People's Daily - February 15, 2026

The CPC Central Committee and the State Council Hold Spring Festival Gathering

The upcoming Year of the Snake (乙巳蛇年) was an extraordinary year. Faced with a complex and volatile international and domestic situation, we met challenges head-on and forged ahead, promoting new progress and achievements in the cause of the Party and the country. The main goals and tasks for economic and social development throughout the year were successfully completed, and the "14th Five-Year Plan" (十四五) came to a successful conclusion. China's economic strength, scientific and technological strength, national defense strength, and overall national strength have reached new levels, and Chinese-style modernization has taken new and solid steps.

The harvest of the past year is substantial, and this is the result of the joint efforts of the entire Party and the people of all ethnic groups throughout the country. Achievements are encouraging, and struggles add confidence. As long as we maintain strategic focus, move forward steadily step by step, and steadily advance stage by stage, the cause of the Party and the country will surely accumulate small victories into great victories, and our goals will surely be achieved.

2026 is the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (中国共产党) and the first year of the "15th Five-Year Plan" (十五五). We must adhere to the guidance of Xi Jinping (习近平) Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, thoroughly implement the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Party and the Plenary Sessions of the 20th Central Committee, earnestly implement the arrangements of the Fourth Plenary Session, adhere to the general tone of seeking progress while maintaining stability, fully and accurately implement the new development concept, accelerate the construction of a new development pattern, focus on promoting high-quality development, maintain social harmony and stability, unswervingly promote comprehensive and strict Party governance, and strive to achieve a good start to the "15th Five-Year Plan."

Our Party was born for the people and thrives because of the people, and all our work is for the happiness of the people. We must always adhere to the principle of putting the people first, establish and practice a correct view of political achievements, and create achievements that can stand the test of practice, the people, and history.

In Chinese culture, the horse is a symbol of strength, vigor, and self-improvement, indicating a prospect of steady progress and prosperity. In the Year of the Horse (丙午马年), I hope that the people of all ethnic groups across the country will unite more closely around the Party Central Committee, strengthen their confidence in victory, maintain their high morale, whip their horses and forge ahead on the new journey of Chinese-style modernization, and jointly create a better future.

Beijing (北京), February 14 (People's Daily) -- The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (中共中央) and the State Council (国务院) held the 2026 Spring Festival gathering in the Great Hall of the People (人民大会堂) on the morning of the 14th. Xi Jinping (习近平), General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, President of the State, and Chairman of the Central Military Commission (中央军委主席), delivered a speech, representing the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, extending New Year greetings to the people of all ethnic groups across the country, to compatriots in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (香港特别行政区), the Macao Special Administrative Region (澳门特别行政区), Taiwan compatriots, and overseas Chinese.

Xi Jinping (习近平) emphasized that the upcoming Year of the Snake (乙巳蛇年) was a very extraordinary year. Faced with a complex and volatile international and domestic situation, we met challenges head-on and forged ahead, promoting new progress and achievements in the cause of the Party and the country. The main goals and tasks for economic and social development throughout the year were successfully completed, and the "14th Five-Year Plan" (十四五) came to a successful conclusion. China's economic strength, scientific and technological strength, national defense strength, and overall national strength have reached new levels, and Chinese-style modernization has taken new and solid steps.

Li Qiang (李强) presided over the gathering, and Zhao Leji (赵乐际), Wang Huning (王沪宁), Cai Qi (蔡奇), Ding Xuexiang (丁薛祥), Li Xi (李希), Han Zheng (韩正), and others attended.

The banquet hall of the Great Hall of the People (人民大会堂) was brightly lit and filled with joy. More than 2,000 people from all walks of life gathered together to celebrate the festival, and the scene was filled with a joyful and peaceful festive atmosphere.

At about 10 a.m., amidst cheerful music, Xi Jinping (习近平) and other Party and state leaders entered the hall, extended cordial greetings to everyone, and exchanged New Year greetings with everyone. The whole audience burst into warm applause.

In his speech, Xi Jinping (习近平) pointed out that over the past year, we have implemented more proactive and effective macro policies, further comprehensively deepened reforms, and steadily promoted the construction of a modern industrial system. China's economy has moved forward against pressure and developed in a new and better direction, demonstrating strong resilience and vitality. We have steadily promoted the construction of socialist democracy and the rule of law, cultural construction, ecological civilization construction, and national defense and military construction, and various undertakings have promoted each other. We have focused on guaranteeing and improving people's livelihoods, and the overall social situation has remained stable. We successfully convened the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Party, outlining the blueprint for the "15th Five-Year Plan" (十五五) development. We solemnly commemorated the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, established Taiwan Retrocession Day, celebrated the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the Tibet Autonomous Region (西藏自治区) and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (新疆维吾尔自治区), and jointly held the 15th National Games in Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao, further uniting the powerful force for promoting Chinese-style modernization. We have put forward global governance initiatives, successfully held the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Tianjin Summit (上合组织天津峰会) and the Global Women's Summit, actively promoted the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, and injected more certainty and positive energy into a world intertwined with changes and chaos. We have unswervingly promoted comprehensive and strict Party governance, solidly carried out in-depth study and education on implementing the spirit of the Central Eight-Point Regulation, and achieved remarkable results in building Party conduct, promoting integrity, and combating corruption. The political ecology and social atmosphere have continued to improve.

Xi Jinping (习近平) emphasized that the harvest of the past year is substantial, and this is the result of the joint efforts of the entire Party and the people of all ethnic groups throughout the country. Achievements are encouraging, and struggles add confidence. As long as we maintain strategic focus, move forward steadily step by step, and steadily advance stage by stage, the cause of the Party and the country will surely accumulate **积小胜为大胜** (jī xiǎo shèng wéi dà shèng - "accumulate small victories into great victories," to achieve great success by accumulating small achievements), and our goals will surely be achieved.

Xi Jinping (习近平) pointed out that 2026 is the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (中国共产党) and the first year of the "15th Five-Year Plan" (十五五). We must adhere to the guidance of Xi Jinping (习近平) Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, thoroughly implement the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Party and the Plenary Sessions of the 20th Central Committee, earnestly implement the arrangements of the Fourth Plenary Session, adhere to the general tone of seeking progress while maintaining stability, fully and accurately implement the new development concept, accelerate the construction of a new development pattern, focus on promoting high-quality development, maintain social harmony and stability, unswervingly promote comprehensive and strict Party governance, and strive to achieve a good start to the "15th Five-Year Plan."

Xi Jinping (习近平) emphasized that our Party was born for the people and thrives because of the people, and all our work is for the happiness of the people. We must always adhere to the principle of putting the people first, establish and practice a correct view of political achievements, and create achievements that can stand the test of practice, the people, and history.

Xi Jinping (习近平) pointed out that in Chinese culture, the horse is a symbol of strength, vigor, and self-improvement, indicating a prospect of steady progress and prosperity. In the Year of the Horse (丙午马年), I hope that the people of all ethnic groups across the country will unite more closely around the Party Central Committee, strengthen their confidence in victory, maintain their high morale, whip their horses and forge ahead on the new journey of Chinese-style modernization, and jointly create a better future. (The full text of the speech will be published separately.)

Artists performed wonderful programs on the spot.

Leaders and veteran comrades of the CPC Central Committee (中共中央), the National People's Congress Standing Committee (全国人大常委会), the State Council (国务院), the Supreme People's Court (最高人民法院), the Supreme People's Procuratorate (最高人民检察院), the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (全国政协), and the Central Military Commission (中央军委) attended the gathering.

Also attending the gathering were responsible comrades from various departments of the central Party, government, military, and mass organizations, and Beijing (北京市), responsible persons from the central committees of various democratic parties, the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce (全国工商联), and representatives of non-party figures, representatives of retired veteran comrades, well-known experts and scholars, and representatives from all walks of life in the capital.

Return to Top

Speech at the 2026 Spring Festival Gathering

By: 习近平

Comrades, friends:

The Lunar New Year of the Bingwu Year of the Horse is approaching. Today, we gather here to bid farewell to the old and usher in the new.

First of all, on behalf of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (党中央) and the State Council (国务院), I would like to extend my best wishes for the festival to all of you! I extend New Year greetings to people of all ethnic groups across the country, compatriots in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (香港特别行政区), compatriots in the Macao Special Administrative Region (澳门特别行政区), compatriots in Taiwan, and overseas Chinese!

The past year of Yisi Snake was a very extraordinary year. Facing a complex and volatile international and domestic situation, we met challenges head-on and forged ahead, promoting new progress and achievements in the cause of the Party and the country. The main goals and tasks of economic and social development for the whole year were successfully completed, and the "14th Five-Year Plan" came to a successful conclusion. China's economic strength, scientific and technological strength, national defense strength, and comprehensive national strength have reached a new level, and Chinese-style modernization has taken new and solid steps.

Over the past year, we have implemented more proactive and effective macro policies, further comprehensively deepened reform, and solidly promoted the construction of a modern industrial system. China's economy has moved forward against pressure and developed towards new and better directions, demonstrating strong resilience and vitality. We have steadily advanced socialist democracy and the rule of law, cultural construction, ecological civilization construction, and national defense and military construction, with various undertakings promoting each other. We have focused on guaranteeing and improving people's livelihoods, and maintained overall social stability.

We successfully convened the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, outlining the blueprint for the "15th Five-Year Plan." We solemnly commemorated the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, established Taiwan Retrocession Day, celebrated the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the Tibet Autonomous Region (西藏自治区) and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (新疆维吾尔自治区), and jointly held the 15th National Games in Guangdong (粤), Hong Kong (港), and Macao (澳), further uniting the powerful forces for promoting Chinese-style modernization.

We put forward global governance initiatives, successfully held the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Tianjin Summit (上合组织天津峰会) and the Global Women's Summit, and actively promoted the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, injecting more certainty and positive energy into a world intertwined with changes and chaos.

We have unswervingly promoted comprehensive and strict Party governance, solidly carried out in-depth study and education on implementing the spirit of the Central Eight-Point Regulation, and achieved remarkable results in building Party conduct, promoting integrity, and combating corruption, with the political ecology and social atmosphere continuing to improve.

The harvest of the past year is substantial, and it is the result of the joint efforts of the entire Party and the people of all ethnic groups across the country. The achievements are encouraging, and the struggle adds confidence. As long as we maintain strategic focus, move forward step by step, and steadily advance stage by stage, the cause of the Party and the country will surely accumulate small victories into great victories, and our goals will surely be achieved.

Comrades, friends!

2026 marks the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (中国共产党) and the first year of the "15th Five-Year Plan." We must adhere to the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era (新时代中国特色社会主义思想), thoroughly implement the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and the Plenary Sessions of the 20th Central Committee, earnestly implement the arrangements of the Fourth Plenary Session, adhere to the general tone of seeking progress while maintaining stability, fully and accurately implement the new development concept, accelerate the construction of a new development pattern, focus on promoting high-quality development, maintain social harmony and stability, and persevere in promoting comprehensive and strict Party governance, striving to achieve a good start for the "15th Five-Year Plan."

Our Party is born for the people and thrives because of the people, and all our work is for the happiness of the people. We must always adhere to putting the people first, establish and practice a correct view of political achievements, and create practical results that can withstand the test of practice, the people, and history.

Comrades, friends!

In Chinese culture, the horse is a symbol of strength, vigor, and unyielding self-improvement, indicating the prospect of steady progress and prosperity. In the Bingwu Year of the Horse, I hope that people of all ethnic groups across the country will unite more closely around the Party Central Committee (党中央), strengthen their confidence in victory, maintain their high morale, whip their horses and move forward bravely on the new journey of Chinese-style modernization, and jointly create a better future.

Finally, I wish you all good health, smooth work, happy families, and good luck in the Year of the Horse!

Thank you all!

(Xinhua News Agency, Beijing (北京), February 14)

Return to Top

Xi Jinping Sends Congratulatory Message to the 39th African Union Summit

Beijing, February 14th, Xinhua News Agency -- On February 14th, Chinese President Xi Jinping (习近平) sent congratulatory messages to João Lourenço (洛伦索), the rotating chair of the African Union and President of Angola (安哥拉), and Moussa Faki Mahamat (优素福), the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (非洲联盟委员会), to express warm congratulations to African countries and their people on the convening of the 39th African Union Summit.

Xi Jinping (习近平) pointed out that the world is currently undergoing profound changes unseen in a century, and the Global South is growing stronger. In the past year, the African Union has united and led African countries to actively advance the integration process, firmly defend the legitimate rights and interests of Africa, and continuously enhance its international status and influence.

Xi Jinping (习近平) emphasized that in the face of the intertwined international situation of change and turmoil, China is firmly committed to maintaining world peace, promoting common development, and promoting the building of a human community with a shared future. China will fully implement zero-tariff measures on 53 African countries that have established diplomatic relations with China from May 1, 2026, and at the same time continue to promote the negotiation and signing of agreements on economic partnership for common development, and further expand access for African products to China by upgrading the "green channel." This is a new measure for China to expand high-level opening up to the outside world, and it will surely provide new opportunities for African development and the common pursuit of modernization dreams between China and Africa.

Xi Jinping (习近平) emphasized that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Africa 70 years ago, the two sides have always shared weal and woe and moved forward side by side. China is willing to work with Africa to inherit historical friendship, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, enhance mutual understanding and affinity, and jointly write a new chapter in the all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era. We have always been 风雨同舟 (fēng yǔ tóng zhōu - "wind and rain in the same boat," to share weal and woe; to stick together through thick and thin).

Return to Top

Contributing to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and promoting exchange and cooperation between China and foreign countries

On the morning of February 14th, the CPC Central Committee and the State Council held a Spring Festival gathering in the Great Hall of the People. Xi Jinping (习近平), General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, President of the State, and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivered a speech, extending New Year greetings on behalf of the Party Central Committee and the State Council to people of all ethnic groups across the country, compatriots in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (香港特别行政区), compatriots in the Macao Special Administrative Region (澳门特别行政区), Taiwan compatriots, and overseas Chinese.

General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) emphasized that the past Yi Si Year of the Snake was a very extraordinary year. Facing a complex and volatile international and domestic situation, we have risen to challenges and forged ahead, promoting new progress and achievements in the cause of the Party and the country. The main goals and tasks of economic and social development for the whole year have been successfully completed, the "14th Five-Year Plan" has come to a successful conclusion, and China's economic strength, scientific and technological strength, national defense strength, and comprehensive national strength have reached a new level. Chinese-style modernization has taken new and solid steps.

General Secretary Xi Jinping's (习近平) important speech has aroused enthusiastic responses from overseas Chinese. Everyone said that this year marks the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China and the first year of the "15th Five-Year Plan." They look forward to working with all sectors to spur their horses and move forward bravely on the new journey of Chinese-style modernization, contributing to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and enhancing Sino-foreign exchanges and cooperation.

"The continuous improvement of comprehensive national strength has enhanced our confidence and self-confidence"

"General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) reviewed the glorious achievements made by the Party and the country in the past year in his speech, and pointed out the direction for the new year, which made me feel very excited and encouraged." Gao Wei (高玮), President of the Kenyan Federation of Overseas Chinese and the Kenyan Association for the Promotion of Peaceful Reunification of China, said that the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee was successfully held, the "14th Five-Year Plan" came to a successful conclusion, high-quality development results emerged one after another, Chinese-style modernization took solid steps, and China's distinctive major-country diplomacy continued to create new prospects. "The continuous improvement of China's comprehensive national strength has enhanced our confidence and self-confidence. We are sincerely proud of the achievements made by China in the new era," Gao Wei (高玮) said.

"In the Yi Si Year of the Snake, China has made brilliant development achievements, and overseas Chinese have a deep feeling about this." Sun Shangbin (孙尚斌), President of the Indonesian Chinese Chamber of Commerce, said that General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) mentioned that the horse is a symbol of strength, vigor, and self-improvement, calling on us to spur our horses and move forward bravely. In the Bing Wu Year of the Horse, the Indonesian Chinese Chamber of Commerce will continue to play a bridging role in economic and trade cooperation between the two countries, contributing to enhancing cooperation between the two countries and promoting common development.

"General Secretary Xi Jinping's (习近平) speech is inspiring and motivating. In the past year, China successfully hosted the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Tianjin Summit and the Global Women's Summit. General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) put forward a global governance initiative, injecting more certainty and positive energy into a world intertwined with changes and chaos." Jin Xiaolong (金晓龙), President of the Jeddah Chinese Business Association in Saudi Arabia, said that the motherland (native land) is the most solid backing for overseas Chinese, and the increasing prosperity and strength of the motherland (native land) helps us achieve better development locally.

"China's domestic GDP exceeded 140 trillion yuan in 2025, and the production and sales of new energy vehicles both exceeded 16 million... We are deeply proud of the development achievements China has made in the past year." Jiao Meijun (焦美俊), President of the Mexico Association for the Promotion of Peaceful Reunification of China, said that as overseas Chinese, we will continue to work together in the first year of the "15th Five-Year Plan" to help China achieve greater development achievements.

"Continue to contribute to promoting Sino-foreign exchanges and people-to-people connectivity"

In 2025, during President Xi Jinping's (习近平) state visit to Russia and attendance at the celebration of the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Great Patriotic War of the Soviet Union, the Russian Chinese-language media "Long Bao" planned and published a series of special issues and special editions, and hosted a number of cultural exchange activities in the context of the "China-Russia Year of Culture." Li Shuangjie (李双杰), President of "Long Bao" and President of the St. Petersburg Chinese Women's Federation, said: "In the new year, we will give full play to our unique advantages of connecting China and foreign countries, vividly tell the story of China's development, build a bridge of people-to-people connectivity, and contribute more to promoting exchanges and mutual learning between Chinese and Russian civilizations."

"We actively carry out cultural exchange activities in Saudi Arabia, spread Chinese culture, and promote non-governmental exchanges, hoping to let more Saudi friends further understand China and further promote exchanges and cooperation between the two countries." Jin Xiaolong (金晓龙) said, "In the new year, we will continue to contribute to promoting Sino-foreign exchanges and people-to-people connectivity, and help build a community with a shared future for mankind."

2026 is the "China-Africa Year of People-to-People and Cultural Exchanges." Dong Gang (董钢), head of the Cape Town Chinese Culture and Arts Center in South Africa, said that the Cape Town Chinese Culture and Arts Center will continue to carefully create cultural brands such as the "Cape Town China Year" and the "Cape Town Dragon Boat Festival," so that Chinese culture and local culture can shine on the stage, allowing more South African friends to personally experience the excitement of Chinese festivals and feel the charm of Chinese culture. "Diverse and rich cultural activities will not only help further enhance the cohesion of overseas Chinese in South Africa, but also further promote exchanges and mutual learning between Chinese and South African civilizations," Dong Gang (董钢) said.

Zhong Yuan (钟原), a senior teacher in the Chinese Department of the National University of Modern Languages of Pakistan, said: "This year coincides with the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. We look forward to further strengthening cooperation between the two countries in the field of humanities and education, so that the friendship between the two countries will be more deeply rooted in the hearts of the people."

"Work together with all parties to build a better world"

Fu Hanhao (傅汉豪), President of the German Qingtian Township Association, said that we look forward to further gathering the hearts and strength of overseas Chinese, expanding the channels for overseas Chinese to participate in Sino-German economic, trade, scientific and technological, and green development, further giving play to the bridging role of overseas Chinese, and contributing to promoting Sino-German friendship and Sino-European non-governmental exchanges.

"General Secretary Xi Jinping's (习近平) speech further clarified the direction for the start of the '15th Five-Year Plan' and gathered confidence and strength for continuing to promote Chinese-style modernization," said Tang Zhimin (汤之敏), Director of the China-ASEAN Research Center of Thailand's Panyapiwat Institute of Management.

Zheng Xiamao (郑侠茂), President of the Brazilian Chinese Zhejiang Chamber of Commerce, said that standing at the new starting point of the first year of the "15th Five-Year Plan," the vast number of overseas Chinese firmly believe that China will inject more certainty and positive energy into the world economic recovery by further deepening reforms and expanding opening up, and promoting technological innovation and industrial upgrading. "We will continue to play a bridging role and contribute to deepening Sino-Brazilian and Sino-Latin American economic and trade cooperation and people-to-people connectivity," Zheng Xiamao (郑侠茂) said.

"In recent years, China's comprehensive national strength has continued to increase, and its international status has continued to improve." Wang Huihua (王辉华), President of the China Enterprises Chamber of Commerce in Pakistan, said, "I believe that the motherland will continue to maintain its development vitality in the Bing Wu Year of the Horse and move steadily on the road of Chinese-style modernization. I look forward to the motherland working together with all parties to build a better world."

Tan Kai (谈凯), President of the Iranian Federation of Overseas Chinese, said that General Secretary Xi Jinping's (习近平) important speech made overseas Chinese feel very warm. "A strong motherland (native land) is a strong backing for overseas Chinese. I believe that in the new year, China will surely achieve new and greater achievements on the new journey of Chinese-style modernization."

"In the first year of the '15th Five-Year Plan,' we will strengthen our confidence, closely integrate the development of our personal careers with the development of the motherland (native land), actively serve the high-quality joint construction of the 'Belt and Road' and Sino-African cooperation, and contribute the strength of overseas Chinese to promoting the construction of a strong country and the great rejuvenation of the nation," Gao Wei (高玮) said.

(Reported on February 14 from Bangkok, Nairobi, Jakarta, Riyadh, Mexico City, Moscow, Addis Ababa, Islamabad, Berlin, and Rio de Janeiro by reporters Yang Yi (杨一), Zhang Jinruo (张矜若), Huang Weixin (黄炜鑫), Cao Shiyun (曹师韵), Ren Haoyu (任皓宇), Xie Jianing (谢佳宁), Xiao Xinxin (肖新新), Dai Kairan (戴楷然), Zhao Yipu (赵益普), Liu Zhonghua (刘仲华), and Chen Yiming (陈一鸣))

Return to Top

Riding the Waves, Showing Responsibility

Entering 2026, China has just experienced a busy New Year "diplomatic season."

Since the beginning of the year, President Xi Jinping (习近平) has maintained close communication with leaders of many countries in various forms, sent congratulatory messages and letters to Chinese and foreign exchange activities and cooperation projects, and exchanged letters with foreign friendly people, writing a new story of friendly interaction between China and the world.

In the busy schedule, there is sincere and frank communication, and down-to-earth action. What the world feels is China's vision of the world, its adherence to peaceful development, and its responsibility in turbulent changes.

Great Power Attitude in the Storms of the Times

The current world is intertwined with changes and chaos. Opening the "Head of State Diplomacy Calendar" since the beginning of the year, people have found the "source of stability" in the interaction between China and the world, and seen what a great power should look like in the storms of the times.

February 4th, the solar term Lichun (立春) in the lunar calendar. On this day, President Xi Jinping (习近平) held a video meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and a phone call with US President Donald Trump. The two events attracted worldwide attention and had far-reaching implications.

