People's Daily - January 17, 2026

Xi Jinping Meets with Canadian Prime Minister Carney

Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, January 16 (Reporter Dong Xue (董雪)) On the morning of January 16, President Xi Jinping (习近平) met with Canadian Prime Minister Carney, who was in China for an official visit, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing (北京人民大会堂).

Xi Jinping (习近平) pointed out that last October, we met in Gyeongju, South Korea, opening a new chapter in the turnaround and improvement of China-Canada relations. The two sides conducted in-depth discussions on restoring and restarting cooperation in various fields and achieved positive results. The healthy and stable development of China-Canada relations is in the common interest of both countries and is also conducive to world peace, stability, and development and prosperity. The two sides should, with a responsible attitude towards history, the people, and the world, promote the building of a new type of strategic partnership between China and Canada, promote China-Canada relations to enter a healthy, stable, and sustainable development track, and better benefit the people of both countries.

Xi Jinping (习近平) put forward four points of opinion on China-Canada relations. First, be partners of mutual respect. Over the 55 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Canada, the relations between the two countries have experienced ups and downs, leaving valuable historical experience and realistic enlightenment. Although China and Canada have different national conditions, they should both respect each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity, respect each other's chosen political systems and development paths, and adhere to the correct way for countries to interact with each other. Second, be partners of common development. The essence of China-Canada economic and trade relations is mutual benefit and win-win, and both sides have benefited from cooperation. China's high-quality development and high-level opening-up will continue to provide new opportunities and expand new space for China-Canada cooperation. The two sides should do more addition in promoting cooperation and more subtraction in negative lists, and constantly tighten the bonds of common interests with deeper and broader cooperation. Third, be partners of mutual trust. People-to-people connectivity is the most basic, solid, and lasting form of connectivity. The two sides should encourage all sectors of education, culture, tourism, sports, and local areas to strengthen exchanges and cooperation, facilitate personnel exchanges, and consolidate the foundation of public opinion. Fourth, be partners of mutual cooperation. A divided world cannot cope with the common challenges facing humanity, and the way out lies in upholding and practicing true multilateralism and promoting the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. China is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with Canada within the framework of the United Nations, the G20, and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, and jointly address global challenges.

Carney said that Canada has a long history of friendly exchanges with China, the economies of the two countries are highly complementary, and they have broad common interests and are full of opportunities. Canada is willing to build a strong and sustainable new type of strategic partnership with China to bring more benefits to the people of both sides. Under the leadership of President Xi Jinping (习近平), China's economy has developed rapidly, and its achievements in scientific and technological innovation are remarkable, providing impetus for world economic growth. Canada reiterates its adherence to the one-China policy and is committed to working with China in the same direction, respecting each other, working together, and expanding and strengthening cooperation in areas such as economy and trade, energy, agriculture, finance, education, and climate change. Multilateralism is the cornerstone of world security and stability, and President Xi Jinping's (习近平) proposed global governance initiatives are of great significance. Facing the intertwined international situation, Canada is willing to strengthen multilateral coordination with China, safeguard multilateralism and the authority of the United Nations, and jointly safeguard world peace and stability.

After the meeting, the two sides issued the "Joint Statement of the Leaders' Meeting between China and Canada."

Wang Yi (王毅) attended the meeting.

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Xi Jinping Accepts Credentials from New Ambassadors to China

Today's China is forging ahead courageously on a new journey of Chinese-style modernization. The 14th Five-Year Plan has come to a successful conclusion, the total economic volume has continuously surpassed milestones, scientific and technological innovation has yielded fruitful results, lush mountains and clear waters have become a beautiful backdrop, and the people's livelihood report card is heart-warming. The 15th Five-Year Plan proposal outlines a blueprint for China's economic and social development in the next five years, and also provides the world with a "list of opportunities." China's door to opening up will open wider and wider, and it will inject more certainty and new impetus into the world through high-quality development, so as to achieve common development and a beautiful shared future (美美与共 (měi měi yǔ gòng - "beauty and sharing together," a harmonious and mutually beneficial relationship)).

Today's world is undergoing accelerated changes unseen in a century, the international situation is intertwined with turbulence and changes, and global challenges are becoming more prominent. Division, confrontation, and zero-sum games are doomed to lead nowhere. Allowing the world to return to the law of the jungle is unpopular. Solidarity and cooperation are the only correct choices. I have proposed a global governance initiative aimed at promoting the construction of a more just and reasonable global governance system. China will always stand on the right side of history, take the people's heart as its own, take the world's benefit as its own, and work with all countries to promote the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind.

Xinhua News Agency, Beijing (北京), January 16th (Reporter Cao Jiayue (曹嘉玥)) On the morning of January 16th, President Xi Jinping (习近平) accepted the credentials presented by 18 ambassadors to China at the Great Hall of the People (人民大会堂) in Beijing (北京).

Outside the North Gate of the Great Hall of the People (人民大会堂), honor guards stood solemnly in formation, and welcoming bugles sounded. The envoys arrived one after another, passed through the flag formation, and ascended the white marble steps.

In front of the giant mural "This Land So Rich in Beauty" (《江山如此多娇》), Xi Jinping (习近平) accepted the credentials presented by the envoys respectively and took photos with them one by one.

They are: Turkish Ambassador to China Ismail Hakki Musa (于纳尔), Austrian Ambassador to China Andreas Riecken (海沃福), British Ambassador to China Vicki Treadell (魏磊), Iraqi Ambassador to China Shorsh Khalid Said (贝尔瓦利), Cypriot Ambassador to China Martha Mavrommatis (索菲亚努), Mauritian Ambassador to China Showkutally Soodhun (萧晓山), Slovak Ambassador to China Peter Lizák (莱齐亚克), Ghanaian Ambassador to China Dr. Winfred Nii Okai Hammond (邦苏), Namibian Ambassador to China Elia G. Kaiyamo (埃姆武拉), South Korean Ambassador to China Chung Jae-ho (卢载宪), Uruguayan Ambassador to China Fernando Lugris (卡夫拉尔), Swiss Ambassador to China Jürg Burri (马婷), Palestinian Ambassador to China Fariz Mehdawi (贾瓦德), Peruvian Ambassador to China Marco Balarezo (巴斯克斯), Lebanese Ambassador to China Milia Jabbour (拉德), Congolese (Brazzaville) Ambassador to China Daniel Owassa (马米纳), Lesotho Ambassador to China Lebohang Ntsinyi (林梅), and Myanmar Ambassador to China U Myo Thant Pe (佐温敏).

After the ceremony, Xi Jinping (习近平) delivered a speech to the envoys in the Beijing Hall (北京厅).

Xi Jinping (习近平) welcomed the ambassadors to China to assume their posts, and asked them to convey his best wishes to the leaders and people of their respective countries. He hoped that the ambassadors would visit various places to gain a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of the real and three-dimensional China, and actively contribute to deepening the friendship and cooperation between China and their countries.

Xi Jinping (习近平) emphasized that today's China is forging ahead courageously on a new journey of Chinese-style modernization. The 14th Five-Year Plan has come to a successful conclusion, the total economic volume has continuously surpassed milestones, scientific and technological innovation has yielded fruitful results, lush mountains and clear waters have become a beautiful backdrop, and the people's livelihood report card is heart-warming. The 15th Five-Year Plan proposal outlines a blueprint for China's economic and social development in the next five years, and also provides the world with a "list of opportunities." China's door to opening up will open wider and wider, and it will inject more certainty and new impetus into the world through high-quality development, so as to achieve common development and a beautiful shared future (美美与共 (měi měi yǔ gòng - "beauty and sharing together," a harmonious and mutually beneficial relationship)).

Xi Jinping (习近平) pointed out that today's world is undergoing accelerated changes unseen in a century, the international situation is intertwined with turbulence and changes, and global challenges are becoming more prominent. Division, confrontation, and zero-sum games are doomed to lead nowhere. Allowing the world to return to the law of the jungle is unpopular. Solidarity and cooperation are the only correct choices. I have proposed a global governance initiative aimed at promoting the construction of a more just and reasonable global governance system. China will always stand on the right side of history, take the people's heart as its own, take the world's benefit as its own, and work with all countries to promote the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind.

Wang Yi (王毅) participated in the above activities.

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Li Qiang Presides Over State Council Executive Meeting

Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, January 16th. Premier of the State Council Li Qiang (李强) presided over an executive meeting of the State Council on January 16th, heard a report on the progress of the special action to boost consumption, studied measures to accelerate the cultivation of new growth points in service consumption and other measures to promote consumption, deployed work related to the action to clear arrears owed to enterprises and ensure the payment of wages to migrant workers, and deliberated and approved the "Decision of the State Council on Amending and Abolishing Some Administrative Regulations (Draft)."

The meeting pointed out that since the launch of the special action to boost consumption last year, all regions and departments have continued to work hard to implement policies and have achieved positive results. It is necessary to deeply implement the special action to boost consumption, fully release the integrated effect of various policies, promote the close integration of benefiting people's livelihoods and promoting consumption, effectively enhance the endogenous power of residents' consumption, and give full play to the basic role of consumption in driving economic growth. It is necessary to accelerate the cultivation of new growth points in service consumption, support the emergence of new business forms, new models, and new scenarios, increase the supply of high-quality services, solve problems such as credit, standards, and safety management, and promote the improvement of service consumption to benefit the people. It is necessary to improve the long-term mechanism for promoting consumption, formulate and implement the "15th Five-Year Plan" for expanding consumption and the plan for increasing the income of urban and rural residents, accelerate the clearing of unreasonable restrictions in the consumption field, implement the paid vacation system, promote the continuous improvement of consumption capacity and willingness to consume, the coordinated upgrading of consumption structure and industrial structure, and accelerate the construction of a strong domestic market.

The meeting pointed out that clearing arrears owed to enterprises and ensuring the payment of wages to migrant workers are matters of great importance to the legitimate rights and interests of enterprises and the immediate interests of the people, and must be given high priority and continued efforts must be increased. It is necessary to speed up the clearing of arrears owed to enterprises, closely monitor key areas to strengthen supervision and guidance, consolidate local responsibilities, make overall arrangements, issue special bond quotas to support the clearing of arrears as soon as possible, give greater play to the role of financial policies, improve the long-term mechanism for clearing arrears, accelerate the clearing of existing arrears, and resolutely curb the increase in new arrears. It is necessary to earnestly solve the problem of wage arrears, continue to organize and implement the special action to address wage arrears, strictly implement the responsibilities of wage-owing units, comprehensively use monitoring and early warning, supervision and assessment, credit punishment and other measures to deepen source governance, strengthen temporary assistance to migrant workers in difficulty, and ensure overall social stability.

The meeting decided to amend some provisions of 9 administrative regulations such as the "Urban Greening Regulations" and abolish 2 administrative regulations such as the "Regulations on the Management of Township Coal Mines." The meeting pointed out that it is necessary to promote the amendment, abolition, and interpretation of administrative regulations in line with the times, steadily do a good job in the connection and transition of new and old regulations, improve supporting mechanisms and methods, enhance the systematicness, integrity, coordination, and timeliness of government legislation, and continuously improve the quality of administrative regulations.

The meeting also studied other matters.

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Meeting of the Special Work Mechanism for Addressing Formalism and Reducing Burdens at the Grassroots Level Held in Beijing

Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, January 16th. A meeting of the special work mechanism at the central level to rectify formalism and reduce burdens at the grassroots level was held in Beijing on January 16th. Cai Qi (蔡奇), a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and a member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, attended the meeting and delivered a speech. He emphasized the need to thoroughly study and implement the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping's (习近平) important instructions, continue to advance the work of rectifying formalism and reducing burdens at the grassroots level, implement policies with a nail-nailing spirit and a pragmatic style, and provide a guarantee of work style for promoting high-quality economic and social development.

The meeting emphasized the need to focus on the implementation of key tasks and promote more substantial progress in the rectification work. It is necessary to establish and practice a correct view of political achievements, educate and guide party members and cadres at all levels, especially leading cadres, to adhere to seeking truth from facts, carry out work in accordance with local conditions, and do more to lay the foundation, increase momentum, and benefit long-term development. Establish a guiding principle that emphasizes both immediate and potential achievements, improve the differentiated assessment and evaluation system, streamline and optimize assessment indicators, and guide cadres to face contradictions, solve problems, and promote development. It is necessary to further deepen the "six rectifications," rectify eagerness for quick success and instant benefits and blind decision-making, rectify statistical fraud, rectify irregular and disguised evaluations, commendations, and creation of demonstration activities, rectify hidden burdens at the grassroots level, rectify the "**文山会海**" (wén shān huì hǎi - "mountain of documents, ocean of meetings," excessive paperwork and meetings), and rectify formalism in supervision, inspection, assessment, research, investigation, and horizontal exchanges. Improve the mechanism for preventing and controlling "image projects" and "performance projects," and rectify formalism in planning and preparation. It is necessary to strengthen the implementation of the "Several Provisions on Rectifying Formalism and Reducing Burdens at the Grassroots Level," continue to rectify "formalism on the fingertips," deepen the construction of "One Form Access," further solve the prominent problem of "small horses pulling big carts" in grassroots governance, and make good use of the list of responsibilities for townships (streets). Deepen the clean-up and standardization of festivals, exhibitions, forums, and activities. It is necessary to conduct regular verification and notification, promote problem rectification by focusing on key points, and improve the effectiveness of rectification.

The meeting emphasized that all regions and departments should work together to deepen both the symptoms and root causes with pragmatic measures and promote the quality and efficiency of work. The central and state organs should continue to play a leading role in demonstration, and do a good job in consistency assessment with reducing burdens for the grassroots level when formulating policies, issuing documents, and deploying tasks, and grasp the rectification of this system and field. Local party committees at all levels should earnestly fulfill their main responsibilities and effectively solve problems such as work gaps. Special work mechanisms at all levels should continuously improve the level of standardization and institutionalization of work, strengthen overall coordination, and create a good atmosphere of taking responsibility, emphasizing practical work, and seeking practical results.

Responsible comrades from member units of the special work mechanism, relevant departments, provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities directly under the Central Government, and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (新疆生产建设兵团) attended the meeting. The meeting was held in the form of a video conference.

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Consolidate the Foundation of Peace and Rule of Law, Continue Writing New Chapters of the Chinese Miracle

By: 本报记者 亓玉昆

"If there's a conflict, find the Comprehensive Governance Center." Recently, under the mediation of the Comprehensive Governance Center in Jimei District (集美区), Xiamen City (厦门市), Fujian Province (福建省), the dispute between businessman Mr. Wang (王先生), upstairs resident Ms. Li (李女士), and the property management of the residential complex was resolved, and the neighbors regained harmony.

Political and legal work is an important part of the work of the Party and the state, concerning the immediate interests of the broad masses of the people, the long-term stability of the Party and the state, and the great cause of building a strong country and national rejuvenation.

Promoting the standardized construction of Comprehensive Governance Centers with a focus on the county level, strengthening judicial protection of the rights and interests of minors and the prevention and control of crime, strictly cracking down on and punishing crimes endangering food and drug safety, and coordinating the organization of special actions by the government system to regulate administrative law enforcement involving enterprises... Over the past year, the political and legal front has thoroughly implemented Xi Jinping's (习近平) thought on the rule of law and the overall national security concept, striving to build a higher level of Safe China and Rule of Law China, powerfully safeguarding the conclusion of the "14th Five-Year Plan" and continuing to write a new chapter in the Chinese miracle.

The foundation of social stability is more solid.

Promoting the standardized construction of Comprehensive Governance Centers is a major decision and deployment of the Party Central Committee and an important measure to promote the construction of a higher level of Safe China.

On Xinglinwan Road (杏林湾路) in Jimei District (集美区), Xiamen City (厦门市), the Jimei District Government Service Center (集美区政务服务中心) and the Jimei District Comprehensive Governance Center (集美区综治中心) are located next to each other. The two centers, one focusing on development and the other on safety, demonstrate, in a sense, a better consideration of coordinating development and safety.

Since March of last year, when the Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission (中央政法委) held an on-site meeting in Xiamen (厦门) to promote the standardized construction of social security comprehensive management centers, the resident departments of courts, procuratorates, public security, and judicial administration at all levels have reached a 100% occupancy rate, and the rotating departments such as the Women's Federation (妇联) and trade unions have basically achieved full occupancy, and the number of co-resident departments such as various social forces has increased significantly.

Deeply promoting the special governance of "resolving conflicts and risks and maintaining social stability," vigorously promoting the legalization of petition work in the political and legal field... The political and legal front adheres to and develops the "Fengqiao Experience" (枫桥经验) in the new era, maximizing the resolution of conflicts and problems at the grassroots level and handling them at the source.

Urban and rural community governance concerns the immediate interests of residents and the harmony and stability of urban and rural grassroots.

Chaotianmen Street (朝天门街道) in Yuzhong District (渝中区), Chongqing (重庆市), is located at the confluence of the two rivers, with many business districts, markets, and scenic spots, and a concentration of old residential buildings, which tests governance wisdom.

In recent years, Chaotianmen Street (朝天门街道) has promoted the establishment of "Old Liu Can Trust" (老刘信得过) and other acquaintance grid WeChat groups in辖区communities, with judges, procurators, police officers, and lawyers "joining the groups" to provide point-to-point consultation and mediation for family conflicts, neighborhood disputes, and other issues, striving to achieve no conflicts being turned over and no safety incidents occurring.

Guarding youth, living towards the sun.

In recent years, the Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission (中央政法委) has taken the lead in formulating special regulations on correctional education work, and all localities have taken the implementation of the regulations as the main starting point to coordinate the promotion of juvenile crime prevention and governance.

Special schools help juvenile delinquents return to the right track in life. In the first 11 months of 2025, the number of juvenile crime cases accepted and reviewed for prosecution by national procuratorial organs decreased by 9.74% year-on-year, and the number of cases prosecuted for infringing upon minors decreased by 1.85% year-on-year, achieving a "double decrease."

National peace and security are the most basic and universal aspirations of the people.

Through unremitting efforts, China has become one of the safest countries in the world. In 2025, the number of criminal cases filed by national public security organs decreased by 12.8% year-on-year, hitting a new low since the beginning of this century, and the number of public security cases filed decreased by 3.5% year-on-year. The social stability situation has continued to consolidate, and the people's sense of security has significantly improved.

The political and legal front has carried out normalized anti-gang crime and evil elimination struggles, comprehensively improving the ability to crack down on, prevent, and govern gang crime and evil in accordance with the law, and powerfully cracking down on the arrogance of gang crime and evil forces.

Secure employment, secure housing, secure health, secure peace of mind... Responding to the people's new expectations for safety, the political and legal front continues to strengthen the construction of the political and legal public service system, relying on "online case filing," "Internet + public security government services," "online legal services," and other means to provide the people with more high-quality political and legal public products.

Fairness and justice are more powerfully guaranteed by the rule of law.

Comprehensively governing the country according to law is a profound revolution in national governance.

From November 17 to 18, 2025, the Central Conference on Overall Law-Based Governance (中央全面依法治国工作会议) was held in Beijing (京), deeply summarizing the latest theoretical achievements and practical achievements of Xi Jinping's (习近平) thought on the rule of law.

Recently, centering on "deeply studying and implementing Xi Jinping's (习近平) thought on the rule of law and jointly creating a new situation in the construction of the rule of law in China," Party members of central and state organs "attended the same class."

"The rule of law is the basic way to govern the country and manage state affairs, and it is also an important guarantee for continuously improving people's well-being." A trainee from a central political and legal unit said that adhering to the protection of the people's good life and maintaining social fairness and justice with good laws and good governance can continuously create a new situation in the construction of the rule of law in China.

Political and legal reform is an important part of the reform in the field of the rule of law and is the only way to modernize political and legal work.

The Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission (中央政法委) has formulated a roadmap for further comprehensively deepening political and legal reform, the Supreme People's Procuratorate (最高人民检察院) and the Ministry of Public Security (公安部) have formulated opinions on strengthening the supervision of compulsory measures such as sealing up, detaining, and freezing, the Supreme People's Court (最高人民法院) and the Supreme People's Procuratorate (最高人民检察院) have studied and improved the system of selecting judges and procurators at each level, and the Ministry of Justice (司法部) has improved the long-term mechanism for regulating law enforcement involving enterprises... A series of measures have been taken to coordinate and promote the comprehensive deepening of political and legal reform and continuously strengthen the restriction and supervision of law enforcement and judicial power.

"In the past, everyone beat their own drums, and enterprises had a heavy burden of inspection. Now, multiple departments come to the door together and investigate at once, so we can focus more on production and operation." Focusing on the repeated and multi-headed problems existing in administrative inspections involving enterprises, Liandu District (莲都区), Lishui City (丽水市), Zhejiang (浙江) has deeply implemented the "one-time comprehensive inspection," which has been repeatedly praised by enterprise leaders.

"The rule of law is the best business environment." He Zhefang (何哲方), director of the Political Department of the Liandu District (莲都区) Justice Bureau, said that they will adhere to the principle of "managing risks and not disturbing without incident," continue to strengthen administrative law enforcement supervision, and accurately correct outstanding law enforcement problems that enterprises and the public strongly reflect.

Fairness and justice are the lifeline of political and legal work.

In 2025, the *Opinions of the CPC Central Committee on Strengthening Adjudication Work in the New Era* (《中共中央关于加强新时代审判工作的意见》) was issued, making comprehensive arrangements for accelerating the construction of a fair, efficient, and authoritative socialist judicial system.

Deepen the reform of the litigation system, standardize the application of the leniency system for admitting guilt and accepting punishment, and be lenient when leniency is due and strict when strictness is due; consolidate and deepen the achievements of the case filing registration system reform; build a law enforcement and case handling management center to improve the level of law-based public security construction... The political and legal front promotes the comprehensive rule of law around guaranteeing and promoting social fairness and justice, and strives to make the people feel fairness and justice in every legal system, every law enforcement decision, and every judicial case.

The "15th Five-Year Plan" proposal proposes to promote the construction of a rule-of-law society and create a good environment in which the whole society advocates the rule of law, abides by rules, respects contracts, and maintains fairness.

On November 1, 2025, the Law on Publicity and Education on the Rule of Law (法治宣传教育法) came into effect, and publicity on the rule of law also has legal protection.

Publicity volunteers and "legal明白人" (míng bái rén - "legal understanders," people who understand the law) all over the urban and rural areas carry out publicity activities in the streets and alleys and fields to help solve the problems around the masses and sow the seeds of believing in the rule of law, further consolidating the social foundation for comprehensively governing the country according to law.

The political and legal iron army in the new era is competent for important tasks.

A strong team makes the cause prosper. Forging a political and legal iron army in the new era that is loyal, clean, and responsible is the basic prerequisite for promoting the high-quality development of political and legal work.

In 2025, in-depth study and education on the spirit of the Central Eight-Point Regulation (中央八项规定) was carried out throughout the Party. The vast number of Party members and cadres on the political and legal front acted on orders, promoted the comprehensive and strict governance of the Party in depth, and gathered the power to start a business with a good style.

Study and use the first volume of *Xi Jinping's (习近平) Exposition on the Rule of Law* (《习近平法治文选》) and the *Study Outline of Xi Jinping's (习近平) Thought on the Rule of Law (2025 Edition)* (《习近平法治思想学习纲要（2025年版）》) well; improve the study system of the theoretical learning center group and strictly implement the "first topic" system; strictly implement the reporting system for major matters... The Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission (中央政法委) took the lead in setting an example and led the local party committees and political and legal committees to set up systems and rules and implement the Party's leadership in all aspects and the entire process of political and legal work.

Supplement calcium and strengthen bones, and condense the soul.

The Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission (中央政法委), together with the Central Organization Department (中央组织部) and the Central Party School (中央党校), held a special seminar for leading political and legal cadres to deeply implement the spirit of the Central Eight-Point Regulation (中央八项规定), fully perform their duties, and be brave in taking responsibility, using the "key few" to drive the "vast majority" and demonstrating and leading political and legal organs at all levels to carry out education and training by category and level.

The Beijing Municipal Party Committee Political and Legal Affairs Commission (北京市委政法委) continued to focus on major political theory training, simultaneous training of the capital's political and legal system, and the practical ability of political and legal cadres, and the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Party Committee Political and Legal Affairs Commission (广西壮族自治区党委政法委) held a training class for foreign-related legal talents...

Through all-round and multi-form strengthening of work style construction, education and training, the ability of the vast number of political and legal cadres to carry out work using legal thinking and legal methods has been continuously improved.

"Please do not inquire about the case with the court staff, interfere with judicial activities, or intervene in the handling of specific cases..." Looking at all parts of the country, various measures such as caller ringtones with warm reminders and notification letters of the "three regulations" to prevent interference in judicial affairs that are included in the case file are frequently exerted to ensure fair and honest justice.

Role models are vivid values and tangible positive energy.

On November 10, 2025, the advanced deeds report meeting of the "Role Model of the Times" (时代楷模) Chongqing Procuratorate Juvenile Protection Work Team (重庆检察未成年人保护工作团队) representatives was held in the Great Hall of the People (人民大会堂) in Beijing (北京). The six members of the report group conveyed the moving stories and advanced deeds of the team representatives to the whole society.

Over the past year, the Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission (中央政法委) has selected and commended advanced models to encourage the vast number of cadres and police to learn from the virtuous and transform the spirit of heroes and models and the power of role models into practical actions to serve the people, and continuously enhance the people's sense of gain, happiness, and security.

He who starts sharply must plan for its end, and he who succeeds must first plan at the beginning.

2026 is the first year of the "15th Five-Year Plan." The political and legal front adheres to the guidance of Xi Jinping's (习近平) thought on socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era, and promotes the modernization of the national governance system and governance capabilities on the track of the rule of law, which will surely provide stronger security guarantees and more powerful legal guarantees for the great cause of building a strong country and national rejuvenation.

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For the 13th Consecutive Year, China Remains the World's Largest Online Retail Market

According to reports from our newspaper in Beijing on January 16th (Wang Ke (王珂), Chen Siying (陈思颖)), at the recent National E-commerce Work Conference, relevant officials from the Ministry of Commerce (商务部) introduced that since the "14th Five-Year Plan," China has continuously promoted the high-quality development of e-commerce. The overall scale of digital consumption has exceeded 23.8 trillion yuan, ranking first in the world as the largest online retail market for 13 consecutive years.

It is understood that since the "14th Five-Year Plan," China has issued a series of policy documents focusing on digital consumption, rural e-commerce, and cross-border e-commerce, injecting strong impetus into building a unified national market. The deep integration of digital and real economies has continued, with over 1,500 industrial e-commerce matchmaking events covering nearly 10,000 enterprises, effectively empowering the upgrading of traditional industries and helping to promote the interactive promotion of online and offline channels. The number of "Silk Road E-commerce" partner countries has increased to 36, and the pilot zone creation tasks are progressing smoothly. Social benefits have continued to improve, with the number of related employees exceeding 78 million, driving an average annual growth of nearly 20% in express delivery volume, and the scale of related software information service industries such as cloud computing and big data has grown rapidly.

