evening. Xu Mengtao (徐梦桃) arranged her daily tasks in an orderly manner, "The arrangements are tight, and the progress is solid."

Since entering the national team at the age of 17, Xu Mengtao's (徐梦桃) life has been tied to 4 words: Olympic cycle - she first went to the Vancouver (温哥华) Winter Olympics with the team in 2010 and won sixth place; at the Sochi (索契) Winter Olympics in 2014, she regrettably won silver due to a slight mistake; she lost her balance when landing in the final of the Pyeongchang (平昌) Winter Olympics in 2018; on February 14, 2022, at the Beijing (北京) Winter Olympics freestyle skiing women's aerials final, when the score of 108.61 appeared on the screen, through the live broadcast lens, the world heard Xu Mengtao's (徐梦桃) shout in the wind and snow: "Am I the first? Am I the first?" Finally realizing the championship dream after four Olympics. This is not only another memorable moment in Xu Mengtao's (徐梦桃) sports career, but also achieved a breakthrough of zero Winter Olympics gold medals for the Chinese freestyle skiing women's aerials team.

At the closing ceremony of the Beijing (北京) Winter Olympics, Gao Tingyu (高亭宇) carried Xu Mengtao (徐梦桃), who was waving the five-star red flag, on his shoulders to enter the venue, leaving another memorable moment. Their names form a very creative image - "Gao" (高 - high) holding up the Chinese "Meng" (梦 - dream). "As that 'dream,' how fortunate I am," said Xu Mengtao (徐梦桃).

"I still have the confidence and strength to make the five-star red flag fly in international competitions again." Facing the Milan (米兰) Winter Olympics next year, the 35-year-old Xu Mengtao (徐梦桃) is full of ambition, but she also said, "As long as I can stand on the Winter Olympics again, I have already defeated myself."

Enjoy the Process of Climbing

At the Harbin (哈尔滨) Asian Winter Games, the faded and peeling helmet worn by Xu Mengtao (徐梦桃) unexpectedly "went viral." In fact, this helmet has accompanied her through 4 Winter Olympics. Not only the helmet, but also her face shield is hand-cut and sewn from a scarf, and has been used for nearly 20 years. "My equipment, unless the hardware such as skis and ski boots are damaged and need to be replaced, I am reluctant to discard it casually."

Behind this thriftiness lies the hardship on the road to growth. Her parents supported their livelihood by setting up a barbecue stall. Xu Mengtao (徐梦桃), who was less than 3 years old and not as tall as the table, had already started helping to clean up the tableware used by guests on tiptoes. Since entering the sports school at the age of 4, the family's expenses have almost all come from that smoky stall. Skiing is a "money-burning" sport. In the most difficult time, the family only had 45 yuan left. Until 2014, the family was still squeezed into a small house of less than 40 square meters.

"I never hide my desire for medals, and I never shy away from being a 'penny pincher' who saves as much as possible and splits one penny into two halves." she said. In addition to the big account of winning glory for the country, Xu Mengtao (徐梦桃) always keeps in mind the small account of improving her parents' lives. After winning the silver medal at the Sochi (索契) Winter Olympics in 2014, before the bonus arrived, she finalized a 90-square-meter two-bedroom apartment for her parents.

After the new house was renovated, the biggest change was not the living environment of her parents, but Xu Mengtao's (徐梦桃) honor display - her father, Lao Xu (老徐), specially set up a medal exhibition hall in the living room, with exclusive positions for medals of all sizes. "Whether it is media interviews or leadership visits, this small exhibition hall always appears frequently," Lao Xu (老徐) said proudly.

Since entering the professional team in 2002, for 23 years, the teammates around her have changed from seniors to peers, and then to young players born in the 2000s who are 18 years apart in age. Xu Mengtao (徐梦桃) has become the oldest, most experienced, and most decorated big sister in the team. But she never relies on her seniority, but leads by example and uses her actions to motivate young players. "Every time I train, many young players gather around. I want to try my best to do myself well and infect them with focus and love," said Xu Mengtao (徐梦桃).

Faced with the reporter's question of "If you fail to win the championship, are these efforts worth it?", Xu Mengtao (徐梦桃) pondered for a moment and then nodded firmly, "The greatest happiness is not at the moment of reaching the top, but in the process of climbing."

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Basketball: A Bridge That Connects Us (Sports Talk)

By: 勒布朗·詹姆斯

The enthusiasm and friendliness of Chinese friends have deeply moved me. All I can do is go all out in every game to express my gratitude to everyone.

Soon, I will begin my twenty-third NBA season. I have worn the No. 23 jersey for most of my time, which is a very meaningful number for me. Before this special season arrives, I have come to China again to start the next journey with the fans here.

This is the fifteenth time I have carried out a China tour in my career. Every time I come here, my family and I are warmly welcomed. The enthusiasm and friendliness of Chinese friends have deeply moved me. All I can do is go all out in every game to express my gratitude to everyone.

Basketball is not only a sport, but also a bridge connecting each other, and love flows in our hearts. In an event 13 years ago, I had a brief exchange with Chinese college basketball player Niu Ziwei (牛梓薇). Now, she has become a teacher and is the mother of two children. This time I came to China, I met her and her family. While I am deeply honored, I also feel more responsible for promoting sports exchanges. I also have 3 children, and I know that basketball can inspire generations to pursue their dreams. Seeing so many young people in China who love basketball, I hope that I can also contribute to the development of Chinese basketball.

The basketball atmosphere in China has always been surprising. There are many well-known basketball players here, and many excellent young players are emerging. In Chengdu (成都), Sichuan (四川), I participated in a training session of the Chinese National Youth Team (中国国家青年队). I shared my experience with them: take every training session seriously. The harder you train, the easier the game will be. Many young people asked me how to play basketball well? I think there are 3 key factors - determination, dedication and love. If you love basketball, are determined and devote yourself wholeheartedly to it, you will definitely gain something.

I love basketball, and basketball inspires me. Although I am almost 41 years old, age is just a number. As long as I am still playing basketball and can still play, I will try my best to do better. I am very strict with myself, and I hope to constantly create new achievements and strive to be the best player.

(The author is a member of the Los Angeles Lakers (洛杉矶湖人队) of the NBA, and this report was compiled by Wang Liang (王亮), a reporter from this newspaper.)

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Embark on a new journey with renewed vigor.

By: 本报记者 季 芳 刘硕阳

The second stage of the National Short Track Speed Skating Training Team's internal selection competition concluded on September 6. Over the three-day competition, the athletes not only competed in the 500m, 1000m, and 1500m individual events and relay events, but also participated in individual sprint races.

Lin Xiaojun (林孝埈), Liu Shaoang (刘少昂), Sun Long (孙龙), Fan Kexin (范可新), Gong Li (公俐) and other key athletes participated, and the athletes were proactive on the field, demonstrating a good competitive state. Liu Hao (刘浩), leader of the Chinese Short Track Speed Skating Team, said that the intensity of the competition exceeded expectations, achieving the goal of training the team and improving their condition.

It is reported that the Chinese Short Track Speed Skating Team started preparations for the new season in April this year. The team then conducted systematic and efficient summer training, focusing on strengthening physical fitness, refining technical and tactical details, and improving competition ability. This internal selection competition is not only a test of the results of the summer training, but also helps the athletes quickly enter the competition state.

According to the arrangement, the first stop of the 2025-2026 season Short Track Speed Skating World Tour will be held in Montreal, Canada in early October. There are a total of 4 stops in this season's World Tour, all of which are qualifying events for the Milan Winter Olympics. The Winter Olympics qualification will be determined by selecting the best scores from 3 of the 4 stops for points ranking.

Through the World Tour, the Chinese team will train the team and also observe opponents at close range. In recent years, the world pattern of short track speed skating has undergone great changes, and the strength of teams in North America and Europe has increased rapidly, and competition is becoming increasingly fierce. "Facing challenges, we must be based on fighting." Liu Hao (刘浩) said that the Chinese team will unite as one and go all out to prepare for the Milan Winter Olympics held in February next year.

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Li Xiaohui and Wang Ziying win the championship

The newspaper reported from Beijing on September 7th (Reporter Li Shuo (李硕)) On the 5th local time, in the 2025 US Open Wheelchair Tennis Women's Doubles final, the Chinese duo Li Xiaohui (李晓辉) / Wang Ziying (王紫莹) tenaciously pursued from an unfavorable situation of 1:5 down in the second set, and finally won the transnational duo Zhu Zhenzhen (朱珍珍) / De Groot with 6:4, 7:6 (4), successfully winning the championship. This is the third Grand Slam Wheelchair Tennis Women's Doubles championship they have won after this year's Australian Open and Wimbledon.

"This is our first time participating in the US Open, and we are really happy to win the championship," Li Xiaohui (李晓辉) said after the match. Wang Ziying (王紫莹) sincerely thanked her partner, "We have come all the way from the Australian Open, it is really not easy, and it is really great."

In the Wheelchair Tennis Women's Singles final held on the 6th local time, Li Xiaohui (李晓辉) lost to the top seed, Japanese player Yui Kamiji (上地结衣), with 6:0, 1:6, 3:6, and won the US Open Wheelchair Tennis Women's Singles runner-up.

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Chinese Athletes Win Four Championships

This newspaper's Beijing (北京) dispatch on September 7th (Reporter Liu Shuoyang (刘硕阳) and Tao Xiang'an (陶相安)) On the evening of the 7th, the 2025 World Athletics Continental Tour (Gold Level) Beijing (北京) Station was held at the National Olympic Sports Center Stadium. In the men's pole vault competition, Chinese athlete Zhong Tao (钟涛) won the championship with a personal best score of 5.75 meters, while Yan Ziyi (严子怡), Liang Tiantian (梁田田), and Li Jialun (李佳伦) won the championships in women's javelin, women's 3000 meters, and men's high jump, respectively.

As the World Athletics' highest-level single-day track and field event after the Diamond League, this World Athletics Continental Tour (Gold Level) station features 7 men's and 7 women's competition events. It is the last important training opportunity before this year's Tokyo (东京) World Championships, attracting many top athletes, including Canadian sprinter De Grasse. Many Chinese athletes, including Ma Zhongqiang (马忠强), also achieved personal bests in the competition.

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The 32nd National Climbing Championship Held

This newspaper Beijing (北京), September 7th (Reporter Zeng Huafeng (曾华锋)) From September 5th to 7th, the 32nd National Climbing Championship of 2025 was held in Chongqing (重庆). Approximately 200 athletes from all over the country participated in six events, including men's and women's difficulty, speed, and boulder.

The National Climbing Championship is the earliest established and highest-level climbing competition in China. Ultimately, Pan Yufei (潘愚非) from Hubei (湖北), Hu Junzhe (胡隽喆) from Guangdong (广东), and Zhu Chengbin (朱成彬) from Jiangsu (江苏) won the top three places in the men's difficulty event, respectively. Tan Youtian (谭有恬) from Guangdong (广东), Chen Xuanzhen (陈宣臻) from Sichuan (四川), and Lu Yijing (卢一镜) from Guizhou (贵州) won the top three places in the women's difficulty event, respectively. Zhao Yicheng (赵一程) from Shanghai (上海), Wu Peng (伍鹏) from Hunan (湖南), and Ling Yongzhi (零勇志) from Guangxi (广西) won the top three places in the men's speed event, respectively. Deng Lijuan (邓丽娟) from Hunan (湖南), Wang Shengyan (汪生艳) from Yunnan (云南), and Meng Shixue (蒙世雪) from Guizhou (贵州) won the top three places in the women's speed event, respectively. Pan Yufei (潘愚非) from Hubei (湖北), Yao Jinwei (姚晋伟) from Guangdong (广东), and Hu Junzhe (胡隽喆) won the top three places in the men's boulder event, respectively. Tan Youtian (谭有恬) from Guangdong (广东), Wang Xin (王馨) from Zhejiang (浙江), and Chen Xuanzhen (陈宣臻) from Sichuan (四川) won the top three places in the women's boulder event, respectively.

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This edition's editors: Gong Yuhua, Tang Tianyi, Cheng Huan

Layout design: Zhang Fangman (张芳曼)

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Cambodia and China Have Vast Potential to Expand Agricultural Trade (First Report)

By: 本报记者 白元琪

Currently, agricultural trade cooperation between Cambodia and China is flourishing, and the list of Cambodian agricultural products exported to China is constantly expanding. In August of this year, the first batch of 2 tons of fresh durian was airlifted from Cambodia to Henan (河南), China, marking the official launch of the China-Cambodia fresh fruit air transport channel. Durian has also become the fifth type of Cambodian fresh fruit to obtain direct supply qualification to China, following bananas, mangoes, longans, and coconuts. The level of trade and customs clearance facilitation for agricultural products between China and Cambodia has reached a new level. Dith Tina (邓迪那), Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Cambodia, said: "The Chinese market provides important opportunities for the export of high-quality Cambodian agricultural products, and strengthening agricultural cooperation between Cambodia and China is of great significance for promoting agricultural development in Cambodia."

A batch of coconut plantations that have been in recession for many years have been revitalized.

Sihanoukville (西哈努克省) is located at the southern end of Cambodia, adjacent to the Gulf of Thailand, and its unique climate makes it rich in coconuts. In the past, due to limited sales channels and lagging industrial development, many coconuts were sold to neighboring countries for processing at low prices for a long time, and many local farmers chose to work in cities.

"In the past, there were weeds as high as the chest everywhere here, and it was difficult to pass through." Kao En (考恩), the manager of a coconut farm in Prey Nob (波雷诺县), Sihanoukville (西哈努克省), recalled that at the end of 2023, after hearing that Cambodia and China were about to sign an agreement on exporting coconuts to China, the farmers in Prey Nob (波雷诺县) picked up their farm tools and led their families to renovate the orchards. "Many fellow villagers working in Phnom Penh (金边) asked for leave to come back to manage the orchards and farms."

In February 2024, Cambodia officially exported fresh coconuts to China. In 2023, Cambodia's coconut production exceeded 250,000 tons, an increase of 2.4% year-on-year.

"This orchard used to be full of 'coconut mountains' made of rotten fruits." Lin Jianzhong (林建忠), the person in charge of Cambodia Hawei Company, said, pointing to Kao En's (考恩) farm. After Cambodian coconuts were approved for export to China, Lin Jianzhong (林建忠) and his team went to Sihanoukville (西哈努克省), Kampong Speu Province (磅士卑省) and other places to conduct inspections and negotiate cooperation with local fruit farmers, gradually driving a batch of coconut plantations that had been in recession for many years to regain their vitality. "Our purchase price is more than twice the retail price of fruit farmers on the roadside," said Lin Jianzhong (林建忠).

Seeing good market prospects, Kao En (考恩), who had been managing orchards in Thailand for many years, chose to return to his hometown to develop, carefully manage the coconut plantation, and became an important partner of Hawei Company. "The Chinese market has huge potential, and our coconuts are in short supply," Kao En (考恩) said with a smile.

Promote the development of industrial scale and intensification

Not far from the Sihanoukville (西哈努克省) exit of the Jin-Port Expressway, the reporter came to a modern coconut processing plant of Hawei Company. In the workshop, multiple processing lines have been installed, and dozens of peeling machines are neatly arranged. "We introduced equipment from China to promote the localization of coconut peeling, grading and other processes, which greatly improves processing efficiency and quality," said Lin Jianzhong (林建忠). The company also plans to add new equipment and expand the packaging workshop to prepare for the next stage of large orders.

