Summary: The article emphasizes the importance of culture as the "soul" and highlights Xi Jinping's focus on cultural development, particularly through the newly proposed "Xi Jinping Thought on Culture." It discusses efforts to strengthen socialist ideology, promote core socialist values, and build a strong socialist culture. The article also mentions the promotion of traditional Chinese culture, including through international exchanges and the export of Chinese cultural products like online literature and games, with the aim of enhancing China's cultural influence. The piece highlights domestic cultural achievements and the role of cultural workers in promoting national rejuvenation. There is no mention of the United States or its relationship with China.
Summary: During the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holidays, various regions of China held diverse cultural and tourist activities. Celebrations included traditional events like moon-viewing banquets in Zhejiang and lantern festivals in Jiangsu, as well as modern attractions like space exploration exhibits in Sichuan. Many events focused on themes of family reunion, cultural heritage, and the autumn harvest. These activities aimed to promote cultural traditions and stimulate consumption, contributing to rural revitalization. There was no mention of the United States or U.S.-China relations in the article.
Summary: During the National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holidays, China experienced a surge in travel, with an expected 2.36 billion cross-regional trips. New high-speed rail lines and highways have been opened, and airlines have launched new international routes to meet the growing demand of both inbound and outbound travelers, including new routes to Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, and Vietnam. The National Immigration Administration reported that daily entries and exits during the holiday will exceed 2 million. Tourist destinations and transportation services are also upgrading their offerings, incorporating cultural experiences and improved services to enhance the journey itself. A British media outlet reported that China's outbound tourism is experiencing strong growth due to expanded visa-free policies and increased international flights.
Summary: During the combined National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holidays, China's market thrived, with tourist attractions experiencing high visitor numbers and robust cultural and tourism consumption across various regions.
Summary: The article reports on improvements in elderly care and childcare services in the Mudan community of Shenyang, Liaoning, following Xi Jinping's visit in August 2022, where he emphasized the importance of addressing the needs of both the elderly and the young. The community has renovated facilities to provide services like elderly care, cognitive training, after-school programs, and activities for children. Wang Hui, the Party Secretary of the Mudan Community, explained the upgraded services, including a dining hall for the elderly, daycare facilities, and rehabilitation therapy rooms. The community also offers smart bracelets to elderly residents and activities for children. The article does not mention the United States or U.S.-China relations.
Summary: Ahead of the Mid-Autumn Festival, a series of "Our Festival: Mid-Autumn Festival" themed cultural activities were jointly organized by multiple departments including the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee. Demonstrative events featuring folk performances and intangible cultural heritage displays took place in Jiangxi Yichun, Shaanxi Shangluo, and Chongqing Yongchuan. These activities aimed to promote traditional culture and strengthen national sentiment at the grassroots level through community engagement and cultural experiences. Ethnic unity was highlighted with celebrations in Tibet Changdu, featuring poetry and music. The Mid-Autumn festival has been used to create a cultural impetus for gathering strength and forging ahead.
Summary: Xi Jinping stated in March that investing in China is investing in the future, emphasizing that understanding China dispels prejudice. The article argues China's new development philosophy offers solutions to global challenges and that China upholds international justice, unlike some countries that disregard international law. China's economic development contributes to global prosperity, rejecting accusations from the U.S. and the West regarding overcapacity and SOE control. The article emphasizes the appeal of Chinese culture and the increasing number of tourists experiencing China firsthand, countering negative perceptions.
Summary: The article depicts a scene at Elephant Trunk Hill in Guilin, Guangxi, on October 5th, showing tourists enjoying the scenery and boat traffic on the Li River during a holiday. The image focuses on domestic tourism and provides a snapshot of leisure activities within China.
Summary: This article emphasizes the importance of Xi Jinping's Thought on Culture in guiding China's efforts to build a strong socialist culture and achieve national rejuvenation. It highlights the achievements in promoting core socialist values, preserving cultural heritage, and increasing cultural confidence. The piece also mentions the promotion of Chinese culture internationally through various means, including digital content and cultural exchanges. It mentions the importance of international dialogue and exchange. The article stresses the role of cultural workers and the need for a robust cultural talent pool.
Summary: People's Daily has launched "Daily Painting Reading," a multimedia program designed to promote traditional Chinese culture through art. Guided by Xi Jinping's cultural thought, the program uses AI technology to bring classical paintings to life and connect them with contemporary audiences. The initiative is a collaboration between the People's Daily Literary Department, People's Daily Online, and the China Academy of Art. The program encourages public participation in content creation and dissemination. There is no mention of the United States or U.S.-China relations in the article.
Summary: During the National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holidays, China experienced a surge in travel, with an expected 2.36 billion inter-regional trips. New high-speed rail lines and highways, such as the Shenyang-Baishan section of the Shenyang-Jiamusi high-speed railway and the Jiu-Mian Expressway, facilitated more efficient travel, while airlines added international routes. The expansion of visa-free policies and increased international flights have boosted China's outbound tourism market, and the National Immigration Administration reported that daily entry and exit travelers are expected to exceed 2 million. "China tours" are becoming increasingly popular, with foreign visitors experiencing Chinese culture on high-speed trains. The article did not mention the United States or U.S.-China relations.
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Summary: Chinese companies are actively involved in expanding power access in Africa through various renewable energy projects, including off-grid solar power stations in rural Ethiopia and large-scale photovoltaic projects in Zambia and Egypt. These projects, such as the Redstone concentrated solar power plant in South Africa, address energy shortages and promote sustainable development by providing reliable electricity and supporting industrialization. Chinese firms are also providing training and technology transfer to build local expertise in the energy sector. The article highlights the alignment of Chinese energy investment in Africa with the global trend toward renewable energy. There is no explicit mention of U.S. involvement or specific U.S.-China related issues in the provided text.
Summary: The eighth China International Import Expo (CIIE) is set to open in 30 days with over 3,200 companies from more than 110 countries participating, demonstrating strong confidence in the Chinese market. Companies like Maybach and Bayer are expanding their presence at the expo, using it as a platform for innovation and collaboration with local partners. Medical technology company Medtronic has strategically upgraded from exhibitor to investor, leveraging the CIIE to introduce products and facilitate their global expansion. Shanghai is implementing measures to enhance the expo's convenience and efficiency. Executives from companies such as CSL Vifor are looking forward to using the CIIE to create shared futures with Chinese partners.
Summary: The article emphasizes the strong and growing relationship between Arab nations and China, highlighting their shared development philosophies and mutual desire for international collaboration. It notes the significant increase in trade volume between Arab nations and China, reaching over $400 billion in 2024, a tenfold increase since 2004. The author references Xi Jinping's past speeches and the inaugural China-Arab States Summit in Riyadh in 2022 where both parties agreed to build a China-Arab community with a shared future. The second summit is planned for 2026 in China. The article presents the China-Arab partnership as a model for developing countries and a source of stability amid global uncertainty.
Summary: During the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holidays, various regions in China held cultural and tourism activities emphasizing themes like family reunion, traditional customs, and harvest celebrations. In Nanzun Ancient Town, a long street banquet was held, while in Xichang, traditional moon-worshipping ceremonies were combined with modern space technology experiences. Across the country, people celebrated with lantern festivals, cultural performances, and agricultural activities, expressing hopes for a prosperous future. These events aimed to promote traditional Chinese culture and boost consumption, contributing to rural revitalization and high-quality development. The article did not discuss the United States or U.S.-China relations.
Summary: A Mid-Autumn Festival gala, co-hosted by the Confucius Institute at Durban University of Technology and the Fujian Fellowship Association of KwaZulu-Natal Province, featured performances by artists from the Beijing Dance Academy. According to Beijing Dance Academy Vice President Hui Tong, the performances aimed to use dance to tell Chinese stories and promote Chinese ethnic culture. Chinese Consul General in Durban Li Zhigong stated the event brought the people of China and South Africa closer together through dance. Overseas Chinese organizations in other countries, including Pakistan, France, and Brazil, also held cultural events to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Summary: China Railway Construction Corporation is progressing on its construction of the western Algeria railway mining line project. This project, a large-scale undertaking for Chinese enterprises in Algeria, aims to improve Algeria's national railway network. Upon completion, it will facilitate connectivity and economic development in the southwestern provinces of Algeria. The article did not mention the United States or U.S.-China relations.
Summary: The Chinese-built Guyana Demerara River Bridge, constructed by China Railway Construction International Group, officially opened, attended by Guyanese President Ali, Prime Minister Phillips, Vice President Jagdeo, and Chinese Ambassador Yang Yang. President Ali thanked the Chinese construction team, highlighting the bridge as the start of infrastructure transformation and a lifeline for commerce, industry, and citizens. The bridge, Guyana's largest and most technically complex transportation infrastructure project, is designed to last 100 years. The article does not mention the United States or U.S.-China relations.
Summary: This editorial piece celebrates the Mid-Autumn Festival in China, highlighting the blend of traditional customs and modern cultural tourism. It describes scenes of people enjoying the holiday across the country, from Shanghai's Bund to Dunhuang's night markets. The article also acknowledges those who continue working during the holiday, emphasizing their dedication to the nation. It emphasizes that the festival fosters a sense of national identity and patriotism. The piece does not directly reference the United States or U.S.-China relations.
Summary: This article depicts a Mid-Autumn Festival reunion of a family in Zhucheng, Shandong province. The family, including a military member, celebrated with traditional mooncakes and emphasized the importance of integrity and discipline. They discussed the positive changes in holiday customs, with less emphasis on extravagant gifts. The family patriarch, a military veteran, expressed his belief that the country is becoming stronger, and the younger generation affirmed their commitment to serving the nation. The article does not mention the United States or U.S.-China relations.
Summary: Please provide the article you would like me to summarize. I need the text of the article to provide an accurate and relevant summary for professional analysts of Chinese politics.
Summary: Yulong County in Yunnan Province, known for its 24 traditionally preserved villages, is promoting integrated development of cultural preservation, heritage, and rural revitalization, having been selected as a national demonstration county for clustered traditional village protection. The article highlights three villages: Stone City, known for its well-preserved, steep terrain and traditional architecture; Baisha, where the traditional Naxi copperware craft is being revitalized through tourism and experiential learning; and Nanyao, where homestays are leveraging the area's natural beauty and proximity to Lashi Lake to attract tourists. The county aims to form a "three-area, multi-point" development model around Lijiang Ancient City, driving regional industrial synergy and increasing tourism revenue. There is no discussion of the United States or U.S.-China relations in this article.
Summary: This article explains the traditional Chinese solar term "Cold Dew" (寒露), which begins around October 8th. It highlights the subtle difference between "鸿雁来" (hóng yàn lái, geese arrive) in the White Dew solar term and "鸿雁来宾" (hóng yàn lái bīn, geese arrive as guests) in the Cold Dew solar term, noting that the "宾" (bīn, guest) implies a later arrival of geese in greater numbers as the season progresses. The author emphasizes the ancient Chinese people's keen observation of nature and their ability to connect natural phenomena with human ethics, such as the concept of "guests" arriving in an orderly fashion. The article does not discuss the United States or U.S.-China relations.
Summary: This article explains the science and aesthetics behind the vibrant colors of autumn leaves, particularly during the *shuangjiang* (frost's descent) solar term. It details how the breakdown of chlorophyll and the increased prominence of other pigments like anthocyanins, influenced by temperature and sunlight, create the stunning displays of red, yellow, and orange foliage. The piece also highlights prime locations across China for viewing autumn leaves, noting the staggered progression of color change from north to south due to climatic variations. It does not refer to the United States.
Summary: The Bashan Grand Canyon in Sichuan's Dazhou, once an impoverished mountainous area, is undergoing a transformation through tourism development, aiming to become a national 5A scenic spot by 2025. The region is revitalizing the endangered Chuandong Tujia Haocao Gonggu (a traditional folk music) by incorporating it into interactive tourist experiences and performances. This has led to new economic opportunities for local villagers through tourism-related businesses and cultural performances. Since opening in 2018, the scenic area has received 11.92 million tourists and garnered 7.8 billion yuan in tourism revenue.
Summary: Please provide the article you would like me to summarize. I need the text of the article to provide an accurate and concise summary for professional analysts of Chinese politics.
Summary: This article discusses the history, construction, and cultural significance of *pailou* (牌樓), traditional Chinese archways. It explores the distinctions between *pailou* and *paifang* (牌坊), categorizing them by material, form, and function, including commemorative, honorific, and identificatory types. The article traces the evolution of *pailou* from ancient origins to their integration into modern life, highlighting regional variations influenced by local materials and cultural contexts. It notes their presence in Chinatowns around the world. The piece emphasizes the importance of preserving *pailou* as a symbol of Chinese cultural heritage.
Summary: This article describes a personal experience of visiting Ditan Park (Temple of Earth Park) in Beijing after being inspired by Shi Tiesheng's famous essay, "Me and Ditan." The author reflects on how the park's serene details and historical significance offer a space for contemplation and a renewed appreciation for life's simple joys. Ditan Park serves as a metaphor for finding one's own place of solace and resilience, reminding individuals that even amidst personal struggles, a fresh start is always possible.
Summary: This article explains the differences between whole grains and refined grains, highlighting the nutritional benefits of whole grains (including better blood sugar control and higher fiber content). It advises that while beneficial, whole grains should not completely replace refined grains due to potential digestive issues and micronutrient deficiencies. The article recommends gradually incorporating whole grains into one's diet through various methods, like mixing them with refined grains or distributing them throughout the day's meals, and suggests a daily intake for adults. It also cautions that individuals with certain health conditions, like digestive issues or iron deficiency, should limit their whole grain consumption.
Summary: This article from People's Daily discusses optimal post-workout nutrition for health and fitness. It recommends consuming carbohydrates and protein within 30 minutes to an hour after exercise to maximize muscle recovery and growth, suggesting specific foods like buckwheat bread, nuts, and lean meats. Hydration is also crucial, with plain water or electrolyte-rich drinks recommended depending on sweat loss. The article emphasizes tailoring dietary plans to individual goals, advising consultation with professionals for weight loss or muscle gain. It does not discuss U.S.-China relations.
Summary: Please provide the article you would like me to summarize. I need the text of the article to provide a concise and accurate summary for professional analysts of Chinese politics.
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Summary: This article emphasizes the importance of culture as a key pillar for promoting high-quality development and meeting the growing needs of the people for a better life during the "14th Five-Year Plan" period. It highlights the dynamism of cultural creation and the upgrading of cultural services. The article asserts that the power of culture is being manifested as a contributor to public sense of fulfillment and happiness. There is no direct mention of the United States or U.S.-China relations.
Summary: This article is an account from a night school student in Jiujiang, Jiangxi province, who takes courses such as tea ceremony, flower arranging, guqin, and vocal music at the local worker's cultural palace. The author emphasizes the enjoyment and stress relief derived from night school, highlighting the popularity of the vocal music class taught by a "网红" teacher, Dong Fushun. The author discusses how the classes have improved her skills and confidence and the benefits of learning alongside people of all ages. She also mentions a program started by her teacher, Dong Fushun, where he visits communities and teaches elders about music, and she intends to follow in his footsteps and teach tea culture in communities. The article does not discuss the United States or U.S.-China relations.
Summary: A young Yue opera actress reflects on the success of her production, "My Grand View Garden," which has grossed over 70 million yuan and played to 90,000 audience members across ten cities. She attributes this success to the dedication of the cast and crew, as well as a growing cultural interest in traditional Chinese opera. Recognizing the increasing popularity of traditional culture among young people, she started promoting Yue opera online, attracting a new audience. She notes the increasing popularity of Yue opera, exemplified by shows such as the "Yue Opera Special Season" on Zhejiang TV and "New Dragon Gate Inn". She believes this revival is due to both innovation within the art form and a growing cultural confidence in China.
Summary: The "Only Henan" theater complex has reportedly become a new cultural landmark in Henan province, attracting over 50 million viewers since its opening in June 2021. It is claimed that over 80% of its visitors are from outside the province. The complex is said to have hosted nearly 80,000 performances. The article highlights the success of the complex. The article does not discuss the U.S. or U.S.-China relations.
Summary: This article discusses the rapid growth and evolving trends of short-form dramas (微短剧) in China, noting the industry's shift towards higher quality and more diverse content. These short dramas are successful when they resonate with audiences emotionally, culturally, and narratively. The article highlights examples of short dramas that incorporate traditional Chinese culture and historical contexts, appealing to a broad audience. The author argues that these dramas should reflect positive social values and transmit Chinese culture, thus enriching the audience's spiritual life. The piece did not mention the United States, nor the U.S.-China relations.
Summary: This article recounts Chinese online novelist "Sweeping the World" (横扫天涯)'s experience with his work, particularly *Library of Heaven's Path* (天道图书馆), gaining international readership. He describes initially writing in a construction site and being surprised by the positive reception from readers in places like France, the U.S., and Singapore. He notes American readers connected with Confucian ideals presented in his work. The author attributes his success and the broader appeal of Chinese online literature to China's development and growing global influence. He now encourages new writers to focus on authentic stories rooted in Chinese culture.
Summary: This article, written by the Deputy Director of the China Braille Library, discusses the improvements in cultural accessibility for visually impaired individuals in China. Over the past five years, China has built a network of braille libraries and reading rooms, providing resources like audiobooks and accessible films. The author highlights specific examples such as accessible film screenings and tactile exhibits in museums like the Forbidden City, enabled by the "Barrier-Free Environment Construction Law" that went into effect on September 1, 2023. The author emphasizes the positive impact these changes have had on the lives of visually impaired people, allowing them to more fully participate in cultural activities.
Summary: A student at Nanjing University describes their experience attending 161 theatrical performances in cities across the Yangtze River Delta region, enabled by affordable ticket policies. They emphasize the accessibility of theater and its importance not only as entertainment but also for cultivating aesthetic perception and critical thinking. The author highlights the communal aspect of theater, where actors and audience members connect and experience shared emotions. They suggest that theater offers a unique escape and fosters a sense of belonging, enriching their life beyond their academic studies. The article does not mention the United States or U.S.-China relations.
Summary: The provided article snippet is too short to provide a meaningful summary of Chinese politics. It only includes an email address and design credit from the People's Daily, offering no substantive information about political events, statements by officials, or U.S.-China relations. Therefore, a summary based on the snippet would be impossible.
By: 本报记者 郑海鸥 何思琦 李卓尔
"Culture is the soul."
The patriotic sentiments sparked by the grand military parade more than a month ago remain fervent. In October, Beijing (北京) is in the height of autumn, with red flags fluttering in Tiananmen Square (天安门广场). People here appreciate history and culture, filled with love and pride for the great motherland.
"Carry forward and promote the great spirit of resisting the war, strive forward, be brave and forge ahead, 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!" General Secretary Xi Jinping's (习近平) firm words stirred up the patriotic feelings and aspirations of hundreds of millions of people.
National rejuvenation requires spiritual guidance, and the brilliance of thought illuminates the journey of struggle.
In October 2023, Xi Jinping Thought on Culture was officially proposed at the National Conference on Propaganda and Ideological Work.
The scientific truth value, broad cultural mind, and distinct practical character contained in Xi Jinping Thought on Culture are constantly demonstrated in the magnificent cultural practice of the new era,凝聚起强大精神力量 (níng jù qǐ qiáng dà jīng shén lì liàng - "gathering strong spiritual power," to consolidate and concentrate powerful spiritual strength) for promoting the construction of a strong country and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
New strides have been made in building a strong cultural country.
Tiananmen Square (天安门广场) on September 3rd was magnificent—
"On the Songhua River (松花江上)," "On the Taihang Mountains (在太行山上)," "Defend the Yellow River (保卫黄河)," "Without the Communist Party, There Would Be No New China (没有共产党就没有新中国)," classic songs born in the flames of the War of Resistance were sung in succession, connecting the magnificent journey from awakening from suffering to bloody resistance and then to victory.
The art performance 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 deeply moving—
"Don't deceive China, we have courage! Millions of soldiers under the mother's knees!"
"Now, the Chinese sky, the Chinese land, and the Chinese sea are all decided by the Chinese people themselves!"
In the songs, there is the arduousness of the 14-year War of Resistance; in the words, it is the continuation and inheritance of the great spirit of resisting the war.
"Focus closely on building a socialist ideology with strong cohesion and leadership, adhere to the guidance of socialist core values, and constantly build Chinese spirit, Chinese values, and Chinese strength, and develop and strengthen mainstream values, mainstream public opinion, and mainstream culture."
"The 'strength' of a strong cultural country should ultimately be reflected in the people's ideological realm, mental state, and cultural accomplishment."
…………
The banner guides the direction, and thought凝聚力量 (níng jù lì liàng - "gathering strength," to consolidate and concentrate strength).
Under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture, solid steps have been taken in building a strong socialist cultural country.
This year, the first volume of "Xi Jinping's Economic Anthology (习近平经济文选)," the first volume of "Xi Jinping's Anthology on Ecological Civilization (习近平生态文明文选)," the fifth volume of "Xi Jinping: The Governance of China (习近平谈治国理政)," and the first and second volumes of "On Persisting in Comprehensively Deepening Reform (论坚持全面深化改革)" have been published and distributed successively. The vast number of party members and cadres deeply study and understand, and use the party's innovative theories to transform the subjective world and the objective world.
In village courtyards, people talk about daily life and policies; in tourist attractions, they perform 快板 (kuài bǎn - "clapper talk," a rhythmic storytelling form) to promote inheritance... In Zichuan District (淄川区), Zibo City (淄博市), Shandong Province (山东省), local authorities have placed convenient small stools and built "Mingli Hutong (明理胡同)," using down-to-earth, lively, and attractive public discourse to build a bridge between scientific theory and the masses, turning the Party's good voice into the strongest voice in society.
The Anji (安吉) Propaganda Group in Zhejiang (浙江) goes deep into the countryside and approaches the masses to promote the "Two Mountains" theory; the "Courtyard Classroom (小院讲堂)" in Chongqing (重庆) combines "explaining theory" with "telling stories" to make the masses listen to their hearts; popular theoretical readings such as "Strengthening Confidence and Promoting Development (强信心 促发展)" and "Face to Face with Chinese-style Modernization (中国式现代化面对面)," "Movie Party Classes" and "Music Party Classes," are innovative and heartwarming, winning praise from the masses; major central media have launched key columns and integrated media products, and the radius of theoretical popularization continues to expand...
The propaganda and ideological culture front will thoroughly study and implement Xi Jinping Thought on Culture, placing it in the overall pattern of all-round and systematic publicity and interpretation of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and constantly promote the Party's innovative theories to penetrate people's hearts and take root.
The great era calls for great spirit, and noble undertakings need exemplary leadership.
September 3rd, Tiananmen Gate Tower (天安门城楼). General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) came to the side of six veteran soldiers and comrades who fought in the War of Resistance, smiled and bent down, and held their hands tightly.
This handshake is full of deep meaning.
All national heroes, including the heroes of the War of Resistance, are the backbone of the Chinese nation, and their deeds and spirit are a powerful force to inspire us to move forward.
The new era is an era of emerging heroes. "Role Models of the Times (时代楷模)," moral models, "Good People of China (中国好人)," and "Most Beautiful People (最美人物)" continue to emerge. Their patriotic feelings, fighting spirit, and noble sentiments lead the whole society to respect heroes and learn from the virtuous.
In July of this year, the Central Urban Work Conference clearly proposed to focus on building civilized cities that advocate morality and goodness.
The list of the new National Civilized Cities, Civilized Villages and Towns, and Civilized Units was announced in May of this year. "The creation of a civilized city has brought us benefits. The government has made great efforts, and the service is even better." Ms. Zhou (周) from Huainan City (淮南市), Anhui Province (安徽省), said that the vegetable market at her doorstep has been renovated and the streets are clean and tidy.
The creation of civilization involves everyone, and a series of visible, tangible, and real changes and results are happening around the masses.
Practicing thrift and opposing waste has become a new fashion, and phenomena such as actively giving up seats, using polite language, and giving way to pedestrians are more common; changing customs and celebrating happy events in new ways have become new business cards for rural culture; families are carrying forward good family traditions, seeking happiness for their small families and sending warmth to everyone...
Seeds of civilization are sown, and a trend of civilization is formed. Truth, goodness, and beauty are vigorously promoted, and positive energy is widely spread.
On July 8th this year, the Museum of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (中国人民抗日战争纪念馆) reopened, with 1,525 photos and 3,237 cultural relics, fully displaying the glorious history of the 14-year arduous War of Resistance. Visitors stop, think, and cherish the memory of revolutionary martyrs, appreciate the great spirit of resisting the war, and draw strength to forge ahead.
Appreciating the past and encouraging the present in museums, reading and charging in libraries, and attending classes and learning skills in cultural centers... At present, all public libraries, cultural centers (stations), art museums, and more than 91% of museums across the country are open to the public for free. More than 100,000 physical bookstores, 580,000 rural bookstores, and 177,000 staff bookstores are located in urban and rural areas, and people's enthusiasm for learning and cultural literacy are constantly improving.
Cultivating people with culture and educating people with culture. Under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture, people's ideological realm is constantly improving, their mental state is more high-spirited and striving, and their cultural life is more rich and colorful. The entire nation is embarking on a new journey with a more confident and promising mental state.
New Atmosphere in Cultural Inheritance and Development
For five thousand years, Chinese civilization has been passed down and never interrupted.
