People's Daily - February 8, 2026

Central Military Commission Holds Spring Festival Gala to慰问 Retired Cadres of Troops Stationed in Beijing

Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, February 7th (Reporter Mei Changwei) The Central Military Commission's (中央军委) Spring Festival Gala for retired veteran cadres of the Beijing Garrison was held at the China Theater on the afternoon of February 6th. Xi Jinping (习近平), General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, President of the People's Republic of China, and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, watched the performance and extended festive greetings and New Year wishes to the veteran comrades of the army present and to all retired veteran cadres of the army.

As the Spring Festival approaches, the capital Beijing (北京) is filled with a strong festive atmosphere and a peaceful scene. The China Theater is filled with a joyous festive atmosphere. Veteran cadres of the Beijing Garrison, who have made outstanding contributions to the establishment, defense, and construction of the new China, and to the construction of national defense and the army, gathered together to celebrate the Spring Festival.

At about 4 p.m., Xi Jinping (习近平) arrived among the veteran comrades, and the audience burst into warm applause. Xi Jinping (习近平) exchanged cordial greetings with everyone, inquired about their health and living conditions, and jointly reviewed the extraordinary journey and significant achievements made by the Party, the country, and the army in the past year. The veteran comrades unanimously stated that they would unite more closely around the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping (习近平) at its core, adhere to Xi Jinping's (习近平) Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as guidance, thoroughly implement Xi Jinping's (习近平) thinking on strengthening the military, deeply understand the decisive significance of the "Two Establishments," resolutely achieve the "Two Safeguards," implement the chairman responsibility system of the Central Military Commission, carry forward the glorious tradition, maintain the true political qualities, strengthen their beliefs, forge ahead bravely, and contribute to achieving the centenary goal of the army as scheduled and promoting the high-quality modernization of national defense and the army.

"The banner leads the way, unite and strive forward! The crucible is tempered, the more forged, the stronger!" The mixed chorus "Eternal Glory" opened the performance with a powerful melody. The performance ran through the distinct themes of rejuvenating the new style through whole-army training and forging, and sprinting towards the centenary goal, highlighting the new look of political building of the army, the new progress in modernization construction, and the new achievements in preparing for war and combat, expressing the common aspiration of all officers and soldiers to firmly safeguard the core and resolutely obey the command. The instrumental music and chorus "More Steel, More Courage" and the performance singing "War is Just a Second Away" focused on the hot practice of troop training and preparation for war, vividly reflecting the responsibility and commitment of officers and soldiers to be ready for battle and to be victorious. The situational singing "Seven Laws - The Long March" enthusiastically praised the heroic spirit of the Red Army soldiers in overcoming all difficulties and dangers and defeating all powerful enemies, inspiring the lofty ambition to carry forward the great spirit of the Long March and embark on a new era of the Long March. The medley of classic old songs such as "Holding a Gun and Heart Towards the Party," "The Division Commander Has a Green Army Quilt," and "Song of Comrades-in-Arms" praised the fine traditions of our Party and our army, and demonstrated the inheritance of the red gene from generation to generation. The ethnic song and dance "Common Heart and Common Rhythm" praised the border defense officers and soldiers and people of all ethnic groups for working together to strengthen the border and consolidate the defense and create a happy life, expressing deep affection for the Party and love for the motherland. The short play "The Call of the Red Star" used a cross-time dialogue between young officers and soldiers and Red Army soldiers to embody the firm remembrance of the original aspiration and mission, and the consolidation of the pure and glorious bloodline inheritance. The performance singing "Warmth" fully embodies the commander's deep feelings for the grassroots and the care for officers and soldiers, demonstrating the firm belief of all officers and soldiers to resolutely align themselves, follow, and strive to strengthen the army. "We are entering a new world, we are following you to victory," the mixed chorus "Advancing Under the Banner of the Party" clearly expressed the determination and will of the people's army to create a new situation in strengthening the army and to accomplish the various tasks entrusted by the Party and the people. The whole performance was refreshing and uplifting, presenting the vigorous atmosphere of military literature and art serving the strengthening of the army, serving the grassroots, and serving the officers and soldiers.

Zhang Shengmin (张升民) watched the performance together.

Also watching the performance were leaders of various departments of the Central Military Commission (中央军委), relevant units of the army stationed in Beijing (北京), and representatives of officers and soldiers.

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Xi Jinping Congratulates Rodrigo Chaves Robles on Election as Costa Rican President

Beijing, February 7th, Xinhua News Agency. On February 5th, President Xi Jinping (习近平) sent a congratulatory message to Laura Chinchilla (劳拉·费尔南德斯), congratulating her on her election as President of the Republic of Costa Rica.

Xi Jinping (习近平) pointed out that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Costa Rica 18 years ago, bilateral relations have developed rapidly, and exchanges and cooperation in various fields have yielded fruitful results, which have strongly enhanced the well-being of the two peoples. Facts have fully proved that the development of China-Costa Rica relations is in line with the fundamental interests of the two countries and their peoples, and is the 大势所趋、人心所向 (dà shì suǒ qū, rén xīn suǒ xiàng - "the general trend and the will of the people," indicates something is inevitable and widely supported).

Xi Jinping (习近平) emphasized that he attaches great importance to the development of China-Costa Rica relations and is willing to work with President Chinchilla (费尔南德斯) to strengthen strategic communication, deepen political mutual trust, actively promote cooperation in various fields, and guide the development of bilateral relations on the basis of the one-China principle, so as to better benefit the two peoples.

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Using Museums as a Medium to Make Chinese Civilization Tangible and Accessible (General Secretary's Concerns - Echoes on the Ground)

By: 本报记者 王 珏 陈世涵 邝西曦

"It is important to give full play to the important role of museums in protecting, inheriting, researching, and displaying human civilization, to safeguard the Chinese cultural heritage, and to revitalize cultural relics to expand the influence of Chinese culture."
——July 29, 2023, Xi Jinping (习近平) pointed out during his inspection in Hanzhong (汉中), Shaanxi (陕西)

Museums are bridges connecting the past, present, and future, and also vivid windows to experience the Chinese cultural heritage.
Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) has visited museums time and again, always concerned about the cause of cultural heritage.
A message of earnest expectation: "It is important to give full play to the important role of museums in protecting, inheriting, researching, and displaying human civilization, to safeguard the Chinese cultural heritage, and to revitalize cultural relics to expand the influence of Chinese culture."
A set of data witnesses the achievements: During the "14th Five-Year Plan" period, the number of registered museums nationwide reached 7,046, with an average of one museum per 200,000 people, and more than 500,000 educational activities held annually.
Looking at the present, China's museum cause is transforming the splendid Chinese civilization into a vivid presence that is tangible and accessible to the people through an increasingly sound system and continuous innovative exploration.
"A museum is a university." Actively breaking down walls and expanding the "cultural radius," museums allow more people to personally appreciate the vastness of "millions of years of human history, ten thousand years of cultural history, and more than five thousand years of civilization history."
In the Henan Museum (河南博物院), tourists can parade in traditional costumes and perceive the civilization of rites and music through interaction; the Yue Opera Museum (越剧博物馆) in Shengzhou (嵊州), Zhejiang (浙江) allows tourists to appreciate the unique charm of opera art in melodious singing by launching systematic exhibitions and performing classic excerpts; the Shaanxi History Museum (陕西历史博物馆) launched the "Prosperous Tang Murals" course, moving the murals of the Tang Dynasty into art classes... "Let the cultural relics speak, let the history speak, let the culture speak," the rich and diverse cultural and museum formats make the Chinese cultural heritage approachable and accessible.
An exhibition lights up a city. "To revitalize the cultural relics collected in the forbidden palace, the heritage displayed on the vast land, and the words written in ancient books," the innovative "thousand faces and thousand museums" activate the development momentum of the Chinese cultural heritage. "Revitalized" cultural relics not only have cultural value, but also generate economic benefits.
The "Ancient China" exhibition at the National Museum of China (中国国家博物馆) and the "Bronze Casting Civilization" exhibition at the Baoji Bronzeware Museum (宝鸡青铜器博物院) attract audiences from all over the country and even the world. The sales of the phoenix crown refrigerator magnets at the National Museum alone exceeded 2 million pieces. A cultural exhibition held by the Shanghai Museum (上海博物馆) drove the city's comprehensive consumption to exceed 35 billion yuan, becoming a vivid portrayal of "going to a city for an exhibition."
From museum-themed painted airplanes to cultural and creative pop-up stores, from art carnivals to digital museums, museums are building new consumption scenarios integrating culture, tourism, commerce, sports, and exhibitions, practicing humanistic economics, and empowering the high-quality development of cities.
One cultural relic after another is also a "golden business card" for telling Chinese stories well. General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) has repeatedly used museums as "reception rooms" in foreign affairs activities, allowing cultural relics to become envoys of Sino-foreign exchanges.
Exhibitions such as "China · Tang—A Diverse and Open Dynasty (7th-10th Century)" have appeared overseas. One cultural relic after another allows China to embrace the diversity of world culture and show the world the splendor of Chinese civilization; the Palace Museum (故宫博物院), the National Museum of China (Hainan) South China Sea (中国（海南）南海博物馆) and other museums carry out Sino-foreign joint archaeology to promote the innovation and development of cultural heritage protection. One exchange and cooperation after another makes cultural exchanges and mutual learning a bridge to enhance the friendship between people of all countries.
Cultural dialogue transcends mountains and seas. China's museums vividly interpret "each is beautiful in its own way, and beautiful together," allowing the world to understand the inclusiveness and openness of Chinese civilization.
The continued warming of the "museum craze" has become a vivid reflection of the creative transformation and innovative development of outstanding traditional Chinese culture, and profoundly reflects people's deep identification with and unremitting pursuit of the roots of Chinese civilization.
When parents take their children to linger in the exhibition halls, when young people regard visiting exhibitions as a "standard" for tourism, and when foreign friends learn about China through cultural relics, we more deeply realize that—
"Historical and cultural heritage not only vividly tells the past, but also profoundly affects the present and the future; it not only belongs to us, but also belongs to future generations."
In museums, people gaze at national treasures, appreciate civilization across time and space, perceive the pulse of the national spirit, and from the vivid recognition of "knowing where it comes from," they are inspired by the historical consciousness and cultural confidence of "knowing where it is going."
Taking museums as a medium, the vivid practice of making Chinese civilization tangible and accessible is still extending to a wider and deeper range...

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The "Three Diagrams" of a Post-90s Satellite Designer (New Year Visits to the Grassroots - New Tracks Bursting with New Vitality)

By: 本报记者 刘以晴

"The centralized seminar now begins." At 9:30 AM, the red pony paper-cut on the office glass of Chang Guang Satellite Technology Co., Ltd. (吉林省长光卫星技术股份有限公司) in Jilin Province (吉林省) sparkled.

Qu Youyang (曲友阳), a satellite designer born in the 90s, and his colleagues sat around a computer – one displaying remote sensing images and analysis data returned by the "Jilin-1 (吉林一号)" satellite, one recording discussion information, and one modifying debugging plans.

At the end of the seminar, the R&D personnel wished each other, "Wishing you a joyful new year!" After 8 years with the company, "three pictures" outline Qu Youyang's (曲友阳) growth path.

The first picture is an increasingly clear and precise remote sensing image.

What can a satellite capture from an altitude of 500,000 meters? Qu Youyang (曲友阳) pulled up a photo. In the picture, roads, houses, and even the running track on the playground are clearly visible. "This is the northernmost post office in our country in terms of geographical location," Qu Youyang (曲友阳) said, pointing to a small house.

In October 2015, the first group of four satellites of the "Jilin-1 (吉林一号)" constellation developed by Chang Guang Satellite (长光卫星) was successfully launched, opening the curtain on China's commercial aerospace industry. In 2018, Qu Youyang (曲友阳) joined Chang Guang Satellite (长光卫星). Zhong Xing (钟兴), the chief engineer of Chang Guang Satellite (长光卫星), gave a brief welcome speech: "Ensure that the satellite can be controlled and stabilized, and further improve the quality of satellite remote sensing services." At that time, the satellite being "controllable" had been basically achieved.

"To further 'stabilize' it, we need to equip the satellite with a 'smart brain'," Qu Youyang (曲友阳) explained. At an altitude of 500,000 meters, even a few arcseconds of attitude jitter in the satellite would cause deviations in the pointing of the optical camera, affecting image quality.

Analyzing driving trajectories, judging when to change speed, calibrating the position of components... After countless experiments and corrections, the image quality of "Jilin-1 (吉林一号)" is now getting better and better, and the positional error between the actual shooting point of a single image and the planned shooting point is less than 1 meter.

The second picture is a nighttime color image.

While speaking, the reporter followed Qu Youyang (曲友阳) out of the office. Qu Youyang (曲友阳) pointed to a nighttime color image on the electronic screen in the hall, which was the night scene of Changchun Ice and Snow New World (长春冰雪新天地) – red, yellow, and green lights divided the park into small spaces of various shapes. At the bottom of the picture, the words "Ice and Snow World, Right Here in Changchun (冰天雪地，就在长春)" composed of colorful neon lights are clearly visible.

"This is a nighttime color image taken by the 'Jilin Constellation (吉星)' High-Resolution 07 satellite in January this year. The image resolution is better than 0.5 meters, which is a 'first' for domestic commercial aerospace satellites," Qu Youyang (曲友阳) recalled. "When the photo was transmitted back to the ground, the entire center cheered."

To achieve the high-resolution nighttime light remote sensing plan, Zhong Xing (钟兴), Qu Youyang (曲友阳), and others developed a large dynamic range ultra-stable attitude control technology, and combined it with a series of camera optimization technologies to greatly improve the satellite's sensitivity and achieve high-definition color satellite images at night.

The third picture is a photo of a postdoctoral station certificate.

Nearing noon, without rushing to eat, Qu Youyang (曲友阳) went out to retrieve a box of express delivery, "These are the professional books I bought. Once the books arrive, I can't help but want to flip through them first." He smiled shyly, "Now, I am already a postdoctoral fellow." In 2021, with the support of the company, Qu Youyang (曲友阳) pursued an on-the-job doctorate at the Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics and Physics (长春光机所) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (中国科学院), with his research direction further focusing on space-ground integration.

With more satellites, young people at Chang Guang Satellite (长光卫星) have more opportunities to take on important responsibilities. "Everyone may become the subsystem leader of a satellite after working for two or three years," Zhong Xing (钟兴) said. Qu Youyang (曲友阳) became the subsystem leader of the "Jilin-1 (吉林一号)" infrared series satellites in 2021, and the subsystem leader of the "Jilin Constellation (吉星)" High-Resolution 07 satellite in 2024.

As of January this year, Chang Guang Satellite (长光卫星) has cumulatively developed and launched 226 satellites, and the "Jilin-1 (吉林一号)" satellite has cumulatively photographed an area of 16.6 billion square kilometers. Satellite images, spanning day and night, are transmitted back from space, serving multiple industries such as agriculture, forestry, and surveying and mapping.

"In the new year, I will continue to strengthen my learning and practice, and contribute to and create value in the new track of commercial satellites," Qu Youyang (曲友阳) said firmly.

Reporter's Notes

Seizing the Time to Pursue Light and Dreams

From the clear presentation of the frontier post office to the first nighttime color image of domestic commercial aerospace with a resolution better than 0.5 meters, high-definition remote sensing images have been compiled into an archive of 16.6 billion square kilometers. Behind this are countless days and nights of hard work to correct a few arcseconds and tens of centimeters, and a persistent pursuit from "vague and invisible" to "high-definition and visible."

At Chang Guang Satellite (长光卫星), employees under the age of 35 account for 90.3%, which is not an isolated case, but an epitome of the vitality of emerging fields. Countless young people are creating value and realizing their dreams in cutting-edge fields such as aerospace and artificial intelligence. Every technological breakthrough is a powerful testament to the "pursuit of light and dreams" of young people in the new era.

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Supporting the Steady Happiness of Fellow Villagers (First-hand Observations on Implementing the Spirit of the Fourth Plenary Session)

By: 本报记者 方 敏

In the Funiu Mountains (伏牛山) of western Henan (河南), winding mountain roads lead to Dongming Town (东明镇), Lushi County (卢氏县). "This is the town's nursing home, with an area of 4,300 square meters," said Qu Ran (曲冉), the mayor of Dongming Town (东明镇), pointing to the six-story building in front of him.

In front of the nursing home, elderly people sat idly on wooden chairs, basking in the sun, while a Henan opera played on a nearby radio.

General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) emphasized: "Accelerate the weaving of a tight and secure safety net for people's livelihoods." The "Suggestions" from the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee proposed: "Increase efforts to guarantee and improve people's livelihoods," and "Adhere to doing our best and acting according to our capabilities, and strengthen inclusive, basic, and bottom-line livelihood construction."

Xue Zhongyue (薛忠岳), a villager in his eighties, feels this deeply. In 2024, his family suffered a sudden misfortune, and he was subsequently diagnosed with a serious illness, which plunged his life into difficulty.

The turning point came from the precise alerts of a set of big data.

In 2025, Lushi County (卢氏县) established the Charity and Low-Income Population Monitoring Service Center. On the 1st of each month, data from civil affairs, human resources and social security, hospitals, and other departments are gathered in one place. Through intelligent system screening, potential people in need can be automatically identified.

Not long ago, the system issued an early warning that "Xue Zhongyue (薛忠岳) is at risk of returning to poverty." Soon, town official Jia Min (贾敏) went to verify the situation. "The situation is true." According to the county's assistance policy, Jia Min (贾敏) suggested that Xue Zhongyue (薛忠岳) move into the town's nursing home. However, the old man waved his hands repeatedly: "No, I can't afford it."

"Live with peace of mind, there is a bottom-line policy." In this way, Xue Zhongyue (薛忠岳) moved in.

Here, life is guaranteed: meat, eggs, and milk are provided every day, seasonal clothing and shoes are provided every year, and there are also rehabilitation equipment and household appliances. Seeing a doctor is also convenient, with dedicated nursing home staff accompanying them to the clinic. The county promotes the "walking hospital" project, and doctors regularly visit to provide consultations. A few days ago, the visiting doctor found that Xue Zhongyue's (薛忠岳) blood sugar was high, and he was treated in time and quickly returned to normal.

"Now I eat well, live warmly, and have someone to take care of me, so I feel much more at ease," Xue Zhongyue (薛忠岳) said simply.

Walking into the nursing home, it is a pleasant surprise: two people share a room, with air conditioning, wardrobes, and a private bathroom.

Looking up, there is a small rectangular box on the ceiling and at the head of the bed. "These are fire alarms, vital sign monitoring, and fall prevention equipment, and we will know immediately if there is anything abnormal," said Chen Huitao (陈会涛), the director of the town's nursing home.

Nursing worker Ge Jianghui (戈江慧) recalled: "In the past, we had to burn stoves in winter, which was smoky. In recent years, air conditioning has been installed, which is warm in winter and cool in summer, and also safer."

Comfortable elderly care conditions are backed by solid support. The government provides a subsidy for each extremely poor elderly person received. In recent years, the county has invested 18 million yuan in welfare lottery funds to renovate 17 township nursing homes, further strengthening bottom-line livelihood construction.

After the conditions improved, more and more elderly people chose to move in at their own expense, and the nursing home formed a virtuous cycle of operation, and the service team became more and more motivated.

"To thoroughly study and implement the spirit of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, the county is stepping up efforts to improve 15 special assistance systems, formulate differentiated assistance lists, and continue to work hard on 'efficient identification, accurate monitoring, timely assistance, and strong bottom-line support'," said Hu Zhiquan (胡志权), Secretary of the Lushi County (卢氏县) Party Committee.

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Revenue of major cultural enterprises in 2025 increased by 7.4% year-on-year.

This newspaper reported from Beijing on February 7th (Reporter Liu Zhiqiang (刘志强)) - The reporter learned from the National Bureau of Statistics (国家统计局): In 2025, the national cultural and related industrial enterprises above designated size (hereinafter referred to as "cultural enterprises") achieved operating income of 15,213.5 billion yuan, an increase of 1,045.1 billion yuan over the previous year, a growth of 7.4%. Among them, the core cultural field achieved operating income of 10,318.1 billion yuan, an increase of 11.5% over the previous year. The operating income of three major industries, namely content creation and production, news and information services, and creative design services, achieved double-digit growth, with growth rates of 13.5%, 13.2%, and 12.3% respectively.

The operating efficiency of cultural enterprises has steadily improved. In 2025, cultural enterprises above designated size achieved a total profit of 1,376.3 billion yuan, an increase of 6.5% over the previous year, and the profit margin of operating income was 9.05%.

The new cultural business industry is developing rapidly. In 2025, the 16 industry sub-categories with more obvious characteristics of new cultural business achieved operating income of 6,825.3 billion yuan, an increase of 14.3% over the previous year, which was 6.9 percentage points faster than the cultural enterprises above designated size.

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Rural online retail sales increased by 6.7% year-on-year in 2025.

This newspaper Beijing (北京), February 7th (Reporter Wang Ke (王珂)) - Data released by the Ministry of Commerce (商务部) shows that in 2025, rural online retail sales and online retail sales of agricultural products reached 3 trillion yuan and 783.31 billion yuan respectively, representing year-on-year increases of 6.7% and 9.9% respectively.

Consumption of goods and services continued to grow. In 2025, the replacement of old appliances with new ones, as well as subsidies for purchasing new mobile phones, in counties achieved sales of 48.23 million units and a sales value of 158.6 billion yuan. According to third-party big data monitoring, county service sales reached 9.1 trillion yuan in the same period, a year-on-year increase of 5.9%.

Rural e-commerce developed rapidly. In 2025, leading e-commerce platforms conducted over 4 million agricultural assistance live broadcasts throughout the year, with sales of agricultural and special products exceeding 10 billion orders and an average daily shipment of over 20 million orders.

The logistics network is becoming increasingly complete. In 2025, support was provided for the construction of 348 county-level logistics and distribution centers and 562 township express logistics stations. As of now, the coverage rate of county-level logistics and distribution centers nationwide has reached 100%.

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Upstream and Downstream of the Industrial Chain: Three Enterprise Leaders Discuss Collaborative Innovation (Economic New Position · Dialogue · Striving for 2026)

By: 本报记者 付明丽 王昊男 刘佳华

The Central Economic Work Conference emphasized "adhering to innovation-driven development" and "strengthening the principal role of enterprises in innovation."