Sopan (索潘) is the leader of a group in the processing workshop. He has been engaged in coconut processing in Thailand for many years and has developed the ability to recognize "coconuts" with discerning eyes. By observing the appearance of coconuts, he can quickly judge the thickness of the pulp and the moisture content. "The Chinese market has high quality requirements. If the fruit is too raw, the water will be sour; if it is too ripe, it will be astringent. Only by grasping it accurately can we produce good products," Sopan (索潘) said eloquently. Now he is back working at his doorstep, his income is about the same as in Thailand, and he has more time to take care of his family. "My children can go to school locally, and I feel much more at ease."

Now, migrant workers like Sopan (索潘) have returned to their hometowns one after another, injecting talent into Cambodia's coconut processing industry. "They are technically proficient, get started quickly, and have also driven the growth of a group of new workers," said Lin Jianzhong (林建忠). More Cambodian local enterprises are accelerating the standardization of processes, improving training mechanisms, and focusing on improving the added value of the agricultural product processing industry.

"With the expansion of planting area and the increasingly完善 (wán shàn - "perfect," complete) supporting facilities of the processing industry, Cambodia's coconut industry is expected to achieve large-scale and intensive development in the future," said Pan Dongfeng (潘东风), president of the Agricultural Association of the China Chamber of Commerce in Cambodia.

Agricultural trade cooperation is moving towards a new stage of "industrial quality improvement"

At present, China-Cambodia agricultural trade is entering a stage of accelerated development. According to the latest data from the Cambodian Ministry of Commerce, from January to July 2025, the country's main agricultural product exports exceeded US$2.4 billion, an increase of 7.5% year-on-year, of which China is one of the most important export markets. According to statistics from the General Administration of Customs of China, in the first quarter of this year, China's total imports of agricultural products from Cambodia reached 980 million yuan, an increase of 12.2% year-on-year, accounting for more than 1/4 of the total bilateral trade during the same period. As more and more agricultural products are approved for export to China, in order to further ensure quality, the Cambodian Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries plans to establish a QR code origin identification system covering information such as planting location, processing technology and quality standards to improve product transparency and safety assurance.

The General Administration of Customs of China recently announced that it has officially allowed qualified Cambodian raw bird's nests and edible bird's nests to be exported to China, and has introduced a number of relevant standards and management regulations. The Cambodian government actively encourages enterprises and individuals with primary processing capabilities and intentions to export bird's nests to apply for relevant qualifications. Suy Kokthean (苏伊·科克提恩), president of the Cambodian Swiftlet Association, said that more than 5,000 swiftlet houses have been built nationwide, with an annual output of about 100 tons of bird's nests. "The Chinese market is a 'catalyst' for the Cambodian bird's nest industry to move towards standardization and branding."

At the same time, many companies are stepping up their efforts to seize the business opportunities of Cambodian durian exports to China. In 2021, Cambodian mangoes were approved for export to China, and more than 200 mango dried fruit processing plants were added across the country in a short period of time, and business was booming.

Chea Munyrith (谢莫尼勒), president of the Cambodian Institute for Cooperation and Development, said that China is Cambodia's largest agricultural product trading country. The addition of three types of Cambodian agricultural product exports this year marks the transition of Cambodia-China agricultural trade cooperation from "market access" to a new stage of "industrial quality improvement." "There is huge room for Cambodia and China to expand agricultural trade."

(Reported by our reporter from Sihanoukville (西哈努克港), Cambodia)

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Strengthening industrial exchange, promoting film and television cooperation

By: 本报记者 郑 翔 戴楷然

The 2025 Africa Television Festival, lasting three days, was recently held in Cape Town (开普敦), South Africa (南非). As one of the largest and most influential film and television content trading and cooperation events in Africa, this year's Africa Television Festival attracted over a hundred media companies and more than 1,500 exhibitors. During the Television Festival, the "China Joint Exhibition Booth" brought dozens of audio-visual masterpieces, covering categories such as TV dramas, documentaries, variety shows, and animation. Related supporting activities were also held, making it a highlight of the exhibition with diversified audio-visual content and rich cultural exchange activities. While domestic audio-visual masterpieces are achieving group overseas expansion, they are also enhancing film and television cultural exchanges between China and African countries.

The "China Joint Exhibition Booth" and related supporting activities were guided by the State Council Information Office (国务院新闻办公室) and the National Radio and Television Administration (国家广播电视总局), and organized by Jiangsu Broadcasting Corporation (江苏省广播电视总台). The reporter saw that the "China Joint Exhibition Booth" was bustling with visitors, and many international merchants stopped to learn about the development of China's audio-visual industry and seek cooperation opportunities. Gary Rathbone, director of South African sports media "Cape Town Sports," worked in Chinese enterprises for many years. He is very interested in the "Chinese Super League (苏超)," which has recently become popular in China. "The success of the 'Chinese Super League' lies in its true understanding of the needs of the general public. I look forward to further discussing cooperation directions with Chinese partners." Rathbone told reporters that he intends to purchase relevant broadcasting rights and video materials for the "Chinese Super League" to introduce and promote this novel football model to the South African public.

During the Television Festival, Jiangsu Broadcasting Corporation (江苏广电) and South Africa's IKKI Group (南非IKKI集团) signed a memorandum of understanding on the South Africa "China Time" project. According to Qin Xiaoming (秦晓鸣), director of the Overseas Copyright Department of the International Communication Department of Jiangsu Broadcasting Corporation (江苏广电国际传播部海外版权部主任), the project aims to promote the broadcast of excellent Chinese audio-visual programs locally, with about 3 hours of fixed broadcast time per week, covering TV dramas, cartoons, variety shows, documentaries, etc. "In addition to English, we will also strive to complete subtitles and dubbing in other local languages, and will also adjust the broadcast content according to the actual broadcast effect and audience feedback in the future," said Qin Xiaoming (秦晓鸣). Steven Goolden (史蒂文·谷登), Chief Operating Officer of South Africa's IKKI Group (南非IKKI集团首席运营官), said that Jiangsu Broadcasting Corporation's (江苏广电) content products are very rich, and IKKI Group (IKKI集团) has a cooperation plan with Jiangsu Broadcasting Corporation (江苏广电) based on content products, relying on the content production volume of Jiangsu Broadcasting Corporation (江苏广电) to accelerate the implementation of the "China Time" project in South Africa (南非) by using established delivery channels.

How film and television production can better embrace cutting-edge technology is a major topic of discussion. Hangzhou Yuguang Tongchen Film and Television Media Co., Ltd. (杭州与光同尘影视传媒有限公司) participated in the Africa Television Festival for the first time this year, bringing excellent animation works such as "You Shan Ling (有山灵)" and "Guoguo Planet (果果星球)," showcasing the technical level of Chinese animation production to the audience. According to Xu Lingyun (徐凌云), co-founder of the company, by using emerging technologies, the company's 10-person team can produce more than 100 film and television works in half a year, saving nearly 30% of production costs compared to before. "Artificial Intelligence Generated Content (AIGC) technology is profoundly reshaping the audio-visual industry, and 'human-machine collaboration' is expected to become a new paradigm for film and television creation in the future. Chinese companies are willing to carry out more in-depth cooperation with African counterparts," said Xu Lingyun (徐凌云).

To commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, the "China Joint Exhibition Booth" specially set up a theme screening area, which repeatedly played excellent works such as "The Just Trial (正义的审判)," "Our Rivers and Mountains (我们的河山)," and "The Disguiser (伪装者)," reflecting the Chinese people's resistance to aggression and safeguarding world peace, opening a window for global audiences to look back on history and appreciate peace, which was highly praised by international exhibitors.

Yu Wenze (尤文泽), Consul General of China in Cape Town (中国驻开普敦总领事), said in his speech that China and African countries have profound cultural heritage and unique charm, and both sides have a natural basis for resonance in film and television creation, with mutual advantages and broad prospects for cooperation. In recent years, exchanges and cooperation between China and South Africa (南非) in the cultural field have become increasingly close. In 2023, the "TV China Theater" of the South African BRICS TV (南非金砖电视台) was launched, and a number of excellent Chinese audio-visual programs such as "Shan Hai Qing (山海情)" landed in South Africa (南非), using vivid stories to show the splendid Chinese civilization and China's development achievements, winning the love of local audiences.

Martin Hiller (马丁·希勒), Chairman of the Africa Television Festival Organizing Committee, said that China's participation in the 2025 Africa Television Festival showed various programs such as Chinese feature films, documentaries, and animation, which was impressive. "Africa and China have great potential in film and television cooperation."

(Reported from Cape Town (开普敦) on September 7 by this newspaper)

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China-aided Environmental Protection Planning Project Officially Launched in Laos

According to Xinhua News Agency, Vientiane, September 7th (Reporters Ma Huaizhao (马淮钊) and Zhao Xu (赵旭)) The China-aided Laos Environmental Protection Planning Engineering Technical Assistance Project was officially launched on the 5th in Vientiane (万象), the capital of Laos (老挝). With comprehensive planning for water and atmospheric environmental governance as its core, the project aims to enhance Laos's ecological and environmental protection capabilities and promote ecological and environmental public goods to benefit more Chinese and Lao people.

Sainakhone (赛纳昆), Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment of Laos (老挝农业与环境部), said in his speech at the launching ceremony that China (中国) has made remarkable achievements in the field of ecological and environmental governance in recent years, providing valuable experience and an important model for Laos (老挝) to promote green and sustainable development. This technical assistance project focuses on environmental protection planning and is a good opportunity for Laos (老挝) to improve its environmental governance level. The Lao Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (老挝农业与环境部) will provide full support for the implementation of the project to ensure that the cooperation achieves complete success according to plan.

The China-aided Laos Environmental Protection Planning Engineering Technical Assistance Project is one of the Chinese "Eight Aid Projects to Laos" (援老八大工程) projects. According to reports, in the next three years, the project will provide Laos (老挝) with a comprehensive water environment management plan and an atmospheric environmental pollution prevention and control system construction plan through national technical assistance, support the implementation of water environment governance and atmospheric environment monitoring demonstrations, and carry out capacity building for 2,600 person-times of environmental personnel.

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China-ASEAN Regional Pharmaceutical Exchange (Centralized Procurement) Platform Announces First Cross-Border Online Transaction

This report Nanning September 7 (Reporter Pang Geping (庞革平)) The China-ASEAN Regional Pharmaceutical Transaction (Centralized Procurement) Platform recently released the first cross-border online transaction and settlement for enterprises in Nanning (南宁), Guangxi (广西). Hangzhou Sino-American Huadong Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (杭州中美华东制药有限公司) completed a transaction with Singapore (新加坡) through the platform, marking the platform's basic maturity as a convenient and safe channel for serving Chinese pharmaceutical companies to "go global" to ASEAN countries and SCO countries. The platform was officially launched in January 2025 and is the first cross-border regional pharmaceutical centralized procurement platform guided by the National Healthcare Security Administration (国家医疗保障局) to guide local construction.

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When the "Cloud" Empowers Smart Education (Global Perspective)

By: 邹志鹏

In the Maldives, composed of 26 natural atolls and nearly 1,200 coral islands, a submarine optical cable connects more than 180 schools across the country to the "National Education Cloud." In a local rural primary school, with the help of artificial intelligence (AI), metaverse and other technological elements, students can see algorithm-generated mathematical animations in the classroom, record "digital ocean stories" in their native language, and even jointly measure coral bleaching with scientists in Geneva (日内瓦), Switzerland. These digitally empowered scenarios are described by Ali Haidar Ahmed (阿里·海达尔·艾哈迈德), Minister of Higher Education, Labor and Skills Development of the Maldives, as "digital technology giving small island nations equal wings."

"Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all," is one of the United Nations' 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. Smart education, with its personalized learning, quality resource sharing, and precise management assessment, has become an important agenda for global education development. Compared with traditional education models, smart education teaching methods are more diverse, teaching content is more interesting and personalized, and it can more effectively stimulate students' enthusiasm for active learning.

Today, digital technology is intervening in the field of education at an unprecedented speed and in unprecedented ways. More and more countries and regions are trying to introduce extended reality technology, AI and cloud computing, blockchain, big data, etc. into the classroom to build a more convenient, intelligent, and inclusive new ecology of smart education. In the favela communities of Rio de Janeiro (里约热内卢), Brazil (巴西), blockchain technology is used to create uninterrupted learning files for mobile children; in rural classrooms in Uganda (乌干达), students use solar-powered, offline-operable tablets to attend online classes; in Singapore (新加坡), the "Student Learning Profile" system automatically analyzes data to help teachers accurately develop teaching plans and greatly improve work efficiency. A report by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development believes that the digital transformation of education will fundamentally improve teaching and learning experiences. Students using intelligent teaching systems show significant improvements in math and science scores.

However, in the corners that digital technology has not touched, there are still real barriers that limit educational development. According to United Nations data, there are still more than 250 million school-age children out of school worldwide, and the gap in per capita annual education investment between high-income and low-income countries is as high as 155 times. Multiple studies have found that in most developing countries, the proportion of teachers lacking digital teaching skills is between 40% and 60%. Many professionals are worried, "The fairness and universality of education is still a dream for many people."

Bridging the digital divide and promoting educational equity are necessary to make "teaching" and "education" empowered by digital technology more meaningful. The World Bank's 2023 "Connecting Schools" and "Campus Network and Public Network" projects supported in Latin America and Africa respectively, help developing countries build regional digital education platforms and campus networks, benefiting more than 12,000 schools. Many countries are also exploring using smart education as a fulcrum to leverage the balanced allocation of educational resources and build a more inclusive and accessible digital learning ecosystem. South Korea's (韩国) "Smart Campus" project provides high-quality course resources to rural areas, breaking down urban-rural education barriers; Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand (泰国) promote "container smart classrooms" with built-in satellite networks and virtual laboratories, allowing students on islands and in mountainous areas to obtain high-quality resources; Finland (芬兰) uses AI education systems to identify children with learning disabilities and provide targeted intervention programs, increasing special education coverage by 30%; China (中国) has launched the National Smart Education Public Service Platform, providing rich, diverse, and high-quality multilingual courses for learners in 120 countries and regions around the world, and also enabling more and more rural schools to pair up with urban schools for "synchronous teaching."

When a "cloud" connects the world, a "network" connects urban and rural areas, a screen lights up the classroom, and digital platforms use rich course resources to break down barriers of time and space and achieve cross-school, cross-regional, and cross-national dissemination and sharing, digital technology will build a ladder of smart education, creating a knowledge hall where everyone can learn anytime, anywhere for the all-round development of all.

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Russian Foreign Minister Urges Japan to Fully Recognize the Results of World War II

According to Xinhua News Agency, Moscow (Reporter Luan Hai (栾海)) The website of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs published a speech by Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov (拉夫罗夫) on the "80th Anniversary of the Victory over Militaristic Japan and the End of World War II" on the 5th. In his speech, Lavrov (拉夫罗夫) urged the Japanese authorities to fully recognize the results of World War II.

Lavrov (拉夫罗夫) stated that the results of World War II, including the Japanese Instrument of Surrender, have become an integral part of the post-war world order. He urged the Japanese authorities to fully recognize the international legal results of the victory of the anti-fascist Allied countries and the responsibilities Japan should bear for launching the war, and stated that Russia will continue to carry out various activities with like-minded people to reveal new evidence about the crimes committed by Japan in the 1930s and 1940s.