In the Great Hall of the People (人民大会堂) in Beijing (北京), President Xi Jinping (习近平) waved to President Putin on the screen with a smile. "Dear friend," President Putin greeted with a smile.

"I am willing to work with President Putin on this day full of beautiful meaning to jointly draw a new blueprint for China-Russia relations." Looking back on the past and looking forward to the future, President Xi Jinping (习近平) focused on the important role of China and Russia as "responsible major countries and permanent members of the UN Security Council," and called for "deeper strategic coordination and a more proactive and promising role as major countries."

Later that day, President Xi Jinping (习近平) spoke with President Trump on the phone. President Xi Jinping (习近平) once again used the "big ship" to compare Sino-US relations, emphasizing the need to "continue to lead the big ship of Sino-US relations through the wind and waves and move forward steadily, and do more major and good things," "so that 2026 will become a year in which the two major countries of China and the United States move towards mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation."

Adhering to non-conflict, non-confrontation, mutual respect, and win-win cooperation, and promoting coordination and cooperation among major countries, China demonstrates its consistent strategic determination and courageous commitment.

"The world today is undergoing major changes unseen in a century, the international situation is intertwined with changes and chaos, and unilateral bullying is intensifying," "For some time, unilateralism, protectionism, and power politics have been rampant, and the international order has been severely impacted"... Since the beginning of the year, when meeting with visiting foreign leaders, President Xi Jinping (习近平) has profoundly judged the international situation, revealed the root causes of the chaos, and pointed out the special responsibilities that major countries should shoulder when facing risks and challenges.

When meeting with British Prime Minister Starmer, President Xi Jinping (习近平) pointed out that "international law is only truly effective when all countries abide by it, and major countries should take the lead, otherwise it will return to the world of the jungle"; when meeting with Finnish Prime Minister Orpo, he emphasized that "major countries should especially take the lead in emphasizing equality, the rule of law, cooperation, and integrity"; when meeting with Irish Prime Minister Martin, he mentioned that "all countries should respect the development paths independently chosen by the people of other countries, abide by international law and the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and major countries should especially take the lead."

Steering the course steadily in the face of high winds and waves, and managing the overall situation in the midst of turbulent changes. President Xi Jinping (习近平) leads China in the new era to unswervingly follow the path of peaceful development, take on responsibilities, stand at the forefront, and inject stability and positive energy into the world with practical actions.

"China plays a key role in international affairs," "Multilateralism is the cornerstone of world security and stability, and President Xi Jinping's (习近平) proposed global governance initiative is of great significance," "We are willing to continue to strengthen strategic coordination with China in multilateral platforms such as the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and BRICS"... More and more foreign leaders have seen China's important role in maintaining world peace and stability and defending multilateralism. Chinese concepts and Chinese actions are gaining increasingly broad resonance and recognition.

An article on the website of the French newspaper Le Figaro said that reality is constantly confirming President Xi Jinping's (习近平) judgment that the changes unseen in a century are accelerating, and China's role as a "stable pole" in a world intertwined with changes and chaos is becoming increasingly prominent.

Great Power Choices at the Crossroads

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung (李在明) made China his first destination for a New Year's visit, the Irish Prime Minister visited China again after 14 years, the British Prime Minister visited China again after 8 years, and Canadian Prime Minister Carney and Uruguayan President Orsi visited China for the first time after taking office... Walking with China has become the choice of more and more countries, once again confirming the irresistible historical trend and the trend of the times.

Is it to adhere to cooperation and win-win, or to move towards division and confrontation? Is it to move towards common prosperity in openness and inclusiveness, or to move towards opposition and division in hegemony and bullying? Where the pendulum of history points depends on the choices made now.

"As long as we uphold a grand historical perspective, transcend differences, and respect each other, we can hand in an answer sheet that can stand the test of history." President Xi Jinping's (习近平) words when meeting with Prime Minister Starmer illuminated the way forward for the world with profound historical wisdom.

Only by upholding a grand historical perspective can we have the strategic pattern and broad vision of "those who gain the big can also gain the small."

When meeting with Irish Prime Minister Martin, President Xi Jinping (习近平) emphasized that "China and Europe should focus on the long term, adhere to the positioning of partnership, view and handle differences objectively and rationally, and adhere to cooperation and win-win." When meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Carney, he pointed out that "the two sides should promote the construction of a new type of China-Canada strategic partnership with an attitude responsible to history, the people, and the world."

Only by upholding a grand historical perspective can we have the historical initiative and vigorous efforts to seize the day and work hard.

"Cooperation" and "opportunities" are high-frequency words in President Xi Jinping's (习近平) meetings with foreign leaders. When talking with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung (李在明), he mentioned that China and South Korea should "make the pie of common interests bigger and create more cooperation results in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, green industry, and the silver economy." When meeting with Finnish Prime Minister Orpo, he welcomed Finnish companies to "swim" in the "sea" of the Chinese market.

China and Uruguay signed 19 cooperation agreements in multiple fields such as investment promotion, the heads of state of China and South Korea jointly witnessed the signing of 15 cooperation documents, and China and Canada signed the "China-Canada Economic and Trade Cooperation Roadmap"... This year is the first year of China's "15th Five-Year Plan," and China is more actively expanding high-level opening up to the outside world and sharing new development opportunities with countries around the world.

Only by upholding a grand historical perspective can we conform to the trend of the times of peaceful development and win-win cooperation, and cope with global challenges in unity and cooperation.

"Division and confrontation, and zero-sum games are doomed to have no way out. Letting the world return to the law of the jungle is unpopular. Solidarity and cooperation are the only correct choice." President Xi Jinping's (习近平) remarks when accepting the credentials of ambassadors to China resonated widely.

"We should firmly stand on the right side of history, better safeguard the common interests of the two countries and the Global South, and jointly safeguard the central position of the United Nations and international fairness and justice," President Xi Jinping (习近平) pointed out when talking with Brazilian President Lula by phone that China and Brazil, as important members of the Global South, are constructive forces in maintaining world peace and stability and reforming and improving global governance.

The Global Governance Initiative was written into the "Joint Statement of the Meeting between Chinese and Canadian Leaders," and the two sides reaffirmed their adherence to multilateralism and agreed to jointly promote the improvement of global governance.

Today, more than 3/4 of the countries in the world have joined the big family of jointly building the "Belt and Road"; China has announced a new round of national independent contributions, setting an example for global climate governance and green transformation; the four major global initiatives have gathered international consensus and injected the power of the times into building a community with a shared future for mankind... Advancing in the logic of historical progress and developing in the trend of the development of the times, China will always be a force for peace, stability, and progress in the world.

Sincere and Friendly Great Power Temperature

For more than a month, Tiananmen Square (天安门广场) and the Great Hall of the People (人民大会堂) have witnessed the sound of salutes, the high singing of national anthems, and the review of honor guards, witnessing the pace of China's diplomacy. The warm welcome and solemn ceremony allowed guests from afar to feel the warmth and depth of friendship.

"Harmony is the most valuable," "Harmony but not sameness," "**不以善小而不为，不以恶小而为之**" (bù yǐ shàn xiǎo ér bù wéi, bù yǐ è xiǎo ér wéi zhī - "do not fail to do good things because they are small, and do not do evil things because they are small," even small good deeds should be done, and even small evils should be avoided), President Xi Jinping (习近平) repeatedly quoted ancient sayings when having in-depth exchanges with leaders of many countries, vividly and clearly explaining China's concepts and propositions.

On January 16, when President Xi Jinping (习近平) accepted the credentials of 18 ambassadors to China at the Great Hall of the People (人民大会堂) in Beijing (北京), he vividly explained the methodology of understanding China with the allusion of "blind men touching an elephant," hoping that the newly appointed envoys would "comprehensively and deeply understand the real and three-dimensional China and actively contribute to deepening China's friendship and cooperation with various countries."

This expression full of Eastern wisdom immediately resonated. Prime Minister Starmer specifically quoted the story of "blind men touching an elephant" when attending an event in China. Starmer said that this allusion made him realize that the West needs to have broader and deeper exchanges to truly understand China.

Letters of earnest entrustment, and two-way cultural exchange activities continue to inject a warm current of understanding, trust, and affinity into the world.

President Xi Jinping (习近平) replied to the teachers and students of the US Youth Education Exchange Group visiting China, entrusting more American youths to "be new-generation envoys of friendship between the two countries"; sent a congratulatory letter to the opening ceremony of the "2026 China-Africa People-to-People Exchange Year," emphasizing the need to "promote the heart-to-heart connection, emotional integration, and concerted efforts of more than 2.8 billion Chinese and African people"; replied to old veterans of the Zimbabwean liberation struggle, encouraging them to "lead more African youths to devote themselves to the cause of China-Zimbabwe and China-Africa friendship"; replied to Thongloun Sisoulith, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party and President of the country, and jointly announced that 2026 would be designated as the "China-Laos Friendship Year" and launch a series of celebration activities.

Like a spring breeze turning into rain, silently nourishing things. The major-country diplomacy facing the world makes the credible, lovely, and respectable image of China more real and perceptible, and also makes the Chinese concept of seeking peace, promoting development, and promoting cooperation reach the hearts of the people.

Gary Dvorchak, a friend from Muscatine, Iowa (艾奥瓦州马斯卡廷) in the United States, said, "The common pursuit of dreams and the common expectation of a better life are the solid foundation of the friendship between the American and Chinese people." Somali Ambassador to China Awale Kullane (和丹) said with emotion that Africa and China will still be "on the same road" in another 100 or 1,000 years.

What the people want is where justice lies. A China that bravely shoulders great righteousness and earnestly practices the great way will surely make greater contributions to human society. No matter how the international situation changes, under the leadership of President Xi Jinping (习近平), the major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics in the new era will continue to write a new chapter in building a community with a shared future for mankind with countries around the world.

(Xinhua News Agency, Beijing (北京), February 14th, Xinhua News Agency reporter)

Return to Top

German Chancellor Scholz meets with Wang Yi

Munich, Germany, February 14 (Reporter Liu He (刘赫)) German Chancellor Merz (默茨) met with Wang Yi (王毅), member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs, in Munich on the 14th.

Wang Yi (王毅) first conveyed the cordial greetings of Chinese leaders to Merz (默茨). Wang Yi (王毅) said that the Chancellor's speech at the opening ceremony of the Munich Security Conference yesterday reflected Germany and Europe's expectation of strategic autonomy, self-reliance and 自立自强 (zì lì zì qiáng - "self-reliance and self-strengthening," to stand on one's own feet; independent and self-reliant). China supports Germany in playing a greater role in this regard. All the initiatives China has put forward and all the actions it has taken on the international stage are to safeguard the international system with the United Nations as its core. Although the authority and status of the United Nations have been weakened, its important position is still irreplaceable. President Xi Jinping (习近平) put forward the global governance initiative in order to revitalize the United Nations and build a more just and reasonable global governance system. Against this background, China and Germany should demonstrate their responsibility as major countries and make new contributions to promoting world peace and development. We also expect Germany to become a propeller for pragmatic China-Europe cooperation and a stable anchor for China-Europe strategic relations.

Wang Yi (王毅) said that China and Germany have many common interests and strong complementary advantages, and strengthening cooperation is a strategic choice based on the realistic needs of the two countries. China adheres to high-level opening up to the outside world and will provide huge opportunities for German companies to invest and develop their businesses. It is hoped that Germany will also provide a more fair and just business environment for Chinese companies. China is willing to work with Germany to prepare for the next stage of high-level exchanges, strengthen pragmatic cooperation in various fields, explore trilateral cooperation, and promote the China-Germany all-round strategic partnership to a new level.

Merz (默茨) asked Wang Yi (王毅) to convey his sincere greetings to the Chinese leaders. Merz (默茨) said that China has made remarkable achievements in its development, has become a world power, and plays a pivotal role in the international arena. Germany is committed to maintaining a rules-based international order and upholding the status and role of the World Trade Organization, which is in line with China's concept of global governance. Germany and China jointly adhere to and practice these concepts, which is beneficial to both countries and the world. Germany and China have close economic and trade relations. Both sides are beneficiaries and supporters of economic globalization. We should seize opportunities, tap potential, and deepen cooperation. Germany has always opposed protectionism, advocated free trade, and encouraged German companies to increase investment and cooperation in China. Germany pursues a one-China policy and looks forward to close high-level exchanges with China, promoting cooperation in various fields, and promoting greater development of Germany-China relations.

Return to Top

Serbian President Vučić Meets with Wang Yi

This newspaper reported from Munich, Germany, on February 13th (Reporter Liu He (刘赫)) Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić (武契奇) met with Wang Yi (王毅), Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs, on February 13th during the Munich Security Conference.

Wang Yi (王毅) first conveyed the cordial greetings of President Xi Jinping (习近平). Wang Yi (王毅) stated that President Vučić (武契奇) leads the Serbian people in adhering to independence and self-reliance, opposing external interference, and effectively safeguarding national stability, national dignity, and the overall development situation. China expresses its appreciation for this. Under the leadership and guidance of President Xi Jinping (习近平) and President Vučić (武契奇), the construction of a China-Serbia community with a shared future in the new era has had a good start. The two heads of state met twice last year, conducting strategic communication and reaching broad consensus, further pointing the direction for the development of bilateral relations. China is willing to work with Serbia to strengthen high-level exchanges, consolidate political mutual trust, unequivocally support each other in safeguarding core interests, strengthen pragmatic cooperation, operate the Hungary-Serbia Railway well, release the positive effects of the China-Serbia Free Trade Agreement, inherit and promote the 铁杆友谊 (tiě gǎn yǒu yì - "ironclad friendship," extremely strong and reliable friendship) between China and Serbia, and continuously create new prospects for bilateral relations.

Vučić (武契奇) asked Wang Yi (王毅) to convey his sincere greetings to President Xi Jinping (习近平), stating that President Xi Jinping's (习近平) successful visit to Serbia the year before last strongly promoted the development of bilateral relations. He thanked China for supporting Serbia in safeguarding national sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity. In today's increasingly turbulent world, China has always been Serbia's true friend and partner. He looks forward to elevating cooperation between the two sides in various fields such as politics, economy, trade, science, technology, and culture to a higher level. Serbia firmly adheres to the One China principle, firmly supports China's just position in achieving national reunification, and will continue to provide firm support on all issues involving China's core interests.

Return to Top

Wang Yi Meets with U.S. Secretary of State Rubio

This newspaper's report from Munich, Germany, February 13th (Reporter Liu He (刘赫)) - Wang Yi (王毅), Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs, met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio (鲁比奥) on February 13th while attending the Munich Security Conference.

Wang Yi (王毅) stated that President Xi Jinping (习近平) and President Trump (特朗普) have provided strategic guidance for the development of Sino-US relations. We should jointly implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state and make 2026 a year in which China and the United States move towards mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation. Dialogue between China and the United States is better than confrontation, cooperation is better than conflict, and win-win is better than zero-sum. As long as we adhere to an attitude of equality, respect, and mutual benefit, the two sides will be able to find ways to resolve each other's concerns and properly manage differences. The two sides should work together to continuously lengthen the cooperation list and shorten the problem list, so that Sino-US relations can enter a stable, healthy, and sustainable development track, and send more positive messages to the world.

Both sides agreed that the meeting was positive and constructive. The two sides agreed to jointly implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, give play to the coordinating role of political and diplomatic channels, serve the high-level interactions between the two countries, strengthen dialogue and cooperation in various fields, and promote the stable development of Sino-US relations.

Return to Top

China, Germany, and France Hold Trilateral Foreign Ministers' Meeting

This is a translation of a report from Munich, Germany.

Munich, Germany (慕尼黑) - February 13th (Reporter Liu He (刘赫)) - Wang Yi (王毅), member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs, held a trilateral foreign ministers' meeting in Munich, Germany (慕尼黑) on the 13th with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (瓦德富尔) and French Foreign Minister Stéphane Séjourné (巴罗).

Wang Yi (王毅) stated that the first trilateral meeting of the foreign ministers of China, Germany, and France is both an innovative move in response to changing times and an important opportunity to conduct strategic communication. The current international landscape is undergoing the most profound and complex changes since World War II. Unilateralism, protectionism, and power politics are 甚嚣尘上 (shèn xiāo chén shàng - "rampant," describes negative influences or rumors being widespread and clamorous), the international system with the United Nations as its core is facing severe shocks, economic globalization based on open cooperation is encountering strong headwinds, and global governance based on the principles of joint consultation, joint construction, and shared benefits is experiencing a serious deficit. World peace and development face unprecedented challenges. As responsible major countries and major world economies, the three countries bear important responsibilities for world peace and development. We must adhere to the basic principle of mutual respect, maintain the way of getting along by seeking common ground while reserving differences, advocate the value orientation of open cooperation, promote a mutually beneficial and win-win cooperation model, clarify the direction for the development of China-Europe relations, and provide more stability and certainty to the turbulent international situation.

Wang Yi (王毅) emphasized that 50 years of exchanges and cooperation between China and Europe have proven that the two sides are partners rather than rivals, mutual dependence is not a risk, the integration of interests is not a threat, and open cooperation will not harm security. China's development is an opportunity for Europe, and Europe's challenges do not come from China. It is hoped that Germany and France, as influential major EU countries, will proceed from their own interests and the overall interests of the EU, promote the EU to establish an objective and comprehensive understanding of China, pursue a rational and pragmatic China policy, and adhere to the unwavering positioning of the China-Europe partnership. The two sides should respect each other's core interests and major concerns, properly handle differences and frictions, deepen pragmatic cooperation, and unite to address global challenges.

Annalena Baerbock (瓦德富尔) stated that in the face of a turbulent world, Germany and France need to communicate and dialogue with China more than ever before to enhance mutual trust, eliminate misunderstandings, play the role of major countries, and send out a common voice. Germany attaches importance to the important and positive role played by China in global affairs and is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with China. Germany and France reiterated their firm adherence to the one-China policy and their commitment to developing long-term and stable relations with China. They support free trade, oppose decoupling and severing chains, and are willing to consult with China to resolve trade frictions and promote the balanced development of EU-China economic and trade relations.

Stéphane Séjourné (巴罗) stated that instability is rising in today's world, multilateralism and the international order are threatened, and conflicts are prolonged in many parts of the world. France, China, and Germany should jointly play a role in promoting world peace and improving global governance. The more unstable the international situation is, the more necessary it is to build partnerships. France is committed to revitalizing stable and positive EU-China relations. France welcomes the global governance initiatives proposed by President Xi Jinping (习近平) and looks forward to communicating and dialoguing with China to promote coordination among various multilateral platforms and safeguard multilateralism and free trade. It is believed that French-Chinese, German-Chinese, and European-Chinese relations can move forward in parallel.

The three parties exchanged views on important issues in China-Europe relations and issues of common concern such as the Ukraine crisis, and all positively evaluated the important significance of this meeting, agreeing to continue to maintain strategic communication.

Return to Top

Wang Yi: Working Together to Calibrate the Correct Course of the Ship of History

This newspaper reports from Munich, Germany, February 14th (Reporter Liu He (刘赫)) Wang Yi (王毅), Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs, attended the Munich Security Conference on the 14th and delivered a speech titled "Working Together to Calibrate the Correct Course of the Ship of History" at the "China Special Session."

Wang Yi (王毅) said that in the past year, the international situation has become even more turbulent and intertwined, and the cause of human peace and development has reached a new crossroads. President Xi Jinping (习近平) put forward the Global Governance Initiative, calling for the practice of five principles: sovereign equality, international rule of law, multilateralism, people-centered approach, and action-oriented approach, to jointly build a more just and reasonable global governance system. This initiative conforms to the trend of the times, gathers the greatest common denominator of all countries, and has quickly received a wide response from the international community, injecting new impetus into promoting the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, and also providing a Chinese compass for the ship of history to sail through the storm to the bright shore. Humanity has come to this day through thick and thin, and **同舟共济** (tóng zhōu gòng jì - "cross the river in the same boat," to share weal and woe; to stick together in difficulties) is the right choice. We should reform and improve global governance to calibrate the correct course of this ship of history.

Wang Yi (王毅) put forward four suggestions on reforming and improving global governance: First, we need to revitalize the United Nations system; the key is that countries should coordinate and cooperate; we must always practice multilateralism; and the urgent task is to stop the war and promote peace.

Wang Yi (王毅) emphasized that China will be a firm force for peace, a reliable force for stability, and a progressive force in history, and will promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

Return to Top

Strengthen safety precautions in key industries and areas, and earnestly do a good job in Spring Festival travel season and Spring Festival service保障 work.

Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, February 14th (Reporter Zou Wei) On the afternoon of February 14th, Li Qiang (李强), member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Premier of the State Council, visited the Ministry of Emergency Management (应急管理部) to inspect and guide safety precautions in key industries and areas during the holiday, Spring Festival travel season service guarantees, and other work. He emphasized the need to thoroughly implement the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping's (习近平) important instructions, conscientiously ensure Spring Festival travel season guarantees, focus on safety production and social stability, comprehensively improve the quality of tourism services, and make all work more meticulous and in-depth to ensure that the people spend a happy and peaceful Spring Festival holiday.

Li Qiang (李强) visited the National Emergency Command Headquarters' centralized joint duty room, visited and expressed his regards to the duty personnel, and communicated with them to understand the duty and preparedness of emergency management departments across the country during the holiday. He pointed out that the Spring Festival is a time for family reunions, and doing a good job in duty is very important. All localities and departments must strictly implement the duty system, equip sufficient personnel, improve emergency plans, and promptly report, quickly respond to, and efficiently handle any major emergencies.

Li Qiang (李强), through a video system, investigated and understood the safety production and service guarantees of comprehensive transportation during the Spring Festival travel season. He pointed out that the Spring Festival travel season is a major test of transportation service capabilities, and this year's holiday is longer than in previous years, increasing management and service pressure. It is necessary to coordinate transportation capacity allocation, increase transportation capacity supply in key areas, popular routes, and peak periods. It is necessary to optimize convenient and beneficial measures for the people, strengthen service guarantees such as charging, refueling, and transfers, and wholeheartedly help solve practical difficulties. It is necessary to strengthen the prevention and response to disastrous weather, pre-position snow removal facilities and emergency rescue teams, do a good job in maintaining road traffic, and ensure the safe travel of the people. Subsequently, Li Qiang (李强) listened to reports on the safety precautions in key industries and fields such as mines, hazardous chemicals, fire protection, and major project construction, and learned about the security work during the Spring Festival travel season. He emphasized that the string of safety must be kept tight at all times. It is necessary to strengthen safety supervision in key industries and fields, do a good job in risk prevention of fireworks and firecrackers and hazardous chemicals, attach great importance to the safety management of industrial and mining enterprises, strictly control dangerous operations, and avoid major safety production accidents. It is necessary to strengthen the investigation of hidden dangers in densely populated places, strengthen safety management and maintenance of fire-fighting facilities. It is necessary to properly resolve social conflicts, promptly provide psychological counseling and social assistance to key groups, strengthen social patrols and prevention and control, and achieve early detection and early resolution of risks and hidden dangers.