How can enterprises conduct innovation oriented towards demand and accelerate the transformation of scientific and technological achievements into real productive forces? How can we build an innovation consortium with close cooperation between upstream and downstream enterprises to promote the deep integration of scientific and technological innovation and industrial innovation? What bottlenecks need to be cleared to promote the aggregation of innovation factors to enterprises? Yangquan Valve Co., Ltd. (阳泉阀门股份有限公司), UFIDA Software Co., Ltd. (用友网络科技股份有限公司), and Dalian Balle Machine Tool Co., Ltd. (大连百利机床有限公司) are three companies on the same industrial chain. Yangquan Valve uses the software and machine tool equipment of the two companies respectively. This edition invites the heads of the three companies to talk about their views on strengthening the principal role of enterprises in innovation and promoting the aggregation of various innovation factors to enterprises.

——Editor

【Participants】
Yang Yarong (杨亚蓉), Chairman of Yangquan Valve Co., Ltd. (阳泉阀门股份有限公司)
Wang Wenjing (王文京), Chairman and CEO of UFIDA Software Co., Ltd. (用友网络科技股份有限公司)
Yu Kaihe (于开河), General Manager of Dalian Balle Machine Tool Co., Ltd. (大连百利机床有限公司)

Conducting Innovation Oriented Towards Demand

Q: What is the company's main business? What changes have taken place in customer demand in recent years?

Yang Yarong: We mainly produce various industrial valves, pumps, etc., and supply them to metallurgy, coking, gas and other fields. In the past, it was enough for valves to be "usable and not leaking." However, with the development of hydrogen energy, liquefied natural gas and other industries, customers require valves to have "zero leakage, long life, and erosion resistance."

Wang Wenjing: We focus on enterprise software and intelligent services, empowering enterprises to digitally transform and upgrade and innovate commercially. In recent years, customers have accelerated the process of digitalization, globalization, and localization, and more and more are using a new generation of enterprise software from domestic manufacturers.

Yu Kaihe: We manufacture machine tools. From automobile brake discs to 12-meter-diameter wind turbine hubs, our machine tools can process them. Customers' demand for composite machine tools and CNC machine tools is increasing, requiring "multi-purpose" and intelligentization.

Q: How do enterprises conduct innovation oriented towards demand?

Yang Yarong: Industries such as hydrogen energy have brought about demand for high-end valves. We gritted our teeth and invested in the research and trial production of hydrogen energy ball valves. Although the volume is not large now, we believe there will be returns. Focusing on extreme working condition materials, precision manufacturing, and intelligentization, we have invested more than 62 million yuan in research and development funds since 2020, and the R&D investment intensity in 2024 will reach 11%, which is very high in traditional manufacturing.

Wang Wenjing: The company combines new technologies, platforms, and applications to digitally upgrade enterprise software and integrate it with domestic information technology application innovation, realizing the replacement of software such as ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) in the information age. Our digital business innovation platform empowers more than 65,000 large and medium-sized enterprises to digitally transform and promotes the implementation of artificial intelligence in various industries.

Yu Kaihe: We design and produce composite multi-functional products. The car-drilling integrated machine tool delivered last year integrated the functions of two types of equipment, a lathe and a drilling machine. After the workpiece is loaded, processing is started, and three faces are turned at once, and all the holes are drilled. We also innovated marketing methods. In the past, we sent salespersons to run sales. Last year, we started using the Internet and short video platforms to shoot videos for promotion, and about 10% of sales came from this.

Close Cooperation Between Enterprises on the Chain

Q: Building an innovation consortium with close cooperation between upstream and downstream enterprises helps strengthen the principal role of enterprises in innovation. How do the three companies cooperate?

Yang Yarong: With the expansion of the company's scale, traditional management models can no longer meet the needs. We started ERP system cooperation with UFIDA Software (用友网络) at the end of 2021, with the goal of realizing full-process data integration and collaboration.

Wang Wenjing: The valve industry has special requirements, and the company specially sent a team to sort out the work flow of Yangquan Valve (阳泉阀门). We provide tools and, more importantly, services. We will continue to optimize the in-depth application needs they have put forward in data services and intelligent services.

Yu Kaihe: The first cooperation was more than 10 years ago. Our company's business manager in Shanxi (山西) visited and promoted our products, and Yangquan Valve (阳泉阀门) ordered 2 units. At that time, the valves were more than 3 meters high, and we made special designs for the machine tools. Later, we gradually gained trust, and the latest one was delivered in 2024.

Q: What help does upstream and downstream cooperation in the industrial chain provide for the innovative development of enterprises?

Yang Yarong: High-end CNC machine tools help us quickly transform R&D designs into high-quality products. The combination of the new generation of digital software and machine tools, new equipment generates data, new systems process data, and the data analysis results feed back to process optimization and product design, promoting the deep integration of scientific and technological innovation and industrial innovation. Our digital transformation also provides a data foundation and interface possibilities for collaborative innovation between upstream and downstream enterprises.

Yu Kaihe: We have a team running around in various places, regularly visiting users. Some of the problems reported by customers are very helpful for us to improve our products.

Q: What role does information technology play in the digital transformation of traditional manufacturing?

Wang Wenjing: Digitalization supports product business innovation and changes in management methods. For example, Yangquan Valve (阳泉阀门) has improved indicators such as order processing cycle, procurement accuracy, and inventory turnover rate through digital transformation.

A large number of small and medium-sized enterprises are restricted by scale and funds, and their level of digitalization is not high, resulting in an efficiency gap between leading enterprises and small and medium-sized enterprises. Enterprise software can transform the experience of leading enterprises into standardized software functions, allowing small and medium-sized enterprises to access advanced management systems at a lower cost and promote the overall efficiency level of the entire industry.

Promoting the Aggregation of Factor Resources

Q: What policy support has the company received for R&D?

Yang Yarong: We enjoy the policy of additional deduction of R&D expenses, and we have also obtained bank loans for intellectual property pledge for specialized, refined, and new enterprises. Intangible assets such as valve patents and proprietary technologies can be transformed into financing capital.

Yu Kaihe: We are a newly recognized high-tech enterprise, and we will have preferential treatment in terms of taxes and fees for R&D investment of 900,000 yuan in 2025.

Wang Wenjing: The inclusion of industrial software in the equipment renewal policy has boosted customer demand, accelerated the process of domestic enterprise software, and promoted our increased R&D efforts. The company is committed to realizing the digital upgrade and replacement of enterprise software systems with a new generation of products.

Q: What difficulties have companies encountered in doing R&D?

Wang Wenjing: In recent years, domestic software manufacturers have faced pressure on operating efficiency. While actively innovating products and improving service quality and efficiency, we expect customers to increase their recognition of the value of software.

Yu Kaihe: Some old customers have closed down due to poor management, which has led to sales obstacles and difficulty in the return of funds, which has affected the funds and confidence in R&D investment to a certain extent. But I think we still have to make products in a down-to-earth manner and give full play to our advantages.

Q: How can enterprises strengthen cooperation with scientific research institutions to promote the integrated innovation of industry, academia, and research?

Yang Yarong: We have cooperation with Taiyuan University of Technology (太原理工大学) and Lanzhou University of Technology (兰州理工大学). Doctoral teams from universities have come to the company for scientific research and tackling key problems for many times. We have also built a pump and valve R&D center and a testing and testing platform to engineer the theories of universities and the samples in laboratories, conduct reliability testing, and finalize the process, bridging the gap between schools and industries.

Wang Wenjing: We attach great importance to Beijing's (北京) educational and scientific research resources and have special cooperation with Tsinghua University (清华大学). Our subsidiaries cooperate with universities such as Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics (北京航空航天大学) to transform enterprise digital software into university practical training courses, helping schools cultivate students' practical application capabilities.

Q: There are more than 60 million small and medium-sized enterprises in China, which have less innovation resources than large enterprises. How can small and medium-sized enterprises better innovate?

Yang Yarong: I think that small and medium-sized enterprises should concentrate limited resources and do their best in subdivided fields. We must also actively cooperate with universities, research institutes, and industrial chain partners to jointly solve technical problems. We must also use policy tools such as the "enterprise innovation points system" to strive for financial and resource support.

Yu Kaihe: Our company has more than 70 employees, and only 10 are R&D technicians. We hope to recruit more R&D talents. For small enterprises to engage in innovation, it depends on the innovation willingness, decision-making courage, and learning ability of the decision-making team. I often participate in machine tool exhibitions in various places, and after returning, I analyze and evaluate the feasibility of innovation with everyone.

Seize Opportunities and Continue to Innovate

Q: What kind of support do companies hope to receive on the road to innovation?

Wang Wenjing: "Artificial Intelligence +" and "Digitalization" are rare upgrade opportunities for China's (中国) software industry. This process is mainly a "soft" investment with technology and talent as the core, but some government fund support policies require projects to have a higher proportion of fixed asset investment. We hope that the policy can relax the proportion of fixed asset investment.

Yu Kaihe: I hope that the equipment renewal policy can be adjusted to lower the investment threshold for declared projects. Our company is small in scale, and it is stressful to purchase too much equipment at one time, but if we purchase in batches and over the years, we cannot enjoy the policy (the National Development and Reform Commission (国家发展改革委) and the Ministry of Finance (财政部) proposed at the end of last year to optimize the project declaration mechanism and review process for equipment renewal, further lower the investment threshold for declared projects, and increase support for small and medium-sized enterprises - Editor's note).

Yang Yarong: The introduction of the ERP system is only a small step in digital transformation. The digital transformation of traditional manufacturing is more difficult. This is a systematic transformation involving thinking, technology, organization, industrial chain, and business model, rather than a simple technical upgrade. Yangquan Valve (阳泉阀门) previously only optimized individual links, and the system was insufficient. Next, we also plan to introduce MES (Manufacturing Execution System) to continue to deepen the transformation.

Yangquan (阳泉) implemented the "bring-in-enterprise" talent introduction mechanism, and in 2025, it introduced 3 technical personnel for us, which solved our urgent needs. But in the long run, the company still lacks R&D personnel and management personnel who can adapt to digital transformation. In addition, small-scale enterprises like ours have difficulty participating in large-scale central state-owned enterprise procurement, and we hope to break down barriers.

Q: What new plans do companies have this year?

Yang Yarong: We will promote the iterative upgrade of traditional advantageous products and expand products in the fields of heating, water systems, and new energy to achieve "multiple legs walking." Following the national strategy, we will focus on expanding the markets of countries along the "Belt and Road" (一带一路).

Yu Kaihe: We need to connect with more customers in industries such as wind power and design machine tools that meet customer needs. This year, we plan to build a new factory building and strive to put it into production within the year.

Wang Wenjing: Our vision is to become the world's top three enterprise software and intelligent service providers. We must accelerate the popularization and promotion of products among enterprise customers, serve digital upgrades, accelerate the promotion of domestic substitution, and increase the pace of overseas development. I believe it can be achieved after 5 to 8 years of development.

Technology is constantly developing. Doing well in the last wave does not mean that you can do well in the next wave. To this end, we must continue to innovate and be a "**弄潮儿**" (nòng cháo ér - "tide rider," someone who is at the forefront of a trend or movement), seize every innovation wave, and survive; at the same time, we must have relatively strong capabilities in R&D, marketing, service, management, and capital operation. When a new wave comes, we can rush up and achieve innovative development.

This issue is coordinated by: Zhang Anyu (张安宇)
Layout design: Shen Yiling (沈亦伶)

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Persisting in Doing What Is Difficult and Right (Editor's Note)

By: 张安宇

"We only have more than 70 employees," Yu Kaihe (于开河), upon returning to Dalian (大连), Liaoning (辽宁) after visiting a client, was quite surprised by the reporter's visit. "The company is very small."

Small means a weak ability to resist risks. Talking about the company's decisions in recent years, Yu Kaihe (于开河) said: "We didn't blindly borrow money to expand, we relied on products to maintain ourselves." 如履薄冰 (rú lǚ bó bīng - "as if treading on thin ice," to be very cautious, as if walking on thin ice), which is evident. Talking about innovation, he is ambitious: "There are only 10 R&D technicians, which is too few, we need to recruit more people; there are only 18 patents, we must have innovation; we must make breakthroughs in subdivided fields."

Innovation has always been a 九死一生 (jiǔ sǐ yī shēng - "nine deaths one life," a narrow escape; a near-death experience), but we must have the heroic spirit of "虽九死其犹未悔" (suī jiǔ sǐ qí yóu wèi huǐ - "though I die nine times, I will not regret it," to be willing to make sacrifices without regret). This kind of heroic spirit is also reflected in two other entrepreneurs: "The operating challenges of making enterprise software are great, but the country needs it, and we are willing to do difficult but correct things," strengthening independent innovation and accelerating the process of localization; "The demand for high-end special valves is increasing, and if we don't invest, we can only fight price wars," products are moving towards the high-end, and companies are achieving performance growth.

Seeing the future, seeing the light, and seeing the future in difficulties and challenges, the heroic spirit and entrepreneurial spirit are intertwined, forming the spiritual power needed to strengthen the main position of enterprise innovation. Countless entrepreneurs are full of entrepreneurial and patriotic passion, and are 百折不挠 (bǎi zhé bù náo - "hundred fold not yield," undaunted by setbacks) and courageously moving forward on the road of innovation, making the title of "the main force in promoting innovation and creation" well-deserved for enterprises.

In the opening year of the "15th Five-Year Plan," all regions and departments continue to work hard to create a good innovation ecology, and more entrepreneurs dare to venture and work boldly, and the main position of enterprise innovation will be further strengthened.

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Optimizing the Innovation Ecosystem, Enabling Businesses to Operate Lightly (Extended Reading)

By: 本报记者 谷业凯

Enterprises are the main decision-makers for technological innovation and R&D investment, as well as the main entities for scientific research organization and achievement transformation, possessing advantages in demand perception and resource allocation compared to other innovation entities.

To strengthen the principal position of enterprises in innovation, it is necessary to optimize the innovation ecosystem. Han Junhui (韩军徽), associate researcher at the Chinese Academy of Science and Technology for Development (中国科学技术发展战略研究院), believes that China's enterprise innovation faces challenges in its own capabilities, entity collaboration, and environmental support. It is necessary to improve support in policies, funding, and talent to promote enterprises to carry out technological innovation, management innovation, and business model innovation.

Universities are one of the sources of innovation, the intersection of education, science and technology, and talent, but their path to the industrialization of scientific and technological achievements has a long way to go. Yi Jiming (易继明), professor at Peking University Law School (北京大学法学院), believes that some universities still have a tendency to focus 唯数量 (wéi shù liàng - "quantity only," emphasizing quantity over quality) and 唯论文 (wéi lùn wén - "papers only," emphasizing academic publications over practical application); the lack of an efficient dialogue mechanism with enterprises leads to a mismatch between the supply of achievements and industrial demand.

Yi Jiming (易继明) suggests that universities try to carry out empowerment reform exploration, promote researchers, technology managers, and others to form a community of risk-sharing and benefit-sharing; and optimize the incentive mechanism by introducing market-oriented thinking and innovative talent training mechanisms. Relevant parties can participate in building a sound intellectual property factor market system and service ecosystem, promote comprehensive pilot projects for intellectual property financial ecology, and enhance the endogenous driving force for patent transformation.

Reducing costs and risks and allowing enterprises to "start lightly" in innovation cannot be separated from policy empowerment, mechanism optimization, and resource integration. Han Junhui (韩军徽) believes that it is possible to strengthen the pilot of service policies such as science and technology innovation coupons, and implement "exemption from application and enjoyment" for policies such as additional deduction of R&D expenses and preferential income tax. In particular, it is necessary to strengthen financial support for the technological innovation of small and medium-sized micro enterprises, give play to their advantages of flexible and efficient R&D organization, short decision-making chains, and low trial-and-error costs, and encourage them to explore suitable models of technological innovation.

The relevant person in charge of the Treaty and Law Department of the National Intellectual Property Administration (国家知识产权局条法司) stated that the "Implementation Measures for Promoting the Development of the Private Economy with Intellectual Property" issued last year provided intellectual property legal guarantees from the aspects of creation quality, utilization efficiency, and protection effectiveness, focusing on the needs of the private economy in intellectual property creation, protection, utilization, and service. The "Patent Examination Guidelines" implemented on January 1 this year further optimized the patent examination standards for new fields and new business forms such as artificial intelligence. Next, we will continue to improve the intellectual property protection system in emerging fields, accelerate the new round of comprehensive revision of the Trademark Law and the revision of the Regulations on the Protection of Layout Designs of Integrated Circuits, and provide better intellectual property legal guarantees for the development of emerging industries.

The Ministry of Science and Technology (科技部) stated that it will implement the principal position of enterprises in scientific and technological innovation from the system, strengthen the principal position of enterprises in technological innovation decision-making, R&D investment, scientific research organization, and achievement transformation, cultivate and strengthen leading technology enterprises, and open up the channel from strong science and technology to strong enterprises, strong industries, and a strong economy.

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Sufficient Supply and Stable Prices Ensure Well-Stocked "Vegetable Baskets" (New Year Grassroots Visits)

By: 本报记者 王东辉

Around 9:00 AM on February 6th, the chill was still strong, but the Beijing Xinfadi Agricultural Products Wholesale Market (北京新发地农产品批发市场) was already bustling. Vehicles loaded with various agricultural products shuttled back and forth in the market, with vegetables, fruits, poultry, eggs, and everything else available. In each trading area, some wholesalers were busy counting and checking the agricultural products for sale that day, while others were unloading and loading vehicles, preparing to transport them to customers.

"Boss, please send these 20 boxes of tomatoes to that car at the entrance. I'm going to take another look at the zucchini," said Wang Jie (王杰), a purchaser, to Wu Bo (吴波), a wholesaler, after paying for the tomatoes in the tomato trading area.

This transaction was a collective purchase made by Wang Jie for his company. "I basically come to Xinfadi (新发地) to purchase vegetables and fruits before every Spring Festival. There are many varieties here, and they are cheaper than those in the city's supermarkets," he said.

The Beijing Xinfadi Market (北京新发地市场) is home to more than 5,000 designated customers. Last year, its trading volume reached 15.6 million tons, and the transaction amount reached 128.8 billion yuan, making it an important agricultural product distribution center in North China.

Not far from Wu Bo's (吴波) tomato stall, wholesaler Sun Zhaoguo (孙兆国) was also extremely busy. Unpacking, inspecting, counting, loading... On one side, workers were loading tomatoes from large trucks onto small tricycles, while on the other side, Sun Zhaoguo (孙兆国) was closely negotiating with customers who came to inquire about prices.

From October to November last year, the national price of tomatoes began to rise. The national average wholesale price of tomatoes rose to a maximum of 9.31 yuan per kilogram on December 26, while in many supermarkets in Beijing (北京), the price was close to 10 yuan per 500g, and some were even higher.

Recently, there have been new changes in the price of tomatoes.

"Now the wholesale price of high-quality tomatoes has dropped to about 3.6 yuan per 500g, and the price is relatively reasonable," said Sun Zhaoguo (孙兆国). "In December last year, when the price was the highest, the wholesale price could reach about 4.5 yuan per 500g."

Monitoring data from the Beijing Xinfadi Market (北京新发地市场) shows that from January 31 to February 6, the average wholesale price of Xinfadi (新发地) black-frame tomatoes decreased from 2.75 yuan to 2.5 yuan per 500g, paper/foam box tomatoes decreased from 4.05 yuan to 3.85 yuan per 500g, and white-frame tomatoes decreased from 4.8 yuan to 4.6 yuan per 500g.

Industry experts said that the recent rise and fall in tomato prices is mainly affected by the relationship between supply and demand.

In the early stage, multiple factors such as the reduction of planting area, the impact of extreme weather, and the seasonal production conversion jointly led to a decrease in tomato production. In addition, with the approach of the end of the year and strong demand, the price of tomatoes climbed. As tomatoes from Sichuan (四川), Yunnan (云南) and other major "South-to-North Vegetable Transportation" producing areas were successively put on the market, and the greenhouse production capacity in the Huanghuaihai (黄淮海) region, where there was more rainfall last year, gradually recovered, the smooth operation of the supply chain effectively alleviated the problem of insufficient supply, making up for the supply and demand gap, and became the direct reason for the decline in tomato prices.

"Currently, although the price of tomatoes has fallen, it is still more than 1 yuan higher than before the Spring Festival last year," said Sun Zhaoguo (孙兆国). "The higher price has affected the sales volume to a certain extent, but it is within an acceptable range. In December last year, the market demand was strong, and even if the price increased, there was no worry about selling them. Basically, one truck of goods could be sold out in one day."

Zhang Yuelin (张月琳), general manager of Beijing Xinfadi Agricultural Products Co., Ltd. (北京市新发地农产品股份有限公司), introduced that Xinfadi (新发地) has made sufficient reserves of goods to cope with the pre-holiday procurement peak.

Relevant officials from the Ministry of Commerce (商务部) stated that they will guide local agricultural product wholesale markets, large chain supermarkets, etc., to organize marketable goods in the main producing areas, strengthen the connection between production and sales, and establish stable direct supply channels.

Around 3:00 PM, Xinfadi (新发地) ushered in a new trading peak. From the trading area in the market to the temporary stalls on the roadside, the trading atmosphere was more enthusiastic than in the morning.

"The green peppers on this truck in front of you, and the green peppers on that truck at the entrance, are all ours," Shao Feng (邵峰), a green pepper wholesaler, introduced to his customers, pointing to two heavy trucks. "Don't worry, we have a wide variety of green peppers here, and the quantity is sufficient!"

Faced with the strong demand before the Spring Festival, Shao Feng (邵峰) has increased the purchase volume. "As soon as the previous batch of green peppers is shipped from Anhui (安徽), Fujian (福建) and other places, the next batch will be loaded immediately, and the supply must be ensured," said Shao Feng (邵峰), adding that he can trade about 50-60 tons of green peppers every day recently.

Zhang Yuelin (张月琳) introduced that Xinfadi (新发地) has 3.3 million mu of planting bases across the country, covering 22 provinces. At present, it transports 23,000 tons of vegetables, 14,000 tons of fruits, and more than 2,000 tons of aquatic seafood every day, which is 20% more than usual. Moreover, the overall price of vegetables in the market has been stable recently, which can guarantee the needs of consumers for pre-holiday purchases.