Lavrov (拉夫罗夫) finally pointed out that in order to restore tradition and strengthen historical memory, the anniversary of the victory over militaristic Japan has become a national holiday of the Russian Federation. "Our noble responsibility is to remember the lessons of the World War, the greatest tragedy of all mankind, and to do everything possible to prevent its recurrence."

According to Russian media reports, the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union issued a decree in September 1945 declaring September 3 as the Victory over Japan Day. In June 2023, Russian President Putin (普京) signed a law designating this anniversary as "Victory over Militaristic Japan and the End of World War II Memorial Day."

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Editor in charge of this edition: Zou Zhipeng, Zhao Yipu, Chu Jun

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Touring the "Earliest Grottoes in China," Enjoying the "Silk Road Kuchean Music and Dance" (Border Town Observations)

By: 环球时报记者 马梦阳 本报记者 阿尔达克

Kucha City (库车市) in Aksu Prefecture (阿克苏地区), Xinjiang (新疆), did not have the name "Kucha" (库车) until the 18th century AD. The ancient name "Qiuci" (龟兹) from thousands of years prior is more familiar to people. "Qiuci" (龟兹), which first appeared in the *Book of Han* (*汉书*), has a doubtful accurate meaning due to its antiquity, but it is generally believed to originate from meanings such as "important road" and "city."

Ancient Qiuci (龟兹) was located at a vital crossroads of East-West transportation and was a necessary stop on the northern route of the Silk Road. Xuanzang (玄奘) traveled west this way to obtain scriptures. Ancient China, Persia, India, Greece-Rome and other major civilizations converged and integrated here, forging the unique Qiuci culture. About 70 kilometers west of present-day Kucha (库车) is the Kizil Grottoes (克孜尔石窟), also known as the Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves (克孜尔千佛洞), the earliest Buddhist grotto complex in China in terms of excavation time and the westernmost in geographical location. The beautiful murals showcase the unique Buddhist art of the ancient Qiuci kingdom, recording the Qiuci music and dance described by Xuanzang (玄奘) as "skilled in stringed instruments and music, especially excelling among the various countries," and also recording the grand scene of commercial exchanges.

Today, there are not only the ruins of the ancient city of Qiuci (龟兹故城遗址), but also distinctive Qiuci alleys. The grotto art and Qiuci music and dance, characterized by Qiuci culture, attract scholars from the East and West to conduct joint research; characteristic routes such as "Silk Road Culture Exploration Tour" and "Qiuci Music and Dance Experience Tour" attract a large number of domestic and foreign tourists. The Qiuci culture, which has been dormant for thousands of years, has come alive and has taken on a new mission of promoting cultural exchanges between China and foreign countries.

From Kumarajiva (鸠摩罗什) to Xuanzang (玄奘) –

Listening to the Historical Echoes on the Banks of the "Mother-Child River" ("子母河")

In the historical scroll of Qiuci's (龟兹) diverse cultural exchanges, the eminent Tang Dynasty monk Xuanzang (玄奘) left a strong mark.

In 628 AD, Xuanzang (玄奘) arrived in Qiuci (龟兹) on his westward journey and lectured on scriptures at the Subashi Temple (苏巴什佛寺) for more than 60 days. Xuanzang (玄奘) described the Subashi Temple (苏巴什佛寺) in the *Great Tang Records on the Western Regions* (*大唐西域记*) as follows: "More than forty li north of the desolate city, connecting to the mountains, separated by a river, there are two monasteries with the same name, Zhaohuli (昭怙厘), referred to as east and west accordingly. The Buddha statues are decorated with splendor, almost surpassing human craftsmanship. The monks are pure and solemn, truly diligent and assiduous." Perhaps it was because he lingered here for a long time that the legendary story of being obstructed in the "Women's Kingdom" ("女儿国") arose.

Today, although this Buddhist temple located north of Kucha City (库车市) has experienced the vicissitudes of time, the pattern of the eastern and western temples facing each other across the Kucha River (库车河) is still clearly discernible. The Kucha River (库车河) is also known locally as the "Mother-Child River" ("子母河"), which is the river in the novel that causes anyone who drinks its water to become pregnant. This river, which nurtured the story of the "Women's Kingdom" ("女儿国") in *Journey to the West* (*西游记*), has witnessed the millennium-long changes of the Buddhist temple. In 2014, the "Silk Roads: the Routes Network of Chang'an-Tianshan Corridor," jointly applied for by China, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan, was successfully included in the World Cultural Heritage List, and the Subashi Temple (苏巴什佛寺) site is one of the heritage sites.

"Many tourists from countries such as Japan, Greece, and Pakistan are deeply attracted by the history of the Subashi Temple (苏巴什佛寺) and the story of Xuanzang (玄奘) lecturing on scriptures here," said Qimanguli (齐曼古丽), a guide at the Subashi Temple (苏巴什佛寺) site.

At the entrance of the Subashi Temple (苏巴什佛寺) site visitor center, there is a stone tablet inscribed with words such as "Great Thousand Worlds" ("大千世界"), "Falling Flowers from the Sky" ("天花乱坠"), and "Liberation" ("解脱"). These are new words created by Kumarajiva (鸠摩罗什), one of the four great translators of Buddhist scriptures in China, when translating scriptures. Kumarajiva (鸠摩罗什) was born in Qiuci (龟兹) in 344 AD and also lectured on scriptures at the Subashi Temple (苏巴什佛寺). Later, he traveled to Chang'an (长安) and, when translating Buddhist scriptures into Chinese, incorporated a large number of words such as "immaculate" ("一尘不染"), "mind-field" ("心田"), "consciousness" ("意识"), "wisdom" ("智慧"), and "future" ("未来") into everyday Chinese expression, enriching the Chinese vocabulary and promoting the exchange and integration of different cultures.

At this Buddhist temple site, archaeologists have also discovered silk and woolen fabric fragments, copper coins from the Central Plains from the Eastern Han to the Tang dynasties, Persian silver coins, and glassware, many of which are now on display at the Qiuci Museum (龟兹博物馆). "The museum's collection showcases China's profound historical and cultural heritage," said Mohamed Moussa (穆罕默德·穆萨), director of the Arabic News Department of the Middle East News Agency of Egypt, after his visit. He noted that some of the exhibits have similarities in decoration and patterns with Egyptian cultural relics, "These common artistic elements are vivid witnesses to the mutual learning of civilizations on the ancient Silk Road."

From "Su Mu Zhe" ("苏幕遮") to Grotto Murals –

Qiuci Music and Dance Build a Bridge for Civilizational Exchange

As night falls, the lights come on.

The melodious Qiuci music is heard, and the large-scale immersive song and dance art drama *Apricot Blossom Rendezvous: Silk Road Qiuci* (*杏花之约·丝路龟兹*) is staged in the Kucha Grand Bazaar (库车大馕城). The dancers rotate and jump to the passionate drumbeats, leading audiences from all over the world through a thousand years to enjoy the prosperous scene of the Qiuci city-state.

In Qiuci culture, Qiuci music and dance are a dazzling calling card, among which the most famous is "Su Mu Zhe" ("苏幕遮").

"Azure clouds in the sky, yellow leaves on the ground. Autumn colors connect the waves, and cold mist is emerald green on the waves..." The melody of "Su Mu Zhe" ("苏幕遮"), a famous ci poetry title in later generations, originated from Qiuci music and dance. In 1903, a sarira box was unearthed at the Subashi Temple (苏巴什佛寺) site. Half a century later, the painted image of a musical and dance performance consisting of 21 people hidden around the body of the box was identified as a true record of the famous ancient Qiuci song and dance drama "Begging for Cold Hu Play," which is "Su Mu Zhe" ("苏幕遮").

"The gestures and spinning techniques of Qiuci music and dance are unique, skillfully integrating dance elements from countries along the ancient Silk Road, and the melody has the same wonderful effect as the music of Central Asia," said Niyazi Aili (尼牙孜·艾力), head of the Kucha Culture and Tourism Group Performing Arts Troupe (库车文旅集团演艺团). He has participated in the performance of *Apricot Blossom Rendezvous: Silk Road Qiuci* (*杏花之约·丝路龟兹*) for three consecutive years, and audiences from Central Asian countries often come on stage to dance together at the end of the performance.

Musical instruments such as the konghou used in "Su Mu Zhe" ("苏幕遮") can also be found in the Kizil Grottoes (克孜尔石窟) murals. This grotto was first excavated at the end of the 3rd century AD. Walking among the grottoes on the cliff, the exquisite but regrettably incomplete murals are moving. Konghou, ruanxian, bili, curved-neck pipa, rhombus patterns, honeysuckle patterns, beaded patterns... The many musical instruments and rich and diverse patterns in the murals leave traces of multicultural exchange. In the past, this was a place where Silk Road merchants stopped; today, Qiuci culture attracts scholars from various countries to come for investigation and exchange.

In October 2024, the "Silk Road Civilization Exchange and Mutual Learning and Qiuci Historical and Cultural Research Academic Symposium" and the "Eighth Annual Qiuci Studies Conference" were held in Kucha (库车). More than 130 experts and scholars from countries and regions such as China, Russia, the United States, Germany, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan focused on topics such as "Archaeology of Qiuci Grottoes and Buddhist Temple Sites" and "Qiuci Cultural Research," and concentratedly displayed the latest achievements in Qiuci studies research, protection, and inheritance.

Lothar von Falkenhausen (鲁克斯), former director of the Asian Art Museum in Berlin, Germany, has visited the Kizil Grottoes (克孜尔石窟) many times. He presented the latest research results on the art of the Kizil Grottoes (克孜尔石窟) and the history of the Berlin Museum. He introduced that the Humboldt Forum Museum in Germany has specially set up a special exhibition hall for ancient art from Xinjiang Kizil to allow Westerners to better understand Qiuci culture.

From the Ling Mountain Ancient Road to the Cross-border Port –

The Bedel Pass Witnesses a New Chapter of the Silk Road

In those days, Xuanzang (玄奘), after bidding farewell to Qiuci (龟兹), crossed the Bedel Pass (别迭里山口) in western Aksu (阿克苏), which is more than 4,200 meters above sea level, and continued his westward journey to obtain scriptures.

The *Great Tang Records on the Western Regions* (*大唐西域记*) calls the Bedel Pass (别迭里山口) "Ling Mountain" ("凌山"). This pass, which lies across the eastern section of the southern Tianshan Mountains on the border between present-day China and Kyrgyzstan, has played a pivotal role in East-West trade and cultural exchange in ancient times.

The weathered gravel shines white in the scorching sun, and the sparse vegetation adds a bit of desolation. Today, the spirit of openness and exploration continues on this land. In September 2024, the Bedel Highway Port (别迭里公路口岸), 140 kilometers away from U什 County (乌什县), was temporarily opened for customs clearance, which was the first opening of the port in decades. Chang Yuxuan (常玉轩), Party Group Secretary and Deputy Director of the Aksu Prefecture (阿克苏地区) Political Consultative Conference Working Committee, led a delegation to Kyrgyzstan to participate in the 7th Silk Road National Commodity Exhibition. According to him, there were also 30 self-driving enthusiasts who traveled to Kyrgyzstan through the Bedel Port (别迭里口岸) at that time.

"In Kyrgyzstan, I encountered a heart-stirring heroic epic, *Manas* (*玛纳斯*)," Chang Yuxuan (常玉轩) said with great emotion when recalling that experience, "What made me feel particularly cordial was that in the rural courtyards of Aksu (阿克苏), Kyrgyz villagers would also sit together in their spare time, holding the komuz and singing *Manas* (*玛纳斯*). The familiar melody and similar singing style convey emotional resonance across borders."

In October 2024, a delegation from the Issyk-Kul Region of Kyrgyzstan visited Aksu (阿克苏) to inspect the natural scenery, urban construction, characteristic industries, and cultural heritage of the Aksu region. In May of this year, they were invited to participate in the Xinjiang Tourism Development Conference held in Kucha (库车). "The magnificent scenery of Aksu (阿克苏), the high-quality characteristic agricultural products, and the unique charm of Qiuci culture left a particularly deep impression on the delegation," Chang Yuxuan (常玉轩) said, "After visiting cultural landmarks such as the Qiuci Wei and Jin Dynasty Site Museum (龟兹魏晋遗址博物馆), they were amazed by Aksu's (阿克苏) innovative practices in promoting the integration of culture and tourism through the use of digital technology."

Aksu (阿克苏) innovatively creates a cross-border exchange model of "sports + culture" and "business + culture." Since last year, the China Taklimakan Rally (中国环塔国际拉力赛) has attracted racers from Central Asia, Southeast Asia, and other countries to gallop across the Gobi Desert; self-driving tour groups from Russia, Malaysia, and other countries have gone deep into the hinterland of the Tianshan Mountains to experience folk culture; business groups from Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan have negotiated with local enterprises and reached cooperation. The Aksu region has also organized enterprises to participate in exhibitions in Central Asian countries, allowing Aksu's (阿克苏) agricultural and sideline products, daily necessities, and other products to enter the international market.

"From Aksu City (阿克苏市) to Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, airplanes are still the main mode of transportation. We look forward to the regular opening of the Bedel Port (别迭里口岸) to open a new chapter for cooperation between China and Kyrgyzstan in the fields of economy, trade, culture, and tourism," Chang Yuxuan (常玉轩) said.

(Lü Na (吕娜) participated in the writing)

Link: Aksu, Xinjiang (新疆阿克苏)

Aksu Prefecture (阿克苏地区) is located on the southern slope of the Tianshan Mountains (天山) and the northern edge of the Taklamakan Desert (塔克拉玛干沙漠) in Xinjiang (新疆). It borders Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan to the west, with a border line of 263.8 kilometers. The Bedel Highway Port (别迭里公路口岸), located in U什 County (乌什县), Aksu (阿克苏), was temporarily opened for customs clearance in September last year.

In recent years, Aksu Prefecture (阿克苏地区) has focused on building a one-stop tourism demonstration zone in Xinjiang (新疆) and a world cultural tourism destination in Qiuci (龟兹), held a high-quality development promotion meeting for Qiuci culture, held the "Dolan·Qiuci" Cultural Tourism Festival ("多浪·龟兹"文化旅游节), launched the creation of the Kizil Grottoes (克孜尔石窟) National 5A Tourist Scenic Area, and launched a number of literary and artistic works such as *The Beauty of Intangible Cultural Heritage* (*非遗之美*), *Apricot Blossom Rendezvous: Silk Road Qiuci* (*杏花之约·丝路龟兹*), and *Seal of the Western Regions: Silk Road Splendor* (*印鉴西域·丝路华彰*). Aksu Prefecture (阿克苏地区) continues to improve tourism infrastructure, enhance service reception capabilities, launch diversified cultural and tourism products, and continuously enhance the international popularity and reputation of core tourism resources such as Qiuci culture and Tianshan scenery.

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Showcasing Multicultural Features, Strengthening Transnational Emotional Bonds (Reporter's Notes)

By: 马梦阳

Every mural in the grottoes of Kuqa (库车), every piece of Kuqa (龟兹) music and dance, tells the story of civilization exchanging and interacting on the ancient Silk Road, inspiring people today to join hands in writing a new history through mutual learning.