Li Qiang (李强) also learned about the tourism market and related work during the holiday. He pointed out that more and more people are choosing to travel during the holiday, and it is necessary to enhance the awareness of proactive service, refine the supporting services in all links of the entire chain such as transportation, catering, accommodation, and shopping, so that tourists from all over the world come with joy and return with satisfaction. It is necessary to standardize the tourism market order, strengthen joint law enforcement, promptly handle complaints, and effectively safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of tourists. It is necessary to strengthen the monitoring and guidance of people flow, strengthen on-site order maintenance, and ensure the safe and orderly conduct of large-scale activities.

Zhang Guoqing (张国清) and Wu Zhenglong (吴政隆) accompanied him.

Return to Top

Riding the whip, forging ahead bravely.

By: 本报评论员

"As long as we maintain our strategic focus, take steady steps forward, and steadily advance through each stage, the cause of the Party and the country will surely accumulate small victories into great victories, and our goals will definitely be achieved."

At the 2026 Spring Festival gathering, General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) fully affirmed the weighty achievements of the past year, put forward clear requirements for striving to achieve a good start to the "15th Five-Year Plan," and encouraged people of all ethnic groups across the country to "spur their horses and forge ahead courageously on the new journey of Chinese-style modernization." The General Secretary's important speech is inspiring, motivating, and encouraging the whole country to forge ahead and create a better future together.

The Bingwu Year of the Horse is approaching, and the spring breeze is already knocking on the door.

"In Chinese culture, the horse is a symbol of strength, vigor, and unyielding self-improvement, indicating prospects for steady progress, prosperity, and development." From this, we appreciate the road we have traveled, look forward to the road ahead, and are filled with even greater confidence and strength.

Inspiring the courage to "spur the horse," we are even more determined to "achieve great undertakings through hard work."

Faced with a complex and volatile international and domestic situation, we concentrate on managing our own affairs well, "responding to various uncertainties with the certainty of high-quality development";

Encountering tariff wars and trade wars, we always maintain a firm grip on the initiative, "demonstrating the ambition, backbone, and confidence of the Chinese people, highlighting our core strength, and winning the respect of the international community";

In response to natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods, at the command of the Party Central Committee, the vast number of Party members and cadres rushed to the rescue day and night, leading the people to unite and fight bravely.

The road of history has never been smooth. There are still many old problems and new challenges, and there are more uncertainties in moving forward, requiring greater impetus. As long as we are under the centralized and unified leadership of the Party Central Committee, and overcome difficulties, fight risks, and meet challenges with greater courage, there is no obstacle we cannot overcome and nothing we cannot accomplish.

Upholding the spirit of "taking the lead," we are even more convinced that "innovation wins the future."

From emphasizing the importance of grasping "new changes such as the new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation" in the "first lesson of the year" to the Central Political Bureau's first collective study this year focusing on "forward-looking layout and development of future industries," the General Secretary's strategic planning demonstrates our Party's deepening understanding of the law that "technological innovation is the only way."

From artificial intelligence large models and humanoid robots stunning the world, to major scientific and technological achievements such as Tianwen-2 and the first electromagnetic catapult aircraft carrier emerging... In the past year, China has become one of the fastest-growing economies in terms of innovation.

From "the world's factory" to "the global innovation center," a foreign research institution commented that "China is writing a 'technical leapfrog manual' that is different from the Western industrialization path."

Aiming at the commanding heights of future technology and industrial development, stimulating the vitality of thousands of horses galloping, and leading the development of new quality productive forces with technological innovation, we are consolidating not only the foundation of development, but also the confidence to win the future.

Maintaining the confidence of "never stopping," we are even more determined to "seek achievements for the people."

Families with children receive an additional 300 yuan per month in subsidies, 11,000 new meal assistance points have been added in communities and villages, and more than 3,400 pocket parks have been added in streets and alleys... The changes around us are visible, tangible, and heartwarming.

On the magnificent journey, the people are the logical starting point and the value destination of development. Along the way, it is precisely because we have always been of one heart and one mind with the people and fought together that we have created the amazing Chinese miracle, and Chinese-style modernization has an incomparably profound source of strength.

"Combining investment in things and investment in people" and "implementing a plan to increase the income of urban and rural residents"... The "15th Five-Year Plan" proposal is a "development blueprint" and also a "people's livelihood answer sheet." Establishing and practicing a correct view of achievements, and creating practical results that can stand the test of practice, the people, and history, we will surely run the "key baton" of history well.

The new journey is a new Long March. With dreams in our hearts, we do not feel the journey is far; with unceasing steps, we will eventually achieve success. Let us strengthen our confidence in victory, maintain our high morale, and move forward courageously towards the grand goal.

The wind is strong, the momentum is like a rainbow, and we move forward bravely!

Return to Top

Issuance of the "Water Supply Regulations"

Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, February 14th (北京) - Premier of the State Council Li Qiang (李强) recently signed a State Council decree, announcing the "Regulations on Water Supply" (hereinafter referred to as the "Regulations"), which will come into effect on June 1, 2026.

The "Regulations" aim to promote the high-quality development of the water supply industry, ensure water supply security, improve the level of water supply services, and better adapt to economic and social development and the needs of the people's lives. The "Regulations" consist of 8 chapters and 50 articles, mainly stipulating the following content.

First, clarify the overall requirements for the development of the water supply industry. Adhere to a people-oriented approach, urban-rural coordination, adhere to the public welfare attribute, implement a combination of developing water sources and conserving water, continuously enhance the ability to ensure water supply security, and promote the equalization of water supply services.

Second, increase the protection of water supply sources. Promote the formation of a multi-source water supply security pattern, stipulate that the construction of water supply sources should integrate surface water and groundwater, local water and external water diversion, to achieve multi-source complementarity; strengthen the protection of drinking water source water quality, and carry out standardized construction of drinking water source areas.

Third, strengthen the construction of water supply projects. Stipulate that local people's governments should renovate and upgrade water supply facilities; clarify the relevant responsible entities for quality assurance of hidden water supply projects, supporting construction of pressure regulating and storage facilities, and organizing the implementation of renovations.

Fourth, standardize water supply business services. Clarify the conditions that water supply units should possess and the overall requirements for water supply services, strengthen the disclosure of water supply service information, strictly enforce water quality testing requirements, and strengthen social supervision.

Fifth, strengthen the management and protection of water supply facilities. Require water supply units to operate and maintain various facilities in accordance with relevant national regulations and technical specifications, implement various safety precautions, conduct regular inspections and repairs to ensure safe operation; clarify that the operation and maintenance of pressure regulating and storage facilities should comply with relevant national regulations and technical specifications.

Sixth, improve the emergency management and disposal system for water supply. Make provisions for local people's governments and water supply units to formulate emergency plans and conduct regular drills, as well as emergency response measures after the occurrence of emergencies.

Seventh, improve legal responsibilities. Further clarify the illegal situations that should be punished and increase the penalties.

Return to Top

Resolutely Implement the Spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping's Important Speech, Ensuring the People Have a Safe, Peaceful, and Joyful New Year

Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, February 14th. Chen Wenqing (陈文清), member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Secretary of the Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission (中央政法委), stated during his visit to grassroots political and legal cadres and investigation of security work during the Spring Festival in Beijing on February 14th, that it is necessary to resolutely implement the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping's (习近平) important speech during his visit to grassroots cadres and the masses in Beijing before the Spring Festival, adhere to the people-centered approach, faithfully fulfill duties and responsibilities, and do a good job with high standards in preventing risks, ensuring safety, and maintaining stability, to ensure the overall social stability of the capital and the country, and ensure that the people can spend a safe and happy New Year. Wang Xiaohong (王小洪) participated in the visit and investigation.

At the Tiananmen (天安门) Area Public Security Bureau (公安分局), Chen Wenqing (陈文清) learned in detail about the changes in the flow of people in key areas during the Spring Festival, the deployment of security duties, and the overall prevention and control of social security. He pointed out that safeguarding social safety and stability and ensuring the safety and reunion of families are the responsibilities of political and legal organs. It is necessary to accurately grasp the new situation and new characteristics of safety and stability during this year's Spring Festival, strengthen duty, work scheduling, and emergency response, punish illegal and criminal activities according to law, deepen the investigation and resolution of contradictions and disputes, strengthen social security patrol and prevention and control, do a good job in safety precautions for key parts and densely populated places, strengthen the management of large-scale activities and road traffic safety, and do a good job in facilitating the people with heart and soul, and fully guarantee social stability and people's peace during the Spring Festival.

At the Wangfujing Street Police Station (王府井大街派出所) of the Dongcheng (东城) Public Security Bureau (公安分局) and the Fuyou Street Police Station (府右街派出所) of the Xicheng (西城) Public Security Bureau (公安分局), Chen Wenqing (陈文清) visited and expressed his condolences to the police and auxiliary police on duty, and extended New Year greetings and blessings to them and the national political and legal cadres. He said that the comrades stick to their posts and make selfless contributions, which is very hard. All departments should strengthen their care and love for the cadres and police, scientifically arrange duties, and ensure that the team always maintains strong combat effectiveness.

Return to Top

2026 CCTV Spring Festival Gala Completes All Five Rehearsals

This newspaper's Beijing (北京) dispatch on February 14th (Reporter Liu Yang (刘阳)) - The China Media Group's (中央广播电视总台) 2026 Spring Festival Gala conducted its fifth rehearsal on the 14th. Creative programs, songs and dances, acrobatics, operas, martial arts, skits, magic and other programs were centrally featured, with natural transitions between the main venue and the four branch venues. At this point, all preparations for the Spring Festival Gala are complete.

In the fifth rehearsal, the song "Resonance in the World" tells of the precious moments of similar experiences and shared hearts in the vast sea of people; the song "Hope You've Been Well" delivers greetings of long-awaited reunions with warm and healing vocals; the song "The Moment You and I Experienced" speaks of the fate of people meeting and knowing each other in the long river of a century, and the warmth of mutual illumination.

The skit "Grandma's Favorite" tells of the warm concern revealed in the joyful interaction between a grandmother and her grandchild; the comedy short play "You're Sure to Like It" showcases reflections on the "interesting" and "meaningful" aspects of social media products; the micro-musical "Every Ray of Light" invites representatives of WorldSkills Competition winners to perform on stage, showcasing the spirit of 三百六十行，行行出状元 (sān bǎi liù shí háng, háng háng chū zhuàng yuán - "three hundred and sixty trades, every trade produces a champion," every profession can produce outstanding individuals).

The song "Intelligent Manufacturing Future" incorporates cutting-edge technology elements such as VR glasses, Beidou Navigation (北斗导航), and drones into a futuristic song and dance arrangement; the song "Dreaming of Mountains and Seas" pays tribute to all Chinese sons and daughters who strive for progress, cultivate and dedicate themselves, and jointly welcome a new spring of joy in their hearts and success in their careers.

Return to Top

"Cloud Peak Sentinel" Atop Mount Hua (New Year Grassroots Tour)

By: 本报记者 余建斌 李红梅 高 炳

"Since ancient times, there has been only one path up Mount Hua." The Huashan Meteorological Station is built on the summit of the West Peak at an altitude of 2064.9 meters and is the only high-altitude station in Shaanxi Province (陕西省) that is staffed around the clock.

This year marks the thirty-third year that Yu Jinjiang (于进江), the head of the Huashan Meteorological Station, has been with Huashan (华山). At 7:30 in the morning, on the West Peak of Huashan, the temperature is minus 2 degrees Celsius. Yu Jinjiang walked out of the dormitory and called on meteorologist Tan Yiying (谭怡颖) to go to the meteorological observation field on the peak before breakfast to check the instruments and determine whether de-icing and other operations were necessary. The observation field is built on a boulder, with a sheer cliff on one side. The wind is particularly strong, stinging the face.

"Whether it's windy, rainy, or snowy, we go to maintain it every day to ensure the normal operation of the equipment and the normal transmission of data," said Yu Jinjiang.

Huashan is located in the eastern part of the Qinling Mountains (秦岭山脉), on the dividing line between the north and south climates of China. The Huashan Meteorological Station is a national benchmark climate station that observes, collects, and corrects 13 meteorological elements such as temperature, wind speed, wind direction, and humidity. It uploads data every hour, which is incorporated into the national observation data center and participates in Asian regional data exchange. "Since the establishment of the station in 1952, the meteorological data records have always been continuous," Yu Jinjiang said proudly.

Yu Jinjiang remembers that shortly after the Spring Festival in 1993, the 20-year-old climbed the rugged mountain road for seven or eight hours before finally arriving at the Huashan Meteorological Station to report for duty. The difficult mountain roads, the scarce water sources, and the undercooked rice brought him a huge shock. However, the fighting spirit of the older generation of Huashan meteorological workers and their dedication to the meteorological cause kept him there. Nowadays, the support conditions for meteorological workers are getting better and better. With the cable car, going up the mountain is no longer "one carrying pole and two ropes."

During the Spring Festival holiday, the Huashan Meteorological Station has a heavy task of providing weather forecast services for the Huashan Scenic Area, from lightning protection, forest fire prevention, and landslides to sunrise and sunset times, star viewing rates, and cloud seas and ice rime.

"Yesterday, a blue gale warning was issued. Will the wind increase today?" In the morning, Liu Fan (刘帆), the operations director of Shaanxi Taihua Tourism Cableway Highway Co., Ltd. (陕西太华旅游索道公路有限公司) could not wait to ask Yu Jinjiang as soon as he saw him in the operation control room. There are more than 100 days of strong winds on Huashan every year. During the Spring Festival peak tourist season, there are many days with strong winds. As long as the wind speed exceeds 15 meters per second, the operation of the cableway will be affected.

"It is likely to increase in the afternoon and evening, so we need to continue to pay attention," said Yu Jinjiang.

Back at the meteorological station, staff from the Smart Huashan Management Department of the Huashan Scenic Area Service Center (华山景区服务中心智慧华山管理部) called again to ask whether the scattered light snow in the weather forecast would cause road icing. "It will not freeze and will not affect tourists climbing the mountain," Yu Jinjiang replied.

Huashan has extreme weather, and the weather forecast is related to the safe operation of the scenic spot. One year, tourists were stranded on the peak due to thunderstorms and gales. Within 3.5 hours, Yu Jinjiang communicated with the cableway operator more than 20 times, adjusting the cableway operation mode at any time according to the weather conditions, and finally all the tourists went down the mountain safely.

After lunch, Yu Jinjiang began his routine afternoon mountain patrol without rest.

At the top of Huashan, dry and cold air from the north and warm and humid air currents from the south meet throughout the year, forming clouds, fog, rain, and snow; the collision of cold and warm air masses brings thunderstorms, gales, and hail. All of these highlight the importance of the Huashan Meteorological Station in "drawing" a good climate curve.

With the progress of meteorological technology, meteorological observation has been automated, with 4 automatic observation stations on the mountain and 7 at the foot of the mountain. These days, the staff has also increased the frequency of inspections.

One automatic observation station is on the top of the South Peak of Huashan (华山南峰顶) opposite the meteorological station. It looks close at hand, but it took half an hour to climb up. The observation station is built on the roof, and a steel ladder seven or eight meters long has to be set up. Next to the ladder is a knife-cut cliff. In the blink of an eye, Yu Jinjiang and his colleagues Ding Limin (丁李敏) and Zhou Xiaohu (周晓虎) climbed up without trembling their legs.

Another automatic observation station is on the top of the East Peak of Huashan (华山东峰顶), which took one and a half hours to reach. The observation station is built on a stone slope, and there is no road at all. Everyone used their hands and feet and climbed up the nearly 10-meter-high observation station.

When they went up, they saw that a backup automatic meteorological station had been blown down by the wind, and several people repaired it in the wind for more than an hour. "The equipment on the top of the mountain is often blown down, and everyone must be able to maintain the equipment," said Deputy Director Ding Limin, whose face was flushed by the wind. She is 32 years old this year, and Zhou Xiaohu is 28 years old. They are both very good at meteorological observation and equipment maintenance.

Yu Jinjiang said happily that this year, the meteorological equipment at the station will be gradually upgraded to intelligent equipment.

"After the intelligent transformation, will the meteorological station no longer need people to be on duty?"

"It still needs to be on duty. We hope to achieve intelligence and 'liberate' manpower to do more scientific research. More than 70 years of continuous data prove that this place cannot be separated from the dedication of generations of meteorological workers," said Yu Jinjiang.

At 10 p.m., the top of Huashan is silent. At the time of reunion, on the cliff, a small two-story building shines with light, quietly guarding the lights of thousands of homes.

Return to Top

Guardians of the Lingdingyang Bridge during the Spring Festival (A close-up look at grassroots level during the Spring Festival)

By: ​《中国经济周刊》记者 张 燕 王红茹

"Dad, are you building a big bridge again?"
　　In the evening, in Nansha District (南沙区), Guangzhou (广州) City, Guangdong (广东省) Province, by the side of the Lion Sea (狮子洋), Chen Bingyao's (陈炳耀) phone screen lit up. His 3-year-old son sent a voice message, sounding very childish.
　　Outside the window, the main tower crane was still slowly turning, and sparks from welding fell like stardust. On the phone screen was a photo of the main bridge tower he had just taken.
　　"Almost there!" he pressed the voice button, "When it opens to traffic, Dad will take you there. Standing on the bridge, you can even see Dongguan (东莞)."
　　The Lion Sea Channel (狮子洋通道), a new transportation artery in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (粤港澳大湾区), is 3.6 kilometers upstream from the Nansha Bridge (南沙大桥), which is already open to traffic, and 7.7 kilometers downstream from the Humen Bridge (虎门大桥). And the world's first double-deck suspension bridge with a span of over 2,000 meters that Chen Bingyao (陈炳耀) is building will set five world records upon completion.
　　Chen Bingyao (陈炳耀) is the Deputy Manager of the Lion Sea Channel (狮子洋通道) Engineering Management Department. He plunged into the construction site in 2016 after graduating from school. That year, the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Bridge (深中通道) had just started construction, and he was still "Little Chen (小陈)". He spent seven years running around on the same construction site. In 2023, he transferred to the Lion Sea (狮子洋), and "Little Chen (小陈)" became "Manager Chen (陈经理)".
　　The whiteboard in the temporary office is filled with countdowns: "February 22: Lifting Section 2", "February 23: T59Y Lifting"...
　　The technician next to him said that Manager Chen's (陈经理) whiteboard is like a battle map. Every day when he enters the door, he first stares at it. If a node is not completed, he can chase the construction party and ask them for a long time, and then solve the problem together. "He requires people to write the promised date by hand, saying that this way they can't deny it." The technician lowered his voice and added, "And no one really does deny it."
　　This year's Spring Festival will be the second Spring Festival that Chen Bingyao (陈炳耀) has spent at the Lion Sea Channel (狮子洋通道) construction site. It's not that he doesn't want to go home, but he can't leave. The bridge construction has entered the critical sprint stage of the main tower capping. In order to achieve the main tower capping around April, more than 350 builders on the construction site are sticking to their posts and doing their best to ensure the continuous and efficient progress of the project.
　　"Actually, celebrating the New Year on the construction site has a great atmosphere." Chen Bingyao (陈炳耀) gestured, "Hundreds of people make dumplings and eat reunion dinners together, and various activities are organized. It's so lively!"
　　As the Spring Festival approaches, lanterns and Spring Festival couplets have been hung up early in the office and living areas of the construction site. The festive atmosphere overflows from the lantern tassels, from the Spring Festival couplet paper, and from every door with a "Fu (福)" character pasted on it.
　　Chen Bingyao (陈炳耀) is a native of Guangdong (广东). Guangdong (广东) is near the sea and has many ports, but the sea has also been a barrier between cities. Today, bridges fly across, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (港珠澳大桥), the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Bridge (深中通道) – industries, talents, and logistics shuttle and closely connect along these bridges, and the connection between the city clusters in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (粤港澳大湾区) is becoming increasingly close.
　　When friends drive through the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Bridge (深中通道), they often send him messages—
　　"Bingyao (炳耀), today I went from Zhongshan (中山) back to Shenzhen (深圳) in 30 minutes, can you believe it?"
　　"Keep up the good work at the Lion Sea (狮子洋), when the bridge you are building now opens to traffic, it will be convenient for me to go to Dongguan (东莞) to eat roast goose."
　　From someone who used to take detours to someone who builds roads, this is the most practical pride for Chen Bingyao (陈炳耀) as a Guangdong (广东) native.
　　After the interview, he returned to the office and docked the progress on the whiteboard with the construction负责人, item by item, line by line.
　　In another 1,000 days and nights, the world's largest double-deck suspension bridge will rise in the Pearl River Estuary (珠江口). At that time, Chen Bingyao (陈炳耀) wants to take his family, from this end of the bridge to the other, to tell the story of the construction and talk about the development of the Greater Bay Area (大湾区).

Return to Top

Luoyang Bearing: How 30,000+ Products Roll Off the Line (New Year Grassroots Visit)

By: 本报记者 王云杉 张文豪

In Luoyang, Henan, at the National Key Laboratory of Aviation Precision Bearings, Liu Minghui (刘明辉), Deputy Director of the Technology Center of LYC Bearing Group (洛轴集团), is poring over a series of precise design drawings—these are the azimuth bearings配套 for the world's largest 120-meter aperture fully steerable radio telescope. Not long ago, this bearing successfully rolled off the production line.

"The antenna of a radio telescope is a huge parabolic structure. If the bearing's load-bearing capacity is insufficient, deformation, sinking, and other situations will occur, leading to pointing errors," Liu Minghui (刘明辉) explained. The pressure that this bearing needs to withstand is equivalent to "10 elephants, each weighing 10 tons, pressing on a coin."

To break through the limits, one must have the courage to challenge uncharted territory. In June 2025, the initial draft plan was determined; from July to September, structural design, model calculations, and repeated review of the plan were carried out; in October, the final draft plan was confirmed... LYC Bearing (洛轴) people speak with actions, confirming the design plan in just 4 months.

"Every hard-fought battle is a leap forward. We can produce 'jumbo' bearings with an outer diameter of 15 meters, and we can also produce miniature versions with an inner diameter of 6 millimeters," Liu Minghui (刘明辉) said. LYC Bearing (洛轴) can produce 9 major categories and more than 30,000 products, including both customized high-precision products and "windfall" products such as new energy vehicle wheel hub bearings and wind turbine main bearings.

Heat treatment, machining, grinding, and assembly... In the intelligent workshop for new energy vehicle bearings of LYC Bearing Group (洛轴集团), the fully automatic intelligent production line is operating at full capacity, with a set of new energy vehicle wheel hub bearing units rolling off the line every 15 seconds.