The Spring Festival is a time for reunion, and safeguarding the "vegetable basket" is not only economic construction, but also a project for people's livelihood. Shifting the focus from Beijing (北京) to the north and south of the country, the Minnan Agricultural and Sideline Products Logistics Center (闽南农副产品物流中心) in Tongan (同安), Xiamen (厦门), Fujian (福建) has built a supply system of "local supply + import from other places" to ensure that all kinds of goods are constantly available and the categories are constantly supplied; Wuzhong (吴忠), Ningxia (宁夏) has released 300 tons of affordable vegetables to ensure sufficient market supply and stable prices during the festival... A warm Spring Festival begins with abundant fruits and vegetables.

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Do a good job in spring plowing and ensuring the supply and stable price of fertilizer for the whole year.

This newspaper reported from Beijing on February 7th (Reporter Liu Zhiqiang (刘志强)) The National Development and Reform Commission (国家发展改革委) recently issued a notice requiring relevant parties to do a good job in ensuring the supply and stabilizing the price of chemical fertilizers for the 2026 spring plowing and the whole year.

Guarantee the supply of raw materials for fertilizer production and stabilize fertilizer production. The development and reform commissions of all provinces should actively cooperate with the industrial and information technology authorities to grasp fertilizer production, coordinate and guarantee the supply of raw materials for fertilizer production, urge relevant enterprises to implement the minimum production plan as required, especially to do a good job in fertilizer production during the key period of fertilizer preparation and use such as winter storage and spring plowing; coordinate with the ecological environment departments to allow environmental protection performance A and B grade fertilizer production enterprises to independently reduce emissions when carrying out emergency emission reduction for heavily polluted weather.

Promote the smooth circulation of fertilizers and reduce the cost of agricultural fertilizer use. The development and reform commissions of all provinces should, together with the transportation authorities, ensure the smooth water and road transportation of fertilizers and raw materials for production; give play to the role of the backbone circulation corridor of agricultural materials to promote the smooth circulation of fertilizers and raw materials; guide key agricultural materials circulation enterprises to increase the proportion of sales to direct users of fertilizers.

Strengthen the management of fertilizer reserves and effectively exert the function of reserves. The development and reform commissions of all provinces should, together with relevant parties, do a good job in the supervision and verification of fertilizer reserves, urge the reserve-undertaking enterprises to implement the reserve tasks as required, and timely coordinate and solve the difficulties of the reserve-undertaking enterprises in the organization, transfer, and capital loans of reserve sources; strengthen the connection and cooperation of fertilizer reserves at different levels, and improve the complementarity in terms of reserve scale, variety, and time period.

The notice also put forward requirements on strengthening the service management of fertilizer import and export, effectively ensuring import security, strengthening fertilizer market supervision, maintaining good market order, and promoting scientific fertilization to improve fertilizer utilization efficiency.

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Support large-scale application of new medical insurance scenarios

This newspaper reported from Beijing on February 7th (Reporter Sun Xiuyan (孙秀艳)) The National Healthcare Security Administration (国家医保局) recently issued the "Notice on Accelerating the Cultivation and Opening Up of Scenarios in the Medical Security Field to Support the Large-Scale Application of New Scenarios," clarifying the relevant requirements for scenario cultivation and opening up in the medical security field, and better coordinating the functions of medical security in protecting health and promoting development.

The National Healthcare Security Administration (国家医保局) has collected a batch of scenarios covering various related fields of medical security, such as basic medical insurance, maternity insurance, medical assistance, and long-term care insurance. Based on strict checks on directionality, feasibility, and safety, it has initially constructed a dynamically updated scenario library.

The notice clarifies that it will regularly solicit scenarios involving medical and pharmaceutical technology progress, convenience service optimization, management capacity improvement, cross-field collaborative efficiency enhancement, and medical insurance comprehensive value evaluation, and dynamically update the scenario library in the medical insurance field. Local medical insurance departments are encouraged to propose scenarios that can reflect regional characteristics, solve practical problems, and have promotion potential, in combination with their local realities. The main goal is to promote the solution of a number of urgent and difficult problems for the masses in the medical insurance field through the precise opening of specific scenarios, optimize and improve the level of medical insurance services, further serve economic and social development from point to area, and strive to cultivate new growth points in the health economy.

The notice proposes that various qualified enterprises, universities, research institutes, medical institutions, commercial health insurance institutions, employee mutual aid security organizations, charitable organizations, etc., are encouraged to jointly participate in the application of scenarios in the medical insurance field. The National Healthcare Security Administration (国家医保局) will organize the evaluation of mature scenarios in the scenario library and release the list of scenarios in the medical insurance field in batches. At the same time, it will establish and improve the risk prevention and control mechanism, strictly prevent regulatory loopholes, and comprehensively strengthen the overall planning of scenario applications, so as to promote progress according to local conditions and develop steadily and orderly, and resolutely prevent 一哄而上 (yī hōng ér shàng - "swarm up," a large number of people rushing forward at the same time) and duplicate construction.

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China and Pakistan Join Hands to Build "Underground Dragon"

By: 本报记者 时元皓

A huge vertical shaft extends dozens of meters underground, with tower cranes continuously transporting materials to the bottom of the shaft. Next to the dense scaffolding, dozens of construction workers are working... This is the construction site of the expansion project of São Paulo Metro Line 2 (圣保罗地铁2号线) in Brazil. The project is one of the largest infrastructure projects under construction in Brazil.

"This year, the Chinese Spring Festival coincides with the Brazilian Carnival. We and the Brazilian team attach great importance to it and will celebrate the traditional Chinese and Brazilian festivals together." Chen Yin (陈印), Finance Director of the São Paulo Metro Line 2 (圣保罗地铁2号线) expansion project, told our reporter that festival interaction is a good opportunity to enhance mutual understanding between the two sides. Both sides are committed to completing the project faster and better, and adding strength to the mutually beneficial and win-win cooperation between China and Brazil.

"The extension of the subway line will improve the lives of many people"

São Paulo (圣保罗) is the economic, financial, and industrial center of Brazil, with a population of over ten million. Metro Line 2 (地铁2号线) is the main line, and many stations pass through Paulista Avenue (保利斯塔大道), one of the financial centers of São Paulo (圣保罗), and is known locally as the "Paulista Line" (保利斯塔线), which is particularly important for urban commuting. To further meet the needs of urban development, the São Paulo Metro Company (圣保罗地铁公司) decided to extend Line 2 (2号线) eastward on the existing basis and build eight new stations.

In 2020, China Power Construction Group (中国电力建设集团) and Brazilian construction company Mendes Júnior (门德斯·儒尼奥尔公司) signed a cooperation agreement to jointly undertake Sections 3, 4, and 5 of the São Paulo Metro Line 2 (圣保罗地铁2号线) expansion project in the form of a consortium, including 1 ventilation shaft, 2 emergency and ventilation passages, 4 underground tunnels, 5 stations, and 1 transportation hub. At present, the project is progressing smoothly, and the civil engineering of several stations has been completed by 90%.

At the Santa Isabel Station (圣伊莎贝尔车站), builders are constructing cable corridors and secondary concrete lining. "In the future, this vertical shaft will be built into a passage for passengers to enter the subway. This is the ticket hall, and further ahead is the platform," said Wu Yankui (吴炎奎), project manager of the São Paulo Metro Line 2 (圣保罗地铁2号线) expansion project. Local worker Henrique Santos (恩里克·桑托斯) is responsible for rebar binding at the construction site. "I live nearby. After the new subway station is completed, our travel will be much more convenient."

It is predicted that after the project is completed, the average daily passenger volume will exceed 800,000, benefiting the travel of residents along the line. The next phase of the line will extend towards Guarulhos (瓜鲁柳斯), a satellite city in northeastern São Paulo (圣保罗). The commuter line between São Paulo (圣保罗) and Guarulhos (瓜鲁柳斯) is one of the busiest commuter lines in Brazil. The São Paulo Metro Company (圣保罗地铁公司) stated that the completion of the project will reduce people's commuting time and effectively promote the integration of the eastern region of São Paulo (圣保罗) with other parts of the city.

"The extension of the subway line will improve the lives of many people, and I am very happy to be able to participate in the project construction," said Marcelo da Rocha (马塞洛·达罗查), a carpenter, to the reporter. He will proudly tell his son, "I have contributed to the opening of this line."

"Such cooperation and exchanges have benefited us a lot"

Anália Franco Station (阿纳利亚·弗朗哥车站) is one of the stations with the largest amount of work in the entire project and is also the location of the China-Brazil joint venture project department. In front of the project department, there is some shade under a row of tall trees, and several staff members are resting and enjoying the cool, with the sound of cicadas echoing with the sound of construction. "In order to preserve these trees, we specially adjusted the project plan," said Sergio Mosso (塞尔吉奥·莫索), the project's production manager, to the reporter. The construction process follows strict environmental standards, protecting the original environment as much as possible, and trees that have to be cut down will be compensated for by planting in nearby areas.

In front of a construction water recycling system, Wu Yankui (吴炎奎) told reporters that water treatment stations are specially set up on each working surface of the project department to recycle construction sewage for reuse - for wetting roads or truck washing. The project construction adheres to the concept of green building. The water on site undergoes three-stage physical sedimentation, chemical flocculation, and acid-base neutralization before being discharged into the municipal sewage pipe network. The sludge is subjected to solid-liquid separation by geotechnical dewatering bags and then specially treated to meet municipal environmental protection requirements. Environmental standards are also strictly observed in terms of energy use and waste management.

Subway construction is often carried out in areas with heavy traffic and dense populations. The project team uses methods such as large-section tunnel excavation and deep vertical shaft construction to keep the construction area highly concentrated as much as possible, reduce ground operations, which not only ensures the quality and progress of the construction, but also greatly reduces the impact on ground traffic and surrounding residents.

In 2024, due to its outstanding performance in environmental protection, technological innovation, and social benefits, the São Paulo Metro Line 2 (圣保罗地铁2号线) expansion project won the "2024 Brazil's Best and Largest Engineering Award" awarded by the Brazilian National Association of Engineers. "China has advanced subway construction technology, and the construction experience of Chinese companies is worth learning from. Such cooperation and exchanges have benefited us a lot," said Mosso (莫索).

A large number of local employees have also benefited. According to reports, the China-Brazil joint venture signed a strategic agreement with the Brazilian National Industrial Training Service Center (巴西国家工业培训服务中心) to launch systematic and professional free courses based on the project, which has trained nearly 2,000 people for the joint venture. Santos (桑托斯) is studying other courses in the engineering field in the training class. "I hope to continue to work in the construction industry and apply the technology and experience I have learned to the construction of other projects."

"This training + work model has cultivated the skilled talents urgently needed by the project and also improved the shortage of skilled talents in the local construction engineering industry," said Wu Yankui (吴炎奎). As of now, the project has provided more than 3,800 jobs, and a total of more than 1,000 subcontractors and suppliers have participated in the construction.

"Provides more and better choices for the Brazilian market"

"Brazil and China have different cultures, with different corporate management methods and experiences. This difference allows us to learn from each other and make progress together," said Mosso (莫索). The Chinese team's high sense of responsibility and pursuit of efficiency are impressive, and he also enjoys working closely with the Chinese team.

On São Paulo Metro Line 2 (圣保罗地铁2号线), the scope of China-Brazil cooperation is constantly expanding: At the end of last year, the earth pressure balance shield machine developed by China Railway Engineering Equipment Group Co., Ltd. (中铁工程装备集团有限公司) traveled across the ocean to Brazil for delivery and was officially put into use in the São Paulo Metro Line 2 (圣保罗地铁2号线) expansion project. This is the largest diameter shield machine ever used in the history of Brazilian subway construction. In August last year, CRRC (中国中车) signed a contract with the São Paulo Metro Company (圣保罗地铁公司) to provide 44 new trains for the São Paulo Metro (圣保罗地铁), most of which will be used for the operation of São Paulo Metro Line 2 (圣保罗地铁2号线). For this reason, CRRC (中国中车) will also build a local assembly plant in São Paulo State (圣保罗州)...

"In recent years, more and more Chinese products and technologies have been implemented in the Brazilian market," Mosso (莫索) told reporters. Taking shield machines as an example, the Brazilian market previously had doubts about the maintenance or parts replacement of such Chinese products, but now, well-operated equipment and complete after-sales service have dispelled these concerns. "Chinese products are of good quality, excellent technology, and reasonable prices. Chinese partners provide more and better choices for the Brazilian market."

Theo Shuk (西奥·舒克), executive secretary of the Rio de Janeiro Metropolitan Institute (巴西里约大都会研究所), said in an interview with reporters that China has built a huge urban transportation network, accumulated professional technical knowledge, and mastered key technologies. Chinese products have both cost advantages and more reliable delivery cycles. "China-Brazil cooperation continues to improve Brazil's infrastructure level, improve urban operating efficiency, and help break bottlenecks restricting economic development."

"Now, China-Brazil cooperation has surpassed simple engineering construction or equipment export, showing the characteristics of focusing on long-term planning, infrastructure, and industrial synergy," Shuk (舒克) said. Chinese companies such as CRRC (中国中车) invest in factories in Brazil, integrate into Brazil's industrial chain and supply chain, and bring opportunities for creating jobs, training skilled labor, and gradually strengthening related industrial chains. "This partnership proves that cooperation between countries in the Global South can achieve practical, sustainable, and strategic results."

Layout design: Shen Yiling (沈亦伶)

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Upholding the One-China Principle is Upholding International Fairness and Justice (International Forum)

By: 纳迪娅·希勒米

Consolidating the international community's commitment to the one-China principle is not only a respect for China's sovereignty but also a necessary measure to safeguard the achievements of World War II and the post-war international order.

There is only one China in the world, and Taiwan is a part of China. This is an indisputable historical and legal fact. Consolidating the international community's commitment to the one-China principle is not only a respect for China's sovereignty but also a necessary measure to safeguard the achievements of World War II and the post-war international order.

Taiwan has been an inseparable part of China's territory since ancient times. The Chinese Civil War in the 1940s and subsequent interference by external forces caused political opposition across the Taiwan Strait, but China's national sovereignty and territorial integrity have never been divided, and the one-China principle is unshakable. United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 of 1971 affirmed the one-China principle, that is, there is only one China in the world, Taiwan is an inseparable part of China's territory, and the government of the People's Republic of China (中华人民共和国) is the only legitimate government representing the whole of China. The Chinese Constitution clearly stipulates: "Taiwan is part of the sacred territory of the People's Republic of China. It is the sacred duty of all Chinese people, including our compatriots in Taiwan, to accomplish the great task of reunifying the motherland."

The Communist Party of China (中国共产党), the Chinese government, and the Chinese people have strived for decades to resolve the Taiwan issue, continuously promoting the peaceful development of cross-strait relations and maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. In recent years, the Taiwan authorities have pursued "Taiwan independence" separatist activities, and some external forces have also attempted to use Taiwan to contain China's development and hinder China's complete reunification. Many people on Taiwan Island also pointed out that the two sides of the Taiwan Strait reached a consensus in 1992 on adhering to the one-China principle in their respective oral expressions. This fully reflects that the realization of China's complete reunification is in the interests of all Chinese people, including the people in the Taiwan region.

Taiwan's liberation from Japanese colonial rule was an important achievement of the Chinese people's victory in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. Some external forces, including the Japanese right wing, still try to distort history and attempt to interfere in the Taiwan issue. This is a provocation to the Chinese people and an offense to peace-loving people all over the world. The international community must remember the painful sacrifices and great contributions made by China in the war against Japanese militarism, face up to the objective historical fact of Taiwan's recovery, jointly safeguard the achievements of World War II and the post-war international order, and oppose any form of revival of militarist ideology. On the issue of peace, all countries in the world must never **重蹈覆辙** (chóng dǎo fù zhé - "follow the same old disastrous road," to repeat the same mistakes) and allow the tragedy to repeat itself.

In 2025, China legally established October 25 as Taiwan Restoration Day. This is a decision of great significance, reflecting the cherishing of history and the pursuit of peace, and demonstrating the Chinese government's unwavering determination to safeguard national sovereignty, security, and development interests. This move aims to build consensus, safeguard the one-China principle widely recognized by the international community, and also remind the world to remember the history of World War II and cherish the memory of those who bravely sacrificed themselves to resist Japanese militarism and fascism. The War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression is not only the history of the Chinese people but also an important part of the world's anti-fascist war. Taiwan's recovery was a great victory achieved by all Chinese people through arduous struggle, and it was a victory for the world's forces of justice, worthy of commemoration and inheritance.

The one-China principle is a universal consensus of the international community. Adhering to the one-China principle is in the common interests of all peace-loving countries and peoples, and is conducive to maintaining international fairness and justice and regional peace and stability.

(The author is a professor of political science at Beni Suef University (贝尼苏韦夫大学) in Egypt.)

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He Lifeng Sends Congratulatory Message to the 48 Group Club's 2026 "Icebreakers" Chinese New Year Dinner

Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, February 7th (Xinhua) On February 6th, He Lifeng (何立峰), member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council, sent a congratulatory message to the 48 Group Club's 2026 "Icebreakers" Chinese New Year Dinner.

He Lifeng (何立峰) pointed out that not long ago, President Xi Jinping (习近平) and Prime Minister Starmer reached an important consensus on the long-term, stable, and comprehensive strategic partnership between China and the UK, opening up a new situation for bilateral relations and cooperation. It is hoped that people from all walks of life in China and the UK will continue to inherit and promote the "icebreaking spirit," strengthen cooperation in areas such as trade and investment, green transformation, financial services, and technological innovation, transform the potential of China-UK cooperation being 大有可为 (dà yǒu kě wéi - "much can be accomplished," having great potential) into the practical results of being 大有作为 (dà yǒu zuò wéi - "much can be done," capable of accomplishing great things), and make new and greater contributions to promoting the steady and long-term development of China-UK relations.

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China Plays an Important Role in Improving Global Governance

By: 本报记者 张志文

"Global challenges require countries to work together and pool their wisdom and efforts. China plays an important role in improving global governance." Iranian writer and political analyst Hamid Hosseini (哈米德·侯赛尼) said in an interview with this reporter that the current international situation is intertwined with changes and chaos. China's proposals for the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative, and the Global Governance Initiative inject more stability and certainty into the international community and help the world achieve lasting peace and development.

Hosseini (哈米德·侯赛尼) believes that to solve the deficits in peace, development, security, and governance, the role of major countries is crucial. As the world's second-largest economy and a responsible major country, China has taken responsibility and proposed a series of initiatives and measures to play a leading role in building consensus and promoting unity and cooperation. The Global Security Initiative adheres to a common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security concept, emphasizes respect for the sovereignty of all countries and the development paths independently chosen by the people of all countries, and emphasizes the peaceful resolution of differences between countries through dialogue and consultation. "These important principles have established a basic framework for maintaining world peace and security, and pointed out the way to solve security problems," said Hosseini (哈米德·侯赛尼).

Hosseini (哈米德·侯赛尼) said that China is practicing the Global Security Initiative and providing constructive solutions to ease regional tensions. China's five-point initiative on achieving security and stability in the Middle East plays a constructive role in establishing a regional security architecture and maintaining regional security and stability. On the Palestinian issue, China has always stood on the side of peace, justice, and fairness, and firmly supports the just cause of the Palestinian people in restoring their legitimate national rights. Hosseini (哈米德·侯赛尼) emphasized that China's promotion of reconciliation between Iran (伊朗) and Saudi Arabia (沙特) has set a new example for the political resolution of hotspot issues, demonstrated China's role as a responsible major country, and proved the feasibility and far-reaching significance of the Global Security Initiative. He said that in the mediation process, China fully respected the respective opinions and positions of Iran (伊朗) and Saudi Arabia (沙特), and promoted the two sides to reach a consensus through sincere exchanges, "proving that a mutually acceptable solution can be reached through dialogue, patience, and seeking common ground while reserving differences."

Hosseini (哈米德·侯赛尼) said that China is a staunch defender of multilateralism and looks forward to China playing a more important role in South-South cooperation. "The series of global initiatives proposed by China will make important contributions to promoting the common cause of peace and development for mankind, and lead all parties to work together to create a better tomorrow."

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Chinese Robots Debut at Champs-Élysées Spring Festival Parade

By: 本报记者 尚凯元

The fourth "Happy Chinese New Year in Paris: Dragon and Lion Dance Parade on the Champs-Élysées" Chinese New Year parade was held recently on the Champs-Élysées (香榭丽舍大街) in Paris (巴黎). Chinese humanoid robots made their debut in the parade performance, becoming a major highlight of the event.

At the scene, the robots marched in an orderly manner with the formation, smoothly completing actions such as turning, waving, and nodding while walking (see photo, courtesy of Shang Kaiyuan (尚凯元), reporter of this newspaper), interacting with the audience along the way from time to time, attracting a large number of citizens and tourists to stop and watch and take pictures.

Frédérique (弗雷德丽克), who lives near the Champs-Élysées (香榭丽舍大街), recorded the wonderful scenes with her mobile phone while watching the parade. "I want to send these videos to my family, friends, and colleagues." She told reporters that she watched the Chinese New Year parade in the 13th arrondissement of Paris (巴黎13区) last year. This kind of cultural expression is very vivid and dynamic, allowing the French people to perceive Chinese traditional culture and customs up close, which is very meaningful. She hopes that the Champs-Élysées (香榭丽舍大街) Chinese New Year parade can become an annual cultural event, allowing more French and European people to understand Chinese culture.

This year's "Happy Chinese New Year in Paris: Dragon and Lion Dance Parade on the Champs-Élysées" Chinese New Year parade was spearheaded by the China National Tourist Office in Paris (中国驻巴黎旅游办事处) and the Champs-Élysées Committee (巴黎香榭丽舍大街管理委员会), with the joint participation of many Chinese and French organizations. This year's parade involved 800 people and attracted about 100,000 citizens and tourists to watch along the street. In addition to the debut of the robots, the parade also featured dragon and lion dances, Yingge dance, Hanfu parade, ethnic dances, Tai Chi and martial arts, and Northeast Yangko dance.