"In Chinese civilization, we can see the profound accumulation of history," "Let the treasures of Chinese civilization be preserved forever and benefit future generations, and inspire people to constantly enhance their national pride and self-confidence"... When visiting the exhibition of unearthed Qin and Han bamboo slips at the Yunmeng County Museum (云梦县博物馆) in Hubei (湖北), General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) walked slowly and carefully, thinking as he walked.
Under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture, China's efforts to protect cultural heritage have continued to increase, and the Chinese cultural context has branched out and flourished.
Chinese outstanding traditional culture condenses the genetic code for the continuous inheritance of Chinese civilization. How can this "spiritual lifeline" provide a richer nourishment for the Chinese nation to thrive and grow stronger?
"Uphold a heart of awe for history and love for culture, adhere to the principles of protection first, rational utilization, and minimal intervention, and promote the systematic protection and unified supervision of cultural heritage."
On both sides of the Yi River (伊河), the lights are gradually rising. Looking at the Longmen Grottoes (龙门石窟) in Luoyang (洛阳), Henan (河南) from a distance at night, it is like a dialogue through time and space.
Behind the brilliant light and shadow is the effort to promote the systematic protection of cultural heritage. As a typical representative of Chinese grotto temple remains, protection lies not only in the grotto itself, but also in the surrounding humanistic ecology involving statues, temples, sightseeing, and literature.
Develop in protection and protect in development.
767,000 immovable cultural relics, 108 million (sets) of state-owned movable cultural relics, more than 100,000 representative projects of intangible cultural heritage at all levels, and a total of nearly 4,000 national-level representative inheritors of intangible cultural heritage... China's cultural heritage protection work has achieved remarkable results.
In traditional courtyard houses, watch Naxi (纳西) original ecological songs and dances, write Dongba (东巴) hieroglyphs... Lijiang Ancient City (丽江古城) under the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (玉龙雪山) is a blend of ancient and modern, full of vitality.
Ancient cities that breathe and ancient streets that flow are carefully cared for, and historical context is integrated into modern life. The "Tang and Song pattern and Ming and Qing style" of Langzhong Ancient City (阆中古城) in Sichuan (四川) has continued to this day, and more than 40,000 residents live in harmony with the ancient city; Pingjiang Historical and Cultural Block (平江历史文化街区) in Suzhou (苏州), Jiangsu (江苏), attracts people to experience "Suzhou-style life" as a "Jiangnan cultural museum without walls."
Looking at the whole country, 143 national historical and cultural cities and nearly 1,300 historical and cultural blocks focus on the inheritance of civilization and the continuation of culture, leaving memories for the city and allowing people to remember their nostalgia.
In Zhaoxing Dong Village (肇兴侗寨), Liping County (黎平县), Guizhou (贵州), Lu Yongmei (陆勇妹), a provincial representative inheritor of the indigo dyeing process, stays by the dye vat, stirring a pool of indigo dye. "The fermentation is just right, and the color is very pure." Looking forward, the indigo apron on her body has merged with the Dong cloth drying behind her.
Handbags made of ancient Dong cloth, indigo-dyed silk scarves, and embroidered挂画 (guà huà - "hanging paintings," embroidered wall hangings) are very simple and fashionable, both traditional and popular, and are "attracting" more young people.
The ancient charm cannot be separated from proper protection; the fashion atmosphere benefits from innovation and creation. Promoting the creative transformation and innovative development of Chinese outstanding traditional culture, old crafts, old tunes, and old customs have become new highlights for the masses to find employment and increase income.
Today's China, the protection and inheritance of cultural heritage has revitalized Chinese outstanding traditional culture and contributed important strength to promoting the coordinated development of material civilization and spiritual civilization.
The fate of culture is linked to the fate of the country, and the cultural context is linked to the national context.
In the early morning of May 18th this year, the Guobao (国宝 - "national treasure," invaluable cultural relic) cultural relics Zidanku Silk Manuscripts (子弹库帛书) Volumes 2 and 3 returned to the motherland after 79 years of wandering overseas;
On July 11th this year, China's application project "Western Xia Mausoleums (西夏陵)" was successfully included in the "World Heritage List," becoming China's sixtieth World Heritage Site...
These scenes witness the continuous improvement of the country's cultural soft power and the influence of Chinese culture.
"Opening up and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics on the basis of the profound foundation of more than five thousand years of Chinese civilization, combining the basic principles of Marxism with the specific reality of China and with Chinese outstanding traditional culture is the only way."
The Chinese Outstanding Traditional Culture Inheritance and Development Project, the Chinese Civilization Origin Exploration Project, the Cultural Relics Protection Project, the Revolutionary Cultural Relics Protection and Utilization Project, and the "Archaeological China (考古中国)" major project are being implemented in depth. The construction of the Great Wall, the Grand Canal, the Long March, the Yellow River, and the Yangtze River National Cultural Parks is steadily advancing. The legal and regulatory system in the field of cultural heritage protection is constantly improving. The "archaeological fever," "intangible cultural heritage fever," and "ancient book fever" are becoming increasingly popular...
Cultural inheritance and development show a new atmosphere in the new era, and the Chinese cultural context blooms with new brilliance in continuous inheritance.
Cultural Confidence Inspires the Spirit of National Rejuvenation
With bright silver ornaments and elegant Miao embroidery, on the T stage, mothers, uncles, and children wearing ethnic costumes walked out one by one, with flashing lights constantly. In Kaili (凯里), Guizhou (贵州), the popularity of "Village T (村T)" continues to ferment. Guizhou's intangible cultural heritage has also entered Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, and other countries, setting off waves of "the most dazzling Chinese style."
On March 18th this year, General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) pointed out during his inspection in Guizhou (贵州): "Guizhou has a profound historical heritage, rich red culture, and diverse ethnic cultures. We must use this advantage to enhance cultural confidence, transform customs and educate people, and promote economic and social development."
"'Village T' shows our ethnic minority culture to the world, and I am especially proud of it," said Gu Biao (顾彪), a 71-year-old villager from Kaitang Village (凯棠村), Kaitang Town (凯棠镇), Kaili City (凯里市).
Cultural confidence is a more fundamental, broader, and deeper confidence, and it is a more basic, deeper, and more lasting force.
Under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture, the pulse of culture beats strongly, and cultural confidence inspires the spirit of national rejuvenation.
On the occasion of commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory of the War of Resistance, films such as "Nanjing Photo Studio (南京照相馆)" and "Dongji Island (东极岛)" were released, and the National Art Museum of China (中国美术馆) held a special art exhibition. A series of exhibitions and cultural activities consolidated national memory and stirred up patriotic feelings.
The great achievements of the new era have been transformed into vivid stories in literary and artistic works, touching people, infecting people, and inspiring people. The online novel "Tao Sanyuan's Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter (陶三圆的春夏秋冬)" depicts the tremendous changes in mountain villages, the drama "The Hearth Illuminates the World (炉火照天地)" shows the spirit of craftsmen, and the film and television dramas "Daughter of the Mountain (大山的女儿)" and "When the Mountain Flowers Bloom (山花烂漫时)" portray the perseverance and faith of strivers in the new era...
The vast number of cultural workers贯穿文艺创作全过程 (guàn chuān wén yì chuàng zuò quán guò chéng - "run through the entire process of literary and artistic creation," to permeate and integrate the entire creative process) with upholding integrity and innovation, and their originality is constantly improving.
Technology empowers culture. The film "Ne Zha (哪吒): Birth of the Demon Child" uses a self-developed "dynamic ink rendering engine" to integrate traditional ink rendering effects into 3D animation; cultural and tourism integration and development, the Datang Everbright City (大唐不夜城) in Xi'an (西安), Shaanxi (陕西), more than a thousand people and "Li Bai (李白)" wrote poetry in the air, with a cumulative audience of over one million; Guochao (国潮 - "national trend," Chinese-style trends) lights up a happy life, the Phoenix Crown refrigerator magnets of the National Museum of China (国家博物馆) are popular among young people, the "cultural and museum fever" is hot, and the "cultural and creative wind" is strong. In 2024, the revenue of cultural and related industrial enterprises above designated size nationwide reached 14,151 billion yuan, an increase of 6% year-on-year.
Human emotions are interconnected. Cultivating people with culture can better凝聚心灵 (níng jù xīn líng - "gathering hearts," to consolidate and unite hearts); communicating with art is easier to communicate with the world.
Foreigners play Chinese Kung Fu, "foreign faces" speak Sichuan dialect, robots serve the games... At the World University Games held in Chengdu (成都), Sichuan (四川), many foreign athletes personally experienced the charm of Chinese culture and the vitality of the city.
Indian athlete Namata Batra said that she started practicing martial arts in 2015. At first, it was for physical fitness, but later she gradually fell in love with the Chinese culture behind martial arts.
The great era breeds great stories, and a wonderful China needs a wonderful narrative.
The export of cultural "new three items" represented by online literature, online dramas, and online games has opened up a new path for telling Chinese stories well. "Black Myth: Wukong (黑神话：悟空)" has become popular around the world, setting off a "Journey to the West fever"; online literature works such as "Douluo Continent (斗罗大陆)" and "Joy of Life (庆余年)" have been collected by foreign libraries; related online dramas are popular overseas. They integrate Chinese outstanding traditional cultural elements in a form that is easily accepted by the public, allowing global audiences to feel China's historical heritage and contemporary vitality.
Promote the restructuring of the international communication pattern, build a multi-channel and three-dimensional external communication pattern, and use new technologies such as 5G and artificial intelligence to tell Chinese stories well and spread Chinese voices well; the "Understanding China" International Conference, the first World Conference of Classical Studies, the Nishan World Civilization Forum, and other diverse forms of international cultural exchange and cooperation jointly outline a new picture of global civilization development.
Transcending estrangement through exchanges and transcending conflicts through mutual learning, Chinese culture is allowing the world to see the open-mindedness of an ancient civilization in the process of jointly painting a new chapter with world civilizations.
Behind the fruitful results is the support of an increasingly large talent team.
Liu Jiabo (刘佳波), a staff member of the Zhejiang Art Museum (浙江美术馆), is a cultural commissioner of Xinjian Village (新建村), Ganlan Town (干览镇), Dinghai District (定海区), Zhoushan (舟山). He planned and held a "Villagers' Painting Studio" and trained more than 30 fishermen painters. Fishermen's paintings are based on authentic life and are deeply loved by tourists. In Zhejiang (浙江), more than 1,500 cultural commissioners have gone deep into the grassroots and formed nearly 4,000 cultural teams.
The Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee proposed: "Cultivate and form a large-scale team of outstanding cultural talents."
The China Federation of Literary and Art Circles (中国文联) implements the National Training Project for Young and Middle-aged Literary and Art Leading Talents and the Youth Overseas Research Project, carries out the "Yiyuan Xieying (艺苑撷英)" exhibition, promotes the evaluation of professional titles for new literary and art groups, so that talent growth has paths and stages;
The Ministry of Culture and Tourism, together with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, implemented the Chinese Intangible Cultural Heritage Inheritors Training Program, holding more than 1,400 training sessions over 10 years, directly training 51,000 people...
In contemporary China, the landscape is magnificent, the people are heroic, and the future is bright. The times have provided an unprecedentedly broad stage for the prosperity and development of literature and art in our country. To promote the prosperity and development of socialist literature and art and build a strong socialist cultural country, the vast number of literary and art workers have an unshirkable duty, a heavy responsibility, and a great potential to make achievements.
The power of culture is magnificent and mighty. Under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture (习近平文化思想), firmly establishing cultural confidence, adhering to openness and inclusiveness, adhering to integrity and innovation, and promoting the high-quality development of publicity and ideological and cultural work, we will certainly be able to better shoulder the new cultural mission, use the ever-changing innovation and creation to forge new glories of Chinese culture, and realize the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation in the prosperity and flourishing of culture.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 刘静文
National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holidays see autumn deepening across the country. During the Mid-Autumn Festival, families reunite to admire the moon, holiday activities are rich and colorful in the streets and alleys, and the land of China is filled with a festive atmosphere of reunion and harmony.
The Moon in the Sky, A Shared Circle Across Thousands of Miles
"Reunion is the greatest joy, and togetherness is the greatest happiness." Reuniting with family to admire the moon during the Mid-Autumn Festival is what many people look forward to.
On the evening of October 6th, a long street banquet was held in Nanxun Ancient Town (南浔古镇), Huzhou (湖州) City, Zhejiang Province (浙江省). The banquet featured Nanxun delicacies, and the tables were surrounded by reunited families. The round moon in the sky and the reunion on earth captured the warmest and most beautiful moments of the Mid-Autumn Festival.
"In the past, we usually had a family reunion dinner at home for the Mid-Autumn Festival. This time, taking a boat tour to admire the moon in the ancient water town is particularly charming, with long street banquets and special performances, both ancient and modern." Kong Xiangwen (孔祥文), a tourist from Shenyang (沈阳), Liaoning (辽宁) Province, said during the banquet that he brought his parents to travel for the Mid-Autumn Festival. "Looking up at the full moon and being surrounded by friends from all over the country, chatting about the customs of the Mid-Autumn Festival in different places is very interesting."
Yang Yao (杨尧), the relevant person in charge of Nanxun Cultural Tourism Group (南浔文旅集团), introduced that this Mid-Autumn Festival, Nanxun Ancient Town was inspired by the long street banquet and presented tourists with a unique feast of food and culture.
Wishing us a long life, though thousands of miles apart, we are still able to share the beauty of the moon together. Reunion is not only a face-to-face gathering, but also "being together at this moment despite being far apart" under the same round moon.
Due to sticking to their posts and other reasons, many people cannot reunite with their relatives and friends during the holidays, and video calls across thousands of miles convey their longing.
At 6:00 a.m. on October 6th, the sky was slightly bright. Li Yan (李艳), the train conductor of a high-speed train unit of the Changsha Passenger Transport Section (长沙客运段) in Hunan (湖南), had already appeared in the dispatch room of Changsha South Railway Station (长沙南站). As a member of the Communist Party, Li Yan is accustomed to sticking to her post during the holidays. At 2:00 p.m., the No. 9 carriage was decorated with colorful lanterns and riddle paper. The Mid-Autumn Festival activity planned by Li Yan began, and the children scrambled to raise their hands to guess the riddles. As night fell, the train arrived at its final destination, Kunming South Railway Station (昆明南站) in Yunnan (云南) Province. After seeing off the passengers, Li Yan returned to her apartment and made a video call to her husband. The family of four, separated by more than 1,200 kilometers, achieved reunion on the screen.
Ancient and Modern Moons, Enjoyed Together in the City
"More effectively promote the creative transformation and innovative development of outstanding traditional Chinese culture." During the Mid-Autumn Festival, various places held rich cultural activities, allowing festival customs to blend with modern life, vividly demonstrating the contemporary charm of traditional festivals.
Xichang (西昌), Sichuan (四川) is known as the "Moon City." Due to its low latitude, high altitude, and lack of clouds and fog, Xichang is uniquely endowed for moon viewing. Moreover, in Xichang, the "Chang'e flying to the moon" dream first came true, and China's lunar exploration project took its first "orbiting" step here. This holiday, Xichang intertwined traditional customs with modern technology, allowing tourists to spend the Mid-Autumn Festival while appreciating the ancient and modern moons.
On October 5th, the Xichang Ancient City (西昌古城) held a Mid-Autumn Moon Worship and Blessing Ceremony. The melodious ancient music sounded, and the master of ceremonies dressed in traditional costumes led tourists to perform rituals and pray for blessings together. Walking into the ancient city, activities such as guessing lantern riddles, pitching pots, and reciting poetry were wonderful and colorful.
On October 6th, the China Xichang Aerospace Metaverse Experience Hall (中国西昌航天元宇宙体验馆) was crowded with people, and tourists embarked on a series of fantastic space journeys. Tourists put on virtual reality equipment, "participated in person" in rocket launches, "transformed" into astronauts about to set off, and felt the thrust of the rocket soaring into the sky amidst huge roars and vibrations. Walking into the double-layer suspended flight cinema, they experienced interstellar space scenes including the moon at close range, as if they were in the boundless universe. The 1:1 replica of the space station module and astronaut suit models in the hall, combined with illustrated science popularization explanations, allowed tourists to unlock aerospace knowledge through interaction.
Not only in Xichang, but also in many places, the moon viewing activities held were both cultural and technological.
At the China Arts and Crafts Museum (中国工艺美术馆), visitors savored traditional culture while making a Chinese button in the shape of a moon and rabbit, and carried a bright Beijing Palace Lantern (北京宫灯), making the Mid-Autumn Festival rhyme visible and tangible through intangible cultural heritage skills. At the Beijing Planetarium (北京天文馆), visitors followed the docents to unravel the scientific mysteries about the moon, and exhibits such as Chang'e 5 (嫦娥五号) lunar soil and lunar meteorites allowed visitors to "admire the moon" at close range. In JianShui County (建水县), Yunnan Province (云南省), the "Moon Reflecting a Thousand Years, Intangible Cultural Heritage Sharing the Moon" Mid-Autumn Festival Music and Poetry Concert attracted more than 10,000 tourists, and songs containing the elegant rhyme of traditional culture were performed in turn accompanied by traditional instruments such as the four-stringed plucked instrument and bamboo flute.
Golden Autumn Moon, Celebrated Together Around the World
In the golden autumn season, cultural and tourism activities are festive and joyful, expressing people's yearning for a better life.
Filled with Mid-Autumn blessings.
On the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival on October 6th, in Langtou Village (塱头村), Tanbu Town (炭步镇), Huadu District (花都区), Guangzhou (广州) City, Guangdong Province (广东省), people welcomed the long-awaited Mid-Autumn folk culture activity "Burning He Lou" (烧禾楼).
As night fell, everyone gathered in front of the pagoda-shaped "He Lou" in Langtou Village. Huang Shixiong (黄施雄), a village cadre, lit firewood and dry grass inside the "He Lou." Huang Jiangang (黄建刚), an elderly man in the village, held a long bamboo pole and gently stirred the sparks at the mouth of the tower. The sparks concentrated and sprayed towards the top of the tower, forming a dazzling light. Mr. Li, a tourist from Quanzhou (泉州) City, Fujian (福建) Province, participated in the "Burning He Lou" activity for the first time and was deeply infected by the atmosphere on the scene. "It's amazing, and my family and I, like the locals, made our own wishes."
It is understood that the custom of "Burning He Lou" in Tanbu Town has a history of more than 600 years. "'He Lou' is burned every year, and the higher the sparks, the better the coming year, expressing the villagers' good wishes for life, and also containing our respect for traditional culture," said Huang Zhiyun (黄智云), secretary of the Party branch of Langtou Village.
Enjoying the beauty of autumn.
On October 5th, walking into the Shenyang Botanical Garden (沈阳植物园) in Liaoning (辽宁), the full autumn scenery came into view. It was the 25th Chrysanthemum Culture Week of the Botanical Garden, and more than 600,000 chrysanthemums created a 100,000-square-meter sea of flowers, colorful and dazzling. The colorful foliage plants in the garden were gradually dyed red, yellow, and green, attracting tourists to stop and take pictures. As night fell, the garden was intertwined with light and shadow, and a "Botanical Garden Fantasy Forest Adventure Night" activity integrating water curtain projection and AR technology was launched. The forest theater, level-breaking interaction and other links led tourists to learn more natural knowledge.
On the evening of October 6th, in the Lvliang Scenic Area (吕梁风景区) of Tongshan District (铜山区), Xuzhou (徐州) City, Jiangsu (江苏) Province, Mr. Yin brought his family to enjoy the lanterns. Red lanterns hung on both sides of the road, and the bright lights and moonlight were reflected on the lake in the scenic area, attracting many citizens and tourists to visit and enjoy the moon. "During the festival, the lights are bright and the demand for electricity is also increasing. We have specially equipped drones and other equipment to inspect at all times and protect the lights of thousands of homes," said Guo Yuanbing (郭苑冰), a staff member of the State Grid Xuzhou Power Supply Company (国网徐州供电公司) who was operating the drone.
Feeling the joy of autumn harvest.
On October 6th, in the Jinede Rice Paddy Park (吉内得稻田公园) in Lianhua County (莲花县), Jiangxi (江西) Province, tens of thousands of acres of late rice were spread into a golden ocean in the warm sunshine. In the farming culture experience area, parents took their children to carefully learn the traditional rice harvesting techniques, and cheered and jumped up with a handful of rice ears. Next to the boardwalk, stepping on the threshing machine became a popular experience project. Tourists worked together to step on it, and the grains flew like golden rain. In the mill, the stone mill in the hands of tourists turned "squeaky", and the milky white rice milk slowly flowed out. "It's very happy to immerse yourself in the joy of harvest during the beautiful holiday," said Zhu Yan (朱燕), a tourist from Ningbo (宁波), Zhejiang (浙江) Province.
During the National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holidays, many places took harvest as the theme to create parent-child farming research and other agricultural, cultural and tourism integration activities. The enthusiasm for autumn travel is accelerating into consumption growth vitality during the joyful holiday time, injecting strong impetus into the comprehensive revitalization and high-quality development of the countryside.
(Reporters Dou Hanyang (窦瀚洋), Yang Xun (杨迅), Song Haoxin (宋豪新), Zheng Haiou (郑海鸥), Ye Chuanzeng (叶传增), Wang Yunna (王云娜), Hu Jingyi (胡婧怡), Bai Guangdi (白光迪), and Zhou Huan (周欢) participated in the writing of this report)
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 李心萍 邱超奕 韩 鑫
National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holidays, walking on the land of China, what you see is vibrant vitality.
In the new era and new journey, all regions and departments thoroughly implement General Secretary Xi Jinping's (习近平) important exposition on building a transportation powerhouse, continuously improve the comprehensive transportation system, and "people enjoy their travel, and goods flow smoothly" is accelerating, and the flowing China (中国) is constantly releasing development vitality.
High-speed rail stations operate all night. Opening night high-speed rail, implementing two-way entry into the station, adding security checkpoints, and providing night waiting services... During the National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holidays, Beijing South Railway Station (北京南站) is expected to send 2.526 million passengers.
Highway service areas are transformed into "scenic spots." Visiting tea museums, shopping at "tomato markets," and tasting hand-drip coffee... A batch of highway service areas and toll stations in Sichuan (四川) have improved service quality, and highway service areas have been transformed into tourist attractions.
Airports are draped in "China Red." The terminals are full of national flags, the themed landscapes have become popular check-in points, and the National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival carnivals are lively... The "China Red" atmosphere at Changchun Airport (长春机场) in Jilin (吉林) is strong.
The Ministry of Transport (交通运输部) predicts that during the National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holidays, the total cross-regional personnel flow in the whole society will reach 2.36 billion.
New routes make travel more efficient.
Refresh! On October 1, the national railway sent 23.132 million passengers, setting a new historical record for single-day passenger volume.
Soaring! On the same day, the civil aviation passenger volume was 2.4749 million passengers, an increase of 3.2% year-on-year.
Behind the growth of data is the strong support provided by the comprehensive three-dimensional transportation network.
High-speed rail reaches more places, making travel "just go."
"Departing from Shenyang (沈阳), it takes less than 2 hours to reach Changbai Mountain (长白山) directly." On September 28, the Shenbai section of the Shenjia High-speed Railway (沈佳高铁沈白段) was officially opened. Liu Jia (刘佳), a citizen of Shenyang (沈阳), Liaoning (辽宁), immediately planned an in-depth Changbai Mountain (长白山) tour for the National Day. The Shenbai section of the Shenjia High-speed Railway (沈佳高铁沈白段) connects Shenyang (沈阳), Fushun (抚顺), Tonghua (通化), Jilin (吉林) and other places, allowing passengers to enjoy the scenery of various places in one stop. During the National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holidays, the Shenbai section of the Shenjia High-speed Railway (沈佳高铁沈白段) sends an average of about 30,000 passengers per day.
With the opening and operation of a series of new high-speed rail lines, the current high-speed rail mileage in China (中国) is nearly 50,000 kilometers, supporting the flowing China (中国).
Highways shorten the distance of time and space, making travel convenient and efficient.
"In the past, it took more than 6 hours to return to my hometown of Dazhou (达州) from Pingwu (平武), Sichuan (四川). Now it only takes 3 hours to take the Jiumian Expressway (九绵高速)!" On the first day of the holiday, Li Ge (李鸽), a project engineer of China Second Navigation Engineering Bureau (中交二航局), drove onto the Jiumian Expressway (九绵高速公路) that he participated in the construction. From builder to traveler, the identity has changed, but what remains unchanged is the sense of gain. This expressway breaks the barriers of mountains and rivers with a bridge-tunnel ratio of 82%. In the first two days of the holiday, the highest traffic volume at the Jiuzhaigou (九寨沟) toll station of the Jiumian Expressway (九绵高速) exceeded 15,000 vehicles.
Since the beginning of this year, from the western Sichuan Plateau (川西高原) to the Xiang-E mountain area (湘鄂山区), from the hinterland of southwestern Jiangxi (赣西南腹地) to the border of Jilin (吉林), more new expressways have unlocked new travel experiences.
The aviation network is becoming denser and denser, and "traveling thousands of miles a day" has become commonplace.
"With the new route, it only takes more than two hours to fly directly from Zhuhai (珠海), Guangdong (广东) to Dali (大理), Yunnan (云南)." Sitting on the Lucky Air (祥鹏航空) 8L9790 flight, passenger Ms. Chen (陈女士) was full of longing, "I can't wait to see Cangshan Erhai (苍山洱海) and visit Dali Ancient City (大理古城)!"
