People's Daily - December 27, 2025

Perseveringly Implement the Eight-Point Regulation Spirit of the Central Committee, and Unite Hearts and Minds with Excellent Conduct to Truly Grasp and Solidly Work.

The year 2025 was an extraordinary year. Faced with the severe challenges brought about by the domestic and international situation, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping (习近平) at its core united and led the entire Party and the people of all ethnic groups across the country to overcome difficulties and work hard, and the main goals of economic and social development will be successfully completed, and the "14th Five-Year Plan" is about to come to a successful conclusion. China's economy has moved forward against pressure and developed towards new and better directions, new steps have been taken in reform and opening up, people's livelihood has been more effectively guaranteed, and the overall social situation has remained stable. These achievements have not come easily.

The new major achievements made in the cause of the Party and the country are fundamentally due to the leadership and direction of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping (习近平) at its core, and to the scientific guidance of Xi Jinping (习近平) Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. The entire Party must deeply understand the decisive significance of the "Two Establishments," strengthen the "Four Consciousnesses," strengthen the "Four Confidences," and achieve the "Two Safeguards." Next year is the first year of the "15th Five-Year Plan." It is necessary to resolutely implement the decisions and deployments of the Party Central Committee, fully, accurately, and comprehensively implement the new development concept, accelerate the construction of a new development pattern, focus on promoting high-quality development, further comprehensively deepen reform and opening up, better coordinate development and security, promote effective qualitative improvement and reasonable quantitative growth of the economy, continuously improve people's livelihood, maintain social harmony and stability, promote comprehensive and strict Party governance in depth, and strive to achieve a good start.

Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, we have started with the Political Bureau of the Central Committee and with the implementation of the spirit of the eight-point decision of the Central Committee, focusing on correcting the **四风** (sì fēng - "four winds/undesirable work styles," formalism, bureaucracy, hedonism, and extravagance), and achieved remarkable results. This year, we have carried out in-depth study and education on thoroughly implementing the spirit of the eight-point decision of the Central Committee throughout the Party, earnestly addressed prominent problems, and promoted new and significant results in the construction of work styles. We must adhere to the eight-point decision of the Central Committee as iron rules and rigid constraints, unremittingly rectify the stubborn diseases of the "four winds," and continuously promote the normalization and long-term effectiveness of work style construction. The comrades of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee should serve as role models for Party spirit and work style, and take the lead and set an example for the entire Party in being faithful, pragmatic, responsible, and self-disciplined.

Firmly believing in Marxism and firmly establishing ideals and convictions are the foundation for Communists. Leading cadres should connect the Party's historical mission with their own responsibilities, deepen theoretical study, strengthen self-reflection, and be firm Marxists. We must devote ourselves wholeheartedly to the great cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics, concentrate our thoughts and energy on realizing, safeguarding, and developing the fundamental interests of the broadest masses of the people, and create achievements worthy of the times. We must improve our political capabilities, resolutely implement the Party's basic theories, basic lines, and basic strategies, accurately grasp the political stance, political principles, and political direction, and always maintain a high degree of consistency with the Party Central Committee.

Communists are materialists, and pragmatism is an essential quality. We must seek truth from facts, be pragmatic and realistic, and work hard. Leading cadres should go deep into the grassroots and listen to different voices to have a clear understanding of the real situation. We must put effort into learning and research, strengthen the analysis of situations, see through phenomena to understand the essence and grasp the laws. We must take the lead in opposing formalism and create a strong atmosphere of emphasizing practical work and seeking practical results.

Leading cadres must dare to take responsibility, hold their positions, seek their own policies, fulfill their responsibilities, and take the initiative to shoulder heavy and difficult tasks within the scope of their duties. We must face up to difficulties, contradictions, risks, and hidden dangers, meet difficulties head-on, and overcome difficulties. We must adhere to Party principles, be clear about right and wrong, dare to struggle, and take a clear-cut stand on major issues and matters of principle.

Leading cadres, especially senior cadres, must be clear-headed, strictly self-disciplined, always maintain their true colors, abide by their duties, be cautious and prudent, and be humble and careful. We must strictly implement the system of democratic centralism, strictly implement the spirit of the eight-point decision of the Central Committee and its implementation rules, strictly abide by the rules of deliberation and decision-making, and consciously handle affairs in accordance with systems and regulations. We must cherish virtue and self-respect, maintain integrity and self-cleanliness, oppose privilege thinking and privilege behavior, manage the people and affairs around us, and truly achieve integrity and honesty.

Xinhua News Agency, Beijing (北京), December 26th. The Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee (中共中央政治局) held a democratic life meeting from December 25th to 26th to deeply study and implement Xi Jinping (习近平) Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, fully implement the spirit of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, focus on unremittingly implementing the spirit of the eight-point decision of the Central Committee, promote the normalization and long-term effectiveness of work style construction, and conduct self-examination and Party spirit analysis in light of ideological and work realities, and carry out criticism and self-criticism.

Xi Jinping (习近平), General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee (中共中央), presided over the meeting and delivered an important speech.

Before the meeting, relevant parties made careful preparations. Comrades of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee held heart-to-heart talks with relevant responsible comrades, listened to opinions and suggestions, and wrote outlines for speeches. At the meeting, they first listened to a report on the implementation of the eight-point decision of the Central Committee by the Political Bureau of the Central Committee in 2025 and a report on the work of rectifying formalism to reduce the burden on the grassroots in 2025. The comrades of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee made speeches one by one, focusing on the theme of the meeting, in accordance with the "Several Provisions of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee on Strengthening and Safeguarding the Centralized and Unified Leadership of the Party Central Committee" and the "Implementation Rules of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee for Implementing the Eight-Point Decision of the Central Committee," earnestly examined and deeply analyzed themselves, treated each other frankly, spoke freely, and the atmosphere was serious and lively, achieving the expected results.

The speeches of the comrades of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee focused on five key points. The first is to take the lead in strengthening political loyalty and improving political capabilities; the second is to take the lead in consolidating the foundation and cultivating the vitality and enhancing Party spirit; the third is to take the lead in respecting the people, respecting the organization, and respecting laws and disciplines; the fourth is to take the lead in starting businesses and taking responsibility; and the fifth is to take the lead in resolutely shouldering the responsibility of governing the Party strictly.

The meeting emphasized that 2025 was a very extraordinary year. Faced with the severe challenges brought about by the domestic and international situation, the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping (习近平) at its core united and led the entire Party and the people of all ethnic groups across the country to overcome difficulties and work hard, and the main goals of economic and social development will be successfully completed, and the "14th Five-Year Plan" is about to come to a successful conclusion. China's economy has moved forward against pressure and developed towards new and better directions, new steps have been taken in reform and opening up, people's livelihood has been more effectively guaranteed, and the overall social situation has remained stable. These achievements have not come easily.

The comrades of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee unanimously agreed that the new major achievements made in the cause of the Party and the country are fundamentally due to the leadership and direction of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping (习近平) at its core, and to the scientific guidance of Xi Jinping (习近平) Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. The entire Party must deeply understand the decisive significance of the "Two Establishments," strengthen the "Four Consciousnesses," strengthen the "Four Confidences," and achieve the "Two Safeguards." Next year is the first year of the "15th Five-Year Plan." It is necessary to resolutely implement the decisions and deployments of the Party Central Committee, fully, accurately, and comprehensively implement the new development concept, accelerate the construction of a new development pattern, focus on promoting high-quality development, further comprehensively deepen reform and opening up, better coordinate development and security, promote effective qualitative improvement and reasonable quantitative growth of the economy, continuously improve people's livelihood, maintain social harmony and stability, promote comprehensive and strict Party governance in depth, and strive to achieve a good start.

Xi Jinping (习近平) commented on the self-criticism speeches of the comrades of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee one by one, put forward requirements one by one, and made a summary. He pointed out that this democratic life meeting was very effective, enhanced the cohesion and combat effectiveness of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee, and is of great significance for continuously creating a new situation in the construction of Chinese-style modernization.

Xi Jinping (习近平) emphasized that since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, we have started with the Political Bureau of the Central Committee and with the implementation of the spirit of the eight-point decision of the Central Committee, focusing on correcting the **四风** (sì fēng - "four winds/undesirable work styles," formalism, bureaucracy, hedonism, and extravagance), and achieved remarkable results. This year, we have carried out in-depth study and education on thoroughly implementing the spirit of the eight-point decision of the Central Committee throughout the Party, earnestly addressed prominent problems, and promoted new and significant results in the construction of work styles. We must adhere to the eight-point decision of the Central Committee as iron rules and rigid constraints, unremittingly rectify the stubborn diseases of the "four winds," and continuously promote the normalization and long-term effectiveness of work style construction. The comrades of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee should serve as role models for Party spirit and work style, and take the lead and set an example for the entire Party in being faithful, pragmatic, responsible, and self-disciplined.

Xi Jinping (习近平) pointed out that firmly believing in Marxism and firmly establishing ideals and convictions are the foundation for Communists. Leading cadres should connect the Party's historical mission with their own responsibilities, deepen theoretical study, strengthen self-reflection, and be firm Marxists. We must devote ourselves wholeheartedly to the great cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics, concentrate our thoughts and energy on realizing, safeguarding, and developing the fundamental interests of the broadest masses of the people, and create achievements worthy of the times. We must improve our political capabilities, resolutely implement the Party's basic theories, basic lines, and basic strategies, accurately grasp the political stance, political principles, and political direction, and always maintain a high degree of consistency with the Party Central Committee.

Xi Jinping (习近平) emphasized that Communists are materialists, and pragmatism is an essential quality. We must seek truth from facts, be pragmatic and realistic, and work hard. Leading cadres should go deep into the grassroots and listen to different voices to have a clear understanding of the real situation. We must put effort into learning and research, strengthen the analysis of situations, see through phenomena to understand the essence and grasp the laws. We must take the lead in opposing formalism and create a strong atmosphere of emphasizing practical work and seeking practical results.

Xi Jinping (习近平) pointed out that leading cadres must dare to take responsibility, hold their positions, seek their own policies, fulfill their responsibilities, and take the initiative to shoulder heavy and difficult tasks within the scope of their duties. We must face up to difficulties, contradictions, risks, and hidden dangers, meet difficulties head-on, and overcome difficulties. We must adhere to Party principles, be clear about right and wrong, dare to struggle, and take a clear-cut stand on major issues and matters of principle.

Xi Jinping (习近平) emphasized that leading cadres, especially senior cadres, must be clear-headed, strictly self-disciplined, always maintain their true colors, abide by their duties, be cautious and prudent, and be humble and careful. We must strictly implement the system of democratic centralism, strictly implement the spirit of the eight-point decision of the Central Committee and its implementation rules, strictly abide by the rules of deliberation and decision-making, and consciously handle affairs in accordance with systems and regulations. We must cherish virtue and self-respect, maintain integrity and self-cleanliness, oppose privilege thinking and privilege behavior, manage the people and affairs around us, and truly achieve integrity and honesty.

Return to Top

Old revolutionary base area in northern Shaanxi enters "high-speed rail era"

The following is the English translation of the provided Chinese text, formatted according to the specified rules:

"Departure!" People on platform No. 1 cheered excitedly, and the Yan'an Station (延安站) was bustling. At 10:00 a.m. on December 26, the Xi'an-Yan'an High-speed Railway officially opened, and the C9309 train departed from Yan'an Station (延安站) for Xi'an (西安).

This is the first high-speed train departing from the revolutionary holy land of Yan'an (延安), marking the entry of the old revolutionary base area in northern Shaanxi into the "high-speed rail era." As of this point, China's high-speed rail operating mileage has exceeded 50,000 kilometers, ranking first in the world.

Passing through gullies and cliffs, the C9309 train arrived at Xi'an North Station (西安北站) in the Guanzhong Plain, covering a distance of 299 kilometers in just 68 minutes.

One train shortens the "space-time distance" of the Loess Plateau.

"I've finally lived to see the high-speed rail!" On the platform, 92-year-old Yan'an (延安) resident Zhe Zhengqian (折正千) gently stroked the high-speed train. For many years, he has been paying attention to the railway construction in Yan'an (延安): In 1991, the Xi'an-Yan'an Railway was laid to the foot of the Pagoda Mountain (宝塔山), and in the early days of operation, it took 14 hours to travel from Yan'an (延安) to Xi'an (西安); in 2012, the bullet train from Xi'an (西安) to Yan'an (延安) opened, taking 2.5 hours. Newspapers, announcements, old maps... collected over the decades, the old man's file box contains the "railway dream" of the people of northern Shaanxi.

"Back then, my grandfather drove livestock, and the small roads were only wide enough for a donkey's hoof. It took 14 days to go to the provincial capital. Now, you can eat paomo in Xi'an (西安) and visit the Date Garden (枣园) in Yan'an (延安) in the blink of an eye." Ma Yipeng (马毅鹏), a young man from northern Shaanxi born after 2000, is also an inspection and maintenance worker at a station along the Xi'an-Yan'an High-speed Railway. "The speed today is something my grandfather never even dreamed of."

One line witnesses the hard-core strength of China's high-speed rail.

With 47 tunnels and 67 bridges, the bridge-to-tunnel ratio of the Xi'an-Yan'an High-speed Railway reaches 91%. It traverses the concentrated and contiguous mountainous area of the Ziwuling (子午岭) Mountains, successfully solving complex geological problems. In some complex terrains, a combination of bridges and tunnels is used to reduce disturbance to the landform; during planning and construction, natural reserves and cultural relics are actively avoided.

"The Xi'an-Yan'an High-speed Railway also achieves full coverage of the public network 5G, with smooth signal throughout the journey," said Wang Fei (王飞), director of the High-speed Rail Office of the Xi'an Communication Section of China Railway Xi'an Bureau Group Co., Ltd. (中国铁路西安局集团有限公司).

A "blood vessel" activates the development momentum of the old revolutionary base area in northern Shaanxi.

"Taking the high-speed train is fast and punctual. The cost for customers to come to the orchard to see the fruit in person will be greatly reduced," said Du Wangjun (杜王军), a fruit merchant from Luochuan County (洛川县), Yan'an (延安), as he plans to further expand partnerships around Xi'an (西安).

With the opening of the Xi'an-Yan'an High-speed Railway, the Loess Plateau welcomes new opportunities: Yan'an (延安) is integrated into Xi'an's (西安) "1-hour economic circle"; the Xi'an-Yan'an High-speed Railway, together with the Xi'an-Chongqing High-speed Railway and the Yan'an-Yulin High-speed Railway under construction, forms a north-south corridor, converging into the "eight vertical and eight horizontal" high-speed rail network.

The Xi'an-Yan'an High-speed Railway connects revolutionary landmarks such as the Luochuan Conference Memorial Hall (洛川会议纪念馆), Pagoda Mountain (宝塔山), and Date Garden (枣园). "I look forward to taking the high-speed train to pay homage to the revolutionary holy land as soon as possible," said Yang Lihao (杨力豪), a student at Northwestern Polytechnical University (西北工业大学).

"In the future, more people will take the high-speed train to Yan'an (延安) to read the 'never-ending book' of the Yan'an (延安) revolutionary site and see the tremendous changes in the mountains and rivers of Yan'an (延安) today," said Xu Tao (徐涛), head of the passenger transport section of the Yan'an (延安) Vehicle Depot of the China Railway Xi'an Bureau (国铁西安局), as he watched the train speeding away.

Return to Top

<b style="color:red">[Generation Error]</b>

Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, December 26th. Comrade Peng Peiyun (彭珮云), an excellent member of the Communist Party of China, a long-tested and loyal communist fighter, a proletarian revolutionist, an outstanding leader in China's population and health work, women and children's work, and socialist legal system construction, former State Councilor, former Vice Chairperson of the Standing Committee of the Ninth National People's Congress, and former President and Honorary President of the All-China Women's Federation, was cremated at the Babaoshan Revolutionary Cemetery in Beijing (北京八宝山革命公墓) on the 26th.

Comrade Peng Peiyun (彭珮云) passed away in Beijing (北京) at 6:26 AM on December 21, 2025, due to illness, at the age of 96.

During Comrade Peng Peiyun's (彭珮云) serious illness and after her death, Comrades Xi Jinping (习近平), Li Qiang (李强), Zhao Leji (赵乐际), Wang Huning (王沪宁), Cai Qi (蔡奇), Ding Xuexiang (丁薛祥), Li Xi (李希), Han Zheng (韩正), Hu Jintao (胡锦涛), and others visited her at the hospital or expressed their deep condolences for the death of Comrade Peng Peiyun (彭珮云) and extended their sincere condolences to her family in various forms.

Entrusted by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, Zhao Leji (赵乐际), Cai Qi (蔡奇), Ding Xuexiang (丁薛祥), Han Zheng (韩正), and others went to the Babaoshan Revolutionary Cemetery (八宝山革命公墓) on the 26th to bid farewell to Comrade Peng Peiyun (彭珮云) and express their condolences to her family.

On the morning of the 26th, the auditorium of the Babaoshan Revolutionary Cemetery (八宝山革命公墓) was solemn and quiet, with mournful music playing softly. Above the center of the hall hung a black banner with white characters reading "Deeply Mourn Comrade Peng Peiyun (彭珮云)," below which was a portrait of Comrade Peng Peiyun (彭珮云). Comrade Peng Peiyun's (彭珮云) body lay peacefully among flowers and cypresses, covered with the bright red flag of the Communist Party of China.

At about 9:00 AM, Zhao Leji (赵乐际), Cai Qi (蔡奇), Ding Xuexiang (丁薛祥), Han Zheng (韩正), and others slowly walked to the front of Comrade Peng Peiyun's (彭珮云) body in the sound of mourning music, stood in silence, bowed three times to Comrade Peng Peiyun's (彭珮云) body, and shook hands with Comrade Peng Peiyun's (彭珮云) family members one by one, conveying the deep condolences of General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) and other central leaders.

Relevant leaders of the Party and the state went to bid farewell or expressed their condolences in various ways. Responsible comrades from relevant departments of the central and state organs, friends of Comrade Peng Peiyun (彭珮云) during her lifetime, and representatives from her hometown also went to bid farewell.

Return to Top

China's 2024 GDP Final Verification Confirmed at 134806.6 Billion Yuan

This newspaper's Beijing (北京) December 26th dispatch (Reporter Liu Zhiqiang (刘志强)) The reporter learned from the National Bureau of Statistics (国家统计局): After final verification, in 2024, the current price total of the Gross Domestic Product (国内生产总值) was 134,806.6 billion yuan, a decrease of 101.8 billion yuan compared with the preliminary accounting figure; calculated at constant prices, it increased by 5.0% over the previous year, which was the same as the preliminary accounting figure.

According to China's regulations on the accounting and data release system for Gross Domestic Product (国内生产总值), the annual Gross Domestic Product (国内生产总值) accounting includes two steps: preliminary accounting and final verification. Recently, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (国家统计局) statistical yearbook, the Ministry of Finance (财政部) financial accounts, and the annual financial data of relevant departments, the National Bureau of Statistics (国家统计局) conducted a final verification of the 2024 Gross Domestic Product (国内生产总值) data.

Return to Top

National cotton production to increase by 7.7% year-on-year in 2025

According to Xinhua News Agency (新华社), Beijing (北京), December 26th, (Reporter Wang Yuxiao (王雨萧)) The data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (国家统计局) on December 26th shows that in 2025, the national cotton production was 6.641 million tons, an increase of 477,000 tons over the previous year, an increase of 7.7%.

The data shows that the national cotton production has achieved growth, driven by the combined effect of increased planting area and increased yield per unit area.

In 2025, the national cotton planting area was 44.687 million mu, an increase of 2.113 million mu over the previous year, an increase of 5.0%; the national cotton yield per mu was 148.6 kg/mu, an increase of 3.8 kg/mu over the previous year, an increase of 2.6%, maintaining growth for six consecutive years.

Return to Top

50,000 km of High-Speed Rail: A New Benchmark on the Road to Rejuvenation

By: 本报记者 李心萍

On December 26, 2025, with the opening of the Xi'an (西安) to Yan'an (延安) high-speed railway in Shaanxi (陕西) Province, China's high-speed railway operating mileage exceeded 50,000 kilometers, leading the world.

50,000 kilometers weaves the world's largest and most advanced high-speed rail network, with operating mileage more than twice the total of all other countries combined.

50,000 kilometers connects points into lines and lines into networks, with close interaction of people flow, logistics, information flow, and capital flow. High-speed rail is changing China with unprecedented breadth and depth.

General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) has repeatedly praised it with deep affection: "High-speed rail is a bright calling card for China's equipment manufacturing" and "The Fuxing (复兴) high-speed train has taken a key step from catching up to leading."

From a zero breakthrough in independent design and construction to the world's most advanced level, high-speed rail exceeding 50,000 kilometers sets a new benchmark on the road to rejuvenation.

A Vivid Practice of Institutional Advantages

Adhering to drawing a blueprint to the end, the level of road network modernization has greatly improved.

General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) pointed out: "For long-term tasks, we must maintain strategic focus and patience, adhere to drawing a blueprint to the end, 滴水穿石 (dī shuǐ chuān shí - "dripping water pierces stone," perseverance will eventually overcome any difficulty), and make persistent efforts."