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Policy support to safeguard childbirth (Today's Talk)

By: 白弈非

Following the comprehensive implementation of the childcare subsidy system, recently, many regions have comprehensively improved the security level of prenatal examination costs, promoting the basic realization of "no self-payment" for childbirth within the scope of the pilot policy. The support of real money effectively reduces the burden of childbirth.

Childbirth is connected to thousands of households on one end and the national economy and people's livelihood on the other.

Policies provide support, safeguarding childbirth. From developing inclusive childcare and integrated childcare services to alleviate the difficulty of entering nurseries and kindergartens, to the gradual implementation of free preschool education, making high-quality educational resources more balanced, and then to multi-child families enjoying preferential treatment for purchasing and renting houses... policies anticipate the difficulties of the people and focus on investing in people and benefiting the people.

Being childbirth-friendly is reflected not only in the accuracy of policies but also in the warmth of society. Ensuring the implementation of maternity leave, parental leave, and other systems; breaking down outdated customs and bad habits, and relieving young people of the "burden of marriage and love"... In the new fashion, there is the inheritance of virtues and, even more, respect for people.

During the "15th Five-Year Plan" period, China will improve the population service system covering the entire population and the entire life cycle. It is believed that with the introduction of more favorable policies, a childbirth-friendly society is gradually approaching, and it will surely support the "stable happiness" of many families.

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Red Line Drawn for Comprehensive Utilization of Retired Power Batteries (Policy Interpretation)

By: 本报记者 王 政 刘温馨

The power battery is the core component of new energy vehicles. When its capacity decays to a certain extent after use, it will be decommissioned and recycled.

In recent years, China's new energy vehicle industry has developed rapidly. In 2025, the production and sales of new energy vehicles will exceed 16 million units, accounting for nearly half of domestic new car sales. As the capacity of power batteries in new energy vehicles sold and used in the past decays, China will enter a stage of large-scale decommissioning of power batteries. On January 16, six departments including the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (工业和信息化部) issued the "Interim Measures for the Management of Recycling and Comprehensive Utilization of Waste Power Batteries for New Energy Vehicles" (《新能源汽车废旧动力电池回收和综合利用管理暂行办法》), which will come into effect on April 1 this year, providing clear guidelines for achieving full-channel, full-chain, and full-life-cycle management of power battery recycling and utilization.

How will waste power batteries be recycled and utilized? The reporter interviewed relevant departments and industry insiders.

Clarify that power batteries are included when new energy vehicles are scrapped.

Waste power batteries will be generated simultaneously during the scrapping of new energy vehicles. Previously, it was not uncommon for batteries to be removed and processed before scrapped vehicles entered the factory for dismantling, i.e., "vehicle-battery separation scrapping."

"Some of these waste power batteries that are removed and processed in advance are resold after being purchased at high prices, and their flow is complex and difficult to trace, posing potential risks of non-standard treatment," said an industry insider. From the perspective of the entire industrial chain, the recycling and utilization of waste power batteries involves many enterprises, long processes, and complex channels, making supervision difficult.

In response, the measures focus on designing a "vehicle-battery integrated scrapping" system, requiring enterprises that recycle and dismantle scrapped motor vehicles to recycle and dismantle new energy vehicles in accordance with the law. If a scrapped new energy vehicle is missing a power battery, it should be identified as a missing vehicle.

"It should be noted that this provision does not apply to battery swap models and other situations, and relevant departments are studying and formulating specific management measures applicable to battery swap and other new models," said Wang Peng (王鹏), Director of the Energy Conservation and Comprehensive Utilization Department of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (工业和信息化部节能与综合利用司司长). Only by grasping the standardized management of various sources of waste power batteries such as battery production, vehicle scrapping, battery swap operation, and maintenance and replacement through all channels can we prevent the situation where the flow of waste power batteries is difficult to grasp.

In addition, the measures also clearly state that no organization or individual may directly use or process waste power batteries for electric bicycles and other fields prohibited by laws, administrative regulations, and mandatory standards. "Consumers should also not purchase lithium batteries for electric bicycles or other lithium battery products that do not meet mandatory standard requirements and whose sources are unknown," said Wang Peng (王鹏).

If the power battery of a new energy vehicle at home is scrapped, how should it be handled? The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (工业和信息化部) stated that consumers should hand over scrapped vehicles and power batteries to enterprises that recycle and dismantle scrapped motor vehicles, go through scrapping procedures in accordance with laws and regulations, and should not sell waste power batteries to non-standard recycling channels.

Each power battery pack will have a unique digital ID card.

"The measures propose to establish a digital ID card management system for new energy vehicle power batteries to further leverage the role of digital technology in full-chain supervision and management," said Wang Peng (王鹏). The Ministry will work with relevant departments to establish an information platform to generate a unique and dynamic digital ID card for each power battery pack.

The digital ID card uses the power battery code as an information carrier, associating information such as production, vehicle sales, battery swap, maintenance and replacement, vehicle scrapping, battery recycling, and comprehensive utilization, which will realize full-life-cycle flow monitoring and information traceability.

The measures also make provisions for the management of relevant information:

Clarify information reporting requirements. For new energy vehicle manufacturers, power battery companies, battery swap service companies, motor vehicle maintenance companies, scrapped motor vehicle recycling and dismantling companies, comprehensive utilization companies, and other entities, detailed requirements are specified for the content of collected traceability information, disassembly and dismantling technical support information, and upload time nodes.

Standardize data query and application. Motor vehicle maintenance companies, scrapped motor vehicle recycling and dismantling companies, and comprehensive utilization companies can query technical information such as disassembly and dismantling of new energy vehicle power batteries through the information platform, and should ensure that the relevant technical information queried is only used for the company's disassembly and dismantling of corresponding waste power batteries.

Strengthen data security protection. It is required that information platforms that carry out data processing activities should establish and improve relevant management systems in accordance with relevant laws and regulations, take technical measures and other necessary measures, and fulfill network security and data security protection obligations.

"The power battery digital ID card is a comprehensive information carrier, and its scope and specific content will be further expanded in the future according to industrial development and industry management needs," said Wang Peng (王鹏).

Clarify the qualifications of comprehensive utilization enterprises.

Comprehensive utilization of waste power batteries refers to activities such as dismantling, crushing, sorting, and smelting waste power batteries for resource utilization. The measures clarify the qualifications of comprehensive utilization enterprises and other requirements, and delineate the "red line" for comprehensive utilization.

Power batteries contain metal resources such as nickel, cobalt, manganese, and lithium, as well as toxic and harmful substances such as fluorine-containing compounds. According to the measures, the comprehensive utilization of waste power batteries should comply with the provisions of laws, administrative regulations, and mandatory standards on resource comprehensive utilization, environmental protection, and safe production; those who have not completed investment approval or filing procedures for waste power battery comprehensive utilization construction projects in accordance with the law, completed environmental impact assessments, built supporting environmental protection, safety, and other facilities, and obtained pollutant discharge permits or completed pollutant discharge registration procedures shall not engage in comprehensive utilization of waste power batteries.

"Some companies test, classify, disassemble, and recombine waste power batteries to manufacture new battery products," said Wang Peng (王鹏). Currently, some "ladder utilization" battery products on the market meet quality standard requirements, while others do not, so the measures no longer adopt the concept of "ladder utilization."

Wang Peng (王鹏) introduced that the measures require power battery companies and new energy vehicle companies to assume extended producer responsibilities such as "backstop" recycling. Other relevant companies should also fulfill corresponding responsibilities in each link, such as battery swap service companies, motor vehicle maintenance companies, and scrapped motor vehicle recycling and dismantling companies, which should hand over the waste power batteries disassembled by the company to comprehensive utilization companies for standardized comprehensive utilization, or hand them over to recycling service outlets established by power battery and new energy vehicle manufacturers in accordance with the law.

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Escorting the "Circular Rebirth" of Power Batteries (Reporter's Notes)

By: 刘温馨

According to relevant institutions, the domestic production of used power batteries will be nearly 400,000 tons in 2025 and will exceed 1 million tons in 2030. Against this backdrop, the introduction of new regulations by six departments to strengthen management is timely and will become a "weathervane" for the industry's legalization and standardized development.

The "vehicle-battery integrated scrapping" directly addresses the pain points at the source, clarifying that scrapped vehicles must be sold with batteries, fundamentally curbing the illegal loss of used batteries; the establishment of a digital ID card for power batteries and a national new energy vehicle power battery traceability information platform makes the entire life cycle of each battery traceable; the clarification of administrative penalty measures and implementing entities ensures that the responsibility of "whoever produces, whoever recycles" is implemented through "hard measures."

Doing a good job in the recycling and utilization of used power batteries is related to the high-quality development of China's new energy vehicle and power battery industries, to ecological environmental protection and the supply of important resources, and even more to the safety of people's lives and property. With the implementation of the measures, it is believed that used power batteries will truly turn waste into treasure and better achieve "circular regeneration." The new regulations are 正逢其时 (zhèng féng qí shí - "at the right moment," timely, opportune).

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Continuously Deepen Political Rectification, Advance the Building of Integrity and the Fight Against Corruption, and Provide a Strong Work Style and Disciplinary Guarantee for Achieving the Centenary Goal of the People's Liberation Army

Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, January 16th (Reporter Mei Changwei (梅常伟)) The Enlarged Meeting of the Central Military Commission (中央军委) Discipline Inspection Commission was held in Beijing (北京) on the 16th. Zhang Shengmin (张升民), Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission (中央军委), attended the meeting and delivered a speech. He emphasized the need to adhere to Xi Jinping (习近平) Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as guidance, to thoroughly study and implement Chairman Xi's (习主席) series of important speeches on comprehensively strengthening Party discipline and comprehensively strengthening military governance, to deeply understand the decisive significance of the "Two Establishments," to resolutely achieve the "Two Safeguards," to implement the Chairman of the Central Military Commission (中央军委主席) responsibility system, to deepen political rectification with a thorough spirit of self-revolution, and to promote the building of integrity and the fight against corruption with the perseverance and determination of **永远在路上** (yǒng yuǎn zài lù shàng - "always on the road," never resting on one's laurels; continuous effort), so as to provide a strong style of work and discipline guarantee for achieving the centennial goal of the army.

Zhang Shengmin (张升民) pointed out that the Party conduct and integrity building and the anti-corruption struggle of the army have achieved remarkable results in the past year. This year, it is necessary to promote comprehensive and strict Party governance with higher standards and more practical measures, continue to deepen political rectification, continuously purify thoughts, purify the ranks, and purify the ecology, and effectively forge the People's Army to be stronger. It is necessary to strengthen political supervision around the implementation of Chairman Xi (习主席) and the Central Military Commission's (中央军委) major decisions and deployments, strengthen supervision and inspection closely related to the tasks of war preparation and construction, strictly grasp the rigid implementation of political discipline and political rules, and ensure the high degree of centralized unity and purity and consolidation of the troops with iron discipline. It is necessary to simultaneously advance the efforts to make it impossible to be corrupt, unable to be corrupt, and unwilling to be corrupt, maintain a high-pressure posture in punishing corruption, improve the system and mechanism for managing power and governing power, and resolutely eliminate the soil and conditions for breeding corruption. Party committees at all levels must resolutely shoulder the political responsibility of governing the Party and administering the Party, be strict with themselves, be strict with their responsibilities, and strictly manage their subordinates, so as to lead by example in purifying the atmosphere of the troops and promoting construction and development.

Members of the Military Commission's (军委) Discipline Inspection Commission and Supervision Commission, and relevant leaders from various departments and units attended the meeting.

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Promoting mutual recognition of vocational skill certificates

This newspaper reported from Beijing on January 16th (Reporter Qiu Chaoyi (邱超奕)) Recently, the General Office of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, the General Office of the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, the General Office of the Ministry of Emergency Management, and the General Office of the State Administration for Market Regulation jointly issued the "Notice on Promoting Mutual Recognition of Vocational Skill Certificates," deploying efforts to promote mutual recognition of vocational skill certificates, reduce the burden on workers in obtaining skill evaluation certifications, and promote the rational and smooth flow of skilled personnel.

With the accelerated pace of economic restructuring and industrial upgrading in China, the flow of skilled personnel is becoming increasingly frequent. Due to the different laws and regulations, management and implementation departments, and evaluation standards and norms on which different vocational skill certificates are based, some skilled personnel face obstacles to mutual recognition of their vocational skill certificates when employed across regions and industries. The implementation of the notice is conducive to accelerating the construction of a unified national market, removing barriers to the flow of skilled personnel, and promoting the rational flow and effective allocation of skilled personnel resources.

The notice clarifies the promotion of mutual recognition of vocational qualification certificates in key areas. For practitioners who have obtained electrician and welder-related vocational qualification certificates issued by one of the departments of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, Emergency Management, or Market Supervision, when applying for corresponding certificates from the other two departments, unless otherwise specified, simplified examination procedures such as exemption from safety operation training or safety technical training, and exemption from theoretical examinations may be adopted.

The notice requires the establishment of a connection mechanism between vocational qualification certificates and vocational skill level certificates. Practitioners who have obtained electrician and welder-related vocational qualification certificates shall be deemed to have reached the level of primary or intermediate worker of the corresponding occupation (type of work), and may participate in higher-level skill evaluation as stipulated. For vocational qualifications for skilled personnel that have not carried out skill level evaluation, local authorities are supported to coordinate skill evaluation resources and explore joint skill evaluation through methods such as obtaining both vocational qualification certificates and vocational skill level certificates through one examination.

Strengthen the supervision and service of vocational skill certificates, and establish and improve a working mechanism in which the human resources and social security departments coordinate as a whole and relevant departments actively participate. The human resources and social security departments should promote the nationwide use of legal and valid vocational skill level certificates issued by vocational skill level assessment institutions; the departments and units implementing vocational qualifications for skilled personnel should promote mutual recognition and do a good job in the supervision of certified employment in their respective industries and fields in accordance with laws and regulations. At the same time, relying on the Skill Talent Evaluation Work Network of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security (人力资源社会保障部), the vocational skill certificate inquiry system should be further improved to promote the realization of one-stop inquiry.

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From Storage to Computing, Hundred-Member Team "Calculates" Nearly 200 Million Yuan in Revenue (Striving for the "15th Five-Year Plan" · First-Line Insights)

By: 本报记者 徐元锋 焦思雨

Accelerate the innovation of digital technologies such as artificial intelligence, break through basic theories and core technologies, and strengthen the efficient supply of computing power, algorithms, and data.
　　——Excerpt from the "15th Five-Year Plan" proposal

　　For Ningxia Xiyun Computing Technology Co., Ltd. (宁夏西云算力科技有限公司), the winter at the end of 2020 was particularly cold. In the large data center, the indicator lights were sparse, and nearly half of the server racks that once roared were empty. "The rack mounting rate dropped sharply, and revenue also shrank significantly," recalled Zhuang Ning (庄宁), CEO of Xiyun Computing.
　　Xiyun Computing is located in Zhongwei (中卫市), Ningxia (宁夏), and is one of the second batch of companies to build data centers there. Zhongwei has an average annual temperature of only 8.8 degrees Celsius. Taking advantage of the natural conditions of using natural air cooling to greatly reduce energy consumption and its good location, the company built a "digital warehouse" specializing in data storage and hosting. Due to the rapid development of the mobile Internet, the market demand for this business was large, but as more and more data centers were built in various places, competition became increasingly fierce, and Xiyun Computing encountered the dilemma of continuous customer loss.
　　Should they continue to compete for existing customers with lower prices in the traditional business, or find a new "blue ocean" by opening up new paths? Zhuang Ning and his team faced a difficult choice.
　　After the "Eastern Data and Western Computing" project was launched, Zhongwei seized the opportunity to build a national hub node for the integrated national computing power network. At the same time, the accelerated development of artificial intelligence, large model training, autonomous driving simulation, scientific computing and other fields have generated massive and urgent demands for "intelligent computing." "We gradually realized that the value of data centers must not stop at 'storage', but must move towards the higher dimension of 'computing'," said Zhuang Ning. Since then, Xiyun Computing has begun to conduct in-depth research on the intelligent computing industry and plan its transformation.
　　"The first few years of the transformation were the most difficult, it can be said to be 壮士断腕 (zhuàng shì duàn wàn - "brave warrior cuts off wrist," to act decisively at the cost of great sacrifice)," Zhuang Ning admitted. "It is necessary to invest huge sums of money to purchase expensive equipment and build a brand-new intelligent computing power platform. In order to free up space and resources for the self-built computing power cluster, we had to clear out the original data storage customers, and in 2022, revenue suddenly fell from 30 million yuan to less than 10 million yuan."
　　"Is it worth giving up a relatively stable income to gamble on an uncertain future?" Faced with doubts, Zhuang Ning and his colleagues recognized the trend and went ahead without hesitation.
　　Based on their observation of the artificial intelligence industry, they found that the demand for computing power is rapidly extending from single model training to inference applications. Therefore, the company not only deployed training clusters, but also took the lead in building a dedicated computing power pool for inference scenarios. In terms of infrastructure, they broke away from the traditional data center framework and customized a new generation of artificial intelligence data centers for the high-density and high-power consumption characteristics of artificial intelligence computing.
　　In order to provide developers with flexible and convenient computing power cloud services, in 2024, Xiyun Computing launched its self-developed "Danmo" intelligent computing cloud platform. Small and medium-sized enterprises, research institutions, and even individual developers can lease intelligent computing services on demand through this platform. Talking about the reason for choosing this name, Zhuang Ning said, "'Dan' means artificial intelligence 'alchemy', 'Mo' is a homophone for 'desert', and 'Danmo' means to extract inclusive computing power from the western desert."
　　"We have already formed close business partnerships with artificial intelligence large model companies, as well as upstream and downstream companies in the artificial intelligence industry chain such as finance, healthcare, autonomous driving, and data labeling, and revenue will reach nearly 200 million yuan in 2025," said Zhuang Ning. "For a team of less than 100 people, such achievements are the best reward for daring to transform and adhering to innovation."
　　"The '15th Five-Year Plan' proposal proposes to further promote the construction of a digital China," said Liu Guoqiang (刘国强), Secretary of the Zhongwei Municipal Party Committee (中卫市委书记). "We will build data center clusters to high standards, build a national data industry cluster area with high quality, develop new quality productive forces in accordance with local conditions, and shape new development advantages."
　　"We will continue to uphold the concept of jointly building a prosperous computing power ecosystem, deepen cooperation with all parties, act as the 'chain owner' of Ningxia's digital information industry chain, and help build new industrial advantages," said Zhuang Ning.

　　This issue is coordinated by: Qi Jiarun (祁嘉润)

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Cultivating More Digital Economy "Partners" (Expert Commentary)

By: 马志云

Ningxia Zhongwei seized the opportunity of the "Eastern Data and Western Calculation" project, turning the yellow sand Gobi into a "hotbed" of computing power. This is a vivid practice of the western region developing new quality productive forces in accordance with local conditions.

Currently, cities in the western region, such as Zhongwei, still face challenges in developing the digital economy, including slow infrastructure upgrades, insufficient intelligent computing supply capacity, weak digital-real integration empowerment, imperfect industrial ecology, difficulties in attracting and cultivating high-end talents, and unsound security guarantee systems. The key support for high-quality development of the digital economy lies in building an industrial ecosystem driven by both "computing power supply" and "integrated application." Computing power construction is not only about "large computer rooms and large data centers," but also a new quality productive force that empowers thousands of industries.

During the "15th Five-Year Plan" period, the development of the digital economy should shift from "scale construction" to "ecological prosperity," and policy and market forces should focus more on building open and win-win cooperative relationships. First, it is necessary to strengthen "east-west collaboration," encouraging leading artificial intelligence and internet companies in the east to not only move their computing power needs to the west, but also to deploy algorithm research and development, data labeling, model testing, and other industrial chain links, as well as some research and development functions, to the western region. Second, it is necessary to promote the deep integration and integrated development of education, science and technology, talent, and industry. Vigorously support local cooperation with universities, research institutions, and leading enterprises to carry out targeted research and development and order-based talent training in cutting-edge fields such as intelligent computing applications, data element development, commercial aerospace applications, and low-altitude economic exploration. In addition, it is necessary to innovate a long-term incentive for "value sharing." Going beyond simple endowment advantages such as rent and electricity prices, explore a comprehensive contribution evaluation and benefit-sharing mechanism based on computing power scale, data traffic, and industrial driving effects, actively attract and cultivate local data service providers, algorithm developers, and industry solution providers, and allow more business entities to become "partners" in the high-quality development of the digital economy, sharing the long-term dividends of industrial value-added.

(The author is an associate professor at the School of Economics and Management, Ningxia University (宁夏大学), and this article was compiled by Jiao Siyu (焦思雨), a reporter from this newspaper.)

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Core Components of Marine Engineering Equipment Achieve Breakthrough

Beijing, January 16th (Reported by Li Xinping (李心萍)) On the 16th, the world's largest piling ship's start-stop oil cylinder was successfully rolled off the production line in Jiangsu (江苏). As the "heart" of the piling ship, this oil cylinder, independently developed in China, has a cylinder diameter of 1.6 meters and a piston stroke of 21 meters. When fully extended, its total length is nearly 50 meters, about 17 stories high; its rated thrust reaches 5,000 tons, equivalent to lifting 3,500 family cars at once. The oil cylinder's weight, diameter, length, and thrust are all the largest in the world. The expert panel review concluded that the various technical performance indicators of the piling ship's main oil cylinder and core components have reached or exceeded the level of similar imported products. The successful development of this major equipment is another important breakthrough for China in the field of high-end marine engineering core components.

As the core executive component of the hydraulic system, the oil cylinder is responsible for converting hydraulic energy into linear reciprocating mechanical energy and is a crucial core component in various types of industrial equipment. The oil cylinder developed this time will be installed on the world's largest 156-meter dynamic positioning piling ship "Tiejian Daqiao Zhuang 1 (铁建大桥桩1) " invested and built by China Railway Construction Bridge Engineering Bureau (中国铁建大桥局). In June of this year, the piling ship will travel to Brazil to participate in the construction of Latin America's largest cross-sea cable-stayed bridge, the Salvador Cross-Sea Bridge.

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Repairing the Wind and Rain Bridge

On January 16, Yuping Dong Autonomous County (玉屏侗族自治县), Tongren City (铜仁市), Guizhou Province (贵州省) fully launched the maintenance and upkeep work on the wind and rain bridge in the urban area. This wind and rain bridge spans the Wuyang River (舞阳河) and is an important passage connecting the old urban area of ​​Yuping (玉屏) with the new district, as well as a tourist attraction. The bridge is 184 meters long and 13 meters wide, and the bridge deck is built with all-wood structure bridge railings, towers and pavilions.

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Optimize transportation and accommodation support for college graduates

This newspaper reported from Beijing on January 16th (Reporter Wu Dan (吴丹)) Recently, the Ministry of Education (教育部), the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security (人力资源社会保障部), the Central Committee of the Communist Youth League (共青团中央), and the China State Railway Group Co., Ltd. (国铁集团) jointly issued the "Notice on Launching the 'Double Benefit' Action for College Graduates Seeking Jobs in Other Places," providing train ticket discounts for the 2026 class of general college graduates seeking jobs in other places, further optimizing convenient services such as "Youth驿站" accommodation discounts, and helping college graduates to find employment smoothly.

According to the notice, the 2026 class of general college graduates who are seeking jobs across regions (the job search location is not where the school is located) will receive two additional discount ticket purchase opportunities per person this academic year, on top of the existing four one-way student discount tickets.

The relevant person in charge of the Passenger Transport Center of China State Railway Group Co., Ltd. (国铁集团) introduced that graduating students can apply for graduate discount qualification verification through the railway 12306 client discount qualification zone. Graduates from some universities who have not been verified on "学信网" can go to the station window with their graduate certificate to handle qualification collection and verification offline. After completing the verification, they can enjoy the discount.

The notice requires that the coverage of "Youth驿站" be steadily and orderly expanded, focusing on cities that absorb a large number of college graduates and city clusters and metropolitan business districts that are key national layouts and constructions, and the supply effectiveness of "Youth驿站" should be continuously strengthened. Promote projects such as "驿企直通车" and "青年夜校" to enter the stations, providing precise services such as employment information inquiries, entrepreneurship policy consultations, career planning guidance, and job search skills training for job-seeking graduates staying at the stations. Encourage localities with the conditions to provide discounts on transportation, communications, culture, tourism, and catering to job-seeking graduates staying at the stations, and conduct 3 to 6 months of job search dynamic tracking services.

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Joint Statement Between China and Canadian Leaders Following Meeting

I. At the invitation of Premier Li Qiang (李强) of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney (马克·卡尼) will pay an official visit to China from January 14 to 17, 2026. During the visit, President Xi Jinping (习近平) of the People's Republic of China will meet with Prime Minister Carney, Premier Li Qiang (李强) of the State Council will hold talks with Prime Minister Carney, and Chairman Zhao Leji (赵乐际) of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress will meet with Prime Minister Carney. The leaders of the two countries exchanged in-depth, pragmatic, and constructive views on China-Canada relations and international and regional issues of common concern.

II. The leaders of the two countries reaffirmed the guiding principles and policies of China-Canada relations. The Canadian side reiterated its long-standing commitment to the one-China policy. Both sides are committed to promoting a new type of strategic partnership between China and Canada in the spirit of mutual respect, equality, and mutual benefit, to better benefit the people of both countries.

III. The leaders of the two countries welcomed the recent progress in bilateral dialogues and agreed to strengthen exchanges at all levels and promote achievements in the following areas:

——Macroeconomics. The two sides decided to restart the high-level China-Canada Economic and Financial Strategic Dialogue to discuss a wide range of issues and strengthen bilateral economic relations.

——Economy and Trade. The leaders of the two countries agreed to strengthen the China-Canada economic and trade partnership and welcomed the progress made in resolving trade issues through consultation. Both sides are committed to expanding bilateral trade, strengthening two-way investment, and deepening cooperation in many areas of common interest. Both sides reaffirmed the importance of providing a fair and open business environment for enterprises of both countries and are committed to promoting the resolution of each other's economic and trade concerns through constructive consultation, including through the strengthened China-Canada Joint Economic and Trade Committee. The leaders of the two countries welcomed the signing of the "China-Canada Economic and Trade Cooperation Roadmap" and instructed officials to advance relevant work. The two sides have formed a preliminary joint arrangement for handling bilateral economic and trade issues. Both sides agreed to strengthen agricultural cooperation and food security, including reactivating the China-Canada Joint Agricultural Committee.

——Energy. Both sides agreed to support exchanges and cooperation in the field of clean energy and strengthen cooperation in the development of traditional energy resources such as oil and natural gas. Both sides decided to launch a ministerial-level energy dialogue to sort out key areas and provide support for two-way investment and trade in clean and traditional energy. Both sides are committed to responsibly managing bilateral civil nuclear energy based on existing cooperation and in accordance with the highest international standards such as relevant documents of the International Atomic Energy Agency, and strengthening cooperation in natural uranium trade.