"The new track has a large market. Since seizing the new energy vehicle track in 2020, we have 'joined hands' with many companies to launch more than 100 products for new energy vehicles, and our operating income has increased significantly," said Ding Xiaoxuan (丁小玄), Deputy General Manager of LYC Bearing Technology (洛轴科技).

"From the 'First Five-Year Plan' old factory to stepping into the 'Fifteenth Five-Year Plan,' we have experienced the pain of restructuring and reform," Liu Minghui (刘明辉) said. "The reason why we were able to 'keep a breath' in the most difficult times and 'turn over' when opportunities came is because our commitment to technological innovation has always been consistent."

"We will unswervingly follow the path of independent innovation and continuously cultivate new momentum and shape new advantages," said Wang Xinying (王新莹), Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of LYC Bearing Group (洛轴集团).

Return to Top

Three Chinese Athletes Reach Top 8 in Men's Skeleton

By: 本报记者 刘硕阳

On February 13th, local time in Italy, in the men's skeleton competition of the 2026 Milan Winter Olympics held at the Cortina Sliding Center (科尔蒂纳滑行中心), Chinese athlete Chen Wenhao (陈文浩) finished fourth with a time of 3 minutes 44.59 seconds, while Yin Zheng (殷正) and Lin Qinwei (林勤炜) ranked seventh and eighth respectively. Although they ultimately did not reach the podium, this is the first time that the Chinese team has had 3 athletes in the top 8 of this event at the Winter Olympics.

Of the 24 athletes participating in the men's skeleton event, the Chinese team occupied 3 spots, with only the long-established powerhouse Germany (德国) also securing 3 spots.

The performance of the 3 Chinese athletes was remarkable: Chen Wenhao (陈文浩) maintained a high level of performance in all 4 rounds, with his final round time ranking third overall, missing the medal by a mere 0.19 seconds; Yin Zheng (殷正) returned to the world's top ranks after recovering from injury; and Lin Qinwei (林勤炜), participating in the Winter Olympics for the first time, demonstrated world-class level in the starting phase, with the fastest start times in both of the last two rounds.

"In the skeleton event, we have always been the chasers, and now we are very close." As Yin Zheng (殷正) said, entering the Milan Winter Olympics (米兰冬奥会) cycle, Chinese skeleton athletes have been striving to catch up. Zhao Dan (赵丹) / Lin Qinwei (林勤炜) have successively won the mixed team World Cup championship and World Championship medal for the Chinese team, Yin Zheng (殷正) ranked second in the overall World Cup积分 for the 2025-2026 season, and Chen Wenhao (陈文浩) and Lin Qinwei (林勤炜) have also achieved breakthroughs with World Cup medals and gold medals respectively. Since its establishment in 2015, the Chinese skeleton team has achieved good results in a few short years, including Winter Olympics appearances, podium finishes, and 3 athletes entering the top 8.

On the morning of February 14th, local time, in the fourth round of the women's curling round robin at the 2026 Milan Winter Olympics (米兰冬奥会) held in Cortina (科尔蒂纳), the Chinese team defeated the host Italian team (意大利队) 8-7, securing their second victory at this Winter Olympics.

Previously, the Chinese team first defeated the defending champion British team (英国队) 7-4, and then lost to the Swiss team (瑞士队) 5-7. After this round of victory, the Chinese team is tied for second place with the South Korean team (韩国队), the Swiss team (瑞士队), and the American team (美国队) with a record of 2 wins and 1 loss. At noon on February 15th, local time, the Chinese team will face the American team (美国队), their next opponent in the round robin.

Return to Top

The Year of the Horse, the Ma Station, the Ma Station Master (New Year Visits to the Grassroots)

By: 本报记者 杨文明

In southeastern Yunnan (云南), in the Naxi River Valley, a station sits, manned by a single person.

The reporter drove along the winding mountain road, not knowing how many turns were taken, when a yellow-walled, gray-roofed railway station building gradually appeared in sight. Another 500 meters ahead was the Sanjiazhai Tunnel (三家寨隧道).

At 6 a.m., the sky was just beginning to lighten, and the thin mist had not yet dissipated. Ma Zhengrong (马正荣), 58 years old, pushed open the door, wearing a neat navy blue uniform. Checking equipment, recording data, and remotely handing over duties with the dispatch center—Ma Zhengrong finished the first routine task of his day. The upcoming Lunar Year of the Horse, Ma Dubei Station (马度白站), Ma Zhengrong, colleagues jokingly call it "three horses on the same stage."

After making the reporter a cup of hot tea, Ma Zhengrong opened up: "Not to mention ordinary passengers, even within the China Railway Kunming Bureau (国铁昆明局), not many people know about our station."

As an emergency duty station, Ma Dubei Station does not handle passenger transport, nor does it load or unload goods, but it is related to the safety of the Kunyuhe (Kunming-Yuxi-Hekou) Railway (昆玉河铁路) and even the China-Vietnam International Railway Corridor.

"The railway passes through the mountains, inseparable from us tunnel guards." After taking a sip of tea, Ma Zhengrong began to tell the story of his transfer to Ma Dubei Station in 2015.

That day, the leader jokingly said to Ma Zhengrong: "Your surname is Ma, is it okay to go to Ma Dubei Station?"

Remote location, complex terrain, sparse population—Ma Zhengrong didn't mind these "shortcomings" of the emergency duty station. He has the responsibility and mission of a railway worker: "As the 'outpost' on the railway line, the emergency duty station is specifically responsible for dealing with sudden events such as equipment failures and natural disasters. The station is small, but its role is not small."

He has been doing this for more than ten years. Ma Zhengrong is used to being alone at the station. Except for the occasional maintenance and support personnel and rotating personnel, almost no one comes to Ma Dubei Station.

But the changes are still huge.

"In the past, the work was mainly 'hands-on', but now the work is mainly 'eyes-on'." Ma Zhengrong said that initially, someone had to run to the site to manually open the signals every time a train passed through the station. Receiving and dispatching trains relied entirely on manual labor, and even with 4 people working in shifts, there was still a shortage of manpower.

In 2016, the automatic dispatch system was upgraded, and receiving and dispatching trains no longer required manual intervention. Most of the time, the duty personnel only need to watch the equipment prompts in the dispatch room. As the workload decreased, personnel were gradually transferred, and Ma Dubei Station changed from the initial 4 people jointly guarding to Ma Zhengrong guarding alone: every 22 days, he can have 8 days of concentrated rest, and the vehicle section sends personnel to take turns guarding Ma Zhengrong.

The station has become Ma Zhengrong's "second home", and he has settled down here with peace of mind, opening up a vegetable garden next to the duty room and insisting on exercising every day.

In the past ten years, he has only gone home for two or three Spring Festivals, and the rest of the time his family has come to the station to spend the New Year with him. "My little grandson is coming to the station this Spring Festival, he will be here on New Year's Eve!" Ma Zhengrong is full of expectations.

Old Ma said that even at Ma Dubei Station, he can feel the changes in the entire Kunyuhe Railway: when he first came, only 6 trains passed by every day, but now it has increased to 14 trains every day; in the past, most of the freight was in bulk, but now it is all standard containers.

As an important section of the eastern line of the Pan-Asia Railway, the freight and passenger volume of the Kunyuhe Railway has achieved a leapfrog growth in 10 years. In 2025, the Kunyuhe Railway will send 5.1391 million tons of goods and 4.9145 million passengers, an increase of 2.1279 million tons of goods and 2.698 million passengers compared with the initial opening in 2015.

As night falls, the roar of the train goes from near to far, and then disappears into the other end of the tunnel. In the control room, Ma Zhengrong recorded the time the train passed, and neatly wrote in the duty log: "Everything is normal." On the wall behind him, the four red characters "坚守奉献" (坚守奉献 (jiān shǒu fèng xiàn - "stick to and dedicate," to adhere to one's post and contribute)) are particularly eye-catching under the lights.

Return to Top

"Digital Brain" Powers Steel Plant (New Year's Visit to the Grassroots)

By: 本报记者 王 者

The fiery red molten iron surged and churned, raw materials added in sequence... As the Spring Festival approached, a reporter visited the steelmaking plant of Shandong Iron and Steel Co., Ltd. (山东钢铁股份有限公司) in Gangcheng District (钢城区), Jinan City (济南市), Shandong Province (山东省). The production line was in full swing, yet almost no one was to be seen. In less than half an hour, a furnace of molten steel was smelted.

In the intelligent steelmaking centralized control center, Zhao Nan (赵楠), furnace chief of the steelmaking workshop of the steelmaking plant, kept a close eye on the central control screen, which displayed real-time images of the refining platform in the production workshop. In the images, a temperature-measuring robot extended its mechanical arm and inserted a measuring gun into the molten steel, which was over a thousand degrees Celsius, to perform automatic temperature measurement and sampling.

"Through the 'intelligent steelmaking' transformation, our production process has gained a 'digital brain'," Zhao Nan (赵楠) explained. "In the past, we relied entirely on experience to judge the addition of materials in the steelmaking process. Now, the system determines how much material to add and when to add it."

From relying on experience to letting data speak, behind it lies the unremitting pursuit of technological innovation. Deeply promoting intelligent transformation and digital transformation, in recent years, Shandong Iron and Steel Co., Ltd. (山东钢铁股份有限公司) has formed a research team to integrate artificial intelligence technology into the converter steelmaking process. Through big data analysis and machine learning, it accurately judges the situation inside the furnace, optimizes steelmaking process parameters, and builds an "intelligent steelmaking" system.

"In the steelmaking process, we have deployed nearly 10 sets of identification systems, such as furnace mouth flame visual recognition, acoustic slagging auditory analysis, oxygen lance tension tactile monitoring, and flue gas spectrum olfactory monitoring, to provide decision-making for the steelmaking process through artificial intelligence," introduced Wang Jianfeng (王建峰), the technology leader of the steelmaking workshop of the steelmaking plant.

Last year, the "intelligent steelmaking" system was implemented in the steelmaking plant, and all major production processes achieved one-button operation, increasing production efficiency by about 30%. "Currently, there are more than 60 sets of robots in use within the steelmaking plant, which greatly reduces safety risks while improving production stability and quality inspection accuracy," said Zhao Nan (赵楠).

Return to Top

A New Track for "A Piece of Cloth" (New Spring Grassroots Tour: New Tracks Bursting with New Vitality)

By: 本报记者 范昊天

Approaching the Spring Festival, engineers and industrial workers in the non-woven fabric industrial park of Pengchang Town (彭场镇), Xiantao City (仙桃市), Hubei (湖北) are still busy conducting experiments and grasping production.

Non-woven fabric is a fabric formed directly by fiber bonding, often used in medical and health products such as masks and surgical gowns. In Xiantao (仙桃), this fabric is accelerating its "cross-border" upgrade. Xiantao (仙桃) has gathered more than 2,000 related enterprises and has developed more than 130 new types of non-woven fabrics in 32 major categories such as construction, automobiles, and aerospace.

"The industrial demand for lightweight automobiles is accelerating with the trend of electrification and intelligence," said Zhu Botao (朱波涛), quality management manager of Hubei Baide Materials Technology Co., Ltd. (湖北柏德材料科技有限公司). The lightweight and thin characteristics of non-woven fabrics make it an ideal material for automobile "weight reduction."

A piece of fabric can improve automobile performance and also allow buildings to "breathe."

Walking into the 5G fully connected factory of Hubei Tuoying New Materials Co., Ltd. (湖北拓盈新材料有限公司), the production line of building "breathable" waterproof and breathable membrane is operating efficiently. "Forty to fifty tons of products are produced here every day and exported to Europe, America, Japan, and South Korea. Currently, orders have been scheduled until July," said Li Xuelian (李雪莲), the company's R&D manager.

However, just over a year ago, this product was still blank in the Hubei (湖北) market. "At that time, a European company was looking for a new type of building material that was both high-temperature resistant and waterproof, with low moisture permeability and high barrier properties. The technical threshold was not low, and many peers gave up, but we took the order," Li Xuelian (李雪莲) recalled.

The confidence to "unveil the list" comes from the research mechanism that empowers innovation. Li Xuelian (李雪莲) introduced that with the support of the Hubei Provincial Department of Science and Technology (湖北省科技厅), Tuoying New Materials (拓盈新材料) has jointly established the Hubei Non-woven Fabric Technology Innovation Center (湖北省非织造布技术创新中心) with a number of non-woven fabric enterprises. "The center has in-depth cooperation with many universities, and through repeated attempts and screenings, it has solved the problems of material compatibility and long-term stability one by one."

At the beginning of the new year, Li Xuelian (李雪莲) and her colleagues are stepping up the development of a new product, "This is a degradable membrane used for radiation protection clothing for nuclear power plant workers, and it is currently in the pilot stage."

On the new track, "a piece of cloth" is exuding vigorous vitality.

Return to Top

The Cattle Trust is Gaining an Increasingly Good Reputation (Grassroots Visits During Spring Festival)

By: 本报记者 崔 佳 方 圆

In the evening, in Huanxi Village (欢喜村), Gannan Town (甘南镇), Gannan County (甘南县), Heilongjiang Province (黑龙江省), the temperature drops to -12 degrees Celsius.

A truck fully loaded with beef cattle turns into the village road and stops steadily in front of the "Cattle Holding Center" of villager Jin Chengfen's (靳成芬) home. The driver jumps out of the truck, exhaling white air, and shouts, "Sister Fen (芬姐), same as always, 34 large cattle, 3 small cattle!"

Jin Chengfen (靳成芬) responds promptly and opens the gate of the cowshed. The cattle crowd into the yard, their hooves stepping on the snow, making dull thuds. Jin Chengfen (靳成芬) quickly scans each cow, her eyes sharp: "That black and white Simmental is a bit listless, needs to be watched separately; the legs of the 3 calves are still soft, they need to be put in warm vests at night."

Just after finishing the count, Wen Hailin (文海林), a Shandong (山东) merchant who consigns cattle, makes a video call. "Sister Fen (芬姐), I'll buy a few more, and take them all away later! I'm relieved to entrust this batch of cattle to you!" On the other end of the video, Wen Hailin (文海林) smiles and wishes her an early New Year.

Although Huanxi Village (欢喜村) is not large, it is home to a "one-stop" livestock trading market with an annual transaction volume of over 4 billion yuan - Gannan Cattle Market (甘南牛市). The prosperity of the market has spawned "Cattle Holding Centers" that specialize in providing services such as托管 (trusteeship), feeding, and epidemic prevention for merchants. Currently, there are 42 cattle holding centers around the cattle market. With scientific feeding knowledge and diligent and meticulous care, Jin Chengfen's (靳成芬) cattle holding center has gained an increasingly good reputation, with an income of nearly 200,000 yuan last year.

Huanxi Village (欢喜村) has a permanent population of over 1,000, of which nearly 70% have taken up "cattle jobs." In addition to cattle brokers and cattle holding centers, there are also those who open homestays and restaurants, sell veterinary drugs and feed, engage in logistics and transportation, and even specialize in编牛缰绳 (weaving cattle reins)... More than 10 derivative industries bring villagers an income of over 45 million yuan each year.

In the past two years, the Gannan Cattle Market (甘南牛市) has taken on a new look. The main road, which was only 7 meters wide, has been widened to 19 meters. The market is scientifically zoned, and the parking, trading, and rest areas are well-organized. The newly built thousand-room pens can accommodate 10,000 cattle and horses for simultaneous trading.

The night is dark. Jin Chengfen (靳成芬) picks up a flashlight and inspects the quiet cattle pens one by one. Finally, the flashlight beam stops on the open space in the backyard. Jin Chengfen (靳成芬) is planning to build a row of new pens here this year, "so that more cattle can spend the winter safely here, and more merchants can entrust these 'living assets' to us with peace of mind."

What is deposited in the cattle holding center is not just cattle waiting to be traded, but also the simple visions of the future of "Sister Fens (芬姐们)."

Return to Top

Coconut value-added is increasing (New Year grassroots visits)

By: 本报记者 孙海天

"This is the third batch today, heading to Guangdong (广东)."

In the Shizi Ridge Industrial Park of the Haikou National High-tech Zone (海口国家高新区) in Hainan (海南), the air is filled with the sweet fragrance of coconut. Outside the factory of Haikou Yecai Food Co., Ltd. (海口椰彩食品有限公司), three heavy-duty trucks are reversing into the warehouse. Qin Guobin (秦国斌), the deputy general manager, just hung up a call urging delivery and was stopped by the workshop director for a signature.

Yecai (椰彩), a 24-year-old established local enterprise, has a young face.

Two years ago, this was still a traditional hot filling line, with workers sweating around the machines. Now, only a few technicians are watching the monitoring screen, and the aseptic cold filling production line is running automatically at high speed. "The confidence comes from good policies," Qin Guobin (秦国斌) said. Last year, with the close support of the High-tech Zone (高新区), 4 million yuan of ultra-long-term special national debt funds were injected, coupled with the Hainan Free Trade Port's (海南自贸港) "zero tariff" on imported coconuts and the "double 15%" tax incentives for corporate and individual income tax, the company saved real money and invested it all in production.

In the past, they were afraid of inventory backlog, but now they are afraid that production capacity cannot keep up with customer demand. "Customers are moving even faster than us," Qin Guobin (秦国斌) exclaimed. The customs clearance acceleration and logistics cost reduction brought about by the independent customs operation have led partners from outside the province and even overseas to take the initiative to visit. What they value is the "processing and value-added" advantage of the Hainan Free Trade Port (海南自贸港).

At the other end of the workshop, boxes of coconut pulp with English labels are ready to be shipped, destined for Southeast Asia. Selling coconut products back to Southeast Asia, which is rich in coconuts, relies on process standards. In 2025, the company's product export destinations have increased to more than 10 countries.

"This Spring Festival, domestic consumers will be drinking coconut water, and overseas consumers will also have one more Hainan (海南) flavor on their tables," Qin Guobin (秦国斌) said with confidence.

Return to Top

Aromatic Fruits Cleared in 15 Seconds (New Year Visits to the Grassroots)

By: 本报记者 刘 泉 祝佳祺

Despite the continuous rain, import and export vehicles at the Youyiguan Port (友谊关口岸) in Pingxiang (凭祥), Guangxi (广西) are still coming and going in an endless stream.

Pressing a fingerprint and swiping a document, after the background check is passed, the gate is raised to allow passage. At 3 p.m., Vietnamese driver Xuan Guangliang (玄光良) drove a truck loaded with 22 tons of durian through the Puzhai (浦寨) auxiliary channel of the Youyiguan Port (友谊关口岸), a process that took less than 15 seconds.

The Youyiguan Port (友谊关口岸) is a "golden channel" for China's (中国) import and export of fruits with ASEAN (东盟). In January of this year, the Exit-Entry Inspection and Quarantine Express Clearance System for trucks was upgraded, integrating technologies such as artificial intelligence, biometric recognition, and data interaction, and expanding the scope of express clearance for inspection and quarantine vehicles to Vietnamese drivers. This is also the first time in the country that foreign drivers and passengers have been included in the express clearance for inspection and quarantine, reducing the inspection time per vehicle by about 75%.

Xuan Guangliang (玄光良), who has been engaged in durian transportation for 9 years, heard that China (中国) has introduced express clearance measures and completed the filing through China's (中国) cargo agents half a month ago. "In the past, each customs clearance required manual verification and stamping. Now, with the filing valid, I can swipe my certificate and leave, which is much more convenient!"

In recent years, Youyiguan Port (友谊关口岸) has normalized the opening of "green channels" for fresh fruits, providing extended customs clearance services, and adding a left-auxiliary mountain empty vehicle return inspection channel at Youyiguan Port (友谊关口岸) to alleviate customs clearance pressure on inbound and outbound vehicles. In 2024, the port expanded the cargo inspection channels from 6 to 12 and put "tidal channels" into use. In order to solve the problem of filing expiration that inbound and outbound vehicles may face while queuing to unload, in March 2025, Youyiguan Port (友谊关口岸) extended the validity period of inbound and outbound declarations from 24 hours to 72 hours.

"In 2024, we imported 1,600 containers of durian through Youyiguan Port (友谊关口岸). In 2025, we imported 3,000 containers. Since the beginning of this year, in just over a month, we have imported 500 containers," said Li Qianchang (李虔昌), Deputy General Manager of Guangxi Ouheng International Logistics Co., Ltd. (广西欧恒国际物流有限公司), who has a deep understanding of the accelerated customs clearance.

In the past three years, Pingxiang (凭祥) has added more than 40,000 registered cross-border truck drivers. In 2025, Youyiguan Port (友谊关口岸) inspected and released more than 1 million inbound and outbound vehicles and 4 million people, an increase of 35.5% and 40.8% respectively year-on-year.

"In the future, we will also promote 24-hour cross-border unmanned driving to make the circulation pattern of 'ASEAN (东盟) production, Guangxi (广西) collection and distribution, and national sales' more efficient," said Zhou Cungang (周存刚), Director of the Border Inspection Department of the Youyiguan Exit-Entry Border Inspection Station (友谊关出入境边防检查站).

Return to Top

Dong Village Weaves a Tight Safety Net (New Year's Grassroots Visit)

By: 本报记者 何昭宇 黄 娴

"The mountains are truly beautiful, with flowers blooming all over the hills, and people joyfully celebrating in the heart of the flowers..." In the early morning, on the ancient bluestone streets of Zhaoxing Dong Village (肇兴侗寨) in Liping County (黎平县), Guizhou (贵州), the Xintuan Drum Tower (信团鼓楼) is inviting villagers from other drum towers to visit and sing antiphonal songs.

Without taking time to enjoy the New Year atmosphere of the Dong village, Xu Xinji (徐信基), the first secretary stationed in Zhaoxing Village (肇兴村), carrying two strings of cured meat, turned from the bustling main street into a back alley, heading straight to the home of Lu Xinlu (陆新路), a recipient of subsistence allowances.

"If it weren't for Secretary Xu's (徐书记) help, our lives would really be difficult!" Lu Xinlu (陆新路) was sitting with his wife by the fire pit, warming themselves. He used to work in a restaurant in Foshan (佛山), Guangdong (广东), and his life was considered stable. However, his wife's sudden cerebral hemorrhage changed the original trajectory of his family's life.

Examination fees, surgery fees, hospitalization fees, rehabilitation fees... Lu Xinlu (陆新路) pulled out a thick stack of payment slips and sighed deeply: "Treating the illness requires a lot of money, and the family's tens of thousands of yuan in savings disappeared in the 眨眼 (zhǎ yǎn - "blink of an eye," in an instant)."

Xu Xinji (徐信基) took out his mobile phone, which still contained the early warning notifications issued by the county medical insurance bureau (县医保局) and Zhaoxing Town (肇兴镇) at that time, with each payment listed very clearly. Later, Xu Xinji (徐信基) led village cadres to visit, verify, and hold meetings to analyze the situation, helping Lu Xinlu (陆新路) obtain subsistence allowances and arranging a public welfare position of ringing the gong and calling out to the village.