A history of high-speed rail development witnesses the Chinese people's steady and progressive approach, drawing a blueprint to the end, and creating the magnificent practice of China's high-speed rail "golden name card."

How was the high-speed rail network of over 50,000 kilometers built?

Looking at the top-level design, from the first edition of the "Medium and Long-Term Railway Network Plan" in 2004 to the new version of the "Medium and Long-Term Railway Network Plan" in 2016, from the "Four Vertical and Four Horizontal" (四纵四横) rapid passenger transport corridors to the "Eight Vertical and Eight Horizontal" (八纵八横) high-speed railway network blueprint, a clear goal has been consistently pursued.

Looking at the continuous advancement, the "Eleventh Five-Year Plan" proposed "focusing on the construction of passenger dedicated lines and intercity rail transit," transforming the blueprint into a construction plan; the "Fourteenth Five-Year Plan" emphasized "basically connecting the 'Eight Vertical and Eight Horizontal' high-speed railways"... Adhering to drawing a blueprint to the end, steadily advancing key projects, China's high-speed rail is accelerating into a network.

2025 is the closing year of the "Fourteenth Five-Year Plan" and the 200th anniversary of the birth of the world's railways. China's high-speed railway operating mileage has exceeded 50,000 kilometers, an increase of approximately 32% compared to the end of the "Thirteenth Five-Year Plan."

Giving full play to the national railway's "coordinated chessboard" management advantages and adhering to continuous efforts, China's high-speed rail's road network scale, quality, transportation capacity, efficiency, and modernization level have achieved a significant leap.

To the east, the Mujia High-Speed Railway extends into Jiamusi (佳木斯); to the west, the Lanxin High-Speed Railway travels into Urumqi (乌鲁木齐); to the north, the Haqi High-Speed Railway withstands temperatures of minus 30 degrees Celsius and enters Qiqihar (齐齐哈尔); to the south, the world's first high-speed railway traversing a tropical coastal area—the Hainan (海南) Island Ring High-Speed Railway—has a station in Sanya (三亚)... The high-speed rail weaves into a dense network, covering 97% of cities with a population of over 500,000 across the country, incorporating city clusters with a radius of 500 kilometers into a 1- to 2-hour commute circle, and incorporating cross-regional mega-cities 1,000 kilometers away into a 4-hour transportation circle.

In the southern Guangdong (南粤) region, the Shantou (汕头) Bay undersea tunnel extends 68 meters below the sea, and the Shanshan High-Speed Railway passes through the sea; on the banks of the Yangtze River (扬子江), the Husu Tong (沪苏通) Yangtze River Road-Rail Bridge has a main span of 1,092 meters, and the Husu Tong Railway crosses the Yangtze River; in the Sanqin (三秦) region, the Xicheng (西成) High-Speed Railway traverses the Qinling (秦岭) Mountains with a 134-kilometer-long tunnel group and an elevation difference of 1,100 meters, crossing hills... Crossing mountains, rivers, and ridges, China's high-speed rail relies on independent innovation to form unique engineering construction technology advantages, possessing the ability to build high-speed rail in various climatic environments and complex geological conditions.

Today in China, high-speed rail undertakes 80% of the passenger volume and 69% of the passenger turnover of China's railways, becoming the main force of medium- and long-distance passenger transportation.

Today in China, an average of 9,346 high-speed rail train sets operate daily, transporting 9.36 million passengers, equivalent to the population of a mega-city flowing through the high-speed rail network every day.

A Successful Example of Independent Innovation

The entire industrial chain continues to break through, building a complete set of high-speed railway technology systems.

General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) profoundly pointed out: "A successful example of independent innovation in our country is high-speed rail, from scratch, from introduction, digestion, absorption, and re-innovation to independent innovation, and now it is leading the world."

First, let's look at two tunnels.

On the Shizi (狮子) Ocean, the blue waves stretch for thousands of miles, and ten-thousand-ton giant ships shuttle back and forth; beneath the ocean surface, a high-speed train roars past every 5 minutes. Supporting the train's operation are two undersea tunnels: the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong (广深港) High-Speed Railway Shizi Ocean Tunnel and the Foguan (佛莞) Intercity Shizi Ocean Tunnel.

"The Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong High-Speed Railway Shizi Ocean Tunnel is China's first underwater shield railway tunnel. At that time, the shield machine still relied heavily on imports. By the time of the Foguan Intercity Shizi Ocean Tunnel, not only was the tunnel diameter larger, but the shield machine was also manufactured with the participation of Chinese companies," said Li Zheng (李政), the then project manager of China Railway Tunnel Group, adding that the two Shizi Ocean tunnels witnessed the leap in the level of domestically produced large-diameter shield machines.

Now, let's look at two bridges.

On the coast of the East China Sea, the Fuzhou-Xiamen (福厦) High-Speed Railway crosses the ocean, with two long bridges lying on the waves in the wind.

In 111 seconds, the train can pass through the 10.8-kilometer-long Meizhou (湄洲) Bay Sea-Crossing Bridge; in 92 seconds, the train can pass through the sea section of the Quanzhou (泉州) Bay Sea-Crossing Bridge, quickly and smoothly.

"The Quanzhou Bay Sea-Crossing Bridge adopts a brand-new structural design, which can ensure that trains can pass without speed limits even in the face of Force 8 gales," said Su Guangde (苏光德), deputy chief engineer of Southeast Coast Railway Fujian Co., Ltd., adding that the Meizhou Bay Sea-Crossing Bridge used the "Kunlun (昆仑) " thousand-ton-class integrated transport and erection machine, completing the erection of all 298 box girders in just 218 days.

The combination of hardcore equipment and advanced technology has helped the Fuzhou-Xiamen High-Speed Railway win many world's best awards and international awards. The bridge, which has been put into operation, is still full of technology. From the millimeter-level high-precision health monitoring of the Beidou (北斗) satellite to the intelligent cruise of unmanned surveying ships on the water surface and the detailed exploration of robots in deep-water areas, "unmanned technology" guards the safety of the bridge.

Next, let's look at two trains.

One is the Beijing-Zhangjiakou (京张) High-Speed Railway intelligent Fuxing (复兴) EMU train set. As the world's first high-speed rail train to achieve 350 kilometers per hour manned automatic driving, its stopping error at the station is less than 10 centimeters, which is a representative of the "intelligent style" of global high-speed rail.

One is the CR450 EMU train set. As the world's fastest high-speed rail train, it set a new record of 896 kilometers per hour relative meeting speed during the test, setting an international benchmark.

The birth of the two trains has become the best practice of the new type of national system. With the support of relevant national ministries and commissions, China State Railway Group (国铁集团) gives full play to the advantages of the new type of national system, takes the lead in organizing scientific research institutes, universities, enterprises, and other superior scientific research forces to establish a railway science and technology innovation alliance, and carries out collaborative research.

"From the CR400 EMU train set to the CR450 EMU train set, the EMU train set demonstrates world-class excellent quality," said Li Yongheng (李永恒), director of the Equipment Technology Division of the Science and Technology Information Department of China State Railway Group, adding that the design life of the train has been increased to 30 years, and it can adapt to the operating needs of different environmental conditions in China, such as high wind and sand and high altitude in the west, low temperature and high cold in the north, high temperature in the south, and high humidity in the east.

From line engineering to traction power supply, from train operation control systems to high-speed trains, the entire industrial chain continues to break through. The Chinese people have taken an innovative development path with a constantly enterprising attitude, building their own complete set of high-speed railway technology systems, and imprinting a clear and profound Chinese mark on the history of human rail transit development.

Strong Support for Economic Development

High-speed rail connects points into lines, and economic exchanges and industrial collaboration between regions are closer.

Opening the route map, the high-speed rail network of over 50,000 kilometers connects the four major regions of eastern, central, western, and northeastern China into a network, compressing time and space distances, strengthening regional connections, and stimulating economic vitality.

High-speed rail connects economic corridors and brings about a "same-city effect."

Walking into the Yangtze River Delta (长三角), a "same-city" picture with rail transit as the main line has been clearly unfolded:

A chip design team in Shanghai (上海) can take a high-speed train for more than 2 hours to reach the wafer manufacturing base in Hefei (合肥) to solve technical problems in production; an artificial intelligence company in Hangzhou (杭州) can rush to the intelligent manufacturing factory in Shanghai within 1 hour to debug the algorithm model...

The high-speed rail mileage has exceeded 8,000 kilometers, the annual passenger volume has exceeded 900 million, and the rail transit lines have been densified, promoting the G60 Science and Technology Innovation Corridor industrial chain from a "linear corridor" to a "network cluster."

"High-speed rail connects points into lines, which effectively promotes the optimal allocation and aggregation of various production factors and consumption factors along the route, and closely connects economic exchanges and industrial collaboration between regions," said Ma Botao (马波涛), director of the Planning Institute of China Railway Economic Planning and Research Institute Co., Ltd.

High-speed rail reconstructs the radius of Chinese people's lives, making "poetry and distance" no longer distant.

In the Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden (清明上河园) in Kaifeng (开封), the restaurants, teahouses, docks, and waterside pavilions are antique and picturesque, making people immersed in it; the Luoyi Ancient City (洛邑古城) in Luoyang (洛阳) is sparkling with lights, and you can meet Hanfu (汉服) costumes everywhere... During the National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holidays in 2025, Henan (河南) Province's tourism revenue reached 53.91 billion yuan.

Behind the "breakthrough" of Henan's cultural tourism is the solid support provided by convenient transportation. With Zhengzhou (郑州) as the center, you can reach all provincial cities in Henan Province by taking a 1-hour high-speed train, and you can directly reach 123 cities in China by taking a 5-hour high-speed train, making it a reality to travel whenever you want.

High-speed rail helps people travel smoothly and goods flow smoothly, attracting popularity and wealth.

From orchard picking and transportation to putting on shelves and providing for people to choose, in less than 24 hours, a freshly picked Maoming (茂名) lychee can take the lychee "high-speed rail express" launched by China Railway Guangzhou (广州) Bureau Group to reach the dining table of Wuhan (武汉) citizens.

Today, express delivery services can be handled at more than 300 high-speed rail stations across the country. The "high-speed rail express delivery" service has been expanded to 182 major cities across the country, with immediate collection, immediate transportation, and immediate delivery. You can place an order on WeChat and deliver it "door-to-door" in as little as 4 hours without leaving your home.

"China's high-speed rail creates a better life" "Take the high-speed train to see China"... High-speed rail supports the flowing China and brings the vitality of a hot and prosperous development.

A Wonderful Picture of Improving People's Livelihood

Providing acceleration for the comprehensive revitalization of the countryside and injecting new impetus into coordinated development.

In 2013, the Xiangpu (向莆) Railway was opened, and China's high-speed rail operating mileage exceeded 10,000 kilometers. From Nanchang (南昌) in Jiangxi (江西) Province to Fuzhou (福州) in Fujian (福建) Province, the Xiangpu Railway entered the old revolutionary areas of southern Jiangxi and western Fujian, and is a veritable red railway.

In 2021, the Anjiu (安九) High-Speed Railway was opened, and China's high-speed rail operating mileage exceeded 40,000 kilometers. From Anqing (安庆) in Anhui (安徽) Province to Jiujiang (九江) in Jiangxi Province, the Anjiu High-Speed Railway passes through the Dabie (大别) Mountain revolutionary old area, with a distinct red background.

In 2025, the Xiyan (西延) High-Speed Railway was opened, and China's high-speed rail operating mileage exceeded 50,000 kilometers. The revolutionary holy land Yan'an (延安) entered the high-speed rail era.

Three major nodes and three red railways convey the unique people's livelihood temperature of China's railways.

During the "Fourteenth Five-Year Plan" period, more than 8 new high-speed rail lines were opened in the western region represented by Sichuan (四川) and Guizhou (贵州), more than 15 projects were started, and the cumulative investment completed was about 510 billion yuan, an increase of 170 billion yuan or 50% compared with the end of the "Thirteenth Five-Year Plan."

On December 26, when the Fuxing (复兴) roared through thousands of mountains and valleys, the Xiyan (西延) High-Speed Railway was opened.

Looking back on the past, the Loess Plateau (陕北高原) in northern Shaanxi (陕北) is full of endless hills and ridges, and countless gullies and jujube slopes, making it slow to walk and difficult to travel.

Looking at today, high-speed rail has entered the old revolutionary area, and the dream of "Beidou (北斗) stars shining brightly, taking the high-speed rail to Beijing (北京)" has come true.

The high-speed rail to Yan'an (延安) deliberately made a turn in Weinan (渭南).

The Fuping (富平) Extra-Large Bridge, which stretches for 35.5 kilometers, has a curve radius of 7,000 meters, and a slope difference of 20 per thousand, has become the best example of high-speed rail "warming the people." "The Fuping Extra-Large Bridge has a large drop, a large curvature, and high construction difficulty. Through the implementation of more than 10 precise procedures, we finally ensured that the track smoothness error was within 1 millimeter, allowing the train to pass at high speed and smoothly," said Zhang Xiaoqiang (张晓强), the project leader of China Railway Fourth Bureau, adding that all this is only to make the high-speed rail closer to the people who have been lifted out of poverty.

After passing Weinan (渭南) City, the Xiyan (西延) High-Speed Railway goes uphill all the way to Tongchuan (铜川) City. "We have entered the high-speed rail era, and both the old and new districts have stations!" said Zhao Gaofeng (赵高锋), the station manager of Tongchuan Station.

Subsequently, the Xiyan (西延) High-Speed Railway climbed to the highest point of the entire line—Luochuan (洛川) County, Yan'an (延安). The altitude here is high, and the temperature difference between day and night is large. Luochuan apples are crisp, sweet, and moderately sour, and are famous at home and abroad.

Once the high-speed rail is open, it only takes 1 hour from Yan'an (延安) to Xi'an (西安). Next year, when the apples in Luochuan (洛川) ripen, people can not only taste the sweetness of the apples, but also experience the fun of picking. High-speed rail has made the business circle bigger.

China Railway adheres to the people-centered approach and continues to lay new lines to old revolutionary areas, remote mountainous areas, and ethnic areas, providing acceleration for the comprehensive revitalization of the countryside and injecting new impetus into coordinated development.

This is a new goal: By 2035, the operating mileage of high-speed rail will reach about 70,000 kilometers, and urban agglomerations and metropolitan areas on "rails" will be basically built...

Starting again after 50,000 kilometers, China's high-speed rail is still spreading, and the new era picture will be more exciting.

Layout design: Shen Yiling (沈亦伶)

Return to Top

Delivering Substance, Strengthening Confidence, and Uniting Hearts (Studying and Implementing the Spirit of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee)

Turning written language into everyday speech and explaining new deployments with things happening around us... Recently, lecture groups from Liaoning, Hunan, Qinghai, Renmin University of China (中国人民大学), and other places and units have been adhering to going deep into the grassroots, innovating lecture forms, highlighting classification and segmentation, and using methods that the masses love to see and hear to promote the spirit of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee to enter the minds and take root.

Wherever the masses are, the lectures go. In Liaoning, Huangqizhai Town (黄旗寨镇) in Kaiyuan City (开原市), Tieling (铁岭) moved the lecture hall to the villagers' kangs; Dalian (大连) organized local university lecture teams to go deep into the grassroots to carry out lectures; Shenyang (沈阳) organized young cadres to record a series of "Cloud Micro-Lectures" video works...

After listening to the lecture report, Zhao Mingyu (赵明宇), a first-level chief staff member of the Theoretical Department of the Shenyang Municipal Party Committee Propaganda Department (沈阳市委宣传部), said that as a member of the propaganda and ideological culture front, he will continue to deepen the study of the Party's innovative theories, use language that the broad masses can understand, and down-to-earth expressions to explain the spirit of the Plenary Session clearly, vividly, and thoroughly, and promote the spirit of the Plenary Session to be known to every household and deeply rooted in the hearts of the people.

In order to promote the implementation of the spirit of the Plenary Session in Liaoning, Liaoning established a provincial Party Committee lecture group composed of 20 people, including the main responsible comrades of relevant provincial departments and expert scholars, to go to various places and systems throughout the province to carry out centralized lecture work, holding a total of 20 lecture reports, directly reaching more than 15,000 people. In addition, Liaoning has also widely mobilized the "Model Worker and Craftsman Spirit Lecture Group," "Youth Lecturer Group," and "Da Liao Sister Lecture Group" and other lecture forces in various systems to give full play to their own advantages and carry out diverse lecture activities at the grassroots level.

"I heard that my house is going to be renovated as a dilapidated house. I am reluctant to move out. Can I simply repair it?" "Although there are electric motorcycle charging sheds in the community, it is often difficult to find a free charging port, and charging is more expensive than at home. Is there any way?"... On December 19, members of the Changsha (长沙) "Just Recognize This Truth · Furong Flower Red" lecture group entered the local Dongmaojie Teahouse (东茅街茶馆) and adopted a face-to-face question-and-answer lecture method to turn policy theory into "everyday talk."

"The lecturers do not speak empty words or clichés, but explain the things that everyone cares about most, such as housing, elderly care, and children's schooling, clearly and understandably at a glance," said Xue Qijuan (薛祈娟), a resident of Fengquan Ancient Well Community (丰泉古井社区) in Furong District (芙蓉区).

"We insist on focusing on what the masses are concerned about," said the relevant person in charge of the Theoretical Propaganda Work Department of the Hunan Provincial Party Committee Propaganda Department (湖南省委宣传部). "In the lectures, we not only focus on large and comprehensive report lectures, but also highlight small and refined grassroots micro-lectures; there are both symposium-style lectures and research-style lectures."

Let theoretical lectures be grounded, lively, and popular. Recently, in Zhido County (治多县), Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (玉树藏族自治州), Qinghai Province (青海省), which is more than 4,200 meters above sea level, the "Qingfeng Liyun · Yushu Xinyu · Jiangyuan Muyun" theoretical policy lecture group traveled between one town and five townships. During the lecture activities, the inheritor of Khampa proverbs skillfully used a series of interesting and philosophical local proverbs to transform policy points into vivid language that herders could understand and remember, and laughter and applause often came from the lecture site.

Sonam Nyima (索南尼玛), a herdsman from Zhasai Village (扎河乡治赛村) in Zhido County, said: "In the past, listening to policies always felt a bit distant, but now it is explained in our familiar proverbs, and I understand it all at once!"

Up to now, Qinghai Province has carried out more than 6,500 lectures on the spirit of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, directly covering more than 850,000 cadres and the masses, giving full play to the role of characteristic lecture brands such as "Voice of the Snow Region" and "New Voice of Xiadou," and promoting the spirit of the Plenary Session to go deep into the grassroots and into the hearts of the people.

The new blueprint is inspiring, and the new goals are inspiring. On December 16, at the Zhongguancun Campus (中关村校区) of Renmin University of China, the school's main leaders elaborated on the great significance of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee from four dimensions: historical depth, contemporary height, theoretical depth, and global breadth.

Ye Wenlong (叶文龙), a 2022 doctoral student at the School of CPC History and Party Building of Renmin University of China (中国人民大学中共党史党建学院), said: "After listening to the special lecture, I have a deeper understanding of the spirit of the Plenary Session. As a young theoretical lecturer, I will also actively go into the streets and communities with my classmates to interpret the Party's innovative theories and convey the spirit of the Plenary Session with the voice of youth."

In addition, Renmin University of China has also formed a lecture team composed of well-known experts and scholars in various fields of the school, focusing on making efforts in "speaking accurately, deeply, thoroughly, and vividly." In recent days, the "Shaangong University Hall" carefully organized by the school to study and implement the spirit of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee has been held in 34 cities in 31 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities, and has been welcomed by the local people.

(Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, December 26)

Return to Top

Revolutionary old area in northern Shaanxi enters "high-speed rail era"

The following is the English translation:

Yan'an (延安), December 26th (Reporter Zhang Tie (张铁) and Gao Bing (高炳)) "'Let's go!' People on platform No. 1 cheered excitedly, and the Yan'an (延安) Station was bustling. At 10:00 a.m. on December 26th, the Xi'an (西安) to Yan'an (延安) high-speed railway officially opened, and the C9309 train departed from Yan'an (延安) Station to Xi'an (西安)."

"This is the first high-speed train departing from the revolutionary holy land of Yan'an (延安), marking the entry of the old revolutionary base area of northern Shaanxi into the 'high-speed rail era'. As of now, China's high-speed railway operating mileage has exceeded 50,000 kilometers, ranking first in the world."

"Passing through gullies and cliffs, the C9309 train arrived at Xi'an North Station (西安北站) in the Guanzhong Plain (关中平原), covering a distance of 299 kilometers in just 68 minutes."

"A train journey shortens the 'spatial and temporal distance' of the Loess Plateau."

"'I finally lived to see the high-speed rail!' On the platform, 92-year-old Yan'an (延安) citizen Zhe Zhengqian (折正千) gently stroked the high-speed train. For many years, he has been following the railway construction in Yan'an (延安): In 1991, the Xi'an-Yan'an Railway (西延铁路) was laid to the foot of Pagoda Hill (宝塔山), and in the early days of operation, it took 14 hours from Yan'an (延安) to Xi'an (西安); in 2012, the bullet train from Xi'an (西安) to Yan'an (延安) opened, taking 2.5 hours. Newspapers, announcements, old maps... collected over the decades fill the old man's file box, containing the 'railway dream' of the people of northern Shaanxi."