——Finance. Both sides welcomed the establishment of the China-Canada Financial Working Group to strengthen exchanges on financial issues, etc. The working group will report to the co-chairs of the Economic and Financial Strategic Dialogue. The leaders of the two countries welcomed the signing of the "Third Extension and Amendment Agreement of the Bilateral Local Currency Swap Agreement between the People's Bank of China (中国人民银行) and the Bank of Canada (加拿大银行) for RMB/CAD".

——Public Safety. Both sides agreed to strengthen law enforcement cooperation in accordance with their respective laws, combat corruption, and combat transnational crimes such as cyber-telecom fraud and synthetic drugs. Both sides agreed to continue the annual meeting mechanism of the China-Canada Law Enforcement Cooperation Working Group, and to use the anti-drug dialogue as an important component to create more concrete results to ensure the safety of the people of both countries.

——People-to-people exchanges. Both sides agreed that people-to-people exchanges are the foundation of bilateral relations and agreed to strengthen people-to-people exchanges to enhance mutual understanding and cooperation. Both sides decided to restart the China-Canada Cultural Joint Committee. Both sides are committed to strengthening exchanges and cooperation in the fields of culture, education, art, cultural heritage, and creative industries, and enhancing exchanges between the legislative bodies and local governments of the two countries. Both sides agreed to provide support and convenience for media from both countries to work in each other's countries and to provide more convenience for personnel exchanges between the two countries. Both sides agreed to provide convenience for their respective diplomatic missions.

——Multilateralism. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to multilateralism, supported the United Nations in playing a central role in international affairs, maintained and improved the multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization (世界贸易组织) as its core and based on rules, and maintained the stability and smooth flow of global industrial and supply chains. The Canadian side attaches importance to the global governance initiatives proposed by the Chinese side. Both sides agreed to jointly promote the improvement of global governance and strengthen coordination on issues such as accelerating the implementation of the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda and the reform of the international financial system. The Canadian side supports China's hosting of the 2026 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting and looks forward to the success of various activities throughout the year. It thanked China for supporting Canada's proposal to host the 2029 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting. Both sides will seek to strengthen exchanges and cooperation within the framework of the G20 and agreed to deepen cooperation in the fields of climate and environment through mechanisms such as the Ministerial Meeting on Climate Action, the China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development, the "Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework", and cooperation documents such as the "Memorandum of Understanding on Climate Change Cooperation between China and Canada" and the "Memorandum of Understanding on Environmental Cooperation between China and Canada".

IV. Prime Minister Carney thanked the Chinese government and people for their warm and friendly reception. The Canadian side invited Chinese leaders to visit Canada at a time convenient for both sides, and the Chinese side welcomed this.

V. During the visit, the two sides signed the following cooperation documents:

(1) "Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Public Security of the People's Republic of China (中华人民共和国公安部) and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (加拿大皇家骑警) on Cooperation in Combating Crime"

(2) "Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development of the People's Republic of China (中华人民共和国住房和城乡建设部) and the Department of Natural Resources of Canada (加拿大自然资源部) and the British Columbia Ministry of Forests (不列颠哥伦比亚省林业厅) on Cooperation in Modern Wood Structure Buildings"

(3) "China-Canada Economic and Trade Cooperation Roadmap"

(4) "Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People's Republic of China (中华人民共和国文化和旅游部) and the Department of Canadian Heritage (加拿大遗产部) on the China-Canada Cultural Joint Committee"

(5) "Memorandum of Understanding between the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (中华人民共和国海关总署) and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (加拿大食品检验署) on Food Safety and Animal and Plant Health Cooperation"

(6) "Arrangement between the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (中华人民共和国海关总署) and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (加拿大食品检验署) on Quarantine and Sanitary Requirements for the Export of Canadian Pet Food to China"

(7) "Memorandum of Understanding between the National Energy Administration of the People's Republic of China (中华人民共和国国家能源局) and the Department of Natural Resources of Canada (加拿大自然资源部) on Strengthening Energy Cooperation"

(8) "Letter of Intent for Cooperation between China Central Radio and Television (中国中央广播电视总台) and the Canadian Tourism Commission (加拿大旅游局)"

(Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, January 16)

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The Lessons and Opportunities in the Improving China-Canada Relationship (Harmony Voice)

The experience and inspiration accumulated in the development of China-Canada relations are not only a common asset for the two countries, but also of great significance for all countries in the world to overcome difficulties and create a future together.

On January 16, President Xi Jinping (习近平) met with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (卡尼) who was in China for an official visit. This was the first visit to China by a Canadian Prime Minister in eight years, and another important interaction between the leaders of the two countries following their meeting in Gyeongju, South Korea last October, which was of pivotal significance. The international community has paid widespread attention to this, generally believing that the visit sent a positive signal that China and Canada are consolidating the momentum of improving relations and further developing exchanges and cooperation in various fields.

Since last year, with the joint efforts of both sides, China-Canada relations have returned to the correct track of development after experiencing seven years of twists and turns. The meeting between President Xi Jinping (习近平) and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (卡尼) in Gyeongju, South Korea, opened a new chapter in the improvement of China-Canada relations. During his meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (卡尼) this time, President Xi Jinping (习近平) proposed that China and Canada should be partners of mutual respect, common development, mutual trust, and mutual cooperation, pointing out the direction for promoting China-Canada relations to enter a healthy, stable, and sustainable development track. The improvement of China-Canada relations is not only conducive to the two countries better responding to the challenges facing their respective development, but also provides inspiration for countries to correctly handle their relations with each other and strengthen win-win cooperation in a turbulent situation.

Upholding principles is essential to consolidate the foundation. In interactions between countries, it is imperative to adhere to international law and the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, respect each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and respect each other's chosen political systems and paths of development. Only on this basis can relations between countries develop in a healthy and stable manner. The current positive momentum in the development of China-Canada relations has not come easily, and both sides should cherish it all the more, especially by earnestly practicing mutual respect and equal treatment. With a responsible attitude towards history, the people, and the world, they should promote the construction of a new type of strategic partnership between China and Canada to benefit the people of both countries.

Seeking common ground while reserving differences is essential for steady and long-term progress. It is normal for countries to have differences on some issues, and this should not become an obstacle to friendly relations. Canada was one of the first Western countries to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China. The 55-year history of China-Canada relations, with its ups and downs, shows that for two countries with different paths of development to find the right way to get along, the key is to see where the common interests lie, where the opportunities for cooperation lie, and where the people's expectations lie, and not to let differences overwhelm the overall situation or let disagreements hinder cooperation. The different social systems of China and Canada stem from different historical and cultural accumulations and are based on the choices of their respective peoples. Only by establishing an objective and rational understanding, correctly viewing each other, and properly handling differences can the development of relations between the two countries stay on course and not lose speed.

Focusing on cooperation is essential to empower each other. China and Canada have highly complementary resource endowments and economic structures. The essence of China-Canada economic and trade relations is mutual benefit and win-win, and both sides benefit from cooperation. A recent poll released by the Ipsos Group shows that more than half of Canadians support strengthening trade ties and economic cooperation with China. China has long been Canada's second-largest trading partner, and 125 Canadian companies participated in the 8th China International Import Expo, a record high. All of this shows that China-Canada mutually beneficial cooperation stems from endogenous demand and has strong resilience. Looking to the future, China's high-quality development and high-level opening-up will continue to provide new opportunities and expand new space for China-Canada cooperation. Both sides should do more to promote cooperation and reduce negative lists, so as to continuously tighten the bond of common interests through deeper and broader cooperation.

The experience and inspiration accumulated in the development of China-Canada relations are not only a common asset for the two countries, but also of great significance for all countries in the world to overcome difficulties and create a future together. In this era when the destinies of all countries are intertwined, division, confrontation, and zero-sum games are doomed to lead nowhere. Solidarity and cooperation are the only correct choices. At present, unilateralism and protectionism are causing serious shocks to global development. All members of the international community, including China and Canada, must firmly stand on the right side of history, uphold and practice genuine multilateralism, and promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

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Wang Yi Speaks with Uzbek Foreign Minister Saidov Over the Phone

Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, January 16th - Wang Yi (王毅), member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs, spoke on the phone with Uzbek Foreign Minister Saidov (赛义多夫) on January 16th at the latter's request.

Wang Yi (王毅) stated that the strategic guidance of the two heads of state provides the most important political guarantee for the China-Uzbekistan all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership in the new era. Last year was another fruitful year for China-Uzbekistan relations, with cooperation in various fields such as economy, trade, culture, and local affairs showing a good situation of comprehensive expansion and continuous warming up.

Wang Yi (王毅) pointed out that at the very beginning of 2026, the international situation has become more turbulent, the shadow of war continues to emerge, and unilateral bullying is rampant everywhere. China and Uzbekistan should strengthen strategic coordination, deepen strategic cooperation, unswervingly do their own things well, support each other in safeguarding core interests, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields, and at the same time, closely cooperate on international and regional issues, resist the **弱肉强食** (ruò ròu qiáng shí - "the weak are prey to the strong," the law of the jungle), safeguard the basic norms of international relations, safeguard the leading position of the United Nations, safeguard international fairness and justice, and safeguard regional peace and stability. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Uzbekistan, and the two sides should jointly design and expand the next decade of China-Uzbekistan relations.

Saidov (赛义多夫) said that President Mirziyoyev's (米尔济约耶夫) successful visit to China last September injected strong momentum into bilateral relations. Developing relations with China is a priority direction of Uzbekistan's foreign policy. Uzbekistan and China have a high degree of mutual trust, and the development of their relations is not affected by temporary events. The Uzbek side firmly adheres to the one-China principle and opposes any actions that undermine China's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Uzbek side looks forward to working with the Chinese side to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, further strengthen high-level exchanges, deepen cooperation in various fields, and promote the China-Uzbekistan all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership in the new era to a deeper level. The Uzbek side is willing to continue to strengthen multilateral communication and coordination with the Chinese side, defend multilateralism, and safeguard international law and the basic norms of international relations.

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He Lifeng Points Out at China-Canada Trade and Investment Dinner: China and Canada Should Work Together to Promote the Stable, Healthy, and Sustainable Development of Bilateral Economic and Trade Relations

He Lifeng (何立峰), member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council, attended the China-Canada Trade and Investment Dinner in Beijing on the evening of January 16 and delivered a speech together with Canadian Prime Minister Carney.

He Lifeng (何立峰) pointed out that China and Canada should, under the strategic guidance of the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, adhere to mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, cooperation and win-win results, and mutual achievement, and jointly promote the stable, healthy and sustainable development of bilateral economic and trade relations. China is unswervingly expanding high-level opening up to the outside world and constantly developing new quality productive forces, and is willing to create a new situation of cooperation with all countries in the world, including Canada.

Carney said that China is Canada's second largest trading partner. Canada looks forward to strengthening high-level exchanges with China, making good use of dialogue mechanisms in economic and trade and other fields, and deepening cooperation in trade, agriculture, energy and other fields.

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Gathering the Important Force to Drive the Transformation of the Global Governance System

By: 本报记者 曹师韵

"China has proposed the Global Governance Initiative, emphasizing five core concepts: adhering to sovereign equality, abiding by international rule of law, practicing multilateralism, advocating a people-centered approach, and focusing on action-oriented principles. It systematically elaborates China's proposals for reforming and improving the global governance system, providing a clear and operational path for developing countries to participate in the reform of the global governance system." Garby Samhudi, a senior researcher at the Indonesian Southeast Asia Strategic Research Institute, said in a recent interview with this reporter that the Global Governance Initiative fits the needs of the world today, conforms to the aspirations of the people, and injects valuable stability into a turbulent world.

Against the backdrop of multilateralism facing challenges and the authority of the United Nations being tested, Samhudi said that the Global Governance Initiative is rooted in the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter and actively responds to the international community's universal expectation of deepening multilateral cooperation and improving global governance. "The proposal of the Global Governance Initiative demonstrates China's firm support for the United Nations to play a central role in international affairs and to safeguard true multilateralism," said Samhudi.

"Currently, the authority of international law and international rules is weakening, and many countries are disregarding previously reached international agreements or multilateral cooperation frameworks in order to achieve their own interests." Samhudi believes that reaffirming and maintaining the authority and seriousness of international law is particularly urgent. The Global Governance Initiative advocates the equal and unified application of international law and international rules, pointing the way for rule-based global governance.

In Samhudi's view, the Global Governance Initiative not only originates from China's own governance exploration, but also provides a reference for other countries, especially developing countries. Samhudi said: "Developing countries face highly similar problems in international affairs, and their feelings and judgments on changes in the international situation are also relatively close. Therefore, it is easier to resonate with the core concepts of the Global Governance Initiative."

In recent years, China has successively proposed four major global initiatives. Samhudi said that the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative, and the Global Governance Initiative are interconnected and together constitute a systematic Chinese solution to global problems, reflecting China's wisdom and strength in contributing to the reform and improvement of global governance. "The four major global initiatives focus on issues of universal concern and have received widespread response, making developing countries realize that they are not isolated, which helps to gather important forces to promote the transformation of the global governance system," said Samhudi.

Samhudi highly praised China's practice of implementing the Global Governance Initiative, believing that it demonstrates China's spirit of respecting national sovereignty and adhering to multilateral cooperation. Samhudi said that China has established increasingly close ties with developing countries, including Indonesia, through multilateral mechanisms such as the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the BRICS countries, and the G20, and actively promotes the construction of a more just and reasonable international order. "China's firm support for multilateralism has been universally recognized by the vast number of developing countries."

Samhudi said that Indonesia and China are actively expanding cooperation space under regional multilateral frameworks such as ASEAN-China, providing useful lessons for improving regional governance. He said that the infrastructure projects such as highways and railways promoted by China in many parts of Indonesia have strongly promoted local economic development, especially benefiting remote areas and people. The two countries have great potential for cooperation in renewable energy, the digital economy, and fintech. "ASEAN countries generally welcome China to increase investment and cooperation in the region." Samhudi said, "The proposal of the Global Governance Initiative and China's active role in regional governance will create important opportunities for China and developing countries, including Indonesia, to deepen cooperative relations."

(Reported from Jakarta (雅加达) by this newspaper)

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He Lifeng to Attend World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2026 and Visit Switzerland

The People's Daily, Beijing, January 16th (Reporter Li Xinyi (李欣怡)) - A spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (外交部) announced on the 16th: At the invitation of the World Economic Forum and the Swiss Federal Government, He Lifeng (何立峰), member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee (中共中央政治局) and Vice Premier of the State Council (国务院), will travel to Davos, Switzerland, from January 19th to 22nd to attend the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2026 and visit Switzerland.

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Liu Haixing Meets with Palestinian Fatah Cadre Delegation

Beijing, January 16th (Reported by this newspaper) On January 16th, Liu Haixing (刘海星), Minister of the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (中共中央对外联络部), met in Beijing (北京) with a delegation of cadres led by Zakarneh (扎卡尔内), member of the Fatah Revolutionary Council of Palestine (巴勒斯坦法塔赫革命委员会) and Deputy Minister of the Department of Arab Relations and Chinese Affairs, to exchange views on implementing the important consensus reached by the heads of state of the two countries through party-to-party channels and promoting cooperation in various fields.

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Foreign Ministry: China Congratulates Uruguay on Assuming the 2026 Chairmanship of the "Group of 77 and China"

This newspaper's Beijing (北京) dispatch on January 16th (Reporter Li Xinyi (李欣怡)) Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo JiaKun (郭嘉昆) stated on the 16th that China congratulates Uruguay (乌拉圭) on assuming the chairmanship of the "Group of 77 and China" in 2026, and looks forward to the "Group of 77 and China," under Uruguay's (乌拉圭) leadership, further consolidating consensus on unity and cooperation, practicing true multilateralism, firmly safeguarding the authority and role of the United Nations (联合国), promoting the return of development issues to the center of the international agenda, and working together to build a community with a shared future for mankind.

At the regular press conference that day, a reporter asked: Recently, the "Group of 77 and China" held a handover ceremony for the chairmanship at the United Nations (联合国) headquarters, and Uruguay (乌拉圭) officially took over as chairman for 2026. What is China's comment on this? What are your expectations for the work of the "Group of 77 and China" in 2026?

Guo JiaKun (郭嘉昆) said that the "Group of 77 and China" is an important force for safeguarding the common interests of developing countries and improving the global governance system. It is also a mainstay in defending multilateralism, playing an irreplaceable role in international affairs. As the largest developing country, China has always shared the same breath and destiny with the Global South, standing firmly with the Group of 77, defending international fairness and justice, and safeguarding the common interests of developing countries.

Guo JiaKun (郭嘉昆) said that United Nations (联合国) Secretary-General Guterres (古特雷斯) reiterated the important value of multilateralism, unity, and cooperation at the handover ceremony. This reflects the common aspiration of the international community. Against the backdrop of the current turbulent and changing international situation and the headwinds encountered by multilateralism, developing countries need to unite and strengthen themselves even more, jointly oppose unilateralism and bullying, and safeguard their legitimate development interests.

Guo JiaKun (郭嘉昆) said: "We look forward to the 'Group of 77 and China,' under Uruguay's (乌拉圭) leadership, further consolidating consensus on unity and cooperation, practicing true multilateralism, firmly safeguarding the authority and role of the United Nations (联合国), promoting the return of development issues to the center of the international agenda, and working together to build a community with a shared future for mankind."

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Zou Jiayi Appointed President of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank

This newspaper reported from Beijing on January 16th (Reporter Ge Mengchao (葛孟超)) The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) (亚洲基础设施投资银行 (亚投行)) announced on January 16th that Zou Jiayi (邹加怡) has officially taken office as the President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the AIIB, leading the institution into a new stage of development in its second decade.

In her inaugural address, Zou Jiayi (邹加怡) stated that embarking on a new journey of development, the AIIB shoulders an even more important mission. Faced with global common challenges, only by strengthening cooperation can we effectively respond. By promoting international cooperation and infrastructure development, we can make a positive contribution to building a better world, and the AIIB has a unique advantage in realizing this vision.

Zou Jiayi (邹加怡) stated that the AIIB will adhere to multilateralism, deepen regional cooperation, continue to support high-quality, sustainable infrastructure construction, promote economic growth, promote digital development, protect the natural environment, expand connectivity, and create more development opportunities for members.

She thanked the members for their trust and support, and looks forward to working closely with all members and partners to promote the implementation of more projects through pragmatic actions, enhance development effectiveness, enhance regional resilience, and jointly build a greener and more prosperous future.

In June 2025, the AIIB Board of Governors elected Zou Jiayi (邹加怡) as the new President. The first President of the AIIB, Jin Liqun (金立群), completed his term of office and stepped down on January 15, 2026.

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Photo Report

As the Spring Festival approaches, Shengzhou (嵊州), Zhejiang Province (浙江省), the hometown of Yue Opera, recently launched the "Shengzhou Celebrates the New Year, Continuous Fortune" New Year Consumption Culture and Tourism Season. This event offers citizens and Chinese and foreign tourists a New Year cultural and tourism feast that is "full of New Year flavor, fun, and culture" through the deep integration of commerce, tourism, culture, and sports, and full-scene immersive experiences. The picture shows foreign tourists (left) learning Yue Opera movements.

Fu Bin (傅斌) photo

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China helps Burkina Faso achieve food self-sufficiency

By: 本报记者 邹 松

"We finally achieved food self-sufficiency in 2025," said Burkina Faso President Ibrahim Traoré (易卜拉欣·特拉奥雷) recently. Under the leadership of the Chinese agricultural expert team, hybrid rice has been widely promoted and planted in Burkina Faso, and high-yield millet has also achieved a bumper harvest. "Chinese agricultural technology has become an important guarantee for food security in Burkina Faso." In 2025, Burkina Faso promoted hybrid rice on a large scale for the first time, with a demonstration planting area of 95 hectares, producing an average of more than 9 tons of rice per hectare, far exceeding the country's average level of 2.37 tons per hectare.

Since 2018, China has sent three phases of agricultural technology expert teams to Burkina Faso. With China's support, local rice production has continued to grow, from 325,000 tons in 2017 to 504,000 tons in 2023. The third phase of the agricultural aid project, launched in March 2025, focuses on promoting China's high-yield hybrid rice technology and industrial poverty alleviation experience, building demonstration villages and new variety display areas, and helping Burkina Faso's food security and rural poverty reduction.

"This is the first time I have seen rice grow so fast and the panicles are so full," said Salam Tinga (萨拉姆·廷加), chairman of the Nariou (纳里乌) demonstration village cooperative in the Hauts-Bassins Region (南多大区), "The transplanting, irrigation and other methods we learned from the Chinese experts are very efficient and practical."

"In 2025, the successful promotion and harvest of hybrid rice is a new achievement in Sino-Burkinabe agricultural cooperation. The newly selected Chinese hybrid rice varieties are very adapted to the local climate conditions, and Sino-Burkinabe agricultural cooperation has truly taken root in the fields, benefiting the people," said Hu Yuzhou (胡宇舟), leader of the agricultural technology expert team to Burkina Faso.

At the beginning of the promotion of hybrid rice, facing the doubts of local technicians and growers, the expert team selected three rice varieties to participate in the Burkina Faso National Regional Trial. The Chinese varieties showed significant advantages in terms of yield, resistance, and rice quality, and passed the Burkina Faso National Approval at one time. Subsequently, the expert team adopted the method of "combining points and surfaces" to carry out large-scale trial planting in two demonstration villages, focusing on promoting high-yield hybrid rice technology; at the same time, 800 hectares of lowland rice fields were newly developed in eight regions of Burkina Faso, and nearly 6,000 person-times of agricultural technology training were completed.

The second phase of China's aid project for millet planting demonstration technology in Burkina Faso has also achieved a bumper harvest. Since the implementation of the project for more than a year, Chinese agricultural experts have carried out more than 260 multi-type technical guidance sessions in 10 demonstration villages, trained more than 7,000 people, and driven surrounding villagers to promote the planting of high-yield millet on more than 12,000 hectares. The project team also donated tractors, seeders, threshers, etc. to the local area, and built millet processing plants and breeding bases and other infrastructure to continuously improve local millet production efficiency and agricultural mechanization level.

Sanou (萨努), Secretary-General of the Ministry of Agriculture of Burkina Faso, said: "Chinese agricultural experts have brought excellent varieties and high-yield technologies of millet, which have promoted the development of agricultural production in Burkina Faso and improved agricultural production efficiency."

Zhao Deyong (赵德勇), Chinese Ambassador to Burkina Faso, said: "Agriculture is crucial to a country's food security. China will continue to share experience and deepen cooperation with Burkina Faso to help Burkina Faso achieve food self-sufficiency and promote agricultural modernization."

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A Visit to Luanping: Witnessing Four Transformations

By: 本报记者 叶 琦 胡洪江 邵玉姿

At the beginning of the new year, revisit Luanping (滦平).

Gaowopu Village (高窝铺村), Dengchang Manchu Township (邓厂满族乡), Luanping County (滦平县), Hebei (河北), has been renovated with new roads and bridges. Chen Fengli (陈凤利), a villager, has a newly built house, filled with warmth.

More than five months ago, continuous heavy rainfall affected over 30,000 households in the county. In Gaowopu Village (高窝铺村), bridges and roads were destroyed, and Chen Fengli's (陈凤利) house was in ruins.

"Respond at the first moment, handle at the first moment," Luanping's (滦平) party members and cadres took the initiative to step forward and address the people's urgent needs. Chen Fengli's (陈凤利) family alone received over 100,000 yuan in various funds, including major disaster insurance compensation and emergency disaster relief funds.

After the flood receded, no one in the county returned to poverty or became impoverished due to the disaster.

"Poverty alleviation is a historic project and a solemn commitment made by the Communist Party of China to the people. Our Party is the most serious, **言必行、行必果** (yán bì xíng, xíng bì guǒ - "what is said must be done, what is done must be fruitful," one must keep one's word and ensure results), doing what we say," Xi Jinping (习近平) emphasized in January 2019 during an online exchange with reporters from the People's Daily (人民日报社) and the first secretary stationed in the poverty-stricken village, who were interviewing in Luanping County (滦平县), Chengde City (承德市), Hebei Province (河北省).

Bearing in mind the earnest entrustment, from poverty alleviation to rural revitalization, from impoverished mountainous areas to charming mountain cities, Luanping (滦平) has undergone a transformation: the regional GDP has jumped from 10.46 billion yuan in 2012 to 21.14 billion yuan in 2024, the per capita disposable income of rural residents has increased by 258% to 17,417 yuan, tourism revenue has increased from 22 million yuan in 2012 to 11.971 billion yuan in 2024, and the industrial structure has shifted "from rough to refined"...

Changes in the Countryside -

"Our next goal for rural areas is rural revitalization"

With eight parts mountains, one part water, and one part farmland, Luanping (滦平) was once a key county for national poverty alleviation and development work.

In Qingshiduo Village (青石垛村), Fuyingzi Town (付营子镇), deep in the mountains, the per capita income in 2012 was less than 800 yuan.

Wang Lichun (王丽春), a villager in Lizhazi Village (李栅子村), Anchungoumen Town (安纯沟门镇), lived in a dilapidated house for many years, with four generations crammed into a leaky stone house.

Based on its mountainous endowment, Luanping (滦平) built a system of "Party member leadership, precise assistance, and industrial support" to resolutely win the battle against poverty: more than 6,300 Party members in the county formed assistance pairs with impoverished households, guiding and cultivating 456 Party member leaders to become wealthy.

Qingshiduo Village (青石垛村) developed tourism, turning the mountain gully into a "treasure basin"; Wang Lichun (王丽春) joined the army of nearly 4,500 relocated households in Luanping (滦平) and moved into her dream home. All 17,551 households and 54,408 registered impoverished people were lifted out of poverty, and in 2021, the Luanping County (滦平县) Party Committee was awarded the title of "National Advanced Collective for Poverty Alleviation."

New era, new journey.

"Our next goal for rural areas is rural revitalization." Xi Jinping's (习近平) important instructions during his inspection in Chengde (承德) in August 2021 set the direction.

During the transition period, Luanping's (滦平) village-based assistance work insisted on maintaining the team, maintaining the intensity, and continuing the work. Party organizations directly under the county government went down to expand the industrial chain of "Party building + homestay management" and "Party building + Chinese herbal medicine base."

Implement new concepts, open up new ideas, and eat "green food."

Seizing the strategic opportunity of coordinated development of Beijing (北京), Tianjin (天津), and Hebei (河北), Luanping (滦平) is building a "green vegetable supply base around Beijing." Cucumbers, radishes, edible fungi... it takes less than 4 hours from picking to entering supermarkets in Beijing (北京).

Two kilometers from Wang Lichun's (王丽春) relocation community is the "5G+ smart agriculture" project built by Anchungoumen Town (安纯沟门镇) to support the relocation community, which has already driven the employment of more than 100 households out of poverty and brings 400,000 yuan of income to local households out of poverty every month.