"In the new stage of regular assistance, the key lies in the word 'precision'." Xu Xinji's (徐信基) desk is filled with assistance files for each household. "What is lacking, what needs to be supplemented. Old Lu's (老陆) family became impoverished due to illness, and bottom-line security cannot be let go. The young Lu (小陆) I am paired with for assistance has gone to school, has ideas, and is suitable for developmental assistance."

Young Lu (小陆) is named Lu Kun鬆 (陆坤松), and he used to be a registered impoverished household. A few years ago, with the help of the "Rain and Dew Program" (雨露计划), after graduating from higher vocational school, he went out to work and shed his poverty label.

The first time I met Lu Kun鬆 (陆坤松) was at a homestay. It was a busy time in the afternoon, and he was cleaning while answering calls from tourists, without stopping for a moment. I originally thought he was home for the New Year to do odd jobs, but I didn't expect him to be the owner.

"In recent years, there have been more tourists in the village. Young Lu (小陆) has studied accounting and management knowledge, and his family has spare rooms, so I encouraged him to come back and run a homestay," said Xu Xinji (徐信基).

Last summer vacation, the homestay had a trial operation with a turnover of more than 30,000 yuan. "With good policies to support us, good days are yet to come!" Lu Kun鬆 (陆坤松) said with a smile. Relying on the Zhaoxing Dong Village (肇兴侗寨) scenic area, Zhaoxing Village (肇兴村) will have a collective income of over 3 million yuan in 2025.

As night falls, in the Xintuan Drum Tower (信团鼓楼), villagers and tourists gather around the fire pit, singing and dancing. The lively and warm scene made Xu Xinji (徐信基) hum the melody of the Dong ethnic group's grand song.

"The mountains used to be truly poor, but now the mountains are truly beautiful!" Xu Xinji's (徐信基) eyes are full of hope. "We must continue to weave a tight 'safety net' for monitoring and assistance, so that the people can live a better life."

Return to Top

Mountain Villages Integrate into the Big Market (New Year Visits to the Grassroots: The Warmth of Thousands of Homes)

By: 本报记者 王锦涛

"Buy New Year goods online, and they will be delivered in 3 days."

At the express delivery station in Hanwangjie Village (汉王街村), Hanwang Town (汉王镇), Wudu District (武都区), Longnan City (陇南市), Gansu Province (甘肃省), villager Qin Xiaobing (秦小兵) picked up his newly purchased clothes while promoting his local specialties, "Cured meat and sausages sent to Xi'an City (西安市), Shaanxi Province (陕西省) can arrive the next day."

Because it is located in the Qinba Mountains (秦巴山区), Hanwangjie Village (汉王街村) used to have inconvenient transportation and poor logistics. In the past, when it came to the New Year, some villagers would buy new clothes for their children online, placing orders ten days in advance, but they still wouldn't arrive before the New Year. On the first day of the Lunar New Year, the children's cries were louder than firecrackers.

"In the past, delivery would take ten days or half a month at every turn, which was not as convenient as going to a fair," said Wang Wentao (王文涛), head of the Hanwangjie Village (汉王街村) express delivery station, with a smile.

The change began with the accessibility of the road network.

Since the new era, Longnan City (陇南市) has expressways connecting every county, and 99% of natural villages have hardened roads. A total of 19,600 kilometers of national, provincial, county, township, and village roads connect thousands of villages and households in the ravines.

Now, seafood from Zhejiang (浙江) and fruits from Guangdong (广东) can all arrive fresh in the village. "Express delivery basically takes 3 days," Wang Wentao (王文涛) roughly calculated, "which is six or seven days shorter than 5 years ago."

Now that express delivery can enter the village, can local specialties be transported out of the mountains?

Wang Wentao (王文涛) had been thinking about this for a long time. In the past, due to long transportation times and a lack of packaging experience, local specialties were prone to spoilage during transit, resulting in high return and negative review rates.

Now it's different. "The entire district has built a three-level distribution network including district-level co-distribution centers, township co-distribution centers, and village-level service points," introduced Li Zongying (李宗颖), director of the Wudu District (武都区) E-commerce Center. The district has introduced 9 express delivery companies, and through models such as "postal-express cooperation" and "express-express cooperation," it has achieved 100% coverage of express delivery services to administrative villages.

The area has also built pre-cooling and preservation facilities, as well as township-level cold chain distribution and storage centers. Taking the local pepper as an example, it can be pre-cooled, graded, and packaged within two hours of harvesting, and then sent to all parts of the country via dedicated cold chain lines.

"Last year, 1.35 million orders of pepper were sold through this model, with sales reaching 90 million yuan, and farmers' income increased by more than 20%," said Li Zongying (李宗颖), adding that the accelerated express delivery has brought tangible income to the people.

As of the end of last year, Wudu District (武都区) had opened 2,325 various online stores, including 1 company with annual sales exceeding 100 million yuan and 15 companies with sales exceeding 10 million yuan, with a cumulative total e-commerce transaction volume of 2.6 billion yuan.

Better roads, smoother flow of goods, more convenience in life, and more development opportunities are making small mountain villages vibrant.

Return to Top

A 55-Minute Commute, Two Accounts Calculated (New Year Grassroots Visit: New Atmosphere in the Inaugural Year)

By: 本报记者 王昊男

At 7:45 a.m., the waiting hall of Tangshan Station (唐山站). Zhang Jian (张健) looked up at the timetable. The G6748 train was departing in 15 minutes. He calmly scanned his face to enter the station, "Before, at this time, I should have been stuck on the highway!"

Zhang Jian (张健), who lives in Tangshan (唐山), is an engineer at Beijing Guohua Technology Group Co., Ltd. (北京国华科技集团有限公司). "The company headquarters is in Shunyi (顺义), Beijing (北京), and the manufacturing is in Tangshan (唐山), Hebei (河北). I used to travel back and forth between Beijing (北京) and Tangshan (唐山) two or three times a week."

On December 30, 2025, Beijing Tongzhou Station (北京通州站) officially began operations, and the entire Beijing-Tangshan Intercity Railway (京唐城际铁路) was opened. For Zhang Jian (张健), the opening of the new line is a huge change in his work and lifestyle.

Zhang Jian (张健) had tried two ways to get to Beijing (北京): driving, taking the Beijing-Harbin Expressway (京哈高速), which took at least 3 hours each way, and it was unpredictable if he encountered traffic jams; taking the train, he had to go to Beijing Station (北京站) and then to Shunyi (顺义), which would take four or five hours anyway.

Now it's different. The Beijing-Tangshan Intercity Railway (京唐城际铁路) takes only 55 minutes to reach the sub-center of Beijing (北京) from Tangshan (唐山) at the fastest. Coupled with the connections at both ends, the total time is steadily controlled at around two hours. "The time cost has dropped all of a sudden," said Zhang Jian (张健).

"Follow up on production in Tangshan (唐山) in the morning, take the train back to Beijing (北京) at noon, and still be able to attend the technical seminar in the afternoon," Zhang Jian (张健) said with a smile, "I wouldn't have dared to think about it before."

Zhang Jian's (张健) company focuses on the research and development, equipment manufacturing and operation of coal preparation technology. In 2022, the company applied for a patent for a technology, "We often carried dozens of kilograms of design drawings back and forth, which was really tiring," said Zhang Jian (张健).

"A large amount of time is consumed on the road by the company's management and technical backbone, and these are all intangible costs." Zhang Jian (张健) admitted frankly that in order to reduce costs and increase efficiency, the company later moved the design team to Tangshan (唐山).

More realistically, there is the talent problem. Zhang Jian (张健) remembers that a former excellent engineer of the company resigned because he could not accept frequent trips back and forth.

In Zhang Jian's (张健) view, talent is a big deal, "Now we can say to job seekers, 'It's only 55 minutes to Beijing (北京), would you like to come and see?'"

The train attendant told reporters that although the line has only been open for a short time, there are already "familiar faces," "Some passengers can be seen several times a week."

"After the New Year, I plan to take my children to Universal Studios Beijing (北京环球影城) for a trip." Talking about his plans, Zhang Jian's (张健) eyes were full of anticipation, "Just take this train."

Return to Top

Photo Report: Spring Festival at the Grassroots

Return to Top

Page 1 Editors: Yang Xu, Luan Xinyi, Zhao Chuanbo; Page 2 Editors: Wu Gang, Zhou Zhou, Cheng Shijie; Page 3 Editors: Jiang Xuejie, Qi Jiarun, Guo Xueyan; Page 4 Editors: Bai Zhiyu, Chen Zhen, Zhang Xueyan

Return to Top

Green Tourism: A Journey of Newness, A Journey of Beauty (My Green and Low-Carbon Spring Festival)

Shannxi tourist Gao Runyu (高润宇) tours Wuyishan (武夷山), Fujian Province—
　　Unlocking a Unique Experience Amidst the Scenery
　　"After everyone finishes walking this sightseeing trail, scan this QR code to generate a personal carbon ledger. Checking in at scenic spots and walking can accumulate low-carbon points." Having just arrived at the Wuyishan (武夷山) scenic area in Fujian Province, our guide Huang Yue (黄悦) showed us the Wuyishan (武夷山) "Zero-Carbon Tourism" mini-program on her phone. "Every 1,000 steps earns 1 point, and taking the bus instead of driving a private car earns 2 points. 50 points can be redeemed for a small portion of Wuyi Rock Tea, and 380 points can be redeemed for a special refrigerator magnet..."
　　I heard that this is the first zero-carbon 5A-level tourist attraction in Fujian Province, with over 10,000 negative oxygen ions per cubic centimeter. "Our forest coverage rate here is 96.7%, and negative oxygen ions are our 'special product'." Boarding the scenic area sightseeing bus, driver Li (李) told me with a proud face that the sightseeing buses are now fully electric, making tourist travel more environmentally friendly.
　　"The scenic area reduces carbon dioxide emissions by 5,000 tons annually, which is inseparable from the green transformation of the entire chain." Walking into the Wuyishan (武夷山) Tourist Service Center, scenic area staff member Yan Lu (晏路) introduced to us that the Tourist Service Center uses natural ventilation design and environmentally friendly materials, reducing overall energy consumption by 35%, while the preserved manual bamboo rafting allows us to enjoy the Danxia landform on the Jiuqu Stream (九曲溪) and experience the fun of low-carbon travel.
　　Checking into a distinctive hotel, the ingenious low-carbon ideas give people surprises—in the "Tianxin Mingyue Homestay" (天心明月民宿), tea stalk-made fragrances replace chemical fragrances, bamboo furniture reveals natural textures, and there are no disposable plastic products in the guest rooms, replaced by recyclable toiletries. Homestay manager Chen Siyu (陈思雨) introduced to us that through natural ventilation renovation and the use of clean energy, the homestay's energy consumption has decreased significantly, and it has also attracted many tourists who specifically seek zero-carbon experiences.
　　Touring Wuyishan (武夷山) for 3 days, walking the tea trails, taking public transportation, and actively participating in low-carbon education, I have accumulated 300 points and redeemed a commemorative coin of Impression Dahongpao (印象大红袍). Scenic area staff told me that since the Wuyishan (武夷山) "Zero-Carbon Tourism" mini-program was launched in April 2025, it has reached 70,000 registered users. Tourists can also purchase "One Yuan Carbon Sink 3.0" products through the mini-program to offset carbon emissions, and these proceeds will be allocated to forest farmers.
　　Walking among the tea fields, smelling the refreshing tea fragrance, I was filled with emotion. In Wuyishan (武夷山), zero-carbon is no longer an abstract concept, but a real experience integrated into every detail of the journey, making every tourist a participant and beneficiary of ecological protection.
　　(Reported and compiled by Liu Xiaoyu (刘晓宇), reporter of this newspaper)

　　Wang Yin (王寅), a citizen of Wuxi (无锡), Jiangsu Province, takes a new energy bus to buy New Year's goods—
　　Exploring the Festive Atmosphere in a Different Way
　　The festive atmosphere has quietly spread in the city. In the early morning, I came to the Huifeng Station (惠峰站) of Bus Neighbor and boarded a new energy bus. The body was brand new and clean, and there was almost no sound when starting. On the return trip, I had a few more bags of New Year's goods at my feet. Some passengers said with a smile, "Now the New Year's Eve dinner is complete." The festive atmosphere quietly accumulated on this round trip.
　　This is my first time taking this New Year's goods bus line. What I feel is not only the convenience of buying New Year's goods, but also a relaxed travel experience.
　　In previous years, approaching the Spring Festival, the road traffic was dense, and parking spaces around the market were hard to find. Too many cars, too many people, and heavy exhaust fumes often consumed the original festive atmosphere on the road. This time, the new energy bus goes directly from the community to the destination, and you can get on the bus and go home after buying New Year's goods, without worrying about parking and traffic jams.
　　For periods of intensive travel such as the Spring Festival, one less private car on the road means less congestion and less emissions. For me, green travel is no longer an abstract concept, but is reflected in every smooth and comfortable travel detail.
　　In daily life, I am already an "old friend" of green travel. I commute 14 kilometers each way to work. Last year, I replaced my gasoline car with a new energy car. The company's parking lot and the community garage are equipped with charging piles, which is convenient for replenishing energy. On weekends, I try to take the bus as much as possible.
　　During the Spring Festival, this choice becomes more concentrated. Visiting relatives and friends and family gatherings are frequent. If everyone chooses to travel by private car, the road pressure will naturally increase.
　　This year, I started to use "combined travel" more often—taking the bus for long distances and riding shared bicycles for the last leg. When there are many people and cars, buses and cycling are more stable. Changing the way you go out saves worry and slows down the pace of the festival.
　　Behind this change is also the continuous transformation of urban public transportation. In recent years, Wuxi (无锡) buses have accelerated the promotion of new energy vehicles. It is said that the proportion of new energy buses is now close to 90%, and new energy operation has been basically realized on the main lines. During the Spring Festival, the bus system increases the number of services and extends services around travel needs such as purchasing New Year's goods and visiting relatives and friends, so that green transportation capacity can continue to operate during the festival.
　　In the evening, I walked home from the bus station, and the red lanterns on both sides of the street lit up one after another. This festive atmosphere is not only on the dining table, but also quietly flowing on the roads of cleaner and more comfortable travel.
　　(Reported and compiled by Bai Guangdi (白光迪), reporter of this newspaper)

　　Li Fangyu (李方玉), a citizen of Hangzhou (杭州), Zhejiang Province, checks in at the Low-Carbon Science and Technology Museum—
　　Planting the Seeds of Environmental Protection in My Heart
　　During the winter vacation, I accidentally came across an introduction to the China Hangzhou Low-Carbon Science and Technology Museum (中国杭州低碳科技馆), so I took my younger brother Hao Hao (浩浩) on a science popularization trip that we decided on the spur of the moment.
　　According to the introduction, the China Hangzhou Low-Carbon Science and Technology Museum (中国杭州低碳科技馆) integrates low-carbon science and technology popularization, green building display, low-carbon academic exchange, and low-carbon information dissemination. Before entering the museum, I felt "shocked"—a row of photovoltaic panels was installed on the top of the glass curtain wall of the science and technology museum to convert sunlight into electricity.
　　Walking into the museum, the "Global Warming" 4D experience hall impressed me deeply. Sitting on a bamboo raft, what I initially saw was a wetland with lush aquatic plants. In the blink of an eye, black smoke billowed from factories, glaciers gradually melted, forest fires continued, and the special effects of extreme weather made Hao Hao (浩浩) subconsciously clench my hand. The strong contrast from vitality to environmental degradation was very shocking.
　　Coming to the "Low-Carbon City" exhibition hall, simulation models of transportation vehicles such as bicycles, trains, and cars are neatly arranged, which can directly test the carbon emissions of the same distance. Looking at the huge carbon emission data of cars and bicycles on the screen, Hao Hao (浩浩), who rides a bicycle to and from school, said: "In the future, I will not only ride by myself, but also let my parents drive less and take the subway and bus more."
　　The exhibition hall also displays Hangzhou's (杭州) low-carbon achievements: Lin'an (临安) launched the country's first moso bamboo carbon sink project, promoted energy conservation and emission reduction through smart city construction, etc., which made us truly feel Hangzhou's (杭州) commitment to green and low-carbon development. According to the docent, the venue building adopts energy-saving technologies such as solar photovoltaic building integration, daylight utilization and green lighting technology, and ice storage and cooling according to local conditions.
　　Before, our family already had many low-carbon habits: I give priority to taking the subway to commute, and Hao Hao (浩浩) will take the initiative to check whether the lights are turned off when going out. After the visit, I found that every small low-carbon act in life, when accumulated, can add a touch of green to the earth.
　　On the way home, Hao Hao (浩浩) has already planned a family low-carbon plan: "Bring your own environmentally friendly bags to the supermarket, order less takeout, water flowers with rice water, and use old notebooks as scratch paper..." Looking at his serious look, I know this trip was worth it.
　　This trip to the Low-Carbon Science and Technology Museum not only prevented Hao Hao (浩浩) from staring at electronic products all the time, but also planted the seeds of environmental protection in our hearts. Protecting the environment requires everyone's efforts, just like the lakes and mountains of Hangzhou (杭州) need to be jointly protected. Everyone can start from small things around them and gather into a great force for environmental protection, so that a low-carbon life becomes a new fashion.
　　(Reported and compiled by Dou Hao (窦皓), reporter of this newspaper)

　　Meng Xiaoyu (孟小宇), a tourist from Jilin (吉林), comes to the Li River (漓江) in Guangxi (广西)—
　　Low-Carbon Travel, Good Mood
　　At the end of the year and the beginning of the year, I came to Guilin (桂林), Guangxi (广西). The ancient Ling Canal (灵渠), the lifelike Elephant Trunk Hill (象鼻山), and the terraced Longji Rice Terraces (龙脊梯田) are unforgettable. After visiting for a few days, I set my new destination in the Li River (漓江) scenic area.
　　Driving a new energy vehicle all the way south, I came to Huashan Village (画山村), Xingping Town (兴坪镇), Yangshuo County (阳朔县), on the bank of the Li River (漓江), and it was easy to find the Ergendie Charging Station (厄根底充电站) by the roadside. Three DC dual-gun charging piles and two AC single-gun charging piles. The charging station does not pick models and provides supplies for tourists from all over the world. I specifically looked at the license plate numbers, and there were new energy vehicles from Tianjin (天津) and Henan (河南).
　　"DC No. 2 charging pile, charged 8 kWh, charging time 13 minutes, battery state of charge increased from 81% to 89%." Scan the code to charge, and the mini-program displays vehicle charging information in real time, which is very convenient.
　　During the charging interval, I found that the parking spaces of this charging station were equipped with multi-functional awnings. Zhang Qiaomu (张乔木), deputy manager of the Xingping Power Supply Station (兴坪供电所) of the China Southern Power Grid Guangxi Guilin Yangshuo Power Supply Bureau (南方电网广西桂林阳朔供电局), came over to introduce that the charging station's awning integrates photovoltaic power generation, rain shelter, and drainage functions. Since the 45 photovoltaic panels were connected to the grid, the cumulative power generation has exceeded 90,000 kWh.
　　Then, I came to Chaoban Mountain Wharf (朝板山码头) and boarded an electric raft. "In the past, rafts had to burn diesel, and I had to carry oil drums to the gas station all day long. The cost was high, the exhaust was heavy, and the motor was always noisy, so I had to shout to explain." Mo Jianbin (莫剑斌), 46, has been a rafter for 14 years. He told me that after using new energy electric rafts, there is no pollution, the noise is low, there are more customers, and the income has doubled.
　　It is said that all of the more than 1,200 rafts on the Li River (漓江) have been "converted from oil to electricity", reducing carbon emissions by 2,493 tons per year, which is equivalent to the annual carbon sink of 70 hectares of mangrove forests.
　　Now, there are basically no cross-river power lines in the Li River (漓江) scenic area, and the skyline is pure. I can enjoy the mountain scenery on both sides of the river while playing, and I can also take 360-degree panoramic shots.
　　After playing for a day, I stayed overnight in Dahebei Natural Village (大河背自然村), Yucun Village (渔村), Xingping Town (兴坪镇). On the shelf of the "Bamboo Sea Linjiang" Hotel (竹海临江酒店) is a plaque that reads "All Green Power User". From water heaters to coffee machines, all use green electricity.
　　Villagers said that Dahebei Village (大河背村) has 330 households and is a well-known "zero-carbon village". Almost all households travel by electric vehicles.
　　Convenient charging, environmentally friendly rafts, and all-green electricity homestays, this low-carbon trip gave me a special good mood. I heard that Guilin (桂林) is building a world-class tourist city, and I believe that it will definitely be able to brighten the green background of tourism development here.
　　(Reported and compiled by Zhang Yunhe (张云河), reporter of this newspaper)

　　Zhang Jiangtao (张江涛), a tourist from Hunan (湖南), visits ancient trees in Guangzhou (广州), Guangdong (广东)—
　　"Tree-Seeking Journey" Witnesses Ecological Protection
　　Before the Spring Festival, I came to Guangzhou (广州), Guangdong (广东) from Changsha (长沙), Hunan (湖南) for the first time, and my first stop was the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall (中山纪念堂).
　　Walking into the park, red lanterns are hung on two ancient magnolia trees. The "Ancient Trees Witness, All Wishes Come True" Spring Festival event is underway: leave New Year's blessings or wishes on the official account, and they may be made into blessing plaques, which will be hung on the branches of ancient trees with red lanterns during the Spring Festival.
　　I also followed the instructions and left my New Year's wishes: "May the mountains and rivers be evergreen and the world be safe." The staff said with a smile that if my wish is selected, it will be sent back to me after the Spring Festival display period. "Let the ancient trees witness and let the blessings take root." These simple words warmed my heart.
　　Just as I was looking up at the ancient trees, a volunteer wearing a green vest and a "Tang Xiaoqing" (堂小青) badge on his chest approached and took the initiative to explain to me. "The two magnolia trees in front of you are already 124 years old and are the magnolia trees with the largest crown width in Guangzhou (广州)." It turns out that the magnolia tree on the west side was already growing here before the memorial hall was built, and the one on the east side was transplanted later. As time passed, they grew into a symmetrical shape.
　　"Tang Xiaoqing" (堂小青) is the memorial hall's youth volunteer lecture group. For more than 4 years, nearly 200 members have served here for more than 1,000 times, serving about 270,000 tourists, protecting history and passing on greenery.
　　Following the guidance of "Tang Xiaoqing" (堂小青), I started a "tree-seeking journey". Behind the main building stands a kapok tree, with a towering crown and a majestic momentum. According to "Tang Xiaoqing" (堂小青), this tree has been rated as "China's Most Beautiful Kapok" and is more than 350 years old. I stroked the specially laid "breathable" permeable bricks under the tree and saw the space and nutritious soil left under the bricks specifically for the root system, and felt the local area's meticulous care for the ancient trees.
　　What I was most curious about was the spectacle called "Tree Hugging Tree" in the northeast corner. A banyan tree gently wraps a fan palm with its aerial roots. The two trees are integrated, with lush branches and leaves, which made me stop for a long time.
　　Along the way, I also saw the elastic cable system installed on the ancient trees, the bionic pillars supporting the old branches, and the "ID card" signs hanging on the trunks. By scanning the QR code, the ancient tree's "life file", age, and historical stories are clear at a glance. All of this is no longer a simple visit, but a vivid dialogue about protecting ancient trees.
　　Before leaving, I returned to the two magnolia trees again. A breeze blew, and the treetops moved slightly. This vivid green ecology class made me see that true protection is not only looking back on the past, but also allowing vitality and hope to thrive in the present.
　　(Reported and compiled by Li Zong (李纵), reporter of this newspaper)

Return to Top

Hoping for the enduring success of green tourism.