"'Back then, my grandfather drove livestock, and the small roads were only wide enough for a donkey's hoof. It took 14 days to go to the provincial capital. Now, you can eat paomo in Xi'an (西安) and stroll around the Date Garden (枣园) in Yan'an (延安) in the blink of an eye.' Ma Yipeng (马毅鹏), a young man from northern Shaanxi born after 2000, is also an inspector and maintenance worker at a station along the Xi'an-Yan'an high-speed railway. 'The speed today is something my grandfather never even dreamed of.'"

"A line witnesses the hard-core strength of China's high-speed rail."

"With 47 tunnels and 67 bridges, the bridge-to-tunnel ratio of the Xi'an-Yan'an high-speed railway reaches 91%. It traverses the concentrated and contiguous mountainous area of the Ziwuling Mountains (子午岭), successfully solving complex geological problems. In some complex terrains, a combination of bridges and tunnels is used to reduce disturbance to the landform; during planning and construction, natural reserves and cultural relics are actively bypassed."

"'The Xi'an-Yan'an high-speed railway also achieves full coverage of the public network 5G, with smooth signal throughout the journey,' said Wang Fei (王飞), director of the High-speed Rail Office of the Xi'an (西安) Communication Section of China Railway Xi'an Bureau Group Co., Ltd. (中国铁路西安局集团有限公司西安通信段)."

"A 'blood vessel' activates the development momentum of the old revolutionary base area in northern Shaanxi."

"'Taking the high-speed train is fast and punctual. The cost for customers to come to the orchard to see the fruit in person will be greatly reduced,' said Du Wangjun (杜王军), a fruit merchant from Luochuan County (洛川县), Yan'an (延安), as he plans to further expand partnerships around Xi'an (西安)."

"With the opening of the Xi'an-Yan'an high-speed railway, the Loess Plateau welcomes new opportunities: Yan'an (延安) is integrated into Xi'an's (西安) '1-hour economic circle'; the Xi'an-Yan'an high-speed railway, together with the Xi'an-Chongqing high-speed railway (西渝高铁) and the Yan'an-Yulin high-speed railway (延榆高铁) under construction, forms a north-south corridor, joining the 'eight vertical and eight horizontal' high-speed railway network."

"The Xi'an-Yan'an high-speed railway connects revolutionary landmarks such as the Luochuan Conference Memorial Hall (洛川会议纪念馆), Pagoda Hill (宝塔山), and Date Garden (枣园). 'I look forward to taking the high-speed train to pay homage to the revolutionary holy land soon,' said Yang Lihao (杨力豪), a student at Northwestern Polytechnical University (西北工业大学)."

"'In the future, more people will take the high-speed train to Yan'an (延安) to read the 'never-ending book' of the old revolutionary sites in Yan'an (延安) and see the tremendous changes in the mountains and rivers of Yan'an (延安) today,' said Xu Tao (徐涛), head of the Passenger Transport Section of the Yan'an (延安) Vehicle Depot of the China Railway Xi'an Bureau (国铁西安局), as he watched the train speeding away."

Return to Top

Page One Editors: Hu Anqi, Zhao Zheng, Luan Xinyi; Page Two Editors: Liu Nian, Han Chunyao, Liu Jingwen; Page Three Editors: Han Xiaoming, Jiang Bo, Li Anqi; Page Four Editors: Lü Li, Zhang Anyu, Han Wenrong

Return to Top

Exploring a Different China Amidst Mountains and Rivers (Foreign Tourists Experience the "Beauty of China")

By: 本报记者 郭晓龙 李维俊 杨 迅 周 輖

The continuous relaxation of visa-free policies, more convenient intelligent customs clearance, and comprehensive optimization of departure tax refunds... The implementation of various facilitation measures has continuously increased the popularity of "China Tours." Since the beginning of this year, the number of inbound and outbound passengers and the proportion of foreign tourists have both increased in many port cities. The travel radius of foreign tourists has continuously expanded from major cities such as Beijing (北京) and Shanghai (上海), pursuing in-depth cultural experiences and entering the lives of ordinary Chinese people. Heihe (黑河) in Heilongjiang (黑龙江), Guilin (桂林) in Guangxi (广西), Zhangjiajie (张家界) in Hunan (湖南), and other places have seized the opportunity to upgrade services and optimize details according to local conditions, allowing foreign friends to see a more diverse and warmer China.

Heihe (黑河), Heilongjiang (黑龙江) Province—

Convenient Customs Clearance Experience Praised by Russian Tourists

After the snowfall, Heihe (黑河), Heilongjiang (黑龙江) is covered in silver. Russian tourist Alexander Sergeyevich (亚历山大·谢尔盖耶维奇) had just checked into the hotel and used translation software to ask the front desk, "Where can I eat authentic Guo Bao Rou (锅包肉)?" The front desk staff responded in Russian and handed over a Chinese-Russian bilingual food map.

According to the person in charge of the hotel, since China implemented a visa-free policy for Russians holding ordinary passports on September 15, more than 80% of the hotel's guests have been Russian tourists. The hotel has launched a Chinese-Russian fusion breakfast, and the front desk is equipped with panda dolls, special water cups, and other souvenirs. The meticulous and thoughtful service has prompted many guests to take videos to promote the hotel.

The convenient customs clearance experience has been praised by Russian tourists. Since the implementation of the visa-free policy, 76-year-old Svetlana (斯维塔兰娜) has been crossing the river to Heihe (黑河) every week to shop. With the help of the intelligent gate at the highway port, she can clear customs in 7 seconds. She said, "The customs clearance speed has obviously improved. Round-trip tickets only cost 3,000 rubles (approximately 271 yuan), and it is very cost-effective to purchase goods in China."

Jiang Sen (蒋森), Director of the Heihe (黑河) Customs Office at the Highway Port, introduced that CT machines, millimeter-wave equipment, and intelligent inspection platforms are deployed in the passenger inspection channel to intelligently identify personal belongings, basically achieving "second-speed customs clearance." To cope with peak passenger flow, the Heihe (黑河) Entry-Exit Border Inspection Station has launched "tidal inspection and release," dynamically adjusting the number of channels and opening and closing times.

Heihe (黑河) has also upgraded the mobile phone application for serving Russian tourists, adding a multilingual real-time dialogue translation function, covering the entire process of pre-trip planning, in-trip services, and emergency support. The local government has jointly launched Russian language and related cultural training with Heihe (黑河) University, and key positions such as hotel front desks, catering service staff, tour guides, and traffic police have basically mastered daily Russian expressions.

As of October 21, the Heihe (黑河) Port has recorded a cumulative total of 113,000 inbound and outbound passengers this year, with the number of inbound and outbound foreign personnel increasing by 82.7% year-on-year. The number of Russian passengers arriving and departing from Heihe (黑河) Airport has doubled year-on-year. Wei Qiang (魏强), Deputy Director of the Heihe (黑河) Municipal Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism, said that the local government will also launch projects such as Oroqen (鄂伦春) intangible cultural heritage immersive research and study, and cold-region professional test driving experience, and continue to optimize services to make Heihe (黑河) the preferred destination for short-distance cross-border travel between China and Russia.

Guilin (桂林), Guangxi (广西) Province—

Foreign Tourists Not Only Want to "See," but Also Want to "Understand"

At dusk, Cameron (卡梅伦), a photographer from Australia, set up his camera by the river in Dahebei Village (大河背村), Xingping Ancient Town (兴坪古镇), Guilin (桂林), Guangxi (广西). Pink sunset glow filled the sky, fishing boats rippled in the distance, and smoke curled up from the riverside. "When I came here during the day, it was a busy waterway. I didn't expect the scenery to be so shocking at this moment!" After capturing the beautiful scenery, Cameron (卡梅伦) couldn't wait to post the photos on social media, and netizens left messages asking "Where is it?" "How to get there?"... Guan Zhiyuan (关志远), the accompanying tour guide and Vice President of the Guilin (桂林) Tourist Guide Association, said, "At niche spots and special times, you can see different and stunning scenery on the same Li River (漓江)."

In Sitang Town (四塘镇), Lingui District (临桂区), a Dutch couple in their 60s came to Tianxin Village (田心村) on the recommendation of Guan Zhiyuan (关志远). Strolling on the century-old arch bridge, admiring the distant mountains and the nearby field scenery; walking into the old streets and alleys, listening to the local villagers tell the stories circulating in the village... "It's so beautiful here." The couple said, "We didn't expect to find such idyllic scenery and well-preserved ancient houses so close to the high-rise buildings in the city. It's really worth the trip!"

"Now, tour guides not only need to understand the major scenic spots, but also the small stories of the small spots." Ding Chaofeng (丁超锋), who has been working as a tour guide for foreign tourists for 17 years, said that many foreign tourists ask to "go to Yangshuo (阳朔) to explore caves and rock climb" or "want to experience ethnic costumes for travel photography" as soon as they get off the plane. Ding Chaofeng (丁超锋) said that a family of three from the United States took the initiative to ask to visit the village to see the real life of the local people when he told them about the Zhuang (壮) village culture in Longji Rice Terraces (龙脊梯田). Ding Chaofeng (丁超锋) took them to the home of a familiar villager, watched the old man demonstrate the traditional Zhuang (壮) weaving techniques around the fire pit, and listened to the villagers talk about farming customs. Before leaving, they said, "This is a moment more worthy of cherishing than visiting any scenic spot." Ding Chaofeng (丁超锋) realized that foreign tourists not only want to "see," but also want to "understand."

As demands change, cultural and tourism policies also change. The Guilin (桂林) Municipal Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism has launched relevant measures with the goal of "being able to come in, have a good time, and be willing to come again": expanding the capacity of the aviation port; using "Go to Guilin (去桂林)" as a unified logo, the overseas social media matrix covers five major platforms, introducing landscapes, food, intangible cultural heritage, and events.

In order to let tourists "play deeper," Guilin (桂林) makes the landscape "move"—not only launching projects such as Li River (漓江) hiking and rural cycling, but also "Yulong River (遇龙河) Golden Dragon Parade" and "Longji (龙脊) Starlight Terraces" light up the local night scene. The Guilin (桂林) Tourist Guide Association systematically conducts training in Spanish, Italian, and other languages, encourages Mandarin tour guides to learn foreign languages and improve their grades; and young tour guides actively learn cross-cultural communication. In the first half of 2025, Guilin (桂林) received 674,500 inbound overnight tourists, an increase of 79.7% year-on-year, and achieved international tourism (foreign exchange) income of 263 million US dollars, an increase of 82.4% year-on-year.

Zhangjiajie (张家界), Hunan (湖南) Province—

"'Next year, let's go to Zhangjiajie (张家界) to see the fallen leaves' has set off a craze among young people in South Korea"

In winter, Zhangjiajie (张家界) is filled with clouds and mist rising in the valleys, and mountain peaks standing tall in the sea of clouds. The green pines and cypresses are faintly visible, like a distant and artistic ink painting. Korean tourist Luo Yingxi (罗英熙) said, "The scenery here is as beautiful as a fairyland. I will come again next time to explore a different China between the mountains and rivers."

Since China implemented a visa-free policy for South Koreans holding ordinary passports in November last year, the number of bookings for South Korean tourists to China has surged. Zhangjiajie (张家界) has direct flights to Seoul (首尔), Busan (釜山), Daegu (大邱), and other places, which only takes more than 3 hours. Many South Korean tourists include Zhangjiajie (张家界) in their weekend travel plans. At the beginning of this year, the classic line "'Next year, let's go to Zhangjiajie (张家界) to see the fallen leaves'" in a popular Korean TV series set off a craze among young people in South Korea, and accompanying their parents to Zhangjiajie (张家界) for sightseeing has become the choice of many South Koreans.

Zhang Mingtao (张明涛), head of the Foreign Propaganda Section of the Zhangjiajie (张家界) Municipal Party Committee Propaganda Department, introduced that Zhangjiajie (张家界) has strengthened the design of tourism products, attached importance to the combination with film and television culture, superimposed humanistic feelings on natural landscapes, and aroused emotional resonance among foreign tourists through multi-channel publicity. Zhangjiajie (张家界) has launched a number of film and television theme tourism routes, covering high-quality scenic spots such as Huangshizhai (黄石寨) and Jinbian Stream (金鞭溪), injecting new vitality into traditional tourism. In recent years, relying on film and television culture, Zhangjiajie (张家界) has further opened up its popularity and attracted more foreign tourists.

Data shows that the number of inbound tourists to Zhangjiajie (张家界) increased to 1.8306 million in 2024, covering 183 countries and regions. It is reported that Zhangjiajie (张家界) has trained a total of 1,187 small language tour guides, and Chinese, English, and Korean signs have basically achieved full coverage in 39 graded scenic spots. Combining the length of stay of Korean tourists in Zhangjiajie (张家界), travel agencies specializing in the Korean market have also launched targeted customized tourism products to allow tourists to deeply experience the landscape and ethnic culture of Zhangjiajie (张家界).

Zhangjiajie (张家界) also strengthens the deep connection between mountain and river scenery and fashion sports, and develops high-quality mountain extreme sports products. Tianmen Mountain (天门山) wingsuit flying, Qixing Mountain (七星山) "Lingyun Heavenly Ladder," and Grand Canyon (大峡谷) high-altitude bungee jumping and other projects attract many global extreme sports enthusiasts to come and experience. Holding international street dance weeks, international new acrobatics drama weeks, cross-country running world series and other activities, the trendy ways to play in the peaks and forests make Zhangjiajie (张家界) even more "out of the circle," and more young foreign tourists come with great interest and return with satisfaction.

(This newspaper correspondent Yu Fuqing (于福庆) participated in the writing)

Return to Top

Seeking a Path to Coexistence Through Accurate Understanding (Zhong Sheng: Major Country Diplomacy - 2025 Year in Review)

Forging a new path of great power relations between China and the United States, unprecedented in history, is one of the most significant propositions facing this era. The key to solving this problem lies in establishing a correct strategic understanding and abandoning the old mindset of zero-sum games.

"From artificial Christmas trees and colored lights to decorative wreaths, if you want to decorate your home before the year-end holiday season arrives, you may have to plan ahead this year." American media recently reported that due to trade wars and tariffs, Christmas merchandise inventories in the U.S. market are tight and prices are rising, forcing many Americans to adjust their holiday budgets.

In 2025, a tariff tsunami surging from the eastern shore of the Pacific Ocean caused serious damage to the well-being of people in various countries, including the American people. This once again proves that in today's world where the interests of all countries are deeply intertwined, zero-sum games are 寸步难行 (cùn bù nán xíng - "difficult to move an inch," impossible to proceed) and mutually beneficial cooperation is the right path.

The obsession of some people in the U.S. with zero-sum games is an important reason for the constant twists and turns in Sino-U.S. economic and trade relations. From ignoring international economic and trade rules and abusing tariffs, unilaterally provoking economic and trade frictions, to generalizing the concept of national security and introducing strict control measures in the field of science and technology, all kinds of practices that disrupt normal economic and trade cooperation are driven by the outdated logic of "you lose, I win" and "you prosper, I decline."

In this era of a global village, blowing out other people's lights will not make oneself brighter; blocking other people's paths will not make oneself go further. Playing zero-sum games under the banner of so-called "reciprocity" and "fairness" will ultimately harm others and oneself. The U.S.'s abuse of tariffs has not only failed to solve its trade deficit and industrial competitiveness problems, but has also made American companies and consumers pay a heavy price. From logistics congestion in American ports due to tariff policy swings to huge losses suffered by American technology companies due to losing the Chinese market, there are many real-world lessons. The American business community, which is at the forefront of economic and trade, has repeatedly called for the abolition of additional tariffs and the maintenance of the stability of the industrial chain and supply chain.

As Father's Day approached this year, an American TikTok blogger posted a video recommending solar fan hats from Yiwu (义乌), China as Father's Day gifts, which garnered more than 9 million views on the platform and triggered a buying frenzy. This small case reflects the huge increase in people's well-being brought about by Sino-U.S. trade cooperation. The essence of Sino-U.S. economic and trade relations is mutual benefit and win-win, not you lose and I win. After more than 40 years of development, the economies of the two countries are highly complementary, and their interests are deeply intertwined. Bilateral trade accounts for about 1/5 of the world's total, and the industrial chain and supply chain have long formed a pattern of "you in me, and me in you." At the 8th China International Import Expo (进博会), American companies ranked first in exhibition area for the seventh consecutive year, and the American business community cast a vote of confidence in the Chinese market with their actions. Artificially cutting off this mutually beneficial cooperative relationship is not only impossible, but also undesirable, and will only lead to a lose-lose situation.

The "Thucydides Trap" is not the destiny of history. Forging a new path of great power relations between China and the United States, unprecedented in history, is one of the most significant propositions facing this era. The key to solving this problem lies in establishing a correct strategic understanding and abandoning the old mindset of zero-sum games. China does not challenge or replace the United States, and is happy to see the United States prosper and develop. In fact, China's development and progress is an opportunity for the United States, and Sino-U.S. cooperation is conducive to the United States better coping with the challenges it faces. People from all walks of life, including American policymakers, admit that trade with China helps the United States ease inflationary pressures and improve people's lives. In the past period, under the guidance of the consensus of the two heads of state, the economic and trade teams of both sides held five rounds of consultations, and the ideas for solving each other's concerns gradually became clear. This fully shows that as long as we abandon the zero-sum mentality and adhere to equal consultation, China and the United States can completely find ways to properly handle differences and enhance cooperation.

Winner-take-all and zero-sum games are not the path to human development. Getting rid of a narrow vision allows one to see broad space for cooperation. China and the United States should firmly choose dialogue rather than confrontation, and carry out mutually beneficial cooperation rather than zero-sum games, so that Sino-U.S. economic and trade cooperation can become the "ballast stone" rather than the "stumbling block" of bilateral relations.

Return to Top

"Building the 'Belt and Road' Together Connects Our Shared Dreams"

By: 本报记者 任皓宇 管克江

Sand dunes undulate, and pipelines stretch like silver ribbons between the sand ridges—driving along the ultra-large-diameter natural gas pipeline in the desert west of Riyadh (利雅得), the capital of Saudi Arabia, Saudi engineer Habib Sabah (哈比卜·萨巴) told reporters: "This is the natural gas transmission artery we are building. This project is of great significance and gives our young people more opportunities to grow."

Saudi Aramco's National Gas Pipeline Network Phase III project, which is under construction, is an important project for upgrading Saudi Arabia's national natural gas pipeline network, with a total length of nearly 4,000 kilometers and a total investment of approximately US$8.8 billion. Habib (哈比卜), 32, comes from Sinopec Petroleum Engineering Construction Co., Ltd. (中国石化石油工程建设公司) (hereinafter referred to as "Sinopec Engineering and Construction" (石工建)). Sinopec Engineering and Construction (石工建) has contracted the sixth and seventh sections of the third-phase pipeline, with a total length of approximately 700 kilometers. In June of this year, Habib (哈比卜) was appointed as the project manager of the sixth section, and is also the first Saudi project manager among the 17 sections of the project group.

Habib (哈比卜) often has to communicate with the owner on behalf of the project and undertake various tasks such as on-site construction management and coordination. "I am very grateful to Chinese companies for their support and trust. With everyone's joint efforts, the project construction is progressing in an orderly manner," said Habib (哈比卜).

Habib's (哈比卜) father is a petroleum engineer, and Habib (哈比卜) has been interested in the energy industry since he was a child. After graduating from university, he participated in several oil and gas projects. "Saudi Arabia cannot rely solely on oil to realize its development dreams," said Habib (哈比卜). In recent years, Saudi Arabia has vigorously promoted energy diversification and non-oil economic transformation. In this process, China has always been a reliable partner of Saudi Arabia.

"Both Saudi Arabia and China have dreams of national rejuvenation. Saudi youth hope to create a bright future for national development with their own hands, and the 'Belt and Road' (一带一路) connects our common dreams," said Habib (哈比卜). China's modernization has achieved great success, and Saudi-China cooperation in infrastructure, energy transformation, high technology and other fields has continued to deepen, bringing tangible benefits to the people of both sides. "Saudi-China energy cooperation has gone through 35 years, and Sinopec (中国石化) has been operating and developing in Saudi Arabia for more than 20 years. The close cooperation between Saudi Aramco (沙特阿美) and Sinopec (中国石化) is a portrayal of the deep integration of the development strategies of the two countries, reflecting our inherent need to jointly promote national rejuvenation. Chinese companies have brought many innovative products and applications, and the project has a special training program for foreign employees. The fact that I can become a project manager is enough to illustrate the breadth of the Saudi-China cooperation platform."

Layout design: Shen Yiling (沈亦伶)

Return to Top

Zhang Qingwei Meets with Delegation from the National Assembly's Committee for National Defense and Security and Foreign Affairs of Vietnam

Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, December 26th. On December 26th, Zhang Qingwei (张庆伟), Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, met in Beijing with a delegation from the National Assembly's Committee for National Defense and Security and the Committee for External Relations of Vietnam, led by Director Lê Tấn Tới. The two sides exchanged views on China-Vietnam relations and exchanges between the two countries' legislative bodies.