"It is very creative and a rare opportunity to present the celebration of the Chinese traditional festival - the Spring Festival and the achievements of China's innovation field - humanoid robots at the same time on the Champs-Élysées (香榭丽舍大街), which is known as the 'most beautiful avenue in the world'." Stéphane Bobob (斯特凡纳·博博), CEO of INNOV8 Group (INNOV8集团), the French agent of Unitree Robotics (宇树科技), told reporters that in order to participate in this parade, the French team worked closely with the organizers to choreograph the robot's movements together.

Jeanne d'Hauteserre (让娜·德奥特塞尔), Mayor of the 8th arrondissement of Paris (巴黎8区), said that she was very happy to see so many citizens and tourists gathered on the Champs-Élysées (香榭丽舍大街) to celebrate the Chinese New Year together. The Chinese New Year parade brought a strong festive atmosphere and unique cultural experience to the 8th arrondissement of Paris (巴黎8区), further enriching the multicultural life of Paris (巴黎).

Although it was raining lightly that day, the audience was still enthusiastic, sending warm cheers to every passing formation. The performers and the audience greeted each other with "Happy New Year" from time to time. A local citizen, Ludo (卢多), told reporters: "This is the first time I have watched the Chinese New Year parade. The performances of different styles and forms are dazzling, especially the dances performed by the actors in traditional costumes are unforgettable. I will come again next year!"

"This year's Chinese New Year parade has brought together more artists and audiences, generating more emotional resonance. I look forward to further expansion of the event in the future, which will not only present China (中国) with a civilization of more than 5,000 years, but also show China (中国) full of modernity and innovative vitality." Marc-Antoine Jamet (马克—安托万·雅梅), Chairman of the Champs-Élysées Committee (巴黎香榭丽舍大街管理委员会), told reporters, "Not all French people have the opportunity to go to China (中国). Therefore, it is particularly important to 'bring China (中国) to Paris (巴黎)', which helps to enhance the understanding and friendship between the two peoples."

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Contributing to the Development of China's Healthcare Market

By: 本报记者 颜 欢 刘仲华

"China's vigorous promotion of high-quality development and high-level opening-up provides broader market opportunities for Gedeon Richter," said Gedeon Richter CEO Gábor Orbán (欧尔班·加博尔) in an exclusive interview with this reporter.

Founded in 1901, Gedeon Richter is one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in Europe. In 1922, Gedeon Richter first cooperated with China. In 2014, Gedeon Richter (China) Co., Ltd. (吉瑞制药（中国）有限公司) was established in Shanghai (上海). Currently, Gedeon Richter has its Chinese headquarters in Shanghai (上海) and also has branches in many parts of China. "China has developed rapidly in the health and pharmaceutical fields and has become one of Gedeon Richter's most important export destinations," said Orbán (欧尔班).

"China's digital transformation and related infrastructure construction have achieved remarkable achievements, and Gedeon Richter's international development has ushered in broad prospects." Orbán (欧尔班) said that China's sufficient pharmaceutical raw materials ensure the company's competitiveness in the global market; China's technological innovation is developing well, bringing many innovative results to the company.

"I visited Shanghai (上海) in 2018 and was deeply impressed by China's high-quality development. The development of online diagnosis and treatment and online hospitals in China has impressed and surprised me and my colleagues. These platforms not only improve the accessibility of medical services, but also provide more opportunities for the promotion of Gedeon Richter's products." Orbán (欧尔班) said that Gedeon Richter hopes to further consolidate the company's competitiveness in the global market through cooperation with China. The company is actively exploring deepening industry-university-research cooperation with China, "hoping to introduce China's innovative products to Hungary and the European market."

Currently, China-Hungary relations have been upgraded to an all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership for the new era. Orbán (欧尔班) said that the continuous development of Hungary-China and Europe-China relations brings confidence to Hungarian companies such as Gedeon Richter to invest in China. "In the future, Gedeon Richter will continue to participate in Hungary-China cooperation in the pharmaceutical field and contribute to promoting the development of China's medical and health market," said Orbán (欧尔班).

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Responding to all uncertainties with the certainty of high-quality development.

By: 金 轩

During the "15th Five-Year Plan" period, China's (中国) development is in a period where strategic opportunities and risks and challenges coexist, and uncertain and unpredictable factors increase. Facing the profound and complex changes in the development environment, we must strengthen our confidence, unswervingly manage our own affairs well, and respond to various uncertainties with the certainty of high-quality development.

A complete industrial system is a strong material foundation. The real economy is related to national security, the national economy and the people's livelihood, and international competitiveness. An independent, controllable, stable, and smooth industrial chain and supply chain is the foundation for the Chinese (中国) economy to cope with external shocks. In terms of scale, China's (中国) industrial system has a complete range of categories and a large scale. The output of more than 220 major industrial products ranks first in the world, and the manufacturing scale is expected to rank first in the world for 16 consecutive years. In terms of structure, the high-end, intelligent, green, and integrated transformation of traditional industries is advancing steadily, and emerging industries and future industries are accelerating their development and growth. By 2025, the proportion of the added value of equipment manufacturing and high-tech manufacturing above designated size in the added value of industries above designated size will increase to 36.8% and 17.1% respectively. The foundation of "reality" is the confidence of the Chinese (中国) economy to move forward steadily in the ever-changing global situation.

An active innovation ecosystem is a vigorous endogenous driving force. Innovation is the primary driving force for leading development and the key to leading economic leapfrogging. In 2025, China's (中国) R&D expenditure intensity will reach 2.8%, and the proportion of basic research expenditure will reach 7.08%. During the "14th Five-Year Plan" period, the average annual growth of R&D expenditure in the whole society will be 10%. In 2024, the proportion of the added value of the "three new" economy and patent-intensive industries in GDP will increase to 18.01% and 13.38% respectively. As innovation achievements continue to move from bookshelves to shelves and further take root and blossom in the actual scenarios of production and life, they can continuously accumulate momentum and maintain vitality.

Accelerating green transformation is a strong driving force for development. Green development is a distinct background color of high-quality development. China (中国) is firmly promoting the comprehensive green transformation of economic and social development, which is to completely change the extensive development mode of high consumption, high emissions, and high pollution, break the constraints of resources and environment on development, and provide guarantees for sustainable development. During the "14th Five-Year Plan" period, China's (中国) installed capacity of renewable energy power generation historically exceeded that of thermal power. The deserts, Gobi deserts, barren mountains, and wilderness have all become "energy oases" that continuously produce clean electricity. It is also important to see that green transformation is also a process of enhancing industrial competitiveness and cultivating economic growth points, and lucid waters and lush mountains are becoming invaluable assets. Being brave enough to embrace the green revolution will enable us to take the initiative in development and win the future.

The improvement of the level of opening up is a broad space for development. China (中国) adheres to high-level opening to the outside world, maintains trade relations with nearly 250 countries and regions, and has become the main trading partner of more than 160 countries and regions around the world. From intelligent driving and commercial aerospace to biomedicine, high-tech and high value-added products are accelerating to the world. At the same time, major opening-up measures such as the independent customs operation of the entire island of Hainan Free Trade Port (海南自由贸易港) also provide broader opportunities for global investors. The two-way opening up of "bringing in" and "going out" makes the Chinese (中国) economy more deeply embedded in the global industrial chain, innovation chain, and value chain, more flexibly adapts to changes in the international market, and gathers global high-quality resources, so as to maintain strategic initiative and strong adaptability in the ever-changing international environment.

Enhanced development resilience is a solid security guarantee. Implementing the strictest farmland protection system, vigorously promoting the construction of high-standard farmland, and deepening the action of revitalizing the seed industry, the per capita grain possession in 2025 will exceed 500 kilograms, which is higher than the grain security line of 400 kilograms per capita. Adhering to the simultaneous use of clean traditional energy and the development of new energy, consolidating the foundation of energy self-sufficiency, the installed capacity and power generation of wind power and photovoltaic power generation continue to rank first in the world, and the diversified reserve system is constantly improving, firmly grasping the initiative in energy security. The Chinese (中国人)'s rice bowl mainly contains Chinese (中国) grain, and the Chinese (中国) energy bowl is firmly held in our own hands, providing strong support for coping with external storms.

任凭风浪起，稳坐钓鱼台 (rèn píng fēng làng qǐ, wěn zuò diào yú tái - "no matter how big the storm, sit tight in the fishing boat," remain calm and steadfast amidst chaos). China (中国) continues to exert efforts in industrial upgrading, innovation-driven development, deepening reform, opening up and cooperation, green transformation, and security guarantees, fundamentally enhancing the intrinsic resilience of the Chinese (中国) economy and shaping the dynamic vitality of the Chinese (中国) economy to continuously adapt to shocks and continuously breed new momentum. History will eventually prove that time and momentum are on our side!

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Over a Decade, Continuous Results Seen in the Rectification of West Lake Clubs (On the Scene: New Observations on Style Construction)

By: 本报记者 窦 皓

Over the weekend, He Pengcheng (贺鹏程), a retired teacher from Hangzhou (杭州), Zhejiang Province (浙江), visited the Flower Harbor Park (花港公园) in West Lake (西湖), entered the Lakeside Residence Teahouse (湖畔居茶楼), enjoyed affordable meals, and admired the scenery of the lake and mountains.

He Pengcheng (贺鹏程) remembers that this used to be a high-end club, out of reach for the general public except for a few.

At the end of 2013, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (中央纪委) and the Leading Group of the Central Education Practice Activities (中央教育实践活动领导小组) issued the "Notice on Seriously Rectifying the 'Unhealthy Tendencies in Clubs' in the Education and Practice Activities of the Party's Mass Line." In 2014, Hangzhou (杭州) launched a special rectification campaign, and all 56 clubs around the scenic area, including 30 around West Lake (西湖), were closed down that year.

In 2020 and 2024, the Zhejiang Provincial Commission for Discipline Inspection and Supervision (浙江省纪委监委) and the Hangzhou Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection and Supervision (杭州市纪委监委) respectively carried out "look back" work. In 2025, combined with in-depth implementation of the spirit of the Central Eight-Point Regulation (中央八项规定) and learning and education, the Standing Committee of the Zhejiang Provincial Party Committee (浙江省委常委会) took the problem of illegal construction and luxurious decoration of buildings, halls, and pavilions as a centralized rectification project, conducted on-site verification of the rectification of previous problems, and comprehensively investigated new situations and new problems.

Now, has the effectiveness of the West Lake (西湖) club rectification been sustained? The reporter conducted an interview.

[Scene 1]

The teahouse has a transparent layout, and the sunlight shines brightly

"After a walk, come and have a bowl of early noodles. Look, there's even a queue." He Pengcheng (贺鹏程) is familiar with the Lakeside Residence Teahouse (湖畔居茶楼).

The predecessor of the teahouse was a private club called "Lian Zhuang (莲庄)". After Hangzhou Lakeside Residence Teahouse (杭州湖畔居茶楼), a state-owned enterprise in the West Lake Scenic Area (西湖风景名胜区), took over, it was transformed into an affordable teahouse and affordable catering.

"The Scenic Area Management Committee (名胜区管委会) has given great support, reducing our operating pressure," said Lin Feng (林峰), deputy general manager of Lakeside Residence Teahouse (湖畔居茶楼). "We give profits to the people and have also won the favor of the masses."

In the lobby on the first floor, customers are sitting around tea tables in twos and threes, talking, laughing, eating and drinking on the solid wood floor that used to be an indoor stage; the former rolling ball lights have been removed, and the two sets of audio equipment are only used for decoration. The private boxes of the past have become small tea rooms, with simple and elegant decoration.

"Now, the teahouse has a transparent layout, and the sunlight shines in, making the house and our hearts bright," said Lin Feng (林峰).

A small building opposite the Yuquan Fish Leaping (玉泉鱼跃) scenic spot in the Hangzhou Botanical Garden (杭州植物园) has also been transformed into a public teahouse after rectification, but because of its remote location, its benefits are not good. "With the support of higher-level departments, it has been changed to a plant resource hall, integrating display and science popularization functions, enriching family leisure options," said Zhang Haizhen (张海珍), secretary of the Party Committee of Hangzhou Botanical Garden (杭州植物园).

In 2024, the Hangzhou Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection and Supervision (杭州市纪委监委) organized a "look back" to supervise and promote investigation and research and revitalize utilization in response to problems such as the unsuccessful transformation of some public resource places and long-term vacancy.

"We must consider the diverse needs of the masses," said Dai Qiao (戴峤), head of the Discipline Inspection and Supervision Group of the Hangzhou Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection and Supervision (杭州市纪委监委) stationed in the West Lake Scenic Area Management Committee (西湖风景名胜区管委会). "Adapting to local conditions is the only way to do a good job in the second half of the transformation."

[Scene 2]

In the courtyard of the art museum, activities such as sending Spring Festival couplets and writing the character "Fu" are held

While walking, Wang Jianyong (王建勇), a citizen of Hangzhou (杭州), came to a building on Beishan Street (北山街) on the edge of West Lake (西湖) and pushed open the door.

Six exhibition halls, hundreds of Chinese paintings... This building with a history of more than 100 years has been "transformed" from a private club into the Hangzhou Chinese Painting Academy Art Museum (杭州国画院美术馆), attracting many citizens and tourists.

"Rooted in a good location, the art museum must assume the important function of 'cultivating people with culture'," said Shen Jia (沈佳), executive deputy director of the Hangzhou Chinese Painting Academy Art Museum (杭州国画院美术馆). The art museum is open from 9 am to 9 pm and is not closed on a daily basis.

In addition to the exhibition hall, the art museum also has a classroom where free science lectures are held every two weeks. Since its opening more than 10 years ago, the art museum has held about 200 large and small exhibitions and about 500 various academic lectures and cultural benefit activities, receiving about 1 million visitors.

As the Spring Festival approaches, activities such as sending Spring Festival couplets and writing the character "Fu" for citizens and tourists have arrived as scheduled, and the outdoor courtyard of the art museum has become lively again. "On the edge of West Lake (西湖), it's great to feel the culture and taste life with everyone," said Wang Jianyong (王建勇).

In Juxing Island (掬星岛) in Xianghu Lake (湘湖) in Hangzhou (杭州), private clubs have become public teahouses and convenience service centers; in the Shuangfeng Pavilion Area (双峰馆区) of the China National Tea Museum (中国茶叶博物馆), the public can taste tea and enjoy the scenery, and there are no more scenes of a few people drinking and chatting... Dozens of high-end business venues have been closed and successively transformed into public tea houses, exhibition halls, cultural and creative spaces, etc. Over the past 10 years, Hangzhou (杭州) has persistently promoted the rectification of high-end business venues around scenic spots, returning public resources to the masses and "returning the scenery to the people" on the banks of West Lake (西子湖畔).

"We are also actively communicating with property owners for some places that do not have scenic area property rights, and strive to achieve scientific planning and management of public resource space," said Dai Qiao (戴峤).

[Scene 3]

During the inspection, the grid member suggested that merchants increase affordable dishes

In the evening, grid members of the West Lake Scenic Area Management Committee (西湖风景名胜区管委会) affiliated units conduct regular inspections.

Wang Hua (王华) (pseudonym), a grid member of the Huagang Management Office (花港管理处), gave feedback to a merchant based on online reviews and daily turnover: almost all the dishes on the menu are expensive, and it is recommended to increase affordable dishes so that the public can "enter and consume". Soon, the merchant launched simple meals at prices of 38 yuan, 48 yuan, and 68 yuan, and promoted them on social platforms.

"Around West Lake (西湖), we can no longer see the phenomenon of 'one table meal' and refusing the public to enter," said Wang Hua (王华). "What needs to be prevented now is setting up barriers in disguise through uniformly high prices. You can focus on high-quality dishes, but there still have to be some dishes that the public can also come in and consume."

Establish a system to manage for the long term. "Public resource places in the scenic area are included in the scope of supervision and implemented with grid management," Dai Qiao (戴峤) introduced. When leasing, business entities need to sign a commitment letter, and the decoration plan must also be reviewed. "The Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection and Supervision (市纪委监委), the Discipline Inspection and Supervision Group stationed in the Scenic Area (驻名胜区纪检监察组), and the Scenic Area Management Committee (名胜区管委会) will also jointly conduct unannounced visits to strictly prevent private clubs from making a comeback."

Clear signs, clear prices, and no minimum consumption threshold... The General Office of the Hangzhou Municipal Party Committee (杭州市委办公厅) issued the "Implementation Opinions on Establishing and Improving the Long-term Mechanism for Rectifying Clubs in Public Resources," which clarified the list of 13 responsibilities of local units, property rights units, and functional departments, and established and improved the long-term mechanism through measures such as improving regional business format control, implementing negative list management, and implementing access review and filing.

"Hangzhou (杭州) city and district levels have also built a special supervision mechanism to carry out routine supervision and inspection," said a relevant person in charge of the Hangzhou Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection and Supervision (杭州市纪委监委). "A special supervision team has been established at the municipal level, led by members of the leadership team of the Municipal Commission for Discipline Inspection and Supervision (市纪委监委), to strictly investigate and manage key areas such as West Lake (西湖) and Xixi Wetland (西溪湿地) to prevent new problems from breeding."

As dusk falls, looking at the teahouses on the banks of West Lake (西湖), bright lights shine through the once closed doors and windows, and citizens and tourists talk and laugh, enjoying the beautiful scenery and breeze.

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Nationwide Implementation of Direct Payment of Maternity Allowance to Individuals

According to reports from Beijing on February 7th (Reporter Sun Xiuyan (孙秀艳)), the reporter learned from the National Healthcare Security Administration (国家医保局): Building upon the previous achievement of 27 provinces and 95% of overall planning areas fully realizing direct payment of maternity allowances to individuals, recently, healthcare security departments in Guizhou (贵州), Guangxi (广西), Xinjiang (新疆) and other provinces have actively implemented the requirements of the National Medical Security Work Conference and vigorously promoted the optimization of the maternity allowance disbursement process.

As of now, direct payment of maternity allowances to individuals has been achieved nationwide.

The healthcare security departments will continue to guide local areas to optimize processes and provide warm services, continuously enhancing the sense of gain and satisfaction of insured individuals, and helping to build a fertility-friendly society.

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China successfully launches reusable experimental spacecraft

Xinhua News Agency, Jiuquan, February 7th (Li Guoli (李国利), Zhang Yan (张艳)) - Reporters learned from relevant departments: On February 7th, China successfully launched a reusable experimental spacecraft using the Long March-2F carrier rocket at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center (酒泉卫星发射中心).

The experimental spacecraft will carry out technology verification of reusable experimental spacecraft as planned, providing technical support for the peaceful use of space.

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Photo Story

On February 7th, Xi'an (西安), Shaanxi (陕西) Province, held the 2026 "Our Festival·Spring Festival" event in Weiyang District (未央区). The event integrated various forms such as intangible cultural heritage experiences, folk performances, New Year's goods markets, and interactive games, creating a strong festive atmosphere. The picture shows a poetry quiz game in progress at the event on that day.

Xinhua News Agency reporter Zou Jingyi (邹竞一) Photo

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"Ice Guardian" Safeguards Navigation Safety

By: 本报记者 刘洪超

Here is the translation:

"This is Yingkou VTS (Vessel Traffic Services) Center, ‘Haixun 03053’ please note that the ice conditions near Anchorage No. 2 are worsening. Please strengthen your lookout and assist in dispatching icebreaking tugs to lead inbound vessels through the ice." At 6 a.m., the Bohai Sea's Liaodong Bay was swept by a biting cold wind, and the sea ice was continuous. Wu Qingli (吴庆利), the 56-year-old chief duty officer of the Yingkou Maritime Safety Administration's Vessel Traffic Management Center, stared intently at the radar signals on the console screen. His hoarse voice traveled through the radio waves, across layers of floating ice, and echoed in the icy sea.

Affected by the cold wave, the ice conditions in Liaodong Bay once developed rapidly. As a major hub port for "North Grain South Transport" and an important node for the transportation of key materials such as electric coal, crude oil, and chemical fertilizers, Yingkou Port (营口港) encountered a severe ice period test. Large areas of continuous floating ice appeared in key waters such as port channels, anchorages, and port basins, making the navigation environment complex and severe.

The Yingkou VTS Center is the "central nervous system" of Yingkou's maritime traffic. Wu Qingli rubbed his bloodshot eyes and continued to stare at the ship tracks on the screen: "Currently, an average of about 40 ships enter and leave the port every day, and each ship carries important materials related to people's livelihoods, such as electric coal, crude oil, grain, and chemical fertilizers." Wu Qingli said, "Once a ship is stranded in the channel due to sea ice, it will not only affect the navigation safety of the jurisdiction, but also seriously affect production and life."

In order to solve the navigation problems caused by ice conditions, the Liaoning Maritime Safety Administration (辽宁海事局) deployed in advance, closely monitored the development of sea ice, and accurately judged the dynamic changes of sea ice; carried out 24-hour uninterrupted icebreaking operations, and organized ships to enter and leave the port through measures such as dynamic tracking and escort by maritime patrol vessels. Since the ice period, it has cumulatively ensured the safe and smooth transportation of 2.22 million tons of key materials such as crude oil, electric coal, and chemical fertilizers.

At 10 a.m., the "Jinhang Lipeng" (锦航力鹏) vessel, loaded with 12,500 tons of corn, requested to leave the port. Ten minutes later, Pang Hao (庞浩), a law enforcement officer from the Yingkou Bayuquan Maritime Safety Administration (营口鲅鱼圈海事处), and his colleagues boarded the cargo ship to check the ship's stability, trimming conditions, anti-ice facilities, and emergency equipment.

On the deck, the cold wind wrapped in ice particles hit their faces, and the white air exhaled by the law enforcement officers condensed into frost on their eyelashes. "Yingkou Port has a high latitude and frequent cold waves. Sea ice can bring safety risks to the ship's fire protection system and life-saving system." Pang Hao said while checking the equipment, "Even if we give one more reminder or check one more hidden danger, it is a safeguard for water traffic safety."

"With the escort of maritime personnel, we feel particularly at ease navigating in the ice area." Liu Qiaolong (刘乔龙), the captain of the "Jinhang Lipeng" vessel, said with great emotion. At 11 a.m., the "Jinhang Lipeng" vessel slowly left Yingkou Port.