According to reports, this route, which was newly opened in July, is very popular, and the passenger load factor is expected to exceed 90% during the holiday. In addition, Lucky Air (祥鹏航空) has also successively opened more than 30 new routes such as Lijiang (丽江), Yunnan (云南) to Jinan (济南), Shandong (山东), and Xishuangbanna (西双版纳), Yunnan (云南) to Tengchong (腾冲).
Highways are networked, railways are dense, airplanes are soaring, and giant ships are sailing far away... Since the "14th Five-Year Plan," China (中国) has basically connected the main skeleton of the "6 axes, 7 corridors, and 8 channels" national comprehensive three-dimensional transportation network, connecting more than 80% of the county-level administrative regions across the country, serving about 90% of the country's economy and population, and helping people travel smoothly and goods flow smoothly.
New ways to play make the journey a trip.
During this holiday, changes are quietly taking place. Nowadays, people are gradually saying goodbye to the **打卡式** (dǎ kǎ shì - "punching-in style," a superficial, rushed approach to tourism) hurried journey and are more pursuing an "immersive" experience. Tourist trains, cruise vacations, self-driving check-ins... New ways to travel make travel more interesting and turn the journey into a trip.
The most beautiful "Populus euphratica train" departs for the golden autumn.
The K7911 train, which runs from Hohhot (呼和浩特), Inner Mongolia (内蒙古) to Ejina Banner (额济纳旗), traverses grasslands, Gobi deserts, and deserts, crossing 400 kilometers of no-man's land. It is the most beautiful "Populus euphratica train" in the hearts of train fans.
Boarding the "Populus euphratica train," the beautiful scenery along the way is dazzling, and the meticulous service is also a unique "landscape": providing key passenger service cards, printed with the phone number of the train captain on duty, to facilitate passenger consultation; launching silver-haired services to provide elderly passengers with services such as meal delivery to their seats, organizing items, and reporting safety... "I was originally worried that there would be discomfort during the trip, but after completing the whole journey, I felt particularly warm." Said Ms. Liu (刘女士), a passenger from Guangzhou (广州), Guangdong (广东).
Rent a car and enjoy the fun of the journey.
Ningbo Lishe International Airport (宁波栎社国际机场), Zhejiang (浙江), picked up relatives and friends from his hometown in Henan (河南), and Xia Sheng (夏晟) went straight to the parking lot to pick up the rented vehicle.
"Renting a car to travel not only saves the fatigue of long-distance driving, but also allows you to enjoy the fun of self-driving." When he arrived at the State Grid Dongqian Lake Xiaoputuo Scenic Area Charging Station (国家电网东钱湖小普陀风景区充电站), Xia Sheng (夏晟) praised the charging service, "The car rental company launched a free charging activity on the first day, eliminating mileage anxiety, and renting a car to travel is more convenient."
Data from the Ministry of Transport (交通运输部) shows that the demand for car rentals is expected to increase significantly during the National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holidays.
Cruise travel is more comfortable while traveling.
"Traveling all the way is a new experience!" On October 2, at Shekou Cruise Homeport (蛇口邮轮母港) in Shenzhen (深圳), Guangdong (广东), Mr. Lin (林先生) and his family boarded the "China Merchants Yidun" (招商伊敦) and started an 8-day, 7-night cruise.
With its comfortable and convenient features and rich experiences, cruise travel has become a popular choice for holiday travel. Data from the Shenzhen Maritime Safety Administration (深圳海事局) in Guangdong (广东) shows that during this year's National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holidays, Shekou Cruise Homeport (蛇口邮轮母港) is expected to serve more than 17,000 inbound and outbound passengers.
In Xiamen (厦门), Fujian (福建), maritime departments have strengthened early warning of adverse weather conditions on routes to ensure that cruise ships "enter and exit quickly" and have "zero waiting time" in port; in Shanghai (上海), a "one ship, one policy" safety supervision plan is adopted to customize cruise berthing plans... Data shows that during this year's National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holidays, the national waterway passenger volume is expected to reach 12.5 million passengers, an increase of 11.6% year-on-year.
New upgrades make cross-border travel more convenient.
During the National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holidays, the vitality of flow has already crossed national borders.
Data from the National Immigration Administration (国家移民管理局) shows that the average daily number of inbound and outbound passengers during the National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holidays will exceed 2 million, and the peak of inbound and outbound passenger flow is expected to be mainly concentrated on October 1 and 6.
This is a two-way rush between China (中国) and the world.
"Seeing that Malaysia (马来西亚) has visa-free access to China (中国), I directly booked a ticket and took my family to taste Nanyang cuisine and watch the sunset by the sea." On October 1, Mr. Tang (唐先生) took China Southern Airlines (南航) flight CZ8301 and flew to Kuala Lumpur (吉隆坡), Malaysia (马来西亚) with 192 passengers.
New international routes have been opened from Guangzhou (广州), Guangdong (广东) to Riyadh (利雅得), Saudi Arabia (沙特阿拉伯), Beijing Daxing (北京大兴) to Doha (多哈), Qatar (卡塔尔), and Shenzhen (深圳), Guangdong (广东) to Da Nang (岘港), Vietnam (越南), and routes from Guangzhou (广州), Guangdong (广东) to Phuket (普吉), Thailand (泰国), and Dalian (大连), Liaoning (辽宁) to Seoul (首尔), South Korea (韩国) have been increased... Faced with new demands, China Southern Airlines (南航) continues to increase international routes.
As reported by the British "Tourism Review," China's (中国) outbound tourism market is growing strongly due to the expansion of the scope of mutual visa exemptions between China (中国) and other countries and the increase in the number of international flights.
During this holiday, "China tours" are becoming more and more popular. The encounter between intangible cultural heritage and high-speed rail allows foreign tourists to have a close encounter with Chinese culture before they even reach their destination.
"I didn't expect to be able to experience Chinese culture on the speeding Chinese high-speed rail." On the G1609 train from Fuzhou (福州), Fujian (福建) to Guangzhou South (广州南), Guangdong (广东), French (法国) tourists Emma (艾玛) and Andre (安德雷) experienced the jasmine tea scenting process. After tasting the jasmine tea they made themselves, the two frequently exclaimed in not fluent Chinese: "Fragrant!"
In addition to the jasmine tea making process, the Fuzhou Passenger Transport Section of the China Railway Nanchang Bureau (国铁南昌局福州客运段) brought Chinese intangible cultural heritage such as Min Opera (闽剧) and Shoushan stone carving (寿山石雕) onto the train. The encounter between Chinese speed and traditional culture not only makes intangible cultural heritage "alive," but also makes the journey "hot."
From high-speed traffic flow to high-speed rail trains, from water cruises to cross-border flights, the 2.36 billion people rushing to the mountains and seas witness the vitality of the flowing China (中国).
Return to TopNational Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holidays saw a booming market, soaring popularity in scenic spots, and vibrant and robust cultural and tourism consumption across various regions.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 辛 阳
The Mid-Autumn Festival falls on August 15th. In the afternoon, the shadows of trees fall on the Mudan Community (牡丹社区) Party and Mass Service Center in Huanggu District (皇姑区), Shenyang (沈阳市), Liaoning Province (辽宁). Wu Yun (吴云), a 63-year-old resident, leads her 10-year-old grandson, Ma Zihao (马梓豪), to this place.
"Grandma, today the teacher will take us to make mooncakes and lanterns," Ma Zihao (马梓豪) runs towards the Happiness Education Classroom, while Wu Yun (吴云) turns and walks into the nearby Home-based Elderly Care Service Center. Inside, Wu Yun (吴云) puts on a brainpower testing device and sits in front of the computer to answer the questions one by one.
"This is the 'Abacus Enlightenment · Healthy Silver Age' activity jointly created by the community and a professional team," said Wang Hui (王晖), Secretary of the Party Committee of Mudan Community (牡丹社区党委书记). Follow-up activities will include abacus mental arithmetic courses to help the elderly exercise their brains.
The elderly and children are the most frequent residents of the community, and "the elderly and the young" are the main concerns of most families. In August 2022, General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平总书记) came to Mudan Community (牡丹社区). When talking with everyone about the issue of "the elderly and the young," the General Secretary emphasized: "We must do a good job in the elderly care cause and the elderly care industry, and places with conditions should strengthen the construction of elderly care service facilities." "Children are all treasures now, and we must strengthen the nurturing and cultivation of the next generation to ensure their physical and mental health."
Mudan Community (牡丹社区) was built in the 1980s, with more than 3,000 households living in more than 60 old buildings. Problems such as elderly care and childcare once plagued everyone. "In the past, the community had limited activity space, and the children had nowhere to go, and the elderly were also bored," Wu Yun (吴云) recalled.
In recent years, Mudan Community (牡丹社区) has demolished and renovated abandoned boiler rooms to build a Party and Mass Service Center, promoting the upgrading of "elderly and young" services to be more "refined" and "detailed."
How to achieve "elderly care" at the doorstep?
"The community has opened a Happiness Elderly Canteen, as well as a day care room and a rehabilitation physiotherapy room," Wang Hui (王晖) introduced. Community elderly care services are further moving towards "quality improvement," such as equipping elderly people living alone with smart bracelets, so that the community can respond as soon as possible when abnormal health data occurs; regularly organizing psychological health lectures and interest social activities, so that the elderly can not only "have elderly care," but also "enjoy their old age."
How to promote "early childhood education" in the community?
From the initial after-school care, the Happiness Education Classroom has gradually expanded to all-day service during winter and summer vacations, and the curriculum system has been continuously improved - the newly added traditional culture classes and intangible cultural heritage handicraft classes are very popular among children. The community also regularly invites experts to carry out science lectures.
The changes in Mudan Community (牡丹社区) over the past 5 years are a vivid microcosm of high-quality development benefiting people's livelihoods. "There are new options for the care of the elderly and children," Wang Hui (王晖) said.
The setting sun shines into the community Party and Mass Service Center. In the canteen on the first floor, the elderly are sitting at the dining table, laughing; in the classroom on the second floor, there are lively discussions from the children. On the way home, Ma Zihao (马梓豪) said that he would give the first lantern he made to his grandmother, Wu Yun (吴云) listened, and her steps became lighter.
Return to TopBy: 新华社记者 杨湛菲
Thousands of lights gradually illuminated, reflecting the warmth of family and country celebrating together. The overhanging eaves of the ancient town intertwined with flowing light and shadows, painting a picture of national prosperity and peace... On the eve of the Mid-Autumn Festival, a visual feast blending traditional meaning and modern art was staged in Songgai Ancient Town (松溉古镇) in Yongchuan (永川), Chongqing (重庆). This lantern festival also kicked off the theme cultural activities for the 2025 "Our Festival·Mid-Autumn Festival."
As the Mid-Autumn Festival approaches, the Bureau of Civilized Practices of the Central Propaganda Department (中宣部文明实践局), the Department of Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism (文化和旅游部非物质文化遗产司), the Propaganda Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Youth League (共青团中央宣传部), the Propaganda Department of the All-China Women's Federation (全国妇联宣传部), and the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles Volunteer Service Center (中国文联文艺志愿服务中心) jointly organized the "Our Festival·Mid-Autumn Festival" theme cultural activities. People experience the charm of the Mid-Autumn Festival in the activities and cultivate a sense of family and country in the reunion celebration.
A variety of themed demonstration activities have distinct characteristics—
Yichun (宜春) in Jiangxi (江西), Shangluo (商洛) in Shaanxi (陕西), and Yongchuan (永川) in Chongqing (重庆) are the venues for this year's national demonstration activities for the Mid-Autumn Festival theme. Literary and artistic performances, intangible cultural heritage performances, folk customs experiences, and themed parades are dazzling.
At the New Era Civilization Practice Fair in Zhongnanshan Village (终南山寨), Zhashui County (柞水县), Shangluo (商洛), Shaanxi (陕西), representative projects of intangible cultural heritage such as Zhashui Yugu (柞水渔鼓), Luonan grass weaving (洛南草编), and Danfeng clay sculpture (丹凤泥塑) are displayed in a wide array. Ge Lianghui (葛良慧), a representative inheritor of Zhen'an embroidery (镇安刺绣) intangible cultural heritage, attracted many people to stop and admire her embroidery products.
"I have taken over this craft from my mother for more than 30 years. The colorful Mid-Autumn culture has always been one of the sources of inspiration for our Zhen'an embroidery creation," Ge Lianghui (葛良慧) said with emotion, hoping that this stitch by stitch can allow more people to see Shangluo (商洛) and see our confidence in safeguarding the roots of culture and inheriting the feelings of family and country.
The lively civilization fair contains the "cultural code" of a happy life; the fragrant "big bowl tea" makes theoretical publicity as warm as "chatting about family affairs"; intangible cultural heritage shows and brilliant fireworks are filled with the ancient charm of traditional festivals... In Wanzai Ancient City (万载古城), Yichun (宜春), Jiangxi (江西), the strong festive atmosphere makes the charm of outstanding Chinese traditional culture stand out, and the seeds of the new era of civilized fashion take root in the atmosphere of fireworks and in the hearts of citizens and tourists.
Civilization practice centers unite community masses—
The family is the smallest country, and the country is thousands of families. Before and after the festival, various places rely on the New Era Civilization Practice Centers (Institutes, Stations) to extend the Mid-Autumn Festival activities to the "nerve endings" of the grassroots level, weaving close emotional ties in forms that the masses love to see, allowing the feelings of family and country to grow naturally among community neighbors.
"Raise a glass to invite the bright moon, facing my shadow, making three people," "Dew is white from tonight, the moon is bright in my hometown," "I hope people will last forever, and we can share the beautiful moonlight even thousands of miles apart"... As the Mid-Autumn Festival approaches, the New Era Civilization Practice Center in Fengyang County (凤阳县), Anhui (安徽) is full of "poetry." Children from surrounding communities recite the ancient poems they have learned, share their experiences, and feel the thoughts of family and country in the Mid-Autumn poems.
The person in charge of the New Era Civilization Practice Work Guidance Center of the county believes that such cultural activities can better play the role of the civilization practice position, lead the masses in the process of serving the masses, and gather the centripetal force between neighbors and the power of family and country.
Folk custom experience activities deepen festival identity—
"Experiential" and "immersive" are major highlights of this year's Mid-Autumn Festival theme cultural activities. Representative inheritors of intangible cultural heritage demonstrate and explain flower arrangement techniques on site; "wearing chrysanthemums on the head" custom experience, traditional calligraphy and painting exhibitions and other projects show Chinese aesthetics; digital chrysanthemum appreciation experience cleverly integrates technology and natural beauty... The traditional chrysanthemum exhibition in Eling Park (鹅岭公园), Yuzhong (渝中), Chongqing (重庆) recently opened, and the Mid-Autumn culture is rejuvenated in inheritance.
"I took my child to guess lantern riddles, make mooncakes, and also learned about civilized park visiting knowledge," Mr. Wang, a citizen, said happily, "This kind of Mid-Autumn Festival with cultural flavor and fireworks makes us feel the resonance between 'small family reunion' and 'big country celebration'."
Nationalities participate together to feel happiness—
The Chinese nation celebrates together, and all ethnic groups reunite.
As night falls, the moonlight shines on Shuo Du Ancient City (硕督古城) in Qamdo (昌都), Tibet (西藏). Under the Unity Tree in Shuo Du Town (硕督镇), a unique "Poetry Concert" was held a few days ago. People of all ethnic groups sat around, reciting poems about the moon, longing, and reunion, igniting the cultural "bonfire" of the plateau autumn night.
"Tang Ka Bright Moon Pastry" special mooncakes incorporate auspicious patterns and color aesthetics from Tangka paintings into mooncake production; lanterns symbolizing reunion are hung on the Unity Tree, tied with riddle slips... Compatriots of all ethnic groups sing the same song and dance the same dance, and the warm current of "national unity as one family" penetrates into the heart.
The moon reflects China, and the heart is tied to the family and country. From the benchmark leadership of demonstration activities to the wide coverage of grassroots practice, and then to the vivid practice of national unity, a round of bright moon illuminates the reunion of small families and the unity of big countries. The Mid-Autumn Festival, which is rejuvenated in inheritance, injects the cultural energy of traditional festivals into gathering the strength to forge ahead.
(Xinhua News Agency, Beijing (北京), October 6)
Return to TopBy: 钟才文
In March of this year, General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) pointed out during a meeting with representatives of the international business community: "Partnering with China means partnering with opportunities, believing in China means believing in tomorrow, and investing in China means investing in the future." Understanding is the prerequisite for breaking down prejudice, and "belief" stems from recognition of development logic and social governance concepts. As long as you understand China deeply, you will discover a different China, and you will find that China is a partner that is completely trustworthy and worthy of in-depth cooperation.
China's new development concept has global significance and provides an effective method for solving the current development dilemma in the world. The five major development concepts of "innovation, coordination, green, openness, and sharing" determined by the Fifth Plenary Session of the 18th CPC Central Committee are scientific answers to a series of theoretical and practical problems such as the problems, driving forces, and paths of China's economic development in the new stage. It not only fits China but also provides a reliable solution to solve global problems. Today's world is facing problems such as the lack of economic growth momentum, the widening of income inequality, the severe situation of environmental pollution and climate change, the prevalence of anti-globalization, and the occupation of development results by a few people. The internationally popular "prescriptions" are difficult to effectively solve these problems, while the new development concept is an effective method to lead the world out of the current development dilemma and is conducive to the long-term development of mankind.
China has always firmly safeguarded international justice, demonstrating its responsibility and morality as a major country. China has loved peace since ancient times. Even in its prosperous period, it promoted Confucianism's concept of governing the country, aiming to win the respect of other countries, rather than obtaining economic benefits from other countries or ruling other countries by force. Contemporary China is a large socialist country, but it never draws lines based on ideology, let alone engages in ideological export. Instead, it insists that all countries, regardless of size, strength, wealth, or poverty, should be treated equally. General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) emphasized: "A major country should have the appearance of a major country and show more responsibility." The "Belt and Road" initiative proposed by China has become an important global public product, and the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind and the four global initiatives are becoming increasingly attractive to various countries. Compared with some countries' wanton trampling on the international order, China emphasizes compliance with international law, resolutely safeguards the post-World War II international order, demonstrates its responsibility as a major country, and allows the world to see hope in the confusion.
China's economic development has made special contributions to the world and is an active promoter of world economic prosperity and stability. Since the reform and opening up, China's economy has grown rapidly and become the "engine" of economic growth in East Asia and even the world, bringing huge investment opportunities, broad export markets, and high-quality and inexpensive goods to countries around the world. In recent years, after China's economy has reached a huge volume, it has still been able to maintain considerable growth and has become the "stabilizing anchor" of the world economy. China does not treat market access as a privilege like some countries and adopt so-called "reciprocal tariffs." Instead, it continues to promote institutional opening up, emphasizing the orderly expansion of independent opening up and unilateral opening up, "tailor-made" cooperation methods for different countries, and provides more export and investment opportunities for various countries.
Currently, some people in the United States and the West falsely accuse China of providing cost-effective products to the international market as exporting excess capacity, causing economic imbalances in the United States and the world; falsely accuse my investment cooperation with relevant countries as subsidizing state-owned enterprises to carry out overseas expansion and control global supply chains; and so on. In fact, China's industrial competitiveness is the result of the joint action of institutional advantages, scale advantages, governance effectiveness, and people's hard work, and it is a contribution rather than a threat to the world. The competitiveness of Chinese enterprises comes from full market competition. There is no large-scale, structural "overcapacity," and there is no continuous export of "excess capacity." The large trade surplus in individual years is due to the inconsistency of economic cycles between China and foreign countries and is the result of the adjustment of supply and demand relations, which is conducive to meeting the needs of foreign people. Overseas investment by Chinese state-owned enterprises generally adopts the method of joint venture cooperation, strictly abides by the localization requirements of the government of the investment target country, actively integrates into and serves the local society, and there is no so-called "control."
Chinese culture has a strong appeal and attraction, demonstrating a credible, lovable, and respectable image of China. Chinese civilization has a long history, and the cultural characteristics accumulated over thousands of years—the credibility behind the gentleman's etiquette, the loveliness behind the harmony of human relations, and the respect behind the ideal of great harmony—are not only the spiritual core of Chinese civilization but also fit the common values of all mankind, and are most able to transcend national boundaries and move the world.
Seeing is believing. In the past two years, the number of overseas people traveling to China has increased significantly, and they can personally feel the real China without filters. In the first half of this year, the number of foreigners entering and exiting China reached 38.053 million, an increase of 30.2% year-on-year, of which 13.64 million foreigners entered the country visa-free, an increase of 53.9% year-on-year. Some top "foreign internet celebrities" came to China to broadcast live, which was enthusiastically sought after by young people from various countries. These face-to-face "grassroots narratives" have allowed hundreds of millions of foreign netizens to abandon "Chinese prejudice" and increasingly love modern, friendly, peaceful, progressive, and safe China.
Return to TopOctober 5th, Xiangbi Mountain Scenic Area (象鼻山景区) in Guilin (桂林), Guangxi (广西), the Li River (漓江) waters are filled with orderly boat traffic, and tourists stroll among the mountains and rivers, joyfully spending their holiday.
Li Kai (李凯) Photo (Image China)
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 郑海鸥 何思琦 李卓尔
"Culture is the soul."
The patriotic sentiments ignited by the grand military parade more than a month ago remain fervent. In October, Beijing (北京) is filled with the rich colors of autumn, and the red flags on Tiananmen Square (天安门广场) flutter in the wind. People here appreciate history and culture, filled with love and pride for the great motherland.
"Carry forward and promote 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!" General Secretary Xi Jinping's (习近平) firm words stirred up the patriotic spirit and aspirations of hundreds of millions of people.
National rejuvenation requires spiritual guidance, and the brilliance of thought illuminates the journey of struggle.
In October 2023, Xi Jinping Thought on Culture was officially proposed at the National Conference on Propaganda and Ideological Work.
The scientific truth value, broad cultural mind, and distinct practical character contained in Xi Jinping Thought on Culture are constantly demonstrated in the magnificent cultural practice of the new era,凝聚起强大精神力量 (níng jù qǐ qiáng dà jīng shén lì liàng - "gathering strong spiritual power," to consolidate and build up strong spiritual strength) for promoting the construction of a strong country and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
New Steps in Building a Strong Cultural Country
Tiananmen Square (天安门广场) on September 3rd was magnificent—
"On the Songhua River (松花江上)," "On the Taihang Mountains (在太行山上)," "Defend the Yellow River (保卫黄河)," "Without the Communist Party, There Would Be No New China (没有共产党就没有新中国)," classic songs born in the flames of the War of Resistance were sung in succession, connecting the magnificent journey from awakening from suffering to bloody resistance and then to victory.
The art performance 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 deeply moving—
"Don't deceive China, we have courage! Millions of soldiers under our mother's knees!"
"Today, the Chinese sky, the Chinese land, and the Chinese sea are all decided by the Chinese people themselves!"
The songs contain the arduousness and extraordinariness of the 14-year War of Resistance; the words are the continuation and inheritance of the great spirit of the War of Resistance.
"Closely focus on building a socialist ideology with strong cohesion and leadership, adhere to the guidance of socialist core values, and continuously build Chinese spirit, Chinese values, and Chinese strength, and develop and strengthen mainstream values, mainstream public opinion, and mainstream culture."
"The 'strength' of a strong cultural country should ultimately be reflected in the people's ideological realm, mental state, and cultural accomplishment."
…………
The banner guides the direction, and thought凝聚力量 (níng jù lì liàng - "gather strength," to consolidate strength).
Under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture, the construction of a strong socialist cultural country has taken solid steps.
This year, the first volume of "Xi Jinping's Economic Anthology (习近平经济文选)," the first volume of "Xi Jinping's Anthology on Ecological Civilization (习近平生态文明文选)," the fifth volume of "Xi Jinping: The Governance of China (习近平谈治国理政)," and the first and second volumes of "On Persisting in Comprehensively Deepening Reform (论坚持全面深化改革)" have been published and distributed successively. The vast number of party members and cadres deeply study and understand, and use the party's innovative theories to transform the subjective world and the objective world.
In village courtyards, people chat about daily life and policies; in tourist attractions, they perform 快板 (kuài bǎn - "clapper talk," a rhythmic storytelling form) to promote inheritance... In Zichuan District (淄川区), Zibo City (淄博市), Shandong Province (山东省), local authorities have placed convenient small stools and built "Mingli Hutong (明理胡同)," using down-to-earth, lively, and attractive public language to build a bridge between scientific theory and the masses, and transform the Party's good voice into the strongest voice of society.
The Anji (安吉) Propaganda Group in Zhejiang (浙江) goes deep into the countryside and approaches the masses to promote the "Two Mountains" theory; the "Xiaoyuan Classroom (小院讲堂)" in Chongqing (重庆) combines "explaining theory" with "telling stories" to make the masses listen to their hearts; popular theoretical readings such as "Strengthening Confidence and Promoting Development (强信心 促发展)" and "Face to Face with Chinese-Style Modernization (中国式现代化面对面)," "Movie Party Classes" and "Music Party Classes," etc., are innovative and heartwarming, winning praise from the masses; the main central media have launched key columns and integrated media products, and the radius of theoretical popularization continues to expand...
The propaganda and ideological culture front will thoroughly study and implement Xi Jinping Thought on Culture, place it in the overall pattern of comprehensively and systematically publicizing and interpreting Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and continuously promote the Party's innovative theories to penetrate people's hearts and take root.
The great era calls for great spirit, and noble undertakings need the guidance of role models.