Return to Top

Xie Chuntao Leads CPC Delegation to Cambodia and Laos to Promote the Spirit of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee

Vientiane, December 26th, Xinhua News Agency -- From December 22nd to 26th, at the invitation of the Cambodian People's Party and the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, Xie Chuntao (谢春涛), Executive Vice President of the Party School of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (National Academy of Governance), led a CPC delegation to visit Cambodia and Laos. The delegation met with Hun Sen (洪森), President of the Cambodian People's Party and President of the Senate, and Thongloun Sisoulith (通伦), General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee and President of Laos, among other Cambodian and Lao party and government leaders. The delegation also briefed party and government officials of the two countries on the spirit of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee.

Both countries spoke highly of the important significance of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee to China and the world, and expressed their willingness to deepen exchanges and cooperation with China in various fields and promote the building of a community with a shared future.

Return to Top

Continuing the New Chapter of China-Malaysia Friendship (Ambassador's Essay)

By: 李 响

This year marks the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Mali. Both China and Mali boast long histories and splendid cultures. In modern times, the people of both countries, after arduous struggles, won national independence and people's liberation. In 1960, shortly after Mali's independence, it established diplomatic relations with China, becoming one of the first countries in sub-Saharan Africa to do so. On September 2, 2024, President Xi Jinping (习近平) met with Malian President Goïta (戈伊塔), who was in China to attend the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing (北京人民大会堂). The two heads of state announced the elevation of China-Mali relations to a strategic partnership, pushing the development of China-Mali relations to a new level. Over the 65 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, the people of China and Mali have firmly supported each other in pursuing independent development paths, efficiently carried out economic and social cooperation, and jointly promoted the solidarity and development of the Global South, making them sincere friends, brothers, and partners who share weal and woe.

China-Mali political mutual trust has grown stronger over time. The two countries support each other on issues involving each other's core interests and major concerns, and jointly safeguard multilateralism and international fairness and justice. The Malian government has long adhered to the One China principle, made important contributions to restoring the lawful seat of the People's Republic of China (中华人民共和国) in the United Nations, and firmly supports China's efforts to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity. China supports Mali's legitimate demands in terms of sovereignty, security, and development with practical actions, and supports the Malian people's just cause of national unity and national rejuvenation.

China-Mali pragmatic cooperation has yielded fruitful results. In the early days of Mali's independence, China overcame difficulties to assist Mali in building industrial and livelihood projects such as textile factories, sugar factories, leather factories, and pharmaceutical factories, laying a good foundation for Mali's economic development and industrial system. Projects aided by China, such as the Bamako International Conference Center (巴马科国际会议中心), the Third Bridge of Bamako (巴马科第三大桥), the Mali Hospital (马里医院), the Kabala University City (卡巴拉大学城), and the March 26 Stadium (3·26体育场), play an important role in Mali's economic and social development and are star projects in the hearts of the Malian people. Bilateral trade has steadily increased, with the trade volume between the two countries exceeding US$1 billion in 2024, a year-on-year increase of 23%. The "Ten Partnership Programs" proposed at the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation are being carried out in Mali in an orderly manner, and projects such as the Safo photovoltaic energy storage power station and "Digital Mali" continue to deepen China-Mali pragmatic cooperation. The livelihood projects carried out by China, such as repairing primary schools and digging wells, are spread throughout Mali, winning widespread praise from the local people.

China-Mali people-to-people friendship has been passed down from generation to generation. Since 1968, China has sent a total of 30 medical teams to Mali, with more than 900 medical personnel, providing medical services to more than 7 million local patients, and has been praised by the Malian people as "Eastern White Angels." Confucius Institutes (孔子学院) and Confucius Classrooms (孔子课堂) have set off a wave of learning Chinese and understanding Chinese culture in Mali. China, by providing government scholarships and holding training courses, has created opportunities for people from all walks of life and young people in Mali to study and exchange in China, cultivating new forces for continuing the traditional friendship between the two countries.

With vast rivers and seas, the wind is favorable for setting sail. The Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation has pointed out the direction for the development of China-Africa relations. Not long ago, the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (中国共产党二十届四中全会) was successfully held, and the meeting adopted the "15th Five-Year Plan" proposal, outlining the bright prospects of Chinese-style modernization, which will surely inject new impetus into the common dream of modernization between China and Africa. China is willing to work with Mali to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, further deepen political mutual trust, enrich pragmatic cooperation, and enrich cultural exchanges, and continue to write a new chapter of China-Mali friendship in the process of building a closer China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era.

(The author is the Chinese Ambassador to Mali)

Return to Top

Ministry of Foreign Affairs: China will continue to contribute more to global scientific, technological, and economic development.

Beijing, December 26 (Reporter Chu Jun (褚君)) Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian (林剑) stated on the 26th that in 2025, "Chinese Innovation" has become a global buzzword. In the future, China will continue to accelerate the pace of scientific and technological innovation, strengthen scientific and technological innovation cooperation, provide more public goods to the world, and contribute more to the world's scientific, technological, and economic development.

At the regular press conference that day, a reporter asked: Recently, Morgan Stanley released the "Yearbook of Robotics," pointing out that China has prominent advantages in the field of manufacturing humanoid robots, ranking first in the world in related patent volume in the past five years, and bringing huge cost advantages to the global supply chain. What is the spokesperson's comment on this?

Lin Jian (林剑) said that innovation has enabled China's economy to maintain steady growth, provided assistance for the world's economic recovery, and enhanced the well-being of people in all countries. China's high-speed rail, smart ports, and other construction technologies and solutions are going global, powerfully helping other countries improve their infrastructure levels. China's BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (北斗系统) provides services to more than 140 countries and regions, playing a role in disaster early warning, transportation, agriculture, and other fields.

Return to Top

Comrade Peng Peiyun's Life

Comrade Peng Peiyun (彭珮云), an outstanding member of the Communist Party of China, a long-tested and loyal communist fighter, a proletarian revolutionist, an outstanding leader in China's population and health work, women and children's work, and socialist legal system construction, former State Councilor, former Vice Chairperson of the Standing Committee of the Ninth National People's Congress, and former President and Honorary President of the All-China Women's Federation, passed away due to illness in Beijing (北京) at 6:26 AM on December 21, 2025, at the age of 96.

Comrade Peng Peiyun (彭珮云) was born in December 1929 in Liuyang (浏阳), Hunan (湖南) Province. She joined the revolution in November 1945 and the Communist Party of China in May 1946. From September 1945 to August 1947, she studied in the Department of Sociology at the National Southwestern Associated University and participated in the "Democratic Youth League," and later studied in the Department of Foreign Languages at Jinling Women's University in Nanjing (南京). From August 1947 to March 1949, she studied in the Department of Sociology at Tsinghua University (清华大学) and served as the secretary of the underground Party branch and a member of the underground Party general branch. From March 1949 to March 1950, she served as the secretary of the Party general branch of Tsinghua University (清华大学). From March 1950 to August 1964, she successively served as a cadre in the School Branch Work Section of the Organization Department of the Beijing (北京) Municipal Party Committee, a member of the Standing Committee and Director of the Office of the Beijing (北京) Municipal Party Committee's Higher Education Committee, the leader of the University Group of the University Science Work Department of the Beijing (北京) Municipal Party Committee, and a member of the Beijing (北京) Municipal Party Committee's Higher Education Work Committee. From August 1964 to June 1966, she served as the Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of Peking University (北京大学). From 1966 to 1975, she was persecuted during the "Cultural Revolution" and sent to work in the countryside. From April 1975 to November 1977, she worked in the Propaganda Group of the Political Department of Peking University (北京大学). From November 1977 to June 1978, she served as a member of the Standing Committee of the Party Committee and Deputy Director of the Revolutionary Committee of the Beijing (北京) Institute of Chemical Technology.

From June 1978 to April 1979, Comrade Peng Peiyun (彭珮云) served as the head of the First Bureau of the State Science and Technology Commission. From April 1979 to April 1982, she served as the Director of the Policy Research Office and a member of the Party Group of the Ministry of Education. From April 1982 to June 1985, she served as the Vice Minister and a member of the Party Group of the Ministry of Education. From June 1985 to January 1987, she served as the Vice Minister and a member of the Party Group of the State Education Commission. From January 1987 to January 1988, she served as the Vice Minister and a member of the Party Group of the State Education Commission, concurrently serving as the Secretary of the Party Committee of the University of Science and Technology of China (中国科技大学). She earnestly explored ways to conduct ideological and political education among students, actively promoted the reform of Marxist-Leninist theory courses, and incorporated ideological and political education courses into the teaching plan. She attached importance to the construction of the teaching staff for ideological and political education and supported the establishment of ideological and political education majors in many universities across the country.

From January 1988 to March 1993, Comrade Peng Peiyun (彭珮云) served as the Director and Secretary of the Party Group of the State Family Planning Commission. From March 1993 to July 1997, she served as State Councilor concurrently as the Director and Secretary of the Party Group of the State Family Planning Commission. From July 1997 to March 1998, she served as State Councilor concurrently as the Director of the State Family Planning Commission, in charge of health work and work related to people with disabilities. She adhered to the ideological line of seeking truth from facts and presided over the formulation of the practical "Eighth Five-Year Plan" for population and the ten-year population plan, proposing that family planning work should be both grasped tightly and done well, emphasizing the management of family planning work according to law, and providing high-quality services to couples of childbearing age. She closely integrated family planning work with economic and social development, exploring ways to comprehensively address population issues. She actively promoted the reform of the medical and health security system, coordinated relevant ministries and commissions to formulate pilot opinions on the reform of the employee medical security system, and continuously expanded the scope of the pilot program on the basis of the initial pilot program, gradually clarifying the guiding ideology, basic principles, system model, and management methods for establishing a basic medical insurance system for employees. She presided over the research and drafting of the "Decision of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council on Health Reform and Development (Discussion Draft)," which vigorously promoted the reform and development of the health sector. She promoted the formulation and promulgation of the "Outline for the Development of Chinese Women (1995-2000)," which played an important role in promoting the comprehensive development of women's cause in China. In September 1995, the Fourth United Nations World Conference on Women was held in Beijing (北京), and the adopted "Beijing Declaration" and "Platform for Action" were of great significance in improving the status of women and promoting the development of women's cause globally.

In March 1998, Comrade Peng Peiyun (彭珮云) was elected as the Vice Chairperson of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress at the First Session of the Ninth National People's Congress. In the same month, she served as a member of the Party Group of the Standing Committee of the Ninth National People's Congress, responsible for liaison with the Education, Science, Culture, and Health Committee. She adhered to the organic unity of Party leadership, the people being masters of the country, and the rule of law, and around the central tasks of the Party and the state, she earnestly fulfilled the duties entrusted to her by the Constitution and laws, making important contributions to upholding and improving the system of people's congresses and promoting the construction of the socialist legal system.

At the meetings of the Ninth National People's Congress, Comrade Peng Peiyun (彭珮云), as a member of the Presidium of the Congress and the Standing Chairperson of the Presidium, participated in presiding over the meetings and earnestly participated in deliberations, doing a great deal of practical and effective work to ensure the smooth progress of the meetings. She paid attention to strengthening the protection of women's and children's rights on the track of the rule of law, actively promoted the revision of the Marriage Law, adding clauses such as "prohibition of domestic violence," and worked with relevant parties to jointly promote the Rural Land Contract Law to make clear provisions for the protection of women's rural land contract management rights. She promoted the formulation and implementation of the Law on the Prevention of Juvenile Delinquency, strengthening the education and protection of minors. She attached great importance to the supervisory work of the National People's Congress, served as the leader of the law enforcement inspection team of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress for many times, led teams to local areas to inspect the implementation of laws such as the Law on the Protection of Women's Rights and Interests, the Compulsory Education Law, the Food Hygiene Law, and the Law on Promoting the Transformation of Scientific and Technological Achievements, and made law enforcement inspection reports to the meetings of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress. She actively participated in the foreign affairs of the National People's Congress, led delegations of the National People's Congress to conduct friendly visits to many countries, attended important meetings such as the Seventh Asian Parliamentarians' Forum on Population and Development, and met with foreign parliamentary delegations and international friends many times, promoting China's reform and opening-up policies and the excellent situation, introducing China's people's congress system and achievements in democratic and legal construction, and clarifying China's principled stance on major domestic and international issues, making contributions to enhancing the international community's understanding, trust, and support for China.

Comrade Peng Peiyun (彭珮云) served as the Chairperson of the Eighth All-China Women's Federation and the Honorary Chairperson of the Ninth and Tenth All-China Women's Federation. She emphasized that the Women's Federation should give full play to its role as a bridge and link closely connecting women, grasping development with one hand and safeguarding rights with the other, and taking the improvement of the overall quality of women as a long-term strategic task. She consciously combined the work of the National People's Congress with the work of the Women's Federation, paying attention to relying on the law to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of women from the source. She paid close attention to issues such as women's political participation and employment, and actively promoted the importance of Party organizations at all levels to cultivate and select female cadres. She attached great importance to women's theoretical research, advocated the establishment of the China Women's Research Association, and proposed the creation of a women's theory with Chinese socialist characteristics, uniting all sectors of society to jointly promote women's theoretical research.

Comrade Peng Peiyun (彭珮云) served as the President of the Seventh and Eighth Red Cross Society of China. She promoted the streamlining of management systems at all levels, focused on strengthening the construction of grassroots organizations, and strived to build the Red Cross Society into a social organization that meets its own characteristics, closely connects with the masses, and is full of vitality. She adhered to building the association according to law, governing the association according to law, and revitalizing the association according to law, promoting the continuous development of the Red Cross cause. She guided the Red Cross Society to carry out rescue work for major disasters such as the Wenchuan (汶川) earthquake and the Indian Ocean tsunami, and promoted the establishment of a Red Cross emergency rescue system.

In March 2003, Comrade Peng Peiyun (彭珮云) no longer served as the Vice Chairperson of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress. After retiring from her leadership position, she continued to care about the development of the Party and the country, closely followed the changes in the population situation, and actively offered suggestions and contributed to building a fertility-friendly society and promoting the development of the Red Cross cause. In October 2004, the Secretary-General of the United Nations presented her with an award, recognizing her outstanding contributions to promoting cooperation between China and the United Nations. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, she has resolutely supported the leadership of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping (习近平) at its core and firmly supported the building of Party conduct and integrity and the fight against corruption.

Comrade Peng Peiyun (彭珮云) was a member of the 14th and 15th Central Committees of the Communist Party of China and a member of the 13th Central Commission for Discipline Inspection.

Comrade Peng Peiyun's (彭珮云) life was one of unremitting struggle and selfless dedication to the cause of the Party and the people. She conscientiously studied Marxism-Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory, the "Three Represents" important thought, and the Scientific Outlook on Development, deeply studied and implemented Xi Jinping (习近平)'s Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and always maintained a high degree of consistency with the Party Central Committee in thought, politics, and action. She firmly adhered to the centralized and unified leadership of the Party Central Committee, resolutely implemented the major decisions and deployments of the Party Central Committee, strictly abided by political discipline and political rules, and always remained loyal to the Party, shared the Party's concerns, and fulfilled her responsibilities to the Party. She deeply practiced the people-centered development thought and devoted a great deal of effort to population and health work, women and children's work, and humanitarian assistance. She was humble and prudent, approachable, strict with herself, honest and upright, lived a simple life, and strictly demanded her family members and staff, always maintaining the political character and noble moral sentiments of a Communist Party member. We must learn from her revolutionary spirit, noble character, and fine style, unite more closely around the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping (习近平) at its core, hold high the great banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics, comprehensively implement Xi Jinping (习近平)'s Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, profoundly understand the decisive significance of the "Two Establishments," strengthen the "Four Consciousnesses," strengthen the "Four Confidences," and achieve the "Two Upholds," strengthen confidence, unite and work together, and strive to build a strong country and realize the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation in an all-round way through Chinese-style modernization.

Comrade Peng Peiyun (彭珮云) will be immortal!

(Xinhua News Agency, Beijing (北京), December 26)

Return to Top

<b style="color:red">[Generation Error]</b>

Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, December 26th. Comrade Peng Peiyun (彭珮云), an excellent member of the Communist Party of China, a long-tested and loyal communist fighter, a proletarian revolutionist, an outstanding leader in China's population and health work, women and children's work, and socialist legal system construction, former State Councilor, former Vice Chairperson of the Ninth National People's Congress Standing Committee, and former Chairperson and Honorary Chairperson of the All-China Women's Federation, was cremated at the Babaoshan Revolutionary Cemetery (八宝山革命公墓) in Beijing (北京) on the 26th.

Comrade Peng Peiyun (彭珮云) passed away in Beijing (北京) at 6:26 AM on December 21, 2025, due to illness, at the age of 96.

During Comrade Peng Peiyun's (彭珮云) serious illness and after her death, Comrades Xi Jinping (习近平), Li Qiang (李强), Zhao Leji (赵乐际), Wang Huning (王沪宁), Cai Qi (蔡奇), Ding Xuexiang (丁薛祥), Li Xi (李希), Han Zheng (韩正), Hu Jintao (胡锦涛), and others visited her at the hospital or expressed their deep condolences over Comrade Peng Peiyun's (彭珮云) death through various means and extended their sincere condolences to her family.

Entrusted by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, Zhao Leji (赵乐际), Cai Qi (蔡奇), Ding Xuexiang (丁薛祥), Han Zheng (韩正) and others went to the Babaoshan Revolutionary Cemetery (八宝山革命公墓) on the 26th to bid farewell to Comrade Peng Peiyun (彭珮云) and express their condolences to her family.

On the morning of the 26th, the mourning hall of the Babaoshan Revolutionary Cemetery (八宝山革命公墓) was solemn and quiet, filled with mournful music. Above the center of the hall hung a black banner with white characters reading "Deeply Mourn Comrade Peng Peiyun (彭珮云)," below which was a portrait of Comrade Peng Peiyun (彭珮云). Comrade Peng Peiyun's (彭珮云) remains lay peacefully among flowers and cypresses, covered with the bright red flag of the Communist Party of China.

At about 9:00 AM, Zhao Leji (赵乐际), Cai Qi (蔡奇), Ding Xuexiang (丁薛祥), Han Zheng (韩正) and others slowly walked to the remains of Comrade Peng Peiyun (彭珮云) in the sound of mourning music, stood in silence, bowed three times to the remains of Comrade Peng Peiyun (彭珮云), and shook hands with Comrade Peng Peiyun's (彭珮云) family members one by one, conveying the deep condolences of General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) and other central leaders.

Relevant leading comrades of the Party and the state went to bid farewell or expressed their condolences in various ways. Responsible comrades from relevant departments of the central and state organs, friends of Comrade Peng Peiyun (彭珮云) during her lifetime, and representatives from her hometown also went to bid farewell.

Return to Top

Arming Taiwan will inevitably become a nightmare for "Taiwan independence."

By: 钟一平

On December 26th, in response to the United States' previous announcement of a large-scale arms sale to the Taiwan region of China, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (外交部) announced a decision to take countermeasures against relevant U.S. military-industrial enterprises and senior management personnel, covering 20 enterprises and 10 senior executives. The relevant measures are justified, reasonable, and necessary, fully demonstrating China's firm determination to safeguard national sovereignty, security, and development interests, and are a stern warning to provocateurs.

The United States has broken its promises and sold weapons to the Taiwan region of China, which seriously violates the one-China principle and the three Sino-US joint communiqués, seriously interferes in China's internal affairs, and seriously damages China's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The total value of this arms sales plan exceeds $11 billion, the highest in history; the specific equipment even includes "Haimas" rocket launchers, suicide drones, and other weapons with obvious offensive capabilities. While repeatedly declaring its commitment to the one-China principle, it is determined to arm Taiwan. Where is the credibility of the United States as a major power? The Taiwan issue is the core of China's core interests and the first red line that cannot be crossed in Sino-US relations. No one should expect China to swallow the bitter fruit of harming its interests, and egregious acts that infringe on China's core interests will be punished.

The real purpose of the US arms sales to Taiwan is already 洞若观火 (dòng ruò guān huǒ - "see as clearly as fire," perfectly clear; to understand something thoroughly). There are only three reasons: playing the "Taiwan card" to earn votes, arming Taiwan to contain China, and signing large orders to enrich domestic arms dealers. None of these three points are in the interests of the Taiwanese people, but the Lai Ching-te (赖清德) authorities are still grateful, mistakenly believing that arms sales reflect the so-called "security commitment" of the United States and can embolden "Taiwan independence." Little do they know that this is completely wishful thinking. Some military experts pointed out that the types of weapons in this arms sale are mainly anti-landing warfare equipment, which precisely shows that the United States cannot "defend" or "protect" Taiwan, but is merely attempting to set obstacles to China's reunification by arming Taiwan, and further "hollowing out" Taiwan and extracting economic benefits. Becoming a "powder keg" and willingly serving as an "ATM"... The Lai Ching-te authorities have placed Taiwan in such a situation, yet they are still complacent and attempt to deceive the public, which is extremely shameless.