As night fell, the cold in Liaodong Bay became even stronger, but the lights in the Yingkou VTS Center were still bright. Wu Qingli and his colleagues continued to monitor the night navigation situation; on the dock, Pang Hao and his colleagues once again embarked on the patrol road, their steps firm. This group of "ice sea guards" from the Yingkou Maritime Safety Administration continued to stick to their posts, ensuring the safety and smooth flow of maritime transportation.

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Yunnan Releases Special Plan for Residence-Based Tourism Development

This newspaper's Kunming (昆明) dispatch on February 7th (Reporter: Li Maoying (李茂颖)) -- The Yunnan Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism (云南省文化和旅游厅) and other seven departments jointly issued the "Special Plan for the Development of 'Living in Yunnan' (2025-2030)," which clearly states that the quality of the supply of "living in Yunnan" will be continuously improved, the service environment for "living in Yunnan" will be continuously optimized, the momentum for the development of "living in Yunnan" will be further activated, and efforts will be made to build Yunnan (云南) into a livable, workable, healthy, and travelable destination.

The plan clarifies that Yunnan (云南) will be built into a national pilot zone for the development of "living in Yunnan," a model zone for "living in Yunnan" to help rural revitalization, an agglomeration area for innovation and entrepreneurship in "living in Yunnan," and a demonstration zone for promoting exchanges, interactions, and integration among all ethnic groups through "living in Yunnan." Based on its unique resources and climate advantages, Yunnan (云南) will build the Jinsha River (金沙江) cold-avoidance and summer-retreat "living in Yunnan" belt, the Lancang River (澜沧江) ecological "living in Yunnan" belt, and the border happiness "living in Yunnan" belt, and create six major "living in Yunnan" agglomeration areas in central Yunnan (滇中), southwestern Yunnan (滇西南), northwestern Yunnan (滇西北), western Yunnan (滇西), southeastern Yunnan (滇东南), and eastern Yunnan (滇东), leading the differentiated development of "living in Yunnan" formats in various regions.

According to the plan, Yunnan (云南) will promote the integration of "living in Yunnan" with leisure and vacation, create distinctive vacation scenes and "second homes" to meet the medium- and long-term "living in Yunnan" needs of guests; promote the integration of "living in Yunnan" with cultural experiences, and deepen "museum + living in Yunnan," "intangible cultural heritage + living in Yunnan," and "art + living in Yunnan"; promote the integration of "living in Yunnan" with medical care and health preservation, and create high-quality health preservation and "living in Yunnan" products; and promote the integration of "living in Yunnan" with sports formats, improve sports facility support, cultivate high-quality sports event IPs, and develop new sports "living in Yunnan" formats.

In 2025, Yunnan (云南) Province will receive more than 5.5 million "living in Yunnan" tourists, with an average stay of 83 days, an increase of 41.4% and 3 days respectively compared with the previous year.

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Zhang Ximing Elected Chairman of Anhui Provincial Committee of the CPPCC

This newspaper Hefei (合肥) February 7th dispatch (Reporter Zhang Zhifeng (张志锋)) The Fourth Session of the Thirteenth Committee of the Anhui (安徽) Provincial Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (政协) elected Zhang Ximing (张西明) as Chairman of the Provincial Committee of the CPPCC on February 7th.

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Hainan plans 393 urban renewal projects this year.

This newspaper reports from Haikou (海口) on February 7th (Reporter Cao Wenxuan (曹文轩)). The Hainan (海南) Provincial Department of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, Development and Reform Commission, and 9 other departments jointly issued the "Hainan Province's Continued Promotion of Urban Renewal Action Plan," deploying several major tasks to systematically promote urban renewal in Hainan (海南) and promote high-quality urban development.

According to the plan, by the end of 2027, Hainan's (海南) urban renewal action will achieve initial results, striving to create 20 model urban renewal key areas and more than 5 vibrant blocks. By 2030, the implementation of urban renewal actions will achieve significant progress, and sustainable renewal models and policies and regulations will be basically formed.

In 2026, Hainan (海南) planned a total of 393 urban renewal projects, including 61 area renewal projects. Based on the comprehensive urban physical examinations conducted in the three prefecture-level cities of Haikou (海口), Sanya (三亚), and Danzhou (儋州), the policy coverage will continue to be extended this year to achieve full coverage of all cities in the province, while accelerating the preparation of urban renewal plans, promoting key tasks of urban renewal, and coordinating the implementation of relevant livelihood projects.

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Page 1 Editors: Xu Nuo, Zhang Shuaizhen, Zhao Chuanbo; Page 2 Editors: Lü Li, Qi Jiarun, He Biao; Page 3 Editors: Han Xiaoming, Jiang Bo, Li Anqi; Page 4 Editors: Liu Nian, Han Chunyao, Chen Zhen

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Don't fear "adventure," just bring out your best (Olympic Perspective)

By: 本报记者 陈晨曦 曾华锋 王 亮

Local time February 7th morning, the sun shone somewhat dazzlingly on the Livigno Snowpark course. Twenty-three athletes competed in the Milan Winter Olympics women's freestyle skiing slopestyle qualification round, vying for 12 final spots.

The Chinese team sent four athletes to participate this time: Gu Ailing (谷爱凌), Liu Mengting (刘梦婷), Yang Ruyi (杨如意), and Han Linshan (韩林杉). Apart from Gu Ailing (谷爱凌), the silver medalist in the event at the Beijing Winter Olympics, the other three athletes were making their Olympic debut.

"Nervous." After the competition, Liu Mengting (刘梦婷) and Han Linshan (韩林杉) said almost in unison when talking about their feelings. Liu Mengting (刘梦婷) said, "I really couldn't control myself when I was preparing to start, I was especially nervous. Maybe it's because it's my first time participating in the Olympics, and I wanted to perform better."

In the first round of the competition, Gu Ailing (谷爱凌), who was the second to appear, made a mistake right after starting. Subsequently, the other three Chinese team athletes also had flaws in their runs. After the first round, the highest-ranked Chinese team athlete was Liu Mengting (刘梦婷), who was in eighth place, but it was not enough to ensure that she would be among the finalists after the two qualification rounds.

"I ate something sweet and drank some coffee to wake myself up." After finishing the first round, Gu Ailing (谷爱凌) briefly exchanged a few words with her mother at the finish line and quickly walked towards the starting point. "I think skiing competitions are 50% about skill and 50% about mentality. I adjusted myself at the top of the mountain, and then I examined my inner self and told myself to believe in myself. Before I even started the second round, I knew I could land safely, because I was completely relaxed." Gu Ailing's (谷爱凌) post-match review seemed calm and collected.

With a stable performance in the second round, Gu Ailing (谷爱凌) scored enough points to ensure her qualification for the final. After that, she did not leave the venue but sat at the finish line to watch the competition. "I want to wait for my teammates, they are still competing. I have confidence in them to complete their moves, and I want to stay and support them," said Gu Ailing (谷爱凌).

The teammates' performances did not disappoint. In the second round, Han Linshan (韩林杉) and Liu Mengting (刘梦婷) both chose to "take risks." Han Linshan (韩林杉) injured her knee when landing in the first round. She communicated urgently with the coach and team doctor, and still gave her all in the second round, completing the entire set of moves excellently and earning fifth place in the qualification round. Liu Mengting (刘梦婷) decided to try a move in the second round that she had not done in pre-competition training, "It was very risky, if I didn't succeed, I wouldn't be able to enter the final, so I had to succeed." Liu Mengting (刘梦婷), who got her wish, ranked eleventh. Yang Ruyi (杨如意) also greatly improved her score in the second round, ranking nineteenth.

In the end, Gu Ailing (谷爱凌), Han Linshan (韩林杉), and Liu Mengting (刘梦婷) entered the final. In the history of the Winter Olympics women's freestyle skiing slopestyle final, it will be the first time that three Chinese team athletes will compete together.

Looking ahead to the final to be held on local time February 9th, Liu Mengting (刘梦婷) said, "My goal is to finish the race safely and make the moves cleaner and more beautiful." Han Linshan (韩林杉) said, "I just need to bring out my strength, too much pressure will affect my performance."

Gu Ailing's (谷爱凌) old rival from the Beijing Winter Olympics, Swiss athlete Mathilde Gremaud, qualified for the final as the top seed. Four years ago, Mathilde Gremaud won the gold medal, and Gu Ailing (谷爱凌) won the silver medal. Talking about her opponent and the final, Gu Ailing (谷爱凌) said, "My competitor is myself, I think more about how to do my best. Compared to the Beijing Winter Olympics, I have grown, and I hope I can ski better in the final and do my best."

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Listening to the Winter Olympics' Symphony of Civilizational Exchange and Mutual Learning (Winter Olympics Observations)

By: 巩育华

As the night sky over the Apennine Peninsula was illuminated by dazzling fireworks, cheers at the San Siro Stadium surged like a tide.

On the evening of February 6th, local time, the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics opened. This was a grand exhibition of a "tale of two cities," where Milan's (米兰) fashionable modernity and Cortina's (科尔蒂纳) natural wildness converged, and Italian style and the passion of winter sports intertwined, allowing people to once again feel the charm of the Olympic movement.

Being at the opening ceremony, what was moving was not only the dreamlike scenes woven by light and shadow technology, but also the resonance and sparks created by the exchange and collision of different civilizations. Delegations from more than 90 countries and regions appeared in turn, with people of different languages, skin colors, and customs smiling brightly, and a civilizational dialogue about dreams, friendship, and the future slowly unfolding.

China and Italy are located at opposite ends of the ancient Silk Road and are outstanding representatives of Eastern and Western civilizations, leaving a rich and colorful chapter in the history of human civilization. For thousands of years, the friendly exchanges between the two countries have had a long history. Under the starry sky of the San Siro Stadium (圣西罗体育场), history and reality seemed to complete a trans-temporal embrace. The opening ceremony showcased the Italian love for family, food, and art, which Chinese audiences enjoyed immensely; the brilliant legacy of the Renaissance made Chinese tourists linger.

Sports are a universal language and a bridge to enhance friendship. From Beijing (北京) in 2022 to Milan (米兰) in 2026, the Olympic flame is passed on, and it is also a "relay" of Sino-Italian friendship. Four years ago, the Beijing Winter Olympics (北京冬奥会) presented "unparalleled" splendor; four years later, Milan (米兰) continues to write a new chapter in winter sports. The "relay" on the arena is rooted in the pragmatic cooperation between China and Italy in the fields of ice and snow industry, venue construction, and popularization of winter sports. From the ski towns in the Dolomites (多洛米蒂山区) to the Winter Olympic tracks in Chongli, Hebei (河北崇礼), the two countries have strengthened cooperation in recent years, turning "cold resources" into "hot economy," vividly interpreting the grand theme of sports events promoting world development.

Those with common aspirations do not regard mountains and seas as distant. The wind of San Siro (圣西罗) blows the snow of the Alps (阿尔卑斯), while in the distant East, spring is budding inside and outside the Great Wall (长城). It is expected that in the following competitions, people will not only witness the wonderful competition of speed and strength, but also witness more stories about understanding, tolerance, and support. It is hoped that the Winter Olympics will be used as a medium to promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, so that the light of "beauty in each and all" can shine under the Olympic flag.

This night, Milan (米兰) is sleepless; at this moment, the world is of one heart.

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Switzerland wins its first gold medal at this Winter Olympics

This newspaper reported from Bormio on February 7th (Reporter Zeng Huafeng (曾华锋), Chen Chenxi (陈晨曦)) Local time, February 7th, the first gold medal of the Milan Winter Olympics was produced in the men's downhill alpine skiing event. Swiss athlete Von Allmen defeated his opponents and won this honor.

The downhill event is the fastest and steepest event in alpine skiing. Male athletes can reach speeds of up to 140 kilometers per hour, as exciting as the men's 100-meter sprint "flying man battle." The competition is decided by a one-time run, with the shortest time winning, and timing accurate to one-hundredth of a second.

The competition was held at the Bormio Stelvio Ski Center (博尔米奥斯泰尔维奥滑雪中心). The track is 3250 meters long, with a starting altitude of 2250 meters and a height difference of 1010 meters from the finish line. More than 30 athletes participated in the alpine skiing downhill event, with no Chinese team athletes. In the end, Swiss athlete Von Allmen won the gold medal with a time of 1 minute 51.61 seconds, while Italian athletes won the silver and bronze medals.

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What is a Quad Axel in Figure Skating? (Understanding the Winter Olympics in Seconds)

With the start of the figure skating competition at the Milan Winter Olympics, audiences can't help but wonder if any athletes in this year's men's competition will reproduce the "nearly impossible" 4A jump.

The 4A in figure skating, short for the quadruple Axel, is considered the most difficult jump in figure skating. Unlike other jumps on the ice, it requires athletes to take off forward and land backward, completing four and a half rotations in the air, or 1620 degrees. Compared to the triple Axel (3A), it's not just one more rotation, but an extreme test of explosiveness, aerial posture, and landing control. From takeoff to landing, the entire process takes only about 0.7 seconds, and athletes must withstand an impact several times their own weight upon landing, placing enormous pressure on joints such as the ankles and knees.

All along, humanity has been constantly breaking through the number of rotations in the air for the Axel jump. In 1882, Norwegian skater Axel Paulsen first completed a one-and-a-half rotation jump; in 1948, American skater Dick Button completed two-and-a-half rotations; in 1978, Canadian skater Vern Taylor broke through three-and-a-half rotations. The dream of four-and-a-half rotations was not realized until 2022, when American skater Ilia Malinin first successfully achieved it in an international competition, and completed it again at the 2023 World Championships, becoming the only male skater to conquer the 4A in official competition.

On the Winter Olympics stage, Japanese star Yuzuru Hanyu (羽生结弦) bravely challenged the 4A at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics (北京冬奥会), although he did not land perfectly, he demonstrated a sporting spirit that transcended victory and defeat. In this year's Winter Olympics men's singles competition, the athletes' challenge to difficulty will not stop. Whether or not someone succeeds, every attempt to reach a higher level of difficulty is a moving interpretation of human potential and the spirit of sports.

(Reported by Kong Qingyuan (孔庆元), this newspaper)

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"Harmony" Theme, Stories of Unity

By: 本报记者 刘硕阳 曾华锋 陈晨曦

Local time February 6th evening, the 2026 Milan-Cortina d'Ampezzo Winter Olympics opening ceremony was held at the San Siro Stadium. A breathtaking audio-visual feast, with seamless real-time coordination across multiple locations, vividly showcased the theme of Armonia (Harmony). After the Olympic rings unfolded, the athletes' parade began simultaneously in the four competition zones of Milan (米兰), Cortina d'Ampezzo (科尔蒂纳) and others.

"Bringing different things together" is the original meaning of the word Armonia, just like the meaning of the Olympic Games to the world. Since the beginning of its preparation, the Milan Winter Olympics has often been described as "scattered." Indeed, the four competition zones, large and small venues, are scattered like stars across the mountainous areas and cities of northern Italy, covering approximately 22,000 square kilometers. However, it is precisely because of this dispersion that unity becomes more meaningful. "Only by allowing different people and regions to meet can we embody unity and demonstrate 'harmony'," said Marco Balich, head of the opening ceremony creative team.

The presentation of the Olympic rings is only part of the "harmony" theme that was showcased at the opening ceremony. In fact, from the simultaneous start of the athletes' parade in the four competition zones to the simultaneous lighting of the main torch in Milan (米兰) and Cortina d'Ampezzo (科尔蒂纳), all demonstrated the harmony and unity of connecting cities and mountains, and bridging regions and civilizations. "Dear athletes, you come from different countries and regions, with different cultures and traditions, but you are gathered here because of sports, the universally understood 'language'," said Giovanni Malagò (乔瓦尼·马拉戈), President of the Milan Winter Olympics Organizing Committee, in his opening address, "Your presence proves to the world that we can absolutely have a world full of unity, respect and harmony."

At midnight, the main torch was lit, marking the beginning of the Winter Olympics, and a story of unity in sports is being written once again.

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"I Have a Connection with Chinese Sports" (Notes from the Winter Olympics)

By: 本报记者 季 芳 王 亮

At the "China House" in Milan, 71-year-old Italian journalist Ginnaro Bozza (吉纳罗·博扎), carrying a backpack printed with the logo of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, was keenly watching the Chinese ice and snow sports exhibits. From Beijing (北京) to Milan, the beautiful connection between the two Winter Olympics is quietly being told.

"The 'Made in China' backpack is of very good quality, and I often carry it when I go out," Bozza (博扎) said. He went to the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics (北京冬奥会) to cover the event. Speaking of that experience, he immediately opened the conversation: "The Chinese audience was very enthusiastic, the opening ceremony was very exciting, and the event was very successful."

Sports are Bozza's (博扎) window to understand China, "I have a connection with Chinese sports, and the relationship has spanned half a century." Because he liked table tennis since he was a child, Bozza (博扎) has been following the Chinese table tennis scene. In 1994, the Asian Table Tennis Championships were held in Tianjin (天津). Bozza (博扎), who was working for the Italian newspaper *Milan Sports*, went to the scene to cover the event. That was his first time in China.

"Have you been to China many times?" the reporter asked.

"80 times." Bozza (博扎) happily answered in Chinese, "My passport has 77 visas, and there were 3 visa-free events - the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games (北京奥运会), the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games (广州亚运会), and the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics (北京冬奥会)." He said that there is a large box at home filled with interview passes for Chinese events, passports stamped with visas, and gifts from Chinese friends, all of which are his "treasures."

Sports transcend national borders and connect each other, opening a window of communication for the world. Taking sports as a medium, Bozza (博扎) has also witnessed the growth of many Chinese athletes. "I have covered 7 National Games (全运会), and I am probably the foreign journalist who has covered the most National Games." He said with a smile, "The National Games allow people to see the development of various Chinese sports, and each sport has a story worth recording."

In addition to table tennis, Bozza (博扎) also likes to watch Chinese track and field and diving competitions, and in recent years he has paid more and more attention to ice and snow sports. "I was very excited when I saw Sui Wenjing (隋文静) / Han Cong (韩聪) win the championship at the Beijing Winter Olympics (北京冬奥会)." Bozza (博扎) said, "This time I will continue to go to the scene to cheer for them."

Because of his love, Bozza (博扎) often looks at old photos taken during his interviews in China.

"Why do you like Chinese sports?" the reporter asked.

"Because there is a fighting spirit here, and there is also human touch," Bozza (博扎) said.

"Why do you like China?" the reporter asked again.

"I can't say, maybe this is fate," he said.

At this Winter Olympics, Bozza (博扎) is still paying attention to the Chinese team's performance on the field. This friendship that transcends national borders and spans time and space also adds a touch of warmth to the Winter Olympics, and his story with Chinese sports continues.

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This edition editors: Lin Lin, Shi Zhe, Gao Ji

Layout Design: Shen Yiling (沈亦伶)

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Reading the Chinese New Year in Textbooks (In-depth Focus)

The Spring Festival is a wonderful time for family reunions and enjoying family happiness, and it is also a vivid classroom for excellent traditional cultural education. When the nursery rhymes, customs, and skills in textbooks come out of the paper and become tangible and perceptible in real life, cultural confidence quietly sprouts in the hearts of children.

Education originates from life, and inheritance begins with experience. In this issue of the Education Edition, we have sorted out some clues from the textbook content, and together with the textbooks and children, let's see how families, schools, and society work together to make the New Year customs shine and let culture nourish growth.

--Editor

The Millstone Turns and Brings Good Fortune

Our reporter Wu Dan (吴丹)

[Textbook]

Little kids, little kids, don't be greedy, the New Year is coming after Laba. Laba porridge, drink for a few days, lili lala twenty-three. Twenty-three, sticky sugar melon. Twenty-four, sweep the house. Twenty-five, grind tofu. Twenty-six, go buy meat. Twenty-seven, slaughter the rooster. Twenty-eight, leaven the dough. Twenty-nine, steam the buns. Stay up all night on the thirtieth, walk the streets on the first and second day of the new year.

--Excerpt from the unified compiled Chinese textbook (People's Education Press) first grade, Volume 1, "Spring Festival Nursery Rhymes"

On the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month of the Yi Si year, Chen Hongxiao (陈泓骁), a first-grade student at the Affiliated Primary School of Beijing No. 15 Middle School (北京市第十五中学附属小学), went out to play and was attracted by an old woman grinding tofu. His eyes lit up, and he blurted out: "Twenty-three, sticky sugar melon. Twenty-four, sweep the house. Twenty-five, grind tofu..."

With the old woman's consent, Chen Hongxiao (陈泓骁) began to try making tofu. With the help of his parents, Chen Hongxiao (陈泓骁) pushed the millstone hard, and white soy milk slowly flowed out along the cracks. The old woman next to him introduced: "Boil the soy milk, add gypsum or brine, and after it is left to stand and solidify, you can make fresh tofu."

"The pronunciation of 'tofu' is the same as 'all blessings', eating tofu during the New Year means having blessings all year round." After listening to his mother Wang Meng's (王萌) introduction, Chen Hongxiao (陈泓骁) excitedly planned - on the twenty-fifth day of the twelfth lunar month, he would make cabbage tofu soup with his parents.

On the way home, Wang Meng (王萌) took the opportunity to guide: "Soaking beans should be done in advance, grinding should be even, and adding gypsum should be moderate. The rigor of each step is the principle of doing things."

Chen Hongxiao's (陈泓骁) experience is exactly the teaching goal that his Chinese teacher Tian Wenting (田文婷) wants to achieve. Tian Wenting (田文婷) introduced that "Spring Festival Nursery Rhymes" is the text included in the last unit of the first-grade Chinese textbook. "The nursery rhymes are catchy, and the children like them very much, but they inevitably feel unfamiliar with the gradually disappearing New Year customs such as 'sticky sugar melon' and 'grinding tofu'." How can six- or seven-year-old children truly understand the culture behind these customs?

In the classroom, Tian Wenting (田文婷) made the text perceptible and knowable through pictures, videos, and real objects. "When they saw the rock candy drawing golden threads and heard the low sound of the stone mill turning, the children were very curious." At the same time, she encouraged the children to "read together with adults at home, try together, and recall the New Year customs together."

This simple interactive design has become a bridge connecting generations. The children asked their parents "how they celebrated the New Year when they were young", and the parents' stories injected vivid details into the nursery rhymes: "Sticky sugar melon" turned into a sweet expectation on the tip of the tongue, "leaven the dough" became a busy figure in the steam-filled room, and "walk the streets" was a beautiful expectation for the new year... "When tradition and life are connected, cultural inheritance happens naturally," said Tian Wenting (田文婷).