In recent years, Luanping (滦平) has invested more than 1.7 billion yuan in poverty alleviation (connection) funds, developed 85 assistance industries, and driven 5,800 households.

With the pace of coordinated development of Beijing (北京), Tianjin (天津), and Hebei (河北), 3 expressways and 4 railways connect Luanping (滦平) with the outside world. In 2025, the Zhangbaiwan (张百湾) to Datun (大屯) section of the reconstruction project of the G112 Beijing (北京) Ring Road from Xidi (西地) to Datun (大屯) will be completed and open to traffic...

Roads are smooth and industries are prosperous. With express delivery to villages, the rural online retail sales of Luanping County (滦平县) will exceed 4.7 billion yuan in 2025, and the county will receive and send more than 24 million express deliveries. Brand-new asphalt roads have been built into the mountain gullies. Zhuan Shan Lake (转山湖) next to Qingshiduo Village (青石垛村) welcomes a constant stream of tourists from Beijing (北京) and Tianjin (天津), who can place orders on the spot and have fresh agricultural products delivered home by express delivery.

Changes in Industry -

"Overcome the hurdle of structural adjustment and climb the slope of transformation and upgrading"

Strolling along the Chao River (潮河), the clear waves are rippling, and water birds are dancing in the reed shallows.

Once, the water quality of the Luan River (滦河) and Chao River (潮河) was worrying, behind which was the pain of an over-reliance on traditional industrial structures: backed by the Jidong Iron Ore Area (冀东铁矿区), there were 139 large and small mines in the county, with more than 600 million tons of tailings piled up at its peak, and mine slag entering the river with the rain.

"Hebei's (河北) structural imbalance," Xi Jinping (习近平) pointed out in September 2013 when attending the special democratic life meeting of the Standing Committee of the Hebei Provincial Party Committee. "Overcome the hurdle of structural adjustment and climb the slope of transformation and upgrading" is the test question Xi Jinping (习近平) gave to Hebei (河北), and also to Luanping (滦平).

From "black mining" to "green industry," Luanping (滦平), which relies on mountains for food, is exploring a different way of eating:

Tailings ponds are being moved away one by one, mines are being greened, and polluting industrial enterprises are being closed down one after another.

Seek benefits from science and technology. Since 2019, Luanping (滦平) has invested 7.6 billion yuan in the technological transformation and upgrading of 82 mining enterprises, and 70% of tailings have been turned into treasure. A strategic alliance for industrial technology innovation has been established, and 11 scientific research institutes have reached 12 cooperation projects with Luanping (滦平) enterprises.

Accumulate momentum. How to develop from "secondary industry-led" to coordinated development of "tertiary, secondary, and primary industries," Luanping's (滦平) development thinking is clearer: focus on vanadium-titanium new materials, clean energy, and cultural tourism and health care "three leading industries."

Build a multi-element cascade recycling system of "iron, phosphorus, titanium, copper, and sulfur." In 2024, the Luanping County (滦平县) vanadium-titanium comprehensive utilization industrial cluster was recognized as a provincial-level small and medium-sized enterprise characteristic industrial cluster, and the revenue of the vanadium-titanium industrial cluster exceeded 18 billion yuan in 2024.

Transform tailings into high value-added new building materials such as lightweight wall panels and PC imitation stone bricks, with an average annual output value of 145 million yuan; build 3 ten-million-ton-level "Beijing (北京市) building sand and gravel green bases," with an annual output value of 736 million yuan.

More and more green, more and more popular cultural tourism. Hualougou Village (花楼沟村) at the foot of the Jinshanling Great Wall (金山岭长城) has bid farewell to sand and gravel mining and is eating tourism, with hundreds of homestays and restaurants of all sizes in the village. In August 2025, the night tour project "Watching the Great Wall" successfully premiered, giving Hualougou Village (花楼沟村) a night economy. In 2024, Luanping (滦平) received 9.1625 million tourists, with a comprehensive tourism income of nearly 12 billion yuan.

Changes in Ecology -

"Focus on expanding environmental capacity and ecological space"

In February 2014, Xi Jinping (习近平) proposed when listening to a special report on the coordinated development of Beijing (北京), Tianjin (天津), and Hebei (河北), "Focus on expanding environmental capacity and ecological space." Luanping's (滦平) ecological protection has anchored the coordinates.

The "last mile" of the Chao River (潮河) entering Beijing (北京) is carefully cared for in Luanping (滦平).

Walking into Xiyingfang Village (西营坊村), Hushiha Town (虎什哈镇), you can see the wide Chao River (潮河) like a painting.

Time back to 2015, this is another scene: wasteland reclamation encroaches on the river, large and small farms are dotted, and disorderly sand mining is chaotic.

"The 5-kilometer-long river section is blocked to only a few meters wide, and every drop of water here is connected to the capital's 'big water tank'." That year, village branch secretary Li Shumin (李树民) was determined to manage the river.

Things are not easy - more than 300 acres of river beach land, involving 33 households, the masses do not understand, saying that he is "stubborn"; the sand field owner does not cooperate, does not let him do it during the day, and secretly digs at midnight.

Doing can be done - in 2015, Li Shumin's (李树民) lover quit her 20 acres of riverside land with red eyes. Village cadres and Party members followed closely, and villagers followed suit. Li Shumin (李树民) was more confident and seized the opportunity to shut down the sand field.

Luanping (滦平) has implemented 31 ecological comprehensive management projects for the Chao River (潮河), Luan River (滦河), etc., managed 149 kilometers of river channels, and added 1.28 million square meters of water surface. Joint prevention and control with Miyun District (密云区), Beijing (北京), Fengning Manchu Autonomous County (丰宁满族自治县), Chengde (承德), and other upstream and downstream counties and districts, the Gubeikou (古北口) section of the Chao River (潮河) maintains surface water Class II and above standards all year round. In 2021, Luanping County (滦平县) was named a national ecological civilization construction demonstration area by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment. In 2025, the Chao River (潮河) was selected as one of the first batch of "Beautiful Rivers and Lakes" cases in Hebei Province (河北省).

People do not fail the green mountains, which is the Communist Party members' adherence to "drawing a blueprint to the end." Major projects such as the construction of the northern sand prevention belt and the control of sandstorm sources have been implemented one after another. Zhang Wensheng (张文生), a Communist Party member in Dashimen Village (大石门村), Liangjianfang Town (两间房镇), led more than 50 villagers to trek through the mountains year after year, turning 2,320 acres of barren slopes green. In 2024, Luanping (滦平) completed 255,000 mu of afforestation, and the county's forest coverage rate reached 52.89%.

Green mountains do not fail people! Luanping (滦平) broke out in Chengde City's (承德市) promotion of the construction of a forest "money bank," selling 124,100 tons of forestry carbon sequestration, with an income of 5.5 million yuan, realizing the transformation of "green content" to "gold content."

Changes in People's Livelihood -

"Keep in mind the original aspiration and mission of seeking happiness for the Chinese people and rejuvenation for the Chinese nation"

On the banks of the Xingzhou River (兴洲河), the Lunan Ying Primary School (路南营小学) of Datun Town (大屯镇) Central School (中心校) is filled with the sound of reading.

"Coal stove heating, mud floor teaching," from 2010 to 2018, Lunan Ying Primary School (路南营小学) shared a building and a toilet with the village committee. In winter, teachers had to add coal to the coal stoves next to the students while teaching. The school had 5 teachers, 2 of whom were substitute teachers hired from the village.

Today, the 555-square-meter modern school building is fully equipped with teaching aids, and lunch includes steaming pork stew with potatoes, braised tofu, and onion fried meat.

Xi Jinping (习近平) emphasized during his inspection in Chengde (承德), "Chinese Communists keep in mind the original aspiration and mission of seeking happiness for the Chinese people and rejuvenation for the Chinese nation."

"I am very happy to be able to study in such a campus." Qiao Kexin (乔珂馨), a second-grade student at Lunan Ying Primary School (路南营小学), is full of happiness in her eyes.

Fiscal priority is given to education. Luanping (滦平) has achieved full coverage of interactive multimedia in schools above teaching sites and "high-quality resources in every class." More than 30 primary and secondary schools in the county have built "Xin Yue Inn" psychological counseling rooms, and "future classrooms" and "AI efficient autonomous learning rooms" have entered primary and secondary schools one after another; the "Dream Public Class" initiated by the People's Daily (人民日报社) helps children in mountain villages see the world outside the mountains; using the education informatization platform as a carrier, Beijing (北京) famous schools and teachers' resources are introduced into Luanping (滦平)...

Walking through Luanping County (滦平县), development and changes can be seen everywhere: Nanshan (南山) and Beishan (北山) have been built into 3A-level tourist scenic parks; full coverage of rain and sewage diversion, 100% popularization rate of public water supply, and more than 95% popularization rate of natural gas; in 2024, all 25,656 poverty-stricken laborers with employment intentions have achieved employment...

Going outside the city, 2 "Ginkgo Homes" have been built and put into operation to protect left-behind elderly people; multiple provincial-level beautiful and harmonious villages are beautiful in their own way.

Every Friday is the market day in Xiayingzi Village (下营子村), Jingoutun Town (金沟屯镇). The hustle and bustle of the market is wrapped in warm fireworks. Villager Sun Shihe (孙士河) is promoting the village's traditional Chinese medicine health tourism through live broadcasts, muttering: "Life is getting better and better..."

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Using Fighting Fortresses to Conquer Ideological Barriers (People's Forum)

By: 晓 棠

It is crucial to resolve temporary confusion in the minds of party members and to leverage the role of grassroots party organizations as fighting fortresses and the exemplary role of party members.

Recently, two stories in the People's Daily about Hubei Shishou (湖北石首) offer insights.

Chuyuan Group (楚源集团), a major polluter, was shut down for rectification. Party organizations at the provincial, municipal, and county levels in Hubei Province (湖北省) went down to do ideological work, prompting the company's two successive chairmen, Lao Yang (老杨) and Xiao Yang (小杨), to "change their minds," and Chuyuan (楚源) embarked on a new green path.

Boyakou Village (伯牙口村) was to build a harmless sanitary landfill for domestic waste. The entire village of 4,825 people had as many ideas. Shishou City (石首市) transferred 263 party member cadres to form a special working team, conducting ideological communication from house to house, and the project was eventually completed smoothly.

From "crying injustice" to firmly transforming, from "not-in-my-backyard dilemma" to "arm-in-arm progress," both stories remind us that ideological barriers are not easy to break, and fighting fortresses must be proactive and effective.

At the Fifth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) emphasized: "All regions and departments must, in light of their actual conditions, conscientiously explore effective methods and approaches for implementing the Party Central Committee's major decisions and deployments." Grassroots party organizations are the "nerve endings" of the Party's body and the "last mile" for implementing the Party's theories, lines, principles, and policies. To implement, an important task is to be good at using fighting fortresses to overcome ideological barriers, unify thinking, unify understanding, and unify action.

Grassroots party organizations are the foundation of all the Party's work and combat effectiveness. The combat effectiveness of fighting fortresses is reflected in ideological leadership.

Behind the bottlenecks in grassroots work, there are often ideological sticking points. Why are enterprises unwilling to invest in transformation and upgrading? Why don't the masses buy into pro-people policies? Green waters and green mountains are golden mountains and silver mountains, how to transform ecological value? "Lack of understanding" leads to "misunderstanding." Grassroots organizations and party member cadres must first study and comprehend deeply, helping the masses "brighten their eyes" when they cannot see clearly, and helping them "change their thinking" when they cannot figure things out, in order to drive the masses to resolve conceptual obstacles and build consensus on development.

Ideological barriers are cognitive barriers, but also emotional barriers. The key to the knot in the hearts of the villagers of Boyakou Village (伯牙口村) in building a garbage landfill lies in "distrust" and "unease." Going from house to house, presenting facts, asking about needs, and even taking villagers to investigate... Following the Party's mass line in the new era, question marks turn into exclamation points, and dissenting votes turn into approving votes.

To exert combat effectiveness, one cannot rely on cold and rigid preaching; gentle persuasion is more likely to resolve hardened soil. Thinking from the perspective of the masses, "taking the people's heart as one's own," the masses' sense of trust will become stronger and stronger; solving urgent and difficult problems in a down-to-earth manner, overcoming development difficulties shoulder to shoulder, turning from "onlookers" to "participants," from "speakers" to "doers," the masses' sense of gain will become more and more sufficient.

The Party's innovative theories are the "ideological magic weapon" for party members and cadres, and the key is to truly believe in them, truly use them, and apply them flexibly. To cure the "disease of the Yangtze River (长江)", "jointly grasping major protection and not engaging in large-scale development" is the fundamental prescription; for ecological protection and high-quality development in the Yellow River (黄河) basin, "focusing on protection and focusing on governance" is a strategic requirement; for the comprehensive revitalization of the countryside, the foundation is "developing rural characteristic industries"; for urban construction, "we must put making the people's living environment livable and comfortable in the first place"... Party organizations at all levels must earnestly shoulder the fundamental task of ideological construction of arming the entire Party, educating the people, guiding practice, and promoting work with Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era (习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想), so that the Party's innovative theories truly enter the hearts of cadres and the masses and are transformed into conscious actions to work together.

He who would build a room must first fix its foundation. To overcome ideological barriers with fighting fortresses, grassroots party members and cadres need to constantly temper their learning ability of "苟日新，日日新，又日新" (gǒu rì xīn, rì rì xīn, yòu rì xīn - "If one day it is new, make it new every day, and again new," continuous self-improvement), and their execution ability of "言必行，行必果" (yán bì xíng, xíng bì guǒ - "what one says, one must do; what one does, one must accomplish," one must be true in word and resolute in deed).

When every fighting fortress becomes a position for disseminating and practicing the Party's innovative theories, the lives of the masses will surely be full of vitality, and our cause will surely flourish.

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Viewing Snow Village from a Hot Air Balloon

At sunset on January 15th, in Hemu Village (禾木村), Burqin County (布尔津县), Altay Prefecture (阿勒泰地区), Xinjiang (新疆), colorful hot air balloons, forests, and distant mountains outlined a fairytale-like beauty, intoxicating people with the romantic winter scenery of northern Xinjiang.

People's Daily reporter Li Yanan (李亚楠) photographed this.

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Price comparison mini-program for medicines covered by medical insurance is launched

This newspaper's Beijing (北京) dispatch on January 16th (Reporter: Sun Xiuyan (孙秀艳)) To address the public's pain points regarding purchasing medicine covered by medical insurance, the National Healthcare Security Administration (国家医保局) has been promoting the construction of price comparison mini-programs for medical insurance drugs in designated pharmacies nationwide since 2024. As of now, 31 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under the Central Government, as well as the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (新疆生产建设兵团), have all completed the launch of mini-programs, achieving full coverage and universal accessibility, allowing insured individuals in various regions to enjoy convenient price comparison services.

The medical insurance drug price comparison mini-program relies on the data resources of national medical insurance designated medical institutions, with timely data updates, comprehensive functions, and broad coverage, making drug price comparison a one-stop solution. Insured individuals can search for local medical insurance mini-programs through WeChat (微信) or Alipay (支付宝), or use the medical insurance drug price comparison mini-program in the medical insurance APP. After entering the drug name, they can obtain core information such as the price range, inventory status, and manufacturing enterprise of drugs in designated pharmacies within their area with one click. The mini-program supports filtering and sorting by price, distance, and other dimensions. After selecting a target pharmacy, users can directly navigate to it with one click or consult by phone with one click, truly realizing "knowing the price of medicine in mind, avoiding unnecessary detours, and not spending unnecessary money."

According to reports, after the mini-program went online, local medical insurance departments, combined with user feedback, have continuously expanded functional boundaries and enriched application service scenarios. Many provinces have added a photo-based drug identification function, eliminating the need to manually enter drug names; simply take a photo of the medicine box to complete the query. Some regions have launched online drug purchase and home delivery services, effectively solving the drug purchase problems for people with limited mobility and busy office workers. Some regions have implemented special functions such as medical consumables price inquiry, prescription-based drug search, and drug price trend analysis, and simultaneously provide pharmacy medical insurance drug quantity and price comparison index ratings, making it easier to purchase high-quality and affordable drugs, making medical insurance services more precise and considerate, and making drug price comparisons more reliable and reassuring for insured individuals.

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Consolidate the Foundation of Peace and Rule of Law, Continue Writing New Chapters of the Chinese Miracle

By: 本报记者 亓玉昆

"If there's a conflict, find the Comprehensive Management Center." Recently, under the mediation of the Comprehensive Management Center in Jimei District (集美区), Xiamen City (厦门市), Fujian Province (福建省), the dispute between businessman Mr. Wang (王先生), upstairs resident Ms. Li (李女士), and the property management of the residential complex was resolved, and the neighbors regained harmony.

Political and legal work is an important part of the work of the Party and the state, concerning the immediate interests of the broad masses of the people, the long-term stability of the Party and the state, and the great cause of building a strong country and national rejuvenation.

Promoting the standardized construction of Comprehensive Management Centers with a focus on the county level, strengthening judicial protection of the rights and interests of minors and the prevention and control of juvenile delinquency, strictly cracking down on and punishing crimes endangering food and drug safety, and coordinating the organization of special actions by the government system to regulate administrative law enforcement involving enterprises... Over the past year, the political and legal front has thoroughly implemented Xi Jinping's (习近平) thought on the rule of law and the overall national security concept, striving to build a higher level of safe China and rule-of-law China, effectively safeguarding the closing of the "14th Five-Year Plan," and continuing to write a new chapter in the Chinese miracle.

The Foundation of Social Stability is More Solid

Promoting the standardized construction of Comprehensive Management Centers is a major decision and deployment of the Party Central Committee and an important measure to promote the construction of a higher level of safe China.

On Xinglinwan Road (杏林湾路) in Jimei District (集美区), Xiamen City (厦门市), the Jimei District Government Service Center (集美区政务服务中心) and the Jimei District Comprehensive Management Center (集美区综治中心) are located next to each other. The two centers, one focusing on development and the other focusing on security, demonstrate the consideration of better coordinating development and security in a sense.

Since March of last year, after the Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission (中央政法委) held an on-site meeting in Xiamen (厦门) to promote the standardized construction of social security comprehensive management centers, the rate of permanent departments such as courts, procuratorates, public security, and judicial administration stationed in various places has reached 100%, and the resident departments such as women's federations and trade unions have basically achieved full residency, and the number of resident departments such as various social forces has increased significantly.

Deeply promoting the special governance of "resolving conflicts and risks and maintaining social stability," vigorously promoting the rule of law in petition work in the political and legal field... the political and legal front adheres to and develops the "Fengqiao Experience" (枫桥经验) in the new era, maximizing the resolution of contradictions and problems at the grassroots level and handling them at the source.

Urban and rural community governance concerns the immediate interests of residents and the harmony and stability of urban and rural grassroots.

Chaotianmen Street (朝天门街道) in Yuzhong District (渝中区), Chongqing (重庆市), is located at the confluence of the two rivers, with many commercial districts, markets, and scenic spots, and a concentration of old residential buildings, which tests governance wisdom.

In recent years, Chaotianmen Street (朝天门街道) has promoted the establishment of "Old Liu Can Trust" (老刘信得过) and other acquaintance grid WeChat groups in辖区communities, with judges, procurators, police officers, lawyers, etc. "joining the group" to provide point-to-point consultation and mediation for family conflicts, neighborhood disputes, and other issues, striving to achieve the goal of not turning over conflicts and preventing safety incidents.

Guarding youth, growing towards the sun.

In recent years, the Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission (中央政法委) has taken the lead in formulating special regulations on correctional education work, and various localities have taken the implementation of the regulations as the main starting point to coordinate the prevention and control of juvenile delinquency.

Special schools help delinquent minors return to the right track in life. In the first 11 months of 2025, the number of juvenile delinquency cases accepted and reviewed for prosecution by national procuratorial organs decreased by 9.74% year-on-year, and the number of cases prosecuted for infringing on minors decreased by 1.85% year-on-year, achieving a "double decrease."

National peace and security are the most basic and universal aspirations of the people.

Through unremitting efforts, China has become one of the safest countries in the world. In 2025, the number of criminal cases filed by national public security organs decreased by 12.8% year-on-year, setting a new low since the beginning of this century, and the number of public security cases filed decreased by 3.5% year-on-year. The social stability situation has been continuously consolidated, and the people's sense of security has been significantly improved.

The political and legal front has carried out normalized anti-crime and anti-evil struggles, comprehensively improved the ability to crack down on, prevent, and govern black and evil crimes in accordance with the law, and effectively cracked down on the arrogance of black and evil forces.

Secure employment, secure housing, good health, and peace of mind... In response to the people's new expectations for peace, the political and legal front continues to strengthen the construction of the political and legal public service system, relying on "online case filing," "Internet + public security government services," "online legal services," and other means to provide the people with more high-quality political and legal public products.

Fair and Just Rule of Law Guarantee is More Powerful

Comprehensively governing the country according to law is a profound revolution in national governance.

From November 17 to 18, 2025, the Central Conference on Overall Law-Based Governance of the Country (中央全面依法治国工作会议) was held in Beijing (京), deeply summarizing the latest theoretical and practical achievements of Xi Jinping's (习近平) thought on the rule of law.

Recently, centering on "deeply studying and implementing Xi Jinping's (习近平) thought on the rule of law and jointly creating a new situation in the construction of a rule-of-law China," Party members of central and state organs "attended the same class."

"The rule of law is the basic way of governing the country and managing state affairs, and it is also an important guarantee for continuously improving people's well-being." A trainee from a central political and legal unit said that adhering to the use of good laws and good governance to protect the people's beautiful life and maintain social fairness and justice can continuously create a new situation in the construction of a rule-of-law China.

Political and legal reform is an important part of the reform of the rule of law and is the only way to modernize political and legal work.

The Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission (中央政法委) formulated a roadmap for further comprehensively deepening political and legal reform, the Supreme People's Procuratorate (最高人民检察院) and the Ministry of Public Security (公安部) formulated opinions on strengthening the supervision of compulsory measures such as sealing up, detaining, and freezing, the Supreme People's Court (最高人民法院) and the Supreme People's Procuratorate (最高人民检察院) studied and improved the system of gradual selection of judges and procurators, and the Ministry of Justice (司法部) improved the long-term mechanism for regulating law enforcement involving enterprises... A series of measures comprehensively promoted the comprehensive deepening of political and legal reform and continuously strengthened the restriction and supervision of law enforcement and judicial power.

"In the past, everyone beat their own drums, and enterprises had a heavy burden of inspection. Now, multiple departments come to the door together and investigate at one time, so we can focus more on production and operation." Focusing on the problems of duplication and multiple inspections in administrative inspections involving enterprises, Lian Du District (莲都区), Lishui City (丽水市), Zhejiang (浙江) deeply implemented "one comprehensive inspection," and a person in charge of an enterprise praised it repeatedly.

"The rule of law is the best business environment." He Zhefang (何哲方), director of the Political Department of the Lian Du District (莲都区) Justice Bureau, said that they will adhere to the principle of "managing risks and not disturbing when there is nothing wrong," continue to strengthen administrative law enforcement supervision, and accurately correct outstanding law enforcement problems that enterprises and the public strongly reflect.

Fairness and justice are the lifeline of political and legal work.

In 2025, the *Opinions of the CPC Central Committee on Strengthening Adjudication Work in the New Era* (《中共中央关于加强新时代审判工作的意见》) was issued, making comprehensive arrangements for accelerating the construction of a fair, efficient, and authoritative socialist judicial system.

Deepen the reform of the litigation system, standardize the application of the leniency system for admitting guilt and accepting punishment, and be lenient when leniency is appropriate and strict when strictness is necessary; consolidate and deepen the achievements of the case filing registration system reform; build a law enforcement case handling management center to improve the level of rule-of-law public security construction... The political and legal front promotes the comprehensive rule of law around guaranteeing and promoting social fairness and justice, and strives to make the people feel fairness and justice in every legal system, every law enforcement decision, and every judicial case.

The "15th Five-Year Plan" proposal proposes to promote the construction of a rule-of-law society and create a good environment in which the whole society advocates the rule of law, abides by rules, respects contracts, and maintains fairness.

On November 1, 2025, the Law on the Promotion of Legal Literacy Education (法治宣传教育法) came into effect, and legal literacy also has legal protection.

Legal literacy volunteers and "legal明白人" (fǎ lǜ míng bái rén - "people who understand the law," people with basic legal knowledge who can help others understand the law) all over the urban and rural areas carry out legal literacy activities in the streets and alleys and fields to help solve the problems around the masses and sow the seeds of faith in the rule of law, further consolidating the social foundation for comprehensively governing the country according to law.

The Political and Legal Iron Army of the New Era is Capable of Undertaking Important Tasks

A strong team will lead to a thriving cause. Building a political and legal iron army of the new era that is loyal, clean, and responsible is the basic prerequisite for promoting the high-quality development of political and legal work.

In 2025, in-depth study and education on the spirit of the Central Eight-Point Regulation (中央八项规定) was carried out throughout the Party. The vast number of Party members and cadres on the political and legal front acted on orders, promoted the comprehensive and strict governance of the Party in depth, and gathered the driving force for starting a business with excellent work style.

Study and use the first volume of *Xi Jinping's (习近平) Exposition on the Rule of Law* (《习近平法治文选》) and the *Study Outline of Xi Jinping's (习近平) Thought on the Rule of Law (2025 Edition)* (《习近平法治思想学习纲要（2025年版）》); improve the learning system of the theoretical learning center group and strictly implement the "first topic" system; strictly implement the reporting system for major matters... The Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission (中央政法委) took the lead and led the local party committees and political and legal committees to set up systems and rules and implement the Party's leadership in all aspects and the entire process of political and legal work.

Supplementing calcium and strengthening bones, condensing the heart and casting the soul.

The Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission (中央政法委), together with the Central Organization Department (中央组织部) and the Central Party School (中央党校), held a special seminar for leading political and legal cadres to deeply implement the spirit of the Central Eight-Point Regulation (中央八项规定), fully perform their duties, and be courageous in taking responsibility, using the "key few" to drive the "vast majority" and demonstrating and leading political and legal organs at all levels to carry out education and training by category and level.

The Beijing (北京市) Municipal Party Committee Political and Legal Affairs Commission (市委政法委) continued to focus on major political theory training, simultaneous training of the capital's political and legal system, and the practical ability improvement of political and legal police officers. The Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (广西壮族自治区) Party Committee Political and Legal Affairs Commission (党委政法委) held a training class for foreign-related rule of law talents...

Through all-round and multi-form strengthening of work style construction, education and training, the ability of the vast number of political and legal police officers to carry out work using legal thinking and legal methods has been continuously improved.

"Please do not inquire about or interfere with judicial activities or intervene in the handling of specific cases with court staff..." Looking at various places, various measures such as caller ringtones with warm reminders and notification letters of the "three regulations" to prevent interference in judicial activities that are included in the case file are frequently exerted to ensure fair and honest justice.

Role models are vivid values and tangible positive energy.