It goes without saying that the result of "seeking independence by relying on foreign forces" and "seeking independence by force" will inevitably be "impoverishing Taiwan." More than $11 billion, if used for people's livelihood, how many hospitals could be built? How many kilometers of high-speed rail could be built? How many children could enjoy free lunch? These days, many Taiwanese netizens are calculating on social media, which is heartbreaking. However, it is more than just an arms sale. The Lai Ching-te authorities continue to offer unlimited flattery to the United States, "kneeling before negotiations" and "turning the other cheek" in tariff negotiations; and allowing the United States to take whatever it wants in industry, actively offering TSMC (台积电), and step by step uprooting Taiwan's advantageous industries. In order to cater to the United States, Lai Ching-te vowed to increase the defense budget to 5% of the region's GDP by 2030, which will inevitably have a huge crowding-out effect on investment in the field of people's livelihood. When the elderly's pensions and children's education budgets are used to buy weapons, and when the people's hard-earned money is used by Lai Ching-te as a bargaining chip in exchange for political gain, how can Taiwan have a future?

It is equally self-evident that the result of "seeking independence by relying on foreign forces" and "seeking independence by force" will also "destroy Taiwan." The sad thing is that no matter how frantically the Lai Ching-te authorities arm themselves, in addition to pushing the Taiwan Strait towards war and burying the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces, there will be no second outcome. In the face of the People's Liberation Army's (人民解放军) powerful strength, the so-called "weapons" of the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces are just a pile of scrap iron, and "seeking independence by force" and "rejecting reunification by force" is just 以卵击石 (yǐ luǎn jī shí - "to strike a stone with an egg," to attempt the impossible; to fight against overwhelming odds). I advise the Lai Ching-te authorities to take another look at the September 3rd military parade, give up illusions about external forces, recognize the situation, stop harming and destroying Taiwan, and not risk the well-being of 23 million Taiwanese compatriots.

On the same day, December 26th, the impeachment proposal against Lai Ching-te submitted by the Kuomintang (中国国民党) caucus and the Taiwan People's Party (台湾民众党) caucus was passed in the Taiwan legislative body. According to reports, more than 8 million people have participated in the "impeach Lai Ching-te" joint signature campaign launched on the island's Internet. The general trend is irreversible, and the will of the people cannot be violated. The Lai Ching-te authorities' attempt to "seek independence by relying on foreign forces" and "seek independence by force" is destined to be a 黄粱一梦 (huáng liáng yī mèng - "yellow millet dream," a pipe dream; illusory hope), and will inevitably become a nightmare that they cannot bear.

Return to Top

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Announces Decision to Take Countermeasures Against U.S. Military-Industrial Enterprises and Senior Management Personnel

Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, December 26th. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (外交部) announced on the 26th the decision to take countermeasures against U.S. military-industrial related enterprises and senior management personnel. The full text is as follows:

Decision on Taking Countermeasures Against U.S. Military-Industrial Related Enterprises and Senior Management Personnel

(Promulgated by Order No. 19 of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China on December 26, 2025, and effective from December 26, 2025)

The United States recently announced a large-scale sale of weapons to the Taiwan region of China, which seriously violates the One-China principle and the three Sino-US joint communiqués, seriously interferes in China's internal affairs, and seriously undermines China's sovereignty and territorial integrity. In accordance with Articles 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, and 15 of the "Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law of the People's Republic of China," the Chinese side has decided to take countermeasures against the following U.S. military-industrial related enterprises and senior management personnel:

1. The movable property, immovable property, and other types of property within China of the 20 enterprises listed in the attached "Countermeasure List," including Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation (诺斯罗普·格鲁曼系统公司), L3Harris Maritime Services (L3哈里斯海事服务公司), Boeing in St. Louis (波音密苏里州圣路易斯市分公司), Gibbs & Cox, Inc. (吉布斯与考克斯公司), Advanced Acoustic Concepts (先进声学概念有限责任公司), VSE Corporation (VSE公司), Sierra Technical Services, Inc. (塞拉技术服务公司), Red Cat Holdings, Inc. (红猫控股公司), Teal Drones, Inc. (蒂尔无人机公司), ReconCraft (侦察艇有限责任公司), High Point Aerotechnologies (高点航空技术公司), Epirus, Inc. (伊庇鲁斯公司), Dedrone Holdings Inc. (迪德罗恩公司), Area—I (I领域公司), Blue Force Technologies (蓝力技术公司), Dive Technologies (潜航技术公司), Vantor (万拓公司), Intelligent Epitaxy Technology, Inc. (英特磊公司), Rhombus Power Inc. (菱形力量公司), and Lazarus Enterprises Inc. (拉撒路人工智能公司), shall be frozen; organizations and individuals within China are prohibited from engaging in relevant transactions, cooperation, and other activities with them.

2. The movable property, immovable property, and other types of property within China of the 10 senior management personnel of the enterprises listed in the attached "Countermeasure List," including Palmer Luckey (帕尔默·卢基) (founder of Anduril), John Cantillon (约翰·坎蒂伦) (Vice President of L3Harris Technologies, Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer of L3Harris Maritime Services), Michael J. Carnovale (迈克尔·卡诺维尔) (President and CEO of Advanced Acoustic Concepts), John A. Cuomo (约翰·库默) (President and CEO of VSE Corporation), Mitch McDonald (米奇·麦克唐纳) (President of Teal Drones), Anshuman Roy (安舒曼·罗伊) (Founder and CEO of Rhombus Power), Dan Smoot (丹·斯穆特) (President and CEO of Vantor), Aaditya Devarakonda (阿迪亚·德瓦拉孔达) (CEO of Dedrone), Ann Wood (安·伍德) (President of High Point Aerotechnologies), and Jay Hoflich (杰伊·霍夫利奇) (Co-founder and CEO of ReconCraft), shall be frozen; organizations and individuals within China are prohibited from engaging in relevant transactions, cooperation, and other activities with them; visas shall not be issued to them, and they shall not be allowed to enter China (including Hong Kong and Macau).

This decision shall take effect from December 26, 2025.

Attachment: Countermeasure List

Ministry of Foreign Affairs (外交部)

December 26, 2025

Attachment

Countermeasure List

I. Enterprises

(1) Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation (诺斯罗普·格鲁曼系统公司)

(2) L3Harris Maritime Services (L3哈里斯海事服务公司)

(3) Boeing in St. Louis (波音密苏里州圣路易斯市分公司)

(4) Gibbs & Cox, Inc. (吉布斯与考克斯公司)

(5) Advanced Acoustic Concepts (先进声学概念有限责任公司)

(6) VSE Corporation (VSE公司)

(7) Sierra Technical Services, Inc. (塞拉技术服务公司)

(8) Red Cat Holdings, Inc. (红猫控股公司)

(9) Teal Drones, Inc. (蒂尔无人机公司)

(10) ReconCraft (侦察艇有限责任公司)

(11) High Point Aerotechnologies (高点航空技术公司)

(12) Epirus, Inc. (伊庇鲁斯公司)

(13) Dedrone Holdings Inc. (迪德罗恩公司)

(14) Area—I (I领域公司)

(15) Blue Force Technologies (蓝力技术公司)

(16) Dive Technologies (潜航技术公司)

(17) Vantor (万拓公司)

(18) Intelligent Epitaxy Technology, Inc. (英特磊公司)

(19) Rhombus Power Inc. (菱形力量公司)

(20) Lazarus Enterprises Inc. (拉撒路人工智能公司)

II. Senior Management Personnel

(1) Palmer Luckey (帕尔默·卢基), male, founder of Anduril

(2) John Cantillon (约翰·坎蒂伦), male, Vice President of L3Harris Technologies, Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer of L3Harris Maritime Services

(3) Michael J. Carnovale (迈克尔·卡诺维尔), male, President and CEO of Advanced Acoustic Concepts

(4) John A. Cuomo (约翰·库默), male, President and CEO of VSE Corporation

(5) Mitch McDonald (米奇·麦克唐纳), male, President of Teal Drones

(6) Anshuman Roy (安舒曼·罗伊), male, founder and CEO of Rhombus Power

(7) Dan Smoot (丹·斯穆特), male, President and CEO of Vantor

(8) Aaditya Devarakonda (阿迪亚·德瓦拉孔达), male, CEO of Dedrone

(9) Ann Wood (安·伍德), female, President of High Point Aerotechnologies

(10) Jay Hoflich (杰伊·霍夫利奇), male, co-founder and CEO of ReconCraft

Return to Top

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Answers Questions on Countermeasures Against U.S. Arms Sales to Taiwan, China

Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, December 26th. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (外交部) answered questions from reporters on the 26th regarding countermeasures against the United States' arms sales to the Taiwan region of China.

A reporter asked: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs website has announced the decision to take countermeasures against 20 U.S. military-industrial enterprises and 10 senior managers. Does the spokesperson have any further comments?

The spokesperson said that in response to the recent U.S. announcement of large-scale arms sales to the Taiwan region of China, China has decided to take countermeasures against 20 U.S. military-industrial related enterprises and 10 senior managers who have participated in arming Taiwan in recent years, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the "Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law of the People's Republic of China" (《中华人民共和国反外国制裁法》).

"I want to emphasize again that the Taiwan issue is the most important core interest of China and the first red line that cannot be crossed in China-U.S. relations," the spokesperson said. Any act of crossing the line and provoking on the Taiwan issue will be met with a powerful response from China, and any enterprise or individual involved in arms sales to Taiwan will pay the price for their mistakes. No country or force should underestimate the Chinese government and people's firm determination, unwavering will, and strong ability to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The spokesperson stated that China once again urges the U.S. to abide by the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiqués, implement the commitments made by U.S. leaders, stop the dangerous act of arming Taiwan, stop undermining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and stop sending wrong signals to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces. China will continue to take resolute and forceful measures to firmly defend national sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity.

Return to Top

The 19th Session of the 14th NPC Standing Committee Deliberates Multiple Reports

Higher Quality Work on Energy Conservation and Carbon Reduction on the Track of the Rule of Law
By Ni Yi (倪弋), Reporter of This Newspaper
On December 24, the 19th meeting of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People's Congress (全国人大) held a joint session to review the report of the law enforcement inspection team of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress on the implementation of the Energy Conservation Law and conduct special inquiries. Vice Premier of the State Council He Lifeng (何立峰), Director of the National Development and Reform Commission Zheng Shanjie (郑栅洁), Minister of Industry and Information Technology Li Lecheng (李乐成), Minister of Finance Lan Fo'an (蓝佛安), Minister of Housing and Urban-Rural Development Ni Hong (倪虹), Minister of Transport Liu Wei (刘伟), Director of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council Zhang Yuzhuo (张玉卓), Director of the State Administration for Market Regulation Luo Wen (罗文), Director of the National Government Offices Administration Wang Yonghong (王永红), and Deputy Secretary-General of the State Council Xu Shouben (徐守本) attended the meeting to answer questions from members of the Standing Committee, members of special committees, and deputies to the National People's Congress.
Zhu Mingchun (朱明春), a member of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, affirmed the remarkable achievements of China's energy conservation work and also pointed out the problems found in the law enforcement inspection. He asked: How should we correctly understand the important role of energy conservation work, and how can we better coordinate energy conservation and carbon reduction work?
"Energy conservation is an important aspect of carbon reduction, and energy conservation and carbon reduction work are inherently unified," Zheng Shanjie (郑栅洁) replied. Coordinating energy conservation and carbon reduction is an effective way to improve the quality and efficiency of economic development, an important guarantee for maintaining national energy security, and a key means to achieve carbon reduction goals. The next key tasks are: first, to reduce the stock, deeply tap the potential for energy conservation and carbon reduction in industry, construction, transportation, and computing facilities; second, to control the increment, strictly implement the energy conservation review and carbon emission assessment system, and strengthen the control of "two high" projects from the source; and third, to implement the work, integrate indicators such as energy consumption intensity, carbon emission intensity, and total carbon emissions into the "dual carbon" evaluation and assessment, and consolidate the responsibilities of all parties.
Zhou Youyong (周佑勇), a member of the Social Construction Committee of the National People's Congress, asked: Problems such as the weakening of law enforcement forces and inconsistent law enforcement standards have affected the implementation effect of the Energy Conservation Law to a certain extent. What reform measures will be taken next?
In his reply, Li Lecheng (李乐成) listed efforts in strengthening institutional supply, strengthening energy conservation supervision in key industries and fields, and strengthening capacity building and training, and also analyzed the challenges of insufficient number and capacity of law enforcement personnel. He said that the next step will be to highlight institutional and mechanism innovation and capacity improvement, highlight the improvement of law enforcement effectiveness, and deepen the application of industrial energy conservation supervision results. "We must do a good job in policy coordination and integrate industrial energy conservation supervision with carbon emission-related systems and policies."
Standards are the "hard scale" of energy conservation work. Zhuang Yumin (庄毓敏), a member of the Financial and Economic Committee of the National People's Congress, reflected that the updating of some energy conservation standards is lagging behind, and there are gaps in energy conservation standards for emerging industries such as AI, and asked: "What are the considerations for improving and perfecting the energy conservation standard system in the future?"
"We must accelerate the updating and upgrading of existing standards in traditional industries, and carry out comprehensive assessments of the implementation effect of mandatory energy conservation standards and the potential of industry energy conservation technologies. According to the assessment results, we will accelerate the revision of energy consumption standards for industries such as polysilicon and cement products, and energy efficiency standards for industrial equipment, and strive to achieve 'all revisions that should be revised' for mandatory national standards in the field of energy conservation by the end of next year," Luo Wen (罗文) said. It is also necessary to accelerate the development of standards for emerging industries, strengthen the pre-research of energy conservation standards for new infrastructure such as data centers, as well as products such as mobile phones and photovoltaic modules, consolidate the data foundation, adhere to the principle of prioritizing urgent needs, issue a batch of standard development plans, and release a batch of important standards.
With the vigorous development of the digital economy, the rapid growth of energy consumption in computing facilities has become a new issue. Sun Zezhou (孙泽洲), a member of the Education, Science, Culture and Health Committee of the National People's Congress, asked: How to strengthen the energy conservation management of this emerging field?
Zheng Shanjie (郑栅洁) responded that first, it is necessary to strengthen the source control of new construction projects, solidly promote the "Eastern Data and Western Computing" project, and promote the intensive, large-scale, and green development of computing resources; second, it is necessary to increase the transformation of existing facilities, and promote the optimization and upgrading of equipment selection, refrigeration architecture, cabinet power density, and system intelligent operation strategies. For "old, small, and scattered" computing facilities with low energy efficiency and small scale, they should be steadily and orderly withdrawn; third, it is necessary to strengthen the recovery and utilization of waste heat resources, and promote the research and large-scale application of key technologies and equipment such as efficient heat recovery and long-distance heat supply with large temperature differences. Li Lecheng (李乐成) then stated that he will focus on planning guidance, tackling key technology and equipment, integrating and transforming small and scattered computing facilities, and demonstrating leading typical cases.
The support of the financial and state-owned assets systems is crucial. Lan Fo'an (蓝佛安) systematically elaborated on how the central government provides all-round support from six aspects, including promoting energy conservation and utilization in key areas and supporting the development and utilization of renewable energy and other clean energy sources. Zhang Yuzhuo (张玉卓) said that the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (国资委) urges central enterprises and state-owned enterprises to strive to be advanced in energy conservation work by incorporating energy conservation and carbon reduction into assessments, promoting energy efficiency improvement in key industries, and accelerating equipment renewal and transformation. For the problems found in the inspection, such as insufficient substantive measures, the assessment and promotion efforts will continue to be increased.
The inquiry started with "asking" but did not stop at "answering." This special inquiry, which lasted more than two hours, asked about the crux of the problem and answered the countermeasures. Between the questions and answers, it also stated the confidence and determination to do a better and higher quality job in energy conservation and carbon reduction on the track of the rule of law, and jointly promote the construction of a beautiful China.

Promoting the Realization of a Historic Leap in the Popularization Level of Higher Education
By Peng Bo (彭波), Reporter of This Newspaper
On December 22, the 19th meeting of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People's Congress (全国人大) heard a report from Guo Tingting (郭婷婷), Deputy Minister of Finance, on the State Council's (国务院) allocation and use of financial higher education funds. The report showed that the State Council (国务院) resolutely implemented the decisions and deployments of the Party Central Committee, followed the relevant requirements of the National People's Congress (全国人大), deeply implemented the strategy of revitalizing the country through science and education, continued to increase investment, and focused on optimizing the expenditure structure, providing strong support for the high-quality development of higher education. From 2021 to 2024, national financial authorities at all levels arranged 3.78 trillion yuan through the general public budget, of which the central financial authorities cumulatively arranged 1.02 trillion yuan, and the local financial authorities cumulatively arranged 2.76 trillion yuan. The central and local financial authorities worked together to promote the quality improvement and upgrading of universities and gradually narrow the gap in higher education levels between regions.
The report pointed out that higher education implements a mechanism in which the organizers' investment is the main source, the educated reasonably share the cost of training, and universities raise funds through various channels. All regions and relevant departments strictly implement the investment responsibilities of government organizers, strengthen financial security, and promote the high-quality development of higher education. The central financial authorities have established and improved a central university budget appropriation system of "basic expenditure + project expenditure." The local financial authorities have established a local university budget appropriation system and coordinate central transfer payments to local governments and other funds in accordance with local conditions to promote the high-quality development of local universities. The central and local financial authorities coordinate to promote the establishment of a comprehensive, standardized, transparent, scientifically standardized, and binding fund allocation system.
All regions and relevant departments have focused on promoting the scientific management of financial higher education funds and improving the effectiveness of fund allocation and use. In view of the characteristics of financial higher education funds, such as large volume, wide coverage, and high management difficulty, the central level actively constructs a fund management model in which multiple departments such as finance, education, and development and reform perform their respective duties and cooperate closely. At the same time, all financial higher education funds are included in the scope of budget execution monitoring, and the allocation, appropriation, and use of budget funds are tracked throughout the process. Special inspections are intensified, and various problems found in daily supervision, financial supervision, and audit supervision are seriously dealt with, so that financial discipline becomes a "high-voltage line" with electricity.
The report pointed out that the support of financial funds has strongly promoted the realization of a historic leap in the popularization level of higher education, the popularization level of higher education has been comprehensively improved, and the conditions for running universities have been significantly improved. China has built the world's largest higher education system, with a gross enrollment rate of higher education of 60.8% in 2024, an increase of 6.4 percentage points compared with 2020, and a population with a university education of more than 240 million people.
The central financial authorities adhere to the principle of accelerating the construction of universities and advantageous disciplines with Chinese characteristics and world-class standards as the top priority. From 2021 to 2025, a total of 181 billion yuan will be arranged from the general public budget, driving local financial investment of more than 110 billion yuan, which strongly guarantees the accelerated impact of "double first-class" construction universities on world-class standards. In recent years, "double first-class" construction universities have continued to strengthen the supply of educational resources, expand the scale of undergraduate enrollment, train more than 50% of the country's master's students and nearly 80% of doctoral students, and have achieved a number of original achievements in many fields, and the role of the main force of basic research and the source of major scientific and technological breakthroughs has become more prominent.
At the same time, adhering to the principle of the public welfare of education, we will continue to consolidate the fair cornerstone of the reform and development of higher education. Increase the standard of national scholarships and grants, increase the number of scholarships and grants, reduce the interest rate of national student loans, increase the loan amount, and promote the development of higher education results to benefit all people more and more fairly. From 2021 to 2025, national financial authorities at all levels will cumulatively arrange more than 460 billion yuan to promote the formation of a higher education student financial aid system that combines "scholarships, grants, loans, exemptions, work-study, subsidies, and reductions," and guarantee from the system that "no student will drop out of school due to family financial difficulties."
The report shows that the current financial higher education funds in China show a good trend of continuous growth in total investment, increasingly improved allocation mechanisms, and continuously improved use effectiveness. In the next step, we will actively play the role of financial functions, and further work hard on deepening reform, increasing investment, optimizing the structure, and strengthening performance, so as to promote the quality improvement and expansion of higher education in China, strive to achieve a systematic leap from large to strong, and strongly support Chinese-style modernization.