By: 李君强

The Spring Festival is approaching, and many people are making travel plans. On social media platforms, keywords such as green scenic spots and low-carbon travel are becoming popular.

What is green cultural tourism? Let's look at an example: Xiao Yang (小杨) came to Luoyang (洛阳), Henan (河南) for tourism, scanned a shared bicycle that can be seen everywhere in the city, rode to the Sui and Tang Luoyang City National Heritage Park (隋唐洛阳城国家遗址公园), and had dinner next to the park in the evening, with "Clean Plate Campaign" cards on the table. The next day, she strolled in Luoyi Ancient City (洛邑古城), rented "shared Hanfu" to check in and take pictures, and returned it to a dedicated express cabinet near the hotel in the evening. On the third day, she came to the Mat蹄泉 Tourist Resort (马蹄泉旅游度假村), where all energy is supplied by electricity.

From advocating low-carbon travel to energy-saving operation of scenic spots; from intelligent regulation of passenger flow to guiding garbage classification and saving food, green cultural tourism is essentially a concept and practice of sustainable development.

The most direct benefit of green cultural tourism is to protect natural resources and reduce ecological pressure. In the past, some scenic spots also carried the "green" label, but they lacked awareness of the carrying capacity of the natural ecology, and in fact, they still exchanged extensive operations for short-term popularity, lacking long-term thinking.

For tourists, green cultural tourism also reduces queuing, traffic jams, and crowding. Compared with pure sightseeing-style "check-in," everyone has more opportunities to interact closely with nature. For local industries and economic development, the green cultural tourism development model is more like a long-term investment. Energy conservation and emission reduction make resource utilization more efficient and operations more solid; the long-term reputation helps to open up brand recognition, win the trust of tourists, and better drive the development of the local cultural tourism industry. From a more macro perspective, in the context of global response to climate change and promotion of green and low-carbon transformation, green cultural tourism is also an important part of China's efforts to promote ecological civilization construction, achieve the "dual carbon" goals, and promote high-quality economic and social development.

To develop green cultural tourism, many places have good practices. The Low-Carbon Science and Technology Museum (低碳科技馆) in Hangzhou (杭州), Zhejiang (浙江) takes "low-carbon" as its theme, displaying scientific knowledge and hard-core technology in the museum, replacing simple tours with curiosity and interaction; the Ancient Tree Park (古树公园) in Guangzhou (广州), Guangdong (广东) integrates ancient trees, ponds, leisure squares, etc. into the daily life of surrounding residents, realizing the resonance of "ecological beauty" and "people's livelihood beauty."

To develop green cultural tourism, the key is to implement the concept into details and integrate it into the tourist experience. For most scenic spots, carbon emissions mainly come from transportation. Taking green travel as a starting point, improve public transportation connections, set up transfer centers, and promote reservations and time-sharing tours to keep traffic outside the scenic spot and introduce order into the scenic spot, achieving the effect of emission reduction and speed increase. In terms of passenger flow control, digital means can be used to optimize tour routes and regulate passenger flow density, so that limited scenic space can exert greater efficiency.

To make the concept of green and low-carbon deeply rooted in people's hearts, it is more important to enhance tourists' sense of participation, rather than simply treating tourists as management objects. For example, if garbage classification guidelines are clear and easy to understand, and low-carbon travel is more convenient and time-saving, tourists will consciously and actively practice green and low-carbon behaviors. More importantly, we must adhere to calculating the big picture, the long-term picture, the overall picture, and the comprehensive picture, so that green cultural tourism can become the norm.

The Spring Festival is one of the most densely populated periods of the year, and it is also the most testing time for the development of cultural tourism. As more and more tourists are accustomed to using public transportation as their first choice for travel, the concept of green and low-carbon is rooted in everyone's heart and becomes a real feeling of people's holidays.

Return to Top

Editor in Charge: Dong Siyu (This Edition)

Layout Design: Zhang Danfeng (张丹峰)

Return to Top

A Hundred Flavors Cook Up a Happy New Year (Cultural China Tour: Chinese New Year Flavor, Era Vibe)

By: 本报记者 王永战

A table of hotpot, with red oil bubbling, gathers Sichuan (巴蜀) ingredients, simmering a festive scene of prosperity; a course of cuisine, adhering to traditional techniques, incorporates innovative ideas, leading a new spring fashion of healthy eating; a plate of twice-cooked pork, carefully selected ingredients, cooked with ancient methods, stirring up an authentic rural taste of reunion... As China's first "World Capital of Gastronomy," the flavor of the New Year in Chengdu (成都) is hidden not only in the streets decorated with lanterns and colored banners but also wafts from the kitchens of ordinary families.
　　——Editor

　　A Table of Hotpot——
　　Red Broth Bubbling, Elevating the Sichuan (巴蜀) Flavor of the New Year
　　Hotpot is the favorite of Sichuanese people, a delicious symbol of the Spring Festival meaning "prosperous days," and also the "signature skill" of Wen Xueping (文学平), the chef of Houtang Old Hotpot Restaurant (吼堂老火锅店) on Chunxi Road (春熙路). Having been in the catering industry for more than 20 years, Wen Xueping has a deep understanding of the "soul" of hotpot - a delicious hotpot depends on both the broth and the ingredients, neither can be missing.
　　On the eve of the Spring Festival, Chunxi Road (春熙路) is bustling with people. In addition to the daily preparation of ingredients, Houtang Old Hotpot (吼堂老火锅) also organizes on-site stir-frying of the broth, allowing diners to get a glimpse of the "birth of Sichuan (巴蜀) flavor."
　　Whenever stir-frying the broth, Wen Xueping gets busy early in the morning: going to the warehouse, visiting the market, preparing the main ingredients such as pounded chili, beef tallow, broad bean paste, and Sichuan peppercorns, as well as auxiliary ingredients such as scallions, celery, ginger, rock sugar, and fermented glutinous rice. "The Sichuan peppercorns are selected from Hanyuan (汉源), numbing but not bitter; the broad bean paste is chosen from Pixian (郫都) that has been aged for more than two years, with a rich sauce aroma; the chili peppers use Guizhou bullet peppers to enhance the aroma and Chongqing Shizhu Red (重庆石柱红) to increase the spiciness," said Wen Xueping.
　　A large iron pot with a diameter of over 1.5 meters is set up, and a meticulous stir-frying process lasting more than 4 hours begins. As the beef tallow melts and the oil temperature rises to over 150 degrees Celsius, Wen Xueping pours in the auxiliary ingredients, stir-fries them until dry, and then removes them. Then, he adds the pounded chili and ginger in batches, stirring constantly to ensure even heating. In the second half of the stir-frying process, he adds the remaining chili peppers, secret spices, broad bean paste, and Sichuan peppercorns. When the chili peppers become dry and the beef tallow turns bright red, the broth is complete.
　　The restaurant's ingredients are equally exquisite: the freshly sliced beef platter is attractively colored, and the sauerkraut is carefully selected by the head chef from many kimchi factories. "Sichuan (蜀地) fresh ingredients paired with local broth can cook authentic Sichuan (巴蜀) flavor," Wen Xueping introduced. The classic beef tallow hotpot is spicy but not dry, and the innovative sauerkraut crispy pork tofu mandarin duck pot is also very popular.
　　This Spring Festival, Wen Xueping is extremely busy. Buying cured meat and vegetables, purchasing New Year goods, he cooks Sichuan (川) delicacies for his family at home whenever he has time, and when he returns to the restaurant, he gets busy with the kitchen helpers. The hotpot restaurant has prepared enough dragon beard bamboo shoots, mushrooms, etc., and delivers fresh meat every day to ensure freshness. As he speaks, Wen Xueping shouts a greeting, welcoming another group of diners with a smile.

　　A Course of Cuisine——
　　Combining Chinese and Western Styles, Adding Color to the Spring Scenery of Jin City (锦城)
　　During the Spring Festival holiday, the streets are crowded with tourists and red lanterns are hung high. Early in the morning, Ahmed (阿罕默德) from Egypt came to Fanghua Street (芳华街) and walked into his Sultan Turkish Restaurant (苏坦·土耳其餐吧), with brand new Spring Festival couplets pasted on the door. He put on his apron and personally cooked food with both exotic flavors and New Year warmth for the diners.
　　"Shawarma is a common Arabic-style grilled meat dish, and we have injected it with a different color," said Ahmed. He introduced the traditional Middle Eastern production techniques, imported basmati rice and dozens of Arabic spices, and at the same time innovated the form to make the dishes more suitable for Chinese tastes.
　　When making shawarma, he roasts the chicken and lamb coated with spices on a rotating grill, and when the meat sizzles with oil, he peels and cuts the pineapple into pieces. When the meat is roasted, he layers a piece of meat and a layer of pineapple, and finally puts the pineapple head on top, and the dish is formed.
　　"Traditional Turkish shawarma has a lot of meat and is not easy to digest," said Ahmed. Adding pineapple makes the shawarma fragrant but not greasy, which fits the modern concept of reducing fat and balancing nutrition for health.
　　As early as 2006, his wife Guo Lin (郭琳) founded this Turkish restaurant. The two became connected through food and jointly developed unique dishes. For example, the dessert kunafa has been innovatively launched with chocolate, mango and other flavors on the basis of traditional methods, which is very popular among diners. Today, the brand "Sultan Middle Eastern Cuisine (苏坦·中东料理)" they founded has opened in Xi'an (西安), Taiyuan (太原) and other places.
　　This Spring Festival, Ahmed and his wife will go to various places to check the operation of the restaurants, and then return to Guo Lin's (郭琳) hometown of Xi'an (西安) to visit her family. "The Chinese Spring Festival has a strong New Year flavor. We like to get together with our families and taste food from all over the country," said Ahmed. In the new year, the couple plans to open the restaurant in more cities. When they are free, they love to soak in the teahouses in Chengdu (成都), sipping tea and listening to operas, enjoying this unique tranquility.

　　A Sichuan Dish——
　　Authentic Ingredients, Cooking a Pastoral Landscape
　　The flavor of the Spring Festival is strong on the tip of the tongue. Coming to Fengle Village (丰乐村), Longxing Town (隆兴镇), Chongzhou City (崇州市), Chengdu (成都市), Hu Anxue (胡安学), a large pig farmer, is cooking a special Sichuan (川) dish.
　　The pigs in his family have just been sold, and now is the peak season for pork sales. Hu Anxue selected the best fresh meat to make sausages and bacon, which are hung under the eaves to dry. He then stir-fries a plate of twice-cooked pork to celebrate the New Year.
　　Heat the pot and add oil, add dried chili peppers and Sichuan peppercorns, and then add fresh pork. In an instant, the spicy and fragrant taste bursts in the pot. Later, the meat slices become oily and curled, he pushes the meat to one side, adds broad bean paste and stir-fries until the red oil comes out, and then stir-fries with the meat slices. The pork belly is yellow with red, and the color is attractive. Hu Anxue pours in garlic sprouts and stir-fries quickly.
　　"Out of the pot!" With the dish on the plate, an on-site teaching of stir-fried twice-cooked pork comes to a successful end.
　　Speaking of stir-frying twice-cooked pork, Hu Anxue has many secrets. First of all, the ingredients must be fresh, and pork belly with rich intermuscular fat should be selected. Secondly, the ingredients need to be particular. "Priority should be given to rapeseed oil, which has a strong rapeseed fragrance," said Hu Anxue. Garlic sprouts are the "golden partner" of meat slices. This time, Hu Anxue picked organic garlic sprouts from his own farm, which tastes authentic.
　　A plate of twice-cooked pork is a must for the New Year's Eve dinner, behind which is Hu Anxue's many years of breeding practice.
　　When studying in technical secondary school, Hu Anxue studied brewing. A few years after graduation, he devoted himself to the pig breeding business because of his love for breeding. At that time, he bought dozens of piglets and cooperated with other farmers to raise pigs. "During this period, I also studied by correspondence and studied animal medicine," said Hu Anxue.
　　Over time, Hu Anxue, who loves to ponder, thought about leading the pig farm to modernization. In 2009, he founded Sichuan Dichen Agricultural Co., Ltd. (四川省地宸农业有限责任公司) and began large-scale breeding. In the past few years, Hu Anxue studied animal nutrition at Sichuan Agricultural University (四川农业大学) and established a family farm to grow organic rice and vegetables to achieve planting and breeding cycle.
　　Recently, Hu Anxue's breeding business has made new progress. "Our new pig farm in Barkam City (马尔康市), Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture (阿坝藏族羌族自治州) is about to be put into use to expand the breeding scale," said Hu Anxue.
　　"During the Spring Festival, we want to get together with everyone and look forward to new developments in the coming year." Speaking of the new year, Hu Anxue is full of expectations.

Return to Top

The spirit of the Spring Festival is alive and brimming with warmth.

By: 孟 扬

As the Spring Festival approaches, the "taste of home" arrives as scheduled. The crispy sesame brittle, the glistening cured meat, the soft and glutinous rice wine – the familiar taste of the New Year emanates from the express delivery packages. In the streets and alleys, bright red lanterns and neon lights reflect each other, and in the interweaving of light and shadow, the splendid taste of the New Year becomes richer and richer...

Pasting Spring Festival couplets, cutting paper-cut window decorations, staying up late on New Year's Eve, and offering sacrifices to ancestors – every custom of the Spring Festival, which bids farewell to the old and welcomes the new, carries reverence for heaven and earth, remembrance of ancestors, and expectations for life. The codes of cultural genes are written into the life sequence of Chinese people along with the rising taste of the New Year. The taste of the New Year is like the torch in this time relay, penetrating thousands of years of time and roasting every Chinese heart with warmth.

As the years change, brilliant new chapters are written every day. Celebrating the New Year was once the most enthusiastic and devout ritual in agricultural civilization, and the taste of the New Year is condensed with hope and anticipation. People once worried that the development of the times would dilute the sense of ritual of the New Year and make the taste of the New Year fade. However, from the past to the present, although there is no fixed script for celebrating the New Year, the taste of the New Year adapts to the changes in life in various forms. When the Spring Festival travel rush is no longer a "bitter journey" but a miracle of efficient population migration, when "celebrating the New Year in a different place," "reverse New Year," and "cloud reunion" with the help of modern technology become more options, the taste of the New Year becomes warmer and more vibrant because it is integrated with a modern atmosphere. As long as there is concern and expectation in the heart, every New Year will brew a mellow taste; as long as life is prosperous, the taste of the New Year will be steaming hot.

From oriental folk customs to the world's "intangible cultural heritage," the lights of the Spring Festival cross mountains and seas, gradually lighting up around the earth. The common pursuit of reunion, harmony, and beauty contained in the Chinese New Year has become a common emotional map of mankind. When foreign wines are placed on Chinese dining tables by China-Europe freight trains, when New Year goods from "Chinatowns" are sent to all directions, and when friends of different skin colors say "Gong Xi Fa Cai (恭喜发财)" in clumsy Chinese in streets and alleys filled with Chinese red, a sense of joy grows in the bottom of my heart. Our generation is creatively reconstructing the form of "celebrating the New Year" in high-speed rail, optical fibers, and globalized supply chains. The increasingly rich Chinese New Year flavor is passing through geographical limitations and spreading warmth and telling Chinese stories in spring in a wider world.

At the moment of bidding farewell to the old and welcoming the new, on the vast land of China, the ancient oriental festival is growing vigorously in dialogue with the times, and the lights of thousands of families converge into a galaxy of civilization. When the mellow aroma of the "reunion dinner" converges with the joyful songs and laughter of staying up late, when the perseverance of the border outposts joins hands with the dedication of the construction sites, this taste of the New Year, which contains happiness and peace, becomes a vivid footnote to national prosperity and people's peace, and a concrete embodiment of living in a prosperous age and having a sense of family and country. The steaming taste of the New Year is not only the joy of ordinary families, but also reflects the spiritual outlook of a country.

The taste of the New Year carries the echo of history and the yearning for the future, drifting with the spring breeze.

Happy New Year, happy every year, the mountains and rivers are safe, and the world is peaceful.

Return to Top

World's Culinary Capitals: Signature Dishes

Currently, seven cities in China have been designated as "Creative Cities of Gastronomy" by UNESCO: Chengdu (成都), Shunde (顺德), Macau (澳门), Yangzhou (扬州), Huai'an (淮安), Chaozhou (潮州), and Quanzhou (泉州).

Shunde Tossed Chicken
Fengshengshuiqi tossed chicken is the most distinctive delicacy of the Spring Festival in Shunde (顺德), Guangdong (广东). The soul of this dish lies in the action of "tossing." When the whole family reunites during the Spring Festival, everyone gathers around the table, holding chopsticks to toss the ingredients high, shouting in unison "捞起捞起，风生水起" (lāo qǐ lāo qǐ, fēng shēng shuǐ qǐ - "toss it up, toss it up, may the wind rise and the water surge," wishing for prosperity and success in the new year.

The dish mainly uses tender poached chicken as the main ingredient, paired with colorful ingredients: golden fried peanuts and fried taro shreds, symbolizing wealth; carrot shreds, cucumber shreds, and onion shreds in various colors, symbolizing a colorful life; scallion shreds and coriander add fragrance and flavor; and pickled shallots and lemon leaf shreds add a sweet and sour touch.

As one of the "first dishes" of the Shunde (顺德) New Year's meal, Fengshengshuiqi tossed chicken combines deliciousness and blessings. The chicken is smooth and tender, the fried foods are crispy, and the vegetables are refreshing. One bite is full of the happiness of family reunion in the New Year.

Macau Poon Choi
During the Spring Festival, Poon Choi (盆菜) (Picture ①) is the "main dish" on the reunion dinner table of Macau (澳门) people. It brings together several or even more than a dozen ingredients in one pot, carrying the beautiful meaning of reunion and abundance. Fresh shrimp, broccoli, and black moss each have auspicious meanings, and the key to the deliciousness of Poon Choi (盆菜) lies in the carefully prepared broth.

Making the broth involves several steps: first, fry pork bones and old chicken until golden brown, then bake dried shrimp and dried scallops until fragrant, then process the pig tongue, remove the membrane and blanch it, then put all the ingredients into a pot and simmer for 6-8 hours, filter out the residue, and finally season and thicken to achieve the appropriate consistency.

The ingredients cover meat, seafood, vegetables, mushrooms and other categories, and the arrangement of the pot is also exquisite: radish and lotus root are laid on the bottom of the pot, goose webs and roasted pork are placed in the middle layer, and sea cucumber and abalone are placed on the top layer. After pouring the soup and boiling, the bottom ingredients absorb the essence, with a rich and delicious flavor that becomes more flavorful as you eat.

Yangzhou "All Happiness"
In the New Year's Eve dinner of Yangzhou (扬州) people in Jiangsu (江苏), "All Happiness" (全家福) (Picture ②) is the final dish, simmering various ingredients into a rich pot.

This dish is rich in ingredients, including shrimp cakes, fish balls, egg dumplings, Jinhua ham (金华火腿), fish maw, tendons, sea cucumber, abalone, pigeon eggs, etc., each with auspicious expectations. Shrimp meat is chopped into a paste and fried into shrimp cakes, fish meat is made into balls, and meat filling is wrapped in egg skin to make egg dumplings; pig stomach and prawns are blanched; tendons and fish maw are oiled and then steamed with chicken soup until soft; dried scallops, abalone, and sea cucumber are soaked and flavored; fresh bamboo shoots and carrots are cut and shaped. Take a large container, line the bottom with cabbage and fish balls, stack egg dumplings, pig stomach and other ingredients, pour in clear chicken soup and steam for 45 minutes to allow the flavors to blend, and garnish with small vegetable hearts before serving.

The fish balls are round like pearls, hiding the good omen of "completeness"; the sea cucumber is soft and the abalone is plump, wrapped in the expectation of "abundance". Various ingredients come together in a bowl, which is the appearance of "complete happiness".

Huaian Soft-Shelled Eel
Huai'an (淮安), Jiangsu (江苏), has been a land of fish and rice since ancient times. Among the table full of Huaiyang (淮扬) delicacies, soft-shelled eel (软兜长鱼) (Picture ③) stands out as the "most delicious of Huaiyang (淮扬)".

Cut the back meat of cooked eel into two sections, place it in boiling chicken soup to scald it thoroughly, and absorb the moisture with a clean cloth; then put the cooked eel back meat into a hot oil pan with fried garlic slices and stir-fry evenly, quickly thicken with a sauce made of soy sauce, white sugar, balsamic vinegar, Shaoxing wine (绍酒), monosodium glutamate, wet starch, and chicken soup, drizzle with cooked lard, sprinkle with pepper and plate.

When you eat it, the rich lard blends with the sweet eel, the garlic is warm, the sauce is salty and sweet, the pepper neutralizes the greasiness, and the meat is smooth and easy to melt, with rich layers that are not complicated.

Chaozhou Braised Goose
For Chaozhou (潮州) people, a New Year's Eve dinner without braised goose cannot be considered sumptuous. The selection of Chaozhou (潮州) braised goose is very particular, with the first choice being the lion head goose weighing more than 10 kilograms - this type of goose is named for its large crown that resembles a male lion. When making it, use soy sauce as the base for the marinade, add spices such as cinnamon, star anise, cloves, and fennel, which can not only enhance the freshness and flavor, but also remove fishy odors and inhibit bacteria.

The processed goose must be braised using the traditional process of "three immersions and three hangings": spices, garlic, ginger, and chili are cooked together in a large bucket, brought to a boil over high heat, then simmered over low heat, alternating between immersion and hanging, taking more than two hours, and the larger the goose, the longer the braising time.

When eating braised goose, a dipping dish of minced garlic and white vinegar is a perfect match, which can not only relieve greasiness, but also enhance the freshness and aroma. The braised goose meat is soft, juicy, fresh, tender, salty and fragrant, and various flavors blend in the mouth. Among the thousands of flavors of Chaozhou (潮州) cuisine, "freshness" is the essence, and Chaozhou (潮州) braised goose is the perfect carrier of this essence.