On November 10, 2025, the advanced deeds report meeting of the "Role Model of the Times" (时代楷模) Chongqing (重庆) Procuratorate's juvenile protection work team representatives was held in the Great Hall of the People (人民大会堂) in Beijing (北京). The six members of the reporting group conveyed the moving stories and advanced deeds of the team representatives to the whole society.

Over the past year, the Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission (中央政法委) has selected and established advanced models to encourage the vast number of police officers to learn from the virtuous and transform the spirit of heroes and models and the power of role models into practical actions to serve the people, and continuously enhance the people's sense of gain, happiness, and security.

Those who start sharply must plan for their end, and those who succeed must first plan at the beginning.

2026 is the first year of the "15th Five-Year Plan." The political and legal front adheres to the guidance of Xi Jinping's (习近平) thought on socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era and promotes the modernization of the national governance system and governance capabilities on the track of the rule of law, which will surely provide a stronger security guarantee and a more powerful rule of law guarantee for the great cause of building a strong country and national rejuvenation.

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Page 1 Editors: Hu Anqi, Zhang Shuaizhen, Luan Xinyi; Page 2 Editors: Yin Xinyu, Guo Xueyan, Cui Bin; Page 3 Editors: Wu Gang, Zhou Zhou, Cheng Shijie; Page 4 Editors: Yuan Zhenxi, Zhang Xueyan, Yu Xuan

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Caring for the Young and Old Together: An Exploration

By: 本报记者 吕绍刚

Improving services for the elderly and the young concerns every household.

The "Opinions of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (中共中央) and the State Council (国务院) on Deepening the Reform and Development of Elderly Care Services" proposed the construction of integrated service complexes for the elderly and the young. In recent years, Shenzhen (深圳市), Guangdong Province (广东省) has continuously improved the supply system of people's livelihood services, established a municipal state-owned elderly care and childcare platform, and piloted the "intergenerational care" model, providing care and interaction for both the elderly and the young in the same space, offering a one-stop solution for elderly care and childcare for residents. Reporters visited several "intergenerational care" spaces in Shenzhen (深圳市) to explore the operational details of this model and understand the feelings and opinions of all parties.

One venue, achieving dual care for the elderly and the young.

Early in the morning, Grandma Luo (罗奶奶) led her granddaughter to the "intergenerational care" demonstration project in Dapeng New District (大鹏新区), Shenzhen (深圳). The child followed the teacher into the childcare class, while Grandma Luo (罗奶奶) turned around and went to the elderly service center next door, each starting a new day.

The "intergenerational care" demonstration project in Dapeng New District (大鹏新区) is located in Kuichong Subdistrict (葵涌街道) and is one of the largest "intergenerational care" service centers in Shenzhen (深圳) in terms of area, with 2 nursing buildings and 1 childcare building, providing 52 elderly care beds and 55 childcare places.

As the elderly and children arrived one after another, the service center became lively. Here, the elderly, with the help of volunteers, were experiencing intelligent mobility tools; there, the children in the childcare class were doing outdoor activities, and the sharp-eyed granddaughter spotted Grandma Luo (罗奶奶) on the other side and smiled.

The central garden, the gardening backyard, and other areas are outdoor spaces shared by the elderly and young children. "Being able to sing, dance, chat, and relax with friends, and also see the children, is very reassuring," said Grandma Luo (罗奶奶). She said that she was afraid that her "intergenerational" education of her child at home would not keep up with the times, and compared to that, she felt more at ease with the education provided by the childcare class.

Since 2019, Shenzhen (深圳) has taken the lead in the country to deploy and establish a municipal state-owned elderly care and childcare platform. Relying on the state-owned enterprise Shenzhen Investment Holdings Co., Ltd. (深业集团), Shenzhen Happiness Health Industry (Group) Co., Ltd. (深圳市幸福健康产业（集团）有限公司) was established in 2021 to explore the creation and improvement of a universal service system integrating medical, elderly care, and childcare services. A "deep" exploration of "intergenerational care" was thus launched.

"Dual-income families face great pressure in raising children, and many are taken care of by grandparents," said Ding Lingzhi (丁灵芝), General Manager of Shenzhen Investment Holdings Childcare (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. (深业托育（深圳）有限公司). "Integrated elderly and child services can alleviate the care pressure on these families, giving the elderly time to relax and allowing children to receive more scientific education and care."

In the interactive classroom of the Shenzhen Metro Yifu Childcare Center (深铁懿府托育园) in Shahe Subdistrict (沙河街道), Nanshan District (南山区), the elderly and children are making cakes together. "We also often hold lectures on pediatric massage, medical-educational integration, and other aspects to teach grandparents and parents how to scientifically care for young children," said the person in charge of the childcare center.

Nursing homes and childcare centers often hold intergenerational classes, elderly-child birthday parties, and other elderly-child integration activities. "'Intergenerational care' time is very precious," said Ding Lingzhi (丁灵芝). "The transfer of knowledge and emotions between generations can be effectively achieved through interaction."

A model to help solve parenting problems.

"Intergenerational care" is not simply merging childcare centers and nursing homes.

In the "intergenerational care" demonstration project in Dapeng New District (大鹏新区), the childcare center is converted from a detached small building. To enter the childcare center, one must go through independent registration and disinfection procedures to strictly ensure safety and hygiene.

Every Friday, the park canteen receives two "special orders": one "baby recipe," with small cuts and soft textures, to ensure a balanced nutritional mix for infants and young children; and one "elderly recipe," with less oil, salt, and low purine content, to better meet the dietary needs of the elderly.

"Usually, the nursing home and the childcare center operate independently, each with professional staff responsible for care. The outdoor spaces, public facilities, logistics security, etc. in the park are partially or fully shared by the elderly and children," said the relevant person in charge of the Kuichong Subdistrict (葵涌街道) Elderly Service Center. The nursing home and the childcare center are both neighbors and colleagues.

One model helps solve two problems.

Shenzhen (深圳) is exploring a development path of "intergenerational integration, space integration, service combination, and personnel integration" to create intergenerational co-living scenarios tailored to local conditions, achieving a "1+1>2" effect.

In Nanshan District (南山区), the Shenzhen Metro Yifu Childcare Center (深铁懿府托育园) and the Elderly Service Center are in the same building, and a connecting door allows direct access to each other. In Bao'an District (宝安区), the Hangcheng Subdistrict (航城街道) Childcare Center and the Elderly Service Station have set up a glass wall facing each other, making it convenient for the elderly and young to see each other at all times.

In Gaofa Community (高发社区), Shahe Subdistrict (沙河街道), the "Happy Neighborhood" project embeds elderly and child services into community life. A building houses an elderly service station, a childcare center, a community canteen, and also provides housekeeping, hairdressing, and other services. There are a variety of public welfare activities, and the diversified needs of the elderly and young can be met at their doorstep.

"We must not only let the elderly and young be in the same space, but also help them live better lives." In the view of Hu Yueming (胡月明), Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and General Manager of Shenzhen Happiness Health Group (深圳幸福健康集团党委副书记、总经理), the construction of integrated elderly and child services should create warm and sustainable universal urban spaces with stronger integration thinking and higher service levels.

An exploration to continuously optimize the operating mechanism.

As an innovative exploration, how can the "intergenerational care" operating mechanism be more sustainable?

Shenzhen (深圳) is the youngest megacity in the country, with a high birth rate and a large base of newborns, as well as many "migrant" elderly and active elderly.

"You go to childcare class, and after afternoon tea, your grandparents will pick you up." In the "Happy Neighborhood" of Gaofa Community (高发社区), it is common to hear the elderly say this to children. Many elderly people come to the elderly service station after dropping off their children to learn calligraphy and painting, experience massage and physiotherapy, etc. After school in the afternoon, grandparents and grandchildren walk into the library and cultural and sports room together.

"This is creating and exploring new consumption scenarios," said Hu Yueming (胡月明). "'Intergenerational care' is an innovative exploration of the operating model of people's livelihood services, and it is also an independent choice of enterprises based on market demand."

According to reports, the population of elderly people over 60 in Gaofa Community (高发社区) accounts for 15%, and the population of infants and young children under 6 accounts for nearly 9%. Focusing on the needs of the masses, the local government, together with Shenzhen Happiness Health Group (深圳幸福健康集团), transformed the Party and Mass Service Center complex into an embedded people's livelihood complex. "Now the project has a daily traffic volume of up to 1,300 people, and the childcare places in the childcare center are in short supply." The person in charge of the "Happy Neighborhood" project said that the building is actively introducing commercial formats such as gyms and convenience stores to subsidize the operating expenses of public venues.

Childcare and elderly care are both people's livelihood undertakings with high investment, low returns, and long cycles. In the view of many industry insiders, the sustainable operating mechanism of the "intergenerational care" model still needs to be tested by the market.

The relevant person in charge of Shenzhen Happiness Health Group (深圳幸福健康集团) said that "intergenerational care" is under the supervision of different departments, and the development of "intergenerational care" still needs to further break down boundaries and establish a cross-departmental coordination mechanism. In addition, the shortage of specialized and compound talents is also a major challenge. The group is strengthening cooperation with some colleges and universities to increase the training of industry talents.

As of the end of December 2025, Shenzhen Happiness Health Group (深圳幸福健康集团) has deployed 229 elderly care, childcare, and medical projects in Shenzhen (深圳), providing a cumulative total of about 2,000 elderly care beds and 5,000 childcare places, and exploring the construction of 5 intergenerational integration projects in Nanshan District (南山区), Bao'an District (宝安区), and Dapeng New District (大鹏新区).

Today, Shenzhen (深圳) is continuously strengthening financial support, increasing housing security, and improving talent security to support the development of elderly care and childcare, and promote the creation of a model city for people's livelihood and happiness where "the elderly are well cared for and the young are well nurtured."

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Innovation and Exploration Reflect the Warmth of People's Livelihood (Editor's Notes)

By: 卢 涛

"One old and one young" are important concerns for many families. The "elderly-child co-care" model is gradually emerging in various places, integrating elderly care and childcare services in the same space. This achieves two goals with one action through resource sharing, realizing that the elderly are supported and the young are well-nurtured. This innovative exploration is worthy of praise.

Currently, China's population development presents the trend characteristics of lower birth rates, aging, and regional population growth and decline. The childcare industry faces transformation, and there are gaps in elderly care services. "Elderly-child co-care" responds to new market demands and has broad development prospects. The elderly and children are the most frequent residents of the community. In addition to providing life care, "elderly-child co-care" also provides rich learning and entertainment resources, making community life full of warmth and colorful. With the expansion of the industry scale and the increase in residents' acceptance, more elderly people and young children will enjoy this characteristic service at their doorsteps.

"Elderly-child co-care" reflects the temperature of people's livelihood and social responsibility, and also puts forward new requirements for organizational management. For example, fully consider the different needs of the elderly and young children in terms of care, diet, and entertainment, and provide more suitable services; when the elderly and young children share venues, strict supervision and safety must be ensured. In addition, as a new thing, the design of standards, clear rights and responsibilities, and other institutional levels of "elderly-child co-care" must also be accelerated. Only by meeting the actual needs of the elderly and young children and continuously optimizing service supply can we better support the steady happiness of "one old and one young."

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Shenzhou-20 crew makes first public appearance after returning to Earth

*People's Daily*, Beijing, January 16 (Liu Shiyao (刘诗瑶), Zhan Kang (占康)) On January 16, the Astronaut Center of China (中国航天员科研训练中心) held a meeting with reporters in Beijing Aerospace City (北京航天城) for the Shenzhou-20 crew. This was the first official public appearance of astronauts Chen Dong (陈冬), Chen Zhongrui (陈中瑞), and Wang Jie (王杰) of Shenzhou-20 after their "transfer" to the Shenzhou-21 spacecraft and return. They answered reporters' questions about their work experience during their stay in space and the emergency response process after the porthole encountered space debris impact.

At the meeting, the crew detailed the emergency situation before their return. During the final inspection phase before the return, the crew discovered a triangular through-crack in the return capsule's porthole, which was initially determined to be caused by space debris impact. Commander Chen Dong (陈冬) immediately took photos, recorded them, and transmitted them back to the ground. Together with the Shenzhou-21 crew, they carefully observed and discussed the status of the porthole, fully cooperating with the ground team to complete the verification and confirmation. Chen Dong (陈冬) said, "First, we believe that the ground team will anticipate all possibilities and exhaust all means to develop the safest return plan for us. Second, we believe in ourselves. We are well-trained astronauts and have the ability to handle various unexpected failures, remaining calm and composed, and facing the situation with equanimity." Chen Zhongrui (陈中瑞) said that on the ground, the crew had undergone solid emergency response training. More importantly, the strong backing of the motherland, the dedication to excellence of the Chinese manned space program, and the collaborative crew filled him with confidence. Wang Jie (王杰) sincerely realized that astronauts must not only face the unknown risks in space but also rely on excellent technology, solid training, and mutual trust to overcome all challenges. They quickly responded to the emergency plan and orderly promoted the preparations for postponing the return according to ground instructions. Finally, with the precise analysis and efficient support of the ground team, the Shenzhou-20 crew successfully "transferred" to the Shenzhou-21 return capsule and landed safely. From discovering the problem to completing the "transfer" and return, and the successful docking of Shenzhou-22 with the space station, the entire process took only 20 days. "Safety and efficiency" is the perfect answer sheet handed in by China's manned space program.

As the Chinese astronaut with the most spacewalk missions, Chen Dong (陈冬) has performed a total of 6 extravehicular activities. From the installation of equipment during the construction phase of the space station to the installation of space debris protection panels during the operation phase, each spacewalk carries the important mission of protecting the space home. Chen Dong's (陈冬) participation in the seventh extravehicular activity was his first time providing support from inside the cabin, which left a deep impression on him. "Although my body was not outside the cabin, my brain and eyes followed the teammate's operations throughout the entire process," he realized the hard work of the ground command team.

Chen Dong (陈冬) has performed 3 flight missions, becoming the first Chinese astronaut to stay in orbit for a total of more than 400 days. Summarizing his feelings about his 3 spaceflights, Chen Dong (陈冬) said that after multiple mission experiences, the ground training system has become increasingly scientific and complete, the in-orbit space-ground coordination has become more tacit and efficient, and the means of health protection have been continuously enriched, giving him more and more confidence to complete the mission.

As a third-generation astronaut, Chen Zhongrui (陈中瑞) completed a 204-day stay on his first spaceflight. From the initial unfamiliarity and discomfort in space to the later ease and proficiency, he overcame multiple tasks in a high-pressure environment and delivered a bright answer sheet with stable performance.

In this mission, Chen Zhongrui (陈中瑞) performed 3 extravehicular activities, among which the first spacewalk was a challenge for him. "The first spacewalk started from the node cabin, which was the first time to exit the cabin from this section after the completion of the space station. There was no experience to learn from, and the pressure was great." He introduced that in order to ensure the success of the mission, the crew repeatedly rehearsed the process and memorized every action. Finally, he summarized the "three stabilities and one slowness" operation essentials: "stable mentality, stable body, stable operation, and slow movements." With the coordinated efforts of the space-ground integration and the close cooperation of the 3 crew members, the first spacewalk mission was successfully completed after more than 8 hours of extravehicular operations.

"Only through tempering can one become steel. The road to space is difficult and long, but Chinese aerospace will surely fulfill its mission!" Chen Zhongrui (陈中瑞) said that the record-breaking stay experience on his first spaceflight was a valuable growth experience. In the future, he will continue to work hard and venture into more distant space.

From an aerospace science and technology worker participating in the construction of the space station on the ground to an aerospace flight engineer who personally operates and maintains it in space, Wang Jie (王杰) deeply realized the value of "applying what you have learned." In space, once an abnormal equipment failure is encountered, the basic knowledge, design principles, and muscle memory and adaptive thinking formed in multiple simulations on the ground come in handy instantly. Wang Jie (王杰) said, "Every bit of knowledge learned and every operation practiced is for this moment of composure in space."

In the days of postponed return, as a flight engineer, Wang Jie (王杰) shouldered the heavy responsibility of maintaining the environmental control and life support system during the 6-person stay. "This system is the 'life center' of the space station. We inspect the parameters daily like protecting a living body and finely regulate the supply of oxygen and water." He introduced that by optimizing the work and rest zoning and the sleeping environment, he ensured that every astronaut could rest peacefully. The "space barbecue" that has attracted much attention from netizens is still fresh in his memory. The hot baking device integrated with the "range hood" function is easy to operate, and the aroma of grilled chicken wings and steaks is overflowing, becoming a heartwarming highlight of space life.

"From the ground to space, from learning to application, I feel the solid steps of Chinese aerospace and the silent dedication of countless aerospace workers every step of the way." Wang Jie (王杰) said that in the future, he will continue to complete various tasks with full enthusiasm and live up to the trust of the motherland and the people.

After returning, the Shenzhou-20 crew successively completed various tasks in the isolation and recovery and recuperation and recovery stages, and have fully entered the recovery observation stage. At present, under the careful care and care of the scientific research support team of the Astronaut Center of China (中国航天员科研训练中心), the Shenzhou-20 crew is in good physical and mental condition, and the results of various medical examinations are normal. Muscle strength, endurance, and cardiopulmonary function have basically recovered to pre-flight levels. After completing the various tasks in the recovery period and conducting a health assessment, the 3 astronauts will transfer to normal training.

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Clearing Floating Debris to Protect Water Resources

On January 15th, in the Yexi River (耶溪河) section of Qiaoxi Township (桥西乡), Yifeng County (宜丰县), Yichun City (宜春市), Jiangxi Province (江西省), the river chief and river cleaners were conducting cleaning and water protection operations on the water surface.

In recent years, Yifeng County (宜丰县) has vigorously promoted water resource protection and water ecological restoration, constructed a systematic and long-term river and lake protection and management system, and continuously promoted long-term and effective water environment management, achieving 长治长效 (cháng zhì cháng xiào - "long governance long effect," long-term stability and effectiveness) and 长治长清 (cháng zhì cháng qīng - "long governance long clear," long-term management and clarity).

Zhou Liang (周亮) photographed (Image China).

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25 Cross-border Trade Facilitation Policies to be Promoted Nationwide

This newspaper Beijing (北京) January 16th (Reporter Ouyang Jie (欧阳洁)) It was learned from the press conference held by the General Administration of Customs (海关总署) recently that the special action for cross-border trade facilitation in 2025 has achieved positive results. It has been decided to replicate and promote 25 relatively mature policies and measures nationwide to further release policy dividends, promote the improvement of the quality and efficiency of foreign trade, and help achieve a good start to the "15th Five-Year Plan."

From April to September 2025, the General Administration of Customs (海关总署), together with 20 departments (units) including the Cyberspace Administration of China (中央网信办), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (外交部), the National Development and Reform Commission (国家发展改革委), and the Ministry of Commerce (商务部), focused on carrying out special actions for cross-border trade facilitation in 25 cities including Beijing (北京), Shanghai (上海), Tianjin (天津), and Chongqing (重庆), and introduced 29 pilot innovative policies and measures to promote the stability and quality improvement of foreign trade. Localities and departments have cumulatively introduced 508 supporting and detailed measures, forming a number of innovative systems and measures with regional characteristics.

Strengthen policy supply and optimize regulatory models. Cancel the filing of overseas warehouse enterprises for cross-border e-commerce exports, and implement "tax refund upon departure, re-calculation after sales"; optimize the inspection and supervision model for export lithium batteries, and promote the healthy development of the "new three" trades with the "split-box shipment and export of power batteries for new energy vehicles" linkage supervision model.

Simplify a number of customs clearance procedures and make every effort to help enterprises overcome difficulties. Establish an integrated "foreign trade + finance" financing credit service platform to help more than 3,200 "Authorized Economic Operator" (AEO) high-credit enterprises enjoy policies such as financing credit, financing guarantees, and export credit insurance; release the policy dividends of proactive disclosure, and reduce or waive late payment fees of 20.961 million yuan for eligible enterprises.

Smooth cross-border logistics and facilitate two-way trade. Actively support the development of cross-border trains, the global "Smart Customs" online cooperation platform has been successfully launched, and 146 customs administrations of the World Customs Organization (WCO) have joined. The International Trade "Single Window" has realized the exchange of electronic data such as certificates of origin and inspection and quarantine certificates with 15 countries (regions).

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Collaborative Efforts Safeguard Peace

By: 本报记者 刘军国

"We used to worry whenever the wind and rain came, but now that it's been renovated, we feel much more secure living here!" Wang Daibo (王大伯), a resident of the Haiyue Huafu (海悦华府) residential complex in Wucheng District (婺城区), Jinhua City (金华市), Zhejiang Province (浙江省), said with a face full of joy as he looked at the newly renovated exterior walls of his building.

In 2024, the Haiyue Huafu (海悦华府) residential complex experienced safety hazards such as bulging and falling off of the exterior wall insulation layer, problems that had been troubling residents. After the establishment of the complex's Party branch in the second half of 2025, it proactively stepped forward, contacted multiple departments, and took the lead in completing the renovation and upgrading of the residential building's exterior facade.

The Erqi Garden Community (二七花园社区), where the complex is located, is a typical urban community that once faced challenges such as fragmented governance entities and complex demands from the people. In recent years, the community has taken Party building as the lead in promoting safe community construction, giving full play to the leading role of the complex's Party branches, and transforming the organizational power of Party building into the action power to safeguard community safety through regular "three-party coordinated" governance joint meetings.

"We have built the Party branch at the forefront of governance, and more and more residents are directly participating in complex governance, so that the urgent needs and concerns of the masses are responded to and resolved," said Wang Qinghua (王庆华), Secretary of the Party Committee of Erqi Garden Community (二七花园社区). The Party branches of each complex in Erqi Garden Community (二七花园社区) accurately address the pain points of people's livelihoods, and have cumulatively promoted the implementation of more than 100 practical matters for the people, such as installing charging piles for electric vehicles and renovating the overhead floors of complexes.

The governance power led by Party building is also rooted in the lively atmosphere of the business district.

"Thanks to you, I finally got my salary." In the Xishi Street (西市街) business district's comprehensive management and service center, cleaner Auntie Li (李阿姨) held the mediator's hand and thanked her repeatedly. Previously, Auntie Li (李阿姨) had a labor dispute with a merchant, and after multiple unsuccessful attempts to communicate, she came to the business district's comprehensive management and service center for help with a try-it-and-see attitude. After understanding the situation, the mediator contacted the merchant's representative to negotiate as soon as possible, and through a detailed explanation of the relevant regulations on labor employment, finally facilitated an agreement between the two parties.

As an important commercial area of Jinhua City (金华市), the Xishi Street (西市街) business district has complex types of business entities, intensive employment, and is prone to labor disputes. In response to these governance challenges, Wucheng District (婺城区) established a comprehensive management and service center in the business district, using Party building as a link to twist the forces of merchants, property management, functional departments, and other parties into one rope, so that disputes can be resolved efficiently within the business district. "Through Party building leadership, we have effectively integrated the strength of various Party organizations in the business district and built a diversified cooperation platform," said Hu Huaijiao (胡槐皎), Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of Xishi Street Community (西市街社区) and full-time Deputy Secretary of the Joint Party Committee of the Business District.

From communities to business districts, Wucheng District (婺城区) continues to explore grassroots governance led by Party building. Tens of thousands of grid members and social workers are active in every corner, the "Old Complex, Big Fire Protection" operation and management model covers more than 20 old complexes, and mediation brands such as "Wuzhengfang (婺正坊)" are constantly being promoted... Today, there are more and more "police stations at the doorstep" in Wucheng District (婺城区), the delivery of takeaway couriers is smoother, and the accommodation experience of online rental rooms is more reassuring. Xu Junnan (徐骏男), Deputy Minister of the Organization Department of the Wucheng District (婺城区) Party Committee, said that Wucheng District (婺城区) will continue to play a combination of punches such as Party building leading three-party coordination and improving the quality and efficiency of Party-masses services, deeply integrate the organizational system with the governance system, and promote Party building to lead grassroots governance to go deeper and more solid.

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This edition's editors: Guan Xuanyue, Zhang Weihao, Gao Shang

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We Need "Smarter" Seeds (Academician Explains Science)

By: 本报记者 孙海天

Netizen: Current artificial intelligence can write poetry, paint, and even write code, becoming increasingly capable. I'm curious, if artificial intelligence enters the agricultural field, what changes will it bring to the food we eat every day? Will future crops be able to "think" for themselves, thereby coping with disasters such as droughts and floods?

Editor: This is actually an ongoing agricultural technology revolution. Today, in the hands of Chinese scientists, breeding has moved from "design" to "intelligence," transforming into a precise science that is predictable, programmable, and customizable. In this issue of "Academicians Explain Science," we invited Li Jiayang (李家洋), Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (中国科学院) and Director of Yazhou Bay National Laboratory (崖州湾国家实验室), to interpret how to use life programming to give every seed "wisdom."

In the rice fields of Wuchang City (五常市), Heilongjiang Province (黑龙江省), the following scene once occurred:

A typhoon, accompanied by torrential rain, swept through, and the originally upright golden rice waves were pressed down into the mud. Local growers are most reluctant to see such a scene: lodging means reduced production, and a year's hard work may be greatly reduced. However, in the same experimental field, a certain area of rice remained upright, forming a sharp contrast with the surrounding area.

This is the "Zhongke Fa (中科发)" rice variety cultivated by the team of Li Jiayang (李家洋), Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (中国科学院) and Director of Yazhou Bay National Laboratory (崖州湾国家实验室)—a high-quality variety cultivated using molecular design technology. In his vision, future seeds will have even more amazing capabilities: they will no longer be plants that passively wait for wind and rain, but intelligent living entities that can actively sense and even "calculate" environmental changes.

Seeds Can Be "Precisely Designed"

The history of mankind obtaining food is a technological evolution history of continuously improving species genes and transforming crops.

"Plant melons get melons, plant beans get beans, this is heredity; the melons that grow are of different sizes, containing variations. The work of breeders is to capture variations and fix advantages," said Li Jiayang (李家洋).

In the long history of agriculture, crop breeding technology has experienced several technological revolutions and generational changes.

The earliest "breeding 1.0" was domestication and selection. Our ancestors spent thousands of years domesticating crops from wild plants, relying on observation with the naked eye and long waiting. Starting in the 20th century, with the maturity and application of genetic theory, breeders began to consciously apply hybridization technology, which greatly increased grain yield, and "breeding 2.0" followed.

However, hybrid breeding is like **拆盲盒** (chāi máng hé - "opening blind boxes," like opening a mystery box, implying uncertainty), often taking years or even decades. It's like groping in countless black boxes, with a low success rate. Breeders face tens of thousands of materials in the fields, looking for that one in ten thousand luck.

"Sometimes you want crops to have high yields, but high-yielding plants may not be disease-resistant; if you want disease resistance, the taste may not be good," said Li Jiayang (李家洋).

In "breeding 3.0," with the development of molecular biology, scientists began to use molecular markers to assist selection, or introduce specific insect-resistant and herbicide-resistant traits through new technologies.