Safeguarding the Rights and Interests of Flexible Employment and New Employment Form Workers
By Ni Yi (倪弋), Reporter of This Newspaper
On December 22, at the 19th meeting of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People's Congress (全国人大), Wu Xiuzhang (吴秀章), Deputy Minister of Human Resources and Social Security, made a report on the State Council's (国务院) work on safeguarding the rights and interests of flexible employment and new employment form workers.
Wu Xiuzhang (吴秀章) said that flexible employment and new employment forms have become important channels for employment and income increase for workers in China. According to estimates, the scale of flexible employment personnel in China has exceeded 200 million. In recent years, all regions and relevant departments have continued to strengthen Party building leadership, improve systems and mechanisms, optimize basic public services, and properly handle contradictions and disputes, and the work of safeguarding rights and interests has made positive progress.
Adhere to the problem-oriented approach and make up for institutional shortcomings. Promote the issuance of the "Opinions on Implementing the Employment-First Strategy to Promote High-Quality and Full Employment" in the name of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council (中共中央、国务院), and make clear deployments for improving the level of protection of workers' rights and interests and improving the social security system for flexible employment and new employment form workers. Issue the "Guiding Opinions on Safeguarding the Labor Security Rights and Interests of New Employment Form Workers" and a series of guidelines on rest and labor remuneration rights protection, labor rule publicity, and rights protection services, reasonably define the labor protection responsibilities of enterprises, and clarify the basic labor rights and interests of new employment form workers.
Strengthen guidance and supervision, and consolidate employment responsibilities. Strengthen joint departmental interviews, implement special actions such as improving the level of labor rights protection for new employment form workers, guide enterprises to publicly release self-discipline conventions to protect the legitimate rights and interests of truck drivers, urge platform enterprises and express delivery enterprises to employ workers in accordance with laws and regulations, and implement the supervision responsibilities for the employment of platform employment cooperation enterprises. According to statistics, during the special action, a total of 79,000 enterprises across the country were inspected for employment, 8,652 enterprises were interviewed, and 14,000 violations were handled.
Innovate the security model and improve the social security system. Under the framework of the work-related injury insurance system, combined with the characteristics of the new employment form, a professional injury security model based on billing per order and mandatory insurance per order is proposed, and pilot work was launched in 2022. As of the end of October 2025, there are a total of 11 pilot enterprises and 17 pilot provinces, with a cumulative 23.25 million people participating in the insurance, realizing the full participation of new employment form workers within the scope of the pilot. Promote all localities to universally open up channels for flexible employment personnel to participate in employee basic pension insurance and employee basic medical insurance in the place of employment. As of the end of 2024, the number of flexible employment personnel participating in employee basic pension insurance and employee basic medical insurance reached 70.57 million and 66.159 million respectively.
Optimize service contact and improve service level. Strengthen the standardized construction of more than 8,900 odd-job markets in accordance with local conditions, and broaden the channels for publishing "online + offline" job search and recruitment information. Improve the implementation of entrepreneurial support policies such as entrepreneurial guarantee loans, one-time entrepreneurial subsidies, and tax and fee reductions, and build nearly 10,000 entrepreneurial carriers.
Diversify the resolution of contradictions and timely handle disputes. Strengthen one-stop mediation of new employment form labor disputes. Explore a diversified mediation working mechanism that links labor dispute mediation with people's mediation and judicial mediation, establish more than 3,000 one-stop mediation organizations across the country, and build a diversified joint mediation working network covering the whole country.
The report pointed out that at present, the number of flexible employment and new employment form workers is still increasing rapidly, and the problems of unstable income and insufficient labor security still exist to a certain extent, and it is still necessary to further improve the system and mechanism and continue to reform and optimize. In this regard, the report proposes that the next step will be to adapt to the development and changes of flexible employment and new employment forms and the characteristics of different industries, further improve relevant systems and mechanisms, protect the rights and interests of practitioners, and promote the healthy development of flexible employment and new employment forms.

Return to Top

World's Longest Highway Tunnel Opens, Cutting Travel Time Across Tianshan Mountains to 20 Minutes

By: 本报记者 贺 勇 李亚楠

On the morning of December 26, the world's longest highway tunnel—Tianshan Victory Tunnel (天山胜利隧道)—opened to traffic, marking the full operation of the G0711 highway from Urumqi (乌鲁木齐) to Yuli (尉犁) in Xinjiang (新疆).

The Tianshan Mountains (天山) were once a natural barrier separating northern and southern Xinjiang. Now, crossing the Tianshan Mountains north to south takes only about 20 minutes.

This highway rewrites the thousand-year geographical narrative of the Tianshan Mountains, shortening not only the travel time between the north and south, but also the distance between people, factors, and industries. Personnel exchanges, economic, cultural, and humanistic exchanges between northern and southern Xinjiang will be more convenient.

Extremely Difficult to Construct

As the fastest highway passage from Urumqi to southern Xinjiang, the main line of the Uwei Highway (乌尉高速) is 324.7 kilometers long. Construction began in April 2020 and took more than 5 years to complete. The Korla (库尔勒) to Yuli section opened to traffic on September 30, 2023, and the Baluntai (巴伦台) to Korla section opened to traffic on April 1, 2025.

The Uwei Highway adopts a two-way 4-lane highway standard with a design speed of 120 kilometers per hour. Zhou Zheng (周政), General Manager of the China Communications Construction Company (中国交建) Xinjiang Uwei Highway PPP Project Management Department, introduced that the terrain along the highway is very complex. A section of only 11 kilometers connects 14 bridges and 5 tunnels, with a bridge-to-tunnel ratio exceeding 90%.

Among them, the Tianshan Victory Tunnel, located in the middle of the line, is 22.13 kilometers long. It is a key project for transportation between the north and south of Xinjiang and a controlling project of the entire Uwei Highway.

The maximum buried depth of the Tianshan Victory Tunnel exceeds 1112 meters, crossing 16 geological fault zones. It is affected by high ground stress, high seismic intensity, high environmental protection requirements, high cold, and high altitude, making construction extremely difficult.

If the traditional drilling and blasting method were used, the effective construction period of the Tianshan Victory Tunnel was estimated to be 72 months. "After repeated research and demonstration, we innovatively chose the excavation scheme of 'main tunnel + central pilot tunnel'," said Miao Baodong (苗宝栋), Chief Engineer of China Communications Xinjiang Transportation Investment and Development Co., Ltd. (中交新疆交通投资发展有限公司). This scheme involves adding a central pilot tunnel between the left and right main tunnels. The hard rock tunnel boring machine independently developed by China Communications Construction Group (中交集团) and tailored for the Tianshan Victory Tunnel serves as a "pioneer," opening up more working faces for the left and right tunnels, which is equivalent to "cutting" the main tunnel into multiple sections for simultaneous operation, achieving "long tunnel short strike," and ultimately shortening the construction period to 52 months.

Driving Development Along the Route

The straight-line distance from Urumqi to Korla City (库尔勒市), under the jurisdiction of Bayingolin Mongol Autonomous Prefecture (巴音郭楞蒙古自治州), is only over 250 kilometers, but the actual driving distance in the past was more than 470 kilometers. After the full opening of the Uwei Highway, the driving time has been shortened from about 7 hours to about 3.5 hours.

At more than 10 a.m. on December 26, more than 100 cars lined up at the Yongfeng Toll Station (永丰收费站) in Urumqi, waiting to drive onto the Uwei Highway after the barrier was raised. Li Chuncheng (李春成), a resident of Urumqi who was at the front of the line, arrived at the Yongfeng Toll Station early in the morning with his family. "Have lunch in Korla and then come back!" Li Chuncheng said that after retiring, he often travels to southern Xinjiang. After the full opening of the Uwei Highway, he has formulated many new self-driving tour plans and is preparing to realize them with his family.

Convenient travel brings new opportunities for the development of tourism along the route. The full opening of the Uwei Highway connects the three major landscape belts of "Tianshan-Desert-Oasis," which will effectively promote the transformation of the cultural and tourism industry along the route to in-depth tourism.

"The Bosten Lake (博斯腾湖) winter fishing activity is coming soon. The full opening of the Uwei Highway will bring more tourists. We have made sufficient preparations to welcome this wave of customers," said Yuan Yang (袁阳), Director of the Culture and Tourism Bureau of Bohu County (博湖县), Bayingolin Prefecture.

In order to facilitate personnel exchanges between the north and south of Xinjiang, eight counties and one city in Bayingolin Prefecture will simultaneously open passenger bus routes to and from Urumqi along the Uwei Highway. "In response to the diverse travel needs of passengers in the north and south of Tianshan for family visits, tourism, etc., we will dynamically adjust the frequency of departures according to passenger flow and improve vehicle turnover efficiency. At the same time, we will deploy two types of vehicles: 40-seat luxury buses and 7- to 9-seat business vehicles," said Meng Jun (孟军), Secretary of the Production Party Branch of Xinjiang Xinshizhou Passenger Transport Bus Station Service Co., Ltd. (新疆新时州客运汽车站服务有限责任公司).

Helping Good Products Leave the Mountains

"As early as the end of last year, we built a new processing plant and started operating in August this year, just to catch up with the development opportunities after the full opening of the Uwei Highway!" Mengk Batu (孟克巴图), Secretary of the Party Branch of Bayinbuluke Zhenxin Animal Husbandry Development Co., Ltd. (巴音布鲁克振鑫牧业发展有限公司) in Hejing County (和静县), Bayingolin Prefecture, has brought a lot of business to himself with his foresight. These days, the company is rushing to produce 10,000 gift box orders for a company in Urumqi.

Hejing County is located in the middle of Xinjiang, on the southern slope of the central section of the Tianshan Mountains. Previously, the journey from Hejing to Urumqi was more than 430 kilometers, of which more than 160 kilometers were mountain roads, and trucks had to drive for seven or eight hours. "The freight to Urumqi costs 2,500 yuan per trip. After the goods arrive, we have to rent a cold storage, and they can only be sent out the next day, which increases the cost," said Mengk Batu. "In the past, the Tianshan Mountains blocked us, and our sheep from southern Xinjiang were difficult to enter the Urumqi market."

Since October, customers from Urumqi, Beijing, and other places have successively placed orders with Mengk Batu. "This is the first time since the company was established that so many customers have taken the initiative to come to us," Mengk Batu calculated an account, "After the full opening of the Uwei Highway, the goods can be delivered to Urumqi in more than 2 hours, and they can be sent from the airport on the same day, which greatly reduces the cost!"

Xu Jiwei (许纪伟), General Manager of Bazhou Wanjin Aquatic Products Co., Ltd. (巴州万锦水产有限责任公司), is also busy. Aiming at the time node of the full opening of the Uwei Highway, after market research, he decided to double the company's production capacity and has already made fish fry reserves.

"The company currently produces more than 50 tons of cold-water fish annually, which were mostly sold in the local market in the past. The freight to Urumqi costs about 4 yuan per kilogram, and the loss rate is about 8%," said Xu Jiwei. After the opening of the highway, the transportation cost can be reduced to half of the original, and it takes more than 2 hours to reach Urumqi, which can achieve basically no loss.

"After the full opening of the Uwei Highway, it will effectively connect the economic arteries of the north and south of Xinjiang, make the flow of regional resources smoother, and the industrial linkage closer, build a new pattern of regional coordinated development, and provide a solid guarantee for the efficient flow of people, logistics, and capital flow," said Wang Rui (王瑞), an official from the Transportation Management Office of the Department of Transportation of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (新疆维吾尔自治区交通运输厅). For the express logistics industry, it is expected to realize the "evening departure and morning arrival" next-morning delivery logistics network in Xinjiang, bringing new opportunities for the development of e-commerce and the export of special agricultural products.

Return to Top

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Announces Decision to Take Countermeasures Against U.S. Military-Industrial Enterprises and Senior Management Personnel

Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, December 26th. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (外交部) announced on the 26th the decision on countermeasures against relevant U.S. military-industrial enterprises and senior management personnel. The full text is as follows:

Decision on Countermeasures Against Relevant U.S. Military-Industrial Enterprises and Senior Management Personnel

(Promulgated by Order No. 19 of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China on December 26, 2025, and effective as of December 26, 2025)

The United States recently announced a large-scale sale of weapons to the Taiwan region of China, which seriously violates the One-China principle and the three Sino-US Joint Communiqués, seriously interferes in China's internal affairs, and seriously undermines China's sovereignty and territorial integrity. In accordance with Articles 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, and 15 of the "Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law of the People's Republic of China," the Chinese side has decided to take countermeasures against the following U.S. military-industrial enterprises and senior management personnel:

1. The movable property, immovable property, and other types of property within China of the 20 enterprises listed in the attached "Countermeasure List," including Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation (诺斯罗普·格鲁曼系统公司), L3Harris Maritime Services (L3哈里斯海事服务公司), Boeing in St. Louis (波音密苏里州圣路易斯市分公司), Gibbs & Cox, Inc. (吉布斯与考克斯公司), Advanced Acoustic Concepts (先进声学概念有限责任公司), VSE Corporation (VSE公司), Sierra Technical Services, Inc. (塞拉技术服务公司), Red Cat Holdings, Inc. (红猫控股公司), Teal Drones, Inc. (蒂尔无人机公司), ReconCraft (侦察艇有限责任公司), High Point Aerotechnologies (高点航空技术公司), Epirus, Inc. (伊庇鲁斯公司), Dedrone Holdings Inc. (迪德罗恩公司), Area—I (I领域公司), Blue Force Technologies (蓝力技术公司), Dive Technologies (潜航技术公司), Vantor (万拓公司), Intelligent Epitaxy Technology, Inc. (英特磊公司), Rhombus Power Inc. (菱形力量公司), and Lazarus Enterprises Inc. (拉撒路人工智能公司), shall be frozen; organizations and individuals within China are prohibited from engaging in relevant transactions and cooperation with them.

2. The movable property, immovable property, and other types of property within China of the 10 senior management personnel of the enterprises listed in the attached "Countermeasure List," including Palmer Luckey (帕尔默·卢基) (founder of Anduril), John Cantillon (约翰·坎蒂伦) (Vice President of L3Harris Technologies, Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer of L3Harris Maritime Services), Michael J. Carnovale (迈克尔·卡诺维尔) (President and CEO of Advanced Acoustic Concepts), John A. Cuomo (约翰·库默) (President and CEO of VSE Corporation), Mitch McDonald (米奇·麦克唐纳) (President of Teal Drones), Anshuman Roy (安舒曼·罗伊) (Founder and CEO of Rhombus Power), Dan Smoot (丹·斯穆特) (President and CEO of Vantor), Aaditya Devarakonda (阿迪亚·德瓦拉孔达) (CEO of Dedrone), Ann Wood (安·伍德) (President of High Point Aerotechnologies), and Jay Hoflich (杰伊·霍夫利奇) (Co-founder and CEO of ReconCraft), shall be frozen; organizations and individuals within China are prohibited from engaging in relevant transactions and cooperation with them; visas shall not be issued to them, and they shall not be allowed to enter China (including Hong Kong and Macau).

This decision shall take effect as of December 26, 2025.

Attachment: Countermeasure List

Ministry of Foreign Affairs (外交部)

December 26, 2025

Attachment

Countermeasure List

I. Enterprises

(1) Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation (诺斯罗普·格鲁曼系统公司)

(2) L3Harris Maritime Services (L3哈里斯海事服务公司)

(3) Boeing in St. Louis (波音密苏里州圣路易斯市分公司)

(4) Gibbs & Cox, Inc. (吉布斯与考克斯公司)

(5) Advanced Acoustic Concepts (先进声学概念有限责任公司)

(6) VSE Corporation (VSE公司)

(7) Sierra Technical Services, Inc. (塞拉技术服务公司)

(8) Red Cat Holdings, Inc. (红猫控股公司)

(9) Teal Drones, Inc. (蒂尔无人机公司)

(10) ReconCraft (侦察艇有限责任公司)

(11) High Point Aerotechnologies (高点航空技术公司)

(12) Epirus, Inc. (伊庇鲁斯公司)

(13) Dedrone Holdings Inc. (迪德罗恩公司)

(14) Area—I (I领域公司)

(15) Blue Force Technologies (蓝力技术公司)

(16) Dive Technologies (潜航技术公司)

(17) Vantor (万拓公司)

(18) Intelligent Epitaxy Technology, Inc. (英特磊公司)

(19) Rhombus Power Inc. (菱形力量公司)

(20) Lazarus Enterprises Inc. (拉撒路人工智能公司)

II. Senior Management Personnel

(1) Palmer Luckey (帕尔默·卢基), male, founder of Anduril

(2) John Cantillon (约翰·坎蒂伦), male, Vice President of L3Harris Technologies, Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer of L3Harris Maritime Services

(3) Michael J. Carnovale (迈克尔·卡诺维尔), male, President and CEO of Advanced Acoustic Concepts

(4) John A. Cuomo (约翰·库默), male, President and CEO of VSE Corporation

(5) Mitch McDonald (米奇·麦克唐纳), male, President of Teal Drones

(6) Anshuman Roy (安舒曼·罗伊), male, Founder and CEO of Rhombus Power

(7) Dan Smoot (丹·斯穆特), male, President and CEO of Vantor

(8) Aaditya Devarakonda (阿迪亚·德瓦拉孔达), male, CEO of Dedrone

(9) Ann Wood (安·伍德), female, President of High Point Aerotechnologies

(10) Jay Hoflich (杰伊·霍夫利奇), male, Co-founder and CEO of ReconCraft

Return to Top

2025 Overseas Communication Influence Forum Held

People's Daily, Beijing, December 26th (Ding Xuezhen (丁雪真), Li Siming (李思明)) The 2025 Overseas Communication Influence Forum was held on December 26th at the People's Daily (人民日报) headquarters. The forum, hosted by People's Daily Media Technology Co., Ltd. (人民日报媒体技术股份有限公司), was themed "New Expressions of Traditional Culture, New Strategies for International Communication," and brought together over 150 guests from central and local media outlets, international communication centers, universities, enterprises, and other organizations.

Participants engaged in in-depth discussions on new models and paths for promoting systematic reforms in mainstream media and enhancing the communication influence of Chinese civilization, focusing on topics such as "Strategic Opportunities for International Communication in the Context of Systemic Change" and "International Expression and Image Construction of Chinese Narratives in the New Era."

During the forum, the "Light and Shadow China: Documentary Era" public service exhibition activity, jointly launched by People's Daily Media Technology Co., Ltd. (人民日报媒体技术股份有限公司) and the China Intercontinental Communication Center (五洲传播中心), was officially launched, with the pilot film of the first documentary to be showcased, "Biosphere Diary," making its debut. The forum also released the "Sailboat: International Narrative and Communication Empowerment System," aiming to enhance the quality and efficiency of international communication capacity building from multiple dimensions. In addition, the forum launched the third Overseas Communication Excellent Case Collection Activity.

Return to Top

Editors of this page: Guan Xuanyue, Zhang Weihao, Zhai Qinqi

Return to Top

Science has answers, innovation knows no bounds. (Academician's popular science lecture - year-end special report)

Looking back at 2025, China's technological innovation is writing a chapter of progress across its vast landscape. The scientific research horizon is expanding towards the "four poles," with original breakthroughs emerging in fields such as quantum technology and lunar research. The integration of technological innovation and industrial innovation is accelerating, and industries such as artificial intelligence and new energy vehicles are booming. In the global innovation index ranking, China has risen to tenth place, consolidating the foundation for high-level technological self-reliance.

In the "15th Five-Year Plan" recommendations, "technology" is mentioned 46 times and "innovation" is emphasized 61 times. This edition launches the "Academician's Science Popularization - Year-End Special Report," allowing us to review the solid steps of technological innovation this year through the answers of eight academicians, open up scientific imagination for the future, and jointly embark on a new journey towards becoming a strong country in science and technology.

-- Editor

What kind of starry sky can be seen in lunar soil measured in grams?
Wu Weiren (吴伟仁), Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering

In terms of millions of years of human history, the birth and development of modern natural science is only a fleeting moment in history. Much scientific knowledge is derived from observing natural phenomena on the Earth's surface. Deep space exploration generally refers to the exploration activities of celestial bodies and space beyond the Moon, and has become one of the most challenging and driving high-tech fields in the world today.

In 2025, in the lunar far side samples retrieved by Chang'e-6 (嫦娥六号), micron-sized hematite and magnetite crystals, which are the cause of large-scale impact events, were discovered for the first time, revealing a new lunar oxidation reaction mechanism and achieving a major breakthrough in lunar scientific research. The Tianwen-2 (天问二号) probe, launched, will conduct close-range detection of a fast-moving near-Earth asteroid in space as far as 42 million kilometers from Earth and is expected to return samples by the end of 2027... At present, deep space exploration activities are transforming from engineering technology breakthroughs to major scientific discoveries and resource development and utilization, and from short-term visit-style exploration to long-term resident-style exploration and application. In the future, China will steadily promote major projects such as the construction of a lunar research station, manned lunar landing missions, Mars sample return, Jupiter system exploration, and near-Earth asteroid defense and application. Focusing on deep space science, deep space technology, and deep space resource development, it will accelerate the tackling of key core technologies and applications, comprehensively enhance the ability to enter, explore, and utilize space, support deep space exploration to develop towards all-round insight, boundary breakthroughs, and resource utilization, and help open a new chapter in space exploration.

Link

In 2025, we look to the deeper and farther universe: Chang'e-6 (嫦娥六号) lunar soil research has achieved a number of international pioneering breakthroughs, the Tianwen-2 (天问二号) probe has started its journey of asteroid exploration and sample return, and the "Kuafu-1 (夸父一号)" and other space science satellites have contributed a number of new discoveries... The pace of Chinese people's exploration of the universe is becoming more and more solid.

What unlimited future is hidden in quantum computing?
Guo Guangcan (郭光灿), Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences

If you ask what future is hidden in quantum computing? I think it hides the strategic initiative that we must master and are mastering. Quantum computing is a key technology for the future, which cannot be obtained, bought, or begged for.

To achieve full-chain independent control, the key lies in six aspects: quantum computing chips, measurement and control systems, and environmental support systems are the hard foundation, while quantum computer operating systems, application software, and cloud platforms are the soft foundation for realizing value. Only through deep integration with each other can we achieve the path of full-chain independent control from hardware to software.