Here, the tolerance of diverse cultures has remained unchanged for thousands of years. Buddhist temple ruins, Kuqa (龟兹) music and dance, and grotto art are emotional bonds that transcend national borders, as well as cultural bridges connecting history and the present. In recent years, Kuqa (库车) has focused on Kuqa (龟兹) culture, holding academic seminars, cultural performances, and other activities, inviting experts and scholars from surrounding countries to explore the memory of civilization, and continuously sending representatives to relevant countries and regions to carry out visits and exchanges, so that civilization dialogues become more in-depth in mutual exchange.

The vitality of culture is rooted in both the profound accumulation of history and the protection and inheritance of generations. In order to protect Kuqa (龟兹) culture, Kuqa City (库车市) has built a museum cluster to make history tangible, sensible and accessible; built the Southern Xinjiang Archaeological Workstation integrating archaeological excavation, cultural relic protection, and academic research to consolidate the professional foundation for cultural heritage protection; and promoted the construction of a demonstration zone for the protection and utilization of cultural relics, making this place not only a vivid scene of exchanges and integration among all ethnic groups, but also an important driving force for promoting civilization dialogue on the Silk Road in the new era.

Civilizations develop in openness, and ethnic groups coexist in integration. Openness and inclusiveness are the valuable spiritual wealth accumulated on the ancient Silk Road, and also the conscious action of China and its neighboring countries to build a community of common destiny.

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This section is edited by: Han Bingchen, Chen Shangwen

Layout design: Cai Huawei (蔡华伟)

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Kelsang Flowers Bloom, Bringing Vitality

Xi Jinping (习近平), General Secretary of the Communist Party of China, pointed out that Tibet's development has its own characteristics, and it is necessary to promote high-quality development from reality. Over the years, the central government's finances have continuously nurtured, financial resources have carefully dripped, and the capital market has cultivated fertile soil, injecting momentum into the development of plateau characteristic industries and writing a warm chapter of improving people's livelihoods. On the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the Tibet Autonomous Region (西藏自治区), we walked into the snowy plateau to feel the vigorous pulse of Tibet's economic and social development.

——Editor

More than 80% of Financial Resources Invested in People's Livelihood

People's Daily reporters Qiongda Zhuoga (琼达卓嘎) and Xian Gan (鲜敢)

At the convenience service center of Zhaxigang Township (扎西岗乡), Gar County (噶尔县), Ali Prefecture (阿里地区), Tibet, herdsman Baima Shique (白玛石确) gently swiped his "Financial Benefit to Farmers One-Card" in front of the agricultural assistance ATM, and this year's grassland subsidy was immediately credited to his account.

The Tibet Autonomous Region Party Committee and Government have always regarded guaranteeing and improving people's livelihoods as a priority for fiscal expenditure, and for many years in a row, more than 80% of the region's financial resources have been invested in people's livelihood fields such as education, medical care, employment, and social security.

Funds directly reach the "last mile," and the cornerstone of people's livelihood security is more solid—

In 2023, Tibet fully built a "One-Card" system for financial subsidies benefiting the people and farmers, opening up the entire process of online handling of subsidy funds. The system not only covers all counties and townships, but also realizes the entire process of fund distribution being transparent and traceable.

In 2024, Tibet's general public budget expenditure reached 291.962 billion yuan, of which people's livelihood expenditure accounted for 84.1%, and expenditure at the city and county levels accounted for 78.3%, both reaching record highs, and the guarantee strength in key people's livelihood areas was further increased.

In terms of "guaranteeing basic people's livelihood, guaranteeing wages, and guaranteeing operation," Tibet has achieved remarkable results. In 2024, the region transferred 181.8 billion yuan to the grassroots level, achieving 100% full coverage of provincial-level budget review of "three guarantees" (三保) for counties, which is 50 percentage points higher than the central government's requirements.

The people's livelihood security network is becoming increasingly dense, enhancing the people's sense of gain—

"Thanks to the good policies, I found a job smoothly as soon as I graduated!" said Ciren Zhuoga (次仁卓嘎), a 2024 college graduate. Currently, she works at the Shannan CRRC Shannan Clean Energy Equipment Industrial Park (山南市中车山南清洁能源装备产业园) in Shannan City (山南市), enjoying paid training and a three-year housing subsidy. In 2025, Tibet arranged 3.8 billion yuan in employment subsidies, of which 880 million yuan was specifically used for college graduate employment.

"Now children not only go to school for free, but also receive living allowances, which greatly reduces our burden!" said Nima Danzeng (尼玛旦增), a villager in Cijiaolin Village (次角林村), Caigongtang Street (蔡公堂街道), Chengguan District (城关区), Lhasa City (拉萨市). Both of her children enjoy the "three guarantees" (三包) policy. In 2025, Tibet arranged 37.9 billion yuan in education funds, consolidating and expanding the "fifteen-year" public education policy from preschool to high school, and the annual average standard of "three guarantees" (covering food, accommodation, and learning expenses) was increased to 5,700 yuan, benefiting 726,000 students.

"Last year, I spent a total of 80,000 yuan on heart surgery, and I only paid 16,000 yuan myself after medical insurance reimbursement," said Zhuoma (卓玛), a resident of Bayi District (巴宜区), Nyingchi City (林芝市), praising her medical experience repeatedly. In 2025, Tibet invested 6.56 billion yuan in medical and health care, and the per capita subsidy standard for basic public health services was increased to 120 yuan, and the per capita fiscal subsidy for urban and rural residents' medical insurance reached 735 yuan. The implementation of projects such as the prevention and control of major infectious diseases, congenital heart disease in children, and free treatment of hydatid disease and other endemic diseases has made people's health more "medically reliable."

"The Party and the government are really good to us old people!" said Qiongla (琼拉), a widowed elderly person in Lazi County (拉孜县), Shigatse City (日喀则市), who receives a pension on time every month. In 2025, Tibet arranged 12.9 billion yuan in social security funds, increased the basic pension for enterprise employees for 21 consecutive years, and steadily increased the standards for urban and rural subsistence allowances, orphans, and disability subsidies.

Both based on long-term mechanism construction and focusing on reality to send warmth. Tibet has also launched heart-warming policies for special nodes—on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the Tibet Autonomous Region, the autonomous region's finance added 2 billion yuan to implement 10 practical things for people's livelihood, covering newborn medical insurance participation subsidies, childcare subsidies for 0-3 year olds, oral health care for primary school students, and heating subsidies for low-income families.

Innovative mechanisms to ensure that good things are done well and practical things are done practically—

Resolutely prevent policy idling. "We hold a scheduling meeting for people's livelihood practical matters every quarter, focusing on supervising projects with lagging progress to ensure that various policies are implemented on time," said Yin Lifeng (尹李峰), Secretary of the Party Leadership Group and Deputy Director of the Tibet Autonomous Region Department of Finance. In the case of tight fiscal balance, the autonomous region will continue to strictly control "three public" (三公) expenses in 2025, tilting limited financial resources towards people's livelihood and ensuring that investment in people's livelihood only increases and does not decrease.

From free education to reduced medical burden, from employment assistance to old-age security, from urban renewal to enriching the border and benefiting the people—Tibet uses practical actions to interpret the contemporary connotation of "people's livelihood finance." "We will continue to adhere to the priority of people's livelihood, actively respond to the urgent needs and concerns of the masses, promote the effective connection between consolidating and expanding the achievements of poverty alleviation and comprehensively promoting rural revitalization, and make development results more fair and more substantial to benefit all ethnic groups," said Yin Lifeng.

Inclusive Finance Warms the Snowy Plateau

People's Daily reporter Xu Yuyao (徐驭尧)

On the snowy plateau, inclusive finance brings warm intentions, precisely irrigating, benefiting the people and enriching the border, injecting a continuous stream of momentum into Tibet's high-quality economic and social development and continuous improvement of people's livelihoods.

Meeting the needs of "agriculture, rural areas, and farmers" development, financial services have innovation—

"No need to go out, one-click renewal, you can do it on your mobile phone." Cangjue (仓觉), a villager in Langjiexue Township (朗杰学乡), Gongga County (贡嘎县), Shannan City (山南市), renewed his farmer loan on his mobile phone in just over ten minutes under the telephone guidance of Agricultural Bank staff.

On the plateau, farmers and herdsmen live relatively scattered. The Agricultural Bank of China (农业银行) Tibet Branch (西藏分行) continues to upgrade digital services, launching a Tibetan version of "on-site + remote" loan investigation, realizing intelligent voice prompts in 7 Tibetan dialects, and launching a "face-swiping loan application" function, etc., making the online rate of farmer loans reach more than 90%, and shortening the loan application time from 5 days in the past to as fast as 2 hours.

Jiaqiong Town (佳琼镇) Guorezaxi Yangzong Animal Husbandry Co., Ltd. (果热扎西央宗牧业有限公司) in Bange County (班戈县) is a yak breeding enterprise in Nagqu City (那曲市), suffering from insufficient funds and unable to expand its business scale. In 2022, the Agricultural Bank of China Nagqu Branch (农行那曲分行) launched the "Rural Revitalization Yak Industry Loan," turning the originally "sleeping" yak assets into effective collateral for financing. Guorezaxi Yangzong Animal Husbandry successfully obtained a loan of 7 million yuan with the yaks in stock as collateral, which was used to purchase yaks and improve breeding facilities. Today, the company's breeding scale has nearly doubled compared to before, and its income has increased significantly.

As of now, the Agricultural Bank of China Tibet Branch has cumulatively issued nearly 730 billion yuan in loans to the real economy, with a loan balance of 191.5 billion yuan, which is 50 times more than at the beginning of its establishment 30 years ago.

Financial resources are carefully irrigated to help small and micro enterprises grow—

This spring, Zhang Wenxiang (张文祥), head of Tibet Kewang New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. (西藏可往新能源科技有限公司), was a little worried. The company, which operates new energy vehicle charging and battery swapping stations, has more than 30 old-fashioned charging stations that have been built and operated, which cannot keep up with market demand, and the company's business development has fallen into a bottleneck in the past two years.

"We want to upgrade and rebuild some sites, but we need several million yuan in funds." When Zhang Wenxiang was at a loss, the staff of the Bank of Tibet (西藏银行) took the initiative to connect with financing needs. After several communications and exchanges, the company obtained a preferential interest rate loan totaling 5 million yuan. Today, a number of new charging stations have been put into operation.

"We have established a professional inclusive finance team and a small and micro enterprise financial service team, and a total of 31 specialists are deployed to go deep into communities and villages to carry out the 'first loan expansion' action," said Rong Guoliang (容国梁), president of the Bank of Tibet. The bank has launched six core product systems: culture and tourism, border trade, animal husbandry, clean energy, characteristic planting, and benefiting the people and benefiting the people. As of the end of June, the bank's inclusive small and micro loan balance was 2.639 billion yuan, an increase of 45.56%.

The plateau wind is strong and the snow is heavy, and the insurance industry is fully serving people's livelihood security—

On the border line of Cuona City (错那市), Shannan City (山南市) at an altitude of 4,300 meters on the southern slope of the Himalayas, border guard Ciren Duoji (次仁多吉) has been guarding the peace of the country with his footsteps all year round. One cold and windy autumn day in 2023, he unfortunately lost his footing while patrolling and heroically sacrificed. When the news came, China Life Property & Casualty Insurance Co., Ltd. (中国人寿财险) Tibet Branch (西藏分公司) immediately launched an emergency response mechanism. The claims team drove 6 hours to the scene and delivered the 350,000 yuan compensation to Ciren Duoji's wife.

In order to overcome the service difficulties on the plateau, the agricultural insurance special service team of China Life Property & Casualty Insurance Co., Ltd. Tibet Branch travels more than 100,000 kilometers per year, going deep into remote pastoral areas for inspection, survey, and loss assessment, providing a cumulative risk guarantee of 4.926 billion yuan. The company's coverage rate of yaks and Tibetan sheep in the service area reaches more than 95%.

"To carry out financial insurance work in Tibet, we must not only have the warmth of serving the people, but also have the responsibility of adhering to the mission," said Xu Jin (徐进), Secretary of the Party Committee and General Manager of China Life Property & Casualty Insurance Co., Ltd. Tibet Branch.

Cui Jianfu (崔建福), member of the Party Committee and Deputy Director of the Tibet Financial Regulatory Bureau (西藏金融监管局), said that as of September 1, the special working classes for financing coordination of small and micro enterprises at all levels in the autonomous region have cumulatively visited more than 440,000 business entities such as small and micro enterprises, individual industrial and commercial households, farmers' cooperatives, and family farms, with a visit rate of more than 80%. More than 26,000 business entities have been included in the "recommended list," of which more than 80% of the business entities have obtained new loans from banks, with a loan amount exceeding 30 billion yuan, and the proportion of credit loans exceeding 50%.

Capital Market Nurtures Characteristic and Advantageous Industries

People's Daily reporter Yuan Quan (袁泉) and Securities Times reporter Zhang Shuxian (张淑贤)

In May of this year, the Lhasa City (拉萨市) Industrial Strong City Mother Fund (产业强市母基金) was officially established. This is the first government-guided fund at the prefecture-level city level in Tibet, adding a source of living water to the "Gesang Flower Action" (格桑花行动) to promote the listing of Tibetan enterprises.

In 2023, the Tibet Autonomous Region Government issued the "Tibet Autonomous Region Plan for Promoting Enterprise Listing 'Gesang Flower Action'" (hereinafter referred to as the "Gesang Flower Action"), which is the first high-standard, systematic, and professional enterprise listing action plan in the history of Tibet's capital market development.

Gesang (格桑) means "beautiful" in Tibetan. The "Gesang Flower Action" precisely implements policies from top-level design, policy guidance, and factor aggregation, pressing the "acceleration key" for Tibetan enterprises to list (be listed) and finance.

On May 16, Green Tea Group (绿茶集团), as a beneficiary of the "Gesang Flower Action," officially landed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (港交所), raising approximately HK$1.211 billion. This is the first company to be listed in Hong Kong since Tibet accurately implemented the "Gesang Flower Action."

In the 60 years since the establishment of the Tibet Autonomous Region, its capital market has grown from scratch, from small to large, continuously nurturing local enterprises on the plateau.

In 1998, "Mount Everest Motorcycle" (珠峰摩托) was born in Tibet and quickly gained a foothold in the national motorcycle market. In 2000, Tibet Everest (西藏珠峰) was listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange (上交所). In 2015, it injected TAZHONG Mining (塔中矿业) through a major asset restructuring, realizing a strategic transformation from a traditional manufacturing industry to a resource development enterprise.

In the 25 years since its listing, Tibet Everest has extended from the snowy plateau to the international stage. "Our development history is a vivid portrayal of Tibetan local enterprises using the capital market platform to continuously forge ahead and break through themselves," said Mao Yuankai (茅元恺), Vice Chairman and President of Tibet Everest.

Such growth stories are constantly being staged in Tibet. In order to fill the gap of no modern brewery in Tibet, Lhasa Brewery (拉萨啤酒厂) began preparations in 1988 and officially started production in 1989. As its production capacity gradually expanded to tens of thousands of tons, its parent company, Tibet Development Co., Ltd. (西藏发展股份有限公司), was listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange (深交所) in 1997, becoming one of the earliest listed companies in Tibet.