In 1994, Li Jiayang (李家洋) returned to China and joined the Institute of Genetics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (中国科学院遗传研究所). He and his team determined the key genes controlling traits such as yield, quality, and disease resistance by analyzing the rice functional genome, and proposed the concept of "molecular design breeding," which also allowed breeding to enter "4.0."

The so-called molecular design breeding is to analyze the key genes that control traits and understand the regulatory network between them. Scientists can "assemble" these excellent gene modules according to their needs. "We hope to design seeds precisely like designing industrial products," said Li Jiayang (李家洋).

This concept has achieved great success in rice—the "Zhongke Fa (中科发)" series of rice cultivated by Li Jiayang's (李家洋) team precisely aggregates genes for lodging resistance, rice blast resistance, high yield, and high quality, realizing the upgrading and iteration of high-yield and high-quality varieties in Northeast China, and achieving the first breakthrough of zero early japonica rice in southern China, allowing southern residents to eat soft and glutinous new japonica rice in July, changing the traditional impression that "early rice is not delicious."

On December 22, 2025, the Chinese Academy of Sciences (中国科学院) released a series of scientific research achievements of the Class A pilot project "Precise Design and Creation of Seeds." The project has achieved a systematic breakthrough covering theory, technology, and products by creating a new paradigm of precise design breeding, and has cumulatively promoted 14.48 million mu of pilot crop new varieties, providing scientific and technological support for building the "Chinese chip" for seed industry revitalization.

From the field to the table, from crops to aquatic products, the concept of precise design is blooming in different fields: in the field of wheat, the team of Gao Caixia (高彩霞) from the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (中国科学院遗传与发育生物学研究所) created new germplasm that is both resistant to powdery mildew and high-yielding, and the team of Liu Zhiyong (刘志勇) from the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (中国科学院遗传与发育生物学研究所) discovered the "immune shield" gene, which greatly reduced the amount of pesticides used; in the field of aquatic products, the team of Gui Jianfang (桂建芳), a researcher at the Institute of Hydrobiology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (中国科学院水生生物研究所), extended the "design" to fish, cultivating crucian carp "without intermuscular spines," so that eating fish is no longer troubled by fish bones...

"Not enough," Li Jiayang (李家洋) believes that although the existing design is more precise, it is often static. Faced with the challenges of future climate change and resource shortages, we need more "smart" seeds.

Crops Achieve "On-Demand Expression"

"Existing crop varieties, although carefully designed, are not smart enough," Li Jiayang (李家洋) explained that, for example, certain disease-resistant genes in plants are often in a state of continuous expression, regardless of the external environment.

"Plant growth and development requires energy. If a disease-resistant gene is always on, even if there is no disease invasion, it is consuming energy, which will inevitably affect crop yield," Li Jiayang (李家洋) used an analogy, "It's like the lights in the house, always on whether there is someone or not, which is obviously not energy-saving."

In his view, the distinct feature of "breeding 5.0" is intelligence. This includes two levels: one is intelligent varieties, and the other is intelligent breeding.

The so-called intelligent variety is to enable crops to autonomously cope with environmental changes.

Imagine that a rice plant has precise "biosensors" and "smart switches" installed inside. When a heat wave strikes, it can quickly sense it and start the expression of heat-resistant genes, adjusting metabolic pathways to lock in moisture; when the temperature drops, this defense system automatically shuts down, and energy is redistributed to grain filling. When pathogens invade, the immune system is instantly activated; after the disease is eliminated, it can quickly "cease fire."

"Usually closed, open when needed. In different developmental stages and facing different environmental pressures, crops can optimally and dynamically adjust their plant type and metabolism," Li Jiayang (李家洋) described such a picture, "This 'on-demand expression' mechanism is more intelligent, it can solve the long-standing contradiction between high yield and high resistance, and achieve 'two increases and two decreases'—increase yield, increase quality, reduce investment, and reduce losses."

At present, this "smart switch" research has achieved preliminary results. Li Jiayang's (李家洋) team and collaborators have discovered some gene modules with intelligent prototypes. Through synthetic biology and gene editing technology, scientists are trying to construct this dynamically responsive gene circuit.

"Calculating" Seeds on a Computer

To cultivate "smart" seeds, biotechnology alone is not enough, it is necessary to integrate information technology and artificial intelligence. This is another meaning of "breeding 5.0"—intelligent breeding.

A crop has tens of thousands of genes, and their interactions are intricate and complex. Coupled with the interference of environmental factors, the amount of data is astronomical, and it is impossible to process such a huge flow of information by relying on the human brain.

"Now, artificial intelligence and big data are changing all of this," said Li Jiayang (李家洋).

Entering "breeding 5.0," artificial intelligence has become the breeder's "super navigation." Artificial intelligence technology can process massive amounts of data, mine the "underlying code" that controls traits from complex genetic information, and predict the effects of gene modification. In the past, it might take more than ten years to improve a trait, but now, with the help of artificial intelligence-assisted design, the cycle can be shortened to several years.

"In the past, we selected seeds in the field, but now we 'calculate' seeds on the computer," said Li Jiayang (李家洋).

Intelligent breeding also includes the intelligence of the breeding process. In the "breeding 5.0" system, drones and ground robots are transformed into "full-time examiners," using multi-spectral sensors to perform high-throughput phenotypic collection of crops in the field. Massive amounts of data are fed into the cloud, and artificial intelligence algorithms can accurately predict which combination can best adapt to future climate change and which combination can produce the highest yield from millions of gene combinations.

This change will reshape the production logic of agriculture. Imagine the future, it may be difficult to see farmers sweating in the fields, replaced by "agricultural workers" or "bioengineers" operating control consoles. What they manage is no longer simple crops, but highly precise "biological factories."

For consumers, "breeding 5.0" means a richer and healthier table. From low-glycemic index rice specially developed for diabetic patients to high-protein soybeans, smart agriculture will provide more possibilities for personalized nutrition.

Of course, the road to "breeding 5.0" is not smooth. Li Jiayang (李家洋) admitted that there are still many challenges: the growth patterns of different crops vary greatly, and basic research needs to be deepened; massive amounts of genotype and phenotype data remain to be accumulated and standardized; interdisciplinary composite talents are still in short supply.

"This is a process that requires long-term investment," Li Jiayang (李家洋) gave his timetable: he plans to build the basic framework of intelligent breeding in about 5 years, and cultivate pioneering intelligent varieties in about 10 years. In another 20 years, intelligent breeding may become mainstream.

Seeds are the "chips" of agriculture, which are related to national food security. At the Yazhou Bay National Laboratory (崖州湾国家实验室) in Sanya City (三亚市), Hainan Province (海南省), Li Jiayang (李家洋) and his team are working day and night. When every seed has "wisdom," when ancient farming civilization meets cutting-edge digital technology, a hopeful intelligent field is opening to us.

Data source: Yazhou Bay National Laboratory (崖州湾国家实验室)

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Can You Become "Superman" by Wearing a Mechanical Exoskeleton? (Science in Sci-Fi)

By: 吴新宇

In science fiction films and television works such as *Iron Man* and *The Wandering Earth*, humans don mechanical exoskeletons and instantly gain powerful "superpowers." Today, cool mechanical exoskeletons are gradually being applied in military, industrial, and medical rehabilitation fields.

Mechanical exoskeletons in real life are different from the "ironclad torrent" in science fiction works. They are more like artificial intelligence worn on the surface of the human body, relying on drivers, sensors, control systems, and other components to "link" with the human body, intelligently perceive the characteristics of the human body and the environment, and enhance the human body's motor abilities.

For workers, it is a "super plug-in" that accurately predicts actions through intention perception technology and adaptively adjusts the assistance level. For soldiers, mechanical exoskeletons are "weight-bearing artifacts" that can transfer the weight of equipment to the ground, reducing physical exertion during movement. For patients with lower limb paralysis caused by stroke or spinal cord injury, mechanical exoskeletons can help the nerves slowly "remember" how to walk, achieving "walk whenever you want."

As "hard skills" and "soft power" that can be worn, mechanical exoskeletons must first be like a suitable "clothing." The structural design should be based on the human musculoskeletal model, so that the exoskeleton has a high degree of motion compatibility with the human body. This is like clothing that must be the right size to avoid affecting the movement of the limbs, bringing close protection and comfort.

Secondly, mechanical exoskeletons must have enough "thought" and can achieve precise assistance based on the wearer's behavior and even the ideas in their mind. Achieving this is not easy and requires combining mechanical, physical, biological, and other multi-modal sensing signals for pattern recognition, finely detecting the human body's limb movements, physiological electrical signals, and muscle stretching, and combining embodied intelligent algorithms for learning.

From theory to practice, there are more profound and complex problems. First, existing mechanical exoskeletons often have rigid frames, are massive in weight and volume, and are difficult to adapt to the body parameters of different individuals, causing discomfort when worn for long periods. Second, an ideal mechanical exoskeleton should be able to seamlessly connect with human movement, for example, being able to instantly adjust the assistance level to achieve "on-demand output" when walking quickly, running, or jumping. However, limited by sensing methods and the generalization performance of embodied models, current mechanical exoskeletons cannot yet meet the precise understanding needs of complex tasks. In addition, battery life also faces challenges, and batteries with still limited energy density are also one of the bottlenecks restricting the popularization of mechanical exoskeletons.

Technological progress is driving the development of mechanical exoskeletons in the direction of "lightweight, intelligent, and people-friendly." With the continuous advancement of materials science, the application of new lightweight materials will make mechanical exoskeletons more comfortable and will not bring excessive burden to the wearer. Relying on AI large models, mechanical exoskeletons can adaptively switch working modes according to the wearer's needs, providing users with more personalized assistance. In addition, with the gradual reduction of manufacturing costs, mechanical exoskeletons will no longer be just high-end products in the medical and military fields, but will gradually enter daily life and become an important auxiliary device for the elderly and other groups, and may even appear in complex environments such as space exploration and disaster rescue.

In general, mechanical exoskeletons are gradually moving from magical equipment in science fiction movies to reality, bringing more convenience. With the continuous breakthroughs in technology, mechanical exoskeletons will become more lightweight, intelligent, and market-oriented, not only enhancing human function but also helping humans break through their own limitations, opening up greater space for the grand vision of human-machine collaboration.

(The author is a researcher at the Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology (深圳先进技术研究院) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (中国科学院), compiled by Jiang Xiaodan (姜晓丹), reporter of this newspaper)

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"Jixing" Series Satellites Successfully Obtain Very High-Resolution Color Nighttime Light Remote Sensing Satellite Imagery

This newspaper Changchun (长春) electricity (Reporter Liu Yiqing (刘以晴)) A few days ago, the "Jilin Constellation (吉星)" Gaofen 07 (高分07) series satellite successfully acquired the first domestic very high-resolution color nighttime remote sensing satellite image using nighttime imaging mode ("Very high resolution" means that the resolution of satellite remote sensing images is better than 0.3 meters).

The image presents the Harbin Ice and Snow World (哈尔滨冰雪大世界) park on New Year's Day evening. In the nighttime imaging mode, the "Jilin Constellation (吉星)" Gaofen 07 (高分07) series satellite can acquire high spatial resolution and high uncontrolled positioning accuracy nighttime push-broom images with a width of 15 kilometers, realizing good imaging of a single street lamp lighting area.

The "Jilin Constellation (吉星)" Gaofen 07 (高分07) series satellite is developed by Chang Guang Satellite Technology Co., Ltd. (长光卫星技术股份有限公司) and has the characteristics of high performance, high reliability, and high stability. Preliminary application evaluation shows that this imaging mode has good market application prospects. Satellite high-resolution nighttime remote sensing imaging captures artificial light sources on the Earth's surface at night and images low-illumination areas, which can provide socio-economic and natural environment data. This is another breakthrough in the field of nighttime imaging after carrying out sub-meter-level nighttime remote sensing technical services, laying the foundation for subsequent high-resolution nighttime data commercial services.

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Exploring the Deep Sea in a More "Gentle" and Silent Way

By: 本报记者 张丹华

In the laboratory, red and white jellyfish move freely in the fish tank, while the bionic jellyfish robot next to them is almost integrated with the underwater environment, making it difficult to detect without careful observation.

This miniature robot, with a diameter of only 120 mm and a weight of 56 grams, is a bionic jellyfish robot independently developed by Professor Tao Kai's (陶凯) team at the School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Northwestern Polytechnical University (西北工业大学). With its nearly transparent body and bionic jellyfish muscle structure, the robot accurately simulates the jellyfish's agile posture of using vortex rings for propulsion, achieving efficient and nearly silent operation underwater.

The average density of seawater is much higher than that of air, making it very difficult for objects to move in seawater. Traditional robots consume a lot of energy when performing seabed exploration, and they also disturb seabed sediments, interfering with exploration operations. "How to become a pure observer in the ocean, rather than an interferer? This is one of the challenges of deep-sea exploration," said Tao Kai (陶凯). "The bionic jellyfish robot is a breakthrough achievement that integrates bionics and artificial intelligence, aimed at the major national demand for intelligent deep-sea operations."

As one of the oldest creatures, jellyfish have lived on Earth for hundreds of millions of years. They can be found from the deep sea thousands of meters down to the intertidal zone near the coast, and from polar ice to tropical coral reefs. They are marine adaptation experts that have been strictly selected by nature. Tao Kai (陶凯) introduced that jellyfish bodies are more than 95% water, which enables low-energy suspension and silent movement. These are the characteristics urgently needed for deep-sea observation equipment. Based on this, the team began a bionic research and development path based on jellyfish as a prototype.

The bionic jellyfish robot adopts an ultimate bionic design: using hydrogel as the electrode material, the robot's water content reaches more than 90% through an electrostatic hydraulic drive structure, which is highly close to real jellyfish in terms of shape and material.

"After leaving the water, its transparent drive structure is more intuitive." Tao Kai (陶凯) took the robot out of the fish tank. Its body is completely transparent and equipped with a circuit board, an integrated micro-camera module, and an embedded artificial intelligence processing chip. "These flippers create water flow through contraction and expansion to achieve propulsion and suspension, with almost no noise or obvious disturbance throughout the process." Tao Kai (陶凯) explained that this design allows the robot to "hide" in the deep sea, avoiding interference with marine life and the environment.

In a static test, the staff activated the robot's camera module, and it quickly locked onto a stationary bottle cap in the fish tank. A red box appeared in real time on the screen with a confidence value.

More challenging was the dynamic test: a clownfish swimming in the fish tank entered the robot's field of vision, and the red box immediately locked on and followed it throughout the entire process. Even when the fish shuttled between other fish, tracking was not lost. "As long as there is a difference between the target and other objects, the robot can achieve dynamic capture." Tao Kai (陶凯) said that this capability can meet the needs of observing swimming organisms in the deep sea.

After finding the target, what is its scientific research value?

"This bionic jellyfish robot is not only an observer, but also a data collector." Tao Kai (陶凯) introduced that currently, it can be equipped with monitoring modules for salinity, depth, temperature, etc., for coral reef health observation. In fish farming, it can monitor the water environment in real time, providing data support for aquaculture safety.

"In the future, it can also be extended to deep-sea resource exploration, marine ecological surveys, and other fields, allowing technology to explore the blue treasure trove in a more 'gentle' way," said Tao Kai (陶凯).

The "Key Laboratory of Micro-Nano Systems for Aerospace, Ministry of Education" (空天微纳系统教育部重点实验室), where Tao Kai's (陶凯) team is located, is one of the earliest units in China to carry out research on micro-electromechanical systems. Facing aviation, aerospace, and navigation, it is committed to realizing the miniaturization, integration, and informatization of equipment, and was selected as a national-level innovation team in 2024.

Just like the team's slogan—"Learn from nature, let technology move forward silently," this bionic jellyfish robot is building a new bridge for harmonious dialogue between humans and the ocean with an innovative approach of learning from nature.

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China's independently developed boron drug for injection enters clinical trial stage

This newspaper reported from Beijing (Reporter Gu Yekai (谷业凯)) It was learned from the China National Nuclear Corporation (中核集团) that recently, the Boron-10 Phenylalanine Injection, independently developed by China, has obtained the "Drug Clinical Trial Approval Notice" from the National Medical Products Administration (国家药品监督管理局), and the drug has officially entered the Phase I clinical trial stage. On January 9, the clinical cooperation project of Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) drugs and devices, jointly carried out by China Isotope & Radiation Corporation (中核海得威), Lanzhou University (兰州大学), Fujian Ruiesike (福建睿斯科), and the Union Hospital of Fujian Medical University (福建医科大学附属协和医院), was officially launched.

Boron Neutron Capture Therapy is a new type of precision-targeted cancer cell radiotherapy method, which shows good therapeutic effects for recurrent, infiltrative, and locally metastatic tumors, especially recurrent glioblastoma, recurrent head and neck tumors, malignant melanoma, and malignant meningioma. For other common tumors such as liver cancer, lung cancer, and prostate cancer, this technology has also been used in clinical trials and treatments, achieving preliminary results.

The principle of Boron Neutron Capture Therapy is based on the specific affinity of Boron-10 compounds for cancer cells. After the drug is enriched in the tumor site, neutron beam irradiation is used to trigger a boron neutron capture nuclear reaction, thereby precisely destroying tumor cells and maximizing the protection of surrounding normal tissues, making it a cutting-edge direction with great breakthrough potential in the field of tumor treatment. The approved Boron-10 Phenylalanine Injection will provide core boron drugs for the Boron Neutron Capture Therapy treatment system and accelerate the industrialization of Boron Neutron Capture Therapy.

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Editors of this page: Xiao Yao, Cao Yiqing, Dong Yingxue

Layout Design: Zhang Danfeng (张丹峰) and Wang Zheping (汪哲平)

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The Tang Honglu Well Stele Should Be Returned to China

By: 段 勇

The cross-border loss of cultural treasures has never been an isolated historical accident, but rather a tragic era under the frequent wars and colonial expansion of modern times. Looking back at modern China, when the country was fragmented, its cultural heritage was also severely damaged. Among the many lost cultural relics, the fate of the Tang Honglu Well Stele (唐鸿胪井碑) is particularly typical.

The Tang Honglu Well Stele (唐鸿胪井碑) was erected in the second year of the Kaiyuan period of the Tang Dynasty (714 AD). It is direct historical evidence that the prosperous Tang Dynasty dispatched special envoy Cui Xin (崔忻) to confer the title on the northeastern local leader Da Zuorong (大祚荣) and formally established the region's affiliation to the central government. Although the inscription is simple, its meaning is profound: "By imperial order, the envoy Cui Xin (崔忻), the Minister of Honglu, is sent to comfort the Mohe people. Two wells are dug as permanent markers, May 18th, the second year of Kaiyuan." These few words define the grand diplomatic ceremony and border peace of the prosperous Tang Dynasty. In addition, seven inscriptions left by Ming and Qing officials and scholars who visited the stele are preserved on the stele. The superimposed thoughts and emotions of scholars from past dynasties have made this stele a carrier of civilization dialogue spanning thousands of years. During the Guangxu period, in order to protect this precious heritage, Liu Hanfang (刘含芳), the former Deng Laiqing Military Preparatory Circuit Intendant, made a special trip to build a stone pavilion to protect it, which is the Tang Stele Pavilion (唐碑亭). This stele is huge, and it is said to be "as big as a camel." According to the records of the "Brief Map of the Tang Stele" attached to the archives of the Japanese Ministry of the Navy and the actual measurement data of Japanese scholar Watanabe Ryo (渡边谅): the entire stele is 3 meters wide, 2 to 2.5 meters thick, 1.7 to 1.8 meters high, and weighs about 9.5 tons. The stele, as big as a camel, stands majestically at the northern foot of Golden Mountain (黄金山) in Lushun (旅顺), facing the sea and backed by mountains and rivers, silently guarding thousands of years of time.

The historical value of the Tang Honglu Well Stele (唐鸿胪井碑) is supported by solid documents and images. Historical documents such as the *Old Book of Tang* (*旧唐书*), *New Book of Tang* (*新唐书*), *Cefu Yuangui* (*册府元龟*), *Liaodong Zhi* (*辽东志*), *Da Ming Yitong Zhi* (*大明一统志*), and *Jiaqing Chongxiu Yitong Zhi* (*嘉庆重修一统志*) clearly record Cui Xin's (崔忻) mission to confer the title on Bohai, the excavation of the Tang Honglu Well (唐鸿胪井), and the erection of the stele. The historical materials corroborate each other, outlining a complete historical context. More valuable is that during the period when the Tang Honglu Well Stele (唐鸿胪井碑) was preserved at its original site in Lushun (旅顺), many precious historical images were left behind. Under the lens, the shape of the stele and the style of the Tang Stele Pavilion (唐碑亭) are clearly distinguishable, providing intuitive visual historical materials for tracing its historical appearance and confirming its civilization value today.

However, the suffering years of modern China's internal and external troubles and national decline made this stele, which carries thousands of years of cultural heritage, unable to escape its doom. Behind its loss is Japan's deliberate implementation of a cultural relic looting plan since 1894. From 1904 to 1905, the Russo-Japanese War broke out, and Northeast China unfortunately became the main battlefield for the great powers to compete. The poor and weak Qing government was unable to defend its sovereignty and had to helplessly declare "neutrality." After the Japanese army won, it immediately occupied Lushun (旅顺) and other parts of Northeast China, and quickly launched a new round of cultural relic "collection." The Tang Honglu Well Stele (唐鸿胪井碑), due to its unique historical value, became a key target of coveting. Japanese scholar Sakaki Masashi (酒寄雅志) clearly recorded in "Several Questions about the 'Tang Stele Pavilion' (唐碑亭), namely the Honglu Well Stele (鸿胪井碑)" that in July 1905, the Japanese official "probably secretly entrusted Naito (内藤) to appraise the Tang Honglu Well Stele (唐鸿胪井碑) in Lushun (旅顺) through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, confirming its historical value, which became the opportunity to move the stele to Japan in the future." The "Naito (内藤)" here is the famous Japanese sinologist Naito Konan (内藤湖南). In his 1907 speech on the history of Bohai, he also publicly disclosed that "the deeds of the envoys who went to Bohai at that time were recently discovered in Lushun (旅顺)," indirectly confirming Japan's deliberate investigation and plot of this cultural relic.

The plunder was ultimately implemented in the name of "transportation." The "Tang Stele Pavilion (唐碑亭) Record" attached to the report of Japanese Navy Minister Saito Minoru (斋藤实) to the adjutant-general in April 1908 clearly restored the entire process of this plunder: "The Tang Stele Pavilion (唐碑亭) is composed of a stele and a stone pavilion, located hundreds of steps east of the port at the northern foot of Golden Mountain (黄金山) in Lushun (旅顺)... During the battles of the 37th and 38th years of Meiji, after our army occupied Lushun (旅顺)... This Tang Stele Pavilion (唐碑亭) was moved to Tokyo and is now in the Imperial Palace." In the photos included in the "Miyagi Photo Album" printed in Japan in 1923, the Tang Honglu Well Stele (唐鸿胪井碑) and the stele pavilion were openly placed on the side of the Jian'an Mansion (建安府), which specializes in collecting "war trophies" from the Russo-Japanese War. The clear fracture marks on the pavilion pillars seemed to silently tell the tragic process of its violent cutting and forced transportation.

After World War II, the Allied General Headquarters in Japan promoted democratization reforms in Japan, and the legal status of the Tang Honglu Well Stele (唐鸿胪井碑) in Japan was distorted and defined as so-called "state-owned." However, this unilateral legal determination cannot change or erase its essence as an illegally lost Chinese cultural relic.

The Tang Honglu Well Stele (唐鸿胪井碑) is engraved with the profound history of ancient Chinese dynasties conferring titles on border areas, maintaining national unity, and promoting ethnic unity. For China, it has irreplaceable major political significance, far-reaching historical value, and unique cultural value. This value positioning is highly consistent with the international community's convention standards on the protection of cultural property: it accurately matches the core definition of "property relating to history... and property relating to major national events" in the 1970 UNESCO Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property, and it also fully complies with the key requirement of "special importance for the requesting State from the cultural point of view" in the 1995 UNIDROIT Convention on Stolen or Illegally Exported Cultural Objects. The Tang Honglu Well Stele (唐鸿胪井碑) can be fully regarded as one of China's heaviest "lost national treasures."

It is worth reiterating that the fact that Russia and Japan created war and competed for interests in China was a blatant infringement of China's sovereignty. The Qing government at that time was forced to declare "neutrality" and was not a belligerent party. The Tang Honglu Well Stele (唐鸿胪井碑), as China's inherent cultural relic, had nothing to do with the defeated Russia. Japan had no legitimate excuse to wantonly plunder it as a so-called "war trophy." What's more, since the end of World War II, China and the international community have completely negated Japan's illegally occupied rights and interests in China from a legal perspective.

In fact, research and pursuit surrounding the Tang Honglu Well Stele (唐鸿胪井碑) and the stele pavilion have spanned mountains and seas and have never stopped. Since the 20th century, Chinese scholars such as Qiao Dexiu (乔德秀), Jin Yufu (金毓黻), Ying Yunping (瀛云萍), and Wang Renfu (王仁富), and Japanese scholars such as Watanabe Ryo (渡边谅) and Sakaki Masashi (酒寄雅志) have successively devoted themselves to it, tracing the context of cultural relics and confirming historical truth with rigorous academic research. Chinese and foreign non-governmental organizations, universities, and relevant national departments have also actively taken action to widely disseminate the historical value and cultural significance of the Tang Honglu Well Stele (唐鸿胪井碑) to the academic community and the public. The efforts of all parties continue to promote the process of returning the Tang Honglu Well Stele (唐鸿胪井碑) and the stele pavilion.

In 2024, China jointly released the *Qingdao Proposal* with 18 countries of origin of cultural relics, proposing a Chinese plan with both originality and feasibility to solve the international problem of tracing and returning lost cultural relics in history. We sincerely hope and solemnly call on the Japanese government and the international community to actively promote the return of the Tang Honglu Well Stele (唐鸿胪井碑) and the stele pavilion. We also look forward to taking this case as an opportunity to jointly promote the establishment of a new order of fairness and justice in the field of international cultural heritage, so that lost cultural treasures can return to their homeland and continue their cultural heritage.

(The author is the Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Professor of Shanghai University (上海大学), and the Director of the Chinese Overseas Cultural Relics Research Center (中国海外文物研究中心))

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The "Poetry" and "Stories" in Gold and Silverware (Understanding the Past and Present)

By: 齐东方

Stone tools represent humanity's processing and use of tools; pottery combines clay, water, and fire to synthesize new materials for the first time; bronze and ironware bring the dawn of rapid development to human society. In contrast, gold and silver ware do not contribute as strongly to the phased development of human society. However, gold and silver, with their rare, hard-to-obtain, and brilliantly splendid natural charm, carry a kind of spiritual vitality and have always played a subtle role in social life and historical development, possessing special research value.