On September 3rd, Tiananmen Rostrum (天安门城楼). General Secretary Xi Jinping came to the side of six veteran soldiers and comrades of the War of Resistance, smiled and bent down, and held their hands tightly.
This handshake is full of deep meaning.
All national heroes, including the heroes of the War of Resistance, are the backbone of the Chinese nation, and their deeds and spirit are a powerful force to inspire us to move forward.
The new era is an era of emerging heroes. "Role Models of the Times (时代楷模)," moral models, "Good People of China (中国好人)," and "Most Beautiful People (最美人物)" continue to emerge. Their patriotic feelings, fighting spirit, and noble sentiments lead the whole society to respect heroes and learn from the virtuous.
In July of this year, the Central Urban Work Conference clearly proposed to focus on building civilized cities that advocate virtue and goodness.
The list of the new National Civilized Cities, Civilized Villages and Towns, and Civilized Units was announced in May this year. "The creation of civilized cities has brought us benefits. The government has put in a lot of effort, and the service is even better." Ms. Zhou (周) from Huainan City (淮南市), Anhui Province (安徽省), said that the vegetable market at her doorstep has been renovated and the streets are clean and tidy.
Everyone participates in the creation of civilization, and a series of visible, tangible, and real changes and results are happening around the masses.
Practicing thrift and opposing waste have become a new fashion, and phenomena such as actively giving up seats, using polite language, and giving way to pedestrians are more common; changing customs and celebrating happy events in new ways have become a new name card for rural culture; families are carrying forward good family traditions, seeking happiness for their small families and sending warmth to everyone...
Civilization seeds are sown, and civilization trends are formed. Truth, goodness, and beauty are vigorously promoted, and positive energy is widely disseminated.
On July 8th this year, the Museum of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (中国人民抗日战争纪念馆) reopened, with 1,525 photos and 3,237 cultural relics, fully displaying the glorious history of the 14-year arduous War of Resistance. Visitors stop, ponder, and cherish the memory of revolutionary martyrs, appreciate the great spirit of the War of Resistance, and draw strength for progress.
Appreciating the past and encouraging the present in museums, reading and charging in libraries, and attending classes and learning skills in cultural centers... At present, all public libraries, cultural centers (stations), art museums, and more than 91% of museums across the country are open to the public for free. More than 100,000 physical bookstores, 580,000 rural bookstores, and 177,000 employee bookstores are spread throughout urban and rural areas, and the people's enthusiasm for learning and cultural literacy are constantly improving.
Cultivating people with culture and educating people with culture. Under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture, people's ideological realm is constantly improving, their mental state is more high-spirited and striving, and their cultural life is more rich and colorful. The entire nation is embarking on a new journey with a more confident and promising mental state.
New Atmosphere in Cultural Inheritance and Development
For five thousand years, Chinese civilization has been passed down and never interrupted.
"In Chinese civilization, we can see the profound accumulation of history," "Let the treasures of Chinese civilization be preserved forever and benefit future generations, and inspire people to continuously enhance their national pride and self-confidence"... When visiting the exhibition of Qin and Han bamboo slips unearthed at the Yunmeng County Museum (云梦县博物馆) in Hubei (湖北), General Secretary Xi Jinping walked slowly, watching and thinking.
Under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture, China's cultural heritage protection efforts have continued to increase, and the Chinese cultural context has flourished and flourished.
Chinese outstanding traditional culture condenses the genetic code for the continuous inheritance of Chinese civilization. How can this "spiritual lifeline" provide a richer nourishment for the Chinese nation to thrive and grow?
"Uphold a heart of reverence for history and love for culture, adhere to the principles of protection first, rational utilization, and minimal intervention, and promote systematic protection and unified supervision of cultural heritage."
On both sides of the Yi River (伊河), the lights are gradually rising. Looking at the Longmen Grottoes (龙门石窟) in Luoyang (洛阳), Henan (河南) from a distance at night, it is like a dialogue through time and space.
Behind the brilliant light and shadow is the effort to promote the systematic protection of cultural heritage. As a typical representative of Chinese grotto temple remains, protection lies not only in the grottoes themselves, but also in the surrounding humanistic ecology involving statues, temples, sightseeing, and literature.
Develop in protection and protect in development.
767,000 immovable cultural relics, 108 million (sets) of state-owned movable cultural relics, more than 100,000 representative items of intangible cultural heritage at all levels, and a total of nearly 4,000 national-level representative inheritors of intangible cultural heritage... China's cultural heritage protection work has achieved remarkable results.
In traditional courtyard residences, watch Naxi (纳西) original ecological songs and dances, and write Dongba (东巴) hieroglyphs... Lijiang Ancient City (丽江古城) under Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (玉龙雪山) is a blend of ancient and modern, full of vitality.
Ancient cities that breathe and ancient streets that flow are carefully cared for, and the historical context is integrated into modern life. The "Tang and Song pattern and Ming and Qing style" of Langzhong Ancient City (阆中古城) in Sichuan (四川) has continued to this day, and more than 40,000 residents live in harmony with the ancient city; Pingjiang Historical and Cultural Street (平江历史文化街区) in Suzhou (苏州), Jiangsu (江苏), attracts people to experience "Suzhou-style life" as a "Jiangnan cultural museum without walls."
Looking at the whole country, 143 national historical and cultural cities and nearly 1,300 historical and cultural blocks focus on the inheritance of civilization and the continuation of culture, leaving memories for the city and allowing people to remember their nostalgia.
In Zhaoxing Dong Village (肇兴侗寨), Liping County (黎平县), Guizhou (贵州), Lu Yongmei (陆勇妹), a provincial representative inheritor of the blue indigo dyeing process, stays by the dye vat, stirring a pool of indigo dye. "The fermentation is just right, and the color is very pure." Looking forward, the indigo apron on her body has been integrated with the Dong cloth drying behind her.
Handbags made of ancient Dong cloth, blue indigo-dyed silk scarves, and embroidered挂画 (guà huà - "hanging paintings," embroidered wall hangings) are very simple and fashionable, both traditional and popular, and are "attracting fans" among more young people.
The simple charm cannot be separated from proper protection; the fashion atmosphere benefits from innovation and creation. Promoting the creative transformation and innovative development of Chinese outstanding traditional culture, old crafts, old tunes, and old customs have become new highlights for the masses to increase employment and income.
Today's China, the protection and inheritance of cultural heritage has revitalized Chinese outstanding traditional culture and contributed important strength to promoting the coordinated development of material civilization and spiritual civilization.
The fate of culture is linked to the fate of the country, and the cultural context is linked to the national context.
In the early morning of May 18th this year, the state treasure cultural relics, the second and third volumes of the Zidanku Silk Manuscripts (子弹库帛书), returned to the motherland after 79 years of overseas wandering;
On July 11th this year, China's application project "Western Xia Mausoleums (西夏陵)" was successfully included in the "World Heritage List," becoming China's sixtieth World Heritage Site...
These scenes witness the continuous improvement of the country's cultural soft power and the influence of Chinese culture.
"Opening up and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics on the basis of the profound foundation of more than 5,000 years of Chinese civilization, combining the basic principles of Marxism with the specific reality of China and with Chinese outstanding traditional culture is the only way."
The Chinese Outstanding Traditional Culture Inheritance and Development Project, the Chinese Civilization Origin Exploration Project, the Cultural Relics Protection Project, the Revolutionary Cultural Relics Protection and Utilization Project, and the "Archaeological China" major project are being implemented in depth. The construction of the Great Wall, the Grand Canal, the Long March, the Yellow River, and the Yangtze River National Cultural Parks is steadily advancing. The legal and regulatory system in the field of cultural heritage protection is constantly improving, and the "archaeological fever," "intangible cultural heritage fever," and "ancient book fever" are becoming increasingly popular...
Cultural inheritance and development show a new atmosphere in the new era, and the Chinese cultural context blooms with new colors in continuous inheritance.
Cultural Confidence Promotes the Spirit of National Rejuvenation
With bright silver ornaments and elegant Miao embroidery, grandmothers, grandfathers, and children wearing ethnic costumes walked onto the T stage one after another, and the flashlights kept flashing. In Kaili (凯里), Guizhou (贵州), the popularity of "Village T" continues to ferment. Guizhou's intangible cultural heritage has also entered Singapore (新加坡), the United Arab Emirates (阿联酋), and other countries, setting off waves of "the most dazzling Chinese style."
On March 18th this year, General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out during his inspection in Guizhou: "Guizhou has a profound historical heritage, rich red culture, and diverse ethnic cultures. We must use this advantage to enhance cultural self-confidence, transform customs and educate people, and promote economic and social development."
"'Village T' shows our ethnic minority culture to the world, and I am especially proud of it," said Gu Biao (顾彪), a 71-year-old villager from Kaitang Village (凯棠村), Kaitang Town (凯棠镇), Kaili City (凯里市).
Cultural confidence is a more fundamental, broader, and deeper confidence, and it is a more basic, deeper, and more lasting force.
Under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture, the pulse of culture beats strongly, and cultural confidence promotes the spirit of national rejuvenation.
On the occasion of commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, films such as "Nanjing Photo Studio (南京照相馆)" and "Dongji Island (东极岛)" were released, and the National Art Museum of China (中国美术馆) held a special art exhibition. A series of exhibitions and cultural activities consolidated national memory and stirred up patriotic feelings.
The great achievements of the new era have been transformed into vivid stories in literary and artistic works, touching people, infecting people, and inspiring people. The online novel "Tao Sanyuan's Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter (陶三圆的春夏秋冬)" depicts the great changes in mountain villages, the drama "The Hearth Illuminates the World (炉火照天地)" shows the spirit of craftsmen, and the film and television dramas "Daughter of the Mountain (大山的女儿)" and "When the Mountain Flowers Bloom (山花烂漫时)" portray the tenacity and belief of strivers in the new era...
The vast number of cultural workers貫穿文艺创作全过程 (guàn chuān wén yì chuàng zuò quán guò chéng - "run through the entire process of literary and artistic creation," to permeate the entire process of literary and artistic creation) with upholding integrity and innovation, and originality is constantly improving.
Technology empowers culture. The film "Ne Zha (哪吒): Birth of the Demon Child" uses a self-developed "dynamic ink rendering engine" to integrate traditional ink rendering effects into 3D animation; cultural and tourism integration and development, the Datang Everbright City (大唐不夜城) in Xi'an (西安), Shaanxi (陕西), more than a thousand people and "Li Bai (李白)" recite poems in the air, with a cumulative audience of over one million; Guochao (国潮 - "national trend," Chinese fashion) lights up a happy life, and the Phoenix Crown refrigerator magnets of the National Museum of China (国家博物馆) are sought after by young people. The "cultural and museum fever" is hot, and the "cultural and creative wind" is strong. In 2024, the revenue of cultural and related industrial enterprises above designated size nationwide reached 14,151 billion yuan, an increase of 6% year-on-year.
Human emotions are interconnected. Cultivating people with culture can better凝聚心灵 (níng jù xīn líng - "coagulate the soul," to unite hearts and minds); communicating hearts with art is easier to communicate with the world.
Foreigners are playing Chinese Kung Fu, "foreign faces" are speaking Sichuan dialect, and robots are serving the games... At the World University Games held in Chengdu (成都), Sichuan (四川), many foreign athletes personally experienced the charm of Chinese culture and the vitality of the city.
Indian athlete Namata Batra (纳玛塔·巴特拉) said that she started practicing martial arts in 2015. At first, it was for physical fitness, but later she gradually fell in love with the Chinese culture behind martial arts.
The great era breeds great stories, and a wonderful China needs a wonderful narrative.
The cultural "new three items" represented by online literature, online dramas, and online games are going overseas,开拓出全新路径 (kāi tuò chū quán xīn jìng - "open up a new path," to forge a new path) for telling Chinese stories. "Black Myth: Wukong (黑神话：悟空)" has become popular around the world, setting off a "Journey to the West fever"; online literary works such as "Douluo Continent (斗罗大陆)" and "Joy of Life (庆余年)" have been collected by foreign libraries; related online dramas are popular overseas. They integrate Chinese outstanding traditional cultural elements in a form that is easily accepted by the public, allowing global audiences to feel China's historical heritage and contemporary vitality.
Promote the restructuring of the international communication pattern, build a multi-channel, three-dimensional external communication pattern, and use new technologies such as 5G and artificial intelligence to tell Chinese stories and spread Chinese voices; the "Understanding China" International Conference, the first World Congress of Classical Studies, the Nishan World Civilization Forum (尼山世界文明论坛), and other diverse forms of international cultural exchanges and cooperation jointly outline a new picture of global civilization development.
Transcending estrangement with exchanges and transcending conflicts with mutual learning, Chinese culture is allowing the world to see the open-mindedness of an ancient civilization in the process of co-creating a new chapter with world civilizations.
Behind the fruitful results is the support of an increasingly large talent team.
Liu Jiabo (刘佳波), a staff member of the Zhejiang Art Museum (浙江美术馆), is a cultural commissioner of Xinjian Village (新建村), Ganlan Town (干览镇), Dinghai District (定海区), Zhoushan (舟山). He planned and held a "Villagers' Studio" and cultivated more than 30 fishermen painters. The fishermen's paintings are based on authentic life and are deeply loved by tourists. In Zhejiang (浙江), more than 1,500 cultural commissioners go deep into the grassroots and have formed nearly 4,000 cultural teams.
The Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee proposed: "Cultivate and form a large-scale team of outstanding cultural talents."
The China Federation of Literary and Art Circles (中国文联) implements the National Young and Middle-Aged Literary and Art Leading Talents Training Project, the Youth Overseas Research Project, and carries out the "Yiyuan Xieying (艺苑撷英)" performance, promotes the职称评审 (zhíchēng píngshěn - "professional title evaluation," professional title assessment) of new literary and art groups, so that talent growth has a path and a stage;
The Ministry of Culture and Tourism, together with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, implemented the Chinese Intangible Cultural Heritage Inheritors Training Program, holding more than 1,400 training sessions over 10 years, directly training 51,000 people...
In contemporary China, the landscape is magnificent, the people are heroic, and the future is bright. The times have provided an unprecedentedly broad stage for the prosperity and development of literature and art in our country. To promote the prosperity and development of socialist literature and art and build a strong socialist cultural country, the vast number of literary and art workers have an unshirkable duty, a heavy responsibility, and a great role to play.
The power of culture is magnificent and mighty. Under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Culture (习近平文化思想), adhering to cultural confidence, upholding openness and inclusiveness, adhering to integrity and innovation, and promoting the high-quality development of publicity and ideological and cultural work, we will certainly be able to better shoulder the new cultural mission, use the ever-changing innovation and creation to forge new glories of Chinese culture, and realize the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation in the prosperity and flourishing of culture.
Return to TopThis newspaper's Beijing (北京) dispatch on October 6th (People's Daily (人民日报) reporter Wei Yanxing (韦衍行)): Immerse yourself in life, open your heart, and step into the world of traditional Chinese painting. The "Daily Painting Reading" column, a new media brand column for literary and artistic publicity of People's Daily (人民日报) officially launched on the 6th.
The "Daily Painting Reading" column is an important measure taken by the People's Daily (人民日报) to strengthen and improve literary and artistic publicity and reporting, and to promote the creative transformation and innovative development of outstanding traditional Chinese culture. Guided by Xi Jinping (习近平)'s cultural thought and using classic art works as a medium, the column is aimed at the general public, especially young people. Through the integrated and innovative form of "AI + Art," a series of new media products are planned and launched, aiming to guide the audience to perceive the charm of artistic treasures in aesthetic experience.
The column is jointly created by the Literature and Art Department of the People's Daily (人民日报社文艺部), People's Daily Online (人民网), and the China Academy of Art (中国美术学院). It focuses on the combination of content quality, emotional resonance, and technological empowerment. It not only uses AI technology to make static paintings "move" and "come alive," but also strives to connect the interpretation of paintings with the spiritual needs and emotional world of contemporary people, guiding the audience from "reading paintings" to "reading culture" and "reading life." The column will adhere to the concept of "**开门办栏目**" (kāi mén bàn lán mù - "run the column with open doors," operate the column with public participation), sincerely inviting all sectors of society to widely participate in content creation and dissemination, gathering diverse perspectives and wisdom, so that classic art can be revitalized in the new era of communication.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 李心萍 邱超奕 韩 鑫
National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holidays, walking on the land of China, all that can be seen is vigorous vitality.
In the new era and new journey, all regions and departments thoroughly implement General Secretary Xi Jinping's (习近平) important exposition on building a transportation powerhouse, continuously improve the comprehensive transportation system, and "people enjoy their travel, and goods flow smoothly" is accelerating, and the flowing China (中国) is constantly releasing development vitality.
High-speed rail stations operate all night. Operating night high-speed trains, implementing two-way entry into the station, adding security checkpoints, and providing night waiting services... During the National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holidays, Beijing South Railway Station (北京南站) is expected to send 2.526 million passengers.
Highway service areas are transformed into "scenic spots." Visiting tea museums, browsing "tomato markets," and tasting hand-drip coffee... A number of highway service areas and toll stations in Sichuan (四川) have improved service quality, and highway service areas have been transformed into tourist attractions.
Airports are draped in "Chinese red." The terminals are filled with national flags, themed landscapes have become popular check-in points, and the National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival carnivals are lively and extraordinary... The "Chinese red" atmosphere at Changchun Airport (长春机场) in Jilin (吉林) is strong.
The Ministry of Transport (交通运输部) predicts that during the National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holidays, the total cross-regional personnel flow in the whole society will reach 2.36 billion.
New lines make travel more efficient.
Refresh! On October 1st, the national railway sent 23.132 million passengers, setting a new historical record for single-day passenger volume.
Soaring! On the same day, the civil aviation passenger volume was 2.4749 million passengers, an increase of 3.2% year-on-year.
Behind the growth of data is the strong support provided by the comprehensive three-dimensional transportation network.
High-speed rail reaches more places, making travel "just go."
"Departing from Shenyang (沈阳), it takes less than 2 hours to reach Changbai Mountain (长白山) directly." On September 28, the Shenbai section of the Shenjia High-speed Railway (沈佳高铁沈白段) was officially opened. Liu Jia (刘佳), a citizen of Shenyang (沈阳), Liaoning (辽宁), immediately planned an in-depth tour of Changbai Mountain (长白山) for the National Day. The Shenbai section of the Shenjia High-speed Railway (沈佳高铁沈白段) connects Shenyang (沈阳), Fushun (抚顺), Tonghua (通化) in Jilin (吉林) and other places, allowing passengers to enjoy the scenery of various places in one stop. During the National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holidays, the Shenbai section of the Shenjia High-speed Railway (沈佳高铁沈白段) sends an average of about 30,000 passengers per day.
With the opening and operation of a series of new high-speed rail lines, the current high-speed rail mileage in China (中国) is nearly 50,000 kilometers, supporting the flowing China (中国).
High-speed shortens the distance of time and space, making travel convenient and efficient.
"In the past, it took more than 6 hours to return to my hometown of Dazhou (达州) from Pingwu (平武) in Sichuan (四川). Now, it only takes 3 hours to take the Jiumian Expressway (九绵高速)!" On the first day of the holiday, Li Ge (李鸽), a project engineer of China Second Navigation Engineering Bureau (中交二航局), drove on the Jiumian Expressway (九绵高速公路) that he participated in the construction of. From builder to traveler, the identity has changed, but what remains unchanged is the sense of gain. This expressway breaks the barriers of mountains and rivers with a bridge-tunnel ratio of 82%. In the first two days of the holiday, the highest traffic volume at the Jiuzhaigou (九寨沟) toll station of the Jiumian Expressway (九绵高速) exceeded 15,000 vehicles.
Since the beginning of this year, from the western Sichuan Plateau (川西高原) to the Xiang-E mountainous area (湘鄂山区), from the hinterland of southwestern Jiangxi (赣西南腹地) to the border of Jilin (吉林), more new expressways have unlocked new travel experiences.
The aviation network is becoming denser and denser, and "traveling thousands of miles a day" has become commonplace.
"With the new route, it only takes more than two hours to fly directly from Zhuhai (珠海), Guangdong (广东) to Dali (大理), Yunnan (云南)." Sitting on the Lucky Air (祥鹏航空) 8L9790 flight, passenger Ms. Chen (陈女士) was full of longing, "I can't wait to see Cangshan Erhai (苍山洱海) and visit Dali Ancient City (大理古城)!"
According to reports, this route, which was newly opened in July, is very popular, and the passenger load factor is expected to exceed 90% during the holiday. In addition, Lucky Air (祥鹏航空) has also successively opened more than 30 new routes, such as Lijiang (丽江), Yunnan (云南) to Jinan (济南), Shandong (山东), and Xishuangbanna (西双版纳), Yunnan (云南) to Tengchong (腾冲).
Highways are networked, railways are densely distributed, airplanes are soaring, and giant ships are sailing far away... Since the "14th Five-Year Plan," China (中国) has basically connected the main skeleton of the "6 axes, 7 corridors, and 8 channels" national comprehensive three-dimensional transportation network, connecting more than 80% of the county-level administrative regions across the country, serving about 90% of the country's economy and population, and helping people travel smoothly and goods flow smoothly.
New ways to play make the journey a trip.
During this holiday, changes are quietly taking place. Nowadays, people are gradually saying goodbye to the **打卡式** (dǎ kǎ shì - "punch-in style," rushing through tourist spots without experiencing them deeply) hurried journey and are more pursuing an "immersive" experience. Tourist trains, cruise vacations, self-driving check-ins... New ways to travel make travel more interesting and turn the journey into a trip.
The most beautiful "Populus euphratica train" departs for the golden autumn.
The K7911 train, from Hohhot (呼和浩特), Inner Mongolia (内蒙古) to Ejina Banner (额济纳旗), crosses grasslands, Gobi deserts, and deserts, spanning 400 kilometers of uninhabited areas, and is the most beautiful "Populus euphratica train" in the hearts of train fans.
Boarding the "Populus euphratica train," the beautiful scenery along the way is dazzling, and the meticulous service is also a unique "landscape": providing key passenger service cards, printed with the phone number of the train captain on duty, to facilitate passenger consultation; launching silver-haired services to provide elderly passengers with services such as meal delivery to their seats, organizing items, and reporting safety... "I was worried about discomfort along the way, but after completing the entire journey, I felt particularly warm," said Ms. Liu (刘女士), a passenger from Guangzhou (广州), Guangdong (广东).
Rent a car and enjoy the fun of the journey.
Ningbo Lishe International Airport (宁波栎社国际机场), Zhejiang (浙江), picked up relatives and friends from his hometown in Henan (河南), and Xia Sheng (夏晟) went straight to the parking lot to pick up the rented vehicle.
"Renting a car for travel saves the fatigue of long-distance driving and allows you to enjoy the fun of self-driving." Arriving at the State Grid Dongqian Lake Xiaoputuo Scenic Area Charging Station (国家电网东钱湖小普陀风景区充电站), Xia Sheng (夏晟) praised the charging service, "The car rental company launched a free charging event on the first day, eliminating mileage anxiety and making car rental travel more convenient."
Data from the Ministry of Transport (交通运输部) shows that the demand for car rentals is expected to increase significantly during the National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holidays.
Cruise travel is more comfortable while traveling.
"Traveling all the way is a new experience!" On October 2, Mr. Lin (林先生), a citizen of Shekou Cruise Homeport (蛇口邮轮母港), Shenzhen (深圳), Guangdong (广东), boarded the "China Merchants Yidun" (招商伊敦) and started an 8-day, 7-night cruise trip with his family.
With its comfortable and convenient features and rich experiences, cruise travel has become a popular choice for holiday travel. Data from the Shenzhen Maritime Safety Administration (深圳海事局), Guangdong (广东), shows that during this year's National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holidays, Shekou Cruise Homeport (蛇口邮轮母港) is expected to serve more than 17,000 inbound and outbound passengers.
In Xiamen (厦门), Fujian (福建), the maritime department strengthens early warning of adverse weather conditions on routes to ensure that cruise ships "enter and exit quickly" and have "zero waiting time" in port; in Shanghai (上海), a "one ship, one policy" safety supervision plan is adopted to tailor cruise berthing plans... Data shows that during this year's National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holidays, the national waterway passenger volume is expected to reach 12.5 million passengers, an increase of 11.6% year-on-year.
New upgrades make cross-border travel more convenient.
During the National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holidays, the vitality of flow has already crossed borders.
Data from the National Immigration Administration (国家移民管理局) shows that the average daily number of inbound and outbound passengers during the National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holidays will exceed 2 million, and the peak of inbound and outbound passenger flow is expected to be mainly concentrated on October 1st and 6th.
This is a two-way rush between China (中国) and the world.
"Seeing that Malaysia (马来西亚) has visa-free access to China (中国), I directly booked a ticket to take my family to taste Nanyang cuisine and watch the sunset by the sea." On October 1, Mr. Tang (唐先生) took China Southern Airlines (南航) flight CZ8301 and flew to Kuala Lumpur (吉隆坡), Malaysia (马来西亚) with 192 passengers.
New international routes have been opened from Guangzhou (广州), Guangdong (广东) to Riyadh (利雅得), Saudi Arabia (沙特阿拉伯), from Beijing Daxing (北京大兴) to Doha (多哈), Qatar (卡塔尔), and from Shenzhen (深圳), Guangdong (广东) to Da Nang (岘港), Vietnam (越南). The number of routes from Guangzhou (广州), Guangdong (广东) to Phuket (普吉), Thailand (泰国), and from Dalian (大连), Liaoning (辽宁) to Seoul (首尔), South Korea (韩国) has been increased... Facing new demands, China Southern Airlines (南航) continues to increase international routes.