Quanzhou Five-Spice Rolls
Fried foods are an indispensable delicacy for Quanzhou (泉州) people during the New Year. Fried hairtail, fried vinegar meat, and fried fish rolls each have their own flavors, crispy and delicious and easy to preserve. Among them, the unique flavor of five-spice rolls is quite representative.

Chop the fatty and lean pork belly, mix it with crispy water chestnuts, red shallots, and scallions, then sprinkle with five-spice powder and mix well to make the filling; then wrap the filling with tofu skin, roll it into long strips and deep-fry it, and you have crispy five-spice rolls. When tasting, dip it in sweet and spicy sauce. The entrance has the crispness of tofu skin, the greasiness of pork belly, the crisp sweetness of water chestnuts, and the freshness of scallions and five-spice powder. Pair it with a bite of pickled radish to cleanse the palate and remove greasiness, which has a unique flavor.

(Reported and compiled by Luo Aihua (罗艾桦), Hong Qiuting (洪秋婷), Fu Zimei (富子梅), Yao Xueqing (姚雪青), and Shi Yu (施钰), reporters of this newspaper)

Return to Top

This edition's editors: Meng Yang, Tang Zhongke, Xu Yang

Layout design: Cai Huawei (蔡华伟)

Return to Top

Galloping Steeds Usher in the Year of the Horse (Cultural China Tour)

The Image of Horses in Cultural Relics:
　　Galloping Horses Welcoming Spring, Valiant Steeds Striving Forward (Cultural Relics Have Something to Say)
　　Liu Tao (刘涛)

　　Speaking of "Horse Stepping on a Flying Swallow," many people must have heard of its great name or seen its appearance. This horse has three feet in the air, its hind hoof stepping on a bird. At the moment the bird turns its head in panic, the steed has already sped past, demonstrating its lightning speed and extraordinary grace. Because the species of the bird being stepped on is still undetermined, "Horse Stepping on a Flying Swallow" is actually a conventional name. The original name of this cultural relic is Bronze Galloping Horse.

　　The Bronze Galloping Horse, unearthed from the Leitai Han Tomb (雷台汉墓) in Wuwei City (武威市), Gansu (甘肃), has a realistic shape and vivid image. It has stood for thousands of years on only one hoof, and its manufacturing process is amazing. The "Auspicious Horse" mascot for the 2026 "Happy Chinese New Year" released by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism (文化和旅游部) was inspired by this Bronze Galloping Horse.

　　It is no coincidence that the Bronze Galloping Horse was unearthed in Gansu. Gansu's connection with horses is both early and long. Archaeologists speculate that domestic horses in China were introduced from abroad, and the Ganqing area (甘青地区) in the upper reaches of the Yellow River (黄河) may have been an important channel for domestic horses to enter the Central Plains. The ancestors of the Ying Qin (嬴秦) were granted the land of Qin (秦地) (around Qingshui County (清水县), Tianshui (天水), Gansu today) by King Xiao of Zhou (周孝王) for their contributions to horse breeding. The Ying Qin rose in the western frontier and eventually unified the world after decades of management. The mighty terracotta army of Qin Shi Huang's Mausoleum (秦始皇陵兵马俑) is also inextricably linked to Gansu.

　　During the Han (汉) and Tang (唐) dynasties, Gansu was both an important horse administration area relied upon by the imperial court, with tens of thousands of horses galloping in the military horse farms of Longyou (陇右) and Hexi (河西); and it was located on the golden section of the Silk Road (丝绸之路), with vehicles and horses converging on the thoroughfares of Yangguan (阳关) and Yumenguan (玉门关), and merchants coming and going in an endless stream. Therefore, it is only natural that Gansu has become a major province of "horse cultural relics." In addition to the world-famous Bronze Galloping Horse, Gansu's wooden horses are also unique. Because it is located inland, with little rain and low air humidity, the wood is not easily decayed, and exquisite wooden masterpieces from the Han and Jin (晋) dynasties have been preserved in Gansu to this day. There are a large number of wooden horses with different shapes in the Hexi Corridor (河西走廊), and a typical representative of these is the large number of wooden horses unearthed from the Mozuizi Han Tomb (磨嘴子汉墓) in Wuwei (武威). Compared with the Bronze Galloping Horse's pursuit of wind and electricity, the wooden horses seem to stroll leisurely, showing the leisure of life.

　　There are countless examples of horse-related content in the Northwest Han bamboo slips, involving many aspects such as horse breeding and treatment. The Chuan Ma Ming Ji Jian (传马名籍简) unearthed from the Xuanquanzhi Site (悬泉置遗址) records more than 200 horse names such as "Zaiyu" (载玉) and "Chengjia" (成佳). The Ying Tianma Jian (迎天马简) from the first year of Yuanping (元平) (74 BC) records that the imperial court sent people from Chang'an (长安) to Dunhuang (敦煌) to welcome the Dayuan Tianma (大宛天马), requiring the post stations along the way to provide reception, which shows the Han Dynasty's emphasis on Tianma.

　　In the Han portrait stones in Shandong (山东), Henan (河南) and other places, there are countless images of horses. The most famous is the Wu Liang Shrine (武梁祠) in Jiaxiang (嘉祥), Shandong, which has many pictures of horse riding or horse-drawn carriages. The Hexi portrait bricks did not shine until the Wei (魏) and Jin dynasties, and the figure of the horse can be seen in travel pictures, hunting pictures, and grazing pictures. "The Courier Picture" (《驿使图》) is a representative of these, in which the courier in the mural gallops on horseback, with the horse's four feet in the air, showing its urgency.

　　As an art treasure house in China, the Dunhuang murals (敦煌壁画) contain both ordinary horses that run around and heavenly horses that ride the clouds and mist. The "Zhang Yichao's Army Travel Picture" (《张议潮统军出行图》) in Cave 156 of Mogao Grottoes (莫高窟) in the late Tang Dynasty (晚唐) is crowded with people and horses, and thousands of vehicles and horses are about to emerge, but the layout is well-organized, complex but not chaotic, which shows an extremely high level of creation.

　　Tang Sancai (唐三彩) is a treasure of Tang Dynasty art, and the shape of horses is very common. At that time, on the Silk Road, exotic objects came one after another, and Hu merchants traveled endlessly. The Sancai male equestrian figurine unearthed in Qin'an County (秦安县), Tianshui City (天水市), has deep eyes, a high nose, and thick sideburns, and is a typical Hu image. The Silk Road has also become a road of civilization for ethnic exchanges, communication, and integration due to the gathering and exchanges of merchants from various ethnic groups.

　　Since the Sui (隋) and Tang dynasties, famous artists who were good at painting horses have emerged in large numbers. Du Fu's (杜甫) famous poem "Danqing Yin Presented to General Cao Ba" (《丹青引赠曹将军霸》) fully describes the wonderfulness of Cao Ba's horse painting. Tang Han Gan's (唐韩干) "Zhao Ye Bai Tu" (《照夜白图》), Song Li Gonglin's (宋李公麟) "Five Horses" (《五马图》), and Yuan Zhao Mengfu's (元赵孟頫) "Man and Horse" (《人骑图》) are all famous horse paintings handed down to the world. In modern times, Xu Beihong (徐悲鸿) is even more famous for painting horses. The horses in his paintings have a vast artistic conception and an uplifting spirit, and they once neighed for national rejuvenation during the Anti-Japanese War.

　　The ancient ancestors had already outlined the pictographic characters of horses in oracle bone inscriptions. Although the characters have changed with the times, their shape and spirit remain, like flying and running, both clever and clumsy, which can be described as "a little bit of vastness, a thousand miles of pleasant wind."

　　In today's society, although the scene of vehicles and horses crowding together in ancient times is no longer there, the contributions of horses in the thousands of years of civilization should not be forgotten. Time is silent, but cultural relics can speak. Horse cultural relics are the witness of horse history, the carrier of horse culture, and the annotation of horse spirit. In the new era, valiant steeds are also needed to strive forward, and new journeys require even more outstanding horses to gallop.

　　(Author's unit: Gansu Provincial Museum (甘肃省博物馆), reporter Song Chaojun (宋朝军) of this newspaper interviewed and compiled)

　　Inheritance and Innovation with Mass Participation:
　　Engraving the Imprint of the Times in a Small Space
　　Reporter Han Xin (韩鑫) of this newspaper

　　The horse is an important spiritual totem of the Chinese nation, symbolizing courage, progress, and loyalty; the zodiac stamp is an important carrier for inheriting and promoting excellent traditional Chinese culture. Entering the Lunar Year of the Horse, how can the beauty of the zodiac be used to interpret national culture? The Year of the Horse zodiac stamp has become a window.

　　Although stamps are small, they carry good expectations and engrave the imprint of the times. Looking back over more than 40 years, the birth of each horse-themed stamp is an artistic condensation of the atmosphere of the times.

　　In 1978, the special stamp "Galloping Horse" (《奔马》) was issued. At that time, it was on the eve of the great changes of reform and opening up. The stamp used the posture of a steed to sound the artistic horn for China's economic take-off; in 1990, the special stamp "Gengwu Year" (《庚午年》) was launched. The little foal in the stamp exuded a rural atmosphere and life interest, which was in line with the public aesthetics of the 1990s; in 2002, the special stamp "Renwu Year" (《壬午年》) was issued. The innovative integration of "folk crafts + modern design" demonstrated China's open attitude since the new century; in 2014, the special stamp "Jiawu Year" (《甲午年》) presented "immediate happiness" with diverse techniques, reflecting the prosperity of the cultural market...

　　"The special stamp 'Bingwu Year' (《丙午年》) issued this year practices the concept of 'culture for the people' and is the result of China Post's gathering of national wisdom. National participation and dual-track review by the public and experts have become a breakthrough attempt in the design model of zodiac stamps," said Liu Aili (刘爱力), chairman of China Post Group.

　　The "Bingwu Year" set has two stamps, one named "Chi Yue Hong Tu" (驰跃宏图), in which a red horse steps on clouds and its mane is like flames, expressing the beautiful expectation of continuing to strive forward; the other is named "Wan Jun Zhen Fu" (万骏臻福), in which three steeds gallop side by side and auspicious patterns surround them, symbolizing the unity of purpose and the cohesion of joint efforts.

　　Exploring the texture, it can be found that behind this small work is a visual translation of the spirit of the times.

　　The first level of translation is in the pen held by the designer.

　　First look at the shape. "The shape of the Bingwu horse cleverly integrates the majestic fullness of the Tang Dynasty steed and the dynamic posture of modern streamline. It raises its head and neighs, and its four hooves are born with wind. The overall outline is like a flame and like auspicious clouds, full of upward surging potential, implying the spirit of striving forward in the new era," said Yan Bingwu (阎炳武), former director of the Editorial and Design Department of the Stamp Printing Bureau of China Post Group Corporation. "The treatment of the mane and tail uses the imagery of traditional cloud patterns and water patterns. The lines are smooth and decorative. It is an interaction between Chinese classical aesthetics and modern design language."

　　Then look at the color. The main body of the Bingwu horse "Chi Yue Hong Tu" uses red as the base color, and the local parts of the horse's body, such as the saddle, are integrated with golden embellishments, creating a dazzling visual effect, symbolizing prosperity, auspiciousness, and confidence, echoing the atmosphere of the new era.

　　The second level is in the knife in the hands of the engraver.

　　Looking closely at this small stamp, the red is full, the gold is shining, the black is deep... multiple colors are intertwined, the boundaries are clear but integrated; if you touch it lightly with your fingers, the lines are three-dimensional and undulating, as if you are touching a miniature relief.

　　"In order to make the steed 'jump' out of the paper, the engraved lines are used to outline its running momentum, the tension of muscle contraction, and the elegance of the flying mane." Xu Zhe (徐喆), one of the engravers of the "Bingwu Year" stamp, told reporters that the finest part of the engraved lines is only 0.01 mm. In this extremely small depth, every hair on the horse's body stands up.

　　The combination of ink and techniques makes the steed lifelike. Xu Zhe introduced that in order to make the lines more three-dimensional, not only were 27 different engraving inks tested before and after, but also two "soul colors" were specially added to this horse - special red and special gold. From a distance, it looks like a scarlet steed galloping in gilded sunshine.

　　In addition, this year China Post also jointly printed a small sheet of zodiac stamps on the same theme with the postal departments of Hong Kong and Macao, with steeds in different postures as the theme design, combined with festive background colors and auspicious patterns, to convey the New Year's atmosphere.

　　Why did the ancients create 120 special glyphs for horses?
　　Chen Shuangxin (陈双新) Ling Yu (凌玉)

　　In the evolution of human civilization, horses and humans are deeply interdependent. Whether for the people's farming and animal husbandry, or for national transportation and war, horses have played an indispensable role. The ancients paid great attention to horses. The "Shuowen Jiezi" (《说文解字》) contains about 120 characters with the horse radical, classified according to age, coat color, performance, and function, which shows the important position of horses in life.

　　These characters create special glyphs for horses based on their age, coat color, shape, pattern, performance, and other characteristics, such as ju (驹) (two-year-old horse) and tao (駣) (three-year-old horse), which are used to distinguish horses of different ages; qi (骐) (blue-black texture) and liu (骝) (red body with black mane and tail) are used to distinguish horses of different colors; ji (骥), jun (骏), and xiao (骁) are different names for good horses; jiao (骄) (six-foot-tall horse), rong (駥) (eight-foot-tall horse), zhi (馶) (strong horse), and bi (駜) (fat horse) are horses with different morphological characteristics; fei (騑) (horse harnessed on both sides of the shaft), fu (驸) (horse harnessed to the auxiliary carriage), pian (骈) (carriage drawn by two horses), si (驷) (carriage drawn by four horses), and yi (驿) (carriage and horse at the post station) are horses with different functions or carriages drawn by horses.

　　The horse was the main force of production in the agricultural era. The "Book of Songs" (《诗经》) once outlined the scene of fat horses in the suburbs driving carriages to work and assisting agricultural transportation.

　　The horse was a convenient means of transportation in ancient times. "A courier rides in the red dust, and the concubine smiles, but no one knows that it is lychees coming" shows the scene of the courier traveling day and night and whipping the horse to transport lychees.

　　The horse was an important strategic element in ancient times, representing the country's military strength. In ancient times, the scale of chariots was an important factor in determining the outcome of a battle: "a country with a thousand chariots" was the standard configuration of a medium-sized vassal state in the Spring and Autumn Period, and "a monarch with ten thousand chariots" was the title of the emperor and a super power.

　　It is worth mentioning that in order to adapt to the needs of horse riding, the ancients evolved trousers from skirts, which profoundly affected the development of clothing.

　　With the rapid development of modern society, horses have gradually withdrawn from the core stage of production and military affairs, and most horse-radical characters have become silent. Nowadays, no more than 40 characters are commonly used. However, the cultural vitality of horses has never disappeared. In the context of modern Chinese, many horse-radical characters have achieved a sublimation from concrete meaning to spiritual symbol, becoming a spiritual symbol that condenses national character.

　　"Qi" (骐), "ji" (骥), "jun" (骏), and "xiao" (骁), which originally referred to good horses, have been extended to refer to virtuous people with outstanding talents and old people with unfulfilled ambitions, representing the qualities of strength, excellence, pioneering, and forging ahead. The theme and main logo of the 2026 CCTV Spring Festival Gala, "Qiji Galloping, Unstoppable" (骐骥驰骋 势不可挡), originates from this meaning. Horse-related **成语** (chéng yǔ - "idiom," a fixed expression, often four characters, with a figurative meaning) such as "success upon arrival" (马到成功), "non-stop" (马不停蹄), and "taking the lead" (一马当先) condense the spirit of national progress and depict the spiritual strength of strivers in the new era.

　　In the excellent traditional Chinese culture, the horse has always been a vivid spiritual symbol, carrying rich and profound symbolic meanings. It is a concrete expression of strength and speed, a spiritual totem of loyalty and freedom, and it also embodies a full of spirit and enterprising life attitude, condensing the beautiful expectation of full confidence and success in career.

　　(The authors are professors and doctoral students of the School of Literature of Hebei University (河北大学文学院))

　　The Year of the Horse Zodiac Joint Exhibition Opens at the Tianjin Museum:
　　Seeking the Image of a Steed in the New Year, Cultural Heritage Spanning Thousands of Years
　　Reporter Gong Xiangjuan (龚相娟) of this newspaper

　　The New Year is approaching, and the atmosphere of the New Year is strong. In Hall 6 on the 5th floor of the Tianjin Museum (天津博物馆), many citizens and tourists are stopping to admire "horses," and interactive activities such as painting horses and rubbing prints make adults and children enjoy themselves.

　　As an important part of the "Celebrating the New Year in Museums in Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei" series of activities, the Tianjin Museum's "Horse Dance Welcoming the New Spring - Global Zodiac Culture Joint Exhibition for the Bingwu Year of the Horse" officially opened on February 6. The theme of the exhibition focuses on the word "dance," which not only outlines the agile posture of the galloping steed and echoes the strong core of the "Dragon Horse Spirit" (龙马精神), but also implies the festive atmosphere of singing and dancing in the New Year, conveying the good wishes of "taking the lead and everything going smoothly."

　　Li Wenjing (李文静), the curator of the exhibition, introduced that the Year of the Horse Zodiac Joint Exhibition constructs a complete narrative system of horse culture through four units, from the natural evolution and textual changes of horses to the strategic value of horses in ancient military and political affairs, and then to the cultural and artistic connotations and contemporary innovative expressions of horses, connecting the thread of Chinese horse culture spanning thousands of years.

　　This exhibition has many highlights, and more than 70% of the exhibits are on public display for the first time, covering various categories such as oracle bones, jade, porcelain, calligraphy and painting, and folk objects, with a time span extending from the Shang and Zhou dynasties to modern times. The local characteristic exhibits of Tianjin are eye-catching. Classic works such as "Eight Steeds" (《八骏图》) and "Dragon Horse Presenting Treasures" (《龙马进宝图》) in Yangliuqing New Year paintings (杨柳青年画) are all on display. The horse-shaped paper-cuts and clay sculptures made by local artists have a strong Tianjin flavor, making local audiences feel particularly cordial.

　　The exhibition also incorporates a number of technological and interactive innovations. AR (augmented reality) technology is introduced, and scanning the designated exhibits allows you to watch dynamic demonstrations of horses and historical scene restorations; multilingual intelligent voice guides can customize the explanation content according to the audience's age and interests, improving the personalized viewing experience. At the same time, 8 special activities built around "horse culture + New Year folk customs + hands-on experience" cover hundreds of people painting horses, "bronze divine steed" imitation casting, intangible cultural heritage woodblock New Year painting rubbing, and "Tang Sancai horse" clay imitation, allowing citizens to feel the charm of traditional culture in hands-on practice.

　　A New Home in the Depths of "Qingshan"
　　Shizi Gully (什字沟) in the Daqingshan National Nature Reserve (大青山国家级自然保护区) in Inner Mongolia (内蒙古) in winter is covered with white snow. Wang Junheng (王俊恒), the head of the Przewalski's horse base at the Gulu Ban Management Station (古路板管理站), spends his days going up the mountain to count and inspect the Przewalski's horses.

　　Since starting work at the age of 24, Wang Junheng has been a forest ranger in Daqingshan for more than 30 years. Approaching retirement, a special appointment brought a new challenge to his career - in 2021, the National Forestry and Grassland Administration (国家林业和草原局) launched the Daqingshan Przewalski's horse population diffusion and expansion reintroduction project, and 12 Przewalski's horses from Xinjiang (新疆) settled in this unfamiliar land of Daqingshan.

　　From feeding management to health monitoring, from behavioral observation to emergency response, he studied professional materials, actively participated in exchange activities and training courses, and often took the initiative to consult experts from the Xinjiang Wild Horse Breeding Research Center (新疆野马繁殖研究中心) to overcome many problems such as feeding and monitoring.

　　"There are now 17 wild horses, 5 males and 12 females." Looking at the herd of horses on the hillside, Wang Junheng's eyes are full of pride (Figure ⑤). Today, Przewalski's horses have adapted to the natural environment of Daqingshan, and the population diffusion has achieved initial success.

　　Reported by Li Zhiyao (李祉瑶), reporter of this newspaper.

Return to Top

This edition's editors: Meng Yang, Tang Zhongke, Xu Yang

Layout Design: Shen Yiling (沈亦伶)

Return to Top

Our Spring Festival: A Long and Happy Life

The longest Spring Festival holiday has begun. Returning home for the New Year on the twenty-eighth day of the twelfth lunar month is possible, and many netizens praised: This policy really understands the hearts of the people! The twenty-eighth day of the twelfth lunar month is full of the atmosphere of the New Year. Writing Spring Festival couplets, pasting "Fu" characters, appreciating New Year pictures, cutting window decorations, steaming flower buns... On this day, people create an aesthetic space full of auspicious meaning and welcome good fortune through a series of New Year customs.

"Winning the hearts of the people moves Heaven, good intentions extend life." Today, this edition specially invites five experts and scholars to appreciate the beauty of the year together, experience the changes of the times in the scenes of light and shadow entering paintings, the brilliance of the family, and the fragrance of cooking warming the year. We will also appreciate the Chinese aesthetic style of the Chinese Spring Festival culture, which contains emotional warmth and a spirit of co-creation and sharing, and joyfully welcome the reunion of families in the prosperous New Year.

--Editor

Return to Top

A Prosperous Celebration in New Year Paintings

By: 屈 健

"After sweeping the house, paste New Year pictures." From the guardian gods on the doors to the auspicious paintings in the halls, and then to the dream-chasing pictures in the exhibition halls, with the changes of the times, New Year pictures have transformed from traditional folk art to modern public art. Recently, the 2026 "New Life, New Fashion, New Year Pictures" art creation and exhibition activity, jointly sponsored by the Bureau of Civilized Practices of the Central Propaganda Department (中央宣传部文明实践局), the Department of Public Services of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism (文化和旅游部公共服务司), the China Artists Association (中国美术家协会), and the China Folk Literature and Art Association (中国民间文艺家协会), has successively opened in Beijing (北京), Hubei (湖北), and Jiangxi (江西). Through 302 selected works and previous masterpieces, it vividly demonstrates the new achievements of civilized practice in the new era, reflects the new look of urban-rural integrated development, and unfolds new scenes of Spring Festival culture.

For thousands of years, New Year pictures have always pinned people's hopes on a better life—from traditional folk patterns such as "Zhong Kui (钟馗) warding off evil spirits" for dispelling disasters and praying for blessings, to narrative scenes depicting the new atmosphere of the times such as "Lotus Pond Sings a Xiaokang Tune," and then to creative expressions integrated into the digital context, the creative transformation of its aesthetic rules has always been closely linked to the cultural roots of empathy with the people.