The Spring Festival is an important carrier of culture and family traditions. Zhang Yang (张杨), Vice Principal of Moral Education at the Affiliated Primary School of Beijing No. 15 Middle School (北京市第十五中学附属小学), introduced that the school relies on the "Our Festival" series of activities to guide students to deeply understand excellent Chinese traditional culture, and at the same time launched the "Accumulating Small Steps to Reach Far" holiday practice manual to encourage students to participate in housework and social practice, and grow up healthily in life experiences.

Teachers sow seeds, and parents accompany them to water them. This warm story of collaborative education is happening in thousands of schools and families in Beijing (北京). Cultural confidence is woven into children's growing years, making the New Year more festive and the inheritance warmer.

Clever Paper Cutting Sends Auspiciousness

Our reporter Li Rui (李蕊)

[Textbook]

Every New Year's Eve, every household in our area uses red paper to cut out bats, elk, white cranes, and magpies, symbolizing "fortune," "prosperity," "longevity," and "happiness," and pastes them on doors and windows as a decoration to add to the festive atmosphere.

--Excerpt from the unified compiled Moral and Rule of Law textbook (People's Education Press) fourth grade, Volume 2, "Local Customs"

Under the "swishing" sound of scissors, red paper scraps fell lightly. At the Cultural and Tourism Public Service Center of Rushan City (乳山市), Weihai (威海), Shandong (山东), the children from the Second Experimental Primary School of Rushan City (乳山市第二实验小学) were all focused and carefully carving the paper cuttings in their hands.

"In the Moral and Rule of Law class, I learned about 'Local Customs'. I think the paper cuttings in the textbook are particularly exquisite and festive." Fifth-grade student Lu Kexin (陆可欣) carefully turned the red paper in her hand. The originally ordinary piece of paper gradually bloomed into a "fortune" character surrounded by auspicious clouds. "Now I can cut it myself, and I feel like the pictures in the book have really come to life!"

This winter vacation, like Lu Kexin (陆可欣), many children in Rushan (乳山) used the red paper and scissors in their hands to turn the originally static textbook knowledge into a cultural experience with warmth and stories.

Rushan (乳山) paper cutting is a representative project of Weihai (威海) municipal intangible cultural heritage. The artistic feature of "every picture must have a meaning, and every meaning is auspicious," coupled with the unique skill of "cutting fine hairs" that can cut 38 fine hairs in one centimeter, makes this intangible cultural heritage a vivid carrier of hometown cultural memories.

"We often think about how to let children touch the traditional skills mentioned in the textbooks with their own hands." The relevant person in charge of the Rushan City (乳山市) Education and Sports Bureau introduced, "We designed the 'Intangible Cultural Heritage Nourishes Children's Hearts' holiday activity together with the cultural center and street communities, just to let the children use the holiday to experience it personally and understand the culture of their hometown."

The implementation of this activity has enlivened many folk museums and community activity rooms: some intangible cultural heritage inheritors came to demonstrate the "fortune character group flower" cutting method for the children and tell the folk connotations behind patterns such as "fish playing with lotus" and "pine crane prolonging life."

The activity went beyond simple teaching and extended into a warm community interaction. The children took their own paper-cut works and went to the homes of lonely elderly people, pasting window decorations while explaining the auspicious meanings, allowing warmth to flow between neighbors.

Parents also saw the changes in their children. "The child is looking forward to coming to class, and actively teaches us to cut the 'spring' character when he gets home. This kind of down-to-earth activity is very meaningful." Lu Kexin's (陆可欣) mother accompanied her, smiling.

"I want to cut a few more sets of horse-year window decorations and give them to relatives and friends during the New Year, so that everyone can have a prosperous life." Lu Kexin (陆可欣) excitedly picked up the red paper and continued her creation.

(Song Xiaoying (宋潇颖) participated in the writing)

Dragon and Lion Dance Shows Spirit

Our reporter Jiang Xiaodan (姜晓丹)

[Textbook]

Chinese traditional sports events are rich in content and diverse in form, meeting people's different needs and bringing a lot of fun to the slow-paced ancient life.

--Excerpt from the Physical Education and Health textbook (East China Normal University Press) third grade, "Characteristics of Chinese Traditional Sports"

On the training ground of Shawan Experimental Primary School (沙湾实验小学) in Panyu District (番禺区), Guangzhou (广州), Guangdong (广东), third-grade student Li Zihuan (李子銮) and his teammates straightened their backs, made a fist with their right hands, and made a palm with their left hands, solemnly performed a cupped fist salute, and then began the day's training. "I was exposed to Chinese traditional sports projects in physical education class last semester, and now I can dance the dragon and lion myself, I am very excited," said Li Zihuan (李子銮).

The awakening lion is energetic, the golden dragon leaps, the shouts and the sound of gongs and drums are intertwined, and the traditional folk sports make the students' winter vacation life fulfilling and healthy. Since its establishment, Shawan Experimental Primary School (沙湾实验小学) has regarded dragon and lion dance and martial arts as its characteristic inheritance: not only is it systematically taught in physical education classes, but also self-created martial arts exercises are integrated into daily inter-class exercises, and dragon and lion dance and martial arts clubs are also opened after class.

The club hired Zhou Ruidong (周锐东), a representative inheritor of Guangdong (广东) awakening lion intangible cultural heritage, to guide the school. The team members continue from the third grade to the sixth grade. "During the winter vacation, students who stay locally will seize the time to practice. Although it is a bit tiring, everyone enjoys it. Because there are folk activities during the Spring Festival, sometimes they can show off their skills!" Zhou Ruidong (周锐东) said, "Promoting practice through competitions and promoting practice through performances is the best motivation for students."

"Sports activities are of course not only for club students, all students in the school must move." Physical education teacher Zhou Jinfu (周金富) introduced that this year's winter vacation, the school designed interesting checkpoints such as "Little Horse Crossing the River" and "Little Horse Running Fast", so that students can train their physical fitness in family games. For the members of the dragon and lion dance team and the martial arts team, this is only a "basic package". The team members also need to maintain their state through professional training such as leg presses, horse stances, and weightlifting.

"After a few years of training, I have mastered the basic movements of lion dance. When performing, my efforts are seen, and I feel very happy." Fifth-grade student Zhou Mingxuan (周铭轩) has been practicing lion dance for nearly 3 years, and his physical fitness has improved significantly.

Zhou Mingxuan (周铭轩) is responsible for the lion's tail. He and his partner, who is responsible for the lion's head, have gradually moved from unfamiliarity to tacit understanding in the process of running-in. Zhou Mingxuan (周铭轩) said: "This kind of trust established in cooperation is a vivid embodiment of the spirit of sports."

"The children have light in their eyes and a spirit in their bodies." Principal Guo Fengxi (郭凤喜) said, "Long-term sports training has improved the students' physical fitness, and their personalities are also more generous, cheerful and sunny."

After the break, the young dragon and lion players began new training. From the cupped fist salute of one move and one style to the magnificent dragon and lion dance, the students not only get physical exercise from traditional sports activities, but also get immersed and grow from traditional culture.

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Experiencing the Millennia-Old "Grand Lesson" of Lunar New Year Customs

By: 韩养民

The wind in the twelfth lunar month is wrapped in a sweet fragrance, and the atmosphere of the New Year quietly permeates the ordinary streets and alleys. Many people have noticed that there is no Lunar New Year's Eve (大年三十) this year, and the next time we celebrate Lunar New Year's Eve will be in 2030.

The phenomenon of not having Lunar New Year's Eve for five consecutive years is actually a natural result of the lunar calendar following the changes in the phases of the moon. In ancient China, months were determined based on the phases of the moon, with short months having 29 days and long months having 30 days. If the twelfth lunar month happens to be a short month, Lunar New Year's Eve will "disappear."

The rules of the calendar embody the scientific wisdom of the ancients. Its form can be slightly adjusted according to the seasons, but its core—respect for the order of time and anticipation of reunion—remains the same. In the eyes of children, the Spring Festival is the joy of tiptoeing when pasting Spring Festival couplets, the excitement of pinching out patterns when making dumplings, and the anticipation of watching the countdown when staying up late on New Year's Eve. These traditional customs, immersed in year after year, subtly nurture the hearts of generations.

The New Year festival originated from ancient sacrifices, offering sacrifices to the heavens and ancestors at the end of the year, praying for good harvests and prosperity of people and livestock, which is the prototype of the New Year customs. The New Year festival became a common festival for the Chinese nation, which began when Emperor Wu of Han (汉武帝) promulgated the Taichu Calendar (太初历) in Chang'an (长安), designating the first month as the beginning of the year. Since then, the New Year festival has settled into the warmest coordinate in the long river of civilization.

Many New Year customs contain tangible educational opportunities: sweeping dust is not only cleaning the house, but also teaching children the attitude of removing the old and bringing in the new; ancestor worship is not only remembering ancestors, but also planting seeds of respecting ancestors and cherishing relatives in children's hearts; pasting Spring Festival couplets and cutting window decorations convey the beauty of Chinese characters and auspicious wishes between the brush and paper... These rituals immersed in daily life are vivid classrooms for educating people with culture, helping children build their understanding of family, tradition, and roots, and shaping their cultural identity and spiritual outlook.

As a representative work of human intangible cultural heritage, the Spring Festival is not a solidified fossil, but a living water of "if you can improve it one day, improve it every day, and keep improving" (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," from the *Great Learning*, urging continuous self-renewal). Especially in today's era of globalization, the Spring Festival shows its unique educational value even more. It reminds us that true cultural confidence, as the Book of Songs says, "Zhou, though an old country, its mandate is ever new" (周虽旧邦，其命维新)——can both preserve the roots of "carefully pursuing the distant past" (慎终追远) (shèn zhōng zhuī yuǎn - "carefully attend to the end and pursue the distant," to honor ancestors and remember one's origins) and embrace the innovation of "advancing with the times" (与时偕行) (yǔ shí xié xíng - "go along with the times," to keep pace with the times).

Let us cherish this annual time of cultural immersion, and lead our children to appreciate this "grand class" of New Year customs that has continued for thousands of years: in the steaming atmosphere of life, in the joyful reunion, let the flavor of the New Year be passed down from generation to generation, and let the lights of culture illuminate greater growth.

(The author is the director of the Chinese Festival Culture Research Center of Northwest University (西北大学) )

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What do you think about kids using AI to do their homework? (Educational Commentary)

By: 闫伊乔

The winter vacation has arrived, and some parents have noticed that when their children do homework at home, they turn to AI for help as soon as they encounter a difficult problem. An essay is generated instantly, and a math problem is solved in seconds.

When AI intervenes in the learning process in this way, easily taking over academic tasks that originally required deep thought, parents and teachers inevitably worry: Over time, will children lose their ability to think independently? When AI seems to be able to answer all difficult questions, what key knowledge and skills should education teach children?

Currently, promoting the full-stage coverage of artificial intelligence education has become a consensus. This is not only a concrete path to stimulate students' creative potential and improve the quality of education, but also an important practice to seize the opportunities of a new round of technological revolution and respond to the national strategy of scientific and technological self-reliance. The Ministry of Education (教育部) has released the "General Education Guide for Artificial Intelligence in Primary and Secondary Schools (2025 Edition)" (《中小学人工智能通识教育指南（2025年版）》) and the "Usage Guide for Generative Artificial Intelligence for Primary and Secondary School Students (2025 Edition)" (《中小学生成式人工智能使用指南（2025年版）》), which clarify the usage norms for each stage of education and emphasize the need to be wary of over-reliance on AI tools. Specifically, students should avoid directly copying AI-generated content to complete assignments, and teachers should not use generative artificial intelligence as a substitute teaching subject.

AI is a mirror, reflecting the attitude and method of learning. If simply copied, AI is just an "answer generator"; if used reasonably, it can become a "learning partner" that stimulates thinking and assists creation. Faced with the opportunities and challenges brought by artificial intelligence technology, all parties should actively guide and help children establish a healthy interactive relationship with AI, and clarify the rules and scale of use.

AI is a bridge, connecting multiple solutions to problems. The focus of education is not to instill answers, but to inspire students to ask in-depth questions: How are solutions derived step by step? What is the logic behind it? Are there other solutions? At the same time, children should also be taught dialectical thinking and critical thinking, and cultivate their ability to distinguish between true and false and examine biases in a wide variety of information.

Forming values, essential qualities, and key abilities that adapt to the development of the AI era is crucial for every subject in the education process. For example, with the help of the ever-changing AI tools, teachers can optimize teaching ideas, conduct real-time learning analysis, and build interactive courses; parents can efficiently tutor their children's homework and answer their children's "100,000 whys" at any time; schools can optimize daily office work, education supervision and evaluation decisions, and realize intelligent school management. AI is just a tool, and what determines the quality of the tool is the method of using it.

More importantly, no matter how technology iterates, human-computer interaction cannot replace interpersonal communication. AI can simulate dialogue, but it cannot replicate the smile of face-to-face communication; AI can generate answers, but it is difficult to carry the tacit understanding of joint exploration. Those seemingly ordinary family interactions, group discussions, and social practices are precisely the fertile ground for children's emotional development, value shaping, and thinking growth.

The advent of the AI era prompts us to cherish the ability to ask real questions and explore new paths. What we should strive for is not to isolate technology or let it go, but to teach children how to co-create with AI, so as to obtain more comprehensive and richer growth.

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Breaking Down the Walls Between Educational Stages (Teacher's Perspective)

By: 董大溧

In the basic education stage, how can we achieve a coherent design and implementation of teaching from elementary, middle, and high school while fully implementing the national curriculum goals? Faced with the current phenomena of knowledge gaps and teaching fragmentation in integrated education, we have been continuously exploring in recent years, striving to break down the "walls" between academic stages.

The purpose of integrated education is to make learning coherent and progressively deeper, allowing education to return to the rhythm of student growth. This not only helps students build a systematic knowledge framework but also aims to support every child to grow solidly and face future challenges with ease.

It should be clear that integration is not about so-called "advanced learning" or "adding burden," but about opening up the internal connections of knowledge—both consolidating the old knowledge of the previous stage and laying the groundwork for new knowledge in the next stage, thereby helping students improve their thinking methods and self-learning abilities, alleviate anxiety, and build confidence.

Promoting teaching collaboration is a key part of integrated education. Teachers should not be limited to the teaching content of their own academic stage, but should actively understand the knowledge focus and cognitive characteristics of students in the preceding and following stages, to avoid the situation of "teaching the wrong way and learning unable to keep up." In our school, cross-stage teaching assignments are widely carried out: backbone teachers of middle school subjects go deep into the sixth-grade classrooms of elementary schools to participate in teaching practice, and high school teachers enter the ninth-grade classrooms to carry out integrated teaching. Facts have proved that teaching collaboration can help teachers accurately grasp the key nodes of connection, thereby effectively alleviating the adaptation pressure of students after entering higher education.

Constructing a spiraling curriculum is an important focus of integrated education. To this end, we have innovatively launched dual-teacher relay classes, that is, around the same theme, first, teachers in the lower academic stage lay the foundation, and then teachers in the higher academic stage carry out thinking expansion, to achieve "building on the past and opening up the future" within a class. Such a classroom pays more attention to stimulating interest, allowing students to feel the continuity of knowledge and the advancement of thinking.

Strong joint teaching and research is a strong guarantee for integrated education. Regularly organize joint teaching and research for elementary, middle, and high schools to sort out the teaching focus and connection points of each academic stage, and form unified teaching guidelines—this spiraling teaching and research mechanism allows cross-stage teaching to have rules to follow. On this basis, we can further develop connection courses suitable for local school conditions, build a resource-sharing platform for integrated education, promote the free flow of teaching plans, courseware, and other resources, and realize the mutual learning and sharing of teaching wisdom.

In the future, we will continue to focus on key links, optimize connection methods in practice, and let integrated education take root and take effect in the classroom, becoming a vivid force to help students develop in an all-round way and grow vigorously.

(The author is the Party Secretary of Xinhai Junior High School (新海初级中学) in Lianyungang (连云港市), Jiangsu (江苏) Province, and this article was compiled by Ding Yasong (丁雅诵), a reporter from this newspaper.)

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Editor in Charge for This Section: Ding Yasong

Layout Design: Shen Yiling (沈亦伶)

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The Greatest Flavor of Life is Reunion (Special Spring Festival Feature)

The taste of the New Year is the dazzling array of goods in Hong Kong shopping malls, the reunion of Poon Choi in Macao, the ink fragrance of Spring Festival couplets on the Treasure Island, and the homesickness lingering in the hearts of overseas wanderers.

As the Spring Festival approaches, Chinese sons and daughters, whether in Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, or overseas, celebrate the festival together following traditional New Year customs. The most delicious thing in the world is the family reunion by the stove; the root of culture lies deep in the New Year customs passed down from generation to generation. This edition focuses on the busy New Year scenes of compatriots in Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, and overseas Chinese communities, recording the anticipation of reunion and the feelings of home and country that transcend mountains and seas.
——Editor

New Year Flowers Compete in Beauty
Spring Warmth in Hong Kong (香港)
Our reporter Chen Ran (陈然)
As the twelfth lunar month begins, the atmosphere of the New Year gradually thickens. In Hong Kong (香港), the enthusiastic "Chinese red" on the streets and alleys and the festive melodies in shopping malls remind people that the Lunar New Year is just around the corner.

Outlining the charm of a galloping horse with red and gold tones, and cleverly blending calligraphy and paper art, the Hong Kong Railway Limited (香港铁路有限公司) launched a Year of the Horse New Year ticket, symbolizing a leap forward in the new year. "So beautiful! Visiting relatives and friends during the New Year with this New Year ticket is especially atmospheric, and it brings good luck," said Mr. Wu (吴先生), a citizen who couldn't wait to open and admire the ticket after purchasing it.

The taste of the New Year quietly blooms in the New Year flower market. "Flowers Bloom in Thousands to Welcome the New Spring," at the indoor New Year flower exhibition in East Point City (东港城) in Tseung Kwan O (将军澳), various New Year flowers in pink-purple, golden yellow, and crimson compete in beauty, filling the room with fragrance. In Hong Kong (香港), buying New Year flowers is a traditional New Year custom, entrusting beautiful wishes for the new year. Among the flowers, the staff are busy recommending best-selling products, "This is a newly cultivated local Phalaenopsis orchid, with a long flowering period and easy to care for, symbolizing a smooth year and a prosperous family!"

Being busy with the New Year is also a busy and fulfilling daily routine. The markets are well-stocked with New Year goods, and the sales of preserved meats, candies, and seafood are gradually increasing; the supermarkets are crowded with people, and various New Year goods are dazzling... To welcome the Year of the Horse, many shopping malls and cultural institutions have cooperated to integrate Chinese culture and art into public spaces. The Hong Kong Sino Group (香港信和集团) has joined hands with relevant art institutions to launch a New Year art project inspired by Xu Beihong's (徐悲鸿) galloping horses. Giant screen animations, naked-eye 3D technology, and three-dimensional installations make the galloping ink horses come to life, attracting people to come and watch and take pictures.

"I used to only see Xu Beihong's (徐悲鸿) horses in picture albums, but now I can appreciate them so closely, it's very shocking," said Ms. Xu (徐女士), a citizen who brought her daughter, who is just starting elementary school, "I hope to let my child appreciate the charm of the Spring Festival, and that the excellent traditional Chinese culture is not only knowledge in books, but can also be so vivid and powerful."

On the stage, the atmosphere of the New Year is strong. In recent years, "going to the theater to welcome the New Year" has become a new New Year custom for many families. In the twelfth lunar month, the National Ballet of China (中央芭蕾舞团) brought the classic ballet "Giselle" and the New Year ballet "The Nutcracker (Chinese Version)" to the Grand Theatre of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre (香港文化中心大剧院), opening the performance season of "National Style and National Charm Floating in Hong Kong (国风国韵飘香江)" in 2026. Among them, "The Nutcracker (Chinese Version)" takes family reunion and New Year celebrations as its theme, integrating New Year customs such as temple fairs, staying up late on New Year's Eve, and New Year's Eve dinners into the ballet, and also invited many Hong Kong (香港) child actors to participate, allowing children to experience traditional culture firsthand.

After the performance, many viewers were still not satisfied. "Seeing the familiar New Year customs scenes is very touching. 'The Nutcracker (Chinese Version)' reminds me of the warm scenes when my family sat around a table to eat the reunion dinner when I was a child, and the beauty of family reunion touches people's hearts," said Mr. Lin (林先生), a citizen.

The fragrance of books and the atmosphere of the New Year also blend in a corner of the city. Recently, "Joint Publishing (H.K.) Company Limited (香港联合出版（集团）有限公司)"'s "One Book Reading Club" invited famous calligraphers from the mainland and Hong Kong (香港) to hold a series of activities such as giving out lucky bags and lectures to celebrate the Spring Festival with Hong Kong (香港) citizens. "Welcoming the New Year with calligraphy art shows the charm of Chinese culture. I hope that good fortune will always be with us in the new year, and that everything will go smoothly!" said Yu Yilin (余一琳), a Hong Kong (香港) literary and art practitioner, holding the "Fu" character with the ink still wet, with a face full of smiles. During the event, Su Shishu (苏士澍), honorary chairman of the China Calligraphers Association (中国书法家协会), prepared handwritten Spring Festival couplet lucky bags and distributed them to readers.

As night falls, more than 800 large red lanterns and golden lanterns hanging on Lee Tung Avenue (湾仔利东街) in Wan Chai (湾仔) are filled with joy, and people shuttle under them, with light and shadow and laughter interwoven into a beautiful picture of welcoming the Spring Festival. Some people make New Year wishes under the lights, and some send blessings to relatives and friends in the distance... The joy of the Spring Festival is quietly transmitted in the laughter, and Hong Kong (香港) welcomes another spring full of hope in the busy New Year.

Poon Choi Brings Good Fortune
Macao Welcomes Guests
Our reporter Fu Zimei (富子梅)
Writing Spring Festival couplets, buying New Year flowers, preparing "lucky money"... As the Spring Festival approaches, every household in Macao (澳门) is busy buying all kinds of dried and fresh New Year goods, purchasing festive New Year flowers, and preparing "lucky money" envelopes, waiting for the arrival of the Spring Festival, when the whole family gathers together, to send out red envelope blessings, to get a good start and usher in a new future in the Year of the Horse.