As reported by the British "Tourism Review," China's (中国) outbound tourism market is growing strongly due to the expansion of the scope of mutual visa exemptions between China (中国) and other countries and the increase in the number of international flights.
During this holiday, "China (中国) tours" are becoming increasingly popular. The encounter between intangible cultural heritage and high-speed rail allows foreign tourists to have a close encounter with Chinese culture before they even reach their destination.
"I didn't expect to be able to experience Chinese culture on the speeding Chinese high-speed rail." On the G1609 train from Fuzhou (福州), Fujian (福建) to Guangzhou South (广州南), Guangdong (广东), French (法国) tourists Emma (艾玛) and Andre (安德雷) experienced the jasmine tea scenting process. After tasting the jasmine tea they made themselves, the two frequently exclaimed in not-so-fluent Chinese: "Fragrant!"
In addition to the jasmine tea making process, the Fuzhou Passenger Transport Section (福州客运段) of the China Railway Nanchang Bureau (国铁南昌局) brought Chinese intangible cultural heritage such as Min Opera (闽剧) and Shoushan stone carving (寿山石雕) onto the train. The encounter between Chinese speed and traditional culture not only makes intangible cultural heritage "alive" but also makes the journey "hot."
From high-speed traffic flow to high-speed rail trains, from water cruises to cross-border flights, the 2.36 billion people rushing to the mountains and seas witness the vitality of the flowing China (中国).
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 邹 松
The continuous emergence of off-grid photovoltaic power stations has relieved herders in remote mountainous areas of Ethiopia from worrying about the difficulty of accessing electricity. The completion of a 100-megawatt photovoltaic power station within a few months has prevented ball mills in Zambia's copper mining area from shutting down due to insufficient hydropower supply. The molten salt tower of the Redstone concentrated solar power plant project in South Africa is converting daytime solar thermal energy storage into stable current at night, lighting up thousands of homes. Across the vast African continent, China-Africa electricity cooperation projects are steadily advancing, helping African countries achieve sustainable electricity development.
Small but beautiful—
Microgrids Improve People's Lives
Hulkes, a herder in Beoso Village, Ethiopia, can finally use his mobile phone, and his home is no longer dark at night—his village was electrified two months ago. This remote village in northeastern Ethiopia has become more vibrant thanks to the off-grid photovoltaic power station. "I no longer have to worry about not having electricity. Thanks to our Chinese friends for bringing stable power," Hulkes said happily.
In July of this year, the second phase of the Ethiopian off-grid photovoltaic power station project, constructed by China Electric Power Technology Equipment Co., Ltd. of the State Grid Corporation of China, was completed. Eight remote areas, including Beoso Village, were electrified, and Kolier Village was also one of the beneficiary villages. Village doctor Hasri said, "Before, we used diesel generators, and the voltage was unstable, so we didn't dare to use many medical devices. The current photovoltaic power station has energy storage batteries, and the voltage is stable and reliable." Tesfaye, a supermarket operator in the village, said, "Everyone works during the day and can also do handicrafts at night to supplement their household income, and their wallets are slowly getting thicker."
Most rural areas in Ethiopia are far from the main power grid. Off-grid photovoltaic power station projects, which have many advantages such as "fast electrification, low cost, and sustainability," have been vigorously promoted by the local government. Seleshi Bekele, former Minister of Water and Energy of Ethiopia, said, "The Ethiopian off-grid photovoltaic power station project is an important step in the national electricity universal access plan, and Chinese companies have made significant contributions to this."
In Mali, a West African country, a solar demonstration village project aided by Chinese enterprises has installed a total of 1,195 sets of off-grid solar household systems, and is also equipped with suitable systems such as solar street lights and water pumps, benefiting tens of thousands of local people. In Cameroon, located in Central Africa, Chinese enterprises have assisted in the construction of more than 400 rural off-grid photovoltaic power station projects. Paul Frimpong, Executive Director of the Ghana-China Policy Advisory Centre, said, "Recent data show that off-grid photovoltaic systems contribute to more than half of the new electricity connections in sub-Saharan Africa. China has rich experience in this field and helps Africa achieve broader electricity access."
Fast and Strong—
Large Projects Promote Social Development
In Chisamba District, Central Province, Zambia, a photovoltaic "ocean" of hundreds of hectares stretches across the horizon. This is the country's largest single photovoltaic project in terms of installed capacity—the Kabwe 100-megawatt solar project.
In recent years, southern Africa has experienced drought and little rain, and Zambia's original reliance on hydropower has been severely shortchanged. "Supplementing water with light," the construction of the Kabwe 100-megawatt solar project has become an urgent measure for the local area to deal with electricity problems. During the China-Africa Cooperation Forum Beijing Summit in September 2024, Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema (希奇莱马) attended the "Zambia Electricity Development Forum" hosted by Power Construction Corporation of China (中国电建), and the two sides signed a number of hundred-megawatt photovoltaic projects such as Kafue Gorge and Kariba, and the construction of the Kabwe 100-megawatt solar project, which started in July of the same year, entered an "acceleration period." On June 30 this year, the Kabwe 100-megawatt solar project was connected to the grid for power generation.
In April of this year, the Suez Canal Economic Zone No. 2 project in Egypt, undertaken by a Chinese enterprise, was fully connected to the grid and put into commercial operation. The project has a total installed capacity of 500 megawatts and an estimated annual power generation of 2 billion kilowatt-hours, meeting the electricity needs of more than one million households.
"Electrical energy is the basic driving force for African industrialization, and African countries generally regard the construction of electricity infrastructure as a top priority for national development," said Metch Méké, President of the University of San Pedro in Côte d'Ivoire. "China provides Africa with all-round support in terms of technology, capital and talent training, helping African countries gradually achieve energy autonomy."
Speaking of the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Station in Tanzania, undertaken by a Chinese enterprise, Humphrey Moshi, Director of the China Research Center at the University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, said, "The Julius Nyerere Hydropower Station is one of the largest hydropower stations under construction in Tanzania and even Africa, with a total installed capacity of more than 2,000 megawatts. It is a major electricity project that Tanzania prioritizes for development. This project not only solves nearly 40% of Tanzania's electricity demand, but also brings nearly 10,000 direct employment opportunities to the local area, effectively improving Tanzania's social productivity."
New and Lasting—
Multiple Fields Meet African Needs
In Postmasburg, Northern Cape Province, South Africa, a "steel sunflower" covering more than one million square meters and composed of more than 40,000 heliostats moves with the sun, and the solar energy collected by the mirrors is collected, converted, and stored through a solar thermal conversion tower dozens of meters high, realizing 24-hour uninterrupted power generation. This is the Redstone 100-megawatt tower molten salt concentrated solar power plant project in South Africa, undertaken by Shandong Electric Power Construction Corporation III (山东电建三公司), a subsidiary of Power Construction Corporation of China (中国电建). It is also the first renewable energy project in sub-Saharan Africa to use tower molten salt energy storage technology. Xie Yanjun, the project's chief engineer, told reporters that the project's grid-connected power generation has solved the electricity needs of more than 200,000 households in the local area.
Among the mountains of the Western Cape Province of South Africa, the Oya Energy Hybrid Facility project in South Africa, undertaken by Power Construction Corporation of China (中国电建), is progressing in an orderly manner. The project is currently the world's largest hybrid energy project under construction that combines photovoltaic, wind energy, and energy storage. Once completed, it will provide reliable and stable clean energy to the South African power grid and provide a demonstration for the development of new energy in South Africa and even the world. The Overseas Development Institute, a British think tank, believes that China is increasingly using its energy investments in Africa for renewable energy projects, which is in line with the global energy transition trend.
Kirtan Bhana, editor-in-chief of South Africa's *Foreign Affairs* magazine, said, "China's cooperation with Africa fully considers Africa's development needs and conforms to the energy transition strategies generally promoted by African countries. China's electricity and other energy cooperation projects in African countries value sustainability and have trained a large number of local skilled workers through the projects, who have become an important force for African countries to achieve energy self-reliance."
Relevant data show that China has trained more than 220,000 people of various types for African countries, taking into account Africa's actual needs. As a brand of China's international cooperation in vocational education, Luban Workshops (鲁班工坊) have been built and put into operation in 15 African countries including Egypt and South Africa. Lu Zhilei, director of the South African China Cultural and International Education Exchange Center, who has been engaged in China-Africa vocational and technical training for many years, said, "The energy field is the key to African countries' industrialization development, and related talent training has always been the focus of China-Africa cultural exchange and cooperation. Today, more and more African technical talents have become technical experts in their countries by studying in China and working on Chinese projects, making contributions to Africa's prosperity and development."
Return to TopThe eighth China International Import Expo (hereinafter referred to as "the eighth CIIE") entered the 30-day countdown on October 5th, with more than 3,200 companies from over 110 countries and regions confirming their participation, and the contracted exhibition area exceeding 360,000 square meters. Both "old friends" and "new friends" are giving previews of their debut highlights, demonstrating their firm confidence in the Chinese market.
Recently, the first batch of inbound exhibits for the eighth CIIE smoothly completed customs declaration at the Shanghai Convention & Exhibition Center (上海会展中心) Customs. These exhibits came from Maybach Luxury Goods Asia Pacific Co., Ltd. (德国迈巴赫奢侈品亚太有限公司) of Germany.
Maybach Luxury Goods participated in the seventh CIIE last year and achieved unexpected commercial breakthroughs. This year, Maybach Luxury Goods established its Asia Pacific company in Hong Kong (香港) and plans to set up a Chinese branch in Shanghai (上海). At this year's CIIE, the company's booth area has expanded from 36 square meters to 300 square meters, the number of exhibits has doubled, and several new special exhibition areas have been added. "Expanding the scale of participation is not only an upgrade of our business strategy, but also a commitment to growing together with the CIIE," said the head of Maybach's Asia Pacific business.
The CIIE is not only a display platform but also builds an innovation bridge for enterprises.
Thanks to the CIIE's "acceleration," over the past 7 years, medical technology company Medtronic (美敦力) has turned more than 30 star exhibits into commodities.
"Relying on the open platform of the CIIE, Medtronic has achieved a strategic upgrade from 'exhibitor' to 'investor,' witnessing the leap of innovative achievements from 'bringing in' to 'going out'," said Gu Yushao (顾宇韶), Global Senior Vice President and Head of China Business at Medtronic.
From showcasing products to building an ecosystem, more and more foreign-funded enterprises are using the CIIE platform to cooperate and innovate with local enterprises.
Bayer (拜耳), an "all-attendance student" of the 8 CIIEs, will showcase 26 highlight exhibits on a double booth with a total area of 800 square meters this year. In May of this year, Bayer's third regenerative agriculture demonstration farm in China, the Jilin Lishu Yunyuan Farm (吉林梨树耘远农场), will also make its debut at the CIIE, showcasing its collaboration with multiple partners in "industry, academia, research, and application" to actively explore the synergistic innovation path of biological breeding industrialization and regenerative agriculture.
Exhibits are constantly being updated, and cooperation continues to be upgraded. At the eighth CIIE, Cesi Group (凯西集团), headquartered in Italy, will showcase its three major business segments of respiratory health, rare diseases, and specialist treatments at the same time, and work with various partners to continue to accelerate the landing of innovative products.
Andrea Recordati (安康礼), CEO of Cesi Group, said: "The CIIE is an important open docking platform and a high-speed channel for multinational companies to deepen cooperation and implement results. I very much look forward to working with Chinese partners to create and share the future."
At present, Shanghai (上海) is taking a series of innovative measures to improve the convenience of participation in the eighth CIIE and is making every effort to sprint to the key stage of preparation. The CIIE City Service Guarantee Leading Group, headed by the main leaders of the Shanghai Municipal Party Committee (上海市委) and the Municipal Government (市政府), coordinates 22 guarantee combinations to promote 264 key tasks. Shanghai has sorted out and formed a "CIIE spillover linkage policy package," covering measures from multiple departments such as commerce, taxation, public security, and customs, including Shanghai's first-release economy 3.0, "buy and refund immediately" for offshore tax refunds, and customs clearance facilitation, to help exhibitors and visitors participate in the exhibition conveniently and efficiently.
Return to TopBy: 哈桑·达贾
Azhong has a profound traditional friendship and similar development concepts, both advocating for strengthening international unity and cooperation, promoting exchanges and dialogue between civilizations, and striving to overcome difficulties to promote national development and revitalization. This is the solid foundation for Azhong to work together to build a community with a shared future for mankind.
Arab countries and China have a deep traditional friendship. The ancient Silk Road brought the Arab and Chinese people closer to each other. In recent years, the relations between Arab countries and China have flourished, setting a model for unity and cooperation among developing countries. Azhong's enhanced cooperation injects stability and hope into today's uncertain world.
Both Arab countries and China adhere to viewing their relationship from a strategic and long-term perspective. In January 2016, President Xi Jinping (习近平) pointed out in an important speech at the headquarters of the League of Arab States that the two sides should be builders of peace in the Middle East, promoters of development in the Middle East, boosters of industrialization in the Middle East, supporters of stability in the Middle East, and cooperative partners for people-to-people exchanges in the Middle East. In 2022, President Xi Jinping (习近平) visited Riyadh (利雅得), Saudi Arabia (沙特) to attend the first China-Arab States Summit. Both sides unanimously agreed to fully build a China-Arab community with a shared future for the new era. The summit released a series of important documents. Azhong will strengthen cooperation in various fields such as politics, economy, security, and culture, and launched the "Eight Major Joint Actions," emphasizing that the two sides will strengthen communication and coordination in international and regional affairs and jointly address global challenges. The significance of the first Azhong Summit is a milestone, which not only provides strategic guidance for the development of Azhong relations, but also sends out a common voice and proposes Azhong solutions for promoting peace, stability, development and prosperity in the region and the world. In recent years, leaders of Arab countries have made frequent visits to China. From the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics to the third "Belt and Road" International Cooperation Summit Forum, and then to the ministerial meeting of the China-Arab Cooperation Forum, Azhong leaders have strengthened strategic communication, enhanced strategic mutual trust, and planned the path for Azhong's friendly cooperation.
Azhong's bilateral relations have deepened and become more practical, and economic and trade cooperation has yielded fruitful results. Azhong's trade volume has increased from US$36.7 billion in 2004 to more than US$400 billion in 2024, an increase of more than 10 times in 20 years. China's economy continues to grow steadily and plays an increasingly important role on the international stage. Arab countries have also become important investment and trade centers through their own development. Azhong's political mutual trust has been continuously enhanced, economic and trade cooperation has continued to deepen, and cultural exchanges have become increasingly extensive. The in-depth development of the Azhong strategic partnership has brought huge benefits to the people of Azhong.
The second Azhong Summit will be held in China in 2026, which will be another important milestone in the history of Azhong relations. Arab countries expect the two sides to reach broad consensus on strengthening comprehensive and pragmatic cooperation, draw a blueprint for the development of Azhong relations, and inject new impetus into promoting the joint construction of an Azhong community with a shared future.
At present, geopolitical changes and the uncertainty of the international environment have brought challenges to the respective development of Azhong. The concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind is the Chinese solution proposed by China to answer the question of "where is mankind going," and it conforms to the trend of historical development and the common aspirations of human society. Arab countries widely support this concept. Azhong has a profound traditional friendship and similar development concepts, both advocating for strengthening international unity and cooperation, promoting exchanges and dialogue between civilizations, and striving to overcome difficulties to promote national development and revitalization. This is the solid foundation for Azhong to work together to build a community with a shared future for mankind. In the future, we look forward to both sides continuing to move forward in the general direction of building a community with a shared future for mankind and making greater contributions to world peace, stability and prosperity.
(Author is Professor Hussein bin Talal University (侯赛因·本·塔拉勒大学) of Jordan (约旦))
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 刘静文
National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holidays see autumn deepening across the country. During the Mid-Autumn Festival, families reunite to appreciate the moon, holiday activities are rich and colorful in streets and alleys, and the land of China is filled with a festive atmosphere of reunion and harmony.
The moon in the sky, a shared roundness across thousands of miles.
"Reunion brings the greatest joy, and togetherness brings the greatest happiness." Reuniting with family to appreciate the moon during the Mid-Autumn Festival is what many people look forward to.
On the evening of October 6th, a long street banquet was held in Nanxun Ancient Town (南浔古镇), Huzhou (湖州) City, Zhejiang Province (浙江省). The banquet featured Nanxun delicacies, and the tables were surrounded by reunited families. The round moon in the sky and the reunion on earth captured the warmest and most beautiful moment of the Mid-Autumn Festival.
"In the past, we usually had a family reunion dinner at home for the Mid-Autumn Festival. This time, taking a boat tour to appreciate the moon in the ancient water town is particularly charming, with long street banquets and unique performances, both ancient and trendy." Kong Xiangwen (孔祥文), a tourist from Shenyang (沈阳), Liaoning (辽宁) Province, said during the banquet that he brought his parents to travel for the Mid-Autumn Festival. "Looking up at the full moon, surrounded by friends from all over the country, chatting about the customs of the Mid-Autumn Festival in different places, it's very interesting."
Yang Yao (杨尧), the relevant person in charge of Nanxun Cultural Tourism Group (南浔文旅集团), introduced that this Mid-Autumn Festival, Nanxun Ancient Town was inspired by the long street banquet and presented tourists with a unique feast of food and culture.
"May we all be blessed with longevity, though thousands of miles apart, we are still able to share the beauty of the moon together." Reunion is not only a face-to-face gathering, but also "sharing this moment together even at the ends of the earth" under the same round moon.
Due to sticking to their posts and other reasons, many people cannot reunite with their relatives and friends during the festival. Video calls cross thousands of miles, conveying longing.
At 6:00 AM on October 6th, the sky was slightly bright. Li Yan (李艳), the train conductor of a high-speed train fleet of the Changsha Passenger Transport Section (长沙客运段), had already appeared in the dispatch room of Changsha South Railway Station (长沙南站). As a member of the Communist Party, Li Yan is accustomed to sticking to her post during the holidays. At 2:00 PM, the No. 9 carriage was decorated with colorful lanterns and riddle paper. The Mid-Autumn Festival activity planned by Li Yan began, and the children scrambled to raise their hands to guess the riddles. As night fell, the train arrived at its destination, Kunming South Railway Station (昆明南站), Yunnan (云南) Province. After seeing off the passengers, Li Yan returned to her apartment and made a video call to her husband. The family of four, separated by more than 1,200 kilometers, achieved reunion in front of the screen.
Ancient and modern moons, enjoying the city together.
"More effectively promote the creative transformation and innovative development of outstanding traditional Chinese culture." During the Mid-Autumn Festival, various places hold rich cultural activities, allowing festival customs to blend with modern life, vividly demonstrating the contemporary charm of traditional festivals.
Xichang (西昌), Sichuan (四川) is known as the "Moon City." Due to its low latitude, high altitude, and few clouds and fog, Xichang has unique advantages for moon appreciation. Moreover, in Xichang, the "Chang'e flying to the moon" dream first came true, and China's lunar exploration project took the first step of "orbiting" here. This holiday, Xichang intertwined traditional customs with modern technology, allowing tourists to spend the Mid-Autumn Festival while appreciating the ancient and modern moons.
On October 5th, the Xichang Ancient City (西昌古城) held a Mid-Autumn Moon Worship and Blessing Ceremony. The melodious ancient music sounded, and the master of ceremonies dressed in traditional costumes led the tourists to salute and pray together. Walking into the ancient city, activities such as guessing lantern riddles, pitching pots, and reciting poetry were wonderful.
On October 6th, the China Xichang Aerospace Metaverse Experience Hall (中国西昌航天元宇宙体验馆) was crowded with people, and tourists embarked on a fantastic space journey. Tourists put on virtual reality equipment, "participated in person" in the rocket launch, "transformed" into astronauts about to set off, and felt the thrust of the rocket soaring into the sky in the huge roar and vibration; walking into the double-layer suspended flight cinema, they felt the interstellar space scene including the moon at close range, as if they were in the boundless universe. The 1:1 replica of the space station module, spacesuit models and other exhibits in the hall, combined with graphic and textual popular science explanations, allowed tourists to unlock aerospace knowledge in interaction.
Not only in Xichang, but also in many places, the moon appreciation activities held are both cultural and technological.
In the China Arts and Crafts Museum (中国工艺美术馆), visitors savored traditional culture while making a Chinese knot in the shape of a moon and rabbit, and carrying a bright Beijing Palace Lantern (北京宫灯) like the bright moon. Intangible cultural heritage skills made the Mid-Autumn Festival charm visible and tangible. In the Beijing Planetarium (北京天文馆), visitors followed the docent to unravel the scientific mysteries about the moon. Exhibits such as Chang'e 5 (嫦娥五号) lunar soil and lunar meteorites allowed visitors to "appreciate the moon" at close range. In JianShui County (建水县), Yunnan Province (云南省), the "Moon Reflects a Thousand Years, Intangible Cultural Heritage Shares the Moon" Mid-Autumn Music Poetry Concert attracted more than 10,000 tourists. Songs containing the elegant charm of traditional culture were performed in turn accompanied by traditional instruments such as the four-stringed plucked instrument and bamboo flute.
Golden Autumn Moon, Celebrating Together Around the World.
In the golden autumn season, cultural and tourism activities are festive and joyful, expressing people's yearning for a better life.
Filled with Mid-Autumn blessings.
On the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival on October 6th, in Langtou Village (塱头村), Tanbu Town (炭步镇), Huadu District (花都区), Guangzhou (广州) City, Guangdong Province (广东省), people ushered in the long-awaited Mid-Autumn folk culture activity "Burning Helou (烧禾楼)."
As night fell, everyone gathered in front of the tower-shaped "Helou" in Langtou Village. Huang Shixiong (黄施雄), a village cadre, lit firewood and dry grass inside the "Helou." Huang Jiangang (黄建刚), an elderly man in the village, held a long bamboo pole and gently stirred the sparks at the mouth of the tower. The sparks concentrated and sprayed towards the top of the tower, forming a dazzling fire. Mr. Li, a tourist from Quanzhou (泉州) City, Fujian (福建) Province, participated in the "Burning Helou" activity for the first time and was deeply infected by the atmosphere of the scene. "It's amazing. Like the locals, my family and I also made our own wishes."
It is understood that the custom of "Burning Helou" in Tanbu Town has a history of more than 600 years. "'Helou' is burned every year, and the higher the sparks, the better the coming year, expressing the villagers' good wishes for life, and also containing our respect for traditional culture," said Huang Zhiyun (黄智云), secretary of the general party branch of Langtou Village.
Enjoy the beauty of autumn.
On October 5th, walking into the Shenyang Botanical Garden (沈阳植物园), the autumn colors of the garden came into view. It was the 25th Chrysanthemum Culture Week of the Botanical Garden, and more than 600,000 chrysanthemums created a 100,000-square-meter sea of flowers, colorful and dazzling. The colorful foliage plants in the park were gradually dyed red, yellow, and green, attracting tourists to stop and take pictures. As night fell, the park was intertwined with light and shadow, and a "Botanical Garden Fantasy Forest Adventure Night" activity integrating water curtain projection and AR technology was launched, leading tourists to learn more natural knowledge through forest theaters, level-breaking interactions and other links.
On the evening of October 6th, Mr. Yin, a citizen of Tongshan District (铜山区), Xuzhou (徐州) City, Jiangsu Province (江苏省), brought his family to enjoy the lanterns in the Lvliang Scenic Area (吕梁风景区). Red lanterns were hung on both sides of the road, and the bright lights and moonlight were reflected on the lake surface of the scenic area, attracting many citizens and tourists to visit and appreciate the moon. "During the festival, the lights are bright and the demand for electricity is also increasing. We have specially equipped drones and other equipment to inspect at all times and protect the lights of thousands of homes," said Guo Yuanbing (郭苑冰), a staff member of the State Grid Xuzhou Power Supply Company (国网徐州供电公司) who was operating the drone.
Feel the joy of autumn harvest.
On October 6th, in the Jinede Rice Paddy Park (吉内得稻田公园) in Lianhua County (莲花县), Jiangxi Province (江西省), tens of thousands of acres of late rice were paved into a golden ocean in the warm sun. In the farming culture experience area, parents took their children to carefully learn traditional rice harvesting techniques, raised a handful of rice ears and cheered; beside the plank road, stepping on the threshing machine became a popular experience project, and tourists worked together to step on it, and the grains flew like golden rain; in the mill, the stone mill in the hands of tourists turned "squeaky", and the milky white rice slurry slowly flowed out... "It's very happy to immerse yourself in the joy of harvest during the beautiful holiday," said Zhu Yan (朱燕), a tourist from Ningbo (宁波), Zhejiang (浙江).
During the National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holidays, many places took harvest as the theme to create parent-child farming research and other agricultural, cultural and tourism integration activities. The enthusiasm for autumn travel is accelerating into consumption growth vitality during the happy holidays, injecting strong impetus into the comprehensive revitalization and high-quality development of the countryside.