Gold often exists in a free state in nature and can be directly obtained. Silver mainly exists in compound states in nature and requires refining techniques to master. Gold and silver, and the objects made from them, assumed multiple functions in ancient social life, such as currency, taxes, rewards, and tributes, subtly changing people's ideological awareness and behavior, and even affecting language and vocabulary, such as "golden words and jade sayings" (金口玉言), "golden rules and jade laws" (金科玉律), "an instant worth a thousand gold pieces" (一刻千金 (yī kè qiān jīn - "one moment thousand gold," every moment is extremely precious)), and "cherishing ink like gold" (惜墨如金 (xī mò rú jīn - "cherish ink like gold," to be very careful and economical in writing or painting)). It can be said that gold and silver, with their innate colors, depict the poetry of life and the events of history, becoming a microscopic mirror of ancient social culture.

Decoration was probably the original function of gold. Gold rings and silver rings were unearthed at the Huoshaogou Site (火烧沟遗址) in Yumen (玉门), Gansu (甘肃), contemporaneous with the Xia Dynasty (夏代), and are the earliest gold and silver jewelry discovered in Chinese archeology. By the Shang Dynasty (商代), gold foil, gold flakes, gold leaves, and gold threads were found in many ruins and tombs, mostly ornaments attached to coffins, lacquerware, and chariot fittings. The gold masks, pure gold-skinned wrapped staffs, and four-bird-encircling-sun gold ornaments discovered at the Sanxingdui (三星堆) and Jinsha (金沙) sites in Sichuan (四川) have strong sacrificial and worship significance. From the perspective of manufacturing technology, the Shang Dynasty gold flakes unearthed from Dasikong Village (大司空村) in Anyang (安阳), Henan (河南) are extremely thin, only 0.01±0.001 mm thick, and have been annealed. The gold masks and other items from the Sanxingdui and Jinsha sites used various techniques such as hammering, cutting, and engraving, indicating that the craftsmen at that time were already familiar with the properties of gold.

The appearance of containers is a landmark symbol in the development of gold and silver ware. The gold cups, goblets, and vessel lids unearthed from the tomb of Marquis Yi of Zeng (曾侯乙墓) in Suizhou (随州), Hubei (湖北) are large in size and have fine and complex patterns. By the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, gold and silver inlay and gilding were common techniques. Entering the Han Dynasty (汉代), the manufacture of gold and silver ware broke away from its position as mainly an accessory decoration and became an independent handicraft category. The number and types of gold and silver utensils increased, including plates, ewers, bowls, basins, boxes, pots, and also gold stove models, gold-threaded jade garments, silver-threaded jade garments, gold and silver seals, and various jewelry. The gold and silver ware from the tomb of the Nanyue King (南越王墓) in Guangzhou (广州), the tomb of Liu Sheng (刘胜墓) in Mancheng (满城), Hebei (河北), the tomb of Marquis Haihun (海昏侯墓) Liu He (刘贺) in Nanchang (南昌), Jiangxi (江西), and the Shizhaishan (石寨山) tombs in Jinning (晋宁), Yunnan (云南) are representative discoveries of the Western Han Dynasty.

During the Northern and Southern Dynasties period, an important phenomenon in gold and silver ware was the increase in imported goods. The silver plate from the tomb of Feng Hetu (封和突墓) of the Northern Wei (北魏) in Datong (大同), Shanxi (山西), the silver long cup and silver bowl from the Northern Wei city site, the gilded silver pot from the tomb of Li Xian (李贤墓) of the Northern Zhou (北周) in Guyuan (固原), Ningxia (宁夏), and the silver bowl from the Southern Dynasties hoard in Suixi (遂溪), Guangdong (广东), all came from West Asia or Central Asia. Foreign objects injected new vitality into the development of Chinese gold and silver ware. The luxurious style of the Tang Dynasty (唐时) court and official management achieved a peak in gold and silver ware. A large number of exquisite gold and silver wares have been unearthed from the tomb of Li Jingxun (李静训墓) in Xi'an (西安), Shaanxi (陕西), Hejiacun (何家村) in the southern suburbs of Xi'an, the underground palace of Famen Temple (法门寺地宫) in Fufeng (扶风), Baoji (宝鸡), and the underground palace of Leifeng Pagoda (雷峰塔地宫) in Hangzhou (杭州), Zhejiang (浙江). Their shapes and patterns are often borrowed by objects of other materials, leading the fashion of the times.

After the Song Dynasty (宋代), due to the more abundant raw materials for gold and silver ware, the output of utensils increased, and the tendency towards commercialization and popularization gradually became stronger. Mass production led to the emergence of patterned and complete sets of utensils. Products developed in two opposite directions with a brand-new style: one was more gorgeous and refined, and the other tended to be simple and unadorned. The former served the nobles and wealthy, while the latter satisfied the general public. The shapes and patterns of Song and Yuan gold and silver ware changed significantly, and ordinary bowls, cups, goblets, dishes, plates, boxes, and bottles each had different styles. Some utensils were directly inspired by nature, with peonies symbolizing wealth, lotus flowers symbolizing purity, peaches symbolizing longevity, and plum blossoms, orchids, bamboo, and chrysanthemums symbolizing gentlemen. "Every picture must have a meaning, and every meaning must be auspicious" (图必有意、意必吉祥), forming a new cultural charm, which is a new phenomenon in the history of Chinese folk art.

The aesthetics of scholar-officials influenced the manufacture of high-end gold and silver ware products. Poetic and picturesque scenes and leisurely and elegant artistic conceptions are often reflected in the decorative images of utensils, and poems are inscribed, integrating poetry, calligraphy, and painting. Objects in antique or retro styles are another important phenomenon, usually imitating bronze ritual vessels from the pre-Qin period, not only with the shapes of tripods and gui vessels, but also with cloud patterns, thunder patterns, and taotie patterns, which are exquisite and unique, and have an antique flavor.

The uses of gold and silver ware in the Ming (明) and Qing (清) dynasties were more extensive, permeating ancestral temples, palace decorations, crown and clothing jewelry, and stationery, etc. There was no fixed pattern for utensils, and many developed in the direction of pure artistry and ornamentation. The production of gold and silver ware in the Ming and Qing dynasties was not only more refined, but also often combined with inlaying techniques. Various gemstone inlays made the utensils more luxurious, and new techniques of cloisonné enamel also appeared. The filigree works can be called a masterpiece of gold and silver filigree, with a soft and gorgeous texture like fabric, showing a deeper understanding of the characteristics of gold and silver materials.

The plasticity of gold and silver ware in terms of texture and the splendor in appearance make the forms of expressing spiritual life with material materials richer, and also reflect the social customs and changes in many aspects of Chinese traditional culture, such as beliefs, rituals, hierarchies, technology, art, fashion, ideals, and foreign cultural exchanges.

(Author's affiliation: Archaeological and Museological College, Sichuan University (四川大学考古文博学院))

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We're conducting the fourth national economic census in Jiayuguan.

By: 方元星

7 AM, the morning mist has not yet completely dissipated. As the deputy leader of the post-80s census team, I have already set up the equipment in front of the Black Mountain cliff face, with two post-90s newcomers behind me. On the screen of the RTK (Real-Time Kinematic) surveying instrument, the coordinate numbers flicker slightly with the morning light, as if taking the pulse of the rock paintings that have been sleeping for thousands of years. This is today's first stop - the "Black Mountain Rock Paintings (黑山岩画)", a national key cultural relics protection unit. People in Jiayuguan (嘉峪关) have grown up listening to its stories, but this is the first time to "build an archive" for it with their own hands.

In 2018, Ma Zhenxiang (马振祥) and Zou Jinlun (邹金伦) graduated from university and entered the Jiayuguan Great Wall Research Institute (嘉峪关长城研究院). For these two post-90s, the "Fourth National Cultural Relics Census" (四普) was initially just a job. I pointed to the map and told them: "During the 'Third National Cultural Relics Census' (三普), the older generation of cultural relics workers used measuring tapes and their feet to explore every inch of Jiayuguan (嘉峪关). Now, it's our turn to give these cultural relics a 'check-up'."

Wang Weimin (王为民) is 58 years old this year. He was a young man during the "Third National Cultural Relics Census" (三普). Last month, when he took the newcomers to review the "Guoyuan-Xincheng Tomb Complex (果园—新城墓群)", a national key cultural relics protection unit, the old comrade stepped into the loose soil and pointed to the ground, saying: "There used to be a tomb here." Ma Zhenxiang (马振祥) used the RTK surveying instrument to mark the coordinates, and compared them with historical data. Sure enough, there was a tomb, and he admired the experience of the old comrade.

To get to the farthest Great Wall beacon tower, you have to drive to the end of the road and then walk for more than two hours on mountain roads. The RTK surveying instrument signal is intermittent, and if the data doesn't match, you have to measure again. Zou Jinlun (邹金伦) remembers that sandstorm, when the three of them squatted back-to-back on the Great Wall, their mouths full of dirt. As soon as the wind stopped, they shook the sand off the equipment and continued to work. "The machine gives numbers," Ma Zhenxiang (马振祥) said, "we have to build a medical record for the cultural relics."

Among the rock paintings, a rock painting was photographed for a long time and was not very clear. An experienced master taught them to use oblique light to photograph the depth of the chiseling, "You can tell the wind direction of thousands of years by looking at the wear of this line." Next to a beacon tower, he pulled away the floating soil, and black carbon crystals were exposed between the sand and stones - this is the trace left by ancient smoke signaling.

What excites the young people even more is the new discoveries not recorded in the "Third National Cultural Relics Census" (三普) archives. City monuments, the early staff dormitories of Jiuquan Iron and Steel Plant (酒泉钢铁厂), rural supply and marketing cooperatives... They treat these 29 new types of cultural heritage sites like the Great Wall, walking through them three times, measuring them three times, and photographing all the details. "This is the memory of the city. It didn't count as a cultural relic in the past, but it has to be counted now."

"'Third National Cultural Relics Census' (三普) registered 96 sites, this review is 100%, and 29 new sites have been added." When reporting to the review experts, I specially switched the screen to a map - densely packed points, from the beacon tower of the Suspended Great Wall (悬壁长城) to the hydrological station on the edge of the Taolai River (讨赖河), and then to the memorial sculpture in the center of the city. When taking the "Fourth National Cultural Relics Census" (四普) data to Jiuquan (酒泉) for provincial-level review, the expert pointed to the photos of the industrial heritage and asked: "Is this a cultural relic or a historical building?" I pulled out the prepared archives, the original design drawings, the workers' memories, and the factory records. Ma Zhenxiang (马振祥) stood next to the projector, his palms sweating - they had reviewed these data 5 times. On the night the review was approved, driving on the way home, we thought of the old comrade's words: "In the past, I pointed the way based on memory, and you measured the precise coordinates. The older generation handed over the key, and you have to open the lock well."

Back in the office. On the computer screen, the new general catalog of immovable cultural relics resources has just been generated: the Great Wall, rock paintings, tomb complexes, industrial heritage, each name is connected to satellite positioning coordinates and more than a dozen photos. In the remarks column, there is a line of text - "All that should be surveyed must be surveyed, and all that should be protected must be protected" (应普尽普，应保尽保 (yīng pǔ jìn pǔ, yīng bǎo jìn bǎo - "survey all, protect all," a comprehensive approach to cultural heritage preservation)). Outside the window, the outline of the Great Wall is hidden in the night. Those Great Walls and rock paintings that have been walked, measured, and photographed, those buildings and steles at the doorstep, are all quietly waiting for the next batch of guardians.

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Skillfully Mending Book Pages, Nurturing Minds with Countless Volumes (Light of Inheritance)

By: 金 路

Cultural heritage in the form of ancient books carries profound historical and cultural value. Among the more than 1.95 million cultural relics of various types in the Palace Museum (故宫博物院), there are more than 600,000 ancient books and woodblock prints. The Palace Museum (故宫博物院) established a library at its inception in 1925, centrally collecting books and classics from various locations within the Forbidden City (紫禁城) in the Shou'an Palace (寿安宫). In 2008, the Palace Museum (故宫博物院) was approved by the State Council (国务院) as one of the first national key protection units for ancient books. In 2025, it was approved as the "National Ancient Book Restoration Center" by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism (文化和旅游部). To date, four batches of a total of 180 ancient books and documents have been included in the National List of Precious Ancient Books.

In 2023, the Palace Museum (故宫博物院), the China Cultural Relics Protection Foundation (中国文物保护基金会), and the Beijing ByteDance Charity Foundation (北京字节跳动公益基金会) jointly launched the "Ancient Book Protection and Revitalization Public Welfare Project." Over the past two years, it has successfully completed the rescue migration and fumigation of the Tripitaka woodblock prints, as well as other preventive protection measures. With the support of the project, the Palace Museum (故宫博物院) has established a dedicated Woodblock Printing Gallery, which features a permanent exhibition entitled "Glimpses of Excellence: Qing Dynasty Court Woodblock Prints from the Palace Museum Collection" (吉光片羽——故宫博物院藏清代宫廷雕版文物展). The warehouse-style display exhibits more than 15,000 cultural relics (sets), showcasing the traces of large-scale printing activities in those years. The jointly built Ancient Book Protection Science and Technology Laboratory has restored some ancient books, including *Qinding Gongzhong Xianxing Zeli* (《钦定宫中现行则例》), *Jiaxing Canon* (《嘉兴藏》), and the Mongolian *Shixian Shu* (《时宪书》). It has also conducted the first systematic research, digital collection, and publication of the Palace Museum's (故宫博物院) collection of five dynasties' *Qinding Gongzhong Xianxing Zeli* (《钦定宫中现行则例》).

Before restoring ancient books, it is necessary to "observe, listen, inquire, and feel" (望闻问切 - wàng wén wèn qiè - "observe smell ask cut," a metaphor for careful and comprehensive investigation). For the detection of paper and silk fabrics, it is necessary to observe with a microscope, analyze the morphological characteristics of the fibers, and determine their material, so as to provide a basis for the formulation of restoration plans and the selection of repair materials. The decoration cover of the Mongolian *Shixian Shu* (《时宪书》) uses special flowers as the texture and yellow silk as the material. The restorers first asked relevant institutions to customize white silk with special flower patterns, and then discussed with textile material analysts the plan to imitate the color with plant dyes. Each time, the white silk was dyed to the color closest to the original book before it was used for restoration.

Repairing book leaves requires even more "prescribing the right medicine" (对症下药 - duì zhèng xià yào - "prescribe medicine according to the illness," to take appropriate measures). For example, for stains, use warm water to spray and wash, and then dry naturally in the shade; for cracks, first align the columns and characters, and then smooth the book mouth; for local damage, spray water and flatten before repairing; for aging, crispness, and damage around the edges, repair first and then partially reinforce with leather paper; if severely damaged, the book mouth must be smoothed before repairing, and finally the entire sheet is backed. It takes several days of work to repair only the severe insect damage on a single, riddled-with-holes page. Through the skillful hands of the restorers, a cover that has lost almost 80% of its surface can be restored to a clear page through several processes such as stain removal, flattening, paper matching, repairing, and backing. The restoration work is only complete after completing steps such as aligning the columns, reinforcing with paper twists, punching holes, applying the cover, and stitching the thread.

The laboratory also houses a large number of preservation and research personnel from the library. When systematically sorting out the cultural relics in the warehouse, they discovered that, in addition to its rich content, *Qinding Gongzhong Xianxing Zeli* (《钦定宫中现行则例》) covers 54 types of ancient books, including manuscripts and printed editions, totaling 251 volumes, and 541 woodblock prints. For the catalog volumes and content of different versions, they combined manual comparison with electronic image comparison, with one book per person, checking page by page. Through a detailed summary of the materials received, expenses reimbursed, repairs requested, and completion archives from multiple dynasties in the archival documents, they sorted out three different types of book covers and book clothing materials and shapes in the printed editions: yellow silk, azurite silk, and blue cloth. What is particularly valuable is that the yellow strips attached to the books still preserve key information about the storage location. The related cultural relics exhibit characteristics such as the coexistence of multiple forms, the continuity of versions from multiple dynasties, the richness of decoration materials, and the high degree of correspondence between the cultural relics and related archival documents, fully demonstrating the unique features of the ancient books and woodblock prints in the collection of the Palace Museum (故宫博物院).

Digital collection and publication also require a lot of effort. Before digitally collecting images, restorers need to carry out preventive protection such as reinforcement for ancient books with minor damage, and comprehensive restoration for those with serious damage. Many ancient book papers are thin and fragile. In order to ensure the scanning effect, professional cultural relic collectors need to carefully insert lining paper between the thin pages. This time, *Qinding Gongzhong Xianxing Zeli* (《钦定宫中现行则例》) uses the Qing Dynasty Jiaqing (嘉庆) to Guangxu (光绪) versions as the base for high-definition scanning. At the same time, popular and reproduced versions are launched to meet the differentiated needs of scholars and collectors. Some ancient book image resources are being prepared to be launched in the "Digital Cultural Relics Library" section of the Palace Museum (故宫博物院) official website.

The establishment of the Ancient Book Protection Science and Technology Laboratory of the Palace Museum (故宫博物院) and related work are distinctive and far-reaching, and will promote the creative transformation and innovative development of outstanding traditional culture.

(Author's affiliation: Palace Museum (故宫博物院))

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Timeless Sentiments, Grand Yangtze (Now Available)

By: 陈曾路

The Yangtze River is the cultural root of the Chinese nation. The Yangtze River is the Yangtze River of "separated only by water between Jingkou (京口) and Guazhou (瓜洲)," the Yangtze River that fills our memories in "Preface to the Pavilion of Prince Teng" (滕王阁序) and "Yueyang Tower" (岳阳楼记), the Yangtze River of Li Bai (李白) and Du Fu (杜甫), the Yangtze River of the night rain in Ba Mountain, and even more so, the Yangtze River of the Wuling Mountains (五岭) with their majestic undulations and the dragon coiling and tiger crouching that surpasses the past... The long-standing sentiments of ancient and modern times are the greatest attraction of the rolling Yangtze River. An exhibition with the Yangtze River as its theme can naturally resonate with the public's emotions.

The "Grand View of the Yangtze River - The Great River Flows East and the Prosperity of Jiangnan" (大观长江——大江东流与江南繁华) theme exhibition curated by the Zhangjiagang Museum (张家港博物馆) is one of the "Archaeology of the Yangtze River Civilization" series of exhibitions. From the beginning, we were thinking about how to avoid turning it into a fine exhibition of cultural relics unearthed in the Yangtze River basin, but instead focus on the Yangtze River itself, telling the story of the Yangtze River's millennium flow, its continuous life, and the stories of the people and the river on both sides of the Yangtze River. This exhibition is also a component of the "Yangtze River Culture Festival" (长江文化节), which has been held continuously for 22 years. The main cultural relics and exhibits are borrowed from Jiangsu Province (江苏省), so the exhibition is positioned as "focusing on the civilization of the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, showcasing the full picture of the Yangtze River's human history, and stimulating the audience's multi-dimensional thinking about the Yangtze River's civilization, ecology, and future."

The key point of the exhibition, "Grand View of the Yangtze River" (大观长江), comes from the Qing Dynasty "Complete Map of the Grand View of the Yangtze River" (长江大观全图) in the collection of the National Library of China (中国国家图书馆). In terms of version, it is not a particularly precious rare book, and the painting skills and picture presentation are certainly not comparable to the "Ten Thousand Miles of the Yangtze River" (长江万里图) by famous masters. However, it records the scenery of mountains and rivers and famous historical sites on both sides of the river from Zhenjiang Prefecture (镇江府) upstream, passing through Guazhou City (瓜洲城), Yangzhou Prefecture City (扬州府城), Chizhou Prefecture (池州府), Anqing Prefecture (安庆府), Jiujiang Prefecture (九江府), etc., all the way to the mouth of Dongting Lake (洞庭湖) and the mouth of the Jing River, such as Jinshan (金山), Qixia Mountain (栖霞山), Turtle Mountain (龟山), Qingchuan Pavilion (晴川阁), Yellow Crane Tower (黄鹤楼), and Parrot Island (鹦鹉洲). Most interestingly, the map also uses text to annotate the sources of Yangtze River landscape legends, the water distances of each section of Yangtze River navigation, the abundance of products along the river, and the skills of navigating ships in the river. For example, the record of "Niao Ji" (袅矶) not only marks "Sun Wu (孙吴) Madam Temple of Liu Bei (刘备) of the Three Kingdoms," but also has a "Large ships anchor here to avoid the northwest wind. The Ministry of Revenue (户部) reports taxes and must be clear. The Ministry of Works (工部) extracts ships and bamboo and wood. Ships going to Henan (河内) should beware of mountain floods in spring and summer." Such strategies. In the landscape place names, there are occasional surprises such as "Li Bai (李白) raised his glass to ask the moon" and "Tao Yuanming (陶渊明) served as a county magistrate here," which truly brings people a "Grand View of the Yangtze River." On closer thought, the "Complete Map of the Grand View of the Yangtze River" reflects the general public's understanding of this great river in the Qing Dynasty, and this understanding itself is a comprehensive presentation of geography, nature, and history.

The exhibition is divided into four parts: "Beginning, Development, Transition, and Conclusion." "Beginning: Tracing the Source" takes us back to the source of civilization. From Dongshan Village (东山村) in Zhangjiagang (张家港), the "First Village of the Yangtze River," to Majiabang (马家浜), Songze (崧泽), Liangzhu (良渚), and then to the fierce Wu-Yue (吴越) hegemony in the 5th century BC, especially the precious cultural relics unearthed from the Sanxing Village (三星村) site, such as the engraved bone plates and the sword of King Fuchai of Wu (吴王夫差剑), allow us to directly feel the long history and unique temperament of the civilization in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River.

"Development: The Fires of Life" focuses on the fires of civilization. From the prosperity of Jiangnan (江南) to the bustling markets of Bashu (巴蜀), the Yangtze River, with its abundant products and accessible waterways, has nourished the daily lives of ordinary people and nurtured the creations of great artists. The recitations of poets of past dynasties, the "Ten Thousand Miles of the Yangtze River" (长江万里图) by painting masters such as Xia Gui (夏圭), Zhao Fu (赵芾), Wang Meng (王蒙), Dai Jin (戴进), Wu Wei (吴伟), and Wang Hui (王翬), classic images and video recordings such as "Farewell at Jingkou" (京口送别图), "Album of Qutang Gorge of the Three Gorges" (三峡瞿塘图册), "Yellow Crane Tower" (黄鹤楼图), "Yueyang Tower" (岳阳楼图), and "Talking about the Yangtze River" (话说长江), together outline a panorama of the Yangtze River's people's livelihood spanning time and space.

"Transition: Turbulence" focuses on the key nodes and major changes in the history of the Yangtze River, such as the Battle of Baiju (柏举之战), the Battle of Red Cliffs (赤壁之战), and the Battle of Fei River (淝水之战) that broke out on the banks of the river, changes in administrative divisions, and dynastic changes... From ancient China to modern great changes, the Yangtze River, with its surging power, has promoted the transformation of Chinese civilization in the face of challenges and its rebirth in the rapids. The great river is a natural barrier, but also a thoroughfare. The Yangtze River has continuously gained new vitality in the collisions, integration, and challenges of civilization, which is precisely the resilience of the Chinese nation to 生生不息 (shēng shēng bù xī - "unceasingly," continuous growth and reproduction; perpetual existence).

"Conclusion: Symbiosis" is the climax of the exhibition. Showcasing precious cultural relics from 15 cultural and museum institutions, such as the bronze mirror with Tuolong (鼍龙) patterns depicting animal images in the Yangtze River, the brick painting of salt fields reproducing production activities by the river, the wooden thorns unearthed from the tomb of Zhu Ran (朱然), a famous general of the Eastern Wu (东吴) guarding Jiangling (江陵), the rubbings of "Yi He Ming" (瘗鹤铭) unearthed from the Yangtze River, the gold and silver wares reflecting the busy canal transportation unearthed from Dingmao Bridge (丁卯桥) in Zhenjiang (镇江), the lion-patterned bricks of the glazed pagoda of the Great Bao'en Temple (大报恩寺) in Nanjing (南京), and the epitaph of the Ming Dynasty navigator Hong Bao (洪保), tell the story of how the Yangtze River, as a link, connects the north and south, communicates ancient and modern times, and promotes the "harmonious coexistence" of Chinese civilization.

As the saying goes, "The country is as beautiful as a painting, and for a time, how many heroes have emerged," telling the story of this great river well is the responsibility of museum workers.

(The author is the curator of the Wu Culture Museum (吴文化博物馆) and the curator of the "Grand View of the Yangtze River" theme exhibition)

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Call for Submissions: "There are Cultural Relics at My Doorstep"

When we think of cultural relics, what often comes to mind are the exquisite artifacts and national treasures in museums. In recent years, with the increasing public awareness of cultural relic protection, especially with the launch of the Fourth National Cultural Relics Census, many people are pleasantly surprised to find that cultural relics are so close to us, and have even been silently accompanying us. It may be a well at the entrance of a village, a bridge across a stream, or it may be a stone tablet on the street, a pavilion in a park, or an old factory building in a bustling city...

Therefore, this section now launches the "Cultural Relics at My Doorstep" column. We welcome contributions from everyone to tell the moving stories between you and cultural relics. There are no restrictions on the level or type of cultural relics, and the length is about 1,000 words. We look forward to your words, awakening the dusty memories of streets and alleys, so that the historical context of the "doorstep" not only nourishes our spirit, but also becomes a warm companion in our hearts.

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Editor in charge of this page: Zhou Feiya

This edition's email: ysbjs@peopledaily.cn

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Fragrant Lemons in Hometown

By: 刘心武

In the 1960s, when someone asked about my ancestral home, I would say: Anyue (安岳), Sichuan. The response was almost always the same: "Anyue? Where in Sichuan?" It was rare to meet someone who knew Anyue, but when I did, they would say something that bothered me: "Ah, I know, it's in eastern Sichuan, a place of no strategic importance. In ancient times, when fighting wars, there was no need to even fight there. Once Chengdu (成都) was taken, a few people could just be sent to take over." During the Anti-Japanese War, Japanese planes bombed Chongqing (重庆). My mother took her children to Chengdu to escape the bombing, and I was born in a humble rented room on Yuyingtang Street (育婴堂街) in Chengdu. Wang Jingwei (汪精卫) proposed the so-called "peace route," which aroused public outrage. My father firmly agreed with armed resistance against Japan, so he named me Liu Xinwu (刘心武) (Xin (心) was my generational name) to express his determination. However, the Japanese then bombed Chengdu again, and my mother had to take my three older brothers, one older sister, and me, still in her arms, to the remote Anyue, until the victory of the Anti-Japanese War. Only then did we first return to Chengdu and then to Chongqing. I have no memory of Anyue at that time. My sister, who is eight years older than me, later told me that although life was very hard at the time, the people of Anyue were united in their determination to resist Japan, actively farming and supporting the front lines. In the spring, the rice seedlings were green, the rapeseed flowers were golden, and the pea flowers bloomed on the ridges, their purple and white blossoms fragrant. The distant Yan'an (延安) song "February is Coming" also reached Anyue, and she and her brothers sang loudly: "February is coming, the spring is beautiful, every family is busy farming, hoping for a good harvest this year, to donate more grain to supply the army... Work hard, work hard, we can get through this most difficult stage... The old and the young in the rear, contribute more labor to resist the war."