To give an example, developing a quantum computer is like building a "rocket." Quantum computing chips are the "boosters" that generate computing power, measurement and control systems are the "guidance systems," and environmental support systems constitute the "rocket body" that carries everything. Above the hardware layer, the quantum computer operating system plays the role of the core "commander," application software is the specific "mission payload," and the quantum computing cloud platform is the key "launch site" and "connector." At present, China's quantum computing has yielded results: China's third-generation independent superconducting quantum computer "Benyuan Wukong (本源悟空)" has been launched, not only participating in the talent training of 77 universities, but also carrying out more than 100 application collaborations with domestic supercomputing, aerospace, power medicine and other key areas of enterprises, and has also achieved the export and international cooperation of quantum computing power "machine time"... This path of independent control from hardware to software is leading us to an unlimited future.

(Reported by Xu Jing (徐靖), reporter of this newspaper)

Link

On the "invisible" track, the future of quantum computing is "unlimited." In cutting-edge exploration, the superconducting quantum computing prototype "Zu Chongzhi-3 (祖冲之三号)" broke the record for the superiority of superconducting system quantum computing; in commercial applications, China's third-generation independent superconducting quantum computer "Benyuan Wukong (本源悟空)" successfully completed 740,000 global quantum computing tasks, flying from the laboratory to the market.

How does brain-computer interface "link" the vast world?
Zheng Hairong (郑海荣), Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences

We are standing at a new technological starting point. In the context of data becoming a means of production and artificial intelligence gradually becoming an important productive force, brain-computer interface is evolving into an infrastructure connecting carbon-based biological intelligence and silicon-based machine intelligence. Its mechanism lies in the neural activity imaging of brain signals, high-precision "decoding" reading, and intelligent "encoding" neural regulation writing.

Currently, three major brain-computer interface technology paths, invasive, semi-invasive, and non-invasive, are developing in parallel. Neural signals are acquired through methods such as implanted electrodes, intracranial attachment, or scalp collection, and combined with deep learning algorithms to achieve efficient decoding of information such as motor intentions, language, and even visual images. At the same time, brain-computer interface technology is moving from one-way "reading" to a two-way "reading and writing interaction" mode.

In my opinion, brain-computer interface technology points to a fundamental proposition: how to break through the inherent boundaries of intelligent forms? Silicon-based artificial intelligence driven by massive computing power and data, and carbon-based biological human brains that have evolved over billions of years, brain-computer interface is the key bridge to realize the complementarity and deep integration of these two major intelligent paradigms: guiding the development direction of silicon-based intelligence with carbon-based inspiration, ethics, and holistic thinking; expanding the cognitive boundaries of carbon-based intelligence with silicon-based unlimited computing power, accuracy, and massive storage. Thus, it will eventually lead to the organic integration of carbon-based life and silicon-based intelligence at the cellular and information levels.

The deep integration of carbon-based wisdom and silicon-based information will redefine the boundaries of intelligence and allow the possibilities of life to unfold infinitely.

(Reported by Yao Xueqing (姚雪青), reporter of this newspaper)

Link

The plot of mind control in science fiction movies is becoming a reality through brain-computer interface technology. In 2025, clinical transformation achievements of brain-computer interface emerged: new progress was made in interventional brain-computer interface, the first national brain-computer interface comprehensive clinical experimental ward was established, and the world's first multi-center clinical trial of brain-computer interface for neurological critical care was launched... Brain-computer interface technology is constantly moving towards scale and platformization.

How can digital intelligence technology empower thousands of industries?
Wang Jian (王坚), Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering

Turing, a pioneer of computing theory, once said: "As long as a person has a pen, a piece of paper, an eraser, and certain rules, it is a very efficient general-purpose machine." Digital intelligence technologies represented by cloud computing and artificial intelligence are like the "paper and pen" of this era, helping humans better expand their innovation capabilities and empower the development of thousands of industries.

Our country has a solid foundation for industrial digital transformation and has accumulated massive amounts of industrial manufacturing data. How can we better leverage the advantages of data elements to improve production efficiency and even transform manufacturing paradigms with industrial foundation models? Combined with industrial scenarios to truly help build a strong manufacturing country, digital intelligence technology has great potential.

The key to "Artificial Intelligence+" is not what to add, but how to add it, and the key lies in mechanism innovation. Specifically, it is reflected in agile scientific research organizations that adapt to the development trend of new technologies, and the path exploration of deep integration of technological innovation and industrial innovation. We must not only attach importance to innovation from 0 to 1, but also to innovation from 1 to 100. Because the process of promoting artificial intelligence to application is the process of promoting technology maturity and the process of promoting the entire society to recognize new technologies.

Open cooperation and open source innovation are accelerators. From the past "source code open" to "open innovation resources," this change not only accelerates the iteration of the technology itself, but also is an important way for us to provide international public goods to the world. The 021 scientific foundation model and the Three-Body Computing Constellation built by the Zhijiang Laboratory are cooperating with central enterprises, private enterprises, and international organizations through open innovation to expand the boundaries of computing and intelligence in space and contribute Chinese solutions to solving global challenges.

(Reported by Dou Hanyang (窦瀚洋), reporter of this newspaper)

Link

2025 witnessed the "evolution" of digital intelligence integration from concept to implementation: DeepSeek, domestic humanoid robots, and other achievements emerged in competition, "AI+scientific research" innovated scientific research paradigms, and smart factories, smart transportation, smart cultural tourism, and other scenarios expanded the application boundaries of digital intelligence technology. Digital intelligence technology is providing inexhaustible power for innovation and creation with unprecedented speed, breadth, and depth.

How can hydrogen energy inject new impetus into the new energy industry?
Ouyang Minggao (欧阳明高), Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences

In the new energy revolution with renewable energy as the main body, hydrogen energy is one of the important energy carriers that complements electric energy. Hydrogen energy and renewable energy have natural coupling advantages and can provide the electric energy, thermal energy (cold energy), and raw materials needed for production and life.

Why does hydrogen energy have an important strategic position today? On the one hand, hydrogen energy can simultaneously meet the requirements of resources, environment, and sustainable development; on the other hand, it is an ideal energy interconnection medium and an important way to promote the transformation of energy towards low-carbon and environmental protection.

From a functional point of view, hydrogen energy has main uses such as hydrogen energy storage, hydrogen raw materials, and hydrogen power in a zero-carbon energy system. Taking hydrogen power as an example, hydrogen fuel cells are developing rapidly and have expanded from road vehicles to engineering machinery, locomotives, small ships, aircraft, submersibles, and other fields. China has initially mastered important technologies such as hydrogen fuel cells and their key components, power systems, vehicle integration, and hydrogen energy infrastructure.

Through the joint efforts of the world, green hydrogen energy has made major progress in technology research and development and demonstration assessment, but it is not easy to achieve the economy of green hydrogen energy utilization and obtain large-scale commercial value.

In the future, facing the characteristics and difficulties of green hydrogen energy, we must adapt to circumstances and local conditions, define products with scenarios, and let hydrogen energy better benefit human society.

Link

The "15th Five-Year Plan" proposal proposes that "quantum technology, bio-manufacturing, hydrogen energy and nuclear fusion energy, brain-computer interface, embodied intelligence, and sixth-generation mobile communication should be promoted to become new economic growth points." Currently, hydrogen energy has become an important strategic choice for energy transformation. China has initially mastered the core technologies of hydrogen fuel cells and their key components, and has established a related industrial chain. Hydrogen energy is injecting new impetus into the development of China's new energy industry.

What kind of innovative soil is needed to cultivate scientific research talents?
Chai Liyuan (柴立元), Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering

As a key intersection of education, science and technology, and talent, universities should become "innovative fertile soil" that nourishes scientific research talents, and support high-level scientific and technological self-reliance with high-quality scientific and technological talents.

The cultivation of scientific research talents should be "precise drip irrigation," and the national strategic needs should be effectively transformed into the coordinate system of discipline layout and talent cultivation. In recent years, Tianjin University (天津大学) has proactively laid out key discipline directions such as synthetic biology, new energy storage, brain-computer interface, and integrated circuits, striving to accurately connect with national science and technology and industrial development.

Scientific research talents must step out of the "ivory tower" and face the industry and serve the society. We must start with the end in mind, strengthen application orientation, and organize scientific researchers to go deep into leading enterprises in the industry to bring back the "technology demand list" and real "R&D orders" from the front line of the industry to the laboratory. Let scientific and technological achievements start from industrial needs and end in practical applications, so that more scientific and technological talents can grow and become talents in the process of solving real and complex problems.

We must support young people to venture into the "no-man's land" and build a warm institutional environment and a flexible growth channel. On the one hand, we should promote the cultivation model of "strategic scientists + innovation teams" to allow young scientific and technological talents to take the lead in practical scenarios that serve major national strategic needs. On the other hand, we should continue to improve the multi-dimensional performance evaluation system, implement long-cycle and flexible assessment for basic research talents, encourage exploration, tolerate failure, and allow all types of talents to run at an accelerated pace on suitable tracks.

When more and more young people devote themselves to scientific research in the innovative fertile soil, they will surely gather strategic talent forces to support the country's high-level scientific and technological self-reliance.

(Reported by Li Jiading (李家鼎), reporter of this newspaper)

Link

A set of data is attracting attention: among the researchers participating in the national key R&D plan, those under the age of 45 account for more than 80%; the average age of the achievement completers of the National Natural Science Award winners is already below 45 years old. Young people are writing a new chapter in the construction of a strong country in science and technology on the front line of scientific research.

What kind of "warm support" is needed for the "cold bench" of basic research?
Zhou Zhonghe (周忠和), Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences

China's basic research started later than developed countries. However, with the rise of national economic strength, our attention and support for basic research have been continuously improved, and scientific and technological achievements and talent cultivation have attracted worldwide attention. We must also see that there are still many problems in China's basic research. Basic research has the characteristics of long cycle, high risk, and slow return. How can we make scientific researchers engaged in basic research willing to sit firmly on the "cold bench"? We need to continuously provide "warm support" from three levels: funding, policy, and culture.

From the perspective of funding, in 2024, the proportion of China's basic research investment in R&D expenditure is about 6.9%, which is significantly different from the general level of 15%-25% in major developed countries. In addition, the ratio of stable support and competitive support funds for basic research is too low, which is not conducive to scientific researchers engaging in major original research.

How to make up for the shortcomings? We should continue to increase support for the National Natural Science Foundation of China (国家自然科学基金), especially the general projects and youth science funds that the majority of young scientific and technological personnel rely on; give scientific researchers greater autonomy in allocation; and also broaden diversified investment channels, and encourage enterprises to establish joint basic research funds through tax reductions, R&D subsidies, and other policies to support public welfare scientific research projects and establish a feedback mechanism for the transformation of basic research results.

Policy support needs to focus on institutional innovation and implementation effectiveness, deepen the reform of scientific research evaluation, improve the fault-tolerant and error-correcting mechanism, and incorporate the "trial and error cost" into the positive assessment of scientific research management. Give scientists full autonomy, reduce intervention, and simplify the approval process for scientific research projects.

For basic research, a good scientific research cultural environment is very important, and it is also the most needed to improve and cultivate for a long time. In addition to vigorously promoting the spirit of science and the spirit of scientists, a stable, relaxed, fair, and tolerant social atmosphere is also very important, so that scientific researchers can feel the spiritual warmth, value recognition, and the power to move forward on the "cold bench," thereby continuously stimulating the original vitality of "from 0 to 1."

Link

Basic research is the source of the scientific system. From the official implementation of the newly revised "Regulations on the National Natural Science Foundation (国家自然科学基金条例)" to the continuous deepening of reforms such as the promotion of the funding package system, and the establishment of special support for young scientific and technological talents to go abroad (overseas) for exchange and training, China is constantly strengthening the support for basic research.

How can technological innovation and science popularization fly together?
Liu Jiaqi (刘嘉麒), Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences

As a geologist who has dealt with volcanoes for many years, and also the "volcano grandpa" in the mouths of children, I always believe that technological innovation and science popularization are inseparable. For more than 60 years, I have been working hard in the mountains of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (青藏高原) and the Greater Khingan Mountains (大兴安岭), and now I am also conducting science popularization in the classrooms of rural primary schools and in front of short video cameras. I deeply realize that the two can empower each other.
Scientific and technological innovation is the source of vitality for science popularization. When I first started scientific research in the last century, there was even a saying internationally that "there are no volcanoes in China." To this end, my team and I traveled all over the country, discovering more than 20 new volcanic sites and confirming more than 10 active volcanoes, **正名** (zhèng míng - "rectify the name," to vindicate; to restore someone's reputation), for the volcanoes of the motherland.

And science popularization is precisely the soil for scientific and technological innovation. In my eighties, I am still tirelessly running on the front line of science popularization, sharing volcanic knowledge on short video platforms. This year, I participated in the Science Chasing Light Program and went into schools in remote areas to communicate with children face-to-face, bringing volcanic knowledge to more young people. The China National Children's Center (中国儿童中心), together with a number of units, launched new forms such as the "Science Lecture Hall for Teenagers," which made me see the broad prospects for national science popularization. In my opinion, "chasing the light" is not only chasing the light of scientific truth, but also letting the light of science shine into the hearts of every child.

When children marvel at the mysteries of volcanoes, I see the seeds of science quietly sprouting. A child who is curious about science may grow into a scientific research talent in the future. The improvement of the scientific literacy of the whole people is the solid foundation of national scientific and technological innovation.

I hope to drive more colleagues to get out of the "**象牙塔**" (xiàng yá tǎ - "ivory tower," a state of being secluded and out of touch with the real world), and transform more scientific research results into science popularization content. I firmly believe that when one scientific and technological achievement after another is transformed into science popularization resources, and when one science popularization dissemination after another breeds the spark of innovation, scientific and technological innovation and science popularization will form a virtuous circle. In the future, I will continue to work hard on the front line of science popularization as "Volcano Grandpa" and let the light of science illuminate the eyes of children seeking knowledge.

Link

This year, the first National Science Popularization Month (全国科普月) witnessed the public's enthusiasm for scientific exploration and the country's commitment to improving citizens' scientific literacy. From "one day" to "one month," from one class to tens of millions of classes, science popularization is deepening from knowledge popularization to the cultivation of an innovative culture, laying a solid social foundation for building a strong country in science and technology.

Return to Top

Editor in charge of this edition: Chen Yuanyuan, Chen Shihhan, Dong Yingxue

This issue coordinated by: Zhi Chunli (智春丽), Xiao Yao (肖遥), Cao Yiqing (曹怡晴)
Layout design: Zhang Danfeng (张丹峰)
Academic support: China Association for Science and Technology (中国科学技术协会)

Return to Top

Advertisement

Return to Top

Bronze Age Civilization of the Shang Dynasty on the Loess Plateau (Archaeological China)

By: 孙战伟

On December 16th, the Zhaigou Site (寨沟遗址) in Qingjian (清涧), Shaanxi (陕西), and the research on the process of civilization in the Hongshan (红山) society were selected for the World Archaeological Forum's major field archaeological discoveries presentation. This news has attracted much attention.

The Zhaigou Site (寨沟遗址) is located in Zhaigou Village (寨沟村), Xiejia Gou Town (解家沟镇), Qingjian County (清涧县), Yulin City (榆林市), Shaanxi Province (陕西省榆林市), about 10 kilometers from the Yellow River (黄河), in the heart of the Loess Plateau (黄土高原). The area is 1200-1400 meters above sea level, with a loess accumulation thickness of 50-70 meters. The Wuding River (无定河), Qingjian River (清涧河), and Beiluo River (北洛河) converge into the Yellow River (黄河) from west to east. As one of the most severely eroded areas of the Loess Plateau (黄土高原), it has formed a typical loess hilly landform of connected ridges, mounds, plateaus, and covers.

Zhaigou (寨沟) is located at the intersection of grassland, agricultural areas, and the Central Plains (中原). It is at this geographical node that technology, etiquette, and political relations could flow. Zhaigou (寨沟) is not a short-lived outpost, but a long-term stable central settlement with regional influence. Its planning is strong, and the labor input is huge, showing a considerable degree of organizational ability and social hierarchy. Through the Zhaigou Site (寨沟遗址), we see a Bronze Age China (中国) with multiple centers coexisting and regional forces each with its own creativity.

According to oracle bone inscriptions and historical documents, this is one of the most densely distributed areas of Fang States (方国) in the Shang Dynasty (商代), with more than 60 known Fang States (方国). Since the 1940s, more than 500 Shang Dynasty (商代) bronzes have been discovered in this area, including both bronze ritual vessels with typical Central Plains Shang culture (中原商文化) styles and a large number of weapons and tools that highlight local characteristics, directly showing a highly developed bronze civilization, which has attracted continuous attention from academia. Since the 1980s, generations of archaeologists have been 孜孜以求 (zī zī yǐ qiú - "diligently seek," to pursue something tirelessly) and constantly exploring, and have successively carried out archaeological excavations at the Xuejiaqu (薛家渠) in Suide (绥德), the Lijia Cliff (李家崖) in Qingjian (清涧), the Gaohong (高红) in Liulin (柳林), and the Xinzhuang (辛庄) in Qingjian (清涧) sites. They have initially understood the archaeological cultural features of the Shang Dynasty (商代) in this area and identified a new archaeological culture - the Lijia Cliff Culture (李家崖文化).

Since 2022, in order to further deepen the study of the Shang Dynasty (商代) bronze civilization in the loess hilly area, the Shaanxi Provincial Institute of Archaeology (陕西省考古研究院) has jointly carried out systematic archaeological surveys, explorations, and excavations centered on the Zhaigou Site (寨沟遗址) with Peking University (北京大学) and other units, and finally confirmed a large-scale and rich Shang Dynasty (商代) regional central settlement, revealing the powerful Fang State (方国) bronze culture in the northwest region during the Yin and Shang period.

This is the largest Shang Dynasty (商代) central settlement on the Loess Plateau (黄土高原). Centered on large rammed-earth buildings, large tombs, small cemeteries, bronze casting remains, civilian activity areas, and other different functional remains are densely distributed on 12 surrounding mounds, covering an area of approximately 3 million square meters. Its huge scale, rich remains, and complete elements highlight the distribution characteristics of "multiple mounds as one, complementary functions" of the central settlement site in the northern loess ridge and mound area during the Shang Dynasty (商代).

The large rammed-earth building is located on an independent plateau mound - Zhaiyuan Gai (寨塬盖). Viewed from a distance, Zhaiyuan Gai (寨塬盖) resembles a magnificent high-platform building, enriching the architectural types of the pre-Qin period and fully demonstrating the super social organization ability and construction level at that time.

In addition, 42 pottery molds and 3 fragments of furnace walls and other metallurgical remains were unearthed at the Zhaigou Site (寨沟遗址), forming an almost complete bronze production chain. The pottery mold patterns are exquisite and have a distinct Yinxu (殷墟) style, showing that the local area has developed bronze casting technology and capabilities, providing key materials for exploring the origin of local bronzes.

This is the largest number of "甲"-shaped aristocratic tombs outside of Yinxu (殷墟). A total of 4 tombs are included in the excavated Houliujia Ta Cemetery (后刘家塔墓地). Although the tombs have been disturbed by盗扰, more than 200 burial objects of various types, such as copper, gold, jade, pottery, stone, bone, and shells, have been unearthed, providing important clues for studying the burial system of Fang State (方国) nobles in the Shang Dynasty (商代).

Through the investigation and exploration of the Zhaigou Site (寨沟遗址) and surrounding areas, archaeologists have discovered a total of 3 aristocratic tomb groups, with a total of 11 "甲"-shaped tombs. The unearthed bone spatulas, lacquerware, jade ware, and chariot parts are highly consistent in style with the artifacts unearthed from the Shang Dynasty (商代) royal tombs in Yinxu (殷墟). This is the largest, most numerous, and highest-level Shang Dynasty (商代) aristocratic tomb discovered to date outside of the Shang capital Yinxu (殷墟), which is of great significance for understanding the burial customs and social organization of the Lijia Cliff Culture (李家崖文化) nobles, including the Zhaigou Site (寨沟遗址).

More than 40 horse-drawn chariots have been excavated at the Zhaigou Site (寨沟遗址) and its surrounding areas, making it the area with the largest number of horse-drawn chariots unearthed outside of Yinxu (殷墟). The number of horse-drawn chariots currently excavated accounts for nearly half of the total number of horse-drawn chariots unearthed in Yinxu (殷墟), and the shape, structure, size, and chariot parts are completely consistent with those of the horse-drawn chariots in Yinxu (殷墟). Although the academic community still has disputes about the specific origin of the horse-drawn chariots in Yinxu (殷墟), the close connection between the two cannot be denied.

More noteworthy is that a two-shaft chariot was unearthed at the Wayaogou Cemetery (瓦窑沟墓地). The ends of the wooden structure of the car body are decorated with bronze ornaments, which are exquisitely made and decorated. This is the earliest physical object of a two-shaft chariot discovered in China (中国), advancing the appearance time of two-shaft chariots in China (中国) by about 1,000 years.