Luo Xi (罗希), Chairman of Tibet Development Co., Ltd., introduced that Lhasa Beer is exploring a new path of "leaving Tibet," planning to take a "characteristic and high-end" route to enter high-end restaurants, boutique supermarkets, and online channels in various places.

The continuous nourishment of the capital market has made listed companies increasingly strong. In the first half of the year, 22 A-share listed companies in Tibet achieved a total operating income of 27.323 billion yuan, an increase of 6.02% year-on-year, and achieved a net profit of 3.718 billion yuan, an increase of 11.80% year-on-year.

Statistics show that in 2024, 22 A-share listed companies in Tibet paid 2.483 billion yuan in taxes, accounting for 14% of Tibet's tax revenue, and added 582 million yuan in investment. The growth and expansion of listed companies has gradually converged into a powerful force to promote the economic development of the plateau.

Not long ago, a training class aimed at improving the ability to use the capital market was held in Tibet. More than 10 industry experts provided guidance and solutions for companies planning to be listed, focusing on IPO (Initial Public Offering) sprints and other content.

To form a picture of "**花满高原**" (huā mǎn gāo yuán - "flowers bloom all over the plateau," a flourishing scene), a full-chain ecological escort is indispensable. The Tibet Autonomous Region Local Financial Regulatory Bureau continues to track the problems reflected by listed reserve enterprises, and has cumulatively coordinated and solved 28 problems such as credit financing, handling procedures, and land use for 18 companies planning to be listed. The China Securities Regulatory Commission (中国证监会) implements the preferential policy of "immediate reporting and review, and immediate issuance after review" for Tibetan companies' IPOs, providing listing policy support for eligible Tibetan companies on the premise of "**坚持程序不降，标准不减**" (jiān chí chéng xù bù jiàng, biāo zhǔn bù jiǎn - "adhering to procedures without lowering, standards without reducing," maintaining high standards).

With policy highlands and mechanism empowerment, more Tibetan companies are preparing to take advantage of policy dividends to knock on the door of the capital market. Tibet has established a multi-level, multi-industry, and multi-tier key resource pool of listed reserve enterprises, with 115 companies in the pool for cultivation, including 23 companies in the mature stage, 46 companies in the growth stage, and 46 companies in the initial stage.

"Tibet will focus on creating a 'Tibet sector' of a multi-level capital market with regional characteristics, excellent quality, and strong competitiveness, so that more 'Gesang flowers' bloom on the plateau," said Wang Jianfeng (王建丰), Deputy Director of the Financial Office of the Tibet Autonomous Region Party Committee and Deputy Director of the Tibet Autonomous Region Local Financial Regulatory Bureau.

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Turning Resource Advantages into Development Advantages (Reporter's Notes)

By: 袁 泉

As the morning light shines on both banks of the Lhasa River (拉萨河), it coats this bustling city with a layer of gold. The Hebang Donje Financial City (顿珠金融城) on the riverbank, which was a barren滩 10 years ago, now boasts rows of high-rise buildings, and the plaques of various financial institutions and large enterprises are dazzling.

In the 弹指一挥间 (tán zhǐ yī huī jiān - "snap of the fingers," in the blink of an eye), 60 years have passed. On the once barren plateau, all industries are thriving and full of vitality. Tibet's regional GDP has increased from 327 million yuan in 1965 to 276.5 billion yuan in 2024, an increase of 155 times, with an average annual increase of 8.9%. The continuous support of funds such as finance and banking has injected sufficient impetus into Tibet's development.

Over the past 60 years, the central government's transfer payments to Tibet have exceeded one trillion yuan, providing a solid guarantee for the modernization process of the plateau. From the first exemption of agricultural and animal husbandry taxes in 1980, to the implementation of the policy of providing food, clothing, and accommodation for children of farmers and herdsmen in compulsory education from 1985, from the opening of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway (青藏铁路) in 2006, to the current highway, power, and communication networks covering the entire region, behind every major people's livelihood policy implementation and major infrastructure construction, there is strong support from financial funds.

From "banks on horseback" to smart outlets, from meager assets to total deposits and loans exceeding 600 billion yuan, from climbing ice and lying in snow to run basic credit, to financial water nourishing plateau characteristic industries, Tibet's financial industry, with its sincere dedication and pragmatic actions of "financial border defense," has paved the financial bloodline for consolidating the border, revitalizing Tibet, enriching the people, and benefiting the people. Since the central government implemented preferential interest rates on loans to Tibetan enterprises in 2011, banking institutions have cumulatively reduced profits by more than 130 billion yuan, benefiting 235,000 business entities.

The "invisible hand" from the capital market is reshaping Tibet's economic landscape and cultivating a modern enterprise cluster with plateau characteristics. Since 2016, the China Securities Regulatory Commission (中国证监会) has implemented a preferential policy of "immediate reporting, immediate review, and immediate issuance upon approval" for the IPOs of Tibetan enterprises. In 2023, Tibet began to implement the "Gesang Flower Action (格桑花行动)" to promote Tibetan enterprises to bloom like millions of Gesang flowers, and to promote the gathering of talents, technology, capital and other factors in Tibet in a larger space, at a higher level, and in a wider range.

Sixty years of hard work have revitalized the silent snow-capped mountains. Ecological resources, clean energy, mineral resources, cultural and tourism resources... rich and unique resource endowments are becoming a "magnet" for industrial investment in Tibet, attracting various enterprises to deeply cultivate this resource treasure land. To strengthen the plateau characteristic industry, it is necessary to further empower it with fiscal and tax policies and financial capital, innovate the use of funds, improve the quality and efficiency of fund use, and enhance the endogenous动力 of Tibet's economic development.

Attention should be paid to strengthening weaknesses and forging strengths, and truly transforming resource advantages into development advantages. For example, strengthen product and service innovation, provide financial nourishment for "increasing highland barley production and improving yak quality," and promote the modernization of agriculture and animal husbandry. For another example, enrich financing models, better develop and utilize hydropower, wind energy, and solar energy, and turn the geographical advantages given by nature into development advantages. Tibet has a long history and brilliant culture, and more financial assistance should be provided in strengthening the foundation and optimizing services, deepening "cultural tourism integration" and "agricultural tourism interaction," and creating a number of tourism brands with national influence.

It is necessary to grasp the economy and stabilize people's livelihoods, and further enhance the sense of gain, happiness, and security of people of all ethnic groups. It is necessary to seize the historical opportunities of major projects such as the Yaxiad Hydropower Project (雅下水电工程) and the Sichuan-Tibet Railway (川藏铁路), increase the activity of the innovation chain, industrial chain, and capital chain, do a good job in the five major articles of finance, provide more opportunities for local innovation, entrepreneurship, and wealth creation, and provide more and more sufficient financial guarantees for improving people's livelihoods.

The snowy plateau is not "aloof," and it is short of oxygen but not opportunities. This hot land for development needs effective support from fiscal funds and continuous nourishment from financial water. By making good use of the policy highland and tapping into the resource treasure land, Tibet's development momentum will continue to surge, allowing people of all ethnic groups to share the economic dividends of modern development.

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Editor in Charge for This Section: Ge Mengchao

Layout Design: Zhang Danfeng (张丹峰)

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Pingxingguan: The Ever-Burning Beacon of Spirit (A Cultural Journey in China: Visiting Anti-Japanese War Memorial Museums)

By: 本报记者 何思琦

"The first battle at Pingxingguan, its mighty name spread far and wide..." The song "The Eighth Route Army March" still echoes today in the majestic Taihang Mountains.

Lingqiu (灵丘), Shanxi (山西), "the vital gateway to Yanyun (燕云)," has been a strategic location for military strategists since ancient times. Standing in front of the Pingxingguan Victory Memorial Hall (平型关大捷纪念馆) and looking southwest across the open area, Pingxingguan (平型关) lies within sight. This is a pass soaked in the blood of heroes, igniting the sparks of victory—

On September 25, 1937, the main force of the Eighth Route Army's 115th Division (八路军第115师) ambushed the Japanese army at Pingxingguan (平型关), annihilating over 1,000 Japanese soldiers and destroying over 100 Japanese vehicles in one fell swoop. This great victory was the first major victory achieved by the Chinese army in actively fighting against the Japanese after the outbreak of the full-scale War of Resistance against Japan, shattering the myth of the Japanese army's "invincibility" and boosting the confidence of the entire nation in resisting Japan.

The smoke of battle has long since dissipated, and the Qiaogou (乔沟) site, the main battlefield of the Pingxingguan Victory (平型关大捷), is now adorned with lush greenery. Time and mountains have changed the world, and countless plants sway gently in the wind, silently telling every descendant who stops here about the indelible spirit and glory.

A ancient road, engraving the first great victory

"Many people thus believed that the Communist Party could not only resolutely resist Japan, but also had the ability to defeat the enemy"

This is a narrow ancient road stretching 4 kilometers from northeast to southwest, which has been a major transportation route since the Qin and Han dynasties.

Why was the main battlefield of the Pingxingguan Victory (平型关大捷) not at the Pingxingguan (平型关) pass, but on this narrow ancient road called "Qiaogou (乔沟)" in front of us? Mao Chuntao (毛春桃), director of the Cultural and Historical Research Department of the Pingxingguan Victory Memorial Hall (平型关大捷纪念馆), gave the answer: "Qiaogou (乔沟) was the only way for the Japanese army to transport soldiers, weapons, and ammunition from Lingqiu (灵丘) to the front line of Pingxingguan (平型关), and its strategic position was very important."

In front of a "Map of the Eighth Route Army Advancing to the Anti-Japanese Front in North China" (《八路军挺进华北抗日前线形势图》), the narrator Yuan Jing (袁晶) introduced: "After the Japanese army occupied Beiping (北平) and Tianjin (天津), they expanded their offensive into North China along the PingSui (平绥), PingHan (平汉), and JinPu (津浦) railways, attempting to 'destroy China' in three months. The blue arrows in the map represent the fierce offensive of the Japanese army, while the green arrows represent the direction of the Kuomintang army's successive defeats."

In the Pingxingguan Victory Memorial Hall (平型关大捷纪念馆), "broken mountains and rivers" is written in historical photos and war situation maps.

Many visitors frowned slightly and remained silent in front of the map: At that time, China was plagued by "theories of national subjugation" and "fear of Japan," and the land of North China was full of smoke.

"At this critical moment of national crisis, a team departing from northern Shaanxi (陕北) was marching rapidly through the mud—they were the 115th Division (第115师) of the Eighth Route Army (八路军), and according to the instructions of the Party Central Committee (党中央), they would participate in the battle around Pingxingguan (平型关)..." In the exhibition hall, several students stood upright. This is the "Great Victory Sparks Fire" summer social practice group from Beijing Institute of Economic Management (北京经济管理职业学院), who are immersively visiting the memorial hall and recording a "micro-Party class."

Following their narration, we saw more details of the Eighth Route Army soldiers marching to the Pingxingguan (平型关) battlefield—

Yang Dezhi (杨得志), commander of the 685th Regiment, was 26 years old, Li Tianyou (李天佑), commander of the 686th Regiment, was 23 years old, and Yang Chengwu (杨成武), commander of the Independent Regiment, was 23 years old... The average age of the participating generals of the 115th Division's (第115师) brigades and regiments that year was only 28 years old.

Straw sandals, bamboo hats, rice bags, oil lamps, satchels, marching pots... In the display cabinet, items used by the Eighth Route Army soldiers tell the story of their hardships along the way.

Qiaogou (乔沟) is twenty to thirty meters deep, and the narrowest part of the bottom of the ditch can only accommodate one vehicle. The north side of the ditch is as steep as a cliff, and many places are almost vertical cliffs. At the age of high spirits, with simple equipment and the belief of victory, they quietly ambushed on the south slope of the ancient road, like a fully drawn bow, waiting for the Japanese army to enter the "pocket."

"The night before the battle started, it rained heavily. After a night of washing, the gray uniforms of the Eighth Route Army soldiers ambushing in Qiaogou (乔沟) had already blended with the earth, achieving a very good concealment effect," said Mao Chuntao (毛春桃).

At dawn on September 25, 1937, a huge sound of charge resounded through the valley. The panoramic painting hall in the memorial hall restored this magnificent battle process—

"Block the head"! The 685th Regiment (685团) ambushed on the high ground and blocked the Japanese army from returning for reinforcements;

"Cut the waist"! The 686th Regiment (686团) served as the main attack, facing the main force of the Japanese army;

"Break the tail"! The 687th Regiment (687团) held its ground and assumed the responsibility of blocking the enemy reinforcements from Lingqiu (灵丘).

Repeated charges, advancing wave upon wave; when the bullets ran out, they used stones to smash; despite being seriously injured, they insisted on fighting... The Qiaogou (乔沟) ambush, the battle for the Laoyemiao (老爷庙) heights, and the Yimaling (驿马岭) blocking battle, the first great victory was thus set.

In the glass display case, a military blanket looks very new. "Its owner is General Yang Yong (杨勇), who was the deputy commander of the 686th Regiment (686团). He was wounded in the battle and was awarded this military blanket captured by the Eighth Route Army (八路军) as spoils of war." Yuan Jing (袁晶) said that this military blanket later accompanied General Yang Yong (杨勇) through the War of Resistance against Japan, the War of Liberation, and the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea. For decades, General Yang Yong (杨勇) always kept this military blanket with him as a souvenir of the Eighth Route Army's (八路军) first great victory.

Heavy mountains and passes cannot stop the torrent of national awakening. The flames of war cannot burn out the Chinese people's belief in victory. "A great victory allowed the people of the whole country to see the hope of persisting in the War of Resistance. Many people thus believed that the Communist Party (共产党) could not only resolutely resist Japan, but also had the ability to defeat the enemy, strengthening their confidence in persisting in the War of Resistance," said Mao Chuntao (毛春桃).

A battle flag, setting off a spiritual monument

"The spiritual connotation of the Pingxingguan Victory (平型关大捷) is in the same vein as the great spirit of the War of Resistance"

This is a "Pingxingguan Battle Assault Company" (平型关大战突击连) award flag, solemnly displayed in the memorial hall. After the Pingxingguan Victory (平型关大捷), the headquarters and political department of the 343rd Brigade (343旅) of the 115th Division (第115师) of the Eighth Route Army (八路军) awarded it to the 5th Company of the 2nd Battalion of the 685th Regiment (685团2营5连), which was tempered in the flames of war.

The award flag is silent, but the story of the 5th Company commander is told again and again: Company Commander Zeng Xiansheng (曾贤生), known as "Mengzi (猛子)." That year, he led his company as an "assault company" to ambush the vanguard of the Japanese army.

"At the critical moment, 'Mengzi (猛子)' company commander stepped forward and led the broadsword team into the enemy group to engage in hand-to-hand combat with the enemy. Even after being seriously injured, he resolutely pulled the last grenade and died together with the enemy, while only more than 30 people survived the entire company after the war." Listening to Yuan Jing's (袁晶) narration, many visitors stood silently and stared for a long time.

"The flames of war have dissipated, and the mountains and rivers remain the same. An award flag remembers their bravery." The leading teacher of the practice group, Lu Kaifei (路凯飞), said to the students.