(Reporters Dou Hanyang (窦瀚洋), Yang Xun (杨迅), Song Haoxin (宋豪新), Zheng Haiou (郑海鸥), Ye Chuanzeng (叶传增), Wang Yuna (王云娜), Hu Jingyi (胡婧怡), Bai Guangdi (白光迪), and Zhou Huan (周欢) participated in the writing of this report)
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 杨 讴 邹 松 陈一鸣
On the evening of October 4th, the Confucius Institute at the Durban University of Technology (德班理工大学孔子学院) in South Africa, in conjunction with the Fujian Fellow Association of KwaZulu-Natal Province (夸祖鲁—纳塔尔省福建同乡会), jointly hosted a Mid-Autumn Festival gala with the theme "The Spiritual Beauty of Dance." Young artists from the Beijing Dance Academy (北京舞蹈学院) brought a wonderful performance to the local people.
《Little River Bends (小河弯弯)》 from Yunnan (彩云之南), 《Weishan Dage (巍山打歌)》 from the Yi ethnic group, 《Dolang Meshrep (刀郎·麦西来甫)》 from the Uyghur ethnic group... The performance was full of climaxes and applause. Sunny Moss, an English teacher from Durban, said, "They used dance to show me a China I had never seen before." "It is our responsibility to tell Chinese stories and spread Chinese national culture through dance." Hui Tong (惠彤), Vice President of the Beijing Dance Academy (北京舞蹈学院), told reporters, "The enthusiastic response from the audience proves that dance can cross language barriers. We welcome South African dancers to come to China for more exchanges."
"This is a high-level South-China people-to-people exchange activity," said Nothando Boyce (诺坦贝科·博伊斯), Speaker of the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Legislature (夸祖鲁—纳塔尔省议会). Li Zhigong (李志工), Consul General of China in Durban (中国驻德班总领事), said that this Mid-Autumn Festival gala, through the dance art form popular with the South African people, brought the people of China and South Africa closer to each other. Wu Lin (吴林), the Chinese Director of the Confucius Institute at the Durban University of Technology (德班理工大学孔子学院), said, "This exchange activity injects new vitality into the colorful multicultural landscape of South Africa and promotes mutual learning and appreciation between the cultures of China and South Africa."
Cai Yunjing (蔡云景), President of the Fujian Fellow Association of KwaZulu-Natal Province (夸祖鲁—纳塔尔省福建同乡会), said: "The Mid-Autumn Festival is a traditional Chinese festival and an important moment for overseas Chinese to miss their hometowns and ancestors. The charm of Chinese culture displayed by Chinese national dance makes the vast number of overseas Chinese feel proud and sincerely admire the development of their ancestral (home) country."
In recent days, overseas Chinese organizations in many places have held a variety of cultural activities to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival together.
The Pakistani Chinese community held a "Celebrating the Birthday of the Motherland and the Mid-Autumn Festival" event in Islamabad (伊斯兰堡), the capital of Pakistan, and Pakistani Chinese teenagers performed poetry recitations, songs, dances, and other artistic programs.
At the "Symphony Concert of the Yellow River Cantata Celebrating the 76th Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China" hosted by the French-Chinese Business Association (法国法华工商联合会), the Paris Spring Choir (巴黎之春合唱团) of the French Chinese community and the London Chinese Philharmonic Choir (伦敦华人爱乐合唱团) of the British Chinese community performed all eight movements of the Yellow River Cantata with the accompaniment of a local French symphony orchestra. Chinese and French artists also presented Chinese and foreign classic songs such as "I Love You China," "My Motherland," and "La Vie en Rose" to the audience.
The Brazil Beijing Cultural Exchange Association (巴西北京文化交流协会) recently held a celebration of the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and a Mid-Autumn Festival gathering, as well as a donation ceremony for the "Illustrated Catalogue of Historical Relics Donated by Overseas Chinese in Brazil." Guests at the scene shared mooncakes, tasted fragrant tea, and talked about their homesickness.
The sonorous "Ode to the Motherland" opened the event, the Beijing opera "Ode to the Pear Blossom" lingered in the air, and the dance "Ode to the Plum Blossom" was full of spirit. Ship tickets and passports of Guangdong (广东) overseas Chinese who went overseas in the 1950s, certificates of overseas Chinese communities supporting the construction of their hometowns after the reform and opening up, and the five-star red flag used for the first flag-raising ceremony of "Chinese Immigrant Day" held by the São Paulo (圣保罗) City Council in 2018... The thick "Illustrated Catalogue of Historical Relics Donated by Overseas Chinese in Brazil" embodies the joint efforts of the overseas Chinese community to preserve history and promote culture, and also witnesses the deep feelings of Brazilian overseas Chinese for their hometown.
Zhao Yongping (赵永平), President of the Brazil Beijing Cultural Exchange Association (巴西北京文化交流协会), shared her feelings about being invited back to China not long ago to watch the grand military parade: "Witnessing the prosperity of our ancestral (home) country on the reviewing stand in Tiananmen Square (天安门广场), my heart is full of pride. I deeply realized that a strong ancestral (home) country is always the strong backing of overseas wanderers and the root that connects the hearts of Chinese people around the world."
(Reported by our correspondents in Durban and Rio de Janeiro (里约热内卢) on October 6)
Return to TopThe Algeria Western Railway Mining Line project, undertaken by China Railway Construction Corporation (中国铁建), is progressing steadily. This project is a large-scale single project undertaken by Chinese enterprises in Algeria. Upon completion, it will improve the Algerian national railway network and help interconnectivity and economic development in the southwestern provinces of Algeria.
Hao Ruimin (郝瑞敏) and Lü Chuangchuang (吕创创) photographed and reported.
Layout design: Shen Yiling (沈亦伶)
Return to TopGeorgetown report from this newspaper, Rio de Janeiro, October 6 (Reporters Chen Yiming (陈一鸣) and Shi Yuanhao (时元皓)) News from Georgetown: The Guyana Barat Jagdeo-Demerara River Bridge, constructed by China Railway Construction International Group Co., Ltd. (中国铁建国际集团有限公司), officially opened to traffic on the 5th. Guyanese President Ali (阿里), Prime Minister Phillips (菲利普斯), Vice President Jagdeo (贾格迪奥), Chinese Ambassador to Guyana Yang Yang (杨扬), and representatives from all sectors of society, totaling over ten thousand people, attended the opening ceremony.
In his speech, Ali expressed his gratitude to the Chinese contractor, pointing out that the official opening of the bridge marks the beginning of a series of infrastructure transformations in Guyana. Ali called the bridge a "lifeline" for commerce, industry, and people's lives, stating that it will significantly increase transportation capacity and alleviate traffic pressure.
The new Demerara River Bridge is located in Georgetown (乔治敦), the capital of Guyana, and is Guyana's largest and most technologically complex transportation infrastructure project to date. The bridge is approximately 2,900 meters long, with a design speed of 80 kilometers per hour. The bridge deck has four lanes in both directions and is designed for a lifespan of 100 years.
Return to TopThe Mid-Autumn Festival, with its appreciation of the bright moon and joyful reunions, is a cultural gene deeply ingrained in the Chinese nation.
During this year's National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holidays, people enjoyed the "Super Moon" dancing with neon lights on the Bund (外滩) in Shanghai (上海), savored local delicacies at the Dunhuang (敦煌) night market in Gansu (甘肃), and purchased cultural and creative products in historical and cultural blocks. Traditional festivals are blossoming with new brilliance through the deep integration of culture and tourism.
Behind the bustling scenes and at the time of the full moon, countless people are also silently persevering: their footsteps patrolling the border lines are filled with concern for their country and home; the construction sites of major national projects leave behind silhouettes of 砥砺奋进 (dǐ lì fèn jìn - "sharpen, encourage, strive forward," to encourage oneself to forge ahead with determination). This year's Mid-Autumn Festival is not only a grand cultural and tourism scene interwoven with tradition and modernity, but also a vivid scroll nurturing patriotic sentiments.
-- Editor
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 王 者
On the Mid-Autumn Festival night, August 15th, in Zhucheng (诸城), Shandong (山东), near the Chaoran Terrace (超然台).
"I only hope that we live long, and though a thousand miles apart, share the beauty of the moon together." Nearly a thousand years ago, Su Shi (苏轼) wrote "Prelude to Water Melody - When Will the Moon Be Clear?" here.
On the evening of October 6th, this round moon shone again on a family reunited in Zhucheng (诸城).
With a "creak," the key entered the lock, and Bu Xiaoyu's (卜小雨) maternal grandfather, Liu Wenrong (刘文荣), returned home carrying two paper bags of mooncakes, "Xiaoyu (小雨), come get the mooncakes, your favorite five-kernel filling."
Born in Zhucheng (诸城) and working in the military, Bu Xiaoyu (卜小雨), an army civilian, rarely returns home. This Mid-Autumn Festival, she specifically told her mother that the family should celebrate the holiday at her maternal grandfather's house.
After taking the mooncake, breaking it in half and handing it to her maternal grandfather first, Bu Xiaoyu (卜小雨) took a bite, "It really tastes like childhood, simple packaging, comfortable to eat."
"Of course, the atmosphere for festivals is good now, mooncakes emphasize taste rather than packaging." Liu Wenrong (刘文荣) shared his observations about buying mooncakes, "Luxury gift boxes are gone, but these stacks of plain white oil paper-wrapped flaky mooncakes attract everyone to line up."
Seeing the grandparents and granddaughter eating so happily, Bu Xiaoyu's (卜小雨) mother, Liu Yan (刘艳), couldn't help but open one, "It's still better this way, eating mooncakes is all about being practical and delicious."
Liu Wenrong (刘文荣) served in the military for many years, recalling his military years, "Life was hard back then, and during the Mid-Autumn Festival, each person received two small pieces of flaky mooncake, everyone ate them with relish, and the festive atmosphere was strong."
"Our work especially requires us to emphasize discipline and adhere to the bottom line, only then can we feel at ease." As Liu Wenrong (刘文荣) was speaking, Bu Xiaoyu's (卜小雨) father, Bu Zhenqiang (卜振强), brought the dishes to the table, "The dishes are ready, let's eat."
During the meal, there was a family's warm affection.
"Xiaoyu (小雨) doesn't come back often, these are all your favorite dishes, eat more." Liu Yan (刘艳) put food on her daughter's plate, and Liu Wenrong (刘文荣) also instructed from the side, "Take good care of yourself."
During the meal, there was a family's integrity.
"Now, there are fewer social engagements and more family reunions during the holidays." Liu Yan (刘艳), who works in finance, said that this year, the unit has carried out in-depth study and education on thoroughly implementing the spirit of the Central Eight-Point Regulation, and everyone has a clear feeling, "Doing practical things with a good style is not only being responsible for the work, but also being responsible for ourselves and our families."
"Xiaoyu (小雨) should learn more from her maternal grandfather, be self-disciplined, responsible, honest, and selfless." Bu Zhenqiang (卜振强), a middle school teacher, often tells his students stories of virtuous predecessors.
"Dad, don't worry, I will definitely strictly demand myself and do my job well in a down-to-earth manner." Bu Xiaoyu (卜小雨) agreed readily. Laughter echoed during the meal.
At 8 o'clock, after dinner, the family went out for a walk.
Climbing up the steps and ascending the Chaoran Terrace (超然台), leaning on the railing and looking into the distance, Liu Wenrong (刘文荣) exclaimed, "The country is really getting stronger and stronger."
Bu Xiaoyu (卜小雨) took her maternal grandfather's arm and said, "Everyone says that only by protecting the country well can thousands upon thousands of small families be better."
A gentle breeze swept across the Chaoran Terrace (超然台), below were the myriad lights of the Mid-Autumn Festival moonlit night, filled with happiness and peace.
Return to TopLayout Design: Shen Yiling (沈亦伶)
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 张 驰
Stone-built ancient villages, copperware carrying old craftsmanship, and homestays showcasing new vitality... Yulong Naxi Autonomous County (玉龙纳西族自治县), Lijiang (丽江) City, Yunnan Province (云南省) has a profound cultural heritage. To date, 24 villages in Yulong County (玉龙县) have been included in the List of Chinese Traditional Villages. In recent years, Yulong County (玉龙县) has been promoting the "synchronized resonance" of landscape protection, cultural inheritance, and rural revitalization with the concept of "highlighting key points, cluster protection, and contiguous development." In 2024, Yulong County (玉龙县) was selected as a demonstration county for the concentrated and contiguous protection and utilization of traditional villages.
-- Editor
Stone City Village (石头城村), Ancient Villages Built on Steep Cliffs
Starting from Yulong County (玉龙县), it takes more than 100 kilometers north and nearly 3 hours of winding mountain roads to finally reach Stone City Village (石头城村). There is a protrusion on the bank of the Jinsha River (金沙江), with the slope facing the river and surrounded by cliffs on three sides, resembling a large "mushroom" growing out of the ground. The inner city of Stone City Village (石头城村) is located on top of this "mushroom."
Stone City Village (石头城村) was the seat of the ancient Baoshan Prefecture (宝山州) during the Yuan and Ming dynasties and has stood for more than 1,300 years amidst the steep canyons and turbulent rivers.
Stepping onto the stone bridge and passing through the city gate inscribed with "Baoshan Stone City (宝山石头城)," one can feel the construction wisdom of the Naxi (纳西族) people in using local materials and building houses according to the terrain: carving stones to build the city, carving stones to build houses, and carving stones to build roads. Some families' tables, chairs, stoves, and sinks are also carved from stone.
When asked why Stone City Village (石头城村) has preserved its appearance so well, Mu Wenchuan (木文川), the deputy secretary of the village's general Party branch who grew up in the village, only said two words: "Too steep!" Due to its unique terrain, Stone City Village (石头城村) has long been isolated, and generations of villagers have been accustomed to self-sufficiency, farming, and studying. In addition, the high cost of transporting materials from outside means that villagers mostly rely on local craftsmen from Stone City (石头城) to build their houses, and the houses in Stone City Village (石头城村) have not changed for many years. With the improvement of transportation and the increase in the number of villagers working outside, some people in the village also hope to replace their stone houses with cement buildings. However, as Stone City Village (石头城村) was listed as a provincial-level cultural relics protection unit, the villagers realized the historical and cultural value of protecting the traditional style.
Mu Wenchuan (木文川) said that in 2003, Stone City Village (石头城村) also wrote "protecting the traditional architectural style" into the village rules and regulations. In 2006, Baoshan Stone City (宝山石头城) became a national key cultural relics protection unit. In 2012, Stone City Village (石头城村) was included in the first batch of Chinese traditional villages.
Today, the well-preserved ancient village style has become a calling card for Stone City (石头城). A cultural tourism integration experience area integrating outdoor hiking and exploration, cultural experience, and architectural research, with Tiger Leaping Gorge (虎跳峡) and Stone City (石头城) as engines, is accelerating its formation, and the annual number of tourists received by Stone City Village (石头城村) is rapidly increasing.
"In recent years, we have integrated funds from various sources to strengthen infrastructure construction, build roads and parking lots to enter the village, improve village lighting and power systems, and also added a set of smart fire-fighting equipment," said Song Deluo (宋德逻), the head of Baoshan Township (宝山乡). "In addition, we must continue to guide villagers to protect the architectural style of the village."
"Villages are tangible heritage and important tourism resources," said Yang Lisheng (杨立胜), a member of the Party Leadership Group of the Yulong County Housing and Urban-Rural Development Bureau (玉龙县住房和城乡建设局). "On the basis of strictly protecting the traditional village style, we also encourage the rational use of space to allow traditional buildings to play a greater value."
Baisha Village (白沙村), Copperware Carries Old Craftsmanship
Stone-paved streets and alleys, with white walls and black tiles, carved beams and painted rafters on both sides of the houses, exuding a simple and elegant charm. This is Baisha Village (白沙村) in Baisha Town (白沙镇), and also an important part of the Lijiang Ancient City (丽江古城), a world cultural heritage site - the Baisha Ancient Buildings (白沙古建筑群).
Walking in the alley, a rhythmic "ding-dong" sound came, leading the reporter into a spacious Naxi (纳西族) courtyard. He Shanjun (和善均), the representative inheritor of the Yunnan provincial intangible cultural heritage project "Naxi Traditional Copper Craftsmanship" (纳西族传统制铜工艺), was concentrating on hammering with a small hammer.
"The life of the Naxi (纳西族) people is inseparable from copperware, from small copper locks to large cooking pots and buckets," He Shanjun (和善均) showed the two cabinets full of Naxi (纳西族) copperware in his home. Lijiang (丽江) is rich in copper resources, and copperware not only plays an important role in the lives of the Naxi (纳西族) people, but is also an important commodity for trade between the local area and the Tibet (西藏) region.
A copper utensil with a copper chain, resembling a hot pot and a kettle, was particularly eye-catching.
"This is a tea cooker. It is said that the caravan added a spout to the hot pot to facilitate travel, creating a unique utensil that can both drink tea and cook hot pot," He Shanjun (和善均) introduced, adding that many copperware designs reflect the wisdom of Naxi (纳西族) craftsmen.
Making copperware requires starting from a piece of copper sheet and hammering it out with experience, He Shanjun (和善均) said.
He Shanjun (和善均) began learning copper art from his father at the age of 17, but the development of modern technology has impacted traditional handicrafts. With the county's emphasis on intangible cultural heritage protection and increased support, especially the development of research and study experience activities under the guidance of policies, this skill has found a new path of inheritance and market space.
"Villages are tangible cultural carriers, and culture is an intangible national memory, which needs to be revitalized and utilized in protection," said He Qunxing (和群星), director of the Yulong County Intangible Cultural Heritage Center (玉龙县非遗中心). In order to protect intangible cultural heritage skills and national culture, Yulong County (玉龙县) has strengthened the construction of cultural spaces such as intangible cultural heritage training centers, conducted a general survey of 8 types of traditional culture every year and established an intangible cultural heritage resource database, and at the same time, continued to carry out activities such as intangible cultural heritage entering campuses to strengthen the training of intangible cultural heritage inheritors.
He Shanjun's (和善均) small courtyard has become the birthplace of "the first intangible cultural heritage work in life" for many tourists. Twenty families from Chengdu (成都) bring their children to learn how to make copperware every year. "Policy support has made research and study experience a new way to revitalize and inherit intangible cultural heritage skills, and also provides endogenous power for cultivating the next generation of inheritors," He Shanjun (和善均) said.
Nanyao Village (南尧村), Homestays Show New Vitality
Not far from Baisha Village (白沙村), Lashi Lake (拉市海), a provincial wetland nature reserve in Yunnan (云南), lies like a sapphire nestled among the mountains. The water and sky are the same color, and occasionally birds fly over, leaving silhouettes on the lake. Cattle and horses stroll on the meadow, outlining a pastoral picture of autumn.
Among the 28 natural villages in Lashi Lake Town (拉市海镇), 6 have been selected as Chinese traditional villages, like pearls dotted on the Lashi Lake (拉市海) ring road. Compared with Dayu Village (打渔村) close to the lake and Meiquan Village (美泉村) where flowers are planted and horses are raised, Nanyao Village (南尧村) is farther away from the Lashi Lake (拉市海) wetland.
Li Xuetao's (李雪涛) home is in Nanyao Village (南尧村). He used to run a inn in Lijiang Ancient City (丽江古城). In 2018, he returned to the village to renovate his old house and opened a homestay.
Compared to the crowded Lijiang (丽江), why did Li Xuetao (李雪涛) return to his hometown to run a inn?
"The competition in Lijiang (丽江) inns is fierce," Li Xuetao (李雪涛) said. Although Nanyao Village (南尧村) is not directly by the sea, it has distinctive features and can link resources and complement each other with other villages. Li Xuetao's (李雪涛) decision was not impulsive. When he opened a inn in Lijiang Ancient City (丽江古城), he often heard guests ask: "Where can I experience a pure rural life for a long time?"
Once when he returned home for the New Year, Li Xuetao (李雪涛) looked at his spacious courtyard and had the idea of opening a homestay. "The village has well-preserved traditional residential styles, traditional festivals and customs have not been lost, and there are also farm delicacies such as chicken pea flour, which can meet the needs of some tourists for travel and residence." Li Xuesong (李雪松), secretary of the general Party branch of Nanyao Village (南尧村), added that there are nearly 40 courtyards in the village that are idle due to young people working outside, which provides space for the development of rural homestays.
In Li Xuesong's (李雪松) view, the viewing coffee in the surrounding village of Dayu Village (打渔村) and the rose manor in Meiquan Village (美泉村) are all helping Nanyao Village (南尧村): "The richer the surrounding business formats, the more 'ways to play' for tourists, the greater the advantages of our village." Tourists staying in Nanyao Village (南尧村) also bring consumption potential to the surrounding villages. Today, Nanyao Village (南尧村) uses its good forest ecological environment to create multiple hiking routes, further enriching the tourism business formats in the Lashi Lake (拉市海) area.
"Contiguous development, the advantage lies in resource linkage and joint efforts to move forward," Yang Lisheng (杨立胜) introduced. Yulong County (玉龙县) has issued a demonstration work plan for the concentrated and contiguous protection and utilization of traditional villages, to form a traditional village protection model centered on Lashi Lake (拉市海), highlighting the characteristics of each village, and comprehensively improving the village style and realizing contiguous development around ecological health, plateau characteristic agriculture, and rural tourism and residence.
At present, Yulong County (玉龙县) has divided 24 traditional villages into three concentrated and contiguous areas in the central, western, and eastern parts around Lijiang Ancient City (丽江古城). Lashi Lake (拉市海) and Stone City Village (石头城村) belong to the central and western concentrated and contiguous areas, respectively, forming a "three areas and multiple points" model driven by demonstration points to promote coordinated regional industrial development. In 2024, Yulong County (玉龙县) received 22.99 million domestic and foreign tourists, an increase of 73% over the previous year; and realized a comprehensive tourism income of 23.7 billion yuan, an increase of 62% year-on-year.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 孟 扬
Cold Dew
Cold Dew is the 17th solar term of the twenty-four solar terms and the fifth solar term of autumn. In 2025, Cold Dew begins on October 8th.
The *Shuowen Jiezi* (说文解字) explains: "Cold (寒), means freezing (冻)." Compared to White Dew, the temperature during Cold Dew is lower. During the Cold Dew season, chrysanthemums bloom, and the earth presents a scene of deep autumn.
The southward migration of wild geese is a familiar autumn scene. In both the White Dew and Cold Dew solar terms, "wild geese" are used as phenological markers, namely: the first pentad of White Dew is "wild geese arrive," and the first pentad of Cold Dew is "wild geese arrive as guests."
From White Dew to Cold Dew, the same wild geese fly from north to south in the same sky. What is the difference between "arrive (来)" and "arrive as guests (来宾)"? The single word "guest (宾)" fully expresses the wonder of the seasons and the beauty of culture.
From "arrive (来)" to "arrive as guests (来宾)," a single word difference hides the meaning of autumn. Literally, the word "arrive (来)" in "wild geese arrive (鸿雁来)" has the meaning of "first arrival" or "early arrival." The word "guest (宾)" in "arrive as guests (来宾)" resembles welcoming guests under a roof in oracle bone script, and its original meaning is "guest." The *Shuowen Jiezi* (说文解字) defines it as "guest (宾), is respected (所敬也)." However, the word "guest (宾)" here is not a general term for "guests," but has the meaning of "followers" or "latecomers." In ancient books, there is also a record that "geese that arrive first in mid-autumn are the hosts, and those that arrive later in late autumn are the guests." Connecting "arrive (来)" and "arrive as guests (来宾)," the words create a layered sense of imagery—the wild geese that migrate south first during White Dew are like the "hosts" returning home, welcoming the "guests" who arrive late during Cold Dew. This precise use of a single word difference is like a ruler, measuring the climate change from mid-autumn to late autumn. The meticulous word choice of the ancient sages is admirable.
From "arrive (来)" to "arrive as guests (来宾)," a single word reveals the ancestors' keen and subtle observation of things. Wild geese are typical winter migratory birds. During White Dew, the summer heat gradually dissipates, and the wild geese sense the coolness of autumn, so they leave their northern breeding grounds and migrate south to warmer overwintering grounds. However, the ancients discovered through careful observation that the southward migration of geese flocks occurs in batches. During White Dew, although the prelude to the southward migration begins on time, the formations of geese in the sky are still sparse. By Cold Dew, the autumn is deep and the cold is heavy, and the southward migration of geese flocks seeking warmth is even more impressive. This is consistent with modern observation records. From early to mid-September, the southward migration of migratory birds begins. From early to mid-October, it is the peak of wild goose migration. Therefore, whether it is "wild geese arrive (鸿雁来)" or "wild geese arrive as guests (鸿雁来宾)," it is a report of seasonal changes and regular timing. It uses the migration of migratory birds as an axis, marking the trajectory of autumn, capturing the rhythm of nature, and prompting the concept of living in harmony with nature in the solar term signs.
From "arrive (来)" to "arrive as guests (来宾)," a single word change demonstrates the unique wisdom of the ancestors in transforming natural phenomena into cultural symbols. Chinese civilization has always maintained reverence for nature and poetic interpretation. In the eyes of the ancients, the migration of wild geese has order and hierarchy, echoing the etiquette norms of the human world. Therefore, they endowed this natural phenomenon with social ethical attributes and expressed the ethical view of "order between host and guest" it embodies with precise words. In this connection, there is a philosophical thinking of "observing things and drawing images" in ancient times, which also provides a concrete and vivid footnote for modern people to understand traditional culture.
In autumn, when we look up at the southward migration of wild geese, what comes into view is the "natural migration" across the sky, and what is projected into our hearts is the cultural echo connecting the past and the present. "Wild geese arrive (鸿雁来)" and "wild geese arrive as guests (鸿雁来宾)," short phenological words, add a long sense of story to "the sky is high and the clouds are light," and the geese formations arranged in "one-character shape" or "human-character shape" seem to be another poetic dialogue between man and nature.