In the 1970s, whenever someone asked, to avoid the embarrassment of mentioning Anyue and having them not know it, I would always say that my ancestral home was Neijiang (内江). In fact, I have never been to Neijiang, but at that time Anyue belonged to Neijiang, and most people knew the name Neijiang. But in this century, I have encountered new embarrassment. Someone will proactively say to me: "Oh, I know you are from Neijiang, Sichuan." I have to correct them: "My ancestral home is Anyue County (安岳县), which used to belong to Neijiang Prefecture (内江专区) and now belongs to Ziyang City (资阳市). I have never been to Neijiang or Ziyang. Just remember that I am from Anyue."

It really doesn't matter if a person's ancestral home is not well-known. Unexpectedly, when I traveled to Austria in the early part of this century, at a gathering in Vienna (维也纳) with several German-speaking people, my friend, the sinologist Forster (福斯特), told them that my ancestral home was Anyue, Sichuan, China. To my surprise, everyone present nodded to indicate that they knew it, and some even uttered two syllables: "Lemon!"

After the reform and opening up, Anyue found the most suitable project for its development: planting lemons, and extending a rich industrial chain around lemons—lemon pectin, lemon dietary fiber, dried lemons, lemon tea, lemon candy, lemon sauce, lemon wine, lemon soap, lemon perfume, lemon bath products, lemon cosmetics... Several huge lemon culture amusement parks have also been formed.

Currently, the planting, harvesting, sorting, processing, and shipping of Anyue lemons have all achieved mechanization and automation under the premise of technological leadership. Not only is the pulp fully utilized, but the peel, seeds, and pomace are also fully squeezed for their value. One lemon fruit creates a myriad of beautiful things. Anyue lemons currently account for 70-80% of the domestic market. Every morning after I get up, I routinely brew a large cup of lemon black tea. The lemons are naturally from my hometown. Sliced, the pulp is full and moist. When steeped in boiling water, the whole room is filled with fragrance. Adding sugar and eating it with lemon jam on toast is very pleasant. When I go to the supermarket fruit section, I knowingly ask: "Where are these lemons from?" I like it best when the salesperson answers in an unquestionable tone: "Of course, they are from Anyue." I also like it best when a customer asks the salesperson: "Are these Anyue lemons? I only buy Anyue lemons." Anyue lemons sell well in China and are also exported to Southeast Asia and many European countries. The scene I experienced in Austria still makes me very proud.

Anyue has a valuable cultural heritage—ancient stone carvings, mainly from the Tang (唐) and Song (宋) dynasties. The Dazu Rock Carvings (大足石刻) in Chongqing, which are now well-known, are familiar to people, but in my opinion, the richness and beauty of the Anyue stone carvings are no less than those of Dazu. For example, the Water Moon Guanyin (水月观音) (also known as the Purple Bamboo Guanyin (紫竹观音)) statue in Pilu Cave (毗卢洞) is known as the "Venus of the East." Its shape and expression are so beautiful that all viewers are captivated. The stone carvings in Anyue are not as concentrated as those in Dazu, but are scattered in various places. In the 1980s, I went to see them with writers such as Wang Zengqi (汪曾祺) and Lin Jinlan (林斤澜). Although we had a van, it was still very difficult to get from one place to another. At that time, the local government and the people had limited awareness of their value, lacked a sense of protection, and had no financial resources to protect them. Now that the economy is strong thanks to lemons, the awareness of cultural heritage has risen, and the protection of stone carvings has both planning and action. Moreover, the lemon orchards connect the scattered stone carvings, making cultural tourism more attractive.

Last night, I dreamed of returning to my hometown, wandering in the endless lemon orchards, with the local accent ringing in my ears and the fragrance of lemons filling the air. It seemed that someone was asking me again: Where is your hometown? Before I could answer, celestial music seemed to be playing in the sky: Anyue, oh Anyue, the lovely lemon town!

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Encountering "Inspiration"

By: 郝 俊

Every writer, when writing, hopes to be favored by inspiration, and anticipates the joy of a flowing mind and a brilliant writing style. Many poets and writers throughout history have described the excitement of talent bursting forth when inspiration strikes. For example, the Tang Dynasty poet-monk Jiaoran (皎然) said in "The Style of Poetry" (诗式): "Sometimes the mind is quiet and the spirit is king, and good sentences flow freely, as if unstoppable, like divine assistance." The Ming Dynasty playwright Tang Xianzu (汤显祖) wrote in "Preface to Harmony and Wonder" (合奇序): "Natural inspiration comes in a trance, arriving without thinking." Guo Moruo (郭沫若) recalled his feelings when creating the historical drama "Qu Yuan" (屈原) in his diary: "As I picked up the pen to write, I unconsciously felt a surge of wonderful thoughts, rushing to my pen."

Such examples are too numerous to mention. The idea of "inspiration" is indeed real, a genuine creative experience, and I believe writing friends are deeply aware of this.

In the process of writing, although it is impossible to predict when inspiration will occur, it is not entirely accidental. Those moments of "sudden inspiration" are actually the result of continuous accumulation, stemming from the author's sustained focus and thinking on the writing content. It should be said that the longer the thinking time, the more energy stored in the heart, and the higher the frequency of inspiration. The sudden "inspiration" is actually a reward for the author's personal efforts.

In my own experience, sometimes after completing the first draft of an article, I still want to polish a few details, so I ponder hard in front of the computer. But after trying various modification schemes, if it still does not achieve the desired effect, patience will be exhausted, and at this time, disappointment and anxiety will prevail. In order to calm my mood, I ask myself to be patient, repeating this until I am exhausted and have to put it aside temporarily. When I do the next unrelated thing, such as eating, washing dishes, or taking a walk, suddenly, a satisfactory expression flashes in my mind like a bright light. This unexpected gain is probably the arrival of "inspiration," giving people a sense of mystery that is "available but not sought." This seems accidental, but in fact, it contains inevitability. Although the writing at hand is temporarily put down, I am still concerned about it in my heart. It is precisely because of this "concern" that the previous "thinking" has not been completely interrupted. "Thinking" has only retreated from the foreground of consciousness to behind the scenes, but it is still quietly continuing, bridging the gap for encountering "inspiration."

The so-called "If you never forget, there must be a response," this "response" will certainly not appear out of thin air, but stems from the deep cultivation and reserves of "never forgetting." Just as the premise of "writing like a god" must be the profound accumulation of "reading ten thousand books," without a large amount of reading training, where does the smooth "divine assistance" come from under the pen? As for how to usher in the enlightenment of "another village with bright willows and blooming flowers," I believe it does not rely on accidental luck. When we face the dilemma of "mountains and rivers exhausted, doubting there is no road," only by persisting in exploring can we find a new path out of desperation. Thus, "inspiration" will only appear at some inadvertent moment after we have made unremitting efforts. Although "obtained in an instant," it is "accumulated in ordinary days."

It should be noted that the fleeting "inspiration" is certainly precious, but in most cases, "inspiration" is not equal to a mature work. "Inspiration" is often just a sudden creative idea or thought, just a flashing "light spot." If it is well grasped, we can use this "light spot" to continue exploring, so that the dark places of thinking are illuminated, and the path of creation gradually becomes clear and deep. In this way, it is possible to complete a more ideal work. This process is not achieved overnight, and generally requires full brewing and gradual improvement.

From this, it can be seen that writing is not enough to rely solely on inspiration. Just like the occasional one or two surprises in life do not guarantee that we can live a happy life, a happy life depends on our daily hard work and careful management. Writing is also the same. To write good works, we must adhere to hard work and diligent effort, and have a persistent tenacity.

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Fireworks, Yangko Dance, and Opera

By: 邢建军

From a young age, I would hear my grandmother hum a gentle tune, sometimes light and cheerful, sometimes humorous, accompanied by the smoky aroma from the kitchen, lingering in the air above the farmhouse courtyard. At that time, I only felt that the tune was warm and comforting, close to the earth. Later, the village restored the folk art performances, and during festivals, several old actors with painted faces and costumes would appear on the village stage, and the familiar tune would spread with the sound of gongs and drums. Only then did I realize that the tune my grandmother hummed was called Yangge Opera.

A few days ago, while filming a program about intangible cultural heritage with a film crew, I came to Bailongchi Village (白龙池村) in Pingshan County (平山县), Hebei (河北) to explore Pingshan Yangge Opera. Red fruits still adorned the branches of the old persimmon tree. Zhao Ruilin (赵瑞林) and his wife, both in their eighties, sat on the doorstep of their small courtyard, a gentle breeze stirring the silver hair at their temples. The two elderly people, brought together by Yangge Opera, looked at each other and softly hummed a familiar tune.

In the villages of the western mountainous area of Pingshan County, the custom of singing Yangge Opera has a long history. Zhao Ruilin is the third-generation inheritor of the Li School of Pingshan Western Tune Yangge (平山西调秧歌李派). He began learning the art at the age of 11, and since then, the sound of gongs and drums has accompanied his remaining years. Now, at the age of 86, he has forty or fifty disciples, like seeds in the mountains, taking root and sprouting in more than a dozen villages in Pingshan County.

The Yangge Opera in the Pingshan area is known as Pingshan Western Tune Yangge Opera (平山西调秧歌戏). Zhao Ruilin opened the *Pingshan County Gazetteer* (《平山县志》) for me to see, which recorded that in the third year of Xianfeng (咸丰) (1853), Yangge had become popular in the countryside, so much so that villagers neglected their farming due to watching the performances, prompting the authorities to issue a ban. This slightly helpless ban testified to how popular Yangge Opera was in the mountains and villages at that time, becoming a burning desire in the hearts of the people. It turns out that true folk art is never a collection kept on a high shelf, but a flower that grows in the soil.

"Seven sing, eight beat, nine not idle, small jacket over large shirt, plus a vest, one sings door to door, two sings on the ground, costumes made by oneself, called a baggage troupe." This rhyme fully expresses the true nature of Yangge Opera: without grand displays or exquisite costumes, a simple cloth shirt and a set of gongs and drums can create a lively atmosphere. Zhao Ruilin said that Yangge Opera is divided into eastern and western branches, with Shijiazhuang (石家庄), the capital of Hebei Province (河北省), as the boundary. Due to the slight differences in the dialects of the eastern and western regions, the singing styles of Yangge are also distinctly different.

"Rain falls from the sky and soaks the ground, people leave descendants and grass leaves roots. People leave descendants to prepare for old age, grass leaves roots to wait for spring." The lyrics immediately resonated with me when the old man opened his mouth. Zhao Ruilin's memory holds more than 50 classic plays. The plays performed are not about emperors, generals, or warhorses, but about folk trivia, neighborhood anecdotes, or old stories passed down by word of mouth. The humor of *Tian Erhong Opens a Shop* (《田二洪开店》), the boldness of *Jia Jinlian Steals a Horse* (《贾金莲拐马》), and the gentleness of *Yang Ershe Begs for Alms* (《杨二舍化缘》) are all old stories that the people in the mountains never tire of hearing. Listening to them, I think of the smoky aroma from my grandmother's kitchen and the joyful faces with undried paint on the village stage.

In recent years, Zhao Ruilin has always been concerned about one thing: he cannot let the Western Tune Yangge die out in his generation. He secretly resolved to organize the plays in his memory, word by word, while his mind was still clear. Those stories that had been rolling in the sound of gongs and drums for more than 70 years flowed from his pen into lines of text. Zhang Xi (张玺), a retired music teacher who is also passionate about local art, heard that the old man was organizing Yangge Opera scripts, and the two hit it off and became fellow travelers.

Yangge Opera carries the spontaneity and vitality of a rural "grassroots troupe," and the lyrics are not fixed. Many authentic Pingshan dialects have no corresponding Chinese characters. The old man organized the first draft from memory, and Zhang Xi pondered and refined it word by word. Year after year, Zhao Ruilin's desk has been piled up with 24 draft scripts. He stroked the words on the pages, sighing: "This is not just a play, it is clearly a living record of Pingshan's customs and local conditions."

Yes, Yangge Opera records the joys and sorrows of the people in the mountains, and contains the daily necessities of generations. It sings the endless stories to the green mountains, to the flowing water, and also to the days to come.

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Photo Report

Chinese painting "Jiangnan After Snow II," by Shen Xinggong (沈行工), collection of the National Art Museum of China (中国美术馆).

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"Ah! That's right!" (Encounter)

By: 王 茜

Some time ago, the community organized a square dance competition, and I excitedly signed up, even making a special trip to attend dance classes.

Who knew that in the first class, the three large mirrors made me feel completely awkward—as a beginner with zero experience, my limbs were stiff, I had no sense of rhythm, and I couldn't keep up with the beat at all. The teacher couldn't attend to everyone in the large class, so I switched to one-on-one private lessons, and that's how I met Teacher Yanzi (燕子老师).

Teacher Yanzi (燕子老师) is petite with shoulder-length hair. When the music started, her demonstrated movements were like flowing water, while I was as clumsy as a bear who had wandered into the wrong place. Just as I was feeling embarrassed, she smiled and showed me an old photo on her phone: she looked so round in it that I almost couldn't recognize her.

"I was sick and taking medicine at that time, and I gained weight all at once," she said. "You see, no one is born knowing how to do everything." I was stunned for a moment, then couldn't help but laugh, and the tension in my heart suddenly eased.

Gradually, I got better and better in class. Whenever I made a little progress, she would promptly say, "Hey! That's right!" Strangely enough, just those simple words made me let go of my fear of making mistakes, and my movements actually became smoother, and my dancing gradually came to life.

Once, our family went to take photos. The photographer kept adjusting the poses of the two children. I suddenly had an idea and gently echoed from the side: "Hey! That's right! Just like that, smile a little happier!" The children's eyes lit up, and their postures were indeed more relaxed. It turned out that those words had unknowingly settled in my heart.

Later, during a break in class, I couldn't help but ask Teacher Yanzi (燕子老师), "Hey! That's right! Why do you always like to say 'Hey! That's right!'?"

She laughed and said, "My teacher always said that to me too."

Ten years ago, Yanzi (燕子) gained a lot of weight due to illness and went to a dance institution in Suzhou (苏州) to lose weight. When she first arrived, she was very uncomfortable, just like me at the beginning, uncoordinated. Just as she was about to give up, she met a good teacher who loved to say to her, "Hey! That's right!"

"Those words made me feel like I could persevere a little longer." Encouraged by her dance teacher, she persisted for more than half a year and lost 70 pounds. Her transformation greatly inspired her friends, and everyone wanted to learn to dance with her.

Thus, this dance studio in the small city was born.

She has been teaching dance for 10 years and has found that teaching adults requires more patience than teaching children. "Their bones are stiff, but their hearts are more eager to be affirmed," she said. "One 'that's right' is more useful than ten 'that's wrong'."

There are several group photos on the wall of the dance studio: many students of different ages are surrounding her, and everyone's smile is very confident. Those smiles may all hide a "Hey! That's right!"—it lightly jumps from one person's lips into another person's heart, and then passes it on to the next person. It accomplishes the simplest and most difficult thing: changing the gaze that always focuses on "what's wrong" to discovering "what's still okay."

This method seems to work everywhere. When an elderly person uses their mobile phone to scan a QR code for the first time, don't rush to teach them the next step, but point to the screen and say, "Hey! That's right! Just pay like that." When your partner tries to cook a new dish, don't rush to comment on the saltiness, but lean in and say, "Hey! That's right! That's the taste." Even when you finally take action in the face of difficulties, say to yourself, "Hey! That's right! Just start like this."

If we can really all do this, hey, that's right!

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Sticky Cabbage (Duoweizhai)

By: 傅立勇

Bijie (毕节) has a saying: "If you don't eat sour food for three days, you'll stumble when you walk." After my daughter settled down in the north, my wife retired and hurried north to become a "full-time" grandmother. When my wife first went to the north, this saying really came true. She often felt dizzy and had headaches, but the hospital couldn't find anything wrong. Until one day, she had a "**顿悟**" (dùn wù - "sudden enlightenment," a sudden understanding or realization): she hadn't eaten sauerkraut in a long time! She made a jar of it using local ingredients, but after taking a bite, she shook her head helplessly. The soil and climate were different, and the taste wasn't the same! Helpless, I had to send some by express delivery every ten days or half a month.

Now, my wife's phone call came again: "The sauerkraut is finished, hurry up and send some over."

In Bijie (毕节), there isn't a family that doesn't know how to make sauerkraut, but not every family makes it well. The "expert" in my family for making sauerkraut was none other than my mother. The sauerkraut my mother made when she was alive was crisp, yellowish-tender, moderately sour, and refreshing to eat. Since I was a child, I followed my mother around the stove, and I knew the tricks of selecting ingredients, blanching, and preparing the soup like the back of my hand. After I got married, I showed off this "special skill" at home quite a bit.

Speaking of the details of making sauerkraut, the first thing is the ingredients. The best are fresh and tender radish greens and water celery. Small rapeseed and green vegetables are also good. Wash the vegetables and blanch them until they are half-cooked, then take them out and stack them into a ceramic jar, pressing them firmly. Then, prepare the noodle soup, boil it, and pour it into the jar, covering the top of the vegetables. Finally, pour in a bowl of "sour base" and seal the jar. In winter, you also need to put the jar near the stove to maintain a certain temperature for fermentation. After 24 hours, open the seal, and the vegetable leaves will have turned from dark green to lemon yellow, and the soup will be as thick as egg white. Pick up a chopstick, and it will be sticky, with strands hanging down, exuding a sour fragrance.

As for eating sauerkraut, the people of Bijie (毕节) are really a bit different.

Kidney beans are sauerkraut's "old partner." Boil an appropriate amount of kidney beans with water, then simmer over low heat until the bean skins burst open and the soup turns shrimp red. Squeeze the sauerkraut dry, chop it, put it into the bean soup, add some water, and boil it, and it becomes a signature dish. Eating sauerkraut requires dipping sauce, chili powder, salt, *Litsea cubeba*, and two spoonfuls of hot soup to mix. Those who are particular will also add homemade fermented soybean cake and Sichuan pepper powder. If it happens to be in autumn and winter, when the wild bitter garlic in the mountains sprouts, pick some, wash it, chop it, and put it in, and the taste is really amazing!

Sour soup is even more popular. It is suitable for soaking rice and can also be drunk after meals. In my childhood, the stove in my home always had sauerkraut soup accompanying us throughout the four seasons. In the hot summer, when I came back from herding cattle in the wild, a bowl of sour soup would immediately dissipate the sweat on my forehead. During festivals, when people got tired of eating too much meat, a bowl of sour soup would also relieve the feeling of bloating and indigestion. When my father came home drunk, the first thing he would say when he entered the door was: "Quick! Get me a bowl of sour soup." In my early years, I had a colleague who loved sour food as much as his life. He would bring a pot of clear sour soup on business trips, and he would drink a few gulps before going to bed and fall asleep soundly.

In recent years, the ways of eating sauerkraut have been innovated. Those who open hot pot restaurants will definitely include a plate of sauerkraut. Sichuan and Hunan restaurants on the streets of Bijie (毕节) have also begun to cater to everyone's tastes, launching special dishes such as sauerkraut-cooked fish slices, sauerkraut-stewed pig trotters, sauerkraut-fried konjac, and sauerkraut-stewed beans and rice. Some people also use sauerkraut to mix cold *Houttuynia cordata*, kelp, or shredded radish, which is crisp and chewy, and is most suitable for eating with rice. During the meal, many restaurants will offer a bowl of sour soup noodles or sour soup buckwheat dumplings, letting the word "sour" tightly grasp your taste buds.

However, foreigners who come to Bijie (毕节) for the first time are often not used to this sour taste. Let's talk about my Hebei (河北) son-in-law. The first time he came to visit our relatives, my daughter deliberately "made things difficult" for him at the dinner table, scooping up a large bowl of sour soup and insisting that he drink it all in one go. The young man frowned after tasting it, but when he caught a glimpse of his daughter's expression, he had to bite the bullet and gulp it down. Not long after, he slipped into the bathroom and vomited for a while. But now, my son-in-law not only loves to drink sour soup, but also has a special liking for sauerkraut mixed with *Houttuynia cordata*.

I went to the vegetable market to pick a bunch of green vegetables, and went home to pick, wash, blanch, and scoop in the kitchen... After being busy until evening, just as I sealed the jar, my phone rang again. However, this time it wasn't my wife, but my 5-year-old granddaughter. Her childish voice seemed to be sticky as well: "Grandpa, is the sauerkraut ready? When will you send it over?"

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Shanghai Nights of Books

By: 陈义望

In March, living in Shanghai (沪), the bookshelves grew mold. The *Su Dongpo Lyrics Annotated* brought from Beijing (北京) had frayed edges. Caressing it at night, I even had the illusion of touching moss. Beijing's (北京) dryness kept the pages crisp; Shanghai's (沪) humidity caused them to lose their shape. As the ancients said: Southerners' books are prone to mold, northerners' books are prone to bookworms. The words "water and soil" are not empty. When a person is in a foreign land, what betrays you first is not your stomach, not your accent, but those silent old objects. They speak with mold spots, reminding you where you are.
　　Occasionally riding in a car through the Middle Ring Road (中环), the lights outside the window rose and fell in sequence, like a naughty child holding a pen, drawing a flowing rainbow on the city's chest. Turning onto the Yan'an Elevated Road (延安高架), the entire city suddenly leaned sideways, pouring the lights of thousands of homes into the car window. At this moment, it was not the car traveling on the road, but the road supporting the car, like a river supporting a boat, swaying in the waves of light. When the elevated road turned, the lights suddenly retreated, leaving a large expanse of night. Like Ma Yuan's (马远) *Water Album* of the Song Dynasty, there are always large areas of emptiness between sections of ripples.
　　This city understands leaving blank space.
　　Yuyuan Road (愚园路) is deep in the night. The old houses in the shadows of the plane trees, the light through the windows all have a patina. This light does not illuminate the road, but nourishes the spirit. Like a thread-bound book closed, the ink fragrance still wanders between the pages. Walking among them, I consciously lighten my steps, fearing to disturb the old dreams at the base of the wall. It teaches people to understand: true heritage never clamors. Like the marginal notes of ancient books, although on the edge, they tell of vicissitudes. Late at night, the bricks and wood whisper, all are the effort of concealing sharpness and becoming smooth.
　　On the way home, I always like to go to the convenience store to see all kinds of people coming and going. Some are getting beer, some are picking snacks, some are buying daily necessities, they don't exchange a word with each other, but they form their own rules. This tacit understanding in alienation is like a modern version of *Along the River During the Qingming Festival*—the people in the painting do not ask each other, but they are performing the same human drama together. Thinking of Eileen Chang's (张爱玲) *Sealed Off*, the people who meet on the tram are still eternally strangers after a moment of intimacy.
　　Shi Zhecun (施蛰存) wrote *Evening of the Plum Rain*, the man and the strange woman share an umbrella, almost without a word along the way, but he wrote the humidity of the entire city into his heart. The wonder of Shanghai (上海) lies in this hesitation to speak. Like an old tailor altering a suit, without dismantling the thread, without cutting, just gently stretching—the material has its own memory, you follow it, and it follows you.
　　The lights outside the window are sparse, another late night. Turning the page, I see the watchman in the ancient painting, carrying a lantern walking along the long street, behind him are the gradually closing households. The night walkers of the past hundred years have all practiced the same lesson: how to be alone in the dark. Catching a glimpse of the mold spots on the book page, they become cloud and water patterns under the light. Suddenly I understand that the city's heritage was originally nurtured in the humidity. Just like the base of the walls of those old alleys, the place where the moss grows most luxuriantly often hides a hundred years of stories.
　　The other day I had a dream, at the bridgehead of Gubei (古北), an old man was singing opera, singing to a certain point, the sound suddenly collapsed a corner. An old woman in pajamas held a tea mug and continued singing, the tune was local, the words were from a foreign land. The light of the high-rise buildings fell into the river, shattered into gold powder, which made people feel more lost than the tragic sound in the opera. This scene reminds people of the old story in *A New Account of the Tales of the World*—the scholar-officials who crossed the river to the south always revealed a northern accent in a certain syllable when speaking the Wu dialect.
　　The night has different textures.
　　The night in the north is sparse and bright, the stars and moon are in their respective positions; the night here is viscous, mixing the light, water vapor, and human voices into a ball. Walking in it is like stepping into a slightly damp Song painting. One night I got lost in the alleys and heard the sound of a zither. Following the sound, I saw an old house lit up, a man in a long gown playing a Western zither. This picture is absurd, but harmonious. I think of Xu Guangqi (徐光启) translating *Euclid's Elements*, using classical Chinese sentence patterns. Western learning for application, Chinese learning as the foundation, it sounds easy, but if it really falls into the flesh and blood, it is necessary to shed a layer of skin.
　　Flipping through old notes, I see a friend's ink marks: "The smoke trees of Jimen (蓟门) overlook Nanpu (南浦)." I didn't understand it back then, but now I suddenly understand. Although the book is moldy, the handwriting is clearer—probably some truths must be revealed after experiencing humidity. Like this city, after experiencing opening up, concessions, and war, it has instead cultivated this calm demeanor of not being surprised by favor or disgrace.
　　The night of the Huangpu River (黄浦江) is most unforgettable at the high-pile wharf of Fuxing Island (复兴岛). There is no neon to disturb the eyes, only the dark tide lapping the shore. The lights on the opposite bank are shattered into golden scales, floating with the waves. When a cargo ship passes by, the sound of the whistle drags out long lines on the river surface, not like a whistle, but like an ancient whale song. The receding tide reveals the piles, like tokens of time. The river is surging, taking away the years, leaving behind the roots of this city.
　　I think of Zhang Yuanji (张元济). After the January 28 Incident, the Commercial Press (商务印书馆) was bombed, and the Oriental Library (东方图书馆) was burned. He choked: "Twenty years of hard work have become inches, and in an instant, the book forest has been replaced by ashes." However, in less than half a month, he replied to Hu Shi (胡适): "A mountain can still be made on flat ground, let alone what is covered is more than just a basket." So he returned to the Commercial Press (商务), pouring his heart and soul into reopening it. This spirit of perseverance is the deepest background color of the Shanghai (沪) night.
　　Writing by the window, the ink spreads particularly slowly on the rice paper. The water of the Suzhou Creek (苏州河) outside the window still flows slowly. The moon of a thousand years is reflected in the water, shattered into the lights of thousands of homes.

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This edition's editor: Ma Yong

This edition's email: dadi@peopledaily.cn

We welcome submissions from our readers. Submissions must be original and not submitted to multiple publications (**一稿多投** (yī gǎo duō tóu - "one manuscript multiple submissions," submitting the same article to multiple publications)).

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