Together with this heroic flag, the names and figures engraved on the "Pingxingguan Victory Hero Spectrum" (平型关大捷英雄谱) in the memorial hall are remembered: the heroes of the 686th Regiment (686团) died in a bloody battle at Laoyemiao (老爷庙), "Qin Erleng (秦二愣)" of the 687th Regiment (687团) regarded death as home, and "Platoon Leader Ma (麻排长)" of the Independent Regiment bravely attacked the enemy camp... Not afraid of strong enemies, sacrificing their lives, they built an insurmountable spiritual Great Wall between the dangerous passes with their flesh and blood.

"Faced with the advanced weapons and equipment of the Japanese invaders, the Eighth Route Army (八路军) only had spears, broadswords, and 'Hanyang-made (汉阳造)' rifles. So what did our Communist Party (共产党) and Eighth Route Army (八路军) rely on? It was the confidence of victory and firm will, which was more precious than gold at that time." Bai Weijiang (白卫疆), deputy curator of the Pingxingguan Victory Memorial Hall (平型关大捷纪念馆), said that the Eighth Route Army (八路军) won a great victory, like a ray of sunshine tearing a crack in the darkness, breaking the "theory of national subjugation" and "fear of Japan."

Glorious victory, not easy to come by.

"The spiritual connotation of the Pingxingguan Victory (平型关大捷) is in the same vein as the great spirit of the War of Resistance, which is reflected in the political character of 'nation above all, nation first,' the collaborative concept of 'taking the overall situation into account, sincere unity,' the heroic spirit of 'not fearing strong enemies, daring to win,' and the value pursuit of 'not being afraid of sacrifice, daring to contribute,'" said Bai Weijiang (白卫疆).

Inside the Pingxingguan Victory Memorial Hall (平型关大捷纪念馆), a donation ceremony is being held. The descendants of an anti-Japanese veteran from Lingqiu (灵丘) solemnly donated 12 precious revolutionary cultural relics, treasured for decades, to the memorial hall. These revolutionary cultural relics, carrying the family's glory and historical echoes, transcend time and space and converge into the torrent of national memory.

On the east side of Lingqiu (灵丘) county seat, in the Pingxingguan Martyrs Cemetery (平型关烈士陵园), many people are stopping in front of the martyrs' name list wall, silently reciting the names of the martyrs who sacrificed in the War of Resistance against Japan. "There are still many martyrs who did not leave their names and became nameless heroes. Today's peace was exchanged for their lives, and I will cherish it." Shi Xiaoyu (施晓雨), a sophomore and member of the practice group, said.

The spirit is like a torch, and the heroic spirit will last forever. On this land irrigated by blood and faith, heroes are always young.

A village, continuing the red bloodline

"In-depth excavation of deeply moving red stories, so that history shines with new glory"

This is Baiyaitai Village (白崖台村) in Lingqiu County (灵丘县), a pilot village for the construction of national red and beautiful villages. Here, history has never gone far.

"The news of the Pingxingguan Victory (平型关大捷) was sent to the world from here!" In an open space in front of the former site of the Confidential Office of the 115th Division (第115师) of the Eighth Route Army (八路军), nearly 20 villagers are performing a self-written and self-directed red drama. The performance time is not long, only 10 minutes, but they perform it vividly: rifles, grenades, telegraph boxes... all the props are self-made; delivering ammunition, delivering dry food, picking up stretchers to transport the wounded... scenes of villagers supporting the front line are right in front of them.

The "captain" who organized everyone to rehearse and perform is 68-year-old Gong Gaiping (宫改平). "Everyone used to dance square dances together in the village. Some tourists asked, your village has such a precious red history, can you perform a play? So we started learning from scratch and rehearsing bit by bit," said Gong Gaiping (宫改平).

Walking into the village, red imprints are everywhere: the old site of the cave dwelling where the leaders of the 115th Division (第115师) rested, the sculpture of the "Anti-Japanese Pathfinder"... history is intimately integrated into the lives of the villagers.

Gong Gaiping's (宫改平) wife, Zeng Fusheng (曾富生), runs a small supermarket. In the red memory exhibition hall on the second floor of the Baiyaitai Township (白崖台乡) Comprehensive Cultural Station, Zeng Fusheng (曾富生) pointed to a photo of an old man and said: "This is my grandfather, Zeng Huai (曾槐), he once led the way for the Eighth Route Army (八路军) before the ambush." Zeng Fusheng (曾富生) talked about the call of the Eighth Route Army (八路军) soldiers more than 80 years ago: "Folks, don't be afraid, we are the Eighth Route Army (八路军). Help us lead the way, and after we defeat the Japanese devils, you can harvest the autumn."

In the winter after the Pingxingguan Victory (平型关大捷), Zeng Huai (曾槐) joined the Party and led the villagers to fight guerrillas and bury landmines. After the founding of New China, Zeng Huai (曾槐) became one of the first volunteer narrators after the completion of the Pingxingguan Victory Memorial Hall (平型关大捷纪念馆), telling his own experiences to more and more people.

"We rely on the red memory exhibition hall to deeply excavate deeply moving red stories, so that history shines with new glory," said Liu Huicong (刘慧聪), secretary of the Baiyaitai Township (白崖台乡) Party Committee.

Ordinary and sincere individual memories will eventually condense into a red gene that never fades.

In the classroom of Lingqiu County (灵丘县) Town No. 2 Primary School, a ideological and political class of "Red Cultural Relics Entering the Campus" is in progress. The song "Singing the Cowherd Erxiao" (《歌唱二小放牛郎》) came, and Mao Chuntao (毛春桃) told the children the story of "The Young Hero in the Flames of War."

"Next, we will also hold a special exhibition in the museum, 'Red Star Shining, Beacon Fire Boy - Children's Corps in the War of Resistance Against Japan,' to continue the red bloodline and stimulate the patriotic feelings of young people," said Mao Chuntao (毛春桃).

No matter how tall the tree is, its roots are always in the soil. From history back to reality, from the village to the museum, the lamp of faith has never been extinguished, illuminating the way forward.

In the tail hall of the Pingxingguan Victory Memorial Hall (平型关大捷纪念馆), elementary school student Hu Shuqi (胡烁祈), led by his father, carefully read the "ending remarks" of the theme exhibition word by word—

"Pingxingguan (平型关) is a heroic pass, an unforgettable pass, and a victorious pass."

"After visiting the Pingxingguan Victory Memorial Hall (平型关大捷纪念馆), what are your feelings?" The reporter leaned over and asked him.

The child raised his head, and the answer came along with his clear eyes: "Remember, and cherish!"

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The Enduring Spirit of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression Behind the "Seeking Roots" Craze (Humanities Tea House)

By: 李卓尔

This summer, the movie "Nanjing Photo Studio" "ignited" the big screen and quietly awakened the long-sealed historical memories of the city of Nanjing (南京). In the film, the seemingly "unimportant" life photos carefully preserved in the photo studio became precious witnesses of ordinary people's tenacious survival in the war-torn years. In real life, a "root-seeking craze" has quietly emerged among Nanjing citizens. Many people have entered the Nanjing Municipal Archives (南京市档案馆), searching for the veins of their families and the anti-Japanese war memories connected to their own bloodlines in yellowed household registration cards and slightly blurred registration photos.

A towering tree must have its roots; a mountain-embracing river must have its source. The Chinese nation has always valued root-seeking. Staff at the Nanjing Municipal Archives (南京市档案馆) introduced that some citizens, looking at the archives of their great-grandfathers whom they had never met, exclaimed, "It turns out that our ancestors experienced such a cruel test on the land where I now live." Mr. Li, a citizen, found records of his great-grandfather's house being forcibly requisitioned by the Japanese, learning about the difficult survival of his family in the past. Root-seeking is like a key, opening the door to history—the suffering and perseverance of ancestors are no longer just words in textbooks, but past events closely related to one's own family. More and more young people are discovering in retrospect that the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression has changed from a historical concept in textbooks to a tangible and perceptible real experience, establishing an emotional connection with history.

In the process of root-seeking, the choices and perseverance of ancestors during the War of Resistance have become vivid teaching materials for contemporary people to understand the spirit of the war.

The lines of records in the archives contain the most moving spiritual codes. Some citizens discovered in the occupation column of their ancestors that their great-grandfather resolutely donated all the vehicles of his car dealership to form a transportation team to support the War of Resistance; some families read from the archival records that their ancestors risked their lives to deliver intelligence to the anti-Japanese forces... These family memories have become a microcosm of the tens of millions of Chinese people in the War of Resistance, the courageous acts in times of crisis, the unyielding spirit in the face of oppression, and the loyalty to the country in desperation, which are the most vivid embodiment of the spirit of the war.

The footprints of each family constitute the memory of the entire nation. The archives' display case exhibits the household registration card of Xia Shuqin (夏淑琴), a survivor of the Nanjing Massacre, proving that she lived in Nanjing (南京) at the time and was a witness to the Nanjing Massacre. These household registration files, as important historical evidence, are a mark of a nation's unyielding struggle for survival.

As more and more families dig out the connections between their ancestors and the War of Resistance from the archives—perhaps a migration record to escape the war, or a physical proof of supporting the front lines—these "private memories" overlap and intertwine with the nation's history of resistance. People clearly realize in tracing back that their family history is part of the history of the War of Resistance; the country that their ancestors guarded is the land where they now live. This historical consciousness also makes the recognition and belonging to the country more solid and profound, and also lays a solid foundation for the spirit of the War of Resistance to be passed down from generation to generation.

The movie "Nanjing Photo Studio" awakens historical memories in the name of art, while the "root-seeking craze" of Nanjing (南京) citizens is to continue the spirit of the War of Resistance with the power of the people. When the spirit of the War of Resistance becomes a family heirloom for more and more families, and when the younger generation understands the responsibility of the family and the country from family memories, this spirit will illuminate the road we have come from, and will also guide us to continue to write a new chapter of national unity in the new era.

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Long Drum Dance in Vibrant New Form (Inheritance)

By: 本报记者 郑智文

A gentle morning breeze blows, and the sound of the Changgo drum begins. Inside the Tumen City (图们市) Elderly Sports Activity Center in Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture (延边朝鲜族自治州), Jilin Province (吉林省), dancers dressed in traditional Korean attire, with the Changgo drum slung across their bodies, hold drumsticks and beaters in their hands, playing ever-changing notes and dancing gracefully to the rhythm.

"Pay attention to the rhythm; the momentum of the synchronized dance needs to be improved." As the rhythm slows and the dance ends, in a corner of the venue, Piao Shengxie (朴圣燮) carefully watches the Changgo drum dance rehearsal and offers guidance.

Piao Shengxie (朴圣燮) is a provincial representative inheritor of the Korean Changgo drum dance, and his connection with the Changgo drum dance has been long-standing. "I started learning the Changgo drum dance at the age of 16. The Changgo drum dance that I fell in love with at first sight has now been with me for most of my life," Piao Shengxie (朴圣燮) says with a smile, now in his sixties.

From 1978, Piao Shengxie (朴圣燮) worked in the Tumen City (图们市) Song and Dance Troupe, engaged in dance and choreography. In 1993, Piao Shengxie (朴圣燮) went to Xiangshang Street (向上街道) in Tumen City (图们市) to serve as the head of the cultural center, and the first thing he did was to form a Changgo drum dance team.

"After leaving the song and dance troupe, I found that the people loved the Changgo drum dance very much, but lacked opportunities and channels to learn it." Initially, there was an elderly Changgo drum dance performance team composed of more than 20 enthusiasts in the street. Piao Shengxie (朴圣燮) decided to build a team based on this.

But as soon as the work started, he found it was not easy: the whole street only had 11 Changgo drums, no performance costumes or props; the average age of the team members was over 60, and almost none of them had a dance foundation. "Unlike most dances, the Changgo drum dance not only pursues graceful dance postures, but also has high requirements for performance, emphasizing the coordination of dance and rhythm. Moreover, the beating rhythm changes a lot, and the dance steps and movements are diverse, which is not easy for professional dancers to learn. What to do?" Piao Shengxie (朴圣燮) pondered seriously.

"The soul of the Changgo drum dance lies in the Changgo drum, which is not only a prop, but also a musical instrument. The Changgo drum dance integrates performance, singing, and dance, realizing a high degree of coordination between people, drums, and music." Starting from the performance, Piao Shengxie (朴圣燮) patiently taught the Changgo drum dance rhythm system, and refined and summarized it, sorting out techniques that are easy for the public to learn. In terms of dance movements, Piao Shengxie (朴圣燮) always emphasized the importance of basic skills, starting from the most basic movements, teaching the coordination of dance postures and rhythms, and gradually arranging dances suitable for people with different foundations to perform.

Efforts were finally seen. Learning that the street had formed a Changgo drum dance team, various forces successively provided support, helping to purchase props and performance costumes, and providing performance opportunities. The performance team actively participated in various performances, with an average of more than 100 performances per year.

Helping the elderly realize their Changgo drum dance performance dreams, Piao Shengxie (朴圣燮) was even more determined to inherit and promote the Changgo drum dance. Compiling textbooks, forming teams, going to the countryside, entering campuses... Piao Shengxie (朴圣燮) explored a path suitable for the inheritance of the Changgo drum dance in one practice after another.

"For a long time, the Changgo drum dance has mainly been inherited through oral instruction and personal demonstration. The master's teaching is very important, but this method is not suitable for large-scale promotion." Combining his decades of performance experience, Piao Shengxie (朴圣燮) compiled the "Korean Changgo Drum Dance Beating Training Textbook," writing all 10 kinds of beating performance methods passed down from generation to generation, as well as 15 newly created beating performance methods, into the book to help the inheritance and promotion of the Changgo drum dance in the local area.

In 2008, the Korean Changgo drum dance was included in the national intangible cultural heritage list. In Tumen (图们) local area, more and more young people are falling in love with the Changgo drum dance. In the square and on the stage, you can often see young figures wearing colorful skirts and dancing gracefully with the Changgo drum slung across their bodies.

Although he has been retired for several years, Piao Shengxie (朴圣燮) still insists on rehearsing every day, and regularly organizes performances, going to many places to teach Changgo drum dance skills... always busy with the inheritance of the Changgo drum dance. Today, the members of the team have changed from being mainly Korean at the beginning to being jointly participated by multiple ethnic groups; solo dance, duet dance, and group dance, all kinds of performance forms can dance out of style. Piao Shengxie (朴圣燮) said: "I hope that the Changgo drum dance will be passed down from generation to generation, dancing more and more wonderfully, dancing out health, joy, and happiness."

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Editor in charge of this edition: Zheng Haiou

Layout Design: Zhang Danfeng (张丹峰)

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A Monument on the Cliff (Seeking Traces)

By: 杨辉素

The car entered Yixian (易县) County, Hebei (河北) Province. In the mist, the thirty-six peaks of Langya Mountain (狼牙山) and Wutuo (五陀) rose high.

　　At the summit of Qipantuo (棋盘陀) Peak, the "Langya Mountain Five Heroes Memorial Tower (狼牙山五勇士纪念塔)" stands majestically. This tower, rebuilt three times, symbolizes the indomitable spirit of the heroes.

　　After climbing countless steps, I finally arrived at the foot of the memorial tower. Red base, white tower body, engraved with nine golden characters: "Langya Mountain Five Heroes Memorial Tower (狼牙山五勇士纪念塔)". Looking around, three sides are cliffs. Looking down, it makes people dizzy and frightened. Exclamations and sighs are heard from the crowd from time to time. Looking up, the distant peaks are faintly visible in the misty clouds.