Return to TopBy: 文 馨 唐嘉跃
Frost's Descent
Frost's Descent is the eighteenth solar term in the twenty-four solar terms and the sixth solar term in autumn. In 2025, Frost's Descent begins on October 23.
The ancients believed that frost not only caused all things to hibernate and converge, but also promoted the maturity of some crops. Frost's Descent is the last solar term of autumn. After Frost's Descent, winter is approaching.
During the Frost's Descent solar term, the cold air gradually condenses, and dew turns into frost. In the mountains and fields, by streams, maple, acer, cotinus and other trees use rich yellow and deep red leaves to leave a brilliant memorial for autumn. "Stopping the car to sit and love the maple forest late, frost leaves are redder than February flowers" is the poetic spokesperson for this scene.
Why do leaves change color? Why do red leaves become "frost leaves"?
First, let's look at the "leaves." The vast majority of plant leaves contain chlorophyll, which plays an important role in photosynthesis. In addition, there are also various biological pigments such as lutein, carotenoids, and anthocyanins. Because the content and proportion of these pigments in leaf cells are different, the leaves also show different colors accordingly.
Let's look at the "weather" again. In spring and summer, the temperature is high, the sunshine is long, and the water is sufficient, which is conducive to the large-scale synthesis of chlorophyll, and chlorophyll dominates in the leaves. Chlorophyll absorbs blue light and red light, and has a strong reflection effect on green light. Therefore, the leaves we see are green. When the autumn coolness spreads over the branches and leaves, the synthesis of chlorophyll is hindered, and the proportion of the originally covered, relatively stable lutein, carotenoids, etc. rises, and the green leaves gradually turn yellow, orange, red, and other colors. During the Frost's Descent season, the temperature in northern regions drops sharply, and the chlorophyll in the leaves accelerates decomposition. In addition, at this time, the sky is clear and the light transmittance is good, which can better stimulate the color development effect of anthocyanins in the leaves of maple trees, Chinese tallow trees, and other trees, making the red leaves full of color and distinct layers, reaching the best viewing state. It can be seen that the coincidence of "frost" and "leaves" lies in the time sequence and the blessing of meteorological factors such as temperature and light.
Every leaf that "changes after frost" is a signal of seasonal change. When the world is vast and the forests are dyed, climbing autumn mountains to enjoy autumn leaves has become the standard for late autumn leisure activities. China has a vast territory and many good places to enjoy leaves. Moreover, due to the significant differences in climate between the north and the south, the concentration of autumn leaves dyed with frost also gradually changes from north to south, forming a fall foliage route that can be traveled "off-peak." Generally speaking, the northern region is the first to perceive the autumn, and the red leaf viewing period also comes the earliest. From late September to late October, the northeast region and Kanas (喀纳斯) in Xinjiang (新疆) and other places are covered with red mountains, taking the lead in opening this "visual feast." The mid-latitude regions with slightly lower latitudes have a relatively slow cooling rhythm, and the red leaf viewing gradually enters its best state from late October to mid-November. Starting in mid-November, some areas south of the Yangtze River (长江) take over and enter the best viewing period for red leaves.
Although the "autumn leaf map" has a dense number of spots, each has its own beauty. For example, the famous "Fragrant Hills Red Leaves" (香山红叶) in Beijing (北京) mainly features cotinus as the main tree species. Every late autumn, the red leaves on the hillside are reflected in the verdant pines and cypresses and ancient temple blue tiles. Climbing the mountain and looking into the distance is a spectacular sight. Benxi (本溪), Liaoning (辽宁) is known as the "Maple Leaf Capital," and its Guanmen Mountain (关门山) has a wide variety of maple trees. After Frost's Descent, the leaf colors of trident maple, five-pointed maple, and palmate maple range from fiery red to orange-yellow to deep red, as if a palette has fallen into the mountains. Passing through the forest with the stream, the scenery of "red maples reflecting the blue water" is particularly charming. In Miyaluo (米亚罗) and Jiuzhaigou (九寨沟) in Sichuan (四川), red leaves, snow-capped mountains, and seas of clouds are in the same frame, and the brilliance of autumn decorates the magnificence of the plateau. In Qixia Mountain (栖霞山) in Nanjing (南京), Tianping Mountain (天平山) in Suzhou (苏州), Yuelu Mountain (岳麓山) in Changsha (长沙)... "red romance" permeates the fall foliage trip.
In the season when all things are collected, autumn leaves decode the natural way of the four seasons' cycle in a fiery posture. Following the footsteps of the seasons and visiting that brilliance is not only a visual enjoyment, but also a purification of the soul.
Return to TopBy: 本报记者 王明峰 本报通讯员 刘金波
The morning mist had not yet completely dissipated, and the resounding sounds of gongs and drums already echoed in the cornfields of the Bashan Grand Canyon. Led by the "song leader," villagers beat gongs and drums, and a singing voice of "the fog was heavy when we came in the morning" broke through the dawn, followed by the fall of dozens of hoes. Soil flew, grass clippings scattered, and dewdrops on the corn leaves trembled with the rhythm. The inheritor of the Chuandong Tujia Weeding Gong and Drum never imagined that the ancestral field labor chants, which were on the verge of being lost, have now become a vivid cultural landscape of the Bashan Grand Canyon.
The Bashan Grand Canyon is located on the northeastern edge of Xuanhan County (宣汉县), Dazhou City (达州市), Sichuan Province (四川省), and is a huge geological "fold" on the southern slope of the Daba Mountains (大巴山). Here, the altitude rises sharply from 452 meters to 2480 meters, forming a vertical climate spectacle of "four seasons on one mountain, different weather every ten miles." Within the canyon, 55 waterfalls cascade down, 72 karst caves hide mysteries, and 99 strange peaks pierce the sky. Musk deer and roe deer shuttle through the forests, cliffside cypress and Phoebe nanmu adorn the cliffs, and more than 1,300 kinds of Chinese medicinal herbs grow in the clouds and mist.
Possessing excellent tourism resources, this place was once known as "the poorest mountain area." In 2014, Xuanhan County accurately identified 200,000 people living in poverty, still wearing the hat of "the county with the most impoverished people in Sichuan." When the Bashan Grand Canyon tourism poverty alleviation development project was listed as one of the 30 major projects in Dazhou City, locals shouted the slogan "turn the poorest mountain area into the most beautiful scenic spot," sounding the call to fight poverty and pursue green development.
In August 2018, the scenic area opened, with a planned area of 575 square kilometers, laying out "four valleys and five areas," and creating a tourism loop of "Xikou Lake (溪口湖) - Baren Valley (巴人谷) - Luopan Peak (罗盘顶) - Taoxi Valley (桃溪谷)."
In 2025, the creation of a national 5A-level tourist attraction in the Bashan Grand Canyon entered a critical stage.
"On the road to creating a 5A, we have always regarded culture as the soul. We not only enhance the 'appearance' but also cultivate the 'temperament'," said the person in charge of the Bashan Grand Canyon scenic area.
Intangible cultural heritage has gained a new stage in the Bashan Grand Canyon.
In 2025, the scenic area launched a large-scale immersive performance called "Praying for Bashan, Coexistence of All Things," a 360-degree surround stage that breaks the traditional viewing mode, with four chapters depicting the process of the Ba people using songs and dances to pray for a good harvest. Visitors can not only watch the performance but also participate in interactive activities such as spring plowing and fishing.
The Chuandong Tujia Weeding Gong and Drum is a folk music form formed by the Tujia people in the long-term process of field labor, which was selected into the first batch of national intangible cultural heritage expansion project list in 2008. With social development, the Chuandong Tujia Weeding Gong and Drum once faced the dilemma of difficulty in inheritance and continuation.
The local area deeply explored the connotation of the Chuandong Tujia Weeding Gong and Drum, and the scenic area transformed it into an interactive experience project, allowing tourists to hold hoes to learn to walk and beat drums to sing songs.
This kind of living utilization in the scenic area is a reflection of the systematic protection and promotion of the Chuandong Tujia Weeding Gong and Drum by the local area for many years. As early as 2012, Xuanhan County carried out artistic improvement on it, using the Chuandong Tujia Weeding Gong and Drum as the theme, carefully choreographed the large-scale original ecological song and dance "Happy Life Minmin Sweet (幸福生活抿抿甜)," and successfully sent it to the CCTV stage. In order to consolidate the foundation of inheritance, the local area not only holds the Chuandong Tujia Weeding Gong and Drum singing competition in the Bashan Grand Canyon every year but also organizes scholars to conduct in-depth research, forming a series of academic achievements.
New business forms are also growing in the Bashan Grand Canyon.
In the newly built Ba Culture Living Exhibition Hall, tourists put on VR glasses and instantly "fly over" the Earth's folds; the Elephant Cave (大象洞) has been digitally transformed into a "Space-Time Fantasy Journey" experience hall.
When urban tourists drink the broken bowl wine in Taoxi Valley, when the Tujia girls' money stick dance steps sweep across White Tiger Square (白虎广场), the living inheritance of Ba culture integrates into the footsteps and hearts of contemporary people.
Dusk soaks Sangshuping (桑树坪), the sound of gongs and drums chases the evening breeze, brushes past Zhu Guofu's (朱国富) "Black Bay Fish Village (黑湾鱼庄)," and finally stops on the newly built asphalt road. This road winds for 76 kilometers, connecting 102 once-impoverished villages.
Zhu Guofu, a 63-year-old villager, has witnessed this transformation. In 2019, he used demolition compensation to open a fish village. In the peak season, the patio is filled with 10 tables, and the braised pork knuckle with rock beans is in short supply. "Last year, I earned two hundred thousand yuan, which is much better than digging medicinal herbs!" There are nearly 200 farmhouses and homestays like this around the canyon, and more villagers have found ways to get rich by working in the scenic area, participating in cooperative operations, or developing characteristic planting and breeding to support tourism.
In towns such as Dukou (渡口) and Sandun (三墩), villagers have spontaneously formed folk art troupes, "working in the fields during the day and performing on stage at night." About a hundred people have joined in, realizing "cultural income" at their doorsteps.
Since its opening in 2018, the scenic area has received more than 11.92 million tourists, with a total tourism revenue exceeding 7.8 billion yuan.
Return to TopLayout Design: Zhang Danfeng (张丹峰)
Return to TopBy: 沈 旸
People may think of ornamental archways as embellishments at scenic area entrances or landmarks in ancient town streets. However, in the long scroll of Chinese culture, these stone and wood structures have long transcended physical boundaries. They are not only a unique stroke in architectural art but also a three-dimensional epic engraved with national memories.
The Distinction Between Name and Reality
The pailou (牌楼), is a traditional Chinese architectural structure that serves both practical and symbolic purposes. The architect Mr. Liu Dunzhen (刘敦桢) once said it was "one of the interesting symbols of China." The terms "pailou (牌楼)" and "paifang (牌坊)" are often used interchangeably. In northern China, people often call them "pailou (牌楼)," while in southern China, they are usually called "paifang (牌坊)."
There is some debate in academic circles about the difference between the two: one view is that the key is whether there is a roof or not. For example, Mr. Liang Sicheng (梁思成) believed that the paifang (牌坊) is simpler than the pailou (牌楼). Although it also has four pillars reaching the sky, there are only horizontal tie beams and decorative panels between the pillars, and there are no brackets or roof eaves covering the top. Another view is that the two are different stages in the evolution and development of the same architectural form. For example, Mr. Wan Younan (万幼楠) said that the advanced type of paifang (牌坊) is called pailou (牌楼).
From the perspective of basic form, pailou (牌楼) mostly have a "rushing heaven" style with pillars reaching directly to the top, or a roofed style with eaves on the pillars.
Its main components include:
Base: Often built with bluestone and carved with auspicious patterns such as entwined lotus and ruyi patterns, which are both moisture-proof and majestic;
Pillars: Mostly made of hardwood such as Phoebe nanmu (楠木) and cypress, while some stone pailou (牌楼) are made of whole pieces of granite;
Fangs (枋): These are components that connect the pillars horizontally;
Some pailou (牌楼) have eaves, and the roofs at the top are divided into hip-and-gable, gable, and other styles;
Dou Gong (斗拱): Connect the fangs (枋) and eaves, serving both load-bearing and decorative functions. The styles of Dou Gong (斗拱) vary from region to region, forming a unique visual language.
The construction locations of pailou (牌楼) are mostly at "the beginning and middle of streets, and at the intersection of several roads," or "in front of palaces, gardens, temples, mausoleums, and on both sides of bridges." Although the structural proportions and material estimates are "briefly recorded in official books," they are continued through the passing down of skills by craftsmen, forming a unique form that combines practicality and aesthetics.
Diverse Categories
The classification of pailou (牌楼) can be divided from three aspects: material, form, and function, presenting a rich diversity.
According to the material, there are mainly wood, stone, and glazed tile types:
The wooden pailou (牌楼) is represented by the Yonghe Temple (雍和宫) pailou (牌楼) in Beijing (北京). The texture is light and easy to carve and paint, showing agility. It is mostly found in gardens and temples, but it is afraid of fire and moisture and needs regular maintenance;
A typical stone pailou (牌楼) is the Tangyue Memorial Archways (棠樾牌坊群) in She County (歙县), Anhui (安徽). The seven connected pailou (牌楼) are arranged along the ancient road, with exquisite carvings, strong and durable, and still stand firm after hundreds of years of wind and rain;
The glazed pailou (牌楼) is exemplified by the Imperial College (国子监) glazed pailou (牌楼) in Beijing (北京). The glazed tiles are colorful and show grandeur. It is commonly found in royal sacrificial sites or important temples.
According to the form, pailou (牌楼) can be divided into "one-story," "three-story," "five-story," etc. according to the number of eaves; it can also be divided into "four-pillar three-bay," "six-pillar five-bay," etc. according to the number of pillars. Among them, the four-pillar three-bay is the most common form, while the six-pillar five-bay pailou (牌楼) is mostly found in royal sacrificial sites.
According to function, the types are even richer:
The first is the commendation type, such as chastity archways, merit archways, and centenarian archways, which are mostly distributed in areas with prosperous Neo-Confucian culture such as Wu-Yue, Hui, and Lingnan, and are used to commend people of loyalty, filial piety, and integrity. The chastity archway in Chun'an (淳安), Zhejiang (浙江), is used to commend women of chastity and filial piety, recording the ethical concepts of a specific historical period.
The second is the honor type, such as the pailou (牌楼) in front of palaces, government offices, Confucian temples, and mausoleums, which integrates the honor functions of Huabiao (华表) and gate towers, highlighting the level and solemnity of the place. The "Roaring Celestial Dog" stone sculpture on the top of the pillars of the Lingxing Gate (棂星门) of the Confucius Temple (孔庙) in Qufu (曲阜) shows respect for Confucius (孔子).
The third is the identification type, such as the pailou (牌楼) at the starting point of streets and the intersection of several roads, which mainly plays the role of demarcation and identification, and is more densely distributed in cities such as Beijing (北京).
A Long History
The history of pailou (牌楼) spans thousands of years, and its context shows the dynamic development of function and form.
The origin of pailou (牌楼) is still inconclusive, but we can find clues in the long river of history. There are different views in academic circles such as "fangmen (坊门) theory," "lianque (连阙) theory," and "huabiao (华表) theory."
For example, the "fangmen (坊门) theory" believes that the pailou (牌楼) evolved from the fangmen (坊门) of Chang'an City (长安城) in the Tang Dynasty (唐代). At that time, Chang'an City (长安城) had 108 fang (坊), and the fangmen (坊门) were opened and closed at regular times. A plaque was hung on the door to write the name of the fang (坊), and then Dou Gong (斗拱) and eaves were gradually added to evolve into a pailou (牌楼). But no matter what the origin is, pailou (牌楼) has a deep "blood relationship" with ancient facilities such as Hengmen (衡门), Huabiao (华表), gate towers, Wutoumen (乌头门), Lingxingmen (棂星门), and Lifangfangmen (里坊坊门). These facilities initially had the functions of demarcation and identification, and then gradually differentiated.
Looking at the historical period of "pailou (牌楼)" related buildings, the pre-Qin to Han dynasties was the budding period, with Hengmen (衡门), Huabiao (华表), and gate towers as prototypes. The structure was simple, mostly only with the original form of "pillars and horizontal fangs (枋)," with the function of identifying and dividing space. From the Wei and Jin dynasties to the Tang Dynasty (唐代), the Lifang (里坊) system matured, and the form of the fangmen (坊门) gradually took shape, deeply integrated with urban order. After the disintegration of the Lifang (里坊) system from the Song Dynasty (宋代) to the Yuan Dynasty (元代), the fangmen (坊门) gradually transformed into decorative and commemorative. The "Wutoumen (乌头门)" recorded in the "Yingzao Fashi (营造法式)" of the Song Dynasty (宋代) had pillars painted with black lacquer and decorations at the top, which was already similar to the pailou (牌楼) of later generations. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, the craftsmanship of pailou (牌楼) further developed. Not only were the styles complex, but they were also integrated with the imperial examination and clan system. "Zhuangyuan (状元) Archways" and "Jinshi (进士) Archways" were lined up in the Jiangnan area, becoming a testimony to the prosperity of literature.
Various pailou (牌楼) in their respective cultural areas, due to the influence of natural and technical conditions, have gradually formed their own unique local practices, which reflects the profound relationship between the type of pailou (牌楼) and natural geography, social economy, and regional culture.
The exquisiteness of the Wu-Yue pailou (牌楼) stems from the humid climate in Jiangnan, where wood is prone to rot. Therefore, slender wooden structures are matched with exquisite openwork carvings, which are both ventilated and moisture-proof, and integrate the artistic conception of literati poetry and painting. The thickness of the Hui-style pailou (牌楼) is due to the fact that Huizhou (徽州) is mostly mountainous and rocky. The solidity and moisture resistance of the stone archways also reflect the local clan majesty and Neo-Confucian education. The pailou (牌楼) in Jin (晋) are simple and the roofs are large. The strong economic strength of Jin merchants has given rise to their exquisite wood, tile, and stone carving skills.
Integration of Ancient and Modern
Today, pailou (牌楼), as one of the symbols of traditional culture, is being integrated into modern life in new forms. It is either the facade of historical and cultural blocks, or the finishing touch to the entrance and exit of Chinese-style buildings, or the cultural symbol in urban parks and scenic spots. The gates of many campuses or memorial places also extract the "four-pillar three-bay" form of pailou (牌楼) as the entrance design.
As a symbol of traditional Chinese architecture, pailou (牌楼) has spread all over the world with the footsteps of overseas Chinese. Historically, overseas Chinese pailou (牌楼) were mostly built by overseas Chinese in Chinatowns, such as the antique pailou (牌楼) built in Canada (加拿大) and the United States (美国) in the 20th century, becoming a distinct cultural symbol in foreign lands.
In the field of cultural and creative products, the charm of pailou (牌楼) is also constantly being explored. For example, the "Zhengyang Bridge Pailou (正阳桥牌楼) Refrigerator Magnet" in the Beijing Central Axis (北京中轴线) cultural and creative products condenses landmark buildings into a square inch, allowing ancient art to enter public life in a lighter way.
From the millennium standing in the streets and alleys to the generation-to-generation inheritance of cultural memory, pailou (牌楼) carries not only architectural skills, but also the Chinese people's understanding of space, order, and value, which requires us to fully elaborate its value and integrate it into the protection and inheritance of urban and rural cultural heritage.
(The author is the director of the Institute of Architectural History and Theory of Southeast University (东南大学). This article was compiled and edited by Yao Xueqing (姚雪青), a reporter from this newspaper.)
Return to TopBy: 刘 扬
"My Backyard, the Temple of Earth" enjoys a high reputation in the history of contemporary literature. I reread it while on a university campus. Shi Tiesheng (史铁生) evaluated the Temple of Earth: "In a densely populated city, having such a quiet place is like God's painstaking arrangement." The school was originally a historical site in northwest Beijing (北京), and reading here first became an interesting echo.
In moments of confusion, I pulled this book from the shelf. It's hard for anyone who loves words not to be captivated by Shi Tiesheng's (史铁生) microscopic observations. In his writing, "Bees steadily hover in mid-air like a small mist; ants shake their heads and stroke their antennae, suddenly figuring something out, and turn to hurry away"; "Dew rolls on the blades of grass, gathers, bends the blades, and crashes to the ground, scattering ten thousand rays of golden light." These quiet details can only come from long observation, becoming serenely divine and quietly meditative.
At this moment, I understood that I should go to the Temple of Earth to see what its charm is.
It was a golden autumn day. Ginkgo leaves fluttered down. Passing through two pailou gates, double walls and high and low steps clustered around a square altar, surrounded by solemn cypresses. Walking around the open space surrounding the altar, it's hard not to wonder what the author thought of life when he wheeled his wheelchair through here. After "My Backyard, the Temple of Earth" became famous, groups of people flocked here, trying to find traces of the book.
Finding a quiet place to sit down, the Temple of Earth is like an open book. The couple walking side by side are going out for a stroll; the Chinese pistache flowers picked up by the beautiful little girl should be scattered on the west side of the Zhai Palace (斋宫); the man playing the saxophone in front of me reminds me of the young man in the book who loved to sing. Of course, no one will forget that a mother often searched for her son on these roads.
Sitting here, people will slowly calm down and then understand why it must be the Temple of Earth. Facing a piece of land that has experienced vicissitudes for more than 400 years, the individual's fortune and misfortune are like tiny wrinkles, pulled open and flattened, allowing for inspection. "But the sun, it is always sunset and always sunrise. When it goes down the mountain, extinguishing and collecting the desolate afterglow, it is burning on the other side, climbing to the top of the mountain and spreading a blazing morning glow." Here, Shi Tiesheng (史铁生) saw the continuous power of life.
At the Temple of Earth, we can put down this book and also put down our thoughts, and look and listen again. The warm sun shines brightly on the bumps on the ground. On the walkway, young people are running enthusiastically, a group of uncles and aunts are dancing gracefully in the pavilion with an accordion, the tireless saxophone floats out a cheerful "Horse Racing," and children are climbing up and down the steps of the square altar. What returns to reality with the swing of the clock hands is simple life. The ancient trees and ancient buildings gather a sky as clear as jade. Putting away the book, we can go back.
A pool of water flowing from Kunming Lake (昆明湖) gurgles through the entire ancient capital, and every building has a blood connection. After coming to the Temple of Earth, we will understand that every place that can make you fall in love with life again is your own Temple of Earth, and no matter what has happened, tomorrow is a brand new beginning.
Return to TopBy: 夏羽菡
How to distinguish between coarse grains and refined grains?
Generally speaking, finely processed refined rice and white flour belong to refined grains, while those with simpler processing and more retained components belong to coarse grains.
Coarse grains generally include whole grains, beans, and tubers. Whole grains mainly include brown rice, black rice, oats, buckwheat, barley, corn, millet, quinoa, highland barley, sorghum rice, and Job's tears. Beans include red beans, mung beans, black beans, kidney beans, chickpeas, peas, and broad beans. Common tubers include potatoes, sweet potatoes, taro, and yams.
Coarse grains are rich in dietary fiber and have a strong sense of satiety, which helps maintain a healthy weight, but the principle is much more than just "fullness." Most coarse grains are low-glycemic index foods, and the human body digests and absorbs them slowly, which does not cause a spike in postprandial blood sugar and a large secretion of insulin. Compared with high-glycemic index refined grains, coarse grains help maintain stable blood sugar, reduce the possibility of excess sugar in the body being converted into fat, and avoid strong hunger caused by a sudden drop in blood sugar.
In addition, coarse grains retain more B vitamins, minerals (such as magnesium and zinc), and antioxidants, which are indispensable "catalysts" in energy metabolism and fat burning, helping the body maintain efficient and healthy operation during weight loss.
Given this, can coarse grains completely replace refined grains?
The fact is not so, and extreme diets have potential risks. Eating only coarse grains for a long time may bring some problems, such as excessive digestive burden and lack of trace elements.
How should coarse grains be eaten scientifically? The following methods are recommended:
1. Gradual substitution method: When cooking rice, do not use all white rice, try adding brown rice, millet, quinoa, or oats. In the initial stage, you can mix coarse and refined grains at a ratio of 1:10. After the stomach adapts, gradually transition to 1:3, 1:2, or 1:1. If making pasta, you can choose to use whole wheat flour mixed with ordinary flour.
2. Varied combination incorporation method: Diversify the staple food. You can add various beans and tubers when cooking rice or porridge, and try not to add sugar or add less sugar.
3. Rational distribution of three meals method: Mix and eat a variety of coarse grains, and divide them into three meals a day. For example: a bowl of oatmeal milk porridge or a whole wheat bun for breakfast; white rice for lunch, with the portion controlled to "eight minutes full"; a small bowl of mixed grain rice or steamed tubers for dinner; and an appropriate amount of vegetables and high-quality protein with each meal.
4. Appropriate amount for suitable people: "Dietary Guidelines for Chinese Residents (2022)" suggests that adults should consume 200 to 300 grams of grains per day, of which whole grains and beans should be 50 to 150 grams, and tubers 50 to 100 grams.