Walking on the streets, the national flag and the regional flag flutter in the wind, and everywhere is filled with a strong New Year atmosphere. The theme exhibition board of "Galloping Horses Take Off Joyful Spring Festival" is eye-catching, filled with a joyful and peaceful New Year atmosphere; in the park, strings of delicate firecracker flowers bloom enthusiastically in the warm sun; in the front hall square of a large-scale leisure resort, large red lanterns are hung high, rendering the festive atmosphere particularly festive; in the shops along the street, Chinese and Western candies, melon seeds, nuts, pastries and other New Year foods are dazzling, with promotions such as buy-and-get and lucky draws, and customers are in an endless stream; restaurants and hotels have launched innovative dishes, given preferential prices, and accepted orders for reunion dinners...

In Macao (澳门), Poon Choi is an indispensable "signature dish" for bidding farewell to the old and welcoming the new. "Poon Choi means family reunion and abundance, and it is indispensable for reunion dinners!" Shi Tairan (石泰然), a native of Macao (澳门), is good at cooking, and he has been purchasing ingredients for Poon Choi early, dried shrimps, scallops, Jinhua ham... all carefully selected.

"The important feature of Poon Choi is its distinct layers," said Shi Tairan (石泰然). Radishes and lotus roots are laid on the bottom of the pot, goose palms, shiitake mushrooms, and roasted pork are placed in the middle layer, and sea cucumbers, fish maw, and scallops are on the top layer, and finally the soup is poured on. Each ingredient is entrusted with good luck. Broccoli means "wealth and prosperity," black moss represents "getting rich," and the Cantonese pronunciation of shrimp is similar to "ha," so eating shrimp in the New Year means "laughing happily"...

"The key to delicious Poon Choi is the soup." Shi Tairan (石泰然) knows it like the back of his hand. First, fry the dragon bones, fan bones, old chicken, pork leg meat, and chicken feet until golden brown, then bake the dried shrimps, scallops, and Jinhua ham, add the processed other ingredients, and cook together for 6 to 8 hours, filter out the soup residue, and then season and thicken. "On New Year's Eve, the whole family sits around the table and eats the reunion dinner together. The ingredients in the Poon Choi are soaked in the soup, and the essence of various delicacies is intertwined and blended, with a rich aroma and delicious taste, and the more you eat, the more flavorful it becomes," said Shi Tairan (石泰然).

In order to ensure that every household eats safely and happily, the Municipal Affairs Bureau (市政署) of the Macao Special Administrative Region (澳门特区政府) and other relevant departments have strengthened food safety supervision. "The Municipal Affairs Bureau (市政署) is jointly conducting a New Year food survey with the Consumer Council (消费者委员会), sampling Chinese and Western candies, melon seeds, seasonal pastries and other New Year food samples in various districts of Macao (澳门), and will announce the results as soon as possible after completing the testing," said the relevant负责人 of the Municipal Affairs Bureau (市政署) of the Macao Special Administrative Region (澳门特区政府) to reporters. If food safety risks are found, preventive and control measures will be taken according to the situation. In addition, the Municipal Affairs Bureau (市政署) has also strengthened hygiene inspections and publicity work on Macao (澳门) New Year food production and processing plants, retail stores, restaurants and other places, urging the industry to do a good job in assessing passenger flow and managing food safety during the Spring Festival.

As a "City of Gastronomy," eating happily, safely and with peace of mind is one of the important factors for Macao (澳门) to attract visitors from all over the world. The Spring Festival is not only an important festival for family reunion, but also a concentrated period for tourists to visit. "Doing a good job in food safety protection is not only serving Macao (澳门) residents, but also an important measure to brighten the golden signboard of Macao (澳门) as a world tourism and leisure center," said the relevant 负责人 of the Municipal Affairs Bureau (市政署) of the Macao Special Administrative Region (澳门特区政府).

Homesickness is Full
Treasure Island Celebrates the New Year
Our reporter Wu Yaming (吴亚明)
As the Spring Festival approaches, the atmosphere of the New Year on Treasure Island Taiwan (宝岛台湾) is getting stronger and stronger. People sweep the courtyard, prepare New Year goods, ask for Spring Festival couplets, and choose New Year flowers, looking forward to telling stories and chatting with their families, staying up late on New Year's Eve, and welcoming a new spring full of hope together.

"Come, come, wild mullet roe, high-quality dried squid" "Taste it, authentic turnip cake"... Sanfengzhong Street (三凤中街) in Kaohsiung City (高雄市) is decorated with lanterns and colors, and is filled with joy. The calls of various stores rise and fall one after another, and the people who buy New Year goods are shoulder to shoulder. This well-known New Year goods street in southern Taiwan (台湾) connects 30 business districts in Kaohsiung City (高雄市), and is open from January 31 to February 14. North-south dry goods, delicacies from land and sea, Chinese medicinal food supplements, candies and snacks, and creative souvenirs are all available, making it a good place for people to prepare New Year goods and feel the atmosphere of the New Year.

Before the Spring Festival, from south to north in Taiwan (台湾), almost every county, large township and district has a New Year goods street. Yongkang District (永康区) in Tainan City (台南市) is the administrative district with the largest number of眷村 residents in Tainan (台南). This year, it held the眷村 New Year Goods Festival for the first time. Nearly 100 stalls of special New Year goods were gathered on the spot, allowing people to find the human touch and food memories of the眷村. Tianjin Road (天津路) New Year Goods Street in Taichung City (台中市) is themed with "Tianma Yingmen, Jin Tian Caiqi," gathering more than 500 stalls. Dihua Street (迪化街) New Year Goods Street in Taipei (台北) connects the top ten characteristic business districts in Taipei (台北), from traditional ingredients to trendy small objects, the New Year goods are dazzling and varied.

"Chinese people on both sides of the strait have the same traditional customs. Every Spring Festival, no matter how far away from home, wanderers have to rush back to eat a reunion New Year's Eve dinner with their elders," Deng Daixian (邓岱贤), secretary-general of the Taiwan Strait Economic, Trade and Cultural Exchange Association (台湾海峡两岸经贸文化交流协会), told reporters. In the past, the New Year's Eve dinner was cooked by the elders in the family. Nowadays, many people choose to buy a complete set of New Year dishes from restaurants and markets to take home, or simply choose to stay up late in restaurants, but those who are particular about it will still prepare it themselves. "My father came to Taiwan (台湾) from Shandong (山东). Our family has always followed the northern New Year customs, making dumplings on New Year's Eve and eating them at midnight on the first day of the Lunar New Year," said Deng Daixian (邓岱贤).

"The most delicious thing in the world is family reunion. Integrating beautiful meanings into delicious dishes is a reflection of traditional Chinese culture," said Zhu Zhenfan (朱振藩), a Taiwanese food writer. Taiwan (台湾) is an immigrant society. The ancestors came from all over the mainland. The New Year's Eve table also integrates the flavors of various parts of the mainland, including fish that means "surplus every year," shrimp that means "longevity," dumplings that mean "attracting wealth and treasures," rice cakes that mean "rising year after year," and turnip cakes that mean "good luck," "The delicious taste blooming on the tip of the tongue is also the strong homesickness in people's hearts."

On the eve of the Spring Festival, many places in Taiwan (台湾) held activities to write and send Spring Festival couplets. "'The horse arrives and succeeds in everything, and good luck comes to the family business.' My father wants this Spring Festival couplet, I wonder if it is convenient for the teacher to write it?" On the morning of January 31, the "Galloping Horses Whip Fortune" New Year calligraphy event was held lively on the side square of the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall (孙中山纪念馆) on Guangfu South Road (光复南路) in Taipei (台北). Calligraphers and calligraphy enthusiasts on the island splashed ink and wrote famous couplets and good sentences and "Spring" and "Fu" and other斗方, and gave them to the people on the spot. At the Confucius Temple (孔庙) in Taichung (台中), with the theme of "Galloping Horses Present Auspiciousness, Welcoming Spring and Waving Calligraphy," 30 calligraphers and printmakers on the island were invited to create on the spot for people to get for free and bring blessings home.

"Look how good this daffodil is, it just happens to be in full bloom during the New Year." Before the festival, the Neihu Flower Market (内湖花市) in Taipei (台北) was full of flowers and fragrance, and people carefully selected their favorite New Year flowers. Phalaenopsis orchids, lucky bamboo, primroses... Potted plants with festive colors, unique shapes, and auspicious meanings are the most popular. "I chose a pot of kumquats, which means wealth and auspiciousness. I hope that in the new year, wealth will be abundant, and I will be safe and happy!" said Ms. Qiu (邱女士), a citizen of Taipei (台北).

Chinese New Year Flavor
Fragrant Around the World
Our reporter Cheng Long (程龙)
In the twelfth lunar month, Lagos (拉各斯), Nigeria (尼日利亚), on the coast of the Gulf of Guinea (几内亚湾), is scorching hot. In the rehearsal hall of the Nigerian Chinese Arts Troupe (尼日利亚华星艺术团), sweat is sprinkled with drumbeats, and a group of local young men and women are stepping on the rhythm of Chinese gongs and drums, polishing their dance steps over and over again. "This year marks the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Nigeria (中尼建交55周年). We are preparing for the 'Cultures of China, Festival of Spring·China Arts Troupe Shines' gala and New Year Food Festival," said Ni Mengxiao (倪孟晓), president of the Nigerian Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (尼日利亚中国商贸企业协会).

Thousands of mountains and rivers cannot separate the deep affection of blood. Overseas Chinese all over the world are using cultural events and tables of hometown delicacies to spread a lively New Year picture in foreign countries and share the strong New Year flavor with the world.

The taste of the New Year often begins on the tip of the tongue and is hidden in the heart.

For Ni Mengxiao (倪孟晓), the taste of the New Year is the smell of meat that goes straight to the nose in his hometown of Yueqing (乐清), Zhejiang (浙江). Twenty years ago, he came to Nigeria (尼日利亚) to work hard. Every Spring Festival, he always remembers the scene of praying for blessings in his childhood - meat stewed in a large pot, with a fragrant aroma. As soon as the ceremony was over, the children eagerly waited to share the food, "Even if they gnawed on a chicken claw first, it was a luxurious satisfaction."

In the South Pacific, Zheng Zigang (郑子刚), president of the Fiji (Western District) Zhongshan Association (斐济（西区）中山同乡会), who has lived in Fiji (斐济) for more than 40 years, still remembers the golden and crispy "money circle." "When I was a child in my hometown of Zhongshan (中山), Guangdong (广东), my grandmother would only make 'money circles' during the New Year. I looked forward to that crispy aroma the most." Nowadays, whenever Chinese community organizations in Fiji (斐济) organize everyone to eat reunion dinners, "each family brings out their signature dishes, as if they have moved their hometown to the island."

Lin Chuqin (林楚钦), chairman of the Thai-Chinese Chamber of Commerce (泰国中华总商会), is persistent about the taste of the New Year, which is tied to Chaoshan lion head goose. Lin Chuqin (林楚钦) is a Chinese born in Thailand (泰国), and his parents came from Chenghai (澄海), Shantou (汕头), Guangdong (广东). Decades ago, it was not easy to eat authentic hometown flavors in Thailand (泰国). Lin Chuqin (林楚钦) learned a good skill of braised goose from his mother, "The taste of home brings the warmth of home. Sharing it with family and friends is festive and auspicious." Thanks to the developed cold chain and aviation logistics, now, authentic Chaoshan lion head goose and fresh fish can "fly" to Thai tables to comfort the homesickness of wanderers.

Nowadays, the New Year's Eve dinner for overseas wanderers has also changed. Ni Mengxiao's (倪孟晓) family is preparing a New Year's Eve dinner that combines Chinese and Western styles. There are both traditional Chinese braised fish, sliced white chicken, and sausages, as well as local Nigerian (尼日利亚) specialties. "This not only comforts the Chinese stomach, but also shows the overseas Chinese's integration into the local area and their open and inclusive mind," said Ni Mengxiao (倪孟晓).

In Fiji (斐济), the Spring Festival has become a grand event for many local communities. "Fijian (斐济) dignitaries follow Chinese customs to give red envelopes to the elderly, which is very happy." Zheng Zigang (郑子刚) said that local people's recognition of Chinese culture is getting higher and higher, and many Fijian (斐济) young people have joined the lion dance team, "The drumming and drumming are very similar."

The Spring Festival is tied to the warmth of hometown on one end and to broad opportunities on the other.

"Celebrating the New Year abroad is a cultural root-seeking and sowing. Now, more and more African young people are getting to know China (中国) and falling in love with China (中国) through the Spring Festival." As the head of the Nigerian Chinese Arts Troupe (尼日利亚华星艺术团), Ni Mengxiao (倪孟晓) is committed to spreading Chinese culture through art, "This lively Chinese New Year not only makes overseas wanderers feel deeply proud, but also becomes a bridge connecting the hearts of Chinese and foreign people."

"In the past, returning to China (中国) was mainly to visit relatives and friends, but now it is more to inspect new technologies and look for new business opportunities." In recent years, Lin Chuqin (林楚钦) has traveled back and forth between China (中国) and Thailand (泰国) more than 20 times a year to inspect industries such as robots and automated logistics, "China's (中国) development speed is amazing, and I hope to introduce these new technologies to Southeast Asia."

On the occasion of the New Year, overseas Chinese all over the world are putting up red couplets and hanging red lanterns. This fiery Chinese red not only warms the hearts of wanderers, but is also amazing the world with its unique charm.

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Shared Hearts for Home and Country: Cultural Imprints in Our Blood (Viewing the Canghai Sea)

By: 张 烁

The footsteps of the Spring Festival in the Bingwu Year of the Horse in the lunar calendar are approaching. The flower markets vying for beauty on the banks of the Xiangjiang River, the dazzling fireworks on both sides of the Haojiang River, the "year-end banquets" booked early in Taiwan (台湾), and the dragon and lion dances in overseas Chinese communities... Compatriots in Hong Kong (香港), Macao (澳门), Taiwan and overseas Chinese are welcoming the New Year with anticipation and joy for the new year.

The Spring Festival, a cultural tradition that transcends time and space, is a cultural code engraved in the genes of Chinese sons and daughters at home and abroad, rooted in the millennium-old Chinese culture. Buying New Year's flowers, pasting Spring Festival couplets, setting off fireworks, hanging lanterns, giving out red envelopes... From the ancient tradition of offering sacrifices to the Kitchen God and sweeping away dust to the humanistic feelings of staying up late on New Year's Eve and paying New Year's greetings, from the pursuit of harmonious coexistence to the life philosophy of bidding farewell to the old and welcoming the new, the cultural meaning carried by the Spring Festival has long been integrated into the blood of every Chinese son and daughter. This emotional resonance based on cultural identity does not diminish due to distance or fade due to the passage of time. Whether in Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan or overseas, cupping hands in greeting and wishing each other a Happy New Year, the warmth of "being together at this moment despite being far apart" is self-evident.

Reunion is the eternal theme of the Spring Festival. This persistence belonging to Chinese sons and daughters is hidden in the footprints on the way home and melts into the fireworks of the New Year's Eve dinner. The family is the smallest country, and the country is made up of thousands of families. For compatriots in Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and overseas Chinese, the reunion of the Spring Festival is not only full of eager anticipation for reunion with relatives, but also contains a deep expectation for family and country. A few days ago, on both sides of the Minjiang River estuary, the "Liangma Tongchun Lantern Festival" in Mawei (马尾) and Matsu (马祖) kicked off as scheduled. People on both sides of the strait are one family, and the people of Fujian (闽) and Taiwan (台) are even closer. Since ancient times, the people of Liangma have had the traditional custom of exchanging lanterns and celebrating the festival together. Lanterns carry the good expectations of the people of Liangma, seeking peace and hoping for reunion, because they share the same ancestors, culture, customs, and even more so because of the inseparable kinship.

The surging spring tide is surging in the pulse of development. Hong Kong's economy is growing steadily, and new steps have been taken in moving from governance to prosperity. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government is using reform as a starting point to focus on solving the "long-standing and difficult" problems of people's livelihood such as housing, and is actively integrating into the construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area; Macao is actively promoting the moderate diversification of its economy, and the construction of the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin (横琴) is being steadily promoted, and new progress has been made in various undertakings. The two-way flow of people has become a vivid footnote to Hong Kong and Macao's active integration into and service to the overall development of the country. The good policies of "Hong Kong cars heading north," "Macao cars heading north," and "Guangdong cars heading south" have made the same-city life of "one step on the gas pedal" a reality. Taking the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Zhuhai Port as an example, in 2025, the number of passengers and vehicles entering and leaving the country here will exceed 31.34 million and 6.8 million respectively, an increase of 14.3% and 22.3% year-on-year, both hitting record highs.

The Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) made strategic plans for the country's economic and social development during the "15th Five-Year Plan" period, emphasizing "promoting the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and Macao," "promoting the peaceful development of cross-strait relations and advancing the great cause of national reunification," and "better uniting the hearts and strengths of overseas Chinese." Looking forward to the "15th Five-Year Plan," Hong Kong and Macao will fully and accurately implement the "One Country, Two Systems" policy unswervingly, better develop the economy, improve people's livelihood, better integrate into and serve the overall development of the country, and various undertakings will surely usher in new development. Cross-strait relations will move forward despite difficulties, cross-strait integrated development will continue to deepen, and Taiwan compatriots and Taiwan enterprises will have broader space to take root and develop in the mainland. The advancement of Chinese-style modernization will benefit compatriots on both sides of the strait. It is hoped that the vast number of Taiwan compatriots will, together with their mainland counterparts, resolutely oppose "Taiwan independence" separatism and external interference, and firmly safeguard the common home of the Chinese nation. We look forward to the vast number of overseas Chinese and returned overseas Chinese relatives caring for, supporting, and actively participating in the new round of reform and development, and becoming witnesses, participants, and contributors to reform and development.

Another year of spring has arrived. All Chinese sons and daughters think in the same direction and work together, and we will surely be able to join hands to create a better future for the Chinese nation!

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Editor in Charge for This Section: Jiang Lin

Layout design: Zhang Fangman (张芳曼)

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Dedication Molds the Soul (Art Notes)

By: 吴为山

Culture is created by people, and culture also shapes people.

From a person with natural attributes to a person with social attributes and a rich spiritual world, the cultivation of culture is needed. The sons and daughters of China have come from ancient times, establishing immortal historical coordinates and cultural monuments in creation, inheritance, and development, progressing from the ordinary to the great.

What people and their creations compose is a respectable and moving history. It is recorded in writing, depicted in images, and passed down through generations by word of mouth. Of course, documentary and visual evidence is also obtained from the vast array of creations and sculptures. The value of written records is obvious, but the infectiousness of sculptures cannot be ignored. Their sense of reality and history allows people to feel as if they are present in time, engaging in dialogue with life across time and space, gaining strength from it, feeling the cultural genes integrated into the blood of the Chinese nation, and feeling the historical presence and life value brought by the continuous cultural heritage, as well as a heavy sense of cultural confidence.

Looking back at the history of Chinese sculpture, there are few statues of named individuals. Even if there are, they were created by later generations. Hence, there is the saying of "creating images" in China. The so-called "creating" is mostly imagination, unlike the statues of Socrates and Plato sculpted by the ancient Greeks. Ancient China did not have the tradition of sculpting statues for living people, so where are the images of Chinese people? I traced the roots and visited ancient sites, trying to find the images recorded at that time—from Yan Emperor (炎帝), who "reclaimed wasteland and aided the people," to Confucius (孔子), who "passed on benevolence and propriety," to Tao Yuanming (陶渊明), who "picked chrysanthemums under the eastern fence," to Wang Yangming (王阳明), whose "heart is bright"... And the conclusion is: after more than five thousand years of tempering by the fire of civilization, the shaping of the Chinese image exists in cultural imagery. Through the long history, the elite of history and the giants of culture, in the face of great changes and rebirth, ultimately self-sculpted into immortal images with their spirit. This image should stand between heaven and earth; this spirit of inheriting the sages should exist in the hearts of the ancestors. From this, I realized the significance of establishing monuments of the times by shaping outstanding figures in Chinese history. In the 1990s, I began the creation of the "Sculpture Project of Famous Figures in Chinese History and Culture," refining the life of Chinese people from the loess, and creating more than 600 works in nearly 40 years, which stand on the land of China.

As a sculpture project, the first step is to select the topic and the people. Mr. Fei Xiaotong (费孝通) once told me: to sculpt the spiritual outlook of a generation of intellectuals. What is spiritual outlook? Mr. Ji Xianlin (季羡林) said: the most fundamental patriotism of intellectuals is non-negotiable. Chinese intellectuals either establish virtue, or establish merit, or establish words. Whether "residing high in the temple" or "being far away in the rivers and lakes," they are all concerned about the common people and have the country in their hearts. We can understand their path of exploration from "The road ahead is long and winding, yet I will search high and low" (路漫漫其修远兮，吾将上下而求索) and "Sorrowing at the vastness of heaven and earth, I shed tears alone" (念天地之悠悠，独怆然而涕下) and "Thirty years of fame and fortune are but dust and dirt, eight thousand miles of road, clouds and moon" (三十功名尘与土，八千里路云和月); we can see their innocent hearts from "Be the first to worry about the world's troubles, and the last to enjoy its pleasures" (先天下之忧而忧，后天下之乐而乐) and "I recommend Xuanyuan with my blood" (我以我血荐轩辕). The light of reason and the charm of humanity are integrated into their life course, and they also engrave indelible marks on the magnificent history of the Chinese nation. Therefore, those in history who worried about the country and the people, were honest in their administration, pursued the truth, and served the people all their lives, their appearance should condense the suffering of the nation, contain moral nourishment, reflect the benevolent nature, and be full of self-improvement and struggle! Of course, when shaping the personality of each historical figure, it is necessary to analyze the characteristics reflected in their appearance, such as differences in birth region, different growth environments, and professional characteristics.

During the creation process, I seem to see history emerging in the faces of joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness... settling with the passage of time, and shining brightly through human creation. The spirit and value of people are also manifested in moving historical events. I often say: in the huge studio, I am not lonely, because you are present! Whenever the night is quiet, I enter the realm of clay, dreamily wander through the garden of poetry, and have spiritual dialogues with the sculpted. The red clay and black soil are full of spirituality, harmonizing with the rhythm of the heart, and transforming into the solidification of the character's image. I deeply know that sculpture is a spiritual entity shaped in space, which not only carries the artist's personal emotions and style, but also reveals qi, rhythm, spirit, and Tao.