　　Silently reciting Marshal Nie Rongzhen's (聂荣臻) inscription, "To regard death as going home is the spirit that a revolutionary soldier should have; to rather die than submit is the glorious tradition of heroes of Yan and Zhao (燕赵)," I seemed to enter that glorious era...

　　In September 1941, more than 3,500 Japanese and puppet troops encircled the Langya Mountain (狼牙山) area, and a large number of our soldiers and civilians were trapped in the canyon. The 7th Company of the 1st Regiment of the 1st Sub-district of the Jin-Cha-Ji Military Region (晋察冀军区) was responsible for covering the transfer of the main force and the masses. At dawn on September 25, after the 7th Company completed its mission, it began to withdraw, leaving five soldiers from the 6th Squad to serve as the rearguard to block the enemy.

　　The five soldiers fought and led the enemy up the mountain. Two roads appeared before them: one leading to the direction of the main force's transfer, and the other leading to the summit of Qipantuo (棋盘陀), which is surrounded by cliffs on three sides. The five soldiers were already hungry. How much they wanted to catch up with the main force quickly! But when they thought of the women holding children and the elderly with limited mobility among the transferred people, in order to let them go further, the soldiers resolutely chose to retreat to the summit of Qipantuo (棋盘陀).

　　The enemy's firepower overturned the gravel on the top of the mountain. The five soldiers ran out of bullets, so they used stones to smash, and when the stones were gone, they threw the last grenade at the enemy. The enemy pursued relentlessly. The five soldiers, **宁死不屈** (nìng sǐ bù qū - "prefer death unyielding," to rather die than surrender; to remain unyielding to the death), broke their guns and threw them off the cliff. Squad Leader Ma Baoyu (马宝玉) took the lead in jumping into the abyss. Immediately afterwards, Deputy Squad Leader Ge Zhenlin (葛振林), soldiers Hu Delin (胡德林), Hu Fucai (胡福才), and Song Xueyi (宋学义) also resolutely jumped off the cliff.

　　The birds flew in alarm, and the mountains mourned in silence.

　　This story is still circulating among the people in the Langya Mountain (狼牙山) area, and everyone from the elderly to children knows it well.

　　In the Langya Mountain Culture Museum (狼牙山文化博物馆) in Yixian (易县) County, a portrait attracts attention. It depicts the three martyrs, Ma Baoyu (马宝玉), Hu Fucai (胡福才), and Hu Delin (胡德林). Ma Baoyu (马宝玉) has raised eyebrows, Hu Fucai (胡福才) purses his lips, and Hu Delin's (胡德林) eyes look into the distance. They were all very young when they sacrificed. The oldest, Hu Fucai (胡福才), was 28 years old, and the youngest, Ma Baoyu (马宝玉), was only 21 years old.

　　The other two warriors, Ge Zhenlin (葛振林) and Song Xueyi (宋学义), were saved by the branches of trees on the mountain after jumping off the cliff. They were both injured. Song Xueyi's (宋学义) injury was relatively more serious, and he suffered from pain all his life.

　　In his memoir "Langya Mountain Cliff Jump (狼牙山跳崖记)," Ge Zhenlin (葛振林) affectionately recalled his comrades: "I thought of Squad Leader Ma Baoyu (马宝玉), this honest and straightforward good comrade. He usually didn't like to talk, but every word counted. Every time we fought, he always said 'Follow me,' and took the lead in three steps. Usually, he never asked others to fetch food or carry water, but always did it silently... And there was Hu Fucai (胡福才), who never smiled or spoke, and that young Hu Delin (胡德林)... They are all gone now."

　　After Ma Baoyu (马宝玉), Hu Fucai (胡福才), and Hu Delin (胡德林) sacrificed, they were buried in the North Loushan Revolutionary Martyrs Cemetery (北娄山革命烈士陵园) near North Loushan Village (北娄山村), Yixian (易县) County. 1,156 martyrs are buried here.

　　Where is the hero's hometown? Li Fang (李芳), curator of the Langya Mountain Five Heroes Memorial Hall (狼牙山五勇士陈列馆), has been working to find relatives for the martyrs. In 2017, she found Ma Baoyu's (马宝玉) niece, Ma Yuxiang (马玉香). That year, Ma Yuxiang (马玉香), who was in her 50s, came to the tombstone for the first time from her mother's home, Xiayuanzao Village (下元皂村), Weixian (蔚县) County, Zhangjiakou City (张家口市). She knelt on the ground and sobbed, "Second Great-Uncle, I finally found you, fulfilling my father's wish before his death. He has always been thinking about you..." Since then, Ma Yuxiang (马玉香) has come again and again. Once, she also wrapped a handful of soil from the village entrance in a white cloth and sprinkled it behind Ma Baoyu's (马宝玉) tombstone.

　　The hometowns of Hu Fucai (胡福才) and Hu Delin (胡德林) are in Guocun (郭村), Rongcheng County (容城县), Hebei Province (河北省). The two are not much different in age, but they are uncle and nephew of the same family. Today's Rongcheng County (容城县) has been划归雄安新区 (huà guī Xióng'ān Xīnqū) incorporated into the Xiong'an New Area (雄安新区). Wang Huixin (王会欣), a veteran teacher at the Xiong'an Campus of the High School Affiliated to Minzu University of China (中央民族大学附属中学雄安校区), has been engaged in the study of Party history and the history of the War of Resistance Against Japan for many years. He said that Hu Fucai (胡福才) and Hu Delin (胡德林) were both born into poor peasant families. When the Eighth Route Army (八路军) came to Rongcheng County (容城县), the two competed to carry stretchers and send comfort items to the Eighth Route Army (八路军). After joining the army, the two participated in many battles.

　　The people of Rongcheng (容城) have not forgotten Hu Fucai (胡福才) and Hu Delin (胡德林). The villagers go to the North Loushan Revolutionary Martyrs Cemetery (北娄山革命烈士陵园) to pay tribute to them during the Qingming Festival, and also erected a monument to the martyrs Hu Delin (胡德林) and Hu Fucai (胡福才) in the northwest of Guocun Village (郭村). The admission ceremony of the Young Pioneers, the admission ceremony of the Communist Youth League, and the oath of joining the Party by Party members are often held in front of the monument. Today, the village has been relocated, and Yanzhao Avenue (燕赵大街) passes by the monument. The monument is like a pair of eyes gazing at the great changes of the times. The heroes under the nine springs will also be gratified, right?

　　After recovering from his injuries and catching up with the troops, Ge Zhenlin (葛振林) participated in the War of Liberation and the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea, and made many meritorious deeds. His hometown is Quyang County (曲阳县), Hebei Province (河北省), but he left his hometown for work and went to Hunan (湖南), and has stayed there ever since. His colleagues all know that he is serious and responsible for his work, enthusiastic and sincere to people, especially his hard-working and simple lifestyle, which has been praised by everyone. When the movie "Langya Mountain Five Heroes (狼牙山五壮士)" was screened in Hengnan County (衡南县), Hunan (湖南) Province, the county attached great importance to it and specially invited Ge Zhenlin (葛振林) and his family to sit in the first row upstairs. Before the screening, Ge Zhenlin (葛振林) was also invited to speak. Ge Zhenlin's (葛振林) son, Ge Changsheng (葛长生), was 7 years old that year. He didn't remember what his father said, but only remembered that the applause was very warm and some people were silently wiping their tears. After returning home, his father told him that he should not think that his father had become a character in the movie and was great, but should always be a humble, low-key, and loyal person to the Party.

　　After Song Xueyi (宋学义) returned to the team, he was injured again in a battle. In 1944, he went to Beiguantou Village (北管头村) under Langya Mountain (狼牙山) to serve as the chairman of the farmers' association, and married and had children. In 1947, Song Xueyi (宋学义) took his family back to his hometown, North Kong Village (北孔村), Qinyang (沁阳), Henan (河南). Song Xueyi's (宋学义) son, Song Fubao (宋福保), said that on the way back to his hometown, his father told his mother: "After returning, don't tell anyone about my experience in Langya Mountain (狼牙山)." In North Kong Village (北孔村), Song Xueyi (宋学义) hid his merits and fame, and led the villagers to dig rivers and drain water, and improve saline-alkali land, so that the grain harvest was greatly increased. Many years later, the villagers learned that he was one of the five heroes of Langya Mountain (狼牙山).

　　Yang Chenghai (杨成海) from Beiguantou Village (北管头村) under Langya Mountain (狼牙山) tells the story of Song Xueyi (宋学义) to everyone he meets. Song Xueyi (宋学义) got along very well with him when he was in Beiguantou Village (北管头村). Song Xueyi (宋学义) called him "Old Yangzi (老杨子)," and he called Song Xueyi (宋学义) "Old Song (老宋)." According to Yang Chenghai (杨成海), the last time he saw Song Xueyi (宋学义) was in 1970. That day, Song Xueyi (宋学义) returned to Beiguantou Village (北管头村) from Henan (河南) and sat in Yang Chenghai's (杨成海) house for a long time. He said that he couldn't let go of Langya Mountain (狼牙山) and wanted to take another look at his comrades and villagers... He stayed in Yang Chenghai's (杨成海) house for one night, and got up early the next morning, bowed deeply three times in the direction of the memorial tower on Langya Mountain (狼牙山), and then quietly left.

　　Ge Zhenlin (葛振林) and Song Xueyi (宋学义) once met in Beijing (北京). They were invited by the August First Film Studio (八一电影制片厂) to shoot a documentary film. That time, the two talked until late at night. When they parted, they held hands tightly and exhorted each other: We are Communist Party members and must not regard ourselves as heroes. Glory belongs to the Party and the people.

　　On June 26, 1971, Song Xueyi (宋学义) passed away and was buried in the Qinyang Martyrs Cemetery (沁阳市烈士陵园), Henan Province (河南省).

　　Ge Zhenlin (葛振林) passed away on March 21, 2005, and was buried in the Hengyang Martyrs Cemetery (衡阳市烈士陵园), Hunan Province (湖南省).

　　When I walked out of the Langya Mountain Culture Museum (狼牙山文化博物馆), I met a teacher leading a group of elementary school students wearing red scarves, presumably going to the museum for research. The children walked and sang. When I listened, wasn't it the theme song of the movie "Langya Mountain Five Heroes (狼牙山五壮士)"?

　　"On the cliffs of Qipantuo (棋盘陀), the heroes jumped down. How much heroic blood was exchanged for a beautiful landscape..."

　　In the singing, I once again looked up at the sculptures of the five heroes. Under the backdrop of the bright red Party flag, their expressions were firm, as if they were shouting from their hearts: Drive out the Japanese invaders and let the Chinese people live a peaceful and happy life!

　　And today, all this has been realized!

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Control the "Heat": Musings from Jintai

By: 林永芳

In Zhujia Courtyard (朱家院子), Wuping (武平), Fujian (福建), I met a young boy visiting with his parents. Pointing to an exhibition board on the wall introducing Zhu Xi (朱熹), he asked, "Dad, is Zhu Xi (朱熹) a superman? Why could he read so many books, write so many books, and cover so many fields 'involving philosophy, classics, history, literature, music, and even natural sciences'?" His father patiently explained, "Zhu Xi (朱熹) is not a superman. He was just more diligent than most people, summarized methods from his experiences, and thus unleashed extraordinary potential."

Hearing this, I was deeply moved. Indeed, life is short. How can we accomplish something beneficial to the country, the people, and ourselves within our limited lifespan?

In "Classified Conversations of Master Zhu (朱子语类·卷八)," the intensity of the fire used for boiling things and decocting medicine is compared to learning: "It's like decocting medicine: first use a strong fire to boil it, making it bubble vigorously until it froths out, and then you can use a slow fire to nourish it." "Talking about learning today is just like cooking something. You must first use a strong fire to boil it, and then use a gentle fire to simmer it. If you only use a gentle fire all the time, how can it ever be cooked?" It speaks of the usefulness of a slow fire, but also the indispensability of a strong fire, complementing each other to achieve something.

In fact, whether it's learning, cultivating oneself, or starting a career, there is wisdom in this "fire intensity" everywhere in life. Everything is difficult at the beginning, so one must use the strong momentum of "boiling with a strong fire" to overcome difficulties and break through the situation, like someone who jumps out of bed after hitting the snooze button, creating a momentum of striving forward. But nothing can be accomplished overnight. Only accumulating enough quantitative change can catalyze qualitative change. Relying solely on Cheng Yaojin's (程咬金) three axes is not enough to build a great career. "Simmering with a slow fire" is to consolidate the results of the initial "boiling with a strong fire," providing a continuous stream of stamina, persisting for a long time, and achieving success over time. Therefore, the ancients advocated the focus and patience of "a hen hatching eggs, a dragon nurturing a pearl," not being impatient or discouraged after the enthusiasm of "boiling with a strong fire," but steadfastly and calmly spending the long loneliness of "simmering with a slow fire," and welcoming the natural fruition of success.

Qi Jiguang (戚继光), a famous general of the Ming Dynasty (明代), clearly understood this principle. In order to train a new army capable of resisting the fierce Japanese pirates, he recruited Yiwu (义乌) miners and had them practice rattan shield slashing and musket loading every day, with frequent inspections and assessments. In Qi Jiguang's (戚继光) "Record of Military Training (练兵实纪)," which has been passed down through the generations, there are detailed and numerous training and assessment items, enough to glimpse the "strong fire" of Qi's Army's (戚家军) training, which led to successive victories against the Japanese pirates. Later, Qi Jiguang (戚继光) spent decades continuously improving the coordination ability of the "Mandarin Duck Formation (鸳鸯阵)" with his life's work, summarizing the exquisite formation of rattan shields, wolf brushes, spears, short weapons, and other coordinated operations and mutual assistance. This can be called the most sustained tactical improvement in the history of the Ming army, achieving the glorious achievements of Qi's Army (戚家军) with the vigor of "boiling with a strong fire" and the patience and perseverance of "simmering with a slow fire."

Xu Guangqi (徐光启), another famous minister and scientist of the Ming Dynasty (明朝), completed the translation of "Euclid's Elements (几何原本)" (the first 6 volumes) with Matteo Ricci (利玛窦) with the "strong fire" of tackling tough problems; and vigorously promoted the planting of sweet potatoes when food was scarce due to floods in Jiangnan (江南) to alleviate the food shortage. He explored methods of preserving sweet potato seedlings through winter storage in cellars, and summarized experience in the planting, management, and propagation of sweet potatoes, achieving one technological breakthrough after another. The objective laws of crop growth determine that there is no shortcut to agricultural research. Xu Guangqi (徐光启) went through several years, achieving the success of "simmering with a slow fire" with the tenacity of "a hen hatching eggs," breaking through the planting latitude restrictions after the sweet potato entered China, greatly expanding its planting area.

"Few have a good ending, though all have a beginning" 靡不有初，鲜克有终 (mǐ bù yǒu chū, xiǎn kè yǒu zhōng - "none do not have a beginning, few have a good ending," it is easy to start something, but difficult to finish it). Today, people live in a fast-paced modern society, and impatience, lack of perseverance, lack of diligence, and difficulty in persisting have become a "popular disease." In particular, some people who have grown up in luxury are either eager for quick success, wanting to see abundant fruits on the branches the day after planting; or they have a three-minute heat, "exposing to the sun for one day and freezing for ten days" 一日曝十日寒 (yī rì pù shí rì hán - "one day sun ten days cold," inconsistent effort). They face a common problem: after the initial effort, how to overcome the long, tedious, boring, and arduous tasks that follow? How to transcend the curse of starting with "a moment of excitement" and ending with "giving up halfway," and see the meaning of perseverance in the face of current difficulties?