It should be noted that there are several types of people who are not suitable for eating more coarse grains: those with weak digestive function (such as patients with gastric ulcers and gastritis, etc.), too much coarse grain fiber may stimulate the gastric mucosa, and there is a risk of aggravating pain and discomfort; people in the post-operative recovery period, the intestines need to reduce the burden, because too much coarse grain fiber may cause abdominal distension and abdominal pain; patients with iron deficiency anemia, need to pay attention to the phytic acid in coarse grains may have a certain impact on the absorption of iron and other minerals; people with renal insufficiency, need to control the intake of beans and other coarse grains (because of their high protein content) to avoid increasing the metabolic burden on the kidneys.
It is worth noting that coarse grains and refined grains each have their own nutritional characteristics as staple foods, and attention should be paid to scientific matching and balanced intake in daily diet. At the same time, the combination of coarse and refined staple foods is only part of the healthy diet pyramid. To achieve true health and weight management, it is also necessary to ensure sufficient vegetables, fruits, and high-quality protein, and use light cooking methods, with less oil, less salt, and less sugar.
(The author is the Deputy Director of the Nutrition Department of the General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University (宁夏医科大学总医院), interviewed and compiled by Jiao Siyu (焦思雨), a reporter from this newspaper)
Return to TopBy: 贾丙申
Many people have this question: If you want to lose weight, how should you eat after exercise? If your goal is to gain muscle, will not eating after exercise affect muscle gain?
Exercise can certainly promote metabolism and burn calories, but it also consumes a lot of nutrients. If you don't eat properly after exercise, it may also lead to a significant discount on the effect of exercise.
So, if you want to maintain health, how should you eat after exercise?
When to eat? The period from 30 minutes to 1 hour after exercise is a more appropriate eating time.
This is because, within 30 minutes after exercise, there is less blood flow in the stomach and intestines, and the digestive and absorption capacity is weak. From 30 minutes to 1 hour after exercise, the skeletal muscle cells in the body will "open channels" for nutrients such as carbohydrates and amino acids. At this time, if the nutritional supplement is timely and appropriate, the muscle repair and growth rate is relatively ideal. If you exercise in the evening, it is recommended to calculate the sleep time and avoid overeating within 4 hours before going to bed, which will not only affect the quality of sleep, but also affect the effect of exercise.
What to eat? Choosing the right nutrition is key.
Glycogen, fat, and protein, these nutrients can all provide energy, but the proportion of consumption will vary depending on the type of exercise. In high-intensity, short-duration exercises such as short-distance running and weightlifting, glycogen is the main source of energy. In medium-to-low intensity, long-duration exercises such as jogging, swimming, and mountain climbing, the proportion of fat supply will be higher. Protein will participate in energy supply in small amounts when glycogen is insufficient and during prolonged exercise. Therefore, the diet after exercise should also be emphasized.
According to the *Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition*, it is more appropriate to consume 0.8 grams to 1.2 grams of carbohydrates and 0.2 grams to 0.4 grams of protein per 1 kilogram of body weight. Since most carbohydrates are the "raw materials" for synthesizing glycogen, in response to the consumption of glycogen during exercise, you should eat foods rich in carbohydrates, such as buckwheat bread, bananas, and oatmeal, which can quickly replenish energy. For the consumption of fat during exercise, although many people work hard to exercise in order to lose fat, for the sake of maintaining the body's immune system, it is best not to completely avoid fat intake, and you can eat some nuts and avocados appropriately after exercise. Appropriately supplementing foods rich in high-quality protein such as egg whites and lean meat after exercise can promote muscle recovery and improve physical function. For people with scientific weight loss needs and fitness enthusiasts who want to gain muscle, a reasonable diet plan should be designed under the guidance of qualified professionals.
How to drink? Fluid supplementation cannot be ignored.
During exercise, the human body also loses water and electrolytes. For ordinary sports enthusiasts, ordinary mineral water or boiled water is sufficient. If you sweat a lot, you can supplement with light salt water or coconut water. But no matter what you drink, you should pay attention to small amounts and multiple times, and the temperature should be appropriate. Don't suddenly have a "water satiety" or indulge in cold drinks, which can lead to physical dysfunction.
(The author is the director of the Department of Joint Surgery of the First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University (海南医科大学附属第一医院), and this newspaper reporter Dong Zeyang (董泽扬) compiled the interview)
Return to TopLayout Design: Zhang Danfeng (张丹峰)
Return to TopPromoting high-quality development requires culture as an important support; meeting the people's ever-growing needs for a better life requires culture as a key element.
During the "14th Five-Year Plan" period, cultural creativity has surged, and cultural services have been iteratively upgraded. From literary chapters typed on keyboards to the artistic brilliance blooming on stages, from accessible public cultural facilities to new forms of art and culture in the digital space, the power of culture has been unprecedentedly demonstrated, and the cultural sense of gain and happiness is powerfully defining our better life today.
-- Editor
Return to TopBy: 王震敏
I am from Jiujiang (九江), Jiangxi (江西) and mainly engaged in tea culture promotion, but I also have a cherished identity – a night school student. In the past 3 years, I have taken tea art, flower arrangement, guzheng, and vocal music classes at the Lianxi District (濂溪区) Workers' Cultural Palace (工人文化宫) night school in Jiujiang (九江). Whenever there is a class, I set the alarm in advance, decline other gatherings, and show up in class without fail.
Choosing to attend night school is mainly out of interest and hobbies. Life is the same day after day, busy, you always have to find some fun! Like what I learned in the flower arrangement class, the color and posture of the flowers must be coordinated to look good and have charm. Life must also have different colors, and the combination of movement and stillness, busyness and leisure must also be coordinated to be interesting.
Among the courses in our night school, the most popular is the vocal music class taught by Teacher Dong Fushun (董福顺). Teacher Dong (董老师) is an "internet celebrity" teacher who often posts interesting video clips of his classes online. He has many fans, and the classes are hard to get into. He lectures in a simple and easy-to-understand way, and is humorous and clear when talking about how to use your breath, how to pronounce, and some music theory knowledge. The class format is also very distinctive. At the beginning of the class, Teacher Dong (董老师) will lead everyone to do some physical movements to coordinate with the pronunciation. After a burst of laughter and excitement, everyone will find that the effect of singing according to the methods taught by the teacher is really different.
I usually like to sing. Since taking vocal music lessons, my pronunciation, articulation, and sight-reading have improved compared to before, and I am more confident when performing on stage. Last year, the Lianxi District (濂溪区) Women's Federation (妇联) organized an exchange, and a few of my sisters and I went up together to sing a small chorus, and everyone was very happy. These friends all signed up for night school classes at my urging. People are often afraid that they are tone-deaf and dare not sign up, so I pull them along: you go to learn because you don't know how! One friend was originally very shy, but unexpectedly, at a recent class reunion, she sang for everyone on the spot, which surprised the old classmates. She happily shared this with me, and that kind of breakthrough and change is the feedback that classes give us.
Vocal music class is every Sunday. In the past, after a week of work, I would feel particularly tired and just want to lie down and scroll through my phone when I got home. But now, taking night school classes is like having a "spiritual massage." I am fully charged on Sunday night, and I can start a new week of work with full energy the next day, and I am more patient when communicating with colleagues than before. My child also studies music. Sometimes when I want to chat with my child, I deliberately use the music theory knowledge I have learned and the songs I have learned to sing as a stepping stone. After the communication is smooth, I will talk about life and work issues. It's great to have a common topic!
There are people of all ages in night school, and everyone has different needs. Retired people want to enrich their retirement life, cultivate their minds, and make friends with common interests. Young people, mainly to relieve stress, and it is never too much to have skills, and it can also enhance personal charm. Once in class, I was sitting next to a girl in her 20s who was a designer. She said that she faces the computer every day and may not say two words from morning to night. Coming to the vocal music classroom, accompanied by the melodious piano music, singing confidently, swaying easily, refreshed and radiant.
Night school life makes us more confident and more radiant. At the same time, it also inspired my work. Teacher Dong (董老师) launched the "Micro-light enters the community, spreading positive energy" activity, going to a community every week to tutor the elderly who have difficulty walking and cannot attend university for the elderly, which is both practical and warm. I am also preparing to learn from Teacher Dong (董老师) and bring tea artists into the community to better inherit tea culture in a more down-to-earth way.
(The author is a night school student at the Lianxi District (濂溪区) Workers' Cultural Palace (工人文化宫) in Jiujiang (九江), Jiangxi (江西))
Return to TopBy: 陈丽君
Over the past 10 months, "My Grand View Garden" has been repeatedly polished and revised, touring more than 10 cities, performing over 50 shows, accumulating a box office revenue of over 70 million yuan, and attracting approximately 90,000 audience members to the theater.
I never imagined such achievements; these achievements have also made my dream come true in an incredible way. And I know that the reason why the "dream" can "come true" is not only because of the hard work of all the cast and crew behind the scenes, but also because of the increasingly strong opera cultural atmosphere in the whole society in recent years.
Thinking back more than 10 years ago, when I first went to Hangzhou (杭州) to study, I entered the practice room before dawn every day and returned to the dormitory bathed in moonlight. Sweat dripped on the carpet, and I felt sore from head to toe. This is the daily life of an opera student, and it is also the "incomprehension" in the eyes of most people. People would always ask: What is the future for studying opera? Are there still people watching opera now? Can opera singers support themselves?
These doubts have not been resolved with the passage of time. After graduation, out of more than 30 students in the class, only a very few stayed to become opera actors. The classmates gradually thrived in other industries, while the path of opera required more time and patience.
From playing minor roles to small roles to major roles, in those years, I followed the troupe to many places. I know that Yue Opera (越剧) does not lack audiences. Many uncles and aunts supported gray-haired grandfathers and grandmothers into the theater; there were also enthusiastic opera fans who followed us on tour from all over the country. I know that this art is still full of charm, and its elegant and melodious tunes carry many stories, comforting people's hearts. But I always felt unsatisfied, as if there was less vitality in the theater.
At that time, I often saw bloggers wearing Hanfu (汉服) on social media, as well as ancient-style music, Guochao (国潮) handmade items, and other content. I found that traditional culture was receiving more and more attention from young people. So I also started recording my daily practice and performances, learning to attract everyone to pay attention to Yue Opera through music, copywriting, and editing. Fortunately, through a few short videos with hundreds of thousands or even millions of likes, I accumulated my first batch of followers.
At the same time, I also actively went to the theater to watch other stage art forms. I have witnessed the high enthusiasm of the audience for popular dance dramas in the grand theater; I have also heard the long-lasting applause of the audience for dramas in small theaters. I always wondered, when will these audiences also come to our Yue Opera theater?
As the wave of traditional culture surged, the issues I cared about attracted more and more attention; more importantly, the social atmosphere that values traditional culture made these dreams possible.
In 2022, Zhejiang Television (浙江卫视) launched "The Voice of China: Yue Opera Special Season" (《中国好声音·越剧特别季》), which reactivated the Yue Opera audience in the Jiangsu (江苏) and Zhejiang (浙江) regions; in 2023, the Yue Opera "New Dragon Inn" (《新龙门客栈》), with its refreshing performance style and costume design, became popular, and more young people paid attention to Yue Opera; "My Grand View Garden" (《我的大观园》), which has been touring since 2024, has allowed me to see more and more audiences entering the theater specifically for Yue Opera. I believe that this is not only due to the continuous attempts of opera performers to uphold tradition and innovate, but also to the increasingly strong cultural confidence and the increasingly inclusive cultural atmosphere, which have given our traditional arts more possibilities for innovation.
(The author is a young Yue Opera actor)
Return to TopThe wheat has ripened at "Only Henan·Drama Land" (只有河南·戏剧幻城). From its opening on June 6, 2021, to the end of June 2025, "Only Henan·Drama Land" (只有河南·戏剧幻城) has seen over 50 million theatergoers, with over 80% of visitors coming from outside Henan Province (河南省). It has hosted nearly 80,000 performances and has become a "new landmark" (新地标) for cultural tourism in Henan (河南).
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Return to TopBy: 乐 力
As a new cultural format in the digital age, micro-dramas are developing from a period of rapid, unregulated growth towards large-scale, high-quality, and ecologically sound development. They not only meet the demand for fragmented viewing but also subtly enhance the cultural gains of the general user base.
The "2025 Micro-Drama Phased Development Report" shows that various platforms launched more than 30,000 micro-dramas last year, covering various age groups in terms of subject matter and type. As of June 2025, the scale of micro-drama users in China reached 696 million, accounting for nearly 70% of the total number of internet users. With the continuous explosion of content, the industry is also facing transformation challenges. What kind of micro-dramas are popular? The secret is to trigger a triple resonance of emotion, culture, and narrative among the audience.
Emotion is about seeing oneself, satisfying empathy and a sense of immersion. This is a traditional strength of micro-dramas. Users see shadows of their own lives in them—workplace challenges, emotional ups and downs, family relationships, and changes of the times—and gain comfort through dramatization. "Inside and Outside the Home" focuses on reconstituted families in the 1980s, subtly embedding patriotic sentiments into the texture of life through details such as "maternal love in egg noodles" and "the women's volleyball team winning the championship on the radio." "Tides," which achieved 300 million views in its first week, is ostensibly a story of entrepreneurial success, but its core solidly restores the commercial landscape and spirit of the times after the reform and opening up, allowing young users to feel the struggle and integrity of a generation of entrepreneurs while watching the drama. High-frequency words in the comment section are not only "good-looking" and "addictive," but also deeper recognitions such as "learned something" and "salute to the strivers."
Culture is about opening up a new world, providing new knowledge and enlightenment. A short drama can be a window, allowing users to see cultures, occupations, histories, or lives they have never understood. The recently popular "Nuoxi" takes the cultural inheritance crisis of remote villages in Qiandongnan (黔东南) Prefecture, Guizhou (贵州) as its dramatic tension. The suspenseful plot integrates elements such as Nuoxi mask making, singing design, and ritual processes, allowing the thousand-year-old intangible cultural heritage to enter the public's view in a more story-like way. After the drama was launched, popular science content on the history, customs, and mask meanings of Nuoxi surged on social platforms such as Douyin (抖音). The innovative expression of "micro-drama + traditional culture" is also our active exploration of the creative transformation and innovative development of outstanding Chinese traditional culture.
Narrative is the underlying ability to organically integrate the previous two. When users are touched by the tension of the picture, the rendering of the music, or the details of the metaphor, the value of the work transcends short-term entertainment and sublimates into a sustainable spiritual gain. Massive user feedback proves that creators need to focus on three dimensions: first, respect originality and avoid the abuse or "magic modification" of cultural elements; second, tell good stories, naturally embedding cultural details into plot conflicts and character growth, and not rigidly letting the protagonist make a ceramic or sing a piece of opera to complete the task; and third, adopt a contemporary perspective and young language to lower the threshold for cultural appreciation.
In the future, micro-dramas should not only be a cultural pastime for the audience after dinner, but also become a vivid carrier for transmitting positive social energy, inheriting outstanding Chinese traditional culture, and reflecting the pulse of the times. It can use a few minutes to tell the struggle and warmth of ordinary people, popularize legal knowledge and spread scientific ideas in a lightweight form, and trigger the audience's resonance and recognition with plots close to life. When the industry gathers consensus and works together to cultivate deeply, micro-dramas will contribute to enriching the spiritual life of the people and enhancing cultural gains with a unique cultural experience, becoming a vibrant landscape in the digital cultural industry.
(The author is the editor-in-chief of Hongguo Short Drama (红果短剧).)
Return to TopBy: 杨汉亮
More than a decade ago, I probably wouldn't have imagined that the stories I wrote while hunched over in a construction site prefab could one day be seen by readers on the other side of the world.
I once received a message from a reader in Paris, France, who said, "I read *Library of Heaven's Path* every day on the subway and have even started learning Chinese because of it." This sentence stunned me for a long time, and I couldn't help but think of the summer of 2009, which I spent on a project construction site in Qinghai (青海).
At that time, I was a supervising engineer for China Petroleum Pipeline Bureau (中国石油管道局). The construction site was in the wilderness, and we lived in temporary prefabricated steel houses. At night, after my colleagues rested, I would put my laptop on that rickety wooden table and start writing my first fantasy story.
The section chief sometimes saw me facing the computer and would jokingly say, "Typing every day, what can you type out? Don't always think about those unrealistic things." But I still persisted. Actually, I didn't think too far ahead, I just liked it, and I had stories in my heart that I wanted to tell. At that time, I had very few readers, almost all of them were domestic netizens. My biggest wish was to be able to support myself by writing and find my own path.
In June 2017, my work *Library of Heaven's Path* was selected by the platform and launched in English. Unexpectedly, on the first day, I received comments from overseas readers. Although it was broken Chinese translated through translation software, that enthusiasm penetrated the screen and made me so excited that I couldn't sleep in the middle of the night. Later, this novel received more and more attention overseas. I successively saw messages from readers in different countries: Alex from the United States said that he understood the weight of "A teacher is one who imparts the truth, teaches the profession, and resolves doubts" through the story; Lina from Singapore specifically signed up for a Chinese class because of the tea ceremony descriptions in the book. These feedbacks made me feel a wonderful connection, a resonance that crossed mountains and seas.
I slowly realized that a story rooted in our own culture, as long as it is told well, can also move people far away. The core of growth and ordinary people realizing their value through hard work is universal. The rapidly changing changes in China (中国) and the figures of ordinary people struggling on this land provide the richest material for creation.
In recent years, I have had a stable income due to the overseas dissemination of my works, and my life has quietly changed. I moved from Delingha (德令哈) in Qinghai (青海) to Xining (西宁). What makes me even more gratified is that more and more overseas readers are no longer just reading stories, but are deeply interested in the Chinese culture behind the stories.
Looking back on this journey, my personal growth is actually a small microcosm of the development of Chinese online literature. Our stories can go further, behind which is China's (中国) development and the improvement of its global influence. Now, when I meet young authors who are just starting out, I often say to them: "Write seriously, and the stories you write may be spread to some corner of the world tomorrow."
I still maintain my original writing habits: conceiving ideas in a down-to-earth manner and treating every plot carefully. When I write, I think about whether this story is true and credible? Can it convey some positive energy? Can it allow the charm of outstanding Chinese traditional culture to be seen by more people?
From the construction site prefab of that year to communicating with global readers through words today, this is a real sense of cultural gain for me. This sense of gain comes not only from personal persistence, but also from the broad stage given to ordinary people by the era.
(Author: Online literature writer Heng Sao Tian Ya (横扫天涯))
Return to TopBy: 何 川
From a young age, my eyesight was severely impaired, and the world appeared to me as an irregular mess. Those adjectives describing the beauty before my eyes were often difficult for me to grasp. For the first 30 years of my life, there were three places I almost never set foot in: libraries, cinemas, and museums. But in recent years, they have become places I frequent.
In 2011, the new building of the China Braille Library (中国盲文图书馆) was completed, and I became a librarian. In the past five years, I have noticed significant changes in libraries: the Shanghai Library East Hall (上海图书馆东馆) has a dedicated accessible reading room; the Liaoning Provincial Library (辽宁省图书馆) has installed digital tactile paving; the Hubei Provincial Library (湖北省图书馆) has a dedicated Braille printing system; and the accessible movie theater in the Xiamen City Library (厦门市图书馆) has seats as comfortable as those in first class. Blind friends can freely read in libraries, enjoy movies, listen to lectures, and participate in a variety of cultural activities. At work, I have become close partners with librarians from public libraries across the country. We look out for each other and share resources to better serve visually impaired readers.
Over the past five years, China has basically established a visually impaired service cooperation network led by the China Braille Library (中国盲文图书馆) and supported by visually impaired reading rooms in public libraries at the provincial, municipal, and county levels. There are a total of 1,659 Braille reading rooms, and the variety of Braille books is constantly increasing, with audio and video resources being vast. Nearly 190,000 smart audiobook players have been equipped in libraries across the country, with a cumulative online interaction of 35.83 million hours. Behind these numbers is the daily accumulation of reading by many visually impaired people like me, and our repeated attempts to see the world clearly.
It may be hard to believe that visually impaired people can also "watch" movies, but this is our real cultural life. More than a decade ago, the China Braille Library (中国盲文图书馆) established the "Audio Description Cinema," and has been committed to narrating a movie for visually impaired readers every week for many years. Accessible movies have become the best tool for cultural assistance to the blind, and volunteers from all over the country are participating in public welfare projects to narrate movies for the blind. A few days ago, I went on a business trip to Mianyang (绵阳), Sichuan (四川), during which I "watched" an accessible movie, *Chang'an's Lychee*. The professional narration by the host of Mianyang Radio (绵阳广播电台) immersed all the blind viewers in the movie's plot, eliciting exclamations from time to time. After the movie ended, everyone was reluctant to leave their seats for a long time. To allow more visually impaired people to "watch" movies without leaving their homes, some internet platforms have also established "Accessible Theaters," and there are currently more than 2,000 movies and TV dramas available for blind friends to enjoy.
On September 1, 2023, the *Law of the People's Republic of China on Building an Accessible Environment* (中华人民共和国无障碍环境建设法) officially came into effect. This is China's special law on building an accessible environment, and some museums have also begun to provide accessible services for special groups. Previously, I had visited the Palace Museum (故宫) many times, walking from south to north, without leaving a particularly deep impression. Hearing that the Palace Museum (故宫) was selected as a museum accessibility practice case, I was very curious and entered the Palace Museum (故宫) again this May. From the moment I entered the Meridian Gate (午门), the guide provided detailed explanations of the historical events that had taken place at this location. The Hall of Supreme Harmony (太和殿), the Hall of Central Harmony (中和殿), and the Hall of Preserving Harmony (保和殿) felt like a journey through time. The most distinctive feature was the cultural and creative integration hall. The Palace Museum's (故宫) Dougong models, glazed ridge beasts, and Chiwen could all be touched by hand under the guidance of the staff. It turned out that history had never gone far, but was folded into the gaps between the bricks and tiles by time.
How do we "see" the world? Books, movies, and museums are unfolding the world in a unique way in our ears and on our fingertips. In this rapidly changing era, our needs have not been ignored, so we can proudly say that we have not fallen behind. The cultural rights of visually impaired people are truly felt, tangibly touched, and clearly heard.
(The author is the Deputy Director of the China Braille Library (中国盲文图书馆))
Return to TopBy: 张劲羽
After coming to Nanjing (南京) in Jiangsu (江苏) to attend university, I gradually developed the habit of going to the theater to watch live performances. Thanks to student public welfare tickets, benefit-the-people welfare tickets, and other policies, I, like many other student theater enthusiasts, can frequently watch plays at a lower cost. Contrary to the impression of "burning money," theater is not a high-end niche art, but can be a part of ordinary people's daily life. With tickets costing only 100 yuan, 80 yuan, or even free, we can easily cross the threshold between reality and illusion and enter the colorful world of theater.
Especially in recent years, the prosperous performance market has provided theater enthusiasts with an incredibly rich selection. Many classic plays have been touring for more than 10 years and are still popular, new works from various troupes are springing up like mushrooms after rain, and the number of excellent works introduced from overseas is even more numerous. Theaters, as important cultural landmarks of the city, stage a dazzling array of good works in turn through carefully planned theater festivals and performance seasons.
Because the transportation network in the Yangtze River Delta region (江浙沪地区) is well-developed, and commuting between cities is very convenient, my theater-going footprints are not only limited to Nanjing (南京), but extend to Shanghai (上海), Hangzhou (杭州), Suzhou (苏州), Yangzhou (扬州), Nantong (南通) and other cities. I have many theater friends who, for the sake of their favorite plays, do not hesitate to cross more than half of China to follow the tour and unlock one new theater after another.
As of now, I have watched a total of 161 plays during my undergraduate and first year of graduate studies, and have written more than 140,000 words of play reviews and theater notes. For me, theater is not only a life adjustment after tea and dinner, but also an important way to cultivate aesthetic perception and train logical thinking. Compared to my major—literature—I feel a stronger sense of synchronicity and interactivity in the theater.
In a theater class, the teacher once said that an excellent play must be related to "people." In my own theater experience, the significance of theater lies not only in its content's expression of humanistic spirit, but also in the "human" connections that naturally grow outside the story. From the audience to the stage, the theater is undoubtedly a huge field jointly composed of all participants. The "truth" on the stage is not flawless, but extremely fragile, but it is precisely on top of the curtain, props, lights, and performances that the souls of all people resonate with those shining languages, music, and dances. "Truth" grows in the flesh and blood and emotions on the stage, ends with a tear, and finally returns to you under the stage.
Perhaps, at the moment when the curtain opens and the lights dim, the "magic" belonging to the stage begins to take effect, and all the travel fatigue disappears, leaving only a heart full of anticipation. Every night with eyes fixed on the stage, the audience unanimously throws off the shackles of social identity, entrusts their body and mind to artistic pleasure, and completes a drift that travels through ancient and modern times and surrounds the universe. I believe that few people feel lonely in the theater, and there will be no more clean and single-minded occasions to make you feel like you are in the midst of all things.
Looking back now, I have benefited a lot from theater. It made me pick up writing again, made me accustomed to gazing and thinking, and made me often immersed in unspeakable shock and emotion. The theater, to me and to all the audiences who love it here, is a beautiful Shangri-La (桃花源). It continuously flows out clear and pure joy, allowing us to see and deeply believe that beyond the ordinariness of daily life, there is a wider world of beauty.
(The author is a student at the School of Liberal Arts, Nanjing University (南京大学))
Return to TopThis edition's email: wenyipl@peopledaily.cn
Layout design: Chen Xiaojin (陈晓劲) (People's Daily Media Technology Company (人民日报媒体技术公司))
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