Looking back at the art of New Year pictures, its important transformations all confirm this. In the mid-20th century, the "New Year Picture Movement" endowed New Year pictures with unprecedented narrative methods and public character. At that time, the protagonist in the paintings changed from the door god holding a whip to the builder holding a steel drill, and the creator's vision shifted from the fairyland surrounded by auspicious clouds to the fields with rolling rice waves and the roaring factories. This is a profound aesthetic change: the object of expression has shifted from the ethereal gods to the real people, and the aesthetic function has also been sublimated from the blessing of every household to the engraving of the spirit of the times. "New Life, New Fashion, New Year Pictures" is precisely the warm practice of traditional culture and the New Year picture art tradition in the new era. The event has been carried out for years, linking various places with themes and main venues, sending excellent New Year pictures into urban and rural public spaces, and through professional training, public education, interactive experience workshops, cultural and creative exhibitions and other activities, allowing New Year pictures to re-enter people's lives.

The "new" of New Year pictures lies in its reconstruction of its own way of existence, including artistic direction and aesthetic grammar. The first is the liberation of space—from the quiet door decoration to the flowing open field. Today, the symbols of prayer break free from the limitations of doors and walls and transform into aesthetic carriers that can be touched, circulated, and interacted with: or moved to the city square, becoming a public art installation that attracts pedestrians to stop; or leaping onto the building curtain wall, transforming into a brilliant pattern that flutters with light; or integrated into the digital time and space, extending into a fresh and lively image in the audience's participation. The beauty that New Year pictures entrust is no longer limited to one picture and one painting, one hall and one room, but is expanded into a public cultural experience that can be dialogued and co-created.

The open source of creation allows New Year pictures to shift from skill inheritance to creative dialogue. The creation of New Year pictures presents a trend of de-schematization and de-conceptualization, which is not only a broadening of the inheritance path, but also a revitalization of its cultural expression system. Professional creators cultivate traditions deeply, while mass creation flourishes, forming a vivid scene of new mass literature and art. It is worth noting that many young people use humorous secondary creation to load contemporary semantics into traditional New Year picture patterns, and images such as "academic master door gods" that echo academic expectations and "environmental protection stove kings" that advocate green living continue to emerge. These creations continue the original intention of New Year pictures to intervene in reality and comfort the soul. Classic New Year picture images have also achieved lightweight translation with the help of blind boxes, digital collections, and Guochao designs, integrating into the lives of young people.

The concern for reality allows New Year pictures to move from symbols of warding off evil spirits and praying for blessings to narratives of spiritual self-awareness. The works' attention to green mountains and clear waters, their praise for the spirit of craftsmanship, their records of new rural areas and urban renewal, and their visions of the symbiosis of technology and humanities all reflect the new practices and new thinking of the Chinese nation in the process of Chinese-style modernization. People's expectations for a better life have shifted from the ritual of praying for blessings to a concrete and perceptible picture of the times, and the construction of common goals has made New Year pictures a new carrier for people to find a sense of belonging.

New Year pictures are a look back at history and a tribute to the future. That flowing prayer, surging from the depths of time, converges into the magnificent harmony of the new era, and paints a living picture of endless life, people's co-creation, and a myriad of scenes.

(The author is the Party Group Secretary and Resident Vice Chairman of the China Artists Association (中国美术家协会).)

Return to Top

Wheat Aroma Noodles Bloom

By: 杨 阳

Wheat is produced in the north, and there are many wheat-based foods. The most suitable for shaping is steamed buns made with fermented dough, and the special products among steamed buns are the various locally named dough flowers, flower buns, gift buns, lotus rolls, large flower steamed buns, and what scholars call dough sculptures.

Folk art is rich and diverse, and I have a special fondness for flower buns, not only because of their delicious wheat flavor, but also because of their simple shapes that bring endless joy. Spiritual satisfaction outweighs material enjoyment. When admiring flower buns, one naturally smiles, feeling a sense of fulfillment that uplifts the spirit.

Over the decades, I have met many masters of making flower buns while researching them in northern China. Although the materials and techniques for making flower buns are basically the same across different regions, with wheat flour as the main ingredient and red dates, walnuts, dried fruits, and mixed beans as auxiliary ingredients, and the tools are readily available, such as knives, scissors, sticks, combs, and chopsticks, the shapes and colors produced vary from place to place, each with its own beauty.

Flower buns come in a variety of shapes, including figures, animals, flowers, plants, fruits, and vegetables, both individual and combined, as well as scenes, all lifelike, with each shape conveying auspicious meanings. In terms of size, they range from small enough to be played with to large enough to be looked up to. The colors also vary from region to region. Plain white flower buns are simple and grand, adorned only with red dates and dried fruits, or with small red dots quickly painted on important parts when they are steamed and taken out of the steamer, revealing solemnity in simplicity; colorful flower buns are vibrant and gorgeous.

Different customs prevail every ten miles, and different traditions every hundred miles. The customs of using flower buns also vary from place to place. The flower buns offered to ancestors or deities during the Spring Festival are sacred and solemn, and are generally not given away casually. However, the flower buns that must be given as gifts when visiting relatives and friends during the New Year have specific requirements regarding content and quantity. Flower buns used for weddings, funerals, celebrations, and birthdays, as messengers of "affection" and carriers of "etiquette," have even stricter rules regarding their production and gifting. The flower bun masters I know from various regions all take a detailed order when making flower buns for people. Whether an order can be completed satisfactorily depends not only on the maker's proficiency in mastering flour fermentation, but also on their artistic shaping ability and whether the auxiliary materials and color matching are appropriate.

I have seen many flower buns of excellent quality, and I never tire of looking at each one, and I love them all. Whether it is a large flower mountain or a small animal, whether it is a chubby baby or a dragon and phoenix flower, each has its own special beauty.

The tiger-faced Great Sage insect from Jiaodong (胶东) is mysterious and solemn. The large dough tigers from Shanxi (山西) and Shaanxi (陕西) are cute and mighty. The most interesting thing about the lotus rolls from Gaomi (高密), Shandong (山东), is the production process. Several pieces of dough are stacked on top of each other, clamped between two long poles, and the hands turn like flowers, dazzling the viewer. In a short while, beautiful lotuses and lively fish are transformed and born.

Forty years ago, when I was investigating folk art in the Yellow River (黄河) basin, the vivid shapes and special beauty of flower buns deeply attracted me. I still remember the double-headed large dough tiger I saw at a wedding in Huaxian County (华县) (now Huazhou District (华州区), Weinan City (渭南市), Shaanxi (陕西)), which was the main character among the many flower buns, symbolizing yin and yang harmony and a harmonious and happy future. Even more unforgettable was the scene of filming three old grandmothers making flower buns. They chatted, sang, and kneaded as they worked, and one lifelike little baby after another jumped out of their hands. After being steamed and taken out of the steamer, the texture of the fermented dough flower buns was very similar to that of a baby's skin. Two years ago, I participated in the February Flower Bun Offering Fair in Lan County (岚县), Shanxi (山西). The long tables of each family connected for two streets, and the viewers were shoulder to shoulder, creating a spectacular scene. The memories that flower buns have left me are too many to count.

Flower buns are both food and ornamental, loved by children and adults alike, and attracting the attention of scholars. They are a living art with great cultural research value. This year, in the "New Year - Bingwu Spring Festival Theme Exhibition" at the China Arts and Crafts Museum (中国工艺美术馆), one of the main displays was a "Large Drum Jujube Mountain" flower bun from Shanxi (山西) (see photo, taken by He Jiajia (贺佳佳)), symbolizing a rich harvest, auspiciousness, and happiness, with a shocking visual effect, becoming a major check-in point for visitors.

"On the twenty-eighth day of the twelfth lunar month, make rice cakes, steam buns, and paste paper-cut window decorations." No matter what differences there are in the form and materials of Spring Festival delicacies in the north and south, the spirit contained within them is eternal, and the cultural heritage is passed down through customs, 生生不息 (shēng shēng bù xī - "unceasingly," to grow and develop continuously; to multiply and thrive).

(The author is the former Deputy Director of the Folk Arts and Crafts Professional Committee of the China Arts and Crafts Society (中国工艺美术学会))

Return to Top

A Delicate Piece of Paper Opens a New Realm

By: 王亚琦

On the twenty-eighth day of the twelfth lunar month, a red paper-cut window decoration is pasted onto the window lattice, not only adding festive joy but also representing a call for light and warmth. People cut away the excess, symbolizing the removal of bad luck from the old year; they preserve the lines, praying for continuous good fortune in the new year. "A thousand cuts do not fall, ten thousand snips do not break," which on the surface is a skill, is actually a metaphor for the Chinese nation's resilient view of life. Letting life be transparent and reserving an exit for spring, the window decoration is not only a folk custom symbol but also an important ritual for Chinese people to reconstruct the aesthetics of time and space.

It is often said that "cutting" window decorations seems to only concern the agility of scissors. In Lingqiu, Shanxi (山西灵丘), window decorations have a more solid soul. There, the ancient "knife-carved window decorations" are preserved—entirely knife-made rather than cut with scissors. In 2025, the "Xia Mo Qing Qiu" practice team of the Fine Arts Society of the Student Art Troupe of Tsinghua University (清华大学) went to Lingqiu (灵丘), attempting to understand this traditional craft originating from the folk and passed down for hundreds of years through interviews with inheritors and hands-on experience.

Under the guidance of the inheritors, the students realized that this craft, seemingly quiet, actually contains tension. The blade travels vertically between the layers of paper, too much force and it breaks, too little and it's weak, forcing people to slow their breathing and focus their minds on the tip of the knife. Each cut is like a "dialogue" with the paper, both "carving" out shapes and "retaining" beauty. From rubbing patterns, fixing paper layers, to repeated fine-tuning, to dyeing, drying, and mounting, slow work dispels impatience and tempers concentration. This creative beauty that requires time to settle is in stark contrast to the fast-paced life of instant feedback.

Practice is not mechanical imitation. In the eyes of young people, intangible cultural heritage is a surging river. After understanding the rules of the craft, they tried to design new patterns with different styles. Some took their own silhouettes as the theme, while others incorporated modern geometric compositions while retaining the "knife-carved" style. Paper-cutting is given a new vitality and a young aesthetic expression. This naturally occurring new aesthetic realm is precisely the belief of the new generation in giving new life to intangible cultural heritage: traditional crafts can enter new narratives and spaces, but should not lose the solemnity and gentleness that grows from life.

This solemnity lies not only in the creation of the knife tip but also in the nourishment of the land. The students learned in exchanges that the wax board placed under the paper layers is made by mixing ash from local oat stalks with honey and butter. When the blade cuts through, in addition to hearing the crisp sound of the paper breaking, one can also smell the aroma of grain and soil. Decorative motifs such as fish, lotus, and clustered flowers appear repeatedly in different regions, not as accidental similarities, but as the same wish being repeatedly mentioned in different local accents, embedding individual hopes into patterns that everyone understands. The most vivid experience occurred at the moment of coloring. Initially, it was thought that the popular Morandi colors were more advanced and elegant, but after dyeing them by hand, it was discovered that light colors could not support the auspicious atmosphere of the window decorations. Only that touch of bright red can support a lively Chinese New Year. This aesthetic awareness after personal practice is more penetrating.

As times change, the aesthetic construction of the Spring Festival becomes more abundant and convenient. The "low-efficiency" creation of cutting window decorations reveals a rare value today. In the process of cutting and carving, people learn how to get along with rhythm and how to achieve perfection under limited conditions. These experiences will not be engraved on the window decorations but will remain in the body memories of young students.

Welcoming the year of Bingwu, looking at the beauty of window decorations again, it feels like a knife and paper, with both the strength of "**刻骨铭心**" (kè gǔ míng xīn - "carved in bones, engraved in heart," unforgettable) and the clarity of "透光见影" (tòu guāng jiàn yǐng - "light shines through, revealing shadows," transparent and clear). The moment the red paper is cut open, the spring is already blooming in people's hearts. When the last knife falls, the paper unfolds, the pattern appears, and people complete a conversation between the old year and the new year while completing a work.

(Author's unit: Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University (清华大学美术学院))

Return to Top

A Worldly Scene of Books and Blessings, All Under a Gentle and Harmonious Breeze.

By: 李 宁

"Fortune is completeness; completeness is another name for all things going smoothly." The explanation of the character "Fu" (福) in the *Book of Rites* expresses the Chinese nation's beautiful expectations for smooth and peaceful, complete, and harmonious lives for thousands of years. Today, this ancient vision is being given new contemporary connotations.

On the eve of the Bingwu Year of the Horse in 2026, the "Ten Thousand Fortunes Welcoming Spring" public welfare activity organized by the Chinese Calligraphers Association (中国书法家协会) was launched nationwide. Among them, the "Chinese New Year Celebrated Globally Through Calligraphy" event invited calligraphy groups from various countries to participate in the grand event and convey the voice of China to the world. The whole world celebrates the New Year. A piece of paper and ink, in the vivid contemporary scene, inherits the cultural charm of the evolution of the character "Fu" (福) over thousands of years.

The character "Fu" (福) already appeared in the oracle bone inscriptions unearthed from the Yin Ruins (殷墟) in Anyang (安阳), Henan (河南), which is a concrete representation of the sacrificial rituals of the Shang Dynasty (商代). At this time, the "Fu" (福) culture was the simple prayer of the ancestors for favorable weather, the reproduction of the ethnic group, and the stability of the kingship. It was a cultural symbol of the dialogue between man and God, but it was limited to the sacrificial activities of the aristocratic class and had not yet entered the daily life of ordinary people.

With the maturity of the ritual and music civilization of the Western Zhou Dynasty (西周), "Fu" (福) began to be related to "De" (德, virtue). The "Nine Categories" item in the *Book of Documents* (尚书) "Hong Fan" (洪范) constitutes the ancient rule of governing the country with the unity of heaven and man and the joint governance of the monarch and the people. Among them, there are records of "collecting the five fortunes in time and using them to spread and bestow them on the people" and "facing and using the five fortunes." The five fortunes are longevity, wealth, health and peace, love of virtue, and a good end to life. The monarch should first cultivate virtue and gather fortune, and then spread fortune to the people, which is the way of governing as a king.

Under the background of the unified political culture of the Qin Dynasty (秦朝), "Fu" (福) was bound to the prosperity of the country and the stability of the territory, and the personal fortune and family fortune were linked to the fate of the country. The "Fu" (福) of the Han Dynasty (汉朝) was combined with Confucian filial piety, brotherly love, and benevolence, forming the concept of filial piety leading to fortune and accumulating good deeds leading to fortune, which was more closely related to the daily life of the people. Eaves tiles and other objects often had the inscription "Forever Receive Good Fortune" (永受嘉福).

During the Tang (唐) and Song (宋) dynasties, "it was then known that misfortune and fortune are not made by heaven" (乃知祸福非天为), and misfortune and fortune were directly related to personal morality and cultivation, and the philosophy of life of "fortune and benevolence combined" (福与仁合) was put forward. Literati and poets often wrote the character "Fu" (福) in calligraphy, and wrote "May your health be well in all respects" (尊体动止万福) in letters, which not only expressed personal prayers, but also combined the "Fu" (福) culture with calligraphy aesthetics. Li Yong (李邕), a calligrapher of the Tang Dynasty, once inscribed the two characters "Jing Fu" (景福) in large characters of four feet in Qixingyan (七星岩), Zhaoqing (肇庆), Guangdong (广东). Kang Wei (康卫) of the Northern Song Dynasty (北宋) wrote the poem "The Big Dipper falls from the sky, and the world writes Jing Fu" after seeing these two characters. Since then, the people have mostly rubbed and posted this "Fu" (福) character. The "Fu" (福) culture entered the daily life of the people and became a folk custom symbol that permeated daily life.

Since the Ming (明) and Qing (清) dynasties, with the prosperity of the imperial examination and the prosperity of the market, the pursuit of "Fu" (福) has become more specific. For example, emperors in the Qing Dynasty would write many "Fu" (福) characters and bestow them on their ministers. The *Painting Boats of Yangzhou* (扬州画舫录) records that Gao Chengjue (高承爵), who once served as the prefect of Yangzhou (扬州) in the Qing Dynasty, "was good at writing large characters" (善擘窠书), and every year at the end of the year, "the villagers asked for the character 'Fu' (福) to be written as a good omen" (乡民求书福字以为瑞), which was passed down as a good story for a while. At the same time, the writing form of the character "Fu" (福) became more diverse. Literati and poets wrote the character "Fu" (福) to give to friends and celebrate birthdays, while folk art forms such as paper-cutting, New Year pictures, and embroidery of the character "Fu" (福) appeared. The custom of replacing peach charms and pasting the character "Fu" (福) during the New Year was also officially fixed in the Ming and Qing dynasties.

From the pious inscriptions on oracle bones and bronzes to the unrestrained ink on rice paper and red stationery; from the solemn prayers of sacrificial ceremonies to the warm wishes of thousands of families, the "Fu" (福) culture has traveled through thousands of years, its form has changed with the times, and its spirit has become more and more new. It has gone from awe of the unknown to adherence to morality; from praying for the timing of the heavens to cultivating human affairs; from the grand theories of the court to the daily life of the people. It demonstrates the spiritual characteristics of Chinese civilization of emphasizing benevolence, valuing the people, keeping faith, advocating justice, valuing harmony, and seeking great unity.

Today, when we pick up a pen to write the character "Fu" (福), what flows from the tip of the pen is not only the individual's wish for peace and prosperity, but also a deep blessing for the country's prosperity and the beauty of the mountains and rivers, and a beautiful vision for national rejuvenation and world harmony. This "Fu" (福) character, which spans thousands of years, will surely carry a richer contemporary connotation in the continuous writing.

(Author's unit: Chinese Calligraphers Association (中国书法家协会))

Return to Top

Ink and Brush Connect the World in Spring

By: 田熹晶

"The Three Yangs begin to spread, and the Four Seasons are initially opened." The most important traditional Chinese festival – the Spring Festival is approaching. At this time, people put down their fatigue and happily rush to their hometowns for family reunions. Sweeping dust, offering sacrifices to ancestors, purchasing New Year's goods, and pasting Spring Festival couplets are all busy and lively activities.

"Before the cup of Tusu wine is raised, small characters are written on peach wood charms before the lamp." The poetry of the ancients, when read today, is still vivid and fragrant. And the new era gives us more blessings and benefits. On the eve of the Spring Festival, all walks of life carry out cultural activities to benefit the people in different forms. In order to allow the general public to paste high-quality Spring Festival couplets, the Chinese Calligraphers Association has held large-scale "Wanfu Welcomes the Spring (万福迎春)" public welfare activities for consecutive years, and has carried out linkages with provincial, municipal, and county calligraphy associations to write Spring Festival couplets and 福 (fú - "good fortune") characters for the public on the spot. Spring Festival couplets inherit culture, convey warmth, and are pasted on the door, carrying another year of happiness and hope.

The custom of pasting Spring Festival couplets during the Spring Festival has a long history. According to the "Book of the Later Han Dynasty·Ritual Records (后汉书·礼仪志)," the Xia, Shang, and Zhou people "used peach wood seals six inches long and three inches square, with five-color writing as required, to apply to doors." The Han Dynasty also used them. The peach wood charms for dispelling disasters and warding off evil spirits are the prototype of Spring Festival couplets. During the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, Meng Chang (孟昶), the Lord of Later Shu, wrote on peach wood charms "The New Year accepts the remaining celebrations, and the auspicious festival is called Everlasting Spring," which is considered the first clearly recorded Spring Festival couplet that conforms to the norms of antithetical couplets. The form of antithetical couplets fits the Chinese expression of paired concepts and symmetrical aesthetics, with concise words, sonorous tones, narrative and lyrical expression, and appreciation by both refined and popular tastes. Gradually, writing, composing, and pasting Spring Festival couplets became a pleasure for literati and scholars. So when were Spring Festival couplets used in ordinary people's homes? According to Chen Shanggu's "Miscellaneous Sayings from Zanyun Tower (簪云楼杂说)" in the Qing Dynasty, the popularization of Spring Festival couplets should have started with the decree of Zhu Yuanzhang (朱元璋), the Ming Taizu: "Officials, nobles, scholars, and common people must add a pair of Spring Festival couplets to their doors." Since then, during the Spring Festival, the streets and alleys have been bustling with activity, full of joy and peace.

Times have changed, but the elegance has not declined. Until today, the custom of pasting Spring Festival couplets during the Spring Festival is still prevalent. There are many considerations in the writing of Spring Festival couplets, which must not only express emotions and meanings, but also be closely related to the context of use, and also follow the rules of antithetical couplets. The new year is the Bingwu Year of the Horse, and the writing of Spring Festival couplets is also mostly related to "horse." In traditional Chinese culture, the horse is a symbol of striving, bravery, auspiciousness, loyalty, freedom, and high spirits, all of which are extremely vital. On the eve of the 2026 Spring Festival, the long couplets hung at the launch ceremonies of the two "Wanfu Welcomes the Spring (万福迎春)" events held by the Chinese Calligraphers Association in Qufu (曲阜), Shandong (山东) and Zhaoqing (肇庆), Guangdong (广东) were written by Ma Yongming (马勇明), Secretary of the Party Group of the Chinese Calligraphers Association, and calligraphed by Sun Xiaoyun (孙晓云), Chairman of the Chinese Calligraphers Association. The couplet in Qufu (曲阜), the hometown of Confucius (孔子), is: "Virtue crowns the past and present, three thousand years of cultural heritage continue, and revitalize the Chinese dragon's soaring spirit; blessings fill the universe, ninety thousand miles of rivers and mountains shine, and together we welcome the New Year's horse leaping on the journey," how heroic, this is the spirit that the New Year should have. The couplet in Zhaoqing (肇庆) is: "National policies open up a bright future, and great undertakings chase the wind, with thousands of sails competing in the bay area; auspicious air transmits the 福 (fú - "good fortune") character, and grand plans weave brocade, with calligraphy and ink connecting the four seas in spring," which expresses the openness and vitality of the Greater Bay Area where Zhaoqing (肇庆) is located. These two couplets combine the local history, culture, and development characteristics, and use affectionate brushstrokes to express the broad masses of people's beautiful yearning for the New Year and their ambition to start a career.

Every year at this time, people remove dust and decorate anew, expecting "one night of winter cold follows the exhaustion of the leak, and ten points of spring color break the morning," and welcome the vibrant spring with doubled spirits. When every household pastes Spring Festival couplets, looking at the fiery red color and auspicious words, the thought that arises spontaneously in their hearts is "there is no need to go to the eastern suburbs to welcome spring, spring is in thousands of households." Facing everything in the future with such an optimistic and open-minded spirit, one will be **无往而不胜** (wú wǎng ér bù shèng - "nowhere not victorious," invincible).

(The author is an associate professor at the School of Art, Hebei University (河北大学).)

Return to Top

This page edited by Xu Hongmei and Wu Yanli

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

Return to Top