Exquisite burial objects witness the cultural integration of the Central Plains (中原) and the Northwest. The bronze chariot parts unearthed at the Zhaigou Site (寨沟遗址) are almost identical in shape, size, and decoration to the chariot parts unearthed from the chariot and horse tombs in the Xiaotun Palace Area (小屯宫殿区) of Yinxu (殷墟). The animal-face patterned bone spatula unearthed from the Houliujia Ta Cemetery (后刘家塔墓地) is very similar to the bone spatulas unearthed from large tombs such as M1001 in the Wangling District (王陵区) of Yinxu (殷墟). In addition, jade parrot ornaments, jade animal faces, lacquerware, turtle shells, etc. unearthed at the site can all be found in Yinxu (殷墟) with the same shape. These discoveries clearly reflect the close economic and cultural exchanges between the loess hilly area and the Shang Dynasty (商王朝), as well as the strong influence of the Shang Dynasty (商王朝) on the surrounding Fang States (方国).

The discovery of the Zhaigou Site (寨沟遗址) is of milestone significance, fundamentally refreshing the understanding of the civilization process of the Loess Plateau (黄土高原) in the late Shang Dynasty (商代), proving that there was a bronze civilization with complex social structure and superb technology at that time. As a Fang State (方国) remains recorded in documents, the Zhaigou Site (寨沟遗址) corroborates the close and complex interaction between the Shang Dynasty (商王朝) and the Fang States (方国), vividly presenting the dynamic political landscape of the Shang Dynasty (商代) frontier.

More importantly, it, together with the pre-Zhou culture, the Sanxingdui culture (三星堆文化) and other Fang State (方国) remains, constitutes key evidence, revealing the political and geographical structure of the "Dynasty-Fang State (王朝—方国)" in the Shang Dynasty (商代) and the cultural interaction of "Central Plains (中原)-Surrounding Areas", providing crucial archaeological support for understanding the formation and development of the diverse and integrated cultural pattern of the Shang Dynasty (商代) and the frontier governance of the Yin and Shang Dynasties, and further deepening our understanding of the formation model of early Chinese civilization.

(Author's unit: Shaanxi Provincial Institute of Archaeology (陕西省考古研究院))

Return to Top

The Value and Power of Technology: An Archaeological Perspective (Understanding the Past)

By: 陈时龙 彭小军

The sounds of striking stone tools, the spinning of clay, the polishing of jade, and the flowing of bronze – these sounds collectively form our earliest imagination of human society. When archaeologists brush away the soil and sediment from ruins, those ancient techniques emerge before our eyes, transcending time and space...

The "6th Shanghai Archaeology Forum" gathered scholars from 43 countries under the theme of "Technology, Society, and Archaeology." How does technology shape ancient societies? How do humans use technology to understand themselves and the world? In the digital age, what inspiration can we draw from the paths taken by our ancestors?

The Niuheliang Site (牛河梁遗址) in northern China provides a typical example. The jade artifacts unearthed here are exquisitely crafted, and the social forces behind them are worth noting. Quarrying, transportation, grinding, and polishing – each process requires a rigorous organizational structure. For example, making a jade dragon requires cross-regional material allocation, standardized processes, and a common symbolic system. Here, technology is like an invisible rope, weaving people together.

In the Yin Xu (殷墟) Shang King Mausoleum area, technology is embodied in a complete set of "national-level organizational capabilities." In the animal sacrificial pits, the selection, arrangement, and combination of each animal contain strict political and religious significance. The breeding system, transportation system, and ritual system support each other, forming a huge and complex operating network.

Looking further northwest, the Zhaigou Site (寨沟遗址) in Qingjian, Shaanxi Province, demonstrates another technological path. When local groups absorbed the bronze culture of the Central Plains, they did not simply copy it, but rather "transformed" and "re-created" it. They reshaped the bronze smelting system based on their natural environment, resource differences, and traditions, giving it a unique regional character. The spread of technology will re-grow in new soil.

At the same time, the rise of molecular archaeology has, for the first time, unfolded the history of technology and life on the same scale. Through ancient DNA, stable isotopes, and protein analysis, researchers reconstruct the migration and behavioral patterns of prehistoric populations. Human movement and technological networks are intertwined. How did the rice cultivation system spread with the population? How did climate change shape human adaptation mechanisms? How does culture construct social patterns? ... These studies reveal an important fact: technology is not just an innovation in the material world; it profoundly changes the biological structure and lifestyle of human beings themselves.

Technology has always been a bridge of cooperation. In the high-altitude Silk Road city-states of Central Asia, technologies such as architecture, irrigation, and transportation shaped cross-regional networks in harsh environments, allowing mountains to become nodes connecting civilizations rather than barriers. The Nazca Lines (纳斯卡地画) in South America demonstrate another kind of technological wisdom: in an almost barren plain, people transformed the landscape into a huge ritual stage through precise surveying techniques. Today's artificial intelligence technology is helping us re-identify these lines that have been hidden for thousands of years, and to have a dialogue with the "technical imagination" of ancient humans across time and space. The digital restoration of the Ramesseum (拉美西斯神庙) in Egypt allows us to see how the organizational structure and labor system behind the grand project were reshaped, recorded, and re-"understood" by today's technology.

Chinese experience and this series of cases from around the world echo each other, forming a deeper theme: technology shapes civilization, and civilization understands itself through technology. The value of technology has never been in the objects themselves, but in the social structure that it organizes behind them. These technological stories from around the world allow us to see the true power of technology, which is both material and ideological; both practical and ethical; belonging to a culture, and also having a shared nature that transcends civilizations.

Today, issues such as artificial intelligence, climate change, and the digital age are profoundly affecting our future choices. Looking back at ancient times, we will find that every leap in technology is accompanied by adjustments in social structure and the reconstruction of ethical foundations. The more powerful the technology, the more humans need to think about how we should use technology? How can we make technology serve cooperation? How can we make technology shape an open, diverse, safe, and resilient future?

Archaeology provides a profound answer. It tells us that cooperation is the deepest logic of technology, diversity is the most solid foundation of civilization, and order and ethics are the long-term guarantee of society. For this reason, the important significance of this World Archaeological Forum lies not only in presenting new academic achievements, but also in reminding us that technology can change the form of civilization, but how humans choose technology ultimately determines the direction of civilization. In the context of building a community of human destiny (人类命运共同体), ancient technology research provides us with a solid foundation for cross-cultural understanding and cross-civilizational dialogue.

Return to Top

Molecular Archaeology Reveals 100,000 Years of Human History in East Asia

By: 吴梦洋

On this densely populated and historically rich land of East Asia, what 100,000 years have humans traversed? Molecular archaeology is making this long history clear and readable in an unprecedented way.

The Fu Qiaomei (付巧妹) team from the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology (中国科学院古脊椎动物与古人类研究所) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (中国科学院) extracted ancient DNA from caves, shell mounds, wetlands, and early agricultural sites. Through thousands of genome samples, they depicted a magnificent history of population migration. The results show that prehistoric East Asia was a "giant net" woven from multiple waves of migration. Different groups of people came here at different times, either merging or replacing each other, ultimately forming the rich and diverse genetic landscape of East Asia today.

One of the most stunning breakthroughs came from the Harbin (哈尔滨) ancient human skull. Researchers extracted extremely small amounts of mitochondrial DNA from only 0.3 milligrams of dental calculus and, combined with ancient proteomic data, confirmed that it belonged to an early Denisovan lineage. This is the first time in East Asia that ancient DNA has been fully combined with ancient protein evidence, proving that Denisovans were active here for a long time and even appeared in the sediments of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (青藏高原). The mysteries of the past have now become empirical evidence.

In terms of modern populations, the 40,000-year-old Tianyuan Cave (田园洞) individual reveals the early face of East Asian modern human groups. He has a genetic connection with contemporary East Asian populations and is the earliest direct evidence to date. Around the Last Glacial Maximum, population replacements occurred one after another: ancient northern populations adapted to cold environments appeared in the north; the south, due to its milder climate, became a "safe haven" for multiple deeply differentiated lineages. Xingyi (兴义) individual in Yunnan (云南), Longlin (隆林) people in Guangxi (广西), Qihe Cave (奇和洞) people in Fujian (福建)... The lineages formed by these names converge like rivers, eventually flowing to today's East Asian, Austronesian, and Austroasiatic populations.

It is these extensive data that led the research team to propose the far-reaching "North-South dual ancestry" model: contemporary Chinese populations are formed by the convergence of two ancestral lines, one from the south and one from the north, which diverged 19,000 years ago and then continued to interact and merge during the Neolithic period. The emergence of agriculture became a key driving force. The millet cultivation in the north and rice cultivation in the south promoted people to cross coastlines and mountain corridors, and their genetic footprints extended to Taiwan (台湾), Guangxi (广西), Yunnan (云南), and even the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (青藏高原), and influenced the ancestral structure of Native Americans and the Ryukyu Islands.

On the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (青藏高原), the population continued for more than 5,000 years, with 80% coming from northern agricultural populations and 20% from long-unknown populations, which have now been traced back to the Xingyi (兴义) people in Yunnan (云南) 7,100 years ago.

The genetic structure of Xinjiang (新疆) is also diverse: the early Bronze Age population had already integrated Tarim (塔里木), grassland, and Central Asian components; after the Iron Age, the East Asian component increased significantly. More surprisingly, the fermented microbial genomes obtained from cheese in the Xiaohe Cemetery (小河墓地) show that pastoral technology and microbial communities were spread synchronously with population migration.

This series of achievements has made the human history of East Asia no longer blank and speculative, but a grand epic with molecules as clues. It tells us that East Asia is not the end of culture and genes, but an important hub connecting Eurasia, the Americas, and the Pacific; human migration is never unidirectional, but like a pulsating network, constantly converging, branching, and recombining.

(Author's affiliation: Key Laboratory of Scientific Archaeology and Cultural Heritage Protection (中国社会科学院科技考古与文化遗产保护重点实验室), Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (中国社会科学院))

Return to Top

A Single Exhibition Offers a Complete View of Lin'an, the Southern Song Dynasty Capital (What's New)

By: 孙 唤

The China Grand Canal Museum's "Canal City" series will welcome its fourth stop in 2025 with the opening of "Dream Liang'an – Hangzhou City of the Southern Song Dynasty." This exhibition brings together 237 Southern Song Dynasty cultural relics (sets) from 23 cultural and museum institutions, including 45 first-class cultural relics (sets), showcasing the past and present of a Jiangnan canal capital. Through three chapters, "Zhongxing Xingdu (中兴行都)," "Million Households (百万人家)," and "Ten Thousand Li of Wind-Powered Masts (万里风樯)," the exhibition presents the urban changes, urban culture, foreign exchanges, and trade prosperity of Lin'an (临安), demonstrating the bustling scene of a canal capital.

In March of the eighth year of Shaoxing (1138), Emperor Gaozong of Song (宋高宗) issued an edict, officially designating Lin'an as the "Xingzai (行在所)," or temporary capital, until it was captured by the Yuan army in 1276 AD. Lin'an remained the de facto capital of the Southern Song Dynasty.

With the help of documentary records and archaeological discoveries, we can clearly see the unique capital layout of Lin'an. Due to the geographical characteristics of being high in the south and low in the north, Lin'an did not follow the traditional capital construction principles of "choosing a central location" and "sitting north and facing south." Instead, it continued the spatial layout of "Southern Palace and Northern Market (南宫北市)" from the Wuyue Kingdom period—the imperial city was located in the south of the city, and the Imperial Street, as the central axis of the city, extended from south to north. Lin'an's urban planning placed more emphasis on pragmatism, resulting in unique urban planning ideas such as multi-functional halls that were "renamed at any time" and the north gate of the imperial city actually serving as the main gate.

The water systems within Lin'an were interconnected and closely linked, forming a developed intra-city waterway transportation system. At that time, the commercial center, Imperial Street, was accompanied by the Yanqiao Canal, and gold, silver, salt, and banknote exchange shops, as an important business form in Lin'an, were mostly distributed on the Imperial Street.

This exhibition displays some currencies with the Lin'an place name, which were cast by gold, silver, salt, and banknote exchange shops. For example, there are gold leaves with the "Qinghefang West (清河坊西)" mark, which are shaped like folded gold foil and were gold coins during the Southern Song Dynasty. At that time, competition among gold and silver shops was fierce, and shops would stamp their shop number inscriptions on gold and silver coins to highlight the high quality and reputation of their products. According to historical records, gold coins were mainly used for exchanging banknotes, taxes, tributes, military expenses, and national expenses, and are important material evidence for studying the financial and economic history of the Southern Song Dynasty.

For Lin'an, the canal was the lifeline of its material supply. Zhou Bida's (周必大) *Er Lao Tang Magazine (二老堂杂志)* records: "East Gate vegetables, West Gate water, South Gate firewood, North Gate rice. The East Gate has no residences, only vegetable gardens as far as the eye can see. The West Gate draws lake water into the city, which is distributed to the neighborhoods by small boats. Firewood from Yanzhou (严州) and Fuyang (富阳) gathers under the river and enters through the South Gate, while rice from Suhu (苏湖) comes from Beiguan (北关)." Most of these materials that maintained the city's operation were transported to Lin'an through the canal. The Midu Bridge (密渡桥) site, located on Miduqiao Road (密渡桥路) north of Wulin Square (武林广场) in downtown Hangzhou (杭州), is adjacent to the Wulin Wharf (武林码头) of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal (京杭大运河) on the east side and was an important gateway for entering and leaving Hangzhou in ancient times. During the Southern Song Dynasty, this place was not only an important distribution center for passengers and goods and a town center in the northern part of Lin'an City, but also a key channel for entering and leaving the Yuhang Water Gate (余杭水门) and connecting the inner-city rivers with the outer-city canals. Tons of ancient porcelain have been unearthed from the site, among which Southern Song porcelain accounts for the highest proportion and is of the best quality.

The maritime trade of the Southern Song Dynasty entered an unprecedented period of prosperity. The Eastern Zhejiang Canal (浙东运河) connected Lin'an with the port city of Mingzhou (明州) (now Ningbo (宁波)), which was a golden channel for Lin'an to carry out overseas trade and an important way for Lin'an culture to spread to the outside world. The exhibition presents the prosperity of import and export trade at that time through the relics unearthed from the "Nanhai One (南海一号)" and Quanzhou Houzhu Port (泉州后渚港), two Southern Song Dynasty sunken ships.

With the canal as its vein and gathering the momentum of rivers and seas, Lin'an wrote a wonderful ancient urban epic. We hope that visitors can travel through time and space in the exhibition hall of the China Grand Canal Museum (中国大运河博物馆) and feel the charm of this canal capital.

(Author's unit: China Grand Canal Museum)

Return to Top

Boundless Golden Lotuses Bloom All Over the City: Talking About the Intangible Cultural Heritage of My Hometown

By: 张 洪（安徽省芜湖市）

"Paper and bamboo as scales, leaping under the starry river; candlelight burning for a thousand years, swimming into every home..." This children's rhyme sings of the colorful light and shadow that "swim" out of the streets and alleys, fields and riverbanks of Wuwei (无为) in Anhui (安徽) every Lunar New Year – the Wuwei Fish Lantern (无为鱼灯).

The first time I was amazed by the fish lantern was on the Lantern Festival night when I was 7 years old. With the sound of drums and music, I saw a huge golden Ao fish (鳌鱼), shaking its head and wagging its tail, "swimming" through the crowd. I was so startled by the majestic momentum that I stepped back. My grandfather picked me up and put me on his shoulders: "Don't be afraid, this is a lucky lantern, here to bring blessings!" As the fish lantern danced closer, the men holding the lanterns shouted, and the giant fish suddenly "wagged its tail," and the dazzling light and shadow swept across my cheeks...

Later I learned that the "Ao fish" that night was the "head fish" of the fish lantern formation, leading various "fish lanterns" such as goldfish and carp. Isn't this exactly the grand occasion described by the Song Dynasty poet Yang Yuanheng (杨元亨) in "Qinyuan Spring·Wuwei Lantern Festival on Lu Shijun" (《沁园春·无为灯夕上陆史君》): "Ten thousand hu of golden lotuses, blooming all over the city"?

What I looked forward to most as a child was watching my grandfather make fish lanterns. "Making fish lanterns requires both form and spirit," my grandfather taught me as he worked. Making fish lanterns requires many processes such as selecting materials, tying the frame, pasting paper, and painting, and no sloppiness is allowed. During the day, it's just colored paper and bamboo strips; when you look at it again at night, a candle is lit in the belly of the lantern, and the light shines through the colored scales, and the paper and bamboo fish come "alive." With the development of the times, the rice paper for making fish lanterns has been replaced by gauze, and candles have mostly been replaced by electronic lights, but the craftsman's heart that pursues "both form and spirit" has never changed.

In Wuwei (无为), fish lanterns are also known as "lucky lanterns" and "happiness lanterns," with the meaning of fish leaping over the dragon gate, like a fish in water, and having more than enough every year. The dance formation of Wuwei Fish Lantern (无为鱼灯) is its unique charm. It imitates the swimming posture of fish by performers holding fish lanterns, sometimes "eight fish playing in the water," sometimes "golden hook hanging on the moon," sometimes "golden dragon holding the pillar"... The lanterns follow the people, and heaven and earth rejoice together.

In June of this year, Wuhu City (芜湖市) held the "Preserving Skills and Renewing, Reflecting the Past and the Present" Cultural and Natural Heritage Day event, inviting Wuwei Fish Lantern (无为鱼灯) parade performances to pray for blessings for people. What is swimming for thousands of years is more than just lanterns? It is the yearning for light and the expectation for a bright future.

The new year is approaching again, and I seem to see that the fish lantern, which represents light and hope, is swimming towards another brand new spring.

Return to Top

Giving Old Craftsmen "Digital Armor"

By: 于 涓 赵 斌

Jiaodong Peninsula (胶东半岛), the sea breeze is biting.

The departure of Qu Rongguo (曲容国), an old thatcher from Weiwei Village (巍巍村), Gangxi Town (港西镇), Rongcheng (荣成), Shandong (山东), has further reduced the already dwindling list of inheritors of the seaweed house construction skills. Old man Qu was a recognized "capable person" in the surrounding villages. The set of skills from thatching seaweed to pulling *bazi* to lay the roof, was a skill he had been familiar with since childhood and was ingrained in his body.

From the heavy rammed-earth dwellings of the Luxi Plain (鲁西平原) to the resilient seaweed houses along the Jiaodong coast, the diverse rural settlements on the Qilu (齐鲁) land are the crystallization of the people's wisdom for generations, and a concrete carrier of the Yellow River culture's (黄河文化) emergence towards the sea. The "warm in winter and cool in summer" feeling of the seaweed house has long become an instinctive memory of the coastal fishermen's homeland.

For a long time, intangible cultural heritage protection has relied on traditional "oral history" recording methods such as audio and video. However, in field investigations, the research team found that the more skilled the old craftsmen, the more they "have accuracy in their hands, but cannot explain the reasons in their mouths." For this kind of tacit knowledge of "knowing how but not knowing why," simple audio-visual recordings can only retain the "appearance" of the skill, but it is difficult to preserve its core "essence."

The rescue operation to transform "tacit knowledge" into "digital assets" is imminent. The "Oral History of Traditional Residential Building Craftsmen in the Lower Yellow River" project attempts to provide a "digital solution."

At the experimental site on the Jiaodong coast, the team no longer relies solely on traditional recording tools, but introduces inertial motion capture equipment, electromyographic signal sensors, etc., to put a set of "digital armor" on the old craftsmen. The ingenuity is thus visualized: the angular velocity of the wrist when turning seaweed, the precise fine-tuning of the core muscle groups when the waist maintains balance on a steep roof, and the subtle rebound of the interaction between people and materials between "one insertion and one pat," are all accurately captured and transformed into analyzable curves on the screen.

Through artificial intelligence technology, the team successfully "read" these body languages, decoded the experience deeply hidden in the muscles and nerves of the old craftsmen into a set of visible, readable, and learnable "skill action library," and the archives about "strength" and "qi" will be completely preserved.

Under the perspective of the digital model, we understand the wisdom that cannot be expressed in words: the seemingly rough beams and steep slopes of the seaweed house surprisingly achieve an amazing balance in structural mechanics. That is the rule of survival that the ancestors explored in the centuries of game with the sea breeze. The essence of this process is to transform the ineffable experience in traditional skills into calculable and replicable data elements. This is not only a scientific preservation of the "craftsman spirit," but also a vivid practice of creatively transforming the excellent traditional Chinese culture.

The digital rescue experiment of seaweed houses provides a replicable paradigm for the protection of cultural heritage on a larger scale. Currently, this work is spreading from a corner of Jiaodong to the lower reaches of the Yellow River.

Data collection is not the end, but the starting point of living inheritance. In the current rural construction, these precise data will become a "digital guide" for the renovation of old houses. Future craftsmen and planners can scientifically intervene based on the standardized action feature library, avoid "constructive destruction" caused by the discontinuity of skills, and allow ancient villages to truly retain their original features and preserve the long-lasting nostalgia.

At the same time, "digital presence" also broadens the imagination boundary for cultural and tourism integration. Teenagers in the city may only need to wear virtual reality equipment to stand on the roof ridge like old man Qu did back then, feel the sea breeze blowing on their faces, and experience the tremor and toughness when their fingertips compress the seaweed. This immersive synesthesia experience will become a vivid material for awakening village memories and spreading the Yellow River culture.

(Author's affiliation: Shandong Jianzhu University (山东建筑大学))

Return to Top

This edition's editor: Wang Jin

This edition's email: ysbjs@peopledaily.cn

Return to Top