Creating images is about giving and taking. The traces of time flow, all in the vicissitudes of life. What is gone is the vulgar sound; what is eternal is the solidified. Therefore, I shape the form, focusing on shaping the body of psychology, reason, and emotion, creating the body of true suchness, the body of mind and nature, honest and deep, generous and pure. Along the line that revolves around the body, it is consistent, from the inside to the outside, from the top to the bottom, from the surface to the inside. Here, I intend to break the boundaries between all things with synesthesia, rising to spiritual appeals and metaphysical pursuits. I am moved that Mr. Yang Zhenning (杨振宁) knows me. He wrote in the preface to my book *The Poetics of Sculpture*: "Wu Weishan (吴为山) has explored the true meaning of the word 'China' again and again from the long and complex history of three thousand years in China. His sculptures create a delicate balance between verisimilitude and likeness, and this balance is the foundation of Chinese art." 14 years ago, statues of Lao Tzu (老子), Confucius (孔子), and the Nanjing Massacre group sculpture were unveiled at the United Nations headquarters. The then UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (潘基文) stroked the statue of Confucius and said: "These works express not only the soul of a country, but also the soul of all mankind." This soul is world peace. From Lao Tzu's Daoist wrinkles and long beard to Confucius's benevolent smile, they are all telling the world the story of a great country of etiquette.

If the first part of this story unfolds with outstanding Chinese figures, then the second part will continue with the theme of "dialogue." The sculpture *Dialogue Across Time and Space - Da Vinci and Qi Baishi* (齐白石) is permanently located in the Italian National Museum; *Encounter of Souls - Dialogue between Confucius and Socrates* reflects the concept of mutual learning and common development in Athens, Greece, with their respective postures, movements, and aesthetic expressions; *Harmony between Heaven and Man - Lao Tzu* is collected by the Greek National Archaeological Museum, adjacent to classical Greek sculptures... More than 60 works are located in more than 30 countries and regions, becoming ambassadors of Chinese culture, crossing mountains and seas, and dialoguing under the common blue sky. From this, a kind of joy of meeting each other arises: friend, your blue eyes reflect the blue waves of the Atlantic Ocean; your dark skin reflects the scorching light of the equator... Desert camel bells, long clouds on the Silk Road... I am at this end of the boat, you are at that end of the boat, we are both in the long river of human history - boating.

…………

This story is endless.

The river of tradition has a long source, while the river of red culture is mighty and magnificent, with smooth sailing.

This year marks the 90th anniversary of the victory of the Long March of the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army. "The inspiring and powerful force of the Long March transcends time and space, transcends nations, and is a great epic of mankind's unremitting efforts to pursue truth and light." I once led a group of young and middle-aged artists to retrace the path of the Red Army for several years. After returning, I used faith and passion, sculpting knives and red clay, fire and bronze to create the *Long March Group Sculpture*. From "Ten Send-offs for the Red Army" to "Bloody Battle of Xiangjiang," from "Zunyi Conference (遵义会议)" to "Forcing the Dadu River," each piece vividly engraves the great spirit of the Long March, inspiring every Chinese son and daughter in the new era to forge ahead courageously on the new journey.

Now, the loyal heart is here, and the meaning is endless. The affection has not ended, let's start again.

(The author is the Deputy Secretary-General and Executive Deputy Director of the Calligraphy and Painting Office of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference)

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Floral Stationery: A Repository of Chinese Romance

By: 张 楠

"Who sends brocade letters from the clouds? When the wild geese return, the moon is full in the west tower." The Song Dynasty female poet Li Qingzhao's (李清照) poem written to her husband Zhao Mingcheng (赵明诚), "A Spray of Plum Blossoms - Red Lotus Fragrance Fades, Jade Mat Cools in Autumn," uses flowered stationery to express the longing of separation. However, this kind of enduring emotional expression has gradually moved away from us in today's world, where instant messaging almost sweeps everything away. The Beijing Fine Art Academy Art Museum (北京画院美术馆), with the theme "Who Sends Brocade Letters from the Clouds," held a romantic and warm exhibition in the cold winter month – "The Artistic World in Flowered Stationery," bringing together more than a hundred pieces of stationery, stationery collections, letters, and stationery paintings treasured by eight cultural and museum institutions, deeply showcasing the beauty of flowered stationery.

"Jian" originally referred to narrow and small bamboo slips. After Cai Lun (蔡伦) invented paper, literati called the small pieces of paper for writing poems and letters "jian paper." When plain paper could not meet the aesthetic needs of literati, methods of making stationery appeared that highlighted aesthetic pursuits, such as dyeing with plant or mineral pigments and depicting patterns. Whether simple or gorgeous, stationery not only witnessed the progress of papermaking and printing technology, but also carried the aesthetic tastes and cultural spirit of Chinese literati.

The life of flowered stationery begins with expressing emotions through writing. It records history and also showcases the romance deep within the culture. Legend has it that the Tang Dynasty female poet Xue Tao (薛涛) created the peach-red "Xue Tao Stationery" using hibiscus bark and hibiscus flower juice, echoing poems with Yuan Zhen (元稹) and Bai Juyi (白居易), and starting the fashion of private stationery making. Song Dynasty literati became involved in stationery matters, using paraffin wax and agarwood to print patterns such as landscapes, flowers, birds, and inscriptions on bronzes on the stationery, which were faintly visible under the light, but in line with the Song people's transparent and detached state of mind. The Ming Dynasty was the peak period of Chinese woodblock watermark art. Literati collected stationery into collections, represented by "Ten Bamboo Studio Stationery Manual" (《十竹斋笺谱》), using "douban" (饾版) color separation printing to present delicate color gradations, and using "gonghua" (拱花) embossing to make the patterns appear and disappear. In the Qing Dynasty, stationery printing techniques further developed. Li Yu (李渔) once said in "Idle Sentiments" (《闲情偶寄》), "I can imitate the shapes of all things to make stationery." Seemingly exaggerated, it reveals the prosperity of stationery printing in the Qing Dynasty. Qianlong's (乾隆) imperial "Plum Blossom Jade Edition Stationery" (梅花玉版笺), "Pink Imitation Ming Rindian Painting Gold Ruyi Cloud Pattern Powder Wax Stationery" (粉色仿明仁殿画金如意云纹粉蜡笺), etc., were made with complex processes of gold leaf, sprinkled gold, powdering, and waxing, all highlighting the royal status. Pan Zuyin (潘祖荫), Zhao Zhiqian (赵之谦), and others often used ancient coins, inscriptions, and inscriptions on stationery, which was called the "Epigraphy Stationery School." By the Republic of China, literati such as Chen Shizeng (陈师曾) and Yao Mangfu (姚茫父) introduced the technique of rubbing copper ink boxes into stationery making. Later, painters Qi Baishi (齐白石), Zhang Daqian (张大千), and others became involved in flowered stationery, becoming a fashion of the time. Facing the introduction of Western printing technology and the neglect of traditional Chinese woodblock watermarks, Lu Xun (鲁迅) and Zheng Zhenduo (郑振铎) rescued and compiled "Beiping Stationery Manual" (《北平笺谱》) and reprinted "Ten Bamboo Studio Stationery Manual" (《十竹斋笺谱》), becoming a milestone in modern Chinese printing history and technology protection. From 1932, Rongbaozhai (荣宝斋) and other southern paper shops commissioned famous artists to draw zodiac stationery for the New Year's Festival according to market positioning, which is not only a microcosm of Chinese traditional etiquette culture, but also reflects the unified characteristics of flowered stationery's practicality and aesthetics.

Short paper, long affection, seeing the words as meeting the person. Letters were once an important medium of communication for mankind. Before writing a letter, the most important thing is to choose stationery. Images are often more intuitive than words, and the first thing that catches the eye when opening a letter is the image on the stationery. In order to express their feelings, traditional literati would choose stationery that matched their mood to write letters to distant friends and family. For example, the lychee pattern stationery in Song Dynasty embossed stationery expresses the meaning of blessing longevity to elders, and the tortoise shell pattern embossed stationery is used together with words to express condolences. Lu Xun wrote letters to his newly married and pregnant wife Xu Guangping (许广平) with beautiful loquat stationery and lotus pod stationery, knowing his wife's preferences, using loquat to send sweetness; borrowing lotus pods and parallel stems to imply the blessing of many children. Letters from Fan Zengxiang (樊增祥), Chen Shizeng, Xiao Fangjun (萧方骏) and others to Qi Baishi, reflecting their own tastes, constitute a "stationery circle of friends of Qi Baishi" full of friendship. The essence of flowered stationery culture is to serve as this silent background, not overshadowing the main subject, but fully displaying deep affection.

The stars change, and times change. Writing letters, a way of communication that once carried endless affection, is no longer popular. Flowered stationery lying flat in the exhibition hall can only tell the audience about the emotional exchanges of the slow-paced life of the past in the form of cultural relics. Perhaps, today's WeChat chat backgrounds and computer screen designs are also another form of transformation of flowered stationery. It's just that, will this era aesthetic presented in an electronic way still become a cultural nostalgia deep in our memory one day in the future?

(The author is an associate researcher at the Theoretical Research Department of the Beijing Fine Art Academy)

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The Unending Beauty of Lichun (Reading Paintings)

By: 颛孙恩扬

The Beginning of Spring, is the first of the Twenty-Four Solar Terms. This year's Beginning of Spring falls before the Spring Festival and coincides with the first day of the sixth nine-day period of the winter season. "Early Beginning of Spring" plus "Spring hits the sixth nine-day period" is regarded as an auspicious sign in agricultural culture.

"Beginning" means "start," and spring represents warmth and growth. In the eyes of the ancients, "the Beginning of Spring is greater than the New Year." Throughout the dynasties, literati and poets have praised the Beginning of Spring, and the auspicious meaning contained in spring is vividly reflected in paintings. A plum blossom, a fish, or a landscape in the painting all interprets the great beauty of the endless cycle of nature. Liu Shiru (刘世儒) of the Ming Dynasty's "First Spring Announces Good News Axis" (《先春报喜轴》) is a representative example. The author uses delicate brushstrokes to depict an old plum tree, with plum blossoms blooming, showing vitality; contrasting with the pink flower branches, four black and white magpies are scattered on the branches, looking at each other and chirping, as if conveying the good news of spring. In traditional Chinese culture, magpies and plum blossoms are both auspicious symbols. The former is regarded as a symbol of joy and good luck, and the latter is called the "spring herald flower." The combination of the two implies "joy on the eyebrows." Using homophones to express auspicious meanings is a major feature of Chinese culture, and paintings in the Ming and Qing dynasties pursued "every picture must have meaning, and every meaning must be auspicious." The four magpies represent "four seasons of auspiciousness" and one of the "four joys" in the house. This work fully utilizes symbolic techniques to express the joy of the arrival of spring and the coming of good fortune.

As the saying goes, "An early Beginning of Spring fills the valley with grain." Ancient China was based on agriculture, and the yearning for and praise of a better life has always been an important theme of Chinese art and literature. The fresh and uplifting poems and paintings of spring have long become a romantic complex in the bones of the Chinese people. The "Spring Field New Cultivation Axis" (《春野新耕轴》) of the Qing Dynasty is a realistic work depicting agricultural life and a romantic expression of poetic inspiration.

This work was painted by the court painter Jin Tingbiao (金廷标) and matches the artistic conception of Emperor Qianlong's (乾隆) imperial poem, "Seeing new cultivation after rain in the green suburbs, teaching to walk slowly while holding the reins. The spring scenery is boundless and pleasing to the eye, but nothing is more pleasant than cutting down the shrubs." Qianlong's poem expresses the beauty of spring and also contains a layer of admonition to encourage diligent farming, which is vividly reflected in the picture. From the near to the far, from the fields to the distant sails, the fields are connected, the houses are neat, and the spring earth is full of vitality. In the lower right corner, farmers are working in the fields, fertilizing, turning the soil, harrowing, and planting seedlings... busy sowing the hope for the next year. This is also the profound meaning implied in the painting - "People's livelihood lies in diligence, and diligence never fails." This scene of busyness is watched by an official riding a white horse in the lower left corner, and the narrative of the picture then turns to another scene. Following the path through the woods, on the arched bridge, a scholar stands with a cane, his hat and clothes like Tao Yuanming (陶渊明), a child follows with a zither, looking back at the fields, bringing the narrative back to the theme of new cultivation. As the fields extend to the middle ground, the pastoral poetry becomes more intense. In the village, the door of a house is half-open, and a mother is standing outside the door with her young child, seemingly waiting for the farmer to return home. The painter's narrative here also foreshadows the virtualization and sublimation of the theme of new cultivation. The quiet waves are dotted with green, and the fishermen return with their sails, and our eyes are drawn to the vast rivers, mountains, and sky, arousing infinite reverie. The distant mountains are like dark eyebrows, like a smiling face, this is spring.

The Beginning of Spring was anciently called the New Year Festival, the Beginning of the Year, etc. In the Book of Changes (《易经》), the Yin month (the first month) is the Tai hexagram, which says that "three yangs are born below." Painters often take the theme of "Three Rams Bring Prosperity" (三阳开泰 (sān yáng kāi tài - "three yangs bring prosperity," an auspicious phrase used to celebrate the start of the Chinese New Year)) to convey the blessings of welcoming spring and sending off winter, and the decline of yin and the growth of yang at the beginning of the year. Zhu Zhanji (朱瞻基), Emperor Xuanzong of the Ming Dynasty, painted "Three Rams Bring Prosperity" (《三阳开泰图轴》) (see picture), with a large sheep and two small sheep as the main body, and lake stones, bamboo, and camellias as the background, conveying a beautiful meaning.

Depicting the beautiful scenery of spring is an immortal theme of Chinese painting, full of the ancestors' yearning for spring. Today, people's cherishing and expectation of spring still flow quietly in life. After the Beginning of Spring, a new round of seasonal changes begins, let us embark on a new journey of life together in the auspiciousness of spring.

(Author's unit: Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture (北京建筑大学))

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Technology and Art Present a New Look

By: 李暨涵

Currently, technologies such as "artificial intelligence" are setting off a new wave of technological revolution. Faced with such a contemporary context, cultural landscapes embodying the characteristics of emerging technologies continue to emerge. New technological forms are being translated by artists into entirely new creative languages. This powerful creative pulse is injecting new grammar into Chinese art, outlining a new look for Chinese art.

As people continue to discuss where technological art is heading, the "Future Poems, Strokes and Blank Spaces of Technology - New Look of Technological Art" exhibition, curated by the National Art Museum of China (中国美术馆), has become the latest practice of a national art museum exploring the organic combination of cutting-edge technology and artistic creation. Although there are only 8 participating works, they jointly outline the methodology of contemporary Chinese artists in accepting and applying new technologies: full of enthusiasm for embracing the future, and without losing the precipitation of the humanistic spirit. The artists use the latest technological means as "brushes" and the unique poetic nature of Chinese art as the "soul" of creation, opening a wonderful dialogue between modern technology and oriental charm in the exhibition hall.

Some artists focus on expressing their thoughts on the future. For example, Liu Jiayu's "Prophecy of the Jungle" is based on her self-developed artificial intelligence system "Jiayu*", using her past digital images as training content, reorganizing personal memories in the machine's own perception logic, and generating natural landscapes of mountains, forests, streams, and various biological forms through dynamic particles. Correspondingly, Han Yajuan's work "AI Climate Governance: Retrospective Present" introduces the current mainstream AI large model to deduce future climate governance. These types of works tend towards the artistic expression of technological philosophy, embedding the concept of time and space and the universe of Eastern philosophy into the algorithm logic and interactive system, demonstrating a new artistic paradigm of human-machine co-creation and the interweaving of thought and algorithm.

Some artists digitally transform and contemporarily reconstruct the main concepts of "landscape spirit" (山水精神), "emptiness and fullness" (虚实), and "artistic conception" (意境) in Chinese aesthetics, creating an aesthetic realm intertwined with technology and poetry. In Zhao Zijun's work "Ink Mountain" (墨山), two giant physical landscape paintings are hung side by side with a blank canvas, and landscape images dynamically generated by AI algorithms are projected onto the blank canvas, thus transforming the magnificent momentum and agile charm of traditional landscape paintings into a three-dimensional space where viewers can wander and reside. Another example is Jin Jun's work "The Uniformity of Heaven and Water in Flat Curved Surfaces" (平直曲面的天水如一), which takes images from Ma Yuan's "Water Map" (水图) of the Southern Song Dynasty and shapes them into different water patterns in modern digital form, restoring the artistic conception of level distance in landscape paintings within a closed space, creating an immersive experience of the unity of man and nature. These types of works attempt to integrate the visual experience of traditional painting, interpret the poetic core of the Chinese artistic spirit in a modern digital way, and present an artistic landscape that integrates oriental imagery and modern numbers.

Although the participating works have different appearances, it is not difficult to find their common ground, that is, the artists maintain a kind of awareness and "blank space" when using technology. This "blank space" is a conscious control, in order to resist technological absolutism and allow technology to better serve the spiritual expression of people.

This also reminds us that when evaluating technological art creation, we should not only focus on whether the technology is novel, but also on whether it is trying to construct valuable cultural concepts and whether it brings a unique aesthetic experience. This exhibition is not only an exploration and attempt at the direction of future art creation, but also an attempt to open up a field and dimension of thinking for the audience. It shows that, for art, technology is a channel, and when the halo of technology gradually fades, what remains in the hearts of the audience may be the evocative "blank spaces" and poetry.

(Author's unit: National Art Museum of China (中国美术馆))

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Photo Story

Watercolor Painting "Sounds of Spring," by Chen Jian (陈坚).

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Using Scenarios to Promote Teaching (Artistic Notes)

By: 余 都

The foundation of fine arts education is the cornerstone of cultivating professional art talents. Currently, many art students are promoted through exam-oriented training, which leads to problems such as solidified artistic thinking and a disconnect between basic exercises and practical combat. This makes it difficult to meet the needs of modern society for high-level art professionals. At the same time, the development of AI technology also poses new challenges to basic art education. Innovating basic teaching models has become an important issue facing art educators.

Today, some art colleges still start basic training for students with still life sketching in the classroom. Although this traditional education model helps improve students' basic skills, it is somewhat insufficient for cultivating students' innovative and creative abilities. To improve this situation, some colleges have begun to actively explore new teaching models. The scenario-based experiential teaching practiced by the School of Public Art of Sichuan Fine Arts Institute (四川美术学院) is one of them—opening up the two major teaching scenarios of classrooms and exhibitions, and running experiential learning through the entire teaching process of "learning-practicing-creating-exhibiting," thereby promoting the transformation of basic art education from skills training to creative ability cultivation.

The idea of experiential teaching has a long history, focusing on strengthening students' emotional experience so that they can better understand the teaching content. In scenario-based experiential basic art education, the first step is to fully mobilize students' interest and enthusiasm, that is, "change still life into scenarios, and change displays into co-creation." Taking "scenario" as the lead and students as the main body, follow the logic of "from knowledge to experience, from experience to creation, from creation to planning," and divide it into three levels: scenario construction, scenario expression, and scenario creation, so that the classroom becomes a testing ground for artistic experience and creative exploration.

Scenario construction is about breaking the limitations of conventional settings and allowing students to deepen their thinking through participatory creation. For example, when conducting picture structure training, the teacher's explanation of Cubism is no longer a simple knowledge lecture, but rather guides students to jointly build a three-dimensional scene with a Cubist style using plaster geometric bodies, self-prepared objects, etc. Teachers and students explore the shape combination and spatial construction of classic paintings from a "director's perspective," and use AI technology to search for master literature and work materials to generate a knowledge system of genres, individually supplementing the art history deficiencies of different students, and carrying out self-research and immersive learning. In this process, the teacher transforms from a knowledge imparter to an inspirer.

Scenario expression and scenario creation are the keys to stimulating students' artistic imagination and cultivating their creative abilities. In these two links, students take self-built scenarios as sketching objects, combine AI technology on the basis of emphasizing manual practice, integrate whimsical ideas, design plots, give stories, and strengthen subjective expression. This concept extends to extracurricular teaching, further expanding students' creative awareness and realizing a natural transition from sketching training to creative practice.

After the work is completed, the teaching switches from the classroom scene to the exhibition scene. In the past, the planning of exhibitions was mostly done by professionals. Students sent their works to exhibitions and did not know much about the evaluation of their works. Scenario-based experiential teaching incorporates exhibition planning into teaching, comprehensively improving students' professional abilities through scenario planning, scenario exhibition, and scenario interaction.

Scenario planning allows students to transform from single creators to exhibition planners, cultivating their spatial planning and overall design abilities. Scenario exhibition enables students to conduct on-site practice in the exhibition venue, accumulating professional exhibition experience. Scenario interaction is the key to forming a closed loop in teaching, that is, during the exhibition, teachers and students jointly serve as guides, explaining the creative ideas and scenario construction process of the works to the audience, collecting feedback in communication with the audience, and using it to feed back classroom teaching.

Scenario-based experiential teaching is an effective exploration of basic teaching reform in art colleges. Its value lies in realizing the transformation of the teaching model from one-way imparting to experiential exploration, allowing students to deepen their understanding of knowledge and activate creative thinking through hands-on practice; the transformation of teaching content from single-skill training to comprehensive ability cultivation, which is in line with the needs of contemporary art creation; and the transformation of the teaching system from closed classrooms to public spaces, realizing the deep integration of teaching and practice. At the same time, this model insists on the organic integration of hand-painted training and AI technology, which not only retains the practical focus of basic art education, but also broadens artistic horizons with the help of new technologies. From this, we can draw the inspiration that only by innovating art teaching methods in a timely manner and realizing the transformation from "learning art" to "doing art" can we lay a solid foundation for cultivating new era art talents with a solid foundation, innovative thinking, and comprehensive abilities.

(The author is an associate professor at Sichuan Fine Arts Institute (四川美术学院))

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This page edited by Xu Hongmei and Wu Yanli.

This edition's email: msfk@peopledaily.cn
Layout design: Cai Huawei (蔡华伟)

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