When you find it difficult to persevere, you might as well look at Qi Jiguang (戚继光), look at Xu Guangqi (徐光启), and look at Marie Curie (居里夫人). From the discovery of radium at the end of 1898 to the extraction of 0.1 grams of radium chloride in 1902, and then to the extraction of metallic radium in 1910, Marie Curie (居里夫人) persisted for 12 years through countless setbacks and hardships, which led to the fruit of victory and made her the first person to win the Nobel Prize twice.

This is the power of "boiling with a strong fire" plus "simmering with a slow fire." Fire intensity refers to the strength of the fire and the length of time. If you have good ingredients, but the fire intensity is not accurate or insufficient, the dishes will not be flavorful, undercooked, or even burnt, so how can you talk about a delicious meal? Life is also like this.

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Silver carp leaps in clear waves (Duoweizhai)

By: 王 寒

The families around Cold Mountain Lake (寒山湖) are generally not lacking in fresh aquatic products. Crucian carp, silver carp, bighead carp, common carp, grass carp, and black carp are all available. In earlier years, even if one couldn't find plump, large fish, the streams, paddies, and ponds were home to bitterling, loach, and swamp eels. With good luck, one could even find softshell turtles and eels. In Jiangnan (江南), catching fish by the water is as common as cutting vegetables in front of the house or picking beans behind it. It's nothing out of the ordinary.

Every year in summer and autumn, when I return to my brother Biao's (彪兄) hometown, Tiantai (天台), I always love to take a few strolls on Cold Mountain Lake (寒山湖). When I have time, I sit on a boat and leisurely head to Chayuan Village (茶园村) on the opposite bank to pound *mazi* (麻糍, a glutinous rice cake), knock down chestnuts, and eat braised stream fish, all for the sake of that rural pleasure. The ferry sails on the blue lake, with reeds on both banks, some green and some white, gently nodding in the wind. Occasionally, a fish suddenly leaps out of the water, flashing past with a "swoosh." I exclaim in surprise, but the villagers on the boat are used to it and smile calmly: "That's a silver carp; there are plenty in the lake!"

The grass carp, black carp, and crucian carp in the lake are all very steady, but only the silver carp is impetuous and easily startled, hence the nickname "jumping carp."

Spring is the carnival of lake fish. In the dense pine forests on the mountains, patches of pine trees bloom, and when the wind blows, golden pine pollen is blown onto the lake surface, shining brilliantly in the sunlight. Schools of lake fish float to the surface, vying to chew on the pine pollen. For silver carp, the fragrant pine pollen is a nourishing feast.

While the fish are floating on the lake surface, feasting, cormorants resting on the island shoot towards the lake like arrows, catching a fish and flying away. Hundreds of cormorants on the island eat live fish every day, with one cormorant eating ten or so fish a day. The silver carp swimming in the upper layers mostly become food for the cormorants.

When thunderstorms are approaching in summer, and the air pressure is low, the silver carp are the first to surface. They stick their heads out of the lake to breathe, their mouths opening and closing, creating circles of ripples, and sometimes they even leap into the air, performing beautiful somersaults on the water surface. That summer, I was taking illustrations for a seasonal book by Cold Mountain Lake (寒山湖), and the sky suddenly darkened, and it looked like a heavy rain was about to pour down. In an instant, several silver carp leaped high out of the lake, their bodies as agile as carp about to leap over the Dragon Gate. They jumped non-stop, their bodies drawing silver arcs. I was so engrossed in watching that I forgot to press the shutter.

In addition to silver carp, Cold Mountain Lake (寒山湖) also has many bighead carp. Comparing the two types of carp, the silver carp is at a disadvantage. Bighead carp are also called *yongyu* (鳙鱼) or fathead fish. In terms of appearance, bighead carp have fat heads and big ears, with black-brown spots on their bodies, like rusty broadswords; silver carp are clean and white, with silver light shining on their sides, like a snow-white blade. In terms of personality, bighead carp are steady and patient; silver carp are impetuous and active. As for value, bighead carp, with their collagen-rich fat heads, have made famous dishes such as chopped pepper fish head and braised fathead fish; silver carp have small heads and a lot of meat, but they have a heavy fishy smell, many fine bones, and relatively loose meat, so they are mostly used to make fish balls.

As the end of the year approaches, Cold Mountain Lake Reservoir (寒山湖水库) will net fish. Last year during the winter fishing, I followed Brother Deng (邓大哥) of the winter fishing team into the lake. That winter fishing trip caught only bighead carp; the other fish were released back into the lake. The bighead carp in Cold Mountain Lake (寒山湖) gain a pound every year, and a 10-pound bighead carp has lived in the lake for at least seven or eight years. Bighead carp don't like to jump, so you don't see the lively scenes on TV when they are caught. I followed Brother Deng (邓大哥) into the net cage to catch fish, picking up big fish several times, only to have them break free with all their might. I never imagined that a fish could be stronger than a child, and it even slapped me with its tail while struggling, directly stunning me. Brother Deng (邓大哥) comforted me, saying that this was a light hit; one year, his father went into the lake to fish and had his bones broken by a bighead carp.

In Jiangnan (江南), fish is a must-have for the New Year's Eve dinner. Chinese people pay attention to auspicious symbols during the New Year. Crucian carp and carp symbolize "**大吉大利**" (dà jí dà lì - "great luck great profit," very auspicious and profitable), mandarin fish symbolize "abundance of wealth," and silver carp represent "continuous abundance." Eating silver carp is not because it tastes good, but just to seek good luck and also because it is cheap. In the northern mountainous areas of my hometown, the "bowl fish" for the New Year is silver carp, scored with a few cuts, fried in oil, and then braised with ginger and garlic, plated and served, making a decent New Year's dish. In the southern coastal areas, the "bowl fish" is large yellow croaker. People by the sea don't look up to silver carp at all and don't allow it on the table. Silver carp, like grass carp, is at the bottom of the freshwater fish **鄙视链** (bǐ shì liàn - "contempt chain," a hierarchy of disdain).

In the Hangjiahu (杭嘉湖) area of northern Zhejiang (浙北), there is no prejudice against silver carp. People in northern Zhejiang (浙北) love to eat fish balls. They nail the tail of the silver carp to the cutting board and use a quick knife to cut in from the fish spine, removing the meat close to the bone with clean movements. After removing the meat, they pick out the bones, add seasonings and starch, and knead it into a meat paste. After kneading the meat paste until it is sticky and repeatedly pounding it, they roll it into fish balls. Those who are particular will add some cuttlefish paste, making the fish balls smooth, tender, and chewy, leaving a lasting aftertaste.

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Photo Report

The oil painting "Rosy Clouds in the Sky," by the artist Liu Xun (刘迅), is in the collection of the National Art Museum of China (中国美术馆).

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Brother Wan Tuo (Encounter)

By: 黑 桃

In 2008, I graduated from university and found a job as an editor in Taiyuan (太原), Shanxi (山西).

At that time, my colleague Ling Yu (零羽) and I shared an apartment next to the Donghu Vinegar Garden (东湖醋园), bathing daily in the sour but intoxicating aroma. On the way home from work, we always passed by Xiaodongmen (小东门). We noticed, from some point onward, a yellowish-brown long table set up on the side of the road on Xiaodongmen Street (小东门街), with a middle-aged man standing behind it skillfully selling something. The man would swiftly cut two or three stacked round cakes into narrow strips, put them in plastic bags, pour on seasonings, and hand them to customers. These white round cakes were as smooth as cream, thick in the middle and thin at the edges, and elastic, like a variation of liangpi (凉皮, cold skin noodles). When we asked, we learned that it was called "wantuo" (碗托), made from buckwheat flour, and named for the fact that the final step involved steaming it in the bottom of a bowl.

We bought two servings and ate them with anticipation. Unexpectedly, the taste was surprisingly good! The wantuo was smooth and chewy, fresh, fragrant, and slightly spicy, leaving a fragrant taste in our mouths. As a result, Ling Yu and I became regulars at this snack stall.

Three or four years passed in this way. Day after day, we passed by Xiaodongmen, and day after day, the man set up his stall, rain or shine. Sometimes his wife also came to help. In 2012, Ling Yu and I both left Taiyuan to pursue our own careers. The wantuo at Xiaodongmen became one of the most unforgettable foods of Shanxi for us.

In 2015, I returned to Taiyuan. After finishing my business, I went straight to Xiaodongmen, and the man was indeed still there. The table for selling wantuo had been replaced by a fully functional cart, customers were coming in an endless stream, and the man's wife was also busy with a smile on her face. I ordered a serving and ate heartily—it was still the familiar taste. I ordered another serving to take away, and while the man was mixing the seasonings, I chatted with him, saying that I used to come to eat almost every day, and now that I was back, the first thing I did was come to eat a serving of wantuo to satisfy my craving. The man listened as if he had received the highest praise. He looked at me carefully and said that he remembered what I looked like, and excitedly wanted to give me the meal for free, but because I had already paid with WeChat (微信), he didn't, so he immediately cut another serving and gave it to me. I couldn't refuse, so I accepted it.

A few years later, I returned to Taiyuan again and, as usual, came to Xiaodongmen to eat wantuo. I sat down with the man by the stall and chatted, learning that he was from Pingyao (平遥) and that the wantuo seasonings were his own improved version. In the past 10 years or so, he hadn't made a fortune from this wantuo that cost a few yuan, but he had a stable income and had even sent his son to university, and a very good one at that: Lanzhou University (兰州大学).

The man and I added each other on WeChat. Although we didn't talk much, I felt very secure having such a person in my address book: because of him, my memories of Taiyuan's food would not fade; thinking of him, I also had a little more confidence in life.

When I returned to Taiyuan again this year, the man treated me as an old friend. When I wanted to pack two servings of wantuo to take away, he refused to let me pay no matter what. Feeling bad, I bought a watermelon from a nearby fruit stand and gave it to him, but he actually got angry. In the end, I took the watermelon and the wantuo away together, which calmed his "anger."

During this meeting, I learned that the man's son had graduated from Lanzhou University and was now doing postgraduate studies and had already started an internship. The man said that although doing small business was not easy, accumulating little by little was always very down-to-earth. I understand that in so many large and small cities in China, there are countless long and short streets, and in countless streets and alleys, there are always small business people like the man, who are unknown but down-to-earth, who adorn the city's myriad lights and also guard their own lives.

I have already tasted more flavors from the man's wantuo.

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Voices (Selected Poetry and Essay Submissions)

By: 刘 康

Mother Teaches Son to Speak Using Vernacular

When they say "姆妈" (mǔ mā), the air

Is filled with a sweet fragrance.

This is the scent of wisteria, which also

Blooms with faint little flowers.

When they say "嗲嗲" (diǎ diǎ), a rice wine-like

Pure and strong pronunciation, a breeze is drawn in.

This is a word not easily mastered.

The son repeats it softly. In the late spring of the South,

There is still a chill. The mother gets up to draw the curtains.

The glass reflects the son's stubborn little face.

His forehead is faintly sweaty. With each utterance,

The sweetness in the air grows stronger. The breeze

Wipes away his sweat. It seems that this night,

All unseen things belong to his mother.

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Chengyang Sycamore

By: 牛旭斌

Qingdao Chengyang (青岛城阳) has an abundance of plane trees. Walking along the streets named "Cheng" (城) running north-south and "Yang" (阳) running east-west, they are everywhere. They are planted extensively in parks and residential areas, thriving vigorously.

As the weather warms, the spherical fruits of the plane trees that have endured the winter open up. Countless fine hairs densely packed within them detach and dance in the wind as the fruits crack open, forming a sky full of catkins. As the catkins are about to disappear, tender, unfolded branches begin to bud, bursting forth with new green. The changing of seasons always occurs gracefully and slowly at 36 degrees north latitude.

Good scenery often unfolds gradually. The newly emerging branches and leaves of the plane trees are budding one by one, piece by piece, a yellowish hue, with fuzzy white down on the leaves. At first, the branches and leaves carry a bit of shyness, as if new to the world. The petioles also dare not stretch out, curling slightly, slowly unfolding, gradually becoming lush and verdant. The dried leaves that withered on the tree trunk last winter are finally shaken down by the spring breeze among the new leaves, reminding one of the poetic sentiment of "fragrant forests, new leaves urge old leaves."

Look, the upward-growing trunks accelerate their lushness as the temperature rises. They strive to draw new branches towards the sky, spreading out layers upon layers of broad leaves like green carpets, blocking the sunlight shining on the road, resisting the sudden howling wind, and also blocking a momentary drizzle.

On the bustling streets, the plane trees use verdant green to paint a flowing jade, dyeing the streets of Chengyang (城阳) green. Cars and people travel through them, as if stepping into a long green corridor.

The Jiaodong Peninsula (胶东半岛) dawns early. Every morning, I walk along Mingyang Road (明阳路) through the plane tree-lined streets. When the morning light is dim, the shadows of the trees are slanted on the asphalt road. Office workers enjoy a refreshing coolness from the embrace of the plane trees, like a stomach-warming and heart-warming morning tea. Translucent dewdrops hang on the tips of the leaves, about to fall but not yet. Early-rising birds chirp and jump on the branches, startling a few drops of clear dew, which hit my shoulders, still carrying the fragrance of the plane tree's fragrant leaves.

At noon, the sunlight is most dazzling. The leaves of the plane trees are densely packed together, sifting the scorching sun into fine gold leaf, projecting it onto the nearby walls and windowsills. Under the shade of the trees, stall vendors set up sun umbrellas, selling fried dough sticks, selling jianbing guozi (煎饼馃子), selling spicy skewers. Pedestrians are leisurely, strolling under the green shade covered by trees.

In the evening, people walk through the plane tree-lined avenue into the subway. In the gentle swaying of the night breeze, the plane trees emit a unique woody fragrance. The high and low hanging bells, the dense and lush leaves, dance in the swaying of the wind.

The plane trees have accompanied the city for a long time, through rainstorms, lightning, typhoons, and have seen the crowds in the streets. Stopping in front of a row of slightly old trees, concentrating and observing quietly, beneath the mottled of the rough bark is actually a smooth, jade-like green. The roots grow downwards with one mind, and some secondary roots creep along the ground, stubbornly arching up the hard ground. This is the tree's integrity and confidence, the energy-filled willfulness and unrestrainedness of life.

I have seen the magnolia trees full of fragrance in Shanghai (上海), the towering cedars in Nanjing (南京), and also the Livistona chinensis in Nanning (南宁) and the banyan trees in Fuzhou (福州). These plane trees in Chengyang (城阳), like this land, have the inclusiveness and resilience of embracing all rivers, and also the tenacity and vitality of adapting to the soil and water. Chengyang (城阳), with its green shade like a canopy, must be grateful for the tall and upright, healthy growth of the plane trees.

Ordinary plane trees quietly spread throughout the streets and alleys of Chengyang (城阳), witnessing the four seasons of Chengyang (城阳). They are not particularly precious tree species, but they weave the most poetic shade for this city with the most lush posture.

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